Mike. Austin, are you ready? Yes, sir. Okay. Thank you.
And I now call to order the regular session. Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Tarpon Springs on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025 at
6:30 p.m. Roll call please. Mayor Kelly here. Vice mayor Eisner. Here. Commissioner Coolio's here. Commissioner DiDonato. Here. Commissioner Banther. Here. I'd like to call
up Reverend Milton Smith to come up and do a reflection. And everyone would stand. And then immediately following the reflection, we're going to do a
pledge of allegiance. I ask that you will bow and pray with me. Please. Lord, we come to you, thanking you for another beautiful day. We thank you for
a beautiful city that you have blessed us with. We ask that you will bless our city leaders, our mayor, commissioners, city manager, and the heads of those
that protect us. Our police chief and fire chief, and all of their staff that watches over us every day. We pray, Lord, for the city staff and their leaders
and all that they do to make Tarpon Springs a beautiful place to work, live, worship and play. We ask that you would put your blessings upon this meeting and
everything that will be done tonight. In your precious name we ask it all. Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of
the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I've got some proclamations to read, and I also, before I get started, I
want to. We have a student leadership week in here in Tarpon. We have some members from the National Honor Society
here. Would you please stand up? And their mom. Thelma, please.
You can stand up as well. As responsible. And that's. Lee.
Lee jewelry. And please stand up and get a round of applause. Smart kids don't happen by
accident, so you're welcome. Okay. This.
First on our first on our agenda is the it's volunteer appreciation month. And you know what I saw that was volunteer appreciation month. I decided I
asked the our our secretary Trish Hickey. I said, why don't you invite the chairmans of all the different committees and boards we have? And so she did,
and I didn't realize it was so many of them. And maybe I would have had second thoughts. But this many plaques. But, you know, my friend Milton Smith,
did he leave, Reverend? There he is. Okay. So, you know, we were at a. We were at the hospital foundation meeting. We're both
on the foundation board together. And you remember when they asked us to go around the room and talk about our why? You know, why do we volunteer? And
why are we doing what we do? And Milton had a great answer. It was his father had been very, very sick. And he ended up at the hospital and got treated
and, and so he wanted to give back. But most of the time I didn't have a why? I didn't know why. And but I think what it is
I think and you'll find from all these, these people that are going to come up here, I think they just have a servant's heart and they just want to give. And I think you're going to see that
with all these people that are going to come here. But let me read the proclamation first and I'll call everybody up. Whereas the month of April has been designated national nationally as Volunteer Appreciation Month
to recognize the hard work, dedication and passion of volunteers and National Service members throughout our nation. And whereas the Board of Commissioners believe that
government alone cannot meet all of our city's needs. So we partner with businesses, faith based organizations, nonprofit organizations, foundations, and individuals who serve in city
government and in our community to make a difference. And Whereas volunteers enhance the quality of life in Tarpon Springs by volunteering for city advisory boards, schools, places
of worship, hospitals, youth groups, and with other organizations that benefit our community. And whereas, it is fitting to honor the many individuals who lend their time,
skill, and efforts to make our community a better place by recognizing our valued volunteers. And Whereas the city is committed to encouraging volunteerism among its
employees, citizens, partners, businesses and organizations, and thanks all the volunteers for their dedicated service. Now there I therefore, I, John
Collins, by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the City of Tarpon Springs, do hereby proclaim the month of
April 2025 as Volunteer Appreciation Month. Let me call. Let me call them up and they can come up as I there in no
specific order. Denise Menino, she is the chair of our sustainability committee. Dawn.
Dawn Robertello. She's the chair of our public art committee. And she will be accompanied by Katie Taylor, a board member of our
public art committee. Philip Rosinski, chair of our Heritage Preservation Board. Mike. Mike,
chair of our Planning and Zoning Board. Joanne Rich, chair of the
Board of Adjustments. Patricia Haddad, chair of the Library Board. Tammy Danielson, chair of
the Parks and Recreation Board. Don Bergman, the chair of our budget advisory Committee. Julie
Wade, chair of the Code Enforcement Board. Doctor Carrie Root, the chair of our charter
revision committee. Doctor Christopher Rovere, board board member of the police Officers pension board. And doctor Rover
is responsible for keeping me on my feet and all because he's a podiatrist and he's also generational because he took his
father's seat on that board. Jim Bolden, a board member of the
firefighters pension board. Okay. There's a plaque for everyone. Right down just past.
Okay. Yeah, yeah. They're happy. I just want one for the art people. Thank you. Thank you.
This one. Here. Here we go. Well, okay, I guess. Wait a minute before you tell me. All
right. Got more. I think that'll do it. Okay. Okay. Yeah. Yes. Okay. Let's just take one big giant. I'm not going to ask all
these people to come up and talk. It'll take too long. So let's just take one big giant picture. Kind of. Let's come together where they can get it in. Into. Come on. Wonder how
many more volunteers do maybe
have half go on that side. So.
But this is. So. This is.
I think. This has been quite a. Are there any member are there any members of the audience that
serve on volunteer boards? Please stand up. Thank you very
much. It takes a it takes quite a few people to run our city. Okay. The next. Our next
proclamations are I've got three of them. If Tommy Tiger, Shannon Brewer and Denise Menino would
please come up. Thank you. Who are you bringing
with you? Now? Thank you. Okay. When it's time. So I'll let these these people talk as a small group. So I'm going to
read. First we're going to do I'm going to do Shannon first. Okay. Whereas in 1872 J this J.
Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees. And whereas this holiday called
Arbor Day, was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska. And whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the world.
And whereas the city of Tarpon Springs has been recognized as a Tree City USA since 22,007. And whereas trees can reduce the
erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cutting, heating and cooling costs, moderate outdoor temperatures clean the air, produce life
giving oxygen, and provide habitat for wildlife. And whereas trees are a renewable resource giving us paper wood
for our homes, fuel for our fires, beautify our community and are an ingredient to the many household commodities in daily use. And whereas trees in
our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community. And whereas trees, wherever they
are, are planted and are a source of joy, spiritual renewal, and are a legacy to our children and grandchildren to enjoy. Now therefore, I, John
Koulianos, by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the City of Tarpon Springs, Florida, do hereby proclaim April 25th, 2025, the last day
of April, as the 153rd anniversary of National Arbor Day, and I urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the heart
and promote the well-being of this and future generations.
Shannon is our city arborist. Okay. Our next one is. Whereas. And you can see there's a pattern. The reason I lump these together. You'll you'll be able
to see. That is for sure. The kids will figure it out because they're smart kids. That's why they're here. Whereas water is a basic and essential need of every living creature. And
whereas the State of Florida water management districts and the city of Tarpon Springs are working together to increase awareness about the importance, importance of water conservation. And Whereas the
city of Tarpon Springs and the state of Florida have designated April, typically a dry month when water demands are most acute as Florida's Water
Conservation Month to educate citizens about how they can help save Florida's precious water resources. And whereas the city of Tarpon Springs continually
encourages and supports water conservation through various educational programs and special events. And Whereas, every business, industry, school, and citizen can make a difference
when it comes to conserving water. And whereas every business, industry, school and citizen can promote a healthy economy and community by saving
water. And whereas outdoor irrigation comprises a large portion of water use, the city of Tarpon Springs will encourage citizens and businesses to focus
on improving outdoor irrigation efficiency. Now, therefore, I, John, by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the City of Tarpon Springs, Florida,
do hereby proclaim April as Water Conservation Month and the city of Tarpon Springs, Florida, is calling upon each citizen and business to help protect our precious water resources by
practicing water saving measures and becoming more aware of the need to save water. For this, the 27th year of Water Conservation Month, there is a
special focus on improving irrigation systems and evaluations. And now we have
Denise Menino, the chair of our Sustainability Advisory Committee. Whereas the first Earth Day in 1970 recognized the
importance of every person in in preserving our natural resources, and that on the first Earth Day, 20 million Americans rallied for healthy, sustainable
and a sustainable environment. Whereas all life forms on Earth have a right to a healthy, sustainable environment. And as caretakers of the planet, we all
have an obligation to preserve the Earth's beauty and abundance. And whereas this obligation extends not only to today's caretakers, but also to
the future generations of environmental caretakers who will inherit the planet from us. And whereas Tarpon Springs is
fortunate to have four 740 acres of parks, open space, natural land and trails which enrich the lives of both residents,
visitors and wildlife, providing habitat for various flora and fauna, natural resources and many diverse recreational opportunities. And whereas the
City of Tarpon Springs supports and recognizes the efforts of citizens and the service of the Sustainability Advisory Committee that demonstrates and
encourages natural resources, conservation and sustainable efforts within the community. And Whereas the city's goal is to help build a future in which humans live in harmony with
nature and wildlife by conserving conserving Tarpon Springs and the planet's biological diversity. And whereas the city of Tarpon Springs will continue to
advocate for Earth Day and will continue to support and educate about in environmental awareness, natural resource conservation, wildlife
conservation, sustainable practices, and much more related to the well-being of our planet. Now, therefore, I, John Collins, by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the
City of Tarpon Springs, do hereby proclaim April 22nd, 2025 as Earth Day, and I encourage all citizens to become engaged in local and global efforts to
help improve and protect our environment for all living beings. Now, I ask each to come
up and talk, to speak to us, not just saying thank you to getting a plaque, but tell us what you're you're doing and what we
can do as citizens to help foster a better world. So hello. Thank you. I'm Shannon Brewer, the municipal arborist. To answer your question, first of
all, I am currently working with the sustainability Committee to do to have a first ever urban forestry management plan. And I want to showcase two wonderful
organizations that have gone above and beyond this Arbor Day. The first is FWC, Tarpon Springs Woman's Club. They actually replanted their tree in Craig
Park, and we're working on them to with the Parks department currently to get their tree replanted as part of their Arbor Day. SIP is what it's called.
And then the other one is the North Lake Homeowners Association. They went above and beyond, cleared out a enormous amount of Brazilian pepper, and then replanted native trees in
their swale pond out to the. So if you have any projects in your area that I have not mentioned, please email them to me and I'm going to post them on the Connect Tarpon Springs page. And
thank you everyone that participated in Arbor Day. And one and one more item when it comes to trees in Craig Park, we
have a tree that is known to be the oldest tree in Pinellas County, and I want to thank our city manager for putting a fence
up to protect that tree. So. I just want to say, on behalf of all the utility staff, you know, conservation starts with sound water management. And we couldn't do that without our
dedicated staff. And so we have here our water division manager, and we want to thank him and all of his staff, you know, for the field staff and for also our water treatment plant operators, for their role in protecting our
water resources. And I also want to encourage all of us, you know, here in this room and you know, your neighbors and members of the community to do your best to conserve water. And if there's one takeaway that we always tell folks on
conservation, it's go home and check your irrigation timer. It will save you money on your bill, and it will help us save some water and every drop counts. So thank you. Tommy. If
somebody has questions about the usage of their water, will the city come out and help them to find ways to. Conserve their
water? Yes. That's a great point. We have a really great smart metering program. So if you have, you know, potential leak, we can help you with that by doing a meter read if you've got one of the more the new
meters. And if you have any questions about your bill or your water consumption, feel free to give a call to utility billings or to give a call to our Water division staff on the app. It's available on our website, the phone number, and
they can look into your account and see if there's something going on that you might be able to do some stuff to reduce your water use and save a little bit
of money. Thank you. Hi, I'm Denise Menino and I'm representing a couple of committees tonight, the sustainability Committee, some
representing many of the people that are here that are volunteers. And we couldn't we couldn't do anything that we're doing without volunteerism. So
everyone that's here that is a volunteer. It's amazing that you are giving of your time. And this is the 55th anniversary of
Earth Day. So it's wonderful to hear how all of these proclamations were completely tied together is especially heartwarming to look at the audience tonight and see the
young people that sustainability is all about. And for, you know, so that the future generations are going to be able to appreciate the trees that we
plant and we preserve today and the water that we protect for the future. So it's all tied together. There's not a single
thing on this planet that I think is not connected. We're connected. And that's part of our sustainability as a community, is that we have ties
to one another, to that we that are the most important part of sustainability. Thank you so
much. Thank you. You've got some special announcement for us. Yes. And I'm Holly Langston, the sustainability coordinator, so. Oh that's okay. And I it is my pleasure to share that our
sustainability plan, for those of you who are not familiar with it, we adopted a sustainability plan in 2023. So it's just about two years old. We're working on implementing that. And it was submitted to the Tampa Bay
Regional Planning Council for their annual future of the region awards. And it is my pleasure to convey that we will, in fact, be honored. The sustainability plan will be given an award at their annual
resilience. It's part of the fifth Annual Resiliency Summit, and there is a future of the Region Awards luncheon. So we're looking forward to celebrating that. And the way that you all can engage is familiarizing yourself with the sustainability
plan. If you're interested in volunteering, our committee is has some openings and you can always contact me for, you know, getting involved, sharing ideas,
anything of that nature. So thank you for your support. So I'm a I'm a member of the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. And so Tommy Geiger and I used
all efforts possible to get this award. We even brought we brought members from the committee over here, and we took them down to the docks for Greek food. So I think that's what,
Tom, you think that pushed him over the edge? I hope so, yeah. Yeah, yeah. All right. Thank you so much. Oh. Oh, we have. To get
the picture. Yeah. Oh, wait a minute. One more. So that's
what. Thank you, thank you, thank you guys. Okay. So now we're going to have. So what do
we have here. Wait a minute. You did. Okay. Good evening. Has some great groups to follow. And I'd like to piggyback on that
energy. And going along with the same theme. Mr. Mayor, Mr. City manager, commissioners and folks here tonight, thank you again in
supporting public works. Pardon me, in our public education and outreach efforts in the community year after year. It's very much appreciated. And these kids that are here today,
they'll they'll know that when their grandpa, their grandchildren appreciate it as well. My name is Tony Menello. I'm the streets and stormwater supervisor for public works. And
kind of ironic, honored and lucky to be able to every few years we get to do these awards on Earth Day. So ironically enough, it's Earth Day. We have our stormwater pollution
prevention poster contest winners here tonight. And my first born son's birthday. Who's over off of Africa defending our country. So it's a great day for
me today. I'm glad you guys had me here. Thank you. As I mentioned, the we're here tonight to honor some some really talented students for the
my Tarpon Springs Clean Waters Stormwater pollution prevention poster contest. Quite the tongue twister included in the rules we have. We fourth and fifth graders participate from each of
our our grade schools, elementary schools to show their creativity and talents in creating a poster which displays their thoughts, their their sometimes emotions and ideas in
the areas of pollution prevention, clean water benefits, animal or vegetation habitat, impacts of stormwater runoff to our local beaches,
river, bayous and ponds. Environmental. Environmental awareness of young students is and will be a huge part of maintaining our community's clean waters and ensure the
sustainability of these natural resources for their enjoyment into the future. We're here tonight to acknowledge, actually nine Award nine talent students from fourth and fifth grades at
Tarpon Springs Elementary. Sunset Hills Elementary and Tarpon Springs Fundamental School with a Certificate of Achievement and a visa. Gift cards in the amount of $25 for
third place, $50 for second place, and $100 for first place. Yeah, that's one of their favorite parts. Our contest winners artwork is located in a
display case in the City Hall lobby. We're going to try and keep that there for the next three, four weeks, maybe 30 days. So we encourage you guys to come by. Family of the winners also come by and take a
look at that and see what kind of talent we have. And that's just nine of the almost 500 entries. So it took us some judging this year. Okay. So without further further ado, students, when your name is
announced, please come up and accept your award from the mayor. Telephone. All right.
We're going to start off this evening with Tarpon Springs Elementary School. Okay. I'd like to congratulate Third Place
Award to a fourth grade student, Ariana Nguyen.
Congratulations. Ariana. Second second place award to fifth
grade student Melissa Romero Tellez.
Steven Spielberg okay. And from Tarpon Springs Elementary are our first place award to fourth
grade student Piper Mendoza. Good job Piper. By the way, this group from Tarpon Springs
Elementary was the only school to have two fourth grade winners. Okay. That's a. All right. Next we have Sunset Hill
Hills Elementary School. I'd like to congratulate the third place award to fifth grade
student siren Iris Spiegel. All right. The second place award to
fifth grade student Kate Kopetz. Okay. And first place award goes
to fifth grade student Quinn Taylor.
Also, Quinn. Quinn. Quinn, can I get you over here a second, please? Quinn may or may not know this. She actually setting history tonight? Quinn is the
first student to ever win back to back years in the contest. I last, yeah, last year as a fourth grader, she won second place. This year, she took the
gold. So congratulations. You said history. I thought her name looked familiar. Okay, last but not least is Tarpon Springs
Fundamental School. We had a little disconnect this year. I found out yesterday morning, which, by the way, Tarpon Springs Fundamental had all fifth grade winners. However,
their fifth grade class at Tarpon Springs Fundamental is in Orlando right now, enjoying a field trip. I thought they'd have more fun there so their posters are still going to be on
display. I'm going to announce their names anyway, and then afterwards, probably after 30 days, they're all going to come back and get their their gift cards and posters. But from Tarpon Fundamental, we have in
third place. Veronia Ibrahim, second place, fifth grade student Tina Kalil and first place award goes to Annabella Capelli. So they they did a
great job. And like I said, if you get a chance, please encourage the arts in Tarpon the Earth Days, it's been proven that public education and outreach is the most cost
effective and effective method of preventing pollution in our waters. So keep our waters clean. Thank you for your time
tonight. Good. Just like to do a group photo. This way. Quinn's
here. You're not a rookie. Thank
you everyone. Okay? So? So.
Okay, before we go to public comments number six sustainability report update. Oh, okay. We did find that.
Okay. Okay. Let's go to item number six Sustainability Advisory Committee update Denise Menino Denise, we're keeping you
busy tonight. Presentation. Very great. Actually, I didn't hear.
That from the beginning. There we go. Okay. Oh, okay. Okay. Now, how do I advance? Everybody okay. We have we got homework.
Okay okay, okay. Well, thank you so much. Yeah. You've kept me busy. Mayor Koulianos and
commissioners and city manager, thank you so much. This is an opportunity once a year for us to update you on our activities from the previous year. So that
is what I'm here to do tonight. And I'm so glad that this is working, because I heard right before we started that the presentation might have a glitch
and I said, Mercury is not in retrograde. So right now we are shy of the amount of people that we would normally have. But we're very, very grateful to
have those that are participating. And two of the committee members are here tonight, doctor Carol McKay and Siobhan Meehan. And we have
another new member now, Diane Brown, that you just brought on board, I think, a month ago. So we are actively seeking new
members. You have met the staff liaisons, Holly Langston and Tommy Kiger. She is Holly is a sustainability coordinator and Tommy Kiger is the director of
public services. And our meetings are held once a month. Third Thursday, 6 to 8 p.m. So
just because we're doing a presentation once a year and there are people here that may be watching or may have not really been familiar with the
concepts, I'd like to kind of take this as a teachable moment and just talk about the things about sustainability, the kind of the basis of sustainability.
It's the ultimate concept of thinking globally and acting locally. And I think that you heard that tonight in so many different ways, you know, taking
care of our water, planting trees, recognizing the value of the vegetation, especially the trees. And I mean, we've just been reiterating this. It's so
amazing that tonight fell on Earth Day, which is 55 years anniversary this year. So what we do in Tarpon Springs, it contributes to collective
planetary stewardship. I mean, it's a puzzle. And every piece of the puzzle, including what each of us does in our homes, matters because it contributes
to the whole. And what motivates sustainability. I would say for a lot of us, it's the future generations, our children, our grandchildren, our future that
is for them and through them. I think that beyond that, you know, which came up in our meetings prior, is that there are people that have no children, that still have a
sense of awe and a sense of responsibility for the planet. It's the pure gift of this creation that we can't even
begin to replicate by human, our own human abilities. So we want to take responsibility as much as possible for caring for the
earth and caring for our part of the earth. Since we can't recreate the perfection of the planet, we're called to be good stewards. Sustainability is defined as meeting the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It's really awesome to see some of the future generations of Tarpon Springs here, so it's
about providing the best quality of life for enrichment. And our mayor often says the conditions for happiness. I think that that would be included in the quality
of life. You have to have a certain amount of, of beauty around you in order to really feel the quality of life in your
midst. And it includes the inherent health of our environment, our economy, and our social fabric in the present and for future generations. So
the history, a little history behind and it's not so distant past. But what led up to Earth Day is that in 1952, there was a
great smog in London. It was an inversion, and I don't think anybody recognized how significant it could be. But the coal air pollution inversion event created at such a dense
smog that 10,000 to 12,000 deaths were attributed to it. They ran out of morgue space in London because of how rapidly
this condition took over, and there were only approximately 2.5 billion people on the planet then. And then ten years later, in 1962, Rachel Carson was
alerted when she was in some of her favorite places in the forest that there was a mysterious disappearance of birds and insects, and they did
a lot of research about it because they couldn't make any sense out of why so many were dying, and there were so few to be seen, and they connected it
to the postwar chemical DDT. And they took rapid action, I mean, to ban it, and it turned everything around. I mean, that's the most amazing thing,
is that nature recovers very quickly. Again, in the 1960s, water in the Great Lakes was so polluted from nutrient rich runoff that caused algae blooms. And that's exactly what we see
in the state of Florida with the red tide conditions. And that's when the Clean Water Act was initiated, and it was finally established in 1970. And it was it was born in response to these
environmental crises. By then, the world population was 3.8 billion people. Currently, the world's population is 8.2
billion people. That's a lot of anthropogenic pressure on a small planet. And it's fine as long as we think about what we're doing and we take some
responsibility for it. But our impact is causing what scientists say is a sixth mass extinction. Yet in the as I was mentioning before, in the short
time that Covid shutdown occurred, miraculous recovery was happening. Skies were clearing, waters were clearing, dolphins were being seen in Venice and in all sorts of areas
where nature was just thriving because human activity was kind of held in check, or it was a more balanced. And I think of
the book Hope Dies Last by author Studs Terkel, because he has some of the most incredible stories of just miraculous things that can happen when
people come together. So we are really the number one factor in sustainability is taking responsibility. So the three pillars of sustainability, and
that happens to be the gulf right behind there. My husband helped me with this, making it a local. Local slide. The social
part is us meeting the needs of people today and future generations. I think that the more we get along, the better off we are, and I think that
that's part of that and it's enriching to us. It's enriching to have connections. Obviously, the environmental is very important because if you don't
have air, you don't have clean water, you don't thrive. So protecting the well being of the environment is, you know, what our health is dependent upon.
And then economic is ensuring the financial stability and growth for future generations. And that's a very important part, too, because you have to have an environment that that
brings jobs. And that's why we care about what happens to the fish in the Gulf. That's why we pay attention to all of those things, as they are entirely
connected. So just to highlights in 2024, was that the sustainability crosswalk or plan crosswalk was woven into the
comp plan, which was established last year, was was adopted last year. And of 50 actions in the sustainability plan, 31 were
written into the comp plan. I don't think we could have asked for better integration. That was fantastic to see it just woven
in. We received regular staff updates on the plan and implementation schedule. We regularly receive these updates and we're watching, you know,
all of all of the plan items have dates attached to them. So if you ever get a chance to look at the sustainability plan, you can see each action has a date
or kind of a timeline that's attached to it. And that's what we're following at this point. We connected with a lot of the departments, all the departments on issues relevant to
sustainability. We heard we got water presentations. We're looking for, hopefully in the future some floodplain information. We focused on feedback regarding the priority
of the Climate Action Plan and reality checked resiliency and the accuracy of the Vulnerability Assessment Action
Plan. After Helene and Milton. And I think I have never heard sustainability, that word come up so much as it did right after we went through those events,
because I think it was a wake up call. Everybody started to really think in terms of what can we do, how can we be more resilient. So moving forward,
the committee will provide feedback on ordinances regarding sustainability in all policies. Continue our relevant educational process through
department presentations, and we're hungry to learn how we can help, how we can give feedback, continue to provide feedback on
the Urban Forestry plan. Proactively request implementation progress of the Sustainability Action Plan timeline, goals and prioritize
effectively engaging the citizen partners of Tarpon Springs. It's everyone here, anyone watching. We are looking at any way we can
get people to be more involved and be more connected to what we're doing, because it's not just one of us, it's all of us.
So our recommendations are to continue to actively seek resiliency funding for projects. I know this is ongoing. I know it's you're you're all actively
doing this at this point. Educate residents on adjusting their sails to the changing winds. We're doing our best to
do that. I think all of us are. We can reach out and we're we're trying to creatively figure out ways that we can reach the
public all the time, prioritize a much more user friendly city website to improve our communications and support. City
and resident resident alignment for total resiliency and adaptation. So I'll just leave
this chief Seattle quote. The Earth does not belong to us. We belong to the Earth. Thank you
very much and Happy Earth Day. Thank you Jenny, thank you very much. Thank you. If you have any questions, I would be happy to
try. Does any of the commissioners have any questions? Vice mayor, thank you for this presentation. I'd also like you to share with the audience what you did
singlehanded to with Duke Energy, if you don't mind. Has it happened that. I don't know, but at least you can tell the story of how involved you were
and what you did. Oh, I I'm not positive that it's taken place, but I've been in communication with Duke Energy because Commissioner Eisner alerted me
to lights that are were available to help with sea turtle hatchlings that could be used near the water. And their
amber lights or amber lenses, because the baby turtles get very confused and they they go towards the light. And that is
actually what brings about their death is going towards the light. You know, for humans that's a good thing. But not for sea turtles. They're literally found climbing up light poles.
But if they switch these lenses or lights to amber, they don't get drawn to that light. They can just go back to the ocean like they're supposed to do
naturally. And there were a lot of very bright lights at Sunset Beach, and residents reported that, and they alerted us to it. And I was able to contact Duke Energy and get the ball in
motion. My husband went out and took pictures of the poles. We got all the light numbers from those poles and got in contact with Duke. Okay. Thank you,
thank you, thank you for initiating that. Okay. So. Well, thank you very much. Thank you. Oh you. Oh thank you. First off, I just want to thank you for
what you do for our for our city. You've been involved for quite some time. If I recall, in my first term over a decade ago, you helped us get the backyard chicken ordinance passed. So I
want to thank you for that. And with the price of eggs, I'm sure a lot of people would like to have chickens. I eat a lot of eggs, so I understand that and just thank you for all you do. Appreciate it. Thank you, thank
you, thank you, thank you, thank you. Okay. So we're going to move on to the next presentation. And then we're going to have public comment after that. Before I go further,
we have if you're looking at the agenda, we have three items. Item number 32 has been withdrawn. Item 33 has been
deferred to May 13th, 2025. And item number 34 has been deferred to May 13th, 2025. So if you're here for those items they will
not be heard tonight. Next will be our City Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the year ended September 30th, 2024. And
it will be Daniel Anderson from Malden and Jenkins.
So if I got it there okay. Good evening. Mayor. Commissioners Ron Herring, finance director I know we left the last presentation, the most exciting
one for last year, but per state statute two 1839 requires local governments to have an annual financial audit performed by an independent certified public accountant within nine months of
the end of the fiscal year. Malden Jenkins CPA firm is the firm that performed the fiscal year 2024 audit. The city's audit can be found on the city's website. Daniel Andersen,
partner with Malden Jenkins, is here to present the audit. And I just want to thank Daniel and the staff. They're very professional, knowledgeable. They ask a lot of questions because I know that six weeks of
my life is spent answering questions for the auditors, but with that, I'll give you Daniel Andersen. Thank you Ron. Good evening, Mr. Mayor.
Commissioners, as Ron mentioned, my name is Daniel Andersen. I'm the partner with Malden and Jenkins, who has overall responsibility for the city's 2024 fiscal year end audit. I've got a brief presentation for you here this evening. Going over
the audit results. I'll provide some brief information about Malden Jenkins. We have served as your auditors for a few years, so hopefully you're familiar with us. I will talk about the audit opinions that we've issued in the annual
Comprehensive Financial Report, as well as the other reports that are issued in that document. I'll go through the required communications that we have in accordance with the governmental accounting standards, and then I'll answer any questions or comments that
you guys have. So Malden Jenkins, we are a large regional audit organization with offices throughout the southeast. Your audit was performed from our Bradenton, Florida office location. Our governmental niche
is the firm's largest niche, serving over 725 entities in that footprint. This includes 220 entities that have a single
audit performed in the last fiscal year, which is something that I'll touch on later, because we did perform a single audit for the 2024 fiscal year, and the annual Comprehensive Financial Report. You know, as
Ron mentioned, kind of in his introduction, the state requires the audits to be completed within nine months of the fiscal year end. If you prepare an annual comprehensive financial report, you are going above and beyond what's required in
accordance with the accounting standards. And that due date is six months after year end. So we did complete that by the March 31st due date. This slide really breaks. It breaks out what's included in that annual
comprehensive financial report. The financial section is what's required. The introductory and statistical sections are where the city has chosen to go above and beyond the minimum requirements. So certainly it's
a very large document. I know that it took up a big portion of your agenda packet, but if I were to review anything, if I were sitting in your shoes, I'd certainly review the Management's Discussion and
Analysis that provides comparative information from the 2024 fiscal year end to the 2023 year end, as well as management's narratives that talk about the activity that occurred during the year.
Additionally, you can review the statistical section, which provides ten years of trend analysis on financial trends, revenue, capacity, debt capacity, as well as operating
indicators. So obviously, we perform our audit to issue an opinion on the fairness of the presentation of the financial statements. We did perform our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, as well as government
auditing standards to support that opinion in preparing and performing those audit procedures. We do consider the internal control structure to help us design our procedures. However, our opinion does not
provide that opinion on the effectiveness of the internal controls. Our audit objective is to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free of material misstatement, and the financial
statements are the responsibility of management. I will say I'll give a quick shout out to Ron. The city of Tarpon Springs is one of, I would say, about 10% of our clients who
prepare their own annual comprehensive financial report. And Ron does a tremendous job with that every year. I kind of wish he would teach our staff on how to prepare those things, because he does such a good job.
Ultimately, we did issue an unmodified opinion, which is the highest form of assurance that we can render on those financial statements. Some of the other reports that are included in the back of the act for document,
the first one is a compliance report, or what we refer to as the Yellow Book Report. And that's in regards to our tests of the city's internal control and compliance with respect to laws, rules and regulations. This is a negative assurance
report, so we're not issuing an opinion. This is just where we would identify findings of material weaknesses or significant deficiencies if we had any. I'm happy to report that we had no findings in the
current year in regards to that testing. Additionally, as I mentioned previously, the city spent more than $750,000 in federal and state awards. So we actually performed a single
audit over two major programs that encompassed approximately 8.6 of the 9.3 federal expenditures, as well as 2.3 of the 2.4 state expenditures. And
the single audit is a compliance audit where we're evaluating compliance and internal controls over compliance with respect to those major program grant expenditures that that we
tested. We had no issues, findings or recommendations regarding any of the testing performed in the single audit. The Auditor General requires us to perform certain procedures and issue a management letter in
accordance with the rules of the Auditor General. We had no issues noted in that report as well. And then lastly, the Florida statutes require us to perform an examination over the investment of public funds, and
there were no issues regards to the city's investments of public funds going through some of the required communications in accordance with the auditing standards. Like the financial
statement, management is responsible for the selection of the accounting policies and procedures identified in note one of the financial statements. There were no new accounting pronouncements implemented in the current year that impacted
had a significant impact on the financial statements, the accounting or the financial statements do include management's estimates over certain items. The most significant estimates are the
depreciable lives of your capital assets, as well as actuarial assumptions and determining the city's net pension liability and total opeb liability. We evaluate those estimates in performing our procedures and noted that they
were appropriate in accordance with the standards. We received full cooperation from Ron and his team to give us the information that we need to complete our audit procedures. We had no disagreements with management over the application
of any accounting policies or procedures. We did obtain written representation from management at the conclusion of the audit over the information that's been provided to us. We're not aware of management's
consultations with other accountants or what we refer to as opinion shopping. No significant issues discussed with management to bring to your attention. No significant audit adjustments that were prepared
as well as proposed audit adjustments where we proposed an audit adjustment and management elected not to post that, we had none of those. Take a quick side step on that. You know, obviously everyone wants to know
that you've issued an unmodified opinion, and we have given that, which is very good. But to me, this bullet is really just as important. That really kind of reflects your staff that you have here. It's very common that
we have audit adjustments to support an unmodified opinion. So the fact that we didn't have any here again, speaks highly of Ron and his team that he has. We did evaluate the financial
statement disclosures to ensure they have all the requirements in accordance with the accounting standards. And then Melanie Jenkins is independent with respect to the city, in accordance with the AICPA
Professional Standards, we have issued a document that we refer to as the Auditors Discussion and Analysis that summarizes all of the required communications that I went over here with you
this evening. We don't have any recommendations outside of we didn't have any findings issued in the report. We have no findings in that separate document that we would issue if we had any. It does talk about some upcoming Gasb
pronouncements. There is a new pronouncement on compensated absences that's effective for the 2025 fiscal year. So we'll be working with Ron this summer to make sure that he has all the information he needs to ensure
that any changes in the recording of compensated absences is appropriately stated in the 2025 fiscal year end. I know that's a lot. I tried to be brief for you guys here this
evening. We certainly appreciate the opportunity to serve as your auditors, and I'm happy to answer any questions you guys have at this time. Thank you. What we'll do is I'll I'll ask my questions first and then
we're going to go through actually reverse order and ask the questions of the auditor. And then we'll go to the public comments. So just to reiterate
what you said. So we have what about a $7,075 million operation here with lots and lots of
moving parts. Right. And in all your work, what, six weeks you were here, you found zero reasons to have to adjust anything. That's correct. Okay.
So I want to give a round of applause to Ron Herring and his staff. Commissioner Banther. No,
I just want to thank Ron. It's kind of we're so spoiled by him because I don't even think about it. Like, this was like just a procedural presentation, like, no offense to you. So I'm sure some cities you go to, it's not
that case. But I'm very thankful for our staff and I'm thankful for your firm that provides that double check to reassure our citizens that we're in good shape. Thank you, Commissioner
DiDonato. I would just echo what what has been said. We appreciate you being here and giving the report. And, Ron, you and your department do an amazing job. We thank you, Commissioner Cooley. Yes, I had
the pleasure of being upstairs when his staff was in there, you know, in the one office. And I'd go in there from time to time just to mess with them a little bit, sort of like the nice
version of The Wolf of Wall Street, you know, if you ever saw that movie. But a very funny. And so I got to see them work and they did great. And working with staff and Ron and the finance department. So I
appreciate all the hard work. Thank you, Vice Mayor Eisner. Thank you. Mayor. You know, it's interesting when you go by Ron's office, he's always there filing his nails, and I don't know how he's gotten through this far,
but, you know, there's nothing better than to get a presentation like this. There's no offense, but I read through this. And as the mayor said, I
honestly in a, in a complimentary way, tried not to listen to you. To be perfectly honest, there was nothing there that was not commending of Ron. And, you know, we appreciate
when we get these kind of results. But just all I can say, Ron, keep it up. And, you know, it's almost a free ride for you when you come in and do one of these audits. Everything is
right there. And, you know, it's just a great example. I always commend them when I come in, you know, somewhat about the nails, but the rest about the accounting. So I do appreciate
all you do and I appreciate this good, you know, results. It's a it's a badge for the city. So thank you. Thank you. So now we'll we'll go to public
comments and this will be public comments on things that are not on the agenda going forward. But you can make comments about any of the proclamations, special
presentations including the auditor if you choose. So come forward, state your name and
your address please. Good evening. My name is Gregory Barnes. I live at 1281 windy Bay shore. I'm the president of the Tarpon Key Homeowners
Association, and I'm here together with a whole group of our concerned residents. On behalf of the association, we need to discuss two related issues that are escalating for
both the city and our homeowners association. When the Tarpon key developer was looking to save money, they worked out a deal with the city to install gates in our perimeter fence. These
gates were designed to route the public right through our community instead of around our community. The developers should have installed public sidewalks along Anclote Road. Ever since
the approval of this uncommon design, we have been dealing with the general public being funneled right through our community, when normally they would not have a need to reason to be there at all. Some of these pedestrians are rude,
arrogant, and have been causing damage to our property for ten years now. We have been having to maintain and repair these city mandated public assets access gates. We have had
vandalism, theft of gate hardware, wind damage caused by the public just going through and not securing the gate. The vandalism finally got so bad, to the point where I had to call
the police department. I wanted to come out and document it. I was advised to install a camera because nothing could be done without evidence. I did that and caught the vandal. The very next
morning. All evidence was turned over to the police department on February 2nd. I've been in contact with various police leadership over the last couple of months, but to my knowledge, nothing's been done. And when I
went to get a copy of the police report, it says it's in an inactive status. I mean, how is the vandalism to our property
any different than if the city caught an individual trashing a public restroom and being on a Parks and Rec committee? I know that public restrooms get vandalized routinely. So does
the city just ignore individuals if they're caught? It should be no different for our community. And this brings me to the second issue. Someone, after all these years, is suddenly making an Ada
code violation complaint to the police department about these gates. This complaint is not likely a coincidence, as these two events are more than likely related. Regardless, though, the
issue now is someone. According to the code enforcement, is positioning themselves to sue the association and the city of Tarpon Springs over an Ada issue that the city's own zoning and
permitting office allowed to happen. The zoning and permitting offices approved this gate arrangement and even passed the permitting inspections without ensuring the gates were Ada compliant. If the gates are
in fact required to be Ada compliant, it is a reasonable assumption that these two city offices should have known that before they approved the developer and signed off on the permits. Our association no
longer wants to be responsible to fund, maintain, and control this mandated Throughfare Tarpon Springs public easement. We should be allowed to secure our community as much as possible
and to lock the gates if need be. If the Ada requirements do in fact apply to these two gates, then our association requests the city to either change the zoning codes, change
the zoning codes to eliminate the Ada requirement, or fund any necessary improvements on what is essentially the city's easement area. And we would also
like an update or resolution on police. Case 220 5-3256. Sir, what I'm going to ask you to do is on on your way out, would you
get the city manager's card and please contact him and start a discussion with him? You, sir, can I have that card now?
There's cards. There is a card rack as you in the hallway right there. So please get one of the city manager's card and please contact him. And does anybody else have anything they want to
bring up. Is that all we're going to do? I'll I'll ask the next people up. So thank you. Anyone else want to come up and
speak? Any mayor? Commissioners. My name is Herb Elliott. My professional office address is 905 East M.L. King, Tarpon
Tower. And I'm here on two items originally, but I'd like to first commend the mayor and the commissioners for acknowledging the people who have served the city as a volunteer. I've done
it for 45 years in the city, never got anything. And a bunch of committees city as well as county. Ten years in the Board of adjustments. And after I
resigned because I moved away, one commissioner wrote me an email. Thank you for your service. That was all I got. So it's a big step in the right direction. My compliments. Thank
you sir. Okay, these two items, one of which is just for information. Although doctor Rich Lundahl is here kind of to help me, I guess, or guide me on
this issue. It's coming up soon, and I just want to say I apologize for not being for not being able to be here when it's going to be discussed by the commissioners, and that is the
Boys and Girls Club parking lot, which is recently been beautified, and the Rotary Club and the Boys and Girls Club in the city had a complicated six
page agreement that I negotiated 40 years ago. And it's never been a problem. But now there have been a few changes, and it's time I recommended that the
agreement be updated and it's coming before the city Commission soon. I just I can't be here because I'm retiring next week, and I won't be back until the middle of July, but I
hope that you will. It's a fairly routine. I don't foresee any problems, but if there are, then I'll be back in July and we can address it then. I do have some a lot of personal
information about that agreement may be of some benefit. Commissioner DiDonato is also he lived through that too, as I remember, so he knows about that. Secondly, I'm here for an
action item. I would request respectfully that this be placed on the City Commission agenda at some point in mid-July. When I do come back, I'm sorry I can't
be here in the next week or two riding off into the sunset, but I can go into the facts and very simple facts. Actually, my
client here, Mrs. Michalakis, who's has a property on Orange Street and ring, it was a five unit building. I met with the city manager and city attorney
last month about that issue, and I believe we resolved half of it. But they in order to get the other half, they want us to waive the right to get the first
half. And what I'd like for the city commission to do, if you want me to go into the facts, I can. No, it's not necessary, but I'd like to have it on the agenda. At some point in mid-July, I spoke to the city
manager about your situation, and I'm aware of it, and he will put it on the agenda for the next meeting. Next meeting is that you want it. You want it when you get back. Yes, I want I won't be here, but but two weeks
so I can notify his office, get his card on the way out, contact him and you guys coordinate when you want it on the agenda. Thank you very much. Okay. Thank you sir. Anyone else like to speak on items that were either part
of the proclamation, special presentations, or items that are not going to be discussed in the remainder of the meeting? Yes, I'm Conrad Koch, I'm a resident,
1269 North Florida Avenue. I'm here with two of my fellow residents. I'm a homeowner at the far north end of Florida Avenue in Tarpon Springs, where
the road ends in a cul de sac at that location. And for those council members who are not familiar with it, we three neighbors share the cul de sac
with the city park. The park is actually tiny. It's about 50ft by 75ft, and it consists of two parking spaces a garbage can, a
park bench, and a seawall. That's it. And for the most part, the people who come there are not a problem. But recently, within the last two years,
there's much more intense use. And it's concerning us greatly. Okay. To highlight some of the problems that we have and by extension, others on the on the
roadway safety. First of all, people are doing unsafe things at the park, including drug use. We found discarded hypodermic littering more than just everyday stuff like baby
diapers, dirty diapers thrown about, kids swimming across the narrow boat channel which is there. That's an active boat channel. Yes. And kids throwing,
you know, bicycles into the thing and challenging their their compatriots to go and jump in and get the get the bikes and drag them back out. I mean, these are things that we've,
we've witnessed. There's failure by users to abide by the posted rules. No swimming, no launching of watercraft, including kayaks. There is no accommodation for that. There's a seawall. There's
no way of getting back out once you're in the water from the seawall. Failure to vacate by the times required, including people sleeping at cars. And this is, like I said, in our in
our quiet little residential neighborhood, failure by those using the park to maintain civil decorum. I mean screaming, yelling, frolicking, playing loud music, horseplay and the like in what is otherwise a, you
know, very quiet residential neighborhood and our homes fail failure by the city to maintain that park. Aside from emptying the trash occasionally we have Tarpon Springs Public Works
comes down and takes the trash away. But and then once in a great while, somebody comes by with a string trimmer and knocks down the weeds. But there's virtually no policing of that
park. And what goes on there? Obstruction. There are only two parking spaces, and yet sometimes we have 6 or 7 cars. And of course, where are they going to park? On the cul de sa,
or across our driveways or in front of our mailboxes. And then there's theft. We can no longer leave our garage doors open because there's snatch and grabs. Things just disappear.
We've also had lawn furniture disappear, and who knows what else is. You know, you lose an a garage full of stuff, vandalism, you know, residents of the cul de sac and no longer call the
police. Because when we have in the past. Yeah, the police come and they shoo whoever it is away. And the police will sit there for a while and do a report or whatever. And once they leave, we get the same
people back. And of course, then we get our our cars keyed or our mailboxes broken or, you know, something to that effect. And then there's trespassing. The there are, there are chain link
fences along both sides of this little narrow park. But I've had I'm the farthest one from the park, and I've had people on my dock fishing off of my dock and
saying, well, who the hell are you? And what the heck are you doing here? So trespassing is a problem. And then of course, there's traffic. We have a
tremendous multitude of cars that arrive every day as a result, partly, I suppose, of the park and partly by people coming. Yes, sir. Sir, we're going to put this on the agenda.
It'll be on next the next meeting's agenda. Great. Super. So we'll address it. So I mean, you you can keep talking, but we got it I got it okay. Thank you. We heard we heard you. I just
wanted to hit the highlights. It's going to be on the agenda to deal with it. Please come to that meeting if you can. Any other public comments? Good
evening, Tarpon board. Congratulations on your first full meeting. Thank you. Need a protest? 901 Bayshore Drive. Hey, mayor, I'm only going to come this one time for five
years. Because I looked into my records, I've come to this board to ask about security at our municipal beach. Over the weekend. I made my coffee. I
like to go sit out there and get the breeze and watch the American Gulf, that the president has changed the name from the Gulf of Mexico. Again,
children are running between cars. The way they're parked out there, they're going to get hit. Families are out there. I saw them drinking beer out of cans,
drinking beer out of bottles, which is not allowed a loud music. We don't even have a lifeguard out there and it is dangerous. And for five years
I've been coming here saying, we need to do something, even if we have a policeman out there in a golf cart watching. It's the safety, mostly of the children
out there. And then they're swimming and there's no one there to help them. If an accident should happen, that's liability on our city. That's
liability on the beach out there. If you don't want to do it, that's fine. But I'm coming again to say we need to do something this summer. The loud
music, the children running around with the cars coming, making the circle there. It's a very dangerous situation. And I think we have a responsibility
to take care of it and do something to keep the families and their children safe. Thank you. I think the chief was
taking notes. Next. Hi, my name is Sarah McWhirter. I live at 1611 Seabreeze Drive in Tarpon Springs. I've had the pleasure of meeting many of you through
the most recent Citizens Academy. I'm requesting that the city follows the federal and state guidance in removing the chemical waste product. Hydrofluoric acid fluoride from
our city municipal water system. We do not add naturally occurring fluoride to the drinking water. Please see your internal MSDS on this substance. It is clearly stated that it is
highly toxic. Chronic disease in our children is skyrocketing as well as in adults. As a mother, I'm asking you to please read the current science that I've provided to you with these pamphlets and their coordinated
links to the peer reviewed national studies. Please allow the residents of our great city to make an informed decision and on the side of caution, with the right to choose over being
forced medicated, that that it is also nearly impossible and very expensive to have it properly filtered out of our water, if we choose. So have you ever looked at the back of your
toothpaste tube where it says do not swallow spit out after brushing? It's because swallowing fluoride provides very little benefit to your teeth. It's widely documented that the true benefits of
fluoride, real fluoride, comes from a topical contact with the teeth through the use of toothpaste, and that is recommended to be spit out again, not swallowed. Despite claims that fluoridation can
prevent the high rates of tooth decay seen in poor areas, the vast majority of poor urban communities have been fluoridated for over 30 years, and yet they still suffer from severe and oral health crises.
The simple fact that poor populations need access to affordable dental care, not fluoridation chemicals in their water. The money spent on providing fluoridation would be better spent providing
affordable care to the populations with little access to dentists, 95% of the world does not fluoridate, nor do 40 of the 67 counties in Florida are actually leading the United
States right now. Studies done in the United States and abroad on non-fluoridated communities show no difference in tooth decay. Hundreds of communities have rejected fluoridation over the last decade, and tooth decay
rates continue to decline. The last Cochrane review even calls into question the overall effectiveness and effectiveness of fluoride in reducing cavities. Take a stand, act
locally and help protect our most vulnerable population, our children, from the overload of toxins they are bombarded with on a daily basis. Please research and follow the recommendations of our State Surgeon General and the
Secretary of Health and Human Services. Water should ha should hydrate not for I'm sorry. Water should hydrate, not medicate. Thank you. Thank you. Can we put
that on the agenda for. We need to have that discussion. But I think there's going to be a little any commissioner can put request an agenda item I just
did. That's what I want to do. All right. Great. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Hi. Good evening. My name is Sarah Montecalvo. I reside at 1449 Coburn Drive in Tarpon Springs. Tonight. Feels very fitting to be speaking on
this topic because I heard it said several times protect, preserve and water. Cleanliness was mentioned a lot. On September 24th, 2024, United States District Judge Edward Chan in San Francisco ruled that
the current levels of fluoride in US drinking water pose an unreasonable risk to children's developing brains. This decision resulted from a lawsuit initiated in 2017 by advocacy groups including Food and Water
Watch, under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The court's ruling mandates that the US EPA to reassess and potentially strengthen regulations concerning fluoride in drinking water. Judge Chen's
decision was influenced by a comprehensive review of scientific literature, notably a report from the National Toxicology Program which found a link between higher fluoride
levels and reduced IQ in children. As a as a mother, I believe that I should have the final authority regarding anything that could pose potential risk to my children's brain, including that the water
that they bathe in used to brush their teeth, cook food in, etc. On November 22nd, 2024, the Florida Surgeon General, Doctor Joseph Ladapo, announced guidance recommending against
community water fluoridation due to the neuropsychiatric risk associated with fluoride exposure. As the former speaker said, 40 of 67 counties in Florida in Florida do not
fluoridate. I truly c hope to see this on the agenda in Tarpon Springs and have Tarpon Springs and Pinellas County added to that list next. Thank you for your time and Happy Earth Day.
Just just for everyone's edification, we I mean, you all are welcome to come up and speak on on fluoridation, but we're going to put it on the agenda so
you'll be able to come back again and we'll have a formal addressing of this matter. So we appreciate that. Thank you. My name is Kelly Edwards. I reside
at 1007 Goshen Road in Tarpon Springs. I want to thank you guys for taking the time to listen to our concerns regarding the water quality. I'm a native to north Pinellas County. I grew
up in Palm Harbor as bus to Tarpon for high school, class of oh one. I've now been a Tarpon resident for over a decade. Just like you. My time and energy is important, and as a homeschooling mother of three, I certainly have other people in
places that I should be that make it very difficult to attend meetings such as these. However, this is an important topic to me and a priority in regards to mine, my family's and honestly everyone's health. I recently sent an email highlighting
issues with water fluoridation from studies showing neurodevelopment, developmental risks, and reduction in IQ in children to other alternative and less invasive methods of fluoride, such as topical applications. I shared links
regarding the commonly used compound for water fluoridation in the US, which is not the natural occurring mineral, but rather a toxic byproduct of the phosphate fertilizer industry. I shared another link from
November 2024, where Florida's own Surgeon general, Doctor Joseph Ladapo, recommends against community water fluoridation and ending the practice altogether. While I'm educated and certainly competent enough to understand the
research, I and more qualified individuals have done relating to the subject. At the end of the day, I'm just a mom, a mother who just wants the best for my children to protect them and keep them healthy. You do
not have my consent to continue adding fluoride, a known neurotoxin, to our water here in the city of Tarpon Springs. Where is where there is medical risk? There must be informed choice. Period. Florida's constitution, article one,
section 23 guarantees the fundamental right to privacy and bodily autonomy in water. Fluoridation raises significant constitutional and public health concerns that demand immediate review. So let's get this on the agenda at the local level, so
that we can start writing our wrongs based on the newly documented health risks, and take control over improving the health of our children and residents here in Tarpon
Springs. Thank you. Thank you. Next. Katie Taylor, 1991 Douglas Lane, Tarpon Springs. I am a
dedicated volunteer, as you have seen before. I'm also sits as an alternate on the historical society. So I wanted to just add to an advertisement for the historical Society invite invite you gentlemen, everybody in the
audience here, the historical society is going to be having an antique car show on May 10th in historical Craig Park. It will be from 9 a.m. To 6 p.m, rain or
shine. Be some super great looking old cars out there. So we hope y'all all can come and enjoy the festivities that day. Thank you. This Saturday, May 10th, May 10th, Saturday, May
10th. May 10th. Okay. Thank you. Is there is there a picnic this Saturday with the historic. Yes. Okay. All right. You're welcome
to come to that, too. I'll be there. Thank. Good evening. I'm Sharon Landrum, 45, West Martin Luther King junior Drive in Tarpon Springs. Good evening, Mayor Giuliani's board
commissioner meetings. City manager. So nice to be up here, especially on Earth Day. It really hadn't connected in my head that tonight would would all the proclamations and
celebration and all the youth to be here. It was really a joyful meeting to attend and the proclamation. So it makes this doubly important to me, I
suppose, that I want to speak out against fluoride in our water as well. And I'm so very glad that that we will be discussing that, that you will be discussing that and perhaps voting on it to discontinue the
use of this toxic chemical in our water. I was going to cite a bunch of court cases and findings that these people did before me, but they've done an
excellent job. I, I highly recommend you were given a handout with a QR code on there. If you scan that, that takes you to a very interesting and
informative website. Over the past week, I've done a lot of research and I'm absolutely mortified that I gave my kids
that I, you know, that my children drank fluoride, fluoride in their water every day. Once I learned, really what this chemical is about, it's the
fluoride we put in. Our water is not a naturally occurring fluoride. It's a chemical byproduct of the phosphate mining industry. Pinellas County
is where I believe Tarpon Springs gets their fluoride chemicals from. And I believe I've been trying to follow the trail that comes from DuPont,
which is not known as a really environmentally friendly chemical company. So I tried to follow the money and figure out why are we still putting this
chemical in our water today? And I think if you'll follow the trail, you'll be inclined to say, it's time to stop this. It's a toxic chemical. There's
hundreds of reasons not to put it on our water. If you want fluoride, go buy a fluoride product, a toothpaste. So thank you so much for putting this on our agenda. And I'm glad that
this is coming to light. Thank you very much. Have a good evening. Thank you. Last but not
least, bringing up the rear. Robert Rockline, 755 North Lake Boulevard here in Tarpon Springs. First of all, I hope you, you and yours all had a great Easter with your families.
Was the weather is flawless and the community, at least in my opinion, has continually risen over the last few years that I've been here. So it was nice
of you tonight to honor all the volunteer boards I serve on one. I serve on one for the county president of my HOA, which Senator Brewer mentioned tonight is a great tree planter. And
that's partly because of me and partly because of her, because she made us get rid of a few things. But I'm faster replanting than I am remover. And I wanted to tell her I just
went down to a county tree giveaway on Saturday and scored four more. So we keep digging there. But Arbor Day, Tree City, Earth Day. It's so important because it may not be my future,
but it's the future of all those youngsters that were here before my daughter was born on Earth Day, so it's locked in my mind. But Shannon Brewer, I think,
goes above and beyond for this community. Not only does she maintain the Tree City certification, I used to do the same up north for several communities, but she's like here, there and everywhere trying to help out wherever she
can, regardless of its under her auspices or not. So she deserves a big shout out. And she's always worked with us about what we can do, what we shouldn't do, what we should do, and we go
meet with them in the planning and zoning staff first, rather than do something and then ask for forgiveness or or undo it. So I commend her again, as I've done in the past, we've planted
things that the city has given away a touch and truck in that she's always helped out with what would be best and what location and that. So she's she's truly an asset to this community. And I'd like to thank
Mr. Menino for honoring the children before for the art project. I used to be a stormwater management officer up north as part of my many duties as a building official and
honoring the kids, showing them the importance of the environmental impact that things can have is very important, and I would love to see him fill in for Mr. Funcheon after his
retirement, but I think he has better plans also. So I hope you come up with somebody who serves the community as well as the two of them do for the Public Works
Department. Thank you. Thanks. Thanks, Robert. Next. Hi, Joanne Rich, 1013 Teal Point, Tarpon
Springs. Just wanted to let you all know on this Saturday, April 26th from 10 a.m. To 1 p.m. When you're not at the park, come over to the Union Academy Family
Center, also known as the Cap Center. We're doing a special event. Many of you know, I work for the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, and we're
celebrating grand families. And that's whether you're a grandparent or an aunt or an uncle. If you're raising children that aren't your biological children. We know
there are so many families like this in Pinellas County, and often they're not aware of the resources available to them. And so we're going to have a really
fun event with a DJ and Kona Ice. And we would love any of you all to stop by. And if any of you all know in your communities of these families, sometimes they're isolated.
Let's say Chief Young locked up a relative and they have kids at home, and all of a sudden grandma's raising them. You know, we would love to be able to support these families. I
myself had a first cousin who was killed in a car accident, and all of a sudden her children had to be raised by an older family member. So it happens all
the time and we need to get these families the support they deserve. So come by and say hi, I'll give you a free Kona Ice. Thank you very much, Joanne and
your board, juvenile Welfare Board does wonderful work. Thank you. Next. Any other the Adina.
I'm Dina Belcher's 124 Athens Street, Tarpon Springs, Florida. I kind of feel out of place because I'm not going to talk about fluoride and others and
homeowners. So I have all these pages, but I can't talk about some stuff because it's on the agenda. So I sat back here months ago, months ago, and this
is the second time I'm talking about this, commissioner. And I'm going to be clear, and I'll be here every time to talk about it. So I sat here months ago and
people were saying, oh, he brings peace. He brings civility, he brings rational, all this stuff to the board. Well, let me just tell you, I
disagree. And I am happy I didn't vote for Commissioner DiDonato. What I saw last week with his his comments. I don't
want it. I don't need it. Then why are you here? Okay. And then the other comment. There are several things I could say, but
I'm going to be Switzerland. What kind of comment? What kind of bringing a piece to the board? What is that? So anyway,
I think he's plays favoritism. I don't want to hear whispering when I'm speaking. It's my turn. Go ahead. Please. Somebody
whispering please, please address your comments to the chair, please. Exactly. Sorry about that. But you know when you hear you lose focus. So anyway, I do feel he favors he
was I noticed and let's use the term clinical which the word clinical means technically it's during medical in the medical field, but it's also used during observation. You can observe an
individual or you can observe a setting. And I have been very observant on how he's biased or how he follows, just to go along with somebody. So that's not
what I like. I feel he was very disrespectful to the former mayor, and it doesn't matter that it's my relative in general. I do feel that. So
that's my opinion, okay. And I apologize if anybody feels disrespected by it. But it's it is what it is. You're in politics and this is what
happens. Do I have any more time? Any 35 seconds? I had 35. What a minute. Okay, let's talk about the Safford house. The Safford house. Now, everybody,
there's a few people that want to move the Safford house, okay? This giant home that wants to be moved to the bayou. Okay, you would have to divide that home
into certain sections. If you go down parking court, that paved road is only 13 to 14ft wide. Okay. The home, the structure
itself is made of the specific pine that if you try to divide that home and move it, you're going to destroy the home. It's going to take millions of dollars. And I don't know if
you're going to use Tarpon Springs money or if you're going to use state funded money. In the past five years, there's been 6229 visitors to the
Safford House. The hours are only four hours for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. If you want more traffic, you might want to open it up on a Saturday where
even the locals who don't work can enjoy the Safford house. Go see the Safford house. You need to first implement things to grow the population, to visit
the Safford House, instead of just let's move it to the bayou. No, that's not a result. You can't resolve it by moving it. You got to do something while it's there. Make it known to
people. Are locals. I mean, go to it. There's hardly any parking. Of course there's no sidewalk. And if we move it.
Thank you. Any further public comments?
Peter Lack is 514 Ashland Avenue. I'm not sure if it's because the newness to the mayor, but it seems like we've deviated from how we handle
public comment. You had all these proclamations and no chance for people to get up and maybe congratulate the kids or congratulate the sustainability
committee or such. And now I have to combine my four minutes of time that I would normally have for general public comments to comment on sustainability or
the audit or those things. Let's get back to how we can have people comment on the issues as they occur. Before I get into my reading, I do want to say God
bless you, Pope Francis. This man has tried to turn people's eyes to mercy and grace. So with that, I'm going to read some
Isaiah 59, various passages. Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you
from God. Your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken lies, and your
tongue mutters wicked things. No one calls for justice. No one pleads his case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments and speak lies. They conceive
trouble and give birth to evil. The way of peace. They do not know. There is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads. No one
who walks in them will know peace. So justice. Justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness for
brightness. But we walk in deep shadows. So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance. Truth has stumbled in the streets. Honesty
cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found. And whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, and he
was appalled that there was no one to intercede. And why do I bring this particular passage up? So for those of you who are listening or watching or want to
know if you go to the Board of Commissioners agenda page, go back to March 25th, go to item 22. Brandon Gillespie. Brandon
Gillespie, the code enforcement case. I see one commissioners left because he was one of the ones that had no heart. Hearts of stone. Hearts of stone.
Where's your mercy and grace and compassion? Commissioner Banther offered a very reasonable way to handle this $5,000. But no greedy commissioners want that
big check. 25,000? There wasn't even an offer to go to ten. And if you read the backup, I went back and looked at it. This man has got IRS liens. He's got all
kinds of things, he pleaded. I listened to this on the on the on the zoom. I wasn't here and I was disappointed. Again, no public comments was called on
that item and I texted you and you agreed that you missed it. But as judges, when people come
to you and bare their soul and their personal circumstances, and even in the last paragraph he talks, I think it's either his father or his grandfather who's on the line with him. And
it's he can't retire because he's tied up. And I saw no mercy, no grace from this board. Not a pinch, not a drop of water
into a cup to give this man mercy or grace. So look at yourselves in the mirror and thank you, Commissioner Banther. And as you know, I spoke to you
because that was gracious, gracious, gracious. And now, y'all, Pascha and Easter. Yeah.
Great practice what you preach. Thank you. Mayor, I'm going to say something real fast. Sure. After Miss Dena, my aunt left, I
had former mayor produce point at me and do the cut throat motion. That is not going to be acceptable. I'm going to ask you to have her removed next time. She even tries that type of
gesture towards one of us commissioners. Excuse ■me, I hae a rash, I agree. Okay, okay. All right, all right, all right. That that's. Next time I'll have to ask you to have you removed.
I don't care if you're a former mayor. Okay? I heard any further public comments. Okay, so let's
go to. The consent agenda items. Got items eight through 21. Does any commissioner wish to pull
any of those items? Eight through 21. Okay. Are there any public comment? Excuse me? I'm sorry, I forgot to ask.
Upstairs. Is was there any anybody on zoom that had a comment? Mike Austin I'm not sure who's up there. Comments on
public comments. Does anybody. There are none, sir. Okay. Thank you. All right. So let's go. We'll go back as items eight through 21 on the consent agenda
is there. And nobody wishes to pull. Are there any public comments on consent agenda items
eight through 21. If not, the chair will entertain a motion. So moved. Roll call please. Mr.
Mathur. Yes, Commissioner DiDonato. Yes, Commissioner. Coleus. Yes. Vice mayor Eisner. Yes. Pollyanna. Yes. Okay. Let's
go to. Our business items. The first item is award file number 25 0110. Golf course grounds
maintenance. Tommy Kiger, please.
Call members of the board. Thomas Kiger, public services director. I'm sorry, mayor Giuliani's. I'm sorry. Did I get it wrong? Health habits.
Congratulations. So today we are going to be recommending the approval of a five year award for a our grounds maintenance contract for the city golf
course. The. This is being awarded to. We plan to award this to our existing contractor. This was publicly bid. We've had tremendous success over the last five years with this contractor.
And we've experienced a tremendous explosion in play, which, as many golfers will tell you, course conditions are, you know, a driving factor in where
they choose to play golf. The overall, we did negotiate this contract because it was a sole bidder. And we were able to negotiate with the help of
procurement services staff, a 4% reduction in price in the initial year of the contract, which is good. And we've also compared this to other contracts and found that this is a fair
and reasonable price for the services being offered. So with that, we have the total bid
price is. Let me see, was $3.28 million. And we did add a 4% contingency to allow for as needed small projects that could be completed by the golf course
contractor, such as, you know, renovation of a tee box or renovation of bunkers or rebuilding a green or something like that that would be normally conducted by on site golf course contractors. So with that, we
ask that the board consider and approve this contract. Okay. Let's go. Are there any commissioner comments? Commissioner Banther? No.
Commissioner DiDonato. No. Commissioner. Gulyas. No. Vice mayor. Eisner. No. Are there any public comments? If there's no
public comments, I'd like to entertain a motion. So moved. Second. Roll call please. Mayor. The zoom. What? Zoom. Zoom. Comments. Oh. I'm sorry. Zoom.
Zoom. Comments. Do we have to call zoom comments on. I thought that was on general public comments, even on the agenda items. Okay. I'm sorry. Zoom
comments. Any there are no public comments. Okay. So roll call please. Commissioner Banther. Yes. Commissioner DiDonato. Yes, Commissioner. Coolio's. Yes. Vice mayor.
Eisner. Yes. Mayor. Colleoni's. Yes. Next. Item number 23. Award file number 25 0090. Park exercise equipment replacement,
Bob Robertson. I'm not Bob, obviously. PJ, Harbor grant project specialist staff is recommending approval of award
file number 20 50090. Dash c dash pH Park exercise equipment replacement utilizing the School District of Manatee County.
Contract number 20 1-0053-MR with Project Innovations in an amount not to exceed 48,000 for the Public Works Department, Parks and Parkways Division.
What this is for is to replace the exercise equipment on Safford Avenue. We got funding through the Community Development Block grant through Pinellas County that came down
from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. It's a pass through grant, Pinellas County. We applied to Pinellas County. We
got $35,999.86 to replace the exercise equipment. The city has agreed to pay 12,000 for the total price of this that we're
going to put for the concrete slab that's going to go underneath the exercise equipment staff is recommending that we award the file to project innovations for that
amount, not to exceed 48,000. Okay. Let's go to commissioner questions. Commissioner Banther. No. Commissioner DiDonato. No. Commissioner. Coleus. No
questions. Commissioner. Vice mayor. No. Okay. Any public comments on item 23? Who is up
there? That's why I just say it. It. There you go. You never know who is Austin. Hey, Austin, do we have anybody? No, sir. There
are no public comments. Okay, then I'm going to ask for a motion to award file 25 009 Park
equipment. Equipment replacement. So moved second with. If there's no further comments, roll call, please. Commissioner Banther. Yes, Commissioner DiDonato. Yes,
Commissioner. Coolio's. Yes. Vice mayor Eisner. Yes. Mayor Giuliani's. Yes. Thank you, thank you. Item number 24
approval to change to cashless. Cashless system at the yard waste facility. Our city manager, Charles Rudd. Thank you. Mayor. This this item came
about as a result of the recent audit results. It was a recommendation that we no longer accept cash at the yard waste facility. This is something Tom Fincham was working on before he retired. So we're bringing it
forward. Before we got into the research in this type of system we would use, we wanted to see if it was the wish of the commission to make that policy change, to no longer accept cash
at that facility. Okay. Are there any questions of the city manager, Commissioner Banther? No. Commissioner DiDonato. No. Commissioner coleus. Yes, the city manager. There wasn't. Do
you think a mixture of both would have been even beneficial to some some individuals who offer cash, or just the whole cashless would be much better for the city organizing and so
forth. The recommendation is cashless because of all the issues with handling cash. It's just more efficient and secure and so forth just to switch to credit and debit cards. Okay.
No. That's good. It's been a long time coming. And I know to help out expenses for those business owners. So yes, happy to support it. Vice Mayor Eisner. Yes. How do we deal with
contested charges? What do you mean? People give a credit card and then they just say they didn't make that charge. So, I mean, I'm just curious, you know, when you have cash, you do
have cash and you paid with a credit card, you could always dispute it. So it gets sometimes sticky. So I'm just curious if that I'm hoping that that
doesn't tie us up. Well, I think it will depend on the system we use to process those payments. But I think overall it will it will reduce the drive offs because we'll have their card
rather than just we don't want to collect driver's licenses anymore is what you're saying. Yeah I gotcha okay. That's it.
I'm fine. Okay. Any public comment on item 24? Susan Swenson 327 Manatee Lane. I just
have one question. I own several businesses, and my question would be what is going to be the merchant cost? I don't know how much money you make at that, but
the merchant cost 3%. 4%. I mean, it's going to add up. I know what you're saying, but just wondering if you're going to pass that on or you're going to absorb that, what you
typically do, it would be passed on, but it depends on which merchant vendor they go with. Okay. 2.5 and 3.5 we have
throughout the city usually three. Any further any further public comments? Austin you got any up there? There are no
online comments. Thank you. I'd like to entertain a motion to approve to change the cashless system at the yard waste facility. So moved. If there's
no further question, further comments. Roll call. Commissioner Banther. Yes. Commissioner. DiDonato. Yes, Commissioner. Yes. Yes. Vice
mayor Eisner. Yes. Yes. Item 25. Award file number 25 0140. Chemicals for Water treatment
facility, Mr. Kiger. Mayor. Members of the board Thomas Kiger, public services director. This does seem to be the topic de jure today, but today we have
a procurement item before you regarding our annual annual chemical purchases contract for water and wastewater operations. We do this bid periodically.
This is a five year bid for a variety of chemicals for water and wastewater treatment operations, ranging from things that are included in as like sort of the ingredients to
making our water supply, such as chlorine for water disinfection to other things that are very practical in nature, such as urea, which is used in our generator system for pollution
control. So we recommend award of this contract. There was a notable increase in the cost of chlorine this year. The unit
price increased from $1.32 to $1.63 per per gallon for bulk chlorine for disinfection. This is about a 23% year over year increase. So we are still seeing some variability in chemical
costs. The good news is, is that all of the other unit rates for the different commodities that we're purchasing went down this year, which is very good. So it was a little bit, you know, they didn't cancel out the increase
from chlorine. But we are seeing some stabilization compared to the post Covid years in certain types of commodities, which is beneficial. So we've also
reviewed all of the bid tabs and the pricing with various for the current vendors with procurement, and found all the pricing to be fair and reasonable. We I will just go ahead and acknowledge, you know,
our fluoride supplier is included in this contract. And we've talked to the city manager about this. And this will be a future policy discussion. We currently have policy from the board through a resolution that
dictates that we fluoridate our water supply. This is a very small minority of this overall contract. It's about 3% of the contract. So we'd like to proceed with the contract as is. And if there's future policy
direction, that would effectively just become a small 3% contingency on the other commodities that we purchase, which vary with if it rains or if we have less rain, how much water we produce, how much
wastewater we have to treat, if we have to run the generator extra, if there's a hurricane and all that sort of thing. So at this point, we're recommending approval of this suite of commodities for purchase. Okay. Go to commission
questions. Turn your mic on. Excuse me. I'm sorry. We'll go to commission comments and questions I'll go first. So my
understanding is that even though fluoride is in this. In this request, you're actually not placing the order for it.
Initially. Right. We will continue to treat, treat and process our water as the previous board resolution is dictated. Right. And that includes our we're not buying
any extra supply until we will be continuing to make our normal orders for all of our normal chemicals and for treatment, just as we always have. And how often do you how often do you? It varies depending on, you
know, water production rates and things like that, but and shipping availability and cut it off as soon as you vote. If you vote to stop fluoridating the water, we will cut off. And that's what we had discussed.
Yes. Okay. Thank you, Commissioner, for your comments. Commissioner DiDonato. No thank you, Commissioner Coleus. Yes. I mean, if based off the discussion and potential having
that brought up in front of us, it could be in the next meeting or the following meeting. So I would just, I guess, plan accordingly just in case it doesn't go the case. It does get
passed to remove it all. So thank you, Vice Mayor Eisner. So I have a couple of questions. First question, they're not
willing to give us a five year contract on the product that's going up. Why are we giving them a five year contract on the product that's going down? The
one that was not we were not given a five year contract on was the item that was not bid, that we had no responsive bidders. So we we're obviously
not awarding that contract because there there is tremendous a lot of uncertainty right now in the commodities markets. You know, just with national things like tariffs and things like that. We have very
internationalized supply chains. So we're not awarding any all of the contracts that are being awarded under this. We're currently asking for a one year authorization. And under the procurement rules, once things
are bid, the prices are locked for one year. But it's a five year contract. Yes. And so we're locking ourselves into five year pricing when it could be cheaper next year and the following year
and the following year that that is possible. And we actually will continually renegotiate these pricing, these prices. So for example, sulfuric acid, which is what we use to clean the membranes for scale for
water production. A lot of these prices will be will they fluctuate as part of like a national as part of a statewide purchasing program. So if we see movement in pricing and there's
other piggyback contracts that are available, we can always elect to come back to you. Bring a new contract to with an alternative supplier or request to piggyback an alternative,
more recent bid. So why won't we agree to a one year contract? Right now? That's what we're asking for. We're asking for a one year purchasing limit for when you're purchasing, but it's a five year contract. Are we
locked? My question is, are we locked into those prices for five years? We're locked in the contract pricing in as much as we approve this contract. But again, we always have the ability to go back, renegotiate,
rebid a product if we see it, the pricing starting to drop. The value is that we are seeing certain things also increasing. So we there's benefit to locking in the pricing. And as I said,
if we see new bids coming out from other cities, we can always jump onto those contracts or request an alternative contract through our suppliers. So now I have to ask you the very tough
question that I've been saving for you. And don't take it offensively. I read through these contracts that we go and get involved in, and it seems
always that they have protected themselves from price increases and they put us on the back with back pedaling. They have all of
the upper hand. When we spoke, I think it was last meeting in the meeting before about Duke Energy, it sounded like we didn't go into that contract for
eight years. We left it just idle and we were at a loss every single year. We were losing money, we were giving them product. So my question comes
back is, why are we doing when we set up a contract, we set it up very loosey goosey. And when we get a contract, they dot
every I and cross every T. I would say that, you know, we go through the normal public procurement process for the for these commodities, right. We go low bid and we are constantly
looking for opportunities for savings. We have in the past gone mid-year and renegotiated contracts. A few years ago, we had our odor control contract where we saw pricing starting to
creep up and we saw that there was alternatives. So we started working with our vendor and we said, is there an alternative product? And we were able to reduce our costs by about 20% through negotiations and
switching to an alternative supplier. So we're very budget conscious. And when we see, you know, we try and stick to our operating budget as much as we can. And if we see pricing
starting to move in the market, we respond as quickly as we can. So I agree with what you're saying, but that's currently I'm going back probably even before
your time in being in charge. So I'm still looking for you to get me an answer of why we let it sit for two from 2017, 2018, 2019 and so on and so forth. And
we did no price increase when everything was at cost. So it became under cost to us. And yet when we have to sign a contract, they have every I dotted and t
cross. That's my only question. It doesn't have to be answered now. I need to find out how many other contracts are out there like this, where it's been
neglected for 7 or 8 years, and it doesn't even have to be just your department. It could be any department. I just want to know. To me, I look at it as we're
asleep at the trigger, asleep at the switch, and I don't want to have contracts out there that we're giving people stuff either at cost or below cost. And it goes on for eight years. And
we're just sitting there, just taking it on the chin. Yet when people write us a contract, they make sure that if it goes up, we get hit. If it if it goes down,
they usually don't tell us. So this is I just want to play on even, even even keel, that's all. Certainly I wasn't trying to hit you, you know what I
mean? But. And I appreciate what you do, I do. I know that you haven't been at this a long time, and I see that you have, you know, things more coordinated. Otherwise we wouldn't have been dealing with
that last time. So. But that that was what I saw when I saw and read this contract. It looked pretty intense. It looked like they have their stuff together. What's going to go up and they know it's going to go
up. They're not willing to lock down a price. So I just was curious why we just left, you know, a price sitting there for eight years and just didn't do anything with it. But thank you,
thank you. Okay. Is there any public comment on item 25? Austin. Anything up there? There
are no attendees at this time. Okay. Thank you. I'd like to entertain a motion to award file number 25 0140. Chemicals for
water treatment facilities. So moved. Second, if there's no further comment, roll call. Commissioner. Panther. Yes, Commissioner. DiDonato. Yes,
Commissioner. Coolio's. Yes. Vice mayor. Yes. Yes. Okay. That's all the business items. Now we'll go to ordinances and
resolutions. Resolution 2025, Dash 33 A designating certain officials as authorized
signatures on negotiable instruments, Mr. Herring.
I see mayor, commissioners, the mayor, vice mayor and city manager and finance director. All authorized signatories on negotiable instrument and
negotiable instruments. The city has a new mayor and vice mayor. Resolution 2025 is formalized as new Mayor John Koulianos and Vice Mayor Michael Eisner as
authorized signatories. And if you have any questions, I'll be more than happy to answer them.
I was. I was remiss in the our city attorney should read the resolution, please. Resolution 20 2533 a resolution of the Board of City Commissioners of
the City of Tarpon Springs, Florida, designating certain officials as authorized signatories on negotiable instruments of the City of Tarpon Springs. Okay, let's go
through a question. Commissioner. Questions? Commissioner. Panther. No questions. Commissioner Donato. No question. Commissioner coleus. No questions. Vice mayor
Eisner. No questions. Any public comments on this item? Austin. There are no attendees on zoom.
Thank you. No further discussion. Roll call please. Oh. I'm sorry. Moved. Okay. So moved. This is my first meeting, so give me some some latitude
here. I'll second. Okay. So I need a motion to approve resolution 2025 dash 33. So moved second. Okay. Roll call now. Commissioner. Panther. Yes,
Commissioner. DiDonato. Yes, Commissioner. Coleus. Yes. Vice mayor. Eisner. Yes. Coleus. Yes.
City attorney. Glenn, can you read resolution 20 2532? Yes. Resolution 20 2532, a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Tarpon Springs,
Florida, ratifying the appointment of Mike Eisner as Vice Mayor of the City of Tarpon Springs from April 8th of 2025 to April 14th of 2026, and
Panagiotis Gulyas as vice mayor of the City of Tarpon Springs from April 15th, 2026 to April 30th, 2027 and providing for an
effective date hereof. Thank you. Are there go to Commissioner comments. Commissioner Banther. No comments. Commissioner DiDonato no comments. Commissioner
Coolio's yes, I just want to. It's come to my attention that this is not a binding resolution. And I just wanted to clarify. We went back and did
that when obviously Commissioner Lunt resigned and we had the 17 months. How we all split. It was each was each of those five
months non-binding. And we came back when we made the vice mayor selection. The reason this is coming back was because the
resolution wasn't voted on last week. The nomination was done and the vote was taken, but the actual resolution was not voted
on that. That memorializes that. Yes. We had to bring the resolution back with the resolution that came before,
when the three of y'all did rotated basis, and this one, you did have to waive the existing rules to do that, which I did. Okay. So there won't when we come back during that time again, there's not going to have
to be a discussion and be voted on. Again. This won't take place again unless, you know, this is binding until the 2027, which is
the next annual. Perfect. I just wanted to clarify and make sure. So thank you. No further comments, Vice Mayor Eisner, unless you decide not to want to
be the Vice Mayor, then it will be coming back. I have no comments. I'm sorry. Okay. Is there any public comments on
this item? Mr. Austin, there are no attendees on zoom. Okay, I'll accept a motion on to approve resolution 2025 Dash 32 approval
vice mayor appointment. So moved. Second, if there's no further comments, roll call, please. Commissioner. Panther. Yes. Commissioner. DiDonato.
Yes, Commissioner. Yes. Yes. Vice mayor. Yes, yes. Can city attorney read resolution 2025
dash 34? Yes. Resolution 20 2534 a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Tarpon Springs, Florida, ratifying Executive Order 2025 dash 30, extending the
declaration of local state of Emergency to April 22nd, 2025 and ratifying Executive Order 2025 Dash 32 extending the declaration of local and state
state of emergency to April 29th, 2025 and providing for an effective date hereof. Okay. Any Commissioner comments. Commissioner. Panther. No
comments. Commissioner DiDonato no comments. Commissioner coleus. No comments. Vice Mayor Eisner no comment. Public comments. Austin. There are no
attendees on zoom. Okay, with no further comment. Roll call please. Oh, sorry again. Sorry again. Can I entertain a motion to approve resolution 2025 dash
34 second roll call, please. Commissioner. Panther. Yes, Commissioner. DiDonato. Yes, Commissioner. Yes. Yes. Vice mayor. Eisner. Yes. Colonies.
Yes. You know, the city clerk gave me this really wonderful guide here, but it's only useful
if I use it. It's only useful if I read it. So. Okay. Item 29, City attorney, would you please
read that? Resolution 20 2535, a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Tarpon Springs, Florida, ratifying Executive Order 2025, extending the declaration of
local state of emergency to April 22nd, 2025 and ratifying Executive Order 2025 Dash 33, extending the declaration of Local state of emergency to
April 29th, 2025 and providing for an effective date hereof. Okay, Commissioner. Comments. Commissioner. Panther. No comments. Commissioner DiDonato no comments. Commissioner Coolio's no comments. Vice
mayor, no comments. Okay, I'd like to entertain a motion to approve resolution 2025. Dash 35 moved second, I think to say
public comment. Yeah, public comments I did, didn't I do I did public comments. What are you saying? I'm getting tired. I'm sorry. All right. I gave you that power bar over there. I'll
give you some energy saving that for an emergency. All right. Okay. So with no further comments, I'd like to have a roll call, please. Mr. Yes, Commissioner. DiDonato. Yes,
Commissioner. Yes, yes. Vice mayor Eisner. Yes. Yes. Okay. Item number 30, ordinance 2020
5-04, City Attorney, please read ordinance 2020 5-04 An Ordinance of the City of Tarpon Springs, Florida, amending the official
Zoning Atlas for 32.49 acres, more or less of real property located between North Highland Avenue and Keystone Road, approximately 500ft east of
North Highland Avenue. From agricultural aid district and residential plan development RTP district to Agricultural Aid District, providing for findings
and providing for an effective date. The second reading is going to be held on May 3rd of 2025. Regarding this ordinance and notice was published in the
Tampa Bay times by title with a map on February 26th of 2025 and April 30th of 2025. This is also
quasi-judicial, so I'll explain some of the quasi judicial procedures. This is a quasi judicial proceeding where the Board of Commissioners acts in a quasi judicial, rather than a
legislative capacity at a quasi judicial hearing. It is not the board's function to make law, but rather to apply the law that has already been established and a quasi judicial hearing. The
board is required by law to make findings of fact based upon the evidence presented at the hearing, and apply those findings of fact to previously established criteria contained in the Code of Ordinance in
order to make a legal decision regarding the application before it. The board may only consider evidence at the hearing that it considers the law considers competent, substantial, and
relevant to the issues. If the competent, substantial, and relevant evidence at the hearing demonstrates that the applicant has met the criteria established in the Code of Ordinances, then the board is required by law to
find in favor of the applicant. By the same token, if the competent, substantial and relevant relevant evidence at the hearing demonstrates that the applicant has failed to meet the criteria established in the
Code of Ordinance, then the board is required by law to find against the applicant. Additionally, any ex parte disclosures must be disclosed.
The Board of Commissioners must disclose any ex parte research or communication, including emails, discussions beforehand, inspections of the property, or independent research beyond what
is in the Public packet. Board of Commission member with a conflict may need to abstain. And just to clarify, I think you said May 3rd was second reading
would be May 13th. May 13th. Yes. Sorry about that. You have to swear anybody in. Yes. And if any witnesses are here I can swear them in. Now please raise
your right hand. Do you swear to affirm that the testimony you're about to give in this proceeding is the truth, the whole, the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I do
thank you. Okay. Miss Vincent, do you want to give your presentation? Mayor? I have I initially had ex parte communications from the applicant. The sun reached out
and a text just saying that the family had purchased the property. I immediately explained to. I immediately sent that email into the planning and zoning staff, just to let them know and say, hey, just start
working with them from there. And there was a previous application that had been on that property in which the current board at the time, there was an article done, so just to review that article and start
working with staff on it. So I just and that was months before. Thank you very much. Miss Vincent. Do any any other ex parte, do we all have to declare
that we all made decisions on this property beforehand? No. Okay. No. Okay. Just checking. No. Miss Vincent, good evening. Mayor, vice mayor and
commissioners. Rene Vincent, planning and zoning director. This is application 24 dash 79 for the Jallow family subdivision. Rezoning. Out of
practice with this. The ordinance before you tonight is ordinance 20 5-04. This is a rezoning for property out on Keystone Road. The. There's some
history to this property. The request is to change the zoning from two zonings of agricultural and residential plan development to completely agricultural. The
zoning on the property is residential very low, which is a very low density development potential. The property contains 45.76 acres. It's under one
common ownership, and then 34 of that 32 of that acres is proposed for the agricultural designation and currently has agriculture. And then nine is
being resumed to that. Just looking at the site, this is the location is Keystone Road. This is the site in total in totality
this is North Highland Avenue. The current the future land use designations here you can see are residential very low. That's one unit per acre. Land use. And
then the green areas are designated areas of preservation. And those are not changing. Just the current zoning as I said, is in two
pieces. It's in agricultural, which is the dark green. And then this kind of yellow color is residential plan development. This parcel here, which is kind of been further parceled out through the years, this
residential plan development was approved back in the early to mid 2000, and the project was never developed. Subsequently, Pinellas County acquired this piece for storm water when they
did the Keystone Road improvements. So this is like a residual RPD hanging out here on the property that needs to be resolved before the applicant can go forward with the actual
subdivision site. Plan for subdivision into a four lot subdivision. For the majority of this property. Again, just kind of larger context with the
county wide plan map. You have, again, residential, very low one unit per acre, and then this lighter green that's in surrounding unincorporated
county is a half a unit per acre. This does comport very nicely with our this is our new place based area map. In the comprehensive plan. You can see
this area out here is designated as agricultural residential estate. So this does fit into that future vision for the for
this area. So the area to be rezoned is this RPD piece here the entire property. This is the entire site. This is actually where the zoning is changing
back to agricultural, which is what it was before. There's as I said, there's a long history with this that's been annexed in portions through the 2000. The
prior uses have been, you know, it's been used as a farm. It's been some mining of fill agricultural uses. There's a Duke Energy easement running through the property as well.
There's been some previous applications that have failed up to including a 50 lot subdivision. So this is a much lower density proposal when it comes forward. This is the first
step in the process. This is very consistent with our comprehensive plan is appropriate compatible with the area. It does provide for efficient orderly development
regarding capacity and levels of service. It will be served by city fire and emergency services, the water, sewer, utilities and adjacent roadways will be provided under Pinellas
County, but we do have the ability to serve the property. The staff recommendation is to approve the application rezoning the property from agricultural and residential plan development
to agricultural. There's been no public notice received, no public comments received on this as a result of public notice and mailed notice. The Planning and Zoning Board did review this on
March 17th and recommend approval with the full board in attendance. It was a unanimous vote, so with that, I'll stop and answer any questions that you might have. And as I said,
there will be additional applications coming forward on this in the future for the actual site plan approval for the subdivision. And then the second piece is this parcel, this piece of the parcel here,
which will be another subdivision, large lot, you know, low density subdivision. Okay. So let's have some
questions of Miss Vincent. I'll go first. So if I recall back when this was brought before us,
before it would under the, under the current zoning, it could accommodate 17 residences. Was
that. Under the previous. Yeah, I think it was 17. I know the that applicant wanted to go to 54. Right. But I think it was 17 there. Correct. And they wanted
to go to RPD and increase it. Right. So this application is far less dense, yes, than even the 17 that would have been allowed otherwise. Yes. Okay. So
I think it's this is perfect. So Commissioner Banther no comments. Commissioner DiDonato no comments. Commissioner Gulyas, I think that the mayor hit on the points. And when we
talk about density with that property was originally listed for and at the time, I mean still early in the process, but we didn't see any contention or, you know, against it. So I know
that was some those organizations biggest deal was making sure it fit the actual per unit lot that was originally its intent. So far it looks
okay. So thank you, Vice Mayor Eisner. So if you could refresh my memory when we did have that last meeting, it wasn't it that
there was some usage of the wetlands to get it to work on that previous application? There was. Yes. That is not on the table tonight. I had to ask that question because there was
comments out on social media that we just nilly nalley whatever you want to call it, just, you know, just removed it. And so I did want to make that
clarification. My only other question I have is while the other portion of this is under review at the TRC, which why are
we seeing this now while that's under review? So it's kind of a chicken and egg thing for them. And I like eggs, but I want to hear it. For in order for this
portion of it to go forward, they have to get this rezoning resolved. They can't you can't approve a site plan under an RPD. So they're they're reverting it back to
agricultural. So and then as far as the, you know, the split of the project into two, you know, this first four lot single family subdivision. And then there will be a second 17 lot, I
think 17 lot subdivision on the remainder. I'll have to defer to the applicant as to why they're running it in two separate. You know we're accommodating them. But while they're running in two
separate pieces okay. Fair enough. No, but I'll accept it. Thank you. Would the applicant like to ask further questions of
our staff or make any comment? I'll be happy to make. Can you can you come up to the microphone, please? And state your name, please. My name is who I am with Northside
Engineering. We're located in Clearwater, 300 South Belcher Road. I have been sworn in before I start, I just wanted to compliment your staff. We have
worked with them for decades. Well, Renee is not that old, but feels like it. They're always. They're always wonderful to work with. I know you don't get a lot of compliments. Usually people
don't compliment, and they really should. Anyhow. Thank yo. So this property right now is
under contract for. With Mr. Jallow. Mr. Jallow, as a family, children, we're working with them on other projects. So this
particular site is under contract with him. And now we are proposing to basically rezone the RPD to agricultural
because of, because of your staff, your staff's actually recommending to do that. So it's not something that we are requesting even though it's a request, but it's really a
requirement by your staff because they want to clean up the records with this rezoning, we're not adding asking for any additional density. It's
density. Agricultural is still one unit per acre. And with with our design, we are going to be much, much less than one acre.
When you look at the whole property and in total. So we have divided the parcel into two
sections. The area that. That area right now that is being highlighted, that would be Mr. Jallow's family subdivision. And
we're proposing at this stage of the game to put 4 or 5 lots there. So that area, that giant area will have 4 or 5 lots.
Currently we're showing four lots. It may become five, but it's way beyond, you know, below the density requirements. There are wetlands there. And what
portion of the wetlands will be impacted. But we are working with Swiftmud to mitigate and work with them. So the wetland
will be somewhat impacted. But again, we're working with Swiftmud and will mitigate that. So the rest of the site will also come before you in the
future. Now, we're not going to rezone anything there. It's going to be just a site plan, and we're proposing to put 13 lots there. So those 13 lots, each lot will be exactly one
acre. So for that portion that will be abutting Keystone, we're looking at 13 lots, one acre lots with which will meet your
code. But we're not there today. You're correct okay. I'm just giving you an overall I appreciate it. Yes. Yeah.
Anything else? No okay. Thank you. Thank you. Are any of the commissioners want to ask any questions of the applicant, Commissioner Panther? No. Commissioner. DiDonato. No.
Commissioner coleus. No. Vice mayor Eisner. Unfortunately, yes. You just said that you'd be working with Swiftmud for impact
on the wetlands, is that correct? Yes. So are you able to speak about what that impact would be? It's pretty fluid
right now. So, you know, I mean, there are some there are some areas will be impacted, but, you know, don't exactly have acreage of it. We have an
environmentalist, Don Richardson, that will be working with us. So, you know, it'd be subject to Swiftmud regulations. It will also be subject to our
regulations. And we'll work on that. We have pretty harsh regulations about not impacting wetlands right now. So I have not plugged into the TRC. I have
been out of sync for a bit, but we will follow up on that. So well, do we vote on something that is going to possibly be in litigation between Swiftmud and
this project that would be at the site plan process, that that site plan has to come before this board and be approved so that impact will be reviewed. If it happens. It's not a swiftmud decision to be made. This is a
simple rezoning right now to put it back to its original state of agriculture. The site plan will have to come before you. So whether there will or will not be impacts to the wetlands still
remains to be seen. So with that explanation, I will further. Okay. Thank you, thank you.
Okay. We're going to go to any public comments. Austin, there are no attendees at this time. Okay. We'll come back to the board for a motion. So moved
second I didn't we didn't read it yet. I will entertain a motion to pass ordinance 2020
5-04. You want it again? Yes. So moved. Second. Second. Okay. Is there if there's no further comments, we'll go to roll call. Mr. Panther. Yes. Mr. DiDonato?
Yes, Commissioner. Yes, yes. Vice mayor Eisner. Yes, yes. Thank you. Renee. Okay, we'll go to item 31. Would you please
read it? Read it. City attorney ordinance number 2025, dash oh one, an ordinance of the City of Tarpon Springs, Florida, amending the City of Tarpon Springs. Code of ordinances.
Appendix A comprehensive Zoning and land development Code. Article IV Special Rules Regulations, section 56.05,
mobile food dispensing vehicles temporarily providing for severability. Providing for inclusion of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Tarpon Springs, Florida and providing
for the effective date of this ordinance. This is the second reading of this ordinance. The legal advertising was published in the Tampa Bay times by title
only on January 8th, February 5th, and April 9th of 2025. Miss Vincent, would you do you have a presentation? I'm just. I don't
have a formal presentation. I'm just going to work from the staff report here. Since this was fairly minor changes since first reading where people. This
is legislative legislation. So ordinance 2020 5-01 was at first reading approved by the board on March 25th, and it was voted
with with the following amendment that we the requirement we remove the requirement to tie the mobile food truck to an alcohol license. We added the
requirement for a physical brick and mortar establishment on the property, and we required a review of the ordinance in six months. So the revised exhibit A
of the Draft Ordinance 2020 501, the second reading version does show those revisions highlighted in yellow in section 5606, the introductory paragraph was revised to delete the
requirement for an active driver license for on premise consumption of alcohol. Also in section 5605, we. The introductory paragraph was revised to restrict the use of
food trucks to brick and mortar businesses physically operated in a building or in a structure. The Land Development Code defines a building as any structure, whether permanent or temporary, having a roof
supported by columns and walls, and intended for shelter, housing or enclosure, and then section 5605. The paragraph was added at the end of the section that provides for sunsetting the
ordinance on October 22nd, 2025, unless it's extended or amended in some way. So we did work those into the ordinance as your request. I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have as
staff questions. I mean, Commissioner questions of staff, Commissioner Banther no questions, Commissioner DiDonato. No questions, Commissioner coleus. No
questions. Vice mayor Eisner. Yes. I didn't hear you say anything about removal of generators and being on electric. Oh, that was that's in
the ordinance that that that was already in the ordinance when we brought it back at first reading. So the only thing I highlighted with the changes here, you say at this time, yes. Thank you. That's it. Okay.
Let's go to public comments. Are there any public comments on this item? And I'm sorry for Tom Scott, owner undefined. Brian I
live at 704 Pine Street. I apologize for running in and out. I got a head cold. Didn't want to cough for y'all during the thing. I just wanted to thank you all for all this. On behalf of Unrefined Brewing and
on behalf of Brighter Days Brewing, food trucks are going to be a game changer for us. We've really struggled, and we just want to thank Tarpon for giving us a chance to show you that this is going to work,
specifically downtown with the two breweries. So thank you all very much. Thank you. Any other comments? Public comments?
Austin, there are no attendees at this time. I'd like to entertain a motion to approve us. The second reading of
ordinance 2020 5-01. So moved second. Unless anybody heard anything that changes their opinion from last time that we
voted on this, do you guys want to just go to straight to vote? Okay. With that said roll call. Roll call please. Commissioner.
Panther. Yes. Commissioner. Yes. Yes. Yes. Vice mayor. Yes. Mayor. Giuliani's. Yes. That concludes all of our items.
We're going to go now to board and staff comments. Just want just want to say my thoughts and prayers are with all the victims
and families at FSU. Students, faculty, visitors, with that senseless act of violence last week. And thoughts and prayers are with them all. City Attorney
Glenn Nazi, no comments. Thank you for helping us tonight. City manager. Yeah, just I'm going to be reaching out to you all to
schedule a capital budget workshop. I wanted to see if you all were okay, since it's not a public comment with having that in the morning. I know the clerk's working on a morning workshop on the if that might
work better, your schedule just to go through the capital improvement budget. And that's where the real meat of the of the projects is. So probably
between that we responded to that wasn't that one. That's a different one. Yeah. This one I haven't reached out yet, probably in the middle of May sometime between the meetings according to date with you all
to that's your opportunity to put projects in that budget for the coming year and so forth. Okay. Thank you. City Clerk. I
have no comments. Thank you. Commissioner Banther. Yes, chief. I have gotten some complaints about unpermitted boat and jet ski launching a sunset beach. If you could just
just just just just follow up on that as, as as as we're entering season. We'll continue doing that, sir. Yes. That's all. Thank you. Commissioner Donato. No comments at this time,
Commissioner Coleus. Yes, mayor. I saw we don't have our green lights and I'm just wondering why was that taken away from us? Because I wanted to go back to the old days of just calling on
people. I mean, yeah, but there's going to be items where we're going to have rebuttals, we're going to have big rebuttals. Here's what we're going to do. Hold on, mayor. Go ahead. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. We're going to have big
rebuttals. There's been two mayors prior, I mean, even myself that were operating with it. You see, these, you know, citizens are just curious to us. There's going to be rebuttals.
And, you know, the mayor does get the last word, and there's going to be items where we're going to go back and forth sometime. We were elected to speak where this isn't just we go around one time there's, you
know, 85, 90% of the items are going to be just as is. No, no, no, we vote, we move forward. But there's that 10% that make up the big difference of this community through land use or
through ordinances or through resolutions where I'm going to want to speak and I'm going to want to go back and forth if I see any silly rebuttals or, you know, outwit certain objects with, you know, the
comprehensive plan, the strategic plan, and, you know, or any vague commissioners who don't wish to be detailed or articulate their stances. And so I don't think it's a good look
to remove those green lights. I mean, we've proven I've proven myself that I can work and it's efficient, too. And, you know, you're what's going to happen is the commissioners are going to
overspeak on you when you're going to try to rush through the voting process, when we haven't gotten our full chance to be spoken or heard as we're elected
to do so, there's going to be other different items. And I just I don't think it's a good look. And I'm not sure if any of the advisory boards got the lights taken away from them or if they're even using them. But,
you know, I think that should have been a decision for the whole board to as well, not just your decision. And as far as the Stauffer Chemical site, we talk about boat ramps. I've seen some
posts lately if we can have the city manager contact the. I don't know what the process is, but it's been 40 years since it's been shut down. Let's contact the EPA. Let's have them look at this property. Let's
maybe have a special presentation for the public to see where it's currently at and what the potential is for, for the community, because there's different ideas that have been
floated about. And I think at some point we have to address it soon. It's a big piece of property that could help the community out. We just need to see where it's going. I'm interested in removing up to a
few board members from some of the advisory boards without cause. It's going to be time for this board to make a decision on them, and we don't have to go into detail. It's in our
charter. We can remove people without any type of explanation. And so but if the commission decides to go into discussion, well, then we'll leave it at that. So it's time for this
commission to, to look out for people and just, you know, make that decision. We talked about the water issue that's going to be coming up. So that's going to be coming up fairly soon. Also
the tennis courts at Riverside Park, I'm sure I'm not the only one who's been receiving complaints about it, about the conditions of the court and how the locals aren't really using
them. And so we might have to make a decision and realize we may have possibly got it wrong, you know, and it might cost us some money, but the locals aren't playing there and they're complaining to us. It's
something we need to try to correct. And I want to thank the police department and the fire rescue for the Orthodox Easter, the protection and the supervision. It was great. It
was great for the community. So we can't thank you enough and I hope everyone had a great Easter with family and friends and also in the Orthodox community, which
means Christ is risen. And so just want to thank you all. Thank you. Vice Mayor Eisner. I need his notes so that I could read through in what I agree
with what I don't, but no thank you. The first thing I wanted to do is I wanted to thank the police chief. I know there was an incident that happened. I don't want to speak about it, but, you know, it was handled
professionally. And I do want to thank you for that. You know, we always honor the police force and how you run it. And, you know, there's always going to be the chaos that goes on with
human nature. But I do want to thank you. I read up on it and I, I thank you for that. As far as, you know, removal of people,
you know, I'll consider anything going forward with or without a reason or excuse. I also do get a calls on the boat launch that
people are docking writing this, that and the other. I've even gotten complaints about the those holes that are out there, you know, monopolizing the entire Spring Bayou and
everything. And nobody could launch a boat. Nobody could do anything. It's a difficult situation because I'd like to see it. The whole Spring Bayou
boat launch improved upon, you know, where it has at least a rubber bumper. So your boat isn't just ripping up against the concrete, and people can tie their boat and actually go and,
you know, bring their trailer and boat away. But I know since we're in the process of trying to build it up two feet, it's not a good a good time to put
that in. But if it's a quick, easy project that can be done quickly and cheaply, I would be happy to do it. I did think it
was a good Easter. It's not my, you know, my celebration, but it also ended Passover and we
enjoyed. So I was just glad that it was eventless for everybody. And I and I saw that a lot of people had some nice things to post on Facebook. It looked like
there was a lot of love and family out there between people, and that's what I love about Tarpon Springs. You know, Facebook could be an ugly thing, but it also could be something
very beautiful where people post things that are nice. Lots of rotisserie lambs out there, you know, only heard about one
situation where somebody wrote Mary Had a Little Lamb and now she doesn't. But but it was it was just it was meant to be
funny. But thank you all. And I, I want to congratulate the, you know, Tanya, for your good luck with your mobile food truck. And
thank you for coming. And I just I just want to see the town move forward in a positive way, whether it be Tarpon Avenue, whether it be Pinellas, whether it be the sponge docks, you
know, we all have to learn how to get along. I think that's what the city manager is trying to push with Main Street to see that we all try to work together
rather than work apart. And, you know, I'm here for everybody. Thank you. Okay, first I'd like to. Hope everybody had a
wonderful Easter and Passover as well. The on the rules and procedures. It is the
prerogative of the chair and the mayor to run these meetings with within his prerogative. As a matter of fact, when the lights, those lights are not historic,
they were brought in by the mayor prior to you, Mayor Julius, and it's not true. And yeah, they were you didn't have the lights, did you? No I
didn't. Okay, okay. Well, okay. It was brought in by him then. But it's it was a unilateral decision to use those lights. As a matter of fact, the prior mayor and this isn't a debate
debate going back and forth. So the prior mayor started his his term out without the lights, then brought the lights. I was on the board. Never, never. There was no conversation about
the lights. So it's my prerogative and I will make it a point. We're going to have a rule and procedure meeting. We can talk about it, but I will make it a point that everyone
will get opportunities to talk. You have parliamentary procedure rights. You can ask for a point of order and you could speak
again. I'm not going to stop that. But what I'm going to do is go around. Everyone will get equal time to speak. There will not. I'm not going to entertain
what happened at prior to you. You ran very clean meetings, Mayor Coleus. But prior to that, there were times where people were hitting the button, going back and forth, back and forth,
back and forth, and it would go on for, you know, ten items. That's not going to I, I won't entertain that. So then as far
as. On a more positive note, with the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, that when I got on that council, I saw that
they gave out an award for sustainability program. Our plan had never even been submitted, and I made it a point that I was going to try to get that award
because it's a very. It has it has quite a bit of, you know, notoriety in the, in the area. So working with Tommy Kiger and
our sustainability committee, we really push for it. And I'm really, really pleased we got it. And then on another, on a much lighter note, as we get
into the into the hot weather and we can talk about this at rules and procedure, maybe we should ditch the coats and all go to our polo shirts. Yes. And
I think it would be really clean, especially when it's going to get, you know, we get up into the 90s. That might be a nice way to. But we could talk about that at rule procedures.
But it'd be nice if we all kind of look the same. Anyways, that's it for tonight. The meeting is adjourned at 914. Thank you very much. We have a
car now. We're going to stay around for the CRA meeting. Anybody want a five minute? I'm good. Everybody good? I'm good.
Let's go. Okay. Okay. So. Can I just go straight into it? Okay. I'm going to call to order the
Community Redevelopment Agency meeting agenda for downtown Tarpon Springs redevelopment Area on Tuesday, April 22nd,
2025 at 9:15 p.m. Roll call. Roll call please. Chair Collins here. Vice chair Eisner here. Commissioner coleus here. Commissioner Donato here.
Commissioner. Panther here. Okay. The we have one agenda item. The approval to issue. Invitation to negotiate for 144 East Tarpon avenue. The Forbes
lot. City manager. Thank you. Mayor. This item is simply just your authorization to put this out into the marketplace. And then we'll come back to you with
those proposals and then with a recommendation for a ranking. And then you'll you'll either change that or approve it. And then we'll be authorized to negotiate with the first the top
candidate. If that doesn't work out falls through. We could move to the second candidate rather than start all over the process. So tonight we just need your authorization to issue this out in the market and begin to
receive those proposals. We'll go to questions of the city manager, Commissioner Panther, no questions. But I've been on the record for over a decade that this property should be,
you know, sold and back on the tax rolls and with an approved, you know, purchaser developer per se. We I think we had one person in here prior in our last
meeting that applied for that as well. And that's what I think should happen. So I'm happy to see this and it gets my full support. Thank you. Commissioner De Donato. Commissioner coleus,
yes, I have concerns about this process and I don't like how we're going about it. I don't mind having these these, you know, these contractors and
having that list. But I want our incentives to go out from now. I don't want them to go afterwards. And I've made it very clear, and I'm sure you guys should already think about
these incentives from now about this downtown. And yeah, I am passionate about this because this is the 10% stuff I talk about that makes a big difference in the community and activating the downtown. So I'm
going to go through my little litany as far as the survey for the property. Yes, we're going to do it and we're going to provide it for them. Projects. Projects have ranged from. And if you ask the residents they
want event space, beer garden, food truck stage, a floor passes to go from one side to the other. Ask the residents. Overwhelming developers might
want a building. I know they get in our ear about that all the time, but if you go by what the residents want, that's what they want to activate the downtown. Or if we can get a boutique
hotel, the variances in height are going to have to be increased. We should let people know out. The contractors know from now, the F.a.r should be at
least a 3.0. We talk about the F.a.r being a 2.0 permitted by right by two stories, but that's going to be a, you know, a mediocre development for this community. We have the ability
to set the bar. And what's the difference if a three story building is 2000, you know, two point 0FAR or a three story
building is a 3.0 F.a.r you're already hit the three stories. So I want that to be known. The density. If the density requires us to change for a boutique hotel to get that extra amount
of rooms, then we need to do it. We've seen density switch around, and we need a reason to activate the downtown. If we can't get that beer garden food
court that is really supported by the residents, we need to think of a proposal where, like in Dunedin, they have something called the Dunedin mix. It's a
building with a whole bunch of different activities in it. It's still got a stage. It's still got, you know, entertainment with a lot of different restaurants and things in between. If we're really
creative, you can somehow make that bottom floor open, passive with livable corridors or boutique hotel. In the second and third story. And we just got
to be creative and we got to give the incentives to these quality developers to help build something like this. As far as we talk about item three, would
the city allow four floors? If you want an anchor for the downtown, it's got to be four floors. It's got to be the three floors that we talked about. And then on top of the third floor
or the roof, the roof is going to be activated. I have not talked to one resident, one resident who has said it's a bad idea if you put a restaurant or
a bar on top of that roof. People want some anchor. They want in and out. And this is for the locals to help support this building. So we won't get the
developers to build if the profit margin is not there. So if the height's not there, the square area of F.a.r is not there, we're going to get a two
story building. And you know, we've we've talked about and even board members have talked about five story buildings being the cap, but we already got the conditional use for that code
for three stories. So I don't know what a 3.03 story with potential rooftop is a big deal, you know? So. And when look at
this. This is the city the city is willing to consider. Current regulations regarding height is a combination with allowable floor area would likely limit the building to three stories or
less. City is willing to consider narrowly focused code amendments and coordination with a development agreement to accommodate desirable proposals, and under roof rooftop bar would
be considered a floor. Well, then it needs to be four floors. It needs to be four floors. You're not going to get a quality developer who's going to want to put a boutique hotel or
a condo on one floor, and then the bottom floor. You want a storefront, and on the top you're going to have the rooftop thing. It's not profitable
enough for a quality developer. And you know that this who really says it needs to be three stories or less? Is it staff? Is it people with vested interests
in the downtown? I mean, who is it? Let's get it on the record, because we have the opportunity to allow variances in height and density, and that's what we're here for. And if the city is
going to do a development agreement, we need to put out all, all the stops to make sure we get all the bells and whistles and the quality from someone who's going to put an
anchor in our downtown. As far as. Brakes, brakes on impact, fees, taxes, the price of the property, which I'm willing to give it away. What did we
purchase the property for? So that's information we need to come up with. And if it takes giving away the property to get a quality building, that's what we need to do. Buildings are
there for 100 plus years, so there's going to be plenty of time to have bring in taxes and other situations from this
property. And out of scale. You're going to have some people with special interests talk about out of scale stuff, but how is it out of scale when the code currently allows for three
stories and the same people you know, represent, you know, different applications on trying to remove or demolish historic buildings in the downtown area for whatever reasons. And so
knocking down or removing a historic building from the downtown area, as some people try to fearmonger at that one time. It's a lengthy and long process. It's not easy, and
there takes many different steps before one of those historical buildings would even be knocked down. Demolished to build a three story building because people are worried about us
doing a development agreement on that property there. So I'm hope I'm speaking very plain and straightforward that way we know and the quality developers know
what we're going to do to get the best of the best here. So that out of scale situation is not a good argument. And as I
said, if you ask the residents what they want, they want an outdoor space. And my question is, who's the city that prefers the three story building and no less, you know, and the mixed
use could provide a building with the first floor like that, but be open passive that we talked about to go to the other side. And if it fails, if this let's say we just do this beer
garden, food truck, stage court and that's it. And it fails. We have the opportunity to build a structure in the future. But once you build a big structure like that and maybe it doesn't
work, then that's where we're at. And so on. Item five. What kind of incentives can the CRA offer in developing the property? The CRA can pay impact
fees, building permit fees, offer the land at a below market price or at no cost. City is also paying for survey and appraisal. Well, I'm telling you
all, we want those quality developers. We need to. We need to give them everything. If you're telling me a few hundred thousand dollars and the difference in the fixtures and
the verandas and the porches and the quality craftsmanship of that building, it shouldn't even be a debate. And so think about
each and every incentive. Think about giving them all. I want to see some of the best contractors try to apply for it all. You're not going to get them at that
2.02 story permitted by right. And you may possibly get them at that 2.03 story conditional use. But I think and we all know, because we've heard from my old the old city manager who said
these quality developers didn't want to get involved because there wasn't money to be made with the current code structure. And tell you the truth, a lot of these codes, you know, we'll
talk about historic stuff. A lot of these codes are in place, especially in the historic downtown, to make it less desirable for other people to get involved. So I'll say a little bit less on that unless I
need to open the door for it. And we talk about six. How are we going to prepare this bid package? Well, if we need to have a work session, we need to have a special session, a couple
of them. That's what we need to do. I want it as detailed as possible. I want each and every item there to be studied to be discussed. And I want it to all the information, all the
information in there with the possible variances, the. Tax incentives, impact fees, property, the price, everything.
And we have to talk about in this bid, the architectural style, the fixtures, the stucco brick finish, the verandas, the patios, the porches, you know, so many different things. We're
going to need to sit there and talk about if this city is going to build a building there. We talked about changing the density. We will have to change
the density. And if it is a boutique hotel or somehow some condo Airbnb, because condos alone are not going to activate the downtown and I'm not going
to support that. I think it's it goes to show that we're not really trying to make the downtown a little bit more
activated and have people in and out. And then the nine we talk about parking. Well, in that current area, they're not really obligated to provide parking.
We've done it for other people, and we had to force other people to, but we're there currently at the parking won't be an issue. And if we're planning for this parking garage in the future,
then, you know, if everything goes right, it's part of the whole application anyway. So parking parking for that application should not be an
issue, especially if it's, you know, an in and out mixed use
place like a Dunedin mix. And. You know this I remember item ten on the commercial lease estimates and the rents typically been lower than what
would need to be charged for new construction. This issue has made past projects unworkable economically. Commercial leases range from about 15 to $25 per square foot. This estimate is
based on informal discussions with business owners. Well, I'm telling you, if we give them all the incentives and variances and everything we talk about, and we
give them this property and they can use that money to build something, I promise you, they're going to build something quality in which they'll get the value and which will change the landscape. And renting in some
of the downtown. And it's going to make all the property values increase. As far as 11, will the city give preference to local
Tarpon Springs residents, or require that only Tarpon Springs residents, businesses owners be allowed to submit? Obviously, the answer is no. One of the proven prime examples in which I
would still love to see a local contractor who's got the ability, who's proven they can build huge projects all around the nation in the area. I don't mind those local contractors,
but we're not going to get them if we limit incentives and variances. That's why I keep drilling this in. We're not we're going to get some of the local people that are known what they're known for, and then
we're going to have a mediocre building. The prime example of businesses or investors from out is Kodak. We can say what we
want, but those people put money into that building that none of the locals would even thought about it putting. And so they use the same codes that those locals that were opposed to it
helped create for the historic downtown. And so, you know, when we sit there and talk about, does it work? Should we be fearful of, you know, potential
outsiders or quality big time local developers who really haven't done any projects in here because we don't make it. We don't incentivize them to do it. Should we be scared of that? Absolutely not. Absolutely not.
You look at Kodak. You got 6,070% of the businesses that run in. There are Tarpon Springs businesses. So that's something
that, you know, we shouldn't consider. And. This ITN process, I don't mind going through it, but I want all these people
before we select them to know what we're willing to give and what we're willing to do. That way they come back to us with the various style projects. If you know, I'm still confused
about how we're going to go about this, if we offer everything that we offer and we say, show us a boutique hotel, show us a mixed use property, show us an empty lot with the beer garden food truck court. So
I'm still confused about that, but I want all these contractors to know all the stops we're going to pull out to accommodate them, to build an anchor and a
building that's going to activate this downtown. And so I don't mind doing the ITN process, but please, we need to have a work session, a special whatever it is. That way we get
all these incentives out and we roll the carpet out for somebody because we don't do this often. And I just like I, you know, I've when I talk to the city manager, when I said there's
some big land use issues coming up and I'm not going to fold for mediocrity. So that's all I have to say. Thank you, Commissioner Eisner. I mean, Vice Mayor
Eisner, is this still a question I can ask after that? But that was pretty good. I just want to just sum it up by saying, you know, I agree with quite a bit
of what you said. I'm willing to listen to everything that you brought up and more. I do think it's a it's a big decision on
how we handle it and what we do. I'm also into doing the, you know, the work, you know, having the work sessions. I'm not into
just making this a nonsense, but there is something that you didn't bring up that, you know, as far as we have people retiring from the merchants
coming up, and that is going to change the whole scenario. We don't know yet who's taking it over, what it's going to be. It
could become better. It could become worse. I don't know, you know, and that's not long off. So I'm not so sure I want to
make a decision upon, you know, I'm okay using this, but we use it for 11 times or ten times a year. I think it's 11 because we
have no place like Tarpon. We still use that as well. It's just an epiphany. We don't. But for the most part, you know what? I like to see it
developed. Yes, but I want to keep this to a vote of just giving the city manager the go ahead and not covering all of the topics at this, because I got a flight tomorrow, and I
don't really want to be here much past. I know Commissioner Banta doesn't want to be here much past as well. So I am in agreement that I want to see
this go forward. And I'm happy to deal with all this, you know, this important stuff. It's all intelligent. It's all pertinent to how we go forward. I think
some of the decisions also, this is in the historical areas, is it not? So some of these decisions are not going to be ours to make, but it's going to be the other committee, the
historical committee, to make some of those decisions that you were speaking about. So there is a lot of ifs, ands and buts. But I'm you know, I'm impressed that
you wrote this all down and you got this all, you know, because these are all good, you know, topics to, you know, to, to, to go through. So I'm just happy to
go, you know, move this thing forward and you know, we'll see what we can do. Thank you. Okay. Are there any public comments? I'm sorry for keeping you all
late. This is kind of my area of expertise. You know, first off, I appreciate all the comments. As a business owner downtown, you can ask everybody downtown, including the city manager. I am
all about bringing young blood into town to try to reinvigorate downtown. We need it badly. We need it desperately right now. We also need parking desperately. And I hate to bring that up because everyone talks
about it. I love the parking deck. I know people hate this. I love the parking deck in Dunedin. I wish it was more of a mixed use downtown stores downstairs or bars downstairs parking up. But you know, my
parking lot behind my building. The public parking lot is full with employees parking for all the downtown businesses, so my customers have nowhere to park. So. So it just gets crazy on
those busy nights. And I would say with with private business typically knows what's to do best. I mean, if, you know, with the Dunedin mix, I don't know how much experience you have with that. They already sold
them to someone else because they were having such financial problems. Those mixed use places are tough to do. I want anything that will reinvigorate downtown and help us, you know, propel business and keep tarpon open
later. You know, I definitely think the right way to go is, is private company doing it? I would be happy. You know, I'm I'm trying to help as much as I can, whatever I can. But I will
say on the historic side of things, and I don't know if this is you guys or someone else, but if you know where unrefined brewing is, there's a property across the street from us that we were told was historic, and
they started building it, and then it just stopped like two years ago. And as you go down Tarpon Avenue, there's these properties that vagrants just go in now. And, and I don't know if there's anything that can be
done with that kind of stuff either to reinvigorate downtown. And I don't know if this is the right forum for that, but and I have way too many ideas for everybody but 100% in support of anything to reinvigorate downtown. But if we could do I
know people hate parking garages, but if we could do anything with mixed use, like have a parking garage on the second floor and have bars and restaurants on the first floor, I would like that. You know,
it's tiny little, but I got it, I got it, I got it. Any other public comments? Austin there
are no attendees on zoom. Okay. Is there any further commissioner comments? Commissioner Banther no comments. Commissioner de
Donato. Oh. Commissioner. Gulyas. No. Vice Mayor Eisner okay, with that said, I'll entertain a motion to approve to issue an invitation to negotiate
for 144 East Tarpon Avenue. So moved. Second, can we have roll call, please? Commissioner? Yes,
Mr. Donato? Yes, yes, yes. Vice chair Eisner. Yes. Yes. Okay. That's the. Oh. You're welcome.
So let's go to with. That's the first and last item. Let's go to board and staff comments. No comments sir. City attorney no
comments no comments. Comment. No comments. Comment. Commissioner Banther no comments. Commissioner DiDonato. Commissioner Gulyas. No
comments. Vice mayor Eisner no comments. With that, we adjourn at 937. I was saying 10:00. That was. That was my guess. Give you
time to get to your. Well, yeah, but when you saw the crowd, it
was pretty evident. Yeah.