Good evening everybody. Welcome to the city of Williston city council meeting. The date is August 19th, 2025. The time is now 6:03 p.m. and the city of Willson, Florida council has come to
order. >> That's right. You call roll, please. >> Mayor Goodman. >> I am here. >> Council President Hans, she's absent. Vice President Cox >> here. >> Council member Jones, >> here.
>> Council member Martin, >> here. Council member Rikio, >> city manager Sue Bodet >> here, >> attorney Kirstston Belaloo >> here, >> city clerk Latricia Wright, I am here, and all other staff. >> Thank you.
>> All righty. We're going to have opening prayer and pledge of allegiance of the flag by Mr. Charles Goodman, the mayor. >> Join me if you will. Lord, we come together today a city of your children who are trying to manage
our way in this world. Lord, help us to each one of us to be kind to each other, to be understanding of all the issues, to ask questions where they need to be asked and seek for the answers that you need. And Lord, we ask you to be with
each one of these people as they have come from their homes and taken their lives, time out of their lives, Lord, just to be part of a community. And I ask you to be with the police department, Lord, as they every day, the
least little traffic stop can turn into a major confrontation. And Lord, I ask you to be with the fire department as they go to their various rounds trying to save lives. and I ask you to be with all city employees to help them to do
the best that they can in their work. In your name, amen. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please have a seat. >> All right. Item one, addition, deletions, changes, and approval to the agenda.
Ask for approval. >> Mr. President, there are um two three items that I would like to move on to the agenda. The first will be um resolution 2025-90
that you have in front of you regarding right Pierce right Pierce is here um to speak on that issue. The second resolution 2025-89 which is um a another um directive from FGU similar
to what you all saw last month. And then the third is also sitting in front of you discussion with possible action um on the Dodge Charger. I would request that right Pierce and FGU be added as B and C and that the discussion with possible action on the charger be added
as J with everything that moved down. >> All right. >> Uh what do we do with B and C? Well, they become a different number >> because we have a B and C. >> Yep. So B and C >> will become E and F, >> right? So or D and E. So D and E and
then D would become F. E becomes G. F becomes H. G becomes I. And then J is your Everybody just moves down. >> Thank you. I move the agenda as revised. >> I second. >> All right. We have a first. We got a
second. Any discussion? Anybody? Right. Seeing none, all in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Those opposed. All right. 4 Z. All right. Item two, presentation of
employee pins 10 plus years of service. HR Director Kim Troy. Good evening. I'm handing out certificates of appreciation. There this certificate is a proudly awarded to Steven Bernett. Thank you for your dedication and
contributing to the city of Wilston's success over the last 10 years. This certificate is proudly awarded to Jared Caswell. Thank you for your dedication in cont contributing to the city of Wilston's success over the last
10 years. [Music] This certificate is proudly awarded to Luke Holton. Thank you for your dedication and contributing to the city of Williston's success over the last 10 years. This certificate is proudly awarded to
Thomas Kit Jr. Thank you for your dedication in contributing to the city's city of Williston success over the last 10 years. [Applause]
Thank you, sir. This certificate is proudly awarded to Kenneth Maddox. Thank you for your dedication in contributing to the city of Wilson's success over the last 10 years. This certificate is proudly awarded to Joseph Moose. Thank you for your
dedication in contributing to the city of Williston's success over the last 10 years. This certificate is proudly awarded to Cody Murphy. Thank you for your dedication and contributing to the city of Willist success over the last 10 years.
This certificate is proudly awarded to Kyle Spencer. Thank you for your dedication and contributing to the city of Willist success over the last 10 years. [Applause] You done with that one, Kim? All right. Item three, presentation of
just serve award. Nancy Wker and President Brandon. Yeah. >> Is that better? >> Absolutely. >> Well, thank you. Thank you for letting us take a little time at your council meeting tonight and thank you, mayor, for your patience with us as we get
through this. Um, I'd like to recognize if y'all know this lady here, Nancy Wineer. She's a superstar with us >> for her. We have some others that's with us here tonight. Our communication director and our our bishop here in Willist, Bishop Henderson's here with us
tonight as well. Um, you look, you guys live in a beautiful area. Willist is just amazing. I'm in Ocala, really Belleview and always enjoy area here. Well, we're here tonight to present an
award. It's pretty special to us. Um, it's it's one of three, I think, in the southeast that our church has given out. And two of them are in the Ocala stake, and the stake is a region that it is, but the southeast area goes all the way
up to Arkansas and over to the Carolas and down. So, there's quite a quite a big area. So, it's a it's an honor for you guys to for us for you guys to have this award that we're going to present you with tonight. The Just Serve Just Serve is a platform
dedicated to spreading hope, kindness, and unity through volunteerism. Led by volunteers for volunteers, it empowers individuals to strengthen their communities through meaningful service. Provided by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, the justerve.org
org website connects people from all backgrounds with local organizations and projects that need their hands to make a difference. The just serve the Just Serve City Award recognizes communities that embrace volunteerism a core part of
their mission. Today we are honored to present this distinction to the city of Willist, Florida. Through its unwavering commitment to service, Willison has inspired its citizens to uplift one another and build a stronger, more connected community. Congratulations to
Mayor Charles Goodman and the entire city of Willist for making service a way of life. We proudly declare Williston an official to serve city. And with that, we have this
award. [Applause] has the brochure. There's t-shirt. So when you see this logo, when you see [Applause]
Miss Nancy, can we get you all to have a take a picture with the city manager with the award, please? >> M. >> I just want to briefly make a comment that I've been a part of two nonprofits that Just Serve has helped through your
church and I really just want to thank you all for what you do. I know you've helped many other nonprofits in this community and without you we couldn't do some of the things that we do and um I do it from my church and also from the woman's club. I do appreciate that so
much and appreciate all you put into it. >> You're so welcome. >> Thank you. [Applause] Thank you. Thank you very much. All righty, moving on.
Item four, public participation. This is your first of two opportunities to address the council. At this time, anybody from the audience can come to the podium and speak for five minutes on any topic other than
what is on the agenda. Please state your name in your resident at when you come up. And just a reminder, the council does not have to comment. >> Yes. My name is Timothy,
225 Northeast Second Street. I came I came here a few months back about a few addresses that had water leaks and uh most of them were fixed. So I got curious the other day just to go look and see if they were all fixed and
they was they weren't. So uh instead of get upset and get sidetracked like I do sometimes I try to write things down where y'all can't get me that way. So uh where do I begin? How about fire Donald Barber and
Jonathan Bishop because of derelic of duties purposely not fixing severe water leaks example in front of Grayson Goger business over one year. What happens to somebody s slipping and
fall because now it's just algae right there by they took the cones away so you don't notice. Next Southeast 2nd Street 329. I talked to the people. I went around there. This was part of the This is part of the address a few months back. It
wasn't near as bad as when I seen the other day. So, I took videos and pictures of it and uh so I spoke to the the owners there and they said it's been four years this has been going on and uh it's uh not failure to to to fix the
water leaks that are over there and they just throw lime rock and patch it with p and patch it with asphalt. You can see several patches is they're going to their little carport. All the asphalt is just ro and uh and that and they just just over
and over and over. That's how they fix it. And it goes to the intersection where the intersection is of the fire hydrant. It's a 6-in water man going into a 3-in water man. The water man is bubbling in three spots. One there by the side of the
house going east to west. And where that where the where the pavement comes in north to south, there's a leak. full width all the way across goes the complete two lots over is nothing but water. The one area there is flooded in that yard and it goes on the other side
of the fire hydrant. So there's really no excuse. And then we got the water tower been been leaking for how long now? I mean, uh, we get double the water rate charge, but we got to apply to y'all. We
We have to We have to pay for this when it comes in our house coming and going, but y'all don't have to pay for anything. I mean, just saying only the residents here, but it seems like the people that that are in charge here that uh uh that make $100,000 as supervisors.
Um, there's no accountability. And I just like to know who's accountable for it because uh they're really uh very underqualified at best for this job because there's no positive result to fix the outdated water system. I mean,
you just can't keep patching and patch and patch and I mean I I I seen the pictures of the stuff. No wonder it's blowing out everywhere. I mean, kicking the can down the road does does nothing about it whatsoever. Nothing. There's thousands of gallons every day.
That's wasted. We the citizens are being held hostage by by by by a mob like Kathy. This is nothing more than extortion here. Y'all say what y'all want or whatever. It don't matter to me. I'm not afraid of this. I live here. I get up and work go to work every day.
And a lot of whatever y'all do too. But the ones that don't live here that the county collect this money, they should move here and get some of this. Maybe maybe maybe it would change. There's got to be a changing of the guards here.
And then and then uh and then y'all post on Facebook so proudly about y'all install thousands of feet of this cable. I wish y'all would take initiative to fix the water lines like y'all doing this cable. Every week y'all post something like
that and everybody say, "Oh yeah, we got to get some cable." What about the water? Not one post of the city being brought up to code actually complete disregard for not fixing other than kick the can down the road with excuse after excuse. I'm not saying y'all. I'm talking about
the supervisors. But something has to be done here other than nothing. No nothing. And the question is who resp who's whose response? Well, there's not being a counter. And then when somebody like me speaks up, I'm the bad guy. Well, I'll be the bad guy every time. Believe me, I
got shoulders taken and I want to know how many I'd like to know how many signatures is going to take from the citizen as a petition to fire Donald and Jonathan Barber. Both are full of excuses, way
underqualified. I just like to know that they should prove the citizens wrong. Just prove us wrong and I'll shut up. And and the last question I got, does the citizens work for the city council and the city manager and supervisors
or do y'all work for us? I don't know what else to say. I mean, I'm a very concerned citizen. Willist's got 65% 65% of people that live on retirement. But uh y'all are taxing y'all are taxing
everybody just beyond I mean it just don't just don't I don't know what to say. >> That's right. I can't see the clock. >> I was late starting it. It's my fault.
Please state your name where you're resent. >> Of course, she does that. I know we don't have to make comment, but I've got to make a few comments. Mr. Eert, you're not real far from wrong. Um, I agree with half of what you said. The part I do not agree with is
that they are underqualified because they are not. They are both very wellqualified. They all have licenses in their field. Some of the places that you named are FDOT and you know that we've told you that before. Florida Department of Transportation is the water leak in
front of furniture store. Uh we can't fix it. It's theirs. Um and there are others that have extenduating circumstances as you also know because you've been you have been here before. Um I'll just leave it at that for right now.
>> Yes sir. They're pictures of 329 Southeast Street. What previous gentleman want the properties you talking about? >> Just state your name for the record. >> My name is Shauna K. Sullivan. I'm caregiver for Joseph Bonovita Jr. the
homeowner. He is totally and permanently disabled. um 13 diagnosis, four pending. Um we don't get out much so you have to do that for this. Um we've lived in Willist going on four years
and we we come from Penllis County. We come from other states. You know, we we uh we've had a very hard with this water issue. Um, the latest one has been going on
since the end of December of 2024, as he was saying, 329 Southeast Second Street. Um, it's right at the end of our carport. When we moved in four years ago, our driveway was perfect. It hadn't
lived in for three years. Now, black tops all cracked up. It looks like an artery of a heart. Um I know there is more are even into the carport our living space which we have to drive through puddles every day. Um cracking
up. Um we have come many times. I came to a special meeting in March regarding past uh water you know me calling reporting this one with with Miss Mrs.
Sue and uh many others and I was given excuses. I've talked to Mr. Gibbon on the telephone, you know. Um, I understand what Timmy means by being held hostage by a town. We're trying to sell this house to get out of here. And
we know this town does not like us. I'm telling you, it we're not from here. We understand that. But we are stuck because of this water issue. We I had a car almost come into our house last week because the hole is bigger than that
table right there. and about 11 8 to 12 in deep in the whole road is cracked up just in front of our driveway our carport. I used to sweep the street where we live from second street to third street of
all haul in leave do this because I'm used to a street sweeper and everything comes on the carport and the man I take care of he's disabled he has no spleen so I have to keep the house immaculate I have to keep him from any kind of you know infection this and
that I spend so much or he does in cleaning spot just from going in and out of our back back door And there's covered, you know, we have wasp issues. You see some pictures, you can see the little mud. It's dangerous.
My dog, she's a service dog, 12 years old. She's allergic to be and and things. Um I'm allergic to mosquitoes. This has been running constantly since this time since January of last year. Many cars that come flying down that
road. I see rock coming up the the limestone they were putting on broke our windows our AC unit. You know this. We are having so many problems now. People are blaming us when their cars go down this hole. We you know they're yelling at us. Why didn't you call and report
this? Okay. To think we haven't. The girls at the front, you know, know me the sound of my voice. Oh, come on. Um I didn't prepare for this. I'm not good at this. I'm winging it. I'm just saying that
I was laughed at in that meeting when they told me, "Oh, it's because we don't have a bracket to fit this hype." So, my first thought is, let's invent it. Let's make it. It's the year 2025, you know, with with all the AI and all the
technology that you all depend on. We don't even have internet, okay? We don't have cable. We depend on library movies for entertainment. Okay? And that's how it is with that. However, why not invent it? You know, a little bracket, whatever it is, then they're telling us, "Oh, no, it's a pipe. We don't make them
anymore." I've talked to several city workers, the kids that have been here that does no better than not to talk to, um, we got the pipe, we got this. They laughed at me and I said, "Invent and do was there, invent the bracket. Get a get a machine at, you know, go to machine
shop, make a mold, you know, do something. This, oh, we'll have to shut down 27 to fix your water. You're not in the budget this year. You have to deal with the leak. Basically, we had to shut down 27, which is two blocks north and four blocks to the left.
Like I said, he is severely disabled and uh he has injuries. >> Your five minutes is up. >> Okay. I'm sorry. I didn't Uh it's leaking. That's after they fixed it about three years ago.
>> Some of them are old. That's four years worth of what we've been dealing with over it like that now. >> Thank you. >> No sir, you can speak from the audience. >> Yeah, he did. He took video. Uh I have video. This is last minute. So like I
said, we're simple people. We keep the table for five minutes. >> Appreciate it. not a question. >> Oh, there we >> Before she leaves, I need to speak with her.
>> Miss Sullivan. Miss Solomon, >> come speak to Miss I'm Joel Penny. I live at 43 Northwest 4 Street. So my first thought is Donald made a reserve
for high spike of light light builds and stuff. I want to know why was it why hasn't it been used or why has the other question is I was here about three months ago and I was talking about the pit fence having put around it.
Well, apparently just maybe two weeks ago, we had homeless people living in the bottom and there's police report the police officers went there and made and I would like a fence put around the city
>> before they get the other thing is I want to know uh the Lar Lenar the subdivision why didn't y'all let people know, the community, let people know that they
backed out of the tennis of doing the ball, you know, volleyball or whatever they were doing, pickle ball. And I want to know when they did LAR, there were supposed to be street lights put up. Why hasn't
anything been done about that? It just houses are just there and it just looks dark. I mean what the city why hasn't the city pushed anything to get that done? Uh
the next thing is so I did a little bit of review on the fireworks the $50,000 thing you were talking about. >> Yeah. The Ocala fire I mean the Ocala city of Ocala doesn't spend $50,000
a year on fire and there are 50,000 people in that community. We are the 3,000 community. Where do you get $50,000 where you want to come out and spend our money on fire? >> Did you come to the last budget hearing? >> Yeah,
>> it's not 50,000. >> I know. But he was Yeah, I know. He really irked my butt. And I want to know why the cost adjustment of like the light, the water, the sewage. Why are y'all competing
against Okala, Gainesville, stuff like that? Why are we paying these high high athletic bills and stuff? I mean, I just don't realize we're a community of 3,000 people. There's nothing here. Nothing.
Why are we paying this outrageous prices like Gainesville and Ocala? Why are y'all comparing us to them? Do something. Okay. Definition of a cost adjustment. Who wants to do that, please? Anybody want to do that or you might have to do
it? I did it last time. I might as well do it again, right? Okay. So the cost adjustment is a charge for the production of the electricity. It comes from the company that actually produces the electricity and it is passed along. In other words, if they
make it out of coal or they make it out of natural gas or they make it out of nuclear energy, whatever it is, it's the cost of the make of producing the power. And that cost has a certain level. If it's not over that level, they don't
charge us a cost adjustment. They just charge us the normal kilowatt hour rate that we charge. However, if it goes over that rate, the public service commission allows them to pass that overcharge
across to the city or whoever or the county or whoever is doing it. And we pass it along straight across to the customer. There's nothing we can do about it. We don't keep one penny of it. >> But Mr. Donald made that program. >> You and you've heard this before. You've
heard here before. You're asked of these three questions. I actually told you about two of them. >> Can I can I interrupt real? I'm sorry to interrupt, but I think Mr. Penny is actually not referring to the cost adjustment. I think he is referring to the rate stabilization fund. >> That was the first thing he referenced. >> Oh, okay. I'm
>> That was the first thing he referenced, but and I will say with regard to the rate stabilization fund, it has to do with gas, not electric. It was electric. >> It's not. It's for gas off. >> I was told it's
not. So that's what the cost adjustment is. We keep none of it. We have nothing to do with it. It is passed. The public service commission for the state of Florida says they can pass it through and that's what we do. >> Well, why wasn't it used? >> What now? >> The the reserves that Mr. Donald put
away. The reserves are for gas, not for electric. >> Because there's not a high spike of gas right now. >> Yeah, it's normally in the winter when you have a high spike of gas. >> Jonathan, can you clarify where
>> about the rate stabilization plan? >> So far as the rate stabilization fund, it has to read a certain mark and I don't remember that number. And once it reads that certain number, then then you can utilize it for what he's asking for. But it hasn't reached that mark yet and I don't remember the number off the top of my head. >> And is there one set up for electricity
or gas only? >> I believe there's one set up for both but neither one of them are are >> where they need to be to utilize the money. Not yet. >> Talk awesome. So if if that's the case, they told me wrong. That's all I can do is tell you
what they told me. I've just been heading something that said the city of Ocala spent $300,000 for the drone show and they're spending $150,000 this year for fireworks. Ready?
All right. State your name, where you're from. >> Hi. Uh, my name is Shannon Church. I'm from here. I live over in the LAR um district, I guess, is what you want to call it, um, at 590 North Northwest Fourth Place. Um, I have come here today
to speak upon the water issue and a possible proposal of how we can fix it. Um, so, good evening, council members. Thank you for the opportunity to speak this evening. This is my first time, so little nervous, but at the same time, I felt the call to be here. Um, I'm here
on behalf of many different concerned residents to address an issue that has persisted for what it feels like far too long. When I grew up here, it was always don't live in the city because your electric bill could be super high. Now, I mean, out of my $900 bill, my electric
is 111. That is the lowest I've ever had. But then again, I work two jobs. I work two jobs and I'm hardly ever home. My father has cancer. So me and my kids, we're when we're done at work in school, we're taking care of him and then we go home. Um,
so basically what I want to talk about today is the inaccuracies and unexplained spikes in the water usage in billing which have recently reached what we feel like is an unsustainable level. Over the several over the past several months, residents, myself included, have reported usually unusually high utility
bills. Some in some in electric, some in water. It really just depends on the the situation for the exact resident in some witches about hundreds of dollars of what it usually is and some it's up into the one to 2000s. In many
cases, these charges are inconsistent with historical usage patterns of the residents and cannot be explained by seasonal fluctuations or increased consumption. The issue is not isolated as it may seem to be for those who are not familiar or for those who just have not been told by as many residents who
are at home wondering how they're going to pay their bill and be able to eat food at the end of the day. It seems to be more of a broader systematic failure that demands immediate attention. The city of Willis has estimated population of, as Joel said, over 3,000 with a
median household income of approximately 59,776 for families facing utility bills of $500 total, which that was my last month, and it seems to be very very accurate for others. Um, that that equates to about 10% of their monthly
income. For families that are looking at $1,000 bills, that's over 20%. The situation is even more alarming for our senior citizens. Approximately 19% of our current population here in Willist are elderly individuals on fixed
incomes. Those fixed incomes average about $2600 a month. So when you're looking at that amount and they're facing a possible thousand water bill, which I've come across myself, um they're looking at spending 40% of their monthly income to just pay their
utilities. that does not include much, you know, means left over to pay for their food, medication, and other essentials. A critical factor contributing to this issue is the outdated system or outdated state of our water system.
Nearly half of our water meters were installed between 1946 and 1956, meaning they were upwards to 70 to 80 years old. The industry standard lifespan for water meter is up to 8 to 10 years. Continuing to rely on infrastructure
that has outlived its service life by decades is not only unsustainable, it it's fiscally irresponsible. Beyond billing concerns, the aging infrastructure results in substantial water loss. The city currently experiences an estimated 25% water loss annually, accounting to approximately
$500,000 in loss revenue annually. That's half a million dollars per year. and that this number it will only increase if we do not act. The figure does not even account for the cost of the frequent water main breaks, the emergency
repairs, and the offer that it only feels temporary, such as in the individual who spoke earlier for the 4-year water in her yard and into the street. One practical and forwardlooking solution is to implement the ADA
advanced metering infrastructure, the AMI system that has been brought to your attention before. A proposal that has been briefly brought to your attention before to the council. And I believe the reason why you guys weren't comfortable with moving forward at the time was worrying about the system infrastructure
and wanting to make sure it's not going to get hacked, which is a very very valid concern. I used to work for an IT company myself, so that I'm very familiar with a lot of different companies who have had to reach out for those things. Um, but it's easily easily taken care of.
The AMI technology is already in place in numerous nearby communities where it demonstrated the following benefits. Real-time monitoring of water uses for both the city and the residents. Early detection of leaks and anomalies. More accurate transfilling billing. >> Okay, you're five minutes. >> We have another section.
or >> I can finish. >> Thank you. I appreciate your time. >> I'm a terrible person. I have to comment every time I can't stop. Um, again, I agree with almost everything that you said. Um, except that we would
love to have AMI, but it costs millions and millions of dollars. It's not so much that, well, it's worth it, but where are we going to get it? I can tell you that one way we get it is we get extra money when we charge your bill.
That's the only way to get it. Where are we supposed to get it? We've applied for grants. We did not get them. We have, believe me, I got two engineers sitting in sitting right here. And they can probably give you estimates. I can't remember the estimates on the cost of the AMI, but it
was not doable. We would love to have it for all the reasons that you have stated. >> Well, that go with right Pierce your consulting engineers. Um I don't can't comment on the AMA numbers. I not don't
don't have those in front of me. Um as we get on the item B, I'm going to be talking about the vulnerability assessment, but part of that is I'm going an overview of all the grants that we are working on right now and that's going to tie into a lot of these comments. So when that comes up, I will
speak more about that and I'll stay here for this meeting for the second participation and questions come up and follow. >> It takes money and we don't have it. That's what I've announced. We'd love to do it. We would
have done it already if we had money. Who's next? your name and address. >> Yes. Bob O'Connell. I live at Northwest 7 council member. Pardon me. So um along with many others here I have
a concern about the uh usage when we were one of the the last council meeting. Uh Deborah I think you you said well check your check your usage you know because we are I'm seeing a spike. So the first three months of the year we averaged around uh or not around exactly
4,333 gallons. Okay. uh these last three months or through June, we're averaging 11,100 gallons. Okay. So,
I'm just trying to figure out that has this been communicated as to why this is happening or we don't know or >> or Okay. So, anyways, >> have they checked your meter? >> Have Have you requested that they check
your meter? No, I haven't had that. I haven't put that request in yet. >> Can I Can I do that right up front here? >> Yes, sir. Let's do that. Either that or give it to Mr. Bishop tonight. He could put in a work order to have your meter check. >> Okay. >> Because that is a big spike. Not as much
as Miss Churches. Miss Churches is ridiculous. >> Yeah. Hers is really bad. Both two months in a row, hers was terrible. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Um, the other thing is I've lived in a few different cities, a lot of different townships and
stuff. I've always paid the utility bill directly to the utility. Utility went to the gas and electric all went to the utility company directly. I'm just curious as to why um, you know, we we're paying the city
directly here for that. And I'm also curious as to, you know, we we're paying you, it's a ser it's a service that you guys are doing for the utility. Do you guys get compensated uh for that service?
Okay. Um I think that's all I have. Well, on the on the water main breaks, um, we had one on our street not long ago. We had one at McDonald's. What? Last weekend. That's a cost, right? That
cost or or isn't it? Okay. You're shaking in your head. No, it is. It isn't a cost. Okay. So, I'm wondering who picks up that cost. Obviously with all these breaks and everything else that that we have to pick up the cost of the repairs, but >> right we do have to pick up the cost of
the repairs and Mr. Mr. Bishop can speak up. There is no cost for the actual water loss. Okay. >> But we have to report the water loss to the state uh rural water that we reported. >> Yes ma'am. Um it gets reported every year and gets calculated what the water
loss is and what we can do to fix it. Yes, ma'am. and we're accountable for water in and water out of the wells >> and as far as and then just the billing question and then also on the new format we have for the bills here the usage the old format had gallons right if I'm
correct right on the water usage >> on the water yes >> how many gallons you're using like on this one you know 48.73 I mean I'm not sure >> again when I've lived another you you when you move into a new house, you get
a you get something from the utility. You get a you get a sheet that circles the different things with a line that kind of explains exactly what they are. Um, but what is that calculation? 48.7
whatever. >> Selena's on here is she's our billing our county building. >> Yeah, >> it's so much per gallon. And let me tell you, it's really cheap. Um, I have a source for water actually on I happen to
own the ice house that's here in Mola, the one that's down in the intersection. And I had a farmer who contacted me about the need for water. He had an 800gallon tank and he needed to fill it up five or six times with some new crop
that he had that he needed to water by hand. and I made a deal with him that I would he could get water from my location and I would get a price from the city for how many gallons he used over my normal rate. So, not any particular gallon. Um, and I can tell
you that it was so little that I didn't charge him at all. >> Okay. Well, then I just >> It was less than $10 for 1,600 gallons of water. >> Okay. >> And I'm a commercial rate. Well, >> okay. All right.
>> Commercial rate is different in resident. >> Yeah. I'm I'm just I'm seeing the spike in the usage. It's just uh >> it is a lot. >> Yeah. >> Can I >> You and your five minutes is up. You are welcome. There's another one towards the end of the session.
>> Okay. >> You can go there. >> Okay. I'm just I'm looking for a question also on the billing and how that works to the city. >> Be glad to go over the bills with you, too. I'm not pretty good at explaining them. We're we're paying you guys directly if opposed to the utility. >> I'll answer that actually. The the city
owns its own utilities and we're not alone. There are a lot of other cities in the state of Florida and other states that own their own utilities. So there may be a city that doesn't own its electricity or doesn't own its gas and you would pay the electric company directly or the gas company, but the city of Willist actually owns all of its
own utilities. I think most, correct me if I'm wrong, but most cities own water and sewer um and trash pickup or they, you know, we might um contract that out because sometimes that's a less expensive way to do it. And yes, we do
buy electricity um and then we do sell it. But it is a pass through cost. There is no, am I correct, Jonathan? Correct me if I'm wrong. It's a pass through cost >> far as the electricity. There is a revenue built on that. Yes, ma'am.
>> And that's how we pay for our police department, fire department, roads and parks that obviously don't have any way of generating any income. That's how we generate income to pay for fire, police, roads, parks, such. I hope that answers your question.
>> Sure. Yeah. Thank you for your time. >> Anybody else? >> All right. Item five, consent agenda. These are the council minutes from August 5th, 2025. >> I only have one correction to make in
the minutes and that is Jane Lewis. Is Jan Lewis and other than that I would move the approval of the consent agenda with that correction. Get a second. First, we have a second. Any other
discussion? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? 4 Z. All right. Item six, updates. staff, board, and council update. City manager Subad. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Vice President.
All right. First and foremost, I completely forgot to tell you guys about this the last uh council meeting, but the city of WIS recently submitted a competitive Florida partnership grant in the amount of $45,000. This was through retail strategies. We've worked with them in the past. Um the goal is to develop a retail strategy and
implementation plan for economic development in the areas of restaurants, grocery stores, and clothing. So, wish us luck. we would love to get this grant. We've tried multiple times. Um second, I wanted to read a letter that the um city received from Central
Florida Community Action Agency um for the event that was held a few weekends ago. It says, "Dear City of Willist, on behalf of the board of directors and staff of Central Florida Community Action Agency, I would like to extend our help heartfelt appreciation for allowing us to host our recent health outreach and fundraising event at
Heritage Park. Your generosity in making this beautiful space available played an important role in the success of our event and in helping us serve our community. We would also like to give a special note of thanks to Mr. Tom whose guidance and hands-on support were invaluable. His help with the event setup as well as his clear direction on
the proper cleanup process ensured that everything ran smoothly and that the park was returned to its original condition. His kindness and dedication reflect the spirit of community that makes Willis such a special place. Your continued interest and support of our programs will make the difference in the lives of the many families who seek our
services. With this type of leadership and support from the community, CFCA can continue to support those in need of our services. Please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support and generosity. Feel free to visit our website to visit to find out more about how your donations are helping those in
crisis. And of course, a special shout out to Chief Foss for being in the dunk tank and our HR director for being in the bunk dunk tank and the tax collector. Thank you, Michelle Langford, for being in the dunk tank. I think that's everybody, right? They got
dunk, so it was a good event. Um, third, I wanted to give you an update on the animal shelter. I know Laura's not here tonight. We recently partnered with Marian Correctional Institution. Um that's where we get um our inmate supervisor program to give them four
dogs from our animal shelter. Um their program is called the Florida Inmates in Dog Obedience Phto Project, which is hilarious. Um so we gave them four dogs. We pay them $150 for each dog, but they take them and the goal is of course to try and adopt them out. And um we were
told that many of the staff members at the correctional institution actually get them themselves as they fall in love with them. So, here's to hoping that's going to be a good partnership with us. Um, third, I wanted to ask about the third budget workshop. We had tentively said we were going to do a third one
next Tuesday on August 26th. I'm recommending we still go through with that to discuss um the city planner position and the animal shelter manager position. Um, I did discuss today with Kathy Iba from JB Pro about doing a piggyback off of the Levy County
contract with JB Pro. So, um, that is an option and I should have paperwork actually next Tuesday for that if you guys are still okay with going through with the workshop next Tuesday. >> We did make other changes too. >> Okay. >> So, we're good with >> still having that.
>> Okay. Perfect. All right. And then I wanted to um introduce or bring up for another uh update on the Willis Fiber Project, Hector Samario from Performance Services. Good evening everybody. Hector Samari with perform services. Uh great seeing
some of you at the Florida League of Cities conference this past week. I thought it was a great conference. I hope that you did. It was the probably the the highest attend attendee uh numbers that I've seen there in great many years. So, Mayor, good to see you back. I know you had uh you went home
early, but >> I didn't want to add that to that though. HIPPA laws and all, but >> I was trying not to say that, >> but it's good to have you back. So, good to see you. So, just a quick update and um happy to answer questions. With me is Mike McCann, your project manager.
So, we'll field any questions you have, but I'll I'll I think this will be pretty self-explanatory. All the material has been ordered. We received about 85% of the material is already on hand. 25% of the work is is done. We're on schedule to get everything finished by December. Um the make ready is close
to being done. So I want to shout out to Jonathan and his team for the great work that they've been doing to get everything ready for for the you know aerial fiber. So Jonathan, thank you for that. Uh we are waiting for two permits for the railroad to cross the railroad and I know Aaron is working on the lumen
uh agreement to get the light to the fiber. He's very very close to doing that. So that when we start, you know, go through the installation, it's nice to be able to look at the very end of that fiber optic and see the light. U so we're on schedule. Uh just a quick update on where we are with Williston RV
Resort. We are currently doing the locates uh for all the utilities. Tomorrow we're going to have two crews on site doing some of the underground conduit. And as those locates go get further and further along, we're going
to have five to six crew crews installing the conduit and then we're going to start pulling fiber sometime after that. So again, two crews starting tomorrow for conduit and as soon as the locates get further enough or further along, five to six crews will be out there for the city. We're installing uh
conduit for on the on the underground uh for the last two weeks. Aerial has been going on for the last four weeks and we have one underground uh crew and one aerial crew working on the on the aerial side, the city city side of the RV
process. That's all I have. really open to any questions you may have. >> Sir, >> thank you. Great news. >> Thank you. >> Okay, staff. >> Yes, sir. Just going to let you know I
uh attended the uh county budget workshop today. Um they have still not really set their millage rate yet. They're bouncing between 9 and 8.75. Um they are moving to raise their
assessments. Um fire is going from 129 to 250 and EMS is going from 154 to 250. and they have >> that.
>> So just just giving you that heads up. >> Thank you, sir. M anything bishop. >> All right, >> Mr. President. >> Excuse me. >> I have I have a couple of updates.
Um so the first one is on the RFP top of the hill. I know we've been talking about it a lot. part of our um audit from Pervis Gray was that there are some um updates that they want to make to our procurement. So, we're working on updating our forms and going through that process so that when we submit everything, we don't have to resend it
and submit it again. Um so, we are actively working to update our forms and our procedures for that to go out. >> I'm on the same wavelength. Um, okay. The second, um, item update
that I have, I want a little bit of guidance from you all. Um, I know that we talked about going to our union and presenting them with a couple of, uh, changes to the certifications language in the CPA. And I think that
our conversation centered around three categories. I think on one of the categories I'm clear and I just want you all's clarification that we are we're on the same page with cert certificates that have been
approved by supervisors and we're um achieved those were okay with backpaying but moving forward we need to follow the process or the back pay will not or the increase will not occur is that I'm seeing not okay so I think that I'm clear on that um the question that I
have for you that I'm not clear on is when we present these potential changes. There are four ways that different CBAs and I probably looked through 800 CBAs um over the last two weeks to see how
other entities do this. And there are a couple of different ways that they do. Um they generally have some of them have language such as any certificate must be a prerequisite to maintain an employees professional skilled craft or technical status to
perform job duties in the description. So something like that that just says if you absolutely have to have this certificate to keep up to task with your craft, your skill or to fulfill your job duties, then it's an approved certificate still goes through your
supervisor. So, that's one way to do it. Just sort of like a general statement like that. Another way to do it is list certifications in job descriptions and then say if it's a certification that's approved in your job description, then it's a certification that's
eligible for a race. Some do certifications listed in the CBA itself. So, if it's if it's available there, then it's an available certificate. Um, and then those are the three that I found that other entities do. The last two
require updating. So there are provisions for you all to work with this with the union to update as you know I'm positive that just like everything else things change as years passes and you need more certificates and that kind of thing. Um one of the things that you all
had discussed was certain hours um required to complete a course as a requirement. I didn't see that um in any of the CBAs that I looked at. Now, that doesn't mean that doesn't exist in some. Um, but I just wanted to see if any of those are generally more appealing to
you than the others or if you want me to present all of those and see what the union thinks. >> Read the first one again. >> Yeah. So, it's sort of general language and this was just an example. Any certificates must be a prerequisite to
maintain an employees professional skilled craft or technical status to perform their job duties or description. Only thing I would add is to obtain or maintain. Okay? >> Because we may be sending them to actually obtain a license
>> uh that they need for their job, not just to maintain one they already have. That would be the only change I would think of. >> So if we don't have a a overwhelming preference, we can submit all those and see what the union says about those.
the first one better than any of them. >> The first one doesn't need yearly updating. >> That's fair. >> Or revisiting. >> Sure. >> And if we if we did that, we would still follow the first one. We would still follow um
unless you tell me otherwise the same procedures that we have which is because there is that this is general it would get approved by uh their direct supervisor and then or I I can't remember if it's the supervisor director but one way or the other however it reads now it would continue to read that
it's approved and then move forward. So would this also be part of our policy and inside of the city policy that there would be a a list that would be a known list and not an imaginary list that only the supervisors know in their head?
>> So that's an that's option two and three really is kind of what that contains. >> We could write it as a policy and not put it in in the CBA. >> You could you could have both. the CBA would need to reference the policy. If we're saying as defined in whatever the most updated policy is,
>> we could change our policy more easily to update to keep current. Then we can change the CDA. >> Sure. Absolutely. Yeah, that's that's an option. >> But then for like an incoming employee or an existing employee, there's a an actual written place that they can reference which certifications they
would potentially qualify for when they were hired on job. I'm cool with that. As long as as long as there's something where it's it's clearly defined which certifications generate a dollar per hour raise in writing that is uniform across across
the board >> across the board. >> Okay. All right. Well, we can absolutely do that. And you want that policy to be approved by the council or do you want it to be approved by the city manager or the director or the supervisors?
issues. >> Okay. So, the first policy to be adopted by the council and then updates can be provided by the city manager. >> Okay. All right. We can definitely present that to your union obviously and just to reiterate that any changes to
the CBA they have to agree to. So, now that I have your sort of sense on those, um, we will we will get that over to them and see what their thoughts are. Only last update. Oh, I'm so sorry. >> So, are we speaking of just union employees?
>> Correct. >> Okay. I don't have all union employees. So, I just want to make sure we're not putting a policy in place that's tied that's good over here, but tie in the hands over here. >> Yeah. So I just want to make sure >> I want to make sure we keep that in
mind. So thank you. >> Just for point of clarification though, I asked all the department heads to give me a list of what certifications are in, you know, at their purview. I don't know if they're giving me a list by non-union versus union.
So we may want to look at that. I didn't ask for that originally. So I've got quite a few like Chief Seagull gave me his, Benton gave me his, Laura gave me hers. So, I've got a list, you know, I'm working on that right now, but it's not broken down by union versus non-un. We can, but just hasn't been that thus far.
>> Well, there are very few that are nonun. >> Yeah, it would have to be broke down that way because everybody's not a union employee. >> Okay. >> So, we're going to have to have two separate categories. >> Okay. >> Got it. And of course, >> Okay. Last update, I promise. Um
interviews for your independent investigation were completed today. Um Megan and Danielle informed me that they have completed that portion. Um so the next portion is the report. So the report will come out. It will include backgrounds. It will background it will
include findings and it will include recommendations. I'm just telling you exactly what Megan told me. Um and it will be ready. She anticipates midepptember. Um, when the report comes out, it will be transmitted to all the council members and the mayor and the
charter officers at the same time. Those are the individuals who will receive it. Everyone will receive it in the same email. You will all be easy. >> All right, that's it. >> Thank you, ma'am. Only thing I have on my list is what
it's already been brought up tonight is the street lights. Have you done anything about that? >> So, there are several things with CL that we are trying to resolve. We have I don't want to give away our our strategy. um we have some leverage um in
some some things that they need to either correct or um or sign some documentation regarding their sole liability and responsibility to um correct. So we we have a little bit there that we're trying to use to
leverage on the street light things. It's it's a long process to go through pulling on the bond that we have and all of those things. So, we're we're trying to get it resolved in a way that doesn't require the city to expend money in that sort of litigation field because I know
that we're kind of we got it coming at us from all angles. Um, but I will keep you a breast of that situation. Um, I imagine that it'll probably be I will probably know the resolution within the next 30 days.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Words of wisdom, of course. Well, I do, Mr. President. I uh this is meant to be a update. So, I'm going to update.
I've heard our citizens tonight talk about the AMI and we told them as I have I'm well aware our staff has tried to get AMI grants over and over and over again. They have not been able to successfully
do that. We're told it's millions of dollars is why we can't have AMI. I'm told by other sources that AMI is so much more accurate that it'll save us a lot of money.
Here's my problem. And for me, it's I can't get past it. I was trying to decide whether to just shut up and let everybody go ahead or not. And here I am. So we could not spend millions of
dollars on AMI, but we could How many millions of dollars have we borrowed to put this fiber in when we had three companies that was willing to put this fiber in at no cost to our citizens? And why would we as a council, as a
governing body, risk our citizens money? We're not risking our money. We're risking our citizens money to put this fiber in. And I am one of the people that had internet and as a result of the city taking over fiber
no longer have internet. And I am not alone. There are many of us. So I'm going to say this very clearly. I have been I have been admonished as the old mayor that just don't like technology.
I have no problem with technology. Technology is a tool and it should be properly used not used for personal or manipulated for gain. I think that we
have made a mistake. I'm going to stand with you. We're here now. We don't have a choice. We have borrowed the dog on money. We're heavily in debt. We have We already owe a million dollars on our on our city hall and we have fire trucks
that we have had to borrow money for. And then what did we do? We took our taxpayers money and we in we risked it or invested each of us will have their own opinion in a venture on the hopes that maybe
that we should those are big words get a lot of money in the future and I think that we made a mistake. I said it from the beginning I thought it was a mistake. I have no reason to change that thought process and uh I will stand
behind you guys but I have been very clear and I just wanted as an update I think we made a mistake. Thank you Mr. President. >> I'll go for it. >> Um I just want to clarify a few things
that the mayor said. I completely respect your opinion but there are some inaccuracies that I think that the public needs to hear. One is that the we have guaranteed through performance service in invested >> state >> state statute guaranteed that we will
turn a profit on our fiber. Also because Williston fiber is here it's guaranteed. You can look it up. It's a guarantee. Secondly, just because we have Williston Fiber does not mean that other fiber companies cannot come in. They 100% can
come in. any one of them can come in and provide you with internet if you want it. So that part I'm afraid to say was inaccurate. And lastly, one of the reasons and it was a heavy heavy decision on my part and I'm sure on the rest of the council's part to make this
investment. One of the reasons that we did was because the math is very strong that we would and already is looking like we will be way ahead of schedule and generating income and that income can actually help to go pay for some of the things that we all want like fixed
roads, >> water. We're not going to be able to pay for AMI like not not anytime in the near future um because that is a big number. But we can pay for a lot of other things once we start generating revenue. And this is going to be at at the beginning
at least and you know things get expensive. So I'm not guaranteeing that it's going to be $50 forever for life, but at the beginning it is going to be less expensive than almost every other internet company out there that is going to offer to provide you internet. So you're going to get less money. You're
going to get 24-hour service. We are not you're not going to call on a Friday and say, "Here's something that says you're going to get an answer back on Tuesday about whether they'll get your internet in." there will be people who can respond to you 24 hours a day. Um, you know, pending hurricane and all of that good fun stuff. It's coming our way. So,
anyway, I just wanted to clarify a few of those things. It was a really heavy decision because it was a lot of money to to take out on a loan, but it was guaranteed by state statute. And if anybody wants any more information about that, please circle back to the city hall at another time. We can get you the
actually printed out state statute and you can read it. And it's it's not going anywhere. that state statute. >> Mr. President, may I respond? >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> What a kind person you are, counselor.
In fact, I had to go out and get new internet because mine was destroyed by this wonderful project we have going. And it cost me $50 a month for that
internet. So you may not be totally accurate, counselor, when you say that nobody can give us internet at the cost that the city can. I've heard that mantra. I discard it. I don't agree with it. I'm not saying it's wrong. I could
be wrong. However, the facts are that internet service is is costing less and less and there are more and more providers out there. And the fact is that we made this choice and you know, I
wonder how many state statutes guarantee Bitcoin. >> That's all I have to say. Thank you. Okay, I agree completely with what Miss Martin said. Um, performance services, the engineer that left, I wish he was still here. He could give you dollar
amounts. Uh, and I will say that with the city, I was one of the last people to get off of the CFC fiber wagon because I wanted them to do it as well because they were here and wanted to. Uh
but I was convinced that by staff members that with the engineer that we have with the with the state statute which is a performance bond. They did all the analysis of all the people of how much and they they calculated how
many people we had to have sign on and I want to say it was it was less than a hundred for the first year in order to start breaking even. And number one we don't have to pay on this loan for two years. until it's completely built. We
don't have to pay anything back and and the in or the interest. Then Mr. Barber was able to go to Williston Crossings. You heard him talk about that tonight. And get the entire park came and begged us for internet. So that's why they're
starting in Northeast over there. And there are always 250. Remember I said 100 over here. There are always 250. But in some cases there are 450. So we are going to be three or three to
five years ahead of the projection that he originally gave us in the ass in not only the assets but the revenues. And as Miss Martin said those extra revenues are in an enterprise fund and it can be transferred into other areas to help pay
for some of these things that we need. So yes, everybody said, "Yeah, they did it so they could make the money." Well, yeah, we did. So we won't have to raise taxes or your rates. It's exactly why we did it. You either want the internet or you don't. It's $50 $50 a month for a gig. Gig up, gig down. You can't do a
whole lot better than that. You may come with the same price, but you can't do much better than that. Here's our internet guru. He could actually tell you more than me. Uh, but the other thing I would say that I saw on on social media today was that we have kept other companies from coming into the
city. As Miss Martin said, >> there's a state statute that says we cannot stop them. We have issued a permit for Central Florida Electric to come into one area of town and that is the only area they asked for. They
originally asked for three areas. they came back and submitted the permits only for one area and we have granted that. So there's nothing we're doing to stop them. So it there's a lot people don't know and we'd be glad to tell you. All you got to do is pass.
>> There's a meeting and I know it is in sorry. >> No, you're good. You got a problem with talking with me Thursday. Thursday uh this Thursday and I know it is in the middle of the day and I know that a lot of people work and that's hard but we have also broached the subject of having another meeting that would be in the
evening a second meeting. Yeah. And and that's going to happen. I don't have a date yet but that is going to happen so that those those of us who work and can't really get away in the middle of the day can come and attend. >> And I wish Mr. Hector was still here >> because and Aaron maybe you can let me
in. We need it fiber for the AMIs meters. >> Well, it also offsets a huge cost of AMI is the communications on the back end of AMI. And if we have our own fiber network, we that saves several probably a couple million dollars out of the cost of AMI just not
having the communications cost. >> And I'll add that one of the biggest things about Central Florida Fiber was be they didn't want to come in because they they would have to use our poles. they they go on pole and they didn't
want to pay us a pole tax which is what we do in order to be able to replace poles and that sort of thing in order to keep the poles where they need to be for them to use. So the area they have actually asked for is an area that has underground power. So they don't have to
pay a full tax which is perfectly fine and they do have that permit. >> All right. >> All right. New business item A. Discussion with possible action. 2026 election proposal supervisor of election
Tammy Jones. >> Good evening. >> So, I was here about two months ago and some of you will probably hear me again and some of you were not at the meeting for, you know, plans you had. So, um if you don't mind, I'll probably go through the whole spill again.
Um, so I've had the pleasure of working with Latricia u many years now on helping with the elections in Willist and you guys have been great. Um, when I came to you, you know, asked to change
election dates, you guys, um, change the election a month from March to April and that's worked really well. Having all the municipal elections in Levy County has worked really well. um by I think from our perspective we're able
to help the cities more with the calendar and getting them up and running you know because there's a lot to know running elections isn't like it was 30 years ago um the laws are very rigorous and difficult and a lot to learn so we do um and going back a little bit we do
train your city clerk Latricia comes once a year to a training we train her about qualifying and the election process and vote by mails and and all that stuff Um but we have realized in the last few years that um we feel we could streamline the process a little
bit better by providing um more to you um with no extra cost. So you know we currently um the average cost y'all pay is 950. we would be willing to do this service for no additional cost except
any costs we incur such as envelopes, ballots, you know, things that our office incurs. We don't want the county, you know, to to eat the cost of the city election. So, um, so why am I asking this? Um, why am I asking to do more for, you know, equal price? We feel like
it will streamline the process. We feel like it will um give voters a a direct avenue who to call when they need ballots because voters don't know if they live in the city, they have to call the city. Um they call us. And that's what happened this year. Willis did not
have an actual regular election this year because there was um not enough to qualify or those that qualified went unopposed. But we found in the the people that did have elections, all the ballots expired on December 31st of every general election. So we had to
hurry up and get all the city voters a notice saying, "Hey, if you want to up your vote by mail for the upcoming city election, you need to get your requests into us." So we tried helping the cities generate those requests quicker. Um, and then there was a little bit of confusion about, you know, getting that to the
cities and it, you know, we're having to hand that over to the cities, all that delicate information with PII information. Um, and it's just tough because the cities have a lot of turnover. Um, so we're always training
and training and more training and um, unless you've done an election, it, you know, it's tough to explain how complicated the process can be. So that's why we want to help you because we are the election professionals. When I say I'm not saying I, I'm saying we as
my team of people that work in my office, they that's what we do for a living. We do elections. Your city clerk has a lot of other duties besides elections. We are not alone. Levy County is asking for all the cities to join in
and has conduct the elections. Um, our neighboring county, Marian County, uh, Wesley Wilcox conducts every municipal election in Marian County. Uh, Pasco County conducts every municipal election in Pasco County. That's just the name two. I believe Gilchrist County does. Um, I'm not sure about Citrus. I didn't
do my homework. And I know Gainesville, Elatch County does. The city of Gainesville, their supervisor election does that. So, it's not a no, it's not unheard of for a supervisor elections to have an interlocal agreement with the municipalities to help with the elections. Um,
I just want to remind you too that last year there there popped up a special election and we were willing to um put the city candidates on our primary ballot which saved the city all the money. We didn't charge the city
anything to do that because there was really no extra cost involved. Ultimately, to be honest, the goal one day, it might be five, ten years from now, is to get the cities on our August election and our November election where it won't cost you hardly anything. But I
don't want to jump in the water too deep and drown. I want to slowly progress with this. Meaning, I want to try doing the cities first before I jump in and just put all the cities on the ballot because it is tough. There's a lot of programming, you know, um you got to
make sure the right ballots being given to the voter that walks in because then you have a layer of different style ballots. Instead of three ballots in a primary, you have six here at city hall to give voters that you have to trust the pole workers, give the voter the right ballot, you know. So, in saying that, I don't want to jump all the way in the water yet. I want to try this out
for a year. Um all I'm asking is for this agreement for one year. Give me one year to prove that we can do this. Um, and then it's renewable once a year after that. So, every year you would just renew it with a simple agreement saying we agreed to renew it for 2027.
The next year we agreed to do renew it for 28. Um, so that's what what I um am asking. Uh, there is give and take. So, um, I know the last meeting we talked about what what you won't like about
this. Um, what you won't like, and I'll just be clear, is that election night results will not be here at city hall. They will be treated almost like a county election where the poll workers were will transmit drive back the special equipment to upload the results
and the results will be released in Bronson. However, we will still be having website results. We will have Facebook results. So, we will have results available. If you want to have a watch party, you could still go to this room, set up TVs, put all the website.
You have all this technology in here. Um, and you could have, you know, candidates come over here because we have the voting finishing up over here. We won't want to have people going in there yet, but you could always have a watch party. Um, the county did that in the primary. So the now county manager
um a commissioner really wanted to bring that back to Lady Counties have the watch party and our staff just was so short staffed it was really difficult for us. So I said to her why don't y'all put it on and we'll give you the website link for the scrolling results and it was very successful. So the watch party
could be up to y'all to have. So that would alleviate that issue of man we really like the results here you know and um but it will help us a lot because it's tough for me to manage we have eight municipalities and we have one special water district and Cedar Key
water and sewer so to manage offsite those different areas uh it makes it difficult so by merging all the cities to one day and allowing me the opportunity to hire a canvas and board, which would be more likely myself, a
county commissioner, and the judge would would have one canvas in board. So, we would be able to canvas everything all together and we would do that ahead of time. Um, we had a nightmare in Cedar Key because they had two elections and they had about 300 absentee ballots for each election and they wait till
election night like y'all do to open up your vote by mails. It takes an hour or so just to slice open the ballot and stick it through the machine. Even for a small little election, it takes hours. So, you know, it's 10 o'clock at night and people are like, "What's going on? The county elections are done by 8:00."
Well, it's because you're you're doing the manual labor that night. We would have a open canvas and board meeting. We let your candidates know about it and the public and we would um open those ballots ahead of time except the ones we receive election day. Obviously, they would be open election night. So, it's
already in my mind that it's going to work great. you know, I'd like for you to give me a try. Um, if you don't aren't happy with it, you may even have election next year. I mean, you know, not everybody wants to run for office. So, um, it's possible you we could sign
this agreement and you have no election and there's zero cost to you, you know. Um, so it's but I don't know if you had a chance to look at the agreement. So, um, I did send you 25 agreement and then 26's agreement so you can kind of see the
differences. And I just want to say one more thing and I'll and I'll I'll let you ask questions. Um we are moving forward in every single city in Levy County except I did not ask Vannon Springs because they are in a unique situation. They have two counties. So I
can't do their election for them because they're partial Gilchrist and partial Levy. So Fanning was out of the question. I didn't even ask them. The only other city that has not done an official agreement to move forward is Bronson. And that's only because they don't have elections next year. I haven't gone back to them. I did the
initial um talk with them. They were on board, but I probably were not going to get back to them until later this year or early next year about 2028. Seven. Forget what year it is. Seven. So, they'll have elections in seven. So, pretty much
uh Yankee Town, English, Cedar Key, Chief, Otter Creek, and the Cedar Key Water Sewer all on board. So, we just need you guys. I know Latricia works hard at doing that. This would just ease up things far
as for her. I like it. I mean, if we're going to do it year after year, why not just go ahead and try it and do it all the you >> Yeah, it's pretty in the agreement. I worked really hard just to make it very
understandable on what Latricia's job would still be and what my job would be. So, you know, it's pretty clear what her duties would still be cuz she's still just going to have to qualify people. Um, and I have a train in already scheduled in November for her to come in and we'll go over all the paperwork, make sure, you know, she understands all
that. Um, and I do that not because she's not capable. It's just because the election laws are very they change all the time, too. You know, we go form six, now it's a form one, back to form six, and we're still in legislation. I might go back to form six, you know. So, I can keep her ab breast of the laws by
bringing in all the municipal clerks at one time. and we train them all at the same time. So, um, in saying that too, I'm looking at u, Miss Kirstston, um, one of the attorneys for or is the attorney for four municipalities and
they are doing this change through ordinance. So, that's good news. I don't believe and I'm not the attorney for Willist, but I can give you the Cedar Key ordinance that's being read tonight. They're doing their first reading in Cedar Key tonight. Um and there's scheduled first readings in all the
other cities to come up. So they feel like because most of the the talk about how to conduct an election is in ordinances that attorney and you might have a different opinion and that's fine if you do. They feel like the changes can be done in the ordinance and not through
charter which is good news if that's the case. I don't know if you've had a chance to look at that. Pearson. >> I think that I generally agree. Um it there are differences in charters. So I I think that that's that's my only hold
up is that I I need to confirm with all of the provisions. Our ordinances generally have most of our information regarding elections only a little bit. Um >> when I pulled the charter up before I came tonight, I wanted to make sure I was a little bit prepared than I was last time. Um, so it talks about
ordinance number 472, but the only thing I could find was ordinance 473. So that was from 2004, I think. Um, yeah, 2004. And then, of course, there was the one in 200 uh recent that y'all did, but that was based off of um
election dates slash y'all were concerned about special elections and the whole not film seats when qualifying came around. So, um, it's tough because I went to MUN code looking at the charter and it's hard to see what's in printed that's actual charter versus
what's ordinance. >> So, that's where I kind of had a tough time, you know, deciding like is this charter or is this not, you know, is this in, you know? So, um, I based on my initial review, I don't believe we'd need to have a charter change in order
to implement this. Um, but I will be obviously before we implement anything going back. >> So, what the other cities did um when I came is they basically agreed for the attorney to research and if possible
found out that it was just the ordinance to come back with the ordinance because we are on somewhat of a time crunch. I would like to know where I stand by January 1st. So, and the good news is you guys meet on twice a month. So, it's a little easier for y'all because you meet more than some cities that only meet once a month. So, we're still in a
good time frame. Um, but I I do want to get the ball rolling because we're already in August. I can't believe it. Um, so if we were to come back in a month, we then it' be in September. Then you have to have a first reading, a second reading, you know. Um, so we were
pushing the envelope on a time frame. So, um, that's all I'm going to say and I'll answer any questions you have. So >> to that last point, if you all want to move forward with this, I can certainly verify and positive I could have some
>> I did look at the charter before I came honestly because I thought that the canvasy board was named by position in there, but it is not. I couldn't find it in there. I thought that it was you know named thought it was police chief, you know, certain city clerk, certain
>> I think it was just tradition. Yeah, it it is definitely tradition, but I thought that it was named and I could not find it. Um I did not see anything about where results are posted, of course. Um and I can tell you, you hit the nail on the head. Those are the two things that I don't particularly like.
>> And if anybody doesn't like that the results aren't here, remember on the door the poll workers put the election day results on the door. So, and anybody can come in the actual polling place. We don't prefer it, but it is legal. If somebody wanted to come in after the polls closed and the last voters left,
they could come in to observe the closing. If they patiently waited for that tape, I don't want to rush poll workers because they have numbers they have to write down. And I don't want somebody to come in and think they're going to get the tape right away. They're going to have to wait till the pole workers analyze the data. They got to do a ballot account form, you know.
Um but we would definitely you know be happy to let them take a picture of it or you know >> and I have observed that before but we have the camera see here >> right >> when we observe that >> right >> that will definitely be a difficult >> and remember though I did this special
election last year and it was done in Bronson. We even had a recount for y'all. >> Didn't charge a nickel. We had to spend a whole Saturday recounting Willis's ballot. No, luckily there was a county commission race too. Um, but we did recount every single >> W >> and it didn't change the vote count. Two
votes difference. >> Yeah. >> Well, y'all decide. Tammy, um, you said uh, after a while I won't be able to use your equipment, correct? The It's going to make it hard for you to bring the equipment to us if everybody
else is having you all. >> It would be harder to support. >> Yes. election night if the canvas board was here and I got my canvas and board over there dealing with all the other municipalities. Um, so if you had a last minute question, of course I would help by phone, but I couldn't be on site election. I if you chose not to go this
path. >> So I I can be better support if I can manage it more like a county election. And I know you're your own entity and I and I don't want you to think I'm forcing you into something, >> but you know, I just want to try it for a year, you know, and if it didn't work
out, then we could all go happy ways and go back to the way it was, you know. So, so if you all would like to move forward, I would just need to know that you want me to bring back an ordinance.
I make a motion or have you bring forward an approve second. >> All right, we have a first. We got a second. Any other discussions? >> All right, we'll move to vote. All in favor say I.
>> I. >> Those opposed. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. I appreciate the trust you you've given in to me for this and I will try to do my best to make you proud. So, did you want a copy of the ordinance for Cedar Key by any chance? >> That would be great. Okay.
>> All right. Item B, resolution 2025-90. A resolution of the city council of the city of Willist, Florida, approving the vulnerability proposal from Ray Pierce, authorizing appropriate parties to
execute such proposal on the behalf of the city of Willist and providing an effective date. >> Sorry. >> Well, there's our problem. That much is bad. Mr. Eard has the same problem as just
the light. >> Sorry about that. Walt Nickel with Right Pierce, your consulting engineers. Um, we have uh a proposal to you for the uh vulnerability assessment uh grant that we're going to be applying for and then
conducting. This is one small part of a large uh list of grants that we're going after right now. And I do intend to come back at your next meeting with a bunch of
similar proposals and one of them needs definitely your input on um on flood plane analysis. So just kind of give you a a request to be on the agenda for your next month and there'll be quite quite a list of items. Um but I'm going to kind
of touch on that today because it's it's all tied to this vulnerability is one part of it. So it's hard to just talk about Okay, thank you. Um, is it okay that I pass some? Um, these were really I put together as my notes and I put them together in a memo today just to keep
all these grants and how this ties in into everything that's going on and it ties in a lot of the questions I think that you got from residents today. And so I'm going to pass this out. Sorry. So, first off, I am going to go right
into the the resolution that we have before you is the FD Resilient Florida Program Planning Grants for vulnerability assessment. Uh, this is a required assessment that D is is asking communities, cities, and counties to
develop as the first step to getting additional grant fund money. and it pretty much they're funding 100% of the work you need to do on this. So, we are um our proposal outlines there is a a a
first cost of us to apply for the grant to do the paperwork and provide all the backup information and that's the part one the grant application. If you get the grant which these are almost I don't want to say guaranteed but they are almost guaranteed. you apply for these,
they're funding these. Then we would be doing the actual vulnerability assessment and um we can get into it. They have a step-by-step process that you have to do. You have to develop a steering committee. You have to have public hearings. You look at your what are your vulnerable uh infrastructure,
any types of facilities and you quantify them. You look at uh flooding sources. not being a coastal community, you have a different you still have vulnerability from uh climate change, sea level rise. It's it it occurs in increased rainfall,
increased storm frequencies and severity of them. So we look at that we do do an analysis of that what happens in year 2030 and and 2070. They have a prescribed process that you do and you do this report and you submit a DP. Um
it gets part of your LMS also. that report becomes part of it. Um, so it is a necessity that you do and then they're pretty much they're going to be funding this 100%. So, um, if if we didn't get the grant, which is highly unlikely,
there's an $8,500 that initial task for us to apply, but again, they're almost guaranteed. So you do that and then then this opens up a variety of grants to go to construction to ask money to improve storm water
related problems that you're having here. So this is kind of step one that you need to do to open up other grant opportunities in the future. >> Sorry. >> Uh local. >> Thank you.
and that's a count it's statewide but each county you have a list of projects and hazards and things like that that you have this will be part of that um that is outlined in the proposal if you do have that so anyway we're coming for you to authorize this and this is again
one step what I just passed out to you and I without I going there's five pages um but I do want to kind of just go over in general you've heard me talk about some of these things before but item one on there are current and active slash one grants or loans. So I just want to
give you an idea what you have open right now of new new grants. Um this was applied for about a year year and a half ago. Safe streets for all. This is a US DOT FHWA grant. Very similar to the vulnerability assessment where they want
communities to do a safe streets for all analysis of your transportation, um, cars, pedestrians, bicycles, everything. We applied for that about a year and a half ago. You had won it and then it kind of went in a limbo with the
agreements. It they all got pulled I think in November, December. We were getting ready to bring to you the executed agreements and they've pulled them and the program went on hold and they have since reinitiated it. You still won. I've been back and forth uh
with them getting the additional paperwork and district questions. They have all the information now. They expect to send ex an agreement for you to execute and review this fall and then money would be coming available. So, that is one thing
you've won already. That is another one where they're paying they're paying $53,000. There is a $38,000 city participation, but that can be uh inind services, too. And uh as part of
that, we're going to have to talk with your police, fire, um with Kirstston. Some of that time could be part of your inind services. So, it's not necessarily a cash outlay, but you're going to get a full grant coming up, an agreement this
fall that you will review and have all the terms and conditions. Um, but that one is is just waiting to happen. So, it's back on, it's funded, and it's going. Um, and then you I think you're all aware of the Swift MUD SRF feasibility plan that we're doing right now for the sanitary infrastructure.
That is a loan with principal forgiveness. That is one that was won and in progress. So you have two active uh uh loans grants right now. Recent grant applications now I came to
you in June and I did a presentation FD state revolving fund assistance or utilities impacted by hurricanes Helen and Milton. This was a grant that came out that we didn't think the city was really eligible. You didn't have severe
severe damage from the hurricanes here. But as the grant window came closer and closer, they were opening up and encouraging communities because you could also do preventive work for other commun uh hurricanes and so forth. So they encouraged people and this is the
one I think in two and a half days we put together two grand applications um totaling between the two uh $55 million. It was a big ask. We're not expecting to get all that, but we're expecting to get some of that. They were supposed to have
a one of their first meetings August 20th um tomorrow. It got postponed due to the sheer number of applications that they got. So unfortunately there's a lot of people going after this but there is a
large pool of money available. Um but in this so this is one we've already applied for. The process is going on. We'll know more and more in the next couple months. in the clean water program. That's your drinking water pro uh projects and we put in four.
Under that there were seven water mane projects that we applied for both for the design and the construction. And in that that included the area that we're talking about today at Southeast uh 2nd Street and Southeast 4th Avenue. That
whole quadrant the whole area over there has very aging pipes. It doesn't they do not have valves where we can isolate quadrants of the city. Um this the utility staff is working with joints that they can't get parts for to repair.
So it needs to be a bigger repair than just coming to one area. It's it's not that it's not that simple. The parts aren't available. It's old. And so we do need to look at a more of a regional repair. And this grant, we've included that project in there. So that that is
one of them. And there are many of those. We have seven additional seven Waterm projects that we put in for a grant to help the problems that you're hearing today just in the in in potable water. So that is in progress and we're
awaiting results. That same grant had the partnership had the uh the I'm sorry that was the drinking water program. I'm sorry. Uh the clean water program um had a variety of projects and those were some
that list here, excuse me. Um you have some drainage problems on Northwest 7th Street. You've had people come to your residents come across from Countryland Estates. We've talked with the residents. We've looked at different options. That project was included in
that grant back in in May and June that we applied for. We've applied for other ones, FEMA's that we were in in the running for, but the funding got cut, so we lost that. So, that one is back again. Um, you've got some other projects that have people have come before you. um they weren't in this
grant at the time, but the vulnerability assessment that we're doing is going to open up grant windows where we can look at Southeast First, Southwest First Avenue. Those are two areas. Northeast Northeast Second has flooding problems. Northwest Place those the vulnerability
study opens up opportunities for money to fix those. So anyway, that that one, you know, we're waiting for that's item two. We're waiting for the results on that. Uh, item three, applications currently being pursued. And this I don't want to go I can spend a lot of
time, but I will be back next meeting. There are two USDA lowinterest long-term loans that are available right now, and we've had discussions with with uh USD on that. And there's a purchase program where we
are looking to apply for a firet truck purchase, uh, an augur truck purchase for public works and a vacuum truck for the water department. Um, so we are applying for that, putting all the paperwork together right now. And again, that would come back to you if you're
awarded that with all the terms and conditions and what it is for you to say yes or no. Right now, we're we're doing the ask. Um, and that's a very favorable uh problem. It has a lot of strings attached. There's a lot of paperwork that come with USDA RV loans. A lot even
just to apply. Um Sue's been asking me for weeks. Where are we on this? Where are we on this? We're working on it. It's We'll be presenting that to you here the next at the next meeting. Um but that one we're going after on the purchase program. And then under the
long-term loan program, we're going after two possibly three projects and that is the CURL lift station. uh lift station 16 abandonment. We've been trying to find funds to abandon that lift station. Um it can be abandoned,
but it needs it's about a 200 260,000 by the time we get to these grants. I think it's you know it's a $300,000 project that the city just didn't have the funds for. That is being uh requested under that. The Homestead lift station needs to be replaced. That's another one
that's that's really in in bad shape that's being replaced uh asked for. And then we have an opportunity because they do look for economic development. The block 12 parking lot is got an area utilities will be run to it. Uh a a
building pad area will be ready to go where you can bring in like a modular restroom is what we've all envisioned there and getting funds to bring a restroom there. So once the parking lot's all done, you have an opportunity to have a public restroom there too on the outside right next to fire departments park. Um so that's in a
current application that we're doing right now. Uh this one does not have a deadline. It's a rolling deadline. It's when you apply they evaluate. And so that one, but you're going to be seeing uh seeing that come to you before you. Um so that's item uh 3.1.
3.2. Okay. 3.1 is the the purchase of the equipment. 3.2 is the lift stations that I talked about. Uh item 3.3 is the vulnerability assessment that I already talked about. So once we get that, that opens the door for stormware projects.
Um item 3.5, I have a numbering here uh is the FD water restoration grants fiscal year 2526 springs restoration grants. We applied for this last year and we applied for three grants. one, two were septic to
sewer areas. So the area in the northeast 9th area and the last page of the figure has all the different areas. It's area one. We applied for a grant to convert bring in sanitary sewers. Uh and then to get people off septic, you have
nitrogen removal BMAP requirements that you are mandated to meet. This is going to help you get there. That's one of them. The other one is what we call area two and three and that's up here northwest uh uh quadrant of northeast quadrant of city and northwest. That's another one that we're asking for. We
applied a year ago and we asked a big ask. We asked for the engineering and the construction. We got told we got we asked for too much. We're applying again. We are just asking for the engineering so we can design it. And that gets you in a position with what
they refer to as shovel ready. If you can say when you apply for the next grant that you are shovel ready, you got a way better chance of getting the grant. So we were asking for design and construction. Now we're asking and pretty much all of these we're asking for the cost to pay for the design so
that you are shovel ready. And so that we're going to ask again for areas one and areas two and three for subject to sewer. that's going to help you meet your BMAP needs. The companion project with that is this wastewater treatment plant because now we're bringing in more
customers. You're going to need an upgrade. It's going to push over limit. And we're asking, I think that ask is $23 million to upgrade the capacity of your wastewater plant. It's not for growth. It's to get people off septic and to get rid of the nitrogen that's
getting into the the the groundwater. So, we're doing that. That one is due September 1st. We're working on that. Um, that is nearly complete, the reapplication on that. And so that will be going in here in the next couple days. I would like to run this through Swift Mud next week. That was one of the
things they said if we can do that, give them a draft of it because they can kind of help steer this project. So anyway, we're applying for that. That's going to help you with your uh mandates that you need to do for the BMAP and and growth. There is another project that uh a grant
came out. It's due September 5th. It's the Florida Commerce uh Rural Infrastructure Fund or RIFF. And you know the they all have guidelines and and kind of guard rails of what the project should be. And the best we could
find that could fit this is your main street master plan um that was recently adopted. The south portion of that South Main Street needs storm water improvements in that. And so we're applying for the RIFF grant because that
is both economic development. It meets it checks that box for economic development plus the way we've written our grant, we're saying the solution, it's going to provide storm water improvements for all the new work that could be there in your master plan,
additional storm water retention, and there's a bunch of different techniques that we're looking at. But in the our uh proposal that we're saying to them, we could also see a regional storm water improvement for that whole area that drainage station and that does in fact
include Southeast First Street, Southwest First Street is in that. So by applying for the RIFF grant for your South Main Street, that also gives us an opportunity to possibly fix some storm water other stormwater projects that are in the area. That one's due September
5th and we're working on that. Um and then the 3.7 this one is where next meeting I want to do a very kind of detailed explanation of what this is. This is a cooperative
funding initiative through swift mud to adopt we call it the Jones Edmonds flood areas into FEMA flood planes. I'll just give you a a short synopsis or an overview of what that is. Back in 2016
2017, SwiftMUD hired Jones Edmonds on the behalf of the city to conduct various stormwater studies. And there were four detailed reports that were done. They finished this up in 2018. And they presented to the city at that
time areas that they predicted that you were having storm water problems and flooding. And at that time I wasn't I wasn't here and associated with the city at that point. Um the city chose not to do anything with that. And you know what
the ask was was to take these flood areas and have them adopted as official flea FEMA flood zones. The concern at the time I've been told was it could cost or would cost people flood insurance costs. They would be mandated
to have flood insurance. Yes, but anybody can get flood insurance now, but if you're in a FEMA flood plan, you're getting subsidized insurance. So, people right now were showing areas in that study which has been was a very good study. Um,
and full disclosure, I worked for Jones Edmonds when that was done, but I didn't do the study. It wasn't I was involved in it. But it is a good study. But by not adopting it, people are in areas where we see our flood hazards. But then they they could get it privately
completely, but they'll pay more. But what we want to present to you, SwiftMUD right now has a grant available that is due October 3rd specifically when they we talked to them about this that would fund that. So then we would take that
study, it needs to be updated. It was 2018, it's getting old. Update the study and then go through the FEMA process of getting that adopted. And then the flood planes would become official flood planes. Um and and again, I have a presentation I'm putting together. I
have a map of what the official FEMA flood plane maps are in in Willist, and you can count them on on your hand, one fingers of one hand. Uh the new map will have dozens, dozens. There are a lot of what we call isolated bowls and some of
the areas that we're talking about on a regular basis are in there. And so that getting them adopted allows the people one, it informs them somebody buys a new house or moving in, gets a mortgage, all that gets flagged. They know that that
is there's an issue there and they can get insurance um if they choose to go. But that is something you need to choose right now. Levy County, it's in the newspaper now, is going through it in East Bronson and people are objecting.
So before we go after and ask for this one, I want to inform you a little bit more in the next time to to pro uh lay out the pros and cons of going after them. As an engineer, it's my recommendation that you do go, but you've got you have other things that
you need to answer to here as a community. Um, but I will present that more. But that that is another one that we're working on. Uh, what it's going to be to do that. Um, there with Swift Mud there is often a a a slight cost share.
John Henry Park, you had a 25%. Um, I don't know if they'll wave that yet at this point, but we're in discussions with them to see if they do that. You are already community, so there are options that you don't have to do that. I can't tell you that today yet, but we're going after that. And um but again
that will again help you with some of the storm water issues that you're having. And then there was another grant that is out there right now. It's item four on page 305 that I label that we don't think is winnable and it's the
Florida Rebuild Florida 2023 24 storms infrastructure repair program. Also referred to as the Florida Economist CDBGDR program. It's a spe another version of CDBG grant that they've made money available right now. They have to be
directly tied to the hurricanes with actual failures and problems. We are having a very difficult time right now finding projects that we feel are strong enough. We had initially thought lift station generators um could be asked
for. I'm not ruling this out yet. Um, but it is due September 29th. But right now, it's just not looking like these are going to be viable. But generators at all your lift stations would be one ask. Uh, generators at your well water
wells at the the water plants. And then there are the host of storm water projects. It's just they weren't they're not meeting the full criteria that they're asking for. with the northwest 7th Street drainage that we're having across the country in the states.
Northwest Fifth Place, Southeast First Avenue, Southwest 1st Avenue, and Northeast Second Avenue. We had hoped that those there's still income requirements that they're looking for. You don't get all the points. Um the generators in the water benefit the
entire city. So that those are a little bit stronger. The other projects are isolated. So, we don't think we can apply. I don't think it's worth your effort to apply this round. It's out there. We've been getting notices, but it it probably isn't. So, anyway, I've
talked a lot. These are all the things we've been working on for the past couple weeks. There's there's a lot. The windows all opened up at the same time. We have to apply for these now. We're doing the backup. Um most of these things in this ask pretty
much most of them it really is that first step to cover the engineering on it not the construction dollars. So we're going to take step one and ideally you win these we get these show ready and then the subsequent grants you have the designs and then you can ask for the
construction the implementation. So that's what we're doing. Um, I will come back to you with similar proposals that we h like we have for the vulnerability here in September as a before these things come due. Um, but again, I do
want to talk more about the flood plan adoption because you there's a lot of information you need to you need to know and understand and I'll try to let map that out for you as best I can. got a little off track from the vulnerability, but it's all tied together. It really is. This is just one
part of mobile things. And you know, there are opportunities to help you fund some of the problems you're having both for water, storm water. The the safe streets for all is going to help with some roads, too, and infrastructure. when we get grants, just so let
everybody know, what's the average time it takes once it's been approved and it comes to the city? Just so everybody knows that uh Safe Streets for all, like I said, a year and a half ago, we applied, we found out six months afterwards that it
was that and then we we went back and forth for, you know, six, nine months on contracts and then it died and then it came back four months later. I mean, that's gonna I bet it's a two-year process for that one. John Henry Park.
So, John Henry Park, you got a Swift Mud grant for $722,000 early on um back in 20 2021. We bid the project out. Costs went through the roof. We didn't get actually
we didn't get any biders. We rebid it several times. We tried to find different things. We did value engineering to get cost down. We couldn't really get the cost down. Um, we bid it again. We had a bidder, but it was still $850,000
short. We applied to uh FEMA for a grant. We were shovel ready. We had a contract. We got that in about three months. So, but you were positioned. they had the money and you were ready to go and you had a need and we said give us the money and we're going to start
construction in two months and they gave you the money. So, we can go from two years to we've had one that went in a couple months. So, it they do take time. Uh the the uh safe seats for all they're saying, yeah, we'll get the contract
here in fall. We should be able to start um in December on that. They're saying that the swift mud program that would do the flood plane mapping um the applications close in October. They're saying spring of that following year you
should have agreements and no. So it it can take it can take six months on average if you want an average but they they've been all all across the board. Thank you questions. Can I make a motion we approve?
>> All right, we have a first. We got a second. Any other discussion? >> All right, hearing none. We're going to move to vote. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed.
Four zero. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. W. All right. Item C, resolution 2025-89. A resolution of the city council of the city of Williston, Florida, approving the directive
confirmation and addendum between Florida Gas Utility and City of Willist authorizing appropriate parties to execute such direct confirmation and addendum on behalf of the city of
Willist and provide an effective date. M we got >> Mr. President, I will hand it over to um Mr. Bishop in just a moment, but this is very similar to the directive and
addendum that you saw. I can't remember if it's your last meeting or the meeting before. These are coming up pretty frequently and regularly. So, if you do not want these to be walked on to your agenda as frequently as they are, um you
do have the option to designate um someone to to execute these on your behalf. There's just not a specific designation um in your general FGU contract. Um so, you're welcome to add to the resolution um a designation of of
some other individual, whether it be the city manager or the utility director to approve these. And then I I'll let Jonathan explain what this is. [Applause] >> Uh I lost my notes. But so simply put is it's a way to save money and the time
frame for that isn't such a small margin that time we advertise and get permission. The margin is already left. And so my vote would be for the city manager, whomever that may be at the time. It's the purchasing of the decor for the natural gas, right?
>> Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry. I I just assumed everybody knew. Yes, ma'am. Absolutely. Sorry about that. >> I mean, it was on the desk, so we've had to read it while we were here. >> So, repricing, prepaid gas supply, and like Pearson said, it's just a repeat of what we've done before to try
to save money so that we get absolutely hedging we're hedging the dollar amount. Absolutely. Yes, ma'am. But like I say, Tommy, we do the advertising agenda meeting, get permission, the issue is already resolved itself, so we'll lose.
>> You would not like to have this as a respons. I just think the city manager would be a better choice. But yes, if the wish of the council, I'm okay with it. Awesome. Unless you're >> motionless.
>> I I second and my Can they both do it >> or does it just have one person? >> I would just designate one person um to do these just so that there's not confusion regarding who to send them to, >> right?
>> Um just from a logistical perspective. So just to clarify, we we've already approved the hedging. This is just >> double permission uh in many ways of the minutia of what we are hedging to try and save money. Correct. >> Yes, ma'am. Absolutely. It just shortens
the time frame so we can utilize it better and quicker. >> So there are parameters that are established how much can be changed. >> And none of that has changed any way, shape or form. No ma'am. Then I'm comfortable with the motion as it stands. I I will say that I'm probably going to
vote no, but I'm going to do it because I want to know about it in advance, not because I'm against it, because I think the hedging is what we need to be doing. >> All right. Can we at a minimum maybe just be kept in the loop so that we don't lose our window of time as you've
mentioned but that we also as counselor kept updated on what decisions have been made in some sort of >> Absolutely. Uh, one suggestion would might be with Kirsten's blessing of course that we could uh email the council obviously not break the
sunshine. I get it right but and let everybody know what's going on at that point and then if there's an issue they council could contact us individually to stay away from the sunshine and go that way if that's okay with Kirst. >> Yeah, I mean you you absolutely can request that staff provide you updates
on these just just like any other thing. We can also have them on your consent agendas. um after they've been executed. That's an option. Uh I I think that the the only reason that I made the suggestion is because they they are timesensitive which is why they keep coming onto the dis and they don't make
the agenda because they happen between agenda deadline and and meeting. Um, so they really are are quite time sensitive, which is my only. >> Sure. And a lot of those times have 24 to 72-hour windows.
>> Sometimes sometime sometimes shorter. >> They don't let you know before then. >> They don't know before then. Well, like I say, with Kirsten's blessing, we could do an all we could do a all-encompassing uh notice with no with a no reply
>> to the email >> and then it's up to the council to reply separately if they so choose. >> All right. So, we have first, we got a second. Any other discussion? All right, seeing none, we're going to move to vote. All in favor say I.
>> I. >> Those oppos. >> 31. All right. Item D, discussion with possible action CPI increase for solid waste and recycling
with GFL. City manager S. >> Thank you very much. I think we first had this on the agenda two meetings ago regarding the CPI increase um with GFL and I actually asked uh Kevin Smith, the general manager, to come and speak to it
specifically um to answer any questions regarding it. Come on up. >> Good evening, council. Um, yes, as a part of 10.2, a part of our contractual agreement. Um, this came that time of the year to where we can, you know,
adjust the rate per the CPI uh for our contract. Um, we use the Bureau of Labor of Statistical Data to be able to run that percentage margin. Last year it was 4.7%. Um this year it is 4.37. However, it is
GFL's u you know approach to instead of it being 4.37 for that to be a 3.5%. Lower than what the uh labor statistical data gives us. >> Perfect.
Good. >> I make a motion that we approve. >> Oh, discussion possible action. >> It it just is a an increase in the contract. We just wanted to come back >> um explain
>> why the number one was >> really just sort of an update to you all. You don't have to. It's an automatic CPI increase. >> This is just to explain to you the numbers. >> We'll smile. >> And I will say that your guys do a good job getting the trash picked up. I know
there's stuff once here or there, but ever for the most part seeing they do a good job. And you know, if I could just speak, I do apologize. Um, we used to have a municipal manager that kind of spent more time at these council
meetings. right now that delegation is on the general managers. So I don't you know I do want to apologize to the resident and also to the board. You will see more of my face. I'll be here first Friday night football game against Chief. So >> yeah it >> I don't know who we want to say.
>> Yes ma'am. So again I just wanted to take the time to say we really do appreciate the opportunity to service the community and yes sir we're not perfect but anything that we could do better please just let me know. anytime that I've called because there's been an issue, you guys have been right on it. That's
>> Thank you. Appreciate that. >> Thank you. >> All right. Item E, resolution 2025-86, resolution of the city council of Willist, Florida, terminating the inter local agreement between
the city of Williston and the town of Bronson for animal control services, authorizing the city manager to serve notice of termination on the town of Bronson per agreement terms and providing an effective date.
City Manager Sue Good. >> Thank you very much. All right. So, again, this came before the council, I believe, at the last um council meeting, and of course, everybody knows that we have the interlocal agreement with the town of Bronson for animal control that I believe was signed January of last
year, if I'm not mistaken. Um, and Laura had advised that unfortunately we are we seem to always be full um in our animal shelter with dogs, some of which many of which come from town of Bronson. So, um this is to basically execute our right
to terminate the contract um so that we can just concentrate our animal control in the city of Boston. >> Okay. >> Move approval of resolution 2025-86. >> We have a first. We got a second. Any other discussion? Hearing none.
>> All in favor say I. I. >> I. those post 40. All right. Item F, resolution 2025-87, resolution of the city council of the city of Willis, Florida, approving
to amend to section 21-01 of the human resources policy regarding annual leave authorizing appropriate parties to any documents required to the effectuate the same on behalf of
the city of Millison and provide an effective date city attorney Kirstston. So you all had asked at the I can't remember again if it was the last meeting or meeting before last feel like we discussed a lot of the same topics so I'm not sure where we discussed this one
um but you had decided on police the uh change as outlined in exhibit A um to your HR policy regarding police officers and their maximum hours as we've been discussing the 288. Does that work for police? Maybe it doesn't. Um, and so you
had asked for 350 hours to be u the new number for police officers. So this is just that amendment. I've underlined additions and strucken out deletions so you know exactly what's being taken out and put in. Um, and happy to answer any questions. I know that the exhibit it
nothing has changed of the year. Hours acrewed, hours acrewed per week. It is formatted kind of wonky. Oh yeah. >> Uh but nothing nothing will change anywhere in there. all that looks like it's so we can find it >> just the things that are um underlined or strucken out would be the changes
happy to answer any questions. >> Any questions? >> I make a motion that we approve resolution 2025- 87. Second. >> We have a first. We got a second. We got any discussion?
All right. Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. >> Those opposed. 4 Z. Item six, resolution 2025-88, resolution of the city council of the city of Willis, Florida, approving the
inter interlocal agreement for a fire inspector service between the city of Willis in the city of Cedar Key, authorizing the appropriate parties to sign any documents required to execute such an agreement on behalf of the city
of Willis and provide an effective date fire chief. Uh yes sir. What you have before you tonight's a contract with the city of Cedar Key. They have been contracting with Dixie County for the last few years to provide that. They're that service is
no longer available. They asked they reached out to us and asked to help. U we went down and done a few fire inspections for them and they had like contract for us to do their fire plan reviews and inspections. questions.
>> Questions now? >> Yep. >> All right. My first one is when does time start? >> When does the time >> start when you leave Willist or time start when you get there? >> Yeah. Travel times included. >> Okay. So, I then I won't worry about mileage because there was no mileage in there. But yes, if you're going to
charge travel time, I'm good with it. >> Yes. >> Any questions? All right. >> I move approval of resolution 2025-88. >> Second. >> We have a first. We got a second. Any other discussion?
>> All right. Hearing none. Move to vote. All in favor say I. I. Those opposed I vote yes. >> Okay. >> I didn't say it out loud. I'm sorry. >> I know. I know the vote is an applied yes. So, yes, I voted yes.
>> Just a FYI real quick. Uh Levy County is putting together the same proposal. >> Oh, really? >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right. Item H, discussion with possible action. Electric employees back paid human
resource director Kim. >> Good evening everybody. >> As soon as we Can you scroll down to the uh spreadsheet, please? So this spreadsheet there's a note at the bottom. This is based on a 40hour work week. There is no overtime or
straight time calculated into this. Um I don't have access to that. So if we're going to add that in there, we will need to contact uh Steven or Lori with Infark. Uh each certificate is listed and it's
reflecting $1 based on a 40hour work week back to the time when the certificate was completed. and it's listed by each certificate. >> So the totals that were there were that was just our calculation or was that
through Stephen? >> No, that was my calculation based on a 40hour work week. I we didn't go through Stephen for this. >> Okay. I would recommend that do a conference call with Stephen. maybe
have the employees in there and have all this taken care of by the time next council meeting with correct ones because I don't want to be to where we're going to continue to owe them money or they have to pay money back.
So, my recommendation is try to do an appointment with Stephen this week and the three of you guys sit down and talk to him and get it straightened out. Is that okay with
>> he can push a button and have it in no time. The problem is it's going to have to be compounded from each date. You can't just add it. You have to compound that on top of the one that was free. >> I I do have a spreadsheet that I broken
everything down. If you guys like, >> I do have that, >> right? But it just give you a rough estimate of what you might be looking at. >> But yeah, overall it would be going through >> and his he has dollar amounts. I will say I have the one that Cody has done
and it is for example the 18,000 is 22. He actually has his pay stumps, believe it or not, for all his time. And it shows all of his overtime. So, and it's and he is on call time. So, it's not just one, it's both. Um, and all that is
not included on this sheet. And so, that all needs to be calculated. And the same with Curts. is also >> but getting together with Stephen and HR sit down everybody go through it your
search I think that would be the best >> that sounds >> well my next qu my other question is has their time been updated has their rate of pay been
updated like the check they're going to receive this week. Is it correct? Anybody know the answer to that? >> No, the PAFs have not been uh fully submitted. They don't have all of them to >> Okay. All right. Good. Well, see, this
is definitely not right then because we owe them every pay period that goes by. We owe them on that. >> Yes, ma'am. I did that on What day did I say when you guys were in there? >> August 8th. Oh yeah. So we already got
>> just curious why we didn't just call Stephen from the beginning. >> I was given two days to do this sir. >> You could have just called him and he'd have done it for you. I mean he can like push a button. He does reports for me all the time. I can tell you. Um, for example, I have this special report I
love to get from the fire department and I usually pull it just for budget um just that list individual people and it shows all their different categories, their categories of their duty pay, their on call pay, their when they actually go on call and it and plus
their retirement. It shows me all those different categories and he does it in like 30 seconds. So rather than spending time doing this, let him do it for you and he'll compound it. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um, That's what I would do.
>> Um, the PFS, have they been submitted to you and not Inframark or you have not yet received PAFS to submit to infraark? >> I do not have all the PAFs. Some of them are written on. They need to be redone. >> Okay. >> And that's partially why you haven't got
all of them. Mike wanted to submit a first batch and get that approved. >> Okay. >> Uh, but with all the push back, he hasn't even attempted to do the second batch for the rest of them. Uh, one is still ongoing this February.
>> So he's on he's on it in answer to my question that Mike is Mike is where Mike needs to get the PS in and he's working on >> as long as he can actually get them put in and they will >> I guess my question then is what would
prevent him from submitting? >> Uh the fact that ones that are already in are still not being submitted. That was his initial uh plan, get the first few certificates pushed in,
>> let them be submitted, get them approved, see how they handle it. >> Are we talking about the PFS that were submitted a while ago? >> Correct. Every all the PF >> the personnel action form in case y'all wonder. >> Yeah. So, so I guess
we need I mean that needs that's the first step of this process is to have those to submit to improark. Is that correct, Kim? >> And if you'd rather have them all so that Steven can do them all. >> Yeah, I guess that's my question. Like, is that what you need in order to have their pay stubs, their page, sorry,
paychecks correct by the next pay period is all of those PAF forms submitted by Mr. Miller? >> Yes. The original ones weren't submitted because we didn't know if we were going to be able to go back to 2023. >> Not submitted to Impromark or not submitted by Mr. Miller. >> Not submitted to improark. And then they
were written on. I'm waiting on I need new ones >> from Mr. Miller. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. So, all right. I don't know if Mr. Miller, but hopefully he can get this by the next >> I would say go ahead. Let's calculate
them all. >> Let's get it done over with and and realize that there's valuable lesson when stuff gets turned in. It's got to be submitted and I'm not saying to you guys
>> just if you get it deserve it again or anyway it's just >> it's not up to them. If it was up to them right there other people that haven't done it on their behalf.
>> It's sad that they had to bring it to us to get it done. I'm not saying Mr. Miller or whatever. We got a lesson to learn from this, right? HR. >> Yes, sir.
>> Okay. So, we're going to bring this back. >> Yeah. And just to clarify, this problem existed long before our current HR. So for anybody that understand heard that it was direct >> our current city manager >> or our current city manager this is this
is from 2023 this is a lesson >> 100% agreed >> so when we bring it back next council meeting needs to be 100% done. So that's your that's your uh challenge >> I would say through the pay period
they're getting right now because it won't be right either. >> Yes ma'am. And it'll be two weeks till they get the next one. Let's get that one right. >> We'll do >> if possible. I know it's a lot of work, but I think Stephen, if you can get Stephen to do it. I mean, I realize that
>> that's the only barrier I see is just trying to get a hold of Stephen. >> Oh, yeah. I realize that. And I know he's had some help concerns, too. So, oh, while we're talking about that, can I talk about this or that totally different? >> This spreadsheet that's got all the
licenses on it. We got that, too. >> Yes, that's the next one. >> Yes, ma'am. That's the next one. >> Go ahead. I'm sorry. Jumping ahead. >> Okay. All right. Item I discussion with possible action certification audit HR
director J. So, this spreadsheet states uh the employees first last name, which certification or license they have, the date of the certification, who signed the PAF, the date of the last signature, and the
date submitted to Inframart, and then if the pay was updated in Edmonds. This was a challenging task because we did not I had to search through multiple. It took a long time. Um, the ones that don't have anything there where it says uh
date submitted to Infamark or things that are missing. I some of these I had to go through emails to search for. There's no PAFS for them. Uh, not sure if they are required to be paid for them
as part of their um certification with their job. And if there's any there's if there's any questions, please let me know. >> I I have yet to see I asked for and this is not not something that Kim hasn't
provided, but I have I have asked to see the list of certifications from the department heads that would are pertinent to their employees uh job uh requirements and that would provide them with the dollar per hour rates and we we
still haven't seen that. >> So and and again that's not you that's not you I'm asking the department head sorry supervisor department head please have that list so that we have a ballpark idea of what we should be looking at here and um also one of the
other things that I requested was to have a list of if if we have if we're creating redundancy which I totally understand from one department to another so that if we have on call people and they can each other. We could also have to have a separate list of these would be the certifications that would allow us to have some redundancy
in our in our staff to cover emergencies and such or staff shortages. I don't know if you've gotten them, but I have not. >> No, like I said, I I asked the departments to work on that. I've gotten
probably half back at this point. Um, I gave them till Friday. So, they are working on Yes. >> And my question about the list is we were told that this was everybody >> and there's at least seven people not on here that I know of. >> This is everybody that has
certifications in their files, ma'am. >> Okay. Well, there's a lot of other people that have certifications that aren't on here. >> So, I think we ought to figure out who they are because they've all got dollars for them. So, why are they not in their file? And it's all being updated and it should be done by uh Friday like Miss
Sue indicated. >> I mean like Amos and Dallas and Alex and Christy Chrissy and Ralph and Jimmy and even Zach Miller. >> They're they're they should be on here because I did >> they are not on this page because I look
for them. You may have them somewhere else and they just didn't make the page. I think there might be a page missing because it goes from Brandon Cunningham >> to Joseph Whitehead. There might be a page missing in between here, Kim. >> Absolutely there is. Yes, ma'am.
>> Yeah, maybe when it printed it printed front to back and so you only There you go. You have it. >> I mean, the the pages are numbered 49, >> but when she got it, it was front to back. >> Oh, and there's a back. >> So, there's another page. >> All right. Sorry you'll send that out to
us again cuz I knew there were people missing and we owe them we either owe them money too or they've been paid and we just want to know it. >> I appreciate it. Thank you. >> So that'll be next next
we can absolutely make sure we get corrected. Absolutely. All right. Item J discussion with possible action. Seal bid for 2016 Dodge Charger Jeep rollers.
>> I think we're all familiar with this process. Um we have a 20 2016 Dodge Charger. Um we've had a lot of mechanical problems out of it. is costing us a lot of money to keep it going. Uh and besides that, we're trying
to eliminate some vehicles, cut down on insurance costs. So, this vehicle is one that I think it has met his lifespan as far as a police vehicle. Uh and we're asking to have a seal bid to sell it.
And if you remember, we've done pretty well with our seal bids on these vehicles. So, we're hoping that uh we'll have the same look now. So, we'll just asking for permission to decommission it and do a seal bid on it and sell it.
>> Yes, sir. >> Are we going to seal bid it or put it on that website? >> Yeah, that's it. >> I don't believe it would go to that. No, no, >> my understanding is is that it would be the same process.
>> There there are >> there are other people put this kind of equipment on there. >> We could I mean just saying >> we could I mean it's it's not out of the question. just wasn't one of the things that we had previously discussed using the
>> I mean it's like that RFP for the peso property we weren't putting it on central bid I had it up already. >> Well no no no it's it's not that's not necessarily the hangup. The hangup is that there there were forms and procedures through our procurement
policy that our audit wanted updated in accordance with >> our auditors. Yes. >> Okay. So, so it had nothing to do whatever platform we were going to advertise that on that was >> that would have been the same case
response from >> Well, I can tell you uh when we purchased the vehicles from Dunlan, they went through that same process you're talking about. >> Central did. >> Yes. And uh they they didn't get any replies at all. >> Just us. >> Yeah. So
also when we go with a a central betting auction place like that, we've got to pay for that, >> you know, and that's money that's being taken out of our cost that we're getting for the vehicle. >> So So there there's no cost to use central bank. >> Okay. Okay. No cost. Okay.
>> So there there are many platforms that do charge you, but with the one that we we've approached, there's not chargeable. >> There no reason we can't do both. incorrect way.
>> The seal bid for the 2016 Dodge Charger patrol car. Second. >> We are first. Got a second. Any discussion? >> All right. Hear none. All in favor say I. >> I.
>> All right. >> Waited it out. There. >> Item eight. This is your second opportunity to address the council. At this time, anybody from the audience can come to the podium and speak for five minutes on any topic
other than what is on the agenda. Please state your name and residency. Just a reminder that council is not. >> Do I have to say name and address and everything again? Okay. >> Shannon Church address 590 Northwest 4th
Place here in Willist. big part of me wants to finish on why I believe the AMI is going to be a huge benefit to not just the residents but also the city, but the other part of me really wants to tackle the now.
Yes, when it comes to getting grants, getting loans, getting anything, we're only going to be able to apply for the things that we're aware of. There are resources out there where we can find more that we can apply for for this long-term fix. But the primary concern
that I have and so many other residents have that have been contacting me since the moment I spoke up is what are we doing about the bills now? Me, for instance, the claim was my house used 30,000 gallons of water. Yet, I'm hardly ever there. So, I'm stuck with having to figure out how to pay a $900 bill when
at the end of my bills for the month as a single working mom of three with two jobs is about $300 to $400. and that has to span over food as well. What do we do about that? We we're aware that we have a an ancient water system. We're aware
that that would take a ton of money to fix and we're aware that that may take a lot of time to fix. But what are the residents able to do right now to be able to make this bill and not have our water and electric and gas cut off? And if that was to happen for many residents
because we're all facing very similar situations, we're not able to pay that bill, we're not able to bring that revenue into the city to be able to disperse and and pay for many things such as the police department, the fire department, everything. We were fully aware on how everything works and how much it's going
to cost and how much time it's going to do. We're worried about right now. We're worried about in a couple of days, is our lights going to get cut off? In a couple of days, am I going to be able to make food for my my family? And it's not a oneperson issue. It is so many of us. We're having that right now freak out.
And anytime we call, we get told, "Oh, do you have a farm? Do you wash your house? Do you wash your car?" That really upsets us because it feels like we're not being taken serious because maybe $900 might not be a lot to you guys, but it is so much to many of us
residents. So, what I'm going to ask, and I know you don't you don't have to speak. I respect that. I just want it to sit and resonate with every single one of you. What do we do right now? And how long are we expected to wait before there's some sort of resolution, some
sort of plan in place that's publicly announced for us to be able to say, "Okay, I know they have our backs. They're going to figure out how we can make this work and how we can work together instead of it being we just need to pack our bags and and move away and hope that we can find something better somewhere else." We don't want to do that. We grew up here. We want to
stay here. We want to be able to pay our bills. And even if we were able to pay our bills this month, who's to say it's not going to happen again and again and again and again. The people who have experienced this have experienced this many times over many years. And it has changed, fluctuated with the amounts. It doesn't seem like it really matters what
our actual usage is because we can sit with the city manager, which I really appreciated being able to come in and going over, okay, what could be the possible usage? Where could it have gone? The check your consumption. I I respect and understand that, but that's exactly what I felt the the urge to come
here and challenge. There was no extra consumption. It's not just a mystery out in in the ether. And I didn't find it very fair for it to just be, well, you somehow use it, figure it out. Even if someone came and stole the water from the side of your house, you have to pay
that bill. What do we do? What do we do as residents when we're faced with that? The churches only have so much. The community action agency only has so much. They can't help us all. So, how do we end this never- ending cycle? How are we able to fix our issues right now,
understand our issues instead of just asking each other or calling and getting nowhere past the receptionist, which she's trying to help, she's trying to do her part, but it's a roadblock no matter where we hit. And how are we expected to pay the bills and not just let it just
get turned off and and go somewhere else? That can't be our only solution is get a credit card, get a loan to pay your bill and hope it doesn't happen next month. How is that okay? >> Thank you for your time. >> I just have a quick question for you if you don't mind.
>> Um, did you have a meter checked >> three times? >> Three times. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And you are you in CL? So, those are the new meters. Did I understand that? >> Well, we're I'm I'm currently over in the LAR. >> Okay. Yeah. Sorry. Sorry. Country Lane Estate. Thank you. Thank you.
>> Alpha. No, I I have alphabet soup up here. I have to ask all the time, too. No worries. Um, okay. So, the meter is is new and it's showing that accurate that that's the amount of water that is passing through it. >> It is showing that it's supposedly accurate, but we put it to the test. We've turned off all the water in the house, left for the entire day, checked
it at the beginning of the day, checked it again at the end of the day, and somehow it's supposedly used thousand gallons. >> Anybody talk to you about the irrigation system issues? >> We've had the irrigation system checked out as well. I, for one, I I rent. So, I was asked by the landlord not to run it. We run it periodically for a few minutes
just to make sure it comes on, works good. Okay, we shut it back up. We have a complete new system in our garage. Other residents can attest to this >> where we can set all the different settings to make sure that we're utilizing the least amount of water, but enough to be able to keep our lines our
lawns alive and to not get HOA fines, which we're facing. >> Right. So I mean because I and and this is just a little bit of history uh that came from a year ago when we had a lot of residents in that same subdivision who had these very similar number of usage of gallons. And what had happened
was that um well, I'm not going to place blame, but anyway, the irrigation systems were broken underground um by the construction process of like this house was built and they they did the irrigation and then the concrete trucks drove across the the lot next
door and broke all the irrigation lines. So, the water was leaking out on not not because you were using the irrigation, but because it was literally leaking out through the irrigation lines. And I think there were several people that that ended up being the problem and that was how that was resolved. And I
apologize that that information was not presented to you earlier, but it was >> they would slice an irrigation line. So even though you're not turning it on, it was still leaking underground nonstop. Am I not?
>> So we're saying that's a an issue that happened almost two years ago and it has not been resolved and we're still paying the bill. >> No, no, no. Here's the thing. It's it's it was resolved for them because it's not the city's fault. It is the property. If if I and I have a I live over on the other side of town, but I there's an old irrigation system that
the house that I purchased. The house was built in 1942. So, some point somebody put an irrigation system in. It doesn't work anymore. But if that irrigation system breaks, that's not the city's fault. That's my I have to fix that. So, that was what the the residents of CL last year did was they
fixed their irrigation system that was broken by CLLE contractors. country lane estate contractors that came in, put in the trees, the irrigation, did the concrete, driveways, all of that. >> Um, and they fixed that. So, I'm not saying that that is what is going on with your house, but that that issue was
not the city didn't break the irrigation system. The city wasn't causing the leaks. the city wasn't, you know, and and I just saying I'm not sure that's what it is, but it might be something to look into to see if your irrigate wherever your irrigation line and I'm sorry for
dragging the meeting on, but this came up the last time with CL and we had we actually had like meetings with CL um residents over I mean we used the the room across the other way. There were so many people there that were experiencing the same problem as you >> and what they had to do to the best of
my understanding from Mr. Bishop can correct me if I'm wrong, was figure out where the line for the irrigation was broken. >> Correct. So once they were able to figure out where the line was and you had a qualified plumber fix it, bring the receipt, we were able to reduce the
bill. Yes. >> Exactly. So that's just something to speak I know you rent something to speak to your landlord about because you're not the only one that has experienced that, but they do seem to that those numbers seem to be localized to country lane. Well, the sad thing is is when I've spoken to my res to the residents
neighbors, every single one, super high bill, not high bill, super high bill, not it's there's no consistency, there's no pattern. >> One place maybe the lines got broken >> because the houses were not all built like in order like this. Some of them, you know, but they would have the irrigation guys would come in, then they
concrete guys come in, then they have the tree guys come in. None of them spoke to each other. But if that was the situation, then why would my usage bill gone have gone down from 30,400 to 5,800 within the very next month? >> I do not have an answer. >> And but I do I do respect and because those are things that I would look at
myself, right? >> But if that was the situation, then it falls on the resident to a contract out for a a plumber or someone to come out and verify there's an issue, then then come here, say, "Okay, there's here's the issue. Here's the paperwork." Then how long would it take for that to get
handled? And in the meantime, it's the families, the single working moms that are having to foot all of those bills just to survive. >> I understand. And that's it's really challenging because I know there have been other instances and Mr. Bishop can probably list 150 where somebody had a toilet leaking or a pipe under a house
that broke in the same thing. And and and I get it and it it's the city does try to work, but you do have to have a plumber come and figure out what he said and and then the city will work with it. So anyway, I'm just it's just something to look into for some of your neighbors. Maybe pass that word on because those
kind of numbers. We heard a lot of those with the country estates building. >> Well, we can definitely get in touch with the plumbers that are already kind of working on our hard water issues. A lot of us ended up having to spend an additional $5 to $6,000 to get a water softener installed just because there
was no water able to get through to the pipes inside the house. There was at least four months in my house and alone where I only had cold water and it was very small trickle coming through and that was something that thank goodness my landlords were wonderful before I
moved in. They had um I think it's Bayonet um the plumbers come out and certify everything's good but you know it's going to happen again until you get a water softener. We've had it looked at again just to make sure there's no leaks, there's no issues, which pipes are we needing to flush out, you know, make sure the whole house, everything
coming in is going is going well, as well as the irrigation. We had all that checked out for a second time and then had the softener put in. Then two, three months later, our $200 bill turns into almost $600 bill and the $600 bill, which I I honestly I didn't really look
at it at first cuz I was like, "Oh, it's hot. >> Maybe our electricity is running." Didn't even think about it. It was not that much of a hike. It was a big hike, but not the end of the world hike. Then it turned into an almost $900 bill. It's like something's going on here. So, um to have our meters looked at multiple
times, to have our waters and pipe looked at multiple times by a plumber on my property with no explanation of water usage or any kind of leakage or any kind of systematic break underground. There's proof that none of those things have happened and still I'm facing a bill and
I I'm I can figure out how to make a onetime $900 payment one way or another. I'm very resourceful, but at the end of the day, I'm worried about next month and next year and so on and so forth. I can't plan ahead for my family. If this is a this issue randomly pops up,
there's no explanation or no confirmation of what the issue is. But yet, we're just having to foot the bill because like you said, this particular issue may not fall in the city. It may fall somewhere else, but no one's wanting to take that responsibility or offer any kind of assistance to the person that's falling on, which is us.
>> I agree and I appreciate that. >> Thank you. I appreciate you letting me explain that because it's so much more than just I didn't use that much water, >> right? >> We we're doing our due diligence. We're we're calling plumbers even though it's like $300 to $400 to have them come out. We're installing the softeners because we know at the end of the day that's
what's going to keep our pipes clean with the hard water. We can't fight the hard water. The hard water is the only option we have here in Wilson. But when we've exhausted all other avenues and then we come here and we get asked, "Do you own a farm?" I kind of wanted to just go home and cry. And then the other time I was like,
"No, no, there's always a solution. There's always an explanation. You have to just dig deep enough to find it. just like digging deep enough to find the grants and the resources needed to fix the overall water issue instead of waiting for the moment it explodes and now we have to spend two three times the amount of money to replace the entire
thing after it breaks. That's why I was hoping we can find some sort of long-term solution that we can work towards and find money to reallocate or maybe even use my resources over at UF with the grants and research departments and help find a solution for that, but also help find a solution for right now
instead of watching these families, which are so many families. It's just a a mom and her baby living in section 8 and there's no way they can pay that bill even with the $100 assistance from the church. >> Yeah. It's It's heartbreaking. It is.
>> Just I just want to offer something. Uh I've had a similar situation and I'm like you. My electric bill at one point was $400 and then this month it came in and it's $900. And I and I don't live in
the city. I do have a farm. Uh, but what I found when I went back to figure out why my electric bill was so high is our water trough for our horses had a very small pin hole. I'm not saying this is your your problem, but it had a very
small pin hole in it. So, the water was just going, going, going. The pump was still going, going, going. Didn't know it. Then I found out that there was a small leak in the toilet. >> So, it kept running and running and running. I didn't know it.
fixed it. No, no leak on the toilet now. No leak on the horse crawl and electric fill went >> right. >> So, something to think about. I know you had your pipes checked. >> Oh, yeah. We check. >> You may need to look in and just check to see if your toilets are still or leaking. >> I have I have I um fortunately family in
the trade. No, I appreciate that because other people may not know that that it may be affecting their issue as well. These are things that we've been checking periodically um very very often. We even if you ask me how many gallons it takes for someone to run a bath, I can tell you versus how many gallons it takes to run a shower. So
when my kids come and they say, "Oh, I want to take a bath." I say, "No, I'm sorry. That's 42 gallons. We're going to do a shower because it's only 17." Um, that's nothing that they should ever even think about or that I should really even think about at the end of the day when I'm like, I would love to take a hot bath because my back is hurting. But I'm looking at that like I don't want to
spend another $300. So no, let's not do that. Um, the one thing that I do appreciate with the AMI system, if we can find some sort of resource to help make this happen for us, is the moment that a leak is detected, not just the resident, but the city is
also made aware instantaneously. There's a report proving this is happening. We don't have to have a plumber come out and verify it. The system verifies it. And then the system will notify all parties involved, letting you know, hey, we we have this issue. We need to jump on this right away. So, not only will
the resident have less money that they end up having to fork out and find out they have a leak a month later, but you guys have the opportunity if it is something that is on the city to be able to jump in right away and handle versus waiting a few days when the water's just pumping in like the leaks that we've had
on in the water man. >> And we do know that. That's why we want the system. >> Exactly. And if there's anything that I can do >> from any standpoint, I will I will do that. I just >> the research done you mentioned you said that you turned off everything. >> Yes.
>> And that that meter is still running >> which is why we asked for it to be checked again. >> Still moving. There's there's something going on somewhere. >> Exactly. >> Yeah. >> It just felt like we would get to say, "Okay, there's something happening." And even when they called to say your your gone down magically,
>> they said something's happened. I was like, "Okay, well then what do we do now?" And it was just pay the bill. I'm like, "Okay, what do we do after that?" you know, coming up with a little bit of money right now, that's fine. But what am I looking forward to? >> Jonathan, will you get somebody to go look at her beer or or stand there and
watch it move when you know everything's off? >> I know we've done that for >> Yeah, we went through this though. Just as a reminder, we see I'll come back to Country Lane estates and irrigation unless you have a separate meter for the irrigation, which I don't know if you do or not. If there is a leak, >> right? Yeah. No, I totally get that. Um,
I just I'm wondering if there is a leak past the meter between the meter and her house >> and she turns off everything in her house, the meter will still run. >> I realize that, but tell us that. >> Oh, okay. I see what you're saying. >> That's one way to diagnose it is if if they go check it. >> Absolutely. >> And we'll know. >> It's obviously on her side because she's
getting charged for it. It's on her side of the meter. >> It's not on our side of the meter. It's on hers. If it was on our side, she wouldn't be pay she wouldn't be paying for it. But it's on her side, so she's paying for it. But there's got to be something that's leaking somewhere. >> And that's another question. If we're
having this magnitude of leaking, how is half my grass dead? It's all dead, which I'm facing HOA fines because of. So, I'm like the crazy lady out there with the gallon of water that I bought from the store saying, "This is cheaper. Let me pour this over it." But there's a lot of issues that you are very well aware of
when it came to when they actually placed it and what they used and how they did it. And I wish I would have been around back then to try to jump in and help, but I'm new to it. I'm new to all this. I've been here about six months as far as that subdivision. >> Thank you. I appreciate your time.
>> Okay. Anybody else? >> State your name, where you're from. >> Good night. >> Good night. >> My name is Brenda. I live in 537 Northwest. This is my neighbor. Um I will try to explain a little bit. But I know my passing is very hard. Uh we
moved from Gainesville. Uh very happy because we finally have our home. But um Gainesville is you know um a little bit supposed to be expensive bills but here is more expensive like we are pay a lot
of bills and also is hard because we had to pay also our mortgage. But the thing is that uh it's going to be like four months that we don't use or sleep. We don't use it at all like
um my husband and I with like only two person at home and we usually are not at home between Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The air conditioning usually is 75 when we are not at home.
We use our washing machine twice a week and the bill is really really high. So we just ask what's happening. Um we pay for um driver um inspector to check or
pipe or you know everything at home and he say everything is good and we had the report like no you don't have a leak everything at your home is fine. So I just want to spoil a little bit her because we are really like what is going
to happen? We don't want going to have money to pay this bill. If we don't pay the bill, you know, you're going to cool or electricity or the water. So I just want support a little bit of hair because it's not only her home, it's a
lot of also our neighbor. We have more neighbor here. So it's like you see we have a lot of like something like that. >> Yeah. So, and we are like have the same >> is it the water for all of you or is it
something different? >> So, so on a deal I really don't understand. Um but uh just you know you explain the e all uh ejust. I really don't understand that. But it's a lot of
like taxes like different. I I really Why is taxes? Yeah, >> the taxes are also a p a pass through. It's not something that we keep. It goes I think to the state or the public service. >> They would be the same in Gainesville. You may not have seen them on your bill, but they may have just included them in
the line item and not broken them out like we did, but you paid them in Gainesville, >> right? Our previous system did not break them out. The current new system that we have does break them out. That's that gross receipt tax and those other there's another one the gross receipt
something else if I had the bill in front I could see it they both are not us they go to somebody else >> and it's just being broken out now >> we are really happy to move to Willis Willis is a really like great place and
safe place but the bill is like killing us >> you know >> when you lived in you lived in I used to live. Electric was a different charge. Um, everything was done. We have an
all-in-one bill here where your water, >> garbage, >> garbage, >> gas, >> gas, all of that's in one bill. And I've known several people that have moved out here that have said they like it out here because it is cheaper. We have an
all in one bill. Gainesville wasn't done that way. And that's what some of them, you know, have said. So >> yeah. Um on Gainesville, if I can explain that, um on Gatesville, the max that we pay 150 and we also have
everything on a bill like water, electricity, like the waste of Yeah. The Yeah. Everything in one bill. And the max that we pay is what? 150 no more because we all will have two
people like and you know two people is not supposed to pay more than 200 for one bill. I mean maybe I'm wrong. I don't know. >> It depends on what you're living in and how much you're using. I know y'all tired of hearing that but it depends on how efficient your house is.
>> Yeah. But we really take care of how we can like the how much is spent, you know, because >> um I really I'm biology and I really really like the water is the more important thing and I'm not going to use
the spend water. So if I'm take a shower, I close when I use shampoo or when I you know all that kind of stuff. So it's no means to the bill get so high just for two of us and I mean it's not
only happen for all of the community the community the entire community it have this issue >> I mean there's only two in my household as well but my bill is running about about $500 which is much higher than it used to be.
>> We really appreciate around 350. >> Thank you so much for the time and We just want one solution for you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else? >> Yes, my name is Timothy.
Um maybe the city needs to uh get rid of some city vehicles and and everything and cheapen everything so we can use it to help locate these water leaks. And uh in a previous meeting I asked Miss Hans if we had a if the Willis had
a 5-year plan to bring everything up to code of the water code. She told me to go back and check the previous meeting. I did nothing. Wasted over two hours of my time. So just tell me no, we really don't got one, but we need to be working on one, >> but we are up to code. There's the
there's we're not not up to code. >> No, ma'am. >> Yes, sir. We are. >> Her pictures right there with that 6 inch manus. That's not fair. >> Our water system. >> No, ma'am. >> Access to the water. >> Y'all got to prove it. And y'all duty prove.
>> We have reports. >> Well, then then give it to us. >> Y'all keep kicking the can down the road. Well, it has nothing to do with what you're saying. >> Well, the one how many city vehicles do we got? >> What's the city vehicle got to do with >> that much more money? Do we got more
vehicles than city employees? >> No. >> What's the insurance that cost them? How many people drive them that live out in the county that should be parked? >> What's what's the fuel bill when they drive it out to the county and drive it back?
>> Yes, they do. Yes, they do. What? What was the code enforcement officer doing in Bronson a couple weeks on Friday? >> Uhuh. >> Yes, we do the animal control over there yesterday. Go get them. >> Well, just seems like you drive around
and you see you see everybody. They take an hour lunch. You see 30 minutes. I mean, how how many vehicles do we really need? >> Well, y'all don't listen. Y'all don't really care. >> Certainly do. >> Don't show it. like these people out there, why don't
you why don't you send somebody out there disqualified like like John here and go out there with the water and check the water and mark where it's all at. >> Did you not hear me? >> I'm talking about all of them and then you want to laugh and think everything's funny when you when you bring up. >> I'm not laughing. We had this
conversation with you six times, eight times >> and yes, we have sent people out there multiple times. Mr. Well, these people right here, you know, I mean, y'all act like you don't really care. >> I mean, maybe a few. >> That is not true. >> It's hard. It's hard to believe it
because me as a citizen, it's not just me. We ride around and we see we see people looks like they're screwing off on a multiple occasions all the time in the city. It ain't just the city vehicle. It's the fire department, too.
So, it's the whole gamut of waste and fraud. And you can't say it's not true. We got roads in disrepair. Just look right here. Look look down here at nursing home. For real
there there's several roads that need to be fixed. Not all of them. Several roads to be fixed. I mean like front of my house. I put I put G this deep down in the hall to keep from everybody being front end. This poor lady right here. Y'all to see where she's at right over there. I took videos of and to be honest
with you, y'all keep kicking the can down the road. I'm going to Doge. I will drive to Tallahassee on my own time of diamond. Believe me, I will. I'm about it. >> Something's got to happen. Here to catch rats.
>> Hello, Shauna Sullivan. 329 South Second Street. Again, um I just want to tell you some points I missed the first time because I was nervous and I didn't have time to prepare the pictures that was
counting this 10 month stretch of the water leak with the exception of the first two weeks of April after our meeting. Did you laugh at me? So did you remember they were there, weren't they?
They laughed at me. Um, not a bracket, but anyway. Um, 11 times. So, all those pictures, all those pictures, this is the 11th time in April. They took turn the water off for two weeks. The best two weeks I
had in four years. Then they came and hot patched it. They didn't dig. We watched them. It took them 10 minutes. They didn't dig in and fix it. It's not even bandated like they were. They just put the asphalt on it. Two days later, look on your record.
Colin, there's a wet spot coming up again and at the water. I was told, "Oh, they'd have to shut 27 down to get the water back on." Blah blah blah blah. Told so many things. And then I hear the story of this poor woman,
the water, the millions of gallons of water that have been pouring into my foundation, my yard, my the waste water. Would you say her grass is dead? >> I've got a mow. >> Ma'am, are you What you want to hear
with you? >> Right. But you keep referencing over >> They're paying But if I were a conservative, like, you know, there are people, >> they're paying for what is being wasted. The waste water, the water that's been running for 10 months straight. I'm not
allowed to say the word. I was told not to ever say that. But this water's been running constantly from my foundation or Joseph's foundation to his house to this. We put every dime into this house. It is a
$200,000 house on y'all. People call the cops on us one time. Joseph is disabled. He has 13 diagnos. The police sergeant comes in. Oh my god, your house is beautiful. No wonder you're so upset. You know, he was being antagonized by, you know, the work. They just said, "Do
a good job. Do a good job." The police stood up for us on that. You guys do your job. You can see these people put every dime they've had into the town just to get out. And we can't. We can't because of being confident. It took two people to do a locate order again today.
They had another one just came three days ago. Another one came another seven days. I don't understand why this can't be done. Why? In this day and age, you can't go to a machine shop that it's that big a deal. I've got your own city workers saying we got plenty of old
pipes laying around, replace the pipe. The highlands have brand new pipes. You know, I got mosquitoes, bugs, cleaning supply, everything. We are the historic part of this town. I've lived in many cities, different
state, and I tell you the most respected neighborhoods were the historic neighborhood. The the ones that been there, I live in an 80-y old house, but we have put I mean, it's not falling. It's lived through every earth. It is it
just kills me just to disrespect how we are taxpayers. And I got I have to say that I got in reference to bike share thing. Were you mentioning that earlier? Some kind of thing with a bike share thing. I thought he said I don't
understand because my realtor can't even put on the paper that our roads are walkable to shopping centers even though I'm only four blocks here because the road conditions are so bad. You know how when you're looking at a house and it says, "Oh, you can walk to
here. It's walkable to this restaurant, that restaurant with you can't. You got one sidewalk on one side, not on another. Then you got holes, potholes, water that you should see the people in our neighborhood that live or the
elderly have the bike that the little handicap. They can't they have to go out of their way to get to where they're going because of this issue. Please try to fix it. It's just oh I said 11 times and I'll get the video.
I'm sorry. Thank you. I'm Joel Penny 43 North Street. So I was over hearing her. Uh she had three employees come out to look at her house.
Why the first time? Why didn't they shut off all the water and check the meter that time instead of wasting the three times going there to look? >> She said they did not. >> No, she didn't shut off nothing.
>> Why wasn't Why did we wait that manower >> speaking to the microphone? >> Why wasn't it done correctly in the right way? I don't know. >> So, I can't answer the questions he's asking right now because I have to go
back and look at the history. All the history is on the computer. It's easy enough to get to. I don't know. So, I'm not prepared to answer any questions, but it's easy enough to figure out. wasted money correct people not going. Thank you.
>> Anybody else? Item nine announcements. Staff council right? Anybody got any? Nobody. All right. Thank you for that, Chief. >> That's right. some good news.
Um, if you all are familiar with the JAG grant that the county usually applies for, I think it's a $31,000 JAG grant. Um, the last two years it hasn't been applied for, which it has been uh sent
to different municipalities like uh last year was our year, but they missed the deadline, so we didn't receive it. uh this year uh the deadline was missed again so it wasn't received. So I took it upon myself made contact with the
county manager uh and asked if they wasn't going to apply for it if they would grant us because we're the largest municipality in Ley County and four cities uh if they would allow us to take over that and apply for the grant.
She took it to their board meeting. they approved for us to take over it. So, uh, Arizona, I sent her to school for grant writing. She's already made contact. We will be doing the necessary paperwork to receive that $31,000 grant and we will
continue to move it through the municipalities like it was before. So, hopefully, fingers crossed, uh, we'll get all the paperwork done. Once we get it all submitted, I'll bring it to you all attention. And if you give me an approval to submit it, we'll submit it
and hopefully we'll start getting that giant grant revenue again to help offset some of the cost of things we need. Uh, also another grant that I am looking into uh is a grant for a drone.
It's a $25,000 grant. Uh, the good thing about it, it is it's a non-matching grant. They actually give you cash advance. So, if you find a drone and you get the purchase order, they will pay it. So, it's no money out of your pockets. Um, the reason I am looking
into this is because we know hurricane season's coming. Uh, we have special events that occur in the city. We will be able to use this tool uh for crime scene processing, crowd control, Fourth of July, Christmas parade,
uh if we have a storm. Hopefully, we don't have a storm that hit our city. We will all be able to sit in this conference room and look at damage around the city without even having to go out, ride around, spend manpower, spend fuel, going out checking things out. We'll be able to send that drone
up, survey the area, uh sit here and watch it live on screen. If fire department has a fire that takes place, we'll be able to send that drone up. Uh give them an aerial shot, they would know where to respond. if spreading, which direction it's going. So, there's
a lot of positive things uh that can be accomplished out of getting this grant for this drone. So, we're filling out the paperwork now. I've already made contact with them and they've told me, "Chief, if you get it to me right away, I will get it approved." So, soon as I'm done with the paperwork, I will bring it
back to you all. This is a first come, first serve based grant, so I will be looking to try to get it approved as quickly as possible. the paper training for your operator >> and it also pays for training. I put on a paperwork for three people to take the
training. Uh hopefully one from fire, one from law enforcement and one from public works. I've already talked to uh Jonathan and I've talked to the chief about it also. So hopefully though we can get those three trained. So at any given time that it's needed, one of the
three will be able to operate. >> Very good. >> All right. Oh, how much money did you raise in the dungeon, by the way? >> Oh my god. >> That bad, huh? >> After being water logged. >> You were water logged. >> Yeah. Uh the last report I got was
$7,000. >> Nice. >> So, good good amount of money. Not enough for uh hurricane preparedness is what the event was for. So to help our needy families if we do get hit by a hurricane that there will be some
revenue there that they will be able to use to uh help families in need. So hey, very good cause. I was happy to do it. I got the trophy. Seed the key didn't show up. So >> heard, >> you know, very good.
>> All right. Nothing else. All right. Item 10's German. German. Second. >> Got a first. Got a second. Any discussion? No. >> All right. The time is 9:21 and this
meeting is adjourned.