For seven days straight. King crab. Salmon. That's it. That's all I have. Sweet and juicy. Catch a can o. It was like
candy. For my little fan. Yeah, I got this. You need it, you
need. That. Oh, it was only two.
What the heck is. I called to order the regular session of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Tarpon Springs. Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026, 6
p.m. Roll call please. Mayor Giuliani's here. Vice mayor. Yes, here. Commissioner Eisner here, Commissioner Panther here. Commissioner Weaver here.
Tonight's reflection will be conducted by pastor Patty Hanks of the Unitarian Universalist Church, and that will be followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance. Please stand. I invite you to take a breath with me at the end of this hot and busy day and join me in prayer. Spirit of life and love.
How glad we are to come together. To pause in our day, to care for one another, in our community and in our world. We pray that we will center ourselves in love and affirm
that all are sacred and all are loved. May we have peace, and may we be filled with hope and light. May this community be blessed and each one in it. May
it be so. Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it
stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All. Did I hear all? So our first item
tonight is a. Is it going to be a nice one? We're going to get a big giant check, literally and and numerically. So would the folks from Anclote Harbor
Land Preservation please come up. And Commissioner Carr,
pleased to. So this is the culmination of a lot of of work
in getting this project completed. And I want to give a special thank you to Commissioner Carr, because he's the one that worked out this
extra money. And it goes to show you that you don't get anything unless you ask. Right. So Commissioner Carr just said, hey, since you're not going to
build a road, can we have the money? And and they said, yes.
So here it is. Not quite as tall as the mayor. Good evening, mayor, commissioners and audience. Thank you for coming
tonight. I'm Cindy Cooley. I'm sorry, I'm Cindy Trapani. Trapani planning strategies. I'm honored here to be to be here tonight with Jeff Miller from the Morgan Group and Donna
Lee, also from the Morgan Group and former Commissioner Jacob Carr. And the reason we are here is for Morgan Group to confirm their commitment to land preservation in the city of Tarpon Springs by presenting
the city with a check for you. You read this right $444,000 for. As a donation to the city's Land Preservation Fund.
Let me just repeat that number $444,000. This substantial donation is the first donation we believe ever from a private
entity, private company. And the Morgan Group's commitment to this fund is consistent with their vision and their design for the Caroline Anclote Harbor development on US 19. Their vision of that project is a
first class multifamily community within and nestled within a preserved natural environment. The Caroline Anclote Harbor Project has preserved all but a half an acre of their on site wetlands.
They have removed all of the exotics and replanted with Florida native plants. And other things that they have done are created a park six acre park for its residents and preserve the Anclote River
corridor by not allowing any building at closer than 150ft to the corridor. Overall, the
Caroline at Anclote Harbor is built on 12 acres of the total site of 64 acres. So you can see it's a very compact site that preserved much of its much of the rest of the property for
stormwater management parks, open space and upland preserve. And not only will this new community bring new residents to patronize the city's sponge docks and their downtown, other restaurants and businesses and
services. But the project is expected to generate approximately $400,000 every year to the city's ad valorem tax base. That's every single year after it's completed. How
much? 400. Of course, the accountant is interested in that $400,000 is the estimated city share of the new valorem tax base. Of course, the city. The project will also
contribute to the school board and the county and the other tax entities. The Morgan Group is delighted to be a part of the city of Tarpon Springs. Now, I'd like to turn it over to
Jeff Miller with the Morgan Group. Hi, I'm Jeff Miller, I'm the partner for the Morgan Group in Central Florida. I cover both Tampa and Orlando is our pleasure to be here tonight
and present this check to the city. We are more than excited to achieve this goal of getting this project built. It is nearing completion. We should see the first units here in the
next 2 or 3 months, with final completion towards the end of this year. And as Cindy mentioned, this project is amenity rich with natural amenities, things like views of
the Anclote River, Big lakes, a big long nature trail that's almost a mile long that just wanders through the natural path that was there when we got there, as well as preserving
many, many, many acres of wetlands. And then, as she mentioned, the restoration of some of those invasive species that have now been removed and replaced with Florida native
species. So thank you guys all. Before we take the pictures, let me give a special thank you to Commissioner Larson for I he
established the fund that we are actually. This money is going into. And along with
Commissioner Robin Sanger. I'll say something. My name is Jacob. Yeah. I'm retired. So my name
is Jacob Carr. I had six years to serve on the board. I really appreciate the residents with their confidence in me to serve and represent the city. This project itself had a lot of drama to it, had a lot of false
information and a lot of things that came at me personally, and also the board and the city itself. After. And while I was on the board, the city chose to spend $160,000 to investigate the whole process itself. And
the good news is everything came out clean. So there's no shady shenanigans that happened in this situation. One of the parts that we want to really focus on is that Mister Penny
brought up is that it's a 64 acre on the Anclote River, 21.5, or I think it was 20.5. Acres were wetlands. Half of those acres were actually mitigated. The rest of the 20 acres
weren't touched. Again, it's a 64 acre lot. 12 acres were developed for the apartment complex. So that leaves 54 acres as park and preserve and wetlands. To me, you're looking
for a win win situation. The apartments are on US 19. They're not in the middle of the city, and we found a great way to preserve a significant amount of land along the Anclote River and a significant portion of the city's property
as well. So I want to thank the Morgan Group and the city staff, because it was multiple years to get to this point. Again, on top of the impact fees that the Morgan Group's paying, this is
a above and beyond that. I think it's 1 million to $2 million impact fees that go towards fire library infrastructure for water and sewer. Again, it's it's, I
think, a win win project for both parties, the city and for the residents that are moving into Tarpon Springs. So again, thank you so much for your donation to the city. And we're
looking forward to preserving more land. In the back of it.
Okay. Pastor Patty, would you please come up? No, I got I got
to say a few words on that one. Yeah. There's no big words. Okay. Good, good. All right. Okay. Tonight we are doing a
proclamation for pride Month. And this is this is a proclamation that's now been read now for five continuous years. Last three mayors have
read this proclamation, you know, proclamations are are recognition. They're not
necessarily a the city taking any stand. It's just recognizing people and recognizing our residents. As a matter of fact, we've done
recently, we've done a Jewish American month, we did Irish American month, we did a boating month, and we did Earth Day, along with a whole bunch of other things. And for
example, the Jewish American month, it was not to proselytize Judaism, which obviously would have made Commissioner Eisner happy. But.
But it's to recognize our neighbors. And this is another this tonight is one of those proclamations to recognize our neighbors. You know,
Commissioner Sanger is a dear friend of mine. And she she said tonight was the word. The operative word was inclusion.
And it's having everybody included in our town. And, you know, we have a big tent in Tarpon Springs, and we're a very diverse community and
everybody is welcome and everybody's welcome in the tent. You should be very proud of
your church and all that you do. Just to give you an example of, of some of the oh. The, you
know, the, you all raised money to help another church in town. So you raised money to help
Mount Moriah fix their roof. And that is amazing that I know you know, I know that funds, I know funds are always tight for
all churches and I'm sure it is for you as well. But the fact that you took your own resources and used them for a neighbor, again, that's what
Tarpon Springs is all about. And we're starting the roof. And they are. Start the roof. Your money helped. Yes. Yeah. So and if anybody has a chance
to go by the church, the Unitarian church, go by and look at it. It's George Inness, you know, he's the famous
artist here in town. And he. Yeah. You know, he was one of the founding members of the church. And all of his beautiful artwork is there. You
can see these these paintings that are just enormous and they're just, they're gorgeous. So anybody that gets a chance go by and, and check it out. It's, it's really nice. You
know, we have here in Tarpon, we have all kinds of diversity in town. That's one of the things that we, that we cherish in our town is our diversity.
And you know, we have if you drive down Tarpon Avenue, you, you, you pass the Catholic Church and you pass the Methodist Church, and then you go up and you see the Greek
church. And there's probably a few more churches that I've missed on the way. And then you go into into Greektown, and then you have your churches there. And, you know, it's, we,
we don't all share doctrine, but we share a common, a commonality, right? We're humans. We want to live in
peace. We want to be in love and have and love others. And you, you all do an amazing job of that. And I appreciate it
very much. So, you know, I think I've got most of it. But when we talk about diversity, you know, it's again, it's all of us again, working together.
If you if you, you know, I'm in the Rotary Club and the Rotary Club, we have everybody's there. We have we have Jews in the Rotary Club. We have, you know,
Protestants, we have Catholics, we have Greek Orthodox, we probably have some atheists. We have all, probably all kinds of people. And yet we all none of
that comes into play. You know, it's like, like David and I, I'm old. He's young. I'm skinny.
He's not. No, I'm a vegetarian. He's a sportsman. But yet we have a valued friendship, don't we, David. Yes. And, and it's and it's again, because we
don't we're not leading with our politics. We're not leading with anything that differentiates us. We're leading with the things that we have in common, you know. So
with that said, I'm gonna I'm gonna go ahead and read this and then I'm going to let you do your thing, okay? Okay. I want to comment on some of
these things. I yeah, yeah. Okay. Whereas the month of June is widely celebrated across the United States as Pride Month commemorating commemorating the historic June 1969 uprising at
the Stonewall Inn that launched the modern movement for LGBTQ, plus civil rights. And whereas our nation was founded on equality and freedom for all,
and these rights adapt as society faces new challenges. And whereas, for more than half a century, the month of June has been recognized across the country as a period dedicated
to acknowledging individuals who oppressed discriminatory laws at Stonewall and other locations. And whereas every American should live without fear of prejudice,
discrimination, violence, and hatred based on race, ethnicity, religion, and gender orientation. And whereas the LGBTQ community, our family
members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers contributing meaningfully to our community, economic, cultural and civic life. And whereas, while our
society has made great strides in recognizing, recognizing equal dignity and rights, the ongoing pursuit requires continued vigilance against
discrimination. Whereas, the city of Tarpon Springs, I think I said that, okay, now therefore, I, John Collins, by virtue of the authority vested
in me as mayor of the city of Tarpon Springs, do hereby proclaim the month of June 2026
as Pride Month. I'm so happy to be here. Thank you to the Mayor
and City Council for this proclamation. I accept it with pride. On behalf of the LGBTQ
plus community and the work of the rainbow. Welcome circle at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tarpon Springs, where I am the minister. Symbols like
this matter and send a message of inclusion and respect for every person in our city. We say at our church on every Sunday, all of who you are is
sacred, and all of who you are is welcome. May we continue to dwell together in peace with love at the center of all we do.
Thank you again for this proclamation. In honor of Pride
Month. What? I get to keep it so before the before the meeting began, Commissioner
Banther asked me if he could say a few words after this reading proclamation. Yes. Thank you. I was on vacation last during the last meeting, so I got to watch it online and
I realized there was some similar controversy then to. And it was kind of peculiar to me because we've been doing this proclamation for. I asked to go back, I think, all the
way back to 2019 and never had this. It's been as as plain and boring as Earth Day, if you will. And so I'm not really sure about the manufactured outrage, but that's people's right to do. But second off,
what bothered me more there, and I see them here again tonight. I'm sure they'll come up and speak and say more things, and that's their right to do. There was some pretty hateful comments by out of towners and and I've heard some
things in town as well. And I thought to myself, you know, I, I'm a practicing Catholic. I guarantee I hold views that are not shared in this room. Okay. But when you're elected here, you govern for all of Tarpon
Springs, not just those that live and worship like you. I think it's very, very small minded and very unchristian. Like to think that because people believe differently than you do, that they therefore
don't have the right to exist. So I don't I don't come up here and bring my personal views up here because that's not relevant. I represent everybody and I, and I'm very thankful tonight to see everyone here
tonight, even those that might hate me, because that's the beauty of our country that we can all come together and do this. There's, there are venues to, to, to, to, to, to litigate
these topics. But I don't believe this auditorium is one of them. Okay. We have to represent all of Tarpon Springs here. And I will continue to do that. And I believe that that, that, that my colleagues will,
will, will, will as well, even when they live differently than the, the, the, the, than we do. And I think that's the sign of
maturity. So thank you. Now you see why he's my friend. So our next proclamation is for our
country and it's for all of us. So I will be accepting this proclamation on behalf of all the residents of Tarpon Springs. And after the reading of this proclamation, it will go out in
the hallway and be placed on the wall. You know, our 250 years, you know, America's 250 years old, and we're just a kid
in on the block of countries. We you know, if you look at China, Japan, Germany, England, France, all are over a thousand
years old and some two over 2000 years old, yet we've been around a fraction of the time that they have. But we've made
the greatest impact on the world. And, you know, we, the our nation was it it exists on
the on an idea. It was an idea and it was an idea created by flawed men. They were men. They were flawed. But together they
came together and they created something exceptional, you know, and, and the idea is really based on, on two lines in the,
in, in the Declaration of Independence. It's one is we the people. Okay. And it's, it's, we the people is so
important because it is differentiates, differentiates itself from all the other countries. It's not the government giving us rights,
it's us giving the government the rights and giving government the. They work for us just like all of us here.
Work for you and thank you. And the other is all men are created equal. And that's
that's exceptional. And even though when Thomas Jefferson coined that phrase, they didn't really follow it, but the but
the the thought was there and the idea was great. And we've worked towards that over time. You know, we had the Constitution originally, and
it's a living document, just like our charter here at the city of the city of Tarpon Springs. It's a living document. And, you know, there was
slavery in the in the nation. There was women couldn't vote, only property owners could could vote. And slowly over
time, we've moved. As Reverend Martin Luther King said, the arc of justice moves slowly, but it moves in the right
direction. And, you know, I, I. I get tired of hearing people say that these are the most divisive times in the history
of our country. It's not even close. Okay. In 1860, in the 1860s that we were killing each other, okay. And 600,000 people
died in our civil war. So we're not even close to that. And, you know, but what we do have is we have a divided government. It's just it's been that way for quite a while. The last
election, where there was more than a 10% spread in the popular vote, was in 1984, when Ronald Reagan won, ran for reelection. That was the last time there's been over 10%. And
if you look mostly I was looking at it today and most of it's, you know, 1%, 2%, I mean, very, very super close. And, you know, we spend a lot of
time arguing with our neighbors and, and not getting along with our, our family members over the, these politics, but the healing takes place here. The
healing takes place on the local level because up here we have a, I can tell you, we don't all vote, I can. I know that we don't all vote the same,
but we all get along to help the residents of Tarpon Springs. So as long as we find our commonality and find our common
ground to get along and to move our our city forward, that's. And. And if every and if everybody else does the same throughout this nation, then we'll heal. So it's going to be
done on a local level. So I want to I want to thank you. Okay. Whereas on July 4th, 2026,
the United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary, recognizing the historic significance and the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of our nation.
And whereas our founders establish a nation based on equality, unalienable rights, and the pursuit of happiness, principles that have guided
America's legacy of freedom. And. Whereas, the Board of Commissioners calls on the community to join in this celebration, reflect on our nation's journey and recommit
to the founding principles that make America strong and united. Whereas, on Saturday, July 4th, 2026, the City of Tarpon Springs acknowledges Independence Day in our
beautiful Craig Park with our annual picnic for all residents and visitors as we celebrate our independence. And whereas, on July 4th, the 2026. The City
of Tarpon Springs will hold its annual fireworks display that is a part of this Independence Day tradition. Now therefore, I, John Collins, by the virtue of the authority vested in me as
mayor of the city of Tarpon Springs, do hereby proclaim July 4th, 2026 as the 250th anniversary of the United
States of America. Now that deserves standing up. Thank you
very much, and I really appreciate you all coming out. You know, the city the city attorney always tells me, he says, if if there's nobody in the audience, you must be doing good because nobody's here to
complain. But I don't think this is a complaining crowd. So anyways, I want to thank you all for all you do to make our
city a better place and be safe. And we're going to we're going to take a we're going to we're going to take a ten minute.
Well, let's see, let's come back at. 64535. Man. That's only six minutes. 35 my my
commissioner friends have overruled me so.
Do you have to sign the paper to speak?
I worked in Hollywood for 20 years. I'm telling you, you don't want any part of it. Let's reconvene the meeting. Let's go to public comments.
Please come forward. State your name and your full address, and you will get three minutes to speak. Pastor Victor McCluskey,
6449 Pueblo Avenue, New Port Richey, Florida, 34653. I'd like to start off by saying
that I side with love. I side with the love of God. The Bible says in first Corinthians 13, which is the love of God
chapter. It says that charity, the love of God, rejoiceth not in iniquity. That's sin. Love
that rejoices. And I'm not saying doesn't rejoice in people and sinners, but in the sin. When you rejoice in sin,
that is not the love of God. No church should be based upon sin. It can be based on culture.
Whatever a sinful lifestyle is, not culture, it's sin. God is against it. And you just go ahead and keep on laughing, little lady, and you're going
to stand before God one day and give an account. Please direct your direct your message to me. Okay, so in first Corinthians
13, it says that charity does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. What is the truth? The truth is the Old
Testament, the whole Bible. Jesus did not speak against homosexuality. You can't find it in the Gospels. But Jesus
was speaking to a moral and religious people, the Jewish people, a moral and religious people. He was not speaking to
Sodom and Gomorrah. I can't hear that. Beep. The pride flag. The rainbow should not be the symbol of homosexuality. It
should be fire and brimstone because that is what God rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah. In First Corinthians 13. The love
of God chapter. The Bible says that charity, the love of God, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. What is
the truth? This is the truth. The Bible and in the Bible, in the Old Testament it says, God told the Israelites, thou shalt
not lie with mankind as with womankind, for all that do so are an abomination unto the Lord. Abomination means God
hates it and thinks it's disgusting. Go ahead and laugh, sinners, go ahead and laugh. We shouldn't have any comments.
Please, please restrain yourself. And that is the truth that the love of God rejoices in your time is up. Thank you.
Alan Seiders Clearwater, Florida. You're not going to laugh on Judgment Day. Shall not the God of all the earth, the judge of all the earth, do
right? Will the God of the Bible hold up what he hath already said? What's already written within the pages, within the confines? It's a
rhetorical question. He absolutely will. The Bible says in Proverbs 1618 that pride goeth before destruction and a
haughty spirit before the fall. The Bible says in Malachi chapter number four and verse one, behold, the day of the Lord cometh, burning as an oven,
and all the proud. Yea, all that do wickedly shall be as stubble. They shall neither. He shall neither leave them root nor branch. So as he did in the
days in Genesis 19, when he burned those filthy, vile, degenerate, detestable scum with everlasting fire. He's going to do again when he comes back as a thief in the night.
And he melts the elements like fervent heat. This is not a church right here. This is a synagogue of Satan. God does not acknowledge. God does not
acknowledge homosexual marriage. It's against the Word of God. It's against the Bible. And you're too stupid to realize it, because you won't open up the pages and actually see what it
says. You serpents, you generation of vipers, how shall ye escape the damnation of hell? You're gonna burn! Enough, enough! You're gonna burn! I got a minute. 26 left. You're
gonna die and go straight to hell. If you don't repent of your sin enough, you need to fear God and depart. I have a minute left, sir. No, no. You
need to fear God. No. No, apart from iniquity. He's going. No, no, I know. Okay. There you go.
God takes your. Sin. Next, please state your name and your
complete address, please. My name is Richard Maxwell. 4415 Spring Lake Court, New Port
Richey. I am a neighbor of your fair city, and I'm here because there is a biblical mandate that I love my neighbor as myself. In Jeremiah one five, God says, before I formed you
in the womb I knew you, and I sanctified you. Sanctified means set apart for God's holy purpose. God has I. God has an identity and destiny for us,
which define who and what he created each of us to be. God promises that obedience and following him through Jesus Christ will lead us to that identity and destiny. This
means we must turn from our ways because they are opposed to God's ways. Adam, the first man, rebelled against God, causing all of humanity to be in a state of rebellion against
God. Genesis three five describes us, For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. This
means your eyes see your way and deny God's way. You make yourself Lord of your own life and reject your creator's rights. And you decide in your own heart what is good and what
is evil. Romans chapter two shows us that we are able to tell right from wrong, but we deny what God says is right and wrong, and we decide what is right and what is wrong without
him. Denying the right of God to rule you means that you refuse to recognize God as God, and God in turn gives you over to your uncleanness, allowing
you to follow your own lusts and to dishonor your body. Psalm 37 tells us, delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Your creator knows exactly what will
bring fulfillment and happiness to your heart and soul, but you deny him. If you continue to deny who and what you truly are, your soul, the real you,
remains in a state of spiritual starvation, growing deeper into loneliness, emptiness, and depression. Sometimes this promotes suicidal thoughts. Many who suffer this will
obsess on getting the approval of others in order that in some way they can find value or hope for their soul, which can only come from the God whom you are
denying. Know this attempting to affirm behaviors that bring suffering in order to alleviate the effects of those same behaviors is not only foolish, but it is taking part in that
which is destroying lives. And it invites judgment from our Creator God. The first words that Jesus Christ proclaimed on the streets and in the public square were recorded in Mark
115. Repent and believe the gospel. All of us who have heeded these words, and who call him Lord and God, understand the love of God in the words of Jesus when he
commanded us that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations. Three minutes are up. Thank you. Thank you for your
time. Next. Hello, mayor. That's all right. Anita, produce, 901 Bayshore Drive. Lawrence. A man of. Sir, when
you come to the city and in this chamber, instead of pushing people out of line. I'm here on a different issue. And tonight reminded me of when we were going through the hospital
issue, the yelling and the clapping. It was maddening. But we made it and we became friends. We were. We agreed to disagree. It was a hard time
being mayor. Then we had to throw all the pink ladies that time out of the City Hall. You remember. That's not good. It was wild. It was wild. Yeah,
but we're friends in this community and we stay friends. Mr. Eisner and I know that very well, don't we? I'm here on a
different issue, mayor. Yesterday or Monday, I was sitting at the coffee shop uptown. Young people are riding electric scooters and their bikes up and down the sidewalk.
They almost hit an elderly lady. She dropped her coffee and her sandwich on the sidewalk. Today I found out the state has made a lot of rules and regulations
on these bikes and scooters. I'm asking you, mayor, from one mayor to another, please have our police department give a presentation where one night all the new rules, the helmets,
how fast they have to go, where are they? Right. So parents who are watching our city meetings will know what's happening because a lot of people will say, well, I didn't know it's
dangerous. Then at night they're on those scooters going across intersection and Tarpon Avenue and the trail, and they're playing Dodge with us
as we come across with no lights on. That's bad, but we're ahead of you on a child. We're on. We're on it. Oh. Well, good. I'm glad we'll be bringing on Main Street, where
the coffee shop is will be bringing Forth Ordinance. I thank you very much. And we're very happy our community is
smiling that you are here again. Hi, my name is Olga Savchuk, 32 West Lemon Street. First I want to address Mark. I am so glad
he's here. I worked for three professional city managers in the past, and I can tell you they're just like the CEO of Chevron. They could be the CEO of Nabisco. All they care about
is not us. And there's no passion. And who in the world, other than someone who's local and born here, would return to the job willingly? Thank you.
Mark. Okay, now I want to address the LGBTQ issue. I'm not gay, but I have tons of friends that are, and I'm also
in a program called ACA Adult Children of Alcoholics and in Dysfunctional Families. And I came from dysfunction. And the thing I have learned is that children are most affected from
the womb by the attitudes that their adults project to them. So if you're born and your family is critical of you, if they dismiss you, if they
ignore you, if they don't understand you, you may in fact turn to suicide, drugs or alcohol. And we have to be compassionate. God makes no
mistakes. These people are here for a good reason. And as human beings, if you are pro-life, you should be pro every life,
not just 1 or 2. And. Not. I can appreciate the feelings of people who. I'll say it, pound Bibles. But if you look at
Facebook on a daily basis, who's getting arrested for child molestation and it's preachers, they're preachers.
And so we have to look at our humanity, not at our our inhumanity in this in this current administration, everyone's rights are, are at
are at stake. They want to prevent women from voting. They want to exclude LGBT votes. They want to make sure that everybody's a real citizen. They want to do everything to
to diminish us. And that's not what the America that I grew up in is, is about. And I will admit something else. I cannot stand and pledge the allegiance because when I was a kid, I
could put my hand on my heart and just believe every word. I was protected by a Supreme Court. I was protected by my elected officials. And I don't feel that at 76 years old, I don't feel that anymore. And so
I really appreciate the city declaring June, even though it's halfway over as Pride Month. And we should all be very proud of every individual
that lives in this town. Thank you. Hello, my name is Ana
Avila. I live at 13010 Moose Lane, Hudson, Florida, and I am with Equality Florida. I am
honored to serve as Equality Florida's community organizer here in Tampa Bay, and I get to have the distinct honor of
leading hundreds of advocates here in Pinellas County, throughout Pinellas County, who represent the truth of God's love in every trans child that
they help raise and support in every statement they make in the halls of power in Tallahassee, and in chambers
like this. When our state government is working to erase the LGBTQ plus community from
public life, statements like the ones you made, Mr. Mayor, and this and commissioners have made today are incredibly vital.
And I know that the gratitude of the people of Tarpon Springs, and even further, is immense today. To see the excitement leading up to today is immense,
and we are so grateful to be able to celebrate in a chamber like this, as opposed to what we usually get to do. We have a
fight on our hands. It is not, as you said, Mr. Mayor, the most divisive time in our history, but it is the most dangerous time for trans people.
For many people in the LGBT community, especially trans children here in Florida. And I spend I spend my days with
mothers and fathers and parents of those children who worry and who spend their time supporting their kids through this state,
who, because they love this state. And your statement today is so meaningful to get us through and continue that fight.
So thank you so much. Thank you. Next. My name is Allison Rensberger. I live at 2956
Hillsdale Avenue, Largo, Florida. But my family and I spend a lot of time here in Tarpon Springs. I am here representing P-flag Safety Harbor, which also represents
all of Pinellas County. Also, my family participates in navigators USA scouting, which meets at UC Tarpon Springs when they have been great supporters
of our scouting troop that is an all inclusive scouting troop for kids. We have also attended service a few times at UC Tarpon Springs as well, celebrating and acknowledging
Pride Month is important for countless reasons. One of the most critical reasons pride is important is because there are people who still believe they are better off dead than being themselves. Community can be
the difference between surviving and ending it all. Acknowledging and celebrating pride is letting people in the community know that they are accepted, loved, and respected
for who they are. Pride is also important to remember those who came before us and fought for acceptance and equality for all people, regardless of their gender or who they love.
Celebrating pride is not only about the LGBTQ plus community, it is about celebrating this community with acceptance, diversity, inclusion, and unity.
Everyone is welcome at pride regardless of their age, race, creed, sexuality, or gender identity. Thank you so much, Mayor and Commission for
recognizing this month. Thank you. Mayor and Council members, today as you present the June Pride proclamation to my church,
the Unitarian Universalists of Tarpon Springs, I want to thank you. You maintained your commitment in the face of vocal opposition last month and on today as well, and that courage
matters more than you may know. I am a licensed clinical social worker and a practice founder in this community. Every day I sit with queer and transgender
clients, people who are frightened, not in the abstract. They're frightened in ways that are immediate and real. The political climate throughout Florida has intensified that
fear, and I hear it daily. I also speak to you as a member of a two mom household, raising a biracial child, your Juneteenth celebration, Martin Luther King Junior Parade, and
commitment to embracing diversity here have really meant something to my family. And they have also reminded me that the work of fighting for the rights of the marginalized
is never finished. I need this council to understand that the hostility I'm describing isn't theoretical. A few months ago, someone tore down the pride flag hanging on our church
building. They left it on the ground with the flagpole bent. My practice is located on that property, and at this time I live on that property. We got the flag back up quickly, but
the message was not lost on me. About two weeks ago, at 730 in the morning, I was walking my dog with my four year old. A man on a bicycle stopped and talked to me. He told me that he knew who I was. He asked
where my child's father is. He said, and I want the council to hear this clearly. What are you? Asexual? Bisexual, see? Sexual. Where's your wedding ring? I bet you don't have one. I was
shaken in a way that I have not forgotten, and I am no longer leaving my front door without pepper spray and my cell phone on me. In 46 days, my family is relocating. We are unfortunately leaving Florida.
The decision solve certain problems for us, but my clients are still here. Queer and trans people are still here because they have always been here and they always will be here. They deserve the same freedoms that
so many people are granted without a second thought. Thank you for being a council that still chooses to say so
publicly. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor and council members. My name is Joanne Rich, a proud resident of Tarpon
Springs and proud volunteer for the City of Tarpon Springs. I want to thank you for continuing in the tradition of reading the Pride Proclamation.
My family came to Tarpon Springs over 40 years ago, and about 35 years ago when I came
out, a pastor in this town told my mother not to speak to me. I spent years resolving that with her and the last eight years of
my mother's life. My spouse and I took care of her, and she recently died at 94. Things are getting better, but they're still issues. So I wanted to
read an adaption from a writing that Janis Ian wrote to the people complaining about Pride Month here, and misunderstanding how the word
is being used. It's not that we are proud that we are gay. That happened at birth. It's taking pride in Surviving a world where hatred is directed at us
because of how we were created at birth. It's taking pride in not returning hatred with hatred or violence with violence. It's taking pride in
living openly. Despite what happened to Matthew Shepard or at the pulse nightclub. We take pride that despite the threats and nasty glances, my wife and
I refuse to stop holding hands in public. We take pride in living our authentic selves, despite what some people may think. We understand that for
some desperate, frightened 15 year old who lives in hiding, terrified of being found out, this second hand strength may be the only solace that they
can find. We understand that fleeting moments may make the difference between suicide and survival. And yes, we take pride in that. You are lucky if
you never have to face these things. But those of us who face them daily, we have earned the right to take pride in ourselves and our refusal to
hide anymore. Thank you city. Thank you. My name is Janet
Cunningham. I live at 1579 McChesney Drive, Tarpon Springs. Good evening, mayor, Council and neighbors. I stand here
speaking to you tonight to thank you for celebrating and recognizing pride. I think it's been said very eloquently by many of the people who've spoken tonight already. But I
want to share my story. I am married to my wife, Terry Cunningham, a disabled Navy veteran who spent 21 years of
her life defending this country. Our Navy recognized her. She also is a Tarpon Springs resident. Tarpon Springs
accepts diversity. I don't consider myself diverse. I consider myself myself. I was born as I am. I'm a proud bisexual woman. I have two
biological children. One of them happens to be trans. My wife has a biological child. She's a lesbian. No matter what we call ourselves, and no matter how we present, I'm able
to skirt both sides because how I look is what people consider typical. People who are
homophobic aren't afraid of me. People who are homosexual aren't afraid of me either. Guess what? We all can get along. I think it's important
to recognize that cities don't have people that stand out unless they let them stand out. Don't call people out. Don't make this an issue. Make this
something of pride. Make it a celebration and be strong. I appreciate your signing proclamations. I recognize the strength that that takes. I
don't come to these meetings often because I trust what's happening here is in our best interest as Tarpon residents. When I hear something that's
divisive, I will come and I will speak. I am very happy and very glad to see the turnout here tonight. Thank you, members of the community for
showing what we feel and how we are stronger together. Thank you. Hi. Good evening, David
Ballard Geddes Jr. I live on Georgia Avenue down the street in Palm Harbor. Our government appears to be made of various bodies. The Senate is a
governmental body. Legislation is a political body. Our local county commission serves as a body politic. Collectively,
each body of government is expected to perform certain functions that is essential and vital to our survival as a
civilization. Congress. The Senate legislation to include the City Commission, are in a position to articulate the required needs of society
usefully as they hopefully perform their respective duties productively. The various bodies of government intercourse, their respective
duties between themselves on matters of reasonably foreseen and expected duties in government. Between them they conceive and birth matters of
importance that enhance our survival overall. We, as taxpayers fund the government expecting these bodies in government to intercourse their
required duty in a straightforward manner. We as taxpayers don't pay legislation so legislation can place in
motion its will to perform its responsibility gaily serving its individual desires, in particular, proactively
engaging in issues and circumstances doesn't mean that the various bodies in government are being productive in birthing matters of
straightforward concern, in serving the needs of society as a whole. Should our government be making a mockery of the gay
civilian population as its way of gaining consent to justify its prideful political objectives, supporting licentious and rogue
legislation? Reverse engineering government and correcting privatized factions in government and sticking it to our hindsight in the 14th amendment than I find such
political mockery of the civilian population to be disgraceful and tasteless. Such prideful political desires in
government to gain such consent is reflective of perjury. Such pride is to be straightforwardly denounced.
Sweepingly. So thank you. Yeah. All right, come on. Okay. Hi, Becky. Hi. Hi. My name is Becky
Archer. Live in Tarpon Springs. First of all, I. I know they have a right, but I don't understand why there's so many people from out of town here. It has nothing to do with them.
But I. I am friends with quite a few gay people, including a niece, and I want to tell you that they are loving. They are caring people who would do
anything for you, and they love the Lord, and the Lord loves them. So I want to thank you, mayor, for bringing this forward tonight. Thank you,
thank you. Good evening. Good evening mayor. Great speech today. Thank you. Nils Hauser with Tarpon Springs. I always
find it interesting. It's all about God said this and God said that. And there's a Bible here. Well, there's also Hare
Krishnas and Buddhism and Hinduism and American Indians and Aztecs, and which are all much older than so-called
Christianity. Personally, I find the Bible was just a good bestseller. Somebody thought, I'm going to write something up that has everything for everybody, and they can always find something in there to hate
somebody. And I always find that quite interesting. Also, obviously, you probably realize I'm not much of a Christian, but, you know, in the name of
God, we've killed so many civilizations and yet they still want to raise the hand up and say, In God and God, this,
you know, we're all humans, we're all more alike than we are. Unalike. And I thank thank you, Tarpon, for standing up to
what's going on today. And, you know, we all just need to get along and get rid of this
religious stuff. Hey, Abby Cole, I live here in Tarpon Springs. All of you on the board are great, but I am going to give a little bit of criticism here.
As someone who's 17 years old and lives in this town and has grown up here, this is probably one of the most unproductive meetings that I have ever attended, and I don't believe that any of this should be a
part of a commissioners meeting. I believe we should be here to talk about what's on the agenda, not any political stuff that doesn't have anything to do with Our Town. And I'm saying
this as a 17 year old who genuinely cares about Tarpon Springs, I don't want to hear you coming up here and complaining about Trump. I don't want to hear you coming up here and complaining about Pride Month or whatever you
think about that. I think it's probably one of the most unproductive meetings I've ever attended. And I'm also not in favor of pride at all. So I'm, I'm not standing with pride at
all. So I just want to say that. But this is the most unproductive meeting I've ever attended. Good evening. I'm Dory Larson, I live 1846
Lexington Place in Tarpon Springs. And I wanted to share a pendant that I saw at the sponge docks that's got this beautiful quote in Latin. And it's it says love that moves
the sun and all the other stars. And that's the last line of Dante's Opus Paradiso. And what he's saying is that love is divine, and it's the divine force that unites the universe.
And it's a supreme cosmic energy that brings harmony and purpose and motion to all of existence. And love has many words. Some people call it agape, which is God's love.
It's the love that we see in a child's face. There's also the love that we have for our neighbors. But either way, just like the force of gravity, it unites us. It brings us
together. So thank you, mayor, and the commissioners that have publicly spoken in favor of acknowledging Pride Month, for supporting this, for having the wisdom and the courage to lead
with love. Thank you, thank you. Next. My name is Peter Grace. I live in 95 Rachel Drive, Tarpon Springs, 34689. I'd like to
share with you a song. The words are simple. They go. Share all your love with
everybody. Share all your love.
Share all your love. Share all your love with everybody.
We have to move along. So thank you though. We got, we got the, we got the gist of it was just a statement. No, it was very nice. Thank you, thank you. I
hope you buy it when it's on my CD. All right, now we got the punch line. And the rest of the
story. It was a catchy tune. I want to thank you, mayor, for last week and the last time, and Commissioner Weaver, for your kind words. I'm Darla Hancock and I live on Bath
Street with my significant other or partner. Whatever terms given. Now I beats me. But we moved here five years
ago and didn't have a lure. The tarpon. We didn't know a soul. We just liked a home. And we bought it and we moved here. And once settled in, we were surrounded by neighbors. Niels
Olga. That's left people just love and support, always kindness and always have been helpful to us. We even put up a all inclusive flag and that
occasionally no problem, never had an issue. There have been very comfortable. So I just want to thank you. It was pretty a challenging thing for us to do to women, to move
somewhere we'd never been. I am a Floridian, a native from the biggest county, Polk County, and fifth generation at that
with a very, very loving family and very supportive family. I never had one issue growing up. My mom was more supportive about it than me. But anyway,
the thing is, I do thank you. And now I feel like we could comfortably walk in that marriage license or if we wanted to. You made us feel
that comfortable. Thank you. Thanks. Margot Leiser, 514 Ashland Avenue. So I wanted to
say thank you, mayor, for being progressive. And, you know, it's going to take folks like that that are progressive to get us. Our emotional
intelligence is like down here as our technology is skyrocketing and we there's a big gap in between. And somehow we've got to keep doing this so
we can bridge that gap that we're lacking. And what I wanted to come up here to say is that I got my nails done on Saturday at the tea salon
behind Rody's, and they did an amazing job. But he's vitamin E's. And I was looking around and I noticed there's like a
calendar for a vitamin E's funeral home. And then I didn't know we had one in Tarpon. And I was like, there's this vitamin E's culture here in
Tarpon Springs that, you know, we're not vitamin E's, so we're not aware of it. But I looked around and I said, wow, you know, we do have all this
diversity in Tarpon Springs. How awesome is that? And then I thought about Peter and I went to the Juneteenth celebration and PK was there and it was a
great celebration. And had we been so narrow minded and stay in our own lane that we would have missed a great opportunity
with our neighbors and with our community. And I love that these things are going on. Greek pride when you have the parade. I love that epiphany.
We have all these things that bring us all together. So I applaud you. And I wanted to say thank you and that's it.
Take care. Next. Hi, my name is Alexis. I'm in 1185 South Pinellas. Forgive me. I'm not good at public speaking. I don't want to take too much
time as a homosexual. I just want to take a few seconds. But I wanted to direct this at the young 17 year old who conveniently left out her name. It's not about talking about
Trump or politics or pride. It's about letting the entire community know that they are loved and welcome here. So it's not about getting political. We are letting everybody know that
they're loved and welcome. Thank you. Next. Okay. Please to follow my best friend Alexis. My name is Caitlyn Miller. Now
to share because I just got married to my wife. Thank you, thank you. I'm at 416 Pine Street, two, two houses down. But I did write this my first time speaking publicly, so I'm
a little nervous. But good evening, mayor, commissioners and members of the community. I wanted to take a moment during the public comment to express how meaningful it was to see the city recognize LGBTQ Plus
Pride Month as an openly LGBTQ plus member of this community. That recognition made me feel seen, valued, and welcome in the town that I've always called home. Tarpon Springs is more just. Is is more than just
where I live. I was born and raised here. My parents were born and raised here. My grandparents and even my great grandparents are from here as well. My family roots in this community go back generations, and I'm proud to be part of
this history because of these deep roots, deep roots, and means a great deal to know that my hometown accepts me for who I am. Seeing our city acknowledge and recognize LGBTQ plus residents sends a powerful
message that everyone belongs and that everyone, every member of our community, matters. That is also why I am disappointing to see so many of the negativity and hateful comments that have been. Some can
sometimes surround these conversations. In my experience, that is not Tarpon Springs. I know the Tarpon Springs I know is a caring, welcoming and supporting community is a place where the neighbors look out for one another and where
people from all walks of life can feel at home. I hope, I hope we can continue to move forward as a community that chooses respect, understanding and inclusion. Recognition like
this does not take anything away from anyone. It is simply to let people know that they are valued and that they belong. Thank you for your time. Okay. Thank you very much. We're now
going to move on. Oh, I'm sorry. Peter. Peter. Come on. Gotta give me a chance. We save the best for last. Well, I, I don't think so. There was a lot of best that I heard tonight, and
it's incredible. And to the young lady who said this is a wasted commission meeting, this is one of the best attended meetings. I'm so glad to have people come out because I come out every meeting and there's
some people in need, a few of us that we come out and we would like to have your voices on those city, things that will follow after that. And I will get. Yeah. Thank you. I will
get to that in a moment. As I promised you, John, I will read one verse and it's for you. It's from Joshua one nine. Have I not commanded you? Be strong
and courageous. Do not be terrified. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. So I have to comment,
in a sense to the drama that the KJV Baptist Church and they quote about how the abomination. Now, as the other gentleman mentioned, things can be
twisted in the Bible. So if you really want to know how Jesus and God looked upon homosexuality, go read some of
Samuel. Because David and Jonathan were quite cozy. And David is supposedly the father of Jesus. So I'm extrapolating.
Maybe Jesus didn't bring it up because he knew it was already something that was out there. But I have more important things that I want to do that is city related. Went to the
budget Advisory committee meeting the other night or the other day. Thank you Mark. And I forget the lady's name. Who was your finance director? I apologize, you need to get this
out to everybody. There's a chart shows the property tax impacts for Tarpon and the county, and it shows drastic reductions. If you go pick up
your paper today in the in the driveway. Safety Harbor city braces for tax hit city waste fire fee to offset looming budget gap. I know we all love
to say, oh, we don't want taxes, but there's ripple effects all the way down the line. Not only will we can provide. Because if we. What is it, 5,565% of our
budget is public service. So what's left? Our parks, our libraries, our maintenance of various things that are general fund. But it goes beyond that.
The county is going to get cut. They're projecting the county. .61 billion by 2027, 1.2
billion. So how does that affect us? Been out lately and been getting bit by mosquitoes. Yeah they're bad. Who who runs mosquito control over county.
Yes. Yes. So there are other things that get affected. What's another thing that can happen. We got two beautiful county parks, Howard and Anderson. Well, what if they want to cut staffing? Well,
Howard will be open a few days and they move the staff to Anderson a few days. Thank you though. Especially just remember that about medications
that are the best. All right. Well that concludes public comments. And we're going to move on to our agenda. And anyone who wants to take off
don't don't worry about it. Thank you. Thanks for attending. Hang on. Hang on a second. You're from Polk County? Yeah. Okay. Let's go to the consent.
Let's go to the consent agenda. Sir. Sir, sir. Let's go to the consent agenda. Item number four. Attorney fees. Johnson.
Jackson. Please. Quiet, please. When leaving, refrain from speaking and exit quietly. Can everybody keep quiet while they
come on? We had to come and go. Two minutes. Geez. I need to
clear my brain anyway, I. All right, let's go. Number five. Satisfaction release of leans
number six award file OVIVO OEM parts and service number seven Award file flick subs, submersible pumps and parts.
Number eight extend file purchasing card services. Number nine renew concrete mix materials. Number ten extend
the file shade and shelter services and number 11 renew the interlocal agreement with Forward Pinellas for planning and mapping support services.
Does any Commissioner wish to pull any of these items? No. Okay. With that said, roll call please. No. No motion. So moved. I'll get you so moved. All
right. You know, I am going on vacation soon, so I think I need it. Don't worry. I'll run it well for you when you're gone. All right? All right. Do
we have a second? Yes we do. Okay. Now roll call, Commissioner Weaver. Yes, Commissioner. Yes, Commissioner.
Eisner. Yes. Vice mayor. Yes. Yes. Mayor. Yes. Okay. Number 12. Approve request for qualifications. Construction manager at risk. Continuing
services. Phase two. Construction of golf course. Clubhouse. Mr. Kiger. Thank you, Thomas Kiger, for the public services Department. Got a
short presentation for you today. Okay. Today we are here to request approval to proceed to the construction phase of
the golf course clubhouse project. This has been a project that we've been working on for a number of years now, and is a project that is included in the loan package the city approved back in
February. The re the purpose for this project is to reinvest in the course the courses had. It's a local Muni course that is owned by the city. It's actually the oldest municipal
course that's continuously operating in the state of Florida, which makes it a pretty special, you know, asset and cultural part of our community. Over time, the play at the course is expanded
dramatically. If you go back in the days we were at 30, 40, 000 a year golf course, over the last five years, we've averaged well over 60,000 rounds a year. As our, you know, population of golfers has increased and we've
had, you know, improved facilities and improved pace of play. All that additional play requires improved facilities. The current clubhouse was
constructed in the 1960s. It's at an end of life. It's rather dilapidated. The roof is kind of on its last leg. The. We've had incidences where like the windows were were, you know, falling through rotten wood and
things like that. So it's time for it to go. And also it's deficient in its in its capacity for the existing operation. So we don't have enough space currently there to
host local league events or local tournaments. And it's. It also requires additional parking to accommodate the, the golfers that we're currently
experiencing. Here's a quick site plan for the project. You can see on the left the existing building called out in kind of the northwest corner of the parking lot. And then
there's a practice green to the south. The purpose of the design is to build the new clubhouse on the existing practice green, after which the old clubhouse would be
demolished and replaced with additional parking to support the additional golfers that we've been experiencing for the last five, six, seven years or
so. This is a rendering front elevation. We brought this back to the board in a year ago March for their input on the design concepts. This is a very
sort of old Florida design. Our architects were Wannamaker Jensen, and they collaborated with us quite a bit on on the design. Here you can see the
the interior space layout. This design features a front porch with a pro shop to support our continued merchandizing opportunities, a wraparound back porch to support additional revenue generating
space for food and beverage, for food and beverage operations. We're also expanding the snack bar to accommodate the the golfers that we've been experiencing
over the last number of years. And additionally, it includes a 1400 square foot event space, which will be usable by the public and a catering kitchen. And this will be a rentable space that will be available to
the public, in the community, and also be another revenue generating space. And here you can see the rear elevation of the building. This is the wraparound back porch and the
outdoor seating. This will be overlooking tee. I'm sorry, the number nine green. So as your folks are finishing up their first nine holes, they'll be able to look up on the clubhouse, come park, go grab a
beverage or a snack. And also folks will be able to sit there on the porch and hang out and watch the golfers putt and also tee off on the first tee box. The financial position of the
golf course is quite strong. We've had six consecutive years of annual operating profit. The golf course has been debt free for a number of years. In 2025, it generated $635,000 in net
operating profit before capital was considered, and it, as of the beginning of this year, had a $1.2 million cash balance. And we're projecting a $1.65
million cash balance by October 1st. And that's a fairly conservative projection, you know, depending on how weather goes and pace of play for the rest of the summer. You can also see here our trend in
rounds of golf sold per year. You can see in the late 20 tens, you know, golf, the golf industry was a little bit softer. We were averaging, you know, in the 4000 rounds. We've very much been at the forefront
of the municipal golf renaissance. We've been averaging over 63,000 rounds a year for the last five years, including last year during 2025, when we had a year of hurricane
disruptions and partial nine hole play and things like that. So even in that year, we have the hurricanes. We were still over 60,000 rounds a year, which was very impressive.
Further going along the financial performance of the course, you can see here our cumulative revenue totals for the last five years. You can see each year consecutively. The golf course has made more
revenue than the prior the previous year. Last year, we had record total revenue at $2.55 million. This year through May, we're already at
2.3, I'm sorry, $2.2 million in gross revenue, and we're projecting about $2.8 million in gross revenue by the end of September. So we're continuing
to anticipate, you know, record revenues and the ability of the golf course to support its own business plan. So we do have a business plan for the golf course that we've been working on for the last number of years
to support these capital improvements and reinvestment in the facility. The design was fully funded in 20 fiscal year 2025, and the goal is to fully self fund the clubhouse for a
ten year construction loan, which the board approved in 2006, and an additional $1.15 million in supplemental cash funding from the Golf Course Enterprise Fund. I do want to specifically point out this
project will not take any money from the Penny fund or the general fund. This will be fully self self-funded by golf course revenues for a facility
to be used by its patrons. We also plan for about 100 to $200,000 in future. Will see a future SIP is included in its. The Golf Course Business Management plan to make sure that we're reinvesting in the
local facilities and maintaining the course conditions as well, and here you can see we've also done a sensitivity analysis. We didn't
want to rely on just one forecast for the health of the golf course enterprise. So the dotted black line is the about
is a revenue is a fund balance projection out to 2032 at about 63,500 rounds per year. That's including club, club finance or
clubhouse financing and the hard costs associated with that. And you can see that it will continue to be a revenue generating activity and stay well in the black under five
year. You know, our five year average level of play. And we also looked at a few different scenarios as far as what happens if we were to have some down years or some years with some bad weather or alternating
good and bad years. And in each of these scenarios, we examined from a variety of perspectives of pace, of play or rounds played per year. We stayed well in the black, including in some
very negative, you know, projections. And we also had some rosy projections, 65, 67, zero zero 0 pounds per year. We're continuing to make record profit and the fund balance would continue to build. And
all these scenarios show that in the 2030, 20, 31 time frame and some earlier, we're having, you know, a very healthy fund balance. One thing we also
wanted to point out, because this is a unique procurement item that we've not brought in the past before the board is this project is being delivered by a project delivery method
called Cmaa. It's an acronym acronym that stands for Construction Manager at Risk. In this form of procurement for a construction project, the owner, which is the city, contracts with both an
architect and an engineer depending on the project and then separately contracts with a construction manager. During the design phase, the construction manager acts as an advisor and provides value
engineering ways for to improve constructability cost, estimating support and reviewing bids. The design and the specifications for completeness and errors on the
city's behalf. And then at 90% design, the Construction Manager provides a guaranteed maximum price to deliver the project in construction phase. The reason it's called
construction manager at risk is because the guaranteed maximum price puts additional risk back onto the construction manager for delivering the project. We've had some concerns in the
past about cost overruns and low bid and the quality of contractors and things like that, and we believe that this is a methodology that will allow us to avoid some of those pitfalls that we've had in the
past by bringing in the construction manager early in the design process. You get better design docs, and you're also insulating the city from increased materials costs or
estimating errors, pipe bursts, and similar issues. Those are all borne by the by the construction manager and the subs in the event that they happen. This method of delivery
dramatically improves project delivery and has a higher level of certainty that the project will be delivered on time. So going back to project costs, the base cost for construction
is $5.1 million. We also want to note that that includes an additional $120,000 or so alternative that is not to be funded by the golf course fund, but we would be funded by the
sustainability program. They have a line item set aside this year for solar panel installation on city facilities. We figured we'd start with something with a brand new roof,
and so that'll be 118 or so will be funded from the sustainability budget. This also includes a two 2% contingencies and owners contingency and a construction
manager contingency, both of which require owner authorization to to be utilized. That's a much lower level contingency than you would see in a normal low bid project, because we've had the
construction manager involved and we're putting additional risk back onto the onto the contractor, essentially after permits in the public art fee, the guaranteed maximum price, including the solar panels,
comes to about $5.4 million. If approved, the construction would start in July. That would be, you know, summer of fiscal year 26, and it would have a 365 day project schedule. So it
would be delivered mid summer of next year, which would be ideal because it would allow us to soft open before the peak season. And it would also minimize the potential for any impacts to revenues during peak
season. I would only happen during peak season. These costs have been reviewed by procurement, the design engineer, the architects and by the project administration
department. And we also compiled a list of of other clubhouses that have been constructed in the last few years to do a comparison of gross costs per square foot for project delivery. Those have
ranged, you know, between projects in Vero Beach, Florida, all the way up to Oklahoma City, Sanford, Florida, Concord, New Hampshire, between about 600
and $1,200 per square foot, with an average of just shy of $900 per square foot. This project cost includes would all of the amenities and things like that, including the demo
and the site work, and it would be delivered for about 400, I'm sorry, $640 a square foot, which indicates that we're getting very good value for the for the construction, the
construction manager will be construction. Bandy's was selected from a competitively bid RFQ in 2025, so this was a publicly bid process. Bandy's
has extensive experience with similar projects and similar delivery. We've highlighted a few of their example projects that they've delivered in the area in the past, including the new Tampa Performing Arts Center, the Riverview Public
Library, and also we wanted to highlight some of their breath. They have a lot of private sector clients as well, so they've also done the Volkswagen dealership right up the road in New Port Richey.
Bandy's began design support at 30% design, and they identified several cost savings during the course of the design process, including redesigning the foundation to lower the building elevation. That was
about a couple hundred thousand dollars in cost savings, adjusting equipment specs to allow alternative equivalents, which should be a cost savings. As we get into the procurement phase of the the kitchen
materials, adjusting piping materials was about a 50 $60,000 cost savings. They also provided quite a bit of estimating when we were considering different design alternatives to try and make the most affordable choices we
could. And they also saved us about, with the engineers, about $150,000 in stormwater improvements as well. So Bandy's developed a guaranteed
maximum price that we discussed earlier at 90% design, and they've solicited subcontractor bids for 90% of the value of the project. That means that 90% of the construction was
publicly bid, with support from procurement, to allow the opportunity for local subcontractors to bid on different elements of the project, which was something that was brought to the board
in the past. So at this point, we are recommending approval to proceed to construction phase of the project with Bandy's construction via the city's
construction manager at risk contract. And with that, I'd be happy to answer any questions. Okay. Let me let me start off the questioning. So is does
this include all of the all the parking, all the parking concrete, everything for alternative parking as well? Yes. This includes the demolition of the existing
clubhouse and its replacement with a new parking area that would generate, I want to say, 17 or 18 new parking spaces. What about the parking? That's going to be necessary while we have the existing clubhouse
still there, that will have to be phased. That would be something that, you know, we'll we'll have to manage very carefully, like lay down areas and things like that with the construction manager. But the
way the phasing is likely to proceed, the building will be built first, and then the existing building will be demoed and replaced with a new parking area. So let me ask you
the okay, so I believe 4.2 of it is already in the loan proceeds. Yes, sir. Correct. And then we are you're asking for an additional how much?
This would be an additional $1.15 million. So to to meet the the maximum the guaranteed maximum price value. Give me the. No, just the number. What's the total cost is one
about $1.54 million, including a $120,000 alternative to be funded from the sustainability budget. And so how do you how
do you how are you going to guarantee that if this money is taken out of the enterprise funds, that this is going to have no impact later down the
road on on fees, not golf fees, but on our water fees, would this have any impact on that? I,
I couldn't see a scenario where the golf course would would need funding from the Water Sewer Enterprise Fund. The Water Sewer Enterprise Fund is fully managed and funded by its
own user fees. It has not. Of. Over the last number of years we haven't had any need to to fund any projects from the the
the golf course via the Water Sewer Enterprise Fund. And it's it's quite financially healthy. And again, we looked at we did a sensitivity analysis over a variety of business conditions
for the course to try to, you know, do our best due diligence to make sure that this could fully self-fund and we could fully self-fund this project from the golf course user fees
down to about $56,000 per year, or 56,000 rounds per year, and still stay well above several hundred thousand dollars in the bank with the golf course enterprise fund. And we also
want to point out this is a reinvestment in the facility, and it's likely to it's generating new revenue generating spaces. We're very conservative about our estimates on the new revenue generated. We estimate that at
about 3.8%, which is about an additional 70 $80,000 a year. So we didn't want to be overly optimistic with the new revenues from food and beverage, but there will be new revenue streams associated with new
retail space, new food and beverage space, and an event space and liquor. So why why are we not dealing with this
additional increase in the in the budget process? We're we're right here at the, the we're having our first budget meeting starting on Thursday. These are additional funds beyond the
what the the original estimate of 4.2 million. So why are why are we why are you doing this now and not just waiting for the budget process to see how
we. How. So we can know exactly if this is the best use of these funds. If. If. Possibly the clubhouse is redesigned to
meet the $4.2 million price, I just I'm I'm concerned about making up a $1.5 million shot
right now just on based on this presentation. So anyways, Commissioner Weaver, thank you, mayor. So I talked to Mr. Kiger
yesterday. I had a lot of questions answered at that time, but so a couple things that are that are on my mind. I'm, I'm a big advocate of a Seymour type
experience or construction manager. You know, when you have projects that could conceivably be overrunning 25%,
50% historically to be able to guarantee, you know, 7% or pay 7%, it's a bit of insurance for us. So I'm an advocate of that. I've been advocating for that
for quite some time. They're better equipped to handle those type of projects for us. I'm curious, did you when you did your projections, did you take
into account the potential for lost rounds due to construction? Yes, we did look at a variety of different scenarios, and we believe based on our experience
with the hurricanes last year, in 2025, and then also just looking at like a variety of scenarios for, for reduced play over the, you know, even for like a 3 or 4 year period, we,
we did look at that and we can certainly self-fund that with the golf course revenues. And additionally, there's local market conditions that are driving improvements in pace of play or in rounds played per
year. Recently, the Wentworth course, which was public, went out of business. There's been a rather large reduction in rounds played in the Tarpon
Woods course, which is nearby, and competes with us, and the Dunedin course, which is another public course that used to compete with us quite a bit. They've they've gone a bit up market. They're trying to be a
little bit more of a destination course. They're over $100 around now. So we've actually gotten a lot of new membership from there over time. So the local market is favoring continued, you know, use of the
course quite a bit. Yeah. I think it's a I think it's a plus. You know, a lot of people considering where they're going to move and retire and move are looking for the potential for a local golf course. So I'm happy
with that. Did did you make arrangements for the contractors to park off site? And are they being brought in by vans, or will they actually
be taking up parking, you know, on on site? We're going to try and minimize any impact to parking as much as we can. We do have a maintenance area in the back of the course where we can have additional parking for
contractors and things like that, and that's what the most likely solution will be for. I would just love, I would love if the general public wasn't seeing, you know, the, the
congestion of it all. So we can keep the, the optic. Yeah, I, you know, I'm as a business person, I'm always going to be inclined to want to spend money
to make money. So I think this is a great project. Thank you. Commissioner Panther. Yes. Thank you Tommy, help me understand like the purpose of this item is we are approving
this change or or what, what's the exact purpose of this item tonight? This is a little bit new. So this is our first project that we've brought forth with the smart contract
in hypothetically, this is this isn't necessarily an item that we would have to bring during normal procurement. It's not like we're approving a bid, but because this is the first project that we're bringing forth with Seema, we wanted to
have this as a checkpoint for the board to approve, to proceed to construction phase. The last time they approved this was in the budget process for 2025, which is when this project was budgeted and when
the loan was taken. And so we've been proceeding with with design and permitting. And at this point, the project's designed and nearly fully permitted. There's still a
couple of minor approvals that we're waiting on, and we wanted the board to have the opportunity to weigh in before we proceed to construction phase, because of this is our first time going through this process. And so this board, we,
we, we, we approved the initial, the initial four for 4.2 million, correct? Yes. That was approved in the 2025 budget. And the loan for that construction was approved back
in February, I believe. Okay. And then so help me understand what this what this 1.5 million additional is. It's about 1.1. So that is that is what this
will be brought forward as a future budget. Budget resolution. This often happens in construction phase for projects. When we budget a project based on a planning level cost estimate, you put in
a budgetary placeholder, say $3 million, then you do a bid and let's say it's like 3.25 or 3.67. I think they need to clear where is that money coming from? Yes. This the
money for the the additional the supplemental funds will be fully funded from cash reserves in the golf course enterprise fund and will not impact the Penny fund or the general fund
in any manner. And those cash reserves are there now. Yes, sir. Okay. Do you foresee. So that would bring the total up to what, 5.3, give or take. And
do you see more increases? I mean I've never seen construction be be on, be on, be be on budget. Right. So that's the the beauty of guaranteed maximum price that the contractor is obligated to
deliver the, the project at that cost. We are also putting in a very serious liquidated damages clause to ensure timely
delivery. And we're actually because the project in the Seema process, the guaranteed maximum price is delivered at 90% and not at a full 100% design. It lets you accelerate project delivery, but we
actually have some deductive change orders that are already planned. So there's been some minor revisions to like the the water service line and things
like that. We eliminated a fire hydrant. There's probably a 50, $60,000 cost savings there. And we're also working continually on value engineering like the kitchen equipment. And there'll also be some opportunities for
owner direct purchase, which will be deductive change orders, which will allow us to save on sales tax for the the hard materials delivered. So if we approve this tonight, we're we're, we're, we're, we, we're
up to 5.3. And we're guaranteed to get it at that price. I don't care if Trump loses it. And the copper what it raises. There's no excuses right. Like the builder has to build it for
that price. Yes, sir. The the only things that would generate a change order would be something, you know, like catastrophic, unforeseen construction conditions. So like, if there was a sinkhole, obviously we would have to have
a conversation. You know, we've done a lot of geotech work to make sure that that's not going to happen. And we talked quite a bit about the, the risk that the contractors absorbing
versus the city. And the beauty of this delivery method is it puts all materials escalation back onto the contractor. And we've talked to them about their relationship with their subs, and they've got contracts,
language in their contracts with their subcontractors that their subcontractors will have to absorb any increases in material costs throughout the life of the project. For, for this to affect the the general
fund. Correct. That's our goal. Yes, sir. And that's on the that's your goal or is that true? It's two different things. I know. I know what your goal. I believe that this will not impact the general fund. Yes,
sir. If if if it needs to. Is that going to come back here before us? If it had to go into the general fund, would certainly come back to you. Okay. But I think that's extremely unlikely. It's not going to be that the the
clerk's office 2.0. We're we're still having to wrestle this that and the third over there. No. When we did the construction manager at risk contract, we did extensive research. We asked for a lot of
proposals. We got a lot of proposals and we did. Bandes provided a very long list of projects that were delivered on time and on budget. Through this process, they do a lot of construction manager at risk
work with, I believe, Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County and some other public entities, and they've got a long track record of repeat business with those public entities and delivering projects timely and on budget.
I mean, all all support this based on what you've said here tonight. But if anything comes back with the general fund, it's just not automatic. No, we're losing $3 million next year, 5 million the next year.
We just can't afford that. So thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Eisner. Thank you. Mayor, I just hate to answer your your question,
Commissioner, but there's no guarantees on anything. I'll just tell you that I know that's what you don't want to hear, but things could happen
on Gross Avenue. The person just resigned. And, you know, when you get another contractor, it's a whole new ball game, whether we like it or not. But
moving on from that, I'm also an advocate, as Commissioner Weaver said, with having Seema, because what you can do is hold somebody's feet to the fire. At least get them someone on a
commitment, get the contractors, the subs on a on a commitment. Better than that. I don't know how much you can hold somebody's feet to the fire.
There's always extenuating circumstances, but hopefully this is the best way that you can move forward and try to keep it on, on, on track. This
is also one of the reasons why I was pleased that we did that loan back then, because if we didn't have that loan, I don't know where we'd be with this this project, if you keep
kicking this project down the road, it wouldn't be 6 million. It could be 8 million. It could be 10 million. One of the questions I did ask you, and I don't know if you had the time
to get the response, was, what the return on the solar panels would be. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find that information. You know, it's but
that's something we can bring back as a future item. The solar panels are currently in allowance. And so before we execute that allowance, that will be kind of later in the project, we could do some
verification at least maybe email out something like a summary of the value of the solar panels prior to install. Because usually what happens residentially, you put the
amount of solar panels to sort of break even. You don't want to sell back, but you want to be sort of even so that you kind of break even. And, and we don't know whether this is
enough solar panels to break even or whether it's 30%, whether it's 50%. So that was the we may have to add down the road to try to do a break even.
That would be ideal for the years that we don't get the profit from the golf course. That is hurting us, though. Correct. Because the profit
you're taking is into the payback. I'm sorry. So we're we're borrowing money for this building and the profit that
the golf course is taking in is not going to our enterprise fund anymore. It's going to reimburse what we borrowed. Certainly. Yeah. The, the, the,
the debt payments will be the, the, the money will go from the revenues from the golfers into the enterprise fund. And then there'll be periodic payments to for the debt service. And I
do want to note the debt service is not changing from what the board originally approved. We're only having a little bit more money out of cash reserves. Right. But we do we we been using all of those
enterprise funds towards our budget. Now, not typically what we've mostly been doing over the last few years for the
operating profit from the golf course revenues, is building up reserves to build this project. And we have done some minor like capital improvements. So
like we, we're leveled and, and expanded all the tee boxes two years ago. So currently the operating profit has been allocated to basically deferred
maintenance on other long standing items that were needed to address the increased play and to fully fund the design, and then to fully fund building up reserves to cover this
project. But at this point, you have how much in the reserves? At the end of last year, we had one point, more than 1.2 to date. You know, it's we're we're still tracking that, but
we'll be at, at the end of the year, we'll be at more than 1.65 unencumbered fund reserve. How many years did it take you to get to the 1.2, like 2 or 3.
Okay. See, where I'm trying to go with this is usually. I don't I don't know how fast you're going to be able to pay back this loan. That's where
I'm going with this. I'm trying to figure and correct me if I'm wrong. This could take about eight years to break even. Would that be a good estimate?
The the, the debt repayment schedule is a ten year note. It's about $529,000 annually. That's already been budgeted in the business plan for the golf
course. And we've been making, you know, with the exception of that hurricane year, when we made about 650,000 operating profit most years, lately we've been over $800,000 in operating profit. And we actually see
that kind of expanding over time. But you'll have no other funds for any other unforeseen things that come about. No, actually, the we planned the
kind of oops, sorry, the sort of business as usual scenario for the for rates of play, you can see this dotted black line that's annual projected annual fund balance based on our five
year average rounds played. And you can see next year we'll be going a little bit into that, that those reserves that we've been building up of about $1.2 million at the end of last year, and we'd be at about half $1
million in the bank at the end of this year. Once this money is encumbered, and then it would continue to grow to about 600,000, 900,000. By 2030, we'd
be up around $2 million in unencumbered reserves. And that also includes about projected about $700,000 in future course improvements over the next four
years. So it does have the ability to fully self-fund other course improvements while maintaining a healthy fund balance. So I know you can't answer this, but I'm still gonna ask it anyway. Are you is
is these are these numbers, what you're forecasting with the new facility generating parties and all that stuff? Or
it's just the golf course. This is including a very small we want to be very conservative. We don't want to be overly optimistic about future revenues. So this includes about a again, about a 3%
increase in revenues once the clubhouse is in place. And that's going to be related to improved merchandizing space and the pro shop, larger food and beverage areas, more parking, which will allow more
people to go park there and play golf, and additional revenues from the event space rentals. All in all, that was about we projected about 70, I
want to say $70,000 In improved revenues year over year once the clubhouse is in place, which is really very small in comparison to our gross revenues this year, which are going to be about $2.8 million.
So you think you're on the low side of what could be possibly a lot more revenue. Okay. Well, I'm I'm for this. Thank you. Because we did have a decent
conversation back on the phone. I have no further questions. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Kiger, for the presentation. We got we ended up going with this construction manager at risk
because, you know, we've had some change orders in the past. And what that prior city manager. It was a way to approach a situation. And so we all looked at it and said,
let's give it a shot. And we were sold on that. Whatever price they come back with is could be the max potential price with a couple different variables. But at the same time,
if prices come back on, certain items may be able to save some money or not spend that whole amount. Correct. Mr. Kiger. Yes, especially we do have about 4%
in there for for construction contingency. We are planning already some deductive change orders and some owner direct purchase, which will save us sales tax on things like the
kitchen equipment and the. Hvac systems and some of the hard mechanical equipment that just is sort of buy it off the shelf items. And that will save us 7% on those which is currently built into this guaranteed max
price. That will generate some savings right out the gate. And so that'll give us a little buffer just in case there's a little bit unforeseen construction conditions. But ultimately, if we don't have to go into the full contingency,
that could be a cost savings as well. Okay. And when I saw the scoring between the two, we had the all phase general and the construction one point apart was bandes the ones that just
took it, or how did that work out with the one point difference? We awarded. So the way we did that contract, that's a continuing services
contract much like our engineers. So it's professional services. So it's a five year contract, but there's no money assigned to the contract right out the gate. So we awarded to all of the different
contractors or construction managers that were, you know, properly vetted. They all had good proposals and things like that. And then you get to sort of pick and choose like, all right, which contract, which construction manager do you
want to proceed with their project? And we selected bands based on their history of we worked with procurement on this, on their history of successful completion of projects on time
and on budget, and also their track record of constructing similar types of projects like this, like recreation centers, libraries, and other commercial
and institutional buildings. Perfect. And. The construction time you and I talked about it, you said roughly be 365 days.
And when does when do you guys plan to start again? It'll take a couple of weeks to do the, the contract and then we'll immediately issue notice to proceed. So we're anticipating
official notice to proceed. Construction commence early July. So okay. So there's a good possibility that the fourth quarter of next year this should be fully completed
then. Yes, sir. That's great. And we also the. I have no further questions. I think there's going to be support for this. This is a good opportunity to get some money
back and help pay back into the loan as well. And this can be a great community thing. I'm telling you there's that you know, we talked about that pickleball court and how great it was and be a top five item
for us to approve and for community aspect. And you go check it out. It's awesome. I think this is going to be right up there with everybody, and Tommy with Paul Smith and a few others from several years back,
have started this, you know, to get to where we are today. And we all appreciate it. So thank you. Go ahead. I have a follow
up question. So make me feel good about this and be succinct if possible. Okay. We have how much in the enterprise fund
right now. So we don't how much do you have. Give me a number. How much you got in enterprise Fund 1.2 at the end of last year? That's October 1st number
you got. Now we're on our way to 1.65 at the end of this year, end of the year. Okay. All right. So we're somewhere in between one. So if we take this,
if we commit this money, when would we have to spend? If we have the 4.2, when would we have to spend the enterprise funds. I would assume that's going to be the last money we
would touch, right? Certainly. Yeah. The money would become encumbered. But as we're working through the expenses, it's the same. So we'll be paying. We're going to pay. We're going to use the borrowed
money first, right? Yes, sir. And leave the money in the enterprise fund till the last opportunity. Right. Because they're not going to we're not going to give the the we're not
giving the the construction company, you know, $5 million on day one. Okay. All right. So because here's what I want to feel good about. I want to feel
good that that enterprise fund can grow. We can take the money out when it's time to take the money out of the enterprise fund. And there's enough in
there to cover any, you know, unforeseen major improvement or. Rebuilds or improvements on the golf course itself. Because if we take that, if we were to
take that money out right now, we would basically have nothing in there in case just, let's say an infestation of, of bugs or something where we had
something comes up. Okay, so you're what? This will have time for that enterprise fund to grow. And then when you do take the money out, there'll still be a sufficient amount in
there to repair the golf course itself. In case of any issue. Certainly. And to give a sense of scale, we had a a project to rebuild some tee boxes this
last year that were, you know, had some flooding damage during the storm. That was about like $30,000. And some of that's actually already budgeted for in our current golf course management contract with down
to earth, down to earth, which is our golf course, like maintenance company. We again, succinct if, if we, if we allow this to grow and let's say we
don't touch this money till early 2027 and we pull the money out, we will have enough in the enterprise fund to keep
the golf course and, and, and function and keep. So we won't have you won't be coming back to us for additional money to put to, you know, cover any
problems that may arise on the course itself. No, sir. Okay. All right. Let's go to public comments. Are there any public
comments on this? I'd like to come back to the board for a motion. So moved. Second, are there any commissioner comments beyond what you've already said,
mayor? Yeah, I think this is a good project. I feel very comfortable with the with the contractor, but I believe Mr. Kiger said that at one point, one is going to be brought into
the next budget. We're going to approve it on the upcoming budget. This is in the current budget. So this because this this project is budgeted in fiscal year 25. This would be a
future budget resolution to, to cover the, the, the, the, the construction contract. Okay. Well thank you. It's a good project. It's with these contractors. I feel like we're
going to get it back around in a quick, you know, in the time that's been estimated and be quick to give back to the community and, and help out with a lot of the budgets
moving forward. Thank you. Okay. I just want yes. Yeah, I also wanted to I, I agree, I think we'll get this back pretty quickly. I wasn't too
comfortable or confident that the original estimate was going to come in. That's why I'm glad Seymour got involved, because whenever you have a an expert
looking over this, you know, whenever you get an architect on the onset, the architect paints you a pretty picture. And then when you get to, to Home Depot, it's, it's a whole
nother story. So I'm just glad it wasn't too much because we could have gotten it where it was 2 or 3 million off, you know, but this was close enough that the 1.2 is, is
satisfactory, at least in my eyes. So good. If there's no other comment, let's go to roll call, please. Commissioner Weaver. Yes, Commissioner. Panther. Yes. Commissioner.
Eisner. Yes. Vice mayor. Yes. Yes. Mayor Collins. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Tommy. Oh, no, I closed it. All right. So
let's go to item number 13, consensus on Final City seal and marketing logo design. City manager. You wanted to lead off
on this one. Yes. Jordan's come up, but this is a very simple one and something I want to close out. This is the marketing design. I want to close it. You gave some
direction on some changes of two seals. We're showing them to you. It's a simple yes, we're going with it or no, we're not going with it. And then we can put that segment of
what we've done all this time behind us and and conclude it. Okay, Jordan. Yes. So we had the two workshops that the
Board of Commissioners had done, one on February 5th, the other on the 26th. Based on those workshops, there was a few there was a consensus on the marketing logo as well as the updates to the seal with a few
changes. Those changes were made by the consultant. And so currently here on the left is what we currently use as our marketing logo. And then here
is the updated marketing logo. Okay, let's go to oh and then I see it. Yeah. Over here we have the current city seal and then
the updated version. So some of the updates to the city seal here is they put the maroon on the on the sponging vessel there. And that's to represent the, the high school. They also
cleared up some of the shadows, added color to the lighthouse, and then define some of those trees on the island as well as
brighten up the sky. Okay. That's it. All right. So I don't have any questions. It meets what we what we already
decided at the last workshop. Commissioner Weaver, I'm particularly fond of the the changes that you made. I mean,
I like the I like the sponge diver helmet. People know I'm partial to that. I particularly like the font. The font change, I think, represents a little
more a little more historical font. So my question, I guess, would be. Where do we go with this? Now? Can you explain to
me what's going to happen from this point on? Is, is there is the company that that created this or are they finished? Is there more to come? Is there a
responsibility on their part to to do something further the in terms of the design work for the logos, that that work is all completed. So we have the
style guides, the logo, the style guide for the seal, that that work is finished and no more work needs to be done for, for that. So and are they
responsible for, for any promotion at this point? Or are they just turn this over to us and say, here you go. My understanding is that they just turn this over to us. Okay.
That's it. Thank you, Commissioner Panther. I would just say for the record that I think Jordan could have could have done this for far less money than hiring that firm. But that's that's my opinion. I
think we all agree that was a giant waste of time and resources. I'm fine with these changes. I have no artistic taste and this is what the board likes. It's good with me. Thank you, Commissioner Eisner.
That's an honest man. They're very honest. I tend to agree with you, too. I was there in torture. Did we try this out to see if it. It shows up as clear
as what the picture shows up, shows up where? On on on shirts on hats on this. I mean, when you're talking about like
embroidery. So for shirts and hats, it's just going to be about the size. If you were to shrink this down and do like a one inch, that's not going to show up very clear. But if you
were to expand this out to probably three inches or something, I believe it would show up fine. It also, when you're looking at embroidery, it also depends on who's doing the embroidery, the machine
that they have. So yeah, I just don't want to spend all this money and have it look like the same, you know, mishmash that we were all talking about on
the onset. But okay, I have no further questions. We'll make sure the money's already been spent, right? Yeah. We spend money to make it look. So we'll make sure it looks right. Well, it hasn't 100% spent because we.
Are we putting it on the all the trucks? Are we putting it on. I mean, you know, this is the design is is done is done. You'll get your new shirts.
Vice mayor doesn't worry about it, buddy. There's a moratorium. It's not the shirt. It's how many shirts I have. I don't order any. You could you you,
you, you can have all of mine. So I want all my shirts changed. Just in case you're curious. They're all gray. No, I got red, blue, white. Mr. Van Loo, I
want to thank you for being part of all this. But he wasn't necessarily the, you know, complete liaison or director for all this. So there's a lot of questions that, you know, we
all really don't know, you know, so I think our goal is to accept this, be done with it. I don't want us to see, I don't want us to put any decals or
change shirts on, you know, do this mass change or overhaul, you know, it's our it's our possession. Now, if we want to make certain tweaks in the future, we can. It's all on us.
And I think we just need to leave it at that, accept it and move forward. But not, you know, want a couple shirts here and there, but not no, you know, mass overhaul on shirts or, you
know, decals or presentations. Right. Sir, you've got me here for that one half. That's right. We got Mark here. That's right. So let's just accept it. It's ours. And and in the future
it'll you know whatever comes of it comes of it. Thank you. Okay. Is there any public comments on this? Let's come back to the board for a motion
to Anita's woken up. Oh. Usually quicker than this. I'm older now. I don't walk. Anita protest 91 Bayshore. So you're
going to choose between these two? No, no, they're both are one on the right is what we're okay because that's what we're all about. Right. And that's
what should be there. Yeah. Don't change the history. But you are a little bit in this commission, but don't change. No, I don't use the word cleaning up. I use the word
change because you know how I am. Yeah. But don't change the history of our community. You're responsible for that. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. The seagulls is what anybody else
have on the website. Okay. Let let's come back to the board for a motion to approve. Second, is there any further comment? Roll call please, Commissioner
Weaver. Yes, Commissioner. Yes. Commissioner. Eisner. Yes. Vice mayor. Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay. Let's go to number 14. City
attorney. Will you read the ordinance by title, please? Yes, mayor. Ordinance 2020 611, an ordinance of the City of Tarpon Springs, Florida, vacating a portion of Lake Butler Heights
subdivision plat plat book three, page five, including block C, lots 11 through 15, block C, lot 17 through 20.
Block D, lots one through ten and block E, lots one through 20 and abandoning 37,035ft■!S more or less. The following
right of way a portion of Stackelberg Avenue, located adjacent to block C, D, E, and F, a portion of Burke Street
located adjacent to block C, D, E, and F, and an alley located adjacent to to the entirety of block E, providing for conditions. Providing for
findings. Providing for wreck Recordation recordation in the public records of Pinellas County and providing for an effective date. That's ordinance 2020 611 read by
title only on first reading. Second reading is scheduled for July 14th, 2026. Publication was June 3rd, 2026. Easy for
you to say. Presentation, please. Yes. Good evening. Ali Keene, interim planning Director. Again, this is an application for a partial plat vacation of the Lake Butler Heights subdivision. The
property is located on the south side of Mango Street, just east of Distant Avenue. Again, this is under ordinance number 2026-11. The proposed vacation includes the removal
of lot lines of 39 subdivision lots, totaling about 3.64 acres, as well as vacating approximately 0.5 acres of platted public right of way that is unimproved. The current
land use of this area is residential, urban and the zoning is residential, multifamily and the purpose of the request is to enable the development of a 32 unit townhome community. The
Townhome Community Site plan application is a companion to this, and the board will see that in July. The site is outlined in red here on the screen again on the south side
of Mango Street. This is an aerial view of the surrounding area. The subject property is this wooded area right here is unimproved. The surrounding context includes some single
family residences to the west. Here. Access from distant Avenue. The Tarpon Springs Yard waste facility is also west of the site. And then to the east are the Tarpon Springs Housing Authority developments. The
Eagle Ridge and Mango Circle Apartments. Surrounding zoning is primarily residential, multifamily and mobile home park, with the exception of the yard waste facility, which is
the Agricultural Zoning District. And this exhibit is showing you the area of the plots that are proposed to be vacated. The Lake Butler Heights subdivision was originally platted back in 1911.
The majority of the subdivision plat was formally vacated back in 1972 and also again in 2019, and that was to enable the Tarpon Housing Authority's
developments of Eagle Ridge Apartments, as well as the Mango Circle Apartments. The area shown in green are representing the lots that are being vacated, and the area shaded in orange is the platted
right of way that is proposed to be vacated. A few items to note. There is an existing ten foot wide, platted unimproved alleyway along the west side of the site that is not included
in the vacation request. That will remain, and that will provide some separation between those existing single family homes and the proposed project. There's also a lot here that's not shaded in green. That is
under the ownership of the Tarpon Springs Housing Authority. If the vacation is approved, the half of the right of way adjacent to that lot will be dedicated to the Tarpon Springs Housing Authority lot.
There is an existing ten foot wide, unimproved alleyway to the back of that lot that can provide access, but just to ensure that there is adequate access to that property, we are
recommending with the site plan application a condition that would essentially allow access to that lot if it were developed in the future. This is a look at the proposed
preliminary plat and site plan. Again, this is going to be accessed via a private road off of Mango Street. The area shaded in yellow is the portion of the vacated right of way
that would be dedicated to the Tarpon Springs Housing Authority lot, and this area, shaded in orange, is representing basically a future right of way reservation. The comprehensive plan recommends
an 80 foot wide right of way for Mango Street. So when developments come in in that situation, they have to basically reserve area in case there's ever future improvements. So the applicants
are including that about 17.5ft of reserved right of way. Looking at the vacation criteria, there are no utilities present or planned in this area. We have received
letters of no objection from all service providers. The right of way proposed to be vacated does not provide sole access to adjoining property adjoining property. As I mentioned, the Tarpon Springs Housing Authority lot is the
only one affected here. They are able to get access from that platted alleyway, but we are also again recommending that condition that they can provide access from the internal private street after
developed. The right of way is also not needed to implement future transportation facilities. They are reserving that necessary future right of way area along Mango Street. And then lastly, it does not
provide any sort of shoreline access with that. Staff does recommend approval of ordinance 2026-11. This was properly noticed and we have not received any written
notifications in that public notice requirement. And with that, I will enter my staff report into the record and answer any questions. Okay,
I'll start the questions off. I didn't see did the PNC approve this. So vacations do not go to PNC. They go directly to the Board of Commissioners for two readings, but they did review
the site plan at their last meeting. So let me understand. We we do the vacation of these properties prior to the
approval of the project or, or they're not they're not separate. Why are they not part of the. So so it's essentially in combination. The vacation requires two readings with the Board of commissioners. So this
is the first reading. At the second reading, we'll be bringing the site plan forward with the second reading of the vacation as well. So they'll be basically, they have to be both approved to be active. So we're not going to vacate the
property. They don't do the project now. They have all this property, correct? Yes. Okay. So that won't happen. Correct. Okay. Commissioner Weaver, thank you. Mayor. You know, it
was interesting at the planning and zoning meeting, was there ever any attempt to secure the property from the housing Authority? I believe the applicants can speak more about that. I believe they tried to
reach out to the housing authority about that. We've also tried to reach out and they were publicly noticed. Okay. Yeah, I don't have any problem with I think this is this is good growth. Thank you,
Commissioner Panther. No questions. Thank you, Commissioner Eisner. No questions. Thank you, vice mayor. Do we know what type of housing supposed to be expected if this right of way is
approved in the site plan development, come in at the next meeting. Sure. This is a look at the site plan for that. It's a little difficult because there's a lot here, but it's a townhome project. There's a
total of 32 units, and there are a total of five buildings included in that project. Okay, since this is the first reading I'm looking at it, I'll give it
a go, but I'm going to look at it closely, come around the second meeting with the site plan and everything. Thank you, Miss Keane. Mrs. Keane, can I have one more follow up
question? Do you have any idea what the estimated value of these these townhouses are going to be? I don't have that. You know, they didn't say what they are, what they're going to
sell for. They're going to be market rate units. So the applicant may be we don't know, you know, one bedroom, two bedroom. I believe there's a mixture of those. My concern is
in November, we may have, you know, going to a $250,000. Homestead exemption. And if these projects, if these
properties are 250 or less, there's no little or no tax revenue from them. So anyways, that's you're looking at about probably 450 mega pop or 500,
if I had to guess. I've not seen anything. But just look at what, what, what a new I'm assuming by the location it's not going to be some luxurious five star accommodation. So an
average townhome, that's what you're looking at. Okay. Let's go to public comments. Okay. Let's come back to the board
for a motion. Oh I'm sorry Peter. You're slower tonight. You really are. You're like us 514 Ashland Avenue. I thought you were probably going to have
the applicant come up to answer some of your questions first. So I would defer to the gentleman here. No, no. Go ahead. He's given up this time. What's that? He's done. Are you
done? You gave up your time. No, I'm going to come back. No, no, it doesn't work that way. Who runs this meeting? No no no no doesn't work that way. Right. If he's if he's going to speak, he needs to speak. Yeah. If
you're going to speak, you have to speak. I can try to defer to you. All right. So possible Ali, we can go to number six on your
backup. The one that shows the old plat that was revised in 1972. Peter. Peter. Peter. Peter, listen, listen. Look at me. Okay, so this. No, this is
a public comment. You're not I am not you can't question. No, I'm not questioning. I'm going to point something out to you. So and Peter lacks 514 Ashland Avenue in the backup under
staff presentation. It says the property is not needed to implement the future circulation plan of the Transportation Department. Element of the Comprehensive
Plan. Now, they're saying that that 17.5ft is what satisfies it. It says all the rights away proposed to be vacated of
Shackleford and Bourke Street. Here's the thing. Bourke Street shall it's hard to read on here. North. She's basically. They're
saying the vacation, the saving of that 17.5ft is what satisfies the comprehensive plan and the Comprehensive Plan.
It says all rights of way to be vacated. Well, it talks about access. And if I could show you number six, if you look at the
old plat, that thing, that that road that's going on our map north and south is Burke Distant Avenue that's distant
down here on the south side on this element. So again, if you could see the old plat, if you go on your thing number six, you'll see it. Burke was originally connected to distant.
Shackleford is actually in the old plat, says Campbell, which is now Mango Street. I keep telling you about distant. If you get this through, then
you've locked those people into a cul de sac. If you make them build into what they have there with those streets and open up Burke to distant, and I
mentioned it, the Park Planning and zoning meeting to work on a private partnership. These people can open it up because all that land down here that they own on the south, on the
west side, there is all runs along distant, and then they could have access to that for their people to come in from both sides. Peter, we're not we're not voting on the project right now. No, I know, and
that's why it's a disservice not to see the site plan and to see it. So my contention is in the comprehensive plan it says you cannot vacate if it will affect your future
transportation. And I'm saying it does affect the future transportation plan for the next meeting. Anybody else?
Okay. Oh I'm sorry. Yes, sir. Good evening. Matt Silver with Gulf Coast Consulting 13825 I Court Boulevard, Clearwater.
Good evening, mayor and members of the board. And Mr. Vice Mayor, thank you for your time and your consideration tonight. Really appreciate it. Mr. mayor
wanted to put you at ease. The townhomes that we are proposing here are selling in Pinellas Park from 360 to $390,000. They
would be built by Dr. Horton. Is the proposal here in front of you tonight? Thank you. So we're just talking about the
plat vacation. Currently the plat is for 39 lots. The lots are very narrow and they would not be able to accommodate single family homes at our
modern standards. And the right of way as well is 30ft wide, which is not wide enough for a modern right of way. So for
anything to happen here, this plat would have to be vacated, just like the apartment site next door did. So just humbly asking for your approval so that you guys may review the
project in a couple of weeks. Thank you, thank you. Okay, let's come back to the board for a motion. So moved. Second. Okay. Are there any further
comments on this roll call, please, Commissioner Weaver. Yes, Commissioner. Panther. Yes. Commissioner. Eisner. Yes. Vice mayor. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay.
Let's go to our last item of the evening. It is. Can you read the resolution, please? City Attorney Resolution 2020 622, a resolution of the Board of Commissioners, city of
Tarpon Springs, Florida, approving application number 2634. Requesting modification of site plan approval resolution 2020 242 for Co
Hatch, Tarpon Springs, located at 121 East Tarpon Avenue, to remove condition number seven, requiring the provisions of parking, providing for findings and providing for an effective
date. Mayor, you want me to read the quasi judicial? Sure. Yep. This is a quasi judicial proceeding where the board acts in a quasi judicial rather than a legislative capacity at a
quasi judicial hearing. It is not the board's function to make law, but rather to apply law that has already been established in a quasi judicial hearing. The board is required by law to make findings of fact
based upon the evidence presented at the hearing, and apply those findings of fact to previously established criteria contained in the Code of Ordinances in order to make a legal decision regarding the
application before it. The board may only consider evidence at this hearing that the law considers competent, substantial and relevant to the issues. If the competent, substantial and relevant evidence at the hearing
demonstrates that the applicant has met the criteria established in the Code of Ordinances, then the board is required by law to find in favor of the applicant. By the same token, if the competent, substantial and relevant
evidence at the hearing demonstrates that the applicant has failed to meet the criteria established in the Code of Ordinances and the board is required by law to find against the applicant. Is there anybody
on the board that needs to disclose any ex parte communication or if there is any conflict? I am a member of
coach. Is that that would not be okay. I did speak with Mr. Cody Bracey earlier today just to get an idea of their, you know, just what was being requested and reasoning. Is
there anything additional that Vice mayor that you feel needs to be disclosed to the board? No, not at all. Thank you. The only thing I would say is I got to watch the PNC meeting, no
issue. And I'm part of the women's club who is up in. Favor. Okay. No conflict from the board. Okay. Would you?
Whoever's going to speak, do you want to. Oh. I'm sorry. Wants to be sworn in. Yes. You. Yes. Okay. We have two. We have
three. All right. You swear from your testimony before the commission shall be the truth, so help you. I do, thank you. Okay. All right. Do your presentation. Yes. Okay. Again,
this is an application for a site plan modification for co hatch Tarpon Springs, located at 121 East Tarpon Avenue. Specifically under resolution 2026-22. They are requesting to
remove condition number seven from the original site Plan approval resolution that was adopted back in January of 2023, when they went through the site plan approval process for the addition on the back side of
their building, the board placed a condition that stated that they must provide parking associated with that building addition, and the condition further stated that the additional parking shall be required until such time that a
city sponsored parking solution is implemented, or a formal parking study indicates that the additional parking is no longer needed, the applicant has fulfilled that condition. They have been leasing 18
spaces from the Methodist Church to basically get the parking that they needed at that time. The city has implemented several different parking solutions solutions over the past several years,
and we're continuing to pursue additional solutions as we move forward and continue to develop. And just as a reminder, the smart code does not require parking for the T5B transect
zone, which is where this property is located. And that applies to all existing and proposed developments and uses. And really, the rationale behind that is that it is a walkable downtown area where
there's public parking available. As I mentioned, the city as well as the CRA, has been pursuing downtown parking solutions way in advance of the Co hatch application dating
back to about 2018. We constructed the new Ring Avenue lot that put 30 new spaces in downtown. In 2020, Court Street was reconstructed and that
provided 30 new on street spaces. Between 2021 and 2025, we have entered into various leases with downtown property owners, and that has given us about 136 additional spaces
available for the public. Last year, we also got 11 new on street spaces along Tarpon Avenue, and that was in Court Street, and that was due to removing some of the bulb outs
and as well as Restriping, in addition to the additional spaces, we've done some operational enhancements this year. We posted two hour parking limit signs in the 100 block of East Tarpon Avenue. This is really to encourage
more turnover of downtown patrons. We have installed free parking banners, as well as additional directional signage for the parking lots, and then the Explorer Tarpon Springs
walking map was also developed, and that identifies those parking lots downtown. The city did put out an RFP back in 2023 for a formal parking study. We
did receive responses to that. However, at that time, the Commission elected not to move forward with the formal study. With that, staff does believe that condition number seven has been fulfilled. We do recommend
approval to remove condition number seven, and this would allow the applicant to terminate the current parking lease. This went before the Planning and Zoning board at their June meeting. They had six members in attendance. They
did vote to recommend approval of the resolution, with one member dissenting. There were four members of the public there that provided comments on the application. And with that, I'll enter my staff report into
the record. Thank you, thank you. Let me start off the question. So. Two questions. Well, one, just want to clarify,
this is not a we're not having a, a debate on or conversation about overall parking. This is about the 18 spots that coach
now leases from the Methodist Church. And they're asking to be taken off that obligation, correct? Yes. Okay. So. Are you
aware of from the the studies you've done or whatever information you have, are you aware of anyone who is parking at the Methodist Church and
walking downtown? Not that I'm aware of. And the applicant can provide more information. All right. Commissioner Weaver,
thank you, mayor. I it's hard to understand the wisdom of of having charged for, you know, 18 spaces that are four and a half blocks away. I would have
much preferred at the time someone consider a mobility fund to so that the city could lease more space. But I think,
you know, I think one of the other things here too is we need we need to kind of businesses that want to come into town, they need sort of a predictable process, right, of, of what they can expect, and
not necessarily for it to be, you know, discretionary, maybe a little, maybe we can work on a little more of a predictable process. I don't I don't see a reason to continue mandating
the lease agreement under these circumstances. Thank you, Commissioner Panther. I echo everything that Commissioner Weaver said. I and I have nothing to add. Thank you. Okay,
Commissioner Eisner, I suffered through the PNC meeting. I'll say nothing more. Vice mayor. Yeah, we ended up getting to
this because it was back in 2022, if not early 2023, when this project had been presented. And it was one of the oldest historical buildings in
downtown Tarpon. But the request was to nearly double the building, if not even beyond that. So it was fairly new concept for us in town and
wanting to set a precedent on doubling some of the historic buildings over there and the issues that could possibly arise at a out of parking. And so as a board at the time, we
we made a condition for the applicant that, you know, we would require them to lease a parking area. That way, all of their tenants and their
different style of tenants that come and go could help. You know, the space would help provide parking for the downtown. Well, in all reality, I believe there's a very small
percentage of people who even use the Methodist church to park over there to go to coach. So it was something that we as a board implemented for safeguarding and worries of
being over crowded. But that area doesn't necessarily doesn't require to have parking limitations in that section. So through time, and we've had
other applications come before us in which, you know, we're we haven't required that. And I'd like the same, the same precedent in, in this moving
forward to take that away, the mandatory parking area for coach. And we should be good. You know, we tried it to help the nearby businesses and unprecedented times and
development. And we've gotten to that point where we realize, you know, there's still a lot of parking around the area and this is a safe bet. This is, you know, this we took a safe
approach with this, just like we did with the food trucks. That's going to be progressive too. And we know what the next step will be. And so they've done a good job. We all have, you know, and providing that
guideline because we don't want downtown overcrowded. And this all serves that. So happy to support it. Any public comment
if no public comment? Mr. Bracey's walking over, you know it's going your way. Do you really you just did not say anything. My name is Cody
Bracey, community manager. Trying to go as fast as I can. Community manager coach. On behalf of coach, we gladly in
2023 accepted this together with the city, knowing that this was new and this was something that we wanted to solve together, still something that we want to solve together. I want to just thank the city
staff and all the work they've done to make this happen today. Thank you guys for your time. Do appreciate you. We hope to just serve the city more because of this resolution and
appreciate your time today. Thank you. Okay. Any other public comments? Let's come back to the board for a motion. So moved. Second, if there's no further comment. Roll call
please. Commissioner Weaver. Yes. Commissioner. Banther. Yes. Commissioner. Eisner. Yes. Vice mayor. Yes. Yes. Mayor. Colonna's. Yes. Okay. That
concludes our business. Let's go to board and staff. Comments. Chief, just to address what former Mayor Pro Duce was up asking about, we do have information up on our website,
thanks to Jordan. It's on the city website and the police department's website about the laws for the current laws with e-bikes and such. And just so you know, we did listen to you
and others that got up at the podium with your concerns did meet with my friend George Stevens, also gave some input. And I assigned Sergeant Miller, who's working with the city
attorney right now, on drafting an ordinance for limiting bikes, ebikes and such on the sidewalks downtown and at the sponge docks. So hopefully we'll get that to the board for
consideration in July. Thank you. City Attorney Chief said what I was going to say. All right, City Manager, just want
to remind everybody we have the public hearing on the budget on Thursday night. Remember, by charter, this is the time for the public to come give us
input on the budget. So I understand I wasn't here. I understand it wasn't too heavily attended last year, but everybody needs to know like it
was before that we have got through Connect Tarpon, the availability for citizens to give input on the budget will go beyond Thursday night. That
will be kept open. Like I know it was two years ago. I gather it was last year. I'm not sure, but that will be open. So we like to hear it early. Obviously, we've got conditions
coming up that we will talk about as a board. The seventh when we have our first budget hearing, and we'll deal with all the the issues that we have to deal with. So, you know, there might not be too much to
give with, but the citizens will have. Before this was passed, the citizens had a chance to input the budget. But for reasons that we won't go
into, this was put in as a requirement before June 30th that we have this public hearing. But this is not the only chance for the public, the business owners, to put in that that communication resource of
connect Tarpon will have that will have fliers here. We've given out fliers. Miss day gave out fliers in the community to tell how people can get on the connect tarpon and give their
input. So it's not just the 25th, but the public will have access through the whole budget process to get their input for you. Besides the fact that they can come up at three minutes of public comments and and stuff,
there will be access to give staff that can relate to you information on what they like to see in the budget through the whole time. But we will meet the charter requirement
requirement and have the meeting before the 30th with that 25th meeting. Besides that, I'm still doing a lot of learning and going through and trying to recoup the year. Four
months and two weeks I was gone. So I'm I'm still getting acclimated stuff moving along. So I'll be updated on you in the future. On some of the things I found, some issues we
face in the future. Thank you. 6:00. City Clerk Thank you, Commissioner Weaver. Thank you mayor. So while Cody's in the
audience, I'll just thank him for the many things that he does for our community. So thank you, Cody. Appreciate it. I'm glad it went your way tonight. You know, I don't want
to dwell on what happened here tonight. The right to speak is fundamental, right? We're allowed to speak. And we should
be able to express our beliefs. But we we should be willing to disagree without contempt and hatred. And that's that's where they lose me, right? So I'm
fully okay with people coming and stating how they feel. I'm not okay with the, the undertone of, of the hatred. So I would like to just say that, you know, in our responsibility
as commission to serve every resident with dignity and respect equally. And that's what I plan to do regardless of, of who comes to the podium and
what they say. That's my job. That's what I'll continue to do. So while it was a disruption, it was also reinforcement that that we just I mean, folks, we
live in a great city. I don't know what else to say. Thank you, Commissioner Panther. Thank you. So I think that the next the next meeting is just myself, Mr. Weaver, and
Commissioner Eisner, correct? Yeah. So are we going to arm wrestle for who's going to lead the meeting? Sorry to hear you're going to lose if it's. You were here an hour. So I
need to know. I need to know. Sorry to hear that. You're going to lose, sir. Listen, I, I wouldn't doubt Commissioner Weaver. He was the choice. Strong, strong. I have no
comments. Thank you. There will be no fighting, though. I'll tell you, Commissioner Eisner, it's your turn. Thank you. So I agree with the Commissioner
Weaver. You know, we have so much hatred in the world, and it was a blessing to see all these people come in and speak about free speech. What annoys
me is when they take that free speech and they place it on a youngster like Abby. That's right. And who is trying to be
a politician? I've watched her in Poland. She's here, she's there, she's everywhere. The last comment I made to her is, Abby, you are amazing. You are.
You've got thick skin for these grown ups to pick on her opinion. Your opinion is valuable, Abby. Whether they like it or they don't like it,
you're free to speak just like anybody else. Okay? You didn't say anything wrong. You just said you don't agree with it. And you're allowed to do that and continue to do what you're
doing. So they kind of deflate their message to me when they go to attack anybody in this room. You know, if they're here
to speak about free speech and acceptance of everybody, you have to be acceptance of everybody. I know there was somebody else who wanted to walk out because they weren't happy with what they heard, and
you're free to do that, too. I many times walk out when I don't like what I'm listening to. I was told I'm going to have to stay for this one because everybody's going to
the motherland, so I'm going to have to be there in the mayor's seat. I can't, I can't walk away. Thank you for helping that. But the bottom line is we
have free speech. And, you know, not everybody likes Jews. And I accept that. I just don't appreciate it being thrown in my face. I wish people would come up here and address the
mayor, which is the way the rules of procedure should be. Don't address me. Don't address AV, don't address any one person. The mayor is the one who is the person that's
supposed to get that. I was very happy to be at both Juneteenth events. I was there for the evening event. It was delightful, especially when the
sun went down. It was extremely hot, and then I was there for the morning breakfast and it was well received. The mayor kept his speech semi short, but
you know, we know and love him the way he speaks. So, you know, it was it was done. Well, I also want to say that I, I listened to the PNC meeting and
I encourage every board member to go back and listen to that PNC meeting. It was not a discussion on the 18 spots. It
was a refreshing of coach, in my opinion. Originally, I'm going to tell you what did happen was nobody wanted to rent coach 18 spots. They
didn't want to get him his seat, get their CEO. So the only choice he had was to go and get those 18 spots, which nobody's
using. And you had to hear some of the comments. They wanted him to spend $500 donating to the city for a parking garage. There was a slew of polo ponies
of, of comments that were being made that had nothing to do with the 18 spots they were there. The whole process was, does he keep the 18 spots or
does he stop keeping the 18 spots? I heard about two hour parking. I heard about not enough handicapped parking. I heard about a parking garage. I
heard about everything under the sun except what the whole concept was. And I do think that when people get up, they should speak about what is on
the agenda and nothing more. That's what I want to say. Okay, Vice Mayor. Yes, I just want to on my trip, I'll I'll be going to Kalymnos for a period of
time. I did offer to the mayor there to present because it's a new mayor. And you know, as we go and we our sister cities to present the key to the city to him, we're waiting to hear a
response back. So it's not I haven't heard a response back yet. So I just want to inform you all. As far as the situation, and Commissioner
Eisner myself are, we're agreeing on a couple items here during these commissioner comments. That was oh my God, there was there was a PNC member. I didn't appreciate the
tone and, and some of the terms that were used towards our staff and shell gaming and stuff like that. It's inappropriate. Try that stuff again. I'm going to bring you
back up to have you removed. Somebody else did that as PNC member, and I was going to bring them to remove them prior to their resignation. So I'm not going to put up with that.
You can respect our staff behind closed doors and not make some stupid accusations, which I just didn't appreciate. So that will not happen with
while I'm here. And I agree with you. Thank you sir, Mr. Licorice. I mean, he just communicates with us. We know what's what's happening, all the little things through our
emails. And you know, I know he's firm for the community. I'm just I'm very delighted. I, I can get responses back when, you know, residents reach out
to me and he's got the answer right away. I love when he can look at my emails. That helps me out too. And so I think it's a great thing. And you know, as of tonight, I'm I support and
love everybody, you know, regardless of what you love, how you love. I will be there to help you in a heartbeat. Okay. I, me personally, you
know, I don't want to promote sexuality. There's just weird times. You're damned if you do. You're damned if you don't. If we all love one another, we all love one another. And so that's
just the way I feel. I'm very proud of this young lady. Miss Abby Cole, 17 years old, had the guts to walk up up there and say what she what she felt
on her heart. And I somewhat felt the same way. And so she was a representative for me as well, just as much as I'm a representative of her. And so, you know, we all need to love
one another. You know, there's. And I just like to move forward and be kind to one another with everything that comes with it with Tarpon Springs. So I'm proud of you tonight because
that took a lot of guts. That was the most gutsy thing I've seen in a long time. And you took criticism From past commissioners who couldn't keep themselves. And obviously, you know, you said some very good points to get people to react
to what you had to said. So you should be very proud of yourself tonight. And it was a great day for everyone in the community, regardless of how you feel. You know, we're one town and we need to be there to
love one another. Thank you, thank you mayor. I just say one thing in coming back, the one thing coming back, I was a little more passive towards the
end of my career before. Plus, I think I went zero for four. And in batting average, that's striking out and getting an extra strike and striking out. But I can tell you coming back
now, I'm not going to tolerate board members on your appointed boards that come up, and I'm glad two people mentioned it, because I'm not. I'll go for
five over six over seven, but I'm telling you in the future, and we're going to figure a way to get the message to all of them. Come on board members, to staff, towards the public,
towards anybody. I'm going to I'm going to bring future ones forward. And again, my batting average can. It can't go down more than I'm batting zero zero, getting people thrown off boards. But but I plan to bring.
Because we just don't need this not. We've got too much going on, too many important issues. We don't need this nonsense of people you put on boards and are supposed to represent us in the community so you can believe me. The next one of
those that happens before you bring it forward, I'm going to be bringing it to you because we're going to get the word out that we're just not going to tolerate that type of behavior on boards. Now there, your board member, you obviously you
make the the decision. But again, I'm I'm not coming back here and trying to move all of us forward. I'm going to put up with any of that stuff on boards no more. It's not going to happen on my end. So I just
want to make that statement. I hope the boards are listening and we'll tell them to watch what I said, because that's it. That's the last one in my reign. Yeah. Beautiful. Thank you. I, yeah, I, I serve with that
board member for quite a while as a PNC member. And I, I don't remember any of that stuff happening before. So I hope
it's a isolated incident. The Abby did a good job, you know, but you do have to understand. And you'll see this government and especially local government
gets clunky. So you, you you haven't seen anything. We've had some some long drug out meetings. So that gone well,
you look at me here over here. We've had some long ones that have gone like 1:00 in the morning and stuff. Before you close, you'd really get frustrated before you close out this meeting. She no board
member should leave. She wants to take a picture with all of us. Sure. Okay. So anyways, you know, again, I don't want to, you know, just keep beating a
dead horse here with this, but I hope this this doesn't happen again. But it just it's, you know, just throwing gasoline in
here and just and igniting things, having people show up here and inviting people like that to come into town. And is,
is unnecessary. It's, it's just inappropriate. Because I hope that now that this issue is finished, we move on. We don't have to read any more
proclamations on this issue for another year, but I yeah, I just hope that this is this is the end of it because I don't want to tolerate that every,
every meeting, it's a little too much. But can we address this before you? Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Oh yeah. This is this is mine. Yes. All right. Okay. So
we have to I'm going to be missing the meeting of July 14th. Tuesday, July 14th. Can I have a motion to excuse me? So moved. Second. Okay. Roll call
on the motion, Mr. Weaver. Yes. Mr. Yes. Mr. Eisner? Definitely. Yes. Vice mayor. Yes. Yes. Mayor. Yes. So. And as as far
as and I've told the city manager, you know, we're going to have a short board for all the whole month of July 3rd at one meeting and then only four at the next meeting. We still
got to get business done. I have no issue with, you know, even with the board of three, you guys putting things that need to get done, get them done. So, you know, you guys are are
three reasonable people. You'll come to consensus. And if you can't, you can always defer it to the meeting when there's more people there. So but you know, city manager, give him a
give him an agenda. Don't, don't don't play. Yeah. Because otherwise it's going to be piled up. You're gone. So yeah, give him a full agenda. Okay.
Thank you everybody. And we are adjourned at 854.