[1. CALL TO ORDER]
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2021, CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
>> MAYOR LEDNOVICH, HERE. >> THANK YOU.
HOUSE KEEPING. PERSONAL DEVICES? SILENT. MUTE.
VIBRATE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ROSS.
THANK YOU. STILL UNDER COVID-19 GUIDELINES.
IT'S NOT GETTING BETTER. SHARED HEALTH INFORMATION WITH THE COMMISSIONERS. 94% OF THEIR PATIENTS ARE VACCINATED. SO, ONCE AGAIN, WE HAVE SOMEONE WITH EXPERTISE. IF YOU ARE WEARING A MASK, KEEP KEEP IT OVER YOUR NOSE. AND IF YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO SOCIAL DISTANCE, PLEASE DO SO. AND, FINALLY, THE QUORUM OF THE
[3.1 MASTER FEE SCHEDULE]
MEETING. DISCUSSION.MASTER FEE SCHEDULE. THIS IS PLACED ON THIS AGENDAS BY THE CITY COMMISSION. COMMISSIONERS, THE FEE SCHEDULE, WHAT YOUR PLEASURE? ANYONE? LET'S START WITH SANITARY. ANYHOW, I LOOKED AT SANITARY PRICES AND ASKED THEM AND OUR SANITARY NEEDS MONEY EVERY YEAR.
THEY ARE SUB DECIDED, THEY WILL EVENTUALLY RUN OUT OF MONEY AND THE CITY WILL BE TAKING CARE OF IT.
>> COULD YOU STATE HOW MUCH MONEY IT WAS?
>> SUBSIDIZING, $200,000. SO I WOULD PROPOSE WE RAISE IT.
>> VERY GOOD. SANITARY, $200,000.
FOR OUR CITY RESIDENTS, $4,000. $750, DOUBLE IT FOR CITY RESIDENTS. THAT'S IN LINE WITH -- THAT'S TOP OF THE LINE FOR MOST SANITARIES IN THE AREA.
>> ALL RIGHT. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE
SANITARY PRICES. >> COMMISSIONER BEAN?
>> I SECOND. >> I THINK WE ARE AT CONSENSUS ON SANITARY. DID Y YOU CAPTURE THOSE RATES?
>> NEXT? ONE OF THE PRIMARY ISSUES HERE WAS THE DISCUSSION ON THE PARKS AND REC CITY RESIDENT FEES AND WHERE WE WERE GOING ON THAT, IN THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS. I THINK GENERALLY SPEAKING, IT WAS ABOUT A 20, 25% SURCHARGE FOR NONRESIDENTS.
KEEPING IN MINDS THE ATHLETIC TEAMS WEREN'T PAYING ANYTHING ANYWAYS. IS THAT THE RECOMMENDATION OF STAFF, OR DO WE RAISE THAT? IT'S POLITICAL TO A GREAT DEGREE. THE COUNTY DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE
INTERESTED IN HELPING AT ALL. >> MR. MICHAELS, CURRENTLY REVIEWING THOSE COSTS. HE WILL HAVE BEFORE YOU AT THE NEXT CITY COMMISSION MEETING ON THE 21ST, THE CITY DID RECEIVE A PROPOSAL FROM PARKS AND REC. HE DID THE SAME THING FOR THE COUNTY. HE REVIEWED THE COST OF THEIR PROGRAM. THE COST OF THEIR PROGRAM.
HE GAVE AUS PROPOSAL AND WILL DO THE SAME THING FOR THE CITY.
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REVIEWING THE COSTS FOR INDOOR ACTIVITIES AT THE RECREATION CENTERS, AS WELL AS OUTDOORS, SOCCER FIELDS, TENNIS COURTS.THAT WILL BE BEFORE YOU. IT WENT BEFORE MR. MICHAELSON INTRODUCED THAT AT THE LAST MEET THEY UNANIMOUSLY DECIDED TO GO FORWARD WITH THAT. THAT WILL TAKE 90 TO 120 DAYS.
IN ALL LIKELIHOOD WITH THE START OF THE FALL SEASON STAFF LIKELY RECOMMENDS WE CONTINUE THE FEES WE HAVE NOW.
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST, REVIEW ALL THE CONTRACTS.
HAVE NEW CONTRACTS IN PLACE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST.
SO TERMINATE THE EXISTING AGREEMENTS EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 31ST VICE PRESIDENT NEW CONTRACTS WITH ALL THE LEAGUES THAT THEY CAN MORE EFFECTIVELY REFLECT WHAT OUR
PROGRAM COSTS ARE. >> HAVE YOU OR SCOTT RECEIVED ANYTHING AT ALL, ANY DISCUSSION WITH THE COUNTY ABOUT THEIR
PARTICIPATION? >> I HAD SOME MINIMAL CONVERSATION WITH ONE OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, IN LUE OF CASH THEY MAY BE WILLING TO CONSIDER IN-KIND FS SERVICES.
I HAVE NOT MET WITH MR. POPE TO DISCUSS WHAT THEY ARE THINKING
ABOUT FOR THAT. >> SO IF I CAN ADD TO THE VICE MEMBER'S QUESTION. TWO OF THE LEAGUE PRESIDENT, SOFTBALL, THEY WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE COMMISSION LAST WEDNESDAY. THEY REQUESTED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE MEMBERS, 1,000 COUNTY KIDS PARTICIPATED IN THE SOCCER, FOOTBALL, BASEBALL, ETC.
THE COUNTY RESPONSE WAS THAT TWO COMMISSIONERS SAID THEY WOULD DONATE PERSONAL FUNDS TO THOSE PROGRAMS. THERE WAS OFFICIAL RESPONSE ON HELPING THE CITY.
SO THAT WAS THE RESPONSE TO THOSE TWO PRESIDENTS MOVING FORWARD. MY FEELING IS THAT WE SHOULD PUT SOMETHING. RIGHT NOW IT'S ZERO.
IF WE AT LEAST PUT 500 OR $1,00O MAINTAIN THE FIELD.
PAY FOR GASOLINE. RIGHT NOW THEY ARE PAYING ZERO.
THE COUNTY AT THE MEETING, THEY LOOKED AT ME AND SAID "RAISE YOUR FEES." COMMISSIONER BEAN AND VICE MAYO-
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I APPRECIATE THAT.
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH ALL THE LEAGUE PRESIDENTS OVER SOME COFFEE. WE DISCUSSED THIS ISSUE.
THEY ARE AWARE THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE CHILDREN IN THE LEAGUE, THEY ARE NOT WITHIN THE CITY. THEY DON'T PAY CITY TAXES.
THEY ARE, LIKE ALL OF US, COUNTY TAXPAYERS.
AND SO, EVEN THOUGH IT MAKES SENSE THAT WE SHOULD -- THAT WE SHOULD BE A COUNTY PROGRAM. THE WAY IT IS RIGHT NOW, IT'S A CITY PROGRAM. SO THEY MADE A COMMITMENT TO ME TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GO -- THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO DO.
THIS TALK TO THE COUNTY. THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT THEY SHOULD BE TALKING TO THE COUNTY ABOUT.
THE QUESTION SHOULDN'T BE WHY IS THE CITY NOT FOOTING THE COUNTY'S BILL. THE QUESTION IS WHY HAS THE COUNTY NEVER THOUGHT TO HAVE LITTLE LEAGUE PROGRAMS? WHY ARE THEY RELYING ON THE CITY TO ZOO EVERYTHING IN THE COUNTY.
IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. BUT, IN THE SHORT-TERM, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE AS LITTLE IMPACT AS POSSIBLE ON THE STUDENTS AND THE CHILDREN PLAYING LITTLE LEAGUE.
THIS HAS NOW BEEN BROUGHT UP. WE HAVE NEW COMMISSIONERS STARTING THIS YEAR. I DON'T WANT TO HAMPER OR HINDER THE LEAGUE'S EXISTENCE. YES, THE COUNTY ISN'T ANY TIME SOON PAYING THEIR SHARE. WE START THIS CONVERSATION NOW, AND START THE CONVERSATION WITH THE LITTLE LEAGUE SUPPORT, THEN ASKING THE COUNTY FOR FUNDS. I THINK WE WILL SEE GOOD RESULTS IN THE FUTURE. I WANT TO KEEP IT AS IT IS NOW.
IT WAS A TRAVESTY FOR ME HE IF WE MAKE A STATEMENT TO THE COUNTY, AT THE EXPENSE OF STUDENTS WHO WANTS TO PLAY SOME BASEBALL. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP IT AVAILABLE NOW. BUT WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, IT WON'T BE AS EASY.
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>> COMMISSIONER ROSS? >> THE COUNTY KIDS -- WE HAVE NO COUNTY KIDS BECAUSE KIDS COME FROM OUTSIDE THE COUNTY THAT PLAY TO THE TOURNAMENTS THAT WE ARE SUBSIDIZING.
THEY ARE ALL COUNTY KIDS. I THINK IT'S A TRAVESTY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE NOT WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS.
NUMBER TWO, I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH -- AS THE CITY MANAGER PUT OUT, WAITING TO SEE THAT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND ADDRESSING THIS IN JANUARY.
AFTER WE KNOW WHAT OUR COSTS ARE.
SOFT COSTS AND HARD COSTS. WHEN THEY SAY PUTTING IN KINDS.
DOES THAT MEAN THEY ARE PUTTING IN FERTILIZER? IT DOESN'T SAVE US MONEY THEM MOWING THE GRASS ONCE A WEEK.
NUMBER TWO. I GOT TODAY HOW MUCH OF OUR TAXES -- I WILL SHARE THESE NUMBERS.
IN THE PAST, HOW MUCH OF THE CITY SUBSIDIESES THE COUNTY AND HOW MUCH THE ISLAND SUBSIDIESES THE COUNTY IN AD VALOREM TAX AND IT'S SING THE CITY BRINGS IN A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF SALES TAX.
BECAUSE IT'S BASED ON COUNTY POPULATION.
WE DON'T GET OUR SHARE OF THAT SALES TAX THAT WE ARE GENERATING. ALL THE HOTELS ARE HERE, WE SUPPLY THE BEACH, WE SUPPLY THE ROADS, WE SUPPLY THE POLICE.
BUT WE DON'T GET SALES TAX. IT'S HELPFUL FOR THE COUNTY BUT THE CITY IS ON THE HOOK FOR THE EXPENSES IN SUPPORT OF THAT.
ALL I HAVE IS A LONG WAY OF SAYING AND I'VE BEEN SAYING FOR YEARS, THAT THE COUNTY NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE FOR ALL COUNTY KIDS. NOT JUST ONE.
[INAUDIBLE] >> KEEP THE FEES BASICALLY WHAT WE ARE NOW. COME BACK IN DECEMBER AND, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CEMETERY PLOOTS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT, COME BACK IN DECEMBER WITH A PACKAGE OF WHAT THE COSTS TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES FOR EACH OF THESE FIELDS.
NOT ONLY THE SOFT COSTS BUT THE HARD COSTS, OF ALL THE COSTS.
THAT'S FAIR. >> THANK YOU, SIR.
VICE MAYOR? >> YES, IF THEY COME BACK, WE LOOK AT THE FUTURE, I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE.
FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND I'VE MET WITH THE TEAMS ALSO.
THEY ARE PUTTING POLITICAL PRESSURE ON THE COUNTY.
I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING. I CERTAINLY AGREE.
WE HAVE FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD ALL OF THESE KIDS, THEY WANT TO PLAY AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T PUT THE THEM A POSITION WHERE THEY CAN'T PLAY.
I THINK WE CAN DO ALL OF THIS. I THINK WE HAVE TO KEEP THE PRESSURE ON THE COUNTY. THIS THEY NEED TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE. HOPEFULLY THE PARENTS WILL START DOING IT. THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS, WE'LL DO SOMETHING IN KIND OR WE'LL DO THIS.
BUT I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TRUST IN THEIR SUPPORT.
NOT LONG AFTER THIS SITUATION, I THINK WE'LL JUST WAIT FOR THE REPORT AND WE WAIT UNTIL JANUARY TO ADDRESS THIS NEXT YEAR.
ESPECIALLY WITH THIS CYCLE, WE DON'T HAVE THE INFORMATION.
CHIP MAKES A LOT OF GOOD POINTS. THESE ARE ALL COUNTY KIDS.
EVERYONE IS IN THE COUNTY. WE ALL PAY COUNTY TAXES.
SO I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
WE CAN WAIT UNTIL JANUARY ONCE WE HAVE THE INFORMATION.
>> MR. ROSS? >> I WANT TO BRING UP ONE OTHER ISSUE. THE SCHOOL BOARD.
THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS ALL OF THESE PLAYING FIELDS LOCKED UP AND KIDS CAN'T USE THEM AFTER HOURS.
THEY WERE COMING TO US ABOUT TAKING CARE OF -- MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY ARE ACROSS THE STREET AND PEOPLE WANTS TO USE THE BATHROOMS THERE. ACROSS THE STREET THE SCHOOL HAS BATHROOMS IN THE PARK BUT THEY KEEP THEM LOCKED UP.
WHY ISN'T THE SCHOOL BOARD PARTICIPATING IN THIS? THERE ARE LOTS OF PLAY GROUNDS, THEY ARE BEHIND CHAIN LINK FENCES. I UNDERSTOOD THE SCHOOL HAS OTHER ISSUES BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE SOME -- THEY ARE FOR KIDS.
I JUST THINK WE SHOULD ALL PARTICIPATE TOGETHER.
NOT JUST THE CITY. >> VICE MAYOR?
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>> YEAH, WE BROUGHT THIS UP THE LAST MEETING, THE JANUARY MEETING BEFORE WITH THE SAME RESULT.
COULD WE MOVE FORWARD ON SOME REQUEST TO DO THAT? SOME KIND OF OFFICIAL LETTER? IS THAT GOOD WITH EVERYBODY?
>> IS THERE A CONSENSUS ON THAT? SPECIFICALLY WHAT DO WE WANT TO
ASK THEM. >> ASK THEM IF THEY WILL SUPPORT THE YOUTH IN THE CITY BY KEEPING THEIR FACILITIES OPEN, SPECIFICALLY HICKORY IS A WELL-USED PARK.
ON WEEKENDS THAT BLAISE IS PACKED.
THE RESTROOMS OPEN THERE. ANY OTHER FIELD, TENNIS COURTS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE USE IS, IF THAT'S NECESSARY.
THEY SHARE FACILITIES. >> COMMISSIONER, I WANT TO ANTICIPATE WHAT THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL RESPOND AND THE REASON FOR WHY THOSE ARE LOCKED UP. 15 YEARS AGO, PLAYING ON THOSE PLAY GROUNDS, THERE WERE NO FENCES AROUND ANY OF THE PLAYGROUNDS. I THINK IT'S SCHOOL SAFETY IS THE REASON WE KEEP THEM LOCKED. IF WE ARE GOING TO SENT LETTER, I WANT IT MAKE SURE IT'S NICELY PHRASED AS WE ANTICIPATE THAT RESPONSE ABOUT SCHOOLING SAFETY. WE'LL ASK SPECIFICALLY FOR A PARTICULAR PLAY GROUND, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE ABLE TO LOCK THE SCHOOL SO NO ONE CAN GET IN THERE AT NIGHT, OR THAT THE BATHROOMS ARE ACCESSIBLE. I HAVE TO ADD THAT.
>> COMMISSIONER STURGIS. >> SPEAKING TO THE BOOTH ROOMS THAT ARE INSIDE THE FENCE WHERE THE BALLPARK IS? THOSE ARE LOCKED UP THERE THERE, THE CONCERN IS WHO WILL MAINTAIN THAT, WHO WILL LOOK OVER IT T F IT WAS OPEN ALL WEEKEND AND NOBODY FROM THE SCHOOL IS THERE. THAT WILL BE THEIR MAIN CONCERN IS SECURITY. THERE IS A CONCESSION STAND AND AREAS SOMEONE COULD BREAK IN. HOWEVER, IF THAT WAS SECURED, I'M SURE THAT COULD BE USED AND THEY CAN LOCK OFF THE GATE THAT LET'S YOU INTO THE FIELDS TO WHERE THE SCHOOL IS.
THAT WOULD BE WHAT I WOULD ADDRESS.
WE ARE CONCERNED WITH THE BATHROOM, THAT THERE IS A WAY FOR US TO HELP PROMOTE THIS OR ALLEVIATE THE SECURITY CONCERN,
I THINK WE WILL PROVIDE THAT. >> COMMISSIONER ROSS?
>> I'LL TALK WITH DR. BURNS ABOUT THIS, TALK TO SOME OF THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS. YOU'RE RIGHT, THE CONCERN IS SECURITY. WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
WE HAVE THE SAME MONEY PROBLEM. THEY WILL SAY IT WILL COST US MONEY. REALLY? IT WILL COST US MONEY, TOO. I GOT AN AMAZING LETTER OVER THE WEEKEND. YOU MIGHT HAVE GOT IT, TOO.
A LADY COMPLAINED THEY WERE BEGGING TO HAVE LIGHTS ON A COUNTY ROAD. THEY WERE BLAMING US FOR THAT.
WELL, YOU SHOULDICAL THE COUNTY. SHE WRITES BACK.
I DID. THEY SAID THEY ARE PASSING THE BUCK. I SAID YOU'RE 100% RIGHT.
THEY ARE PASSING THE BUCK. ALL THE CITY ROADS ARE IN THE COUNTY. HOW OFTEN DOES THE COUNTY PAY FOR THE LIGHTS ON CITY ROADS. THE ANSWER IS ZERO.
THE COUNTY DOES THIS CONTINUOUSLY.
THE SCHOOL BOARD DOES IT, TOO. THEY PASS THE BUCK TO US.
BECAUSE OVER THE YEARS THE CITY COMMISSION GETS ALL THE CRITICISM FOR HIGH TAXES AND ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS. BUT WE ARE THE ONCE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES. I THINK WE ARE CHANGING THE
IF I CAN SUMMARIZE, WE'LL WAIT UNTIL JANUARY 1ST.
DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING? >> I WANT TO ADDS ONE THING, MR. MAYOR. CAN WE ADD THAT FENCE.
I THINK IT'S JUST THERE. I WOULD ADD THAT TO THE LET'S OF
TO SUMMARIZE, WE'LL WAIT UNTIL JANUARY 22, UNTIL WE GET OUR RATES ANALYSIS. AND THEN DEAL WITH THAT.
VICE MAYOR? >> THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE SOME OF THE PLANNING PHASE AND THE RESPONSE.
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I HAD THE OPPORTUNITIES TO READ THAT THIS AFTERNOON.I'LL CLARIFY THAT AND GO WITH THE PLANNING FEES.
>> THIS IS WHAT I SHARED WITH YOU EARLY THIS AFTERNOON.
MISS GIBSON HAD MADE EXCHANGES BASED ON COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE ABOUT WHAT BASIS FOR SOME OF THESE FEE CHANGES.
SO I WOULD SAY TAKE THE TIME TO REVIEW THEM.
THIS IS PART OF THE SESSION, THAT SOME OF THOSE FEES WERE RELATED TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF WHAT IS THE DIRECTION THE CITY COMMISSION WANTS TO TAKE. FOR EXAMPLE, LARGE-SCALE -- IF THE DESIRE OR THE PHILOSOPHY THAT YOU WANT TO DISCOURAGE THOSE, THEN YOU CAN RAVES THE FEE AND MAKE IT FINANCIALLY MORE DIFFICULT FOR SOMEONE TO APPROACH THE CITY COMMISSION TO ASK FOR IT. SO THERE IS NO -- YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO STUDIES OR ANALYSIS TO SET THESE FEES.
WE CAN SET THEM BASED UPON WHAT WE BELIEVE THE COSTS ARE, OR WHATEVER PHILOSOPHY THAT YOU AS A CITY COMMISSION WANTS TO IMPOSE ON APPLICANTS AND THE DIRECTION TO SUPPORT YOUR GOALS AND YOUR PLAN AND YOUR DESIRES WITH REGARD TO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A FEW RREVISIONS. TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE.
MISS GIBSON CAN ANSWER SOME OF THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.
THIS IS JUST FOR DISCUSSION TO MAKE SURE, HEY, IS THE PHILOSOPHY, DO WE WANT TO USE FEES TO DIRECT AND CONTROL BOARD DEVELOPMENT OR PLAN. THAT'S THE PLOIF WE NEED TO -- THE PHILOSOPHY WE NEED TO DEVELOP.
>> I NOTICE THERE WAS QUESTIONS ABOUT GENERALLY I SUPPORT WHAT STAFF WOULD RECOMMEND ON FEES. AS FAR AS THE PHILOSOPHIES, I'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME AND WE'VE NEVER DISCUSSED THAT PHILOSOPHY. I THINK DISCUSSING THAT AND THE GROWTH PHILOSOPHY. I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO DO BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER BEEN A PART OF SAYING THAT.
THAT HAS BEEN SET BY DEPARTMENTS AND APPROVED.
THIS NEW PHILOSOPHY THING -- I KNOW THE UNDERCURRENT, BUT WE NEED TO DISCUSS IT PUBLICLY IF WE WANT TO HAVE THAT KIND OF POLICY. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE FEES.
I WILL LOOK CLOSER, BECAUSE IT CAME LATER.
>> COMMISSIONER ROSS. >> HERE IS MY POLICY.
THESE SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE APPLICANT.
I DON'T KNOW WHO CAME UP WITH THE $25 PER HOUR.
I WOULD LIKE THAT NUMBER VETTED. BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT IS NEAR COVERING THE COST BECAUSE THE â– ATTORNEYTIMEINTHIS IS NOT IN THERE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THESE HOURS ARE, BUT MULTIPLYING 12 TIMES 25, YOU COUPLE UP WITH MORE THAN 300, WHATEVER. I WOULD LIKE THAT WHATEVER IT IS, IT AT LEAST COVER ALL OUR COST, NOT JUST -- THE WAGES, ALL THE SOFT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPING THESE.
I THINK IT'S MORE THAN $300 GOING INTO A BOARD APPLICATION OR A ZONING CONFIRMATION.
AMENDMENT FOR $300? THAT'S HOURS AND HOURS OF WORK.
A LOT OF THESE. THIS BETTER BE A WAY TO COMPENSATE US FOR THAT. THAT IS MY PHILOSOPHY.
>> COMMISSIONER BEAN? >> YES, THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.
IN TERMS OF PHILOSOPHY, I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE USING FEES TO CONTROL ISSUES. THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, WE CERTAINLY HAVE A COMMISSION AND MULTIPLE COMPREUZ TO REVIEW.
I DON'T WANT TO MAKE FINANCIAL BURDENS ON PEOPLE.
WHAT I WOULD HOPE IS THE EXISTING PLANNING STRUCTURE WILL WORK TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE DESIRED PLANNING OUTCOME.
THE FEE LIST, I AM HAPPY THAT A LOT OF THESE FEES ARE MORE MANAGEABLE. IF THERE IS A NUMBER WE CAN CONFIRM ON COSTS, THAT IS SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, TOO. THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER STURGIS. >> YOU'RE SAYING WE HAD AN E-MAIL LATE THIS AFTERNOON THAT I'M NOT SEEING, HAS THIS
INFORMATION IN IT ABOUT FEES? >> THERE WAS AN E-MAIL AT 11:00 THIS MORNING THAT INCLUDED THE PLANNING OR THE BUILDING
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FEES. ACTUALLY SAYS 10:53.THE PLANNING FEES AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT FEES.
>> I WILL LOOK FOR THAT. I APPRECIATE THAT.
I APPRECIATE THAT. I'LL TAKE A LOOK.
MY MAIN CONCERN IS COVERING OUR COSTS.
AS LONG AS WE ARE RECOVERING OUR COST, I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO HAVE THE APPROACH TO STOP DEVELOPMENT.
IT'S ABOUT MANAGEMENT. IT'S ABOUT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO. I WANT THE COST TO BE COVERED.
THANK YOU. >> IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT WE COVER
THE COST. >> COMMISSIONER ROSS?
>> I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER BEAN THAT THIS -- THIS ISN'T ABOUT PHILOSOPHY AND FEES. IT'S A PHILOSOPHY OF RECOVERING OUR COSTS. THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO MANAGE
GROWTH. >> THE CITY MANAGER, WE HAVE ANOTHER MEETING WHICH WE CAN REVIEW THESE FEES.
>> YES. IT WILL SHOW BEFORE YOU AT THE SECONDS MEETING. AGAIN WE NEED TO HAVE ADDITIONAL MEETINGS AFTER. THAT THE SECOND MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR TWO WEEKS FROM TONIGHT.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO, BECAUSE THE CONSENSUS IS ABOUT COVERING THE COST. I WILL THEN PROVIDE A COPY TO YOU OF AT LEAST THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT REPORT THAT SHOWS, AT OUR CURRENTS FEES, WE ARE RECOVERING 93% OF OUR COSTS.
SO I WILL SHARE THAT COPY WITH YOU TO SHOW YOU -- BECAUSE THAT'S A DIFFERENT CHANGE THAN WHAT'S PROPOSED.
I WILL SHARE THAT WITH YOU. IT WILL BE BACK BEFORE YOU FOR AN ACTUAL VOTE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO TWEAK IT.
THE PROPOSED FEE SCHEDULE IS PART OF THE NEXT AGENDAS WHEN IT
IS PUBLISHED NEXT TUESDAY. >> COMMISSIONER ROSS?
>> IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE? >> WE DECIDED THAT THESE FEES WILL BE REVISED TO REFLECT THE COST OF DELIVERING THESE SERVICES. WE WILL REVIEW THEM IN TWO WEEKS. CORRECT? COMMISSIONER ROSS, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> THE PENALTY FOR -- IS $1,000. I LEFT IT $1,000 TODAY.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT?
>> YOU ARE NOT MAKING CLEAR YOUR OBLIGATION TO HAVE THE SHORT TERM. [INAUDIBLE]
>> COMMISSIONER BEAN. >> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.
TO CLARIFY THE $1,000 FEE ONLY APPLIES ONCE.
RIGHT NOW IF WE CATCH THE SHORT-TERM.
>> THERE IS ONE FEE. >> SO WHAT I WANT TO AVOID IS A WORLD WHERE WE SELL FEES ALL THE TIME HERE.
WE WORK WITH PEOPLE. IF WE ENDS UP IN A CASE WHERE THE FEE HE IS $10,000, I WOULD IMAGINE WE WOULD SELL IT FOR MUCH LESS. I WANT TO LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE FEES ARE WHAT THEY ARE, AND THEY PAY WHAT HOW WE ESTABLISH THEM HERE. SO MY CONCERN WITH THE FEE BEING TOO HIGH. AT SOME POINT PEOPLE WON'T PAY THE FEES. WON'T BE ABLE TO PAY THE FEES.
I WANT THE FEES TO BE JUST. I SAY KEEP IT WHERE IT IS.
>> COMMISSIONER? >> I'M CONCERNED ABOUT HOW WE ARE ENFORCING THIS. I KNOW WITH COMPANIES OUT THERE THAT LOOK AT THIS, SO THERE IS 1,000 A DAY THAT WE ARE EQUAL
ACROSS THE BOARD. >> YOU WILL HAVE THAT, AGAIN, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH ONE OF THOSE FIRMS THAT WILL ASSIST THE CITY IN UNREGULATED. THE FIRST IS IN OCTOBER.
THEY WILL DO THE RESEARCH. THEN WE'LL APPLY THE PENALTIES.
PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION TO THE COUNTY.
BOTH THE CASH COLLECTOR AND THE PROPERTY TO ENSURE THEY ARE DOING THINGS BY THE BOOK AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO UNDER THE STATE
LAWS OF FLORIDA. >> COMMISSIONER ROSS?
>> YOU CAN GET THREE, FOUR, $5,000 A DAY FOR YOUR PROPERTY.
$1,000. YOU CAN RENTSD IT OUT FOR A WEEK AND IT'S ILLEGAL AND THE PENALTY IS $1,000.
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THAT'S CALLED COST OF DOING BUSINESS.I WOULD LIKE THAT TO HAVE THE CITY MANAGER LOOK INTO THIS TO MAKE IT ONEROUS ON PEOPLE NOT TO FILE UNDER THE RULES.
THIS IS ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE GENERATE MONEY.
WE HAVE A LICENSE. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO GET PAID FOR.
THAT WE ARE PAYING FOR THE BEACH.
WE ARE PAYING FOR THE ROADS, WE ARE PAYING FOR ALL THE THINGS WE ARE PAID FOR AND THEY ARE USING IT FOR THE BUSINESS.
WE SHOULD GET REIMBURSED FOR THAT.
UNLESS YOU MAKE IT ONEROUS IN SOME WAY, IT BECOMES THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS AND IT'S JUST A SMALL FEE.
YES, THERE SHOULD PROBABLY BE A CIRCUIT BREAKER, SOME KIND OF PROBLEM FOR THAT. IT HAS TO BE ONEROUS WHERE PEOPLE WILL, UNFORTUNATELY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE -- THE PEOPLE WHO FILE,LESS THE PEOPLE NOT FOLLOWING THE LAW AND NOT PAYING THE FEE. WHY SHOULD THE CITY TAXPAYERS SUBSIDIZE THEIR BUSINESS. IF YOU ARE MAKING 3, $4,000 A DAY AND YOUR PENALTY IS 1,000, YOU RENT IT FOR THREE DAYS, GIVE THE CITY A THOUSAND, YOU'RE 8,000 IN THE POSITIVE.
THAT'S MY CONCERN. PERHAPS THE CITY MANAGER COULD LOOK AT THIS. TO ADDRESS YOUR CONCERNS AND MAKE IT MORE -- SO THE CITY GETS COMPENSATED UNDER THE LAW.
>> COMMISSIONER, STURGIS. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
ONE OF MY FIRST QUESTIONS IS, TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS, AS FAR AS ANSWERING HOWMS IS THIS HAPPENING IN A YEAR.
HOW MANY $1,000 FINES HAVE WE DOLED OUT.
AND WITH THAT QUESTION, IF THERE WAS A FEE UP FRONT, AND DAILY AFTER THAT. I CAN'T SEE $1,000 A DAY.
I SEE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING ABOUT THE COST AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE IN THE RIGHT ANGE AND DOING THE RIGHT THING.
I SEE $500 FINE, $250 A DAY FINE UNTIL THEY STRAIGHTEN IT.
IT SHOULD TAKE LONGER THAN A DAY, TWO, OR THREE TO GET A PERMIT OR GET IT INSPECTED OR WHATEVER THE CASE IF THEY DRAG IT OUT, THAT IS A FINE THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH.
I DON'T KNOW THE SPECIFICS OF THAT AMENDMENT.
THAT IS WHAT I AM CONCERNED WITH, IS THE SPECIFICS OF HOW MUCH VOLUME AND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.
SECONDLY, WHEN I LOOK AT THE RENTALS, I THINK OF, A, WE'LL HAVE ACCESSORY DWELLINGS, WHICH I REALLY LIKE.
IT'S POPULAR FOR OUR CITY FOR CERTAIN RESIDENTS.
HOW MANY ACCESSORY LOANS ARE GETTING RENTED SHORT TERM AND LONG-TERM AND ARE THERE FEES ASSOCIATED UNDER STATE LAW OR LOCAL ORDINANCES INVOLVED WITH THE ACCESSORY LOANS.
THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD WANT TO LOOK AT.
>> COMMISSIONER ROSS? >> SHORT-TERM, ANYTHING OVER 30 DAYS, UNDER 30 DAYS IS CONSIDERED BY LAW.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. >> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. IF YOU ARE RENTING IT OUT, YOUR HOUSE FOR MONTHS AT A TIME, THAT'S FINE.
THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SHECIAL LEASE APPEAR LOT OF THESE PEOPLE WHO WERE PART OF THE PROBLEM IS PEOPLE WEREN'T EVEN LICENSED.
APPARENTLY IT'S A BIG PROBLEM. HOW BIG THE PROBLEM S I'M TO THE SURE. IF THE CITY MANAGER COULD COME BACK IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE AND LOOK INTO THIS MORE.
>> WE ALSO WANT TO DIFFERENTIATE.
AS YOU ALLUDED TO, COMMISSIONER STURGIS, THERE MAY BE PEOPLE WHO THEIR LICENSE OR PERMIT IS EXPIRED.
WE ARE HE ALSO AWARE OF AREAS WITH PEOPLE ARE RUNNING SHORT-TERM RENTALS WHERE IT'S FLAT-OUT PROHIBITED.
DO YOU DRAW A DISTRIBUTION BETWEEN THOSE PEOPLE VIOLATING IN COMPLETE VIOLATION OF THE LAW OR, OOPS, I DIDN'T RENEW MY PERMIT. THOSE RENTALS ARE MORE OR LESS ALONG THE WATERFRONT, WE ARE AWARE THERE ARE PEOPLE RUNNING AIRBNBS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. IT'S NOT AUTHORIZED.
SO IS THERE A DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN THOSE PEOPLE THAT WILLINGLY VIOLATE THE LAW, VERSUS THOSE THAT, OOPS, IT'S A
SLIGHT MISSTEP. >> MY ANSWER WOULD BE YES.
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I SEE NODDING HEADS THERE. I SEE CONSENSUS.THAT'S THE ANSWER. >> COMMISSIONER BEAN, DID YOU
HAVE A COMMENT ON THIS? >> TO ME, $1,000 A DAY SEEMS VERY EXCESSIVELY -- SEEMS VERY EXCESSIVE.
BEFORE WE GOT THERE, I THINK THE COMPROMISE STEP WOULD BE ON THE FIRST OFFENSE, IT'S $1,000 AND THEN THE SECOND OFFENSE IT IS A HIGHER NUMBER. THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT IF YOU SAY HAD TO BE PROHIBITIVE. THE $1,000 A DAY SEEMS ARBITRARILY EXCESSIVE. I DO NOT WANT TO GO THERE.
>> WHAT I'VE HEARD, TO SUMMARIZE, WE HAVE EXPECTED THE CITY MANAGER TO DO TWO THINGS. ONE, TO GET THE APPROPRIATE PENALTY FOR A SHORT-TERM RENTALS, WHERE IT IS NOT ALLOWED, PERIOD. PEOPLE WHO VIOLATE THE LAW.
NUMBER TWO IN TERMS OF THE PENALTY FOR SHECIAL RENTALS WITHOUT A -- FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS WITHOUT A PERMIT.
WE'LL COME BACK TO THAT ALWAYS MORE.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ROSS. CITY ATTORNEY, TO YOU HAVE A
SUGGESTION OR COMMENT? >> KEEP THE FINE THE SAME FOR
>> WELL, BECAUSE WE'RE CHOOSING A NUMBER.
ONE REASON THAT IS NOT ARBITRARY AND CAPRICIOUS -- I THINK THIS IS WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT A CHILLING EFFECT.
PEOPLE FIND OUT AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL READ IT IN THE PAPER OR XIAO THE WORD GET OUT THERE. IT TELLS PEOPLE, WHOA, IF I CONTINUE TO DO THIS, IT'S GOING TO BE POTENTIALLY A VERY HIGH FINE. WE HAVE ONE FINE IN OWN AREA AND ONE IN ANOTHER, I JUST DON'T KNOW THAT IT WILL PASS.
I NEED MORE TIME TO RESEARCH THAT.
SO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IS AN ISSUE I WAS THINKING ABOUT AS
YOU DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER. >> ARE YOU UP TO THE TASK THAT
>> CHARGED THE CITY MANAGER WITH?
>> THE LEGALITIES OF DOING IT THOSE TWO WAYS.
>> SO THE OTHER GROUP IS SOMEONE WE ARE NOT THINKING OF, ARE THOSE THEIR LICENSE HAS EXPIRED, THEY DIDN'T KNOW THEY NEEDED A
>> THEY WERE NOT LICENSED. THANK YOU, MA'AM.
COMMISSIONER ROSS -- SHORT-TERM RENTALS?
>> YES, SIR, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. >> VEHICLES FOR HIRE, THE WORLD OF UBER. THE FEES.
I'M ASKING. >> I THINK THAT'S A CITY MANAGEMENT ISSUE. CITY MANAGER WHAT IS THE
HISTORY? >> BECAUSE THE THING WE ARE NOT CHARGING FOR VEHICLES FOR HIRE AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
>> THOSE FEES HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY.
>> CORRECT. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ALLOCATED.
THOSE WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE FEE SCHEDULE.
COMMISSIONER ROSS. >> IS THAT PER SIGN?
ILLEGAL SIGN. >> THEY ARE TROFERREDZ AS --
REFERRED TO AS SNIPE SIGNS. >> WE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE.
RIGHT NOW IT'S $25 PER SIGN PICK-UP FEE.
IS THAT PER SIGN? HEAVEN FOR BID, AS THE CITY COMMISSIONER, BUT I HAVE FIVE SIGNS UP HERE.
YOU PICK UP FIVE OF MY SIGNS THAT ARE ILLEGAL.
DO I SAY 25 BUCKS OR 125 BUCKS? >> IT'S LISTED AS PER SIGN.
>> IT SAYS PICK UP SIGNS FOR ILLEGAL SIGNS.
THAT'S ALL IT MEANS. >> MY INTERPRETATION OF THAT IS PER SIGN. SHE HAS TO ENFORCE IT, SHE MAY
HAVE A DIFFERENT FEE. >> WE TYPICALLY F WE CAN, WE GIVE A WARNING. WE GIVE A WARNING FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT WE DO. IF SOMEONE PICKS UP THE SIGNS, THEMENT THE SIGNS BACK AND WE HAVE GIVEN THEM THEIR WARNING, IT'S $25 PER SIGN. IF WE JUST PICK THEM UP AND
[00:40:01]
NOBODY ASKS FOR THEM BACK, THEY GO INTO THE DUMPSTER.A LOT OF THESE WE CAN'T CHARGE UNLESS PEOPLE COMING TO US WANTING THEM. YOU CAN'T FIND A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE. I'M TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHERS. DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.
>> CAN WE CLARIFY THAT? >> ANY OWE FEES THAT WE NEED TO
TALK ABOUT? >> I HAVE GOLF COURSE FEES.
YOU HERDS ME TALK ABOUT THIS. WHAT IS OUR CONTRIBUTION FOR THE
>> CITY TAXPAYERS ARE SUBSIDIZING $425,000 A YEAR TO MAKE THE GOLF COURSE HEALTHY, IN ADDITION TO THE --
>> I THOUGHT WAS $100,000. >> IN THE PAST IT WAS 225.
>> THIS YEAR IT'S -- IT'S STILL $100,000.
>> ONE OF MY POINTS IS ABOUT A TIER FEE SCHEDULE.
THIS DOES REFLECT A TIER. I'M LOOKING AT IT.
CITY RESIDENT MEMBERSHIP AND NON-CITY.
THERE IS $100 DIFFERENCE. IT'S NOT EVEN 10%.
A LITTLE MORE THAN 10%. TO ME, 10% IS A DROP IN THE BUCKET FOR A CITY TAXPAYER SUPPORTING THE GOLF COURSE AND SOMEONE WHO PAYS NOTHING TO SUPPORT THE GOLF COURSE.
BOTTOM LINE, THESE FEES SHOULD BE 20% DIFFERENCE.
LET'S START AT THAT POINT. IF YOU DO ANYTHING, SEE HOW IT WORKS. 10% I THINK IS NOT ENOUGH.
COMMISSIONER ROSS. >> SO, WHY IS IT 20%? WHY NOT 18% OR 23%. WHAT IS THAT NUMBER BASED ON?
>> IT'S NOT BASED ON ANYTHING, OTHER THAN MY KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT AREA GOLF COURSES CHARGE. I JUST HAD THIS DISCUSSION AT LUNCH WITH CITY TAXPAYERS. I WAS WAITING TO LOOK AT THESE FEES. THIS IS --
>> THAT'S HOW I GOT IT. >> IT IS LOOKING AT WHAT A CITY RESIDENT WOULD PAY, $800. AND WHAT A NONRESIDENTS WOULD PAY. $900.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO FEES, FOR SOMEONE WHO PAYS NOTHING TO SUPPORT THE GOLF COURSE.
WE MAY GO TO 30%. COMMISSIONER ROSS, WE HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE. WHAT I'M SAYING, THIS IS TOO
I WOULD USE LOGIC THAT'S THE FEE WE PAY THAT'S THE SURCHARGE FOR
SEWER AND WATER. >> AND PARKS AND REC.
>> AND PARKS AND REC. IT'S CONSISTENT.
>> THERE IS ONE BASELINE. >> I WAS ABOUT TO QUANTIFY WHAT YOU SAID IN A NONARBITRARY WAY. LET'S CALL IT DOUBLING THE DIFFERENTIAL. IT'S $100 NOW, IF YOU WANT TO MAKE TO, DOUBLE THE DIFFERENCE. I LIKE THE 25% IDEA BETTER.
>> HOW ARE WE ABLE TO DO 25% BASED ON --
[INAUDIBLE] >> I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE
PERSON THE GOLF COURSE. >> COMMISSIONERS, MY GOAL --
>> STATE YOUR NAME. >> MIKE COONEY, GOLF COURSE MANAGER. MY GOAL IS TO BRING IN $1.2 MILLION WORTH OF REVENUE AND KEEP EXPENSES AT 1.1 MILLION. THEN I'M BRINGING AVERAGE
[00:45:03]
DOLLARS, I'M RECEIVING $30 PER PLAYER.THE MAJORITY OF THAT, THE REVENUE IS COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE OF JOE PUBLIC. ONE, I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY TO GET 20, 25%, EVEN 30%. I'M TIPTOEING MY FIRST YEAR.
I WAS TOLD BY MY COACH IN HIGH SCHOOL, FIRST YEAR YOU OBSERVE.
SECOND YEAR YOU MAKE MINOR CHANGES.
THIRD YEAR YOU MAKE MAJOR CHANGES IF NECESSARY.
EVEN THE BEACH CART, I WANTED TO RAISE IT TO $150.
LISTENING TO SOME OF THE LADIES TODAY AT THE LADY'S LUNCHEON, $99 IS WHAT I WAS PROPOSING, AND GO FROM $31 PER ROUNDS TO 35 PER ROUND. IT WAS LIKE PULLING TEETH.
LIKE I CUT THEIR HEARTS OUT. I SPOKE WITH DAVE, ONE OF THE GOLF PROFESSIONALS OVER THERE. AS A MATTER OF FACT FRIDAY I WAS ASK BEING A RANGE PROGRAM AND CHARGING $3,000 INITIATION FEE CURRENTLY AND $300 A MONTH DUES. THEIR GOAL IS TO BECOME PRIVATE.
THEY HAVE 450 MEMBERS, SO THEY ARE HALFWAY THERE, I'M GUESSING.
AS FAR AS 50 TO $75 ON EACH OF THE MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES.
AGAIN, THAT'S PROBABLY ON THE LOW SIDE WE DON'T WANT TO HURT THE CITY FOLKS AT FERNANDINA BEACH, OBVIOUSLY.
NON-CITY, THAT IS NEXT YEAR WHERE OBVIOUSLY YOU CHARGE MORE.
AGAIN, I'LL BE REACHING OUT TO THE HOTELS AND PEOPLE STAYING AT THE OMNI OR RITZ CARLTON. IT'S $99 TO PLAY GOLF FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. WE HAVE BEEN CHARGING $45 PLUS TAX FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT WAS TOO LOW. I LIKE TO BASE IT ON THE CONDITION OF THE GOLF COURSE, THE CONDITION OF THE GREENS.
I WOULD LIKE TO GO TO $50 PLU TAX.
I TALKED AT THE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING 5955 AND 60.
SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT WAS A LITTLE TOO HIGH.
IF WE GET A COLD CALL OR SOMEONE AT THE OMNI OR RITZ CARLTON, COMING OUT WITH THEIR FAMILY, WE QUOTE 55 TO 60 AND MAKING SURE F THEY FEEL THEY BALK AT THE PRICE, THEN WE HAVE A GUEST RATE OF 45 OR $50. WE HAVE TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THAT. I'M ALL FOR GOING UP.
IT HASN'T BEEN FINALIZED YET BUT I'M 600% OF CHARGING THE CITY
>> AT ONE POINT IT HAS 900 NUMBERS.
GUESS OF THOSE NUMBERS WHO PLAY GOLF? SO, AGAIN, IT'S SUPPLY AND DEMAND.
THAT IS WHY I AM SUGGESTING THAT THIS IS A RESORT ISLAND.
THERE ARE SO MANY GOLFERS. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE GOLF
COURSE MANAGER? >> DY MEET WITH ONE OF THE MEMBERS REGARDING THEIR MEMBERS PLAYING OUR GOLF COURSE.
HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. >> WE HAVE CONSENSUS OF HAVING THESE FEES AT 25%. YES, YES, YES, YES HE.
THERE YOU GO. >> THANK YOU, SIR.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER FEES THAT WE NEED TO DISCUSS? SEEING NONE.
[3.2 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA]
WE ARE FINISHED WITH OUR FEE DISCUSSION.ITEM 3.2, COMMUNITY CRA, THIS WAS PLACED ON THE AGENDA BY
COMMISSIONER BEAN. >> IT'S AN IMPORTANT TOPIC TONIGHT. SO THIS STARTED FOR ME, IT WAS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, I MET REQUEST CONSTITUENTS ABOUT OUR CRA. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S VERY INTERESTING, AND IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET ON YET. WE ARE THE CRA BOARD.
THAT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE -- I'VE BEEN ON THE COMMISSION NOW FOR NINE MONTHS. I GUESS WHAT I WILL GET AT IS WE HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY YET TO DISCUSS THE CRA AND REVIEW THE GOALS. I THINK IT'S SUGE WE SHOULD BE DOING AND LOOKING AT ARE WE MEETING OUR OBJECTIVES, HOW ARE WE DOING SO FAR. I'M HAPPY WE ATTACHED THE ORIGINAL RESOLUTION THAT CREATED THE CRA.
WITHIN THAT, THERE ARE, IN FACT, THE OBJECTIVES THAT ARE CRA IS
[00:50:01]
CURRENTLY WORKING TOWARDS. I SEE SOME GOOD NEWS.THAT'S GOOD WITH YOU, MR. MAYOR. >> OF COURSE.
>> EXCELLENT. IF YOU LOOK AT THE LIST.
THERE ARE MANY OBJECTIVES ON HERE.
I WILL HIGHLIGHT A FEW OF THEM RIGHT NOW THAT WE ARE, IN FACT, WORKING ON. THAT GORCHES THE CITY.
WE HAVE FACILITIES AND I THINK WE DO A GREAT JOB PROMOTING A MIX OF USES. THERE IS ONE WE ARE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW, PEDESTRIAN-VEHICULAR CIRCULATION.
THAT'S THE ALACHUA STREET CROSSING.
MOVING DOWN THE LIST, LET'S CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT IT, THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. I THINK THIS IS DRIVING DISCUSSION FOR US. PUBLIC ACCESS TO WATER.
PROTECT OUR CORRIDORS. THAT'S SOMETHING TO AS WE MOVE FORWARD. PARKING.
MAINTAINING A WORKING WATERFRONT.
PROTECT OUR CITY'S HISTORY. CLEAN UP EFFORTS.
THAT'S THE 10 OVER-ARCHING GOALS.
I WANT TO START BY SAYING I WANT TO POSE THE QUESTION, DO WE THINK AS A COMMISSION WE ARE MEETING OUR OBLIGATIONS.
BECAUSE SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NEAT IN A LONG TIME, OUR CRA HAS MONEY IN IT, THANKS TO THE CONDOS THAT ARE BEHIND US AND THAT MONEY IS WORKING ON BEING SPENT.
I WANT TO POSE THE QUESTION TO THE COMMISSION, DO WE THINK WE ARE MEETING OUR OBLIGATIONS WITH THE CRA.
>> COMMISSIONER? >> THANK YOU.
>> THE CRA, WE CAN DISCUSS ALL OF THOSE ITEMS. IF YOU LOOK AT OUR CRA, MOST OF IT -- IT'S MORE AFTER THE FACT.
50% IS GOVERNMENT-OWNED PROPERTY.
THE REMAINDER IS EITHER DEVELOPED, OR -- PUT IT THIS WAY. THE PEOPLE WHO OWN IT HAVE NOT WANTED TO DEVELOP IT, FOR WHATEVER REASONS.
I'M HAPPY TO MEET THE CRA. WE WERE SUPPOSED TO MEET AT SOME POINTS. I'M HAPPY TO HAVE A MEETING IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS AND DISCUSS ALL OF THESE ITEMS.
>> COMMISSIONER STURGIS. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
HE HAS GOOD POINTS. UNFORTUNATELY WHEN I SEE THE CRA, WHAT WITH CHIP SAID, I SEE A VERY CLOSED-DOWN WATERFRONT AREA THAT IS VERY CLOSED TO THE WATER.
15% ARE OWNED BY THE GOVERNMENT. IF ANYTHING, WE CAN HAVE THESE DISCUSSIONS OVER A MEETING. I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY -- A HOT OF PEOPLE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIA IS TERRIBLE.
CHANGING THE CRA WOULD BE TERRIBLE.
IT IS WHAT IT IS. THINGS IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS I'VE HEARD FROM MULTIPLE PEOPLE. I THINK THE CRA COULD BE A GOOD THING IF IT EXTENDS SLIGHTLY INTO THE DOWNTOWN AREA AND WE WERE ABLE TO USE THOSE TAX DOLLARS TO DO IMPROVEMENTS.
HOWEVER T HAS TO BE USED IN THE CRA.
IF IT'S CONFINED TO THE WATERFRONT, THAT'S WHERE WE CAN USE IT. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT T
DEFINITELY. >> COMMISSIONER ROSS?
>> TO ACCOMPLISH THAT GOAL, THE CRA, NO.
THE CRA WAS DESIGNED TO GET RID OF URBAN BLIGHT.
THE BLIGHT IS STILL THERE. THE BLIGHT IS ONE OF THE PROPERTIES -- [INAUDIBLE] AND OTHER PROPERTIES, THE BLIGHT IS STILL THERE.
I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DISCUSS THAT WITH THE BOARD.
REMEMBER, IT'S ALL PRIVATE PROPERTY.
THEY HAVE TO WANT TO DO SOMETHING.
DO YOU WANT TO PUT INCENTIVES IN THERE TO DO SOMETHING? I'D LOVE TO DISCUSS THAT. BUT, IT IS PRIVATE PROPERTY.
I WOULD BE ALL FOR SETTING A MEETING WITH THE CRA IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS. EVERYBODY CAN PUT WHAT THEIR AGENDA THOUGHTS ARE AND HAVE A NICE DISCUSSION.
>> YES, THAT WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT TAKE AWAY FROM THIS.
LET'S MAKE IT WORKSHOP IN THE FUTURE BE AN ACTUAL CRA BOARD MEETING WHERE WE CAN TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT AND PUT ON OUR CRA BOARD
[00:55:01]
MEMBER HATS AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING WE NEED TO BE DOING WITH THE CRA IS GETTING DONE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT AS WELL. THANK YOU.>> HAPPY TOE HAVE A WORKSHOP. THE CRA BOARD DOES NEED TO MEET.
I EXPECT WE HAVEN'T MET IN A YEAR AND A HALF.
>> BEEN A LONG TIME. >> IT'S LONG OVERDUE.
WE CAN SCHEDULE A CRA BOARD MEETING WITHIN THE NEXT 60
>> WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST, MR. MAYOR, THE CITY HAS PUBLISHED A NOTICE OF BIDS TO SECURE FINANCING FOR USING CRA FUNDING FOR THE ALACHUA STREET OPENING.
I RECOMMEND WHEN WE GET THOSE BIDS IN, THAT YOU THAT MAY BE A GOOD REASON TO MEET AS A CRA BOARD TO REVIEW THOSE BIDS AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COMMISSION.
TAKE OFF ONE HAT AND PUT ON THE OTHER HAT.
THAT MAY ALLOW FOR A RACIALGE TO HAVE THE CRA BOARD MEET TO REVIEW THESE BOUNDS AND THE CRA BONDS AND THE BUDGET.
MAIN STREET STEPS BEFORE YOU AND PROVIDES AN UPDATE ON MAIN STREET ACTIVITIES AND THEY CAN WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH MAIN STREET ON THE DAYS DAYS THEY PROVIDE A MAIN STREET UPDATE, WE CAN UPDATE YOU WITH MORE SPECIFIC CRA ACTIVITIES OR UPDATE ON WHAT THE CRA PLAN IS. THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO, YES, WE CAN DO -- CRA CAN GET MORE INVOLVED.
>> THE MAIN HURDLE -- >> IT'S THE END OF OCTOBER?
YEAH. >> SOMETHING WE SCHEDULED FIRST
TUESDAY IN NOVEMBER? >> WE'LL PLAN THE SCHEDULE THE FIRST MEETING AFTER WE OPEN THE BIDS.
>> THANK YOU. >> I CAN LOOK AT THAT AND GET THAT SEDATE FOR YOU. IT'S ON -- GET THAT DATE FOR YOU. IT'S ON THE WEBSITE.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> ALL RIGHT, ANY OTHER ITEMS FOR THE WORKSHOP? WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES BEFORE WE ROLL INTO THE NEXT MEETING.
YES, WE CAN TAKE A 10-MINUTE BREAK.
SO WE WILL RECONVENE. WE PUBLISHED THE NOTICE OF THE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.