Good evening. We'll go ahead and call to order the uh Winter Haven City Commission meeting of Monday, February 23rd to order. >> Um, can we get a roll call? >> Commissioner Davis >> here. >> Commissioner Dles >> here. >> Commissioner Bong >> here. Mayor Prom Mercer
>> here. And Mayor Yates >> here. >> All right. With that, we'll have the invocation this evening led by Bishop Joe Hullman followed by the pledge of allegiance with city clerk Vanessa Castillia. Please stand if able. Good evening. Shall we pray?
Eternal God, creator of wisdom and giver of understanding, we pause before this meeting to acknowledge that leadership is both an honor and a responsibility. We thank you for the city of Winter Haven, for its families, its businesses,
its schools, its mayor, commissioners, city staff, and every neighborhood represented here. Thank you for the opportunity to serve this community. We ask that you grant these commissioners, city leaders, and staff clarity of thought, fairness and judgment, and
unity of purpose. Let every discussion be guided by integrity. Let every decision be marked by wisdom. Let every action reflect a genuine desire to serve the common good. Give them patience when conversations are difficult, courage when choices are challenging, and
humility when perspectives differ. Bless us to be a better community. we ask tonight in Jesus name. Amen. >> Amen. >> 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. >> Okay, we've got one presentation this evening. Uh, imagine a day without water essay contest winners. So,
mayor and commissioners, Cassidy King, who is with our water department, is going to present this for you this evening. I believe we have some folks here and we'll do some photos after the presentation. That'd be great. >> Awesome. Good evening, mayor and commissioners. Uh, my name is Cassie King and I'm the customer relations
specialist for the city of Winter Haven Water Department. So, back in October, the water department announced that they were hosting an imagine a day without water essay contest in celebration of Imagine a Day Without Water, which was on October 16th, 2025. And I actually
want to invite our three winners up to meet Katrina up here. Uh, Skyler Lorenzo, Raina Hernandez, and Noales Rivera. Um, these are our three winners of our essay contest. So, we're gonna So, we had 103 submissions um from seven
different schools for our essay contest. And with the help of multiple city staff, uh we judge these essays off of relevance to topic, creativity, originality, and cohesiveness. And a big big thank you not only to the city staff that helped judge these essays, but to
Ashley Surgeon, the community lays on for Pulk County Public Schools. A huge help. And many emails later, we got this all tacked down and we're able to recognize our three winners here. So alongside tonight, um our three winners will also be visiting Fairfax Water Plant on Friday to take a tour of
Fairfax, talk to our operators, and learn how we treat our drinking water and where our drinking water comes from. So, congratulations to our winners and a big thank you to our families and staff and everyone that joined us here tonight. >> Thank you, Cassie. >> In addition, mayor and commissioners, in
addition to the winners, we have some representation. I think uh see Sarah Beth from the school board and Ashley if you want to join us up here as the liaison and any of the principles uh from the schools represented if you want to join us up for a photo
ask you guys to look at me first and then we'll get everybody We got lots. >> You're famous. You have a paparazzi. All right. Mayor commissioners, I believe we provided you a copy of their uh essays, I believe, at the dis. um very
impressive understanding of water and its impact based upon these young students. Okay. Well, thank you to the leaders who helped put that together and congratulations to our students and look forward to reading
the essays. I have not done that yet, but I will do so this evening. With that, uh, we have no developments of note. We do have one set of minutes for approval this evening, >> commissioners. >> Okay. Um, Mr. Mayor,
>> yes. >> Make a motion to approve the minutes of February 4th, 2026 as um as >> Thank you. Okay. Well, um, all those in favor of
approving the minutes signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> Post like sign. Motion carries. >> All right. Uh, comments from the audience. So, we do have several that have signed up for this evening. Uh, I will ask that, uh, if you would like to
speak to a specific agenda item, just hang tight on that until we get to that agenda item. However, if you have a general uh topic that you'd like to speak about, now is the time. So, I'm going to call first on the list Miss Betty Hoffman.
You'll state your name and address for the record. You have five minutes. And as a reminder, there is a timer there at the uh at the uh podium. >> My name is Betty Hoffman and I live at US7 in Havendale at Lakeidge Condos. Um,
I have some papers that you can pass out. These are the questions that I'm going to bring up. Um, I'm writing on behalf of several concerned residents who have asked me to look into the activity concerning behind
Spring Lake Plaza. As you know, in 2024, Landmark Scarcrow Peacock proposed a 20 268 apartment project, which was withdrawn after significant community opposition. Now, residents are seeing yellow floats
along the shoreline, which appears to be a site preparation for a new project. Rumors has it it's the apartments. They raise several important questions that respectfully request the council address. access and land use. The area
being cleared behind the land is appears to be landlocked. We have been told that Landmark is not involved in this new project yet across the site would require crossing landmark property. Has an agreement been allowed access through
Landmark property? If so, does this effectively bring Landmark back into the project? Does this open the door for Landmark to pursue the additional hundred apartments they previously sought? Too many res too many residents. This looks like a repackaged version of
the original 268 proposed units. Traffic traffic remains one of the most serious concerns was a new traffic study uh conducted. The previous study evaluate uh yeah evaluated 1792 and US
1727 not 17 in Havindale. So that was not true which is actually the impact area. US7 in Aendale is a high crash intersection. Winter Haven ISO rating on that is a four on a scale of 10 as being
the worst compared to Lakeland which is a one and unincorporated is a three. Res uh recent FDOT changes have forced many residents at our place to use US17 instead of Sixth Street. The reduction from the left two lanes to the one on
US7 has created long backups that block access to Lakeidge Condos in the Salvation Army, which can only quue three cars in the turn lane. This corridor serves 355 communities. Um, a nursing home, a school with 500
students. Emergency response time would be affected by increased congestion. I'm sure these gentlemen over here can con say that's true. Um, water supply, you had water supply. We're in a drought time right now. Uh Florida's rapid
population growth has already placed significant strain on our aquafers. Adding hundreds of new units in this area raises legitimate concerns about long-term water availability and sustainability.
Um school impact and traffic flow. Even before considering classroom capacity, school buses route is a major issue. Will school buses be entering and exiting that development? Will there be required to drive through the mall to reach the Habendale traffic light with
landmarks numerous unresolved code violations? Is the mall even a safe or appropriate access route? Increased food foot and vehicle traffic through a deteriorating mall raises additional safety and quality of life concerns.
Code violations. Has Scarcrow Peacock corrected their outstanding violations and paid their fines? residents deserve uh transparency before any new development is approved. Future of the mall with so many focuses
on apartments. What is the long-term plan for the mall itself? It is currently 3/4 empty and visibly run down. Who would want to live next to a declining commercial property with no clear redevelopment plan? Is this subsidized housing? Will these
apartments be market rate subsidized or a mix? Residents deserve clarity on the type of housing being introduced into their neighborhood. Community impact and trust. The residents of Lacoridge and the surrounding neighborhood feels their
concerns are being overshadowed by the city's desire for additional tax revenue. Growth is inevitable, but it must be responsible growth. growth that improves the community rather than burning it, bird eating it. Protecting the safety and quality of life and
property values of current residents should always be the city's highest priority. We s respectfully request clear, transparent answers to these questions so that residents can be understanding what is planned for their neighborhood and how their concerns are
addressed. You know how to get in touch with me. If you don't like me, you can call Loridge and we would love to have you and have a little social with you so you can have a question and answer. So, >> thank you very much for your time. >> Thank you, Miss Hoffman. We'll look into these questions and get you some
answers. I too have a question or two. My my son wanted to go fish in his first fishing tournament this weekend. So, we did and one of the few spots was in that same area that I had no idea that those markers. So, I don't know what's going on, but we'll we'll try to figure out what's what's happening.
>> Well, there's many code violations over there. I mean, I've got many packets of it. Um I think 30 40 of them. >> We'll check it out. We're on top of it. Thank you. >> Okay, with that, we have we have Mary
Makovic. Thank you. I'm Mary McCavc. Um I live here in Winter Haven. My address is um not subject to public record because of uh previous um I'm exempt from public record. Um wanted to talk to you. Recently I
listened to the public comments from the Villimar residence and I was struck by how familiar it sounded. It mirrors what happened with the Spring Lake apartments that Miss Hoffman was just referring to. Um, minimal public notice, questions about whether notices were properly
mailed in a sense that something once something reaches here, you guys kind of wipe your hands of it and say, "Well, it's out of our hands. It already went through the planning commission and all that." Um, in the spring lake case, I personally pushed on the notice issue and discovered that notices were not
properly mailed and you had to mail new notices and a new planning commission meeting had to be held. So, that proves that process matters and errors do happen. But here's my larger concern is the transparency and the follow through.
In spring of 2024, Landmark requested a zoning amendment change from commercial to multif family for the additional 100 apartment units that would have combined with the 168 units on the adjacent scarecrow property. In the city documentation, staff acknowledged that
the current PUD ordinance is 35 years old, references obsolete zoning districts, and lacks development standards. that same outdating zoning issue had already surfaced back in 2023 when enforcement challenges arose at the
same time. Um, your police department can tell you about the issues you had with the uh an establishment called the spot um that was leased by Landmark. You all took them to court. Um, I think the case was eventually dropped. Then on
September 10th of 2024, there was an agenda item to clean up old and obsolete PUDS. I emailed each of you um asking why this landmark property was not included. No response. There have now
been multiple opportunities to fix a known problem and no action has been taken. Meanwhile, construction is moving forward on a 168 unit on the Scarecrow parcel. A property previously described by the
property appraiser as being zoned commercial, which apparently you guys had incorrectly given information to the property appraisal that it was commercial and not multif family, and that it um the property appraiser deemed it as lacking direct road access.
Drawings submitted for review now appear to show access involving that parcel owned by Landmark that y'all have been kicking the can down the road and not addressing the zoning on. um with an easement showing the easement and maintenance tied to the city. So it
almost looks like in their drawings that it's going to be a citymained road. Um and that's what we would like, you know, clarified. So from a citizen's perspective, it raises serious questions. How is this construction moving forward after the resoning was
withdrawn? How is a landlocked parcel receiving permits? Scarecrow has active code enforcement cases and unpaid fines. Why did they not have to resolve these before starting construction in regards to the roadway in and out of the development? Will the city ultimately be
responsible for maintaining that access? Um, as Miss Hoffman stated, there's numerous violations and disrepair going on in the landmark portion of that. In fact, I think there's a lawsuit right now over how they maintain their parking lot and some injuries to people. So when
issues like this move forward without public explanation, trust erodess. This isn't about being anti-development. It's about consistent process, clear notice, and accountability. So here's my request to you. Improve public notice beyond the bare minimum.
Use the website, social media, um, consistently update schedules accurately. Provide a clear public explanation of the zoning status and access approval for the Spring Lake Scarecrow development. and commit to reviewing and updating obsolete PUB
ordinances when they are identified. Transparency builds trust. Silence and an inaction undermine it. You know, I always include in my emails when I email to you that you have the ability to direct staff. So, please do not sit here and ring your hands and say there's
nothing you can do about it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Excuse me, ma'am. Did you not get my email on January 15th? >> I did. And I'm I'm not referring to you. I did not email you previously. You're in your commissioner. You are the only commissioner who has ever emailed me
back. None of these other commissioners has ever emailed me. >> I I I appreciate you uh >> I want to acknowledge that and just one thing I do need to correct you because being a new commissioner I just read the charter a fresh >> and we cannot direct staff. We can be removed from office for directing staff.
So we we can um go through the city manager and try to get more understanding but we cannot through the city manager though when you re receive an agenda item to update PUB, can't you say why is why aren't these >> I'm just I'm just correcting the phrase
we can direct staff. We cannot direct staff. Just want to make that very clear for everybody um that might have heard that. >> Thank you. >> Yes, you're welcome. >> Okay, next we have uh Katie Makave. >> Hi, my name is Katie McI. I'm 12 years
old. I'm I live in Winter Haven and my address is exempt from public record due to my mom's job. I'm here to talk to you about the o old Florida. When I would visit my grandma, I would look out and see the burnout property and I felt sorry for the homeless people who were
there. I worry about them. My mom, who used to work in the government, encouraged my grandma and I to report it to the city. She said something about it's good for citizens to get involved. I took pictures and my mom showed us how the city had an app to report these kinds of things. It really took a long
time for anything to happen. My mom attended the code enforcement meetings and I and recorded them for me while I was in school. There were a lot of delays and excuses. The people in my grandma grandparents condo really wanted the building demolished. The owner of
the property lied to the magistrate and told them they were going to rebuild the restaurant and that there were trusses and air conditioning units on the site. I go by there regularly on my and I will tell you this was not true. Finally, the building was removed. However, as a
punishment for not meeting their deadlines, it was a fine of $12,250. Last week, the city reduced that fine to $2,98143. That's a reduction of approximately 75% or a little over $9,000. I don't
understand how this happens, especially when someone lies. I am taught to be responsible for my actions and if I lied to my parents, I would be in big trouble. My mom says sometimes things don't end up like like we think they should and may seem unfair, but we
should always try to get involved in making our community better. Couldn't you use this $9,000 for things that could have benefited the citizens of Winter Haven? I think I can think of some things like a park or someone who's in the hospital that's really sick and can't mow their lawn.
I also want to say thank you for supporting theater Winter Haven and the Ritz. I'm a theater kid and I appreciate the city that the city supports the arts. Thank you for your time and allowing me to speak. Thank you. Okay, I don't see any others
on this area. So, what I'm going to ask now of staff is we've been we've been given a lot of questions this evening. There's obviously a lot of things that we're not up up to speed on up here. So, if we can have an agenda item for the next commission meeting to specifically
address what's happening, let's get these questions answered and that way it'll be out there. Next commission meeting, please come back and we'll we'll address these items as well. I'll also speak to the email. I apologize. We get a few emails. So, if I I
generally do try to reply to all of them as I know my fellow commissioners do. So, if we missed some, apologize and we'll we'll try to do better. Okay? But like I said, please come back to the next commission meeting and we will have
um specific time to address uh these questions and what's going on on that property. Okay, with that, we'll move to Pam Taylor. Miss Taylor, if you'll give your name and address for the record, and you have five minutes. >> Sure.
>> Hi, my name is Pam Taylor. I live at 105 Ellen Court in Winter Haven, Florida. >> Um, I'm nervous. I wish I could speak as well as she did. Hello, my name is Pam Taylor and I'm the
coordinator of RAIS, the Legal Observers in Poke County. We work with the ACLU of Florida. The Florida suspected unauthorized alien encounter, which is part of the state of Florida immigration
enforcement website, lists the number of immigrant encounters for the state of Florida by agency. The PO County Sheriff has had 709 encounters and our fourth highest on the list in the state.
Winterhaven Police Department has had 52 encounters and for comparison Tampa has had 16 encounters, Lakeland 12 encounters and Lake Wales eight encounters.
Fore-profit companies dominate the detention infrastructure in Florida and in some they have a guaranteed minimum number of detainees in each facility. Government support for the
criminalization and deportation of immigrants is less a reflection of public safety and more a consequence of investing in massive jails that depends on immigration detent detention for
economic survival. Detentions have centers have a well doumented history of horrific conditions and human rights abuses from pervasive sexual and medical misconduct to
unlawful use of toxic chemicals. The centers continue to attack and dehumanize people. Detention centers for immigrants have had many complaints filed ranging from denial of medical
care, medical neglect, lack of legal counsel, unsanitary conditions, and harassment. To quote Silky Shaw, co-director of the Detention Watch network, the detention of immigrants has
become big business and a source of profit. yet comes with a significant moral and financial cost for everyone involved. The 287 agreements do not make
us safer. It takes resources away from fighting criminals. It harms community police relationships, makes victims less likely to report crimes, and makes our communities fearful of our law enforcement agencies.
I believe it does irreputable harm to our country. I thank you for your time and I would request that you think about um cancelling your 287g agreement. And that's it.
>> Thank you for your comments. >> Next on the list is Matthew Crowley. Mr. Crowley, if you'll state your name and address for the record and you have five minutes. Yeah, absolutely. My name is Matthew Crowley. I live at 9071 Thomasville
Drive, Winter Haven, Florida 33884. Sorry if I'm a little rough here. I work for the preschool program. So that's three and four year olds and they get sick, they get me sick. It's a whole thing. But good evening, mayor and commissioners. Last year I stood at this podium when this commission voted to
adopt the 287g agreement. I warned then that this was not a technical adjustment or a routine partnership. It was a decision to tie Winter Haven's Police Department directly into federal immigration enforcement. That commission chose to do that 3 to
one. Since then, the National Enforcement Climate has escalated. Operation agreements are being used more aggressively and more visibly. What may have been described as a limited cooperation now sits inside a
much broader federal crackdown. And that makes your vote more consequential today than it was the day you cast it. This body approved a policy with real implications for trust, public safety,
and the relationship between residents and law enforcement. Yet there has been no full public review, no detailed accounting, no structured discussion about how this agreement is functioning in practice. If this policy is sound, then stand by
it publicly. Show the data, show the costs, explain the safeguards, demonstrate the impact. Because here's the reality. when students and young people all across this county
are demonstrating and one right down the road walked four miles from where they were to downtown Winter Haven. That is not noise. That's a signal. It means this issue is
not abstract. It's being felt in our communities, our neighborhoods, and our homes. You don't have to agree with me. You don't have to agree with anybody in this room who is speaking on this tonight.
But you do have a responsibility to govern transparently. Local control means local accountability. It does not mean adopting a federal enforcement framework and then treating it as untouchable. You made this decision. Own it, defend
it with facts, or have the courage to revisit it. Refusing to review, excuse me, refusing to review it, review it does not make the these concerns disappear. It only reinforces the p uh
the perception that scrutiny is unwelcome. I was here when you adopted 287G. I am here now asking you to submit that decision to public review. I request this matter be added to a future agenda.
Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Okay. Next on the list we have Steven Ellis. Mr. Ellis, if you'll just give your name and address for the record and you have five minutes.
Hello, my name is Stephen Ellis. I'm at 145 Hawthorne Road. Obviously, Mr. Yates, you know who I am. You've been in my business. Um, I'm here for the same cause this gentleman was here for. And what I'm trying to figure out
for the city in general is how much is projected for the annual cost for supporting the whole 287 bill. I don't know if you guys can answer back or whatever, but
let me get through all this. So, has Winter Haven conducted a liability assessment? Are you allowed to answer that or no? >> Well, if you'll go ahead and give your statement and we'll >> Okay. Has the city's insurance provider
weighed in on any of this? Is the city in general prepared for a federal civil rights lawsuit? Basically, what I'm trying to do is get the commission to show us numbers before signing onto a federal agreement that could cost our city an overtime,
lawsuits, insurance, and economic shrinkage. That's basically all I I just I need those answers. >> Okay. We appreciate your questions. They've been noted. >> Okay. Next on the list, we have uh Mr.
Scott Short. >> You're good. You want to speak? >> Agenda. >> Okay. We'll uh we'll open it up for public comment when we review the consent agenda. Okay. With that, that completes everyone
that has uh signed up to speak. However, we've got a large audience. So, if there's anybody else that would like to speak to any non uh agenda item this evening, now is your opportunity. You just give your name and address for the record and you have five minutes.
>> Hello, my name is Charles Reesei. I live at 267 Kilmer here in Winter Haven, Florida. Uh first I want to say hey thanks for the opportunity to you know speak. It's my first commission meeting so cool stuff. It's nice to see you guys
like person. But to the topic hand the 287g agreement was a total scam. Let me back up a little bit here. I was born in Miami but moved here as an infant and was raised in Pole County
Winter Haven nearly my entire life. I've been a P County boy when I joined the service and I came back to P County when I left the service after nine years. The Army taught me standards, discipline, and the importance of training. When I look at ICE, I am disgusted. I am
frightened by how they continually lower their physical standards, their actual training standards. And that shows in the quality of officer that we see in the news, that we see every day from multiple perspectives. I have met ICE officers in this county who have little
to no experience or understanding of what they're doing. But now we're entering into an agreement with this organization with ISIS agency to receive training from the very incompetent agency that can't even with the billions of dollars of funding train their own
people to a decent standard. I don't understand why we're doing this. Why are we paying to do this? They should be trying to ask us to let them pay us to send our officers. Is ICE so incompetent that we need to have our officers spend
their valuable time covering down for their actions? Is that what you want to send to these people? Again, I think about this and I'm worried about the direction this country is going. We know at the heart of this entire immigration enforcement with ICE is just this propaganda effort to divide
this nation to teach us that immigrants must be our enemies. So any action we take must be the right thing. But now you have a chance to go against that narrative to do right by the people of Winter Haven. This is not who we are. This is not what we need. And this will
not help us as a city. I say and I'm asking you with grace and civility to please in the future add 287g review to a future agenda item because at the very least we can receive the transparency. you guys see things we
can't maybe there is a great justification and I can't see it here in like a normal person space but at least having it open again for public comment having people review it we can see the data if this program isn't yielding results then we shouldn't be spending
money on it and thank you again for the opportunity for speaking >> thank you sir okay anyone else wish to speak to any item not on the agenda Okay. So, we'll close public comment.
Um, you did kind of let us know you were coming tonight. So, we took the opportunity to, um, put some numbers together in the interest of full transparency to let you know what's happening, where we've come from, where we've been, uh, since this was, uh,
passed middle of, uh, last year in late June. U,, so with, uh, that, city manager, do you have an update on where we stand? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'll give uh insights to my understanding of questions you're asking
about and then also ask Chief Monroe to provide answers any questions you may have specifically. So, as noted, the city entered into a memorandum of agreement with the 287G program last summer. There are three
different models within that program. The city of Winterhaven participates in what's known as the task force model. There's also a jail enforcement model and a war warrant service officer model. Ours is just on
the task uh the task force model. the in the time since we have been trained our our staff has been trained to enact the 287G program of which we
have 57 trained officers. In order to be uh to participate in that training there is a requirement that the individual have two years minimum law enforcement experience. So hence not all of our officers fall within that. We do have some some newer
officers. Since September 1st of 2025 through February 11th, 2026, we have responded to 38,849 calls for police service. That's all
calls in that window. Within that in the individuals encountered there were a total of 47 individuals that were queried regarding lawful presence status.
Those queries occurred when officers had factors indicating possible unlawful presence. This represents a total of onetenth of 1% of total calls that we responded to with our law enforcement services.
of those 47 queries and a query means that we we have inquired as to someone's uh legal status and if they did not have legal status then we notify the uh the ICE administration
through the channels that the police department has. Of those 47 queries, 30 individuals were released at scene or had no additional hold placed by ICE.
17 individuals determined unlawfully present and is ICE issued a civil detainer for them. In terms of um costs, what we're doing is we ask that question
of every person we come in contact with of uh place of birth, lawful status. If if there is a um if there is not a uh a legal status,
then we notify ICE. That is a phone call that is made. That is the only activity we participate in with them. We don't transport to an ICE detention facility in any way. Um 16 individuals we had arrested or we had 16 arrests, incidents
involving arrest that involved a total of 17 people. Those were people that we were taking to the Pulk County Sheriff's Office for booking because of a crime. And those individuals were the ones that were uh requested by ICE to be detained.
And that process is handled through the sheriff's office. So we don't we're not involved in um I guess raids or active knocks and things like that. This is in the process
of performing our normal ongoing law enforcement activities. We encountered 47 undocumented persons and at the request of ICE 17 of those were detained. Again, that is out of
almost 39,000 calls for service. So, if we can answer any questions myself or Chief Monroe beyond that, happy to do so. >> Okay. Are there any other questions from the commission? >> I'll just follow up with one question.
So the amount of dollars that we've actually spent on this program to date is what? >> The only thing that I think we would have spent anything on would have been the time that our employees participated in the training that is required to
participate in that program. There's no other expense that we incur and there is no revenue that we receive for participation either. City of Winter Haven has not received any federal dollars associated with that.
>> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> I'm I'm sorry. We've closed public comment. question. >> That is a standard protocol within our operations that we ask every individual. >> Yes, sir. Since we
>> mayor, if I may commissioners, since we enacted this program in our training, that is our protocol. We ask everyone every encounter, no matter what the call for services, we can respond to um
ask those questions. Traffic stops, we ask those questions. >> Sorry about that. We ask those questions to every individual we encounter. Point blank. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Can Can I follow up on that with the
city attorney? Would that be considered viewpoint neutral in order to protect us? >> I certainly would abide in that. >> Okay. So the reason we do it is to make sure we are not discriminating rather than >> discriminating. That is among one of the major reasons why we
>> Very good. Thank you. >> Okay, with that we'll move on to our agenda. We do have a consent agenda. Um commissioners, >> Mr. Mayor, >> yes. >> Move approval of the consent agenda in
its entirety. >> Okay. Thank you. A motion's been made. Someone did want to speak to one of the items within the consent agenda. So, we will close the public hearing or excuse, excuse me, close the commission meeting,
open the public hearing. And I think Mr. Short need your name and address for the record. And you have five minutes. >> My name is Scott Short. I live at 2610 Windsor Oaks Court, Winter Haven. And u thank you mayor and commissioners
for hearing me one more time. I spoke a few weeks ago about my concern with what constru construction activities are taking place in Winter Haven specifically in the right now with the water and wastewater pro projects that you have going ongoing. Um, as I stated
at that time in our utilities department, which obviously my company does utilities, but I'm not stating that just as a contractor, too, but I'm also stating it as a citizen and local person that uses public utilities here. Um,
the city's contracted now with the same contractor for the Poke Regional Water Cooperative, which is a very large undertaking. We all understand that. I'm not going to go over everything again like I've already discussed with most of you. Uh you've also contracted with your wastewater plant with the same
contractor for what I'm being told now is approximately 200 million contract. And then finally now you're looking to award both water plants for somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 million again to the same contractor. So I'm expressing
this with my displeasure for one because of the way these jobs are being handled. This is getting to be kind of a routine as I'm seeing it. But you're using methods where you as the city personnel staff, you're not experts.
You don't know cost estimating. Uh us as contractors are the ones that knows estimating. I'll say this front of most engineers. Most engineers aren't good at cost estimating. And um so the way the
system you're using right now uh I think needs to be looked at strongly especially with jobs like these two that you have right now. They're under design with two different engineers. You've got budgets for both of them. I'm not sure where you got your budgets. I'm not who
sure gave you the budgets. I'm not sure who these experts are. But um I think this is something the city needs to look at closely. Um, we're one, these projects are going to companies that aren't even located in our county and uh
and we're not getting to the transparency, the fairness of being able to look at these things and say, "Yeah, we got the best job uh the best project for the best money." And uh I'm gonna close real quickly here with one last
thing. I had mentioned to you before about the comment that was made with projects in Lake Wales, but I'm going to bring a I've mentioned to some of you already. I'm going to bring a project that city Winter Haven has right now. You awarded a project or you did behind
Jared Gordon Ford there. You're putting all new sanitary sewer utilities in for that whole neighborhood back there. The city's estimate on that project was somewhere in the neighborhood of 6.7 to 6.8 million. and you took competitive
bids where you actually had competition. You designed it, you bid it, and you and you got bids at right under $5 million. That right there is a classic example of what compet competitive bid will do for you. And especially in a competitive
environment, there's contractors that needs jobs. There's others contractors that got more work than they know what to do with. So, I think the city needs to re-evaluate some of the processes. And in the two water plants you have right now, they're both under design.
I've reviewed the schedule that was given in the proposals. Both of these jobs aren't even designed to get give you a GMP until November, December of this year. And neither one of the jobs are even scheduled to start construction
according to the schedule till the summer of next year. those jobs could be designed and put out for bid easily within that time. Thank y'all. >> Thank you for your comments. >> Anyone else wish to speak uh to any
comment to any item within the consent agenda? Seeing none, we will close the uh public hearing reopen city commission meeting. Any further discussion on any item in the consent agenda? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I
>> oppose like sign. Motion carries. Okay, with that we've got uh no resolutions this evening. We do have one uh ordinance first reading. City attorney read by title only, please. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ordinance number 0-26-09,
an ordinance of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, amending ordinance number 0-25-29 regarding appropriation of funds for deferring expenses of the municipal government of the city of Winter Haven for the fiscal year commencing October 1, 2025,
providing for severability and for the administrative correction of scriveners errors and providing for an effective date. Thank you. >> Thank you, city manager. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. After the start of this current fiscal year, the city identified planned projects and an emergency purchase that require at this
time budget amendments to allocate revenues and fully fund related expenditures. These projects include the rail spur connection project at the intermoal logistics park, the renovation of the city hall annex, and the emergency
purchase of a fire alarm system for the police department building. The rail spur project has a total estimated cost of $3,300,22 and will be funded from a job growth grant from the state's Department of Commerce in the amount of $1.5 million
and a transfer from the general fund in the amount of $100,000. Construction costs in excess of the city's $100,000 contribution in the state's grant are the collective responsibility of TRA properties and supply properties to LLC per the
cooperation agreement that was previously executed by the commission. The second project, the renovation of the city hall annex or the old fire station number one immediately north of this building has a guaranteed maximum price of $4,21,235
and funds are available in the construction fund as a result of transfers from the building fund. As you may recall, this renovation is to house the building division. The fiscal year 2526 budget includes $2 million for this project requiring an amendment from the
fund balance within that construction fund in the amount of 2,21,235. Those funds all come from revenues associated with the building division's operations that have been set aside for this specific project. The final item, the Winter Haven Police Department's
fire alarm system is at the end of its serviceable life and the police department has processed an emergency purchase justification in the amount of $57,87247 to replace the system. This expenditure will be funded from anticipated excess general fund revenues. Staff recommends
city commission approve ordinance 02609 and authorize the city manager or other designate to sign all documents and take all necessary actions related there too. Thank you. >> Thank you commissioners. >> Mr. Mayor. >> Yes.
>> A motion to move forward on >> ordinance 0269 to second reading. >> Is that a move for approval? that we only first read. >> Oh, I'm sorry. It was a first reading. >> I'm sorry. That's my bad. Why didn't you
stop me? >> Unless it's >> unless I promise you, you know, publication. >> My fault. My fault. >> Uh, okay. With that, so we'll take this matter up again on March 9th for second reading uh at the city commission at that time.
>> I do make mistakes. I'm a seminal, but every now and then I make a mistake. Uh, no new business. So, we'll move on to city commission liaison reports. Um, Commissioner Bird. >> All right. Thank you. I only have one item and that was the Central Florida
Regional Planning Council that was held at the uh Sabbring airport which was uh an eyeopening experience for me. I had never been on that airport. did not realize that the uh 12 hours of SEBR took place
at the airport. They leased space and that's where it takes place. And I also got to tour a B52 World War II bomber that was flown into that airport and it's in one of the
hangers. That's it. >> Thank you, sir. Commissioner Davis. >> Sure. Um It's been kind of a light couple weeks for me. I did attend the Ridge League of Cities dinner and u as much as I enjoyed myself, I highly regretted missing that evening the
performance of Wizard of Oz at Theater Winter Haven. My niece got to stand in for Dorothy and I hear it was a wonderful performance. So, I wish I had been there instead. Um and then besides that, I've spent a couple of uh meetings so far in orientation with some of our department heads. um having a great time
learning more from them and hearing how how things are are going in our city. I really do appreciate all of our staff. Um I'm sorry Mr. Short stepped out. I did want to comment a little bit. I, you know, this has given me an opportunity to really dig deep into um some of our processes and and learning about, you
know, Seymar and and design build, traditional build. And uh I I'm not in a position, of course, to to fully understand his concerns, but I am uh you know, I have some general ideas for how these things should be done. I want to make sure we're ensuring you know,
openness and transparency. I'm also uh you know I shares concerns about you know the bid process is meant to make sure that um there's integrity to the process. I'm not at all suggesting there isn't in this case. I'm just saying that I understand the reason why we have the bid processes in place and this is goes
across all levels of government. So uh I will be u you know looking to to understand better and u you know I I generally support the idea of keeping business local. I mean these are taxpayers their employees are taxpayers. keeping that uh you know keeping them um
employed and and working in this city is is a priority. It's not the only priority and it's not maybe the first priority, but uh I'd like to learn a little bit more about that. And uh and and finally, I do want to address some of the comments that were made this evening. You know, we we are a captive
audience. Uh this is a limited public forum, so anyone can come here and speak their mind. Um but to me, um and I I was actually kind of surprised there only four speakers. I thought there was going to be a lot more based on the the buzz building up to this meeting, but this is
not an immigration issue in my mind. Uh, you know, if you were to ask us, you probably get five different opinions on this country's immigration policy. Uh, what this speaks to me is really about our law enforcement and uh, you know, we expect our law enforcement officers to
act with integrity, but we also expect our residents to treat them with respect. And uh you know I've been seeing red this past week working for the school district with the walkouts and what I see are kids who are very passionate about an issue who are misguided by the adults in their lives
and they are being given misinformation on what is happening. They believe we have a law enforcement problem here in Pulk County and we do not and they are they are you know I actually saw them when I was driving down 17 to go to work and called city hall to alert our law
enforcement to keep these kids safe. You know, in the school district, we have to act in loco parents with these students. That means we have an obligation to keep them safe when we have them under our responsibility. And we were unable to do that because they decided they were going to
walk out four miles in traffic. We saw the videos. We know what was going on. and then behave very disgustingly in my opinion with their profanity and their vulgarity towards our men and women in in uniform. I don't appreciate that, but I
especially don't appreciate the misinformation that is trying to drive them to behave this way. There are adults who are weaponizing this for their own political ideology and to them they do not care about these kids. These kids, as far as they're
concerned, are bricks or what Grady calls BFRs, big freaking rocks that he wants to throw at the at the law enforcement. It needs to stop. And that also goes not just for the social media that's pushing it, but for our traditional media. If you read in today's ledger article by
Gary White, he quotes a student claiming that ICE came on our campuses, and it's not true. I texted him and told him it wasn't true on Saturday. And then I found out today that many people were telling him all week when he was pursuing these rumors that it's not
true and he still ran it. They do not have the best interest of these students at heart, but we do at the district and so I don't appreciate it. So I want to set the record straight and I want to make it very clear. We do not have law enforcement problem here in Pulk County. >> Thank you.
>> Commissioner Dawson. >> Good evening. I had opportunity to attend the uh city black history lunchon. Um it was uh well attended. Food was excellent. Uh I tell you great great uh
just choices to make and ate till I was full. So I appreciate that. And uh also uh respecting the Black History Month, you know, we uh lost great great American
Ree Jackson. Uh all of my just about all my life, I've known who Reverend Jesse Jackson was.
And um I was disheartened like some and I'm sure many that he was not given at least I think at least the same or similar consideration that others have had relative to this
body of work and life commitment to this nation and to this world. But uh that's just the world we live in today. But I wanted to recognize the great man
and great work that he had done on behalf of so many people. I'm sitting here in great part because a lot of the work that he had done along with Dr. King and many others who suffered much so that many would have opportunity to
serve and to be a part of real change that happens in our community. So we can come and have these kind of exchanges and be able to share our thoughts and our ideas as the whole joy of living in in this great country. Also want to uh appreciate young men and
women who uh have really shown this country have made this country proud uh in the Olympics in the winter games. My wife and I were really riveted by a lot of the activities, particularly the
uh hockey games were, you know, just amazing women in the men's uh bring home the gold and uh just a lot of great opportunities to see some just amazing young people uh make this country proud.
So, uh team USA. >> Thank you, sir. >> Uh sorry, Mayor Tim Mercer. off tonight. >> Um I um went to the TPO meeting and
Barto board meeting um one of the things that they were considering was moving to FOT which is right up on the corner. Um along with that because we're kind of crowded in the current administrative commission room and um because we're a
large group. So, but anyway, um I think almost every city is represented in some way in either in one of the boards or various positions. So, um but they're not moving and there was a cost of that about $78,000
a year to move because they had to have someone come in at 4:00 a.m. in order to have the meeting at 9 to set up and do all of that kind of stuff. So, but they are um going to expand that room and expand the seating for so that everybody
is at the same level or close to that. So, um also I um attended the Ridge League um and we got an update on the legislative bills uh that are currently going through and I guess some of them are still going through certain
committees. um also attended the Pope County annual JOTC uh military ball and you talk about some respectful kids and children, young adults I should say. They're focused on leadership, character, citizenship and
and so they were wonderful. It was wonderful spending time with them and much in their best attire too. So, um I wanted to say a little bit about um the uh comparison of the bids that we do and
um what they call a regular bid or hard bid. Um it has very few components and so it's easy to uh design and bid out and build. Um and there's very you know and we all know that if there's any changes then
there comes change orders because it's a follow the process. you build to the design and if it's somehow that doesn't work, you have to have a change order to change that. So, it's additional cost rather than just the bid part of it. And then there's design build which is um
stepped up a little bit and um uh has uh a few more components um but you you know you select the bid team and everything like that too. But when you get to Seymour, you're talking
about large, complicated, many pieces. Um, it's just not building a building. It's building all the processes. You're talking about a water plant and a wastewater plant and a lot of other building. Um the Seamar is like I said
um so many decisions to be made you but you can do value engineering at the same time you're designing uh the the bid or the and um you know and you there's questions that the group has to answer
like do you lease a transformer or do you buy one? Um why is this cost so much on pipe? You're you know um we've got to find you know a cheaper cost for that because we you're going to run us over. You're
going to do this or that. So they have to you know um correspond with each other and they have to look for the best solution and they may look at the bid and or the the design and say this calls for a
concrete block wall and then it's can we do a prefab wall and do it cheaper or can we use a prefab wall and um some of the other things you know it's a lot of professional professionals hand inand
working together. And I know that um some of them will ask, well, why use this material? This material was cheap two years ago, but now it's really expensive. Maybe we can find another material such as roofing or something like that.
Um, and there is a percent, you know, you have a a certain amount of cost. Let's say we have $2 million to build this project. And in $2 million, um, if there's savings,
there might be some incentive, a percent given to the people that work to save it for you, but the majority of that money comes back to the city and we can use that for other projects. >> And so that's kind of, you know, the
outline of the Seymar and everybody, you know, they they form a team to do that. They look, they say, "Okay, I'm an engineer. I need somebody. I need an architect and I need this. Let me get those in my group and we'll bid this project.
So, that's the way I understand it. Somebody can tell me if I'm wrong and they can correct me in any of the processes that I didn't um explain correctly. So, but it's not that we're taking advantage of or something like that. And everybody
has that opportunity. If you're an engineer, if you're a contractor, you have an opportunity to go with a a group, you know, to do that, too. So, am I right, T? Is that a good explanation or is there some correction? I >> I think it's a good explanation. You
know, the with each process, you have different um submitts. So, if you're doing a a traditional hard bid, meaning someone has designed a project, you've reviewed that, you're
now going to put those construction plans out, you are awarding based upon the matter of lowest cost. Um but you are subject to change orders that if something is missing within that process or something changes because it
was you know needs to be done differently then you will pay that cost in the change order. As I mentioned during our workshop I believe it was the design build process you know that project is being designed and evaluated by a singular team working together
through the process. You get a you get a guaranteed maximum price. Your likelihood of change orders is greatly reduced. However, any cost savings are not realized by us as the organization hiring them on the Seymar.
Very similar to design build except those two pieces are separated. You are value engineering throughout again in an effort to reduce change orders. So as Mr. Mr. Short had mentioned um the challenge of getting
estimates on what that construction cost would be from an engineer of record. You're not really getting estimates because you have a contractor right there who is estimating that project all the way through and identifying alternative means, methods, and materials to provide it.
When it comes to a traditional design, uh, and then hard bid, you're going off of an ITB, an invitation to bid, and it's based upon lowest cost. May not tell you anything about the quality of the contractor >> or the the firm that's coming to do that
work. When you're doing a design build and when you're doing a Seymar, construction manager at risk project, you are awarding those projects based upon credentials. It is what we call request for proposal. All of those come
in, they are public documents upon being opened. Um they are evaluated based upon an established criteria that is in the request for proposals of what we are going to look for, what what is the experience we want, what is uh you know
the the references from past projects, all these different pieces of that. And you're it's like hiring an employee. You're you're reviewing that resume in the format of that request for proposal and you're making a selection for who is most qualified to deliver that project
for you. >> So that help >> clear as mud >> and we won't talk about public private partnerships because that's a whole another >> no >> as we discussed Wednesday.
>> Okay. Uh thank you commission mayor Curt Mercer. Um, okay. With that couple items. So, um, I'll just say that I'll say it's unfortunate that the media gets to paint with such a
wide brush. And I mean all forms, national, local, social, doesn't matter. They paint with this brush and it's out there for everyone to dissect,
create their own opinions, and it seems like create chaos these days. But I'll say this, Winter Haven is not Minneapolis. It doesn't operate the way Minneapolis does. Nowhere close.
Thank you for city staff and putting these numbers together and giving us an overview of where things have stood for the last six, seven months. I'd ask that I think it would be good practice just to keep up with these
numbers going forward. Um probably have to condense down to quarterly at some point because you can get multiple months layered in there. But in the interest of transparency and I'm I'm full on agree in agreeance. Governments need to be transparent in the way that
they operate and that's what that's what this document has done here and um I appreciate you guys putting that together for us and um I I think Winter Haven's doing it right. So that's all I'll say about that.
I do have a commission or a petition here from multiple residents throughout city of Winter Haven. I think this is in everybody's box. Um if not, >> is that the one that was received today, Mr. >> received today and part of public record now in in support of the quality of life
that residents enjoy in the city of Winter Haven. And um >> if I could just comment on that, we received that today um and provided a copy of that to everybody for public record. I don't know. There's no addresses listed there. There was no
return address. There was no indication of where that came from. Um, but we it did come as a document. Therefore, we wanted you to have a copy of it. But I cannot validate or verify if those are city residents or county residents or
state of Florida residents. There's there was nothing to accompany that in any shape. Well, we'll take a look. But nonetheless, I I I take it to believe that there are people who enjoy the quality of life that they have here in
Winter Haven. And we'll take it at face value for how it's been presented. Um, also if we can, as I mentioned, obviously there's a lot of say the right words, Brian, there's a lot of stuff going around at uh around
Spring Lake. And so I think, you know, not saying any of us right or wrong, but good to have a good briefing our next city commission meeting on March 9th to just inform the public once again, keeping everything transparent as we know it and making everybody's uh
staying above board on the that project or any project throughout the city for that matter. So, >> Mr. Mayor, I have a question about that. >> Um, we haven't been presented any information on any development of Spring
Lake or some we haven't gotten anything in as a rule that doesn't come to us first. Commissioner Birdong, as I understand, um the project with Spring Lake
>> is it's tied to the original PUB that would have been established. Mr. Lav may be able to elaborate on this, but the original PUD that is in place. Miss Hoffman and Miss Makavic, I believe the name is, um referenced a project
that came before the commission several months back >> and we did take that back out. there was an issue with notification to the condo association to the south. >> Um so we took that back through the entire process in in in the time in
which it was going back through planning commission and the like the second time the applicant withdrew that project. Um so the original PUD remains in effect for that entire property. Of course we'll put all this together and bring it back to you for
>> So is there another project Eric, can you speak to it? There he is. Um, the piece of property that you will currently see under construction that they've put turbidity booms out in the lake for right now is an apartment 168
unit apartment complex. It's a different piece of property. It's to the west of the piece of property that started coming through the process and and then got withdrawn because of some private property issues. So, it's a different piece of property. It was entitled for
120 apartments and eight single family homes back in 1985. And then that was amended in 2006. It removed the single family part and increased the allowed units in that PUD
to 180. They recently came through the site plan process for 168 apartments. So it's been entitled for 180 apartments for over 20 years. Okay. Um, my question is they know
something that we don't >> I mean does it come this would be the type of thing? >> I didn't hear >> this would be the type of thing that does not come back to the commission. It is a is if I'm correct it's a site plan approval process.
>> The zoning's been in place since 2006. So then it's just a matter of submitting a site plan, >> adhering to the requirements of the PUD and the land development code, getting your swift mud permit, your NPDES permit. So >> and all of that. >> So the people that were here tonight
don't know that. Well, I don't know what they know or don't know, but I think >> I think what's I think what's happening, if I may, is they're making assumptions and they're they're they're they're m marrying this project that's happening now in with what the past of Spring
Lake. And that was my point as to why we need to have convene at the next commission meeting to kind of just let's get it out there in the open. Let's let's be public about it. Um, >> but you weren't even on the commission in 2006, were you? >> Oh, yeah. You you were Man, you're
>> 2002. >> John was here, too. >> Do you remember what you voted on in 2006? >> Yeah. >> So, I think it's I think it's good practice. Just let let's have a let's have an update on not only Spring Lake, but this project as well. I know we're
not going to make any decision on it, but let's be transparent about what's happening, what what's going on. And you know, just one other thing is that when like a lot of the people that showed up here tonight to speak, they're gone.
They come, they make their state what they want to state, and they leave. And even if we're going to hell, you know, they don't they don't >> it's got to be early in the agenda. >> They don't stay to listen. They I mean
and we are not it has been the the uh the rule of this this this body. We can't get into a back and forth dialogue with the members of the audience. And so the only time that we can really talk
back to them is like what we're doing now. I see that Mr. Car is back. So, uh, you know, and the whole thing about ICE and our police force, nobody stated tonight
that what we did when we approved that there was basically if we we could have not approved it and then something worse would have happened to us as a community.
So, I mean, you know, so I I just sometimes I really, as I sit here, want us to respond, but I know if we do that, we'll be here all night.
>> So, that's why we can follow up. Commissioner, >> I guess question, do do those inquiries come into uh to you? Uh, Eric, do they do those individuals contact you or your department? >> I see. I um forwarded a packet of information to Miss Betty Hoffman last
week um including all of the prior zoning approvals uh for that property uh the recently approved site plan um and information I did for that. >> So we're we're being transparent relative to that. So the information that she's requesting she is receiving.
She she actually presented all these questions here uh in in the form that she had. Of course, you see that as well. And did she propose any of those questions to your staff or anyone? >> Several of these questions were asked. Um, I would say the packet of
information that I sent her addressed the majority of them. Some of these are private property issues that I wouldn't have any knowledge of, such as what's land what is Landmark doing with the existing shopping center and stuff like that. But, um, many of these questions were were answered in the materials that
were sent to her. >> Right. Okay, with that, the last thing I'll say is I attended the um league call this morning on the legislative updates and so the big elephant, the property tax situation. So, obviously the house uh
passed a version uh last week, the Senate version or we should have a very good understanding of what will be in the Senate version uh as soon as tomorrow before the Senate goes to meet on that. So stay tuned. And um with
that, city attorney. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Commissioner, nothing tonight. >> Thank you, city man. >> My croaking voice. >> City manager. >> Oh, I've got several items, sir. >> Um. So first item I'm going to provide to
you a letter that we have drafted through the administration to uh Alex Kelly who is the secretary of the Florida Department of Commerce and Mr. Jared Purdue who is the secretary of the Florida Department of
Transportation. This is an anticipation of continued uh development at the Sunras facility related to advanced air mobility. And with those two agencies being
directly involved in certainly commerce and transportation safety and the like, uh, we are requesting their endorsement of a in support for a strategic alignment between Sunrs, the Winterhaven Regional Airport, the city
of in the city of Winterhaven to develop a framework to ensure safety, explore and sees opportunities for innovation and operational synergies. Um, we have a number of things that are
happening at Winter Haven Regional Airport. The school district has a pretty significant project out there and the exploration of a permanent campus on site. There's about 200 students that are presently involved there. Uh, there is also um Jack Brown SE plane base that
is here in Winter Haven on the north end or the west end of the airport. And with Sunrs coming online with advanced air mobility testing, we want to make sure that we have, you know, continued collaboration and cooperation between all these entities uh that can not only
help ensure safety within the airspace in and around Winterhaven, but also that provides opportunities to embrace innovation and partnerships and strategic synergies and the like. Uh so this is really just a request for them
to endorse such an approach to give us a kind of a pathway to further secure what we're we're already having conversations in this regard but really kind of trying to formalize that. So we put this letter together um and I wanted the commission to have a chance to look at this would
be for signature by the mayor and myself along with Troy Hidle who is the director of the Winter Haven Regional Airport and Mr. Bruce Lion who serves as the chair of the airport advisory committee. This is really just getting out in front of the issue um and trying to create a pathway for significant
collaboration between uh the major players in our airspace. is creating uh operational standards or >> uh from a safety standpoint certainly but you know we're also you know as we talk about digital remote towers >> right >> you know that's part of the the next
generation of aviation uh certainly advanced air mobility also falls within that um and shared airspace and as we explore opportunities to secure a dedicated frequency you know when advanced air mobility goes up into that
airspace if they're on what we call a CATA um you know the the common traffic air frequency then you know that's one more user group in there that's adding chatter within the in the space and can create confusion and conflict um their
presence may actually give us some additional leverage in getting that designated frequency for our airport so I just think there's a tremendous opportunity with that innovative aspect of what's happening at Sunrs for us to harness that we're the closest airport to them. And it may also create
opportunities as you'll read within the letter when those private firms are coming in to do their research and their development and they need practical application space. Our airport is the closest one may lead to further development of commercial hangers and in
land lease type developments at our airport. So this is just trying to plant that seed and uh and see how that grows. >> Has a question? Sir, um, is is is Troy being proactive in the respect of the
potential that this could bring to the city of Winter Haven? Meaning that I would think and and this may this is just me talking, not the whole commission, but maybe we need to have this discussion. We want to be a part of this, right? and and we want to
obviously the last master plan that we did for the airport wouldn't have included air mobility in it. Right. >> But the one we're doing now contemplates that. >> Right. Right. And that that's my point is are we at the point to where we're
reaching out to these air mobility type companies to say, "Hey, you're welcomed here in Winter Haven." Or are we not quite at that point yet? >> I don't think advanced mobility is quite at that point yet. So all this work you're seeing done at Sunras is about
how do we begin to embrace that and develop it for practical applications. But certainly as we look at our next uh I guess revival of our airport layout plan, advanced air mobility comes into that. When when Troy and I traveled to
Atlantic City last summer, you know, we went and explored how they're doing air traffic control with simulations of how this all plays in. At the same time, we're looking at digital remote towers. So, I think that with it being in such
close proximity is it's ready for further development in airports around this country. We're probably one of the best situated for that because we're in such proximity to it. Um, and the again
the nextgen stuff that we're doing in in in the aviation community. I'd say that we are being super proactive in that regard. >> And I I made this comment a while back at a TPO meeting. You know, they love or love or hate the train that they want to
build from Orlando to Tampa. You know, I don't know that that's the technology that that's on the forefront. It seems like this is the technology that's on the forefront. And as fast as drones have evolved over the last 15, 20 years,
how fast is this thing going to evolve? And I think Winter Haven could stand to be a major player when it comes to that given our location between two major international airports. And again, that's the whole purpose of us reaching out to our state partners in that to
that's what we're expressing here. Let's let's harness that energy together. Um we have a benefit we can provide to you. You have a benefit that you can provide to us and together we can provide a benefit to our community on the safety side. So let's let's harness that. So,
if the commission is okay with that, um, simply a request for them to endorse this type of approach and where it gets us, it's hard to say, but at least we're on record of saying we'd like to see this happen. >> I think you have the nods.
>> So, we will um, Mr. Mayor, if you would sign that on your behalf, and then I'll I'll take it from there. We have an original, I think, with uh, with Miss Nicholson to first signature. Okay. Um, couple more items if I may. We, I
believe, have placed on your calendars, uh, our 2026 strategic momentum session. This is, um, reviewing, uh, kind of where we are in our strategic pillars, accomplishments that have been achieved
over the past 12 months, and what is on the horizon, as well as discussions about your budget priorities. Certainly in anticipation of what could or could not happen at the state level, we're thinking about that already with a very conservative budget approach, but want
to make sure that we take time to hear your positions on future budgetary expenditures. We've set that the dates for that to be the better part of the full day on April 1st and a half a day on April 2nd. That is Holy Week. So that
gives you Good Friday. uh if you have other commitments, you're you're not um conflicted with that. Uh I know also that I believe there is a groundbreaking or some type of ceremonial event with Advent Health. Our intent is to get you out in time for those of you that wish
to attend that. It is, I think, right before noon on that Thursday. But this is on your calendars and just wanted to to note that we are trying to lock down the location. You would think with all the facilities that we have that that would be super easy. Um, but almost
every facility we have is booked. Uh, so we have a couple thoughts on how we're going to make that happen and I will report further on that, but those are the dates. Um, the past couple weeks we have
participated in our grant and aid training. So this is the training program that we require those nonprofits that wish to pursue or participate in our grant and aid application program to attend one of these mandatory trainings
so that they understand the process and the parameters of that. We actually had to add a fourth session because there was such demand and we did that today was the final one. Um, we had 200 individuals representing
roughly 150 agencies. Katrina, >> uh, so we went back and calculated it after today's session. We had 179 attendees representing 116. >> So more people signed up. Not all of them showed up. Um, but that number
continues to increase year-over-year. Um we we I believe released to them today uh some information on how to begin the process. The uh the training certainly tells them everything they need to do, but then we give them we
send them a link to begin starting up that process on their side. there is a twoe concurrency review or not concurrency but a sufficiency review of their applications that if we find errors within it we send that back and your grant and aid committee will re
meet in May to begin their deliberations on those. So, one of the things that I would ask for you to do between now and really this could be a a topic of discussion during our budget portion of the momentum strategic momentum session
contemplating what our allocation will be to the grant and aid committee for them to distribute those funds. Last year it was approximately $347,000 that they uh gave out. But um want to make sure that we have some guidance to
give to them. Also uh historically you have given consideration to some of those long-term larger uh recipients um within the community. Uh specifically within that the Boys and Girls Club,
Girls Inc. Mules on Wheels, the Neighborhood Service Center. Um and I believe PEP also fell within that. uh if you want to give guidance on how you would like them to consider that. Not asking for any answers on it tonight. I just want you to begin thinking about
it. And then you have a good sense of what your nonprofits do in the community. Are there specific areas that you would like to see them focus when awarding money? For example, if homelessness is a major concern for
you, do you want them to target that? or if it's workforce readiness or if it's um feeding ministries, whatever speaks to you so that we can give that guidance to them. We still rely upon the document that we brought forward a few years back
from United Way and Give Well that spelled out what some of the major areas of need are within the county. Uh that has not been updated, but I also don't know that those issues have gone away either. So, just want you to begin thinking about that. Uh I'm available
for questions and further discussion with you as need be and then we'll we'll have some further discussion uh at the strategic momentum session to be able to give your committee guidance. >> What are the current guidelines that we have to the committee at this time?
>> There are there are none. I mean, it's once we give them a budget, they review those and they make that decision or that recommendation based upon um the impact to local citizens through the programs that they deliver. Now, the
committee, the commission's approval, uh in order to apply for funds, you have to have been in existence and serving Winter Haven residents for at least two years. And that was done so that we don't have agencies that just say, "Hey, there's grant money available. I'm going
to form a new nonprofit and go after money with no proven track record." So, um, what I've told every one of these groups when I have the chance to speak to them is can't tell you what what the primary intents of the commission are
other than is they distribute money out through the budget process, through the grants that we're trying to fulfill needs within our community that we don't presently serve and trying to ensure that those dollars go to meet the greatest need where possible.
Okay. Um, I want to take a minute to introduce to any question. Any further questions on Gren before I move on? Make sure I get all those answered. Okay. Um, I want to introduce to you our
new division chief of EMS. I believe I've got the title right. Uh, Mr. Justin Hooper. Mr. Hooper, if you want to come to the podium and say good evening to the folks. As you know, uh, over the past year with Chief New Brand joining
our team, we've been working to ensure our fire department administrative structure meets the needs of the community. And the final missing piece of that was the selection of a division chief of EMS. Uh, we're happy to welcome
Mr. Hooper on board who came on, I believe he's in the first day of his second week now. So with that, Chief Justin, >> good evening, Mayor and Commissioners. Just want to take a couple minutes just to introduce you to um as city manager stated, our new division chief of EMS,
Justin Hooper. Uh Justin was a previous employee of the fire department here. Uh he left us in 2018 to pursue some further advanced clinical experience. I went on to serve as an advanced nurse practitioner uh working in trauma surgery at Lakeland Regional Hospital
and then also went on to be the program director at Pulk State College. So, we're really excited to have him back here on our team. Um he is across the county is is the most highly trained and educated uh EMS chief in the area. So, we're really excited to what his
experience and clinical expertise is going to bring to the table. So, I'm g just going to turn it over to him and let him say hello to you guys tonight. And thank you, >> Mayor, Mayor Prom, Commissioners, Deputy City Manager, City Manager. I really
appreciate this opportunity to serve the citizens of Winter Haven, and I look forward to the opportunity advancing the EMS sector of the fire department, and I look forward to the years to come. >> Welcome. All right. Welcome. So again, very excited to to have Justin join us.
As as chief said, to have somebody overseeing our EMS operations, our advanced life support um services that we provide on every one of our fire engines, uh that has his credentials is a tremendous benefit to to the residents
of Winterhead. We are blessed in that regard. Um I have two service awards I'd like to present this evening, if I may. Um, I'll announce these from here, but then I'll ask uh the individuals to come forward for a photo. Typically, when we
deal with uh service recognitions uh at staff level, a lot of those are handled within the department, but I like to always have our department directors that are being recognized uh receive theirs at a commission meeting. Uh this evening, it's great privilege and honor to present a five-year service award. It
seems like it was just yesterday to Julie Adams who is the director of parks and recreation. Someone said we lost that bet. No, I'm kidding. And then in addition to Mr. Eric Labby for 10 years of
service to the city. Now serving as your economic opportunity community investment board. All right. One, two, three. two. One last thing. Uh, sorry to keep you
longer than we thought, but just want to remind you. Um, this beginning Wednesday afternoon through what will probably be end of day Friday, uh, Deputy City Manager MJ Carnival and I, my and me
will be traveling to the Florida City County Management Association's Winter Institute in Daytona um to be with our colleagues. Certainly, legislative matters will be a big piece of that. uh deputy or assistant city manager Charlie Bird will be back in the office
beginning Wednesday and he will be available to handle any emergencies that may come up. We'll certainly be available by phone and email should you need us. That completes my report for this evening. >> Thank you, Deputy City Man. >> Good evening, mayor and city commissioners. Uh just a quick update
this evening on the quiet zone effort that has been ongoing for quite some time. Uh if you recall in October of last year, we were scheduled for an inspection by the Federal Railroad Administration that was delayed due to the government shutdown. Uh we have been coordinating with the FRA since that
shutdown uh to get back on their schedule. And I'm happy to say that we are back on their schedule for March 3rd. So that would be next Tuesday. Uh they'll be out here uh they should inspect all of the crossings. If that all goes as planned, we'll then be ready to put that project out to bid um and
move forward with construction. So fingers crossed that everything uh everything pans out. It's been it's been a long road on this one. So >> great news. Yeah, we we were going through that canal this weekend and just blowing through there. >> That's all on a quiet morning. You can
hear the wind's blowing right. >> He scared all the fish away. >> He scared all the fish away. >> All right, city clerk. >> Nothing this evening. >> All right. >> Yeah. Happy belated birthday, city clerk.
With that, I don't think we have any emergency matters or anything else to discuss. So, with that, we'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> We are ajourned. >> Thank you.