--------- the Jamaica Capework. It's kind of like the Jamaica. It is. >> I'd like to call this joint meeting of the Steuart City Commission Community Redevelopment Agency and Community Redevelopment Board to order on July
27th, 2026 at 400 PM. Mary, if you could call the role. >> Chair Reed >> here. >> Board member Clark >> here. >> Board member Goi >> here. >> Board member Rich >> here. >> Board member Dard. >> Board member James >> here. That was community redevelopment
and city commission. Now we've got community redevelopment board chair de Bard. Vice chair Moser >> here. >> Board member James >> here. >> Board member Laughlin >> here. >> Board member Mona >> here. >> Board member Whan. >> We're all set.
>> Thanks. If you could join us in the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisibley justice for all.
>> Can we get a motion for approval of the agenda as posted? Move approval of the agenda as published. I'll second sorry people. >> We have a motion for approval of the agenda from Commissioner Clark and seconded by Commissioner Gobi. Are there
any public comments on this motion? Seeing none, Mary, you could call the role. >> Chair Reed >> here. >> Board member Clark >> here. >> Board member Gobi >> here. Board member Rich. Board member James. >> Yes.
>> Did board member Rich respond? >> We are. Yeah. I said yes. I switched to Yes. But I think it totally threw them off. >> Yes. >> Vice Chair Moser. >> Board member James. >> Yes. >> Board member Laughlin. >> Yes. >> Board member Mona. >> Yes.
>> Motion passes unanimously. Uh can we get an approval of the amendments? Now this is uh the first one is for the CRA and CRB board members only for the minutes on 42726. >> So move. >> Second.
>> So we have a motion for the approval of the amendments from the joint CRA and CRB meeting from board member Moser and seconded by board member Frederick James. Are there any public comments on this motion? Seeing none, Mary, if you could call the
roll. >> You could do an all in favor for this one. >> You want me to do it all in favor? Okay. All those in favor? >> I motion passes unanimously. Um, can we get an approval of the minutes for the CRA on 6226 minutes?
>> Move approval of the published minutes. >> Second. >> All right. So, we have a motion for approval of the CRA board member minutes from Commissioner Clark. 2226. >> Yep. And then seconded by board member Frederick James. Are there any public
comments on this motion? Seeing none, all those in favor? >> I. >> Motion passes unanimously. Uh comments from the public on non-aggenda items. You have any public comment?
>> I do have a public comment. Mayor Robert Mayone. >> Yes, you can come to the podium. It's it's three minutes. Robert. Um, and if you could just state your name for the record. >> Thank you. Good evening. Robert Mayon, 4461 Southeast Federal Highway. I have
two items. At the June 8th meeting, Alan Marcus of Sign It and I raised this sign issue for nonstructural non-electrical base change. The city required a licensed contractor, costly windload calculations, and a $150 permit requirements not shown in its historical
records. I have been I have complied and been fined $2,250. I asked the commission to put this problem on the agenda. My second item. For 26 years, my business has rented, stored, displayed, sold, and serviced
all ordinary activities allowable within a CPU. Nearly 20 years ago, the city pushed to annex my property, accepting its businesses, parking, outdoor display, and storage. staff testified under oath that I needed a minor amendment. Now, it treats that activity
as new and demands a major CPU amendment with a costly survey, public hearings, and discretionary commission approval to repair the city's defective records. I change brands and products, not the use. U-Haul is a a rental, sheds, or retail.
A different product does not transform an established business into a new land use. Yet, in case CV2614, staff used misinformation, conjecture, and assumptions under oath to influence the magistrate's findings, deadlines, and fines. Afterward, the city attorney
admitted in writing that my CPU agreement is ambiguous, has no development order, or listed uses, and that the city was merely assuming what was intended. I hold three BTRs currently. The Home Depot also rents
trucks and sells sheds and has only one BTR for retail, the same classification I hold. The city demanded two additional BTRs and blocked them because of its defective CBUD, and now finds me $250 per day for BTRs
it refuses to process. The remaining BTR parking and storage issues arise from the city's defective documents. Another $200 daily fine is scheduled for September 15th over parking and storage present and accepted at annexation. The city created regulatory trap and has
caused disruption, expense, and lost business. Last year, the city approached my customer paying $2,000 per month for storage on my lot and prohibited them from doing business with me, causing me to lose $24,000 per year. I respectfully ask the commission to direct staff to
recognize my established uses and either process the two BTRs or confirm my three existing BTRs are sufficient and direct the city attorney to present the post-hering admissions to the magistrate and support relief from fines and deadlines. Any correction must be city
initiated and city funded without any fees, survey costs and no surrender of rights. The city created this problem. it must own it, correct it, and stop punishing a local businessman for it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Robert.
Is this uh this would have been maybe more appropriate for the regular city commission meeting, but is this something that Mike um our city manager and Lee, I'm assuming, can look into or are looking into. >> They're very well aware of it >> to address your comments just now.
>> All right. Thanks, guys. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thanks, Commissioner Rich. >> I have no further public comments. >> All right, seeing no further public comment, do we have comments from board members? If you could just flip your card up and I'll do my best just to make sure you're recognized.
Board member Moser. >> Okay, I have a few things and I'll try to keep them quick. First of all, um there is an FDOT workshop for the Willoughby extension. Uh, tomorrow is virtual and Wednesday is in person at
the 10th Street Community Center. So, I'd urge commissioners, CRB members, uh, the public to attend to see what's happening there. Make sure their voices are heard. Um, personally, I think that network development is something that's really needed in Stewart, but it needs
to be contextsensitive. um if we keep spending all of our money and prioritizing large arterial roads, we're going to keep getting large arterial traffic. So, something to consider. Second, I'm I'm going to bring this up now instead of during the street
tree presentation. Um, when I was looking through that presentation and I look at the land development code, I think that our trees in the code need to be updated to better reflect what is it a canopy tree, when is it appropriate, and to make sure that um
any new businesses or residents that are building are are um are adhering to that. I think it's time for an update um to that. And last um a couple of months ago, Steuart Main Street was presenting to the CRB and
they had mentioned the state of Flaggler Park and how our city does not have a parks master plan, which I hadn't realized until she said it. So, I wanted the the commission and our board members to just think about that. Something to
consider um so that we can foster a community-led vision for the parks in our city. Um, when I look at our our zoning maps, it looks like almost all of our parks are in the CRA, so that could be something that's funded by the CRA. Thank you. >> Thank you, board member Moser. Do we
have any other board member comments? Seeing none, we're going to move on to our first action item uh regarding the street tree infill program. And all you have a presentation. Um, >> I believe it's a resolution. >> Yeah, I need to read the title in.
>> Okay. Resolution number 04-2026 CR a resolution of the board of community redevelopment agency of the city of Stewart Florida authorizing the street tree infill program master plan authorizing the implementation of the
plan within the public right ofway of the community redevelopment area providing for an effective date and for other purposes >> I'll introduce the item panel Gandhi Sabda CR director for the record Um, this is a master plan that we've been
working on for at least a year. Um, it was presented to the CRB earlier this month and the board voted 50 in support of the master plan. Um, this has been discussed uh with the CRB and city
commission uh and is a priority um in the CRA plan also. Um, so this is something that's been in the works for a couple years and discussed uh with both the boards. Uh, the project began with an inventory
of our existing street trees and evaluation of the tree canopy coverage to identify if there are any gaps and opportunities uh for additional trees. And based on that analysis, we were able to identify planting locations within
the rightway and recommendation for appropriate tree species and planting priorities. Uh implementation for this project will occur over multiple years uh with funding allocated annually over the next 5 to 10 years and this is
something you will see in the CRA budget in the upcoming year. uh it it allows the CRA to expand the tree canopy while aligning with available funding and capital improvement projects. Uh over the uh once the inventory was
completed uh we prioritized the area by looking at key factors like uh where there were canopy deficiencies uh gaps and opportunities for additional planting, enhancing our streetscape and opportunity to improve walkability and neighborhood character. Um this approach
will ensure that we focus on areas where uh the community will have the greatest benefit. Once the master plan is adopted, we will further evaluate these priority locations for site conra constraints uh if there are any utility conflicts um
appropriate tree species and long-term maintenance plan and overall feasibility and benefit to the community. The adoption of the plan does not authorize staff to begin construction or commit funding at this time. Um there is
no immediate fiscal impact associated with this approval. Each opportunity area will be evaluated individually and we will uh it will require separate funding decisions, budget appropriations and CRB and CRA board approval. So today
staff is just requesting approval and and adoption of the street tree infville program master plan as a framework to guide future implementation. Uh we do have Jake Clemens and Brian Good here from Kimley Horn to give a more detailed presentation of the master plan uh
recommendations and implementation strategy. I'll hand it over to Jake. Welcome Jake. >> Afternoon everybody. My name is Jake Clemens. I am a landscape architect with Kimley Horn and Associates out of our VR Beach office. First, I would like to
thank everyone for taking time to be here today. Today, I'm happy to present to you the city of Stewart CRA street infill program. We're going to go over the plant material that we ultimately landed on for implementation. We're
going to talk about some of the design implementation tools and the uh key maps that identify the areas of opportunity within the CRA. So for project overview, this is in the graphic to the left the city of Stewart city limits and it shows the CRA and how
it is situated within the city limits. The CRA is roughly about 1100 acres comprising about 19% of the city of Stewart's geographical area. So here's our master uh plant pallet that we landed on. We came out with 16
trees. Uh these trees of them, nine of them came off of prior approved tree planting programs. One being the it one more time, the residential tree planting program and the federal highway tree planting program. Each are indicated
there in blue and orange. So you'll see the plants that came specifically from those two programs will have the blocks in the top left corner to indicate which plan they came from. Trees that do not have them um came from recommendations from city
staff and other sources. So we further broke down the master plant pallet into 16 uh general uh plant material information sheets for for this presentation. We chose the live oak as our example.
Sorry guys. >> All right, cool. Now we're Now I got control. So, we chose the live oak for this presentation. Um, so in the bottom lefthand corner of the graphic, you'll see a tree image location caption. The live oak that you see here is located at
Memorial Park in Stewart. To the right of the graphic, you have this application category table. This is just a breakdown of various application areas that we could implement street trees within and our recommendations for that particular plant material in those set areas.
At the bottom of the sheet, you'll see a general characteristics, canopy spread, typical height and growth rates, whether the tree is evergreen, semi- evergreen, deciduous, and so forth. So, the tree application matrix is a
compilation of those individual information sheets, application charts. So you'll see here we have our 16 trees and across the top you have the application areas and the recommendations for each of those spread
out through it. So this is the Florida Power and Light right tree right place five-step policy. A lot of words here, but the big takeaway from this is this is a recommendation from Florida Power and Light on how far you
should set back certain types of trees based upon their growth height. Biggest thing for this is for us is during the design phase of this is to know this is where we should be placing trees or we need to be taking into consideration maintenance for these
trees later on. So here we have our breakdown of our opinion of probable cost. Please keep in mind that these prices you see here are as of June of 2026. We have two buckets that we landed in here. One is the code minimum trees. The other one is the CRA
preferred trees. The code minimum trees follow the land development codes uh dimensions of 12 feet in height and six feet in spread as the bare minimums to meet the threshold. And here you'll see the each category
has the 16 trees listed out and a price per tree range. Now these ranges do include the installation and delivery estimates. So then we have our CRA preferred trees. Now the height and spread of each of
these will vary by species. These are the idea is that you would get a a tree that greatly exceeds the code minimum tree and but what comes with that is a higher price tag but for the higher price tag you get a bigger tree that's
ready for providing shade which is the ultimate goal of this program. So here we have our CRA overall zone map broken down into 13 zones. I want to draw your attention to this
number at the bottom 3,163. This number is indicative of how many uh street tree opportunities there are based upon the assumption of one large shade/cannopy tree per every 30 linear feet within the areas of opportunity.
So, and I'll go over the areas of opportunity in more depth in just a second. >> Excuse me. >> Yes, sir. >> No, sir. That is not that is the number of opportunities >> that is where you have areas of opportunity. Therefore, there's gaps in
the canopy. Those canopy deficiencies, there's 3,163 opportunities. >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. Based upon a one tree for every 30 linear feet. We'll I'll get into that a little further here in just a second. So, after uh discussions with
city staff, we broke this down into a three-phaseed approach. Phase one being zones 9 through 13. Phase one is where the vast majority of opportunities exist at, phase two being zones 5 through eight, and phase three being zones one through
four. So, here's an example of one of our enlargements. We chose zone 9 because it is one of the larger opportunities. So you see where zone 9 is within the CRA there. Here we have
a chart or a key showing our tree opportunity zones and our existing canopy zones. The tree opportunity zones shown in green. So if you look at the graphic to the left, you'll see these areas that are outlined in green. There's a number uh hovering above it.
So, if you I'll direct your attention to where it says Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway there. Just beneath it, there's the number 40. That is indicative over there is 40 opportunities for trees to go in at a one tree per 30 linear feet within that green area of opportunity.
So, that concludes my presentation. I want to thank you all again. I would like to open it up to any questions at this time. >> Do any of the board members have comments, questions? Board member Moser. >> Um, I gave a lot of comments last time,
so I'll try and keep it quick. Um, this whole idea came up with some current and past CRB board members and um, from everyone I've spoken to. Um, we're all in support of this and really excited about it. This improves our city's walkability, improves comfort throughout
the city. It'll be a huge economic benefit. Often say that Steuart is a threeseason city because it's too hot to move around here in the summer and if we have trees we can make a big difference um for people wanting to come downtown and use our businesses. Um a couple of comments, some things I
didn't catch last time, but I'm wondering if um we could consider the cre queen crepe myrtle as a species. Um, these are the the were the purple flowers that have been planted out here on Flaggler over the last couple years.
They're doing really well other than like two of them. And I've seen them planted in commercial and residential properties in the city. Um, and just for folks who don't know crepe myrtles really well, there's the traditional one you're used to seeing all over the city. They don't really like to grow this far
south, but the queen crepe myrtle does, and from what I understand, it performs well in hurricanes. Another one is um sea grape. I think both of these species could be good for the smaller tree species that maybe is going to be closer to a utility line or um
um place where not larger. The only other thing I caught and I'm bringing this up. I just worked with a large city on the west coast of Florida and so I'm familiar with their standards right now. the black olive and the live
oak. For the median island, we have conditional or no. >> Um, that city need requires 100 square feet for a live oak before planting it. So, I would say maybe that could be changed to conditional as well. >> Okay, >> no other comments. I'm really excited
about this. >> Thanks, board member Moser. Board member Jeff Panera. >> Yeah, I just had a couple of observations. I I noticed that the difference between the code minimum and the CRA preferred, most of them aren't crazy, but Pigeon Plum and the Royal
Palms, a dramatic difference. Um, and could we get a little more like color and detail on what the difference in height and and coverage is going to be for that additional cost on those two substantial?
>> Yeah, sure. I'd love to add some insight to that. So the well I'll focus on the Flora Royal Palms just because that's the easier one to explain. The Flor Royal Palms obviously we had that freeze back in February and basically every nursery north of Stewart lost probably
the vast majority of their stock nursery stock and so they're really hard to source anywhere north of West Palm Beach right now. And so because of the just supply and demand for that tree, uh especially when you start getting into the 25 foot plus greywoods, which is
going to be the more CRA preferred specimen quality, that's why that price jumps significantly. >> What about the pigeon? Well, >> so let me flip back to >> 650 to 7.
So the pigeon plum to because that's a very slow growing tree and and to get nursery stock at that size actual like tree that's ready to be a shade tree you're going to need a very mature tree at that point and so just because of the amount of time that's what nurseries are
asking for. >> Yes sir. >> Thanks Joe. Uh, Commissioner Giovi, >> get my name to stand up. >> Um, so of these trees, Bonnie, I like the idea of great murders because I understand
they grow quickly. So, we're in a situation where you don't have to wait for tree to mature, maybe years. So, but you mentioned earlier we need to update the type of trees that are acceptable within the CRA. >> Well, uh, just the land development
code. generally throughout the city, >> which that's why I brought it up then and and not now, but obviously they're looking at that the code minimum trees in this list as well. >> Okay. >> Um but yes, so there's the um I can't remember the scientific name of the
regular crepe myrtle. >> Uh it's a strong indica. >> Indica. Yeah. Um we do have those down here. They grow more slowly. They like it to be a little bit cooler. you look at maybe Tampa north, they're just growing way bigger and better. The queen
crepe myrtle is this newer species that I understand grows further south. >> So those are the ones the trees with the purple flowers out on Flaggler. um that I would possibly like to see added to the list. Um one because we've already got them downtown and it would
add continuity, but two I just think that um they are not native, but they are they could work well in small spaces and they they seem to be performed well here. >> So would we need to update the land development before we could select the trees? >> No.
>> No. I think those are totally separate. >> No, ma'am. Yeah. >> Okay. something for you all to consider as >> mission >> the land develop code separate of this >> the other question I have is it doesn't state anywhere and it shouldn't because
it's just about presenting the trees the ongoing management of the trees trimming them and everything would that be out of CR funds or out of city funds for the you know the parks and wreck who would be what budget would be responsible for
doing the trees within the CRA Um well if CRA um implements uh the project then I would budget to maintain those trees separate line item in my budget for maintenance
>> city for the rest of maintenance throughout the city. >> Okay. >> Well that's important. We're coming to a point where we might be looking at crews and all of that information. Right. Um the other thing and the city manager and I discussed this. There was no cost
involved in all of the information, but you we broke it down. So some of that cost has been paid already for the the um presentation. >> Yeah. This work, >> correct? >> Right. So the master plan >> that's the master plan
>> was in the CIP and the budget last year. So we were directed to move forward with the master plan and >> there was nothing in this. Yeah. >> Yes. That's promisary. nothing to go forward. Okay. >> And and we're obviously doing a five to
six year plan to implement all of this >> or longer >> or longer depending on funds. And what >> we realize that >> we we re realize that this is a quality of life improvement that is desirable.
Obviously, this work is done. >> Yes. >> And that's the purpose of this work. but on on schedule um you know as soon as possible but could be long-term as well. Right. >> So the next step would be actually
picking the type of trees we want and where they go. Would that be the next step? >> I would say probably finalizing our plant pal would be the next step. Yes. >> Okay. >> And I appreciate input from council and from the board. >> Right. Just as a personal, I know
they're more expensive, but to wait four and five years for trees to develop to the point that they would provide trade, I mean, shade is not advantageous, I think, to us. It's probably better to maybe buy less trees, but have them where they're almost ready to shade when
they're planted or within a year or two. So, I think that's better way to spend our money. Um, >> the road systems anyway, those are things that They'll be taken care of in the course of >> next phase of
>> right but they should be discussed. I mean we we we should discuss them. I know that we're not doing them next week but we should discuss them as a way of plan forward. >> Miss Clark the uh application areas on each of those charts those do take root characteristics into account. So that's
why like you don't see live oaks and small median highlands and things like that. >> Right. And is there I mean would this be a committee that would select the trees or it would be >> we are the committee that will be selecting the trees. Okay. >> I think your consultant's going to if
this is approved their next step is getting in a more detailed plan um where they're going to look through >> what trees are more beneficial >> utilities and where they can and can't put trees. They're going to get into the real nitty-gritty and then present that to us next detail right away.
>> Yeah. Um, CRA wouldn't be involved. >> It would be the CRB and the CRA that would approve. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Joy. Commissioner Rich, >> my first comment is
why doesn't my geer tree look like this? >> I've had one more years. >> Well, I'm fairly confident now. >> And it is so spindly. And I actually noticed them around >> around around town and they're all very first of all insects love them
>> and that's a challenge. So I just I don't know if this if this panel is >> generally accepted in a broad area of Florida or are we very specific at point question are we very specifically examining
>> so primarily driven off of the hardiness zone that Steuart lies within is what drives a lot of the plant material choices. The other major consideration was space limitations for things like, you know, the little strip of grass between a parking stall and a sidewalk. You know, we had to think about those
sorts of things and finding the appropriate plant material that would fit there, not cause heaving of asphalt and sidewalk. So, a lot of that is driven by just the hardness zone being in South Florida and then availability of plant material for those specific
applications. I guess probably they're partying that drive cuz I say I do notice them around town and they all they all they all seem I don't think there's anything more
important we do in this city which people are really aware of and care so much >> the difference walking down the street that has shade just remarkable.
I was on Akan recently came planted two stable spoke to five people and three of them said why did you plant those stupid com there's no people are really aware of it
care so I'm so happy to see this work and obviously we're looking at We need to make a budget commit not only
to buying them but planting them. Making sure we're watering. >> Some of these live oaks, they require more complicated planting that isn't it? In order to Aren't there boxes like a sidewalk? >> You can. Yes.
>> There's several companies out there that made tree wells. Yes, sir. You know, I would hope people are still mad that those still come and the roots, but I there are downtowns
around Florida. Thank you, Commissioner Rich. Uh board member Laughlin, did you have a comment? >> Uh just looking at the Royal Point, Si and some of these on your grays, I don't see where some of these identify their hurricane dirtiness. I mean, some trees
are more fragile than others. I know live oaks have been mentioned by other folks as being more hurricane tolerant. How would you rate um let me back that up. I would like to see if if we do implement this program where we have some streets that have a lot of color
that pops and Royal Point Santa does that spring you drive down a road and you have a nice colorful lane. But how would this hold up to hurricanes? Any idea on that? >> So I think it would be on a honestly a
tree by tree basis. It really comes down to where you're putting it, how much root or root uh space availability for it to become a secure tree in the ground. You know, if you put it right up against a roadway, it's root's got to
dive down and get underneath the road in order to become stable. So, it's really it's hard to say like this particular species is going to be hurricane. The only ones you can really say about would probably be palms because they are in hurricane prone natural environments.
Other than that, really any tree could be susceptible to a hurricane. >> All right. Thanks. >> Yes, sir. >> Thanks, Board Member Laughlin. Uh, Commissioner Gio, >> um, in line with what Commissioner Rich said, I I just wanted to clarify because I believe that CRA said the maintenance
would be in their budget, not in the city >> or for the new any new trees that we plant uh, for this program. >> Well, then I guess my question is asked again, which ongoing budget or whose ongoing budget would the maintenance fall into? >> Right. So any any new trees that we
plant the CRA would be responsible for maintenance and that money would transfer into general funds. >> Okay. So not just initial but ongoing maintenance ongoing maint. Uh the other thing is yeah that was my other question I had forgotten to ask. Sorry. Um considering the weather
patterns for the last year or two it has been extremely cold. Um end of December into February even March this last year. So when you present us with these trees depending on where their location is, type of tree, that would all take that into consideration. Is there st, you
know, how sturdy are they in those situations? Not even just a hurricane, but the fact that they have to go through a cold winter here in Florida, which they're not used to. I mean, we did see a lot of trees lost in many places. >> Sure, that's a great question. Uh so the
cold snaps we've been experiencing over the last couple winters where we do get down below freezing temps and when you start seeing the decay and dieback of a lot of plant material when you look at it across the expanses of history those are not those are anomalies those are outliers. So, a lot of the plant
material you see there will have in certain instances if you have those cold snaps again will have decay and dieback, but it doesn't necessarily mean the plant is going to die every time it gets cold. It really comes down to how long and how cold and that throughout that
duration. So like you can drive up and down US1 all the way into Fort Pierce and you'll see Lord of Royal Palms that the further north you got the more often you see them that have died or had more died back on them. And so but the
further south closer to Stewart it's almost an afterthought at this point because it's already recovered. So it really comes down to how cold and the duration of that cold snap. And so that will be a consideration to answer your question. That will be a consideration >> and it's a project over five to six
years so we can see what the next weather patterns are for next winter and following winter so we can based it on that. Thank you. >> Yes ma'am. Commissioner Rich. >> Yeah. I just have a question for Miss Moser. Aren't just to remind ourselves trees streets are safer streets aren't they? >> Yes.
>> Why? >> Their cars slower. the vertical element on the sides of streets tend to narrow >> the view and so cars drive slower which actually increases their field of
vision. So if you're going 40 miles an hour, maybe your field of vision is this big. Slowing down to five, it's this. So it makes the street safer. Um it makes cars drive the speed limit and not speed.
Um and I just wanted to make a point that uh is a good point about the trees and the freezes. Uh myself and my neighbor, we both have a lot of trees in our yard and we were like the only ones in our neighborhood neighborhood who did not experience major losses because those trees saved all the other plants
in our yard. Um so that's another benefit that we can think about when we have these strange things happening with our weather. You know, the trees are >> I mean maybe a priority primary maybe Go in. >> Board member Moser, did you still have
any comments? >> Commissioner Clark. >> Yeah, thank you. This might be getting in the weeds a little bit, but I know that when we have certain trees, um, some tend to drop a lot of leaves. I don't know if the sycamore is one of
those, but it's also a very good shade tree. Um, I know we have the, um, crepe merls now like along oyola and those they drop then they they they dry out really sometimes and they just need to be cut back. But between um the leaf
dropping and if there's some of these species that have a tendency to have a lot of volunteers um then you know that's more maintenance that has to be done because you're always going to have babies coming up.
So, um, but I think that these are all very good. And with this palette, Miss Moa, were you saying that, you know, cuz the crepe that particular crepe myrtle is not really a um, you know, big shade tree? It's it's more I think uh, I think
of a specimen. We have them along um, Flaggler and we have them over on East Ocean, but they're not on this list. Is that what you were saying that they needed to be on this the CR approved tree plant pallet? >> I'd like to see them considered um the
not the loggeria indica the loggeria >> speciosa. Yes, thank you. Um >> yeah, I' I'd like to see them here. Um, and obviously we want big shade trees as many places as we can, but where we're limited by utilities or or um you just
width of the planting area, it's one we >> this year because we still want to keep some even if we're looking for shade trees along the street, we still want to keep our flooring trees idea. I think we have and we do have existing flooring
trees along east ocean with the tab buoy and and the crepe myrtle uh the the um what is it? Queen queen crepe myrtle. All right, that's it. Um do we need to to make a motion to so
that they can start moving forward? >> Yes. >> What's the ordinance number? Resolution number >> resolution number 04206 CRA. I u move approval as as
um uh provided to us and discussed and should we add that the suggestion to add to look into green crepe myrtle and
that's it. No other conditions. >> And the sea grape. >> Sea grape. Not the big maintenance, but that's okay. >> That's my motion, sir. >> Well, you can ask it during the motion if you'd like, but >> the motion hasn't been seconded, but
that's my motion. Unless Lee's motion clear. >> A lot of trees. So we have a we had published in the agenda a proposed resolution 04-2026. I think that's what you were referring
to, right, Commissioner Clark? >> And you with the extra conditions, it's just to consider the add addition of the clean crepe myrtles and sea grapes to be added to the list in the master plan. >> Okay. Yes. Is >> that that right? Okay. That >> I think that clarifies it if anybody
>> Yeah. Is there Yeah. Is there a second on the motion from Commissioner Clark? Yeah. >> All right. So, we have a motion for resolution number 042026 from Commissioner Clark and seconded by Commissioner Rich, including uh the
Queen Crepe Myrtles and the Sea Grapes. Are there any public comments on this motion? Seeing none, do any of the board members have comments? Uh, Commissioner Goi. >> Uh, question is, if we're being specific about trees, um, later on as we're in
the process of moving forward, does that clute us from adding another tree? >> No. >> Well, you're approving the pallet today with additional of two trees and then we'll come forward with more specific plans with those trees that were approved today.
>> Yeah. >> Uh, I have a question, Panol. Uh, how much annually does the CRA plan on setting aside for this program? >> So, we'll have to do um additional
planning for each opportunity zone. Um, so I plan to budget about $100,000 for planning and then uh for implementation would be about $200,000. And it could be less, it could be more. It's just how fast do we want to move forward
>> and that would be for this year's >> it will be in the upcoming budget, right? >> Uh so 100,000 annually and then initially it was 200,000, >> right? >> And the 200,000 initially is that specifically towards the trees or does
any of that go to Kimley Horn? I understand it's already been budgeted. >> Yeah. That's all for implementation, tree, uh, planting, maintenance, uh, watering, initial watering. >> Um, do we have to do any irrigation upgrades for any of these zones or
locations for any of those? >> That's not the plan right now. Right now, we're just planning to probably plant it in the right season so that way we can take advantage of the rain um, and then watering for three to four months. >> Is it foreseeable that we're going to
have to add irrigation at all? or it's not even in the scope like not necessary at all. >> I don't believe it would be necessary. The idea to plant during the right season and then do an establishment period watering should be sufficient for most of the plant material.
>> Okay. And then I had one more question on um let me pull it up just for example on uh one of the charts where it talks about applicability it says conditional. What does that ent I understand a condition is that like discussed from staff and like
>> so the conditional would be in instances where it would need to meet certain degrees of criteria like um you could have a big open area but if they have a bunch of or that's probably a bad way to describe
let's do like a medium landscape >> case by case. Yeah, it's a case by case and really getting into more finite and area and site specifics. >> Okay. >> So, it be on it as needed or as approved. >> Thank you. Do any of the other board
members have any questions for staff or Kimley Horn? Uh, Commissioner Giovi. >> Sorry, I'm too close. >> No, you're good. >> Okay. Back to the irrigation. Yes, ma'am. >> Um, and I understand ideally you want to plant it in season where it's raining, but we can never predict the weather. I certainly think that irrigation should
be in the budget. I mean, if we don't use it, that's great. It could be used toward more trees, but I don't think we should not address it in the budget. >> You mean like with permanent irrigation, like in ground irrigation? >> No, no, like that initial irrigation and maybe it's going to be a part of the
>> about the initial watering, >> right? The initial that's what they're going to do and they're going to plant it. That will be >> cranny season depending on what they're planting. >> Yes. Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Uh, any other board members have questions?
Seeing none, Mary, if you could call the role. >> Sure. CRA Chair Reed, >> yes. >> Board member James, >> yes. >> Board member Rich, >> yes. >> Board member Gobi, >> yes. >> Board member Clark, >> yes. >> Motion passes unanimously. Moving on to action item number three
regarding the heirs property assistance program update. I'll give that update also. Uh Panagandi Sabdas, the RA director for the record. Uh we've been implementing this program for the last two years and um the intent
is to assist the um heirs property owners to help clear their title. Uh we want to preserve home ownership. We want to keep the generational wealth uh within the family and and have u ownership of the property. uh promote
neighborhood stability, uh reduce the risk of involuntary property loss, and help families access homeowners insurance, homestead exemp exemption, financial opportunities such as if they want to get a loan to to uh put
additional uh dwelling unit or additional outbuilding uh accessory unit uh on their property. This program would allow them to clear the title and uh have access to finan financial opportunities and also financial
assistance to repair their homes or rehab their homes. Uh under the current program guidelines, eligible properties uh must be located within the CRA and have an assessed value of $300,000 or less. uh assistance
is provided as a zerointerest deferred loan of up to $3,000 per probate case, not to exceed $9,000 per property. Um that deferred loan lo loan is secured by a recorded lean and is forgiven after three years uh provided that the
homeowner remains in that property and has legal title. Um since we implemented the program, um we've conducted outreach and received interest from potential applicants. Uh but through discussions with families and legal counsel, Bonnie Brown, who's
here with us, uh we've identified several challenges that's affecting participation into the program. Uh in particularly um some property heirs properties require more than three probate cases uh to clear the title and in these instances um the current
maximum assistance that we provide through the program is not sufficient to complete the legal process and some families are not willing to contribute uh for the additional costs. Um staff has received feedback that some
residents have concerns about participating in the program due to misunderstanding of the city's role. Um you know if the city's trying to take over the property and the deferred loan uh lean that that is placed on the property if they go through the program.
Um and additional outreach and education is required to clarify some of that misunderstanding. Um we really want them to understand that CR that the city is here to establish clear title so that they can retain ownership of their property. Um so staff is looking for
direction from the board uh whether the assistance should be based on the amount necessary to clear the title. Uh so it could exceed more than $9,000 per property and the assistance would be subject to available funding uh during
that fiscal year and any revisions uh feedback that's provided today uh we would incorporate into the program guidelines and that would come before the CRB and CRA for review and consideration. Uh the timing of this uh discussion is
important because staff is preparing the fiscal year 2027 budget. Uh so staff is looking for direction from the board on whether to increase the maximum assistance limit under the program and if so whether to allocate additional funding in fiscal year 2027 budget to
support the increase. Uh staff is also requesting guidance on any potential revisions to the program guidelines uh so that we have a successful program and participation from the community. Um the CRA has contracted with Bonnie Brown
who's a probate attorney to assist with the program. Bonnie is here and works directly with the applicants. um she can provide a little bit more additional insight as to what she is finding uh from the applicants, answer any questions, uh some of the challenges and
opportunities um that we could do uh to improve the program application process. Um so um that's my presentation. Um I would like to hear board's feedback on how we can improve the program. >> Thank you panel for the update. Do any
board members have any questions for Bonnie or Panol? Uh, Commissioner Clark. >> Yes. Pel, did you tell us how many people have used the program so far? >> Um, well, so far we've only been able to assist one. We have one successful
application. Uh, but we have about five or six pending because they need more than three probates and um, >> the air properties owners, they just don't have additional funding to to contribute to the program. >> How much how much do we have? How much
did we have in that budget to help >> budget? About $20,000. Um, and so that would assist maybe two or three property owners every year. Um,
but I think the limitation is the $9,000 is we're just not able to help additional people because the guideline says up to $9,000. So, we need to either change that or keep it the way it is and continue with the program and hope to assist people
that just require three or less probates. >> Thanks. What I mean, sorry, attorney um Brown, can you tell us about the possibilities? uh for can you go up to the for um the sorry what' you get up there
for the funding so panel is saying that we we don't know which one will have one probate or three probates but there it seems like there are a few complicated ones and based on that what's happening would it be a suggestion to increase the
funding in this area so that we can get through more of these and get those properties available for people especially in East Stewart because that's where we're focusing this program to um to get those probates done. I think it would be a benefit. I've
spent um a lot of time in speaking with these families. Uh many of the original owners died years ago without a will. So it's the heirs at law statute that applies. many of the heirs at law have
died and so we have to probate their estate as well um to get this property through and as panel said most of them have five six 10 probates they need um and they're just
>> they're not able to pay um that's one of the feedbacks I've recently had another uh some more feedback on the program and my understanding with this program is the goal is to have title placed in the
name of the rightful heirs so they can hopefully clean up the property, obtain loans, maybe assistance under different programs to beautify the area. The feedback that I've received is a
situation with the lean that the city places on the property for a three-year period. Um the unit owners, they just don't understand or they won't comprehend that they feel the city's trying to take the property from. So my
question would be if the goal is to beautify the property whether that's done by the the people who are ultimately the title holders or if they sell and the buyer beautifies it is that lean really necessary if the ultimate
goal is to clean up the property. So whether they keep it in the family or they sell it I mean you would think that a buyer coming in is going to improve the property. So that's a a just a different area to look at as well as
increasing instead of saying that we get three probates per property. If you have x amount of dollars, whoever applies, first come, first serve, whatever it takes to get the title through. and and
and as we've discussed, if we can get some of these moving forward, then I think more homeowners will participate. And the reason we did the lean is because we didn't want to scare the homeowners thinking that we're trying to
help them clean the lean so that somebody else is going to come into their community and buy their property. So, it was kind of more of a protection. But of course, there are some homeowners that don't want the lean because they think, you know, >> the city's going to take their property, >> right? So either way, it's it's hurting
the program, >> right? Exactly. >> Could you state your name for the record, ma'am? >> Bonnie Brown. >> Thank you. >> Good afternoon. I'm sorry. Almost said you're on. Um, may I ask a question of
the attorney panel? >> Sure. >> Okay. So, Mr. bagget. Um I mean we haven't see the attorney. We haven't we haven't even we haven't you know we're just looking at this now and talking about it. Is there some other language
that we could use that's still strong that lets the the the person whose property we're working with know that number one we're not allowing them to get this title cleared and then they run
off and sell it for higher price and it doesn't stay within the community and the generational wealth doesn't stay there. So there needs to be some way to kind of hold this property to to maintain its original use or and improve
use in the original manner um uh possibly with family members but like with people I don't know how anyhow there's is there some other method that we can use to ensure that it's not a um turnkey operation where the city cleans
it up and then somebody sells it for higher price and then we just lose the whole idea of make let that community um try to work itself into becoming more something. >> Well, if you remove the lean, there are
going to be some people that are just going to sell the house right away. They finally can. >> They can't sell it now. It's almost >> there's a protection in there now because they can't sell it, >> but they also can't get loans, mortgages, leans to improve the property. So, it's kind of a double-edged sword, but if you know the
lean sounds bad, but maybe communication could help it as well. I mean, it's an interest free loan, so it's not, you know, no payment loan, so lean. So, they have three years and they don't have to make a payment. So, we we don't foreclose on it. It's just there to
cover that or they don't turn around and sell it right away. um you know, you take away that you you might benefit some people, but there are some people that will turn around sell it right away if take away the lean. >> Thank you. >> I don't know that there's a better way of doing it. I I it's either take the
lean away or keep the lean there, but >> right >> the lean is not they're concerned we're going to go foreclose on their propert with a lean. Once you have a lean like a code enforcement, you practically go and foreclose on the property if they don't pay it. >> Okay. So, >> but we're not mandating that they pay
interest. We're not mandating that they make payments. We're just saying the lean stays there for three years and then it's removed automatically. >> So, let me ask something. Thank you, Mr. Bagot. Mr. Mr. Mayor, I'm going to ask um I'm going to >> put Mr. um Frederick James on the hot
seat or one of our board members. So, I'm just thinking that we've had the issue with code enforcement, especially in the East Stewart area. We want to get the area redeveloped, but we've had the issue with code enforcement where people believe that if there's a code
enforcement issue, they have all these fines acrewing, then the city's going to foreclose on their property. uh we've we haven't done it, but we've seen a situation like with the Taylor property where the the buildings were taken down and then now there's still issues going
on where we need that property to um stay within um the guidelines so that it's not in front of the magistrate all the time. But people have that suspicion that if there's something there from the city that's kind of like hamstringing
them, it's a lean. Then they're going to be in the potential for foreclosure. So when somebody signs something and says, "I want to get my property cleared up with the um ears property um program."
And the city is a part of it with that lean. They're thinking, well, if something goes wrong, the city's going to come take my property and do something with it. Even though we said that that's not what is happening. So
maybe it's an ed it's always goes back to that trust issue. It's an education thing. You know, Lake Worth, you know, um areas down south where people have redeveloped Delray Beach and other
places. what is what is a good way that we can try to communicate this kind of thing and and figure out how to make something work. >> Um before I speak, I I saw a few other people that had had comments. >> You can address her comment. I'm going
to move on to >> already as Thank you very much. Um I I I I do understand the fear factor. Um, not that people have really had the dealings with the city, but it because of uh not
understanding the workings of the city >> there. There's a lean right away. You know, my mindset would be they put the lean on so that that would be a mechanism of restore of stealing my property. >> All right. That's just the mindset of
the people um to remove the lean as you said. But, you know, I don't I don't really understand why it would be a difference if someone came in and bought the property >> and and beautified the property, >> right? >> You know, yes, we'll lose the
generational wealth, but it would also enhance the community. So, with the lean being enforced being a fear factor, I would recommend removing the lean. That's just my personal recommendation. >> Would not?
>> Yes, re remove it. Um, and and I don't know of another way. I had a similar situation with the church in Lake Worth where Lake Worth actually said that because of an area that we own, a property that we own did not have a
sign, we couldn't use it as parking >> and after we put the parking, they put a lean on us >> and um we had to deal with all of that those issues later on. So, um, my personal recommendation, knowing some of the people that have these heirs
properties who don't understand, uh, the language and they don't understand the process, they would be afraid to just say, "Okay, go ahead and do it." Because they feel like that the city's coming in. I understand when we had this discussion before, uh, at the time the
mayor said, uh, the city doesn't buy steel property. I mean, you know, we don't the city isn't designed to buy or sell people's property. That's not what the city's for. So, if there's a way of helping the people to to get th those um
air properties cleared up, whatever we can do, I would say yes. >> You were saying to keep the lean. >> I said get rid of the lean. >> Get rid of the lean. Okay. I just wanted to be sure. Thank you. >> Does that conclude your comments, Commissioner? >> Yes. Thank you. >> All right. No,
>> remember James. Uh, Commissioner Rich. >> Yeah, this is a tough one. So, >> just to be clear, the monetary ceiling we're running into is not the $20,000 we've allocated >> because we've only done it for one person and they've only spent nine. So,
it's the amount we're allowing for any individual property. That's the financial ceiling we're putting into. So what the city does not want to be in the business of is having an unlimit
facilitating to an unknown amount for someone to sell their property. Correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Bagot. So that's the point of the three years. If you sell it within three years, you owe us the amount the city gave you to get clear title.
>> Correct. then it just automatically is removed at the end of the right >> at the expiration of year >> and the only way to protect the taxpayers's interest there is through a lean >> I mean yeah I I'm not aware of it I can't think of another way >> so what I don't understand if someone
wants to sell their property why don't they accept the debt they owe to the city as part of that transaction I don't >> that confuses me what they want to do is sell it >> I don't think they >> get a no interest loan from the
clear up title and sell it. >> I think there's a just a fear that the intent the city is just going to foreclose when we have a lean on. That seems to be >> we're not going to. >> Right. I I that's >> So the buyer speaking to them isn't saying, "Wait, no, no, no, no, no.
You're going to sell it to me. I'll pay the city." I mean, however that >> I mean, right now, >> that's hard to ever overcome that. Yeah. >> Right now, it's very difficult to sell it or have an interest buyer because the the the probate's not there's no clear
title, right? You got three generations. >> This is a means of accomplishing that >> and and you're not >> we're capped at 20 grand. That's what you budgeted for it. So, it's it's >> No, no, we're kept at nine per >> Well, right. I'm saying I'm saying but if we release the nine cap per per
project I I would call it you're still capped at 20 grand which is what you guys have budgeted the project the entire project. >> That's the aggregate. >> Well what she said I'm sorry Mrs. Brown, Miss Brown, >> she said
we need to raise the per project per property limit >> as well as I mean is is are there a couple projects you're looking at that would be more than 20 per project >> having just gone through pate for a
friend of ours where my wife was the PR man it's expensive >> it is expensive and you have you have heirs all over the country right >> this is a wonderful program. It truly is. And I have talked until I'm blew in the face with the residents. It's a
beautiful program. Even with the lean, >> after 3 years, it goes away. If you sell within three years, you pay the city back, >> which seems fair to me. >> I agree. It's it's wonderful. But they don't comprehend. He and Pinal and I attended an NCAA
>> NAACP >> sorry NAACP meeting um and hoping that uh it would move forward and they just they don't have prop >> and panel this is a very finite number of properties it's like 30 or is it 32
>> what 33 >> 30 I mean this is I'm amazed we can't sit in a room with these people and say hey look you know what do you want >> how can we help you accomplish that. >> Yeah, >> we can try again. We can call them. Sorry, Mr. Campbell. Mr. Rich,
>> we can probably try to get them maybe in small groups again and talk to them. >> Knock on. Okay. >> I mean, if what they want to do is sell, let's let them sell. But >> yeah, >> we're not The city's not going to give you money for free.
>> Mr. Flanigan has a suggestion. >> You have to come to the mic. >> I don't mind. I'll give you the money. >> Thank you, Miss um Brown. >> Hey guys, for the record, Joe Flanigan. Uh by definition, I don't have a dog in this fight, per se. I got involved a
couple years ago when there was a grant to beautify your property for reimbursement for like painting or landscaping or something. And one of my friends applied for it, couldn't get it because he does not have clear title. So, I started doing a little investigating. I'm giving you some round
numbers. His grandfather built the house in 1950. He died and left it to his son who died and left it to his son. And now this son is the heir to the property, but it's still in the grandfather's estate. >> So that's where we got it. And so then I
found out and panal did a great job of getting this grant put in place, the heir's property. And so it it exists. The problem is if you go back and kind of do the old family tree, you got granddad, four kids, four kids, and four kids. Now we got like 10 or 15 down at
this level. >> And so I mean I I love the idea and Miss Brown and I have talked if I could go a step further. Uh South Carolina has a state agency and that's all they do is heirs property and I've worked with them. South Carolina had some uh
legislation and I've shared that with our local legislators to get it here in Florida. There is and Miss Ula, Miss Clark, sorry, you had mentioned something about letting the people know uh there there is legislation on the books right now. It exists from 2020
that says if I am the person that's living in the property and I'm going to sell it, I must legally reach out to every single heir whose name is there. That's that's law. It's in position right now. So I can't just say I live
it, I'm going to take it. Uh, and and when Miss Brown and I were talking, one of the things is, as long as I've got my seven siblings, and we all agree life is good, but one goes, "Well, wait, wait, wait a minute. No, no, no. I'm short some money. I want my $10,000 worth of this property, and the rest of the
family doesn't have that kind of money, so then it complicates it." But what our education that we must do for this and the 33 properties in East Stewart, what I'd always said was, "Give me one. No, let me do my homework. let's go out and
find it. And we've got one and it's a perfect example. And probably half of you know this person, but it's Nina Douly and Olivia Newton. That family, they have it. But I think they've got five >> and they don't have the discretionary funds. Let me kick out a couple thousand
dollars here to make this happen. If I can get them through the program, then you go door to door and go, "Do you know them? Okay, you don't trust me. Do you know them? Go talk to them. It works." And I also know Jimmy Smith is actually dealing with this with his family in Georgia, so it exists. But anyway,
there's there's a lot of things are out there. I agree with the lean. Uh but if if I'm that heir and I want to sell the property because, you know, nobody's living it and there are some situations where the youngest son still living there and he's not necessarily a very
nice person. >> Well, sorry. >> You have three minutes of that. >> Thanks, I need to look down for the timer, but make it happen. >> I'll come back to you, Commissioner. >> What I was going to say, >> Commissioner Gio.
>> Okay. I agree that, you know, education um and informing what that means is the most important. Developing that level of trust, um maybe having those families meet separately with everyone. I don't know what the answer is. We could work on that. This is a question for our
attorney, Bernie Backet. Can the lean, I mean, I'm sure you took standard lean language. Can the lean be um stated in a way that would be more understandable to the persons that would be signing it? I mean, it's it's legal ease and and I don't know that, you know, somebody sits
there and says, "Oh my god, the first party, the first part, and oh my god, if this hasn't happened, can it be brought down?" I mean, in the insurance world, they did something many years ago, which was the insurance policies have to be readable to the average public. And is there a way to make that lean something that's readable and understandable for
the individuals who need to sell it? >> I think it already is because it it's saying interest free and no payments are due and it expires at the end of three years. Seems simple. >> I've not seen it, I have to say. I don't >> Well, that's the terms of it. So, >> okay. >> Um I you know, >> they just don't understand.
>> No. and and and you know um they're not getting they're not like going out and hiring their own attorney. We we we're providing Miss Brown and so there's probably still some skepticism even though you technically would have an attorney client relationship with him, right? >> Yeah.
>> Represent. >> Yes. >> So, um I I I think um Mr. Flanigan's idea is probably best to take a particular party >> Yeah. work with them through the system, but they we currently we we have the cap
of 9,000 in three different probates. So we we probably need to lift that. >> And if you're concerned that would be exposing us to unlimited amount, it's still capable >> budget is 20. So >> you're not you're not going to go I guess that that would be two
I guess it would be six and a half um probates that the max. >> Yeah. But if you can't do it on three properties, you probably do it on one property. >> Yeah. I let it let something happen. >> But I I I bet you there five to to 10 is
probably not going to be abnormal there because you have great grandpa that died >> and there's all this many other siblings. >> The grandparents level, there's four of them that died and then all their kids and then the grand great grandkids. I mean, it's it's a mess. >> Each of them require every death requires a probate. >> Yeah,
>> understandable. Um, my next suggestion would be that I would not want to increase it. I would rather increase the amounts. We're at a cap of nine. What is that? Two probates. >> Three. >> Three probates. So, we're at a cap of three. On an an individual basis, I think we should review them. I don't
think there should be an across the board. Well, everybody gets 10. I think on an individual basis, let's look at the case and for that particular one. And at the same time, we need to do we need to increase that $20,000 gap because that obviously isn't going to cover many probates if there's five
involved in one family. >> Yeah. >> So, we need to look at both. We need to increase that 20K and we need to on a case-byase basis determine, you know, okay, you exceed the three probates and in your case warrants it. I think that's
a lot of maybe due diligence on uh attorney Brown's part because you have to determine, you know, going forward, are those five cases going to at least doable. >> Yeah. So, you know, we may not want to extend that monies to that family because maybe there's so many siblings
that wouldn't agree that it's just not worth your time, our time, and the money. Uh, so I think that those are the suggestions and I'm not adverse to again all of us or some of us meeting with people on a one-on-one basis if they have questions and we can all have a cheat sheet which says the basics for us
like this is what this means. This is where we go from here. So I think that sometimes those things are helpful too. >> Is that your comments, Commissioner J? >> That's it. >> Board member Laughlin. >> Okay. My thoughts are, you know, there's
an old case where a a widow lost her a home in in Georgetown and then the Congress voted to give her some money and then one of the constituents was like, "Well, that's not your money to give." And here we are. We're giving away taxpayer funds. I'm going to go with what Cameron Rich said. I think
that we don't want to give away taxpayer funds. And I'm going to assume that Campbell Ridge was saying, I think we do do need to have a little bit of insurance protection for taxpayer funds. They have a great program here. And my
question is when Miss Brown, when you're working with these folks, have you ever did like an illustration to to to show, hey, if you wait, let's say your property is worth 200,000. If you want to sell it immediately, we take 300 or we take $3,000
as repayment for that program we gave you. If you wait three years, you get the full 200,000. I mean that you've tried that. It doesn't work. Okay. Like it it should be pretty simple math, but you know, I get there's some fear. And I
like what Mr. Flanigan pointed out. If you have one example, >> Yeah. >> then everybody falls in line. You know, like the old Snake River Land Company when they sold that old Jackson Hole out, all it took was one rancher. So, and then if you're only capping at 20,000, if that one family gets in,
well, then you're going to have a bunch of people lined up. So, if you're only budgeting 20,000 a year, it could take years for people to to clear it. But I think we definitely should have a cap to it. So, >> okay,
>> that's my comment. >> Thank you, board member Laughlin. Board member James. >> Thank you. Um, I I I think the the the language there's nothing wrong with the lean, but it's just that fear between the person that you're telling that there's a lean on my property and the
city. The other thing is I want to commend Joe because he's done research and and attorney Brown, they've done the research with individual families. And I think once you identify that family and the structure that you're dealing with
and we remove the $9,000 cap, you know, I think the program would move forward. You talked about um how, you know, in three years if they decided to sell, it's been three years of the program and we only have one, right? you know, so I
I I think if we address those issues, it would help. It may not solve it all, but I think it would help. And the forum of reaching out to individual families. I'm willing to put, you know, the church. I I I serve as pastor at St. Paul Amy Church in East Stewart. I live in East
Stewart, but I don't know everybody in East Stewart, but there are family members in my church who's been there for 60, 70, 80, 90 years who know people. And if they if Joe if you're able to get one I think somebody else
and it may take five 6 7 8 nine years but at least you're eliminating that 33 homeowners are or people who who who would be beneficial of the of the um the grant of not the grant but this program.
>> Yes. >> Thank you. Board member James uh Commissioner Clark. >> Okay. So, probate is always a hard nut to crack and people don't like probate, but I agree with um Commissioner um Gobi that if it's and I don't know, I wasn't
sure if in on this particular case that Miss Brown is working on if she's at that point where she needs to come and ask for discretion or Pinol needs to come and ask for discretion that we're done so many people with regard to this
family and we need to get more money out of the 20,000. If that's the case, if we want to do it on a case-byase basis and bring it back or if we want to give pinol administrative authority to say if it's over, you can do this, but you just need to report to us if we need to lift
something or change something, maybe this is the discussion now. So, we need to work on that and decide what direction we want them to go in. So, I think that that's important. Then to Mr. Flanigan. So this whole idea of mistrust
and what the result of that is and I think it's like people cutting off their nose to spite their face whatever it is because there are people who believe that the city is going to take their property or worse yet the individual
who's living in that home whether they have 10 more brothers and sisters and they're there somebody believes that because the city is clearing the property and it's being cleared in the name of one person just so that that person can have control and do certain
things and be able to apply for permits and do things. They believe that they're not going to get active with that property. So maybe that gives Bonnie more work and I don't know if that's what the city needs to do to to clear it up, create a trust, do whatever needs to
happen for that family so that they're sure that things will go forward in a proper manner. But um that's one thing because I think that that that has been an issue. People say I've had people tell me they're not going to help the other family members because they're the
ones who are living there. They're the ones who are getting the benefit and they believe that they're not. But you know what? They're not getting the benefit anyhow because the property is not in somebody's name and it and they can't sell it and they can't do something. So, we need to do a lot of
education and we just need to continue to work on it. And uh we did a good job uh Mr. Flanigan and the NAACP members did a good job in the community and I think we just need to continue working on that.
And um Miss Brown, if if you're at a limit on this case, like I said, it's a test case, then maybe um the information should be brought back to us and then we have an action item where we can in this particular case increase or do whatever
if that's what we need to do. >> Does that conclude your comments? >> Thank you, sir. >> Commissioner Gobi. >> Okay. I agree with board member Laughlin. Uh this is taxpayer money and we are the guardians of that money. Um but when these cases are finally out of
probate and people are able to borrow against their property or improve it or sell it and someone else improves it, the taxpayer benefits. I mean everyone in the neighborhood, everyone in the area and steward benefits. It's not just that particular family. So it's in our best interest to help them. It also is
in our benchrist is while we're educating them is to make them understand, you know, grandpa, you know, or great uncle is now 90. You wait another three years. You have another layer of probate to go through. You know, it's not going to get any better. You really need to strike while the iron's hot. All of those things that
need to be education wise. And I don't know how if we want to volunteer or whatever, but I'm more than happy to have a cheat sheet for all of us where we're willing to sit with individuals of these families and explain it to them. And and I do understand that, you know, I'm cousin Joe and I'm living in the
house and I'm obviously getting all the benefit of it, but Joe must be paying the fuel, the upkeep and whatnot. So, he is at least paying a rent and maybe the other siblings are not and I think they just need to understand that. So, anyway, that's all I have to say. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Joy. Board
member James. My my final comment um the people in East Stewart you would have to understand the history and how that fear was developed. We were giving a community because we were not able to go in other places
>> live here. >> All right. And so the distrust has been there and even though the city means well and the people don't understand that it's a zero interest that it it can't hurt you. It's only going to help
you. >> That fear um between the city and the and the people that live there. It's there. It's a reality. They live with it every day. >> And because of it, it's going to take the education. And
it's going to take people like uh lawyer and Joe to sit down with individuals and say, "Look, this person was able to to do it. The city wants to help." And and and I think if we're able to do it, it
would erase some of the imagery of the city wants my property. You know, I know that the city can't take my property. I know that. But you can put code enforcement, leans, code enforcement,
and it will go into foreclosure and they'll lose whatever their that dwelling is that they have. Now, that's all I wanted to say. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, board member James, Commissioner Joy. >> Um, so I I do understand the trust level, but if we could just get two families through this, one,
>> well, even but two families through this, you now have shown everyone in that neighborhood that it's possible and they're benefiting from it. and then they can move forward. And maybe we look at the code enforcement. I'm sure that some people have pushed the area of of
wanting, you know, having to get code enforcement, but maybe we work on that so we're not putting code enforcement leans on top of the lean that they're now sitting on. That's good. >> I mean, we just make an exception. Maybe it's an exception with a a dated time on it. It's it's, you know, it's connected
with the property. If you continue and get the property cleared, the the code enforcement goes away, you know, or at that point, if you've now gotten property cleared, you're able to borrow money and you haven't cleaned up your code enforcement, then yes, you're going to be expected to pay for it. So, I
mean, there's just other ways to do that. >> For clarification, panel, you're looking for a motion on this so you know what direction to go in. Um, my comments are it sounds like the community needs
informed and educated on it. I think we should have a motion regarding having a meeting with these potential cases or the heirs program and maybe have them come down here and actually meet their elected officials and advisory board members and hear it from
us personally. Um, sounds like that's one of the big issues as well as how much we're going to spend. Um, when this program was initiated, it was $3,000 per, correct? And then we went to 6,000 and then 9,000. >> Well, 3 to9.
>> 3 to 9. So, we went from three to nine. And that was for one specific case, I believe. >> Um, and there's some where there could be 8 to 10 probates. So, that could potentially cost 20,000 plus then just to achieve one success story.
Um, and we budget $20,000 per year, >> right? Uh, and we don't even know if all 33 of these people want to participate. You have five or six pending. Uh, have you heard from the other 20 plus that they just said they don't want to participate? >> We've sent uh notices to them. We just
haven't heard from them. Uh, it's not that they don't want to participate, they just maybe >> this is to the mailing address on file with property appraiser credit. >> Yes. >> Well, absentee >> to the property owners. Have we door knocked the houses at all >> just to see if we can make contact?
We've sent notices and when we had the NAACP meeting, we did they did send out notices to those property owners also, but no, we have not door knock. >> I mean, that might that might be something as well is maybe to make contact with someone that's staying there just to even see.
>> But some of these they're not even living there. It's not even there. >> Gotcha. Because the whole purpose of the program is to create generational wealth. Uh I know there's been discussion about removing a potential lean. Uh I I don't see the need in that.
Um because then they wouldn't be able to sell the property. They would have the generational wealth and that's the purpose of the program. Um >> I mean we have four or five pending applications. So we don't even need to reach out to anybody right now. We can just help the ones that are pending and
get those moving because they will pass on the word to other property owners. >> Well, I was just thinking for long term >> they're willing to participate. >> Yes. Well, I was thinking for long term as well with some of the things that were discussed because a as we move on, we
might only do one a year and then more people want might want to be a part of it and then we have 25 cases and we're spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on the program >> reparation. >> But those were my comments. But yes, uh,
board members, Panal's looking for a a motion so she knows what direction to go in with with this program as far as if we're increasing the price per property, if we're removing the lean, that's what's been those are the two things that have been discussed. I'd like to
see a a meeting with the community potentially, maybe um, so they're not fearful of their city government. Uh, yes, Mike. Mayor, is the is there a potential or to the board members to I mean if the
program hasn't been used but budgeted over the past few years and I I just asked Panal the question could could we afford to raise that aggregate of that total sum of monies available for these
current applicants? they're they're standing in line and if you could guarantee them that the funding is there and then walk them through the process. I mean maybe that's the way to go at the present time is >> guarantee that the funding is available.
Pick the pick the number doesn't matter if it's not 20 it's more than 20,000 could be a h 100red,000 because again these funds haven't been used over the course of a couple years um and that money is there. I just asked all that question. So that's one way to do it is
to increase the aggregate sum available, take care of the people that are standing in line today and then I think you'll get the success stories at least one. That's all you need and and carry on from there. >> Well, I think if if we were increasing it, that would be for this fiscal year
or the new fiscal year upcoming. >> It would be for the new fiscal year. And these probates take a long time. So, I mean, one that we were working on almost took a year. So, we don't we don't reimburse the attorney until the it's cleared, the title has been cleared.
>> So, I'm not concerned whether we have enough money this fiscal year or not. I do plan to budget again for fiscal year 2027. That's going to come before you in August or uh September. That budget is going to come before the CRB and CRA board. So if you give me direction to
increase that to $100,000, I can put that in my budget for fiscal year 2027 and then other two direction that I need is do we remove the limitation in order for the program to work. I need to revise the guidelines and those guidelines would come before the CRB and
CRA for approval. So we're not making any decision. I just need some feedback as far as >> um okay, we're going to go ahead and remove the limitation. Uh or maybe give me a cap of 15,000 or 16,000, whatever that is. And as far as the lean, we
could do the education on that. Um so we could keep that or remove it. Again, need direction on that. Or we can just educate uh go out in the community and educate more. >> Yeah, I definitely think the lean should be there. The only thing I'm Yeah. Um, with these five or six, you're
estimating 20,000 per. Is that correct, Bonnie? >> Well, it's 3,000 per probate, right? So, >> Yep. I mean I mean, so you're talking 100,000 plus just for these five or six. >> Yeah. >> And it's not that we're going to use all 100,000 in one year again. I think it
could it could be multiple years because once bond >> it would accumulate though depending on next year's budget cycle if you roll. Yeah. Um, Commissioner Rich, >> I was just going to make a motion as they as as as board member James pointed
out, it's we've been doing it three years. Is that correct? And we've only had one, so they're not knocking the door down. But I would I don't like pushing the limit over 20,000 right now. But I don't have a problem with that going to one
specific case. And let's see how that works and what opportunities. I like the idea of them having some skin in the game. I don't feel the city has to foot the entire bill and if they're not willing to come up with a small
additional amount then that doesn't bother me that much but certainly 20,000. So I would just say the motion is that we keep it at 20. >> Is the question you made Mr. City Manager that has she accumulated since we haven't paid the 20?
>> Right. We have like we have 40 in there. >> I don't play the accumulation game, sir. I I as I discussed last commission meeting, a budget ends at the budget conclusion. So on September 30th, we close out the budget. >> That's right. >> And move on. I'm not saying these funds
roll over. I'm just saying, >> okay, >> I I asked the question to Panal, are the funds available? The answer she gave me was yes. Commissioner, >> my motion is that we maintain an annual budget of annual max of 20,000, but that
it can be applied to any single case. >> I had a I want to just ask Panel a question real quick and then I'll address the motion. Um panel, in the past, have we spent more than 9,000 for anyone? Because I want to I can't remember exactly how it worked. Like we
we had someone apply and was that where we were at 3,000 and had to up it to nine just and that's the one case that had success. >> Yeah. >> Same case. >> So yeah. >> So in theory if we kept it the same do we have one in particular to where
>> we don't have any application right now that just meets the three probates. They're all more than three right now. So we're not able to move forward with any of those applications. So, with Campbell Rich's motion of it being 20,000, out of those five or six, is
there one that will fit that criteria? >> Okay. All right. So, Commissioner Rich has a motion to raise it to 20,000 and still leaving the lean. Correct. >> Okay. >> Okay. Just want to make sure. Do we have a second for Commissioner Rich's motion?
>> I'll second. >> All right. So, we have a second by board member James. Are there any public comments regarding this motion? >> Okay. Um, any of the board members have any qu Yes. Uh, Commissioner Gio, >> I was just going to ask Commissioner
Rich if he would amend his motion to up the annual fee available for us to use to 40,000. And then currently we are at a in pass because we have people that are past the three the 9,000 that we
have. So on just I don't know if we want to increase per that particular air or increase it to what would the level be >> with the threat of this ador referendum hanging over all municipalities in the state of Florida? Absolutely not.
>> Absolutely not to what? Which one? >> Raise it above 20. >> Okay. But we can then you want to do the incre we could raise it more than nine. >> No, >> that's what the motion is. >> Yeah, that's what the motion is is to raise it to 20. >> Any individual case can go up to 20
>> up to 20. >> And this is 20. This would be 20,000 for the >> this fiscal year or the upcoming fiscal year. >> So 10 years. >> It would be for the upcoming. >> It would be for the upcoming because there's no way we'd be able to finish a probate in the next few months. So it would be the upcoming year. So we'll see
it in the budget workshop then. Right. >> That'll be 10 years before some people get get off the list. >> Commissioner Clark, >> sorry. I said it'll be 10 years before some people get off the list >> because we have what six six cases now on waiting in the wings and they have
more than five probates involved with it. Well, let's finish this one and see how it works and let's meet with the residents. I think all of those things are important. We do need to increase the >> right now we're at a cap not
>> we are that's what the motion is the moting it to 20,000 and keeping the lean. >> Okay. >> Yes definitely. >> Do any other board members have any questions for city staff or Bonnie? Uh seeing none. Mary roll call.
>> Board member Rich. >> Yes. >> Board member Gio. >> Yes. >> Board member Clark. >> Yes. >> Chair Reed. >> Yes. Board member Jane. >> Yes. >> Motion passes unanimously. Uh let's see. We have on our agenda
packet staff update. Are there any staff updates? >> I don't have any update at this time. >> All right. Thanks, Panol, for everything. All right. I'm going to adjourn this meeting at 5:39 p.m. Part: 2
I'd like to call this regular meeting of the City Stewart Commission on July 27th, 2026 at 5:50 p.m. to order. Mary, if you could roll call. >> Mary? >> Here. >> Commissioner Clark? >> Here. >> Commissioner Giobi? >> Here. >> Commissioner Witt? >> Here.
>> And followed by that, we have invocation by Pastor James Harp from Stewart Alliance Church. And afterwards, could you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? Thank you. >> Let's pray. Our Father, we thank you for this day, and I thank you personally for this
opportunity to be here this afternoon uh to pray, uh to bring invocation, uh not to ask you to be here, but Lord, more to recognize your presence. The psalmist in Psalm 139 verse 7 uh rhetorically asks the question, "Where
can I go to escape your presence? To escape your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" Uh Lord, he knew that you were everywhere. You're here. You're in this room, and we recognize that. And uh Father, I just ask that you would superintend this meeting.
Sitting here waiting, I looked up that word to give the definition, and it means to have or exercise the charge and oversight of, to oversee with the power of direction, to take care with authority, to supervise. And Lord, that would be my prayer this evening, that
you would supervise and superintend uh this meeting tonight and all other meetings Lord, where plans are being made and things are being discussed for our community, for our city. Lord, we thank you for this city. We thank you for these that have been uh put in authority over uh the community. Lord,
your word tells us that we're to pray for them, that we're to encourage them, that we're to lift them up before you, that you would grant them wisdom and direction and guidance, so that our lives would be better because of them. So, Lord, I do that tonight. I pray for them. I pray for their families. I pray for all those who are involved in
this city to make things happen and to take care of the things that we take for granted. Lord, we thank you. Thank you for this country in which we live that gives us the freedom, Lord, to be able to look to you and also to be thankful for all those things around us that you
have given us. So, Lord, I commit this meeting into your hands tonight. I thank you for each one here. I pray for your wisdom and direction again to guide and direct everything that's said and done. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen. >> [cough and clears throat]
>> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Comments by city commissioners.
Commissioner Rich. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I would just like to remind all of us, and I do this because we are the only municipality in the state of Florida that has an attorney
dedicated solely to environmental matters. She just walked in the door. >> [laughter] >> And she goes around insisting that everybody follow the regulations in terms of polluting and keeping our waterways clean. So, I want to remind
you that from June 1st to November 30th, you may not apply fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorus. And that includes going to Lowe's and buying those fertilizers and putting them on yourselves. I have seen commercial companies out
there doing that, and I would ask the city manager to look in how we remind these companies courteously of their obligation towards this fertilizer ban. And that is very important.
And that concludes my comments, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you, Commissioner Rich. Um and I I don't know if this might be for Ruth then. Um do you know if golf courses can still be fertilized even though we have a fertilizer ban? Okay. All right, thanks. >> I'll have to take a look into them. >> Yeah, thank you.
Uh Commissioner Giove. >> Yes, hi everyone. I'd like to thank everyone as I always do for attending the meeting tonight both in person and online. Now more than ever it is important that your voices are heard in our community. Um last Wednesday I was privileged to attend the graduation of the men and
women who keep our public lands in good shape for the residents and visitors. This best management series is a collaborative effort between the city and the county for more than a decade. I want to congratulate this year's graduates and I was glad to see them receive their awards. Thank you, Milton
Leggett and his crew who work so diligently to keep the public spaces beautiful. Want to thank you, Yvette Godall and her staff at UF/IFAS Extension for putting together the event. And a thank you to all the city and county individuals working with Yvette and her staff to
make the graduation possible. I'm sure I don't say it often enough, but I want to give a shout-out to the city staff and all the departments who work behind the scenes to make sure that our city is up and running every day. Thank you. >> Does that conclude your comments, uh >> done. I'm sorry.
>> [laughter] >> Uh Commissioner >> said the end. >> Commissioner Giove or Commissioner Clark. >> Thank you. Um Commissioner Giove, thank you for stealing my speech, but that's okay. >> sorry.
>> No, it's uh Yes, the public works um graduation uh was a very good program to see the faces of people in the city and the county who prepare our conservation areas, our parks, whatever
it is for those who visit and play and live and work in our community and they create that image for those who um use those facilities and it's a good thing. So, uh congratulations on all levels. Um
Mr. Rich, again, another person who upstage me, I guess. Um Ms. Holmes, Ruth Holmes. The only What did you say, Mr. Rich? The only >> The only municipality in the state of Florida who has an attorney
dedicated solely to dealing with environmental matters. >> Okay. And so, and there's a lot of work that that needs to be done, but I did with and I guess I won't upstage city manager, but um I did go out with city manager, Ms. Holmes, and some residents
uh in an area of our community that they've asked for somebody to come and look and check and there's lots of work to be done, not only in that area, but other areas. We went to the Popeton Creek area and walked entire um
uh linear area around the the the property border and just, you know, try to assess and learn what's happening in that community and how we can help in the future and and understand what the problems are. So, again, thank you so
much, Ms. Holmes, and I hope that um whatever we glean and whatever we're working with, that we'll be able to to get something done, especially in the next budget with a plan of how we're going to be working in um various ways to
uh work on making sure that we have clean waterways. That particular area is close to Canal Highway, which has a lot of runoff from the road and there's oil and all kinds of things that happen. But, um it was just a good thing to know that we
participated in that way and and got to um learn more about the communities. So, thank you and thank you, city manager. Um we just had a meeting before this one, which is called the um Community Redevelopment. What we had the CRA, we had some CRB
members, we had a joint meeting. And one of the things that came up was um how to literally how to get communities revitalized by trying to free up titles to property so that people can be able to apply for whatever
they need to apply for under the name of I call it an owner. And so, the heirs' property, which is administered through the CRA with um Penal Gandy served us, it's a good program.
And those of you who have the opportunity to be interested in this program or even to be um personally involved with it or can share information with someone else, please do so and let us try to uh get
more information out there so that we can get things done. This is right now limited to the East Stuart area. And um we're working to to get that implemented. So, we just want to make sure that everybody's on the same page and we try to get it get it done.
Uh I have nothing else. So, uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you, Commissioner Clark. >> [clears throat] >> I wanted to get a consensus from the board before I make my comments regarding the discussion and deliberation items if we're going to uh or if we'd be okay with allowing public
comment on those two items when they come up. >> I think there should be comment. >> Uh Commissioner Clark, Commissioner Ridge. >> It It can be hearing um um city ma- not city manager. >> a yes or no for a consensus. >> I was just going to ask city attorney if
he thinks it might get out of hand. Uh just just we just get at the comments now. >> No, I I I think the mayor was asking whether or if you have only a discussion and no motions, whether you could have public comment on those issues.
I don't think there's a legal issue with it. It's more of a preferential >> correct. >> It wasn't advertised as such. As long as it is not the only time when people give comment cuz it wasn't advertised as such, people might say, "Well, they they accepted it." I hear you. >> Yes, yeah, we're not taking action. Um
so is that Is that a yes or no? >> Yes. >> Okay, thank you. Uh Commissioner Ridge. >> Uh sure. >> Thanks. Uh my comments are uh I'm going to be hosting a town hall meeting here at uh
city hall on August 12th from 4:30 to 7:30. And it's basically going to be local government, how to navigate the city website, ask questions, uh learn your local government. Uh we also have
um from F. Dot. [music] >> Oh, yeah. >> in regards to uh the project development environmental study. It's a PD&E study regarding the Willoughby Boulevard extension. And this city commission board did send a a a letter unanimously 5-0 to the
Martin County MPO board to let them know we supported a no build option. Uh but there's a virtual meeting that's going to be on July 28th at 5:30 p.m. And there's an in-person meeting on July 29th at the 10th Street Rec Center, and
it starts at 5:30 p.m. And I also wanted to address I met with the city manager this morning and I let him know there's a couple cases as I call them since I was elected in August of 2024 that
has gotten my attention and I'm trying to resolve them. I've mentioned them multiple times. You might hear them in public comment tonight. Uh some of them involve legal issues. Some of them involve the applicant. Some are with the city. Um
maybe when they come up I'll I'll address them with the city manager or get a consensus from the board on what we would like to do, but that concludes my comments. Thank you. Um any comments by the city manager? >> Thank you, Mayor.
Commissioner Clark, great to take a walk with you to Poppleton Creek. Um right [clears throat] off the bat uh learn a weather season. I'm not going to say the word. Um the staff we hosted a
a superb tabletop. I've been in emergency response and recovery um and and I just happen to have a degree in meteorology. So, um been doing this a long time in a lot of different places and we have a top-notch staff and I was very pleased
uh with the exercise that we held. It was a tabletop. Um but uh everybody participated in it and we are prepared for the season. Uh couple of what's good uh our police explore explorers
participated in national police explorers event uh at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Uh they completed eight events against 38 police explorers uh from around the country. Nassau County,
Charleston, South Carolina, Nas- Nassau County, New York. Uh Charleston County, South Carolina, Austin, Texas, to name a few. Stewart finished second in the unknown problem category and third in force on force.
The team was awarded two trophies. They'll be displayed in the lobby. Uh so, uh congratulations to our police explorers on that. And uh second, I've got a letter from the Daughters of the American Revolution. I'm
Uh this is to Mr. Milton Leggett. I'm going to read the last paragraph. The American 250 Patriots Marker Dedication Ceremony on July 4th, 2026 near the gazebo was certainly a patriotic atmosphere with banners and flags flying high.
This is to Milton Leggett. Your attention to detail and encouraged encouragement helped to create a very very memorable experience for our membership as well as the public attending the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of
America on that very special day. This is signed Lynn Jensen, co-chairman of the America 250 from the Daughters of the Revolution. Congratulations to Milton Leggett, as usual. [applause] Commissioners and the public, I want to remind everybody that last time I talked about the Everglades Foundation. They'll
be commemorating uh an event that happened 10 years ago uh about the uh restoration of Lake Okeechobee and construction of a reservoir. There's a luncheon on August 7th. Uh I will be attending. I believe
commissioners have been invited and I would encourage anyone else who would like to uh attend to get a hold of the Everglades Foundation. Uh we will commemorate that with a proclamation at the next commission meeting. Uh
an update on the audit. I had uh corresponded with the auditors. Of course, our team works with the audit firm and meets every week on the 2025 audit. We're late. Uh, late means June 30th, 2026. The
audit was supposed to be complete. The audit firm had reached out to us well in advance, and I reported on this at an earlier meeting, that the they they're proposing a schedule of uh, being done with the audit on August 31st of this year. I asked if there are any
preliminary findings. There are none. Um, I have not seen anything in the 2025 budget closeout or anything since I've been looking at it that I that will lead me to conclude there will be any issue with the 2025 budget. This
is delinquent because it wasn't started on time, and um, it will not happen under my watch again. Um, so I I I'm only reporting it as an update to the public. They're about 50% complete. The staff works
uh, on it weekly, and an audit is just it just that. It is looking at the financial uh, procurement process, our own internal accounting and finance procedures, and seeing are we in tune
with our own self, and are there any discrepancies there? There are none to report from 2025, nor do I anticipate any, but if there are any, we will address them appropriately. The new finance staff is doing an awesome job.
To that end, a budget. Uh, you got a budget update, and also a preliminary look into the 2027 budget. In the the packet for next commission meeting, which will be a budget workshop.
Uh, so our our budget package should be out by the end of the week this week. And right now, the city manager's budget for 2027 is balanced. So, we will be proposing a balanced 2027
budget to the public and to the commission coming up in a few weeks from now. I must commend Anthony on his work since coming here. He has dedicated He's in the room today. Give him a pat on the back because he has been working
extremely hard and to our department heads who have also who who gave us, you know, honest input. And then I challenged them since the last commission meeting, I need another 5% from you. I presented them a 5% challenge to that
and they met that challenge. And by meeting that challenge with all the other requirements that we have unman some unmandated, some contractual and other things that we could not help. They met that challenge, balanced the
budget, and I'm happy to report that today and I we we're anxious to show that to you, but congratulations to Anthony for all his hard work and to the department heads for meeting the challenge that I gave them. So, I appreciate that very much.
And >> [applause] >> And Mayor, that concludes my comments. Thank you. >> Thank you, uh City Manager Mike. Give me one sec, Commissioner Giobi. >> [clears throat] >> I just wanted to thank you as well for being very transparent with our constituents regarding the audit. It's
nice as well seeing a balanced budget. I know last fiscal year we actually rolled the millage back. So, to be balanced this early on before the budget workshops even start, I'd be curious what the department heads are are looking for for the upcoming
fiscal year then. And also thank you to Anthony as well. I know we had a meeting and it was very beneficial. Do you want to address this now or before I get approval for the agenda? >> It was about the agenda. >> Okay, so that's the next thing. Can I
get a motion for approval of the agenda? This this this would be where you're making a motion if you're doing a motion. >> Right. I wanted to amend the agenda. >> Okay, so you make a motion. >> to make a motion to amend the agenda. I'd like to move under discussion and deliberation. I'd like to move the Haney
Creek referendum to another commission day. I think that the Sailfish ballfields referendum and the Haney Creek deserve full our full attention and explanation and comments from the public. So I'm asking if we can move the Haney Creek
referendum to another date. >> So you want to table those two items? >> No, I want to do the Sailfish point presentation. I just want to move the Haney Creek to another day so we can get its full, you know, due when we talk about it. Yes. >> All right.
All right, so we have a motion from Commissioner Giobi to move the Haney Creek referendum D&D item. Do you have a date certain or is it just You want to just table it? >> No, I don't want to table it. We can move it to the next commission meeting or the first commission meeting in
September. What would that date be? Uh >> The next meeting is the first in September. >> Uh if you were talking about September 14th September [clears throat] >> Yeah, you skipped a month on me. >> You're going to August or September? >> September. >> So September would be September 14th for the first meeting.
>> For the first reading on the 14th of September. >> special >> Right, it's not a reading, it's just a discussion and deliberation. I will remind you that we have an election coming up there's deadlines so you want to postpone it, that will not make the election.
>> We have a What's the referendum deadline, Lee? I I don't I mean, I can find it in my email. >> I'll defer to the city clerk. >> August 21st. >> Yeah, so it would have to be the first meeting in August. >> Okay, we can move it to the first meeting in August. >> That's just a D&D, so you would have enough time to
>> Yes, there's not enough time to do anything anyway. Yeah, it's still not going to make it. >> With the Haney Creek referendum, it's only a resolution. One meeting. >> Got you. >> The Sailfish Ball Fields referendum would be two meetings. It's an ordinance. So, just so you guys understand the difference.
>> Okay, so if if we could move that to the first August meeting uh the Haney Creek referendum. >> Yeah. >> That's up to you guys. I'm just letting I'm just I I I would hope we would have enough time. I I That's up to you guys.
>> All right, so that's the motion. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Okay, so we have uh a motion from Commissioner Giobbe to move the Haney Creek referendum D&D item to uh
August >> No, it's the 10th. >> 10th meeting and seconded by Commissioner Rich. Is there any public comment regarding this motion? Uh just make sure you fill out a green card um after. And then you can come to the podium. You have 3 minutes, and then
just state your name, okay? Yeah. Yep. Sorry. >> Yeah. You're not speaking on the Haney Creek. You're You're speaking on the >> On the motion. This would be on the motion. >> Okay, that's okay. >> It's It's basically It's public comment regarding the motion that was made up
here from the dais for the public to be aware. >> There won't be another option So, if you want to speak, now would be the >> It's totally up to you. You get 3 minutes. Welcome. >> [applause] >> I'm just going to read what I already
have written. >> Yep. Just make sure you stay here for the record. >> this is Emily [snorts] Lantier. All right. Good afternoon. I'm Emily Lantier, a Stuart resident who lives in North River Shores. The exit of my subdivision is at
North River Shores Boulevard, directly west of the small city-owned parcel that's being considered for possible sale for development or retained and incorporated into the Haney Creek Preserve. I'm familiar with the area and know that the Haney Creek property is important for recreational use, stormwater retention, and as a habitat for a
variety of native floral and fauna. I have followed with interest your deliberations regarding the future of this parcel and agree with those of you who are suggesting the city residents be allowed to vote on how they would like the it to be used. I have not been able to find out if an
environmental assessment has been performed on the property and believe that before the referendum takes place, environmental and cultural resource assessments should be completed and made available on the city's website. The voters will know whether or not the property has been has any notable resources.
I know the city's adjoining Haney Creek properties have a variety of upland and wetland habitats, some of which provide habitat for state-listed and/or federally listed endangered and threatened species. Knowing whether this specific parcel has anything of note would help the city, voters, and prospective buyers all get a
better understanding of its potential use, whether for environmental presentation, if there are notable resources present, or for commercial development, if there are no notable present. I'm a student in biological resource curriculum at IRSC, and I believe that members of the Martin County chapter,
the Florida Native Plant Society, and others would be interested in assisting environmental professionals in conducting field assessment prior to the referendum. Thank you for your consideration of the suggestion. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Are there any other public comments regarding this motion, Mary?
>> I have no further >> Okay. And I just want to clarify the motion is clear that we'd be pulling the Haney Creek referendum to the first meeting in August. >> Correct. August 10th. >> Okay. All right. Um we can roll call on the motion. >> Commissioner Clark?
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Rich? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Giobi? >> Yes. >> Neary? >> Yes. Motion passes unanimously. >> [clears throat] >> Comments from the public on non-agenda related items. Just please state your name when you come to the podium.
>> I have Elena Carroll. >> And if you have material that you're going to hand out to us from the dais, you can turn them into the clerk ahead of time as well, so that won't take up your 3 minutes. Welcome. >> Hi. Everybody put it on my English. My
name is Elena, and I owner of Heritage Hall on the first highway. >> Put your mic closer to you. There you go. Thank you. >> My LLC on Heritage Hall at the first highway, uh and it's a home for approximately 30
small businesses, which usually uh the woman on or minorities or and elderly people. And I understand the city of Stuart is growing and the development department especially of
under the Judy leadership is very, very busy with um a very with the new with the new project. Uh at the same time, I would like to address city commissioners. We have um
people in Stuart that struggling to paying gas, insurance, and utility bill, and usually they're are my tenants. And I would like to to mention is there a place in the Stuart
Community Redevelopment Area for the small businesses owner. And if you look at my case code enforcement case violation CE2621, so the answer is no for the last eight
eight months the Heritage Hall was just like have been under constant search for the new violation. And it's it started in December 9 when fire safety inspector Alexis Campbell with
Capri Solicity came to inspect one of my tenant unit 203. And they told the tenant just like a tenant fire fails the violation. And I overhear that and my building is under
my building is um served by licensed subcontractor and it's was surprise for me because fire extinguisher always in place and last three years there was no problem. So I start to
speak with inspector Campbell Capri and ask her did she ever did she measure that and why is in violation? And she told me just like basically no she does not measure she she absolutely believe it and she does not even have a tape
measure. So I provide the tape measure and it was in compliance. So my tenants 203 pass inspection. But after that I have non-stop just like for eight months non-stop inspections
from all possible violations. So and for example in 2023 um my building does not have a backflow prevention insta >> Okay. Sorry.
>> Yeah, that was that was your 3 minutes, Elena. Um we appreciate you dropping this packet off to us, okay? >> Yeah. >> Um but we won't get into a debate. Um what I will say is I'll I'll address that I spoke with the city manager this morning about it. Um and there is a
staff meeting coming up this Thursday with, I believe, the applicant or the property owner of this address and staff as well to go over everything in this packet. >> All right. Mike. >> 10:00 a.m. on Thursday.
>> Thank you. Um Mary, do you have the next uh public comment? >> Matthew Mondo. >> Welcome, Matthew. >> Oh. >> All right. Um afternoon, commissioners. Uh my name is Matthew Mondo. I'm a commercial real estate agent in the Martin County area, also serving um
uh city of Port Saint Lucie, Saint Lucie County, and Indian River County. Uh wanted to give you a quick uh discussion here regarding the executive office suites in our community, specifically with Elena's building. Uh just asking the board to reconsider any policy or requirement that would force property owners to combine smaller executive suites into larger office
spaces. Uh market The market's telling us something important. Smaller suites are not a problem that needs to be corrected. It's a product of the local local business activity and need. Uh current market conditions look current local market conditions show small executive suites maintain a relatively low vacancy rate compared to larger
traditional standalone offices. We also continue to see demand from solo professionals, startups, consultants, service providers, and other small businesses who do not need and often can't afford a large traditional office space. The building specifically at 1320 Southeast Federal Highway, commonly known as Heritage Hall, is home to a number of minority-owned and women-owned
businesses. Municipalities often seek to encourage entrepreneurship and expand economic participation among these groups. A policy that artificially shifts the available inventory toward larger and more expensive spaces will work against that objective. For many of the businesses, a smaller executive suite is not merely preference. It's what makes it operating
the business financially possible. Requiring businesses to lease substantially more space than they need could increase their occupancy costs beyond what they can sustain. Some may be forced to relocate, return to working from home, reduce staff, or close altogether. Eliminating smaller suites does not generate larger demand demand for larger suites. It simply removes affordable and
practical choices from the market. Economist Thomas Sowell has consistently encouraged policy makers to evaluate policy not only by its intentions, but also the incentives, trade-offs, and real-world consequences it creates. This principle is especially relevant here. The city doesn't assume financial risk associated with vacancies, maintenance,
fixed and variable operating expenses, or tenant turnover. Those risks are carried by the property owners and the business tenants. The commission should be cautious about substituting its judgment for decisions who have direct financial stake in the outcome. Preserving these spaces supports entrepreneurship uh on all levels, local employment, and more accessible small business
environment. Thank you. >> I have a question for clarification, Matthew. >> Yes. >> This This is what you dropped off with office suites. Right? Or is this Okay, so this was prior. Okay. >> Uh no, it's >> That was my only question. All right, thanks, Matthew. >> Sure.
>> Andrew Combs. >> Welcome, Andrew. >> And the documents he was referencing was dropped off by me. >> Uh hello, I'm Andy Combs. I'm a local business owner and a steward in the city of Stuart and tenant in the building 1320, which is referenced uh Heritage Hall.
I moved in the building because it's very well kept in good condition. Um I liked the building. When I looked at the building when I opened my business in 2000, it had trash all around. Always looked dingy and dirty. There appeared to be a homeless person sleeping in the parking area in the back. Um there was a
significant difference in the building when I moved in in 2023 than when I originally looked at it in 2000. And that was thanks to the uh the purchaser who owns it since 2023, Elena. I'm here to speak for the tenants of Heritage Hall. I think one of the things that's
been missed in the whole analysis but that's been going through between the fire department and zoning is there's 34 businesses that are in that building. And the last consent order that was offered by the city was to remediate the building all the way back to 1986. I
want to make sure everybody understands that. They want every wall, every improvement legal, illegal, anything. They want to remove back to 1986. In order to do that, they would have to evict every tenant in the building. Every business would have to move. So, from an operational perspective, you
know, the the city has talked about um there's too many businesses within the building. The building is based on suites. I provided you guys a layout which makes it very easy to see. The problem is when you look at a floor plan, what's in the package, the floor plan has all the business names. It's on
page, I think, three and four of the packet. I had it broken out so you can see it literally linear like a shopping plaza. If you look down at it, you can see each suite which is an official mailing address and they were originally designed as suites or two rooms typically. They were
probably originally designed for like a secretary and an attorney or something of that nature. In the world, we really don't use secretaries anymore. You know, receptionists, the electronic systems are replacing them. And what the landlord has done is put two tenants in each of the suites. They're separate
rooms. It's not increasing the number of bodies. The building by square footage, if you take it off the website, if you take square footage divided by 150, 71 people are allowed in the building. There's um 34 tenants currently >> [music] >> and the suites are all laid out for you.
So, part of what we want the city consider is they're they're saying there's too many walls in the building. I don't understand. The walls have been there for decades. So, from an operational perspective, I think Elena touched on the fire inspection. The fire inspector, I want to be very clear so everybody understands and I think your
representatives are here. The inspection occurred. The inspector identified a failure to the tenant. And when the the failure was due to the fire extinguisher not being within fire code compliance. When the landlord heard it, she was confident her fire
extinguisher was in within the right right range. She asked the inspector if she had measured it. The inspector said she did not. She went and got the inspector a tape measure, held the end of the tape measure, and the inspector was able to identify that the fire fire extinguisher was within range. They had
to pass the tenant and it's been complete retaliation ever since then. >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. >> Next I have John Morgan. >> [clears throat] >> Welcome, John. >> You're welcome. >> So today the environment has been
mentioned a couple times and two of the things I love about the Stewart environment are God and country. But one thing that I've been seeing more and more that I don't love is the allowance of a private company to manufacture cameras that are not so subtly creating a mass surveillance state. And this private company is known
as Flock. Now on Flock's website it stated that what they're doing is not mass surveillance, blatantly. The website even goes as far to say, quote, Flock's ALPRs, which are an automatic license plate reader, do not and cannot track vehicles, end quote.
And it's great that they say this, but in truth the statement doesn't hold a drop of water when you dig an inch inch deeper. If these cameras have the ability to take a picture of your vehicle, knowing where you are and when you were there, there is the literal definition of tracking.
Now when you pair multiple of these pictures together over the course of a trip, such as the one that I took to get from my house to here, this is what mass surveillance really looks like in action. What's even worse than this is that the information collected in this data breach is being put into a searchable
online database for the public to view. A perfect example of this would be the Bessemer Police Department in North Carolina. This particular client of Flock had over 20 ALPRs over the span of 30 days were able to capture 72,000 unique and
distinct vehicles. This data is being shared with over 2,000 additional organizations. And remember, this is from a single city police department. Everyone between large corporations and the government itself, your information is being taken without your consent, put
in a database, and it's being sent to companies that you don't even know about. On top of that, in the company's FAQs, they state, quote, "Nobody from Flock is accessing your information." End quote. Once again, this doesn't hold the smallest amount of water because after a
series of public records requests from a man named Jason Honard, it was shown that not only were Flock employees accessing your data, they were facilitating additional access for multiple third parties. Even more shady than that, Flock employees were masking certain accounts from having their searches appear in
audits. They were also found accessing live cameras on previous recordings. The vice president of business development, his name's Bob Carter, was found viewing a camera of a children's gymnastics room during what was called a sales demonstration.
You may be wondering why a license plate reader is facing a gymnastics room, and the answer is because Flock doesn't only produce ALPRs. Probably the most horrifying example of their tech is a PTZ, which are cameras designed to track human targets.
They're purpose-made to track your face. Now, even if you are somehow okay with that, it gets even worse when you realize that this information is still left on a public database that anybody with internet can access. I could go on for days about how this company is going to be detrimental.
>> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you, John. Um, you should come back to our meeting where we have uh a follow-up for the cameras in the the school zones. I will tell you this, board majority last year turned them
away. Uh, but yes, that'd be a good meeting to attend as well. >> Thank you. >> Next I have John Provenzano. >> Welcome, John. >> Sorry, I know I mispronounced that. >> It's Provenzano, but thank you.
Uh, [snorts] let me pull up my speech quick. Sorry. Hello, I'm John Provenzano and I'm a resident of Stuart, Florida. I'd like to discuss Flock cameras. Flock cameras have recently been popping up in our small coastal town of around 40 to 50,000 people. That's insane. As of July
4th, 2026, there are approximately six to eight Flock cameras everywhere. I just passed by three coming here. This is an ideology of a surveillance state. All my life, I've been lectured and told that China is spying on us with all these cameras and stealing our data. Every day I wake up and realize it's
America and all these privately owned companies. The founding [clears throat] fathers are rolling in their graves watching as America is turning to a surveillance state owned by billionaires and foreign nations. It's a clear and direct quote of our violation of our fourth amendment right.
Which forbids unreasonable searches and seizures. Flock cameras have been searching and seizing our information without our permission, putting it into a a database which cannot be regulated by a federal government. Flock cameras can track the way you walk, the way you talk, and even your eye color. Nobody wants these cameras in
general. All Own up to Own up to the mistakes which you have made, which I recently heard were that you turn them away, which is good. Nobody wants to spy on us. I'd like to end by quoting Abraham Lincoln. Those who deny freedom to others deserve it
neither for themselves. Our country has gone backwards because some elected officials don't represent or care for us in the slightest. They have sold our civil liberties for billionaires and foreign nations and companies which do not want us in our best values. Thank you.
>> [applause] >> Janine Alexander >> For clarification, it was in the school zone specifically for speeding tickets, but I'm sure the flock stuff it's garnering attention, so Thanks, guys. Welcome, Janine. >> For the clock
Um I emailed you. >> Make sure you come to the mic so they can hear you. >> Well, I used to speak biology and I had to project my voice to the end of a very long classroom without microphone. Um I emailed the commission members documents
to print so that I wouldn't be um absorbing the cost of printing every time I come. This is my seventh month. The clock can begin. I gave you all a study guide tonight because I thought I'd take a different format with my presentation to resemble a classroom,
which I spent 16 years of my life in until February 15th 27th of 2015 when an incident forever changed my life, a domestic incident where police failed to collect evidence in accordance with their own policies,
policy 27 section 3 paragraph A or officers are not authorized >> sure you're speaking to us and address >> authorized to open, alter, delete, or edit digital
uh media in any fashion. So, what I'm dealing with tonight is question number one for the commission. Mr. Baggett was assigned the task on December 8th of 2026 to research and report to the commission. What was the original task he was assigned to
research? He was assigned the task of researching SIRB hearings. I was entitled to one in 2018 after I submitted a citizen's complaint to Michael Mortell and Nicole King of the city uh manager's
office. David Ross was no longer in the office because he was looking at termination at that time. I have never discussed, never communicated in any fashion with Dave Ross until recently. The finger of blame has been pointed
repeatedly at Dave Ross when Michael Mortell was the only person that spearheaded the investigation and handling my complaint and denied an SIRB hearing that was supposed to finalize my complaint. I was denied that hearing.
It's in email conversations with Michael Mortell. Number two question. Uh uh the correct answer for Mr. Baggett's sake was to gather insight about the SIRB process that was available to me at the time, not the new legislation in
2024. Question two, in reference to Lee Baggett's background of January uh 26, 26, this particular document, paragraph two, who implied that Janine Alexander, myself, caused an open wound to an
elderly neighbor's face? That implication was made by Mr. Lee Baggett in his background comments on January 26, 26. Never did I implicate um harm to Ms. uh Joyce O'Connell's face.
I want to be clear. Facts are important when you make these kinds of assertions. Otherwise, it constitutes defamation. You can read You can read question three, the final stages of SRRB, and continue to question
16 and thereafter. >> Janine, it's 3 minutes. >> Do you have any questions of me? >> Uh I So, I I don't have any clarifying questions for you. Um not unless any of the board members do. >> These questions are presented tonight to identify that Lee Baggett committed
defamation on January 26th of 2026, and I have to give you 5 days warning before >> but you had 3 minutes of public comment, and I want to make it fair to everybody in attendance. Um What I will state for the record, um and this is not a
back-and-forth exchange, Janine. It's more so for me to clarify uh >> [snorts] >> From what I understand, this was sent to us, and there's been legal proceeding regarding a a potential settlement. Um Lee, this this SRRB board
doesn't even exist anymore because of Florida state statute, I believe. >> That's correct. It's Florida state >> in 2024. The statute was. >> Let me speak. >> That's correct. It was preempted by Florida state statute. We can no longer have an SAIRB. >> That's true. >> I know I've only been here since August
of 2024, but anytime there's been like settlement discussion, it's usually been from like outside legal counsel or from you know, our chartered position legal staff. And regarding this, that has never been discussed
to us commissioners. As as far as like legal advice for us to go in that direction, it's a legal matter, currently, I believe. >> Correct. So, her case was dismissed again a few months ago, and she has appealed
it to the Fourth District Court of Appeals, so it's still a pending litigation matter. >> Um >> Janine, >> I understand. >> your public comment is over though. It was 3 minutes. >> I understand. Okay, I was just waiting for you to >> Yeah, um I'm just Yeah, so it's a legal
matter and it's in the courts. >> Wait, it's a legal matter, but it's in litigation. So, everything's a legal matter, so you but um it's in active litigation. >> Okay. >> So. >> All right. >> She She recently appealed the dismissal of her case to our appellate court down
in West Palm Beach and that is active. And we have an outside law firm that's being paid by our insurance company. We have a claims adjuster that is handling the bills and in the case. So. >> All right, thanks, Lee.
>> Sure. I just don't you're I If you're asking about a