[00:00:01]
>> WE HAVE A QUORUM THOUGH, I THINK.
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
>> IT'S A GOOD THING YOU'RE HERE. YOU MADE A QUORUM.
[LAUGHTER] YOU'RE A VALUABLE PART OF THE TEAM.
>> I LIKE TO CALL THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 9TH, 2024 5:00 PM.
WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND? ROLL CALL PLEASE.
>> WE CAN STAND FOR ROLL CALL.
>> YOU DON'T STAND FOR ROLL CALL.
MEMBER GOLDMAN. MEMBER BORRERO.
>> WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE? COCCHI.
>> I PLEDGE MY ALLEGIANCE TO MY FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE MARCH 2024 REGULAR MEETING.>> DO YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE LOURYNE FIRST?
>> JUST WAIT ONE SECOND. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR NEWEST MEMBER OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION, LOURYNE SPAULDING.
>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING?
>> I AM JUST SO HAPPY TO BE A PART OF IT.
I THINK I WILL BRING YOU SOME GREAT IDEA AND SOME VALUABLE THOUGHTS TO YOU FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY.
>> ITEM NUMBER 4, APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES MARCH 2024, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? CALL FOR THE VOTE, PLEASE.
PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THE ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
[6.1 Scott Mikelson, New Parks And Recreation Director]
>> DISCUSSION ITEMS. I WILL LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR NEWEST DIRECTOR, SCOTT MIKELSON, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION. WELCOME.
>> AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO PLACE FOR YOU TO SAY A FEW WORDS FOR US.
FIRST OF ALL, WELCOME MS. SPAULDING.
EXCITED TO HAVE YOU ON THE BOARD AND VERY WELL LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.
EXTREMELY EXCITED TO BE THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH.
THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO DO, BUT I REALLY THINK THAT WE'RE REALLY SET UP FOR THE FUTURE.
WE HAVE A FEW POSITIONS THAT ARE CURRENTLY VACANT IN OUR DEPARTMENT.
WE'RE NOT LOOKING TO NECESSARILY ADD POSITIONS, BUT LOOKING TO FILL BUDGETED EXISTING POSITIONS.
ONCE WE GET THAT GOING, WHICH I THINK WE CAN IMPLEMENT PRETTY QUICKLY, I THINK SKY'S THE LIMIT, FOR THE DEPARTMENT.
I JUST WANTED TO GIVE EACH ONE OF YOU AN OVERVIEW OF MY NEXT 90 DAYS OR WHAT I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE DEPARTMENT.
I DO WANT TO MAKE SOME SMALL ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES.
I THINK WE CAN BE MORE PRODUCTIVE.
I THINK WE CAN BE MORE EFFICIENT IN WHAT WE DO.
WE NEED MORE PROGRAMMING, MORE PROGRAMMING FOR OUR YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY, MORE PROGRAMMING FOR THE SENIORS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
ALSO, I THINK THAT WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB IN
[00:05:04]
JUST OUR GENERAL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THROUGHOUT THE CITY.WE HAVE A LOT OF REALLY GOOD THINGS IN THIS COMMUNITY.
ONE THING I THINK THAT WE STRUGGLE, AND I THINK A LOT OF COMMUNITIES DO STRUGGLE WITH THIS TOO, IS GENERAL MAINTENANCE AND GENERAL UPKEEPING.
I'M GOING TO PUSH THE STAFF TO DO BETTER AT IT.
I HOPE PEOPLE WILL NOTICE THAT AS WE WORK THROUGH THESE NEXT FEW YEARS.
ALSO ONE REALLY IMPORTANT THING IS THAT BEHIND THE SCENES FISCAL YEAR '25 BUDGET HAS SOMEWHAT COMMENCED.
WE'RE WORKING THROUGH OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
WE'RE WORKING THROUGH OUR 310 ACCOUNT WHICH IS CAPITAL EXPANSION WHICH IS IMPACT FEES.
WE ARE BUILDING OUR PARKS AND RECREATION BUDGET INTERNALLY TO THEN SUBMIT TO OUR COMPTROLLER AND OUR CITY MANAGER.
WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THOSE AT THIS TIME.
THEN IT'S A DIFFICULT TIME OF THE YEAR.
WE'RE PREPARING FOR FISCAL YEAR '25, BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE'RE WORKING THROUGH OUR EXISTING BUDGET, COMPLETING ALL OF OUR TASKS AS WELL, SO IT GETS A LITTLE TRICKY.
WITH THAT, WE DO HAVE QUITE A FEW OUTSTANDING PROJECTS AT WORK.
MY GOAL IS TO FINISH THEM, AND I THINK WE WILL HAVE THEM COMPLETED BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
I'LL BE GOING THROUGH A FEW OF THOSE ITEMS THAT WE HAVE IN THE STAFF REPORT.
BASICALLY, MY THREE BIG THINGS.
REFRESHING THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART TO BETTER PROVIDE PROGRAMMING FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND COMPLETING THE FISCAL YEAR '25 BUDGET AND ALSO AT THE SAME TIME, WRAPPING UP THE FISCAL YEAR '24 BUDGET.
I'M EXCITED. I THINK WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM IN PARKS AND RECREATION, BUT LIKE I SAID EARLIER, A LOT OF CHALLENGES.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME AT THIS TIME?
>> FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS, SCOTT.
>> I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME AND THAT'S HAVING THAT HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE IS CERTAINLY ADVANTAGEOUS TO US BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN HERE THROUGH A LOT OF DIFFERENT CHANGES.
I WAS CURIOUS TO SEE, WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT LONGER TERM PLANNING, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE SEEN THAT HAVE BEEN OBSTACLES IN THE PAST THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO WORK THROUGH AND WHY DO YOU FEEL THE NEED TO CHANGE THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? THEN CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TIMELINE OF WHAT THAT IS BEYOND THE 90 DAYS?
>> OF COURSE. CHANGING THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE JUST SLIGHTLY, MEANING I THINK THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS STRUGGLED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MANY PROGRAMS OUTSIDE OF THE 8-5 TIME FRAME.
WE HAVE MANAGERS SUPERVISORS, BUT I THINK IN TURN, MAKING A FEW ADJUSTMENTS TO GET INDIVIDUALS INSTEAD OF ALWAYS RELYING ON, MAYBE OUR PART TIME STAFF TO BE OUT RUNNING SOFTBALL LEAGUES OR RUNNING PICKLE BALL LEAGUES OR RUNNING SENIOR PROGRAMS WHERE I CAN MAKE SOME CHANGES POSSIBLY UP TOP IN TURN, HAVING MORE PRODUCTIVITY BOOTS ON THE FLOOR TYPE OF SITUATION.
MEANING INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE RUNNING THE PROGRAM.
YOU CAN'T HAVE MANAGERS SITTING, WORKING 8-5 ALL DAY LONG AND THEN OUT RUNNING PROGRAMS ALL NIGHT.
I THINK WE CAN TAKE THOSE INDIVIDUALS, THE MANAGER ASPECT OF IT OR THE SUPERVISOR ASPECT OF IT, PLAN MORE PROGRAMMING, AND THEN IN TURN, HAVE THESE PEOPLE OUT THERE RUNNING EACH PROGRAM, DIFFERENT NIGHTS, DIFFERENT WEEKENDS, AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
NOW THE WAY IT'S SET UP IS WE HAVE THESE MANAGERS WORKING ALL DAY.
WE CAN'T EXPECT THEM TO WORK ALL NIGHT AND ALL WEEKEND.
THAT'S WHERE I THINK THAT WE HAVE STRUGGLED WITH OUR PROGRAMMING, WHERE I THINK WE CAN MAKE SOME SMALL ADJUSTMENTS AND BE ABLE TO DO MUCH MORE PROGRAMMING.
>> I'M ASSUMING THAT'S SHIFTING RESPONSIBILITIES OR SCHEDULING INSTEAD OF HIERARCHY?
>> I DIDN'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT YOU, SORRY.
>> SHIFTING RESPONSIBILITIES OR POSSIBLY TAKING A POSITION AND MAYBE SPLITTING IT IF IT'S A HIGH END POSITION AND WE COULD GET MORE POSITIONS DOWN LOW.
THEN WE COULD TAKE THOSE INDIVIDUALS, LET'S SAY WE HAVE ONE MANAGER THAT WE COULD LOOK AT RENAMING THAT POSITION TO A LOWER POSITION AND BE ABLE TO THEN IN
[00:10:01]
TURN HAVE THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAVE MORE BOOTS ON THE GROUND.SOME POSSIBLE POSITION TITLE CHANGES.
>> OBVIOUSLY IT'S SOMETHING YOU'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT FOR A WHILE.
WHAT TIMING DO YOU THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE FIRST 90 DAYS OR DO YOU THINK THAT WILL COMMENCE [OVERLAPPING]
LIKE EVERYTHING IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND IN GOVERNMENT IN GENERAL, I HAVE TO GAIN THE SUPPORT OF MY BOSS AND SELL IT TO HIM AND MAKE SURE HE'S OKAY WITH IT.
BUT WE HAVE THESE INTERNAL DISCUSSIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.
KATIE AND I TALK ABOUT IT ALMOST EVERY DAY, AND BETTER WAYS TO GET MORE THINGS OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.
ULTIMATELY, IF I CAN SELL CHARLIE ON IT, THEN I THINK I CAN IMPLEMENT IT REALLY QUICKLY.
I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO ADD MUCH, IF ANY MORE ADDITIONAL MONIES TO OUR BUDGET.
I THINK WE CAN MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS AND HAVE POSSIBLY EVEN THE SAME HEADCOUNT.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME YOU ALSO.
I DON'T THINK THE WAS ANYBODY BETTER FOR THAT POSITION.
I REMEMBER MEETING IN HERE ONE TIME WHERE IT SEEMED LIKE THIS PLACE WAS PACKED AND IT WAS ABOUT CENTRAL PARK.
YOU WERE PITCHING AN IDEA AND THE HOST CITY WAS JUST GIVING IT TO YOU OR YOU HAD TO BRING THAT ONE UP?
>> WELL, NO. WHAT I'M SAYING IS THAT I THOUGHT THAT RIGHT THEN AND THERE THAT THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE REASONS WHY YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE WANTED THAT POSITION.
AND WE GOT KATHERINE, BUT I'M GLAD YOU STUCK IN THERE BECAUSE I KNEW THAT YOU COULD SEE THROUGH ALL THAT BEATING AND THAT YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BECAUSE OF YOU BEING WHO YOU ARE AND BEING LOCAL.
YOUR KIDS GO TO THE SCHOOLS AND YOUR KIDS PARTICIPATE IN THE CENTRAL PARK AND SKATE PARK AND ALL OF THE PLACES HERE.
I'M REALLY THAT WE HAVE YOU IN THAT POSITION.
YOU SAID YOUR FIRST 90 DAYS, ARE WE THINKING JULY, ALL THIS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
IS THAT WHEN THE 90 DAYS BEGIN FOR YOU? YEAH, THE 90 DAYS. WHEN DID IT START?
>> YEAH. I THINK THAT THE 90 DAYS STARTED WHEN I GOT HIRED, AND I THINK ONE OF THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT HIRING ME IS THAT I'M HERE LIKE WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THE BUDGET RIGHT NOW.
I'M IN CAPITOL MEETINGS WITH CHARLIE, PAULINE, ANDRE, DESAL, JEREMIAH.
WE'RE ALREADY WORKING ON NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET.
I ALREADY KNOW THE EXISTING PROJECTS THAT HAVE TO BE COMPLETED, AND I HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE STAFF AND I WANT TO COLLABORATE WITH THEM ON WHAT WE THINK IS BEST FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO SUCCEED.
I DO THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN GET MUCH BETTER AT AND WHERE WE HAVE CUT BACK IN THE I WOULD SAY EVEN FIVE YEARS IS PROGRAMMING.
ONE PLACE IN PARTICULAR IS WE DON'T HAVE AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AT MLK.
WE DON'T HAVE A SUMMER CAMP AT MLK.
WE DON'T HAVE MANY SENIOR TRIPS.
WE DON'T HAVE MANY SENIOR GATHERINGS.
THOSE HAVE ALL BEEN THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN CUT BACK IN THE LAST FIVE YEAR.
THOSE ARE ITEMS THAT THEY DON'T COST A TON OF MONEY.
WE HAVE THE STAFF, WE'RE NOT ADDING MORE PEOPLE TO THE BUDGET.
I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN IMPLEMENT PRETTY QUICKLY.
WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH SOME DCF STUFF, WE CAN GET IT LICENSED, AND WE CAN MOVE FORWARD QUICKLY WITH IT.
I TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST WITH WE HAVE STARTED, I THINK FROM DAY 1.
FROM LAST TUESDAY, WE'RE ALREADY STARTED.
YES, IF I CAN GAIN THE SUPPORT OF SOME SMALL ADJUSTMENTS, THEN YEAH, THIS STUFF WILL BE ALREADY MOVING. IT ALREADY IS.
>> WELL, CONGRATULATIONS SCOTT.
[00:15:02]
WE NEED SOMETHING OF ACTIVITY FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND FOR THE SENIORS.
NO, AND WE NEED TO REALLY ADDRESS THAT AND AS YOU SAY THAT TAKING THE PROGRAM FROM MLK WAS A BIG A BIG CUT AND HURT FOR PEOPLE THAT NEEDED THAT FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO GO AFTER SCHOOL.
BECAUSE EVERYBODY DON'T GET OFF FROM WORK AT THE TIME, SCHOOL IS OUT.
YOU HAD ON WEDNESDAY, YOU KNOW THEY'RE OUT, SO THEY NEEDED THAT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE SUFFER BEHIND THAT.
THESE THINGS ARE BENEFICIAL AND THAT WHAT WE DO NEED BACK AT MLK.
I'M GLAD TO HEAR YOU SAY THAT BECAUSE WE DEFINITELY NEED THAT AND WE NEED ACTIVITY FOR OUR CHILDREN.
WE WANT THEM TO BE WONDERFUL, BUT WE DON'T OFFER THEM ANYTHING.
IF I WANT MY CHILD TO EXCEL, THEN I HAVE TO OFFER A PACKAGE WHEREBY HE OR SHE CAN EXCEL.
THEN FOR INDO, WE DO NOT DO THAT.
I HATE TO SAY IT, WE JUST DO NOT DO THAT, WHEREBY THEY CAN'T EXCEL.
>> YEAH, ONE OF OUR GOALS IS TO, AND I TELL HER THIS EVERY WEEK IS I WANT TO START AFTER SCHOOL AT JUST ONE EXAMPLE IS I WANT TO START AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AT MLK NEXT FALL.
THAT WE HAVE TO WORK THROUGH SOME DCF CERTIFICATION.
THEN THE FOLLOWING SUMMER, WE START SUMMER CAMP AT MLK TOO.
WE HAVE WAITING LISTS AT BOTH REC CENTERS.
>> YOU SAID YOUR PLAN AND I LOVE BEING PROACTIVE, LIKE LOOKING FORWARD, ESPECIALLY TO WHAT NEEDS AND ASKS THAT THE DEPARTMENT MIGHT HAVE FOR 2025, AND BEING ABLE TO LOOK AT THOSE PROGRAMS. MAYBE THEY DO NEED TO BE MORE ROBUST.
MAYBE SOME OF THE PLACES WE ARE FOCUSING CAN BE REDIRECTED TO.
>> YEAH AND HONESTLY, I THINK EVERY YEAR WE ULTIMATELY WE NEED TO EVALUATE EVERY ONE PROGRAM THAT WE DO IS, ARE WE RUNNING A PROGRAM THAT IS NOT SUCCEEDING? WE HAVE TO CHANGE WITH THE TIMES TOO.
THOSE ARE REALLY MY PRIORITIES IS WHERE CAN WE ADD PROGRAMMING? BECAUSE PROGRAMMING, WE HAVE THE STAFF THAT'S BUDGETED.
WHERE CAN WE ADD THAT? I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF STUFF IN OUR CITY, LIKE A LOT OF GREAT STUFF.
THOSE ARE TWO AREAS THAT I'M REALLY LOOKING AT AS WE DEVELOP THIS BUDGET.
THERE'S A CHANCE THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A TIGHT BUDGET.
ESPECIALLY THIS COMING YEAR, MAYBE WE AREN'T HAVING A WHOLE LOT OF CAPITAL PROJECTS WHERE WE'RE LITERALLY PUTTING OUR MONEY AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PUT OUR MONEY INTO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE.
>> HOW CAN WE HELP HOW CAN THIS BOARD HELP YOU AND YOUR TEAM?
>> WE ULTIMATELY, I THINK, AND I'M JUST GOING THROUGH SOME OF THIS AND WE TALKED ABOUT IT EARLIER TODAY IS YOUR SUPPORT.
I HOPE YOU SEE MY VISION, AND IF YOU DO, THEN ULTIMATELY, COMING TO COMMISSION MEETINGS AND WE WILL BE PRESENTING YOU WITH OUR BUDGET AND I THINK IT'S FOR YOU TO REVIEW IT.
IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT IT OR YOU HAVE CONCERNS OF WHAT PROGRAMS WE ARE RUNNING OR WHERE WE'RE SPENDING OUR MONEY, WE WOULD NEED MONEY TO MAINTAIN STUFF.
THAT'S ULTIMATELY THE BOARD, IF YOU'RE SUPPORTING OUR VISION, WHICH I HOPE YOU DO, THEN THAT'S HOW YOU DO SUPPORT US.
>> I JUST WANT TO ADD TWO THINGS.
I WAS PART OF THE INTERVIEWING PROCESS FOR OUR NEW DIRECTOR AND IT WAS A REALLY AN INTERESTING PROCEDURE, AND LET ME TELL YOU, SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT HAS BEEN ASKED HERE WAS ASKED IN THE INTERVIEW PROCESS AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ALL AGREED ON IS THAT WE NEEDED STABILITY AND A PERSON THAT UNDERSTOOD OUR CITY AND THAT COULD JUMP IN IMMEDIATELY.
[00:20:07]
YEAH, THERE WAS A COUPLE OF NICE CANDIDATES, BUT WE ARE A VERY UNIQUE CITY.WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE UNDER THEIR PARKS AND RECREATION THAT WE ARE IN CHARGE OF I.E THE CEMETERY.
I.E, DIFFERENT LOCATIONS OF RECREATION CENTERS FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD THE RIGHT PERSON IN PLACE TO FULFILL THAT UNIVERSAL NEED.
EVEN THOUGH WE DID HAVE PEOPLE THERE AS CANDIDATES, BUT THEY FILLED A THIRD OF IT.
THEY FILLED 60% OF IT, BUT THEY COULDN'T FILL 100%.
WE'RE FORTUNATE, AND I MEAN FORTUNATE THAT SCOTT JUMPED RIGHT TO THE TOP OF THE LINE, AND I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT.
I'M THINKING, HEY, HE KNOWS THIS CITY, HE'S AWARE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO IN THE ORDER THAT WE NEED TO PUT IT IN.
I AM THANKFUL, AND AGAIN, THANKS A LOT, SCOTT AND I APPRECIATE IT.
>> YEAH, I I APPRECIATE THE NICE REMARKS AND AND I KNOW, MEMBER BORRERO WAS STATING IS THIS COMMUNITY FEELS STRONGLY ABOUT CERTAIN THINGS.
I'VE BEEN IN THOSE POSITIONS, SO I HOPE THAT WE WORK CLOSELY, SO THERE'S CERTAIN TIMES THAT HOPEFULLY WE WON'T BE IN THOSE POSITIONS.
BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY HAVE GREAT IDEAS AND FEEL STRONGLY, SO IT'S US AS A TEAM, A PARKS AND RECREATION TEAM, AND I THINK TEAM IS A VERY IMPORTANT WORD.
YOU AS A AS BOARD MEMBERS AND OUR TEAM AS A DEPARTMENT WORK HAND IN HAND.
IF WE'RE WORKING HAND IN HAND ON THE SAME VISION, THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO PLACES.
THANK YOU. I AM REALLY, REALLY EXCITED.
>> THANK YOU. YEAH. SCOTT, 6.2 THE 2024, 25 BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS.
[6.2 FY 2024-2025 Budget Recommendations From The Committee (Placed OnAgenda BYChairCamera)]
I PUT THIS IN FRONT OF OUR COMMITTEE AND I HAVE THIS OPENING DISCUSSION LINE THAT I'D LIKE TO READ TO YOU.I PLACED THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION SO THAT THE PRAC COMMITTEE MEMBERS CAN GIVE THE PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 25 BUDGET.
MY INTENTION IS NOT FOR STAFF TO HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THESE RECOMMENDATIONS TONIGHT, BUT FOR THEM TO TAKE OUR FEEDBACK AND AT A FUTURE MEETING, PRESENT A DRAFT FOR THE 25 BUDGET.
>> AT THE END OF THE LAST MEETING, I ASKED EVERYBODY TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE 2024/25 BUDGET.
AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO PUT TOGETHER ANYBODY THAT HAS ANY IDEAS, AND KATIE WILL BE GLAD TO TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF WRITING THEM DOWN, AND GIVING ME A REASON WHY WE SHOULD BE HAVING THEM PLACED INTO THE BUDGET.
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, GO FORTH. IT'S ON YOU.
AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A YOUNG LADY WHO'S GOING TO THE OLYMPICS.
SHE'LL BE HEADED TO SHANGHAI TO COMPETE IN OLYMPIC QUALIFYING EVENT PLUS BUDAPEST.
CURRENTLY, SHE TRAINS IN JACKSONVILLE DUE TO NOT HAVING A FACILITY HERE.
REALLY ALL WE NEED WOULD BE A LITTLE RAIL WHICH IS PROBABLY LESS THAN $300 TO GET THAT DONE.
A BIGGER SKATE PARK SO THAT THE YOUNG LADIES WHO ARE FOLLOWING IN THE STEPS OF THIS PRO THAT WE HAVE HERE CAN STAY HERE AND PRACTICE, AND HONE THEIR SKILLS INSTEAD OF HAVING TO GO TO JACKSONVILLE TO HONE THEIR SKILLS.
WE WOULDN'T TELL THAT TO THE SOCCER PLAYERS, BASEBALL PLAYERS, FOOTBALL PLAYERS, BASKETBALL PLAYERS, LACROSSE PLAYERS.
ANY KID OUT HERE, WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SEND THEM TO JACKSONVILLE TO HONE THEIR SKILLS.
[00:25:04]
THAT PARK HAS MET ITS LIFETIME, AND IT HAS CREATED WHAT WE GOT RIGHT NOW, A PRO, AND HOPEFULLY WE COULD SEE THE YOUTH THAT'S GROWING RIGHT NOW WHEN IT COMES TO THE SPORT, AND THAT FERNANDINA IS FAST BECOMING THE PLACE FOR SKATERS WHEN IT COMES TO GIRLS.FOR SOME REASON, WE'VE GOT THE BEST GIRLS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND JACKSONVILLE SEEMS TO WANT TO CLAIM THEM, AND WE DON'T WANT THAT.
WE SHOULDN'T HAVE THAT. THEY SHOULDN'T BE TRAINING IN JACKSONVILLE SKATE PARKS WHEN WE SHOULD HAVE A SKATE PARK HERE.
IT'S THE ONLY LOCATION THAT FACES THE WATER FROM HERE TO MIAMI AND FROM HERE TO NEW JERSEY.
PEOPLE CAN TRAVEL ALL AROUND THE WORLD JUST TO VISIT FERNANDINA AND IT'S GREAT SKATE PARK, AND POSSIBLY WORLD CLASS COMPETITIONS HERE IN OUR BACKYARD, AND FERNANDINA BEING KNOWN AS THE PLACE FOR THE EAST COAST PLACE TO GO TO SKATE.
THAT'S ABOUT IT WHEN IT COMES TO ONE OF MY IDEAS FOR THE BUDGET.
>> I'LL APOLOGIZE AND DEFER TO SOME QUESTIONS OR ACTUALLY A REQUEST FOR SOME INFORMATION BEFORE OFFERING ANY MAJOR CHANGES OR AGAIN, WE'VE HAD SOME UPHEAVAL IN THE LAST YEAR.
I THINK, I WOULD GO SO FAR AS TO SAY MAYBE LONGER THAN THE LAST YEAR, BECAUSE AS MAYBE SOME CHANGES WERE BEING MADE THAT MAYBE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE OR WERE FORCED TO BE MADE.
I AGREE WITH HAVING SOME STABILITY WITH SCOTT AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS TEAM.
WHAT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO UNDERSTAND, AND I THINK I'VE ASKED AT LEAST A TIME OR TWO SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THIS BOARD, BUT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE MAYBE HIGH LEVEL, AND IT MIGHT BE A GREAT TIME FOR THE REN TOO, SINCE SHE'S JUST COMING ON, TO SEE HIGH LEVEL, LIKE OUR MAJOR ASSETS WHERE WE SPEND MOST OF OUR MONEY.
IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT PARKS AND REC BEYOND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST DEPARTMENTS FINANCIALLY? THIRD?
>> EIGHTEEN-AND-A-HALF YARDS STANDBY.
>> MY QUESTION WOULD BE, I MEAN, THINGS THAT ARE PRETTY MUCH NON-NEGOTIABLE, THE LIGHTHOUSE, THE REC CENTERS, LIKE THE BUILDINGS THAT WE MAINTAIN, AND HOW MUCH MAINTENANCES, THEN HOW MUCH SEASONAL MAINTENANCE DURING THE TOURISM THINGS, AND WE'VE BEEN SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY REDOING BEACH ACCESS WALKOVERS, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY REALLY IMPORTANT FOR A LOT OF REASONS.
TRYING TO JUST GET AT A HIGH LEVEL OF WHERE WE SPEND MOST OF THAT MONEY, HOW MUCH OPPORTUNITY WE MIGHT HAVE IN IMPACT FEES THAT MIGHT BE AVAILABLE TO PARKS AND REC, AND MAYBE SOME IDEAS THAT YOU GUYS ARE CONSIDERING THAT WE COULD DO WITH THAT MONEY.
BECAUSE, I MEAN, I WOULD WANT TO DEFER TO YOU ALL THAT INSIDE AND OUT.
>> AS COMMISSIONER ROSS HAD JUST STATED, 18 POINT, WHAT DID YOU SAY?
I BELIEVE RIGHT NOW THE THIRD, IN THE GENERAL FUND IS POLICE FIRE PARKS AND REC.
THOSE ARE ALL GREAT QUESTIONS.
I MEAN, WE HAVE A LUMP SUM OF MONEY IN OUR EXPANSION, OUR 310 ACCOUNT, WHICH IS OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT.
I DO BELIEVE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS THAT WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BE SPENDING A LARGE CHUNK OF THAT DUE TO YBOR ALVAREZ, THAT WHOLE EXCHANGE OVER.
THEN AS THOSE DOMINOES FALL, IS RENOVATIONS AT THE MLK CENTER REGARDING THE SOFTBALL FIELDS, AND THEN REGARDING NET LOSS OF RECREATIONAL AMENITIES.
WHAT ADDITIONAL AMENITIES ARE WE GOING TO ADD TO LOSING FOUR SOFTBALL FIELDS? IS IT MORE PICKLEBALL COURTS? THEN THE WATERFRONT PARK AS WELL.
WE COULD IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS, BE SPENDING A LARGE PORTION OF THOSE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS,
[00:30:04]
AND THAT DOESN'T COUNT THE CONTINUOUS MAINTENANCE THAT WE, LIKE YOU HAD SAID, WITH THE BOARDWALK.>> I'D LIKE IT IF WE COULD LOOK IT AT A HIGH LEVEL WITH THOSE THINGS THAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT ARE GOING TO BE COMING DOWN THE PIPE, BECAUSE, I MEAN, YOU CAN'T JUST ASK FOR A GAZILLION DOLLAR IN THE NEXT BUDGET.
I MEAN, YOU CAN, BUT IT'S GOING TO GET CUT.
REALISTICALLY, WHAT WOULD WE BE LOOKING AT? I MEAN, I KNOW IF MONEY WAS NO PROBLEM, THEN WE JUST HAD ALL THE RESOURCES POSSIBLE.
WE WOULD SUPPORT ALMOST ANY OF THESE THINGS JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE GOOD IDEAS AND THEY WOULD BE ENJOYED IN OUR COMMUNITY, BUT BEING REALISTIC ABOUT WHAT THAT IS AND WHAT WE CAN ACTUALLY DO, BECAUSE IT DOES US NO GOOD TO SPEND OUR WHEELS AND WITH PIN IN THE SKY STUFF THAT WE CAN'T EVER EXECUTE.
>> THEN IF WE ARE GOING TO BUILD IT, HOW ARE WE THEN IN TURN GOING TO MAINTAIN IT?
>> LIKE SOCCER FIELDS, RIGHT NOW THAT'S IMPACT MONEY THAT'S GOING TO BE PAYING FOR THAT? BUT THEN WE'RE GOING TO BE TAKING MONEY FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE TO MAINTAIN THAT GOING FORWARD.
>> YEAH, SO THEN IT IN TURN THEN FALLS UNDER THE GENERAL FUND OF US MAINTAINING IT, AS CHEMICAL APPLICATIONS, IRRIGATION REPAIRS, THE STAFF TO MOW IT, THE LAWN MOWERS, THE FUEL, ALL THAT STUFF THAT WE DO, WE BUILD IT.
>> I THINK THAT, AT LEAST FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I WOULD NEED TO KNOW WHAT THOSE, AGAIN, ARE YOU JUST LOOKING FOR NEW PROJECTS TO DO OR IS IT REALISTICALLY LOOKING AT WHAT'S COMING DOWN?
>> WITH OUR IMPACT FEE MONEY THAT IS IN PARKS AND RECREATION, I HAVE A PRETTY GOOD IDEA, IN THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR YEARS, WHAT THAT MONEY IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE SPENT ON.
WE COULD PROBABLY LAY THAT OUT.
THAT'S THE WHOLE DOMINO EFFECT WITH THE YBOR ALVAREZ SPORTS COMPLEX.
THAT'S IN A PLAN FOR ALL OF OUR BOARDWALK HIGH LEVEL STUFF.
I DON'T REALLY DO THE SPORTS OR ANYTHING BUT I SPEND TIME IN THE PARK.
I LOVE OUR BOSQUE BELLO CEMETERY, AND I JUST REALLY SUPPORT ANY, HOW CAN I SAY THIS, PARK TYPE IMPROVEMENTS TO THOSE.
KEEPING THE TREES, KEEPING THE VEGETATION, AND JUST THINGS ARE LOOKING, I WAS GOING TO SAY AT THE END, BUT I WALKED TO EGANS CREEK PARK THE OTHER DAY, I'M THERE A LOT, AND THE GUYS WERE REBRICKING AND CLEANING THE LABYRINTH, AND THEY VERY CAREFULLY, AND I APPRECIATE THIS, WEEDED AROUND THE HERITAGE PLANTS THAT CONCERN NASA, HIS FOOT DOWN.
ABOUT A WEEK LATER, I WALKED BY AND KIDS WERE USING THE LABYRINTH BECAUSE IT WAS CLEANED UP AND NEWLY PLANTED, AND FAMILIES WERE SITTING ON THE BENCHES.
>> FOR SINCE PROBABLY I WAS AWARE OF IT.
I NOTICED THAT IN THE BATHROOMS, THE BATHROOMS AT MAIN BEACH WAS REALLY MUCH IMPROVED, THE WOMEN'S BATHROOM, I THINK PEOPLE NOTICE THAT STUFF TOO.
THEY FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE PARK WHEN IT'S NEATENED UP AND THE BATHROOMS ARE CLEAN.
>> YEAH. I JUST WANTED TO ADD TO THAT IS I FEEL THE SAME WAY, AND I THINK IT'S ATTENTION TO DETAIL IS WE HAVE A LOT OF VERY NICE STUFF.
LET'S MAINTAIN IT, LET'S MAKE SURE OUR BATHROOMS ARE CLEAN.
WE DO THE ADMIN OF THE CONTRACT, WE DON'T PERSONALLY AREN'T OUT THERE CLEANING, BUT THERE IS A CONTRACT THAT CLEANS THE BATHROOMS AND HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
THE COMMISSION APPROVED FOR AN OUTSIDE VENDOR TO COME AND DO GENERAL LANDSCAPING ALONG CENTER STREET SO HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE TO IT.
ONE OF MY GOALS THAT CHARLIE HAD PUT DOWN FOR ME IS MAKING SURE THAT THE DOWNTOWN CONTINUES TO GET BETTER AND BETTER, AND HOLDING THAT CONTRACTOR ACCOUNTABLE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> LIKE THE TRAIN DEPOT AREA, I JUST NOTICED THIS THE OTHER DAY THAT WE HAVE OVERGROWN ITEMS ALL AROUND THE TRAIN DEPOT.
I TALKED WITH LINDA MARTIN, SHE'S WITH THE BARTRAM GARDEN CLUB THAT IS DOING THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN RIGHT THERE, SO TRYING TO WORK WITH THEM TO GET THAT LOOKING GOOD AS WELL.
>> THOSE ARE BUTTERFLY PLANTS, BUT THEY WENT CRAZY.
[LAUGHTER] NOBODY TOOK CARE OF THEM.
I LOOKED AT IT, THE PLANTS THAT ARE BUTTERFLY PLANTS BUT THEY WEREN'T [OVERLAPPING]
[00:35:03]
>> YEAH. YOU'RE 100% RIGHT. MAINTENANCE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> YOU HAVE TO BE THERE. WHAT WE DO AT THE NATIVE PLANT GARDEN IN EGANS CREEK PARK. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I DON'T WANT TO BE THE BATHROOM ITEM.
KATIE. [LAUGHTER]. [OVERLAPPING]
>> YOU HAVE TWO ITEMS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> YOU HAVE TWO. [OVERLAPPING]
>> OKAY. [OVERLAPPING] [LAUGHTER]
>> I THINK THE WAY WE WANT TO TAKE THAT IS LOOKING AT THE CONTRACT, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE HOLDING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MAINTAINING OUR BATHROOMS. I THINK WE HAVE SEVEN OUTDOOR PARK BATHROOMS ALL THE WAY FROM SIMMONS PARK DOWN TO THE TRAIN DEPOT IS MAKING SURE THAT THE CONTRACTOR IS BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
MAKING SURE THAT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WE'RE GOING IN THERE SPRUCING THEM UP, PAINTING THEM, FIXING THE FAUCETS, IT'S LITTLE THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> IS THERE A SCHEDULE FOR THAT?
>> YEAH. JEREMIAH FACILITY MAINTENANCE, WE WORK HAND IN HAND WITH HIM AS HE HANDLES A LOT, WE ACTUALLY CALL THAT IT'S A FACILITY.
IT HAS A ROOF AND WALLS, SO HE ACTUALLY BUDGETS IN OUR BUDGET TO DO A LOT OF THAT UPKEEP, BUT WE WORK HAND IN HAND ON SCHEDULING, WHEN IT'S GOING TO TAKE PLACE.
>> IT COMES OUT OF OUR BUDGET, NOT OF THE PARK?
>> YES, HE HAS A PART THAT IS INSERTED INTO OUR BUDGET, BUT YES, IT DOES COME OUT OF PARKS AND RECREATION. YES.
>> I WILL SAY GOING ALONG WITH THAT, THE TRASH IS ALMOST ALWAYS PICKED UP.
I'M IMPRESSED WITH HOW PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THE TRASH CANS AT MAIN BEACH, SOMETIMES IT'S NOT GREAT, BUT YOU VERY RARELY SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE THROWING BAGS AROUND AND GETTING THEM [INAUDIBLE]. [OVERLAPPING]
>> WASTE MANAGEMENT ACTUALLY PICKS UP ALL THE TRASH WITH THE WHOLE NO TRACE LEFT BEHIND IS WASTE MANAGEMENT, WHEN ALL THOSE GARBAGE CANS GOT TAKEN OFF THE BEACH, THEY PICK UP THOSE, I THINK SEVEN DAYS A WEEK ALONG THE BEACH, THEY PICK UP THE TRASH SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AT CITY HALL.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE A GENTLEMAN IN OUR DEPARTMENT THAT HE IS DRIVING AROUND TO ALL OF OUR DIFFERENT PARKS ON A DAILY BASIS OR EVERY OTHER DAY, PICKING UP TRASH, STOCKING THE BATHROOMS, AND THAT'S ONE THING THAT KATHERINE IMPLEMENTED IS MAINTENANCE, THE BLOWING OFF OF THE TENNIS COURTS EVERY DAY, SO LITTLE THINGS LIKE THAT AND I THINK PEOPLE NOTICE IT.
>> LOURYNE, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE FOR ANY SPECIAL IDEAS THAT YOU WOULD THINK 25 BUDGET SHOULD CONTAIN?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME BEAUTIFICATION DONE TO THE REC CENTERS AND ESPECIALLY MAOK.
WE RENT THE PLACE QUITE A BIT, MY CHURCH DOES, I JUST WANT IT TO BE APPEALING THAT WHEN YOU WALK UP TO IT, IT JUST HAS A DRAB FEELING.
PUT SOME LIFE IN IT, PLANT SOME FLOWERS, OR DO SOMETHING.
BRIGHTEN IT UP SOME, I GUESS THAT'S THE WORD I WANT TO USE. [OVERLAPPING].
>> I THINK IT'LL DRAW MORE PEOPLE.
I THINK PEOPLE LOVE COLOR AND YOU WANT PEOPLE TO COME, SO GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO COME TO.
SOME BEAUTIFICATION, SOME FLOWERS, JUST ANYTHING, SOMETHING ON THE WALL, INSTEAD OF WHEN YOU WALK INTO THE BIG AUDITORIUM IS JUST THERE.
GIVE US SOMETHING. GIVE SOMETHING INVITING.
>> OKAY. ANYBODY ELSE? MY LAUNDRY LIST.
NUMBER 1, I'D LIKE US TO BRING BACK A WORKING WORKSHOP ON BASICALLY THE BOSQUE BELLO AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A CREMATORY THERE.
>> I CALL THERE. THANK YOU. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THAT'S AFTER THE CREMATORY? [OVERLAPPING]
THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD REALLY LOOK AT.
WE HAVE ABOUT 750 GRAVE SITES LEFT THERE, WHICH IS COULD BE FIVE YEARS, COULD BE SIX YEARS, COULD BE SEVEN YEARS.
I ALSO CALLED OVER AT THE FUNERAL HOME AND ASKED THEM.
I SAID, "IS CREMATION ON THE RISE?"
[00:40:04]
AND THE FIRST WORDS, "YES." IT'S A 70, 30 SPLIT RIGHT NOW, PROJECTED FOR '26 AND '27, SHOULD BE A 60, 40 SPLIT.WE'RE DEFINITELY GOING IN THE DIRECTION OF CREMATION AS MORE AFFORDABLE, AS HE PUT IT TO ME, DYING IS AFFORDABLE, [LAUGHTER] BUT IT IS ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT AND SEEING WHAT THE POSSIBILITIES OF PLANNING FOR IT AND WHAT WE HAVE TO DO TO POSSIBLY GET IT ONTO THE BUDGET IF WE ALL FEEL IT'S NECESSARY.
SECOND OF ALL, WE HAVE A REAL BIG EXPENSE EVERY YEAR AT THE BEACH FOR THE WALKOVERS.
I THINK I WAS TOLD THAT WAS EITHER THE ONE OR NUMBER 2 MOST EXPENSIVE THING THAT WE DO EVERY YEAR ON A CONSTANT BASIS.
WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THAT EVERY YEAR.
HOPEFULLY, WE CAN COME UP WITH SOMETHING OR HOW WE ADDRESS THAT EVERY YEAR BECAUSE THAT IS A MAJOR EXPENSE FOR US AND IT TAKES UP A LOT OF MONEY.
THE THIRD IS OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENTS AND BUILDING THAT SO WE HAVE A COOPERATION OF ALL OUR YOUTH SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND ENSURING THAT WE'RE GIVING THEM THE BEST POSSIBLE TOOLS THAT THEY NEED TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR ACTIVITIES IN THIS CITY BECAUSE THEY ARE A BIG PART.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE ABOUT 1,600 KIDS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE SPRING SPORTS, AND WE'RE ABOUT ALMOST 1,800 IN THE FALL THAT WE ARE TAKING CARE OF.
THAT'S A LOT OF KIDS FOR THIS CITY.
TRUE, THEY'RE NOT ALL FROM FERNANDINA, BUT THEY ARE IN NASSAU COUNTY SO WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT.
I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE BUT UNDERSTANDING THAT THESE ITEMS THAT WE'RE PUTTING DOWN HERE ARE TALKING ITEMS BECAUSE WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A ROLLBACK RATE FOR 25 THAT'S BEING TALKED ABOUT, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF THINGS CUT FROM A BUDGET.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT ITEMS IN THIS BUDGET TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE DONE OUR JOB.
TO GIVE THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT THE TOOLS THAT THEY NEED TO GET THE THINGS DONE IN '25.
ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS? GO AHEAD.
>> FOR THE BEACH WALKOVER, SCOTT, DOES ALL OF THAT MONEY COME STRAIGHT FROM PARKS AND REC? I MEAN, I FEEL LIKE AND MAYBE I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH HOW IT ALL WORKS, BUT I FEEL LIKE THE TDC IS A PLACE THAT OUGHT TO BE CONTRIBUTING TO.
IT'S NOT JUST OUR CITY RESIDENTS WHO ARE USING OUR BEACHES AND THE WALKOVERS AND THE MAINTENANCE OF THAT ON AN ONGOING BASIS AND THE SHEER VOLUME OF TRAFFIC THAT'S GENERATED BY THE TDC.
I FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD BE ASKING FOR MONEY THAT'S EARMARKED JUST SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE KINDS OF THINGS THAT ARE OUR LARGEST EXPENSE.
ALSO, I'M JUST WONDERING IF THAT MONEY CAN COME FROM SOMEPLACE ELSE.
>> YEAH. I'LL JUST SAY ONE THING AND THEN GO AHEAD.
RIGHT NOW, IT WOULD BE IN THE PARKS AND RECREATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT.
IF WE ARE BUILDING A NEW BOARDWALK, IF WE'RE DOING MAINTENANCE ON THE DECKING, IN THE HANDRAILS THAT WOULD COME OUT OF OUR GENERAL MAINTENANCE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE BUDGET.
THERE IS BEACH HARMONIZATION THAT'S COMING DOWN THE PATH HERE
[00:45:05]
SHORTLY AND THAT'S REGARDING SEASIDE PARK, MAIN BEACH PARK, AND THEN NORTH BEACH PARK WOULD BE INCLUDED.I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHEN ALL THAT'S GOING TO FALL, BUT THE COUNTY WOULD BE INVOLVED IN THOSE THREE.
ALSO, THERE HAS BEEN SOME GRANT MONEY THAT HAS BEEN RECEIVED FOR THE BUILDING OF NEW BOARDWALKS, AND THOSE NEW BOARDWALKS WOULD HAVE BEEN PAID THROUGH OUR IMPACT FEE MONEY.
>> IT'S THE MAINTENANCE OF THEM THAT'S SO EXPENSIVE.
>> THEN ANY TIME SOMETHING IS BUILT, IT FALLS BACK ONTO OUR GENERAL MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT, YES.
>> HOW IS IT DECIDED THAT WE NEED NEW ONES AND WHERE THEY GO?
>> WELL, SO I THINK IT WAS BACK IN 2019.
SOME WERE IN DISREPAIR. THEY WERE REMOVED.
THERE WAS A BEACH ACCESS COMMITTEE THAT WAS FORMED PROBABLY IN 2021, '22.
THEY BASICALLY HAD GIVEN A REPORT, WHICH IS ULTIMATELY WHAT I'M FOLLOWING.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT THAT'S THE EXACT, BUT THE ULTIMATE GOAL WAS TO PUT THOSE BACK INTO PLACE, THE ONES THAT HAD BEEN REMOVED.
THEN AT THE SAME TIME MAINTAINING THE EXISTING ONES THAT WE HAVE.
>> WHEN THEY'RE REMOVED, ARE PEOPLE THEN WALKING OVER THE DUNES THEMSELVES?
>> IT WOULD PROTECT THE DUNES.
>> THE ONES THAT WERE REMOVED.
>> THE ONES THAT WERE REMOVED.
>>THE ONES THAT WERE REMOVED, THEY WERE ROPED OFF.
NOT ROPED OFF WHERE YOU COULDN'T GO DOWN THEM, BUT A PATHWAY TO FORM A WALK AND YOU JUST WALKED THROUGH THE SAND, YES.
>> CAN WE NOT GET MONEY FROM TDC TO PAY FOR SOME OF THESE THINGS?
>> I'M SURE IT'S REALLY WHEN IT'S NEW.
CAN SOMEBODY ELSE PAY FOR THIS?
>> ROSS [INAUDIBLE], THIRD STREET. A COUPLE OF THINGS.
IMPACT FEES CAN ONLY BE USED FOR NEW PROJECTS THAT ARE RELATED TO NEW GROWTH.
THERE'S $4.2 MILLION SITTING IN THAT IMPACT FEE FUND.
ABOUT 1.8 OF THAT IT'S GOING TO GO TO YBOR ALVAREZ AND ALL THE ASSOCIATED STUFF WITH THAT.
ABOUT A BUCK AND A HALF, 1.5 MILLION WILL GO TO THE CITY PARK HERE.
THERE'S ALSO A $500,000 WORTH OF TREE-PLANTING MONEY THAT'S JUST SITTING THERE WHICH IS SEPARATE FROM THE IMPACT FEE FUNDS THAT COULD BE USED.
ABOUT $50,000 OF THE IMPACT FEE MONEY WAS GOING TO BE USED TO DO THE PRACTICE FIELD ACROSS FROM CENTRAL PARK.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ABOUT $130,000 TO PUT A BATHROOM AT HICKORY STREET.
IT ALL COMES UP TO ABOUT THREE AND A HALF AND SO YOU DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY LEFT IN YOUR IMPACT FEE FUNDS.
BOARDWALKS. THERE'S BEEN FOUR BOARDWALKS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
THEY WERE ALL PAID FROM GRANTS FROM THE STATE.
NEW BOARDWALK IS ANYWHERE FROM $100,000 - 400,000 AND YOU SHOULD BE PUTTING AWAY 10% PER YEAR FOR EACH ONE OF THOSE OR MORE OR LESS TO REPAIR THEM, AND WE DON'T PUT IT AWAY, AND IT ALL COMES OUT OF PARKS AND REC.
AS FAR AS THE TDC GOES, I WAS ON THE TEC, FIRST OF ALL, BY LAW THEY CAN'T PAY FOR A LOT OF THIS STUFF.
A LOT OF THIS IS CONSTRICTED BY STATE LAW.
SECOND OF ALL, THEY DON'T PAY FOR MAINTENANCE.
ALL THE TRASH CANS THAT YOU SAW WERE WASTE MANAGEMENT AND IT'S NOT, OH, BY THE WAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
IT'S ACTUALLY GEARED TO THE SEASON, SO SOME DAYS IT'S SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, BUT DURING THE WINTER, THEY ONLY OPEN THEM ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK.
ACTUALLY WITH THOSE TRASH CANS, I USED TO GET ONE OR TWO PHONE CALLS A WEEK OR PICTURES OF OVERFLOWING TRASH AND ALL THAT'S EVAPORATED. THAT WAS A GOOD THING?
>> THAT WAS A REALLY GREAT JOB.
>> YEAH, THEY DO AND THAT WORKS OUT.
IF YOU WANT TO BEAUTIFY MLK, ALL THESE THINGS ALL BOILS DOWN TO MONEY. WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM?
>> HOW MUCH WAS IN THE TREE FUND? 500?
>> A LITTLE OVER 500,000 FOR TREES.
[LAUGHTER] NOT FLOWERS, BUSHES, AND TRUMPS, BUT TREES.
>> IS IT TREES OR IS IT WOODY?
>> IT'S TREES. YEAH, YOU CAN ARGUE THAT.
[00:50:02]
>> I'M JUST CURIOUS. THAT'S A LOT OF TREES, I THINK.
>> I'VE ACTUALLY CRANKED THE NUMBERS THERE. YES, IT'S A LOT.
>> BUT IT DEPENDS ON HOW BIG YOU GET YOUR TREE, AND WHAT YOU DO WITH IT.
>> THEN THERE'S THE COST OF PLANNING, AND THE COST OF MAINTENANCE, AND SO ON.
IT DOESN'T PAY, IT JUST PAYS FOR THE COST OF INSTALLING IT AND THE COST OF THAT.
AS FAR AS THE BUDGET, 18.5% OF THE BUDGET AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO CUT TAXES.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT YOU AS TAXPAYERS POUR ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR INTO THE MARINA AS A SUBSIDY.
YOU POUR ABOUT OVER 2 - 300,000 A YEAR INTO THE GOLF COURSE.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE ANY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THIS YEAR. ZERO SQUAD.
I MEAN, I'M SORRY ABOUT YOUR SKATE PARK BUT I DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING.
I'M NOT SAYING IT'S NOT A GOOD THING, I'M JUST TELLING YOU THAT THE REALITY IS, THERE'S NO MONEY THERE.
IF YOU KEEP THE BUDGET THE WAY IT IS AND GO TO THE ROLLBACK RATE, YOU GOT THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY AS YOU HAD LAST YEAR PLUS MAYBE $2-300,000 INCREASE.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE PAYING YOUR STAFF WHICH IS 80% OF YOUR BUDGET, 3% MORE, NUMBERS JUST AREN'T THERE. ANY QUESTIONS? I DO BELIEVE IN FLOWERS.
THEY'RE GREAT. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? I MEAN, I COULD SAY THAT MAYBE THE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE DOING THAT.
COMMUNITY GARDENS AND WHATNOT.
I MEAN, THERE'S A LOT OF COOL THINGS THAT ARE DONE IN A LOT OF CITIES WHERE THE COMMUNITY STEPS UP.
>> THERE'S SOME GRANT MONEY TOO.
>> THE TWO WORDS I HATE HEARING, WE'RE GOING TO PAY FOR IT WITH A GRANT, BECAUSE GRANTS ALWAYS HAVE STIPULATIONS, AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.
THEY'RE REALLY HARD TO GET, AND MOST OF THE TIME THEY DON'T HELP A LOT EXCEPT, ON SOME REALLY BIG THINGS.
THE OTHER ONE IS GOING TO FLOAT A BOND.
THOSE ARE MY TWO FAVORITE THINGS.
>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BIG SALE. YOU PROBABLY DO BETTER WITH THE BIG SALE THAN THE OTHER TWO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU, TOO. SCOTT, ONE THING I'D LIKE TO BRING UP IS, I DON'T KNOW HOW CLOSE WE ARE WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE POSSIBILITY OF THE THINGS THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD THAT WE TALKED ABOUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO IN TURNING OVER PROPERTY TO US SO WE CAN CONVERT IT INTO FIELDS, WOULD THAT BE AN ADDITIONAL EXPENSES FOR US FOR '25 BUDGET?
>> THAT'S IMPACT FEES, I THINK.
>> I BELIEVE WHAT YOU'RE SPEAKING ABOUT IS THE HICKORY STREET.
WE HAVE A LEASE WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD WITH THAT, AND WE WOULD BE WORKING TO USE IMPACT FEES FOR A NEW BATHROOM AT THAT FACILITY, AND THEN THE AREA ACROSS FROM CENTRAL PARK, WE COULD USE IMPACT FEES FOR PRACTICE FIELDS IN THAT AREA THAT WE WOULD DEVELOP.
>> I WAS AT THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS FOR THOSE, THAT WAS A JOINT SESSION AND THE SCHOOL BOARD WAS OPEN TO THAT.
>> I THINK THE TWO ENTITIES ARE OPEN TO THAT, AND I DO BELIEVE THAT THAT WOULD BE MOVING FORWARD.
>> I KNOW EXACTLY WHERE IT IS.
THERE'S AN AGREEMENT BEEN SET FOR THE HICKORY STREET LEASE AND FOR THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT.
BOTH OF THEM ARE SITTING ON THE ATTORNEY'S DESK OF THE SCHOOL.
>> YES, AS OF NOW, WE WOULD PLAN ON MOVING FORWARD WITH THOSE TWO ITEMS.
>> IF WE PUT THE LIGHTHOUSE ON THERE LIKE WE DID LAST YEAR IN THE BUDGET, WHAT THINGS DO YOU SEE THE LIGHTHOUSE NEEDING THIS YEAR, IF ANYTHING?
I'M ACTUALLY WORKING WITH JEREMIAH AND WE DID RECEIVE A GRANT WITH LOURYNE JACOBS WORKING THROUGH THAT.
THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF REHABILITATION WITH THE LIGHTHOUSE COMING FORWARD.
I MEAN, VERY MUCH LIKE THE PARK CENTER.
THE INTERIOR OF THAT IS BRICK AND MORTAR.
WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO WITH IT.
WE ARE WORKING WITH THE LIGHTHOUSE ASSOCIATION TO DO THAT.
WE HAVE SOME BIG TICKET ITEMS COMING FORWARD VERY SHORTLY. GO AHEAD.
[00:55:05]
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, AGAIN, THAT HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW THING TOO.
I THINK BEING ABLE TO SEE ESTIMATED DOLLARS, IF WE CAN SEE, IS THIS SOMETHING THAT'S LIKE A FEW THOUSAND DOLLAR OR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LOOKING AT IT IN THAT WAY TO BE ABLE TO PRIORITIZE THINGS TO, SAY, OBVIOUSLY THIS IS SOMETHING.
IT'S GREAT WHEN YOU GUYS ARE ABLE TO IDENTIFY OTHER PLACES TO SOURCE SOME OF THE FUNDING, BECAUSE THEN THAT DOESN'T HURT QUITE AS MUCH.
>> WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE A GRANTS ADMINISTRATOR.
LOURYNE WORKS WITH THAT, AND WITH THE PEC CENTER REPORTING, SOME OF IT WAS GRANT FUNDED.
THE LIGHTHOUSE WILL HAVE GRANT MONEY INTO THAT.
BUT THERE'S A LOT OF ITEMS. A LOT OF THOSE ARE THE BIG TICKET ITEMS. THE GREAT THING ABOUT THAT IS, WE GET TO WORK CLOSELY LIKE JEREMIAH IS HANDLING.
THERE'S REPAINTING GOING ON AT THE ATLANTIC RECREATION CENTER.
THOSE ARE THE BIG HIGH-END ITEMS THAT COST HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, LIKE NEW ROOFS IN OUR FACILITIES.
WE'RE DOING THREE DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE PEC GYMNASIUM THIS YEAR RIGHT NOW.
THE GOOD THING ABOUT THAT IS, A LOT OF THAT IS GRANT FUNDED.
BUT I ALSO THINK JUST MAKING YOU AWARE OF THOSE ITEMS, SO FOR YOUR SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, YOU ALL SHOULD HAVE THAT INFORMATION AND WE CAN PROVIDE IT TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SCOTT. YEAH, GO AHEAD.
>> I HAD TALKED TO YOU ONE TIME BEFORE, CHIP.
IT WAS ABOUT WHAT YOU HAD JUST MENTIONED, AND YOU DID SAY SOMETHING ABOUT POSSIBLY LEASING THE LAND THAT'S NORTH OF THAT SKATE PARK TO HAVE IT INDEPENDENTLY BUILT.
>> YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT, SURE.
>> IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY WHO COMES IN AND HE HAS $0.5 MILLION AND WANTS TO PUT IT IN A SKATE PARK THERE AND LEASE THE LAND, I DON'T THINK THE CITY WAS GOING TO, I MEAN, DEPENDING ON THE DEAL, THAT WOULD BE CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED.
I MEAN, IT'S THE HALF $0.5 MILLION.
THERE'S A PROBLEM. IT'S LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE.
>> WELL, I JUST KNOW THAT ORGANIZATION, I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S FEASIBLE FOR THEM.
>> NO, I DO. BUT I'VE HEARD THIS NOW FOR FIVE OR SIX YEARS, AND NOBODY'S EVER RUN COME FORTH WITH PUT PEN TO PAPER, AND SAY, HERE'S THE DEAL.
I MEAN, I THINK IF YOU CAN RAISE THAT MONEY AND DO THAT, IT'D BE FANTASTIC.
I MEAN, THE NEW SKATE PARK DOWN, I'VE BEEN SPENDING A FAIR AMOUNT OF TIME IN JACKSONVILLE LATELY.
IT'S A WONDERFUL NEW SKATE PARK DOWN.
>> BUT IT'S A HUGE CITY THAT'S GOT THE RESOURCES.
WE DON'T, BUT IF YOU HAVE A PRIVATE-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP OR GO FOR IT. THAT'D BE GREAT.
[7. STAFF COMMENTS]
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL THINGS YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT ABOUT.
>> SURE. I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF UPDATES ON SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT ARE IN MOTION THAT WE'RE WORKING ON THAT WILL BE COMPLETED THIS BUDGET YEAR.
THIS WAS AFTER OUR LAST MEETING.
THE COMMISSION DID APPROVE TENNIS COURTS 1 AND 2 RENOVATION.
WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF APPROPRIATING THE MONEY THROUGH PURCHASE ORDERS AND GETTING THAT GOING.
HOPEFULLY, WE'LL BE STARTING THAT PROJECT COMING UP SHORTLY IN MAY OR JUNE.
THE COMMISSION HAD APPROVED THAT MONEY.
WE'RE GOING TO GO AND BASICALLY REDO THE STRUCTURAL ITEMS OF SKATE FEATURES, I SHOULD SAY.
WE'RE GOING TO DO THEM STEP BY STEP.
THAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING HERE STARTING SHORTLY, THE END OF THIS MONTH.
WE'RE STILL WORKING THROUGH THE PROJECT OF INSTALLING THIS LARGE SCOREBOARD THAT WAS DONATED TO US BY BABE RUTH.
THE COMMISSION DID APPROVE THAT MONEY, SO THAT WILL BE STARTING VERY SHORTLY.
THE INSTALLATION OF THE PEC SOFTBALL FIELDS.
ALL THE CLAY HAS BEEN PUT THERE.
THE FIELD HAS BASICALLY BEEN RESTORED.
WE HAVE TO SPREAD OUT THE CLAY A LITTLE BIT BETTER AND PUT BASES IN THERE.
THIS ONE WAS ON THE LAST UPDATE, BUT THE YBOR ALVAREZ SPORTS COMPLEX PROJECT IS MOVING FORWARD,
[01:00:03]
STILL IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE FAA.WE HAVE A PRE-BID MEETING FOR THE REDOING OF THE WOMEN'S LOCKER ROOM AT THE ATLANTIC RECREATION CENTER.
THAT PRE-BID MEETING IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK.
WE DID HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH THE PECK GYMNASIUM, REDOING THE ROOF WITH SOME OF THE TRUSSES I BELIEVE.
JEREMIAH HANDLES A LOT OF THAT STUFF, BUT THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF.
THERE WAS A LITTLE PAUSE ON THE TOP SECTION OF THE ROOF, BUT WE FIGURED THAT OUT, SO WE'RE GOING TO BE MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT.
CITY PARK. WE WILL BE INSTALLING A CITY PARK COMMUNICATION BOARD AT CENTRAL PARK.
DO YOU HAVE A PICTURE OF THAT BY CHANCE?
>> IT'S FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN, NON-VERBAL, SPECIAL NEEDS.
SINCE WE DID HAVE THIS BRAND NEW PARK INSTALLED AT CENTRAL PARK, WE'RE GOING TO INSTALL THIS COMMUNICATION BOARD.
IT'S NOT LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT IT'S A WAY FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO COMMUNICATE IF THEY'RE NON-VERBAL AND POINT AT CERTAIN ITEMS WITHIN OUR PARK TO HELP COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER KIDS POSSIBLY.
A COOL IDEA. SHE'S JUST GOING TO PULL IT UP HOPEFULLY.
>> THIS IS BASICALLY WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE AT OUR PARK A LITTLE LATER.
>> SOMEONE CAME TO US WITH THIS IDEA.
WE ACTUALLY THOUGHT IT WAS A PRETTY COOL IDEA.
WE DON'T HAVE IT AT ANY OTHER ONE OF OUR PARKS.
AT A VERY MINIMAL COST, WE CAN INSTALL THAT.
WE HAVE EARTH DAY TURTLE FEST, APRIL 20TH.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE RUNS THROUGH US, WE HANDLE IT AND THEN THERE'S A COMMITTEE THAT HAS DRAWN TOGETHER TO REVIEW THESE SPECIAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT MANY CITY STAFF.
BUT THESE SPECIAL EVENT REQUESTS DO COME THROUGH OUR DEPARTMENT.
WE HAVE A COORDINATOR THAT HANDLES ALL THAT.
SOUNDS ON CENTER KICKED OFF LAST WEEKEND, I BELIEVE.
NOW, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT NEXT MONTH AS WELL.
THEN OBVIOUSLY, SHRIMP FEST WILL HAPPEN PRIOR TO OUR NEXT MEETING, WHICH WOULD BE MAY 7TH, 2024. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> SCOTT, WHAT ABOUT THE COMMISSION APPROVED? I THINK MAYBE IT WAS SOME GRANT MONEY TO BUILD A WALKING TRACK AT PECK.
>> YES. I BELIEVE THAT THE COMMISSION DID, THEY HAD OPTIONS THAT THEY WERE LOOKING AT.
NASSAU COUNTY IS GOING TO, I BELIEVE, GIVE A 50,000 GRANT TO CITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY AND I BELIEVE WHAT THEY HAD AGREED UPON WAS WE WERE GOING TO USE THAT $50,000 TO INSTALL A WALKING TRAIL AROUND PECK FIELD.
AS WE GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS, WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY IN THAT AREA.
THERE IS JUNETEENTH, WHICH IS A LARGE EVENT THAT HAPPENS OVER THERE, SO JUST MAKING SURE THAT IT'S PLACED APPROPRIATELY.
>> ANY TIMEFRAME ON THAT? IS THAT GOING TO BE THIS YEAR?
>> YES. I BELIEVE THAT THAT WILL HAPPEN THIS YEAR, HOPEFULLY THIS SUMMER.
>> I KNOW I HARP ON THIS, BUT I'M EXCITED TO HAVE BEEN NAMED THE DIRECTOR AND I THINK WE HAVE THE STAFF IN PLACE.
WITH A FEW TWEAKS, I THINK WE CAN IMPROVE ON QUITE A BIT OF STUFF.
I WANT YOU GUYS TO KNOW IF YOU EVER HAVE ANY ISSUES OR LITERALLY WANT TO COME INTO THE OFFICE, WE CAN SIT DOWN WITH YOU, GO THROUGH BUDGET ITEMS, AND SHOW YOU EXACTLY HOW EVERYTHING IS LAID OUT.
PLEASE CALL ME, SET UP A MEETING IF YOU WANT TO SIT DOWN AND GO THROUGH IT.
BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU-ALL.
>> LAST BUT NOT LEAST, BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS.
[8. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS]
I'M GOING TO WAIT AND LEAVE YOU LAST.YOU WILL BE THE LAST ONE ON IT.
>> CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, SCOTT.
THE SOUNDS ON CENTER SHEET WAS REALLY GOOD.
TURNED OUT REAL GOOD. GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF SPECIAL EVENTS, HAS THAT BEEN DECIDED THEN? I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING PERSONALLY ABOUT.
[01:05:01]
>> I'M NOT SURE WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SAY.
>> I'M GOING TO PUT AN APPLICATION IN FOR A PARTICULAR EVENT.
>> WE HAVEN'T, OUR NEXT MEETING IS I THINK NEXT WEEK.
IF YOU PUT AN APPLICATION IN WITHIN THIS LAST MONTH, IT WILL BE REVIEWED AT THE NEXT MEETING.
>> ARE THEY GOING TO DO THE ZOOM STILL?
>> WE'RE NO LONGER DOING ZOOMS. THE COMMITTEE MEETS AS IN-PERSON.
TOGETHER WE REVIEW APPLICATIONS AND THEN IF WE HAVE QUESTIONS OR FOLLOW UP THAT WE NEED, WE'LL CONTACT YOU AND THEN WE USUALLY, THE ORGANIZER WE CONTACT.
IF THERE IS SOME REASON THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A MEETING WITH YOU, KRISTEN WILL SET THAT UP WITH THE ORGANIZER, THE POLICE AND FIRE.
WE HAVE A NEW PARKS AND RECREATION COORDINATOR FOR SPECIAL EVENTS.
SHE REALLY WITHIN THIS PAST SIX MONTHS, HAS DONE A LOT OF WORK IN ORGANIZING THE WHOLE PROCESS AND WE ARE WORKING ON A WHOLE NEW SPECIAL EVENTS GUIDE WITH POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW, JUST TO CLEAN IT UP A LITTLE BIT, MAKE IT EASIER TO ACTUALLY RUN AN EVENT FOR THE CITY.
WE'RE EXCITED TO DEBUT IT, BUT IT TAKES TIME.
THAT ANSWERED A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS.
MS. [INAUDIBLE], THANK YOU AND I DO HOPE THAT YOU'LL BRING US A LOT OF ANSWERS TO A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR SOMETIMES.
I'M GLAD TO HAVE YOU ABOARD. WITH THAT, THAT'S IT.
>> AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS SCOTT.
EXCITED TO HAVE YOU HERE AND WE HAVE A FULL ROSTER.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SHRIMP FESTIVAL.
I KNOW THE CITY ALWAYS DOES A REALLY GREAT JOB IN WELCOMING SO MANY PEOPLE.
IT'S ALWAYS A FUN TIME TO BE OUT AND ABOUT, AND I KNOW YOU GUYS WILL BE BUSY AND NEED TO REST AFTER THAT, SO HOPE YOU GET THAT.
>> HAPPY TO SEE YOU HERE AND APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO AND WELCOME MS. [INAUDIBLE].
WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION.
I'M GLAD WE'RE DONE IN TIME FOR ME TO GET DINNER.
[LAUGHTER] WE ALWAYS GO TO WILD NIGHTS.
>> IT'S ALWAYS THE TYPE TRYING TO GET DONE AND DINNER, SO YAY, SHORT MEETINGS. YOUR TURN.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN SCOTT.
THANK YOU ALL FOR ACCEPTING ME TO BE A PART OF YOU.
I THINK I CAN ANSWER A LOT OF YOUR QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY NEED AN ANSWER PERTAINING TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY.
I DO HAVE GREAT EXPERTISE IN CIVIC ORGANIZATION AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION.
I'M A GRADUATE OF PECK AND I LEFT IN 1965.
I WAS IN THE MILITARY AND SO I WAS GONE FOR 42 YEARS.
>> I WORKED FOR THE MILITARY FOR 25 YEARS.
AFTER MY RETIREMENT FROM WORKING FOR THE MILITARY, I DECIDE I'M NOT READY TO GO HOME, SO I FLEW FOR DELTA FOR 20 YEARS.
I RETIRED IN 2020 AND I'M NOW TEACHING.
[LAUGHTER] I THINK I CAN BRING A LOT TO THE BOARD AND IF THERE'S ANY WAY I CAN HELP, I'M AVAILABLE.
>> LAST BUT NOT LEAST, FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS SCOTT.
>> WELL DESERVED AND WELL EARNED.
ON SATURDAY, LAST SATURDAY, A WEEK AGO SATURDAY ON MARCH THE 30TH, WE OPENED UP BASEBALL FOR THE SPRING SEASON.
WE HAD OVER 655 PEOPLE OUT THERE ON SATURDAY FOR OPENING DAY AND SCOTT WAS OUR ANNOUNCER.
>> IT WAS SUCH A THRILL TO WATCH 655 PARENTS WALK THROUGH THAT GATE.
WE HAVE 318 PARTICIPANTS, 123 OF THEM ARE TEE-BALLERS FROM THE AGE OF 3-6.
IT IS DEFINITELY A HOP IN PLACE.
ON THIS SATURDAY, THIS PAST SATURDAY, WE HAD OVER 400 PARENTS COME THROUGH THE GATE.
[01:10:05]
IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM AND WE'RE PROUD OF IT.I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FROM PARKS AND REC, AND THEIR DEPARTMENT FOR HELPING GETTING THE FIELDS READY.
IT'S A LONG PROCESS AND IT'S DEFINITELY A WORTHWHILE PROCESS. THANK YOU.
SECOND, AGAIN, THE MORE KNOWLEDGE WE CAN GIVE THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT FOR INPUT, THE BETTER WE HAVE A BETTER BUDGET THAT WE LOOK FORWARD TO FOR '25.
I THINK IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT THE MORE THOUGHT PROCESS WE PUT THROUGH WITH THIS, THE BETTER THE BUDGET IS AND THE MORE WE CAN ACCOMPLISH AS FAR AS GIVING THEM SOME GUIDELINES.
I'M NOT SAYING IT'S GOING TO GET PASSED, BUT IT'S A GUIDELINE AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE THEM ALL THE TOOLS THAT THEY NEED TO GET WHAT WE THINK THE PUBLIC IS ASKING US TO PUT FORTH.
WITH THAT, IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, [NOISE] MEETING ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.