Good evening. I'd like to call to order the Winter Haven City Commission meeting for this the 23rd day of June, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. Can I get a roll call, please? Yes, Mr. Mayor. Commissioner Dolison
here. Commissioner Mercer here. Commissioner Dancler here. Mayor Proame Yates who is not present and Mayor Birdong. Here we will have the invocation by oh I see him Dr. Steve Naggley from First Presbyterian Church
of Winter Haven. We'd be led in the pledge of allegiance by Vanessa Castillo MMC city clerk. Please stand if able. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Let us bow before God in prayer. Wonderful God, as the summer thunderstorms have returned once
again to our area, we're reminded of your continual care, providing what we truly need in life. We ask you now to watch over our city, protect the city workers who provide safety and services so all of us might live well. We ask you to guide and direct the mayor, the
commissioners, and the city staff this night that they might serve the common good. and we ask you to bless all who call Winter Haven home that we might be a blessing to all who live in our city. We thank you for this time together, this meeting, and our lives. And we pray
in your holy name. Amen. Amen. Amen. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
presentations. Did we lose one? She was untie. Oh, okay. Good evening, honorable mayor and city commissioners. We have two presentations this evening. The first item 5A is a proclamation recognizing Miss Ernestine
Davis. And I'll ask Miss Davis to come to the podium. [Applause] Our proclamation reads as follows. Whereas Mrs. Ernestine Mason Davis has advocated over six decades for civil rights and equality. She has engaged in
these causes on a local, state, and national level and is tirelessly pursued these causes even at her current seasoned age of 84 and is continuously engaged in civic, political, educational and human humanitarian issues. Lending a
hand to initiate and participate in peaceful manner to bring about change is still a passionate pursuit for her. Her motto is, "I am happy and I'm always happy to serve the community." And whereas she was the first African-American cashier to work at Henley's grocery store in Florence
Villa. As someone who enjoys caring for and giving back to those less fortunate, she founded and established the concerned citizens of Winter Haven, Inc. and its food distribution program for the community. She has established, served, and continues to serve on various boards to include East Central
Pulk Democratic Club Council, Lake Mod Recreation Center, now known as the Neighborhood Service Center, Pulk County Opportunity Council, Haven Daycare Center, various service centers, youth athletic leagues, and the Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc., Alpi, to ensure
equality is not omitted to those that are the intended benefactors. and whereas she has received numerous awards, recognitions, and proclamations from the city of Winter Haven and continues to give a lifelong labor of service. She has been recognized as one of the 2022 Winter Haven local black
heroes, considered one of Winter Haven's highest honors. The n the 95th Bankers Cup 2021 Woman and Citizen of the Year were presented to her by the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce at the Celebrate Winterhaven 2021 event on September 23rd, 2021.
and recently she was recognized by the Pulk County Historical Association as a 2025 Pulk Pioneer. As a result of all her efforts and accomplishments, the city of Winter Haven and the Florence Villa neighborhood are forever grateful. Now therefore, Nathaniel J. Birdsong
Jr., Mayor of the city of Winterhaven, Florida, does hereby recognize June 23rd, 2025 as Ernestine Davis Day in the city of Winterhaven, Florida, and urges all citizens to join in recognizing and celebrating this important milestone for Mrs. Ernestine Davis. In witness
whereof, he is here to set his hand and cause the seal of the city of Winter Haven, Florida to be affixed this 23rd day of June, 2025. Signed, Nathaniel J. Birdsong, Jr., mayor. Attest Vanessa Castillo, city clerk. [Applause] Oh boy.
Whoever I'd like to thank um the city city of Winter Haven. Thank you very much. And also, oh forgot th you don't make me so happy. So, um, Patricia Smith, one of my
friends, thank her very much. And my family and friends, thank you all very, very much. Debbie, I thought you were in church for a minute. Debbie, [Music] I thought you were in church for a
minute with all that hooting and hollering. Church for a minute. No whistle. No whistle. How you doing? [Applause] I'm good. Paparazzi.
[Applause] Take a time. Hurry up. Two. Congratulations. [Music] Mayor and commissioners, we have a second proclamation this evening recognizing Mr. Tom Thomas Robert Cooney.
Know if Mr. Cooney is here or not. [Applause] So, our second proclamation reads as follows. Whereas Thomas Robert Cooney was born in
Winter Haven in 1946 and has been a city of Winter Haven resident for more than 50 years. And whereas Mr. Cooney volunteers at the Museum of Winter Haven history in furtherance of their mission to preserve the history of Winter Haven for future generations. And whereas the Museum of Winter Haven
History nominated Mr. Thomas Robert Cooney for Pulk Pioneer status as he and he was approved for the honor by the Pulk County Historical Association board of directors. And whereas the Pulk County Historical Association awards a Pulk Pioneer designation to selected
citizens of Pulk County on an annual basis and since 1975 has sought to preserve and promote Pulk County history through the organization's ongoing oral history program. Whereas the eligibility requirements for the Pulk Pioneer status are for the
citizen to have reached the age of 75 years or older, to have been a resident of Pulk County for at least 50 years, and to complete an on camera interview to share their memories and stories about life in Pulk County. Mr. Cooney completed an on camera hourlong
interview on January 24 January 24th, 2025. And whereas the Pulk County Historical Association and the City of Winter Haven are forever indebted to Mr. Cooney for sharing his life story and memories of growing up in Winterhaven. And whereas Mr. Cooney was recognized by the Pulk
County Historical Association as a 2025 Pulk County Pioneer at their annual meeting in Pioneer lunchon on June 17, 2025 at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland, Florida. Now therefore, Nathaniel J. Birdong Jr., mayor of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, does hereby recognize
June 23rd, 2025 as Thomas Robert Cooney Day in the city of Winter Haven, Florida, and urges all citizens to join in recognizing and celebrating this important milestone for Mr. Thomas Robert Cooney. In witness whereof he is here and to set his hand and cause the seal of the city of Winter Haven,
Florida to be affixed this 23rd day of June, 2025, signed Nathaniel J. Birdsong, Jr., mayor. Attest Vanessa Castillo, city clerk. [Applause] The floor is yours, sir.
Well, I don't feel like I've done that much compared to Ernestine, but but uh along with Bob Gernard, we enjoy every Saturday uh kind of showing some of our wonderful Winter Haven residents
uh a few more things they may not know about their town. And uh dearly love Winter Haven. I was away for a while in my career, but I came back as soon as I could. And uh we have so much fun at the museum
and I'm was not expecting this honor at all. So I'm quite grateful and I thank you all. [Applause] Three, two, one. All right. We have no developments of
note. Commissioners, you have the minutes. Entertain a motion. Mr. Mayor, yes. A motion to approve the minutes for May 21 and May 27 of 2025. Thank you. I'll close the commission
meeting, open the public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak to these minutes may do so at this time. Seeing none, close the public hearing, reopen the commission meeting. Is there any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposes by
the same sign. Hearing none, the minutes are adopted. Okay, I have uh our next item is comments from the audience and um in fact everyone that has signed up and
there are 10 people uh signed up to speak to one particular item on the agenda. So at the time when we get to that item, I will call you according to the way you sign up.
The next item on our agenda is uh ordinances uh second reading and we have ordinance 02515 which you read by title on the uh city attorney. Thank you Mr. Mayor Commission. Ordinance number 0-25-15,
an ordinance amending ordinance 23-25, the 2035 Winter Haven comprehensive plan by revising the future land use map series by assigning neighborhood suburban future land use to four NX parcels, repealing all ordinances in conflict here with providing for the administrative correction of scrier's
and providing an affected date. General location, four parcels generally located approximately 1,218 feet north of Old Barto Lake Wales Road, east of MLAN Road and approximately 1,333 feet west of Gary Street. The area covered by this request is 93.45 plus or
minus acres. Thank you. Thank you, city manager, mayor, and city commissioners. Cassidy Land Development LLC requests the city assign neighborhood suburban future land use and multifamily residential low density or R3 zoning district to four annex parcels that
total 93.45 plus or minus acre. The four parcels were annexed into the city January 27th of 2025. The petitioner intends to develop the property with single family residential at approximately 3.87 87 units per acre with uh it would allow for 362 family
residential units. The city commission voted April 28th, 2025 to transmit this request to the Florida Department of Commerce and other state and local agencies for review. On May 28th, 2025, the city received a letter from Florida Commerce indicating they have no
objections to the proposed comprehensive plan changes. Additionally, letters offering no comments or obje objections have been received from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Transportation, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. No responses have
been received from the other reviewing agencies. The requested neighborhood suburban future land use is consistent with the surrounding city uses and designations. The requested R3 zoning district is also consistent with the neighborhood suburban future land use designation and
the surrounding city designations. All notification requirements for these requests were met. The uh planning commission heard this item on April 1st, 2025 during their regular meeting and voted to recommend approval of these requests. No members of the public spoke
in favor or in opposition to the item. Staff recommends the city commission approve ordinance 025-15 on second and final reading. Thank you. Thank you commissioners. Mr. Mayor, motion to approve ordinance 02515
on second reading and Thank you. I will now uh close the commission meeting, open the public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak to 02515 may do so at this time. Seeing none, close the public hearing, reopen the commission meeting. Is there any
discussion? All those in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I. Opposes by the same sign hearing none. Ordinance O-25-15 is adopted. Ordinance O-25-16.
Would you read by Tolley, uh, city attorney? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ordinance number 0-25-16, an ordinance amending chapter 21 of the code of ordinances of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, by assigning multif family residential lowdensity R-3 zoning district to four annex parcels,
repealing all ordinances in conflict here with providing for the administrative correction of scrimmers and providing an effective date. General location, four parcels generally located approximately 1,218 ft north of Old Barto Lake Wales Road, east of MLAN Road and approximately 1,333 feet west of
Gary Street. The area covered by this request is 93.45 plus or minus acres. Thank you. Thank you, city manager. Mayor and commissioners, this is a companion ordinance to the one that was just heard. This assigns multif family residential lowdensity R3 zoning those
same four annex parcels. Staff recommends city commission approve ordinance 025-16 on second and final reading. Thank you. Thank you, commissioners. Mr. Mayor, yes. Motion to approve ordinance 02516
on uh second reading and uh public hearing. Thank you. I will now close the commission meeting. Open the public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak to 02516 may do so at this time. Seeing none, close the uh public hearing. We open the
city commission meeting. Is there any discussion? All those in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I opposes by the same sign. Hearing none. 0216 is adopted. 02524. Uh we're going to continue
uh that one and I would like to entertain a motion uh to continue it to the July 28th meeting. Mr. Mayor, motion to approve ordinance 02524 for continuance.
Motion to continue to the July 28th. July 28th meeting. All right. I'll close the commission meeting, open the public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak to this particular uh action item may do so at this time.
Seeing none, close the public hearing, reopen the city commission meeting. Is there any discussion? All those in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I. Opposes by the same sign. Hearing none. 02524 will be continued until July 28th.
Ordinance 02525 which read by title only city attorney. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Ordinance 0-25-25, an ordinance of the city commission of the city of Winter, Florida, relating to municipal services impact fees amending sections 5-127 and 5-128 of article Roman numeral 10
municipal services impact fees of chapter 5 of the code of ordinances of the city of Winter Haven, Florida by amending and adopting updated municipal services impact fees and charges effective October 1st of 2025 or as otherwise provided herein articulating
legislative intent and making findings providing for repeal of conflict. licking ordinances for severability for cotification and for the administrative correction of scrimmers errors and providing for an effective date. Thank you. Thank you, city manager, mayor and commissioners. Um this is the ordinance
that pertains to impact fees. Uh just some highlevel points on this is we've had two public workshops, special workshops specific to impact fees and you've heard this during your uh first reading two weeks ago. We do have with us again this evening from Rafelis
financial consultants, Mr. Joe Williams. Uh just to recap earlier this year we comfelis uh financial consultants on behalf of the city commenced a rate study of our municipal services impact fees which was completed and submitted
to the city May 29th, 2025. It provided a thorough analysis of the city's police, fire, parks, and recreation, and library services, including but not limited to the appropriate levels of service and localized data available within four years from the current impact fee update
in order to recommend to the city as to how the city may adequately address the capital cost of infrastructure and equipment as permitted under the Florida impact fee act, which is codified in Florida statutes. The study recommends that the city revise its current rate schedule for municipal services impact
fees to adjust and increase the effective rates for fire, parks, and recreation and library impact fees and to decrease police impact fees to net amounts that are equitable. Provide for reasonable recovery without exceeding the current cost of expansion related capital improvements associated with
provision of the respective municipal services as as all is permitted uh and allowed within the act. These are impact fees that are assessed one time. It is a one-time fee that is assessed on new construction only. It does not apply to
current residents or residential or commercial property. This is for new construction under the premise that as growth occurs, it brings about a need to expand and increase infrastructure and therefore there is an impact fee that is placed upon such construction.
The increase in such fees for single family, multifamily, and commercial properties are outlined within the study and also within your fact sheet. Uh we did host public workshops on the on this item that were held on June June 4th and
June 18th as required. Um there is a recommended increase in impact fees for fire services, parks and recreation as well as for libraries. Those would take effect if favorably approved by the city
commission on or about October 1st is allowed by law. There's a 90-day window that has to uh pass before those can go into play. the impact fee for police is recommended to decrease and that would take effect if favorably considered by
the city commission uh tomorrow would be if somebody pulled a permit tomorrow they would have the new police impact fee within there. Um staff does recommend that the city commission uh approve ordinance 02525
adopting and implementing the new impact fees that would again be applied to only new construction. Um, and as I had shared prior, the parks and recreation and library impact fee only applies uh to municipal uh residential and and
multif family housing, single family and multif family. Whereas police and fire impact fees are assessed on both residential, commercial, industrial, pretty much every property comes into play because they depend upon police and fire services.
With that, uh, Mr. Williams is here. we can answer any questions the commission may have regarding that. I think we've we've discussed this at length uh for the past several weeks now. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Entertain a motion, Mr.
Mayor. Yes. Motion to approve ordinance 02525 on second reading and um public hearing. Thank you. I will now close the commission meeting, open the public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak to
ordinance 0-25-25 may do so at this time. Seeing none, I'll close the public hearing, reopen the city commission meeting. Is there any discussion? Mr. Mr. Mayor and Commission, just wanted to note for the record that the actual
study that Ref Telis did is attached as part of the record for these proceedings and that we did mention and discuss, as the city manager noted, the extraordinary circumstances experienced in the city, population growth, inflationary costs, which are the basis
to recommend that we increase the fees now all at once, and that they exceed uh in some regards certainly the parks and recreation the 50% limitation in the act. So, just for the record, those are on there and um but just want the record to reflect that. Thank you. Thank you,
Mr. Attorney. I have one question. Yes. And this is an exercise in giggles and grins, but is there any way, say we'd done this five years ago, how much money we would have raised, additional money we would have raised? Is there any way anyway on the back of a napkin or is that is that too complicated to even
estimate? It would be an estimation, but we could go back and look at um all of the permits that were pulled over the last, you know, give four years, five years, however far back you want to go, five years or something and and provide a calculation. It it wouldn't be to the
maybe to the penny, but it would be a pretty good estimate. Talking millions, you think? Are we talking hundreds of thousands? Is there anybody? Off the top of my head, I I couldn't tell you. The smart guy behind you, I can't remember your name again. Do you have any way of knowing that? What's your name again? I'm sorry. I can't remember what I had
for breakfast half the time. That's all right. Joe Williams from Rough Telus. Sorry. No problem. Figure that. Um, we did not apply the impact fees historically. Um, but we do have a forecast looking forwards. And just as
an example for you, uh, parks and recreation, again, this is probably the highest increase. And it it assumes trends similar. So, if you just kept your existing fee the same over the next 10 years if growth materialized, how we
forecast in the study, you collect about $11 million of park impact fees. By adopting the new fee from, again, this from new development developers, it'd be closer to $40 million over the next 10 years. 40 Well, there's our pickle ball courts right there over 10 years. So,
it's about $30 million over 10 years just for the park. So, theoretically back five years, we would have probably raised an additional 15 million probably based on that math. So, we could have we we could have built a lot of stuff with that had we done this five years ago.
Okay. Just semantics. That's all exercise. Any other questions? And and we had discussed, you know, the way that the the statute governs impact fees now. Um impact fees are no longer indexed.
They don't increase year-over-year by a CPI indexing of any sort. Um is my recommendation, and this will come back in in three years time that we do another study at that point because that that's the allowance time frame when we can look at them again. so that we're
always staying on time with impact fees, you know, analysis. Okay. All right. Any other discussion? All those in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I poses by the same sign. Do we need a roll call since
this needs to be No, no. I just think the minute should reflect that all four of you have voted in the affirmative for that. So, we did need to have four votes to four votes. Thank you. for it to be effective. All right. The next uh item is the consent agenda.
And what I'd like to do is I would like to take out 10F out of the consent agenda. And uh entertain a motion to approve the other items on the consent agenda.
Mr. Mayor. Yes. approved consent agenda as a whole with the exception of 10F like to remove that and but all the other items on the consent agenda nu recommend that we vote those entirety. Okay. Thank you. I will now close the commission meeting, open the public
hearing. Anyone wishing to speak to any of the other items that are going to be voted on at this current time on the consent agenda may do so at this time. Seeing none, I close the public hearing and reopen the city commission meeting.
Is there any discussion? All those in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I. I. Opposes by the same sign. Hearing none. The consent agenda is adopted except for
item 10 F. Item 10F is which is the Florida Senate Bill 2C compliance immigration task force 287G memoriam of agreement MOA.
So the way I want to um to do this is um could you give us a um a recap uh an analysis or or a statement on this city manager? Certainly. So this
is item 10F. This is Florida Senate Bill 2C compliance. Uh on February 13th, 2025, Governor Ronda Santis signed Senate Bill 2C into law. You may recall this was part of a special session that occurred prior to the regular
legislative session in Tallahassee. Bill 2C provides resources that empower local agencies to support the federal government in arresting, detaining, and beginning the deportation process for criminal illegal aliens. The 287G program is a partnership initiative
between US Immigration and Customs in Enforcement, also known as ICE, and state and local enforcement agencies. Under the agreement with ICE, local agencies specify the delegated immigration enforcement. It specifies
the local immigration enforcement powers uh which allow officers to question individuals about their immigration status, servant immigr serve and execute immigration warrants, make arrests for immigration violations, and initiate removal proceedings. As it relates to
the MOA, the Winter Haven Police Department will honor legal requests, also referred to as detainers, from the federal immigration agencies when required by Florida law. Ask about citizenship status during the arrest booking process, traffic stops, and any
other citizen contact as directed by state law, and share that information with ICE if lawfully requested. and then assist in the safe transfer of individuals already in our custody to federal authorities. The police
department will not stop people based on immigration status, ask for immigration p papers, or detain anyone just because they are undocumented unless directed by a court or ICE. In in essence, what this comes down to
is we have state statute that gives us it's basically a mandate put upon the cities to participate under the states uh Senate Bill 2C again that came about from the immigration special session. It is no
different really than what we do with other federal agencies. Uh, as I mentioned to you the other night, as well as Chief Monroe and Assistant City Manager Bird, we work directly with federal agencies such as uh DEA, the
Drug Enforcement Agency, um, Homeland Security, that if they are exercising some jurisdictional authority within our community and require assistance from local law enforcement, we work in partnership with them in that regard.
Winter Haven police officers are not going to be out on the street, as you have seen on the news, in uh nondescript uniforms, wearing masks, pulling people off the street. If we make an arrest of somebody that has committed a crime,
we were we are required to to ask about immigration status. At that point, it basically becomes somewhat of a secondary offense in the in the activity that we're involved in that we're we're uh detaining them for. we have to notify
ICE at that point if in fact there is um if it's an illegal uh situation. If it's a person that's undocumented, it is up to ICE at that point to give us direction on how they wish to pursue with that. We work directly with Pulk
County Sheriff's Office that has an ICE uh design assigned to them. Um, if we arrest somebody and take them to Pulk County for bookin and there is a immigration warrant out for them at that point, Pulk County works directly through that ICE
design to determine what is the procedure from that point forward. Again, it is simply a process of us participating in partnership and as mandated by state law with ICE that if we identify somebody through our contact
with them as a result of a traffic stop, a domestic battery, a criminal infraction, whatever that case may be, and we identify them as being an illegal alien, that we have to provide that notice to ICE. At that point, they give us direction on what we are we are
supposed to do. Okay. Thank you. And I would say this, mayor and commissioners, this is not um and I as assistant city manager Bird to weigh in on this. This is not dissimilar to what we have have done historically.
Um this is is a a practice like I said with DEA, with Homeland Security, with other federal agencies. uh in this case is it comes about because of a state um special session bill. It is memorialized through a a memorandum of understanding
between the city and the um and ICE. I will say also that if if for reason the commission votes to not engage in this memorandum of understanding, we are then not in compliance with state law at that
point and that can jeopardize state funding that comes to the city. So that is somewhat of the stick that comes along with this. So okay. All right. First of all, let me just say this.
Those of you that's in the audience, we need your undivided attention. There should not be no chitchat while anyone is speaking. All right? That that's the ground rules. That's what we abide by here. So, the first
thing that I'm going to do is I'm going to entertain a motion on this particular item. Can I get a motion? I'll make a motion. Um 10F
um Mr. Mayor for this is Oh, um MOA for Yeah, it's the consent agreement 10F, the Florida Senate bill, uh 2Z compliance. All right. Thank you. Now I will close the
commission meeting and open a public hearing and all 10 of the people that have signed up to speak will be able to speak and I as I call your name would you come forward state your name and address for the record and you'll have
five minutes and I would just like to request that uh as you come forth after the first person or the second person. I would like for the 10 people
not to come and say the identical same thing. If I could indulge you to do that. All right. The first person is Christy. Um is it Richardson Richardson?
Richardson. All right. Come forward. State your name and address for the record. Then you have five minutes. Uh, my name is Christy Renardson. My address is 235 6th Avenue Northwest, Winter Haven.
Um, again, my name is Christy Renardson. Um, my family moved from Illinois in 1957 to this location. My father, a carpenter and painter, hoped to uh find a job associated with a new space station at Cape Canaveral.
We had family serving the Air Force base at Barto Air Base at that time and the opportunities seemed endless. Having said that, I feel it's important for people to know that I've been established in Winter Haven for a long time and many of you sitting up there
know that and many of you back there know that. Um, my older grand, my older daughter graduated from high school with T. Michael. So, you know, that's been quite a while. And for a little more levity, because I'm nervous, I was little Miss
Winterhaven in 19 at the age of 13. My husband was in the graduating class of 1966 after having experienced the integration of Winter Haven High School in 1965.
At that time, young African-Americans in Winter Haven could choose if they wanted to go to Winter Haven High School. My husband remembers less than a dozen black students entering the high school at that time. Lakeland High School documented two out of nearly 600
graduates to be African-American. I have to wonder how far has our country and city come relative to the diversity and equal treatment for all. Um I'm not here to protest or to argue
because I think this is a done deal. Number one, um I fear I have to um disagree with T. Michael the relative to the mandate. Um this statute has has
essentially been in effect since 1996. And when you refer to what happens if we don't comply, it's threats and um intimidation from the federal government.
So, you know, the the city commissioners, I know that you feel pressure. There's so many examples around the United States because you don't want to lose grant money. You don't want to lose support. Um, but however, I think you have a population that in all consciousness you're
responsible for. Even though this program offers education and communication to law enforcement, the responsibilities carry a weight unlike that anybody has ever experienced. The additional responsibilities my hopes
are to not lose sight of daily or let's say more usual responsibilities of upholding the law, ensuring our town is a safe place to be. This includes responding to domestic violence, upholding speeding and traffic violations, deescalating potential
violence situations, reducing major crime, etc. To avoid racial profiling with a consciousness of integrity and respect to make sure a positive police presence is not jeopardized. Sacrificing the trust that the Winter
Haven citizens have with the police is paramount to maintain dedication, courage, and good judgment and a commitment serving all of the Winter Haven community and professionalism with professionalism and empathy.
Personal note, these are scary times, but we're all in it together. moving forward with understanding, communication, and for the population to have oversight and diligence all of us in this room, in this city, in this state, in this world is imperative
for a future. So I am not for 10f. Thank you, Matthew. down here. Whatever. My name is Matthew Crowley. My address
is 9071 Thomasville Drive, Warner Haven, Florida 33884. Good evening, commissioners, city staff, and neighbors. My name, like I said, is Matthew Crowley. I have been a lifelong resident of Winter Haven. I'm a public school employee, a husband, a father,
and someone who believes that public safety should be rooted in trust, not fear. I'm here tonight to speak in strong opposition to the proposed agreement between the Winter Haven Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE.
Let's be honest about what this is for a second. This agreement would allow our local officers to take on the role of federal immigration agents. It would entangle our police department with a federal agency whose mission is not local safety but deportation.
That is a serious mistake. This move does not make Winter Haven safer. It makes people, our neighbors, afraid to call for help, afraid to report domestic violence, workplace
abuse, or dangerous conditions because they feared that contact with the police could lead to detention or deportation. We have seen this happen in other cities. These kinds of agreements don't just
break apart families. They break apart the trust between law enforcement and the communities they have sworn to serve. And when that trust is gone, everyone is less safe.
Let me also be clear, this is not about shielding criminals. Our officers already have the tools that they need to address serious crime. This agreement, all this agreement does is shift the focus away from actual public safety and
turn our officers into agents of an immigration agenda that has no place in local policing. It invites racial profiling. It increases the chances of wrongful detention, wrongful detentions that
we've seen in our own state. And it opens the door to costly lawsuits that cities like ours cannot afford. But beyond policy, this is about values. What kind of city do we want to be? Do
we want to be a place where immigrant families, many of whom have lived here for years and some for generations, contribute to our economy, send their kids to our schools, are made to feel hunted, unwelcome, and unsafe.
Or do we want to be a city that leads with compassion first, that serves all of its residents with dignity, and that builds public trust instead of breaking it. This agreement was placed on the consent agenda as if it were routine. It
is not. It is a fundamental question about who we are as a community. I urge this commission, please vote no. Do not let our city be defined by fear. Let it be defined by fairness, by
safety, and by the belief that every person in Winter Haven deserves to live free from fear. And in fact, just to bring some light to this, ICE previously shut down this task force in 2012 because it did lead to
widespread racial profiling. Over in Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arapio, his task force raided Latino businesses and pulled over Latino drivers to look for immigrants. This has happened before
and it is bound to happen again. I just don't want it to happen here in the city that I'm raising my daughter in. Thank you. Oneita Wanita Wanita Zorchuk 348 East Tilman Avenue
Lake Wales. Um, as you can see, I just, you know, made mine shorter because Matthew did such a wonderful job of explaining all of the reasons why one would not want to support uh this kind
of memorandum. But anyway, um I I'd first like to thank the commission for affording me the opportunity to speak. I'm not a resident of Winter Haven, but I frequently shop and attend activities here, and I've always felt it to be a safe and very friendly place. Um, I came
this evening to express my serious concerns regarding the memorandum of agreement that would direct your city police to partner with the US immigration and customs inform u enforcement uh officers, ICE. I I as I was listening I was wondering if this
were if this were a law that you were mandated to do, why do you need a memorandum of agreement? I I don't quite understand that. It seems like there must be some leeway as to whether you would agree to whether you wanted to participate in this. Otherwise, why
would you need to do what you're doing tonight? But anyway, um I believe such a policy would have detrimental effects on your community. uh their safety, the trust and overall well-being. And I'm also concerned that if Winter Haven
supports this partnership, it will pave the way to similar partnerships in neighboring cities like Lake Wales. And a lot of times, you know, we look to Winter Haven, frankly, because you seem to be a little more progressive in some of the things that you undertake. And I
would hate to see that happen at Lake Wales, but they might follow right along with you. I urge you to consider the far-reaching consequences of this directive and to prioritize policies that foster trust and safety for all residents and visitors to your city.
Please let your police department focus on its core mission of community policing and ensuring justice for everyone within its jurisdiction. You know, I was an ESL teacher uh in New York State for 20 years, and I dealt
with a lot of children uh and young adults who were um in a situation where ICE might have been coming after them. And I want to tell you that um when you break trust, they clam up. And you're
gonna have, you know, you're gonna have people who are afraid to tell you who it is that stabbed so and so or who it is that they know stole from that store or whatever. And you know, this is the way you do it. This is the way you break
trust. So anyway, thank you for your time and I really hope you'll consider voting no on this. Thank you. Thank you. Next person is uh hyenas. H A U S
N E W D Y K E. Oh, no. I think I signed the wrong sheet. Okay. Could you pronounce your name? I'm just
It's a Dutch name. I just Thank you so much. It's a Dutch name. The full Dutch name is Hansfandike, but it did not fit on that sheet. So, I apologize and I I just want the rest of the audience to know that I am
not a resident of uh Winter Haven, but I do implore to vote no on this. Um Matthew probably said everything that I wanted to say. I'm originally from the Netherlands. We pride ourselves over there. I'm an American right now, but u
we pride ourselves in trusting our police officers and and know what they are doing is the right thing. I I do I do think this is not the right thing. I always enjoy coming to Winter Haven. Not
100% sure if I'm going to do that again. I appreciate your time. Thank you so much. Thank you, Bev. Bev Hansen. Bev Hansen. Hello. My name is Bev Hansen. 1962 Eloise Cove Drive in Winter Haven. I'm a
fairly new resident to Winter Haven. I am horrified that this is even on the agenda because this paves the way for racial profiling, misogyny, and we shouldn't stand for it. Everyone before me has said what I want to say, and
shame on you if you vote yes. You absolutely must vote no. I'm also a small business owner. you are paving the way for outrageous lawsuits. Racial profiling again, it cannot stand.
Um, I'm considering that just like the Dutch person that this is not the place for me. And if you continue and you vote yes, shame on you. Shame on every one of you. Thank you, Tina Poke. Good evening, honorable mayor and
commissioners. My name is Tina Pulk Kinnmouth and I live at 2500 21st Street Northwest Winter Haven. Two weeks ago, I was here as we celebrated in our community with
proclamations for Pride and Junth. Tonight, I come before you to ask a few questions. A few you've already answered. One was whether or not this was mandatory, and you seem to say it's so, but if it is, then I don't understand
the point. Like, someone else was making that you have to sign this and enter it in. Um, the Poke County Sheriff's Department has put 300 people into the hands of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement since January, and only a small fraction
of those have been accused of violent felonies. I believe that we as Americans have been deceived and lied to, and the facts do not justify the narrative that the American people are being told. We're not just taking hardened criminals and
murderers. We're detaining neighbors and friends and loyal employees and employers. There's approximately 13,000 or 24% of our city's population that this could affect. Honestly, I thought Winter Haven
was better than this. I have lived here for 65 years. I have watched the immigrants that we're trying to force out and detain. And they do not just pick fruit and build homes and cut
lawns. They serve in restaurants and hospitality. They serve in positions like the police and the fire departments. Their teachers, their business owners, and many other positions in our own society. Like all of us, they just seek a better
life. These people are not a threat to us or our way of life and if anything they've made it better. They have come to this state to our state and they've helped our economy and many um are in the process of obtaining
legal citizenship which I understand is not an easy process and it's very costly. So I ask what about those people? Many have their entire life and family here. And I wonder why our country doesn't spend the government monies to make this process
easier instead of more difficult for these people. It seems like our biggest concern in government today is to protect the wealthy. We have all witnessed across the news the manner in which the people and notice I say the word people. We must not forget that the
immigrants that are being removed from their homes, jobs, and schools are human beings. How would it be different in our city? It is great to say that in this memorandum, we're not going to target people because of their skin color, but
do we really believe this? And do we think that an online course will suffice to turn the police officers into ICE agents? Are we to be like cities in which the mask people come out with no uniforms or ID and pull and abduct and
detain people right off the streets and put them in jails sometimes in other states and countries and they separate these families. And in my opinion, this all opens a real door for human trafficking and sexual assaults to occur. I ask respectfully that you
consider all of the people in our city and not just comply because other cities have or because the governor wants you to. Do you want our community to be afraid to go to work, to go to school, to go to church? How does that make us
better? I understand that we're a small community and in the scheme of our city and state, but if not here, then where shall we stand against this inhumanity and injustice? Thank you,
Malia Yates. Hello, my name is Maria Yates. I live at 1032 Spirit Lake Road, Winter Haven. Um, I thought about all the topics that I wanted to cover and
there's a lot that come to mind and I think that the one that comes to mind the most is my coworker. I worked with her for about a year. She was Mexican. She spoke Spanish. She was
learning English. She went out last year because she had a baby. And after the inauguration, she never came back to work. I have wondered, did she leave the United States?
Was she deported because there was no information or our employer simply did not tell us? I work I have worked I work with people that are Hispanic
that don't speak English. They are some of the kindest, most hardworking people you could ever meet. They are humans.
This ice is inhuman. It is immoral. you. If you believe that what is happening in other states will not happen in Winter Haven, then you are wrong. The moment that you give police officers the ability to become ICE agents, you will see people being
detained and deported, people that have lived here, whether or not they are legal or illegal immigrants. This has happened around the state of Florida. And this will happen here if you allow this to pass.
It is disgraceful. It is outrageous. It makes me angry to think of the people that have been deported, the lives that have been ripped apart, the children that have been deported, the children that live without families because their
parents were illegal or were working toward immigration status and ripped out of immigration offices by ICE agents. Florida has a large population
of Hispanic people. ICE is racial profiling. They target people that look a certain way. They target people that speak certain
languages that don't speak English. And there are recorded cases of legal people who were born in the United States being detained by ICE or
they are deported. In the case of Kilar Alrego Garcia, he was deported. He wasn't here illegally. If you pass this, you will be compliant with everything that happens with every
person that is illegally detained that is harass harassed. The hatred that will spread because of this will be on your hands. Thank you. Hello. Yes, my name is Lewis Dilla, 1335
Melissa Mile Road, Winter Haven. Friends, friends, neighbors, and esteemed commissioners. Again, my name is Lewis, and I am here today to speak unequivocally against this proposed uh memorandum with ICE.
This agreement, which seeks to deputize local law enforcement to perform federal ima im immigration duties, is fundamentally at odds with the values we hold dear in our community. Our local police department should be
focused on building trust with our residents, ensuring public safety for everyone regardless of their immigration status. When local officers become entangled in federal immigration enforcement,
it erodess that trust. It creates an environment of fear leading to under reporting of crimes and less and a less safe community for all of us. Furthermore, these agreements have a
documented history of leading to racial profiling and civil rights abuses. They strain police resources. They divert attention from and funding from local issues that directly impact our daily lives.
I believe in communities that are inclusive, equitable, and safe for everyone. This program does the exact opposite. It divides us. It fosters fears and undermines the very principles that this community
believes in and the very principles of community policing. I urge this commission to vote no on this memorandum. Let us instead focus on policies that strengthen our community, protect our residents, and uphold the civil
liberties of every individual that calls Winter Haven home. That's all. Thank you. David. David. Good evening. David Conincaid, 105 South Adeli Avenue, Lake Alfred, Florida.
Honorable mayor and esteemed commissioners, it was mentioned that Winter Haven PD will not be masking up and putting on body armor and going out and raiding neighborhoods for immigrants.
You may not be participating in that activity, but by passing this bill, this uh what's being voted on today, you are complicit in that activity. you are behaving in a system that is complicit
with that activity. I don't need to tell you, you've watched the news. You have seen lawful residents being deported from this country. You have seen people have their visas revoked and then targeted by ICE for
things that they have said under the first amendment guarantees that they have under the United States Constitution. You have seen USborn citizens detained in ICE activities. If one
Winter Haven resident is detained by ICE under immigration, that is a failure of the city government as a whole. Just today, the US uh senior the US courts
ruled that rapid deportations to countries that im immigrants have no ties to can be done. This is a failure of the due process that we are guaranteed under the US Constitution.
If you vote yes on this today, today of all days when you breathing the same air in the same room that you honored Ernestine Davis on Ernestine Davis day, if you vote yes to this today or any
day, you are doing that woman a great disservice. And to quote another civil rights leader, well, I'll get to that in a second. it. You mentioned there is no carrot to this. It is only stick.
Tallahassee is threatening you with pulling grants and other funding. It's if you vote no on this, there is there may not guaranteed there may be trouble. But to quote another civil rights leader, John Lewis, it is your
obligation to engage in good trouble, necessary trouble, in order to redeem the soul of America. I'm not going to hope that you vote no on this. I'm not going to ask you to vote no on this. I
am going to implore you. I can't demand, but I am going to implore that each and every one of you votes no on this. Thank you so much,
Kit Taylor. Kit Taylor Mr. Mayor, Mayor Bird Song, great name, esteemed city council members. Good evening and thank you for this opportunity to address you. My name is Kit Taylor. I live at 105 Ellen Court in
Winter Haven, Florida. I've been a a resident of this lovely city since I moved here in 1988. I'm a lifelong native Flidian, a retired public school teacher, and the lucky husband of uh Pam Taylor. Oh, and also a yoga student of uh Miss
Christy here. just take a um I rise today to address questions and concerns regarding the consideration of the implementation of the Senate bill uh 2C memorandum agreement MO MOA as
described uh by the memorandum from police chief Monroe. I have some specific questions. Under these agreements, officers can question individuals about their immigration status. This is the can section. Um,
Florida SB2C does not require law enforcement officers to ask citizenship status of all traffic stops and citizens encountered. It's not required under Florida law. Um, if questioned by a law enforcement officer, I'm wondering will the
individuals be made aware of their rights similar to um required by a Miranda warning such as you have the right to remain silent and are not legally required to answer questions about your birthplace, citizenship or your entry into the country. Also, you're not required to provide name and
show papers to ICE officers. Will they be a aware of that? Additionally, officers can serve execution immigration warrants, make arrests for immigration violations. ICE warrants are administrative, not judicial. Unlike criminal arrest warrants signed by the judge, ICE
warrants are issued by ICE officials for civil immigration violations. My question, will the Winter Haven Police Department require require ICE agents to provide an administrative or judicial warrant?
Um, officers can initiate removal proceedings. This, um, seems to fly in the face of the assertion by Chief Monroe that this will not have economic impact. I don't know about you all, but I've done paperwork and I hate it. Um, so these activities are bound to
increase the strain on police Winter Haven Police Department in manpower and detent uh, detention accommodations. Also, officers can assist in the safe transfer of individuals already in custody for federal authorities. My question, will the Winter Haven Police Department ensure that judicial or
administrative warrants are valid before transferring detainees to ICE custody? ICE has been documented detaining individuals without showing any warrant judicial or administrative. Moving on to the next section as it relates to the MO, the Winter Haven
Police Department will, now this is not can, this is the will section. We are going to honor local requests. Call detainees from federal immigration agencies when required by Florida law. Also assist in the safe transfer individuals already in custody to federal authorities.
ICE policy requires the finding of probable cause to believe the subject is a removable alien before issuing a detainer. My question, will the Winter Haven Police Department require a finding of probability caused to ensure the subject is a removable alien before issuing a
detainer? Law enforcement a I'm sorry, local law enforcement agencies that honor ICE detainers could face legal challenges and potential liability, especially if the detainer is later found to be invalid.
In this will section, the officer will ask citizenship status during the arrest booking process. all all traffic stops and any other citizen contact as directed by state law. Again, uh the SB2C does not require it's not law that
they're required to ask for their uh immigration status and share this information with ICE if lawfully requested. As mentioned earlier, no SB 2C does not require law enforcement officers to ask for citizenship status at all traffic stops and citizenship
encounter. This seems like an invitation to subject subjective intimidation. Come on down, boys. Let's just find out who's going to uh sweat a little bit. Sorry, I that that part of my I there. Um, finally, the Winter Haven Police Department will not detain anyone just
because they are undocumented unless directed by a court or ICE or ICE. ICE has demonstrated they are more interested in meeting quotas than following the law. Steven Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy,
is reported to be p pushing ICE to round up 300 3,000 immigrants a day. No focus on criminality. I just got a little bit more. Go ahead. No focus on criminality or actually making our streets safer. Isn't
it puzzling? We are sold a policy to eliminate hard and violent criminals, but ICE is focusing on work sites and the employed. And my finally officers uh participating in programs receiving training online and operations under direction
and oversight from ICE. Will the Winter Haven Police Department police officers be empowered to issue to ensure ICE has followed due process and provide warrants for all detainees? Mass showing up and detaining a person without a warrant isn't law enforcement.
It's kidnapping. mass men showing up detaining a person without warrants backed up by uniform police officers isn't law enforcement. It's fascism. Thank you very much for your time. All right, that's the last person that
has signed up to speak. However, if there's anyone else, I will give you a final opportunity if you didn't sign up. I was I thought I was hung up. You're right. Second page.
John Hill. I'm John Hill. 1309 Binmar Avenue, Lake Wells 33853. So, I'm not a citizen of Winter Haven, but like Wanita, I come here often and enjoy my time here. Uh, for full disclosure, I'm the chair of the PK
County Democratic Party. We're going to circle back to that in a minute. But I'm also a Rotarian. And in Rotary, we have a set of principled questions called the four-way test. We say these in every single meeting we have, and it goes like this.
of the things we think, say, and do. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Nothing about this MOA passes the four-way test. The push to deport undocumented immigrants is an overreaching response to a series of lies and misrepresentations used as racist propaganda to scare our communities.
While there are criminals who have entered this country illegally and should be sent back to their country of residents, despite what the Supreme Court just ruled today, the policy being rolled out targets all undocumented immigrants regardless of
criminal history. This targeting is tearing apart our communities and society. It is creating fear, terror, and distrust every step of the way. And for anyone on the deis who may confuse their politics and religion,
let me be very clear. Voting to accept this MA is not a style of governance that is Christlike. Looking at this group of commissioners, I see five four four who are most concerned with winning re-election to their commission seat and maintaining a
grip on power that leaves out the best interest of the community. This MOA opens up a sanctioned pathway to economic damage, continued distrust between the community and the brave individuals who wear a badge and take an oath to protect all of us. And it will
be a dark stain on your legacy as the governing body of the city. Now, back to what I do as the chair. We are watching as a community and we will find and elect commissioners who represent all of us, not the few of you.
Vote accordingly because we the people will do the same. Thank you. Thank you, Victor Sims. Victor Sims. Victor Sims. Good evening, council members, esteemed
residents, and guests of Winter Haven. While many of you have decided State your name and address for the rest of Thank you. Victor Sims, 4017 Oak Preserve Drive, Winter Haven, Florida. All right. Thank you. While many of you have may have decided where you're going to vote on this issue, as someone
raising the church, it is important for me to raise a specific scripture. Leviticus chapter 19:es 33-34. When a foreigner remi resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The
foreigner resides among you must be treated as your native born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. The Bible's call is very clear. Don't just tolerate immigrants. Welcome
them, protect them, and love them. And it doesn't say only if they have papers. It says because you know what it means to be vulnerable. T Michaels is actually correct. We don't have to vote to opt
into this. As he said, this is to memorialize this. This will be a memorial of the life of families. I want you to imagine this because in my day job, I work to protect young people.
work to keep them together in their families domestically. But I also see what happens when we think about internationally. A little boy gets dropped off at school in the morning just like every other day. He eats his breakfast with his classmates, aces a spelling test, and
maybe even laughs on the playground. But when the bell rings and he walks to the front office to get picked up, no one is there. The hours pass and finally someone sits down and tells him, "Your mom was pulled
over and taken by ICE. She's gone." And just like that, his entire world is changed. Now, that story may be hypothetical, but the impact of it
describes described is very real. As someone who works in child welfare, I've seen what happens when families are separated. And I'm here to say Winter Haven should not be in the business of causing that kind of harm. We've never been a city known for
tearing families apart. We've been a community where neighbors look out for one another, where teachers know their students by name, where working parents, no matter where they were born, wake up every day trying to give their kids the best life they can.
Cooperating with ICE changes that. It turns our local police into federal agents. It erodess the trust that keeps our neighborhoods safe. It makes parents afraid to report crimes and children afraid to believe that
anyone will come when they need help. Let's be real. This isn't about law and order. It's about fear. And fear has never been what defines this great city of Winter Haven. When you separate a child from a from their parent, you
don't just enforce a policy. You create trauma. That trauma doesn't disappear. It lands in our schools. It lands in our churches. It lands in our child welfare system. And it stays here. It becomes
our soil. So, I'm urging you tonight to vote no on approving this memorandum. Vote no because the Winter Haven I know believes in family. You see, I didn't grow up with a lot of stability. In fact, I grew up in the foster care system. And like a lot of kids in the
foster care system, I moved from place to place as well as town to town. And I'll be honest, there are cities where I did not feel accepted. There are places that saw me as a problem and not a person. But Winter
Haven was different. When others shut the door, a couple in this city opened theirs. They didn't see a foster kid. They saw a child who deserved to be loved. They didn't ask where I came from.
They focused on where I wanted to go and where I wanted to belong. This city, this city has always meant love to me. It's meant welcome. It's meant something. It's meant someone choosing to say you belong here. And
that's why I'm speaking today because cooperating with ICE doesn't reflect the winter haven that I know, the winter haven that I was adopted in. We are better than fear. We are better than silence. And we are better than policies that punish people for wanting the same
kind of safety I was once given. Thank you. Jim Edwards. Jim Edwards. Good evening. My name is Jim Edwards. I'm at 208 East Lake Drive. Um, I
graduated from Winter Haven High School. I grew up here. I left for 45 years and just returned this year. Um, and I I I'm here tonight in opposition of
this uh proposal. And uh, as many of the other speakers have have eloquently already stated most of what I've wanted to say, I'll keep it short. Um, while this proposal claims to focus on
criminal illegal aliens, ISIS's own data tells a different story. Twothirds of the people ISIS detained this year had no criminal con convictions at all. And more than nine and 10 were not convicted of any violent or property offenses.
ISIS is targeting peaceful re residents, not public safety threats. The agenda says there's no financial impact, but that's misleading. This program shifts city resources, officers time, training, and public trust away from our real local
priorities and toward federal enforcement goals over which we have no control. I ask you to uphold our values and our con constitution. Don't deputize our officers to serve a federal agenda that has become discriminatory, chaotic, and
divorced from justice. Thank you, Scott Klein. Scott Klein. All right. Is there anyone else? Come forward. State your name and address for the record.
Hi, my name is Terry Yates. I live at 605 Robert Avenue here in Winter Haven. I'm a nurse. Um, and these people have uh very eloquently stated everything that I'm thinking. Um, aside from the fact that, you know, I grew up in the
restaurant industry and I've worked around so many people of color. Um, people who didn't have a lot of money coming up. These people are amazing people. They're the fabric of our country. Um, and in the nursing
community, again, we have so many people that are caring for, no matter how powerful or how powerless you are, we are caring for you. We are the heart of this nation. Okay. Um
it's it's sort of insane to me that we are in this spot because you know growing up I grew I was born in 80. I remember when our government was very against communism was very what is going on? What is going on with our
leadership? I I didn't prepare anything to say, but I did want to be here because for one, mayor, I want you to think about what happened with the stop and frisk law up in New York and what happened to your
people there because that's going to start not only happening to all of our people here, but once they are done with the minority community, they are going to come after the disabled. They're going to come after the vulnerable. They are going to come after the poor. Okay? And these are the people that worked
their way up just like me. I grew up with a single mother and I again moved from place to place to place. And I again was found myself in communities where I didn't feel like I belonged. I took an oath to do no harm. I took an
oath to do no harm. And I took it I I work as a nurse because I I don't feel like I'm employed by any one certain employer. I'm employed by God. And I feel like all of you are too. Whether you realize this or not. And if
you vote this in, every single one of you, all of you are getting up in age. All of you. As I sit here and look at you. I I listen. You might feel very powerful and big right now, but one day, one day, you
will be that person in the hospital bed, powerless. Absolutely powerless. And at that point, if you vote yes for this, may God have mercy on your soul because I know many, many health care workers, both nurses and doctors that won't.
[Applause] Come forward, state your name and address for the record. Good evening. Good evening, everyone. I'm Sheila Belt, 153 Ottabbon Court, Winter Haven. And um I'd like to say one
thing. The Senate Bill 2C was a way to basically get all of you guys in rock and heart between a rock and a hard place. And everybody has been fussing at you.
You didn't do this. and you're getting stuck because you have no choice but to do this. And I am the mother of four grown people. And I always taught them when you're between a rock and a hard place, figure out what are you going to
do next. And you know it's a rock and a hard place because even change the language. So no one is now an undocumented immigrant. They're an illegal alien. And this poor gentleman had to say that
because he had no choice. And now you have no choice. I understand that. I'm not going to talk about any of you because I do understand what happens when you between a rock and a hard place. But what you need to do is start thinking about what are we going to do next.
So the questions that you have to ask is who are they going to ask? Who are they going to stop? Are they going to require papers? Are they going to require papers of everyone that's in the company of the person that they're dealing with?
What is considered a crime when the county has been apprehending people? Most of the people that they have stopped have not violated any law. And the ones that they have is basically
driving without a license. 16 year olds do that. Are you going to ask them? Are you illegal? We were in the New York City area when there was stop and frisk and it ended up with
people getting killed. Okay. I expect all of you to vote to pass this, but I do expect all of you to be solid citizens and do the right thing next because that's the only thing that you can do. And that's the only thing
that your governor, not mine, your governor and the Senate and the and the legislature decided to keep up on you so you can get yelled at and not them. So to make sure that you don't do that,
make sure that you remember who you are and who we are. We are your people and you are our people and the police are our people as well. We don't want to hate any of them. We don't want to hate any of you. And
you're going to have to treat everyone that you meet on Winter Haven streets and whenever the police will stop any of these people in their homes for whatever reason that they're our people, too. Thank you.
All right, we got two final people. Is that it? because most of you are saying repeating the same thing and I asked you not to. Well, I won't do that. Me either. My name is Karen Wel. I live at 3310 Fox Ridge Drive in Winter Haven. I've lived
in Winter Haven for over 25 years. I'm the I'm a proud co-founder of an organization that supports public education in this state. And I'm here today as a citizen of the United States, a country that was founded under the principle that all men are created equal
and they are guaranteed a right to due process under law. What is happening in this country today is such a vile discredit to all that we have fought for and all that we believe to be true. We see it happening every day. Citizens, legal immigrants, people who came to
this country for a better life. One that we used to believe was our greatest legacy. And now you are planning to allow your police officers and others to sign this agreement to tear families apart, to take mothers and fathers away from their
homes and jobs and their children. This is happening without the benefit of verifying who they are. Without officers giving them the right to legal counsel, without officers identifying themselves, wearing masks to cover their face, and they are removing these people from
their communities. your own law enforcement officers who live and work in this city, in this small community, who may attend the same church as those they are arresting, whose children may play with their kids or go to school together,
those parents who may actually work within the city, helping you and me with all of the things that a city and a community must do. And speaking of the children, I can only imagine the fear these children live with. The horrible memories they will have for the rest of
their lives. What kind of damage will this have on their future and their education and their involvement in their community? And then you expect those same officers to go home at night, look at their neighbors in their face, knowing that they have arrested and torn
apart families. Shame on you. Shame on every single one of you who are contemplating and or will vote for this amend this memo. You know what it is. Just because there is a a racist convicted convicted felon
felon now sitting in the White House does not mean that we have to follow his dangerous actions. Please vote no. Do not support this memo. Thank you for your time. Next, I have one other person. Come, come
forward. State your name and address for the record. Who is it? You. Okay. Uh, my name is Katherine Vaughn. My address is 961 North Heron Circle, Winter Haven, Florida. Um, I don't like public
speaking, so I apologize if my voice is very shaky. Um, I'm a teacher. I'm here for my students, many of who are from Haiti and Mexico, who are afraid for themselves and their families. Um, you know, I I was kind of offended by this
statement that we're just simply following process. We're simply doing something that we've done with many other agencies. Um, many other agencies aren't uh going against the Constitution and being ruled against by federal judges because they will not allow for
due process. Our constitution says due process. ICE is not doing that. Um what we know is that um we're constantly being told that something is one thing but then it's another. Right? We're being told that will never happen. How
many times have we heard that will never happen and it happens directly after that. Right? Um, one example is they said, "We're only going after illegal um, immigrants." That was untrue, right? It was only
illegal immigrants. Then it was immigrants without papers. Then it was, "Let's take away those papers. Let's revoke those visas." And then we're going after them. Oh, we only want to go after people who are breaking the law. but then they're going to their court
hearings and being arrested at court when they're following the law. So we've seen in this process alone we have seen that will never happen actually happen. So we are being told these small concessions
um is all that's needed but that's not true. They continue to be larger and larger concessions. Um, and so I guess for the record, what I wanted to come up here and say is that uh you're going to do what you're going to do, but stop
stop telling us it's one thing. Uh, because we're smart enough to know. Give us the respect to tell us what it actually is and why you're voting for it. I would really appreciate that because you have an opportunity if you're just memorializing a vote. Um,
you have an opportunity to memorialize an opposition to fascism and you should take that opportunity today. All right, I'm going to close I'm closing the public hearing. I'm not going to say the same thing.
Come forward. State your name and address for the record. My name is Elma Fernandez. I'm a little nervous. I didn't come prepared. I just came to learn and listen how the the process is here. Um I live at 172 Lakes
Marked Circle. It's in Winter Haven. I've only been here for five years, but my thing is you're opening up a can of worms here. Everybody's talk emotional. I want to talk financial. Where is this going to put the our
community in when it comes to taxes, money, and my pocket? You're going to use our police force to strengthen back up the federal government. Are they going to pay this?
Are they going to reimburse us for this? Are they going to reimburse us for this? The training that our police department is going to get, are we going to pay for this or is the federal government going to pay for this? Okay, I come from New York. I come from
Brooklyn. I've seen a lot of crime 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s. And when you use your police force against the community, the community will close down on you. They will never come to you. And that's why
we had so many problems in New York. If you want to repeat that, then all by all means go ahead and do what you need to do and vote this in. But remember, you're opening up a can of worms. And if you're talking safety, this is not going
to make the community any safer. That's all I have to say. And I told you I wasn't going to say the same thing. I wasn't emotional because I can't be emotional. But I'm talking money. Money. You will be out of office in a
few months, a few years, but we're going to still be here. Thank you. And I'm sorry. Next person, please. I have no filters in my house. Ma'am, Ma'am, you're through. Okay. I have no filters. Thank you.
Good evening. My name is Anna Maria Ruiz. Um myself, I'm an immigrant. I came from Colombia and I want to say that I thank America for every opportunity has given me, especially for education wise and everything. I'm about to head off to college. I understand there's so many things that people don't understand when it comes down to
immigration. I have done it the legal way. My dad is a US citizen. He ordered me and he asked me and everything and we have done it's a long process but we understand the thing is um I feel like the only thing that the commissioners have to do is to make sure there is always transparency between what's
happening to the public because of course there has to be a legal way of doing things that we can just not come and do things wherever we want them as an immigrant myself I will say that but the thing is as long as the commissioners and like the local government demonstrates and opens the
eyes for the others and explain explains how legally everything should be done and there's transparency between them. I think it's it's understandable why this situation is happening. I understand it's a federal thing that it cannot be controlled by here. They do you guys are not the ones who could control the law and do it or make it that way. But in
the I feel like my only recommendation because as myself at some point I was scared until I understood that I did it the legal way. But I understand that can be very scary for kids because I'm a kid myself. But what I'm saying is as long as the government like the local government finds a way to talk about
this in a in a transparent way to the public and make sure that people are going to everything is going to be do the right way. I feel like that's the most important focus right now because I understand that it has to be done at some point and the only thing that I like the people I think should ask for
it's um a promise that it's going to be followed the right way. Thank you. Anyone else? Anyone else? Going once. Going twice.
Gone. I will now close the public hearing. Reopen the city commission meeting. Uh, Mr. city manager, would you please uh really uh go through what's actually uh being
uh requested and the ramifications and all of this so the audience can get a precise clear understanding of what we are doing here and what we are not
doing. A lot of what I've just heard is not what we will be doing. Mr. Mayor, I'm going to ask assistant city manager for public safety Charlie Bird and Police Chief Vance Monroe who
uh to go through the item. Yes, sir. So, I'll start off and let Chief Monroe uh follow through the proposal as it is. the MOA as it is really in fact uh you know people are
offended by the fact that it's memorializing it's memorializing a process that was already in place. It's not anything new that law enforcement's been doing. I've been a police officer for 31 years before I retired.
Anytime that we came across we made arrests. This is a we're dealing with people that we're going to be making arrest on. Whether you vote for this tonight or not, they will still go to the Barto County Jail. If they're charged with probable cause, they will still be looked at. They'll fingerprints
will be run. And if they hit and meet the the requirements of being an illegal when they get identified, there's an ICE agent at the at the at the sheriff's office jail who will then make the decision on whether or not that has to that person's going to be um
sent to the processing center of which there's not one here in Pulk County. The sheriff won't take a person that has a a immigration pickup order because it can't be held at the at the county jail. The only place that can be held is uh
there's a facility in Orange County and a facility in Tampa. That's why the ICE agent is there. I think he's there during daytime hours. And that process will take place um whether you vote this in or not. that that is that is the process that takes
place. Um Vance can or Chief Monroe can speak to this uh himself. He still has control over his police department. I I can tell you that in 31 years and I retired as the police chief and you know me, the majority of this audience knows me. The transparency with which this
department does and holds its officers accountable. I am a little bit defensive in that regard whenever people are saying that we're going to go around and do the things that they're saying that we're going to do because we don't do that and we hold people accountable and I think Chief Monroe will be doing that. He
still has control of his police department. This is simply um I like the the analogy of a a rock in a hard place. That is a hard rock and a hard place for all of us in essence of being transparent.
That's why we're here tonight because the chief can actually execute this memorandum of agreement. Someone said that that's actually true. But we're trying to be transparent here. That's one step of it. And so no matter what they vote on, uh,
you know, I think people need to understand It's a rock and a hard place. But with that said, when there's a law that's broken, we will do that. We will not be going out and knocking on people's doors and checking their immigration papers. We will not be going
around doing roundups. In fact, there was a recent um demonstration where our police officers walked handinand with folks that were immigrants. We didn't ask for papers. We're not going to start doing that. We're just
complying. Chief. Yes. I know this is an emotionally charged subject here and we're talking about the federal level, but let's let's talk about what it is for us, the local level, and what we're doing. I told you before need to talk
into I'm sorry. I apologize. Like I said before, we are not going to go out here and start knocking down doors and asking people for their status. It's whenever we are called to a particular scene.
um traffic stops, um whenever we're arresting individuals, those questions have to get asked because they got to get booked into the county jail. Those are questions that will be asked. We're not sitting around here just sitting sitting on the street corners
with in our vehicle saying, "Hey, let me stop this person." Cuz what does an immigrant look like? I look like an immigrant. There's no special tool that we have in on our tool on on our belts that tells us this person's an immigrant. We're not
going to sit up here and violate people's rights. We're going to do things that are lawful that are come that's from the state of Florida and federal law. That's what we are going to be doing. It's some of the stuff that I heard here
tonight. I understand it. I understand the fear and one lady said that that that that from Colombia there she said you know it's about transparency we will be we are going to be transparent there's no other way to do this
there there's no matter what we say or how we say it there are people that are going to still feel that we are the strong arm of the federal government regardless of our track record. We are not going to dress up and start
jumping out, masking up and snatching people up. That is not what we do. I know there's the the commission here. I know the city manager. I know the assistant city manager. Everyone here understand that that is not who we are.
There are cities that have been criticized for not signing this particular legislation, particularly Fort Meyers. There's articles, I don't know anyone in particular that was down there. I can only speak about the articles um on why they were not able to why they
did not sign it. Um once they did, once it was brought to their attention, the attorney general contacted them and pretty much told them that they were skirting the line of being a a sanctuary city. That was the language that was used. We're going to follow law, the rule of
law. We have been doing this well before I've been in law for 29 years. When I started, we would arrest a person that was not documented. We will call customs at the time. They wouldn't respond. They wouldn't call back. If they did, they would say just release
the person. Now, there are protocols in place because of Florida state statutes. All right. Thank you. All right, commissioners. Any more discussion? I want to say something.
First of all, what has happened tonight is a prime example of why local government is so important. Everybody here, I suspect, is very frustrated with what's going on in Washington and Tallahassee and all over the place. But you don't have any opportunity to go to
Washington DC and state your opinion. You do have the opportunity to come here and state your opinion to us and we appreciate it and this is what we signed up for and we and I completely understand your your frustration. We're frustrated, too. We didn't pass this law. Um, what this is in essence is the
the chief just talked about the state passed this law and they want us to in essence, the way I understand it, they want us to to basically state that we're not a sanctuary city. Number two, I think every city has passed this already in Pole County. I think we're the last
ones to do this. I think is that correct, Chief? Or uh I think you that is that accurate or not? That's what I thought. But talking to the chiefs. Yes, sir. That's what I was told. All the chiefs have passed. Winter Haven is the last one.
Yes, sir. Okay. And then um what is my question is this. I know I read something somewhere where where Grady was not comfortable with something or he was not going to pass something or he wasn't going to do something. What do you know what I'm talking about? Because
that is in my mind, but I don't know if details about it. there was something that he refused to do or he agreed to do that he didn't want to do or something about that. Is does that ring a bell? I cannot recall that 100% but he did mention that at the police chief. It it may have been that there's an presently
there's an injunction uh as to the enforcement of state law certain aspects of state law that the federal court has criticized the Florida attorney general on recently. I think that aspect of it may have been something that the sheriff may have mentioned, but that's still in
flux. Well, okay. Well, like I said, I understand everybody's frustration. We're frustrated. We don't want to be up here doing this. This is not at all what we didn't pass this law. And in essence, I was I was at a Florida League of Cities, Florida Municipal Insurance
Trust meeting when when Fort Myers vote, they were they were tied. It was two to two. And the fifth person to vote was sitting next to me at a table. She's on the lake on the Fort Meyer city commission and her phone started blowing up and she had to leave the commission meeting to drive home. She had to leave
the Florida municipal insurance trust to drive home to cast the vote to to break the tie. And she was telling me that how much money was at stake if she had if they didn't pass this and it was seven figures for for the Fort Meyers Police
Department. Now whether that's true or not, I don't know, but that was her understanding and that's what she told me. And I've asked the question repeatedly or not around here a little bit, how much money is actually at stake here with our police department? And nobody knows, but there is some money at stake of of for our police department if
if we don't do this. Now, I don't know if it's a dollar or $10,000 or $100,000, but um what how do we make that up if we if we don't get this if the state cuts off our
funding for our police department through grants or whatever? I don't know how even how we get paid from the state but commissioner what what I'm understanding is that whether we approve it or not it's going to be done
whether we approve it or not this is something that's happening matter whe this is a discussion with the commission The public hearing is over
and if you keep making outbursts I will have you removed. So this discussion is with the commissioners. I had the public hearing. We listen to what you had to say and you're going to listen to what we have
to say or you can be dismissed. All right, commissioners. I agree that um um Mr. Bird, you were correct. This is uh putting us in a between a
rock and a hard place. And it's uh you know when I when I listen to this and uh read this and understand what I'm reading and I think u to the mayor's
point that uh if in fact whatever we vote regardless that this matter will be uh still move forward. And so we may may make ourselves feel good that we stood out and and went against something, but the fact is that
it's not going to change the dynamics at all. In other words, I understand you were saying that it was brought here primarily because of our being transparent about this matter. But the fact is uh it's an issue that you will have to contend with as a police chief.
Am I correct? Yes, sir. Yes, sir. So we vote we vote no on this. So what happens if you vote no on this they can't sign it. We can't sign it can't be signed. So it does matter. So then then then we will be subjected then we would then then we
will be subjected to uh the challenges of the state correct and also funding for our police department and uh would be impacted negatively and uh so that that's an issue of safety within our community.
which is is your responsibility and I know you uphold that with all um you know that with the integrity and uh with the honor that you are sworn to do it. Um you know I uh
I ran to serve the city and um one of the uh citizens alluded to the fact that we're we're all a little up in age. Thank God for that. Uh, it's good to get old. Hope that you'll get
old. Um, but with that comes uh some wisdom and understanding. I'm old enough to remember Jim Crow and uh I'm old enough to remember my grandmother and my mother and those who
uh who suffered under oppression in this nation. And I love America. I love Winter Haven. I love the citizens and uh again I I ran to serve
and uh I find it extremely difficult to uh agree to something that goes against everything that I stand for. And uh I will say to all of us tonight, remember this that elections have consequences.
And I think we all understand that. If you don't understand it by now, you better go make sure your voter registration card is up to date. Any more discussion? Sorry. I'm sorry. We're in this vicarious situation. It
was designed to do just what it's doing. It was designed to put us against each other. And you know, we are the United States. But I'm wondering about that today because it looks like something is
pulling us apart. if we allow it, if we let it happen, and it's up to us ultimately, we the people, we ultimately make the decisions. And so, uh, I'm sorry, you know, that
that we're put in this place, but it is also wonderful to see uh when the people raise up and speak truth to power and say what they need to say about matters that impact their lives. Anyone
else? I'd like to say something. Go ahead. As you said, it's a very difficult decision, but we were elected to make those difficult decisions. I don't want to be one of the cities out there, and I think there's nobody else
but us. Now, that would be a non-compliance. That's not a good position to be in. I quickly looked it up and it said you could face by not doing what the state has um you're out of compliance. Uh you can face legal
challenges, financial penalties and such such as lawsuits, withholding of funds, etc. So, we would be jeopardizing the police department and what they their responses and duties
to this community if we don't comply. Uh, and it's not that like he said that we're going to be out there doing this kind of stuff. It is that we have to comply from the state. When you pass a federal law, you pass it down to the state. The
state has to comply. They pass it down to the counties to the cities and we all have to comply with that and we don't have a choice where either we become non-compliant and I don't think Winter Haven wants to be non-compliant.
All right. Anyone else? Is there any more discussion? All in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I opposes by the same sign. I the motion passes
3 to one. All right, moving right along. Resolution resolution R2529 29 would you read by title only city attorney? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Resolution number R-25-29, a resolution of the city commission of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, affirmatively accepting the conveyance
of that warranty deed from Gary M. Bennett to the city of Winter Haven, Florida, as more particularly described in the warranty deed executed and delivered by Gary M. Bennett to the city of Winter Haven recorded on February 3rd, 2025 in official records book 13418, page 462, public records of Pope
County, Florida, and providing for an effective date. Thank you, city manager. Mayor, commissioners, on January 30th of 2025, the closing of the transaction comp contemplated in a purchase and sale agreement took place and Gary M. Bennett
delivered a warranty deed for the real property to the city for the payment of $500,000. This is property that is located adjacent to the wastewater treatment plant 3. Uh resolution R2529 formally accepts the real property from Gary M.
Bennett. Staff recommends city commission approve resolution R-25-29. Thank you. Thank you, commissioners. Entertain a motion, Mr. Mayor. Yes. Motion to approve R2529 resolution. Thank you. I'll close the
commission meeting, open the public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak to resolution R2529 may do so at this time. Seeing none, close the public hearing. We open the commission meeting. Is there any discussion? All those in favor of
the motion, let it be known by saying I. I. Opposes by the same sign. Hearing none. Resolution R2529 is adopted. Resolution R2530 would read by Talon, city attorney. Thank you, Mr.
Mayor. Resolution R-25-30, a resolution of the city commission of the city of Winter, Florida, assigning the name of Willoughbrook Drive to an unnamed approximate 70 foot platted ride ofway contained in the Willoughbrook North subdivision as recorded in Platbook 214, pages 4 through 19 of the public records
of Pope County, Florida. making findings, providing for severability, repeal of conflicting resolutions, and unaffected date. Thank you. Thank you, city manager. Mayor, commissioners, uh March 10th, 2025, the commission approved the Willoughbrook North subdivision plat. As part of this
subdivision, the developer dedicated an approximate 70 foot wide right ofway to the city for use in constructing a future collector road connecting Lucern Park Road and Martin Luther King Boulevard. Subdivision Platt did not provide a name for this right ofway.
Staff proposes to assign Willoughbrook Drive to the unnamed right ofway platted uh by Willoughbrook North. This is consistent with the platted right ofway that is located in the Willoughbrook South portion of the plat which you can
see on your screen. Pulk County 9 E911 indicated they have no objections to this proposed name. If the resolution is approved by the commission, Pulk County E911 addressing office will notify affected emergency response agencies, other government agencies, and any
affected property owners. Staff recommends city commission approve resolution R25-30 and authorize city manager and or designate to take all necessary actions to implement the road naming authorized by the resolution. Thank you. Thank you, commissioners.
Mr. Mayor, motion to approve R 2531 30 30, excuse me. R 3130 name will drive. All right. Close the commission meeting. Open the public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak to R 2530 may do so at
this time. Seeing none, close the public hearing. Reopen the commission meeting. Is there any discussion? All those in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I. Post by the same sign. Hearing none. R2530 is adopted. R2531
would agree by title only. City attorney. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Resolution R-25-31, a resolution confirming the acceptance of improvements, infrastructure, and dedications in favor of the public/ city of Winter Haven as notated on that certain platin titled VMAR phase 7 recorded in the office of the clerk of
the circuit court for Poke County, Florida in platbook 211, pages 50 through 57, public records of Poke County, Florida, and authorizing the city manager to release the performance bond posted to guarantee completion of required improvements in infrastructure. The general location and subdivision is generally located north of Thompson
Nursery Road Realignment and south of Eloise Loop Road. Thank you. Thank you, city manager, mayor, and city commissioners. Varde DEV LLC requests the city commission accept certain improvements in dedications in favor of the city as
noted on the plat for Villimar phase 7. This includes 108.7 plus or minus acres and contains 3 393 building lots and seven common lots. All water lines, sewer lines, reuse lines, and related infrastructure will be owned and maintained by the city. However, all
internal roadways, street lighting, and all storm water related infrastructure will be owned and maintained by the Villimar Community Development District. The developer submitted a performance bond in the amount of $391,435 to guarantee completion of all required
infrastructure and improvements for the subdivision. Recent inspections by staff found that all incomplete improvements are now complete and the water wastewater and reuse utilities can now be accepted by the city. Staff recommends the city commission approve resolution R25-31
and authorize the city manager designate to take all necessary actions related to the same. Thank you. All right, commissioners. Mr. Mayor, yes. Motion to approve resolution R2531. Thank you. I'll close the commission meeting. Open the public hearing. Anyone
wishing to speak to resolution R231 may do so at this time. Seeing none, close the public hearing. Reopen the city commission meeting. Any discussion? All those in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I. Postes by the same
sign. Hearing none. R 2531 is adopted. R 2532. Would you read by title only city attorney? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Resolution number R-25-32. A resolution of the city commission of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, approving that certain amendment number two for extension of public transportation grant agreement between
the state of Florida Department of Transportation, FDOT, and the city of Winter Haven under the public transportation grant agreement under financial management number 449546-1-94-01 for funding for the design and construction of a road to connect logistics Parkway to Pard Road and authorizing the city manager and
appropriate city officials to execute set amendment number two and to take all other necessary actions regarding set amendment number two and the project providing for severability conflicts for the administrative correction of scrimmage errors and providing for an effective date. Thank you. Thank you, city manager, mayor and commissioners.
On January 30th of 2023, the city and FDOT entered into public transportation grant in the amount of $3 million. This grant is for the reconstruction of Parard Road in the extension of Logistics Parkway to connect the two roadways. Resolution 2532 authorizes
city manager designignate to execute amendment two that extends the grant agreement until January 6th of 2027 providing additional time to complete the project due to environmental permitting for storm water retention and land acquisition. There's no financial
impacts associated with amendment two. This does put the grant completion time frame on the same path as the Florida Commerce Florida job growth infrastructure grant uh which was also awarded at that same time. Staff recommends city commission approve
resolution R2532 for amendment 2 to the Florida Department of Transportation public transportation grant and authorizes the city manager designate to take all other appropriate uh actions related to the amendment. Thank you. Thank you.
Commissioners. Mr. Mayor. Yes. Motion to approve R 2532. Thank you. I will close the commission meeting and open the public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak to resolution R2532 may do so at this time. Seeing none,
close the public hearing. We open the city commission meeting. Is there any discussion? All those in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I. Opposed by the same sign. Hearing none. Resolution R2532 is adopted. We have some ordinances.
First reading. The second reading will be on uh July 14th. Ordinance 021. Would you read by Tyl City attorney? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ordinance number 0-25-21 and ordinance amending ordinance 23-25
to 2035 Winter Haven comprehensive plan by revising the future land use map series by amending the future land use on a parcel from neighborhood suburban future land use to neighborhood mixeduse hub future land use assigning neighborhood mixed assigning neighborhood mixed use hub future land
use to an annex parcel repealing all ordinances in conflict with providing for the administrative correction of scrimmers errors and providing an effective date general location 807 Snively Avenue, the northeast corner of Sty Avenue and Eloise Loop Road. The area covered by this request is 33 plus
or minus acres. Thank you. Thank you, city manager. Mayor and commissioners, Ark Industries, Inc. request the city amend the 2035 future land use on a 0.64 acre parcel from neighborhood suburban future land use to neighborhood mixeduse hub future land use. And to assign
neighborhood mixeduse hub future land use to a 32.4 acre annex parcel. and to assign commercial highway C3 zoning district to two annex parcels. These total 33.0 plus or minus acres. Uh a small portion
of the subject property has been in the city since 2007. However, the majority of the property was annexed into the city February 24th, 2025. This property is intended to be the new campus for Cypress Junction Monasuri uh charter school, a public charter school here in
Winter Haven. And I see the head of school is here along with representatives uh from the uh the engineering team. Um the scheduled opening date for this new facility is for the 2627 school year. So August of 2026.
City potable water and wastewater infrastructure is located near the area subject to these requests and will be extended to the property by the petitioner or their successors at the time of development. The subject area is is designated as residential suburban by Pulk County
future land use maps. The requested neighborhood mixeduse hub future land use is consistent with the subject area's location at the intersection of two collector roadways and the mixeduse character of Snively Avenue rifle range road corridor. Additionally, the C the
requested C3 zoning district is consistent with the requested neighborhood mixeduse hub future land use. The planning commission on June 3rd of 2025 voted to recommend approval of these requests. There were no members of the public who spoke in favor or
opposition to the request. Staff recommends city commission advance ordinance 025-21 uh to second reading to take place two weeks from this evening. Thank you. All right. Thank you. If there's anyone that would like to
speak to this ordinance, you may do so at this time. All right. Seeing none, we'll move on to ordinance 02522. Would you read by title on the state attorney? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ordinance number 0-25-22 an ordinance amending chapter 21 of the
code of ordinances of the city win Florida by assigning commercial highway C3 zoning district to two annex parcels repealing all ordinances in conflict with providing for the administrative correction of screr errors and providing an effective date. General location 807 Snively Avenue the northeast corner of
Snively Avenue and Eloise Loop Road. The area covered by this request is 33 plus or minus acres. Thank you. Thank you city manager. Mayor commissioners. This is a companion ordinance that speaks to the assignment of the uh forementioned zoning. Staff recommends that this item
be advanced to second reading uh two weeks from this evening. Thank you. All right. Thank you. We'll have our second reading on July 14th. However, if there's anyone that would like to speak to this particular audition, you may do so at this time. All right. Seeing none, we'll move right
along. New business. Uh 13A, City Manager. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, commissioners. Um, this item pertains to an agreement for purchase and sale of real property located at 801 Cypress Gardens Boulevard. City has coordinated with the Florida Department of
Transportation on intersection improvements along the Cypress Gardens Boulevard for the past several years. Two entities identified the intersections at Sixth, 8th, and 9inth Street Southeast as needing improvements to accommodate future growth. should also note that the improvements that
were recently completed at US Highway 17 as well as at First Street were part of those same discussions. As a result of the identification of the needed improvements further east on Cypress Gardens Boulevard, the city had appropriated $1.5 million in fiscal year
21 uh within the transportation fund to help advance future improvements to be made by FDOT. One of the primary areas of concern is the intersection at Cypress Gardens Boulevard and 9inth Street Southeast. Uh I think we have a slide that dictates or illustrates that. If we could pull that
up. Um in partnership with FDOT staff explored the potential for realigning ETH 9th Street to create a more effective and appropriate intersection. As it stands today, traffic that is coming south on 8th Street is diverting through private property adjacent to TD
Bank and exiting at the intersection that happens to be signalized at a driveway uh versus an actual road. Um we attempted to acquire this property several years back but were unsuccessful as it was purchased by another buyer.
The property has recently become available again. staff confirmed with FDOT staff their continued support of the realignment concept and the use of the property if it could be acquired. An appraisal was completed on May 1st of this year establishing the current
market value at $ 1.45 million. Staff presented a verbal offer uh to the owner's representative which was favorably received. That offer is contingent upon city commission approval as well as our completion and and favorable uh receipt of the due
diligence efforts that will be need to take place. If the property is acquired, the existing structures will ultimately be raised and the right of way needed to make the improvements will be ultimately dedicated to FDOT. The improvements of the intersection, including design and construction, will be the responsibility
of DOT. There's not yet a time frame or funding appropriation for FDOT's work. As you can understand, they work off of a five-year work plan. If we acquire this now, they will work to advance those designs and construction parameters within that plan. The
purchase price of the property is $1.45 million, which is consistent with the appraisal. Funding for this purchase will come from the transportation fund, which has $1.9 million appropriated for intersection improvements at this corridor.
the um in in in moving forward with this. Again, this is one of those projects that we've been looking at really since about 2017 um in order to make the improvements at that intersection, particularly with the amount of growth and development that is
occurring further south in the Harmony development and in surrounding areas. Improvements to this intersection have been identified as something that is much needed. Staff does recommend that the city commission approve the agreement for purchase and sale of real property at 801 Cypress Gardens
Boulevard and authorize city manager to execute the agreement and take any and all actions necessarily in related to the acquisition. As a note, the um the closing for this uh there's a couple factors that will influence the closing.
First of all, um there has to be if the commission approves this this evening, there is a first right of refusal that is factored into the existing commercial lease for a tenant that is on that property. I believe they have 30 days in which to respond to either accept or
forgo that first right or refusal. Once we have a decision on that or they have made a decision, we will commence our due diligence period. uh that is established at 60 days with the opportunity for a 45day extension. Um
there is also a termination clause within that commercial lease between the owner and the tenant that calls for a 180day notice of termination. Um I would not recommend that the city take on uh the role of landlord. And so
we would uh if if unless that tenant chooses to vacate the property sooner, uh we would wait to do our closing until that 180day um termination notice has been completed. So by my calculation, the latest that that would occur is
sometime on or around January 19th. However, we would be locked into the purchase as soon as we have uh completed a a due diligence assessment and are um agreeable to conditions on the property. All right. Thank you. Quick question. I
just t I just want to make sure you're going to do an environmental land study because a gas station for um and as we understand all the tanks have been removed and there has already been a phase one that occurred with the most recent purchase. It was I believe probably three years ago. Um, and so we
will uh get access to all of those reports as well. Um, but we will conduct our own phase one and phase two environmental assessment and anything else we need to look at there. Thank you. Yes, sir. All right. Entertain a motion,
Mr. Mayor. Yes. Move to approve uh agreement for purchase and sale of 801 Cros Boulevard. All right. I will now close the commission meeting, open public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak to this item can do so at this time.
Seeing none, close the public hearing. We open the city commission meeting. Is there any discussion? All those in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I. Opposes by the same sign. Hearing none. We are going to make an offer to
purchase some land at 1.45 million. All right. uh 13B would you read by well take that on city manager. Thank you Mr. Mayor. So through the supplemental appropriation for hurricanes Helen and Milton the US EPA has provided $1.6
billion in federal funding to Florida's drinking water state revolving fund and clean water state revolving fund to support eligible recovery and resilience projects. The funding pursuit via the clean water state revolving fund is as follows. The
city is going to pursue funds that would potentially grant the city up to 100% loan forgiveness. This is based upon Winter Haven's per capita income in comparison to Florida's state average. Um, and that would afford us the opportunity to pursue loan forgiveness.
The pursuit will prioritize projects in the following ranked order. First would be wastewater treatment plant 2 decommissioning and new transfer/master pump station. That is totaling out at 33,79,521. Second project is a new force man from
wastewater treatment plant number two to the lift station 1050. That is a 52,71,250 project. And then wastewater treatment plant three headworks improvements. This is estimated at 7,880,113 for a total request of 94 thou
94,290,884. These are projects that are identified within our 5-year CIP. Um the state is certainly not expected to grant nearly $94.29 $29 million to a single municipality, but they have asked for a ranked project list to appropriately
fund the various utility systems. The anticipated award is more likely somewhere in the range of 20 to $40 million. However, staff is making a strategic decision to request the full amount. This allows for maximum potential funding, particularly if the pool of applicants is small, and places
the responsibility back on D to adjust the allocation downward without consequence to the city's application. The application stems from hurricane uh induced power loss at wastewater treatment plant number two. Recognizing Plant 2's aging infrastructure and the
city's ongoing efforts to consolidate water treat wastewater treatment plants into a single site, choice has been made to decommission plant two and remove the flow to plant three. Uh the decision proactively avoids future storm related issues at plant two. Therefore, in response to hurricane, staff is
requesting funding to bypass plant 2 and transfer the flow to plant three, which meets advanced wastewater treatment criteria for treatment levels and is more resilient to storm impacts. We bring this before you to get approval
with submitting applications to DP um for these these grant uh awards. Uh the application deadline for submission is June 30th of this year. So, you will not meet again until after that. So uh hence its placement on this evening's agenda. There's no financial impacts associated
with the submission of the applications. Staff recommends the city commission approve the submission of the FD hurricane relief fund SRF grant application and authorize the city manager or designate to take all necessary actions required for the application process.
So, if we're successful and and we're one of only a few that apply, we could offset a significant cost within our five-year CIP. Uh we realistically think um that we are in a prime position uh to be awarded between 20 and $40 million
for those projects. All right, commissioners entertain a motion. I'll make a motion um to approve 13B, the FT hurricane relief funding. All right, I'll close the uh commission meeting. Open public hearing. Anyone
wishing to speak to this item may do so at this time. Seeing none, close the public hearing. We open the city commission meeting. Is there any discussion? All those in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I opposes by the same sign. We are
done. The item passes. 13C. Mayor and commissioners, this is just anformational item. It does not require any city commission action, but we certainly wanted you to be aware of it. Pertains to the intersection of Avenue C, Southwest, and Third Street. Um, and a study that was conducted by
Kimley Horn and Associates at staff's request looking at that intersection. And when we redesigned Avenue C as a complete street a few years back, um we looked at this intersection similar to we as we had done several others over the past 20 years in downtown that were
signalized intersections to determine if there would be a more efficient uh operation of that intersection as an all-way stop. Um so Kimley Horn did perform that traffic evaluation of the intersection. I will say the manual on uniform traffic control devices which we
refer to as the MUTCD. It doesn't provide specific warrants for the removal of existing controls, but it does provide guidance for ex evaluating the installation or removal of traffic control signals. Um based upon what the evaluation uh came back with, it is the
recommendation that an always stop control be installed at this intersection as opposed to a signal signalized intersection. Uh your memo that is included in your fact sheet illustrates the timeline at which this would happen. That includes beginning on July 7th of this year installation
offormational signage at the intersection to notify the public of the changes. On July 21st the signals would be switched to flashing red for all approaches. So it'll be set up as an always stop with four with the uh the
red ball flashing for all approaches. uh that will continue for a minimum of 90 days throughout which periodic observation of the morning and evening peak times will be conducted on or about October 20th of this year. The signal heads will be removed and a
plan for removing the spans will be finalized after coordination with overhead utility owners. Uh this is the exact same process that we have done over time at Avenue G and Sixth Street Southwest. uh further up on Third Street at Magnolia, Avenue A Southwest, Avenue
A Northwest, Avenue B Northwest, and at Second Street and Avenue B Northwest as well. So, um again, it's justformational. We want you to be aware of it. Uh we do think that this improves traffic flow in that area and um we'll
share more as we get closer to uh to that conversion, but team is here to answer any questions you may have. All right. Any questions? All right. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Leon reports.
Uh, Commissioner Mercer, I attended the Pope uh TPO board meeting and um uh one of the things that we talked about was advanced air mobility and uh we were uh discussing how um
drones will fly in the first 400 ft and um the um they're called um evatl I guess it's called um uh they're flying the 1,00 to 300. That's a small
airplanes uh a small little um and we talked um about then um they're they're going to start out piloted but they will become unpiloted after after a while. Um and then we talked a little bit about
bearports, helports and airports. So uh and um so uh there was a lot to you know to learn. I think I spoke one time before about the planes uh the small ones and the private uh and how much it
cost and things like that because DOT had given an update at the League of Cities. And so um it's just kind of interesting to you know that we know it's coming. Um and um they said that um
the need for electrical charging would still be uh at these um bars, teleports, whatever. And uh and of course um they would be have to be um charged. Um
okay. Attended the um Ridgelia uh city meeting in Davenport was the host city. um attended the Junth annual celebration. That was our fourth one. Yeah. And u then the Poke County All
Sports uh and Hall of Fame and um it's it's interesting to go and watch the young and then um also those sports that those people have made it and have a lot of significance, you know, to their life
with that. And um uh a lot of them I think two of them this year had um died before they got um awarded that sports hall of fame um there. So I would I would have liked it better if they had done it what time you were still alive.
I think that you know makes it a lot better. So, but um you you have some great kids coming up through uh the golfer, the the tennis player, the whatever that were in that group, you
know, and are really um probably we're going to read about them a little later on, too. So, that's all I have. Commissioner Dialison, good evening. Uh Mr. mayor and to uh city staff and city
manager. Uh I had the opportunity to uh share in the Pulk Historical Society annual pioneer lunchon uh which indeed honored the uh two uh individuals here uh tonight. Welld deserved and I was
happy to be a part of that. It was really a first class event and uh two people well deserving of that honor. Also uh was able to uh participate in uh I call it the best class of leadership
winter haven class 44 and graduation and uh and I've got a couple classmates back there in the back and uh so it was just you know it was amazing. enjoyed really the uh camaraderie, meeting some amazing
people in our city and learning a lot about uh you know things that you you know you just thought you understood but really until you took a real uh close look and I really enjoyed just the opportunity. So I want to thank the city
uh for supporting me in that effort. U it really was a blessing and opportunity for me as a servant in the city of Winter Haven. also uh Father's Day lunchon uh that you know neighborhood service center uh love going there and uh there's some amazing wonderful people
there and uh I have been going there for a lot of years and so I've known a lot of those uh precious people and they're doing a wonderful job. I was so happy to see uh the service center, you know, back up running and doing an e excellent
outstanding job and uh and they're they're really uh uh making themselves known throughout the community. also was able to uh uh participate in the Junth celebration as uh Commissioner Mercer shared. And uh I want to you know say
kudos to the committee and to city staff and wreck and and parks and all the other staff supporting uh this event. Uh you have uh every year uh you guys seem to just uh uh do this at a level that uh
I think other cities would would really take note. Uh I appreciate the celebration. I know that there's a word two words uh well three words actually we don't like to use and uh DEI and uh but you got to remember what we're celebrating on June. We're actually
celebrating freedom and uh because freedom didn't come to everybody. Some had to wait uh to hear the news. But thank God it did come and uh we certainly appreciate that. closing I want to say tonight I know that was a you know spirit discussion that we
overheard tonight and I want to say uh and I don't want to rehash anything but I just want to say this because it's on my heart to say it and uh I want to say to uh uh assistant manager Bird to our law enforcement chief and and all your
uh staff by no means my vote uh was any any measure against what you guys stand for what you represent. I support you uh wholeheartedly and uh I regret again the fact that we were put in such a very difficult
position. But here's what I've learned over the years. My heart and my head have to be in agreement. And when they're not, I've got to go with my heart. And so I want you to know tonight that
uh I know that you know we are challenged on many fronts and uh I know that sometimes you have to make the difficult choices and uh I'm not here for popularity. I'm not here to be known or just seen but I'm here to serve. So
it's an honor and a privilege to be able to serve. And if I don't have this chance again I'm okay with that too. I was living before I came here and the Lord has been gracious and good to me. So, thank you for the privilege. Mayor, can I go back on one? No, I
forgot the veterans scene out front um on Saturday. I did attend the veterans memorial that they put out there. And um they um um they had of course I got to talk to Dur and and uh two former city
commissioners um and but the um they did look up um residents of um Winter Haven that had died uh in um as veterans in combat, I guess. And so they started
back in World War I to uh Vietnam um and Korean Korea and Korean I guess if before I was trying to think. Um but anyway they they are um it is out front
um the most the corner towards um uh the um oh the building the M U nor normma male nor yeah nor male all um I wish we
named that something else. Um but anyway um and uh parks and wreck you know they did a real nice uh setup there. Um they had the uh the salute the gun salute and everything and it was
extremely hot and they were trying to keep it short. Um, so but it was um, uh, very nice. If you get a chance, go out and look at marker there. Thank you, Commissioner Dancler. Uh, not much for me. I've been
on this commission almost 13 years and this is the first time I've got nothing really to report on because I went out to LA for supposed I had a five-day plane ticket, ended up spending almost two and a half weeks out there with my son with some uh, medical stuff. But I want to thank my commissioners for
carrying the weight for me. I'm sorry. I'm just all the fun stuff, but I would have certainly been there. And I know emotions were high tonight. And uh boy, but if you want to know about emotions, go to LA in downtown LA where he lives. He lives about an hour about a mile and
a half from where the riots were. And we had eight o'clock curfew and there were helicopters everywhere and police cars everywhere. And it it was I I I totally understand where everybody's coming from because you see that stuff on the news. And it's terrifying truthfully. I mean,
there were places we couldn't go. We had an app we had to see where we couldn't go and couldn't couldn't do. And and it it's scary to think that maybe one day that ends up here, but I understand where everybody was coming from. This was a tough one tonight. And um and and
even though we voted for it, it doesn't mean we necessarily what we support, what we don't support. This was something that I felt like, you know, and if you if you want to say, "Hey, there's no statutory rules that going to allow people to to withhold money from
us from Tallahassee where you're being naive because they know how to do it." It happened to Fort Myers and it's going and it can happen. And if if we're but if we as a as a commission are willing to stand at the front line and and file lawsuits and and everybody knows I'm not afraid of filing lawsuits. I've pushed
us many times to file lawsuits. So that's what would have been next for us. Had we done if we hadn't done this, we would have been involved in a bunch of lawsuits. Now whether that's right or wrong, that's for other people to decide, but that's what was next if we hadn't done what we did. So I I I wish
it hadn't come down to this, but this all started in Tallahassee, not Winter Haven. And um it's just it's just an unfortunate situation where we are, but here we are. So, but I thank my commissioners for caring for him for for
me for the last three weeks because I've been out of town. So, anyway, that's it for me, Mayor. All right, then. I'm going to take your time since uh Okay. No, one of the the the the uh highlights that I had was the uh I'm the uh
chairman of the Central Florida Regional Planning Council and we met at the uh Barto airport and I got to see firsthand a remote air traffic control tower
and I'm telling you I was really really really impressed. And what impressed me is that looking at a screen straight ahead that you could see 360
around the top. I'd never seen anything like that. There was a truck that was on one end and what they did is showed the the front of it and then they showed the
back of it on this end. So I'm saying how could they do that? But it was a 360 view that was not, you know, you 360 you turn all around. No, you're looking straight
ahead. But any rate that that was uh I was really impressed with that. Uh attended the TPO meeting. um went to the little celebration for the 44th graduation of the leadership winter
haven the Junth uh the uh TPO's uh LCB uh meeting that takes place which is the um basically for the handicap and and
the the really disadvantaged people transportation attended the get a did a a greetings at the scholarship banquet at my church. I had a very busy weekend. Attended two three services on Sunday.
Gave a greetings to the Masons at one church. I'm saying, man, uh I'm feeling like a preacher. uh enjoyed the food at the uh at the uh Father's Day lunchon and uh and then
finally I I really enjoyed the Junth and uh this past Saturday uh my leadership development program at the Florenceville CDC had their uh Junth celebration program. So all in all it
was good. With that being said, city attorney. Thank you, Mr. Mayor Commission. Nothing this evening tonight. All right, city manager, I see you have something else. Yes, sir. A couple items. Uh, first is item 16A, which is uh we have the Florida League
of Cities 2025 annual conference that will take place. I believe it's in August. Um, and as is normally the practice, uh, we ask that you authorize one member of the commission who will be in attendance to vote during the annual business session. So, if you can tell us who that would be
amongst the those that are present, we will um submit that paperwork to the Florida League. I'm there. I'm usually the voter. That's what I think. All right. Okay. We will we will submit that. A motion. Can I get a motion?
Motion to approve Mayor Vert Song as our delegate at Florida League. Open the public hearing. See if there's anyone would like to speak to that particular item. Seeing none, close the public hearing. Reopen the commission meeting. Any discussion? All those in
favor say I. I. Opposes by the same sign. Hear none. I will be the voting delegate. The uh next item for your uhformational purposes, I wanted to take a minute to introduce uh our new affordable housing compliance manager,
Miss Nancy Hurley. Um Nancy is uh joining us from Pulk County, a very uh well experienced tenur employee within the affordable housing arena. So Nancy, if you want to take a minute just to introduce yourself to the commission. Thank you. Um, again, my name is Nancy
Hurley and I come from Pulk County, but I'm really happy to be here and um, I'm looking forward to working with Cedric and a wonderful team and um, I think uh, we have a lot of work to do and a lot of fun things to do here at the city of
Winter Haven. So, I appreciate it. Thank you so much. So, she will work directly with um, our SHIP program. Uh, Commissioner Dancer, you serve as the voting member on the AHACK. you'll get to to see her quite a bit. She is uh filling the role that was vacated upon
the retirement of uh Miss Diane Durr several months back. So, we were excited to have Nancy and her expertise. I have to tell you, Nancy, I know you're excited for your new job, but there's one person that's more excited and he's sitting right next to you, Eric. Very good. Thank you so much. Thank you,
Nancy. Last item. um commissioners is Commissioner Mercer, you mentioned the um uh the information on advanced air mobility. Uh Mayor Bersong, you mentioned the information on remote air
traffic control uh systems. Uh just as a reminder, myself along with Winter Haven Regional Airport Director Troy Hidle will be flying out uh long before most people are awake on Wednesday morning to Atlantic City. to observe firsthand a
remote air traffic control system that is being studied uh very closely by FAA um and to give us some insights on that. I understand General Jake Palumbo who is a member of our airport safety committee will is going to be in DC at the same
time and is going to join us there uh to observe that. Uh this is a whirlwind trip. I think we leave out at sometime around um a 5:00 a.m. flight and we are back in town around midnight. So, wow. I will be reporting back to you on what we
learn. Which airport are you will it be? It is uh Atlantic City. Um I'm trying to think what the the call sign is for it. Um I will I will email that out to all of you. I don't know the name off top of my head. I apologize. No
problem. Actually, I may have it. Um I was just you know curious as to the size of that airport uh you know you know I'm assuming that was that is a particular site because of its uh it is ACY is the call for it. So I'm not
sure um what the if there's another name for it. That's all I have this evening sir. Thank you. Deputy city manager. Good evening mayor and city commissioners. I just wanted to mention uh Wednesday night I I brought
up that they were going to be transitioning our servers, taking a number of systems offline. That all went smoothly. I just want to give kudos to our IT team uh who worked very hard all weekend long uh to make sure that that went as smoothly as it did. So that's all
city clerk. Nothing this evening for me. Deputy city clerk emerce received for the agenda. A motion to adjoin. We stand the joy.