Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. >> [music] >> You don't have >> [music] >> Hello. >> [music] >> It's 502, sir. >> Whatever. I'll give a
Somebody. >> [music] >> down. Heat. Heat. N. [music] >> [music] >> Everything. >> [music] >> Hey, hey, hey. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. Mr. May, are you ready to get started? >> I'm ready. >> I mean, this is at 5. It's 512. Did >> they send you this?
>> What's that? >> Okay. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. >> [music] >> Hey, hey, hey. Get away. >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. >> [music] >> Hey everybody.
Yeah, sorry to everybody. I thought this meeting was a six. I just drove from Homestead and I think I broke every traffic law, man. All right. Uh, madam clerk, good to go. Mr. Churnney, good to go. Commissioner is good to go.
>> Mr. Mayor, good to go. Council? >> Yes, sir. >> All right. Here we go. Notice the public sunshine meeting between city commissioners. All interested parties, please take notice that a public meeting of two or more city commissioners to discuss the status, developments, negotiations of
the Flaggler Senate District will take take place on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 5:00 p.m. in the city hall commission chambers located at 500 south of 109 Avenue, Sweetwater, Florida, 33174. This meeting is open to the public in accordance with Florida government.
Florida's government in the sunshine law section 286.011 Florida statutes. No formal action will be taken. All in parties are invited to attend and observe. any person decides to appeal any decision made by the city commission with respect to any matter
considered at such meeting or hearing, such person will need a record of the proceedings and that for such purpose he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is made. Which record includes the
testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. Persons who need accommodation in order to participate in this meeting should contact city clerk Carmen J. Garcia at 3052210411 by noon on the day before the meeting in
order to request such assistance. Mr. Attorney, uh, is this now legally sufficient to proceed with this meeting? >> Yes, sir. >> All right, Mr. Mayor, would you like the floor to the chair? >> Thank you, Mr. President. chair.
>> Can we pray, please? >> Absolutely. >> Yes. Always. >> Anybody like to say the prayer? >> Okay, let's bow our heads. In Jesus name, I pray. Dear heavenly father, thank you again for granting us the gift of life, the gift of health, the gift of
freedom, and the gift of service as we serve the residents of the city of Sweetwater as elected officials. Please continue to grant the wisdom needed to make the necessary decisions for the betterment of our city, to our commissioners, to our mayor, and our city staff. Please
continue to bless our firefighters, our police officers, and the greatest military in the world. Please continue to bless our city staff and the residents in which we serve. In Jesus name, I will always pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> Now, we normally don't say the pledge of
allegiance, but I think we should. To the flag of the United States of America and to the stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you for that,
>> Mr. Mayor. The floor. >> Thank you. and the last proceeding that we started to um talk about the issues of the agreement of the MDA
uh agreement with great properties and so on the developers we stated that we were going to look into more negotiations and look into more things and at the same time once we were pretty close that uh we'll get another meeting
and this is that meeting so you guys could at least discuss this uh what the offer is that's being presented by the developer uh also where the city stands on on that offer. So
what I would like to do if you allow me Mr. president is basically hear from both sides and then so we could ask in this workshop to be able to ask the questions as needed after we put it all on the table and I think that way it'll
be pretty clear and I think it's going to be a good thing. So with that, I will basically like the your attorney, do you want to go ahead and describe basically where we were,
>> where we're at, and just briefly go through it and then I would like, if I can, whoever the lead attorney is going to present [cough] your offer uh to the city and then at that point, I'm I'm going to go ahead and and discuss the
issue and and open it up for you guys to to ask all the questions. Obviously, this is what it's for. It's for the questions to be asked here and then hopefully we could sit down and the lawyers will get together and draw this whole thing up and bring it back and put
it before us and uh move from there and we should uh hopefully bring this to a landing sometime very soon. And that's where we're at. So, at this point, Thank you, Mr. Mayor, commissioners, uh,
city attorney, madame clerk. Um, so this process really began uh almost about a year ago when the applications were first filed uh and soon thereafter uh sometime around October of last year. Uh we had uh the first reading of the future land use map, uh the
comprehensive uh map, the zoning uh map and the zoning text amendment. There were many uh all these documents needed to be amended uh in all of the major uh docu documents of the city in order to provide for this new area that was going
to be uh created. And this is the the creation is is is the project itself. Um during October of 2025, uh the actual uh adoption uh changes to your comp plan and to your flu map were sent up to the state. uh reason being that given the
size and and magnitude of this project, it was required for the state to review it. The state also uh returned that back to us. Uh and so then we proceeded to have the second reading of all those items, those four items. And prior to that also your planning and zoning board did have an opportunity to app which
they did. Uh at that time uh when those items came back to you uh we had the first reading of the master development agreement. Uh and then in February uh we had a workshop uh since February till now. Uh and I want to back up one step
prior to that coming back to you in second reading and the first reading of the NDA uh during the month of December uh in between the Christmas holidays. Uh the applicant uh the attorneys uh did meet several times to discuss what the framework for this master development agreement uh might look like uh and all
of the nuts and bolts of it. Uh but nevertheless, it's gone through several iterations. On February 13th, there was a workshop uh that came before you. Uh and since then, uh the mayor uh and the legal team has been meeting with the applicant. And we've had um a series of
negotiations. uh and we're at a point where uh the applicant is going to be providing their uh their presentation and and we believe that we're we're close to uh coming up to some form of a framework obviously with your input which is very important today uh in providing uh your thoughts on what that
framework looks like. So that's where we are today. >> Any commissioners have any questions? >> I have a question. I was informed that the first reading was not legally sufficient. Is that accurate?
>> The issue with the first reading was that the notice in the format that Florida statutes provides uh was not given. Uh it requires a certain level of detail which our notice did not. So for that reason when it comes back to you it'll come back for first reading again.
>> Okay. And then after first reading statutoily past presidents we would have 10 days before second reading. But because of all the notices what is the statute reading? What is your legal opinion on when we can have second reading?
>> So because this is a master development agreement there's a separate statute that describes how the first and second reading uh can occur. And one of them could be the local planning agency. That's something that we've discussed. So you could really do the first and second theoretically in one day if
that's what this commission uh decides. >> Does it have to go back to the planning and zoning board? >> Uh no. >> Good. I don't any other questions. Anybody have any questions? >> Mr. Mayor and then I would
>> go ahead. >> Good afternoon, mayor, commissioners. Alejandra Aras, offices at 71 Brickle Avenue. I'm joined this evening by my colleague Miriam Soler Ramos and Anthony De Yuri. We formed part of the applicants legal team and we're here to answer any questions you may have. I'm honored to be before you once again on
behalf of Flaggler Center District Project as we've collectively worked towards making this vision a reality. Uh we've had many productive meetings with administration and your city attorneys and we've continued to progress on certain elements for this master development agreement and we're thankful
for the professionalism and dedication of the city and your staff. Now, as part of this process, you've heard way too much from me. I believe this is the 10th time that I've been up here on these projects. So, um, I'll spare you of that and I'd like to turn this over now to my colleague Miriam Soler Ramos who
spearheaded these discussions with the city attorney and she can provide a thorough breakdown of the efforts and our latest proposal. Thank you. >> Thank you, Alex. Good evening. Um, Mr. President, mayor, commissioners, city attorneys. Um, madame clerk, it's a
pleasure to be before you this evening. Uh, to give you a high level view of what the points that we're just going to be discussing with regard to the master development agreement. I'm going to be presenting a summary of the agreement with the terms that the owner is prepared to commit to today. I want to make clear in fairness that some of
these points have not been agreed to by the administration, but they're here for your consideration. We know you can't vote tonight, but we want to hear all of your comments because they are instructive in how the remaining part of our uh negotiations will uh will be undertaken. So, the master development
agreement uh sets forth a mixeduse project that includes residential, commercial, and industrial uses. As you already know, the number of dwellings that are permitted, the height and intensities will be governed by the zoning regulations, the urban design regulations, and the comprehensive plan,
which as Mr. FBA mentioned has already been approved by this commission. The maximum density allowed in the master development agreement is 105 dwelling units per acre which will yield approximately 10,000 persons within the development.
The maximum height permitted is 335 ft and a minimum of 100,000 square ft of non-residential uses is promised. The anticipated breakdown of those non-residential uses are as follows. A 250 key hotel and convention center,
282,000 square ft of general commercial/retail space, 36,000 square ft of self- storage, 247,000 square ft of office use, and 329,000
ft of institutional uses. The project will be developed in phases in accordance with a conceptual master plan. It's important to highlight the word conceptual. The master plan is intended to be conceptual because it is intended to be flexible and to be
modified in accordance with how the markets evolve. That said, at every phase, there will be an administrative site plan review process that will be undertaken where your staff will have the ability to approve, disapprove, provide comments, etc. The developer agrees to support the
city's efforts to create a community redevelopment agency. It provides a city with the option to lease or purchase up to 100,000 square feet of space for the city's use. And if the city wishes to do that and exercises
the option, there will be a 5-year period during which to mutually acceptable agreement can be negotiated. It freezes fees with relation to this project. And now regarding transportation specifically, the developer will build all the
internal roads within the project. The developer will improve the area from the center line out and receive impact fee credit for those improvements. The city will accept the dedication of rights of way, easements, utilities, including lighting, storm water management, etc.
And the city will agree to reimburse the developer uh $8 million received in a transportation grant specific to this property and to this project for site related work. In the 2025 estimate of the value of the transportation improvements is
12,895,000 which is comprised of three main groups. Non-sight related intersection improvements valued at approximately $2 million. Non-sight related road improvements valued at approximately $825,000. Non-sight related improvements to 112th
Avenue and the bridge valued at $10 million. And of course, these amounts will be confirmed at the time of construction as they might change as time goes on. With regard to impact fee credits, the developer will receive credit for the 95 mobile park units that were uh
previously existed on the property in addition to the 657 units that have already been built and for which impact fees have already been paid. In addition, the developer will apply for and receive affordable housing waiverss as applicable as the project proceeds.
And now with regard to parks, the developer will re will deed to the city a 3 acre improved passive linear park. And Mr. Aras is going to be showing um some renderings in a minute to the city with some use restrictions.
The value of that park, that particular lineal park, is about $29.6 million according to two appraisals which have been provided. The average of those appraisals yields 7.871 million per acre and the improvements are approximately $6
million in value. Therefore, yielding the $29.6 million value of the linear park. In addition, the project is expected not in addition including the three acres, the project is expected to provide a minimum of 15 acres of open space in
various forms. This does not mean that it's being deed to the city to be park land owned by the city, but it means that the residents of that uh of that pro project and frankly any city resident for the majority will have access to all of these areas. And in the
board that Mr. Aras has just put up, you're able to see the different areas that all lend themselves toward open park space that can be used by the residents of the city and by the residents of the site.
Specifically, I'm going to point to this chart here that Mr. Arius has just put on the floor, which divides into several pockets the areas that will be available, and I can go through those in detail if you wish. Any value of park concurrency that is
not met through the park space being pro provided will be paid in leew to the city. And the converse is also true. If there is an overage in park value, then it should be credited to the developer. So, with that, I'm going to just walk over here for one moment. Actually, I'm going to lose a microphone. So, Alex, if
you could give me that the one on the floor. >> Yeah. And you can follow along with the board. Thank you. Thank you so much, Anthony. You can follow along on the board with what it is. So, you have um a community path and Vita course. It's privately
owned but publicly accessible of about 1 acre. an athletic field and track, which is private but publicly accessible through a uh public use agreement. This is intended to be a school. As many of you know, many schools when they're closed the entire summer, during uh holiday
breaks, and after school make their areas available to their community. That's what's envisioned here for about three acres. You have the Civic Plaza, which is privately owned, but again, publicly accessible at about an acre. The Rodriguez family central park is that 3 acre linear park that will be
deed to the city fully uh public. The PO linear park, privately owned, publicly accessible, which is all the PO spaces that are being created throughout the uh the site at about 4 acres. And then there's three spaces in the north village, two in the north village and one in the south village, which we're
working on calculating together. As you see, they come up at about two almost three acres and they're intended for use by each of those communities. Uh they are uh there's some security concerns about opening them up. So, we'd have to work through that. But the idea is that
they are still spaces that are publicly available for the residents of that community. And the correlary to those, as you can see, is on that uh on that map. And you can also see that they're distributed throughout the site so that it's easy for people to enjoy them regardless of where they are on the
particular site. Thank you, Anthony. So with that, we're happy to answer any questions. >> Uh to my colleagues in the commission, would we like to go ahead and dialogue or would we like to listen to the administration's offer? >> I I would recommend listening to the
administration's offer, but I'll do whatever you guys ask. >> Yes, administration. I have to the chair. >> I want to ask a question. >> Go ahead, Mr. C. >> Can you um >> Thank you for coming today and for bringing this presentation. >> Can you tell me about the $8 million
grant reimbursement? What What is that? >> There was a grant that was secured um through one of I don't know if it was a state or a or a federal grant that's for this particular project. The idea at the moment is that the grant will be received by the city and then the the developer will provide the city with
proof of the improvements and the city will then reimburse the developer from those monies that were provided for purposes of the improvements to this particular site and the infrastructure around it. >> So it's so it's just a pass through then is what you're saying. Yes, >> correct. >> Okay. Thank you. That was my one. Thank you so much. >> Thank you.
>> All right. So everybody's in agreement with the heavenly administration. >> All right, Mr. Mayor, the floor. >> Thank you. I want to thank you all for an incredible uh professional presentation and also negotiations
always trying to find a way to so we could get to the next step. So once again and besides uh in my the administration also doing the same. So, we've come a long way and as that you could see there's a lot of things that
have been improved drastically. We went from basically not having any particular green area to now having quite a bit of green area deed to the city and not only did it deed it to the city but having an incredible name on it family name which
is also very important and to us I think we mentioned it here in one of the times that we met up here but besides that the most important thing is that we're basically there with everything that's been said I think that we're very
comfortable as to moving forward and I'm wait to hear from my colleagues on this but the agreement the MDA is important because you did say something Miriam and and that for city
is very important it's got to be agreed upon by both sides and in order so we can move forward fast and to the point So, I think that we're pretty much there. Uh there's little things that uh
the attorneys, you have to clean up in writing this agreement, but I would like to see this agreement fully presented upon hearing from them now. And I'll have some input for whatever question they may have. But that agreement needs
to be eyes dotted, tees crossed, and I think we're all on the same page. So, I think it's a good day. Uh we've come a long way and at this point I think the ones that will win tremendously are the
citizens of Sweetwater and the ones are going to live in hopefully an incredibly beautiful area. And I know there's one part that you know is consentual that you know it could change
but I think that's we're at the point now that we need to harden what's going to happen because that's the way all this works with the agreement. So we need to be very clear we're there and I think that everything that's presented it's really pretty much in line with
what we were we're asking for. So, I think it's a great day once again that we're there. I love the concept. I love the passive part. I love the part that does three acres and that it's going to be fully finished and indeed it
to the city, which was a question of a couple of the uh uh commissioners that asked me individually. So what we see there I think it represents exactly what the vision was from the
first time that we looked at the that was presented to new commissioners. Okay. A little different but I think it's also extremely nice the way it is. Now as far as the the school's concerned I think that's something you have to
deal with legally. uh our attorneys are going to be there with you and making sure that the ability to to have people come and when and how and for what period and stuff is important. So that
way you know when and if the same developer that's there now continues on and develops the whole thing that's awesome. But if it doesn't and he sells off whatever pieces to whatever entity
that that agreement runs with the land and the covenant and and that's important and that's what the I believe the MDA is all about and that's why moving forward we want to get this done too as fast as possible. I'm sure every
commissioner here is in the same position, but I just want to make sure once again that we just work it all out and make sure everything that's been presented is what it is. has also our responsibilities
and the 8 mill that was talked about before is monies that was uh worked on by them and to make sure it's a pass through through the federal government and that money will be given for improvements in the traffic side for
what my understanding is that correct okay so I think we're in a good place and to I know there was some questions uh that was asked to me about the commissioners about transit also on 112 and moving in with a bridge and so on.
Uh the way the city has viewed it, the minimum is the three lanes and to tie in with the actual entrance to FIU to do like a little pivot and done and that
should work out too in that way and that's something that we discussed uh in the past and I think that's just a minor situation that could be discussed and put all into the agreement and so on. I hopefully didn't miss any part of it,
but if we did, I'm sure the commissioners are going to have their questions. Here you go, Mr. President. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, any commissioners wishing to go first? >> Yes, >> Mr. Sel. >> Thank you. A Now, my question is
>> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Yes, sir. >> Mr. Commissioner, sorry for interrupting you, Mr. President. >> Yes, sir. >> Do you mind one second? I left something out on the 100,000 square ft use. Um I knew I was missing something on the
100,000 square feet. Uh it's an option that we have in the future and it's an option. It's one that we'll take. Uh and again it all depends who would be and who would own that part or will it be the same people or would be others or if
we're in need of or not or would take the funding instead. So that was the only part I think I left out. Am I correct, guys? >> All right. Sorry for the interruption. >> That's okay. Yeah. Mr. um mayor, is this I mean is this going to be any cost to
the city uh this project uh the citizen of the city sweetwater do we going to get any type of impact to the city of Sweetwater? >> Well, there is an impact. That's why you have impact fees, you know, it but those
impacts are also negotiated through law >> and and I believe that we have discussed that clearly >> and do you want to explain that a second? >> So we'll make it clear because that's a good question. >> I I I know the impact and also the the
question that I really have is does the citizen of the city of Sweetwater have to put any money no >> on this? I just I know the qu I know the answer but go ahead. >> Sure. Uh good evening Dennis Carbell from Acreman. Uh I'm your outside counsel on this. Um
the uh impact fees uh you you actually have two forms in your code of addressing the uh impacts of the project. There's concurrency which requires them to show uh that the infrastructure that's necessary to address their residents, the new
residents that they're adding are in place and available at the time. And a large part of the discussion that we'd had uh in getting to the 3acre park was about parks concurrency. So that's one method. Um the other part of your code
is impact fees where they pay fees for uh impacts to kind of the broader network and um state law says basically you can't double dip. So if it's something that you take through concurrency for example the park then um
you have to give credit for whatever you're getting against the impact fees uh that would otherwise be assessed for the park. Transportation is a little bit different because most of this is going to be handled through county roads and the county impact fee, but you do have a transportation impact fee. And so, uh,
those credits will be allocated through, um, through the city process, but they are providing, uh, significant infrastructure improvements to offset, uh, the impacts of their development. >> Um, another question that I have, the traffic study, did they, um, did you guys already, uh, did anything on that
traffic study? last time we had a meeting it was updated or something like that on that area. >> I'll I'll defer to your professional staff, but uh there was a traffic study and that's where the improvements, right, >> uh were assigned. Um so that that's how it was determined what improvements they
were going to need and will be uh incorporated into the development agreement. >> Okay, that's it. I got another one, but I'm going to let my other colleagues do. Go ahead. >> Any other commissioners wishing to speak? Chair, >> Mr. Vice President, >> uh would you be so kind and let us know
like what is the so of the impact fees and the offsets and all that? Are they consuming all the impact fees with roadside improvements or or improvements to the city? Will there be any money that's coming to the city? >> So the the short answer is for
transportation and parks, the infrastructure that they're providing will address all of the impact fees. Um, I'll explain about the parks. There's a there's a nuance to it in a second. Um, you will be receiving impact fees for
the uh general government police fee. Um, I I know they have a request that they satis that they be able to satisfy that general government police impact fee by providing um space, some kind of
perhaps an office building or something. Um right now that's simply just an option for the city to consider. At least in our view it wouldn't be decided in this agreement. It just says you'll consider uh accepting that in lie of payment at the time that it becomes due.
Um the the nuance on the parks concurrency is they have agreed to limit the scope of their development u based on the size of the bedrooms so that there's a set number of one-bedroom and two-bedroom
units that lowers the population count that's required by your code. And so based on that limitation, that's how they get to under your formulas um that they owe 15 acres of improved parkland. And so that's what
they've shown you here. They've shown [snorts] it to you in three acres that's fully dedicated to the city and then several uh public private areas that will be um was it about 11 10 acres that will be fully open to the public but
will be owned by them. Um, if they change their unit mix and go above the population count that they're agreeing to and committing to or will have to commit to in this development agreement, then for whatever
is the overage, they will owe you a parks impact fee or a parks concurrency um depending on how much population they add. But if they go with just the development they're showing you, all of the um all the infrastructure improvements that they're showing you do
for parks and for transportation do um do address whatever fees you would otherwise get. So you're getting improvements rather than cash. Um but the cash is supposed to be used for those improvements under state law anyway. Um I'll leave it there.
>> Understood. Thank you. So hang on. Let me just finish my train here. So, is it their purview that they can change the number of residents in there if it doesn't work out, let's say, for some other part of the project and then they just pay the 276,000 or whatever it is
per acre. So, it's it'll have to go through the development review process because they're going to have to come in and show what what changes they're making. Um, and yes, that would be something that they could do. And then by uh the terms of the agreement, you
would calculate how much how many additional people is this adding based on your code and then they would pay for that additional amount in uh in concurrency >> and we would have no say in any of that if we sign off on this. >> Um if you if they change the program,
well um you could provide in this agreement that any change requires an amendment to the development agreement which would then have to come back to you. Um it is common in development agreements um to allow developers to
subject to what's referred to as an equivalency matrix make certain modifications to the development that are kind of pre-approved that are just done administratively. But if that's a concern, it is something that you can make them come back as an amendment to the development agreement which would require two public hearings um just like
the adoption for this one. >> Mr. Mayor, is that something that will be in our agreement? I it's the commission uh requires it. I think it only benefits both sides but because that way if there is a change
they just bring it to this board and I don't think this board would be nonfavorable because they're going to come in case there is a change and it'll be something that uh will be probably due to a an economic change or something that they might have a sale of a
different thing. And again, if they go ahead and have that change, I think it should be this commission to go ahead and accept it at that point. But again, I'm willing to hear >> that would be my recommendation, Mr. Mayor, is that we have stake in the game
as well. >> Okay. >> So, >> thank you for that, sir. >> If you don't mind, let me recognize Commissioner Yano first. Go ahead. >> Yes, >> you can just stand at the podium. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. I don't know which one of you can make
this clear for me because it's something that I'm confused about the office space >> that that because in reality I'm going to tell you straight out. I don't like it. I don't like us to be in a building >> even for renting or buying for any
departments of ours. It doesn't make any sense for us. But anyway, that's my point of view. But I want you to clear it up for me because I'm kind of confused how it's going to be presented to us. So right now as it stands the draft development agreement that you were
shown before um had an option basically if the city wants to purchase or lease office space from one of their institutional uh that's the category the institutional uh uses that uh the city could basically lock in place 100,000 uh
square feet that would be available to it's your option if you don't want it you don't want it but then if you exercise it you get 5 years to negotiate there's not even a purchase price um in this agreement. It's just they basically commit to holding 100,000 square feet for you to negotiate for 5 years. That's
one version or that that's one where one place where you will see a reference to uh city space. The other one that um was in some of our correspondents was in lie of paying the general government fee,
the impact fee that they be allowed to profer um office space or or police station or something rather than paying cash. Again, we would frame it as an option for the city to consider and then the question would just be the mechanism
by which it comes to you. >> Are you good? She uh she's yielding to me a second. Uh this is something in fairness to the applicant. It's something that was put out a while ago when we were first talking about this. >> So in fairness, this is something that
they put out as an option based on the way it comes. It it might not be a floor or two floors or something. It might be uh a ground space, whatever. That would be different obviously. And I understand your point. You just don't want to be a
floor somewhere. I get it. Uh, but those are options and we don't know what those options are until they are available and we decide to take them or not. That's why they're an option. Oh, >> thank you. >> Actually, in in fairness, one thing just so that there isn't a surprise on the parks concurrency specifically, I just
wanted to talk about the timing of the delivery because I don't think we'd had that conversation would be uh we would want the park um delivered at the time of the first plat. Just want to put it out there. We can talk about it, but you had a different time frame in the correspondence. We don't have to decide
that today, but that's um that's our response on on the park's delivery. >> All right, ma'am. You're recognized. >> Thank you, sir. I just wanted to speak um to the vice president's uh concern about the population amount. So, one thing that's very important to note is
that in the development agreement already, and that's actually been there, I think since the beginning of the negotiations, it's capped at 105 uh dwelling units per acre. So, it cannot go above that amount uh without coming to you. That's very clear. Also, because
it is such a big project that's going to take a long time and be built in phases, the idea came of the equivalency matrix that someone alluded to. I think it was Dennis. And so it's baked into the development agreement is the use equivalency matrix which shows what can change and what can't change that. All
of that said the zoning code that you adopted that implements all of this clearly states that any major change to the development would have to come to you anyway. So but there's already parameters in here that um I think weigh heavily
toward your concerns that this just becomes something totally different that this does not make that possible. Mr. Vice President, >> thank thank you for that. I just want to make sure that, you know, we're obviously we're in this together. I just want to make sure, you know, as things progress and change that we can have a
say in what's going on in there. >> If there's a material change to what you have have agreed to in this agreement or what we will agree to in this agreement hopefully soon, you will have to um weigh in on that if it is a material change. >> Thank you for that. Appreciate >> and may I Mr. Mayor? And that's totally
acceptable and 100% correct. The only difference I think of what the commissioner was adding is in case this entity is not there tomorrow in the space, it's owned by another entity that that agreement he's making sure that will come back to us. And I I know that
runs with the land and with the sale and so on. So that's what I was basically trying to clear up. >> Yeah. The agreement as written will bind any future owner should there ever be one >> for 30 years. Yeah. >> Do any other commissioners
>> commissioner Sal is the other for? >> Yes. Um on a big project like this >> was going to answer something. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Sorry. I if Sorry for interrupting. I think >> Hold on. >> Okay. >> I want to set a precedence. Commissioner is always first. >> Absolutely. >> Go ahead, commissioner. >> Yes. And then we'll give you the
>> Yeah. Before I forget, um on a big project like this, what does the city get? Because I know we have something in our charter that in our binders, you know, in a in a law that when you get a project like this,
the city get something I don't know if it's a it's a piece of land or or can you clarify that for me? >> Sure. >> On on this project, what what do we get? >> So, >> that's my question. >> You're getting the threeacre park. >> Okay.
>> You're getting a significant number of roadway improvements to the roads around you >> free of charge. Yeah, you're not paying for it. They would have to pay you in uh they would have to pay you in uh in land or money. And in this case, given the significance of this uh of this
development, land is what we've been negotiating for. So, you're getting the threeacre park, you're getting public access to their private land in the locations that they've identified. And this actually gets to the thing I wanted to clarify from before um on the school
parcel that's been profered as a public private joint use agreement. Um, just so that there's no surprises, I our intent in the development agreement redline is to put in some very specific terms about public access so that anybody who takes
title um to the school piece is not surprised by the amount of public access they're going to be required to provide. So um and because that will be in the development agreement which will run with the land that will assure that uh the the access that the the commission
approves is what's going to be provided and you would have enforcement mechanisms through the agreement. Um so I mentioned the parks, I mentioned the um the public private uh rec spaces, the road improvements you'll be receiving.
Um, you'll also be receiving the road improvements internal to their site, which they are responsible for building out uh at their expense, except for the $8 million pass through grant from the federal government. Um, that through through the approval of the development
agreement, uh, you'd be delegating um the authority to uh to um re to pay them back a reimbursement basis as they build out the improvements. Um otherwise that would be completely on their dime. Uh you will be getting impact fees for
general government and police which is one fee. Um and then you'll be getting uh some increased advalorum uh taxable value. But I'll you know let leave it to developers to talk about all the great things that they uh based on your explanation.
What what my question is what's the hold up on this? What where where are we stuck on? >> I don't think we're stuck anymore. I think um we we've been having to Yeah. Go ahead, >> Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you, sir. We're not stuck anymore. I believe it's now a matter of writing
it all in. And this is why I started to say in the beginning, we've come a long way, a very long way. And I think it's for the betterment of both sides as was asked from this commission in the last meeting. And this is what we did. We
rolled up our sleeves. We discussed some issues back and forth pretty hard, but conceptual became reality and this is what this agreement will be based on. Conceptual will become reality. You will
vote on that agreement. But I don't think we're stuck anymore. It's just a matter now writing this whole thing out and making sure everything's agreed to. >> Yeah. Thank you, mayor. I'm I'm I'm I wanted, you know, my my my
I I want this this uh project to get done. I wanted [snorts] to start this project. You know, our commercial and that area, they're not doing good. Okay, they're this project is going to bring more life
to our business in our city. You know, I've been to right across the street from that place and I talked to a couple of the business owners and the impact is very phenomenal. I mean, I want this job, this project to
get done, mayor. I really do. I mean, we we we getting back and forth, back and forth, and and and I know you want to do the best for the city. We talk about this. They also want to do the best from the I mean we we got to get somewhere down the line in the middle and get this
this project done. This has been a long time. You know what I mean? So what I mean by getting stuck is every time we we meet with the developer or the mayor, it's it's something different every time we come up here. When I met the um the
developer, this was not in his office. This project right here, everything changed. I mean, I saw a big park in the middle of the of the whole thing. Now, I'm looking at the line park, you know, it looks good. It looks very nice, but my my my thing is let's get it done, guys. Let's let's
let's get this thing done. >> Can I can I add to the um just to to your point, the park actually was the hardest part of the negotiation because they wanted you to buy the land, right? >> And the mayor wanted you to receive the land as most developments of this scale
dedicate to the public. And that's where we finally bridged that gap. Uh, and so that's why we're back here. >> I appreciate it. Thank you, Mayor. >> Do you yield? >> I'm good. >> Mr. Mayor, you need to say anything? >> All right. I um >> you want to Yeah.
>> All right. I'll yield to you. Go ahead. >> Thank you. Uh, Mr. President, um, real quickly, I wanted to ask the, uh, developer real quick. Uh, the maintenance and upkeeping of all this public area, who's responsible for that, including the three acres? So the threeacre park will be yours. >> Okay.
>> Um everything else will be kept >> will be kept by you guys. Okay. When you said use restriction that was for the athletic and field track area or >> no. So the three park in the deed we want to make sure it remains a park. >> Okay. >> Right. That the city doesn't come in and build city hall for example. So it will
have use restrictions in that way and also in how the city can use the area. Right. we if if the residents, I don't know, want to use a portion of the park and the city wants to have a special event, right? It'll just lay out the way that we can work together so that it continues to be an enjoyable space, but
so that the city still can have for both of us, you know, correct. >> Okay. And um going back to the uh 100,000 square feet of institutional. Um I believe Dennis said we don't have anything number-wise >> yet cost. All that the development
agreement says is if you want it within a period of time, you let us know and then we negotiate that. >> When does that period of time start? >> I I want to say it's a year and I may be wrong, but I want to I'm going off memory. I want to say it's a year um from the approval of the de the development agreement and then there's
five years to either negotiate a lease or a purchase and that's through a completely separate agreement. >> Okay. Yeah. Yeah, cuz I know they answered a few of the questions that I had about the uh the changes and my biggest concern was what the mayor brought into play, which is what I
believe my vice president also had was that it doesn't even if it's sold to another developer owner or anything. This stays as is. >> The agreement travels with the the developer. >> That's perfectly fine. Okay. Thank you. I
>> can you up a little bit more? >> All right. So, I'm going to I'm going to say a few things. Um, I always like to give my colleagues on the commission an opportunity to have a healthy dialogue before I say anything. I tend to bogard the microphone.
So, first I said from the beginning that I didn't care about a park. Um, now we have a free park and I think that's a victory for the city. So kick ass up. Anytime the city of Sweet Water
gets something for free, at the end of the day, it was only going to benefit our residents. You did say something where uh there are restrictions to the park having to do with special events and whatnot. So I'm not in agreement with that. If it's a city park, the city should have first right of refusal.
That's just my opinion. I don't think that we if the park is going to be a city uh owned park and the city has to maintain the park, I don't believe that we should have to um seek approval to do host a special event and
I hope that you find that respectable. >> Um it's just my opinion. I haven't spoken to anybody about that because I can't I can't sit there and go, "Hey, what do you think about this?" So answer number one. Um I think I'm going to be able to answer a lot of your questions.
Who has the numbers for impact and concurrency on your team that will be able to answer my questions? >> It depends on what it is. The transportation ones I have. >> Give me uh traffic impact and concurrency totals, please. >> So, transportation improvements are
12,895,000. >> Okay. 12 million 895,000. Um as far those are the improvements. What does the code say that you have to
do with uh traffic impact? >> I don't have those exact numbers. >> Um Mr. Attorney, Mr. Attorney, Mr. Finance Director, uh do you have those numbers? If so, could you stand at the podium?
Knowing you, you probably do. On the transportation side, >> name name >> Scott Middlesburg, finance director, city of Sweetwater. Yes, sir. >> On the transportation side, the initial transportation impact fee prior to the credit for the existing mobile home park and the credit for affordable housing would be $15.7 million.
>> So, they're short roughly 3 million or 2.9 million. Is that accurate? No, they're going to that 10 million is for that one off-site improvement, but I think that bridge is going to be and the road's going to be substantially more. >> So, it's my understanding that there are
$38 million in traffic uh improvements. Is that accurate or is that a full >> That might be the number that might be the amount required by the traffic study. >> So, the $38 million surpasses the 15.7 million required by the code. Is that accurate?
>> Yes. Okay. So, we have 38 million. So, we're looking at an addition in excess of $23 million. >> The requirement >> getting that we're getting for free. >> No, we're not getting that money. That's that's the cost the potential cost of the transportation impacts required by the development.
>> I agree. I misstated. We're getting an additional $23 million in improvements to our roads. >> We should be >> excellent. All right. Um, that's number one. I keep hearing that we're co-mingling police impact and government
impact. >> Why is that? >> Um, we're not co-mingling. That is what we did when we revised the impact fees a couple of years ago. We brought that to you in September of 24 or 25 and we updated those fees that had not been changed in 11 years. And as a
recommendation from the consultant, we combine general government and police so that we have more flexibility to use them for the city's needs. So I remember specifically stating in that meeting one when I before I voted upon it we can go back that I didn't want to coingle those funds. I wanted police impact to be
police impact and government impact to stay government impact. Now if we voted upon that and it is what it is. I don't like to use those funds. I like for police to be police and government to be government. Now that's for us to debate and dialogue. The reason why I asked that question,
uh, what is the police/government impact fee for this project? >> The initial total before the existing mobile home credit cards and the affordable housing would be $7,933,518, >> which is roughly the equivalent to one acre. Is that accurate?
>> Um, one acre where? >> For the pre-negotiations of the park, it was something like $7.5 million per acre. That's what the appraisals that were presented to us would show. >> I understand. So based on this project,
they have to give us $7.9 million for police/government impact. Is that accurate? >> That's before the credit for the existing mobile home park and the credit for affordable housing. Mobile home park will be 1,65,185, which leaves 6.86 86 million to be revi
uh get a possible credit for affordable housing of 2,89,000 based on potential 40%. >> Thank you, Scott. I don't have any more questions for you. So, we have 105 uh dwelling units per acre. How many acres of undeveloped land do you currently
have? >> The short answer is we don't know because like I said, this is a conceptual master plan. So as each phase comes online, that site plan is going to be what really indicates what is and what isn't. But at least we know at least 15 acres will be some sort of open
space. >> Okay. You guys have a survey obviously, right? And so you based on the survey, you don't know how many acres of undeveloped land you currently have. >> Oh, the project todayund five. How how
>> how many acres was the project is it 105 including the three current buildings? >> 94 acres once you get rid of the three buildings. Okay, >> sense. Got it. So that's that's where I was at. Um so now 94 time 105 uh
dwelling units. So you're looking at having roughly 10,000 dwelling units. 10,000 people. >> No units. >> Is the population that we have looked at is that not right?
>> I think the math is off >> right >> but to clarify in our land use which was approved we have a bundle of rights which the original trunch is 6,000 residential units. >> Right.
So, if you have um give me one second because I want to do some math here. So, we have 105 acres times 94 acres is 9,870 units. >> I thought >> So, do it again. 105 acres 105 units per
acre times 94 acres is 9,870 units. >> Say that again. >> We'll do it again. 105 units per acre. >> I know they you have to discount the buildings that are there. It's 94. >> They did. It's 94. It's 105 minus the units. Now it's 94. >> 94.
>> So 105 units dwelling units times 94 acres is 9,870 units. >> So unless my math is off now, that's what that's where we're at. It's not It says 9,870 units. Is it the
intent of the developer to build 9,870 units? >> No. Got it. So the developers only get a build capped at 6,000. >> What the conceptual master plan shows and the matrix shown is 6,000. >> I just wanted to get on the record for a reason. >> Understood. >> You guys um how much in
aside from the 100,000 con conceptual square feet of I don't know what space. Um how much retail space you guys looking at? Is it like 335? >> So we're ensuring 100,000 square feet of non-residential uses. So that can be any kind of space. Specifically commercial
retail 282,000. >> Okay. So 282,000 in commercial retail and that includes restaurants, bars. >> Correct. >> All of those uses are in that 282. >> Excellent. >> Okay. >> That's in addition to the other
non-residential uses. >> I understand. And you guys are looking at a hotel, correct? >> Correct. 250 keys plus a convention center. >> How many? And you're looking at 350 feet. What is that like 20 something stories?
>> The height, the maximum allowable is 335, >> right? How many stories is that? >> So if you take it at about 12 stories for a commercial development, >> 30 >> 30. >> Are you guys going 30 ft high? >> I I I don't think anything is anticipated to be 30 ft high right now. >> Do you guys have a guesstimate more or
less or >> I don't. >> Okay. And then the convention center is going to be a component within the hotel >> within the hotel. The idea is that we'll bring both. >> So I'm assuming you're going to have several floors with a convention center component >> and it caters of course to FIU. The concept is to have you know that kind of rapport. >> And it's also my understanding that each
building is going to have its own silo parking. Is that accurate? >> So there will be parking garages throughout. I don't want to say that each building will have a parking garage because that may not be the best development program. >> But there will be parking nearby. >> Got it. And then the school, how many
students for this conceptual school? >> I don't know at this time because they're still negotiating with the potential providers. >> And have you been able to look at the design of the actual school? >> No. >> Um, Alex, have you been able to look at the design of the school?
>> Still very much. So, the last time that I spoke to the developer, I wanted to reiterate the importance of having a a perimeter road uh for traffic purposes. If you have if
you just look at that design there and you can think of 114th Avenue, if you force all the parents to go into a chute around the school, now you minimize traffic. I think that's very important because traffic in that area is going to be ridiculous during in and out.
>> So all schools go through a traffic review process at the county and a lot of that will be instruct instructional to how the queueing is done and which way the parents have to go for drop off and pickup etc. >> Did you want to say something Alex? >> That we have had those conversations
about the importance of queuing internal to the site. You know, that's definitely something we want to keep it off the roadways and internal to the school and luckily we have the acreage to do that here. >> Okay, Mr. Mayor, the floor. It >> is my understanding and this is one of the reasons exactly where you're going, Mr. President, and all these issues is
to harden the whole thing up so we know exactly what's coming our way. And it is showing actually, if you look at it, they're showing the perimeter road around >> I can't see it the >> the school area. And it goes around the back of the field
and comes out in the other direction. >> That's perfect. All around the field. >> Yes. >> That's excellent. >> Yeah. So, this is part of the reasons why >> Thank you, Alex. >> This is part of the reasons why hardening that conceptual into reality. Uh, makes everything a lot easier for
all of us. >> I agree. Uh, what about the hospital? Is that still on the table? >> I believe it's still being considered. It's very conceptual, >> which is what I've said from the beginning. It's a very ambitious thing.
Um, listen, I hope it happens. But if the hospital doesn't happen, we're obviously going to have additional space. And the concern is that based on that additional space that the developer might attempt to come back to us from
additional units. I'm willing to listen, but I'm a little hesitant only because that area is a juggernaut. It's it's there. He's he's he's making a lot of roadway improvements, but Northwest 7th and 114 Avenue is going to be very
difficult. I'm open to it. Like I said from the beginning, I said it in front of everybody, I think it's very ambitious to have a hospital. I think I think it'd be great. As a matter of fact, we have a hospital. I want to have a helicopter landing pad. Um give me 50 cows on top of the roofs. I mean, we can go big.
Um and you're going to have a storage facility. How many floors is that the sweet spot? eight stories. >> So, it's 136,000 square feet of self storage. Again, the configuration I think is still conceptual at this time. And that's the idea of the matrix, Mr. President, that if the hospital doesn't
happen and they are going to use that delta of 6,000 to 10,000 units, that the matrix is there to then shift how things are done and what is necessary. >> Right. Okay. Um, few other questions.
We're gonna have I think 7.9 million then after credits 6.5 million in police and government impact. We're shaking our head now. Scott >> 4.7. >> Okay. So we started at 7.5 and now we're
4.7. >> Scott, please come to the podium. >> The exact amount is really not a relevant. [sighs] >> Scott Mlesburg, finance director, city of Sweet Water. But if you want to play those games, we can go [laughter] ahead. >> Uh the general government with the
initial [snorts] development proposal $7,933,518. Uh the existing mobile home park provides 1,65,185 worth of credit. That leaves you $6,868,333. of that. If you have a 40% potential
credit for uh affordable housing, that would be $2,89,410, leaving a balance of $4,778,923. But if the number of units changes or something like that, uh or the mix changes or the affordable housing units
are more or less, those numbers will go up or down. >> All right. Thank you, Scott. Um, how much access are we talking about when it comes to the school? Because I'm a little I'm a little confused when it comes to the school school access. Um,
could you explain that in detail? >> The you mean to so that people can use it? >> Yeah, they said there was limited access. I just want to know what that means. >> So, the idea is to have a public um access agreement with the school that complies as we know there's a million school laws that apply to schools obviously for safety reasons. So after
school hours, uh when school's not in session, whether it's on the weekends or during breaks, it would be available to the public. It just has to be done. It would be a separate use agreement. Um so that everything is complied with that needs to be complied with.
>> Okay. So I have two more uh requests to consider. Just a request. You guys are going to go ahead and develop a school, which means that that school needs to have some sort of security component. >> And I would respectfully request that
the developer take into strong consideration to have a Sweetwater Police off duty working at that at that school for several reasons. He understands uh being a law enforcement professional, but I would most certainly want to have that radio concurrency,
that immediate communication where if something, god forbid, does happen, that officer who has the same frequency as our officers working the road can go ahead and push a button and can send the world as opposed to having some sort of private security contract or something like that. >> Understood?
>> I wouldn't impose that on him because I understand that does come with a financial strain. I just think that having a police officer in a school is different than having a private security guard in a school. Now, by saying this, the police command staff back there is saying, "Oh my god, how are we going to
staff this?" Well, that's their problem. They got to figure that out. Our officers are going to have more off duties and they're going to be happy about that, right? Especially with the off duty coordinator sitting there. Um, and then you said something about the park that we're going to have limited access.
Explain that. >> The threeacre park. >> Yes, ma'am. I'm glad you brought it up because I wanted to go back to that for a minute. The concern with the park is twofold. One, obviously this is an urban environment. So if you have an enormous um community event and it's a Sunday at 10 o'clock at night, you're impacting
the residents that live in that community that are right there. Right? So the idea is that the quiet enjoyment be preserved. We're modeling it similar to the DA Central Park which had similar concerns. It will not be in the development agreement. It'll be in the deed where we deed the uh the park to
you. that's where the use restrictions would be. The other consideration is the proximity to the school and security reasons. So that was the reason why uh they're asking to be able to approve, you know, special events because they want to be able to have all those considerations taken care of.
>> I understand I um I respect the developer, but I wouldn't go to the developer to ask permission for anything. Um it's just my view. I believe that is under the city's purview. Um, I get along great with the developer. I love this project. I've
been trying to push this project from the beginning, but he knows that I do have those mo those things where I'm like, no. And this is one of them. Um, I want you to take into consideration that any special event is never going to be conducted during school hours. So, that's number one. The city doesn't have
special events during school hours. Number two, our city special events run concurrent with uh Miami Day County Code ordinance and city ordinance and state statute. So we can't have, you know, like if we're going to have a Fourth of July event, we're not going to have it at that threeacre park. We're probably
going to have it at Ronzelli. Um so that that's a point of contention for me, just me. Anybody else here? >> Um and then and then I just want to get to a few more points and then I'll yield to my colleagues. uh in the MDA are are
you asking for a sound noise variance? >> No, there's been a separate ordinance that's being contemplated that deals with noise that has nothing to do with the MDA. That's a in your regulatory capacity. >> Got it. In the in this MDA, is there a
alcohol variance in proximity for the school? >> Same thing. That would be in your regulatory capacity >> and that is being negotiated. No, I mean presumably there would be an ordinance that comes before you at some point, but it's not in the master development agreement. >> Got it. Um
and the applicant is not asking for a variance to extend hours of operation for the night the bars, restaurants, nightclubs, comedy clubs, whatever it is that he's >> there are no variance requests in this application.
>> Excellent. Um, I don't believe that I have any other questions. I think that I covered a whole lot. I hope that I was able to answer some of your questions with that. Uh, I will yield. Does any other commissioner wish to speak? >> Commissioner Yan, you have the floor. >> That school doesn't have any after school activity. They're not going to
pay play any games or they're going to have any activities going on because the school does. >> We don't know yet. So, if let's say the activities end at six, then the access would be after six. If the activities end at four, it would be after four. that that's some of the detail that we need to know. >> Yeah. Because eventually all the school have something going on after school.
>> Sure. >> So it's impossible that uh it's going to be accessible to the public when the school is going to have something because that's a school. They all do >> during it would likely be during the evenings except in the summers of course during breaks, you know, when school's out of session.
>> I do have a >> Mr. Mr. Mayor, go ahead. >> Thank you. And these are the kind of points that are important. This is why I wanted to hear uh from you in this workshop because these these points are extremely important. They could be put
into the master um into this master uh agreement. But uh these things work best I think with ordinances as is probably the best way to go. But when it comes to the issue with the school and the way it works, I I I tend to agree
with a lot of things that both of you are saying, but those are the the fine details since they're going to run with the land. Some of the things I do not think that just like the noise ordinance, I don't agree that the park
should have that same type of restriction. Uh if we don't have it for noise ordinances and we don't have it for anything else. So, we do that through ordinances normally, but uh these are the kind of things that we're we need to fine-tune now with the attorneys and make sure that whatever we
write in there when you get it, you'll see it's not conceptual anymore. You're going to know exactly what you're voting on. And I gave you my word on that. And I won't accept any agreement unless it's real. And that way when it's before you
guys and and still even then you have the ability uh to be able to maybe uh look at it and say we might prefer a little bit more of this or that. So but I think we're very close. We're beyond
the level that I think we could have got to and I think we're here. But uh these are the finetuning uh issues. I I've written down everything you guys basically have have asked for and I think both of us have been capturing
everything. So, I think we could work out the details that you guys have and once we agree to it, but uh one of the things that I was that you brought up that was mentioned to me earlier, our attorney, our outside attorney was
talking about certain agreements already that exist with parks like this. You were mentioning could you explain that? One thing that is written actually in the the proposal that uh uh that that
Miriam uh provided Solar Ramos sorry u is a joint use agreement and joint use agreements are very common between school boards and municipalities and between private schools also and municipalities uh where it lays out you know what are the uses that are allowed the times the preferences so on and so
forth. So, that's something that uh we're all going to be working on in developing so that it's crystal clear kind of what is the access and what is the opportunity that city is going to have to be able to use th those uh those athletic fields or those facilities and and kind of what the times are. And so, it's it's very spelled out. So, in the
future this uh developer decides to move on, the next uh operator, next person that's in in that school uh knows exactly what the rules of the games are. >> Yeah. So, I'm I'm going to say two more things. Um, I also heard you earlier refer to CRAAS.
Now, again, I think that's very ambitious. Now, I don't have much experience at the 111 building. Um, I don't know if anybody here spent much time there. Oh, yeah. You were there for like 23 years,
>> that's all. And um [laughter] and it's my understanding that the board of county commissioners right now is shooting down any attempt at a CRA. So again, I think that's very ambitious. Um I'll
I I don't think that's going to happen. Uh I think you'll have more uh hopes as a CDD, a community development district. It benefits the city to have a CRA because the city is ultimately going to be the CRA board
members. Uh but in order to do that, it's my understanding that we need approval from Miami Day County >> and I don't see Miami Day County approving that. But hey, maybe you guys know something that I don't. >> I'm just here for comedic relief. >> During during uh during negotiations, the city brought up to us,
administration brought up to us that that was important and would be very beneficial. The only thing we've said is we'll stand by the city and help you in any way we can. Yeah, I think it's going to be great. I mean, I want front row row tickets to anything and I'm not sitting in the front row. Um, so that's
the first thing is the CRA. I don't think I don't think that Look, I didn't think we were going to get a park and we got three acres. So, at this point, do what you're going to do. Uh, I will say this final thing. So, aside from how we may or may not feel
about the developer, I have my personal feelings about him. Um, our job is to negotiate and advocate for the city of Sweetwater. And I think the mayor has been a tenacious negotiator. I've actually
opposed the mayor saying, "Guys, I think a park is stupid." And I've said it openly in a meeting. Uh, but you were able to get a park, three acres for free and get the guy to pay for the park. You won. Well, hold on. Let me finish. Um,
so you advocated for the city. Kick-ass job. That doesn't negate the fact what the Rodriguez family means to the city of Sweetwater. And I've been around here for a long time. And they are the greatest family in the history of the city of Sweetwater. And I don't think anybody's
ever going to be able to top them. What that family has done for the city of Sweetwater from the father, the mom, and now Raul. And may they they rest in peace. Um, I don't see the developer giving the city
any issues with permissions from a school or a park because whenever we needed to um donate food during CO I personally used Van Van Academy when
it was there with the shooting van academy and I could tell you that from April to November I probably used the trader at least once a month and we'd have thousands of
people. I've never seen Raul say no to anything. I know what he does with the program where he takes uh the kids to Disney every year and these are people with special needs for the Make a Wish Foundation. what he's done with the
Lil Dabner Foundation is 250 kids, free dance classes, archery classes, taekwond do classes, and I think the most important other than the after school was the SAT prep. And it's the only organization that has a 100% success
rate for all the kids that were in the SAT program that passed the SATs who are now in college for free. I can tout and go on and on about what Raul Rodriguez and the Rodriguez family have done for the city of Sweetwater. I've thanked them in person. I thank
them in public. I think he's his family is amazing. But if it's between the Rodriguez family and the city of Sweetwater, I got to fight for the city of Sweetwater. Which is why when I say things like I'm not in agreement with, you know, us not having access to a park or somebody telling that's why I say
that and I hope you guys respect that. So, um, I I say thank you, Mr. Mayor, for negotiating on behalf of the city. I know it's been ugly. I wish I was a fly on the wall eating popcorn. I heard there were great meetings. I heard they were very entertaining. Um,
anybody else wish to say anything? >> Yes, through the chair. >> Mr. Vice President, >> I just want to So, a couple things I'd like for you to consider when you when you um sit down with them regards to the school. Um, I would like for us to, you
know, obviously have some type of organized sports or the ability to have some type of organized sports there and maybe some a small office space for for someone from parks to be able to kind of manage that for the residents that are going to live in that area. Um, do you
know if it's going to be a K through eight or do you have any idea at all? >> I mean, unfortunately not. >> I'm not going to lie. The schools in our area are all suffering. We have a number of middle and and and elementary schools that the population the numbers are way
down. I mean, it's happening across the county. The county is the countyy's closing down schools. >> I'm not a real big fan of this, but it just is what it is. It's unfortunate. Um, and then I can't tell from your rendering. Will there be parking along
the linear park for guests that don't live in the area to be able to park there? The short answer is we don't know. That's a super specific um detail. >> But Alex has a thought. >> Maybe like parallel parking or so. I
don't know. Just I'm wondering how how like somebody like how do I go there to >> So remember each one of the residential podiums is going to have ample parking for the residential and commercial that will also have opportunities for the parking there. >> And will that be like will they be charging for that or is that just going
to be like wide open? That's yet to be determined. I know that for the commercial parking, it probably will be charged. >> It probably will be charged. So, if I wanted to go and utilize that linear park, I'm going to have to pay to park >> there. There's a trade-off to that. I mean, as you can see in the rendering, you can have a linear park that has
cafes and the bail built next to it, or you can have a linear park that has parking spaces next to it. So, there is a trade-off to either having the parking within the podiums or within the linear parks. We're not at that level of detail with respect to the design, but that's also something to discuss because
>> please please consider that >> there there is two different options. And to get that look, you don't necessarily want to have parking abudding on that linear park. >> And how about for the park? How will our residents that are going to use the the field at the school? Will there be
parking there? The school will have ample parking >> and will that obviously will that be available at no charge in the evening kind of thing or on the weekends? >> It would be reasonably negotiated and very likely that it would be available. >> So something for you to think of is, you
know, how do how do the other residents get to that? I mean, listen, we we've come a long way. I want to thank you. We the last time we were here, you know, we had some tough conversations, but thank you and the developer for coming back and and
and making, you know, a significant change and and this presentation. I think this is going to work well for us. Um, you know, I'll be voting for this and, you know, again, thank you very much. This is milestone piece for the city, not only for us, but for for our
kids that are coming down the road. So, thanks again. Mr. President, one final point. Um, well, first of all, thank you all for all of your comments. They've been incredibly helpful to us [laughter] and I I do think after hearing from all of you that we are very very very close, if
not there. Um, it's just penning it and putting it uh all the details on paper. So, with that, we'd like to ask um for a I know you can't vote today, but for a special set commission meeting to vote on uh the the master development agreement's first reading. >> May I Mr. President?
>> Mr. Fair. >> Uh, I gave this the commission my word that nothing will come to them until it's finalized. When it's finalized, I will move it as fast as I possibly can
to be put in front of them. But finalized means not a red line paper but an actual approved and signed off agreement by both you guys and us before
it goes before them because I want to make sure that all these things the school you know what's going to be available what's not is this going to be there is that going to be there what could be replaced what could change those things we need to write up yet
Now, is it going to be done as fast as possible? Absolutely. I want to finish this probably more than you guys do. All right? And I'll be very truthful. I want to get it done. But the president is 100% correct
there. Our job is to represent the city and do the very best negotiations we can. I nobody has one here. I want to be very
clear. Who is one is the citizens that are going to be moving in this great project in the future to have the green space to have the ability to be able to enjoy the all the questions that you ask about the
commercial areas and everything else and the park and also the school and we could work out the details on all that. But these details have to be put in writing just like it's been said here by both sides that we're going to put in
writing. As soon as it's done, I will be presenting it to our commissioners as fast as possible. But I'm not going to set a date now without knowing how long it's going to take because there might be small disagreements. I'm here to finish this. And I know I know Rowan.
I've known him for many years. He's a great man, very passionate and he's passionate about this project and and I would be too tremendously. But this project is so important. It's come for so long that it's got to be
done correctly and I think we're there. It's just a matter of putting it all in writing. Exactly what you said, Miriam. And as soon as we put this in writing, I promise you I will have it before the commissioners and we'll move forward. But I'm not going to sit here and promise them something where this is the
work. You get paid a lot more than I do to do this between all of you. So, let's get this done and our team >> and uh I'll be putting it out and that you have my word on. >> Okay. >> Commissioner Ronald Aldo Ray. So, I just want to put on the record and, you know,
let the applicants know and our outside council outside council know as well that I concur with the uh president vice president on two things. On the president is the uh use restriction. You know, we're not here to, you know, be doing a Fourth of July. We all know that
there's no way to do that in between buildings, but not to be limited to anything or ask for per for permission if we're the owner of the deed. And the uh other thing that that's why one of these these workshops is good because
I've looked at these this uh proposal and everything and I've looked at it from A to Z to A and I missed something and that was the parking of the linear parking. you know, if it's a public area,
you know, want to have some parking either around it like our park in Ronelli that they have those parallel parkings. You know, the the people who live there, the residents that were living there, they're going to be able to go, but like myself that's outside,
you know, I know you guys live on the outer skirts of the park and maybe we want to go one day and enjoy it. you know, are we going to be paying for it? Not not me. You know, I'm just saying for everyone else. Maybe I don't go, maybe I
go. But for the most part is, you know, the paying of that fee if there's something, you know, not saying we need to have 200 parking spaces, but at least the amount that goes from 112 all the way to 114th and then maybe again back
or on one side only push the park against the building with the with the coffee shops and on the other side. And you know if there's no parking then yeah you they'll have to use you know the other parking which do have a cost. It's kind of like a first come first serve type of thing. But you know that's why I
concur with the president and the vice president which again is why I agree on some of these workshops is because some things I don't see some things I see. Maybe you know any of the other commissioners of my colleagues you know they have something that they saw and but I do concur with those two things
the use restriction and also the parking of the park. Okay. Uh, any other commissioner wish to speak? >> Good. >> So, um, I think we have a lot to discuss. I am
tired of kicking this can down the road. We've had some debates and dialogues and some heated discussions. Been on TikTok and Instagram and all that crap. I have policemen throwing pens at me every time I drink coffee. It's very interesting. Um
I um I understand the developer is losing a lot of money and it's more money than I could ever fathom at this point. It's just make believe money to me when he says those numbers. I understand that the developer and the development team and the 32,000
consultants that you guys have uh want to get this done as quickly as possible. I understand uh the point of the mayor and I understand the mayor wants to go ahead and uh button this up and and take your time, but I kind of want to meet in the middle. So, I
respectfully ask speed up speed up and let's just wrap this thing up. If if we're talking about the minutiae that we're discussing now, that should be done in a week. Just my opinion. So hopefully you guys can get that done. You know, I don't
think if you guys have if you're serious about this, you can meet, you know, several days this week and get it done. It depends on what the mayor's schedule is because he's kind of busy running a, you know, running a city. Um, so and I say that respectfully. Um, does anybody
else have anything else to dialogue? Before we finish, I'm going to give the mayor the final word. Does anybody else have anything else to dialogue? Nobody wishes to speak. Ralph is quiet. Very strange. Very strange of Ralph. >> Uh, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you
all for this workshop. I think for both sides is it uh been incredibly enlightening because some of the issues that have been brought up are kind of like the issues that were there uh to discuss and it shows by the way you
presented yourselves and asked the questions the exact intent that I basically I think we're on the same page. I think they are too. It's just a matter of finessing and putting it all in writing. The faster and I agree with you Mr. present, the faster it is
presented and looked at our teams, um the faster we'll put it on. And hopefully we get past this and we move on. There's a lot more to do. So, and one of the things that's also important
to see here, I do not want to knock any other city, but this city has improved drastically in every aspect that that we give services to and one of those services is
our building department. Our building department right now is second to none. and we will move on everything as fast as possible. So that time lapse that other people are talking about because it's not
happening. I don't want to be in some of the other cities that people are waiting a year and a half, two years. And I think all of you are shaking your head and understanding exactly where I'm coming from. >> We're here to move as fast as we can, Mr. president to move that timeline once
we get this agreement going and moving as fast as we can to make these permits happen and get this project up and out of the ground. So I want to give you that that commitment too from the administration that adds to the point that you were talking. >> I have no doubt.
>> Okay. So with that, thank you all for being here. So before we go, uh just one last point, um and I really appreciate the fact that you guys agreed to this is you're donating an additional acre of land for a police department. Is that accurate?
>> It's not April Fool's Day, Mr. President. >> So we're not we're not donating another. So you know what? Why don't we consider it? So if you guys can go back to developer um I know he's away, but knowing him, he's watching. Uh, so if
Raul, you want to donate an acre of land, you know, I mean, I'll accept it. >> I'll accept it for our police department. You know, we we live in cramped spaces. Um, our police department, we're 90 strong now. We need we need space. Uh, we have a bond rating
now because of our finance director. Kickass job, Mr. Finance director. I don't know how the hell you did that, but yeah. So, other than that, uh, motion to adjurnn. >> All in favor say I. >> I. All right, folks. Have a good day.