[8:11] Are we good online?
[8:13] >> Good [clears throat] evening. Welcome to
[8:14] » Good [clears throat] evening. Welcome to
[8:14] Oido City Council Chambers. If everyone
[8:16] could please rise for the pledge of
[8:17] >> allegiance
[8:22] to the flag of the United States of
[8:24] America and to the republic for it
[8:27] stands one nation
[8:29] indivisible with liberty and justice for
[8:32] all.
[8:36] » Please join me in a moment of silence.
[8:46] I would like to call our meeting to
[8:47] order. It is January 5th, 2026 at
[8:50] approximately 6:30 p.m. and we have all
[8:52] members of council present. We're going
[8:54] to start off with our ceremonial items.
[8:56] So, I believe we're going to go down
[8:57] there and I'll hand it over to the
[8:58] mayor.
[9:00] >> All right. As we head down here, want to
[9:03] » All right. As we head down here, want to
[9:03] draw your attention to Noah here on the
[9:05] front row, who is a state champion for
[9:09] diving. And Coach Getty is going to
[9:11] share a little bit about him. But come
[9:13] on up here. Come on up here because we
[9:14] want to see who he's talking about as he
[9:15] is.
[9:17] >> Yeah. Face that way. Thank you. Okay.
[9:19] » Yeah. Face that way. Thank you. Okay.
[9:19] And I'm going to pass this to Coach
[9:20] Getty.
[9:22] >> Welcome everyone. And thank you for
[9:23] » Welcome everyone. And thank you for
[9:23] being here this evening. This fine young
[9:26] gentleman, Noah Stac last year was our
[9:29] state runner up at Hagerty in diving.
[9:31] This year as he hits to the board again,
[9:34] he is a conference champion for the
[9:36] seminal athletic conference, a district
[9:38] three champion for the FHSAA, the region
[9:41] one FHSAA champion and the 4A FHSA state
[9:46] champion. Noah also competes on some
[9:49] higher levels. He works with team USA
[9:51] and has competed both here in the United
[9:53] States and overseas and he will continue
[9:57] his career at the University of South
[9:59] Carolina. He has been a blessing for our
[10:01] school. He is a super talented athlete.
[10:04] He's an even better student. We are
[10:06] happy to be able to call him ours and uh
[10:08] we wish him luck and thank you for
[10:10] having us in this evening. It's good to
[10:12] see a lot of familiar faces as well.
[10:14] Thank you.
[10:17] [applause]
[10:23] We got got to add this in. So for him to
[10:25] practice, there's no pool that is safe
[10:28] for him to dive in. He goes down to
[10:31] iDrive to this pool that has a super
[10:33] deep well 5 days a week. It is an
[10:36] incredible commitment, an incredible
[10:39] show of self-discipline, and we're just
[10:40] so proud of you. So let's go to the
[10:42] middle here so we can grab a picture.
[10:43] And your family, too.
[11:10] Everybody take a few pictures. So,
[11:13] Congratulations.
[11:27] [applause]
[11:57] family has a cell phone.
[12:22] Instagram,
[12:26] Tik Tok.
[13:00] All All right, next up we have the uh
[13:04] 250th
[13:06] anniversary of the United States of
[13:08] America. Whereas July 4th, 2026
[13:11] commemorates the 250th anniversary of
[13:14] the signing of the Declaration of
[13:15] Independence, proclaiming America's
[13:17] independence and absolving all
[13:19] allegiance to the all allegiance to the
[13:21] Kingdom of Great Britain and King George
[13:23] III. And whereas and declaring
[13:26] themselves free and independent states,
[13:28] the 13 colonies fundamentally altered
[13:30] the political landscape of the Western
[13:32] Hemisphere, inaugurating an era of
[13:34] representative government that would
[13:36] reverberate across the world throughout
[13:38] the next two centuries. And whereas the
[13:40] revolutionary spirit ignited in 1776 was
[13:44] slow to reach the untamed, sparsely
[13:46] populated British controlled colonies of
[13:49] East and West Florida, which Britain
[13:51] rested from Spain during the Seven Years
[13:54] War. And whereas following their return
[13:57] to Spain's control after the American
[14:00] Revolution, East and West Florida became
[14:03] increasingly untenable possessions for a
[14:06] weakening uh empire. And whereas
[14:09] tumultuous events around the world and
[14:11] in east and west Florida led Spain to
[14:14] seed the territory to the fledgling
[14:16] United States in 1821.
[14:19] And whereas Andrew Jackson, a provincial
[14:21] governor, who also happened to be
[14:23] Florida's first governor, it combined
[14:26] East and West Florida into the single
[14:28] territory of Florida, which attained
[14:30] statehood in 1845, with much of its
[14:33] lands remaining untamed until the late
[14:35] 1860s.
[14:37] And whereas at the 20th 27th state
[14:40] admitted to the union, Florida claimed
[14:43] its place among the free and independent
[14:46] states, eventually transforming from an
[14:48] untamed frontier into what would become
[14:50] the nation's third most populous state.
[14:53] And whereas a century after the
[14:55] Declaration of Independence, intrepid
[14:58] pioneers embodying the same
[15:00] revolutionary spirit journey down the
[15:03] St. John's River into Florida's untamed
[15:05] wilderness to lay the foundations of
[15:07] Ovido in the Lake Jessup community. And
[15:10] whereas today the city of Ovito, Florida
[15:13] joins communities across our state and
[15:15] nation in recognizing the importance of
[15:18] this milestone and in reaffirming our
[15:20] shared commitment to the ideals and
[15:22] values that continue to unite us as
[15:24] Americans. And whereas the year 2026
[15:28] offers an opportunity for all Americans
[15:30] to reflect upon and celebrate the
[15:33] enduring principles of freedom,
[15:35] representative government, and
[15:37] self-determination that have guided our
[15:39] nation since its founding in 1776.
[15:43] And whereas the United States semiis
[15:46] semiquincentennial
[15:48] provides a historic occasion to honor
[15:50] the vision, courage, and sacrifices of
[15:53] the patriots who secured our
[15:55] independence, as well as the generations
[15:57] that have since worked to expand and
[15:59] protect the blessings of liberty for
[16:01] all. Now therefore, be it resolved by
[16:04] the city council of the city of Ovidito,
[16:06] Florida, that 2026 is hereby designated
[16:09] as a year of celebration in honor of the
[16:12] 250th anniversary of the founding of the
[16:16] United States of America. And I think we
[16:19] might have some people from the
[16:21] committee here to accept this
[16:22] resolution. That is quite lengthy, but
[16:25] Oto does have a very specific place in
[16:28] the history of the United States. It
[16:30] took us a while to get in the whole
[16:32] situation, but here we are.
[16:56] It's okay.
[17:14] [applause]
[17:27] All right, this next one is so long that
[17:30] I'm not going to read the entire thing
[17:31] because it's kind of technical, but I
[17:34] want to talk about what it is. And our
[17:37] last meeting was the Hanukkah
[17:39] celebration here in the city of Ovida.
[17:42] It wasn't put on by the city. It was put
[17:43] on by uh the Ovito Winter Springs Habad.
[17:47] And I can't say it quite right because I
[17:49] can't do the Habad thing, but I'm
[17:51] trying. Uh so hoping that Rabbi Dubov
[17:54] and anyone who may be part of his
[17:56] community might be willing to join us up
[17:58] here to uh talk a little bit about why
[18:02] it is important for the city of Ovido to
[18:04] be adopting a definition of what
[18:06] anti-semitism means. uh in light of the
[18:10] events in Australia, we wanted to make
[18:13] sure that there's no confusion about
[18:15] what what what hate looks like and that
[18:18] people know how to that all of our
[18:21] police officers and all of our residents
[18:23] know how to say, you know, that's not
[18:26] just a little bit of that that's not
[18:28] that's beyond a joke. That's just not
[18:29] okay. So um read a just a few few of the
[18:33] most interesting ones from here but they
[18:35] are all from a legal perspective and
[18:38] from a welcoming perspective. I hope
[18:41] everyone will read this and that we can
[18:43] get this put on our social media because
[18:44] it is worth every word reading it. uh
[18:47] whereas anti-semitism including
[18:49] harassment on the basis of actual or
[18:52] perceived Jewish origin, ancestry,
[18:55] ethnicity, identity, affiliation or
[18:57] faith remains a persistent, pervasive
[19:00] and disturbing problem in American
[19:02] society. And whereas the Jewish
[19:05] community continues to be a targeted
[19:07] minority in the United States and is
[19:09] consistently the most likely of all
[19:11] religious groups to be victimized by
[19:13] incidents of hate. And such incidents
[19:16] are increasing at an alarming rate. And
[19:19] whereas in 1998, Swedish Prime Minister
[19:23] Goran Persan in initiated the task force
[19:26] for international cooper cooperation on
[19:29] Holocaust education, remembrance, and
[19:32] research. And whereas an international
[19:34] forum was held January 19th through 29th
[19:38] 2000, so this month 26 years ago, and
[19:42] was attended by representatives of 46
[19:45] governments, including 23 heads of state
[19:49] or prime ministers and 14 deputy prime
[19:52] ministers. And whereas the task force
[19:54] issued a declaration of the Stockholm
[19:57] International Forum on Holocaust, also
[20:00] known as the Stockholm Declaration. And
[20:02] whereas the Stockholm Declaration is the
[20:05] founding document for the International
[20:06] Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, IH,
[20:10] the successor organization to the Task
[20:13] Force for International Cooperation on
[20:15] Holocaust Education, Remembrance, and
[20:17] Research.
[20:18] We are adopting their definition.
[20:21] It goes on for about a page and a half,
[20:24] but there was a definition that all of
[20:26] these heads of states came up with that
[20:29] everybody agreed on we would we would
[20:31] abide by and that's what we're going to
[20:32] use here in the city of Ovido. So, thank
[20:34] you for being part of our community for
[20:36] helping organize Hanukkah. Thank you for
[20:38] being at Hanukkah celebration with your
[20:41] dad and mom and sisters and brother too
[20:44] like one brother and one brother and
[20:45] sister one brother one sister but you
[20:48] know Oita is for everybody and so glad
[20:50] that you're here
[20:54] » thank you thank you
[20:56] and passile
[21:06] There you go.
[21:17] [applause]
[21:23] » All right. And back up we go. [snorts]
[21:47] Good start here.
[21:56] » Okay. All right. We will move on to item
[22:00] number four which is the approval of the
[22:01] minutes. What is the pleasure of
[22:03] council?
[22:03] >> I make a motion to approve the minutes
[22:05] » I make a motion to approve the minutes
[22:05] for December 1st, 2025 regular session.
[22:08] >> Second.
[22:08] » Second.
[22:08] >> We have a motion and a second. Any
[22:10] » We have a motion and a second. Any
[22:10] discussion?
[22:10] >> No.
[22:12] » No.
[22:12] >> All right. Uh all in favor? Please
[22:14] » All right. Uh all in favor? Please
[22:14] signify by saying I.
[22:15] >> I.
[22:17] » I.
[22:17] >> Any against? Motion carries. We'll move
[22:19] » Any against? Motion carries. We'll move
[22:20] on to public comment. I do not have any
[22:22] written request to speak. Is there
[22:24] anybody in the audience that would like
[22:25] to address council at this time?
[22:29] Hearing none, I will close public
[22:31] comment and we will move on to the
[22:33] consent agenda. What is the pleasure of
[22:35] council?
[22:36] >> I'll make a motion to approve the
[22:37] » I'll make a motion to approve the
[22:37] consent agenda.
[22:39] >> Second. We have a motion and a second.
[22:41] » Second. We have a motion and a second.
[22:41] Any discussion?
[22:42] >> No.
[22:43] » No.
[22:44] >> Thank you to staff for sending me a
[22:45] » Thank you to staff for sending me a
[22:45] picture of what an F240 looks like. I
[22:49] needed to see that it was different than
[22:50] a 150. So, I I do agree that probably
[22:54] that shape makes a difference. Anybody
[22:58] else? Good. Okay. I'll ask the clerk to
[23:01] call the role.
[23:04] » Council member Bterford.
[23:05] >> I.
[23:07] » I.
[23:07] >> Mayor Slick.
[23:07] » Mayor Slick.
[23:08] >> I.
[23:08] » I.
[23:08] >> Deputy Mayor Tukurtkirt.
[23:09] » Deputy Mayor Tukurtkirt.
[23:09] >> I.
[23:09] » I.
[23:09] >> Council member Britain.
[23:10] » Council member Britain.
[23:10] >> I.
[23:11] » I.
[23:11] >> Council member
[23:12] » Council member
[23:12] >> I.
[23:12] » I.
[23:12] >> The motion carries. We do not have any
[23:14] » The motion carries. We do not have any
[23:14] public hearings, first reading
[23:16] ordinances or resolutions. So we'll move
[23:18] on to item number 12, a discussion item,
[23:20] which is the committee assignment for
[23:22] city council members. Mr. Cobb.
[23:25] >> Hi. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. This is we
[23:27] » Hi. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. This is we
[23:27] do this annually. Uh these are the
[23:29] committees that you as as elected
[23:32] officials serve on that with other
[23:35] elected officials from other local
[23:36] governments as well as uh parts of other
[23:39] committees that are community oriented.
[23:42] Uh tonight, we just need direction on if
[23:44] you're if you're going to continue
[23:46] serving on the committees that you
[23:48] currently serve on or if there's anybody
[23:50] any changes are going to be made.
[23:53] >> I'm good with mine.
[23:54] » I'm good with mine.
[23:54] >> I'm good with mine.
[23:55] » I'm good with mine.
[23:56] I was going to say we've had the same
[23:57] seats for a while and we can keep them
[23:59] as is, but I guess is anybody looking to
[24:01] change their seat?
[24:05] » No.
[24:05] >> Nope. Any alternates want to swap?
[24:09] » Nope. Any alternates want to swap?
[24:09] [snorts]
[24:09] >> I guess we'll make it easy then. We'll
[24:11] » I guess we'll make it easy then. We'll
[24:11] just keep it as is.
[24:12] >> Can I ask you a question? Are um
[24:15] » Can I ask you a question? Are um
[24:15] >> some of them have alternates and some of
[24:17] » some of them have alternates and some of
[24:17] them don't. Is that something that is uh
[24:20] set by the
[24:21] >> It depends on the board. the board
[24:23] » It depends on the board. the board
[24:23] itself.
[24:23] >> So, like no, the alternate like that's
[24:25] » So, like no, the alternate like that's
[24:25] an official alternate.
[24:27] >> Okay.
[24:27] » Okay.
[24:27] >> Um I think some of them don't. It
[24:30] » Um I think some of them don't. It
[24:30] doesn't matter.
[24:30] >> Don't have an official alternate,
[24:31] » Don't have an official alternate,
[24:31] >> right? But I I I think as far as any of
[24:34] » right? But I I I think as far as any of
[24:34] these meetings, we could all show if we
[24:35] wanted to as long as you notice ahead of
[24:37] time if that's that's correct. We just
[24:39] have a main contact.
[24:41] >> Um
[24:43] » Um
[24:43] so,
[24:44] um and then I will say thank you for
[24:46] getting us all the dates of all these
[24:47] meetings because I just get to this
[24:48] [clears throat] and when we ask if we
[24:49] want to change it up, I don't know
[24:51] availability. though. [laughter]
[24:53] Okay, I guess we'll we'll keep it as is.
[24:57] Um, moving on to item number 13, the
[25:00] 2026 Chamber of Commerce dues and
[25:02] participation level. Mr. Cop,
[25:04] >> uh, thank you, Deputy Mayor. We received
[25:06] » uh, thank you, Deputy Mayor. We received
[25:06] the invoice from the Chamber of
[25:07] Commerce. Uh, it's for $5,000. We in
[25:11] your in your agenda memorandum, we put
[25:13] all of the, uh, benefits that the city
[25:15] does receive for this $5,000 membership.
[25:18] Uh we do have $5,000 allocated in the
[25:20] city budget for this year. And uh we
[25:23] just wanted to make sure before we paid
[25:25] that invoice that uh the city council
[25:27] wanted to continue at the same
[25:28] membership level that or if you wanted
[25:31] us to change the membership level in any
[25:33] way. I believe one of your attachments
[25:35] also provides the other membership
[25:37] levels that the chamber provides.
[25:40] So we just need direction.
[25:42] >> Okay. Um I guess I'll just open this up
[25:45] » Okay. Um I guess I'll just open this up
[25:45] for discussion.
[25:48] Well, we're we're a $375 level member
[25:50] for the Semino County Chamber and there
[25:53] is a 400 level $400 level for the Ovido
[25:57] Chamber. And looking at the benefits,
[26:01] we don't we don't really use those.
[26:06] So in addition to giving them $10,800
[26:09] for Taste of Oto, this is an additional
[26:12] $5,000 for benefits that create extra
[26:15] work for our staff. And I think that
[26:17] staff probably doesn't want to have the
[26:20] extra work which is built as a benefit
[26:23] of being for example the lead mentor for
[26:26] a young prof professionals workshop
[26:29] or
[26:31] um having a speaking opportunity at the
[26:34] quarterly lunchon. Right. We're the sole
[26:36] source provider of water
[26:39] and first responder services. So you
[26:42] know I'm not sure it's a benefit. We
[26:45] actually have the uh the president of
[26:46] the chamber if she want to come up and
[26:48] say a few words.
[26:49] >> Yeah. Did you want to come up? You're
[26:51] » Yeah. Did you want to come up? You're
[26:51] more than welcome.
[26:52] >> Sure. Thank you.
[26:59] [snorts]
[27:01] >> If you just come to the mic and state
[27:02] » If you just come to the mic and state
[27:02] your name.
[27:07] » Well, first of all, I want to thank you
[27:08] for the for the membership uh all these
[27:11] years. Uh we share goals together, the
[27:14] chamber and the city alignment. We share
[27:17] economic development, we share business
[27:19] retention and attraction, we share
[27:21] community engagement, we share workforce
[27:23] development, and we share city prom uh
[27:26] city promotion. What the chamber has to
[27:28] offer to the city is basically
[27:31] visibility and promotion, civic
[27:34] engagement, business and workforce
[27:36] development, event collaboration, and
[27:38] recognition.
[27:40] A $5,000 tiers allow the speaking
[27:43] opportunities, allow all these
[27:45] interaction with the Chamber of
[27:46] Commerce, and it help us allocate all
[27:48] these resources for our mission that is
[27:50] economic development, empower businesses
[27:53] and growth.
[27:55] >> Thank you. Thank you. That's it. Thank
[27:58] » Thank you. Thank you. That's it. Thank
[27:58] you, S. Does anybody have questions?
[28:01] >> No, I mean, I'm fine with the chamber. I
[28:04] » No, I mean, I'm fine with the chamber. I
[28:04] mean, we've had a great partnership then
[28:05] with many, many years. Um, uh, I went to
[28:08] the Ovations Gala. I mean, there was a
[28:10] great turnout for that. Uh, nicely done.
[28:13] Um, [snorts] I'm fine with us continuing
[28:16] what we're doing with them. I mean,
[28:17] again, they have a signature event, uh,
[28:20] that is well known throughout the
[28:21] community, uh, the taste of a veto. And
[28:24] again, appreciate the partnership both
[28:26] ways. I know we have a couple members up
[28:28] here that make every ribbon cutting that
[28:30] they can so they can get their photo in.
[28:32] I think that's great, too. You know,
[28:33] showing the community that, you know, as
[28:36] the local government again is is there
[28:38] for them. So, I'm fine with the level
[28:40] that we're at.
[28:43] >> I think it's really hard for the city on
[28:45] » I think it's really hard for the city on
[28:45] its own to support small businesses in
[28:47] the way that the chamber does. And I I
[28:49] love that they I I mean, I have a small
[28:51] business. They do a great job ribbon
[28:53] cutting new businesses, networking them
[28:55] to others, and and supporting that
[28:57] community. So, [clears throat] um I
[28:59] appreciate all that they do as well. So,
[29:01] I would like to keep where we're at with
[29:03] them as well.
[29:04] you I I think there is value in the uh
[29:07] in the chamber. You know, I don't think
[29:10] there's a value a dollar value you can
[29:12] put on it.
[29:14] We as a city need to be engaged with the
[29:17] business community and we need to
[29:20] support them and this is this is one way
[29:22] that we can do that. I don't think it's
[29:24] something you put a dollar value on.
[29:30] Well, uh, I mean, that being said, there
[29:33] there is a dollar value. Um,
[29:35] >> in my mind, I think it's worth much more
[29:37] » in my mind, I think it's worth much more
[29:37] than that.
[29:37] >> $15,800 is the dollar value.
[29:39] » $15,800 is the dollar value.
[29:39] >> I mean, we get to decide what the dollar
[29:41] » I mean, we get to decide what the dollar
[29:41] value is. Um, and and I mean, we could
[29:43] go up, right? I mean, we could go up to
[29:45] the $10,000 level.
[29:48] >> Yeah, that's a good idea.
[29:50] » Yeah, that's a good idea.
[29:50] >> Uh, I don't know. To to me, I I look at
[29:53] » Uh, I don't know. To to me, I I look at
[29:53] this uh a couple of different ways. I
[29:56] mean for for the most part I mean I look
[29:58] at it from the perspective of the
[30:01] residents. So you know while the chamber
[30:02] does of course support small businesses
[30:04] the you know the question is to the
[30:08] average resident is this um something
[30:11] that affects them right because it's you
[30:12] know ultimately they're the ones paying
[30:14] for it out of their um you know their
[30:17] their property taxes and other taxes. We
[30:19] also collect uh I think it's 40,000 is
[30:22] that right Mr. top of uh local business
[30:24] tax um for business licenses. I looked
[30:28] it up last year about this time and I
[30:29] >> I think it's around 140,000. [snorts]
[30:31] » I think it's around 140,000. [snorts]
[30:31] >> Oh, it's 140,000. Yes, sir. Okay.
[30:34] » Oh, it's 140,000. Yes, sir. Okay.
[30:34] >> So, I mean another way to look at it is,
[30:35] » So, I mean another way to look at it is,
[30:35] you know, we collect this tax from
[30:37] businesses and then we give it to an
[30:39] organization that supports businesses.
[30:41] So, you know, in that case, maybe um
[30:45] maybe that does make sense. Um you know
[30:48] the other thing I look at with it is um
[30:51] there are multiple chambers and we
[30:54] support one with um you know
[30:57] considerable amount more money than um
[31:00] than the other and you know is it the
[31:03] job of government to be picking winners
[31:06] and losers in that way right? Um,
[31:12] I feel like if we want to support small
[31:14] businesses, we could do things like uh
[31:17] getting rid of the local business tax,
[31:18] right? I mean, to me, that is a
[31:21] uh it's a junk fee as far as I'm
[31:23] concerned. Um, I'm not sure what local
[31:27] businesses get for that except for, you
[31:29] know, the right to conduct business in
[31:32] the city. Um,
[31:34] so you know, and if we did something
[31:36] like that, then that's a way that we
[31:37] could support, you know, every small
[31:39] business regardless of what uh chamber
[31:41] or other business organization that that
[31:43] they were a part of. So, um, I don't
[31:47] know, there's a lot of ways to look at
[31:48] it. I mean, and we have we have three
[31:50] people who want to keep it the same, so
[31:52] it looks like that's what we'll probably
[31:53] end up doing. But I I think things like
[31:56] this are always worth the conversation
[31:59] of, you know, we've been doing this for
[32:01] a long time. Is this the right way? Is
[32:03] this the best way? Um, you know, are
[32:05] there other organizations or, you know,
[32:06] all those kinds of things.
[32:08] >> Okay. If I could just add, I I
[32:11] » Okay. If I could just add, I I
[32:11] appreciate that the chamber has made it
[32:13] clear that they only help people who pay
[32:15] to be chamber members. And I did run the
[32:18] math and 9% 8 to 9% of Ovito small
[32:22] businesses are chamber members. So 8% of
[32:25] the small businesses at Ovido are
[32:27] eligible to receive the services offered
[32:29] by the chamber. That 15 heard that
[32:32] number is not accurate that it was
[32:34] misinterpreted. Uh so I don't know. Do
[32:37] you know what the actual number is?
[32:40] >> The number changes every day. So I I
[32:42] » The number changes every day. So I I
[32:42] didn't bring the number today. I'm
[32:45] sorry.
[32:45] >> Well, I I sent the information to Mr.
[32:47] » Well, I I sent the information to Mr.
[32:47] Cobb. So we do have that number from the
[32:50] Semino County Chamber, which is a lower
[32:52] number. and we have what was reported
[32:54] from the Ovita Whitter Springs Chamber
[32:57] and you know so there there it is
[33:00] substantially
[33:02] smaller than all of the businesses being
[33:04] served. So I think that's an important
[33:05] thing for us to state from here as there
[33:08] is consensus to move forward with
[33:10] continuing to subsidize this private
[33:13] organization's operational expenses to
[33:16] the tune of $15,800.
[33:19] >> Okay. Do we have a consensus?
[33:21] » Okay. Do we have a consensus?
[33:21] >> Yep, we have consensus. So, um, Mr.
[33:24] » Yep, we have consensus. So, um, Mr.
[33:24] Crab, you understand?
[33:25] >> Yes, ma'am.
[33:25] » Yes, ma'am.
[33:25] >> Okay, we'll move on to the city manager
[33:28] » Okay, we'll move on to the city manager
[33:28] report.
[33:29] >> Just wanted to wish everyone a happy new
[33:30] » Just wanted to wish everyone a happy new
[33:30] year.
[33:31] >> Okay. City attorney's report.
[33:34] » Okay. City attorney's report.
[33:34] >> Happy New Year.
[33:36] » Happy New Year.
[33:36] >> Mayor Slated.
[33:38] » Mayor Slated.
[33:38] All right. Every few years I bring up
[33:41] the idea of putting a conservation
[33:42] easement on the Twin Rivers golf course,
[33:44] and we have a little bit different
[33:45] composition up here than we ever have
[33:47] before. Is there interest in putting a
[33:50] conservation easement on this? Since
[33:52] that is that though that that is the
[33:54] pretense on which we purchased the golf
[33:56] course, I would like to put a
[33:58] >> how we purchased it. We purchased it for
[33:59] » how we purchased it. We purchased it for
[33:59] a flood plane.
[34:00] >> We purchased it to be never developed,
[34:03] » We purchased it to be never developed,
[34:03] which is why we can put a conser to
[34:05] that's why we need a conservation
[34:07] easement.
[34:08] >> I would like to put a conservation
[34:10] » I would like to put a conservation
[34:10] easement on it. I get that you would
[34:11] like to build something on it.
[34:12] >> Well, hold on. We're in reports. So, if
[34:14] » Well, hold on. We're in reports. So, if
[34:14] you want consensus to discuss this at a
[34:16] future meeting, we can do that. But
[34:17] we're not discussing right now.
[34:18] >> All right. There is there consensus to
[34:20] » All right. There is there consensus to
[34:20] discuss a conservation easement at a
[34:22] later date?
[34:25] >> We can discuss it.
[34:26] » We can discuss it.
[34:26] >> I'll discuss it.
[34:27] » I'll discuss it.
[34:27] >> Okay. Um also wanted to bring up that
[34:31] » Okay. Um also wanted to bring up that
[34:31] there have been some scientists over the
[34:33] years and this is going back to like
[34:35] 2018ish.
[34:37] Um, it is possible that we used some
[34:40] funding for the acquisition of
[34:42] Riverwoods Park that requires it to be
[34:46] managed and possibly the land adjacent
[34:49] to Shane Kelly Park. Uh, and by managed,
[34:52] I mean prescribed burns. And if you go
[34:55] look at where fire is burning in the
[34:57] state of Florida at any given time, it's
[35:00] somewhere. And if we do not proactively
[35:03] manage the lands in ways that will keep
[35:06] it from setting on fire unpredictably,
[35:09] we could we could create a situation
[35:11] that is less ideal. So just wanted to
[35:13] throw it out there. I don't know if that
[35:15] this isn't really a discussion item so
[35:17] much as making sure that all of us up
[35:19] here are aware that well yeah I I guess
[35:23] maybe it is ask for a discussion item. I
[35:25] would like an update on which of our
[35:26] lands uh we used state level funding for
[35:29] that requires us to do prescribed burns
[35:31] or [clears throat] any specific
[35:32] management activities. And I know we
[35:34] have management plans on a lot of our
[35:36] parks that we use F FRS money for or not
[35:39] not FRS what is it called? FRDAP. I'm
[35:42] mixing all my state level acronyms. Uh
[35:45] but the FRDA app grants require
[35:47] management plan. Not not necessarily
[35:48] prescribed burns but some sort of
[35:50] management plan. And if any of them
[35:52] require burning, let's let's talk about
[35:54] that. Is everybody okay getting an
[35:56] update on that at a later meeting?
[35:58] That's okay. Um, and earlier this
[36:02] afternoon invited everybody on council
[36:03] to come to this space right here at
[36:06] 12:00 on Wednesday to uh watch a webinar
[36:10] from the Thousand Friends of Florida on
[36:12] the legislative uh all all the things
[36:14] that have been filed with the
[36:15] legislature so far and just sort of a
[36:17] jump start thing. So the entire public
[36:19] is welcome to attend. It's going to be
[36:22] somehow maybe we'll figure out how to
[36:23] get it on a big screen, but worst case
[36:25] scenario, we'll huddle around my
[36:26] computer, which will live stream it from
[36:29] there. Um, and following up on Mr.'s
[36:33] idea, I I've been wanting to eliminate
[36:35] the local business tax forever. Um, in
[36:38] talking with the chamber u president,
[36:41] uh, I I think she I don't know that
[36:44] she's allowed to enter. I don't know the
[36:45] extent to which you're allowed to
[36:46] interact with me or others are, but uh I
[36:49] got the impression from the chamber that
[36:50] they're not interested in eliminating
[36:52] the business tax, but I think we should
[36:53] do that anyway because it's the right
[36:55] thing for local businesses, even if
[36:58] that's the way we fund
[37:01] a an organization's salaries.
[37:04] So, is can we at a later date have a
[37:07] discussion about eliminating the
[37:08] business tax? It always comes up at the
[37:10] state level. I'd like to get rid of it
[37:11] proactively even if the state does not
[37:13] because it is a junk fee.
[37:15] >> I'm okay with it the way it is.
[37:17] » I'm okay with it the way it is.
[37:17] >> Can we discuss it though? Does anybody
[37:19] » Can we discuss it though? Does anybody
[37:19] else want to discuss it?
[37:20] >> I have this label.
[37:21] » I have this label.
[37:21] >> Yeah. Okay.
[37:22] » Yeah. Okay.
[37:22] >> Do we have a consensus?
[37:25] » Do we have a consensus?
[37:25] >> I mean, you're talking about the like
[37:27] » I mean, you're talking about the like
[37:27] the $25 business tax receipt.
[37:29] >> Well, I'm talking about the $195
[37:32] » Well, I'm talking about the $195
[37:32] I pay because I'm a regulated business.
[37:34] So, because I'm regulated by the state,
[37:35] I have to pay extra lots.
[37:38] So yeah, a lot of people pay I and I pay
[37:41] three different business taxes because I
[37:42] have different
[37:43] >> businesses running out of my house.
[37:46] » businesses running out of my house.
[37:46] >> I'm not interested in discussing it
[37:47] » I'm not interested in discussing it
[37:47] right now.
[37:50] >> I'm not interested. Okay.
[37:51] » I'm not interested. Okay.
[37:51] >> All right. Well, the tax the junk fee
[37:53] » All right. Well, the tax the junk fee
[37:53] stays. All right. That's all I've got
[37:55] for now. Thank you. [clears throat]
[37:56] >> All right. Council member Rat.
[37:59] » All right. Council member Rat.
[37:59] >> Uh nothing further. Happy New Year.
[38:03] » Uh nothing further. Happy New Year.
[38:03] >> Council member Bford.
[38:04] » Council member Bford.
[38:04] >> Yes. Uh happy new year. Um, again, shout
[38:07] » Yes. Uh happy new year. Um, again, shout
[38:07] out to our parks and recck team for a
[38:09] great job they did for the for the
[38:10] holiday season and uh all the events
[38:12] that they pulled off. There was a great
[38:13] turnout by everybody out there. Um, it's
[38:16] great to have that in the community and
[38:18] to see the people get out there and
[38:19] really kind of get together and come
[38:21] together as a community. So, that was
[38:23] great to see. Also, I attended the uh
[38:26] Christmas in the city. I know all you
[38:28] were there as well. U think you might
[38:30] have missed when I got hit by the car,
[38:31] but that was interesting. [laughter] So,
[38:34] >> um, you're okay.
[38:36] » um, you're okay.
[38:36] so to speak. Yes. Physically, mentally
[38:38] we'll do questionable. But uh great
[38:41] great job by that. Also want to commend
[38:43] um what uh both uh Lisa and Chief you
[38:46] guys doing with the uh ebikes and the
[38:49] mobility. I think I thought saw the
[38:51] articles out there. I saw the news. I
[38:53] saw what you put out there in social
[38:54] media again that the officers are
[38:56] actually doing education. So, you know,
[38:59] and talking to the kids uh unless
[39:01] they're, you know, way out of line. I
[39:04] mean, you guys are trying to, you know,
[39:06] navigate them to to be reasonable and
[39:08] then uh and safe when they're out there.
[39:10] So, I know it's a lot going on with that
[39:13] right now. So, again, appreciate
[39:14] everything that you guys are are doing
[39:16] with that. So, and then again, happy new
[39:20] year and uh we're off to a new year and
[39:23] we had a great start to the meeting
[39:24] today.
[39:26] >> Councilman Britain,
[39:27] » Councilman Britain,
[39:27] >> um happy new year also. And I just want
[39:30] » um happy new year also. And I just want
[39:30] to clarify on the uh the uh the burning
[39:34] the controlled burning. Brian, if if
[39:36] you're going to give information on
[39:37] that, could you give us an idea what
[39:40] size area that usually gets controlled
[39:42] burn? I know at the during the years I
[39:44] was at the space center, it was usually
[39:46] thousands of acres or a thousand acres
[39:49] or more that they would set on fire. And
[39:51] if I remember the
[39:54] SNID park, I guess that's Riverwoods
[39:56] between the two neighborhoods. That's
[39:59] What? Five acres at the most?
[40:01] >> It's 34.
[40:02] » It's 34.
[40:02] >> 34 acres. Yes. I'm not sure going in
[40:04] » 34 acres. Yes. I'm not sure going in
[40:04] there and burning 34 acres next to
[40:06] houses is a good idea. So, just find out
[40:08] what what the state uses as their
[40:11] criteria.
[40:17] » And while you're at it, on the golf
[40:18] course, could could you reiterate that
[40:20] the golf course is designated as a as a
[40:23] golf course and not a park? So
[40:26] overlaying a uh easement over it is not
[40:29] is not appropriate.
[40:32] That's all I have.
[40:34] >> Okay. Uh I'm up next and all I have to
[40:36] » Okay. Uh I'm up next and all I have to
[40:36] say is I want to say thank you to our
[40:37] staff who work the holidays. You know,
[40:39] we do work in government. So I
[40:42] appreciate all the the police and
[40:43] firefighters and our core staff who work
[40:45] the holidays for us. And happy new year.
[40:48] Is there anything else for the good of
[40:49] the order?
[40:51] It is 7:03 p.m. or 7:02 p.m. And this
[40:54] meeting is not adjourned till I read
[40:57] that our next meeting is not on a
[40:59] Monday. It's on Tuesday because of
[41:01] Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Uh so
[41:03] January 20th at 6:30 p.m. is a regular
[41:05] session. Monday, January 26 at 5:30 p.m.
[41:08] is a work session and Monday, February
[41:11] 2nd at 6:30 p.m. is a regular session.
[41:14] Now it is 7:03 p.m. and this meeting is
[41:16] adjourned.