1 00:00:00,334 --> 00:00:06,039 >> MAYOR: WELCOME, EVERYONE, TO THIS GENERAL POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING FOR THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE CITY COMMISSION ON 2 00:00:06,039 --> 00:00:13,714 THIS THURSDAY MARCH 28th, 2024. GLAD TO HAVE YOU ALL WITH US. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF TOPICS TO 3 00:00:13,714 --> 00:00:17,751 GET THROUGH. WE HAVE VISITORS FROM OUT OF TOWN WITH US. GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL. 4 00:00:17,751 --> 00:00:23,223 WE WILL GET THINGS MOVING IN AN EXPEDITED FASHION. MADAM CLERK. >> MR. MAYOR, WE HAVE THE 5 00:00:23,223 --> 00:00:26,493 ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> MAYOR: SO I WOULD ASK -- 6 00:00:26,493 --> 00:00:36,470 THANK YOU FOR THE MOTION AND THE SECOND. THE ITEM NUMBER 2024-278, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT STAFF IS 7 00:00:36,470 --> 00:00:43,810 NOT GOING TO PURSUE THAT TODAY IF WE COULD TAKE THAT OFF, PLEASE. >> I'M HAPPY TO MAKE THAT 8 00:00:43,810 --> 00:00:47,514 AMENDMENT. AND THAT'S GOOD. I DID WANT TO HAVE A LITTLE SIT-DOWN WITH STAFF TO FIGURE 9 00:00:47,514 --> 00:00:52,819 OUT MORE OF WHAT THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THAT WERE BEFORE GIVING DIRECTION, SO I THINK THAT'S GREAT. 10 00:00:52,819 --> 00:00:57,624 >> MAYOR: OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. 11 00:00:57,624 --> 00:01:00,694 [AYES] ANY OPPOSED? THANK YOU. WE HAVE AN AGENDA. 12 00:01:00,694 --> 00:01:04,331 MADAM CLERK. >> YES. WE HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES. 13 00:01:04,331 --> 00:01:07,401 >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> MAYOR: MOTION AND SECOND TO ADOPT THE MINUTES AS 14 00:01:07,401 --> 00:01:11,104 DISTRIBUTED. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. [AYES] ANY OPPOSED? 15 00:01:11,104 --> 00:01:17,144 ALL RIGHT. THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY AS WELL. >> MR. MAYOR, WE MOVE ON TO OUR DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR THE 16 00:01:17,144 --> 00:01:27,854 AFTERNOON. 2024-297 DISCUSSION ITEM FOR THE GAINESVILLE REGIONAL UTILITIES POTENTIAL REFERENDUM WITH A 17 00:01:27,854 --> 00:01:32,125 RECOMMENDATION THE CITY COMMISSION DISCUSS THE GAINESVILLE REGIONAL UTILITIES POTENTIAL REFERENDUM AND TAKE 18 00:01:32,125 --> 00:01:37,497 THE APPROPRIATE ACTION. >> MAYOR: AT THE LAST MEETING, OF COURSE, WE DIRECTED THE CITY ATTORNEY TO WORK ON AN ORDINANCE 19 00:01:37,497 --> 00:01:47,674 THAT WOULD AT THE REQUEST OF THE COMMUNITY BRING FORTH A BALLOT INITIATIVE TO CHANGE GOVERNANCE OF GAINESVILLE REGIONAL 20 00:01:47,674 --> 00:01:53,714 UTILITIES. THERE WAS INTEREST AT THAT MEETING TO HAVE SOME OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCUSSION. 21 00:01:53,714 --> 00:02:02,289 THAT'S WHAT THIS IS. ANYBODY -- WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO PRESENT. BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT 22 00:02:02,289 --> 00:02:08,528 WE HAD OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE TO BE HEARD BEGINNING NOW. THIS WILL BE A LONG PROCESS AS 23 00:02:08,528 --> 00:02:17,270 WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD. I DON'T EXPECT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN QUICKLY. THERE IS A TIMETABLE IF WE 24 00:02:17,270 --> 00:02:27,247 WANTED TO BE ON A BALLOT THIS FALL. BUT WE ARE -- WE ARE HERE FOR FOLKS TO ASK QUESTIONS AND SAY 25 00:02:27,247 --> 00:02:33,153 THINGS. COMMISSIONER BOOK. >> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. NO FURTHER DISCUSSION FROM ME. 26 00:02:33,153 --> 00:02:45,966 THIS IS MORE JUST TO SEE IF -- SINCE JUST A VERY SHORT TIME AGO FROM THE ATTORNEY, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE WE MAY HAVE 27 00:02:45,966 --> 00:02:51,138 GLEANED OR LEARNED AS A RESULT OF OUR DISCUSSION THE OTHER NIGHT? >> MAYOR: MR. ATTORNEY. 28 00:02:51,138 --> 00:02:56,943 >> I'M NOT AWARE BUT I'M NOT AWARE WHAT YOU ARE ASKING ABOUT. ARE THERE QUESTIONS? >> IT IS KIND OF VAGUE, TRYING 29 00:02:56,943 --> 00:03:02,549 TO BE DELIBERATELY VAGUE. >> NOTHING HAS CHANGED. >> REALLY, HAS THERE BEEN ANY RESEARCH IN THAT SHORT AMOUNT OF 30 00:03:02,549 --> 00:03:09,890 TIME THAT INDICATES -- CAN WE PURSUE THINGS? IS THERE CODIFIED LANGUAGE THAT WOULD CAUSE US PROBLEMS? 31 00:03:09,890 --> 00:03:15,028 ANYTHING IN THE LEGAL REALM AT THE STATE LEVEL OR LOCAL LEVEL THAT MIGHT BE IMPORTANT TO SHARE? 32 00:03:15,028 --> 00:03:22,035 >> THANK YOU. I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY IMPEDIMENTS TO THE COMMISSION UNDER CHAPTER 166 GOING FORWARD WITH A 33 00:03:22,035 --> 00:03:31,645 PROPOSED BALLOT REFERENDUM THAT WOULD SIMPLY AMEND ITS CHARTER EVEN TO THE EXTENT THAT IT AMENDED GOVERNING STRUCTURE SET 34 00:03:31,645 --> 00:03:41,421 FORTH IN THE CHARTER BY REFERENDUM. SO ACCORDINGLY, WITH THE DIRECTION GIVEN, I REACHED OUT 35 00:03:41,421 --> 00:03:47,527 TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OFFICE ASKING FOR THE DEADLINES SO WE CAN START TO PUT TOGETHER A TIMELINE. 36 00:03:47,527 --> 00:03:55,769 THE DEADLINES BEING I THINK PRIMARILY -- AND THERE MAY BE MORE. WHEN THE TIME FRAME IS THAT WE'D 37 00:03:55,769 --> 00:04:04,778 HAVE TO NOTIFY THE SUPERVISOR'S OFFICE THAT THERE, IN FACT, WILL BE A BALLOT REFERENDUM. THEY ARE GENERALLY ALL THE SAME 38 00:04:04,778 --> 00:04:12,085 SORT OF SIZE, THERE'S 75-WORD LIMIT AND SO FORTH. THAT ALLOWS THE SUPERVISOR TO ADD THE PAPER AND PREPARE FOR 39 00:04:12,085 --> 00:04:18,792 THE PAGES THAT WILL BE NEEDED FOR THE BALLOT. AND I HAVE ASKED FOR THAT DEADLINE FOR BOTH THE AUGUST AND 40 00:04:18,792 --> 00:04:25,232 NOVEMBER BALLOTS COMING UP SO THAT THOSE ARE OPTIONS THAT CAN BE DISCUSSED BY OUR COMMISSION. THE OTHER DEADLINES THAT I'M 41 00:04:25,232 --> 00:04:33,440 AWARE OF THAT WE'LL NEED TO GET FROM THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS' OFFICE IS WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE ACTUAL BALLOT 42 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:39,679 LANGUAGE. THAT LANGUAGE WILL BE A PART OF OUR ORDINANCE THAT THE COMMISSION WERE TO PASS, OF 43 00:04:39,679 --> 00:04:47,454 COURSE. BUT THE DEADLINE TO TRANSMIT THE LANGUAGE TO THE SUPERVISOR, NOT ONLY WITH THE SPANISH LANGUAGE 44 00:04:47,454 --> 00:04:57,597 TRANSLATION AND SO FORTH, SO THOSE SORT OF STEPS ALONG THE WAY -- AND I'M NOT AWARE OF THE PUBLISHING DEADLINES ONCE THE 45 00:04:57,597 --> 00:05:04,371 ORDINANCE IS PASSED THAT ARE REQUIRED BY STATUTE. AND WE HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO MEET. 46 00:05:04,371 --> 00:05:11,478 THEY HAD AN ELECTION LAST WEEK OBVIOUSLY, THE COUNTY WIDE ELECTION. SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TIME, 47 00:05:11,478 --> 00:05:22,556 I'LL SIT DOWN WITH HER STAFF AND FIND OUT THAT BASIC INFORMATION. BEYOND THAT, IT'S NOT A DIFFICULT ORDINANCE TO DRAFT 48 00:05:22,556 --> 00:05:29,129 ONCE WE ARE ENTIRELY CERTAIN THE DIRECTION THE COMMISSION WANTS TO GO INTO. THAT SUBSTANTIVE DISCUSSION WILL 49 00:05:29,129 --> 00:05:34,234 BE SET BY THE COMMISSION. AS YOU KNOW, WE DON'T SET POLICY AND ENFORCE POLICY. RIGHT NOW THE DIRECTION THAT WE 50 00:05:34,234 --> 00:05:40,607 ARE GIVEN IS TO DRAFT A CHARTER -- AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD CALL FOR ANY BALLOT REFERENDUM FOR A CHARTER 51 00:05:40,607 --> 00:05:48,281 AMENDMENT THAT STRIKES ARTICLE 7 FROM OUR CHARTER. OF COURSE, ARTICLE 7 WAS BROUGHT INTO BEING BY THE SPECIAL ACT OF 52 00:05:48,281 --> 00:05:57,958 THE LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR. AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE PREPARING TO DO AND THEN TO PUT FORTH BALLOT LANGUAGE. 53 00:05:57,958 --> 00:06:03,864 HOPEFULLY WE CAN BRING TO YOU SOME OPTIONS WITH THE BALLOT LANGUAGE COULD BE. IT'S ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO SORT OF 54 00:06:03,864 --> 00:06:09,336 WORDSMITH THAT FROM THE DAIS, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE END UP HAVING TO DO GENERALLY. AND THAT'S WHAT WE WILL 55 00:06:09,336 --> 00:06:17,210 CERTAINLY HAVE THE OPTION TO DO. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO BRING LANGUAGE FORWARD TO YOU IN THAT REGARD. 56 00:06:17,210 --> 00:06:27,621 SO NOTHING NEW. WE NEED TO DO SOME RESEARCH IN THE AREA. I DON'T SEE ANY IMPEDIMENTS TO 57 00:06:27,621 --> 00:06:35,629 PROCEEDING DOWN THAT ROAD TO PUT THIS MATTER AT THE DIRECTION OF THE COMMISSION BEFORE THE ELECTORATE. 58 00:06:35,629 --> 00:06:42,402 AS LONG AS YOUR DIRECTION SUBSTANTIVELY STAYS CONSISTENT, WE'LL BE ABLE TO PREPARE THAT ORDINANCE AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO 59 00:06:42,402 --> 00:06:49,109 REPORT BACK HOPEFULLY RELATIVELY SOON ABOUT OUR DEADLINES. THE COMMISSION WILL ALSO WANT TO DISCUSS WHETHER YOU ARE 60 00:06:49,109 --> 00:06:58,218 AIMING -- AND PROBABLY LET YOU KNOW THE DEADLINES, WHETHER AUGUST OR NOVEMBER. CHAPTER 166.01 SAYS A REFERENDUM 61 00:06:58,218 --> 00:07:03,790 RESULTING IN SUCH AN ORDINANCE WILL GO ON THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION OR SPECIAL ELECTION CALLED FOR THAT PURPOSE. 62 00:07:03,790 --> 00:07:14,401 THE GENERAL ELECTION IS SORT OF A TERM OF ART IN STATUTE ABOUT THE ELECTION IN NOVEMBER. THE ELECTION IN AUGUST IS 63 00:07:14,401 --> 00:07:26,112 PRIMARY BUT I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING THAT WOULD PREVENT YOU FROM CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION COINCIDING. 64 00:07:26,112 --> 00:07:37,190 SO WE WANT TO COOPERATE AND GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE SUPERVISOR TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN PROCEED IN AN ORDERLY 65 00:07:37,190 --> 00:07:43,730 FASHION. SO YES, THAT'S IT. WE WILL WORK TOWARDS WHETHER YOU WANT TO GO AUGUST OR NOVEMBER. 66 00:07:43,730 --> 00:07:52,505 WE'LL GET THE DEADLINES OF WHAT'S POSSIBLE. AND THEN YOU'LL DECIDE WHETHER YOU ARE SET ON THE SUBSTANCE OF 67 00:07:52,505 --> 00:07:59,312 WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO PROPOSE TO THE VOTERS. >> SO, SEE, THERE WAS SOME FEEDBACK. 68 00:07:59,312 --> 00:08:06,419 [LAUGHTER] THE ONE COMMENT THAT I WOULD HAVE IS IN THE SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, SINCE IT'S COME UP, ALL 69 00:08:06,419 --> 00:08:13,560 THE FEEDBACK WHETHER IT'S IN-PERSON OR VIA EMAIL HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF A BALLOT INITIATIVE THAT DEALS WITH THE 70 00:08:13,560 --> 00:08:16,396 REFERENDUM. SO THAT'S IT. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU, 71 00:08:16,396 --> 00:08:23,069 COMMISSIONER BOOK. BEFORE I GO ON TO THE OTHER LIGHTS, I WOULD SAY THAT FROM A PROCESS VIEWPOINT, IF WE HAVE 72 00:08:23,069 --> 00:08:31,177 ANY -- IF ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY HAS QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, THEN THE PEOPLE TO ROUTE THOSE THROUGH ARE 73 00:08:31,177 --> 00:08:37,617 INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS. FOR INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS, THE ROUTE THROUGH IS TO THE CITY ATTORNEY PRIOR TO SOMETHING, YOU 74 00:08:37,617 --> 00:08:45,058 KNOW, TO THE ORDINANCE, DRAFT ORDINANCE BEING CREATED IF IT MOVES IN THAT DIRECTION. AND CERTAINLY, THE ONLY TIME WE 75 00:08:45,058 --> 00:08:55,735 ARE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT IT AS A GROUP IS THEN AT MEETINGS. I AM INCLINED BY THE WAY TO AT LEAST AT GENERAL POLICY MEETINGS 76 00:08:55,735 --> 00:09:02,642 FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS CONTINUE TO MAKE THIS AN ITEM SHOULD THINGS COME UP, A STANDING ITEM. 77 00:09:02,642 --> 00:09:09,849 THE WAY WE DID IT LAST YEAR WITH GRU SO THAT IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY ALREADY SCHEDULED TO 78 00:09:09,849 --> 00:09:16,322 DISCUSS THEM. COMMISSIONER CHESTNUT. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. 79 00:09:16,322 --> 00:09:26,499 I WOULD ASK IF THE ATTORNEY COULD RETURN TO US ON APRIL 4th WITH A SCHEDULE. AND ON THAT SCHEDULE INCLUDE 80 00:09:26,499 --> 00:09:37,343 YOUR TIMELINE AND YOUR PATH FOR AN ORDINANCE. INCLUDE THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS' DEADLINE FOR A BALLOT 81 00:09:37,343 --> 00:09:48,721 INITIATIVE. AND IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE GENERAL ELECTION FOR THE CITY IS IN AUGUST. 82 00:09:48,721 --> 00:09:54,561 IT'S NOT? IT IS NOT? YOU ARE SAYING NO? >> THE CITY HAS A REGULAR 83 00:09:54,561 --> 00:10:01,234 ELECTION IN AUGUST AND A RUNOFF ELECTION IN -- >> NOVEMBER. >> NOVEMBER. 84 00:10:01,234 --> 00:10:08,341 GENERAL ELECTION IS A TERM REFERRED TO IN STATUTES AS THE NOVEMBER ELECTION WITH THEIR PRIMARY ELECTION IN AUGUST. 85 00:10:08,341 --> 00:10:16,783 AGAIN, AS LONG AS THE TIMELINE DOESN'T INTERFERE WITH THE ABILITY OF THE SUPERVISOR TO CARRY OUT HER CONSTITUTIONAL 86 00:10:16,783 --> 00:10:22,489 DUTIES, I THINK BOTH DATES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU. IT WOULD JUST BE A MATTER OF WHETHER YOU'D HAVE TO BASICALLY 87 00:10:22,489 --> 00:10:29,796 CALL FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION THAT COINCIDED WITH THE PRIMARY ELECTION. >> DO YOU THINK YOU COULD RETURN 88 00:10:29,796 --> 00:10:36,269 BY APRIL 4th WITH A SCHEDULE, A TENTATIVE SCHEDULE SO WE CAN BEGIN TO LOOK AT WHERE WE WANT TO GO? 89 00:10:36,269 --> 00:10:44,277 >> MY PLAN HAS BEEN AND REMAINS THAT AS SOON AS I HEAR THOSE DATES, TO TURN IT AROUND TO YOU PROBABLY IN MEMO FORM, JUST SO 90 00:10:44,277 --> 00:10:54,621 YOU CAN HAVE IT TO HOLD AND LOOK INTO. AGAIN, CERTAINLY COMMIT TO GET THAT TO YOU, WHETHER THERE'S A 91 00:10:54,621 --> 00:10:58,992 MEETING OR NOT. OBVIOUSLY THE NEXT MEETING YOU COULD DISCUSS THAT AS A GROUP, BUT I CAN GET THAT TIMELINE TO 92 00:10:58,992 --> 00:11:04,664 YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AS SOON AS IT'S AVAILABLE. >> HOPEFULLY BY APRIL 4th. >> I HOPE IT'S BY THIS 93 00:11:04,664 --> 00:11:11,437 AFTERNOON. [LAUGHTER] >> BECAUSE I HAVE TO WORK FROM A SCHEDULE. 94 00:11:11,437 --> 00:11:20,346 AND SO THE LONGER WE SAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND THIS AND THAT, IT SORT OF IS KIND OF NEBULOUS. BUT I THINK IF WE CAN KNOW WHAT 95 00:11:20,346 --> 00:11:25,585 DATES AND WHAT TIMES WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS, IT GIVES US A BETTER IDEA. >> I AGREE. 96 00:11:25,585 --> 00:11:29,322 >> OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU, 97 00:11:29,322 --> 00:11:35,895 COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER EASTMAN. >> WE HAVE A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND, OF COURSE, 98 00:11:35,895 --> 00:11:39,832 THAT ARE INTERESTED IN MOVING THIS FORWARD. THEN OBVIOUSLY THIS WILL BE A BIG COMMUNITY DISCUSSION. 99 00:11:39,832 --> 00:11:47,473 MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE IF WE COULD, IF WE ARE ALL COMFORTABLE WITH THE BALLOT LANGUAGE AND COMFORTABLE WITH KIND OF THE 100 00:11:47,473 --> 00:11:54,514 STRUCTURE OF IT -- WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD, SAY, LIKE AT THE APRIL 18th GENERAL POLICY -- CITY 101 00:11:54,514 --> 00:12:01,220 COMMISSION MEETING WITH AN ORDINANCE READING? OR WOULD THAT BE TOO SOON? >> NO. 102 00:12:01,220 --> 00:12:06,459 I WOULD EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO BRING BACK TO YOU A COMPLETED ORDINANCE BY THEN. THE QUESTION IS, ARE YOU GOING 103 00:12:06,459 --> 00:12:18,171 TO WANT -- IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT TO HAVE FIRST READING OF THE ORDINANCE WITH PUBLISHING REQUIREMENTS. 104 00:12:18,171 --> 00:12:23,343 THERE'S A LEAD TIME. AND I THINK WE USE THE "GAINESVILLE SUN" LESS THAN WE USED TO. 105 00:12:23,343 --> 00:12:28,915 THEY ARE REQUIRING LESS THAN SEVEN DAYS. WITH MAIN STREET, THERE IS SHORTER OF A LEAD TIME. 106 00:12:28,915 --> 00:12:35,021 WE ARE COMING UP ON THAT ALREADY. SO CERTAINLY -- [INAUDIBLE] 107 00:12:35,021 --> 00:12:44,998 WELL, THE 18th OF APRIL WOULD REQUIRE PUBLICATION FOR FIRST READING BY THE 8th OF APRIL WHICH WOULD REQUIRE GETTING IT 108 00:12:44,998 --> 00:12:52,939 TO -- SAY IF WE WERE UNDER THE MODEL OF THE "GAINESVILLE SUN" BY APRIL 1st. DOES THAT SOUND -- MONDAY. 109 00:12:52,939 --> 00:13:03,783 >> MAYOR: THAT'S MONDAY. >> SO AGAIN, WHAT I THINK IS PROBABLY MORE REALISTIC IS TO BRING TO YOU, IF YOU DESIRE, A 110 00:13:03,783 --> 00:13:15,595 DRAFT OF WHAT WILL BE ADVERTISED AT THE APRIL 18th AND THEN WE COULD AT THAT POINT PERHAPS EVEN ADVERTISE. 111 00:13:15,595 --> 00:13:22,602 I HATE TO ADVERTISE EVEN THE TITLE UNTIL YOU HAVE THE FINISHED ORDINANCE PREPARED. WE COULD THEN ACHIEVE DIRECTION, 112 00:13:22,602 --> 00:13:30,710 ADVERTISE IT FOR THE NEXT MEETING IF THAT'S FEASIBLE. >> OKAY. SO WE'D BE LOOKING AT I GUESS 113 00:13:30,710 --> 00:13:39,786 MAY. >> THE CALENDAR. >> MAYOR: THE FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY IN MAY. 114 00:13:39,786 --> 00:13:47,126 >> ALL RIGHT. THE FIRST THURSDAY IN MAY. AND THEN AS IT RELATES TO LANGUAGE, I GUESS IF WE HAVE 115 00:13:47,126 --> 00:13:53,199 IDEAS, CAN WE SEND THAT TO YOU? OR IF ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY HAS IDEAS FOR WHAT THAT LANGUAGE WOULD LOOK LIKE, IS THAT THE 116 00:13:53,199 --> 00:14:00,873 EASIEST WAY TO SORT OF BRING BACK OPTIONS? AS YOU SAID, HATE TO HAVE TO WORDSMITH UP HERE HOW WE WOULD 117 00:14:00,873 --> 00:14:07,113 LIKE TO DO. >> YEAH, I THINK, AS THE MAYOR INDICATED, I THINK OBVIOUSLY ANY SUGGESTIONS WE WOULD RECEIVE 118 00:14:07,113 --> 00:14:13,653 FROM THE COMMISSION IS GOING TO HELP US BRING BACK ALTERNATIVES TO YOU. WE WOULDN'T HOLD AN OPEN 119 00:14:13,653 --> 00:14:18,691 SOLICITATION OF INPUT FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THAT MIGHT MORE APPROPRIATELY FILTER THROUGH YOU. 120 00:14:18,691 --> 00:14:26,365 ULTIMATELY OUR GOAL IS TO TRY TO DRAFT AN ORDINANCE THAT MEETS YOUR DIRECTIONS AND THAT MEETS YOUR SATISFACTION AS A BODY. 121 00:14:26,365 --> 00:14:32,171 SO YEAH, RESPECTFULLY, I WOULD AGREE WITH WHAT THE MAYOR SORT OF LED US TO. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INPUT TO 122 00:14:32,171 --> 00:14:38,845 YOU, YOU CERTAINLY SEND INPUT TO US. AND WE CAN ENGAGE ON A ONE-ON-ONE BASIS CERTAINLY 123 00:14:38,845 --> 00:14:44,984 WITHOUT SHARING IDEAS BACK AND FORTH. BUT ON A ONE-ON-ONE BASIS AS TO WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO CONVEY AND 124 00:14:44,984 --> 00:14:49,388 MAYBE THAT'S PART OF WHAT WE PRESENT BACK WITH PROPOSED LANGUAGE. AND THEN Y'ALL CAN CHAMPION 125 00:14:49,388 --> 00:14:54,227 WHICHEVER ONES THAT YOU PREFER. THAT'S THE DIFFICULTY WITH ADVERTISING. THE BALLOT LANGUAGE IS PART OF 126 00:14:54,227 --> 00:15:01,234 THE ORDINANCE. SO IT'S DIFFICULT ADVERTISING IT BEFORE WE GET THE ORDINANCE SET BECAUSE I THINK IT'S FAIR THAT 127 00:15:01,234 --> 00:15:07,240 WHEN MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SEE AN ADVERTISED ORDINANCE, THEY ARE ABLE TO COME TO THE CLERK'S OFFICE AND SEE THE ENTIRE THING. 128 00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:16,682 IF IT'S STILL IN FLUX, IS IT REALLY PROPER NOTICE FOR THEM. IDEALLY WE'D HAVE EVERYTHING SET, INCLUDING THE BALLOT 129 00:15:16,682 --> 00:15:21,254 LANGUAGE. THEN ADVERTISE IT IN THE PAPER. AND THEN HAVE FIRST READING AFTER THAT. 130 00:15:21,254 --> 00:15:29,262 IT CAN BE A CUMBERSOME PROCESS. BUT THAT'S WHAT ENSURES ALL OF YOU ARE HEARD, ALL OF YOU HAVE INPUT AND ALL OF YOU TELL US 131 00:15:29,262 --> 00:15:33,199 EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT, ESPECIALLY ON SOMETHING SUCH AS A PROPOSED CHARTER REFERENDUM. >> RIGHT. 132 00:15:33,199 --> 00:15:40,440 I GUESS AS SOON AS WE GET THAT OUT, I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD JUST SO WE CAN BEGIN TO MOVE EVERYTHING WITH 133 00:15:40,440 --> 00:15:45,011 COMMUNITY INPUT, WITH ALL THE DISCUSSIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT HOW WE GO FORWARD FROM THIS. 134 00:15:45,011 --> 00:15:54,687 IF THAT'S THE TIMELINE, THEN I GUESS THAT WILL WORK FINE. >> THE FIRST STEP IS WHAT DIRECTION WE ARE GIVEN SO FAR, 135 00:15:54,687 --> 00:16:02,128 IT CAME UP AT A MEETING AS PART OF, YOU KNOW, YOUR DUTIES AND UNDER COMMISSION COMMENT -- IS THAT THE DIRECTION OF THE BODY 136 00:16:02,128 --> 00:16:07,600 AS A WHOLE? BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS, YOU KNOW, THAT THE CHARTER COULD BE AMENDED 137 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:16,709 EVEN WITHIN THIS SPHERE. SO IF THAT'S IT, THAT'S A VERY SIMPLE AMENDMENT, JUST ELIMINATING ARTICLE 7. 138 00:16:16,709 --> 00:16:24,917 IT SORT OF REVERTS US TO A WHILE AGO. BUT THAT'S FOR YOU TO DETERMINE AS THE POLICY SETTERS. 139 00:16:24,917 --> 00:16:34,093 >> I MEAN I DO -- I THINK THIS WAS KIND OF INSINUATED IN THE LAST ONE, AT THE LAST MEETING THAT I THINK THAT THERE IS A 140 00:16:34,093 --> 00:16:43,302 WILL FOR REFORM AT GRU, FOR US TO TALK ABOUT GOVERNANCE IN A MUCH BROADER WAY. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT -- BUT I 141 00:16:43,302 --> 00:16:49,909 PREFER THIS BALLOT LANGUAGE IS QUITE SIMPLE AND THEN WE CONTINUE THAT DISCUSSION AS TO, YOU KNOW, WHAT DOES GRU LOOK 142 00:16:49,909 --> 00:16:58,784 LIKE IN THE FUTURE. IS THERE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OR ORDINANCES THAT WE CAN PASS OURSELVES THAT MIGHT, YOU KNOW, 143 00:16:58,784 --> 00:17:09,829 STREAMLINE GOVERNANCE AND MAKE THINGS WORK? AS SIMPLE OF A PROCESS TO LET THE VOTERS DECIDE, I THINK 144 00:17:09,829 --> 00:17:13,332 THAT'S THE WAY TO GO. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER EASTMAN. COMMISSIONER WILLITS. 145 00:17:13,332 --> 00:17:20,806 >> MR. ATTORNEY, WHEN DO CHARTER AMENDMENTS GO INTO EFFECT WHEN THEY ARE FROM A BALLOT MEASURE LIKE THIS? 146 00:17:20,806 --> 00:17:28,781 >> IF APPROVED BY THE ELECTORATE, THEN THE RESULTS ARE CERTIFIED AT THE END OF THAT ELECTION. 147 00:17:28,781 --> 00:17:35,788 IT'S HOWEVER MANY DAYS AFTER THAT ELECTION. IT'S A BOARD PROCESS. SHORTLY AFTER THE ELECTION, THE 148 00:17:35,788 --> 00:17:43,129 RESULTS ARE CERTIFIED, REPORTED BACK TO THE COMMISSION. AND THEN PROVIDED TO -- THERE'S A STATE AGENCY. 149 00:17:43,129 --> 00:17:48,167 IT COULD BE EFFECTIVE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ELECTION. WITHIN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AFTER THE ELECTION. 150 00:17:48,167 --> 00:17:55,474 >> THAT SOMETHING WE HAVE TO PUT INTO THE ORDINANCE IF WE ARE SAYING DECEMBER 1st OR JANUARY 1st? 151 00:17:55,474 --> 00:18:00,313 >> PARDON. >> IS THAT SOMETHING WE PUT INTO THE ORDINANCE? SO, YOU KNOW, THE HOUSE BILL 152 00:18:00,313 --> 00:18:09,088 THAT HAD AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF JULY 1st, BUT THE BOARD ISN'T SEATED UNTIL OCTOBER 1st. AND I UNDERSTAND THAT'S LIKE A 153 00:18:09,088 --> 00:18:17,964 BUDGET YEAR. BUT IF THE VOTERS RETURNED GRU GOVERNANCE TO THE COMMISSION, DO WE SET THE DATE WE INTEND THAT? 154 00:18:17,964 --> 00:18:23,436 FOR JUST, YOU KNOW, EASE OF TRANSFER? OR DO WE SET IT -- >> MAYOR: IT CAN GO IN THE 155 00:18:23,436 --> 00:18:27,573 ORDINANCE. THE EFFECTIVE DATE. >> THE ORDINANCE WILL PROVIDE FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF IT. 156 00:18:27,573 --> 00:18:34,914 IT CAN BE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UPON ADOPTION AND THEN PROCEDURALLY I THINK 166.031, WHICH I THINK COMMISSIONER 157 00:18:34,914 --> 00:18:40,953 EASTMAN MAY HAVE PULLED UP THERE -- >> MR. CHAIRMAN. >> HE'S CHOMPING AT THE BIT. 158 00:18:40,953 --> 00:18:48,160 I THINK IT PROVIDES THAT WE SEND IT OFF TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE. SO UPON ADOPTION OF THE 159 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:53,566 AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER, THE MUNICIPALITY BY MAJORITY OF THE ELECTORS VOTING IN A REFERENDUM UPON SUCH AMENDMENT, THE 160 00:18:53,566 --> 00:18:58,604 GOVERNING BODY OF SAID MUNICIPALITY SHALL HAVE THE AMENDMENT INCORPORATED INTO THE CHARTER AND SHALL FILE THE 161 00:18:58,604 --> 00:19:08,147 REVISED CHARTER. [INAUDIBLE] WHEREAS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THE CHARTER. 162 00:19:08,147 --> 00:19:15,688 >> I JUST KIND OF WONDERED IF THERE WAS FEELINGS ABOUT EXACT DATE, IF THERE'S -- SO I'M OPEN TO THOSE DISCUSSIONS. 163 00:19:15,688 --> 00:19:21,794 I JUST WANTED TO ASK ABOUT THAT. >> OR WHETHER THAT CAN BE PART OF YOUR DISCUSSION IN CRAFTING THIS ORDINANCE, WHAT IS THE 164 00:19:21,794 --> 00:19:28,167 EFFECTIVE DATE. >> YEAH, WHETHER THAT'S FOR EASE OR QUICKEST OR, YOU KNOW, IF IT'S THAT DECEMBER 1st WOULD 165 00:19:28,167 --> 00:19:36,375 BE ENOUGH TIME FOR ALL THE STEPS TO HAPPEN AND WE SAY GREAT. IT INTERESTS ME. IS THERE ANYTHING -- 166 00:19:36,375 --> 00:19:43,716 MR. ATTORNEY, IS THERE ANYTHING WE NEED TO DO BESIDES STRIKE ARTICLE 7 TO EFFECTUATE GOING BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS? 167 00:19:43,716 --> 00:19:54,160 IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT UNDOING THE STRIKEOUTS IN OTHER ARTICLES OR ALL TECHNICALLY IN ARTICLE 7? IT'S JUST STRIKING ARTICLE 7 168 00:19:54,160 --> 00:20:01,500 UNDOES THE REST OF IT? >> MR. MAYOR, RESPECTFULLY, COMMISSIONER, IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. 169 00:20:01,500 --> 00:20:09,275 WHEN YOU SAY GO BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS, GOVERNANCE BY THE UTILITY HAS BEEN BY A VARIETY OF WAYS OVER THE DECADES. 170 00:20:09,275 --> 00:20:19,452 LAW 23-348 FORMERLY KNOWN AS HOUSE BILL 1645 DID WAS IT AT FIRST DELIGHTED THE CHARTER OFFICE IN 3.06 GENERAL MANAGER 171 00:20:19,452 --> 00:20:25,791 FOR UTILITIES. THEN IT CREATED ARTICLE 7 WHICH PROVIDED FOR A NEW GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE FOR THE CITY'S UTILITY 172 00:20:25,791 --> 00:20:34,033 SYSTEM. THAT IS THE GRU AUTHORITY, THE BOARD. AND IT ALSO MADE THE TAIL END OF 173 00:20:34,033 --> 00:20:44,310 IT SOME OTHER PROVISIONS THAT RELATE TO SPENDING ON SOCIAL, POLITICAL, IDEOLOGY MATTERS, A LIMITATION THERE. 174 00:20:44,310 --> 00:20:53,652 A LIMITATION AS TO THE AMOUNT OF THE TRANSFER ENSURING THAT IT DOESN'T EXTEND BEYOND THE FLOW OF FUNDS THAT IS CONTEMPLATED. 175 00:20:53,652 --> 00:21:00,226 AND THAT'S VERY SIMILAR TO THE RESOLUTION THAT THIS COMMISSION PASSED LAST YEAR. THE RESOLUTION BEING MORE 176 00:21:00,226 --> 00:21:08,234 DETAILED AND ESTABLISHING A FORMULA THAT WAS TARGETED AT MAKING THE TRANSFER BEAR SOME RELATION TO TAXES AND FEES THAT 177 00:21:08,234 --> 00:21:14,540 ARE NOT PAID BY MUNICIPAL UTILITY. BUT THAT WOULD BE PAID BY THE INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITY AND 178 00:21:14,540 --> 00:21:22,114 FRANKLY THE FORMULA ALSO IS MINDFUL OF REACHING A TARGET TO PROVIDE FOR BOLD MEANINGFUL DEBT DEFEASANCE OVER THE YEARS. 179 00:21:22,114 --> 00:21:31,323 SO I THINK EVEN ITS CRITICS WOULD UNDERSTAND IT IS A VERY CONSERVATIVE MODEL OF PAYMENT IN LIEU -- THE TRANSFER HAS A 180 00:21:31,323 --> 00:21:37,997 PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES AND FEES THAT MAKES ALL THE ASSUMPTIONS IN FAVOR OF TRYING TO MINIMIZE THAT AMOUNT WITH AN 181 00:21:37,997 --> 00:21:44,003 EYE TOWARDS HAVING A REALLY MEANINGFUL 10-YEAR DEBT DEFEASANCE PLAN. THAT'S PART OF A WHOLE OTHER 182 00:21:44,003 --> 00:21:54,013 CONVERSATION. SO THE SPECIAL ACT REMOVED THE GENERAL MANAGER CHARTER OFFICER, PUT IN ARTICLE 7 WHICH CREATED 183 00:21:54,013 --> 00:22:01,787 THE GRU AUTHORITY BOARD AND TRANSFERRED GOVERNANCE POWERS OPERATIONALLY TO THE GOVERNANCE BOARD. 184 00:22:01,787 --> 00:22:07,827 AND HAD SOME PROVISION THAT IS RELATED TO GOVERNANCE, BUT MORE SPECIFICALLY GOVERNANCE IN TERMS OF A COUPLE OF FINANCIAL 185 00:22:07,827 --> 00:22:13,933 MATTERS. WHAT HAS BEEN PUT BEFORE YOU, THE DIRECTION WE HAVE RECEIVED NOW WOULD BE TO HAVE A PROPOSED 186 00:22:13,933 --> 00:22:20,639 CHARTER AMENDMENT THAT JUST STRUCK ARTICLE 7. SO WHEN YOU SAY GO BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS, YOU GO BACK TO THE 187 00:22:20,639 --> 00:22:30,382 WAY IT WAS IN THE '80s. >> SO MY SECOND PART, IF WE WANT TO BRING THE GENERAL MANAGER BACK AS A CHARTER OFFICER, DO WE 188 00:22:30,382 --> 00:22:38,791 NEED TO BRING BACK 3.06 AS WELL? DO WE NEED TO DO THAT? >> IF THAT'S WHAT THE BOARD -- THIS ORDINANCE HAS TO BE PASSED 189 00:22:38,791 --> 00:22:48,667 BY SUPER MAJORITY, SO IT'S 4/5 OF THE MEMBERSHIP WHICH NOW WITH A SEVEN-MEMBER BOARD CONSTITUTES 6/7. 190 00:22:48,667 --> 00:22:57,876 YES, IF THE INTENT IS TO GO BACK TO THE WAY THINGS WERE A YEAR AGO, THEN THAT WOULD BE REINSTATING SECTION 3.06 AND 191 00:22:57,876 --> 00:23:04,350 THEN DELETING ARTICLE 7. >> OKAY. >> IF IT JUST IS DELETING ARTICLE 7, SO WE HAVE A 192 00:23:04,350 --> 00:23:10,923 STRUCTURE THAT IS -- AND DIFFERENT MUNICIPAL UTILITIES ARE STRUCTURED DIFFERENT WAYS. IT'S NOT UNUSUAL TO HAVE 193 00:23:10,923 --> 00:23:15,728 MUNICIPAL UTILITIES REPORT WITHOUT A GENERAL MANAGER CHARTER OFFICER. WITH A GENERAL MANAGER THAT 194 00:23:15,728 --> 00:23:22,301 REPORTS THROUGH A CITY MANAGER, FOR EXAMPLE. THERE'S A WIDE RANGE OF OPTIONS YOU COULD PURSUE. 195 00:23:22,301 --> 00:23:27,439 AND THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE CONSIDERING NOW, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHAT THIS PROPOSED BALLOT REFERENDUM CHARTER AMENDMENT 196 00:23:27,439 --> 00:23:31,076 WOULD BE. >> CORRECT. I THINK FOR SOME PEOPLE, WHEN THEY SAY GO BACK TO THE WAY IT 197 00:23:31,076 --> 00:23:38,617 WAS, SOME MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND SOME OF EVEN US, YOU KNOW, WE REMEMBER MR. CUNNINGHAM SITTING DOWN HERE 198 00:23:38,617 --> 00:23:44,623 AND THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS. AND SO I DON'T KNOW ABOUT MY COLLEAGUES. TO GO BACK TO STRAIGHT THE WAY 199 00:23:44,623 --> 00:23:53,899 IT WAS, IT WOULD INVOLVE BRINGING BACK 3.06. IF WE ARE LOOK FORGET THE MOST STRAIGHTFORWARD RETURN, SIMPLE 200 00:23:53,899 --> 00:24:00,105 RESET, REWIND SOUTH THAT MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTAND, THAT'S EXACTLY. I THINK MAYBE MEMBERS OF THE 201 00:24:00,105 --> 00:24:03,275 COMMUNITY WANT PERHAPS SOMETHING DIFFERENT. THEY MAY WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT. 202 00:24:03,275 --> 00:24:09,748 THE STRAIGHTEST VERSION, IF WE ARE GOING TO SAY WE VALUE THE ABSOLUTE STRAIGHTEST RETURN, THEN I THINK WE NEED TO BRING 203 00:24:09,748 --> 00:24:16,555 BACK 3.06. I THINK THAT'S MY OPINION. BUT THEN IF WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR A COMPLETE -- IF WE ARE 204 00:24:16,555 --> 00:24:22,895 LOOKING FOR SOME CHANGES, I HAD A QUESTION. AND I DON'T KNOW IF MAYOR PRO TEM CHESTNUT COULD ANSWER THIS 205 00:24:22,895 --> 00:24:31,637 OR COMMISSIONER BOTTCHER. BUT IN THE 2020 CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION, WERE THERE ANY DISCUSSIONS OF ANY KIND OF SMALL 206 00:24:31,637 --> 00:24:39,411 CHANGES THAT WERE REQUIRED TO BRING BEFORE THE REVIEW COMMISSION? LIKE WE CHANGED THE TITLE OF THE 207 00:24:39,411 --> 00:24:48,087 CLERK. NOT HUGE, SMALL. WAS THERE ANYTHING LIKE THAT THAT WAS A GOOD TIME TO DO THAT? 208 00:24:48,087 --> 00:24:54,026 DO YOU REMEMBER, COMMISSIONER CHESTNUT? OR COMMISSIONER BOTTCHER. >> ACTUALLY THERE WAS DISCUSSION 209 00:24:54,026 --> 00:25:01,367 AS TO WHETHER OR NOT WE WANTED THE GENERAL MANAGER AS A CHARTER OFFICER. WE WERE LOOKING AT CHARTER 210 00:25:01,367 --> 00:25:07,172 OFFICERS AS WELL AT THAT TIME AND LOOKING TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CHARTER OFFICERS. AND I THINK SUSAN MAY SPEAK TO 211 00:25:07,172 --> 00:25:16,482 IT AS WELL, I THINK WE JUST ENDED UP KEEPING IT AS IT WAS. BUT IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS IT. 212 00:25:16,482 --> 00:25:23,489 >> MR. MAYOR, IF YOU CAN ALLOW. >> FORMER COMMISSIONER BOTTCHER, IF YOU COULD COME UP. >> TELL US YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF 213 00:25:23,489 --> 00:25:31,130 THAT DISCUSSION. >> MAYOR: AS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION. >> YES, AS A MEMBER OF THE 214 00:25:31,130 --> 00:25:40,572 CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION WHICH WAS 2019 TO 2020, WHEN WE HAD THE EXPERTS COME IN AND TALK TO THE FULL CRC, THEY SAID YOU GUYS 215 00:25:40,572 --> 00:25:47,246 HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF CHARTER OFFICERS. AND SO WE HAD A VERY ROBUST DISCUSSION ON AT LEAST TWO, IF 216 00:25:47,246 --> 00:25:55,053 NOT THREE DIFFERENT MEETINGS -- CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, COMMISSIONER CHESTNUT -- THAT WE WOULD DO AWAY WITH THE GENERAL 217 00:25:55,053 --> 00:26:03,362 MANAGER AS A CHARTER OFFICER. NOT BECAUSE WE WANTED TO FIRE ANYBODY, BUT BECAUSE WE WANTED TO THEN KIND OF DO WHAT 218 00:26:03,362 --> 00:26:10,502 TALLAHASSEE DOES. THEIR MUNICIPAL UTILITY IS A DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY AND IS UNDER -- IT'S A DEPARTMENT UNDER 219 00:26:10,502 --> 00:26:18,710 THE CITY MANAGER. AND SO THEY HAD A DEPARTMENT HEAD THAT RAN THE UTILITY. THAT PERSON WAS NOT A CHARTER 220 00:26:18,710 --> 00:26:29,087 OFFICER. AND MY RECOLLECTION, AGAIN CORRECT ME IF I'M REMEMBERING THIS WRONG, WE WERE GOING IN 221 00:26:29,087 --> 00:26:34,793 THAT DIRECTION. WHAT HAPPENED IS THE PANDEMIC HIT. AND BECAUSE OF NOT JUST IN THIS 222 00:26:34,793 --> 00:26:44,203 COMMUNITY, BUT WORLDWIDE THERE WAS, YOU KNOW, CONFUSION AND FEAR AND ALL THIS, WE HAD A NUMBER OF THINGS ON THE CRC 223 00:26:44,203 --> 00:26:50,509 AGENDA THAT WE WERE GOING TO PUT FORWARD TO THE COMMISSION, TO THE CITY COMMISSION TO SAY WE ARE RECOMMENDING THESE CHANGES 224 00:26:50,509 --> 00:26:59,151 TO THE CITY CHARTER, AND I THINK WHAT HAPPENED IS WE LOST OUR POLITICAL WILL BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH ELSE THAT EVERYBODY WAS 225 00:26:59,151 --> 00:27:09,428 IN A NEAR PANIC OR AT LEAST HIGHLY CONCERNED AND WORRIED ABOUT, THAT WE FELT LIKE IT'S PROBABLY BETTER NOT TO TAKE THIS 226 00:27:09,428 --> 00:27:19,404 VERY TUMULTUOUS TIME IN OUR COUNTRY AND IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THEN HIT THE VOTERS WITH ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT 227 00:27:19,404 --> 00:27:28,146 WOULD HAVE REQUIRED A LOT OF EFFORT TO EDUCATE THEM ON AT A TIME WHEN OUR HANDS WERE TIED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC. 228 00:27:28,146 --> 00:27:37,890 SO PERSONALLY, YOU KNOW, I MEAN IF WE WERE TO HAVE THE CRC AGAIN TODAY, I WOULD VOTE TO REMOVE THE GENERAL MANAGER AS A CHARTER 229 00:27:37,890 --> 00:27:45,697 OFFICER AND PUT THAT POSITION UNDER THE CITY MANAGER AS ITS OWN SEPARATE DEPARTMENT. >> DID IT EVER COME UP FOR A 230 00:27:45,697 --> 00:27:50,936 VOTE AMONGST THE COMMISSION, THE CHARTER COMMISSION? >> I DON'T REMEMBER IF IT CAME TO A VOTE. 231 00:27:50,936 --> 00:27:55,841 AGAIN, THE PANDEMIC HIT. AND IN DISCUSSION WE JUST SAID WE'RE TABLING THIS, WE'RE TABLING THIS. 232 00:27:55,841 --> 00:28:00,879 >> GOT IT. >> WE TABLED PROBABLY SIX OR SEVEN THINGS THAT WE WERE GOING FORWARD WITH. 233 00:28:00,879 --> 00:28:07,586 AND IT JUST KIND OF DIED BECAUSE THE PANDEMIC REALLY TOOK THE WIND OUT OF OUR SAILS. >> THANK YOU. 234 00:28:07,586 --> 00:28:12,391 >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER CHESTNUT HAS SOMETHING TO ADD. >> I WOULD SAY, COMMISSIONER 235 00:28:12,391 --> 00:28:24,870 WILLITS, IT WAS MOVING MORE TOWARDS HAVING THE PERSON AS A GENERAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE BECAUSE WE WERE CONCERNED WITH 236 00:28:24,870 --> 00:28:35,714 JUST THE SHEER NUMBER OF CHARTER OFFICERS GAINESVILLE HAS. AND WE HAVE MORE THAN JUST ABOUT ANYONE ELSE IN THE STATE. 237 00:28:35,714 --> 00:28:44,256 AND SO WE WERE LOOKING AT HOW TO STREAMLINE THAT. >> OKAY. SO IF WE DON'T BRING BACK 3.06 238 00:28:44,256 --> 00:28:51,730 AND GRU WOULD BE MANAGED UNDER THE CITY MANAGER, DOES THEN THAT -- WHOEVER THAT MANAGER OF THE UTILITY IS, DOES THAT CHANGE 239 00:28:51,730 --> 00:28:59,738 HOW WE -- CONTRACTUALLY CHANGE HOW THAT PERSON IS HIRED BY THE CITY? IT IS LESS OF A -- 240 00:28:59,738 --> 00:29:06,945 [INAUDIBLE] I MEAN THE SAME KIND OF LIKE THEY ARE HIRED AND HOW MUCH, YOU KNOW -- THEY ARE NOT NEGOTIATING 241 00:29:06,945 --> 00:29:12,985 WITH US CLEARLY ABOUT SEVERANCE OR WHAT NOT. DOES IT CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT THOSE KIND OF CONTRACTS? 242 00:29:12,985 --> 00:29:22,160 >> ABSENT FURTHER AMENDMENT TO YOUR CHARTER, THEN THE GENERAL MANAGER OR WHOEVER THAT TITLE WOULD BE -- I THINK AT SOME 243 00:29:22,160 --> 00:29:30,369 POINT IN THE '80s IT WAS GENERAL MANAGER. IT WAS AT SOME POINT ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER OF THE UTILITIES, 244 00:29:30,369 --> 00:29:41,580 WOULD BE UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER. AND WOULD DETERMINE COMPENSATION FOR THOSE POSITIONS. 245 00:29:41,580 --> 00:29:47,252 >> I THINK THAT ANSWERS IT FOR ME. I LIKE THE IDEA IN NOVEMBER BECAUSE THE STATUTE IS SAYING 246 00:29:47,252 --> 00:29:52,324 THAT'S THE GENERAL ELECTION, EVEN THOUGH OUR CITY ELECTIONS SOMETIMES ARE DECIDED IN NOVEMBER -- I MEAN IN AUGUST, 247 00:29:52,324 --> 00:29:59,331 BUT REALLY IT'S KIND OF OUR VERSION OF A PRIMARY TO NARROW IT DOWN TO WHOEVER IS GOING TO BE THERE IN NOVEMBER. 248 00:29:59,331 --> 00:30:05,804 I THINK IF THE IDEA IS WE WANT TO BRING IT BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF GAINESVILLE, THE LARGEST POOL OF VOTERS POSSIBLE, THIS WOULD 249 00:30:05,804 --> 00:30:12,577 BE IN A PRESIDENTIAL YEAR. THAT MAKES ME FEEL THE BEST ABOUT IT. LIKE THE DECISION ABOUT GRU, BIG 250 00:30:12,577 --> 00:30:24,089 PRESIDENTIAL YEAR, HIGHEST TURNOUT POSSIBLE. I LIKE THE IDEA OF NOVEMBER. I LEAN BOTH WAYS ON LIKE A 251 00:30:24,089 --> 00:30:30,962 CLEAR -- GOING BACK TO THE PAST WOULD INCLUDE 3.06 TO HAVE THE GENERAL MANAGER AS A CHARTER. THAT'S WHERE I LEAN TOWARDS, BUT 252 00:30:30,962 --> 00:30:37,202 I CAN HEAR ARGUMENTS ABOUT LIKE IF THE CRC HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PUSHING MORE TOWARDS THAT, I APPRECIATE THAT AND I CAN 253 00:30:37,202 --> 00:30:45,977 DEFINITELY BE CONVINCED THAT, YOU KNOW, UNLESS OUR CITY MANAGER OR OTHER ASSOCIATIONS OF CITY MANAGERS TELLS US NO, BUT 254 00:30:45,977 --> 00:30:51,583 IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF PLACES DO HAVE THAT UNDER THE CITY MANAGER. SO I CAN DEFINITELY BE OPEN FOR 255 00:30:51,583 --> 00:30:54,786 THAT. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CHESTNUT, FOR FILLING US IN A 256 00:30:54,786 --> 00:30:58,724 LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PAST. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER WILLITS. SO COMMISSIONER EASTMAN, I'LL 257 00:30:58,724 --> 00:31:03,962 GET TO YOU IN A MINUTE AND GO BACK AROUND. I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF COMMENTS. WE'LL GO TO COMMISSIONER EASTMAN 258 00:31:03,962 --> 00:31:10,969 AND TALK TO ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WHO IS READY TO DO SO. AND WE DON'T HAVE ACTION TO TAKE TODAY, BUT I DO THINK IT'S 259 00:31:10,969 --> 00:31:15,574 IMPORTANT TO OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO THE PUBLIC BEFORE WE MOVE ON FOR THE REST OF THIS AGENDA. 260 00:31:15,574 --> 00:31:29,054 I WANT TO NOTE THAT IF WE WERE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PLACING EFFECTIVELY CHANGING MANAGEMENT OF THE UTILITY TO GENERAL 261 00:31:29,054 --> 00:31:42,501 GOVERNMENT, TO THE OVERALL WHEELHOUSE OF THE CITY MANAGER, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE CITY MANAGER WOULD DIRECTLY MANAGE 262 00:31:42,501 --> 00:31:50,108 THE UTILITY ANY MORE THAN THE CITY MANAGER DIRECTS THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OTHER THAN OVERALL GENERAL GOOD MANAGEMENT 263 00:31:50,108 --> 00:32:02,053 OF OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. SO IN THAT SCENARIO, CITIES THAT DO THIS DO GO FIND SOMEONE WHO IS EITHER ALREADY ON STAFF OR 264 00:32:02,053 --> 00:32:10,362 SOMEONE ELSE WAY AROUND THE WORLD TO MANAGE THE UTILITY. THE CITY MANAGER IN TALLAHASSEE IS NOT A HANDS-ON MANAGER OF THE 265 00:32:10,362 --> 00:32:18,570 UTILITY. THEY HIRED AN ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER WHO HAS THOSE TOOLS. SO IT ABSOLUTELY -- AND I KNOW 266 00:32:18,570 --> 00:32:23,842 THAT THERE ARE FOLKS OUT THERE WHO ARE READY TO SAY, OH, THEY WANT CYNTHIA CURRY TO MANAGE THE UTILITY. 267 00:32:23,842 --> 00:32:32,350 THAT'S NOT WHAT WE ARE SAYING. IF WE GO THAT DIRECTION, WE WOULD SEEK PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF 268 00:32:32,350 --> 00:32:37,055 THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE. THAT'S THE WAY THAT GENERALLY WORKS IN CITIES WHO DO IT THIS WAY. 269 00:32:37,055 --> 00:32:41,993 SO HAVING SAID THAT, COMMISSIONER EASTMAN AND THEN THE PUBLIC. >> THANK YOU. 270 00:32:41,993 --> 00:32:47,032 SO COMMISSIONER WILLITS, I'M GLAD YOU MENTIONED THE CHARTER REVIEW. I WAS ALSO ON THE CHARTER REVIEW 271 00:32:47,032 --> 00:32:52,204 COMMISSION AT THE TIME. I ACTUALLY WENT BACK AND WATCHED THE SEPTEMBER 16th MEETING WHERE THIS CAME UP. 272 00:32:52,204 --> 00:32:58,910 WE WERE TALKING ABOUT ALL OF THIS IN TERMS OF HOW DO WE STREAMLINE OUR GOVERNMENT TO MAKE IT MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE 273 00:32:58,910 --> 00:33:04,049 VOTERS. AND WE WERE LOOKING AT A STRONG MAYOR SYSTEM AT THE TIME. AND WE INVITED TWO FOLKS THAT 274 00:33:04,049 --> 00:33:10,522 WERE LONG-TIME CITY MANAGERS TO LOOK OVER OUR CHARTER POINT BY POINT AND FIND ANY ISSUES WITHIN IT. 275 00:33:10,522 --> 00:33:17,529 AND REALLY WITH A FOCUS ON SHOULD WE MOVE TO THE STRONG MAYOR SYSTEM OR KEEP THE COUNCIL-MANAGER SYSTEM. 276 00:33:17,529 --> 00:33:27,873 WE WERE PRETTY WELL CONVINCED THAT THE COUNCIL-MANAGER SYSTEM IS A PRETTY GOOD BULWARK ESTOPPING AGAINST PEOPLE -- YOU 277 00:33:27,873 --> 00:33:30,642 HAVE PEOPLE WITH PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE RUNNING THINGS INSTEAD OF POLITICIANS. BUT WHAT THEY KEPT COMING BACK 278 00:33:30,642 --> 00:33:37,549 TO OVER AND OVER AS TALKING THROUGH THE ISSUES WITH OUR CITY IS HOW WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW, IF ONLY GOVERNMENTS, THEY HAD FOUND 279 00:33:37,549 --> 00:33:43,021 WHERE THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE UTILITY ANSWERS DIRECTLY TO THE CITY. SOME OF THIS -- AND THEY DID NOT 280 00:33:43,021 --> 00:33:46,424 LIVE IN GAINESVILLE. >> MAYOR: TO THE CITY COMMISSION YOU MEAN. >> TO THE CITY COMMISSION, I'M 281 00:33:46,424 --> 00:33:51,196 SORRY. WHAT DID I SAY? >> MAYOR: YOU SAID TO THE CITY. >> TO THE CITY COMMISSION. 282 00:33:51,196 --> 00:33:56,201 AS WE BROUGHT UP, YOU KNOW, THE ISSUES WITH THE FINANCES WITH GRU, THEY POINTED OUT, OF COURSE, THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO 283 00:33:56,201 --> 00:34:02,440 HAPPEN AS IT RELATES TO A FUNDS TRANSFER BECAUSE ALL FIGHTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE BROKEN UP BY THE CITY COMMISSION. 284 00:34:02,440 --> 00:34:11,650 ANY KIND OF ARGUMENTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COME DIRECTLY TO US TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. THEY HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD 285 00:34:11,650 --> 00:34:16,688 AND THEY KEPT POINTING OUT THAT THIS WAS JUST -- THIS WAS A VERY BAD SYSTEM THAT WE NEEDED TO FIX. 286 00:34:16,688 --> 00:34:25,664 AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT SINCE THAT POINT, GRU, OTHER FOLKS WITHIN OUR CITY HAVE LOOKED AT ANY OTHER CITIES THAT 287 00:34:25,664 --> 00:34:30,368 ARE STRUCTURED THIS WAY. AND THEY ARE NOT. THEY ARE EITHER AN INDEPENDENT BOARD OR THEY ARE JUST A 288 00:34:30,368 --> 00:34:35,173 DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE WHICH FOR MOST OF GRU'S HISTORY THEY WERE. AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WHEN 289 00:34:35,173 --> 00:34:43,081 PEOPLE ARE CRITICIZING GRU IN SOME OF THE DECISIONS THAT GOT MADE, A LOT OF THAT CRITICISM HAPPENED IN THAT POST-1988 290 00:34:43,081 --> 00:34:47,452 PERIOD WHEN WE WENT FROM MAKING IT A DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE, IT WAS DEPOLITICIZED. 291 00:34:47,452 --> 00:34:51,756 IT WAS JUST A PART OF THE CITY THAT WAS OVERSEEN BY PROFESSIONAL STAFF. AND IT WAS MOVED OUT ESSENTIALLY 292 00:34:51,756 --> 00:34:58,330 SO THAT THE CITY COMMISSION COULD HAVE MORE OF A HAND OVER WHAT GRU DID. AND I THINK THAT WAS THE BIG 293 00:34:58,330 --> 00:35:04,369 GOVERNANCE MISTAKE THAT LED TO A BUNCH OF OTHER ISSUES THAT CAME AFTER THAT. I'M VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF MOVING 294 00:35:04,369 --> 00:35:10,041 THIS INTO THE WAY THAT MOST OTHER CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES WORK. I THINK IT DEPOLITICIZES GRU AND 295 00:35:10,041 --> 00:35:16,614 PUTS PROFESSIONAL OVERSIGHT OF GRU INSTEAD OF COMMISSION OVERSIGHT OF GRU. I THINK IT MAKES US MORE 296 00:35:16,614 --> 00:35:23,621 EFFICIENT. I THINK JUST THE FACT THAT IT IS THE STANDARD ACROSS THE UNITED STATES FOR HOW YOU MANAGE A 297 00:35:23,621 --> 00:35:28,426 UTILITY. OUR IS SO UNIQUE, I THINK IT WOULD BE FOR US TO GO TO THAT SYSTEM. 298 00:35:28,426 --> 00:35:34,799 IT'S HOW GRU HAS FUNCTIONED THROUGH MOST OF ITS HISTORY, UP UNTIL THE LAST COUPLE OF DECADES, I GUESS 30 YEARS. 299 00:35:34,799 --> 00:35:38,737 I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT. BUT IT'S UP TO THIS COMMISSION BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND YOUR 300 00:35:38,737 --> 00:35:45,076 POSITION OF, YOU KNOW, BRING IT BACK TO THE STANDARD AS IT WAS, YOU KNOW, IN 2020 BEFORE ALL THIS HAPPENED. 301 00:35:45,076 --> 00:35:51,916 BUT I THINK IF WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY IT MAKE THIS REFORM, IT'S AN IMPORTANT REFORM AND ONE THAT WILL SOLVE A LOT OF THE 302 00:35:51,916 --> 00:35:56,087 CRITICISMS THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD ABOUT GRU AND THE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE. IT'S SORT OF A MIDDLE GROUND 303 00:35:56,087 --> 00:36:02,761 THAT DOESN'T HAVE US DIRECTLY WITH OUR HANDS IN IT AND KIND OF HAS A LITTLE BIT MORE OF AN IN-BETWEEN THE ELECTED OFFICIALS 304 00:36:02,761 --> 00:36:06,698 AND THE DECISIONS OF DAY-TO-DAY GRU. I THINK IT'S A GOOD WAY TO GO FORWARD. 305 00:36:06,698 --> 00:36:10,969 >> MAYOR: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER EASTMAN. LET ME JUST MENTION ONE MORE BRIEF THING BEFORE WE GO IN. 306 00:36:10,969 --> 00:36:17,409 FOR THOSE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN HOW THE PROCESS OF THE COMMISSION PUTTING SOMETHING ON A BALLOT WORKS, I WOULD SUGGEST 307 00:36:17,409 --> 00:36:26,184 TO YOU THAT YOU GO BACK TO THE LATE 2017, EARLY 2018 MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION. AND YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF 308 00:36:26,184 --> 00:36:36,361 DISCUSSION AND MANY, MANY VOTES ABOUT PLACING -- ABOUT REORGANIZING HOW WE ELECT CITY COMMISSIONERS, WHAT YEARS WE 309 00:36:36,361 --> 00:36:43,568 ELECT CITY COMMISSIONERS AND THE LENGTH OF TERMS. WE HAVE HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT. 310 00:36:43,568 --> 00:36:53,144 AND I THINK THREE DIFFERENT VOTES BEFORE WE EVER GOT TO 6-7 COMMISSIONERS SUPPORTING WHAT FINALLY WENT ON THE BALLOT IN 311 00:36:53,144 --> 00:36:59,717 NOVEMBER OF '18. SO I FOUND THAT INTERESTING. I'M SURE THAT COMMISSIONER WARREN FOUND THAT INTERESTING AT 312 00:36:59,717 --> 00:37:06,524 THE TIME. AND IF YOU WANT A HISTORY LESSON IN HOW THAT PROCESS KIND OF ROLLS FORWARD UNDER OUR CHARTER, 313 00:37:06,524 --> 00:37:11,096 THAT'S A GREAT PLACE TO GO BACK AND REVIEW. OKAY. I SEE NO FURTHER LIGHTS, SO, 314 00:37:11,096 --> 00:37:20,405 MADAM CLERK, WHAT DO WE HAVE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? >> WE HAVE DR. BOBBY MERMER. >> MAYOR: WELCOME. 315 00:37:20,405 --> 00:37:26,444 BY THE WAY, BEFORE WE START THIS CLOCK, ANYONE WHO WISHES TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS, OUR STANDARD PROCESS, IF YOU HAVEN'T 316 00:37:26,444 --> 00:37:32,117 BEEN THROUGH IT BEFORE, PLEASE FILL OUT ONE OF OUR PUBLIC COMMENT FORMS. TURN IT IN TO MR. CARL OVER 317 00:37:32,117 --> 00:37:36,721 HERE. HE WILL GET IT TO THE CLERK AND WE WILL CALL YOU NONE THAT ORDER. 318 00:37:36,721 --> 00:37:41,326 >> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS. LONG TIME NO SEE. WE NEED TO STOP RUNNING INTO 319 00:37:41,326 --> 00:37:50,301 EACH OTHER LIKE THIS. SO THE ACLC -- BOBBY MERMER, COORDINATOR OF THE LABOR INITIATIVE. 320 00:37:50,301 --> 00:37:59,410 THE ACLC SUPPORTS PUTTING THIS ON THE BALLOT AND IT WAS GIVEN LAST WEEK, STRIKE ARTICLE 7. I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN 321 00:37:59,410 --> 00:38:07,152 COMMITTEE SAY GO BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS, THAT WOULD INCLUDE RESTORING THE GRU G.M. AS A CHARTER OFFICER. 322 00:38:07,152 --> 00:38:17,128 STRICTLY SPEAKING, THAT'S TRUE. BUT WHEN YOU TALK TO THE AVERAGE PERSON, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT OR WHEN WE SAY TO THE WAY IT WAS, 323 00:38:17,128 --> 00:38:27,305 IT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ULTIMATE AUTHORITY OVER GRU GIVEN TO A GOVERNOR-APPOINTED BOARD OR IS IT GIVEN TO THE 324 00:38:27,305 --> 00:38:31,576 ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE THROUGH THEIR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. 325 00:38:31,576 --> 00:38:42,854 SO I DON'T THINK IT'S CONFUSING OR DISINGENUOUS TO JUST LEAVE THAT FIRST SECTION OF 1645, WHICH DELETED THE G.M. AS A 326 00:38:42,854 --> 00:38:47,992 CHARTER OFFICER, TO JUST KEEP THAT OFF. KEEP IT NICE AND CLEAN. STRIKE ARTICLE 7. 327 00:38:47,992 --> 00:38:55,700 PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT. THE CHOICE BETWEEN A GOVERNOR-APPOINTED OVERSIGHT BOARD OR OVERSIGHT TO A BODY 328 00:38:55,700 --> 00:39:02,941 ELECTED DIRECTLY BY THE CITIZENS OF GAINESVILLE. SO I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY WHAT IS MEANT BY GOING BACK TO THE 329 00:39:02,941 --> 00:39:07,312 WAY IT WAS. THE AVERAGE PERSON DOESN'T REALLY GET INTO THE NITTY-GRITTY, WHO IS A CHARTER 330 00:39:07,312 --> 00:39:10,148 OFFICER, WHO ISN'T. THAT'S NOT WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK ABOUT. THANK YOU. 331 00:39:10,148 --> 00:39:15,653 >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. MADAM CLERK. >> YES. WE HAVE MS. JANICE GARY FOLLOWED 332 00:39:15,653 --> 00:39:19,257 BY ALEX HOOD. >> MAYOR: HOW MANY FOLKS DO WE HAVE? >> JUST FOUR. 333 00:39:19,257 --> 00:39:24,395 MS. GARY, MR. HOOD AND MR. ENGLE. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. WELCOME, MS. GARY. 334 00:39:24,395 --> 00:39:32,170 >> MY NAME IS JANICE GARY. I'M HERE AS AN INDIVIDUAL. THE "GAINESVILLE SUN" IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE IN 335 00:39:32,170 --> 00:39:41,246 CONTRAST -- AND THEY HAVE DIMINISHING READERSHIP. IN CONTRAST, THE "MAIN STREET DAILY NEWS" HAS INCREASING 336 00:39:41,246 --> 00:39:50,054 READERSHIP. I JUST HAD A MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVE HINSON AND THE MAIN STREET STAFF. 337 00:39:50,054 --> 00:39:57,295 THEY ARE MEETING LEGISLATORS DURING THESE LUNCHEONS. I WOULD HIGHLY SUPPORT USING "MAIN STREET DAILY NEWS" FOR 338 00:39:57,295 --> 00:40:05,970 PUBLISHING INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TO ENSURE THE BROADEST REACH OF READERSHIP. THANK YOU. 339 00:40:05,970 --> 00:40:16,547 >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. >> ALEX HOOD. >> WELCOME, MR. HOOD. >> HI. 340 00:40:16,547 --> 00:40:23,121 I'M ALEX HOOD. I'M A GAINESVILLE RESIDENT. I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO SPEAK AT THE LAST MEETING. 341 00:40:23,121 --> 00:40:28,259 I WANTED TO GIVE, YOU KNOW, ALL THE DOCTORS A CHANCE TO -- [LAUGHTER] LET THEMSELVES BE HEARD. 342 00:40:28,259 --> 00:40:35,400 I'M STILL IN SCHOOL, SO -- [LAUGHTER] I JUST WANTED TO ECHO EVERYTHING THAT THEY SAID. 343 00:40:35,400 --> 00:40:45,009 I THINK ALLOWING THE RESIDENTS TO DECIDE WHO THEY WANT TO RUN THEIR UTILITY, IT'S AN OBVIOUS PRO-DEMOCRACY WITH A SMALL "D" 344 00:40:45,009 --> 00:40:51,215 CHOICE. I THINK, IF ANYTHING, YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS TO DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN 345 00:40:51,215 --> 00:40:58,089 TO BRING SOME SEMBLANCE OF CONTROL BACK TO CITIZENS OF GAINESVILLE. I THINK THE WAY TO DO THAT IS 346 00:40:58,089 --> 00:41:02,560 THROUGH A VOTE. I THINK THE SIMPLEST WAY IS JUST TO STRIKE ARTICLE 7 IN ITS ENTIRETY. 347 00:41:02,560 --> 00:41:12,236 THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU, MR. HOOD. >> JOURNEYMAN JAMES ENGLE AND THE LAST SPEAKER NANCY DARIN. 348 00:41:12,236 --> 00:41:16,808 >> MAYOR: SO EVERYONE HAS A TITLE. >> I GOT TO HEAR ALL THE DOCTORS LAST TIME SO I THOUGHT I'D GO 349 00:41:16,808 --> 00:41:22,613 WITH JOURNEYMAN JAMES ENGLE THIS TIME. JAMES ENGLE, A RESIDENT IN THE CITY. 350 00:41:22,613 --> 00:41:28,219 TWO POINTS. I WANTED TO SAY HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT AND GIVE THE PEOPLE A CHANCE TO 351 00:41:28,219 --> 00:41:32,790 WEIGH IN ON HOW THEY RUN THEIR LOCAL BUSINESS. AND TWO, TO MAKE IT AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE. 352 00:41:32,790 --> 00:41:40,998 I THINK THE MORE COMPLICATED THIS PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS, THE MORE CONFUSING IT IS FOR PEOPLE AND THE MORE PROBLEMATIC IT 353 00:41:40,998 --> 00:41:45,269 BECOMES. I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP IT 354 00:41:45,269 --> 00:41:52,009 SIMPLE. THANKS. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. >> YES, WE HAVE NANCY DARIN 355 00:41:52,009 --> 00:42:01,319 FOLLOWED BY SUSAN BOTTCHER. >> MAYOR: WELCOME, MS. DARIN. >> HI, NANCY DARIN. FIRST, I JUST WANT TO SAY I'M 356 00:42:01,319 --> 00:42:12,363 DISTRESSED AND CONCERNED FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED AT THE CITY. AND I HOPE IT GETS FIGURED OUT. AND I WISH YOU ALL SAFETY AND 357 00:42:12,363 --> 00:42:22,874 ABILITY TO DO YOUR JOBS AND OUR STAFF BE PROTECTED AS WELL. SO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. I JUST WANT TO ECHO WHAT HAS 358 00:42:22,874 --> 00:42:29,647 BEEN SAID. I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS BEGINNING DISCUSSION, SO KEEPING IT SIMPLE. 359 00:42:29,647 --> 00:42:38,856 GIVE US THE CHOICE. THIS REFERENDUM IS TO CRITICAL TO OUR FUTURE AND HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. 360 00:42:38,856 --> 00:42:44,662 THIS WAS NOT AN INDEPENDENT BOARD. IT'S AN AUTONOMOUS BOARD WITH A FIREWALL AND THAT DOESN'T SERVE 361 00:42:44,662 --> 00:42:55,006 EITHER GRU OR GENERAL GOVERNMENT WELL. I'M VERY CURIOUS ABOUT THE IDEAS AROUND JUST -- WELL, I THINK 362 00:42:55,006 --> 00:43:03,314 JUST STRIKE ARTICLE 7 AND HAVE SOME MORE DISCUSSION AROUND THE G.M. AS CHARTER OR NOT. BUT THAT WAS FASCINATING. 363 00:43:03,314 --> 00:43:14,358 SO THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU, MS. DARIN. COMMISSIONER BOTTCHER. BY THE WAY, IN CASE YOU WONDER, 364 00:43:14,358 --> 00:43:21,032 MY GENERAL WAY OF DOING THINGS IS IF SOMEONE IS A FORMER ELECTED OFFICIAL, PARTICULARLY FORMER MEMBER OF THIS 365 00:43:21,032 --> 00:43:27,572 COMMISSION, I WILL REFER TO THEM AS COMMISSIONER. >> NO PRESSURE. [LAUGHTER] 366 00:43:27,572 --> 00:43:35,513 I KIND OF LIKE MY CIVILIAN STATUS. BUT I UNDERSTAND. SUSAN BOTTCHER. 367 00:43:35,513 --> 00:43:44,055 AND I THINK BECAUSE THIS CAN BE COMPLICATED IN THE MINDS OF THE PUBLIC, WHO I LIKE TO REFER TO AS THE NORMAL PEOPLE, THE NORMAL 368 00:43:44,055 --> 00:43:51,195 PEOPLE WHO DON'T PAY ATTENTION -- THEY DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF PAYING ATTENTION TO POLITICS AND THE GOINGS ON THE 369 00:43:51,195 --> 00:44:00,505 WAY A LOT OF US DO, SO KEEPING IT AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE I THINK IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT. AND IN MY MIND, THE SIMPLE WAY 370 00:44:00,505 --> 00:44:09,514 TO -- AND Y'ALL ARE GOING TO CRAFT THE WORDS ON YOUR OWN. BUT KEEPING THIS IN MIND -- AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE ASKING YOU TO 371 00:44:09,514 --> 00:44:17,255 DO IS PUT A REFERENDUM ON THE BALLOT THAT'S GOING TO GIVE THE VOTERS A CHOICE, THE CITIZENS OF GAINESVILLE A CHOICE. 372 00:44:17,255 --> 00:44:25,796 DO YOU WANT THE GOVERNOR APPOINTING PEOPLE TO RUN THE UTILITY? OR DO YOU WANT THE PEOPLE WE 373 00:44:25,796 --> 00:44:33,771 ELECT HERE LOCALLY TO APPOINT WHO RUNS THE UTILITY? AND THAT LOCAL MESSAGE, THAT HOME RULE MESSAGE I THINK IS 374 00:44:33,771 --> 00:44:45,950 REALLY OUR NORTH STAR ON ALL THIS BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF OUTRAGE THAT IF THERE'S A PROBLEM, WHO IN GAINESVILLE CAN 375 00:44:45,950 --> 00:44:52,557 DRIVE UP TO TALLAHASSEE, KNOCK ON THE GOVERNOR'S DOOR AND SAY I'D LIKE A FEW MINUTES OF YOUR TIME? 376 00:44:52,557 --> 00:44:58,229 IT JUST ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN. THAT'S WHY IT NEEDS TO BE RETURNED TO THE PEOPLE THAT WE ELECT HERE LOCALLY SO THAT YOU 377 00:44:58,229 --> 00:45:03,501 GUYS CAN DO THE APPOINTING. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. >> ROBERT HUTCHINSON FOLLOWED BY 378 00:45:03,501 --> 00:45:09,640 HELEN [INAUDIBLE] >> MAYOR: FORMER COUNTY COMMISSIONER ROBERT HUTCHINSON. WELCOME, COMMISSIONER. 379 00:45:09,640 --> 00:45:16,547 >> MY BUSINESS CARD SAYS POOL HUSTLER. ONE OF THE THINGS YOU MIGHT WANT TO ASK YOUR ATTORNEY TO ALSO 380 00:45:16,547 --> 00:45:27,024 OPINE ON WITH RESPECT TO THE ELECTION IS, IS IT POSSIBLE TO DO A SPECIAL ELECTION ON AN ISSUE AND DO THAT BY A MAIL-OUT 381 00:45:27,024 --> 00:45:31,762 BALLOT? THERE MAY BE SOME BENEFITS TO THAT, PARTICULARLY IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT FURTHER CHANGES DOWN 382 00:45:31,762 --> 00:45:37,868 THE LINE TO THE GOVERNANCE OF GRU. YOU MAY NEED TO CHANGE YOUR CHARTER TO DO THAT. 383 00:45:37,868 --> 00:45:45,776 AND CAN YOU DO A CHARTER AMENDMENT BY SPECIAL ELECTION, MAIL-OUT BALLOTS? THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY THING 384 00:45:45,776 --> 00:45:58,956 THAT'S AN ISSUE. SO THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS THAT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE CITY COMMISSION UNDERSTAND THE 385 00:45:58,956 --> 00:46:05,830 IMPLICATIONS OF GETTING INVOLVED IN GRU ISSUES RIGHT NOW. AND I'LL GIVE YOU ONE EXAMPLE. LAST NIGHT THEY DECIDED THEY ARE 386 00:46:05,830 --> 00:46:12,637 MOVING FORWARD WITH BOND VALIDATION. UNDOUBTEDLY, THIS BOND VALIDATION -- WELL, THIS BOND 387 00:46:12,637 --> 00:46:19,076 VALIDATION IS IMPORTANT. AND THEY ARE GOING TO PROBABLY COME TO THE CITY COMMISSION AND SAY DO YOU GUYS AGREE THAT WE 388 00:46:19,076 --> 00:46:25,316 SHOULD FLOAT THESE BONDS, DO YOU GUYS AGREE THAT THE CURRENT SITUATION IS LEGAL. Y'ALL NEED TO THINK TWICE ABOUT 389 00:46:25,316 --> 00:46:38,462 HOW YOU ANSWER THAT QUESTION BECAUSE ON THE ONE HAND, IF YOU GET THE BONDS VALIDATED, THAT IS DISASTROUS, DA, DA, DA, DA, DA, 390 00:46:38,462 --> 00:46:47,571 MAY OR MAY NOT BE. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE FACT THAT YOU ARE DIPPING INTO GRU BUSINESS THAT HB 1645 SAYS YOU 391 00:46:47,571 --> 00:46:55,813 CAN'T, IT COMPLICATES THE LEGAL STANDING OF WHATEVER YOU SAY. AND WE DON'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN YET ANOTHER 392 00:46:55,813 --> 00:47:04,021 QUESTIONING OF DO YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO WHAT YOU'RE DOING. SO THIS IS A VERY COMPLEX TIME. 393 00:47:04,021 --> 00:47:10,061 FORTUNATELY, PART OF THE MESSAGING BEHIND THIS REFERENDUM IS ARE YOU TIRED OF THE CHAOS. AND THAT'S JUST GOING TO PEOPLE 394 00:47:10,061 --> 00:47:19,337 WHO ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO IT. THE NORMAL PEOPLE WHO MAY JUST NOT CARE ABOUT ALL THIS INSIDE BASEBALL STUFF WON'T CARE ONE 395 00:47:19,337 --> 00:47:27,344 WAY OR ANOTHER. BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO TAKE A STANCE THAT YOU WON'T GET INVOLVED WITH THE BOND 396 00:47:27,344 --> 00:47:35,019 VALIDATION BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO ASK BOTH THE OLD BOARD AND THE NEW BOARD BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE HAS THE 397 00:47:35,019 --> 00:47:39,390 AUTHORITY TO START THE BOND VALIDATION. YOU'RE GOING TO ASK THEM BOTH A QUESTION. 398 00:47:39,390 --> 00:47:43,260 I'M GUESSING THEY WILL COME TO YOU ALL AS WELL. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU, 399 00:47:43,260 --> 00:47:53,404 COMMISSIONER. >> HELEN WARREN. >> MAYOR: COMMISSIONER WARREN. >> AND THEN MARY VON DABINSKI. 400 00:47:53,404 --> 00:47:58,976 >> I ENJOY BEING ON THIS SIDE OF THE DAIS. REALLY APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS THAT HAVE COME UP. 401 00:47:58,976 --> 00:48:08,619 I WAS ON THE TAIL END OF MY SERVICE WHEN THIS CHARTER REVIEW PROCESS WAS GOING ON. AND IT WAS REALLY DIFFICULT TO 402 00:48:08,619 --> 00:48:15,526 CONSIDER CHANGING THE COURSE OF WHAT HAD BEEN PART OF THE PROCESS WITH GRU AND THE CHARTER OFFICER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE 403 00:48:15,526 --> 00:48:24,368 CITY. AND TO THINK THAT WE COULD PICK UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF, THERE WAS A STRONG INTEREST IN MAKING THAT 404 00:48:24,368 --> 00:48:30,508 CHANGE. AND I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU GUYS SUPPORT A STRUCTURE THAT REPRESENTS OTHER 405 00:48:30,508 --> 00:48:39,283 COMMUNITIES THAT OWN THEIR OWN MUNICIPALITY AS WELL BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE -- THOSE WHO ARE NORMAL PEOPLE OR THOSE WHO 406 00:48:39,283 --> 00:48:44,522 ARE NOT, IT'S GOING TO BE COMPLICATED, NO MATTER WHICH WAY IT GOES. AND WITH THE CONSIDERATION THAT 407 00:48:44,522 --> 00:48:53,330 WE WERE ON COURSE TO TAKE OUT THE GENERAL MANAGER AS A CHARTER OFFICER, I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO MAKE THAT 408 00:48:53,330 --> 00:48:58,569 TRANSITION. AND ESPECIALLY WITH WHAT I'M HEARING CONSIDERATION OF, THEY WOULD BE SIMILAR TO HOW WE DO 409 00:48:58,569 --> 00:49:07,578 OUR PUBLIC WORKS, OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT. WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET SOMEBODY IN THERE THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO 410 00:49:07,578 --> 00:49:13,584 STAY IN POSITION. I CAN'T TELL YOU -- I THINK JUST ABOUT EVERY CHARTER OFFICER WAS SWITCHED OUT AT SOME POINT 411 00:49:13,584 --> 00:49:21,025 DURING MY SIX YEARS ON THE COMMISSION AND SOME MORE THAN ONCE. AND THAT PART OF INSTABILITY IS 412 00:49:21,025 --> 00:49:28,265 SOME OF THAT CHAOS THAT WOULD DO WELL FOR US TO GET SOMETHING BETTER IN A LONG-TERM PLACEMENT FOR SOMEBODY. 413 00:49:28,265 --> 00:49:34,638 THAT CALIBER OF PROFESSION THAT IS NEEDED TO LEAD THE UTILITY. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU, 414 00:49:34,638 --> 00:49:43,147 COMMISSIONER. >> WE HAVE MARY VON DABINSKI. >> MAYOR: WELCOME. YES, GOOD AFTERNOON. 415 00:49:43,147 --> 00:49:55,025 I DID NOT PREPARE ANYTHING. MY NAME IS MARY VON DABINSKI. TODAY I AM SPEAKING MORE AS A CUSTOMER OF GRU. 416 00:49:55,025 --> 00:50:05,069 AND JUST AS SOMEONE WHO TRIES TO LIVE A LIFE IN A VERY PRAGMATIC WAY AND DEBT FREE. AND THE WHOLE ISSUE OF GRU IS 417 00:50:05,069 --> 00:50:15,045 DEAR TO MY HEART BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FOR ALL OF FLORIDA TO BE REALLY CONSERVING ENERGY AND 418 00:50:15,045 --> 00:50:25,122 USING SOLAR ENERGY AND WIND ENERGY AS MUCH AS WE CAN. FOR ME, GRU IS A MODEL THAT OTHER UTILITIES SHOULD FOLLOW. 419 00:50:25,122 --> 00:50:34,531 BUT IT'S NOT ALWAYS WHAT'S PRESENTED WITH THE GOVERNMENT WE HAVE IN TALLAHASSEE. SO AS A PERSON WHO LIVES IN 420 00:50:34,531 --> 00:50:46,143 GAINESVILLE, I HAVE ALWAYS HEARD THAT PEOPLE ARE UNHAPPY ABOUT THEIR BILLS, OKAY. AND THE DECISIONS TAKEN BY 421 00:50:46,143 --> 00:50:53,183 THIS -- IT IS NOT YOU, BUT BY THE COMMISSIONS THAT WERE HERE BEFORE -- AND I DON'T WANT TO INSULT ANYBODY BECAUSE I'M NOT 422 00:50:53,183 --> 00:51:02,826 INTO POLITICS THAT MUCH, YOU KNOW. BUT I THINK THAT IF YOU WANT THIS MEASURE TO BE VOTED ON IN 423 00:51:02,826 --> 00:51:10,267 NOVEMBER, YOU REALLY HAVE TO SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PAYING HIGHER BILLS. IF THEY ARE WEALTHY, THEY HAVE 424 00:51:10,267 --> 00:51:19,476 ALREADY PUT SOLAR PANELS ON THEIR ROOFS. BUT IF THEY ARE NOT, THEIR BILLS IS A LARGE PORTION OF THEIR 425 00:51:19,476 --> 00:51:27,251 INCOME. SO I SUGGEST THAT WHEN YOU PRESENT THIS MEASURE, THAT YOU ALSO GIVE SOME INFORMATION THAT 426 00:51:27,251 --> 00:51:37,761 THE NEW GRU AUTHORITY OR BOARD OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT WOULD BE REALLY LOOKING AT HELPING PEOPLE. 427 00:51:37,761 --> 00:51:51,275 I'M SURE THERE ARE WAYS TO FINANCE THE DEBT ON ONE SIDE, BUT ALSO TO FINANCE THE BILLS OR TO FINANCE AND PAY THE BILLS. 428 00:51:51,275 --> 00:51:57,815 MOST PEOPLE, LOOKING AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE HOUSE, ANYWAY, THERE ARE WAYS TO DO THAT. 429 00:51:57,815 --> 00:52:02,219 SO YOU NEED TO BE INFORMED AND YOU NEED TO REALLY PRESENT THAT TO THE PUBLIC. THANK YOU. 430 00:52:02,219 --> 00:52:07,257 >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? >> LAST SPEAKER. >> MAYOR: VERY GOOD. 431 00:52:07,257 --> 00:52:12,629 THANK YOU. IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING IS WHETHER OR NOT 432 00:52:12,629 --> 00:52:21,271 SOMETHING GOES ON THE BALLOT. ONCE WE -- WE MAY NOT PUT IT ON THE BALLOT. IT TAKES SIX OUT OF SEVEN 433 00:52:21,271 --> 00:52:26,944 COMMISSIONERS TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT. IF WE DO THAT, THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE CANNOT ADVOCATE OR 434 00:52:26,944 --> 00:52:34,418 EDUCATE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER IN THIS PROCESS. AND WE WON'T. AS INDIVIDUALS, COMMISSIONERS, 435 00:52:34,418 --> 00:52:42,292 WE HAVE SPEECH RIGHTS. AND THOSE INCLUDE POLITICAL SPEECH RIGHTS. BUT AS A COMMISSION AND AS A 436 00:52:42,292 --> 00:52:48,532 CITY OF GAINESVILLE, WE DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO ADVOCATE EITHER WAY OR EDUCATE EITHER WAY. 437 00:52:48,532 --> 00:52:54,038 THAT WILL BE UP TO THE VOTERS AND THE ELECTORATE TO DO THAT WORK. SO I WANT TO SET THAT OUT 438 00:52:54,038 --> 00:52:59,076 IMMEDIATELY. I DON'T WANT ANYBODY THINKING OTHERWISE. I ALSO WANT TO -- BEFORE WE GO 439 00:52:59,076 --> 00:53:07,284 MOVE ON PAST THIS TOPIC, THE MENTION OF THE EXECUTIVE MAYOR SYSTEM AND CHANGING TO THAT WAS BROUGHT UP AS SOMETHING THAT WAS 440 00:53:07,284 --> 00:53:11,121 DISCUSSED IN THE PAST. I DON'T WANT THAT TO GO ANYWHERE EITHER. I DON'T WANT ANYBODY THINKING 441 00:53:11,121 --> 00:53:17,227 THIS IS PART OF A MOVE TO DO THAT, BECAUSE IT AIN'T. AT LEAST NOT ON MY PART. I LIKE THE JOB I HAVE. 442 00:53:17,227 --> 00:53:23,934 I'M NOT INTERESTED IN MAKING A CHANGE TO THAT. SO I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER LIGHTS. THANK YOU, ALL, FOR YOUR 443 00:53:23,934 --> 00:53:28,305 THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION. I APPRECIATE IT. AND, MADAM CLERK, LET'S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ITEM. 444 00:53:28,305 --> 00:53:34,645 >> MR. MAYOR, WE HAVE 2024-293, STATE LEGISLATIVE POST-SESSION UPDATE WITH A RECOMMENDATION THE CITY COMMISSION RECEIVE A 445 00:53:34,645 --> 00:53:43,954 PRESENTATION BY STAFF AND ITS CONTRACT LOBBYIST ON THE OUTCOMES OF THE 2024 STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION. 446 00:53:43,954 --> 00:53:47,691 >> MAYOR: Y'ALL, THIS IS GOING TO BE FASCINATING. YOU MAY WANT TO STICK AROUND, JUST SAYING. 447 00:53:47,691 --> 00:53:52,429 [LAUGHTER] VERY GOOD, THANK YOU. MADAM MANAGER. >> MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE 448 00:53:52,429 --> 00:53:59,670 COMMISSION, WE HAVE MR. RYAN MATTHEWS AND ANGELA HERE FROM GRAYROBINSON. THEY ARE OUR STATE LOBBYISTS AND 449 00:53:59,670 --> 00:54:08,846 WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE SESSION THAT IS ALREADY ENDED. >> MAYOR: GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH. COME ON UP. 450 00:54:08,846 --> 00:54:11,915 >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS. SORRY TO DRIVE EVERYBODY OUT OF THE ROOM. 451 00:54:11,915 --> 00:54:18,722 [LAUGHTER] BUT WE ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT OCCURRED DURING THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, GIVE YOU A 452 00:54:18,722 --> 00:54:27,364 LITTLE BIT OF AN UPDATE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED BOTH FROM A POLICY STANDPOINT AS WELL AS THE BUDGET AND JUST TO INFORM YOU OF NEXT 453 00:54:27,364 --> 00:54:36,774 STEPS BECAUSE WE HAVE WHAT IS A FAIRLY LENGTHY TIME PERIOD BETWEEN THE END OF THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THE 454 00:54:36,774 --> 00:54:44,648 BEGINNING OF THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR, WE HAVE HAD THE HONOR 455 00:54:44,648 --> 00:54:55,425 OF REPRESENTING THE CITY FOR OVER A DECADE NOW IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER, WHAT WAS FORMERLY PEOPLES AND SMITH BECAME PEOPLES 456 00:54:55,425 --> 00:55:02,099 SMITH AND MATTHEWS IN 2017 WHICH THEN WAS ACQUIRED BY GRAYROBINSON IN 2021. MY BACKGROUND, I AM A LAWYER AND 457 00:55:02,099 --> 00:55:08,906 LOBBYIST BY TRADE SO I AM THE BUTT OF EVERY PARTY JOKE YOU CAN IMAGINE. I HAVE AN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW 458 00:55:08,906 --> 00:55:15,245 BACKGROUND IN PARTICULAR. I WAS THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION UNDER GOVERNOR SCOTT 459 00:55:15,245 --> 00:55:29,693 SOMETIME AGO. MY PARTNER IN CRIME SINCE 2017 IS ANGELA DRZEWIECKI. SHE HAS WORKED FOR FORMER CFO 460 00:55:29,693 --> 00:55:38,769 ALEX CYNC AND HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL BRINGING BACK STATE DOLLARS TO THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE SINCE ABOUT 2016. 461 00:55:38,769 --> 00:55:45,475 THIS IS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ETHOS OF THE LAW FIRM OF GRAYROBINSON. WE ARE A 15-OFFICE LAW FIRM, 14 462 00:55:45,475 --> 00:55:51,648 OF THOSE OFFICES LOCATED IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. ONE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. WE HAVE OVER 350 ATTORNEYS AND 463 00:55:51,648 --> 00:55:58,989 CONSULTANTS. YOU WILL SEE HERE JUST THE MAP OF WHERE WE ARE LOCATED. SO LET'S TALK GLOBALLY ABOUT 464 00:55:58,989 --> 00:56:06,096 WHAT OCCURRED IN 2024. YOU COULD SEE SOME STATISTICS THERE. I WANT TO GIVE YOU SORT OF AN 465 00:56:06,096 --> 00:56:20,877 IDEA OF HOW THE SESSION PLAYED OUT. AS WITH MOST ELECTION YEARS, RELATIVELY SPEAKING, THERE WAS 466 00:56:20,877 --> 00:56:27,451 LITTLE DRAMA AT THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION. PRESIDING OFFICERS, PARTICULARLY IN THEIR SECOND YEAR, IN THEIR 467 00:56:27,451 --> 00:56:33,924 POSITIONS ARE TERMING OUT, IF YOU WILL AS SPEAKER AND SENATE PRESIDENT. THE GOVERNOR HAD A FAR LESS 468 00:56:33,924 --> 00:56:43,233 ROBUST LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IN 2024 THAN HE DID IN 2023. I MEAN REALLY THE PACE OF THE 2024 SESSION WAS FAR DIFFERENT 469 00:56:43,233 --> 00:56:50,274 THAN THAT OF 2023. AND SO THE GOVERNOR REALLY LOOKED TO DO JUST A HANDFUL OF THINGS. 470 00:56:50,274 --> 00:56:59,249 HE WAS LOOKING FOR AN ADOPTION OF A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR CONGRESS, AS WELL AS IMPLEMENTATION OF TERM LIMITS. 471 00:56:59,249 --> 00:57:06,223 THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAD PUT JOINT RESOLUTIONS TO CONGRESS IDENTIFYING BOTH THOSE PRIORITIES OF THE GOVERNOR. 472 00:57:06,223 --> 00:57:13,697 HIS OFFICE WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN A ONE-YEAR EXEMPTION OF TAXES, FEES AND ASSESSMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY INSURANCE 473 00:57:13,697 --> 00:57:19,036 POLICYHOLDERS. THE STATE CONTINUES TO GRAPPLE WITH THE PROPERTY INSURANCE ISSUE THAT WE HAVE FACED OVER 474 00:57:19,036 --> 00:57:28,045 THE COURSE OF THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. AND REALLY, OTHER THAN THIS ONE YEAR, THIS ONE YEAR EXEMPTION, 475 00:57:28,045 --> 00:57:34,584 THERE WASN'T A LOT OF WORK DONE IN THE PROPERTY INSURANCE MARKET. THE SPEAKER HAD A COUPLE OF 476 00:57:34,584 --> 00:57:42,059 PRIORITIES, SPEAKER PAUL RENNER. HIS TOP PRIORITY DEALT WITH CHILDREN AND SOCIAL MEDIA. THAT BILL WAS FILED AS HOUSE 477 00:57:42,059 --> 00:57:49,499 BILL 1 AND EFFECTIVELY WAS A PROHIBITION ON ANYONE UNDER 16 UTILIZING SOCIAL MEDIA. THE GOVERNOR ACTUALLY DURING THE 478 00:57:49,499 --> 00:57:59,343 WANING DAYS OF SESSION VETOED HOUSE BILL 1 FOR SOME CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES THAT HE HAD SEEN IN THAT BILL. 479 00:57:59,343 --> 00:58:06,783 AND MAINLY HIS MAIN OPPOSITION WAS THAT THERE WAS NO PARENTAL OPT IN FOR THOSE CHILDREN WHO WERE 14 OR 15 YEARS OLD WHO MAY 480 00:58:06,783 --> 00:58:15,225 USE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE ACADEMIC REASONS, FOR ATHLETIC REASONS, FOR RECRUITMENT, ETC. SO DURING SESSION, THE GOVERNOR 481 00:58:15,225 --> 00:58:21,998 ACTUALLY VETOED HOUSE BILL 1 WHICH WAS PASSED AROUND WEEK SEVEN. SO THAT LED TO THE SPEAKER IN 482 00:58:21,998 --> 00:58:27,170 THE HOUSE SCRAMBLING A LITTLE BIT. THERE WAS A PIECE OF LEGISLATION IN HOUSE BILL 3 THAT WAS STILL 483 00:58:27,170 --> 00:58:35,812 ALIVE SO IT WAS AMENDED TO INCLUDE THE PARENTAL OPT-IN FOR THOSE 14 AND 15-YEAR-OLDS. AND THEN IT WAS SIGNED. 484 00:58:35,812 --> 00:58:44,788 THE SPEAKER'S SECOND PRIORITY LEADS TO A COMMON THEME FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITHIN THE YEAR, THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE 485 00:58:44,788 --> 00:58:51,261 SESSION DEALT WITH PROPERTY TAXES. AND SO HOUSE BILL 7017 ALLOWS FOR OR WILL PLACE A QUESTION ON 486 00:58:51,261 --> 00:59:00,036 THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR A 3% ANNUAL CPI INCREASE TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR PROPERTY OWNERS IN 487 00:59:00,036 --> 00:59:06,843 THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THERE WERE NUMEROUS HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS THAT WERE FILED AS LEGISLATION THIS YEAR. 488 00:59:06,843 --> 00:59:13,417 NOT ALL OF THEM PASSED. THERE WAS A PROVISION IN A BILL FILED DEALING WITH LOCAL BUSINESS TAXES. 489 00:59:13,417 --> 00:59:21,491 AND NOT THE COMPLETE ELIMINATION THEREOF -- AND WE'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT SHORTLY. BUT ALSO, A BILL THAT WAS FILED 490 00:59:21,491 --> 00:59:30,367 THAT LOOKED AT A STUDY DEALING WITH PROPERTY TAXES IN GENERAL. SO WHEN I SAY THAT THERE WAS A THEME OVER LOCAL GOVERNMENT 491 00:59:30,367 --> 00:59:36,072 REVENUES, THERE WASN'T A LOT THAT ACTUALLY PASSED. BUT I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT 492 00:59:36,072 --> 00:59:42,045 THREE, FOUR YEARS, THERE WILL BE A MICROSCOPE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVENUES IN ALL FORMS FROM TALLAHASSEE. 493 00:59:42,045 --> 00:59:50,120 SO IT'S SOMETHING TO CERTAINLY BE AWARE OF. WHAT I WANT TO DO NOW BEFORE GETTING INTO A WHOLE HOST OF 494 00:59:50,120 --> 00:59:54,724 PIECES OF LEGISLATION IS BRING ANGELA UP, HAVE HER TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET. AND THEN WHAT I'LL DO IS 495 00:59:54,724 --> 01:00:02,365 PROBABLY GO OVER 10 TO 12 BILLS THAT HAVE SOME IMPACT ON YOU. I KNOW JOHNA THOMAS WILL COME UP AFTER THAT AS WELL. 496 01:00:02,365 --> 01:00:09,172 I'M GOING TO PASS IT TO ANGELA AND THEN I WILL BE BACK. >> MAYOR: WELCOME. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. 497 01:00:09,172 --> 01:00:16,613 THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. JUST BRIEFLY ABOUT THE BUDGET, THE BUDGET OR THE GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR THE 498 01:00:16,613 --> 01:00:26,690 '24-'25 FISCAL YEAR TOTALS 117.46 BILLION. OUR CURRENT FISCAL YEAR BUDGET IS 116.5 BILLION. 499 01:00:26,690 --> 01:00:33,797 AND THAT BUDGET INCLUDES ABOUT 68.1 BILLION FROM TRUST FUNDS AND 49.4 BILLION IN GENERAL REVENUE. 500 01:00:33,797 --> 01:00:40,604 THE BUDGET HAS NOT BEEN SENT TO THE GOVERNOR YET. ONCE HE DOES RECEIVE IT, HE'LL HAVE 15 DAYS TO ACT ON IT. 501 01:00:40,604 --> 01:00:49,012 AND HE DOES HAVE A LINE-ITEM VETO AUTHORITY OVER THE BUDGET. THERE WAS A SESSION-LONG EMPHASIS IF YOU WILL OR THEME, 502 01:00:49,012 --> 01:00:56,853 MAINLY BY THE GOVERNOR WHO IN DECEMBER PROPOSED A $114.4 BILLION BUDGET IN THE HOUSE, ALSO, TO MAKE FISCALLY 503 01:00:56,853 --> 01:01:02,526 RESPONSIBLE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE BUDGET SO THAT IT WAS SUSTAINABLE LONG-TERM. AND ALSO TO INCREASE RESERVES. 504 01:01:02,526 --> 01:01:09,633 AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, THE STATE HAS ABOUT 10 BILLION IN TOTAL RESERVES NOW AND THE BUDGET ALSO INCLUDED 500 MILLION 505 01:01:09,633 --> 01:01:19,509 TO RETIRE OUTSTANDING STATE DEBT. AND PART OF THAT WAS BECAUSE IN RECENT YEARS THE STATE WAS 506 01:01:19,509 --> 01:01:27,250 BOOSTED BY FEDERAL COVID DOLLARS RELIEF FUNDS WHICH ARE NOW DRYING UP. AND I WILL JUST -- I ALWAYS 507 01:01:27,250 --> 01:01:32,188 THINK THIS IS INTERESTING TO PUT OUT THERE. EVEN WITH THE MORE FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE BUDGET, JUST TO 508 01:01:32,188 --> 01:01:39,529 GIVE YOU AN IDEA HOW MUCH THE STATE'S BUDGET HAS GROWN IN RECENT YEARS, JUST A DECADE AGO, THE BUDGET WAS UNDER 77 BILLION. 509 01:01:39,529 --> 01:01:45,669 SO AGAIN, JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF HOW MUCH IT'S GROWN IN RECENT YEARS. OKAY. 510 01:01:45,669 --> 01:01:53,810 AS YOU CAN SEE ON THIS SLIDE, THIS IS JUST A BREAKDOWN OF THE TOTAL BUDGET. THE LARGEST BUDGET SILO IS 511 01:01:53,810 --> 01:02:00,717 HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ACCOUNTING FOR 46.5% OF TOTAL SPENDING. I'M NOT GOING TO SPEND TOO MUCH 512 01:02:00,717 --> 01:02:06,623 TIME ON IT BUT I DID WANT TO GO OVER A FEW OF WHAT I CONSIDER THE KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOTAL BUDGET. 513 01:02:06,623 --> 01:02:11,661 AND IF THERE ARE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER THOSE AS WELL. BUT THERE'S $100 MILLION 514 01:02:11,661 --> 01:02:16,933 INCLUDED IN THIS FOR HOMETOWN HEROES PROGRAM. IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT, THAT'S THE PROGRAM THAT 515 01:02:16,933 --> 01:02:23,139 PROVIDES DOWN PAYMENT AND CLOSING COST ASSISTANCE TO FIRST-TIME INCOME QUALIFIED HOME BUYERS SO THEY CAN PURCHASE A 516 01:02:23,139 --> 01:02:28,511 PRIMARY RESIDENCE IN THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THEY WORK. THERE'S ALSO $75 MILLION IN THE BUDGET FOR THE FLORIDA JOB 517 01:02:28,511 --> 01:02:33,883 GROWTH GRANT FUND WHICH IS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROMOTE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND WORKFORCE 518 01:02:33,883 --> 01:02:40,256 TRAINING ACROSS THE STATE. THIS IS A GRANT THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN APPLY FOR. FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE BUDGET 519 01:02:40,256 --> 01:02:47,998 INCLUDES OVER $400 MILLION FOR LOCAL WATER PROJECTS AND 135 MILLION FOR THE WASTEWATER GRANT PROGRAM. 520 01:02:47,998 --> 01:02:56,373 SO THAT WOULD INCLUDE YOUR SEPTIC-TO-SEWER PROGRAM. FLORIDA FOREVER, THE STATE'S CONSERVATION AND LAND 521 01:02:56,373 --> 01:03:03,279 ACQUISITION PROGRAM, THERE'S $100 MILLION IN THE BUDGET FOR THE DIVISION OF STATE LANDS. AND THE BUDGET ALSO ALLOCATES 522 01:03:03,279 --> 01:03:10,720 14.3 MILLION FOR THE FLORIDA RECREATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES GRANTS TO LOCAL 523 01:03:10,720 --> 01:03:16,826 GOVERNMENTS FOR ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF LAND FOR PUBLIC OUTDOOR RECREATION. THERE'S ALSO $15 MILLION FOR 524 01:03:16,826 --> 01:03:25,702 FLORIDA'S COMMUNITIES TRUST PROGRAM WHICH IS A GRANT FOR REGIONAL OPPORTUNITIES LIKE PARKS AND GREEN SPACES. 525 01:03:25,702 --> 01:03:39,082 THROUGH PRESIDENT PASSIDOMO'S BILL AND THERE WERE A FEW OTHERS WRAPPED INTO THAT, THERE'S ABOUT $717 MILLION WHICH INCLUDES 526 01:03:39,082 --> 01:03:44,321 EFFORTS TO RETAIN AND ATTRACT MORE HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO THE STATE. FOR EDUCATION THERE'S 527 01:03:44,321 --> 01:03:53,763 1.8 BILLION TOTAL INCREASE IN K-12 SPENDING WHICH ALSO INCLUDES TEACHER SALARY INCREASES. 528 01:03:53,763 --> 01:04:00,770 THE BUDGET ALSO FULLY FUNDS HOUSING PROGRAMS. SO THAT'S 174 MILLION FOR THE S.H.I.P. PROGRAM OR STATE 529 01:04:00,770 --> 01:04:09,546 HOUSING INITIATIVES PARTNERSHIP. AND 84 MILLION FOR SALE. THERE WAS ALSO LANGUAGE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET TO REVERT AND 530 01:04:09,546 --> 01:04:17,087 REAPPROPRIATE THE FUNDING FROM THIS PAST -- WELL, YES, THIS PAST FISCAL YEAR FOR CYBERSECURITY LOCAL GRANTS. 531 01:04:17,087 --> 01:04:23,660 WHICH IN THE CURRENT BUDGET, THERE WAS ABOUT $40 MILLION WHICH I BELIEVE WASN'T SPENT SO THAT WOULD BE REVERTED AND 532 01:04:23,660 --> 01:04:29,365 REAPPROPRIATED THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS COULD APPLY FOR. FOR THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE SPECIFICALLY, WE ARE EXTREMELY 533 01:04:29,365 --> 01:04:35,605 PLEASED TO SAY THAT THE BUDGET DOES INCLUDE $350,000 FOR A REGIONAL MOBILE COMMAND HAZMAT ASSET. 534 01:04:35,605 --> 01:04:42,512 THE FUNDING WAS REQUESTED TO REPLACE THE 20-PLUS-YEAR-OLD RESPONSE VEHICLE AND WILL SERVE THE 13-COUNTY REGION. 535 01:04:42,512 --> 01:04:51,087 AS I DID MENTION PREVIOUSLY, THE GOVERNOR DOES HAVE LINE-ITEM VETO AUTHORITY. WE CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE 536 01:04:51,087 --> 01:04:57,894 MERITS OF THE PROJECT UNTIL THE BUDGET IS SENT TO THE GOVERNOR. I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO RYAN AND LET HIM DISCUSS SOME OF THE 537 01:04:57,894 --> 01:05:05,301 BILLS THAT PASSED. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. >> I APPRECIATE ANGELA BRINGING UP EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE 538 01:05:05,301 --> 01:05:11,875 WHICH WERE THE PRIORITIES OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT WHICH I FAILED TO MENTION IN MY OPENING. THERE WERE OVER 1900 BILLS THAT 539 01:05:11,875 --> 01:05:21,518 WERE FILED IN 2024. 325 OF THOSE PASSED. SO AS NOT TO GO OVER ALL 325 OR 1900 IN TOTAL, WE HAVE GOT A 540 01:05:21,518 --> 01:05:29,192 LIST OF PROBABLY 15 OR SO WE WANTED TO BRING UP TO YOU AND HAVE AGAIN JOHNA THOMAS COME FILL IN THE GAPS. 541 01:05:29,192 --> 01:05:34,330 GOING TO KEEP THIS AT A RELATIVELY HIGH LEVEL. IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, HAPPY TO ANSWER THOSE AFTERWARDS. 542 01:05:34,330 --> 01:05:41,004 THE FIRST BILL IS 389 DEALING WITH TRANSPORTATION FACILITY DESIGNATIONS. THIS IS A BILL THAT ANGELA AND I 543 01:05:41,004 --> 01:05:45,942 WORKED ON TO ENSURE THAT THE DYLAN ROBERTS CROSSWALK MEMORIAL WOULD BE INCLUDED. THAT BILL HAS PASSED. 544 01:05:45,942 --> 01:05:51,881 IT HAS NOT YET BEEN SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR. BUT IT WAS FULLY VETTED THROUGHOUT THE SESSION AND 545 01:05:51,881 --> 01:06:00,690 ULTIMATELY WE WOULD ANTICIPATE IT BEING SIGNED. >> MAYOR: SO THAT IS FOR ALL THE SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS THROUGHOUT 546 01:06:00,690 --> 01:06:04,594 THE STATE? >> CORRECT. GENERALLY WHAT HAPPENS, MR. MAYOR, IS YOU CAN FILE AN 547 01:06:04,594 --> 01:06:11,401 INDIVIDUAL BILL WITH A FACILITY DESIGNATION. MOST TIMES, MOST OFTEN THEY ARE NOT, THEY ARE CONSOLIDATED AND 548 01:06:11,401 --> 01:06:16,873 ULTIMATELY PASS. WE HAD AN AMENDMENT THAT WAS PLACED TO PUT THE DYLAN ROBERTS CROSSWALK ON TO ONE OF THOSE 549 01:06:16,873 --> 01:06:22,645 FINAL VERSIONS OF THE BILL TO ENSURE IT WOULD BE INCLUDED. >> MAYOR: DOES THE GOVERNOR HAVE THE POWER TO LINE ITEM THOSE? 550 01:06:22,645 --> 01:06:27,817 OR IS THAT -- >> HE COULD VETO THE BILL. IT'S HIGHLY, HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT WOULD OCCUR. 551 01:06:27,817 --> 01:06:31,855 >> MAYOR: BUT HE CAN'T TAKE OUT INDIVIDUAL DESIGNATIONS WITHIN THE BILL. >> NO, SIR. 552 01:06:31,855 --> 01:06:35,124 HE COULD VETO THE BILL AS A WHOLE. >> MAYOR: NO, I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT. 553 01:06:35,124 --> 01:06:43,466 >> THE NEXT BILL WE'LL TALK ABOUT WHICH I MENTIONED JUST BRIEFLY IN MY OPENING IS HJR7017. 554 01:06:43,466 --> 01:06:48,838 THAT IS THE CPI TO THE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY EXTENSION 3% YEAR-OVER-YEAR. THERE WAS A COMPANION MEASURE 555 01:06:48,838 --> 01:06:57,747 THAT DID FAIL, ULTIMATELY HJR THAT WOULD ADD AN ADDITIONAL $25,000 TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. 556 01:06:57,747 --> 01:07:05,521 THIS COLLECTIVELY FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA, FROM THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PERSPECTIVE HAD ABOUT A $1 BILLION IMPACT. 557 01:07:05,521 --> 01:07:12,395 THANKFULLY THE BILL DID NOT PASS ULTIMATELY. AGAIN TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA, BECAUSE EVERY BAD IDEA BECOMES 558 01:07:12,395 --> 01:07:19,302 RECYCLED IN TALLAHASSEE, THESE THINGS ARE LIKELY TO BE DISCUSSED AGAIN IN FUTURE YEARS. SO IT IS SOMETHING TO BE MINDFUL 559 01:07:19,302 --> 01:07:24,674 OF. HOUSE BILL 609, AGAIN SOMETHING THAT I MENTIONED BRIEFLY IN MY OPENING DEALT WITH THE LOCAL 560 01:07:24,674 --> 01:07:29,145 BUSINESS TAXES. THIS WAS NOT A COMPLETE ELIMINATION OF THE LOCAL BUSINESS TAX. 561 01:07:29,145 --> 01:07:37,587 BUT WHAT THIS BILL SAID THAT YOU COULD NOT COLLECT MORE REVENUE FROM YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS TAXES THAN YOU COULD AS OF 562 01:07:37,587 --> 01:07:45,261 SEPTEMBER 30th, 2023 OR SEPTEMBER 30th, 2024, WHICHEVER WAS GREATER. SO IT EFFECTIVELY PLACED A 563 01:07:45,261 --> 01:07:50,833 LIMITATION ON THE AMOUNT OF LOCAL BUSINESS TAXES YOU COULD RECEIVE AND COLLECT. AGAIN, I WOULD ADVISE -- I WOULD 564 01:07:50,833 --> 01:07:58,841 NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE AN OUTRIGHT ELIMINATION OF THE LOCAL BUSINESS TAX IN THE COMING YEARS COMING FROM TALLAHASSEE. 565 01:07:58,841 --> 01:08:06,482 SENATE BILL 1628 DEALS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACTIONS. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WILL RECALL WHEN WE PRESENTED OR WHEN THOMAS 566 01:08:06,482 --> 01:08:14,591 ACTUALLY PRESENTED LAST YEAR, SENATE BILL 102 WHICH WAS THE PRIORITY OF SENATE PRESIDENT, THE MOTHER OF ALL PREEMPTIONS, 567 01:08:14,591 --> 01:08:19,529 EFFECTIVELY CREATING A BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT FOR EVERY ORDINANCE THAT THE COMMISSION WOULD HAVE TO ADOPT. 568 01:08:19,529 --> 01:08:33,543 AND THEN THE ROCKET DOCKET FOR THOSE CHALLENGES ON ORDINANCES THAT MAY HAVE HAD AN ARBITRARY OR CAPRICIOUS TYPE OF GENESIS. 569 01:08:33,543 --> 01:08:48,424 THIS WAS AN EXPANSION OF SENATE BILL 102. THE ORIGINAL VERSION, ANY LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATION WAS 570 01:08:48,424 --> 01:08:55,365 EXEMPT FROM 102. THIS WAS PLACING THOSE TYPE OF ACTIONS INTO A SIMILAR BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT MANDATE. 571 01:08:55,365 --> 01:09:03,373 SO THAT BILL DID PASS AS WELL. A BILL THAT FAILED IS HOUSE BILL 1195 DEALING WITH MILLAGE RATES. IT WOULD HAVE REQUIRED 2/3 OF A 572 01:09:03,373 --> 01:09:11,781 CITY OR COUNTY OR SPECIAL DISTRICT TO PASS ANY MILLAGE RATE INCREASE. AGAIN, THAT BILL FAILED BUT 573 01:09:11,781 --> 01:09:18,354 LIKELY TO RETURN. HOUSE BILL 267, ANOTHER PSEUDO THEME IF YOU WILL. THERE WERE MULTIPLE BILLS THAT 574 01:09:18,354 --> 01:09:28,197 WERE FILED AS IT RELATES TO BUILDING REGULATIONS. HOUSE BILL 267 REQUIRED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO APPROVE, APPROVE 575 01:09:28,197 --> 01:09:34,003 WITH CONDITIONS OR DENY A PERMIT APPLICATION WITHIN 30 DAYS FOR STRUCTURES LESS THAN 7500 SQUARE FEET. 576 01:09:34,003 --> 01:09:46,482 THAT IS DOWN FROM THE WHAT WAS CURRENT 60-DAY TIMELINE FOR ANY STRUCTURE. THAT APPROVAL, DENIAL OR 577 01:09:46,482 --> 01:09:55,525 APPROVAL WITH CONDITIONS IS DOWN TO 60 DAYS FROM 120 DAYS PRIOR. AGAIN, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE WHAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL REFER TO AS 578 01:09:55,525 --> 01:10:01,631 EFFICIENCY IN THE BUILDING PERMIT PROCESS. BUT THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF THIS BILL ACTUALLY REQUIRED A LOCAL 579 01:10:01,631 --> 01:10:08,871 GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE THAT APPROVAL OR DENIAL WITHIN THREE CALENDAR DAYS. SO IF YOU CAN IMAGINE A SCENARIO 580 01:10:08,871 --> 01:10:16,312 WHERE SOMEONE COMES TO YOU ON A FRIDAY WITH A BUILDING PERMIT. SO THE BILL IMPROVED, IF YOU WILL, OVER TIME. 581 01:10:16,312 --> 01:10:25,288 BUT CERTAINLY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES FROM WHAT WAS EXISTING LAW PRIOR. AND THERE WILL BE ANOTHER 582 01:10:25,288 --> 01:10:30,860 BUILDING PERMIT I WILL DISCUSS, BUILDING PERMIT BILL I WILL DISCUSS BRIEFLY. SENATE BILL 472 DEALS WITH 583 01:10:30,860 --> 01:10:36,999 SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY. THERE HAVE BEEN ABOUT FIVE YEARS IN A ROW WITH DISCUSSION ON INCREASING THE CURRENT CAPS ON 584 01:10:36,999 --> 01:10:44,907 SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY AND WHAT EXISTS TODAY. 200,000 PER PERSON, 300,000 PER OCCURRENCE. 585 01:10:44,907 --> 01:10:50,613 IT WOULD INCREASE THE CAPS TO $400,000 PER PERSON, $600,000 PER OCCURRENCE. IT ALSO WOULD HAVE GIVEN LOCAL 586 01:10:50,613 --> 01:10:57,854 GOVERNMENTS THE ABILITY TO SETTLE CLAIMS OUTSIDE OF THE CLAIMS BILL PROCESS. NOW, WHEN YOU HAVE A CLAIM 587 01:10:57,854 --> 01:11:05,194 AGAINST A LOCAL GOVERNMENT THAT IS ABOVE THOSE LIMITS, YOU WILL HAVE A CLAIMS BILL IN TALLAHASSEE THAT IS ADJUDICATED 588 01:11:05,194 --> 01:11:12,401 THERE. THIS WOULD HAVE ALLOWED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO SETTLE ABOVE THE CAPS WHICH A LOT OF FOLKS WERE 589 01:11:12,401 --> 01:11:18,775 OPPOSED TO. A LOT OF TIMES IT'S HELPFUL TO HAVE THE LEGISLATOR BE THE ARBITER ULTIMATELY OF THOSE 590 01:11:18,775 --> 01:11:24,781 CLAIMS. SENATE BILL 812 DID PASS, ANOTHER EXPEDITED APPROVAL OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMIT 591 01:11:24,781 --> 01:11:33,022 PIECE OF LEGISLATION. THIS BILL REALLY DEALS MORE WITH MASTER PLANNING COMMUNITIES. IT ESTABLISHES A TWO-STEP 592 01:11:33,022 --> 01:11:40,229 APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE ADOPTION OF FIRST A PRELIMINARY PLAT AND THEN FINAL PLAT APPROVAL. 593 01:11:40,229 --> 01:11:52,542 THIS ONLY APPLIES WHERE THERE ARE CONTIGUOUS 25 ACRES OF DEVELOPMENT, TALKING GENERAL, 200, 250, 300 HOMES AT A TIME, 594 01:11:52,542 --> 01:11:59,215 DEALING WITH THAT AT EXPEDITED APPROVAL OF THOSE BUILDING PERMITS. THIS IS MY LAST SLIDE, JUST SO 595 01:11:59,215 --> 01:12:05,888 YOU KNOW. AND AGAIN, HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AFTER EITHER BEFORE JOHN AND THOMAS COME ON OR 596 01:12:05,888 --> 01:12:10,159 AFTERWARDS. THE THEME OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAS BEEN CYBERSECURITY. 597 01:12:10,159 --> 01:12:18,568 HOUSE BILL 1555 DEDICATES THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR CYBERSECURITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA AS CYBER FLORIDA. 598 01:12:18,568 --> 01:12:25,374 CYBER FLORIDA'S MISSION IS TO ASSIST CYBERSECURITY TRAINING, EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT 599 01:12:25,374 --> 01:12:31,280 EMPLOYEES. AS ANGELA MENTIONED, THERE ACTUALLY HAS BEEN STATE DOLLARS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THEIR 600 01:12:31,280 --> 01:12:37,753 EMPLOYEES FOR CYBERSECURITY TRAINING. THIS BILL WAS SOLELY REALLY A DEDICATION OF THAT OUTFIT AT 601 01:12:37,753 --> 01:12:45,962 SOUTH FLORIDA AS CYBER FLORIDA. HOUSE BILL 473 ALSO DEALS WITH CYBERSECURITY. AROUND TWO YEARS AGO, THE 602 01:12:45,962 --> 01:12:54,637 LEGISLATURE ADOPTED A LAW THAT SAID THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS COULD NOT SETTLE OR PAY A RANSOMWARE ATTACK. 603 01:12:54,637 --> 01:13:05,047 IF YOU ALL WERE SUBJECT TO SUCH AN ATTACK, HOUSE BILL 473 PROVIDES INDEMNIFICATION FROM LIABILITY OF A CYBERSECURITY 604 01:13:05,047 --> 01:13:11,854 INCIDENT SO LONG AS YOU COMPLY WITH ALL OF THE CURRENT LAW TRAINING THAT IS REQUIRED OF GOVERNMENTS IN THE STATE OF 605 01:13:11,854 --> 01:13:19,829 FLORIDA. SENATE BILL 328 DEALS WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING. YOU'LL RECALL LAST YEAR THE LIVE 606 01:13:19,829 --> 01:13:29,138 LOCAL ACT THAT WAS A PRIORITY OF SENATE PRESIDENT PASSIDOMO, THIS WAS EFFECTIVELY A GLITCH BILL IF YOU WILL. 607 01:13:29,138 --> 01:13:37,046 THERE WERE A NUMBER OF PREEMPTIONS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THAT ORIGINAL LIVE LOCAL ACT. AND THERE WERE SOME TWEAKS 608 01:13:37,046 --> 01:13:44,687 THERETO. THEY ARE RELATIVELY MINOR I WOULD SAY, BUT CERTAINLY HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THOSE. 609 01:13:44,687 --> 01:13:53,496 HOUSE BILL 7073 IS THE STATE'S ANNUAL TAX PACKAGE. THERE WAS OVER $1.5 BILLION OF TAX CUTS WITHIN THAT TAX 610 01:13:53,496 --> 01:13:59,402 PACKAGE. SOME OF THOSE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE JUST UNDER $500 MILLION FOR TOLL RELIEF. 611 01:13:59,402 --> 01:14:08,044 AND AGAIN, THE GOVERNOR'S PRIORITY AS IT RELATES TO THE ONE-YEAR REDUCTION IN INSURANCE PREMIUM TAXES FOR POLICY OWNERS 612 01:14:08,044 --> 01:14:16,252 IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. HOUSE BILL 791, ANOTHER BUILDING PERMIT BILL. THIS ONE DID ULTIMATELY FAIL. 613 01:14:16,252 --> 01:14:23,159 THIS WOULD HAVE FURTHER STREAMLINED THE BUILDING PERMIT PROCESS AND ACTUALLY WOULD HAVE OFFERED REFUNDS OF PERMIT FEES 614 01:14:23,159 --> 01:14:31,801 IF CERTAIN TIMELINES WERE NOT MET WHEN AN APPLICANT CAME TO A GOVERNMENT FOR THOSE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS. 615 01:14:31,801 --> 01:14:43,846 THE FINAL THREE WERE BILLS OF SOME SIGNIFICANT DEBATE. AND THERE WAS CERTAINLY A LOT OF TIME SPENT ON THESE PIECES OF 616 01:14:43,846 --> 01:14:48,884 LEGISLATION. SENATE BILL 1530 DEALS WITH UNAUTHORIZED CAMPING AND/OR SLEEPING. 617 01:14:48,884 --> 01:14:58,327 IT PREEMPTS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM AUTHORIZING INDIVIDUALS TO REGULARLY SLEEP OR CAMP ON PUBLIC PROPERTY OR PUBLIC 618 01:14:58,327 --> 01:15:06,001 RIGHTS-OF-WAY. WHAT IT DOES DO IS ALLOW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ISSUE TEMPORARY PERMITS IN DESIGNATED AREAS. 619 01:15:06,001 --> 01:15:13,876 IF YOU OR ANY LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA DECIDES TO DESIGNATE A CAMPING OR SLEEPING AREA, THERE ARE MINIMUM 620 01:15:13,876 --> 01:15:18,814 RESOURCES THAT HAVE TO BE PROVIDED. FOR INSTANCE, DCF HAS TO BE MODIFIED IN CASE CHILDREN ARE 621 01:15:18,814 --> 01:15:26,389 PRESENT. AND AGAIN, CERTAIN MINIMUM HEALTH SAFETY AND WELFARE STANDARDS DO NEED TO BE MET IN 622 01:15:26,389 --> 01:15:34,463 ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THAT NEW LAW. HOUSE BILL 601 DEALS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CORRECTIONAL 623 01:15:34,463 --> 01:15:42,905 OFFICERS. ANOTHER PREEMPTION WHICH PROHIBITS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLICE OFFICER REVIEW BOARD FROM 624 01:15:42,905 --> 01:15:50,713 THE RECEIPT, PROCESSING OR INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS. 625 01:15:50,713 --> 01:15:56,752 IF YOU HAVE A CURRENT BOARD THAT DOES NOT DO ONE OF THOSE THINGS, IT CAN REMAIN. BUT THOSE THAT ARE THE THREE 626 01:15:56,752 --> 01:16:06,028 SPECIFIC AREAS OF PREEMPTION AS IT RELATES TO THOSE TYPES OF BOARDS. SENATE BILL -- HOUSE BILL 1417 627 01:16:06,028 --> 01:16:10,299 DEALS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL FUNDING. THIS BILL ACTUALLY IS QUITE EXCITING. 628 01:16:10,299 --> 01:16:16,772 IT'S SOMETHING THAT HASN'T BEEN DONE IN SOMETIME IN TERMS OF DEDICATING MONEYS TO THE ENVIRONMENT. 629 01:16:16,772 --> 01:16:24,447 A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO, THE STATE PUT FORWARD ABOUT $1 BILLION IN RESILIENCY FUNDING. THAT MONEY HAS BEEN UTILIZED 630 01:16:24,447 --> 01:16:32,088 AGGRESSIVELY. AND SO THE IDEA THIS YEAR UNDER HOUSE BILL 1417 IS TO UTILIZE THE REVENUE FROM THE SEMINOLE 631 01:16:32,088 --> 01:16:40,629 GAMING COMPACT AND SPLIT THAT INTO THREE DIFFERENT POTS OF MONEY, ALL WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. 632 01:16:40,629 --> 01:16:48,637 HOPEFULLY, IF ONLINE GAMING SUCCEEDS THE CHALLENGE CURRENTLY BEFORE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, YOU'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT 633 01:16:48,637 --> 01:16:53,709 $1.5 BILLION PER YEAR THAT COULD BE UTILIZED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL FUNDING. SO IT'S SOMETHING EXCITING 634 01:16:53,709 --> 01:16:59,415 THERE. AND THEN THE LAST THING I WILL MENTION BEFORE TURNING IT OVER TO JOHN AND THOMAS OR ANSWERING 635 01:16:59,415 --> 01:17:07,723 QUESTIONS IS BECAUSE OF THE FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA, I DID NOT ORIGINALLY INCLUDE A BILL DEALING WITH MUNICIPAL UTILITIES 636 01:17:07,723 --> 01:17:16,031 THAT WAS FILED. THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THERE HAS BEEN A THREE-YEAR EFFORT IF YOU WILL LOOKING AT MUNICIPAL 637 01:17:16,031 --> 01:17:21,971 UTILITIES. THAT DISCUSSION HAS CENTERED AROUND THE PROVISION OF EXTRA TERRITORIAL SERVICE. 638 01:17:21,971 --> 01:17:30,279 IF A MUNICIPAL UTILITY PROVIDES SERVICE OUTSIDE OF ITS MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES, SHOULD EQUITABLE RATES BE CHARGED? 639 01:17:30,279 --> 01:17:39,822 THERE IS A SURCHARGE FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER FOR THOSE OUTSIDE OF THOSE TERRITORIAL BOUNDARIES. AND WHAT SOURCE OF REDRESS, IF 640 01:17:39,822 --> 01:17:49,999 YOU WILL, IF THOSE CUSTOMERS RESIDE OUTSIDE OF THE TERRITORIAL BORDERS HAVE. THE BILL THIS YEAR LIMITED THE 641 01:17:49,999 --> 01:17:57,106 GENERAL FUND TRANSFER WHICH IS THE TYPICAL TALLAHASSEE NARRATIVE OF THE GSC THAT YOU ALL HAVE TALKED ABOUT. 642 01:17:57,106 --> 01:18:06,515 IT LIMITED THAT GFT TO 10% OF REVENUES FOR CUSTOMERS SERVICED OUTSIDE OF A MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY. IT THEN REQUIRED, IF YOU DID 643 01:18:06,515 --> 01:18:13,322 PROVIDE SERVICE OUTSIDE OF YOUR MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES, ONCE A YEAR, YOU, AS THE RATE-SETTING BODY WOULD HAVE TO HOLD A 644 01:18:13,322 --> 01:18:20,763 MEETING IN THE RECIPIENT AREA JUST TO ALLOW FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS SOME FORM OF DUE PROCESS, THE ABILITY TO SPEAK 645 01:18:20,763 --> 01:18:27,970 BEFORE YOU, ETC. AGAIN, THAT BILL FAILED, BUT IT HAS BEEN A PART OF A THREE-YEAR CONVERSATION ON MUNICIPAL 646 01:18:27,970 --> 01:18:33,242 UTILITIES. I HAVE REPRESENTED THE FLORIDA MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION FOR NINE OR 10 YEARS AT THIS 647 01:18:33,242 --> 01:18:39,582 POINT. AND SO IT WOULD BE A BILL THAT I WOULD ANTICIPATE COMING BACK NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION AS 648 01:18:39,582 --> 01:18:42,985 WELL. WITH THAT, MR. MAYOR, I WILL CONCLUDE. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS 649 01:18:42,985 --> 01:18:47,590 NOW OR HAVE JOHN AND THOMAS COME UP AND THEN DO IT AT THAT POINT. >> MAYOR: VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. 650 01:18:47,590 --> 01:18:55,297 SO FOR THE LAST BILL YOU MENTIONED, I BELIEVE THE CURRENT TRANSFER THAT EXISTS IS ABOUT 3% FOR GRU. 651 01:18:55,297 --> 01:19:02,938 JUST FOR EVERYBODY'S EDIFICATION. I KNOW THAT'S GOING TO BE A SURPRISE TO FOLKS, THAT'S WHY I 652 01:19:02,938 --> 01:19:10,379 PUT IT OUT THERE. ALL RIGHT. GENTLEMEN? ANYTHING TO FILL IN THERE? 653 01:19:10,379 --> 01:19:18,153 THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR, COMMISSION. JOHN ALEXANDER, ACTING DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AND 654 01:19:18,153 --> 01:19:24,093 COMMUNITY RELATIONS, OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER. WE ARE JUST HERE TO GIVE A LEGISLATIVE UPDATE. 655 01:19:24,093 --> 01:19:31,200 WE HAVE COME BEFORE YOU BEFORE. A LOT HAS HAPPENED IN TALLAHASSEE SINCE THEN. SO WE ARE JUST GOING TO GIVE A 656 01:19:31,200 --> 01:19:37,773 QUICK UPDATE AND JUST A RUN-DOWN OF KIND OF WHERE WE STARTED. THIS WORK, OF COURSE, STARTED BACK IN SEPTEMBER WHERE THERE 657 01:19:37,773 --> 01:19:43,245 WAS A DRAFT OF THE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE. AND ON THE LIST WAS, OF COURSE, 658 01:19:43,245 --> 01:19:50,819 TO SERVE AS A GUIDE FOR OUR SPECIFIC PROJECTS THAT WE WANTED AS WELL AS SOME OTHER BILLS THAT WOULD POTENTIALLY IMPACT THE 659 01:19:50,819 --> 01:19:56,859 CITY OF GAINESVILLE. AND IT WAS IMPORTANT UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY MANAGER THAT WE HAVE AN AGGRESSIVE PLAN 660 01:19:56,859 --> 01:20:03,632 GOING INTO SESSION THIS YEAR. SO WE ACTUALLY ARRANGED A MEETING WITH OUR STATE LOBBYISTS. 661 01:20:03,632 --> 01:20:09,438 IN THAT MEETING, WE SPOKE ABOUT THE DESIRED OUTCOMES FOR THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE AS WELL AS THE FORMAT, KIND OF WHAT YOU 662 01:20:09,438 --> 01:20:17,980 HAVE HEARD HERE FROM RYAN AND ANGELA, A FORMAT OF KIND OF WHAT WOULD TAKE PLACE THIS YEAR. AND AGAIN, SOME OTHER THINGS 663 01:20:17,980 --> 01:20:25,754 THAT MAY IMPACT THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE, OTHER STATE BILLS. WE DID COME BACK BEFORE YOU FEBRUARY 1st AND GAVE AN 664 01:20:25,754 --> 01:20:33,862 UPDATE ON WHERE WE WERE. BY THEN, WE HAD DONE SOME TRIPS TO TALLAHASSEE WITH OUR STATE LOBBYISTS AND MEETING WITH OTHER 665 01:20:33,862 --> 01:20:38,467 LEGISLATURES ABOUT OUR LOCAL BILLS. AND, OF COURSE, KEEPING OUR EAR TO THE GROUND OF THINGS THAT MAY 666 01:20:38,467 --> 01:20:46,108 IMPACT OUR CITY AS WELL. WE ALSO ATTENDED THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES LEGISLATIVE DAY, ACCOMPANIED COMMISSIONER 667 01:20:46,108 --> 01:20:51,413 EASTMAN THERE TO DO SOME MORE WORK. AT THAT MEETING AS WELL, THERE WAS A DIRECTIVE FOR US TO GET 668 01:20:51,413 --> 01:20:57,786 WITH OUR CITY ATTORNEY ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF HB 601 WHICH YOU HEARD THE OUTCOME OF THAT TODAY AS WELL. 669 01:20:57,786 --> 01:21:07,196 AND SO WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO THOMAS HARRINGTON, OUR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COORDINATOR TO GIVE AN 670 01:21:07,196 --> 01:21:12,868 UPDATE OF OUR LOCAL PROJECTS AND SOME OF THE BILLS. SOME YOU MAY HEAR AGAIN, BUT SOME OF THEM, LIKE RYAN STATED, 671 01:21:12,868 --> 01:21:21,543 JUST FILL IN THE GAPS OF WHAT TOOK PLACE. >> MAYOR: VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. 672 01:21:21,543 --> 01:21:28,217 WELCOME, MR. HARRINGTON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I KIND OF VIEW THIS AS A SEQUEL TO THE MID POINT THAT WE SHARED 673 01:21:28,217 --> 01:21:35,858 BACK IN FEBRUARY. AND I DON'T WANT TO DUPLICATE WHAT WAS SHARED, BUT WE APPRECIATE AGAIN THE WORK ON THE 674 01:21:35,858 --> 01:21:43,665 MEMORIAL CROSSWALK. THE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT HAD MADE BOTH CHAMBER BUDGETS DURING THAT -- RIGHT BEFORE THAT FINAL 675 01:21:43,665 --> 01:21:52,007 WEEK. AND WE ARE ZEROED OUT. BUT I DID A LITTLE MORE ANALYSIS AND ABOUT $51 MILLION OF ABOUT 676 01:21:52,007 --> 01:22:02,951 22 SIMILAR PROJECTS STATEWIDE -- OF THAT AMOUNT THAT WE REQUESTED [INAUDIBLE]. AND ALL THOSE PROJECTS, WHEN YOU 677 01:22:02,951 --> 01:22:11,059 LOOK AT BOTH CHAMBERS WERE FROM FOLKS IN THE SUPER MAJORITY. OURS, OUT OF ALL 22 PROJECTS, WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT HAD ONE 678 01:22:11,059 --> 01:22:19,835 MEMBER THAT WAS NOT PART OF THE SUPER MAJORITY. THE REGIONAL HAZMAT, OF COURSE, THAT'S IN THERE. 679 01:22:19,835 --> 01:22:28,043 THE SECOND YEAR, THE MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT FUNDING WAS IN THE SENATE BUDGET AND IT NEVER RECEIVED ON THE HOUSE 680 01:22:28,043 --> 01:22:37,219 SIDE. SO WE WERE CLOSE, BUT MR. JOHN AND I ARE LOOKING AT OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, EVEN 681 01:22:37,219 --> 01:22:46,428 FEDERAL WHERE THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE MAY BE A COUPLING OR SUPPLEMENTAL DOLLARS FOR THAT. ONE OF THE OTHER BILLS THAT 682 01:22:46,428 --> 01:22:55,103 EARLY ON WE WERE TOLD TO HAVE ON OUR RADAR, SINCE WE ARE A MOBILITY-FEE CITY, IS THIS ONE THAT SEEMED TO SAIL THROUGH. 683 01:22:55,103 --> 01:23:01,577 IT'S AWAITING THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE. IT SIMPLY DEFINES MOBILITY FEE AS SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD HAVE 684 01:23:01,577 --> 01:23:09,351 AS PART OF OUR PLAN. LOCAL GOVERNMENT FEE SCHEDULE ESTIMATED BY AN ORDINANCE SPECIFIC TO THE PROJECT AND OUR 685 01:23:09,351 --> 01:23:15,924 LOCAL PLAN. SO THAT ONE IS AWAITING THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE. AS YOU MIGHT RECALL LAST MONTH, 686 01:23:15,924 --> 01:23:20,229 WE HAD KIND OF A BREAKDOWN OF WHERE THESE THINGS WERE IN THE PROCESS AND THE COMMITTEE PROCESS. 687 01:23:20,229 --> 01:23:27,436 SO WE UPDATED THAT HERE. AND AS YOU'LL SEE IN SOME OTHER ONE THAT IS DIED, IT WILL KIND OF SHOW YOU WHICH CHAMBER MAY 688 01:23:27,436 --> 01:23:36,178 NOT HAVE REALLY BEEN FAVORABLE TOWARDS IT. ANOTHER ONE THAT WE SHARED LAST TIME THAT OUR RTS D.O.T. IS VERY 689 01:23:36,178 --> 01:23:45,053 CONCERNED ABOUT -- AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED SINCE THAT TIME -- IS THIS ONE 287. AND THAT WILL LIMIT THE AMOUNT 690 01:23:45,053 --> 01:23:54,830 OF MONEY THAT FDOT CAN COMMIT TO PUBLIC TRANSIT PROJECTS TO 20%. NO MORE THAN 20%, WHICH OUR FOLKS ESTIMATE IS A $2 MILLION 691 01:23:54,830 --> 01:24:03,705 CUT. THERE ARE EXEMPTIONS IN TERMS OF THE FEDERAL MATCHING DOLLAR PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE AS WELL AS 692 01:24:03,705 --> 01:24:15,317 MTPO IMPROVEMENTS. BUT AGAIN, THIS IS AWAITING THE GOVERNOR'S PRESENTATION AND SIGNATURE. 693 01:24:15,317 --> 01:24:20,022 HISTORIC PRESERVATION, THIS BILL WE BROUGHT UP. AT THE TIME WE WEREN'T SURE WHERE IT WAS HEADED. 694 01:24:20,022 --> 01:24:26,128 IT DEALS WITH COASTAL SEAWARD AREAS. HOWEVER, FOLKS IN THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMUNITY INVOLVED 695 01:24:26,128 --> 01:24:38,941 WITH THOSE ADVOCACY EFFORTS THINK THAT THIS MAY BE KIND OF A STEPPINGSTONE WAY TO FURTHER AND POSSIBLY HAVE SOME OTHER 696 01:24:38,941 --> 01:24:48,150 UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES FOR LOCALLY DESIGNATED PROPERTIES. SO THEY ARE ACTUALLY WORKING NOW TO TRY TO PUT AN EXEMPTION NEXT 697 01:24:48,150 --> 01:24:57,693 YEAR IN SOME LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PROTECT THOSE ALREADY EXISTING LOCALLY DESIGNATED PROPERTIES FROM BEING PUT IN THE 698 01:24:57,693 --> 01:25:08,103 NON-CONFORMING DEFINITION CATEGORY. THIS WAS ACTUALLY -- THIS HAS BEEN UPDATED SINCE I SUBMITTED 699 01:25:08,103 --> 01:25:16,878 THIS. THIS WAS ACTUALLY APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR. ANOTHER ONE THAT DID NOT MAKE 700 01:25:16,878 --> 01:25:25,620 IT, BUT SOMETHING THAT WAS ON OUR RADAR AND AS RECENT AS THIS MORNING IN THE CONVERSATION WITH REP HINSON, SOMETHING THAT SHE 701 01:25:25,620 --> 01:25:33,862 SUPPORTS AND SAID SHE WOULD EVEN LOBBY FOR NEXT YEAR IS THIS MAIN STREET PROGRAM AND HISTORIC TAX CREDITS WHICH WOULD LIKELY HELP 702 01:25:33,862 --> 01:25:43,705 WITH OUR DOWNTOWN AREA IN TERMS OF ANY HISTORIC RENOVATION PROJECTS THAT WE MIGHT HAVE. SO AGAIN, SOMETHING TO KEEP ON 703 01:25:43,705 --> 01:25:54,683 YOUR RADAR FOR NEXT SESSION. AS APPEARS WE ALREADY HAVE ONE IN OUR DELEGATION WHO IS VERY SUPPORTIVE. 704 01:25:54,683 --> 01:26:05,527 SOME OF THE GUN BILLS THAT WERE OF CONCERN, THESE TWO DIED THANKS TO SENATE PRESIDENT PASSIDOMO. 705 01:26:05,527 --> 01:26:11,767 THE FIRST ONE WOULD HAVE MADE THE WAITING PERIOD, EXCLUDING HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS. THE SECOND ONE WOULD HAVE GONE 706 01:26:11,767 --> 01:26:19,741 BACK, KIND OF A REVERTER TO THE 2018 POST PARKLAND LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HAVE REDUCED THE AGE FROM 21 BACK TO 18. 707 01:26:19,741 --> 01:26:27,315 THE SENATE NEVER HEARD IT. BUT JUDGING BY SOME CONVERSATIONS I HAVE HAD FOR NEXT SESSION, IT IS SOMETHING 708 01:26:27,315 --> 01:26:37,826 THAT COULD STILL BE IN PLAY GIVEN NEW SENATE LEADERSHIP. AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE WASN'T EVEN A SENATE COMPANION BILL TO 709 01:26:37,826 --> 01:26:52,674 THE AGE REDUCTION ONE. THE LAST GUN BILL THAT CAME TO OUR ATTENTION KIND OF MIDWAY IN SESSION IS 1181. 710 01:26:52,674 --> 01:27:01,049 AND THIS ONE IS ENROLLED. IT IS WAITING TO BE PRESENTED AND APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR BUT IT DEALS WITH MAKING HARSHER 711 01:27:01,049 --> 01:27:06,955 PENALTIES ON YOUTH WHO CARRY FIREARMS FROM MISDEMEANOR TO A FELONY. AND THE LATEST ANALYSIS OF THIS 712 01:27:06,955 --> 01:27:18,133 BILL SHOWS THAT THERE IS QUITE A VARIATION IN TERMS OF SCENARIOS, SITUATIONS OF WHAT EXTENDED ATTENTION MEANS AS WELL AS WHAT 713 01:27:18,133 --> 01:27:26,508 APPEARS TO BE AN ELONGATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE DAYS SO AGAIN IT KIND OF DEPENDS ON THE OFFENSE AND THIS IS SOMETHING 714 01:27:26,508 --> 01:27:36,651 THAT I SHARE WITH OUR GPD. THIS IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT REP HENSON BROUGHT UP AS RECENTLY AS YESTERDAY AT A CHAMBER LUNCHEON 715 01:27:36,651 --> 01:27:44,993 AS A BILL SHE WAS QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT AND SOME INSTANCES FELT THAT OR THOUGHT THAT THERE MAY BE CERTAIN 716 01:27:44,993 --> 01:27:56,104 CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE YOUTH MAY END UP BEING IN DETENTION 15 TO 20 YEARS LONGER BUT AGAIN SOMETHING I THINK CAN SERVE ANY 717 01:27:56,104 --> 01:28:08,083 INTEREST TO GPD AND SOMETHING FOR CONSIDERATION. THE OTHER BILLS THAT RYAN AND ANGELA TOUCHED ON DEAL WITH 718 01:28:08,083 --> 01:28:15,957 HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS. I DIDN'T WANT TO BEAT A DEAD HORSE BUT WE DID CONDUCT A FOLLOW-UP WITH LEGAL AFTER THE 719 01:28:15,957 --> 01:28:22,631 FEBRUARY MEETING. WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE EXCHANGES. AS OF RIGHT NOW IT SEEMS LIKE THIS BILL WHICH BY THE WAY TOOK 720 01:28:22,631 --> 01:28:29,804 ON THE SENATE LANGUAGE WHICH ALLOWS THE SHERIFF AND THE POLICE CHIEFS TO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN BOARD NOT MANDATORY BUT 721 01:28:29,804 --> 01:28:41,183 SOMETHING THAT THEY MAY ESTABLISH COULD BE SUPPLEMENTAL TO WHAT WE HAVE AND WE DID NOT SEE IT AS ANY REAL THREAT TO THE 722 01:28:41,183 --> 01:28:49,090 EXISTING FUNCTIONS THAT OUR BOARD HAS. WITH THAT, I WILL LEAVE IT OPEN FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU ALL MIGHT 723 01:28:49,090 --> 01:28:54,262 HAVE. I FIGURE BETWEEN THE FOUR OF US WE HOPEFULLY CAN ANSWER ANYTHING. 724 01:28:54,262 --> 01:28:58,700 >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER WILLITS? >> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I DON'T KNOW WHO CAN ANSWER 725 01:28:58,700 --> 01:29:08,243 THIS. DID HOUSE BILL 773 ABOUT PROPERTY TAX BASICALLY ON THE SALES TAX IT IS RESIDENTIAL BUT 726 01:29:08,243 --> 01:29:15,116 DOES THAT INCLUDE APARTMENTS AND MULTI-FAMILY THAT ARE TECHNICALLY COMMERCIAL, IS THAT CONSIDERED COMMERCIAL INSURANCE 727 01:29:15,116 --> 01:29:22,123 OR WILL THEY GET THAT 6% REDUCTION? JUST BECAUSE AS WE LOOK AT OUR COMMUNITY AND SAY IF, YOU KNOW, 728 01:29:22,123 --> 01:29:29,598 IF LOTS OF PEOPLE LIVE IN MULTI-FAMILY IN OUR COMMUNITY -- [INAUDIBLE] TO LOOK FORWARD TO HOW WE -- 729 01:29:29,598 --> 01:29:36,571 >> I THINK SO LONG AS YOU ARE A PROPERTY INSURANCE POLICYHOLDER YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE -- >> I KNOW THAT FOR THE PERSONAL 730 01:29:36,571 --> 01:29:41,977 BUT THE OVERALL -- >> I'M UNSURE SO I DON'T WANT TO GIVE YOU, YOU KNOW, THE INCORRECT ANSWER. 731 01:29:41,977 --> 01:29:50,919 I DON'T THINK THAT WAS THE INTENT IN TERMS OF THE EXPANSION OF THAT EXEMPTION. >> OKAY. 732 01:29:50,919 --> 01:30:02,764 YOU KNOW, DIRECT WE ARE IN AN APARTMENT BUT TECHNICALLY IN AN HOA SO WE HAVE HOA INSURANCE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE I DIDN'T KNOW IF 733 01:30:02,764 --> 01:30:09,104 THE OVERALL THAT'S TECHNICALLY COMMERCIAL BUT TO PROTECT RESIDENTIAL SO I DIDN'T KNOW IF THAT'S THE CASE. 734 01:30:09,104 --> 01:30:14,342 >> I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS EXTENDED TO COMMERCIAL. WE WILL GO BACK AND LOOK AND GET YOU AN ANSWER. 735 01:30:14,342 --> 01:30:21,750 >> LARGE APARTMENT COMPLEXES THAT ARE OWNED BY ONE OWNER, IS THAT RESIDENTIAL INSURANCE OR IS THAT COMMERCIAL? 736 01:30:21,750 --> 01:30:26,921 >> I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW, COMMISSIONER. I WOULDN'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD QUALIFY. 737 01:30:26,921 --> 01:30:32,694 >> I SHOULD HAVE ASKED THE APARTMENT FOLKS THIS MORNING I MET WITH. WHEN WE ALL LOOK AT OUR TAX BILL 738 01:30:32,694 --> 01:30:41,102 AND NOT THE TAX BILL BUT WHEN WE GO OH, WE GET A BREATHER BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY 6% ON OUR PROPERTY INSURANCE BUT TENS OF 739 01:30:41,102 --> 01:30:47,742 THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LIVE IN APARTMENTS I WONDER ARE THEY ALSO GETTING A BREAK PARTICULARLY I KNOW IT WOULD GO 740 01:30:47,742 --> 01:30:53,048 TO THE OWNERS BUT THAT'S WHAT I HAD THE QUESTION ABOUT. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. >> MAYOR: MR. EASTMAN? 741 01:30:53,048 --> 01:31:00,889 >> SO, RYAN, YOU WORKED A BIT ON THE LIVE LOCAL ACT AND THERE WERE CHANGES IN THE LAST MINUTE ON THE MIDDLE MARKET TAX 742 01:31:00,889 --> 01:31:09,364 EXEMPTIONS. CAN YOU GO INTO WHAT THOSE CHANGES WERE AND HOW THAT MIGHT IMPACT US AND WHAT WE HAVE 743 01:31:09,364 --> 01:31:14,703 MOVING FORWARD? >> SO WHAT YOU ARE SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT, COMMISSIONER, WAS THERE WERE A COUPLE OF THINGS IN 744 01:31:14,703 --> 01:31:24,079 TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR TAX REDUCTIONS. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT 745 01:31:24,079 --> 01:31:29,217 REDUCTION SPECIFICALLY FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS. WHAT YOU AND I HAD WORKED WITH AND WORKED WITH THE SENATE 746 01:31:29,217 --> 01:31:39,127 PRESIDENT ON WAS WHETHER OR NOT STUDENTS WOULD EFFECTIVELY QUALIFY UNDER THAT AND THE ULTIMATELY THE CLARIFICATION 747 01:31:39,127 --> 01:31:49,437 THAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR DID NOT MAKE IT INTO THAT FINAL BILL BECAUSE THEY WERE PLACING EFFECTIVELY THE CLASSIFICATION 748 01:31:49,437 --> 01:31:57,946 OF STUDENT UNDER A CERTAIN POVERTY LEVEL AND OBVIOUSLY STUDENTS DON'T GENERALLY HAVE SIGNIFICANT INCOME AND SO WE 749 01:31:57,946 --> 01:32:04,686 WERE HOPING THAT THOSE TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR DEVELOPERS WOULDN'T BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BUT THAT CLARIFICATION NEVER 750 01:32:04,686 --> 01:32:10,225 MADE IT INTO THE FINAL LIVE LOCAL ACT. >> THERE WAS SOME EXEMPTION PLACED THE VERY LAST MINUTE ON 751 01:32:10,225 --> 01:32:20,135 THE TAXING -- THE COUNTY AND THE CITY WOULD BE ABLE SO LONG AS WE DON'T HAVE THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF UNITS AT OR ABOVE 120% AMI WE 752 01:32:20,135 --> 01:32:25,407 COULD EXEMPT OURSELVES FROM THAT WHOLE MIDDLE MARKET TAX EXEMPTION, AM I REMEMBERING THIS CORRECTLY? 753 01:32:25,407 --> 01:32:33,248 >> YOU ARE. AND SO THERE IS A PROCESS THAT YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW EFFECTIVELY AND I BELIEVE THAT IT REQUIRES 754 01:32:33,248 --> 01:32:40,121 YOU TO WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TO ENSURE THAT BUT I WILL GET THAT TO YOU JUST SO WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED TO DO 755 01:32:40,121 --> 01:32:45,493 TO ENSURE QUALIFICATION. >> ALL RIGHT. AND THEN THERE WAS ALSO I WAS READING ABOUT PREEMPTION ON 756 01:32:45,493 --> 01:32:50,198 ELECTRIC CHARGING STATIONS OR SOMETHING PUT INTO THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE. CAN YOU SPEAK MORE ON THAT AND 757 01:32:50,198 --> 01:33:00,141 WHAT THAT LOOKED LIKE? >> THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL CONVERSATION AS IT RELATES TO EV'S NOT ONLY ON THE 758 01:33:00,141 --> 01:33:09,184 REGISTRATION FEES BUT ALSO IN I BELIEVE IT WAS THE DEPARTMENT OF AG IN THE CONSUMER SERVICES BILL. 759 01:33:09,184 --> 01:33:15,356 OF THE REGULATION OF CHARGING STATIONS WAS PREEMPTED TO THE STATE. WHAT THEY DID NOT WANT TO HAVE 760 01:33:15,356 --> 01:33:24,332 IS THAT PATCHWORK OF REGULATIONS FROM A CITY AND COUNTY LEVEL ON CHARGING STATIONS THEMSELVES. SO THAT WAS PREEMPTED. 761 01:33:24,332 --> 01:33:32,140 >> BUT THEN THEY DID SET A MINIMUM THRESHOLD FOR NEW CHARGING STATIONS NEED TO BE PLACED INTO RESIDENTIAL UNITS OR 762 01:33:32,140 --> 01:33:39,681 IS THAT -- >> I'M UNFAMILIAR WITH THAT PIECE OF IT IN TERMS OF THAT BUT GLOBALLY WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IS 763 01:33:39,681 --> 01:33:47,889 PREEMPTED TO THE STATE THE CHARGING STATIONS. >> AND THEN GOING TO SB 1628, THE BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT ON 764 01:33:47,889 --> 01:33:55,330 NEW LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE UPDATES AND MAYBE SOMEONE FROM THE CITY BUT WHAT KIND OF AN IMPACT DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD 765 01:33:55,330 --> 01:34:02,871 HAVE IN TERMS OF US BEING ABLE TO MOVE THROUGH LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE UPDATES, THE IMPACT THAT WOULD HAVE ON STAFF, WHAT DOES 766 01:34:02,871 --> 01:34:10,812 THAT LOOK LIKE FOR US? >> MR. MAYOR, ANDREW PERSONS, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. SO THERE IS ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS 767 01:34:10,812 --> 01:34:17,418 THAT STAFF WILL HAVE TO MAKE ANY TIME WE BRING A LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE OR A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT FORWARD. 768 01:34:17,418 --> 01:34:28,363 THERE IS IRONICALLY AN EXEMPTION FOR PRIVATELY INITIATED COMP PLAN OR LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENTS FROM THE REQUIREMENT. 769 01:34:28,363 --> 01:34:37,605 IF YOU RECALL I THINK THE FIRST ONE THAT WE PRESENTED TO THE COMMISSION WAS PART OF THE ACE DISTRICT AND THAT WAS WHEN THE 770 01:34:37,605 --> 01:34:46,748 LAW STILL PROVIDED AN EXEMPTION FOR 163 ORDINANCES SO I JUST WAS MESSAGING WITH PLANNING STAFF ABOUT IT AND MAKE SURE, YOU 771 01:34:46,748 --> 01:34:53,588 KNOW, YOU TALK ABOUT THIS WITH THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE NEXT TIME YOU ALL MEET SO WE WILL INCORPORATE IT WHEN IT GETS INTO 772 01:34:53,588 --> 01:35:00,628 AN ORDINANCE FORM. THERE ARE REQUIREMENTS THAT WE HAVE TO ANALYZE LIKE A LOT OF STATE LEGISLATION IT IS PRETTY 773 01:35:00,628 --> 01:35:09,571 VAGUE SO IT DOES CREATE SOME OPPORTUNITY FOR CHALLENGE IF -- DEPENDING ON IF THERE ARE BUSINESS INTERESTS BUT -- THAT 774 01:35:09,571 --> 01:35:16,578 WANT TO MAKE AN ISSUE OF, YOU KNOW, AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD AFFECT THEM. >> BECAUSE WHAT IS THE TERM THEY 775 01:35:16,578 --> 01:35:24,452 USE IN STATUTE IT CAN BE ARBITRARY AND THINGS LIKE THAT? >> YES, THOSE ARE SORT OF LEGAL PRINCIPALS. 776 01:35:24,452 --> 01:35:33,661 THE STATUTE DOES HAVE SOME SPECIFIC -- THEY DO HAVE CRITERIA BY WHICH WE HAVE TO EVALUATE AND WE HAVE TO ADDRESS 777 01:35:33,661 --> 01:35:41,302 WITH THAT BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT IN TERMS OF NUMBER OF BUSINESSES ESTIMATED AFFECTED, COSTS TO THE GOVERNMENT TO 778 01:35:41,302 --> 01:35:49,077 ACTUALLY DO THE REGULATION, YOU KNOW, SOME IDEA AS SORT OF THE IMPACT TO ACTUAL BUSINESS OPERATIONS DEPENDING ON THE 779 01:35:49,077 --> 01:35:55,550 CONTEXT OF THE ORDINANCE. >> PERFECT. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: SO 1530 IS THE 780 01:35:55,550 --> 01:36:01,489 CAMPING BILL, RIGHT? >> YES, SIR. >> MAYOR: THAT'S A MUCH MORE PLEASANT WAY TO THINK ABOUT IT 781 01:36:01,489 --> 01:36:12,233 AS A CAMPING BILL. DO YOU HAVE THOUGHTS ABOUT WHERE CHALLENGES TO THAT ARE LIKELY TO COME FROM OR HAVE YOU HEARD 782 01:36:12,233 --> 01:36:24,178 ABOUT CHALLENGES TO THIS POINT? I'M TRYING TO THINK OF HOW WE BROADLY PREPARE FOR THIS AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW WE HAVE EXTENSIVE 783 01:36:24,178 --> 01:36:31,753 EXPERIENCE WITH A CAMPING FACILITY AT THE FORMER DIGNITY VILLAGE AND IT JUST FEELS LIKE NOBODY TALKED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT 784 01:36:31,753 --> 01:36:43,898 OR ANY FIRST RESPONDERS ANYWHERE WHO HAD EXPERIENCE WITH THIS AND I AM BEWILDERED THAT THEY DON'T SEEM TO HAVE TALKED TO FIRST 785 01:36:43,898 --> 01:36:47,502 RESPONDERS ABOUT THIS. DO YOU HAVE BROAD THOUGHTS ABOUT IT? >> I WILL TALK A LITTLE BIT 786 01:36:47,502 --> 01:36:54,575 ABOUT THE GENESIS. NUMEROUS STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE DONE SOMETHING SIMILAR AS IT RELATES TO, YOU 787 01:36:54,575 --> 01:37:03,084 KNOW, HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS OR CAMPING SITES IF YOU WILL. THE STATE OF COLORADO, THE STATE OF OREGON, AND THE CITY OF 788 01:37:03,084 --> 01:37:11,192 ORLANDO AS WELL HAS ACTUALLY HAD AN EXTENSIVE, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC HOMELESSNESS CAMPING CONVERSATION RECENTLY. 789 01:37:11,192 --> 01:37:18,433 YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF I GUESS I WOULD NEED CLARIFICATION WHEN YOU SAY IN TERMS OF CHALLENGE. IS THAT REQUEST FOR VETO, IS 790 01:37:18,433 --> 01:37:25,006 THAT CHALLENGE OF THE LAW ONCE PASSED? >> MAYOR: BECAUSE IT HAS ALREADY BEEN SIGNED, YES. 791 01:37:25,006 --> 01:37:38,586 >> IT HAS BEEN SIGNED AS OF YESTERDAY. >> MAYOR: SO OBVIOUSLY WE WILL FIND A WAY TO COORDINATE IT. 792 01:37:38,586 --> 01:37:47,395 SOME PEOPLE WHEN I TALK TO THEM THINK IT IS VERY MUCH A BURDEN ON COUNTIES. I THINK THERE ARE SOME MAYS IN 793 01:37:47,395 --> 01:37:54,001 THERE THAT LET THE COUNTIES OPT OUT BASICALLY. DOES THAT SOUND ACCURATE TO YOU >> THIS IS A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM 794 01:37:54,001 --> 01:37:58,873 AND I THINK THE BILL IS WRITTEN IT IS THE COUNTY THAT IS ELIGIBLE TO DESIGNATE THE CAMPING AREA. 795 01:37:58,873 --> 01:38:05,847 NOW, YOU AS THE CITY COMMISSION HAS TO AGREE WITH THAT AREA DESIGNATION THAT THE COUNTY MAKES SO THEY CANNOT FORCE IT 796 01:38:05,847 --> 01:38:17,158 UPON YOU, BUT, YES, IT IS VERY MUCH A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM BUT I THINK WHAT -- WHERE YOU MAY BE VULNERABLE AND WHERE ALL CITIES 797 01:38:17,158 --> 01:38:25,733 COULD BE VULNERABLE WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE LAW IS THAT IT DOES ALLOW FOR EFFECTIVELY CITIZEN CHALLENGES TO SAY CITY X 798 01:38:25,733 --> 01:38:34,041 IS ALLOWING SOMEONE TO CAMP OR SLEEP IN A PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY OR A PUBLIC BUILDING, PUBLIC AREA AND THEN THAT INSTITUTES AN 799 01:38:34,041 --> 01:38:41,015 INVESTIGATION AND POTENTIAL CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST THE CITY. SO THERE CERTAINLY ARE LIABILITY 800 01:38:41,015 --> 01:38:47,588 CONCERNS THERE. >> MAYOR: RIGHT. COMMISSIONER SACO? >> SO BY ALLOW DO YOU MEAN, YOU 801 01:38:47,588 --> 01:38:57,432 KNOW, WE'RE NEGLIGENT IN OUR DUTIES TO STOP THAT BEHAVIOR OR WE HAVE I GUESS KIND OF DESIGNATED A SPACE THAT THEY DO 802 01:38:57,432 --> 01:39:07,074 NOT APPROVE OF PERSONALLY AND THEN CHALLENGED? >> I THINK FORMER YOU ARE DERELICT IN YOUR DUTY TO PREVENT 803 01:39:07,074 --> 01:39:18,219 THIS FROM HAPPENING. >> SO WE'RE ON THE HOOK REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE SITE IS ESTABLISHED IF WE -- THERE IS 804 01:39:18,219 --> 01:39:24,125 NO SITE ESTABLISHED THE HOMELESS PEOPLE EXIST. >> RIGHT. >> THEY DO. 805 01:39:24,125 --> 01:39:31,032 THAT BECOMES 20, 30, 100 CHALLENGES. >> YOU COULD BE ON THE HOOK IN BOTH INSTANCES, YES, ABSOLUTELY. 806 01:39:31,032 --> 01:39:38,406 >> THANKS. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY COMMUNITIES PREPARING CHALLENGES 807 01:39:38,406 --> 01:39:44,111 TO THIS? >> I AM NOT AS OF TODAY. AGAIN, I BELIEVE IT WAS YESTERDAY OR JUST THE DAY PRIOR 808 01:39:44,111 --> 01:39:49,417 THAT THE BILL WAS SIGNED INTO LAW. I KNOW THAT THROUGH OUR REPRESENTATION OF THE LEAGUE OF 809 01:39:49,417 --> 01:39:55,223 CITIES THERE WERE CERTAINLY A LARGE NUMBER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHO HAVE LOOKED AT THIS LEGISLATION. 810 01:39:55,223 --> 01:40:01,796 I AM NOT AWARE OF A DIRECT, YOU KNOW, CHALLENGE AT THIS POINT. >> MAYOR: OKAY. THANK YOU. 811 01:40:01,796 --> 01:40:08,336 COMMISSIONER CHESTNUT? >> THANK YOU. WHEN DO YOU EXPECT THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SHEET? 812 01:40:08,336 --> 01:40:15,209 WHEN DO YOU EXPECT SOMETHING TO BE RELEASED BY THE DEPARTMENT THAT ANSWERS QUESTIONS? >> WHICH DEPARTMENT IN 813 01:40:15,209 --> 01:40:20,114 PARTICULAR? >> WELL, WHICH DEPARTMENT IS HANDLING THIS? >> FOR THE CAMPING AND THE 814 01:40:20,114 --> 01:40:26,387 HOMELESSNESS ISSUE? >> YES. >> IT WOULD LIKELY ULTIMATELY BE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FDLE. 815 01:40:26,387 --> 01:40:33,961 I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS SPELLED OUT IN THE LEGISLATION OR NOT. SO I WOULD HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT QUITE FRANKLY 816 01:40:33,961 --> 01:40:43,771 BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE FDLE ULTIMATELY. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. 817 01:40:43,771 --> 01:40:51,445 >> MAYOR: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I HAVE HEARD A DISCUSSION OF SOME $30 MILLION POT THROUGH 818 01:40:51,445 --> 01:40:58,419 DCF. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT >> SO I BELIEVE THE GENESIS OF THAT AGAIN IS IF ONE OF THESE 819 01:40:58,419 --> 01:41:09,330 AREAS WERE ESTABLISHED DCF DOES HAVE TO BE NOTIFIED IN THE INSTANCE THAT THERE ARE CHILDREN PRESENT. 820 01:41:09,330 --> 01:41:15,269 HOW THAT PROGRAM WILL BE SPENT OR UTILIZED I BELIEVE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES FOR, AGAIN, HEALTH SAFETY AND 821 01:41:15,269 --> 01:41:26,380 WELFARE. >> MAYOR: IF THERE ARE CHILDREN INVOLVED. >> CORRECT. 822 01:41:26,380 --> 01:41:34,255 >> MAYOR: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANY OTHER LIGHTS. COMMISSIONER WILLITS? >> MAYBE NOT A QUESTION JUST THE 823 01:41:34,255 --> 01:41:45,666 BILL ABOUT CAMPING AND THE LIVE LOCAL. I JUST WANT TO REITERATE I DON'T EXPECT A SPECIAL SESSION FOR 824 01:41:45,666 --> 01:41:53,874 EITHER OF THOSE SPECIFICALLY BUT ACTUALLY THE CAMPING ONE, YOU KNOW, I WOULD BE FINE URGING THIS BODY TO URGE A SPECIAL 825 01:41:53,874 --> 01:42:02,550 SESSION TO COME FIND A LOT MORE MONEY THAN THAT JUST TO GO AHEAD AND SAY THAT THE STATE IS GOING TO TAKE A MUCH STRONGER ROLE IN 826 01:42:02,550 --> 01:42:11,058 HOMELESSNESS BY SAYING AT MINIMUM WE WILL FUND ENCAMPMENTS SHOULD YOUR COUNTY WANT TO DO IT SO THERE IS A CLEAR STREAM AND 827 01:42:11,058 --> 01:42:19,000 IT IS NOT JUST FOR CHILDREN BUT THEY PROBABLY NEED, I MEAN, PROBABLY HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO REALLY IN ONE SWIPE 828 01:42:19,000 --> 01:42:25,673 REALLY GIVE US ALL OF THE TOOLS WE NEED. SO I MEAN I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS SOMETHING WE WOULD NEED AND 829 01:42:25,673 --> 01:42:35,316 TO BE IN PREPARATION OF SPECIAL SESSIONS, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WILL BE SPECIAL SESSIONS THERE PROBABLY WON'T BUT FOR MY 830 01:42:35,316 --> 01:42:40,121 PRIORITIES TWO THINGS THAT I FEEL LIKE I MEAN THERE ARE LOTS OF THINGS I WISH I COULD CHANGE ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE AND WHAT 831 01:42:40,121 --> 01:42:45,359 THEY DID THIS YEAR BUT THOSE ARE ONES THAT SEEM LIKE NOT JUST US BUT OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE THAT NEED. 832 01:42:45,359 --> 01:42:53,267 THAT AND ALL COLLEGE COMMUNITIES COULD PROBABLY WOULD BE PROTECTED BY LOOKING AT THE LIVE LOCAL SO I JUST WANT TO SAY IT 833 01:42:53,267 --> 01:43:01,075 AGAIN I GUESS I'M NOT READY TO MAKE A MOTION OR ANYTHING BUT IT IS JUST, YES, THANKS. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU, 834 01:43:01,075 --> 01:43:09,550 COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER CHESTNUT? >> I WOULD BE INCLINED NOT TO PUSH THE IDEA OF A SPECIAL 835 01:43:09,550 --> 01:43:17,591 SESSION. PROBABLY SPEND THAT 30 MILLION THAT THEY ALLOCATED FOR DCF HAVING A SPECIAL SESSION IF YOU 836 01:43:17,591 --> 01:43:29,503 WERE TO ASK FOR THAT BUT I THINK AT THIS POINT I WOULD NOT BE ON THE SIDE OF TRYING TO PUSH TO HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION. 837 01:43:29,503 --> 01:43:36,777 >> REALLY THIS IS JUST ME SAYING -- [INAUDIBLE]. PUT IT ON THE PRIORITIES FOR NEXT YEAR TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, 838 01:43:36,777 --> 01:43:41,882 THIS IS WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING. WE STILL HAVE TIME BUT I THINK THAT NEXT YEAR IT IS MY OPINION 839 01:43:41,882 --> 01:43:50,224 THOSE ARE TWO THINGS WE NEED TO PUT ON NEXT YEAR'S PRIORITIES IN ESSENCE STARTING NOW. I FORGET ON OUR SCHEDULE WHEN WE 840 01:43:50,224 --> 01:43:56,630 DO PRIORITIES EXACTLY BUT THE CONVERSATIONS START NOW SO THAT'S MY OPINION IS THAT THOSE ARE TWO EASY ONES THAT I THINK 841 01:43:56,630 --> 01:44:03,370 WE REALLY BEHOOVE NOT JUST US BUT OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT ARE SIMILAR TO US. >> COMMISSIONER, THAT'S A GOOD 842 01:44:03,370 --> 01:44:10,010 SEGUE, SO THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS IN MARCH AND RUNS THROUGH MAY OF 2025. THAT LIKELY MEANS THE 843 01:44:10,010 --> 01:44:17,351 LEGISLATURE WILL BEGIN THEIR WORK IN THE COMMITTEE WEEK PROCESS LATE DECEMBER MAYBE NOT EVEN UNTIL JANUARY 2025. 844 01:44:17,351 --> 01:44:23,991 WE WOULD ADVISE AND HAVE ADVISED CLIENTS THAT YOUR PRIORITIES SHOULD BE FINALIZED BY OCTOBER, LATE SEPTEMBER IS PROBABLY IF 845 01:44:23,991 --> 01:44:31,632 YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT SCHEDULE THAT IS EARLIER FANTASTIC BUT I REALLY WOULDN'T WAIT PAST EARLY OCTOBER TO HAVE YOUR LEGISLATIVE 846 01:44:31,632 --> 01:44:40,541 PRIORITIES FINALIZED. >> MAYOR: WE CAN GET MOSTLY THROUGH OUR BUDGET SEASON AND GET INTO THOSE DISCUSSIONS. 847 01:44:40,541 --> 01:44:45,312 >> I'VE HEARD, I HAVE READ THE GOVERNOR IS TALKING ABOUT A SPECIAL SESSION POTENTIALLY ON HAITI. 848 01:44:45,312 --> 01:44:53,587 IS THAT LIKELY TO OCCUR? WHAT HAVE YOU GUYS HEARD? >> I HAVE HEARD SIMILAR THINGS, COMMISSIONER, THAT IN THE VERY 849 01:44:53,587 --> 01:45:02,997 NEAR TERM THE NEXT TWO TO THREE WEEKS THERE COULD BE A SPECIAL SESSION ON IMMIGRATION SPECIFIC FOCUSED ON HAITI. 850 01:45:02,997 --> 01:45:08,836 THE GOVERNOR HAD INSTITUTED A NUMBER OF FLIGHTS INTO THE COUNTRY TO PICK UP FLORIDIANS WHO MAY BE STUCK BECAUSE OF THE 851 01:45:08,836 --> 01:45:18,646 CIVIL UNREST GOING ON IN THE COUNTRY BUT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER STATES WHO HAVE HELD OR AT LEAST PASSED IMMIGRATION LAWS 852 01:45:18,646 --> 01:45:26,587 AND I THINK FLORIDA WOULD LOOK TO EMULATE SO IT IS LIKELY IN MY MIND. >> THANK YOU. 853 01:45:26,587 --> 01:45:34,328 >> MAYOR: OKAY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND WE APPRECIATE THE UPDATES AND 854 01:45:34,328 --> 01:45:45,072 THE CONVERSATION AND WE WILL EVENTUALLY REACH OUT IF FOLKS HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS SO THANK YOU AND WE ARE GOING TO TAKE TEN 855 01:45:45,072 --> 01:45:51,011 MINUTES TO STRETCH OUR LEGS AND WE WILL BE BACK AT 3:00. OKAY? [RECESS TAKEN] 856 01:45:51,011 --> 01:45:58,185 >> Mayor: THANK YOU ALL FOR THE BRIEF SESSION THERE. I APPRECIATE IT. MADAM CLERK, WHAT DO WE HAVE? 857 01:45:58,185 --> 01:46:10,431 >> MR. MAYOR, WE HAVE 2024, 264 UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL POLICY WITH A RECOMMENDATION THE COMMISSION REINSTATE THE UNSOLICITED 858 01:46:10,431 --> 01:46:24,078 PROPOSAL POLICY. >> YES, MR. MAYOR. STAFF WILL GO THROUGH IT. >> THANK YOU. 859 01:46:24,078 --> 01:46:31,719 I'LL JUST JUMP RIGHT IN. IN APRIL 2012, THE CITY COMMISSION APPROVED A SIX-MONTH PILOT FOR AN UNSOLICITED BID 860 01:46:31,719 --> 01:46:36,757 PROPOSAL PROCESS. THAT SUNSETTED IN NOVEMBER, 2022. IN ORDER TO DEVELOP THAT POLICY 861 01:46:36,757 --> 01:46:41,762 STAFF REACHED OUT TO 22 FLORIDA ENTITIES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THEY HANDLE THEIR UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS. 862 01:46:41,762 --> 01:46:49,470 WE REACHED OUT TO 14 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, FOUR COUNTIES, UTILITY, TRANSIT, AVIATION AGENCIES, AND A UNIVERSITY. 863 01:46:49,470 --> 01:46:57,011 BASED ON THIS AND OTHER FEEDBACK THAT WE COLLECTED WE DEVELOPED THE PROPOSAL, THE PILOT POLICY THAT INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING 864 01:46:57,011 --> 01:47:03,417 COMPONENTS. A DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN AN UNSOLICITED CONCEPTUAL PROPOSAL, AND A DETAILED PROPOSAL. 865 01:47:03,417 --> 01:47:10,724 AND THE REQUIRED INFORMATION NEEDED TO BRING THE -- TO THE CITY COMMISSION EITHER PROPOSAL. WE LOOKED AT FEES THAT OTHER 866 01:47:10,724 --> 01:47:23,103 CITIES CHARGE ON THAT RANGE FROM ZERO TO $2500. AND WE DEVELOPED AN APPROACH FOR UNSOLICITED CONCEPTUAL PROPOSAL, 867 01:47:23,103 --> 01:47:29,310 AND A DETAILED PROPOSAL AND THEY WOULD PHASE IN THE FEES UP TO $6,000 IF APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION. 868 01:47:29,310 --> 01:47:37,818 TO MOVE FORWARD. THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF STAFF'S AND COMMITTEE CONCEPTUAL PROPOSAL AND A DETAILED 869 01:47:37,818 --> 01:47:43,123 UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL ARE ALSO OUTLINED. THERE'S A DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPETITIVE PROCESS FOR REVIEW, 870 01:47:43,123 --> 01:47:49,596 INCLUDING EVALUATION CRITERIA. AND THERE'S A DESCRIPTION OF A NEGOTIATION PROCESS, IF THE UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL IS CHOSEN 871 01:47:49,596 --> 01:47:57,504 BY THE CITY COMMISSION. AND INCLUDING THE NEGOTIATION CRITERIA. STAFF AT THAT TIME AND TODAY 872 01:47:57,504 --> 01:48:05,412 RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEES FOR THESE CONCEPTUAL PROPOSALS BE RAISED FOR A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT SUBMITS A 873 01:48:05,412 --> 01:48:11,952 PROPOSAL IN THE FOLLOWING FOCUS AREAS WHICH ARE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND PROJECT FOR GCRA. 874 01:48:11,952 --> 01:48:18,726 DURING THE SIX MONTH PILOT THE CITY DID RECEIVE THREE UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS, AND THE UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL POLICY 875 01:48:18,726 --> 01:48:24,999 ALLOWED THE CITY AND STAFF TO HAVE A STRUCTURED AND WELL THOUGHT OUT PROCESS BY WHICH TO EVALUATE ANY PROPOSALS THAT ARE 876 01:48:24,999 --> 01:48:31,739 SUBMITTED. SO STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION IS TO ASK THE COMMISSION TO REIN-TATE THE UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL POLICY 877 01:48:31,739 --> 01:48:35,376 AND WE'RE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE. >> Mayor: VERY GOOD, THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER SACO? 878 01:48:35,376 --> 01:48:43,083 >> THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU TO ALL THE STAFF WHO REALLY WORKED ON THE FIRST KIND OF A PILOT OF THIS. 879 01:48:43,083 --> 01:48:52,192 I THINK -- I KNOW WE HAVE SEEN AT LEAST ONE THAT KIND OF CAME THROUGH AND DID THE WHOLE RIGMAROLE WITH US AND I THINK 880 01:48:52,192 --> 01:48:58,365 IT'S COMING OUT AS SOMETHING GOOD, HOPEFULLY DUE DILIGENCE PENDING. BUT I THINK THAT IT'S GIVEN US A 881 01:48:58,365 --> 01:49:04,004 LITTLE MORE TIME, AND THIS IS WHAT YOU'RE ASKING US TO DO, KIND OF SEE HOW IN THE LONGER RUN IT OPERATES. 882 01:49:04,004 --> 01:49:11,278 I'M HOPEFUL, AND I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO MAKE THAT TODAY. I THINK -- AND WILL GIVE SUGGESTIONS ON WAIVING SPEEDS IN 883 01:49:11,278 --> 01:49:18,385 SPECIFIC CATEGORIES FOR NONPROFITS AND I APPRECIATE THAT YOU HAD THE FORETHOUGHT TO SPECIFY, IF YOU'RE A NONPROFIT, 884 01:49:18,385 --> 01:49:23,190 IT HAS TO BE IN THESE AREAS. BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN BE A NONPROFIT. BUT NO, FOR CRITICAL AREAS OF 885 01:49:23,190 --> 01:49:34,868 NEED FOR OUR CITY. SO, I THINK THAT IS WELL THOUGHT OUT AND PERFECTLY SOUND. >> VERY GOOD, THANK YOU. 886 01:49:34,868 --> 01:49:44,178 >> Mayor: WE ALSO GOT AFTER OUR MEETING THIS AFTERNOON THE E-MAIL FROM THE -- PALMER WHO HAS ALREADY BEEN THROUGH THE 887 01:49:44,178 --> 01:49:50,651 PROCESS, AND IS NOT ASKING FOR ANY OF YOU, BUT RECOMMENDING THAT WE CONTINUE THIS PROCESS, AND HE FOUND IT PARTICULARLY 888 01:49:50,651 --> 01:50:01,428 USEFUL FOR HIS ORGANIZATION. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER OPPORTUNITIES, I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY, BUT I'M AWARE OF AT 889 01:50:01,428 --> 01:50:05,833 LEAST TWO OR THREE, THAT WOULD HAVE MADE A LOT OF SENSE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND WOULD HAVE BEEN USEFUL FOR OUR COMMUNITY, BUT 890 01:50:05,833 --> 01:50:16,110 THERE WAS QUITE LITERALLY NO WAY FOR THEM TO MOVE FORWARD IN ANY KIND OF SYSTEMIC WAY. THERE WAS NO -- NO POLICY THAT 891 01:50:16,110 --> 01:50:25,018 ALLOWED PEOPLE, NO PROCESS TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO SAY, I HAVE A GREAT IDEA FOR THIS PIECE OF CITY PROPERTY, OTHER THAN 892 01:50:25,018 --> 01:50:32,125 KNOWING THE RIGHT PEOPLE. AND IT SHOULDN'T BE A WHO YOU KNOW SYSTEM. WHAT THIS DOES IS ALLOW IT TO BE 893 01:50:32,125 --> 01:50:39,133 A PROCESS THAT IS PUBLICLY AVAILABLE, THAT ANYONE CAN WORK THROUGH. AND THAT'S HOW LOCAL GOVERNMENT 894 01:50:39,133 --> 01:50:46,640 OUGHT TO BE. I REALLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE MISSED AS A COMMUNITY BECAUSE THERE WAS NO 895 01:50:46,640 --> 01:50:57,885 WAY FOR -- FOR ANYBODY TO WALK UP TO THE COMMISSION AND SAY, I HAVE A GREAT IDEA, LET'S WORK ON IT. 896 01:50:57,885 --> 01:51:04,024 I'M PLEASED WITH THE WAY THAT WORKED FOR THE NOT, AND THEN THE OPPORTUNITY WE'RE ALL EXPERIENCING THERE, WHICH 897 01:51:04,024 --> 01:51:13,200 CERTAINLY IS NOT DONE, BUT HAS MOVED THROUGH, AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT -- THAT OTHER FOLKS WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE A SIMILAR SYSTEM 898 01:51:13,200 --> 01:51:19,773 THAT IS OPENLY AVAILABLE AND TRANSPARENT TO ANYONE WHO FILLS OUT THE FORM. ALL RIGHT. 899 01:51:19,773 --> 01:51:24,178 I DON'T SEE ANY LIGHTS. DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS? >> NO PUBLIC COMMENT. 900 01:51:24,178 --> 01:51:28,282 >> Mayor: VERY GOOD. ALL RIGHT. ANY COMMENT? OKAY. 901 01:51:28,282 --> 01:51:31,485 COMMISSIONER SACO. >> COMMENT? THEN I MOVE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION. 902 01:51:31,485 --> 01:51:37,457 >> SECOND. >> Mayor: ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO MOVE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION. 903 01:51:37,457 --> 01:51:46,099 COMMISSIONER BOOK? >> YEAH, THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. SO THIS IS ONE THAT'S CAUSING ME SOME CONCERN WHEN WE DID HAVE 904 01:51:46,099 --> 01:51:50,871 THE NOT COME FORWARD IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT IT WAS A TREMENDOUS PROPOSAL. AND I FEEL THAT IN KIND OF 905 01:51:50,871 --> 01:51:58,612 KNOWING A PARTICULAR BUSINESS OWNER, AND BELIEVING THAT THEIR INTENT IS TO BUILD OUT JUST AN INCREDIBLE AREA DOWN ON SOUTH 906 01:51:58,612 --> 01:52:06,486 MAIN STREET, I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING. ON THE OTHER HAND, I DO SO SEPARATE AND DISTINCT FROM THAT 907 01:52:06,486 --> 01:52:11,158 PARTICULAR PROPOSAL I DO HAVE CONCERN THAT IT'S -- IT'S ACTUALLY SOME OF THE SAME. WHERE YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO BASED 908 01:52:11,158 --> 01:52:20,000 ON THEIR CONTACTS AND THEIR NETWORKS, THEY'RE ABLE TO ESSENTIALLY GET MORE TRACTION ON A PROPOSAL, AND MOVE FORWARD 909 01:52:20,000 --> 01:52:27,040 WHERE THERE SHOULD BE SOME VERY CLEAR DELINEATIONS AND BOUNDARIES BETWEEN BOTH GOVERNMENT, AND PRIVATE 910 01:52:27,040 --> 01:52:35,148 BUSINESS, AND INDUSTRY. SO KIND OF A SPIN TO WHAT YOU HAPPENED TO SAY MR. MAYOR IS I WORRY ABOUT SOMETIMES PEOPLE 911 01:52:35,148 --> 01:52:44,291 HAVING INS SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE I HAVE AN UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL, AS OPPOSED TO GOING THROUGH PROCESSES, AND PROTOCOLS, IT MAY 912 01:52:44,291 --> 01:52:49,863 BE A LITTLE ONEROUS, A LITTLE BURDENSOME. ON THE OTHER HAND, IT DOES CAUSE THEM TO HAVE TO KIND OF CROSS 913 01:52:49,863 --> 01:52:55,636 EVERY "T" AND DOT EVERY "I." BUT THAT'S JUST SOME COMMENTS ON IT BUT I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF IT. 914 01:52:55,636 --> 01:53:07,781 THANK YOU. >> Mayor: SO, I'M CONFUSED. I -- WHAT THIS DOES IS, IS PUT A PUBLIC POLICY PROCESS FORWARD. 915 01:53:07,781 --> 01:53:19,059 WHAT IS, TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT'S THE PROCESS FOR, AND WE WILL NOT BECAUSE -- IN THE THINGS THAT EXIST, TO YOUR 916 01:53:19,059 --> 01:53:25,399 KNOWLEDGE, WHAT'S THE PROCESS FOR MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT IF WE DON'T HAVE THIS? >> I THINK WHAT I WAS 917 01:53:25,399 --> 01:53:30,270 INDICATING, THIS IS THE TYPE OF THING THAT WILL NEED TO BE IN PLACE. IT GIVES US A LITTLE MORE 918 01:53:30,270 --> 01:53:36,643 STRUCTURE TO -- SO IF YOU'RE SAYING THAT WE'RE IN AGREEMENT WITH THAT PARTICULAR ASPECT. >> Mayor: ABSOLUTELY. 919 01:53:36,643 --> 01:53:51,024 >> I JUST ALWAYS AM CONCERNED [CHOPPY AUDIO] HOW MANY TIMES IT DOES IN FACT GIVE THEM SOME. BUT THIS IS A BETTER SYSTEM THAN 920 01:53:51,024 --> 01:53:58,565 NO ONE SOLICIT -- I MEAN I SEE YOU SHAKING YOUR HEAD BIG THERE. SO I UNDERSTOOD THAT. I WAS TRYING TO MAKE THAT 921 01:53:58,565 --> 01:54:08,675 CLEARER. I DO HAVE SOME CONCERN ABOUT THE CLOSENESS OF PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO GET INVOLVED, EMBED THEMSELVES 922 01:54:08,675 --> 01:54:13,046 AND MOVE THROUGH THINGS. AND THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE PROCESS IN THE FIRST PLACE. >> Mayor: SO, YES, I SUPPORT 923 01:54:13,046 --> 01:54:21,021 THIS BECAUSE I WANT THERE TO BE A PROCESS WHERE NONE CURRENTLY EXISTS. COMMISSIONER WILLITS? 924 01:54:21,021 --> 01:54:29,596 >> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. YOU KNOW, THIS SEEMS LIKE A GOOD PLAN, A GOOD POLICY SO THAT THE SAME WAY ANY MEMBER OF THE 925 01:54:29,596 --> 01:54:41,508 COMMUNITY SAYS -- CAN COME UP WITH AN IDEA, JUST BRING IT, YOU KNOW, GO OH, THAT'S INTERESTING, AND WE CAN DECIDE YES OR NO, WE 926 01:54:41,508 --> 01:54:47,748 SHOULD GO WITH THAT OR NOT. FEELS LIKE IT'S THE SAME THING BUT, YOU KNOW, FROM OUR LAND OR FACILITIES FROM SOMEONE IN THE 927 01:54:47,748 --> 01:54:54,087 BUSINESS COMMUNITY OR BUSINESS OWNER OR PROPERTY OWNER OR SOMEONE WANTS TO TRY SOMETHING. I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT THE 928 01:54:54,087 --> 01:55:00,327 PROCESS OF NOT HAVING TO COME FORWARD PARTICULARLY BECAUSE WE MAY NOT HAVE -- WE MAY NOT -- OUR DIRECTION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN 929 01:55:00,327 --> 01:55:06,066 LIKE ALL RIGHT IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON TO SOMETHING, BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW EVERY LITTLE LAST CORNER OF THE MARKET. 930 01:55:06,066 --> 01:55:16,109 WE NO LONGER HAVE A BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, IS THAT CORRECT, RIGHT? WE CURRENTLY DO HAVE THAT. 931 01:55:16,109 --> 01:55:23,683 WE HAVE A GCRA MANAGER WHO UNDERSTANDS AT LEAST WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THAT AREA ABOUT DEVELOPING BUSINESSES OR, YOU 932 01:55:23,683 --> 01:55:31,091 KNOW, OPPORTUNITIES BUT WE DON'T KNOW THE WHOLE MARKET, AND HAVE THEM COME BACK AND SAY HEY IT'S TIME TO DO THIS OR SO I LIKE 933 01:55:31,091 --> 01:55:37,497 THAT IDEA, AND -- SO I UNDERSTAND COMMISSIONER BOOK'S CONCERN, BUT HOLDING OUT TO EVEN DECIDE TO HAVE AN RFP ON 934 01:55:37,497 --> 01:55:44,671 SOMETHING IS JUST AS -- JUST AS FRAUGHT WITH THE INFLUENCE POTENTIALLY OF DON'T MOVE ON THIS, BECAUSE SOMEONE WHO WANTS 935 01:55:44,671 --> 01:55:51,211 TO GO PUT IN, THEY'RE NOT READY, THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR FINANCING TOGETHER, THEY DON'T -- OR THEIR BUSINESS CYCLES -- THEIR 936 01:55:51,211 --> 01:55:56,883 BUSINESS CYCLE IS JUST NOT THERE YET. SO THE DELAYING OF THAT, PLUS ON US AS WELL TO JUMP ON IT NOW, 937 01:55:56,883 --> 01:56:04,457 IS -- THERE'S GOING TO BE JUST THAT SAME KIND OF DELAY, AND THAT'S WHY JUST BEING ABLE TO COME DIRECTLY AND SAY I HAVE AN 938 01:56:04,457 --> 01:56:14,434 IDEA, THIS IS LAND YOU HAVE, AND I DO THINK IT, IT MAKES US THINK ABOUT SOME THINGS SOONER THAN LATER, WHICH I THINK IS GOOD, 939 01:56:14,434 --> 01:56:22,075 BECAUSE OTHERWISE WE COULD STOP AND THINK AND SAY OH, THAT LAND IS JUST, YOU KNOW, IT'S LAND YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH A YEAR OR NOW, 940 01:56:22,075 --> 01:56:28,615 TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, I LIKE THE IDEA THAT, YOU KNOW, I SUPPORT THIS. >> Mayor: THANK YOU, 941 01:56:28,615 --> 01:56:35,488 COMMISSIONER WILLITS. COMMISSIONER EASTMAN? >> IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, SO WE GET THE UNSOLICITED BID IN, 942 01:56:35,488 --> 01:56:42,262 BUT THEN WE STILL OPEN IT UP FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO COME TO US TO GET INFORMATION, CORRECT? SO IT'S NOT LIKE SOMEONE COMES 943 01:56:42,262 --> 01:56:49,703 TO US, SAYS I HAVE THIS IDEA. WE SAY WE'VE REVIEWED IT, IT'S GOOD, BUT DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY OTHER IDEAS NOW THAT THAT 944 01:56:49,703 --> 01:56:55,108 PROCESS, WHICH I THINK IS WHAT OPENS THAT UP A BIT MORE, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I LIKE ABOUT IT. 945 01:56:55,108 --> 01:57:02,616 IT'S -- YOU KNOW, IT ENSURES THAT THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN, AND THAT WE ARE GETTING THE BEST THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS TO OFFER. 946 01:57:02,616 --> 01:57:08,555 LIKE WE GOT TWO REALLY GOOD PROPOSALS OUT OF THAT AND I KNOW WE STRUGGLED WITH WHICH ONE WE WERE GOING TO GO WITH, AND I 947 01:57:08,555 --> 01:57:14,094 FELT THE NOT COME FORWARD WITH A VERY GOOD PROPOSAL AND SOME FOLKS CAME FORWARD WITH SOME OTHER IDEAS OF THEIR OWN TO 948 01:57:14,094 --> 01:57:19,466 WHERE THE MUSEUM COULD GO SO I THINK THAT THAT IS A REALLY IMPORTANT FACTOR. >> Mayor: SO I'M NOT SAYING 949 01:57:19,466 --> 01:57:27,040 PROPERTY. WE HAD YEARS BEFORE THAT A LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER COME FORWARD AND SAY, REALLY INTERESTED IN THIS 950 01:57:27,040 --> 01:57:33,847 SITE. I'D LOVE TO BUY THIS, BUT WE DON'T REALLY KNOW. WE DON'T HAVE A PROCESS FOR 951 01:57:33,847 --> 01:57:41,121 THAT. SO, THIS MAKES THAT A POSSIBLE THING FOR THERE TO BE GOOD PUBLIC DISCUSSION ABOUT IT, 952 01:57:41,121 --> 01:57:47,761 WHERE EVERYTHING SHOULD BE, EVERYTHING TO BE LITERALLY IN THE OPEN, AND TRANSPARENT. SO, I'M SORRY IF I MISUNDERSTOOD 953 01:57:47,761 --> 01:57:56,736 THE CONCERNS THERE. SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE GOOD. I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER LIGHTS, SO -- COMMISSIONER BOOK? 954 01:57:56,736 --> 01:58:03,977 >> I -- THAT'S RIGHT. IT ADDRESSES A GAP THAT OCCURS IN BASICALLY THE LATE 2022 THROUGH NOW ESSENTIALLY IF THIS 955 01:58:03,977 --> 01:58:10,584 WERE TO MOVE FORWARD, AND IT DOES PUT STRUCTURE IN. I DON'T -- I'M NOT ENTIRELY COMFORTABLE WITH IT, BUT IT'S 956 01:58:10,584 --> 01:58:17,457 CERTAINLY AN IMPROVEMENT IN STRUCTURE PROCESS AND PROTOCOL, AND GIVES US SOME ESSENTIALLY CITY GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRATIC 957 01:58:17,457 --> 01:58:23,063 STEPS, WHICH IS IMPORTANT SOMETIMES IF YOU WANT TO BE ETHICAL AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY HAS A FAIR AND 958 01:58:23,063 --> 01:58:31,538 EQUITABLE PATH TO WHETHER DEVELOPMENT OR BUILDING, OR REZONING OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT FOR ANYTHING. 959 01:58:31,538 --> 01:58:35,442 SO, THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. >> Mayor: VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, SEEING NO OTHER 960 01:58:35,442 --> 01:58:38,278 LIGHTS. ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE. [AYES] ANY OPPOSED? 961 01:58:38,278 --> 01:58:42,983 ALL RIGHT THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY WITH COMMISSIONER DUNCAN-WALKER ABSENT. MADAM CLERK. 962 01:58:42,983 --> 01:58:49,723 >> MR. MAYOR WE HAVE 2024-291, COMMUNITY GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION ALLIANCE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. 963 01:58:49,723 --> 01:59:04,904 WITH THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THE GENERAL POLICY COMMITTEE REVIEW THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE, 964 01:59:04,904 --> 01:59:10,443 SANTA FE COLLEGE AND ALACHUA COUNTY FOR COMMUNITY GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION ALLIANCE AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER OR 965 01:59:10,443 --> 01:59:16,449 THE DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE MOU AND EXECUTE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE CITY ATTORNEY AS TO FORM AND 966 01:59:16,449 --> 01:59:23,690 LEGALITY. >> BRANDY IS HERE, SHE'S OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR, AND HAS BEEN WORKING VERY DILIGENTLY 967 01:59:23,690 --> 01:59:35,268 WITH CHIEF DIXON ON THE GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION INITIATIVE. WE'RE ALSO JOINED BY MISS BRUNINGS, FROM SANTA FE COLLEGE. 968 01:59:35,268 --> 01:59:42,108 SHE MAY SPEAK A LITTLE BIT LATER. BUT WHAT I'D LIKE TO ASK BRANDY TO DO IS COME UP TO SPEAK TO WHY 969 01:59:42,108 --> 01:59:47,514 WE ARE WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION 970 01:59:47,514 --> 01:59:54,521 AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS TO THIS POINT WHERE WE COULD GET SOMETHING TO HELP US THROUGH OUR GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION 971 01:59:54,521 --> 01:59:59,893 PROGRAMMING. SO THAT'S WHY BRANDY IS HERE. SIMILARLY SHE REPRESENTS THE CITY WHERE WE ARE IN THIS 972 01:59:59,893 --> 02:00:07,734 FRAMEWORK WHERE THE COUNTY IS, AND THE FRAMEWORK, SO WE DIDN'T WANT TO GO TOO MUCH FURTHER WITHOUT COMING TO THE COMMISSION 973 02:00:07,734 --> 02:00:13,206 TO ALLOW YOU TO HAVE SOME INPUT SO THEREFORE BRANDY IS HERE. PLEASE. >> Mayor: WELCOME. 974 02:00:13,206 --> 02:00:17,744 >> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS. BRANDY STONE, COMMUNITY HEALTH 975 02:00:17,744 --> 02:00:23,750 DIRECTOR WITH GAINESVILLE FIRE RESCUE. SHOULD I HAVE THE PROJECTOR? >> IF IT'S -- 976 02:00:23,750 --> 02:00:36,196 >> OKAY. SO AS MS. CURRY MENTIONED, THIS HAS BEEN A WORK IN PROGRESS AND WE'RE HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO BRING 977 02:00:36,196 --> 02:00:42,602 THIS TO THE COMMISSION NOW. BEFORE WE REALLY DIVE INTO THIS, I DO WANT TO SHARE THAT WE HAVE FOCUSED ON THE TERM ALLIANCE 978 02:00:42,602 --> 02:00:47,640 HERE. AND, THAT WAS SELECTED FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS. I ACTUALLY LOOKED UP THE 979 02:00:47,640 --> 02:00:53,079 DEFINITION OF ALLIANCE AND FEEL IT VERY MUCH FITS WITH THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE WITH THIS. 980 02:00:53,079 --> 02:01:00,687 SO, AN ALLIANCE IS A UNION OR ASSOCIATION FORMED FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT, ESPECIALLY BETWEEN COUNTRIES OR ORGANIZATIONS, AND 981 02:01:00,687 --> 02:01:08,795 IS DEFINED AS A RELATIONSHIP BASED ON AFFINITY AND INTERESTS, AND QUALITIES. I THINK WHEN WE THINK ABOUT GUN 982 02:01:08,795 --> 02:01:14,067 VIOLENCE PREVENTION OUR MUTUAL BENEFIT IS THE SAFETY AND OUR WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE THREE PEOPLE 983 02:01:14,067 --> 02:01:20,340 AND ENTITIES THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS. SO, AS MENTIONED, THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE, SANTA FE COLLEGE, 984 02:01:20,340 --> 02:01:28,748 AND ALACHUA COUNTY ARE THE THREE ENTITIES UNDER THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. AND IT IS TRULY TO FORM THIS 985 02:01:28,748 --> 02:01:37,590 ALLIANCE. FORM THIS PARTNERSHIP FROM WHICH WE CONTINUE TO GROW OUR EFFORTS. SO AS WE SEE WITH THE BACKGROUND 986 02:01:37,590 --> 02:01:42,128 IT IS VERY MUCH STILL FOCUSED ON STRATEGIES. IT'S VERY MUCH STILL FOCUSED ON SOLUTIONS. 987 02:01:42,128 --> 02:01:48,034 AND IT IS VERY MUCH SO FOCUSED ON UNDERSTANDING BEST PRACTICES AND DATA COLLECTION, AS WELL. IT DOES FOCUS ON THE PUBLIC 988 02:01:48,034 --> 02:01:56,576 HEALTH PERSPECTIVE, WHICH IS AN AGREED UPON PERSPECTIVE FROM BOTH THE CITY AND THE COUNTY. AND WE'RE GRATEFUL TO HAVE SANTA 989 02:01:56,576 --> 02:02:02,482 FE ON BOARD WITH US TO SUPPORT THAT PERSPECTIVE. SO THE COMMON GOALS OF THIS MOU ARE TO DEFINE AND MONITOR THE 990 02:02:02,482 --> 02:02:09,856 PROBLEM, IDENTIFY RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS, DEVELOP AND TEST PREVENTION STRATEGIES, AND ENSURE WIDESPREAD ADOPTION OF 991 02:02:09,856 --> 02:02:17,697 EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES. OF COURSE, GUIDED BY DATA COLLECTION. SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE 992 02:02:17,697 --> 02:02:23,236 STRUCTURE OF THIS ALLIANCE, AND THIS ISN'T QUITE EXPLICIT IN HERE BUT I WILL SHARE THAT WE'VE HAD SOME FOLLOW-UP CONVERSATIONS 993 02:02:23,236 --> 02:02:29,142 ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT THIS WILL LOOK LIKE LOGISTICALLY. AND SO WHILE WE HAVE THE THREE ENTITIES THAT WILL BE 994 02:02:29,142 --> 02:02:35,315 SPEARHEADING OR PUTTING FORWARD THIS WORK, OF COURSE, WE WANT TO ENGAGE ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS THAT ARE INVOLVED 995 02:02:35,315 --> 02:02:41,454 IN THIS CONVERSATION, AND ALSO COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS. AND SO, ONE OF THE THINGS WE 996 02:02:41,454 --> 02:02:49,662 TALKED ABOUT IS SUBCOMMITTEE STRUCTURE WHERE WE HAVE VARIOUS SECTORS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY REPRESENTING SUBCOMMITTEES 997 02:02:49,662 --> 02:02:54,968 SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DID AT OUR GUN VIOLENCE SUMMIT WITH OUR BREAKOUT ROOMS. SO THINGS LIKE OUR PUBLIC HEALTH 998 02:02:54,968 --> 02:03:01,641 SECTORS, OUR PUBLIC SAFETY, JUDICIAL SECTOR, OUR YOUTH, OUR INDIVIDUALS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE, OUR COMMUNITY-BASED 999 02:03:01,641 --> 02:03:09,349 ORGANIZATIONS, ET CETERA, AND HAVING SUBCOMMITTEES THAT COLLECT THEMSELVES, A REPRESENTATIVE THAT SITS ON THIS 1000 02:03:09,349 --> 02:03:16,189 LARGER GATHERING BODY TO REPORT UP TO THE ALLIANCE, AND TO CARRY INFORMATION BACK TO THEIR SUBCOMMITTEES. 1001 02:03:16,189 --> 02:03:22,495 TO STREAMLINE THAT COMMUNICATION, AND SPUR EACH OF THOSE ENTITIES TO BE ABLE TO FOCUS THEIR WORK ACCORDINGLY. 1002 02:03:22,495 --> 02:03:30,570 SO WITH THAT, WE'LL GO INTO THE PURPOSE A LITTLE BIT FURTHER. OF COURSE, THIS IS ALL GROUNDED IN PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION, AND 1003 02:03:30,570 --> 02:03:37,443 MOVING SOME OF THESE ACTION ITEMS FORWARD. SO FIRST, SUPPORTING EXPANSION OF ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE-BASED OR 1004 02:03:37,443 --> 02:03:46,719 EVIDENCE-INFORMED COMMUNITY GUN VIOLENCE AND VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS. THINGS LIKE HBIPs OR HOSPITAL 1005 02:03:46,719 --> 02:03:52,925 BASED INTERVENTION PROGRAMS. ABILITY TO CONNECT SURVIVORS TO SUPPORT SERVICES, DEFUSING NEIGHBORHOOD CONFLICT, ET 1006 02:03:52,925 --> 02:04:06,673 CETERA. THIS ALSO COULD INVOLVE MEDICAL CARE AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AS WELL. 1007 02:04:06,673 --> 02:04:11,110 LOOKING SPECIFICALLY AT POINT "B" THIS IS MORE ABOUT SURVEILLANCE. SO THAT WOULD BE THE DATA 1008 02:04:11,110 --> 02:04:17,717 COLLECTION, WORKING CLOSELY WITH OUR PUBLIC, HEALTH, AND SAFETY OFFICIALS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE 1009 02:04:17,717 --> 02:04:24,490 AVAILABLE TO US. AND THEN LOOKING AT PART "C," OF COURSE, FOUNDED IN A TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH. 1010 02:04:24,490 --> 02:04:33,199 MISS COLEMAN HAS COME ON TO THE TEAM HAS ASSISTED IN DRAFTING THIS, AND WITH HER BACKGROUND WE BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT 1011 02:04:33,199 --> 02:04:39,138 COMPONENT TO THE WORK THAT WE'LL BE DOING. NEXT MOVING TO THE GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND DESIRED OUTCOMES. 1012 02:04:39,138 --> 02:04:46,045 OF COURSE OUR MAIN GOAL IS TO IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS AND STRATEGIES TO REDUCE AND PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE AND VIOLENT CRIME 1013 02:04:46,045 --> 02:04:50,416 IN OUR COMMUNITY. I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT THAT IS THE ROOT AND FOUNDATION OF OUR EFFORTS. 1014 02:04:50,416 --> 02:04:57,824 AGAIN OUR OBJECTIVES ARE DATA INFORMED, SPECIFICALLY WORKING WITH YOUTH TO IDENTIFY RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS, LOOKING AT 1015 02:04:57,824 --> 02:05:03,963 EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS AND BEST PRACTICES. REVIEWING THE EXISTING SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE 1016 02:05:03,963 --> 02:05:11,304 THAT WE'RE ABLE TO EMPHASIZE THOSE. AND THEN ALSO FOCUSING ON INTERVENTION STRATEGIES THAT 1017 02:05:11,304 --> 02:05:19,579 DETER ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS. AND THEN LOOKING AT OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES, REALLY LOOKING AT 1018 02:05:19,579 --> 02:05:25,284 BUILDING AND STRENGTHENING OUR PARTNERSHIPS, IDENTIFYING EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES, EMPHASIZING TRAUMA-INFORMED 1019 02:05:25,284 --> 02:05:33,025 CARE, OUR DATA COLLECTION, COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, REDUCING AND PREVENTING MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY, AND THEN MOBILIZING 1020 02:05:33,025 --> 02:05:39,866 AND ENHANCING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND EXPANDING, YOU KNOW, PROSECUTION WHEN IT COMES TO VIOLENT CRIME. 1021 02:05:39,866 --> 02:05:48,374 THE REST OF THIS PAGE IS A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THE , YOU KNOW, THE STRUCTURED LANGUAGE, SO I'LL MOVE INTO MORE OF THE 1022 02:05:48,374 --> 02:05:57,884 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE THREE ENTITIES THAT ARE PARTICIPATING IN THIS AGREEMENT. SO FIRST YOU WILL SEE THE 1023 02:05:57,884 --> 02:06:02,422 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CITY. I WILL NOTE THE FIRST POINT IS THE SAME ACROSS ALL THREE ENTITIES AND THAT'S, OF COURSE, 1024 02:06:02,422 --> 02:06:07,660 SERVING ON THIS ALLIANCE AND BEING A PART OF THAT CONVERSATION IN ORDER TO DEVELOP A PLAN AND AN IMPLEMENTATION 1025 02:06:07,660 --> 02:06:14,333 STRATEGY FOR GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION. SPECIFIC TO THE CITY, WE HAVE LEVERAGING AVAILABLE RESOURCES 1026 02:06:14,333 --> 02:06:19,939 THROUGH OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS. BASED ON OUR PRESENTATION THAT I GAVE ON MONDAY, YOU WILL NOTICE THAT A LOT OF THE PROGRAMMING 1027 02:06:19,939 --> 02:06:26,012 THAT I DISCUSSED THERE IS LISTED HERE, AS SOME OF THE WAYS THAT WE CAN CONTINUE OUR WORK AS A CITY. 1028 02:06:26,012 --> 02:06:33,352 WE ALSO, OF COURSE, HAVE OUR COMMUNITY CARE CALLOUT INITIATIVE MENTIONED HERE. THAT'S OUR NEW INITIATIVE THAT'S 1029 02:06:33,352 --> 02:06:38,458 LED BY GPD WITH SUPPORT FROM GAINESVILLE FIRE RESCUE AND ALACHUA COUNTY CRISIS CENTER AND VICTIMS SERVICES. 1030 02:06:38,458 --> 02:06:46,165 THAT IS OUR WALK THROUGH OF COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INCIDENT TO HELP IDENTIFY A NEED AND GET THOSE FOLKS 1031 02:06:46,165 --> 02:06:52,705 CONNECTED TO SERVICES. SO CONTINUING THAT, AS WELL. NEXT IS, OF COURSE, IDENTIFYING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BUDGET. 1032 02:06:52,705 --> 02:07:00,246 AND ASSOCIATED PROGRAMS, SPECIFICALLY FOR THE CITY, WE HAVE HERE THAT WE WILL CONTRIBUTE A PRO RATA SHARE FOR 1033 02:07:00,246 --> 02:07:07,954 THE EXPENSES INCURRED BASED ON THE AGREED-UPON BUDGET. MEANING THAT THE THREE ENTITIES WILL COME TOGETHER, DETERMINE 1034 02:07:07,954 --> 02:07:12,859 WHAT OUR BUDGET IS FOR PROGRAMMING AND THE CITY WILL CONTRIBUTE A PRO RATA SHARE FOR THAT. 1035 02:07:12,859 --> 02:07:21,400 PART "E" IS PROVIDING REPORTS BACK TO THE CITY COMMISSION. THAT WOULD BE IN THE FORM OF OUR GFR QUARTERLY REPORT, UNLESS 1036 02:07:21,400 --> 02:07:36,148 REQUESTED OTHERWISE. AND THEN LASTLY, OF COURSE, IS PROVIDING THE AVAILABLE DATA TO SANTA FE COLLEGE FROM, YOU KNOW, 1037 02:07:36,148 --> 02:07:42,321 ANY OF THE CITY'S RESOURCES THAT I REQUESTED. NEXT LOOKING AT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF SANTA FE 1038 02:07:42,321 --> 02:07:48,961 COLLEGE. SO IN CONVERSATION, SANTA FE HAS BEEN VERY MUCH IN AGREEMENT TO SERVE AS THE CONVENER AND KIND 1039 02:07:48,961 --> 02:07:54,433 OF THE COLLABORATOR FOR THIS INITIATIVE AND YOU WILL NOTE THAT THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES DO REFLECT THAT. 1040 02:07:54,433 --> 02:08:00,840 SO FIRST AS I MENTIONED, IT'S CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY AND COUNTY, THIS IS TO SERVE ON THE ALLIANCE, AND PARTICIPATE IN THE 1041 02:08:00,840 --> 02:08:05,978 DEVELOPMENT OF A PLAN, IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES FOR OUR GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM. 1042 02:08:05,978 --> 02:08:13,219 SECOND, IS TO ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BUDGET, AND I WILL SAY THAT THIS ONE IS ACTUALLY QUICK CHANGE FROM SOME 1043 02:08:13,219 --> 02:08:19,825 CONVERSATIONS I HAVE ACTUALLY HAD THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY. SO, SANTA FE COLLEGE WILL BE CONTRIBUTING IN-KIND SERVICES 1044 02:08:19,825 --> 02:08:26,832 FOR THIS WORK. IN THE FORM OF STAFF TIME, SPACE, AND OTHER THINGS. AND DR. BURNINGS IS HERE AND CAN 1045 02:08:26,832 --> 02:08:33,439 SPEAK TO THAT IF YOU ALL WOULD LIKE HER TO ELABORATE MORE ON THAT, BUT THAT LINE ITEM WILL SHIFT, AND BE MORE FOCUSED ON 1046 02:08:33,439 --> 02:08:43,749 THE IN-KIND SERVICES THAT SANTA FE COLLEGE WILL BE PROVIDING TO THE ALLIANCE. THIS IS A REFLECTION OF THAT. 1047 02:08:43,749 --> 02:08:49,388 "C" IS PROVIDING SPACE IN THE SANTA FE BLOUNT CENTER FOR ALL MONTHLY MEETINGS OF THE ALLIANCE. 1048 02:08:49,388 --> 02:08:56,262 A MONTHLY MEETING WAS DETERMINED JUST SO WE CAN STAY ON TRACK. IF YOU GET A LITTLE FURTHER THAN A MONTH, A LITTLE BIT OF TIME 1049 02:08:56,262 --> 02:09:00,533 PASSES, SO WE THOUGHT A MONTH WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THIS WORK. ADDITIONALLY, SANTA FE COLLEGE 1050 02:09:00,533 --> 02:09:08,007 HAS AGREED TO GIVE THEIR -- THEIR STAFF EXPERTISE IN THEIR ECONOMIC RESOURCES TO SERVE TO COMPILE AND ANALYZE THE DATA 1051 02:09:08,007 --> 02:09:14,547 THAT IS FED IN TO THE ALLIANCE. SPECIFICALLY, THAT OF THE CITY AND THE COUNTY AND ANY OTHER PARTNERS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN 1052 02:09:14,547 --> 02:09:21,187 THE LARGER GROUP. THEY WILL HELP DISSEMINATE THAT COMPILED DATA IN THE FORM OF A REPORT TO STAKEHOLDERS THAT ARE 1053 02:09:21,187 --> 02:09:26,926 AROUND THE TABLE THROUGH DIGITAL AND PRINT MEANS, AND OF COURSE THE LARGER COMMUNITY. AND THEN LASTLY, PROVIDE 1054 02:09:26,926 --> 02:09:33,232 SUPERVISION, AND WORK SPACE OF A PART-TIME ADMINISTRATIVE POSITION. THAT WILL ASSIST WITH THE 1055 02:09:33,232 --> 02:09:38,971 ADMINISTERING ONLINE. THAT INCLUDES COORDINATING MEETINGS, PREPARING AND SHARING REPORTS AND SUPPORTING THAT 1056 02:09:38,971 --> 02:09:46,846 ADMINISTRATIVE PIECE. AND THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT'S INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET. NEXT LOOKING AT THE 1057 02:09:46,846 --> 02:09:53,919 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNTY OF COURSE THEY WILL ALSO SERVE ON THE ALLIANCE TO LOOK FOR IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES FOR 1058 02:09:53,919 --> 02:09:57,490 THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS. SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE CITY, THEY WILL ASSIST IN THE 1059 02:09:57,490 --> 02:10:03,996 DEVELOPMENT OF A BUDGET, AND CONTRIBUTE PRO RATA SHARE BASED ON THE AGREED-UPON BUDGET ADOPTED BY THE COUNTY 1060 02:10:03,996 --> 02:10:08,768 COMMISSION. SPECIFICALLY THE COUNTY WILL LEVERAGE ITS VICTIM SERVICES AND RAPE CRISIS CENTER TO CONTINUE 1061 02:10:08,768 --> 02:10:15,441 TO SUPPORT AND ASSIST SURVIVORS OF GUN VIOLENCE BY ADDRESSING THEIR NEEDS SPECIFIC TO TRAUMA AND HEALING AND ALSO PROVIDE 1062 02:10:15,441 --> 02:10:22,214 CRISIS DE-ESCALATION, AND INTERVENTION TRAININGS FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS IMPACTED. THEY WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT 1063 02:10:22,214 --> 02:10:30,089 OUR COMMUNITY CARE CALLOUT WALKS WITH THEIR VICTIM SERVICES, AND CRISIS CENTER TEAMS. AND WILL PROVIDE REGULAR REPORTS 1064 02:10:30,089 --> 02:10:36,829 BACK TO THEIR CITY COMMISSION, AND ANY OTHER BOARDS THAT DO REQUEST THAT. AND LASTLY, SIMILAR TO THE CITY, 1065 02:10:36,829 --> 02:10:52,044 WE'LL BE PROVIDING AVAILABLE AND RELATED DATA TO SANTA FE COLLEGE TO BE COMPILED INTO THIS LARGER GROUP. 1066 02:10:52,044 --> 02:11:01,721 SO, THE SPECIFIC -- I'LL GO DOWN TO THE BOTTOM. SO JUST PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS FOR THE GROUP AS WE 1067 02:11:01,721 --> 02:11:08,627 GO THROUGH THIS. SPECIFICALLY, BEING PROFESSIONAL, PROVIDING CONSULTATION WHEN APPROPRIATE, 1068 02:11:08,627 --> 02:11:18,070 SHARING REPORTS OUT TO THE PUBLIC. WORKING COOPERATIVELY, RECOGNIZING THAT EACH PARTY IS 1069 02:11:18,070 --> 02:11:24,643 INDEPENDENT OF ONE ANOTHER. CARRYING APPROPRIATE INSURANCE, AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS OWN ASK. 1070 02:11:24,643 --> 02:11:31,517 FOLLOWING THAT IS JUST GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS. SO, ONE THING I NEGLECTED TO MENTION AT THE BEGINNING IS 1071 02:11:31,517 --> 02:11:38,557 RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH DECEMBER OF 2024. 1072 02:11:38,557 --> 02:11:48,434 WITH AN ANNUAL RENEWAL THROUGH DECEMBER OF 2026. AND THAT IS ALL I HAVE AT THIS TIME. 1073 02:11:48,434 --> 02:11:50,836 >> Mayor: OKAY. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE YOU WORKING ON THAT. 1074 02:11:50,836 --> 02:11:55,975 PUTTING IT TOGETHER. COMMISSIONER SACO? >> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR STONE AND 1075 02:11:55,975 --> 02:12:01,380 FOR WORKING ON THIS AND EVERYBODY ELSE'S WORK ON THIS, IT'S A LOT. AND I APPRECIATE YOU COMING TO 1076 02:12:01,380 --> 02:12:11,123 US BEFORE -- BEFORE GOING FURTHER, THANK YOU. I DID HAVE A QUESTION. SO, CAN YOU ZOOM OUT A LITTLE. 1077 02:12:11,123 --> 02:12:15,761 BECAUSE I WANT TO -- NOPE. THERE WE GO. I'M ZOOMING OUT. THANKS. 1078 02:12:15,761 --> 02:12:25,337 IF YOU GO TO OUR PORTION, I THINK IT KIND OF LISTS OUT ALL OF OUR MANY DEPARTMENTS, AND THE PROGRAMS WITHIN THEM THAT CAN BE 1079 02:12:25,337 --> 02:12:31,243 OF HELP. >> YES. >> BUT IF YOU FLIP TO THE COUNTY, AND I UNDERSTAND THE 1080 02:12:31,243 --> 02:12:35,548 COUNTY IS DOING SOME OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE PROGRAM, THEY HAVE SOME SIMILAR DEPARTMENTS OR PARALLEL 1081 02:12:35,548 --> 02:12:44,623 DEPARTMENTS THAT COULD BE EQUALLY OFFERING UP THOSE TOOLS, AND I DON'T SEE THEM HERE. IS THERE A REASON -- SO I'M 1082 02:12:44,623 --> 02:12:52,398 THINKING, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IS THERE HOUSING, THEIR DEVELOPMENT, DO THEY HAVE THEIR OWN AFFORDABLE 1083 02:12:52,398 --> 02:12:57,436 HOUSING -- ARE THOSE NOT BEING -- >> I'M GOING TO DEFER TO DEBBIE FOR THAT. 1084 02:12:57,436 --> 02:13:05,711 >> MY QUESTION BEING, YOU HAVE SOME PARALLEL DEPARTMENTS THAT COULD OFFER SOME OF THE SAME THINGS THAT WE DO ESPECIALLY 1085 02:13:05,711 --> 02:13:13,152 OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMITS OR EVEN IN CONJUNCTION TO KIND OF BREAK UP THAT STORM. WHY AREN'T YOU DOUBLING UP, SO 1086 02:13:13,152 --> 02:13:17,690 TO SPEAK, ON THE DEPARTMENTS THAT THE WE CAN HAVE TO HAVE A STRONGER FRONT ON THOSE PROJECTS? 1087 02:13:17,690 --> 02:13:25,097 >> MAY PER, CARL SMART, DEPUTY COUNTY MANAGER. PLEASURE TO COME OVER AND SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY, ON THIS 1088 02:13:25,097 --> 02:13:34,473 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. AND WE SEEM TO BE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY, AND THE COUNTY ON THIS IMPORTANT 1089 02:13:34,473 --> 02:13:42,014 EFFORT OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION. TO ANSWER COMMISSIONER SACO'S QUESTION, YES, WE WILL BRING ALL 1090 02:13:42,014 --> 02:13:49,588 OF OUR DEPARTMENTS TO BEAR TO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE. WE DIDN'T LIST THEM HERE IN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BUT 1091 02:13:49,588 --> 02:13:56,195 WE CERTAINLY ARE COMMITTED TO BRINGING THEM AND PROVIDING THOSE RESOURCES TO HELP DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. 1092 02:13:56,195 --> 02:14:03,869 WHEN IT COMES TO LIKE FOR EXAMPLE COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUDES HOUSING, AS WELL AS THE CRISIS CENTER, AND 1093 02:14:03,869 --> 02:14:21,954 THE VICTIM RATE AND ADVOCATE CENTER THERE, AS WELL AS OTHER CASE MANAGEMENT, WE'LL BRING ALL THOSE SERVICES TO BEAR. 1094 02:14:21,954 --> 02:14:27,726 WE HAVE COURT SERVICES THAT DEAL WITH PROBATION AND WITH TREATMENT COURTS. ALL OF THOSE SERVICES, ALL THOSE 1095 02:14:27,726 --> 02:14:35,301 RESOURCES, AS THEY ARE NEEDED, WILL BE BROUGHT TO BEAR TO DEAL WITH THOSE ISSUES. >> THANK YOU, MR. SMART. 1096 02:14:35,301 --> 02:14:41,240 AND I APPRECIATE YOU ALL JUST SAVED MONEY ON INK FOR NOT LISTING THEM OUT. BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL 1097 02:14:41,240 --> 02:14:47,012 FOR ME, AND I KNOW CERTAINLY, BECAUSE WE GET TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS. LIKE SEVEN OF US GET TO ASK YOU 1098 02:14:47,012 --> 02:14:52,584 QUESTIONS. THE COMMUNITY GENERALLY DOES NOT, THE AVERAGE PERSON DOES NOT GET TO WALK UP AND ASK YOU THAT. 1099 02:14:52,584 --> 02:14:59,391 BUT JUST FOR SOME CLARITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, WOULD WE REALLY AMPLIFY WHAT WE'RE DOING AND SHARE THESE DOCUMENTS WITH OUR 1100 02:14:59,391 --> 02:15:06,732 COMMUNITY. I THINK IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO HAVE -- YOU KNOW, I THINK THE COMMUNITY, WHAT IS IT? 1101 02:15:06,732 --> 02:15:15,975 SUPPORT SERVICES, I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL AS AN ADDENDUM, WHAT HAVE YOU, TO OUTLINE THOSE THAT THE COUNTY HAS AVAILABLE, 1102 02:15:15,975 --> 02:15:22,715 JUST FOR THE SAKE OF, OF CLARITY AT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FOR US. >> SURE. >> BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW THAT 1103 02:15:22,715 --> 02:15:30,289 YOU WERE KIND OF COUNTING ALL THOSE FOLKS BUT I'M GLAD TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE COMMITTED TO THAT. IT JUST WAS NOT READILY APPARENT 1104 02:15:30,289 --> 02:15:36,295 IN THE LANGUAGE, AND AS A LAWYER, I LIKE TO DOUBLE-CHECK THAT WORDS MEAN WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO MEAN. 1105 02:15:36,295 --> 02:15:40,933 SO, THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARITY, MR. SMART. THANK YOU. >> UNDERSTOOD, THANK YOU. 1106 02:15:40,933 --> 02:15:43,836 >> Mayor: ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONER CHESTNUT. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. 1107 02:15:43,836 --> 02:15:57,216 MR. MAYOR, SO AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THAT ISSUE, MR. SMART, I WANT TO GO BACK, ARE WE GOING TO CONTINUE WORKING ON THIS DRAFT, 1108 02:15:57,216 --> 02:16:03,989 AND THEN HAVE THE COUNTY LIST THE SUPPORT SERVICES THAT THEY WILL BE PROVIDING? I THINK THAT WOULD BE -- THIS IS 1109 02:16:03,989 --> 02:16:10,229 OUR FIRST GO-ROUND AT GETTING AN UNDERSTANDING. I THINK THE MORE CLARITY WE HAVE, THE BETTER. 1110 02:16:10,229 --> 02:16:20,005 SO I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER SACO THAT I'D LIKE TO HAVE THINGS ENUMERATED SO WE CAN SEE WHAT'S ACTUALLY IN IT. 1111 02:16:20,005 --> 02:16:24,576 THEN I HAD ANOTHER QUESTION. CAN WE GO BACK AND LIST THOSE? >> SURE. I'D BE GLAD TO. 1112 02:16:24,576 --> 02:16:38,223 >> THANK YOU. SO, ON THE FISCAL NOTE, SO, THE ONLY MONEYS THAT'S BEING PROVIDED FOR THIS PROGRAM ARE 1113 02:16:38,223 --> 02:16:47,800 THE MEMORANDUM IS THE $150,000 FROM THE CITY? IS THAT WHAT I'M UNDERSTANDING? >> I ALSO MAY DEFER TO DEPUTY 1114 02:16:47,800 --> 02:16:58,677 SMART, AS WELL. IN TERMS OF THE COUNTY'S -- >> OKAY, DEPUTY SMART. >> MR. MAYOR, I THINK THE 1115 02:16:58,677 --> 02:17:06,985 150,000 WAS SEED MONEY TO GET THIS PROGRAM GOING. THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE STEPPED UP, AND ALLOCATED THAT AMOUNT OF 1116 02:17:06,985 --> 02:17:17,463 MONEY TO GO AHEAD. AND THESE WORKING AND PLANNING AND SETTING UP THE COMMITTEES AND RESOURCES TO DEAL WITH THIS 1117 02:17:17,463 --> 02:17:24,803 ISSUE. BUT THE COUNTY HAS EXPRESSED, OUR BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE EXPRESSED 1118 02:17:24,803 --> 02:17:34,947 THAT THEY WILL CERTAINLY COMMIT OUR PRO RATA SHARE OF A BUDGET. AND WE HAVE BEEN CHARGED, THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM CITY, COUNTY 1119 02:17:34,947 --> 02:17:41,220 AND SANTA FE COLLEGE, TO COME UP WITH A BUDGET, AND THEN IDENTIFY WHAT THAT PRO RATA SHARE IS. >> OKAY. 1120 02:17:41,220 --> 02:17:49,495 >> IT MAY BE 150,000, OR IT MAY BE MORE THAN THAT. AND SO, WE ARE READY TO PAY OUR SHARE, IF YOU WILL. 1121 02:17:49,495 --> 02:17:54,833 >> THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO BE SURE YOU STAND READY TO PAY YOUR SHARE. [LAUGHTER] 1122 02:17:54,833 --> 02:17:59,872 THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> IF I MAY, COMMISSIONER, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT, OF 1123 02:17:59,872 --> 02:18:07,813 COURSE, WE ARE CONTINUING TO PURSUE ADDITIONAL GRANT OPPORTUNITIES, AND, YOU KNOW, BEYOND, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE 1124 02:18:07,813 --> 02:18:11,950 THINGS THAT WE'VE ALREADY MENTIONED. SO THERE'S ALWAYS MORE POSSIBILITY. 1125 02:18:11,950 --> 02:18:16,588 >> OKAY. THANK YOU. WELL, A LOT OF WORK HAS GONE INTO THIS, AND SO I'M GLAD TO 1126 02:18:16,588 --> 02:18:22,494 SEE IT MOVING FORWARD. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. >> Mayor: THANK YOU, 1127 02:18:22,494 --> 02:18:29,902 COMMISSIONER CHESTNUT. COMMISSIONER WILLITS? >> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. READING THROUGH THIS, GUN 1128 02:18:29,902 --> 02:18:38,143 VIOLENCE, AND CRIME, IS SUICIDE INCLUDED IN HERE, IN GUN VIOLENCE? AND IS IT SPECIFIC OR DO WE JUST 1129 02:18:38,143 --> 02:18:44,550 KNOW IT'S INCLUDED IN GUN VIOLENCE? >> WE DIDN'T SPECIFICALLY NAME THE FORMS OF GUN VIOLENCE BUT AS 1130 02:18:44,550 --> 02:18:49,855 A GROUP WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT GUN VIOLENCE TAKES MANY FORMS AND WE WILL GEAR OUR PROGRAMMING ACCORDINGLY. 1131 02:18:49,855 --> 02:18:58,096 >> OKAY. AND THEN ON THE NONDISCRIMINATION PORTION, AND I DON'T NOTICE ABOUT WHAT WE ARE 1132 02:18:58,096 --> 02:19:07,673 ALLOWED TO DO SO I'M JUST GOING TO ASK IT AS A QUESTION AND SOMEONE CAN TELL ME I'M WRONG, OR -- CAN WE, IN THIS LEVEL OF 1133 02:19:07,673 --> 02:19:12,544 AGREEMENT AT LEAST NOT DISCRIMINATE ON PEOPLE BASED ON THEIR BACKGROUND, WHETHER THEY HAVE BEEN JUSTICE INVOLVED OR 1134 02:19:12,544 --> 02:19:22,054 NOT? MR. ATTORNEY? >> YOU COULD CERTAINLY AGREE WITH THAT. 1135 02:19:22,054 --> 02:19:30,696 THIS IS A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP THAT IN MIND, AND THAT 1136 02:19:30,696 --> 02:19:43,408 ULTIMATELY, THE BUDGETING, BUT AS LONG AS EVERYONE'S GOING FORWARD, YOU CAN PUT THAT IN THERE, AND YOU CAN -- YES. 1137 02:19:43,408 --> 02:19:50,549 >> OKAY. SO, AND LEGALLY WE CAN POINT TO THOSE AND SAY THAT WE KNOW THOSE. 1138 02:19:50,549 --> 02:19:56,088 I HAVE AN INTEREST IN HAVING THAT CONVERSATION. I THINK COMMISSIONER DUNCAN-WALKER WOULD ALSO LIKE TO 1139 02:19:56,088 --> 02:20:04,363 HAVE THIS -- YOU KNOW, HAVE AN OPINION ON THIS. IT'S NOT IN THERE. IT'S NOT SOMETHING USUALLY EVERY 1140 02:20:04,363 --> 02:20:13,839 OTHER FORM OF NONDISCRIMINATION LOOK AT. BUT, IF I KNOW SOME PEOPLE HAVE AN INTEREST, AND I'M SURE THAT 1141 02:20:13,839 --> 02:20:20,512 SOMEWHERE IN THIS, THAT WE ARE DEFINITELY INVOLVING, GETTING OPINIONS, AND SO I JUST, THAT WOULD BE A PLACE WHERE PUTTING 1142 02:20:20,512 --> 02:20:27,452 IT WOULD TO SOME DEGREE, YOU KNOW, PUT US ON PAPER. I GOT -- I DON'T -- ANOTHER THING I DON'T THINK IT CAN BE 1143 02:20:27,452 --> 02:20:36,561 ANYWHERE ELSE, BUT THIS IS ONE TOPIC THAT PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT IT. SO, I WILL COME BACK TO THAT, 1144 02:20:36,561 --> 02:20:44,369 MAYBE. THE -- MADAM MANAGER, THE 150 WE SET ASIDE, 150,000, IS NOT NECESSARILY JUST FOR THIS 1145 02:20:44,369 --> 02:20:50,442 ALLIANCE, BUT THAT WHERE OUR PORTION WOULD COME FROM, THAT WOULD DEFINITELY IN FY2024? >> CORRECT. 1146 02:20:50,442 --> 02:20:56,782 THAT IS CORRECT. >> OKAY. AND THEN THERE WAS -- THEN THERE WAS A QUESTION -- OR YOU 1147 02:20:56,782 --> 02:21:04,156 MENTIONED ABOUT COMMUNITY GROUPS OR YOUTH, PARTICULARLY YOUTH PARTICIPATION, THAT'S SORT OF DOWNSTREAM FROM WHERE OF THIS 1148 02:21:04,156 --> 02:21:10,796 ABOUT WHAT THEY DO, HOW THEY CALL PEOPLE TOGETHER, OR HOW THEY ARE MANAGED, OR WHERE INFORMATION COMES FROM, AND SO I 1149 02:21:10,796 --> 02:21:19,237 JUST WANT TO ASK AGAIN WHERE DO THEY ENVISION IN REFERENCE TO THIS AGREEMENT? >> SURE. 1150 02:21:19,237 --> 02:21:29,815 SO, AS THE THREE OF US DISCUSSED RECENTLY, WE ALMOST ENVISION A SUBCOMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND ONE OF THE SUBCOMMITTEES WOULD BE 1151 02:21:29,815 --> 02:21:36,688 INDIVIDUALS WITH EXPERIENCE WHO ARE JUSTICE IMPACTED, AND ANOTHER WOULD BE YOUTH. SO THAT GROUP COULD NOMINATE A 1152 02:21:36,688 --> 02:21:41,360 REPRESENTATIVE THAT WOULD SIT ON THE LARGER GROUP WITH ALL OF THE REPRESENTATIVES. THAT WOULD BE KIND OF THE FORMAL 1153 02:21:41,360 --> 02:21:49,167 MEETING OF THE ALLIANCE. WE DO ENVISION HAVING THESE PROGRAMS. >> SO THEY'RE MEETING WITH THE 1154 02:21:49,167 --> 02:21:56,808 ALLIANCE, ALL THESE PEOPLE ARE MEETING WITH THE -- OKAY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I KIND OF UNDERSTOOD WHERE YOU WERE 1155 02:21:56,808 --> 02:22:04,850 GOING THERE. AND SO ARE WE LOOKING AT -- THIS IS KIND OF A FIRST DRAFT AND THEN IT WILL COME BACK TO US, 1156 02:22:04,850 --> 02:22:09,621 COMMISSIONER CHESTNUT HAD ASKED ABOUT -- YOU'RE HOPING NOT. OKAY. YOU'RE HOPING NOT. 1157 02:22:09,621 --> 02:22:14,793 >> LEGAL HAS REVIEWED, HAS DONE A CURSORY REVIEW. >> RIGHT. SO THE JUSTICE INFORMED OR 1158 02:22:14,793 --> 02:22:28,607 JUSTICE INVOLVED, AND JUSTICE IMPACTED PIECE, I KIND OF WANT TO SEE THEM THERE, MAYBE IT'S SOMETHING THAT POPS UP LATER BUT 1159 02:22:28,607 --> 02:22:33,645 IT'S A PLACE WHERE SUDDENLY IT COULD LIVE. SO. >> I'M SORRY, MR. MAYOR IF I 1160 02:22:33,645 --> 02:22:41,486 MIGHT. SO, WE HEARD YOU, SPEAKING JUST BRIEFLY WITH THE ATTORNEY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN 1161 02:22:41,486 --> 02:22:58,170 TALK TO YOU [INAUDIBLE] >> DO WE THINK SANTA FE OR THE COUNTY, OR THE COUNTY ABOUT THAT? 1162 02:22:58,170 --> 02:23:03,975 >> IT WAS DIRECTED BY Y'ALL. WE WILL CERTAINLY ADD INTO THE NONDISCRIMINATION CATEGORY. I DON'T KNOW THAT ANYONE WOULD 1163 02:23:03,975 --> 02:23:13,585 BE OPPOSED TO READING THAT ESPECIALLY A POPULATION THAT IS DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THESE MATTERS. 1164 02:23:13,585 --> 02:23:20,125 IF THEY -- IF IT'S A STICKING POINT FOR THEM IT WILL COME BACK TO YOU. I KNOW THAT FOR EXAMPLE, IT 1165 02:23:20,125 --> 02:23:27,332 SOUNDS LIKE, YOU KNOW, OUR OFFICE REVIEWED THIS, I THINK THE COUNTY REVIEWED IT, SIGNED OFF ON IT, SANTA FE CAME BACK 1166 02:23:27,332 --> 02:23:39,377 WITH SOME SMALL CHANGES, THAT I BELIEVE YOU HAVE, AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'VE BEEN PRESENTING TO, SO THIS WOULD BE A SMALL CHANGE 1167 02:23:39,377 --> 02:23:46,117 THAT'S REALLY -- AND IF YOU'RE FINE WITH IT THEN YOU GO FORWARD. IF NOT, WE'LL COME BACK. 1168 02:23:46,117 --> 02:23:52,090 >> Mayor: OKAY. ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONER SACO. >> OKAY, THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST SINCE WE 1169 02:23:52,090 --> 02:24:00,398 SEEM TO BE AT THE LAST OF THE LINE FOR KIND OF AN OPINION ON THIS, WE COULD ALSO JUST APPROVE IT, AND THEN COME BACK WITH AN 1170 02:24:00,398 --> 02:24:09,908 AMENDMENT TO ADD THOSE CHANGES. SO THAT, WAITING FOR APPROVAL DOES NOT STALL OUT ANY FURTHER AS WE GO BACK AND FORTH PICKING 1171 02:24:09,908 --> 02:24:15,847 ON WORDS OR PHRASES OR ADDITIONS, WE COULD, YOU KNOW, APPROVE WHAT THE LAST VERSION EVERYBODY ELSE HAS ALREADY 1172 02:24:15,847 --> 02:24:22,854 APPROVED. WE COULD APPROVE THAT, MOVE ON, COME BACK, THE NEXT MEETING WITH AN AMENDMENT TO ADD, YOU KNOW, 1173 02:24:22,854 --> 02:24:31,763 AT SECTION "X," "Y," "Z," THESE WORDS AND THAT WAY THEY HAVE PERMISSION TO MOVE ALONG AND START THE REST OF THEIR WORK. 1174 02:24:31,763 --> 02:24:38,036 >> JUST TO CLARIFY IF I TOO, MR. MAYOR, WE'RE BRINGING IT TO THE POLICY COMMITTEE TODAY. BUT I'M NOT SURE THAT THE COUNTY 1175 02:24:38,036 --> 02:24:45,243 HAS TAKEN THAT. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT PROCESS IS. AND YOU ALL TAKE IT TO YOUR 1176 02:24:45,243 --> 02:24:50,382 COMMISSION, AS WELL? >> MR. MAYOR, WE DO PLAN TO TAKE IT TO OUR COMMISSION. THE FIRST MEETING IN APRIL, 1177 02:24:50,382 --> 02:25:00,992 WHICH I THINK IS APRIL 9th, OUR LEGAL HAS REVIEWED IT, AND IT MEETS THEIR STANDARDS, AND WE THINK IT MEETS THE SPIRIT OF 1178 02:25:00,992 --> 02:25:07,432 WHAT THE BOARD HAS DIRECTED STAFF TO DO. SO, WE'LL TAKE IT TO OUR BOARD ON THE 9th, AND WE EXPECT IT 1179 02:25:07,432 --> 02:25:17,475 WILL BE APPROVED THERE. WE'LL TAKE IT WITH THE AMENDMENT THAT -- THAT WE'RE SUGGESTING HERE. 1180 02:25:17,475 --> 02:25:26,351 >> -- [INDISCERNIBLE] FOR STAFF, ALL THREE OF THEM, BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF STAFF WORKING ON THIS, I'M GOOD WITH THIS. 1181 02:25:26,351 --> 02:25:38,096 I AM ALSO GOOD WITH THE, I WAS LOOKING -- BUT AS COMMISSIONER WILLITS WANTED TO REALLY SPECIFY, THAT POPULATION. 1182 02:25:38,096 --> 02:25:46,104 I HAVE NO OBJECTIONS TO ANY OF THE OTHERS. >> WE DO HAVE A BRIEF EDIT THAT WILL NEED TO HAPPEN IN THE SANTA 1183 02:25:46,104 --> 02:25:51,676 FE COLLEGE SECTION AS WELL AS ABOUT THE IN-KIND SERVICES AND WE'LL NEED TO MAKE THAT ADJUSTMENT, AS WELL. 1184 02:25:51,676 --> 02:25:58,049 >> Mayor: SO, I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER LIGHTS I'LL GIVE YOU MY THOUGHTS AND THEN WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT IF THERE IS ANY. 1185 02:25:58,049 --> 02:26:04,522 I APPRECIATE ALL WHO, TREMENDOUS EFFORTS, AND LENGTH OF DISCUSSION HAS GONE INTO THIS, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO IT. 1186 02:26:04,522 --> 02:26:13,398 BECAUSE GOING FORWARD SO THAT WE CAN GET THE WORK, IN MORE THAN JUST THE DRAFT LANGUAGE. I DO SUPPORT ADDING ADDITIONAL 1187 02:26:13,398 --> 02:26:25,343 PROTECTIVE CATEGORY. I SUPPORT ALSO ENUMERATING ALL THE COUNTY'S VARIED DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE LIKELY TO BE A PART OF 1188 02:26:25,343 --> 02:26:36,788 THIS. I'D LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE ENUMERATED ON BOTH SIDES. 1189 02:26:36,788 --> 02:26:47,298 THE ONLY OTHER QUESTION THAT I WOULD HAVE IS, IS -- HAVE WE SPOKEN WITH THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, WITH THE STATE ATTORNEY, THE 1190 02:26:47,298 --> 02:26:56,007 SHERIFF, CLERK OF COURTS, BECAUSE REALLY THOSE ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN THIS. AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT -- I'D LOVE 1191 02:26:56,007 --> 02:27:04,683 TO GET THEM ON RECORD AS SIGNATORIES TO THIS. BUT IF NOT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE PART OF THE SYSTEM. 1192 02:27:04,683 --> 02:27:12,357 PARTICULARLY I SAY THE PUBLIC DEFENDER BECAUSE THIS DOES REACH OUTSIDE THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE. IT REACHES OUTSIDE ALACHUA 1193 02:27:12,357 --> 02:27:18,763 COUNTY. IT IS VERY MUCH AN EIGHTH CIRCUIT ISSUE. AND I WOULD HOPE THAT THERE'S 1194 02:27:18,763 --> 02:27:29,974 SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR THAT, AS WELL. I'M NOT GOING TO HOLD THIS UP FOR THAT. 1195 02:27:29,974 --> 02:27:38,950 >> MR. MAYOR, YES, WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE SHERIFF. OF COURSE WE HAD SHERIFF GAINEY HERE AT THE MEETING EARLIER THIS 1196 02:27:38,950 --> 02:27:49,227 WEEK, AND SO WE CERTAINLY HAVE TO HAVE HIM INVOLVED. AS WELL AS THE STATE ATTORNEY, AND PUBLIC DEFENDER. 1197 02:27:49,227 --> 02:27:53,832 WE KNOW GUN VIOLENCE IS NOT A BENEFIT TO THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE. IT'S ALL OVER THE COUNTY AND 1198 02:27:53,832 --> 02:28:00,205 BEYOND BUT CERTAINLY WE NEED ALL THE PLAYERS INVOLVED HERE IN ALACHUA, IN GAINESVILLE AND ALACHUA COUNTY TO DEAL WITH THIS 1199 02:28:00,205 --> 02:28:10,315 ISSUE. SO WE HAVE LIKE A PUBLIC SAFETY, IF YOU WILL. I MEAN WE KNOW IT'S BEEN 1200 02:28:10,315 --> 02:28:17,689 DECLARED A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE. BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO HAVE ON THE FRONT LINE, A PUBLIC SAFETY INVOLVEMENT. 1201 02:28:17,689 --> 02:28:30,568 AND SO WE'VE ALREADY SPOKEN TO THEM. ADDITIONALLY, THIS ITEM IS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE PSCT, THE 1202 02:28:30,568 --> 02:28:36,241 PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATING COUNCIL. AND THAT'S LED BY THE CHIEF JUDGE AND INCLUDES ALL THOSE 1203 02:28:36,241 --> 02:28:49,420 PLAYERS THAT YOU JUST NAME. WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT. >> Mayor: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT WOULD EXCLUDE ALACHUA AND 1204 02:28:49,420 --> 02:28:57,462 THEY ARE A VITAL PART OF OUR INVOLVEMENT. SO WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA INVOLVED 1205 02:28:57,462 --> 02:29:06,738 IN SOME WAY. >> AND SANTA FE COLLEGE. >> RIGHT. THEY'RE INTRINSIC TO THIS. 1206 02:29:06,738 --> 02:29:09,641 OKAY. I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS. DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? 1207 02:29:09,641 --> 02:29:16,080 >> NO PUBLIC COMMENT. >> ALL RIGHT. SO, SOMEBODY WANT TO MAKE A MOTION? 1208 02:29:16,080 --> 02:29:24,823 >> MOVE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE WITH THE MODIFICATIONS. >> SECOND. 1209 02:29:24,823 --> 02:29:29,394 >> Mayor: HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. MADAM CLERK, DO YOU HAVE THE MODIFICATIONS, A GOOD 1210 02:29:29,394 --> 02:29:34,833 UNDERSTANDING OF THOSE MODIFICATIONS. >> I'LL MAKE SURE I HAVE THEM. >> Mayor: GOOD. 1211 02:29:34,833 --> 02:29:39,437 ALL RIGHT. ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE. [AYES] ANY OPPOSED? 1212 02:29:39,437 --> 02:29:46,077 ALL RIGHT. THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. WITH COMMISSIONER DUNCAN-WALKER ABSENT. 1213 02:29:46,077 --> 02:29:52,250 THANK YOU ALL FOR DOING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK FOR THIS. I DID NOT MEAN TO EXCLUDE 1214 02:29:52,250 --> 02:30:00,191 ANYONE. IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF SANTA FE AND HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD THERE, I'D APPRECIATE IT. 1215 02:30:00,191 --> 02:30:08,299 SINCE YOU'LL BE DOING THIS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. MAYOR. AND CITY COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS BASHA, AND I'M THE 1216 02:30:08,299 --> 02:30:11,703 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH SANTA FE COLLEGE. 1217 02:30:11,703 --> 02:30:19,210 WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONVENE ALL THE RELEVANT PARTNERS, IN SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS ALL OF OUR 1218 02:30:19,210 --> 02:30:26,951 COMMUNITIES, AND ALL THE WORD COMMUNITY HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT OF OUR NAME IT'S VERY MUCH A PART OF WHO WE ARE AND PART OF WHAT 1219 02:30:26,951 --> 02:30:34,526 WE WANT TO DO. SO WE HEARD YOUR CONCERNS, AND WE WILL TAKE THEM INTO CONSIDERATION. 1220 02:30:34,526 --> 02:30:39,664 AND OUR MONTHLY MEETINGS WE'LL HAVE ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS THAT YOU MENTIONED. >> Mayor: VERY GOOD. 1221 02:30:39,664 --> 02:30:44,369 >> THANK YOU. >> Mayor: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. WONDERFUL. 1222 02:30:44,369 --> 02:30:51,409 IT'S EXCITING TO HAVE THIS MOVE FORWARD AND WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT IT. SO GLAD TO SEE IT ON PAPER AND 1223 02:30:51,409 --> 02:30:58,249 HOPEFULLY THE COUNTY WILL -- WILL DO LIKEWISE. MADAM CLERK? >> WE HAVE MEMBER COMMENT, 1224 02:30:58,249 --> 02:31:03,688 MR. MAYOR. >> Mayor: ALL RIGHT. ANY MEMBER COMMENT? WE HAD A LOT OF COMMENT THIS 1225 02:31:03,688 --> 02:31:12,130 WEEK ALREADY. HAD MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO BE TOGETHER, AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF THAT. 1226 02:31:12,130 --> 02:31:19,237 I ALSO WANT TO SAY, I APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S SUPPORT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. THE LAST DAY AND A HALF SINCE WE 1227 02:31:19,237 --> 02:31:29,347 HAD YET ANOTHER INCIDENT OF VANDALISM, STAFF WAS EXCEPTIONALLY SUPPORTIVE, AND SO WE'RE, YOU AS COMMISSIONERS, AND 1228 02:31:29,347 --> 02:31:39,257 I APPRECIATE YOU, AND I AM ONCE AGAIN COMMITTED TO ALL OF US CONTINUING TO DO THE WORK THAT THE PEOPLE HIRED US TO DO. 1229 02:31:39,257 --> 02:31:45,363 UNDISSUADED. SO, WITH ALL THAT SAID, I SEE NO FURTHER LIGHTS. HOPEFULLY I'LL SEE MOST, IF NOT 1230 02:31:45,363 --> 02:31:51,002 ALL OF YOU TOMORROW MORNING AT THE MLK PRAYER BREAKFAST. IF NOT I'LL SEE YOU IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. 1231 02:31:51,002 --> 02:31:52,442 WE ARE ADJOURNED.