[0:00] And the pledge of allegian allegiance will be will be by commissioner

[0:05] » I'll take >> Ashcraft Vice Mayor Ashcraft please join

[0:10] us by standing.

[0:16] » Father we thank you for bringing us together for this meeting. We are

[0:19] grateful for the people present, the opportunities before us and your

[0:24] guidance in every discussion. Help each of us approach this gathering with

[0:29] joyful hearts, humility, and appreciation for one another's

[0:33] contributions. Remove negativity, distraction, or

[0:38] complaint, and fill us with gratitude and positivity.

[0:43] May thankfulness shape our conversations, decisions, and actions.

[0:47] Let our meeting honor you as we acknowledge your blessing in every

[0:51] moment. Heavenly Father, when we come to the end of this meeting, we will offer

[0:55] our thanks and praise to you for guiding our discussions. We also ask for your

[1:00] blessings upon everyone here as we leave.

[1:04] » Amen. >> Amen.

[1:06] » Please join me for the pledge. [clears throat] I pledge allegiance to

[1:10] the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands.

[1:16] One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[1:22] » Thank you.

[1:28] » We will officially call this meeting to order.

[1:31] Christine, is there a quorum? >> Yes, Mayor Lee.

[1:34] » Proper notice been given? >> Yes, ma'am.

[1:36] » Okay. Rick, is there an agenda update? >> Uh, yes, mayor. We are pulling um item

[1:43] 3.2, the school resource officer vehicle wrap

[1:48] donation. Um, the the gentleman has some conflicts, so we'll do that as another

[1:54] date. Um, I'm also pulling item 6.2 from the consent agenda, resolution 2674.

[2:02] Um there was a incorrect staff report that was opened up. So I will bring that

[2:07] to the next meeting. And lastly, we're pulling uh item 8.1

[2:13] under other business uh discussion of solid waste billing practices as um

[2:19] Nicole had to uh step out early today. So we'll bring that to you at a later

[2:24] date. >> Okay. Shall we move on to approval of

[2:28] minutes? quite quite a few

[2:32] » for our May 22nd to 2026 June 4th 2026 city commission meeting on the 22nd was

[2:39] the 5year CIP and on June 18th was a city commission meeting on June 24th

[2:45] city commission workshop and downtown master plan and on July 16th was a city

[2:51] commission meeting. >> I make a motion for approval.

[2:55] » Second. >> Roll call, please.

[2:58] » Commissioner Ozbody. I, >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft.

[3:02] » Hi, >> Mayor Lee.

[3:03] » I We now have presentations. We'll get to

[3:07] that, Rick. >> Yeah. The, uh, first presentation we

[3:10] have today, um, our fire chief, Mike Swanson,

[3:14] uh, will present, uh, his personnel for badge pinning and promotions.

[3:20] » Thank you, Mike Swanson, fire chief of the city of

[3:25] Eustace. Uh, this is a really exciting time for us.

[3:30] Every time I do this, I still get butterflies on my side. This is such an

[3:33] exciting event. Uh this is progression in people's careers and it's it's just

[3:37] really neat. Uh the first three people I'm going to bring up, they're not

[3:41] actually getting pinned, but we're going to recognize him for an amazing

[3:44] achievement. Uh this is for uh becoming a a paramedic. It's not just going to

[3:50] school. It's also going to school, getting tested, taking national exams,

[3:54] then And then going back to another program

[3:58] which we call provisionals where they get trained in the local protocols then

[4:03] they then they have to go through our round with our FTO's and then they have

[4:07] to go sit up before the medical director and get blessings and all that stuff. Uh

[4:13] it almost take it takes pretty close to two years here so at least 18 months. Uh

[4:18] it's a huge investment in time. Uh any of you that are married or have

[4:24] paramedics in your family know that it's a lot of study, tremendous amount of

[4:29] effort is put into this certificate and we're just really proud of these

[4:33] individuals. If the three of you will come up please. Uh fire medic Alexis

[4:39] Anderson. All right.

[4:43] [applause]

[4:49] Fire medicris [applause]

[4:58] and medic. [applause]

[5:07] [applause] >> Congratulations to the three of you. If

[5:10] we could get a photo with them, that'd be great. This is a huge

[5:16] certific.

[5:22] » I usually forget to get these out, so I'm kind of proud of myself.

[5:34] All

[5:50] » [applause]

[6:01] » right, the next two that are coming up our firefighters.

[6:12] » Oh, sorry. >> No, I'm doing firefighter now.

[6:15] » Yeah. Uh, so these are our two two new guys.

[6:20] [clears throat] >> There it goes.

[6:21] » Uh, Jacob Lovestone, could you come up, please? And also Mitchell.

[6:27] [applause]

[6:35] So, these two individuals were hired about a year ago

[6:38] » and uh they made it through our our ruling process of uh probationary

[6:44] firefighters. Are you guys still wearing the the pumpkin patch?

[6:49] » No. Okay, good. You don't you don't need to do that anymore. So, what I'm going

[6:53] to do is I'm going to go ahead and swear you guys in. Okay, which is official. Um

[6:59] I did pull something out special today because our uh our chaplain is actually

[7:03] not here. So, I don't have his Bible. So, I pulled my

[7:06] » This is my dad's Bible. So, this is >> Yeah, this is it's pretty old because

[7:10] I'm old. So, be real nice. It's kind of falling

[7:15] apart. So, I'm going to have you both do is I'm You put your left hand on the

[7:18] Bible right hand. Okay. When I say uh state your name, don't say state your

[7:25] name. You state your name.

[7:30] You guys ready? >> Left hand on the Bible. Right hand in

[7:34] the air. Repeat after me. >> I

[7:38] » I >> Say your name.

[7:40] » Mr. >> Having been appointed to the rank of

[7:44] » Having appointed to the rank of >> firefighter and useless fire department.

[7:48] » Firefighter and useless fire department. >> Do you solemnly swear that I will

[7:52] support >> Do younly swear that I will support

[7:55] » the Constitution of the United States. the Constitution of the United States

[7:58] » in the Constitution of the State of Florida

[8:00] » in the Constitution of the State of Florida.

[8:02] » And that I will faithfully discharge >> I will faithfully discharge

[8:06] » the duties of such rank >> the duties of such rank

[8:09] » according to the laws >> according to the laws

[8:12] » regulations and orders >> regulations and orders

[8:14] » governing the useless fire department >> governing the useless fire department

[8:18] » and that I will obey the orders and directions of my superiors

[8:21] » that I obey the orders and directions of my superiors.

[8:25] » That was a test. to the best of my ability.

[8:28] » to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. So help me God.

[8:31] » Congratulations. [applause]

[8:36] [applause]

[8:40] » Now the really fun part to this >> they get pinned by a family member. So

[8:45] we're going to have Le go first. So because he's nervous as heck.

[8:48] » Okay. >> Gonna have his father John come up. Is

[8:53] John here? Here he is. Can you have that?

[8:57] » We do have new paramedics in the house. So if you go in [laughter]

[9:18] there,

[9:23] » it gets better every time.

[9:34] I hope the rest of the meeting has [laughter]

[9:44] » the next one. >> You need my glasses. Maybe I should take

[9:51] my

[9:59] There you go.

[10:03] [applause]

[10:08] [applause]

[10:12] » And you're going to have your girlfriend Lexi Price. Where she at?

[10:25] You have to beat the last one.

[10:45] You

[10:51] [applause]

[10:55] [applause]

[10:59] » want to send it back?

[11:04] [applause]

[11:09] » [applause]

[11:15] » Is this your last picture?

[11:29] » [applause]

[11:35] » This is an interesting fact. My wife was my girlfriend when she hit me when I was

[11:39] a ranger.

[11:43] We've been married for 36 years now.

[11:51] » Um, next person up is engineer

[11:59] » Gage Whitaker [applause]

[12:05] [applause]

[12:16] left hand

[12:29] I say your name.

[12:34] Having been appointed to the rank of >> the rank of engineer

[12:39] firearm >> do solemnly swear

[12:42] » that I will support the constitution of the United States

[12:46] » and the constitution of the state of Florida

[12:49] » and that I will faithfully discharge the duties

[12:57] and governing fire department

[13:02] orders and

[13:07] to the best of my ability.

[13:11] [applause]

[13:27] » This is pretty cool right here. Wow. >> Yes.

[13:38] » Chief, he looks better than you. >> He does.

[13:40] » He's pretty spiffy up.

[13:49] I was going to say you better know how to do that. [laughter]

[13:54] » Record time. [applause]

[14:05] [applause]

[14:21] » [applause]

[14:32] » By the way, for tradition, we wear our long shirts because when you wear your

[14:36] coat, you can't put the badge on. That's why I put on just in case you guys are

[14:41] wondering because he does look pretty, right?

[14:46] » Uh, senior engineer medic.

[14:52] [applause]

[14:56] [applause]

[14:59] So, this rank is actually a step into becoming an officer. So, this he's just

[15:05] basically away from being an officer. all the qualifications. He just has to

[15:09] put the time in the acting. [clears throat]

[15:13] » Are you ready? >> Let's do it.

[15:16] » I didn't even have to tell you, did I? >> Can you recite this by yourself?

[15:23] » Repeat after me. I >> I have been appointed to the rank of

[15:28] » I have been appointed to the rank of senior engineer engineer in the use of

[15:33] fire department. Do you swear swear

[15:37] » that I will support the Constitution of the United States

[15:40] » that I will support the Constitution of the United States

[15:42] » constitution of the state of Florida >> constitution of the state of Florida

[15:44] » and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of such rank

[15:47] » I will faithfully discharge the duties of such rank

[15:49] » according to the laws and regulations >> according to the laws and regulations

[15:53] » and orders governing the use of firearm >> and orders governing the use of firearm

[15:57] » and that I will obey the orders and directions of my superiors

[16:00] » I will obey the orders and directions of my superiors

[16:02] » to the best of my ability >> to the best of my ability to help me to

[16:05] help me go >> [applause]

[16:14] » You're having

[16:30] » Emily affair.

[16:36] That's a picture.

[16:48] [applause]

[16:55] » This is awesome stuff.

[17:12] » [applause]

[17:17] [applause]

[17:19] » We have one more lieutenant

[17:24] medicate. Please come up.

[17:29] » [applause]

[17:34] » wearing a white shirt. One of our officers, newly appointed officer.

[17:40] » Feeling good about it? All right, let's do this.

[17:44] Right hand in the air. I know I've done it like

[17:51] repeat after me. >> I

[17:55] have you been appointed to the rank of lieutenant.

[17:59] in the use of fire department >> swear that I will support

[18:04] » that I will support >> the Constitution of the United States

[18:06] » the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of

[18:09] Florida >> the Constitution of State

[18:10] » and that I will faithfully discharge >> and I will faithfully discharge

[18:13] » the duties of such >> the duties of such

[18:16] » according to the laws, regulations and orders

[18:18] » the laws, regulations and >> governing the use of firearm

[18:21] » governing firearm >> and that I will obey the orders and

[18:24] directions >> I obey the orders and directions

[18:26] » of My superiors. >> My superiors.

[18:28] » To the best of my ability. [applause]

[18:43] » Come on, Mila.

[18:49] Come here.

[19:14] Come here.

[19:25] » Get that picture. Show her that picture in 30 years.

[19:29] That's what's >> Yeah. Yeah.

[19:33] [applause]

[19:44] [applause]

[19:52] My daughters are like 30 and 27 now. Pretty cool.

[19:58] with that. >> Yep. Yep. If we can get everybody up

[20:03] real quick for a group picture and I'll get them out of here.

[20:05] » All right. >> Come on up everybody.

[20:07] » You're the chief. >> I said you're the chief.

[20:11] » That's why you get the big bucks.

[20:21] » Jordan's in the back.

[20:36] I can say yeah,

[20:52] » two

[20:58] » [applause]

[21:05] [applause] >> We'll take about a few minutes to allow

[21:09] them to leave.

[21:18] » [applause]

[21:26] » are

[21:32] super happy to be

[21:46] Awesome.

[21:53] [laughter]

[21:57] Thank you.

[22:31] Okay. So, let's start again.

[22:36] Um, next we have uh staff from the events and communication department

[22:43] um that will be uh providing a recap of their trip to the FFA, the Florida

[22:52] Festival and Events Association. uh they went down to Fort Meyers earlier

[22:58] this month for the sensational awards and uh they're going to share some

[23:03] recognition that uh their departments received.

[23:07] » Good evening members of commission. My name is Sher Moan, director of events

[23:11] and communication. Thank you all for having us tonight. I'd like to welcome

[23:14] members of my staff. Got Christine Juay. Can you come on up please? vendor comm

[23:21] community relations coordinator and our event coordinator Annne Heslop. I' like

[23:25] to also mention Marissa Cell over here running the tech. She's our acting PR

[23:32] manager. We recently attended the FFA which is the Florida Festival and Events

[23:36] Conference in Fort Myers and there along with several other

[23:41] municipalities and festival event planners we were recognized in uh 10

[23:45] different categories which we're really excited to sh if you don't mind I'm

[23:48] going to run through it. The sensational awards celebrate Florida's most

[23:52] innovative and impactful events. Nominations were judged by a blue ribbon

[23:56] panel representing media outlets, printing companies, website designers,

[24:00] event managers, photographers, promotional marketing professionals, and

[24:04] social media experts. The city of Eustace and events communication

[24:07] department was recognized in 10 awards across six city events, including the

[24:11] following. the 124th annual George Fest. We won second place in the children's

[24:16] program, third place in overall event theme. In Tim Tatton's amazing race for

[24:20] charity, we won third place in the PR media campaign, third place sponsor

[24:25] partnership. Eustace first Fridays, we won first place in t-shirt. Second place

[24:30] multi- agency program, hometown celebration, first place in our

[24:34] promotional poster, third place in t-shirt. Light up Eustace, third place

[24:38] with our photo opportunity. and salute to veterans first place with our promo f

[24:43] poster. These awards recognize the creativity, collaboration, and

[24:46] dedication of the city's events and communications team as it partners and

[24:50] its partners producing and promoting events that engage the community and

[24:53] showcase Eustace. So, we're proud to share that with you all tonight. Proud

[24:57] of our team >> and we're just going to continue

[24:59] trending up. >> Thank you for that. [applause]

[25:07] [applause] >> We're going to do a quick photo.

[25:13] Marissa's not >> giving up the camera.

[25:21] » You want to get in this? >> Slide to the middle.

[25:35] All

[25:42] » [applause]

[25:50] » right. our last presentation for the evening. Um

[25:55] Mike Bishop, our new economic development director, um is going to do

[25:59] a quick overview of the project underway with Maris West and Banker, our

[26:05] consultants that are working on the economic developments um marketing,

[26:10] branding, and marketing concepts. So Mike,

[26:13] » yep. Thanks, Frank. Um good evening, mayor, commissioners. Um tonight I just

[26:18] want to give a brief update on the economic development marketing project

[26:21] underway with Maris West and Baker. Um this is a project that got started

[26:25] before my tenure and uh jumped in and uh you know continuing the work that uh

[26:30] Alatimer started with this. Um the goal of this project is create a clear and

[26:35] professional identity along with practical marketing tools we can use

[26:38] when speaking with businesses, developers, investors, site selectors,

[26:43] um and anybody interested in opportunities here in Eustace. Um, as

[26:46] you know, marketing is a critical factor when it comes to economic development.

[26:50] So, um, really exciting project here. Um, I'll start with updating you where

[26:56] we are right now, what's been completed. The initial discovery work is complete,

[27:00] um, which included stakeholder meetings. I believe members of Marish, West, and

[27:04] Baker even spoke to some commissioners and other staff, um, as well as other

[27:09] key stakeholders collecting and compiling all that data. Um the photo

[27:13] and video shoot was also completed um thanks to our uh um marketing team and

[27:18] cooperation there. They were able to get some really fantastic assets of uh uh

[27:23] nature and um other pieces of downtown that are very critical to this. Um once

[27:29] we received the commission's feedback, um I also wanted to get some um

[27:33] direction on logo design. They did some logo work and I've included a couple

[27:37] logo uh renderings that they have there in the packet which we'll we'll get to

[27:41] here in a second. Um the final phases phases five through seven you'll see are

[27:49] starting to um collect or I should say develop the um design and sales and

[27:54] marketing pieces. So once we have direction on logo and branding work, um

[27:58] then we start putting together pieces that will u help us develop a sizzle

[28:03] reel if you will um some short form video and um other small media push uh

[28:08] media paid push to uh to get the word out there about all the great things

[28:12] happening here in Eustace. And um of course when everything is completed um

[28:16] I'll put together another comp comprehensive uh presentation for

[28:19] commission to review and see the work that MWB created. So, on to some of the

[28:24] fun stuff. Um, we have two logo designs that I just wanted to uh kind of walk

[28:29] through with you. Um, explain to you what the direction was with MWB. Um, so

[28:35] the first design, as you can see here on the slide, um, is

[28:40] inspired by Eustus' sunsets and lakes. Um, a key facet of our, um, economic

[28:45] development and Eustace, as you know. It combines the sun and water into a clean,

[28:49] modern mark that is intended to represent Eustace' natural character as

[28:53] well as movement, momentum, and continued progress.

[28:58] Here's a couple mockups here um that you can see as they uh as they present on a

[29:03] great facade in front of a great project coming in as well as um a mockup on a

[29:08] polo shirt there. So, so you can kind of see how we work on different different

[29:12] assets on design two. Um, this one

[29:18] uses our uh blue heron, one of the most recognizable natural symbols associated

[29:23] with Eustace. Um, one of the first things I noticed it when I first came to

[29:28] Eustace, actually, beautiful blue heron statue in Fair Park. Um, the mosaic

[29:33] treatment is intended to represent the individual pieces coming together

[29:36] through collaboration, investment, and community effort. It has a more artistic

[29:40] and locally distinctive appearance while still connecting to Eustace' natural

[29:44] setting and heritage. You'll notice the color pattern still brings out the

[29:48] facets of the sunset and uh ties into our current street mosaics on Magnolia

[29:53] Avenue. Um so and that's um also um concept of

[29:59] mockups with a shirt and also a banner there. So um no formal action is

[30:05] requested tonight. just uh would appreciate direction uh commission's

[30:08] feedback and general consensus on which logo design uh we want to go with. Um

[30:14] that direction will allow me to communicate to MWB and have them

[30:18] continue on through the phases as we work through uh continuing that project.

[30:22] So with that, I'll answer any questions. >> You want to have that discussion now or

[30:25] you're saying we'll do that after we think through it?

[30:27] » I'm open to have that discussion now and get your feedback now. Um, the first

[30:32] thing I saw when you showed us, and please I I'm grateful for everything,

[30:36] but I just want to share my uh my thoughts. Uh, the first logo that I saw,

[30:42] I liked, but I didn't know what it was till you explained it.

[30:46] » Um, and I do think this is Home of the Million-Dollar

[30:50] Sunset. >> Um, but I didn't get that out of that

[30:54] logo. Maybe I'm

[30:59] whatnot, but I didn't get that out of that logo.

[31:02] Um, the second one, I love I love the birds,

[31:07] you know, our our our cranes, but I I have to ask myself, what's the

[31:14] biggest thing? And really be a good question. Now's not a time to have the

[31:17] public talk, but what's the what's what's the biggest thing we know, love

[31:22] about Eustace or that we are most proud of? Um,

[31:26] » Sunset >> Sunset Emily is saying, Mayor,

[31:30] » which I agree with. >> Um, and these are all constructive

[31:34] criticism, if I could say that, but >> of course. Yeah.

[31:36] » Um, these are all um I don't I want to say I don't know the right word. I want

[31:41] to say cartoon rendering or um perhaps something that might be more live like a

[31:48] picture, but that would be hard to put into a logo. So maybe the logo and the

[31:52] background is two different things. >> I like where you're going. I think you

[31:56] picked the perfect things. The sunset being your first one was a home run

[32:01] because that's that's what we are, >> right?

[32:04] » Um but uh I didn't realize I didn't know that was sunset or what it was. So, um,

[32:11] and I wouldn't mind if we had, and it's probably out of line, something about

[32:16] million-dollar sunset or might be too much, too busy, but those are the quick

[32:21] without seeing this before >> general thoughts um that I have.

[32:25] » Yeah, I appreciate that. >> The rest of the stuff and the ideas that

[32:27] you're working on, you know, you've only been here a short period of time. I

[32:31] really haven't sat and talked with you, but um I think you're off on a great

[32:35] great road. So, thank you for being here. I'll uh I'll do some uh I'll do

[32:40] some piggybacking on that. Um I I agree the sunset is important, but I

[32:48] actually did a search about other cities that have similar logos to this.

[32:52] » Okay. >> I think we need something more more more

[32:56] unique. Now, the the heron is definitely unique to us, but I would like to see

[33:02] something else in there. Did they ever think of combining the two somehow? I

[33:07] can certainly relate that information. Yeah, I like both facets of that.

[33:11] » I mean, I I the you know, the heron is is, you know, is undoubtedly us, but I

[33:17] would like to see something that shows the sunset as well. And I actually, my

[33:22] opinion, I like the I like the font on the first one better than the second.

[33:27] Okay. >> I think it's a little bit I think it's a

[33:29] little bit more modern. And I think that's what we need to uh we need to

[33:34] consider. But if they could somehow take the second logo and somehow put a put a

[33:40] sunset behind it or that these are just these are just my thoughts.

[33:45] » Okay. >> So um and but that that this marketing

[33:49] logo on its own I did a search there's many many many many towns in in Florida

[33:56] that have a logo something similar to >> circular imagery. We need something we

[34:01] need something more unique for us. >> Yeah. Thank you, Commissioner.

[34:05] » I u somewhere in my 4,000 photos, I have what I think we're talking about with

[34:11] the crane with the sun light behind it, the sunset behind it. And I I like that

[34:17] idea of putting some light behind the crane. Okay. Or above it. And um I will

[34:23] find it and show you what I'm thinking about.

[34:25] » That'd be great. >> But thank you. You're doing a wonderful

[34:28] job. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate it.

[34:30] Thank you. >> Thank you. Thanks, Mark.

[34:32] » Yep. Did you make those logos [clears throat] or do we have somebody

[34:35] do that or that you made those? >> Those um a graphic designer I am not. Um

[34:42] that is all through MWB, the contracted marketing firm that's working through

[34:46] the entire plan. Um so I'll take this feedback and uh relay that to them and

[34:51] come up with some uh new concepts here. >> And also Marissa is really good at doing

[34:55] things like that >> like that with her too. Yes, Marissa was

[34:58] instrumental in working with the MWD team in collecting um the great assets

[35:02] and photography that will go onto an eventual new economic development web

[35:06] page. Um so that as we're attracting new business here, they have somewhere to be

[35:11] directed to to get all the information they need.

[35:13] » I I think of the Florida logo, the state logo, and I think of the, you know, that

[35:18] has the the the background, the sun, whatnot, something. I don't know, maybe

[35:23] that's an influence in my mind, too. But uh

[35:28] » and I've actually I've actually over the last couple weeks shared some some

[35:32] sunsets to the events department. >> Okay.

[35:34] » I mean our sunsets are completely amazing. I honestly I think our location

[35:40] has better sunsets than any other any other area around here maybe besides Key

[35:45] West. But yeah, our sunsets we we we need to we need to try to tap into that

[35:50] somehow. I think if we think about where we're going to be in 10, 20, 40, 50

[35:55] years, that's got to be an influence in there. We don't want to be changing the

[35:58] the the logos as we go. So, where are we going to be? Are we going to be

[36:02] recognized as a, you know, lakefront water community? Are we a historical

[36:06] downtown? Maybe then it would be historical looking um are we, you know,

[36:13] are we nature center and with trout lakes influences and all that? I think

[36:17] it's uh >> pretty important

[36:19] » pretty all valid points but >> thank you sorry

[36:22] » no no thank you very much appreciate you >> no thank you

[36:25] » thank you

[36:29] » so now we'll move on to appointments >> yes mayor the um the next item is for

[36:37] the consideration of an appointment to the west town representative of the uh

[36:43] CRA uh we advertise a vacancy can see in we

[36:47] received three applications. Ryan Baglio, Amy Cardona, and Vladislav

[36:55] Kashuk. Um staff reviewed the applications. All

[36:59] three applicants meet the eligibility requirements and um completed the

[37:05] required background checks. Uh so these applications

[37:10] um are up for your consideration. We'd like for you to select who would you

[37:16] would like for a four-year term starting August 20th uh 2026

[37:23] and ending on August 20th, 2030.

[37:29] » Commissioners, >> um I first off and the first thing that

[37:34] comes to my mind is is thank you that three people wanted to do this.

[37:39] » Yes. >> And to understand the commitment

[37:43] um to public service, to the community, to economic development because I think

[37:49] CRA plays an important part in that. Um I don't know that I know Amy. Is she in

[37:57] here? No, she's not here. Okay. Um and uh

[38:03] obviously involved a great newcomer to our community and a wonderful merchant

[38:08] in the cabinet business who um I adore and Ryan

[38:13] been in our community for quite a while and uh a contributor as well. I think

[38:18] we're just lucky uh to have u the commitment uh and the willingness to

[38:24] volunteer for that. Um, I I think when I look at them, I look

[38:30] for exposure in the city, knowledge, experience, knowing, seeing, and u I

[38:37] think it's a tough decision uh between Ryan and and Bald, but I think with the

[38:44] years of service and family and whatnot, uh I would tend to uh probably lean

[38:52] toward Ryan. Vice Mayor.

[38:56] » Um, kind of the same way. I I know Ryan Ryan

[39:00] lives in the city. He's uh he's well connected to downtown and the west side.

[39:05] So, I actually had an idea cuz we always seem to not get, and no offense, we

[39:11] never seem to get CRA people here all the time. So, why not have one and an

[39:15] alternate? >> What What do you think about that,

[39:18] Commissioners? >> I It's a great idea if we could do it.

[39:21] » I thought we had done that in the past. >> Did we?

[39:23] » Yeah. I don't. >> So you'd have a west that's a good a

[39:25] good idea. >> So you have a west side alternate,

[39:28] » right? Kind of like they do on code enforcement. So there's like an

[39:30] alternate in case uh you know someone someone can't do that.

[39:34] » Can we do that? Is there anything that prevents us from doing that?

[39:36] » Taylor, do you know of anything that would preclude us from

[39:39] » if we approve them? Now >> only the resolution provided for two

[39:44] members and did not provide for alternates. So that would be the one

[39:48] challenge there is that alternates aren't provided for the resolution.

[39:53] those two members. >> So what would we have to do? Redo an

[39:56] ordinance, repost it, readvertise it or >> and do we do we have any side?

[40:02] » Do we have eides there? >> So to answer your question about

[40:06] reposting, there's also the option to have advis advisory members as well. And

[40:11] so there's different ways that we could go about adding some additional input.

[40:15] But I can look to see if having alternates would require a new

[40:19] resolution. I think that it would because what's put in place

[40:24] only provides for two and not for alternate.

[40:27] » So maybe we can make our motion based on that and if any of it isn't doable then

[40:31] you can adjust to it. >> Yes.

[40:34] » As a primary and a secondary if you want to call it.

[40:37] » I would need to know the motion would need to identify who the primary is and

[40:41] then if poss and then who the alternate would be if it's provided for in

[40:46] » I like that. I think uh vice mayor's idea is great unless there's something

[40:50] I'm missing. I think it's fantastic. >> Well, so often we have people who can't

[40:54] attend, so that would kind of assur us that we'd always have someone.

[40:57] » Yeah. Yeah. I think it's really great. >> But sorry, I know this is a little off

[41:01] topic, but do we have an east side CRA rep?

[41:06] » Do we have what? >> An east side CR?

[41:08] » We do. Yes, we do. >> Oh, okay. Sorry.

[41:12] » Okay. Well, um, >> so then we would have to go back and

[41:16] find an alternate for for the east side, too.

[41:20] » If we want to or we don't have to. I think that's a good idea to do it in

[41:24] both sides, but >> Yeah, we would have to.

[41:25] » Yeah.

[41:30] » What's the will of the commission? >> So, I I would make a uh a motion to uh

[41:35] appoint Ryan Benaglio and as a primary and to I'm not going to

[41:41] try the names. I'm going to go by what I call them and appoint a vout to uh

[41:47] » Vlad. >> Sorry,

[41:49] » Vlad. >> Vlad.

[41:51] » I butchered that up. I don't know how many years so far. So, my checks will go

[41:55] through you the right way though.

[42:00] » As the alternate >> as the alternate. Yes.

[42:03] » Okay. >> I will I'll second it.

[42:06] » Okay. So, at this point, do we do roll call with three? We have three. Seems

[42:12] that we have consensus here. >> I I concur with the motion.

[42:17] » So we vote on it or roll call it or >> Yeah. Roll call.

[42:20] » Okay. >> Commissioner Asbody.

[42:22] » I. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft.

[42:23] » Hi. >> Mayor Lee.

[42:25] » I.

[42:28] » Okay. With that, we'll move on to audience to be heard. If you have

[42:33] comments this evening, please complete a card from the city clerk. Please

[42:37] approach the podium and speak directly into the mic. State your name and

[42:42] whether or not you are a city resident. And please keep in mind that

[42:46] commissioners will may not respond, but staff will be directed to get back to

[42:50] you. And most importantly, remember you have three minutes to speak. I also

[42:55] would like to encourage using the three minutes to present your information to

[42:59] the commissioner in a calm and professional manner. This allows

[43:03] everyone to hear the information, your information without distractions or side

[43:08] comments. Thank you. Do we have cars? Uh,

[43:11] » yes, Mayor, we do. Um, the first one is Gail Thomas.

[43:25] » Good evening, Commissioner. >> Good evening.

[43:29] and attorney.

[43:34] I just wanted to know since you are voting on the CR

[43:39] are they going to have voting privileges?

[43:44] And that's very important for the representatives

[43:49] to know whether they have voting privileges

[43:52] as being your first CR rep in 2019 and I was there for three and a half

[44:00] years and I did not have a voting privilege

[44:05] and that's the reason it's hard to get someone as a representative. They feel

[44:10] like they're wasting their time. They come they to you what needs to be done

[44:17] and that's it. You as commissioners of Eustace were voted in by the people to

[44:26] come out in the communities and see for yourself

[44:31] what needs to be done in each community not just downtown.

[44:37] And that's very important just as well as when we come to the podium we each

[44:44] and every one of your undivided attention because we voted for you to be

[44:50] in that seat. Some do, some don't, but it's unfair

[44:57] that we do not get to undivided attention.

[45:01] As far as asking questions, you can't respond.

[45:07] Staff are get right with you. We didn't vote for staff. We voted for the five

[45:13] commissioners to represent us and that's who needs to get back with

[45:18] us. So I said that because I have not heard

[45:24] anything about the questions I asked two weeks ago

[45:29] and that's unfair. I'm a tightkin citizen

[45:34] and I have a right to know the answer to the questions. If you've

[45:40] forgotten, go back and look at the video. See what questions I asked

[45:46] last week and the last two weeks. And I have not got a response from anyone. And

[45:54] that is totally unfair, disrespectful,

[46:00] and we on the east side are tired of being discriminated against. We've been

[46:05] discriminated against all our our lives and it's time for it to stop.

[46:14] We are a part of the city of Eustas too. Show us show us some love.

[46:24] Show us some respect and transparency.

[46:30] Thank you. No, no, we will not have the applause.

[46:35] Thank you.

[46:40] Laura Baxley.

[46:47] » Hi, good evening. I am a citizen Lori Baxley. I was here yesterday with my

[46:52] son. He chose to dispute a speeding ticket and as you can imagine, he was

[46:57] quite nervous. He's 17 years old, but he came here with a jacket and tie with

[47:02] case law and evidence. And there are two things that concern me that I'd like to

[47:06] share. First, we have Life 360 on our phones. And Life 360 is a tracking app

[47:12] application, not just for location, but also for routes. And routes can be

[47:17] replayed with the speed in which they are traveled. And it also documents the

[47:21] highest speed for each trip. He was fortunate enough to have the trip

[47:26] documented on Life 360 and he screen recorded it and put it on a thumb drive.

[47:32] When my son went to present it on the screens, he was told he was not allowed

[47:36] to submit a thumb drive. And nowhere does it state that a thumb drive is not

[47:42] permitted. So it is unconstitutional that this court did not allow him to

[47:48] submit exculpatory evidence. He is was allowed to show the magistrate the video

[47:54] and I showed the gentleman detective the video as well. So, it showed that his

[47:59] highest speed on Bay Street was 38 mph and his highest speed on the trip was 52

[48:06] in Grand Island. He did not clock 60 on Bay Street nor anywhere else on his

[48:12] trip. So, the magistrate said he would consider the video he saw, but he would

[48:16] not admit it into evidence. Second, and shockingly, after he

[48:21] presented the case, which obviously showed reasonable doubt, the female

[48:25] officer chose to approach the magistrate with a supposed two tickets she stated

[48:31] were pending and would be coming in the mail. After which, the magistrate

[48:36] actually asked my son if he wanted to address these tickets. Now, mind you,

[48:40] the said vehicle is not registered in my son's name. It's a family vehicle. So,

[48:46] we have not received any tickets in the mail and uh to show if my son was even

[48:51] driving at that time. How were we to address something we had not received?

[48:57] The officer was attempting to place my son in a bad light and negatively

[49:02] influence him in the eyes of the magistrate, as evidenced by the

[49:06] magistrate actually taking it one step further and asking my son if he wanted

[49:11] to address those tickets. This is something an attorney should know and

[49:17] should not have been brought up. I'm bringing uh they were bringing in

[49:22] collateral issues into the hearing that were beyond the scope of what were we

[49:26] were there for without any due process of notice of what the allegations were.

[49:32] So, of course, I stepped in and explained that we were there to address

[49:36] the actual ticket we received. And honestly, I'm shocked that this was done

[49:41] in the city. You know, this is frankly frightening. I believe that my son's

[49:46] ticket should be thrown out immediately and there should be recourse so this

[49:50] does not happen again. Thank you,

[50:00] » Jessie Harris.

[50:11] Good evening, commissioners, attorney, city manager. My name is Guestnner

[50:16] Harris and I am a resident in Eustace, Florida.

[50:25] I have two things that I'm here to speak on. First, I would like to know I was

[50:30] told that they may be doing away with Eustace Community Center. Well, we've

[50:36] already paid a deposit for next year. So if this is going to happen, we have a

[50:42] very important event. We have a deputant ball in February. So if they are going

[50:48] to do away with this, will we be notified because we would need to make

[50:53] some sort of to do the event someplace else and we

[50:58] can't wait till 30 days before. This is an event that is prepared and planned

[51:03] like a year ahead of time. Will we get our refund back? Our monies

[51:09] back? What? I don't know what's going on. I'm just getting bits and pieces and

[51:13] I would like to know if someone could address and tell me what the future is

[51:17] for next [clears throat] year, February at Eustus Community Center.

[51:23] The one thing that I have that I am totally confused about,

[51:29] we vote for you all as commissioners to represent us. If they're going to tear

[51:36] every building that we have in the city down,

[51:40] why wouldn't it be put on a ballot or something and give us as the citizens a

[51:44] chance to vote? You represent us, but you all don't represent us. We vote for

[51:50] you, but nothing we say matters to you. And I'm sort of confused as to where

[51:55] we're at. I'm looking at surrounding cities. Leburg, beautiful center. They

[52:01] still have all their buildings. Mount Dora, new building. They still have all

[52:05] their buildings here. We've lost the American Legion. We've lost buildings.

[52:12] So, where are we supposed to hold events as citizens of Eustace?

[52:16] I I understand where you all are coming from, but at some point, do you all not

[52:22] pay us any mind? You come with your signs for us to put in the yard to vote

[52:27] for you all, but then when events and things come up, you pay us no mind. I'm

[52:32] just totally confused. My second thing is the speed bumps in the road. Should

[52:39] there not be a sign when you're coming approaching saying speed bump ahead?

[52:44] Those things are very high in the road. And there is nothing indicating until

[52:49] you're there that those things are in the road. I have asked this question

[52:54] several times. I don't know if it's the state, the city, the county. I know it's

[52:58] State Road 19, but who do we ask to have those signs put up because there

[53:05] should be something there stating that? >> Actually, I I will actually address that

[53:12] one. There actually are signs. There are yellow signs.

[53:16] » Not saying bumps in the road. >> There's a yellow sign says quarter a

[53:20] mile of speed speed humps ahead. 20 miles per hour coming from each

[53:24] direction. Bay Street as well as >> Bay and Grove. I'm on the NO board, so I

[53:29] know I know those are there. And actually, I'm the one that requested

[53:33] those to get there. >> When were they put there?

[53:36] » Uh, probably about three weeks ago. >> Okay. I have I don't I don't come down

[53:42] here if I can. I go the other road. So, they just been put down there. Okay. I

[53:46] can buy that. But I know they haven't been there.

[53:48] » Yes.

[53:53] » Hatcher.

[54:03] As a general point of order commission, we don't generally share time or allow

[54:10] the three minutes to be shifted to someone else.

[54:13] » Okay. But it has been done before. Taylor,

[54:17] » if we're okay with it, is that all right with you?

[54:21] » I'm just asking a question. Emily, >> I know that I'm saying I think that if

[54:24] if there was consensus to allow that, then that would be appropriate. Okay.

[54:28] » Um, >> but I just wanted to make

[54:31] » I just ask I'm not saying yes or no. I just want to know if there was a way

[54:34] around it. Okay. >> No, I was saying he was still talking.

[54:37] » No, I understand. >> Okay. Next.

[54:45] » No, he said he can't.

[54:52] Next.

[54:57] » Thank you. >> Next.

[55:00] » Hi. >> You have another one.

[55:01] » Yeah, she's gonna She's going to use her time.

[55:04] » She had more to say, so I was going to let her say it. Um, good afternoon,

[55:09] mayor, um, commissioners. Um, thank you for giving me an opportunity to speak

[55:14] today. Um just want to give you guys an update. Um registration for Beyond the

[55:19] Backpack is in full force. I want to still um say thank you um for the

[55:25] building. Thank you for the donations. I really appreciate it. Um it's really

[55:31] going to help um children walk in school with confidence for those who can't

[55:38] afford it. Um the event as I stated is Sunday September the 13th from 2 to 4 at

[55:45] the US Garden Center. Um we're preparing the registration. I

[55:52] have a thick book here and I still have about 50 more kids to register

[55:57] um through Beyond the Backpack. We will be providing school uniforms, socks,

[56:02] hygiene items. Um, so far, like I stated, um, Walgreens,

[56:08] um, has signed on to give out, um, um, flu, um, vaccination and any

[56:18] immunizations the kids may need, as well as hygiene items. Orlando Health is

[56:24] going to be there with a table, as well as um, Eustus Police Department as well

[56:30] as Lake County Sheriff's Office. So, we're going to have some resources there

[56:35] for them as well as Texas Roadhouse who has been a awesome supporter. And I do

[56:42] appreciate all the vendors that have reached out to me thus far. Um, we are

[56:49] still a little shy of our goal, um, financial goals. So, anyone looking to

[56:54] support, I greatly appreciate it. And that's all I have for you. Thank you

[56:58] guys for supporting me. >> Thank you.

[57:04] Dana Anderson.

[57:08] » Hi, my name is Dana Anderson and I have been living in Eustace, Florida,

[57:17] unincorporated area of Pine Lakes for about 40 years.

[57:24] And uh we have a beautiful park, Pine Forest Park. Um

[57:31] recently I have started playing pickle ball

[57:36] so um I can be active and um our park does not have a pickle

[57:43] ball court. I um have played at the basketball court but

[57:49] every time I go to do that uh or someone always comes and wants to play

[57:55] basketball. Then I have played in the parking lot,

[58:00] but that's really not safe. And I have played on the street.

[58:06] Um, so I'm just coming here because um I would like court.

[58:13] [laughter]

[58:16] You know, there's a there's quite a few nice ones that uh the county along with

[58:22] I think the city participated in that were built in Pine Meadows. Uh they're

[58:27] really really nice. You ought to check them out.

[58:29] » I say there's one on and there one on on the um Sunset.

[58:35] » Yeah, Cardinal. Sorry. Cardinal. >> Yeah.

[58:38] » I don't go there. I live in Pine Lakes, Eustace, Florida.

[58:43] Pine Forest Park is where I get is my local park. We It's beautiful park.

[58:50] » It's in Pine Lakes. >> Pine Lakes.

[58:54] It's a beautiful park. We have a basketball court. There's a playground.

[59:01] There's a court for baseball and um there's a lot of room there that you can

[59:09] build a pickle ball court >> that will refer to staff, right, Rick?

[59:15] And >> yeah, I'll get Sam on that.

[59:17] » We We don't have a pickle ball court on Sunset Sunset off of Ward Avenue.

[59:22] » No, >> not Okay. All right. Thanks.

[59:27] » Thank you. >> You're Thank you.

[59:30] any Margaret. >> Uh, yes. And I was just checking that

[59:34] Pine Forest Park is actually Lake County.

[59:37] » That's what I got.

[59:41] » Um, Precious Miller.

[59:50] » So, ma'am, if you get to Lake County on the pickle ball, if you get to Lake

[59:54] County's county commission, that'd be great to let them know, too.

[59:58] » Okay. Good afternoon everyone. My name is Precious Miller and I'm here to talk

[1:00:03] about the police chapy program. I'm here to let you know that I have been in the

[1:00:08] program I think about three years and so I find it a great

[1:00:12] » the mic down a little bit. >> Okay. I find it a great honor and a

[1:00:16] privilege to be a part of the chaplain service because when I moved here to

[1:00:20] Eustace from Sanford, I've been here about 20 years and my heart desire has

[1:00:25] always to been to be a part of the Eustace community. And so when I had the

[1:00:32] opportunity and to join the Eustace chaplain, I

[1:00:36] decided that I would. And so because of my love for the city of Eustace and my

[1:00:42] love to serve people that was a great opportunity for me and I thank the Lord

[1:00:48] for letting me allowing me to be a part of the chaplain program. We go and we go

[1:00:54] to meet people needs by praying with them and meeting community needs also.

[1:01:02] You have to forgive me. I'm a little nervous, but I I love this community and

[1:01:08] because I love the community, I wanted to serve the community. That's why I

[1:01:12] became a chaplain. So, I also love the police department because they have

[1:01:18] needs just like everybody else and they need prayer. And so that was our job and

[1:01:24] that's what my heart desire and that's what all of our heart desire is to serve

[1:01:28] the police department to pray with them and to meet their needs as well as to

[1:01:33] meet the needs of the community as well. That's all I had to say. Thank you,

[1:01:42] » Chaplain Hill.

[1:01:51] Good evening, mayor, vice mayor, commissioners.

[1:01:55] I am the lead chaplain for the useless police department, Dr. Renee Hill and

[1:02:00] senior pastor along with my husband Benny of Win1 Ministries. I have been

[1:02:05] handed some information from a certain party and I wanted to address this

[1:02:15] information and I'm going to just go because I only

[1:02:19] have three minutes line by line or skip some of it. It reads as follows. The

[1:02:25] chaplain program at the US Police Department is

[1:02:30] extremely unusual. Sure it is. You know why? Because all of us love the Lord

[1:02:37] » and all of us love community. So yes, we are unusual.

[1:02:44] They also stated in their email that we only responded to

[1:02:51] five incidents or five times since 2023. That's incorrect.

[1:03:00] That is incorrect. What I would like to do is invite the

[1:03:04] individual who forwarded this email to personally meet

[1:03:12] with me so that they can get their facts and their information correct.

[1:03:19] The only sin in the Bible that will not tear before the Lord is a liar.

[1:03:28] So we want to make them get them in a position that they can

[1:03:33] tell the truth. The following week lead let's see what

[1:03:38] else they have here. They want to know about the relationship that the police

[1:03:42] officers would have with Win1 Ministries. Well, we have a relationship

[1:03:48] not only with the city of use police department, but we have a relationship

[1:03:52] with everybody in the city of use that desires to have a relationship with us.

[1:03:59] Yes, they come, they help us with the food pantry, but anybody is invited.

[1:04:04] Anybody. So, don't hold that against the useless

[1:04:08] PD. And they also said that I get my nails

[1:04:14] done. I have money. I get my hair done. Well, my husband takes good care of me.

[1:04:20] So, useless PD, city of useless do none of that.

[1:04:25] But what I would like to say before my minutes uh in my 23 seconds is I am

[1:04:32] proud, very proud to be a chaplain and I will continue to build that program. I'm

[1:04:39] so proud of Chief Capri and each one of you in your position. Yes, we must get

[1:04:45] some things right, but we are well on the way to something great in this

[1:04:50] community. Thank you.

[1:04:56] » Maris Meny.

[1:05:05] » Good evening. um mayor, vice mayor, attorney, and commissioners. U my name

[1:05:10] is Marquis Miny. I'm also um a volunteer chaplain for the US Police Department,

[1:05:16] and I would like to piggyback on what has been spoken before about the

[1:05:21] chapency. I count it as an honor and a privilege to serve in the community.

[1:05:28] The especially the officers, they have so much to endure. have challenges they

[1:05:35] face each and every day. Not only them but of course our

[1:05:39] civilians in the city of Eustace. If I could describe one word that many

[1:05:47] words that explain what the chaplain do we are the glue the glue for the police

[1:05:53] department as well as the civilians the citizens of Eustace Florida. We see um

[1:06:00] very difficult situation, very horrible situations,

[1:06:05] but we are there to bring support, bring help in any way that we can. And um I

[1:06:13] like again I say I count it's a privilege and honor to serve as a

[1:06:16] volunteer chaplain for the city for our civilians as well as the police

[1:06:21] department. And um thank you so much for your time and your ear. Thank you.

[1:06:28] And last card, and I'm having a little trouble reading the last name, but it

[1:06:32] looks like Kimberly Gary. >> Thank you.

[1:06:47] My name is Kimberly Gary. Good evening, U mayor, vice mayor,

[1:06:53] commissioners, and city manager. I just want to speak a little bit about the

[1:06:58] chapency program as well. I'm um a member of the USUS police department

[1:07:04] chaplain. Um I know the complaintant said that a lot

[1:07:10] of times that the police give us funds and stuff, but I can stand here because

[1:07:15] I am the treasurer of the usage chapency program and every dollar that we hold is

[1:07:22] what we we did raffles. We also out of our little raffle monies,

[1:07:27] we did different little fundraisers. And guess what we do with the monies that

[1:07:32] we've earned for Christmas? We went and we gave every officer um a Christmas

[1:07:37] card and also a gift card to go to the coffee shop. If a officer has a new baby

[1:07:44] or recently gotten married, we take those funds and we show them some love

[1:07:50] through our chapency program. A lot of times when we go to seminars,

[1:07:56] when we go to conferences, we self-support, we finance ourselves.

[1:08:02] Um, we're not doing it for money. Everybody that's on the chaplain program

[1:08:07] did it because of their heart and their compassion and their love for the people

[1:08:11] and the citizens of this community. The chapy program was organized with the

[1:08:18] invitation to every citizen in our community.

[1:08:22] those that wanted to become a part of the chapency

[1:08:26] either they showed up to get information or either they stayed to serve.

[1:08:31] So I say again we're strictly volunteer. We love what we do. We've been on

[1:08:38] multiple calls on many calls. Where was our accusers when a little baby shot

[1:08:43] himself? Where was our accuser when a mother

[1:08:47] child was deceased and we had to go out and go to the hospital to hold hands and

[1:08:53] pray with them at that moment. Where are our accusers?

[1:08:58] So, I just want to say if you don't know about the program,

[1:09:02] please come directly. We have a head chaplain

[1:09:06] that has invited anybody that need to know more about the chapency program to

[1:09:12] come and see her and she will definitely give you all the information that you so

[1:09:15] desire. Not only am I a chaplain with the city of Eustace, I am also a

[1:09:21] chaplain at Low Prison um through an organization called Chyros International

[1:09:27] Prison Ministry. So I choose to serve our people through prayer, fasting.

[1:09:36] I'm a native historian. I've been here my whole life. I know nothing but Eustus

[1:09:43] and I am invested in Eustace and I'm proud of the city. There are some things

[1:09:48] can be improved, but I am yet proud of the city of Eustace. Thank you.

[1:09:55] » No more cards. Is there anyone [clears throat] else who

[1:09:59] would like to make comments?

[1:10:05] » How y'all doing? Gary Winheim, unincorporated Lake County. I wasn't

[1:10:08] going to speak tonight, but when I called out, I'm going to have to. Uh,

[1:10:10] I'm not an accuser, by the way. I I sent an email. You know exactly the email I

[1:10:15] sent because I CCD you in it. And Christine, you have the email as well. I

[1:10:19] sent it to you. I'm not sure how Miss Hill got it. Uh, I only sent it to two

[1:10:25] people and I sent it this afternoon. But I can tell you it started out like this.

[1:10:28] It started out, "Thank you for your response in the production of these

[1:10:31] records. Records I've been asking for and asking for since May. All I'm

[1:10:35] wanting to know is the financials, the relationship financially between the

[1:10:39] police department and Win1 Ministries. It's all I've been asking.

[1:10:43] I've sent multiple emails requesting public records in reference to the

[1:10:46] chaplain program. At times, I have not been responded to. I've had to send

[1:10:50] emails requesting an update. I've been told there were no records. When I

[1:10:53] questioned that, and I was told there were no records responsive to my

[1:10:57] request. And when I questioned that, I received obviously partial records. I

[1:11:02] received 46 pages of records, 23 of which were actual records. I got

[1:11:08] receipts for purchases of shirts, name tags, uh 14 name tags. I have 10

[1:11:14] chaplain, uh pants, one conference that sixth of them went to for a day. and

[1:11:21] then another conference that Lee Chaplan Hill and Officer Santos went to for two

[1:11:27] nights. That's all I've gotten as far as a treasury chaplain treasury. I had no

[1:11:32] idea and I've asked for these records.

[1:11:39] Four chaplain have got up here and told you the benefit of the chaplain program.

[1:11:42] And I'm telling you, the chaplain program is beneficial. I know because I

[1:11:47] was over the chaplain program when Pastor Harry was the chaplain. He was

[1:11:53] here at the last meeting. I don't have a problem with a chaplain program. What I

[1:11:58] have a problem with is the financial ties between the city of Eustace Win1

[1:12:03] Ministries and them being the only chaplain involved in the police

[1:12:07] department. When I asked Sasha previously, I said this really looks

[1:12:12] really close to violating the establishment clause. When one scrubbed

[1:12:16] their Facebook of all the pictures of the police department, police officers

[1:12:20] in uniform on duty handing out food. It if you're not suspicious, don't look

[1:12:27] suspicious. If you have the information, just give me the information. That's all

[1:12:32] I'm asking. Well, am I being laughed at tonight?

[1:12:37] Need to check. Thank y'all. Of course, I'm going to

[1:12:42] address you, Miss Lee. Miss Lee, you guys know me. Gary, you and I have had

[1:12:46] beers together at Wolf Branch. I organized the uh parade for your your

[1:12:51] mother's birthday. Remember, >> George, I got socks with a guy with a

[1:12:56] missing ear after I got shot. Remember, I know you guys I'm not up here trying

[1:13:02] to stir stuff up just to stir it up. I have legitimate questions and I'm being

[1:13:05] blocked on the information. Thank you,

[1:13:11] » M. I'd love to sit down and talk to you sometime. Okay, just come down. We can

[1:13:16] do this quietly. Thank you. >> Nothing more.

[1:13:21] » No more. >> Then we'll move on to our consent

[1:13:23] agenda.

[1:13:26] » Uh make a motion to approve the consent agenda.

[1:13:30] » Second. >> Roll call, please.

[1:13:34] » Commissioner Ozbody, >> I.

[1:13:36] » Vice Mayor Ashcraft, >> I. Mayor Lee

[1:13:39] » I

[1:13:43] ordinances public hearings and quasa judicial hearings.

[1:13:48] Madam Mayor, we have one item for tonight for ordinances. Second reading

[1:13:52] of ordinance number 2026-29 an ordinance of the city commission of

[1:13:57] the city of Eustace Lake County, Florida amending chapter 66 article 3 regulation

[1:14:02] of watercraft on Lake Gracie of the city of Eustace code of ordinances repealing

[1:14:07] section 66-78 entitled no petroleum based fuel

[1:14:12] watercraft allowed on Lake Gracie providing legislative findings and

[1:14:17] recitals providing for conflicts providing for separability

[1:14:21] providing for codification, providing for an effective date.

[1:14:26] Madame Mayor, this is the the second reading. We've reviewed this before.

[1:14:31] Is there any questions from the commission?

[1:14:34] Would anyone from the public like to comment on this item?

[1:14:39] Seeing none, Madame Mayor, turn it back over to you for motion.

[1:14:42] » Mayor, I'll make a motion to approve ordinance 26, sorry, 2026 29.

[1:14:48] And I second. >> Roll call, please.

[1:14:52] » Commissioner Osbody. >> Hi.

[1:14:53] » Vice Mayor Ashcraftoft. >> Hi.

[1:14:55] » Mayor Lee. >> I

[1:15:01] just do this. >> I've got it. I'll get started.

[1:15:04] » Um, so yeah, eight, uh, item 8.1 we we pulled, but item 8.2, the central

[1:15:10] business district event and stimulus initiative. Um, at the request of one of

[1:15:16] the commissioners, um, we were asked to to look into, um,

[1:15:21] some considerations for formalizing practices

[1:15:25] associated with alcoholic beverage sales within uh, the central business

[1:15:30] district, the entertainment district, and Fair Park. Um, with the intent of

[1:15:35] supporting the downtown businesses and and help them benefit from the event

[1:15:40] related activities that we have. Um there were a couple of questions. The

[1:15:46] first one I'll I'll address before I hand it over. Um as far as like the

[1:15:50] first Fridays, businesses that are located with their storefronts,

[1:15:56] um they are offered complimentary space at the first Fridays. Um we have talked

[1:16:06] internally. Sherry's going to make sure that her team makes sure everyone is

[1:16:11] aware of that. um that that information is out there.

[1:16:16] Um we also there was a a request there that is um complimentary

[1:16:24] basically there's no fee associated with it. They're also offered spots at Fair

[1:16:31] Park but there are fees associated. So at Fair and Park when they if they want

[1:16:36] to set up a booth, um they're off their spot if it's

[1:16:40] available, but there are at this point there are fees. Um you know, if you want

[1:16:45] to change that, that is definitely within your perview to let us know that.

[1:16:49] Um as far as selling alcohol at Fair Park, I'll let uh Taylor pick up on that

[1:16:57] a little bit. And you know, we have Sherry and and Mike here to weigh in as

[1:17:02] we need. Sherry Sher and I spoke today

[1:17:06] and she has a very good handle on she's been in a couple different

[1:17:10] municipalities as you know and work through these issues.

[1:17:14] There are some options that that we're looking at on how to address the alcohol

[1:17:21] lensure issue and for it to be provided in Fairen Park.

[1:17:27] There's a lot of there's some easy solutions. Um some of them would require

[1:17:31] business if they are a restaurant to have a caterers caterers license and

[1:17:36] that would allow them to serve alcohol food at Fair Park. There's also

[1:17:41] extensions of their their license to allow them to serve off site and that

[1:17:46] fee is a $100 fee to have that temporary extension. And what we were looking for

[1:17:52] is direction from commission to move forward on looking at ways

[1:18:00] to achieve that goal. letting alcohol being able to be be served and if

[1:18:05] there's [snorts] >> obstacles to downtown businesses that so

[1:18:11] actually I'm the one that brought this though. So I've had more than two

[1:18:14] downtown businesses ask me what is you know what's the city what

[1:18:20] can the city do to help them possibly during this downtime. I know all

[1:18:25] businesses are hurting but our downtown businesses are hurting especially the

[1:18:28] ones that are selling food and alcohol. So just an idea. I mean they honestly I

[1:18:35] think any business in the central business district should have all fees

[1:18:39] waved to get into any event. So I don't know how you all feel about that. But

[1:18:44] the other prong to this thinking was you know right now they have to go through

[1:18:49] so much paperwork for every event to get into every event to sell alcohol in the

[1:18:53] park. And what what I'm trying to do is find a streamlined process to make this

[1:19:00] a little easier for them to get into the park to sell alcohol. And and the and

[1:19:06] the irony of this whole thing is downtown businesses have a harder time,

[1:19:12] but if you're a nonprofit, you can get a temporary permit and sell alcohol

[1:19:15] anytime you want. I don't think that's fair. So, I think we need to support our

[1:19:20] downtown businesses right now. um this is just an idea to do that. So I don't

[1:19:24] know what uh your thoughts are on it. So >> we have an ordinance right that we did

[1:19:29] for the open container that's for just drinking that doesn't address the

[1:19:33] selling of it. that doesn't address sales.

[1:19:35] » The state alcohol tobacco, they regulate that licensing, right?

[1:19:40] » So, I don't think can we undermine them or can we alter alter them? That was the

[1:19:44] first thing that came to my mind for good or for bad or for whatever reason.

[1:19:48] Can we even alter a a stat Florida statue? I don't know that we can.

[1:19:53] » There there is an option to address the the lensure issues. Eustace has actually

[1:20:01] done it before back in 2010. there was a special special law passed addressing

[1:20:06] uses and um allowing additional permits for nonprofits um when there's a road

[1:20:14] closure to various has a similar ordinance um there's several

[1:20:18] municipalities that have done this gone to Tallahassee and had a special law

[1:20:23] passed so far they've only really addressed the additional permits or

[1:20:33] clarifying the the issues around the selling of of

[1:20:39] alcohol and then having it leave a venue.

[1:20:44] » So >> So it is to answer your question,

[1:20:47] Commissioner, it is possible and I think part of that would be talking to the

[1:20:52] downtown businesses and seeing if that's what that impediment is and how we can

[1:20:57] fix it. >> Hope I Sorry. Go ahead.

[1:21:01] » So, if a business has a license to consume alcohol on site,

[1:21:08] » are you saying that we can generate an ordinance that would go beyond that?

[1:21:14] » No, we can. So, we >> or you talking about just waving fees?

[1:21:18] » We can petition Tallahassee to pass a special law addressing the downtown

[1:21:24] business district, the entertainment district,

[1:21:27] adjusting the the issues with selling offsite because it's

[1:21:34] the site that is the kind of the crux of it. You're supposed to sell onsite

[1:21:40] and it is possible to do that. >> Well, you sorry.

[1:21:45] » Would that be a discussion with the regulation over there or is that going

[1:21:50] to be a state uh sponsored bill that has >> It is a state sponsored bill which is

[1:21:56] something that we have done before. Is that added to the to the one for the um

[1:22:02] organizations? They can sell the alcohol.

[1:22:07] » How do they get the license? >> So that that's actually kind of where

[1:22:09] this is coming from. I mean, you know, we have an event here and we bring all

[1:22:14] these people here, but nonprofits can get a one-day temporary permit and sell

[1:22:19] on the park and our central business people can't. That seems backwards to

[1:22:23] me. >> And that was a special law. Is that what

[1:22:26] I heard you say? That is the struct current structure of

[1:22:29] the Florida. >> I believe there's some other towns that

[1:22:32] have something like this similar in place. And I believe we talked today

[1:22:36] that we're going to we're going to do some research to see if there's a way uh

[1:22:42] besides getting Tallahassee to to to pass a special law which I mean possibly

[1:22:50] could go seems to me quite a quite amount of work. Um, but I mean I think I

[1:22:57] think it's what we need to do for our downtown businesses right now. We need

[1:23:00] to make it easy for them. So I think we should wave all fees for any downtown

[1:23:05] business that wants to get into any any of our events. Um, and I would hope you

[1:23:10] guys would support that. >> Sherry, have you had a request from any

[1:23:15] of the businesses? >> Thanks.

[1:23:18] » Thank you for having me. >> Yep.

[1:23:21] » You are correct. The DPR does not make it easy for

[1:23:26] restaurants to sell. There are different%

[1:23:53] they can come into the park and they have come into the park

[1:23:58] inspired discussion and since I came here I realiz

[1:24:20] We just want to make sure. >> No, no, I understand. We Yeah, we have

[1:24:23] to be careful, but it's a license, but most are catering.

[1:24:29] » Um, first Friday would likely be an extension premises and we are totally

[1:24:36] fine. They have not been doing this, but we will be

[1:24:43] out. I'm curious who does

[1:24:48] have That's kind of between them. We just got

[1:24:52] to make sure that we're not saying you can sell alcohol and we don't override

[1:24:57] with >> No, I totally understand that

[1:25:00] misconception. >> No, no, no. I I totally Yeah. And I and

[1:25:03] I appreciate uh all the um all the info, but isn't isn't there a

[1:25:09] » like their storefront to the curb is considered extension on their premises?

[1:25:13] » Yes. If it's on a sidewalk or out in the road, that would be

[1:25:15] » So, they don't they don't need a permit for that, right? actually should have a

[1:25:18] temporary extension of premises for that. Yes,

[1:25:21] » that's a city permit, Sherry, or is that a state

[1:25:24] » that that would be done? That would be state. So, ABT, it's it's uh $100 for

[1:25:30] them to do that. Um, and I've got more information on happy to send you some

[1:25:34] money >> per year or per

[1:25:36] » per event. >> Wait a minute. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.

[1:25:40] So, but I thought the storefront's already

[1:25:44] considered a natural extension. The curb is considered a natural extension. They

[1:25:48] don't need a permit. >> Not based on what I received from a

[1:25:53] representative at the at the alcohol and beverage tobacco division.

[1:25:58] She said sidewalk or street. So we can verify that with and I would she lives

[1:26:03] in what I will do is send her a sketch and an example of what we're talking

[1:26:08] about because that is what they require in order for them to get the permit is

[1:26:12] for them to sketch it out. >> Mhm.

[1:26:14] » Um so we can do that and say in this

[1:26:18] instance would it cost you know would it be considered that and we'll go from

[1:26:22] there. >> Well I didn't now I think I've opened a

[1:26:25] can of worms and that wasn't the point on this. Um, I really wasn't. So, um,

[1:26:31] » I would think if they're >> in front of their establishment and

[1:26:35] they're right beside the curve, we've never enforced it before.

[1:26:41] So, okay. Thank you. >> Can you help? I think one of the point

[1:26:46] the things that happens here is that um in this in this industry in this type of

[1:26:52] practice whether it's sip and strolls or different alcohol events the the license

[1:26:56] holders um sometimes they take certain risk and they make a value judgment on

[1:27:03] how great a risk this is in my license just like sometimes people may speed

[1:27:08] they may be 5 10 over 15 20 they're making a value judgment with their

[1:27:12] license and so what Our goal is is to not put the city in a position where

[1:27:19] we're stamping with approval something that they're doing and also not giving

[1:27:26] them the false premise that maybe their license isn't somehow put at risk. So

[1:27:32] protecting the city and protecting them. >> Okay.

[1:27:35] » To the best of our ability. Yes. >> So we are working on refining that

[1:27:39] process. We actually already were. >> Okay. Um, and so we'll represent

[1:27:44] something at a later time, but we're happy with waving the fees.

[1:27:47] » Well, thank you. >> You're welcome. So, uh,

[1:27:52] » Madam Mayor, I would think it might not I I'm in favor of maybe delegating this

[1:27:58] to uh, Vice Mayor Ashcraft to work with

[1:28:03] them and and walk us walk it through and and and uh, and and and actually I have

[1:28:10] and everybody's been >> it'll get us across the line or where or

[1:28:13] what. >> Yeah. So, um,

[1:28:15] » along with along with attorney Taylor. >> Yes. Absolutely. Yeah. Um but uh the

[1:28:20] legal um the thing we can control are the fees. So I would really like your

[1:28:27] support to wave the fees for any business in the central business

[1:28:31] district business that wants to set up at any event to have the fees waved

[1:28:35] » at any of our events. Any of our events. >> I think that would be something maybe we

[1:28:40] can add into the CRA incentive thing that we're doing for downtown uh and

[1:28:45] make that one of the additional outline items. and you're done.

[1:28:49] » I just need a consensus. >> Well, the consensus would be that

[1:28:53] providing everything is >> in order,

[1:28:56] » right? >> Yeah. You're subject to Florida statute.

[1:28:58] Yeah, of course. Yeah. >> Okay.

[1:29:01] » Thank you. >> Yeah. So, I I'm I'm for that.

[1:29:03] » I'm okay with that. >> Okay. Okay. I appreciate that.

[1:29:09] » Okay. So, we're done with that one? >> Yes.

[1:29:11] » Okay. So, let's go to a future agenda items and comments. was saw with city

[1:29:17] attorney.

[1:29:22] » City's continuing to be busy. Madame Mayor, um I don't have any specific

[1:29:27] items to brief you on tonight. If there is anything that you have questions on,

[1:29:31] I'm happy happy to answer them. >> City manager,

[1:29:36] » uh just a couple things. Um, when we were down at League of Cities, uh, I got

[1:29:43] a nice phone call from Representative Cobb. Um, I thought I was in trouble,

[1:29:48] but actually it was, um, she called to share comments. She was at a Lake 100

[1:29:55] meeting and she was with one of the Orange County commissioners

[1:29:59] and the commissioner was raving about the American Bloom project. Don't let us

[1:30:09] change that and just had a lot of really good things to say. um went on about the

[1:30:17] five-year-old son and the butterfly and how easy it was for him to navigate

[1:30:23] through and um she said that the son just wore out the commissioner chasing

[1:30:30] around the butterfly. So, I wanted to share that with you because it was it

[1:30:34] was some really nice feedback um to get. And uh lastly, just um hopefully you all

[1:30:40] have been receiving uh Kevin Kudson's emails. Um there was a package that went

[1:30:47] to you for you to download. Um if you're having any trouble, please uh reach out

[1:30:52] to myself, Karen, or Kevin himself. Um there's some scoring sheets in there.

[1:31:00] and he has asked that prior to your next meeting with him, the online meetings,

[1:31:06] um to be able to go through those candidates and and fill out those

[1:31:09] scoring sheets. So, but he should be reaching out to you if he has not

[1:31:14] already to uh set up the next the next uh meeting with y'all. And that's all I

[1:31:20] have. >> Okay,

[1:31:22] » Vice Mayor. >> Nope. I've talked enough. Thank you,

[1:31:26] » Commissioner. I'll take his time. Um, but uh really

[1:31:31] just one thing. >> I didn't I'm sorry I didn't yield the

[1:31:34] balance of my time. >> You in trouble again. [laughter]

[1:31:38] » Um, just a quick just a quick note, something we're proud of being me being

[1:31:42] involved in uh helping get the UCF incubator um into Eustace. I just wanted

[1:31:48] to let you know that UCF won an award for the best incubator in the nation.

[1:31:52] » Wow. So >> awesome.

[1:31:54] » Awesome. >> Congratulations. Great. [applause]

[1:31:59] It's a great university, a great program and and and really the entire community

[1:32:03] is getting behind it lead and everybody and and we're changing uh and helping a

[1:32:08] lot of people and and that's that's pretty cool. Um the the the free time

[1:32:14] and effort that UCF gives is is is priceless. And uh this is another award

[1:32:20] that that just came out uh this yesterday.

[1:32:24] » Yeah, this week. So, uh, congratulations to UCF and and, uh, thank you to the

[1:32:29] commission and obviously to the county commission who funds a big part of it.

[1:32:33] Um, I think we're we're we're doing some some great stuff.

[1:32:36] » Other than that, that's it, Madame Mayor.

[1:32:38] » Congratulations. >> I have just a few things. Um, I did

[1:32:44] attend the Eustace Business Allian alliance and I I think they're just

[1:32:50] going great and they're become beginning to come together and we have plans that

[1:32:55] they'll work together and that's what we really wanted and we're looking forward

[1:32:58] to um working with them and and um increasing all of the activities

[1:33:04] downtown, working together at it. That's what we've been trying to do and it

[1:33:08] seems to be effective and I thank our Mike for being there because he made

[1:33:15] that connection and uh and I saw a lot of people all of them surrounding you

[1:33:20] and being willing to work and do their share about it. So, thank you for that.

[1:33:24] Also, the community garden is going really well.

[1:33:27] And um we're getting people involved and it's on Cardinal Street and so it's

[1:33:33] called Cardinal Cove Community Garden. If you guys ever get a chance to ride

[1:33:37] around or if you're interested in being volunteering to work in it, you're

[1:33:41] certainly welcome. Um, we attended the Florida uh League of Cities convention

[1:33:48] and it was great. It gives us an opportunity to get to know other elected

[1:33:52] officials to learn things, the new things that are coming up. Of course,

[1:33:56] the biggest area of discussion was uh the property taxes and um we we learn a

[1:34:04] lot. We get to network and that's the best feeling. We find out what other

[1:34:08] cities are doing and uh it gives us an opportunity to compare and sometimes

[1:34:13] they have some great ideas that we can tap into and uh and get more information

[1:34:18] about it that would be beneficial beneficial to us and we in turn uh often

[1:34:23] provide opportunities for them that they would like to know more about what we're

[1:34:27] doing. So it was great and uh and I enjoyed it and I'm just glad that we had

[1:34:32] the opportunity to participate. Uh I think I'm so proud to say that it's

[1:34:38] 25 minutes maybe 27 minutes to 8 and um we're done.

[1:34:45] So with that I call this meeting ajourned.

Regular City Commission Meeting - 20 August, 2026

Transcript