16th, 2026 at 5:30 and I call this [clears throat] meeting to order. I would like We don't have a mayor today, so I'm going to ask uh Councilman Rydell to lead us in an invocation. >> Let's Pray with me, please. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, Lord, and we
we thank you for this beautiful city that we live in. We ask that you bless all of those who serve and work in our city and those who reside here with us. Lord, I pray that you would bless this meeting, that you would give us the wisdom and the servant's heart that we need to make the decisions to govern this body. We ask all these things in
Christ's 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, David.
>> You're welcome. >> Cathy, could you call the roll? >> Councilman Bishop Hopchat >> Here. >> Rydell >> Here. >> Stewart >> Here. >> Haynes >> Here. Thank you, Cathy. Business from the audience. If there's
anything that anybody wants to talk about tonight that is not on the agenda, please see Clerk Haley, fill out a form, and later on in the meeting, we'll get to you, and we can talk about anything that you want to. Uh our mayor, Ken, is not here today, so in his place,
Scott has a couple things to to share. >> Good evening, Council. I've got a couple proclamations to read. Uh the first one's a proclamation on faith, family, and responsible fatherhood. Is Kaylee Bush in the audience?
Okay. That's all right, then I'll just read it from here. Whereas faith is not just a cornerstone, but the very foundation of many communities, providing a moral compass of strength, hope, and guidance for most of its residents.
And whereas the Christian faith and Christian Christian ethics played a vital role in defining and shaping the constitutional values of unconditional love, service, and unity that contribute to residents' well-being. And whereas the family unit became the
initial God-ordained earthly institution providing the foundational model for a thriving society fostering strong moral character, compassion, and responsibly now and in the future generations. And
where whereas the month of June is also a time our nation honors fathers through the observation of Father's Day, which acknowledges the father's role as pillars and the bedrock of strength, wisdom, and
leadership for their family and to serve as a much-needed societal influence throughout communities. Now, therefore, on behalf of Mayor John Shoop, City of Sebring, do hereby proclaim June 26th as Faith, Family, and Responsible
Fatherhood Month in the City of Sebring, Florida, and call upon all residents to unite, celebrate, and uplift our community's fundamental faith, family, and responsible fatherhood pillars. By honoring these virtues, we
strengthen families, honor fathers and mothers, and embrace the faith that calls us to serve one another with love and compassion. In witness thereof, on behalf of Mayor Shoop,
I hereunto set my hand and cause the great seal of City of Sebring, Florida, this 16th day of June in the year of our Lord 2026. >> So, a couple of people walking in. Did you catch them walking in?
Thank you. I have another proclamation here. This one's celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Whereas, July 4th, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the
Declaration of Independence, a historic milestone celebrating the birth of the United States of America and its enduring principles of liberty, equality, and self-governance. And whereas, this semi-quincentennial anniversary
offers a unique opportunity for citizens across our great nation to reflect on our shared history, honor the sacrifices of those who defended our freedom, and rededicate ourselves to the foundational ideals of our republic. And whereas, the City
of Sebring, Florida, the historic city on the circle founded in 1912, stands as a proud, vibrant community that embodies the American spirit of ingenuity, resilience, and fellowship. And whereas, the residents, civic organizations,
and local businesses of Sebring contribute daily to the rich cultural tapestry, agricultural heritage, and economic strength of Highlands County and the state of Florida. And whereas, the Sebring Historical Society is coordinating and hosting a
local celebration of America's 250th anniversary on this July 4th at the Jack Stroup Civic Center. And whereas, in alignment with national initiatives, the City of Sebring encourages all community members to participate in
local celebrations, historical education programs, and acts of community service that unite us in civic pride. Now, therefore, on behalf of Mayor John Shoop of the City of Sebring, Florida
by virtue of the authority vested in the mayor do hereby proclaim July 4th, 2026 as America 250 Day in the city of Sebring and urge all citizens to join together in celebrating this historic 250th
anniversary honoring our past and building a stronger, more unified future for the generations to come. On behalf of the mayor, John Shoop, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great seal of the city of Sebring,
Florida this 16th day of June in the year of our Lord 2026. Thank you, Scott. Josh Zapeta, good Scott and Haley and Lorraine F. Josh Zapeta, I don't know how the mayor does it. >> I don't know either. >> [laughter] >> I I was looking for some water.
About halfway through that. >> Well, thank you. Thank you, Scott. Um any other uh things to say on behalf of the mayor? Okay, Scott. So, thank you for reading those. We're moving over to the council members' concerns, comments, and liaison reports
starting to the left. Uh >> No report. >> I got a a few things. So, first we got a letter um addressed to all of us with some complaints about lack of code enforcement on High Street or High Avenue. Um we This is a repeat. We had one of
these a few months ago. Uh whoever sent that letter was sent in anonymously. It's not in the city limits of Sebring. So, we can't enforce anything over there. Um I understand I believe that Police Chief um Carl Hoglund has passed this on to county code enforcement. But, if you happen to be watching
tonight, um you're not getting city code enforcement cuz you don't live in the city of Sebring. Um next thing uh I'm the CRA liaison this cycle and just want to report they had a meeting last Monday where they, um
completed a or voted to approve a disposition agreement for the old Bank of America building to Marmor Construction. Um my understanding is that the Hall of Fame Museum is still working to try and get some funding and go in, um after the fact. So, that's good news.
And then last one, just wanted to give a compliment to Public Works. I had a friend of mine call me tell me that he was, um at a downtown business last week or the week before, maybe, and one of the flags that was up had, um had started drooping or got tattered or something and he called the city and
reported it and within 15 minutes Public Works was there and replaced it. Uh so, that was awesome. That's it. >> All right. Thank you. David? >> Um the only thing I have is really the, uh I'm the liaison this cycle for the fire department and they've had kind of
a busy week here. Um So, what I saw in the paper that on June 10th, they were they had a structure fire in Avon Park and our fire department responded as a mutual aid request to go to that. Uh they had nine off-duty firefighters who responded to that.
Uh spent about 4 hours or so, excuse me, up there uh assisting both uh Highlands County Fire and Rescue and uh the Avon Park Fire Department. Uh and then yesterday, of course, they had they responded as a another mutual aid request out to the Istokpoga boat
ramp. Um where where they were uh put two divers in the water uh in search of the victims who had drowned. Uh Sebring Fire Department did recover one of the victims and they remained there until the, uh Florida Fish and Wildlife, uh
got there to take over. So, it's been, uh and then after that, they left and went to a structure fire that was going on downtown. So, it's been a busy week for our fire department and they've done a great job. So, I want to say thank you to them. No report.
Uh thank you for sharing that. Moving on to the consent agenda. Any questions on the consent agenda? I move we make a I make a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Motion and a second. >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Uh any comments from the audience?
Council Patton? >> Hopkins? >> Yes. >> I doubt >> Yes. >> Stewart? >> Yes. >> Hayden? >> Yes. >> Uh no old business. Uh new business. Uh HGTV Hometown Takeover, we got two celebrities in the room. So, if you guys want to come up and talk
about everything that's going on. Thank you for being here. >> I'm going to let >> Um good evening. For the record, my name is Casey Hart, tourism director for Highlands County. >> And I'm Shelley Gable. >> I work with Biggest Fish Consulting, and I hang out in Highlands County once a month. >> And she's the the celebrity. I'm not.
She's here for moral support. Um I don't know >> Should we go ahead? Do you mind if we tell them about that so we can see our slides? >> Go ahead. >> Um So, thank you so much for um allowing us a few minutes on your agenda. We wanted to share what we've been up to. Um we will first start with a shout-out to our
TDC liaison, Josh Stewart, who does an amazing job um representing the city on the Tourist Development Council. Um this was something that we This is a presentation that we were selected through from throughout the state to share at Destinations Florida. It's a marketing summit. It takes place once a
year. Um and just different destinations are invited to come and present on unique things that they're doing within their destination. It could be marketing, advertising. Um ours was obviously on community collaboration. So, we wanted to share that with you, mainly because a lot of your team members are involved. So, Josh is
involved. Um Scott's involved. Hannah, um Chrissy with the CRA, so this is Mirshup, yep. Um, so thank you, Shelly. So this is why we're a team. So, uh, so we just want to kind of share what your team has been up to and what we've been doing. Um, you can keep clicking. You know that
we are. Um, so really this all happened when HGTV came about. Um, they connected us with Shelly, who is from Wetumpka and was obviously a integral part of season 1 in Wetumpka, Alabama. Uh, and what we started what we realized is that, um, we
had this big opportunity. We didn't really know what to do with it. You know, we thought Yeah. That's so good, yeah. Now we can see it. So, um, so anyway, so we knew we had this amazing opportunity within Sebring. Um, we just didn't know quite how many
legs it would have to go with it. No, I'm good. What we wanted to figure out is how we could take six episodes of television because we know from Wetumpka that, um, it's going to have legs under it for a little while and turn that into sustainable tourism, uh,
for, you know, 10 years or longer. Oh, and just so a little I will backtrack a little bit cuz I know we have people in the audience. So the tourism office is a county department, um, but we don't rely on county revenue. So we are funded by what we call a tourist development tax. So when you go
to another county or another state and you stay in a hotel or Airbnb, you pay that tax. So that's the same with our visitors and that is how our, uh, our tax is is what works as well and how we're funded. So for us, for our board that Josh is a part of, um, the more people that come and stay, the better,
the more money we make. Um, they're also the better for our hotels, our restaurants, our golf courses, our businesses. So we knew we had this amazing opportunity, but we didn't want them to just drive in and drive back out, right? We wanted them to stay. We realized we had like plastic, we had Avon Park, we have three charming downtowns. Don't just come for Sebring,
come for all of them. Um, so as we were doing that and as we were kind of working through all that, we realized that we have a lot of silos. You can see them up here. So, >> All towns have silos. >> Yes. >> All towns All Yeah, all towns have silos. And those are just some of the things that every town deals with.
>> And so, the thing is that we were trying to do through all of this is how do we take Sebring, who was chosen, and then create one big great destination. Because any town, any county has towns that operate like islands. So, that's been our focus since the beginning.
>> And then when they reached out to me, um the one thing I said to them is a TV show can't save a town. Like a TV show cannot save a town. Uh I love Bentonville and they're fantastic. They will never say they saved a town. But the people who live there have to do the work and work together. And what is that going to look like? And so, what we
wanted to do was create this powerful ripple effect that would go beyond Sebring throughout the entire county over time. And so, these are the exact notes Casey took from the first time I came and spoke here, which I thought was really funny. And so, um it isn't about tourism dollars. It's about positively
changing your community for future generations. And so, that's really been our focus from this. It was never really about making television. It's been about making long-term positive generational change for your entire county. >> Going back to that, the visitors don't see city limits, you know? So, like if
you go to a destination, like I'm going to Oklahoma tomorrow. Like I can't tell you what county I'm going to. I can tell you what city and what I'm going to do when I'm there, but I can't tell you if I cross county lines. So, um I think a lot of those silos that we were dealing with is that people saw, oh, well, if they're only coming to Sebring or they're only coming to Frostproof.
Really, we want to The more we have bandwidth to show as a destination, the more people are going to come and the longer they're going to stay. >> Correct. And so, we did this strategic shift. We didn't really focus on filming and publicity. I was visiting with the team um often, even coming here often, but we
didn't talk about television. Um we talked about how we could rebuild our regional tourism ecosystem. And so, that is completely different than what we did in Wetumpka because we learned a lot. So our new focus was really about community alignment. Everyone that's been to our meetings knows that. Leadership
engagement and stakeholder collaboration across the entire county. What if we could blur the city limit lines and get everyone to talk to each other and align that vision and that's been our focus. Oh, and I this is a Shelly-ism. Connect, connect, connect, communicate, collaborate. That's you have to do that
or you're never going to be able to create change and we are doing that incredibly well here across Highlands. >> So we started so it was funny so we Shelly was zooming with us and and she came down a couple times and she was still the full-time chamber director at in Wetumpka.
But she was doing these side gigs and and public speaking and so I said Shelly like what if you like want to come work for us full-time? Are you ready to not be a chamber director? So she was. So we were able to actually bring her in as a consultant. We have a bunch of really amazing consultants and she's
able to have these conversations with people but she doesn't live here. >> You know, she she can be honest. She can say some of the things that we can't say. She doesn't have to see them in public like we do. So she can be very honest and but still tactful and give good feedback. So we started creating listening sessions, community
stakeholder meetings. We do these city specific ones but then we also do like interest specific too. So our eco-tourism partners or our golf partners or hotel and restaurant we had those a couple weeks ago. Art and culture. So we look at the different niches that tourists would be interested in and talk to them and have
conversations on how we can help. >> And it was so funny because everyone had so much to say. Cuz they hadn't been asked before. And so I think that's really important especially in a small town. The someone's needed to shut up and listen. I don't know everything. Just ask questions, get to know what people really want and that's how we align
vision. And so like she said before you know, tourists can't see our city limit lines. So long before the show aired all of these things happened. There was so much prep work before the show aired and all of that was done through the TDC and the CRA and all the all the counties.
>> so this is our visitor guide. We wanted to make sure again we leaned into the fact like we knew people were looking at Sebring because of HGTV with the charming downtown but we have three downtowns, right? So come and stay longer and and really realize what we have to offer as a county. Correct. >> Now this is the big this is the game
changer. >> I see some people I know there. >> I know there's some people I know there. We created a regional leadership team and this was so fantastic. First time we met on Zoom everyone just stared at me and it was so incredibly painful and awkward. And what I realized is not people didn't really know each other even though they lived in the same
county. So we started coming down meeting in person monthly and over the course of a year and a half we have created this amazing group of people that communicate and collaborate and we are doing such great work and we're moving forward. I cannot wait to tell you what's going to be happening in the
fall. So this was really transformative for Highlands County when we created that leadership team and I don't know any other county and I work across the US. There's not another county that does that. >> Right. >> So we have I mentioned we have consultants. So they really play a key
role for us. It's a way we are a small town. So we need specific talents that we can't always find here. I'm not really a fan of like trying to cram someone into a role that that they're not really designed for. And a lot of our consultants too rely on relationships.
Tanya Churchmuch with Much PR she has amazing relationships with a lot of travel media. She lives in New York City. So that is what she does for a living. Alan with our sports scores and my dad is what he does. So it wasn't that big of a reach cuz we could bring Shelly in who has all this background and these relationships with
different people in rural counties to understand what we needed to be doing and how we could get more traction. >> Absolutely. And by doing that you don't have to hire full-time staff. So just it works a lot better especially as a small town is growing. And so part of this the one thing that we did in Wauchula, where I live, is we
were really needing to focus on hospitality because we had never been a tourism destination before. You were already a tourism destination, but we knew that we needed people to come back, like a blind date. We knew they were coming because of Ben and Erin, but we wanted them to fall in love with Highlands County and want them to come
back. And the only way that's going to happen is if we are truly Florida's heart of hospitality. So, we spent the summer, wrote a curriculum for Highlands County regarding hospitality. The TDC backs it, I facilitate it, and to make people learn about Highlands County, we
created a game show trivia game with buzzers. If you've ever been to the class, it's very fun. So, it's just groups of people come together learning about hospitality, how to be better ambassadors, better servants, and to learn more about where they live and work. >> And I think really it's become it's
evolved. We thought it was going to be for restaurant tours and and hotel staff, front desk staff. It's really become tons of people come, realtors, nonprofits, a carpet cleaning business. Like, it's really become more than what we thought because really everyone is a
spokesperson for Highlands County. Like, everyone represents we are. I just told the story, I was in Publix last week and, you know, there's a group of guys checking out, they're clearly not from here. They're golfing, and they asked the the person bagging their groceries, you know, "Where where can we get a good steak?" So, literally it could be I mean, Sally always says the gas gas
station attendant, it could be anybody. But, you know, the last thing we want is for someone to come here and someone they ask their server or front desk person, "What do we do here?" Nothing, there's nothing to do, you know? So, that is what we don't want. So, the more people that go through this and even people that have been through really high-end hospitality training come to
this, and it's specific to Highlands County. So, I think it means a little bit more. >> And you're right, and we started doing site-specific and interest industry-specific. So, now we have restaurants. Yesterday, I went and hosted on site with the faded crew. I'm going to be doing Pine Crest next time I'm in town. So, so we are we
are branching out with that. So, this is fantastic, too. We did a team retreat with everyone that's on our regional team. We got together um and we talked about what are all the assets across the county, what assets do each town have, and how can we connect those to create
regional uh themed visits. And so, that we did it at Casey's families ranch. It was super fun. I learned that I can't rope. Um but it was it was a really great day. It was very powerful. We had markers and big paper. It was fantastic. >> Passing out to external partners >> Yeah, it was it was it was a really good
day, so. We've also hosted destination identity workshops. Um I teach a class at Auburn every year, and so we asked the towns if they would be interested because it's very important that each of the communities understand who they are uniquely and then as a whole under the
county umbrella. And so, in doing that, we just sort of made fun things, but I've done it in all three of the of the towns. It's been really really fun, very interactive. So, that's been fantastic. >> The great thing about Shelley does is don't focus on what you're not, focus on what you are. You know, so if if Avon Park wants to be baseball, like let's
lean into baseball, you know, let's have a hot dog themed um you know, restaurant or like named baseball named things on your menu that are baseball themed. Just lean into it. Um and by that, they're starting to like elevate and not not be so upset on what they're not. >> white bread and mayonnaise and
mimicking. So, this way just really create a unique destination that people can only find that flavor here. >> And those are just AI pictures. They're not >> No, yeah, for sure. And because I always say what makes you different as a human being or if you're a town, what makes you different is actually your superpower. You just got to lean in.
So, I'll go ahead. >> Yeah, so now we're at the point where how do we turn, you know, what we've been doing, the collaboration into actual products. Um one of the things not on here is actually something that's come up that we're very excited about. Um we met with the restaurants and hotels and you know, we're saying, "How can we
help you?" Um you know, that's what we are. We're tourism development, right? So, we're not trying to get more visitors here in March, but we are trying to help them any way we can. So, they said, "We need help in August and September." They're very specific. You know, the rest of the year they felt better, but August and September they said are always problems. So, we started
looking at what do we already have in August and September? Well, we have A Woman's Park has for watercross, um Sebring has MotoSurf, and then also Classic Clydesdales in A Woman's Park has uh open house that they've been doing for several years. Um they're research-based, they often have gardens, they have
you can tour their property. It's a pretty big um open house. Has anybody been to A Woman's Park? Okay, fantastic. So, it's it's always the Friday and Saturday after Labor Day. So, we're like, "Hmm, that is a great niche period for us. And what if we lean into this gardening niche? Um we have a state
park, we have people that do airboat rides, we have different things that are already outdoorsy, gardeny, uh Robert's Nursery, the Grow House Collective, like all these things. So, what we're doing we've been having meetings, we did a virtual meeting, and now we had a in-person meeting here yesterday. Um
and people are excited about it. They're excited uh whether it's Susan Roberts with the Red Easel to do garden-themed art projects, um Phil Hatfield, you know, can lend his gardener say, you know, at 10:00 on Friday they can come tour, walk uh the grounds and the lakes with their gardener. We're going to nominate the mayor to do an HGTV tour.
Um but all these things so some of them can be scheduled, but some of them can be also things that are already happening, really. Um but lean into it, create like a a time period for it, create a website, a downloadable guide, and then have our marketing folks really push that out, our PR folks push
that out, and really try to get people here when we need them here. This I was so excited I was giddy after that first meeting cuz this is the next step. We created a regional team, and now we're at collaboration. So, we are doing a county-wide week-long event. Again, I
don't know anybody else that does that. So, high five to Highlands County. It's really going to be great. >> And so, as I was saying, that checks several multi-city visitor itineraries, shoulder season solutions, and then our cross-promotion to the seeing so it's checking a lot of boxes. >> It's really it's really going to be magnificent. >> And so we really been taking our focus
off not not necessarily promoting each town, but focusing on promoting the region. And I was so excited. I don't know if anyone saw the post on social media when it said um like you've already been to the Soda Fest, now go to the Cledium Festival. So what we're seeing is that the towns are
now promoting each other and these are just the kiosks and then the window clings that promote the entire county, then those have been blanketed around. So it's not just don't just go to Lake Placid, don't just go to Avon Park. So it's been a cultural shift and it's
taken a year and a half. Um Rome wasn't built in a day. So go ahead. >> Yeah, so then we had a unity breakfast. This was one of Shelly's ideas, too. Um we brought our regional leadership team members, um some of our uh our external partners, um our PR firm,
our our digital media firm, they came down and we had a unity breakfast and it was a packed house. A lot of great feedback, um but it kind of served as a panel discussion for different people to to bounce ideas off of. So we took that regional focus and that team and then made it a little bit bigger.
And then this is uh just an example of some of the the campaigns that we've been doing with Madden Media. Um obviously when HGTV launched, we were with Coming. We knew the circle was going to be a focus for um for people seeing it on TV. So how do we again lean into that? Through our circle of
friends, comfortable circle, um showing all the different aspects that you can do with the three cities, but then the versatility of of what you can do while you're here. >> And so what we're seeing is we are seeing collaboration. It can't you can let go of Friday night lights. You can see people that actually communicate and and work together. We're seeing people
that continue to come to the meetings that speak freely and honestly. We're seeing beautiful partnerships and we're seeing the mindset shift and that is a really great thing as we move into the future, and perhaps in this county, that's it's really fantastic.
Any community can do that. So, yeah. So, the lessons we've learned just from our short time with Shelley is to invest in outside facilitation. Again, I think it's important to have somebody who doesn't live here that's not tied to one specific community. Um and focus on the identity. Like, we are not competing See, bring Avon Park
and Lake Placid don't compete with the for the visitor dollar with each other. We're competing with Polk County, Lake County, Marion County, Orlando. Like, those are our competitors. So, we're trying to really help people understand that the Friday night lights mentality doesn't happen with the visitor dollar. That's what we're after. Um and then create that
leadership that sustains the momentum. So, this is something we just actually met today. So, Scott was with us today um meeting and having these conversations and collaborating. And in really, I know we talk about tourism, and a lot of people think, "Well, that doesn't really apply to me." But, what tourism is doing is trying to create a place where people want to visit. If we
create a place they want to visit, then they want to live, and they want to work, and they want to invest in. So, it's a big cycle. Um and really, it's all about how do we get visitor dollars, right? Dollars that are not already here in our community, spent here, to stay here, so that we can return back into like economic
development for our our county. >> For the quality of life. And so, you know, the model for destination leadership is changing um for DMOs. It's truth. We're not marketers and event promoters or visitor service centers anymore. We're telling stories and making telling
our unique story. >> So, yeah. So, what we learned is that television can spark attention, and it was great. I mean, it was amazing what HGTV did and and the changes they made in our downtown and how they put us on TV was great. But, how do we sustain that that transformation is almost a more important conversation. Like, how
do we make the most of that gift that was given to us? >> Culture. How do we shape change the culture? So, the most powerful tourism asset that any destination has is not their marketing budget. It's the community that works together. And that's it. But and I want to tell
you that Casey and I went last. We went last. Do you know how terrible that is when there is an at a conference and there is an open margarita bar on the other side of the door. There is. And I will tell you that the room was full and no one left because no one else is doing it and they were so excited to hear
about Highlands County. So, kudos to all of the leadership that has made this possible. It's been really a blessing to work here. That's it. Any questions? >> I've got a I've got a comment. Um one of the thing that I I'll say that being on the TDC board these last couple
years has been rewarding and very eye-opening and I think a lot of us um I didn't know to the extent of how impactful tourism is in Highlands County already until I was on that board and um mostly cuz I don't have a kid playing, you know, travel lacrosse. But there's a lot of them that come to Highlands
County to do that and and a lot of other sports and it is a huge boon to our economy and um and I think it will continue to to do so and thank you guys for your your hard work at this. >> Thanks Sherri too. >> Just want to echo what Josh said too. Um I it's nice to have a seat at the table
and have the community come together for a common shared purpose and it is phenomenal and I don't want to take that for granted. So, thank you Josh, Scott and everybody who plays a part of it and hope this could continue and just I I feel like I've heard not the same presentation but
a lot of the same topics over the last just a couple of years and it's you're ways raising awareness for everybody and I think we're we're really starting to see the results. So, just keep on doing what you're doing and thank thankful and thank you for everything you're doing. >> I did want to mention just one more
thing. We what's kind of the next step and we haven't like it hasn't like been official. Um Santiago Corrada is the um CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. He is an amazing speaker and he's an amazing um community leader, really. Because he takes tourism and they look at housing,
they look at education. I mean, they are infiltrated in every aspect of their community. Um like from to work with the high schools to develop a hospitality training program to housing for tourism workforce. So, um he is has agreed to come here on October 13th. We've reserved the Civic Center. We're really
excited, so you'll hear more about that and we'll send out invitations. So, that's kind of like our next step. >> Yeah, he's powerful. He is a powerful fantastic speaker. Yeah. >> Really good. So, >> Thank you so much for your time. >> for your time. >> Yeah, absolutely. Thank you. >> Thank you for sharing. All right, there is no old business, so
going on to Well, sorry. It's the business from the audience. We have two. So, I'd like to first off uh bring up a Miss Jillian Coggeshall. She has some very exciting things to talk about. >> Hi. Hi. I'm Jillian Coggeshall.
I live on 244 Myrick Avenue. And I want to talk about bike racks. I go I live near the circle and I ride my bike mostly to mostly I mean, mostly to the circle and I have I have
to like lock my bike to a bench because I could not never find bike racks. So, I was asking, may you please um get some bike racks in the circle. Thank you. >> Thank you very much.
>> And she found I'll add to Jillian. Um she found a zigzaggy one that she can present a picture for you that she would like to consider. So, >> Scott, do you know if we have bike racks somewhere? >> We have bike racks right out here and we have
a bike rack on the center. >> Jillian, do you want to come back up and tell about that bike rack that you know >> I know of any others. We still I think we used to have one um City Con Park, but I don't know if anyone has one. >> So, tell her about the one bike rack that you when you saw it.
>> bike rack, it makes me scared because I my I have the That's the only way I could ride home and it's in the middle of a parking space and I do not want my bike to get hit by a car. >> And it doesn't really look like a bike
rack. It's decorative. It looks like a lollipop. So, across from the orange >> Oh, yeah. >> It's We didn't know it was a bike rack until Hannah told me it was a bike rack. So, I was wondering what that was in the spot. I just figured it was keeping people from
parking in that spot. So. >> Very good idea. Uh I'm looking into that, maybe see what the city already has done about that. See what they can do. Maybe uh we've talked to see if he has some ideas. Thank you very much for sharing.
All right. Uh Mrs. Jabara and the staff. So, we we are next on the agenda with City Attorney Swains. We're going to go over that golf course lease, too. So, if you want to share anything after that, >> Okay. >> happy to. >> Okay. Oh. Okay.
>> Robert, you want to talk about the the proclamation? >> I already did. >> No, you got 3 minutes. >> So, I'm Robert Goodwin and I want to thank the mayor, the council members, and citizens. I'm the region Southeast regional director for Citizens Defending Freedom,
and I want to thank you for recognizing June as Faith, Family, and Responsible Fatherhood Month here in Sebring. Just last week, Governor Ron DeSantis issued a statewide proclamation recognizing Faith and Family Month. But, you've done more than that. You've highlighted the importance of these
values for the state of Florida. Strong families are the foundation of the strong communities, but fathers play a unique and irreplaceable role in the lives of their children. When fathers are engaged, children are more likely to thrive, families are stronger, and communities are healthier.
Faith communities also play a vital role by encouraging responsibility, service, and the values that help families flourish. I want to thank the mayor and everyone in this council for recognizing these important principles. In a culture that often focuses on what divides us,
it's very encouraging to hear a city celebrate the values that strengthen families and help communities prosper. May God bless all the fathers, families, and faith communities of Sebring, all of you, and may God continue to bless this great city and the great and the state of Florida. Thank you so much.
>> Thank you. Okay. Ms. Fernandez, you want to come up and talk about the event going on at Proof Fresh? >> Hello. I'm a little nervous. How are you? My name is Nicola Fernandez. I am the general manager of Proof Fresh. Gerson
and Shannon had an emergency trip they had to make, so they apologize for not coming in. I did hear that we were already approved for the Viva Sebring Festival. Um I'm also the VP of the committee, as well. So, I just really more than anything wanted to say thank you and kind of just
take the moment to invite everyone out to the event. It is really just about bringing the community together, not just the Latino community, as well as, you know, all colors, all cultures, all backgrounds, everything. Cuz after being here for about 4 years, I realized how
much Sebring is about the community. I'm more from like a big town city, Miami. So, it's really nice to to get that feeling here. That's one thing I will say I've learned from Sebring. So, thank you. And just explain to you, you know, a little bit what it is that we hope,
our vision and goal for the festival, which is to just really bring good tourism, good publicity, you know, all for our local businesses, for our local things such as thrift shops, jewelry, you know, we are also going to be having a fashion show. I am also a model. I was
just dubbed um Miss Florida US Nation for the year. So, I'm able to use that as a part of, you know, my contract to just sponsor or to get, you know, more people out as well. So, I just really wanted to thank you guys and introduce myself and just hope that we can do more
events together in the future. Uh we also did just get a disco ball over at Peru Fresh. If anybody [laughter] wants to come out for a disco party. So, I just thank you so much. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Kaylee Bush. >> Okay.
Good evening. My name is Kaylee Bush and thank you for your patience in letting me still get a chance to come up here and speak to you guys. So, um chair, council members, and guests, um as we approach Father's Day, it is especially fitting that we pause to recognize the
vital role that fathers play in our communities, in our lives, in our society. This connection between faith, family, and strong communities is not a new idea. Our founding fathers understood that the success of our constitutional republic
depended not merely on laws and institutions, but on the character of the people and self-government. John Adams famously wrote that our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. The founders recognized that strong
families cultivate the virtues of responsibility, integrity, self-discipline, and citizenship that preserves liberty. These principles are also rooted in a timeless biblical truth. Scripture teaches that fathers are
uniquely called to lead their families with love, sacrifice, wisdom, and integrity. While many people step forward heroically when fathers are absent, no one can deny that the positive influence of a daddy is unlike any other.
Strong fathers help build strong communities. Strong families help build stronger communities. And stronger communities help preserve a strong nation. This truth is supported by both research and experience. Children benefit from love, guidance,
protection, and involvement of their fathers. Council members, proclamations do more than place words on a paper. They signal what a community values. By recognizing faith, family, and
responsible fatherhood month, you affirm the principles that have strengthened our nation since its founding. Faith that guides us, families that sustain us, and fathers who protect and help shape the next generation of responsible citizens.
Thank you again for your leadership and for adopting this proclamation and for your service to the citizens of Sebring, Florida. I am so grateful for your support and honored to be here today. May God bless the fathers. May God bless our community.
And may God continue to bless the United States of America. And happy Father's Day to everybody out there. Thank you. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NOON? >> OKAY. >> NO MORE BUSINESS FROM THE AUDIENCE. SO, I'M GOING TO turn it over to Attorney Swain for some of his
uh agenda >> Agenda item 12 A is proposed ordinance 1574 on your agenda for second and final reading. It's entitled "An Ordinance Amending Section 2-421 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Sebring to prohibit the obstruction or interference with the enforcement of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Sebring and providing for an effective date." >> All right. Does anybody have any questions on this ordinance second time? >> No. >> Okay. Hearing none, do we have a motion? >> Make a motion that we approve proposed ordinance 1574 on second and final reading.
>> We have a motion? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Any comments from the audience? No comments here? Kathy, can you call the votes? >> Call the votes. >> Yes. >> I vote yes. >> Yes. >> I vote yes. >> Yes. >> I vote yes. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Bob. And then uh can you fill
us in on the golf course and the status on that? And I think we need to talk about that as council as well for our next action. >> Yes, sir. So, council approved a form of lease with the Blackman Group. Uh we provided that to them. To date, there's been no substantive response uh
about any provision, about any clarifications. Just literally silence. So, uh I think it is back for council to consider what it would like to do with the golf course next. >> Okay. Any thoughts here? >> I think that if you
if if we approach them to have a conversation, we would have the ability to make some traction other than just passing it on. >> I I called asked for it my email and then called separately to their lawyers' office asking for a time to get together
and I get no not even a return call that says they we we can't meet. >> Was that a call to get you and their attorney together or get city and the Blackman family together? >> Probably all the above. >> I don't I don't think that they got that.
>> You didn't you have dinner with him after that? >> They have a phone right after our last meeting. >> I'm sorry. >> You had dinner with him after our last meeting, right? >> Yes. >> So, did you do you know anything that we don't officially? >> I feel that if we specifically invited them to meet and
I think that they would probably want to meet with the council and with Bob that they would come to the table to meet for that. >> Could they not have been asked to be on the agenda then for discussion? They couldn't they have brought that back to us? >> They've not been shy about reaching out
before. I mean we we've had >> is um is the concern. I mean if they didn't have like it, you know, we it feels like they should have made a statement of yeah, we're not going to go for that. Let's try again. So, the silence is what I'm most concerned with. Because it's been a month >> since
>> And I think it was pretty clear at the at the meeting when we discussed this that we were trying to get this wrapped up so that we could be done before our our fiscal budget takes effect. I mean we we've got to cut costs and this is only going to accelerate as property tax reform
comes across our our bow. Um I'm of the opinion that we move on. I mean we've had we've had these discussions ad nauseam. Um I know there were some sticking points they had on the lease, you know, unofficially cuz I've never heard it from them. Um
And some of those were things that we made clear when we when we voted in favor of their RFP originally that would not work for us. Like I mean I I'm specifically um told Mr. Blackman I wasn't in favor of the 99-year lease. And I asked him at that meeting, "Will you work with the
city on this?" And his response was something to the effect of, "Yes, this is an RFP. I know if we don't, then it's on to the next the next proposal." And I think we're at that point. >> I mean to to that part, I mean if we have to, you know, for if the budgeting
is the motivation, it seems like it would be worthwhile to spend 15 days at most, I mean, trying to see if we couldn't get something put together before we start over. And I guess it depends on where you figure the starting point is. I mean, I
talked to Jim Blackman yesterday and I think they feel that the starting point was really after the RFP. Not because if it was the previous time, then why did we do the RFP, you know, type idea. And that's him, not um you know, so
is it worth trying to get one more conversation before we start over and move on to the next one? Cuz we might be able to salvage it and get something done and link and shorten that amount of time that we would be on the hook for having to, you know, cover the cost before we
transition it. >> So truly, if they even if they came with a lease today and we approved by July 1st, they could still pull out September 3rd. So the budgeting part, I mean, we could we could have bet on a hope and a prayer that it went through, but they but when we it was still we have to budget for Yes. So we still need to
budget for the the possibility that we'll still own the golf course on October 1st. >> Yes. >> So that that that gives us some leeway. Um but my only concern is that there if they had a concern, why didn't they bring the concern? You know, that's my
As a business person, 30 days of no no communication to me is um we're done, we're out. So I don't understand why they just wouldn't say, "This isn't good. Let's try again." Because truly, if they're not happy with what we gave and we have these sticking points, I don't know that 15 days, 30 days is going to make a difference. I guess
we're going to have to agree at some point to disagree on certain things. >> And my my perception of how we left this the meeting as a council last time was, "This is our best and final offer as far as the contract. This is what we're going to do. Are you Are you interested or not? And it >> I think that's
>> of silence is not >> I think that's where the problem kind of starts to come into that like is that a negotiation or are we dictating? And if we're dictating it, then it's >> Well, I would I would say the exact same thing on on the reverse cuz we had >> Well, they are for all fairness. I mean,
they're basically their response is, "Well, we gave you the lease." And our response is, "And we gave you the lease." >> And if there's no more response, then I'm done. >> But I think that when you talk to them, there's enough gray area in there that no, they're not going to agree to
everything the way that we want it. And I think that there's probably stuff that we wouldn't want to where it is right now. You know, could you merge that together? Could you clarify some of the language? Cuz part of it is also, you know, confusion on some of the language. I mean, I talked to a Jim Blackman and I get one story. I talked to Scott and
it's like, "Well, that's not what we're trying to say." So, I almost you know, I mean, to me I'd hate to see the thing fall apart if we could salvage it. But that's you know, I'm one vote. >> think 15 days I don't think that's been salvaged yet. And I don't I think we're ready to I'm ready to move forward
with the next with the next Tuesday. >> Like I said, I'm one vote. >> I am too. I mean, in part um We can make things move quickly, but we we have to have willing partners. You know, they've got my number. They've got my email. I haven't heard from They're not
communicating with our our attorney. Um >> Let me just I To the extent that matters, let me read to you what I said to their lawyer on the 21st after the council's meeting the city discussed the issues at the May 19th meeting and approved the attached
version of the proposed lease. Council city council members appeared willing to consider potential revisions to the attached especially clarifications to avoid misunderstandings to that end. Can we have a virtual meeting next week or the first week of June to discuss on the city side Mayor Shute, Council President
Avery, Scott Leake, and myself will participate. City's willing to negotiate to achieve language agreeable to both parties but time is of the essence for the turnover to begin October 1st and your clients to have the due diligence period they requested completed by then. We need a finalized version to be presented to city council at its June
16th meeting. And there was no response to that, correct? None whatsoever. That That is a response to me. Uh >> And that clearly it conveys the ability to negotiate or to clarify
your email. So, I mean if they didn't respond then I I would I would have a response of no would be okay but there's just no response. >> I agree with both of you. I'm ready to see what's next. So, what I
want to get everybody's temperature of how do you think the next what's the next best thing as we move forward to. So, I got a couple ideas too. I want to see what everybody thinks but uh I know Harry with H&L is interested in
in the lease too. I talked to him briefly cuz I'm looking honestly we need to make a plan. Uh so, I know he would be agreeable to a contract and taking ownership over what we on October 1st as well. I've heard that there is other people
interested as well. At at least I thought that was at least I think about so, I think we could if anybody is interested in going directly with with with Harry or if we want to put those back out for a RFP at a at a short shorter period of time that
still gives us the flexibility to change the the management or the really the responsibility October 1st. I think there's still time if we can connect on that. So, I think there's at least three interested parties at this point.
>> Spoke to the mayor today and he um kind of echoed that that he had heard some interest outside of um Mr. Leonard as well um for potentially some local operators. I'm I'm interested in that if we do an RFP again
assuming we could just basically reissue the one that was drafted last time. That's correct. >> So, I have no problem. So, obviously we got some different dates and times but >> Right. Update the date >> period. >> Yeah. potentially And I would say no more than 30 days
at this point. >> 30 days for the RFP or the due diligence or what? >> The RFP. Um I don't know. I don't know what due diligence time is appropriate to this. >> I agree with that. >> Something you could build in if you were to do an RFP is
give statements of things you'd like to see. Uh one thing maybe giving preference for a proposal that starts a lease October 1st or or sooner if that if that's an option. That way you're you can put in other things that you think you would like to see but that may be something to consider. I know that's
a a big ticket item for council. >> I would I would love to see that in there. Again, the whole point of this and and even before we we voted to start negotiations with the Blackwoods at our RFP meeting when we talked about it budgeting for last year, the idea was we didn't want to be in the golf course business
anymore. Um and that that is only accelerating. Right. So, I I think we need to move. I'm I'm totally in favor of opening a very short window RFP with the same language, you know, maybe adding
maybe preference to an operator who could take over October 1st. >> Completely agree. >> Yeah, I think it's best to open to see if there's if you if there's words of people interested. So, we're just going to open and get the same ones.
>> And I think that gives us justification to have a shorter period at least for the opening of the RFP and then the due diligence period. I don't think we need that much time. Just because if anybody's following this, they they know what's going on and I think they have ample opportunities to to get with us and
ask some of the questions. Do do do their due diligence. So, I I I still think that we can do this by October 1st. >> So, Scott, what would you Bob what would you need from us? Do you need any kind of motion to to move forward with
with putting out a new RFP under these conditions? >> What's the minimum period of time that we'd have to see the RFP? >> I'm not sure. I haven't talked to Jamie about it. I'm not sure what minimum that we'd have to have, but we can we can certainly work on bringing something back to your
July 7th. >> I guess your first rent. >> Yeah. >> Do you all want to see it again? Do you want just the same >> I don't >> basic structure or see it again or anything? >> I want to issue it and maybe and put in that statement of >> now and our July 7th.
>> Yeah, let's move. >> I think as an initial matter, perhaps a motion to reject all proposals from the first RFP to make sure we're done with that one. And instruction to put out a new one.
>> Okay, you ready for that motion right now? >> I feel so. you want to do you want to come out and does anybody have any thoughts on on this on the golf course if you want to if you want to come up We don't have a lot to add since last
you were here Deb. >> I know and I and I really thank you Debbie McDonald member of the golf course just wanted to find an update and what was going on because needless to say the rumors abound are around the 40 golfers and everybody's got an idea of what's going
on so thank you so much for the clarification. >> Thank you. Anybody else who wishes to speak? Yes sir, council members Chip Boring for the record as a taxpayer in the city limits also frequently the restaurant and the
golf course for years. There's more than just and I understand the budget. I've done it before as a county commissioner. I understand not wanting to be in the golf course business but there's more than just the golf course. There's also an institution that has been here for
many many many years in addition to a business owner that is up in here. Am I going to be here or am I not so I would certainly encourage the council to make a decision as quickly as possible so it gives this individual who runs a great business and a lot of people enjoy it
so he knows what his future's going to be. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And I think we're all in agreement we would like to move quickly as well. We had hoped to have a lease in place by now. >> We're one party short. >> Anybody else want to speak on this?
>> Yes, I'm Warren Hall. And uh my question is if you had you you've received request or uh in the RFP process before and there were you graded them, correct? And were there three, four, five? I don't know. >> Three.
>> I mean, if they're already graded and number one hasn't performed, why don't you just move right to number two? That's the fair thing to do. >> additional third parties that have expressed interest. >> Well, but they missed the first opportunity. They didn't express it then.
>> Well, there was some hesitations with others and those hesitations are still there. So, if we have the opportunity to to look at other proposals, that's what I'm interested in. >> The other thing is this. I mean, again, we talk about the restaurant out there. They're there are probably 80 people
not counting employees at the golf course. They're affected. Single moms that are out there that are working, they're probably not going to have a job for a while. So, we're going to we're going to put 100 people on unemployment? I think that's bigger than anything. Thank you.
>> With that being said, uh is there any way that same thing with the you get a better ranking uh if we can do this by October 1st if we can put the same order as your uh if keeping Caddy Shack and keeping uh employees from from the city.
>> You could include that as a preference. You know, but the more more things you add in as preferences that perhaps the least interest you less interest you get. I don't I don't know that that would happen, but that's a concern. >> Yeah, I'm I'm happy with putting in a preference for the time
frame. I don't want to try and mandate a long-term operator to other things. I think that there's opportunity for them to work with Caddy Shack and that's probably the easiest way for a new operator going forward is to work with the restaurant that's already there. I mean, probably work with the employees that are already there. So, I
think that's a natural course of events that we don't have to I don't know what finger on the scale for. >> Any other thoughts? >> All right, I will make a motion that we reject [clears throat] any previous uh respondents to our original
RFP and reissue the same RFP with a 30-day window and adding in a preference to uh respondents who can take over operations of the golf course by October 1st, 2026. >> I'll second. >> Motion second. Comments from the audience?
Council? >> Um is the RFP I'm sorry, is it going to come back before you said July 7th? >> Re- just issue immediately with >> So, when Bob and Jamie or whoever get that RFP, it's just going to go ahead and go out and does not need to come back before the council. Okay, I just
wanted that clarification. Thank you. >> So, we have motion, we have second. >> I'm sorry, I missed that. >> I'm sorry, I I'm sorry. Who voted? >> I have a motion by me. >> I have a second by me. >> Yep. >> Vote for that. >> Yes. >> I vote no. >> No. >> Do it. >> Yes. >> I vote yes.
>> Yes. >> Scott, any new business? >> Good evening, Council. Uh on the project report, I just like to point out um three or four changes to the project report. Uh relocation of public works utilities buildings, staff is in the process of selecting an architect or engineering
firm. Uh the following bullet point, uh staff has met with an architectural firm in reference to 126 West Center. Having discussions right now. And they're going to work back a proposal to us.
>> Very good. >> Um I do want to talk about um the Synergy proposal. Um originally, we were shooting for a July 7th date for Synergy to make a proposal to council or bring back their analysis, if
you will. Um Uh Councilman Stewart is the liaison to TDC. He was not able to make the July 7th meeting cuz of prior plans, but apparently this fell through. Is that correct? >> Yep. >> So, um
I have not passed this by um Jason Boudriault yet, but if he is able to make the July 7th meeting, is it something you'd want to entertain at that meeting? Um I've already spoken to him about July 21st, so he is on board with that date. >> Oh.
>> I will not be at the July 7th meeting. >> I will not be at the July 7th meeting. >> And I won't be at the July 21st meeting. >> [laughter] >> So, either way. >> And my summer vacation is canceled, so I'll be at all the meetings. >> [laughter] >> So, >> It's fine, but if you want to do it
>> Yeah, I I doesn't Yeah, I can do either way. Okay. >> Uh and then last item, uh I don't know that any of you have had the opportunity to go check out the Veterans Memorial that mural that was looks great. It's awesome. Keith Goodson, but it turned out very well. >> Yeah, I can't believe how quickly
>> Yeah. >> it was done. Yeah. In the heat. >> In the heat. Under tent. He did have a tent. >> Yes, he did have a tent. Doesn't change that humidity factor. >> I'd invite any I'd invite everybody to go out and check it out. As I understand from Keith, there's quite a few folks
that have already been by. A lot of veterans have come by to watch him work. >> That's it. >> All right. Thank Scott. Catherine, you got two things for us, right? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion second.
Are there any comments from the audience? Call the vote. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> The next thing is there a director resignation on our code enforcement board. So, there's now a
vacancy to fill that unexpired term. The only requirement to be on this board is you must reside within the city of Moncks Corner, not work inside the city of Moncks Corner, you must reside inside the city. >> Sure. >> Thank you.
>> All right, we are adjourned.