Afternoon. I'd like to call to order this agenda review for this the uh 5th day of November 2025. Can I get a roll call, please? >> Commissioner Dison >> here. >> Commissioner Mercer >> here. Commissioner Gansler >> here. May prom here
>> and Mayor Bong >> here. We will have an invocation then a pledge of allegiance. Then we have some presentations. Uh 5B, we'll do that at the uh end and um then we have the minutes comments
from the audience. We have no second readings. Then we have a lengthy consent agenda. We just ought to review those for us. City manager. >> Happy to, sir. Good evening, mayor and commissioners. Um first item you have
this evening is item 10A. This is the uh a change order and third amendment to our existing interlocal agreement with Pulk County. So, as you know, back in 2023, we awarded the commission awarded an RFQ for Chain Lakes Park phase 2
construction manager at risk to roda construction. On November 12th of 2024, the commission approved the guaranteed maximum price amendment for that project. Um, looking back to 2019, you know, that's when the fieldhouse opened
and the amount of parking facilities on site continue to pose frequent challenges to fully program all the amenities. And despite us adding additional parking with the new baseball fields, which are part of Chain of Lakes Park, uh, the second phase that we're working on, we know that we'll still
have some parking challenges ahead. So, we had originally intended to develop the southwest corner of this uh overall site with additional parking facilities. Our staff has worked with Rada and Pulk County on a change order and an
amendment to the existing interlocal agreement which would allow us to accomplish the additional parking improvements displayed on your screen. This would add approximately 358 additional spaces of which 233 will be paved and 125 will be stabilized grass.
So if you've been out to the site for anything recently at the fieldhouse, you see all the additional parking that we did with the baseball fields that exists now between the fieldhouse and the baseball fields. This is going to be more along US17 to the south of the
master lift station and west of uh the new field 4. So the change order also includes soding the great lawn area, creating additional green space on the site. Um adding a fountain to the retention pond, which will be a nice amenity for people that are utilizing
the trail down there, as well as additional site amenities, including landscaping and trees. That change order is $1.2 $2 million. Um the third amendment to the interlocal agreement allows for Pulk County to provide
$600,000 of that cost to us and uh the city will be required to uh pay the additional $600,29. We have included this within the fiscical year 26 budget. Uh this was something we had discussed during the
budget proposals. Um and so we are recommending that the commission approve that third amendment to the interlocal agreement with the county and authorize yourself and and the other city officials to execute and then also to approve the change order with Rada. Um
it's my understanding that a lot of this work, some of the site work has already been addressed. You know, the infrastructural needs and the goal is to have this uh for the most part completed prior to the commencement of the 2026
Rustmat Invitational, which will occur usually March, early March into into April. Um, we are still planning to do a dedication for the baseball fields and the new concession building. Uh, Andy, I'm going to look to you. I think it's December 5th. Is that correct? December
3rd. I think it's on a Wednesday before leading into our our agenda review that night. So, this is able to get done another big chunk of improvements there under the existing agreements. Any questions with that? >> Question. If you do happen to go by the
fieldhouse at any point in the in the next few days, there's a mural that is going on the front face of the new concession building down there. Um that is kind of like a welcome to Winter Haven mural. Very impressive. Uh they're it's it's in the paint be it's being
painted as we speak. So pretty pretty impressive uh displayed down there. They they started several days ago. Um but you it's it's coming out quick. I must not be able to see. I didn't see it. >> Yeah, it's it's it's it's it is
impressive. Um, next item for your consideration Monday evening will be a lease agreement with the Florenceville Community Development Corporation. So, since 1997, the CDC uh has had a lease with the city to uh for property located
at 115 Avenue R Northeast. This is also commonly known as the old JW elementary school property. Since that time, we've had two extensions. The most recent one actually expired in in February of 2024. Um although it's not in play at under,
you know, because it has expired, we have continued to operate uh that engagement under the conditions of that agreement. This proposed lease uh that we're bringing before you entitles the CDC to continue to utilize the site for the provision of certain services. The
term of the lease will commence on or about November 11th, the day after your next meeting, and continue through November 10th of 2026. It will then automatically renew in successive one-year periods, provided the CDC remains in compliance with all terms and
conditions. And then either the city or the CDC may elect to not renew that uh agreement with uh by providing the other party 60 days prior notice prior to the expiration. Um the CDC is responsible
for all the utilities associated with their use and certain maintenance responsibilities. Uh and then they pay an annual fee of $1 for that use. Uh, so we're recommending that the commission approve that lease agreement for the continued use by the Florence Villa CDC.
Mr. Mayor, it's my understanding that because you're associated with the CDC, you won't be allowed to vote on that item. Um, and therefore, uh, when the consent agenda is considered, that item will, if the consent is approved in its entirety, that item will need to be pulled in order for uh, you not to have
a conflict of interest there. So, why don't you just take it out of the consent agenda and >> put it under new business? >> Yeah, >> certainly do that. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> T, quick question on the on that on in
regards to the maintenance. Um, >> you said we're they're required to do some I'm not sure what you said, particular maintenance or what. How does the how does the maintenance work on that on who >> I know they were pay for their own utilities and stuff, but what about repairs and stuff? So they u it's under
section five of the agreement uh on the first page. Uh CDC is required to keep it in good condition in good state of repair at all times. All lease grounds and structures including the interior and exterior maintenance. Um typically what happens within this the interior
maintenance means um again walls and ceilings, painting repairs, plumbing, doors, windows, glass, those types of items. The exterior maintenance is the grounds, the doors, again painting, uh maintenance of the property. The city is
responsible for the structural elements. So the roof, um the interior support structures, those types of things. And that is consistent with what we also do with the PEP education building as well
as the um there's a small building adjacent to the armory that is occupied by the chain of lakes achievers program. Standard language we use that the neighborhood service center. Same thing. You're responsible for the upkeep and the maintenance of the facility. If we
have, you know, significant hurricane damage or a roof failure, those types of things, those fall back to the city as major structural repairs. >> I didn't realize we own the cola building. >> We do. >> And the armory. >> Oh, we own the armory, too. >> Okay. >> Yep.
>> Oh, that's right. That's kind of a new thing, right? Did we just get that? >> The armory we've had I think I researched that many years ago, and it goes back a very long, long time. that um that was a city facility and we we
entered into an agreement with the um >> the uh Florida Armed National Guard for their their occupancy and I don't know what the city would have ever used it for prior. I have to go back and look at my notes on that. It >> was a voting location. That's where I first voted in my life. That's my first vote.
>> So, but so in other words, back to the maintenance. We we are responsible for anything the major like roof falls in, >> right? Yeah. >> And then they manage all the in inside stuff. Okay. >> Yes sir. >> Next item is the uh is with let's see 10
C. This is a scope of services with Black and Beach for a comprehensive vulner vulnerability assessment and adaptation plan. Uh in July of this year, the commission authorized the execution of a grant agreement with DP's
office of resilience and coastal protection that supports community planning efforts to address risks to critical infrastructure and assets associated with flooding, sea level rise, increased precipitation uh that's linked to global climate change. The
city was awarded a $360,000 grant to compre complete a vulnerability assessment and adaptation plan. This initiative updates hydraologic and hydraulic modeling to evaluate localized flood risks and eliminate climate
related exposures, identify priority risk areas across the community, and provide a framework for strengthening local resilience. The plan also uh positions the city to be more competitive in securing future grants and funding opportunities for risk mitigation projects. So we had requested
Black & Beach uh to provide a scope uh which they have done to assist the city in completing this assessment and adaptation plan uh in compliance with the D requirements. Black & Beach will develop that report identifying areas
potentially impacted by climate change, including vulnerabilities to a 100year and 500year flood event, which I hope we never see, to evaluate potential effects of sea level rise on Winter Haven's lakes and watershed systems, to present those findings uh to a in a public
meeting, and to provide targeted action plan with recommended strategies for addressing those risks. They will begin work this November and it's anticipated that this will be completed in March of 27. Uh it is funded entirely through the
D grant at $360,000. There is no required local match. Okay. Next item pertains to Lake Idol. So, this is uh just south of MLK Boulevard
uh near the Winter Haven Recreation and Cultural Center. This is a 20 acre public water body that's been designated as impaired for nutrients. The city submitted an alternate restoration plan, also known as a 4E uh plan, which outlines projects designed to address
one or more pollutant sources impacting Lake Idol. That plan was reviewed, accepted, and approved by DP in 2024. One of the projects that's included in the 4E plan focuses on storm water infrastructure improvements in that lakes's primary drainage basin. The
first phase, phase 1A, involves the installation of um exfiltration pipe and drainage structures along a portion of 9inth Street Northeast, 9inth Court Northeast, and Avenue Vas and Victor Northeast. So, those are going to be to the north of the um of MLK Boulevard,
but they flow into Lake Idol. In June of 24, the commission authorized staff to submit an application to DP non nonpoint source management grant program in an effort to help fund the construction of the project.
June of this year, we were notified that we had been awarded $348,000 by DP through that program and it requires that construction be completed by December 31st of 2027. So approximately two years from now. Um we
did engage Carter K to provide a scope of work for this project. The total uh project is now estimated to cost approximately $870,000. So 348,000 will come from DP and then
the balance will be appropriated within the storm water fund to cover both the construction costs and serve as our local match. And I think do we have a map that shows this one, AJ? Yeah. So um the the major
road to the south there, it's listed as Avenue T because it's an older map, but this is MLK Boulevard, and you can see where those storm water improvements would be made. Um in the in the lower uh left corner you can kind of see where the old Winter Haven Recreation and Cultural Center is to give you a point
of reference. >> What's it going to look like when we're finished? What what will the fi final project look like? >> Uh so really it'll just look like storm drains in the ground. You really won't see anything at all. >> Nothing will really change the landscape. >> It's all underground. It's an all
underground system. um not totally dissimilar from um you know we moved the storm water pond on the uh east side of the parking garage underground when we added the dumpster enclosure there >> and so all you see on the road is just two a storm two storm water inlets um
everything else is underground so it' be >> okay >> a little bit different system than that but visually it'd be very similar >> okay MJ I'm just wondering will uh that should tremendously affect the quality of the water because that border body is
really in just bad shape with growth and just >> so this the idea here is that it would limit um a significant amount of water that currently flows all you know the get the drop off down the hill on 9inth
street there and ninth court um >> all that water that flows downhill would now get percolated back into the ground so it would prevent a lot of the nutrients that make it to the lake from getting there >> yeah but there there are uh no efforts to actually
uh improve the lake itself. I know that's I know >> y >> the water before it goes in there that helps but >> as part of that 4E that we filed with FD there's multiple phases that we need to work on. Uh there's a lot of projects
within that. This is just one of them. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So there's stuff that would happen in lake that we were looking at also. >> Oh okay. that's not a part of this particular effort. But >> I'm just wondering I've had several citizens to uh approach me about the uh
condition and the water quality of that lake. So >> the commission approved uh that northeast corner to be developed. Is there any update on that specific project? Because that could would and and once that's
developed, will they have requirements and things for their drainage? So that >> Yep. Yes, sir. I've actually met with that developer twice in the last month and they um are submitting um construction plans to the city for
review for that project um as we speak. So, that apparently is moving forward and yes, they will have to um provide on-site storm water um retention and through a swift mud permit. >> Would they be putting a dock there
potentially for residents or or is that would they be allowed to do that? >> Um I don't know for sure yet. They haven't submitted their construction documents to my knowledge. Um but I can check with engineering and see if those documents have been submitted if it includes a doc. I'm not I'm not sure at
this point >> because there's no public access to this. >> There is access. >> Yes. On the uh >> that ramp's hidden >> west side on the west side there's a uh boat ramp >> at the very end of Sears Avenue >> that was done probably within the past
I'd say 10 years. Uh it was a joint project. We worked with the Lake Region Lakes Management District to there was an existing one there. uh the is it the Masonic Lodge I think that's right there as well or a Legion building that's
there. Um, so the three of us work together to make improvements to that. >> And and keep in mind, Commissioner Yates, that that property on 11th Street, you know, historically that's Grove property and to the north, you know, north of where these improvements are showing you had a lot of grove
activity up there, you nutrients and and uh the like that come off of those properties certainly have an impact, a legacy impact on that lake. the the new development will will be required to meet current
storm water mitigation, you know, policies and guidelines that wouldn't have been in play historically. >> Well, knowing that, why would we hold off since they're going to take care of the problem for us, right? We >> Well, th this is this is on the north end. So, that what what we're dealing
with on on 11th or Yeah. 11th Street. They're going to have to do improvements to that before they can as part of their development, which will help even further with, you know, capturing. >> Well, based on what MJ just said, we're trying to stop that water from going into the lake. They're going to stop
that when they develop it. >> That's going to be that's on the east side of the lake. What we're dealing with here is on the north side. >> Okay. I get confused with east. >> Yeah. >> Different water there. Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay.
Uh, next item is a uh item 11A. This is a resolution for the commission to consider. Breeze SP LLC has constructed the 102 multifamily project known as Breeze Apartments in just south of uh
city hall here along Avenue along Third Street. As part of that project, certain sanitary infrastructure improvements related to sewer lines was required to allow for operation and maintenance of this infrastructure on private property. A utility easement is required. The new
utility easement will be replacing existing public utility easements that were on the property. Um, in 2024, the developer submitted the executed new easement document to the city for review and acceptance. That easement was reviewed by the city's engineering
services division and found to be adequate for acceptance by the city commission. In addition, Breeze SPE LLC has asked that the city vacate and terminate and abandon the city reserved perpetual easements. So, what you see on
your on your screen highlighted in the blue are the easements to be accepted and what is shown in black underneath that is what uh will be vacated. uh if you you've been on that property, the what is to be accepted is outside of
where the actual building footprint is. So, it sits within generally the the parking areas and their access road going out to the north. >> Any questions? All right. And we have uh some ordinances. First reading 12A
>> 12A. This is a property that the city commission annexed um in July of this year. This is Candace Ducking and Lone Etienne are requesting the city assign a neighborhood support future land use in a commercial highway C3 zoning district.
Um the property uh developer intends to develop it as a 3600 square foot adult daycare center. This does not require review by the Florida Department of Commerce or other state agencies given its size. It is surrounded by multif family residential to the north,
Lakeside Memorial Cemetery to the east, uh a vacant parcel that's in unincorporated Pulk County, and a motel to the south. And then single family located to the west, which is also in unincorporated Pulk County. There's a table in your chart in your packet. It
shows the potential demands on our supporting infrastructure. Um, and even with these and everything else that's been um placed in the queue for development, there's still remaining capacity in all of those and we don't fault any level of service that would be
considered failing. The prior to annexation, uh, this was under Pulk County. The future land use was residential low. Uh the requested neighborhood support future land use is consistent with the property's location
along this arterial highway corridor and the requested C3 zoning district is consistent with the neighborhood support future land use designation. No direct financial impacts with this. It is exempt from a business impact statement since it was initiated by a private
party who is the owner of the property. Planning commission heard this on October 7th. There was one member of the public who spoke with concerns about access and traffic. Our staff's review of this revealed that the assignment of the land uses requested and zoning is
consistent with the property's location and with developed uses and city designations in the area and there is sufficient public infrastructure capacity to accommodate the proposed development. So this is a uh two items.
You'll have um the ordinance 2530 which is specific to the land use and then a companion ordinance 2531 which speaks to zoning. >> I had a question. Will the uh will the entrance and exit be off of A Street or
or Avenue X? >> That was the exact question that the citizen at the planning commission had um regarding access. uh it is an FDOT controlled um roadway and so they will likely make application to uh get access
from uh since it's a non-residential from you know 8th Street or US7 don't know if they'll get a permit from FDOT to do that. Um my experience says they will likely make them connect on Avenue X and we don't have a a site plan or
anything at this point. It's simply just trying to get the land use and zoning so that they can then proceed with the next steps in their development process. >> Another question. >> Excuse me. >> Moving ahead to 12C. Um this is uh one
that comes from from us as staff. So, city is requesting commission assign institutional future land use and public institutional zoning to a parcel that was annexed on July 28th, 2025 adjacent to the city's wastewater treatment plant
3. This property was purchased for future use by the city's water department. We refer to this often as the Bennett property. So to the to the right of that square you'll see wastewater treatment plant three and pard road. Um again this is a smallcale
land use amendment so it doesn't require review at the state level. It is surrounded by preservation lands to the north. The city's wastewater treatment plant three to the east vacant land zone for residential to the south and to the west. There are no current plans to
develop the property. Uh, so there's no additional demands on public infrastructure expected at this time. >> So I'm I'm just wondering to you uh long term what's the >> I'll defer to Mr. Bombard uh our
assistant director for the Winter Haven Water Department. >> Uh good evening mayor and commissioners. Um um currently we don't really have a plan for the future development of it. The parcel just to the east of that is the proposed uh Poly Road uh water
treatment plant. >> Um that parcel may need to be expanded a little bit. So we may use a portion of the believe it's 14 acres of the Bennett property, maybe acre or two of it um to house our wells and storage tanks. Um
but the main parcel we don't have any plans for yet. Uh there is a residential uh house and poleb barn on there that's um we're keeping uh up and running but uh we it is currently unoccupied also. And one of the primary reasons for acquiring this property was fourth
street coming from um I guess that would be Snively Avenue uh Rifle Range Road on the west all the way back to Pard Road ends at the at the western edge of this property. So in
order to create an additional access point into wastewater treatment plant three, this gave us the additional roadway that we would need to do that >> is it als Yeah. And John just remind me it also includes it will allow us to
provide certain easements to the PRWC for their um their water system. Um so this did this also went to the planning commission um on October 7th. there was no no members of the public that spoke. This is coming from
internal. So, it's a it's a a staff initiated and just out of an abundance of caution, we've included in your packet uh a business impact estimate um which you know by law when we when the city enacts things even though this is a little different. We just wanted to be
you know belt and suspenders approach to make sure we had done that and so it is included. Um, so at this time, you know, staff's conclusions are that the assignment of the land use and the zoning district is consistent with the the property's ownership and location adjacent to plant
3. Um, there's no plans to develop the property, so there's no additional demands on public infrastructure that would be impactful. And so we're recommending ordinance 2532, which addresses land use, and 2533, which addresses zoning. Okay.
>> You have a question? Yes, I do. Um T, where's the uh property for the doctor's place that we bought a long time ago? Um do you remember? >> It's going to be north. Um I don't have a mouse with me, but if you see where it says Pard Road going up to the north, I
think it's that lot right there. >> Okay. >> Um yeah, that's uh Mark, I believe that house no longer exists. Is that correct? The old home that was out there. >> Yeah, that that is correct. There's um I think there's three 10acre parcels that
are lopped out of there. Um and there is a residence on one of them, but the other two I think are vacant. One of them had a residence that's now been removed. >> That's that's uh some old school memory right there that we had acquired that home many many many years ago
>> and used it for a variety of things. >> That's where I got on commission cuz I don't remember that at all. >> This would have been probably back in the maybe 80s, early 90s. And um we used it for a variety of of purposes over time. Um and then it had a
lot of vandalism that occurred on it. We eventually uh had it torn down. >> Is is the majority of that lot low and wet or is it just kind of that central location where the small pond or lake is there? >> Mainly around where that pond is. And
you can see just a little bit of shading that goes out from that. Um, it's going to be wet in that area, but like as Mr. Bombard said, there is a a residential property and some pole barns. They're located on that property on the farther western side.
>> So, so I'm just going to tee this up for a future thought. It's not going to go anywhere tonight. >> I like your use of the word tea. >> You like that? >> One day you'll come circle back to it, say, "Ah, I remember Commissioner Yay suggested that. It's a great idea.
This would make one heck of a little tiny home community. >> Yeah. >> As a as we toured in Tallahassee and you could make them affordable and just >> great idea. >> Just just a thought. Just a you know
>> I think that certainly is a is a a good idea. I think as we get through the pollard road project and see what our needs become of any additional acreage within that that may pertain to plant three or the water plant um then that's certainly something that can be explored
at that time. >> The one in Tahassy was that was that developed by a particular developer or >> Yes, it's called the dwellings. Um it's on the western side of of Tallahassee off of uh Capital Circle West. It's a
private developer that put >> I want to say 100 plus tiny home units in there with some shared spaces for um like a commissary type facility and
classrooms and >> garden had a community garden and a activities room and a kitchen and all kinds of neat stuff >> that may be worthy of another site visit during uh the next trip to Tallahassee to see how that project has expanded and
um sustained since the last time >> have a developer do that. You're going to have to help them, but it's going to take somebody that's maybe the land and a passion for that. >> The biggest part is always having the land, right? So, here you go. That that's the number one problem. So, um I
don't know. It just seems like that I just using my vision just like God that that could be a really cool little little project and and hugely impactful to uh families and families with children and um so just something to put
on the put on the burner for later. >> Yes, sir. Next set of uh ordinances we'll begin with 12E and this again is a a city request coming from staff. So, we're requesting the city amend the 2035 land
use on a portion of city-owned parcel uh that is part of the Bradco Farms. This is presently neighborhood, suburban, and neighborhood support future land use. And we're recommending that it be changed to institutional future land use and also reszone it from single family residential, small, and conservation to
public institution. So, this is along the east side of Buckeye Loop Road. This is the upland portion of the Bradco farm property that we had acquired a few years back. Now uh actually 2023 we purchased 370 acres uh of which this is
a portion. The intent of that per uh purchase is to create surface water storage and recharge areas and also is a new location for the city's water department administrative offices and uh and work areas. The depart the water department is
proposing to develop uh 36,750 square foot admin building a approximately 25,000 square foot warehouse and the associated parking areas on a 10.25 acre campus.
The um again smallcale doesn't require review by any Florida state agencies. Uh the uses surrounding this include woodlands and egg lands and buildings to the north, woodlands and pasture land to the east and south, and woodlands and a
single family residential to the west across Buckeye Loop. As you can see depicted on the map, we do provide a table within your fact sheet that shows the impacts of what's being proposed as well as what the remaining capacity would be within water and wastewater as
well as the impacts on the roadway network. um subject areas designated as neighborhood suburban and neighborhood support by the 2035 future land use. The requested institutional future land use is consistent with the subject area's
proposed use as the city's water department office and warehouse facilities and the requested PI zoning is consistent with the requested institutional future land use and proposed use of that property. No direct financial impact with this request.
Again, we went ahead and did a business impact estimate. Uh, since this is being generated internally, planning commission heard this on October 7th and voted to recommend approval. No members of the public spoke. So, staff's
recommending the commission approve the ordinance 2534 pertaining to land use and 2535 pertaining to zoning. >> Mr. Mayor, quick question. Do we did we get 10 acres of highland uplands? I didn't realize. I thought we only got like five acres of Is it actually 10
acres of all uplands? Is that This is a 10acre parcel. It's all uplands. >> Yeah, this is a 10acre parcel. It is primarily uh wetlands. The the you can see on the eastern edge there. It kind of runs along a drainage canal. There
may be a portion of wetlands that are that are maybe designated along that boundary line. Uh so the actual uplands may be more like nine or so but there because there may be after we get it um surveyed there may be a small section of wetlands associated inside that blue.
>> Are you surprised that it's that much? Cuz I thought we got we're getting >> I think we looked at it as being about 10 acres when we bought the 370. >> Yeah. There was also a parcel to the south um of the big Bradco portion that uh we were reserving for future parking area for trail access. That that area is
also uplands and that's about a 5 acre parcel. Maybe that's what I was thinking of. Can you put pole barns by any chance in that wetland area where you can park tractors or stuff or whatever back in there or is that not even possible? >> We haven't seen the complete design for it. I um Rez, our our consultant um is
aware of our needs especially for future maintenance and that we're going to need something. If they cannot find a parcel or an area that that can be housed, then we'll make accommodations at the site for the for the equipment. >> Good. Am I next?
>> Yes. I I actually met with uh the son of uh Brad Co that actually sold us the uh property today. And um ultimately they're planning on um
developing >> the other section, but that's long term uh in the future. But, uh, young man, they actually, uh, the business I think is in, uh, Georgia, which I thought they
were a Florida based business, but they're not. Okay. Next item is under new business, and uh, this is pertaining to the local glo area of opportunity. So, in August of this year, we issued a
request for proposals for the designation of a local government area of opportunity. This is specific to those developers that are pursuing the lowincome housing tax credit program.
um having the LGAO is a designation that adds uh a little further credential to applications when they submit those to Florida housing. We received two applications or two submissions uh and those were subsequently ranked and voted
on by a subcommittee comprised of members of the affordable housing advisory committee. Blue Sky Communities has a project titled Destiny Place. This is out off of Recker Highway and it was ranked and recommend ranked first and
recommended for the LGO designation issued by the city. We posted that in October and there were no protests received from the other uh submitt. Um this is a joint venture between Blue Sky Communities and Trinity Worship Center
International Ministries uh under the name Blue Trinity Place LLC. Pursuant to this recommendation recommended LGAO designation, the city is supporting the 9% lowincome housing tax credit application for Destiny Place
development which consists of 88 multifamily units. Um they will submit the application for funding to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation this month. As you may recall, when we did the
Florence Place project, we also had an LGAO that was assigned to to that project. And with that comes a loan amount from uh the city for for the um blue the Florence Place. I believe it
was $465,000 or roughly. Um that was four years ago. The required commitment from the city at this point is $610,000 which we have available within our affordable housing trust fund. If they
if they get the the 9% tax credit designation, we'll come back to the commission with an agreement or contract for review and acceptance that will include our uh contribution of those funds. I I do want to point out um that
so we had two projects that were were approved uh or that that came to us. One of them gets the designation and I'm going to ask um who do I see here? I thought I saw Nancy Hurley to come to the podium just to help me if I there's anything I miss on this. So, the way
this works is that you can only have Pulk County as a whole can only have one project that gets that tax credit uh designation and they can only do one every two years. Correct?
>> Uh one every I think it's one every year. >> Every year. So if you had 10 projects that came out of Pulk County, only one of them can be funded through that that program. Um there are two projects
within Winter Haven. One is being recommended for an LGAO from the city. It's our understanding that the other project that wasn't re recommended by our committee has been recommended by Pulk County to receive their LGAO
designation. So at the end of the day that means that both projects have a equal shot in being considered. Now only one of them can be awarded and there are is there three or four other within the county?
>> Um I had heard there was three three others. I think there's one from Hayne City uh one coming out of Lakeland and one coming out of Auburndale. Auburnale one of the other developers had mentioned that. So if that's the case, you have five projects that would be
considered coming out of PK County and only one of them can get it. Fortunately for us, it appears that two of the projects, the two that are within Winter Haven, both have an LJGO designation. So 40% of the projects that are being submitted for consideration are in
Winter Haven. Um the fact that only one of them can be awarded, that's that's okay. We have funding that would support either one of those projects as designated within our affordable housing trust fund. for this one. If it's selected, it's $610,000.
Uh the commission had previously made a commitment to the Winter Haven Housing Authority that if theirs was selected, we would contribute a million dollars to theirs, which is a uh redevelopment of the call the Lucern Park Housing Project,
>> Avenue Y, >> Avenue Y, which is 60 units that would be replaced with 120. >> 120. Yes. So at this point we're recommending to award the LGAO designation to Blue Trinity Place LLC.
>> I just uh the uh housing authority project since it was it has been as you said uh awarded the same designation from the county. Uh however uh
their proposal would be enhanced with the commitment that we made. I I don't know how that's reviewed by Florida Housing. So I can't speak to that if it gives them greater
clout in that or not. And I think we have to wait and see. >> And they're in the non-interference period now. I I couldn't speak to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation because their application is open. So when I called to ask, they uh they
couldn't speak to me. >> They couldn't speak to you. >> Yeah. And it's very legal, all legal and very shut down. So you have they have to be very careful. >> So are you are you asking? Well, I know when when uh the village of Lake Smart
was uh submitting applications, um we got both the county and the city of Winter Haven's uh support. I think the city put in I
think 250 or 350. John, you were here. You should remember. I do remember that by the way. Uh and I believe it was 250. >> 250. >> Yes sir. >> Okay. And then the county uh put that
in. So that that's uh I just wanted uh we made that commitment to the housing authority of a million dollars and I just wanted to make sure that that was still on the table.
>> And the and the funding is there. Like I said, only one of these can be awarded. So, >> yeah. And that's what we know. Yeah. So, >> and if for some reason >> if for some reason one of those other municipal LGO designated entities got
it, then we retain all funds within our affordable housing trust fund and wait for the next opportunity to be supportive of somebody. >> Yeah. Well, I'm I'm certain that all parties involved are going to continue to submit. >> That's correct. >> That's the way you have That's correct.
>> Excuse me. That's the way you have to do it because uh it just doesn't happen usually. You're very fortunate if the uh you get it on the first go round, but I know the villas of Lake Smart took three submissions.
>> I had a developer inquire about the uh Yes. In God's Backyard uh or ordinance today. So, they're looking into all the tools available. >> Yeah. >> For next year. >> Okay. So, you say you you will be able to speak with Florida Housing at some point?
>> Well, it's going to be after the the applications are the due date's over. They're not allowed to to talk during this process. Stop it for the entire state of Florida. I don't want to be the one to stop the entire state.
>> All right. Merge, did you have a question for us on that? >> I did. So, so kind of building on I think what the mayor was saying was or or just point of clarity for me on the million. Does this same did we pass
the same thing for that million or is that million more just a verbal >> the commitment that the commit commission made >> verbal? Now now they've they've asked about that since since they got the other LGAO. So would it be appropriate potentially
for us to ratify the same sort of commitment of that million dollars to them and would that give them any strength to their request at the state level? >> I don't know that it and I'll defer to the attorney on this. I think that the commission's commitment to that project
prior, if that still holds true, then what they would expect from from us and what they've inquired about is um verification of that commitment and and I would provide that in form of a of a letter, a document for them. Um again,
it doesn't it it doesn't grant those dollars except in the event that they're awarded the project. I'm just I guess I'm just thinking from the from the standpoint of their application for that winning lottery ball. Would this give
them any value? Does does this agreement for Blue Sky give them a step up over the Winter Haven Housing Authority because they have this agreement and Winter Haven Housing Authority only has a verbal commitment from the commission? No, because Winter Haven Housing Authority has a LJGO designation from
Pulk County, >> but it would right I think it would uh for them to have that designation and also a commitment from Winter Haven >> and that's kind of my point. >> I think it would enhance
>> they have the commitment from us commitment, not a written commitment like this. >> It would have to be in the application. I'll do it either way, but I can tell right now. If the housing authority thought they need it, they would have already come and asked for it. >> I I I have a question just to for context because I I don't know the
answer to this, but maybe Miss Hurley can shed some light on this. We engaged in this RFP25-37. >> Correct. >> And when we did that, I presume we opened it to all and whoever had an interest, >> correct? And we identified the
parameters of >> right >> of what it is we were going to recommend. >> And we've received two submitts. >> Yes. >> And those submitts were then evaluated and it is now being recommended that one of the submittals be given this LGAO
designation. >> Correct. >> I don't see the Winter Haven Housing Authority project among that list. >> That's correct. So, I just want to be clear that that for whatever reason, >> something to consider. >> Yeah. For whatever reason, and I don't
want to I don't want to skew or create problems for the RFP that we've already gone through. >> That's very that's very good. Yes. And so I I really would caution the commission on on the deis, you know, without having further evaluation and
review of of really making any formal commitments beyond what is recommended tonight. I I I don't I'm not certain of the of all the intricacies of why the Winter Haven Housing Authority did not
apply or did not engage in the RFP process. >> No, they did. They did. They did. They were not selected. They were not select. >> Okay. So, they were not selected. So, >> all right. >> I mean, yeah. I think that's >> all we're asking at this time is the
designation for the recommended LG the LGO to go to the Trin >> whatever blue Destiny Destiny Place um Blue Trinity Place LLC for their
application. We could verbally approve. I mean, just agree tonight among ourselves and then you guys if it comes up say, "Yeah, as on December 4th," they reaffirm their commitment. >> I I and I don't I'm not h I don't have any heartburn over this issue. It's just I just want to be sure that every
lottery ball that's entered for any development within Winter Haven for affordable housing >> has the best leg up possible. And if that means we need to do something similar for the Winter Haven Housing Authority, I'm just suggesting that we
we look and and see if we need to do that or not. >> But you can't you can't grant but one LGO. >> I I know. I know. But to me, if I'm looking at the two projects and this one's got a an inwriting award
designation of 610,000 and this one just has a verbal, I'm going to put this one right here. And this one all I'm trying to say is and it may not be any value whatsoever in doing it. But if it could be then I think we should explore that
possibility of giving them the same >> agreement that we've done here is all I'm suggesting. >> Apparently we can't do but >> you can't out here. I don't understand what >> um can I just ask a question? What
you're saying to me is we've selected one and we selected the blue sky trinity or blue trinity place, but also the county has selected the other one and they're going to be in competition
anyway. Um, only one of them can go and so whoever goes will get the funding from us. >> They both can go. Okay. So you can have if you have that LGAO designation and the the uniqueness is the county covers
the entire county, >> right? >> Our designation is recommended to Blue Trinity Place. That puts them in that lottery. The housing authority with an LJGO from Pulk
County is also in that lottery mix of equal values at that point. Okay. Regardless, only one of them can be selected. So, you will only fund one at the end of the day. Whichever one >> wins
>> wins out in the in the process of whatever that is with Florida housing. My question is this. With Blue Sky is not funded
and the housing authority is with the tax credits, the commitment that we made previously could still be put with that project. >> Oh yeah. >> Yeah. >> Absolutely. That's a given. So when Florence
>> but no let me finish. The thing is is that from what we did here, the only thing that shows what we did as it relates to uh the housing authority is whatever appears in the
minutes of that meeting when we said that there's nothing else there's nothing else that signifies that. >> So then what I would if if that's of
concern, what I would recommend is that separate from this at a different meeting bring back forward a commitment for official action by the commission that if that project were awarded the LGAO that >> or just confirm it >> just
>> or even reach out to Winter Haven Housing Authority and find out if that would be any value. If it's not any value, there's no important dealing. I think it would be pretty. >> I'm saying I know enough about it. >> So when Florence Place came forward, they had an LGO designation from City of
Winter Haven, $465,000 financial commitment. They also subsequently received, I believe, $2 million from PK County for that project. >> Exactly. SE and that's not LGO tied. It's just it was a a financial piece.
>> Exactly. So it does matter. So I I think at this point, you know, what we're asking is just for the LGO designation on this one project, >> right? But in the meanwhile, I would like to make sure that it's official. >> Is is this
>> the commitment that we made? >> Is that a past commitment that you made >> two years ago? >> So you're bringing it forward because we have to honor the procurement process that we just did with this other >> It's totally separate from this.
separate. No, it's separate from that >> because I think they're going to be wanting to use this old commitment to put in prior to the due date of no uh November 19th for this next application. >> We'll research that, Mayor. >> Okay. All right.
>> But at this point, what we're asking for is that designation assignment. I think we all understand that that that we definitely are going to go probably with the recommendation that the committee made, the procurement committee made, but just want to make sure that the
commitment that we made previously to the housing authority and just get one more point of clarity here. the the previous blue sky that we did that was a grant. >> That's a it's a loan.
>> It was a loan. >> I was thinking it was a grant. >> They're done as a loan and they are forgivable. >> Um but it is designated as a loan. >> Okay. >> And and one of the requirements of the loan, there's a mortgage and it's recorded in the public records and they
have to maintain a certain percentage of affordability for a certain length of time. Gotcha. >> Okay. And so same deal on this one. So really and it's there's not really a huge chance for this ever to come back to us. >> Um it
>> when you say come back to us, you mean >> if it's a loan, you expect repayment. But as long as they keep those prices set, then it then we'll never see this money again. And in all likelihood, that is the case for this. at the end of the affordability term, they would have to
come back to the then city commission and request that it be forgiven. And that would be a decision for the city commission to make >> and and the concept is that that money has been utilized to provide affordable housing in the community for however 40 years, which they would document at that
time as the requesting. They would document that >> what they've offered >> correct and that they've offered value >> by way of affordable housing that meets the metrics and the standards >> and then the commission could be assured that our money has been spent in a wise
>> and fiduciarily sound way. >> I'm clear on that. >> Yeah. >> So current balance in the uh housing trust >> I'm sorry sir I can't hear you. balance in the current trust fund. >> CJ, we just looked at this the other
day. I want to say it's about 1.5 >> there about the last thing I heard. >> Yeah. >> Close to 1.4 1.5. >> Y spend it. >> And we we transfer in each year uh
$250,000 part of the budgeting process from the general fund. I think it's interest earnings. uh were uh $30,000 if I'm not mistaken. We pay out from that $295,000 goes to Hartford Winter Haven for their
efforts addressing um uh homelessness amongst families with schoolaged children. Uh, so we've had a we've had a sufficient amount in there over the past few years without having to award out, you know, a big chunk. >> All right, next item.
>> Uh, for item 13B, I'll defer to the city clerk for this. >> Um, thank you, city manager. So, this item right here is in reference to the certification of the November 4th um regular city election. So, as we already
know that our election concluded yesterday and we do have um a runoff in December 2nd, but this certification is for the regular election and we are going to be certifying the election and
we are also going to be doing a random race and um precinct um selection here. We do have a meeting tomorrow um to do that and that'll be at 5:05 p.m. Um so
>> that'll be the the actually the canvasing board. >> Yes, the canvasing board meeting. >> So of course um we already know that for seat number four we had Matthew Crowley, Chad Davis, and Manuel Fonka. And um now the runoff will be between Matthew
Crowley and Chad Davis. And of course for seat number five we had Clifton Dolison and Melinda Caligritis. and the winner of that election was um Commissioner Dolison. So, congratulations to you. And so, that is what that one is all about. Um and once
that's done um on on Friday after the canvasing board meeting concludes tomorrow um I will be telling all the information and preparing um a fact sheet and that fact sheet will be uploaded on Friday in preparation for
Monday's meeting. That's why this particular item does not have a fact sheet in the normal as the certifications of that election. >> Okay. All right. Then we have uh we need to have our layers on for uh the aviation
fuel supplier >> if so desired. >> Tracy. All right. be Tracy Tracy's >> and then also for the CI services for the recharge project at Bradco. >> I'll take that one.
>> Okay. Thank you, sir. And mayor and commissioners, if I could just back up, I do want to reiterate what what the city clerk has said that there is a canvasing board tomorrow at 5:05. So, if you're a member of the canvasing board, I want to make sure you have that on your your calendar. I don't know that
that meeting takes an awful long time. >> That's fairly short meeting. >> So to the extent there are any provisional ballots, there may be depending on what we get from the supervisor of elections office. We'll have to perhaps sort through those, but
that hopefully won't, you know, take too terribly long. >> Mr. Mayor, I got I want to talk about the election just real quick. I'd rather do it now than until after this other thing. And I and I meant to chime in when Brian brought this up the other night, but my mind was elsewhere, and I apologize, but I I really do think, and
again, this won't affect me anymore, but I really do think we should come up with locations that are governmentowned. And I've got a whole bunch of them in my mind, that we can send out new cards because I received way too many complaints yesterday about people not finding their their locations, their
precincts. Too confusing. And it was just first time it's ever been a problem. And I think we need to and I talked to commission or to Melanie Bell last night. It's up to us where we put them. Okay. And we're going to have two south
two complexes. We can can have the golf course out there. We can use Noromeo. We can use women's center. We can use something, you know, garden club. We've got all kinds of buildings that we can we use. Let's pick some. all of us can agree and make those the new precincts
and they'll never change again because they're all government owned buildings and let's get people used to going to the right precincts and then we we contact with um Melanie Bell's office to send everybody brand new cards. We have two years to publicize to people where
they vote. And I just feel like the complaints and the aggravation that I was feel that I was getting yesterday during the election just shouldn't happen. And I'm just trying to figure out how to make this sure this doesn't ever happen again. And it all had to do with locations changing. Let's get out of dealing with churches. Let's use
government-run buildings, government owned buildings. We have enough and let's just put our head to it and let's figure this out. It's time to reboot and let's try to quit doing what we've always done. Let's kind of rethink this thing. That's just my feeling. And I meant to say that the other day when you brought it up, but I was my head was
miles away on something else. So, >> well, that's why I mentioned it the other day. I I was already getting those call like where do we go? What do we do? What do you know? You're already and so I could just see the storm brewing and it sure enough flared up >> on election day. >> You know, it was okay. It was the election went fine. It's just I'm just
saying in the future that people shouldn't have to wonder about voting. You know what I mean? It should be simple. >> And I and I if I can add something, there were postcards mailed. We always do that for every single election. And those postcards do have their new voting
locations. And I understand maybe not everybody takes a look at that, but if there was a change, it was on their on their cards, >> not on not on their voters's ID card. That's what everybody looks at. >> It was the voter ID card. >> Everybody looks at their voter's ID card, and it's rare that they're going
to compare that against some postcard. But if we send out four postcards over the next two years, maybe people will get it. But when they get their voters's ID card and it's in their wallet or it's in their wherever they keep it that because mine still says Resurrection Lutheran Church and my son came home and he's like, "Do I still vote at the
Lutheran Church?" I said, "No, you're at the Presbyterian Church now." So he wouldn't have known. I'm just trying to say we we just can't change precincts. We need to pick some whatever they are, whatever we agree on, and let's just leave them.
That's all I'm saying. It's not I'm not complaining per se, but I'm saying I just received way too many a too many aggravated people calling me that we just need to put our heads to it and come up with a solution and we've got two years until the next election. So, let's start working on it now and not let it get away from us. And then we we
in 18 months we start thinking, oh no, what do we got to do? You know what I mean? Let's do it now. And while it's still fresh in our mind, so that's all. >> And I'm apologize for not chiming in the other day, but I, you know, was thinking about something else. those locations are they determined uh I think you said
in accord with the supervisor of election so it wasn't just us doing it or is it uh them giving input with regards but then you just stated that they said >> I asked Melanie Bell last night she said y'all can put them where you want it's up to you so I said okay well that's the
good news because we can come up with a plan now she may want to bless it but we can come up with a plan and use government buildings and then everybody gets used going. Like I said, I went to the armory for 20 years when I started voting and then then all of a sudden the
armory is not a factor anymore. So, you know, let's just come up with something. It's it's not hard. Let's just start and then then if we're consistent for two years, we won't have this problem again. >> Yeah. For for example, Vanessa, with the two changes that were made, who uh how
was that made when you I mean, how how did you choose those particular locations? So that particular listing was provide of all the polling locations that the elections office uses. That listing is provided to me and between myself and also um some other staff from
the elections office. We kind of put our heads together and figure out okay what makes the most sense that will still be in that quadrant of the city. Now one particular location um Spring Haven was just a three minute um driving distance
from Abiding Savior to uh to Spring Haven. So, it was very close to as to not inconvenience people. And the other location, um, which that would have been Cypress, uh, Ridge Presbyterian, that's like an 8 minute drive from Overlook.
So, we kind of look at that and try to make sure it still um can um absorb all those voters with the same precinct number. So, we don't want it too far out. And we also, you know, want it to be a location that has had the experience of having other elections. So
it's not they're not brand new to the process. So yeah, I work in conjunction with Melanie staff and that's how we come up with those locations. >> Current currently we're not using any of our buildings, >> only one, and that's the senior adult center. Some years ago, we did use the
chain of lakes, >> right? Um, and because of all the construction and everything, we had to move that polling location to Southside Baptist. So, that's how that came about. So, we used to have two city facilities that we use for elections. Now, we just have the
one as to not disrup our own places. We don't have to rent anything, >> right? Does make it easier, >> you know. That's all I'm saying. >> Yeah. And and another there was a change some years ago with another location. We used to use Champions Church on Havenale Boulevard
>> and their AC quit and they didn't want to, you know, do any elections. So that's how we got to Abiding Savior. But Abiding Savior decided for this election. They didn't they didn't want to do any elections anymore. And then Calvary Baptist, they opened up a school. So they no longer could
accommodate us. So that's why we were forced to to change. >> Yeah. Yeah, I would just say that our desire is to keep those as consistent as it possibly can, not just for our elections, but in the same fashion as what is used within the uh the midterm elections on the federal and state
level. Uh because it just it creates consistency. Um, and I think that if we if we identify locations for um and and not disagreeing with what Commissioner Dance are saying, you know, if there's a way to do that within city facilities,
it's it wouldn't just necessarily be for city elections, but I think that's for all elections as they come forward um next November when in in 26 when there's a a midterm election that they be able to house those as well so that you're not creating that confusion. We don't
look at the sites and say, "Hey, let's make the change." That change comes about because somebody can no longer serve as a host site for election. So, Calvary Baptist Church, Abiding Savior, those have been sites that we've used. Calvary Baptist for a number of years
and then opted to say, "Hey, we can't serve this year, so we have to find someplace else." I don't disagree with what you're saying, Commissioner Dancer, and if we can certainly identify city facilities that are in the geographic areas that make it accommodating, >> or it could be county facilities, and I
don't think people mind driving from three minutes to five minutes that they know that when they get there, that's where they're supposed to be. You know what I mean? It's like, you know, if we're trying to we're trying to make sure it's just an fivem minute drive and they can drive seven minutes to get to to Willoughbrook Golf Course and that's
where they're used to voting for the next 10 years. They all know they go to Willoughbrook, then I'm not going to care if it's three minutes or five minutes, I don't think. But that's just me. That's all I'm saying. >> Yeah. I will I will say that you know in considering locations we have to make sure again that it's it's capable of
handling the size of election body that you get and again looking at what it requires on a midterm election and this the the volume of people that come out to the actual polls um making sure you got enough space the parking the in the how they get in how they get out because
that's all very heavily regulated by the the S so SOE and their their protocols nor hall we still use as an early voting location on midterm elections in concert with the SOE. They reach out for that for several weeks. Um, next fall, I'm sure they'll they'll be back in there.
Um, Winter Haven Recreation Culture Center becomes an ideal location for elections. Chain Leg Park can be an ideal location for elections. When we get to southeast Winter Haven, it becomes a little more challenging of trying to find that location that's a city building because we just don't have
much out there. But >> firehouse, I know it's not ideal, but you know, you've got a brand new firehouse out there that's got a lot of checks a lot of those boxes or you know what I mean? It's >> Yeah. From a from a midterm election, it would not be able to handle the
capacity. >> Why could there's just not enough space in there? There's not enough parking in there getting in and out while you have emergency services running out of it. >> Could Could we do this? Could you just basically
make an assessment >> of the facilities and bring them and then we can have a discussion about it because we could be talking about something that's just not going to hold the mustard if if if we
can't get one section of the city where we have a facility, you know. I'm just saying just >> yeah that's all I was asking is why can't we just study it and come up with and come up >> that's what I'm asking just for for a workshop for a general review bring it
and we can have that discussion and u either flyw with it or not fly with it. Okay. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. Um one more. The only thing we have uh remaining,
sir, is the um the pillar update on community safety. >> So, uh this is your your strategic pillar update pertaining to community safety. I think we we've explained and and certainly the commission has a sound understanding of what's involved in
this. Um so, for this evening, the um if you can advance that slide for me, please. the uh items that we're going to discuss with you tonight. Just some updates on our national night out program which is put on by our police department. A little additional update
on the floor Dino's building cyber security software platform from our IT department. An update on our lead and copper uh efforts pertaining to federal laws that we're required to comply with the risk and resilience assessment being done within our utilities water
department. and then I'm going to give you a a quick rundown on where we stand on concealed carry guidance that we've issued out to our our staff. So, with that, Patrick, take it away. All >> yours. >> Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners.
Thank you for having me. Um, I'm Sergeant Patrick Condor, and it is a pleasure to be able to talk to you about the National Night Out. Uh what this event is, it's a annual community event that promotes partnerships between first responders and the community that they
serve. It originally uh originated in 1984 by Matt Peskin in um Pennsylvania. He was a member of the National Association of Town Watch and what he wanted to do was form an organiz a event that
occurred annually uh that did exactly what I just stated about forming partnerships with community members and letting the community see first responders in a personal light instead of instead of not just uh seeing them on
traumatic events or calls for service for med horrible uh medical incidents. This is a um it's an event that started with roughly about 400 communities. It has now spread to approximately 17,000
communities across the country in all 50 states. Um what we um traditionally do with this event is we host it anywhere between uh August and October. It also goes into the month of November as well.
And these events are uh a place at Abbey Lane Apartments. That's actually uh right across from STMA Park in Southwest Palm Place. We conducted this event. Uh that's also south of Motorpool and Lake Ashton is
been uh temporarily postponed, but we're we are in talks with them to have an event there as well. Now, at these events, uh there are games, there's food, there's um uh the property management will usually buy pizza.
Approximately we had at the Palm Place and at Abbey Lane, we had approximately about 70 residents that participated in this. So uh and as you can see uh in one of the photographs that we have um there was there's fire truck uh there at these
events where the kids the kids love the fire trucks and uh I hate to admit this in front of the fire chief but I too love the little fire hats that they hand out. So there might have been a picture taken that was uh deleted, but um we have games there. Um and these
are these are family based games. Uh candy and we also hand out plastic badges as well and uh little goodie bags that have uh uh different little trinkets in it, you know, um little coloring books for the kids. It's a uh
tr it's a tremendous um event to have. also for the first responders that go to it because it allows us the members of uh public win public safety to experience
um being in these communities not just for a traumatic event or a hor horrible medical incident. the um in the future, we do plan on going to more uh communities and um the uh the community
uh communities that we've been in contact with are very receptive of it and we continue to make that we can we will continue to have this grow in the future. And um before I turn it over to Tanya, would do any of you have any questions for me about the National
Night Out? Okay. Well, thank you. And uh I'm going to turn this over to Tanya. >> Good evening, commissioners. Tonight, I'd like to give you an update on the old Florendino's building. Um just for reference, this building is located at
Spring Lake Square. It's just south of the racetrack and the entrance is on 8th Street Northwest. The property is owned by Landmark Investments. They own all of those properties in there between Havenell and the lake. Um, the
restaurant permanently closed in 2021 after a kitchen fire. In October of 2024, Hurricane Milton came through and damaged the structure. The photos you're looking at right now are were taken just a few days after Hurricane Milton. So
you can see on the south side of the structure we have some collapse. Um the roof collapsed, the awning and the exterior south wall was exposed. Over the following months, the building continued to deteriorate
uh pretty rapidly. So it was cited by code compliance as an unsafe structure and proceeded to a special magistrate hearing. In April, the city was able to secure a demolition order through our code compliance special magistrate
giving 120 days to come into compliance. On October 22nd, the demolition was completed. So, the photo at the left shows the debris once the the building had been knocked down.
And then a few days after that, they cleaned up all of the debris. And that is the current condition of the property. At this time, we are not aware of the owner's plans for the property other than that they do intend to keep it fenced to keep people off of the
property until they figure out what they're going to do. You have any questions? >> Question. What about the other corner? The other building. >> Which one? The the rest the other restaurant. We have cases there as well.
It's structurally sound. It's still operating, but we actually have five active cases on all of the landmark properties at this time. >> What does that mean? Backed up cases. >> We have Well, we have five cases for So, they own three parcels in there. And we
have five cases on all three of those parcels for >> not in compliance or >> for various issues between junk um permitting expansion of use inoperable vehicles >> in there now is not in danger of falling
over. It's in good shape. It used to be a fish I think like Captain D's or something. >> That's that was that was this one. >> Yeah. >> This is the old Captain D's. You can kind of make it out from that. Is that on the right or the left as you're going down the driveway? You guys >> left. >> Left. >> Left.
>> But the one on the right was >> that's a Mexican restaurant. >> Still there. >> It's still there. >> Okay. >> And it's in good shape. >> It's not in great shape, but it's it's structurally sound. >> Is that one? >> We do. >> Okay.
>> All right. Question. Uh the So what I'm what we're looking at to the right is the they they tore down but they left the they left the foundation. Is that correct? >> They did. >> Is that normal? >> I don't normally see um demolitions done
when the foundation is left. They did have reasons why they wanted to. Uh what they advised me is that they were hoping that they would have somebody want to rebuild and use that same foundation. Normally when we do a demolition we
remove the foundation as well. >> Yeah. It's rather unusual, you know, and whether or not it would even meet code uh today, you know, relative to that, I don't know. That's a good question.
>> That is a good question. >> But it is permissible for for the city or for us to allow that for the for the foundation to remain >> for them to leave the foundation. It's not a code violation. um especially if
they keep the property fenced so we don't have to worry about it becoming a hazard. But of course, as I said, we already have other cases within that area. So, we will be monitoring and if there is an
issue, we'll address it. I'm going to turn it over to Rob now to talk about cyber security. >> He's not going to get too. >> All right. Good evening, mayor and commissioners. Um, our department would like to provide an update on our cyber security software initiatives as part of
the community safety strategic pillar. Uh, we recently invested in a third-party risk management platform. This platform helps keep our organization safe by checking external vendors and partners for security problems. It gives us real-time alerts, safety ratings, so we can find and fix
issues early, preventing problems like data breaches, downtime, and compliance risk. Um, this platform works like a consumer guide for cars. But instead of rating vehicles for safety and reliability, it rates our vendors and partners for cyber security and risk. Just as a car buyer would check for
safety ratings to avoid buying a dangerous and unreliable car, our organization uses this platform um to check safety rate or to check um uh platform's ratings and alerts to avoid working with vendors that could put our data and operations at risk. Um so this
is part of a best practice for the NIS cyber security framework adopted by the city and um as you can see in the slide our vendors generally have a a good security posture. Uh the average security rating of our 28 monitored vendors is a 787 out
of 950. Um along with um making sure our current vendors are maintaining a good security posture. We are actively using this tool to assess new vendors and ensure they meet our cyber security standards. Again, this is effort aimed to reducing risk for our operations from thirdparty
vendors. Um that includes citizen facing uh services such as our water department customer portal. This platform also tracks our own uh security rating and uh as you can see we're currently tracking ahead of the industry standard with a rating of nine
or 794 which is 91 points ahead of the average security rating for organizations in this in our industry and our staff is actively working to reduce our organizational risk while continuously improving our security posture and improving this rating. Um,
also I'd like to add, um, we were also awarded a grant for cyber security software by Florida Digital Services this year and will continue to apply for future funding. >> Any questions? >> So, commissioners, on this one, I think this is kind of interesting. This is,
you know, we have a number of platforms we use that are the interface between us and a customer. and you know we're constantly monitoring breaches that can come into affect say the city's financials or documents that we store.
Um this is this provides a safeguard to the customers who are utilizing our services as well. So, if they're accessing something through Access Winterhaven or um through the the SEW platform for our water services, those
types of things, we're vetting those out to make sure that that is a secure vendor we're dealing with that they don't have vulnerabilities that could put our customers at risk. And I think this would really hearkens back to something Commissioner Dancer asked about several months back about when we look at vendors, you know, how do we
evaluate them when we're looking at software platforms that we want to utilize, open Gov and things like that. This helps make sure that we're checking them to make sure they're they've got safeguards in place for those protections. >> How much was the grant?
>> Um, so the grant was for uh two softwares. So they they offered um various software that we could cyber security software. Um so we were actually able to utilize the grant to get those softwares. >> I see. >> Yeah. >> It was more of a a product grant a
dollar value. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And we have information about those if you'd like them as well. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> I'm gonna pass it over to David. Good evening, uh, Mayor Birdong and commissioners.
My name is David Hernandez and I'm currently as my role as superintendent in the water department. I I'm here tonight to give you an update on the lead and copper rule. Wanted to share with you on this first slide the efforts that we've made over the last two years.
Uh to date we've replaced 35 lead service lines. They were identified and and replaced per uh FD requirements. We've also replaced 54 galvanized service lines that needed replacement.
Uh to this point since we started almost two years ago, um we've performed 3,779 digs. I forgot to include it on the slide, but I wanted to share that with you. As of today, we can say confidently that
65% of our water system has been confirmed as non-LED. Um, our water crews have been out there um busy um canvasing the neighborhoods and making sure that the water is safe for our residents. We also um reached uh uh
compliance. We had to submit our annual report to the P County Health Department and we went ahead and submitted this in time. We have um plenty of work to do. Um FD has given all community water systems
till 2037 to go ahead and get that lead out of the water system. Um but we have a goal as a department of of getting that done as quickly as possible. We still have about 15,564 service lines that still are unknown. We
don't know what the service line material is but uh we will be investigating these. Uh 2026 we have a plan of completing another a thousand soft digs uh for the following year. In this uh next slide uh you can
appreciate our water crews out there in the uh community uh water system. Um over the fa past years the water department has purchased some equipment that has aided us in qu quick quickly uh doing these soft digs um identifying
what these service lines um are. In the past this was done with a machine a backhoe or an excavator which took a lot of time and created a lot of work. Uh so we're very swiftly able to determine what the service line materials are and
in in fact if it has to be replaced uh we have an example right there in the middle of the current service line material that we are um installing in-house with our water crews. In 2024, we partnered with Trinex, which
is a digital um company um that has a platform that we currently use. It's called Leadcast. Basically, it's uh leveraging artificial intelligence predictive modeling is what we're currently using. And basically what the predictive modeling does, it allows us
to identify where the lead and galvanized pipes may be, which in turn our crews uh can work more efficiently. As the system receives more information, it properly updates the predictive model.
In the last slide here, um this is a screenshot I took a while ago. Um, our residents can go uh on the city website and can view the status of their service line. Um, here Katrina is demonstrating for us how easy it is to go on the city
website and in fact look up your service line. And basically um FD classifies service line as lead status unknown, non-LED, lead and galvanized requiring replacement. So our residents um are
able to view this online. Um, I'll take any questions if if there is any. >> Commissioners, I'd just like to add a thought with this. So, when we're talking about lead within the water system, it's not lead that's coming out of our potable water, you know,
production. This is where you have historically a lead gooseeneck that was industry standard. Um, you know, in the pre9 pre-1980, you know, going back even further than that. Um, so older communities may have a lead goose neck
that's there and over time if that were to uh erode or or you know deteriorate you can you can have problems with that. So that's the whole purpose of the lead and copper rule. We use the predictive modeling. We do soft digs. We know that homes that were built after a certain
year that that's not an issue because that product was no longer allowed to be used. So that rules out a big portion of the community. it's going into the older neighborhoods doing those soft digs um assessing that predictive modeling uses years of construction and a variety of
different parameters for the individual properties and generates ultimately I believe it's after four rounds of processing the model and all the soft digs will give us a 95% accuracy on where uh you would have lead within the
entire system without having to go and excavate every single connection that's out there. So, it is an accepted protocol and uh and tool in doing this and we are, as David said, we're about two years into it. >> Um those that we found, we've replaced
and we continue to explore the unknowns. I >> had a question for you. Uh so the 2037 date. >> Yes, sir. That's when it absolutely has to be out. But at the rate we're
working, we should have it long before 2037. >> Yeah, absolutely. I think um the way that we're going about it, we'll be able to pinpoint specifically where that is. Then it's just a matter of of going and doing the replacements and they've been few and far between where we've found so
far. >> Okay. Let me ask one more question. the uh the 65%. Um how long will it take us to get to 100%. >> So just to give you like an idea, we have 45,612
service connections throughout the city, >> right? >> Um so we still have 15,000 plus that are unknown. Um the 29,000 that you see as non-LED, a lot of those homes are newer construction home and uh basically the
the Florida lead ban took effect in 1989. So any home built after 1989, we were able to exclude um and that's where the predictive modeling helped us to exclude and concentrate our efforts of where the where the uh these homes are
may be. But still that's that's your your the deadline date is the 2037 >> 2037 we have a goal as a department of completing this project in 6 to7 years that is our goal and I think at the speed we're going um I think we're going
to attain that >> just one other question uh because I know it's a very costly operation and so we budget that and our water And yeah, so that that that's
none of that is uh incorporated into our rate plan, is it? >> Well, it's it's it's factored within the the budget of the of the department, which goes into how rates are set up. You know, your capital and your operations factor into into your rate
structure. But the you know, this really involves the expense of the TREX subscription, the the predictive modeling software. And then we're utilizing in-house staff to go and do those soft digs spec they're specifically assigned to that project.
So it's it's absorbed within the routine operations. So really and truly we have uh totally uh made arrangements to to see our project through in a much timely fashion
>> than that 2037 because I know some other municipalities are struggling to even get to the 2037 >> and and I think it it really comes down to how old are those communities. So if you haven't had a you know if you're
significant amount of growth pre1989 um then you're likely to have challenges there and and you I give credit to our water department and our IT department work together to figure out how is the best way to do this. If you're not using using predictive modeling which isn't an
accepted protocol and practice by de by EPA if you're just doing this by hand digging it's going to take an awful long time. At the same token, you have communities that really didn't see a whole lot of development until post 1990. And so their ability to to check
the box and say, "Hey, we don't have anything." can be real quick. Um, I think we're we are uh kind of in the mid-range of that. You know, we have historic development and new development, but we're also using utilizing advanced practices to to get
to it quickly. >> All right. >> Go ahead. Go ahead. >> Um, galvanized pipe. Do we have a lot of galvanized? >> Uh we had 166 up to a couple weeks ago. We also had the the 13 lead that have already been swapped out. So if you go
on the website right now, it's going to look at zero for lead. But we have approximately about 166 that are classified as galvanized requiring replacement. Um they would be if you lead would be a high priority. If you had to put it in simple terms,
galvanized requiring replacement is a medium priority. But we will get to those addresses eventually. The uh I did want to ask uh I I wanted to add um the according to Winter Haven census reports 1920 the population of this town was
1597 residents. In 2000 that went up to 26,487 residents. And in 2025 we are now at 52,856 residents. So, a lot of a lot of those homes we've excluded because they are
kind of new construction. >> Just real quick, if you're are you are you heading this project up? If you are, I want to thank you because this is the kind of stuff this you're doing yman's work and this is the kind of thing that government really makes a difference in somebody's life. So, thank you for doing that. I know you're going to get it
ahead of schedule and I it really needs to be done. So, I appreciate it. I want to throw out asbestous real quick. Is that concern? Do you have concern about asbests? Is that one of the ones that's sort of down the list like some of the others or or is that one that you're focusing on as well? >> DPA's priority right now is getting the
let out. AC water lines are too um a priority. However, um we do have some in town um and we need to get them we have planned in the future to get them out of the ground, but as long as you don't disturb it, it it doesn't really cause any any um safety issues
>> as best as you mean. as best as you have to wear like suits and stuff to pull it out. It's a it's a very poor deal to get rid of that. >> Yeah. Every one of our uh water services has to be certified as um uh asbestous contractor. They go through a school
about a weekl long school, they get training and whenever we're replacing sections of pipe that are AC, they have to wear their mask and there's protocols we have to follow. One of the things is is that as long as you know the materials for your pipeline, you can pretty well, you know,
um they have approved uh certain materials in the past that they won't accept now. So, those are the ones you have to remove and get out. >> Well, from my point of view, this is exactly what we as a local government should be doing for our citizens. You know, keep it up. You know, thank you
for taking this on because this is a really quality of life issue that you can point to and say, "This is what we're doing." and means a lot. So that's the way I see it. >> And this is required of every public water supplier in the nation. >> So it's not just a winter haven thing,
but all all the municipalities that have water systems in P County throughout the state throughout all 50 states have to do this. >> Flint Michigan talks all >> Yes, sir. That's the uh that's the origin of this. >> All right. We'll continue on with David
Nicholson. >> Good evening, commissioners. Thank you for allowing me to talk a little about our risk and resilience assessment which we are currently completing under the America's Water Infrastructure Act. Now, the risk and resilience assessment is a lot more than just a compliance
requirement. It's a it's a strategic assessment of our risks and vulnerabilities facing our utility as a whole. That includes both drinking water and wastewater systems because at the end of the day, both are essential to protecting public health
and the environment. I would like to note that the federal requirement is only to assess our drink and water systems. However, as a city, we choose to assess the entire utility, including our administration and customer service divisions.
The EPA requires us to internally update this document every year. However, every five years, the assessment should be updated through a third party for reertification by the EPA. We are now in our second assessment cycle with the
assessment being on track for completion and submission to the EPA by our deadline which is December 31st, 2025. The process asks us to take a hard look at everything that keeps our utility running. We examine physical assets like
treatment plants, storage tanks, lift stations, pipelines. We look at our cyber security cyber systems like the SCADA and computer networks that control and monitor our operations. or we consider how would we respond if
something unexpected were to happen. Whether it's a hurricane, a tornado, lightning strike, power outage, equipment failure, or a cyber or physical security threat. By identifying the risks ahead of time, we can prioritize improvements and
budget accordingly based on our final report, such as updating security measures, both physical and techreated, reinforcing critical infrastructure. We improve our backup systems or strengthening our communication and
emergency response plans. Now, why do we do this? Because our community relies on us every single day. Clean drink and water and reliable waste water treatment are fundamental services that we provide. People count on us to pro
protect their health, their homes, and their environment. Completing the assessment helps ensure that we're prepared to keep those services running no matter what challenges we face moving forward. It also helps us to be proactive rather
than reactive. Instead of waiting for an incident to happen, the assessment allows us to plan, invest wisely, and build resilience into our systems and operations. So, in closing, while a
risk and resilience assessment is a federal requirement, it's really much more than that. It's about making our utility stronger, safer, and more dependable for our residents and for future generations. Stand for any questions. if you if you have questions.
>> The uh comment on this, this is a fascinating project. Um and I commend uh Gary and and Mark and David and all the folks that worked on this when they first did this third party assessment back in 2000. You know, we we brought
together members across the entire organization to do a tabletop exercise in emergency planning. And normally when we do that in local government, we're talking about hurricanes. And the scenario that was presented to us at that point had to do
with contamination in the water system. And those are the things that you know can happen. And and but you until you stop and prepare for it, you don't realize how unprepared you may be for it. And so the update to that plan, it
walks them through just about every possible scenario that could happen. um what to do if there's an equipment failure, if there's a technological cyber attack, if there's um a hurricane, those types of things. And it folds in all these different
departments. It assesses the vulnerabilities within every site that we have um and really positions us well. It is it is beyond a comprehensive emergency management plan. It it truly looks ahead and not just how do you react to something, but how do you
prevent something on the front? So commend the the team for their work on this. And the last thing I want to share with you this evening from a public safety standpoint and ask Mr. Carnival to pass down to you some guidance that we have
issued from my office to our staff. So, as you know, um, recently there's been a, uh, an appellet court decision on or ruling on, um, Florida's concealed carry law that made
some significant changes to that uh, in the sense that Florida is for the most part an open carry, constitutional carry state at this point. that where you used to be able to go and could have a concealed weapon with you, now you can go into
those same place places and have uh a nonconcealed firearm with you. And I don't know if any of you have seen that in public as of yet in any of your travels. I experienced that over the weekend at a shopping facility that someone was >> walking with a uh a sidearm, you know,
in full display. A little little unsettling. this. We felt it necessary to provide some guidance to our staff because we have a number of facilities that historically have been places where you could conceal carry and now those are
open carry facilities. So, you may walk into the fieldhouse and see somebody with a firearm on their side or in the library or in the building division or customer service or even here in city hall when we don't have a government
meeting that is taking place, a meeting of this board or those that you appoint. So, we issued the document that you have before you out to our staff because our concern is one, we want to make sure we're not doing anything in
violation of the law, that we're not um in some way, fashion uh imposing on someone's second amendment rights or or what is outlined in statute at this point. We also want to make sure that our staff is able to respond to the
citizen that comes forward with their own concerns about, hey, that guy has a gun on him and that we can respond accurately and factually and try and calm that situation to explain what the
rules are. So, Julie Adams with our parks and recreation department had reached out, we had her reach out to uh her colleagues in the profession here in the state to see what other cities were doing. Um, we looked through Chief Monroe and uh the Florida Police Chiefs
Association, see what kind of guidance they were giving and then also to our city attorneys uh and his staff to get some guidance which allowed us to to create this guidance document. And that's simply what it is. We want to make sure that our staff is informed. um
not only to safeguard themselves and the public, but also respond to questions that come up and and don't put us in a position to violate anyone's rights in the process. We have some questions still and I wish there were easy answers
to them. There's a lot of questions about long guns, um a lot of questions about um school sanctioned facilities that are hosted on city properties that we are still trying to chase down. I anticipate that when we get into the
legislative session this year, although I've not seen any bills personally that have been filed to um address language that needs to be addressed within the existing statute. Um I have confidence that we will hear some of that or at
least see some bills come forward. But this is the reality that we face today that you know uh you may go to Theater Winter Haven for a production and the person next to you has a firearm. You may go to the tennis courts for a game of pickle ball and somebody's walking
around with a firearm. Um that's the reality in which we live. Fortunately, we have not seen a whole lot of that within our facilities, but you know, when you have big events in parks and things of that nature, it is not uh unlikely something that we won't come
across at some point. So, this is simply to make sure our staff, our law enforcement folks, everybody is up to speed and we wanted to provide you a copy of that as well and certainly be able to answer any questions you may have in that regard. >> Are they allowed to bring guns in here?
>> Not. Well, >> that's a good question. >> So, >> not in a place where a governing body is holding a meeting. However, this is one of the snafoos within the legislation is
that the way that concealed carry law was written. Um, remember you used to have a have to have a concealed carry permit and they took away the permit requirement so anybody could carry concealed. It addresses handguns.
It does not address things like long guns. And that's one of the big issues that has to be fixed within the statute in my opinion and I think in in the opinion of many is that you cannot come into this mil this space right now with a handgun either concealed or open
carried. But the legislation does not speak to can you walk in here with a shotgun over your shoulder in an unconcealed fashion. >> Can we pass an ordinance really quick that puts out there? >> No sir, you cannot. >> No shotguns. >> No sir, you cannot because you are
preempted to the state. >> But I mean then the guys that guard us can sit out say, "Hey, we got an ordinance. You got to take that shotgun." >> That's why you have guys that are standing outside in much greater fashion than before until that gets fixed. You can bring a shotgun but not a pistol.
>> So and and >> so our take out of an abundance of caution is that also pertains to your CRA board, your planning commission, your appointed boards that are carrying out a government function on your behalf. >> You might as well get shot. It's going
to be us. There there is some question I I don't want to contradict city manager but there is still some question as to the governing body is this body and likely the CRA because it's a special district but as to whether the planning commission or the magistrate or any
other AAC that's an open question as to whether or not this prohibition on carrying just handguns applies to those meetings. It may or may not. There's also a question about I mentioned school sanctioned facilities that we're trying to get some
understanding of that because school properties are exempt from the open carry and conceal. You cannot take a weapon onto school property. But we're trying to get clarity on what happens when a school is having a sanctioned school event on city
property. Does that trump the city property in terms of being a public space? So, lots of questions there that still remain to be answered. Hence the reason I felt it necessary to provide guidance to our staff. Um, and we will
continue to uh address that as issues arise and as we receive further clarification from the state legislature uh and other persons of authority on the matter. >> Okay.
>> Anything else? and we will do everything we can to protect our general public in this space and every place else that we have. >> All right. Then we have our reports and emergency matters. A motion to adjoin. >> I do have some information regarding the election. >> Oh, >> so just please I had mentioned some
items earlier and just bear with me just one second. Please be reminded there is a canvasing board meeting tomorrow, Thursday, November 7th here in John Fuller at 5:05 p.m. for the random race and precinct selection and certification of election results. Provisional ballots will be reviewed at this meeting. Yet, I
have not received them today. A quorum must be present for that meeting. Once that meeting is over, I will add any provisional ballot information to the November 10th summary sheet and certificates of the canvasing boards for seats four and five regarding the certification of the November 4th election. Also, we do have a
post-election audit next Wednesday, November 12th at 2 at the Supervisor of Elections Operations Center. And this is to audit whichever race and precinct is chosen at random at tomorrow's canvasing board meeting and a quorum must be present for that one as well. Both of these meetings were properly noticed as
required. And lastly, as I previously mentioned, there will be a runoff election on Tuesday, December 2nd for seat 4. And that's all I have. >> Right. Anyone else? >> Thank you. >> Motion to adjurnn. So move