[1. CALL TO ORDER]
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PLEASE BE SEATED.ALL TO ORDER AUGUST 2, 2022 CITY COMMISSIONER WORKSHOP. MADAME CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE
>> COMMISSIONER: HOUSEKEEPING, PERSONAL DEVICES, SILENT, AIRPLANE OR OFF, GREATLY APPRECIATED.
COVID-19 IS STILL WITH US, SPREADING RAPIDLY.
I'M SURE WE ALL KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD COVID.
>> MUCH BETTER, I TOOK THE FIVE DAYS.
>> TAKE WHATEVER MEASURES NECESSARY TO PROTECT YOUR
[3.1 ALTERNATIVE REVENUES - This item is placed on the agenda at the request of Commissioner Ross.]
HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF OTHERS.ITEM 33.1 ALTERNATIVE REVENUES THIS ITEM IS PLACED ON THE AGENDA AT THE REQUEST OF COMMISSIONER ROSS, YOU HAVE THE
FLOOR. >> COMMISSIONER: THANK YOU.
I FREQUENTLY GET EMAILS THAT SAY WE NEED TO FIND OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUE SO WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY WHAT I'VE COME TO BELIEVE THAT MEANS IS THAT PEOPLE WANT TO MAINTAIN OR INCREASE THEIR CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE OF SOME PARTICULAR ITEM, THEY WANT THE TAX BURDEN ASSOCIATED WITH THAT TO DECREASE AND REMAIN CONSTANT AND THEY WANT SOMEONE ELSE TO PAY FOR THAT LEVEL OF SERVICE. SO I THOUGHT I WOULD START WITH SO WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE ABOUT LAST YEAR OR THIS YEAR CURRENT YEAR 35% OF OUR REVENUE COMES FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE BESIDES THE GENERAL FUND. NEXT WITH WHAT WE ARE PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR WE ARE PROJECTING 1.8% TO COME FROM OTHER THAN THE GENERAL FUND. THE POINT OF THIS IS THAT ALL THESE THINGS WE HAVE PRETTY MUCH NO CONTROL OVER.
THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL STATE AND FEDERAL TAXES ARE VERY UNPREDICTABLE. THE SALES TAXES POPULATION-BASED. WE MIGHT GENERATE ALL THE SALES TAX IN THE CITY BUT IT GETS DISTRIBUTED BASED ON THE POPULATION IN THE COUNTIES SO WE GET 12% NO MATTER WHAT.
EVERYBODY SAYS, COME HERE YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY AT THE RESTAURANTS IT'S GREAT FOR THE OWNERS BUT IT'S NOT ÃÃIT DOESN'T HELP THE CITY'S TAX SITUATION IT MAKES IT WORSE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO PAY FOR TRASH AND THE ROADS AND ANYTHING ELSE ASSOCIATED. AND THEN OCEAN HIGHWAY PORT AUTHORITY IS CURRENTLY BEING LITIGATED.
THE FRANCHISE FEES ARE 6.1% THIS YEAR THEY WILL BE 5.6%.
WE PAY A 6% ELECTRICITY. PROPANE TAX.
THERE'S A SMALL COUNTY CERT TAX ALL OF THOSE ARE PRETTY MUCH FIXED. PARKS UNREAD HAVE SOME CONTROL AND THE REST IS ÃÃ35 PERCENT THAT IS BASICALLY NOT MUCH.I THOUGHT WE WOULD TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT, YOUR IDEAS ABOUT PAID BEACH PARKING WE TALKED ABOUT THESE THINGS IN THE PAST THE ESTIMATE OF REVENUE FROM PAID BEACH PARKING IS PROBABLY IN EXCESS OF $1 MILLION. BUT THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY APPETITE AND I TAKE THAT LOOKING DOWN THE ROOM THAT HASN'T CHANGED. OKAY.
PAID BEACH PARKING DOWNTOWN, JUST CHECKING.
PAID BEACH PARKING DOWNTOWN PROBABLY ANOTHER $1 MILLION.
ANY APPETITE FOR PAID BEACH PARKING DOWNTOWN?
>> WHAT YOU MEAN PAID BEACH PARKING.
>> PAID PARKING DOWNTOWN. >> I WOULD ADD AND EDIT.
PAID VISITOR PARKING. >> OKAY.
>> I WOULD ENTERTAIN IT, ESPECIALLY DOWNTOWN BEFORE I WOULD ENTERTAIN IT AT THE BEACH.
>> I WILL BRIEFLY TAKE 20 SECONDS.
>> WE HAVE IN OUR. >> AND SPOKE TO MANY POLICE OFFICERS I SPOKE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT SAY THEY FEEL AND
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THEIR RESIDENCE OF OUR STATE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE PAID PARKING DOWNTOWN. IT'S A LARGE REVENUE LOSS WE ARE LOSING. EVERY YEAR.AT LEAST $1 MILLION. COULD BE MORE, COULD BE LESS.
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT CAME TO MY MIND ABOUT THIS PAID PARKING DOWNTOWN WOULD BE IF WE OFFERED RESIDENTS, I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WOULD WORK BUT IF THEY PAY A FEE THEY WOULD HAVE A PASS FOR THE WHOLE YEAR. RESIDENCE ONLY.
THAT WAY THAT'S NOT WHERE ALL THE VISITORS WILL PAY EVERYTHING EVERY TIME, OBVIOUSLY WHEN THEY COME BUT IF YOU ARE ALREADY A TAXPAYING RESIDENT YOU SHOULD GET SOME DISCOUNT. THAT'S JUST ONE IDEA AND THAT COULD ALL BE DONE BY PLATE I'M GONNA FINISH WITH THAT THAT'S
MY BRIEF COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU SIR.
>> WE'VE DISCUSSED PAGE BE BEACH PARKING MANY TIMES THE PROBLEM WITH PAID BEACH PARKING IS THAT PEOPLE I THINK CHIP IS CORRECT PEOPLE WANT OTHER PEOPLE TO PAY BUT THEY WANT TO BE EXEMPT AND CONSIDERATE A RESIDENTIAL THING WE CAN'T EXEMPT RESIDENTIAL'S EQUAL ACCESS.
'S CORPS OF ENGINEERS WE DID REVIEW THAT.
I THINK ONE THING ÃÃWE SHOULD BE CHARGING FOR BEACH PARKING.
I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A FEE WHEN YOU PARK ON THE BEACH THAT 600 FEET THE REST I WOULD LEAVE THE SAME AND I WOULD OPPOSE IT.
AS FAR AS DOWNTOWN WE ACTUALLY HAVE STUDIES MULTIPLE TIMES LIKE 50% OF THE PEOPLE SUPPORTED PAID PARKING DOWNTOWN. SO AGAIN, YOU BUY INTO THE RESIDENTIAL AND NONRESIDENTIAL. IF YOU MAKE NONRESIDENTIAL WE SHOULD BE CONSISTENT EVERYBODY SHOULD PAY I WOULD DISCUSS DOWNTOWN ALONG WITH WHAT THEY ARE SAYING I THINK IT'S WORTH
THINKING ABOUT. >> IS THERE ANY ÃÃARE THERE ANY APPETITE FOR WHEN I MEAN APPETITE IT'S GOING TO BE MORE THAN THREE. FOR CHARGING TO PARK ON THE
BEACH? >> MY LIGHT IS ON BY ACCIDENT BUT I WILL TURN IT OFF. I WOULD ENTERTAIN ESPECIALLY THE START WITH I WOULD ENTERTAIN BEACH PARKING LOT OR
ONE OF THE BIGGER PARKING LOTS. >>.
>> BEACH PARKING. >> ON THE BEACH.
>> I WOULD ENTERTAIN THAT, YES. WE USED TO HAVE A STICKER IF YOU WANTED TO DRIVE ON THE BEACH YOU HAD TO PAY.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S UNCOMMON WE USED TO HAVE METERS DOWNTOWN THAT COLLECTED MONEY. WE USED TO HAVE THOSE THINGS SO IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WASN'T HERE AT ONE POINT HE STOPPED.
>> YOU LOOK LIKE YOU ARE HAVING GAS COMMISSIONER BEING.
>> I'M JUST LOOKING FOR A CONVERSATION.
>> AND THE PARKING CONVERSATION IS THAT THE COUNTY IS GOING TO
START CHARGING THESE PARKING. >> THEY ALREADY DO.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY TO PARK AT PERMIAN BEACH.
>> YOU HAVE TO PAY TO GO ON THE BEACH æ
>> AM TALKING ABOUT IN THE PARKING LOT.
>> THERE IS SOME TALK OF THAT THAT'S CORRECT.
>> I BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE AND YOU AGREE WITH THIS, ECONOMIC MODEL OF THE CITY IS UNSUSTAINABLE. WE CANNOT GO THIS ALONE, HOW DO WE GENERATE REVENUE FROM TOURISTS AND VISITORS? THAT'S REALLY THE KEY, HOW DO WE DO THAT? SO ON BEACH PARKING AT SADLER I WOULD ENTERTAIN A DISCUSSION I
WOULD ENTERTAIN A DISCUSSION. >> SO WE CAN PUT THAT ON THE
WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT. >> HOW ABOUT PAID BEACH PARKING FOR THE PARKING AND ALL THE OTHER PARKING LOTS?S THERE ANY APPETITE FOR THAT DISCUSSION?
>> I'M FINE. I JUST THINK EACH INDIVIDUAL DOWN THERE WE SHOULD HOLD THAT OFF FOR THE MOMENT.
I WOULD BE FINE TO TALK ABOUT IT.
>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF RESPONSES SO COMMISSIONER BEAM, I SEE
YOUR LIGHT IS ON. >> I DO HAVE A COUPLE COMMENTS ABOUT THIS AND I'M GOING TO GIVE THEM TO YOU IN ORDER OF POINTS. NUMBER ONE I THINK THE WHOLE
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ASSUMPTION OF THIS ARGUMENT I THINK IS FLAWED FROM THE BEGINNING. WE ARE HAVING A REVENUE PROBLEM. I'M GOING TO PAUSE IT TO THE GROUP THAT WE ARE NOT HAVING A REVENUE PROBLEM WE ARE SITTING UP HERE WE DISCUSSED LAST MEETING THE LAST TIME WE GATHERED WERE TALKING ABOUT RAISING TAXES BY OVER 10% LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE GOOD MAJORITY TO DO THAT.ARE WE GOING TO RAISE TAXES BY THAT HUGE AMOUNT BRINGING MILLIONS MORE DOLLARS THEN SAY WE NEEDS TO STILL CHARGE TO PARK BECAUSE WE NEED THE EXTRA MONEY? I WOULD SAY NO YOU DON'T NEED TO RAISE TAXES AND RAISE FEES.
I THINK THAT WOULD THAT'S NOT A GOOD WAY TO GO I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY REASON TO DO BOTH. IF WE ARE GOING TO DO ONE WE CERTAINLY CAN'T DO THE OTHER. SECONDLY, I WOULD QUESTION THERE'S ANOTHER ASSUMPTION HERE ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THIS WOULD BRING IN. I WOULD QUESTION THAT.
I DON'T THINK THIS WOULD BRING IN AS MUCH MONEY AS WE ARE SAYING, ESPECIALLY YOUR ONE. THERE'S COST INVOLVED PUTTING IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE.S COST INVOLVED IN HIRING MORE PEOPLE.
THERE'S GOING TO BE WE HAVE TO HAVE METER MAIDS OUT THERE POLICING THIS WE HAVE TO HAVE Ã ÃIF WE DO WHAT WE SAY ABOUT EXEMPTING CITY RESIDENTS IF WE HAVE A STICKER WE ARE GOING TO MAIL OUT THERE'S GOING TO BE A FULL-TIME PERSON WHOSE SOLE JOB IS TO MANAGE THE STICKER PROGRAM.
THERE'S GOING TO BE WE ARE INCREASING THE SIZE OF THE CITY ASTRONOMICALLY TO PAY FOR ITSELF AND THAT'S GOING TO SIPHON OFF ANY ADDITIONAL REVENUE WE TAKEN FROM CHARGING THE PART ÃÃCHARGING TO PARK WILL BE AFTER ALL THE MAINTENANCE ON THE EQUIPMENT AND THE HEADCOUNT WE HAVE TO ADD TO MANAGE THE NEW PROGRAM. THIRD, WHICH IS A REASON THAT I THINK IS MOST OF ALL REASON OF WHY WE SHOULD NOT CHARGE TO PARK ANYWHERE IN THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH IS THAT IS SIMPLY I DON'T WANT IT. I THINK IF YOU GO DOWN AND YOU ACTUALLY ASKED THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE, THE RESIDENCE, THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN TOWN THE PEOPLE THAT COME TO TOWN THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THE PARKING APP THEY DON'T WANT TO COME HERE AND WORK OUT HOW TO PARK OR PAY TO PARK I DON'T THINK THERE'S A BARKING PROBLEM DOWNTOWN I THINK PEOPLE IF YOU LOOK HARD ENOUGH THERE'S ALWAYS A PLACE TO PARK IT MIGHT BE ON ASH STREET IT MIGHT NOT BE RIGHT DOWN THE CENTER BUT THERE'S ALWAYS A PLACE TO PARK.
ALL THOSE THINGS TOGETHER I THINK FINALLY, I WILL SAY THAT ANOTHER REASON IS BECAUSE WHEN I GO TO PLACES AND VISIT OTHER CITIES IT JUST LEAVES A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH WHEN I HAVE TO GO PULL OUT DOLLARS AND CHARGE TO PARK I THINK TO MYSELF I'M SO GLAD I LIVE IN THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH WHERE I DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS KIND OF NONSENSE THAT OTHER CITIES AND OTHER PLACES HAVE TO I WOULD SAY IT'S SUCH A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE BECAUSE THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY REASONS. YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY TO PAY TO PARK. IF WE DO THIS THERE IS NO GOING BACK CONDEMNING CHILDREN AND CHILDREN'S CHILDREN LET'S NOT LOSE THIS BY CHARGING FOR IT RIGHT NOW.
HAVE A FREE AND OPEN BEACH LET'S NOT LOSE IT BY CHARGING FOR IT WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL FREE DOWNTOWN LET'S NOT LOSE IT AND DESTROY IT FOR THE LOCALS BY CHARGING FOR IT.
AS A MILL WORKER, I WILL CLOSE WITH THIS, I JUST WANT TO GIVE OUR EXPERIMENT HERE I GO TO ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO LUNCH AND I LOVE PEPPERS ONE OF MY FAVORITE MEXICAN FOOD, PICTURE NOW MYSELF AND SEVERAL ENGINEERS, THERE'S MANY DIFFERENT PLACES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN PROFESSIONALS AND EAT LUNCH OR WE CAN GO TO PEPPERS OTHER THAN A CHARGE TO PARK OR ÃÃI THINK I'M FAIRLY PUNISHING BUSINESSES ESPECIALLY DURING THE SLOW SEASON THAT'S JUST ALL THEIR EMPTY SAVE FOR MANY REASONS I'M OPPOSED TO PAID PARKING OF ANY SORT ANYWHERE. THANK YOU.
>> VICE MAYOR. >> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ON BEACH PARKING 600 FEET OF BEACH PARKING WHICH WOULD GENERATE SIGNIFICANT MONEY AND MINUSCULE INFRASTRUCTURE COST WHICH WE ARE ALREADY DOING. I GO ALL OVER THE FLORIDA THERE'S LOTS OF FREE PARKING AND FOR FREE PARKING ON THE BEACHES BUT FREE PARKING ON THE BEACH DAYTONA BEACH, TAKE A LOOK AT THE REVENUE PAYING FOR PREMIUM TO OFFSET SIGNIFICANT COST WE WILL GET INTO THE BUDGET TOMORROW NIGHT.
I'M JUST SAYING R&B PARKING I THINK WERE MISSING THE BOAT BY NOT CHARGING. IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.T SUCH AN EASY THING TO DO. JUST THINK OF THE MONEY WE COULD PUT INTO THE BEACH RANGERS, THE WALKOVER'S TO GENERATE MONEY FOR THE BEACHES, JUST FROM THAT ONE THING, $20 A DAY, PEOPLE WE WOULD THINK TWICE I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT ON
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BEACH PARKING. >> THANK YOU I LEFT MY LIGHT ON. I AGREE WITH YOU BRADLEY AND I DISAGREE WITH YOU. I AGREE WITH YOU BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO PAY PARKING AS A RESIDENT I DISAGREE BECAUSE WE ARE $20 MILLION BEHIND AND WE MIGHT MAKE A DENT IN IT THIS YEAR BUT THE PROBLEM IS, NEXT YEAR THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE STUFF THAT HAS TO BE REPAIRED OR FIXED.
I HAVE A FEELING THAT WE ARE BEHIND AND WE ARE ONLY PUTTING OURSELVES FURTHER BEHIND SO YOU CAN CUT, WE CAN CUT EMPLOYEES.
I DON'T THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THAT MANY MORE EMPLOYEES FOR SOMEBODY TO GO BAD AND SCANDALIZES BOYS EVERY THREE OR FOUR HOURS. WE HAVE ONE POLICE OFFICER AUXILIARY POLICE OFFICER THAT DOES IT IN A WHITE TRUCK AND HE'S VERY EFFICIENT. HE COULD PROBABLY DO IT BY HIMSELF. ALL THE POLICE OFFICERS I TALKED TO SAY IT'S A HEADACHE. IT'S A HEADACHE.
WHY ARE WE CHARGING? WE SAY HEY YOU ARE PARKED IN THE WRONG PLACE. THE $25 FINE THEY GIVE THE $25 FINE THEY SAY THERE'S PARKING OVER HERE FOR $25 FIND YOUR FRIENDS TO COME PARK. THEY START PARKING IN A LEGAL PLACES. ARE POLICE OFFICERS CAN'T ENFORCE WHAT THEY GIVE IT A $25 TICKET ON THE BODIES, PULL UP NEXT TO THEM AND WRITE $25 TICKETS AND SET THEM ON THE CAR SO IT'S A BIG JOB. LITERALLY I TALKED TO FOUR POLICE OFFICERS THAT TOLD ME THE SAME THING THEY ALMOST LAUGH ABOUT IT THEY GO, WELL, SOMEBODY CALLS AND COMPLAINS, HOWEVER IT IS A CITY PERSON FROM THE CITY.
WIRE THESE PEOPLE PARKED ILLEGALLY? WE'VE ALREADY TICKETED THEM. WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS? THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO WE'VE TICKETED THEM, IT'S ALL THEY PARKING FOR $25. THERE ALREADY WILLING TO WRITE THE CHECK FOR THE PARKING SO WE ARE MISSING OUT ON THE BOAT WHERE WE SHOULD BE CHARGING FOR THAT.
I'M NOT SAYING CHARGE EVERY ENTRANCE I'M STAYING CHARGE FOR PREMIUM PARKING MIKE ON THE BEACH I CAN SEE IT AT MAIN BEACH PARKING LOT ONLY I CAN SEE IT.
IF YOU WANT TO PARK THERE, EVERYONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT WALK IN THEY NEED TO PAY. EVERY ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT USE THE PREMIUM SERVICE YOU'RE WALKING RIGHT UP THERE WHERE YOU CAN HAVE ALL THE WATER FOUNTAINS TO WASH HER FEET OFF YOU HAVE EASY ACCESS TO THE BEACH I THINK WE ARE MISSING THE BOAT AND I LOOK AT THE FINANCIALS FROM THE CITY AND WE ARE BEHIND ANYBODY THAT DOESN'T LOOK AT THE CITY BUDGET AND SAYS WE ARE DOING GREAT EVERYTHING'S FINE I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT ALL THE THINGS. I THINK IT'S TIME AND I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE SAYING YOU DON'T WANT IT BUT WE ARE THE ONLY CITY ON THE EAST COAST THAT CLOSELY RESEMBLES ANY SORT OF TOURISM THAT DOES NOT HAVE PARKING.
PAY PARKING. THE REASON I DO IT OUT FOR A RESIDENT THE RESIDENT GETS A DISCOUNT.
HOW MUCH EVERETT IS A YEAR. $30, $50 A YEAR.
YOU WRITE THE $30 CHECK PARKED ON TOMMY MAY SWIPE YOUR TAG YOU ARE GOOD TO GO FOR THE WHOLE YEAR.
WHEN THEY RUN THE SWIPE OR BY YOUR TAG IT WILL SAY GREAT.
SOME PEOPLE SAY WE LOSE THAT INCOME TO THE RESIDENCE WAS PAYING 30 OR $50 BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY OUR TAX STATEMENT IS GONNA KEEP GOING UP ONE WAY OR THE OTHER BECAUSE WE WILL BE ABLE TO SUPPORT SUPPORT WHAT'S GOING ON WITHOUT SOME INCREASE IN REVENUE. AS A BUSINESS PERSON I LOOK AT YOU HAVE TO EITHER REDUCE YOUR EXPENSES AND BRING IN MORE OF THEM. WE HAVE THINGS THAT AREN'T GETTING TAKEN CARE OF AND IS A TOTAL PRINT OUT FROM 2005 WE HAVE A TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AFTER YOU DROP THEM AND ADD THEM, 11 NEW EMPLOYEES OR 10 NEW EMPLOYEES DO THE MATH
ON THAT, THAT'S 18 YEARS. >> LESS THAN ONE PER YEAR.
WE ARE NOT ROBUSTLY GAINING LIKE EVERYBODY WANTS THE SAME.
THE CITY IS NOT ROBUSTLY GAINED IN NEW EMPLOYEES.
PLUS WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE BURDEN I WILL SAY ONE LAST THING WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE BURDEN OF ALL THE TOURISTS AND THE DAYTRIPPERS DO THINK WE ARE BURDENING THEIR COST EVERYDAY.
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EVERYONE OF US THAT OUR TAXPAYERS ARE BURDENING THE COST OF THEM COMING ON THE ISLAND.AT SOME POINT SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE AND WHEN WE REACH 100,000 RESIDENTS IN THE COUNTY AND $100 MILLION A YEAR DO YOU THINK THE COUNTY IS GOING TO START SHELLING OUT 200 OR $300,000 OR $100,000 TO HELP? THEY MIGHT IN CERTAIN AREAS FOR CERTAIN THINGS WHICH I WOULD APPRECIATE AND THEY MIGHT.
BUT THAT'S NOT EVEN GOING TO PUT A DENT IN THE EXPENSES.
THAT'S JUST MY OPINION. >> IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S AT LEAST FOUR OF US TO CONSIDER TALKING ABOUT PAYING FOR BEACH PARKING. PARKING ON THE BEACH.
>> INCREASING THE ELECTRICAL FEE THAT WE CURRENTLY CHARGE FRANCHISE FEES AT 6%. NEXT MEETING WE WILL TALK ABOUT CHARGING YOU WITH LEADS. BUILDING DEPARTMENT FEES WE TALKED ABOUT AND WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO DO IS DECREASE THOSE.
ALL DATA COULD BE USED TO BUILD A NEW BUILDING FOR THE BUILDING
DEPARTMENT. >> VICE MAYOR FIRST.
>> AM STRONGLY OPPOSED TO FRANCHISE FEES.
>> I KIND OF WANT TO AGREE LOOKING AT ALL THIS MONEY I'M NOT SO SURE OUR NUMBERS ARE RIGHT AND WE IDENTIFY AND WE WILL GET INTO THAT TOMORROW. BUT FRANCHISE FEES.
THEY ARE WAY TOO PROGRESSIVE IT TAKES A LARGER PART OF LOW INCOME PEOPLE. TO ME THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH IF YOU NEED MONEY IS TO ADD THE TAX.
PERIOD. THAT'S THE BEST WAY AS FAR AS THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT. ITS SELF-SUSTAINING DEPARTMENT.
WE CAN GENERATE MORE AND DO MORE THERE.
IT'S POSSIBLY I'M NOT OPPOSED TO LOOKING AT BUILDING DEPARTMENT FEES WHETHER IT'S UP OR DOWN.
I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT IT. >> THINK YOU MAY OR.
>> BRIEFLY ABOUT THE FRANCHISE FEE I THINK I AGREE WITH YOU IT DOESN'T JUST AFFECT US. IF THEY GO UP ON THE FRANCHISE FEE HERE IT'S EVERYBODY THEY SERVICE, NOT JUST IN OUR AREA,
CORRECT? >> JUST HERE BUT NOT ANYWHERE
ELSE THEY SERVICE. >> WILL BE ONLY SERVICES IS THE
>> IT DOES GO ON SOME OF THE LOWER INCOME ROSE HIGHER RESIDENCE ON A STRETCHED INCOME TO START WITH.
>> BUT ONLY THOSE IN THE CITY. WE CAN ONLY COLLECT THOSE ON THE CITY PAYING THE ELECTRIC BILL IS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU DIDN'T HAVE THERE ON THE LIST AS A FIRE FEE.
>> WE ARE GETTING THERE. THESE ARE THINGS WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST. THIS IS THE PAST, ADVOCATING ANY OF THESE I'M JUST SAYING WE TALKED ABOUT HOW TO MAKE SURE
WE ARE STILL ON THE SAME PAGE. >> SURE.
>> DID I MISS ANYTHING ELSE? > THANK YOU MR. MAYOR.
IF THE ARGUMENT OF PROGRESSIVE TAX OR PROGRESSIVE FEE I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT PARKING WOULD STILL BE ALSO BE A PROGRESSIVE FEE OR TAX. IT REALLY AFFECTS AND ENFORCE TO THE POOREST PEOPLE. IT JUST TIES IN WITH AN EARLIER
ARGUMENT. >> I THINK YOU MEAN TO SAY
REGRESSIVE NONPROGRESSIVE. >> GETS PROGRESSIVELY REGRESSIVE.
>> BY REGRESSIVE YOU MEAN PEOPLE OF LESSER MEANS HAVE TO PAY MORE OF THEIR PERCENTAGE OF INCOME.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. THAT'S THE ARGUMENT THAT VICE MAYOR KRIEGER WAS USING. THAT'S AN ARGUMENT WE COULD USE TO DISSUADE I'M THROWING IT BACK OUT THERE.
>> MY ONLY REASON FOR BRINGING THESE UP HIS THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY CHANGE.
I'M NOT ADVOCATING ANY ONE OF THESE.
THE NEXT THING OTHER POSSIBILITIES.
THE NEXT ONE IS FIRE ASSESSMENT TAX.
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WITH FIRE ASSESSMENT TAX IN FLORIDA YOU CAN CHARGE A FIRE FEE. IT CAN BE DONE IN A NUMBER OF WAYS BUT BASICALLY YOU CHARGE A FEE IS CHARGED PER BUILDING IS NOT CHARGED YOU CAN DO IT FOR THE SIZE OF THE BUILDING BUT IT'S NOT DONE FOR THE COST OF THE BUILDING.THIS WOULD BE WHAT YOU WOULD CALL A REGRESSIVE TAX BECAUSE THE PERSON WITH THE MODEST HOME WOULD PAY THE SAME AMOUNT AS THE PERSON WITH THE BEACH HOME WHETHER IT'S FIVE DOLLARS, $100 BUT WHAT IT CAN BE USED TO PAY FOR HIS FIRE EQUIPMENT AND FIRE FEES AND NOT EMS WHICH IS FIRE. THIS IS ONE WAY OF PAYING FOR FIRE SERVICES. EVER TO GET THE SAME SERVICE IF YOU HAVE A FIRE OR ONE OF THE MILLS YOU GET THE SAME SERVICE AS THE PERSON ON THE STREET. THEY SHOW UP AND TAKE CARE OF YOU. SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S DONE IN A NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES, THERE'S DIFFERENT WAYS OF CHARGING IT TONIGHT WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT BUYING A NEW FIRE TRUCK. A HOOK AND LADDER TRUCK.
WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMICS TO THAT BUT THERE ARE WAYS TO PAY FOR IT THAT ARE NOT AT THE TAX WHETHER YOU WANT TO PAY OUT OF THE FORM TAX OR PAY FOR WORKING TO PAY FOR IT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER IT'S JUST THE WAY YOU DO IT.
ANY THOUGHTS ABOUT FIRE ASSESSMENT FEES?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I'M OPPOSED TO THIS AS WELL THIS IS THE SAME THING AS THAT TAX. TO CHARGE THE SAME PEOPLE WITH THE EXCEPTION IT'S ALSO GOING TO CHARGE CHURCHES BECAUSE CHURCHES ARE BUILDINGS THAT ARE TAX-EXEMPT THAT'S GONNA STICK THIS FEE ON ALL THE CHURCHES IN THE COMMUNITY.
I DON'T THINK IT'S A GOOD FIT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ALREADY PAY TAXES THAT WE BUDGET TO SUPPORT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SO WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT AND I WERE GOING TO REDUCE PEOPLE'S TAXES BY THAT AMOUNT? IT DOESN'T MAKE MUCH SENSE TO ME TO DO THIS AND FOR THAT ON TOP OF THAT I DO WANT TO POINT OUT I DON'T THINK THE ARGUMENT THAT OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE CHARGING THE FEE IS A GOOD ONE TO VALIDATE DOING THIS JUST FOR THAT SAKE.
THAT REASON I AM OPPOSED AND MANY MORE.
>> VICE MAYOR. >> I DON'T SUPPORT THE FIRE
FEES. >> I WAS BASICALLY TASKED WITH GOING OUT AND FINDING WHAT OTHER PEOPLE AND OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME. , ADVOCATING AS FAR AS CHURCHES, YOU CAN EXCLUDE CHURCHES IT'S DONE IN MANY CASES. IS ALL KINDS OF WAYS TO CHARGE IT BUT IT IS A TAX THAT'S BASICALLY THE SAME FOR EVERYBODY. SO JOHN GRISHAM WOULD PAY THE SAME AS AUNT SALLY DOWN THE STREET.
IS JUST ONE IDEA I WAS ASKED THE THOUGHT WAS TO FIND OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME. THAT'S A SOURCE, IF YOU DON'T
LIKE IT, THAT'S FINE. >> WHO ASKED YOU?
>> ALL THE TIME I GET EMAILS THAT SAY WE NEED TO FIND OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME. SO I WENT OUT AND FOUND EVERY POSSIBLE OTHER SOURCE OF INCOME FOR COMMUNITIES.
THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT BUT THIS WAS ONE OF THEM.
SOMEONE EMAILS COME IN WE WANT OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME WHICH MEANS THEY WANT SOMEBODY ELSE TO PAY FOR IT, SO I GOT THE
LIST AND THIS WAS ON THEIR. >> THANK YOU.
>> I'M GONNA RUN OFF THE RAILS BRIEFLY.
WE ARE IN A CITY THAT HAS 42 PERCENT OF THE PROPERTY IN CONSERVATION RECREATION WHEN YOU ADD THE NONPROFITS WE ARE PROBABLY SITTING WITH CLOSE TO 50% OF OUR CITY THAT'S NOT GETTING THE TAX. JUST A THOUGHT.
>> THIS WAS A RESOUNDING NO, WE WILL MOVE ON.
THE NEXT ONE, THIS IS ANOTHER ONE, SPECIAL ASSESSMENT TAX.
SPECIAL ASSESSMENT YOU CAN DO IN FLORIDA THESE ARE ALL IN FLORIDA.YOU CAN DO A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT UNDER FLORIDA STATUTE 170.1017 ÃÃBASICALLY ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE FLOOD ZONE DOWNTOWN 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN THAT WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE SEAWALL COULD BE CHARGED A FEE TO GO TOWARD THAT PROJECT OR IF YOU ARE GOING TO PUT LIGHTS ON CERTAIN STREET YOU COULD HAVE MAKE THAT A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT.
YOU CAN USE IT THERE'S OTHER THINGS YOU CAN USE IT FOR ROADS AND SIDEWALKS STORMWATER PROJECTS, UNDERGROUND UTILITIES AND SEAWALL'S. SOME OF THESE THINGS THE PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREETS IN THOSE AREAS BENEFIT MORE THAN OTHERS.
THIS IS ANOTHER WAY OF CHARGING IT.
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WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? >> I THOUGHT WE WERE DOING THAT FOR DOWNTOWN. THOUGHT WE WERE LOOKING AT THE SOCIAL ASSESSMENT FEE. MENTIONED MANY TIMES SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS HAVE THE CAP ON THE IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
YOU SAW THE DOWNTOWN STUFF IN THERE.
DO WE NEED A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DOWNTOWN? I THINK THOSE ARE THINGS WORTH LOOKING AT.
>> ANYONE ELSE? >> I AGREE WITH LOOKING AT IT.
>> I WASN'T GOING TO TALK ON THIS ONE BECAUSE I THOUGHT YOU WERE ALL GOING TO SAY NO (LAUGHING)
>> THIS HAS A LOT OF SIMILAR ARGUMENTS TO THE OTHER ONES.
THIS IS AGAIN WE ARE DOING AND FORM TAX ON SPECIFIC AREA WE SAY LET'S DRAW A BOX AND CHARGE MORE TAXES TO THE PEOPLE AND I AM AGAINST, I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A REVENUE PROBLEM.
I WANT TO POINT OUT AND I WANT TO DISAGREE WITH EARLIER COMMENTS RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE THAT WHEN I SEE 20 MILLION THAT WE HAVEN'T DONE YET, I DON'T SEE THAT AS A BACKLOG I SEE THAT AS A PLAN AND IT'S NOT KICKING IT DOWN THE ROAD TO SAY WERE GOING TO DO IT LATER. WE ARE PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE BY FIGURING OUT HOW WE CAN MAKE THE PATH WORK.
IT'S A PLAN.ND IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE ONE.
IT'S GOOD TO HAVE ALL THAT DOWN AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT.
US TALKING UP HERE AND HAVING THE ASSUMPTION THAT THERE IS A REVENUE PROBLEM IN DOING THE EXERCISE PUTS PEOPLE IN A MINDSET THAT WE HAVE A REVENUE PROBLEM.
I THINK THE REASON WE GET THESE EMAILS THAT WE NEED TO GET MORE REVENUE AND PAY OFF, WE DON'T HAVE DEBT AS A CITY.
WE HAVE A PLAN TO COMPLETE PROJECTS COMING INTO THE FUTURE AND FOR THAT REASON I THINK THIS WHOLE NARRATIVE IS INCORRECT. IT'S NOT THAT WE NEED DESPERATELY NEED THIS MONEY, IT'S JUST THAT WE HAVE A PLAN AND WE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING YEAR ONE WE WORKED IT OUT WE DO IT OVER TIME AND I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO ADD ADDITIONAL TAXES ON THE CITIZENS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS WEEK ÃÃEVERYBODY ELSE UP HERE SAYS WE NEED TO RAISE TAXES OVER 10% WE CAN'T DO ALL THIS IN ONE YEAR HOW COULD WE POSSIBLY RAISE OUR TAXES AND ALSO SLAP SOME FEES ON IT? I JUST THINK IT'S NOT CORRECT.
FOR THAT REASON I'M GOING TO SAY NO IT SOUNDS LIKE I MIGHT
BE OUTVOTED. >> I DON'T DISAGREE WITH SOME OF THE THINGS YOU ARE SAYING AND WE WILL GET INTO THAT TOMORROW NIGHT. WE WILL GET INTO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND THE NUMBERS WE ARE SEEING THEN WE ARE GOING TO GET INTO THE $50,000 STUDY AND WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE. I DON'T DISAGREE WITH YOUR COMMENTS BUT THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FEE I FORGOT THE NUMBERS OF STREETLIGHTS AND DOWNTOWN, YOU'RE ACTUALLY PPUTTING A FEE YOU ARE DOING INFRASTRUCTURE SPECIFICALLY RELATIVE TO THOSE BUSINESSES IN THAT AREA AND I SEE NO PROBLEM WITH LOOKING AT ASSESSING THOSE BUSINESSES A FEE FOR THAT.
THE SEAWALL WOULD BE INTERESTING YOU COULD MAKE THE CASE TO THE SEAWALL THE WHOLE TOWN BUT REALLY IF YOU LOOK AT THE FLOOD MAPS, THAT'S NOT TRUE.
I DON'T WANT TO GET AHEAD OF IT BUT I DON'T DISAGREE WITH SOME OF THE THINGS YOU ARE SAYING AND WE WILL GET INTO IT
TUESDAY. >> THERE 681 PROPERTIES IN THE HUNDRED YEAR FLOOD ZONE DOWNTOWN.
SO DIVIDE THAT BY THE COST OF THE FLOODWALL I DON'T THINK THERE TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD THAT.
BUT THAT'S ANOTHER STORY. SO WE'VE GOT ONE, WE GOT THE MAYOR ANYBODY ELSE LOOKING INTO SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS.
>> WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON FROM THAT.
>> WHAT WAS THE DECISION? >> WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON.
>> APPARENTLY THOSE NO ENTHUSIASM THAT ENOUGH CITY
COMMISSIONERS TO LOOK AT THAT. >> THE FINAL ONE I CAME UP WITH ITS ALREADY IN PUBLIC SERVICE. SECTION 70 APRIL 1, 2028 YOU CAN CHARGE A WATER SERVICE TAX UP TO 9%.
I SUSPECT THERE WILL BE NO ENTHUSIASM FOR THAT.
AND THAT'S FINE BUT THE POINT IS OF THE EXERCISE IS TO SHOW THAT IT GOES BACK TO AD VALOREM TAX.
[00:35:02]
WILL TALK ABOUT THIS AT MUCH GREATER DETAIL TOMORROW BUT I THINK YOUR HYPOTHESIS OF THE CITY IS IN ITS BALONEY.WHAT WE'VE DONE FOR YEARS AS WE KILL THINGS WE GOT ALL KINDS OF STUFF WE GOT A GREAT CITY TO LIVE IN.
I AGREE WITH THAT 100% BUT WE HAVEN'T DONE IS PUT AWAY MONEY TO TAKE CARE OF IT AND WE HAVEN'T PUT AWAY MONEY REPLACE IT. THESE THINGS ARE NOW BEGINNING TO ALL FALL APART. WITH A BEACH WALK OVER US AND ALL THESE THINGS. WE NEED A PLAN AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT TOMORROW NIGHT. YOU ARE GOING TO SEE IT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FORCE IT AND WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR WAS OTHER WAYS TO PAY FOR THAT BESIDES JUST AD VALOREM TAX. IF YOU GO TO THE ROLLBACK RATE THIS YEAR YOU WOULD GENERATE AN ADDITIONAL $300,000 WORTH OF REVENUE. WHEN PEOPLE SAY OR TO GROW YOURSELF OUT AND GET MORE REVENUE, $300,000.
IT'S CHUMP CHANGE IN THIS WHOLE THING.
IT'S A SERIOUS DISCUSSION AND WE WILL HAVE TOMORROW NIGHT AND PERHAPS THE NEXT THREE NIGHTS AND PERHAPS GOING INTO NEXT WEEK TO COME UP WITH THAT PLAN THINK BEFORE WE LEAVE I WOULD HOPE WE WOULD ALL AGREE THAT BEFORE WE FINISH THIS DISCUSSION AND VOTE ON SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE A FIVE YEAR PLAN WITH A DISCUSSION OF HOW WE ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS ALL THOSE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN THAT PEOPLE THINK ARE IMPORTANT. WE HAVE SEVEN PARKS.
MOST OF THEM ARE PLAYGROUNDS. I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH PAYING FOR IT, I AGREE, IT'S JUST HOW TO PAY FOR IT.
THAT'S WHERE THE DISCUSSION COMES IN.
I DO NOT BELIEVE YOU CAN HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO.
YOU CAN EITHER HAVE IT THEN YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.
SO WE WILL HAVE THAT DISCUSSION.
I HAVE NOTHING ELSE REALLY. I WORKED PRETTY HARD AND PRETTY GOOD AT DOING THIS AND I KNOW OTHER "SOURCES OF INCOME".
SO THIS IS WHAT WE'VE GOT. WE WILL GO FORWARD TOMORROW AND
SEE WHERE WE GO. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
>> JUST TO READ A RIGHT TO ME THE MOST EQUITABLE WAY TO FINANCE THE CITY IS AD VALOREM TAX.
OUTSIDE OF ALL THE OTHER REVENUES.
WE WILL FIND OUT IN THE NEXT FIVE DAYS WHERE WE ARE REALLY ACT AND WHERE WE NEED TO GO AND HAVE A PLAN.
>> THANK YOU MARY. WILL BE WILLING TO LOOK AT A FEW IDEAS YOU CAME UP WITH. I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER. MOST OF THEM ARE JUST ANOTHER TAX. THAT THE REASON THERE'S OTHER THINGS I WANT TO LOOK TAXING THE TOURISTS IN THE DAY TRIP FOR PEOPLE PUTTING THE BURDEN ON OUR HIGHWAYS AND PARKS AND BEACHES. IN OUR CITY.
OUR DOWNTOWN AREA THAT NEEDS REVAMPING AND WORKING ON.
>> I'LL ADD A FEW OTHER IDEAS THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED PEOPLE SAY YOU SHOULD PUT A TOLL ON THE BRIDGE THAT WAS A VIABLE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AND BROUGHT UP AT THE STATE THE STATE SAID HELL NO. SO WERE NOT PUTTING A TOLL ON THE BRIDGE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE POPULATION OF THE CITY THE CENSUS POPULATION IS ABOUT 13,000 PEOPLE. MORE OR LESS.
60% OF THOSE PEOPLE LIVE HERE AND 40% DON'T LIVE HERE.
THEY DON'T PAY, I'M LOOKING FOR THE WORD.
THEY PAY FULL RATE. >> NON-HOMESTEAD.
>> THANK YOU. THE TOURIST POPULATION THAT COMES IS ÃÃWHEN I DO FIND TOURIST IT'S SOMEBODY WHO STAYS OVERNIGHT. 'S ABOUT $600,000 ÃÃ600,000 PEOPLE A YEAR. THE REST OF THE POPULATION WHICH IS CALLED FUNCTIONAL PULATION IS 1.6 MILLION PEOPLE A YEAR. IF YOU CAN FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN GET REVENUE ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE I'M ALL FOR FOR IT.
BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN SMART ENOUGH TO FIGURE THAT OUT.
>> WE DID SERIOUSLY TALK ABOUT TOLES.
>> I KNOW WE DID. >> WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT CONGESTION. CONGESTION FUNDING.S THEY DO IN SOME BIG CITIES YOU PAY A FEE WITH A LITTLE DEVICE IN YOUR CAR AND WHEN IT'S BUSY YOU PAY MORE MONEY.
[00:40:02]
YOU PAY MONEY TO GO IN, THAT'S WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO IT WAS AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION.SINCE NOW I HAVE TWO COMMISSIONERS PUBLICLY SAY THEY
WOULD LOOK INTO TOLLS. >> IT WAS LOOKED INTO.
>> I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND SAY I AM IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM IN FAVOR OF TOLLS ANYWHERE IN THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH
OR OTHERWISE, I AM OPPOSED. >> IT WAS LOOKED AT.
THIS CAME FROM ONE OF THE CITIZENS GROUPS, THEY LOOKED AT THAT AND APPROACH THE STATE AND SHE WAS STANDING RIGHT THERE AND IT TALKED ABOUT IT AND WENT BACK TO THEM SHE WAS LOST HER JOB OVER IT. I'M JUST BRINGING IT UP BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE DO BRING THAT UP TO ME THEY SAID, WE SHOULD CHARGE FOR A TOLL ON THE BRIDGE THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
>> PERFECT, THAT'S WHAT I WAS DOING.
I WANT TO MAKE THAT THEN I WANT TO CLOSE WITH ONE LAST POINT I'M SURE WE WILL TALK ABOUT THIS A LOT MORE TOMORROW BUT I WOULD SAY TO THE GROUP THAT I CURRENTLY AM HAVING MY CAKE AND I AM CURRENTLY EATING IT TOO. I BELIEVE THE CITY CURRENTLY IS WE ARE CURRENTLY HAVE IT ALL. THIS WHOLE TALK ABOUT HOW BEHIND WE ARE, JUST LOOK AROUND THE CITY, EVERYTHING IS GREAT.
LIFE IS GOOD RIGHT NOW THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH.
THE CITY'S ASSETS ARE IN GREAT CONDITION BE SENT EVERYTHING IS GOOD. LIKE THIS WHOLE SENSE OF ALARM IS I BELIEVE UNWARRANTED. 'S CARRYING THE RESIDENCE AND I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO GO THERE BECAUSE WE HAVE A PLAN AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS PLAN AS BEING A BACKLOG BUT THAT IS SIMPLY NOT THE CASE. WE GOT ALL THESE BUILDINGS PEOPLE ARE "IN TROUBLE" IT'S FINE, THEY ARE GREAT EVERYTHING IS OKAY. WE ARE DOING GOOD AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. THINK YOU.
>> WE ARE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. AT THE EA ARE REPORTS WE TALKED ABOUT TRANSPORTATION AND THAT'S WHERE WE TALKED ABOUT TOLLS AND CONGESTION AND BUSES. WEEK LATER A LOCAL RADIO STATION CAME ON AND SAID THEY WERE PUTTING UP TO TOLL ON THE BRIDGE. THEY DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SO WE DIDN'T PUT A TOLL BOOTH THERE AND THERE WAS NEVER A PLAN TO BUT IT WAS AN INTERESTING STORY HOW IT HAPPENED.
I THINK CHIP WAS RESPONSIBLE. >> I'M SURE I WAS.
>> ANYONE ELSE? >> YOU LOOK LIKE YOU ARE READY
TO BURST. >> I'M RESORTING TO BITING MY TONGUE LITERALLY AND WE WILL GET INTO IT TOMORROW NIGHT.
TO GET BACK TO THE ROLLBACK RATE WE HAVE TO CUT MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS OUT OF THAT BUDGET. >> $1.8 MILLION.
>> $1.8 MILLION. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE ARE GOING
TO DO THAT. >> WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT
TOMORROW NIGHT. >> ICE SPENT MY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY LINE BY LINE TO MOVE THROUGH THAT BUDGET AS MANY OF US DID. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE ARE GOING TO DO IT. WE ARE AT A TIPPING POINT IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS THIS BUILDING READ THE ASSESSMENT ON THIS BUILDING STUFF THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD THIS BUILDING. JUST FROM THE ELECTRICAL QUILT THAT'S UP IN THE ATTIC. YOU LOOK AT THE PHOTOS TO MILLION DOLLARS TO GET THIS BUILDING UP TO SPEED IF YOU READ THE REPORT WHEN THEY DID THE BUILDING AND QUILTED IT TOGETHER THEY DID IT ON THE CHEAP.
IT WAS NOT A ONE CONSTRUCTION. IT WAS PRETTY SHY OF CONSTRUCTION. THIS BUILDING ALONE IS $2 MILLION OF RENOVATIONS. I'M GOING TO STOP THERE BECAUSE THIS DISCUSSION IS GOING TO GO IN DEPTH TOMORROW NIGHT.
>> CAN I ASK ONE QUESTION? WHAT TIME ARE WE GOING TO STOP
TOMORROW NIGHT? >> WE MAY NEVER STOP.
>> WE MIGHT HAVE COTS. >> AROUND-THE-CLOCK.
>> SERIOUSLY, IT'S GOING TO BE A ROBUST CONVERSATION AND IT'S A DAUNTING TASK. WE WILL GET THROUGH IT.
WITH THAT, WE ARE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.