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[music] [music] [music] [music] and we were always in the >> morning. It is 9:29. >> It is now 9:30. Calling the county manager. Calling the

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county manager. >> All right, I am calling this meeting to order. If you would please silence all of your cell phones. I notice that we have a bunch of folks here that uh may or may not wish to speak. If you do, we will only call on you if you filled out

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a public uh comment form. They look like this. They are yellow. They are in the uh lobby. And then you turn it into Miss Dominique Drager here. She is the clerk of the board and she will take care of getting you called up when it is time to do that. If you would please silence all

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of your cell phone devices, we would appreciate that. Uh and I am going to start the meeting as we always do with a prayer and leading the pledge of allegiance by pastor Andy Sirills. Thank you for being here. >> Thank you.

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Let us pray. Gracious and loving God, thank you for the privilege of calling Semino County home. A place where growing cities and welcoming neighborhoods, beautiful lakes, natural spaces, thriving

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businesses, dedicated schools, and people who care about our community. Grant wisdom to our commissioners and all who serve in public leadership. May they decide with discernment, lead with integrity, listen with humility, and

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steward every resource with care. As they cons consider the continued growth and development of our county, help them pursue what is wise, sustainable, and beneficial, not only for today, but for generations to come. Keep before us

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those whose voices can easily be overlooked. children, families in need, seniors, veterans, first responders, neighbors carrying burdens that we may never see. Teach us to act justly, to love mercy, and to seek the flourishing of every

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person who calls Seol County home. We pray for the upcoming elections. Protect the integrity of the process. Grant voters wisdom and raise up leaders who seek to serve rather than be served. even when opinions differ. Help us to

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remain quick to listen, slow to anger, and committed to the common good. Bless, oh Lord, our county. Shape and develop us as we need to be shaped into a stronger, kinder, safer, and more united community. And it's in your name

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we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> Join me in the pledge. 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

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justice for all. >> Pastor Seals, thank you for being here. Uh thank you for representing the church together so well and thank you for all you do to support our community. We will uh kick the morning off with what could be better than this? A

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legislative update from Mr. Anderson uh from the Southern Group. >> Good morning. Well, I'm going to correct myself. [laughter] It does get better than I just announced because we're going to kick this up with off with Miss Kaylee Slatterie who is here from the Southern Group as well.

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>> Thank you. Good morning, commissioners. >> We're here to talk to you about session plural sessions. >> Sessions. Yeah, we are we're glad to be back home. It was a crazy time in Tallahassee and uh we're glad to be home for sure. Um, we're not going to focus, we'll mention it, not going to focus on

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the property tax thing too much since we've already had a conversation about that, but just didn't want to go past this without mentioning that. Um, see if I can make this go. I always like to put up this the session stats because I it gives you some good context. There were uh there's always so many, you know,

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thousands of bills filed every year and thousands of amendments that are filed and only a very small percentage ever passes. And so as as we've talked about it before, it's kind of a winnowing process. And so you kind of these things keep getting combined and dropped off as you go through the process. So it's a

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it's always it's always it's always an adventure to keep track of all the issues that affect counties particularly. There's so many um every session. Um and we work with the Association of Counties handinand to try to help them on issues and and and as we go through the process. But go ahead.

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>> Um we'll start with the three special sessions that we had. So, um, outside of the regular session, which started on January 13th, and somewhat ended March 13th, we saw three additional special sessions, um, one for the budget, one for congressional congressional redistricting, and one for property tax

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reform. Um, starting with the congre congressional redistricting special session that was really the intent was to change the landscape of Florida's congressional districts, pick up a couple more Republican seats. We have a super majority in the House and the Senate, and we have a Republican governor. So, that was the intent of um

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that special session. It created a lot of chaos. I'll leave it at that. Um and then we went to our special session for the budget because the legislature did not wrap up the budget in time. They had to call a special session that lasted for about two weeks. Um and then we

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moved over to the property tax reform, which I know you haven't heard enough of. So, I'll also leave it at that. And then diving deeper into the budget, um we came in, the legislature came in at about 118 billion as their proposed

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budget to the governor. Um with his line item veto power, he he vetoed approximately 1 billion um projects. So came in right around 117 billion. Of note, our um advanced water metering infrastructure project made it through the legislature. Thank you to Senator

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Broer and Representative Pllein, but we did not make it past the governor's veto pen. Um, there were a couple other counties, cities that also had similar projects that were vetoed. All right, moving on.

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Um, so we're going to get into the bills and policies that we tracked this session. Um, I'll give a few highlights. Oscar will give you a few highlights, but feel free to jump in with questions or whatever you have. Um, starting with property tax. Again, haven't heard enough of it. Um, obviously we will see

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that on the ballot in November. Um and then moving on to sorry moving on to sovereign immunity. So this was vetoed by the governor. This was um a once again another stab at the sovereign immunity policy. Um it

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attempted to raise the caps from 200,000 to 300,000 um and also cap attorney's fees at 25%. It was vetoed by the governor. his veto letter really doesn't get into it besides the fact that he didn't he thought it imposed a new tax

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on taxpayers. Take that. Um and then moving on to the DEI bill, which we were tracking pretty heavily this session. Um it it really just prohibits any city or county from putting any kind of budget towards DEI

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officers, initiatives, programs. Um especially with respect to any vendors that a county or city may, you know, hire for a certain event or a certain purpose. Just making sure that that specific money does not go to DEI initiatives. Um we worked really closely

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with the sponsors on this bill this year just because the language started out a little confusing. Um so a lot of it was the confusion was because federal holidays and you know just kind of normal

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holidays that we celebrate here were at risk. You know national women's history month stuff like that. So, we we really worked with the sponsors [laughter] to hone in the language and that all of those federal holidays, anything that has anything to do with a monument or um

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is recognized by the feds is exempt from the bill. >> Fun to me. Thank you. Um if you have questions as we go along, you can please ask or we can hold them to the end. It's up to you, however you'd like to do it. Um code inspector body cameras. Um they're they wanted to put a little

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framework around that issue this year. And so they passed a bill that just basically created some general standards for how they would if you allow if the local government allows uh code inspectors to wear body cameras kind of what the public record retention is and it's subject to all the rules. Um it

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passed not a complicated bill. The firefighter cancer benefits bill. Uh if you recall a few years ago they extended um cancer benefits and this one basically said those benefits have to be good for a year. Um a kind of a simple extension. Um it was also these were all

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passed um public hearings. This one was related to the bur bur harris proceedings. I don't know if you've any or might have any but um it they weren't necessarily exempt the conversations you had with your attorneys. And so this created an exemption from those conversations. they still have to be

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recorded and everything and once the the issue is settled either by a court or it's dropped or whatever they become public record but at least during the negotiation phase those meetings are are exempt from public records. Um hope that's you

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>> and then moving on to the municipal utility bill. This is kind of referred to as the no taxation without representation bill. Um, so essentially if a municipal utility is interested in offering service to an unincorporated area or a cor an area outside of its

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jurisdiction, it has to hold a public meeting with that separate jurisdiction um and discuss things like rates, fees, search charges, anything like that. It also it also notes that the rates that are going to be proposed for gas,

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electric, water, wastewater cannot exceed 25% in excess of what current utility customers pay inside those jurisdictional areas. Um, so this is this has been ran a few times. So we'll start to see throughout the next couple

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sessions more bites at the apple. It's addressing a larger issue in a different part of the state, but um also very relevant to Simone County. And then the local government spending bill, this is the Doge bill, big priority of our

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current CFO. Um just basically means you have to post all of our budget, anything that has to do with the county budget online so that it's more accessible for residents and taxpayers. Um, notably it does there is a section of the bill that requires local governments to hold an

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annual budget reduction workshop and show the state how they plan to reduce costs by 10% without cutting essential services. So that'll be fun. >> That's all

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the >> on that on that 10% reduction exercise just so it doesn't that bill [clears throat] doesn't take effect till January. So, it's not something that impacts this budget cycle, just so everybody knows, but it will be something you'll have to deal with in the in the future for sure. Uh, House Bill 399, land use development

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regulations. This bill ended up becoming sort of the catchall at the end of session for a lot of weird issues. Um, a fight down state with the fountain blue and the local government down there and a few other things. Um, it it was originally created to address

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compatibility issues. Um the bill, you know, right now when you make a land use decision, you can you can say it's just not compatible uh with the neighbors. And this will require local governments to sort of put some structure around that and say, well, what does that mean? And produce a report and and so it'll

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it'll it was a negotiated language with the cities and the counties and the legislature to try to tighten up the the use of the compatibility when making land use decisions. um building permits and inspections. House Bill 803, it has a bunch of little

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things in it. Um it deals with a lot of post- disaster and how you handle um permitting and and inspections post disaster. So, that's included in there. There's some there was a couple pieces of of legislation included language related to off-site manufactured homes.

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It showed up in a bunch of different places. Um but but probably of most significant note to you all as of I think by Jul J January it's by Janu July 1st next year the Florida Building Commission has to create a statewide uniform permit for residential and

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commercial applications. Um and so obviously there'll be a question of how you implement that and everything else but they at least want them to create one and make it available to everybody. [clears throat] So that's was probably the most significant part of that um piece of legislation. affordable housing

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1389. This is live local part four. Um continuing to tweak it. It took the original concept of allowing it in commercial industrial mixed use and it added local government lands and um religious institutions. Um did didn't do a whole lot more than

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that. Um but you know it include exempted farmlands and farm operations as places you could use live local. So they continue to tweak that. This obviously was a priority of Senator Pasadomo. She's now going to be out of the legislature. So, it'll be interesting to see what happens with all the live local stuff without her

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presence there. Um, what's next? Is this you? All right, it's you. Sorry, we really popcorn this. Um, and then we went to local business taxes, which just in it of itself just completely attempted to eliminate business taxes.

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Um it did not pass in the House or the Senate, but um we will definitely see this again. The sponsor is a huge fan of, you know, promoting business and taxes are not his favorite. Um everyone's favorite bill, House Bill 27,

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was filed this year to um establish term limits for county commissioners and schoolboard members. 12-year terms. Um you can sit out for four years and then return to office after that. was not even given a hearing in the House. Didn't even have a Senate companion. So,

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I think we did pretty okay on that one this year. Um, and then ebikes, which is all the rage right now. This is not having to do with scooters. I know that that's kind of a confusing part of it. Um, it's really it was the intent was really just to make sure that pedestrians are safe when it comes to

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people that are riding ebikes on sidewalks. Um, it might have gone a little far in terms of the language just because it was really strict on if you're going over 10 miles per hour, you're getting a you're you're risking a $100 non-moving violation. Um, really

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hard to police that just overall could have been a a different bill. Um, so the the governor vetoed it because he honestly didn't think it was fair to find someone $100 for going over 10 miles per hour. And you?

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>> And then lastly, um, some some other topics we expect will come back in the land use world particularly, if you remember the blue ribbons project bill, which I think we've talked about once before, um, that basically created a separate process for any large acreage, anything over 15,000, end at 15,000

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acres. Started at 10, went up to 15. We anticipate that to come back. there there's a larger conversation about land use and growth management and this constant conflict and preeemption that we're seeing every year and is there a better way to move forward. So, it'll be interesting to see how all this kind of

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unfolds here over the next year. Um the rule boundary amendment which everybody's familiar with was actually attempted to put on 399 and it failed. As I said, it became sort of the catch-all at the end of the process. Um you know, Senator Martin has indicated it's not going to go away. Um, so we'll

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have to see how that again fits into this larger conversation that's occurring around chapter 163 and growth management. Um, data centers, that's that's a lie. Slide's a lie. It did pass. Um, you've all seen the articles about it. It didn't fail. My eyesight's

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going. Um, but as you know, it creates a framework, right? And and basically says you can't overcharge. you can't you require your neighbors to pay for the usage of that and and put some parameters around water use. Interesting. There's been a lot of chatter this week about that. The the

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CEOs of the big IUS have all said, well, this is actually creating a framework now. We can actually move forward. Um create answered some of the ambiguity. So, um it'll be interesting to see how that goes forward from there. Um those were the main issues we wanted to highlight. Do we have any questions on

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those issues? Commissioner Zindau, >> not necessarily some questions, but but some observations with questions intertwined with it for the public's benefit on [clears throat] the budget bill [snorts]

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that passed. Um, I would say that uh here in Semino County, we've always published, at least since I've been here, a line item budget in the public realm. Uh, we hold multiple hearings. Uh, this commission since I've been here

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has given direction to staff each and every year to go find reductions and and cut costs wherever it can be, whether that's in personnel, overhead costs, or projects that do not need to be performed or benefit the public. Um, so

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this really does not cause us any [clears throat] heartburn, if you will. Uh, we have an open checkbook. I mean, right down to a line item right online. So, um, I I let the public know that. So, it's other jurisdictions may have

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been not behaving or or been as transparent. We've been very transparent. The permitting is yet another attempt at least in my opinion of what we've seen the raid on home rule uh in in putting a structure together that now

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permitting we may be controlled from a centralized location in Tallahassee which then impacts the citizens of this county's ability to set their own destiny and what they want their community to look like and be like. We

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continue to see this with this affordable housing bills that you all have been tracking and helping us with the preeemption in land use. Um, you know, our citizens live here for a reason. Uh, they desire to have their community have a certain flavor. Uh, but

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yet we continue attacks from Tallahassee to preempt us, which then ties our hands. [clears throat] When our citizens want our community to be a certain way, we cannot fulfill their wishes. And so [clears throat] for me, um, you know,

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one of the big things that I I want to push for and we have our discussion for legislative issues this year is we really got to get serious on home rule and pushing back on Tallahassee and saying, "Look, whether it's educating them and and letting them know what impacts it's really causing, but it's

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going to take our citizens from our county to weigh in with those elected officials in Tallahassee as well and just say, "Stop. Enough's enough." And that's really what it's going to take. Um, so with all that said, you know, it

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all comes wrapped in what I call sheep's clothing. Affordable housing sounds great. We need affordable housing. But when it preempts the ability of the local government to set their own destiny of what their citizens want, that's where they cross the line. So

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hopefully we have some sane people in Tallahassee coming up that understand the the benefit of home rule in a local community or otherwise none of us really need to be here. Tallahassee can just run the whole show and and and I'm

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afraid centralized government is what some of them have in mind which is a problem. >> So thank you Madam Chair. >> I don't know that there was a question in there Oscar. I usually have

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I didn't [laughter] hear it. I didn't hear it. Commissioners, any other comments? >> Yes, Commissioner Constantine, >> would you believe? Is that the question? [laughter] >> Would you believe? >> That's right. Yeah. No, the interesting

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thing that you did not mention was the two things that I think they're the most pressing to the citizens of uh you know truly in their lives and that is uh healthc care and of course uh you know homeowners insurance um things that

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they do control now and have the right to control but instead of um you know tackling something that they have control of they divert and deflect and worry about property taxes which they don't have any control over um and then

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can go back to the citizens say look at we tried to cut your your your taxes when really all they're doing is shifting it to some other cost but you know this is one thing that I want you know if the citizens take anything from

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this um and hopefully they will after November more people Uh people pay more money, the vast majority on homeowners insurance than they do on property tax and what they can control in the

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legislature. They refuse to tackle and try to again divert your interest and say, "Oh, look at what we're doing." Yes, you're not taking care of property tax. I mean, for you're not taking care of homeowners insurance, which obviously

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would be a great benefit to the citizens and not something that would take away the quality of life. In fact, would improve their quality of life. >> That's all. >> All right, Commissioner Delari. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Phrase it in the form of a question. >> I'm not making a question. I'm going to make a statement. Is that all right? [laughter]

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>> Okay. I want to thank uh all the folks at Sudden. In particular, I'd like to thank our staff, Trisha Johnson and our legal team because during this whole process, they keep us up to date and very much engaged. I wanted to thank Trisha and her team as well as uh uh Ner

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and those folks on the legal side as well as Southern uh because we're constantly getting updates and emails regarding all the issues that are happening and it is a lot to keep straight and it's a lot for us to uh you know understand and it go it's fluid.

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It's constantly changing and I want to thank you all publicly for all the great work that you all do. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you, Commissioner Delari. All right, I will uh round this out. I know you have a few more slides. So, I'm going to look at things just a little bit differently through a different lens. I actually am very appreciative to

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the legislature for putting parameters around the posting of budgets publicly, the conversations around tax reduction every year. It is something that we already do and have this organization has done it for many many years. Um, but it doesn't happen everywhere. And so I

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congratulate them for that and I actually welcome the fact that there's a better framework for us to do it as consistently as everyone else does it. And so uh and they should continue to improve that legislation so that good work happens in all 67 counties and all

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of the cities. Um I'll look at the permitting process from a positive lens as well. and that is that if we can get some similarity anytime you can do that that's a good thing as long as they don't crush local creativity. Uh and so if we can manage to lobby to get that

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not to be a takeover of the process and to be open to um [clears throat] what is the best part of of our form of governance in this country and that is that competition drives the best behavior and let us do

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that for the best possible outcome. Uh so if we look at it through that lens I I think I'm actually encouraged by some of the things that have happened. I'm discouraged by others. Don't I'm not the total polyiana up here. I never am. But uh but I continue to see the good in the

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intentions and it is our job and the citizens job to make sure that the unintended consequences don't happen by virtue of our voices positively reflecting our opinions to those who can impact this. So if I think you have more

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slides. You want to keep going. >> Just a couple. >> Tell us what the future holds. >> Yeah. This is the predicting of the future portion of the program. looking into our >> crazy. Um I I guess I would I would >> I would go off of uh Commissioner Zimbau's comments about home rule and

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the it's been the last couple years have been particularly challenging >> in Tallahassee, probably more than the last couple years. Um, on that topic, um, I can tell you because I've had the conversation firsthand, the incoming speaker of the house, Sam Garrison from Klay County, he was a he represented

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local governments and legally and he has a a good view of of what local governments are and and so I'm I'm hopeful we'll have a lot less in the preemptive world because of his leadership, candidly, right? >> Um, you know, Senator Boyd will be

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great. He's from he's from Manatee and Sarasota County. He's a he's doesn't come from the same local government [snorts] flavor that that that Speaker Garrison will have. But I'm I'm encouraged and you know who I think either any of well I think either the two front runner gumal candidates also

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don't have the same bent of of let's just you know command and control from Tallahassee if you want to say it that way. Um and so you know we're we're interested and excited about the next couple years because of that. Um I think it's I think um maybe I'm hopeful even

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um that it'll be better. We've definitely been pretty dysfunctional up there. Um yeah, probably get in trouble for saying that, but um the last couple years and I'm hopeful that'll get a return to at least some sort of normaly. Preemptions are still going to happen because other local governments around the state keep doing crazy stuff, right?

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>> Um but uh if we can keep it, you know, narrow and focused on that's usually what we try to do the most of. So >> great. >> Thank you. We appreciate you. >> Yeah. >> We appreciate everything you do. We appreciate you being available to us at the spur of the moment at midnight when

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we're panicked about something. Five. You're getting five panicked phone calls. It never happens and you are always a phone call away. So, we appreciate both of you and your firm. >> Thank you. >> Thanks so much. >> Thank you. >> All right. That brings us to uh the

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county investment advisory report. We have Mr. McIntyre here for a presentation live. Welcome. [snorts] Thank you. Good morning. >> Morning. >> Not used to there being so many people here. I'm getting nervous. >> No one's watching.

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>> Okay. Um, as usual, this has kind of become the case. There's a Fed meeting this week. Just right after your meeting, there's a Fed meeting. And this is this is one of the Fed meetings where it's the second one for the new chair, uh, Kevin Wars. So, we're not really sure what to expect. The press conference is going to have a lot of

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ears on it. Uh, makes the outlook even more cloudy than it is already. So, I'm not going to go through all this. I know you guys are a little bit pressed for time and you know, most of the story right now. Um the memorandum of understanding which was in place six weeks ago seems to have unraveled at

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least for the time being and that's pushed energy prices back up oil and gas prices which immediately affects inflation [clears throat] uh not only on the energy side but on the transportation side. So expectations that the Fed would would be on hold for

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a longer period of time or now is the Fed going to raise rates to slow inflation? My opinion is no. Oh, I don't think raising rates is going to have the effect uh that they would ultimately like. I think it's going to affect the people on the margins. The folks who are

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borrowing uh taking out small business loans are going to be a quarter higher. Uh so I think the Fed is going to think long and hard before they make those those moves. Uh but again, we're going to hear some discussion from the press conference tomorrow. So I think the Fed is going to man hold for longer. The uh

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labor market seems to be doing better although the last labor report was a little bit weaker than the previous three. Uh GDP in the second quarter looks like it was around 2%, first quarter was around 2%. The economy is doing okay, but right now obviously

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things are pretty fragile because as prices for businesses go up in terms of energy cost, profit margins go down. So I think the Fed is likely on hold until at least September. This is the uh payroll report over the course of the last four months. You can see that it

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got a lot quite a bit stronger. Uh and then the most recent month, which was for June, payrolls were a little lighter than they had been. I still don't think there's a problem with with the labor market on the whole. Obviously, if you've got a graduating senior from college right now, uh there's a number

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of occupations that are having trouble finding jobs. So I think this is another sector of the economy that's that's uh being watched very very carefully. This is the you can really [clears throat] see what's going on here. This is this is uh CPI consumer price index. There's

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both the core and the headline and a little bit close a little bit difficult to follow but the green line on top on the right hand side of the bars shows that inflation headline inflation moved sharply lower uh during the month of May

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and that again has to do with oil and gas prices and we already know what's happening in July and August. So despite the fact that the market was really happy with the the move downward we all understand where it's going forward. Um, Brent crude oil, which is Europe's oil,

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um, moved above $100 a barrel a week or so ago. WTI, West Texas Intermediate, is probably $5 behind that, but u might be closer to 10, but uh, nevertheless, oil prices have moved higher. So, we know the direction that this is moving. This

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is the 2year Treasury note yield going back one year. So whenever your tax monies came in in January, u the expectation was the Fed was going to cut between two and four times this year because inflation seemed to be done

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control. The bottom line that I've got the arrow pointing to is is uh February 27th. That's the day that war broke out. So you can really see the effect uh on inflation on the previous slide, but this is the two-year Treasury note yield

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anticipating higher rates. I know this is hard for most people to see. You guys can see this. I I'm going to keep it up here very very briefly. This is the Bloomberg survey. The Fed expects that the Fed is likely to raise rates once this year. They're going to reiterate that or or work through some

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of that uh in the meeting this week. Um the market expects the Fed is going to raise rates twice this year. So, it's built into the market. These are 80 economists that are weighing in on the most recent Bloomberg survey. And I will tell you that I literally counted of the 80 that there were six, actually seven

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that expected a rate hike this year. Five expected a rate cut this year. And the rest of them don't think anything's going to happen this year. That's what we believe is going to happen. I think the Fed is going to wait and see what what transpires. You know the drill here. Um I I go back a couple of uh

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couple of meetings, show you the path of rates. So uh with the exception of the overnight rates, overnight rates are what the Fed moves, but the rest of the curve moves in reaction to expectations. [clears throat] So yields have been moving higher.

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Um upcoming maturities, there's actually quite a few. These are between now and the end of the the uh the between now and the next meeting that you guys will have, but 35 million is maturing. Uh we're actually in a position now after having talked to the clerk's office that

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that there are some funds that can be reinvested. For the most part, we're going to try to keep higher liquidity than we have in the past. Uh that's kind of been the the theme for the last couple of meetings anyway, but I'm recommending some purchases. I'm going

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to explain it very briefly. A one-year term purchase right now is probably pretty close to 440 actually. So relative to overnights around 370. there's some value there. Also, positions in a one-year where you'll actually be spending. And then this is a

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bit of a shift. Uh I'm recommending two small purchases of new agency callables, which I don't think we've done much in the past. The reason why is that spreads are so wide. Um for the option to be able to call away security, agencies have to pay quite a

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bit more. So we can put on a three-year sixmonth actually approaching today 470. I expect that probably gets called in six months, but I don't expect the Fed moves between now and the next six months. So, your overnight rates are at 370 and this is actually close to 470.

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So, this is just a yield play on a small amount of money. There's there's a two-year call my recommend and also three-year call, but again, I expect they'll be called in the event that rates rise and we have to keep these on the books. We're keeping a 440, 450, 460, 470 on the books, which is pretty

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appealing. So um and then recent transactions um a palmter investment was actually done at a 438. So what's happening here is that securities are generally maturing and being reinvested at slightly higher yields which is not a bad thing. Your overall portfolio yield

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is almost 4%. It's it's moving slightly higher as you're eating away your cash which is the lowest yield and putting on higher securities. >> [clears throat] >> So, I'm going to come back and ask for some help on the [snorts] recommendation just so I don't stumble over this.

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>> We got you. And I see Commissioner Zimbau has his hand up already. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll move motion to implement recommendations of our financial advisor based on the report submitted today and recommend the clerk implements said board recommendations. >> Second. >> We have a first and two seconds. Any

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discussion? All those in favor? >> Opposed? None. Passes unanimously. Thank you for your good work. Thank you all. Appreciate it. Yes. So, good morning. >> All right. This brings us to our consent agenda, which is are items 3 through 18.

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And I'm going to look to our county attorney to give us the rules of public participation. Thank you, chairman, and good morning to everyone in the audience. Florida law provides that members of the public shall be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard on propositions before the board of county commissioners except when the board is

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acting on emergency or ministerial matters or conducting a meeting exempt from the requirements of the sunshine law. Individuals shall be permitted three minutes each for public comment or 6 minutes when the individual is an official representative of a formal association or group. The chairman may

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modify the maximum time for public comment at her sole discretion when appropriate. Public comments on other non-consent agenda items will occur during the board's consideration of those items later this morning. Public comments on pending procurement matters or on non-aggenda items shall not be

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permitted at this time. Members of the public desiring to make public comment must fill out a speaker form and present the form to staff and forms are available in the lobby. Chairman, >> thank you. All right, so this is only public comment for items 3 through 18. I

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believe we do have some people wishing to speak. >> Madame [clears throat] Chairman, if just one change to the consent agenda, if I may. Uh, now it's item number four I'd like to pull. >> So, um, we don't need to be discussing that this this morning. >> All right.

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>> That's the only change I have. >> I have a feeling no one's here to talk about item number four, but I could be wrong. >> I could be wrong. All right, Miss Drager, our first speaker. >> The first speaker is Charlene Santos. This is regarding item number eight. [clears throat]

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>> All right, Miss Santos, please come up. And who is the speaker after Miss Santos? >> Next will be Kevin McCann. >> All right, so you're on deck, Mr. McCann. >> Good morning, commissioners, and thank you for the opportunity to speak this morning. My name is Charlene Santos, and

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I live at 713 Hull Brook Circle in Lake Mary. I am here to ask a simple question and this is in regards to item eight on the agenda. Why is a county moving forward with with purchasing additional land for the proposed indoor complex

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while simultaneously warning residents of a potential $119 million budget shortfall if the proposed property tax amendment passes. The county is proposing to transfer 1.3 million from

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the 2024 infrastructure sales tax fund reserves to purchase this parcel. While those funds may be legally designated for capital projects, they are still public dollars and every major capital

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com commitment should be re-evaluated in the light of the financial risk ahead. Before residents are asked to accept higher fees, reduce services, or fewer resources, the county must first examine

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every major discretionary project, including the indoor sports complex and the new office building to really determine what can be delayed, reduced, or eliminated. Residents should not be presented with a

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choice between paying more or receiving less. While costly projects continue moving forward without a complete and transparent review, I am asking the board to pause this land purchase and conduct that review before committing

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additional taxpayer dollars. Thank you so much. Thank you. This is not a discussion. So, thank you. Thank you. Uh before we move to the next speaker, I will point out that uh property tax dollars can only be spent for certain

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things. Tourism development tax dollars can only be spent for certain things and that falls into that bucket. And so we manage budgets. Your your your eyebrows are up here and you're smiling at we manage budgets that are like very small ice cube trays and [clears throat] you cannot move the water from one hole to

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another. And that is the reality. And uh county manager, I'll ask if you have any further comments with regard to >> Yeah. No, thank you for that clarification, chairman, and and the board as well. The property purchase will be out of our infrastructure sales tax fund as well that the board uh uh is

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authorized to move forward on. And just to again emphasize, this is not out of property tax dollars will be not coming out of our general fund. The board knows and the public knows that when we went through extensive discussions regarding this uh facility that the hotel years were the ones who actually tax

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themselves to help uh move this property forward that uh folks that actually visit our our uh county and go into our visit our our hotels are actually uh the main contributor to this. >> Thank you Mr. McCann.

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>> Good morning everyone and thanks for allowing me a couple of moments. Uh I am Kevin McCann. the mayor of the city of Winter Springs. But I would like to be clear, I am not speaking on behalf of the commission. I am speaking as a resident. I did not get their permission to to to speak to this point. Uh I am

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here to talk about item 18 in Jedha Point. Um, the reality that I've been asked to share, uh, from reading social media and emails that I've received or phone calls and talking to neighbors on the street that the vast majority of Winter Springs residents appear to be

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against this move. Having said that, um, I would like to make a couple of I I I really do have three asks if I can. One is that um if this moves forward that the the wetlands

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on that property be protected, those sensitive wetlands in any way that we can work together to preserve those wetlands would be greatly appreciated. Uh second, I know after Hurricane Ian and over and over again that there are

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properties along the border of that Jedha Point property that have been flooded and have suffered from from water damage. I would ask that we all work together on a hydraological study that we work together on storm water

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resiliency on before anything is ever done with that property. I think it would be a reasonable ask for the residence and protection of those folks that live adjoining that piece of property. Um I would also then the third ask is that to please keep Winter

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Springs and our staff involved in negotiations where allowed and where permittable with anyone that's looking to purchase that piece of property and making sure that they understand that we are going to be pushing for that storm water resiliency.

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we're going to be pushing for the protection of those wetlands. Um, so really allowing us to have our say or allowing the residents of Winter Springs to be involved in this. I guess in the end I would [snorts] like to thank you and thank you Commissioner Delard where

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we crisscross the state working to move forward the high oaks ranch acquisition. We've worked diligently all together to preserve the rural boundary uh in Winter Springs. We have our own preservation of the conservation easement on the old

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Winter Springs Golf Course. I would just like to say thank you for all of that work that we've done together. I'd encourage us to continue working together. The preservation of Winter Springs and Seminal County. It there cannot be a greater good. If we make a

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decision that will that is irreversible, it will affect generations in the future. I just look in the end, thank you for working with all of us. uh on all of those different land acquisitions and preservation. Thank you. >> Thank you. I'm going to actually look to

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our uh county attorney Na Borurt to give us a little bit of a clear clarity around what this item actually is and possibly what this item is not. >> Sure. Thank you, Chairman Nissa Borer, deputy county attorney. For the record,

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what this item does is it transfers the Florida Community Trust grant restrictions that are currently on the Jedha Point property to the Rolling Hills property. This is a transfer that was approved back in 2018.

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The county had to go through uh many steps to get to this point on the Rolling Hills property. The conditional approval required us to remediate the property to put certain to do additional testing on the property, mapping on the

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property, surveying, prepare uh deed restrictions for the property for the Rolling Hills property um and get those in place. We finally got our approval of that of the Rolling Hills property to close out the site in March

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of this year. And that was the step that needed to occur to affectuate the transfer of the Florida Community Trust exchange from Jedapoint to put those restrictions on the Rolling Hills property. That's all this agenda item

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does. It doesn't dictate how the Jedapoint property will be used in the future. If anything, it dictates how the Rolling Hills property will be used in the future because it includes the restrictions on the Rolling Hills property, the Jedha Point property. um

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will remain as it is until the board determines what to do with it next. So, this item merely, like I said, effectuates that previous FCT approval to transfer the [clears throat] grant restrictions on to

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rolling hills from Jedha Point from almost nine nine years ago now. >> Thank you. I think the fact that that last piece of that is very important that this is the effectuation of a previous commitment in preserving the rolling hills properties. All right, we

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have more speakers. Merger, >> Mark Greenwald, and after Mark will be Lisa Rooney and George Penna. >> Thank you. If you were called, would you please come and line up? Thank you.

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surname and address for the record. And you start. >> My name is Mark Greenwald. I'm at 129 Red Tail Place. I'm right across the street from Jedha Point in Eagle Watch subdivision. >> Good morning. >> Morning. Morning. >> It's cool to see you all. I've voted for

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most of you. It's good good to see in action. [laughter] >> Good to see you. >> Yes. >> Most of us are appreciative. >> Yeah. I'm going to recognize all your names from the ballot. Um um I'm a Florida native and uh Marine

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veteran and I've lived in SEO County the past 25 years. It's a great place, natural choice. That's one of the reasons why I love it. It's safe. It's a great great place to raise kids. Um I'm I'm for development. I'm not against development.

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And um but I want it to be done smartly. Aesthetically, Winter Springs is being decimated. the trees are just being leveled. Um and and it's done aesthetically environmentally safe. Um

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water goes downhill. So I want to make sure that those studies are done import done right and not hurried. When Ian came through I had eels in my front yard. Ew.

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Crayfish. We were flooded pretty bad. it was running downhill. Uh I never thought I would see that. So, um I would just encourage that uh uh that that the studies are done. Water flows downhill and um and another question about the

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hotel that's proposed for there. I want to make sure that that's not a low rent type thing and make sure our community is kept safe with good quality people. Um so, thank you. >> Thank you for being here. >> Thank you. >> Name and address for the record, please.

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My name is Lisa Rooney and I live at 1705 Senica Boulevard in Tuscilla. Um, and I'm I'm responding just a little bit to um your attorney who talked about the length of time this has been going on in terms of Jedapoint transferring

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the protections to Rolling Hills. I don't really care about that. I'm sorry that I'm a little late to the party, but um it's an urgent matter for me. Um, it is my understanding also that the county commission wishes to switch these restrictions from Jedapoint to rolling

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hills in order to be able to sell Jedapoint for development that these restrictions do continue to protect that property from certain kinds of uses. I'm here to speak to potential related storm water issues. First, I want to thank those in the city and the county

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who have been trying recently to help us, help myself and my neighbors, city commissioners Caruso and Resnik, Mayor McCann, county commissioner Delari, um the staffs of the offices of several offices in both the city and the county.

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I am here in a spirit of cooperation and respect. I know these issues are complicated. >> [snorts] >> We having we have been having increasing yard roadway and home flooding due to runoff from the cross seminal trail over about the past six years or so. We are now sometimes having major problems even

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after regular thunderstorms. This became very bad after the rains on July 4th and 5th. Water runs through our properties like a floodgate has been opened. Sometimes hours or days after the storms are over. Thousands and thousands and thousands of gallons of water. It has

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been acknowledged that in spite of a known issue along much of the cross seminal trail, there is currently no comprehensive master plan for storm water in the county. I find this appalling when so much commercial and residential development continues at such a rapid pace. I hope you are all

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familiar with the MIT study recently released that shows Florida homeowners have lost $1.6 billion in property values due to the flawed use of mitigation credits for uncontrolled development of wetlands. with a friend who is a city and land planner elsewhere. I have reviewed the

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Ardura report, which is your first step toward um taking a creating a master plan, and we have found it woefully inadequate. Um first, they did not include any Florida Department of Transportation data or any roadway data beyond new right-of-way information. And

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second, they did not conduct careful study of community ponds or survey local homeowners near known problem areas. In the Jedha Point section, it mentions flooding in Hal Creek Reserve near us, but goes no further. Yet, in a few days of talking with neighbors, I have discovered at least a dozen homes in

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Chelsea Woods that have significant threat from rogue runoff and numerous more with more moderate threat. These include people on the west side of Vistila where Ardura proposes to dump rainwater from Jedha Point development, as well as those of us along the path to

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that area. If the Ardura model for future storm water does not accurately represent the existing conditions, it is hopelessly inadequate. >> Ma'am, if you could wrap up, that would be fabulous. >> I am. The problems we have been having are not individual homeowner problems. Commercial development at Jedapoint will

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almost assuredly make this worse. I am calling for three things. We need a team of city, county, and watershed experts to determine the sources of the excess water that is regularly flooding properties. We need a meeting and follow-up meetings with this team to apprise us of plans and steps to uh

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create an effective storm water system. And at the very least today, we negate a continuence or a no vote on the issue of transferring current restrictions away from Jed Point. But really, what we need until there is a comprehensive plan in place is a slowdown, if not a moratorum on the rampant commercial development

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that threatens, not enhances, our property values and roadway and community safety. >> Thank you. surname and address for the record. >> Hello, my name is George Peno and during Hurricane Ian, I lived at 148 Paragan

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Court. Um, and I now live in 109 Marsh Creek. I moved from Eagles Watch to Howell Creek Ranch like this. And the the title of what I'm saying here is why did my house flood? Um, my house uh had over $100,000 damage. We lost a car. Uh

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we had 18 inches of water in Paragan Court in front of my house. I had a stream of water down both sides of my house for four days after the hurricane. Um and it said I said to myself and I would say ditto to the three previous

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speakers including the mayor and all like this that the hydration study is absolutely the most important thing that needs to happen. I walked that area back there and talked to the the city engineer with some people from our homeowners association and it's real clear that you've got both uh

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governmental and geological boundary issues that are crossing over like I said make it a very difficult problem. Um, if you look at the drainage that came into my house, it came out of the drain alongside the Semino County Trail

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jurisdiction one. I'm in I'm in Howell Creek Homer's Association jurisdiction two. You got 417 which is behind that like this which feeds into some drainage things that drain into the drains alongside uh the the the trail. They

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their overflows are into that that trail. And the actual output of all of that near to the other gentleman's home like this is a drain that's in the middle of a swamp area. And part of the reason my house flooded was that that drain wasn't designed to handle that

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kind of overflow. The homeowners association has taken on itself to change at least some of the how that drain operates, I guess. But the the the comprehensive problem is that that what happens if my high school geology if I

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dump a B bucket of water in Jedha Point where does it go theor the theoretically you know and it goes to those drains along the the the Seino County Trail that's the line and then it goes into if it flows through those drains it goes

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into a drain that's in the swamp that goes underneath the entire section of the homeowners association to Howell Creek. Literally, it goes, you know, almost a mile underground. It's a probably two and a half, three inch pipe. You know, it's not designed to

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handle that volume of water like this. And so, the the idea of building something on there that's going to increase the flow of water to that that system like this is just entirely inadequate. You know, that's that's enough for me to say.

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>> Thank you for being here. If you would please call the next three speakers, >> Jesse Phillips, Stephanie Phillips, and Victor Westall. >> Name and address for the record. >> I'm Jesse Phillips, 1124 Duncan Drive. Thank you, chairman, and thank you to

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the folks who are out here today to speak on this important topic. Um, I'm just going to reference a letter that I sent to you guys where uh I think a solution to our issue here is for the city to come to the table and buy the land. Um, and I would like to see that

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discussion happen. Um, uh, the purchase of the land could be to preserve it for its storm water uh, use as we're uh, uh, committing uh to some upgrades to our storm water master plan as a city. Um, and so my request in that letter was for the uh for you guys to direct your staff

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to reach out to the city and see if an interlocal agreement could be reached or at least some kind of memorandum of understanding uh could be reached to where the city could commit to pursuing that as an option. Um and I think that my understanding of the statute is that um penny sales tax funds can be used for

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the acquisition of land which is necessary to perform certain uh infrastructure uh projects and I think part of that interlocal agreement could be to work out some sort of financing arrangement that would be agreeable both to the county and to the uh city as

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well. Uh this is a priority. Uh there's a lot of people in green insurance talking about this today as a priority. I'm thinking about solutions. Um, I agree with what has been said about the issue. Seven years ago, we started the Winter Springs Water Quality Initiative to address what was originally some issues my family was having with our

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drinking water and then kind of started to look at our entire water infrastructure after that. And we hear about this on a regular basis. I've spoken with two or three neighbors in the area ever since this agenda topic came up and working towards a solution. I would just love to try to bring the

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city back to the table. uh talk to the leadership there about whether or not the city would be willing to commit some future penny sales tax funds uh to acquire this land and to maintain it uh for its storm water purposes as we implement the upgrades to our storm water master plan. So, thank you.

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>> Thank you. [snorts] >> Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Um my name is Stephanie Bilips and I live at 672 Vista Willila Drive in Winter Springs. Uh, six weeks ago, my husband and I moved to the state of Florida, Seolon County, and the the

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community of Winter Springs. So, I can confidently say I voted for none of you, but I am registered to vote now. >> Well, welcome to Seminal County. Glad to have you. Very, very pleased. Um, so the move so far has been lovely. Uh, and we

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our proximity to the cross seminal trail is great. We're on that trail multiple times a day. Um, and we're close enough that we experience the wildlife, the I just had a bald eagle visit my property this weekend. Um, so we are in the

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boundary of Vista and Senica and on July 5th we woke to a flowing stream in our backyard. It took about a week to dissipate and of course we're new to Florida so we thought is this normal? That way we actually got to meet our neighbors, learned about the flooding over the the recent years. Um, so we are

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calling it intermittent rogue water and I appreciate the mayor or commissioner engaging with you in the county because it is a city and county issue. Um, so I do have two requests. First is for your continued engagement and I think some of the solutions that have been proposed

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today are are worthy of a discussion. Uh but I appreciate your continued engagement in this water situation because it's it it's intermittent and it's not going to go away. And then to the point of the Jedha Point um uh I

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guess protection status that's being discussed. Um that's my second point. I would just like to request that you're responsible for protecting the community which does include our natural world. So I would like to reiterate those two

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points. the the the water situation in Winter Springs, especially along the trail and uh to protect the nature as as best as possible. So, thank you very much and uh happy to be here. >> We are glad to have you as well. If you would call the next few names, that

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would be fabulous. >> Victor Westthall, Isabella Ayumatada, and Sabrina Terrell. And uh if you'll just indulge me for one minute, I just want you to know that there's opportunities on the county website for applying for committees and

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being active. Like we welcome that. So we there's lots of opportunities to engage in this community and we appreciate that you took the first one today. Yes, sir. Name and address for the record. >> Good morning. Victor Westol. on 152 Paragan Court in Winter Springs and

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Tuscala Eagles Watch development along the county uh seminal county trail and I'm reiterating what our previous speakers already said and just want to encourage the board to please do not sell the property until all drainage

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issues and storm runoff have been sufficiently addressed. Um, and also along the county, uh, along the trail, if do not sell the property, I would like to keep it natural. If you're going to sell a property, at least a 250 ft

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buffer along the trail itself to keep that natural look there and uh, you know, preserve allowed there. Okay. And um, so that's all I have to say. >> Thank you so much for being here. >> Name and address for the record. My name

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is Isabella Posalma. I live at 296 Delhauser Lane in Ovido, Florida. Um, good morning everybody. I have been a Seinal County resident for only a year. Uh, I am a rising junior at the University of Central Florida and I'm studying environmental science. One of my favorite parts about living in Semino

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County is being north of Orlando and experiencing lots of green spaces like Little Econ River runs right behind my apartment. I love Silven Lake Park and Lake Jessup which most of us probably drived over this morning. Um I'm here to speak against the proposed development of the park. Uh I believe that it's a

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great um location to absorb rainwater and it controls storm water naturally and of course very environmentally conscious because it is natural and I believe the standard here um for a new development only absorbs 1.5 in of storm

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water and lot as we know uh Florida is a hurricane state and uh I believe past hurricanes have resulted in over [clears throat] 10 inches of rain which of course 1.5 is not enough. Uh I believe keeping the park protects taxpayer investment and development and avoids costly infrastructure of course

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saves money and it will cause uh protecting the park will avoid the displacement of different Florida wildlife such as the affforementioned bald eagles. There's only one active nest there in the park out of roughly 1500 in the state of Florida. And while the population is now stable for almost

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20 years, conservation is still necessary. and it's also home to over 25 gopher tortoise burrows which are a threatened and protected keystone species in Florida. The their burrows are used by over 360 other species like owls, mice, snakes, and even alligators.

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Uh I believe overdevelopment is one of the leading causes of habitat fragmentation in Florida and preserving Jedha Park is in the best interest of seminal county residents. Uh if development does go forward, I believe of course storm water should be taken into consideration. maybe creating some

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sort of lake or any body of water to absorb storm water. So like the Orlando wetlands are man-made, but they're still very uh necessary and efficient. And I believe if you know if development goes forward just to preserve some of it environmentally or at least be in the best interest of Seol County residents

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and protecting of course other storm water mishaps from happening because of all the finicky weather. Thank you so much. >> Thank you for being here. name and address for [clears throat] the record. >> Good morning. I'm Sabrina Terrell, 1700 Senica Boulevard. And I'm actually reading a letter from my neighbor who

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couldn't be here. Um, she's at 1703 Senica. As a lifelong resident of Semino County, Florida, I know the beauty of our area and have seen the negative impacts of irresponsible development. We ensured our property was not in the flood zone before purchasing. We get

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standing storm water, but our property handles it. This changed when Ian in 2002, a racing river moved southwest from the trail through our property. It swept a vehicle attempting to leave Senica into our yard. The flood waters used the trail to move this dangerous

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surge of water. We thought a clogged trail drain and nearby retention ponds banks being compromised were culprits. The drain was cleared and subsequent rain showed improvement. However, the weekend of July 4th, we received rainfall totaling about 3 in. The evening of the 5th, we had standing

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water. Hours later, another fast southwest moving river was in our yard. We were terrified. Clearly, storm water was being mismanaged to send this volume of water into properties on the south side of the trail. As you approach Vista, we spoke with commissioners Kade

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Resnik and Mark Russo regarding this issue. The city of Whiter Springs has a legal responsibility to the people who live here in Seminal County. Municipal and city responsibility for flood management include maintaining public storm water systems and regulating local development in flood zones. The

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responsibility is not being effectively managed given the location of Jedha Park in relations to the trail. We cannot have a conversation about development on a sale of this land until the city resolves the mismanagement flood waters using the trail as a vehicle to end

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endanger the property and safety of Winter Springs residents. Our local government is responsible for the infrastructure and maintenance of storm water systems to pre prevent flooding and protect public property. You have a legal duty to act, including partnership

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with local governmentments that have jurisdiction for trail maintenance and storm water infrastructure. We need reliable plans and draining so that the negligence is not causing destruction of residents property and safety. This is a priority. An effective proven solution

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must be in place prior to dis prior to discussions of Jedha Point development or sales. The water is flowing southwest on the trail. Jedha Park is northeast. This is approximately a 12-oot elevation drop from Jedha Park to the location near Senakica and Vistabella where the

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water is ending up. Develop developing this area without first resolving the misdirect water issues is a guaranteed disaster. And I just want to add we are 1700. So we are on the end of it. We're on Vista and Senica. So during Ian and other we our yard got flooded from both

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sides. So yes, so the water the water definitely is an issue. [snorts] So thank you so much. >> We appreciate you being here and I appreciate you being such a good neighbor and sitting here all morning so that you could read your neighbor's letter. >> That is Semino County. She better be

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baking you cookies. [laughter] >> Next speaker, please. >> The last speaker is James Fudge. Good morning, Madame Chair, commissioners. Um, my name is James Fudge. I live at 119 Gohawk [clears throat] Terrace in the Eagle

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Watch subdivision of IstAlla. I am the president of the Hal Creek Reserve Homeowners Association. And I'm not here to repeat what has already been said, but to add a few other facts that in the long run I hope are considered. Um,

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Commissioner Zimbau mentioned earlier about home rule and how some of our [clears throat] decisionmaking has been taken out of our hands because it's ended up in Tallahassee and at times certain bills are proposed where more of that is taken away. Those of us in the

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How Creek Reserve Community Association have a bit of that feeling. Over the last four years, our homeowners association has spent over $150,000 of our community's dues and fees to maintain our retention ponds and our

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drainage areas that takes water from our community and transfers it to Howal Creek. That was all developed by the developer when it was first built to accommodate our 263 homes, the roadways that run through our communities, and the

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immediate surrounding area, not including all of the vast amount of growth and excavation and dredging and buildup that has happened since the early 90s when that system was done. >> [snorts] >> We have a 36-in pipe that goes from our

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conservation area to a weir on the east side of Vista Road. At that weir, it breaks off into two 24-in pipes which goes underneath Vista Road on the south side of the Cross Seol Trail and [snorts] proceeds westerly for about 100

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yards. At 100 yards, it makes a left-hand turn to the south to go into the conservation area on the south side of the Cross Seol Trail. Nothing has been done at that junction when it makes that left to go south under the Cross

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Seol Trail in over 15 years. [snorts] That area is presently clogged. It hasn't been scoped via via an underground TV camera to determine whether it needs repair, whether it needs to be cleaned out. We have done all of that in our community, including

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the television cameras, the companies coming out clearing it out. My point to all of this, [snorts] you have the county who's going to own the land and going to be involved at some point in time in negotiations to sell it or preserve it, whatever is ultimately decided. As somebody mentioned earlier,

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you've got the state of Florida with the 417 and how they deal with that and the water that runs off of that into Jedha Point. You have us who our HOA has done our utmost to try and do what we could do to eliminate the problems we've experienced. And now as you get down the

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trail and it hangs a left, you've got the city of Winter Springs and you've got the St. John's Water Management District. Before anything needs to be done or can be done with that property, all of these entities should and need to be brought together in a comprehensive

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grouping so that all of them can have input as to what their responsibilities are and what their expectations can be in the long run. And unless all of these entities are brought together and allowed at the table at the same time to work comprehensively,

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no matter what you do in terms of that property is not going to resolve the issues that these people have talked about regarding flooding their homes or flooding their yards. I caught four catfish in my front yard during Ian and I didn't even have a fishing pole. I'm only asking that you be very very cautious as you proceed forward and

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please bring in as many of these entities as possible so that we don't feel like we're being neglected like you sometimes feel you're being neglected by what Tallahassee does. I thank you very much for your time and your attention. >> We appreciate you and your homeowners association is very well represented.

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>> Um I'm going to that that concludes the speakers. I'm going to actually turn to the county manager to see if you have anything to add or any team members that you'd like to add anything. And I would like uh one thing to be addressed is just some clarity around the jurisdictional nature of this piece of

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property. >> Absolutely. And if you will, Tanya Lori, our public works director, she's ready uh she can be on standby to her and our our assistant county engineer Joe Lafaso to answer any storm water questions that the board has. Just to clarify one

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thing, the Florida Communities Trust is a grant program that the state uh has for land for parkland acquisition. My understanding, you know, I've been in this position close to four year years now. So when uh the park was first

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thought of the property was purchased for Jedha Point, we were going to put a park there. My understanding that the city of Winter Springs as well as the residents of Winter Springs did not want that park there. um we had already went through the process to assist uh to have

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the state assist us uh to develop that park. So the board and you all can correct me who was here at the time uh uh when they heard from Winter Springs and the residents they didn't want to park where you know we we're not going to put a park there. And uh when we went

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to purchase the Rolling Hills uh property, we made a request from the state of Florida to move that grant over to Rolling Hills to help uh uh acquire and uh develop that that park into a a

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na natural park. So the the the thoughts just for uh for clarification for some of the residents who said don't transfer this we we have to transfer it because there is no park there at Jedto point and so we have to move that or the state of we would just lose the the money from

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from the state for that. So I just wanted to to correct that. As you know the the board um well before I got here actually started on basin studies uh after her when hurricane Ian was happening. Uh we know that a lot of uh

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flood planes everything had had changed due to that hurricane. We have done multiple basin studies throughout the county. We just completed all of them. The board uh will prioritize storm water projects based on those basin studies. Uh we there is one

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that was done around the Jedha Point area. Um and I could have our our team uh address any questions that the board has with that. >> Thank you. >> That's it. >> Thank you. I'll look to the board. Yep. Commissioner Zenbower, >> as as the district commissioner, I heard a lot of

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things from the public which and I can identify for those that said I just recently moved here. Don't know the history. Um, a few things omitted from the county manager only because he's only been with us for the last four years.

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This is similar to a conversation that we most frequently have when we have new residents that don't have the history and don't understand. But let's start with the basin studies. The basin studies have been as your district commissioner. I've been to three meetings on basin studies and flooding

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in the Winter Springs, Castleberry, Lake Hal Creek, and all those tributaries through there with citizens invited, citizens noticed on our website through the the city, whatever we give to the city. I can't speak to how they've advertised it, but I can tell you city

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elected officials were at those meetings and so were city officials and staff who would be responsible for interacting with storm water or any other concerns. At those meetings also were consultants and engineers both from the city side,

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county side, and the consultants themselves to answer any specific questions that a particular homeowner may have or any homeowner information that would be valuable to the basin study. So all that has taken place in

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the last year to two years. I know Commissioner Delari has bit some of those because we share parts of Winter Springs in our districts overlap. Um so this is not something that has not been talked about from a basin study flooding and so

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forth. In fact, after Ian, [clears throat] this county assisted the city of Winter Springs in finding contractors to open up and repair the bridges that were washed out on Northern Way and so forth so that traffic could move through

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Tuscilla. So, this is not something that's unknown. In talking to many of the residents, the concern about the flooding, I don't know how you do anything, including with your own homes, when you

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have a catastrophic rainfall event. We can't control that. Engineers can't control that. There's only one superior power that can control that. It's certainly not anybody sitting here, but we do communicate with the city of of Winter Springs. There is crossjurisdictional communications.

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There are basin studies. And in talking to some of the residents, I think we might be able to do a better job in informing them what a basin study actually means and what it indicates. Some improvements were identified on this property that could be a possible

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solution for some improvements, but that's the scope of what the contractors are supposed to. That's not a means all to ends all. That's just an identified area that could be done that may help these things. The bigger problem that we've always

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talked about and I've I've beat on the table about for the last six, seven years is and to Mr. Futcher's point as the HOA uh president. Absolutely. When that was first built, your subdivision had a a civil

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engineering drainage plan that you all are now dealing with and have to pay as private homeowners. Here's what everybody soon forgets. After those 263 homes were sold and developed, you all decided to put swimming pools

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in, detach garages or sheds, widen driveways, and paved things, changed the topography of your ground, which then completely defeated the original civil engineering plan for the drainage for that HOA. That's something that I have

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pushed on that we need to have a better sense at least on the county side when somebody comes in and wants to double the size of their driveway or add a swimming pool or add a shed or whatever and change that impervious area. We have to recognize that has now changed the

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whole civil engineering drainage plan for that entire community. Everybody wants a swimming pool. A lot of people want detached sheds. A lot of people want paved sidewalks instead of the grass in their front yard going to the front door. All those things add up make a difference.

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[clears throat and cough] All of that said, pushing forward to the elephant in the room. We had decisions to make whether we were purchasing Rolling Hills Golf Course. When I arrived here, that discussion had

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already been taken place. We lived through people coming into these chambers saying, "Why are you buying a golf course? Don't spend our money to buy a golf course." We went through those hearings. We had the folks from Rolling Hills who

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wanted the golf course purchased. We told them they could do an MSBU, a special taxing district for them to facilitate part of the purchase and improvements on that golf course. Part of that commitment was transferring

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these rights, this easement from Jedha Point to Rolling Hills for all the reasons you've mentioned and what we've committed. But we also committed to surplus the Jedha Point property to the taxpayers of this county to help

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fund the improvements on Rolling Hills. And the folks in Rolling Hills relied upon that promise in deciding to tax themselves in an MSBU for that golf course. So as this discussion goes on, we've

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continued to have this discussion now for 7 years. Um it's been no secret. There's been public hearings on this about the purchase of the golf course and public hearings on Jedha Point being being put on the market and and surplused as far as the county is

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concerned. But then it boils down to the city of Winter Springs controls the development and what could or could not happen on that property, not the county. That's the city of Winter Springs. We happen to be the owner of that. We've promised the citizens as part of the

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rolling hills it would be surplused. There's been a lot of discussion about whose water is going where and this and that. I can tell you as a district commissioner, I have been out to three subdivisions since I've served for the county on allegations that the county is

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flooding HOAs in Winter Springs. We've worked with the engineers in Winter Springs and our engineers and consultants. And in each and every one of those cases, it was not the unincorporated water from Semino County going to Winter Springs. It was either a

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homeowner's issue or it was a civil engineering problem that was overlooked during the permitting process when that subdivision was actually built and did not have adequate drainage. I'm not saying that's what's happening here. What I'm saying is this notion

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that there's no crossjurisdictional communication, it happens. Now, once we communicate and they communicate to us, I can't speak to everything that occurs, but typically our residents are not shy of picking up the phone and calling my office and saying, "Hey, there's a problem." I've

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talked to several of you, and it sounds like Commissioner Deli has talked to several folks in the community. At the end of the day, we have guidelines we have to go through as far as as as drainage concerns. St. John's Water Management, FTE, EPA, all

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those things. We've done these basin studies. Those basin studies should not be taken as gospel as the projects that are delineated. Those are projects that could be done. Those again have to be ranked on how they best help a certain

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area >> and funded >> if that's correct. It's funded on a benefit basis. If a improvement benefits 500 residents, that's going to happen before an improvement gets funded that only helps three residents. And there are literally

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hundreds of those projects across this county. And that's the whole reason we did the basin study and why we now are going to have based on the basin studies properties that are now in a flood plane and other properties that are going to be removed from a flood

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plane as those maps are updated. And we know what kind of heartburn that's going to cause residents from the standpoint of you may not have been in a flood plane, but now you're fixing to be in a flood plane, which means you may have to be required to purchase flood insurance. Others may come out, they'll be thrilled

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to death, but that's just a matter of what goes on with this. Um, so just to try to clear that up and understand, the promise was made to the taxpayers of this county, not once, but multiple times this property would be surplused

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for helping fund that Rolling Hills Country Club, improvements to that park. So, >> Commissioner Constantine, >> thank you for the uh history lesson because it was very complete >> and uh and and correct in the sense that

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you know that there were you know you said something that I recall very vividly in the discussions with Rolling Hills that it was almost universal that we buy that land and and build the the uh parks. And in fact, many of the

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residents from other areas of the county were uh especially in this area were excited that we weren't going to touch Jedha Park at the time. So, here we are now that the Florida Communities Trust has turned the money that they had given

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to us to help develop the community park at Jedha Point. We moved that money over to Rolling Hills and that's what we're doing today. um the final agreements and so now we're going to have Jedha Park as a piece of property that's that's that's

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um at the current time not being used. It seems to me that an idea that I suggested to you yesterday, uh, county manager, that we might look into is that this county

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has a very far-reaching conservation program known as seminal forever. That program uses 6% non-advalorum

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um general revenue to purchase property throughout the county to put into semin off forever. The the property can come from anywhere. Individual citizens, groups that have

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property, all bring it into a committee known as the acquisition and restoration committee, which is made up of citizens throughout Semino County. And as I might recall, two or three of them might live in Winter Springs or be near Winter Springs.

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That program also allows other entities such as cities to provide dollars to help purchase that property to put into semol forever which is to be um protected in perpetuity and

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conservation. Now it has to go through a process. We have a lot of property on this year's list as like it does with Florida Forever at the state level where they have a number of projects. But it also

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has an opportunity that if others are, you know, helping purchase it that it could be moved further along to the front of the list, but it still has to go through the process. And as I said, any any entity

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can offer their property for the or the acquisition committee can itself look into it and say we would like to purchase this property. If we get to the point that we are going to sell this property, quite frankly, we don't care who we sell it to as long as

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it's developed correctly and in the process that Commissioner Zimbau has just indicated with all the agencies looking into it and ensuring all the proper uh protections uh especially when it comes to flooding. But I would

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suggest that we um offer this property for the acquisition committee to look at to consider them, you know, putting this on the acquisition list to seminal forever,

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especially with the fact that it would be smart for Winter Springs to consider finding a way to help facilitate that purchase by putting money into the process. It's just an idea. >> We appreciate that idea. Commissioner

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Delari. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, and I appreciate uh a little bit of the history, especially with Commissioner Zimbau, but I'd like to go a little bit further because I think the history is very important. First of all, the only conversations I've had with some of the elected officials in Winter Springs, I

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didn't speak to any of the residents, just elected officials. But Jed Point was uh a piece of property that this county was going to put a park and it was around 2013 I believe or the

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end of 2012 when we were discussing this and this room was packed from various individuals in and around the uh Winter Springs area that didn't want that to happen. So, we put the project on hold and we tried to figure out what to do

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and that's where Boomber came from. Boomber is the facility that we purchased and built over by the airport. That's how all that happened. Uh, in 2014, we did purchase uh Rolling Hills. Uh, in the

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deliberation of that purchase, we were trying to figure out how to pay for Rolling Hills. Rolling Hills cost us roughly plus or minus $4 million. uh >> 5.5 with the bears. >> Yeah, >> it's there's a lot of different numbers

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floating around, >> but if you include the environmental, then it goes up to five, five and a half. But the actual raw piece of property was around $4 million and we were surprised it was costing that much. In fact, uh there's a lot of issues about that. In fact, Commissioner

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Constine and I deliberated that quite a bit. Uh that's where the uh new ordinance for the height of the grass came from. Remember that late? But in 2014, the county did purchase it and we came up with the idea of taking

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the restrictions off of uh Jedha Point, moving them over to Rolling Hills. That was never happened before in the state of Florida. We had to use our state lobbyists and a couple other individuals to do that. That took several years for us to get the state to understand the

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importance of moving. That took approximately four years. In 2018, the state agreed to move those restrictions from Jedha Point over to Rolling Hills if we did certain things and clean up the environment. And so

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from 2018 to just recently, all those things got signed off. So what we're here doing here today is taking those restrictions and moving them over to Rolling Hills. It's a process that we've been working on for well over 10 years, almost 12 plus years that our staff as

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well as our consultants have been working on it. So I want to commend everyone for doing something that said couldn't be done. I will tell you that uh I know that various commissioners, I know Commissioner Zimbau, Commissioner Lockheart, [clears throat] uh Constantine

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uh went up to Tallahassee many times, also Commissioner Heran went up to uh Tallahassee many times to speak to the Florida Trust folks and and without their pushing that and our staff and the

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individuals here locally, that would not have happened. So, I'm glad that this is actually the final of the hard work of the last 12 years. It's amazing how long things take and to actually get something done when we said it couldn't be done. It's the first time it's ever happened in the state of Florida. So,

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congratulations. We need to be celebrating that. What happens with Jedapoint? That's another agenda item. Right now, the agenda is to move these restrictions over to Rolling Hills. I [clears throat] think that this board has been very proactive over the years.

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The basin study is proof of that. Uh we've worked with the city of Winter Springs as Commissioner Zimbau pointed out to make sure that people don't get flooded and how we ever move with the next phase of what we do with Jedha Point, I truly believe we'll be working with the city of Winter Springs as well

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as the residents. So, as we move forward, I think it's prudent that we do exactly what this agenda item says, taking these uh restrictions and moving them over to Rolly Hills. That's the end of my short history.

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>> Commissioner Lockhart, >> I know time flies when we're having fun and and I think it's interesting. It goes way back further than we um recall because the Florida Communities Trust Grant uh

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application was actually 2004. >> That's when everything started getting purchased. >> Yep. And then in 2016 is when the county filed a request for the land exchange. >> Um so this I mean it >> talk about the epitome of bureaucracies

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moving slowly, [laughter] >> especially when you get several together. >> Right. Right. But I just wanted to to put the dates on the record from the findings and fact from the documentation through the state. But um yeah, so 2004 for the grant award and 2016 for the

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exchange. >> Madame Chair, I'm just trying to expedate the process. [laughter] As hard as that may seem, >> um, you know, we we've actually gotten out of our typical >> routine and protocol. We've gotten >> and that's intentional.

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>> We we've gotten further off in on item 18, which I intend to pull >> for this whole purpose. >> So, with that understanding, I I intend to pull 18 for further discussion if it helps this board move through the consent agenda and then we can get to 18.

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>> I I I >> if if that's your will. I don't know that we need to do that. I think we have discussed 18. >> Well, I've got some more concerns than >> have more concerns. >> If you want me not to pull it and discuss it now, I can do that. >> I think we're going to keep going right now. Although, I would like to be

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cautious around the amount of time that we are here and I would like to wrap up. I have not weighed in as a commissioner on this item and I will do that. But go ahead. So my further dilemma with 18, we've heard a lot of things today when I think we've

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addressed that to nauseium, but as a core principle, I made a promise as a commissioner to the folks in Rolling Hills and the taxpayers of this county that this would be moved as well as surplus in this property

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to help pay for the rolling hills improvements. So, if I don't support moving this easement and the board decides not to move the easement, we put ourselves in a little

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precarious situation, not only with the state on the funds being moved, but to the promises we've already made to the taxpayer. So, we've got a conundrum that's got to be worked out. uh you've got promises that were made years ago and continue to promise to these

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taxpayers and then you've got some taxpayers here today that want just the opposite and I assume and would suggest that by the time this is all done we're going to have the people in rolling hills on one side of this chambers who are saying we decide to tax ourselves

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for commitment you made to us and we're going to have people from my district over here going yeah well that's not not our problem. Uh so Commissioner uh Constantine's idea may be something to look at, but I will

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only say my concern with that, Commissioner, is as you're aware that is not guaranteed funding yeartoear and can go away at any given time. Is that correct, Mr. County Manager? >> By a super majority. Yes. And we've already identified an array of projects

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or properties that the board has has suggested we purchase and I think there's a handful of properties that still are for future consideration that have not been committed. So there's all that going on. The longer this takes, the more wrapped around the axle we

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become. Um, so that's my concern that we we don't get in this one part of the county was made promises and taxpayers have made promises versus another. And again, we're not here to talk about

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how this property will be used, but how the easement will be done, but the two are actually tied together at the end of the day. >> If I may, >> yeah, >> wrap this up. I actually think we're conflating two issues. >> We are. >> And while we continue to say we're not

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here to talk about how the property will will be developed, we're talking about how the property may be purchased. We're down that that down that path in terms of the discussion. Good ideas being presented. Um but I think we are confusing the issue. I I uh personally

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support the issue the the agenda item. It it is the closing of all of the promises made in the past. while at the same time acknowledging that what happened on July 5th in your neighborhoods with water running through

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was not a catastrophic rain event and we can't ignore that. So for purposes of the folks that are here today that are living through these events of a flooding events or feeling like you're about to be flooded event because

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they're not it's not coming in the house but it's significant. uh please don't take the notion that we pass this as a lack of acknowledgement for what's happening out in your area in terms of water. Um and same to the homeowners association. Uh our team has

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already reviewed it. We do work with all of the cities on a regular basis. We are in constant contact with the St. John's Water Management District. This is not my district, but I have similar issues in my district and we all will work together. Um, we want the right thing to

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happen out there for the property and for the people that already live here. And at the same time, we want to be able to welcome UCF students from other parts of the country that may be here and doing great things in Central Florida and new neighbors to the community. That's the tight rope we walk. So, don't

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for one minute think that if we pass this that that doesn't mean that we're not equally as focused on the issues that you brought to our attention today. It is critical that we do both. >> So, yes. >> Well, I I know Miss Lori as our public

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works director is is sitting ready to address some of the comments that were made earlier, and I don't want to belabor the point, but I do think it is important. Um, our Dura did not ring a bell to me, so I went through our agenda items. They did they did do the basin study for Howell Creek, but we just

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passed a storm water master plan at our meeting last month in in June. um that updated our 2018 study and that was done by Jacob CH2M Hill. So um we had multiple basin studies that were done by different consultants. Our Dura did do

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the Howell Creek one, but the overall master plan, which we do have and have had a storm water master plan for decades in this county, was done by Jacob's um CH2M Hill. So, I just I I don't know what else you want to add, but I just wanted to get that on the record because storm water is critically

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important in this county and we all know that and we would not not have a storm water master plan. >> Um, thank you, uh, Madame Chair, commissioners. Um, Tony Lori, public works director. I did want to just

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address something. Um, we do have, because I think it's important for this board to know as well as the residents that are are here in the audience, we do have our um, roads and storm water crews going out to the area the second week of

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August to take a look at that ditch that is um, adjacent to the cross seinal trail to look to for debris as well as to clean out any potential clogging that occurs in the existing system. So, I think that's important to note just with

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the rain events we're getting right now as well as, you know, the hurricane season. So, I just wanted while that's not associated with anything we've been talking about, I did want to make sure that you all were aware of that. In terms of um all the commissioners as you spoke are correct. Um your memories

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astound me. So [laughter] um so yes, Odora did our basin study which was then incorporated into our uh storm water master plan that was presented by Mr. Lefaso on June 28th. We do have a project in this area. Uh

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within the storm water master plan, it actually ranked um number 68 out of 103. So Commissioner, you're correct. hundreds of um projects over $348 million worth of improvements that were

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identified. Um those this project is not currently funded as we stated on June 28th. That will be the preview of this board to determine which projects we move forward with and the funding. Uh this um system, the residents that spoke

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are exactly correct. this water sort of flows to the west southwest um along that seminal creek uh ditch. Um so what this project does is actually puts a lot of that water into a 24 in uh reinforced

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concrete pipe along that crossseinal trail and then um drains into a wetland that's uh about southeast or southwest of the property the Jenna Jenna point property. It is not without its

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challenges as commissioner Zimbau identified. Um there are some new storm water rules that um went into effect at the end of June which sort of heightened our things that we have to do. Um also uh the challenge of um putting more

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water into a a wetland that is has historical flows are a challenge for us as well as that's a private wetland area. So, there is a project that has been identified. It's around $2 million, but there are [clears throat] certainly

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um challenges associated with it as well as the funding hasn't been identified. So, if you need additional information, um I'd be more than happy to bring the brains up. Mr. Lefaso, I think we're good. I think we're good. >> Thank you. >> Uh and I appreciate you bringing that up

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because there was a reference to the fact that we didn't have a master plan and that we can't let that sit on the record. So you crossed an item off the list. So I appreciate that. Vice Chair Lock, >> I do have a question for Tony. And that have we published that online yet? >> The master plan. Has it been uploaded?

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>> It has not been uploaded, but we will um do so. >> Great. >> Okay. >> Thank you, >> Commissioner Constantine. >> Thank you very much. Um I think we have talked to this uh quite a bit. Um as the chairman indicated, this is these two

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issues are mutually exclusive. we can I think we can satisfy both sides. I know Rolling Hills is excited and I do believe that uh that in the end um with the cooperation and help of of Winter Springs that can be solved also.

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And with that I would move the consent agenda item number three constitutional officers consent and uh county manager consent agenda 5 through 18. >> Second. >> We have a first and a second. Any further discussion?

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All those in favor? >> I >> opposed hearing none. It passes unanimously. >> That takes us to item 19. >> This is the taxes part. Stay for this. Don't leave.

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>> This is the millage rates for the trim notification. And Mr. J is making his way through the crowd to get But take your time, Mr. J. We appreciate you all being here. For the record, I'm Timothy Jex with the Office of Management and Budget. This is

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our annual truth and millage agenda item to approve the fiscal year 27 proposed millage rates. As defined in Florida statutes, TRIRM is a legally mandated process to notify taxpayers of their property tax millage rates and set the timeline for the upcoming public

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hearings. These are the TRIM deadlines. The property appraiser issues the preliminary tax role by July 1st. We are here today for board approval of the proposed mill rates. Once approved, these rates will be included in the notice of proposed taxes that will be mailed to property owners in August. And

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then two public hearings will be scheduled in September for final approval of the millage rates and budgets. The proposed millage rates are 5.3751 mills for the general fund, 2.649, excuse me, 2.7649

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mills for the fire district, and 0.1107 mills for the road district. The proposed rates for fiscal year 27 are the same as the current rates for all districts. Once approved, these rates will represent the maximum amount that can be levied next year. The board will

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have the option to reduce these rates at the public hearings, but they cannot go up. Staff is proposing to hold the first public hearing on September 15th at 5:30 p.m. here in the BCC chambers. That concludes my presentation and I'm happy to answer any questions.

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>> Thank you. Do we have any questions for team >> chair? Yes. I'd like to make a motion to approve the proposed millage rate and set the date and time and the place for the first public hearing to tenatively adopt the fiscal year 2026 2027 county budget as presented here today.

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>> Second. >> We have a first and a second. Is there any further discussion? >> Um public >> Oh, I'm sorry. Public comment. >> No, ma'am. >> Thank you. >> First and a second. Any further

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discussion? hearing none. All those in favor? I >> opposed. Passes unanimously. Thank you, Mr. JS. Next item, Office of Economic Development and Tourism. We have Mr. Geek Kuna, Office of Economic Development and Tourism.

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>> Actually, Madam Chairman, it' be our call center update for Mr. Okala from our information technology. >> Thank you. >> Item 20. >> I was looking at Ghee and got all >> switched it. I did. I did.

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>> I was going to say it kept me on my toes like did I miss something? Okay. All right. Hey, we could >> this this is great. >> I may have gotten carried away in a storm water discussion. >> All right. Well, thank you. >> Storm water discussion. >> All right. Today's uh purpose of our

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pres uh presentation this morning here uh is to present our proposed uh pilot project uh to enhance our county's call center. uh this morning here give you a little bit of background. So in late 2025 uh we partnered with Curium

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Solutions to evaluate how artificial intelligence could improve county operations and resident services. Uh the assessment included leadership interviews, employee focus groups, a countywide survey, and a review of organizational processes and technologies. Uh the findings were

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presented uh to the board uh during our March 10th, 2026 uh retreat. Uh there they identified several pilot opportunities for uh AI implementation. Our call center modernization and automation was identified as one of the county's highest priority use cases because of its potential to improve

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customer service, increase efficiency, and support future growth. So where are we today? So today the county has 12 call cues uh that support the county services uh county departments and constitutional offices. Uh the focus of this pilot project is

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our citizens engagement center which is our 66500000000 number. Um and during the first six months of this year so from January 1 through June 30 that uh line has averaged a little over 3,200 calls per

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month. And AC across all of our call cues, uh we've uh had over 192,000 phone calls during the first six months. Uh the current system is effective at routing calls. Uh however, it does it is limited in its access to call

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information and integrated county data, making it difficult for staff to >> [snorts] >> uh resolve inquiries quickly. uh we researched some available AI customer service solutions and conducted vendor demonstrations to evaluate capabilities, scalability, and ease of implementation.

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Based on that evaluation, we've identified a solution to improve customer service and support future modern efforts. So, what are we proposing in this pilot? Uh the first thing is a 247 conversational AI agent in English and

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in Spanish. Uh the engagement center today does offer both English and Spanish. So we're looking to expand that capability uh to to outside of our normal business hours. Uh it has the capability to offer faster answers um to common resident questions.

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We can improve our scalability to meet our dynamic call volumes. Uh it does offer the capability to offer seamless handoffs to a live agent um with a track of the conversation history that that caller had with the AI agent. Uh so you

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kind of get that that handoff where the uh the live agent has the opportunity to get an understanding, okay, what was previously discussed uh with that AI agent. And finally, residents can request a live representative at any time. Now, it should be a little asterk there to indicate during normal business

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hours. So I just want to make that clear. >> This makes sense. >> Representative >> representative representative. >> All right. Future growth opportunities for this pilot. So where do we where where can we go um in the future with

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this? So we can expand to additional communication channels such as text messaging and web chats. Uh we have the ability to integrate with our business systems to provide faster, more personalized service. Uh enhanced

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reporting around analytics to improve operational performance. Uh measure customer satisfaction through post call surveys. You've probably all participated in some of those when dealing with other businesses. And finally, expand our AI capabilities to support additional county departments um

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and services. So next steps, next steps are to implement uh this modernization project into our customer service area to enhance operational efficiency and evaluate future expansion opportunities. >> And chairman, if I could just add one and commissioners just want on here. Um

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one of the questions could be how this is estimated around 80,000 if I'm not correct. And we're looking we're not asking for the board for more funds for this. were looking to fund this through attrition through position vacant positions that we would not need to recruit and hire uh to see how this

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pilot program would actually work. It was one of our siminal moments as Joe mentioned uh efficiency programs and uh we have a lot of call centers around the the county and by first stepping into this we could see how effective this actually could be. I however I didn't want to move forward with it without

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letting the board know. I know you've heard about this through, you know, several presentations that we have done and so we just want to get the board's blessing on moving this pilot program forward. >> Did you mention the duration of the pilot?

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>> Uh the time frame. So I think once we get it oper operational um it probably 3 to 6 months I would I would guess to venture. Um obviously we'll be looking at the metrics associated with u you know deflection rate. I mean, how many callers can, you know, self- address

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their own their own questions type situation. So, yeah. >> Okay. And then what about reporting back? So, during the pilot project, you'll keep us informed how. >> Yes. And we'll actually bring this back to the board and give and do a you know, we'll I'll I'll speak with Joe to see

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the the time frame on it. If between 3 to six months, we'll give you a report back to the board on how successful or not this program is. >> Yeah. Probably be a little bit longer than that. We've got some backend infrastructure we need to do some work with and then training and programming. So yeah, >> and then unanticipated. Uh yes, un

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>> any [clears throat] other questions, commissioners? >> I'll look for a motion. >> Madam Chair, I will move the implementation of the call center modernization modization pilot project to improve customer service, enhance operational efficiency, and evaluate future expansion opportunities.

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>> Second. >> Thank you very much. We have a first and a second. All those in favor? I >> I >> I >> opposed. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And just for the record, there was no public comment on that. >> Correct. [laughter]

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>> We're going to do an update on microransit. Mr. Christian Swenson, the microtransit expert. >> Thank you, Chairman. Christian Swenson, assistant county manager. Good morning, commissioners. I'm here today. I have uh

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Jason Spiegel with freebie here and I also have G and Tim that'll be backing up should there be questions. [clears throat] So we're here today to talk about our the county's microransit system and we're really doing a review

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of 6 months after the links routes discontinued. So you'll see this subsequently but just as a refresher we started our microransit system in October of last year. However, we did not discontinue some links routes, the unproductive links routes until January.

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So, we're really focusing on on the period of time since then. So, with that, I'm going to This is the standard agenda. We're obviously going to go over some background, some some progress. I've got some fair modifications for consideration, and we'll talk about just some next steps

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and recommendations. So, you've seen this slide before. This is a just a history of what's happened. So going back to sort of the beginning of things at the budget work session in June 2024, the board um heard from links and there was some concern over the cost and what

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the cost growth was going to be as we go forward. So the board um provided directions to look at things, work with links and come up with some alternative ideas to control cost and to look at service. We did that. We came back to the board in November of 24 and presented some different ideas. At that

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meeting, the board um directed staff to proceed with a request for proposal to to do um microransit services hosted by the county. We put out a solicitation for such and in February of 25 that

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solicitation closed and we awarded the contract to freebie in May of 25 and as I just mentioned we started a service in October um of 25 and then the link routes discontinued. Obviously a very compressed timeline. A lot of things happened last year with that. So just

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going through the history of things again. This was the links system prior to these changes. We had 11 routes and two microtransit zones. It's a map of all that. And then obviously links provided and still does provide um transportation disadvantaged services.

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This was the slide that was presented during the uh the 2024 budget session. It showed the growth of links going forward. It shows the partner partner contribution. Um I know as all of you all know we're one of three partners in in links. It's us Orange County as well

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as Oyola County. So taking the slide you're very much familiar with. We did a little audit to it and we added the red box as you see on the screen and it tred up what the uh contribution forecast was. As you'll see, those numbers are a little different from the contribution

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um line at the top because we're adding in the budget stabilization. For those that may not remember, um during the COVID times, there was some funds provided. The counties had prepaid for things and as a result was was then kind of put in an escrow and used to defay

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costs subsequently from that. So, we add those back in to come up with the contract to come up with the total contribution. As you see, they are actually trending a bit higher than was initially um anticipated. We're currently in fiscal year 27 $5 million

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higher than the estimate. So you were, you know, there was some concern over the growth and we're actually turning $5 million higher than that as a a link system. So going back and looking at the fees specifically to 2025 when the changes were made, the Seminal County

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funding contribution amount was $14 million. Again, we we realistically need to add that $3 million back in of budget stabilization money. So So we had about a $17 million cost. So as mentioned, it was suggested that

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we go forward with a microransit system run by the county. And in conjunction with that, it was it was directed to eliminate the unproductive routes. in the November meeting that that links came here and we we proposed options to everyone

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they showed us a series of charts and in those charts they identified which routes were productive and which routes were unproductive in seminal county so the decision was made to remove all the unproductive ones that's fairly standard in the industry and leave behind the productive ones so as you see it

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basically kept the 436 and adjacent routes as shown on this map so what did that do to the costes going for this year. We eliminated the eight routes. We eliminated the two neighbor link zones. And that that equated to 82,000 hours.

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The value of that service today would have gone from the $17 million to $20.7 million for those hours. The savings for the reduction in today's dollars would be $9 million, leaving us with a funding contribution that we have of this year

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of 11.7 million. And you saw that during the the budget presentation for links. So now let's look at what scout costs. The gross cost of scout is almost $9 million. However, we've received half a million dollars in FDOT service

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development grant. We'll talk about this in a bit. We are going to be adding some vehicles as a result of that. Um and and that's coming in the next month or so when we get the the authorization to move forward with that. We also have collected almost $1.2 2 million in fairbox revenue from running our system

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and approximately $110,000 in ad revenue. So the net cost of scout is $7.2 million. So trueing that up to the slide you just saw previously, $9 million cost for link savings plus a $7 million $7.2 million

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cost to for scout. That gives us a net savings of $1.7 million. I want to linger just a little bit on this slide. you know, Tim and I, we did a series of presentations that that led us up to the decision to to to go this path at y'all's direction. And and in those

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presentations, you know, we cautioned that in the first few years, we could be upside down on this. Most transit systems are not a pay as you go. You get federal funding and you get things like that. So, we knew going into it that the first few years until those those things got in place, it it could be an upside

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down cost. We could be paying more. This is a massive win from at least my perspective. The fact we're not upside down, we actually are 1.7 million to the good and we're still pretty much cash paying everything outside of the FDOT service grant. So with that, I just want

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to go over what is Scout. Again, this is just a refresher. I know you all are very familiar with it. It's a five zone system. It operates in Semino County outside of the rural boundary. It was based upon the city of Arlington's model. If if y'all recall, Arlington's similar in a number of ways.

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It's a flexible system. Even though it's five zones, many microtransit um systems, you're kind of caught in the zone. You have to stay in the zone and you can't go from one zone to to the other. The board provided direction that you wanted this to be flexible and be able to travel amongst zones.

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So these five zones were put together. They were based around sunrail. Four of the zones have a sunrail station in it that runs, you know, runs north to south. And then of course the econ zone [clears throat] which is the Ovito area doesn't have doesn't have sunrail. However, all of them were organized

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taking into account medical facilities, grocery stores, government offices, things like that. The idea was to live, work and play where you reside and try to, you know, try to keep the trips prudent and and shorter in nature. So with that, let's look at h how we've

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done after six months. What is the what does it look like? So this first slide takes November all the way through June. And the reason I just mentioned that October 15th is when we started, but November is the first full month. So that's why I have this on here just to do full month to full month comparison.

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As you can see in November, we went from 18,000 passengers to now we're pushing almost 31,000 passengers. The Sunrail pickups and drop offs have grown drastically. I've got some slides that will go over that in a bit more detail, but as you can see, we went from

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almost 900 to now we're we're approaching 3100. The wait time started at just below 30 minutes. But I do want to call your attention to January and February time when the the links riders that were that were very um loyal to

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links stayed on links and they didn't transfer over. We did the three-month overlap. We expect everyone to kind of cross over and and we would just be, you know, picking up a few people that didn't, but it didn't really work that way. Folks that use links stayed on links until really the end. So, there

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was a slug of customers that came in in uh in January. We knew that. We presented to the board. Y'all graciously approved additional vehicles. But, as you can see, when they came on in January, there was a massive uptick in wait time. And you see that here the corresponding service rating albeit

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pretty close to one another on a you know one to five rating. It did take a little dip but as you see we've done a number of efficiencies. We've continued to work through that. I'll go through this in a minute. We constantly meet we go through this. I I can't say enough good stuff about freebie. They've been an amazing partner there. There's just

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been a lot of back and forth input. It has been a a big lift. But through all those efficiencies, we have not only increased ridership, we have gotten the the average weight time down. We're we're at obviously um just below 42 minutes. The other thing I'd like to call your attention to is the net cost

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per passenger. We've gotten it cheaper per time. It started out at, you know, just below $22 and we're now, you know, 16.5 right there, a little bit below that. Um and you can see the same thing in the fairbox revenue from 13.9 to 15.8. I'll have some slides coming up in

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a minute that will address that to how that compares about other systems. So, it just doesn't look like it's it's there statically. This next slide has to do with discounted riders. If if you recall our fair discussion, you know, the the board provided direction that said, "Hey, we want to make this cost

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appropriate. Those that can afford it should have a fee that that is um corresponding to that and those that are part of a vulnerable population need to have a reduced impact." So, we looked at that and brought back a series of heavy discounts, presented those to the board.

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Obviously, I'll approve those. These are those discounts and this shows the uh this shows the growth of them. As you'll see, we have two lowincome discounts. They're based upon the level of low income. One is a food subsidy level if you qualify for that. The other is a housing subsidy level. We also have

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students, seniors, and people with disabilities. As you can see, these have all grown massively. There's there's huge growth in these numbers. you know, several of them are at 90%. Obviously, the the lowest lowinccome tier is at 113% growth. So, it's just a huge number

447
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of people that are discounted are riding the system, which was desired. Now, looking at the the riders and the fairs. So, you know, there's there's been media coverage and it gets presented at the media that our fairs are range from $4

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to $14, which is 100% accurate. Those are our base fairs. They don't take into account those discounts that you just saw. So when you add the discount wrership to it, [snorts] it drastically changes. If you book through the app, it changes. If you go to Sunreil, it changes. You know, there's some things that come down to it. So this takes the

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average fair across all of our systems. So keep in mind, base fair 4 to 14. The actual fair is actually $3.86 is is what we've landed at. We start at $459. It shows the discounts are working. It shows we're we're we're getting the

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discounts to the people that need it. Also, the number of unique riders has grown from approximately 1,500 to 3500. Now, these are individual people, unique individuals that rode during that month. So, it's not the number of accounts. It's someone that has an account during that month and they booked a ride. So,

451
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that's what you're seeing there. Now, let's look at that. How does how does that play [snorts] across the county? You have a couple things that are overlaid here and bear with me if if you would as I just kind of walk through it. So the underlying map here is a a heat map from freebie that shows where levels

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of intensity are for pickup and drop offs. Overlaid on that are links routes. So you'll see you'll see a series of lines. There's gray lines and blue lines. The gray lines are the unproductive routes that were removed.

453
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So that's the eight that we talked about. As well as um that's that's out of there. And then as well as that there are the productive routes which are the blue lines. Those are still in place today. So in the transit industry they say the service area for a route is

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approximately a/4 mile distance from that. So you'll see a shaded area that that that is over the top of those lines. That represents a quarter mile in either direction. So that's a half mile swath. That is the service area of those routes. So putting these two these two

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types of data points together, the service area of links is the shaded line. The service area of scout is everything either in that or outside of that. So you will see there is a lot of blue outside of that area, which shows we're serving people that were

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previously in a transit desert. You'll see it here in a second, but if you look over to the right, for those kind of familiar with the map, there's the rectangular area. To the south of that is a Sanford Orlando International Airport. previously in a transit desert you will see it has a level of intensity there now people are using it to get to

457
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the airport where previously wasn't there so digging into this a little deeper I won't linger along on these slides but just zooming in this is the Monroe which is the Monroe zone which is Sanford area and also the Lake Mary area um [clears throat] you can see the levels of intensity there outside of the

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the link stuff obviously it's easier to see the airport here going to the next slide is the how zone you know this is Castleberry Winter rings um along with that area. And then the next one is the Econ zone. One thing I I want to call your attention, you don't see many dots

459
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here. This isn't unusual. When when Lynx was in Oto, it just has not been a a transit heavy area for whatever reason. They're just not real transit dependent. We're seeing the same things here. Um but there is some use outside of where it was previously used before. And then

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finally is the Brantley area which is Elimon Springs and and the areas around that. The interesting thing about this is the blue, you know, it's the heavily blue lined area which is the the links routes that are still in place. And you'll see overlap. You'll see us

461
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dropping off in those zones as well as a lot of area in and around that. I'm going to get some stuff talking about the cities and and the usage here in a few minutes, but the thing that's important to know about Ultimont Springs is there's really three transit systems that serve that area. There's scout obviously as we're talking about today.

462
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There's links and then there is crane rides as well. So there's three areas there and as you can see we're still doing a lot of usage despite there being three areas. So looking at another discounted area I want to just talk about students. This is the student wrership and and how that goes as corresponds to the discounts that you

463
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saw earlier. This is the top four um schools and how they rank for writership. So, as you can see, Seminal State is is the largest user with 36%. It then drops down to high schools. That's both public and private. Effectively, these are our

464
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under 18 users. And then University of Central Florida. One thing to note about UCF is we do have a uh a drop off point at UCF. It is also a super stop for links. It's an area where transit comes together. Um and then the uh the fourth one, which is interesting, Southern

465
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Technical College. For those of you all that may not be familiar with this, it's a technical school off of 1792. they do HVAC and and other things like that and as you can see it's helping them as well and then of course there is a a massive number below that of all others and and this was kind of interesting to me when

466
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I I asked Jason to provide me the you know the university data where everyone was from all the email address I started going through there's there's students here at Northern Arizona University Ball State Arizona I mean these are people from out of there there's obviously FSU UF and things like that but you start

467
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looking at it and then you look at the usage these are kids that coming home during spring break and Christmas. They're at schools afar. They come back and they don't have cars and and they're taking microtransit while they're here. So these are Semino County students as well. It's an it's an interesting

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number. So now Sunrail, I think this is a massive winner here. My just my opinion, it's a lot of things on this slide. Let me if I may just walk you through it. The pink titled area that's links usage. The green titled area is is

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scout usage. These are pickups and drop offs at Sunrail station. You'll see an on the top part of it, you'll see an area that's grayed out. That is the overlap when we had both scout and links at the same time. So if you go below that, you will see the dispersion or the

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the division between the two um during that combined time. So a couple things just for analysis I'm going to ask you just to omit. These are all the Sunrail stations. I don't want us to focus too much on Elimon at this point. And the reason I'm saying that is because if you'll recall, we moved the super stop

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from Pern Park to the link station. So looking at this from a Sunrail perspective, it it adds other variables in there. Looking at Lake Mary, Sanford, and Longwood, they're just Sunrail stations. They're they're they're relatively by themselves, so they're pretty clean. As you look at

472
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the usage between links pri you know October 25 and before and then you look at scout from February 26 forward you see massive jumps the number of people that were getting to and from Sunrail stations is huge. You know that was one of the board's priorities when this

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needed to work in conjunction with Sunrail. I think these numbers show it. When I first saw it I said well let me verify it. So what I did was I went to the CFCRC and and pulled the the Sun Rail data for their ridership, the average day

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writership. This was presented uh to the commission to show the writership. These are actually their slides. I'm just overlaying them onto ours. As you'll see, the orange slide is 2025. It shows wrership, average daily wrership for April through June at about 5100. You

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fast forward to the, you know, the blue title slide and you see the 26 date. It's not exactly the same period, but it does fall into those things. And you're looking at 5700 5600 in there. These numbers show there's an increased ridership in Sunreil. I'm not going to

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be as bold to say that we're solely feeding that. But I do believe looking at the previous slide and this there's an extrapolation where I think we're happening the growth in Sunre. So now, as I mentioned previously, let's look at cities. When we talk about transit, transit's often thought of as

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an urban service. So I wanted to focus, okay, what trips involve cities here in Seol County. First thing I want to do is I want to call your attention down the bottom here. See 122%. So it's over 100. These are trips that

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involve cities. So why would it be over 100? Well, if it if it started if the trip started in say Sanford and ended in Ultima, you would fall in both buckets. But the important thing about this slide is you see there's a lot of usage that involves cities whether they're picked up or dropped off there. There is an a

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lot of usage our municipal partners and these are city limits by the way these aren't ma you know these aren't mailing addresses without these are city limits there is a lot of destinations and cities that we're feeding I want to drill down just a little further into this so we're looking at data now that

480
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just shows if the trip started in the city limits so basically you requested the ride in the city limits you'll see there's a reduction in that it comes down to 76% but as you see city of Sanford 39% of all of our usage is starting in the city of Sanford, city of Elimon. Again, three

481
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systems, 12%. Now, the next slide I like to call cities in a vacuum. I couldn't I couldn't come up with a better name. I thought it was kind of cute. So, these are these are trips that start and end within the city. They don't leave the city. They don't go in the incorporated.

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They stay completely within the city. And these are still pretty pretty substantial numbers. 18% of all of our rides stay right here in the city of Sanford. 4% again three transit systems but 4% in the city of Elimant they stay on there the these are fairly significant amount of our rides are

483
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serving city customers this next slide shows the top pickup and drop off locations on the there's two charts here on the left side is drop offs on the right side is pickups these are the top 15 you will see similar customers in both groups you'll see sun

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rail stations you'll see grocery stores you you'll see you different things as far as schools and things like that. They're similar. To me, the takeaway from this is these are the top 15. When you total up both of them, it's less than 10%. So, what that tells me is people are going everywhere. It's not

485
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just they're going to one place. This is a service that's dispersed around the county. We're taking people to places they need, and that's shown on the heat map. All right. Now, let's talk about what what we've done. As I mentioned earlier, Freeb and and Jason have been great partners. There's been a lot of change. We meet with them weekly. We go

486
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through, we've looked at it. There's been some tough times and and candidly I have to give hats off to Jason as our numbers were going up. He's like, "Christian, let's just buckle in. It's going to get rough, but let's let's figure this out." That's a great partner. He could have just said, "Throw me more vehicles. We want to get efficient." Again, I can't say enough

487
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good stuff about them. So, this is not a full list of everything that we've done over those weekly meetings. However, this is some larger ones. I've put them in three buckets. So, let me kind of run through them if I may. I'm going to start on the left, user changes. So the first thing we did or one of the first things we did was implement a user trip

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planner. So it's very common in ondemand transit microtransit that people get angst. It's on demand. If you're busy, it's going to come slower. If it's not busy, it's going to come faster. It's different than a scheduled bus. A scheduled bus arrives regardless, you

489
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know, supposed. Sometimes it's supposed to arrive at a certain point at a certain time. It may or may not be the case, but to to try to reduce that angst, we developed this trip planner. This takes two weeks. The previous two weeks worth of data you put in your destination and it tells you what your wait time should be. It's it's it's very

490
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fluid. It helps planning it. It should help take some of that angst out. We also, you know, there's questions and direction from the board about what about booking for Sunreil. So normally when you when we started with scout and normally when you book it you're within it'll take a booking from 1500 feet from

491
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where you're where it's currently seeing you're standing. When you're on a train in Orlando you're more than 1500 ft. So we took and we expanded that. We allowed bookings on the Sunreil car corridor all the way down to the furthest southern point of the corridor in Orange County

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and the furthest northern point in Valuchia County. So if you're on Sunreil, you're at the station. in those car doors, you can book your scout ride. We also, as the board will recall, we were getting crazy cancellations from users maybe not completely understanding the system. When the links riders came

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over, we limited the cancellations to two. So, you can take two. After that, you're locked out of the app and you have to call in. We didn't want to leave anyone stranded, but we needed to stop that. That did actually did improve things. We also looked at some system changes. So when we started this, we had vehicles

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distributed across the seven days of the system. Very quickly we realized, okay, what the usage was on the weekdays versus the weekends. We realized that we had surplus. We could move vehicles and vehicle hours from the weekends to the weekdays. And we did that. We also

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increased the pool max ride time. So what does that mean? As we talked about it before, there were, you know, we talked about a 10-minute detour time and it being a shared ride service, and it needed to be a shared ride service. It wasn't, you weren't getting a private taxi to somewhere. It needed to be a shared

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ride. So, we started at 10 minutes. That was what we talked about here. We continued to keep increasing that. We've increased it to 18 minutes and 30% got 30% of the ridership. The average time people are in the vehicles is 20 minutes and that seems to be getting about 30% of shared rides which is fairly

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significant. We haven't really got any complaints at that level. It seems to be flowing nicely. And we've also continuously optimized the algorithm. Jason and his team have looked at how people pick up um how they pick up and drop off people in addition to how

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drivers go on break, how shift changes are happening. All that's been optimized in the app. They've loaded an AI agent into the app. So as we're coming up with crazy ideas, it can quickly analyze data and see can can it you know what changes can it make and how will that impact things. So that that's happened. There

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was also a system expansion as mentioned there was seven vehicles added when the links customers came over. We also secured the FDOT service development grant as you'll recall. This will add seven more vehicles. We were awarded that last year. It was for the state's fiscal year that starts into July. But

500
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we can't just start running in July. We have to get an authorization letter that says yes, go forth and do good things. We are waiting for that letter. They are telling us we should get it by the end of this month. We're closing into that, but we think we think it's coming very soon. And at that point, we'll go

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forward with beginning the driver selection as well as the purchasing of the seven vehicles. So, this slide, as I promised to you a bit earlier, this takes those fairbox revenue percentages as well as the cost per passenger and compares it to others. So, let me just

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go through a couple things here. The top the top portion of the chart are Florida transit system, microtransit systems. The bottom port are national. You're going to say, well, why are you looking at that? Well, I want to call your attention to the green line. And that's a scout. And when you see it, we're at

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189 square miles. We believe we're the second largest microtransit system in the country. So, because of that, we needed to get a pool of larger ones. So, you know, there's only so many of them in Florida and we wanted to do that. So that's why you're seeing some of the national ones. So these numbers were

504
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taken from the American Public Transit Association's database. This is where transit agencies publish their numbers and things like that. These are demand response numbers. So demand response is mostly microtransit. It can include some paratransit numbers because it's demand

505
02:18:46.719 --> 02:19:01.439
response as well. And like all things transit, data tracking is a bit cloudy. So you're going to say, well, we don't have paratransit. Well, we sorted. We don't, but we do have some of those customers as you saw from the discounted. We're,

506
02:19:01.439 --> 02:19:18.399
you know, we're utilizing access links customers. They get quite a discount. We have others. So, we have a segment of that population. So, this is probably the cleanest comparison that we can get, and we pick systems where there were known microtransit systems, legitimate microtransit systems, and they're listed there in the the segment name. So, as

507
02:19:18.399 --> 02:19:34.639
you go through and you look at this and you do our comparison to it, I'm going to first look at Fairbox Recovery. We're at 15.8. Hey, there's no one on this list that's getting a fair box recovery at that level. The closest is the city of Arlington. We're about a percentage point above them. As you remember, we we

508
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based it off of Arlington. So, you know, this is this is kind of part for the course. Looking at the next one is our cost per passenger. This is our subsidy per passenger. When you look at our number, $16.31. And you go, okay, where are we on that? We do better than everyone on here with

509
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the exception of the city of Arlington. and we're close to that. So, we have a goal to set. So, in the briefings, I I had a question that was, "Okay, how do we actually compare to the Lynx routes that we that [laughter] we completed?" So, I said, "No problem. I have those numbers. I can go through the

510
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writership." So, I I spent a few hours crunching numbers. And I couldn't get there. And I'll tell you why I couldn't get there. [laughter] I I couldn't get there because the number of riders was shown massively because it has the UNL route. So even the routes we deleted

511
02:20:23.760 --> 02:20:39.520
had, you know, they have to buy tickets to transfer and and and they get counted on multiple buses and our ridership would have to be two and a half times the amount that it was to even equal the ridership that was shown on there, which you know going, you know, pressing the rewind button and we had conversations

512
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said how many links riders are there? We took that data and we estimated it using APA data to try to figure it out and we said 3500 to 4200 is what our 80% math is. We think that's there. That number I think is is was far off the mark. I think realistically is probably around

513
02:20:55.439 --> 02:21:11.280
1,200. Going back and doing the exercise of trying to take the ones that we took away and look at it knowing of what our wrership is and seeing it, it's just hard to compare that number. So, I'm sorry I went down that rabbit hole, but in full disclosure, I just wanted to let you all know about that exercise. So,

514
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now let's talk a little bit about fair modifications. You've seen we get a good fairbox revenue. You you see how we rank with that. You've seen our discounts. I would like to suggest a couple minor tweaks um to what we have. I think we have a a good system. These are the fairs that are in place. You'll see

515
02:21:27.760 --> 02:21:44.319
those are the four to $14. It depends on how many zones you go forth and and that you cross and so forth. There's also some extra charges. So, if you go at peak times and you're a non-discounted rider, you know, it's a dollar. If you have extra passengers, it's a dollar. And then the next one is I call it the

516
02:21:44.319 --> 02:22:01.040
bring along my tuba one. If you you need a seat for some massive item to put in there, you got to pay for the seat. So, that's the charge. This is what was approved. I'd like to make just a little adjustment or suggest a little adjustment to that with y'all's approval. Obviously, our busiest time is during peak hours. That's when if you start

517
02:22:01.040 --> 02:22:17.120
getting behind in the system, it has a ripple effect through the system. So, we'd like to increase that a slight amount from a dollar to $2.50 for non-disounted riders. So, what does that mean? That means if you're part of the vulnerable population this was targeted to, you're not affected. you don't get charged for that. If you have

518
02:22:17.120 --> 02:22:32.880
a means to possibly do something else and you're close on the bubble and we'd like you to maybe take something else to free it up for the vulnerable population to be able to get, you know, get places during the peak times in a timely manner. So, that's a suggested change

519
02:22:32.880 --> 02:22:50.080
we'd like to make. The next one's on the discounted side. You may be thinking, well, hold on, we got a lot of discounts. Why are you suggesting that? These are the these are the groups that you've seen before. You you've seen all this. They're very steep. I want to make a slight change on the Sunrail. So, what you just saw on there was Sunrail, their

520
02:22:50.080 --> 02:23:05.840
discount amount was their fair was capped at $2. I would like to suggest reducing that to $1.50 and then removing the peak search charge for them. So, even if they're a discounted rider or not, if you're going to a Sunrail station, you don't pay the peak search

521
02:23:05.840 --> 02:23:22.720
charge. So, why is that? You know, you're saying, okay, well, the Sunrail numbers, we're already putting a lot of people on Sunrail. What microtransit often works is what you'll have heard is a first mile last mile solution that is normally with buses where you take a fixed route somewhere you get on this microtransit and you go to a zone.

522
02:23:22.720 --> 02:23:38.000
Our system is kind of based off of Sunrail. So our fixed route is is effectively Sunrail running down the corridor. There are scenarios where by the time you buy a ticket on Scout to get to Sunrail to buy the Sunrail ticket to go to another zone in Seol County to

523
02:23:38.000 --> 02:23:54.479
get Scout again, it becomes more expensive than just changing the the zone, especially when you add in the when you add in the um the cost of the sorry the peak search charge. Sorry, I just had a brain brain freeze there. So, we would like to make it so it's

524
02:23:54.479 --> 02:24:10.720
economical to be Sunrail. So, Sunrail becomes a partner. So part of your trip possibly could be you take Scout to Sunreil, get on Sunrail, take it somewhere in the county, get off and take Scout again. We would like to look at this. Do we know how many customers this is? We don't. Just like we didn't know how many customers we were going to

525
02:24:10.720 --> 02:24:28.240
feed to Sunreil. We don't know how many people would possibly take this model that would have previously taken Scout the whole way or say, "Hey, it's more economical." But we'd like to try it and make a modest make a modest decrease here to free that up a little bit. So that's the other suggested item suggested. So now looking at next steps.

526
02:24:28.240 --> 02:24:43.600
So one, if the board is agreeable to those changes, we would obviously implement those and begin the implementation process. You've heard me talk a lot about these FDOT service development grants and waiting for that letter to come. When that letter comes, we want to get those seven vehicles. We

527
02:24:43.600 --> 02:25:00.240
want to continue to pursue additional funding opportunities. And albeit I didn't have a slide for it here. There's been conversation and direction in the past about looking for us to become designated or direct recipients to unlock the federal funds which was the the kind of the upside down conversation we had a bit ago. We are working on

528
02:25:00.240 --> 02:25:16.479
that. We've got an application that we've that we've um produced. We've sent it to the attorneys once got and our attorneys being our attorneys sent it to them once they made comments. We made those comments. We've sent it back. We're waiting for them to review it. Once they feel comfortable with that, I'll be bringing a resolution to the

529
02:25:16.479 --> 02:25:31.200
board getting permission. as part of the process to submit these to FTA and then we we will submit that to FTA and see how it goes and if if we get that designation then there's you know there's guaranteed funds that come on an annual basis that 1.7 million savings

530
02:25:31.200 --> 02:25:47.439
will increase considerably and then additionally we're going to continue to build service efficiencies as I mentioned we get together weekly there's a team of us uh that get together we we really dissect this I think this makes it different from other transit agencies we haven't taken the set it and forget

531
02:25:47.439 --> 02:26:02.880
at it stance, we get together and you know and we we debate things out and say, "Okay, what what's going on? What's not um how can we make things better?" And and so many changes have happened. We are going to continue to do that. We're not at the finish line. We've just barely gotten started. I think it's a I

532
02:26:02.880 --> 02:26:18.560
think it's good numbers, but I think there's better numbers to even come. So, so with that, obviously, I'll I would I would love to have some questions from y'all, but with that, we would also like your approval to uh approve the the fair suggested hearing. Would you really like

533
02:26:18.560 --> 02:26:35.441
to have some questions? >> I I can I can talk all day about this if you want. I can probably wear you all out with it. >> Commissioner Zimbau, >> thank you very much. Um, your slide with the $1.7 million savings. I think what needs to be added or considered

534
02:26:35.441 --> 02:26:53.040
[clears throat] is that we're servicing much more individuals at a bet a better service level than we ever did with links. >> Yes. And and so you got the benefit of the savings, but you got the better service level and servicing more

535
02:26:53.040 --> 02:27:08.720
citizens within this county, which is a win-win at the end of the day as well. And and what we all suspected would occur likely if if we got into this model. So I'm I'm good with all that. I'm happy to make a motion if if >> I think there's further discussion. Commissioner Zimbau, Commissioner Delari.

536
02:27:08.720 --> 02:27:24.560
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. First of all, to you and your staff and anyone associated with this is not just a massive win. It's a huge massive win. So, a lot to be complimented to everyone. I love the fact that you were talking about the fairbox recovery and that uh that

537
02:27:24.560 --> 02:27:40.960
fairbox recovery is extremely important because it shows how efficient you are and I think that's great. I do want to have a conversation if you can go back with those proposed uh uh fair discounts. >> It's two slides back, you know, from the end.

538
02:27:40.960 --> 02:27:57.200
Proposed fair discount changes. I don't click and talk at the same time. So I have great people helping me. So sorry for that but there are system with that but we got cheek. I know you're limited so we'll allow that. >> No worries. [snorts] >> The the thing that I like to discuss I love the idea that we're pushing people

539
02:27:57.200 --> 02:28:13.359
not pushing but we're asking people to use Sunrail more and I think your numbers show that and I think that's a huge win across the boards. The second line item in red that you show there is the discount if you stay and use Sunrail as the spine to going

540
02:28:13.359 --> 02:28:29.920
across the county and using uh freebie again or scout again going down to $150. Uh like the way you came up with that because I think because if you're using scout to go to Sunrail, you use SC scout uh Sunrail as the the the spine and then

541
02:28:29.920 --> 02:28:46.399
you use Scout again. I don't know why we wouldn't just say, "Okay, we're using on two sides, so just go to a dollar." So we can understand what that really is to really push people to Sunreil. >> Yeah. So the the number was just a slight decrease. There's nothing behind it other than just a slight decrease.

542
02:28:46.399 --> 02:29:01.840
The discounts that the board, you know, the board approved, they're they're very big discounts. I didn't want to you start slashing and burning. I'm not trying to slash and burn, but since you're going to be using Scout twice, I can see going down to a dollar to

543
02:29:01.840 --> 02:29:16.240
actually push people to Sunrail. >> I think that would work exactly the same as this. I I think it it would further send that message. We only just took a small modest bite for the only reason was it was a small modest bite.

544
02:29:16.240 --> 02:29:32.800
Certainly, taking it to a dollar accomplishes the same thing and makes it makes it more attractive to more people. I I think that would be an excellent idea. Additionally, you know, you may say, well, well, why not go further than that? I can tell you when the >> you got to have something. >> Yeah. Yeah. And that's what the

545
02:29:32.800 --> 02:29:49.359
economist said. Don't make things free. That's a big problem in transit. And and so probably a dollar would probably be the the the bottom. I I would >> I would encourage the board to do that because let's see how many people we can push to Sunreil. >> But I'm fully in favor of all your

546
02:29:49.359 --> 02:30:04.640
suggestions. I think it's a great job that you've all done and staff behind you did a great job as well as freebie, but uh I think let's push people let's try to encourage people more towards Sunreil by doing the a bigger discount and so I would urge the board doing that.

547
02:30:04.640 --> 02:30:20.800
>> Commissioner Lockhart, >> I'll echo the thanks and the hard work and kudos on the collaboration. Um I'm not sure we would be where we are had we not had this partnership um working as well as it has. There have been bumps in the road. Um certainly, but I am so

548
02:30:20.800 --> 02:30:37.520
excited to see the the improvement um that has occurred and and hopefully people will um as we've seen by the ratings, they've they themselves, the riders themselves have have shown that they are seeing greater value in the system. Um I agree with Commissioner

549
02:30:37.520 --> 02:30:54.479
Delari on taking that Sunreil fee down to a dollar. Um I was thinking about it from a marketing perspective. You know, what can you do with advertising something for a buck or, you know, a dollar? I don't know. It's just a round number. It's I'm not sure. But right, >> I asked Christian the same question. Where'd you come up with the $150? Like

550
02:30:54.479 --> 02:31:11.280
what what was the math behind that? He was like that just sounded good. >> It's less than what it was. All right. Well, let's do let's go a little less. That's personal opinion. Um I do think that putting pushing pushing truly. I know you said I don't want to push people to Sunreil. I do as um as as we

551
02:31:11.280 --> 02:31:27.920
see those Sunreil numbers improve, the wrership numbers improve and they are improving. um in addition to the um the scout um contributions, they they are improving along the entire um system.

552
02:31:27.920 --> 02:31:46.319
So per period and that new paragraph. Um I really want to see us start presenting at our Sunreil board meetings what the scout ridership is. Um, Lynx presents, Voride presents. Um, there, as you know,

553
02:31:46.319 --> 02:32:02.240
there's been quite a bit of narrative around um, Scout and its proficiencies here in the Central Florida area and some of the narrative has just not been terribly accurate. So, to have um, because our part our transportation partners in the region need to know what

554
02:32:02.240 --> 02:32:18.399
we are accomplishing and what is happening here from us, not from Reddit. >> Fair. And that just so you're aware so we we have been providing those numbers to to FDOT and stuff. They have invited us to come. I I think there's been a a

555
02:32:18.399 --> 02:32:34.080
little lull in meetings. We are we are on schedule to start at the next meetings to start doing that. I think G will be the the one uh him or Tony will be the ones presenting them. So we just got to figure out who that is. But we are tracking it as you can see and that will be something that will be occurring at those meetings. I think that'll be

556
02:32:34.080 --> 02:32:50.000
that'll be critical because we are still in partnership with all of the other counties in the region in transportation. That was a question that was posed to me last week was well you know do are you still how how does this work? Are you still a partner? Absolutely we're still a partner. Um transportation around this region is too

557
02:32:50.000 --> 02:33:07.280
important to become um isolated and Sunreil I think is the the great opportunity for us to continue to improve that. >> Commissioner Constantine. >> Thank you. [clears throat] Thank you very much. Um I think I you know I I I tend to agree with let's I certainly

558
02:33:07.280 --> 02:33:24.080
agree let's get more people in Sunreil if um if we the bottom line being a dollar instead of $150. I can go along with that but explain to people the 250 from the $1. Again I I think you were very clear to a lot of us in our in our

559
02:33:24.080 --> 02:33:39.520
briefings but we kind of breezed through that. So just do that say that a little I mean explain that a little bit more. >> So so the dollar to the 250 it's the uh it's the other slide if you would the fair the one before that. >> Okay. So so what it is is it's an extra

560
02:33:39.520 --> 02:33:57.680
charge. So if you're riding at peak time between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. or 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. It's a peak time. That's when rush hour is happening. And arguably from our data we can see it's actually happening earlier than that. We get a lot of people requesting it that

561
02:33:57.680 --> 02:34:13.439
>> we want to try to focus it on the on the folks that need it the most at the time they need it the most. So if you don't have to book your ride at that time, we would like to have a a price in in there to discourage you from going at that time. If you if you are randomly, you

562
02:34:13.439 --> 02:34:30.080
know, having a hair appointment or something like that, you can make it where whenever or you're you're going to the park, for instance, and you can go at a different time, we would encourage you to go outside of this. So, this fee increases the fee to encourage people to book those non-essential trips outside

563
02:34:30.080 --> 02:34:46.319
of those peak hours. Additionally, what it does is it takes people that are perhaps could take another method. Perhaps they could afford to take Uber and they're just taking, you know, they're taking this. I don't think there's massive numbers of those people, but there is a segment. There's about half of our customers that are

564
02:34:46.319 --> 02:35:01.280
non-discounted riders. So, they have means. Does that mean that they have means that they could afford to take Uber? Maybe, maybe not. It may mean they don't qualify for a discount, but things are still tight for them. So those ones that are less tight, if they have an

565
02:35:01.280 --> 02:35:17.840
alternate method where it's more feasible to do something else, we would prefer them to do something else during those times. If they don't, we have a charge to where they don't choose to. We have an additional charge during those times that adds to the ticket price for

566
02:35:17.840 --> 02:35:32.640
those times. If they don't want to pay it, they could wait. But if if they want to go at that time and they're not a discounted rider, it would add $2.50 if the board approved it. Right now it's a dollar. It would increase another $1.50 during those times only. >> And Christian, to be clear, is this for

567
02:35:32.640 --> 02:35:48.640
everyone or just for the non-disounted >> non-disounted riders? And if the board And if the board approves as it's shown in here, albeit at the dollar level, the Sunrail customers, people going to and from Sunrail would also be waved from

568
02:35:48.640 --> 02:36:06.479
that charge. So, so this is only for non-disounted and this is what I was trying to get to. Non-disounted riders >> during those times. Yes. >> During those peak hours? >> Yes. >> Discounted non sun rail. >> Non sunreail. Yes. >> Times. >> So, hey, did you say non non-disounted?

569
02:36:06.479 --> 02:36:23.120
>> He did. >> We're driving it home. We want to make sure everybody heard. >> We're commissioner. That's the point that I'm trying to make. Everybody, you know, it was breezed by. It needs to be, you know, pointed out. Yes.

570
02:36:23.120 --> 02:36:38.720
Non-discounted. Okay. And, you know, non sun >> headline alert that might not get reported. Just saying. >> So, the only other and and and I like everyone else, the passion is is wonderful. I I see

571
02:36:38.720 --> 02:36:55.280
you've just taken this Christian and this is just something that's embedded into your whole DNA now. You're loving it. I >> don't know about embedded. I'm a I'm a I'm a hammer and nails guy. This is a this is a foreign country for me, but I have been enjoying it. >> You're enjoying it. You are you are enjoying it and your passion is is

572
02:36:55.280 --> 02:37:11.600
admirable. The only thing that I see here that we can other than what you the suggestions that has been again breezed by that we can really improve is the marketing guy in me says we can make a lot more money and ad revenue a lot more money and and the more it's getting

573
02:37:11.600 --> 02:37:28.479
there look it I see them everywhere now and I think everybody else is and so therefore those people that love to put their names all over places um should really you know take notice and we should get out there and really do a much better marketing to sell because

574
02:37:28.479 --> 02:37:44.960
1.1 $110,000 is minimal to what we could make on this. >> Agreed. So, I will uh bring this home before asking for a motion. I just want to point out I don't think it was represented up there as a single number,

575
02:37:44.960 --> 02:37:59.920
but if you look at Sunrail drop offs, not from us to us, but from links to us, it's five-fold increase. Mhm. >> It is a 500% increase. And that Sunrail investment was significant to start out

576
02:37:59.920 --> 02:38:16.720
with and rubbed [clears throat] a lot of our citizens the wrong way when people weren't riding it for a variety of reasons. And now we are leading the region in getting people onto the Sun Rail that's already I won't call it paid for, but being paid for. Um, so it's

577
02:38:16.720 --> 02:38:33.280
it's a significant a significant factor and the I you've been thrown a lot of compliments to the freebie team, but I'm going to throw one more. Your desire to be in the data is significant. It's what's driving the efficiency, you're creating the availability of data for us

578
02:38:33.280 --> 02:38:49.760
that we never had before. The fact that we can identify a rider in the former system is really stunning to a lot of us. Um and and it looks like we were at about 1,200 riders and now we're at 3,500 riders from links to this in the

579
02:38:49.760 --> 02:39:05.120
current iteration and it's probably only going up. So congrats to the whole team. Christian, thank you for leading this, >> letting us ask you a thousand questions. And I just want to point out that if you haven't been on a team's call with Christian, his background is him in a Lynx

580
02:39:05.120 --> 02:39:20.720
>> scout. Scout Oh my gosh. In a scout ride. [laughter] >> Him in a scout ride. Yes. um in a non-links ride. >> Chairman, if I could I add one thing real quick and I won't belver it. Um >> this it is working and I know we're in it day in and day out. Christian is I

581
02:39:20.720 --> 02:39:35.840
also want to thank G back here too. He's our transit manager. He is it but working with a great partner like freebie Jason and Claudia. Um we work with a lot of people for them to take Christian's call as much as they do. [laughter] I thank you for that. Um but

582
02:39:35.840 --> 02:39:51.120
the highlight I recently watched the Merryill debate in Orange County. Uh it was a couple couple weeks ago. Two of the four that were running tout they they complimented Scout and how innovative it is about you know getting

583
02:39:51.120 --> 02:40:08.080
out not getting out of the buses but adding alternative transportation. So you know when you have uh candidates that are running that are actually complementing what we're doing here in Simino County it does it's meaningful in the region. So, uh, thank you, Christian, and thanks to the board for your support about, uh, moving this

584
02:40:08.080 --> 02:40:23.120
forward. >> So, we've doubled wrershipped and and we've saved about a $1.7 million. Do I hear a motion? >> Move to approve Scout Microransit service fair and discount structure changes as presented herein

585
02:40:23.120 --> 02:40:38.640
with the reduction to $1 for delivery to Sunreil instead of the proposed 150. >> Second. I first >> we got a public comment chairman. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Public comments, please.

586
02:40:38.640 --> 02:40:56.319
>> One speaker, Leslie Grubal. >> Yeah, she needs to just wave those things in front of you [laughter] for >> I can't possibly have any more reminders and I still miss I'm just going to own it. I can't possibly have any more reminders. >> Uh Lesie Grubal, uh Logwood, Florida

587
02:40:56.319 --> 02:41:10.880
32779. I can't keep my mouth shut. Um, I have a couple thoughts, but on u microtransit, I did have a concern that was brought from one of the missions up

588
02:41:10.880 --> 02:41:29.040
in Sanford trying to have their homeless population be able to get to jobs. Um, and the and the comment was their concern that they have not consistency in terms of the time picked ups. Um, not that I think the microtrans is

589
02:41:29.040 --> 02:41:47.600
absolutely fantastic as for its individuality, but for those who are trying to look at consistency to be able to utilize its services for jobs, just a thought. Um, a comment also uh on how amazing

590
02:41:47.600 --> 02:42:05.359
watching the Jedha uh conversations to those who listen in to these meetings. just to comment about how home rule and how this these discussions are an absolute example of how it is so

591
02:42:05.359 --> 02:42:21.439
important that we have home rule and we allow our public to be able to come up and speak to you all and see the responses and the concern that you show. [snorts] Um my last comment will be on the legislative issues perhaps not in this

592
02:42:21.439 --> 02:42:37.120
time period for public comment but just that I am so hoping that our our legislative lobbyists are looking at the un the mandated

593
02:42:37.120 --> 02:42:54.640
issues that are being sent from the state and I've mentioned this before but looking at those slides and those those things that they're telling you to do that. Some of them we already do like you say when you were publishing what's the budget and that kind of thing, but they do these things and then they

594
02:42:54.640 --> 02:43:10.720
ask you to do them and whether it cost you anything or not doesn't seem to matter. And I'm hoping those public who watch this will please speak to your uh your representatives about these

595
02:43:10.720 --> 02:43:27.439
mandates. And the last thought is I'm hoping that Lynx has addressed uh somewhere along the line their costs that they initiated um on the system for this county and I hope that they have

596
02:43:27.439 --> 02:43:44.000
come to some reconsideration. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> We appreciate you being here and I'm going to wrap that all under the microtransit subject matter. So, uh, we we appreciate you not having to wait anymore to say those last few little things. With that, we have a first and a

597
02:43:44.000 --> 02:44:00.399
second. Uh, all those in favor? >> I opposed. Hearing none, passes unanimously. Thank you. Uh, and in reference to your comment, I do sit on the, uh, homeless board, rescue outreach reach mission board, and uh, we do have ongoing discussions with that. It's a

598
02:44:00.399 --> 02:44:17.279
planning situation. So, we're >> Madam Chair, that is correct. sitting on the public safety council board that was brought up about the jail and and how they >> get transportation um and we've had discussions with them that they would be best served to do

599
02:44:17.279 --> 02:44:33.120
better planning to schedule their rides >> right it's a planning situation >> well I guess we're on to the next item bringing it home on Trisha Johnson talk to us about boards and committees our favorite topic

600
02:44:33.120 --> 02:44:49.304
>> right I'm Not sure I'm quite as passionate about boards and committees as Christian is about Scout, but we'll give it a shot. So, thank you for the record, Trisha Johnson, Deputy County Manager. Today, I'd like to discuss several proposed updates to the county's boards and committees program. The purpose of today's discussion

601
02:44:49.304 --> 02:45:04.240
[clears throat] is to receive your direction on a few policy questions before staff finalizes an administrative code update. Over the past several months, staff have listened to your feedback and reviewed our boards and committees program in its entirety. We've identified several

602
02:45:04.240 --> 02:45:20.479
opportunities to improve consistency across boards, clarify appointment procedures, and modern modernize some of our practices. I'll begin with a brief overview of our current boards and committees program, followed by an update on our legisar appointment interface. We'll then discuss three

603
02:45:20.479 --> 02:45:37.520
policy topics, board member term limits, appointment processes, and membership requirements. What I would like to do is go through the presentation in its entirety and then go back to the discussions that require your direction just in case some of them tie together and may uh assist you with some of your

604
02:45:37.520 --> 02:45:52.960
decision-making. Semino County currently has 15 advisory boards and committees administered through this process. To clarify, this process only includes these boards, not those boards that are appointed by the chairman or this commission uh on an annual basis

605
02:45:52.960 --> 02:46:10.160
typically in December. These boards provide valuable expertise and citizen input on a wide variety of topics including planning, historic preservation, tourism, libraries, housing, and agriculture. Collectively, these boards are made up of approximately 120 members. The

606
02:46:10.160 --> 02:46:27.040
appointment process is administered by the agenda and board services coordinator, Miss Dominique Drager, in collaboration with your offices and your aids have been involved in various conversations about this process. Just want to mention that similar to the operating policies and procedures that

607
02:46:27.040 --> 02:46:42.880
this board has, we are endeavoring to create a section of the administrative code specific to boards and committees. Many of you and your aids have said, I can't find information in one spot about boards and committees. I find it in statute. I find it in ordinance. I find it in admin code. Can we just put it all

608
02:46:42.880 --> 02:47:00.319
together? So, that is our intention and we're hoping to finish that process once we get your direction today. Regarding the legisar interface, uh, commissioners, staff, and members of the public can view this system. It's,

609
02:47:00.319 --> 02:47:18.399
uh, no requires no login, and it covers board membership, vacancies, minutes, agendas, and so if you have questions about what boards may have vacancies or would like to view the minutes from a last meeting, you can access them at the Legisar interface. You'll see here that

610
02:47:18.399 --> 02:47:34.720
this is a list of our planning and zoning meetings. Here is a schedule of those meetings [clears throat] along with the agenda and minutes attached. Not all of our boards and committees have agendas and minutes attached on register yet. That is the party part of the training process with our directors and board

611
02:47:34.720 --> 02:47:50.960
liaison. And finally, you can see the members of planning and zoning and their attendance records. You can also go to another location in this interface to see board vacancies. Next, I'd like to talk about term limits. This will begin the slides where we will request some feedback from the

612
02:47:50.960 --> 02:48:07.120
board. Through various discussions, the topic of term limits for representatives of various boards have developed. Only three of our current boards have term limits. That's the parks and preservation advisory board, the libraries advisory board, and the committee on aging. As part of the admin

613
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code update, we'd like to get your feedback regarding whether term limits should be implemented when possible. We've outlined three options for your consideration. First being maintain the existing approach. The second standardize where appropriate, meaning we would in that administrative code

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section I just mentioned have a standard uh term limit for all boards that do not already have one in place. I we have not recommended what that standard would look like yet. Could be four years on a board and then a year off and then they could be reappointed again. We just at

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this point want to talk about term limits and get your thoughts on those in general. And option three is customized term limits by board. We'd work with the director, the county manager's office to come up with recommendations and then bring them back to this board. So that is uh the information regarding term limits. Next, I'd like to talk about the

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appointment process. Today, appointment method methods vary depending on the board. Some positions are district appointments, others are appointed by this board at large, and others rotate among commission offices. For the members of the public watching,

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let me just explain this slide to you a bit. This represents some boards that we currently have rotating seats. So, if a board has more than five seats, five of those seats are appointed by each district commissioner. If a board has

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seven seats, those remaining two seats are currently appointed through a rotational process. So, um I I won't go through um each line for you, but one commissioner may appoint to planning and zoning in a year through their district

619
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district appointment and then per this chart, they may have an appointment to planning and zoning two years later through the rotating process. The challenge with rotational appointments is by happen stance you will have some commissioners appointing two seats in

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one year. That's just the way this falls out. And so we have received feedback that that may be a concern. So one remedy to that is if a commissioner has a district appointment to a particular board in one year and it happens to fall the same year as their rotational

621
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appointment, we skip that commissioner for the rotational, go to the next commissioner in line and when the next commission or rotational appointment opens up. We would then go back to the commissioner that was skipped and they would appoint to that seat. So that is

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one option. Now going to back to appointments. Overall, we have three options for your consideration. Additional seats are considered at large to be selected by the BCC. Any applications we receive would be given [clears throat] to the board and you would vote them to pick an individual

623
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for that open seat. Option two, use the rotational process that we just discussed. Option three, department staff and the county manager's office can evaluate applications, select an individual for that open seat, and then bring it back to this board for ratification. You do do something like

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this with the um committee on aging staff in community services and the county manager office makes recommendations and you ratify that. That would also be the same for the building code board of approvals board. Or option four, limit the number of

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seats on each board to five or 10 when possible. >> That seems easy. >> I'm sorry. >> That seems like the easier path of ease resistance. >> I wish that was true. Um, yes, in some circumstances, taking a board from seven

626
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seats to five is the answer. The challenge with that is meeting quorum can be a challenge. Feel like I'm saying challenge too much. I apologize. um uh doubling to 10 seats would mean every commissioner has two district appointments. That is possible. In some

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boards, some boards the the number of seats is set by statute. So, what we would do if that were the direction of this board is to come back with you to you and show you what boards where it's possible to go to five or 10. So, I'm going to use planning and zoning as an

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example. Right now, we have seven. We couldn't go up. I don't believe we'd go down to five. So, we just would have to consider what that'd mean in terms of meeting a quorum. So, these are the appointment process options. And finally, membership requirements.

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Currently, applications uh gen the applicants complete an application online and they also must be county residents. Some other requirements for them could be board specific. You're familiar with the tourist development council. Three of those seats have to be hotel years. The building code board of

630
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appeals requires certain type of contractors for seats, but not all boards have those type of requirements. Uh, this board has brought up some thoughts on doing background checks and or requiring that individuals who would like to sit on these boards be a

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02:52:57.520 --> 02:53:12.640
registered voter. If the board is interested in pursuing background checks, I want to provide some practical considerations. Background checks require applicants provide their social security number and do result in an additional cost of about $32.

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We currently require our volunteers to go through a background check or [clears throat] volunteers for various uh departments. We would work with the supervisor of elections office to ascertain voter registration. With that, uh, I can go back to the

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areas, uh, for your feedback, but just want to finalize by saying, uh, our goal is to bring back an updated section of the administrative code to you for your approval. We then want to ensure that all of our boards have bylaws and that they are standardized and some of that

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will go through the admin code process and some of it will be specific to board. We also have heard a lot of feedback from this board about training for our directors and board liaison with respect to building relationships with their board members, helping filling those vacant seats, bringing

635
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recommendations forward to you. And we certainly intend to do more of that training as in particular with legisar as well. And then also board member training. We know it's important that our volunteers understand why they're on a board and what what their job is. Sometimes they feel a little confused in

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that space. So that is a priority as well. So I will go back to our first topic, term limits. >> So I'm going to I'm going to jump in here just with a comment that I I think there's a step in this that I would also

637
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like to get your indulgence on and that is that and I think it's been asked on the dis before so this should not be new but it's the concept of taking it back to 100,000 ft. What's the value of the board? Do does

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the value still exist? What have we done as a result of that board involvement that we wouldn't have done without that board involvement? And and an evaluation of do we even need all of these boards, especially as we go into this this

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concept of what we need to cut in terms of services. These are expensive to manage. It's not the $32 for the background check. It's the amount of staff work that goes into staffing these meetings, etc., etc. So, um, I know I've had a lot of feedback from several of

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02:55:25.200 --> 02:55:40.399
the boards, as I think others have had, that they didn't feel like anything they did actually moved the needle any. And that could be because we can't move the needle here. And so, why are we putting them through that? Commissioner Zimbau. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm happy to to

641
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have that discussion and review. I don't know that I'm prepared to do it today. I would like a lot more information. Well, that wasn't the request. Wasn't to do it today. It was the request not actually that we do it. My request was that the team does it. The directors of the departments that have these

642
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committees, boards, all of it. Um, it starts with that team [clears throat] and then comes to us. So, that that's the request. I don't think this is for I think it's for us to decide on, but I don't think it's for us to evaluate at the beginning stages.

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Commissioner Constantine, did you have your hand up? >> I didn't know if he was finished, but if he is, go ahead. >> Then on on that note, >> um it's kind of like the flip side, although I agree. And that is having meaningful responsibility. >> Exactly.

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>> That that that they have meaningful respons. Yes. Flip side cost. Yes. But meaningful responsibility. And if that board has it, then we should provide it on term limits. I'm just going to say this. >> So hold on. We're not there. We are not there. We are going to do this in order

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because there's there's a meaningful process here. Yes, Commissioner >> Delari. I would agree with your statement and I have no problem with staff reviewing it and bringing it back to us at a later date. >> Awesome. >> Yeah. >> Would love staff review. >> Awesome. All right, Trisha, take it away and take us orderly through the concepts and we are going to nail this thing.

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[laughter] >> I will say to your point, uh, that part of the evaluation will be with our director meetings, but also some of our boards just may meet too often. We have some boards that meet monthly correct and bimonthly or even quarterly may be a better option for them to have more

647
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robust agendas. So that will be a part of the discussion as well. So the where we need your direct direction first is with respect to term limits these three options for your consideration or if you have a fourth. >> Okay. You want to go? >> Yep. We'll start [clears throat] with you.

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>> I'm not a hypocrite. No term limits if we don't need them. >> Option one. one, >> I think we should have either term limits or the abil or the ability to have very meaningful input from the

649
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board around just continuing people on these boards. >> Let me give thought to that. >> Can I get to Commissioner Lockhart first? Thank you. >> So, which are the three boards that currently have term limits? Library

650
02:58:08.800 --> 02:58:25.760
Advisory Board, Parks and Preservation Advisory Board, and the Committee on Aging. And what was the rationale behind giving those three specific boards term limits? Do we know? >> I'm afraid I don't know that answer. >> Okay. Bring it back to you. If if anyone

651
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does happen to know that history, I'm not sure. >> I'm I hear Commissioner Constantine loud and clear. It feels hypocritical to have term limits when we don't have term limits. We can certainly replace people on boards and appoint people. You know,

652
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every four years we come up for reelection. We can be voted out every four years or some of these are two years. We can appoint new people. >> Um so in in terms of being consistent and having a standardized approach, >> could you could we evaluate or have

653
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staff evaluate whether or not term limits on those boards have been valuable? Because I feel like it should be consistent. And if we currently have three that do, but most do not, maybe we need to look at the consistency of that [clears throat] and not just do it because we've always done it. We don't know why we did it.

654
02:59:15.359 --> 02:59:31.920
>> And and Madam Chair, if I could personal experience, the best person by the staff talking to me that was on the library board, I had to replace because of term limits. Same thing with parks, the very be most active person on parks, it was

655
02:59:31.920 --> 02:59:49.200
term limits. Now, one of them also said, "Lee, I'm I'm just through." And that's just like elections. We can replace them. >> So, I think a standardized approach of either if we don't have to by statute or by um um governing,

656
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>> our own our own governing body ordinance. >> I don't see we have to have term limits. We can do that ourselves. That's our responsibility. >> So, I I agree. And then I but I also think that Commissioner her has a very good point that we need to be very

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intentional about the appointments that we put on these boards because frankly sometimes some individuals play well in the sandbox with others and some don't. And the intent of these boards is to bring a cohesive collaborative spirit that

658
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supports our staff, that gives us good recommendations, where where the collective work coming out of these boards is positive. And I've just heard more than a handful of anecdotes from people who serve on these boards that some of our appointees are

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canankerous and they're hard to work with. And so I think we we owe it to the other volunteers on these boards to make sure we're appointing people who really work well with people. They don't have to agree. Certainly we have diversity of opinion constantly up here. Um but I'm

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I'm just hearing it more frequently than I would like to hear it. >> Well, and and I'll add that I think so we're at no term limits. Then we have to have an official feedback loop on our appointees. >> Meaningful responsibility.

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>> Meaningful responsibility. >> Exactly. Meaningful measured meaningful responsibility. >> And that includes the canankerous nature of some. That includes do they still live here? That includes because right

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now it's a free-for-all. We have to figure it out and that can't be how this works. Okay. and and also reporting back attendance attendance in your offices >> and I should be able to go into Legisar and figure out what the attendance is. >> And I think we're headed in that direction.

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>> Exactly. But but I'm messaging that out because not all directors are on there yet. So we're getting there, but that's going to be the expectation. >> Okay. Thank you. Next, the board appointment process.

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We have laid out four options. Again, we are open to suggestions or a hybrid of any of these. >> Which way are we going to go? >> We'll start on this end. Thank you. Thank you for that offer, Commissioner Constantine. >> Oh gosh.

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Um, >> I do think that there's value in having district appointments. I don't think that every appointment should be a board appointment, but then that brings calls into question, why are we all voting to ratify one another's appointments? Right? So the process that we have in

666
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place is this is your district appointment but then it come but then we have to bring our district appointment for approval and vote by the whole board for that ratification which is where things you know it's either the district commissioner's per p per p per p per p per p per p per p per p per p per p per purview or maybe it's not. I mean I

667
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think we're in a hybrid weird spot right now with the process. So, if we're going to do district appointments, don't ask me to ratify, you know, somebody else's appointment. [laughter] Back at you, >> right? I mean, you you may love John Q.

668
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True. >> I may not love John Q public. Um, and but it's your appointment. And so, don't ask me my opinion and my vote unless you want to hear it. >> You may not want to hear it. I think we've experienced that so far this last year. Um, so I would just say let's be

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consistent about what we're going to do. If there are at large appointments that we have to appoint people at large because of whatever process, then do then we can figure out we could know how to deal with that. I the rotational appointments I think are a nightmare. I don't I do not envy Dominique or

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whoever it is that has to figure that out. I think that's just miserable. So, however we can do away with rotational appointments, I'm up I'm up for that discussion. I think that was it. Does that help or does that just muddy the market?

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>> No, I'm ready. I I'm with you, >> Commissioner Constantine. Go for it. >> No rotations. It's a nightmare. I agree 100%. It you know you and it's also asking you to ratify somebody else because they'll come back to you. I was appointed by this person. Now it's your appointment.

672
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Um and you may have somebody else that you want. Know that I see five and 10 as a great option. Five if we need them. 10. If we have to have more people to appointments, if a committee is it needs

673
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to have a guarantee odd number, then make the one person at large. And I don't see that as a problem. But five and 10 is great. Therefore, I have one or I have two. I know it. I know every year or every year comes up, I have it. I'm not

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looking at, you know, having to appoint Commissioner Zimbau or Commissioner Deloreia or anybody else's rotation that I may not know nor understand whose turn it is. >> I'm going to So, we were we I'm going to

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I'm option three. I think the people that are running these committees need to be making the recommendations of people that have interest, etc. That's not abdicating our responsibility, but it's putting it into in essence an accountability level

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that's different. We still would would have the ability to vote. We still have [snorts] the ability to say no. I in my instance, I would say we should be submitting several names for consideration. Um, and that works well in the places where we're doing it. Some of that is because we have to do it that

677
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way. Some of that is because it's actively happening that way for the betterment of the committee. We're not in these meetings. So, I think that's the most effective method. It's probably the least political method, which I'm also a fan

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of. >> Commissioner Delari. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I think a hybrid would be appropriate where we actually have five district appointees and then the two because there are seven, they're at large and then we all appoint those two. and do away with the rotational.

679
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>> Do away with the rotation. So, I mean, there's still seven >> where each person appoints one >> and then the two that are that are potentially rotation, they're appointed at large by the board >> and and I want to be understand

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commissioner her your your suggestion. See, a lot of these boards are the subject of ideas of the people. And therefore, I don't want uh the department staff who already have an inordinate amount of authority over

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those boards to then pick the people that are going to give them recommendations. And I didn't know if that was what you were suggesting. That's not what I was saying. >> Okay, good. Then I'm I was misunderstanding. I'm not as as again not giving respons responsibility away for that selection. I still as the the

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appointing board [clears throat] member want to make that selection but I would welcome their educated involvement in that process and absent of formalizing that that is going to happen stance >> like the fact that I will call them and

683
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ask them before I make an appointment. Well, not all of us would. Number one, and number two, not all of them would feel comfortable saying, I am going to continue to search for folks to be in the queue. I mean,

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really, we need a the pool of talent ought to be as big as possible as opposed to what we're doing now. >> I don't know if I I would feel comfortable in formalizing that because then it's, you know, putting another layer, if you will. I mean, it should be

685
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a common sense to ask them, and you're right, and I and you're right, probably. I can't speak for anybody else, but I do. Um, but I it's still formalizing that then puts them in a, you know, a position >> potentially uncomfortable for them, but

686
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potentially where I feel uncomfortable. I have to ask them, well, is this person all right for you? That's that's all I'm saying. >> Yeah. I'm not I wasn't doing it in reverse. Okay. >> Yep. Did you get what you needed on that one? >> I'm afraid not. Um, I knew the answer to

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that. >> Rotations are out. You didn't get >> rotations. Rotations are out. I'm super excited about that. Um, >> and we skipped commissioners and Bower, so I'm sorry. >> I do have a clarific clarifying also for you. >> I'm not a fan of three.

688
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I am a fan of two. If you want to do a hybrid with two at large when necessary, I'd be fine with that. >> So item number two, commissioners and bowowers utilize rotational appointments. >> Correct. >> So you're a fan of rotational appointments.

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>> Absolutely. >> If if the will the board is they want to do >> how would you how would you suggest that? >> Same way we currently do it. It's just track it. >> I think we have four nos on that and one yes on that one. And and we have the

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inverse on number three. We have four nos's on that number three. So I'm out on number three. >> Yeah. Everybody doesn't climb Mount Everest. I got it. Um so as far as staff direction and oversight when we get to the next one, I think we're going to

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have that already, which is gathering the applications. I'm going to be an advocate of one of those when we get to that at least. I think that gives staff some oversight vetting the process for us. Um, but for

692
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the same reasons Commissioner Constine mentioned, I'm not a fan of formula form formalizing >> Yep. >> option three. >> So, let me make an attempt to provide clarity and you guys I know will stop me

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if I'm if I'm not right, but we like the notion of five or 10 when possible. When five or 10 are not possible, then we go to five and at large for the others. Is that kind of where we are? >> And sometimes the governing documents

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dictate on those boards how that is done. >> Understood. >> Which is in contrast to something that's already here. >> So that's going to have to be dealt with as well. >> Well, yes, it will. >> Yes. And and I will I will say the two boards that I think I all of them you

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know I have varying degrees of success the two boards that we are depending on the most for the most important suggestions right now are the five and the two >> that's correct >> that is arc >> board of adjustments >> and that is well I'm thinking arc and

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I'm also thinking of the zoning planning and zoning and so you know what you suggested that makes sense what Commissioner Delorei suggested makes sense. If you don't need to go to 10, then the five and two. If you do need to

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go to 10, then the 111. >> Yeah, I would not be an advocate expanding to 10. It's hard enough getting a board put together with seven or five. >> I said if you have to, and I'm not suggesting you have to, but I'm saying if you have to, then it would be the 10 and the one.

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>> Yeah. >> Back to you, Trisha. Did you did I believe so. I believe so. Yes. Thank you. And finally, membership requirements. What we're looking for your feedback on are background checks and or registered voter confirmation.

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>> I'd keep the required current requirements. I would not be going to the additional options. >> Oh, I'm I'm a fan of background checks. >> I'm a fan of both. >> Did I? I

700
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if their privacy can be maintained when it comes to voter registration even though we can get it any way it's public record I think they should be vot registered voter in this in the county >> and a background check

701
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>> I'm not I'm not taking out the background check I'm just saying I think that they should be registered voters if they are going to be volunteers for boards that will be back to the people of of seminal county. I think they should be voters. >> Can we do a survey with them? Because I imagine if we start asking for this,

702
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people are going to be dropping off. We're gonna have a harder time to get people to volunteer. >> I'm not a fan of the registered voter requirement. >> I'm not either. >> All right, let's do them independently. Background check. All in favor?

703
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>> All right, you got three. Registered voter. All in favor? >> You got three. >> You got three. Okay, we work together [clears throat] >> and then I do think we need to to bring to create a feedback loop. >> County resident, everybody agrees with

704
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that. >> County res a requirement. >> It's all Yes, that is. Yes. >> I have a legal question if I may >> uh to the county attorney with these two issues, background check and voter registration. You see any issues with it?

705
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>> That's a very broad question, but I don't have any legal concerns with it now. At my point, legally you have no issues with it. >> Correct. >> Okay, that's my question, >> Madam Chair. >> Yes,

706
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>> the one thing that's not on here that I would like to address is the way we show appreciation to these board members. Um, you know, it's not lost on me that we write a thank you letter and sometimes it's after they've served on multiple

707
03:13:32.960 --> 03:13:49.840
boards. um or multiple terms. I would really like this board to consider doing something more significant whether that's a annual lunchon or >> we used to do that >> some some kind of means of of letting

708
03:13:49.840 --> 03:14:06.000
these board members interact with each other as well as staff and us and really show that appreciation. Um, I mean, it's hard enough to get people to to give up their free time to attend these boards. And I think with with this process,

709
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there'll be less of that >> because if we actually get the boards working, whether we need to meet quarterly or once a month, more effective and efficient, then those people will be more apt to serve and their time's not being wasted. Um, so

710
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just a thought process. I'd like us to consider some kind of appreciation more than just, hey, thanks for being a citizen and serving on this board. >> Thanks for the memories. >> Agreed. Yeah. >> And and Madam Chair, one last thing on if for me on the application,

711
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have any of you really seen the application? >> It's simple. I think it's too extensive. I I or I'm not going to be specific about it, but I just think the application right now is is is a little more broad or a little bit more extensive than we need.

712
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>> I I find it valuable when I don't know the individual for me to pour through that data. Um that's my only benefit from it. I mean, if I know the person either from business relationship or, you know,

713
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social relationship or whatever it might be, I have pretty good idea who they are, what they do, and what their capabilities are. But if I don't know them, >> Mhm. >> I find that information valuable. >> But I'm taking it from what Commissioner Lockhart had said and said, you know, maybe you all shouldn't have to appoint

714
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approve my person. >> Sure. >> You know, vice versa. And, you know, I I know everybody's different. I have a I I have a very extensive personal extensive process and in fact if I don't think anybody's qualified I

715
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don't appoint anybody period right >> um until I find that person so that's why I'm sitting there I don't know if we the application I'm in deference to you if it's helpful it just hasn't been helpful to me >> I find it helpful as well

716
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>> I find it helpful as well in the current iteration and I and I truly do believe that if you want to serve on one of these uh boards or committees that you ought to be willing to answer those questions there. >> I just thought it was too extensive. That's all I'm saying. I I have no

717
03:16:13.439 --> 03:16:29.120
problem with an application. >> Anything else we can do for you today? >> No, thank you very much. Greatly appreciate it. >> Get out of here where you can. >> Thank you. She's ahead. You're ahead. Leave while you're ahead. >> Thank you for all the work on that. I >> Yes. Thank you.

718
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>> Don't for one minute underestimate how difficult This is the How many times have we discussed it? >> Too many. >> Do we need public comment on that item? >> No. >> Awesome. [laughter] >> Uh that takes us to the county attorney's report.

719
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>> I have no report today. >> That's awesome. >> Wow. >> County manager. No, >> you're not going to say I'm awesome. But um just one one item you all a month ago had asked uh regarding the moratorium on data centers. Just want to give you an update. I have our team over at development services researching that.

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We're going to review it with the county attorney's office and I will be bringing that back to you very shortly. So, just give you an update. >> Fabulous. Thank you, Commissioner Lockart, you're up. >> Yeah. Um, I had the opportunity to go down to the Orlando Economic Partnership for the changing of his majesty's

721
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consils general from Brit. Yeah. I didn't know that was a thing until >> Did you wear your Scottish outfit? >> I didn't. I should have. There were folks there in kilts and I felt very very left out. But um it was also sponsored by the British American Business Council of Central Florida.

722
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Talked about all of the um trade that is happening in Central Florida between us and Great Britain. And um it just by happen stance, this event had been planned and it wound up being the same day as the uh World Cup game between

723
03:17:52.399 --> 03:18:09.359
England and was it France or who was it? Argentina. Argentina. >> So Darren was whispering me the wrong country for the record. It [laughter] >> I felt like it was Argentina. That's okay. Um anyway, I and fortunately or

724
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unfortunately depending on how you looked at it, I left before the game was over, so I didn't get to get to stick around. But it was a wonderful event and great to see so many business leaders there talking about um how much we do uh outside of our borders in terms of bringing um economic development to

725
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Central Florida. Um, I'm going to skip a couple. Well, I'm going to say one thing that is really kind of silly, but Patty put it on my report, so I have to share it because this is Commissioner. This is for Commissioner Her. Today is National Milk Chocolate Day.

726
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>> Get out. >> I am not a milk chocolate fan. I am a dark chocolate fan, but Commissioner Her loves milk chocolate. So, today is your day. A celebration is in order. >> That's right. Um, so I do want to talk about uh see if there is interest in

727
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pulling together an executive session on collective bargaining. Um, I know we've had a couple of letters that have gone back and forth. Um, we have as a board not had an opportunity to talk to one another and give direction to the county manager and and I think it would be very

728
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helpful for us to have some conversation. bring our labor council to the meeting so that we can ask questions of him directly and all of us hear the answers that are given. Um I would just I think that we would all benefit from that >> feedback. Oh, with all due respect, um I

729
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think the letter that was outlined by our county manager to them in the collective bargaining agreement was sufficient. I think it is also proper because it is starting uh in um January of 27 and in the light of the property

730
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tax, I think it's I would be opposed to opening up anything at the current time. >> For clarification, I'm asking for an executive session for the five of us to have that conversation with our bargaining team and our labor attorney. >> I'm sorry, I misunderstood.

731
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>> That's okay. I just I'm I just we that conversation hasn't been had by us collectively. That's that's all I'm asking for. >> Does that qualify for a shade meeting? >> Yes, there's an exception, an exemption

732
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from the sunshine law for meetings between the board and the county manager regarding collective bargaining. >> So, question purpose. >> The do >> we have a concern that

733
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management has not been capable of putting these negotiations together and been successful and such or what? >> Well, we're not in negotiations. We're not in negotiations. >> Understood. >> And so I think we I have not talked to

734
03:21:03.520 --> 03:21:19.840
our labor attorney. I would like to have all I I have some questions I would like to ask and I think it would be beneficial for all of us to be there as a part of the conversation. Our county manager and and the bargaining team are bargaining on our behalf >> but without our collective direction

735
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right now. So, I just think it would be it would send a a good message to everyone that this is important for the five of us to have conversations about it so that we can give direction to the county manager and our bargaining team

736
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so that they know where we are. Um, I'm not suggesting that anything has been improper or not done well in any way, shape, or form, but it's it is odd to go for me having been a part of two other organizations that actively collectively bargain with

737
03:21:52.479 --> 03:22:07.920
multiple units to not have had a session with management, the five of us and our team to to give direction. It is it is a very unique situation from my perspective. >> Understood.

738
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But by default this board is blessing whatever is whatever terms whatever management through negotiations are ever had. We have to bless that. Correct. >> No. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> They have to bargain what we direct.

739
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>> Correct. But it comes before the board of county commission >> to be approved. >> Right. But I think we're missing a step. Would would the county attorney care to address or someone care to address how what the order of process is? >> I

740
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quick I have seen it both ways. So other organizations that I have worked in, it's not unusual for the board uh and the county and the bargaining team including the county manager, the county attorney uh to sit down and lay out, you know, the the plan the the strategy with the board and how you want us to move

741
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forward with with the union. So that has happened to a couple organizations. This one I just just never have. They've never done it. But however, as you know, when the negotiations happen, I brief each and every one of you uh uh for your for your input. So um so what

742
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Commissioner Lockhart's act requesting is is not unusual with uh bargaining units. >> Can understood. >> Commissioner Constantine, >> can I just say, but that was usually when negotiations begin. >> Correct. when the contracts expiring and

743
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we are planning to do that at the current time that was planned to start in January of 27. >> Correct. and because it is still under contract and not even to the point that we would start negotiating. And I

744
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appreciate what Commissioner Lockhart's asking for, but I think it should be done at that time that we should have the sit down with, okay, it's coming up. Here's the strategy and not it's almost like, you know, a a football or baseball

745
03:24:03.520 --> 03:24:19.760
negotiation when they want, okay, I got a year left in my contract, but I want to start a contract for the next contract two years from now. now and I'm saying no. In my personal opinion, we have a contract now. That contract negotiation for the next negotiation or the next

746
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contract should begin in January. And I think what she's asking for should be done then. So I'll I'll >> I'm sorry just some difference if you don't mind given just

747
03:24:36.319 --> 03:24:53.359
I I don't I think there are some things we need to talk about with our labor attorney that we are not all fully aware of between now and January. So what I was going to say was I I actually think the notion f first of all it's not business as usual anymore right

748
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the state has changed that >> and that's driving the behavior on both sides of this equation of this negotiation. So uh having the opportunity to sit down with our team with the labor attorney at the same time

749
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is probably a very healthy process. Um the timing of that I would suggest would be partially driven by our team in terms of uh when the most effective time for that would be and I would suggest it probably should be driven by the labor

750
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attorney to some degree. Um so I don't necessarily want to dictate timing from here given the we haven't put too much thought into that. Uh but the notion of sitting together and understanding where it is we think we're heading given new legislation that's potentially happening

751
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and maybe has already happened um we is probably a good opportunity. I actually think it will in the long term when the contract comes back uh help us actually move the thing along better. >> Madam Chair,

752
03:25:59.359 --> 03:26:14.960
>> yes. In the past when we did have a contract expired almost similar to what Commissioner Constantine said uh we had these meetings where it was the year that we started negotiations before we started negotiations they act we

753
03:26:14.960 --> 03:26:30.319
actually had uh a shade meeting to discuss what the premise of that negotiations could be or should be. Uh but that's almost a little bit too early right now. Uh but if the legal team feels that we should be meeting sooner,

754
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I understand. But you know, I think that it's a little bit too early to do right now because of you have the contracts coming due in 2027. Uh in the letter that I read, it said that they'll be meeting early uh either

755
03:26:45.920 --> 03:27:02.800
January or February. Uh, I would imagine as we get close to January and February, we would have this meeting to understand what the the negotiations could be or should be, but since we're a couple of months before that, I think it's just a little bit too premature.

756
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>> Mr. Rosenbower, I >> I would only say if if if there is, and I'm not saying it does, but I've served with this group of commissioners for quite a few years. It sounds like that the commissioner has a

757
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concern and has some awareness that I believe she thinks is important enough that we understand what that is sooner [clears throat] rather than later. So if that if that's genuinely the case, I'm fine with that. Totally fine with that.

758
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>> Thank you. >> All right, back to you for the rest of your report. Um, is is there I think there's consensus. I think there's consensus that we are having the meeting and I think there's consensus on sooner rather than later depending on the >> the labor attorney's availability. Yeah.

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Okay. Thank you. I I genuinely appreciate that. That's all I have for my report. >> All right. Commissioner Delari, you're up. I have one item, Madam Chair, and I wanted to put out a huge kudos to our county staff because, uh, last Thursday,

760
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uh, they had the high school football media, uh, day. Uh, it was phenomenal. This is the second year that they've done it. I think our staff was on a phenomenal [clears throat] job. I know Commissioner Lockai was there. I could I know I I said hello to you, but I couldn't spend much time with you because I had another engagement. Uh, I

761
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heard you did a phenomenal job on your >> dropped me like a hot potato is what he [laughter] did. >> What do you mean? I'm complimenting you. >> Thank you. >> I think you did a good job from what I've heard. I think the staff's done a great job. I think it's nice to see these young people uh understand what

762
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media day is and how to promote themselves. I think it's there's a lot of kudos going around at Seminal State on the ground floor and uh it was amazing to see all the different vendors and to see all these young people there and I just want to say kudos. >> Well done. >> End of my report.

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>> All right, Commissioner Zenower. >> Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I don't have a whole lot to report. I've been enjoying my grandchildren for 10 days outside the country on a fishing trip. Um enjoyed chasing a three and sevenyear-old around. Reminds me it's

764
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not for people my age to be doing on a on a daily all day basis. But um outside of that, attended the state of the school lunchon yesterday. I know that some of my fellow commissioners were there. That's some good news out of the school system. They're doing well and performing at high standards and better

765
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this year than they were last year uh within the rankings. So all that's good news. The one item of concern that I do have that I want to speak to my fellow commissioners while we're here and the county manager that why we're in session is even though we discussed Jedapoint today,

766
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I'm not certain that our our management has full direction on what's happening with Jedapoint. Um, you know, I go back and I understand the agenda item was not >> right >> for the surplusing of the property. I got all that.

767
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>> The two sort of go hand in hand as you saw the public's interest today. But we made a promise more than once >> that it was going to be surplused. I think it's unfair to leave today

768
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without either a plan or some direction to staff. Are we going to uphold the promise we made to the taxpayers and what's to happen with that property or are we going to do something different or some hybrid version

769
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thereof? I think our staff needs is fairness needs a direction. >> This has been lingering now I know Commissioner Lockhart and I voted on this in the first or second year we were here and it had been going on long

770
03:30:49.200 --> 03:31:05.439
before that. Um so I I would just like us to give direction to staff to either you're doing nothing with it now and we can tell the public we're doing nothing or we're going to uphold the promise we made or we're doing something different

771
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there in between. So, uh, from a framing perspective for the conversation, I I I think it's a little bit different than that. I think the promise that was made a million years ago to surplus a piece

772
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of land is uh can be upheld in a lot of different ways. >> Sure. >> It doesn't necessarily have to be upheld by liquidating the property immediately. I personally would like for the team to take away what we heard today, interact

773
03:31:39.200 --> 03:31:54.560
with all of the other places that were involved in this because this it's extremely complicated based on the location and the jurisdictions and the nature of the land and all of the stuff and come back with what some good

774
03:31:54.560 --> 03:32:10.239
solutions may be. I I don't know that we have to give a directive right now on this is how it should be based on just lack of information that we have. >> Okay. So the next question I have is how are we funding the improvements at

775
03:32:10.239 --> 03:32:26.399
Rolling Hills? Where's that money coming from? Because it was to come from surplusing this property as well as transferring the easements. >> Do we have an answer or an idea at this point? >> Yeah. Yeah. No, and we brought that to

776
03:32:26.399 --> 03:32:42.960
the board in place oh a couple months ago that we would be using the one penny um for the for the development of rolling hills >> in its entirety. >> Yeah. And I believe where's Tim? Is he here? >> Did we have any ARPA funds for that? I

777
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can't remember. But we have it slated for the one penny. I know that was on on our list for the Okay. >> And if there's other any other funding, I'll let you know. I'll we'll check that. But right now, our direction was to move forward with the penny. >> Okay. Madam Chair, can I answer Commissioner? >> Y Commission, >> I believe that Commissioner Zimbab is

778
03:32:59.359 --> 03:33:15.040
correct. Our staff uh should be given some sort of direction. Uh I for one would like to see a plan put together with all the different options so that we can understand all the pros and cons almost what you said. >> I'm saying the same thing and then give direction. >> Yeah, we're just giving different words,

779
03:33:15.040 --> 03:33:32.800
>> but I'm just trying to help it along a little bit. Madam Chair, >> I think there's a lot of different options. Uh the whole intent about Jedha Point rolling hills was to cover the basic cost of the uh acquisition and then some of the uh improvements.

780
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>> So there is that $4 million worth of the acquisition that we still have to figure that out, but I think that there are a lot of different ways to do this. I want I would like to have staff give us the options, work with uh all the different departments that are out there as the comm chairman said and bring us back uh

781
03:33:49.840 --> 03:34:04.560
a couple different plans and we can actually articulate it amongst ourselves to give you full direction >> and and in there I think could be the a liquidation opportunity to another entity doubt >> city of Winter Springs. Absolutely. >> Knock yourselves out.

782
03:34:04.560 --> 03:34:23.760
>> Yeah. the um what kind of time do you think is fair for staff to bring that back to the board? >> I mean we could we could do this as quick or as uh that you I mean there's only a couple other there's a couple options. So a good a good 30 days or so

783
03:34:23.760 --> 03:34:39.600
30 to 45 days we could come back um or even two months we could come back with options >> 60 days. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I'd like I'd like for you to report back to us, you know, at the next meeting how much time you think you really need. There may be a little more issues here because there's there's an

784
03:34:39.600 --> 03:34:54.560
entrance issue, there's drainage issue, there's wildlife issues. I want to make sure that we understand all of that. >> Cool. >> Yeah, fair enough. >> Okay. Yep. That's all I have. >> All right, Commissioner Constantine. >> Yes. And I'm only going to discuss one

785
03:34:54.560 --> 03:35:10.000
thing today and that is um I wanted all of you to be aware that uh the National Association of Counties meeting was um a week ago. A lot of discussion was on AI. John

786
03:35:10.000 --> 03:35:27.680
Slott was there with me um going to various meetings and he can report on or if he want not now but whenever at the time that's appropriate. Um, but I've really thought that uh it's it's always meaningful to see that no no matter how

787
03:35:27.680 --> 03:35:43.200
many diverse the 3,000 counties in the nation are, the problems are so similar. Oh, yeah. Land use, everybody's every c state in some form or fashion is trying to take away uh the

788
03:35:43.200 --> 03:36:00.399
local government's rights, trying to reduce property tax, not their taxes, but our taxes. And um and uh so AI also I made a report at uh part of the thing was on the opio opioid summit and um

789
03:36:00.399 --> 03:36:16.720
seminal county was one of the counties that was uh highlighted and I made a report on that and um and you know and talked to a number of people that came up that were interested in what we are doing. And then also in addition to

790
03:36:16.720 --> 03:36:33.200
chocolate milk day, it is world nature conservation >> chocolate day. Chocolate milk day is a different day. I'll celebrate that as well. >> Oh, okay. Oh, I I thought it was chocolate milk day. I'm sorry. [laughter] >> Milk milk chocolate. >> Milk chocolate day. Oh, well that was

791
03:36:33.200 --> 03:36:50.239
also Commissioner Zimbau's best day of his life in that but also World Nature Conservation Day. You can eat your milk chocolate while out in nature >> protecting >> protecting and conserving wildlife >> as long as you don't litter.

792
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>> There you go. >> All good. >> Thank you, Commissioner. [snorts] >> All right. So, congratulations [clears throat] to the Semino County Chamber and Semino County Public Schools. That was a great event yesterday. I think it was the most broadly attended

793
03:37:05.120 --> 03:37:22.479
uh a sellout event. Also, a big congrats to the Seminal County Chamber. They have been named one of three communications excellence best in show winners by the ACCE, the Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives for its Chamber Works video series, which was a unique

794
03:37:22.479 --> 03:37:38.399
campaign that they ran. We [clears throat] are the only chamber that has ever won that without being a regular attendee of that event, which is a fairly significant international event. and it recognizes a lot of our own community partners like Pet Rescue

795
03:37:38.399 --> 03:37:55.200
by Judy, Hollerbox, the zoo, uh, Inloom Flores, Mechanical One, and the UCF business incubator. So, pretty cool operation. And then I'll switch to the chairman's report and just let you know that our one and only Mr. Paul Partika has

796
03:37:55.200 --> 03:38:10.960
accepted the role as alternative to the canvasing board. So, we have that base covered. >> Great. >> Great. >> And that concludes my report. I think that concludes the meeting. If there is no other Oh, public comment. I'm just going to be consistent. I'm I'm gonna

797
03:38:10.960 --> 03:38:27.600
give you a big stick. It won't matter. It won't matter. Public comment. >> That raising the yellow flag pretty well. >> Yeah. >> One speaker. It's Manuel Ruiz if he's still here. >> I think he walked out. >> And I and I believe I know what that is

798
03:38:27.600 --> 03:39:19.811
issue is. Uh so I'll follow up on that. >> Okay. >> Going once. No more speakers. >> Going once, going twice. Manuel Ruiz, are you out in the hallway? >> All right, meeting adjourned. >> Thank you guys. >> Great job. >> [music]