Are you the new guy? >> Yes. Yes, I am. >> What's your name? >> Uh, Christian. >> Nice to meet you. Um, currently at the moment we are like I'm in a part-time position just kind of getting a feel for everything and then
they'll let me make the decision to see like what's going on here. >> Yeah, they're trying to see if I if I can make the cut. >> Check. Check. One, two, one, two. One, two. Check. One, two, three.
Christian, give me a mic check. >> Mic check. Mic check. One, two, one, two. Mic check. Mic check. One, two, one two. Testing, testing, testing. Mic check. >> One more time, Christian. >> Testing, testing, 1212. Testing,
testing, 1212. We are currently testing the microphones for Valuchia County. I don't know. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat.
Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Everything go down. Sun it burn D. Doo doo.
D. La. La. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Hey. Hey. Hey.
Heat. Heat. Okay. Heat. Here we go. Why? Welcome to the Valuchia County Council meeting. The meeting will begin in 10 minutes.
Fire. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey,
hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Welcome to the Valuchia County Council
meeting. The meeting will begin in five minutes. Happy Yeah. Wonder it. Baby, baby. Wonder.
Welcome to the Valuchia County Council meeting. The meeting will begin in 2 minutes. Okay, good afternoon. I will welcome everyone to the May 19th, 2026 Valuchia County Council meeting. It's
good to see everyone here. Uh in just a minute I will ask you to stand. You can stand if you care to for the invocation and then we'll follow that with the pledge of allegiance. If
you are a member of a faith group who would like to participate in an invocation, all faith groups are are welcome. Uh just send an email to uh k green, the letter k greenvalucia.org or and she will get you all set up uh to do
that. This morning we have Pastor Joel Newman with Life Fellowship Church of the Nazarene from Deltona. And I haven't seen Joel yet. I hope he's here. He did not check in with you.
Cat got up. Was she gonna pray? No. Okay, then let's uh let's stand for uh we'll just have uh uh a minute of of silence and reflection and then go into the pledge of allegiance. Amen.
To the flag of the United States of America and to the stands nation, indivisibley and justice for all shaky hands. >> Chrissa, would you call the role,
please? >> Mr. Johansson. >> Mr. Kent >> here. >> Mr. Reinhardt >> here, >> Mr. Robbins >> here, >> Mr. Santiago >> here, >> Mr. Dempsey, >> Mr. Brower >> here. So, we have a full dis and quorum.
Uh, do we have any public participation? I'll take that as a yes. Thank you. Uh, when I call your name, if you would just come up uh make to the podium here. Uh make sure that there is a microphone
near your mouth so that everyone can hear you and and the people online can hear you. Um there is a button on the uh left side of the podium that lets it rise up and down. Um if you need that and please just uh when you speak tell
us what part of the county that you're from so that your representative up here knows uh who you are and where you are. You have three minutes to talk about any business that affects the uh county that we might be able to deal with in future
meetings. Um, first up is uh looks like water got spilled on it. I think it's uh John. Is it >> Mafrante? Well, >> I was close. Thank you for coming, John.
My name is John Malifrani. I'm a resident of Orman Beach since 1991. I'm here representing Prince of Peace Catholic Church. I would like to thank our county council members for the opportunity to discuss our concerns. I
have here a petition signed by over 1,000 of our parishioners and a cover letter from our pastor, Father Justin Verco, that I would like to read as he is unable to attend this meeting. to whom I may concern. My name is
Reverend Justin Vero and I am a reaching out as an organizer of a petition that has gathered signatures from concerned parishioners and communities members regarding the median constructed on an Avenue between Clyde Morris Boulevard
and Nova Road that blocks access to our church social services food pantry and the Prince of Peace like new shop. As outlined in the petition, we respectfully ask Valuchia County to reconsider the placement of the median.
We understand it was installed to improve safety. However, the new median blocks eastbound traffic on Ham Andrew from accessing our property, particularly the light new shop and the adoration chapel. This obstruction
creates a safety hazard by requiring our food pantry clients, thrift shop customers, and our parishioners, the majority of which are seniors, to make a dangerous U-turn at the Wellington Station condominium community. This
U-turn is located very near a very busy traffic light at the junction of Hand Avenue and Nova Road. any other option for those traveling east on Hand Avenue creates more congestion for Nova Road and Granada Boulevard. We're happy to work with the
county of Aluchia in finding a balanced solution that promotes safety. I am available to discuss this matter further at your convenience and would welcome the opportunity to collaborate on potential revisions to the traffic flow.
At the meeting last night held by our county council member Troy Kent, we heard from Tad Cassabir who reviewed why the county was changing the entrance to our property. He discussed the other entrances and the ability to change the
signal time at Nova and Han Avenue on Saturday and Sunday to help the flow of traffic. What wasn't mentioned and what we believe is most important is that six days a week that the light new shop is open and folks coming east on hand
avenue would have to do a Uturn or go to the light. This entrance is used every day and is a big issue for us. We're asking the county to consider a turn into our property going on east on Hand Avenue. Thank you very much.
>> Thank you for your comments. David Frutter. Good afternoon. I live in Crestwind land development in the land and I am speaking in opposition to the proposed truck plaza that will almost certainly come before you for consideration
sometime within the next several months. Today I focus on one specific item and close with a request to this council. The specific item is part of the larger problem of the increased traffic congestion that the truck plaza would
produce. I am referring to access to the truck plaza from I4. The proposed location for the plaza is near the westbound side of the I4 State Route 44 interchange. That area is already plagued with heavy
traffic. Significantly, there will not be a dedicated exit for I4 westbound traffic into the truck plaza. The closest access to the plaza from I4 will be exit 118.
But the merge for I4 westbound traffic onto 44 from exit 118 is already highly problematic. When trying to execute the merge at a time of even moderately heavy traffic,
it is very difficult to see the oncoming westbound traffic on 44. Long before we became aware of the proposed truck plaza, an ongoing topic of conversation among residents of our
community was the trepidation we regularly feel when trying to handle the merge. Adding many semitrs daily to the traffic at that merge is a prescription for trouble. And now moving on to my
request. While many, if not all of you may have familiarity with the proposed location for the plaza and can look at maps and proposed site plans. I urge that once this matter is placed on an
agenda for a council meeting, you go to the proposed truck plaza site and see it and the surrounding area up close. If possible, go westbound on I4, get off at exit 118 and drive the route semitrs
would take to get in and out of the plaza. I strongly believe doing so will meaningfully enhance your consideration of this matter. Thank you. >> Thank you, John Nicholson. John Nicholson, Daytona Beachside.
First, I'd like to thank you for having Pierre Lewis Day. Uh he's a member of our city. uh you could not have picked a finer person to have uh uh honored. Uh secondly, under H, you have a um hunting lease. I'm sure you're going to okay it,
but it's a wise use of land, especially when we talk about uh Echo and Valuchia forever. Um this is land that we own that's leased out and used productively. So, I'm sure you're going to okay it later today. It's under item H.
Third, uh, yesterday for 5 and a half hours, I sat at the Peabody listening to the arguments and the mediation for the city of Orman Beach, Daytona Beach, and um, uh, Avalon Park. Now, Avalon Park
has been trying to get Orund to provide them with water for like four years now. They've been ready to build. Uh there was an agreement uh in 2006 that they would provide water. Well, apparently
they don't like the idea of Avalon Park being there. So, they're doing everything they can to prevent it from going in. So, they ended up with a lose lose lose. Everybody loses. Uh Orman will no longer make any money off of selling the water to Daytona Beach
wholesale. Daytona Beach will not gain any money from the water and sewer and Avalon Park will lose because they have to build their own uh water and sewer plant. I don't understand how people can get to the point where everybody loses
rather than everybody wins. Um and lastly we had a uh Army Corps of Engineer uh study there to me apparently we there's no solution to the the uh problem in
Daytona Beach. They are going to take $1 million of what's left over from their original funding and look at what minor things can be done in Daytona Beach. I have a list of 12 right off the bat that could easily be done relatively
inexpensively. The one of which I would ask you to consider is a tank, a water tank, so that the water can be pumped into the water tank until such time as the king tide goes down and we can pump it back out again. There's no sense in
it sitting there flooding all the neighborhoods when we can store it vertically until such time as we can get it out safely. All right. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, uh, Katherine Pante.
Thank you. Good afternoon, council. The day before Thanksgiving, a Valuchia County mother of three, 30-year-old Denja Moore was found stabbed to death inside her Daytona Beach apartment. Her apartment was then set on fire with her and her
three young children left inside. Her 10-month-old baby suffered a cardiac event during the fire and later died at the hospital. Her two other children, ages four and five, were critically injured and rushed to UF Health Shans. The suspect, 34year-old Charles Leon
Ivy, had previously been arrested in 2021 for felony domestic battery. On Christmas Eve 2022, an Aaska or Alaska County Sheriff's Deputy Corpal Ray Hamilton was fatally shot during an exchange of gunfire with a domestic
violence suspect. These tragedies occur all too often in Florida. Valuchia County ranks fourth highest in the state, reporting over 4,000 domestic violence incidents in 2025. As a retired law enforcement officer, I strongly support Councilman Reinhardt's
initiative to create a local domestic violence offender registry in Valuchia County. This registry would require individuals convicted of two or more domestic violence related offenses to register with Valuchia County Sheriff's Office. Their names, photos, and conviction histories would publicly be
available online, giving victims, families, and our community vital information to stay safe. This ordinance is also critical officer safety tool. Our law enforcement officers respond to thousands of domestic calls every year. Some of the most unpredictable and dangerous calls they face. With this
registry, officers can instantly check before arriving on scene if they are walking into a situation involving a known repeat violent offender. That knowledge allows them to approach with greater caution, request backup sooner, involve improve deescalation tactics,
and reduce the risk of ambush. Just like the Tennessee learned after losing Deputy Savannah Pucket, better information saves lives, including the lives of those who wear the badge and go to work every day to protect ours. We can turn these tragedies into action by
supporting and passing an ordinance. It will aid in protecting victims, strengthen families, and help keep our law enforcement officers safer. Thank you for listening. Thank you for your comments. Uh Wendy Anderson. Good afternoon, Wendy Anderson. Hi. I
just wanted to give a quick update on um the Florida Department of Environmental Protection um septic tank grant that I received last year. Um Jeff, I think you had Sorry, Chairman Brower, I think you had mentioned it at the end of a meeting um maybe a month ago. And so I just
wanted to give you a quick update and also um just kind of put it out there as a public announcement that we're still looking for 10 more participants in this study. So, as a quick reminder, this study is um basically Stson University's Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience is testing a set of
technologies by the company Riovation and their um and their biomaze products which are drop in systems for existing septic tanks that they are um hoping and uh we are testing um to see if it reduces nitrogen in the affluent of septic tanks which is one of the major
contributors of pollution in our surface water and groundwater. So um we are working solely within the Lake Beersford watershed. So um the participants have to be within the area either uh east of Hon Road or west of Facio Road in
Southwest Dand. So um we have about 48 participants right now. We're looking for about 10 more. So u I just wanted to put that out there and um any homeowners who are interested can reach out to me at um uh wanderers onestson.edu for more information. Thank you.
Thank you. Good work. Okay, that concludes the public participation for the beginning of the meeting, I believe. Okay. Uh which takes us to uh item one, the approval of agenda of the agenda. Can I get a motion
to approve as written? >> Motion to approve. >> Vice Chair Reinhardt makes a motion to approve. Uh Councilman Robbins makes the second. Any comment? All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? And the agenda is
approved. Six to zero. We'll get Don's vote when he comes in. Uh item two is the consent agenda. Does anyone have an item they would like to pull for a comment after the vote?
>> I have comment on uh a >> comment only on a motion to approve minus item action. >> Joe Hans. No, I think >> was it a vote >> or no? >> No, not a vote. >> Motion to approve consent >> comment. I I would also like to pull uh
item F for comment only just to get the information uh out to the public a little bit better. Um does your motion still Okay. And who made the second? >> Second Joe Hansen.
>> Second Joe Hansen. Thank you very much. Any discussion? Uh, Councilman Santiago, is that for after the vote? >> Yes, sir. >> To talk to uh talk about a Okay. All in favor of uh the consent agenda as
written, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> That passes seven to zero. And Don, while I have you uh approval of the agenda. >> Okay, that vote was seven to zero then. Okay. Item A.
>> Thank you, Mr. Sure. And Cyrus, it's that time uh of the quarter, I guess, uh for your update. And as you know, I usually pull this one or ask for you to give us a uh a synopsis more public of how the economic situation is. If you could,
>> Mr. Chair, gentleman of the council, Cyrus Callum, aviation and economic resources. And fortunately for me, I have my secret weapon with me. It's Lou Paris. And I didn't want to steal any thunder from him. He actually does the presentation for the queue. We actually
had a well highly attended uh Q event. I think we had uh about 130 140 uh in the audience here uh at the airport. Um talked about information technology and so uh with that I will step aside and
have uh Lou answer some questions specifically. >> Yeah. So if I may, Mr. Chair, I'd like to can you give us uh um a status on how's tourism going, let's say year- to date, how are we trending compared to previous years? >> So, in this quarter, we didn't cover
tourism information. I can provide that information at a later time, but we did not specifically cover any data pertaining to tourism. >> Okay. I I definitely like that unless objection. I'd like to see how tourism is starting because we're in the season, right? >> Um so, if we can get that, I appreciate
it. Um, airport. I know that's more of a Cyrus. Sorry. My questions were either airport or tourism. So, >> gotcha. Gotcha. >> Cyrus, um, if you could give us your, uh, update on how things are going as it pertains to some of our new partners and
things like that. >> Absolutely. So, we started operations with JetBlue uh, back in December. Uh, so far JetBlue the load factors are doing well. They actually have brought in larger aircraft. Originally, they were going to bring in the
120 something seat A220s. Um, now we're getting uh A320s, which is a good sign, both up to Boston and to New York GFK. So, we're excited about that. Uh, next week we're actually sending a contingent uh Karen Faster and Joanne Maggley.
They're going to an air service conference. We're meeting with about 10 airlines to talk about some opportunities here at Daytona Beach. Um, one in particular, we've received information that there could be another announcement for some winter service and
so I will keep you all posted on that opportunity. >> So, JetBlue is doing better than they expected. >> JetBlue is doing better than expected. Originally, when they started operations, they were a little concerned about bookings. is I told them just wait
until after the uh Daytona 500 and spring break season and then as a result they started to see those load factors that they were waiting for. >> How are things going with uh our advertising partners and the marketing of these new airlines?
>> Fantastic. Uh of course we have a very collaborative relationship. I know we're coming back upon that time to start to discuss the budget. um we will work through those details, but so far um once again, Joanne Magny, our um
marketing and air service specialist on the team. She actually was a participant in an event up in Boston and New York City that was funded through our partnership that we have with the three CBBS and also building upon that
relationship that we have with JetBlue. I think one of the events she was at the New England Revolution soccer game and they were promoting Daytona Beach there. And then there was another event up in New York where they had a race around on
luggage with wheels. Uh and the winner of that actually won a roundtrip ticket to Daytona Beach. And so we're excited about the promotional opportunities and getting awareness out there with regards to our service. >> I know I should have entered, right? Yeah. Um and and then I know that that
time of year is coming for us to to speak with those those authorities. Um and I know you meet with them regularly, but I can only speak for myself. I've been obviously pushing for the the increased investment and and my colleagues have also. Um but as you go with them, I'm certainly if their budget's increasing, I want to make sure
that the funding for promoting county is increasing just as well. >> Absolutely. >> I guess give them a heads up before I meet with them individually, too. >> Uh hopefully they're watching. Uh but yeah, we will definitely uh relay that message. >> Okay. Um and that's it for now. Thank you. And
then I look forward to the uh the tourism numbers. >> Thank you, Mr. >> We'll take care of that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. And then item F, I don't know, Tim, can you talk about that or I don't see Brad. Uh just be Oh, there. No, that's not Brad. Uh it's it's a
great event. It's 4th of July, our 250th anniversary, and I just wanted to take another step further and to let the public know what's going on. It's it's kind of unique. >> Yes. Uh good afternoon, Tim Bailey, parks, recreation and culture director. And yeah, it's it's a great event. Uh if
you if anyone's been out there, that is the most out where >> uh at Gemini Springs, sorry. Gemini Springs Park. Uh that's the most uh active that park is throughout the year. five to six thousand people. You could probably uh walk from blanket to blanket
without touching a blade of grass. That's how many people are are out there. So, it's a great event. Uh they have uh they scheduled um throughout the day. There's bands. There's also kid activities. Uh there's uh concessions. Uh beer and wine is also served. Uh
they're they're going to have a a light show. Traditionally, they have a a laser show with fireworks and music, right? Uh we're adding the drone uh piece to that which is what uh the county's uh donation is or county's uh partnership
uh is. Uh and I think uh there's 300 drones in a 15minute show that's going to be added to that light show and fireworks. Uh there also is going to be some uh smoke going through the uh through the uh the uh play area. So it's going to be great.
>> Good. >> What day? >> It's July 4th. Okay. >> From from five five Yeah. 5 to 11. Uh they are they need some setup time from 1 to 4 on that particular day to get all the concessioners in there and uh get
set up right. U but then after that gates open at 5. The uh show starts at 9:15. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Okay. That's it on the consent agenda. Um, we'll move to item three, which is the
presentation from Keith Nordman Nordon. And uh, Randy, are you going to speak also? >> Great. Moral moral support. >> From uh, team Valuchia. >> Yes. Thank you.
>> All right. Mr. Chair, gentlemen of the council, once again, Cyrus Callum, Aviation and Economic Resources. It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you this evening uh Mr. Keith Nordon, uh president and CEO of Team Valuchia and
Randy Dye, chair of the board of Team Valuchia. That I believe Keith has presentation for you. >> Thank you for the introduction. Thank you for the introduction, Keith Nordon with Team Valuchia. It's great to be in front of you once again to give you a report. I'm joined of course by our
chair Randy Dye. We uh are very proud of uh the fact of our uh 15-year metrics. We just celebrated our 15th anniversary and uh as you can see
yes, as you can see uh that our uh we have 63 projects in the last 15 years. with a total economic impact of $3.9 billion. All of that came about from our working closely with our community partners, our municipalities, Valuchia
County, and others. Uh breakdown of the budget, as you can see, 51% is privately funded plus 5% from the colleges and universities. We have seven colleges, universities at the board. And then the
public funding is split uh between the 15 municipalities and the county. It's great leverage of funds because we use the public funds for operations, rent and payroll and other things. And then
all of our outreach is done, videos, everything is done by the private sector. Real proud of our officers, including Mr. I next to me, our chair. Our first vice chair is Tom Labaso, the president
of Daytona State College. Second vice chair, Jason Meyer. Uh Bob Lello is our secretary. Joyce Shanahan uh from Orman Beach is our treasurer. Michael P from Dand, our municipal representative, John Ferguson, our legal counsel, and of
course, we have our county manager on as an officer position, which is great. so that he can report things back to the county council. Uh this is our staff. We have a small staff but very we're I'm very proud of the staff and their
expertise that they provide. And this is what we're very proud of our private sector investment. uh we have over 70 private sector companies and of course uh our educational institutions uh participate
financially as well and they help guide uh our mission. Our board of directors and uh they're engaged and we couldn't be successful without
the collaborative environment we have in Valuchia County. We all get along together. uh famously along with the Valuchia County Division of Economic Development uh all their services which are amazing. CEO Business Alliance as
well as our colleges and universities and our um chambers of commerce and our municipal partners. So 16 municipalities were all uh on the road promoting.
We have seven targets. Um they're uh not a surprise. Advanced manufacturing, aerospace, aviation, corporate regional headquarters, finance and insurance because of the huge finance and insurance uh company success here
including Brown and Brown Foundation Risk Partners and Security First, information technology, life sciences, and then logistics just because of our sheer location. Uh we're very proud of the marketing we do. uh as you've you're
aware of the uh life in USA um website we have that's talent recruitment focus developed by FPL and us and then we have brand videos that we marched uh launched in 2025
uh we have 2026 site readiness uh program videos featuring five sites that came about with a joint um uh private sector funding and Duke Energy Grant. Uh they are available for you to look at on
the our YouTube channel. And we also are pleased that we have really spearheaded five site readiness programs for uh through a Duke Energy grant. Four of those are on the west side. The first one was in 2013, which is where Amazon
Fulfillment Center went in Deltona. Uh and we did uh we're doing the fourth. Uh actually the visit is Thursday for Dand so those are on the west side and then we used FPL grant money to do uh Orman crossing and so that's already been
done. We have uh over 30 outreach activities for 2025 and it's very important that the municipalities and the county want us to do the outreach because we use all
private sector dollars. no tax dollars are are used. Uh the the 2025 announcements include uh the fifth Amazon facility. Uh Featron
Systems, Sprouts, Exaltel was a competitive project in Insert Techch that you all helped us with through grant programs and we really appreciate it. Uh that is a supplier to the space industry. is exactly what we want. Those
third and third third and fourth tier suppliers and Exalt Medical was a competitive project from a relationship we had with consultants. Uh these are ribbon cutings that many of you went to Amazon's largest facility in
Daytona Beach. uh Aro Arrow's first project in the uh hanger at Ambry Riddle and then of course Boeing Daytona was definitely a community-led project with uh many folks at the table and those have really put us on the map
internationally. This is the 26th activity year to date. Already we're uh going ahead with uh our planned outreach. Hanover Messa is the world's largest manufacturing trade show uh in Hanover, Germany. MRO is so very
important to our general aviation airports and and Daytona International Airport. Our sales funnel over a 100 projects in the sales funnel project funnel. And then this is what
we're centering what we've uh centering our attention on 2026. Uh we're continuing to do uh the marketing communications and ad uh outreach. We're uh focusing on lead generation efforts in our seven targeted industries. Uh we
are encouraging collaborative efforts statewise by hostingformational visits with Florida Commerce, Select Florida and Space Florida. Florida Commerce and Select Florida just left the area. Uh we hosted them today. all the project managers and uh the the division of
economic development was also uh in place. Site readiness as I mentioned we have the site videos for you to view and then uh we're always reviewing the pipeline and pushing those projects down
to locations. We are centering our attention on retaining and increasing private sector investment and we are actually in the process of exploring long-term funding options for the organization
and then this is the capture of the 15 years. So uh that that is what we're very proud of and then I'm happy to be in front of you and answer any questions. Ry's here to also make some
comments as well. >> I I would just say simply put u being the chairman for a year and a half the activity this is a very busy organization um and today was was a special day because of the u connection
to the state of Florida and um we have a very positive um collaborative relationship. We get a lot of leads because of all the work that that Keith and prior uh board members have have put forth and um uh they were very well
pleased with the with what they saw in Valuchia County today. Um uh they got great tours of some of the things going on and u I think we'll continue to get to be high on their list for the a place to uh get the first shot at some good economic development.
>> Good. Uh, Councilman Santiago. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and and and Randy, thank you. And all of your board members and your entire team that volunteers to to serve Valuchia County. So, I I really appreciate it. I'm I'm sure Valian's most of them don't know
the good work that you all do, but eventually it works its way through our economy. So, thank you. I do have two questions. Um, can you go back to the slide of the pipeline? >> I think it was like a triangle slide. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Um, so when I first seen that, and
I'll make up the term, I don't know if there's one an industry standard term, but do we track like conversion rates on on how we're doing to measure our success year-over-year when we get, you know, something in stage one? How likely are we going to convert one, two, three
of them to stage five? Five is a location that's converted for us because you see we have zero announcements today to date but we have nine in in negotiations and we have
to time that to when the companies want to either decide push through or make the official announcement. You just received the official announcement on one of the projects we announced last year because it took several months for the company to make, you know, finalize
the press release, but we have a good conversion rate. We have an excellent conversion rate if the projects visit. We have a great product. So, when we're on the road, we're always inviting them to come and take a look if there is a need and their project fits their
parameters. Uh, but um We are a draw. We've been having probably two to three visits a week. So that's the conversion from stage one uh on down. >> And are you saying that when you get them to stage three, the likelihood for
that conversion is much much higher. >> Yes. Because they visited, they know what the product is. We can be the best, my team can be the best salespeople, but you have to see it to believe it. Uh Valuchia County and all the assets. That's what was so good about the
project team coming from Select Florida. We even had the president of Select Florida coming today because they've heard about it. Some of them have brought projects to us and I think every in everyone in the room today had a active one or more active projects with
us today. Some some actually in negotiation >> and then my my final question I seen the list of your private sector partners. >> Yes. >> Which has grown significantly. So good job there. Do do you have a success rate
or with or do you all target these firms that eventually come here? >> Yes. >> Do they become members? >> We do. >> Yes, >> we do. So we we convert a lot of them also into memberships and and they participate financially in the program. >> Yes. >> And I had uh one of the three projects
that were announced that you went to the ribbon cutting had a conversation with uh one of the decision makers and they've decided to invest. So, you know, it just takes time. You know, people sometimes run for me because I'm always
trying to uh raise funds. So, >> and I like that that's a focus because, you know, certainly this is partially, as you've seen in your slide, they're a government funded program. Um, and and you know, oftentimes you get criticized for investing in this area, but I think the the results are showing uh good
economic impact, but certainly as an individual member, I'd love to see that continue to grow in the private sector. So the reliance on public dollars would would lower and lower each time as you guys get better and better at what you're doing and bigger. >> Especially the way we use the private money which is the outreach. You know
that that's we want to grow it too. That gives us more opportunity to go out there and do things. >> Sure. >> Thanks again guys. Appreciate it. >> And the executive committee actually hired uh we hired a consulting firm resource development group. We're receiving their information. and they
did an assessment uh and of of the potential of raising more private sector funding. That's still being reviewed by the executive committee. >> Thank you. I wasn't going to ask this, but his question uh opened it up. You
said that step three, the site visits are are really important to you. I I have a friend who who works in recruiting uh doctors to Halifax to hospitals. She she'll give them a tour. She says the same thing. You take them
if you get them to in a car and travel the county, but she would often hear, and I don't want to make this negative, negative things about especially when they got to the east end of ISB before it's been upgraded like it is now. Do you do you
hear things like that that that we need to work on to improve uh our county to be more attractive to to businesses? >> So I I think this you know that depends on the prospect what they find to be important. You'll see all kinds of
different things. Education depending upon how many employees they're going to have becomes a conversation. Um yes the way the the way place looks for sure. um what other opportunities um recreational opportunities are a big deal. Um so but
I can tell you that to to the point once they come there's the conversion goes way way up. Um and and I think that nobody expects utopia. We have it as close as it gets. Florida is as close to utopia as it gets and Valuchia County is
high on the list. But I think um they are generally coming to a place that is not as good as where as where we are and they see it that way. >> Good. You know, Embry Riddle is a crown jewel of Valuchia County. We've I've lived here my whole life, watched it
grow from a tiny little univer to something that's spectacular worldwide. Um, we've had great success in the last year with uh two major companies that have
put campuses on that on that campus, which doesn't help us at all with uh with property taxes. But man, it's been a huge benefit for for good jobs that pay uh high salaries and are good stable
positions. Um any Go ahead. I would I would just make a comment. This is kind of a little equal billing there since I'm on the board at Daytona State College. It's same thing. You know, I I first viewed Daytona State College as a little community college in 1976 and what the group has done and Tom under
Tom Labaso's leadership is remarkable and and I will tell you that because of the job force training that goes on there, it he's a that that organization is a huge partner in economic development. we can train people. Many of these um of these prospects are
looking for workforce. Where is it going to come from? And Daytona State offers a terrific uh opportunity to train and and provide the workforce they need. >> It really does. I'm glad you made that point. You I was raised very close to the campus and it it was very small
>> and now look at it. It's something that we can really be proud of. And so when you say when I asked about what do what do the people ask you on a site visit you said education we have everything to offer them on for education here but so
I was hoping you might want to make some some news of what's coming next at Embry Riddle or uh >> I'm going to defer >> I I won't do that to you but >> no we're we're very happy and and I tell you what makes it different we have those institutions not only those two
and We highlighted those two today. We made sure that the project managers saw Ambry Riddle and Daytona um Daytona State College, but we all have so many others with Stson and >> yeah, >> absolutely. >> Kaiser, Bthoon, Cookman, and we're very
proud of that. And that for a population our size of over 600,000 >> population to have 40,000 students in the areas is amazing. And it's good for us when we recruit because everyone's always asking where's the workforce going to come from.
>> Yeah. Well, you just heard from Stson a research project that's going to be crucial to to all of Valuchia County. So, um good good neighbors. So, uh Jake Johansson, >> thank you. You guys already know what my
question's going to be probably, but uh in the upcoming conversations in Tallahassee about property taxes and whatnot and and you know, we uh we write a pretty decent check to team Valuchia. Um,
not that that bothers me as much as what can we do up here to help you get more private partnerships. Uh, we talk to
as much as you do. We talk to existing manufacturers. We talked to people who want to come in. Um, you know, I was down at Insert Tech about five times. I don't know if they've joined yet, but next time I go, I'll make sure they do. What can I do? What can we do
>> to get more more private investment in the EDC so when we have to make that tough decision at the government levels and and it'll be happen with the municipalities as well uh that that we can cover that gap.
I would, you know, what I would suggest is just do what we do. Tell folks about us what we do. Many folks, you know, we've got newsletters going out to 3,000 people and many people don't still don't understand what we do. So, we're
self-promoting. Uh, and I think if you run into a company like a Boeing, you might say it's really important for you to participate in our economic development program. and your outreach program is Team Valuchia. We're the official uh
recruitment uh arm for and marketing for business for Valuchia County. So, uh we'd be we'd be grateful if you continued spreading the word about us. We've got a great staff and a wonderful relationship. Uh we have relationships
really globally with u consultants that can bring us business. many do and uh so that's hard to duplicate for another organization. So we we really are pleased to represent Valuchia County and
I appreciate any not referrals. We don't expect for you to do that with your constituents but just good word about us and all that we do. >> Excellent. Thank you. Reminds me if you're bringing people in for site visits through Daytona airport,
that's got to be a huge bonus. I mean, you talk about a a beautiful, easy to use airport. Uh, Councilman Dempsey. >> Yeah. Um, I have nothing but accolades for what you guys do. I I've seen the results of your work and you guys do a wonderful job. Um, but looking at the
slide presentation on page three of nine, it has your uh target sectors and subsectors. So, I I'm assuming that means these are industries that we're trying to recruit to Valuchia County. Is that right? >> These are the target sectors that we're
trying to uh recruit and it's based on the amount of employees that are here in the job growth. >> Yes. Yes, sir. Um don't know if you're aware, I'm sure you are. Um but on the 1, two, three, four, fifth column from the from the left, information
technology, you have one of your target sectors that we're trying to recruit are data centers. Well, that is that was what was in the original study, but we have removed that. >> Okay. So, data center because you know the governor just signed that bill. >> Yes, we've removed it. I just caught it.
I mean, we have another slide that this was produced. >> I was going to take everything back that I said. >> Well, tell seriously I had this same slide that I showed today to Florida Commerce and it did not have that on it. So I can, you know, Brandy Well, I don't know that you saw it, but it's it
surprised me in the uh commission chambers. So, >> okay. So, that's completely off. Yes. >> Okay. Because I for one am concerned about data centers. I think a lot of people are concerned about them nationwide and uh I think we already ranked 10th in the state in the country
for data centers in Florida. So I I would hope I don't I can't give you direction but I would hope we're actually discouraging >> these data centers when they try and reach out to us about coming to Valuchia because with all our water issues the last thing we want is to lose it to data center
>> having a recent conversation with uh the leadership team at Florida Commerce it's been removed and it's the word is not mentioned so >> thank you >> they don't discuss it so that gives us if they don't discuss it we're not going to discuss it >> thank you but Otherwise, great work.
>> Thank you very much. Thank you, >> Vice Chair Reinhardt. >> Thank you, Chair. You just hit on the question I was going to ask with respect to data centers. Thank you for that. But also, do you find yourself in a position where let's separate data centers? Is there any other market out there that really is not a fit that we tell them,
hey, you know, maybe you're better suited elsewhere. Do you find yourself in that position? >> We will. Yeah. Uh heavy industry, some heavy industry we discourage. >> Okay. You just hit what I was going to. Okay. Thank you very much. And those questions come in. Yes.
>> All right. Thank you very much. Anything else from the council? Thank you for your report. Appreciate it. It's good to see you. >> Thank you. Good to see you again. >> Thank you. >> That brings up item four. Motion to approve
>> park impact fee funded expansion. We have of H Highbridge Park. >> Second. >> Okay. We have a motion to approve. >> Third >> by Councilman Robins. Second came from Councilman Johansson. >> Just as it's my district, I had to get in on it.
>> The third came from Troy Kent. And uh you were smart enough that you sat down and didn't talk yourself out of this, but it's it's a it's a great project. Any comments from council?
briefly, chairman, if you don't mind. >> Um, yeah, I I just want to I hope this goes well with the council. It sounds and looks like it's going to, but I'm not hearing any any opposition. Um, this is exactly what Valuchia County residents want. They want this type of project in their backyards. And when you
talk about the right location, this is the perfect location. and um the usage that this is going to receive. And for those listening online and and those in the audience that have not been up to Highbridge Park recently, you need to go
check it out. Um I recently uh I I usually I usually put my boat in at Granada and we head up to um Captain's Barbecue up in Flagger County and there was an issue a couple weeks ago at Granada. So, I went to Highbridgeidge
Park and it was a wonderful experience. So, if you're looking for a place to put your boat in the water, if you're looking for a place to put your kayak in the water, if you're looking for a place to take your kid or grandkid or loved one and throw a fishing line out to
maybe catch dinner on your on your own, it is a beautiful, tranquil experience. And I just can't say enough about how positive this is going to be for Valuchia County. Good work.
He just did your job for you. Uh any other comments or questions for staff? And all in favor of the Hybridge Park expansion, please say I. >> I. >> Can I vote for David? >> Any opposed?
And it's six to zero, but we will ask David when he comes in and get his vote on record. Thank you guys. Uh, >> okay. Seven to zero for item four. I asked if I could vote for you, but >> I would have trusted your vote.
>> Dons, maybe not, but yours I would have. I item five, first public hearing and presentation on amendments to the Valuchia County Home Rule Charter, which is probably almost everybody else left
in the audience. >> Mr. John Booker. Good afternoon. John Booker, government affairs for Valuchia County. Kind of quick on that last item for me and run in a little bit, but anyway, good afternoon, council. Uh, the Valuchia County Charter requires the
convening of a 15 member charter review commission at least once every 10 years to review the charter and ordinances of the county. This body, your body, selected those members last year. The charter further states that the commission shall within one year from
the date of its first meeting present to the county council recommendations for amendments to the county's charter. The charter continues on to state that after receiving the charter review commission's recommendations, the county council shall conduct a series of three
public hearings on the recommended changes to the charter. Tonight is the first of those public hearings. Thereafter, you will schedule a referendum on the proposed charter amendments at the upcoming general election in November.
meeting monthly since September of last year, the charter commission held five listening sessions throughout the county for citizen input. Eight general meetings and its subcommittees met eight times as well. The commission concluded its service and approved a final report
on April 13th of this year. As I stated, the charter requires the county council to conduct three public hearings on the proposed charter amendments. The public hearings provide an opportunity for public information and discussion regarding the proposed amendments with
the county council. At the conclusion of the final public hearings, the county council will adopt a resolution placing the proposed amendments on the general election ballot. That's what the work of the commission has been up to for the last uh since
September of last year. Now, uh, it's my pleasure to introduce Mark Watts, who is chairman of the Charter Review Commission, and I'm not sure, did Pat Nory make? >> Yes. >> And Pat Nory is vice chair, um, is here as well, along with other members of the
Charter Review Commission, um, all of whom you I'm sure you know. But with that, I'll let Mark take it over. >> Thank you, John. Uh, good evening, members of the council. Uh, Mr. Chair, I appreciate the opportunity to be here.
Um, I want to start um by just thanking you. Um, you appointed 15 members that had a variety of viewpoints, a variety of perspectives on the topics that we discussed. Um, sometimes that was easy, sometimes that was, uh, resulted in long meetings and uh, we tried to stay
efficient, but um, I appreciate the foresight you had in in putting together the members of the commission. And I want to thank my fellow commission members for um the honor of serving as their chair. Um Amy Mizi was the one that pushed me in front of that bus at the first meeting. And and uh you know I
I I did appreciate the opportunity to do it. It was a it was a great opportunity and great experience working with like I said a very good group of of highly qualified folks that that you chose to to include in the commission. Um, and I appreciate the the faith that staff has
that you can give an attorney a microphone, an audience, and expect them to talk for two or three minutes about the process. So, bear with me. I'm going to do this as quickly as I can. Um, but it may be a little bit longer than that. Um, I'd be remiss if I didn't um express our thanks as a commission um to the
staff that that the county provided to the commission for its work. Um, I want to specifically call out Miriam Richardson as our as our board secretary who just did a phenomenal job um, taking care of us, making sure everybody had the right candy at the right bowls um, throughout the meetings, but more
importantly making sure we had all the information that we needed at each and every meeting and that we were able to get into the conversations that we needed to to do our work. John Booker also just did a tremendous job of of kind of doing everything that Miriam didn't do to to make sure that we had the information and uh that it was
disseminated to everybody so we could work through um the process. And then you know the the county manager and his staff and um really all of the staff members that ended up coming out to the uh provide us with information uh throughout the process and the county attorney and his staff um just top-notch
across the board. So, I want to thank you for equipping us as a commission uh very well to to do the work. Um I also think first and foremost we need to thank and appreciate the members of the public that came out. Um you as John indicated, we had a number of listening
sessions around the county. Um we had a a lot of viewpoints. We had a lot of suggestions that came in through that process and continued through the course of the meetings that we held uh over the past many months. Um, so I I think that was um, you know, invaluable to us to to
really listen to the things that uh, were were concerning uh, to the public. Uh, the things that they wanted us to address. And it really gave us a lot to to work through, you know, as we we um, we we debated the things that we ought to look at once every 10 years as we look at our government structure and the
power and authority that's that's outlined in the charter. Um, I also want to just quickly thank um the the folks on the commission that served as committee chairs. Um, we had um, you know, quite a quite a few uh, suggestions which I'll get into in a minute, but we ended up dividing into a
a government structure and kind of process and procedures subcommittee that um, I don't think we could have had a better person than Ken Parker, a retired city manager with 30 plus years experience in in local government management. um to kind of guide that discussion. Um the environmental
protection uh subcommittee that that took some of the suggestions that we had, which we'll get to, is uh in in the full report. Um that the vice chair of the the charter review commission, Pat Nory, uh volunteered to to uh lead. And then finally, the drafting committee that put together our recommendation
letter and and the final report that Nick Saknowski uh stepped up and was wasing to to um to lead and and guide that. So I think the committees all functioned very well and we were able to to really accomplish the work actually a meeting ahead of schedule. We we
adjourned um one meeting one month before we were otherwise scheduled to be at a a hard and fast deadline. the work itself. Um, we tried to to really focus what we, you know, obviously with I think at the end of the listening sessions, at the end of the input we
received from the public, we had more than 40 pages of suggested areas and suggested amendments to to sort through. And so we we really had to go through that and look at okay what are the things that um are are limited by Senate Bill 180 because we knew that we had
some of those limitations on things that we otherwise might have discussed um but which we were preempted from going into those particular topics. We also focused um and I think this is sometimes the source of frustration when you've got people coming in saying we want to do X
Y or Z within your charter. We focused on the purpose of the charter and the purpose being structure power of structure of power and authority and of the government versus legislating through a charter. And so we tried to to keep our focus very much on what is the
role of the charter in uh establishing the government structure for Valuchia County and how can we improve it or remove things that um u may need to to change. Um, and finally, we also looked at, and I'll touch on this briefly, uh, in, you know, our transmitter letter,
uh, we looked at, you know, the the things that you already have authority to do and that, you know, we we just pointed out maybe you ought to consider these things moving forward. So, I'll briefly touch on these. I know Mr. Jumbly I think is going to go into the amendments in more specific detail, but
the uh by and large um we we came up with five um recommendations for the amendments and then six uh things that were included in our transmitt letter. Um the recommendations on the amendments um were focused on uh amendment one um the the structure of the council itself
with the chair position whether it should remain an elected position or be a rotating position before as before and also the term uh maximum term limits um within uh the council itself. And so that came out of Mr. Parker's committee.
Um, and I think really focused more on the question of we have 24 years of experience doing it one way and 32 years of experience experience doing it the other way. And which one did the committee and then the ultimate commission feel uh was most effective in
in in totality. Um, one that we heard uh the second amendment that we heard quite a bit about um and I can attest to the 2016 charter review commission. This was one of the amendments we recommended at that time as well. But the reimbursement of incount expenses to conform that with state law rather than have it as
outlined in the current charter. Uh conforming amendment three conforming um changes within the charter to to match what has already been done by amendment 10 to the constitution several years ago. Um so that's really more in the housekeeping and and kind of cleanup
realm of things. Um amendment four uh simplifying the personnel structure. Um, we got a good history lesson on the charter itself and kind of what existed pre-1970 um in, you know, uh, in regard to things like personnel decisions and and the structure that was created in the charter that really is already in your
ordinances now. And so it's kind of duplicative and and um, that was kind of the the the overall sense that came out of our our structure subcommittee uh, as a result of that work. And then finally um, amendment five relating to uh, increasing protections for conservation
lands. Um that one I I'll touch on just for a second because I know it has resulted in some some early chatter if you will um with regard to one model versus the other. Um I will say that that one of the things that we recognize as as a review commission is home rule
chart home rule counties have any authority or have all authority that is not inconsistent with general law. And so as we looked at that particular issue, we got a lot of public feedback and a lot of public comment on that particular issue. And despite the fact that the county hasn't uh really had an
established history of of selling conservation land, um we wanted to add the protections we could but do it in a way that was legally defensible. And so based on the advice that the commission received as we went through that process, you know, we really came down to to two very similar approaches with
one important distinction. Um and the important distinction is the council or the council or the commission, you know, making the ultimate decision on sale, which is what's outlined in chapter 125. Um so that's what the general law provides for or the model that was
adopted in Elatchua County that then sends that decision on to to the voters. And it was the legal advice we received of what is consistent with general law and what is not consistent with general law that focused us on going with the recommended language that you see before
you because even though um and there's a lot of discussion about Elatchua and the model that they adopted um even though that particular charter has not been challenged um we think that the the information that we were provided with uh demonstrated that it may be susceptible to challenge. So, we didn't
want to create protections that wouldn't be effective in the long term because they were vulnerable to challenge. That said, we ultimately even came back and amended that um u charter amendment proposal after it was adopted to add some additional um language that was consistent with the recent change to
statutes as well. So, uh in any event, those are the amendments. I'll I'll Mr. Tumbly is going to go through those, but I I didn't want to sit down without touching on some of the recommendations because our charge is not just to look at the charter, but to also look at the ordinances and the workings of the county to make additional
recommendations that we didn't see as necessary to to go into the charter, but also considered to be important. So, um I want to touch on these because we heard a lot about them from the public. Um the first one being um you are in charge of your schedule and setting it every year. There is a recurring request
for the council to consider at least having some number of meetings on an annual basis on the east side of the county. We understand there's logistical challenges. We didn't feel that was a charter mandate that needed to be included in the charter, but you have that authority. Um, and you ought to consider that because the public has
asked for it. Um, establishing uh dedicated sources for public transit uh and transportation. Um, recognizing your constraints and and the budget process resides with you. Again, we didn't feel that was something that belonged in the charter, but was an important thing that we heard on a recurring basis um
recurring um at recurring meetings to include in in uh the deliberations. Um alternative enforcement standards for countywide minimum standards. A lot of the discussion we heard about uh protection of the environment focused a lot on the existing authority under
section 202 of the charter. Um, and so one of the things we got into discussion on was how do we currently monitor, you know, the compliance with some of the min minimum standards you already have in place and what else can you do? And so that's one of our recommendations as you kind of explore what that existing
authority can allow the council to do and allow your staff to do moving forward. Um, we uh also recommended emphasizing, you know, the the cultural funding and continued cultural funding. Um we know that's something that's resulted in a lot of deliberations uh
here in these chambers. Um but it also came to us over and over again. Um you've got existing language in your comprehensive plan that supports you know uh cultural funding and cultural initiatives. So we encourage the council to to take a look at that and review it and that's in our recommendation letter.
And the last two, um, one was, um, look at, uh, what you've done following the most recent storm events that have resulted in the county sort of being a convenor of other municipalities or municipalities and and others throughout the county to to kind of bring together
resources, bring together planning, bring together um, data and analysis that's already been performed and formalize that more. um formalize that into an interlocal uh infrastructure committee um kind of at the county level that that can continue what you've done on an ad hoc basis um following Milton
and Ian and some of the other storm events. And uh the last thing I'll touch on and then I'll sit down and hand it over to GIF um is the Valucer forever land pro uh you know sale proceeds again in the event uh that conservation land uh is sold. uh there was a a lot of
discussion before us of making sure that money goes back into the program to be reinvested in conservation lands. So that covers our proposed amendments, covers the recommendations that were included in our transmitt letter. Um here for any questions you might have, but GIF's going to I think walk you
through um the specific amendment language and and uh then again, we're here and we appreciate the time that you've given us this evening and the faith that you placed in our commission to to work do this work. Oops. Excuse me. See if this works. Yes, it does. All
right. Um, starting off with from the beginning, we have amendment number one. Um, oh, wait. These are just some details that we've already been through. Sorry. Oh, that's fine. That's fine. All right. We're going to start with amendment number one. And this basically would go
back to the pre202 system where a county chair was appointed by the council uh by at the beginning of the year for a one-year term and not to serve more than two consecutive terms. Uh and also uh we would also be appointing a vice chair at
that time. Uh the this would commence on January 1st of 2029 after the current chair has left office. So whoever is elected for that that would go to a um atlarge seat and then
uh we're also included in this and then of course we are also since we are doing away with the county chair as an elected office but that being elected by the people um you would have a we are also removing the uh mandatory duties under 307.1
which are the county chair specific duties including the annual report requirement. um the C. Now this does not mean this stuff could not be done. It would just be at the discretion of the council. So at that point now also one more
important change in this amendment is there was a term limit change. Uh traditionally we have restricted people from serving who at the time of qualifying will have served eight years in their current office uh from qualifying for that office. Again, we
have simply changed that language or the charter review commission has proposed changing that language so that it would pertain to being on the county council. So, traditionally, you had a situation where if somebody had been a district council member for two terms, two full
terms at eight years when they qual um that their term would have been up when they qualify, what would happen is that uh they could then run for one of the the atlarge position or the chair position. uh upon uh this term limit change, they would uh only be able to
serve two terms. Then they'd have to take a hiatus before they ran for another office on the county council. Moving along, we're going to amendment number two. That is the removal of charter limitations regarding reimbursement and
workrelated expenses for council members. This is a rather simple amendment, at least textually speaking. All it does is remove the last sentence of section 304 under compensation which previously said the salary well again if if it's approved the salary shall
constitute full compensation for all services and incounty expenses except the out of county expenses as permitted by law shall be authorized. Uh what that means is that that mandate would no longer be effective and it would be up to the council through either the travel
policy or ordinance or resolution to determine how county council members are reimbursed for in county and out of county. So again by removing that it's no longer mandated by charter. It would be left up to uh the council and you know they can make them subject to the
travel policies that the employees are but you would no longer have that mandate which says that you have to be compensated for out of county expenses but you cannot be compensated for incounty expenses. Moving on to amendment three. This I has
been referred to colloquially as the cleanup amendment or the housekeeping amendment. As everyone knows, in 2018, voters approved amendment 10 to the Florida Constitution, which required all 67 counties in Florida to maintain separate elected constitutional offices
of the clerk, sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser, and supervisor of elections. Obviously, prior to that time, Valuchia County had a unique system where we had uh made many of those constitutional officers elected department heads within the county.
There's a lot in the charter that continues to refer to them that way. Um, and what we've done is we've gone through the charter review commission went through the entire thing taking out all the things that that specifically pertain to those constitutional offices
that the county really has no power over. Um, honestly, the um Florida Constitution is effective regardless of what the charter says, but it would be a lot easier for future generations if they're reading the charter to be able to be, oh, wait,
have to kind of figure out what applies and what doesn't at this point in time. So, that is what that amendment number three would do. And that is kind of a long one because there were a lot of changes that
had to be done. Amendment number four. Um this was another kind of cleanup provision. We have a very detailed article 10 regarding personnel administration in the county charter.
Um and what that and um basically if you go through it there are a lot there is a lot of in the weeds detail on how personnel is to be appointed. Uh I believe at point they even have like qualifications for you know you've got for the uh
personnel director and things like that. these uh when the charter review commission was discussing these items, they identified them as items that most uh local governments uh cover in their ordinances or in their personnel policies and resolutions and not
necessarily in their charter. Again, uh the con the charter review commission looking at the charter as a kind of kind of a structural document that structures government uh allows it to be built allows it to be bu the rest of it to be
built around um the more specific things. Thought that they would just kind of take and if you look through Oh. Oh, got it. Thanks, John. There we go. uh thought that they would look through
and they just uh kind of decided to cut a lot of this. Again, it does not mean that all that's going to be gone. What it does mean is that it will no longer be mandated by charter or dictated by charter and that uh the county council if it wants flexibility with ordinances or resolutions governing personnel
policies and things of that nature. Uh the one section that will survive that amendment if that amendment is approved is that section 101 which mandates a merit system and requires the county to enact all ordinances is maybe necessary to fully implement the merit system. And of course the merit system is currently
implemented by ordinances. So the sky is not going to fall if this is approved. It just means that um things will be dictated by ordinance and all these mandatory provisions that are in the charter will kind of go away. Amendment number five. I believe uh Mr.
Watts identified this one as uh having received a lot of chatter. I'll explain what it actually does. I think uh actually Mr. Watts did a pretty good job himself, but just to go over the specifics as to why it is this way. Um, we noted in the Charter Review
Commission's review of a proposal um to preserve conservation or to prohibit the sale of conservation lands or at least make it a little bit more intentional for it to be done. That sections 12535 and 12538 Florida statutes tell counties
in Florida how they are to sell or transfer their real property. And if you read those statutes, you'll note that they place the control of that in the hands of the board of the county commissioners. So we can do some stuff,
but we have to make it so that it is it will if you mesh those two provisions together, they can uh that they will go together and that you won't have a conflict. So rather than um try to go against the statute which mandates that the board of county commissioners makes
those decisions with regard to the sale of real property, what the charter review commission did was they prescribe they decided to just change the voting threshold. So in essence, the county council would still be making the decisions on buying on selling lands or
trading them as 12538 allows us to trade with governmental entities, nonprofits and things of that nature. and it would just increase the voting threshold um for any lands placed on a registry. Now, how lands get on that registry? Um
the conservation lands registry uh we the after some discussion the charter review commission came up with the idea that you could put lands on there by a majority plus one vote of the entire council. we're talking five out of seven members to put them on there and to
remove them and then once properties are on that conservation lands registry they are not subject to sale devestature or transfer by the county. Um, now if a property is to be removed from the registry, not only do they need that
majority plus one vote of the entire council, but they must at least 30 days prior to delisting the property from the registry, publish a notice on the county's website that contains a legal description of the property being removed and a statement as to why the property is no longer necessary for conservation purposes.
Now, regardless of all this, we did take into the account that sometimes there are people, bigger bears in the room that can take our property without us really having much of a say in it. I'm talking about imminent domain, like the federal government comes down and they decide they want to take land or another
uh entity that has a power of imminent domain that's superior to to our own. Uh so we do allow it to be transferred to entities having the authority of imminent domain. We also allow the properties on the registry to be used for a public purpose by the county so
that if we need drainage easements or something, we can do that. Obviously, if we have partnerships with people regarding any of these lands that we that we might put on the registry, what would happen is that we don't it would be using it for public purpose would obviously be subject to those
agreements. Those are contractual. So at any rate, that is the conservation lands registry amendment number five and constitutes the last amendment uh that the charter review commission has proposed for referendum in November.
And with that just questions and comments. Any questions from the council? Councilman Johansson. >> Yeah, real quick one. I try to glean it from the uh information provided for the constitutional officers. Uh even though
we we separate them um from the charter, this isn't going to prevent us from having those uh those interdep departmental relationships we already have with like legal um uh insurance and uh personnel. Anything in that?
>> Oh, no, no. It just it just stops referring to them as department heads. >> Perfect. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Thanks. >> Thank you, >> Councilman Santiago. >> Thank you. Um on the last amendment, I think it was number five. Um do we have defined or referenced anywhere what
constitutes a public purpose or is it by state statute? >> The term public purpose is usually given a legal definition. It is given a legal definition and there are cases that go over what a public purpose it is. It has
to primarily benefit the public or what they call the paramount public purpose test generally which means it' be used for county purposes and things like that. I think what I I don't want to put words in their mouth, but I think what the uh what the charter review commission was looking at was allowing
not boxing us in so that if those lands could be used for something like say a fire station or something like that to serve that area that we wouldn't be accidentally hemmed in. So you're talking about things like fire, police, anything that a county normally does as
governmental function. um you know, utilities, you know, whatever may be required. And again, the placement of anything like that would be subject to any sort of contractual or other or, you know, restrictions or land restrictions that may be placed on that.
>> Would would the 30-day notice still be applicable under the public purpose? >> No. Um, basically they could be used as a public purpose. Um, you know, I'm thinking of things that might so you
would not need to do the 30 days is only if you intend to delist the property from the registry once it's placed on there. >> So, it would just follow any other the transaction that comes across this county council public hearing to approve the purchase probably more than likely. Well, it wouldn't be approval purchase.
I just talked myself out of that. So, okay. Um, it gives me some thought. Thank you. All right, Councilman Kent. >> Thank you, Chairman. Following in the same vein as uh Councilman Santiago, the conservation of land piece. So, you
mentioned a couple of sensational things like uh fire departments and police stations. What about less sensational things? >> Well, I I mean there could be drainage easements. I mean, when I was talking about fire departments, I was talking about um kind of those uh rural stations
that you might have ina in the event of a forest fire or something like that. Um no, I I appreciate it because, you know, things like that tickle my buying bone. You know, I'm I'm in for things like that. you know, when I started hearing about police stations and fire stations,
but now, you know, I wanted to hear about the less sensational things, which I hope we have even some more ideas because now I'm hearing like drainage ditch because um and I I apologize. I should have started with because it says questions andor comments and chair, I know you like uh you've done a really
good job as of recently, I'd say the past two years of keeping us on track and following the rules that this elected body has put before us to be run by. But it does say comments as well. I should have started with I want to thank this commission for your volunteerism,
your um specialty into this hard work, the basic year of your life that you donated your time. Thank each and every one of you for for doing that. And now back to the
question that Mr. Santiago started with. Um, can you think of any other less sensational things that we could possibly be taking um, forever land away from and not making it so forever? Well, I mean, I think the thought was things that would be complimentary to the use
of land as conservation lands. I'm thinking of things like environmental centers, uh, sometimes educational centers. I know, uh, I think the city of Deerry purchased some land that they intend to put out there. Um, in addition to keeping his conservation land, they
want people to come and be educated. So, they have a a small, as far as I know, complex out there where you can visit and see exhibits and things kind of in the vein of our marine science center out in Ponent, things like that. >> I I genuinely thank you for your honesty
on that. Um, and I I appreciate that because for me, you know, I talked about tickling my buying bone, but then I'm going to talk about rubbing me the wrong way. And I think what rubs some people the wrong way is the county when they want taxpayer money for something, they
they use a term called Valuchia forever. And you have that word in there, forever. and and it's a good it's a good buying tactic to get all of the people out there who are concerned about um
keeping land forever and then they're not so crazy about that word when they might need to change it for something all of a sudden maybe we shouldn't have called it forever forever until five out of seven think it's a
good idea so um I'm just wondering you know I I heard Mr. Watson, I appreciated his comment about could possibly help us down the road from um getting attacked legally, but Elatchua County hasn't had anybody even question it from what I
understand. So, just some food for thought. At the end of the day, this is going before our voters and they're going to be able to vote on this um and and you know, have their two cents be heard. But thank you for your comments. I appreciate it. >> I I think it's important though just to you've touched on something. I think
it's important to discuss and that is while Latcha County has not had a legal challenge, Sarasota has and theirs got thrown out and it the rationale was what Mr. Chumley had discussed was kind of like
other preeemptions that we deal with. The state law has provided a process that you're the decision maker on selling the land. It adds some different restrictions that you have to go through, but ultimately it's your decision
and that's how Sarasota's the ruling went in that case. It's truth elatch hasn't had a challenge that we're aware of. Certainly, it's still on the books. >> And I'll just add that Orange County recently adopted a conservation lands
charter amendment in 2024 at their referendum. uh and it also had this uh majority plus one of the entire council vote requirement uh to dispense with land. So we in part modeled it on that. It seems
that Orange County shared the opinion uh at least that we did that uh that 12535 and 12538 Florida statutes uh prohibits a referendum. And again, the Sarasota case that the county attorney was talking about, uh, there was a provision
there in Sarasota where they decided they that they had gotten a referendum that said they couldn't sell any parklands. And they said, well, that can't coexist with 12535 and 12538 and therefore is unconstitutional. And even
if you're trying to say that you could use a referendum to repeal it or to get rid of it, uh the referendum requirement still runs a foul of the statute because it takes it out of the hands of the governing board of the county where the state has clearly put it there. And that
was the court's reasoning in that case. >> Vice Chair Reinhardt. >> Thank you, Chair. Mr. Kent, along the lines were going I'm glad you brought it up too. Um cuz there were a lot of aspects about Elatcho County I'll admit I liked and but after hearing Mr. Watts,
after hearing Mr. Dyer, after talking to yet another land use attorney about it, I'm not an attorney. I didn't stay at a holiday and express I have to rely on what is being told to me. So, you know, you want to talk about jails, I'm your guy. But
it it was concerning the fact that when it was pointed out to me a couple things that stood out. number one is how we differentiate from municipality and how we handle conservation lands and how a county it puts it in in our hands right now we could take a piece of forever and
remove it by a simple majority correct >> uh that is correct assuming there's not any other >> exactly I'm just saying basically though you can remove it by a simple majority what this does is it puts it on that registry creates transparency and it also adds yet another level of
protection by making it a supermajority and from what you're telling me in order to put it on the list also is going to require the supermajority. >> Yes. >> So that makes it fair. So because I know that question was brought up. If you're making a supermajority to take it off, why don't you make a super majority to
put it on? So again, I liked the Elatchua, but I also understand why we're here. Um I do know that the makeup in Elatchua County may be different from that of Alia County and why it hasn't been challenged. I'm
going to call it what it is. Um, so I commend them for the fact that they haven't been challenged yet and I hope that they don't, but I don't necessarily want to take that risk. So, thank you for your time and I appreciate the the work and the efforts that are put forth. But I wanted to put that out there that
at least I I I was aware of it. I was well verssed on it. I was given information on it. I really did like it, but I also understand the obstacles that are in place and this sets forth the best protection possibly about keeping those lands in in protection. So, thank you. >> You're welcome.
>> Thank you, U vice chair. There's also other options that we could do and u I'll bring one up at closing comments because right right now the this council is not voting on five different
we can't we got to either what we can vote on is to push this along to the second and the third public hearing. And so that's that's what we'll be voting on. Um uh and uh I'll call on Council Robbins
in a in a minute. We have eight uh people that who would like to speak. We need to hear them before we do anything else. But uh Councilman Danny Robbins, I was going to make a motion to approve. >> Actually, if I
just had a comment. Um no action is required from the council on this day. This is just the first of three public hearings. There will be a resolution asked of the council at the third public hearing which I believe is scheduled for June 16th. Um
uh so um really this is just the first of three public hearings that are required by the charter on these and they're supposed to my guess is they're supposed to beformational. >> Correct. Councilman Santiago. >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. I I want to elaborate a little bit. I think where
you were going Mr. chair for for the public's purpose that we have no say in any of these charter amendments. Correct. So it's this is pure by by our charter they put it directly on the ballot. We can't modify it. We can't deny any of these. It is purely up to the voters to decide based on the work
that they did. We can do other charter amendments but we can't touch any of theirs. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> That's exactly right. Okay. If you're done, I'll call on the eight people that want to speak on this. Uh you'll have
three minutes or or less if you care to take less. Uh first is uh James Clayton. >> I'll pass. >> Okay. I like that. Uh Wendy Anderson and you'll be followed by John Nicholson
and John will be followed by uh Cat Pante. Thank you, Wendy Anderson. I live in District 1. So, um, the thing that gives me the most heartburn, of course, about the Valuchia Forever Amendment is the vagueness of
the language about public purpose and, you know, as as we are sometimes reminded, we need to read the fine print in the contract, right? And so, um, so I think that the public purpose is probably referencing some state statute
that defines public purpose for conservation land. And, and yeah, I I wasn't at many of the charter review commission meetings, so maybe you all went over this in detail, but to some of the concerns that that Mr. Kent and others already expressed that list in
the state statute includes correction and detention facilities, military installations, including bombing ranges, state office buildings, university campuses, hospitals and clinics. I don't mind the idea of an environmental
learning center or a fire tower or some other thing that they mentioned, you know, may be appropriate and adjacent to conservation land purposes. But a lot of these are simply not. And I don't know if it is within our authority to
actually exclude some of these elements that are listed in the state statute from our from our amendment. But I I could not bear to have our forever conservation land turned over to, you know, to another purpose that would
truly take it out of conservation. Um, I do think that our our Valuchia forever land is, you know, is supposed to be forever. And I think that, um, if the county itself needs other lands for other purposes like fire stations or or
other law enforcement, there are other capital funds to go acquire those lands in other ways. We should not be tapping Valuchia forever funds or existing Valuchia forever lands for that. So, um, you know, again, I don't know if you have to throw the whole baby out with
the bathwater on the Valuchia Forever amendment, but that one that one I think is really concerning. Thank you. >> Thank you, John Nicholson. John Nixon, Daytona Beachside. Basically, I see three of these as um
cleanup. Basically, uh nothing we can do about it. It just makes things more clear, follow state law, etc., etc. So, one in five are the ones that I have to look at. Um one, the idea of electing a chair or not. Uh I don't think any of you all
were here when they put this into effect. Um Frank Bruno turned out to be a pretty good chair. All right. the idea that you rotate year after year. Sorry, Jeff, but it took you like four years for you to settle down and be a
chair. It takes uh some getting used to. It takes some used to getting everybody on the same page and to turn around and kick them out when they just get used to doing what they're supposed to be doing and get a new chair. It is not the best
use of somebody's time as rolling over. All right. So, personally, I like the idea of having somebody get used to the idea and getting what I consider relatively good counsel at this point. All right. Uh, two years ago, you
were not at the same point. You were doing much better this time. So, um, I would go against this. I also dislike it uh for the idea that five people or four because uh the
majority chooses the chair versus 60 uh 600,000 choosing the chair. I would rather the public choose the chair to represent all of us because this is a good diverse council. I've had 20 since I've been
here. Not all are like you, trust me. and they have ulterior motives and to have them choose sometimes is not the best. Uh regarding the vouch forever again I said it depends on what you mean
by forever depends on who's looking at forever um you all will not be sitting here for the next 30 40 50 100 years so who knows what the board is going to be at that time. I like the idea that Elatchua has
that the public since the public put this money aside, the public determines if for whatever other reasons you all want to sp um decide whether it be motocross, whether it be um whatever
bombing range, if you happen to be MAGA u Republicans, you all want to have a big camp out there and you decided that you're going to take a uh an area for a Donald Trump um bombing range or whatever. Who knows who's going to sit
in those chairs in the future. So, I would rather have the public since they bought the property be the ones that determine how it's sold. Thank you, >> Katherine Pate. Good evening, council, and thank you for the opportunity to speak. I want to
begin by noting that any Florida statute, county charter amendment, or local ordinance can be challenged in court if the challenging party has the proper legal standing. For that reason, I believe it is a weak argument for the chair of the charter review commission to suggest otherwise, especially when
that chair is also one of the leading land use attorneys for development interests in Valuchia County. By that same logic, every ordinance adopted in the past 5 years, as well as the charter amendments before you tonight, could also be challenged. While I personally believe Chairman Watts is a decent person, I find it concerning that he and
a majority of the charter review commission voted to create a loophole that would allow the county to develop Valuchia Forever Conservation Lands. During discussions, one member even asked, "What if we need a fire station?" If a fire station is needed because of new development, then that infrastructure should have been planned
and funded by the development that created the demand in the first place. That is exactly what development impact fees are intended to cover. We do not need a charter amendment that claims to protect conservation land while simultaneously creating a loophole broad enough to allow taxpayer funded
conservation lands to be used for undefined public purposes, effectively subsidizing costs that developers should be responsible for paying. Two Florida counties, Elatchua County and Miami Dade, already have long-standing charter protections that provide the highest
level of protection for conservation lands, parks, and preserve. Both counties require voter approval by referendum before conservation land can be sold or disposed of. The residents of Valuchia County deserve the same level of protection for lands purchased with their tax dollars. All of you, with the
exception of Councilman Dempsey, have stated that you support perpetuity and the Valuchia forever program. If that support is genuine, then this is the opportunity to demonstrate it, not just with words, but with action that respects the public's investment in land conservation. With that in mind, I
respectfully ask all of you to support and place on the ballot the Elatchua style charter amendment to protect our conservation lands. This council has both the authority and the legislative power to place its own charter amendments before the voters. You also have the authority to request a charter
review commission to withdraw its amendment. Land conservation remains one of the strongest protections we have for water quality, flood mitigation, and overall quality of life. I also ask that you give residents a meaningful win here, especially since not a single amendment proposed by residents was
advanced to the ballot despite the many citizens who participated in the listening sessions and brought forward thoughtful suggestions. The Sarasota amendment comparison is extremely misleading. It was overturned because there was a strict prohibition that did not have an exception for state or
federal enem domain as required by statute. Thank you for your time and consideration. Pat Nory and you will be followed by Amy Manzy. >> Good good evening. How are you all doing
tonight? Um I just want to reiterate some of the remarks that Mark had made. Some in our community have asked you to place an Elatchua County style charter amendment on the ballot even though the county attorneys have said it would be vulnerable to legal challenges which is
why it failed to pass the CRC and it was discussed at the CRC last October. Currently there is no state or local provision that protects conservation land owned by Valuchia County at this time. Right now, under state law, the
Valuchia County Council may dispose of any land it owns, including conservation land if if they deem it in the public interest. That comes from Florida statute 125-35. The proposed charter amendment five adds
greater protection for Fuchia County's conservation lands than what we have today. And crucially, it is consistent both with the state constitution and state laws, meaning meaning it's not vulnerable to legal challenges. Thank
you. >> Thank you, Amy Munzi. And you'll be followed by David Gaul. >> I want to thank Councilman Reinhardt for hitting the nail right on the head and of course, Miss Nory did as well. Um, the Valuchia County Council has the
right and authority right now to sell conservation lands if you choose to do that and it just has to be a majority and that's a fact. It's state law. So all those social media chatter, you know, it's just static. But the truth is you already have the right to sell
conservation lands by a simple majority now if you choose to do that based on a need for the public good. So u Mr. Reinhardt was exactly right by saying that this uh amendment five is strengthening what we already have and it's saying that these lands need to be
put on a registry and you get to vote a majority plus one to put those on the registry and then a majority plus one before you can take it off. So it certainly strengthens what we already have now and it takes it a step further so that these lands can be protected in
a registry and they can be protected by a supermajority vote. So, I think it's very important to cut through the static and listen to those facts and keep that at the forefront. I also want to say that Mr. Watts did a phenomenal job. He is a model of what a chairman of an
organization should be and for him to be attacked because of what he does for a living is really outrageous. It's pathetic and it's just social media nonsense that we put up with all the time. This man did a phenomenal job. He unified everyone when we came together
with completely different points of view and opinions. He listened to what we had to say. Uh there were times when he had a point of view that the rest didn't agree with and he went with the majority. Now that's true leadership. And so I appreciate him taking time out of his schedule and taking his time to
lead that organization. We were really blessed to have him as the chairman of our group. And so I thank him and I thank the rest of my f uh fellow commissioners that served on this 26 commission. It was a high honor to serve with them. Thank you.
>> David Gaul and you will be followed by Ben Johnson. Good afternoon council. I apologize for not dressing nicely today. Um, I would like to uh thank Katherine Pente for her remarks. I echo those sentiments. Um, I would also like to
thank the last woman who just spoke for her remarks because I believe that this charter amendment does strengthen uh our resolve to maintain our Valuchia F forever lands in perpetuity. I think it's not strong enough. There's been a
lot of talk about the Elatchua amendment. Uh the Miami Dade charter amendment also comes to mind. It's been in the social media chatter and the reason it's there is because it is stronger than this proposal. And I think we need a stronger proposal than this
one. Uh when the people say in perpetuity, we do not mean until a developer can pack the board to subvert our will and relinquish that preserved lands into the greedy mo of the so-called inevitable progress that I
have heard cited at too many of these meetings. Sale, devest, transfer, lease, public purpose, sledding. Sledding. Yes, sledding. Because a public purpose is a very slippery slope.
We worry about a hospital or a fire department or a university campus on our public perpetually preserved lands. But the drainage ditch worries me more. 50 years ago, I watched Vero Beach, Florida, take a protected
wetland, which no one could get to build on. Everyone wanted to put a condo there. No one could get a permit. the city put pumps there and drained that land and seven years later there was a hospital there and now there's condos there. So in perpetuity doesn't mean
anything if you can put public purpose on there even something as simple as a drainage ditch. As to amendment number one, I agree with the other gentlemen that we need a strong county chair like a strong mayor
in many cities. We need an elected county chair, not a circulating uh chair that changes every year because we need someone with experience like Mr. Brower now has to guide the county
council in its deliberations. Um, I have a whole bunch of prepared remarks about the Florida aquafer and how county is extremely important to the maintenance of the Florida aquafer and it goes directly to the preservation of our lands. Unfortunately, I don't have
time to outline that, but I would like you to take the time yourselves to look at the USGS Florida aquifer map on the internet and look at where the unconfined
drainage into that aquifer exists. Right now, the Florida Big Bend area is under an exceptional drought, and that area is where most of the water for the aquifer comes from. Can I have 10 seconds? >> Uh, county is the other place. The only
other place. >> You are out of time, but good job. Thank you for coming. Uh, Ben Johnson. >> Ben Johnson, Dan, Florida. I am very proud of the fact that I have always supported forever both as a citizen and as a county councilman. This is was
probably the most kicked around topic that we had and we tried to find a solution that best fit the citizens and you the sitting councils. You can take the advice of the the committee y'all put together that we
came up with a solution. may not be perfect, but it was something that we felt like we could all work with or you can put something else on there that in the future some of you may actually be hamstrung because you can't react when you have to. What if you do need two
acres, three acres for a fire department out there? Oh yes, the citizens supposed to pay for what you have on wants. But the idea of the fire department being able to put there not only to protect your citizens, but also to protect that piece of property or a fire station where you may or police station where
you may need one acre for the sheriff's office so you can have your citizens protected and the property. We don't know what the future's going to bring for our taxes. That's a very big controversy, a very big problem. the next year you're going to have to
probably deal with that very likely. >> You may not have money in the future to be able to buy lands. That may be one of the adalorum taxes that come off. You may have to go to zero millillage on something like that. Now, what happens? you come up with a chance to pick up 500
or 5,000 acres that you may a may be able to leverage 550 150 acres to take and get something that is much better for the citizens of Valuchia County. Don't hamstring yourselves in future commissions to
where you're not able to take and react and do what is necessary for the future. Short-term thinking can be a long-term problem. I'm voted very much for forever. I want to see this land protected, but I
also want to see the citizens of Lucia County protected. And I know when I sat on that council, how many times we were hamstrung by something that was handed to us somewhere that we could not act or react in a manner of which we should. I
think this is a good solution. It's the best one out there. It gives the citizens 30 days to react if they don't like what's happening and to lobby our sitting councils and also allows y'all to make the right decisions. Thank you. Thank you. And that concludes the public
comment for item five and there really isn't a vote required, but this will move on to the next uh public hearing which is at the next county council meeting. That is correct. Thank you. All right.
Thank you very much. Item six is a quasi judicial hearing uh on an appeal that will pres be presented by uh Jessica Ga. Um before we proceed, does any council member have any exparte
that they would uh like to declare? >> Kind of. Yes. Email. >> Email. Attorney. >> Yeah. Attorney email. >> And you said what? Email.
>> Email for me as well with the attorney. >> Phone call. Nothing. They don't like you. Okay. Okay. Thank you, Ray. >> Uh, good evening, council members. Uh, Ray Tiner, growth and resource management director. This is a uh an
appeal of the uh planning land development regulations commission um of variance. It's uh properties located at uh 1774 and 1776 John Anderson Drive, Orman Beach.
You can see the uh the middle is an aerial. It's in within a development area uh on the uh on the waterway. Again, this is uh for variance uh having related to maximum lock
coverage. The R3 zoner requires a 35% uh lock coverage. uh the the applicant or the homeowner has a proposal for 46% and uh went before the PLTRC for for their vote and they had denied this
specific uh variance request. What's existing on the property now as you can see in front of you uh to the north which is parcel 2 is an existing home. Uh total area is is a little over 5,000 square ft for the property. Uh the
existing home on the property is uh a little over 2400 square ft and the lot coverage is 44% over what the uh existing code is. It's a legal nonconforming. The house was built prior to the 1988 code that went
into effect that establishes the uh lock coverage. to the south of the property, uh, parcel one, um, there is an existing home, uh, a little over 5,000 square feet, uh, or I'm sorry, uh, the lot coverage is, uh, 5,521
square ft. The existing home on the property is 155 and the lot coverage is at 29%. what the uh property owner is um requesting, what they're wanting to do
is they purchased the property to the south and they want to combine that to make one lot. So, what that would do is they're proposing on the south uh the the north property remains. That home
remains, they're going to do an addition to the south uh property to propose a 2,661 square foot structure that would hold six cars with living quarters on top of the uh on top of the garages. So
basically um if you look on the left hand side uh the total area for the two lots combined is a little over 11,000 square ft. You know, the code requires 35% of lot coverage, which would necess would which
would mean 3,881 square feet approximately. Um, at 46% um what the proposal is that the lot coverage would be about 5,14 square ft of total lot coverage
difference is about 1,200. So, if if you were to uphold the uh planning commission, they would have to reduce significantly the uh proposed structure to the south to about 1,400 give or take square feet.
Um the applicant has a position. I'm not going to go over that. They have a PowerPoint presentation. I'm going to let them speak and uh uh they have uh a presentation. the uh PLDRC public hearing that was held on March 19th. Uh
they denied the um the variance by 42 member Shelley and member Con and and member Costa were descent. The chair was absent at that meeting. The discussion wasn't a whole lot uh regarding this um
request to deny. It was really based on uh concerns about increasing the impervious pvious ratio having uh impervious uh on the lot. There was uh no um public opposition that that
attended. Um to date we haven't heard any public opposition. They did we did receive a letter of support from an abuing neighbor uh supporting all of all of the variances. Again, the um uh the applicant is being
represented by Cobin Cole and they have a presentation. Chair >> before did you have a question for Ry? Okay, go ahead. Councilman Santiago. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um can you briefly tell us the other variances that were requested uh and whether they were
approved or not? >> Yeah, the there there were uh 10 variances. Nine of them have been approved. Um four of them were dealing with setbacks >> on the property. Um and then the other the other four had to do with the fence
and the size of fence raising the fence from like four to six feet. >> Was it reduction in setbacks? It was reduction in setbacks >> and and higher fence >> and and higher fence line. Yes. >> That's it pretty much. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll wait for the
applicant. >> Okay. Jessica. >> Jessica. >> Thank you. >> Good evening everyone. For the record, Jessica Gawoff from One Daytona Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida. Um I do have a formal presentation. I can go
through that for questions and kind of specifics, but at a high level, I think staff hit on it. Um, this site was built, two properties, you've got the the ones right next door, um, were built mid1 1950s, so before the current rules. Um, so it has what we see a lot in this
experience in this area where the current structures are legally non-conforming. They can remain there. If it got wiped out by a hurricane, they couldn't rebuild. And so the request before you is that we have purchased two properties. Um they have two very distinct homes on them right now,
different architectural styles, different colors. Um we are proposing the removal of one um and a expansion of the other. There are architectural renderings and the backup of the staff materials to show you what that would look like and complement that home that
is currently at 1776. That is the home to remain. Um that is the home that is directly adjacent to the property to the north that has supplied a letter of support for the project to the south of this site. um is a the public it's the Robera kayak launch and and dock. So
that is a a public rightaway there. Um as noted the existing lots um already do not meet the required setbacks lot coverage or any of those items based on the nature and when they were built. Um as noted the change of the request is that for the property increasing from
that existing ratio of 44% the end result is 46%. Um the basis for the appeal and kind of the explanation is as noted there were 10 variances nine of them were approved. Um variances are site plan specific and so one is that if
this variance is not approved I think we have to restart on the plan and go through that process again for the other nine. Um but the other is that in the discussion with um the PLLDRC and we were not involved at that point. We were brought in afterwards to review this um
their concern was about impervious surface. So lock coverage is just the area on the site that's covered by primary and accessory structures, just the building. Um, so this request before you does not result in more impervious surface than what the code would already allow. And so I think that's where they
got confused between lot coverage, which sounds like the coverage of the lot, but is truly just building coverage. And that impervious surface does not change. It will meet the code. I know your staff and we would recommend to a client that we do not propose anything that reduces the ability for drainage in those
standards here in the county. Um so again overall when you look at what is allowed on this site um you know staff had those topics of the actual change in square footage from the existing to the proposed um if you look at what is permitted on 1774 for lot coverage 1776
already exceeds you're looking at a difference of 123 square feet is above what could be built there. Um and so with that request, we think that this is why variances exist. So that if it makes sense, if we're getting economic activity in this corridor of older development, um that we would like to be
able to bring this forward, get something that matches the character of the surrounding area. I'm here for for questions and I can go over any of the number details in the PowerPoint as well. >> Thank you. Uh ju I I just have a couple questions. Um, I think it's important to
this whole council when we get a recommendation from PLLDRC. We we take it seriously. They're they're one of the busiest uh boards in the county. They work really hard and so I take what they say seriously. But but honestly, I got to tell you, when I
looked at this, I was kind of perplexed. Why why nine and and not the 10? So looked at the map at the area. It's very high density >> and the highest density is is east of this and
I'm familiar with that area. The storm water travels it'll travel towards this home. It comes downhill. It goes west. I'm I'm curious. Have you seen a drainage plan yet? And is it I I'm assuming it's drains to the Halifax.
>> Yeah. So overall the drainage will be reviewed in the permitting directly across the street from this site right along I want to get the roadway correct um Sunrise Cove there is a storm water pond there kind of directly caddy corner to this site
>> okay so you know the pvious to imperous ratio is important I'm not sure it applies here and I'm not >> concerned with flooding in this area with a house right on the the river. Um I still
haven't seen any negative uh emails from neighbors. I've seen support from neighbors. Um so I don't know why I hate voting against the PLDRC, but I I'm struggling with the fairness of of this.
So Councilman Santiago, >> thank thank you, Mr. Chair. Can can you give another explanation of this impervious surface and the 35% I I didn't quite grasp it. >> Yeah. Um and and that's what I think that I can't speak for PLDRC. I just
reviewed the tape. Um the discussion overall was about drainage and flooding and whether allowing a higher building coverage, lot coverage, um would result in more impervious surface on the property. U those are very distinct requirements under the land development code. Again, the lot coverage that we're
looking at here, when you hear it, you think lot coverage, impervious surface, but it is just the area covered by a principal and accessory structure. It doesn't count your driveways, doesn't count your pool patios, all of those other impervious areas that you see on a site. Um, that is regulated separately
under the county rules. We are not changing that. And so, I think the PL PLDRC discussion focused on we don't want to have more impervious area on this site, but that's not what we're modifying. We're not exceeding the impervious standards. >> Understood. Thank you, Mr. Chair. If I could, could I get uh I don't know,
Paulo or somebody's interpretation of that. Is does it agree with what she's saying? >> Uh yes. So, so the I think the applicant actually, and this is in the record, so I'm not providing anything new. Their imperous surface ratio, which includes any of the paved areas, includes any of
the you know, under roof area areas, includes the pool, is at 72%. Our standards are you can have an imperous surface ratio. ISR of 80% um it's really a storm water re requirement and regulation lot coverage is just
anything that is roofed so um you know your accessory structures your your buildings does not count your pool so you can have you know you can put 80% of your lot under some kind of imperous area concrete pavers and have like a lot
cur cover coverage of like 15% if you just want to live the simple life and have a tiny bungle in a giant pool, that's perfectly fine. Um, so they're two separate things. So lot coverage is really a mass and scale. Um, how big of a house in uh, you know, uh, as a ratio
to how big of a lot. And then your ISR is really your storm water that is supposed to have some permeability to prevent, you know, that kind of excess runoff to your neighbors. So, so Powell, if if we approved this, it wouldn't be violating that impervious surface
requirement, correct? >> No, that's done at the building code level. And once again, that's a storm. >> I just wanted to put it down on the record if in case we vote for it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other questions? >> Thank you. >> See no questions. Thank you. Is uh what
I need at this point is a motion from any one of you. >> Motion to approve. >> I'll second it. Motion to uh uh well this is actually a negative so we can either reverse it affirm it or >> motion to reverse
>> to reverse the PLLDRC's decision. >> So so yes your motion to approve would be motion to uh grant the appeal which reverses the PLDRC >> motion to grant the appeal. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Seconded that. >> Vice Chair Reinhardt makes the motion
uh to grant the appeal. The second was by David Santiago and uh for comment uh Troy Kent. Thank you chairman and I'll just say publicly chairman I also take it very seriously I
think as all of us do to go against the advice of the PLDRC and I haven't normally done that but I agree with everything you said earlier chairman so um I too will be supporting this. Okay. Any other comments? Okay. All in favor
of uh of granting the uh reversal of the decision, please say I. >> I. >> I. >> Uh before anybody else votes, we had a member of the public that wanted to speak. John Nicholson. >> Oh, thank you.
>> I saw him standing there. >> John Nicholson Bside. Uh normally I would oppose this. All right. Um but if you look at it, it one of the two houses being torn down, it constitutes 29% of the property lot coverage. So they're
increasing what would have been allowed on that property basically. So the property to the north which is grandfathered in is just adding that little section. I guess it's 5 foot or whatever it is between the two houses. uh one the reason for the code is that
you not uh increase the amount of water that cannot be accommodated by your property. This is sits on the Hifax River. Any water, if you've been to uh John Anderson, it slopes down to the river. There's no way it's going to go
up river to any of the properties up uh higher than themselves. So, one, I don't think it's increasing that much in terms of uh impervious surfaces. Secondly, if you're familiar with John Anderson, those homes are expensive. I'm looking
at this house. It is going to be much more expensive than I think even Hayatt Brown's home. Um, this is what we need in the area. more uh even if we could uh Griffin and those people that are moving into Miami, if we
could entice them to move to Orman Beach instead of Miami Beach, uh I wouldn't be opposed to it. Those big homes bring in a lot of tax money and they do a lot for charity, which you're talking about your cultural arts. Thank you very much. >> Okay, one more time. Uh the vote will be
to uh affirm the appeal uh brought by uh Cobb Cole which uh reverses the PLDRC decision. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? And the motion carries seven to zero.
Thank you. Item seven, proposed changes to the planning to planning and land development regulation commission attendance policy. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh Paulo Sora, senior assistant county attorney. Um good evening. Uh this is a
request from your planning land development reg uh regulation commission or your PLDRC um to look at the their attendance policy on essentially how many meetings can they uh miss for any reason whatsoever before they are before the seat is automatically vacated. So
the current provision is that a PLLDRC member can miss two within a calendar year and the moment they miss the third um uh meeting within that calendar year for any reason whatsoever the seat is automatically vacated. Um PLDRC had a
long discussion on determining you know is there a way to do excused absences you know for medical reasons versus unexcused absences. it got a little bit complicated and so um after a lot of that discussion PLDRC decided to make the request to council uh to change the
ordinance so that uh they can miss three meetings in um a 12-month period and that the fourth meeting um the seat would automatically be vacated. Additionally, they are requesting that time frame of when you count um to go from the calendar year to um April to
April, which is the 12-month period for when they are appointed because they are appointed um beginning in the April month. Uh so when when you do calendar year, you have that odd kind of four to eight month period between those calendar years where you can rack up,
you know, three straight um meetings and then the calendar year goes by and then you're fine. So um to them it just kind of made sense uh to increase the number of uh absences allowed and then to change the um the time frame of
counting. Uh but once again this is uh you know council policy council direction. Uh if you uh provide direction we'll come back with an ordinance. >> Okay council what is your councilman Santiago?
>> Yeah I mean were they are they trying to solve a problem? What occurred that initiated this for them? >> Sure. We had one member uh for PLLDRC who um uh without getting into too much details had family issues who had medical issues that he had to attend and
then that person the the member then picked up some med some medical issues. Um you know and then missed three within a calendar year. Um and then PLDRC was operating um for six members for a period of months and it resulted in a
lot of tie votes. uh because they deal with a lot of somewhat controversial items. Whenever there is six members, you have the opportunity for a tie vote which nothing gets done. Um and we had a lot of uh you know recommendations
without a uh majority vote or a lot of delays and things like that. So they they they are their goal is to try to keep um a full seven member board as much as possible. Um, this does not mean
that council can't remove any one of them for any reason whatsoever. You still have that opportunity, but this just kind of prevents the um the issue of someone runs into um a scenario where they inadvertently miss three and then they're
automatically off. Um, and >> could it could it not I I hate to do a a change in policy for what seems to be one scenario. I don't know how long you've been on this board. I mean, we've had or legally representing this board for us um how many times this has
occurred. But in that scenario, could not the the U council member that originally appointed that person reappoint them back to the seat based on the terms of the conditions of what happened? >> Yes. Yes. >> So, there is there is an opportunity for
that individual to to get back on if the council member so chooses. So, I I I don't think we should change anything. Um, and I that's just my opinion and and if the council member wants to reappoint that person, you'll take that into consideration and say, "Yeah, you know,
I want X, Y, and Z to be back on and I will appoint them." >> So, I I I think it's a solution really looking for a problem that doesn't exist. >> You're you're only asking for direction. Can we can't make that decision for them, can we? They need to make it
themselves. Well, they've they have uh discussed it and they've provided a recommendation to uh county council, but ultim ultimately it's your ordinance because I need I if I get direction, I need to change the ordinance to change the absentee policy.
>> Let them vote on it. >> Yeah. I think well what we have heard so far is that you're your thought is to not make any change at this time. >> Yeah. Ma mainly because there's a solution. There's a fix there. if the council member wants if that happens,
which is seems like it's only happened once um based on some personal challenges that they had that the council member can put that person right back on the next month. This there's no >> right >> if you want to. >> Are you making that as a motion? No change.
>> I I'll do that. I move to keep the status quo and tell them to keep doing their job. They're doing a good job for us. >> Is there a second? Second. >> Second by Vice Chair Reinhardt. uh comments or questions, whichever you have. Uh Councilman Johansson.
>> Thank you, sir. I I would ask u u Paulo I guess because you go to all of them. I would ask that as we're approaching the moment where it's going to happen and and it's pretty apparent or could be apparent that you alert us right away so
so we can uh not let a PLRDC lapse for a month or two before we reappoint or make our decisions. And um I would take for granted that we have problems
um fully manning the PLRDC or do we have quite a few applications and if we don't >> we always have a few applications for PLDRC we have people in the hopper in case that person can't come back that we can reappoint pretty quickly.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. Good suggestions. Uh, anyone else? Okay, then all in favor of no change in this circumstance, please say I. I.
>> Any opposed? And decision is unanimous. Uh, item item eight, alcohol, drug, and mental health funding request to leverage $13.5 million in state funding. >> Move to approve.
>> Second. Motion to approve by uh David Santiago. Second was by Councilman Robbins. President. >> Okay, >> this one's easy. Good job.
>> Call the question. Okay, all in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Good presentation. Y'all are getting really good at this. Item nine is a contract amendment with
Jones Edmunds for engineering services for Gemini Springs Bas and septic to sewer master plan and phase one design. >> Motion to approve. >> You beat me. I'll second. >> Is it going to be done before the 4th of July? >> Danny May >> big event. >> I'll second.
>> Councilman Robbins makes the uh motion to approve. The second was by Councilman Santiago. Questions for staff. Any comments? All in favor of the expenditure, please say I.
>> I. >> Any opposed? And that passes seven to zero. Good job, Ben. And you're up for one more uh a memorandum of understanding with the city of Oakill for their portable water. >> Motion to approve. Motion to approve by Councilman Robbins.
>> Comment. >> Second was byent. >> He beat you. >> He beat me in. He beat me in. >> He's getting better. >> Second was Councilman Kent. >> A comment, Mr. Chair. >> And a comment from >> question or comment. Just a comment from
Councilman Santiago. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair and colleagues. This is a a good move obviously for Southern Valuchia and the city of Oakill. Um I'm just happy that it's here. It's going to help hopefully the future of Oakill economically and it also helps clean up some of the issues
we have there with some of these septic tanks. So, um this is a good economic plus uh and um what's the word I'm looking for? I'm having a loss. >> Benefit. >> Yeah. No, no, no. Nature stuff. Um environmental. Yes.
>> This is a a huge environmental uh Yeah. Yeah. I know I say economic. It's another eword. Uh environmental plus for that community over there. So, thank you for all the work you did. It's I'm happy for Oakill and really happy it's here before us. Thank you. >> Okay.
You know, it's our smallest city, right? So, you know, I'm glad that we're helping them. >> Okay. All All in favor of the memorandum of understanding, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? That also passes
unanimously. 70 to zero. You never had to utter a word. And that brings us to uh closing public participation. And we have one John Nicholson. >> Passing. >> What? >> It is passing.
>> The first part. Got to go in. >> Today's John Nichols day. We got to do a resolution. >> I lost. >> Can I take your name off? >> Oh yeah. Sorry. >> Sorry. Uh brings us to closing comments of the
county manager at 6:17. >> A little clarification. >> We need a little clarification on the item you just voted yes on. >> Yes. I apologize. So, and I should have caught this. For ADM, there were two options. One is to fund at the full
request which would require additional funding than when we budgeted or option B which is to uh will uh every organization will be funded at 98.5% of the request which is the staff recommendation. >> I I I was going with the staff
recommendation. That was my intent. >> Okay. Okay. Option B is the council who voted unanimously good with that. Don, you're good. >> Thank you. Uh, >> Councilman Johansson, >> you look like you were deep in the thought. Okay.
>> Okay. I did have two items. Uh, first off, answer the question that just came to us. Uh, uh, the County Road 421, which is, uh, Taylor Road, that bridge suffered uh, scour damage during the hurricanes. Uh, at the last uh, about a month ago, uh,
the council approved a contract to repair it. construction is waiting some long lead times because they're going to be building a crutch bent underneath and uh so they it'll be construction will be underway in about two months and be completed by the end of the year.
>> George, is that the information I was just talking to you about? Man, you're quick. Thank you. >> Yep. >> Okay, next up. Uh this is something that's been brought to our attention. Our current uh beach and dune ordinance requires a performance guarantee for seaw wall and reventment work along the
Atlantic coast. Uh the purpose of the performance guarantee is protect public uh the public's speech from unfinished work and substandard work along our beach with respect to those walls. But from recent experience uh we we are finding the
amount of the guarantee required in the ordinance has been costly to individual property owners. I mean we've included stuff and that maybe we didn't need to. Uh, and so with uh your concurrence, I think I'd like to have staff explore amending the existing ordinance to
reduce the amount of the guarantee or develop an alternate process that is more efficient and cost effective. Uh, so I don't need a decision. I just need to know if if if council's okay with us developing that and bringing something back to you. >> Question, Mr. Chair.
>> Yes. Council Santiago. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um I when you in your opening George you said that this the intent around this original program was to I think I don't want to put words in your mouth was to pro protect the public's part of it and and and what >> because yeah because the seaw walls of
course are right up against the beach and the public you know you don't want uh people and we had this of course after storms you know you you're sunbathing and you don't want the wall to fall on you or equipment and >> you know so there there's that part of it that you know they need to make sure
that uh the wall is finished and and and also there's a sand requirement as part of it and that's where I think some of this may have some ability to uh be adjusted and that's what we just like to explore and come back with some options uh of how we do that. My concern would
be when you come forward with the proposal, obviously I don't know what it is yet, is to make sure that it it doesn't cost the rest of the taxpayers in Valuchia County additional. >> Right. We're very aware of that. Thank you. Very good point. >> Thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
>> So, if I No one has any objection, I I'm going to uh go forward work on it and we'll bring it back at a later date. >> Any objection from any council member? >> And that's all. >> Go ahead. Uh, County Attorney Michael Dyer.
>> Nothing. Thank you. >> And that brings us to council members and Councilman Johansson, you're first today. >> Thank you very much, sir. Um, quickly in front of you all uh on county letter head there. Uh, there is a letter
addressed to Miss Tabitha Schmidt. Uh, and it's unsigned by us, but I would like you I hope you took a quick look at it. But what it is, it is a letter of support uh for the Brown, which we know as Moaz,
um for uh support for her to send in with her state grant to help go towards the $25 million raising from the community uh to help reshape the uh Museum of Arts and Sciences to the
Brown. uh she asked me to bring it forward and uh this is just a letter of support. It isn't a letter asking for any more money than Ekko has already given them. Uh and uh I seek your
concurrence and a vote to all sign this instead of just one or two or three of us and provide it back to her to put in her package to the state. >> Would you make that in the form of a motion? >> Yes. Motion to approve the letter of support addressed to Miss Schmidt
provided separately. >> Second question. >> Motion by Jake Johansson, second by Vice Chair Reinhardt, and questions from David Santiago. >> Actually, Mr. Chair, um question, it's more of a comment. >> Either one. >> Okay. Thank you. Um
Jake, I I this is this is good. Could we do our electronic signatures on this or we going to each sign? >> The staff will take care of that. I just >> going to sign each I'm not going to do that without everybody's approval. >> I got you. >> And and if if somebody >> Yeah.
>> If if we if we don't pass then I will uh do it individually. >> No, I I support this and I think it's great. It's the clear message I think you were communicating that this is uh us going after outside funds outside of our community to help a project here which is is correct.
>> Thank you. >> We have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries seven to zero. Okay. Uh, Councilman Kent. Thanks, Chair. Um, council, just a a couple of
brief things. Last week, I had uh a great opportunity to meet Lynn Flanders at the Ocean Center and get my eyes on some of the $40 million that we spent and are spending for the 40th anniversary at the Ocean Center and the new seats, the larger seats, the paint,
>> the sound system. um some of the uh audiovisisual that you have set up in place there. And you know, Lynn said something to me that stuck with me and that was, you know, we have some people in the community talking about um you know, you really
need to beef up the tonnage that you can hold in the ocean center and you might want to do a complete tear down and I mean just some radical ideas. And Miss Flanders said to me, she said, "Councilman Kent, we are looking for
those acts because we can handle max 7,000 people in there. We are looking for acts on their way up and we are catching them on their way down." And she said, "As much as you want the Red Hot Chili Peppers to come there, Taylor Swift and Red Hot Chili Peppers, they're they're not coming to a place like
that." And she's spot on. But there are so many of those acts that we do get to catch on the way up and on the way down of their career. and and I thought it was just perfectly stated. If you've not had an opportunity to go tour the ocean center with Miss Flanders, I highly recommend you do that. Um, my second
thing is I want to talk about I had mentioned years ago about us being efficient and effective. It's on all of the information George send us. We've made it kind of our mantra. I want to tell you how responsive this staff is. Yesterday, I had my district dialogue for residents at the Orman Beach
Library. And I I think before George and Suzanne got to work, I texted them early in the morning and said, "Hey, caught wind that some people from the church um uh in Orman Beach are going to be at this meeting. Can you have one of our uh
gentlemen uh Ben or Tad at at the meeting to talk about the safety, the reasons behind this?" And um they wrote me back and said, "Tad will be there." Tad Casper was there on a moment's notice. He was spitting out facts. And I want to tell you gentlemen what I told
that group. I said, I really feel like if I went before the council and pounded my fist on the deis and said why we needed to make this change right now, I think that I I could get them to do it. I said, but I'm not a traffic engineer. I'm not doing that. I'm not going to put
my neck out there and then another crash happens and my picture's on the front page of the paper because I made a decision about traffic that I have no business making decisions about traffic flow. That's not my expertise. It's not your expertise. We have people for that
job and um you know sometimes you got to say the unpopular thing in front of a group of people and I'm not afraid to do that and Tad was right there spitting facts and I appreciated you all having him there. George, last but not least, you know, I have love for Orman Beach, but I always
feel like someone from staff needs to just in a fun way beat him over the head and say, "What's going on? I I really want to know. I've been there. I've talked to them publicly. I want to know why is the Andy Romano Beachfront Park that I named after Andy Romano, why is
that not involved with Park Valuchia? Because what you don't know is Orman Beach residents taxed themselves for that park for 20 years. I think we've got 11 left. They get charged extra to for that park. But anybody and everybody from out of
town can park there for free. And the place is the crown jewel when it comes to beachfront parks. So it's jammed up and filled up every summer by 9:00 am. And and I say this because Orman Beach should make the money on it. It's their park. It's theirs. So can you can you
cut staff loose on them to go to them and just I want an answer. >> I think they heard you. Uh we've already been contacted just here recently, I guess, in the last few days. So, somebody has uh got that and yes, I'll cut them loose to do that.
>> Thank you. Because I I just I had no idea that you were going to share that, but I I just it wasn't making sense to me. Why are Orman Beach residents being shortchanged, right, >> when they don't have to be this is a win for them financially and they should be participating?
>> We originally we did originally invite uh all the cities. So, we're we're happy to go back at that. So, we will. Thank you. Appreciate it. Have have a have a great uh night. >> This sounds like some Orman on Orman crime. >> Tell you what, man. Getting me fired up,
>> Vice Chair Reinhardt. >> Thank you, Chair. Just uh two things uh and it's really just to give thanks to staff on one thing uh to Jim Corbett and the rest of the facilities department. Um something that gentleman I asked for a couple years ago about the it was a
concern about the lighting um basically in University Park over there next to Hard Rock and the lighting could not happen but now it has. So um they found a light that would be okay with the turtles and for that I
am very very grateful. That makes it a lot safer. But there were actually four parks that were done. University Sun and Surf, Riverview and Glen View. all four parks now have that lighting to make it safer. So, I think that's uh that's that's huge. Um the other thing is to um
Jessica Fentress and Ben Bartlett. Um I think it was a couple meetings ago, we asked uh the young lady was here who was the daughter of James Milton Hunt and we put it in the hands of the state because the state actually it's a weird scenario. I mean it's we purchased it
and then gave it to the state or something. I don't know. Anyways, but we had the Zoom meeting with the historical society uh last Friday and that park is officially being renamed to the James Milton Hunt Lighthouse Point Park and we
will have uh a ribbon cutting for that event coming soon, I guess, to a theater near you. So, as soon as that's announced, um I will let you know. And then lastly, uh June 6, Troy, you'd be pleased. I'm going to do a coffee with your councilman.
>> Nice. Nice. Um, and we're going to be doing it over in the Daytona Beach area. We're trying to find a a location. Um, >> you got any Bello? I'll show up if you got some Bello. >> No, no, it's cheap coffee, man. I'm paying for it, so come on. >> Yeah, I'll get you one. Okay. All right.
And that's other than that, that's it. Have a great night. >> Thank you, uh, Councilman Robbins. Thank you, Chairman. I think that Orman, not David, that Orman on Orman crime, that was, uh, hysterical. Uh council, uh just uh I'd like to uh just talk about that
SB 484, the data centers. Uh I reviewed it uh lightly and it left room for uh for us to kind of exercise some local control here um and uh give us an opportunity to review it ourselves and see if uh we would like to uh take it
any further, but also too, I'd like to see how it aligns with our um our charter that section 202. I think it's 202.2. Um, so pretty much, uh, council, what I'm looking to get out of it, I'm not a fan of these things. Um, I probably know
enough to be dangerous, but I'd like to, uh, have staff come back to see, uh, what our limitations are, uh, in terms of, um, whether or not we can limit local incentives right off the bat to
not encourage these. um if if they're if if we have to have these and we can't kind of be discriminatory, mandate them to use for instance reclaimed water only instead of uh direct pumping from our our drinking source or aquifer. Uh also too gives us
an opportunity to charge these companies and and make some money off them uh if they buy or or buy into our utility if if that is the case. But an an important factor of this that I want everybody to think about is how do we take this um
this threat of AI which is going to impact all of our our workforce, our bluecollar jobs. How do we turn that into something positive? But how do we strengthen AI resistant jobs like our our uh our farmers, our um HVAC people,
our plumbers? what programs can we come up with to uh to kind of counter this well where we see technology going and uh strengthen our workforce. So, um, council, uh, my ask is pretty much, uh,
maybe give this to staff to research to see what our limitations are, maybe bring us back some suggestions, and it would give us time to to individually, um, look at any um, um, suggestions we may have uh, that we want to put together if if we want to add uh, or
exercise our local control. So, >> why don't we make that in a form if if you would in the form of a motion for staff to bring back invitate information on how the local county um can
uh put limitations on data centers. The the part about protecting jobs, I'm not sure how we deal with that. You can put that into motion if you want to word it somehow. that may come after. But um as I see
this technology coming forward, we know the impacts it's going to potentially have. >> How do we create these or how do we create or further create or how do we strengthen um some of these areas that are that we can make AI kind of resistant uh uh and give them some more
u benefits. So if that makes sense. >> It does. Okay. Oh. >> So, uh, would somebody second that motion for staff to bring back information? Uh, Councilman Kent brings it back. Uh, questions. Jake Johansson.
>> Um, I I don't think Yeah, I don't think it's a question. I I think it's a comment. I'm I'm all for looking at what we need to do to understand what AI data centers bring and if we don't have the infrastructure
to support it then how do we limit it here uh or or or what control do we have to limit it um but but I don't I don't think and I want to make sure that we're not thinking
that at AI data center here is going to have an impact on our workforce. It's going to enhance our workforce when it's built, but but the the proximity of a data center to our
workforce is is not relevant. I think that's AI in general. And and so um I I concur with you, chairman. I I think the first thing we need to do is look at what we can do to limit the the
buildings, the brick andmortar piece of it, if that's what we want to do. And and then have have the rest of the folks um do what they're already doing. And how do we bolster our workforce
to adapt to the changing world in general? and and Cyrus and Lou and Career Source and Daytona State College and all those great things that Randy talked about. >> They're doing that for every attack on
our workforce. AI is just another one to deal with. >> That's all I have, sir. >> I agree. >> Good points, Councilman Dempsey. >> Yeah, I I agree with you, Danny. My understanding is though that when these data centers come in for AI that they don't really create many jobs. I like to
have staff's input, but they create jobs when they're constructing the buildings, but once they're up and going, they're basically self-mated and it's not really much of a job creator. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. So yeah, I'm concerned about the water consumption
because there's we already have one in Valuchia County, but it's just um but there are different sizes and the difference I mean I know the governor just signed that bill stopping the the mega ones um a couple weeks ago, but yeah, I I'd like to have a full discussion if there's anything we can do
to deter them because we already ranked 10th in the country, Florida, for data centers and from what I've seen nationally, I mean it's a huge issue. I mean it it they can take up enough water for the size of the land. I mean they they can be very big hogs of fresh water
which I believe they kind of need to operate. I don't know if the reclaimed water is sufficient. I think they have to have >> better water quality than that. So I I'd like to have a full look at it as well. So thank you for bringing it up. Thanks. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Were you done?
>> Are you done? Councilman Santiago. >> Um, you know, I I don't know where to go in this cuz the information is really all over the place. Um, and I I don't know if there's enough to say is good. There's enough to say it's bad. Um, what I would say say
that maybe we are to look at what is possibly known as bad and how do we create an ordinance to solve the bad, right? And if the bad means you can't use fresh water, >> right? >> Then we say that instead of saying I
don't want one here, I think that's the wrong approach because everybody every day, almost everybody, I hate using those words, is using the infrastructure that runs through these AI systems, right? So it's a it's a uh global
need now. It's becoming part of life. So let's address the bad and not say don't come here. Um and and I get it the jobs but there's you know if we still have property tax at the time there's a property tax base those things are valued at a very high penny. So let's solve the problems fight to solve
problems and don't don't send the message don't come here. I think that's the wrong approach. Let's fix let's address our problems. >> No I I agree David you know that's there's a couple things I threw out there just to marinate to get the wheels spinning just to my initial concerns until we hear more. >> I you started the dialogue which is
good. That's what we need to have. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. I I think that's good. If we approve this, uh, does staff have enough information? I I I think what Danny's asking for is um gets to what you want to get to. Is
it bring us back the information um what is required? What can we limit? What can't we limit? Where are we preempted? Where aren't we preempted? And then we can deal with it from there. But we we need to start because it's it's here. So, >> we have >> Yeah, we got good direction.
>> Any other comment? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Okay. Was that it for you? >> Okay. Councilman Santiago. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll be brief. Um, I wanted to echo your comments, Kent, on
earlier when you you recognize staff. I wanted to say publicly because I have the same sentiment. Anytime I call anybody over there, it's I'm I'm I'm getting an answer probably within an hour or less. So, hats off to George and your team. I mean, I'm never worried
about not getting an answer. So, thank you. And to our blue shirt friends, thanks again. You were you all were strong earlier today. There was a lot more of you. So, keep it up. I hope you're enjoying the show. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Sorry, Councilman Dempsey.
>> Uh just uh one thing I just recently learned about these data centers, just for staff, if you could um add this to your report, but um I've heard now that the modern technology is to recycle the water. You don't have to continually pump it out of the aquifer, but rather
they can recycle it like an automobile engine through a radiator and and to cool it. Yeah. So, I I just didn't know if they could bring us up-to-date technology because I'm sure the technology is always changing. I know we they they serve a great purpose in our society, but it's a nimi. It's probably
the mother of all nimbies. Nobody wants it in their backyard affecting their water. So, yeah, I'd be curious to see um where we could go with that as well. Thanks. That's it. Thanks. >> Yeah. And that vote didn't put a time limit on it. This this could take some
time to do the research. So, Where's Claude? >> He's back working on it now. Okay. >> Yeah, it would probably be in August, just realistically. Maybe July, but more likely August. You only have one meeting in July. That's
why I hesitate. So, about that. It'll be a full meeting, I'm sure. So, this could move into maybe uh into August or September. >> Okay. All right. Uh I just have one thing. I'll try and be brief, but it it that
will depend on all of you. Uh it pertains to the uh charter review committee and the item of uh creating a directory for conservation lands. Um I'm I'm not at all comfortable with that and
I'm not comfortable with a a vote of a majority plus one to to sell a property. I do like the idea of a charter amendment because they're hard to change. And I would like to suggest I'd like to ask that somebody would make a
motion that um that we ask staff to come back. We'd have to do this quickly, which is why I'm asking now instead of bringing it back next time. um have staff bring back a proposal for a charter amendment that does not include
a directory but simply requires a um unanimous vote of this council to sell any property because according to state law um that's all that we can do. We
can't force it to a a public um referendum. Um, and that's not just that's the direction of our of our the opinion of our county attorney who every one of us here respects. And if I I don't think we
could get anything else passed if he said, you know, that we're going to be challenged with that. I want something that's going to work uh longterm. So, uh, I'm going to stop there because Matt, your name's already up. >> Yeah, I had I just had a question. Um, it's a good I see where your mind's
going. Um, but I guess for the attorney or for Mr. Dyer currently then in order to stay in compliance with with statute the current practice or the I'm sorry, let me back up with the proposal that's
the charter review committee have given in place. It would take a supermajority to place the item on the registry and a supermajority to remove it with this recommendation because we're asking for a unanimous decision. Would it also take unanimous in order to put a piece of
property on? >> No, I don't want a directory. >> Oh, I'm sorry. No, that's the is that the deciding factor? >> You can answer the question, but I didn't request a directory. just a requiring a unanimous vote to to take something that the public believes is
forever to take it off and >> take unanimous to put it to put it on. >> Well, that obviously is going to depend on how the amendment is worded. Um, you know, part of the idea here would be I mean what I hear is that you're saying all county like any county lands it
would require a unanimous vote of the county >> forever purchases. Okay. >> Or any conservation lands. Okay. And then we might need a definition of conservation lands. I know it seems obvious, but sometimes um you know uh we could look at how some other
jurisdictions have defined that and see if there's a satisfactory definition that uh the council would like. >> I just want something that we can consider. So if that's uh Councilman Santiago. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, the one that
the charter review commission um submitted will automatically be on the on the ballot. Correct. That is correct. And if there is a competing amendment, there is a way to do that. Um it did actually happen I think during the and
Mike will correct me if I'm wrong that the 20 was it 2006? >> Yeah. That on the urban growth boundaries discussion this charter review commission and the council had >> Yeah. proposals that competed ba basically you would be drafting a
proposal you need five votes to put it on under the charter and it would be a competing proposal now you would need to write it in a way u which is what happened in 2006 if it passes this yours would supersede the
charter review why do I say that well what if both amendments passed >> that's what I was going to ask if we did this what if both passed but >> you have to write it to say this would supersede any other conflicting provision. >> Yeah, I think the 2006 amendment that the council put forward said
notwithstanding any other provision in the charter to that may be to the contrary or to the alternative, you know, they it had a it had an intro that made it clear that that was what you were supposed to look at. >> So, did you put similar language what you just said in the previous one?
Uh there is no language that would supersede a proposal that you put on the ballot that passes. That would be something you would do. >> No. Uh it makes Yeah. So the language that you said that it would have to be written in a way that if this amendment
passes then it would supersede any other charter amendment, right? >> Was that similar language utilized in 2006 when they were competing? >> Oh yes. I'm sorry. And they both failed in that scenario. >> That's right. >> Yeah. So, chairman, I don't have a
problem with with the language because I don't think this council has any intentions of selling lands. We've never talked about it's never happened. I don't think anybody's ever said to sell lands. >> So, I don't have a problem with it. >> But I worry that the even the limited well the not the
limited, but the what some considered a weak amendment um would fail also and then we just still status quo. So, Um, we have to work, we have to consider that risk. We're risking that possibility. So, but again, I don't have
a problem with it. Um, I didn't have a problem with the Latcha language because >> I have no intentions of selling land and I don't think this body ever had chance uh considering selling land. So, the question is what could possibly pass? So, and I don't know the answer.
>> Well, if you want to do the Elatchua amendment, I'd do it. I just I don't think it will pass this council with every attorney we've talked to telling us that it's going to >> it's going to get us in trouble. Um so I was I was trying to describe I'm sorry Mr. I was just trying to describe that
>> um the reason I don't have a problem with any of them because I don't think this council has any intentions of selling land or has ever even talked about it. But I get it future. >> This is future councils. Yeah. And so all I'm asking for is to bring it back so we can consider it and look at the language. Councilman Kent.
>> Yeah, Chairman, I think that your request is reasonable and I'm going to make that motion for you so that hopefully we get a second and we can vote on it and then staff can bring it back and then we can vote up and down if we like what staff brought back or not. But I think I think what you what you've proposed is reasonable and I'll make the
motion. >> Motion by Troy Kent. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Second by David Santiago. Thank you both. Any other questions for staff comments?
All in favor say I. I. >> Reluctant. Any opposed? >> Okay, Mike. Is that enough? >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you. All right. And this somebody write this down. This is a record. We
will we will adjourn at 6:48. will want to bring some kind of a partying gift.