##VIDEO ID:YMy2VVxNDtg## I thank you. What did you say, sir? I just did that. Thank you. I now call to order the regular session. Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Tarpon Springs on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. Miss Jacobs, roll call, please. Mayor here. Vice Mayor Giuliani's here. Commissioner Eisner here. Commissioner DiDonato. Here. Commissioner Baker. Here. First, we have announcements for today. Item 13, ordinance 202501 Land Development Code Amendment Amendment amending article four, section 56.05 mobile food dispensing vehicles. Temporary application 2485. Legislative has been deferred. Tonight's reflection will be given by Pastor Chris Ireland, chaplain at Florida Compass Church. After we will have the presentation of Colors and Pledge of Allegiance presented by the Boy Scouts of America, troop 106. Everyone, please stand and remain standing. All right. Thank you very much. God's word says in Proverbs four it says, acquire wisdom, acquire understanding. Do not forget. Do not turn aside from the words I speak. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you. Love her and she will guard you. Let us pray. Father, we come before you today humbly and just ask for wisdom and guidance in the conduct of this meeting. We thank you for each and every person you have chosen to represent the people of Tarpon Springs. And we just give this time over to you. May you be blessed and honored through all that is said and done here tonight. And as in Jesus name we pray. Amen. And now we will have the special presentation. Color guard. Attention. Color guard. Forward, march! Color guard. Halt! Color guard. Post the color. Guard. Perform. Shall salute. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. 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. Please join me in the Scout Oath on my honor. I will do my best to do my duty to God and my Scout Law to help other people at all times. Keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Everyone, please join me in the Scout Law. Doubt is trustworthy, loyal, helpful. Friendly. Courteous. Kind. Obedient. Cheerful. Thrifty. Brave, clean and reverent. Everett, please join me in the Outdoor Code. As an American, I will do my best to be clean them out, to care for the fire, to consider the outdoors, to be concentration, to. Color guard about face. Color guard. Forward. March. Color guard. Halt. Color guard. Dismissed. At ease. That was amazing. And now we're going to do. Our first proclamation will be Boy Scout anniversary week. And we're going to have some of the Scout troops or Scoutmasters come forward as we go to give the proclamation. We're also going to have Commissioner Banther, who is a resident Eagle Scout, and come join on in and talking a little bit about the Boy Scout troop. So everyone, please come forward. Scoutmasters. And accepting the proclamations, we have Cub Scout Pack nine from Saint Ignatius Church and Scouts, Boy Scouts of America, Troop 106 from Saint Nicholas Church, the City of Tarpon Springs. Proclamation. Whereas the first full week of February each year marks the anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America providing an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Scouts and leaders alike. And Whereas the Boy Scouts of America has a long and distinguished history of fostering character development, citizenship training, and outdoor skills in young people across the nation. And Whereas the Boy Scouts of America is committed to helping youth succeed by providing the support, friendship and mentoring necessary to live a happy and fulfilling life. And Whereas the City of Tarpon Springs recognizes our local community organizations that make scouting available for youth members in our area who participate in the scouting program. Cub Scout Pack nine from Saint Ignatius Catholic Church and Scouts BSA troop 106 from Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. And Whereas, the City of Tarpon Springs celebrates the special week and the positive impact scouting has in our community. Now, therefore, I, Panagiotis Kollias, by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the City of Tarpon Springs, Florida, do hereby proclaim the week of February 2nd through eighth, 2025 as Boy Scout Anniversary Week here. And we have Commissioner Banther to present. And I just want to say, you know, the Boy Scouts troops, it's just an amazing tool for them to pass on the knowledge and necessary tools in life that, you know, that range from everything. You know, I sit there and say, and I joked with some of the Scout masters, if we're in survival mode, I'd want these young men and masters around me because I can't build a fire. I can't, you know, shoot an arrow. There's so many things I cannot do that I would need to do in a survival mode. So these programs are awesome. And teaching our youth the necessity, the all the necessities, the necessities we need in life. And it's great to honor them with this proclamation. Commissioner Banther, would you like to say a few words? Yes. Thank you. I'm an Eagle Scout from troop 48 here, here in Tarpon Springs. It's now disbanded. And that was back in 2001. And I have to say, of all my accomplishments, college degrees, being up here for now, about seven years, people are most impressed when they hear, I'm an Eagle Scout. So I encourage all you boys to, to, you know, finish the race and become an Eagle Scout. It's going to pay off dividends in life for you. But regardless, scouting is great for kids like us. That that that grew up in the suburbs exposes you to things in the woods and in life that you wouldn't otherwise be. So I encourage you to keep at it. I know as you get older, we have more distractions. So don't be like me and wait till your 18th birthday. Get it done sooner and it'll benefit you greatly. All right. Thank you. Scout Masters, would you like to say a few words, please? Well, all I can say is that we're very proud of all the boys. They've done a great job camping, their lesson plan, all their activities, their advancements. They're moving along pretty good. So we're real proud of them. They're all good boys and young men. And that's all I can say is we're proud of them. And the parents we have really strong parent, supportive, being supportive by the parents. So that makes life easier as being a leader, right, guys, is when the parents are there for you, asking questions, helping you out the best they can. So that's basically all I have to say about that is thank goodness for the other leaders and the parents, and we have each Scoutmaster and all the troops. We have a pin that says Tarpon Springs, Florida, with the with the state on there, as well as our famous sponge helmets. So here's another pin to add with the rest. So we thank you all for coming out, and thank you for all the hard work you do and the scouting program. Thank you all. Come pass them down. Okay. This is thank thank you all. Thank you, thank you. Next we have the proclamation for Black History Month. Mr. Tori Farley, can you please come on down? How you doing, Mr. Farley? Mr. Farley is a just a good friend of mine. He actually grew up with my brother and I. You know, I just think it's important that as proclamations come out, we give them to young leaders who can make a difference in the community and around the area, who have grown up and, you know, experienced Tarpon Springs from, from their birth and all the way through and making a difference as adults in this community. And Mr. Farley has a great barbecue spot. It's called the spot. Right off the trail. You get a chance to check it out. A lot of good food. I like the ribs. I like the brisket when he makes it. And then we have the seafood on Saturdays and Sunday and Sunday, so check it out. I know you smell it when you're going on the trail and I'm telling you it's really good. So it's great to see him in the community being active with everyone. And I'm proud to give this proclamation to him today. So here we go. The city of Tarpon Springs, Florida. Proclamation. Whereas during Black History Month, we celebrate the many achievements and contributions made by African Americans to our economic, cultural, spiritual and political development. And Whereas, the city of Tarpon Springs is proud to honor the history and contributions of African Americans in our community. And whereas the first African American settled in Tarpon Springs in the mid 1880s primarily to work in the lumber mills and citrus industry, while others contributed throughout the sponging industries. History. And Whereas, according to historical records, the Union Academy neighborhood in Tarpon Springs is considered the first African American community established in Pinellas County. And whereas African Americans remain prominent in our community as businessmen and women, teachers, ministers and public officials, and Whereas Black History Month is a great time to educate young people's understanding of black history and inspire pride and confidence in our youth, especially the black youth of our community, that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. Now, therefore, I, Panagiotis Kollias, by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the City of Tarpon Springs, Florida, do hereby proclaim this proclaim the month of February 2025 as Black History Month. Here you go, Mr. Farley. Nothing. I'd like to say just a few words. Very short, real quick. Being born and raised in tarpon. This is really a privilege to receive this. Many of you probably see me out on the trail still, you know, firing up that grill, using the wood like they say they're first dude. You know, he made a living off of wood. Well, I make my living off of wood, you know, so it's a blessing. I was a cap kid. Love the program. Love everything that everyone's doing in the community. And I'm proud to be a tarpon night. Thank you. And I also want to mention his brother, Ryan Farley, who's known as the gardener over at the Cops and Kids facility, does a great job in mentoring those young men and young men and women and offering gardening tools to help them succeed. Thank you, Mr. Farley. Mayor, if I may, I know the that there was some Cub Scouts that that that need to ask some questions for their merit badge. Yes. You want to have them up first, please. Thank you. Absolutely. We will now go to public comments on items that will not be discussed on tonight's agenda. Please state your name and address for the record. You will be given four minutes to speak and two minutes to speak. If you are on zoom. Are there any public comments? Do you want to go to? Okay, for one moment, we're going to have a few comments on the proclamations from Commissioner Eisner. Go ahead sir. Thank you mayor. So to the Boy Scouts, I was not a Boy Scout. I was a Cub Scout. And I want you to know that you are our future. I'd like you to be able to go through life and to provide for people the kindness, the goodness and the learnings that you have learned and just do the right thing. When life treats you to knowing whether not to know whether to go right or wrong, always choose right. You will be helping people. You what you put out there, you will get back. So you are our future. I'm proud of you. This board is proud of you and keep doing the right thing, because I wish I could have gone on to be a Boy Scout. I had to stop as a Cub Scout and I admire all of you. I know you come to the Sunset Beach concerts and all of the events. You're always moving the cars around and parking, and I'm very proud to see you always doing the right thing. So continue on. It's a hard life, but choose it well and thank you for what you do. As far asked about I heard he asked if Cub Scouts first. Was that prior to public minutes? Are you having public minutes and then the Cub Scouts? We're just going to get a few commission comments out, and then we're going to have the public comments for this, for the scouts and everyone. Yes. So number two, I am very proud to be speaking about Black History Month. I love your place to spot. I think you have the kindest heart and I know you very well. You're a good friend of mine and I encourage everybody to try it. Ryan, I love what you do with the kids. Is he is he here or he he had to go. Well, I love what Ryan does with the kids at the Boys and Girls Club and his wife. And you're a part of Tarpon Springs, and I respect everything that you do. So thank you for what you do. And you always have my support. So thank you. That's it. Thank you. We will now go to public comments for the questions that some of the scouts had. Please come. Please come on up. Yeah. You just yeah. There's the podium right there. And you guys, you guys just have to state your names. You don't have to state anything else. Hi, my name is Dylan. Is there a time on how long you can be in the position? Yes. Our current structure right now is each term is three years long, and you're allowed to serve two consecutive three year terms. But once you do that, you have to come off of the board for at least one year for until another seat opens up. Thank you, thank you. You're welcome sir. When did you first get elected? For myself, my first election was in March 2022. And there is another election that's going to happen on March 11th, 2025. But I'm going. I ran for right now I'm in the mayor's spot, but I went to run back for my initial seat commissioner for and so it was unopposed. And so I will be serving for another three years, starting in April through March 2028. And some of the board members are on the same schedule, but some are off by one year, so their election cycle will end next year. Thank you. You're welcome sir. Is there a limit on how many times you can be the mayor? I. I yes, it falls if it falls with you. Have to. You can only serve two consecutive three year terms. You would have to come off for a year. But the thing with the mayor spot is, if you're serving two, two consecutive three year terms and you come off of the mayor's seat, you would have to wait three years again to run, and you'd end up having to run against somebody who just got elected as mayor, who was probably going to run again. So, you know, running against what they call an incumbent at that time. But there's no limit on how many times you can run. But were there some questions about the scouts needing to pass a certification, or at least attend a city meeting or something along the lines of that they had to attend a meeting and they had they had to meet with an elected official. And those are some of the questions that, that they had to ask. Okay. If you need us to sign off anything, just please send it to our office and we'll be more than happy to certify it all. So thank you. Okay. Very much. Thank you. Are there any other public comments? How are you doing, mayor? My name is Andrew McQueen. My father lives at 1885 Wood Trail Court, right outside of the city in the unincorporated area. I moved away right after I graduated high school here in Tarpon Springs. I moved out to Arizona, where I raised my family. I came back recently when my father got elderly and had some medical issues that he needed to be watched over more closely. We came into town and we've had very difficulty finding a place to park our RV, which we brought with us. I didn't realize how much changes had happened while we were out west. Tarpon has grown a lot and there's a lot more new people here, which is wonderful. It's one of the best places in the country, by the way, but it was a lack of places for the RV to park. We did attempt to find some RV parks in the city. We could not find any. They were taking anyone new just outside the city. We found our problems with 55 older parks, but nothing that would take a family. I have an autistic daughter who is dependent on on me. She's a level three autistic so can't speak or things like that, so it makes it kind of difficult to find housing. So we recently parked in the only place that we thought was very out of the way. No one would see us in a commercial area and we're self-sustainable. We were in Arizona and we built our thing up, so we were approached with an ordinance that exists on your books that basically says the RVs need to be an RV parks, which obviously makes a lot of sense. If that were possible. Unfortunately, what it seems is there's no solution to, to, to coming to, to come into compliance with that ordinance. So recently I've made a series of calls speaking to everyone from the city attorney's office to Irene and Pat and Kim and even the his assistant chief. Today I spoke with him concerning the situation with someone like me. Obviously you don't want RVs parked just anywhere willy nilly, but there has to be some kind of solution to be able to come into compliance with that ordinance, even if that solution is a private property that's accepting. But I've noticed with with no solutions available, it seems like there's some familial discrimination with the 55 and older. They're not allowing anyone with children into the parks, so that makes it very difficult when you know that in a discrimination case. And what brought me here today was I had a disturbing conversation that I had to say, so to speak, with Major Crawford. Now, I remember Major Trail. I mean, I knew him for many, many years. So Major Crawford I wasn't familiar with. He gave me a call back, and he basically told me about a state statute ordinance that he interpreted, says you can't park on any roads in the state of Florida. And this the statute was actually restricting certain places that you can't park, like double parking, parking on a limited access areas, on bridges, around excavation areas. It was very, very distinct on the legislation and but it did not it did not enforce anything from what we were doing. So we were we're really interested in making sure that we don't cause any blight or be of any nuisance within the city of Tarpon Springs, but we have had a very difficult time finding a solution within the city. And that's what brought me here today, is to say that while we my father probably won't be here very long, so we we're not going to be here very long until the, the estate is all settled and things like that. But for people in the future that are moving from other areas to come back to their families who are growing and aging, now, there should be some kind of solution. I had no idea what we were coming into. And it's been it's been daunting to say the least. But when you have. A semi valid threats of enforcement, it then puts an added additional stress. While I'm dealing with my father, I'm dealing with my daughter. I'm dealing with my 15 year old son. I'm trying to, to, to, to pay all these bills and things and just, just live life. I'm being met with challenges that are unsurpassable. I had Kim one time on the phone told me, well, you just need to vacate the city. I said, well, that's you're asking a lot, so I'm going to give you about another 15 seconds to wrap it up, and then I'll give you the proper context and you can email me to that way I see what's going on. Go ahead sir. That is that is the end of my story. So I think you understand the problem that I'm having, and I'm hoping they can come to a solution for people like myself that come in at some time in the near future. Sure, sir. If you can just grab my card, shoot me an email, and I'll. I'll be able to follow up on what's where it's all been going and just be able to look at it. But yeah, no, we got some policies in place for, for certain reasons. So, you know, we'll look into it all. Thank you sir. Thank you so much. You have a beautiful day. Thank you. Next speaker please. Mr. Mayor, commissioners and city manager, my name is Jane Harrington. 1021 Jamaica Way. Two things I just want to say to the Boy Scouts, you're so cute. My husband is an Eagle Scout from way back, and he got the order of the arrow. And I still have his sash when he got when he was 15. And I have saved that ever since I met him. His mother told me what he was and took out this wonderful album. So please keep your things and keep going. And I would agree, don't wait till you're 18. The reason I'm here is, as you know, at the Board of Commissioners meeting on January 7th, during the public comments, I spoke in support of the change of the food truck ordinance. When I attended the planning and zoning meeting on January 27th. I was offended by the way a certain board member characterized my public comments, which were officially on the record when I made them January 7th from the person included, ridiculed the person. Ridiculed that I said I would drive to Saint Pete's to go to a food truck, and I needed to take my own food to the breweries and wine bars, which the businesses encourage and are open to the public. Bringing in food from other establishments or themselves. And then the person additionally made up and insinuated that these people would bring their own drinks. That was uncalled for. It was never said. I never insinuated that no professional board member should have the right to refer to someone else's inputs with distortion and ridicule that belittles the individual and devalues their perspective. This is a matter of ethics and personal responsibility for board members to treat all citizens with respect and dignity, retain the original context of public comments without manipulation or derogatory perspective to serve their own interests. I do not think that was a fair representation. The I encourage you all to access and listen to those comments of January 27th. I did in the end, get up and tell the board member I was the person who said that. And secondly, there was a lot of comments on there going to take all their money. They won't stay in Tarpon. They, you know, people come only for a food truck, never come back. I can tell you we had never been to that area of Saint Petersburg. I again have lived here for five years. We have gone back there twice. We have eaten at different restaurants that are down there. We did not go back for another food truck. That food truck happened to be from owned by people from where I came from originally from Buffalo, New York. So to say that people would come here only once for a food truck, they're going to experience Tarpon Springs, and we need younger new people, new ideas here in Tarpon Springs. I appreciate that, but again, I don't appreciate being ridiculed. And I do think you should listen to that whole meeting I had. I will continue to go to some of the meetings, but people can't treat other people like that. You folks are all professional. You hold a nice board meeting. I think everyone should. Thank you very much. Thank you ma'am, are there any other public comments? Good evening. Peter Lacus, 514 Ashland Avenue. Just briefly, I applaud all the scouts to continue training and camping, and I had a vision once of some property here in Tarpon that we could have put a preserve and park. And part of my vision was to put cabins and fire rings, just like what they got at Wyatt Lani. But at this point, the vision has been snuffed. So let's get on to further business. My passage tonight is Luke. Correction Matthew 2531 to 46 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, he will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, come, you who are blessed by my father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you. Since the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him. Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did you see? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? Then the king replied, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers of mine, you did for me. Then he will say to those on the left, depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger, and you did not invite me in. I needed clothes and you did not clothe me. I was sick and in prison, and you did not look after me. They all will answer. Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, or a stranger, or needing clothes, or sick, or in prison and did not help you? He will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of them the least of these you did not do for me. Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. And why do I bring this up? Because over the last few months, with new changes in state laws, it's now almost criminal to be homeless, criminal to be homeless. And why do we have such a problem with homelessness? And I'm really pleased to see the article from last week where they all decided not to do anything about more short term rentals because more houses go into Airbnbs, takes more houses off the market. But I want to show you something else, a little ploy that's totally legal, and how these big companies end up getting houses. Times did an article series around January about all these corporations buying houses and renting them out. In fact, if you get the business observer you can see down in Lee County and Collier, they're building developments with just rent to own houses. But just shortly here in the public records, there's a section called Tax Deeds. And you can apply and buy tax deeds. Now listen to who's buying the taxes. You won't see John Smith or George Harry. You'll see black Cub SB muni custodian for ram tax lien fund, ram tax lien fund, ram tax lien fund, ram tax lien fund, ram tax lien fund, ram tax lien fund. Your time is up. JPL investments next speaker, please. Ram tax time is up, sir. Next speaker please. Woodland, California. These are the people taking houses off. Are there any other public comments? Hey, Mr. Saxon, how are you doing, sir? Pretty good. Mayor, commissioners. City manager. Police chief. Thanks for letting me have four minutes to speak about my project. I was a Cub Scout. I was a Boy Scout. I learned to follow a trail. I came to Tarpon and I found a trail. That trail was a stone with a hole in it. What did it mean? It was a giant stone with a big Ole 17 or 18 inch hole in it. And as an archeologist, I spent six years puzzled with the mystery of what would one of these stones with a big hole in it be? It turned out to be an ancient stone anchor from the fleet of Atlantis. That fleet had giants in it. You can't ignore the evidence. So my suggestion would be to put a stone circle over there. Where the. Near near the Spring Bayou. The sun Bay motel property. We have the only stone circle in the entire world that's made up of nothing but stone anchors. And the more the people find out about it, the higher the price those stone anchors go for. They're worth probably $100,000 a piece. And we can buy them for $2,500 a piece at this point. And I had a group of people all set to buy their stones and give these stones to the city. But because of the last stone I placed at the previous mayor, Acosta's permission was taken away. So I want to settle that issue because I have $2,500 invested in that stone that's in the city dump. So I'd like to bring this to an issue on an agenda where you can vote on a stone ankh or circle or not. I'm pretty well known worldwide at this point for finding them, but I could use the publicity and a stone anchor circle would serve the community by bringing tourism and pilgrims from all over the world. That's about all I have to say. Thank you, Mr. Saxton. Are there any other public comments? Sorry, sir. Mr. Baxter. There are no further public comments. We have one email that was sent in and I'm going to read it. It is from Irene Inglis at 1307 Mears Boulevard, Tarpon Springs, Florida. 34689. The items on the mobile food dispensing. Irene Inglis I own many Greek street donuts, established 2020. I wanted to address the P and Z meeting from Monday, January 27th, 2025, which pertained to changing the ordinance to allow food trucks on private property. The P and Z Department has done an absolute best, has done its absolute best to restrict food trucks starting in September 2020. They have done their job well and have left no loose ends. I believe my business should be given a fair opportunity to operate at the sponge docks. The taxpaying citizens that own property at the docks welcome us on their property because they understand the impact that Millie has. Millie will be a great addition to the docks. It draws people. I have successfully made it to my fifth year in business with a very loyal following. Miss Francis from the P and Z board mentioned some people traveled from Saint Pete for food trucks. Millie has drawn attention from all over. I have served tourists from many states who specifically put Millie on their list of things to do when in town. I also have lost a lot of business because of the very tight and restrictive food truck laws, only allowing us to operate during a special event. Therefore, naturally, I miss them. I may not have a brick and mortar, however, that doesn't make my business any less valuable than others. We offer an authentic cultural experience for all. This community has supported us immensely. Our lines at First Friday speak volumes. I am asking for an opportunity to grow my brand and my business in my hometown. Thank you for your time. And so we will now go on to consent agenda. Item three Award file number 250073-NPH. Single source purchase of caterpillar. Original equipment manufacturer OEM Parts and services. Item four increase file number 240076. Dash n Dash H single source purchase of Ford original equipment manufacturer OEM automotive Parts and Services. Item five increase Award request for proposal RFP number 240115-P-JL Planning Support Services. Item six renew file number 240144-C-PH. Lightning repairs or lighting repairs, maintenance and installation of street lighting. Utilities utilizing the Florida Department of Transportation contract number E 51C4. Item seven satisfaction release of leans. Item eight. Special events eight A Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Craft Festival 2025 updated eight b 50th Annual Tarpon Springs Fine Arts Festival on the Bayou 2020 five. Eight C Sunset Hills PTA color one, 2025. Commissioners. Are there any agenda items that you would like to pull in? The city manager will be pulling item eight A correct fine. Five and any other items. Commission okay. We will now go to public comments on items three on consent agenda items three, four, six, seven, eight B and eight C. Are there any public comments on those consent agenda items? Hearing none. The chair will entertain a motion to approve consent agenda items three four, six through 78B and eight C, so moved. Second, there are no further comments or discussion. Roll call please. Mr. Panther. Yes, Commissioner DiDonato. Yes. Commissioner Eisner. Yes. Vice mayor Giuliani's. Yes, mayor. Yes, yes. We are now on to item five. Increase award request for proposal RFP number 240115-P- JL planning support Services Commissioner Eisner. Yes, I wanted an explanation of how it went up that much. That's what I was needing. I can address that. Mayor. The originally the planning and zoning budget was just for the special area plan update. Well, now it includes the master plan from the CRA, which obviously was more money. So rather than take wipe out her planning services budget, it'll come out of the CRA. But it's more than was originally budgeted for her line, but it is pretty much 50% of the CRA funds, right. With what we have now in there. The cost. No, the overall cost. There's no budget line. And I'm not sure the line is coming out of the CRA, but the but Rene's budget was for the special area plan and for other contractual services. Rather than wipe that out, completely deplete it for the CRA master plan and the Special Area plan, we're making this adjustment. Well, my question is because it went from 150,000 to 350,000, an increase of $200,000. I'm not saying that it's not going to be utilized correctly, but I believe at this point I don't know if Ron is here. No, I don't see him. But we only have, I think, 600,000 in that crate fund. No. Well, the CRA portion of the plan is not the I forget the amount. No. Do you remember the amount? 127,000 for the CRA master plan? Okay. I just thought it was a large jump without a really good explanation of what we were spending, so. Okay. Are there any public comments on item five? It. Are there any zoom comments on item five? And so at this time thank you. Are there any other commission comments? Hearing? None. The chair will entertain a motion to approve consent agenda item five. So second there are no further comments. Roll call please. Commissioner. Panther. Yes, Commissioner. DiDonato. Yes. Commissioner. Eisner. Yes. Vice mayor Giuliani's. Yes. Mayor. Kolya's. Yes. And we have item eight, a Tarpon Springs sponge Docks Craft Festival 2025 update. City manager thank you. Mayor. Yeah, the it was updated because I had requested a change in the format to not include the block down in front of the river shops after that time. After this was submitted, those shops had a meeting, asked me to attend and the lighthouse shops as well. And collectively they asked that they be included in the festival and they, they worked out an agreement. They all agreed that it was better when the tents were across the street from them, but they agreed to alternate years and requested that we do include that block in the festival. And then the other little change to move the October date up one week to the October 11th and 12th weekend, so it didn't conflict with the Taste of Tarpon event. Okay, sure. Are there any other comments from the Commission? Are there any public comments on item eight? A. I t are there any zoom comments and we do not have anyone in attendance at this time. Thank you. The chair will entertain a motion to approve consent agenda item eight A so moved. Second, there are no further comments. Roll call please, Mr. Panther. Yes, Commissioner DiDonato. Yes, Commissioner Eisner. Yes. Vice mayor Giuliani's. Yes, mayor. Yes. We are now going on to business items. Item nine revisions of the city's code related to city boards. And we'll have Attorney Dickman take it from here. Thank you. Mayor, just real quickly, city clerk myself, Mr. Paul Smith and the city manager were meeting. And the reason was to kind of come up with a set of rules and procedures that would apply to all the boards and committees under under the city. And it basically occurred to me that since it appears as though that all the boards and committees are codified differently, some of them are in your code, some of them are in your land development code. Some of them are just, you know, created by resolution. And so my suggestion and the city manager and I agreed that we would just come to you, you all, to kind of get your blessing, to go forward with an ordinance that will bring them all together under what I typically see is in the code of ordinances under chapter two, which is entitled administration. And that's where I usually see, you know, all the boards and committees in one place. And I think that would be helpful for the public as well, makes it easier to find, you know, the purpose and intent of every board and what their reasoning is and so forth. So this is just asking for permission to go forward with that and bring an ordinance forward. Thank you. Are there any public comments on this item? Relax. 514 Ashland Avenue. Long needed really. As you mentioned, 13 boards and a lot of the boards do have discretion to set up their own rules. And being that I just saw this the other day, a couple of things. One, some boards being quasi and some legislative, if you're I wouldn't want to try to make all the groups have the same guidelines. So right off the bat you may want to start looking at guidelines and structure. And, you know, for quasi judicial and then legislative, because they both, in a sense have a couple of different approaches. But I still would recommend that you allow the boards themselves to have some flexibility to set their own rules and guidelines based on the needs for that particular board, the Board of Adjustments and Planning and Zoning Board. They can do more quasi judicial, so they may be under certain things that you couldn't. But then you have boards, you know, like the public art committee or the sustainability committee. And, you know, with them you may want to give them some looser reins to, you know, have to play with, but otherwise it would make sense to put all the boards in one, because as you mentioned, you can see even in the charter, there's stuff about the Board of adjustments. And then you see the land development code has the planning, and then you got Heritage Board and all these other boards. So I think it's a good start. You may want to poll or come up with some kind of a little questionnaire survey to give out to the boards to get their recommendations as to what would maybe be helpful to them in rules fashion, in making their decisions or such. So that way you can get some feedback from the board. So it's not like, here's our new rules and oh geez, it's coming top down. So it's a good start. It's not something I can see having been done in a month or two, but I think over a period of time bringing it back, letting us see what you've worked on and getting the feedback. Maybe by the end of the year we can maybe come up with something. Thank you. Are there any other public comments? It are there any zoom comments? And we do not have anyone in attendance at this time. Thank you. Back to staff comments. Commissioner Eisner. Your light was on first. Yes. Thank you mayor. So I agree with what Mr. Velasquez just said. To a certain point. We do have not only quasi judicial, but we also have recommendation boards versus final decision boards. I think the easiest way to do it is to start to have the same ten years and time frames on these boards, because we have that as different as well, so we can have some semblance of order on all of the boards, maybe that, you know, after ten years you're off or you can be on for X amount of time how many terms you could serve. But quasi judicial is completely different than legislative. And I don't know how you make that blend. I don't know how you make the blend of having a recommendation board versus a final decision board. So those are the things where it starts getting sticky. So I'm all for trying to get some semblance of order, because I know it's very difficult for our city clerk to handle it. Every every single board has a different rule and regulation. So I would like to see something that is more conducive and more generalization that all the boards could have. I just don't know if you could do that across the board with every board. So that's going to be your trouble to fix. But thank you. Thank you, Commissioner DiDonato. I just wanted to clarify. Are we talking more of conduct and policies procedures? I can see, Mike, as brought forward by former Commissioner Delacruz, that there are different aspects to each, each committee. So I could certainly see that. But I know where you're coming from. You just mentioned in all kinds of different places in our, our structure. And it really, to me, should all be in one spot. I certainly think that all committees representative of the city need to follow the same rules that we should be following up here that we do have. So I want to make sure that that gets out as it does to us, that it gets out to all people serving on the committees. That's my primary thing as far as terms and, and I don't know what gender has to do with it. But as far as terms have. I think most of them have that to my knowledge. I know on the few that I've served on that structure is there, but I don't think all of them have that, so it would be something to look at. But again, I would remind the commission and the public that we need the volunteers to fill those spots. So therein lies one of our dilemmas in that we don't have an abundance of volunteers all the time. Sometimes we do and sometimes we don't, but that has to be considered as well, is all I'm saying. Thank you, Commissioner DiDonato. Commissioner Banther. Yes. Yes, mayor. Thank you. I'm in. I'm. I'm in full support of this as well. I think some of the bigger issue, though, we need to we need to, you know, think about when we're doing this and thinking about kind of holistically how we approach advisory boards. I know I spent six years on advisory boards. Commissioner Eisner, you had a similar tenure. And, Commissioner, you know, you are planning and zoning and commissioner did not. I'm sure you've been on every board. I think we have pretty much at this point. And so it's important. It's this is how we I hate to use the word groom, but how we grow future city commissioners, right? And right now we can't fill most of our board spots. Thank God. The ones that are quasi judicial, that we depend on to function like Board of Adjustments and Planning and Zoning. I believe we have enough for a quorum. But, you know, I'm not singling anybody out. And this board is definitely headed in the right direction. But I think for us to be able to get more board applicants and also more people than running for our seats because we're term limited and none of us want want to want to want to be up here forever, that, you know, we need to create the environment that people want to serve. Like, you know, in in 2008, when I first got on the heritage, the Heritage Board, you know, I wanted to do that. I I'm kind of a dork, admittedly, but I was in my late 20s wanting to get involved. That's what we need to foster. So I really think how we listen there's board members. Commissioner Eisner have had words when he was on a board, if you recall, that, you know, like, it happens. Right. But, you know, overall, I really think we need to be careful what we say in public about other board members, how we talk about them and things like that, and even each other to a to an extent, because the only way we're going to be able to we can create all the rules we want and have everything codified perfectly for all of our boards. But if we don't have people on them or wanting to serve, it's just not much good. So I think it's the job, though, for all of us, myself included. I have areas for, for improvement that we, you know, really holistically try and get people on these boards and we try and create the environment where people want to volunteer and serve. And that's just my $0.02 on that. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Banther. I just I'm interested in to see and how we have our dates, our times. You know, our structure, rules, conduct. Obviously the public records applies to them, but I think it just needs to be re reiterated and a very stern way. Also you know there's. This conflict of interest thing we need to figure out because you know I've received there's some boards if there are conflicts. And you know I've been told by previously by Mr. Salzman I'm allowed to participate, but I can't vote on an item if there's a conflict. So I want to make sure we have that pretty consistent, you know, on, on some of these boards and, and how we, how we move forward with, you know, some of the planning and zoning and other departments and what's what I think. But as far as how do we get more people involved? Is it an evening thing? Is it, you know, people laugh. Do we pay them, you know, how are we going to get people here to sit in these meetings? So I would just just try to be creative in other ways to get people involved and show that they can be important and make a difference in the community. And that's how everybody starts off at some point. So I'm looking to see how this all comes about, but I'm looking at potentially trying to incentivize to get more people involved. And that is a mystery that we all an enigma that we're still trying to figure out. So let's see how it first starts off and we'll go from there. Would you like to say anything city manager? Is that do you think we have we feel like you have a consensus. Yeah, yeah. And also some very good feedback. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. That was. Revisions okay. Perfect. Next is item ten Award invitation to bid. We didn't need a motion on that. No no we just. Yeah. Just just. All right. Item ten Award invitation to bid ITB file number 250081-B-AS public library renovations. And we have Mr. Bob Robertson project administration. Thank you. Mayor. Yes, I am Bob Robertson, project administration department director. For this item, we're asking the board to award a construction contract to Master Builder Development Group incorporated for library renovations. The contract value is $697,200, half of which is funded by a public library construction grant from the State of Florida. Division of Library and Information Services. The project includes the addition of new makerspaces and expanded teen room. New study rooms. Excuse me, an additional meeting room, more quiet space, and other improvements such as updated light fixtures, sound dampening, new carpeting and new paint. So it's really quite getting quite the facelift. The contractor will be given 120 days to substantially complete the work after notice to proceed. And that concludes my staff report, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Are there any public comments on this item? It are there any zoom comments? And we do not have anyone in attendance at this time hearing none. The chair will entertain a motion to approve agenda item ten. So moved. Second, there are no further comments. Roll call please, Mr. Panther. Yes, Commissioner DiDonato. Yes, Commissioner Eisner. Yes. Vice mayor Giuliani's. Yes. Mayor. Yes. Yes. Thank you. We are now going to our ordinance and resolutions. Item 11, resolution 2025-11 ratification of Executive Orders 2025-07 and 202509 extending a declaration of state of emergency for Tarpon Springs due to Hurricane Helene. City attorney, can you please read the title? Yes, sir. Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Tarpon Springs, Florida. Ratifying Executive Order 2020 5-07, extending the declaration of local state of emergency to extending the declaration of local state of Emergency to January 28th, 2025 and ratifying Executive Order 2020 5-09, extending the declaration of local state of emergency to February 4th, 2025 and providing for an effective date hereof. Thank you, City Attorney. Are there any public comments on this item? I t are there any zoom comments and we do not have anyone in attendance at this time? Thank you. The chair will entertain a motion to approve agenda item 11, resolution 2025-11. So second, there are no further comments or discussion. Roll call please. Commissioner. Panther. Yes, Commissioner. Donato. Yes. Commissioner. Eisner. Yes. Vice mayor will be in it. Yes, mayor. Quiet. Yes. Item 12, resolution 2025-12. Ratification of Executive Orders 202508 and 2025 dash ten. Extending a declaration of state of emergency for Tarpon Springs due to Hurricane Milton. City attorney, can you please, please read the title? Yes, sir. Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Tarpon Springs, Florida. Ratifying Executive Order 2020 5-08. Extending the declaration of local state of emergency to January 28th, 2025 and ratifying Executive Order 2025 Dash ten, extending the declaration of local state of emergency to February 4th, 2025, and providing for an effective date hereof. Thank you. Are there any public comments on item 12? I.T. Are there any zoom comments and we do not have anyone in attendance at this time? Thank you. Hearing none, the chair will entertain a motion to approve resolution 2025-12. So moved. Second, there are no further comments or discussion. Roll call please. Commissioner. Panther. Yes. Commissioner. Donato. Yes. Commissioner. Eisner. Yes. Vice mayor Giuliani's. Yes. Mayor. Yes. Yes. Item 13. Ordinance 202501 Land Development Code amending article four has been deferred to a future date. And with that, that ends, that ends. This concludes the regular session. We will now go to board and staff comments. Police Chief Jeff Young. No comments sir. Thank you, city attorney Mr. Dickman. No comment please. City clerk, Miss Jacobs. No comment. Thank you. City manager, Mr. Rudd, no comments. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Banther. Yes. Thank you. I just want to encourage my colleagues. I'm sure most of you do. But I have to remind myself that, you know, I'm sure plenty of plenty of our employees get complaints, right? So and so looked at me wrong or whatever, and they get complaints. But over and abundantly, we get compliments on them. Right. And it's and it's all throughout our week. Right. And people know you're in office and they'll say, hey, I had a good interaction with X or Y and I, you know, like to email those to the city manager's. I so we can pass them along. And then I did a letter today for the police officer that did the thing for the dog when he was called at Walmart. It's small things, right. But I do think it matters for the file. So I encourage you all, if you don't, to make sure that you give those out. Anyways, thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Banther. Commissioner Donato. I have some things, but not tonight. Thank you, thank you. Okay. Commissioner Eisner so I want to dovetail off of what Commissioner Bamford just said. I happen to see the same officer, and I stopped my car and thanked him for that kind gesture. It was a homeless family and a homeless dog. It was a cold night, and I just wanted him to know that many people saw what he did. It was super kind and I agree with you 100%. Whenever I see our our staff, I always stop and make sure that I thank them for what they do and they greatly appreciate it. Second thing, I will be next week at Forward Pinellas on Wednesday the 12th representing Tarpon Springs, and I have some very important things to bring up about school safety. And at the same time, FEMA response. And on the 13th, I am in a meeting for Safe Streets, which they have me up on a board trying to keep kids safe from being injured through car accidents and busts and all kinds of issues like that. I also wanted to recommend to the board that there are a number of cities and towns that are sending in letters updating their request to FEMA, because I don't think that we were helped enough for the hurricane that hit us. I'm not going to take anything away. Carolina's got affected much worse, but they're also putting in a request. And I think there's been a readjustment and a reorganization of FEMA. And I would like to see us as a board send out a letter to our representative, Anna Paulina, and let her carry it over to, you know, whether she carries it to the president or anyone who could help us, because there are still people suffering there, selling their houses as is, because they're frustrated. It's been 3 or 4 months, and I had a discussion at Forward Pinellas asking the young lady, how many FEMA RVs do you think are in Pinellas County? And she said, I really don't know. But she did some research, and she came back to me with an email two days later and said, Commissioner Eisner, there was one. Now, you can't imagine how many people are displaced or living with somebody else with family on a hotel. And we have one RV in all of Pinellas County. They will not place an RV. The FEMA will not replace place an RV on any house that was flooded. That is such an absurd thing. Who else would need it? I also found out that they have 366 RVs that are on hold waiting for permits. They're not flexible. RVs like you would go and buy that are on wheels. They need to be placed on a location that's approved. They need to have electric run to it by a contractor. They need to have water lines run to it. It is. There's so much red tape with this. It's just. But meanwhile we have people from September who are frustrated and don't know what to do. So I would like to send a letter to get help. I'd like to see some of these rules and regulations get changed with the red tape. That's that's just tying up people. These are people in need and they need to have a place to stay. So I would like to see if we could construct a letter and get it out ASAP. That's all that. Is that something you would like to focus on? Doing the letter yourself and then having us as a commission? I'm happy. I'm happy to do that. Yes. I mean, you have you have my approval. I don't think everything everyone else from the board, I just want to make sure that the whole board is on, you know, on board with this. I don't want to do something where the board is not in approval of this. I think we've been shortchanged. And as a as a well, we've been shortchanged as Pinellas County. But I'm mostly concerned right now with Tarpon Springs. I asked the question of Pinellas County, and I got back, unfortunately, a foolish answer. So, you know, to tell me that they have one RV in all of Pinellas County when we know there are tens of thousands of people displaced, was not acceptable to me. Yes. And I believe over 31,000 homes were affected, if not more so. Yeah. Okay. Thank you for those comments sir. And look forward to the letter. Commissioner DiNardo, your light is on. Yes, I had forgotten one. One thing. I'm following up there is out of Oldsmar, and this would be for the city attorney and the city manager as well. They're suggesting items that are evaluated under the 50% rule for FEMA, that some of them can be not accounted for. In other words, lowering the threshold that would increase the ability for some people to rebuild. There. It's new for them. So I don't know what the results are, but I'm following it. And maybe the city manager council if you, you know. Yeah, let's find out what they're doing. And the city attorney would need to check in and make sure we can. But basically they're just devaluing certain things. I'm not sure exactly what that involves, but it is lowering the overall threshold, therefore allowing them to rebuild a little better under the 50% rule. So it's the evaluation of what's been done. So I'd like us to at least check into that. Thank you. Commissioner DiDonato. Commissioner Eisner, real quick, let me answer what you just asked, Commissioner DiNardo, one thing that I would tell you, and I'd recommend this to everybody to get your house reappraised, because that's a lot of the problems. People have the lower appraisal, and they're falling under the over the 50% rule. When they get it appraised, they wind up with more money and they can actually fix the house. So that's one thing that I would tell you. The other thing is in part of my letter, I want FEMA to try to not ignore, but to forgive people that are close to the 50%. If they're in that 60%, there's no need for them to have to raise their house and bring everything up to code. That makes it a un unachievable. You know, expense. They're hurt already. They lose all their contents. And on top of that, now they have to, you know, move all their electric, move their air conditioning. I mean, in order to. Become FEMA approved, you have to bring everything up to code with the current code. So and believe me when I tell you FEMA has a lot of issues. They actually took. And I don't mind saying this. I have flood insurance and they took a $2,400 payment away from me and bought me secondary flood insurance, which is kind of illegal, and I don't even know why they did it. I can't get an answer. I've spoken to FEMA, I can't get an answer why they bought it and I can't get an answer. Why the insurance company issued it. It's a three year policy and I've got to break it. But I don't even know how because they can't. Nobody wants to hear what I have to say. So there's a communication issue as well. That was not with my approval. Thank you. Thank you. Vice Mayor Giuliani's. Yeah, I that gentleman that came up and spoke about the RVs, maybe our city manager could talk to him, because I know you have an RV and you know where you can park and do things. So you might be able to give him some, some help. On a personal note, I had to leave the last meeting a little early. Does that require a motion to excuse? I thought you were already present at the meeting, and so I don't. I was there when roll call was taken, but I would the city attorney. Do you know if that requires a motion? Sorry, I don't believe so. You were there unless the clerk has any other information on this. But if you're there to start the meeting, if you. You did excuse yourself. And I believe that was it. I think it was documented in the record. So I don't believe the commission has to vote on that. I do have a question. Yes, that's actually relevant, because my wife and I are starting to plan our summer vacations for our daughters. And I think after I got off, wasn't there a rule change like if you missed two meetings or is it two meetings in a row, or is it two meetings in a year? Unexcused meetings so you can get them? Can you get them excused in advance or how does that work? Sure. I don't see why we wouldn't be able to work that out. Okay. I'm just, you know, it's a whole new world, right? So I'm just making sure we know. Okay. Thank you. Absolutely. We'll be supporting that. That was my comment. Thank you, thank you. I'm going to first I want to just recognize it's the ten year anniversary of the men's high school basketball team reaching the Final four. It was the only team in school history to go 31 and two under coach Woodcock. So it's ten year anniversary and we just wanted to bring that up. And there have been some players who have been gone on to do some great things, including Scotty James, who is a pro basketball player in China, as well as Mitch Wilcox, who's believed in his sixth year now in the NFL and plays for the New England Patriots. So and there's a lot of other young players who have gone on to be great contributors to society and do great things. So we just wanted to recognize them. As far as the I just want to update you on the Sister Cities program, the letters have been sent out. All the responsibility is going to fall on you, vice mayor, mayor elect, if they do decide to come in the summer. So get ready. But no, the letters have been sent out requesting them, even if they can only send one person just so we can finish the twinning ceremonies, we got to do it. And so I just sent them out. And that's all I have to say for this meeting. So this concludes the regular session. Meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m. And yeah, we're going to start the CRA meeting at 750. Thank you. All right. Commission, if we can get back to our seats, we're going to start the CRA meeting. I'm watching first. Mr. You get a little edge on me. I now call to order the special session agenda for the community Redevelopment agency of the City of Tarpon Springs, Florida, on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 at 7:52 p.m. Miss Jacobs, roll call, please. Yes. Here. Vice chair Koulianos here, Commissioner Eisner here. Commissioner DiDonato. Here, Commissioner. Panther, here. And the first item on tonight's agenda is discussion and direction for the Jitney exhibition. Building solicitation. Thank you. Mayor, this is an item I think everyone is familiar with. Has been has been around for a little while. And we do have a number of people here that can answer questions, both on staff and from the historical society. Any specific technical questions? But really the request is to put this out to bid so we can have an informed discussion about the actual cost of the building. And then because right now it's all speculation. And this has been going on a number of years. So I think, you know, as you know, prices are changing. So the request is to let us have us put this out to bid, so then we can come back to the board with the reality of the situation, what the cost would be, and then talk about the specifics in terms of, you know, how that might be funded. And if you want to talk about the location and so forth. But tonight's request is simply to allow staff to issue an invitation to bid and bring back some actual actual numbers to the Commission for consideration. Thank you. Seems are we are there any public comments on this item? Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Commissioners, thank you for the opportunity to speak to you tonight. My name is Nicole Farris Kerr, and I'm here on behalf of the Tarpon Springs Area Historical Society. We're here to request that you authorize City Manager Charles Rudd to solicit bids for the construction of the Jitney Exhibition building adjacent to the historic train depot, the historical Society and the city have had a long, successful public private partnership that has benefited the community. The city owns the historic train depot and leases it to the Historical Society, who opens it to the public as a history museum with exhibits donated from city residents. The History Museum helps to keep our past alive and educate our young people and tourists about the life and people of Tarpon Springs. In continuing with this public private partnership, the Historical Society accepted an extremely unique automobile that was modified by immigrant ingenuity to serve a need of our community. The 1926 Jitney provided mobility to city residents at a time when the luxury of every home having an automobile did not exist. The Jitney has been in storage since 1951, and was in extremely poor condition from being stored for over 62 years. The Historical society raised private funds from the community in excess of $45,000 for a first class restoration of the jitney to full operating condition. The desire of the Ypsilantis family, the historical society and donors was to make the jitney available to as many people as possible. In that regard, the history, society and the city have been in discussion for a number of years to on the best way to display the jitney and allow it to be used in parades, exhibitions and for special events. The previous Board of Commissioners budgeted $100,000 in CRA funds to construct the Jitney Exhibition Building, adjacent to the train depot. Former city manager Mark licorice relocated two handicapped spaces to a convenient location nearby on Court Street to accommodate the approved exhibition building location south of the train depot. The architectural design and construction drawings for the Jitney Exhibition building were donated by Ed Hoffman Jr, a local architect and member of the Historical Society Board of directors. And Mr. Hoffman is here with us tonight. Mr. Hoffman also secured the skills of other professional disciplines who donated their services to facilitate the site design. We submitted with our package enclosures, which include a 1948 newspaper article about the Jitneys in Tarpon Springs and photographs of the Jitney in its before and after restoration state. In 2026. The jitney will be 100 years old, and the best centennial present would be to install the jitney in the new Glass Exhibition garage for all of Tarpon Springs to see and enjoy. The restoration of the Jitney has been a successful public private partnership for many years, and given the efforts of the city and Mr. Hoffman, we are at a point where the next step is to have the Board of Commissioners authorize City Manager Charles Rudd to solicit formal bids for the Glass Exhibition Building. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any other public comments? Excuse me? I'm not sure. Is the consultant? If I am I in a different group or just the public? I can comment as the public though as well. Four minutes sir, that should do that if you need additional I mean I don't mind. Okay, well just, just, just a comment that the museum history museum is such a treasure to our town and it's basically our memory bank of what happened in this city, who we are, why we are where we are. It's also a tremendous attraction. The number of visitors that we have is absolutely amazing. And I'm sorry I don't have that number on my head, but the exhibits that we have are all fascinating. But one of the most special, you know, feature exhibits we have is this Jitney automobile. I think this that I think is in your packet, you know, where it has the sponge exchange $0.05 written on the side of the jitney. You know, this isn't a generic photo. This is this is local from here. And I think it's something we're so proud of. And so the idea here is that by having this display, this garage in very close proximity to the museum allows people to come see our favorite installation, favorite artifact that we have 24 over seven. I mean, you come down here late at night or in the morning. Anytime you can go look at the jitney, it'll be lit up. And so we just think it's going to be a real strong attraction, particularly when you talk about it as the CRA, the idea of bringing business, bringing people to downtown, I think it will attract a lot of people. You know, you can only have so many bars and, and clubs and, and all, which are all great. But but this this is free. You can you can see it, you can visit it. And I think it'll be a big attraction. So with that, I'm here to answer a question from as being the architect. And does any commissioners have questions for Mr. Mr. Hoffman come back up, sir. I think commissioner eisner well I my first question is I wanted to know why Commissioner DiDonato brought this up because. What do you want of me? I wanted to know why you brought this up as an agenda item. Because I thought it was something the community should be aware of and moving forward. It's been going on for quite a while, and I'm surprised that you're surprised. Well, I have to tell you why I'm surprised because as I've listened to you in the past, you've voted down the same as you voted down the freebee. You voted down. Commissioner, I want to say something to you. For you to come at me like this right now. I want to tell you, there's hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table right now. If we if you want to go dime for dime, I'll do that with you. This has been a project that most everybody involved in this community has known for quite some time. And for you to start, this is totally uncalled for. So I when I first was a commissioner, this was proposed and I put out a survey to the people in the CRA area. I got 25 no's, I got ten yeses. I don't feel comfortable bringing something up. That's going to when the presentation was made by Mr. Hoffman, there was an excessive amount of money that had to be used to make this project work. At the same time, it was going to cost the CRA area somewhere around two, maybe $3,000 a year to keep it temperature controlled. So before I go and vote for anything that's going to cost the business people money, I would like to, as I did the first time, I would like to have a poll sent out to all the CRA people and see what they think about spending their money to, you know, to go ahead and do this. So I'm sorry a public comments done. Is this point of order? A point of order, mayor. Point of order. I'll wait till public comment. You get removed back to your seat. The commissioner is making this comment and we're going to go to public comments. Oh, wait, so you may have a seat. Oh, wait. Thank you mayor. We need money for revitalization and I don't see this being used for revitalization. I'm not interested in spending people's money when they're not even here to know what we're doing with this. I wasn't for this before. I know that Tom function made a proposal where it would be better suited to be at the Safford House, and I think that's where it belongs. A glass enclosure can be damaged by vandalism. It has to be, you know, stored a proper way. It's more so in a open area for hurricane. You'd have to have hurricane glass, all very expensive. Three years ago, when this project was presented to us, I don't think Commissioner DiDonato was present on that, but I know we may have a difference of opinion, but I know that that was a $300,000 proposal at the time. Only with inflation everything has gone up and I think it will come in way over three $300,000. It could probably be 4 or $500,000. I'm not against. I'm not against the Jitney. I'm just against where it should be placed. I think it would have much more exposure and clout at the at the Safford house. I just don't want to take up that area. I have a difference of opinion, but I still don't understand why it was brought up. We usually have two CRA meetings a year, maybe three at the most, and we just had a CRA meeting and it just I'm still going to repeat what I said. We why we it was brought up as an agenda item. Two weeks after we had another CRA meeting. It makes me ask why and I haven't gotten that answer. So thank you. Commissioner Donato, your light was on. We'll let you respond. I believe that our city manager sent out a letter to explain some of that, and I'm sorry that you had to explain it. People who are aware of Cras in other cities, if you talk to them, sir, you'll find out that they do frequently meet a lot more than we did in the past. And as far as your experience with when you were on the commission and it came forward, it actually goes much further back. Maybe, Eddie, you could tell us when this actually first started. I remember the exact date, but it's been around for quite a while. It's been on the burner and it's always been on the back burner. And I felt it's time that we make a decision. And as far as the spending the money, I would just tread lightly with those comments because you've certainly been able to do that. You cut here and you spend there. So let's don't get in this, this kind of an argument because it's not going to come fruitful. This is a project that people have wanted. It's a lot of it's been self-funded through donations and whatnot. It's been on the ground for how long, Eddie? I mean. This it's been around for a while. So four years. We've got it. You either don't use it and throw it away or sell it, but that's not what these people are here for. They're here to be heard. They've been trying to get this to come forward. There were there were commissioners in the past, quite frankly, I won't name, but who put a kibosh on it because they didn't they didn't like it. But I think that we need to decide as a unit to move it forward. And these people deserve that respect. Commissioner Banther, your light was on first and this is a discussion and direction. So we're going to let we're actually doing the residents a favor, letting the commission discuss a little bit. Then we'll let you guys talk. And then obviously this sounds like this is going to be an issue that's going to go into some more discussion and direction. So that's what we're doing right now. So please be patient. Thank you mayor I mean first off we as a board have to get away from this. Like I'm just going to say it how it is. If a person brings something up and person Y doesn't like person X, then we just don't do it. And I mean, we could sit here for the next year and go back and forth like that. Okay, we have to stop that. Now, I'm not saying that there aren't legitimate concerns about this project or any project, but it's like Commissioner Eisner, I say this with all due respect, because I think you and I have really turned the page in how we get along. Right. But you came prepared with a list, like you were ready to oppose this. And I you know, I'd be remiss if there was different people supporting it. You might you might feel differently. Maybe I'm wrong. We just have to get away from that. And, I mean, even my short tenure on this board, you know, I have probably surprised you, Commissioner Eisner, and things that I've gone along with you for, such as. And I realize you're probably still a little burnt about the electronic vehicle moving people around. You know, I was opposed to it. Not the not the concept, but the timing. And I supported it going through the process and us hearing numbers come back. I didn't just shoot it down because you and I are, aren't like best friends. Right? But I feel like that's the vibe here. And I just that's not going to go anywhere. That's not going to benefit the public at all. And I've heard a lot on this board, not just from Commissioner Eisner, but from others too, about, well, we're going to poll the residents, and there's nothing wrong with doing that, of course, but we're elected to be up here, especially you. I was appointed right now I'm elected unopposed. After April. The they don't elect us to get up here to then ask them constantly what what they want. Yes. Listen to residents. Ask residents, of course. But we don't live by polls up here. And so I'm not sure I would use that as a defining thing. So I don't want to go too down that rabbit hole. But I would encourage all of us, myself included, as I have really tried to work hard on that, because, you know, there was a year or two ago on this board, y'all would have tarred and tarred and feathered me, and we've really tried to go through working well together. And we have. But when we do things like this, when we oppose stuff because somebody else is saying it, we don't like, that's not going anywhere. But regardless, I, I'm in support of seeing some some final numbers on this. I think it's a great location. I don't think the Safford house is a good location. I mean, I think the Safford house should be moved to Spring Bayou, but I know you guys aren't aren't aren't ready for that. But, you know, I don't want if we're going to spend this kind of money, I don't want it tucked away in a side street. Like, if we're going to spend this kind of money, it might as well be at the appropriate place, which I believe is the train depot, which serves as, as as our museum. You know, I have some questions, too, in in future discussions about well, I talked to some residents or some business owners that are nearby about concerns of taking up those parking spaces and concerns if that would hinder any, any public events in that area. So we have lots of things to talk about here, but I'm in full support of staff doing their, their, their their due diligence coming back to us with final numbers. And then we can discuss whether or not this, this, this, this, this, this makes financial sense. And I'm sure there's lots of input that we can give staff as well to, to help improve that. But this should be a positive thing we're talking about. Or at worst maybe you just don't agree with it. It shouldn't we shouldn't be coming up here at each other like it's something that serious. So I would just encourage everybody, as I've tried to myself with, with the stamps thing that I switch my, my mind on with hearing your electronic vehicle process through. Let's, let's let, let's, let's let things play out. And when we have solid numbers and solid concepts of what's proposed, then we can debate those. But I don't think now is the time to jump into each other's throats. Thank you. Thank you. Vice Mayor Giuliani's. Yeah. Yeah, I think it's always dangerous when we impugn people's motives for why they might put something on the agenda or why they vote for things. We all come with our biases, right or wrong. And we all have some agenda. Some of our agendas are more altruistic. They, you know, benefit the town. Sometimes our agendas are are, you know, a little more personal. But I think we have to again refrain from impugning motivations. And I think we also need to step away from who. And I'm not saying that that commissioner has even implied this, but I've had these conversations. I don't care who comes and makes a proposal to the city. It's whether the project is good or not. You know, the people. You know, I just think we need to get away from that. But besides the point, yeah, I'm all in favor of letting the city manager go and get a bid. Let's find out what this really is going to cost, because right now we've we've just talked in hypotheticals. So let's get the bid. I think that I would I would also be in favor of you know, you did that like Nicole said, you guys did the fundraiser for to restore it. I think we could also do a fundraiser for the structure as well. You know, I count me in to donate. So I think we could do that. And then also let's but let's but before we are opposed something, let's find out what the heck it's going to cost and what to do it. So I think this is just a first step. And we should just go ahead and approve this. So I will thank you. I'm going to reserve Commissioner Iser be very brief please. That way we get public comments and move forward because I'm saving my comments for the end. So I do want to say that three of the five of us up here were not on the board when this was proposed three years ago. I said what I had to say then. I haven't changed my mind on it. It was proposed to us that it was $300,000 at the time. It's going to be more now. Nothing went down in price. I it's again, I'm not against the Jitney. I'm not against. But to create a separate glass museum and then strict, you know, restrict people to have to pay for this for the rest of the time that it's in there. And no offense, but I disagree. When I'm spending other people's money, I know I make the decision, but I'd like the input of the people that pay the taxes into the CRA funds, whether they feel this money should go towards that or to revitalization. I'm fully aware that we haven't had a CRA meeting. I read the email as well as you did. Commissioner Donato. So if we're going to adopt a one CRA meeting per month, we still didn't fall under that. We had one last month and we had one this month. So not for nothing, but it did make me put up my little antenna and say, why did we have this two weeks in a row? I did ask that of the city manager. It wasn't to make an attack on you. It was just it came as a shock to me that we have 2 or 3 CRA meetings a year, and now all of a sudden we have them back to back. So it also came as a little bit of a shock to me, because you've been conservative in your spending. And here we have $600,000 in the bank for the CRA area, and this is going to be between 300 plus thousand dollars a year for installation. And we're going to make people pay two, $3,000 a year to keep it up. That I don't think is fair to put on the business people that need revitalization. I would like to see that we have our meetings, as was recommended once a month, and utilize this money for revitalization rather than for a one item deal. Thank you. Okay, now we're going to go to public comments. Good evening. Board members Anita produced 901 Bayshore Drive. Go for the bid. Let's see what it is. We raised the money to save the Jitney. Thanks to Mr. Trapani, who talked to the gentleman that owned it. And we gave it a good presentation to the city. It's been over three years. It's been four years. The jitney, the that we have now is like the only one in the state of Florida. Miami has lost all of theirs. The Cuban people didn't preserve theirs. They don't have any in Saint Augustine, Savannah, Georgia, theirs are all gone. So we have a piece of history here. We have something that's very important to the heritage of our community. It's very important to the history of everything of Tarpon Springs. And I highly resent elected people going uptown and talking against it. I highly resent that we can use taxpayer's money to lose big lawsuits when they weren't supposed to have law be lawsuits here. But yet, in CRA money, we can't do something to jeopardize. He can say what he wants. I'm not afraid of him to jeopardize the history of our community and the goodwill of the Greek community and the non-Greek community that utilized the jitney for many, many years. I'm coming up to get an appointment with the city manager to talk about moving the Safford House to the bayou, where it should be. I resent a city employee saying that my numbers were wrong with people visiting the Safford house, because they weren't. They don't. Even people don't even go up there. And we could sell the property that the Safford house is on and recoup our money. It's been presented, was presented to the previous city manager. The whole outline was brought. They don't even know where the booklet is that I brought up here. The people were excited when the presentation was made at the library about moving the Safford House and restoring the jitney, and when we went to raise the money for the Jitney, the people who donated never questioned it. They wanted it, and the community wants it. So a commissioner can say whatever he wants. We know what's going on. Thank you, thank you ma'am. Next speaker please. Georgiana Francis, 15 Athens Street. First, I would just like to say that I think we're in a critical time here where the previous board got out of control because the mayor did not take control of the board. And we have rules for a reason. And the reason that I spoke up was because it was public. It was public comment time, and it was discussion and direction. Ma'am, is it my turn to talk? Do I get a pause now? Okay. Because again, we have rules. So the reason that I interrupted was because we need to understand what the rules are, okay? And if we don't establish them from the beginning, then we're going to get out of control. And I don't want us to fall down that same rabbit hole that we did before Tarpon Springs. We advertise for our historical downtown and the sponge docks. This is this is the historical downtown. We cannot continue to advertise it. It's historical without preserving our heritage, which is in our mission statement and our vision statement. So we need to stop saying these things and not doing it, okay, because we're not acting on any of these things at the moment. We're spending money on Greektown projects and things like that. When we have something that's been going on that all of these long time residents that have been and contributed to this city, more than a lot of people up there, up on this board have. So I think that we need to just go forward with the bid. It is a discussion item. And the other thing that I would just, you know, caution the board against is just you want to take a poll of the people and you're interrupting public comments to take a poll, which is what we're here to do is make our comments. So I mean, that's it's a little bit ironic. So thank you. I just want to educate you, ma'am, because you seem to have a lack of what's going on in discussion direction item is something where the board has discussion direction, and then we're allowed to go into public comment as opposed to an item that's to approve. So thank you for not knowing the item that you were sitting there being a part of, Miss Francis, it goes a long way, Miss Terry. Penny, you're up next. Thank you. Good evening. I'm Cindy Trapani, 22 North Spring Boulevard. I want to give you just a little bit of background, because I was president of the historical society when the jitney was donated to the historical Society and when we raised the money. So I want to give you a little bit of background on that. Might just educate you a little bit about that process in the Jitney was donated to us in 2012. We, the Historical society, researched and people who could do the renovation. We found two people who could do that. We picked the best one. In our opinion, the renovation proceeded. It took about two years, and in November 2015, as you saw in the backup that you have, we had the Jitney debut party at the depot from the very the entire time that the that the Jitney was being renovated, we at the Historical Society board were trying to figure out, okay, it's great, it's getting renovated. What are we going to do when it's done? How are we going to use it? Are we going to use it in parades? We said yes, of course we wanted to at special events. So we had all those discussions as a board. We also were thinking from the very beginning about where would it be stored when it was not in use, and at a parade or some other event? We evaluated multiple locations over several different years. We had multiple conversations with the city staff, with former City Manager Mr. Lacourse and with Mr. Funcheon as well. We looked at the Safford House as one option. We looked at the back platform of the depot as one option that was determined to be not structurally sound. As I said, we looked at the Safford house. We kind of came to the conclusion as a board that we felt it was a little too much out of the way, would not get the, the, the bang for the buck that we had spent all this money to renovate, this unique, this unique vehicle, but not that many people go there. It's kind of out of the way and it's not in the CRA. It wouldn't be a tourist attraction for the CRA. The when the Jitney was completed in November 2015, again, City Manager Lacourse and Mr. Function were kind enough and gracious enough to allow us to store the Jitney, and it is still being stored on city property. The issue with that is that that building is only open Monday through Friday when your staff is here. So that means when there's an event on Saturday or Sunday, someone has to go and get the jitney out. On Thursday or Friday, keep it at their house. Not the best security situation, and then return it on Monday or Tuesday when the city is open again. So again, those all those factors led to us trying to figure out, well, where is the best place to place the jitney as a board, we felt the best place to a connect it with our history. Our Depot Museum, as you all know, was a train depot. People arrived to town by train. They were carried throughout town by Jitneys and there were multiple jitneys. And we do have the last existing jitney in town and possibly in the United in Florida, as Miss Prada said. So that seemed to us to be a great connection. Number two, highly visible design and building, like Mr. Hoffman has designed would create a tourist attraction and it creates some activity on Court Street. And we thought that was important as well. We do believe that putting the Jitney building their exhibition building there will help with the revitalization of the CRA. Again, it is going to be a tourist attraction even when it's just sitting there. We fully expect that people want to go and have their picture taken and look at it and see how people traveled around Tarpon at the time. I will say also that there was never when Mr. Licorice put the $100,000 in the CRA budget, he put it in as a placeholder. That's what he told me. That's what was done. There was never any conversation about what the cost would be to build the building. That was just a placeholder, and we aren't going to know what the cost is unless and until you do put it out to bid. That's just the first step to ask for a bid and see what kind of bidders you get and what what the amount is, and whether you have qualified bidders. And then you can make the next step and the next decision about whether or not to construct the building. So that I would hopefully that that you would go forward with the first step. I would just want to recognize again, Mr. Hoffman, who has donated his services to do the design of the building, and he got other professionals, engineers, to do the site design. He worked very closely with your staff to make sure that they were addressing all of the city issues that needed to be addressed. So I do hope that you will move forward, and I'm happy to answer any questions, but I just thought that background information might be helpful to you. Thank you. Thank you ma'am. Can I have it? Sure. So I did want to just do a quick Google search. Just to give you an idea what the Jitney is worth, because I know we keep saying it's the only one in Florida, but I will tell you that you can buy a jitney and it's just facts. Jitney. You can buy for about $16,000 and fully restored, it's worth about $30,000. And we're going to consider making a $300,000 purchase to protect it. I just think there's a cheaper, easier way that it doesn't have to be a glass enclosure. And it could be. It could be. Do you guys want to speak? But it can be done at a cheaper amount, which I would like to entertain with Tom Funcheon I see where the board is going to go. We're going to go along probably with a vote to get a price. I think you're going to be shocked with the price. That's all I want to say. Okay. Well, I'm going to go through I understand this was four years in the making. Oh. What would you like to say, Mr. Hoffman? I don't know at what point I'm the cut off line is. But just to answer a couple of questions that Mr. Eisner questioned, like, why now? I have to say, after we when we had that first presentation, we had no civil engineering on the job at all, which is why I suggested we not go out to bid at that time, which is I'll take the responsibility for basically lollygagging around for all of this time, because it was so unfun last time with that survey you put out and all that and my comment to you, if you really wanted to know what the survey should be doing, as I said, why is it so biased, you know, in your survey? And your response was, it's my survey, I can do whatever I want. Well, that went out to everybody. So anyway, that was pretty darn frustrating. And but anyway, the last proposal that we have here, not proposal, but a cost estimate from a contractor to create contractors out of Saint Petersburg was 232,000. That was like just several months ago. How many? You know, you don't really know, though, until the numbers come in. So we're asking you to let us know that so that we have some facts instead of just throwing out numbers. That's all I'd like. Hopefully we can move forward. And if we need to do, I can be I'd be happy to put a survey out and tell them all the wonderful things about it. And you know, anyway, I'll shut up and sit down. Thank you, thank you. We understand this. This has been going on for four years in this. Jitney presentation. If I remember right, the Jitney presentation, the first one was I was on the board at the time, and we discussed the different prices and whatnot, but a lot of things have changed, guys. I mean, we had two hurricanes come through. We're in a state of emergency. And so this whole idea that I'm just going to, you know, decide to put a building there with, I'm not here to micromanage. I'm here to micromanage a good decision in our CRA. They're going to have impact for the future. And we're trying to find ways to activate the downtown. And so I look at it all. And if city attorney or city manager, didn't we the last cra didn't we have this place making vision approval or request for RFP? Can you elaborate on that a little bit? Are you talking about the master plan? Yes, the master plan. Yes. So we got our master plan. It's going to identify different areas that's gone out for RFP yet or no. We selected a continuing services firm. Perfect. We're going to begin shortly. All right. Well that's good. So we're starting to think on on on a macro level here as far as the there's a parking garage. And I included that in the backup. And it's a parking garage that's designed by Mr. Hoffman. It's beautiful. It does a great job in providing buildings, storefronts at the bottom with potential parking and second, third and potential fourth floor. And it faces the trail, which has a lot of different business opportunity. But again, the numbers that you show now and off that brick road, Court Street, I can't determine whether that's going to block the whole street or not. I believe that it might need to be a two way road right there at that. At some point, if it's possible for the building, for a parking garage. And I'm thinking macro level, I'm not. If you guys think I'm just going to, you know, put a truck there or vehicle there and jeopardize the ability to put a parking garage, that's not going to happen. And so honestly. The Stafford House display, that is I spoke to Mr. Funcheon myself and it's the cheapest, most affordable way to get it out there displayed. You can still have it protected. It seems like there's anywhere from 5500 to 7500 visitors who go to the Stafford House a year, who will get to appreciate it. And, you know, if you can provide detailed numbers on people that come to the home, to the train depot, I'd like to see that as far as I've spoken to local businesses, Mr. Mulally, Eddie, he doesn't want that item there. He thinks that, you know, he's got his Tarpon Festival and other activities that bring that bring the community together where they have their, you know, bands play off the back of the train depot. And it's a very big event that brings a lot of people to the community and to have that item there. I'm just not too sure right now. And as far as you know, the actual train depot slash historical society. What how do we know how long that's going to be a museum? How do we like, you know, if we're talking about are there any rules and how long it's going to be a museum? Is there, you know, grant opportunities out there that I mean, is everybody want to sit there and answer any questions on that? If we're really going to start thinking about activating the downtown, you think the best idea for that building is a museum forever? Could be a cafe, could be a retail, it could be anything. Yeah. Mr. Payne, you can come on up. To the depot building was donated to the city from the railroad company. I don't know if it was CSX what the exact name of the railroad was at the time, with the provision that it remain as a city building and as a museum. The historical society has been operating a museum there since that time. I couldn't tell you the exact date, but since several years, within several years after the railroad stopped operating, that has been a museum. The city and the Historical Society have a written lease agreement where the historical society is the only tenant in the building. We operate the building and the city maintains it. It's a partnership that's gone on at least 30 years and perhaps more. I'll have to get the exact date, but I think there are some provisions that, yes, it does have to be a history museum forever. Yeah. And so I think thank you for bringing that up. We need to bring up that information prior to this going out to RFP because I'm not here to I'm here to look for the future of Tarpon Springs and what's going to activate the downtown more than anything. And so I'm not I'm skeptical to put a building right there that's, you know, housing a jitney that could properly that could potentially jeopardize the parking garage situation there because that's a bigger opportunity there. And so I've heard from other staff that the Safford house is more ideal for the time being. As far as you know, Forbes property, that's another close by property, too. There's a lot of big land use changes that are coming in downtown. Before we start thinking we're going to be place making and then bringing up items that contradict our conservative values that we claim on, you know, and how this all really came about is, you know, I'm going to tell it like it is and I'm not going to be shut down. I'm not going to be shut down. It came from a call came in to Trish from Mr. Trapani about an item that was going to be on the agenda. Well, Trish had no idea about it, neither did I. And that was on a Wednesday. So the following day, a Thursday, Mr. Trapani comes in with all the backup material. Yes. He brought in all the backup material. That's a fact. You can't deny that, Mr. DiDonato. So I don't you know the reason why I should, sir. And so I'm making it very clear. As he came into that office, he was very rude. I gave him the opportunity to come forward and speak. And then he wanted to say to me, there's some things you have to do. You know the rules. Well, I want to make it clear. I don't know your rules, Mr. Trapani. I know the rules for the city of Tarpon Springs and the oath I took. And so I know you've been used to your set of rules for a while, but not while I'm here. If you want to pass this buck on to vice mayor here April 1st, you're absolutely allowed to. There's no case. And I don't even think you should be speaking. That's not you on that truth. The truth is, you're out of order. And that's why I'm saying I'm. She's the one when you're talking like that. I mean, he's the one you agenda. Be reasonable. Don't attack somebody that is not up here talking to you. It's not about attack. You talk about being professional. And when you come forward and present these items, we need to have respect for the mayor's office. And so we don't need to be used as tools. I have one vote, just like you, sir. Exactly two people just like you. So as I said, we're not going to have this type of behavior and we're going to present things factually straightforward, and we're going to be consistent in how we decide we want to spend money from week to week on CRA items. And the next time you guys want to send somebody from the historical society, make sure you send somebody who's going to have some respect to the mayor's office and the city manager's office. So that's the comments I have. I'm not supporting this. I think it's a wasteful spend of CRA money. I'd rather see the money spent towards enhancing the community, activating the downtown. And frankly, this entitlement stuff that I've seen being used through commissioners that ends. You can start it up April 1st, but not now. So you guys make your motion because I'm not going to make a motion to direct the city manager to put this the jitney exhibit building out for RFP. I'll second out for bid. There are no further comments. And as I said, if that thing comes over 50, 60 grand, there ain't no way I'm approving it. So without that roll call, please. Mr. Panther. Yes. De Donato. Yes, Commissioner. Ryan, no. Yes, yes. No. That concludes the special session agenda. We will now go to board and staff comments. Police Chief young, no comments. City attorney Dickman. No comment. City Clerk Jacobs no comments. Thank you. City Manager Rudd no comments. Commissioner Banther yes. Thank you. First, I want to thank the people that came out for this agenda item and have put in their time and efforts for this, especially I, Mr. Hoffman, who I believe is retired and has better things to do with his time. So thank you very much for, you know, doing this. And please don't let what you see tonight disparage you in that. You know, and I, I respect everyone on this board. And I will continue to try and find areas where we all agree. And I and I will work with all of you, and I will speak with you all with professionalism at all times. But we have to do better. This was thoroughly embarrassing tonight. Thank you. Commissioner Donato. I will take the time to apologize if I've offended anyone other than the commissioner who called me out. I don't really care much about what he thinks anymore. The fact that I was called out, I. I have spent my time up here, which is considerable. If you add it all up, trying to serve the people I've served with integrity and respect for not only my fellow commissioners, but for the people in this lovely community. I have been honest, straightforward, I. I was taken aback and my Italian temper came out a little bit. But I've never called you or any other commissioner out, and I won't, because I think you have a right to bring forward what you feel should be represented of and listened to. And that's what I did, and I see no reason to apologize for that part. If we could all just treat each other with respect and be honest, be straightforward, not be one sided. Be two sided because there's always two sides to every damn story I've ever heard. And sometimes people sit on one side and don't respect the other. All I'm asking is that you treat me, any of us, anyone out there in the audience, anyone we come across in daily operations, we work for those people, the people of this community. And to disrespect anybody on an individual basis or in public is wrong. And I for one, just have to speak out for it. But I don't want this kind of environment. That's the reason why I came back. I didn't need the job. I came back because I felt it needed some respect and integrity. Reintroduced, if you want to know the truth. And we were cruising along and then I've never I mean, I've heard other commissioners besides Commissioner Heiser bring items up. I've never questioned why you would bring something forward, Mike. Never. And you certainly have done that on more than one occasion because I respected you. I think that's kind of waning now. But the point is, I apologize to the public. I spent my time trying to do the right thing, and I'll continue to do that. Commissioner Eisner so I would say to you, I resent the comment about being honest. I have only been honest up here and everything that I brought up. I want to let you know, Commissioner Banther, I write down all of my notes so that I know what I'm speaking about. It's not that I had prepared this in advance. I don't want to have anything that I didn't cover. As far as I will always speak my mind. I have never had a fear of saying something when I don't think it is, when it doesn't pass the smell test. And I used those comments because each one of us up here have our own representation. We have our own agenda, we have our own way of presenting things. It came as a kind of shock to me that with the things that you have voted down, that all of a sudden this came up two weeks after. And I wasn't the only one who thought that if it's something that's going to concern me or the or the residents, I'm going to bring it up. It wasn't meant to insult you, I said. I wanted your opinion of why you brought it up two weeks in a row. I am well aware that CRA hasn't been handled correctly, and we will look forward to do it correctly. It just came as a shock that it came so quickly. And that was the question I asked. You weren't on the board, nor were three of the five up here were on the board, and I spoke against this project. Not because it's a jitney, not because it's a museum, because of where it was placed and because of the funds. That was my comment. And believe me when I say I respect you. And about Mr. Hoffman, what you've presented, I still don't agree with it. I won't agree with it. And I think it's going to come in way, way over that. 230 and I still don't feel that it's I know I make the decision on the check writing. I approve it as the rest of this five board does. But I believe that we're spending CRA revitalization money. I also agree I didn't say it, but I'll agree with what the mayor has said about it blocking up and causing a possible problem with the Forbes project. It could possibly give us a problem with a parking garage, which was my original, you know, request. When I put that survey out. I still like to put a survey out to every one of the CRA people that are contributing that money. It is their money. Do they want it to be revitalization of, you know, the Tarpon Avenue and all 19, which we all know has now become a rock garden? It's not we have a lot of things that need to be fixed up. It's not my idea to build a glass enclosure, you know, museum in the back that's going to block up things. And I will continue to vote against it. Unless you could come up with a way that it's so inexpensive that it doesn't affect the CRA funds. Vice Mayor Giuliani's. Yeah. Has anybody seen the movie Spinal Tap? You know, they they profess to be the loudest band in the world because everybody else's knob went to ten and theirs went to 11, and then it broke off. So they everything was an 11. I think we got to be careful, you know, our. On a scale of 1 to 10, we're taking everything to a nine and a half and they're not all nine and a half. This isn't a nine and a half. This is a letting the city manager get a number. Then we talk. It doesn't. It's not a vote on the project. It was just a conversation. But it ended up escalating to a nine and a half or maybe even an 11. And it looks like knobs are getting busted off because everything is cranked up. And I think that that's something we need to work on is, you know, you know, I sat on the planning and Zoning Board and, you know, I was on the odd part of a lot of votes. And like Mike and I had half the votes. We voted different. But I seem at the gym at the next morning, I would see him at the gym and we were happy go lucky. It was never personal and I think we got to stop making this stuff personal. It's just business. Let's do our business. We all have our vision of what we think Tarpon should be. That's one reason we have five people. We don't have a king. We don't have one person who decides. We have five people. And we have committees and all kinds of things that filter everything till we get to here. And, you know, oftentimes it's messy. But I think it was intended to be it's, you know, it's hard to pass things and it should be hard to pass things. So I think there were some excellent points made. I think your point about the traffic and what's going on there, I think it's sound. There's sound comments. Again, I just don't think we have to crank it all up. So let's just get the number, see what it is. I mean, I've had talks with you, Eddie. You don't want to, you don't want to. And $300,000 of the city's money. You have no intentions of doing that. You told me that. Let's just find out what the number is. And again, we can go to, you know, to private funding as, as well. And, and let's just, let's just find out what it is. So again, these things don't need to get escalated. Thank you. Sure. Well I just want to say I'm proud of the things I stick up for. I speak up for the unspoken people from Tarpon Springs. Not no little groups from here and there. And we got to make sure they're all represented, too. And I also spoke up for a way of life. I'm not apologizing to anybody. Anybody who who thought they were entitled or put their kin folks in positions to make themselves look bad. So I'm going to stand firm on that. I'm tired of these issues going on for three plus years because people can't handle losing elections. Well, I'm going to be around for another three years, and I don't mind working with people, but let's do things the right way and let's move forward together as a community. That way we can get this stuff done. But I'm encouraging you, commissioners, let the city manager present items and let him present them. We have a like I said, when I came on, I was going to give them six months. I haven't asked them to present one agenda item, have I, sir? I have not asked them to present one agenda item because I want the man to get do his thing. I encourage this board to do that. And let's be consistent in what we talk about. Because from one week to the next, when things come about, it just creates a certain image. And as far as bringing up lawsuits, again, we need to stop bringing that up because there was also another item that cost way more than all those lawsuits. If Commissioner Eisner didn't step up to the plate. So I'm trying to ignore all that. But at the same time, you know, we need to be consistent on what we stand for and how we all could have lost a lot of money on this for the community. And so let's move forward. This was a night, but it had to get out because there was a lot of tension building up for a lot of different reasons. And so I'm happy we're moving forward with this, but I'm not doing any wasteful spending right now for this community. So with that says, this ends the special session agenda. Meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.