Oct 01, 2024 Regular Meeting

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

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>>> GOOD EVENING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND WELCOME TO THIS MEETING OF THE FERNANDINA BEACH CITY COMMISSION. SO GREAT TO HAVE EVERYONE HERE WITH US TONIGHT. WE WILL GET STARTED

WITH THE ROLE. TAKE US AWAY. >> PLEASE RISE WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY VICE MAYOR.

>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR OUR PRAYER. DELIVERED BY THE GOOD REVEREND BERNARD THOMPSON PICK

>> LET US PRAY. OUR FATHER AND OUR GOD WE COME TONIGHT OH LORD TO TELL YOU THANK YOU. FOR LIFE LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. FATHER WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR MANY BLESSINGS. WE THANK YOU FOR THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF LIVING IN FERNANDA BEACH FLORIDA. NOW LORD WE PRAY YOUR BLESSINGS UPON THIS MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION. IN A MANNER THAT IS PLEASING IN THY SIGHT. WE GIVE YOU THE PRAISES THE HONOR AND GLORY.

PEOPLE OF GOD SAID A MAN PICK >> THANK YOU REVEREND.

[4.1 PRESENTATION - NASSAU HUMANE SOCIETY - Nassau Humane Society Executive Director Chantal Scherer will present the "City Commission Dog of the Month."]

>>> MOVING RIGHT ALONG A VERY SPECIAL GUEST FROM THE HUMANE SOCIETY. THE DOG OF THE MONTH PICK

>> THANK YOU MAYOR. I'VE GOT -- WITH ME. FIVE MONTHS OLD. HE HAS A BROTHER NAMED JAMI WHO IS IN THE KENNEL AS WELL. WE RESCUED HIM AND HIS BROTHER JAMI AND TWO OTHER SIBLINGS WHO HAVE FOUND A HOME. I BROUGHT HIM TONIGHT BECAUSE IT IS NOT A PLACE FOR THE PUPPY TO GROW UP IN A SHELTER. I WANTED TO RAISE ATTENTION ABOUT HIM BECAUSE WE NEED SOMEONE TO BE INTERESTED IN GIVING HIM -- HE'S GOING TO GROW TO BE ABOUT 34 POUNDS. HE IS A MIXED BREED AND HE HAS A LOT OF ENERGY. BUT HE IS SCARED

TONIGHT. >> IF SOMEONE WANTS TO ADOPT

THIS PUPPY, WHAT DO WE DO? >> YOU CAN STOP ME AS I'M WALKING OUT. YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE NASSAU HUMANE.ORG COME OUT AND SEE US ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE AIRPORT WHEN AIRPORT ROAD. WE COULD CALL IS 90 FOR 32116 FOR SEVEN.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US. YOU'VE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB.

WE APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK YOU DO AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY.

>> LET'S ADOPT THIS DOG. MR. ROSS DO YOU NEED ONE?

[4.2 PRESENTATION - "FERNANDINA 200" - In commemoration of Fernandina Beach's 200th Anniversary, Lighthouse Keeper Thomas Patrick O'Hagan will provide a presentation at the first City Commission Regular Meeting of each month in the year 2024.]

>> WITH THAT BEING SAID WE DO HAVE A SPECIAL PRESENTATION PICK IT SEEMS LIKE WE JUST GOT STARTED. THERE IS ONLY THREE LEFT. WE WILL CALL UP MR. THOMAS PATRICK O'HAGAN TO CELEBRATE -- OUR CITY'S 200TH ANNIVERSARY PICK WE BEEN CELIBATE ALL YEAR. WELCOME SIR PICK

>> GOOD EVENING. COMMISSIONERS. CITY OFFICERS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY YOU. US. THE CITIZENS OF FERNANDINA BEACH.

IT IS A GREAT YEAR 200 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PICK IT IS UPON US BUT WE HAVE THREE MONTHS LEFT TO GO. WE HAVE THESE WONDERFUL EVENTS AHEAD OF YOU. TAKE A LOOK AT THEM. THERE IS ONE WE DON'T HAVE ILLICIT AT THE TIME. COMING UP THIS WEEKEND IS THE IRELAND CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL PICK IT WILL BE AN ESSENTIAL PART. IT IS GOING TO BE ALL OF OUR LOCAL BREWERIES AS WELL AS OUR LOCAL DISTILLERY. GOING TO BE OUT THERE. GET YOUR TICKETS AND COME ON OUT AND VISIT FROM NOON UNTIL 4:00 AT CENTRAL PARK. SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL ABOUT THAT. IT IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST TIME THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR DOWN HERE FOR OUR DINING -- IF YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF THE BIRTHDAY FESTIVAL JANUARY 1ST OUR FIRST OPPORTUNITY. THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET YOUR TICKETS BUT IS GOING TO BE THIS WEEKEND. TICKETS ARE LIMITED. IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE MAKE SURE YOU GET THEM EARLY. THEN WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 12TH AT -- CEMETERY FROM 9:00 UNTIL 5:00 DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER THE GRAVE SITE CHRONICLES. THE STARS LIFE LUG AND LEGACY. ML YET GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY AND -- MUSEUM OF HISTORY ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE AN INTERACTIVE EVENT CALLED GRAVE SITE CHRONICLES BUT THE EVENT WILL FEATURE EIGHT CUSTOMS FIRST-PERSON PRESENTERS. REPRESENTING CHARACTERS CURRENTLY INTERRED IN THE CEMETERY WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE FABRIC OF MODERN-DAY FERNANDINA. THE GARDEN CLUB IS GOING TO HAVE THE MONARCH MIGRATION THAT WILL BE AT THE WELCOME CENTER ON THE 12TH. THE

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>>> YOUR WARM PRESENCE. >> WE CAN BRING IN A SECOND

DOG. >>

[4.3 PROCLAMATION - "NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH" - The attached proclamation proclaims October "Disability Employment Awareness Month". Able Trust Senior Vice President Joey D’Souza will be in attendance to accept the Proclamation.]

>>> MOVING RIGHT ALONG WE HAVE TWO PUBLIC DONATIONS. FIRST WE GOING TO CALL SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT DESOUSA AND MS. DONNA COME ON DOWN. YOU CAN'T COME ALL THE WAY HERE AND NOT COME DOWN TO COLLECT YOUR PROCLAMATION. DEAN DANIEL EXCELLENT WORK HELPING FIND JOBS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH. LET'S GET ROCKING SINCE PROCLAMATION ASKED CONGRESS ESTABLISH NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH IN 1988 TO HIGHLY CELEBRATE THE SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES OF AMERICA'S WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES BUT REGARDLESS OF ALL OF US ARE INDIVIDUAL DESERVED OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY ENJOY THE SELF-DETERMINATION TO BE TREATED EQUALLY IN THE WORKPLACE. WE ASKED INVESTMENT TOWNS OF ALL PEOPLE PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN EFFORTS TO BUILD INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES AND STRONG ECONOMIES BUT IN WHERE AS THE ABLE TRUST KNOWN AS THE FLORIDA ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND CONCERT WITH THE FORD DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION -- WORKED DILIGENTLY WITH EMPLOYERS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO BRING AWARENESS THAT OFTEN OVERLOOKED PORTION OF THE WORKFORCE IS CAPABLE SKILLED ACCOMPLISHED AND EAGER TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE. AND WHEREAS THESE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF FLORIDA CITIZENS BY OFFERING SERVICES INCLUDING JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE TRAINING SUPPORT SERVICES AND JOB COACHING. ALL OF WHICH ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO CONFIDENTLY BEGIN SELF SUPPORTIVE CAREERS IN THEIR FIELDS OF INTEREST. AND WHEREAS ACTIVITIES DURING NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH REINFORCED THE WORK AND TALENT OF ALL PEOPLE BRING TO OUR THAT ALL PEOPLE BRING TO OUR WORKPLACES AND REAFFIRMED THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH WE HAVE A COMMITMENT TO AN ALL-ENCOMPASSING COMMUNITY WITH INCREASED ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL. I BRADLEY BY THE VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS MAYOR OF OUR CITY DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF OCTOBER AS NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH AND I URGE ALL CITIZENS TO DO THE SAME. WITH THAT LET'S PUT OUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR DEAN AND THE WORK

THEY ARE DOING. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW

WORDS? >> THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS. FOR PROCLAIMING DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH.

JUST SO YOU KNOW THE ABLE TRUST HAS BEEN WORKING IN NASSAU COUNTY FOR OVER 10 YEARS NOW. SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AT ALL FOUR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS. THROUGH OUR PROGRAM WE ARE ENSURING YOUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE PREPARED TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE STOPPING FIRST BEFORE HIS MOST SECONDARY INSTITUTION. THROUGH THAT WORK WE HAVE ON A 9% GRADUATION RATE AMONG HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WITH DISABILITIES HERE. 88 PERCENT OF THEM LAST SCHOOL YEAR EITHER ENTERED THE WORKFORCE OR DECIDED TO GO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION AT STATE COLLEGE UNIVERSITY OR TECHNICAL SCHOOL. WE ARE WORKING TO HELP CREATE A RESILIENT NASSAU COUNTY RESILIENT FERNANDINA BEACH SO YOU GUYS HAVE ANOTHER 200 YEARS OF GREAT SUCCESS HERE. THANK YOU FOR THIS PROCLAMATION AND ALL THE WORK YOU ARE DOING TO

BE AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU.

[4.4 PROCLAMATION - "HISPANIC HERITAGE FOOD FESTIVAL" - In recognition of the 3rd Annual Hispanic Heritage Food Festival. Mr. Waldemar Borrero and Ms. Luisana Guevara will be in attendance to accept.]

>> THE FUN IS NOT DONE. WE'VE GOT A HERITAGE HISPANIC FOOD

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>> ALLGOOD PICK WE HAVE EVERYBODY HERE. MR. -- IS HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID WE HAVE GOTTEN A GREAT GROUP. MR. GUEVERA IS HERE. WE HAVE ALREADY PROCLAIMED IT HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH. THIS IS ABOUT THE BIG EVENT COMING UP. WE WANT EVERYBODY TO ATTEND. IT IS A GREAT EVENT. WHEREAS IN THE U.S. NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH IS CELEBRATED FROM SEPTEMBER 15TH TO OCTOBER 15TH.

THIS TIMEFRAME IS ABSURD BECAUSE IT COINCIDES WITH SEVERAL LATIN AMERICA INDEPENDENCE DAY COMMEMORATED DURING THE SAME TIME. AT THEIR SEPTEMBER 3RD MEETING WE ISSUED A PROCLAMATION FOR PLANNING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH. BUT IN THE FURTHER COMMEMORATION OF THE CITY -- THAT IS A GREAT WORD. HERE WITH -- THIS PROCLAMATION IN RECOGNITION OF THE THIRD ANNUAL HISPANIC HERITAGE FOOD FESTIVAL. THAT WILL BE HELD THIS SATURDAY OCTOBER 12TH THAT IS NOT THIS WEEKEND IT IS NEXT WEEKEND. OCTOBER 12. HISTORIC DOWNTOWN FERNANDINA BEACH BUT ONE OF THE MANY CORE ELEMENTS OF THE LATIN SPANISH AND HISPANIC CULTURES IS FOOD. WHICH IS ONE OF PROFOUND SIGNIFICANCE AND ESSENTIAL TO A CHURCH WAY OF LIFE. AND WE ARE AS TRANSCENDING NEAR SUBSTANCE HISPANIC CUISINE IS FLAVORFUL STEEPED IN HISTORY. BOTH A UNIQUE ARRAY OF TRADITIONAL DISHES. OFTEN PASSED DOWN THROUGH MULTIPLE GENERATIONS WITH CLOSELY GUARDED FAMILY SECRETS AND TECHNIQUES THAT CARRY ANCESTRAL STORIES AND FLAVORS OF HOME. WHEREAS FOOD FESTIVALS HAVE BECOME A LARGE PART OF THE HISPANIC TRADITION THAT THE FRIENDS OF THE FERNANDINA BEACH PROBABLY CHAMPION AND ORGANIZE AN EFFORT TO PRESERVE TRADITION AND CULTURAL IDENTITY. THEREFORE BY THE POWER AND AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS MAYOR OF OUR CITY DO HEREBY EXPRESSED SINCERE THANKS TO THE FRIENDS OF THE FERNANDINA BEACH FOR HOSTING THE THIRD ANNUAL HISPANIC HERITAGE FOOD FESTIVAL NEXT WEEKEND. I HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL

THERE. >> I JUST WANT TO SAY FRIENDS OF FERNANDINA AS PART OF THIS EVENT. THIS IS THE THIRD YEAR WE'VE GOT THIS EVENT WE'VE HELD THIS EVENT. IT HAS GOTTEN BIGGER AND BETTER EVERY YEAR. I INVITE EVERYBODY TO COME DOWN AND ENJOY THE SOUNDS THE SMELLS THE TASTE AND EVERYTHING THIS FESTIVAL HAS TO OFFER. IT IS A REALLY GOOD TIME. THANK YOU.

[4.5 PRESENTATION - FLORIDA INLAND NAVIGATION DISTRICT (FIND) - FIND's Nassau County Commissioner Cathy Chapman will present the City with a check, in the amount of $326,000, for Fernandina Harbor Marina dredging completed in Fiscal Year 2023/2024.]

>> WE ARE ALMOST WE'VE GOT A PRESENTATION. I WANT THERE IS SOMETHING BEHIND THE PODIUM WE ARE EXCITED TO BREAK OUT IN A SECOND. SO WELCOME TO OUR MARINA DIRECTOR. PLEASE WELCOME

MS. KATHY CHAPMAN PICK >> KATHY CHAPMAN FIND COMMISSIONER FOR NASSAU COUNTY. GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS AND GOOD EVENING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE FLORIDA INLAND NAVIGATION DISTRICT. YOU ALL MIGHT KNOW ABOUT FIND THE OTHER GROUP THAT WILL RECEIVE OUR GRANT FUNDING FROM. THEY FUNDED PROJECTS FOR THE CITY AND THE COUNTY INCLUDING OUR DREDGING AT THE MARINA. NOW FINE HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME. THE SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1927. BEFORE THAT ENTERPRISING ENTREPRENEURS WOULD DIG AND MAINTAIN SECTIONS OF THE CANAL THEY WOULD TAKE CHAIN STRETCHING ACROSS THE WATERWAY AND CHARGE FEES TO PASS. THAT WAS BEFORE FIND. THANKFULLY THESE DAYS WITH FUNDING FROM FIND OUR FLORIDA WATERWAYS AND SPOIL SITES ARE MAINTAINED AND KEPT ACCESSIBLE ALL ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE ICW ALL THE WAY FROM THE ST. MARY'S INLET DOWN TO MIAMI.

YOU'VE PROBABLY HAD A CHANCE TO CHECK OUT THE INFO GRAPHIC ON THE SCREEN BEHIND ME. IT HIGHLIGHTS FINES ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY FOR NASSAU COUNTY. AND THE HIGHLIGHT HERE IS THE $133 MILLION ANNUALLY THAT THE MARITIME INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTES TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY. SO THE BENEFITS OF THE INTERCOASTAL WATERWAY AREN'T JUST LIMITED TO OUR MARINAS IN OUR PORT AND OUR CHARTER BOAT FISHERMEN. THIS FINE STUDY CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE FAR-REACHING BENEFITS TO PROPERTY VALUES JOBS CREATION AND IF IT'S TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND OUR DOWNTOWN SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS. I WOULD SAY THAT IS A GOOD THING AS THE MAYOR WOULD SAY. THAT IS RIGHT. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ESPECIALLY THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH IS GRANTS ADMINISTRATOR MISS LAURA JACOBS. FOR HER DILIGENCE AND

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>> THIS CHECK REPRESENTS LAST YEAR'S FUNDING THAT WE RECEIVED TO KEEP OUR PUBLIC BOAT RAMP AND SOUTHERN BASIN OF THE MARINA ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYBODY.

>> LET'S ALL TAKE A PICTURE WITH IT.

>> THANK YOU. THAT IS A GOOD LOOKING CHECK.

>> THANK YOU MS. CHAPMAN. AND THEN WITHOUT LAST BUT CERTAINLY

[4.6 PRESENTATION - STORMWATER AND WASTEWATER - In response to recent extreme amounts of rainfall and related localized flooding, Utilities Director Andre Desilet will provide an update of stormwater and wastewater systems as well as stormwater mitigation plan.]

MR. ANDRE PICK >> GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS. WE KIND OF WANTED TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO KIND OF REVIEW THE SITUATION WE HAD A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. OF COURSE QUITE A BIT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THAT EVENT. FORTUNATELY THE HURRICANE WAS VERY MINOR ISSUES ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF RAINFALL. JUST A BRIEF OVERVIEW FOCUSING ON BOTH THE STORM WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS. HOW WE FARED DURING OUR SEVERE RAINSTORM IN SEPTEMBER. THE 12TH AND 13TH. HERE IS SOME PHOTOS WE KIND OF COMPILED FROM THE NUMBER OF AREAS AROUND TOWN. I'M SURE ALL SOCIAL MEDIA EVERYBODY SAW A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT CITIZENS WERE EXPERIENCING. A FEW STATISTICS HERE, FOR JULY LEADING UP TO THIS SITUATION WE WERE AT 142% FOR MONTHLY RAINFALL AVERAGE. FOR NASSAU COUNTY IN GENERAL.

AUGUST WE WERE AT 200% OF OUR ANNUAL MONTHLY RAINFALL.

SEPTEMBER JUST THAT FIRST HALF OF THE MONTH WE WERE AT 200% OF THAT AVERAGE. IN THAT 45 DAY TOTAL, WE HAD 20/27 INCHES OF RAIN. THAT WAS PILING ON TOP OF ALREADY SATURATED CONDITIONS WHICH REALLY KIND OF INCREASED THE ISSUES WE SAW THROUGHOUT THE CITY. THE CITY STAFF RESPONSE WE HAVE FIVE PORTABLE PUMPS THAT WE SHUTTLED ALL OVER TOWN. ADDRESSING ISSUES. BOTH ON PUBLIC PROPERTY AND PRIVATE PROPERTY WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO HELP. WE OBVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED ISSUES THAT WERE LEADING TO INCREASED FLOODING. WE GOT THOSE CLEARED AND RESTORE THE FLOW. WE HAD 69 INDIVIDUAL CALLS SOMETIMES MULTIPLE CALLS ABOUT SPECIFIC PROPERTIES. AND EMAILS THROUGHOUT THIS EVENT.

WE RESPONDED TO ALL OF THOSE. MADE SITE VISIT AND EVALUATED THE SITUATION. MADE RECOMMENDATIONS AND IN SOME CASES WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. IN COORDINATION WITH NASSAU COUNTY EOC WE HAD THE SANDBAG FILLING STATION AT CENTRAL PARK. WE WENT THROUGH A LOT OF SAND THIS EVENT. KEPT THAT PRETTY WELL STOCKED. HOPEFULLY THOSE CAME IN HANDY AND ACTUALLY DID SOME GOOD FOR THE CITIZENS WHO TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THAT. OUR NEXT STEPS KIND OF HOW WE ARE MOVING FORWARD AFTER THIS. WE'VE CATALOGUED ALL THE ISSUES THAT CAME UP DURING THIS EVENT. OBVIOUSLY THERE WERE AREAS THAT HAD NEVER BEEN PROBLEMATIC IN THE PAST. THIS WAS AN EVENT UNLIKE ANY WE HAVE SEEN. SO A LOT OF NEW AREAS WE RESPONDED TO FOR THE FIRST TIME. WE ARE GOING TO BE EVALUATING THOSE AREAS. WE ARE SCHEDULED THIS YEAR TO DO OUR UPDATE TO OUR MASTER PLAN. SO AS PAINFUL AS THIS EVENT WAS WE ARE GOING TO USE THIS INFORMATION AND HELP US PLAN FOR HOW WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS THESE AREAS AND THE REST OF OUR PROBLEM AREAS INTO THE FUTURE.

WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT A DIFFERENT WAY TO FORM THIS MASTER PLAN. TO GET US AN EXTREMELY USABLE DOCUMENT. I

[00:20:02]

PROVIDES KIND OF A CONCEPTUAL PLAN AND BUDGET FOR THESE PROBLEM AREAS. BUT REALLY WITH THIS NEXT REVISION OUR PLAN IS TO LOOK AT THE NOT JUST THE ISOLATED AREAS. WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT THIS ON A BASIN WIDE SCALE. TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE WE KNOW WHERE THE RESTRICTIONS ARE. WE KNOW WHERE THOSE AREAS WE DON'T WANT TO ADDRESS ONE SPOT AND THEN MOVE THEM FLOODING SOMEPLACE ELSE. DOWN THE STREET CAN HANDLE THAT ADDITIONAL WATER. WE WANT TO GO THROUGH THIS IN A VERY SYSTEMATIC AND INFORMED PROCESS. SO WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR A CONSULTANT TO HELP US UPDATE THIS MASTER PLAN THIS YEAR. AND REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT PROCESS. WE CONTINUE TO MEET WITH RESIDENTS OFFER ADVICE AND GUIDANCE AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN MITIGATE THESE ISSUES IN THE FUTURE. ONE THING THAT I THINK IS WORTH POINTING OUT, AND I WILL SWITCH OVER HERE AND PULL UP OUR DASHBOARD.

SO THIS IS KIND OF WHAT WE PUT TOGETHER JUST AS A TOOL TO KIND OF LOOK AT WHERE THESE ISSUES ARE. AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO IS THE COLORED SHAPES ARE [INAUDIBLE] WHERE WE IDENTIFIED A WATERSHED. SO WE CAN LOOK AT WHERE ALL THESE ISSUES WERE ALL THE PINK ARE. FLOODING ISSUES THAT WE WERE CONTACTED ABOUT DURING THIS EVENT. THIS KIND OF HELPS US TO CATALOG EVERYTHING WE'VE GOT. WE CAN GO THROUGH HERE AND FIND OUT SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE SITUATIONS AND ACTUALLY -- WE'VE GOT OUR PHOTOS LOGGING EVERYTHING. BEING ABLE TO COMPILE ALL THIS INFORMATION. ONE OF THE THE THINGS WE ARE LOOKING AT WE'VE GOT 69 CALLS ABOUT FLOODING. ONLY 25% OF THOSE PROPERTIES ARE ON THE FLOODPLAIN. SO, THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO HAD FLOODING ARE IN FLOOD ZONE EXPERT MANY DO NOT HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE. THAT IS SOMETHING WE ALWAYS TRY TO BRING AWARENESS TO JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT IN A FLOOD ZONE DOES NOT MEAN YOU WON'T FLOOD. SOME OF THESE AREAS ARE NOT IDENTIFIED ON THE SCALE THAT THESE FLOOD ZONE MAPS ARE GOING TO ANALYZE. SO IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR A BARRIER ISLAND WE RECOMMEND ALL HOMEOWNERS HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE. AND THAT WAS KIND OF WHERE WE ARE ON STORM WATER. I WILL PAUSE IF YOU FOLKS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE I DELVE INTO THE

WASTEWATER PICK >> ANDRE I HAVE ONE QUESTION. I NOTICED ALL THE PURPLE THINGS WHICH IS GREAT. WHAT ARE THE

SIX GREEN MARKERS? >> THOSE ARE THE WASTEWATER ISSUES THAT WE ENCOUNTERED. THAT IS THE NEXT PORTION OF THE PRESENTATION. WE HAD SIX AREAS WHERE WE HAD SOME WASTEWATER BACKUPS. THAT WERE EVIDENT. THE PINK ARE DRAINAGE AND GREEN ARE

WASTEWATER. >> THINK YOU PICK

>> I KNOW WE HAD HOT SPOTS I SAW THOSE. THE ONE ON FOURTH WAS SHOWN ON HERE AS WELL OR IS THAT SOMETHING --

>> FOURTH STREET I DON'T THINK WE GOT THAT ON HERE. THAT IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT WAS PRESENT BEFORE THE EVENT. SO, THIS WAS KIND OF ISOLATED TWO CALLS THAT WE GOT JUST THROUGH THAT [INAUDIBLE]. YOU CAN -- I KNOW THEY EXPERIENCED SOME ISSUES.

AS A RESULT OF THE STORM PICK >> SO WE ARE STILL MONITORING

THAT? >> ABSOLUTELY. WE HAVE PLANS IN PLACE AND WE ARE PUTTING THOSE IN ACTION NOW THAT WE HAVE DRY WEATHER. WE HAVE SOME THINGS THAT WILL BE HAPPENING SHORTLY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> ONTO WASTEWATER. KIND OF THROUGHOUT THIS SITUATION, THIS INCREASED RAINFALL CAUSED US SOME MAJOR ISSUES AT THE WASTEWATER SYSTEM. WE ALWAYS GET SOME AMOUNT OF INFILTRATION -- STORM WATER THAT GETS INTO

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THIS EVENT WAS VERY ABNORMAL. BECAUSE OF THE SATURATION OF THE GROUND AND WE ARE STILL TRYING TO FIND OUT WHERE THIS ISSUE CAME FROM. BUT WHEN THE RAINFALL STARTED ON THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY WE FAR EXCEEDED THE CAPACITY OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT. WE DID HAVE AN OVERFLOW AT THE PLANT. IT WAS INTENTIONAL. WE BASICALLY WERE RUNNING OUR PUMPS WIDE OPEN TO TAKE AS MUCH WATER AS WE PLANNED. TO MINIMIZE OVERFLOWS ELSEWHERE. SO WE WERE TRYING TO DEAL WITH THAT IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT. THAT LASTED AN HOUR UNTIL WE GET A SECOND TREATMENT PLANT OPENED UP. TO HELP HANDLE THAT ADDITIONAL CAPACITY. WE ACTUALLY JUST SHUT THAT OFF TODAY. SO THAT HAS BEEN RUNNING AT RIGHT AT ADDITIONAL CAPACITY. WE ARE NOW BACK TO -- ONCE WE HAVE THE ADDITIONAL CAPACITY OF THE PLANT RUNNING IT TOOK A WHILE TO GET THAT BACK PRESSURE IN THE SYSTEM EQUALIZE. TO HANDLE THOSE OVERFLOWS. A CREW IS OUT HANDLING THAT AS BEST WE COULD.

BUT THE WATER JUST NEVER STOPS COMING. AND THAT IS A TESTAMENT TO OUR CREW THERE WERE OUT HERE WORKING THROUGH THE NIGHT AND SOME DIFFICULT CONDITIONS AND REALLY MINIMIZED THE AMOUNT OF IMPACT OF THESE ISSUES. SO ALL THESE ISSUES WERE REPORTED TO FTP. AND ADDRESSED ON SITE. CONSISTENT WITH STANDARD PRACTICE. WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK REGARDING THIS ISSUE.

>> THIS IS KIND OF AN IDEA OF THE SCALE OF WHAT WE WERE DEALING WITH. THE LINE DOWN AT THE BOTTOM REPRESENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS OF OUR AVERAGE MONTHLY FLOW TO THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS. YOU CAN SEE WHAT HAPPENED IN SEPTEMBER. SO, THIS IS A VERY ISOLATED SITUATION. IT IS NOT A MATTER OF NEGLECT IT MAINTENANCE OR AN AGING SYSTEM. SOMETHING CHANGED. WE ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT WAS. WE'VE IDENTIFIED SOME AREAS WHERE WE HAD SOME SERVICES THAT WERE UNUSED THAT WERE BROKEN HAD COME ON CATS THAT WE IDENTIFIED. BUT REALLY NOTHING THAT WOULD LEAD TO THE AMOUNT OF WATER WE SOLVE. OUR AVERAGE DOWN HERE AROUND BETWEEN 1.75 AND WILL .25 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY. FOR SEPTEMBER WE WERE AVERAGING ALMOST SIX. THIS IS OUR FLOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER. TO KIND OF [INAUDIBLE] THE RAINFALL -- [INAUDIBLE]. WE WERE SPIKING ABOVE 8 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY. OUR AVERAGE IS ABOUT 1.7. IT WAS A VERY SIGNIFICANT ISSUE. BUT LIKE I SAID FROM THE PREVIOUS PREVIOUS SLIDE THIS IS A ABNORMAL EVENT.

BASED I THINK MERELY DUE TO THE GROUNDWATER. WE COULD HAVE SOME CONNECTIONS THAT ARE I HATE TO SAY IT SOMETIMES. PEOPLE OPENED A CLEANOUT TO DRAIN THEIR YARD. THAT WATER ALL HAS TO GET NOW IT IS IN THE SYSTEM AND HAS TO GET TREATED. IT PUTS AN ENORMOUS BURDEN ON THE SYSTEM.

>> QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT CHART. IT LOOKS LIKE THE ORANGE LINE IS OF COURSE THE FLOW TO THE PLANTS. THAT FLOW IS NOW BACK AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH LEVELS. SEE THAT UPTICK IS THAT

-- NORMAL LEVELS? >> WE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN.

WE GOT ABOUT AN INCH OF RAIN. JUST YESTERDAY I GUESS. WE GOT A LITTLE TICKED UP AND WE'VE BEEN TRENDING DOWN. WE'VE BEEN AGGRESSIVELY TRYING TO GET OUT AND FIND SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

>> YOU ARE SEEING NOW IS SINKHOLES, ALL THESE AREAS LEAKING WATER TAKES DIRT WITH IT AND EVENTUALLY THE PAVEMENT

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CAME OUT REALLY WELL. >> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FOR

ANDRE ABOUT WASTEWATER? >> ANDRE, WOULD YOU SAY THAT SOME OF THOSE ISSUES COULD BE HIDDEN SEWER LINES , POSSIBLY CAUSING SOME OF THESE LEAKAGES? JUST TAKING A STAB FROM LEFT

FIELD. >> GIVEN THE VOLUME OF WORK THEY'VE BEEN DOING LATELY, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE THE POTENTIAL CHANGE THAT HAS CAUSED THIS INCREASE. WE HAVE SEEN QUITE A FEW AREAS OF DAMAGED SURFACES . LIKE I SAY, WE ARE STILL EVALUATING ALL OF THESE.

>> WE DON'T KNOW YET, BUT THAT COULD BE ?

>> HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF WORK. MORE WORK THAN ANY OTHER CONTRACTOR IN THE AREA. SO, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL TO SEND

THAT DOWN? >> JUST THROWING IT OUT THERE, I AM SURE THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY SEEN THAT PROCESS AS A PART OF

MANY OTHER THINGS TO CHECK OFF. >> DEFINITELY.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> HOW MANY STORM WATER CHANNELS DO WE HAVE IN THE CITY?

>> OFFHAND , STORMWATER STRUCTURES, I THINK THAT WE ARE

-- AT ABOUT 1400? >> IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH SEWER LINES OF STORM WATER LINES LEAKING WITH THE OLD

PIPES? >> WELL, IT IS PRIMARILY A PROBLEM WITH WASTEWATER . A LOT OF STORM WATER LINES, THEIR PERFORATED PIPES. THEY ARE DESIGNED TO INFILTRATE . WITH WASTEWATER, IT IS WATER GETTING INTO THE PIPE , BECAUSE MOST OF THAT COLLECTION SYSTEM IS BELOW THE WATER TABLE. WITH THE WATER TABLE AS HIGH AS IT HAS BEEN, THEN MORE CRACKS AND CREVICES

WILL TAKE ON WATER. >> HOW MANY SEWER CHANNELS DO

WE HAVE? >> I THINK IT IS TWO OR 3000.

WE HAVE -- WE ALREADY HAVE AN ANNUAL PROGRAM FOR THE MAINS.

DEPENDING ON THE MATERIAL, WE ARE JUST ABOUT THROUGH THE OLDER 1950S PIPES THAT ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE, AND NOW WE ARE SEEING THE NEED TO REPLACE SERVICES IN THE LAST SEVERAL

WEEKS, DOING BLOCKS. >> OF THOSE MANHOLES, HOW MANY OF THOSE ARE LEAKING? MANY OF THEM?

>> YES. >> TO FIX THAT PROBLEM, WHAT IS

THE COST OF THAT? >> IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION, THE TECHNIQUE THAT YOU USE IT IS A COUPLE OF

THOUSAND DOLLARS. >> IT IS UP TO 3000 , LET'S SAY, AND WE HAVE HOW MANY MANHOLES?

>> YEP. AROUND THREE OR 4000. >> SO THAT'S LIKE $9 MILLION?

>> TO REDO EVERYTHING, YES. WE HAVE NEWER SYSTEMS THAT , YOU

KNOW, THE MANHOLES ARE FINE . >> HOW MANY ARE NOT FINE?

>> WE ARE TRYING TO CATALOG THAT INFORMATION NOW. WE ARE CERTAINLY REVIEWING OUR MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. WE WILL PROBABLY, NOW THAT WE ARE IN THE NEW BUDGET YEAR, LOOKING AT THE PROJECT THAT WE HAVE ON TAP, WE WILL PROBABLY COME BACK TO YOU WITH SOME BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS, TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE REINVESTED, AS MUCH AS WE NEED TO INTO THE MAINTENANCE

SYSTEM. >> THE POINT IS THAT GOING FORWARD, THOSE MANHOLES IN THE FUTURE MAY NEED TO BE FIXED TO HAVE A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN?

>> WE DEFINITELY HAVE MANHOLE REHABILITATION BECAUSE WE HAVE ABOUT $150,000. IT IS AN ANNUAL ROLLING BUDGET ITEM. WE ARE

[00:35:03]

OF MAINTENANCE EACH YEAR. >> THANKS ANDRE, YOU CERTAINLY DID GREAT WORK WITH YOUR BUDGET. MY QUESTION IS, AND AGAIN, I WOULD ECHO THE VICE MAYOR WHEN I SAY THAT YOU HAVE CERTAINLY ALREADY THOUGHT OF THIS, YOU ARE AN ENGINEER AND YOU HAVE DONE THIS, SO I JUST WANT TO BE AWARE OF WHAT OUR SYSTEM IS LOOKING LIKE. DO WE HAVE FLOWMETERS ATTACHED TO THE GROUND OF THE DRAIN? I KNOW THAT IS AN EXPENSIVE SEIZURE BUT THEN YOU CAN DETERMINE WHERE THE LEAKS ARE HAPPENING.

IS THAT CORRECT? >> WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO, I DON'T HAVE THE MAP UP , BUT WE CAN MONITOR OUR TELEMETRY SYSTEM. THE MAJORITY OF THE CITY, IT IS KIND OF VERY SIMILAR TO THIS BREAKDOWN HERE, RATHER THAN THE DRAINAGE BASINS, IT IS THE SERVICE AREAS. WE CAN SEE THE LIFT STATION STARTS RUNNING MORE THAN IT USUALLY DOES. SO THERE ARE CERTAINLY SOME THAT WE HAVE NOTICED THAT WERE TRENDING HIGHER , RUNNING MORE OFTEN THAN THEY HAD IN THE PAST. SO WE FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON THOSE AREAS, AND SOMETIMES WHEN IT'S RAINING IT'S A GREAT TIME TO HOP IN THE MANHOLES AND SEE WHICH DIRECTION THE WATER IS COMING AND NARROW IT DOWN. ONE OF THE LARGEST AREAS IS THE DOWNTOWN AREA , THAT SYSTEM JUST FLOWS STRAIGHT TO THE PLANT. IT NEVER GETS RE-PUMPED.

SO, IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF THE FLOW IS COMING FROM THIS AREA, DOWNTOWN. SO, THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE HAD OUR FOCUS , IT DOES NOT SHOW UP IN OUR LIFT STATION TRENDS BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE WERE ABLE TO LOOK AT AND ISOLATE WHEN WE ARE HAVING

ISSUES. >> ABSOLUTELY. AND FROM WHAT I KNOW, THE MORE PLACES YOU HAVE MONITORS IS THE MORE YOU CAN BREAKDOWN THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMETHING LIKE THE DOWNTOWN BEING THIS WHOLE AREA, IF YOU WERE TO REPLACE A FEW MONITORS -- MY QUESTION IS, DOES IT WORK -- I KNOW THAT WORKS FOR FORCED PIPES BUT WOULD FLOWMETERS WORK IN SUCH A GRAVITY FED SYSTEM?

>> NOT IN THE SAME WAY. BUT, THERE IS REALLY INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY , MOUNTING TO THE UNDERSIDE OF MANHOLES . IS IT COMING FROM THE LEFT ARE FROM THE RIGHT? IT KIND OF HAS THIS FLOWMETER THAT YOU CAN DEPLOY IN PROBLEM AREAS. IT IS NOT A PERMITTED INSTALLATION BUT YOU CAN PUT IT IN AND DO A STUDY OF

A CERTAIN AREA. >> RIGHT.

>> WE ARE CERTAINLY LOOKING AT ALL OF THE OPTIONS THAT WE HAVE TO HELP DIAGNOSIS AND GET IT CORRECTED.

>> THAT IS A PROJECT I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN LOOKING INTO. IF IT IS A TEMPORARY PROJECT IT WON'T BE TOO MUCH AND THEN YOU

CAN ROTATE AREAS. >> YEAH, WE HAVE A CONTRACTOR THAT IS EQUIPPED AND COMES IN AND DOES AN ANALYSIS OF A CERTAIN AREA THAT YOU CAN TRACK DOWN. HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT AREAS, OPTIONS WE ARE BRAINSTORMING. SO, I REALLY THINK THE MORE INFORMATION WE HAVE THE MORE WE CAN RESPOND.

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> THANK YOU.

>> ANDRE, I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION THAT POPPED UP IN MY MIND, INVOLVING WITH SEWER SYSTEMS. IN THESE FLOODED AREAS, IS IT POSSIBLE ON THE PRIVATE SIDE, NOT THE CITY SIDE, NOT THE MANHOLES AND NOT THE SYSTEM, THAT THESE PRIVATE AREAS HAVE AN OPENING TO SOMEWHERE THAT ARE TAKING ON WATER, AND EXTRA PUMPING WITH ALL OF THIS RAINWATER , INSTEAD OF THE STORM WATER SYSTEM INTO THE SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM?

>> ABSOLUTELY. WE HAVE WITNESSED PEOPLE OPENING

CLEANOUTS. >> A LOT OF THIS DISCUSSION SHOULD BE SHARING IF YOU CLEANOUTS OPENED PERIODICALLY AROUND THE CITY THAT WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN LET ALL THE

RAINWATER INTO OUR SYSTEM? >> CERTAINLY THERE IS THAT POTENTIAL. YOU KNOW, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT THERE ARE SOME POOL DRAINS THAT ARE CONNECTED THAT SHOULDN'T BE .

WHEN PEOPLE NEED TO DRAW THEIR POOL DOWN THE PUMP IT DOWN, THEY MAY NOT EVEN KNOW WHERE IT IS GOING. SO, THERE ARE A LOT OF THOSE ISSUES. ONE OF THE TECHNIQUES WE USE IS A SMOKE TEST WHERE WE PUMP SMOKE INTO A MANHOLE AND THE ONLY PLACE IT

[00:40:01]

>> ALL THIS RAIN OCCURS, OFF THE CHARTS THAT WE HAD, LIKE, RECORD RAIN , THE REALITY IS THAT WE COULD HAVE 15 OR 25 MANHOLES THAT ARE REALLY BAD, NOT 1000, RIGHT?

>> CERTAINLY, IT COULD BE -- >> THE JURY IS STILL OUT AS FAR

AS RESEARCHING IT. >> WITHOUT QUESTION WE DO HAVE SOME AREAS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO ADDRESS.

>> THANK YOU, ANDRE, YOU HAVE ANSWERED MY QUESTION.

>> I KNOW THIS IS A LOT OF WORK YOU HAVE ALREADY DONE, AND I AM THANKFUL FOR THE WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR WHOLE TEAM HAVE DONE.

WE SAID AT LAST MEETING BUT YOU HAD GUYS SLEEPING ON AIR MATTRESSES IN THE OFFICE DURING THAT BIG RAIN EVENT. I APPRECIATE YOU AND THE ENTIRE UTILITIES DEPARTMENT FOR KEEPING US ALL SAFE DURING THAT TIME. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU

[5.1 BUDGET AMENDMENTS - VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS - RESOLUTION 2024-189 APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Approves the transfer of funds in various Departments and various accounts in the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 budget to ensure expenditures do not exceed the budget on a line-by-line basis.]

DID. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE A VERY DEDICATED STAFF AND MAY RUN THE CITY VERY WELL.

>> OF COURSE, THANK YOU. >>> MOVING RIGHT ALONG, WE HAVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, A NUMBER OF THINGS ON THEIR. AND BY A NUMBER I MEAN THERE IS ONE THING ON THEIR. WOULD ANYBODY LIKE TO TAKE SOMETHING OFF? BY WHICH I MEAN THE ONE THING.

OKAY, WE WILL TAKE THE ONE THING OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

THERE WILL NOT BE A CONSENT AGENDA TONIGHT. THE CONSENT AGENDA IS WHERE WE THINK WE ARE NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT. WE WILL TALK ABOUT IT, 5.1, BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS. WITH THAT, ESTHER BLISSETT, YOU'RE ON THE SPOT.

LET'S GO AHEAD AND PRESENT THAT.

>> RESOLUTION 2024-1089. AS MENTIONED IN PRIOR MEETINGS, WE SEE A NUMBER OF THESE CLEANUPS THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR GOING INTO THE NEW YEAR. WE ARE CLOSING OUT THE NEW YEAR, AND MOVING INTO THE NEW. PROVIDING SOME DETAILS YOU HAVE SPECIFICS WE CAN DIVE INTO WHAT THESE MOMENTS ARE, OR I MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING ON THE SURFACE THAT I CAN

ADDRESS. >> ANY QUESTIONS?

>> I DO. >> SO, THE FIRST WAS THE THE CITY MANAGER TRANSFERRED 400 $36,000 FOR PRIOR-YEAR PRONOUNCED DISSIPATION IN THE BUDGET BUT YOU KNOW WHAT THAT

ITEM WAS? >> THAT ITEM AND THE NEXT ONE IS A TRANSFER FOR OUR CITYWIDE VULNERABILITY STUDY. THIS IS PRESENTED TO THE COMMISSION A FEW MONTHS BACK, THE STATE ACCEPTANCE IS YET TO BE COMPLETED, SOME ELEMENTS OF THAT PROJECT WILL ROLL OVER INTO FISCAL YEAR 24-25.

>> FINALLY, THE OCEAN RESCUE DEPARTMENT , WHY WERE THOSE

COSTS NOT ANTICIPATED? >> MIDWAY THROUGH THE YEAR, POSITIONS WERE CONVERTED BETWEEN PART-TIME AND FULL-TIME. IS PART-TIME DOLLARS WERE NOT USED, AND THOSE MONIES WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE FULL-TIME POSITION AT OCEAN

RESCUE. >> THANK YOU.

>> DO I YOUR EMOTION? >> MOTION IN THE SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, CITY CLERK PLEASE CALL

ROLE. >> MR. ANTON? COMMISSIONER

[6.1 PROPOSAL APPROVAL - ALLIANT ENGINEERING, INC. - RESOLUTION 2024-150 APPROVING A PROPOSAL FROM ALLIANT ENGINEERING, INC. FOR ENGINEERING, DESIGN, AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT OF THE UPGRADES AND RELOCATION OF THE CITY’S SANITARY SEWER LIFT STATIONS #3 AND #18; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Approves a proposal from Alliant Engineering, Inc. for engineering, design, and project management of the upgrades and relocation of Lift Stations #3 (Project 25048) and #18 (Project 25049), in the amount of $106,390.]

ROSS? MARION? >> THAT PASSES 5-0. 6.1, MR.

BLISSETT? >> RESOLUTION 24-50. RESOLUTION FROM A PLANT ENGINEERING FOR ENGINEERING DESIGN, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, UPGRADES AND RELOCATION OF THE CITY SANITARY LIFT STATIONS AT NUMBER THREE AND NUMBER 18. STAFFORD MAN'S APPROVAL . AS YOU RECALL THIS IS TABLED AT THE MEETING BACK IN AUGUST, TO REEVALUATE . CITY STAFF WORKED WITH THE ENGINEERING FIRM TO REVIEW THAT AGAIN, AND WE HAVE ALSO HAD FOR THE MEDICATIONS AT OUR TOWN HALL, AND WITH RESIDENTS IN THE AREA, AND WITH STAFF RECOMMENDING APPROVAL WITH THE PREVIOUSLY MADE RECOMMEND PROPOSAL FOR THESE UPGRADES.

HAVE MORE INFORMATION AS QUESTIONS ARE ASKED.

>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. BLISSETT?

>> I HAVE ONE. YOU JUST ALLUDED TO IT IN A WAY TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE IT CLEAR. YOU DID HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS IN THAT MEETING BEFORE WE CALLED FOR CENTRAL PARK EAST. DID YOU HAVE MORE DISCUSSION WITH THE NEIGHBORS?

>> YES. I KNOW THAT SOME OF YOU HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS AS WELL.

WHEN WE WENT BACK TO LOOK AT WHAT THE ENGINEERING FIRM SAW, THE BEST PLACE LOGISTICALLY WOULD BE AT THE CORNER OF 13TH STREET AND ATLANTIC, WHICH WOULD BE MORE OF A VISUAL CONCERN. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS WE CAN ADDRESS WHAT SCREENING WILL BE VISIBLE THROUGH FENCING, THROUGH EVEN PLANTINGS, SO THERE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS WITH THOSE

[00:45:06]

>> I LIKE YOUR IDEA OF PLANTING JASMINE, THOUGH. THAT'S A GOOD IDEA. WITH THAT, DO I HEAR A MOTION?

>> SECOND. >> YOU HAVE A MISSION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

>> PUBLIC COMMENT? >> THERE IS NO PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS BUT IF SOMEONE WISHES TO, THEY MAY.

>>> ALL RIGHT, SEEING NONE, STATE CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE

ROLE. >> THAT PASSES 5-0. MR. ROSS, EXCELLENT POINT THAT IF YOU WERE HERE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY ITEM TONIGHT WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING YOUR.

IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM THERE IS A FORM. IF YOU FILL IT OUT WE WILL KNOW YOU ARE READY TO SPEAK. RAIDED THE END OF THE

[6.2 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT - CITY MANAGER - RESOLUTION 2024-190 APPROVING AN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH SARAH CAMPBELL FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT AS CITY MANAGER; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Approves the City Manager Employment Agreement with Sarah Campbell for full-time employment.]

MEETING. CITY MANAGER? >> YES. THIS IS THE APPOINTMENT AGREEMENT FOR SARAH CAMPBELL TO JOIN THE CITY FULL-TIME AS OUR CITY MANAGER, AND THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT THAT IS PROPOSED IN FRONT OF YOU, WHICH I DISCUSSED WITH HER IF YOU WANT UPDATED IS STARTING BENEFITS AND SALARY OF 205,000 . AFTER SIX MONTHS, THE CONTRACT PROVIDES FOR AN EVALUATION . A SATISFACTORY EVALUATION COULD MEAN A $10,000 INCREASE IN SALARY, TO 215,000 AFTER SIX MONTHS, WHICH IS ABOUT END OF APRIL OR MAY. AND THEN AFTER ONE YEAR, WHICH IS ABOUT THE OCTOBER TIMEFRAME, SHE WOULD GET A $10,000 INCREASE IN SALARY TO REACH 225,000 AFTER ANOTHER SATISFACTORY EVALUATION. WHAT THAT MEANS, IN MY MIND, SATISFACTORY EVALUATION IS THAT THE THREE COMMISSIONERS HAVE TO AGREE TO PROVIDE THE EXTRA $10,000 AND FIND THAT PERFORMANCE WAS SATISFACTORY. THE OTHER TERMS OR PROVISIONS FOR SALARY AND BENEFITS ARE THAT SHE WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO JOIN THE CITIES PENSION PLAN FOR GENERAL EMPLOYEES, BUT WOULD GET 10% OF HER SALARY INTO A DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN , A CAR ALLOWANCE, A PHONE ALLOWANCE. A $5000 RELOCATION REIMBURSEMENT, AND PTO, WHICH IS PAID TIME OFF WOULD BE ACCRUED AT THE SAME RATE THAT THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS ACCRUE. THEY ACCRUE A FEW HOURS OF REPAY PERIOD SO THEY BUILD UP THEIR TIME OFF BANK . AND THEN, IF MS. CAMPBELL IS TERMINATED WITHOUT CAUSE, THEN THE CITY WILL PROVIDE 20 WEEKS OF SEVERANCE WHICH IS THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED BY STATUTE.

>> ANY QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONER ANTON.

>> I WOULD LIKE IS A FOLLOW-UP TO COMMISSIONER ROSS'S SUGGESTION, TO INCENTIVIZE THE CONTRACT WHERE, RATHER THAN BASED ON THE EVALUATION AND COMPLETION OF PROJECTS THAT ARE MENTIONED WE WRITE THAT OUT, AND I WOULD ALSO CONTEND THAT THINK IT WOULD BE MORE THAN FAIR TO OFFER 12 WEEKS OF

SEVERANCE INSTEAD OF 20. >> THANK YOU. MR. ROSS?

>> SECOND, I WENT THROUGH IT LAST TIME AND I HAVE TO GO THROUGH IT AGAIN, THERE WOULD BE SPECIFIC GOALS TO BE MET, AND YOU'D BE RUNNING FOR THAT WHICH WOULD BE AN INCENTIVE, I ALSO BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A PROBATIONARY PERIOD, JUST AS WITH ANY OTHER CITY EMPLOYEE . I WILL POINT OUT THAT WE ARE GIVING 20 WEEKS OF SEVERANCE PAY , WHICH MEANS $78,046.15 , AND THE PREVIOUS CITY COMMISSIONER WAS FIRED, THAT WAS DALE MARTIN, HE ONLY HAD 12 WEEKS OF SEVERANCE PAY. SO, I THINK 12 WEEKS WOULD BE A MUCH BETTER NUMBER . AND I HAVE A WHOLE PROBLEM WITH SATISFACTORY EVALUATION. THAT IS VERY VAGUE.

I AM GOING BACK TO THE SPECIFIC GOALS THAT THE CITY MANAGER HAS TO ACHIEVE . SO, THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ROSS. LET'S GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. I APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSE. LET'S CALL MISS

SHEILA COTE. >> SHEILA COTE, 15-53 INDIGO STREET. I HAVE VOICED CONCERNS ABOUT THIS HIGHER, PARTICULARLY. SHE APPLIED FOR THIS POSITION WHEN WE HIRED TY ROSS. SHE DID NOT MAKE THE TOP FIVE. SHE DID NOT APPLY THE FIRST GO-ROUND IN THIS SELECTION PROCESS. WE EXTENDED

[00:50:03]

NO PLAN. WE HAVE HAD , IS IT SIX? FIVE CITY MANAGERS? HOW

MANY IS IT? >> IT'S BEEN A BUNCH.

>> HOWEVER MANY IT IS, WITH NO LONG-TERM PLANNING IN PLACE. IT WOULD BE NICE FOR THE CITIZENS TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE CITY MANAGERS , AND WE SHOULD HAVE THAT INFORMATION. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER THAT , AND IF WE HAD 20 WEEKS IN PLACE WHEN BICYCLE GAIT HAPPENED -- WE NEED TO HAVE SOME PROVISIONS WHERE WE ARE PROTECTED AS A CITY IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG. AND, THIS IS NOT -- THIS IS A GOLDEN PARACHUTE FOR ANYBODY COMING IN. SO, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. SLICKNESS TOOTIE WENT TO COME DOWN.

>> JOY STUDENT, 2120 VICK STREET, JUST REAL QUICK, 45 YEARS AGO, DALE MARTIN'S PAY WAS $146,000. SO, IF SHE HITS $225,000 NEXT YEAR , THAT WILL BE A 65% PAY RAISE , PAY INCREASE TO OUR CITY MANAGER IN JUST FOUR YEARS OF BUDGETING PICKETS BIG. I DON'T THINK IT IS RIGHT.

>> THANK YOU. DO I HEAR A MOTION?

>> MOVED TO APPROVE. >> I HEAR A MOTION IN THE SECOND. ANY COMMISSION DISCUSSION?

>> I AM IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM IN FAVOR OF TRYING TO TIME IS CAMPBELL SALARY TO INCENTIVES. IF DALE MARTIN WAS HERE AND WE HAD DONE THAT WITH FIRE STATION 2, THE $140,000 , I THINK YOU WOULD PROBABLY BE DOWN TO 50. FIRE STATION 2 IS 18 MONTHS PAST OPENING AND IT IS NOT EVEN GOING YET, SO HOW IS THAT FAIR TO THE CITY MANAGER, AT ALL? I DON'T BELIEVE IN THAT BUT THAT IS A STRONG. WE ARE MAKING A LOT OF ROSSES PROBLEMS MS. CAMPBELL'S PROBLEMS AND I THINK THAT IS FAIR EITHER.

LASTLY, I WILL SAY, THERE WAS VERY LITTLE PUSHBACK ON GIVING MR. ROSS THE FULL COMPLEMENT OF $225,000. I KNOW THAT THE VICE MAYOR WAS PUSHED BACK ON A LITTLE BIT FOR TIME AS WELL, BUT, I CAN SAY, COMFORTABLY, THAT THIS COMMISSION DID NOT HAVE MUCH PUSHBACK IN GIVING HIM THE FULL COMPLEMENT OF THE REASON WE DID IT IS BECAUSE OF THE COST OF LIVING. THE CITY MANAGER MUST LIVE IN THE CITY LIMITS. THAT IS WHY THE PAY IS WHAT IT IS. THAT IS WHY THE FORMULA IS FIGURED OUT THE WAY THAT IT IS, BUT I CAN SAY, IF THAT WAS MY DAUGHTER, AND THIS COMMISSION DID NOT GIVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY TO, THANK

YOU, MAYOR. >> THANK YOU. WAS COMMISSIONER?

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST WENT TO RESPOND TO A COUPLE OF ITEMS THAT I DON'T BELIEVE ARE FAIR, EITHER. DENISE MADSEN, WOULD YOU COME FORWARD TO HAVE AN OPEN DISCUSSION ABOUT THE HIRING PROCESS , AND SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WERE BROUGHT UP? ONE OF THEM SPECIFICALLY IS , SHE SAID THAT THIS CANDIDATE THAT WE HAVE APPROVED 3-2, BUT SHE APPLIED PREVIOUSLY AND WAS NOT CHOSEN. DID SHE FULLY APPLIED PREVIOUSLY?

>> I DON'T RECALL HER APPLICATION IN THAT PROCESS .

[00:55:04]

>> I DON'T EITHER. I DIDN'T MAKE A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST BUT IT DID REQUIRE INQUIRE WITH THE CITY CLERK IN THAT MEETING AND SHE SAID SHE DID NOT APPLY PREVIOUSLY. SO, SHE HAD THOUGHT ABOUT IT, BUT SHE NEVER APPLIED. THAT WAS THE ANSWER THAT I RECEIVED. NOW WE CAN PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST BUT I THINK THAT IS THE ANSWER IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. RIGHT?

>> CORRECT. >> THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT. LET'S GO TO MR. ANTON.

>> I WILL STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH THE FACT THAT WE ARE NOT DOING THE RESIDENCE SOME KIND OF JUSTICE TO AT LEAST NEGOTIATE DOWN ON COST AND THINK IT IS FAIR TO COMPARE GENDERS ON THIS, BECAUSE I BELIEVE WE CAN DO OUR BEST BY OUR CITY RESIDENTS, WE WILL ASSURE THEM PROGRESS AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT $190,000 EVEN AT THE LOW END OF THE PAY SCALE THAT WE CAN JUSTIFY THAT IS NOT ENOUGH TO LIVE HERE BECAUSE THAT IS MORE THAN MY HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND THAT IS JUST A SINGLE PERSON. SO TO ME, THAT IS JUST A BUNK ARGUMENT EMPHASIS ON HIS HIRED PEOPLE BEFORE, I WILL CONTINUE TO

NEGOTIATE PURELY ON FINANCES. >> THANK YOU. LET'S GO TO

COMMISSIONER ROSS. >> ARE NOT OPPOSED TO PAYING MORE I JUST THINK YOU SHOULD EARN IT. IN THE FIREHOUSE, LAST TIME I LOOKED, THE FIREHOUSE IS 18 MONTHS BEHIND AND DALE MARTIN HAS NOT BEEN HERE FOR 18 MONTHS. SO I DON'T THINK IT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH DALE MARTIN. I KNOW IT HAD TO DO WITH BUT I WILL JUST LEAVE THAT ALONE. WHAT I TRULY BELIEVE IS THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE INCENTIVES, AND THE INCENTIVES WERE TO COMPLETE THE DESIGN OF THE SEAWALL. 5000 FOR THE DESIGN AND FUNDING THROUGH THE DOWNTOWN RENOVATIONS, GETTING THE IGOR ALVAREZ SOCCER FIELD UNDER CONSTRUCTION. PRACTICE FIELD AND SCHOOLWORK PROPERTY, PRACTICE AT HICKORY STREET, THE DOWNTOWN PARK, THOSE ARE ALL WITHIN THE PURVIEW AND CONTROL OF THE CITY MANAGER , AND I THINK THAT IS AN INCENTIVE TO GET THINGS DONE. WHAT I HEAR OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN THROUGH THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, IS THAT THE CITY MOVES AT A DIFFERENT PACE. GOVERNMENT IS SLOW , AND THAT'S JUST -- PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY, AND THERE IS NO INCENTIVE. IF YOU ARE THE CEO OF THE COMPANY AND YOU DON'T DELIVER, YOU DON'T GET PAID . A LOT OF THESE CONTRACTS ARE DESIGNED THAT WAY. I WORKED IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM, I GOT PAID PART OF IT WAS THE BASE PAY AND PART OF IT WAS INCENTIVE. AND PEOPLE HUSTLED TO WORK HARDER, TO SEE MORE PATIENTS, AND TO DO MORE. SO, I THINK INCENTIVE PAY IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ANY AGREEMENT LIKE THIS, AND I'M SOMEWHAT DISMAYED THAT WE ARE NOT WILLING TO CONSIDER THAT. I AM ALSO DISMAYED -- WELL, I'VE SET THE LIGHTS OFF. I AM ALSO DISMAYED THAT THERE WAS SEXUALITY IN HIRING A MAN OR A WOMAN THAT I JUST FIND THAT OFFENSIVE. I HAVE NEVER -- I DO NOT FIND THAT APPROPRIATE AND I IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS.

NOW, ALL THIS BEING SAID, IF WE DO GO THROUGH WITH THIS CONTRACT , I WILL SUPPORT HER, I WILL MEET WITH HER, I WILL NOT BE HERE, BUT I WILL OFFER MY SERVICES TO HELP HER IN ANY

WAY THAT I CAN. >> LET'S GO BACK TO

COMMISSIONER ANTON. >> HIRED NOW A SECOND CHIROPRACTOR IN MY OFFICE , PURELY FACTUAL IN NEGOTIATING THE BASE SALARY, IF I PAY SOMEBODY A SALARY AND THEY SIT ON THEIR HANDS, MY BUSINESS GOES UNDER ADVOCATE SHOULD BE TREATED ANY DIFFERENTLY. SO, I THINK THAT IS A PERFECTLY REASONABLE NEGOTIATION TO MAKE AND BUSINESS IS BUSINESS.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. DENISE HAS A COUPLE MORE QUESTIONS SHE MIGHT BE ABLE TO ANSWER. HOW DID THE PAY RANGE COME ABOUT?

>> WHEN WE MET , AND ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH HIM AND STARTED DEVELOPING THE PROFILE FOR THE CITY MANAGER, THAT WAS THE RANGE THAT WAS DISCUSSED AND AGREED UPON.

>> SO WE SET THIS RANGE A LONG TIME AGO.

>> CORRECT. >> OVER A YEAR AGO.

>> AND THEN ALSO , WHAT ARE THE OTHER COMFORTABLE POSITIONS FOR

[01:00:04]

HIGHER AT A RAPID RATE? >> WHEN I CHECKED , SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, MANY OF THE CITIES IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA ALONG THE EAST COAST, CITIES OF A SIMILAR SIZE WERE FROM 200 TO 225 OR EVEN HIGHER. A LOT OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF COST OF LIVING.

>> RIGHT. THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT. THIS TYPE OF POSITION, THIS TYPE OF DEMAND, THESE TYPES OF HOURS, THIS TYPE OF AVAILABILITY, 24/7, YOU ARE AT THIS JOB AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY . AN INHERENT PART OF CITY MANAGERS IS THAT THEY COULD HAVE A SHORT LIFE EXPECTANCY AT ANY MOMENT,

CORRECT? >> CORRECT.

>> THEY ARE ALL AWARE OF IT. EVERY CITY MANAGER IS AWARE OF IT. WHEN THEY GO TO CLASSES, WHEN THEY TAKE MANAGERIAL CLASSES, WHEN THEY TAKE ALL THAT STUFF, THEY ARE FULLY

AWARE . >> CORRECT.

>> ALL RIGHT. I'M JUST STATING ALL THOSE FACTS ABOUT HOW WE GOT TO THIS POINT. WE DID NOT JUST RANDOMLY PULLED THE MONEY OUT OF THEIR YEAR AND SAY THIS IS THE AMOUNT WE ARE GOING FOR.

THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER ROSS?

>> I AM NOT OPPOSED TO GIVING THE $220,000. I WOULD GIVE IT A SALARY SET AT THE BEGINNING OF THE RANGE OF $190,000 AND GO TO THE TOP OF THE RANGE WITH INCENTIVES. SO, YOU CAN GET EVEN MORE MONEY THAN WE ARE OFFERING IF YOU DO IT WITH INCENTIVES. AND I HOPE -- NEVERMIND. SO, I THINK THAT PROPOSING THIS IS STILL WITHIN THE RANGE OF POSSIBILITIES, IT IS JUST THAT IT GIVES THE CITY MANAGER COMING ON BOARD INCENTIVE TO PERFORM . OH, THE QUESTION WAS LIFE EXPECT AND SEE. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL NOT DECREASE HER LIKE LEGACY. IT MAY DECREASE HER JOB EXIGENCY. WOULD HOPEFULLY THE JOB DOES NOT DECREASE LIFE EXPECT AND SEE, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MR. ROSS. >> I WILL BE IN FAVOR OF THE CONTRACT, AND I'VE HEARD ALL THE CONCERNS ABOUT A POSSIBLE INCENTIVE PROGRAM . I WILL TELL YOU WHY I AM NOT, AND PEOPLE HAVE CLAIMED OR DENIED THAT THIS IS A REASON, BUT I WOULD SAY THAT WE ARE CELEBRATING OUR 200TH ANNIVERSARY. IT HAS BEEN 200 YEARS . FOLKS, THIS IS A BIG DEAL IN OUR CITIES TO HUNDRED YEAR HISTORY, TO MY KNOWLEDGE THIS IS OUR FIRST EVER FEMALE CITY MANAGER. IT'S A BIG STEP. IT'S A BIG DEAL.

ALSO IN OUR CITIES TO HUNDRED YEARS TO MY KNOWLEDGE, WE HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE SOME SORT OF INCENTIVE PROGRAM WHERE WE LIST OUT SPECIFIC PROJECTS, AND EQUATE THEM TO MONEY. SO, TO WAIT FOR THE FIRST EVER FEMALE CITY MANAGER WE HAD AND GIVE HER EXTRA HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH THAT WE DID NOT GIVE TO OTHER CITY MANAGERS IN THE PAST, I THINK THAT WOULD CERTAINLY BE A BAD LUCK. SO I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING SUCH AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM. I THINK THAT WE ARE READY , WE HAVE A GREAT CONTRACT NOW AND IS THE VICE MAYOR POINTED OUT, IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT NEARBY CITIES, THIS IS ACTUALLY LESS THAN THAT, SO WE ARE GETTING A GOOD DEAL. LET'S CALL ROLE.

>> COMMISSIONER ASK YOU? VICE MAYOR? COMMISSIONER ANTON?

[6.3 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AMENDMENT - COASTAL FLORIDA POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION - RESOLUTION 2024-191 APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 14 OF THE COASTAL FLORIDA POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION (CFPBA) AGREEMENT; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Approves an amendment to the Coastal Florida Police Benevolent Association Agreement Article 14 to appropriately compensate the Community Engagement Officer for daily canine care and custody.]

COMMISSIONER ROSS? MAYOR? >> YES, THAT PASSES 3-2. 6.3, UNDERSTANDING THE AMENDMENT FOR THE POLICE ASSOCIATION.

>> GOOD EVENING, JEFF 10 BASCO WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

ITEM 6.3 IS A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE COAST OF FLORIDA POLICE ASSOCIATION, PERTAINING TO APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT PERTAINING

TO CONVERSATION. >> ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE CHIEF?

SEE NONE. DO I HEAR A MOTION? >> SECOND.

>> MOTION AND A SECOND. DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. THIS

IS FAST, EXCELLENT. >> COMMISSIONER ANTON? VICE MAYOR STURGIS? COMMISSIONER ROSS?

[6.4 BUDGET AMENDMENT - FIRE DEPARTMENT - RESOLUTION 2024-192 APPROVING A BUDGET AMENDMENT FROM THE GENERAL FUND CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT INTO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SALARIES ACCOUNT IN FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE: Synopsis: Approves a budget amendment from the General Fund Contingency account into the Fire Department salaries and benefit accounts to fund three new firefighter positions for six months in Fiscal Year 2024/2025, in the amount of $150,446.]

>> YES, THAT PASSES 5-0. JUMPING DOWN, SIX-FOR. BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. UNLESS THE CHIEF WANTS TO GET IT BUT WE WILL GO WITH MR. GLISAN ON THIS ONE.

[01:05:03]

FIRE DEPARTMENT? >> RESOLUTION 2024-192, APPROVING A BUDGET AMENDMENT INTO THE APARTMENT SALARY-CAP FOR FISCAL YEAR 2425. HAPPY NEW YEAR, WE ARE THE FIRST DAY OF OUR NEW FISCAL YEAR WHICH IS WHY THIS BUDGET IS COMING TO YOU AS PROMISED IN EARLIER DISCUSSIONS DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS. WE DID NOT RECEIVE AN AWARD FOR THE SAFER GRANT, SO THERE ARE DIMINISHING CHANCES OF THAT AS WE GET DOWN TO THE DEADLINE AND OF COURSE WE WANT IT TO BE MENTIONED, BUT THIS IS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE THREE FIRE POSITIONS. THIS IS FUNDING FOR HALF A YEAR. MOVING THE MONEY NOW BUT WE WOULD PHASE THOSE POSITIONS IN THROUGHOUT THE BUDGET YEAR , JUST TO MAKE IT A BIT MORE AFFORDABLE AS WE MOVE THROUGH THIS YEAR AND INTO NEXT. STAFF RECURRENCE APPROVAL.

>> HOW LONG HAVE WE BEEN PLANNING THIS?

>> CHIEF, SINCE YOU'VE BEEN HERE, RIGHT?

>> A STEP IN THAT DIRECTION. IT'S BEEN A FEW YEARS IN THE

WORKS. >> AND SPECIFICALLY THIS MOVE.

ANOTHER WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT DOING THIS TRANSFER, MANY

WEEKS PAST. >> SPECIFICALLY OUR FIRST BUDGET DISCUSSIONS, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS SPECIFICALLY. WE TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WE KNEW WERE GOING TO BE POTENTIAL STICKING POINTS WE TALKED ABOUT ROADS, WE TALKED ABOUT STAFFING. THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED THROUGHOUT THE

ENTIRE BUDGET PROCESS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE DIDN'T HAVE COMMISSIONER ALSO THE QUESTION.

>> NOT A QUESTION BUT A STATEMENT.

>> A STATEMENT FROM COMMISSIONER ROSS. UNLESS YOU

WANT TO DO THE MOTION FIRST. >> EITHER WAY.

>> LET'S TO PUBLIC COMMENT. COME ON DOWN.

>> SHEILA COKIE, 1553 INDIGO STREET. WHETHER OR NOT WE WOULD GET A GRANT FOR THIS WE SHOULD NEVER BE FUNDING SALARIES WITH GRANTS. THE FACT THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO PULL OUT MONEY FOR POSITIONS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FUNDED IN THE BUDGET THAT YOU ALL ADOPTED , OUT OF THE CONTINGENCY PLAN WHEN WE JUST SAT HERE AND HAD ANDRE GIVE US A LONG EXPLANATION OF THINGS THAT NEED TO BE REPAIRED FOR BASIC FUNCTION IN OUR CITY, THE FACT THAT WE ARE NOT FUNDING FIRST RESPONDERS ACTUALLY IN THE BUDGET WHERE THEY SHOULD BE, THAT WE ARE ASKING FOR YEARS AND YEARS, SO THAT WE CAN GET A MODIFIED ROLLBACK RATE IN AN ELECTION SEASON, I THINK IT IS TERRIBLE THAT WE ARE DOING THAT. PLEASE STOP SAYING THAT YOU ARE FUNDING THESE THREE FIREFIGHTERS BECAUSE IT IS ONLY FOR A PORTION OF A YEAR. AT LEAST BE INTELLECTUALLY HONEST ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT YOU ARE DOING AND WHERE THIS MONEY IS COMING FROM. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU MISS COKIE. DO I HEAR A MOTION?

>> I MOVED TO APPROVE. >> MOTION AND A SECOND. NOW WE WILL OPEN UP FOR DISCUSSION. LET'S GO AHEAD AND START WITH

VICE MAYOR STURGIS. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. YOU HAVE BEEN WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

HERE HOW MANY YEARS? >> NINE YEARS.

>> NINE YEARS. GREAT SERVICE. I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR SERVICE

IN THE FIRED APARTMENT. >> THANK YOU.

>> IN THAT NINE YEARS, WHEN DID YOU STATE THAT WE ARE SHORT POSITIONS AND WE NEED TO START FUNDING POSITIONS . HOW LONG

AGO? >> THE FIRST YEAR THAT I WAS

HERE. >> SO, THE FIRST YEAR YOU WERE HERE. NINE YEARS AGO. WHEN NONE OF THESE COMMISSIONERS WERE HERE. NONE. NONE OF THEM, CORRECT?

>> RIGHT. >> NONE OF THEM WERE ON THE

BOARD, THAT'S CORRECT. >> CORRECT. NONE OF THEM WERE COMMISSIONERS AT THAT POINT. SO, WHEN DID THE POSITION START

GETTING FILLED? >> LET'S SEE .

>> LET ME BACK UP ONE SECOND. HOW MANY POSITIONS DID YOU SAY

WE WERE SHORT NINE YEARS AGO? >> 12 POSITIONS.

>> 12 POSITIONS. AND YOU FELT THAT, NOT BECAUSE OF RESPONSE

TIMES, BUT BECAUSE? >> NOT BEING ABLE TO MEET THE NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR THE NUMBER OF PERSONNEL THAT YOU

ARE REQUIRED TO PUT ON A SCENE. >> ALL RIGHT.

>> OUR RESPONSE TIMES WERE FINE. WE JUST DID NOT HAVE THE PERSONNEL TO MEET THE NATIONAL STANDARD.

>> ALL RIGHT BUT AT WHAT POINT DID WE START PUTTING SOME OF

THESE FIREMEN ON? >> I WOULD SAY , I CAME IN 2015, IT WAS PROBABLY 2017 MAY HAVE BEEN THE FIRST THAT WE PUT

[01:10:11]

ON? >> SO, TWO YEARS LATER, HOW

MANY, MAYBE TWO THE FIRST TIME? >> I THINK WE HIRED THREE AT

THAT TIME. >> THREE?

>> YES. >> SO THAT TOOK A BITE OUT OF

THE DEFICIT. >> YES.

>> SINCE THEN WE HAVE BEEN TAKING BITES OUT OF THIS DEFICIT. AND IT REALLY SHOWED UP FROM MY CONVERSATION WITH YOU, BECAUSE I HAVE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU, IN

2020, DURING COVID, CORRECT? >> RIGHT.

>> THIS SHORTAGE, WHERE WE ARE SAYING HEY, WE NEED MORE FIREMEN AND THIS IS THE REASON WHY. WHAT WAS THAT REASON?

>> WELL, OUR FIREFIGHTING FORCE STAFFING HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE MINIMUM. AND THAT DID NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT SICKLEAVE , FMLA WHICH IS FAMILY OR MEDICAL LEAVE , ON-THE-JOB INJURIES, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. DURING COVID, WHEN WE WERE LOSING WHOLE SHIFTS OF PERSONNEL, LOSING PERSONNEL QUITE REGULARLY DUE TO BEING INFECTED WITH COVID, IT BECAME VERY APPARENT THAT WE WERE UNDER STAFF.

>> OTHER FIRE DEPARTMENTS AROUND THE AREA WERE HAVING

SIMILAR ISSUES? >> YEAH, THEY WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. MANY OF THEM HAD A LOT MORE PERSONNEL THAN WE DO.

>> RIGHT. AND, WOULD YOU SAY AT ONE POINT THAT MAYBE THE FIREMEN LIKED THE OVERTIME AT SOME POINT, OR NOT?

>> NO. OUR PERSONNEL DO NOT CARE FOR THE OVERTIME.

>> OKAY, I'M JUST ASKING ALL THESE QUESTIONS, TO ME, HOW MANY OF THOSE 12 POSITIONS HAVE BEEN FILLED?

>> WE HAVE FILLED SIX AT THIS POINT.

>> SO WE ARE AT THE HALFWAY POINT . THESE ARE FULL-TIME POSITIONS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BUDGET, THAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, AND ADDING THREE MORE FULL-TIME POSITIONS, EVEN THOUGH STARTING IN APRIL THEY WILL BECOME A FULL-TIME FIREMEN

FOR THE REST OF THE TIME. >> YES. THEY WILL BE FULL-TIME

FIREFIGHTERS. >> THANK YOU. AND YOU HAVE ASKED ANSWERED ALL MY QUESTIONS.

>> APPRECIATE, THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER ROSS?

>> SO. I SUPPORT FUNDING , FULLY FUNDED FOR YEARS. I ALSO SUPPORTED FUNDING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THEIR REQUESTS.

I HAVE SUPPORTED THAT FOR YEARS. AND I HAVE NO PROBLEM HIRING THREE NEW FIRE PEOPLE. I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HOW WE ARE PAYING FOR IT. WE ARE PAYING FOR IT OUT OF WHAT IS CALLED THE CONTINGENCY FUND UNDER THE ACCOUNTING RULES, CONTINGENCY FUND IS DEDICATED TO RESERVE MONEY, SET ASIDE TO HANDLE UNEXPECTED EXPENSES AND EMERGENCIES ENSURING FINANCIAL STABILITY WHEN LIFE TAKES A SURPRISE TURN. GOVERNMENTS USE EMERGENCY FUNDS -- CONTINGENCY FUNDS, TO FIND NATURAL DISASTERS, ECONOMIC CRISES, AND PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES. THE MAIN GOAL OF THE CONTINGENCY FUND IS TO ACT AS A CUSHION AGAINST UNEXPECTED DISRUPTIONS , KEEPING GOVERNMENT FINANCES STABLE AND SECURE. AS WAS JUST POINTED OUT BY THE CHIEF, WE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR NINE YEARS. WE HAVE SLOWLY CHIPPED AWAY AT IT, AND THIS YEAR WE ARE PUTTING THIS IN THE CONTINGENCY FUND, ALTHOUGH WE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT FOR A LONG TIME . THIS IS NOT AN UNEXPECTED THINK THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN FUNDED THROUGH THE REGULAR BUDGET, AS SHOULD BE THE ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICERS. THE REASON WE DIDN'T FUND THEM IS BECAUSE WE WANTED THE MODIFIED ROLLBACK RATE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CONTINGENCY FUND. THE CONINGENCY FUND, GOING TO TODAY, WAS BUDGETED FOR $486,616. WE ARE TAKING OUT $150,446 FOR THIS PROJECT. SO, THAT IS ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE CONTINGENCY FUND. ON DAY ONE OF THE BUDGET, DAY ONE, WE ARE TAKING OUT A THIRD OF THE CONTINGENCY FUND , WHICH WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MAINTAINING FOR EMERGENCY USE AND UNEXPECTED THINGS LIKE WE JUST HAD WITH THE HURRICANE. NUMBER TWO, IN THAT CONTINGENCY FUND IS $300,000 SET ASIDE FOR A SETTLEMENT . SO, AGAIN, THAT SHOULD NOT BE IN THE CONTINGENCY FUND BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNEXPECTED . SO THAT LEAVES $36,170 , ON DAY ONE OF THE

[01:15:01]

CITY COMMISSION. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER ROSS.

COMMISSIONER ASKEW? >> OBVIOUSLY I'M IN FAVOR OF THIS BUT I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE THIS , AS WE TRY TO SECURE THE SAFER GRANT AGAIN NEXT YEAR. IT IS A GREAT PROGRAM . I LOOKED ON THE LIST AT ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND CLAY COUNTY WHO BOTH RECEIVED IT FOR LARGE AMOUNTS OF EXTRA PERSONNEL. IT WORKS OUT GREAT, SO, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS COMMISSION PURSUE THAT GRANT AGAIN. HOPEFULLY NOT INTERRUPTING IT WITH TALKS HERE

AT THE TABLE AND THE BUDGET. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER

ANTON? >> I WILL ECHO THAT I COMPLETELY SUPPORT AS HAVING FIRST RESPONDERS BUT I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD BE BUDGETING FOR THIS IN THE FUTURE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU MR. ANTON. LET ME REITERATE TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE -- LET'S SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON WHAT HAPPENED HERE TODAY. I THINK EVERYONE HERE IN THE ROOM, ALL THE STAFF KNOW THE PLAN. THE PLAN HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT THE ENTIRE BUDGETING PROCESS. THE PLAN IS THIS. WE ALWAYS WANTED THE THREE FIREFIGHTERS AND WE STILL WANT THE FREE FIREFIGHTERS. WE WANT THEM TONIGHT AND IT IS KEY THAT WE GET THEM. NOW THERE IS A GRANT, CALL THE SAFER GRANT, AND SOME PEOPLE ARE OPPOSED TO GRANTS, BUT FOLKS THERE IS FREE MONEY IF WE ARE ABLE TO CHECK ALL THE BOXES AND DO THAT BUT IF WE CAN CHECK THE BOXES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PREPARED TO HELP OUT LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES KICKOFF POSITIONS LIKE THIS. IF YOU ADD A FIREFIGHTER THEY ARE WILLING TO STEP IN AND HELP.

THE WORD HERE IS CALLED SUPPLANT. I'M DOING THIS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC SPEAKER TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT THE PLAN WAS. IF YOU HAVE MONEY IN THE BUDGET FOR A POSITION, AND THEN YOU APPLY FOR A GRANT FOR THAT SAME MONEY, THAT IS CALLED SUPPLANTING. IF YOU GET IT, THEN YOU ARE PAYING FOR SOMETHING YOU WERE GOING TO PAY FOR ANYWAY. THE PROBLEM IS THAT IF YOU ARE A GRANT WRITER, AND IF YOU ARE ADMINISTRATING THE SAFER GRANT AND YOU SEE THAT A CITY IS ASKING YOU TO HELP US KICKOFF A BRAND-NEW FIREFIGHTER POSITION WHICH WE HAVE ALREADY FUNDED, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO -- THEIR PURPOSE IS TO ENCOURAGE NEW FIREFIGHTERS TO EXIST. AND SO, IF A CITY LIKE OURS WENT AHEAD AND COMMUNICATED AT THE TABLE, WHICH I THINK SOME OF US WERE VERY GOOD ABOUT UNDERSTANDING HOW WE HAD TO PLAY THIS AND SOME OF US WERE, GO AHEAD AND USE IT AS A POLITICAL THING, BY DOING THAT, THAT REALLY EXEMPTED US FROM THE SAFER GRANT WHICH MADE IT HARDER TO GET . AT THAT POINT IN TIME WE ALL AGREED, WE NEED A PLAN AND WE ADDED EXTRA MONEY TO CONTINGENCY. CONTINGENCY WAS $300,000 IN YEARS PAST BUT THIS YEAR, WE ADDED EXTRA MONEY INTO CONTINGENCY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD ENOUGH AND LET IN CASE WE DID NOT GET THE GRANT, BUT I WILL TELL YOU WHAT, IF I WAS ADMINISTRATING THE SAFER GRANT , AND I'M SURE THE PERSON DID MAMA BECAUSE THEY GOT AROUND FLORIDA, THEY WOULD KNOW, THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE MEETINGS WHERE WE TALKED ABOUT IT. WE STATE THE FACT THAT WE ARE GOING TO PAY FOR IT ANYWAY, IF WE DON'T GET THE GRANT, WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET THE GRANT. AND THAT IS JUST MONEY THAT IS NOT GOING TO US AND INSTEAD GOING TO OTHER PLACES AROUND FLORIDA.

IT IS GOING TO OTHER PLACES WHEN IT IS OUR JOB TO HELP WRING THOSE DOLLARS BACK HOME. AND SO, IT IS NOT A BAD THING

[01:20:02]

>> SO WHAT YOU ARE SUGGESTING IS THAT WE SHOULD HAVE BURIED IT IN THE BUDGET, HIDDEN IT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND NOT TOLD THEM THAT WE WERE GOING TO PAY FOR IT ANYWAY BUT THAT WE ARE HIDING IT BUT I FIND THAT DEPLORABLE. THAT'S JUST DEPLORABLE. HE SO YOU ARE HIDING IT IN THE BUDGET, PUT IT INTO CONTINGENCY FUND, DON'T TALK ABOUT IT IN PUBLIC, DON'T BE TRANSPARENT, AND THEN IF WE DON'T GET THE SAFER GRANT THAN PAY FOR IT. AND I FIND THAT INAPPROPRIATE.

>> THANK YOU MR. ROSS. ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS? OKAY, SEE NONE LET'S CALL ROLE.

>> COMMISSIONER ASKEW? COMMISSIONER ANTON?

[6.5 PIGGYBACK AGREEMENT - BOUND TREE MEDICAL, LLC. - RESOLUTION 2024-193 APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT FROM BOUND TREE MEDICAL, LLC. BY WAY OF A PIGGYBACK PURCHASE TO BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA’S CONTRACT; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Approves utilizing Bound Tree Medical, LLC, to purchase medical supplies and equipment by way of a piggyback purchase to the Brevard County, Florida, contract through 2028, in an amount as budgeted annually in the Fire Medical Supplies account, 0012200 55245; $1100,880 in Fiscal Year 2024/2025.]

COMMISSIONER ROSS? >> YES. 4-1. ALL RIGHT, MOVING DOWN WE HAVE A PIGGYBACK PURCHASE AGREEMENT . COMING ON,

CHIEF. >> OKAY, FIRE CHIEF FROM UNION BEACH . THIS IS RESOLUTION 2024 193 IS AN AGREEMENT TO PIGGYBACK FOR MEDICAL SUPPLIES, OFF OF THE BREVARD COUNTY FLORIDA CONTRACT. THIS ALLOWS US TO PURCHASE OUR MEDICAL SUPPLIES AT A BETTER COST TO OUR CITIZENS, AND THIS WILL BE THROUGH 2028 THAT WE WILL USE THIS TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF. THERE WAS AN ERROR IN YOUR AGENDA . IT SAYS $1.1 MILLION . EXCUSE

ME, ACTUALLY IT'S $110,880 . >> A SMALL DIFFERENCE.

>> JUST A SLIP OF THE FINGER. >> CHIEF, IS IS FOR BUYING

SUPPLIES? >> THIS IS FOR EQUIPMENT AND

SUPPLIES, YES, SIR, FOR EMS. >> CHIEF, I SPOKE WITH DEPUTY CHIEF MORELLA EARLIER TODAY, AND THE AMOUNT HE INDICATED IS 123 FIVE , THAT THE 110 880 WAS A CARRYOVER FROM LAST YEAR.

>> OKAY. SO THAT IS 123,500. >> EXCELLENT.

>> AND, THIS WOULD ALLOW US WITH WHAT WE BUDGET EACH YEAR

FOR MEDICAL SUPPLIES. >> PERFECT. THIS IS IN FACT , THE SCRIBNERS ERROR HAS ALREADY BEEN CORRECTED IN YOUR PACKET.

SO WE DON'T NEED AN AMENDMENT IS WHAT I'M SAYING. TO HEAR AND A MESH AMENDMENT ON THIS OR ANYTHING FROM CHIEF? MESH NANOSECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. CITY

CLERK, PLEASE CALL ROLE. >> COMMISSIONER ASKEW?

[6.6 PERSONNEL POLICY MANUAL AMENDMENTS - RESOLUTION 2024–194 AMENDING THE CITY'S PERSONNEL POLICY MANUAL SECTIONS: 201-PAY AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS; 301-EMPLOYEE BENEFITS; 302-VACATION BENEFITS; 303-PAID TIME OFF (PTO); 304-SICK LEAVE BENEFITS; 305-SICK LEAVE/PTO DONATION; AND 306-HOLIDAYS, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; REPEALING ALL RESOLUTIONS AND POLICIES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Approves and adopts amended Personnel Policy Manual Sections: 201, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 and 306.]

COMMISSIONER STURGIS? >> YES. THAT PASSES 5-0. UP EXTRA HAVE PERSONNEL POLICY AMENDMENTS . ONCE AGAIN, OUR

DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES. >> DENISE MADSEN, HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR. RESOLUTION 2024.194 IS TO AMEND SOME OF OUR PERSONNEL POLICIES TO REFLECT CHANGES IN LEGISLATION, IMPACTS FROM COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, AND JUST PRACTICE CHANGES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN MADE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

THIS AMENDS SEVERAL SECTION, OUR PAY PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS, EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, VACATION BENEFITS, PAID TIME OFF , SICK LEAVE BENEFITS, DONATION OF LEAVE AND HOLIDAYS, JUST TO REFLECT CURRENT PRACTICES . WE REQUEST YOUR

APPROVAL. >> ANY QUESTIONS?

>> COULD YOU EXPLAIN THE PTO? >> IT'S A COMBINED SICK TIME PROGRAM, WHERE EMPLOYEES EARN TIME OFF BUT THE USE IT FOR

[01:25:04]

VACATION OR SICK LEAVE . >> YOU DON'T HAVE A CALL AND ANSWER YOUR SICK WHEN YOU'RE NOT USING IT ?

>> CORRECT. >> BUT IT IS NOT MANDATORY FOR TIME THAT YOU WORKED OVERTIME?

>> NO, SIR. >> OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT. YOUR QUESTIONS? DO WE HEAR EMOTION?

>> SECOND. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEE

NONE, CITY CLERK, CALL ROLE. >> COMMISSIONER ANTON? STURGIS?

[6.7 POLICY UPDATE - DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE - RESOLUTION 2024-195 APPROVING AN UPDATED DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE POLICY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ANY PREVIOUS POLICIES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Approves the updates to the Drug-Free Workplace Policy.]

SQ? ROSS? >> YES, THAT PASSES 5-0. ONCE AGAIN, MS. MADSEN WITH A POLICY UPDATE.

>> RESOLUTION 2024.195 IS AN UPDATE TO OUR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE POLICY. THIS POLICY IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE WORKPLACE POLICY IN 1988 AS WELL AS IN 2020, THE FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION IMPLEMENTED A RULE ON COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE, DRUG AND ALCOHOL TEST AND CLEARINGHOUSE, SERVICE PROVIDES AN UPDATE TO OUR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE POLICY TO REFLECT CURRENT REQUIREMENTS AND PRACTICES OF THIS FEDERAL LEGISLATION.

>> PERFECT. ANY QUESTIONS? DO I HEAR EMOTION?

>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, CITY CLERK.

[6.8 FERNANDINA BEACH MAIN STREET SUPPORT - RESOLUTION 2024-196 AUTHORIZING FERNANDINA BEACH MAIN STREET SUPPORT FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024/2025; 2025/2026 AND 2026/2027; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Authorizing Fernandina Beach Main Street funding support for three Fiscal Years, in the amount of $40,000 annually.]

>> YES, THAT PASSES 5-0. MR. BLISSETT, COMING BACK UP FOR MAIN BEACH SUPPORT BUT THIS IS A THREE-YEAR COMMITMENT?

>> YES. RESOLUTION 2424-196 AUTHORIZING WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

THREE-YEAR COMMITMENT FOR MAIN STREET OFF AUTHORIZING MAINSTREET FUNDING SUPPORT FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS. AND $40,000 PER YEAR. THE LIAISON BETWEEN OUR CITY LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND DOWNTOWN AND MAIN STREET BUSINESS DISTRICT.

THE PRESERVATION-BASED ECONOMIC VITALITY OF OUR DOWNTOWN BEING A TOP PRIORITY AND THEIR MISSION. STAFF COMMENCE

APPROVAL. >> ABSOLUTELY BUT DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS? LET'S CALL UP OUR PUBLIC

SPEAKER. JOY HEAR EMOTION? >> MOTION AND THE SECOND. ANY

DISCUSSION? >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK ON MAINSTREET BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR TICKETS YET, HEAD ON OUT TO ISLAND HOP THIS WEEKEND THIS SATURDAY. SON IS FORECASTED SO WE HOPE IT STAYS THAT WAY. LET'S CALL ROLE.

>> COMMISSIONER ANTON? WISEMAN STURGIS? COMMISSIONER ROSS?

[6.9 FACILITIES AGREEMENT EXTENSION AND UTILITY EASEMENT AGREEMENT - FLORIDA PUBLIC UTILITIES - RESOLUTION 2024-197 APPROVING AN EXTENSION OF A FACILITIES AGREEMENT WITH FLORIDA PUBLIC UTILITIES FOR RECONFIGURATION OF THE EXISTING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AT ALACHUA STREET AND NORTH 2ND STREET; APPROVING THE ASSOCIATED UTILITY EASEMENT AGREEMENT; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Approves an FPU extension of a facilities agreement to reconfigure the electrical service to Alachua Street and North 2nd Street, as well as the necessary easement agreement to complete the work, in the amount of $167,986.00.]

COMMISSIONER ASKEW? >> THAT PASSES 5-0. FERTILITY

UTILITY EASEMENT . >> RESOLUTION 2024-197.

UTILITIES FOR RECONFIGURING OF THE EXISTING UTILITY EASEMENT.

STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL . IN SUMMARY THIS IS FOR THE UNDERGROUND OF THE REMAINING UTILITIES ON FRONT STREET, THE REMAINING POLLS ARE THERE AND PROVIDING THE UNDERGROUND THAT, $159,800, THIS IS A LONG-STANDING PROJECT IN THE WORKS WITH THE CITY AND SPU . WE ALSO HAVE A VISUAL THAT WE

CAN THROW UP ON THE SCREEN. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT.

>> THAT IS FINALLY COMING DOWN, WITH FURTHER GROWTH WITHIN OUR

DOWNTOWN.. >> GREAT. THIS IS THE AREAS THAT WILL BE IMPACTED. SHOWING THE REMAINING POLLS, THAT WILL

BE REMOVED. >> UNDER GROUNDING THOSE

UTILITIES , FOR OUR DOWNTOWN. >> GREAT.

>> I WILL THROW THIS TO COMMISSIONER ROSS , I KNOW HE HAS BEEN HELPING MOVE THIS PROJECT ALONG. HE IS SHAKING HIS HEAD NO BUT I HAVE ALREADY SAID IT.

>> WELL, THIS IS THE FIRST PROJECT THAT WILL COME IN UNDER TIME AND UNDER BUDGET IN CITY HISTORY , WHEN I FIRST STARTED ON THIS, NINE YEARS AGO . NINE YEARS AGO? EIGHT YEARS AGO? ON CITY COMMISSION, THEY SAID IT WOULD COST MUCH MORE THAN $1 MILLION AND WE ARE UNDER $1 MILLION, AND THEY SAID IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN . AND IT HAPPENED. SO, WE HAVE DONE IT AND IT ONLY

TOOK SEVEN YEARS . >> GOOD JOB BUT THIS IS A

[01:30:03]

NONE, DO I HEAR EMOTION? >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, LET'S CALL THE

ROLE. >> COMMISSIONER ANTON? WISEMAN STURGIS? COMMISSIONER ROSS? COMMISSIONER ASKEW?

>> THAT PASSES 5-0 AND IT WILL BE EXCITING TO SEE THAT START

[6.10 PROPOSAL APPROVAL - HUBBARD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY - RESOLUTION 2024-198 APPROVING A PROPOSAL FROM ATLANTIC COAST ASPHALT, A DIVISION OF HUBBARD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, IN AN AMOUNT OF $36,431.20 PLUS A $5,000 CONTINGENCY FOR PHASE 1 OF THE PATCHING OF CITY STREETS; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Approves the proposal from Hubbard Construction Company for Phase 1 of the patching of City streets in an amount not to exceed $41,431.20.]

HUBBARD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. >> RESOLUTION 2024-198.

PROPOSAL FOR HOT PATTERN THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY. THIS IS SMALLER PAVING, PAVING SMALLER AMOUNTS DUE TO SINKHOLES, VARIOUS ROAD CUTS THAT NEED TO BE PATCHED AND SEALED. THE DOLLAR AMOUNT IS $41,441.20. STAFF RECOMMEND APPROVAL . THIS WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

>> DO I HEAR ANY QUESTIONS? MOTION? APPROVAL? WE HAVE A MOTION IN THE SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? LET'S CALL ROLE.

>> WISEMAN STURGIS? COMMISSIONER ASKEW?

[6.11 PROPOSAL APPROVAL - AGROW PRO INC. - RESOLUTION 2024-199 APPROVING A PROPOSAL FROM AGROW PRO, INC., AN AGRONOMIC SERVICES COMPANY, FOR THE APPLICATION OF AGRONOMIC MATERIALS ON THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH SPORTS FIELDS BY WAY OF A PIGGYBACK PURCHASE TO THE CLAY COUNTY, FLORIDA CONTRACT; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Approves a proposal from Agrow Pro Inc. for agronomic services for the City of Fernandina Beach sports fields by way of a piggyback purchase to the Clay County, Florida contract, in an amount not to exceed $55,000.]

COMMISSIONER ROSS? MAHER? >> THAT PASSES 5-0. DOWN THE LINE . THIS IS A PROPOSED APPROVAL FOR AGRO PRO INC.

>> RESOLUTION 2024-199. PROPOSAL FROM AGRO PRO FOR THE APPLICATION OF PESTICIDE AND FERTILIZER MATERIALS ON OUR SPORTS FIELDS. THIS IS A PIGGYBACK PURCHASED THROUGH CLAY COUNTY FLORIDA CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $55,000. STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL.

>> DO I HEAR EMOTION? SECOND? ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS? SEEING

NONE, ONCE AGAIN, CALL ROLE. >> COMMISSIONER ANTON? WISEMAN STURGIS? COMMISSIONER ASK YOU? COMMISSIONER ROSS?

[6.12 SOLE SOURCE VENDOR APPROVAL - SEA BANDIT CONSTRUCTION, LLC - RESOLUTION 2024-200 APPROVING SEA BANDIT CONSTRUCTION, LLC AS A SOLE SOURCE VENDOR TO PROVIDE PUBLIC OUTDOOR RESTROOM CLEANING SERVICES IN FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Approves Sea Bandit Construction, LLC as a sole source vendor for public outdoor restroom cleaning services in FY 2024/2025, in the amount of $78,110.]

>> THAT PASSES 5-0. SOLE-SOURCE VENDOR APPROVAL FOR LLC?

>> RESOLUTION 2024-200. SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT WITH C BAND CONSTRUCTION FOR THE CLEANING OF OUR RESTROOM FACILITIES, FOR FISCAL YEAR 24-25 IN THE AMOUNT OF 70,125 DOLLARS. STAFF RECOMMEND APPROVAL.

>> DO I HEAR ANY MOTIONS? >> I YOUR MOTION IN THE SECOND.

WITHOUT DISCUSSION, LET'S CALL THAT.

[6.13 APPROVING ANNUAL CONTRACT- DDI CONTRACTORS INC. - RESOLUTION 2024-201 APPROVING A CONTRACT WITH DDI CONTRACTORS INC. FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF BOARDWALKS AND BEACH WALKOVERS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025 ON AS NEEDED BASIS; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Approving a 1-year Contract with DDI Construction Inc. for the maintenance and repairs of boardwalks, in the amount of not to exceed $200,000.00.]

>> THAT PASSES. LET'S APPROVE THE ANNUAL CONTRACT, DDI

CONTRACT INC. >> RESOLUTION 2024-201.

APPROVING A CONTRACT WITH DDI CONTRACTORS FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF OUR BOARDWALKS AND BEACH WALK OVERS , AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $200,000 . FURTHER BACKGROUND ON THIS, CITY STAFF WENT OUT FOR BID FOR BOARDWALK AND MAINTENANCE REPAIR. THIS IS NOT CONSTRUCTING NEW BOARDWALKS, THIS IS MORE OF A MAINTENANCE REPAIR OF OUR 30+ STRUCTURES THAT WE HAVE ALONG THE BEACH. WE HAVE RECEIVED NO BIDS. SO CHEMICALS AND WENT OUT AND KNOCKED ON DOORS, ESSENTIALLY, AND GOT SOME LOCAL CONTRACTORS TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR WHAT WE NEED ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS AND WE HAVE THOSE THREE PROPOSALS BEFORE YOU. THE BEST VALUES WITH DDI CONSTRUCTION WHICH IS WHY STAFF IS RECOMMENDING ENTERING INTO CONTRACT, AND THIS DOLLAR AMOUNT IS OUR REGULARLY BUDGETED DOLLARS FOR BOARDWALK MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR ALONG WITH THE $50,000 THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE COUNTY THAT WE WILL USE TO RESURFACE ACCESS NUMBER 28 AND THEN ALSO THE $50,000 THAT WILL BE COMING NOW THIS FISCAL YEAR FOR ACCESS 30. SO, WE WILL USE THIS CONTRACT FOR THIS PURPOSE AND I WOULD LIKE TO APPLAUD DIRECTOR NICHOLSON'S EFFORTS FOR GOING OUT AND SAYING WE NEED SOMEONE HERE TO HELP US WITH THIS EFFORT. STAFF

RECOMMENDS APPROVAL. >> DO I HEAR EMOTION? MOTION AND A SECOND. I WILL ECHO YOUR SENTIMENT. WE ARE ALWAYS GRATEFUL FOR SCOTT AND HIS GREAT WORK. LET'S GO TO

MISTRUST. >> COMMISSIONER ANTON? WISEMAN

[6.14 PURCHASING POLICY UPDATE - RESOLUTION 2024–202 REPEALING THE PURCHASING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL ADOPTED BY RESOLUTION 2010-38 AND ITS AMENDMENTS; ADOPTING A NEW PURCHASING POLICY MANUAL; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Approves a new purchasing policy that reflects recent changes to Chapter 2 of the City's Municipal Code.]

STURGIS? COMMISSIONER ROSS? >> YES, THAT PASSES 5-0. 614 IS A PURCHASING POLITY UPDATE. WHAT DO WE HAVE?

>> IT IS. AND IT'S RELATED TO AN ORDINANCE, SO THE PURCHASING POLICY FROM THE CITY IS AN INTERNAL DOCUMENT THAT THE USE OF COURSE THEY ARE PUBLIC RECORD BUT WE USE THIS TO GUIDE STAFF AND DIFFERENT LEVELS OF STAFF WITH PURCHASING AUTHORITY, HOW WE PURCHASE, WENT TO GET QUOTES, HOW MANY QUOTES TO GET, ET CETERA. SO THIS UPDATES THE PERSONNEL POLICIES, ALL OF THEM, AND IT GIVES THE MANUAL A FRESH LOOK.

[01:35:06]

APPROVAL. >> PERFECT. DO I HEAR EMOTION?

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, LET'S CALL THAT

VOTE. >> COMMISSIONER ANTON? WISEMAN

STURGIS? COMMISSIONER ROSS? >> YES, THAT PASSES 5-0.

[7.1 CODE AMENDMENT - PURCHASING POLICY - ORDINANCE 2024-18 AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ADMINISTRATION, ARTICLE VII, FINANCE BY AMENDING SECTIONS 426 AND 444 TO INCREASE THE CITY MANAGER’S SPENDING AUTHORITY FROM $25,000 TO $50,000; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 431 AND 436 TO CORRECT A SCRIVENER’S ERROR; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Amending the Purchasing Policy to increase the City Manager's spending authority limit to account for increased costs of day-to-day City business from $25,000 to $50,000.]

SPEAKING OF THAT ORDINANCE, >> ORDINANCE 2024-18, AMENDING THE CODE ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 2 ADMINISTRATOR, ARTICLE 7, FINANCE , AMENDING SECTIONS 426 AND .444, TWO INCREASE THE CITY MANAGER SPENDING AUTHORITY FROM 25,000 TO 50,000, BY AMENDING SECTIONS 431 AND 436 TO CORRECT A SCRIVENER'S ERROR, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE SECOND READING, OPEN TO PUBLIC

HEARING. >> PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN.

WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS? PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED, NEVERMIND. WITH THAT, DO I HEAR EMOTION?

>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS? I SAID IT LAST TIME, BUT THIS IS NOT KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION. WE CRUNCHED THE NUMBERS ON WHAT THE FUNDING WAS LAST TIME YOU UPDATED, AND SINCE THEN, INFLATION HAS OUTPACED THIS BUT THIS IS JUST MAKING SURE OUR CITY STAYS NIMBLE AND AGILE BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK.

LET'S CALL THAT VOTE. >> MR. DYLAN IS WITH US IN THE

[8.1 HISTORIC DISTRICT COUNCIL - One appointment (Ms. Pat Gass and Mr. Dylan Psulkowski).]

>> I MOVE -- >> TRY SAYING THAT.

>> P. FOR THE POSITION. >> I WILL SECOND.

>> PERFECT FOR A SECOND ADMISSION FOR MR. DYLAN. I THINK THE WHOLE FAMILY IS HERE, WE VITIATE YOU GUYS BEING HERE.

DO I HAVE A SECOND ON THIS? ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR FUTURE SERVICE, WE APPRECIATE IT.

LET'S CALL ROLE. >> WISEMAN STURGIS?

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS?

>> SURE. >> COME ON DOWN.

>> 1127 NORTH 15. SECOND-GENERATION CARPENTER, MY DAD HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR 50 YEARS. SO, HE IS A PHENOMENAL CRAFTSMAN. I KNOW WHAT IT TOOK TO BUILD HALF OF THESE HOMES AND I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT WENT INTO THESE , I'M LOOKING TO PRESERVE THAT AS BEST AS I CAN.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. APPRECIATE YOU. OKAY. EXCELLENT. ITEM 9,

[9. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA OR ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA]

>> ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA , I JUST WANT TO QUICK ASK IF THE CITY IS GOING TO CONSIDER HIRING A CONSULTANT TO HELP IN THE DECISION FOR THE BIOETHANOL BUILDING PERMIT. EVERY WEEK WE GET CLOSER AND CLOSER TO WHEN THEY REQUEST A BUILDING PERMIT AND WE DON'T HAVE A CITY ENGINEER ON STAFF ANYMORE. I THINK I'M CORRECT IN SAYING THAT WE HAVE NOBODY ON STAFF WITH ANY CHEMISTRY BACKGROUND. SO, ARE WE GOING TO SEEK OUTSIDE EXPERT OPINION? WE ALREADY SOUGHT LEGAL OPINION STATING THAT ETHANOL IS A CHEMICAL, AND THAT IT IS CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING . RYAN CAME AND SAID IT IS NOT CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING AND THEY'RE PREPARED TO EXPLAIN THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY ALREADY FILED FORM NUMBER 62-210 WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL PRODUCTION WITH FLORIDA, WHERE THEY HAVE TO LIST THEIR SECOND DISCUSSION, THEY LISTED IT AS CHEMICAL AND FRACTURING. SO, I AM JUST HOPING, , AND WE CONTINUE TO LINE UP CONSULTANT AND EXPERTISE TO HELP PROTECT

[01:40:04]

[10. INTERIM CITY MANAGER REPORTS]

>> THANK YOU. OKAY. HEADING ON DOWN . MR. BLISSETT, COME ON.

>> SINCE WE LAST MET, WE HAD HURRICANE HELENE COME THROUGH.

WE SAW ONE INCH OF RAIN AND WIND UP TO 65 MILES PER HOUR, WE HAD A LOSS OF 12 TREES. WE ARE EXPECTING 4 TO 6 WEEKS TO RECOVER CLEANUP EFFORTS GETTING BACK ON SCHEDULE . THE FIRST OUTAGE HAD A 57% LOSS OF VIOLENT POWER, LARGELY DUE TO POWER COMING IN THROUGH FPL , AND WE WERE MOSTLY IF NOT FULLY RECOVERED . COMPLEMENT TO THE WORK DONE TO RESTORE POWER HERE ON THE ISLAND. WE'RE STILL PERFORMING DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK CHIEF SILCOX FOR HIS LEADERSHIP EFFORTS DURING THE STORM WITH THE RELATIONSHIP FROM THE ESE AND THE WORK OF CITY STAFF. HAD A STAKEHOLDERS MEETING LAST WEEK AND THAT THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING YOU WILL SEE A CONTRACT FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT WITH ABA CONSULTING FOR MOVING THAT PROJECT ALONG AND WE HAVE A FOLLOW-UP MEETING WITH THE STAKE HOLDERS INVOLVED ON THAT PROJECT HERE, NEXT WEEK. THE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION , WE ARE 75% COMPLETE ON THE DESIGN. CONTRACTION DOCUMENTS WILL BE COMING , THE FINAL DESIGN WILL BE COMING TO YOU ALL FOR REVIEW IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS , ALONG WITH GOING TO HTC FOR REVIEW AND THEN THE PLAN IS TO PERMIT THAT PROJECT IN THE SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER TIMEFRAME. AN UPDATE ON DREDGING, WE GOT AN UPDATE FROM THE ARMY CORPS TODAY AND WE ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN THE CHANNEL DREDGING FOR KINGS BAY IN DECEMBER, PLACING THAT ON THE NORTH END OF THE ISLAND, AND THEN THE NASSAU COUNTY SHORE PROTECTION DREDGING WHICH WILL FOLLOW THAT PROJECT IS RELATED TO THE RESTORATION OF OUR BEACHES, DUE TO EROSION FROM HURRICANE NICOLE. THAT IS FULLY FUNDED , AND THAT WILL BE PLACED FURTHER SOUTH DOWN TOWARDS SADLER SEASIDE BEACH ACCESS. THE GOLF COURSE IS FINALLY OPEN FOR PLAY. THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DRY OUT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

THEY WERE CLOSED FOR 12 OR 13 DAYS RELATING TO THE HEAVY RAIN AND OF COURSE, THE HURRICANE. SO, GET OUT THERE AND PLAY. ON A FINAL NOTE, CONGRATULATIONS TO KATHY RUSSELL IN OUR PLANNING DEPARTMENT FOR 26 YEARS OF SERVICE AND KATHY SABATINI FROM PUBLIC WORKS FOR REACHING 25 YEARS OF SERVICE.

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME?

>> COMMISSIONER US? >> HICKORY STREET BATHROOM?

>> IT'S ON MY LIST AND I JUST SKIPPED OVER IT. I TALKED WITH NASSAU COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD FACILITIES TEAM TODAY, AND I KNOW THEY HAD THAT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TONIGHT, SO I WILL HAVE A FOLLOW-UP CONVERSATION WITH THEM TOMORROW TO DISCUSS THOSE PROJECTS. PRACTICE FIELDS IN CENTRAL PARK AND THEN THE

INSTALLATION OF RESTROOMS . >> ONE OTHER QUESTION, THERE IS THE ISSUE OF THE CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA AT WATERFRONT PARK.

>> BE MORE SPECIFIC, PLEASE? >> I WILL BE REAL SPECIFIC.

WHAT WAS IN THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS SOMETHING CALLED THE MOVING SOMETHING OR OTHER WHICH WAS TO BE PUT IN THERE AS A FOCAL POINT FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY . IF THE PLAY AREA FOR CHILDREN WHICH I THINK IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THAT PARK.

WITH THE HTC AND THE ORIGINAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED WAS THAT THE PLAY OBJECT IS ABOUT $25,000 BUT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME, 25 TO 50,000 WERE OUR QUOTES IN THE INTRODUCTORY TO PUT THAT IN IS MINIMAL. THERE HAS BEEN SOME SUGGESTION THAT THERE BE A SPLASH PAD THERE. THE SPLASH PAD WOULD COST -- THE INFRASTRUCTURE WOULD COST AROUND $150-$225,000, WHEN YOU

[01:45:04]

SO, IN AN EFFORT TO GET THIS DID OUT , THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED FOR MANY YEARS, IN AN EFFORT TO GET THIS BID OUT WE SAID LET'S MOVE FORWARD WITH WHAT WAS ALL AGREED-UPON. WE WILL REVISIT THE CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA BECAUSE GETTING A FULL CONSENSUS CAN BE CHALLENGING AT TIMES. SO, WE MOVE FORWARD AND WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE WE NEED TO IDENTIFY WHAT INSTRUCTOR WILL GO THERE TO SUPPORT WHATEVER ELEMENT THAT WE PUT THERE. WE ARE PREPARED, TOMORROW, YOU ARE RIGHT, WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IT AND WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT NOW. WE ARE PREPARED TO ISSUE A BID ADDENDUM TO PROVIDE A COUPLE OF DIRECTIONS. YOU CAN ONLY WALK TWO PATHS FOR SO LONG UNTIL YOU HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION. WE ARE PREPARED TO MAKE A BID ADDENDUM TO PRICE IN THE SPLASH PAD ELEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN REQUESTED AND THE ORIGINAL CONCEPT, A SPINNING PLAYGROUND ELEMENT , WHICH WAS ALSO DISCUSSED, AND THEN CONTRACTORS CAN BRING US PRICING ON THOSE ELEMENTS AS A PART OF THE BID.

>> THE YOU VERY MUCH. >> WILL YOU ALSO BE GETTING THE BID OPTION FOR MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS FOR BOTH OF THOSE

CONTRACTS GOING FORWARD. >> I HAVE BEEN VERY VOCAL . I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THAT AND I HOPE THAT OUR BID WILL INCLUDE THE SPLASH PAD, WHICH IT SHOULD. THAT IS PART OF THE $2 MILLION WE BUDGETED FOR THIS. THAT IS THE MAX WE ARE LOOKING AT AND WE ARE HOPING TO INCLUDE A SPLASH PAD.

WITH THAT, I HOPE WE GET CONSENSUS TONIGHT THAT WE WANT TO SEE THAT SPLASH PAD. THE KIDS WILL LOVE IT. IT WILL BE GREAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THAT. IS THAT SOMETHING WE HAVE TONIGHT?

>> I AM OPPOSED TO THE SPLASH PAD. NUMBER ONE IT'S A MAINTENANCE NIGHTMARE, NUMBER TWO, YOU ARE INCREASING THE COST. THE COST FOR THIS THING IS FOUR TIMES THE COST. WE WILL FIND OUT WHAT THE COSTS ARE BUT IT IS AN ONGOING MAINTENANCE NIGHTMARE , SO WE'LL SEE WHAT THOSE COSTS ARE. I MEAN, YOU CAN COME IN WITH SIMILAR COSTS, THAT'S FINE BUT I THINK MY PROBLEM IS THAT YOU WANT. HAVE LOOKED INTO THE SEVERAL TIMES THAT I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD HAVE THEIR.

>> WE PROMISED THAT THIS PARK WOULD COST IN MAINTENANCE ABOUT $15-$20,000 PER YEAR. I THINK IF YOU PUT A SPLASH PAD IN THERE YOU ARE EASILY DOUBLING OR TRIPLING THOSE COSTS.

>> I THINK THE ADDENDUM IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR. WE ARE LOOKING AT IT , HE DID RUN THE WATER THERE. SO YOU DIDN'T EVEN PREPARE FOR IT. WHETHER OR NOT IT IS IN THE FUTURE , A SPLASH PAD GOES THERE, OR RIGHT NOW OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, BEING ABLE TO HAVE THE OPTIONS TO HAVE IT, I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE STAFF IS LOOKING FOR, THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THE ABILITY TO SAY, WHAT CAN WE DO WHAT WE ARE DOING, THE MAINTENANCE COST FIGURES IN AND I UNDERSTAND THAT PART AS WELL, BUT I THINK THE BID ADDENDUM IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR, SO THAT YOU RUN WATER OR SEWER. WE ARE AT LEAST GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS FEASIBLE.

>> THAT MAKE SENSE. >> I DO STILL SUPPORT HAVING THE LOWER MAINTENANCE KNOWN SPLASH PAD OPTION.

>> I CAN'T HELP THAT A DEGREE THAT IT WILL BE EXTREMELY

EXPENSIVE AS WELL. >> WE HAVE THE ADDENDUM, THAT SOUNDS GOOD, THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS

[11. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS]

>> I HAVE TWO QUICK ITEMS. EARLIER, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT GRANTS AND LAURA LIE JACOBS AND SHE IS SUCH AN ASSET TO THE

[01:50:01]

SO, WE ARE VERY EXCITED AND SO, SHE HAS MOVED OVER THERE, FULLY, AND WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE HER. SO, COME BY AND SAY HELLO SOMETIMES. THE SECOND THING THAT I WANTED TO DO, IS JUST A LITTLE BIT OF EDUCATION FOR OUR CITIZENS AND OTHER FOLKS , BUT THERE ARE MORE STORMS COMING, WE ARE IN THE STORM SEASON. I DID NOT KNOW THIS BECAUSE I HAVE NOT HAD OCCASION TO DEAL WITH IT, JUST UNTIL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, AND THAT IS, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE ? SOME OF YOU MAY ALREADY KNOW THIS BUT I KNOW THAT MANY DON'T. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE WHEN , IT COULD BE A STORM OR MAYBE NOT A STORM, YOUR NEIGHBORS TREE FALLS ON YOUR HOUSE AND CRUSHES YOUR ROOF. YOU WOULD THINK, I DID, IT IS YOUR NEIGHBOR. IT'S THEIR TREE,

RIGHT? >> TREE LAW IS VERY OBLIGATED.

>> DEPENDS, IS THE ANSWER. >> I HAVE LITIGATED IT

>> IT DEPENDS. AND THE ANSWER IS THAT IF YOUR NEIGHBOR DOESN'T KNOW IT IS DISEASED OR DYING, IT IS NOT OBVIOUSLY LOOK LIKE IT IS DISEASED AND DYING, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX YOUR ROOF FROM YOUR NEIGHBORS TREE , WHETHER THERE

IS A STORM OR IT JUST HAPPENS. >> YOU WON'T HAVE TO CUT THE TRUNK RIGHT TO THE FENCE LINE TO EXPRESS THAT IS IF YOU ARE THE NEIGHBOR THAT I'M NOT GETTING INTO HOW YOU MITIGATE YOUR OWN DAMAGES FROM THE NEIGHBORS TREE ON YOUR ROOF.

SO, I HAVE A NEIGHBOR WITH A DEAD TREE. I MADE THE A POINT, WITHOUT SENDING A LETTER TO YOU HAVE A DEAD TREE, BUT THIS ONLY CAME UP BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD PROBABLY FIVE INCIDENTS IN THE CITY THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED SO FAR FROM THE STORM, TREES FROM THE RIGHT-OF-WAY OR THE CITY GOLF COURSE HAVE FALLEN OTHER PEOPLE , I HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANY MAJOR DAMAGES, THANK GOODNESS , FENCES OR GUTTERS OR THINGS LIKE THAT, VEHICLES GETTING DAMAGED. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE TO BEAR THE BAD NEWS THAT TREE, WE SENT THE ARBORIST OUT, TAKE PICTURES, LOOK AT THE TREE AND BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY WHETHER THE TREE WAS DISEASED OR DYING BECAUSE WE DO NOT CATCH EVERYTHING BUT THERE MIGHT BE ONE THAT IS. THE CITY WOULD CERTAINLY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT. BY THE WAY, WHEN I SAY RESPONSIBLE, CITIZENS SHOULD KNOW, THE CITY IS FULLY INSURED. SO THE CITY DOESN'T WRITE A CHECK TO ANYBODY, WE HAVE A INSURANCE FOR THAT. BUT IN CASES OF UNDER THE LAW IN FLORIDA, STILL, IT IS CONSIDERED AN ACTIVE GUIDE. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR . SO TOMORROW I HAVE TO CALL SOMEBODY TO TELL THEM, THEY HAVE TO TAKE THE CITY'S TREE FROM THE RIGHT-OF-WAY THAT LANDED ON THE ROOF, THEY HAVE TO CALL THE TREE COMPANY TO COME OUT AND TAKE IT AWAY , AND THAT IT IS NOT THE CITY'S RESPONSIBILITY. I'M NOT HAPPY TO DO THAT BUT THAT IS THE STATE OF THE LAW. SO YOU DID NOT KNOW THAT, NOW YOU DO. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO THANK YOU.

[13. MAYOR/COMMISSIONER COMMENTS]

>> ALL RIGHT. WITH THAT, CITY CLERK? MR. ROSS?

>> TWO THINGS. ONCE AGAIN WANT TO THANK YOU FOR STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE AND MAKING A CONTRIBUTION TO THE TREE FIND.

AND I HOPE THAT OTHERS WILL FOLLOW SUIT. EVENT NUMBER TWO, SHOUT OUT TO THE ENTIRE CITY STAFF, PARTICULARLY THE CITY MANAGER, WHO I THINK DID A REALLY GOOD, ROBUST JOB WITH THE STORM, AND OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PROBLEMATIC FLOODING ISSUES IN THE OTHER DEPARTMENT IS WORKING ON THE DRAINS YOU HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB

RESELLER JOB. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER ANTON? >> EE THE COMPANY TO CITY STAFF. I DRIVE BY A DOWNED LINE AND WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OF THE REPORT THAT COMES DOWN, SO THAT WAS ALSO. ALSO THREE WEEKS AGO, I'M WRITING DOWN TO THE RESTAURANT FOR BREAKFAST, KNOCK ON THE DOOR AND THEY BROUGHT IT BACK AND I WAS JUST PRAYING NOT TO SEE CANCELED CREDIT CARDS AND ALL THAT'S A THANK YOU.

LASTLY, THE FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND.

>> THANK YOU. >> NOTHING, MAYOR.

>> THANK YOU. VICE MAYOR? >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANTED

[01:55:01]

THIS EVENING. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, VICE MAYOR. I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY SYMPATHY, ESPECIALLY TO THE FAMILY OF MR. JOHN HOLMES. THE HOLMES FAMILY, I KNOW THAT THEY ARE HURTING RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE HE PASSED AWAY , LONGTIME CITY EMPLOYEE FROM THE 1950S AND 70S ALL THE WAY TO THE EARLY 2000'S. MR. HOLMES WORKED FOR US IN THE PARKS AND REC'S DEPARTMENT FOR MANY YEARS. HE IS A DEDICATED MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY, THE AMERICAN BEACH COMMUNITY, MR. HOLMES, WE ARE

PRAYING FOR HIS FAMILY. >> I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS REACH OUT TO COMPLEMENT THE WORK , THE WHOLE TEAM. THE MAINTENANCE TEAM, EVERYBODY REALLY WORKED HARD THROUGHOUT THE HURRICANE, THE RESPONSE WAS STELLAR. I HAVE AN UPDATED UP-TO-THE-MINUTE NUMBER INCLUDING WHAT COMMISSIONER OSTER SAID. 3975 IS WHERE OUR CITIZEN FUNDRAISING IS FOR THE THERMOMETER OF OUR MAGIC PROGRAM. WE GOT TO GET TO 25,000 BEFORE NOVEMBER. THE EXACT DATE DATE? NOVEMBER 30TH.

25,000 BEFORE NOVEMBER 30TH, WE UNLOCK THE MATCH. SO BY MY COUNT WE ARE ONLY 20,000 DISH AWAY. SO LET'S KEEP THAT ROCKET ROLLING. OVER THE WEEKEND I HAD THE HONOR TO HOST THE FIRST EVER NASSAU'S GOT TALENT. WAS A COMMUNITYWIDE TALENT SHOW AT THE REC CENTER PUT ON BY OUR LOCAL COUNCIL ON AGING. IT WASN'T REALLY A FUNDRAISER BUT IT WAS A LOT OF FUN OUT THERE . I WANT TO CONGRATULATE BRANDON OLSON, LOCAL MUSICIAN, HE WON THE FIRST EVER NASSAU'S GOT TALENT.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.