Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hello. Heat. Good evening everyone. Meeting date,
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 at 6 PM. Commission chambers 500 Southwest 109 Avenue. Roll call. Madam clerk. >> Governor, the absence of commissioner's race via CEO MRT. >> Thank you. Will everyone please stand for the invocation? In Jesus name I pray. Dear heavenly father, thank you for granting us the
gift of life, the gift of friendship, the gift of service. Thank you for bestowing this most awesome privilege to us as elected officials and city leaders here in our humble city. Please continue to grant us the necessary
wisdom to make the right decisions here in our city for our constituents. Please continue to bless our city staff, our residents, our police officers, firefighters, and the greatest military in the world. And Lord, this is the last regular
commission meeting in December. I want to thank you for giving us the peace and tranquility in 2025. And we look forward to a very healthy and prosperous 2026. Please continue to give us the wisdom
necessary to make the most efficient decisions possible for the betterment of our city. In Jesus' name, I will always pray. Amen. Amen. >> Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Please be seated. Item four, special presentation. Anything?
Seeing none. Item five, presentation of employee of the month award. Mr. Mayor, postponed till next month. Item six, presentation of officer of the month award. Chief police. Good evening.
Frank Fernandez, assistant chief of police operations. On November 3rd, 2025, Lieutenant Gilbert Paz conducted roll call down here in our station downstairs at the U Roco room during that briefing. Lieutenant P passed on information to
the personnel working that evening or that morning about a one subject saw by the FIU police department regarding a connection with multiple sexual battery cases. Um, right after roll call, officer Orasio Rocha, who was a field
training officer and was training a brand new police officer, Yuan Lorenzo, they went out and started patrolling the area looking for this wanted subject from a bolo sheep. At approximately 9:32 a.m., Officer Roach observed and
positively identified the wanted subject. Uh the subject was traveling towards the FIU campus from our city. Exercising safe and controlled in a controlled approach, the officer initiated contact and took the subject into custody without incident. His
methodical actions ensured that the arrest was executed with the highest regard for officer safety, public, and departmental standards. Officer Roach's attentiveness and proactive policing directly led to the capture of a violent offender, enhancing the safety of the
city of Sweetwater and his surrounding community. His conduct demonstrates good judgment and strong commitment to duty. As a field training officer, his performance sets the example for our trainees, reinforcing the importance of vigilance and professionalism on daily
operations. For these reasons, it's with great pride that we recognize officer Roachcha as officer of the month for October 2025. And I also want to add that in the uniform services, whether the military or the police, there's those quiet professionals that you never
hear much from, but they are the ultimate the ultimate professionals. And Officer Roachcha is absolutely that. So, I want to commend them for that as well. And I'd like to present to him the officer of the month award. Ma'am, >> you got to be in the picture over here.
>> We're videaping. You don't have to worry about all that. >> Somebody grab the phone for her. Come on in, ma'am. >> We got Come on in, fam. >> His daughter's coming. Stand by. >> Camera. Which camera are we looking at first? >> You want to picture? Come right here.
>> Take them. There you go. >> Stand by for if you don't mind. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. You'll see I forgot to put it at >> Yeah, it's all good. Look this way. One, two, three. >> One more. opportunity. >> Excellent job to our police department.
Great way to catch a bad guy. Kickass job. Item seven, reports of officers, boards, and committees. Seeing none, item eight, additions and deletions to the agenda. I see we have an addition
um consent agenda. Item D. Is that correct? Item nine, petitions, communications, and remunances. Seeing nobody come forward. Item 10, consent agenda. Do I have a motion? >> Second.
>> Motion by Commissioner Yaner, second by Commissioner Ran Aldore. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? >> Consent agenda passes. Item 11, staff items. A, an ordinance of the city of Sweetwater, Florida, amending article 4, development design and improvement
standards of the city's land development code by creating section 4.11.00 00 ET SEQ certified recovery residences relating to the establishment of review approval and appellet procedures
providing for severability providing for conflicts providing for codification providing for an effective date first reading. Mayor Diaz. >> Thank you uh Mr. President. This is something the uh attorney brought to my attention. This is something that actually was under his name but it got
put under my name. uh because this is something that the state of Florida is now requiring that has to be done and we have to do our resolutions. Am I correct, Mr. Attorney? >> That's exactly correct. There's a little leeway but very tiny. This is uh in my opinion just another edict from
Tallahassee that you have that municipalities and counties have to do certain things a certain way and this stat this ordinance is meant to comply with the statute. >> So simply just procedural. Well, there it creates substantive rights, but there is not a whole lot
that we can do about it. We need to pass this. >> It's a mandate. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Do we have a motion to approve? Motion by Commissioner Yan. Second by Commissioner Ronaldo Ray. Roll call. Madam clerk. >> Commissioner Daniel. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Dia. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Ray.
>> Yes. >> President. >> Yes. >> First. >> And Mr. President, if I may, uh, the mayor is correct. This was supposed to be under uh my ospices as opposed to his and I want to apologize. It slipped. I
didn't realize what I was doing at that time. >> Your mayor Koopa is now accepted. >> Thank you, sir. >> And corrected. Item B, a resolution of the city commission of the city of Sweetwater finding needs to remedy roadway deterioration on Southwest 2nd Street,
choosing qualified contractor/ vendor for said project capable of performing milling, resurfacing, striping and ADA compliant pavement improvements, providing for funding source, providing for distribution of funds, providing for authorization, and providing for
effective date. Mer, >> thank you. Uh this is uh something that we already knew, most of you knew when the park was being done. That particular street uh second street needed to be redone as part of the redoing of all the streets that we're going to be doing as
we get move along. And uh we got an incredible price and I wanted to move on this as fast as possible so we could get that done on Second Street between one um 114 and 115. >> Chair Commissioner Das. Uh, mayor, this
is um I believe this is HR Paving. >> HR Paving. Yes, sir. >> And I believe this is the um they they here in the city, correct? >> They are Sweetwater Company. >> Great job. Thank you very much. And I will second this motion. >> I'll move it. >> Thank you.
>> So, Commissioner Rayaldo Ray, >> I'm sorry. I I mean to move it, not to second it. >> Commissioner Salo Diaz has moved the motion. Commissioner Rayaldo Ray has seconded the motion. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Item passes unanimously.
Item C, a resolution of the city commission of the city of Sweetwater authorizing the mayor to retain outside council for the southwest 112th widening and bridge construction project, providing for authority, providing for subability, providing for an effective date. Mayor Diaz,
>> this is part of the 112 widening and bridge that we need to start uh dealing with uh some property issues and so on and we need to get some onsite council to handle and this is the request coming to you to move forward
>> to the sheriff >> commissioner because reality you know I only We're working very hard on this and we're trying to move as fast as we can and we're going back and forth and we'll have a little issue to straighten out
here in a little bit, but I wanted to make sure that uh uh you understand that this was so important. >> Yeah. >> Chair, commissioner, >> mayor, great job. Thank you very much. I mean, we really need this. Now, can you give us a little bit of what's going on?
This is the first step and then I believe um the I would say the trailer part that that area also does that got to do with them? >> No, this is something that you guys voted upon a long time ago >> uh to do the widening of 112.
We are following along with a mandate that this commission gave and to move forward and to do this now we've worked diligently. Scott has our finance director has worked with the county following up on every means possible and all the things that are required to try
to get the funding that we need to do this because this is a roadway that once opened. It is a pass through for traffic as 107 and as 109 kind of is. Y >> um but 107 for sure and 112. So this is
something that that winding and that bridge are extremely important not only for the traffic between Flaggler and A Street but also in the way that it's going to connect to veer to go into the entrance of FIU.
>> So wherever 112 goes that will only help 112 move traffic which I don't have to say it. You all know the gridlock traffic that we have early in the mornings understood >> and late in the afternoons. >> Now these um this is going to be funds coming from the state or any
>> these are funds coming from impact monies coming from the county and funds that come from different pots. We're looking at every aspect. Nothing is one only. We're looking at everything we can. >> And and this project is going to be you think two years, three years from now or
>> that's a good question. We're going step by step and as we get through it, we then get a better a better view of everything. But we our goal, as you know, is to move everything as fast as possible because traffic is not getting any lighter.
>> Yeah. I mean I mean I back in the days when I first came in as a commissioner, I remember they were talking about that area right there that one of the building that they're going to build, they were going to take care of the bridge. Do you heard anything about that? Anybody? building that's going to be built there that >> yeah the bridge was going to be built and it was going to be passed on to the
>> I don't I don't know what happened back then or nothing. >> So we're we're working the process as needs to be worked out and we're looking at lands that possible accusations of lands that we need to do uh to be able to make this bridge a reality because
it's got to be done right. >> All right. So this bridge is going to be only for cars only or or pedestrian also. >> All bridges have a combination not all but the majority of the bridges are built today are built with some
pedestrian traffic and also um even bike lanes >> and also traffic. >> That will be interesting. >> Vehicular traffic. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mayor. >> I have a question. Uh Mr. Mayor, so I see uh the fee sheet. I see that we're
choosing Weiss Road, which is an excellent firm. Um, when you have a construction project like this and we don't have a timeline, what is our current budget for uh outside legal counsel for this particular project?
>> All right, let me uh Scott, >> we have necessity of the work that's being done and then the actual working of the design and the needs and stuff. So, we're we're trying to mix that pot up and work at different uh amounts, but
also the necessity of what we need to do and how we need to do it. And it all kind of works together, >> right? >> And it comes out of that particular engineering and design and everything that that happens. But you all know that we have a couple of issues on 112. We
have a little choking between Flaggler and which something we got to look into because I don't know how that actually occurred where people have the houses outward there. Um we need to look at that and that's part of the legal side
and to do all that stuff to >> we could understand what we have to deal with moving forward. >> Yeah. No, I'm all for outside counselor is an excellent firm. Uh Mr. finance director. Um, what is our budget? And again, it's going to be very difficult for you to answer this even for you or
the mayor because we don't know what this is going to entail, but what is our current budget that we're budgeted for this item? >> For the land acquisition, we have $3 million. >> No, just for legal fees. >> That's part of the of the land acquisition. So, that's when we're looking at the parcels. We said, "All right, we'll have to set a certain set
set aside a certain amount to do the entire process." So, that's that's the 3 million, which includes the parcels themselves. Okay, that's the only question I had. I I I see everything else. Uh I don't have any further questions. I believe >> and by the way, Mr. President, if I could add, >> we're not looking to spend all that
money on land acquisition and but again, depending on what we see the studies, the attorneys looking at certain things as to what we need to do. The one thing that you have asked us uh to do is to make sure whatever we do to do it
looking well into the future. So, it's something that would last and uh that we have a a good bridge there with plenty of widening that it could be done properly. >> Yeah, I like the way that you negotiated this. Uh normally legal fees, there is
some sort of deposit. There's no uh advanced fees or cash deposit that was waved. So, thank you for doing that, Mr. Mayor. Um yeah, I I think it's an excellent firm. So, Commissioner Yan, you wanted to move this item? >> Anybody second the item? >> Second. Commissioner Alder second the
item. Um this is a reszo. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Item passes unanimously. Thank you sir. Item E. A resolution of the city commission of city of Sweetwater authorizing the mayor to retain Alpar Solutions LLC to conduct
transit planning services. Thank God. As required by Miami Day County citizens independent transportation trusts providing for authority providing for severability. Providing for an effective date. Mayor Diaz. >> I think it's pretty much self-sufficient. So, >> we're good.
>> I'm going to move this item. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Second. Commissioner Y beat you on that one. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Thank you for that. We've been waiting for that for a very long time. Item F, a resolution of the city commission of the city of Sweetwater authorizing the mayor
to retain Bowman Consulting Group Ltd, Inc. What did I skip? >> What did I skip? >> You skipped you. I just read >> ED. >> Silly rabbit. All right. Meer. Item D. A resolution of the city commission of the
city of Sweetwater authorizing the to retain business flare LLC to prepare a finding of necessity as required by the community redevelopment act chapter 163 floor statutes providing for authority providing for severability providing for
an effective date. Mayor Diaz. um on the redevelopment act, the chapter 163 statutes providing for that authority. The Let me see something because I saw something here.
Scott Scott Menlesburg, finance director, city of Sweetwater. This is an item to retain a consultant to do the study required under the statute for a finding of necessity so that we can create a community redevelopment agency within the city of Sweetwater. The idea is that we can capture the increased
value of the land that's going to come in um mostly in the older part of the city and instead of that value and the additional taxes, 75% of it perhaps will stay within the city. And it's been done throughout Miami date county. The city of Miami has a few. City of Miami Beach
had probably the most successful CRA ever in South Beach. North Miami has them. South Miami is doing one right now. And the county has some in the unincorporated area. This is a way to leverage that future growth, which I think starting next year is really going to start to have some increments from
the vacant land that we now have. And we'd like to get the study done and the redevelopment plan done by the same consultant at the same time so that we don't have to waste time. >> Uh, anybody have any questions on this item? No. I have a question. I have been saying this for years about creating a
CRA uh specifically in what used to be called the University City District which is what's the name now >> the former University City District. What's it called now? >> University District. >> University District. So we're looking at creating a CRA in the University District.
>> We're we're looking at >> they'll look at the whole city. >> We're looking at the whole city. And this is why I skipped to Scott because when we skipped when we skipped uh you skipped the you also threw me off. So but then honestly a CRA is Yeah. Well,
the CRA is the way to go. As Scott just said, we need to analyze our whole city >> and especially in that particular area that we're looking at. It's not just the university district. It's actually the commercial residential area that we have
west of it. Uh we're looking at all sides and see how we could benefit as Scott said to improve and that's something I think we have discussed several times. >> Yes, we have >> and this is our way to move forward as soon as possible. >> I think it's an excellent item. Now I just want to verify and I know that
we're going to be doing strategic planning uh with this consultant. I'm I'm I'm all in. Um Mr. Mayor, are you are you making plans as far as the creation of the CRA to have commissioners as a governing body in the CRA?
>> We are looking at everything right now. I think we have a a mix of that or we don't. We're looking at the different models available and we're going to take it from there. >> And by the way, you will all know once we look at something formally or give a
couple ideas, as always, we'll meet and we'll discuss it individually. I'll give I'll give you mic now. I I uh I do want to make it clear, you know, whether it's a CRA, I know we're looking at at other options. You know, CDD, the CRA Miami Beach very successful. I believe the one that's south of Fifth Street was
probably one of the most successful CRAAS ever. Um I I would just want to make it abundantly clear that we would want I uh would definitely want to be a part of that and I hope my colleagues on the commission would want to be a part of that as well. >> The the usual custom is >> the usual custom, but we want to make
sure that how we do it. >> Yeah. I just want to make sure. Uh, thank you for that, Commissioner Sas. >> Yes, sir. Where where are we going to get this money from and where's it coming from? >> We have this money in the budget this year for the consultant. Um, and this will result in a lot more revenue coming
to the city in the future because if you have something built that's worth $200 million and it pays $3 million a year in taxes to the county, you may get to keep some of that increment. Right now, it may pay a million, it ends up paying three million. The difference is two. That's the increment. You negotiate with
the county. It used to be you could get up to 90%. We'll probably get probably somewhere around 70%. And so you keep that in the city for the city's needs. >> Is this coming from the half cents? >> No, this is this is coming from property tax paid through the countywide millage.
>> No, the military. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> And instead of it going to the county, we keep the majority of it for the city. >> No brainer. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, before we take a vote, um I mean the closest thing we have to a CRA or anything similar as a governing
body, I believe, is uh is Dolphin. Is that accurate? >> Is the one dolphin dolphin the the beacon? >> No, no. I want to make it. Let me explain. >> That's not a city entity. >> Let me explain what what I'm trying to say. The closest thing I said that we have to that is dolphin. >> This is monumental here in the city of
Sweetwater where we're not talking about creating CRAAS, RDAs, CDDs. the majority of those monies stay within our city. Uh with the trying times that are happening in Tallahassee, uh we don't know what's going to happen in the future. The more money we keep here, the better. So I
>> But a CDD does not get to keep its property tax. >> I I'm aware, but we're talking about that's why I said in comparison to the close thing we have, >> it's much better than a CDD. >> I'm 100. Would you like to sit up here? No. Okay. So I'm trying to make a point. You're not let you're not helping me.
Um, I'm saying this is a phenomenal thing that's never been done here in the city of Sweetwater since 1941. So, I wholeheartedly uh thank you for this. I even thank Scott even though he uh >> No, actually we got to thank Scott a lot because the the issue is that we're
trying to make sure that everything that we can to see how we could keep the how do you say the funding coming in in the best possible way reinventing as as others are trying to reinvent to take it away. >> We're we're trying to reinvent how to
keep it and make sure that the citizens don't have to pay more. they could pay what they're paying and have the services in the savings that they have, but at the same time making sure we could keep that going in the future. So, you're exactly correct. This is a method like I said in the beginning and we want
to see the best formula to use. But yes, normally there is a participation of this board how we do it. That's what we'll get to that point. >> All right. And then my last question is going to be what are because I'm not seeing here. What are the fees?
>> Uh I think it's in the item There's another there's 87,000 or something is the number. >> Oh, I see. Um, one is 27, another one's 65 with a total of 92500. >> 92500. >> Is that accurate? >> Okay. Well, thank you very much. Do I
have a motion to approve this item? Motion by Commissioner Alder, second by Commissioner Elan. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Seeing none opposed, item passed unanimously. Thank you very much. >> Now, let's see if I know how to the alphabet. We did A, we did B, C, D. Uh,
I didn't I didn't finish E. Is that accurate? >> Yes, >> I did finish E. Okay. Uh, item E, a, resolution of the city commissioner of the city of Sweetwater authorizing the mayor to retain Alpar Solutions LLC to conduct transit planning services as required by Miami Day County Citizens
Independent Transportation Trust, providing for authority, providing for cability, providing for an effective date. Mayor Diaz, >> as as you know, we were forced to do certain things to make sure that CIT money uh will get to us and one of them
was that we had to do certain studies uh to make sure the flow of the way these buses go around and how they do things and they hadn't been done. So, we got uh questioned on it and this is part of the resolution to continue our program moving forward is making sure we have
the people to come in and do those studies. >> Excellent. Do we have a motion for this item? Well, that was a tie, so I'm going to give that one to >> Ronaldo Ray. Commissioner with a second. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? >> You're a smart man.
>> See, seeing no opposition, item passes unanimously. Item F. >> A resolution of the city commission of the city of Sweetwater authorizing the mayor to retain Bowman Consulting Group, LTD, Inc. as a consultant representing the city's interest to provide traffic engineering consulting services,
providing for authority, providing for severability, providing for an effective date. Mayor Das, >> this is another thing that I have promised uh to bring to you and we talked about this. We talked about the traffic. We needed to see which and how we improve things. One of our most
notorious avenues is 109 and we need to make sure that what we look at and what we do is done properly and that's what this is for. >> Okay, I see an allocation here. I'm reading it. It's a big number. Uh do we
have a motion on this item? >> Mayor, this this is also going to be on study on 112 or is this only one on? We're we're looking at all traffic >> all traffic >> through the whole entire city. >> Yes. >> And you're going to concentrate more like in
the the most >> we where the needs are >> that the needs. >> But that's why we're hiring a professional to determine what could be done, how it could be done, and make sure it could also uh finding the ways to afford what needs to be done. >> And the money, where is you getting the
money from on this one? >> Again, that's something we're going to go to after. >> Okay. Thank you. By the way, to answer your question, I think every time you ask >> is because this is not Adalor money or stuff. Most of the stuff that we acquire
>> um mostly almost 100%. >> It's either something that's budgeted that needs to be abalor. But what we do go is after grants and that lady right there that's sitting right there make sure that we go out for as many grants as we possibly can. But one thing is
getting a grant and moving forward. The other thing is making sure you have the right package to put it together and that's why these combinations happen. But in this case, we want to make sure what we need to do. >> Mayor, thank you very much. I appreciate you explain that you explain to us and
also the residents that are looking at because when you talk about this all these projects and this and all this thing going on in the city, a lot of people ask where the money coming from. That's why I ask I just want to put it on the record. went back and explained it a little more detail.
>> I appreciate it. Thank you, mayor. >> All right. Do we have a motion on this item? >> Second. >> Commissioner Yan with a motion. Second by Commissioner Siaz. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Item passes unanimously. >> That's item F. And now we're going to go
to item D. A resolution of the city commission of the city of Sweetwater authorizing the mayor to execute pilot agreement payment in lie of taxes. That's in uh that's in the consent agenda. >> That was a consent. >> Consent. >> Okay. Do I have uh where is the
>> We're both off today. >> It doesn't need to be considered. It was already passed in the consent agenda. >> It was included in the consent agenda. >> Okay. So, >> sorry about that. >> We're good. >> Ralph, don't speak to me before the meeting ever again. I'm blaming you. >> Okay. So, we didn't have any other items. >> I'm going to blame you, too, Rob.
>> All right. Item 12, report. Mayor's report. >> First and foremost, I hope everybody had an incredible Thanksgiving. And uh before I go and report, I I also want to say we we have an incredible and
dear uh person Julio Kintana that lost his mom and I just wanted to state that we missed it on the prayer and I just wanted to state that at this time that just pray for him and his family. >> Yeah, definitely. We love Julio very
much. >> Um Ballard Fest an incredible success. >> All right. I think we we uh I think we knocked it again out of the ballpark. I want to thank all of you for participating and and being part
of it. Uh as far as the prepar preparations for December 13, Santa comes to Sweetwater. We're working hard on it and uh it Santa will arrive by helicopter again and we
should have another incredible event. Uh these events are are very important in our community. Uh something that in the past hadn't really been done and it's now something that people are expecting and they really enjoy it. So uh we're
moving forth on that and we one of the all the things that you basically saw all the people that were looking forward to hire is to continue to improve the plans of this city. continue to move it forward professionally and making sure
that what we do is done looking forward in the present and in the future of the city. So these things are constantly changing uh as the president said before we are dealing with a lot of issues um
from Tallahassee and we have to make sure that we stay in front of them and make sure that we deal with these things. So I want you to understand that it's extremely important the support that you give because
not only do we do these things but we move at lightning speed and that's something that we also discussed many times because our building department right now is turning has been turning u plans over in five days. We're moving
faster than ever before and like that we're improving every department and there's still a lot of work to be done but uh we're way ahead of the curve and I'm very proud of that. So that's it unless you have any questions.
Alrighty. Um commissioners report. I'd like to report something. So again, milestones here in the city of Sweetwater since 1941. Um,
trying to get the exact date here. We had a we had a great honor here in the city of Sweetwater where we were invited by the major general of Southcom to the 250th Marine Corps birthday ball and the keynote
speaker was our mayor Marine Jose Padillas. Uh great honor. It was ex an extremely patriotic event. I was moved. Um, I I envy the the fraternity that is
the Marine Corps. Uh, there's my one regret in life is never going military. I know we have a lot of military personnel here. I was moved. I was thoroughly impressed. I told you how proud uh I was of you and how you represented our city. and being the keynote speaker uh on something so
momentous as the 250th birthday of the Marine Corps. And with all respect to all the branches, the the Marine Corps, in my opinion, is is the the most proud branch uh as far as tradition is concerned. It's just my perception. I'm not trying to start wars with anybody.
Not trying to start a Army, Navy, Marine Corps war. But the way you represented us um you know, watching you uh watching you in your element, very proud of you. you represent our city well. Uh so I want to thank you for that. >> Appreciate that.
>> We have some events coming up um that I I definitely wanted to publicize. This was sent to me by uh the mayor's office. We have the employee uh Christmas uh lunch on Thursday. Is it?
>> Yeah. Thursday. >> Okay. Thursday. And that's at noon. >> Yes. >> Right. one one >> at 1 pm. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. So, that's this Thursday at 1 p.m. and then um we have Santa Claus coming to town on
when is it again? >> 13th. >> The 13th. Okay. Santa Claus will be harnessed in on the helicopter. For whatever reason, Santa Claus smiles like you can see the smile from down and then our assistant chief rides with Santa Claus. >> Yeah, you guys are better than me. I
want nothing to do with that. Um, all right. Just make Santa make sure Santa Claus hydrates. Uh, I think last year Santa Claus drank like four bottles of water. >> Uh, other than that, any other commissioners have a report? >> Yes, I do. >> Commissioner Yanu. >> Yes. I just want to wish everybody mer
and all the police like we all a big family. So, have a merry Christmas, happy new year and also the residents of the city. I say yes. >> Amen. >> Mr. President, >> Mr. Mayor, >> one more little thing that I didn't I
had in my report, but uh I want to congratulate uh in particular the police department for the work that they're doing in Operation Grinch. It's
fantastic the way they have really taken over and shown the strength of and the ability of a city that cares about a business uh to make sure people are safe. I have gotten calls from many
people telling me I I felt so secure walking around mall that it it was something that were actually extremely well appreciated. So when you hear people call you that are from another
part of town or different town and they say things like that, I I want to commend the chief and and all the work that all the men and women have done there to make sure that we shine. And what we promised is zero tolerance in
crime is taking effect uh greatly. And um we just want to make sure we still got a long way to go through the holidays. Uh but uh I wanted to state how proud I was of all the work that's been done. >> Commissioner SD. >> Yeah, I was going to wait for the uh
police report and I want to commend the chief and their staff. I was there Friday, Commissioner um Marcos Vanoa and I was very impressed what you guys did over there. Uh Chief, thank you. Appreciate you guys a lot. FDLE was there with them. That was very
impressed. They were very impressed about command center. I mean, I was so proud to lead that place the other day and you know, take that name uh Sweetwater Police. I mean, you guys are taking it to the maximum level, I think. Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Thank you
very much, mayor. >> Yes. So, just to add on that, I uh I started this police department in 1997 as a police dispatcher. I got to I got the honor of wearing that uniform. I I don't have the honor of of calling myself a Marine, but I will always be a Sweetwater policeman. I'm a police
consultant for various law enforcement organizations within Miami Day County and Broward. I've been to every single agency. I will tell you that since 1941, the city of Sweetwater Police Department has never been this professional. It is because of our chief police, Sergio
Diaz, our deputy chief, and our assistant chief of police, Frank Fernandez, who just happens to be my former TA in the police academy. He's a pretty good drummer. Not a very good singer, though, but >> I can attest to that. But I can tell you without a doubt as I travel throughout
Miami Day County, all they do is talk about Sweetwater Pey. Uh you are uh you and your chiefs, as I like to call you, the three wise men are invaluable to us. Uh you guys are worth a billion dollars
and you'll definitely always have my support. What you guys are doing and how you lower crime, I'm dying to say it, but it's not for me to say. for you and the mayor to talk about how and what you've done to lower crime in the city of Sweetwater, which is unheard of. We
used to have 13 gangs and now we don't have any. I don't think any other municipality can say that. Uh what you've done in Dolphin Mall, amazing. I went and I was there with Commissioner Sal Diaz. I saw the command bus. I never thought I'd see a command bus in the
city of Sweetwater. And I was here when the mayor was mayor in 99 and we were 22 full-time officers and 30 uh reserves and the mayor was an answering police calls for service. We would not stop
back then in comparison to what it was to what it is and what it's going to be. I can't thank you enough. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can't wait to see what you guys are going to do uh tomorrow and in the future. So heartfelt. I will always be Sweetwater PD. I love what you guys are doing.
Kickass job. >> Anybody else want to stroke the uh the chief's ego? >> No. >> That that bus is called the big bear. >> Did you name it the big bear? >> No, I didn't. >> No. Okay. But no, there's a big I don't see any bear on it, but >> that's interesting.
>> Chief said it on channel 7. >> All right. Uh so thank you again, Sweetwater PD, or as I like to say, Sweetwater's in the house. Uh, city clerk report attached. City attorney report. >> Uh, nothing at present >> other than me blaming you for nothing.
That's your fault. It's all my fault. So, I apologize for that. Uh, police report. I think we've had enough of the police department. I'm just saying. Uh, attached building zone report attached as always. Code compliance marine. Uh, public works department
attached. Finance department. Do you want to talk about it or is it attached? >> I have what you >> Oh, thank you. We'll get together on that. I appreciate it. Thank you so much. >> Yeah, >> it only took 30 days for >> something
finance department. >> Commissioner Sales on the floor. >> Yes, sir. Um, we uh are we going to start giving the $100 for the residents? >> Hold on, please. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> We
>> Scott Mendlesburg, Finance Department. Yes, Commissioner. We are doing the $100 for the Christmas bonus >> and they they're planning to get in January or December. >> No, no, they're going to get it over the next few weeks. >> Thank you, sir. >> We have about 1,700 or so. Unfortunately, some people checks get returned and we have to send them
another one, but we try to make sure everybody gets it before December 25th. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Yeah, even though it's a 100 bucks, um it's it's never been done. Cities don't give back a 100 bucks just as a gift. I can't tell you how many residents have approached me
>> and said, "Who did this?" Uh I'd like to take credit for it. It wasn't me. It wasn't my colleagues. That was you, Mr. Mayor. Uh kickass job, man. Keep up uh keep up the great work. I'm never I'm never going to put you above the police department because that's what my love is, but you're definitely doing a great job. >> It's okay. That comes with the great
people we have working for us that make sure we all look good. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> All right. >> All right. Thank you, uh, Mr. Finance Director. Uh, parks and wreck attached. Great. Unfinished business. New business. Good to the order. >> All in favor say I.
>> Have a good night, folks.