[1:15] All right. All right.
[1:21] saying no.
[1:23] >> No.
[1:24] » No.
[1:24] >> You good?
[1:25] » You good?
[1:25] >> Is he in here?
[1:27] » Is he in here?
[1:27] >> Yeah. So, you see Lorie?
[1:28] » Yeah. So, you see Lorie?
[1:28] >> Yeah.
[1:32] » And he's trying to get
[1:38] sitt.
[1:43] » That's good for us.
[1:44] >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. It is.
[1:48] Good evening everyone and welcome to
[1:50] USUS City Hall. This is a regular Sunday
[1:52] commission meeting of the US city
[1:54] commission. It is now 6:00 p. p.m.
[1:57] August the 6th, 2026.
[2:00] Please silence all of your phones. Thank
[2:02] you. If you would like to join us, the
[2:04] invocation tonight will be presented by
[2:06] Pastor Jay Cooknau of Life Community
[2:09] Church and the pledge of allegian
[2:11] allegiance by our commissioner Willie
[2:13] Hawkins.
[2:19] Let's pray. Father, we thank you for
[2:21] this opportunity to come and to seek
[2:23] your guidance. Lord, I would just pray
[2:25] that you would lead and guide each of
[2:26] these council members as they uh vote on
[2:29] things and make decisions for our
[2:31] community. We pray that you would make
[2:33] this a peaceful meeting and that your
[2:34] hand would be upon everything. We ask
[2:36] this in Jesus name we pray. Amen.
[2:38] >> Amen.
[2:39] » Amen.
[2:39] >> Please join me for the pledge.
[2:41] » Please join me for the pledge.
[2:41] I pledge algiance to the flag of the
[2:44] United States of America and to the
[2:47] republic for which it stands. One nation
[2:50] under God, indivisible, with liberty and
[2:54] justice for all.
[2:55] >> Thank you.
[3:03] » We will officially call this meeting to
[3:05] order. Christine, is there a quorum
[3:07] present and proper notice have been
[3:08] given?
[3:09] >> Yes, Mayor Lee.
[3:10] » Yes, Mayor Lee.
[3:10] >> Thank you. Rick, is there an agenda
[3:11] » Thank you. Rick, is there an agenda
[3:11] update?
[3:12] >> There is no agenda update.
[3:14] » There is no agenda update.
[3:14] >> Okay. And I think you have a
[3:15] » Okay. And I think you have a
[3:15] presentation.
[3:18] >> Uh yes. So we get started today. We have
[3:22] » Uh yes. So we get started today. We have
[3:22] um representatives from Center
[3:25] Development uh to present information on
[3:28] the Akilo project um a redevelopment
[3:31] project downtown [clears throat]
[3:33] community.
[3:40] Good evening.
[3:42] >> Good evening, mayor, commissioners, city
[3:44] » Good evening, mayor, commissioners, city
[3:44] manager Garrick, city staff, members of
[3:47] our community, and the Achil team. My
[3:50] name is Danell Hoffer. I'm the CEO of
[3:52] Urban Hideway Development and Center
[3:54] Green. Before I begin, I'd like to
[3:56] answer a question I've been asked many
[3:59] times over the past several months. Why
[4:01] Achilo? is the name of the project that
[4:04] we're proposing. Achilo is pronounced
[4:07] Ailo.
[4:09] It's the ancient Roman name for the
[4:11] north wind.
[4:13] It's associated with fresh breezes,
[4:15] changing seasons, and renewal. To us,
[4:18] Ikilo reflects boating, sailing,
[4:21] sunsets, and the energy of a vibrant
[4:24] waterfront.
[4:25] Most importantly, it represents bringing
[4:27] new life and new opportunity to downtown
[4:30] Eustace. That's the vision behind the
[4:32] name. So now I'd like to turn to why
[4:35] we're here tonight.
[4:42] Commissioners, tonight our request is
[4:44] very straightforward. We're requesting
[4:46] your authorization to direct city staff
[4:48] to negotiate a purchase and sale
[4:50] agreement and development agreement with
[4:53] the negotiated document returning to
[4:54] this commission for consideration within
[4:57] 90 days. I want to emphasize one
[5:00] important point.
[5:02] Tonight authorizes authorizes
[5:04] negotiations. It does not approve a
[5:07] final project.
[5:09] Tonight begins a structured public
[5:12] process that allows the city and our
[5:15] team to complete the necessary due
[5:17] diligence, negotiate the agreements,
[5:19] [snorts] and bring them back to this
[5:21] commission for review and consideration.
[5:29] This slide explains why we believe this
[5:31] opportunity is important. Our vision is
[5:34] to transform the community center site
[5:37] into a true waterfront destination for
[5:40] downtown Eustace. We believe this
[5:43] project can serve as a catalyst for
[5:45] continued revitalization by generating
[5:48] tourism, supporting local business,
[5:51] creating opportunities for
[5:52] entrepreneurs,
[5:54] encouraging additional private
[5:55] investment in the community, and
[5:58] establishing a long-term economic anchor
[6:00] for downtown.
[6:02] It also represents workforce
[6:04] development.
[6:05] The project is expected to create
[6:07] hundreds of construction jobs during
[6:09] development, approximately 175 full-time
[6:13] jobs once complete, creating
[6:15] opportunities across hospitality,
[6:17] dining, retail, wellness, maintenance,
[6:21] management, and professional services.
[6:24] Finally, city staff has identified
[6:27] alternative community meeting space,
[6:30] allowing this property to be evaluated
[6:32] for its highest and best community use.
[6:41] This slide illustrates the overall
[6:43] vision for the site. The program
[6:45] combines hospitality, residential,
[6:48] dining, event space, parking, critical
[6:53] to the success, and public waterfront
[6:55] spaces in one integrated destination.
[6:58] Each use has been planned to support the
[7:00] others, creating activity throughout the
[7:02] day and throughout the year while
[7:04] strengthening downtown Eustace as a a
[7:07] truly a destination for residents and
[7:09] visitors alike.
[7:16] This is our current conceptual site
[7:18] plan. It reflects the planning completed
[7:21] to date and illustrates how the various
[7:23] program elements work together while
[7:26] maintaining an active public waterfront
[7:29] as negotiations and due diligence
[7:30] continue. This plan will continue to be
[7:33] refined.
[7:38] Let's talk about project scale. This
[7:41] represents approximately 70 million in
[7:44] estimated private investment.
[7:46] It reflects the project's current
[7:48] conceptual scope and demonstrates the
[7:50] significance of the opportunity before
[7:52] the city.
[7:54] As with any development of this scale,
[7:56] the final investment in project details
[7:58] will continue to be refined through due
[8:01] diligence and negotiations.
[8:05] So, let's talk about what has already
[8:07] been completed. Before requesting
[8:10] authorization to move [clears throat]
[8:11] forward this evening, it's important to
[8:13] recognize the substantial work that's
[8:16] already been finished. Our vision and
[8:19] programming are complete. Preliminary
[8:22] planning and massing have been
[8:23] completed.
[8:25] Our professional team has been
[8:27] assembled, many of which are here this
[8:29] evening. They are local as we are. or a
[8:31] local family and they are very very
[8:33] invested and ready to get to work on the
[8:35] project.
[8:37] Initial engineering coordination has
[8:39] begun. Hospitality discussions have
[8:42] taken place. Preliminary market
[8:44] evaluation has been completed.
[8:47] We've made significant private
[8:49] investment in bringing the project to
[8:51] this point and we've begun initial
[8:53] construction discussions already.
[8:56] This is why we're ready [clears throat]
[8:57] to move to the next phase.
[9:03] So what happens next? It's always the
[9:05] question. If negotiations are authorized
[9:08] this evening, the next phase includes
[9:10] the work shown on this slide.
[9:13] Independent appraisals,
[9:15] survey and title review, environmental
[9:17] review,
[9:19] utility and storm water coordination,
[9:22] development agreement and entitlement
[9:24] work, submission of project team
[9:27] qualifications,
[9:29] negotiation of the purchase and sale
[9:31] agreement to buy the property,
[9:36] and finally returning everything to this
[9:39] commission for consideration.
[9:45] So, commissioners, our request, this is
[9:48] the action that we're requesting this
[9:49] evening. We're asking you to direct city
[9:52] staff [cough] to begin negotiating a
[9:55] purchase and sale agreement for the
[9:57] community center property immediately
[9:59] and proceed diligently towards
[10:01] completion in a 90-day time frame.
[10:04] During that process, city staff and our
[10:07] team will coordinate the appraisals, the
[10:09] title information, the surveys, utility
[10:12] and storm water review, the development
[10:15] agreement framework, entitlements and
[10:17] zoning, legal review, and all other
[10:20] documents necessary to negotiate a
[10:23] mutually acceptable purchase and sale
[10:25] agreement again for the purchase of the
[10:27] property.
[10:29] We're also requesting that city staff
[10:31] coordinate departments and consultants
[10:33] as needed, identify any issues requiring
[10:36] commission policy direction during
[10:39] negotiations, [clears throat] and return
[10:41] the negotiated purchase and sale
[10:43] agreement to this commission
[10:45] for any approvals required under city
[10:47] procedures. Again, tonight authorizes
[10:51] negotiation. It does not approve the
[10:54] final project.
[10:59] So, madame mayor and commissioners, I'd
[11:01] like to thank you for your time. I'd
[11:03] like to take thank city staff, city
[11:06] manager for his time. Thank you for the
[11:08] consideration this evening. We
[11:10] respectfully request your authorization
[11:12] to begin the purchase and sale agreement
[11:15] and development agreement negotiation
[11:17] process.
[11:18] We truly appreciate the opportunity to
[11:21] continue working collaboratively with
[11:23] the city as this process moves forward.
[11:26] and we really look forward to returning
[11:28] to you with a complete agreement for
[11:30] your consideration.
[11:32] Thank you. And I'll be happy to answer
[11:34] questions.
[11:36] >> Thank you. I'll go. You want to go
[11:39] » Thank you. I'll go. You want to go
[11:39] first? Okay. Um I'll go. Um
[11:45] you say city staff has identified
[11:48] uh
[11:51] another property for the community
[11:52] center.
[11:54] Um, not necessarily. That's a very, very
[11:57] good question. I think they've
[11:58] identified various uh properties that
[12:00] the city already owns that are meeting
[12:02] space related, including the senior
[12:05] center and some other places around the
[12:06] city. So, they they've definitely
[12:09] [cough]
[12:09] hard look at that.
[12:10] >> Would you by chance know what the
[12:12] » Would you by chance know what the
[12:12] capacity is for those buildings?
[12:14] >> Um, I don't have it with me.
[12:16] » Um, I don't have it with me.
[12:16] >> Okay.
[12:16] » Okay.
[12:16] >> We got that in that staff report.
[12:19] » We got that in that staff report.
[12:19] >> I think city staff held led that effort.
[12:21] » I think city staff held led that effort.
[12:21] >> Yeah. off off the top of my head, I
[12:23] » Yeah. off off the top of my head, I
[12:23] don't know the exact numbers. Um the the
[12:27] senior center is close. It's a little
[12:30] bit smaller
[12:32] >> um than the community center, but we did
[12:34] » um than the community center, but we did
[12:34] look at the different events housed at
[12:35] the community center in in a one-year
[12:38] period.
[12:40] >> It seemed like all but three or four of
[12:43] » It seemed like all but three or four of
[12:43] the events could be housed at the senior
[12:45] center.
[12:46] >> Okay. Is that uh is that three or four
[12:51] » Okay. Is that uh is that three or four
[12:51] only because we don't have the space?
[12:54] And if we do this and we go to the
[12:56] senior city senior citizens building,
[13:00] does that lock us into not
[13:02] [clears throat] being able to grow the
[13:04] community, not being able to to expand?
[13:09] Um, I don't I don't see that it would
[13:12] tie us into not being able to expand,
[13:15] but um, you know, there's there were
[13:19] the events, I believe, and I don't have
[13:22] that information with me, but we did a a
[13:24] deep dive into it. Um, there were a
[13:27] couple graduations. There was, I think
[13:29] that like an eighth grade graduation. Um
[13:32] [clears throat] so you know we looked at
[13:34] other venues that could be in town but
[13:36] it would be private venues. Um you know
[13:39] Life Point Church could handle that
[13:40] size.
[13:42] >> Um you we we had talked about outside um
[13:45] » Um you we we had talked about outside um
[13:46] events which is a little more difficult
[13:47] to arrange but it would it would have to
[13:50] go to a third party facility.
[13:53] >> Is that fair to our citizens?
[13:56] » Is that fair to our citizens?
[13:56] >> Um I I can't speak to that.
[13:59] » Um I I can't speak to that.
[13:59] >> Okay. Um
[14:01] » Okay. Um
[14:01] this was an uh
[14:05] have we had any other uh proposals
[14:08] >> on this?
[14:10] » on this?
[14:10] >> No,
[14:13] » you can't.
[14:15] >> I cannot.
[14:15] » I cannot.
[14:15] >> No, no, you cannot do that. You have to
[14:17] » No, no, you cannot do that. You have to
[14:17] have a seat. Please sit down. Please.
[14:20] You can't do that now. You can't do that
[14:22] now.
[14:22] >> She's just asking for us to speak up.
[14:23] » She's just asking for us to speak up.
[14:23] That's the speaker.
[14:26] >> Okay.
[14:27] » Okay.
[14:27] >> Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were asking
[14:28] » Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were asking
[14:28] to speak. I apologize. I apologize.
[14:38] » Okay, ma'am. Is this better?
[14:41] >> There's a earpiece. Uh, you can get a
[14:43] » There's a earpiece. Uh, you can get a
[14:43] earpiece from the gentleman right over
[14:45] there if that helps you.
[14:47] >> I apologize.
[14:50] » I apologize.
[14:50] >> Help me. I appreciate it.
[14:51] » Help me. I appreciate it.
[14:51] [clears throat]
[14:53] » Yeah. Did we get any other proposals on
[14:55] this?
[14:58] And no, we did not.
[15:00] >> Okay. Um, so why would we negotiate with
[15:04] » Okay. Um, so why would we negotiate with
[15:04] just one?
[15:08] » This um the the
[15:12] submitt came in. We have not advertised.
[15:16] This wasn't part of the process.
[15:18] >> So as the opportunity came in, um we
[15:22] » So as the opportunity came in, um we
[15:22] presented it over a year ago to you. Um
[15:27] there were some things that were
[15:28] identified um at that point I believe
[15:33] they were addressed. One was um can we
[15:36] handle the events that are there? Um I
[15:39] think we have a good good uh game plan
[15:42] for that like a mitigation plan. Um the
[15:47] at this point it is
[15:50] um you know you're you're being asked if
[15:52] you want to consider it. Mhm.
[15:54] >> Um it it is it could definitely
[15:57] » Um it it is it could definitely
[15:57] stimulate part of our our downtown
[16:00] implementation plan. This falls in this
[16:02] was identified in the steps
[16:05] um as as being one of the key factors.
[16:08] >> That's actually Rick. That's actually a
[16:10] » That's actually Rick. That's actually a
[16:10] great point. This is this is consistent
[16:12] with our downtown master plan. It could
[16:14] it fits within that.
[16:16] >> It was one of the items that have been
[16:17] » It was one of the items that have been
[16:17] discussed in the workshops
[16:19] >> and and and I don't disagree that it
[16:21] » and and and I don't disagree that it
[16:21] fits. Um,
[16:24] but why the rush with one? Why not put
[16:26] it out there and see what else is out
[16:28] there?
[16:31] >> All due respect, Commissioner, we've
[16:32] » All due respect, Commissioner, we've
[16:32] done the work. We've spent 16 months and
[16:35] a considerable private investment into
[16:37] preparing for this point in time as as
[16:40] was indicated in the workshop that you
[16:42] attended. So, we feel like, you know,
[16:44] we're ready to take the next step. We
[16:46] are um have already invested several
[16:49] million dollars into the community over
[16:52] the last several years in our
[16:53] developments here and we're committed
[16:55] and ready to do this. Um and it's time
[16:58] for the city to be able to move forward.
[17:00] It's time the the citizens want um
[17:03] security in their future. Children need
[17:06] a place to go. People need places to
[17:10] work. the workforce development um that
[17:13] this will create is significant and
[17:16] we've done significant work
[17:19] >> substantial work. Yes, ma'am.
[17:20] » substantial work. Yes, ma'am.
[17:20] >> Um there have been things done and I
[17:23] » Um there have been things done and I
[17:23] guess there's more things to do. Who's
[17:26] going to invest the finances into this?
[17:28] How you know how much of it are you
[17:30] going to be a part of?
[17:32] >> Yes, mayor. That that's a very good
[17:33] » Yes, mayor. That that's a very good
[17:34] question. There's a significant
[17:35] [clears throat] capital stack of course
[17:36] that that has to exist and take place.
[17:38] We're in the process of looking at that
[17:40] now, but we've already made an
[17:42] investment valued at over $800,000 just
[17:45] in the last 18 months. And we did that
[17:48] and everyone sitting on the front row
[17:49] today has done that. They represent
[17:51] legal, architecture, civil planning, um
[17:55] economic development, and we've all made
[17:58] the efforts to do that. So, um because
[18:02] we believe in this project and we
[18:03] believe in the city, we believe in the
[18:05] economic value. You know, I I I
[18:08] appreciate that. Uh I appreciate the
[18:11] work that you put into it, but it was a
[18:12] gamble, I think, to do that until you
[18:16] got the okay from us.
[18:19] >> Um
[18:19] » Um
[18:19] >> we do that.
[18:20] » we do that.
[18:20] >> It's an investment.
[18:21] » It's an investment.
[18:21] >> We do that all the time. You know, we we
[18:23] » We do that all the time. You know, we we
[18:23] invest in projects that we believe in.
[18:27] >> Well, I think I think it's a wonderful
[18:29] » Well, I think I think it's a wonderful
[18:29] it is a wonderful opportunity for us.
[18:32] >> Thank you.
[18:32] » Thank you.
[18:32] >> For for 20 years, there's been no
[18:34] » For for 20 years, there's been no
[18:34] development at all in downtown. So I
[18:37] think this is a very big catalyst to
[18:41] economic development for our city. So
[18:44] it's a yes for me.
[18:46] >> Well, it and
[18:50] » Well, it and
[18:50] why can't we do multiple proposals
[18:53] >> if everyone agrees?
[18:54] » if everyone agrees?
[18:54] >> All due respect, you have done that in
[18:56] » All due respect, you have done that in
[18:56] the past and no one has stepped up to
[18:58] this level.
[18:59] >> I'm sorry. Not for that site.
[19:01] » I'm sorry. Not for that site.
[19:01] >> You have,
[19:03] » You have,
[19:03] >> but it's okay. I I think for one thing,
[19:06] » but it's okay. I I think for one thing,
[19:06] we need to move on. I mean, we've got to
[19:09] get started. I made a comment before and
[19:11] I still believe that that we've got to
[19:14] get moving. We can't just keep going.
[19:16] >> Mary, you're right. It's been 20 years.
[19:18] » Mary, you're right. It's been 20 years.
[19:18] It's been 20 years since the hospital
[19:20] left. Nothing has happened in downtown.
[19:22] This is a wonderful and
[19:25] very, very great opportunity for us to
[19:28] change the direction of our town. And
[19:30] you're right, we need to get moving.
[19:32] Madame Mayor, one point that I'd like to
[19:35] clarify is that because the property,
[19:36] and this has been discussed before is
[19:38] within the CRA, there needs to be a
[19:41] notice that's provided. And so I would
[19:43] take tonight as authorization for staff
[19:46] to continue discussions and for terms
[19:48] that are sufficient enough for the city
[19:50] to be able to provide that notice for
[19:52] the CRA to be made. And then that will
[19:55] be the opportunity for others to make a
[19:58] proposal. And that's a 30-day time
[20:00] period that that we're looking at once
[20:02] that notice is given. So, I want to be
[20:04] clear on that that there would be an
[20:06] opportunity for others to have that
[20:08] chance because it's a CRA property.
[20:11] >> Understand,
[20:13] » Understand,
[20:13] >> George.
[20:15] » George.
[20:15] >> Um,
[20:21] my understanding, and I guess I I guess
[20:23] this is probably a question. Well, Tom
[20:25] isn't here anymore, but my understanding
[20:28] from Tom was that he approached them and
[20:32] he brought up the community center and
[20:34] asked them to work on this project. Am I
[20:38] close to anything saying that?
[20:39] >> Yes, sir.
[20:40] » Yes, sir.
[20:40] >> You never went and said, I want to He
[20:42] » You never went and said, I want to He
[20:42] said I want you to look at this. You
[20:45] can't look at the three lots. I want you
[20:47] to look at Okay,
[20:47] >> that's correct, sir. Thank you. and on
[20:50] » that's correct, sir. Thank you. and on
[20:50] the that's a big number of invest a big
[20:53] investment number. I think it's a
[20:55] privilege and an honor for our city to
[20:56] have someone even consider that. Um
[21:00] I'm a numbers guy which hopefully all of
[21:02] us are. But when I look at that 70
[21:06] million, 50 million, 60 million,
[21:07] whatever it ends up being, usually it
[21:09] ends up being more than we think. But if
[21:11] it's 70 million, I think to myself,
[21:15] at the taxes that are generated there,
[21:18] we can build a community center every
[21:20] year, pay for cash.
[21:22] So,
[21:25] that's that's important to me. There
[21:27] were a couple things I I did uh asked to
[21:29] meet with her that I wanted and I want
[21:31] to make sure that they're included. Uh,
[21:34] one is that you pay for the property.
[21:36] two that if you don't perform, we get
[21:39] the property back. [clears throat] Uh
[21:41] what was the third thing? Um
[21:44] that you would try to use local people
[21:46] and and there was I think there was
[21:48] something else much more minor, but
[21:50] those were the two biggest things that
[21:52] you have a timeline to do what it is. Is
[21:54] that still uh something you're okay
[21:57] with?
[21:57] >> Yes, sir. Absolutely. It's important to
[22:00] » Yes, sir. Absolutely. It's important to
[22:00] us.
[22:01] >> That's it.
[22:02] » That's it.
[22:02] >> If if this was to go back out, Rick, how
[22:05] » If if this was to go back out, Rick, how
[22:05] long would it go out for?
[22:07] Well, it's it's as Taylor said, it it we
[22:11] would this could be a could serve as the
[22:13] the public notice and at that point 30
[22:17] days.
[22:18] >> Anytime, and this is just me, anytime
[22:20] » Anytime, and this is just me, anytime
[22:20] anyone comes to me and says I need it
[22:23] immediately, that causes me some
[22:25] concern.
[22:26] >> Um
[22:28] » Um
[22:28] uh I know that there are people that uh
[22:36] you know, there are commissioners that
[22:38] think this is a good idea. Um,
[22:41] I think citizens first. Um,
[22:45] you know, I don't like the we'll find
[22:47] someplace for him to go. I don't like
[22:49] that idea. Um, I don't like the fact
[22:52] that, uh,
[22:55] pretty much that's the people's house
[22:57] and we're being rushed to make a
[22:58] decision.
[23:05] I guess maybe I missed something. I
[23:10] can you explain more about this it being
[23:11] in the CRA? I didn't
[23:15] recall that being a part of that is in
[23:19] >> my understanding is that prior meetings
[23:21] » my understanding is that prior meetings
[23:21] and and workshops and I know there was
[23:22] communication with council for the
[23:25] presenters that discussed and brought up
[23:27] the fact that the property is within the
[23:29] CRA and that that required necessitated
[23:33] under the statute that there's certain
[23:35] notice requirements before that that
[23:37] property could be leased sold or
[23:41] dispossessed in any Okay. And that's
[23:43] that's what I'm referring to.
[23:46] >> Okay.
[23:47] » Okay.
[23:47] >> Commissioner Holland,
[23:49] » Commissioner Holland,
[23:49] >> I'd like to introduce Logan Ops.
[23:52] » I'd like to introduce Logan Ops.
[23:52] >> Commissioner Holland has something to
[23:53] » Commissioner Holland has something to
[23:53] say. Let me hear from him real quick.
[23:56] >> Yeah, thank you. Logan Obsol uh with
[23:58] » Yeah, thank you. Logan Obsol uh with
[23:58] Lounge Law Firm, land use council on the
[24:00] project. U that's fine. I I the previous
[24:04] council there were discussions back and
[24:06] forth. I think we're aware that it's in
[24:08] the CRA and certain things need to go
[24:10] on. The Community Redevelopment Agency
[24:12] is an important part of this. That's
[24:15] what we're we're promoting is is
[24:17] redevelopment of downtown. Um this isn't
[24:20] a rush. It's it's been a you know almost
[24:22] an 18-month process and uh in constant
[24:26] communication with your city staff who I
[24:28] applaud has been transparent
[24:30] informational has requested uh on your
[24:33] behalf uh a lot of information from us
[24:35] which has brought us to this point. Um
[24:37] again and this was covered by Dell at
[24:39] the top tonight is a direction to allow
[24:43] city staff to engage with us to provide
[24:46] a purchase and sale agreement which will
[24:48] come back before this body. the items
[24:50] that commissioner as body pointed out as
[24:53] relates to some sort of reverter time
[24:56] frame. Those are exactly the items that
[24:57] are going to go into that document and
[24:59] again that will come back for your
[25:01] consideration. So tonight is is uh not
[25:05] anywhere near the conclusion. It's the
[25:06] beginning and it's an exciting one uh in
[25:08] line with the city's vision for
[25:10] downtown.
[25:11] >> It sounds to me like this is the perfect
[25:13] » It sounds to me like this is the perfect
[25:13] time to get someone else in because
[25:14] we're at the beginning. We're not in the
[25:16] middle.
[25:23] There's probably only maybe two or three
[25:25] of us that are sitting in this room that
[25:27] knew the Pendletons that owned that
[25:29] property where that building's sitting.
[25:32] Part of me thinks that they would be
[25:34] excited to see the city finally moving
[25:37] forward with something.
[25:40] We're sitting on three city blocks
[25:42] behind us that will never be developed
[25:44] unless we have a catalyst to bring
[25:46] people to downtown Eustace.
[25:50] This is a project that could probably do
[25:52] that.
[25:55] There's a lot of work to be done and I'm
[25:57] not going to shut it down tonight
[26:01] without us going ahead and exploring the
[26:03] avenues. I think that nothing ever hurts
[26:07] with our staff going ahead and talking
[26:11] and bringing stuff back. Since it is in
[26:14] the CRA, you've got that protection
[26:16] where other people are going to see this
[26:18] and they're going to want to jump in.
[26:20] So, I don't see any problem with us
[26:23] talking, but we're going to have to do
[26:26] something as a commission that that
[26:29] opens up the rest of the development of
[26:31] downtown.
[26:33] And the way the funding of the CRA
[26:35] works, the more money that is brought in
[26:39] by tax money and into the CRA through
[26:43] the development of our commercial
[26:45] corridors, the more money there is to
[26:48] spend in other parts of our CRA. I think
[26:51] if we understand that, that's why this
[26:54] is very important to us as a city. Our
[26:57] businesses downtown are struggling and
[27:01] if we don't do something and if we're
[27:03] not proactive, we're going to lose more
[27:06] and more of those businesses. I know
[27:07] there are several restaurants that are
[27:09] hanging by a thread downtown.
[27:13] It's our job to make sure that they're
[27:15] able to stay in business. It's our job
[27:17] to make sure that our citizens have a
[27:20] downtown that they're proud of and that
[27:23] we can spend more money in our CRA as we
[27:26] fill those coffers. I'm with I am for at
[27:29] this point moving us forward. We're
[27:32] talking. Nothing has said we're selling
[27:35] this property yet or anything like that,
[27:37] but for us to stop talking is a problem.
[27:41] That's my opinion.
[27:43] >> Yeah. Were we Rick? Well, we um
[27:46] » Yeah. Were we Rick? Well, we um
[27:46] [clears throat]
[27:48] at one point we talked about uh putting
[27:50] out uh the solicitation.
[27:54] Correct.
[27:56] >> Uh there there was discussion on it and
[27:59] » Uh there there was discussion on it and
[27:59] that came back to commission and it was
[28:02] tabled.
[28:03] >> It was tabled.
[28:04] » It was tabled.
[28:04] >> Yeah.
[28:10] » Well, I don't think I can make it any
[28:12] clear how I feel about it.
[28:18] It seems like the general consensus of
[28:20] the um commission is to stop moving
[28:23] forward.
[28:25] >> It's a yes for me.
[28:26] » It's a yes for me.
[28:26] >> Yes, for me.
[28:27] » Yes, for me.
[28:27] >> Yes.
[28:28] » Yes.
[28:28] >> Absolutely not.
[28:29] » Absolutely not.
[28:29] >> Okay.
[28:30] » Okay.
[28:30] >> Thank you for your leadership. We look
[28:31] » Thank you for your leadership. We look
[28:31] forward to working with you.
[28:32] >> Thank you. Thank you.
[28:33] » Thank you. Thank you.
[28:33] >> Thank you,
[28:35] » Thank you,
[28:35] >> mayor and commissioners. Thank you for
[28:37] » mayor and commissioners. Thank you for
[28:37] your time. We appreciate this
[28:39] consideration. And with your permission,
[28:41] we'd respectfully ask that the Achil
[28:43] team and our consultants and guests um
[28:46] be allowed to quietly excuse ourselves.
[28:48] >> We'll give you a few minutes to do that.
[28:49] » We'll give you a few minutes to do that.
[28:49] Thank you.
[28:50] >> Thank you, ma'am.
[28:50] » Thank you, ma'am.
[28:50] >> Thank you. Thank you.
[29:10] Okay. Next, we'll move on to
[29:12] appointments
[29:13] to the Eustus Housing Authority.
[29:16] >> Uh, yes, Mayor. Uh, this item is for
[29:18] » Uh, yes, Mayor. Uh, this item is for
[29:18] consideration of the appointment of
[29:20] Kimberly Desawn Jones to the Eustace
[29:23] Housing Authority to fill a vacancy of a
[29:27] 4-year term expiring July 18, 2028.
[29:32] Um, as recommended by the Eustace
[29:34] Housing Authority Executive Director
[29:36] Horus Jones and the Eustace Housing
[29:39] Authority Board.
[29:41] >> Madame Mayor, I move appointment of
[29:43] » Madame Mayor, I move appointment of
[29:43] Kimberly Desawn Jones to the Eustace
[29:45] Housing Authority Board.
[29:46] >> Second.
[29:48] » Second.
[29:48] >> Roll call, please. Commissioner Hawkins,
[29:51] » Roll call, please. Commissioner Hawkins,
[29:51] >> I.
[29:51] » I.
[29:51] >> Commissioner Holland,
[29:52] » Commissioner Holland,
[29:52] >> I.
[29:53] » I.
[29:53] >> Commissioner Asody,
[29:54] » Commissioner Asody,
[29:54] >> I.
[29:54] » I.
[29:54] >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft,
[29:56] » Vice Mayor Ashcraft,
[29:56] >> I.
[29:56] » I.
[29:56] >> Mayor Lee,
[29:57] » Mayor Lee,
[29:57] >> I.
[29:59] » I.
[29:59] It will go on to audience to be heard.
[30:01] [snorts] If you have comments this
[30:03] evening, please complete a card from our
[30:06] city clerk.
[30:08] Approach the podium and please speak
[30:10] directly into the mic. State your name
[30:13] and whether or not you live in the um
[30:15] city of EUs. Um keep in mind that we as
[30:18] commissioners may not respond, but staff
[30:21] will be directed to get back to you. And
[30:24] most importantly, remember you have
[30:26] three minutes. Thank you.
[30:28] Yes.
[30:30] >> Oh, is she? We've got cards.
[30:32] » Oh, is she? We've got cards.
[30:32] >> No, we have to wait for the cards to be
[30:33] » No, we have to wait for the cards to be
[30:33] called.
[30:34] >> Thank you.
[30:36] » Thank you.
[30:36] >> Um, first card received was Gary
[30:37] » Um, first card received was Gary
[30:38] Winheim.
[30:50] » Gary Winheim, Unincorporated Lake
[30:52] County. I'm going to play brief audio.
[30:55] >> You came in. You talked to everybody but
[30:58] » You came in. You talked to everybody but
[30:58] me because you were told I I didn't need
[31:00] to be here because Ron didn't like me.
[31:03] >> Ron did say that. But I hold on. That's
[31:05] » Ron did say that. But I hold on. That's
[31:05] not true. But Ron did say that. Which
[31:07] one is
[31:07] >> No, that I didn't want that. I need to
[31:08] » No, that I didn't want that. I need to
[31:08] talk to you. I talk to you all the time.
[31:11] >> This is the important part.
[31:12] » This is the important part.
[31:12] >> And there was never going to be a
[31:13] » And there was never going to be a
[31:13] number, too. Just so you know, this
[31:14] town's too small to have
[31:19] » that was recorded in November of 2024.
[31:21] That's Chief Capri telling me this town
[31:22] is too small for the department to have
[31:23] a deputy chief. a position you just
[31:25] approved in next year's budget.
[31:27] Previously, the department had a deputy
[31:29] chief and two lieutenants. And when the
[31:30] former deputy chief retired in 2014, the
[31:32] third lieutenant position was created,
[31:35] and the deputy chief position became
[31:36] unfunded. The three lieutenant positions
[31:38] became captains with no pay adjustment
[31:40] to get the title in line with their job
[31:42] duties. Now, you are again funding the
[31:44] deputy chief, a position that less than
[31:46] two years ago, your chief said was
[31:47] unnecessary in a town this size. What
[31:49] changed? Not the number of officers or
[31:52] the overall size of the city. The
[31:54] department budget has certainly changed
[31:55] nearly doubling in five years under
[31:56] Capri in this position. Is this position
[31:59] needed because Capri is by his own
[32:01] admission not an admin guy? Prior police
[32:03] chiefs were able to run the agency
[32:05] without a deputy chief position and the
[32:06] cost associated with it. If Capri isn't
[32:08] able to do that, perhaps you have the
[32:10] wrong guy as chief. My guess is he's
[32:12] planning on bringing another Daytona
[32:13] crony to try and insulate himself
[32:14] further, much like he did by bringing
[32:16] Sergeant Barnett. I was hoping to update
[32:19] you on the chaplain program, but I've
[32:20] been unable to get any information.
[32:21] People tell us things and then we try to
[32:24] verify them. And we were told by a
[32:26] chaplain and her companion while at a
[32:28] conference paid for paid for by the
[32:30] department had a nearly $1,500 room
[32:32] service bill. I've asked every way I
[32:34] know how to find out how chaplain
[32:35] program is funded. And for some reason,
[32:37] there's no documentation on the process,
[32:39] no line item in the budget, no receipts
[32:41] through finance or purchasing, no
[32:43] tracking on spending whatsoever. You're
[32:46] a numbers guy. This makes no sense.
[32:49] Obviously, there's money being spent.
[32:51] You've all seen the shirts and some of
[32:53] you have attended the functions they're
[32:54] involved with. How is there no record in
[32:57] regard to what this program with 10
[32:58] chaplain in a town too small for a
[33:01] deputy chief cost the taxpayers? And
[33:04] talking about money and documentation,
[33:05] whatever happened with the nearly 28,000
[33:08] that you all voted to put into the
[33:10] forfeite fund that was or wasn't
[33:12] overdrafted, that subject went away
[33:15] after Capri stood here shaking his fist
[33:16] talking about angry people and fake
[33:18] news, but the questions were never
[33:20] answered. I've watched a lot of body cam
[33:22] footage lately, and I'll tell you, I I
[33:24] feel bad for the command staff and the
[33:26] sergeants. They are the only ones with
[33:28] any experience left at EPD. They're so
[33:31] busy trying to mitigate the mistakes
[33:33] these new officers are making with bad
[33:34] tactics and a lack of basic legal
[33:36] knowledge while trying not to incur the
[33:39] wrath of their bully chief. You don't
[33:41] need a deputy chief. Save the money for
[33:43] the the impending lawsuits. You need a
[33:46] chief capable of admin duties, not a
[33:48] liar who's busy trying to buy people's
[33:50] loyalty instead of properly running his
[33:52] agency. Thank you for your time.
[33:57] Kelly Guthrie.
[34:08] » I think the clerk has
[34:18] » yellow.
[34:24] » I don't want yellow.
[34:32] I got
[34:36] one.
[34:36] >> You want to have one?
[34:37] » You want to have one?
[34:37] >> One more.
[34:38] » One more.
[34:38] >> One more.
[34:39] » One more.
[34:39] >> Yep.
[34:45] [clears throat]
[34:47] >> Emily,
[34:48] » Emily,
[34:48] >> she has one.
[34:48] » she has one.
[34:48] >> Yes, I
[34:50] » Yes, I
[34:50] >> You ready for her?
[34:51] » You ready for her?
[34:51] >> Oh, yes. Go ahead.
[34:52] » Oh, yes. Go ahead.
[34:52] >> Yes, ma'am.
[34:53] » Yes, ma'am.
[34:54] >> Good evening. My name is Kelly Guppy and
[34:55] » Good evening. My name is Kelly Guppy and
[34:55] I'm going to speak very quickly due to a
[34:57] threeminut time limit. I would like to
[34:59] start this evening by saying I'm a
[35:00] lifelong resident of Eustus. I am 50
[35:02] years old. I lived in the same house on
[35:04] East Lake Joanna Drive from the day I
[35:06] was born until the day I got married to
[35:07] my husband of 27 years. Today, my
[35:10] husband and I lived in a house 10 houses
[35:11] down from the exact same house I grew up
[35:13] in. While growing up, I attended
[35:15] elementary, middle, and high school. My
[35:17] mom was a kindergarten teacher at Usus
[35:19] Elementary while I attended. My father,
[35:21] Paul Guthrie, was an associate pastor at
[35:22] First Baptist Eustace, now known as
[35:24] LifePoint Church. I graduated from UCF
[35:26] with a teaching degree in 1998 and
[35:28] immediately beca began my teaching
[35:30] career in Eustace schools until 2024. I
[35:33] retired this past May from Tarious
[35:35] Middle just short of 30 years from the
[35:36] day I began teaching. My grandfather,
[35:38] Casey Jones, built one of the very first
[35:40] houses on Lake Joanna, and he's
[35:41] responsible for bringing the telephone
[35:42] lines across 441 to Lake Joanna. The
[35:45] home my husband and I built and
[35:46] currently live in is one of a couple
[35:48] properties that my grandfather obtained
[35:50] on Lake Joanna after the Great
[35:51] Depression and the historic US gun and
[35:53] golf club closed. My grandfather also
[35:55] owned and began Jones Brothers Feed
[35:56] Benson Oil which is now known as Harris
[35:58] Oil in Mount Dora. Needless to say, I
[36:01] have deep roots and great history in the
[36:02] city of Eustus and I cherish this town
[36:04] that I live in. I am here to express
[36:06] great concern for the future of the US
[36:08] Community Center building. For over a
[36:09] year now, the US city commission has
[36:11] been considering turning over this new
[36:12] center to Siner Green owned by Joe and
[36:14] Denell Haer. I have a great concern and
[36:16] in whom the city is potentially
[36:18] partnering with two people whom have
[36:20] extremely questionable business
[36:21] practices in the past and present. This
[36:23] includes an over $200,000 uh unsatisfied
[36:26] IRS tax lean levied against them for
[36:28] unpaid taxes. And also looking at Lake
[36:31] County public records, there is a
[36:32] currently $3.38 million in leans against
[36:35] the hoppers for unpaid work. As I say
[36:38] before, I've been a teacher for nearly
[36:39] three decades in the city of USUS. I
[36:41] have an excellent reputation of
[36:42] integrity that I built for myself, which
[36:43] include being voted teacher of the year
[36:45] multiple times as well as finalist for
[36:46] Lake County's teacher of the year. I was
[36:48] even awarded you as teacher of the year
[36:49] by the US Chamber of Commerce.
[36:52] I'm honest and I protect my integrity.
[36:53] However, last summer after I publicly
[36:55] stated on Facebook my feelings and
[36:57] thoughts about the huddle development,
[36:58] the Hoffers filed a formal written
[37:00] complaint against me containing lies um
[37:02] with Florida's Department of Education.
[37:04] Formal complaints are usually reserved
[37:06] for things such as child and sexual
[37:07] misconduct, child abuse, excuse me. I
[37:09] had to hire a lawyer, Derek Schroth, and
[37:11] defend myself. I was found to have no
[37:12] wrongdoing by both the Florida
[37:13] Department of Education and the Florida
[37:15] Lake County School Board. When the
[37:16] Hoppers were notified in retaliation,
[37:19] they refiled a second time against me.
[37:21] The second complaint was also dismissed
[37:22] against me. I have a grave concern with
[37:25] you associating themselves with a
[37:27] company whom is known for not paying
[37:28] their bills to our local business owners
[37:30] and the federal government. What does
[37:31] that say about our city? What will
[37:33] happen when the IRS inevitably takes
[37:35] action against the hoofers when they are
[37:37] in the middle of building a hotel for
[37:38] the city of Eustace and is not even in
[37:40] line with the culture of Eustace? We
[37:42] situs will be left with financial
[37:44] disaster and a cleanup that Eustus
[37:46] cannot afford. What I provided you with
[37:48] was a copy of a few of the many lawsuits
[37:53] current against the Hoppers. It's a lot
[37:56] of money.
[37:57] >> Thank you.
[38:00] » [applause]
[38:01] >> No, please. We will not have that. No
[38:03] » No, please. We will not have that. No
[38:03] clapping. Please, let's just do this and
[38:05] get it done, please.
[38:08] >> Next.
[38:09] » Next.
[38:09] >> Next card. Carrie Shrier.
[38:22] Okay. Good evening, mayor and
[38:24] commissioners. My name is Carrie Shrier.
[38:26] I am not a resident. My son Jordan Ellis
[38:27] lived in Eustace until his passing last
[38:29] July. Over the past year, I've spent
[38:31] countless hours obtaining records,
[38:32] reviewing evidence, and investigating
[38:34] not only what happened to Jordan, but
[38:35] the investigation that followed. Today,
[38:37] I'm here because of Chief Capri's
[38:38] leadership and this city's continued
[38:40] failure to to address it. In August of
[38:43] last year, while Jordan's phone was
[38:44] still in law enforcement custody, we
[38:45] discovered it had been altered. We went
[38:47] to the department and showed Sergeant
[38:48] Barnett the evidence. He dismissed our
[38:50] concerns and did nothing with the
[38:51] information. Last I checked, evidence
[38:53] tampering is a crime. Or does that not
[38:55] apply to law enforcement? In December,
[38:57] after questioning the records department
[38:58] about missing records, missing reports,
[39:00] and more, Chief Capri inter interjected
[39:03] into our emails and asked me to come in
[39:04] so we could work things out. I asked
[39:06] instead to keep our communications in
[39:08] writing and sent him a detailed letter
[39:09] of many of my concerns. After that,
[39:11] Chief Capri told me further discussions
[39:12] would not yield productive outcomes.
[39:14] Yet, public records show that around the
[39:16] same time, Sergeant Barnett was emailing
[39:17] Lake County personnel trying to locate
[39:19] the chain of custody for Jordan's phone.
[39:20] If my concerns weren't worth discussing,
[39:22] why were they suddenly trying to
[39:23] reconstruct the evidence trail? After
[39:25] both my son Devon and I filed formal
[39:27] complaints, eventually Chief Capri
[39:28] directed Captain Fanning to conduct an
[39:30] administrative review. It found it found
[39:32] policy violations resulted in incident
[39:34] reports and repeatedly states that
[39:35] interviews were needed to determine what
[39:37] actually happened. Instead of opening an
[39:39] internal affairs investigation, then
[39:40] Chief Capri closed the matter. Only
[39:42] after repeated public pressure was an
[39:44] investigation finally open months later.
[39:46] June 24th, Chief Capri gave me an
[39:48] internal affairs case number. June 25th,
[39:50] I was told the investigation had been
[39:51] assigned to an outside agency. June
[39:53] 29th, Detective Kenninger submitted his
[39:55] resignation. July 1st, the outside
[39:57] agency confirmed it had received the
[39:59] investigation. July 2nd, after speaking
[40:01] with Chief Capri, Detective Kenninger's
[40:03] remaining notice was waved and his
[40:04] employment ended that day. Why does this
[40:06] timely matter? Because under Florida
[40:07] law, there is a 180day limit to complete
[40:09] internal affairs investigations. When
[40:11] investigations are unnecessarily
[40:12] delayed, meaningful administrative
[40:14] discipline can become impossible. This
[40:16] investigation did not get handed over to
[40:18] Claremont until this 180 days was nearly
[40:20] up. Chief Capri has described himself as
[40:22] not an admin guy. Respectfully, being an
[40:24] admin guy is the job. And if you're not
[40:26] an administration guy, you probably
[40:27] shouldn't be running a police
[40:28] department. From where I stand, after
[40:30] everything I've laid out, this appears
[40:31] intentional. Delay, delay, delay. Then
[40:33] suddenly, the detective puts in his
[40:35] resignation in just the right amount of
[40:36] time so he can go to another department
[40:38] unscathed. My son's case has been a
[40:39] cover up game from the beginning. What's
[40:41] even more troubling is that my family's
[40:43] experience is not the first time
[40:44] concerns have been raised about Chief
[40:45] Capri's leadership. Yet, this city has
[40:47] continued to keep him in charge. Because
[40:49] ultimately this responsibility belongs
[40:51] to the city. For months you were copied
[40:52] in on emails documenting these concerns.
[40:55] You were made aware. You remained
[40:57] silent. You hired him. You chose to keep
[40:58] him. When are you going to hold him
[41:00] accountable?
[41:04] » Next.
[41:05] >> George Warren.
[41:11] » Oh. Um hello commission. My name is
[41:14] George Warren. Sorry about the voice.
[41:17] Um,
[41:20] I don't know what to say not about that
[41:22] subject. Um, I'm sure that's that's a
[41:25] lot of stuff, but the as far as the uh
[41:29] community considered, but I trust you
[41:30] guys to do the right thing and uh so I
[41:33] think that's it's going to be a tough
[41:35] tough job. Well, I know where you're
[41:37] coming from. Uh, but if uh I think you
[41:40] did the right decision tonight to go
[41:42] ahead and see what's going to happen,
[41:45] right? And um I don't know I have to
[41:49] correct Gary a little bit. Um in the
[41:51] last 20 years there has been investment
[41:53] in downtown but I'm just kidding you. It
[41:56] was $750,000 that we did that building
[41:58] with. So that
[42:00] >> any new any new development
[42:02] » any new any new development
[42:02] >> there you go. Okay.
[42:04] » there you go. Okay.
[42:04] I'll accept your apology.
[42:06] >> Right. [laughter]
[42:07] » Right. [laughter]
[42:07] >> But anyway guys I know you're gonna do
[42:09] » But anyway guys I know you're gonna do
[42:09] the it's a hard job that you've got.
[42:12] sort of thankless sometimes uh because
[42:14] you put in a lot of work. You can't
[42:16] please everybody and I know that. Um so
[42:19] I'm on your side. So that's all I got to
[42:21] say. Rick, you're doing a good job,
[42:23] buddy. But you're just going to be here
[42:24] for a little bit. Just kidding.
[42:27] >> Thank you.
[42:28] » Thank you.
[42:28] >> Thank you.
[42:29] » Thank you.
[42:29] >> Thanks, George. Daniel Devonza.
[42:40] » Good evening. [clears throat] My name is
[42:41] Daniel Devonanzo. I'm a local business
[42:42] owner. I've been here since uh the early
[42:45] 90s 92 and I will tell you uh with
[42:50] regard to development I had to endure
[42:52] Neil Fischer erra realy who thought he
[42:54] was going to save us. I had to endure
[42:57] Greg Mack who had every idea under the
[42:59] sun but never did anything. I had to
[43:01] endure Danny Teams who was going to
[43:03] redevelop Eustace and where is he today?
[43:06] [clears throat] Um and by this way the
[43:08] city had a not too pleasant ending with
[43:10] him. Uh we also had to deal in my opin
[43:14] opinion with uh G3C2
[43:16] who provided us basically elementary
[43:18] school conception plans and uh with no
[43:22] background. But you know what? There
[43:23] were those that wanted to push ahead.
[43:27] Let's push ahead. Let's get something
[43:31] done. And now we have a group and we
[43:34] hear spirious rumors and uh charges
[43:37] which by the way I have looked into uh
[43:39] the current developers background
[43:41] extensively. I've had very specific
[43:44] questions with them because I've had
[43:45] people come to me and say well you know
[43:47] they did this you know they did that.
[43:49] Let me tell you how development works.
[43:51] First of all there will be a bond in
[43:52] place. Second of all, the city will have
[43:54] numerous with through the attorneys
[43:55] that'll use it, which by the way, we'll
[43:57] be spending money on, but it'll be good
[43:58] money spent that will protect the city
[44:00] against any, shall we say, project
[44:02] derailment, delays, or exposure,
[44:05] including potentially bankruptcy. And
[44:07] you know that a bond will be in place to
[44:09] asssure that the construction is
[44:10] completed. I don't know how many people
[44:12] in this room understand what a
[44:13] construction bond is. Uh the next thing
[44:16] that I'll also advise you to, let's talk
[44:18] about moving forward. Since 1992 when I
[44:21] came here, I can tell you um I've built,
[44:24] designed, and built the last four
[44:25] buildings that were built here. I own
[44:27] numerous buildings. I have over 60
[44:29] employees. Um I want to thank all of our
[44:32] uh third, second, and third generation
[44:34] business operators who have hung in
[44:36] there. George Warren, Bay Pharmacy, Mary
[44:39] Jeweler, Mary uh Judy Mary, Mary Mary
[44:40] Jewelers, the Porters, David uh with
[44:43] Porter Camera, Cards and Gifts, and you
[44:46] know we Oh, how about Kevin and Penny
[44:47] Janess with Peddler's Wagon downtown
[44:50] anchors that have hung in there and you
[44:51] know what's happened downtown? Nothing.
[44:54] Nothing. So, we finally got a commission
[44:57] and I want to thank you all for being
[44:58] proactive and for doing something ahead.
[45:01] one. I have a hard time saying to know
[45:03] somebody that wanted to enter into just
[45:05] some discussion to get to a potential
[45:07] agreement that's going to o offer over
[45:10] 150 jobs. And by the way, I looked at
[45:12] their jobs proposal and I know from what
[45:14] I pay how much money that's going to
[45:16] bring. Do you know I want to explain
[45:18] something else to you. I am estimate
[45:21] that their taxable value will be at
[45:23] minimum 1.4 million a year. Do you know
[45:26] how many houses that will cover that are
[45:29] going to go off the tax roll under
[45:30] Dantis's plan? Over a thousand.
[45:33] A thousand houses that are going to go
[45:34] off the tax roll. That one project, one
[45:38] project is going to make up for that.
[45:40] So, you're going to have employment,
[45:41] you're going to have opportunities, and
[45:43] it's going to put us on the map. Thank
[45:44] you.
[45:46] >> Thanks, Shane.
[45:49] » Thanks, Shane.
[45:49] >> Dedra D. Lewis.
[45:56] Good evening. Thank you, Dear Lewis, 1
[45:59] 1992 Meadowside Drive, Eustace, Florida
[46:01] 32726.
[46:03] Few months ago, you guys talked about
[46:05] this same project at that time. You
[46:07] talked about where would the citizens go
[46:10] if you sold the community center. You
[46:12] didn't have an idea. you wanted to get
[46:14] the previous city um attorney to put out
[46:18] a RFQ that included
[46:21] putting in their system to pay for a
[46:24] community center for the city of
[46:26] Eustace. Now we're here. I've worked for
[46:29] developers. I work in construction and I
[46:32] work in medical. You are about to give
[46:35] an advantage to these people over 30
[46:38] days for any other developer to come in.
[46:41] That is totally unfair. Now, in most
[46:44] construction, that means there's been
[46:45] some backdoor communication because I
[46:47] don't know anybody who would spend that
[46:49] much money to develop something when
[46:51] they don't even have approval. That's
[46:53] that's unreal. That's unheard of. And as
[46:57] Barack used to say, I don't think that
[46:59] was a good waste of good time of
[47:00] spending of your money. Here's the
[47:02] thing. People need an opportunity. The
[47:05] citizens needed an opportunity. Now, you
[47:07] told us that you sold the um senior
[47:10] center. Did you sell it or did you not?
[47:13] Someone else is using it and has the
[47:15] control of it. We citizens don't get to
[47:17] always go and use it. The community
[47:19] garden is not big enough. Th that's one
[47:22] thing. The second thing, you're putting
[47:25] a hundred or almost $200,000 into grass
[47:28] for a field and you haven't put handicap
[47:32] um tables for the community garden. You
[47:34] can't get to the community garden. You
[47:36] can't do anything with the community
[47:38] garden. No one answers you back when you
[47:40] call about the community garden. Since
[47:42] returning to Eustace, I have had a lot
[47:44] of your citizens ask me to please come
[47:47] back and start the community garden. I
[47:49] have tried and I have not been able to
[47:51] get anybody from your um recreation
[47:54] department to talk to me. You also want
[47:57] to put in $200,000 worth of grass and
[47:59] you haven't done anything with the
[48:01] promise that you made over there with
[48:03] Miss Lewis when her daughters died.
[48:06] You've put mulch around the fire
[48:07] station, but that section has been
[48:09] buried and you did a whole ceremony. It
[48:12] is time out for ceremonies. It is time
[48:14] for you guys to put up what you
[48:17] promised. You haven't done anything with
[48:19] the pavilion down in um east town. You
[48:23] put a gateway to nowhere. You haven't
[48:25] done anything with it. Citizens are
[48:28] getting tired of not getting what you
[48:30] promised them. Please consider these
[48:33] things when you decide to spend this
[48:34] kind of money. As far as the library, I
[48:37] think it's a wonderful thing. But I do
[48:39] want to ask you, is it going to be open
[48:41] on Saturday since you're about to spend
[48:43] $160,000 to renovate that?
[48:47] Because that was something we talked
[48:48] about as well. Something I know that the
[48:51] librarian had talked about, but it still
[48:53] hasn't been done. How are we supposed to
[48:55] use the library with our kids come for
[48:57] reading sessions if it's only open
[49:00] during the week? Ma'am,
[49:01] >> so as you play that, please consider it.
[49:03] » so as you play that, please consider it.
[49:03] Thank you.
[49:07] » Pam sentence.
[49:10] >> Chief, smile at me. Chief, smile.
[49:14] » Chief, smile at me. Chief, smile.
[49:14] All right. I'm here to talk about the
[49:16] community center. First of all, don't
[49:19] y'all let them take our community center
[49:21] because that community center got
[49:22] memories. It got love. People live down
[49:26] there. We got this man here can't even
[49:27] talk coming here to represent himself.
[49:30] What do we need a hotel for the brao
[49:32] germs in our community when we already
[49:35] got our own germs? They got their own
[49:38] money. We is just fine and uses building
[49:42] all these stoages. Take all them places
[49:44] where you building stoages. Go build a
[49:46] hotel what you want. Stop building all
[49:48] these stoages. Ain't that much moving
[49:50] and going on? So me, myself, and a lot
[49:53] of more us here, we stand behind the
[49:55] community center. These folks over here
[49:57] got money. Go out there where y'all live
[50:00] at and build whatever y'all want to
[50:02] build. But let us be. Do not get rid of
[50:04] our community center. We got folks live
[50:07] down there. We got folks love down
[50:09] there. Do not do that for us for them
[50:13] because they got money. Money is not
[50:15] everything. But money is very important.
[50:17] But still in all again that community
[50:19] center holds too much memories and love.
[50:23] Okay. So now when they take care of the
[50:25] building where we got to go
[50:27] >> in the yard then when you go in the yard
[50:29] » in the yard then when you go in the yard
[50:29] it's a problem the music too loud or
[50:32] something is wrong. Do not give them
[50:34] folks over there and I wish they was
[50:36] here to hear me. Do not give them folks
[50:38] over there
[50:40] that community center because there's
[50:43] nothing wrong with that community center
[50:45] and we need that community center. We
[50:47] have nowhere to go. Just like they say
[50:49] the garden room is too small. So, don't
[50:52] give them what they want. Again, please.
[50:55] And no, I ain't f to sit down. I'm f to
[50:58] talk my minutes out because number one,
[51:00] I don't like it. I don't appreciate I
[51:02] got to be down here in the rain cuz this
[51:04] is something we shouldn't even have to
[51:05] be down here for for y'all to even have
[51:07] a thought to get them people that
[51:10] building and all that stuff. This man
[51:11] been here 63 years before I was even
[51:14] born. Now, y'all mean to tell me y'all
[51:16] going to go move him out the spot to
[51:18] bring them? No, no, no, no. Stay out
[51:20] there in Lock Haven. Wherever y'all at,
[51:22] build whatever y'all need out there. Do
[51:24] whatever y'all need to do out there.
[51:26] Leave us alone. We're just fine. Okay,
[51:30] now it's time for the George Washington
[51:32] parade. Now you got the motel sitting up
[51:34] there. Whatever they trying to do. I
[51:35] don't know, but I'm against it. I don't
[51:37] care what it is. But the main thing, oh,
[51:38] I got some more time. I got plenty of
[51:40] time.
[51:41] >> Nope.
[51:41] » Nope.
[51:42] >> Oh, I got it on time.
[51:43] » Oh, I got it on time.
[51:43] >> I know you I know you saw the timer get
[51:45] » I know you I know you saw the timer get
[51:45] started late. Your time your time's up.
[51:47] Every time I get up, y'all do it. I got
[51:49] sit down. I can get
[51:52] >> Okay.
[51:55] » Okay.
[51:55] Y'all do me wrong every time I
[51:59] >> Isaac Thomas.
[52:14] Good evening, commissioners.
[52:17] city manager and attorney. You all know
[52:20] who I am. I am here on behalf of the
[52:24] Eustace Community Center. Also, I've
[52:28] been sitting up there with you all for
[52:31] three and a half years on the CRA. I was
[52:35] your first CRA rep
[52:38] and I am sick and tired of everything
[52:42] being taken away in the CRA.
[52:46] Stop taking away money and put money in
[52:50] the CRA.
[52:52] It's wrong. It is so wrong. And that
[52:56] clock is not right.
[53:00] >> It's running here. You're at 45 seconds.
[53:02] » It's running here. You're at 45 seconds.
[53:02] >> It is not right. I did not come up here
[53:04] » It is not right. I did not come up here
[53:04] with 3 minutes.
[53:05] >> No. No. But anyway,
[53:06] » No. No. But anyway,
[53:06] >> it's running till three. It's going to
[53:08] » it's running till three. It's going to
[53:08] It's going to go It's going up.
[53:09] >> So, Pam, you still had some time.
[53:13] » So, Pam, you still had some time.
[53:14] But anyway, like I said last week when I
[53:18] was here two weeks ago to give a
[53:20] $100,000 to American Bloom Eustace Bloom
[53:25] out of the CRA fund. Wrong. That's
[53:29] wrong. I don't care how you try to use
[53:31] it for beautifification.
[53:34] Like I said two weeks ago, flowers are
[53:37] not in our CR
[53:41] and that is wrong. Now here we are again
[53:45] giving away
[53:47] in the CRA.
[53:50] Wrong. That's wrong. And you all sitting
[53:54] up here, you're not but one person born
[53:58] and raised in this city. You don't know
[54:02] about the city of Eustace. You only know
[54:05] about the city of Eustace since you've
[54:07] been here.
[54:09] Born and raised here. That community
[54:12] center as Pam Simmons as you all call
[54:15] her. Hild the guard pale Simmons is how
[54:19] I know her.
[54:21] She went to Eustace High School while I
[54:23] was there. Kelly went to Eustace High
[54:26] School while I was there. Many functions
[54:29] have been done in that community center.
[54:32] Why are you all just coming into use
[54:35] this morning to wipe away our memories
[54:38] by giving away? You giving away land out
[54:41] here on 44 to Lake Sumpter
[54:47] when it could have been given to
[54:48] somebody right here in this city.
[54:51] Enough is enough.
[54:56] And if all the citizens get together,
[55:00] and I like each one of you up there, but
[55:02] it's time for you to get down because
[55:05] you're not doing right by the citizens
[55:07] of Eustace. You're doing what's best for
[55:10] you. You took that seat because of our
[55:13] votes.
[55:17] And that's all I'mma say. Remember,
[55:19] you're there because of our votes, the
[55:23] citizens of Eustace. And you're wrong.
[55:28] Patrice Hatcher.
[55:47] » Hopefully I can put some smiles on y'all
[55:49] faces now [laughter] after all that. My
[55:53] name is Katrice Hatcher and I'm a
[55:55] resident of Eustace. I come to you
[55:59] before to give you good news. Uh
[56:04] first I want to sincerely thank you guys
[56:08] from the last meeting. I was able to um
[56:12] acquire the Eustace Garden Center for
[56:15] the Beyond the Backpack
[56:18] and that allowed us to have additional
[56:22] funds to go on uh with the program. I'm
[56:27] happy to share with you
[56:29] uh Orlando Health, whom I've been
[56:32] employed with for the last 18 and a half
[56:35] years, decided to meet me halfway on my
[56:38] goal. My goal is to provide 150 kids
[56:42] with the uniforms. My budget is 10,000.
[56:46] So do the math.
[56:49] So with that being said, my co-workers
[56:54] have volunteered to assist me with this
[56:57] adventure by volunteering as well as
[57:02] providing some of the funding out of
[57:05] their pocket. Okay. Texas Roadhouse did
[57:09] a Christmas in July
[57:12] and contribute all those uh donations to
[57:16] the Beyond the Backpack.
[57:21] As I stated to you, it's my goal is to
[57:24] provide 150 kids with the uniforms. So,
[57:27] this is being done by a referral
[57:29] process. I've contacted
[57:33] Eustace Elementary as well as Eustace
[57:36] Heights and also Triangle personally um
[57:42] to uh let them know about the referral
[57:45] process which it has already begun.
[57:53] Beyond the Backpack will be held Sunday,
[57:56] September the 13th at 2:00 p.m.
[58:00] at the Eustace Garden Center. And I just
[58:02] wanted to personally invite you guys to
[58:05] that event so you can see what we're
[58:07] doing. And that's it. If you have any
[58:10] questions, feel free to ask. If anybody
[58:12] in the building want to contribute, see
[58:15] me. Thank you.
[58:17] Um, Rick, will you u will you will you
[58:19] please make contact with her and give
[58:21] her $500 for my uh for my fund for the
[58:24] backpack, please?
[58:25] >> We'll do.
[58:32] » Any more cards?
[58:33] >> Uh, yes, Mayor. Uh, John Labriola.
[58:50] Good evening, uh, council. My name is
[58:51] John Labriola. I represent the Christian
[58:53] Family Coalition. We are a statewide
[58:55] organization dedicated to defending
[58:57] religious liberties and, uh, protecting
[58:59] family values in Tallahassee and
[59:01] throughout the state. During the
[59:02] session, we're in Tallahassee lobbying
[59:04] for um, different legislation. and the
[59:06] rest of the year we're before uh county
[59:09] school boards and county commissions as
[59:11] well as city commissions like yourself
[59:13] to ask uh you to do different things.
[59:15] I've actually been before your late
[59:17] county commission in the past, but this
[59:19] is my first time at a US city council
[59:22] meeting. Um but the reason I'm here
[59:23] today is uh because of something called
[59:26] book page. It's a magazine. It's a
[59:29] national magazine. It's actually
[59:31] available in your library here in
[59:33] Eustace uh as well as a number of
[59:35] libraries throughout the country. And
[59:37] it's a very woke uh magazine. It's a
[59:40] book review magazine. It's not like a
[59:41] regular magazine that's up on the rack.
[59:43] It's available in large quantities. It's
[59:45] purchased in large quantities by the
[59:47] city and placed in the lobby. I sent you
[59:49] an email about this with more details,
[59:51] but basically uh this magazine um is
[59:55] very woke. It just pushes uh it's a book
[59:58] review magazine that only uh recommends
[1:00:00] books that are either of the left or a
[1:00:03] lot of the books in the magazine do not
[1:00:05] have a political bent, but but when they
[1:00:07] do, they're invariably from the left.
[1:00:09] Things like pushing witchcraft, pushing
[1:00:11] LGBT, um pushing hatred for our
[1:00:13] president. There there are never any
[1:00:16] best-selling conservative authors
[1:00:17] presented. And uh so this is really a
[1:00:20] waste of taxpayer money. And we've been
[1:00:22] before the Citrus County. I live here in
[1:00:25] in central Florida. Um, and we've been
[1:00:28] to to the Citrus County Commission
[1:00:30] asking them to cancel their subscription
[1:00:32] to it. They cancelled it. Hernando
[1:00:34] County also canceled it. And here in
[1:00:36] Lake County, the Leburg City Council
[1:00:38] recently did so. And yesterday, I was in
[1:00:41] front of the Tavari City Council and
[1:00:43] they made a motion right there at that
[1:00:44] meeting to cancel it. Uh, because this
[1:00:47] particular magazine is also available
[1:00:48] for free online. There's no reason to
[1:00:51] pay for a physical subscription. Um, and
[1:00:53] so I I wanted to just I I brought a few
[1:00:57] copies um which I I'd like to make
[1:00:59] available to the clerk and and uh the
[1:01:00] five commissioners, but this is just the
[1:01:03] current edition, the August edition. And
[1:01:06] um I'll just give you an example on page
[1:01:08] 15. Uh there's a book that's
[1:01:11] recommended. It's called Realm Sweep.
[1:01:13] And it's listed under the category of
[1:01:15] for children. Um, and this is a book
[1:01:18] that actually combines witchcraft which
[1:01:21] with a with transgenderism. Um, it it
[1:01:24] it's by an author who is described as a
[1:01:27] I looked her up a radical lesbian. Um,
[1:01:30] and this particular book actually
[1:01:32] promotes the idea there. The main
[1:01:34] character is uh called um Rowdy Buckner,
[1:01:40] the prince of Texas. It's actually a
[1:01:42] girl and uh it says that she desperately
[1:01:45] wants a gender affirming transformation
[1:01:47] tonic which is essentially trying to
[1:01:50] push transgenderism on children and we
[1:01:53] feel that that's very inappropriate. So
[1:01:54] please uh ask you to cancel this the
[1:01:57] subscription. Thank you so much
[1:02:00] >> mayor. The last card is lawyer Laura
[1:02:03] » mayor. The last card is lawyer Laura
[1:02:03] Conurs.
[1:02:08] » [snorts]
[1:02:15] » Good evening. This is a new place. It's
[1:02:17] beautiful, by the way. Your building is
[1:02:20] beautiful. Um I'm with John with the
[1:02:23] Christian Family Coalition and also um I
[1:02:28] would like to ask you to kindly to
[1:02:30] reduce the um if you can reduce the
[1:02:32] budget but cancel the subscription that
[1:02:34] would be great. Um uh he gave you some
[1:02:38] examples of how this magazine really is
[1:02:42] not teaching, it's indoctrinating and
[1:02:45] and that is wrong. Um it's already
[1:02:48] online and it never promote um
[1:02:51] conservative um reviews and books. So to
[1:02:56] me it's only one-sided. Um so um we're
[1:03:00] asking you to if you know it will help
[1:03:03] you reduce your your cost of the city.
[1:03:07] So that is um what I came here to kindly
[1:03:11] ask you. Um and so if I have a little
[1:03:16] bit more time
[1:03:17] um also John was uh talking about um to
[1:03:22] me about um if every city could do a
[1:03:26] date of remembrance for it's coming the
[1:03:29] um the time of October 15 coming the
[1:03:33] assassination of Charlie Kirk. If um we
[1:03:36] went to the city of Leisburg and they
[1:03:39] listened to us, we are asking um very
[1:03:43] nice if you can have a day of
[1:03:45] remembrance for him to um in honor of
[1:03:49] his birthday, in honor of what he did
[1:03:51] for our country and um I am thanking you
[1:03:55] for your time. Thank you so much.
[1:03:59] >> Thank you.
[1:04:00] » Thank you.
[1:04:00] >> I have no more cards. Mayor,
[1:04:01] » I have no more cards. Mayor,
[1:04:01] >> are there is there anyone else who Yes.
[1:04:08] » [clears throat]
[1:04:16] » I'm going over here because I guess the
[1:04:18] video isn't working. That's what I was
[1:04:20] trying to tell you. So, you guys don't
[1:04:21] have it captured on video, the public
[1:04:23] speaking. I hope that wasn't on purpose.
[1:04:32] Stephanie Winheim, unincorporated Lake
[1:04:34] County. First, I want to talk about some
[1:04:36] falsified form 61s. This was a problem
[1:04:39] that was going on during the FDLE
[1:04:41] investigation into Chief Capri for
[1:04:43] public corruption and falsifying
[1:04:45] documents. Well, it looks like they're
[1:04:47] still falsifying documents on the form
[1:04:49] 61. I want to let you know per car's
[1:04:52] timeline
[1:04:54] that Kenninger actually didn't leave
[1:04:56] until 72,
[1:04:58] but
[1:05:00] the IIA number came out on June 24th,
[1:05:05] which means Kenninger was actively under
[1:05:07] investigation when he resigned. That is
[1:05:09] not what was put on the form 61,
[1:05:12] voluntary separation not involving
[1:05:14] misconduct. So that is falsified to
[1:05:18] FDLE. Once again, I don't know what it's
[1:05:22] going to take, but this is bad. It's not
[1:05:25] admin. It's falsifying documents, which
[1:05:29] is criminal behavior by your chief of
[1:05:32] police.
[1:05:34] Next,
[1:05:35] let's go with ECA.
[1:05:39] It's interesting that ECA, the community
[1:05:41] Eustace Community Alliance, was formed
[1:05:44] right after Willie Hawkins became a
[1:05:46] commissioner. I don't believe I've asked
[1:05:49] for emails. I've asked for form 8B
[1:05:51] filings of disclosures. It was never
[1:05:54] publicly disclo ex disclosed that his
[1:05:57] husband, Ronald Kirk Muscleman, opened
[1:06:00] up the nonprofit.
[1:06:02] That is required. That is an ethics
[1:06:05] violation. Mr. Hawkins.
[1:06:08] Also, it was never disclosed when they
[1:06:10] received preferential treatment with
[1:06:12] free leases, paid for utility bills by
[1:06:15] taxpayers, and whatever else the city is
[1:06:18] doing with ECA. Those are required
[1:06:21] disclosures. They're within 15 days.
[1:06:24] That's an ethics violation.
[1:06:28] Let's go to Corey Rollfield and Win One
[1:06:31] Ministries, who by the way is taking
[1:06:34] care of the senior center, which you
[1:06:36] guys don't have youth for for the lease.
[1:06:38] So that right there, that money, it was
[1:06:41] $98,000.
[1:06:42] Gary asked about it. I believe Gail
[1:06:45] Isaac Thomas asked about it as well.
[1:06:47] That money was supposed to be going to
[1:06:49] Corey Rolf Field. Gary received an email
[1:06:52] from financial that the $125,000
[1:06:55] was part of that 95 $96,000
[1:06:59] and now it looks like it's coming on the
[1:07:01] consent agenda which I'm asking you to
[1:07:03] pull it that that money is coming from
[1:07:06] sales tax. So, your finance department
[1:07:10] is either sending us the incorrect
[1:07:12] public records or this is just another
[1:07:15] game of shuffling money around instead
[1:07:17] of being transparent, accountable, and
[1:07:19] truthful with the public on what's going
[1:07:21] on.
[1:07:24] Moving on, let's talk about the
[1:07:26] combining of the titles so that you guys
[1:07:30] could circumvent the community property
[1:07:33] being deed for public enjoyment by
[1:07:41] Thank you.
[1:07:42] >> Thank you for
[1:07:43] » Thank you for
[1:07:43] >> and also please get read a book page.
[1:07:49] » Anyone else?
[1:07:51] Okay, [clears throat] let's move on to
[1:07:52] the consent agenda.
[1:08:05] » So move on.
[1:08:08] Move approval of the consent agenda
[1:08:10] >> and I'll second it.
[1:08:12] » and I'll second it.
[1:08:12] >> Roll call, please.
[1:08:14] » Roll call, please.
[1:08:14] >> Commissioner Hawkins,
[1:08:15] » Commissioner Hawkins,
[1:08:16] >> I.
[1:08:16] » I.
[1:08:16] >> Commissioner Holland,
[1:08:17] » Commissioner Holland,
[1:08:17] >> I.
[1:08:18] » I.
[1:08:18] >> Commissioner Asbody,
[1:08:19] » Commissioner Asbody,
[1:08:19] >> I.
[1:08:19] » I.
[1:08:19] >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft,
[1:08:21] » Vice Mayor Ashcraft,
[1:08:21] >> I.
[1:08:21] » I.
[1:08:21] >> Mayor Lee,
[1:08:22] » Mayor Lee,
[1:08:22] >> Idances,
[1:08:26] and public hearings. Madame Mayor, we
[1:08:28] have first tonight for second reading
[1:08:31] ordinance number 2026-28,
[1:08:34] an ordinance of the city commission of
[1:08:36] the city of Eustace, Lake County,
[1:08:38] Florida, approving the annual update of
[1:08:40] the 5-year capital improvement schedule
[1:08:42] of the comprehensive plan under Florida
[1:08:44] statutes 163.31773B
[1:08:49] providing for conflicting ordinances,
[1:08:51] severability, and effective date.
[1:08:54] >> Uh, good evening, Lori Carr, finance
[1:08:56] » Uh, good evening, Lori Carr, finance
[1:08:56] director. This is the second reading of
[1:08:58] the five-year CIP plan and we uh the
[1:09:01] city commission held a workshop on May
[1:09:03] 22nd and there was only one change
[1:09:07] between that workshop and the uh first
[1:09:10] reading on July 16th and that was uh
[1:09:13] additional funding for the EOC
[1:09:15] improvements and uh asking seeking for
[1:09:19] approval for the um final adoption of
[1:09:21] the ordinance.
[1:09:24] Do you have any questions?
[1:09:27] questions. Nope.
[1:09:34] » Is there any public comment?
[1:09:35] >> Yeah.
[1:09:37] » Yeah.
[1:09:37] >> Anyone from the public want to speak on
[1:09:38] » Anyone from the public want to speak on
[1:09:38] this matter? Madame Mayor, seeing none.
[1:09:42] >> Madam, mayor, move approval of ordinance
[1:09:44] » Madam, mayor, move approval of ordinance
[1:09:44] number 2026-28.
[1:09:47] >> Second.
[1:09:48] » Second.
[1:09:48] >> Roll call, please.
[1:09:50] » Roll call, please.
[1:09:50] >> Commissioner Hawkins,
[1:09:51] » Commissioner Hawkins,
[1:09:51] >> I.
[1:09:52] » I.
[1:09:52] >> Commissioner Holland,
[1:09:53] » Commissioner Holland,
[1:09:53] >> I. Commissioner Azbbody.
[1:09:55] » I. Commissioner Azbbody.
[1:09:55] >> I,
[1:09:55] » I,
[1:09:55] >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft,
[1:09:57] » Vice Mayor Ashcraft,
[1:09:57] >> I.
[1:09:57] » I.
[1:09:57] >> Mayor Lee,
[1:09:58] » Mayor Lee,
[1:09:58] >> I.
[1:09:59] » I.
[1:10:00] Madame Mayor, next we have for first
[1:10:02] reading ordinance number 2026-29,
[1:10:05] an ordinance of the city commission of
[1:10:06] the city of Eustace, Lake County,
[1:10:08] Florida, amending chapter 66, article 3,
[1:10:11] regulation of watercraft on Lake Gracie
[1:10:13] of the city of Eustace code of
[1:10:15] ordinances repealing section 66-78
[1:10:19] entitled no petroleum based fuel
[1:10:20] watercraft allowed on Lake Gracie,
[1:10:23] providing legislative findings and
[1:10:25] recital, providing for conflicts,
[1:10:27] providing for severability, providing
[1:10:29] for codific ification and providing for
[1:10:30] an effective date.
[1:10:33] Madame Mayor, after discussions with
[1:10:35] staff, I was going to present this item.
[1:10:38] It's a very narrow cleanup of our code
[1:10:42] as discussed in the staff's report. Uh
[1:10:44] Tallahassee passed the new law dealing
[1:10:47] with regulation petroleum based
[1:10:50] watercraft. We are just striking that
[1:10:52] provision from our ordinances that dealt
[1:10:54] with that and leaving everything else
[1:10:56] the same. Happy to answer any other
[1:10:58] questions.
[1:11:02] » Is
[1:11:03] >> do we have to move approval on that one?
[1:11:04] » do we have to move approval on that one?
[1:11:04] >> No, this is just first reading.
[1:11:06] » No, this is just first reading.
[1:11:06] >> Just Okay. First reading.
[1:11:07] » Just Okay. First reading.
[1:11:07] >> Is there anyone from the public that
[1:11:09] » Is there anyone from the public that
[1:11:09] would like to speak on this?
[1:11:17] » Thank you. You could please state your
[1:11:19] name.
[1:11:20] >> Mary Samario. I live on Lake Gracie
[1:11:22] » Mary Samario. I live on Lake Gracie
[1:11:22] Drive.
[1:11:24] I love Lake Gracie. It's It is home for
[1:11:29] sure. Um, talking about putting boats on
[1:11:33] there, I don't know. Has anybody in this
[1:11:36] room been around Lake Gracie lately?
[1:11:40] It's receding.
[1:11:42] Even the duck boxes that are supposed to
[1:11:45] be in the water is now land. Um, there
[1:11:48] are places that I could walk across Lake
[1:11:51] Gracie and my name isn't Jesus.
[1:11:55] Um,
[1:11:58] it's I understand I've only been here
[1:12:00] six years, but I understand it was
[1:12:03] springfed at one time and I don't know
[1:12:06] if that has anything to do with it
[1:12:08] getting
[1:12:10] drier, but I just thought before we put
[1:12:14] boats with motors on it, um, might want
[1:12:17] to consider just how big Lake Tracy has
[1:12:20] become.
[1:12:21] >> Mr. attorney. Excuse me. Am I right in
[1:12:24] » Mr. attorney. Excuse me. Am I right in
[1:12:24] understanding or am I wrong this is
[1:12:27] removing or you're allowing them to come
[1:12:29] back in because the state is requiring
[1:12:32] unfortunately the state has preempted us
[1:12:34] once again. But
[1:12:36] >> what we did leave in place is still the
[1:12:39] » what we did leave in place is still the
[1:12:39] no wake zone on Lake Gracie and there's
[1:12:41] a 5 mph speed limit on Lake Gracie. So,
[1:12:44] while gas boats are permitted, we don't
[1:12:48] have an option with that because
[1:12:49] >> well, right now canoes and kayaks are
[1:12:51] » well, right now canoes and kayaks are
[1:12:51] having a hard time. So,
[1:12:53] >> yeah, I don't I don't think it's going
[1:12:54] » yeah, I don't I don't think it's going
[1:12:54] to materialize to anything, but
[1:12:55] >> No, I don't think so either. I just
[1:12:57] » No, I don't think so either. I just
[1:12:57] didn't know if if I know that Lake
[1:13:00] Gracie used to be a whole lot bigger
[1:13:02] before people that have grown up here,
[1:13:04] they talked about how big it was. And
[1:13:08] I'm not sure when it happened that they
[1:13:10] filled in so that the spring dead part
[1:13:14] doesn't come into Lake Gracia. I guess
[1:13:16] they were afraid it was going to get too
[1:13:18] high, too close to the drive, but um I
[1:13:22] just didn't know if there was an
[1:13:24] alternative to get the lake a little
[1:13:27] healthier.
[1:13:28] >> Our hands are tied. It's a state
[1:13:30] » Our hands are tied. It's a state
[1:13:30] >> and I I I lived near it and at one time
[1:13:33] » and I I I lived near it and at one time
[1:13:33] it did get very very low and almost like
[1:13:37] no lake at all. and then it refilled and
[1:13:40] hopefully this is like a periodic thing
[1:13:42] and it'll come back
[1:13:44] >> but um we have no no control over this
[1:13:47] » but um we have no no control over this
[1:13:47] as far as the state mandate.
[1:13:50] >> Well, thank you.
[1:13:51] » Well, thank you.
[1:13:51] >> Thank you.
[1:13:53] » Thank you.
[1:13:53] >> Is there anyone else that would like to
[1:13:54] » Is there anyone else that would like to
[1:13:54] speak on this matter? [clears throat]
[1:13:58] And Madame Mayor, there's no motion
[1:13:59] needed tonight. So, I'll turn it back
[1:14:01] over to
[1:14:02] >> Okay,
[1:14:02] » Okay,
[1:14:02] >> you.
[1:14:05] » you.
[1:14:05] >> Okay. So, um, we'll go to other business
[1:14:07] » Okay. So, um, we'll go to other business
[1:14:07] and discussion of the city commission
[1:14:09] meeting minutes.
[1:14:11] >> Uh, yes, mayor. Um, on the June 18th
[1:14:17] » Uh, yes, mayor. Um, on the June 18th
[1:14:17] commission meeting this year,
[1:14:20] >> we need to take a vote on that, please.
[1:14:22] » we need to take a vote on that, please.
[1:14:22] >> Yeah, there has to be a vote taken on
[1:14:24] » Yeah, there has to be a vote taken on
[1:14:24] that.
[1:14:25] >> On this
[1:14:27] » On this
[1:14:27] >> on the first reading of ordinance number
[1:14:28] » on the first reading of ordinance number
[1:14:28] 202629,
[1:14:30] >> we had the public hearing. Now, we need
[1:14:32] » we had the public hearing. Now, we need
[1:14:32] to take a vote on motion and second. I
[1:14:34] move approval of ordinance 2026 fast-
[1:14:36] 29.
[1:14:38] >> Second.
[1:14:40] » Second.
[1:14:40] >> Roll call, please.
[1:14:41] » Roll call, please.
[1:14:41] >> Commissioner Hawkins,
[1:14:42] » Commissioner Hawkins,
[1:14:42] >> I.
[1:14:43] » I.
[1:14:43] >> Commissioner Holland,
[1:14:44] » Commissioner Holland,
[1:14:44] >> I.
[1:14:44] » I.
[1:14:44] >> Commissioner Ozbody,
[1:14:46] » Commissioner Ozbody,
[1:14:46] >> I.
[1:14:46] » I.
[1:14:46] >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft,
[1:14:47] » Vice Mayor Ashcraft,
[1:14:47] >> I.
[1:14:48] » I.
[1:14:48] >> Mayor Lee,
[1:14:49] » Mayor Lee,
[1:14:49] >> I.
[1:14:52] on um on June 18th um I presented a
[1:14:57] discussion we started a discussion about
[1:15:00] the preparation of the meeting minutes
[1:15:02] and kind of laid out some some varied um
[1:15:07] examples be it just um action brief
[1:15:11] summary detailed summary transcripts up
[1:15:14] to verbatim the different levels um of
[1:15:17] information we could provide uh we had
[1:15:20] some pretty healthy conversation took us
[1:15:23] a little while. Um and we had agreed to
[1:15:26] go with a hybrid type option and to try
[1:15:29] that. Um so in the staff report attached
[1:15:32] to the staff report um we have provided
[1:15:35] the meeting minutes for the uh June 4th
[1:15:39] meeting and we did it in this hybrid
[1:15:41] format. So it gives you an opportunity
[1:15:45] to look at it. Um staff's recommending
[1:15:47] that that's the approach we take.
[1:15:49] Hopefully that information is there and
[1:15:51] it's it's getting you the detail that
[1:15:54] you're looking for. So, I'm just looking
[1:15:56] to see if you've had a chance to look at
[1:15:58] it if if um we're in line um with your
[1:16:03] with your desires as far as the meeting
[1:16:05] minutes. And um without any change of
[1:16:09] direction, we'll continue
[1:16:12] um in this manner um until I receive any
[1:16:16] any change of direction from you. How
[1:16:18] long did it take to do this one? Rick
[1:16:22] >> Christine, could you this this method?
[1:16:26] » Christine, could you this this method?
[1:16:26] >> This was much faster, I will say. Much
[1:16:28] » This was much faster, I will say. Much
[1:16:28] more efficient for us to do. I don't
[1:16:30] have a time specifically on that. I did
[1:16:32] try to do several different repetitions
[1:16:34] just trying to see what would give us
[1:16:36] the right kind of information
[1:16:37] >> per your direction.
[1:16:39] » per your direction.
[1:16:39] >> So, I mean, this was nine pages. Um, so
[1:16:43] » So, I mean, this was nine pages. Um, so
[1:16:43] it it still is a significant amount of
[1:16:45] time. I think we can still rely on the I
[1:16:47] can't remember the uh amount or the
[1:16:49] amount of time that we commented on last
[1:16:51] time per hour of discussion. I can I can
[1:16:54] check on that and get back to you.
[1:16:57] >> I'm I'm good with what we've been given
[1:16:59] » I'm I'm good with what we've been given
[1:16:59] and it fulfills state law with what
[1:17:01] we're required to do. So, I'm fine with
[1:17:03] what we're doing.
[1:17:09] I if I could comment on that.
[1:17:11] >> Um, you know what it really comes down
[1:17:13] » Um, you know what it really comes down
[1:17:13] to is when when we have
[1:17:17] um
[1:17:19] high impact important meetings that
[1:17:22] involve some really specific details.
[1:17:26] It seems like we, you know, we need more
[1:17:30] detail than when it's, you know, gets in
[1:17:34] that u um point where it's real close to
[1:17:38] a fine line. And I think you can handle
[1:17:42] that, Christine, and help us just get
[1:17:44] better detail when, you know, it's
[1:17:45] something that's, you know, uh, could
[1:17:49] potentially be questioned. But I think
[1:17:53] what what that looks like to me, I'm
[1:17:56] happy with it. Uh but there will be
[1:17:58] times where the magnifying glass kind of
[1:18:00] has to come out. When you know that
[1:18:02] we're not all in agreement and we're
[1:18:04] going in different directions, you
[1:18:05] probably have to zoom in a little bit
[1:18:07] more. And then when it's general stuff,
[1:18:09] obviously
[1:18:11] things that that might not require that
[1:18:13] in there. when we're deciding futures of
[1:18:16] development and big things like that,
[1:18:18] I'd ask you to take the magnifying glass
[1:18:20] maybe a step in, but other than that, I
[1:18:22] personally am happy with it uh where it
[1:18:24] is knowing that at times it has to be
[1:18:26] adjusted for detail.
[1:18:29] >> We did try, if I may, we did try to look
[1:18:30] » We did try, if I may, we did try to look
[1:18:30] back at this given your direction. and I
[1:18:32] relistened to what you all talked about
[1:18:33] at the last meeting and really focus on
[1:18:35] the commission actions, policy
[1:18:37] direction, ordinances, resolutions, and
[1:18:40] significant discussions recognizing the
[1:18:42] need to improve the efficiency but yet
[1:18:44] still present the information that
[1:18:46] you're requesting.
[1:18:46] >> Well, good then. I think
[1:18:47] » Well, good then. I think
[1:18:47] >> and we have noted that if at any point
[1:18:49] » and we have noted that if at any point
[1:18:49] in time you all say for the record type
[1:18:51] of thing, then we will give that almost
[1:18:53] verbatim.
[1:18:54] >> I think I think it's much better. I
[1:18:56] » I think I think it's much better. I
[1:18:56] think it's good and I think the that
[1:18:58] procedure there you're talking about it
[1:19:00] but just reassuring to you Christine for
[1:19:01] the record please. I think I think we're
[1:19:04] on the right track. At least I'm
[1:19:05] [clears throat] happy with it.
[1:19:06] >> Yes. And if at any point in time you all
[1:19:08] » Yes. And if at any point in time you all
[1:19:08] are and you review the packet and review
[1:19:11] the minutes and there's some issue
[1:19:12] requiring something to to move
[1:19:14] differently, please reach out to me um
[1:19:17] and Anna. We're both work we'll work
[1:19:18] very diligently to give you the product
[1:19:20] that you're looking for.
[1:19:21] >> I think one day technology will take
[1:19:23] » I think one day technology will take
[1:19:23] this and make it quicker. We might not
[1:19:26] quite be there, but um I'm happy with
[1:19:29] what you're doing, [snorts]
[1:19:31] >> commissioners.
[1:19:32] » commissioners.
[1:19:32] >> I'm good with that.
[1:19:33] » I'm good with that.
[1:19:33] >> All right,
[1:19:33] » All right,
[1:19:33] >> I'm good. Yeah,
[1:19:35] » I'm good. Yeah,
[1:19:36] >> there you go.
[1:19:43] » Okay. So,
[1:19:47] so we're okay with with what we have
[1:19:49] here?
[1:19:50] >> Mhm. All right. Thank you.
[1:19:53] » Mhm. All right. Thank you.
[1:19:53] So, let's go to future agenda items and
[1:19:55] comments. Start with our city attorney.
[1:19:59] >> Madame Mayor, a lot of work going on
[1:20:01] » Madame Mayor, a lot of work going on
[1:20:01] with the city, different issues. The one
[1:20:03] that I emailed you all about today is
[1:20:05] just the clarity on the NMTC ordinance
[1:20:09] for I want to make sure that that's
[1:20:10] something that the commission still
[1:20:12] wants to move forward on. And I
[1:20:14] summarize the two points that are in the
[1:20:16] document that I want to ask direction on
[1:20:19] at the next meeting. those options are
[1:20:21] in the ordinance. I think it's it's
[1:20:23] pretty clear. So,
[1:20:25] just a simple consensus from the
[1:20:27] commission that that's still something
[1:20:28] to move forward on is what I'm looking
[1:20:30] forward tonight.
[1:20:30] >> Move forward, please.
[1:20:32] » Move forward, please.
[1:20:32] >> Okay.
[1:20:32] » Okay.
[1:20:32] >> Yeah.
[1:20:33] » Yeah.
[1:20:33] >> Agree.
[1:20:34] » Agree.
[1:20:34] >> You okay with it, Commissioner?
[1:20:36] » You okay with it, Commissioner?
[1:20:36] >> I haven't read it. Um there is some
[1:20:39] » I haven't read it. Um there is some
[1:20:39] questioning. I don't even know what to
[1:20:41] comment. I haven't read it yet.
[1:20:42] >> We all just got it though. George,
[1:20:43] » We all just got it though. George,
[1:20:44] >> yeah,
[1:20:44] » yeah,
[1:20:44] >> I I had sent it before. I wanted to
[1:20:46] » I I had sent it before. I wanted to
[1:20:46] resend it um so that you could review
[1:20:48] it.
[1:20:50] It's It's ready to [clears throat] be be
[1:20:52] filed and move forward on with just a
[1:20:54] little direction on two items.
[1:20:56] >> So, you want to want us to give you an
[1:20:58] » So, you want to want us to give you an
[1:20:58] answer next meeting is what you said.
[1:21:00] >> I would like that. Yes.
[1:21:01] » I would like that. Yes.
[1:21:01] >> Okay.
[1:21:02] » Okay.
[1:21:02] >> Sounds fair.
[1:21:03] » Sounds fair.
[1:21:03] >> Okay.
[1:21:03] » Okay.
[1:21:04] >> And happy to talk. Um if there's any
[1:21:05] » And happy to talk. Um if there's any
[1:21:05] questions in between this, please
[1:21:07] contact me. I'll answer.
[1:21:09] >> Okay.
[1:21:11] » Okay.
[1:21:11] >> City Manager Rick.
[1:21:13] » City Manager Rick.
[1:21:13] >> Uh yeah, a couple things. um one the
[1:21:16] » Uh yeah, a couple things. um one the
[1:21:16] package um that I left on
[1:21:20] on your seats on your chairs.
[1:21:22] >> Um that's the receipt of the attorney
[1:21:25] » Um that's the receipt of the attorney
[1:21:25] RFP packages. Um we talked a little bit
[1:21:28] in the couple previous meetings. Um
[1:21:32] we're out for RFP. Um we received four
[1:21:38] proposers.
[1:21:40] At that point with only having four, we
[1:21:43] had discussed if if we had a larger
[1:21:45] amount that we would do a short list
[1:21:47] prior. At this point, I'm suggesting we
[1:21:49] skip the short list,
[1:21:51] >> look at all four. Um I've gone through
[1:21:53] » look at all four. Um I've gone through
[1:21:53] them. Uh it seemed qualified, seem to
[1:21:56] meet the intent of the the RFP and the
[1:21:59] request. Um so I have attached a copy of
[1:22:02] each of those for you also with an
[1:22:04] evaluation sheet. And what I'd like to
[1:22:08] do is have you
[1:22:10] The commission will be the selection
[1:22:12] committee as the attorney works you know
[1:22:15] for you.
[1:22:16] >> Um you will be the selection committee.
[1:22:18] » Um you will be the selection committee.
[1:22:18] So understand the selection committee is
[1:22:20] governed by sunshine as is your
[1:22:22] commissioner role. Um so any of that
[1:22:26] communication would have to be in a
[1:22:27] public format
[1:22:29] um and need to follow the the rules that
[1:22:32] we have associated with the procurement
[1:22:34] policies. Um, where we'll go from here
[1:22:37] [laughter]
[1:22:38] is I'd like to set up some meetings. Um,
[1:22:42] [clears throat]
[1:22:43] where it can be kind of a roundroin that
[1:22:46] each of the commissioners can meet one
[1:22:48] on-one with each of the proposers,
[1:22:52] take that evaluation form and rank out
[1:22:55] if you can, you know, your one to fours.
[1:22:57] Um, have your thoughts from your
[1:22:58] one-on-one meetings. Then we will
[1:23:01] reconvene in a public meeting and each
[1:23:04] of you will then take and share your
[1:23:08] rankings with each other. Um Tracy
[1:23:10] James, our purchasing director will lead
[1:23:12] the effort. Um she does these for staff
[1:23:15] all the time. Um and then at that point
[1:23:18] you'll have your discussions. you can
[1:23:20] rerank after there, you know, after some
[1:23:23] some conversation
[1:23:25] and be able to select hopefully a a
[1:23:28] number one that you would proceed with.
[1:23:31] Um also though we have been looking at
[1:23:36] your request of in-house attorney
[1:23:39] um [clears throat] HR human resources
[1:23:42] when we have a new position um we use a
[1:23:46] third party firm to to look at the the
[1:23:50] job responsibilities the education
[1:23:52] requirements testing requirements and we
[1:23:55] come up with a price point or a a pay
[1:23:58] band. Um the original information we got
[1:24:02] um we asked them to relook at it came in
[1:24:05] really low. Um asked them to relook and
[1:24:08] and understand that you know you the
[1:24:12] firm has to pass the bar. There's a a
[1:24:15] lot of education requirements. We're
[1:24:17] asking for a lot of information and a
[1:24:20] lot of credentials for each of those. Um
[1:24:22] the pay band was reooked at. They
[1:24:25] re-evaluated it. it came in um the
[1:24:29] minimum is uh 159,000
[1:24:34] and the max of the pay band is 195,600.
[1:24:38] So I think that falls a little more
[1:24:40] realistic where potentially you can get
[1:24:43] in-house counsel
[1:24:45] um that does not take into account a
[1:24:48] parallel. um kind of my my thought on
[1:24:51] it. If if we're bringing an attorney in,
[1:24:55] they need to be the one that would hire
[1:24:57] that [laughter] parallegal, not us
[1:24:58] hiring for them. Um and I think you
[1:25:02] would definitely if we wanted to look at
[1:25:04] in-house counsel, um you're going to
[1:25:07] need an attorney and a parallegal. Um
[1:25:09] there's still going to be holes. You
[1:25:10] know, there'll still be litigation. Um
[1:25:14] potentially if if somebody is if that
[1:25:17] attorney is out, who do we have to
[1:25:18] cover? Um you know, now as as we have an
[1:25:22] outside firm, there is a a stable of
[1:25:25] attorneys, if you would, that they can
[1:25:27] draw from if if the the primary attorney
[1:25:29] is out. Um so, you know, there's some
[1:25:33] things we would have to to look at. Um
[1:25:36] right now, we are advertising. It is out
[1:25:38] being advertised.
[1:25:40] Um, I don't think we've got anything
[1:25:43] back yet. I have not seen it. Um, and at
[1:25:46] that point, if we do proceed with that
[1:25:49] route, we would ask again that you would
[1:25:51] be the interviewers
[1:25:53] um, for that. You know, again, as the
[1:25:56] attorney is primarily working for you.
[1:25:59] Um, so we're
[1:26:02] it's kind of a tough spot now right now
[1:26:04] that we're going down two different
[1:26:05] paths. one with the RFP and then also
[1:26:08] looking inhouse.
[1:26:11] Um, so I guess I'm looking for some
[1:26:14] direction. If if we want to continue to
[1:26:17] look in house, do we let
[1:26:20] the the time go to where we're seeking
[1:26:25] the opportunity to get the applicants in
[1:26:28] and evaluate those and hold on the
[1:26:31] evaluation of the RFP?
[1:26:34] or should we look at the RFP
[1:26:39] and
[1:26:40] determine
[1:26:42] >> how long
[1:26:42] » how long
[1:26:42] >> after that how
[1:26:44] » after that how
[1:26:44] >> how long how long has the advertising
[1:26:45] » how long how long has the advertising
[1:26:46] been going on for in house?
[1:26:47] >> Uh it's just a week when we got the
[1:26:49] » Uh it's just a week when we got the
[1:26:49] >> price we got to go longer than that. I
[1:26:51] » price we got to go longer than that. I
[1:26:51] mean could I Oh yeah, absolutely. I mean
[1:26:52] it's that's that's what I'm saying. So
[1:26:55] we I wanted to get you this information
[1:26:57] because there [snorts] is going to be
[1:26:58] some time involved in going through this
[1:27:00] package.
[1:27:01] >> Um so yes ma'am.
[1:27:02] » Um so yes ma'am.
[1:27:02] >> Yeah. May I make a proposal to um the
[1:27:05] » Yeah. May I make a proposal to um the
[1:27:05] other commissioners?
[1:27:07] Maybe we should just focus on one
[1:27:09] direction. We're going two different
[1:27:11] ones. Number one. Number two, I think
[1:27:13] that we um we're slicing our budget and
[1:27:18] trying to narrow down everything. And
[1:27:22] yeah, we're going to take on an in-house
[1:27:25] attorney along with a parallegal along
[1:27:28] with a place for them to be. Um, I would
[1:27:31] suggest we focus on these four that we
[1:27:33] have and go with that. Also, would a
[1:27:37] large firm who might consider being our
[1:27:40] attorney really think about do I want to
[1:27:42] do to this? They're also looking for
[1:27:44] in-house. So, what are they trying to
[1:27:45] do? So, I I think we should focus on on
[1:27:49] the um [snorts]
[1:27:52] getting looking at those four and making
[1:27:54] a decision from there. If we should feel
[1:27:56] like that's not what we want, then
[1:27:58] consider the other. But it seems like
[1:27:59] we're going so many directions and I'd
[1:28:01] like y'all just think about that.
[1:28:03] >> I think madame mayor, going back to my
[1:28:07] » I think madame mayor, going back to my
[1:28:07] thought to share with you from when this
[1:28:09] all originated,
[1:28:11] um there are benefits to both of them.
[1:28:14] Having an in-house attorney gives us
[1:28:16] somebody here all the time and reduces
[1:28:19] our hourly rate tremendously as a
[1:28:22] savings. Regardless of that, in in a
[1:28:24] normal practice when cities do have they
[1:28:28] also have outside attorneys as well.
[1:28:31] They're not used as much. They're used
[1:28:33] when needed, but they have both. So both
[1:28:35] steps are important to the to the
[1:28:38] process. So the thought that I had
[1:28:41] shared before and I just wanted to
[1:28:42] reiterate is if we can get an in-house
[1:28:45] attorney to take away headaches uh and
[1:28:48] things that maybe even the city manager
[1:28:49] are dealing with give better service to
[1:28:52] our the public and to our community and
[1:28:54] answering and addressing stuff uh then
[1:28:56] that's
[1:28:58] would be at a much lower rate for us and
[1:29:01] then the in-house attorney would be the
[1:29:03] backup I'm sorry the outsourced attorney
[1:29:06] would be the backup for it and if
[1:29:08] they're out and And again, you know,
[1:29:10] really if we found the right person, it
[1:29:12] it all kind of dictates it and we won't
[1:29:16] we got to we got to look at these that
[1:29:18] he just gave us and then we got to look
[1:29:19] at what comes in from the week and then
[1:29:21] we'll make a I trust that we'll all make
[1:29:23] a good decision. But we got to see the
[1:29:25] the see the proposals and and uh and do
[1:29:29] that. And it it it can and should only
[1:29:32] be done for an in-house if it saves us
[1:29:34] money and it gives our staff someone to
[1:29:37] go to right away.
[1:29:38] and things to move along, especially
[1:29:40] with what I think we're going to be busy
[1:29:41] with for the next uh two to four years.
[1:29:46] » Commissioner Hen,
[1:29:48] >> um I want a chance to
[1:29:50] » um I want a chance to
[1:29:50] >> look at this, you know, um and then
[1:29:54] » look at this, you know, um and then
[1:29:54] we've only been out a week. Um so ask me
[1:29:57] at the next meeting and I'll tell you
[1:29:59] which direction I think we should go.
[1:30:01] But right now, I want a chance to look
[1:30:03] at this packet and let's dive in. two
[1:30:06] weeks. We might have some
[1:30:09] >> to look at.
[1:30:10] » to look at.
[1:30:10] >> Maybe
[1:30:11] » Maybe
[1:30:12] >> Oh, I'm sorry. Were you done?
[1:30:13] » Oh, I'm sorry. Were you done?
[1:30:13] >> No, I'm done.
[1:30:13] » No, I'm done.
[1:30:13] >> Oh, go ahead. Um I mean, maybe we should
[1:30:17] » Oh, go ahead. Um I mean, maybe we should
[1:30:17] look at it. Like, do we need to look at
[1:30:18] Do we need to make a decision right
[1:30:20] away? Like, what's the timeline on this?
[1:30:22] I thought it was we were going to maybe
[1:30:24] look at this towards the end of the
[1:30:25] year. So, there's not really a rush now,
[1:30:27] right?
[1:30:27] >> And we and we I mean I I mean, I said it
[1:30:31] » And we and we I mean I I mean, I said it
[1:30:31] before, too. We don't know what we don't
[1:30:33] know. Uh, and if if the in-house has
[1:30:36] only been advertised per week, I think
[1:30:38] we need a lot more time and then we can
[1:30:40] in the meantime can look at what we just
[1:30:42] got.
[1:30:44] >> And I think we're being well served as
[1:30:46] » And I think we're being well served as
[1:30:46] as we are right now.
[1:30:48] >> Yeah.
[1:30:49] » Yeah.
[1:30:49] >> Yeah. I I agree with you actually. Um,
[1:30:52] » Yeah. I I agree with you actually. Um,
[1:30:52] you know, I think we need to kind of
[1:30:55] focus on one avenue
[1:30:57] >> things
[1:31:00] and you know, and as Gary said, we're
[1:31:02] looking you know, towards the end of the
[1:31:04] year anyway. So, you know, focus on
[1:31:06] this. If we don't see we'll find what we
[1:31:09] want, then, you know, we look at the
[1:31:12] >> the in house.
[1:31:14] » the in house.
[1:31:14] >> Okay.
[1:31:16] » Okay.
[1:31:16] >> So, at this point, I'd ask I'd ask look
[1:31:19] » So, at this point, I'd ask I'd ask look
[1:31:19] at look at the package you have.
[1:31:21] >> Okay.
[1:31:21] » Okay.
[1:31:21] >> We're still we did not put a a closing
[1:31:25] » We're still we did not put a a closing
[1:31:25] time on the applicants. Um I'm thinking
[1:31:29] we need at least 30 days to be able to
[1:31:31] get stuff in. Um, we're advertising a
[1:31:33] couple different, um, you know, legal,
[1:31:37] uh, periodicals, if you would. Um, I
[1:31:40] noticed like right now in in Florida, I
[1:31:42] think there were eight different mun
[1:31:44] municipalities that are looking for for
[1:31:47] uh, legal service for for in-house.
[1:31:51] >> So, larger larger cities or counties.
[1:31:54] » So, larger larger cities or counties.
[1:31:54] >> What size are they compared to?
[1:31:55] » What size are they compared to?
[1:31:55] >> Yeah, pretty pretty large cities and
[1:31:58] » Yeah, pretty pretty large cities and
[1:31:58] counties. Um, but you know, we can also
[1:32:01] reach out and kind of see where those
[1:32:03] price points are, see what type of
[1:32:04] information we can find from there,
[1:32:06] >> but we'll go through with the process.
[1:32:08] » but we'll go through with the process.
[1:32:08] You know, the the evaluation time for
[1:32:10] these RFQS. You need a month anyway to
[1:32:14] look at that. So, let's
[1:32:16] >> I'd ask you go ahead and look through
[1:32:17] » I'd ask you go ahead and look through
[1:32:17] that. Um, we won't at this point.
[1:32:21] >> I wanted to make sure there wasn't a
[1:32:23] » I wanted to make sure there wasn't a
[1:32:23] sense of urgency of getting these
[1:32:24] scheduled. I didn't want to be the one
[1:32:26] holding you back. No.
[1:32:27] >> Um, so
[1:32:29] » Um, so
[1:32:29] look through then
[1:32:32] the next meeting maybe the subsequent
[1:32:34] meeting in in September we'll have a
[1:32:37] feel for what we have for in-house
[1:32:39] counsel at that point you can have a
[1:32:41] better idea of where we're building
[1:32:43] >> okay
[1:32:43] » okay
[1:32:43] >> so
[1:32:43] » so
[1:32:44] >> okay
[1:32:45] » okay
[1:32:45] um
[1:32:46] >> anything else
[1:32:47] » anything else
[1:32:47] >> uh yeah two more I'll be quick um also
[1:32:50] » uh yeah two more I'll be quick um also
[1:32:50] we had RFP out for revolving line of
[1:32:52] credit um we got two submitters back um
[1:32:56] you you're aware I hired PFM as a
[1:33:00] financial a municipal financial
[1:33:02] management company. They are evaluating
[1:33:04] those two firms. Um they came in pretty
[1:33:08] aggressive. It looks pretty good. Um so
[1:33:10] I will have a recommendation
[1:33:12] um to proceed with that at the next
[1:33:15] meeting um with a a uh selected firm uh
[1:33:20] for your approval and then at that point
[1:33:22] we would start [snorts] preparing the
[1:33:23] closing documents for that. Um the city
[1:33:26] manager search uh the one on one
[1:33:29] meetings have been in the uh they're
[1:33:32] down on the short list. Um I think they
[1:33:34] cut down to about 10 and right now
[1:33:38] they're doing the video interviews
[1:33:40] that'll be taped for you and they're
[1:33:43] also doing a vetting of of that that
[1:33:46] short list. Um he said the time frame
[1:33:49] for the next set of interviews is
[1:33:50] roughly two weeks.
[1:33:52] So week after next.
[1:33:55] um it'll give you a point where you can
[1:33:57] start looking at those video interviews
[1:34:02] and from there the goal would be to cut
[1:34:05] down to a smaller number that you would
[1:34:08] bring in and have face to face.
[1:34:09] >> Okay. Will will will they make those
[1:34:13] » Okay. Will will will they make those
[1:34:13] easier to access than the the other
[1:34:16] forms that they sent us the video
[1:34:19] interviews?
[1:34:20] >> At what point does the resend? I can
[1:34:23] » At what point does the resend? I can
[1:34:23] give that feedback back to uh to the
[1:34:25] firm.
[1:34:26] >> Yeah, it disappeared and then they had
[1:34:27] » Yeah, it disappeared and then they had
[1:34:27] to resend [clears throat] it again to
[1:34:28] start all over again.
[1:34:29] >> Yeah.
[1:34:30] » Yeah.
[1:34:30] >> Um and then last a little bit of good
[1:34:32] » Um and then last a little bit of good
[1:34:32] news. We talked in the in the capital
[1:34:34] meetings um about the need for a school
[1:34:37] bus for park and wreck. Um and we had a
[1:34:40] pretty big ticket item [snorts] in
[1:34:42] there. Um I reached out to our um
[1:34:46] maintenance supervisor, uh Jeff Krider,
[1:34:49] does all of our equipment purchases.
[1:34:52] and asked him to keep an eye on the
[1:34:53] Gideon auctions, which is where we take
[1:34:55] our used in our used uh surplus
[1:34:58] equipment. And we purchased a bus for
[1:35:03] park and wreck. Um pretty decent shape,
[1:35:07] uh dual air conditioners, everything
[1:35:09] works, it runs. Um he's changing out
[1:35:12] some of the lights um for the stop,
[1:35:14] painted white. Uh $3,810.
[1:35:18] >> Wow.
[1:35:19] » Wow.
[1:35:19] >> Wow.
[1:35:19] » Wow.
[1:35:19] >> It's ours. We're getting it titled now.
[1:35:21] » It's ours. We're getting it titled now.
[1:35:22] >> Wow.
[1:35:22] » Wow.
[1:35:22] >> So, we hit we hit that one good.
[1:35:25] » So, we hit we hit that one good.
[1:35:25] >> So, uh we let Sam know today and uh
[1:35:29] » So, uh we let Sam know today and uh
[1:35:29] >> that is screaming.
[1:35:30] » that is screaming.
[1:35:30] >> He's going to be pretty happy. So, yeah.
[1:35:32] » He's going to be pretty happy. So, yeah.
[1:35:32] Jeff Crowder in our maintenance group.
[1:35:33] >> He has someone who can drive with the
[1:35:35] » He has someone who can drive with the
[1:35:35] license to drive it.
[1:35:36] >> Uh Sam,
[1:35:38] » Uh Sam,
[1:35:38] >> do you have CDLs on staff now?
[1:35:41] » do you have CDLs on staff now?
[1:35:41] >> I have four.
[1:35:42] » I have four.
[1:35:42] >> There you go.
[1:35:43] » There you go.
[1:35:43] >> Oh, wow.
[1:35:43] » Oh, wow.
[1:35:43] >> Solves that problem.
[1:35:44] » Solves that problem.
[1:35:44] >> Good to go then.
[1:35:45] » Good to go then.
[1:35:45] >> And he'll still keep the others,
[1:35:47] » And he'll still keep the others,
[1:35:47] >> the other buses, the smaller buses.
[1:35:49] » the other buses, the smaller buses.
[1:35:49] He'll still keep those.
[1:35:50] >> Yeah. Yep. Yeah. This is just this is
[1:35:52] » Yeah. Yep. Yeah. This is just this is
[1:35:52] something we
[1:35:54] >> we have two pieces of equipment. We've
[1:35:56] » we have two pieces of equipment. We've
[1:35:56] got a Bobcat in and we've got a um a
[1:36:00] bucket truck. So, we will make enough
[1:36:03] money on the sale of those to be able to
[1:36:05] purchase those.
[1:36:06] >> So, and then I'm getting a flag from the
[1:36:09] » So, and then I'm getting a flag from the
[1:36:09] city attorney.
[1:36:10] >> Just one thing to update on the
[1:36:11] » Just one thing to update on the
[1:36:11] presentation we received at the
[1:36:13] beginning of tonight. My suggestion,
[1:36:15] madame mayor, commissioners for the
[1:36:17] staff would be to work out a
[1:36:19] non-bindingou or term sheet. That would
[1:36:22] give us all the information we would
[1:36:24] need for the required notice. Uh the PSA
[1:36:27] is a binding contract and that's going
[1:36:29] to require a lot more attorney attorney
[1:36:32] involvement reviewing all the terms and
[1:36:34] that's going to slow the process down. A
[1:36:37] term sheet orou would give us everything
[1:36:39] that we need for the required CRA
[1:36:41] notice. So that would be my suggestion
[1:36:43] to stop
[1:36:45] and then if if necessary and if
[1:36:48] everything works works out then we would
[1:36:51] negotiate the PSA contract.
[1:36:56] » Don't we have it?
[1:36:58] No, we we we we
[1:37:03] processes. Okay. [snorts]
[1:37:06] >> Okay. On to our city commission.
[1:37:10] » Commissioner Aspati, would you
[1:37:13] >> um
[1:37:13] » um
[1:37:13] >> do you have anything?
[1:37:14] » do you have anything?
[1:37:14] >> Yeah.
[1:37:16] » Yeah.
[1:37:16] Back to the back to the same thing. I
[1:37:18] got some updates, but we have no
[1:37:20] resolution to this several hundred,000
[1:37:23] we um gave to Spring Ridge that we
[1:37:27] haven't gotten u gotten back and I think
[1:37:31] they're giving us the runaround. Um
[1:37:35] so I think we need to look at that.
[1:37:37] maybe even uh
[1:37:42] turn turn up some uh heat and try to uh
[1:37:46] try to see where we go with that. Um I
[1:37:49] continue to bring this up all the time.
[1:37:51] Um Duke Energy is in their phases of
[1:37:54] doing their what they do best is which
[1:37:57] is whatever they want to do. Um, I would
[1:38:00] like to see us, and I've asked since the
[1:38:03] day I I got sworn in that day, that we
[1:38:07] have some type of requirements. Um,
[1:38:10] while they have their easements and they
[1:38:13] have many rights within their easements,
[1:38:15] these lines need to be underground
[1:38:18] uh going forward. And I think to me
[1:38:21] that's my top priority. Uh, I say it all
[1:38:25] the time. That's probably the most
[1:38:26] embarrassing thing I could ever have
[1:38:28] about this city are those power lines
[1:38:31] out there. And my uh third and final
[1:38:33] item is the uh awareness of the electric
[1:38:38] bikes. They continue to escalate and
[1:38:42] knock on wood. None of our kids uh most
[1:38:45] of them are by kids though adults use
[1:38:46] them. Um, I don't know if that's what
[1:38:48] happened to you with the neck thing on
[1:38:50] electric bike, [laughter] but um, we
[1:38:53] need to have some guidelines uh to to uh
[1:38:57] keep everybody safe. So, three items.
[1:39:00] Um, and I'm going to talk with the city
[1:39:02] manager about some of those and and some
[1:39:05] ideas. Uh, but uh, those continue to be
[1:39:09] there.
[1:39:10] >> That's [snorts] it, ma'am.
[1:39:11] » That's [snorts] it, ma'am.
[1:39:11] >> Yeah, I I agree with you on the electric
[1:39:13] » Yeah, I I agree with you on the electric
[1:39:13] bikes. Uh, and I know there's some other
[1:39:17] cities that are are looking at doing
[1:39:19] some things and uh the city commission
[1:39:23] is kind of nervous about making
[1:39:25] decisions, but but at the very least I
[1:39:28] think we should look at requiring the
[1:39:30] kids to wear helmets. Uh and I don't
[1:39:33] know if that's something that we can do.
[1:39:34] >> Kids only or kids and adults or anybody?
[1:39:37] » Kids only or kids and adults or anybody?
[1:39:37] Um, I mean the
[1:39:39] >> I don't think you can require just kids,
[1:39:41] » I don't think you can require just kids,
[1:39:41] but
[1:39:41] >> Yeah. I mean, it'd be good to do uh do
[1:39:44] » Yeah. I mean, it'd be good to do uh do
[1:39:44] them all, but
[1:39:46] uh
[1:39:46] >> but isn't sorry, isn't the state looking
[1:39:48] » but isn't sorry, isn't the state looking
[1:39:48] at this as well?
[1:39:49] >> Yeah. Yeah, that's what we're saying.
[1:39:50] » Yeah. Yeah, that's what we're saying.
[1:39:50] They're looking
[1:39:51] >> and how can we pass something more than
[1:39:53] » and how can we pass something more than
[1:39:53] what the state will allow us to do. So,
[1:39:56] >> then just be cognizant of it on keep it
[1:39:58] » then just be cognizant of it on keep it
[1:39:58] on the forefront. Yeah.
[1:39:59] >> And I'll be happy.
[1:40:00] » And I'll be happy.
[1:40:00] >> Exactly.
[1:40:02] » Exactly.
[1:40:02] >> Commissioners, I did forward out some
[1:40:03] » Commissioners, I did forward out some
[1:40:03] draft ordinances. So, if that's
[1:40:05] something that if you'd like me to bring
[1:40:07] forward, we can we can do that.
[1:40:10] >> I don't think we want to spend money on
[1:40:12] » I don't think we want to spend money on
[1:40:12] you doing that quite right now, but we
[1:40:14] need to keep it in our forefront and
[1:40:16] keep I'm just going to keep reminding
[1:40:19] everybody about it and let's see what
[1:40:21] the state's coming out with. Let's talk
[1:40:23] to our people in the state and see if
[1:40:25] it's, you know, got a good life to it,
[1:40:27] kick to it. But um we don't want to go
[1:40:30] down not saying that we fought for
[1:40:32] >> No, my my my biggest my biggest fear
[1:40:36] » No, my my my biggest my biggest fear
[1:40:36] with those things is they hit somebody
[1:40:40] >> and then
[1:40:41] » and then
[1:40:41] >> and no insurance
[1:40:42] » and no insurance
[1:40:42] >> and then Yeah. And then who's
[1:40:44] » and then Yeah. And then who's
[1:40:44] responsible? So I mean I know the
[1:40:46] state's really looking at these uh over
[1:40:48] a certain amount mile per hour. So I
[1:40:50] hope they come up with something.
[1:40:52] >> We should start hearing something from
[1:40:53] » We should start hearing something from
[1:40:53] the legislature within the next two to
[1:40:55] three months on what's going to be on
[1:40:57] next year's agenda. So, and from what I
[1:41:00] understand, it is being pushed heavily.
[1:41:02] >> Okay.
[1:41:02] » Okay.
[1:41:02] >> Yeah, I see that there are a lot of kids
[1:41:05] » Yeah, I see that there are a lot of kids
[1:41:05] now that are actually doing tricks on
[1:41:07] these things. So, I expect uh
[1:41:09] >> things to get a lot worse before they
[1:41:11] » things to get a lot worse before they
[1:41:11] get better. Unfortunately,
[1:41:12] >> are they required [snorts] to have
[1:41:13] » are they required [snorts] to have
[1:41:13] insurance?
[1:41:14] >> No.
[1:41:16] » No.
[1:41:16] >> No. Like a bicycle.
[1:41:17] » No. Like a bicycle.
[1:41:17] >> If they hit you,
[1:41:18] » If they hit you,
[1:41:18] >> just like a bicycle.
[1:41:20] » just like a bicycle.
[1:41:20] Um, one of the things I'd like to bring
[1:41:22] up is, you know, a couple of years ago,
[1:41:25] um, you know, we, uh, uh, we pushed to
[1:41:29] have those clothing boxes.
[1:41:32] >> Uh, we to limit and I think our limit
[1:41:34] » Uh, we to limit and I think our limit
[1:41:34] was two.
[1:41:36] >> For the city,
[1:41:37] » For the city,
[1:41:37] >> two or four,
[1:41:38] » two or four,
[1:41:38] >> was it?
[1:41:39] » was it?
[1:41:39] >> I don't remember. I'd have to I'd have
[1:41:41] » I don't remember. I'd have to I'd have
[1:41:41] to dig that back out.
[1:41:42] >> But I know one place where there's at
[1:41:44] » But I know one place where there's at
[1:41:44] least four in the one parking lot. So,
[1:41:46] >> really?
[1:41:47] » really?
[1:41:47] >> Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, I'd like for
[1:41:50] » Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, I'd like for
[1:41:50] us to kind of uh take a look at that.
[1:41:52] And I don't know if that's something
[1:41:53] that Eric,
[1:41:54] >> you know, Eric would do.
[1:41:56] » you know, Eric would do.
[1:41:56] >> Yes.
[1:41:56] » Yes.
[1:41:56] >> I'll we'll we'll discuss it tomorrow as
[1:41:59] » I'll we'll we'll discuss it tomorrow as
[1:41:59] uh lead team meeting.
[1:42:00] >> Okay. And uh a couple of days ago um
[1:42:04] » Okay. And uh a couple of days ago um
[1:42:04] Miranda and I uh
[1:42:07] uh had the fortune of of going to the uh
[1:42:11] FBI National Academy um
[1:42:15] uh event in Daytona uh where they swore
[1:42:18] in our Chief Capri as a president uh for
[1:42:22] the uh the upcoming year. So
[1:42:26] congratulations to the chief. A job well
[1:42:28] done.
[1:42:29] um
[1:42:31] you know to to sit there and to see how
[1:42:34] the the uh the law enforcement community
[1:42:38] respects this guy. Um uh
[1:42:43] you know I it was you know it was um
[1:42:47] it was something to see them uh
[1:42:51] to to appreciate them. But but
[1:42:53] congratulations again uh Chief Capri uh
[1:42:57] on your selection as president and that
[1:43:00] would be it for me.
[1:43:02] >> Commissioner Holland
[1:43:04] » Commissioner Holland
[1:43:04] >> um I just want to uh thank public safety
[1:43:07] » um I just want to uh thank public safety
[1:43:08] whether it's the police department or
[1:43:09] the fire department for keeping us so
[1:43:11] well in the loop uh when there is
[1:43:14] something going on in this community.
[1:43:16] Nothing is worse as a commissioner than
[1:43:19] to us to get calls from folks in our
[1:43:22] community and not hearing and us not
[1:43:25] knowing about it before um we get that
[1:43:28] phone call. Um please keep all of our
[1:43:32] public safety folks in your thoughts and
[1:43:34] prayers. We had that incident the other
[1:43:36] night where we had our officer drug um
[1:43:40] and it was all over Fox News. It was all
[1:43:42] over most of the major news. We need to
[1:43:45] make sure that we keep them in our
[1:43:47] thoughts and prayers constantly um as
[1:43:50] they're out there protecting us on a
[1:43:53] daily basis. Um so that's all I've got
[1:43:56] tonight. Thank you, Mayor.
[1:43:58] >> And I'm good. Thank you.
[1:43:59] » And I'm good. Thank you.
[1:43:59] >> Okay. Good. I just had a couple of
[1:44:01] » Okay. Good. I just had a couple of
[1:44:02] comments. First of all, congratulations,
[1:44:04] Chief. We should I wasn't aware of it.
[1:44:06] So, um that would please let us know in
[1:44:09] the future so that we can congratulate
[1:44:12] him. Um
[1:44:14] >> I know but that's not the future.
[1:44:16] » I know but that's not the future.
[1:44:16] [laughter]
[1:44:17] [gasps]
[1:44:17] >> Okay. Um I had the opportunity to join
[1:44:20] » Okay. Um I had the opportunity to join
[1:44:20] Pastor Renee uh Representative Cobb and
[1:44:22] Chief Capri and other community members
[1:44:25] um doing prayers at the gates of the
[1:44:28] city. It was for different areas
[1:44:30] northwest, east and south. And it worked
[1:44:33] out. It was really nice a very u nice
[1:44:35] event. Um and I want to say happy third
[1:44:39] retirement to Mary Montes. Um, and
[1:44:43] hopefully there won't be a fourth unless
[1:44:45] [clears throat] she's committed this
[1:44:46] time.
[1:44:48] And um, this is in bloom. We're I'm
[1:44:50] looking forward to participating in the
[1:44:52] uh, August downtown merchants meeting. I
[1:44:56] I'm really encouraged by that, having
[1:44:58] our retailers come together and start up
[1:45:00] again. I there was an alliance once upon
[1:45:02] a time and it's kind of waking up again
[1:45:04] and um, I think we'll see some really
[1:45:06] good things downtown. And yes, flowers
[1:45:09] and decorating and and enhancing our
[1:45:11] city is important and we will continue
[1:45:13] to do that. Um also, um we are
[1:45:18] submitting nominations for the American
[1:45:19] Bloom Conference. We have some really
[1:45:21] good um nominations that's going forth
[1:45:24] and uh and we're thankful to for Tim to
[1:45:27] Tim for all that he's doing. And um the
[1:45:30] community garden is taking shape um with
[1:45:33] Fountain Outreach, the Fountain Outreach
[1:45:35] organization. So, it's all been platted
[1:45:38] out and um I think Sam has plans for it
[1:45:41] and we're also working with Sean. So, I
[1:45:44] think we have a really good start on
[1:45:45] that and uh Pocket Park is our next big
[1:45:48] project. Sam talks to teach.
[1:45:52] >> Okay. So, I I think that's it uh from me
[1:45:57] » Okay. So, I I think that's it uh from me
[1:45:57] and yes,
[1:45:57] >> sorry, one more thing. And uh uh we had
[1:46:01] » sorry, one more thing. And uh uh we had
[1:46:01] an event in uh in the park um last
[1:46:05] weekend and I don't know uh what the
[1:46:09] taste is for the commission on this but
[1:46:13] you know we have the car show that comes
[1:46:14] in uh uh the third or fourth Saturday of
[1:46:19] the month. Um
[1:46:22] I'm going to say it. I don't see them
[1:46:26] contributing anything to to our
[1:46:30] downtown. They don't go and they don't
[1:46:32] shop at our stores, uh, our restaurants.
[1:46:36] Everything that they do, they do there.
[1:46:38] >> So, I I I'd like for us to to think
[1:46:41] » So, I I I'd like for us to to think
[1:46:41] about that. I mean, we have the surface
[1:46:43] lot that would be great for them, but
[1:46:47] I don't know what everybody else is
[1:46:49] think everyone else thinks, but uh, it's
[1:46:52] just something I want to bring up. So,
[1:46:54] uh we are using our park more and more
[1:46:57] um
[1:46:59] and um I I think we should would look at
[1:47:05] relocating them
[1:47:06] >> and really if you'll remember that was a
[1:47:08] » and really if you'll remember that was a
[1:47:08] challenge we had when we moved them to
[1:47:10] the park is they were parking in front
[1:47:11] of our businesses
[1:47:13] >> and they were never utilizing so it is
[1:47:15] » and they were never utilizing so it is
[1:47:16] worth another conversation
[1:47:17] >> I agree
[1:47:20] » I agree
[1:47:20] we close the park when they do that no
[1:47:22] it's open to the public. They're just in
[1:47:24] there doing their thing.
[1:47:25] >> Yeah, it is open, but they utilize um
[1:47:30] » Yeah, it is open, but they utilize um
[1:47:30] >> most of the space.
[1:47:33] » most of the space.
[1:47:33] >> Anything else for the good,
[1:47:35] » Anything else for the good,
[1:47:35] >> you know. Can I just add one thing on
[1:47:36] » you know. Can I just add one thing on
[1:47:36] that tone? Because otherwise Gary would
[1:47:38] would [laughter]
[1:47:40] >> Yeah, this is why we got done so early
[1:47:41] » Yeah, this is why we got done so early
[1:47:41] last time.
[1:47:42] >> See,
[1:47:43] » See,
[1:47:43] I knew [laughter] exactly
[1:47:45] >> and I and honestly, I swear you're doing
[1:47:47] » and I and honestly, I swear you're doing
[1:47:47] it on purpose, too. You must have
[1:47:49] watched the video. [laughter]
[1:47:51] Madame Mayor, I think he's out of line,
[1:47:53] but uh the
[1:47:55] >> bet everyone thinks I'm right.
[1:47:57] » bet everyone thinks I'm right.
[1:47:57] >> The uh associate the
[1:48:00] » The uh associate the
[1:48:00] Daniel and George and uh some of the
[1:48:03] other key people are working on starting
[1:48:05] a downtown association. And in that
[1:48:07] meeting I went to uh their first meeting
[1:48:11] uh there was talk about the car show and
[1:48:13] and all that. So, I think let the let
[1:48:16] the downtown community evolve and maybe
[1:48:19] come give us a thought about that. Let
[1:48:21] the downtown businesses tell us
[1:48:24] >> whether they feel it's a a plus or not
[1:48:26] » whether they feel it's a a plus or not
[1:48:26] or whatnot. But there's some good things
[1:48:28] going on with that. We've all wanted
[1:48:30] them to restart that and and it's in the
[1:48:32] process. So, I just wanted to tell you
[1:48:33] all that.
[1:48:35] >> Thank you. Anything else?
[1:48:36] » Thank you. Anything else?
[1:48:36] >> I'll quit saying that. [laughter]
[1:48:39] » I'll quit saying that. [laughter]
[1:48:39] >> Okay. So
[1:48:42] » Okay. So
[1:48:42] at um what 8 7:48
[1:48:47] it's hard this is a glare on that clock.
[1:48:49] >> We'll call this meeting a journey.
[1:48:55] All right. All right.