with me. Lord, thank you once again for the wonderful city that you live in. Thank you for the staff that keeps it running smoothly. Uh we appreciate the work they do. Thank you for the city council and uh guide them tonight and make right and sound decisions. We ask that you watch out for all our citizens.
We thank the first responders uh for what they do and keeping us safe and moving on. We ask that all we do, Lord Jesus Christ, we do in your name. Amen. Algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right, Kathy, can you call the role, please? >> Here. >> Here. >> Here.
>> Here. >> Stewart >> here. All right. And if there's anyone in the audience that has something they'd like to speak about tonight that is not an agenda item, um please fill out one of these forms up front and give it to Cler Kaye. And then to emphasize if you're here to speak about an item that is on the agenda, you do not need
to fill out one of these forms. Uh mayor's report. >> Uh a few things that happened since the last meeting. Like to thank Ada McGawan and Bond Bondo Blessing Church uh for their first responder reception. They did a lunch for all first responders in
Highlands County. invited everybody, even the government official. So, they did a good job with that. Um, with the uh everything that's happening downtown, we had another bus tour on the 10th coming. Small world bus tours. Um, this is the third one from Small World. So,
people are coming here to see HGTV, which is really kind of encouraging and it still rolls on. Bringing that up, I'd like to thank Casey Wall and the TDC to continue their regional meetings. It's a kind of a collaboration between Avon Park, Sebring, and Lake Placid of the
government officials, the chambers of commerce, and the EDC getting together and selling the county. I should say not selling, I'm sorry, promoting the county, but uh they've been doing a good job with that. She's got a great staff and had another meeting this morning.
And uh Shelley Phelps who was from Watumpa, she was the Chamber of Commerce director there. She helps facilitate a lot of these, but but it's been a real positive motion or motive for just showing people how great Highlands County is. Um, if you go downtown, it's
extremely busy and people are from all over. Just met some from Seattle the other day. I mean, so they're coming from Yugoslavia few months, month ago that I've seen it. So, you see them from all over the world actually. So, it's really been very positive for our community.
Finally, on the first responder side of it, uh we have to thank the fire department for their response last night. I don't know if you've all have heard, but Jerry K Lane, which is across uh from the Hok building, the mobile home park, had a structure fire, uh
unfortunately, two people were caught in that fire, never made it out, and one was injured. So, um but thank you uh for the fire department for their response. They had water on that after within two minutes. That's how fast they got there. So, thank you for the fire department
what they did and really appreciate that. That's all I had. >> Okay. Thank you. We're going to move on to council members reports. Mr. Carl, >> the only thing I had to say is uh I didn't know this, but out of the mall
there's a Black History Month exhibit. I don't anybody knew about it. I just found out. I won't see it, but it's something that kind of hit out. Um I was able to go to the Institute for Elected Municipal Officers. Had to read
that all out. Um two weekends ago, so that was good. It was in Jacksonville. Um two days of lots of stuff. So uh but I was excited to go and excited to learn more about how to do this job. So what I can decipher from it.
>> Mr. Bishop. >> No report. >> Mr. Hy. >> Yeah. I'm very happy and excited to to announce nothing's official yet, but um I got award from Jared um our budget and grants coordinator. So over the last
year, so last year we got uh $1.5 million for an aerial truck with appropriations with the state thanks to u our state rep. H K H K H K H K H K H K H K H K H K H Kylie Tug and State Senator Aaron Gro. Um so one and a half million for a firet truck and 310,000
for police radios. So after that, uh Jared and I and the team decided what are we going to go for for this year. So we asked for $2 million to go towards the new city hall project and the new building that we just bought and uh $500,000 for our new facility with all
the land that we just purchased. So uh last week, this week we we heard back um tentative budgets came back with the Senate and the House. So we looks like we got half funding. So, it looks like we got a million dollars for city hall. Um, and then somewhere between 250,000
and 500,000 for the combined facilities. Um, so I I can't thank our team enough. Um, Jared Lee who wishes to remain anonymous and doesn't want any credit who sits over there. Um, do not thank him because he will not like it. Uh, so
just got to thank Jared, our uh Kaylee Tuck and Aaron Gro. They've been instrumental. Um, and then, uh, our our lobbyist, Ken Pru, and their team has just been phenomenal. I think one of the best decisions that we've made as a council is to to work with appropriations, to work with the state,
to work with a lobbyist. Um, and we're really seeing a huge amount of results. So, so thank you to to the whole team. In addition to those two things, um, outside of working directly with Rep. Tucks and, uh, Senator Gar's office, we've been working with, uh, Ken Puit.
So, if anybody's aware, there is an Illinois pondweed issue. So, an invasive species on Lake Jackson. So, Ken, one of our lobbyists, got really excited about this project and um I don't his connections are phenomenal in Tallahassee and he got a lot of things
done. So, it looks like we got uh funding through FWC for about $350,000 to help with that abatement for uh Lake Jackson and maintaining that lake. So, very excited. Um very thankful and it's a great report. It was a great call to
get from Jared to for him to give me the report. So, thank you. >> That was excellent news. Um, we're going to move on now to the consent agenda. Does anyone council have any questions or comments on the consent agenda?
Are there any uh comments from the from the public on the consent agenda? All right. Seeing none, I will entertain a motion. >> Make a motion we accept the consent agenda. >> Second. >> Okay. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Kathy, can you call the role,
please? >> Bishop, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Stewart, >> yes. >> All right. There is no old business, so we are going to move on to item number 10A under new business. Uh, it's the RFP for the lease of the Sebring Municipal
Golf Course property. Uh before we get into this, I want to outline kind of an order of discussion for tonight and um and then we'll go from there. So
Paul, is it is it I just got a text that they can't see it on TV. Yeah, >> YouTube. >> YouTube. Well, I'm in on YouTube. >> So, there's no streaming. So, >> okay. So, this this person can't watch
it then. That's their problem. [laughter] >> Yes, sir. Eric. >> Okay. Um, so sorry. No, no, no problem. I I'll make sure this is being broadcast. So, the order of discussion for tonight, this is the main event.
This is why most of you are here. We're going to start this with uh council and mayor discussion, comments, and any remaining questions that we may have for the proposers. Uh we're going to then give the proposers themselves an opportunity to make any any final comments if they wish. Um 5 minutes
each. We will then open it up for public comment which is limited to three minutes per person. U a reminder to everyone, please be respectful of your comments and also cognizant of our time constraints. if you're just echoing what other people have have already said. Um we don't want to be here till midnight,
right? And then we will end with any final council remarks and discussion and then a vote. Um before we move on to council discussion, I want to start with a few words. First, I want to say thank you to the city staff who worked so hard on this RFP. Um
and thank you to each of the proposers for the effort and the work that you've put into your proposals. Um, next, I don't know what the outcome of tonight's vote will be, but I I do know two things. Um, the first is that no matter how this vote turns out, not everyone in this room or this city is
going to be happy with the result. Um, I've had many conversations with many residents about this issue, about the three options that have been presented to us. Uh, and there's genuine support for all three options, and many many people feel very strongly about their preferred choice. uh those opinions
often differ and sometimes directly conflict. Second thing I know is that every member of this council, including the mayor, has put significant time, effort, and thought into this decision. Uh I've personally spent many hours reading, researching, speaking with concerned residents. I know the mayor and each
council member have done the same. Whatever the outcome, this vote is the result of serious consideration and a sincere effort to serve our community well. And lastly, if you're one of the people that find yourself disappointed with the result tonight, um I hope that
you will just try and respect the process um and trust that the decision was made thoughtfully, transparently, and with the best interests of this city in mind. Um we're going to open it up for council discussion. I'd like each council member to weigh in on this. And if you can um
maybe give your personal rank of the three options as we move forward. Um, start with you, Mr. Carlile. [clears throat] >> Okay. Well, first of all, thank everybody for joining in. Um, I've made
some comments that I'd rather be in a hornets's nest right now than where we're sitting because it's it it has been difficult to uh choose. Uh, we all have our opinions. Like Josh said, we've all talked to
individuals and and gotten many u different uh opinions or uh I would like to see this or I'd like to see that type of thing. Um I uh I personally have some checks
uh in u my decisions uh not about my decision but about the the those that I have not chosen to vote for. So um I love this city. I was born and
raised here and I want it to I want to see it grow and I want to see the people get along and uh you know it I don't want us sitting here tonight to tie the count future council's hands. You know I don't want
us to get into contracts uh that future council have trouble with and we have that already. So I you know I don't want to be a part of that. I want to I want us to really consider the
future and not get tied up uh in a really long-term situation. Um you you said you wanted us to uh kind of outline who we would prefer.
Um first and foremost, I think Mr. Leonard has been straight up with us. He's he's given us everything we've asked for. Uh some of it I've had com heard comments about um but you know some of the things he's had problems.
So have I probably everybody out here and uh you know if you're sitting out there and you voted for President Trump and you hold what he says against him, you're a hypocrite because Trump filed Chapter 7 more than
one time. Mr. Leonard didn't file chapter 7. He filed 111. So, I think he's he's um he's my pick, you know, and I'm sorry if that don't you don't agree with it, but
that's who I would prefer. Um and I like what he said and what he'll do. He's a golf course man. Um, if he doesn't happen to get it, I I want to see in the contract the uh if uh the black ones get
it, I want to see in the contract the the lease of the golf course. If the hotel sells, the lease does not go with the hotel. No.
Um and uh uh I I talked to some someone else and they think that we should uh have the lease where if the um hotel is not open five years we the lease should
be null and void. It should be open behind but it should be open in five years or less. Um my second choice of course uh people don't like the idea of the money but my second choice is the
u fields. I like the idea of that and I think that would bring us more money as a city, but uh uh I you know people think that's that's a lot of money to to uh put out,
but there would be a return. You know, I started uh my company 42 years ago. Um I had $1,000. I do I do a agriculture
uh irrigation. I didn't have a tractor. Didn't have a ditch digger. I didn't even own a pickup truck. But I had $1,000 and a lot of faith. And that's how I started. And 42 years later, I'm still here. I'm still doing
good. All of my equipment's paid for because of decisions. And did I make mistakes? You better know I did. You know, it took me eight years to dig out of one hole because I made a major mistake. So, I don't hold mistakes against people because we all make them.
So, he would be my first choice. Uh said I like the ballparks second and I know the black hear that they would be my >> Okay. Um, and I put lots of thought into the three options. Um, truly it's none
of them are ideal. There's parts of um, all of them that I like and dislike. Um, to start with sports med, I think it's a great idea. I think it's the wrong place. Um, so it's just not within the neighborhood. I don't know that that fits, but I do see that as being uh, a a possibility in our city, but I don't
know that that's the right place for it. Um, Mr. Leonard and Harter Hall, they both have great ideas. Mr. Leonard, I love your um concept of keeping employees and and doing what is best for what's already there. Um but then I also see a benefit with Harter Hall of
improving to a a different standard that goes along with the hotel. Um so there's um the my biggest hangup with Harter Hall is 99 years. I'm not real a fan of the the long term. Um that would be one of my um con biggest concerns and and
Mr. Leonard, your sustainability is is just something we don't have basis for. So, um, so I have to just go by what I mostly feel. So, if I was ranking right now, it would be Harter Hall and Mr. Leonard and then Sports Med. Um, but I think you all have great ideas. If we
could combine them together and get them all moving, um, that would also be, you know, great. But we have to work with what we have right now. So, that's my thinking. >> Thank you, Mr. Bishop. Um, I I think Rebecca kind of hit the nail
on the head. I I I really agree with everything she said for for the most part. Um H&L um first it took a lot of guts to get up there and say what you did a couple weeks ago and I respect that. Um you're
obviously proven. Um I just monetarily, financially, it it's a big swing. um to to make those kinds of numbers based off of what the golf course is currently bringing bringing in. And I
think it would just be more of the same more of what we have currently, which is not our responsibility by that point, but would it be successful? I'm not the right person to make that call, but I just I can't get comfortable with the
with the setup. Um sports bed, I agree wholeheartedly with what Rebecca said. Um, love the idea. Love the concept. Just think it'd be better served in a little
different location. Um, I just I I just I don't know. It's a big number. Um, very limited on space and access in that area. And then the Blackman's. Um, I'm very much I'm not
I'm not going to say that I'm pro Blackman. I'm pro Harter Hall. So, if it was Joe Smith, I would have the same opinion. I want to see the hotel open. I want to see it successful. Um, no, it I I I'm not a huge fan of the
99-year lease. I can probably get over that more so than a dollar a year. Uh, I don't know about everybody else on this council, but overwhelmingly in the public it's in favor of the harder hall situation. And I think any kind of
heartburn that people who are against it would have would be overcome if there was some a more significant value tied to the lease than a dollar a year. Whatever that number is, I don't know. I don't even know that they would
be open to having a conversation. So, uh, in my opinion, I would put Harter Hall first. If we were able to negotiate, uh, a proper financial return, then I would probably put H&L second and then
Sportsman third. [clears throat] >> Mr. H, >> by far the most difficult meeting um, in three years. Um, I I I see everybody's point and I agree with
with everybody on some things, maybe disagree on some others. Um, I don't think there is a perfect answer, but we got to do what is best and what is the next best thing for the city with everything considered with everything on the table. Um, we don't know all the
answers, but I think we do have the D set council set direction saying we want to get out of the golf course business and we no longer want to have a loss of whatever you want to call it on average $250,000 a year. Um so what is the next
best thing with the information that we had have with the information that we've requested with the experiences that city has gone through over the last um and for Josh and I three years um you all a lot longer. So a lot of things has
changed in the past three years. Um, first off, just thank you for wanting to invest into into the city. Um, and and you're taking a liability off of of the city. So, I I think just starting with with sports med um, love the opportunity
and I I think it would be a great solution, but I don't think the city should be in a position to bear that liability and the weight alone. Um, if we could work out an agreement with SportsMed, I would really like it to be contingent on getting full support from
the county, from TDC, from from ARPAC, from IDA, EDC, and all the other threeletter uh words because I don't think the city is would be able to do the entire project if things did not go our way. The the upside of of Sports
Med, I think, is by far the best if everything goes perfectly to plan. And as we all know, not everything goes perfectly to plan all the time. So, it's something that I would really want to to consider. Um, and I I like that choice a
lot if it could be contingent on working with the county and getting support. Um, and even if it's not the golf course, if there's another piece that we could use uh in the city or if there's another project we can use with sports med, I think that'd be a great thing. U that's
my thought on on sports med HNL. Um, thank you for the the the willingness to to just be open and transparent and honest. I I think one of the biggest things that we face in government is lack of trust and lack of transparency and honesty in
government. If if I asked everybody for a show of hands of do you trust the city, do you trust government, I don't know if a lot of people would would would would trust us. And I think that's just the reality. So, we got to look at public trust and doing what we think is best for the residents and for the
taxpayers. Um, everything that I've asked for, you all have provided. Your H&L is not the the most flashy option, but I think it is the most realistic, reasonable, best option for the city with the information that we
have. We want to get out of the business. We want to be able to put more money back into general fund and and what you're doing, what your proposal based on the information that you gave. I'm a numbers guy. I'm a financial guy. I want to know the numbers. I want to know how is this actually going to work
because if something doesn't go right, I want to make sure that we're covered. So, what did you do? You said, "I'm going to get a performance bond to back the city and to guarantee that if something doesn't go right, we're at least guaranteed the $200,000." He also said, "If something doesn't go right, the city gets it." I wish you the best
and I want you to be successful, but I want to cover the city and protect the city and the taxpayers of all the liability. You've done that. What if something doesn't go south or what if something doesn't go right? You had somebody who said, "I'm going to back this. I'm going to provide financials
and support to make sure that this is successful." You also said, "I'm going to start off with with money in the bank and I'm going to operate it through uh through an actual cash flow." you're confident that you're going to make money off this. And to be fair, it's not
a flashy number. It's it's not a lot of money that you are going to be making from this. Um it's a risk for you. Um and it it's again a numbers guy looking at a net income of that. You're you're covering your cost, but you're going to be you're
going to make money and it's going to be good for the city. Um so for ranking, you're my you're my first choice. we haven't worked together a lot. Um, so we're we're putting a leap of faith on you to say that you're going to be successful and I wish you the most
success and want you to to do well with this. Um, again, for the for the public, if something doesn't go right and we can be maybe contingent on that performance bond to make sure that we're covered, that solves a city issue and puts us in a better spot
with the the Blackman group. Um, like I said earlier, a substantial amount of things have changed from three years ago to where we are now. Um, and to be honest, I think if this would have came to us three years ago, uh, as is, I
would have been no no doubt in my mind that you all are the people to do this. And I'm excited because I I see the the big vision that you have casted um that you're connecting the in the original agreement too looking at what
you wanted to do with the WOIA connecting Harter Hall doing a water fairy having a restaurant down um at the hotel um at the bank building having amenities having conference rooms but in three years a lot of that's changed um one of the other main things to me too
is just the like we're saying about numbers Man, you you you guys got a there's a lot riding on your shoulders when financially just the numbers, just the facts. I'm trying to understand
how how you're going to fund this and and I don't I don't know. And and I know you got letters from from Valley Bank and and you got I don't know. Look, the originally Valley Bank wrote a letter in your original proposal that you had credit of
of seven figures. The most recent letter we got from Valley Bank says that your net worth has ability to cover the golf course. I I'm looking at the the big picture, Harter Hall, Wovia, the golf course. And
I mean, if you have and and by the way, correct me on any of this when you come up to speak. I I'm happy to be wrong and you can prove me wrong or we can have a discussion. So, I don't want to say anything that's not accurate. So, if I'm misstating anything, please correct me. Um I'm happy to be wrong. But looking at
the numbers and based on what you've said in the past, you're looking at $40 million for Harter Hall. Um you got the CRA incentive for Wacovia of $600 and that's typically about a 20%. So, you're looking at a $3 million
uh improvements for Wacovia and then based on the numbers that you provided on the golf course, you're looking at in five years a $2 million loss. So, um in the past two, and you can correct me if there's more numbers, you said that you've already put 10 million or 10 million into Harter Hall. So, if there's
30 million left, three million for Wakovia, two million for the golf course for the just the loss, you're looking at $35 million. And what does the city have to show that you can actually go through this and that the city's not going to be on the hook for now Wacovia and Harder
Hall or sorry for Wacovia and the golf course. I don't have any numbers to to say that. And if there was a way that you could say either you have the liquidity because there's a a difference between net worth and liquidity is how
are we how are you all going to pay for this and funnel this? And I wasn't really concerned about Carter Hall alone. That is your business. That is your hotel. That is whatever you want to do. But now you want to bring in the city and now it's going to be city taxpayer dollars on the line. And
anybody can correct me too or I'm happy to do something after the fact too. So far the city of Sebring with the Wakovia building uh CRA bought it um $325,000. The mold remediation is about 264,000.
Uh, now you have the incentive for construction for 600,000 tax year fiveyear tax abatement at 80%. Um, I'm basing that on what I found on tax collector's website. So that's about $9,000 annually. So within five years,
that's $36,000. So, the the incentive, the property, the land, the the improvements, everything that the city has given you guys so far, based on my numbers, I could be wrong, but that's based on the information I have, is about $1.2 million.
So, it I I'm just having a hard time with the numbers alone to say, how are we going to do this? I do not want to be in this spot a year from now or two years down the line because something didn't go right. I agree with everybody. I don't think
anybody here would disagree that we're not that we don't want you to succeed. I want to see Harter Hall succeed and thrive and to be everything that you guys want it to be. I I truly do. Um and
I wish you all the the very very best in that. And I that the questions that we have to ask as council and I think I everybody here should ask too is how much should a private or a municipality contribute to a private business? At
what risk are you willing to take and what are you going to demand from that partner and transparency and financials and information to say we want to do this but it's got to be under these conditions. This isn't private business and private business. you're working with the municipality and we got
to have transparency. It's and I I feel like over the last three years we have a lack of transparency and I don't I don't know about everybody else. I just feel like there's a lack of trust. There's been a lot of public records requests and going back and
forth on that. Um there's been and I have a timeline and and I don't want to go through all of it, but a pattern of missed deadlines, uh extensions, not being held accountable with the information that I have, I don't feel good about moving
forward with a proposal like this at this scale based on the performance. H&L, you guys kind of get the benefit of the doubt. You're brand new to us. And again, three years ago with the Blackman family, I and I don't want to discount
$10 million that you have put in. That is a huge amount of money. I But to get to to 40 million, that's a huge leap of faith that we need to take because if something doesn't go right, the taxpayers are on the line. And I
want to do our best to protect our taxpayers and provide the most transparency. And that's what I have to say. And all that being said, if there's a time that I wish everybody the best. I do. If something doesn't go
right with H&L, something goes wrong, uh, another COVID happens and and you just can't do it. That could be an opportunity for the city to say, "Okay, now we need another option and let's maybe go with live and let's go with this
based on more performance." So, I I just want to do do what's best. Um, the other option to throw a curveball into this. I don't know what you all think, but I think we have an option number four, and that could be does the city say we want to be out of the golf course business,
but we're we want to use 130 acres of prime land to give back to the city and and make it into a public park and to do something with with bike pass and disc golf and do a destination um like they had in Bonnet Creek and Lakeland and all
these great parks. So it's an option. I think it should just be discussed. Even if you say absolutely not, not interested in doing that, but I feel like it's worth the discussion and something to add to the table. Um, wrapping closing everything too. Ranking
everything, I think H&L will be my first choice. Um, I would like to explore the ideal of of a public park and seeing with the temperatures on council. Again, throw that away if you want. Um, and then if that doesn't go out, then I I
think Blackens would would be a a good fit. And again, sports med if we can have it contingent on on working with the county. I spoke for a long time and I'm sorry. Um, a lot of thoughts and a lot of time into this, so thank
All right, I'll go next and then wrap us up. Um, so the curse of being council president is sometimes you are uh stuck with the tiebreaker. Um,
so I'll kind of just go down the list. I agree with a lot of what's been said about sports med um, tonight. I think that their proposal has absolutely the highest ceiling um, but is the biggest risk to our city just because we don't we don't have TDC funding to back us up.
Um, and we would be on the hook for potentially a lot more money than we're already losing to operate our golf course. Um, I would love this. They're a very professional company. Um, their proposal was excellent. I would love to work with them on potentially the max long project that we are pursuing now.
Um, H&L um, again, I want to thank you for coming for for speaking to us, for being honest and open. I'm personally in agreement with um with Rebecca and Roland. I I can't get past
the the bankruptcy. Um I think as a council we have a fiduciary duty to the city's funds and um while I think that it could work, um the bankruptcy freaks me out. You know, it's an active thing. It's we're not talking about ancient
history, you know, we're talking about right now. Um and there is to the point that's been made before in the financial projections, there's not a lot of wiggle room. Um, if it goes a little bit south, it could go very south very quickly. Um,
it's been said multiple times, I don't think we want to be back here in two years discussing this again. Um, to the Blackman group, um, I agree with what Roland said. This is about Carter Hall. It's about the larger economic
benefit of what could be. Um I think if it succeeds, it could work very well. Um I don't love the I don't love the lease term. I don't love the uh lease payment. I would be more uh when
we get to voting tonight if it goes, you know, as as far as that um accepting that one, I would like to see us vote contingent on modifying [snorts] the length of that if they will accept it. Um
so ranking them, I would rank all one H&L group two sports I don't think I need to belabor that point any longer. >> I'm just glad I don't have the vote in this room. So, [clears throat]
>> but I agree with the council about trying to relieve the burden of the course from the back the taxpayers. Uh but I believe the best course of action is to lease the course of the Blackman family. Their investment in Harter Hall is going to exceed likely exceed more than 30 million, probably
close to 40 million. and it'll bring back to life one of the most historic structures we have that's been sitting dead 40 years. So, they're bringing it back once it's open with the golf course as an amenity for become a grand resort. It'll transform the area into a
destination. Um, it'll stimulate more tourism. It'll increase business activity and enhance our community. Leasing to the Blackwoods is not merely a symbolic gesture. It's a strategic decision with long-term economic and community benefits. So that's my
opinion. Thank you. Is there any other discussion or comments from council before we move on to >> allowing proposers to speak? >> Harrison, I don't um I like the idea of the park. I just think it's a lot of um
work and time and money that we would be inserting back into that. So while it's a great idea, I just don't know at this time it's the right idea. >> I meant to comment on that as well. I um I think it is a is cool concept right now. I'm of the opinion that the bird in
the hand is worth two in the bush and I think it it could take us five more years to to finish on on a concept that we could do as a public park and I'm not even sure that we could fund it. My my family goes to it on a park quite
a bit. It's awesome. It's phenomenally expensive. It was very contentious project for the city. Um, the don't live here either. >> Go, right. It had a benefactor. >> Um, I I would love for us to have one,
but but we don't at this point. Um, and nothing lasts forever. Uh, if we award the golf course to one of these proposals tonight, um, especially if it's one of the two that are are going to continue operating as a golf course, they may not want to continue that
forever. It may be that golf is a dying sport and that there's an opportunity in the future as long as we keep control of that land for the future use of city residents. It doesn't mean that this is the end of the line for anything but golf course.
>> And I think that for me that's one of the most important things too and um making sure that it is a lease, it stays a lease and city maintains ownership for for public use widely. So no, I I understand that and I see that.
I just want to say this is not about harder home. This is about the city of SAR. We have a man that's willing to put a bond up to $200,000 and we got another company that wants to
give us a dollar a year. You know, you can go $200,000 years $200,000 year. Uh, I I think it's being looked at a little wrong because this is not it's it's about severing
and they can get I wish them the best. They can get their building up and running and they can bring people here and it will it could bring a lot of people here and it could help the other hotels and restaurants and stuff. So, I'm looking at it at a a way that we
need we don't just need to put somebody in business. We need to keep everybody in business, you know, and and just for instance, downtown, and I said this on the radio, downtown, we got a bank building with a
nice parking lot and it's blocked off. Nobody can park there and it's hurting businesses downtown. I went around and talked to them and they said they can't find awhere to park. So, we have a parking lot held hostage by someone we want to give something else to. So,
I think we've given enough away already. That's my opinion. >> And Lonard, on that note, too, if I can add, um, if that's something that this can be contingent on, too, that if we can work out a deal, if we're going to lease 130 acres of land, then I think
it's only acceptable and fair to say we need to come up with some kind of lease agreement, too, of that parking lot. don't want I don't want to hurt anything with with what's going on in that building in business, but it is currently hurting. I agree with you. It's hurting our our small businesses because I' I've heard that firsthand
from multiple people and it's something that we need to to address and to bring up and I don't think it's a hard concession to say we're going to give you 130 acres lease. Let's work out something with the parking lot. So to [clears throat] to clarify maybe
for the benefit of the public as well, whatever proposal he vote on tonight, it's not the end of the story. We still have contract to negotiate, whoever it is, >> right? >> So for things that are important to the city, such as maintaining the course, uh you know, clawbacks in the event of a
default, things like that, those will be part of a contract. Um the one benefit [clears throat] with our hall group is that we have done a lot of that negotiation already prior to going down this RF process and I think there is a lot of protection
for the city and just want to add that uh as far as the the $200,000 my issue with that obviously more money is is better right? Um, my concern is the ability to
continue that course to to make it work. Um, and I don't have as much confidence as you do on that front. And while um I don't agree with everything maybe the Blackman family has ever done, I think
that the economic benefits of the city uh if their the vision of that resort comes to life. Um, >> there's a that's a big word if >> the biggest word out there. with every one of these proposals as as you know Rebecca said, there's no perfect
proposal in here. >> If there was, we wouldn't be in a split right now. You know, um that's my thought on that. >> On that note too though, looking at economic impact, I think what we're doing, um depending on how things go is
we're looking at Catty Shack moving locations or closing down and and 32 jobs going >> 47 47 a lot of jobs are going away. So that's a hard thing to stomach as well. Now
Roland, I agree with you too. If there was any concession or if there was any kind of wiggle room too that if you could increase that rent from a dollar a year to to something more more reasonable. Um that would I think would go a long way with goodwill and public
trust and just knowing that we're not giving away for a dollar. There's more into it, especially knowing that now now that there's more incentives that the city has already provided. But again, I don't want to get into we don't need to negotiate a contract now, but I feel like if there's things that are very
important to us right here, right now, if those are non-starters, then I feel like they should at least be asked or addressed um when when we can get into the time for for questions. Just my two cents. Any other discussion council?
Okay. So, next we're going to move on to the opportunity for proposers to make any final comments and answer questions. The order of our workshop will be here. >> Blackman H&L Blackman HNL Sport. Okay. So, we'll hear first from the Blackman
family. Thank you very much to [clears throat] everybody. Thank you to the council, the mayor, to the administrator, city of the attorney, clerk. Um, you know, we appreciate all the the insight um and the the thoughtful discussion. Um, you know, we talked about if this had been
three years ago, we we tried to have this three years ago and we do appreciate that the council wanted to go out to RFP and see what the options were. Um, you know, there was mention of a benefactor. This is us trying to be a benefactor by assuming more risk from
the city and taking the downside away. I understand that the dollar a year is a discussion here, but there's no data being numbers people, there's no data where the golf course has ever brought in over a million dollars a year. The other proposal here says it's going to bring in 1.9 this year. These are
numbers that we hopefully they're correct. That's not the way we did the math based on the numbers we have historically from this city. It's just never brought in that and there's a lot of competition in this market. We know that even at a dollar a year, it's going to lose. I don't think the city's done a bad job. I think
there's a reason though that it's lost 450 800,000 a year. It's because it's a tough road to hoe here. Um, we are trying to help out the city here and we appreciate that every stone, even though, you know, you said there wasn't
an RFP, we appreciate that this has been a competitive marketplace and there's a reason that there's three proposals and not more. It's a tough market. Um, as far as discussion of a the bank building, thought it was kind of off topic for a
golf course RFP, but uh I had to put I had to put $3 million in an escro account. the true has there's $3 million in cash sitting in an account that I've already given for the bank. It's fully funded and that was also a project that was not able to be financed. I come up with that cash. So, the fact that we got
a $600,000 incentive, yeah, I think that was in line with some of the other projects, but that building is not going to be worth $3.6 million when it's done. It's just not. This is something where we're trying to to to help spur the economy around here. Um, you know, the purchase of the bank, the remediation,
these are things that are done on all CRA projects and That all happened before we came to town. So, this was a vision we're trying to bring. I'm very excited. We just did a tour of that bank. It's fully framed out. Uh, electric and plumbing start next week. We're really moving fast on that and it's fully funded and Drew will attest
to that. As far as what we've done and the and the records here that we're voting on, we're the only group that's based in Florida. We have all of our partners, DTE, Drew Lock are also based in Florida. I'm born and raised in Florida.
We're the only group that currently operates golf courses in Florida. DT has 45. We're the only group that's actively spent a dollar in the state of Florida. We have invested in the Harter Hall Hotel in the Bank. We are the only group
that's created jobs in Sebring with we have four construction crews going right now. We're the only group that will exponentially create more jobs if chosen because of what the hotel and the resort becomes a whole. Um, you know,
this has been a long road. I I I don't have much more to say about the contents of the the lease. You guys have seen what we've been working on. I I just I don't know where you come up with the ability to to to cover a lease payment. It it is a losing asset. We're trying to improve
it and use as a loss leader to enhance the resort and bring people to town. I frankly wish we didn't have to take over the golf course to make this vision a reality. But again, going back to the National Historic Register uh entry, it
was out of scope with with size and reality. You have to look at the realities of what will drive people to this area and the impact that this would have. This is a game changer getting this resort done for the town. We are trying our very best and we have invested money on a flyer here. You have
no idea if the other two projects will work. And again, numbers wise would say this course has never made over a million dollars. I believe that H&L is great, but are they that great that they can double it year one? There's a lot of uncertainty. We're
providing that certainty here. And you know, we're happy to answer questions. We have DTE here. We have Troop here. Um, but remember, this is a visioning vote tonight. We understand there's still lease to work out. The vision is, do you want to participate after three long years of discussions? Do you want
to participate in trying to make harder hauler a resort or do you want to go in a different direction? We are thankful no matter what the vote is. We truly are thankful that we're getting that clarity of where the government officials position is and what you guys beliefs and the future of the city is. We just
need the certainty at this point and that's all we ask for. So no matter what happens, we truly are grateful to everybody here and I sincerely mean that. questions. >> When do you plan on opening the hotel? >> I asked that question last time. I got
no answer. >> If you're going to speak, make sure you come to the podium so it can be on the record. Drew, if you want to. Again, just for the record, Drew Locker. Um, obviously good question, tough question to answer. Right now, phase one, which
is involving rooftop, all new windows, all new grand doors, exterior, stucco, paint, ceiling, and framing. We should be done with phase one, I would say, in the next five to six months. So, the exterior we started painting today the north wing. Just had our um inspections
on all the windows. So, we got all all the windows signed off on stucco patches. Painting the north wing. We've moved into the center wing and then we go we move move ahead to the south wing. We go into there. So, you would see the exterior finished. Right now, again,
with a historic building, you run into all kinds of challenges inside outside. what we have to do at the National Historic Registry. We're working right now with proposals from a couple different architectural firms to start on our architectural plans for the interior, which I would think can run
concurrently. It take about I would say six months to put together a full-size set of plans. And then after that, I would consider a normal building this size. I would say 18 to 20 months, but historical, I would say at least a two-year build up time. So again, none
of that is in stone because we don't know, like right now, we don't even know interior layouts. We don't know how big guest rooms are, how many guest rooms that that's all part of programming, restaurants, and the golf course is kind of a big part of it. We've been I've been asking him, hey, can I pull the trigger? Pull the trigger on the
architect. He's like, we need to know what happens with the golf course because Cattyshack becomes part of the restaurant program as part of the overall resort. Do we have it? Do we not have it? Do we have a golf course? Do we need to provide other amenities? Does our room count go up or down depending
on what you have? So, as this process has been going on and on and on, and I appreciate everybody's efforts, um, you know, and Harrison, I I I totally agree with you. There's a lot of different things going on that you're trying to figure out, but until we get clarity, whether it's an up or a down vote, we
really can't move forward on anything other than the exterior. I hope that helps. But that's kind of my timeline with how long it take. student and say when >> no I just approximately >> six months and probably 24 months to
build once we have the plan you guys like I said I say every time Greg's been great with plans so we submit plans um you know he goes through them they they get them we use private provider on a lot of things and he goes uh he goes through them pretty quickly so I don't think permitting here will be a problem
like other places but you know if we have six months and we go through that we got a lot of ordering and then I would say at least two years to build it So approximately three more years. >> Yeah, roughly. >> Thank you. >> My concern is accessibility for city
residents. So on golfing, um how are we going to make sure that you're not outpricing with your resort costs with um a city that has members that are people that like to play there. >> I'm going to jump before he gets in
here. We are maintaining the SGA memberships. >> Yeah. Well, yeah. An exclusion of them. I mean, he's going to be in charge of that, but I think the understanding is you're still going to be open to the public. So, we have to price in line with what the demand is because we
couldn't get that much money. There's just so much supply that we'd be completely, you know, lose even more. But, please, >> look, like most golf courses, there's different >> Oh, sorry. Joe Haynes. I'm with Down to Earth Golf. Like most golf courses,
there's tiered approach. So, you're going to have the existing members, you're going to have what the resort guests are going to have to pay, and I'm sure they'll have a play and stay option. I mean, they haven't we haven't really worked that out, but essentially, if it's going to stay consistent for the
residents around here, it's going to stay consistent the pricing, but yes, it will. As as more capital expenditure goes into it and improvements, obviously, the cost is going to go up. And we've done it with five other municipal golf courses. I didn't have a developer involved, but five other
municipal golf courses that, you know, we've done it and we've been successful at all five of them in just in Florida. >> I've got a question for you, Mr. Blackman. We talked about the lease length and clarify. I'm I'm less
concerned about the dollar a year because right now it's negative 250,000, right? Um, but the the length of the lease, would you be open to a shorter term or possibly uh with periodic renewals that would get you to that
point like a 25 year plus renewal options? I mean, we kind of touched on this last time, but we're looking for certainty and commitment to match the commitment that we've made in the town already kind of on a wish and a prayer. Um, you know, we
were talking about wishing, you know, this vote had been three years ago. We should have pushed for it before. We have invested more money than the resort is worth in that hotel. We are definitely upside down in equity. That being said, we're happy to keep powering
through, but at some point, we need to know that there is some commitment. Well, let me give you an idea that I was considering, and I had just some discussions about this. Uh what if it was a 25-y year lease with the option for three renewals? It in theory gets
you to the to the 100 if everything is working well. If it doesn't, you know, if things are not working well, it gives future council the the option to go another direction in 25 years, which is still a long term. >> We don't have our attorney here uh tonight. What I'll say is, you know,
correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe today is just to choose conceptually where we want to go. We we know that we still need to get a lease approved with you guys, which you have the prerogative to support or reject. Um we just want to see we don't want to keep negotiating, you know, until we
have some certainty that we're the ones even being negotiated with. >> Okay. >> I I think we we have been flexible thus far. You know, we were willing to pull the the purchase clause came out. The land where the original clubhouse was, we pulled that land out. We pulled the
dog leg land out. We even agreed to give a restaurant lease before we went to RFP to an exist. I mean, we we've really tried to be flexible. We're going to continue to try and be flexible. Um, but we just want to see where this thing's going first. And we know that, hey, if if we don't play ball with you guys, how
do these RFPs work? They go on to the next person. So, we understand that that we're going to have to get to a place where you guys are comfortable. I just don't know that today in this forum is the place, >> okay, >> to to go much further. >> Fair enough. Um just to clarify on what you said too
with the bringing in the Wakovia, um the original CRA letter that you wrote back January 13, 23, you said the the Blackman family is interested in acquiring the former Wakovia bank building as part of the overall redevelopment of Harter Hall. We believe it is imperative to create
create a connection between the between Harter Hall and the downtown Sebring. So that's why I'm bringing it up too. So that reason ending just knowing that uh all the city projects even though it's CRA and SE it's it's still one one and the same. It's still taxpayer payer dollars. So I just want to make that
clear and >> could you come back? >> I agree and we still think that the downtown the success of the downtown is going to be the success of the hotel because you need a demand driver which the downtown is becoming your demand driver as it historically was. Can you tell them a little bit about where we're
at with the bank or timelines there? >> Yeah. uh timelines with the bank schedulewise. Um I think we had mentioned a little bit before finished framing today, started roughing and electrical, plumber comes on Monday. We should start hanging sheetrock within two weeks. So our current schedule right
now has that thing wrapping up done. Um HQ comes in to do their FFN package and all that uh towards the end of uh it's the end of May. So that thing should be wrapped up and done. Um, according to financing, there was a 1031 exchange
that went into escrow for the entire construction amount plus FFN plus some other improvements that aren't even part of the project for areas um outside. So, all that money, it's 100% funded, which is nice for me as the contractor because
soon as the framer's done, I'm like, here's your check, you're good to go. So, um, that's kind of where we are constructionwise with the bank. Is that the same process for Harder Hall? >> Um yeah, we've been Yes, we I I the way it's the way it's working on Harder
Hall. There were some things their previous contractor um was doing it differently the way that we have it on here. Um um GC as consultant pulled the permits, did that, and then Mr. Blackman
and I pay the bills. The it's funded to me and then I pay it. But it's the same same scenario. Not that there's 40 million in there, but we have a substantial amount that already covers all of phase one. So, >> but you're only doing the bottom floor >> of what?
>> The bank. >> Well, I think he was saying that was >> No, no, I'm talking about the bank. He asked you about the bank, too. And I just wonder I was told you're only redoing the bottom floor. >> No, all three floors are framed. Come on over, take a look. I'd love I'd love to I'd love a question.
>> Yeah, it's a it's a fantastic building. It's It is It's great. But all three floors are framed and electrical is being roughed in. So yeah, no, it's it's it's going to be pretty neat. A HQ whose Regis office uh they're very excited about it because they think there's
going to be a lot of business here. >> Robert, too, one of the and just this is people talking to me over the last several years now. Um, one of the biggest I'm I'm gonna be honest with you. Just one of the biggest concerns I keep on hearing is what you're putting all this money in trying to to acquire
new properties and to at the end of the day just flip it, sell it to another investor and get out of it. So, and I'm saying this too with the you made the comment too, you're you're negative equity, you're not making money. So, again, I've alluded to this and talked to you about this at the the
workshop. I have a really hard time wrapping my head around just uh you love burning money and there money is not really an option. So is there asurances just today you can say you're just you're not acquiring properties just to flip it and sell it to to another
investor five years down the road. I think that would just give me confidence and I think everybody else and you're not just selling your shares and you have 2% of the overall project 10 years from now. >> We want to be seeing you not somebody else that we don't know. This is a pretty successful flip, isn't it? Here
we are three years later and I still didn't even think to get control of the golf course. Um, >> we got about three three years more to go. So, long way to go from here. >> I'm I'm doing a great job on this flip. Um, you know, what was the question?
>> So, when you open three years down the line when Harter Hall is open, >> are you going to be here? Are you going to be here 10 years? Are we gonna be having I might not be on council after tonight and that's okay. But 10 years down the road, >> you said it, not me. >> Listen, I'm gonna sleep good tonight. I
got some of my questions out. Um, 10 years down the road, is council going to be talking to you. >> I I've never not been to a meeting. I I live in Florida. I've come to every meeting, discuss things. I've done what I took a phone call from you this week. Absolutely. >> About the parking. And by the way,
there's 281 public spots within one block of the Wovian, which I told you on the phone. I counted that. Um, we've always been open and accessible to council. Nothing would change. I I've answered a lot of these questions in in previous meetings. You know, every day
it's becoming tougher for me to to to understand what the mission is here. I really thought this was a team, you know, group thing. I could not flip it if I wanted because we do not have positive equity on this thing. Right? That was my mistake of waiting to do the
negotiations till the back end. You know, any any project when you buy a home, you have to tell them what you're doing, you know, before you get financing. We didn't have that problem because it's been a cash project. Um, you know, I I can continue answering questions. I I will say I wish that some
of these would be asked of some of the other groups. I know I was ranked third under an option that wasn't even on the table by you >> um under making it into a park. I'm happy to go all night on this, but it's been three years you and I have been talking about this. >> If you if you've ranked me third right
now, I don't think I'm going to change your mind tonight. Um and >> well, I think it's important to ask some of these questions, too. Just so >> And what was the question >> again? >> Will I work with the council? Yes. >> No, no, no. saying, are are you are you planning on flipping this property or to
selling it out or getting out? Is the black man's going to own 51% of this entire property? >> And >> is it Yes. Thank Thank you. >> is the plan is to be a long-term hole in perpetuity. Would I always own the place? >> I don't know. You know, are you going to live in your house for the rest of your
life? I I'm not planning on doing anything right now. >> No. And and I'm okay. I'm okay with that answer. I just want to know because then that's one of the one of >> Well, remember at the last meeting we also discussed this is we're happy to do stipulations but you can't make the other groups hold the hotel for the rest
of their lives either. They don't own it. >> We are trying to bring this hotel that's been closed for 40 years back online and we've been doing this on a hope and a prayer. We're just trying to land the airplane tonight. >> And I understand you're doing a hope and a prayer but it's also a cityowned
property and I want to do what we can to protect. So, I'm asking some hard questions and I'm not apologizing for asking some questions that I I think we need some answers to. >> And again, if you question one last, >> well, I own it forever. I don't know.
>> How do you feel about your car? Do you like it today? >> Yes, but that's a different thing. >> Okay. >> Just want to know. >> Thank you for answering because that gives me more more clarity. >> I hope I didn't go to the fourth ranking for you.
I'm not trying to mean anything. We are trying to ask some questions and I'm not trying to offend you. >> I'm not offended. >> Okay. >> One comment that I did want to make when you're talking about, you know, throwing money and stuff, the HQ that we're doing
for the bank that we're doing there, those particular products cannot be financed. It's a really It's a really peculiar thing because it's a single tenant. The way it works, you can't finance those. So, anytime that I've ever built one of those, the owner,
developer, whoever's doing it has to fund the whole thing up front. >> Okay? >> That's just how they work. It's a it's a strange animal in the finance world. I don't understand why, but that's kind of one of those things. It's not When we started talking originally, I'm like, "Hey, here's where it's going to be. This is where it's going to cost." And he's like, "Okay, that has to be a cash
deal because that's how you do it." So when you talk about CL, you know, making money back as soon as and and Regis is very, >> you know, motivated about it and they're like, we will fill that thing up. So it'll start to be, you know, it'll start to return cash to get back to that
pretty quickly. >> And Drew, thank you for explaining that because that's something I didn't know. Yeah. And that's something >> because the first question I asked him, I said, "Why aren't you financing this?" He's like, "You can't." And I'm like, "Oh, okay. Good." And it just leaves us when we don't have a clear answer, we it leaves room for speculation. So
absolutely for explaining that. >> Absolutely. >> I've said enough questions >> pretty much. Just want to thank you guys all again. Truly, we're just happy to be in this position tonight.
>> Okay, Mr. Leonard with HL. >> Thank you, council. Thank you, Mayor. The bottom line is I'm the only one that's guaranteeing you guys money. $200,000 the first year that will be fully backed by performance part. If the contract is drawn up, I will have
my insurance company provide you guys with the performance line. That's the only thing they need to see get done. 32 employees at Catty Shack. They keep their jobs if we get award this contract. The number 1.9 got thrown out before. That's
for the golf course and the catty shack because the RFP was for the golf course property including the catty shack. So when I do 1.9, that's because I know what the catty shack did the last three years. Average that with what the golf course did. I didn't put this big increase in revenue that this golf
course didn't do the first year. What I did was combined the last three years of the golf course, not including the year they redid the greens, and I combined the last three years of Catty Shack. That's how I came up with that 1.9 figure. It's not some huge increase I put in there. My numbers are solid.
Harrison will tell you. I did a lot of homework with this. Again, it's if like I said at the last meeting, and I shouldn't have said it probably, but if I don't pay, you guys can kick me right out. You make $200,000 and then you go with the blacks. Simple as that. It's as
simple as that. I can guarantee you guys a really, really, really profitable golf course, a really good condition golf course. and 42 residents of Sebring and cities around Sebring still having jobs tomorrow by being awarded this contract. It's as simple as that.
Okay, questions from council. Just want to say thank you for your transparency. Very honest with your answer. You had a lot more answers than anybody else. So, thank you for that.
I echo Lar. Thank you. >> I'm think I mentioned I'm I'm just not comfortable with the the chapter 11 and I know there's not a thing you can do about that at this moment. Um I appreciate the work that you put into it and questions.
Okay. Thank you, sir. All right. [clears throat] Next uh sportsman you got an opportunity to to speak and and answer some questions. >> Good evening everybody. >> Yes sir.
>> Thank you again for being here this evening. First and foremost, we want and we understand choice for you and we appreciate it's a little unusual for us. Normally our project opportunities come
by referral. the process something that we don't offer to do but we have one award to an RC and to respond
location I'm an added offer golf probably audience. Um, we see we did our home in DC
[snorts] location. And in our identify that he's investment and it's a future team sports builds. You know,
we see the only access to that's not only enjoyed all you wish
to our facility folks from all areas and other we hope it's with less heavy heart that you're listening to us. you know
that question. >> Thank you, sir. I uh if you're not chosen tonight, I do hope that we get the opportunity to work with you at our adjacent uh Max Long Sports Complex. I think you guys would be a good fit there.
>> Any questions or comments from council? >> Echo that, Josh. I think that'd be great. >> Thank you very much, sir. >> All right, we're now going to get to the time for public comments. Um, as a reminder, we're limited to three minutes
per person. U, please be respectful. We are going to avoid having back and forth with the audience like I've heard at the last one. Keep your comments to the podium, please. Uh and be cognizant of our time and get started. Yes, sir.
>> Good evening, council members, Mr. Mayor. Appreciate the time. I've got like seven pages. >> You identify yourself. >> Jeff Carlson for the record. >> I appreciate all the time and effort that everyone's put into this. I think that I could probably say that I've
spent more time than any other individual other than you guys in researching this, discussing it with the potential investors and things that are going on in the community. I wanted to point out that agree with uh Harrison that there the fourth option is
obviously my favorite. I don't think it's one funded by the one that has to be funded by the city. As Mr. Hvery pointed out earlier, there are a lot of grant opportunities. I think we've underutilized ARPAC. We've underutilized FERDAP grants. There's a
lot of state, local, federal grants that we could utilize in a long-term vision. I would love to see a committee, Mr. Shupe and I started a playground committee in 1998 that rebuilt most of the playgrounds that I played at as a little kid around town. Um, something like that would be very cool. Um, but
beyond that, I hear the feedback. I appreciate the time and effort that you've put into this. Um the only thing that I would ask if with any of the people that uh that you approved the contract with tonight is the idea of future development. As council knows the and I don't know the legality of things,
but whatever this council approves, the next council can unapprove. So it's not something that's locked in stone and goes with the property forever. What's that for? >> Up over here. It's not something that necessarily goes
with the property forever or locks it down. So, one ask that I have is that the city entertain and le this lease project as part of the agreement or contingency that we overlay this piece of property or at least a large portion of it with a conservation easement so
that the people that want it to remain open space as a golf course or recreation opportunity, this is something that's happened in other cities around the state of Florida. Um, Naples, Florida has a municipal golf course that has a conser conservation easement overlay. I think that's a step that would permanently lock the development of this piece of property
down. And I think any of the three proposals that have that should be contingent on upon something of that nature. Thank you. >> Good evening. Uh Kevin O'Donnell. We live across from Carter Hall and Little Lake Jackson. Uh Leonard, one of the concerns about lost
jobs at the restaurant. It's still going to be a restaurant when it's done. There's still going to be jobs there for just about every other occupation that's there. Now, I think if you look at it, it's probably going to be more high-end. So, the tips will probably be larger and the salaries will probably be larger. We also have to look at all the jobs that
go into construction on Harter Hall on the Lovia building. All the jobs that are going to be at the golf course during construction as well. I think it's a net positive that we're going to have more jobs out of this, not fewer jobs. And the ones that are there are going to be more highly paid, more highly compensated. U Harvey, Mr.
Harvey. One of the things about the park, I like that idea. We need that at Sebring, but there's a golf course right adjacent to the one we're looking at. I don't know if it's in the city limits or not. It's a bunch of weeds right now. I don't know if there's funding available from the state to maybe acquire that and make it a park. I like the idea. We also
need a dog park. Just another we don't have a dog right now, but there's really no dog parks that I'm aware of. So, there's a lot of good opportunities there. Uh the other thing is I participate in a lot of Facebook pages on the city of Sebring and I think the people have spoken on Sebring the
citizens if you look at the the comments they're all very positive in support of the blackmans in Marty Hall. Uh just a comment I mean if you look at the pulse of the people I think the direction I think I see you going is the right direction uh in support of the blacks.
So pretty much that's all I had to say. Thank you. My name is Caitlyn Quackenbush and I'm a Sabering resident and I I'm coming at approaching this strictly from a personal basis. I am not a businesswoman. Mr. Blackman said that one advantage
that he has is that or that should that he should be on his side is that he's from Florida and H&L is not. And while that is true, neither one of them are from Sebring. And this is about the city of Sebring and its residents which is
also leads to yes more jobs will be created. But what about the jobs that are already there? There's almost 50 employees between the catty shack and the golf course that like he said will not have a job tomorrow. I mean you know
essentially in six months. This business has been there for 20 years. We are the only ones who are from Sebring. None no one none nobody is. So as a business that's been there for 20 years it sets kind of a bad precedent
that you can come in you can build a business you can create a business and build it and make it successful. CattyShack has been successful for 20 years and then all of a sudden you can just get the rug ripped right out from under you because somebody with more money or a little more power comes in to
again a city that they're not from which I applaud them for having the opportunity and the means to invest in Harter Hall and to invest in our city and that's great but it seems kind of counterproductive to say I'm going to create more jobs while
eliminating all these jobs from the residents that live here now. Not in the future, not in two years, not in 5 years, not in 20 years. We live here now, we pay taxes here now, and we have job a job here now.
So, you know, I mean, with that being said, I just want you guys to keep in mind that the residents that are dealing with this now, like I said, in a personal matter, that's, you know, that's who we need to
consider as well. I just don't want to be forgotten. That's it. Thank you. My name is Laura Ammon and I'm a resident of Sebring and I feel like Mr. Blackman has put a great deal an investment into our city
and his vision of a resort won't come to fruition if if we hold back the golf course. My main thing was the city the city has been in deficit with that golf course. So even if a dollar that's a surplus, it's not a bad thing. Um,
maybe, you know, when you guys work out the details, you can do a balloon payment. Maybe for the first few years while he's in construction, it's a dollar. Maybe a little bit later down the road, you renew the rel the lease and he can pay a little bit more or whatever you guys work out. But there
are lots of other options. There are so many things. Uh, one thing is I do agree with the last woman she said about Catty Shack. That's not fair. Uh, the Catty Shack has been in business for a long time. I think as a resident of Sebring, everybody loves the catty shack. Um, and
so I think there could be another um addendum or something where you break up the two pieces of property and then Harter Hall gets the golf course and not Catty Shack. And I think Mr. Blackman would agree probably that if he puts a restaurant inside the building, that
would just give um hotel goers more options. So I think as a person who might go to a hotel, I might not want to eat at that one restaurant at the resort, but hey, there's another one across the street. So again, it would keep jobs, it would keep Catty Shack in business, and if there was a way to work
it out to separate the two pieces, um that would be the best option for Sebring um and and the employees and and everyone involved. And I think just as a decent human being, he's put so much money into this project already and for
it to not come to the full vision that he had originally, that's not nice, you know, just as a just as a decent human being. I think you guys need to really put a little bit more thought into it. Maybe if you don't like all the details, you guys work it out. But also think about the timeliness of it because as he
said three years ago he had a plan and now things are coming up and they're different and and I think that's when you're making a project it's hard to finish the project if you don't know where it's going and part of that is the golf course. So I just want everybody to make sure they're they're aware of that.
But I do support Mr. Blackman in the Harter Hall. But I also think Cattyshack should remain Catty Shack if at all possible and them still be able to get the golf course to go along with the Arter Hall project. Thank you, >> Tom Mendel. Sebring president. I just
want to say with the sports complex, I think that's a great idea, but it's kind of like the water park we're going to try to do uh years ago, $20 million and the city just can't afford it and we're going to be on the hook if uh if they
don't make money in here. So, I don't think that's the right thing for the city. And Mr. Harrison Havery, I'm I'm surprised that you made a big deal over the Wakovia building with the CRA. CRA gave pro multiple properties downtown
away. They gave them to the businesses and they get to have them after five years. They pay no rent and they get to have those properties after five years. And then you talk about being late. the Rono building was a year late in
opening. So, this isn't unprecedented that things run behind. Uh it's it's pretty normal. And I think the the what the Blackman's have is this bigger vision of what it can do for Sebring. And it's kind of like what we did with
HGTV and what it's done for downtown. What Harter Hall and having this resort a bigger bigger vision is much better for the city of Seabbring in the long run. I'm James Dean of Sebring. I didn't grow up in Sebring. I actually, and I'm uh
answering Mr. Hvery, uh I actually was born in a building on the National Historic Register. I grew up in a building in the National Historic Register. I was on live on Beacon Hill. I was in Newport. I was Savannah. all these places where I saw the importance
of historic res restoration. And as I look at the thought of the man who wants to put a uh sports complex or something similar, uh where are the profits going to come? Yes, it will where are they
going to go? The local employees will be paid, the manager will be paid, but the profits are going to go to North Carolina or some other place. I think if if you look at the Blackman family and you think of the history of Florida,
there have been numerous legends over the year. I mean, there was Hamilton Don. Uh there was Oliver Crosby. Uh but if you look at the Sebring family, I think we have a similar situation. Uh the
we we have a family that are doing things right. I'm not a builder but I have read in the newspaper and I have seen they seem to be the only one who are doing foundations who are doing things that are not being shown. The CRA
has not done that. I've they have done different sort of things. So I would say if you're looking at the future of Sebring look at the Blackman family and compare them to people such as the Seabbring family. Thank you.
Sonia Mendoza. And um I just have to set something straight here. Mr. Blackman, with all due respect, you like to tell people that you offered us a three-year lease and we turned it down. And we did, but it wasn't a three-year lease. It was a yeartoyear up to three years. And the third year, an
abstical amount of money for this area. So, I'm never going to get up and publicly argue with anyone or do anything of that nature. I don't post. I don't say things. I don't do things. Um, but I do have to put that record
straight. Number one. And, um, number two, I lost my train of thought because I got so nervous. Um, >> I forgot what I was going to say. Um, with that being said, we've been made out to be enemies and we were never
enemies. We're doing the same thing you're doing. We're fighting for what we've spent 20 years of our lives building. We're not there to be a thorn in your behind by any way, shape, or form. How we got made out to be enemies, I don't know. You're fighting for what
you say you were promised, and we're fighting for what we have. It's it's nothing personal. >> Miss Mendoza, I'm sorry to interrupt. Can you address the through the mic, please? >> That's my thing is I would just like the public to know that. I also know that someone went on the radio saying that the catty shack the city carries the
catty shack the catty shack doesn't pay rent in the summer. That is false as well. No, we don't pay rent in the summer because we prepay our rent. I've never missed a rent payment. We've always been early. We prepay so that if a summer is bad, our rent's paid. We don't have to worry.
That's just a couple of things that I know has been going out into um social media and I would just like to set the record straight. These allegations are not true. We are not enemies. We could have worked together. I I understand you're going to have a big beautiful restaurant in your hotel and you don't
want the competition and I understand that. But we could have stayed there until your hotel opened and you were ready. But that's besides the point. I just wanted the public to know as well that all we've done is fought for what we've built. We're not trying to go against anyone, do anything. We're just
trying to hang on to what we had. As anyone in this room or anyone watching or anyone with a business or a job, you you fight for what is yours, right? That's all we've done. And I just wanted to set that straight on the record. Thank you.
>> Good evening. My name is Robert Cheney. I live in Avon Park, but I do a lot of things in Sebring. And uh it seems to me like the council wants to do something good for the citizens of Sebring. And it'll also have effect on the
surrounding communities, I believe. And if you're doing things for the citizens, think about the citizens that are there at Kadeshack. There's 40 or 50 of them. And it has been 20 years that they've
been there. And uh it's it's just I don't like the idea of rolling over some citizens to provide something for other citizens. It's just I'd like to see that um we have a heart and consider them
when you're doing all of this. And I appreciate that you guys want to do something to better the area and it's a good thing to do. here in Neil's header. For the record, um CRA was created many moons ago by my mother. I have the original charter. I
know how the CRA works. Um I appreciate what Mr. Blackman's doing to Harle Hall. I'd love to see it bloom, you know, be what it was once before. However, I think he's looking at three years before it even opens up and he
wants to take the golf course over for $1 a year. Okay? You have someone that's promising you 200,000 a year and each year it goes up plus keeping a business that's been there for 20 years. That's the only business that's been
there that long. There's been three other businesses before there. Fair market value. Okay. If you need to raise the rent on the caddy shack, the city should decide it, not Mr. Blackman. Okay, that's just numbers. I'm a number
girl like you, Mr. Mr. Harvey. Okay, you have numbers. He's offering you, he's promising you X amount of dollars a year versus $1 a year. I think that somehow another something needs to be worked out that
in three years if her hall is open, then grant it to Mr. Blackman. But in the meantime, you have someone promising the county, I mean the city, $200,000 plus a year, plus keeping a business open that we've all gone to that is packed every night of the week except Monday, the
golf course has been packed every day. And I think with the right management of the golf course and the right leadership, it all could work out. But until Hall is open and can put guests in there, I don't think the golf course
should be involved. I think the golf the horal should have opened up for visitors to stay there and let the golf course go to H&L who is guaranteeing you money. I would take $200,000 a year over $1 a
year. >> Hello, my name is Mike Barney. Uh, I'm on my third house down here in Sebring. I'm No. Am I allowed to talk? [laughter] I'm actually talking on behalf of my
mom. Uh, mom and dad moved down here 25 years ago and she wanted to show me two things. downtown Seabbury and she called it the pink hotel and she loved the downtown.
There was only a few shops but she loved going down there sitting in in the circle and going to stores and she loved driving by the hotel and she always said what if somebody fix this hotel up how cool would that be for Seb?
So I'm actually here talking on behalf of her. What I'm really going to say, I'm not sure. I can just tell you that we all know what downtown's like. You know, I've never been somewhere and I want to go downtown
and just sit in the middle and drink coffee and enjoy it. You know, it's almost too busy for us now. But we absolutely love Sebring. I think it's a cool town. I didn't think that 25 years ago when I was down here. Never even
thought we'd live here. But we bought we first bought it 2012. But I just wonder where we would be if Mr. Blackman wouldn't invested what he has invested in. Would we have any would we have anybody else even interested?
What what if he hadn't done what he's done? I feel like he's opened the door. And again, I'm speaking for my mom. I just feel like that he's given us another opportunity, a big opportunity
to move forward. I I think a dollar a year, you know, in 10 years, that's $2.5 million that we've saved. I I have to I have to admit, I don't like telling
someone they're going to lose their jobs. That's never good. I'm a retired tight fitter welder. Nobody wants to hear you're getting laid off. I was always very fortunate, but it's happened. You know, people that's not never good. And I understand their
concern on that. So, I would I would hope to think you were nice enough to ask him some serious questions, but you guys never really, you know, just he answered you, but you didn't.
I I just feel like where would we be if again Mr. Blackman wouldn't have done what he done? So, you know, I'm obviously I'm in favor of Mr. Black. Are there any other comments tonight?
Hi, I'm Dave Smith. I only have one question. The Blackman's addressed that they would honor the SGAA commitments H&L. Is there any u
are you also going to going to honor the commitments for the J? >> Excuse me. Hold on. We can't have a back and forth between the audience. It's got to be on the record. >> So, I'm I'm curious if H&L is going to honor the commitments to the uh SGAA. >> Okay. Their proposal did say they would.
>> Okay. Good. Thank you. Any other questions or or comments from the public tonight? Okay. I'm sorry. You've already spoken. All right, seeing no more, we're going to move on to final council remarks, discussions,
potential motion. Uh, so I'll fire us off kind of as I led in tonight. Uh, half this room was going to be angry at half this council and the other half is going to be angry at the other half.
>> Um, thank you for making me I agree on that. Um I want to say this is this has been a very tough decision. A lot of people I know trust and respect have urged one option. A lot of people I know trust and
respect have urged other options. My thoughts on this on this vote are that we are choosing uh as was mentioned the best of three imperfect proposals. Uh I hope our decision is born correctly
but it's not made lightly. That's that's all I have to say. Anyone else? I I I completely agree with everything that you said. It might sound like that I'm antilack and I'm not. Um, what
I am is is just for transparency and asking questions and and doing what I think is best for the city. Um, I want you guys to succeed and and prove me wrong and and make me look bad and and succeed. Um, and I'll be the first one to say that I was wrong. Um, but what I
don't want to see is us in this situation three years from now without somebody asking some questions and putting it out on the table. Um, and after he listened to everything too, I mean, I don't know if we need to to reink things too, but I mean, with all that being said, too, now that
public park sounds like he's out of the option. Um, so I would I would say I'm still in favor of H&L. Um, and for the reasons too, it's hard to stand up here knowing I I can't imagine what it's like to be an
employee of the golf course right now or an employee of Catty Shack thinking that there is uncertainty and that is really hard to um it's a lot and I'm I'm sorry that I wish everybody could have have a
winning situation here and this is a really difficult thing and it's been a long two years for a lot of people. Um, I thank you for for everybody and and for what they're doing and I wish everybody the the best
with with what's next. Um, H&L, you're my number one. Um, knowing that hopefully if we could work with Sport Med, I'd say they shift to to number three and hopefully we can work together. And um Blackman's would be my
my number two choice of this unless anybody again has another opinion on the public park, but as a joke. So H&L Blackman and Sport. >> I uh I know we're about the Carter Hall
or the golf course tonight. Still want to say uh when we mentioned the parking lot comment was there's 281 parking lots. than parking spaces. Other than that,
if anybody gets out and walks around Sebring, they're going to find out that the probably probably the average age of downtown is over 60. They don't walk very good. So, we really need to consider
>> just because you don't already me. >> I walk about two miles every day downtown. for but I'm over 60. >> Well, I get out work the groves every day and I'm over I'm well over 60.
>> Walking around is not a problem for me. But I just want us to be sure that we take care of the people that we already have here. Just like Catty Shack, you know, I'd hate to know I worked 20 years and somebody yanked the rug under my
seat. So, and like I said, H&L is my number one pick and it will be and I hope the Blacklands do well, you know. So, I hope everybody
and any other comments or I will entertain motion. I move that the city severing continue conversations with the Blackman family to um negotiate a lease on the golf course. >> I'll second.
>> All right, we have a motion and a second roll. >> Bishop, >> yes. >> No. >> No. >> Yes. >> Stewart, >> yes. Okay,
we are now uh going to move on to to clarify what that vote meant. It means that that they have been awarded the conceptual RFP and the city will now enter into the negotiation phase of the contract. Okay. Next up on our list tonight is
public comment. We have one uh item of public comment from the audience. Uh Mr. Jeff Carlson to speak about electioneering. >> Wait a minute for the room to clear up. >> Yes, sir. >> Mr. Shoe pulls his timer above my head. >> Yes, sir.
>> Oh, that's right. I forgot a lot about his game next thing he has control over. >> Yeah. >> I'm going to do something I normally Jeff Carlson for the record. I'm going to do something I normally don't do tonight and I'm going to read because I want to make sure that I get my points
across clearly and uh the way that I have and and also let you know in advance that I spent a lot of time tempering these comments down significantly. >> I'm here today to request the immediate >> review of the lease between the city of
Sebring and the Sebring Historic. >> Can you speak up? I'm sorry >> you can't hear me. in the back. >> You need to change his time. >> I thought those things. >> Yeah. Change my time. >> Oh, they're still there. >> Restart your time.
>> All right. You've got a minute and a half. >> Seven minutes now. >> I'm here to request that the city of Sebring enter into a review of the lease agreement between themselves and the Sebring Historical Society. Earlier this week, you may have seen the board of
directors of the Sebring Historical Society allowed a candidate for Sebring City Council in the current election cycle, Terry Mle, to place not one but six campaign signs on the property that is currently leased to the historical society. In my opinion, this occurred on
property owned by the city in violation of several different codes. This action may prove grounds to review the lease, perhaps even termination. Specifically, paragraph five of the lease states use. Tenant shall use the premises only as tenants historic
historical museum and storage facility. Tenant will make no unlawful, improper, or offensive use of the premises. In my opinion, placing campaign signs for a single candidate could constitute improper use of the premises under this provision. Regarding potential unlawfulness, as a former city council
member, Miss Mindle should be well aware of the relevant rules. My opinion, the situation raises concerns in the following areas. At the city level, chapter 17 of the city's code of ordinance, which is, in my view, prohibits the placement of signs on city owned or controlled property. state
level. The rules related to electioneering and placement of signs on public property under Florida law, particularly since Miss Mindle, as a candidate in the current election cycle and former sitting city council member, has not once but twice signed a statement with the city clerk attesting that she has read and understands the
full requirements of chapter 106 of Florida statutes related to elections. At the federal level, as a board member of the as a board member of the of the Sebring Historical Society, a 501c3 organization, Miss Mindle has a fidiciary duty to understand the laws related to the operation and regulation
of such organizations, specifically regarding to electioneering and any restrictions on political campaign intervention. I want to be very clear, my intent has two parts. The first is the review of the lease agreement between the city and the Sebring Historic Society based on the facts above. The second is a formal complaint
against Candle Mandel, sorry, which I am submitting here to the city clerk Kathy Haley in writing and which I would like to be forwarded immediately to the state elections commission, the Florida Ethics Commission, and any other agency that may have jurisdiction over ethics and elections in the state. Thank you.
Next on our agenda is item number 13A, project report. Mr. N. >> Good evening. Are any substantial changes to project other than Okay, any questions? Any questions for
Scott? Okay, moving on now to item number 14 A for Kaylee. So move. >> Second. >> Right. We have a motion and a second. Call the RO, please.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. And then >> there's one vacancy for two years within two days. machete is my >> discussion.
>> Any discussion? >> Did someone tell me how to vote? How do I have to say yes or no? Because I got it wrong the last time. >> She's gonna She's going to list the name. >> You can only say yes one time. >> Yes one time. Got it. There's only one vacation. >> My big greatest failure so far. So
[laughter] good. >> Okay. So the first name is Jeff Carlson. >> Bishop. >> Yes. >> Carile. >> Yes. >> Avery. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Stewart. >> Yes. This meeting is a jured.