And madam clerk, please call the role. Mayor Robertson here. Deputy Mayor Gilbert here. Council member Paul here. Council member Urban here. Council member Fletcher here. All right. Would everyone please stand for the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence? To the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right. Thank you'all. All right. I want to thank everybody for joining us here tonight as well. Council, city manager, city attorney,
clerks. Um, first I want I want to start off. Y'all know the past the past week to couple couple weeks, you know, we've been discussing these events that we've been having and there's a lot of moving pieces and I believe council we want to
get behind and understand uh all the moving parts, why something happened this way, that way. Um I do want to say that I think parks and recck did an amazing job. I I've heard that the event out there, the proud and the cloud was an amazing event for those folks that attended. Uh I personally attended along with a few other council
members the uh Vanguard Awards, the the Black Empowerment uh group there. Um both were amazing events and we want to continue having amazing events in in our city, but we don't want to do it at the expense of the taxpayers and where we're losing money. Um that's the real problem
that I have is is is losing taxpayers dollars and that's my focus. That's my job up here. So, um, so the reason we're here, I I just want to ask some some staff some questions. Uh, council wanted to ask some questions. So, um, first we have, uh,
discussion, witness testimony, uh, regarding economic development department. And the second item on here is discussion, witness testimony regarding parks and recreation department. Um, what I'd like to do is ask the clerk if she could please administer the oath to uh, Miss Aaron Jensen and Miss
Antonet Forbes. Uh, before we get going on this, Mr. Mayor, I I've volunteered to do it since I've done it more often, I think, than the clerk has. Uh, and procedurally, it might be best to just call up the individual and when they come to the podium, we could just do it that way. Yes, sir. All right. Thank you. All right. Uh, Miss Antonet Forbes,
can we go ahead and uh, start with you? And internet, will you raise your right hand, please? Absolutely. I'm a I'm a notary, so I'm authorized to sway you. Do do you swear or affirm that the testimony you're about to provide in this manner shall be the truth? I do. Thank you.
All right. Um, Mr. Forbes, I'd look I' thank you for coming tonight to this meeting. Um, as you're aware, we've got many questions about these events and and uh I was sad to hear that you put in your your resignation uh a few weeks back and and I guess it's effective
tomorrow. So, um, but that's why it was so important because, you know, last time you were here, we were we got kind of got caught mid questions uh and you had to go off and do some run an errand, but I'm glad to have you back here. Um, I'll go ahead and get get started with
one of the questions that I have right out of the gate. Um, I know you're the economic development director and I didn't attend the Vanguard Awards last year. I went this year as amazing event. So, I know you had a hand in putting it together, the initial one, the the one last year. And
I just want to know how it took place last year, kind of how it was all laid out, what are the parameters, you know, what the city contributed to it, the application process, sponsorships, you know, given that that we participated in it last year. Absolutely. So I can give you a
chronology of events if you'd like if that would be helpful. Um of so I can tell you how we did it last year versus That's fine. Yeah. However you want to answer it, that's fine. Absolutely. So last year um in March 5th, the city joined the BCC as a Vanguard member.
That was March 5th of 2024. Then in May 13th of 2024, I had an in-person welcome and introduction meeting with the BCC president at city hall. We discussed our aligned objectives including support for entrepreneurship and small businesses. We established local networks and to
create programs and events that align with our missions. During that meeting, I toured city the city hall lobby and informed her of other potential venues within the city to host events. On a speaker call, we then reached out to the parks department to inquire about a venue availability for the marina
banquet hall for June 20th, 2024. In on May 15, 2024, I signed an internal reservation form for the Vanguard Award lunchon and sent it to the parks department. Can I ask a question real quick? Absolutely. Do you have a copy of that internal form? And I'm just
wondering what it what it looks like if you can just show it up. You don't have to give it to us. Put it on the You want to put it on the overhead? Yeah. I'm just not familiar with the internal forms. One second. Bear with me here. Actually, I'm just going to take this
one out. So that is the internal form that we complete that lets parks know that any fees that are associated with the event and what the account number um that should be built. On May 16th, there were emails that were sent between economic development and
the parks department regarding the event logistics that included seating arrangements and AV needs. On May 28th, 2024, the BCC requested access to the venue that evening before the event to set up. I coordinated with the parks department in that request to
accommodate additional setup time. June 20th of 2024, the event took place where staff and some council members attended and the city presented a symbolic check of $10,000 which represented the city's trustee level membership.
On December 12th, 2024, the BCC notified me regarding their intention to host a gospel brunch at the marina and requested a fee waiver. Between December 16th and December 18th of 2024, economic development agreed to cover the facility
rental and staff fees and inquired whether BECC verified if the facility was available, of which the parks department was copied on that email. Parks confirmed that the venue was available and requested an internal use form to be completed. I completed the
form and then that was also sent to parks and copied BCC. If you like, I can provide you a copy of that request form as well. On February 5th of 2025, I sent a text to the BCC regarding the proposed gala event because I saw it on social media
and asked if the city would receive a table for council. BCC replied in the affirmative. March 28th of 2025, I spoke with the BCC and informed them that economic development would not be covering the cost of this event as the department already committed to a
previous one and funds were limited. I also referenced that the city was a trustee level membership and as an investment to their ability to produce programming. BCC agreed and stated they would adjust their ticket price to incorporate the additional cost.
And then May 28th through the 29th of 2025, I received a text um from the BCC regarding the venue. I was then informed that the venue had been changed from the ranch to the civic center and BCC's attempt to transform the space into the
organization's visual vision. I contacted parts and BCC respectively to figure out possible alter alternate options for space and or date substitutions. And then June 16th of 2025, I received
an email from parks asking me to complete the internal use form for the facility for the facility rental for the gala. I replied that this was not a city sponsored event and then I contacted BEC to reiterate that the event was not a
city sponsored event and that economic development would not be covering any costs. At that time BCC also informed me that the Junth gospel brunch event was cancelled with an unknown rescheduled date. Is that all? Yes. All right. Thank you.
All right. So, so you first learned that the the BCC event, BECC event was not going to be held at the ranch on May 28th. Is that correct? One moment. Yes. On May 28th. Between May 28th and
May 29th. Is this a You don't mind me asking any questions, right? Um that's why I'm here. Y'all don't mind me just asking. Y'all can ask as well whenever if you want to hit your lights. This is the first time for us to do this. Um, so you first learned in May, May 28th,
but you didn't know that that months prior to that that it wasn't going to happen. And this is one of your events. Is that correct? Or how is this? No, it's not one of my events. So the gala I only found out about it through social media, which is why I sent a text saying, and the text read, "Hey, I just
saw that there's a proposed gala on social media. Will the city get a table?" of which the BCC replied yes and I said okay great because I'd like to add it to the council's calendar. Okay. So you didn't know about the event until it was advertised on social media.
Correct. And that was February 5th. Okay. I only knew about the Junth um brunch. The one last year um that was your event, correct? So that was your an internal form. You said it it it has
fees associated with it. Are there fees associated with the one that was last year? Yes, there were fees associated. Okay. Do we have the list of those fees? I do not have the list of those fees. Okay. But but that was an economic development
activity, correct? Okay. And and soon after, did they express interest in holding another one later down the road? Did they meet with parks, do you know, or economic development, any other your staff? So, the event took place on June the 20th of
2024. And then in December 12th of 2024, um that's when BCC notified me of the Gospel Brunch. Okay. Just about the Gospel Brunch. Mhm. Okay. All right. And what did the $10,000 what
did that provide to the city? And like is that a city council trustee contract or because I was on council at that time so I don't know how we how we gave that out or was that an economic development fund that is in the budget. So that it did not come out of economic
development's budget. It was a investment um to a membership very similar to how we do with for example the St. Cloud Chamber. We also have a membership to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as well at the same 10,000 level. So last year in 2024, that was
our first year becoming members of the BEC and in fact we were considered a founding member. Okay. Where did the money come from? Like what department do you are you familiar with that? If it's not economic development city manager, you may be able to answer that. It's in
the city council's budget. Yeah. Okay. That's what I was I didn't want to miss if it was budget. That's what I was asking. If it was a budget item or if it was similar to the St. cloud chamber or the main street or well actually correction last year it was in the budget as the African-American chamber
however um Antranet recommendation was to switch it to the BEC because she was trying to get events in St. Cloud and and so that's where the the change happened. Okay. Correct. So we were previous members to the African-American
Chamber of Commerce. However, um after several conversations with them, there was not a lot of activity that was that was happening for St. Cloud. And in fact, the African-American Chamber president had mentioned that there was um because of the distance between where
they are and where St. Cloud was, there was uh trouble trying to find events and people that would that would come. Mayor, may I interrupt, mayor? Yes, sir. And the only reason why I want to interrupt because you weren't here at the previous council and the only
question I have to Miss Forbes is was it was out of the city council budget. Was that approved by the city council city manager? I guess so. That was where you and I had a meeting last year that we did a bad job explaining that we had moved from the African-American chamber
to the BEC. Um Okay. Again, I I don't know. I'm I'm taking notes. This is going real fast. And I I support all groups. I just didn't know if it was approved by the city council. So, it wasn't communicated at that present time. Not a big deal, but I just want to
make sure that we moving forward that those kind of memberships or initiatives are approved by the council. So, I'm sorry, mayor, for interrupting you. I just need clarification on that and I apologize for that. And we did meet on that. We did talk about it. So, you're definitely 100% right. Uh, Ron, I'm
sorry, Ron. If that's okay, if I tried to leave that, I yel back to you, mayor. All right. Thank you. And what what did the I'm sorry, the $10,000, what did that give us give the city as a trustee? Thank you. You did ask that question. Let me make sure I
answer it. Please stand by. You're fine. So under that membership, we were considered a corporate corporate catalyst supporter. Um and so we had it included opportunities to host
online and in-person events and included recognition on all BEC materials, invitations to exclusive events, um opportunities to be featured in collaborative community um initiatives as well as a dedicated liaison for partnership coordination and discounts
to event sponsorships. And I can also tell you more specifically what we've done with them. Give me one second. Okay. So, since then we have included them on um a lot of the activity that the uh city is going that may be of interest to
its members. So, for example, um we sent them information on our how to do business connect series um with the Florida Turnpike with Goa. We also sent them information when the city had 22 active bid solicitations to try to find some potential vendors. We sent them
information um as um showcasing some of the highlights that the city did. For example, when we won the uh FEDC award for the city's website, we also had them feature information in their newsletter. Um on some of the items that I spoke
about, they also invited us in the city, specifically me, participated in their leadership nonprofit breakfast with Goodwill Industries. We also I served on their economic development leaderships discussion panel where they had a um uh
community stakeholder meeting called first to lead charge for change in OciOla County where there were several economic development leaders that talked about some of the progress and work um that St. Cloud had done. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome.
So when you first found out of about this event for this year, you said that was February 5th on social media. You didn't have any conversation with with um the BEC, any of the the directors on that board from last year to this year. We had not talked about a
gala. We had only spoken about the uh brunch. Okay. You didn't receive any emails or you had no communication about the ranch or or an event out the ranch or an event other than the brunch. That's the only thing that was discussed and that's why I sent a text that said,
I just saw on social media there's a proposed gala. Will the city get a table? Okay. And I say the ranch because I know that that was the original location for this and that's it wasn't the civic center earlier um you know by when you first recognized that there was an event. It was advertised as the
ranch. That's correct. I don't remember where it was. I just saw that it was an event and I remember because once I was told that yes, the city would get a table, I then sent an email to um city man assistant saying, "Hey, there's an event coming up so that we can put it on
the city council's calendar." Okay. When was the the gospel brunch? When was that one supposed to be? Just a moment. It was supposed to be June the 22nd, 2025.
It's pretty close to this one. So, from later on conversations, I was informed that it was cancelled because it was so close to the um the gala event and they had the same volunteers. It was just going to be too much. Um and there was
such a such a tight timeline in trying to get the venue ready for the gala that they decided they were going to postpone it. but they did not have a date yet. Okay. So, when they scheduled the You didn't find out until later that it's because
it was close to the br to the uh the gala, right? I I I assume the brunch was still going on. So, that call was made, I believe, June the 16th, if I'm not mistaken. Yes, that's when I found out
that the brunch had been cancelled. All right. Thank you. Okay. And when you do an internal form that goes directly to parks and wreck for any of the facilities that Yes. Yeah. No, that's fine. Um and I assume that's you have that direction. You're
allowed to do that through through your position with the city. Correct. So there are other events that we have done with um with partners. For example, we did an event with Habitat for Humanity where when we were advertising our re-roofing program and we wanted to
invite participants to come so they can learn more information on what the qualifications were for that. We had it at Canary Park. So I placed a call to parks and wreck and ask them if they have space available and what day and time is available. And then I fill out an internal use form or I believe it's
called internal use. I fill out the internal form and I submit it over. It said for internal use, so I think that's why the Yes. Okay. Thank you. Okay. I don't have any other questions right now. Um council, if I may, mayor.
Yes, sir. Uh in in 2024, it was a great uh event at Krabby Bills and I hope I I was lucky to be there. So, and it was a great event and our our membership was a $10,000 membership and that was through economic development. Correct. No, that
was not through economic development. So, initially, uh, we we had an individual membership at $1,000 and that came out of economic development at first, um, because we were transitioning from the African-American Chamber over
to BEC. And then once I got more information from the BEC and what their pillars of um, their um, what's the word I'm looking for? Their things that are important to them,
right? Let's use that things to do checklist. Is that correct? And then I saw that they aligned there's different colors for correct the importance of it. Yeah. Um I saw that they aligned with uh economic development what we were trying to do which included bringing more types of diverse events to the city um and
specifically for our businesses. And so then I had requested that we come in I requested through the city manager that we come in at a larger um contribution a larger investment. Okay. Thank you. Uh uh and you said there's 22 businesses
that uh had um from that event that looked at St. Cloud as a possibility. Uh I I don't know how you explained it, but there's 22 different reads or individual I I'm sorry. No, that's okay. Let me help that. What I was saying is that one
of the things that we um asked the BCC to help us with is at one point through our procurement department, we had over 22 active bid solicitations. We were looking for vendors to provide goods and services to the city. Everything from from HVAC, you know, to just general
cleaning. We were looking for businesses. So, I had asked the BC to help advertise that out to hopefully get some businesses that would bid out on our projects. and they I'm assuming and I don't know but I apologize but I'm assuming they have a website and they
have a a a group or a following or members that that could actually economically impact us through a great hosted event at Krabby Bills and uh I I'm going to have to redact something I said we did talk about 222 and and how it was funded so I apologize for asking
twice I knew how that was funded I was just trying to get the transition in in how that happened but uh the last thing I have to say is that thank you very much um for uh your five years of great service to to the city. Six years, sir. Six years. I I knew the fivey year award. I got some times. I'm 62. You got
to give me a little bit of time. A year happens. But thank you for your service and I and I hope you uh have a a productive future in whatever you do and and I wish you the best and I yield back to you, Mayor. Yes, sir. Thank you, Council Member Paul. I just have one
question. And um so I had seen the the flyer as well um which was posted on January 29th and I had personally screenshotted because I thought it was a cool event um being that it was going to be at the ranch um because it did have that location on there and I know we got
invites from Kelly invites. It was the ranch as well as the civic center. So, I did ask Kelly to confirm, this was later on, um I want to say back in May, where Kelly confirmed with BEC which um location it was going
to be at which had changed to the civic center. Um what was the date that you had confirmed with BEC that you were um not going to sponsor the event? It was. Please hold March 28th, 2025
and then again June 16th. No, Miss Forbes, were those uh emails or phone calls? Both were phone calls. Both are phone calls. Yes. There was never any email requesting um for that event. For that event, I mean the gala. There was never an email requesting about the
gala. Only about the brunch. Okay. And you said you called her June what day? Again? Again? June 16th. Okay. What is is that because I mean m they were saying that that was going to be sponsored. So you called her again to
just to say listen we talked about this or what? Well, no. So, I was um attending a professional development training, but I received an email during that training from parks that asked me to complete the internal use form. And so, I replied back, "This is not a city
sponsored event." And then during the break of that class, I called Parks and reiterated what I said in email and asked, "Would you like me to reach out to the BCC directly?" They said yes. I then reached out to BCC and reiterated
that no, we would not be covering the fees. All right. I assume parks reached out because they spoke with um the BEC. I can't make an assumption. I can only tell you the part that I was involved in. Okay. Council member Paul. Um is
there a like an agreement between you and um BEC? um from last year that would basically renew roll over to this year as partnership like we have with um St. Cloud Chamber and um Main Street and
other partners in the community. We do not have an agreement with the BCC although I do know that we've been discussing that as a staff level that now we need to put an agreement in place. In the past what we've done is we have come in as a both the BCC as well as the
Hispanic Chamber. came in at a um significant $10,000 level and we simply asked that they would promote as well as conduct at least one event within the city per year. All right. Any other questions for them?
Just one more promote or conduct. That means they suggest having an event here or they promote an event. I'm just Well, allow me to and suggestion. We had the same thing with OU that they said they were going to help us with economic development and then I asked for the contract and they said, "Oh, no. We just
talked about it." And for me, I'm I'm really big into contractual agreements because in the 80s we shook hands. It was a deal. In 2025, it's not a deal until it's inked up. So, that that's just a question I had. you they were going to provoke events here or have an
event here where they spent money in the city. I I just clarification I yield back after the answer. I thank you for asking for that clarification because you're absolutely right. So what I had requested was for them to conduct at least one event in the city per year. So
in the example of the Hispanic Chamber, they did the OLA in the Park event that happened at the lakefront. For the example of BCC, they did the Vanguard Awards that happened at um the Marina Banquet Hall. And so the gospel brunch that was
supposed to occur at the Marina Banquet Hall would have been their event for 2025. All right. Um I got one other question. So you were able to secure a table for us to attend that. Correct. I made a request. I said I saw this event. Will
the city have a table? All right. So, like are we like a table to purchase or? Well, you mean what do you mean will the city have a table? Like are we buying a table? Like are they reserving one for us to buy or My question was in
reference of will we have a table? That was my exact words. Will we have a table? Now, if you're asking what was the inference, I was inferring will we have a table reserved for city council to purchase? No. Will we have a table reserved and available since we are a
substantial member? We are a trusty level member. Will we have a table that is already reserved for the city? Okay. Yeah. And that's why last year we gave a $10,000 that bought us a table at last year's event. So, no. So, the event does not purchase us a table. That investment
simply says that we are now going to partner in order to promote in the case of the BCC, we're promoting um diverse businesses. We are promoting entrepreneurship, workforce development. We are asking for help in connecting the dots with some of their partners in
order to expand what our echo economic footprint looks like. So it is an investment in that relationship. Now having a table would simply be um almost a perk of that membership. However, it is not a requirement. So if the BC
did I get enough C's in there? If the BCC had said, "No, we do not have a table or there is a table available for you for purchase," then the city would have to make the decision of whether or not we wanted to purchase a table. But the table is not mutually exclusive of
the agreement. Okay. So, last year when we got a table is because we gave $10,000. No. No. Last time. Last year when we got a table, bear with me. No, that's all right. Take your time. Would you like some water? Do we have some? I'm sorry. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Two of them. All
right. Chiefs to the rescue. Such a first responder. Sorry. Allergies. So last year when we received a table, once again, it was a it's a perk of that membership, but it is not a payforplay.
We did not by giving them the $10,000, we automatically get a table now. Okay. So, but but the table was part of the membership. You said a perk. It's not had nothing to do with like for the event space at all. That's not why we
got a table last year. I wasn't here last year, so I don't know exactly what the deal was. Um, and I wish we had we had an agreement other than an internal, hey, design, you know, reserve this space. But is there an agreement from last year saying here's why you guys are
getting a a table? Y'all got a table last year, right? So, Council Member Gilbert, Deputy Mayor Gilbert said he went to it last year. Correct. And he did. My invite must have got lost in the mail. So, no, there was no agreement for the
table. What they did provide us was um a investment um what's the word portfolio that basically says by you being a cat corporate catalyst supporter, these are the things that you know you get under your $10,000. So you get tailored
partnership opportunities, opportunities to host online and in in-person events, recognition on all BCC materials, invitations to exclusive events, opportunities for feature collaborations and community partnerships, dedicated liaison for partnership coordination and
discount on event sponsorships. So that is part of the the $10,000. So when the Vanguard Award Yeah. Vanguard award event that occurred in 2024. The table was not an automatic um
an automatic thing that we that the city received. It was simply a request of is this table reserved for the city or do we need to purchase this table for the city? And so they offered the table for the city because we were at that time one of their founding members. Okay. So,
you believe that the the table because I don't have there's no written agreement and that's where this is um open for whatever the the players involved who made the deal. So, the city council got a table at that event
had it had nothing to do with the membership other than it was I don't know what you call that if it's not part of the membership. I can't really say a perk because that implies that it's part of it. Um it had nothing to do with the facility.
the fact that the city gave the facility for free last year. They they didn't receive the the table because the city gave the facility to them. I think that's a question more for the BCC on why they offered us the table. I can just tell you what our part of it was.
And so our part was we are looking to form a partnership, an alliance with the BCC who we think is going to be exceptional in helping us reach a particular demographic of businesses that up until that point we did not have
any a real connection with or a method to to reach them. And so that is why we decided to partner with the BC just because of prior we tried to partner with the African-American chamber. So now that we have this partnership in place, well I also had requested if they
can do at least one event in the city and so the event they chose to do was that that Vanguard Awards and so um once they toured the facility it was well hey you know why don't you you can stage here you can that was part of the
logistics coordination of let's see how we can make this event work. There were several organizations including I know Ayola County was also there um and uh Valencia College and several other um groups that were also there as well. I know that they had um purchased some
tables but that request had never come to the city about purchasing a table. So she just threw us a freebie. You'd have to ask her that you're Well, we didn't pay for it. We did not pay for a table. Okay. So, um, do you know what these tables go for at this event? I
wouldn't know because I never saw it. I didn't have to pay. Sure, but I I wouldn't know. They did not send an invoice. They did not request us to pay for it. So, I don't I don't know what the cost is. I I hear they're pretty hefty. Um, so when we got a table this year, from what you understand, that was just
another freebie. I I don't know. As far as far as I'm aware, I can only make the request and I have to wait back for the response. So the response I received was yes, the city will have a table. Okay. And who would be sitting at the table? What was the that wasn't a free that
that wasn't determined. In fact, usually when the city is offered um tables at events or whether they are paid for or not, my understanding I always submit it to the city manager's office so she can first check to see if council is available and then if they are not, it
will be extended um to staff. So, when I requested if the city had a table, my response back in that text was, "Great. I'll let the city council know." Okay. And would that be um So, we got a table. That's why I'm wondering who paid for
our seats because I attended that and and uh if nobody paid for it, then I received a gift and I need to file a a form with the ethics commission that I received a an expensive gift. Is that correct, Dan? Say it again. I'm sorry. If I received a
a dinner that's in excess of $100, no matter what avenue it came from, we have to file that. No, not not if you receive it in your capacity as an elected official and that's what they are. So, it's part of your it's part of your role as an elected official. Okay.
And that's it. I didn't know who paid for it. I know I didn't pay for it and you're saying the city didn't pay for it, so we were given it. But if it's through the city, we don't have to That's correct. Okay. Um, I spoke with Miss Jeffers and said she said those tables are running for $3,000, the one that we got. And that's a pretty hefty
amount that uh uh Council Member Gilbert, Deputy Mayor, just uh one question. We became members for the economical um well-being of the city of St. Cloud. in calendar year 2024 when we became these
members until 2025. What economical impact or positive impact did that do? If we want to do this again, I need to know some ROI. What was the impact of the the investment in 2024 uh 12 months later has there been any
results I guess is what I'm looking for. Is there any inquiries? has been any small businesses or anything like that's opened uh through this investment and and again I don't know sometimes it takes more than a year but there should be a road to path for success on the ROI
and I I'm sorry about abbreviating because I tell everyone not to re return on our investment as a city uh of St. Cloud. Absolutely. So to your question and also your partial answer, it it does take more than than 12 months to really
you know take a look and see what is from your base year from where you've grown. Um BCC itself is a new organization and so they are also growing their membership. But I can tell you that through the evolving uh partnership that we have one of the
things that have have remained consistent is on both on the city side as well as BC side is exposure exposing um the members of the BC to St. Cloud as well as St. Cloud being exposed to some of his BCC members. So the list
I gave you before about some of the events that we had participated in with them where we served or we served as panelists um as well as they've helped us market a lot of the activities that the city is doing whether they're educational programming or also there to
help um the community or help other businesses. Our attendance has increased at a lot of our events. We've also been able to get some uh email addresses so that um so like for example the information that we send out like newsletters and such we can now segment
that particular part of the population that we can send them information that may be important to them. So for example in 2024 if I'm not mistaken there were some grant opportunities that came available specifically for minority owned businesses. And so we were able to
funnel that information through through the BCC as well as the Hispanic Chamber, but that helps give us a portal to a demographic that I did not have before. Just one follow question, Mayor F. Uh I think at this uh banquet you won an award. What was it for? I believe it was
for economic excellence. I yield back to you, mayor. All right. Thank you. Um, what what when when does our trustee membership expire from last year? The $10,000? I believe it was just renewed,
if I'm not mistaken. We were in July. I think it renewed in March perhaps. So, that table that we received is kind of a perk of that, you think, as to why you think maybe that's why they gave it
to us because we renewed our membership? I you'd have to ask the BCC. Okay. That's a significant investment from the city where we don't really know what we're getting out of it. Um but you said you just learned in March March 28th,
but you you didn't really deal with those folks January, February. I mean, what did we do during that membership time? You like I'm a I was a member of the Ocula Chamber and I know I went to events every month with them. Iworked.
Uh we do that on council. I'm I'm the representative for the chamber. Council member Paul I know is on Main Street in the chamber St. Cloud. And so we participate. So um I'm just trying to I'm just asking you. This has really has um not related to the event itself, but
the membership and what we're getting out of it and you know why we're investing in that if we're not participating as much as I think we should be. So I can tell you that the BCC does a plethora of events. However, you know, we're a small but mighty staff here. So, they invite us to all of their
events. I can't necessarily go to every event that is invited, although I try. Um, and then to your question or comment in reference to what do you get out of it? So, I did see here. So under their pillar of economic development, the BCC
listed their objective was to foster economic growth and opportunities in the black community through in excuse me entrepreneurship support workforce development and financial empowerment which included support entrepreneurship and small businesses through program development. Facilitate job fairs,
business expose and financial literacy workshops, establish networks with local businesses and financial institutions and advocate for economic policies that benefit the community. They have worked on all of those things throughout the year and a half, two years we've been
working with them, but as I've stated, I am not available to go to every event that they that they have. Okay. So, you believe it's a it's a great investment still? I do. Okay. Good. And you believe this past month we renewed it or this month? We just We certainly renewed it.
As far as the date of when it was, I I think it may have been March or I I can't tell you quite honestly because it didn't go through. Um, I did not process it, but I don't do know that the invoice came in and that they were they received their their payment. Right. They they
didn't get a big check this year. A big the symbolic check. Symbolic check. No, we didn't do the symbolic check. Okay. All right. Thank you. All right. And Miss Aaron Jensen. Good evening. Aaron, raise your right
hand, please. Do you swear or affirm that the testimony you're about to provide in this matter shall be the truth? Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Erin. Thanks again for coming tonight. It's uh with these events, it's it's very complicated. We know you know these things better than any of us and that's why I asked that that you'd be here
tonight. All right. Um Miss Forbes talked about the internal applications and that process. Yes. Is that for any facility? Is that just she can just turn it in and it's
automatically granted or how how does that work? Yeah. So any department in the city if they want to utilize one of the parks and recreation facilities, we have them fill out that internal reservation form. If the facility is available, the director of the requesting department has to sign off
that they will um cover the staff fees for the staff that may be needed or may not be needed at some cases to set the the room up. Okay. And those are how does that get I guess they just transfer it out of their one fund to the other one to give me an account number when we
turn in payroll that account number goes with that just to keep proper accounting for okay it's not just say hey throw the staff in there and parks takes care of it. No yeah because you'll blow through your budget pretty fast won't you? Yes we would. Okay. And what how are the the the your
regular application requests from economic development? Well, that's the the economic development, but the your typical ones like online. So, when they come in from from economic development or from No, no, from the public. From the public. Um, it depends on which facility and how they want to do it.
Generally they would call um either the civic center location or the community center location and speak to staff ask if the I want to have set event um on this date with this many of people and we would you know help them out and say
we have these op these options for you and go from there. Okay. And if that's what they want then they would follow up with filling out an application to reserve the facility. Okay. Um, I I will say that y'all had a very busy weekend
that weekend and uh I was at the the Vanguard Awards. I know uh I was one of the last to leave and the Parks and Rec staff, they were just leaving the Proud and the Cloud event, showing back up to the Civic Center and and uh I know it was a very long day for all of y'all. So, uh I appreciate every one of y'all for for participating and helping out
with those events. I didn't get the phone call because I wanted to wear a park shirt, clean up the garbage out there, but nobody called me. Um but I did have a fantastic time. I think Miss Forbes, that event that you put together last year, I think it worked. I think that that was an amazing event full of
of business leaders in that room. Uh I know the school district was there, the we had schoolboard members, you had the Ocula County had a table and um it was just great to see a number of folks there. So, we need more of that stuff in our city. And Erin, thank you for you and your
staff for allowing that to to take place at that facility as well. All right. Um, now I'm going to get into the the ranch property. So, what what is the process for reserving that property? So, when it
comes to the let's just say the the Vanguard group or the the BEC for the Vanguard event, when did you first hear about the them want the ranch property? Um, I I have a timeline, too. Um I and I don't know if you were dealing directly
with them or not, but I know you intermittently intermittently. Um I had an initial meeting with them October of 2024. Uh and this was more of an introductory meeting um learning about their organization, what they represent, um and explaining uh what our department
does. And you know, after that, um, I didn't really hear a whole lot more about this event until, let me see,
March 31st, um, because I'm on the BEC newsletter also. So, I had received, um, an email from Miss Jeffers about the Renaissance event. Um, and I had asked our event manager if you know the city was
participating in this if again if they were going to have an inind or if they were going to have a table at the event. Okay. Um, and then moving forward to May 28th, 2025, um, I received a phone call from
the economic development director, um, explaining that the Miss Jeffers with the BEC wanted to view the civic center, uh, Jim B location for a gala they were putting on and could I show them how this facility could be transformed. Since I was already in the location, it
was not a bother for me to meet them and walk them through the facility. Okay. So, it was uh Miss Forbes on because she said she received a text regarding the venue change. That's when aunt Miss Forbes realized that the venue was changing, but she contacted you to say
asked if the civic center was available. That's when you first No, she didn't ask me if the civic center was available. She said, "Could I show Miss Jeffers and the team from the BEC the civic center, Jim B, and help explain to them how we could transform that that space?" Okay.
All right. All right. So, that came from that was she was just helping out an organization that we're a trusty partner of. I assume that that's um and thank you for doing that. Um but that's the first you had learned about that. It it's they didn't they tooured the ranch back in October, but you never heard
anything about it. I didn't tour them at the ranch in October. No, this was a meeting in my office in October. Okay. All right. And then you never heard anything else about the ranch until May 28th. On May 28th, I didn't hear about the ranch either. It was just to show them that facility when I was show, you
know, showing them different options of turning lights on and how we could, you know, lift the hoops up into the ceiling. Um, and then the option of pipe and drape to help camouflage the room. Um, and then I by chance I just asked in conversation what is the date. Uh, she
told me that the date was going to be on June 21st. Knowing how busy that weekend already was, I had gone to my facility or excuse me, my recreation supervisor who schedules the staff for our rentals and
asked him had he scheduled the team for this and that was when we did not have a reservation for use of that facility. Okay. Um, it's funny because I got questions back and forth on this, but um, because both
of y'all had conversations with Miss Jeffers or anybody from the BECC, correct? That's it. It seems like we had two different departments dealing with the organization. Uh, last year it started off with the Krabby Bills. Um,
then in October, I'm just trying to understand how we got to this. And then in October, they sat in your office and talked about having it anywhere, not a specific place. We talked about several different events. We didn't specifically focus on just the Renaissance event. We talked about several different events, events
that had already taken place at the ranch, how we had done things like that, events that had taken place at the Marina Bank Hall. It was just a very open conversation. It wasn't, you know, detail oriented as to this date, this time, this location, this particular event. It was more of like a introductory. Okay. And so nobody at
parks and recck talked to them about being at the ranch at any specific date that you know of? Nope. Okay. Not at that time. Okay. Okay. Um you're aware that we we um the council that that we gave a uh
significant discount to uh the LGBTQ well it was the St. Cloud Pride Alliance Proud Cloud event is at that time that's what we gave the discount at the ranch property. Yes. We for the use of the ranch facility they paid what they would
have utilized um the facility at the lakefront the performing arts pavilion. Yeah. And as it was explained to me that because the city of St. Cloud had the lakefront under construction it was going to be it was going to be under construction and um but because of
that they weren't going to be able to have it at the lakefront. So alternative venue was alternate venue was the ranch. Correct. Okay. Um, do you who do you know who gave that alternate venue like offered that up as a that would have
most likely been our event our special event manager since she handles the special event permits. Okay. All right. All right. And um so we've gone through the past couple meetings on how that transpired obviously and and we don't have to get
into too much of that tonight. Um, but so you're saying at no point that so when we as a council because we had no idea that I had never heard of the BEC, I didn't realize that we were trusty members of that. Uh, I I wish I did. I was um I would have loved to have met
Miss Jeffers and her board sooner. Uh but and also I didn't know about the the proud and the cloud and um well I didn't until that meeting I didn't realize the lakefront was going to be under construction that we were going to have
to make that decision and I thought it was we didn't have enough information at that well I thought I had enough information. I think we all thought we had the right information but we didn't have the information that that we should have had. So we made that deal. It was what it was. Um but so at no point
nobody contacted anybody and said hey you got to move to the civic center. That's Miss Forbes contacted you in May and said hey they're looking for a venue the the Vanguard folks um the BEC the Vanguard event according how you
remember it. Yes Forbes she contacted me and asked if I could show them the facility and how that we could transform it for a gala or for an event. Okay. That was in May May 28th. Correct. Okay. And so the I think I believe our council
meeting was February 13th and then I saw um the deputy city manager he actually provided some uh some of the documents. Um the application for the ranch was for the proud in the cloud was the 19th. The second application was Yes. The second
one. Yeah. Because the first one was at the lakefront. Correct. The second was the 19th and um uh the deputy city manager provide us a timeline of when they made their payments and that was approximately 32 days later was the first payment. Is
that correct? Or was there any other payments prior to Are you asking about the proud in the cloud event and their payments? Yeah, I saw there there were two payments uh which weren't the the police or the security deposit. Um do we
have a a breakdown of those pay of the rest the the other payments the security deposit and the police? I don't know those the invoice for their special event application and the um items requested for that and the
reservation form. But the reservation form I have is after the city council meeting on February 13th. Okay. And the the first invoice that was of course after our council meeting as well because they you couldn't process. Yeah. We don't we don't prepare an invoice until we've gone through the DRC
meeting with the applicant. Okay. All right. So, the first invoice that was the first check that they spent um to reserve the property and and and lock it down. The first Sorry, I'm looking for the date on here.
I know we they received the bill on March 10th, 2025. The bill for how much? This is for the facility at the ranch for $1,915.20. Sorry, March what? March 10th. March 10th. Thank you. That was when they
received the the bill and then they paid the invoice soon after. Mhm. Correct. What was the amount? Did you I'm sorry. What was the amount on that one for the facility? $1,91520. Okay. And so that's the first check that they sent was March 10th payment. So
they they they submitted the application February 19th, but the first payment on the $4,600 and some odd dollars, Scott, is that right? Of the total amount invoice. Um, but that's the first payment on that
total balance. The that that payment was for the facility and then they get another invoice for the special event uh application or the permit fee and the other resources that they use for the event. Okay. And and which invoice was
the security deposit in? The security deposit um would be in the facility. We don't take a security deposit for special events. You don't take a You don't take a security deposit for special events. Okay. Um but for facility rental, you do. Yes.
Okay. But there were there were no payments made prior to March 10th at all according to your records. Correct. Okay. So okay so the the Scott had the deputy city manager had given us a a timeline I
believe in the last meeting that it was uh the 191520 uh and then June 6th the final invoice was paid in the amount of 274210 for grand total4 4657. See, I was close on the 46. Uh, says not inclusive of the police fees they paid in the amount of
$1,550 and a $500 security deposit. But you're saying that there is no security deposit. There is a security deposit for the facility. There is not a security deposit with a special event permit. Okay. So, when did they pay the $500 for the for the facility? I would have to check with our facility supervisor
because I don't have that breakdown. Deputy city manager, are you familiar with that? Okay. That's fine. I was just curious. Right. What that would have been with like is there a way of paid with the application process? Like when you submit an application, can
you pay online for a facility? Um once you've would you submit an application in person? So you would do that security deposit in person for a facility rental? You do it in person. Okay. Gotcha. So any the online applications that's
just the events you guys don't the special event permit is an online application. Correct. Okay. That's just the permit to be able to do it on the facility on the the grounds. Yeah. You the way the process goes is if an applicant, you know, puts in a special
event application online, we receive it. If they have a facility requested with that application, we check with our facility supervisor to see if that venue is available and then the team works together to make sure that both applications go simultaneously or you
know deposit prior to and you know the final invoice for the special event after. Okay. And I hope you understand a lot of the confusion comes between the the venue and the special event. But you know when I I was sent the venue form along with how we're coming up with the
fees to charge and the fees to charge was came was directly off the venue form in the next sentence that said of course we all know now the one person of staff per 75 um attendees. Um, but also in
there it it it it's um it talks about that when you use that if we're using that form and those rates and that facility, they I think that the deputy city manager told us that they actually filled out a facility rental
agreement as well on top of that. So they they're doing both, right? Correct. Okay. Yeah, we require them to do both. They did both, but not the facility before the special event, right? They did facility rental and then they signed the the venue. You you put in you apply for a special event permit prior to a
facility rental. Okay. And then they did the facility rental following the the correct the special event. Okay. Yeah. And that and that was confirmed by the deputy city manager that they did in fact sign the uh facility rental agreement. Um, and when I looked at that
and and the deputy city manager actually provided that to me, it actually says that um, let me u it says that booking requests made on a first come first service and and that's great. You know, whoever gets it in first. Uh, one half of the rental
fee plus $500 refundable security deposit required to reserve your date and validate your contract. Um, but we're saying we have that would be exclusive if it was only a facility rental. Is that somewhere in the documents that we provide? No, it
is not that we have access access to No. Okay. So, they don't have to do they they do put the Okay. So, I'm just trying to understand. So, they they rent the land for the for the the the permit to do the land event, but then they rent the
facility, too. Um, according to to deputy city manager, he he provided us with a timeline that said that they had to fill that out because they're using the inside facility. Right. Right. So, if they're utilizing
the venue at they would do the facility rental form along with their special event application. And they did they did well according to the deputy city manager. I haven't seen the that actual filled out document. I have a blank one. Um, would you like to see it? Which one
is that one? I'm sorry. This is the one from the LGTP plus center of Orlando, Proud in the Cloud at the Ranch. This is their rental form. Well, that's not the one that he referenced. The the ranch form. Uh, I'm sorry, the um the the the form, the rules and regulations,
everything at the ranch, right? This is the one that they fill out initially with our with our team. Okay. You sent me something different. The blank where we take the fees off of it. That's I've never seen this document. Uh, and you may have sent this, but the one that I that you sent me was a blank
one that it it actually showed the rates on it. You remember where you took the rates from that that how you came up with these cover page? That's just the cover page. No, the one that I've got is a few page document that it's a it's it's all the rules and regulations. Uh
and and you said that they actually filled out that one because they needed to adhere to those rules and regulations and that's where these fees were taken from on how we got the 4,000 600 some odd number you know whatever that number was and I know you say that
it's you don't have the old form with the old rates right were able to find that form okay can we you don't have it with you now okay I don't expect I mean obviously there's a lot of moving parts with this, but that form that you had sent me was actually
the old form, I believe, because it was October of 2024. Um, not the new one because we didn't we changed those rates, I believe two months ago, three months ago. So, it was the old form that I had, those numbers. I I I happen to see that today that it
was the revised uh October 2024 form with those rates. So, um so they did fill that one out. whatever aside from this one, they filled the rules and regulations form. Correct. They did. Okay. Thank you. All right. And in
there, that's the one that that's where I took the the the security deposit and everything else and Okay. But they they had they had paid for the permit fee uh in on March 10th. That's they paid for the facility rental on March 10th. The invoice and the permit fee and all the other resources utilized for the event
came after. Okay. Okay. Okay. Thank you. All right. Uh council, do you all have any questions? I don't know if this is uh who to appropriate these questions to, mayor. So, um maybe the city manager will come
back or to do that because I I want to look at the I just received today um uh this morning the city of St. Cloud uh 202425 community sport grant final summary of the event.
I just received it via email today and I just wanted to ask questions because it I think we sponsored at 12,000. Can we let her sit down? Is it for Please do. I don't know who it's for. Please sit down. Yeah, you can sit down. Rest your lights. And I don't know who to ask
these questions to. Mayor, I I just don't want anybody you want in the room. Well, well, anybody up here? Could you I'm sorry, Scott. I I just So, are I I just received this today. It's called the City of St. cloud community support
grant final summary dated 6:30 2020 uh uh at 5:00 p.m. Are you familiar with that? Uh I just saw that today. Okay. And and July 3rd, this summary was produced uh June 30th and I've received
it today on July 3rd, which sometimes takes time. So, but we're up here today at the same time. So, I didn't have a chance to review it or ask these questions. So, with the council's pleasure, if I may ask these questions, would that be okay, council? Yes, sir. Okay. Part of this community grant, did
the city city agree uh to uh pay for the St. Cloud fire and rescue paramedics in St. Cloud? Well, again, I I I want to make sure that we're we're clear that this is a completely separate process that has nothing to do with the event.
That what you're referencing, the community grant program is the grant that organizations submit through the procurement department. Um that has nothing to do with uh special events or the economic development. Okay. So, that
we grant to them I think $1,250. Yes, sir. That's correct. Was a security grant. So that's part of the grant process, right? Yes. Completely outside of any other of these talking about now is that is this part of the grant process also?
I'm I'm unclear what you're you're what you're talking about the $1,250 grant. That is something completely separate from any event or or activity. the that organization uh actually their grant that they had applied to was specific to
that event, but that had no bearing on any of the event operation or permits or anything of that nature. And I appreciate and today's July 3rd and everyone's getting psyched up for July 4th. It's holiday's coming on and uh people are just, you know, really excited about not being here but being
with their family, including myself. So, so since I got this today, I don't know who to ask these questions to. Who who with the city or the council approved that the Blackhawk security would be paid for by the city? City manager. I
see you hit your line. It it was not paid for by the city, but that what I was trying to address was that the the form that was sent out today at the end of um the event that they received the grant for. Everyone who receives a grant has to file a report at the end with the
details from um the grant. And I believe that's what was sent out earlier today. That's what they submitted to us. I had one council member request it. So I forwarded it forwarded the document to all of the council. Um but we did not
pay for Blackhawk security. They they paid for it. Okay. And thank you very much. And that's why it's confusing. That's why I just got at 3:30 today and 6:30 meeting. Then it says uh uh name the event uh which funding was received the second annual proud in the cloud and
and part of that document the funding that was received was Blackhawk security. Uh there was a bunch of line items I didn't know. Right. That that's from the organization itself. Go ahead. Um that's you know any organization that that receives a grant from the city
through the community grant process that everybody applies through that that council has already discussed last meeting few meetings. So that's just their expenses for their event. So the proud cloud event paid $6,56630
for fire. Uh I would have to go back. I could tell you exactly what they Well, I'm just reading from what I get from you guys. I I don't know who, but that $6,566. It's it's it has an extra zero in it, so
it could be $65,660. Did council, have you received this report? Yes, sir. I received it. Okay. So, uh that was paid for by Crowd and the Clout. Yes, sir. That the fire and rescue was paid by Cloud. Yep. All all staffing was was paid for uh by that
exciting cuz when I saw this today I'm go woo. Oh no that's again I think um you know we've got three separate things that we're we're talking about. So you're right it it can be a bit confusing. That is the community grant process completely separate from anything else. What you're looking at is
following the grants, uh, when the events are completed, the recipients of the grant have to provide to the city a breakdown of how they spent all of their funds for whatever it was they received that grant dollar from. So, so you so I I want to conclude this because we're
all ready for Fourth of July because greatest country in the world and all that. It really is. And that's my favorite day. Uh, because my grandkids come over. But uh so you're telling me that this $26,311 in cents was not none of it was paid for
by the city of St. Cloud. That's correct. Perfect. The things that were paid by the city of St. Cloud was a $1,250 grant and the additional personnel that we put on the ranch. Yes. Correct. So may I ask in procurement or somebody that tells me
where this money was? I I I I believe you all, but I'd like to see the $6,000 check from the fire department from Parl Cloud. I'd like to see that. I I just don't want to absorb this. Not that it wasn't a good event. I went I thought it was a great event, but that's is not
what the taxpayer should pay for. Yeah. They they don't they don't pay for any of that. They had to pay directly to the police department and to the fire department. Fire department has an invoice. Yes, sir. And Chief Miller's there. You have an invoice for $6,500 and it's paid. Council member, Deputy Mayor Gilbert, I'm going to correct you on one thing here, sir. Uh, it says that
the 6,000, sorry, my eyes $6,560.30 was for the venue, the $2,91520. St. Cloud Fire Rescue was $93. See this right here? It says St. Cloud Ranch right here. Right. It says it's all it's all lumped in together to get that
number. So, police was that number. So the the paramedics, the uh the rescue truck and the 10 900 bucks, you get a whole fire department. You get five fire department and man, can I hire you guys? Cuz you
get rid of every I it cost me a lot more for that. Yeah. So, so th those fees are are based upon during the DRC process, during the review process that all emergency services, police and fire go through and they require whether it's this event or any event, they require a
set number of police or or fire to be at those events. And they and the event organizer is responsible for that. And for the general public, I I I I probably look weird here, but it says St. Cl Fire Rescue and Paramedics. And it does say $93, but it says the total amount is
6,50056600 or $56,000. Uh, and that's what good me. So, they paid $93 for the fire department and they paid $6,000 for the police department. No.
Uh, $274210. So, how did it come to But Scott, you told me$1550. No, 1550 was the cost for the police department. The numbers I'm getting here is $2,74210. Now, this is filled out by the uh LGBTQ.
So, I don't know if they're correct. That that doesn't go through this the the city. That that's not review. What I can tell you that they were invoiced and paid for was they paid uh $1,550 for police and they paid $93 for the fire.
So, where's the total come to 65566? There's an extra zero in there, I'm assuming. I I'm not sure where how right I I don't know where that's something that they complete. That's what I just got today at 3:30. So I really figures to me don't lie and buy liars don't
figure that and I I think that's why it's a little uh this is from the applicant. This is not part of the city event or process. This is something saying they paid $6,500 for uh fire the venue. No, remember they
uh I'm trying to see what they have here. I I just saw this today myself. Um, are they also providing invoices when they complete turn this in for each line item? I would have to ask the procurement department that question.
Councilwoman, that was just one of those questions I was going to ask because I'm a little confused. And Deputy Mayor Gilbert, in in looking at this, that's 65660. They're saying that's for the venue, all their fees, fire, rescue, paramedics, uh that that's everything as as the
mayor pointed out, that's everything lumped in there together. Scott, deputy city manager, wouldn't you say it's a little um as confusing as this whole thing is, you know, obviously there are a lot of moving parts for this this gentleman that filled this out when asked how
could the grant making process be improved to better support local businesses, maximize community input, impact when we provide a lot of funding. We gave a great discount. We heck we added 10 additional people and I was want to go out there and pick up trash myself. This person says, "A better
understanding by city officials and elected officials of the overall process of events and funding that we need a better understanding." You know, I would say that I don't know if he they actually read the applications for the grants or the the
two other events that they uh how they applied for it, but I think it was a joint effort uh on everybody was uh a little was all over the place and and the fact that there was a lot of information we weren't provided uh throughout this process, we wouldn't
know had we been provided a week and a half prior to making that decision. I got to tell you, this is me. I can't speak for these folks, but had I had that information, had I known that the black uh empowerment group uh had I
known that they had interest in that as well, had I known that nobody put a dollar down on this property for another 32 days after we made that decision, I would have voted no. And I mean, that's that's just for me. I'm just being honest. And I can't speak because I have to look after taxpayers dollars.
Absolutely. And I can't I I can't speak to that. All I can come from a business the business sector where none of that made sense to me now after getting emails right couple days prior to the last council meeting when we were all sitt in
city manager's office and I saw that and I said how come none of this was shared with me because that's how I make my decision with information that's provided to me. That's why I had to keep asking for for document after document and I and I appreciate every time you gave me some. That helps me understand
it a little better. Um I'm I'm still confused on some things. And and mayor, if I may uh for a moment, um the parks department had no knowledge whatsoever of any request or any idea whatsoever
of the gala event. Okay. or the intent of that event to be held on June 21st. So, no request ever came through the parks department uh through the facilities. There was nothing. The first time that they ever heard about this
event, whether it was at the ranch or whether it was in the gym uh for a facility was on May 28th May 28th. So there was never a time where the city would have even
known uh that city staff would have known that that event was even looking to come forward. Um previously, you know, the the uh the brunch that was supposed to be held that went through the process, city staff was notified. It was processed the way that hundreds of
applications are processed on a regular basis. um this event, no application, no phone calls, no requests, nothing for that date at any location from no department. From no development. Correct. Um none of that ever came
through from any single department. So the first time that the parks department as a facility rental because remember it's not a special event. This is simply a facility rental, right? Um because they're not they don't it's not really land and you're not 1500 people which I
see they got 2,300 people the number keeps growing like gremlins out there. Um so water they um so the first time they ever saw any of that was on May 28th and the parks and recreation department in an effort to provide exceptional customer service and work
with a partner that has worked with the city before and we have a membership with went out of their way to find a space that they could actually hold their event and work with them to be able to try to find a facility for them. But prior to that, and more to your
point, worst case scenario, if they would not have known about that, there could have been the possibility that that event showed up on June 21st at the gym or at the ranch for an event. Me, too. I ex Correct. So that event there
was no communication whatsoever from the event organizer through an application process that was done for the brunch which went through as you heard uh Miss Forbes discuss went through the process went from uh economic development they
fill out the internal form goes to the parks department or uh no direct contact from any event organizer specifically to the facility department to just have that event. that was, you know, part of their scrambling was, hey, what is this that's
happening on May 28th? Let's see how we could do this and make it work for them. I understand. Uh, Miss Forbes, really quick, if you don't mind. Scott, can I have that paper back just so I can look at it just I just got it a couple hours ago, so I want it. It's just a really quick question here
answering it. Forbes, deputy mayor, my quick math, uh, if I added up all of the the fees and everything that they had in there, um, that that came to that that amount. Thank you. I'll go through this and get it to you. No problem. When when you get a chance,
I I just barely had a chance to look at it, so I won't be record. The deputy city manager just said that nobody heard anything about the event at the ranch until March on May 28th and that's when you contacted uh uh Miss Miss Jensen. Is
that that's correct? But you said no. You said you knew that we had seats there. That's where I'm just trying to understand the right. No, no, no. So what I said was that yes, I was aware of the event of which I became aware February the 5th because I saw it on
social media and then by May 20 between May 28th and May 29th is where I had received a text from the BCC in reference to the venue and that it had been changed from the ranch to the civic center and that they were concerned
about how they were going to transform the space into the vision that they originally wanted it to look like. And so that is where it was referenced where I reached out to parks department and said this is our opportunity to provide exceptional customer service.
I believe the BCC president is there on site. Is it possible for her to you know walk the site of the civic center and see what could be done? Okay. But you knew that they had they were advertising that they were going to have it at the ranch in February. in February as well.
I believe it was a January advertisement. I'd seen it. I went on social media and and I'm just assuming that's what you responded to the advertisement on social media. The advertisement on social media. I'm not a big social media person, but I did take a look and that's where I saw it. And as I previously stated, I didn't remember
where I saw venue- wise I saw it, but just that there was an event that was taking place. Okay. And how did how did we get seats there? So, you you secured us the table. Well, when I say that, you asked if there was going to be one for
us. Correct. And then did um the BEC did they contact city hall? Because I know that happens. Organizations will will contact the city and say, "Hey, we're inviting the the the council members or you guys are getting a table." Do you know if that how that happened? I can
only speak on my end. So once I was aware that we would have a table and I confirmed it was a table for eight persons, then I notified through the city manager, the executive assistant that this event was coming up and to please inform the city council so that
it can determine whether or not you want to attend. Okay. Did you share with her the advertisement or did you tell her look on social media or just give a text information of what it is? I did not send her I did not send her a text. Um, I'm certain I sent her an email and there may have been a screenshot
attached to it. I'd have to with the screenshot saying the location and where it's at. Um, because I know when I got the invite u on um on on February 7th,
it's it's the it's got the advertisement saying it's at the ranch on June 21st and it actually says it's typed out here's the location, here's everything. And that's where I'm wondering if it's if it was you that sent the information to the the city manager's office or did it come uh from the outside of city
hall. So again, I can't say if the if the outside sent information to city hall. I can tell you that I sent information through the city manager's office that this event was taking place because um the standard operating
procedure is we inform the city manager's office there's an event coming up. there is a table available and we let them know how as much details as possible. X amount of seats are available, here's the date, location, whatever it's going to be. And then we
request back um the participants who will be the ones at the table so that we can then notify um the party that's conducting the event. Okay. Um is there any way that you can forward everybody the or at least city manager she can give it to us that email that you sent
to the city manager's office on that date for that event? I can do that. Thank you, city manager. Thank you. Earlier there was a a question on when um the BECC had been paid, if they had been paid, and um I have the purchase
order. It was issued on May 28th of this year for um the calendar year 2526. So we we did just issue a um a purchase order May 28th. And um so we have not sent the the payment yet um based on this email, but we do have the the
purchase order. So um the request was to process payment on it. So it that question was answer was asked. No, I'm thank you for for getting that information. Uh do do you I'm sorry, Miss Forbes. Do you recall when our um when our membership expires? So I guess
usually I pay like the day before it expires, but I know you know with government we got we're we're flushed with money, right? So we can just pay it 30 days in advance and takes 30 days to process it. Do you think there's no lapse in that
lapware? Not in our membership with our trusty membership. Okay, that's all I'm because the purchase order is in but we haven't made the the payment hasn't processed. That's where I'm why I'm curious about that. So it it the the request to pay on the PO was June 2nd.
So, I'm I'm it may have gone out on today's um check run, but I it may be the next check run. Okay. All right. Thank you. All right. Um Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Yeah. If I may have a pleasure, councel
uh to ask the fire chief a question. Yes, sir. Uh, if I may, just because we're here and and I I I just like to look at things at the this event, how many fire personnel, paramedics, uh, equipment,
assets did the city of St. Cloud bring to that event? So, we had our inspectors there, sorry, I'm sorry, Jason Miller, fire chief. So that morning um we had some of our inspectors go out and do food truck inspections which by state statute we do not charge for
just for clarity. Um doesn't matter where the event is. Question. So we inspect food trucks and we don't bill anybody for we're not allowed to. I believe I believe the I believe the city attorney I'm going to leave that one to the city attorney. Private sector guy. So that's that's kind of weird. Yeah. It
was a state mandate I believe background. Two words. Thank Tallahassee. Okay. Okay. So, there you have it. Um, so it was attorneys in Tallahassee. Correct. Correct. Um, so for the EMS standby, there was there was two personnel with the ambulance. The ambulance was used for the cooling of
our crews. We had a personnel doing public outreach, which our department does not charge any organization for public outreach. We had, I believe, two personnel assigned to that. Okay. So, how long was the event? I
believe like seven hours if I remember correctly. So, you had an asset. You had a a fire truck or ambulance there? We had the ambulance out there for our crews to cool down in case it got hot. Okay. It wasn't It wasn't a It was a static unit. It was just there for as a cooling station for our personnel. It
happened to me a while back and I had some heart issues and the ambulance took me to the hospital and I got a bill for like $7,922. And I refused to go. They still took me. And then we got we got a couple guys and girls and we did not. That would be
kidnapping. That's against the law. I said no and I got a bill. All right. I'm sorry. Don't feel me bring this funny. I'm just under I can't understand. There's nothing in my life that cost me less than a grand. But to have two paramedics and and two standbys
and and an asset for seven hours, I I just want to hire you for my professional. Correct. The original plan The original plan was to have all those personnel respond in a pickup truck. However, due to the heat and the fact that that pickup truck had a mechanical issue that morning, we used one of our
reserve rescues as a cooling station for our personnel. Um it wasn't out there as a staff unit to transport anybody. It was basically it was that's what we used to transport our personnel out. Okay. Uh again, uh I I think your department and and uh we're not ranked the 37th best
city in the United States for no reason. It's because of the chief over there and the chief right here. I think we have the best fire department in the country. So the police department said they have the best in the country. We're better than the police department. We all know everybody loves the fire
department. So and I agree with both of you. I I I'm just trying I'm just a figures guy and $93. Correct. Could we revisit that for future events? Because I don't think we recovered our assets and our costs. I just don't. So on again the ambulance that was due to a
mechanical failure of one of our other vehicles that they were supposed to take and we used that to cool down our personnel in the event that it got hot. It kind of it doubled up, right? Um I believe Chief Gerky and I talked about that. you know, we're like, "Hey, we're going to go ahead and send it just because that's we can transport the
people, right? And it'll serve as a cooling station." Um, as for the inspectors, um, you need to talk to Tallahassee about that one because we would love to start charging for that because every event that has a food truck, we have to send inspectors to, right? It's one of those great unfunded
mandates courtesy of Tallahassee. I'm I'm just throwing this out you and I I say stuff and Dan stops me. But can we raise venue cost incorporates the standby knowing we're going to have them there? Well, and part of the problem is is some of these aren't at venues.
Some of them are just on city streets. They're at lakefronts. So, I mean, it would it would take a kind of a and and and and I don't I'm not going to answer because I'm going to leave that to the lawyer if we can raise fees to cover for that inspection because I think that that would be a little awkward for me to
answer. Well, if I may, attorney, I think the inspection issue is a little different than the on-site paramedic to be there in the event people need first aid. And I think that's those are two different two different issues. Correct. U what the chief keeps referring to is
few years ago Tallahassee basically said you local governments cannot regulate charge additional permits do anything associated with self-contained food trucks so if a food truck is completely self-contained meaning it's got wheels
it can drive it's got its own generator system built into it doesn't have to hook up the water doesn't we can't charge them to inspect them I think that's why we hire people to go Tallahassee and tell them that we need I will tell you what a lot of local governments do. They don't even inspect them because they're not getting council
member Urban. That was going to be my suggestion. Well, if we can't charge them, then right, they're on their own. That's what I would say. But again, for these events, if I'm I I think is a different issue between having on-site
first responders there to help people as opposed to this the, you know, the pre-event inspections related to the food trucks. And and I think I'm not the fire marshal, but I believe state statute requires us to inspect them regardless. I believe they're required to have an annual inspection. They go out there and make sure they've had
their annual inspection, right? And that's there is a required annual inspection that he's struck handcuffed us like Chief Gerky wants to do to me right now. But I guess to get back to what Mr. Gilbert said, "You can always look at the fees that are being charged for events." And and and respectfully, I
think part of this whole process is the council wants to look at and see what we can do better moving forward in terms of addressing these things. And if and if you do think that this the fees for these events need to be adjusted, that's certainly something that you can do. Well, thank you, the pleasure of council. Those are just questions they
have for for budgetary purposes. And thank you, Chief Miller. I I I think our health services between you and Girky are phenomenal and I brag about every day. 37th in the nation. I know. Let's celebrate that. He doesn't act like it,
but number one in the state. Exactly. When St. Cloud gets him applause. That's They see that big that big red engine roaming around and that's why there's no crime, right? That's the Wow. But see, when we pull people over, they don't mind.
Thank you, Chief. Um Um Erin, I've got one other question again. I'm sorry. Um just confirming what uh deputy city manager said that after the the proud in the cloud, they had submitted an
application up until May, uh nobody from parks and recck, they they spoke with the BEC. I'm I'm just trying to clear where where the misunderstanding why they think they had a facility out there or you're referring to the BEC why they thought they had a
facility. I can't say why they would think that without making a reservation with our department. Okay. And nobody spoke with them from October on that you were aware of. You know when they said they tooured it out there. They tooured the facility. I did not take them on a tour to the facility. So I'm not Well,
that's not what I'm asking. Nobody spoke with them about using the ranch or not using the ranch or going to the civic center up until not to my knowledge. Nobody spoke to them about it until I got the phone call from economic development that they wanted to look at the civic center facility May May 28th
29th somewhere. Okay. All right. And I we kind of got put on the spot here. I think uh the the last meeting where you know we've got I think it was a Wednesday. The event was going to be on a Saturday and heck I had I had
tickets for it and I know uh I believe council member Paul and I know this dancing guy over here. He was there. He was having a great time. Um where we were going. I think that was the the the understanding of that organization uh that they had a facility and uh not that
they had to pay 3,000 some odd dollars. Um so you're saying that they they were never told that that it was going to be sponsored. In fact, they were told it was not going to be sponsored. uh internet actually informed us earlier that they were not going to be sponsored. So that $3,000 actually it
was 3650 I think was the right and we found that from my department found that from alternate on June 17th that it was not being sponsored by economic development. It was not okay. All right. And and that's when she was notified hey listen you know you're you're going to
have to pay for this. Yes or yes I had reached out which that's I mean I would see that's got to be standard protocol. We can't just give away free stuff all the time. And as a council, you know, we had I I I feel as as a council, we have to make exceptions sometimes if there's confusion and and who's got what venue
or or not. And I think that that we need we're going to learn a lot of this, you know, moving forward and and fixing this process. So, I want to thank you very much for your time. And council, do you have any other questions of Aaron, Miss Jensen? Yeah, just one question if I may. I'm
sorry. Uh, they're not sponsored, but I believe that we provided pipe and drape and some amenities at no charge. How was that derived? We had pipe and drape on hand. We don't have it in our fee schedule to
charge for that, so I couldn't make up a price to charge them. Okay. I I'm going to hire the fire department and parks and restaurants special events for free piping. They're in competition with you. You don't give that away for free, do you? No. No. I'm sorry. I didn't know that that was a no charge item. It it's
again at the time when I was giving trying to do our best to make the event take off like it was supposed to and I think you do a great job and I think Parks and Record does a wonderful job. Please let me let let you let me say this for record. I think you all do a
phenomenal job. Each drape cost $29.50. Each pole costs about $72. Each slider costs about $110. Each base cost about $50. and then the labor to move it and and put it back and forth. There are some some labor involved with that. So again, just if we can revisit that in
the future, there are costs involved with our assets and I'd like to look at that future. But overall, I think Parks and Rex does a wonderful job. So please don't take that as any negative. Take that as a compliment. You guys do a great job. So I yield back to you, man. Yep. I echo that. Amazing events all the
way around. So um thank you all. Thank your staff. Uh council again. Y'all have any comments for Miss Jennings? Okay. Well, thank you very much. And do we have any other com uh questions or comments to uh for Miss Forbes?
Miss Forbes, thank you very much for the time you put into the city of St. Cloud, six years. I know I spoke with you at the award ceremony. You said they they on the six years is when you get the five-year award. So, you did a fantastic job. Thank you very much. All right. Really quick, I just want to say how
much of a pleasure it's been working for the city of St. Cloud, its residents, and its businesses. When I came here, I'm not from here, but I learned a lot. I learned the people. I am truly going to miss working with the city. It's been it's been a really joy. It's been a joy.
I'm really happy about it. So, thank you so much. Thank you for taking me. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. All right. And next up, I know our city manager wants to talk to us about a protecting local revenue, preserving public safety.
Thank you. Thank you, mayor. Um although um so recently the state legislature and the govern uh presented the budget and the governor recently um did his vetos.
I know one of the things that he was disappointed on was that there was no reduction in property taxes. The Florida League of Cities has encouraged cities to get ahead of the issue. knowing that it's it's going to come back whether it's a special session, whether it's
something on the ballot next year. So, in front of you there is a flyer um that was prepared by staff that we would like to pass out to our legislate legislators explaining to them the impact that um these changes could have on the city. Um
I just wanted to um I emailed it to all of you, so I hope you had a chance to see it and just wanted to make sure there was no objections um before we start distributing it. We just received this. I emailed it yesterday. Okay. Yeah. And I apologize. I did not look at yesterday. I'm just
overviewing this now. Is there any comments need to be made or just absorb it? Well, you you're not taking any action on that. Okay. Just want to make sure you don't have any so any concerns that and you're okay with me with us going ahead and and sharing. If you want more time to look at it, it doesn't have
to go out today, but it was a good opportunity um to to to bring it up. You're going to mail these out to every citizen or we going to post it on social media? No, this is for the legislators. So, um, Miss, um, Representative Stark is on a House committee, so definitely
want to to give it to her. Um, and all basically, I think we would mail it to all of our Oyola um, representatives and senators. Probably not going to do it till Monday. Yeah, probably not till Monday. So, you have time. You have time to look at it. Um, if you if you have any concerns or
want any changes, just, you know, please, um, let me know. Um, and I'll wait to send it out. Mayor, pleasure. Council, can we look at there's a lot of figures in here and there's a lot of percentages. Yeah. Um, if anybody objects, can we wait to I mean, we have
to send this out immediately. No. Okay. If anybody objects objects, if you don't get any objections from us or changes, I would say you're good to go. If you do, we can wait till the next council meeting, which is in next week. Next week. Okay, perfect. Um, and then I
also wanted to um ask the city council um the we we are lucky that we believe we have two projects that are in the budget. We did receive notification from the state that we were approved for the fire rescue boat. We have not received
um any confirmation via email yet regarding the water damning system. However, we assume because it wasn't on the veto list that that we are funded for that. We'd like to go ahead and prepare thank you letters um to Representative Stark um and and Senator Arrington and I'd like to have that
signed by the mayor and sent out on behalf of the city. Looks like I've got my my my nod. Uh we have fire chief. I'm sorry. What do you Oh, and and Miss Booth, Representative Booth. Um, and then last, uh, one of my
jobs is when we submit grants, I have to actually be the person to submit certain grants, and I wanted to let the council know that this week I had to submit the grant for the cops grant and for the safer grant. So, everybody start praying. I guess we get to see how good our fire
chief really is on filling out grants, huh? Well, with cooperation of Yeah. And actually the um the safer grant, we um had an uh I think probably an hourong
session with FEMA who went over our last application and gave us feedback on what we could have done better. And then this application um our professional firefighter union um offered they they have people that actually um participate
in rating the grants. And so they offered um that if we provided our draft to them through the union, those people could give us feedback. Um so we got feedback from them. It was once or twice did we get feedback from them? Twice. So
we so so we're we're really hopeful this year that that the safer grant will will come through. And we appreciate you working with the fire union. Uh chief over there said uh Mr. Jones and his team went over it and worked with you. That's collaborative efforts. That's that's teamwork and that's something
that the city I'm happy to be a part of the city because of that. We have unions, we have police unions and fire unions to work with them collaboratively to get these grants and as we grow. Uh we appreciate you guys reaching out to those folks because that's our workforce. That's what makes us number
37 in the country, number one in the state. Well, to give them credit, they actually the the the union president reached out to us because he'd gone to a training session and so he asked to meet with us. So, we met with our leadership team. He brought his PowerPoint and he
basically repeated everything that he had learned in that training session and then and then made the offer. So, they they really did um help us. All right. And that's all. All right. any city attorney, do you have any comments? I do not, sir. Thank
you. All right, city manager, that's all for you. That's all. Thank you. And sorry, council member um Paul. Um I want to say thank you to Stephanie and Michael um for meeting this week with um Jackie who's out in the audience. She had concerns about um speeding down
Chisom Park Trail and so I think we addressed those concerns um with public works and um so hopefully we see some action. So, thank you. All right, Council Member Urban. Yeah. Uh, just a couple of things. Our last
meeting, Council Member Gilbert kind of mentioned how I wish there was a better way to do this instead of, you know, having investigation, subpoenas, a lot of scary words and everything. And sort of in my conversations with um our city attorney, I I think that maybe, you
know, because all of us up here do support staff. They do a great job and and and and everything. And um I I think we should try to give our best effort to and I know this was a unique circumstance because we had an employee leaving, but at least um ask you know if
if they can come to a workshop or meeting to answer questions uh and then if you know if they don't comply with that we have to take it to a different level. But um you know I I I just want to um um have a good working relationship with staff and and and and
be able to have open discussions together as a council and I think you know we we got some good answers tonight. We were able to have a really good discussion as a council. So, um, you know, I hope we can just, uh, continue to do that. Um, and, um, not have to have, you know, these scary
words. A lot of times, you know, they can be, uh, they can be a little bit intimidating, but, um, I do understand when when it is necessary. But that's all I have. Um, also hope everybody has a safe and happy Fourth of July. Hopefully the the weather holds out for
the fireworks tomorrow and, um, be safe. Thanks. All right. and Council Member Fletcher. Um, thank you, Mayor. The only thing I have is to uh h have a awesome Fourth of July and uh have a good night. Thank you. And Deputy Mayor Gilbert, um,
thank you all very much. This is a very productive meeting and we got to continue them. So, um, I truly believe and I don't get a chance to thank the council enough for their efforts. Uh I know what I put in individually, but I want to thank you guys what you put in individually and collectively how we
deliver to the cities uh citizens of St. Cloud. That's our job. We report to them. So I want to thank council for being here and taking time out and I'm honored to be in your presence. Uh happy 4th. All right. And also also I hope
everybody has a happy 4th of July. Um the of course this was a a special circumstance where we had an employee that was leaving tomorrow. So that's the why we had to have a special meeting. Uh it's not typical, but that's why with our uh long-term employee uh from parks
and wreck, uh we didn't do a subpoena, you know, because I knew she'd want to come in. She loves talking to us. So uh we enjoyed every every minute of it. I hope you did as well. So um happy 4th of July. Hope to see you all out there tomorrow. and I know it's going to be great and it's not going to rain according to city manager. She has
promised that. So, uh, with that, this meeting is adjourned.