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Hi That's Michael. Good evening everyone. Meeting date Monday, September 22nd, 2025 at 6 PM. Commission Chambers, 500 Southwest 9 Avenue. Roll call. Madam clerk, >> please stand for the invocation.
>> In Jesus' name I pray. Dear heavenly father, as always, thank you for granting us the gift of life and realizing how precious that gift is. Thank you for granting us the gift of service, the health and safety of our
family, our friends, our city, our police officers, our firefighters, and the greatest military in the world. Please grant us the wisdom needed to make the choices to do your work, Jesus, to do God's work here for the betterment
of our city. Please place your hand of healing throughout this nation, throughout this world. And please try and help to minimize political acts of violence. our nation, our world lost a great man,
a son of Jesus, a patriot, a young man whose only mission was to spread the gospel and to energize the youth on conservative values. Unfortunately, an assassin's bullet took
his life. Lord, I know that he stands next to you in heaven. I only ask that you grant his wife Erica and his two children, his family, and his close friends the peace needed to move forward. We ask for your
wisdom, Lord. We ask for your grace, Lord. And we ask for your love. In Jesus' name, I will always pray. Amen. To the flag of the republic for it stands one nation
indivisible with liberty andice for all. >> Thank you madam clerk. Do we have any public comments? Seeing no public comments, we're moving on to item five. A resolution of the mayor and commissioner of the city of Sweetwater adopting the final mill rate of the city of Sweetwater for fiscal year commencing
October 1st, 2025 and ending September 30th, 2026 pursuant to Florida statute section 2000. 065 trim bill authorizing transmitt and providing an effective date second public hearing trim
requirement. Public hearing is now open. Anybody wishing to speak on this item, please step forward. Seeing nobody step forward, public hearing is now closed. Do we have a motion to move this? >> Second. >> Motion by Commissioner Yananiel, second by Commissioner Rald Ray. Roll call,
Madame Clerk. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Item passes. Item six, a resolution of the mayor and commissioner of the city of Sweetwater
adopting the final budget of the city of Sweetwater for the fiscal year commencing October 1st, 2025 and ending September 30th, 2026 pursuant to Florida statute section 2000. 065 trim bill
providing for effective date. Second public hearing trim requirement. Public hearing is now open. Anybody wishing to speak, please step forward. See nobody come forward. Public meeting is now closed. Do we have any comments by any commissioners pertaining to this item?
Okay. I will I will say something. The mayor and I were discussing uh a few things. We wanted to run it by the commission. Uh Mr. Mayor, do you want to explain? You want to explain? >> Thank you. You want to take it on? >> No, I'm going to take it on.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. >> The issue is that first and foremost, I want to Thank you for coming to meeting with me and discussing the budget and going through everything. Sir Michael
>> better now. Okay. First and foremost, I want to thank you guys for coming and being with me and going over the budget and making sure that everything that the city needs is addressed in the budget balanced and the mill is flat. Once again, make it clear to everybody to
understand and we wanted to make sure that there was programs being given to the elderly, to the children, to the residents, to Sweetwater itself and improvements, and especially our parks, our police, and all our departments. The
budget has it all. We're blessed. We're in a good position. I could go on and on in stating it, but I think it's pretty simple and I think we've gone through it quite enough. As far as ideas, one of the ideas that came up uh is to continue
to work with our great uh department that we have in in parks, but especially with the civil air patrol and growing that that now it is the Sweetwater Civil Air Patrol unit and making sure that that program continues to grow and that
we have many kids like in one time that we had. It's better to have them involved in situations like that than being out on the street and doing other things. So, that is one program. Some have asked me to help out with the elderly a little more. I we're adjusting
to do so. Uh, one of the things that came up and the president came and had a good conversation is somewhat like a a patriot program to help us continue to grow in a patriotism especially through these hard times that we're going
through in this moment in our country. Uh, and he mentioned in a beautiful prayer by the way beautiful prayer. Um, and one of the ideas is to give to the residents that are having a hard
time in paying, but they want to show their patriotism through you want to take it from there. >> Yeah. So, the the mayor is not being entirely accurate. The mayor is being a bit humble. Uh, the mayor and I have been discussing patriotism and how to raise patriotism within our city. The last conversation
we had was the 4th of July and uh the mayor one of those. Isn't this a beautiful event? Wouldn't it be beautiful if every single house in the city of Sword had an American flag? So, no, this is not my idea. This is the mayor's idea. Um, so thank you for that, mayor. Um,
so what we're thinking about is we're trying to to have a public private partnership with with one of our retailers here in the city of Sweetwater. I'm not going to mention that. I'll let the mayor handle the logistics on that part. But having a program here in the city of Sweetwater
where we give an American flag to residents here in the city of Sweetwater that want an American flag. Um the flag and the stand if they can't afford for a handyman to come and do it, we'll do it ourselves. We'll help out. So, we wanted to allocate some funding. We thought uh
that $25,000 was more than enough, but we wanted to present it to the commission to see if you guys had an appetite to allocate $25,000 for the city of Sweetwater mayor's patriot program. Um, and that's how the fund would be called. I know the mayor doesn't want
his name anywhere near there, even though he's probably the most patriotic mayor in Miami Day County. Um, but that's that's my prop that's our proposal is to allocate $25,000 from the budget. This would specifically be for American flags. Um, donating American
flags to our residents so they can attach to homes. So, I don't know if anybody on the commission has an appetite for that. >> Commissioner I'm 100% behind that. I'd support that. Um I think the 25's probably on point.
If we need more funds, I think we >> we can always come back and just further discuss it. But I think that's a great idea. >> I think that actually having um participation from the commercial side that they also would like to support programs like this. This is where we
live. This is the greatest nation in the world. How could you not want to have an American flag represented, especially us that come from somewhere else that make this our our nation, our country, our place to live? So, for that reason, uh I think we're going to get support from
probably a major retailer here in uh in in the city of Sweetwater. And if there needs to be more, I'll come back to the commission and we'll take it from there. >> Commissioner Ray, >> I'm also I'm also in support of of that item. attitude.
>> Yes, sir. Yeah, great idea. I'm going to support that, too. Can we Can we add Can we add on that? Like, whoever got a flag already in the house and it's already bad, can we, >> you know, replace it for that? >> I I have like 17 houses that I want,
>> please. If anybody has in the house a flag that is in very bad condition, I would like to collect it because we do actually it's like a ceremony and we burn them. We don't want to be destroyed and we pick them up and uh we'll have a
>> with the with the cadets we will have a ceremony just to burn those flags. >> So, thank you for for saying that because that's uh that's something that the mayor and I had actually discussed. What are we going to do >> because you you actually have protocol on what to do with the flag >> through. Yes, sir. Yeah, Commissioner. Um, I
mean, I was into the Boy Scouts and we used to retire flags. I like I got like five of them in my house, so I'm trying to >> We get all of them. >> Yeah, that would be a great idea. >> So, for now, >> throw them away. >> Yeah. So, for now, $25,000. Um, Mr. Mayor, if you can direct the
finance director, how do you want to name this program? Patriot program. Mayor's Patriot Program. >> No, Patriots program is good. So, your Sweetwater Patriot Program. >> Okay. So uh >> and we'll work it together and I think it it it helps us bring
the real meaning of what this country is about and the freedom that we share here that sometime is taken for granted >> and I think it's a good thing. >> So um >> I'll take it out uh I'll modify the budget. I'll take it out one of the line items and handle that. >> Great. Uh point of order, Mr. Attorney.
Um, do we need to take a vote to add that language to the budget? >> I believe we may have to. >> You would need to take a vote to reopen the previous vote where you adopted the budget
>> and then you would need a vote to add it into that budget. So, you need two votes and then you need a third vote to to pass the budget as amended. >> Understand? So, my motion is to reopen the first reading of the budget. accurate.
>> We haven't closed the second reading. >> So, it's on first reading. That's why I'm a little >> So, let me rephrase my question. >> Yeah. >> So, you're So, >> well, but adjusted according to Mr. Person. >> Great. So, right now, my question was,
do we need a motion to add this language to the budget? My motion is to add $25,000 to the city of Seaw Water Patriot program to the existing budget. Do I have a second? >> Move. >> Second. >> Second by
>> Commissioner Luiz. >> Uh all in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed. All right. Mr. Mayor, Mr. Finance Director, please add $25,000 to the existing budget for the city of Sweetwater Patriot Program. >> And again, I apologize. I thought you had already passed.
>> You're good. You're good. Um, the next item that we have, you know what? I'm I'm not I'm not going to mention that item. I'm going to move on from that item. Um, does anybody house have anything that
they want to discuss within the budget? >> I do through the chair. >> Commissioner, um, thank you for for entertaining me this morning, Mr. Mayor. Um, I know you're you're doing an amazing job with the budget and and our reserves and all that and and I know we discussed about
where some of that money is parked. I just kind of want to bring that up so that you know the other commissioners can just, you know, just have some some thought or conversation on um it is possible to park some of our money into the pension fund. Uh it's going it's a
prepaid uh the pension fund for the police. Uh last year uh we were in the high in the mid30s was the return >> 34% to be exact. Uh it's on track to make decent money this year again. Um and we could you know if you guys choose
to do you could park a million or two in the pension fund as a prepaid and then the interest of that would go to help us offset our cost. We would make more money on our money in essence. >> We we have no problem. I think it's a a great idea, especially when a return
like that helps our men and women in in the department. Uh we were just making sure of any legalities. I don't think there is a problem, but if there is, we'll bring it back and adjust accordingly and we'll make it happen because I think it's a good idea. >> I think it's just a great opportunity more money on our money,
>> you know, and and make sure that we deal with that. >> Perfect. >> So, I'm I'm definitely for that. Um, >> do we want to do that at another meeting? >> I' I'd like for them to >> No, he's just saying to make sure >> I'd like for them to come back and Scott
like really do his homework on this. >> I like that. >> But I think it's a great idea. If we're making good money on our money, >> you know, I know we're we're we're on a CD making like four or 5%. If we made 34% on our money, it would definitely help us offset our pension cost that keeps going up every year. So
>> as you want to know all the pension and this is why I asked for a little time to study it over with God because as you know pensions have a lot of regulations and for that reason we want to make sure we cross the tees and dot the ice. >> Yeah. And the main thing is once we put the money in we can't pull the money back but again it's like a prepaid so we
want to make sure that you know we're we're doing the right thing but it's just an opportunity to make more money on our money. So >> good. >> Thank you. Does any other commissioner have any other questions pertaining to the budget infirm? >> Seeing no questions, do we have a motion
to approve the amended budget? >> Second. >> Motion by Commissioner Yan, seconded by everybody else. >> I know it's a reszo. We can do it all in favor, but I I want to do a vote. Roll call. Madam clerk,
>> yes. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Congratulations. And I want to make this abundantly clear um to everyone in the
audience and those watching at home. It may seem as though everything here is free flowing and it's a yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. But we've been discussing, debating, and dialoguing this budget. Um the mayor has sat down with every single commissioner. I know he sat down with me
several times. Uh we've had contentious uh meetings, not arguments, but obviously healthy debate and dialogue. Um and I think we've reached a a general consensus on a very healthy budget. Um I think the city of Sweetwater financially
is doing great. I think there are a few surprises uh that the mayor has in store that have been sworn to secrecy, although I'm dying to say it. And I don't know if I'm gonna hold it back, >> but other than that, uh, congratulations to everyone. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. Thank you for respecting us. Uh, other administrations did not respect us. Never dialogued with us. I was over here for eight years. I never had a meeting with the previous mayor to discuss any budgets. So, thank you for keeping your word. I appreciate that. >> Thank you, Mr. President. And I was a pleasure being able to continue the way
we're we're we're handling it. And I want to reinstate what you said. Every one of you had your opinions. You gave me your opinions. The budget was modified to meet those good ideas that balanced. And for that reason, I want to
thank you all for your leadership in the way uh you have conducted yourself in making this a very positive budget and like you said, you know, you all had your ideas. We respected your ideas. the job of administration is to carry those
ideas out to the maximum level. So once again, thank you. And by the way, it wasn't twi it wasn't once. We I met with each one of you a couple of times, >> you know. So with that, >> thank you. >> Thank you. On to item number seven, a resolution of the city commission of the
city of Sweetwater transferring title of a Ford Crown Victoria to Ruben Mena. Former police officer Ruben Mena, honorably retired police officer Ruben Mena providing for rationale, providing for authority and providing for an
effective date. Mayor Das >> like you just read it, Mr. President, I think is a good thing to do and something that needs to be done and we need to do it up here. >> Move. >> So just to give you guys some clarification. >> Yes. Ruben Mena uh as a reserve police
officer, retired police officer, city of Miami, served here as a reserve for many years, bought his own police car, striped his own police car, placed lights on his own police car, paid for everything, and donated the police car to the city of Sweetwater Police Department.
um he is no longer an active policeman and he's asking for that vehicle uh to be given back to him which is only right. It's my understanding he wants to gift it to his grandson. So that's a pretty cool gift.
That's why I wanted to explain that. >> Move. >> Well, it's already been moved by Commissioner Yan, seconded by Commissioner. >> I like that. >> Third Commissioner Salz. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Congratulations, folks. Ajournment.
>> By the way, I think this is a record in the city of Swan. >> It is not a record. I'll have you know we've done it in three minutes. >> Have a good night, folks. >> Good night. Good