There you go. All right. It is 6:11 p.m. and I'm going to call to order our regular council meeting. It's March 12th, 2026. Lori, can I get roll call? >> Mayor Young >> here. >> Vice Mayor Painter >> here.
>> Council member Stori >> here. >> Council member Brandon >> here. Thank you, Lori. The invocation and pledge of allegiance will be led by me. You could all take a moment and bow your heads. Let us take a moment to pause, reflect,
and give thanks for the opportunity to serve our community and for the trust placed in those who have been sworn in tonight. We ask for wisdom, patience, and humility for our council members as they begin this new term. May the discussions that take place here be
guided by respect, thoughtful listening, a shared and a shared commitment to the well-being of our residents, our businesses, our dedicated staff, and the natural beauty of our coastal home. Help us remember that good governance is built on cooperation, integrity, and
service to others. Amen. >> Amen. If you could please rise for the pledgece 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. Hey, can I get a motion to approve tonight's agenda with removal of agenda item 18, which is ordinance number 05-26 for reasonable accommodations for recovery residents. Uh staff has a
little bit more work to do on that one based on council's feedback at our last workshop. >> So move second. >> All in favor? Bye. >> Okay, moving on to our presentations tonight. The first one is a presentation
of the Abby Brennan Mirror Award, which I will present. And the Abby Renir Award is going to Kimberly Baker Windish. Kimberly exemplifies what it means to be recognized by this award. An individual
who continually volunteers her time, dedication, and talents to the village of Dquesta and its citizens. An individual who has shown a willingness to work with Dquesta residents, who is enthusiastic about the village and its citizens, and who works continually
towards the betterment of our community. an individual who has made a positive difference through their service to municipal, educational, and other civic, religious, or community- based organizations. I met Kimberly when I moved home to
Dquesta in 2017. And ever since then, I've observed her quietly, consistently, and selflessly giving to others in our community. Whether it's purchasing 35 bicycles for our annual Christmas toy drive, donating baskets full of school
supplies for our village teacher supply drive, setting up her own food collection stand to support a countywide food drive that the village was participating in, participating at sponsorship at our chili cookoff, or volunteering at Hannah's home. Where
others saw a gap, she saw an opportunity to serve. Kimberly's commitment to the village was most recently highlighted by her enrolling in the residents academy to further her knowledge of government operations. During the first evening of the academy, an unregistered resident
arrived without the welcome back and learning materials. Without hesitation, she gave the newcomer everything she had been given, keeping nothing for herself. It was a small moment that revealed everything about her character. Kimberly never seeks recognition. She
gives really because she genuinely loves the village and the people in it. It's my privilege to honor her with the Abby Brennan Award and we cannot wait to see all the good you continue to do in our community. Just be quiet. A
right. Moving on. Agenda item two, proclamation declaring March 2026 as Florida Bicycle Month. Whereas residents and visitors of the village of Tquesta engage in bicycling as a practical form of transportation and a valuable means of physical
activity and recreation. And whereas the Florida Bicycle Association designates March as Florida Bicycle Month and Palm Beach County recognizes this observation locally. Whereas Florida Bicycle Month features fitness activities, educational
programs, races, commuting opportunities and charity events for riders of all ages and abilities at parks and locations throughout Palm Beach County. And whereas recognition of Florida Bicycle Month raises awareness of bicycling and promotes physical activity, healthy lifestyles, and
bicycling as a viable transportation option. Whereas the Palm Beach County Metropolitan Planning Organization plans, supports, and recommends projects that improve bicycle access and safety, as well as promotes community education
efforts to enhance safe bicycling practices. Whereas bicycle friendly communities contribute to improved public health, quality of life, economic vitality, tourism, traffic safety, and student outcomes while reducing congestion and wear on the local roadways.
Whereas electric bikes are an increasingly popular mode of transportation, Palm Beach County encourages all road users to share the roadway responsibly and encourages organizations to promote safety through education and training. Whereas Palm
Beach County has an expanding network of designated and enhanced bicycle facilities totaling approximately 300 miles. And several local municipalities have adopted complete streets policies advancing a safe, connected, and accessible transportation system for
bicyclists of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the village of Tquesta mayor that the month of March 2026 is Florida Bicycle Month. Thank you, Lori. Now, um this council has really promoted uh bicycle
friendliness and bicycle safety. Uh that is evident by the mobility plan that we recently adopted. And I know um you know, the ble safety has become even more important with the popularity and rise of the ebikes. And we know our police department has been doing a great
job with education and enforcement of that. I'm going to put the chief or lieutenant on the spot because I think there's a couple businesses that are participating with bicycle. >> Yes. Rancho Chico Sunshine Ice Cream, Village Scoop. Diego's here from Rancho Chico. How are you guys? >> Thank you, sir.
>> Billy Scoop and Palm Beach Ice Cream have all partnered with the village of Questa to be given vouchers. Uh as the officers see the kids wearing their helmets, being safe, being cautious of pedestrians, uh our office will be distributing vouchers for ice creams TO THEM. SO,
I JUST REALLY WANT TO THANK THE BUSINESS FOR participating uh with this initiative this month. We really appreciate it. I have to say um my mom and daughter were at the Palm Beach ice cream this afternoon getting ice cream and they said they saw some of the officers were there getting the vouchers and my daughter already helmet.
We're we're a safe bike riding family but right away she's like I put my helmet on ride my bike. like if anything, it's going to get them off the couch and outside, too. So, thank you. All right, moving on to agenda item three. Proclamation proclaiming March as
let's move Palm Beach County in the village of Dquesta. >> Mayor, I do not believe that anyone is here to accept this proclamation. >> Oh, I think we do. Oh, I apologize. Okay, let's move Palm Beach County Month. The village of Tresta takes special notice and acknowledges exceptional
organizations that help residents who live, work, and play within the jurisdiction. Whereas in 2014, Digital Vibes became a nonprofit to reach out to understand youth in Palm Beach County by empowering them through dance, fitness, technology, and the arts. Whereas,
Digital Vibes partners with the Palm Beach Health Foundation annually to host the Let's Move commit to change physical activity challenge, a countywide initiative that focuses on physical activity, nutrition, and healthy behaviors. Whereas, Digital Vibes, Inc.
and Palm Beach Health Foundation present the annual challenge which takes place annually from March 1st through 31st and encourages individuals within and beyond Palm Beach County to take charge of their health by participating in fun fitness exercises.
Whereas the Let's Move initiative was originally introduced on a national level by First Lady Michelle Obama in 2010 with the goal of decreasing childhood obesity throughout the United States due to the fact that nearly one in three children in the United States
are overweight or obese. And if this problem persists, one-third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives or will face other obesity related health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma,
and cancer. Whereas Digital Vibes and Palm Beach Foundation invite all residents to take the challenge to move by forming teams, registering online, committing to exercising for at least 30 minutes a day throughout the month of March, and logging their minutes on the
Let's Move website. In 2012, the Palm Beach County logged 100,000 minutes in the first year of the challenge, and we have met the challenge each year since, rising in 2025 to over 101 million minutes logged. Now therefore, be it
proclaimed by the village of Tquesta that the month of March is Let's Move Palm Beach County Month. >> Thank you, Lori. I just want to thank Digital Vives for providing this opportunity every month. And it kind of, you know, was a perfect segue from what I was saying before about getting our
kids out there and having them be active. So, thank you for being here tonight to accept it as well. Okay, I'm going to be quick, guys. So, we are in the middle. Well, almost the middle of March and we do have the Let's Move March challenge going on. For the last 5 years, the city of Wellington has
taken the throne and we would love for some friendly competition. So, if you all can, please log on to let'sove Pbbc.org. Please join or request a team and please log in your minutes. And may the best team or city win. Thank you.
All right, moving on to the consent agenda. Can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I moving on to communications from citizens for items that are not on the agenda tonight.
>> Christian Carter. >> Thank you. And if you could state your name and address before you speak, that'd be great for record. My uh my name is Christian Carter. Um I live off of Pine View Road over by Ara. Um I'm here tonight to talk about the Chquesta
skate park. So last week a bunch of the kids who live here in Tquesta came to me concerned. Um, they heard that a lady had fallen at night and gotten hurt at the skate park after the 80s event and that the city was planning on putting up a fence around the skatepark and closing
it off at 7:00 p.m. Um, I think that there's better ways to handle this. You know, a lot of the kids don't get out of school till 4:00ish. As you know, the adults, we don't really get off work till 5:00 usually, which doesn't leave us with a lot of daytime uh to actually go to the skate park. And you know, I
see kids there every week with headlamps at night just to be able to use the park. Um, I really think it'd be beneficial to the community to add lights there. You know, I know you guys don't want us there all night long. Um, but even just till like 8:00 p.m., those
are the busiest hours at the park. You know, there's 30 plus people that go to the skate park every single day. And there's over 200 people who use that park on a weekly basis. Um the kids got together and made a petition uh last Thursday right after the accident happened with the lady and it's already
had 220 signatures um just in that short time period. Um on top of that, there's a couple other things at the skatepark that need to be addressed. Um there's two ramps that have some serious alignment issues. Um it takes big chunks out of our wheels and out of the
skateboards when we're riding over it. And if someone were to fall on that, it would like severely lacerate their skin. Um, the park's awesome and we all love using it, but if we could, you know, fix that, it would make it a safer space for everyone. Obviously, skateboarding is a
sport that involves a lot of falling. Um, so, you know, we want to keep the kids safe and make it an environment that's friendly both to beginners who are going to be falling a lot and more experienced people who have been doing it for a long time. Um, the other thing I wanted to address was the concrete at
the park. It's extremely abrasive. If you look at all the other skate parks around Florida, they're usually like painted and sealed concrete. If you fall on it, you kind of just slide. It doesn't, you know, tear up your skin super bad. Even minor falls at the Tquesta skate park, they it's not just
like a little skin abrasion. like I have like scars that are like elevated off my skin from just minor falls that it shouldn't be doing that much damage to me. And not only does it damage your body, but it also tears our equipment apart. Um, which gets expensive. You know, a skateboard's usually $240 to
$280 and I have to replace it like twice a month. As someone who goes every day and these younger kids are replacing boards and wheels monthly because it's taking chunks out of their equipment, um, which obviously, you know, their parents are paying for. So, it would be nice if they
didn't have to constantly uh fix up their gear. Um, but yeah, we just uh urge you guys to please not fence off the skate park. You know, when I when I was younger, the Tquesta skatepark originally had a fence all the way around it. You guys just recently opened it up, which is awesome. I love it. Um,
but you know, when I was a kid, a lot of times whoever was running the park wouldn't show up to open it up in the morning. So, me and my friends would go skate around to Questa, which the local business owners really don't like. and the police officers would direct us right back to the skate park which was closed and you know I would hop the
fence and then get in trouble. Um so I just I please urge you guys not to close off the park. I understand that you guys don't want people there in the dark cuz it is a liability. Um but it'd be a lot simpler to just put lights there. you know, there's a lot of people who want to be there in the afternoon and those
are the peak hours and if you guys fence it off and and close it to us, you know, we're going to be forced to go out and skateboard elsewhere, which we're not really welcome to do, as you know. >> Thank you. I really appreciate you bringing that to us. >> Thank you,
>> Austin. And I apologize, I cannot read your last name. >> It's okay. Mayor, if I may, um, there's that to my knowledge and just talk checking with our parks, there's no discussion, never has been about closing the park or
putting a fence around it. So, if that helps all you guys, I we're unaware of the maintenance issues. If you guys want to send us an email, we can look into those, but there has been no discussion about closing the park and putting a fence around it. You guys can continue with your comments, but just want to
step ahead of that if I could. >> Fantastic. Thank you, Mr. Um, my name is Austin Dezikin. Um, over in Acoa, Altown Center Drive. Um, with that being said, I'm just going to continue with what I had. Bear in mind what he said about park. Good evening, mayor and council members. Thank you for
the opportunity to speak tonight. My name is Austin. I've been a resident of the area for over 30 years and an avid skater for most of my life. I'm here not to only ask that we keep our local skate park open as an accessible community hub for families, children, teens, and young adults alike, but that we invest in improving it. Skate parks are more than
just a place to ride. They are places where community forms. Every day, every afternoon, you'll see kids, teens, young adults gathering, encouraging one another, sharing skills, and building friendships across group ages. In a time when many young people feel isolated, glued to their phones, and stuck on computer games indoors, spaces like this
invite the youth and strengthen social fabric of our town and broader society. The physical manner of skateboarding teaches and enhances an individual's propric reception as well as the mental fortitude that goes along with the struggle of constant failure that's involved in the sport. It teaches young minds that perseverance does indeed
prevail. And this lesson extends well beyond partaking in an action sport. It finds its way into most every aspect of our lives from self-standing, improvement to schooling, continued education, careers, and building a family. The value of a safe and accessible skatepark brings to a community is much more than what's
perceived at a surface level, which is exactly why many of these young kids here are gathered today and why more than 200 people have signed a petition for improvements on this park. Key to this conversation is an important safety component. Like mentioned before, some of the ramps and obstacles in the park that are requiring some attention to
make sure that they are flush and even fitting surfaces to make skating safely for the community an achievable goal. In conjunction with painting the surface of the park, the rough ground causes premature wear on equipment and pose more potential risk to its users. Outside of daylight savings time, a few lights to ensure visibility during peak
hours only contributes to the park safety. When a city provides a well-designed skatepark, it gives skateboarders a place built specifically for the activity. Without it, young riders are naturally moved to sidewalks, parking lots, public plazas, and private property. Places that were never designed for skating and often lead to conflicts and injuries. Improving the
skate park keeps activity where it belongs, in a safe and designated environment. Just as important as safety, skateboarding teaches young people something incredibly valuable. How to manage risk. Skaters learn to assess obstacles. Practice repeatedly. Fall, get back up, try again. It builds resilience, discipline, and confidence.
These are skills that carry far beyond the park. As an expectant father, I seek to continue to use this facility in the future with my son so that he may learn and benefit in the many facets of life, utilizing these lessons and experiences that many of us here today share. Investing in the skate park is not only
an investment in our youth, but also our community brought improvements like updated features, better lighting, and regular maintenance, which makes the space safer, more inclusive, and more welcoming to everyone who uses it and is curious to use it. Having the parks park fenced off, bear in mind with what he said, uh for people coming home from
work, bringing their children and their friends with them is only is not an act of safety, but act rather an act of restricting access to a safe area designated for this activity and all the benefits that it brings to our society. Skateboarding isn't an outcast or rebellious activity like it once was perceived to be and deemed to be in
earlier days. It's recognizing as a promoted Olympic event that has shaped many industries adjacent to it such as fashion, music, TV, and other forms of entertainment. It's a mainstream activity that every day more and more of our youth seek to participate in by supporting this part of the council. Uh supporting healthy activity, mentorship
between generations of writers and a positive place for young people to belong. Should it should be open access and inviting the people who use it regularly and those more curious to involve themselves in this society and making the skate park safer with our outline proposals will only strengthen and better our local community. Thank you
for your time, your consideration, not just keeping our park, but making it a better safe place for all of us. Thank you. Appreciate you speaking tonight. Thank you, >> Brian Wood. >> And I do just want to remind everyone our Nope. Sir, come on up. Um the rules
of decorum do just allow three minutes per uh public speaker, per citizen speaking. So when you hear that alarm go off, but the 3 minutes is up. Thank you for qu No, you're fine. This is really important. And it's great you guys are here to to speak to us, but I just want to keep that in mind for courtesy of everyone.
>> All right. Good evening everyone. My name is Brian Wood and um since we're not closing the park anymore, I have to curve my my speech. But I'm a licensed mental health counselor and I've been serving here in Palm Beach County um for since 2001. Um I'm a professional artist
and also I've been skateboarding here in Palm Beach County since 1994. And um part of the work in the community that I am involved in, I work with organizations like the Army Art Center, Legal Aid Society. We really help teens, young adults with stress management, with anger issues, substance abuse
issues, and through my practice healing art, um we've been working on my practice 2011. We partner with rehab centers around Palm Beach County here in Testa, uh even beyond the region. So the the capac the Questa Park pretty much is
a safe space and um within within the safe space we really want to make sure the environment is safe for the youth and for their families. Um mentioned I'm also a professional artist. I have a mural in downtown West Palm which is city commission before is over 2,00 two 2700 ft and um it's all the
skateboarding. So since the Gardens park is closed, many of the scooters have come here and unfortunately there hasn't been resolved to for the youth there and they're they're idle now. So um many people don't want to drive this distance, but the park we really wanted to make sure it's safe for the community
and for their families as Chris has mentioned. We want to make sure the ground is safe and there's lighting if is fe if feasible. Um, I understand everybody's concerned about people doing things after dark possibly if there's somebody can close it in the night time just to make sure that you feel safe and
the families feel safe as well. So, um, just finally just to close um any improvements will be greatly valued and just want to say thank you for your time of allowing me and us to be here as well. All right. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All right, with that um I would
first of all truly thank you for for bringing this to our attention. I was not aware of the improvements that uh may be needed at the park and I think you know um reasonable improvements and safety is always our top priority. So if council's okay with it, I would like to request staff to look into it and get
back to us on the comments that we received tonight and then um if it warrants it, we could add it to our uh strategic workshop for discussion in April. >> Absolutely. Sure. Absolutely. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you guys for coming comments and
respond. Thank you very much. It's intimidating to speak. Christian, you did an amazing job. Thank you. >> Really good. All right. Moving on to communications from council. >> Oh, back in back in the first seat. All right. Um I just want to say to our our
amazing staff, thank you for another great event. the 250th the first or the the concert we had on Friday night um was amazing on Saturday. Um great community turnout and everything. Uh and I think again that's really what makes one of the things that makes the Questa
very very special is the community events, the way people come together for that. So thank you again for the great programming that goes on. Uh I received a phone call today on March 29th and we have a great partnership with the American Legion. Uh you're familiar that building is old and tired and they're
patching it together the best they can. Um they just got an insurance bill and it's expensive. So they're having a fundraiser um on the 29th. It'll be inside outside. Uh they'll come in for a special event permit. Um but I just want to throw that out there for anybody that
has any connection to the Legion or veterans or supports veteran. Just an amazing organization over there. It's an old building. They're doing the best they can. So March 29th, that'll be great. That's it. Um, Parks and Wreck are doing a great job. I very much enjoyed some of the
events lately. I did notice all the youth in the room and we were kind of wondering what you guys were doing here and one working with kids myself. I maybe they were kind of forced to come for a grade. But kudos to you guys showing up because you guys are the next
generation. So please never be afraid to be vocal to people who are in charge like your teachers, your parents, leaders. Um, secondly, I would fully support looking at your feedback and your comments. And, um, one, I know you guys love this time change because my
kids love this time change. This is where you guys get the 8:30 street lights go on. Um, I appreciate that, mayor, that we will maybe add that to the strategic plan because, as we all know, another town would move to skate park and we can't really compete with
the size of Abakcoas and it's not a dying art/sport because even the Olympics has picked it up. Even Tony Hawk made an appearance at the ballet company in California and they built him a ramp for it and he wore a costume and everything. Um, but again, just
appreciate you as well. who helped guide our youth and you guys coming in and spending some time with us and good job speaking. Yeah. Um, another thing with our village coming into spring, I know
I've talked to staff or at least Mr. Allen about helping educate residents that certain landscaping will be coming soon such as like sod and plants will recover and stuff. So, I I've gotten feedback that some landscaping in the area looks a
little dead, you know, for lack of better words. Um, but even the University of Florida agriculture department says just be patient. So, if everyone just be patient, you know, Mother Nature will do her thing and bring our village back to life soon.
That's it. >> Yeah. I just want to give a a big attabo to Parks and Wreck also. Um, I don't know if Greg's here or any parks, but the events just keep getting better. Uh, the creativity behind the events, it's just awesome. And all with that, I I had
the honor of um I think it was last week or the week before, I can remember now, but I got to um open up the residence academy when parks and recck was hosting with finance as well as uh utilities. And um just want to say awesome to look
out and there's I mean it's a packed group way bigger than I think the class I had or at least it seemed like that. But also just want to encourage anyone who might be interested in in uh the village resident program or resident academy program to uh look into it. I think it's a great program that I I want
to keep alive. I know last year we couldn't have it. I don't know if it was attendance-wise, but glad to see that there's so many people back. Um and yeah, way to go guys. way to come out and speak your mind. And uh we don't always hear about everything up here. I I think I didn't even know that there
were uh maintenance issues there and I assure you we will look into it and just appreciate you coming out and letting us know. >> I'm going to um piggy back off the residence academy. So the uh final class was last night. So the I think it's 24
uh graduated. They received their certificate of completion. And um it I love the last class because um I selfishly get to ask them what you know a question and last night I asked what their uh most surprising thing that they
learned that the government did that they you know just truly had no idea and um a lot of the feedback was aligned and and it was you know what I say a lot up here is we're small but mighty like they were very impressed with um how much our
staff do and the reach of our services like especially the water utility. Um so it was it was really great to participate and I just want to thank all of the staff that were involved for putting on another great uh fourth I think it was our fourth rate residence academy because I know that's a lot of
extra work and time out of all all the stuff that's in this room. It's extra work and time on top of your um standard duties. So thank you very much for doing that. Um and I want two more things I want to say. I attended the Florida Department of Emergency Management senior officials training with uh Chief
McGloin and Jeremy and it was pretty well attended. It was down at the county EOC uh the director. Is it Kevin? His name? Yeah, he uh was leading the class and it was a really great refresher on stuff some stuff that we uh already know with emergency management and not just
hurricanes. They talked about other types of emergencies and issues. Um so I hope they do another one of those again next year. And I know there's always learning more stuff and new protocols and techniques are coming out. So, I was uh uh really excited to be able to join that. And the last thing, and I know
she's not going to be happy with me cuz she does not like attention, but I could not let this meeting end without recognizing our longtime HR director, Merlene Reed, who is officially retiring on April 1st. So, Merlene, I know. I'm
sorry. I had to do it. Marlene Reed has been a devoted leader helping shape this village for almost 20 years. Her professionalism, creativity, and care for her colleagues in our community will leave a lasting imprint that cannot be
matched. On top of her very important standard human resource professional duties, her drive to make Dquesta the very best place to be includes creating smoke signals, creating International Employee Day to recognize each employee, ensuring
access to the best supplemental retirement savings program, creating the rainy day savings fund, researching and implementing bamboo HR, creating our beloved Halloween pumpkin carving, and costume contest. And truly
the list goes on. I can't list everything here tonight. Merlin, you cultivated a safe environment to work in and a culture where everyone wants to be. You champion the financial well-being of your colleagues, modernized our systems, built traditions
that brought us together, continuously fought to protect our employees, and we're always that smiling face welcoming everyone through your office door. For that we will always be grateful. Your legacy here will never ever be forgotten. We will miss you dearly, but
we are truly so happy for you and this next chapter in your life. So congratulations on your retirement and please don't be a stranger. We'd still like to see you here once in a while. And I do have one more thing. We are going to present you with a brick at remembrance park and the key to the
questa. to the village. >> Wow. >> Thank you. Marlene, you weren't Marlene, you're not aware, but um we are going to fence the skate park, and that's the key. You have to come back every night.
>> Council, would you like to say anything to Merlene? >> Just Merlene, thank you. Um, human resources is people love them or hate them depending on why they're sitting in front of you. Uh, but you've done an amazing job my three years on on the council up here to observe and just see
the culture and has been expressed this evening. This is a we're a small village only in demographics number you know square miles in residents. the quality of the staff that we have and that continue to be here to serve our
residents um or it's a I think it's a testament to the culture that human resources set. So, thank you. >> Yeah, our staff is actually most of it is dedicated um except for when we have someone retiring, we have to find someone to fill that spot. So, this is
no surprise. Um Merlene is really good in this very fishbowl of a world. And I say that because things have come up in the years that are HR related. She's great at privacy. She's great at respect and professionalism.
And she's great at working with council. No matter I've gone through a couple different council members up here and she's great at working with each one of us and keeping things very fair. So all I can do is hats off to you. You have you've left some big shoes to fill. >> Well, thank you Marlene for serving our
community for I mean 20 years is that's impressive anywhere. Um but I you're a a perfect example of the staff, the awesome staff we have here. Um, obviously super sad to see Lee, but know we have a great replacement behind you
and um, best of luck on your future endeavors. I know you got some plans. Um, and and like Mayor Molly said, just don't be a stranger and uh, I'm sure that he goes to something. I don't know if >> we're moving on to our standing reports. Village attorney.
>> Thank you, mayor. So, congratulations, mayor, vice mayor, council. Congratulations, Merlene. I'm very jealous. I'm not that far behind even. Got a
little more time in front of me, but uh congratulations. It's been a pleasure working with you. I think I've been here almost as long as you have. for the council. Um, couple of lawsuits that have been sitting around out there for a long time. The form six,
form one lawsuit, there's been no no movement on that. Uh, the injunction that prohibits the state commission on ethics from enforcing the form six requirement on municipal elected officials remains in place. Uh both the
federal and the state lawsuits have been I guess you would say put on administrative hold by both judges. Um and summary judgement motions have been filed but we're all just sort of waiting for the the courts to uh enter orders.
Uh so no change. You're still form one filers at this time uh for your financial disclosure. uh the other two lawsuits that are still out there and um moving forward slowly. There have been
two lawsuits filed um you may recall uh challenging the legality of Senate Bill 180 from the 2024 legislative session. Um they're both so there's two there's one that was filed by a thousand friends
of Florida as well as an individual uh up in Orange County that law that one actually has a pending motion to dismiss the state filed a motion to dismiss against a thousand friends of Florida alleging they did not have standing in
the first place which would leave the individual person from Orange County as the sole plif in that case. The other case is the one that was filed by the coalition of local governments. Um they all both lawsuits alleged similar things
in terms of the overreach of Senate Bill 180, but they're both out there still either in the that waiting for the court to rule on the motion and dismiss or they're and they're both in the discovery stage. So, and we also had um possibility of some
legislative reform on that this year with um Senate Bill 840. Um um you know, my office gives you a comprehensive uh memo then that we're working on that and that will certainly be part of it. But just wanted to bring you up to speed on
where those lawsuits are. They're all still out there. We're still watching and and anxiously waiting for something to happen with all of you. So that is my report for tonight unless you have any questions. >> Thank you. Any questions or comments, Ricky? >> No, ma'am. >> Thanks.
>> All right, village manager. >> Thank you, mayor. Um I tricked Merlene into coming tonight um because she told me that I could not recognize her. I could not celebrate her, which I did not. But I tricked Merlene into coming to um
introduce our new incoming HR director. So, I'd ask Marilyn to come to the podium and um and introduce her. >> Good afternoon, Mayor and Council, Vice Mayor and Council, of course. I am stunned that they could have pulled this
off without me finding out because somebody had to break and somebody is going to break a few bodies. But um I just want to say thank you now that I have my voice back. Right. Thank you to all of you. You have been an
amazing council and you don't get this kind of council just by accident. Um, I think it's as a result of the management that we have here and reaching out because when I heard last night how many persons were looking to get to in the
future file to become a council member, um, I was I was really touched and each one of you I find to be the word I can use is kind. You are kind. And sometimes you've been here for many years and you watch you you're almost afraid to go up
to say anything because you know that some words are going to hit you that um or just try to stomp you. I've never seen any of you attempt. So you you're just happy to come up and to present. Okay. So
before I even introduce Katherine, I will say that when we interviewed her, some of the things that stuck with me as she talked about why she wanted to be in Tequesta, she used the word respect and value and seeing employees and that made
a huge difference to the committee who was seeking to bring on the new director. So today I am pleased to introduce Katherine Ranieri, my successor of course for the position director HR risk management. She brings over 15 years of progressive public
sector HR experience, most recently serving as the number two leader for the town of Palm Beach. Throughout her career, Katherine has developed extensive expertise in recruitment and retention, compensation and classification,
employee relations, and HR information systems. She has worked closely with executive leadership to support organizational strategy and policy development while administering HR programs for approximately 350
employees. She holds a master's in political science from the University of South Florida and a bachelor's in political science from FAU and certification in HR compensation and benefits. We're very very happy to welcome Katherine to the village of
Tequesta and look forward to her leadership experience and the positive energy that she will bring to our organization. Thank you. Thank you. And I do understand that I have very big shoes to fill here. Merlin
has been a very big contributor not only here at the village but to the directors throughout Palm Beach County. So she brings a lot of information from the village and contributes throughout the county to our director meetings with the policies and practices that she shares
throughout with the town of Palm Beach as well. But I want to thank Mr. Alan and your team for allowing me to come and enjoy your team and support your vision and values. I can't wait to learn more about your plans and strategy. And
like said, I'm really into team building and culture building. And I again really look forward to learning more about your community and what makes everything unique here. So, thank you again. >> Thank you.
Welcome aboard, Catherine. We're happy to have you. >> Welcome, Catherine. Um, just a couple notes that I had. Um, we did, if you guys haven't seen the mayor and Mayor Keski from Jupiter made a great video, but super excited the Dober Ditch project is completed. Uh, I know it's
been a long time. I think we worked on like three years. We've had just three different staff members working on it. So, I want to thank Allison for getting that thing across the finish line. Um, it's been a long time coming. looks amazing. Um, thank the mayor for doing that video. Um, the quiet zone, I know
we've uh we've committed to doing an update for that. We um the funding that we were chasing for safety improvements is no longer available. Uh, we are working with Holtz and FRA directly. Um, and the FRA has said that they are
confident that we can get it uh with some minor modifications. So, we are working through that process to be able to submit an application and then we'll see how it goes from there. Um, and so if you want to keep up to date with that without having to wait every month, we
do have on our website, uh, updates for that if you want to follow along. Super excited. Last night, yesterday, uh, the Senate approved the Toquesta Park bill. So now um the Tquesta Park local bill that will transfer ownership from the
state to Tqua is through twothirds of the process. We went through the house and senate full support. No objection. So now uh it'll have to go through the governor's office for signature. So very excited about that. Um uh just a couple updates. Council
workshop March 30th. Uh obviously next month's council meeting on 9th and we have our strategic planning workshop on April uh 13th. With that, you have my report. >> Thank you. Any comments or questions for the manager? >> No ma'am. >> Thanks. >> Okay. Police department.
>> Thank you, mayor. Vice Mayor, congratulations, council. First and foremost, I I can't believe we're going to gloss over the fact that the HR director threatened something. So, I have assistant chief behind me to make sure she doesn't attempt anything else.
>> Uh, Catherine, welcome. We have great teams. We honestly do led by the manager, the council, and of course Merlin who does a phenomenal job. You talk about culture, that's not by accident. She has done a phenomenal job. Her and I have a running joke that she's gotten almost every higher right except
me because I was not her pick and I'm still here. But all honesty, she is honestly just the best. Uh, I'm truly going to miss her personally, but as a police department with hiring, promotions, whatever it is, uh, anything that we
need, she's always front and center and we're really going to miss her. So, I just wanted to put that on the record. So, Merlene, we love it. >> Uh, as you all talked about the residents academy, um, we love it whenever we have an opportunity to interact with our community. But I just
want to say that the police department outdid themselves again. The manager took a informal poll and the police department had the best goodies and giveaways. It was only two people he asked, but that's more than political polls. So, I agree
with that those outcomes and I endorse it. So, uh we honestly we love meeting with the residents and having one-on- ones, but honestly what I love from it is every time it seems we get more volunteers. Uh last time we we did do it, we received someone that volunteers and is still part of our COP program.
I'm happy to say that this time around we have three people that volunteer for our Questa residents action committee from the residence academy that want to be a part of the police department on what we're doing right, what we're doing wrong, what we need to improve upon. So it's important they continue to be a part of that. And I love the fact that
they wanted to participate and continue be with the program. And then uh we also were able to get one ride along. were looking for more people and I'm someone that never lets an opportunity go by. These young people were here and and I love the fact that they came out and
told us about things. Uh Kurt actually told me he says he's encountered a lot of these young kids. They're very respectful. Uh you know, whenever they do have to leave, they they're they're always respectful. So, you know, I wanted to commend them even even though they're not here. And of course, I asked her, you know, we also have an explorers
program if any of them want to join as well. So, uh hopefully we get one or two from that. But uh other than that uh the bike safety initiative mayor like you said I want to thank our three local ice cream shops that you know stepped up front and center and honestly uh we're looking forward to that uh to date. So
far we've given out five vouchers. So I'm sure at some point we will see your daughter or everyone else's daughter. So thank you all and again thank you Marlene for building a great culture and Jeremy obviously leading the way. So thank you. >> Thanks chief. >> Any comments or questions for the chief?
>> Question for the chief. Um, you know, I work for the sheriff's department and yesterday the yesterday we had a uh a half a day regional defense security task force meeting. Um, this well in the summer we have FIFA coming in. They're
going to be actually practicing as close as Palm Beach Gardens. Ronaldo, one of the most famous soccer players in the world, will be in northern Palm Beach County. Um, next year we have the G20, which our president is has expanded to the G40. So all of South Florida from
Dorado up to Mara Lago and there will be 40 heads of state throughout Palm Beach County and they're not all going to stay in one place. So I'm sure it'll make its way to you. But one concern they had and I know that you guys are that were acting with it but is rail safety
um and the opportunity for bad people to do bad things to good people on that rail system. And I just don't know is that something that we do on a regular basis where are we in communication with the FRA on on rail safety and the what's happening with rail systems around the
United States just to know what's happening in other part of the country because all eyes will be on South Florida and we are part of South Florida. You know we're the very northern end of of that region. Um but there because of TWA there will be heads of state in our market and you never know what could happen especially with the slowmoving freight trains. Is there
anything that we do on a regular basis or? >> So during our chiefs association meeting, things like this kind of come up uh that we discuss and obviously we have mutual aid with all Palm Beach County agencies. So I'm sure when they come to the gardens, I'm sure they'll be reaching out to us as well as even PBSO
when the president is is in town. So uh they haven't ramped up yet the conversations that much. I'm sure as we get a little closer, the conversations will start okay having a lot more. >> Just want to get it on your radar to be listening for that because it's it's going to be a big push from the law enforcement agency. There's things that I do. Thank you,
>> ma'am. >> Chief, >> fire department. >> Good evening, Mayor. Congratulations, Vice Mayor Edandas. I just want to start uh congratulations on your well-deserved retirement and
this Catherine we had a lovely talk going through your process. I've been trying to let Marines out the door so you got a lot coming for me here real soon. Um promotions testing all kind of fun stuff. So um congratulations once again to both um busy month once again
meeting with apparatus people. We are building an apparatus currently in Columbus, Ohio. I've got three people going up there. one of them to do our pre-build and then we'll go again probably close to two years to watch the finish of it with a punch list and that's always an exciting time to get a new apparatus. They're speeding up the
process from 36 months to close to 28 now which is fantastic for us. Uh it will give us a much needed uh break with our backup rescue. Um we have a lot going on with special events. We just finished the residence academy. That was an amazing experience. I really enjoyed it. Uh both the tour of fire and last
night. It was it was great. Um, so never done anything like that before. So I really did I really did like it. Um, if you see the pictures up there, if you can scroll to them, uh, there we had another take your kid to school day and it was that's always a wellreceived
event. Um, it raises money for from the uh for the veterans association through the chili cookoff. And then we also went to a pizza in the park with JC, one of our uh contract that's the new police chief there in the middle. And if you can scroll up a little tiny bit further, that's going to or down, sorry. Uh
that's going to be our new sticker we're going to have on the apparatus. Um just solidifying our partnership with JIC and the fact that we provide service for them. It's a great partnership. Uh it doesn't impact service a great deal in the village and um it's super rewarding
for us. Uh they all seem to really like toquify providing their contract. So, um, we have several people doing training outside of Tquesta. That's with Palm Beach County right there. And then we also have two members actively
currently in a advanced water safety dive rescue like rescue the rescuer type of class. And they're I've been in contact with both them and they're really having a great time. It's very challenging and they'll be able to bring back a lot of knowledge and information back to the rest of our dive rescue team. You can also see the picture. We
had a retiree breakfast a couple weeks ago which Miss Moon was able to attend. She said the food was good. I cooked so I hope she's lying and it was really good for her. Um the guys all enjoyed seeing her. She's actually come and visited all three shifts and they all enjoyed getting to Sedai. Um we have
some things going on with Martin County. A fuel agreement is in the works for them to purchase fuel while they're in a temporary station off a county line and that will come before you next month. We also are doing a very large CPR class, an AED course uh for San Piper, San
Point Bay, pardon me, for about 35 residents. And it's going to hopefully be kickstart uh something for us to start doing those classes once a month in the EOC. We will also be placing the first, I believe it's the first public space AED in the pickle ball area. I've
been working with parks and racks, parks and rack and public works, uh to get that place. The ad should be here any day. The box is already here. So, uh, we'll have some type of a ceremony to put that in place. It's something that's very needed over there. And it's going to be probably the first of about four in public spaces that I'd like to place.
Um, I think that's it. Does anyone have any questions? >> You council, any comments or questions? >> No. >> No. >> Thank you, >> Chief. Utilities department. >> Good evening, Mayor Vice Mayor. Congratulations, council. Um, what a
night. Um, I just want to echo what everybody said. Merlin is amazing in my short time here. She has been a very good listening ear when I needed to vent. So, I very much appreciate that. And Catherine, you do have big shoes to fill, but I am very confident you will
do a great job because the team here, they're awesome and they support you 100%. So, anything you need. Um, and also residence academy was awesome. My first residence academy that I got to experience. Um, and last night was just really cool to see how engaged the
residents are, how much they care about learning about what we do and supporting what we do. So, it was a great experience and I think Quest is awesome for providing that for their residents. Um, going into it, the Dover Ditch, um, the video was completed. Thank you so much, mayor, for participating in that. Um, it's awesome to see that project
wrap up. The permits closeouts were submitted to Army Corps and South Florida Water Management District and that project is now moving into the warranty period. So, it'll roll off of the update, but we will be doing a 3 month, 6 month, and one-year warranty inspection on the ditch. Um, any plantings or saw that die, the
contractor will come out and replace. Um, just a notification, the EPA sent a notice to the office of management and budget um with their intent to extend the PAS deadline. Um, it should be finalized in April. So, we should get that extension from 2029 to 2031 for the
MCL deadline for portable water. Um, surficial well 28, the test well was completed and tested and it came back very, very low in iron, which is awesome because that's one of the biggest issues we have with our surficial wells. Um, and the type of treatment we do to remove that iron. So, the fact that it
was so low is awesome. We have a meeting with South Florida Water Management District on Friday down in their office down south to discuss relocating it from that permanent location across from the tracks to the water plant site where we test did the test well. Um, so hopefully
everything comes out good from that. We will also be discussing at that meeting increasing the consumption limit for well 24 which is the only well that tested very very low in PAS but it's the only well that also has a consumption limit from South Florida Water Management District. So hopefully they'll allow us to do that as well. Um,
and then last thing I wanted to mention is Water Man 2 was out to bid. Bids came back Thursday and we are currently doing bid review and prepping for award that will hopefully come to you um in April. And that's all I have. >> Thank you. Any comments or questions for
Alison? >> Thank you, Alison. >> Thank you, >> Marlene. Just in case you haven't found out, we don't have strategic planning tonight, so you don't have to stay for the whole meeting. >> Just >> All right. On to the regular agenda. Old
business agenda item 14, ordinance number 01-26, second reading of an ordinance amending the general employees pension trust fund. >> Thank you, mayor. Ordinance 0126, ordinance of the village council village of the quest of Florida remaining code of ordinances at chapter 2
administration section 261 pension trust funds exhibit A general employee pension trust fund section 24 military service prior to employment by expanding the enrollment opportunity for participation in the purchase of this credit. Providing each and every other section
subsection chapter 2 shall remain in full force and effect as previously adopted. defining conflict cause clause severability clause authority to codify effective date and for other purposes. You have two versions of the ordinance in your backup. Uh the original version
from first reading u which contains language that um is consistent with other uh pension plan language in the village. uh that would require the member to not only um
purchase um the benefit but also pay for the actuarial study and and and uh other um administrative support that goes uh with with that. The second version was based on council discussion at first
reading uh which changes the language uh to state that while the member would have to purchase the benefit uh the plan or the village would would cover the cost of the um administrative
the service that goes is required to uh the actuarial service that's required to do that. So you have both versions. Um based on the the motion that was made and the subsequent u research that uh we did in terms of comparing to all of our
other pension plans, we put both before you uh so that um you can see both language and and give us uh better direction on second reading on what you want to do. >> Thank you. Jeremy, do you have anything else you want to add? No, I mean I think Keith kind of covered it. There was
discussion and staff vowed to go back and research it. You guys have got I think I've sent an email all to all council as well. I mean we can answer any questions you have. >> Thank you council. >> Um yeah the so we have two versions here and one they both say that the the
village will cover the cost of the actual world of study. Yeah. So, the original the original language that we brought you said that the employee is responsible, which is consistent with any of the pensions that I've researched, including our public safety
pension. The version and the motion that was made at that meeting was to for the village or the pension to cover that actuarial study. And so, that's opposite of what we did, but that was the motion that was made. So that that is what we
brought back to you because that was with a motion. I don't know if that was the intent. That's for you guys to discuss, but I don't believe that was the intent because there was discussion at that meeting about matching the pensions um language. I as I stated uh and I did vote for the
motion that is now what has been presented and prepared for us. Um but my my objective is to make sure that both pensions when it comes to you know changing any actuarial study that it doesn't impact the value of the fund
because we need you know our objectives always remain 100% funded on that and be it $2500 or $3,000 whatever it is um it's not a benefit for everybody so I don't think that everybody should bear the cost of the actuarial study so I'm
in favor that it it should be it should be that that the individual applicant for this special exception should bear the cost of that because not everybody else should bear the cost of something that they don't have the benefit of enjoying. So that's what I it's consistent with what I said in the
last meeting although I did vote for the motion because knowing that we discussed it again. Uh, but I I would like us to say see that both that when it comes to this type of policy of of incurring expenses against the fund for one person, um, I think that that's I don't
think that's proper for the fund to share those expenses. That's just kind of where I stand on this. Um so yeah so for since last meeting I have had discussions and I asked for what other
municipalities or pensions are doing this I still have yet to kind of receive another example so it's kind of hard for me to be the first person to do it first group. Secondly, I have heard in the past
before this was even in front of us last meeting, I've never heard a negative feedback from someone that was paying out of their own pocket for the actuary fund. I've never heard negative feedback that they minded doing that because of what they're getting back. So I'm okay
with the original version where the applicant pays the actuary cost just based on history of it's very limited of who's doing it and I have not heard negative feedback that they mind paying that based on what they get back and
also I don't think we necessarily need to be the first one to be covering all those costs. That's it. So, okay, just to confirm the the one that appears first in the agenda is the >> original >> original. Okay, got it.
>> The yellow revised revised cash. Okay, the yellow. Okay, so Okay. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I mean, it it makes sense to me. I I you know I don't know a ton about you know pensions admittedly but I the
reasoning behind um council member Sattorii you know that not everyone shares in the benefit and uh I also don't know what the exact cost is for the actuarial study but it would seem to me that uh it would make sense
for the individual to cover it but again that's just based on my very very limited knowledge of pensions and how these generally work anyway. So, um, yeah, I'll leave it there for now. >> Okay. Now, I I voted for the amended
motion, uh, or the motion to amend it last time as well, but I I'm going to be completely transparent. I think that there was, um, misleading information brought to us. And then also, um, we had questions that staff couldn't answer at the time because they weren't prepared.
And I know I said I was under the impression that the we did offer that in the public safety pension and I was like well they they should be the same. That was what I was voting for the first time cuz I was under the impression that um then it would match the public safety pension. So since the public safety
pension doesn't have that, I don't think this should either. So I am in favor of the original version now that we have correct and accurate information. >> Any public comment cards? >> Hi. Yes, ma'am. Marcia Nielsen. I concur.
>> Okay. Thank you. Any other Oh, any other public comment? All right. Can I get um I guess a motion would be to approve the um original ordinance from uh the first reading last month. >> Yes, that would you'd be approving the
text that was presented at first reading unchanged. I'd like to make a motion to that we um approve the um language from first presentation last month in which the individual pays for the cost of the actual roles any any administrative costs.
>> Second that. >> All in favor? >> I. >> On to new business agenda item 15 ordinance number 02-26. First reading uh for updates to our 10-year water supply facilities work plan.
>> Thank you, mayor. Ordinance 0226, ordinance of the village council village with request of Florida providing for the adoption of the 10-year water supply facilities work plan pursuant to subsection 1631776 C of the Florida statutes. Providing for the adoption of amendments to the comprehensive development plan in
order to implement the work plan. Providing for the adoption of objectives and policies within the various elements of comprehensive plan and providing for intergovernmental coordination of the regional water supply plan with adjacent local governments. Providing for transmittal to the state land planning agency providing conflicts clause
seability clause effective date and further purposes. >> Hi. Uh good evening mayor and council members. Congratulations on all the fun exciting stuff you have going on up there tonight. Uh this evening I will be presenting to you the water supply work plan.
Uh so the water supply award plan is a regionally coordinated planning document that reviews the current and future water availability. The village of Tasta is located within the lower east coast planning region. This update was prepared using information provided through that regional plan. So what the
water supply work plan does, it looks at projected water demands. It reviews available supply and that would be quality and quantity of water. Goes over conservation and management strategies. And then if needed, it can review funding options for any required
projects. Why does this matter? It's important obviously to make sure that our current and future residents have water. Uh it protects against shortages, regulatory non-compliance and any costly emergency sol situations. And additionally, a
sound water supply plan supports reasonable planning and long-term stability. So the 2025 update, this table was taken directly from the water supply plan document. It reviews kind of three
numbers that I have highlighted here. The first one is our W permit. This is the amount of water that we are allowed to take from our wells. The next one is the public water system ID. This is the amount that we can take, treat, and distribute. And then finally, this
number up at the top is the population demand and projections for the future. So when you look at these three numbers together, you can see that the water that can be withdrawn and the treatment distribution capacity exceeds the
projected demands for the next 20 years. The BOT summary, does the village have enough water to meet current demands? Yes. Will the future population also have enough water? Absolutely. Are there any proposed changes to the water system? There are no major operational
changes. any proposed changes that would significantly impact future water supply? There is not. The bottom line is the village of Questa has sufficient water supply, treatment capacity, and infrastructure to meet existing and future needs through 2045. This was brought to the LPA. Uh they
voted unanimously at their February meeting to recommend this to village council for your review. There were a couple questions posed by the LPA. One of them regarding the population projections and the other one regarding the wells. There is a wellocation map included in the water supply plan. And
then regarding population projections, these actually come from the lower east coast document. Um they work together with Bieber to give projections. We use those numbers for consistency across the region. Adoption by ordinance and comprehensive
plan updates. The last water supply work plan that we did was in 2020. They adopted this by standalone doc stand they adopted this as a standalone document into the comprehensive plan. Uh we have decided to move forward with the same process. In addition to adopting
the standalone plan we ordinance 0226 will include the amendments to the impact of objectives and policies in the comprehensive plan. These amendments consist solely of administrative updates to ensure consistency. Revisions include updating dates, correcting references,
aligning time frames. There are no policy changes or modifications to levels of service standards, land use designations, or regulatory requirements. As I said, the LPA reviewed this in February with the unanimous recommendation to council. Uh we are
right now looking at council to recommend transmitt to the state. The state has 30 days to review and provide any comments. After that, it will come back to council for hopefully an adoption hearing and then it will go into effect 31 days after state of notice is given.
>> Thank you very much. Thank you, May. Council comments, questions. >> Um, thank you for this. Um, I think one of the most fascinating things about being on this council is that we have our own water and utilities department and we talk about water all the time and
and the importance of it and I see it more and more. Um, I think it's great. I didn't realize that this was required for us to have. It's fascinating to go through that. Um, um, great opportunity going forward. I will be on the Palm Beach County Water Resource Task Force.
So, have another look at that. So, it's water, water everywhere, right? Um, and thanks for making sure that we have enough to drink. So, thank you. Of course, no questions in particular. Um, again, I'm happy with the direction we're going. while I follow other municipalities that have issues with
their own water, also those large data centers that are causing water questions and I'm just pleased that we're moving in a positive direction with a plan with multiple years out. >> Yeah. No, thank you. That was uh I really appreciate the summary and the
process that made that extremely easy to follow. Um, but yeah, also kind of just to piggyback on what council member Sattorii said, and I said this at our residents academy session two weeks ago that water utilities was a part of. I mean, I don't I don't know if every
resident fully um understands or appreciates I certainly didn't until I did President's Academy and got more involved with our local government here, but how unique it is that we not only do we for a village of 6,000 give or take that we have our own police fire, but to have our own water utilities is like I
mean it's it's almost unheard of for a village of our size to have all that going on. So, um it's extremely important. Um, I know if one day we all turned our faucets and nothing came out, we would understand how truly important that is. But I just really appreciate all the work you all do and uh I mean I
fully recommend bring this to state. So >> thank you. >> A couple minor questions. the it says that the um the LEC plan was you know updated and approved by South Florida Water Management District establishing a
compliance deadline of March 23rd 2026. Is that our deadline to get this approved or is that a compliance deadline for someone other than Questa? Perfect world scenario that would be us having everything into the state. Um they do act on like they know that we
are working on this. I have already communicated with them. So, does that answer your question? >> So, we're not going to get it in by the cuz we have to do second reading still. >> Mhm. >> Right. Okay. So, I just want to I'm not sure why this is so late, but I know with our recovery residence ordinance, I
think that came to us right at the deadline, too, and we didn't have time to talk about it. Hence why after the first year um after we had to comply, we're still messing around with the ordinance. So, I would just request if it's possible to give council like an extra month in advance in case we have
any questions just to make sure that we're not um missing deadlines or that we're pressured to prove something to meet a deadline and and not have to discuss it again after the fact. I mean, worst case, yes, we can do that, but preferred method would be uh what I just
said. >> I understand. And then, let me see on um Whoops. Sorry, I just lost on the conservation um methods. I don't think there was no no change there. Correct.
>> I do not believe we have any updates. >> Is there are I mean are there any conservation methods cuz that that world's always changing too and there's new you know uh equipment fixtures you know uh means and methods for water conservation. Is that something that
we're actively monitoring and would eventually maybe update and try to um enact in the village? >> Are we are we actively looking into upcoming conservation elements? That's the question I'm sure.
>> Yeah, maybe Alison I don't know if she wants to answer because I just noticed that it wasn't that wasn't updated at all, I don't think. And I just that you know that industry is always is very innovative and always coming up with new conservation methods as well. >> Um and I could I would have to look into
it a little bit more but this is more I think high level when it comes to the water supply and what we're using for the water not necessarily conservation on the residential side. Um but once we get a good idea from the master plan what's coming from that our transition from surficial aquifer to Florida
aquifer would be considered conservation and an alternative water supply. to that would be added to um the next update. It wasn't included in this one just because we don't necessarily know exactly where we're going. Um but once we have the master plan, then we would update our
plan um in the next round with those details. Okay. And then this is um minor but might need to be updated with the second reading. I the policy uh section 1.7.3 says the ordinance was um dated January
2026 but I think that should be March. I don't know if that's matters or not. Is that again just a minor detail that if we could just open it up for second reading >> I can look into it and clean it up if
>> Okay. Is there any public comment? >> Nope. Any public comment? All right. Council, is there a motion? >> So move. >> Second. All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Ordinance number 16, our agenda item 16, ordinance number 03-26, which is a first reading with uh just some various amendments that Jay was working on throughout our code. >> Thank you, Mayor. Ordinance 0326, ordinance of the village council village
of the quest of Florida amending chapter 14 building and building regulations providing multiple recommended building and building regulation code updates amending chapter 14 and article one in general to modify construction work hours. At article four, creating a new
green building incentive program. At article 8, construction site maintenance requiring temporary construction site fencing providing each and every other section subsection chapter 14 shall remain in full force and effect as previously adopted providing conflicts clause
severability clause authority to codify effective date and further purposes. >> Thank you Keith Jay. >> Good evening Jay Hushch. Um so this came to you at your workshop last week. Uh I know you weren't there uh Sartorii. Um so feel free to jump in if you have any questions, but I'll kind of try and fly
through it a little bit. Um it's part of a series of code updates that we're making. Um because there are so many updates, we've split it up into kind of two different groups. So you'll see two tonight and you'll see probably four more come come to you in the future. Uh and Keith wanted to do that so that the
PZB and the the village council wasn't, you know, overburdened with having six planning and zoning ordinances in one night. So I think that was a good strategy. Um the first one being changed is uh hours of construction. So when you uh modified the hours of construction
last year, there was a a cross reference to that in another section of the code that uh we just didn't catch. So it's just cleaning that up, making sure it's consistent and has those new hours of construction. Um the other one is green building incentives. So this is something that was workshopped with
council uh last year. Uh it's gone through the EAC quite a bit and it's you know one of their big priorities is creating green building incentives. Um common green building incentives that municipalities offer are property tax abatements or exemptions, expedited permitting, reduction of permit fees,
grants or rebates, density bonuses, height bonuses. Um you know based on what we've um been able to kind of workshop, we feel like expedited permitting inspections and reduction of permitting fees are the most feasible. and that density bonuses
and height bonuses are a hard no to Questa. Um I think that's something that came up when we were doing the zoning overlays and just in general, right? We're pretty strong on on protecting that. So, uh the tools in our toolkit we're going forward with are expedited permitting and reduction of permitting fees. The building department has agreed
to do expedited plan review and inspections for qualified green building projects. So what that means is if someone came in and with a green building project they get priority review, they get priority uh building inspections. So it's just a little bit of a carrot that we can kind of u offer to them.
The other thing is um a reduction of permitting fees. So we looked at what the certification costs are and so lead is kind of the gold standard of of um certifications and it is the most expensive and uh the other ones are are not quite as expensive. And so because
of that, we're creating a permitting um kind of a tiered system. So if you're going for the high-end, which is lead and lead platinum, you'd get a 10% permit reduction. If you're going for lead gold, it' be 7.5 and so on. And the Florida Green Building Coalition and
National Green Building Standards are less than LEAD because they the cost to do it isn't as high and the cost to get certified isn't as high, right? You're doing a lot of high-end stuff, a lot of expensive things to get lead certified. And so we think that uh this is kind of
an equitable way to offer the incentives um kind of based on the quality of the incentive program I mean the uh certification program. Uh another one is construction site requirements. So our building department has a construction site policy they hand it out whenever anyone's doing new
construction and it has several requirements kind of best practices in there. It requires a temporary construction fence. It requires all construction activities to take place inside of a fence like you have dumpsters and storage of materials. It requires a silt fence which is really
good for you protecting our waterways. Um, however, it's not codified. So, if someone was in violation of this, we wouldn't have a technically have a mechanism to take them to code enforcement. Fortunately, Wayne does a great job of of enforcing this and and you know, getting people to comply, but
you know, when we were looking at updating the code, it just makes sense to codify it. So if there was ever a violation, we would be able to take him through the code enforcement process into special magistrate. Uh this went to the planning and zoning board their last meeting. Uh they voted 5 to zero to
recommend approval to village council. >> Thank you Jay Council. Any discussion? >> Just thanks Jay for clarifying a lot of this and to PNZ for the LPA for reviewing and for read in the staff backup. This is also an EAC initiative,
you know, and it's again that's a great group that we have that kind of helps steer the ship here. So, >> thank you. >> No more questions. >> None. Thank you, Jay. >> I'm good. Any public comment? No. Any public comment? All right. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved.
>> Second. All in favor? >> I. Agenda item 17, ordinance number 04-26 is some additional um amendments that Jay is bringing to us. Thank you, mayor. Ordinance 0426,
Ordinance of the Village Council, village of the Quest of Florida, amending chapter 22, Community Development, providing multiple recommended community development code updates, amending chapter 22 at article 2, community appearance. Section 2253, powers and duties, adding special
exception review to the planning and zoning board responsibility at section 2255 authorizing notice to be published on the villages public notice board providing that each and every other section subsection of chapter 22 shall remain in full force and effect as
previously adopted. Providing conflict clause, severability clause, authority to quif by effective date and for other purposes. >> Thank you. Ke Jay, >> good evening. J Hutch again. So, ordinance 0426. This one will be even shorter than the last one. Um, similar thing, code updates, it's in a different
ordinance because it's in different chapters and so we're breaking up the ordinances by chapter. Um, the first one is just clarifying in the code that um we're able to provide public notice in the Palm Beach County public notice portal. So, this was done um recently.
The state adopted a law that you can publish public notice in an online portal rather than newspaper. It's actually a great thing. It saves us a lot of money, saves a lot of time, and it actually gets the word out better to to the community. Um, so there's uh updates here just to note that we can
publish notice in this portal in uh in lie of the newspaper. Uh the second one is uh section 2253, which outlines the powers and duties of the PCB and this has been updated to note that they can review special exceptions. This is a pretty common practice in most
communities. Um, special exceptions typically run side by side with the site plan. And so since site plans go to the planning and zoning board for recommendation, it's it's kind of natural to have them go to the PCB as well. I know the PCB members oftent times um are always kind of wondering,
well, why are we only looking at the site plan? Why can't we, you know, offer any input on the on the uh special exception? So, this will just bring us, you know, into consistency with with general practice. And um we did note though that that the PZ would not look
at the expedited review of the um the special exception expedited special exception that we added in the zoning overlays. So that would be for the formula businesses. So some if there's a tenant change out whenever we created that that quick process and so because that's a 30-day turnaround, there's
really not an opportunity to take them to PGB. So PCB understood that and and and they're good with it. And uh as as noted uh PCB was okay with everything uh voted five to zero to recommend approval council.
>> Thank you Jay. Council any comments or questions? >> Nothing new since the workshop. >> None. Thank you Jay. >> Any comment cards? No. Any public comment? >> All right. Is there a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I
>> George. >> And as a reminder, agenda item 18 was removed from the agenda tonight. So on to 19, consider approval of inland grading proposal for swale rehab. Good evening, mayor, vice mayor, council. Allison Berg, utilities
director. Um before you tonight is a proposal from um Inland Grading Incorporated for our soil regrading for this fiscal year and a total not to exceed $78,480. And this is to regrade approximately 3,270 linear feet of village owned storm
water swells within the rightway. Um there are maps that are provided in your agenda packet um identifying the areas that will be regraded. >> Thank you. Any comments or questions? >> No. Thank you. Also, >> uh happy to see this came under budget
because I remember this was a a on our um capital plan from when we were doing the budget. Uh quick question. the bids aren't exactly apples to apples. So I assume you guys are vetting that um
before we see it because I know um like one of them has included inland doesn't and the others have irrigation allowance inland doesn't. So we might not need those things. I just want to be sure that uh they're low. There is wiggle room for some change orders, but it's
good to kind of check those things up front. >> Yes. And um these actually this wasn't a competitive bid process. This was just three um proposals that were requested from the three different contractors that were listed. We did reach out to some other contractors and did not hear back for response. Um but when asking
for these proposals, we sent the screenshots of the area and allowed the contractors to go out to those areas and identify what they believed would be appropriate for the project. Um in the soil regrading that we did last year, there was no required. we didn't have any um irrigation issues and so um we're
confident that we'll be in the same or similar situation but they are required to do those things and they do have insurance too as well. >> Okay, great. Thank you for confirming. >> Any comment cards? Any public comment? No. Is there a motion to approve the
contract? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. And item 20, consider approval of a piggyback contract with Hydro Corp for backflow prevention and cross control connection program. Good evening, mayor,
vice mayor, council, Allison B, utilities director. Um, before you tonight is a piggyback contract and proposal for Hydro Corp to assist us with our backflow prevention and cross connection control plan um for a total not to exceed $46,615 annually. the contract will continue to
be piggybacked um but each year that proposal will have to be um provided from hydrocorp and we would have to um approve that on an annual basis. Um so before you the proposal is just for one year um and the process that we
anticipate to follow is the similar process that was presented at the workshop and is included in the agenda packet. Um so the zero to three months is the program launch outlining the goals of the project, setting up our website and platform for tracking the
backflow testing. Um and then also bringing before you an ordinance and resolution to revise our rate so that we can um build the commercial properties back for any testing that is done on their behalf when they fail to meet compliance. Um so you can see the outline of the timeline there with
commercial account compliance being that 3 to 12 months and then phase three and phase 4 um well phase four is evaluation and continuous improvement that will continue to happen but phase three is 12 plus months so that would not happen until we come back for a second proposal. >> Thank you council any comments or
questions since we talked last about it. Thank you. >> Any comment card? No. Any public comment? Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor? >> I
agenda item 21. Consider approval of an amendment to the current work authorization for Chen Moore for the water treatment plant process and control improvements. Good evening, mayor, vice mayor, councel, Allisonburg, utilities director. Before you is um an amendment
to the current work authorization that was provided to Chen or provided from Chenmore and Associates. Um they are they sub this work through right peers. So they're the actual engineer record for the project. Um there's been a a history of change through this project which is provided in the proposal
starting out in FY21. Um some of these um project aspects were identified in the very beginning when this was um designed and then there was some delay from design through carrying that to SRF. Um and so you can kind of follow
the amendments through the work authorization. Um we did take this project out to bid in FY25. Bids did come in um over budget. So we decided to go back to the drawing board that and in conjunction with this master plan, we kind of looked at every aspect of this
project and made sure that we were being fiscally responsible and investing in aspects that we're going to be maintaining long term. So we identified there's a list there of the different components of this project that we don't believe um should be implemented at this time. Um some of those items we will not
be moving forward at all. Some of them are kind of being put on the back burner because there are other things that are just more important at this time with the um master plan to address PAS. Um so you can kind of see the list there. This amendment does include project management. So periodic updates, making
sure that we're staying on schedule and on task with this project overall with the redesign and then going back out to bid. Um and then the redesign for the project and then bidding services. We did um spend some of the money when we went to bid previously. Roughly $26,780
was spent on that bidding process previously. Um and so we did have to add some money to it to for a new bidding process. Um Wright Pierce and Chen Moore, we had a couple of meetings to go over this proposal and kind of work through it. They gave us a couple um
some savings related to a reduction in the actual scope of work of the construction project. We had already planned this project to be very um owner inspected. So they would only come for the startup of actual equipment or any major um installations. Other than that,
our staff was doing most of the inspections dayto-day. Um even with that, they were able to reduce this proposal a little bit um taking out some of that scope of work that's no longer being performed. Um, and I overall the the amendment is
necessary to get this project back out to bid and remove those items in the project that just aren't necessary at this time. And with that, I'll take any questions. >> Council, any comments or questions? >> None. >> Thank you. >> Um, when are I know we were way over
budget when it went to bid. Um, did we have an engineers uh estimate of probable cost? Is that like where did the budget come from? Originally, >> we do have a an opinion of probable costs for the original scope of the work. Um, I did not provide that as a
backup because we are planning to go back out to bid and I didn't want any potential future biders to see a breakdown of costs and use that. >> But you mean for the current >> I was talking about. Yes, we have one for the one before. Yes. But then you can kind of still see some of the items that we removed are
lump sum. So you can kind of see it taken out. And so I just didn't want to provide any advantage to other contractors that are going to be there. >> I agree by having it here. I guess my question is um you know it's probably the same engineers that provided that. So do we have a high level of confidence
that the revised plans are going to come in within our budget now cuz I would hate to spend all his money and then be in the same position especially when it's the same team that gave us the low the cost that was too the estimate that was too low to begin with. No, I I'm confident it will definitely come in
under. Um I've been working with Holtz, which is actually our SRF engineering firm. So, they've done the water uh water man replacements and this for on the SRF side, helping us out with those. Um and they are going to have to go back and work with the SRF folks because some
of these items were SRF funded and some of them were not. And so, it will reduce our SRF funding and we're not sure exactly how much until we have the redesign done. Um but I'm confident it will come in under budget. >> Okay. And then um are we losing any of
the original uh originally planned energy efficiencies because I know the EAC did that you know big uh carbon offset study and the water plant project was a big part of that. So do you know if that's going to affect that at all? >> So there are portions of the project
that will still result in energy savings. mostly the um installation of VFDs, variable frequency drives. Right now, our especially our feed water pumps for the RO treatment trains. They run at 100% and then there's a valve that's used to reduce that pressure and flow going to the trains. Um by having a VFD,
the pump will run on its curve, so longer lasting equipment and we won't be expending as much energy. The second part is the interstage booster pumps. Those are being removed. um there is a more efficient option for us which is the installation of it's a type of energy recovery device called a
turbocharger. So it takes the wasted energy from the concentrate and it uses that to feed the second or the first stage concentrate to the second stage. So it uses wasted energy and uses that to um boost the pressure instead of using an actual pump. Um so it's a more
efficient option. It also won't take up as much room which is one of the concerns in the design. and it was on the end of the train and there wasn't a lot of room for maintenance. So, that's another reason it was removed. The turbochargers, we are working with the town of Jupiter. They have a big upgrade project for their RO plant where they have nine
turbochargers plus two rebuild kits. We are looking at purchasing those from them um at a very reduced cost. They still run great. They're only upgrading theirs for a higher feed pressure um expectation as their salinity increases. Um, so we'll take all nine of those for
our three trains. So we'll have backups as well and we'll install those. There will be some piping modification that'll be required for that project. Um, but once we install those, there will be astronomical energy savings um that will provide us repayment plus funds for new
ones once we need them. >> Okay. Yeah. Yeah, I just I want to make sure cuz I know um not only the carbon offset project that the EAC did, but I know we've been planning, you know, Jeremy would have it um before you were here, the energy savings from just the utility bill that we would realize. So,
it sounds like that's still going to still going to be the case. Okay, great. Thank you. Any comment cards? Any public comment? Nope. >> Is there a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? I
>> agenda item 22 consider approval of pulk consulting work authorization for water man number three and jupitter and the pines good evening mayor vice mayor council Allisonburg utilities director before you is a propo a proposal from holtz consulting for the completion of
our design for water main 3 Jupiter in the pine south um this project had reached 60% design previously I mean kind of was put on pause I believe to complete and get out bid and construct water main one and two. Um with those
projects now moving forward through the process with completion and um selection of contractor, we've been working on our capital plan for the next 5 years and then 25 years after that and trying to make sure that we have a really really good roadmap for what the future's going
to look like and how we're going to get all of these projects done. Um, and one thing that was identified was the time necessary to take a project and get it through the SRF funding process and secure those fundings and get an agreement and then take it through construction. Um, Water Man 3 with being
60% design makes the most sense to um continue that process. And so we propose completing it this fiscal year. The reason why it's on as new business even though it's under 75,000 is because it was not budgeted for this year. There are funds available to complete this
project and get the design completed and get it done in time. It has to be done by May, the design has to so that we can get it on the August SRF request for inclusion meeting to secure that funding for next year and then hopefully get the project award and under construction by
FY28. Um, so that's why I'm bringing it to you now instead of just waiting for the new fiscal year to try to get that process going and get it on a good timeline. >> Thank you. Any questions, council? No. Any public comment? >> Is there a motion to approve?
>> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> More. Alison. >> I I think I said it last meeting. You're You're like half the agenda. You I hope you have coffee before. >> I do every every single time. >> Agenda item 23. First hearing to
consider approval of the first amendment to the development agreement for the reserve. So before you Oh, good evening, mayor, vice mayor, council, Alison B, Italy's director. Before you tonight is the first addendum to the developer agreement for the reserve at Questa. This agreement was good for 5 years um
and trying to be ahead of the game. We um the Royal Questa LLC actually reached out to us about this agreement and how to move forward in the process with getting an amendment. So that is why it's before you tonight. There are no changes in the development agreement that are proposed,
just the extension of the agreement. Thank >> you, council. Any comments or questions? >> Yes. Um, this was approved before I got on council. Um Um, is there anything that we can learn
from this? This was asked to me, but from from a resident. It's not my original question, but it great. It's a great thought. Um, and I had asked Jeremy of this during the gender review. Is there anything that we can learn through this? I mean, is this common? Because I know that this project's kind of been stalled, my word. Um, is there
anything that we've learned? Is there something wrong with the site or anything that you've seen in your professional opinion that we can take away from this? >> Um, I mean, it's really all on the developer side on their timeline and anything that comes up. I personally am
not aware why it's been delayed or stalled. Um, so I didn't I don't really have any information for you on that. Um, they did they were required to pay money and continue to pay money. So they're
acrewing bills and they keep paying those bills. So they're I mean they're giving us money for the uh reservation the cap the capacity reservation fee for it. So um I don't >> Is this a local developer? I mean, it
looks like their their address is out of Delaware. I mean, is there are there any local ties to this developer that we're aware of? >> Not that I'm aware of, but >> just curious. >> I don't know if anybody else is. >> No, that's it. >> So, I don't know. Maybe Jeremy, could you get an update on maybe construction status? Cuz I did have that question. Do
we have any idea when the completion was? I did ask prior to the meeting if you know, I know the site plans expire after a certain amount of time, but they they've had active permits. So my hunch was the site plan's probably still valid since they've had active permits and
that was the case. The manager confirmed but I don't what is the for a site plan overall what is the usually the standard timeline for that or does it vary per site plan on when they would expire if there's no activity >> one year? >> No 12 months or 12 months prior
development orders >> oh only one year. Okay. So yeah, maybe give us an update because I had the same exact questions. Any other comments or questions? >> No, >> nothing beyond that. >> Okay. Any comment cards? Any public
comment? Is there a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Second. All in favor? >> I. >> Agenda item 24. Consider approval of change order number two for water main number one to Quest Drive. >> Good evening, mayor, vice mayor,
council. Alison B, utilities director. Before you tonight is change order number two for water main one to Quest toyed drive water man replacement um authorizing additional contract time specifically being 85 calendar days for substantial completion and 82 calendar days for uh final completion. The
request for this extension comes from the basis of the contractor's experience. I think the predominant issue is that this project was designed four years ago and in that four-year time there's been a lot of directional drills down to Questa Drive. A lot more
conflicts that the contractor has had to deal with. Um extra material, extra time to excavate, extra time for potholeing and coming up with creative ways to work through those conflicts or work around those conflicts. Two of the major conflicts were Riverside Drive and then
Seabbrook. um specifically on Seabbrook. I believe this area took roughly three weeks and they're still working through that issue now with um there's a large storm water drain and then a lot of electrical that runs through that corridor. There were um pedestrian
crosswalk signal electrical that was installed under the road there right where they were supposed to be um open cutting the road and installing the main. And so they have found a creative way to avoid those conflicts while also reducing the impact to residents. Um
overall the contractor has been great to work with. I was walking with um their superintendent today down to Questa Drive and he was telling me all the names and jobs of all of the residents that he talks to. Um so they've been very hands-on with our residents. Um, as
a result of this time extension, we would have incurred additional costs for our engineering firm to be on site and do the inspections. Um, however, Ferrer has agreed to cover those costs of the additional inspection fees. So, there is no additional cost to the village for
this change order. Um, just the additional time. Um, just an update on construction for the project. They are completing the majority of the major open cut pipe installs right now. you see them from about Seabbrook to now around Venus Mars. They have two groups
that are working together to come together. Um after that, the majority of the large pipe installs will be completed and then it'll just be finishing up service connections and then the final connections to the existing water mane which can only be done after pressure testing and bacterological testing. Um but they did
pressure test everything west of Seabbrook today and it all passed. So they will be working on chlorinating and then getting those asphalts to the department of health to tie that in and then working everything east of Sebrook after that. >> Thank you council. Any comments or
questions? >> I'm >> just that at least they're out there. I mean I will give them props for that. They are definitely out there working and it's it's obnoxious but again we could have worse. We could have contractors not out there working. So
>> yeah, >> I just want to give them a quick kudos for, you know, thanks for working hard and being out there. >> None for me. Thank you, Alison. >> Um, yeah, I they've been doing a great job and they've been a great partner um with us and obviously the resident this
process. So my questions are more I think maybe based on next time like always what can you do better? So per the GC's, they were supposed to submit any claims within 30 days. A lot of these are well past 30 days. Did they notify us at all? Like what what was
that process? I mean, to me, if it's 30 days, it should have come to council within that time frame or shortly after. 85 days is a lot. >> Yes. I think that the Well, I know that the contractor believed that they would get done in time and as they were submitting their
schedules and we were going back and saying, "You have this as being completed next week and you're not even close to doing that." um they realized that they were going to be behind. Um from the beginning they were very concerned about the the water table in the area. It's a lot higher than anywhere else because we're on a
peninsula and they just I don't believe that they have experienced that before and they had a lot of challenges at first until they realized how to deal with the water. Um ways to avoid that in the future. We have included um especially with water mane 2 which is right on beach road and right by the
inter coastal we did include specific callouts during the pre-bid meeting that dewatering is the responsibility of the contractor. No additional cost will be incurred for additional deatering and that the water table is very high in the area. So at least those contractors are
aware of that issue. Um that along with the conflicts I believe were an issue. They just didn't document the complex as well as they should have. Um, so it's it's really challenging um because they have all the pictures like the the FPL duck bank that's referenced.
They they have the pictures. I believe that by the time that they came to requesting the additional time, it would have if we would have waited to get this change order on the next council meeting and they tried to go back and put it all together, they wouldn't have made it in time um because the substantial
completion would have already passed. Um but they are aware that they should have been documenting this and requested it earlier. >> Yeah, I think I mean like just for next time I think it's important for us to kind of stick to the terms of the contract. A lot of time the geotech report will say where the water table is
>> from the boring. So, I I'm assuming they had that, but again, like I don't want to It was in the past. And then I would love for Patrick, Vice Mayor, sorry, to chime in. Um because I know this is his expertise and he probably deals with litigation with this stuff all the time. But things like, you know, the king
tides and the rain. So, a lot of construction contracts I'm used to dealing with, um, they they can't put in claims for, say, uh, anything that is at or below the 5-year average for rain. And king tides happen here every single
year. They're on schedule every year. That's not abnormal either. So, I don't know if those general conditions were provided by us or this was a SRF loan, too. >> Well, no, this is Watermine was not SRF funded. The general conditions just come from they're like the general conditions
of every utility's construction contract. Our supplemental conditions are what we change the general conditions from. Um but there's no reference to time extensions in the sub like we didn't change anything in that section of the general conditions. So that's what we provide in every single contract.
>> I don't know if there's an opportunity to maybe I would love for you to comment on that cuz I know you deal with that all the time. >> Yeah. I mean I so when I looked at this you know first of all I saw that it was a $0 change order which you know times everything time is not good but you know
it's sometime I was what I was really glad to not see is that there was cost associated with that time. Um I did see that they there's a reference or something about accelerating I mean I hope we would have if we didn't already just request a recovery schedule from them
>> there. Yes, there should be a recovery schedule provided in the agenda and they have on top of the recovery schedule, we did have our a progress meeting today and they are slightly ahead of that schedule. Um, and they have brought additional crews and a sub out to the project to work to complete the project.
>> Okay. Yeah, I mean I I agree maybe we need to look at the general condition, see if there's anything that can be approved for the future, but I I certainly know things come up that are unforeseen. Um, you know, when it comes to weather in our state, it is always a topic of conversation. When you're talking
construction, it's going to happen. Um, and when you're looking at kind of historical data, sometime every year is so different that you just really never know. But I do agree as contractors, there are certain things you have to just know to expect and build into your
schedule. And but again, when I saw the $0, you know, that was probably the most important thing to me because certain some contracts they probably could have gotten, you know, what we would call extended general conditions here, which they they did not, which is great. So, I was just pushing for that recovery
schedule and um hold them accountable to it. >> Sure. >> They're a good company, though. I know they they do good work and I agree. I do they're out there. That's for sure. every day we all seem on price. I don't know their names yet. >> Um and I mean this time extension is
also so we can't charge unlquidated damages. Correct. >> Correct. And that's why they that's predominantly why they had offered to pay for the engineering cost. >> Right. Which I is very generous of them. But yeah, so like the future maybe let's try to make sure we're staying within
the terms of uh notice requirements and yeah if maybe keep maybe check some you know construction language in regards to delays and and whether like king tide events which happen because I worked in the marina industry for a very long time. We cannot you know do claims with
king ties because they happen every year on time right and try doing putting a seaw wall in docks when it's king tie it's very difficult so >> it was definitely a learning experience for staff as well myself >> thank you any comment card no any public
comment is there a motion to approve >> second >> all in favor I >> thank you Allison you are relieved okay The next and final item 25, consider applicants to temporary fill
vacant council seat one. Lori. >> Okay. During the uh last council meeting, council reached consensus to accept applications um for interested individuals to possibly fill uh vacancy council one.
The application process was um out online from February 13th to March 2nd. We received six applicants and all candidates um reside in the village according to Palm Beach County Property Appraiser and their water bills um all
show their name for the immediate year preceding the election of or appointment for them. And also just to uh point out that this appointment will be until the next general election for the village which will be March of um 11th, 2027. as
the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections does not allow municipal elections um during their general election period. So um each applicant is on here um in order of how the applications were received and they are
all here except for Mr. French as you know was not able to make this evening due to prior engagements. So do you want me to call their names and they come up and introduce themselves and answer any give a little summary short? >> Sure. Yeah, that'd be great. you can car tell us tell us a little bit about
yourself uh why you know you're interested and want to join council and then we'll allow you know council to ask each any questions. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So since uh Mr. French is not here the next applicant would be Marshian Nielsen. >> I think y'all know me.
However, I am Marsha Neil and I have lived in the village for over 40 years. I believe you all know me as I have attended every workshop and council meeting for the past several years. My record of involvement and community service was outlined in my application.
First of all, let me say I am thrilled that six people applied for this vacancy and I hope this is a harbinger that our village council election in March will be robust and there will be debate and discourse and lots of people interested.
Although I would encourage any resident wishing to enter the political arena, you can be assured that I will not be one of them. I will not seek election now, next time or ever. When this vacancy occurred, I appied because I
felt that I am prepared as I am already actively involved. Before each meeting, as soon as the agenda is published, I scrutinize each item and often, as you well know, I add my two cents. I um I write out my comments to stay
within the three minute limit and articulate my views and opinions. Furthermore, because of our historical work for the last p eight years, Mrs. Watson and I Watkins and I, I bring to the discussion past practices, at times
a historical perspective can uh prevent a recurrence of errors. The choice is of course yours, but I would point out that the last council had three members from Country Club and two from the other side, the other side of the river. I
hope that you take this into consideration and maintain this distribution. Even though I have no doubt that each council member represents the whole of the village and no matter what side of the river they live on, it is always beneficial to have an even balance. I'll answer any
questions you have. >> Hey, Marca. Council, any questions? >> I have none. Thank you. >> No questions. >> Thank you, Marca. >> I'm gonna ask the same two questions of everyone. So, sorry, you get it on the spot. others will have a little time to think about it. Um, what do you think
that village council and staff are currently doing well? >> What do I think? >> What do you think that the village council and staff are currently doing well? Like you can give like the top two things that you think we're doing well. >> We're we're in this building Monday and Friday mornings. Um, and we're kind of
isolated, but everyone, the village, when you walk in this building, it's just like this, I don't know, friendly atmosphere, you know, like, hi, how you doing? You know, everybody is I feel very comfortable in this building. I feel very comfortable standing here in
front of you. I feel very comfortable um going and saying hello to Jeremy or telling somebody that the copier is mis misplaced. I mean, all the staff has been great. I've also I've been doing major projects at home um with bathroom
renovation and all kinds of things. Buildings been great. Every everyone is just wonderful. I love living here, you know, and and it's just it's a pleasure for me to stand here and even be considered. But I this is just at one point we thought about going to
Waterford and and when the when the it hit the road and we're like I it even living close to the ocean now I want to stay right here. So >> Okay. Thank you. And then what do you believe are maybe like the top two or three important issues that we're facing
that you think that we need to take action on? >> I think budget. My mother used to say if you look at the pennies the dollars take care of themselves. I'm really afraid about what's happening in Tallahassee with the property tax, you know, and how that's going to affect us because it will. And so I think we have to be
really really careful. We went through that whole thing where Mr. Kusa was wearing four hats and I don't want to do that again. We've got reserves up and that's great and it's wonderful and um you know I just want to be really really careful. Sometimes I see where um I feel
that there's some abuse and um that upset me and you know about that. Um, so, uh, you know, I just feel that we're on a good schedule and all that, but that that really should be scrutinized. And I would say the second goal I would have is, um, you might have noticed I'm
kind of old. And, um, you know, 30% of our population is in my demographic. And I hear from a lot of of of my colleagues in age that, um, they don't know what's going on. And I don't know if that's because they're not on Facebook. Certainly I am not, and I don't ever
intend to be. Um, but you know, like the tea, Pat and I, we went to the tea over in their rec center. It was such fun. It was really, really great. And I'm like, well, did you hear about the tea? And they're like, no. So, I would like to see if I am privileged to sit with you
that um better communication, especially with our seniors, would be a high priority for me. >> Thank you. Appreciate that. Uh, >> Kyle, excuse me, Kyle St. Good evening, council. It is good to uh
be here again. Um congratulations Patrick and mayor um your manager and and the attorney and it's always good to be back up here again. Um so I'm I'm thrilled to stand here um in front of you invitation for a handful of people that asked me to come here and speak and
and apply. Um I think there's a couple things that are really important. All of you are friends and I also want to give you the freedom as friends to know that if you don't select me, we'll still be friends. I think that's really important. Um the other thing too is this is something that I plan on doing for one year only. Um I got off the
council for a reason to be with my family and now I have three drivers practically. So that'll not as needed as much. Um so it but it is intended for me to just serve for the one year. I have no desire to be um to seek for another election. Um couple things about me. Um,
I know most of you know it, but uh, born and raised in the area. Um, went to, uh, school and got a degree in public administration, worked in the heavy construction industry, managing facilities, ended up getting my series 7s in securities license and managing um,
investments for our clients um, in the area. Been on the council, served as vice mayor for three three years. Um, in fact, eight years ago, I won my election on this day, which >> is kind of kind of cool. Um so serve on the board for the pension both on the
general employees and public safety. Currently on the board for the Tquesta civic association. Um highly involved in the area. My business is here in the village of Tquesta and um happy to represent at any level um when asked. >> Thank you council. Any questions ma'am?
>> Oh I'll ask the two. What do you think that u village council and staff are doing well right now? >> So I think the council's done an incredible job putting quest on the map again. um they've been extremely involved in more organizations outside of just the builders qua but involved locally in in the county locally um in
the state and so I've been really impressed with that willingness to get out there and serve and and share all the good things that's happened in Questa with regards to the staff I've always said the staff is uh best they have the caring heart they serve with a caring heart um and I think they continue to do that I I think they've
done a great job on the communication side um I think they've gotten involved in a lot of different avenues and continue to communicate um across all different um services whether it's Instagram or Facebook or print or um emails or the Friday newsletters and
stuff that we get. Um so I think that the communication and the way they serve the caring heart is really the things that the staff does well. >> Great. And then what do you think are the most important issues we're facing that you would want to take action on? >> Yes. So, um, as as Marshall mentioned, I do think that the budget is something
that is something that I'd like to look into. I know that the budget has increased, um, in the last four years. Um, and I think there's a lot of reasons for that, but I want to, you know, look at the the little specifics of the budgets and how that applies. Um, I do know that there is a pension opening for
both, uh, fire and police this year. Um, I think my involvement with both on the pension board and my experience as a financial adviser to be able to help explain how those pensions have an impact during the negotiation process of those two union contracts would be very valuable to the council. Um, with with
the um the emphasis on Doge and being very very specific with how municipalities spend their money, I think my experience involved in those areas would be very would add value. So those are the mainly the three things that I Thank you.
>> Thank you, >> James Brennan. >> I think he just stepped out the back of him. >> Uh Vince Caglia. >> Good evening. Um I'm Vince Cal. Um four of my children grew up in Tquesta.
Five of my grandchildren grew up in Tquesta. Only two of them live here now in the incorporated town. Um, I've been retired for 25 years. Went back to work a few years ago because I got bored. I've got more time on my hands than I know what
to do with. At the same time, I have no time. I work full-time from 4 in the morning till 4 in the afternoon right now in the construction industry. I think I can give something back to the town of five decades of experience in
the business world. I know nothing about how to run a town. I've got time, experience, a willingness, and an energy that I think I could contribute to the community.
It's pretty much it. >> Thank you, council. Any questions? No. Okay. So, what do you think that the village council and staff are doing well right now? >> They don't have an opinion. >> Okay. What about uh any important issues
that you think we're facing that you'd like to take action on? >> Well, I think, you know, that that becomes a a world of whatever, but um I I think the way the way you guys have run the town for a bunch of years right now is what attracts people here and is the only town in this entire county that
really is a town. And I think everybody here has done a great job in keeping it the way it is. Uh your predecessors, etc. But um uh I'd like to just keep it going the way it is for as far as it can go. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Circle back to James Brennan. >> Okay. >> Hi. Uh my name is James Brennan, also known as JP. Um me and my family, my small family, uh my wife Jamie, my son Madden. moved here about 3 years ago.
Um, but we have been coming down here for 12 to 15 years and have seen the growth and the development. Um, and I mean honestly I wish I grew up down here. Um, I also wish I bought my house, you know, 10 years ago. Um, it would all been better benefited from that. Um, but
I, you know, I think as we lay down our roots here, we really want to be a part of the community even more so than we already are. So, >> thank you, council. Any questions? Okay. So, what do you think village council and staff are currently doing? Well, >> uh I think one of the best things that
everyone is doing is um managing the development um in such a way that uh it's growing but I think it still has and maintains some of the small roots um that we want to see in a community like this.
>> Okay. And then what do you think are the most important issues we're facing that you would want to take action on? Uh obviously everyone keeps saying the budget so I don't want to repeat that but um I think budget obviously is extremely important um as well as again
I think keeping that small town feel um I think I come from a place that is very similar um and having the mix of the growth as well as m the maintenance of that field uh is important right thank you >> thank you
>> and Mr. Mark Sepiri. Madame Mayor, Mr. Vice Mayor, members of the council, first of all, I agree with Marcia. I think it's great that there are six applicants, and I think it's a testament to the the culture of civic engagement that this council is helping
to nurture the village. I'd like to uh spotlight three aspects of my application for your consideration. First, the demonstration and long-standing commitment to the well-being of this village. Experience that is directly relevant to
the decision-making duties of this council and an interest in collaboration with the village to find the best solutions to protect this community as a home for the long term. My graduation yesterday from the resident academy reflects this and also
an interest in understanding how the village works. For over a decade, I've invested substantial time and effort to study the important challenges facing this village and also to prepare carefully researched notes on topics under council review. I've also participated in council discussions on
many of these topics. I've participated directly and through additional research in all the important sharets and planning meetings organized by the village. As the council knows, I am sincerely interested in the questions that come before the council. I have studied them now for many years,
including topics from the law, urban planning and architecture and the environmental matters connected with our rivers, waterways, and coastline. I've consistently spoken out to protect the character of village, the health and the beauty of our natural spaces and waterways. and the interests of local
businesses. I would continue to advocate for these interests as a member of the council. There's a broad consensus the tech that Tquesta is a unique kind of community for many reasons. It's not only the matter of a worldclass natural site and
I sincerely believe that we live in a worldclass natural site but also the special care of an administration that prioritizes reasons ba reason based decisions direct to the long-term interests of this community. I've consistently advocated and defended this
approach and my resident academy experience confirms that this characteristic of the village is deeply valued by our residents. I was really surprised at that broad consensus among their ethics. It was consistent with what I had known
previously. But I also met many other people and I didn't know and they shared these views to Quest. It is a great place to live already thanks to lots of uh decisions that the prior leaderships have have made. But on this there are two points that are important to notice.
First we are in a time of serious risks to small communities like Toquesta. Many small communities are being destroyed and yet it is a worthy and reasonable to preserve this small village as a small village. Second, with continued effort
we could make to Quest not merely great but even spectacular and all of my contributions to the council and village discussions have been ordered to this purpose. And as a member of the council, this would be my priority to protect and enhance the character of the village, a
beautiful Florida coastal village as a home for the long term. Thank you for your consideration. >> Thank you, council. Anything you'd like to ask? Oh, ma'am. >> No, you kind of touched on both my questions. What you think we're doing well and what you think are important issues that we're facing. Anything else you'd like to add? Yeah. So I guess to
be specific um I I I I did touch a little bit on this but I would I would add what I think that the village is doing really well and I really value this is really important is the is a nurturing a culture of practice of improvement is trying to keep doing
things better. looking for what our our goals are and noticing how we do things, examining the process and finding a way to do things either more efficiently or noticing if things don't happen the way we would really like them to happen. We
try to do that and I think some of the questions for example this evening directed to how can we make sure that we're more timely with contract uh contract execution that's the kind of thing we're looking at we look look at this project Can we do something better here? What's
going on? I think in everything and the resident academy experience confirmed that uh all of the departments are interested in that. Um from the safety departments to uh to public works and I think that's extremely valuable. It's an extremely valuable culture. And the
second thing that's critical to that and connected with it is departments and administration that listen to the residents notice this is what's important and are receptive to that. And I think that that's great. I think you're really seeing, for example, the the early comments this this evening,
uh, the building of a of a unique civic culture that's extremely valuable. And if I may, to your second question, um, because I think it's supremely important what what what do we have to watch out for? I mean, the reality is there's a persistent threat to small communities,
especially in in the village. Uh, everywhere in Florida, we see this as a big threat. you see big projects coming in and they even pitch themselves as transformational development. It's never we're going to annihilate the village all at once, but incrementally it can
have a huge impact. And yet it's clear that people love this village for the the character that it it offers that and we want that to persist. And so on on those on those points, I think preserving these great values here central to that is clean water is
preserving natural Florida around and inside the community. Preserving the village as a small village and part of the character is an administration which relates in a in a very human way to the residents and looks for looks to reason
for and collaboration to to to move forward and to solve problems. >> Great. Thank you. >> All right. So, we've heard from um the five that are here, so I'll open up for council discussion.
>> Um I I guess I'll start. Uh thank you to all six of you. I have had the pleasure of really knowing four of you. So, to Mr. Brennan and Mr. Sag, thank you so much for your time and your interest in this. Um, you know, every decision that
we make up here, I believe, is really we have to look at it through the lens of the the health, the well-being, and the safety of our residents. What makes this and and and that's how I approach these things. Um, but tonight's decision really, we're making a decision about an individual, which is a lot different
than a policy. Um, as like I said, I had the privilege of calling four people on this, a friend or an acquaintance that I've known because I've never met the other two. Um, I also believe that had it not we have not had the
unfortunate um circumstance of why we're here tonight that we had a a candidate that was duly elected on a post and she unfortunately moved outside of the the village. Um, and I think because of that, people were looking for change and
the public was expecting a change. Um, and if Mr. French would hear was here, I would tell him that, um, his time I wish he would have run. Uh, we'd have a great continuing council. Um, but I think the public was is expecting a new face. Um,
and I going to follow through with that. That's how I see this process. Um the the the the the candidates
um that are here remain. Um two of them one of the of the six candidates, two have been through the the election process where they put themselves out there out front. They be be it timing. Some of you have not had the opportunity to. Maybe it was personal commitments or time
commitments. you haven't had the ability to to do that to to run for counsel or you know go out and get the signatures and knock on a door and find out really what somebody wants and then to ask you face to face you know what is it that you believe and why do you think that you should be the best person u and I
think that takes a that's something that I I value having gone through that I've been unopposed and I've been through one of the most bruising campaigns the village of Quest has ever seen so I know what it's like to be spoken to I know it's what it's like to be talked about I know what it's like to be sitting up here in the stage case and have somebody
attack you and your character for something that's not true or that people just don't understand or never took the the time to understand. So, um, where I'm leading on on this is, uh, that, um, Mr. French and Mr. Stone are the two
that have gone through this process. Again, be it for time, opportunity, or desire. Uh, and I'm going to go to between the two of them. As I had said at the beginning of my comments, I think people are looking for a a change and we're expecting change with Miss Kibru who unfortunately moved out of the the
village. U but with that I I am going to support Mr. Stone for this position. >> Our strategic plan meeting that comes up in April that's public anyone can come in here and sit with us all day. Correct. >> Okay. It is a long meeting. It starts in
the morning and we go to about 2 p.m. Sometimes a little earlier. For everyone who applied, I encourage you if you seriously want to consider being on council one day, whether you run in the election or you're appointed tonight, to come to our strategic planning because you will learn a lot because we will go
through every single angle of the village as we prep for our budget. And that is why that meeting is so long. So, I would expect to see everyone who applied in that meeting. And that would tell me a lot um if you decide to run in the future.
Secondly, I'm not a huge fan of appointments. I think I've mentioned that before. I think the people should choose who sits up here, but we are not doing a special election, so we are going to have to choose. It is a person, like you said, and unfortunately, we have to make that
choice. I have gone back and forth between a couple of names and I'm trying to consider the fairness, if that's the right way to say it, on behalf of the people. I have looked at what we have on council currently and all of our backgrounds and niches and our
involvements across the village like it was mentioned and from one of our candidates um not only our location where we live but our involvement on different degrees some have kids who are young some are older some work in industries so I'm toying between Marshall Nielsen
and Kyle Stone um also because I those two candidates also voice that they do not really necessarily plan to run for this seat when it comes up for filing. And I can really appreciate that that they are interested in just kind of stepping in
and helping us out. They are up to date on how the village functions um our policies, our codes, sunshine law. Mrs. Nielsen for me holds a little more
neutral and the fact that she has physically been at every meeting and public comments on nearly every single agenda item. So, I know that she's very up todate on everything and every angle
that we're working on. However, Mr. Stone also is very knowledgeable in something that will be coming up soon, such as negotiations um and his background in public administration. So, I'm I'm going between the two of those and I'll leave
it at that for now. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> Thanks, sir. >> Yeah. So, yeah, I really want to say thank you to all the applicants. I think it's awesome. We had six applicants. Um, and I do agree. Hopefully that shows a that's a telling sign of what's to come.
Um, hopefully we'll have a lot of interest in the coming elections. Um so for me and I do believe I you know looking at all the resumes and knowing several of the uh applicants personally um I do believe that all the applicants
are highly highly qualified for the for the duty and um I do believe would do a great job filling the seat. So for me it came down to several factors. Um, you know, I I do think and I think we are
all up here and as a village extremely blessed to have a council that um is very I think we see eye to eye with each other with each other. We respect each other. Um and uh I know we all while we don't get
to ever really talk personally ever because of optics. Um, I think we all we all generally really like each other and and really care about the village. Uh, so that that's a big factor to me is who who of these applicants can kind of
fit into that and and and also continue like the continuity that we have up here. Not that I think any of these applicants have the ability to create disruption up here, but who would limit the disruption so that we can be the most efficient uh we can possibly be for our village and
make the best decisions for our village. But I mean you it certainly matters to have a high level of understanding of not you know local government generally um and you can gain that in many ways. You can gain that by sitting in this,
you know, being at many meetings, um, by being on boards, by being on council in the past. Um, but that level of understanding of how a local government such as Toquesta works, I think, is is extremely important, particularly with strategic planning coming up. I mean, that's arguably one of the most
important things we do as a council. Um, it's a long day, but it's a very important day and it really, you know, lays the the foundation for the year to come and creates the roadmap that we will all follow and and hold ourselves accountable to. Um,
and so for me, when I look at those factors, it narrowed it down to really three applicants. Um, that's obviously Jason Prin. He's set up here with us. I think he did a great job. Um, Marsha Nielsen and Kyle Stone. Um, the other
the other candidates I'm sure would do a great job. I just know the experience level of those three applicants. I I'm I know them personally and I know they're very involved, have been and still are. Uh, so yeah, with Jason served the last two years as a council
member, obviously. I think he did an awesome job. Always super prepared for our meetings. Um, and he brought a lot of valuable insight to to our council that I thought was a unique insight, particularly when it came to the union negotiations. I learned a lot just from listening to him
talk. He's he's gone through it, you know, as a firefighter. Um, so I think he brings a lot of value, brought a lot of value, and and would continue to do that. Um, I think Marsha might have a better attendance record than anyone
even sitting up here. Um, actually I'd say she probably definitely does. Um, and more institutional knowledge when it comes to our village than probably anybody ex except maybe Pat. I think you guys are probably right there, but you're not an applicant. So,
I'll give it to Marsha. Um, and that really matters. And I really like what you said about getting senior citizen involved or our older, you know, population here. I I too would love to see more of that. I think it's a significant part of that. Over just over
6,000 residents that we have here. Um, and I'm their value, their opinions are uh extremely important and frankly they they've been here most of them have probably been here much longer than any of us have. So that matters to me. Um, and then Kyle, I mean Kyle's clearly
dedicated to our village. Uh, he has served and continues to serve in several leadership positions. uh obviously including previously serving as a council member and vice mayor up here and certainly has a very high degree of understanding when it comes to what we do up here as a council
and uh the importance of you know the decisions that that we have to that we do make up here. Um also I think his financial acumen when it comes to just like his personal business but also the boards he sits on the pinion board. I mean I know Rick you
you you have that as well. I will freely admit that is not my strength. I won't speak for anyone else, but uh but Kyle certainly brings that and that's a tremendous value because so much of what we do up here, particularly when it relates to the budget or otherwise, like just understanding how that all works is
extremely important. Um, but there was something that um, Council Member Sori said that that is very significant and um, I don't know if I put enough weight on it until you said it, but going through the process of qualifying and
whether whether you had to run a formal campaign or not or just going through the process of going door todoor and uh, collecting signatures and talking to residents about what's important to them and what they want to see from our from of our village. It's uh it's kind of a I
mean it right of passage might be a little intense, but it it it means something. You know, it it's a commitment to do to become um a council member up here. And so for me, that narrows it down to um probably Jason or
it would be Jason or Kyle. Although I know Marca could certainly do it. Um and I'm sure would go doortodoor if uh you know she ever had that opportunity. But um this is tough for me, but I I
think um given that Jason had expressed some, you know, that he was ready to kind of step down and kind of was in the place where Kyle was probably several years ago. Um, and I I love that he was willing to step in and and keep the continuity of
governance that we have up here. I think that that's important and I think he deserves that. You know, he wants to spend time with his family and Kyle is, you know, kind of I know that's still very important to him, but he's got three drivers like he said. Um, and I think he would bring something, you
know, new to at least this council. Um, and so I I think I'm I'm going to go with Kyle Sn. >> Okay. Thank you, Vice Mayor. First, I want to say I know uh Council Member Brandon said that she does not like appointing and prefer a special election. I agree. This is tough for the
well, I mean the five of us, the four of us to to have to appoint. Um but I do want to remind just just so everyone here know that it's per our charter. We couldn't even call a special election if we wanted to. Um so that is why why we're in this position. Um and I I
really want to thank everyone who has applied and and come here tonight. Um, you know, like what's been said several times is, you know, one, it does take time away from your family. So, you're you're making that commitment to be here for your whole community and uh being
away from your family at times. And also like really proud of you for wanting to stick your neck out there because uh it's not easy at times. We have to make tough decisions and no matter how much information or data we have like sometimes it is an opinion of ours on
the decision we're making, right? So, uh, it's tough and like the, uh, council member Sattorii said, not everyone's going to like you either. They're just not, right? So, you, you know, you have to deal with that, too. Uh, everyone's resumes are really impressive and I think everyone has, uh, really fantastic
skill sets that would add value up here. Um, but I am leaning with Kyle Stone uh, simply because of the financial background and experience he has. uh a lot of the issues we're facing this upcoming year with potential property tax reform, the pension openers, there's
some state law that might be passed that's going to um which is good. I think it's good. It's going to create more budget transparency and we'd have to automatically do an exercise to decrease our budget by 10%. I just simply feel that with his financial
skill set that is that would be huge to us the next year with a lot of the um financial implications that might be coming down from the state. Any other council comments? No. Is there any public comment? >> I do, but I believe he left Marco
Valdez. >> Oh, he did leave. Yep. Any other cards? Any other public comment? All right, council. Someone will have to make a motion on an applicant. >> I'd like to make a motion to appoint Kyle Stone to the open seat. I'll second
that. >> All in favor? >> I I Congratulations, Mr. S. >> Congrats and thank you. And you know what? FOR THOSE THAT um applied weren't appointed, please look into other opportunities. Like I said, there's a residence
academy. Our fire and police both have uh volunteer committees. We have an environmental advisory committee. There's a lot of other ways to get involved. So, I I hope this will be the last time we see you. >> Agreed. Agreed. >> We are going to
>> spur you in now, Kyle. Kyle, >> can I talk to you real quick? >> So, if you can raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name. I, Kyle Stone, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support, protect, and defend >> that support, protect, and defend
>> the Constitution >> the Constitution >> the government of the United States >> the government of the United States >> and of the state of Florida >> and of the state of Florida >> against all enemies >> against all enemies, >> domestic or foreign >> domestic or foreign. >> And that I will bear true faith
>> That I'll bear true faith >> loyalty and allegiance >> loyalty and allegiance >> to the safe. >> to the safe. and that I am entitled to hold office >> and that I'm entitled to hold office >> under the constitution >> under the constitution >> and that I will faithfully perform >> and that I'll faithfully perform >> all the duties >> all the duties
>> of council member >> of council members >> on which I'm about to enter >> which I'm about to enter why don't you come up here and a motion to adjourn. >> You remember how to make a motion? >> I know how to adjourn.
>> The last item. Are there any other matters? Council. >> No. Nope. I have none. I have none. >> No, >> I have four. >> I'm joking. >> You came prepared. >> All right. I do not either. So, is there a motion to adjurnn?
>> So, second. >> All in favor? I >> I do have a question. It has nothing to do with the quest. Don't worry. >> Who does she drive that little gray truck? >> No, I just >> You drive that. I love that little gray
truck. >> My grandfather's little adorable. >> I thought for sure you would be driving that little truck.