That's why [ __ ] this up. Oh my god. If you will, we're going to call this meeting to order. Uh, this is a city Wilson City Council meeting. It is Tuesday, June the 2nd. It is 6 PM and I will ask the city clerk to please call the role.
>> Mayor Goodman, >> I am here. Council President Hines, she's excused. Vice President Jones >> here. >> Council member Cox >> here. >> Council Member Martin >> here. >> Council Member Church
>> here. >> Chief City Manager Mike Rose >> here. >> Attorney Kirstston Belaloo >> here. >> City Clerk Latricia Wright, I'm here. And all other staff >> here. >> Thank you.
>> That was kind of weak. Very weak. Thank you. Okay, we thank you for joining us tonight. We will at this time start with the opening prayer and the pledge of allegiance by the mayor. Join me if you choose. Lord, we meet together
and Lord, we ask for you to give us the wisdom that we need to make the right decisions for our city. Lord, without you, we are like blind men. But with your guidance, we can
do the right thing and make things better for our community. Lord, I ask you to be with each one of these counselors to give them individually and collectively the wisdom they need to make the decisions they need to make. And I ask you to be with the police
department, Lord, all over our country. Police are being assaulted. And I ask that you give ours a hedge of protection and give them the wisdom to be able to deescalate and to protect
themselves and our community. I ask you to be with our country, Lord. Our country which is founded on in God we trust. I ask all these things in your name. Amen.
>> Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Item number one is additions, deletions, or changes or approval of the minutes of of the agenda. Excuse me. >> Do I have a motion?
>> I have a motion to approve addition, deletions, changes, and approval of the agenda. >> I second. >> And we're approving it as presented. Right. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. I have a motion to have a second. All in favor of the motion say I. >> I.
>> All oppose, same sign. Motion carries. Item number five is public participation. This is the first opportunity for the public to comment um at this time. You have another opportunity at the end, but if you have something you'd like to say at this time about anything that is not on our
agenda, please come to the podium. Please state your name and city of residence. Robert Langan, 500 Northwest Fifth Avenue, Willist. I was up here two weeks ago and asked who to get a hold of about the lighting issues in our subdivision.
I was given Alex's and Mike name. I met with them Tuesday after the wednesday morning after the Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon after the Tuesday meeting. I was told I would have an estimate for the additional lights in a day, day and a half and that they would be working to
get to the little light up in the corner that I found out miss appears to be missing some conduit. As of today, right now 606, there's not been one damn thing done. I have not received quote. We're wanting to buy the lights. It's not like
we're asking you to put out money for the lighting. We want we're willing to buy the lights, but I got to have price on. >> Sure. and I can have price so I can get you all paid for them so you can get them ordered. Can't it doesn't work. And I'm going to tell you what,
it's sitting over this thing and that light's been there for three or four months and I'm I'm about to point I'm going to check see if we've been being build for it because I bet you we're being build for x number of lights period.
>> Maybe not, but I don't know. >> I see Alex's light on. if you'll please let him respond. >> It took a little longer to get the quotes from my logistics guy. I do have the quotes ready for you. So, I apologize for delaying that. The and the conduit side of things, it's whenever lecturer gets freed up from the current
projects they are working on. So, I do apologize for that, but I can't just blow them off the project they are currently working on. >> I understand you can't leave work done. I don't want you to leave my work done undone either when you get to it. But, I was told Wednesday, two weeks ago, you would have some of it done by now.
I'm just saying it's it's not getting done and it's a lack of management as far as I'm concerned. >> Well, it also has to have be responded back for the estimates. I mean, >> I'm talking about the conduit. >> We have to wait on >> We got one light sitting there. It's been dark since they put it in at the very beginning.
>> Just not connected. >> There's I was told there was two conduits missing. I paid that HOA paid to have those two conduits put in and the lights set. >> Okay. Now I've learned that the other light, this third light up in the actual corner
is only partially conduit installed. I mean, bottom line, at the end of the day, you all inspected this and you all accepted it. This is ultimately your all's fault for this stuff not being done. Regardless of LAR's poor poor performance and the Armstrong and
whoever else, you all ultimately have signed off. And I know you've not signed off on everything. >> That's correct. But it shouldn't have been buried. I know I only got to bury my underground for my generator because we put sensors in and actually we had to leave it open while they did a pressure test on it.
>> You all dropped the ball on. >> Thank you. I appreciate your comments. Anyone else? >> Make it quick. Oh, excuse me. Dan Coffman, 32 Northwest 4th Street. Um
I'll make it quick. I'm going to go and put all five issues that I have all in one quick term and then if there's anything after the meeting goes to give you something to think about. The first one is uh today they the Senate and the House has nothing to do with property
property vals issue. It now goes to all the all the voters in the state of Florida. So that property tax issue has evidently got further than everyone thought it would. And now we're going to be looking in times where we're going to try to find revenue from someplace else
if that takes place. Second issue, uh, I'm going to be a real stick about this. It's the one year turnover to the city on the cable company over the wires and the
equipment. That is all up to par and it is and you get your information that you had asked for on the what's the name of that wire? Soy wire. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. So I still I'm going to be a sticker on that. I really do want to know if they if they've used that or they did not use it or if they any way, shape or form because most of this I understand was buried. you've got some that goes above ground and that seems to be where they've had their first major
problem is the above ground stuff. Uh second thing is is that someone told me that there was over a 100 employees in the city of Wilson. Is that >> if you'll repeat that? I'm sorry. >> 100 employees at least 100 employees in
the city of Willis. That's including the fire department and you know and everything else. Um, if in fact that we do have a property tax issue, then probably I would be suggesting that we would look at staff
and see what's duplicated or secretaries of secretaries or people who need secretaries that doesn't need secretaries. We be paying to do their job to where that way we can bring the cost of the city down and bring it more within the lines of a budget and it's
going to be a tight budget. So, I wanted to put that out there as something that I think all of you collectively needs to be considering and thinking about through the from now on. Uh, and I guess the next one which is the Santos today. I heard him on the
news on a news channel this morning while I was eating my cereal. And it's something he said that I thought for years and years and years, but it's one of those things that he's reviewing the possibility of residents never having children
to not be required to pay educational taxes in their in their future taxes. So, that's something that he's not passing, but he's decided to take it on in review. So that could be another big slam for the for the education board if in fact
he does get that into the motions. All right, that's it. Thank you, sir. Anyone else? Okay. Uh at this time then we will move to item number six which is the consent agenda which consists of the city
council minutes of May the 19th. They are in your packet. Anybody have any questions? If not, I'll entertain a motion. >> Miss Deborah. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Madam President, Vice President, >> you're good. >> Before you all approve the minutes, I
just need to get the last name of the gentleman that just spoke. >> Mr. Dam, what's your last name? >> Thank you. And that's missing off of the minutes. >> Okay. As you can see, I put his first name but not his last. >> Thank you.
A motion with that addition. >> I make a motion that we approve the consent agenda. >> A second. >> I have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? All in favor of the motion say I. >> All oppose, same sign. Motion carries.
Item number seven is updates, staff, board, and council updates. We will also be doing a CRA and um planning and zoning update if they are so inclined. Um I see they're both here. If they we will get to you. If you would like to
chime in, we would love to have it. I will start, however, with the chief city manager. >> Thank you, Vice President. Miss Jones. Um today I attended this the uh county commissioner meeting. Um glad to report back that uh they were discussing
Canelius Williams Park uh and it was approved to move forward with the reszoning. So that I think we have one more meeting. Am I right? We have one more meeting uh to get the final approval for the resoning of Canadian Williams Park. Uh I want to give a shout
out to Laura. She did an excellent job on her presentation today and the council meeting. I also want to give a shout out to our uh commissioner for the Williston area, Mr. Johnny Hires, who also did a great job with supporting this effort to get uh this reszone done
uh and for Canadian Williams Park. It was it was great to see the teamwork between the county commissioners uh and JB Pro as well uh getting that process passed. uh we had some support from some
citizens that was there that were that were excited to see that we're going to start moving forward with that project. So, I want to report that back to the council as well as Miss Meredith, I know you've been beating this drum for a while, so I'm happy to tell you that
this stack of paper is all the stuff that we will be disposing from the sewer plant as well as the barn. So, we went through it. Uh we'll be moving forward with that, trying to get rid of that stuff to get that area cleaned up as well.
Uh today, uh had to make some decisions on some uh personnel changes. Uh for those of you who don't know, Alex will be uh leaving the city soon. Uh going on a new adventure in his life. Uh we want
to thank Alex for what he's done for the city since he's been here. We wish him well on his new endeavor. uh in his once he uh before he departs, we had to make some changes um so we can have some
people in those positions that could spend some time with Al Alex to uh familiarize themselves with what we have going on and what projects are need to be addressed um within the city. Yours
being first. Um so uh temporary utilities director um moving forward will be Nate Roberts. Uh assistant utilities director will be Mike Miller, but Mike Miller will still
oversee the electric department. and um Jonathan Bishop will now be over streets and parks, water, sewer, the lift station, and gas. Um this is a temporary position for
these folks uh until we can get some qualified people hired. They're qualified, but get some people hired uh to fill those roles on a full-time basis. Um the position for the utilities director has been posted and we will be
taking applications as they come in. Other than that, M Vice President Jones, I have nothing else. >> Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. Any questions for the city manager? Excuse me. The chief city manager. Okay.
All right. Uh if we'll go to staff then. Any staff member? Chief Chief Lamar. >> Yes. I just want to make council aware that uh last week I met with the uh county manager and the county fire chief
and the municipal fire chiefs. Uh we're looking at going through and as I spoke before last meeting about we're going through with the contract re uh review and they're looking at changing the way that things are funded. Um they're
looking at a lot of changes right now. county manager is looking at a a a lot of changes in a very short time. Um we're going to work with them the best we can. Uh I don't know that we will get to where they want to get to this year, but you know, we we can give it a shot.
But uh make you aware that it is some it's pretty uh pretty detailed in what we're looking at here. And it's uh it's going to be some changes coming down the pipe. So, we need to stay on top of this. >> Yes, ma'am.
>> These are changes that I assume are not favorable for us financially. >> Uh, >> sir, >> I said unknown. >> That that is true. It it at the end of the day it would be unknown. If if we
were to go with what was proposed, you know, just on some random numbers, y'all would smile really big. Um, >> most of the other municipalities would not. So, I doubt that we'll end up at those
numbers. But, uh, yeah, you know, the the initial let's throw some numbers out there and see what happens. it it would it would be a financial gain for the city of Willist. >> Okay. >> Um but for the other municipalities they
might not fare so well. So we're just doing it the best we can in the most fair way we can and we're going to continue down that avenue. But as the mayor said, he and I have discussed this in depth a little bit and and at the end of the day it is unknown exactly how it
will uh impact us. But as the numbers come out, we have already set ourselves up. Uh Chief Willis and I have been working on it every day. So we've got the sheets in place. So all we have to do is punch the numbers in and it'll tell you where we're at. Um, you know,
to give you an idea of what they're talking about, they're want to uh she wants to come out with a a a pay number and we we've termed it as keep the lights on, but it would be a readiness payment to keep your equipment and your personnel ready
to go. And then there was certain rates uh that you may want to get paid at a per call rate. You know, some of the municipalities that would affect greatly because their call loads are less than in the county than what they are in the city where we're on the average uh uh
6040 or 7030 county, you know, so they're right there alone makes the the impact to us go or the money come up in our coffers, but it would it could potentially go down in others. But we are, like I said, we're watching this
very closely and uh we're working at it the best we can. >> Yes, sir. >> Is this in response to the property tax? >> This this was started before that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Now, the property tax is a whole, as I've spoken on that many times, that is a whole new ball game. Um, you know,
I don't know the financial impact it's going to have. I don't think any of us know exactly what the impact will be yet. I know it was discussed some in the county commission meeting today. Uh but you know that's sort of a wait and see though. >> Thank you.
>> Yep. >> Thank you sir. We appreciate you staying on top of it for us. >> Yes ma'am. >> Any other staff member? >> Mr. Mills. >> Um and a little bit of an update. Thank you. Um as of today we have all of the
Calink customers been migrated to fiber. Um we have two that are in CLLE. um that we don't have fiber to. So, we've basically migrated that access point to be on the fiber, but still sending it to them wirelessly because I just can't give it to them any other
way. There's two in the neighborhood of CLE. One was a new construction. It wasn't included in the initial build, so we don't have fiber for her yet. She's also running off of the wireless. And we have one customer who just hasn't called to make arrangements to convert. So,
he's just kind of ghosting us, I guess. So, those are the only four that are still running wirelessly, but they're all migrated to Williston Fiber. Um, uh, we've submitted an order to disconnect that Lumen, uh, fiber feed that was feeding Cow Link. So, that's
going to eliminate a 300 or $3,381 monthly bill. Um, as of today, we got 49 paying customers on Williston Fiber. We have uh installed at the pullthrough spots in the park. We've installed 60 of the 63.
Um, we've been testing with the access points out there. We've got a little bit of an issue with the routing not working right. So, the uh consultant's working on that. I don't have an answer on him yet. Um, we also have the final device management software that we were getting
Adran to set up. They finalized that yesterday as far as getting us online and functional. They're still building our scripts to provision the wireless networks and the settings on the routers. Um, I'm expecting to have that by the end of the week. And we're still
waiting on the finalized asbuilts and the GIS files from light set uh to get the other software up and fully automated and that's in the air. I can't they keep telling me, you know, into next week. They've been telling me that for three weeks. Um,
that's about where we're at. We do expect to get several more commercial clients on this week that have inquired because they they're like new construction. They don't have internet. So, we're working on trying to get those those folks up. >> So, how about the RV park? >> That's that's what we're working on that
we have the pullth through spots in the RV park that we've got 60 of 63 of them. >> That's what you meant by that. Okay. >> Yeah. There we got the installed. The next step is to go out and put the access points on the wireless devices on. And that's what we're testing now. just had some issues with those. They're
trying to iron out. >> Okay. Any other questions for Mr. Mills? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Is um Hector's group finished? >> No. >> Okay. >> They're not finished till they give us all our files and all our signups, you know, sign off on everything that we accepted what they got. We're still
waiting on our final numbers. um they're supposed to be giving us a an actual line item of what was charged, what was paid for, what was credited when because we did a lot of change orders in the actual original order. There was a lot of areas in town that we they had
initially included that were not in the city limits. So, we had to take those out. Um so, there's some of that cost adjustment that's going to have to happen one way or the other. So, we really don't know what our final end of uh project's going to be, but that's
kind of where we're at. We're waiting on our files from them, and we're waiting on that finalized itemized financial statement, >> and they've gone back through all the lines, make sure that they're good to go. >> To our knowledge, yes, they did have
some deficiencies we've got on them. And that was the last line I had here. I just didn't say that. As of today, it looks like all of our deficiencies we could identify, they've came back and fixed. >> Thank you. >> I have two questions. Um, can you answer
Mr. Kaufman's question about the >> I did ask I don't have it on paper or any specifications, but I did ask the contractors doing the install and they assured me that that's hasn't been in practice in probably 10 years. >> Okay, great. And second, thank >> because of that reason, they don't use
that anymore. >> Perfect. Um and and second question is is Hector and his and his company are they helping address the tardiness of light sets response? >> Always, but again it's we're still at their mercy.
>> Yes, sir. >> Also, I'd like to add to that that uh Aaron has reached out to some contractors to see uh about getting price quotes on what it would cost to have them come and help us get some of these installs done. So, I think he's waiting on quotes to come back for that
now. >> Yeah, correct. I've got one just not even a quote. We're just verbally getting an idea cuz Stephen wanted to know a ballpark of what's it going to take and that's kind of where we're at right now cuz I did because we don't have a contract they would have to put it out for bid and but I did talk to one
and they gave me a verbal estimation of just going to the home completing the installation you know for the what I say with the drop in the nids already on the house all these pre-registered customers >> so just showing up doing that internal install hooking them up would probably
be anywhere from $100 to $125 a pop. So they're because they're going to work on peace work. They're going to come in and pay by the job is what they're going to charge you for. So in other words, they're going to come in and work. They're they're going to be getting paid. They want it done. Um don't know for sure what it's going to
be when they actually quote it, but that's the ballpark he gave me. That's only one. The second one I talked to was Sun Coast, and he's trying to work something up and get back to me. >> That's good. At least we're familiar with their work. Well, an estimation would be as best we could figure if if
you got eight of installs a day per man isn't just just on a ballpark. You could you might have one can do 15 or 20. Just depends on how good they go. You might have one could do four because they may all be rotten. You know, it happens. But if we averaged at eight per man, we had
three men on on uh contract. That's 24 a week just on a a you know per man or 24 a day per man. So it would go pretty fast. The problem is once we pop the clutch and go public that we're actually up and live and running that list we
have is going to grow exponentially. And then once we get through all of the pre dropped customers then your installation times are going to increase because they actually have to go out and do the actual drop. Put the knit on the house splice the fiber in. So now your installation could take an hour, two
hours, three hours. So that's going to really slow down the installations. >> Okay. Sounds like a plan. All right. Any other staff member? >> No. Okay. Then I'll move to council
members. You have any updates that you would like to ask about? I'm going to ask about one. Um, and I'm glad the CRA chair is sitting here. I'm asking about the awning across the street. >> Sure.
>> You might as well. >> Uh, Steve McMillan. I chair the Wilston CRA. Not a lot of changes. I was just here a month or two ago. We don't work that quick. So, generally, we're going to talk about the parking lot is the big one. That's supposed to wrap up in
another month or so. This year, I've been told, not next year. But, uh, once we made it through the sidewalk issues, it's back up and running full board now. Um, the crunchy awning across the street has been waiting on
well, contracts. Now, the contract has been executed, and I haven't found that the permit's been pulled, but we're real close to having the permit. I think the permit was pulled, and once he gets his DOT permits in line, he's got a block off that lane, then it's two weeks worth
of work and it'll be done. So, uh, we did hold we hosted a chamber function last month, uh, one of the lunch and learns. So we I had about 70ome people there. The whole room was full and I got to speak about where our money comes from, how long we've been
doing this, and kind of squash some rumors and at the same time talk about all the pro. We had the projects pictures, the manhole, the crazy manhole by the chief's flight. We had that up on the wall. Um, let's see what else we got going.
Oh, the uh marquee sign out front. There's been six months of pulling a permit, I've been told. So, any minute now, he's going to have a permit and make his on-site inspection to the materials have been ordered and it's ready to rock and roll. >> Is that Florida Department of
Transportation that we're holding? That's we're applying for the permit through. >> Yeah, this is the uh sign people from Georgia. >> Oh, >> for the uh >> who are they getting the permits from? >> I was in the city. >> From us. Okay.
>> Yeah. Oh, I I I kept her updates every month at our meetings and it's permits, permits, permits. So, uh, sidewalks, we're still trying to come up with a game plan starting in the southeast quadrant on what sidewalks need to be fixed first before we're
pouring new sidewalks. But that has become a nightmare of questions. Just simple, hey, let's just make a sidewalk. Well, is there surveying involved? Is there rightway definition? Is there tree inspection? is how wide does it got to be? Four feet, 5 feet, slopes,
engineering. I thought it was going to just be a simple question on my end is, hey, can we pour some sidewalks? So, it's a process. Um, the little lake out here in front of the pavilion. I think the the plans are done, the engineering is done,
and the city was you were looking into some prices, I think. >> Yeah. We just have to get you a price for next month's meeting. >> Yeah. Which is next week. So, it's cruising along, but again, the stuff just kind of creeps and that's really all I've got to bring you up to
speed. >> Just a clarification back to the sign and the permitting. Have they applied for the permitting and it's held up here in the city or have they not applied for the permitting? >> Outside of my ability, >> I don't know. All I hear is permit. Is
it probably DOT permit, city permit? >> I don't know. up there. >> It is the DOT permit for closing down the road. >> Well, that's that's the awning. Is that >> Yes, that's what I thought you were. >> He's talking about the marquee now.
>> The >> marquee sign is also I think I believe it's a dot >> like a visual thing for the corner or something. >> Yes. I don't know. >> Thank you. >> I can see it would block visual maybe. Miss Arishia, back to staff.
>> This is a question for Mr. McMillan got >> for the record, could you please explain again where the CRA receives their money from? Well, it comes from property taxes, which I assume we could be out of
business pretty soon, but the Yeah, in 99 the city had the forethought to create the CRA and by the year probably 200 early 2000s, we had created our first district
and those tax base was locked. Mhm. >> So the county and the city keeps that money like they always do for taxes. Anything above that, which we have the commercial strip in my office and
there's about a block or two in the main district. Anything above that, we get 90 something% back from the county. So in the beginning, first 10 years, it's really just nothing. But now I don't know the
total number, but it's got to be $2 million worth of improvements that we've been able to do to the city. Now those are earmarked funds for blight safety things. Linear park seems to be a heavy object. Um but
sidewalks, uh a parking lot falls under our purview. Fixing the manhole fell under safety. Um, so we can do things like that, striping or whatever we want to do, but it's just it's money that we would have
lost is what what it is. For the last 20 five years, we would have lost it. Now, we naturally sunset in three years in 30 29. 39. What year? 29.
Okay. We got a few years left to keep doing what we're doing. >> And one more question for the record. >> Your budget, is it in with the city budget or do you have a separate budget?
>> We're our own budget. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Is that it? Anything else to report? Any questions for Mr. McMillan? >> We appreciate it. >> You're welcome. Any other council member have questions of any kind update that
you need an update on something? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um this is for uh Major Fortney and I want to thank you for uh I reached out about the trees in front of uh Shogun. um a question about um those trees have been cut down and they have replaced
them. And I just want to follow up with uh there other uh businesses in town, newish businesses, specifically tractor supply, where trees have died and not been replaced. And I just want to know if we are following up on that. And
Laura's here. I guess she can answer the questions about the developers plans for those businesses and whether they are required to replace those trees once they have died. >> They don't have to replace them. Okay, great. Thank you.
>> Any other council member have a question? Okay. If not, I'm going to move to the mayor. Mr. Mayor, need any updates? I just have one. Alex, sir,
you stepped into a very difficult position and I want you to know that myself and most of us around think you did an excellent job. It was
a chaotic situation at best and I appreciate all the hard work that you put into it and wish you the best. >> I appreciate it. >> Okay. At this time, I'll ask Mr. Fuller as the chairman of planning and zoning
if you have anything you'd like to add. >> Albert Fuller, chairman of planning and zoning commission. Basically for the last two months our full agenda has been comprehensive plan and you all will be speaking about that tonight. So uh I can't accomp I can't uh
comment on that. You all will do it during public hearing. >> Thank you. I can see why it would have taken months. We appreciate you coming as always. Any other staff member or council member before we move on?
Okay, we'll move then to item number eight, which is new business. Item A, resolution resolution 2026-37, a resolution of the city council of the city of Willist, Florida, relating to the provision of fire services,
facilities, and programs in the city of Willist, Florida. Approving Accenture services for annual maintenance services for the city of Williston fire assessment for the fiscal year 2026 27,
2027 28 and 2028 29 and providing an effective date. Chief Lamar Steel. >> Uh yes ma'am. This is something that actually come to our city manager back in January. Um it was supposed to be brought to you at that point. Um, we are
behind the eightball on it at this time. I would uh ask you to go ahead and approve this so we can move forward and catch up. >> Any questions for Chief Stagle on this item? Tell us exactly what it is. This is the maintenance for the fire assessments
where they go in and make sure that we are charging the right amount and we are getting everything that we're owed on that through the county. >> Okay. Any questions for the chief? If not, I'll entertain a motion for resolution
2026-37. >> I make a motion we approve resolution 2026-37. >> A second. >> I have a motion and a second. Do I have any discussion from anyone? >> All in favor of the motion say I. >> All oppose say nay.
>> Motion carries. >> Thank you. I'll have Miss Latricia or City Manager Mike, sign it tomorrow and we'll get it sent back up to them. Thank y'all. >> Thank you. At this time, we're going to open a public hearing. Item B, ordinance
2026-758, an ordinance of the city council of the city of Willist, Florida, amending the city of Williston comprehensive plan 2018 to 2026. Amending such pursuant to Florida State Statute amending future
land use element policy 1.6 6 agriculture A which is the designation adding policy 1.20 economic development element object objectives 1 and 4 housing element
policy 1.1A and policy 1.2B 2B conservation element policy 1.1 and FEMA flood plane wetlands inventory so solids inventory maps soils
excuse me soils inventory maps public school policy 2 4.2 policy 2.4.5 policy 2.5.2 and policy 2.5.3 infrastructure element policy 14.2 2 and
clerical editing of objective 1.2, policy 12.3 and policy 18.2. Transportation element policy 1.1 C, policy 2.9G, and clerical editing of policy 1.1B,
policy 1.1G, objective 1.2, 2 policy 2.9G, policy 2.1D, policy 2.5A, policy 2.9D, policy 2.11A,
and policy 211B. Capital improvement element clerical editing policy 1.2, 2 policy 2.3 policy 4.7 providing for conflict providing for
effective date city planner Laura Jones of JB Pro who disappeared on me. There you go. Good evening council. Latricia, could you go to my council agenda item, please?
Thank you, ma'am. I'm going to get us started here. Just giving you a reminder of why we're here. The city's comprehensive plan evaluation and appraisal report, the ears, are due. Um, in Florida, local governments must periodically review and update plans
based on the ear, often leading to text map amendments to incorporate new data or state requirements. The past few months, we have been meeting with your planning commission, who is your planning committee, who usually does these updates. We've given them all of
these packets. We've given them presentations that total to about four hours. So, what we talked about with uh the chief was we're going to give you an overview of exactly what changes need to be made for the state tonight and then we're going to give you data and
analysis review while we're updating the comprehensive plan which is a project that's still ongoing. We're going to talk a lot about this on the June 6 workshop. But in order to save you time, now we are prepared if you want to go over the 4-hour meeting. I'm it. I've got the presentation and Kathy can do
it. But we think that this way is a little bit easier. Your eyes won't glaze over. This is really just exciting for planners, not for you guys. And any questions you have on that packet, we can answer tonight. If we can't answer them tonight, we can answer them at that workshop on June 16th. And this is going
to be a process that's ongoing. So right now, we're just going to update those ears for what the state made us do. Things you're going to see are when Florida Commerce changed their name, we had to change their name in our comp plan. Very simple things. Um Kathy was going to hook up to the computer, but it's not working. So, she's going to put
that on a flash drive real quick and give it to Latricia. >> Do you have any questions about why we're here tonight before we get into this? >> I don't have a question while we're here, but tell me what you expect of us by the end of this day.
>> So, tonight this is this is an ordinance. So, we're hoping that you recommend the ordinance for approval. Then, we'll have to come back one more time with the we're going to send it to the state. I started to say what I see says if we approve it tonight, it's going to the state in this form. >> So, tonight it's going to go to the
it'll go to the state if you guys let us. We'll submit it. They'll come back with comments. Typical comments that we're seeing um are not things that are going to be things that we changed here. So, we're hoping we don't get many comments back. When those comments get back, we will update them and bring them
back to you if anything needs to be changed. So, that'll be the second reading for this ordinance. So, it will be they usually will do it in about 30 days or something like this. So, it it's going to be August before you see the second reading for the ordinance.
And it could be exactly what we're showing you tonight or it could be some changes. >> But at that point, we can't change it >> the ears >> without sending it back again. >> Right? If you want to change it again, we'll have to go through the whole process again. So, these are just ears. let us go through this because I think it'll be
>> I will I am going to >> I think it's gonna be much easier to understand when you see the presentation and Kathy gives you um you know the the details on what we're doing tonight. This is not your comprehensive plan change guys. >> All right, let me let me start with the first page that you had up there a minute ago. Are there really six members
of the planning and zoning commission? >> Yes, we don't have seven right now. >> You don't have five. You have You don't have seven. You have six. That's very odd. >> We have a vacancy. Okay, that helps. Thank you. >> You're welcome.
>> That was my first question. >> Good evening. Good evening, council. As Laura mentioned, tonight we are going through the earbased amendments. So, I'm going to explain a little bit about the background of this. If you want to move on, Patricia, you can move on to the next one.
So, I want to explain what the difference between the earbased amendments and the vision based amendments. As you know, we did a lot of community engagement as part of this process and most of that is directed at the vision-based amendments, but because
um because the state makes changes, there are earbased amendments and the earbased amendments is anything that is statutoily required. So, you are making changes to your comprehensive plan through this process. And we're going to go through just a handful of present of
changes that we're making, but understand that all of these changes are statutoily required. These are bringing you to current statute from the last time that you updated your comprehensive plan in 2018. So the earbased amendments are data driven. They are regulatory driven. They
are very specific where our vision-based amendments which we will do a kickoff for those on the 16 at the workshop on the 16th are everything that we heard from the community. Those are the items that will implement the main street uh plan. Those are the items that will
address the vision that that was established when we um worked with the community. Those will adopt and imple implement the guiding principles. All of those are more locally driven changes and those will come after this process. So the first thing we're going to do
tonight is just review any of the changes that are statutoily required by element. So go on. Again, this is important because this is required by Florida statute 163.
That's okay. 1633177. Um, and it establishes that every local jurisdiction must do an earbased amendment. Vision-based amendments are not required by the state. Um, so when we do our comprehensive plan update, these are the amendments that the state
requires us to do. The ones that we'll be doing next are the ones that we want to do. So move on. So it starts from the data. We look at h housing trends. We look at transportation trends. We look at any trends and data that relates to that
specific element. We identify any changes. We also review all of the statutes that have been up that have been um approved since the last time the comprehensive plan was adopted in your place since 2018. And those drive where
we make changes. These are all of the elements that you currently have in your comprehensive plan. So now we're going to go element by element and explain what changes and what policy recommendations that we're making based on the requirements from
Florida statute or from the data analysis that we completed. So first one is policy 1.6 agriculture in the A section we are adding solar facilities floating solar and floating solar facilities and this is pursuant to a
change in Florida statute in policy 1.2 two, we're adding a new policy that deals with electrical substations. Again, this is another Florida statute change that we are bringing current. We are updating also any of your maps,
your future land use, your conven CRA areas, and any historic resources. So, move on. So, this is your existing land use map. This has been updated. Next, your adopted future land use map again has been updated. Your redevelopment CRA
area. And most of these updates are really only changing the format. We we changed and updated the format from your ex from your previous one and bringing everything into GIS which in the past years were um PDF documents. So now this is all GIS based and much easier to make
amendments to moving forward. We also updated any boundary changes that have happened since 2018. Any annexations or any annexations that came in all of those would be updated in these maps. So now let's look at the transportation
element and the amendments were generally we updated the map s the map series to the current data again boundary changes anything that was required um anything that may have changes from level of service from the department of transportation anything
related to those and anything that had to do with the capital budget process and anything that's reflective of your up your current capital plan. So these are your updated maps. Again, we also updated the format. So
these are all now GIS-based. And we added the 2045 and 2050 level of service maps. Now your infrastructure element. Um, we changed the recognition of the landfill. We crossed out the New River Regional Landfill to to change it to the Levy
County Transfer Transfer Station and we upgraded the amount of tonnage that is available. In objective one, we changed Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to the Florida Commerce, which is its current name. And in objective four, we
added the Lee count Levy County Visitor Bureau. In policy one, now we're moving to the housing element. In policy 1.1A, we changed the state housing financing agency to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. And we changed policy 2.3B
from Levy County to North Central Florida. Again, you can see these are very technical in nature. In policy 1.1 in your conservation element, we changed from the National Environmental Protection Agency to US EPA, which is its current title.
And we updated our map series which we will show next. And again all of these changes are similar. They're ch updating the dot the the boundary maps. We're updating and changing to a GISbased map and any changes that had that came from the
technical uh analysis where there were no required changes in your recreation and open space element. In the public schools element, we just updated from the financially feasible work plan to the five-year district facilities work plan. It was a change in
title. The intergovernmental coordination element had no required amendments in the capital improvement element. As mentioned earlier, we updated it from the 2019 2023 to the 2023 29 2029
and then made some clerical changes. So, those are all of the required amendments. You can see that they're all very technical in nature. Um, we are changing, we're updating based on current titles. We're updating to meet current capital improvement planning
documents. Um, we're updating based on current statutes. And are there any changes into the policies or goals, objectives, and policies that we that we have modified? I think not in those particular things. There are some things that I saw that
our name is not correct. >> Oh, >> and I know that's a silly thing and not necessarily what I'm supposed to be looking at, >> but let us take a look at that. I I I don't think we were looking at them not having your name from the last comp plan. >> For for example, the airport has changed
its name. >> Okay. >> And it's all through here at the old name. >> Okay. Uh just something as simple as that. >> Okay. >> Um like it talked about in the housing element, it talked about the different uh lowincome housing that we have. It left out all the HUD housing. It's not
in here at all uh that I saw. Um there are two sections of HUD housing that I'm aware of. Other than the ones that are listed, just little things like that. >> Okay. >> Other than that, what you've done as far as the error is concerned, obviously we
have to bring it up to state statute. Yep. That's all we >> have no choice. It's it's a whole different ballgame when we come to the original comp plan. >> That's right. When So, and that's where I'm going to go next is so I know that these amendments are very vanilla. They're very cut and dry. They are what
they are now. And I know that this is where you all want to go. You want to look at your comp plan. You want to make some amendments. So, on the 16th, we're going to have a workshop. >> 16th of what? >> June. >> June. >> June. I don't think I know I don't have it on my calendar. I don't know if anybody
else does or not. That's first we've heard about it is what I'm trying to say. >> Okay. Well, um if that date doesn't end up working, please let us know. That is the date that we have been targeting. Um so, if there is a problem, just let us know. >> Are you going to have it before a council meeting?
>> It's immediately before the council meeting. >> Okay. It's the hour before the council meeting and it is a joint workshop between the city council, the planning commission and the CRA. All three organizations are getting together to at one time to do one kickoff.
>> Will that work for you? >> Um I don't think any of us have heard of it before, but we just need to make sure everybody can come. >> It's like at 4:20 or something like that on that time. It's at 4:45. >> Okay. Because I >> 4:45.
>> You had given me a time instead. >> Oh, I think you asked me separately and I told you when it would be. So, okay. Yeah. I mean, that was I that was the time we were given. So, I'm um not aware of the communication here, but that is the time. And if that doesn't work, let us know. And again,
this is not this is a kickoff meeting, so it doesn't it we don't need more than an hour. Um, we will be going over the vision statement. We'll be going over the guiding principles. We'll be going over at a high level the items that we
will be updating. Um, and then we will be talking about next steps and tools that need to be done in order to update the document. But this won't go into detail about the specific elements. We will work again according to statute is
the local planning agency which is the your planning and zoning commission. They are the ones responsible for doing the actual update to your comprehensive plan. So just like we have been working through them to do the earbased amendments and they have been spending all the hours going through each policy
and all of the material. We will do the same thing with the vision based elements. We will go through the land the planning and zoning board and we will look through every element based on the vision statement and the guiding principles to update and then bring
forward those chapters to the city council when ready. So again, our first step is the meeting on the 16th and then um and then we will be working for the next few months with the planning and zoning commission.
And at the same time we're doing that, I'm sorry I'm clearing my throat, but I have a little bit of a tickle in my throat. At the same time that we have been that we will be um doing this update and working on the vision-based updates, the ear amendments are going to
be continuing going through. So we have 10 days to transmit so we can look through and make sure we get all of those modifications and title changes. Um and then we will transmit to the state. The state has 30 days to review because this is an expedited review and
we will find out sometime at the July August time frame if we have any further comments or they have any further comments and then we will bring it forward um assuming there are no further changes from the state we will bring it forward for a second ordinance and we will adopt the earbased amendments. So
these two things now are going to take a sort of a um a concurrent standpoint. We had to do the earbased amendments first because the heavy lift is the data. So each chapter was thoroughly updated, was thoroughly reviewed.
Um >> the data the data is great by the way. >> Thank you. >> I know when you asked your question earlier, u the answer is in here. >> Yeah, >> I can't remember which question he was he asked, but the answer I just went straight to it because I had just read
it. So, we spent hours going through your data and making sure that the 2018 data to today was updated. And because your 2018 information was all in PDF, it did take us a little bit longer, but we we really took a lot of pride in making
sure that the data told what the story that we need because we know that the data is going to drive not only the earbased amendments, but the vision- based amendments. So, um so that's where we are now. We we now that we have completed the data analysis, we've completed the amendments for the year,
we're sending those off. We will continue to work in the background on the vision based amendments after the kickoff on the 16th. >> And actually, to be honest, we're already working on it. >> Sure. >> Any questions for Cathy?
>> Yes, ma'am. Um, so if if we have a question about um specifically for me, I have a question about the transportation. Is it best for us to ask that on the 16th or to ask that tonight? What's the most useful way to spend our time? >> Um, what is the question related to?
Well, my question is about the um the traffic um grades that the city was given >> and and and discussion of future population growth and how that's going to affect the city. Um my concern was
that it really only addressed the population growth within the city limits and obviously we are a crossroads for a lot. I mean we're at the crossroads of Levy and Marian County and my question is those numbers are not reflected in that data to the best of my
understanding. >> No. So the way that transportation analysis is done is it's been done by the city analysis. I agree with you almost I mean transportation is is something that very few communities deal with on an isolated basis but that is how that is the state state standards
and we follow the state um the state standard for those updates. >> Okay. We certainly can take a value as we get into the vision-based amendments. If there are areas that we think are there roadways that we think or connections that we think need to be made, we can make those amendments at that time. But to make that kind of
change in your earbased amendments, again, this is a statutoily required update at this point. And um Laura and I have found the hard way. Um when you go beyond what the state asks in the earbased amendment, they will send you a
comment about that. So, we stick to what the state standard is on the on the earbased amendments. We can always make amendments. When we get to the vision based amendments, we have a lot more leeway than we do when we're in the year- based amendments. >> Okay? >> And we would be using the same context,
the same >> the same the data in in terms of what >> when we get to the vision >> portion when we get to the workshop. Is this the the verbiage we're gonna be working from? Or is it a totally different packet? >> No, it's No, we'll use this version.
>> So, yes. Okay. So, this >> we don't need to read another 500 pages. This is it. >> No, this packet will be the packet that we will work from for the vision based amendments. >> Perfect. >> Any other questions? >> You have a question? Okay. Let me let me see if I get a motion first, then we'll
go to the audience. Do I have a motion for ordinance uh 2026-756? >> I make a motion we approve ordinance 2026- 758. >> A second. >> I have a motion and a second. Is there
any discussion from anyone? Would you like to make comment? As I was looking at the slide presentations, can we go back to agriculture? >> Is there a way you can do that? >> I'm sorry. You're going to have to
speak. >> Future is a under agriculture. >> I may have misread it, but I'd just like to check it before I open my mouth. I'm not interested in map. I'm interested in go back
having your slides memorized. Huh? >> It's not fair. It says it's adding solar facilities and floating solar facilities into 1.6 agriculture.
I don't see how agriculture grows solar facilities or floating solar facilities. >> So, so I I I understand the question, but this is a pursu this is pursuant to 1633205.
This is a state requirement. It's in it's in the land use. I'm >> okay. >> If you sir, if you want to meet with us separately, I'm not without having the full your full concern. I can look at where we put it and make sure we put it
in a place that makes sense. If you will please go back. If you will please go back to the mic. I know but we didn't hear what you said. I'm sorry. If you'll say it just for the record so we can hear it. The record. >> I was going to say I was from Palm Beach and I sit on a number of boards from
South Florida Water Management all the way through into the agriculture because I represented the horse industry down there. And the truth of the matter is is that things have a tendency. We we've been through all these plans, the state plans, the studies of the restudies of
the studies of the studies, >> right? >> And it was all 15 to 20 years ago, right? >> So, this is a duplication. To me, it's just a rerun. >> So, I happen to see certain little things that didn't matter to anyone down there at the time turned out to be a
significant problem later up as yours come past. So, I'm a little bit concerned about some of this stuff, which I'm sure I'll get a chance to review some of the data because I'll request it. But, uh, I just this one here caught me really really quick in
six in 1.6 agriculture that's there persuant to a change to section 163 through 3205. That's a that's a change that doesn't seem to jive with the intent and purpose in my opinion. and it may already be
there but it's not going to drive in that particular it's just been sitting there uh dormant. Thank you. >> Yes ma'am if you will. >> No, go ahead. I was looking at the statute. So the statute for section
163.3205 Florida has come and told us as cities that solar facilities must be allowed an allowed use. So it can't be a special exception. It has to be allowed use in any agricultural zoning. Now luckily for
us our agricultural zoning um the acreages are quite small. So inside inside the city limits, this probably won't affect us. I don't know anybody who would put up a solar facility on, you know, 5 10 or 20 acres. However, in the county, this could be a major issue.
Um, but this change has to be made because the state has told us that we have to. >> You understand? >> Okay. >> Oh, I Oh, that's fine. Oh, I started >> we're not here to say whether we agree with statute, but I do want to I'm going
to read the the highlight of the of the summary on 163.3205. The main point is that solar fill facilities are permitted use in all agricultural future land use categories and agriculture zoning districts in unincorporated counties and municipalities. Counties can and cities
can regulate setbacks, buffers and landscaping, but those requirements cannot exceed the standard for similar permitted agricultural district district facilities. So that is why we've added this. This is not something this isn't again these earbased amendments. These are not things that necessarily you
would want or that you would approve of in your community. These are things that the state has given you a preeemption that you must allow for >> a preemptive mandate. It is a preemptive mandate. >> Yeah. >> Please, please go. If you're going to talk, you have to go to the microphone.
Sorry. >> In the city. in the city, not the county. So, county regulations exist, city is something else. So, it's all your if you've got say 5,000 acres of pasture land, they this gets implemented
into that. If you don't have any large tract except for 10, 20s, 50s, and 60s, then it shouldn't affect us when one way or the other is what you're trying to say. >> Well, >> yeah, but it's a state statute. We're required to put it in there whether it affects us or not. Whether or not somebody actually uses it, that's not
that's not the question. The question is that all jurisdictions in Florida must allow for solar facilities in their a zone. If they have a zoning, they must allow for solar facilities. >> So I I'm sorry, but that's
>> I I'm sir I not this is >> we we we are tied by the hands of the state. >> I'll give you the number of the state legislature. It sounds like he's been listening. I know I listen to it all day long. Um, can you tell me um if there is anyone
else in the audience who has a question because we have a motion in a second. We're in the middle of discussion. Is there anybody on the council has questions for Miss Eva? Okay. All in favor of the motion, please say I. >> I. >> All oppose, same sign.
>> Motion carries. Thank you. >> Thank you. We will close the public hearing at this time and we will see this when it returns from the state. Uh item C, discussion with possible action. City owned property located at 541 West
Noble Avenue. Co-inter city manager, city clerk, Latricia Wright. I mean, you don't get to be the chief city manager. Not right this moment anyway. >> Tomorrow. >> Tomorrow. No. Thank you. >> You can't wait.
And what I'm giving them is just a copy of the property. All right. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. This property is city- owned property that used to be Mr. Pesos on top of the hill.
Is everybody familiar with the property I'm talking about? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. All right. We received the appraisal back for that piece of property and it is appraised at $115,000.
I just want to know what the council wants to do. Do they want to sell this piece of property or are we going to keep it? Because I was asked to get an appraisal for this piece. I have several people that are
interested in purchasing that piece of property. I just need to know the direction you would like for me to go with this. Anyone have any comment or opinion? >> I have a question. >> Um I know that when we put this out for
not sure I'm using the right term, but we put this out to see if we could get any businesses to come and potentially lease the land from us. We did not get any responses right away and there was discussion of doing a study to try and figure out why we didn't get any
responses and I have not heard and I know I missed a meeting so I may have missed an update meeting. I'm sorry but um did we get an answer to why we did not get any responses back? >> They have not been able to figure out why no one responded. They've reached
out independently to a couple of uh entities that they thought may be interested to see if there was a reason that they didn't bid, but we haven't gotten any responses. We have not gotten a response about why people didn't bid or we have just not gotten any bids. Uh both, but
>> neither. >> Yeah. >> So, they get >> Are we still waiting for a response on why it didn't go to bid or is that >> I I don't think that we're still actively reaching out. So, when I say we, um, Central Bidding, uh, the staff
there has been helping us to try and reach out to entities that may be interested. Um, if there was any traction, they were going to reach back out to us and let us know to put it back up. Um, we haven't gotten anything from anyone yet. I check in periodically. Um, but I don't think that they're actively
pursuing um, requesting anyone anymore. If that's something that we continue to be interested in, we we can. We just haven't had any traction on that. >> Okay. Thank you. I mean, I could see people kind of getting a little scared off because if you look at the way the
property's laid out, you're right there at the retention pond for tractor supply. Um, so it that's deep. >> It's really great though if they could use the same retention pond, it would
save them a lot of money, >> right? So, I mean, it could be as far as that. It also could be look at the property needs to be cleaned up. >> I've said that from the beginning. If we were going to do it, we got to clean it
up, make it look attractive. >> So, you know, that's the other thing. >> I believe that there are people who are interested in the property. >> I have two that I've contacted. >> Yeah. So, I I believe we should put it out to bid if we don't want it. And I for one don't think the city should be
in the land business. If we can sell it, I think we should. I I've said that from the beginning. I never really wanted to lease it. You know, I wanted a second proposal for lease or sale uh so that you could bid on either one that you
wanted, but it was it was more time consuming to do it that way. and we essentially decided just to do it as an RFP for the lease uh with no with no interest. Um I think it's worth putting it out there
to see if anybody will bid on it. I mean it will bring a productive business hopefully to town rather than a vacant piece of land. do we want to um if we put out so I just to get a
sense of of where we want to go. So if we put out a request for bids we're basically just saying highest bidder that's who we're going to sell it to which is perfectly fine. We can do that. Um, alternatively, we could do a request for proposals for someone to purchase the land, and then we can evaluate their
business model, whatever it is that they may be bringing, whether it's jobs that they bring to the city um or um building infrastructure on that uh piece of property that that may be useful moving forward. Is that more the goal that we're interested in or we just obviously
the second option will take a little bit longer to draft and put together. Our first option is very simple. Put it out to bid and people will tell us how much they'll pay us for that land as it is. Um to establish additional criteria will take a little bit longer. But if that's something that we're interested in being
able to evaluate those other criteria um then I would suggest the second path. But you >> vice president. >> Yes sir. >> Thank you very much. Uh, I just want everybody to understand if somebody bids
and buys that property for $100,000, we don't need to know what they're going to do with it. If they're going to spend that kind of money, they're going to know that they can put something there. So, I think it's a waste of our energy and resources to have the attorney and
these other people extrapolate what they're going to do with the property. If they buy the property, they can only do what you allow them. So, what are they going to do? Resell it? Fine. >> Which would be okay, too. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> Just bid it. >> I would put a minimum bid on it. get that so that we make sure we get at least you know what the >> price is. >> Well, and just like every other request for bids, if you all put it out to for just a straight bid, you can deny all of
the bids if it comes back lower than what you're willing to sell it for. So, definitely a minimum, but you're even if everyone comes in above the minimum, you're not required to take any of them. >> So, what do y'all think? >> I mean, it would even be if we had the
funds to do it. Welcome to Willist sign. And you know, we have the uh basketball team that's won that won state championships. The girls, you know, you could put that kind of stuff up on there. Other cities have done stuff like
that. But so I hope we can find another place to put that because you're right. U that we have not been able to put it on the chambers. Welcome to Wilston. they don't want anything on it. Uh, so that's something we didn't negotiate with them
when we gave them money to help pay for it. Um, I think the CRA did that help gave them part of the money to pay for it. Uh, but they won't let us put anything on it at all. So, >> but I'm
>> If you'd like to speak, please go to keep keep talking, Mr. Cox. >> But I'm I'm for we need to get rid of it. Yes, sir. >> Uh Steve McMillan Williston. Um the marquee sign that we're trying the CRA
is trying to put on. Perfect spot to put every 30 seconds. We could put world champion this, world champion that. We can do that with the sign. It'll be right there at the main intersection. Uh number two, just to go back a minute. I'm in business a long time, but if
you're going to lease that property, so I might get a 25-y year lease with you. Now, I can't do any banking against it because I don't own the dirt. Y'all own the dirt. So, I've got to have cash to build a million-doll surveying office. That's two story. There's not a
lot of parking there and on property that I don't own. So, now it has to be a metal building so that I can take it down when my lease is up or if I default on the lease. And you're going to left with some pretty ugly stuff. So, if you are trying to lease dirt, I can see that
as a problem. Sell it. fee simple, get rid of it, call it surplus, whatever you're gonna do. >> I agree 100%. >> Thanks. >> Yeah, agree. >> Agree. I agree. How do you think? >> Yes. I I agree that I do think at this point in time we've we've exhausted the
leasing option and I as much as I I respectfully disagree that I do think it is advantageous for the city to have ways and means to generate long-term income, I think we are better focused on properties that are closer to our city center. Um, that said, my concern is
somebody purchasing it and and leaving it. Not that we're any shining beacon of an example over here, but leaving it in a state where it sits like that over 10 years and it just becomes another abandoned blighted piece of property in the city, which it already had been for
a lot of years. And so that's why I wonder if maybe the second option would be a good option so that we at least bring people to the table who have a business plan, who have an idea and have to present that to us rather than just, you know, some investor who buys it and
sits on it for 10 years until property values go up. Um, and that way we maybe motivate people to actually come in with a proper business plan. That's my thought. So, you're after a request for a request for proposal in addition,
>> not just a bid. >> Correct. >> I I could also, and this is >> I typically don't >> say ideas before I've fully thought them out, but I do want to just posit that
municipalities occasionally will sell land with a restriction on it. Um, so we could look into the idea, and I can't promise you that this is possible. This is just occurring to me that maybe um, but we I can look into the idea of a a
covenant that indicates that they're going to build on something on the property within a certain period of time or else ownership reverts to the city and they would we would put that in our bid that that's what we're willing to sell it as, not a general warranty deed. if that's something that we're
interested. >> I I would like that to be where it's a timeline. >> You we don't want it to sit >> if that's possible. That would be something I would be interested in as well. And and I I have one more uh question and I wish Walt was here maybe
to answer this question, but um I think before we put it out that we should have some engineering done um to make sure that we that anything that is built there can be engineered into that space that we have an understanding and can
offer that. I don't know what that would cost us, but you know, if there is no room for um water to go or there's something in the engineering that would make this a piece of property that was not useful. I think we should know that
before we take the next step of putting it up because again, it could end up with it just sitting there >> for decades because there actually is no place for the water to go. there is no place for parking to that meets all of the requirements of the city. >> I on the other hand think they need to
do their own due diligence and we don't need to be in the middle of that. >> Um >> yes, but if we're >> Give me one second. No, go ahead. >> Okay. I I guess I mean I guess I would say then if that's the case then we
should just sell it. buyer beware and but if we are going to require that there is a time frame on when people build I think that perhaps it's a little bit on the city to make sure that it is a in fact a buildable site.
>> Have you moved to putting a time frame on when they have to build on it? >> We did. >> Why? For heaven's sakes. >> I mean we didn't say what that time frame was yet but we did say that we would like for them because we don't want it to sit there bladed as it is. Well, maybe they want to plant flowers.
>> They can do that. They just can't sit there blighted like it is. >> Give me one second. Any other council discussion? This boy, my only concern was the the size of the land. I know that parking would possibly be an issue
even with a smaller business. So, I I I see your point, Meredith, when it comes to looking into what you can actually use it for and maybe putting it into the stipulations actually put serious biders out instead of just, hey, I'll take it and maybe sit on it for 20 years.
>> But do you want to spend some more money on it? >> We do need to consider the money we have already spent on it. It needs to be added to that, you know, to this >> to the bid >> because we did do demo on it and cost
labor to do that. Uh that needs to be taken into consideration as well. Mr. Penny, if you'd like to go to the podium. >> I totally agree with Miss Mayor of this. Uh why do you want to spend more money on engineering and everything? And how much
more money have we got into this project of clearing it and fi putting fines on it and everything else? If someone's going to come in here and invest $100,000 in buying it, just let it be. Why? You always got to let lidate everything. Why?
>> Okay. If they buy it, let them do what they want to do. They know what they can do with it. I mean, it's zoned proper. It's zoned in a certain way. I'm assuming it's commercial. Um, and it would there only land use develop land use. You have to have a certain size lot
to build something. And you have to have certain setbacks in C1. You probably don't have any setbacks if in fact it's C1. may not have any setbacks. I don't know if Laura has any insight on that. >> We have such few C1s. I'm pretty sure it's C2.
>> C2. You think so? So, you think this is just C1 right here? >> Right here is the downtown district. It's CDB. Um, that's a totally different. >> I think it's C2, but yeah, the setback shouldn't be an issue. I I don't know what you could put there. Um, but that's
up to >> that. Waffle House has already said it's too small. We talked to them already. >> Okay. >> So, like when you're buying a house or selling a house, is there a way that we could only spend that money if we have a bidder? A bidder, not just something we
go and do and then put it out and hope we get it back. Is that something we can include in the lowest bidding price? So that way we make sure that we recoup that money before it's spent. >> I don't think we want to spend money on that land. Of course, >> not in that way. Okay,
>> that's just my just me. Y'all y I'll think about it. >> Which cost are we talking about? >> If we decided to move forward with um the any surveying or anything just to kind of prove what this land could be used for if it's not already done, if
that's something that we can say we can do if we have a a serious bidder and then only move forward with it when we have someone who's purchasing it. So, we're not just doing it and hoping someone will come in and purchase the land. We do it as allin-one contract
if that's possible. >> I I could try and and craft bid language that would do that. Um, I can't guarantee that I would be able I need to sort of try and conceptualize how that would read sort of an if then highest bidder also
must be willing to >> cover the cost, >> cover these costs, etc. Um, if it would help get more biders, >> but it might actually deter biders. >> Yep. I would just try it the
straightforward. If it doesn't go that way, we can talk about something else. >> Yeah. >> Or we could do that. >> So, do we have a motion of any kind? >> Yes, sir. If you'd like to go to the podium. >> Since I only know a little bit about the
problem by driving back or forth beside it every day, it seems to me that it's sort of a mute deal. You put it for bid. the property owner, he he buys it, he buys it. You have planning boards, you have
restrictions, you have a book of code enforcement. You've got everything in the world to decide in a way whether it's appropriate, it's not appropriate. No, you can't say, well, we want this and expect them to after they've spent their money. But you can say, no, you
can or you tweak this and this will work. You have that ability already. So to put any kind of restrictions, regulations, or anything else on this piece of property other than to set a price to sell it, I think it's mute. Thank you. >> Yes, sir. I I tend to agree with you. Um
and to know that the buyer should do his due diligence before he decides to bid um in knowing what he can build there and what he can't. And I just believe that's the way we it should be. That's the way it would be anywhere else.
So, uh, are we still considering that we would potentially put a timeline so it does not sit vacant and blighted for >> I have no problem with that. >> Okay, I'm I'm comfortable. >> If if our lovely attorney can figure out how to write that in the language, that would be wonderful. >> What would we want? So essentially what
I'm what I'm contemplating is a deed that has a covenant which is basically just a promise by whoever is purchasing it that they will do X within Y period of time. Now you all tell me
what X and Y are. Do we want it developed? Do we want it planted flowers? do we want like what do we give me a sense of what we see we want to require them to do and then the period of time that we want them to do it and
then what I will do is I will craft a deed that has that restriction in it and then that is what will go out with the bid saying this is what you will be getting for this property >> and Laura I believe can help us with this too what whatever the verbiage
would be to make it not blighted uh I mean, it it may turn out to be a parking lot. It may turn out to be a telephone store. I mean, think T-Mobile would fit there really good. I mean,
another one may come in. Um, just think about that size building would fit there fairly well, but somebody may want to buy it for a parking lot. >> Put charging stations >> or charging stations. And as the citizen mentioned, um, if somebody buys it right now and it's you, if your code
enforcement officer decides that it is not up to par and it's blighted, they can start that process. So, it's really not us for us to say what blight looks like as the council. It's for your code enforcement officer. Read the code. >> I agree. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
So, don't go there. Huh? >> Is is the concern I'm I'm trying to get I guess to the the goal is the concern that it will at some point in the future because I imagine I know that we've gone through this a lot where someone will buy up a property and
then it goes back into code enforcement arars and then we relean it and then we re-repossess it and then we resend it out and it's just lather rinse repeat until all of us wither away. So is the idea that we just want to keep it from
having code enforcement leans against it. I I mean we could write the language like that that if the property owner allows it to be in code enforcement violation such that we have to initiate a foreclosure, it immediately
um reverts to ownership of the city. >> I would be I would be comfortable with that. I I just would hate to see it be yet another property that sits vacant because it's a property that is difficult to fit a building on and it
just sits looking like a crumbled ruin for the next decade. >> Yeah, I agree. It needs to be in usable condition, whatever that use may be >> and and meet our code >> and be current code, right? Within a certain period of time. So,
what do y'all think? year, two years. Mr. Benton State. >> Yes, ma'am. Just food for thought. Um, you know, we we somebody just mentioned charging stations for electric vehicles and, uh, you know, we own the electric,
so there could be a passive income there for the city. >> I mean, there >> I mean, almost anything that puts it back on the tax roles. Not that we're going to get any taxes, mind you. not with the language on the ballot that it
is, but if if um anything that get it back on in useful condition, no matter what that use may be, whatever is zoned, I mean, if it's zoned, there's only certain things you can do in a certain zoning area.
And it must be C2. C2, we need to check on that. So I can look into a deed restriction that looks at code enforcement leans and violations as the restriction. >> So you want to bring it back to us? >> I can do that. Yeah. >> I want to just table it and let her bring it back to us.
>> Yes. >> All right. So maybe the next meeting before we have to discuss it all. >> We should be able to get it to the next meeting. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. Then we will move. Let's see. Where are we going to move? We're going to move to item D, discussion with
possible action. city manager open position and relieving the co-intim city manager Mike Rolls back to the police department. Council President Darth Hines is not here. Uh she is ill. Um I think I'm
going to give it to the police chief or the mayor. I don't know where the mayor went. Miss Owens after him. Um, as you read as you can read from it, it says that the city manager, the chief city manager will be relieved
uh to return back to the chief's position. Um, I believe that's what this item is all about. and discussion of hiring a new manager and co-inum city manager
if he leaves if he is removed. Mr. Mayor Darth Darfus Hines the president is not here. Would you like to take this item about the police chief or would you like for me to try to wing it? >> Yes, I would like to take it. However, I
apologize. either you want to sell a piece of property or you don't and then 30 minutes of discussion about it. I got tired of hearing it so I left. Now let's talk about the current place we can
discuss it. So we have to do it. >> Are we talking about the chief? >> Yes, sir. >> My chief? >> Yes, sir. >> Of my police department. >> That's what I heard. >> And what is your question? What is your desire at this time?
>> Okay, I've made my desire very clear. Mike Rolls is the chief of police and we both agreed that the city needed our help. And for that reason, he said
he would help. He would help to organize it. He would help to put out the fires that he could. And personally, I think he's done an admirable job. However, even when we did that,
Vice President Jones, you're aware of this, there were other options. There is an organization that will provide city managers to or to cities that need temporary city management. Well, Wingo was one of them.
So there is a there was a choice. However, I agreed that he would be the best choice because he was known and at this time after two months he needs to get back to our police
department and that is what I expect him to do is to go back to the police department. And my understanding is again the council has options and I won't go into those options because they're none of my business, but there
are options. He does not need to stay and I need him back at the police department. Thank you. >> Uh we we are aware that you want him back uh and that you didn't know that we were going to keep him as long as we have. Um I too think he's done a
wonderful job. Um and don't and have really had we'll have a hard time letting him go. Uh in all honesty, >> so did I. >> Yeah, I'm sure. Um I think the co-inum city manager situation that we had with
Miss Latricia and Chief have has been an excellent one. I think it's made the staff happy that he's done a good job for us. Um, and I can in all honesty, I can tell you that I told him that he needed to make up his mind whether he
wanted to be the city manager or he wanted. >> Him and I have had that conversation several times because if he was going to stay, I was going to begin to advertise for a new chief of police as the council
should have done two months ago. In all in all honesty, we were letting the air clear and we needed to do that. Uh we needed to do it. >> That's an opinion. The fact is the charter gives the council. >> Would you please use the microphone?
Um I believe I believe that we needed to let the air clear that it was not something we needed to let it clear for the staff as much as anybody else. We needed the dust to settle. Um and I I believe he's done an excellent job in doing that. And I believe that the
decisions employeewise, the thing, the recommendations he's done, I think they've all been right on the money. Um, and as I said, I told him we needed to hire somebody. It was either going to be a police chief or it was going to be a
city manager. And he he has chosen to go back to the police station. He wants to be the chief of police. So that that is his decision. and he'll be happy to know that that is his decision and I think he's done a great job and I just need
him to know that. Um, and I believe that Miss Latricia will do a fine job as as the interim by herself and I believe that she is ready for that. Um, and I don't know how long she's going to want to do that. Uh, she may want to do it
forever. I'm not really sure. But I believe if we can at this time we need to appoint her as our interim city manager by herself and let the chief go back. >> Vice President Jones to the police >> request permission to speak. >> Of course.
>> Thank you. It is my understanding that my chief of police and your new interimm manager have discussed the possibility of him being a
assistant to her as is needed and I have no problem with that. But I have a question for the attorney. Dennis Stro was the chief of police and became the city manager and did not
resign from the police department. Why the change? >> I am unaware of his resignation status. I will tell you that all I can tell you is nobody asked me if at that time if the chief of police could serve as the
city manager and the chief of police without resigning. So the change is that the council asked you >> the the change is that it was brought to my attention that it was in question and the law is clear. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. And I have no problem with it. I what
the issue is, Miss Meredith. Um, I I would like to entertain the idea and and the chief and I have discussed this that in some way, shape or form, yes, he goes back to the police department, but in some way, shape or form because of the the bonds that he has built with the
employees over his time here as co- city manager that he is able to continue in some capacity to help manage the staff, help keep everything on the path that he has put it on and help oversee some of the changes that he and Latricia have
implemented. Um, and we have discussed and would like advice from the attorney and perhaps the chief can step in and the council to see if there is a way that we could, as the mayor said, if there is a title that the chief could have, Latricia obviously being our
interim city manager, but a title that the chief could have where he could continue to help counsel the city on keeping the employees and some of the changes that he have made going in the right direction. Did I
express that? Well, >> I I think I understand the question which is so the the restriction is that the chief cannot be chief of police and an
appointed in an in an appointed position by the city. Okay. So the Florida Constitution considers any appointed position and him being chief of police to be dual office holding. So what
is not prohibited by the constitution is internal organization. I'm trying to conceptualize based on your charter. >> I was starting to say we got to watch our charter and our mayor over there. based on your charter how
we would delineate. My recommendation is if that is something that we're interested in, the easiest way to do that would be to just informally >> do it have Latricia be able to consult
with Mike on um anything that she may need assistance with or ask him if she needs help. um with anything and everyone just having sort of the understanding that Latricia is the city manager delegating
um as sort of informally agreed for some assistance but that ultimately all decisions are Latricia's and she is sort of in that chain of command. I will say in my discussions with him I sort of said the same thing. Um I said
he will be a department head and he needs to come to every department head meeting. He needs to come to every staff meeting so that he is there um in advisory as any as any staff any department head would be. Not just the
police chief but any um it's not like we're singling him out because we want the fire chief's opinion, the airport manager's opinion, we want the utility director's opinion. We want them all to attend the department head meeting. We want them all You're you're laughing at
me. >> I'm looking at Lamar. >> And we we want them to take part in those uh discussions with the staff as well as with their other co-workers uh meaning their other department head supervisors. And I said, please don't
stop do that. Do that even more than you did before. uh so that Latricia can lean on you if she needs to, especially in the beginning. And yes, I think an informal way to do it is probably the best.
>> So, I have a question for Miss Latricia. Do you want this as a shortterm thing until we find a city manager or would you like to stay for the long term? because I think that will help us to point the direction that we want to go.
>> We're going to do this as a short term. While you all are looking for a city manager, I will follow the steps that's needed to put out the notification that the city is looking for a city manager.
So, >> yeah, if she decides to apply, that would be fine. >> Yep. I've got no problem with that. I've told her before I think she would do well. >> Any other comment? Madame Vice President, one other comment. I heard in
discussions between the soontobe new city manager and the soontobe chief of police that the discussion and I don't know who else was in it about
one of our problems here in the city is we have no plans of succession. Once the clerk is gone, we have a crisis. Once the chief is gone, we have a crisis.
A little bit of planning can help to alleviate that. My understanding is that the clerk has a great deal of knowledge, and I know she does, and there is somebody that she could begin to teach
how to be a clerk. So if she should end up deciding to leave her husband and get married and go to Hawaii, we would have somebody and the chief the same thing. We should be planning for succession and
we have never planned for succession. Elected people, we don't need a plan for succession. We have a special election. We're replaced like a pig. But the staff, the chief of police,
the clerk, they should be in a position where they can begin training someone and mentoring someone to replace them as is someday. I don't think any of us are going to get out of this alive. >> Yeah.
>> So someday they're going to have to be replaced. And even if their first choice doesn't work, you have a plan in place. And my understanding, soon to be city manager, is that you have a candidate in mind that you will
begin to show the duties of a clerk and see if if she can't do it, she can't do it. But you have a plan, a succession. >> Yes. >> I like it. >> Yeah. I think I think they both have a plan. Yes.
And I like it too. >> Thank you. >> Well, the thing about the session plan, I agree, but nobody expected for things to turn out like they did from the beginning, >> right? >> This is why we're looking for people
because they did not. >> Yep. And I can I know, Mr. Mayor, you and I both have been through the use of the um interim person from the Florida League or from the Florida City Managers, Florida City County Managers
Association. I for one hated that process. >> I called her the gunslinger. >> I started to say of the name you called, I don't want her anywhere near my city. So I I like this better than that because this Latricia, we know her. The
staff loves her. They trust her. they they trust her knowledge. Um, and I think she's a much better alternative to going with somebody you don't know. >> And this could be a longterm finding somebody because what was it? High springs. It took quite a while for them.
>> Lake City as well. I think they hired again. >> Yeah, Lake City had a horrible time. >> You know, I saw Clay sitting there on TV the other night. But that's but I think that's pretty much anywhere if you listen to the news in different counties. And
>> Mrs. Wright, are you prepared to retire as the city manager? >> I plan to retire as a city clerk. >> It's just got to be longer than two years. >> I like that. She a lady who knows what she wants. Okay. So, we know what we're
doing on the short term and I would entertain a motion to that effect if you would. Uh, I don't know that we have to say we're returning the chief to the police station, but if you will make a motion to appointment, right, or to as a
continuation of her current appointment. >> And if we could put an effective date on that as of whatever date. >> I I just I mean, she was already is clear in the motion. >> She's already >> when for signing paperwork purposes. >> Okay. So, for paperwork purposes, let's
do June 15th. Was that a question directed at me? >> Nope. It was a suggestion to part of the motion >> that the effect >> 15 this Thursday. >> I know it's like next Thursday,
>> Wednesday, >> another week. >> I believe he needs to tie some things up before he can walk out the door. Yes, sir. >> He could tie things up for the next 10 years. I want him back in my police department and I have given him the choice between
being in my police department or being your city manager and he's chosen that and he has chosen to be in police department. He does not need to stay here another two weeks. I will give him till the end of the week and I expect
him to go back to the police department. That is his job. He is someone that is under eye. I let let him do this to help you. I expect you to honor him coming back to the police department where he is needed. Thank you.
>> Then if I may make that suggestion based upon that, >> what suggestion? >> The suggestion would be police chief stays over there. Miss Wright has a panel of people that could do it and not have help from the police chief.
>> Can I just intervene for one moment, Mayor Goodman? We had discussed June 15th. >> We did discuss June 15th. We did. Yes. June you and I. So June 15th. >> I told you I would do it. But >> yes. And that's that's what we're asking. June 15th. >> That's all I'm asking for is June 15th.
>> Okay. I did say June 15th. Yes, sir. >> Me, >> which is >> I'm not happy about it, but I did say it because I happen to like you. >> Thank you so much. Thank you for remembering. >> The reason that you gave was a good reason. >> Okay. Thank you. So I withdraw anything
about the end of the week. You can have him till June 15th at 4:00 in the afternoon. >> That's actually a Monday. So you can have him at 8:00. >> How about that? Or seven, whatever time you normally.
>> When does the weekend When does the employment week end? >> Do do what now? >> When does the employment week >> Oh, I'm not sure which which week it ends. What does anybody know? Payroll. Does payroll end on Thursday or Friday or Wednesday? When does when does payroll end?
>> This Friday. Who said that? Okay. So, at Friday. So, Friday is good. So, it'll end on Friday. He will start to work. His effective date. >> Not this. >> Yeah. Ends every Sunday. >> Monday the 15th. He will be back at the police station. >> Okay.
>> Can we have a motion? Anybody venture a motion in that effect or we want to have consensus? Do you need a motion? >> I mean, we'll we'll need a motion to as of whatever date, >> June 15th, >> Latricia will be the only city manager
>> interim city manager >> relieved of such duties. >> Okay. And the police chief will return to the police station. >> The police chief would just be gone from the city. >> I will bring him back to the police department.
>> He's still going to be with that. that happens to be part of the city. Uh, anybody want to make that motion? No. >> No. >> You're not You're not going to make it. Okay. Well, what do you want? >> I want him to stay. >> Well, I not not stay as co not.
>> We gave him the chance. He made a choice. I actually gave him the same the same question. >> I am not I'm and not, you know, not that I don't 100% believe Latricia can do it, but I like the partnership. Um, I think it has done well for our city. I think our city is has a terrible reputation
with city managers at this point in time. I think we need a certain sense of continuity here for a while and um you know I have discussed this with the mayor in person. He knows my opinions. We've agreed to disagree, but I'm not making a motion. However,
I did tell the chief that if anybody gives the new city manager any trouble, he can come over here and arrest that but I also gave him the same choice. I said, "It's your choice. You can choose to be the city manager or the police chief."
And he chose to be the police chief. And I again thank him for everything he's done and will do in the future. >> But I still need a motion. Well, the the nice part though, Latricia is well known throughout the state. >> Yes, she most certainly is.
>> So, that could be a benefit to helping find >> Yeah. >> somebody. She does. >> We're very lucky to have Latricia. I don't mean to sound in any way, shape, or form like I don't have 100% faith in Latricia. I just really think this partnership has rided the ship faster than any of us could ever hoped and
dreamed for. And I really wish we could continue with that for enough time to get our reputation back, to get our feet grounded, to um breathe a little bit and find the right person so that we don't keep churning through city managers.
>> I have to pass the gavl to make the motion myself. >> I don't have anybody to pass it to. >> Be the next senior most council member. Oh, you would, if you needed to pass the gavl, it would be to the next senior most council member.
>> For the record, I've passed the gavl to Mike Cox, who is the most senior council member here. Oh, sorry. Um, and I would make a motion that we appoint Leticia Wright as the interim city manager as of June 15th.
>> I second. >> We have a first. We have a second. Any other discussion? Nobody. >> All right, we do a vote. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Those opposed.
Motion passes 40. >> Thank you. Um, we'll go to item nine now, which is public participation. And I will ask for the second time if there is anyone who has anything to add to this agenda. >> Do what?
>> Yes. Help yourself. I would just like to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed um being the interimm city manager. Uh built a lot of relationships with the staff and citizens. Uh it was nice.
There's a lot of work that could be done that needs to be done. U and I know that Miss Latricia will be able to carry that on. But I just really want to thank the staff uh in the community for the support. The staff has really really we really
developed a strong bond and I appreciate everything that they did while I was here and you know it's it's a tough situation. I'm torn between the two. Uh but thank the staff for everything that they've done. It wasn't all me, it was the staff working together, the leaders,
the managers, and the team that made this all possible. And thank you city council for giving me an opportunity. Yep. Don't go too far. Okay. Did we Did we vote? We didn't vote. We did vote. Thank you.
>> Huh? >> Public participation. Yes. Public jurisdiction. Anybody else? Yes, ma'am. If you will, please state your name and your city of residence. You're very patient to sit through all this. I I didn't know it would be this long.
Um Sue Kapper. I I have a home at 108 Northwest Second Street. >> Yeah. >> Um on uh May 26 between noon and 1:30. Um I have a bunch of contractors working on my house right now. Um and a young man working with qualified plumbing uh
was working on my property and waited for an hour and a half to have the water turned back on. Um, when the city employee showed up, I think maybe some words were said that were um made the city employee upset and uh
he the contractor felt physically threatened. >> So, um I understand dealing with the public can be a problem, but if you're going to be a public servant, you got to have a thick skin. And so, I have two
questions. one um what you know in that situation what should the contractor have done um or should he do um I have a neighbor who has video or has a video that's pointed
in that exact direction so I'm going to seek video I have a picture of the person um so if you're you know if you're film threatened by a public servant what do you do and that's my first question. And the second one is,
um, right now the rule, as I understand it, is it's a $500 fine if you turn on or off your own water at your own meter. So, um, it's super frustrating for the
contractors. It's super frustrating for me because I pay for that contractor to sit there and wait. So, um, can we, you know, consider a process where, um, you know, plumbers can register with a city? They're already insured and bonded.
So, they could register and then just make a phone call to, you know, the plumbing person and just say, I'm going to turn it on or off so you know who is going to do something. I mean, these are professionals. They do it all the time. So, um, that was my second question. Can
another process be considered than having everybody wait, which costs everyone money? >> That's all I have. >> I know it's a silly question, but what time of day was it? >> It was lunch time and I I think the employee was at lunch. >> Okay. >> Um,
>> that was the only halfway excuse I could think of was it was a lunch or after four o'clock, which is still no reason to get it done to an altercation within an hour, right? So, >> yeah, there's no no reason for that. Mr. Mayor, do you have comment? Thank you,
Vice President Jones. Yes, I do. When you're out there in the field, that contractor, he was upset. He had been sitting there >> an hour and a half at least. >> An hour and a half. It's costing him
money. >> Trying to deal with his customer. You're exactly right. You got to have a thicker skin. However, the contractor should think a little
bit. I am a contractor and I have been in those situations where the inspector annoyed me to no end. But they have the power. And as a contractor, you just don't start that
kind of a argument by being ugly to the person that has come to finally turn your water on or to pass your building or whatever that inspector is, electrical inspection or whatever. That's part of the job. The contractor
should have done better. The city staff are you you're not saying that he never came back, are you? He did turn your water on. >> Yeah. And then the >> They just had words, but he turned your water on. >> Well, it was way more than words,
>> right? Nobody struck anybody, right? >> It was right there. >> Huh. >> It was right there. It was >> But they did not physically hit because that is a crime. >> Yeah. So, they can talk and they can be ugly. part of being dealing with city
and inspection officials when you're a contractor and I understand I wouldn't have never bothered. I do think you have an excellent point though uh the fact that plumbing contractors
should be able to turn the water on. Here's the problem. If we let the plumbing contractors turn the water on, don't we have to let the electrical contractors turn the meters on? See, it's a never end. It's I'm just pointing
out it's a neverending slope. And it is a slippery slope. >> So, so are electricians. >> Yeah, exactly. >> They are licensed just like the plumber is. And the problem is that the city has to maintain control. I'm sorry that
happened to you. >> Well, well, so my suggestion which is have, you know, a list of allowed >> people because you vetted them or whatever um whether they're electric or plumbing. >> It's a very nice suggestion, but I will tell you it's a slippery slope.
>> I will say your five minutes is up. Um >> and I will I will You got something to say? You got You want me to ask Alex? What do you want me to do? Uh they do have a the citizens do have an opportunity of of having a shut off valve put on uh on their side of the property. Am I
right, Alex? >> Yes, sir. It's actually ordinance that requires all citizens in our city limits to have a shut off valve on their site. >> Yes. So, uh that that opportunity is there for the citizen to to have a shut off valve put on. Then they don't have to wait for the city to come turn the
water off. Um unfortunately, these guys were at lunch. They they >> That's what I was afraid of. It was either lunch or after 4:00. But that was my first guess. >> And they are entitled to a lunch, >> right? >> Um and the contractor did not when they turned the water off did not give them a
time when he thought that they would be finished for them to come back. So they went to lunch. Yeah. And it happens. I'm sorry it happened. Uh but it does happen and I am aware of it. There was some exchange of words. Uh but it didn't
start from the city employee. and I can't wait to see the video. >> That'll be nice. Okay, Alex, you have anything you'd like to add? >> No, ma'am. Other than the ordinance does require all citizens to have a shut off valve on their site.
>> And when did that go into effect? And did the citizens know that? >> That was >> because I certainly don't have one. >> That was before me. >> Before you? It couldn't have been too long. Um, >> so it would have been over five years ago. So, were people grandfathered in that didn't have one or are they all
>> They're not grandfathered. If they don't have it, they weren't aware of it. They may not have it there, but if they are aware, they're supposed to get one installed on their site. And when we replace new water meter boxes, we also install that shut off valve for them. >> Cool. All right. They learn something
every day. Any other questions on the matter? Okay. Any other public participation? Yes, sir. If you will state your name and your city of residence. >> My name is Scotty Parker and address is
5630 Northeast 150th Street in Chief. And yeah, I just wanted to talk about the water meters. I we work probably within a 100 mile radius of here and this is the only city that we've ever had an issue with turning the water off.
We do it all the time and I mean, I would like to know the ordinance or the verbiage, the ordinance number of where it says if we turn it off that we're going to get fined or um
I mean I understand. I I just feel like there needs to be a little common sense here after talking with uh Alex saying that y'all are underst staff. Y'all only have four people that handles everything that y'all are really
busy. And this has happened probably four to six times listening to my guys say I've called them, told them I was ready for him to turn the water on and it's been 45 minutes. It's been an hour. So, it's not always at lunch. It's it's
happened enough that I this is why I'm here. But it, you know, it's as simple as, you know, turning it on and off, but we have to just sit there and wait and and then we have to charge Mr. Mrs.
Jones here that's on a fixed budget. But, you know, it's like if they're so busy and they say, "Hey, this is a good meter, man. y'all can turn it back on when you're ready. Like, we're not going to vandalize it. We're not going to do anything wrong to it. We're just trying
to help the customers of your city, but I we're feel like we're fighting against, you know, I don't know. I just um but that's basically what I wanted to say. You know, it it is there ordinance that
says if we touch it, the >> Yeah. Yeah. And it talks about the tampering fee and that's going to fall under $750. >> The tampering fee is if you alter the the the reading of the meter. Like if I'm trying to alter it to cheat y'all out of water.
>> If you'd like to read the ordinance, it describes it in there. >> Okay. But I mean what I did read was it was if you're tampering with the reading of the meter to alter like the water electric of like trying to cheat the
city. It wasn't that we're not going to tamper with it. All we're going to do is turn it off and turn it back on when we're done. Just the same way y'all do. >> So we can sit down and read it together if you like. Okay. >> Yes.
>> I would like to say that >> is turning off and on considered tamp tampering. >> That would be my question. >> Sorry. >> It actually says, >> sorry, >> this BJ Bishop, city of Austin. Um, it actually says that if they touch it for
any reason, for any purpose, then that's considered tampering. >> Okay. Thank you. Yeah, but you know, as far as you saying about the >> sir, as far as you saying about taking
45 minutes, an hour or something to get there, they don't know what they're doing prior to them getting it. They could be finishing up a job or coming from somewhere else. So, I don't think
that we're just going to drop what we're doing to go turn the order off cuz we don't know what they're doing prior to that. Well, city hall knows, but as far as you or I. >> Yeah, I understand that. It's just the >> silliness of it of
needing them to do something. You know, it it's it's we might as well wait on somebody to come turn the lights off when we're all done here. That's, you know, it's just it's a knob. You turn it on and off. You know, I'm
>> But you know what? I had a house built. >> Yeah. >> Our water bill was a little high. Only to learn that the contractor that was building the house next door was actually coming in and getting water cuz they tapped into our hose, >> right? in sitting there pumping water in
to their job site so they could have it >> right. >> I understand. Don't necessarily agree, but after having that done, I'm I'm fine with it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It's just, you know, we haven't
seen this anywhere and, you know, it's just just been a hassle for the customers. So, we have to tell them if we do any work and the water needs to be turned off that they're going to be charged hundreds of dollars waiting on
the city because they will not allow us to touch us. But every other city around here does not have an issue with it other than the city of Will. >> Thank you. >> Did you put a water valve on her meter box? Would you did you did you install
that valve so she don't have to turn the water off or turn it on when the city comes? cuz I asked you that question before. >> No, we did not on hers. We have done that on several >> um of the other customers that we've serviced. And again, it was the same
thing, of course. >> Yeah. >> 45 minutes or an hour. So, we're waiting to test ours. So, you know, the customer, we can tell them it's going to cost you $250, but it may cost you $450 because we're waiting on the city to come turn on the valve cuz we're not
allowed to touch it. >> Okay. I appreciate it, sir. Your five minutes is up. Any other public participation? >> Got comment? >> Okay, go ahead. Patricia, can we please put on Facebook once a month for the next few months a reminder of that
ordinance that residents are responsible for having because I believe that there are many residents who are not aware of that ordinance. >> And I think that it would only be fair for us to educate them not just once but continuously for these kind of things that do cost them money and
inconvenience and potentially damage to their property if they do have a water leak. >> Thank you. Mr. Fuller city. >> I think they turned it up.
>> Just a brief comment. All I'm I'm concerned that at some point this council needs to really discuss city manager and I think it needs to be on the agenda. Uh because it's more than
just uh advertising for a city manager. I think this council probably needs to consider what they're planning on paying a city manager because part of the problem is we're hiring people that
probably are not qualified to be city manager and we need someone that that can be an administrator and can do the job. And you may end up paying 150,000 or whatever, but it will
be well worth it if this city plans on having a good city manager that will last and will understand not just not just looking at problems or solving problems, but actually thinking
ahead and being proactive about >> uh planning for this city. And I don't think this city has done that. And we need to we need to consider there needs to be more money in that budget for city manager than what we're putting out.
>> We've got to get it right this time. >> Yep. Thank you, Mr. Fuller. >> Thank you, Mr. >> And I I know we will discuss the job description and the salary and everything when we're ready to do that. I don't know that we're ready yet. I think we're still trying to repair
um not only our reputation but help our employees to trust the process as much as we need to trust the process because we've been burned as much as everybody. So thank you for those comments. Anyone else on public participation because we're almost there.
>> Okay. The other the only thing I would like to do before we adjourn, I'll ask everybody else for announcements. Anybody got any announcements? Anybody in the room? >> Animal shelter. We have cute little shirts. Now, this one isn't they look
like this is stack, but they just in multiple colors. And then we also have for a donation of 20 bucks. And then we have these little stickers um for your decals for your car. Just a little paw print with the puppy and the
cat um for a donation of $3. >> Just wanted everybody to know see me at the shelter. >> Oh yeah. Appreciate it. Trying to get our name out. Mr. Cox, >> what you know you look like you want to say something. >> Fourth of July is coming quick. >> It is. >> So,
um Alex, who's going to be working on getting the council float ready? >> Uh the council float ready. Most of the staff inside actually goes out there and takes care of it with Tom and they get it all set and ready for you.
>> Okay. Cuz there's I'll get with you next couple show you. >> Yeah. All right. >> Yes, sir. Right. >> Miss Latricia, what you got? >> That's been taken care of. I did pass that message along about the float.
>> Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> Gerald from IT. So, I have a quick announcement. The animal shelter subpage has just been recently updated on the city website. So, it now includes a link to the Facebook page that BJ has been
working on and it also has a Google map so people can find the animal shelter easier. >> Cool. Can actually >> Yeah, they won't end up at Wag instead, right? >> And you can either Wag us or >> Yes, they're always in the wrong place,
right? whichever one they're looking for. All right. Anybody else have an announcement? All right. Um I Mr. Trisha, I know you had to have some. >> I'm sorry. I do have an announcement and this really is for another group which I
am in, but I am still taking donations for underwear for little boys, girls, big girl, big boys and big girls for the upcoming school year. With the gas prices going up, there's going to be a lot of parents that won't
be able, unfortunately, to purchase socks, underwear, bras, and etc. for their kids. So, I will have a bin here at the front counter if anybody would like to donate any of the items I just listed. That also includes hygiene on
hygiene products as well. So, if you can just spread the word for me that I will be taking donations here. Yeah, I would add that the project is called drop your drawers and they want drawers and socks. >> But to be clear, you don't want my used
underwear, right? >> But I want you to drop your drawers off at the city hall in the box. >> Oh my god. >> That's what it's called. And and the other thing, uh, what else was I going to add? Something else I was going to say about that, but I went out my brain just that quick. >> Well, while you think about that, can I
make a laugh? Yes, please. >> Okay. Uh, tomorrow, Alex, correct me if I'm wrong. Town homes will have power so they can start building. >> They will have power to the lift station. >> Power to the lift station. >> Who's that now? >> The town start town homes.
>> Oh, the town homes. Oh my god. >> Yes, ma'am. So, the electrical crew has done a great job of getting that power there. So, hopefully we'll start seeing some development going on over there. >> Perfect. I drove by the the other day, saw y'all all out there, but nothing out of the ground yet.
>> Yeah. No, they've got signed. You notice the big sign up? >> That's good. >> Actually, they did. They put up batter boards. >> They got one formed up already. >> Formed up. >> They already got one formed up. So, we got some movement there. And real quick on your next uh at your next meeting, I'll get with Miss Latricia, but there
is a potential opportunity for a land swap of some land. Uh the owner owns the piece that connects to Canelius Williams Park off of 318. they would like to swap land somewhere in the city. Uh so I'll get Latricia all
the information so you all can make a decision on that. Okay. >> But there's I think his is three acres the one that they want to swap for at Canadian Williams. So they're just looking for a swap land swap from the city. >> Okay. Sounds good. >> So we have town homes like you said well
powered lift station tomorrow. Then we plan to go back to block 12 to finish some things up. And then the plan after that was to hit CL with lights and a few other little jobs that have been put off so we can complete projects. >> Very good. Thank you. Um I myself am
going uh to Palm Beach County to my Florida Municipal Insurance Trust Board meeting uh Thursday and Friday. Uh so that's where I'll be. I'll be back Friday late Friday afternoon. It's a it's a hike down there and back, but I'll be back soon. Um, the only other
thing I have is I would like to since the chief is going back to the police station, I would actually like to to thank Major Fortney for holding down the desk and sitting in the big chair. >> Yes, sir. >> Uh, and the I know you've spent some nights and days doing some crazy stuff
uh in that position while you were there. Not that you wouldn't have done it if you were in a different chair, but um we appreciate you for doing that. Anything else for this agenda? If not, I'll entertain a motion for adjournment. >> I make a motion we adjourn this meeting.
>> I will take that as a second. >> I have a motion in a second. We will adjourn at 8:20 p.m. >> Thank you for coming.