[0:21] >> Okay,

[0:21] >> we're going to call the

[0:24] meeting to order. Dana

[0:25] Slippery chair of the city of

[0:26] Fort Myers, Economic

[0:29] Development Advisory board

[0:31] Thursday, SEPTEMBER 3rd, it is

[0:32] 2 o'clock. Let's start with

[0:41] the Pledge of Allegiance.

[0:49] >> 2 states of America. One

[0:50] under GOD there justice for

[0:56] all?

[0:57] >> Clerk can we get a roll

[0:58] call.

[1:01] >> Chair Lamb freight here.

[1:03] Vice chair board for member

[1:05] probably Remember Clark here,

[1:07] board member Miller, PRESIDENT

[1:09] Board member parents are.

[1:10] Board member to tiny

[1:15] PRESIDENT. Board member Maxon

[1:17] remember a dire. Economic

[1:18] development. Director

[1:22] Weathers. And City attorney.

[1:25] Today. That's all got. Thank

[1:28] We've got a quorum.

[1:34] We're going we're going to

[1:34] open the floor for public

[1:37] comment and

[1:42] >> how are you So?

[1:43] >> We're going to close the

[1:47] floor for public seeing none.

[1:48] Everybody chance to review the

[1:49] meeting minutes of last

[1:51] meeting. Can I get a motion to

[1:57] approve?

[1:58] >> second set all in favor. So

[2:04] moved. I'm going jump ahead on

[2:05] the agenda to the board member

[2:08] and chair comments. And I

[2:09] added something I'm gonna move

[2:12] that up the agenda to

[2:17] presentations. I like the

[2:23] group to come on up. This is a

[2:25] group that the I am a part of.

[2:29] And full disclosure. I think

[2:30] many of you know, I've been

[2:31] involved with art So Davis Art

[2:37] Center for how long the oven,

[2:40] 15 years, 16 years, 50 years

[2:41] long time. And I I am

[2:46] immediate past chair and board

[2:47] meetings throughout the years.

[2:49] We've talked about. Creating

[2:57] Ys and alliance some of the

[2:58] other arts and culture

[3:01] organizations in the city of

[3:02] Fort Myers. So we actually put

[3:05] together a meeting. We met and

[3:08] I think we're we're gonna

[3:10] continue to meet collaborate.

[3:12] And so invited the group to

[3:16] come speak. On behalf of that

[3:21] collaborative group today and

[3:23] they will be presenting in

[3:24] OCTOBER to city Council as

[3:31] well. So without further meta

[3:33] and maybe maybe everybody can

[3:34] introduce themselves. Yeah,

[3:37] met Johnson. The

[3:37] >> ceo and PRESIDENT Of the I

[3:42] Make History and Science

[3:43] >> Evan the PRESIDENT And ceo

[3:44] of the Sidney and Berne Davis

[3:48] Art Center.

[3:49] >> Volz, executive director,

[3:53] ceo of Alliance for the Arts.

[3:55] And in the audience we have

[3:56] Greg Fullerton who is a board

[3:57] member. I'm ag who helped help

[3:58] us coordinate our first

[4:00] meeting as well.

[4:06] >> It's all the more you know.

[4:08] >> It was. We appreciate the

[4:10] the Army come good to see some

[4:12] familiar faces. But about 10

[4:14] years since I was a sitting

[4:15] over there as part of board,

[4:16] that and that I believe you

[4:17] all on the board jerriann a

[4:18] part of that back in the day.

[4:23] But we work very closely with

[4:24] our arts and culture partners

[4:28] for for many years. And have

[4:29] been talking recently about

[4:34] how we can that partnership to

[4:37] do more. Not only for our own

[4:38] organizations, but for the

[4:41] role we play in the city has a

[4:42] as the major attractions, the

[4:46] art and culture in this area.

[4:47] And so we represent only 3 of

[4:51] the We have 7 in total that

[4:53] will ultimately be working

[4:54] with focusing on those

[4:54] organizations that within the

[4:59] city of Fort Myers. With

[5:00] possibility of some point

[5:00] expanding out even to county's

[5:03] office, Florida. But we're

[5:05] starting here in Fort Myers

[5:07] and city and formalizing some

[5:08] of relationships. The

[5:12] conversations we've had over

[5:13] the past. And so if you look

[5:16] at on that are history and

[5:17] science center, the lives of

[5:17] the Arts Sittingbourne Dave's

[5:20] Arts and case. A major center,

[5:22] the Edison Ford Winter States,

[5:24] Lee County, back society and

[5:27] the Florida Repertory are 7

[5:32] target groups to 2 for ms that

[5:33] our goals for this are to look

[5:36] at opportunities. Words,

[5:37] organizations, we can use our

[5:40] collective 2 be more effective

[5:42] and efficient in the way we

[5:45] operate. But also number to be

[5:49] better at promoting putting

[5:49] out what the city has to the

[5:54] city of Fort Myers. You know,

[5:55] were by us. But by far, I

[5:56] think has the strongest arts

[5:59] culture and history

[6:01] organizations and all of Lee

[6:02] County in Southwest Florida.

[6:03] If you look at the museums,

[6:05] the art center's the culture,

[6:06] the history we have here in

[6:08] the we are the leaders in

[6:09] southwest Florida in that and

[6:11] we want that see that continue

[6:12] to grow. And while our

[6:14] informal partial partnerships

[6:16] over the years have been

[6:17] strong, we is form a

[6:18] partnership is one that we can

[6:20] really do a lot more. We're

[6:21] excited to hear from Dennis

[6:24] that there's an economic

[6:25] development plan process and

[6:29] we want to make sure we were

[6:32] We want to be a part of that.

[6:32] We want to want to help with

[6:35] that and make sure that our

[6:36] culture history vibrant. Part

[6:37] of that because it is such an

[6:39] important part of economic

[6:39] development. People move here

[6:43] because the quality of life,

[6:44] well, we live things to do

[6:47] things to be with her family

[6:48] arts culture. And that's why

[6:49] you want to move ultimately is

[6:52] to have that quality life. You

[6:53] want your employees to have a

[6:54] quality life when choosing

[6:58] where the movie business. And

[6:58] so we want to be a part of

[7:01] that I'm gonna turn it over to

[7:05] Parker to talk a bit more.

[7:08] >> Yes, so this is really just

[7:09] a kind of informal

[7:10] introduction in discussion

[7:13] around this idea. We believe

[7:13] that it's Byron r it's

[7:15] important to bring it to you

[7:16] all because as Matt was

[7:17] saying, it is such an

[7:19] important economic driver,

[7:21] arts and culture. As I know

[7:22] you might have already heard

[7:25] from Lions or somebody with

[7:26] the ap. 6 study is a huge

[7:29] impact in our area

[7:30] economically. And so we think

[7:32] it's important to really

[7:34] include you in our discussions

[7:37] so we can continue sit to

[7:38] support a vibrant economy here

[7:40] in Fort Myers, both for the

[7:43] visitors and residents alike.

[7:44] >> when you explain what that

[7:47] study is, first.

[7:49] >> I'm so ap 6, if you aren't

[7:50] familiar with the acronym

[7:53] stands for Arts and Economic

[7:55] Prosperity. 6 is the number is

[7:57] the 6 study in the series.

[7:57] It's a nationwide study that

[7:58] is conducted by the Americans

[8:00] for the Arts.

[8:03] >> Partners with local arts

[8:04] organizations actually the

[8:07] most recent administrator or

[8:08] actually be administrator for

[8:09] all of studies locally has

[8:11] been the alliance for the

[8:14] Arts. What that study does is

[8:15] it contacts partners with in

[8:17] the community and our study is

[8:21] a little bit unique because we

[8:22] had a full Lee County report

[8:23] and then we had a specific

[8:23] report for the city of Fort

[8:27] Myers. So we contact all of

[8:30] those partners. We get their

[8:31] organizational information and

[8:33] financials that that data that

[8:34] goes into into the study and

[8:37] then it also surveys all of

[8:38] the attendees that will take

[8:41] part in the survey over a

[8:44] course of time. And so

[8:46] determines whether attendees

[8:48] are residents or visitors, how

[8:48] much they're spending where

[8:51] they're spending things. And

[8:52] so from that study, we have

[8:55] learned the past year as we

[8:56] all might be able to tell you,

[9:00] too. The results were probably

[9:01] a little bit skewed because it

[9:02] was a 2022 year, which as you

[9:06] MAY be. Where was a very

[9:07] difficult year for Fort Myers.

[9:09] I'm so all of our survey

[9:11] results were a little bit

[9:13] skewed, but even with that

[9:16] study, we found out that arts

[9:17] and culture isn't over

[9:19] 135 million dollar a year

[9:24] industry here in Fort Myers.

[9:25] And that's with this cute

[9:28] numbers. So really want to

[9:29] talk about a little bit more

[9:30] of the concrete things that

[9:35] we're starting to think about

[9:36] >> Thank you, Devin. Thank

[9:36] you, Matt. And really want to

[9:38] thank everybody here and now

[9:39] how much time you put in and

[9:41] this is such a important topic

[9:44] for the city for a region for

[9:44] our families. So I really

[9:49] appreciate the put to this

[9:50] committee. But these guys said

[9:51] they stole everything. I was

[9:55] going to say so be super know

[9:57] that investments and art and

[9:58] culture and history have a

[9:58] real economic impact here with

[10:02] in Fort Myers. It also impacts

[10:03] our health that, you know, we

[10:05] have a partnership with

[10:06] Community Co-operative. We're

[10:08] bringing art into communities

[10:09] in which you can tangibly see

[10:12] improvements in people's lives

[10:12] across the board. We know

[10:15] that's true in our schools.

[10:16] But the one thing I would love

[10:20] to just share is that we 7

[10:20] organizations that U.S. Have a

[10:21] practical commitment to each

[10:22] other because we do have to

[10:26] run organizations haven't you.

[10:28] And so we're looking at places

[10:29] where our collaboration can

[10:30] help our bottom lines and

[10:31] therefore help collectively,

[10:33] you know, things like a city

[10:35] pass. You know, they work in

[10:36] Miami. There were concerns so

[10:37] that they work all across the

[10:37] country where you coordinate

[10:40] and collaborate around

[10:42] marketing because the truth is

[10:43] if we can get somebody into

[10:44] alliance for the arts are more

[10:44] likely to come to city burned

[10:48] calusa, you know, I'm where

[10:50] our team was with the team

[10:53] this Monday with r r retreat.

[10:54] So we really taking this

[10:56] collaboration things

[10:58] seriously. But but we also

[10:59] know that that could lead into

[11:02] other areas around shared

[11:04] services camps, education,

[11:05] like I think that there's

[11:06] there's there could be some

[11:07] efficiencies that that could

[11:08] be gained in terms of

[11:09] collaborating collaboratively,

[11:12] trying to put some sort of

[11:13] programming together because

[11:14] we know on a one to one basis

[11:17] that if somebody goes to imax

[11:18] camp and then they come to

[11:20] ours, those students are

[11:23] having more vibrant experience

[11:24] that their families are better

[11:26] kind collective summer or for

[11:27] sport period of time. Whenever

[11:29] those camps are happening. So

[11:30] those are the kind of

[11:31] practical steps that were

[11:31] already start to take. But we

[11:32] know that we need to partner

[11:35] with the city. We need to have

[11:36] these kind of conversations

[11:37] were open to just listening

[11:38] and learning and would love to

[11:39] be able to fit in because we

[11:42] think we can add value to what

[11:43] you all are again. Just want

[11:43] to say thanks for everything

[11:45] that you and set up now.

[11:50] >> it's awesome.

[11:52] >> We just so you all know

[11:52] Steve Weathers was at the

[11:54] first meeting as well. And

[11:57] Steve will be ongoing part,

[11:58] you know, to to help

[12:02] communicate the city. What

[12:03] what questions do you all

[12:04] have? We? We thought it would

[12:06] be a good opportunity for this

[12:09] group to come kind of a

[12:10] warm-up before they present to

[12:13] council. So what what

[12:18] questions do you Go first? If

[12:24] anyone out there governor, is

[12:24] that what you engine, Griff,

[12:25] that on huge fan has actually

[12:29] Mike. I when I first got that,

[12:29] donated my colleague

[12:31] collection. That was the first

[12:32] donations for the city. And

[12:36] for So that out there. But I

[12:38] think we should think big. I

[12:38] mean, I was talking to an

[12:39] wreck to have a meeting with

[12:42] the mayor about let's, for

[12:42] instance, you know, but the

[12:45] innovative you follow that. So

[12:47] think about the innovative

[12:48] walk where it's going. And I

[12:49] think it's great plan. Some of

[12:52] it I think, unrealistic. That

[12:53] said it's a really great, you

[12:53] know, that's part of that's

[12:56] doing all the meetings. But

[12:59] you look look Ford, the states

[13:00] and you look at the land

[13:01] that's near there. There's

[13:04] still 2 acres of vacant land.

[13:04] We're used to have the parking

[13:06] a familiar with with the left,

[13:09] ok? So why not something I've

[13:11] always said to Jim, we need

[13:11] that big, you know, safety

[13:14] that the Dali Museum. We need

[13:16] that think that we need have

[13:18] that big, whether it's an art

[13:18] Museum for performance Arts,

[13:21] for things like that. I mean,

[13:22] I think we're big enough. And

[13:23] then you mentioned all the

[13:27] art, you know. I walked out

[13:28] everything. We got to

[13:31] capitalize it. We are great.

[13:32] In arts. And I just think we

[13:34] should think towards something

[13:37] bigger scale. So he that up

[13:37] presentation and maybe we can

[13:40] ask him to present that

[13:41] presentation specifically for

[13:44] that piece of And you know

[13:47] what kind of funding sources

[13:48] through donations or whatever.

[13:48] I think we're missing Fort

[13:51] Myers that big use. And yes,

[13:54] we like to have a big stadium

[13:55] Midtown. That's a whole other

[13:59] animal. But you're the arts in

[14:00] Fort Myers. Just I was walking

[14:01] my dog, Iran and its someone.

[14:02] Kaylyn a little gardens park a

[14:07] little long. Beauty salon

[14:08] there and just find all these

[14:09] things apart that's going on.

[14:13] Never even heard of. And I

[14:13] mean, live near the law So

[14:17] much going on. And this is

[14:17] perfect timing because you're

[14:18] kind of crystallizing all

[14:20] that. And they have kind of

[14:21] one voice get behind something

[14:26] like a. Than you for

[14:27] terrorists. And I mean, look,

[14:29] Sarasota, you got the the

[14:29] moat. They've done them in

[14:31] their thinking big. I just

[14:33] feel like we need to think big

[14:35] but they thank you for. For

[14:38] for this and, you know, moving

[14:41] this forward on the full

[14:44] support, know for me. Yeah. I

[14:46] think part of this, too, is,

[14:50] you know, the economic

[14:52] development plan that working

[14:53] towards that potentially. We

[14:54] will. We will highlight what's

[14:55] important to us.

[15:00] >> As a group to council.

[15:01] Talked about arts and culture

[15:02] being really, really

[15:07] important. In that plan and

[15:09] economic viability culture

[15:14] science to to the bottom The

[15:15] other piece that we talked

[15:18] about in our meeting was. You

[15:19] know, this whole ad valorem

[15:22] thing we were pretty sure we

[15:30] know it's going to happen. You

[15:30] know what? What is an

[15:31] essential service want is a

[15:33] non essential service. All

[15:37] right. And so, you know, where

[15:38] old arts and culture fall into

[15:42] that and so as a collaborative

[15:45] group we can now advocate as

[15:47] one to make sure that, you

[15:48] know, the arts and culture and

[15:52] science. Harm of our economy

[15:54] is protected. You're referring

[15:57] to where we chucks as one of

[16:00] our top ones. That's right.

[16:01] Because tourism, heritage,

[16:01] tourism and cultural

[16:02] attractions. That's right.

[16:03] That was thanking consensus

[16:06] top.

[16:07] >> So I it's important for

[16:13] this group as well. And I know

[16:14] Devin Year you represent the

[16:17] art and culture Board for the

[16:20] Rising Council. And I am now

[16:23] one of your new board members.

[16:24] >> Yes, so I think that we're

[16:27] starting to really see this

[16:28] sentiment crystallized in both

[16:32] the county and the city that

[16:32] arts and culture. It isn't

[16:33] just an afterthought. It's a

[16:36] huge portion of what makes a

[16:38] city successful both

[16:41] culturally socially

[16:42] economically. So the prize in

[16:45] council has recently formed

[16:45] and arts and Culture

[16:46] committee. It just started in

[16:47] JANUARY. I'm the chair of it.

[16:50] We'll is on it. Matt, you're

[16:54] coming to our OCTOBER 7th

[16:57] thing. Doing a networking

[16:59] event on OCTOBER 7th. That's

[17:01] to connect arts and culture

[17:03] organizations. 2 businesses

[17:08] for board leadership and

[17:08] community membership and

[17:09] strategic partnerships and the

[17:12] community because we don't see

[17:15] these as different silos. We

[17:15] see them as part of the same

[17:17] fabric that really makes a

[17:19] successful community. So

[17:21] that's where where looking to

[17:22] kind of grow those things.

[17:24] We're also looking to

[17:26] hopefully be included in

[17:27] discussions like strategic

[17:30] planning to see how arts

[17:35] culture attractions and

[17:36] different assets factor into

[17:37] that. So I that's where we're

[17:38] seeing a lot of those

[17:42] sentiments crystallize. So.

[17:43] >> That in developments, is

[17:46] there a that new development?

[17:54] Coming to the city as the pay.

[17:57] Back in the day. That's been

[17:58] quite a few years. And do

[17:58] that, I don't even elected

[18:01] that when they're supposed to

[18:01] be clear.

[18:02] >> So that was one of those.

[18:03] The development coming to city

[18:07] council him. We do want to say

[18:08] that not I think very little

[18:09] was ever collected on on that.

[18:10] But as far as funding sources

[18:13] in grants and going through

[18:17] topic, you Donations. The what

[18:19] are some of the funding

[18:20] sources for some of these

[18:23] projects? What would easy you

[18:25] can go after for the state

[18:26] ERs. When you have someone

[18:27] specifically for grants

[18:31] looking at that. Grant was one

[18:32] of the things that was brought

[18:33] up in the meeting we'll talk

[18:36] about your services. You know,

[18:38] we all go out to grants. We

[18:39] all have either dedicated

[18:40] staff ourselves on weekends or

[18:41] the other grant writers for

[18:45] organizations and we tend to

[18:45] go after the same We didn't go

[18:47] out to the same sponsors.

[18:51] There's a small group I felt

[18:51] all the people in the

[18:52] community that see in every

[18:53] event to see that they're also

[18:56] all the same board's meeting.

[18:57] What we have 2 people here

[18:58] that are sitting on multiple

[19:01] awards ands. And so what we

[19:04] want to see and that is, you

[19:05] know, 3 people going to the

[19:07] same person asking for small

[19:09] amounts is actually harder.

[19:12] Ask 3 people together as a

[19:13] group coordinated going in for

[19:18] a out talk about thinking big

[19:19] that if we're all asking for a

[19:19] little peace is that's all

[19:21] we're getting. But

[19:23] collectively, we could ask for

[19:24] a larger pieces that have

[19:25] bigger impact and have larger

[19:29] impact on the community.

[19:30] Whether that be through a

[19:30] grant, a a local individual

[19:32] sponsorship.

[19:35] >> get to

[19:36] >> Appreciate the question.

[19:39] And I love what you were just

[19:41] So think it's important know

[19:41] that many of us operate like

[19:42] as a community organization,

[19:45] but also as the social

[19:49] enterprise as as a business,

[19:50] right, that we're putting

[19:51] products together in order for

[19:53] people to pay to participate

[19:55] in that. So we want to

[19:56] bringing people here because

[19:58] we have great product, right?

[20:01] Or that we have great art and

[20:01] culture and history. We want

[20:03] to make sure that we prosper

[20:04] in the marketplace and that's

[20:05] why we they're here before

[20:09] this particular committee and

[20:10] to talk about how can we best

[20:12] do that? Because that's also

[20:13] part of what we're seeing. And

[20:15] I know that the Lions

[20:17] perspective, you know, we're

[20:17] going year for of no money

[20:18] from the state which used to

[20:22] be a big funder for a lot of

[20:22] The pieces that are supposed

[20:25] to help collaborate at the

[20:26] local level. So we definitely

[20:29] have a mindset of like we need

[20:31] to see. How can we generate

[20:33] wealth that can go back into

[20:35] the programming a way that,

[20:36] you know, really healthy for

[20:37] the community. And one thing I

[20:38] I back in the day without pay,

[20:40] we started the Fort Myers home

[20:42] office and it's kind of

[20:43] language that was in the cra

[20:45] and it's kind of floating

[20:46] around. And I think the film

[20:46] is important when whenever

[20:49] extend the film festival.

[20:50] >> I was part of that money

[20:51] does short film festival.

[20:52] There's some opportunity maybe

[20:54] to do something else. I'm in a

[20:55] a Peter Kelly. He's a

[20:56] filmmaker that's at the

[20:59] Collaboratory really talented

[21:00] and he would be willing to

[21:01] step up, maybe and maybe

[21:02] office could be run through

[21:04] their kids. I think maybe the

[21:06] city underestimates the

[21:07] trickle down economically

[21:11] effect of So I'm I'm not sure

[21:12] how that's fits to the scheme,

[21:16] the parts, but it's film part

[21:16] of that.

[21:17] >> Over envelope of aircraft

[21:22] part of our group. Okay, we

[21:22] thank you.

[21:23] >> Which is and I can speak

[21:24] for me as a citizen now for a

[21:27] second because I.

[21:28] >> I know I've talked a lot of

[21:29] folks in the city where it's

[21:30] like if you just look at the

[21:31] numbers of what Saint Pete did

[21:34] with the Dali Museum right? If

[21:34] you talk about massive

[21:35] investment, right, 30

[21:39] 35 million up front last year.

[21:41] It created 280 million dollars

[21:43] in economic impact. So you are

[21:45] talking about a wealth creator

[21:45] red. It isn't just a pipeline

[21:47] of tax dollars continually

[21:51] going somewhere is like you're

[21:52] we could create something that

[21:54] brings people in wealth that

[21:56] then allows our community. And

[21:56] that's not the huge is

[21:59] building in the world. Knowing

[21:59] Museum.

[22:00] >> And we we could pull that

[22:06] off here. Still I would say

[22:09] to, you know, you you talk.

[22:12] >> Man about shared services.

[22:16] We talked you know, the so the

[22:17] Amber Davis, our town, or

[22:18] we're rolling out medical

[22:22] benefits. We're we're just

[22:23] exploring all that now for the

[22:26] first time right? And so, you

[22:28] know, some of the other groups

[22:30] of this, you know,

[22:31] collaboration already have

[22:35] medical we can kind of share

[22:39] that information. And you

[22:39] know, maybe save yourself some

[22:42] money and time and effort.

[22:45] Exporting these things. The

[22:47] other part of it that I think

[22:49] is really, really important is

[22:53] exposure and marketing.

[22:56] >> You know how many how many

[22:58] of you here been to the or

[22:58] Davis or tenant in the

[23:03] building? So not not all. Not

[23:07] everyone right or the

[23:11] Imaginarium for the Alliance

[23:17] going when when we when we get

[23:19] new people in to the art

[23:21] center and it's probably the

[23:25] same with with you. People are

[23:27] like, wow, this place is

[23:29] amazing. We didn't even know

[23:30] this was here for a play. We

[23:33] drove by it or we walk Visalia

[23:36] Times in what great resource.

[23:40] So if we can share marketing.

[23:42] And exposure, you know, maybe

[23:44] we can drive people to help

[23:46] support our various regions.

[23:47] Ation. I think that's hugely

[23:51] important. Especially with the

[23:52] advent of ai, you can do a lot

[23:54] of outreach and things of that

[23:55] nature. I was studying that

[23:57] all the ways for.

[23:59] >> Very low cost. You can use

[24:01] it to, you promote. We create

[24:08] things. Friend. That stuff.

[24:11] >> doing everything I So one

[24:13] of one of the weather here one

[24:13] of things that we talked about

[24:20] was rotation of, you know,

[24:21] getting far various forms

[24:26] together from Organizations

[24:29] and hosting like a reception

[24:30] each.

[24:32] >> Then you MAY be quarterly

[24:33] or whatever we end up deciding

[24:37] to do getting all the board

[24:38] members there. So there can be

[24:39] crossed collaboration. There

[24:43] as well. You know, like like

[24:48] you said. You know, there's

[24:49] several people that involved

[24:53] in boards and maybe multiple

[24:53] war. They all should know each

[24:59] other. Tried. That just

[24:59] brain-damaged try to get

[25:06] everyone coordinated.

[25:07] >> I would love that. I mean,

[25:08] I would like to hear from me

[25:12] because he's got a lot. You

[25:15] what I love the idea myself.

[25:16] >> about 5, 6, years ago, I

[25:17] went to the county

[25:21] administrator city Mayor. And

[25:21] others because I've heard

[25:28] that. Hearst people back with

[25:30] One of the major things

[25:31] reasons they gave for leaving

[25:32] was cultural. There was no

[25:33] cultural events and

[25:34] activities.

[25:37] >> I lost my personal doctor.

[25:38] Because his kids got out of

[25:41] school. He moved and one of

[25:43] the reason told me from his

[25:44] mouth, my ears is there's no

[25:47] coach like hear from me one

[25:48] where I can connect with black

[25:49] culture and said they enjoyed

[25:53] it. Share that with the city

[25:54] manager John Talmage in the

[25:55] rest of the folks back then

[25:58] and then plus, well, last when

[26:00] the kind of a history says And

[26:01] we're trying to build coach

[26:05] Wilson. That's the only one

[26:06] there that was there then. So

[26:07] I don't know if you remember,

[26:08] but we wouldn't calls and that

[26:10] we were out and talk to the

[26:11] different people gym that

[26:14] meant, although. To

[26:16] collaborate together because

[26:17] if nothing else, the

[26:18] programming for that marketing

[26:21] for that would be excellent.

[26:22] At the time. So it was the

[26:25] city manager. And he said this

[26:26] would make a group starting

[26:30] point. For a map of all the

[26:32] different places going east. I

[26:37] mean, going west on Martin, go

[26:38] from backed the cultural

[26:44] center? A McCollum hall across

[26:47] the street to the Madison

[26:47] area. That was heart thing

[26:48] going on in the red brick

[26:49] building. But they've since

[26:54] moved correct Marcus. And

[26:56] yeah, find But the idea was to

[26:57] do it map of all the difficult

[26:58] activities and senators and

[27:02] community. Back then. So I

[27:05] think it is. I never sent. I

[27:05] think it's always a of leaving

[27:09] collaboration. Everything I do

[27:10] is a better collaboration and

[27:11] working together like-minded

[27:16] folks. For us to do a close.

[27:16] And we definitely going to

[27:17] have to have it because of the

[27:21] program this necessary. So the

[27:22] coastal cent you need to

[27:23] partner than all the reasons

[27:26] to make that work. And report

[27:28] about the universities and

[27:29] schools. I didn't hear been

[27:35] apart of this. Also. Well,

[27:36] they literally that they're

[27:37] actually going to be a part of

[27:37] it and a programming what we

[27:39] what we do

[27:41] >> you know, as far as this

[27:45] collaboration getting started?

[27:48] You know, I think the first

[27:50] point was to get all these

[27:53] CEOs and for chairs engaged. I

[27:57] think that what you said, I've

[27:58] been a long time, We've seen

[28:00] things start, stop, start and

[28:01] stop. You know, I think you

[28:05] make a good point. There were

[28:06] we are in a position now a

[28:07] stronger position as a as a

[28:11] region as a city to be able to

[28:13] things But we want to make

[28:13] sure that there's full buy-in

[28:16] from the organizations.

[28:16] Becomes part of the

[28:19] organization's culture. First

[28:23] and that absolutely the school

[28:24] district needs to be a part of

[28:26] this. And how can can they get

[28:27] involved we work with him to

[28:29] get more were kids to come out

[28:31] too, to our centers and you

[28:31] have get the university to get

[28:33] mobile more volunteer kids

[28:34] from the university coming

[28:35] out, working at our at our

[28:36] centers. And those are things

[28:40] so absolutely that's that's

[28:41] something that we want to be a

[28:41] part of I think the first

[28:45] step, though, is we want this

[28:46] to be part of institutional

[28:48] culture for all of our

[28:49] institutions, from our our

[28:52] governance down saying this is

[28:53] going to the something this

[28:55] important part of our priority

[28:56] so that it's not something

[29:00] that just kind of. It's a good

[29:01] idea. And then nothing comes

[29:02] of is because we have seen

[29:09] that for sure. I think I

[29:10] >> each of our organizations

[29:13] have some involvement with the

[29:14] school, the collectively I

[29:15] think we we could have a lot

[29:19] bigger.

[29:21] >> maybe not talking about. I

[29:21] know we want the kids public

[29:22] schools, students involved,

[29:27] but I were talking about the

[29:27] departments Arts and Sciences

[29:28] leadership, the educator of

[29:32] the one looked 8, their

[29:33] engagement at level because

[29:34] would be good people to have

[29:35] discussions about availability

[29:42] enough crews. If I want to

[29:43] know do is present. I go to

[29:44] the streets makers rather than

[29:47] try figure out. Itself as know

[29:52] that I could. But I'd rather

[29:53] somebody that knows exactly

[29:54] what the roads like to travel.

[29:58] So that basically all of us on

[30:02] meeting 2, I think those

[30:02] people be valuable if nothing

[30:04] else that you have an advisory

[30:06] group, make put them all

[30:07] together and that that's not a

[30:11] bad idea But appreciate the

[30:12] notion and appreciate what

[30:13] you're doing. And I don't mind

[30:13] doing whatever I can to

[30:18] assist. Heard mentioned he's

[30:22] so is child the part of

[30:23] discussion or yeah, we had

[30:23] additional meeting and we

[30:28] reached

[30:31] >> Florida rep and Black

[30:32] History Society we're gonna

[30:34] find when you first got

[30:35] together of all the reached

[30:41] out get him next

[30:44] >> Questions comments. Do you

[30:48] have a meeting?

[30:51] >> So right now where I'm

[30:53] getting together about

[30:54] monthly, it's it's been a

[30:55] fairly loose. Just had our

[30:59] first meeting in AUGUST. Yeah.

[31:00] Was it Yeah, I don't know what

[31:02] month it is exactly I know we

[31:03] just had our first meeting in

[31:04] AUGUST and so are our

[31:05] SEPTEMBER meeting will be

[31:08] coming up and then well,

[31:10] hopefully be presenting to the

[31:10] city some time in OCTOBER just

[31:13] continuing to really

[31:13] strengthen those ties connect

[31:17] with each other more often.

[31:18] >> Yeah, I think interested

[31:21] getting involved in sense. I

[31:24] think idea of pass fantastic

[31:28] because most people coming to.

[31:29] Fort Myers. Don't know about

[31:32] all the different facilities

[31:33] and this will automatically

[31:35] when you fly past, you know.

[31:36] And that will bring business

[31:41] to

[31:41] >> Yes, a proof concept in

[31:47] one. We we Any other comments

[31:51] for the group.

[31:51] >> Maybe we can have that

[31:52] group back like every quarter

[31:57] for. What do suggest with them

[31:58] you? I think our you know our

[32:01] goal. Our next goal is to

[32:02] start creating some

[32:03] deliverables for the first one

[32:04] of these is going to be a

[32:05] shared pass it. MAY not be the

[32:07] full suit past year.

[32:07] >> Our goal for that is to

[32:11] come season one of those. But

[32:13] we're looking at an offseason,

[32:15] keep opportunity that at least

[32:16] get people to come in to get a

[32:17] discount another that to try

[32:20] to get those multiple

[32:20] visitation. So, yeah, we would

[32:22] love to come back as some of

[32:22] these deliverables coming

[32:23] about and share that with.

[32:28] It's a great And I did. I did

[32:28] have a conversation with John

[32:32] Talmage.

[32:33] >> Kind of an e-mail back and

[32:34] forth I think he loves the

[32:38] idea. Where this is going. I

[32:41] think that's the I talked to

[32:43] John about tax. Okay. So the

[32:44] backpacks goes to the

[32:45] advertising. Why can't we

[32:46] capture some of the bed tax to

[32:47] go to some projects? Maybe

[32:55] this is one of them.

[32:56] >> having those which is big,

[32:59] too, at the county I think we

[32:59] can get the county

[33:01] commissioners on board with.

[33:02] >> Carving out a little for

[33:04] whether it's the Black History

[33:06] Museum or projects are some

[33:08] fun. I mean, I just because a

[33:09] lot of money that that those

[33:10] hotels are generating and

[33:11] those are the people that are

[33:12] benefiting that are coming

[33:15] into town.

[33:17] >> a part one of the things

[33:20] that ap 6 mentioned is.

[33:24] Visitors are actually larger

[33:24] economic drivers, even though

[33:25] they're smaller part of the

[33:26] market, they're spending a lot

[33:28] more because they're staying

[33:29] and and they have to eat out

[33:32] every meal any of those

[33:33] things. So when they're coming

[33:37] to a cultural destination r r

[33:37] and event. They're having a

[33:40] large economic impact when

[33:41] they're here, even though it's

[33:42] only like 24% of our audience

[33:45] right now. I'm looking at 23.

[33:49] Somewhere. 23. 24 yet but huge

[33:51] drivers. And so we've already

[33:54] seen other communities making

[33:56] capital investment in arts and

[33:58] culture and facilities and

[33:59] it's paying off. So maybe it's

[34:00] time for Lee County to really

[34:03] capitalize on that.

[34:05] >> I think, you know,

[34:07] mentioning ai that. Bore let

[34:07] me show a 60nd ai piece I did

[34:12] on Fort Myers. And I made it

[34:14] half an hour an hour with

[34:15] Adobe Firefly. And it's just

[34:15] amazing. But this, too, out

[34:18] there. I got in that program

[34:19] and you get a location to

[34:21] created this beautiful city

[34:23] map of all are the case. And

[34:23] so there's tools we can use

[34:24] that would have to pay

[34:28] thousands dollars. You know,

[34:28] to get some deliverables out

[34:29] there. There's like play Sarah

[34:31] Dot a I mean, there's some

[34:33] amazing things that are

[34:35] happening mind blowing. But of

[34:40] course, you know, that's

[34:40] focus. You know, you in that

[34:44] can help meeting.

[34:49] >> And rising numbers I know

[34:53] fellows that men you know, you

[34:53] can have a meeting with them.

[34:57] Talk about this. Yeah, yeah,

[35:00] have to do of this and we've

[35:02] asked not to come here and pop

[35:06] for

[35:09] >> any other comments for the

[35:11] group but lost safe any news

[35:16] someone wants to

[35:17] >> lawn kind of like, you

[35:18] know, more engagement. What is

[35:22] the best way to do that? Doing

[35:23] other stuff? You know, as any

[35:28] news, you know.

[35:29] >> So right now it's been very

[35:33] individual. What we're hoping

[35:34] to grow out of this

[35:36] partnership is a more

[35:36] concerted effort where people

[35:38] can kind of come to one place

[35:39] and learn more about all of

[35:41] the different offerings

[35:41] because right now you have to

[35:46] search each individually and

[35:49] so we'd like to see that

[35:50] communication, expand it so

[35:51] people can know all of the

[35:51] different assets that are here

[35:55] in Fort Myers. Instead of

[35:56] having just Google. What is

[35:58] there to do, you know, and and

[35:59] hoping that we show up in a

[36:01] search, we want to really be

[36:04] proactive and get behind that

[36:06] >> So what might be your ideal

[36:07] customer? That's what I was

[36:08] kind of like. You know, that's

[36:08] a If I'm looking for

[36:13] something. Would be ideal

[36:15] customer home like to go off

[36:16] there?

[36:17] >> Well, I think that's the

[36:18] amazing thing about when you

[36:19] do arts culture, history and

[36:24] science. Everyone Some of us

[36:25] are probably more family

[36:26] oriented our largest customer.

[36:29] We would consider to be

[36:31] families. We do a lot of a lot

[36:35] more kids some other take the

[36:37] U.S. And Florida They have a

[36:40] much larger Taurus market that

[36:41] comes older crowd more than

[36:44] some of the others. The art

[36:45] you know, each one has a very

[36:51] different audience.

[36:52] Collectively. If we can share

[36:54] those different audiences,

[36:55] none of us are exclusive to

[36:57] audience. We are not for kids.

[37:00] You know, we are museum for

[37:01] anyone that's interested in

[37:03] and created creativity,

[37:07] exploration and learning. And

[37:11] so collectively we reach it.

[37:13] Everyone from from the

[37:14] youngest to the oldest and the

[37:17] newest to the, you know,

[37:18] multigenerational families of

[37:22] year.

[37:23] >> If I could just with that,

[37:24] if I could just add to that, I

[37:25] think one thing for us. That's

[37:26] also we we know and we

[37:27] instinctively can operate with

[37:31] is that we're 7 different

[37:33] organizations trying to create

[37:34] incentive systems that could

[37:35] help all of Right. And so

[37:36] that's that's where we see

[37:40] this partnership is like that.

[37:41] I've hard enough time keeping

[37:43] up with what alliance got

[37:44] going on. Sometimes you've got

[37:45] 4 or 5 things. Same day

[37:47] theater, people outside. We've

[37:49] got market at right? Kind of

[37:51] ok, I need to be aware of what

[37:53] everyone else is doing. So I

[37:54] think where we're trying to

[37:57] get to collectively are those

[38:00] value ads where we can operate

[38:03] collectively and in particular

[38:04] around Fort Myers, around

[38:06] marketing around these kind of

[38:07] shared services where there's

[38:08] just really is a value add

[38:09] that we don't have to change

[38:10] the way we do things

[38:12] fundamentally to be a part of

[38:13] the group. So I think it's

[38:14] important to know that all of

[38:16] us have to wear our day hats

[38:19] when we when work in this

[38:20] collaboration or don't work, I

[38:21] can't come I need to come into

[38:22] like does this work for

[38:22] alliance for the Arts? That's

[38:25] what I do. And I think what

[38:26] we've seen quickly and why

[38:28] we're so excited about it is

[38:30] there are areas that overlap

[38:30] that really make sense. And

[38:36] Alice point, we can watch with

[38:39] somebody I I see a weekly

[38:40] podcast.

[38:40] >> For the like You guys to do

[38:44] weekly artistic and seen like

[38:45] my wife hope on this one

[38:45] podcast. I thought they were

[38:47] like done by gas. But they're

[38:50] big. I could what matters are

[38:55] That's a great idea. And

[39:00] >> And then people like so no,

[39:06] we would love do that. I you

[39:14] have face the according Yes.

[39:17] >> right, Charlie? Any other

[39:21] comments for the group?

[39:23] >> Thank Thank. Thank you for

[39:26] being Great presentation. Look

[39:29] forward to to the group

[39:30] presenting Council moving this

[39:35] whole thing forward. Just What

[39:40] are we supposed to be just we

[39:40] just wanted them to share what

[39:44] what they're doing.

[39:50] >> The idea is it will pour.

[39:51] They go present to Probably a

[39:51] little more formal

[39:57] presentation.

[39:59] >> Well, doors down have that

[40:00] take with them with the

[40:02] county. Be somebody talk to

[40:02] him. Somebody. They talked to

[40:04] you before they go. Yeah, we

[40:09] do

[40:14] >> Yeah, I I think that that

[40:16] come here. If we want do

[40:23] something me, always ones new

[40:23] that you make the only you

[40:26] want to make the motion. I

[40:27] make a motion support the

[40:32] moves.

[40:34] >> we to move on forward. We

[40:39] believe in

[40:40] >> Okay. Excellent. And I get

[40:41] a second second second. Okay.

[40:46] All in favor. I so moved. We

[40:47] got our support deep voice

[40:49] over. Here's the There's

[40:53] somebody on this

[40:54] >> And

[40:56] >> if you get these folks home

[40:57] and they thank you all the for

[41:01] all of us from

[41:05] >> And that's the and So so

[41:07] just one last comment, OCTOBER

[41:09] is arts and culture month.

[41:14] >> So this is apropos so, you

[41:15] know, hopefully we'll be able

[41:16] to present to council and tie

[41:20] it all together. So thank.

[41:21] Thank you all for being Really

[41:31] appreciate Thank you.

[41:32] >> Sure.

[41:35] >> and ball, whoever. I think

[41:36] it would be important you have

[41:40] a point his commute forward.

[41:41] That you mentioned your

[41:42] feelings about on some closure

[41:46] for a community. Not the

[41:51] city's job to do it, but is is

[41:52] their responsibility. It's for

[41:54] to to send thing that's

[41:55] important to community and

[41:57] what helps. And I think arts

[41:59] and culture a very important

[42:00] factor. We lost a lot of

[42:04] people because of lack of

[42:05] questions. Young folks on left

[42:07] this community because lack

[42:09] arts and culture that they can

[42:14] relate to. Represent every

[42:17] mask and then improvement On

[42:21] this board.

[42:25] >> And I'm not even going But

[42:25] that's the point I'm making.

[42:26] The point is we are so diverse

[42:29] here. But we Get, know, back

[42:32] in the groove. This is what I

[42:34] was doing, that I was a

[42:37] target. I really I started

[42:38] last year put together because

[42:41] of clothing downtown. It had

[42:43] gotten so big adventures. I

[42:44] had to stop because I want to

[42:48] do it in MARCH. And got so

[42:51] much interest that was too

[42:52] nascar equity to have ready to

[42:55] be done in MARCH. I have

[42:57] requested to cement the city,

[42:57] the mayor's committee for the

[43:02] 200 50th anniversary. To look

[43:03] at maybe a corporate unload

[43:04] what they were doing for 4th

[43:05] of JULY and they didn't want

[43:08] to do that. They endorsed the

[43:09] idea of program plan the

[43:11] event. But they do want to do

[43:15] it the same time. Celebration

[43:17] to a 50 year anniversary which

[43:22] that we could get into for me.

[43:24] So we supposed to be meeting

[43:25] now starting a meeting now and

[43:30] I don't know. It's still a lot

[43:31] of people would be a part of

[43:33] it worked and it is pretty

[43:34] big. So I'm working through.

[43:35] John Talmage is office and his

[43:42] people. We're going give a

[43:43] shot see what happens. But

[43:45] where the venue looking at the

[43:45] ampitheater air, you know,

[43:50] we've got all of them bigger,

[43:50] huge and that is focused more

[43:54] all about now and what I'm

[43:56] asking the group to do have

[43:57] just paid is to exhibit food,

[44:02] clothing, music. So MAY be

[44:05] this group. They could be part

[44:06] of that put together was. So

[44:07] you got a lot of resources

[44:11] there. Yes. So that's where it

[44:18] is now. Just talk. Steele I'm

[44:20] just a lot of work. Put

[44:22] everybody table. We get we

[44:23] working on. So we have a

[44:24] question for you think we

[44:25] should really look at when

[44:26] they had requirement for

[44:29] projects put certain feet to

[44:34] arts where they. What Matt

[44:36] mentioned, that. I what not?

[44:37] And find that when I

[44:37] development 15 years ago,

[44:45] there was a prt that you are

[44:46] required really put it you and

[44:46] we used to it. Yeah, I know.

[44:50] But this you look at that.

[44:51] That too much bring them and

[44:56] you know, is not I have no

[45:00] problem with arts I oppose

[45:01] some of the other thing that

[45:07] reported. They want see. But I

[45:08] don't see that being a

[45:10] problem. If you vote if you're

[45:14] going do something me and he

[45:14] does will be a blessing, not

[45:15] just see go away with I think

[45:17] need to do I think anybody

[45:22] does ap the in that's a big

[45:24] development is not just about

[45:25] put her You're really doing

[45:27] thankful. If you're going to

[45:30] reap rewards here. You need to

[45:31] plan that invest in this

[45:33] community is you come. Is not

[45:37] a one-way street. And the city

[45:41] need to realize that call it

[45:44] was not only our fee, they had

[45:47] it. Police finally by car.

[45:48] Yes, that done by hand for the

[45:53] city, to help. It's called

[45:54] You're going increase pressure

[45:56] and affordable housing was is

[45:59] there 3 home, going get had

[46:00] these fees that if you go to

[46:02] best and if you need to know

[46:06] is that so so what's the next

[46:08] step for that? Is question?

[46:10] First is a question. Is they

[46:10] doing it? I think the city I

[46:13] used to get so upset because

[46:14] believe the city added to

[46:14] that. We didn't give to them.

[46:17] They wouldn't come. And I'm

[46:20] whole going world. Was.

[46:20] They're coming week. All

[46:25] right? Well, you know, was

[46:26] here. They know Gophers here.

[46:27] They know the levees are so

[46:32] they want to come give away

[46:32] everything because somebody

[46:33] didn't just to get into the

[46:34] building. That MAY out of was

[46:38] killing a person. Is and I

[46:40] think they should pay. It was

[46:41] really, really fat when they

[46:41] build and develop. Well,

[46:43] remember, George present the

[46:43] laces a very nice the nation

[46:47] of the Sunnybrook Davis. Other

[46:49] developers that so who do we?

[46:51] What's the next step to relook

[46:52] at that? That a big business

[46:52] community development

[46:56] department so from my

[46:57] perspective, as we build work

[46:58] through this economic

[47:03] development plan. These are

[47:06] some of micro things that

[47:08] build in to the right for

[47:09] parade. That might be

[47:10] aspirational. But we we try to

[47:12] incorporate it in there.

[47:16] >> Maybe let the bed tax. I

[47:19] you know, very well And you

[47:24] That's the leave the city. And

[47:26] I wanted to say that then hand

[47:27] over the long We have no hope

[47:27] We had what, 5 or 6 outs out

[47:31] and stuff like that.

[47:31] >> But now it's a different

[47:32] story we have. We have the

[47:35] bills here now. Stuff like

[47:36] that and really want talk

[47:39] about every in bees. That's

[47:40] another subject that can be

[47:48] moving it home But 11% own. So

[47:48] the point I made and I told

[47:49] him, I said the city deserves

[47:50] a permanent peace. That is how

[47:51] is going to take. This is all

[47:56] the time. It is not. Well, my

[47:56] suggestion would John Tomic

[47:58] recommend it as a person in

[47:59] the office.

[48:00] >> To speak to about it and we

[48:00] can either have her come and

[48:05] talk to us so we can go back,

[48:07] you know, talk personally

[48:08] about this, matter of a judge

[48:11] the element you want on I

[48:14] think is really out less than

[48:15] penny. Tamara, to to ball. I

[48:18] think it's a good idea that

[48:20] Iran and the Emmys welcome to

[48:21] come back any time. So when we

[48:25] put on DECEMBER gender

[48:27] something John Thomas and we

[48:29] did talk it's great to have

[48:33] endorsement. Well, he's not

[48:34] someone do it now and he

[48:35] suggested someone I have a

[48:36] rate down maybe that's the

[48:39] first want to go in there with

[48:41] yeah. Explore that. I that.

[48:51] What are they using? 2? Yeah,

[48:52] I think one of the to rule is

[48:56] that here are. Yes and no. I

[48:56] think this opportunity now

[48:59] that there's a lot more hotels

[49:04] I mean, you know, what JetBlue

[49:07] park, they should spread that

[49:07] thing.

[49:10] >> You know, when room for

[49:10] maneuver know what they that

[49:13] is also a row here for.

[49:14] Baseball MAY you know, right?

[49:17] Where was 2 of the person that

[49:22] love with it. All right. Well,

[49:24] that point we have yet. Okay.

[49:25] So all right. Let's move on

[49:29] the agenda. Thank you all for.

[49:35] >> Participating and listening

[49:36] making suggestions and calm.

[49:37] They a ring and bring that

[49:39] here. What we've been taught.

[49:44] I mean. Literally think I

[49:45] mean, for years we've been

[49:49] talking about collaborating

[49:49] and we've tried to get

[49:50] together as a group in the

[49:56] past. Greg, who was sitting in

[49:57] audience, Greg and I worked

[49:58] together and he's on 2 of

[50:01] those boards. On the one. I

[50:02] great. Let's you and I get

[50:07] this done. And so circle the

[50:09] wagons and we had a great

[50:11] conversation. And about 2005?

[50:17] >> is So, but I mean, I think

[50:18] it now has a really, really

[50:23] good time to have that this

[50:24] could other gridlock and Phil

[50:24] hitter and he's a big player

[50:25] what they're doing over there.

[50:28] That's part of this.

[50:29] >> I argue delivery Ling is

[50:30] all boats rise with the tide,

[50:35] right? We're all kind of in a

[50:40] similar situation you know.

[50:41] Potentially are all at asset

[50:44] the city. There should

[50:47] collaboration. Like it's a

[50:53] long journey. Anyway, thank

[50:54] Let's move on to staff

[50:58] comments.

[51:01] >> All right. So that the what

[51:04] updates we have you know,

[51:04] Steve and I we have been

[51:08] working together wonderfully.

[51:08] Really don't have much

[51:11] comments to provide that.

[51:12] There's no the mountain

[51:15] comments on my hand. Can we

[51:16] can we ask you questions and

[51:17] you MAY ask me any question,

[51:18] okay.

[51:20] >> So what are we what we all

[51:22] have you have questions

[51:26] updates on. Some of the bill

[51:28] about the budget.

[51:29] >> I saw the preliminary

[51:31] budget.

[51:32] >> We are getting what we

[51:36] wanted.

[51:37] >> What we need. So this

[51:38] fiscal year 2026 and at the

[51:40] end of the month, we're

[51:41] putting.

[51:42] >> The rest of our

[51:42] professional development

[51:46] budget. And to our master plan

[51:46] this upcoming fiscal year,

[51:51] 2027 will have enough funding

[51:51] fairly generation. So have

[51:52] about $50,000 in the budget

[51:57] for that. So whatever. We

[51:58] learn from this master plan,

[51:59] we're going to take that. And

[52:00] then we're going to hire a

[52:00] consultant for economic

[52:03] development for regeneration.

[52:04] Than that, it's just the

[52:06] basics. Office supplies like

[52:08] marketing. We did receive a

[52:11] 22,000 $500 Grant from the

[52:13] visitor Convention for the

[52:14] Culinary District. So we do

[52:17] have that funding set aside.

[52:20] Long-form video production and

[52:21] then the city will be

[52:22] contributing $10,000 for

[52:23] marketing to Florida Weekly

[52:26] for that.

[52:28] >> Where are we with overall

[52:33] budget? City hasn't been

[52:34] approved yet. Understand. How

[52:35] are the how are they working

[52:35] it in light of potentially

[52:39] they have a lot.

[52:43] >> It's But again, we got

[52:43] everything we needed. It's an

[52:43] increase from last year. So we

[52:44] will be okay. Yeah, our

[52:46] department will be.

[52:48] >> And I know there was a

[52:48] commitment not to cut

[52:53] essential services. So I can

[52:54] speak on that. I'm not really

[52:56] up to date on that. I know for

[52:57] our department what we asked

[53:03] for we received. We've got put

[53:07] him to shame because of that.

[53:07] >> We

[53:11] >> hit you Where are they

[53:15] making cuts know?

[53:16] >> don't. I don't know.

[53:17] Steve's been attending all of

[53:18] the budget workshops. I've

[53:21] been a just background stuff.

[53:22] And then I'm gonna couple

[53:24] classes organization this week

[53:26] next week, actually, the next

[53:28] 2 haven't really been in the

[53:29] budget discussions and all are

[53:30] then putting together our

[53:33] department budget. Thank you

[53:33] know, I can give you an update

[53:34] on the master plan so we did

[53:36] receive Ozel for about

[53:37] $44,000. That's going to go to

[53:42] the city Council.

[53:42] >> Probably.

[53:43] >> I'm not represent media on

[53:44] Monday or if it will be the

[53:45] next meeting after that, that

[53:46] means to get approved. So we

[53:48] can spend we have in our this

[53:52] week of 2026 budget. So that

[53:53] will be a line item for city

[53:54] Council. Coming up and that

[53:55] will make sure that we have a

[53:59] master plan.

[54:00] >> And that's where we will

[54:02] help contribute to. The idea

[54:06] is yeah. There you have any

[54:09] update on budget.

[54:12] >> really. I just know that,

[54:13] you know, with what's going on

[54:14] with the amendment with homes

[54:14] that in the city's shortfall

[54:15] in the budget, they're going

[54:19] to be cutting. And what's the

[54:21] first to go with the items to

[54:22] cut its going be probably

[54:25] cultural items. So I think

[54:26] everyone kind of want to wait

[54:29] and see period with it's kind

[54:30] of like 100 of reason why put

[54:33] this group together. Yeah,

[54:36] was. And I mean, just thinking

[54:37] like maybe they won't be able

[54:38] to budget some of the things

[54:39] they plan on the marketing,

[54:40] the business retention. I did

[54:45] some research. I again, I pray

[54:47] today for Caitlin, you know,

[54:51] using ai 3 simple specs, the

[54:52] steps, the district downtown.

[54:53] And there's some tools.

[54:54] Everyone mentions this place

[54:57] or that Ai Weiwei You've

[54:57] probably heard happening

[54:58] surrounding ice. Frank

[54:58] Spencer.

[55:00] >> Yeah, I printed the lower

[55:04] class ones you. If you want

[55:05] look at I think I mean, worry?

[55:07] We don't have any money in the

[55:08] for this upcoming fiscal year

[55:08] for software. Is that

[55:10] something that we just can't?

[55:11] We can't justify right now. We

[55:14] can usually counties so where

[55:15] that we can also use Cape

[55:16] Coral software. I didn't know

[55:18] that that's good. So we have

[55:19] something specific. That's

[55:21] what I asked me like this

[55:23] plus. Portions are like things

[55:26] of that nature placed on ai.

[55:27] That's what Cape Coral Lee

[55:30] County has one of the GIs

[55:33] modeling. There's a couple

[55:34] different things like cost of

[55:35] in Cape Coral says that can

[55:36] use so you can use the place

[55:38] where ai a call has that. It's

[55:46] just were just friends.

[55:48] >> that road when it work. Do

[55:55] >> We know know that I work

[55:56] comment. I wanted to me to you

[55:57] know, hard part of reason why

[55:59] were they have this group is?

[56:09] >> Is. I want first?

[56:15] >> 4 that forced they thought

[56:16] it was a great idea to because

[56:19] felt like we did. Really good

[56:22] ideas from good feedback. It

[56:26] be a good. The good sounding

[56:28] board for. They present

[56:37] before. I think it went well.

[56:37] >> So one of the team, what I

[56:38] kind of like, you know, try to

[56:44] extract was like, you know,

[56:45] they're like collaborative and

[56:46] other stuff that I mean do.

[56:50] Pulled the customer who would

[56:52] be like 9 to a state on right.

[56:53] And that's what I was trying

[56:54] to pull them to see what might

[56:58] be ideal customer. Let's like,

[57:01] you it found in MAY it

[57:04] business state. Our focus more

[57:04] on thank you know who those

[57:05] search and that such

[57:08] antibodies and other stuff. If

[57:10] like, you being my piece close

[57:11] him, then I would be focusing

[57:12] on more like, you know,

[57:17] Facebook. All right. They say

[57:18] from doing some tended make

[57:19] note the suit has and other

[57:23] stuff that I would go for like

[57:23] TikTok. But instead so

[57:25] basically few normal, who is

[57:26] ideal customer, then you can.

[57:31] Hard to try it. Those

[57:32] channels. Yeah, I just

[57:35] actually that's know we have

[57:35] that problem and it in

[57:36] custody. But if you're 50

[57:39] question custom want. If your

[57:42] aspect to find them from like,

[57:43] you know who rta than your

[57:45] focus should be like, you

[57:46] know, let's get that SEALs

[57:50] such document edition.

[57:52] Whatever the need for chat up

[57:57] days then focus of a stop to

[57:57] that making social impact

[58:00] yeah, that's a great Organic

[58:01] marketing. I mean, I posed to

[58:02] just Eastwood country club

[58:05] like bunch of drone pictures.

[58:07] >> And the amount of hits like

[58:08] I are like line blowing I

[58:08] think millions hits voters

[58:13] just that posting photos.

[58:13] >> And we don't have enough

[58:14] downtown. Doesn't even have an

[58:17] now that you have software

[58:17] that can create apps. So you

[58:20] have to that's something we

[58:21] should do. These guys should

[58:21] have a north. You know, they

[58:23] used to have one, but it kind

[58:28] of faded away, but anyways,

[58:29] well, one more thing on

[58:29] marketing. So that's something

[58:30] that our department is working

[58:31] hard on for the Culinary

[58:33] District we'll set aside most

[58:34] of our marketing budget for

[58:37] the one a district. So this

[58:40] month, Florida Weekly just

[58:41] their businesses of

[58:42] distinction in the corner

[58:43] district is listed so you can

[58:44] go in there for you all the

[58:45] questions. Steve answer all

[58:47] those which is great. And then

[58:48] we have a reoccurring added to

[58:50] 4 th quarter to quarter page

[58:52] every week in the Florida

[58:57] Weekly. We also online ads and

[58:58] 2 more e-mail blast coming up.

[58:59] That will cover 32,000 people.

[59:03] Each email blast just to bring

[59:04] people downtown. The farmers

[59:06] market will be expanding on

[59:08] OCTOBER 3rd. So we're going

[59:09] from about 35 to 40 vendors to

[59:12] about 70 to 80 vendors, which

[59:14] is Yeah, and we're going to

[59:16] look at expanding down her

[59:16] street. So right now are

[59:18] between Monroe and Broadway.

[59:19] But now we're going to look at

[59:23] going from Monroe to Hendry.

[59:23] Down Broadway, which we're

[59:25] still going right now. But and

[59:28] then also down street. So

[59:29] instead of just sending a

[59:30] Broadway, it's going all the

[59:32] way injury. Well, the fact

[59:33] that you're able to get

[59:35] through the summer, I think

[59:36] that's possible.

[59:38] >> Yes, Present and Jeanne and

[59:39] Betsy from local roads are

[59:40] extremely impressed with

[59:41] everything that's been going

[59:42] at the farmers market. I mean,

[59:42] I still go down. Yeah, it's

[59:47] great.

[59:51] >> Any update on news press.

[59:52] >> I know Joe was in with the

[59:54] city manager last week just to

[59:56] talk about the news Steve and

[59:58] I were in that meeting now. I

[1:00:00] she printed 3. You can pass

[1:00:01] them around.

[1:00:02] >> That's what this is. The

[1:00:02] master plan for that. But i

[1:00:08] would recommend. That we

[1:00:11] reckon we have just what we

[1:00:12] have. Joe, if we can invite

[1:00:13] open air out for whatever,

[1:00:14] what do you think? NOVEMBER

[1:00:18] DECEMBER? You know, I he is

[1:00:19] captain pointing out. We want

[1:00:20] to see these projects a lot

[1:00:21] more. That's why next month we

[1:00:24] can get him. Well, I think we

[1:00:28] have next month. We have

[1:00:29] >> The overhaul. Talk about

[1:00:30] that a little. We talked about

[1:00:32] the Dover Kohl plan for the

[1:00:34] hospital. So I reached out him

[1:00:35] really very well thought out

[1:00:39] platter. And he's up to

[1:00:43] schedule for next ok? He is.

[1:00:45] Also the show them from the

[1:00:48] cra wants to give an update on

[1:00:50] the innovation. So those

[1:00:51] chance only for the next month

[1:00:53] so. Let's go to NOVEMBER. Then

[1:00:56] for Joe, narrative that okay,

[1:00:58] One thing on Joe, I will say.

[1:01:01] And Marty, Stephen, we met

[1:01:03] last week with a few of the

[1:01:04] city leadership. He is looking

[1:01:06] for more opportunities to

[1:01:06] unlock Midtown, whether it be

[1:01:09] events or, you know, private

[1:01:11] organizations or even public

[1:01:11] organizations using the

[1:01:14] montage Midtown for special

[1:01:15] events. You'd be able to work

[1:01:16] with pricing if not to be pro

[1:01:19] bono, just to get people down

[1:01:19] there. It we put traffic in

[1:01:24] the area. Yeah. When you talk

[1:01:26] about that for Porter that I

[1:01:29] know that he's working on.

[1:01:32] What we need to love these.

[1:01:33] And then he said if the issue

[1:01:38] with the Reverend. You know

[1:01:39] where they are with I don't

[1:01:44] know. I think you. Hugely

[1:01:47] important project. The news

[1:01:47] press because at one time

[1:01:49] Midtown to downtown, it's a

[1:01:52] really important. Location.

[1:01:55] From a development standpoint

[1:02:00] and yeah, I I wouldn't want do

[1:02:03] here and just. Giving us

[1:02:07] giving him our support. And I

[1:02:08] think that would be good. I

[1:02:10] think would be good for him as

[1:02:12] well. So Steve and I were also

[1:02:13] on a development. It's called

[1:02:14] the Development Finance task

[1:02:16] horses through the Horizon

[1:02:18] Foundation. So we need I think

[1:02:19] it's every first Tuesday of

[1:02:21] the month or if it's Armenians

[1:02:22] every second Tuesday of the

[1:02:24] month with Lee County. Then

[1:02:26] select stakeholders in the

[1:02:28] area. So something him and I

[1:02:31] are working with. Believe it's

[1:02:32] the chair incidents like not

[1:02:34] at incentives package, but an

[1:02:36] outline of what incentives are

[1:02:38] available. Regionally that

[1:02:39] way. We can just have

[1:02:40] something for all the

[1:02:40] stakeholders, really county

[1:02:41] for Cape Coral for us this. We

[1:02:43] want to hand off to someone

[1:02:49] little bit collaborative. I

[1:02:51] like that outreach telling

[1:02:52] with the county on some of

[1:02:53] these make the cake all you

[1:02:56] mentioned. That's

[1:02:59] >> Yeah. Hasn't always now.

[1:03:01] >> any movement on the Other

[1:03:06] than

[1:03:07] >> the last thing I saw that

[1:03:08] one out was Congress wants to

[1:03:11] be had sent a letter to. Army

[1:03:12] Corps of Engineers asking for

[1:03:15] support. And last I heard was

[1:03:15] that the Army Corps of

[1:03:16] Engineers sent a letter to

[1:03:18] some tax that said we are

[1:03:19] reviewing will give you a

[1:03:21] letter when we can. But it's

[1:03:22] good that we got a letter. I

[1:03:23] think it's close.

[1:03:26] >> I look on their portal.

[1:03:30] >> they said it was, quote,

[1:03:39] and said, I don't know I know

[1:03:40] the whole states the project

[1:03:41] anything maybe we can find out

[1:03:44] what's going on there.

[1:03:44] >> They gave that project the

[1:03:47] year. Did some someone venue

[1:03:49] there and you heard anything.

[1:03:51] I have not heard any updates

[1:03:52] and I haven't either, but I

[1:04:00] can write that.

[1:04:01] >> Will be quiet day. I want

[1:04:02] to be top Most say some. The

[1:04:08] car. I don't know. My brother

[1:04:12] that and and a rocket too.

[1:04:12] >> you to mention the to say

[1:04:17] something.

[1:04:22] >> This finding them. And this

[1:04:23] you all see the development

[1:04:27] piece they on news? It talked

[1:04:29] the talk about on a lot of the

[1:04:32] new development projects, the

[1:04:33] multibillion-dollar zw the

[1:04:34] mayor and talked about the

[1:04:34] project. Yeah. And then they

[1:04:35] highlighted the bunch of

[1:04:35] different

[1:04:41] >> projects and it was and

[1:04:44] haven't seen it. It's really,

[1:04:45] really good.

[1:04:47] >> You know something. We just

[1:04:47] Fort Myers got one of the

[1:04:49] number one ranking, something

[1:04:52] Forgot what that was. But I

[1:04:56] want look at now. One of those

[1:04:56] top urban places to move

[1:05:02] people retire. It was pretty.

[1:05:02] 7 about. I didn't remember

[1:05:03] seeing something couple weeks

[1:05:05] ago. I came out. I can find

[1:05:09] her one last update for me. So

[1:05:10] in partnership with the

[1:05:10] Southwest Florida Enterprise

[1:05:12] Center, myself and Martin

[1:05:14] Bird. We're hosting a city of

[1:05:15] Fort Myers Business

[1:05:16] Roundtable. This is going to

[1:05:17] be on SEPTEMBER 23rd from 9 to

[1:05:21] 11:00am. Invited about 40

[1:05:22] different stakeholders in the

[1:05:22] area just to discuss what's

[1:05:25] going well in the city. What

[1:05:25] resources are available and

[1:05:28] then what we can improve on.

[1:05:29] It's more city focus. It's not

[1:05:29] regional, but we are inviting

[1:05:31] our regional partners.

[1:05:35] Business owners. People from

[1:05:37] fgcu Fsw have accepted.

[1:05:41] Oftentimes people. Said taking

[1:05:42] place. That's going to be at

[1:05:44] the Southwest Florida

[1:05:45] Enterprise Center, SEPTEMBER

[1:05:46] 23rd from 9 to 11 and you're

[1:05:47] all invited. We'll have

[1:05:58] breakfast available. You know,

[1:05:59] Keep up the good work. Thanks,

[1:06:05] Terry. Great job. So yeah, the

[1:06:06] next meeting with that, I'll

[1:06:07] be out NOVEMBER DECEMBER and

[1:06:13] JANUARY. When you baby.

[1:06:17] >> big bills you look at like

[1:06:22] you, but really draft. Okay,

[1:06:24] can grow to few more months.

[1:06:27] So regulations. Thank you.

[1:06:28] >> They're doing a baby shower

[1:06:30] for me on OCTOBER 9.

[1:06:31] >> One Ps in City Hall. So if

[1:06:35] you it's come saying Aye. No

[1:06:39] stress. When was that OCTOBER

[1:06:45] 09:01pm.

[1:06:47] >> let's forget about my

[1:06:51] birthday week from today. You

[1:06:56] know, not not happen, but I

[1:06:56] will say this I know I'm

[1:06:57] always pushing the button on

[1:07:01] certain things.

[1:07:03] >> don't believe in for our

[1:07:04] organization. Community advise

[1:07:06] you to be affected. And a

[1:07:10] purpose here. We have to be in

[1:07:11] the pecking order like just

[1:07:15] like the planning board.

[1:07:16] Nothing goes to city council

[1:07:17] go through the planning board

[1:07:20] for you. And I know that

[1:07:21] legislative they kind of have

[1:07:26] to do that. There's no reason

[1:07:26] for them to have to do with

[1:07:32] this with I don't believe how

[1:07:34] do you advise Packed after

[1:07:35] they've already decided to do

[1:07:36] a project. That is not the way

[1:07:42] works. We need to be able and

[1:07:44] staff. I know you are doing on

[1:07:45] him. But John need to reviewed

[1:07:46] before goes to city Council

[1:07:53] for approval. And our is to

[1:07:55] and make recommendations to

[1:07:58] city Council. Well, 40

[1:08:00] project, not after they've

[1:08:00] already awarded someone and

[1:08:02] they are going to do it. It's

[1:08:04] a wasted effort to do it that

[1:08:11] way. I'm going to my

[1:08:12] representative and I'm talking

[1:08:15] to the mayor and talk to city

[1:08:17] Myself about making sure that

[1:08:17] that take place and it to

[1:08:23] happen. By order to the city

[1:08:25] council because we don't have

[1:08:27] a federal grant regulation or

[1:08:27] state regulations turning them

[1:08:28] to do it. They the planning

[1:08:33] board. But city can make it a

[1:08:34] part of prerequisites in order

[1:08:37] for project to be approved.

[1:08:38] And I think we need to fight

[1:08:43] for that. I think I'm talking

[1:08:44] about a pie here. I think

[1:08:45] everybody get if we want to

[1:08:49] give goodbyes, we grew. Is our

[1:08:51] job to review these projects

[1:08:52] and give recommendations as

[1:08:56] know, get 2 city councilmen.

[1:08:57] They make their decision

[1:08:59] ratify or not. The project or

[1:09:03] not. You plan. They put their

[1:09:04] with it just like the planning

[1:09:06] board to put.

[1:09:07] >> I agree. And I think we've

[1:09:08] heard you and time we're

[1:09:12] getting better. I mean, this.

[1:09:16] This you one thing many people

[1:09:17] they over call. We're getting

[1:09:18] one of the first update, is

[1:09:19] it? If you want question with

[1:09:25] go out for pd. It's going to

[1:09:27] not. I think hasn't point

[1:09:28] hasn't yet what I'm trying to

[1:09:29] get as is, where makes the

[1:09:30] actual difference and the

[1:09:31] project has not forward. If we

[1:09:34] don't get that when it goes

[1:09:38] with purchasing, put out an or

[1:09:38] somebody bring in development

[1:09:41] request to the city of Fort

[1:09:42] Myers. Minute the community

[1:09:42] development department get

[1:09:47] that it puts up a process.

[1:09:48] They do it every views and

[1:09:49] everything, but also use that

[1:09:52] to the planning board

[1:09:55] dependent ratified does ratify

[1:09:56] whatever plan change we need

[1:09:58] to be with the planning board

[1:09:59] we get to review and make

[1:09:59] recommendation is that they

[1:10:01] get better as we committed.

[1:10:03] >> On that budget to the city

[1:10:04] council. So when making a

[1:10:05] decision to either do it or

[1:10:09] not, do it, they have all the

[1:10:10] information that we provide as

[1:10:12] what the planning board does.

[1:10:16] And there was only codes for

[1:10:18] on building. Great have done

[1:10:20] that. We need to be in more. I

[1:10:25] don't disagree. Lee, but

[1:10:28] >> it's going to take us what

[1:10:29] you said. Jumping up and down

[1:10:31] immediately numbers that we do

[1:10:32] appreciate happened at Bza to

[1:10:34] keep things going. Didn't have

[1:10:34] time.

[1:10:36] >> On the larger projects,

[1:10:38] we're not going how we talking

[1:10:43] about is international?

[1:10:46] Midtown yet for midtown job

[1:10:48] North project present things

[1:10:49] we need to see before they go

[1:10:51] before council ratified and we

[1:10:54] need to give them up would be

[1:10:54] very thankful for You know,

[1:11:00] the positive note. This is

[1:11:01] okay. But we're concerned

[1:11:02] about there's whatever that

[1:11:02] might let them know what we

[1:11:05] think. Is that a bad I would

[1:11:06] agree, but it's incumbent upon

[1:11:09] each one of us, too. If

[1:11:10] there's something that we need

[1:11:13] to take a look at to make sure

[1:11:13] that we have them to the

[1:11:16] agenda. We get them here.

[1:11:17] >> So potentially we're going

[1:11:19] to try to have Joe or come for

[1:11:22] the news press.

[1:11:23] >> If there's anything else

[1:11:27] that you all see, recall Adam,

[1:11:28] when we had one for next week.

[1:11:28] Yeah, that's an important one.

[1:11:34] You know. So anyway they did

[1:11:34] on that. That would agree with

[1:11:39] you, We're going to have to be

[1:11:41] very diligent in making sure

[1:11:43] that we see this stuff and

[1:11:48] >> Stephen, talk about that

[1:11:50] What's out there that's taking

[1:11:52] shape that really needs to get

[1:11:56] And they have best.

[1:11:57] >> Although think will be

[1:12:02] relevant if only I mean, look

[1:12:03] at these projects make your

[1:12:08] recommendation. Why are you

[1:12:09] doing do? And we have presence

[1:12:14] over call Well, no

[1:12:15] accountability for tax breaks

[1:12:16] things like that. We've talked

[1:12:23] about. Steve. For a few years

[1:12:26] and before that, we didn't

[1:12:28] really have anybody that we We

[1:12:31] have for a one. The right you

[1:12:32] know, is no that's really

[1:12:33] going that.

[1:12:37] >> For What, 4, 5 years get a

[1:12:40] city somebody and they used to

[1:12:41] others that we recommend that

[1:12:44] because we couldn't do it. We

[1:12:45] also push for that part of

[1:12:47] master plan update. We've done

[1:12:48] some some think it's

[1:12:51] well-known economic

[1:12:52] development plan yeah, I mean,

[1:12:54] we're we're making progress.

[1:12:55] We are on the really big

[1:12:57] picture things

[1:12:58] >> You know, that's important.

[1:13:00] So, Caitlin, just I found that

[1:13:02] it was Florida Land, 19 city.

[1:13:03] So we're number 20 in the

[1:13:08] country of toppling pounds.

[1:13:09] >> And it's basically said by

[1:13:10] on they mention Palm Coast,

[1:13:12] North Port Palm Bay in Fort

[1:13:13] Myers, based on housing

[1:13:15] workforce and that economic

[1:13:16] growth. Those were the

[1:13:20] criteria for this. Public

[1:13:24] nations that send you the

[1:13:25] we'll send it to think it's by

[1:13:27] smartasset's top 75 pounds.

[1:13:29] But everyone around the

[1:13:29] country, it said that it is

[1:13:34] the former's major. 20 Bill

[1:13:35] Downs years to be better This

[1:13:38] is the country I rated much

[1:13:41] higher than that.

[1:13:45] >> we one to, you know, we for

[1:13:46] what category growth growth

[1:13:49] and Development House all that

[1:13:53] stuff. Well, take up 20 in the

[1:13:53] country. That's not to to bit

[1:13:55] better when we were what

[1:13:56] think. Those close are they to

[1:13:59] get them? I think part of

[1:14:10] economy.

[1:14:11] >> What my concern is, what

[1:14:15] amendment 3 and the I was

[1:14:16] going affect disabilities

[1:14:16] board for 3 years. And I see

[1:14:21] that it's very hard to. Get

[1:14:24] things done with that. That's

[1:14:25] abundance revenue coming We're

[1:14:26] going to be having shortfalls

[1:14:29] if this past. Much more

[1:14:30] difficult it's going to be for

[1:14:34] us actually move that the that

[1:14:35] they questioned me. That's a

[1:14:37] great for me. And I know they

[1:14:38] just got a 2% for the first

[1:14:39] series was going to next year

[1:14:40] because of the forecast and

[1:14:45] the losing the tax revenues us

[1:14:45] one of my concerns city. I

[1:14:48] didn't want to say that. You

[1:14:52] know, but it's like reality is

[1:14:54] will they know? Yeah, I think,

[1:14:56] you know, everybody with

[1:14:57] government or any government

[1:14:58] where the fact the people vote

[1:15:02] for that.

[1:15:02] >> The impact that it's going

[1:15:06] to have every. Service we

[1:15:12] enjoy community. And I was 10

[1:15:14] and some people it. So you ok

[1:15:14] where you will it will bring

[1:15:21] trash. And take it to feel for

[1:15:24] you when you got for them city

[1:15:25] can no longer be ready if

[1:15:27] asked to go. For you have to

[1:15:34] pay for you Well, they charge,

[1:15:38] you problem with the to what

[1:15:40] regular services and the look

[1:15:41] on that services that we

[1:15:42] talked about losing if they

[1:15:43] could. Fact, this is a night

[1:15:44] game. Well, there could be

[1:15:48] more fees. I mean.

[1:15:49] >> Cape Coral, hr to rental

[1:15:49] anyone rent a property. They

[1:15:52] charge a yearly fee city of

[1:15:53] Fort Myers doesn't do that.

[1:15:54] Maybe they're going to have to

[1:15:55] start that. And I don't want

[1:15:57] to do that. I have Airbnb. But

[1:16:00] if that's what it takes, you

[1:16:01] know, to fill the gap a little

[1:16:02] other ways, maybe the city's

[1:16:05] can tighten up some of their

[1:16:06] our contracts. We talked about

[1:16:10] 3rd party. Companies to

[1:16:12] consult to look at large

[1:16:13] projects to see where they can

[1:16:13] value engineer project because

[1:16:16] I'm in that business. I'm

[1:16:16] saying I don't believe all of

[1:16:20] that hype about. Losing

[1:16:21] everything. You services. That

[1:16:24] is my opinion. In there.

[1:16:29] People can serve as a writer.

[1:16:29] I know already not. But is it

[1:16:30] time think

[1:16:34] >> That means in the hole.

[1:16:34] That's without that. That is

[1:16:36] without What what is it with

[1:16:43] that? There's a range seen it.

[1:16:43] The 20 million or something

[1:16:46] that I'm

[1:16:47] >> I thought so. Lee County

[1:16:50] and for the county. It's

[1:16:55] something like that. Think

[1:17:01] issue. Need use follow It's

[1:17:04] the only man saving, you back

[1:17:13] you got Well, me go home. Are

[1:17:16] jobs tax and can here Fort

[1:17:16] Myers, everything that we have

[1:17:17] way you pay and where want to

[1:17:24] give and your taxes? And you

[1:17:27] can avoid act is profit home

[1:17:27] and would think

[1:17:30] >> real life And I'm concerned

[1:17:37] about lime mad But 280 people

[1:17:43] being one. I worry that they

[1:17:46] can't what we We regulate the

[1:17:46] campaign ward and what they

[1:17:51] regulate pay. You know,

[1:17:51] federal government but as we

[1:17:54] worked, but the point that and

[1:17:57] it is I wasn't about that, the

[1:18:00] bar those tables and companies

[1:18:02] and then they go about it is.

[1:18:07] And they came to obtain. Got

[1:18:09] to a Greek isn't about and

[1:18:10] they got how they want to

[1:18:12] mention excessive. Gimme,

[1:18:17] Gimme That. 100 Tents I didn't

[1:18:18] like that in Israel. Oil. The

[1:18:21] opening minutes. Trade.

[1:18:21] >> for new members of this

[1:18:25] group.

[1:18:27] >> percentage of the workers

[1:18:31] in the city of where death

[1:18:34] veteran of force most of

[1:18:35] >> just have be very, very

[1:18:39] small percent. And a police do

[1:18:47] it. It's for I do notice.

[1:18:48] >> As you know, a lot of new

[1:18:50] affordable housing projects.

[1:18:53] Come up in the last 2 years.

[1:19:05] PRESIDENT. Time army money.

[1:19:05] We'll be looking at past

[1:19:06] things and all that no paid

[1:19:08] that on. Section a program

[1:19:14] that. Section and that same

[1:19:17] people we talked you know,

[1:19:24] know. You call them that

[1:19:25] because just hoping that get

[1:19:27] stuff done.

[1:19:28] >> If this thing passed go get

[1:19:34] it. That the stuff that I've

[1:19:34] over Well, think to your

[1:19:44] point. Threw this out road I

[1:19:45] >> Pretty sure it's going to

[1:19:48] pass because people, you know,

[1:19:53] the idea of not paying taxes

[1:19:53] really.

[1:19:54] >> it's exciting. And the side

[1:19:57] of

[1:20:03] >> they provide any examples.

[1:20:10] You know how hero.

[1:20:10] >> you know, and think this

[1:20:11] Kyra trees down and they're

[1:20:12] already planning that.

[1:20:14] >> Prepare for that. Let's

[1:20:15] remember the voters that

[1:20:17] passed the general obligation

[1:20:21] the part of that, raining

[1:20:22] million dollars. And that

[1:20:22] means they were. So that's

[1:20:23] that's point out. Some of the

[1:20:28] positives. For that sure. Will

[1:20:29] hear. And doing Shady Oaks

[1:20:33] Parton this, you know.

[1:20:33] >> It is. Problem is there's

[1:20:35] not nation. Cause effect this

[1:20:42] and then a Then movement

[1:20:44] community is. Mentioned,

[1:20:47] everyone going The goats, it

[1:20:51] was service human is going to

[1:20:56] be because the same thing. So

[1:20:57] could lead to a lot stuff that

[1:21:07] people just not JULY. It

[1:21:08] sounds great. I mean, hey,

[1:21:09] listen, I don't paying safer

[1:21:10] service. You know, I've heard

[1:21:13] over and over essential

[1:21:13] services will not get with a

[1:21:14] with their with

[1:21:18] >> Watch it.

[1:21:21] >> you on way we can bring

[1:21:24] back.

[1:21:33] >> But as a series. For any

[1:21:34] other comments. Anything else

[1:21:37] for the good of you are?

[1:21:45] Motion to adjourn. So?

[1:21:46] >> Well, that's the with

[1:21:46] overnight. Will didn't get

[1:22:03] that. Thank you all.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD - Sep 3rd, 2026

Agenda

Transcript