I want to make sure that we're meeting our police numbers because our city is growing. So, I'll definitely get with you later on, Mr. Mayor, about that. Uh, looks like a beautiful project. I look forward to it. Specifically, you guys may well, I'm sure the mayor explained
that was a a problem folio that uh unfortunately the previous owner really did some bad things to some residents. >> We most certainly held them accountable. uh the mayor uh held the standard for us and we ended up giving them a hefty
fine. So, we're definitely not here to scare you. We're very prodevelopment. We just want you to understand that we care about where we live. We care about our our residents, our streets, our sidewalks, and our cops. So, make sure that you guys have adequate security, adequate lighting. Make sure that your tenants, you can't control what your tenants do. Obviously, they're college
students, but make sure that they understand if they don't act accordingly in the city of Sweetwater, these people in these blue uniforms, they have very zero tolerance. >> Okay. >> So, other than that, welcome to the city of Sweetwater. Does anybody else have any questions? >> Yes, sir. I have a question.
>> Commissioner Sal is on the floor. >> What What are we going to do with the residents that live on the other side and the border line there? You guys have >> four street comments? No, I'm talking about the backside where the residents are there. They got buildings in there, apartments basically. Are you guys going
to do a wall there to make sure that they don't >> We don't have anything planned to divide the property. Um, but our building will be secured. >> You guys going to do retails on the bottom floor. >> Uh, we have an active office use and lobby area on 104th and 109th. Uh, we
have five town homes along 109th and then the unfortunately along 10 long forth. It's where a bunch of our back house stuff is. We've got a big vault for FPL and then our driveway entrance into the garage.
>> Now, right on that corner on 109 and a fourth street. Oh, Third Street, I think it is. There's a there's a pump station there. Are you guys going to >> fourth? >> Yeah. Are you guys going to do anything or that's going to stay there? >> We are in talk discussions with the water and sewer department.
>> Okay. It's staying there. We can't, you know, move that. >> We can't move that. >> Okay. >> Oh, I was wondering about that because I know that been there for a long time. It's going to cost a lot. >> Yeah. >> So, that's staying. You guys going to put >> some lipstick on.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Uh, item five, presentation employee of the month award. Mr. Mayor, >> we moved it for next month. >> Next month. >> Item six, presentation officer of the
month award. I'm very interested in this because we got a lot of policemen here, police officers here. >> Deputy Chief, sir. >> Greetings. Uh, everyone, commissioners, Mr. Mayor, staff. Uh my name is Noel Gil, Deputy Chief of Police for the City of Sweetwater Police Department, 500
Southwest 109th Avenue, Sweetwater, Florida. Uh yes, sir. We have uh several presentations because since we did skip a commission meeting, we have uh to present the officer of the month for November, December, and this time around, we're also presenting our
officer of the year for 2025. So, with that said, I will start off with the officer of the month for November. Um, and for November, we would like to recognize Officer Edward uh, Demirius or Eduardo Deirius. Uh, has proudly served
the city of Sweetwater for over 20 years. Um, he began his career in 1993. Proudly enough, with me, part of BLE55. So, thank you, sir. Uh, so we started our career back with the Metro Date
Police Department. Uh he also proudly served in the United States uh army and has he brings decades of experience, discipline and service and professionalism. Throughout his tenure with the Sweetwater Police Department, Officer Demirus has been assigned to
several specialized units uh to include the bike patrol unit, field training unit, and the general investigations unit. He has held different ranks of leadership and has demonstrated his ability to lead, mentor, and guide
fellow officers. Officer Deirius is a dedicated and enthusiastic member of the Sweetwater Police Department who consistently exemplifies his professionalism, integrity, and commitment to service. Officer Murious immediate supervisors have constantly
observed the dedication and strong work ethic that he brings to his performance and duties. Based on his actions of exemplary work ethic, we strongly recommend Officer Eduardo Demurius uh to
be officer of the month for the month of November. So, please join us in bringing him up. Congratulations. Looks like >> Yes, sir. I'm the original. >> What? >> 155. >> You guys are kids. Hard to stay alive. It's
>> all good. What's wrong with you? >> Oh, yeah. Hang on a second. >> Come in the front. We'll go. I'll roll the back. >> Yeah. No, no, we'll move it around. >> You guys are more important. Go ahead. >> Nice job, officer.
>> Get in here. Get in. You're tall. Get back a little bit. There you go. There we go. >> One more. One more. >> I got one more. We got one more. One more. >> All right. Another
one. Right. >> Good evening everyone. Assistant Chief Frank Fernandez, City of Sweetwater Police Department. On Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025, at approximately 3:51 a.m.,
offices Rea Becker, Staffield, and Ogre responding to a report of a suicidal female at the ID building located at 400 Southwest 107 Avenue. Upon arrival, the officers quickly
gathered essential information and began an extensive search. not only the building but checking both the rooftop lower levels while coordinated with Miami Day Sheriff's Office air support unit. Officer Becker continued interviewing
the complainant while the remaining officers searched multiple floors. Through their persistence, officers learned that the female had been seen leaning over a balcony. Officer Becker proceeded to the first floor where he located the victim sitting on the edge
of a balcony and a secluded patio near the east side of the building. When the officers attempted to enter the patio, they encountered a locked magnetic glass door blocking immediate access. Recognizing the urgency and the
imminent danger to this female, officer Rea immediately breached the door, allowing officers Rea, Stafel, and Ogre to reach the victim without delay. Officer Rea located the female perched on a decorative ledge and with the
assistance from officer Staffield, he pulled her to safety moments before she could harm herself. The actions of these officers demonstrated incredible judgment, teamwork, and courage. Their willingness
to act decisively under pressure and place themselves in harm's way directly prevented the loss of a life. Their professionalism and dedication reflect the highest standards of the Sweetwater Police Department. For these reasons, it
is my honor to recognize officers Becker, Stafel, and Ogre for their outstanding actions and recommend them for officer of the month of December 2025. He broke that damn glass. >> Gentlemen, >> bring it in tight.
>> You got the family here? >> Yes, we do. >> Okay. Let's see how we work it up. Family one at a time. >> What do you want to do? One at a time and then with a family and then we'll do all of you together. >> Let's do this one together. >> Yeah. One time.
>> All right. >> All right. The lady, >> who is she with? >> Okay, gentlemen. Wait for a second. >> There we go. >> There we go. How are you? Hi.
>> Got it. >> Yeah. There we go. >> All right. >> Telling you right now. this morning. >> All right. >> I love this part. >> I love this part. >> All right.
What I want to know is how he broke the glass. >> Now we know why you got the height. >> We know. >> Awesome. Congratulations. >> Did you break the door? No kidding. >> Next. >> He kicked it. >> You got your family. >> Do they kick me?
>> You can still come up. >> Let's go. Squeeze in. Squeeze in. >> Turn it. Turn it. >> All right. Congratulations. fast, you know. >> So, our uh final award of the night is going to be for our officer of the year.
And uh this person has had a sustained performance throughout the entire year. uh not only doing great things for himself but also for the department and carrying the department along. So uh
today we would like to recognize Dennis Colong who is our training coordinator. Since assuming the role of training coordinator in January of 2025, Officer Cologne has distinguished himself as a driving force behind the growth, modernization, and operational
preparedness of the department. Stepping into this role with no prior formal experience in law enforcement training, uh he embraced the challenges with humility, initiative, and relentless commitment to excellence. His openness
to coaching and feedback coupled with his work ethic has allowed him not only to meet expectations, but to quickly develop into a confident, highly effective instructor and training leader. With a brief period, within a
brief period, Officer Cologne completed multiple instructor certification courses and immediately put that knowledge into action. He has successfully coordinated and executed numerous agencywide training courses, consistently demonstrating exceptional
logistical planning, attention to detail, and clear professional communication with all personnel involved. One of the most notable accomplishments was his leadership and depart in the department's active asalent training
where his organization and command presence and delivery stood out. This high-stake training was conducted seamlessly, professionally, underscoring the importance of preparedness, teamwork, and officer safety and direct
directly enhancing the department's uh response capability. Beyond these achievement, Officer Cologne has also been instrumental in advancing the department's training and equipment standards to several critical areas such as transitioning the entire department
to the new uh weapons system, the Glock 45 with a red dot uh system on it. also the rifle program uh development the accredititation proofs and training uh that we need for compliance with CFA uh
has increased the instructor cadre by identifying key personnel that will help this effort uh and has also been instrumental in making sure that all Axon taser and CPR reertifications are up to date. It is for that reason that
we would like to recognize for his outstanding performance, leadership, and demanding role and extraordinary contribution to advanced training and operational readiness that officer Cologne be given the officer of the year. So please join me.
>> Family. Come on up. >> Uh so um >> we owe you the plaque because they messed up on it, but they're they're going to get it back to you soon. Okay. So >> let me a plaque for right now. get any plaque family out, please.
>> Congratulations. >> Hey, Beggar, loan us your plaque real quick. Just >> let me one of the plaques. >> Many of you guys here tonight cover the name. >> Thinking still fire like this. >> It's all good.
>> We We make things happen here. >> Right here. Just plug the name. That's it. >> We'll put off your >> go. All right. ready to party. >> Mr. Mayor, I want to thank you for bringing
probably the best chief of police in the history of the city of Sweetwater in Sergio Diaz, his command staff, Noel Gil, and Frank Fernandez. Frank Fernandez. Okay, he's all right. But everybody knows that I'm very proud
of Sweetwater PD. Uh, and I want you guys to know that there is no elected body probably in the United States that supports our cops the way we do. We're proud of everything that you do every single day freaking love you guys. Keep
kicking ass. Okay. >> Yeah, >> you don't got to applaud that. You don't got to applaud that. It's just me saying thank you. Everybody up here feels the same way. Uh, okay. Reports of officers, boards, and committees.
>> None. Additions and deletions to the agenda. We have an addition item K. Is that correct? >> Anything else? >> Yes, Mr. President. >> I would like to move the consent agenda B item as a discussion for staff item B
to move to uh discussion. >> Okay. Okay. >> From consent agenda. >> Do we have any objections to moving staff item B to consent agenda? Staff item. You mean consent agenda? >> Consent agenda to staff item. >> Do we have any discuss? Do we have any
objections? Well, let me ask you a question. Uh why don't we just do this? Uh let's just move real quick to item B. Uh and we'll read it right now and then we move. Anything else? Anybody have any issues with that? >> All right. Good. >> Mr. President, you still need a vote on the consent agenda. There is still one
more item on the consent agenda. There's item A. >> He wants to read the consent. So, we're just going to read it and then uh vote on the consent agenda. >> Okay. All right. >> All right. So, we're going to go we're just going to move real quick. Uh consent agenda item B. A resolution of city of Sweetwater uh sorry city
commission of city of Sweetwater declaring public interest approving memorandum of understanding with the South Florida Water Management District defining the process for cooperation between it the city and neighboring municipalities in the operation of their storm water pump stations discharging to
C4 canal providing for authorization providing for effective date. Mayor Diaz um >> Mayor Diaz, do you have anything to add or do you have any questions you want to ask the mayor? No, I just wanted to know what you know because there's no I just wanted to know what it was this for.
What is this for? Is this for that is coming out? >> This isou that we did with South Florida Water Management and guess the outflow of the water that goes within the canal and so on and the levels as to when the pump stations could be put on and all
that has been negotiated out and that this is actually where we wanted to be and South Florida Water Management has actually consided to where we >> Okay. We agreed >> that there's no add-on or anything like that. Any pumps or anything like that? >> No, >> no, >> no. It's just the outpour. >> All right. That's what I was a little
bit confused on it. Thank you, mayor. >> That's >> all right. So, while we're here, >> give me one second. I don't want to say anything out of place. Is there anything else to add on Amanda? >> No, there's nothing. >> Thank you. >> Good. Thank you. >> So, while we're here, um, do I have a motion to approve item 10, consent
agenda? >> Move. >> Second. Moved by Commissioner Yano, seconded by Commissioner Mati. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Seeing no opposed, consent agenda passes. >> Mr. President, >> Mr. Mayor, >> on uh on this item that just passed, uh
I want to thank Amanda honestly has done an incredible job for South Florida Water Management. And I don't know who calls each other first. Actually, he's beating me lately lately when there's a rainstorm coming and we're constantly monitoring back and forth and making sure that our city is
secure and the pumps and everything are working. I want to thank him publicly for the work he's done with South Florida Water Management. It's actually a delight to work with South Florida Water Manage compared to the days back in the past. So, I wanted to make that public. Thank you. >> I think so.
>> So, uh sir, if you're being recognized by the mayor, why don't you go and stand on that that podium? Tell us who you are. Tell us what you do. >> Good afternoon. My name is Armando Vilboy. I'm with the external affairs division of the South Florida Water Management District. I cover Miami day,
Broward, and Monroe counties for the South Florida Water Management District. I've been working for the mayor for uh wow years now. We've been working back and forth uh between the city, South Florida Water Management and with the county when he was at the county um regarding the C the C4OU and other pump
stations that we manage and also, you know, everything else that comes with building projects specifically in southern Miami Day County. uh pump stations um pump stations, canal works, that type of thing. So, you know, it's been a great relationship with the city of Sweetwater. Um you know, as the mayor
said, we call each other almost every time there's a rainstorm, when there's a hurricane or anything out there to understand uh what the functions of the South Florida Water Management need to be to make sure that there is no um no flood events within the city of
Sweetwater and also in the C4 basin. So, but I appreciate the city of Sweetwater um for their partnership in that endeavor and look forward to working with you all in the future as well. So, thank you all for being a great partner. >> Thank you, Mr. Villa Boys. It's uh good
to finally meet you in person. Uh 0711, correct? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Good to finally meet you in person. Thank you for everything you do. Uh whenever the mayor gives somebody kudos, we like to have them come up. >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you for that. >> Thank you. Um, okay. So, we're done with that. Uh,
we're going to go petitions, communications, and Romanes, even though we're going backwards. Seeing none, nobody signed up. Moving on. Staff item A. >> Did you Did you do the uh Did you do the other two items attached
>> on? They are attached. Well, >> consent is attached. Consent's been approved. Okay, just double check. Hold on. Hold on. >> I only heard one. >> Both items. I'll consent. >> Yeah. So, we have added item C and item D to the agenda. >> Consent items. >> And consent has been approved.
>> And consent has been approved. >> Has been approved. We're good to go. So, we're good to go. >> Legally sufficient, sir. >> Yeah, it's legally. You will need to vote on what had been consent B. >> We did already. >> You didn't because that's you can't discuss something that's on the consent agenda. It has to be moved to the staff
items and there was no vote taken on that. >> So correct me if I'm wrong. I called for uh to vote on consent agenda and all the items on consent. >> Right. But that would be item A
>> and then item C and D. The moment that Commissioner Diaz w uh asked to move consent 10B for discussion purposes, that takes it out of the consent agenda and makes it a staff item. >> Okay. So, right now we have approved A,
C, and D on consent. Correct. >> Correct. >> So, now you need us to vote on item B consent agenda. >> Well, it would be essentially be item L on staff items. That's a technical issue, but yes, you will need to vote on Um, I'm going to move item L uh that was
discussed earlier that was moved from consent to staff. Do I have a motion to approve item L? Motion by Commissioner Marti, second by Commissioner Ronald Re. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? >> Item passes. >> Thank you, Mr. President. >> Yes, no problem. Uh, please note for the
record, uh, Commissioner >> Congratulations. >> Yeah, definitely. Uh, Eid Ruiz is here and definitely want to take a point of personal privilege at well after the mayor's already congratulated to congratulate Commissioner Eid Ruiz. He's
going to be a proud papa. So, let's give him a little round of applause there. >> All right. >> All right. Staff item A. An ordinance of the city of Sweetwater, Florida, amending article 4 development design and improvement standards of the city's land development code by creating
section 4.11.00 ETQ certified recovery residents relating to the establishment of review proving and appellet procedure procedures providing for severability providing for conflicts
providing for codification providing for an effective date. Second reading and public hearing. Public hearing is now open. Anybody wishing to come forward and speak on this item, please come forward. Seeing nobody come forward on the public hearing, public hearing is now closed.
>> City attorney. >> Yes, this is a statemandated requirement. Uh they've mandated pretty much the entire language. I've taken the language and I've tweaked it so that it fits within our land development code, but there's really not much more to do.
We we this is a a state mandate. What I do um what I do want to point out to you is at the top of page two of three there is a blank uh for the date that this was uh approved by the planning and zoning
board. Mr. Vera, can you give us a date for that? >> It was approved. Okay. All right. Well, we'll u you don't Okay. Let me see if I can get the date for
>> Do you need to attach the date to the language or can we go ahead and move and then you can attach it later? >> You know what? Uh let's go ahead and do that and we'll do as follows. Just hold on. Okay. So, I would ask that you amend the proposal uh the resolution by deleting
the words on and deleting the blank line and just stating that it was in fact approved. And that'll that'll be fine. Well, you just said Ralph is my motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Uh, roll call. Uh, madame clerk to amend the language. >> Commissioner Yan,
>> yes to amend. >> Commissioner, >> yes to amend. >> Yes to amend. >> Commissioner, >> yes to amend. >> Commissioner, >> yes to amend. >> Commissioner, >> yes to amend. >> President, >> yes to the amendment. And do we now have
a motion to approve the item? >> Move. >> First by Commissioner Ruiz, second by Commissioner Ronald Re. We'll call Madam Clerk. >> Commissioner Re. >> Yes. As amended, >> Commissioner Dia. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Martine.
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Ray. >> Yes. >> Commissioner. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Yan. >> Yes. >> President. >> Yes. As amended. Thank you. Item passes unanimously. Item B, an ordinance of the city of Sweetwater, Florida, amending the city's official zoning map from
interim district IU to Liberal Commercial C3 for property identified under folio number 25-3031-0000-0370 providing for finding fact providing for severability providing for codification providing for an effective date. Second reading and public hearing public
hearing is now open. Anybody wishing to speak on this item, please come forward. Anybody wishing to speak on this item, please come forward. Seeing Oh, okay. Come forward. State your name for the record, sir. You look familiar.
>> Good evening, everyone. Mr. Mayor, uh members of the commission, um my name is Sergio Parinos. My offices are at 261 Navar Avenue, 304 Corables, Florida. I'm here representing uh New Suites. They're
the owners of uh the umbrella owners of of this particular parcel. The application is consistent with your comprehensive plan. It's been recommended by your planning and zoning board. Uh we're ready, we're here to answer any questions you might have, but we're you know behind your staff's
recommendation. >> Thank you very much. >> Uh do we have a motion to move this item? Motion by Commissioner Zani, seconded by Commissioner Rainald. Uh, roll call, Madam Clerk. >> Commissioner Das, >> yes.
>> Commissioner, >> yes. >> Commissioner, >> yes. >> Commissioner, >> yes. >> Commissioner, >> yes. >> Commissioner, >> yes. >> President, >> yes. Congratulations. Item C, an ordinance of the city of
Sweetwater, Florida, amending the city's code of ordinances by creating two-450 entitled ethics training requiring lobbyists to provide the city clerk with certificates showing completion of ethics course offered by the Miami Day
County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust, including refresher courses, providing penalty for failure to comply, providing for exception, providing for several ability, providing for codification, providing for an effective date. Uh, first reading. Anybody wishing
to speak on this item, I seriously doubt they're going to. Please come forward. Seeing nobody come forward. Public hearing is now closed. Mayor D, you have the floor. >> Ready. This item is something that uh we've looked at in the policies in the
past and how these policies are better enhanced in the future. One of the things that I noticed that are we did not have the lobbyist signing in as they come to city hall or to deal with any of the departments also that we did not
have the full certificates and so on and we did not actually have the same outputs as the county does when it comes to this and we take that very seriously especially if they're coming to any of my departments I do not know that they're meeting with somebody uh to
lobby them for whatever it could be, they have to be registered and we want to make sure the ethics and all department heads know that they have to contact my office through the administration and make sure that we are aware of anything like this. We work very closely with the clerk. The clerk
has them already uh signing in as lobbyists in the city, but it also prevails that every time they come to the city, they have to sign the ledger that they were here and who did this basically make basically simple. We're not taking it too far, but we're just
covering all the bases that we need to cover. This is why I ask for your support on this item. >> Do we have a motion on this item? >> Moved by Commissioner Su, second by second. >> Commissioner Ian Vio. Uh, roll call. Madam clerk.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Item D, an ordinance of the city of Sweetwater, Florida, establishing grounds and procedures for revoking or refusing to renew the occupational license of entities that engage in
business with or related to communist regimes in violation of federal law. Providing for appeal to the mayor, providing for appeal to circuit court, providing for authority, providing for direction, providing for severability,
providing for codification, providing for an effective date. First reading is now open. Anyone, anyone wishing to speak on this item, please come forward. I'm surprised you're not coming forward on this one. Public hearing is now closed. Mayor D is on the floor.
>> Mr. President. Uh this is an item that we've been hearing a lot about that uh is something that we looked at uh what was presented by other cities and the way they did it. I spoke to our congressional people including our Senate especially in my last trip to
Washington. One of u the issues in hand is that we cannot force a business to not do business with any of the communist countries if they have a license from the United States to do so. Uh that is something that is mandated by
the federal government which is a top authority at this issue. So what we've done is uh done a ordinance that we've drawn together that we've seen and our attorney looked at it and we adjusted it
accordingly to include all communist countries that deal uh that have representations here, people dealing with these uh particular countries that don't have a federal license to deal. These are countries that have been by
the United States sanctioned not to be able to do business unless there's a special license attached to it. Whether it's Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, uh North Korea, whoever it could be. Uh we've now working with a tax uh
appraiser that uh he would tell us if they will uh uh are licensed to have that license. So it's not us personally checking. We go through uh the executive office of the
tax uh collector and we work with together with him if they do find any business within our city that is not have that license to do so and they are doing business with the communist regime of whatever country is sanctioned by the United States. We will take their local
license away that means they cannot conduct business within the city of Sweetwater. So this is why I'm presenting to you. I hope it's something that is appealing to all of you. I've spoken to every single one of you. I believe on this uh and I think it's
something that's good. uh and especially in the time that uh it is more than needed and hopefully the federal side will take shape and eliminate some of these licenses that that they give out to these particular
countries that do do not wish us the best as the United States. >> Move >> motion by Commissioner. >> Commissioner D, you want to say something? >> Yes, I want to say something to the mayor. Mayor, thank you very much. This was very, very good. Um, I was a little
bit iffy on this one because of the legal action, but you explain it. Perfect. We talked about it this afternoon. And with that, I would like to She already move it and >> go for a vote. Thank you, sir. >> The chair, I guess. >> Uh, Commissioner.
>> Yeah. Also just wanted to thank you, mayor, for bringing that up. Very important. And also, please list me as a co-sponsor if possible. >> Yep. Go ahead. >> Uh, anybody else want to be a co-sponsor with the mayor? Yeah, I will be How about we all How
about we all stand behind the I think the mayor and that all of us. >> Anybody in the audience want to be a co-sponsor? >> Yes. >> Start taking names. Everybody in the audience. I think this is a it's an easy one. Good job, Mr. Mayor. Uh it was moved by Commissioner Yan. Second by Commissioner Salz. Roll call. Madam clerk.
>> Commissioner Ray. >> Yes. >> Commissioner, >> yes. >> Commissioner Yano, >> yes. >> Commissioner Ruiz, >> yes. >> Commissioner Diaz, >> yes. Commissioner Martine. >> Yes. >> President Viano. >> Absolutely. Yes. >> Pass.
>> Item E. An ordinance of the city of Sweetwater, Florida, restoring the name code enforcement division in place instead of code compliance division. Providing for severability, providing for codification, providing for an effective date. First reading. Public
hearing is now open. Anybody wishing to speak on this item, please come forward. See nobody come forward. Public meeting is now closed. Mr. Mayor, you have the floor. >> Okay. Basically, code compliance is something that was done prior uh from
the prior government. Uh we believe uh this is code enforcement. This is what it's done. you're enforcing the codes of this uh city and we deal with it on a daily basis and it is the proper uh
language to do so and it brings us benefits by being under code uh code enforcement. Therefore, I bring it to you to change it as such and we have some other attributes that we could get by making sure it's under code enforcement instead of code compliance.
>> Do I have a motion on this item? >> Move. Motion by Commissioner. Second by Commissioner Mad. Roll call. Madam clerk. >> Commissioner Vio. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Yano. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Ruiz. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Diaz.
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Martine. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Ray. >> Yes. >> President Voa. >> Yes. >> It passes. I'm >> item passes. Um, now we're just going to
let me ask you some procedural because technically we're supposed to go to reports, but before we do that, why don't we move forward to the January 30th um staff items? >> We still have
>> item F. >> Yeah. Item F. >> Item F. Next item is F, right? >> Excuse me. >> F is the next item. >> Yeah. Yes. >> FAR. >> All right. So, item F. A resolution of the city commission of the city of
Sweetwater selecting highest rank most responsive responsible bidder for provision of standardized uniforms for city staff under RFP 2025-05. providing for authority, providing for funding, and providing for an effective
date. Mayor Diaz. >> Thank you, Mr. President. And this came from a selection uh group that we did through a complete RFP process. We went through five member uh board and um Miss Booka was the one that headed that
board. We went out and we had several companies respond to bid. We actually got more than we thought we were going to get. And we evaluated these companies and we came down to the last four. And these fours uh after total review of all
the different categories that were put in place to make sure there's plenty of supplies, make sure that if there is a new employee that it would not take three to four weeks sometimes to get a uniform and so on and so on. So, uh, at this time I'm bringing to the
commission, uh, AE Tactical LLC, uh, which weighed in a top score of 82.9, and that's the company that put before you for your approval. >> I have a question. Uh, who were the
uh, the companies in the bid? We have a list of Soflow Promo, Jensen Ash Industries, Florida Gun Center of Broward Corp. And those were the four last four, right? And the qualification
uh Soulflow Promo got came in at 72.0. Jensen Ash Industries LLC came in at 71.7. FLA uh Gun Center of Broward Corp. uh came in at 61.4. >> All right. So, um, this company that you
guys are recommending, uh, I'm okay with recommending them. I just want to make sure, um, we're going to execute an agreement with them of sorts. Correct. >> That what? >> We're going to execute an agreement with them. >> Yeah. Agreement that we already put forth. >> Now, we
>> that we have to now execute and deal with. >> Good. Now, I just want to add if we can have a 30-day notice to cancel on that agreement in the event that they don't perform. >> I think that that is something that we already talked to them about and each
one of them will get actually in the non-performance. It's I don't even need to wait that long, but we'll go ahead and deal with it. >> Okay. I I have no problem with it. Commissioner Monty >> through the chair. It's it's actually in there under 31 of the cancellation. 30 days is there. >> But I believe that in case of
non-performance, we could even deal with it faster. >> Great. >> And through the chair, >> Commissioner Mad. >> Um, are these guys local? >> Where are they? >> Could you step up? Step, please. >> She loves to get up the microphone. She can tell us how enthusiast she is.
>> Enthusiastic she's >> Stephanie Bka, director of strategic development and procurement. Uh, they are local. I'd have to go back to their actual bid to give you the exact address, but that was part of the um weighted uh issues that the selection
committee chose >> to go ahead and do that. >> I I see that it says they're local. I'm just wondering where they are because we're going to have to send our people somewhere, aren't we? >> We are correct. Uh again, I can give you the exact address. Have to go back through their bid package because we got
we received a lot of information, but that was one of the criterias. And are are you phasing everyone in at once and what is your timeline for this project? >> So part of the RFP was just as we did last time where they came in and they outfitted the whole city. That would be
the same procedure that's expected of them and we already checked to see um if they did have the uniform and stock available and they do. >> Okay. And I'm going to steal someone's usual question. What's the cost of this and is it budgeted?
The cost of it depends per item of course, but they did go ahead and when it came to cost, the price proposal was weighted at uh 20%. So, the cost was better and um
compared to some of the other biders. So, it does go depending on the item. We have many items that they're going to go ahead and provide for us. >> Okay. And and >> and again, it's in their it's in their bid proposal. Commissioner, we'll provide you the whole list once we get >> I just have one more question. And what
is what are you projecting this it'll cost us to get everyone into these new uniforms. Do you have any idea? >> Um I do not at this time readily available for you. We'd have to go ahead and compare it to what it cost us last year. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions by any commissioners?
>> Sorry. Sorry. >> All right. Do I have a motion on this item? >> Motion by Commissioner by Seal. Second by Commissioner Rald Duray. Uh all in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Item passes.
>> Item G, a resolution of the city commission of the city of water selecting most responsive responsible bidder for janitorial services under RFP 2025-3 waving irregularities providing for authority and providing for an effective
date. Meridas >> once again we went out for an RFP. this RFP. Uh we had a huge response to it. We were surprised with a lot of it. And again, uh Stephanie Buuka was again the person putting this together and her
team. And we had the same uh five people doing the weighing in of all the scoring. And after all the scoring was done, the largest scored entity that includes price, quality, all the things
that we we expect of the work that is done when it comes to janitorial services and including some of the things that were being overlooked in the past including to them to that too. with that uh push uh hard industry is the
proper way >> pressured industries with a total weight weighted score of 75.8. The closest score was the second company that came in at 66.8 and the rest go down from there.
So, we went ahead and I'm bringing uh Precious Shard Industries uh to you for your approval. >> We have a motion on this >> through the chair. >> Commissioner Sal mayor, there is a cost for this.
>> How much how much is going to cost? >> How much are they going to charge us for this service? >> The cost. Do you have the the cost here? >> 40. Is it here? >> You have the same. >> Okay. Could you go up again, please? I apologize. My uh >> That's fine.
>> See, >> the savings compared to what we uh were paying for the current janitorial services is a saving of $40,000 a year. >> Wow. Okay. So, I I So, you guys going to have new people coming in to the city? Are they going to Who's going to do the
background check on these employees that are coming to the city? >> Again, part of the RFP and part of the things that they will have to go ahead and provide for us. Um, we are also having more security. They will be having name tags and identifications and we have that information. It's a very
thorough RFP which is also attached in your package. Well, you can see everything that we expect for them to offer us. >> Okay. But again, the background, we do the background or they do the background on the employees. >> They're required to do the background. Um, the company itself, it's part of the
RFP. >> Okay. >> It's their employees. >> Thank you. Thank you. They have to show the background to us. >> I'm sorry, one one question. >> Waving irregularities, what does that mean? >> Yes. If there's anything that goes ahead and goes against the RFP or the
conditions that we set forth, then we will not proceed with >> Did did we wave any irregularities? >> No. >> No, that's uh that's my insertion. >> Okay. Just some fancy legal stuff to justify your existence. >> I went to law school. >> Wow. >> Got it. All right. Thank you.
>> Hey, I have another question. God, there's a lot of love in this room. Okay. >> Yeah. I is this going to be under a contract I believe. Right. And and the the contract is going to be renewal yearly or >> uh first um I think first set is three years and then we can re go ahead and
again terminate if necessary but then we have two additional one-year terms after that that we can choose to go ahead and renew it. >> Okay. But we renew is not going to be one of those contract that they renew by himself. No. No. Thank you. >> Let me let me be real clear. We went out
and we got just off the top we rated down to seven different companies and out of those companies I was very amazed by the size of this company and the amount of businesses it has and municipalities and so on came in and there was such a huge savings and
offering even more detailed cleaning that is presently being done right now. So, this is one of the reasons I've gone to you all and tell you that I am going out and bidding on everything to make sure that we have the very best for our city and also within the the amounts of
that we we could deal with and grow with in the future. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mayor. Are we going to do anything with that lady that cleans here? She's been here. She's going to stay. >> I cannot get into that. That is something of propriety of the business. >> But but but she's she works for us. No. >> No.
>> No. Oh, she >> she works for a company. That's why we >> Oh, okay. I'm sorry. I thought she she was an in-house employee. I'm sorry. Thank you. >> Any other questions? All right. Do I have a motion on this item? >> Move. >> Second.
>> Motion by Commissioner Yananiel, seconded by Commissioner Saliz with a with a close third place by Commissioner Mati. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Item passes unanimously. Item H, resolution of the city commission of the city of Sweetwater
selecting vendor for a certain landscaping project along Northwest 110th Avenue from Northwest 14th Street to Northwest 17th Street as well as the medians along Northwest 17th Street between Northwest 111th Avenue and
Northwest 108 Avenue providing for funding source providing for authorization and providing for an effect date. Mayor Diaz. >> Thank you, Mr. President. And as you well know in the area, they they built the actual islands out there to be
properly with plants and so on. And we had supposedly a hydration system built into it and everything else. And it really looked shameful that we require other places to keep up their their lawns and everything else. and here as
as a city we we had that totally looking not the best conditions whatsoever. So, we went ahead and we had some complaints from the local businesses and we immediately tried to make sure we could fix. We worked with maintenance and we
went ahead and we actually fixed uh the pump was stolen if I'm mistaken or damaged at uh a particular time or a combination of whatever it was. after one excuse after another, we finally got um fed up with the whole ordeal and we
went ahead and we tried to look at us buying the plants and doing the whole thing and then dealing with issues in the waters. when finally it it was back and forth and we went out and we looked for uh different type of businesses that
do these type of specialized landscaping that do it when we're talking in the medium I call it the islands but the mediums of the roads and they're done so they could be as let's say beautiful as possible but at the same time that these plants survive
because they are expensive >> and they're getting more expensive every Okay. So, we got a a pretty decent price of doing all the six different uh islands. Am I correct?
>> The six the six and we came in in a price of 45,60060 to do this. Now, we've gone ahead and checked in the pricing to try to see with other ones and we're actually the
plants that by themselves would probably equal the cost of what we're trying to do. And this includes all the labor, includes the warranty on the plants in case they they have an issue and that they look equal to the other ones and that they're high enough
because one of the other things that you come in and you put a small plant in uh and it gets to the point, but now you can't see the unccoming cars on the other side and this and that. So there's a lot of issues involved in this and I'm bringing it to you because it's uh more than the threshold that I have to move
forward and with this it will beautify that area there which is 17th Avenue I mean 17th Street and 110th Avenue and that should go ahead and we got a couple of buildings going up and so on. I know that some of you have complained about
the particular issues in the industrial area where the streets need to be addressed a little more. We're working on that. We send not only our maintenance crews out there, we send our building official and a code enforcement uh chief out there to talk to the different residents uh the industrial
residents to make sure that we can we're able to look even though it's an industrial area to make it the best possible uh area to look clean and so on. So we're doing a lot of work in that area and also dealing with the flooding issues as you all know. So, this is why
I'm presenting to you to move forward so we can get this finally fixed. >> I have a question, Mr. Mayor. Where are we allocating the funding for this project? >> Scott, >> it's in our operating budget under the
capital improvement section. >> Thank you very much. Do we have >> As you walking up, I looked down. I saw it. Right. Do we have a motion for this item? >> Yes sir. >> I have a question. >> Oh, Commissioner Marti has a question. >> Um, bugilia is a really nasty plant. >> Is there an alternative to
>> define nasty, sir? >> Lot of thorns, grows really fast, and is is a difficult plant to maintain. >> It's the way they do it and the type of plant that they put in. I'm not an expert at that, but I would tell you that the person that does do it, it has
a reputation that he agrees and you're trying to get something that'll last all those trucks going by and that the plants will last the duration and we don't have to be replacing plants constantly. >> Just just making a comment. If you've never dealt with a bugilia, it's u it's
>> Well, we'll look at it and see if I'll talk to them. >> I'll talk to them and and see if there's something that could go in its place. We will. Yeah, just adding to I didn't see that good catch. Bugilas are used as a security. >> Yeah, a lot of thorns.
>> I got it. I just don't uh I don't know exactly why they if you can No, photographers is different. Bambilas is is nasty. But if you can do something about that, Mr. Mayor, if you can amend that to something else, it' be great. >> It's like the palms that are going in
the palms themselves. If it weren't for the Oh, God. I'm looking for it here. I got PTSD palm trees in on center media. >> Where was it? The pumps themselves, the palms that are going in are
uh don't have the the dropping of all the actual seeds, those red u >> seeds that they drop. These type of palms don't do that. They're more expensive than the other palms, but then they don't have all those those seeds flying everywhere and so on. So, this is
what we want to do. I'll check on the bogen via and we'll take it from there. Okay. We >> have a motion to approve this item. >> Motion by commissioner Ruiz, second by commissioner Jose Madi. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Does nobody say no around here? I'm
going to say no on the next one. Watch. Item I, a resolution of the city commission. Well, not this one. A resolution city commission of the city of Sweetwater selecting AMI Engineering LLC as an engineering consultant under Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant. Agreement number 23
PLN95 for the conducting of a comprehensive vulnerability assessment providing for authorization providing for funding source providing for an effective date. Mayor Diaz, this vulnerability assessment study that needs to be done is something we need to do so we could
go ahead and and do it through the whole uh the whole city. And this particular entity that we're awarding to this is doing it for $50,000, which is pretty much lower than the amounts that pretty much are out there. And they do have the knowledge of
the city so we could get it done in a faster base. So this is why we're we picked them. I think it's the the best one for what it stands for and that this is the first step for the grants that we need to move forward to get for the cities. So we went with this uh which is
Frank. I think you all know him and I ask for your support on this. >> Do we have a motion on this item? >> Both. >> That was that everybody everybody motions. Everybody's a first and second. >> Uh so Commissioner uh Ronaldo Ray with a motion. Commissioner Dian with a second.
All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? >> Item passes. I'm I swear to God. Next item. I'm going to vote no on something. Item J. This is this is the Well, actually there's nothing to vote on this one. Discussion of decision by Miami Day County Board of County Commissioners to
grant Kelly tractors petition to amend its county growth plan to make way for buildings covering 2.2 2 million square feet on wetland west of you like I said million west of Sweetwater taken in opposition to recommendation of county
staff and in apparent violation of rules prohibiting building outside the urban development boundary when suitable land is available inside building where roads can handle additional traffic and conserving protected wetlands and
endangered species. Consideration of legal options. Commissioner Mati. >> U. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, Mr. Mayor, I just wanted to bring this before the commission. Um, you know, I I read and I saw some stuff on the news
that that our community could be impacted by by this construction outside the urban development boundary. I just wanted to make sure that um that you and and staff obviously, you know, I I know that you've done some homework on this, but I just want us to to understand how
this could potentially impact us and what you've done to make sure that you're protecting us >> and I appreciate you asking the question. This is something that we have looked at. It's a project that has been in the works for some time. It's a project that doesn't fall under our
preview because it's not within the city of Sweetwater. It's a couple of hundred yards away from the city. It's on 137 and approximately between I believe it starts at uh
8th or 9inth Street uh northwest and it goes to about fifth street northwest and it's something that is crossed the urban boundary line which is the total jurisdiction of Miami date county commission. We have looked at it. We do
not see any issues with flooding. We do not see any issues that they haven't taken up so far on this. I also spoke with the commissioner of the district. He was supportive of the plan due to that it went to the state of Florida and it came back without any comments which
is kind of rare when you're doing these type of projects that will cross the urban boundary line. So therefore, I do not see any liability to the city of Sweetwater of any kind. And moving forward, no flooding, no traffic issues,
anything of that magnitude that is not already dealt with uh with them getting on the expressway there on the A36 or dealing at 137 or stepping out to A Street or 12th Street. Uh I don't see any issues with it. >> Okay. I appreciate it. Thank you so much
for that. >> You're welcome. >> All right. Great. So, no problems with Bambi. Alvin, Simon, and Theodore and U Dumbo and Alex the line are going to be flying the wetlands. All right, great. Cool.
>> I'm just messing. All right. Item uh K, a resolution of the city commission of the city of Stewwater, Florida, authorizing a donation, another donation in the amount, I'm saying no to this. in the amount of $5,000 teaching
anti-communist anti-communism. I can't say no. In America, Inc., a notfor-profit organization dedicated to educating the public on the history, impact, and dangers of communism, providing for authorization, providing for an
effective date. Commissioner Vio, >> um, sorry. Well, as everybody knows here and agrees, communism is a is a great evil thing that we have here in the in this world. A lot of people in this community are are refugees from
communist countries. Um the problem that we have is a lot of people that think that it's a good thing. They don't understand. They they and a lot of those people have never actually lived in these countries. And you know, we got a lot of students and different universities and in high school just promoting this ideology, but they don't
they really don't understand how horrible it is. So I think the number one thing that's got to be done is education. The schools aren't doing enough to educate the population about what evil stuff the the death toll that communism has inflicted on the world.
All the millions of people that has been killed by Russia, China, Cuba, Venezuela, all these countries. It's it's a a huge death toll. They they've killed Communism killed more people than the has killed more people than the Nazis have. It's a horrible thing. But
uh so I reached out to Mr. Bengham Deuri um and he has an organization. You can come up to the photo. He has an organization called teaching anti-communism America that does this kind of thing. They educate with conferences, congresses and classroom instruction about the horrors and
atrocity of communism. So I wanted to give him an opportunity for you to meet. Some of you probably already know him. Um and I wanted to see if we can give him his organization a donation of $5,000. M Mr. Benjamin. Thank you, >> Mr. Wayne. Please say your name >> and the name of your organization for
the record, please. >> Yes. My name is Benjamin Deur. I am the president of the teaching anti-communism in America. It's a nonprofit organization that for the past years, for the past four years, we had made a summit anteminist in different cities
here in the United States. Also we had right now in the past year 25 2025 we reducting the the standards of education that we use for the teachers to this year elective year in school years to
teach our students about the dangers of chemism. So this this this standards was approved by the paral education. So this year school year is going to be adapted for all the school
in the Florida state to us is was very proud of this of this work that we made the commission just six peoples in Tallahassee also we was we went this year 2025 on in UNESCO you know and
French talking against the chemist also the doctor society in Madrid also talking about against the chemism. But many here in Miami, many places for many years, we had fought very hard against
the chemist people. So we think we had to fight very hard against the those people wherever they are especially here you know to teach our student what the d the dangers is coming what is the danger
and teaching everywhere. So I appreciate your help but also I have to thank you what are you doing the mayor and our commission here about this job again the communism so so b of the the companies
of the business that have dealing with the communist regimes here in America so thank you >> thank you Mr. Yudi um commissioner you want the floor back >> no I'm good >> great Mr. I have a question. >> Yes. >> When did you uh begin this organization?
>> The 2019 2019 we started this organization 2019 and but really before but formally 2019 >> great and from 2019 to now how much money have you been able to generate in donations?
>> In donation right now we starting right now the donation we never ask for money to anybody. This is the first time really. Okay. So everything we had done we have done with own resources that's it this is but we need help you know why because we have to pay volunteers we
have to pay many things okay but we never have receive any donation from anybody >> so I'm going to I'm going to vote yes on this item but I I want to tell you and the rest of my colleagues I do not want now you guys can put whatever you want commissioner you can put whatever you want on the agenda >> okay
>> uh but I do not want to start donating to not for-profit organizations from city coffers, especially when it's not directly affecting our residents. Now, I'm voting yes on the item, but I'm I'm trying to create a standard. Um, you guys can do whatever you want. You guys
can vote however you want. Um, but the last thing I want is for other non for-profit organizations to start coming and handing out and saying, "Hey, you gave to them uh donate to the diaper bank." Because that was affecting our residents specifically right after CO. And I commend you for that. But that's
just my two cents. Anybody else want to comment on this item? >> Yes, I do. >> Commissioner Yano, go ahead. You have the four. >> No, no, I was hoping the same thing because eventually when we faulted that item for donations, it was
mentioned very clear that was everything that has to be done in the city of se water for the city water. I don't mind. I'm going to vote yes, but I want to make sure the same thing that you're saying like now we're not going to be giving out money because this is the resident's money. It's all the taxpayers
money and we really have to really look for that. >> Commissioner might >> um what percentage of of the donation will go to to education and what percentage will go to administration? >> What what percentage if we were to donate to you would go to overhead or
administration? really we had to pay many things you know many people involved in this in this thing many volunteers and also we plan to make here you know the next maybe you have the chance to
meet here the next summit okay the next anti-county summit you have been until now in many cities okay in the city of the city hall of Miami lakes the city of me so many the city of Dorado.
Many city have made it and we planning to make here the next year maybe in October you have you have chance the next the next summit anti county summit here in the city of few water. Okay. I I understand that. My my question to you is if we were to donate a dollar to you,
>> okay, >> how much of that dollar goes to education and how much goes to overhead >> to education? Maybe to education will be maybe I think 80% something like that really to education really directly to education you know for classes to teach
the people to teach the student directly you know to tell to them especially the dangerous communities. So it's almost everything is directed to students to know. >> Thank you. >> Uh does anybody else have any anything? Because I'm I'm gonna say one more thing.
>> Can I say something? >> Give me one second. Give me one second. >> The only reason why I'm doing this is because of you. >> Thank you. >> Because of who you are and what you've done for the and against communism for many, many years. >> Yes.
>> Your name carries weight. Obviously, I want to support my colleague, but I do not want to go ahead and continue to donate money to outside organizations. Um, so I just want to make that clear. Mr. Mayor, >> yes. Thank you, Mr. President. I want to echo th those words also. Ramine is a
standing uh leader in the community and an anti-communist to the maximum level, which I think this board is the same. And we believe in what you do at 100%. And what you've been doing for a very long time, and we've known each other
for many years. Yes. I did not understand until just before coming up here that it was you that was involved uh after I spoke to the commissioner. Uh when you're doing this, you got to understand that we're city that have
changed everything that's been done from the past and moving forward into the future. It's important that we conserve because if not we have a line of people standing outside that you gave him and so on and they're 100% correct in what they're saying. We're here to support
anything that will help our community and I think what you're doing does help our community because it's you. >> Yes. >> And and I respect you and have respected you for many years and we've known each other for a lot of years. >> Thank you. So with that said and done, when you say that you're going and
dealing with the community, how is that working now within the city of Sweetwater per se? >> Yes. For example, the importance that the students understand the dangers of
feminism here maybe immigrants here is extremely important to know because many of them really doesn't know what is what is really this thing is is is about this
chemist is about. So what we have to do is to hire people able to teach them directly to touch to them directly. You know many things really is involved in this matter and this is very to me to us
is extremely important. Okay. Here in this city and really in all cities also here in in in this area and in all Florida state also we have to fight against the communist really we have to face this problem and we are taking you
have to take this seriously. Okay. Not not looking for something else that is no no it's the situation they had to fight you have to face it. But I think >> Thank you, sir. Mr. May, are you good? >> Commissioner Bio, you have the floor.
>> Yeah. So, you know, what he does is not directly based in Sweetwater, but it affects everybody. Has nationwide, you know, countywide. It affects everybody. It affects all of us. Um, the work that he does. So, not not just it's
not only based, like I said, it's not only based in Sweet or Waters. It affects all of Florida, all of the United States, all of Miami Dade County. Um he's actually reached out to me. He would like to do an event in Sweetwater so I could put him in contact with administration with the mayor so we could make something happen. You know,
he said uh um one of those conferences that he does, one of those anti-communist summits, communist education summits. >> Um I'm gonna I'm gonna comment on that. I am all for bringing the fight to
communism, but I I'm also a pragmatic individual and the law enforcement professional in me says we are inviting chaos into our city. We're inviting the opposition into our city. And unfortunately, directly across the
street at FIU, we we have sufficient communist sympathizers and uh socialist supporters. I I would caution you on that. Again, you as an elected official can make whatever recommendations you want to the mayor. Um
uh I commend you for what you're doing. I said my piece. I'm only going to vote yes on this item because of the gentleman. Um his name carries a lot of weight. If it was any other organization, I'd probably vote no. Uh but because it's you, sir, I'm going to vote yes on this item. Do we have any
other discussion on this item? Anybody else? Do we have a motion to approve this item? I will move this item. Do we have a second? >> Do we have a second? >> Second. Commissioner Rayaldo Ray. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Opposed.
>> See one opposed. Item passes with one descent. >> Item we are going to move to reports. Is that accurate madam clerk? >> Uh mayor's report. Mr. Mayor, what do
you have to report? try to make this real brief. Uh I want to thank uh the hard work that the elderly center has done and of course led by Stephanie Buka and we when we started here in um back
when we started taking the numbers and seeing how many people we had at the elderly center we had uh back in August of 23 72 people basically registered at this elderly center and that's the earliest
data that we captured uh at the time. Uh today, well actually 12 2025 we have 165 people now registered >> in the center. All right, which is a big
amount due to their hard work. >> Okay. And not only that, it's an increase of 125% and we're still growing. But it was the idea also that to reach out to the buildings and invite them to the Christmas event
>> which was we appreciate that it was done as president >> that's commissioner >> and I went to the person that first talked to me about it. Okay. second and I think everybody else. And that's something that I've been wanting to do because
when I left this city as mayor many many years ago, there was over 200 people in that center. Okay? And we're going to get there and we're going to make sure. But uh all of us see that center as a very special place and one that I think
is been revamped to be probably one of the best centers out there in Day County and everywhere else. Um, we also we want to report that there was by the alliance for aging had for the first time I think
in their history actually they brought their people over to see our center and very proud of that because uh they actually used our center as an example for all their executives >> and they came there. We had zero finding
of impacts. none. That does not happen. So, I want to thank you, Stephanie, and everybody else in the center for an incredible job that that was done. And um I also You're
You're on fire today, Stephanie. Okay. Because we got another one coming up, too. We have gotten awarded a a basic extremely hard grant to get
which is the safe streets and roads uh for planning grant to make our safe streets in our community safe transerable and something that
will be looking in the future and finding every possibility to enhance all type of travel and making it as safe as possible. And we actually went out for that grant and we got awarded $320,000
for the planning. We have to match a portion of it, but we're also using CIT money to meet the portion that we would have to match. So, this is an incredible day. is kind of the changes that makes us beyond the point. Very proud of the work that's
being done with my administration and I'm very happy for the work that's being done. There's another grant now that we're going to be going for uh which is the actual once we this first grant is done part of the work that I was doing
in Washington that uh the Congress was actually out but we had the chance to meet with the Senate both our senators we talked detailed about this particular grant they were impressed that we got it because now the second step is once we
do the design is the actual building of this and this is not a small amount. This could be in the millions. Okay. So, it's something that we are really sharpening our pencils and doing
this right. And we're are the team that has been put together to make sure this is doing the work second to none. We're crossing the tees, dotting the eyes, and making sure that these type of grants
that will take us to another level are done. And if we get this grant, the second one, after we do the work, I would tell you that it's going to put us in a different atmosphere. So that's
important. And we're looking at many other things. Tallahass I mean in this case Washington um there's a lot of changes taking place and a lot of different things.
Um a lot of insuranceances that we uh like the flood insurance and national flood insurance we were basically told that that might even be privatized. The government shut down. They took the vote when we were there and it's shut down for a couple of days or for
whatever that's going to be taking place. Um there's a lot of issues taking place. We see that the federal money is basically where the funding is coming. We're working the federal side hard and we're working the state hard. We have
our lobbyists in the state trying to move forward and to deal with the grants and the ability. uh moving forward we will be going to Tallahassee not during the time of uh the day days we'll come in and go there after to see what will
take place and so on I believe that we got to save our money to get the best results possible for the city and that's uh what we're moving forward on all our different departments are doing everything efficiently I have met with
every department and in the beginning of the year we have every department head has actually sat uh with me and we've analyzed the efficiency of every department. I am
inspecting reports to be turned in by the end of this week which will be telling me as to what level of efficiency we could go to in each single department. Some of the departments that you've seen in the past, the way they were run are will be totally changed and
will be run differently uh due to some of the things that just are not working out the way they should. And one of the results, well, there's several results that I won't get into them, but let's just say that we're
moving forward to deal with all the things that you have come to me. And basically every one of you have told me hey what about this what about that we take that into consideration immediately and try to see how we could change the results so it won't happen again and by
the way I appreciate when you come to me and tell me hey this is going on here is this normal or is this whatever there's no place perfect all we have to do is just continue all the time to keep moving that pendulum as
best as we can to make sure that we get the best results. So, I could go on and on, but I think that that's the most important thing that you need to hear, which I know we got a lot of issues and we got a lot of things, but the most important thing is the ability to put
out there to our residents the way we're working together and that we're looking at the best benefits. Uh, our police department is one that I'm very proud of and the work they've done and that are constantly doing. You heard the things
that were said here today and the officers what they got awarded the officer of the month for and then the officer of the year and so on. That's the leadership that we have in this department. That is outstanding and it
starts from the chief and it goes to the just recent hired officer to the civilians that work in the department. But that's taken a lot of work to change and I know some of you here know that very well and we're we're there. So every department
once again uh might not look the same but let's just say that uh the results should be good and we always said and I've spoken to every each one of you it takes time to change the culture of the past but we've done it I think in a
record time so far. So with that, if you have any questions, please >> uh Mr. Mayor, can you give us an update on the police lieutenants contract? Are we close to
>> Yeah, I believe that we have set a date coming. >> What was the date? >> Yes, I've requested several dates. Um Elizabeth said she'd get back to me tomorrow that she hasn't been able to coordinate some dates. It's still in flux. >> Yeah, today was an upside down day.
There is one pending issue that it's pending on the part of the PBA. So once that is negotiated then we should be ready to uh to have a contract for presentation to the uh to the commission at that point >> and it's a it's a couple of pending
items which I think will be hashed out on that day. It'll take an hour. That That's about >> If that's it, >> if so, unless it's >> I ask because when you know from the when I was on the road, it was always, >> you know, it's tough when it it people
feel like the city sometimes stonewalls them. And I know we're not doing that, but I just want to relay, you know, to the guys on the road, you know, we are cognizant and we are watching and we want to take care of you because you take care of us. Um, so it's important that we we keep our foot on the gas on
that and I I appreciate your your efforts on that. Thank you. >> I I appreciate that. I think the president said it best earlier. Uh, this city is an extremely strong city in supporting their police and starting from the administration to each
commissioner. I I don't think I could say one or another, even though Marco always says he's he's the man on that side. So, you know, but uh in the firefighter and police issue, I know it goes a long way. So, I want to thank you
guys for your support and they know for a fact that we will negotiate as fast as possible and I think we've done so. Am I correct? >> We have. We we it has been very quick uh all things considered. Of course, there was the intervening holidays and there
were there was something else in the middle there that uh delayed the process. Uh, but just to give you an example, um, I emailed Elizabeth this morning and when I got here before the meeting started, I actually spoke to her
about this. That's why I have this information handy because she it's uppermost in my mind. I know it's uppermost in the mayor's mind. We spoke about this, I believe, on Friday and then I spoke with Elizabeth today on it. So, we are working on this and it shouldn't take too much longer.
>> Thank you. All right. Thank you for that report, Mr. Mayor. Commissioner's report. Any commissioners have anything to report? >> Yes. To the >> Commissioner Yanu. >> Yes. >> You have the floor. >> Mayor, thank you so much for has been done on Fourth Street right in front of the Sword Tower building.
>> Promises made, promises kept. >> I mean, it's unbelievable. Thank you very much. I mean, they really appreciate it. >> Thank you, Comm. And by the way, thank you for bringing that up. Uh, the city engineer was somewhere back there. All right. And
maintenance. Uh the crew ended up having to take the majority of the job on and um the county was supposed to do uh good pretty much all of it, but we adapted, improvised, and
got it done. Uh did they finish? I know. I've been out of town. I did. Was everything finished? >> Oh, okay. We um we were just gonna simply all the borders have been done and so on. We're still waiting for the shelter uh that we're going to be
putting in place. Okay. Yeah, I was checking because I don't know if it was done during the time I was gone. Um the shelter is going to be put in uh place. So they now have a covered shelter to be able to wait for the bus where they were just standing on the street before
because there wasn't even a a bench for them to sit on. So we went, as you remember, and promised that we will get to it as fast as possible. Trust me, it's been done in record time and and the county, you know, sometimes it just
takes a little longer with them, but we got it done. And what we're going to do now is uh stamp the top part. We're not going to put plants. We're not going to do that because there's so much traffic going through there. That we're going to go ahead and just stamp the concrete and that will give it also the best
maintenance situation that we could have and it should look very nice. >> So, and you have the whole street that's marked now. >> Yes. They have signs and everything. The signs are done and and the whole thing here is it broke our hearts every time we saw one of those elderly trying to cr
cross the street to catch the bus and they were putting their life in peril because some of the the people were just running through there. So this will enhance it. Thank you commissioner. >> Any other commissioners have a report? >> I got something. >> Commissioner B report. >> I got two things. Uh just first um again
I just wanted to commend the the the mayor and the grant staff for getting the safe streets and roads for all. I've done that grant for a couple cities. It's very challenging and you're competing with cities in all 50 states and and also the US territory. So it's really hard to get. I think they only
award like 10 people a second. So the fact that Sweetwater got an award is incredible. So great job guys. That's a testament to how hard you guys worked and put together an incredible application. Um, and then the second thing is February 4th at 3:30 p.m. Mark that on your calendars. We are unveiling
the little the free little library at Ronelli Park. Right, Sandra? February 4th at 3:30. So, along with the Yeah, that's tomorrow. No, the day after tomorrow. >> Yeah, Wednesday. So, uh, hope to see all of y'all there. Um,
>> 3:30 along with the Li initiative. They'll be there. They're the ones that sponsored it. >> February what? 3rd. >> 4th. Wednesday 3:30. Cool. >> Any other commissioners have any other items? >> All right, I have something.
So, if anybody knows basic psychology, uh Maslo had created what's called the hierarchy of needs. Our police officers understand what that is is because uh as they go through the academy, you have to learn the hierarchy of needs, the basic
needs that a human being needs to survive. And the first is food and shelter. Well, as a city, we can't provide food and shelter. That's not our job. We can try and provide housing, but that's that's more develop development issue. The the
third thing is security. Now, security is something that we can provide. Our police officers did a phenomenal job. I said it. I'll say it in front of any former chief here. Some of the former chiefs are my friends. Sergio Diaz is probably the best chief uh in the
history of the city of Sweetwater since 1941. I'll put him against anybody. His command staff's done a phenomenal job. We've done a phenomenal job as a governing body to make our police officers at one point the highest paid police department in Miami Day County.
So, I commend every single commissioner up here for allowing us to do that. I commend the mayor for always being supportive uh of police and fire for the last 35 years. You have championed uh
our public safety. And I know that it's your job as mayor to tighten up the belt and you know figure out what we can spend and what we cannot spend. But I do want to make it abundantly clear that in April
Upland has 1,700 units. are going to be um start pouring in residents and by August those 1,700 units are going to be 100% completely occupied. 1,700 units um
uh is equivalent to about 5,300 residents and that means that that's going to be the occupancy of what used to be the trailer park. We have development happening here in the city of Sweetwater. So, when you just look at Upland, when you look at
the multiple developments on um on 110 A, and we're not even including what's going to happen in the trade report, we're looking at uh upwards of 25,000 additional residents in the next three
years, four years, who only knows? The national standard for a municipality is having 3.5 police officers for every thousand residents. If we're going to have right now uh we're looking at doubling the city of
Sweetwater, it means doubling the size of our police departments. I want you guys to be aware and prepared that this is something that may occur. I also want you guys to understand that we are no longer the substandard police department
uh of old. The city of Sweetwater Police Department was looked at as a substandard police department for many years. And when I started here in 97, this was looked at as a corrupt law enforcement agency, a substandard. We're no longer that. Our police officers are proud we are accredited. They proudly
wear the accreditation pin on their uniforms and on their police cars. And now we're going for our third accreditation re reacredititation. So our our cops and our police command staff are doing a kick-ass job. They were hired by you, mayor. So I commend
you for that. But I want you guys to be prepared that for every police officer, you have to have a support staff member. And what does that mean? You cannot have police officers doing administrative duties. Cops are meant to hit the road. That's just my personal opinion. However, the police chief
decides that he wants to go ahead and divvy up those respon responsibilities, well, that's up to him and the mayor. But if they don't have support staff, they got to put they got to put a silver badge in there. They got to put a cop to do that job. So, I want you guys to
understand that I am going to be mentioning this at every single commission meeting, at every single commissioner's report, that we want to start creating an appetite for raising the police budget. We need to increase
our police personnel, not only by police officers boots on the ground, but also having the administrative staff to support it. So, I want the commissioners to have a healthy appetite to be prepared to have budget workshop meetings this year. And
I don't want to start in August. I want to start a lot earlier so we can have a healthy dialogue so we can dialogue and negotiate with the mayor and how he wants to move forward with that budget. But that is my top priority. I am not
making it a secret. Law enforcement is my top priority, safety in our city. So, I just want to make sure that everybody's aware of that. I want to I want everybody to to be abundantly clear on what my intentions are. My intentions are to raise police um numbers by the
rank and file uh to meet what our development what is occurring with our development. And I just want to make sure that hopefully you guys are on the same page. We're all supportive of law enforcement. And with that, I yield the floor.
Uh, commissioner's report is done. City clerk's report attached. City attorney's report. >> Any other lawsuits we should be aware of? >> Uh, excuse me, I didn't have this on. Uh, yes, we had three lawsuits that dropped last week. Um, two of them I'm
pleased to discuss two of them with you, but they're very simple. It's essentially we've been named in a foreclosure matter for uh other properties. Uh there is one other lawsuit that has uh that has dropped. I would prefer to discuss those with you or to discuss that one with you offline
if anybody has any questions. Um that's just I don't believe that's something that really should be discussed at this point in this open venue. Um, so I was going to discuss that and um, but on another note,
this is a personal matter. Tomorrow marks one year since my surgery. >> Congratulations, Ralph. Round of applause for Ralph. >> Thank you. It's been a challenging year. Uh, very challenging year. And I'm not out of the woods yet, but um, everything
looks good. And I want to thank everybody in this room. I could not really have done this without the support that I got from everybody in the city of Sweetwater. So, thank you. >> Uh Ralph, I always uh try and listen to your advice, but you know that I I often disscent. You said you we that somebody
filed a lawsuit against us, but you'd rather speak to us in private about it. >> U could I get in on this, >> please? >> We hired outside counsel u to deal with a lawsuit that supposedly has been put
on the docket. It has on the docket. >> I think Caesar you want to step up please. He's the one handling this particular >> which I got your approval to do so some time ago. >> Good evening Caesar Mestri with the offices of Castessi Lopez Mestri and
Kobea. Uh we are special counsel on that. The lawsuit has been filed as of last week. Um there's no nothing has happened on it yet. I don't even think it's been served. Uh last I checked the docket. I spoke with insurance counsel as soon as I found out that Ralph had
told me uh last week. They are reviewing it and then they're going to contact me to see what the strategy is to go forward with it. >> Okay. Who's suing us? >> Uh former mayor Orlando Lopez. >> Former Mayor Orlando Lopez. >> I believe the pleadings say they're
asking for $3 million. >> He's only asking for $3 million. >> $3 million. >> Commissioner Mart. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Good luck. >> All right. Well, my uh my response to that, I hope he's watching on TV. Uh
Orlando Lopez, you're number one. >> So, thank you. Any other questions? Anybody else? >> All right. Thank you for that. I appreciate it >> as a counselor. >> Uh police report attached. >> Sorry I put you on the spot. I'm sure
I'll get a phone call later saying, "Why'd you do that?" Uh, building and zoning report attached. Code compliance, I'm sorry, code enforcement, >> department of war, P headset attached, uh, public works, uh, report attached,
finance report, Scott, uh, community and elderly service report. You know, you got to start doing a better job, Stephanie Bua. >> Um, really disappointed in you. >> You know, you you can do better. >> Do better than you did yesterday. Okay.
Um, parks and recreation report attached. Unfinished business. New business. Good of the order. Ajournment. >> All in favor say I. >> All right, folks. Have a good night. $3 million.