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[Background talking]

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[Gavel bangs]

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Speaker: Gracious God we are thankful for all

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you have provided and continue to provide.

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We ask you continue to give us wisdom, understanding,

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and strength to lead in your direction and your community.

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We ask all of these things in your son's name Amen.

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I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America

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and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God,

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indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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Chair: This meeting is called to order.

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Clerk please call the roll.

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[Roll call]

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We have two new employees with us tonight.

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When I call your name please stand.

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Michael Cortez, public works.

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Jesse Ponder's, public works.

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Welcome to the city family.

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[Applause]

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the clerk will provide the public notice.

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City Clerk: The August 18th Council meeting was publicly

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noticed.

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As a reminder, public comments and presentations

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are limited to three minutes unless authorized to extend

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beyond that time by council.

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prior to speaking at the podium please state

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your name and address for the record,

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to maintain order speakers must be recognized

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by the Council President.

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Please silence your cell phones and all electronic devices

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for the duration of this meeting, thank you.

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Chair: Item for, presentation of the mayor's citizen recognition

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Award to miss Cherise rivers, will you please come forward?

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Speaker: Every month we recognize

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people who are doing outstanding work in our community

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with the mayor's award, and just another amazing person who

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sets an example in the community for what it

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means to serve and give back.

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I'm going to read your nomination,

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and there's just so much more to what you do.

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Cherise is a shining example of a rising community

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leader who gives back to her community

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through action and selflessness.

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Beyond her work as CEO, she founded a non profit scholarship

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to help young students go to college.

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Shareece mobilized some of the country's most

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acclaimed leadership speakers, and helped lead the charge

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to bring them to Ocala for a high leadership conference.

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A founder and CEO of Zinnia Health Management,

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additionally she's a host for the Retirement Coffee Talk

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podcast.

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A mother of two, she loves to travel with her family

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and her free time.

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She serves on the Board of Directors

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for the Chamber of Economic Partnership

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and was chairman of the board in 2025.

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This is just a short list.

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What I see is when you are out in the community,

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you are behind the scenes doing some amazing work

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and you want to make a great difference,

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Ocala is better because of you.

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Congratulations on your citizen of the month award.

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Charisse Rivers: I'm here to serve the community

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and do all I can, I believe someone steps up,

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you're just adding so much value.

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Get on board if you are not!

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Speaker: You get a gift card and a pin,

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a key to the city, also a mayor's coin And a plaque.

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[Applause]

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Chair: Item for B, presentation of the Arts and health

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day in Ocala, Florida proclamation to Arts and health

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Ocala Metro executive director, Patricia Tomlinson.

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Speaker: It's my honor to a proclamation for Arts and Health

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Day in Ocala , improving mental health outcomes formerly

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recognizes arts as a source for supporting mental well-being

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in all stages of life.

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Arts initiatives have been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety

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in patients recovering from addiction by 62%,

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improving feelings of belonging and veterans by 56% and reducing

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nervousness by 56% among school aged children whereas

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participation in arts promotes mental wellness,

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reduces depression, social isolation and loneliness while

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providing accessible opportunities for healing,

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self-expression, and personal growth for over 19,000 residents

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of Ocala and all programs .

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Whereas Arts and Health day within Ocala

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provides an opportunity to recognize the contribution

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of artists, healthcare professionals, educators,

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researchers and community leaders

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who advance the arts as a modality for mental health

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and healing.

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By virtue of the authority vested in me as the mayor

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of the city of Ocala Florida do declare August 18th 2026 to be

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Arts and Health Day in Ocala Florida.

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Congratulations, and thank you for this work.

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[Applause]

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Speaker: Thank you very much, we are a nonprofit organization

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but one of the more interesting things

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we do in addition to making art with the public,

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we also keep data on all of our arts interactions

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to prove that art is actually good for you.

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We work with veterans, children in the foster system,

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those with dementia and their caregivers and a lot more,

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and the statistics mayor Marciano

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cited are our own statistics from right

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here in Marion County, so thank you.

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[Applause]

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Chair: Item four C is the presentation

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of a service award to Jerry Tafoya,

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with 25 years of service for Ocala Fire Rescue.

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[Applause]

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Speaker: Fire equipment operator Jerry Tafoya,

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originally from Albuquerque new Mexico began his career

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in August 2001 as a certified firefighter paramedic in South

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Florida before moving to Ocala.

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Is currently assigned to engine four, as well as being

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a part of the aircraft rescue firefighting team

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at the airport.

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Is also a founding member of the Ocala Fire Rescue Swat medic

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team, having a hand in the team's development .

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For 25 years in service, please join me

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in congratulating Mr. Tafoya.

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[Applause]

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Speaker: Thank you for giving me a great place to work and not

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firing me .

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Chair: Item four D, the presentation

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of a service award to Joseph Dotten,

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For Ocala electric utilities.

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Speaker: Beginning in 2001 as a tree crew equipment operator,

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through his hard work and dedication Joe

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was promoted to lion truck operator in 2006

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and has continued to advance throughout his career

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and currently serves as line truck operator

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three, a position he has held since 2019.

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Outside of his daily responsibilities,

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he enjoys creating homemade sauces

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and cooking chicken wings For the annual charity

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cookoff, King of the wing.

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When he's not at work, Joe enjoys cruising and camping

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with family and friends.

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He and his wife have three children,

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and they are the proud grandparents

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of two wonderful grandsons.

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For 25 years of service, congratulations.

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[Applause]

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Chair: Item four E is the presentation

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of a service award to Jody Taylor,

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for 30 years of service in public works.

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[Applause]

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Speaker: Jodie Taylor has been employed

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with the city of Ocala residential sanitation Division

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for 30 years, beginning as a residential sanitation worker

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before being promoted to assistant crew leader and then

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clam operator and has been in his position

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for the past 27 years.

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Has expanded his role to learn additional trucks

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and responsibilities.

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Jodie is very reliable and dependable employee

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who can be counted on to do whatever is asked of him.

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Many times he has proved his value as an operator while doing

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storm cleanup .

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Not only is he a productive worker,

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but he has also shown the ability

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to safely remove debris from situations where

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it doesn't look possible and he's always found a way

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to accomplish the task.

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Jodie S lived in Ocala for 40 years

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and has been married for 37.

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Together they have three daughters

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and six adorable grandchildren, we

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are happy Jodie is a part of the city of Ocala

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and more specifically part of residential Sanitation division.

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Has been proud to make a career with the city

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and plans to continue for many years,

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thank you for your years of service.

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[Applause]

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Chair: Item four F is the presentation

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of a service award to Major Gregory Martin,

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for 30 years of service with the Ocala Police Department.

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Speaker: Shortly after graduating from Forrest High

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School, he served until 1998.

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Major Martin was hired at the Ocala Police Department

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in August 1996 after a year , he served many roles

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and as a member of the Swat team for 15 years.

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Was promoted through the ranks to Sergeant in 2006,

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Lieutenant in 2015, captain in 2017,

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and major in January of 2021.

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Is commander of Special Operations Bureau.

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He is married to his best friend and they have two children.

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Austin is a firefighter paramedic

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with Marion County Rescue.

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30 years of service, thank you.

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[Applause]

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Speaker: Tony didn't bother me, 25 didn't bother me,

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but I woke up this morning and 30 is kind of weird.

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The most important part is not what I've accomplished,

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but I've done it with my best friend by my side and it is not

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easy .

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I thank her every day for putting up with me,

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because I'm a mess for sure and my son some of the biggest

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flexes in life are our kids.

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In the grand scheme of things, I've been incredibly blessed.

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We live in a phenomenal community .

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I've worked for tremendous people,

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I've had tremendous councilmen and councilwomen, city managers

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and mayors, and they've all been incredibly supportive

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of us our entire career.

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When you do that, you wake up every day

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and it feels like just another day, doesn't feel like 30 years.

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The citizens of Ocala have been fantastic supporting us

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throughout my 30 year career, Mr. Mayor, thank you so much .

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Chair: Before we move on to tonight's presentations,

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we are going to consider two agenda items out of order.

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First, we will consider agenda item ten

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E which is the adoption of a successful collective bargaining

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agreement between the City of Ocala and the local firefighters

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and officers bargaining unit.

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Do I hear a motion to approve this item?

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Chief of staff Chris Watts is recognized

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for the staff presentation.

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Chris Watts: Beginning October 1st and running through

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September 30th of 2029 -- the parties reached a tentative

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agreement on July 9th and the proposed contract was approved

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by the Union at a vote of 94 and nine against.

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If approved by the Council , it is $8.7 million over the next

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three years.

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Staff recommends approval and I am here

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to answer any questions you may have.

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Chair: Are there any comments from the public or the council?

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[Voting]

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Next we will consider item ten F,

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the adoption of resolution 2026 .

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Peter Brill is recognized for the staff presentation .

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Peter Brill: Council is considering

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the removal of the BTR, To move forward

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with the potential removal as pledge revenue,

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finance has secured this solution

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as the last piece needed.

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Chair: Any questions or comments from the public?

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[Voting]

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Chair: The ayes have it.

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We will return to agenda item number five.

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Presentation of the Risk Manager of the year Award

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to Richard Dennis from public Risk Underwriters

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of Florida Inc.

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[Applause]

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Speaker: Good afternoon chairperson, commissioners,

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and guest.

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It is my pleasure to recognize an outstanding public servant

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and leader in the field of public risk management.

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We are honored to present the risk management of the year

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award to Mr. Richard Dennis of the City of Ocala.

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Risk management is about protecting people, safeguarding

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public resources and helping organizations operate safely

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and effectively.

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Richard has exemplified those principles

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through his leadership, professionalism, and commitment

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to excellence.

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His dedication to promoting safety, managing risk

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proactively and supporting the city of Ocala

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has made a meaningful difference within your organization

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and serves as a model to all of our members

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with preferred governmental insurance trust.

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Richard, thank you for your hard work,

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Congratulations on a well deserved recognition.

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00:24:14,738 --> 00:24:16,738
[Applause]

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Chair: Item five B is the presentation of the 2026 Florida

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00:26:12,168 --> 00:26:15,768
Legislative Session recap in 2027 legislative session

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00:26:15,938 --> 00:26:20,738
preview by Sarah Suski, from the Advocacy partners.

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00:26:38,480 --> 00:26:41,421
Sarah Suskey: It is such a heartwarming experience

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to come to your city council meetings

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00:26:43,578 --> 00:26:47,468
and see the presentation of the service Awards and all

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00:26:47,468 --> 00:26:51,800
the things you guys do at the very beginning,

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00:26:51,800 --> 00:26:54,588
it puts a pep in my step and makes me happy.

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00:26:54,588 --> 00:26:57,968
To have that many people who have served

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00:26:57,968 --> 00:27:00,948
this community for that long time and time

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00:27:00,948 --> 00:27:06,640
again is so incredible, and it says a lot about your leadership

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00:27:06,640 --> 00:27:09,584
and just a lot about this awesome community.

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I'm here to talk about the legislative session,

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00:27:14,408 --> 00:27:18,768
and along those same lines today is primary Election Day

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00:27:18,768 --> 00:27:19,693
in Florida.

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I see lots of I voted stickers in the room,

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00:27:23,508 --> 00:27:26,242
you still have a couple of hours to get to the polls

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00:27:26,242 --> 00:27:30,442
if you haven't voted and help decide

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00:27:31,374 --> 00:27:34,948
who is going to lead our state in the next year or two.

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00:27:34,948 --> 00:27:38,648
But I'm here to talk about the legislative session,

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00:27:38,648 --> 00:27:41,314
and I have to start off again by thanking

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00:27:41,314 --> 00:27:45,781
you guys for the opportunity to represent this amazing community

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00:27:45,781 --> 00:27:46,824
in Tallahassee.

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00:27:46,824 --> 00:27:50,488
Thank you for the access you give us

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00:27:50,488 --> 00:27:53,488
to your incredible professional staff,

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00:27:55,448 --> 00:27:57,762
they are a huge help to Steven and I

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00:27:57,762 --> 00:27:59,456
and our entire firm at Tallahassee

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00:27:59,456 --> 00:28:03,388
but it's truly an honor to get to represent this community

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00:28:03,388 --> 00:28:07,588
and also work alongside the incredible legislative

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00:28:09,741 --> 00:28:12,508
delegation you guys have representing you up

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00:28:12,508 --> 00:28:13,458
in Tallahassee.

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00:28:13,458 --> 00:28:16,916
The session ended officially on March 13th,

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00:28:16,916 --> 00:28:20,778
doesn't seem like that long ago but it seems like a lifetime.

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00:28:20,778 --> 00:28:25,503
Rather than going out with a bang again this year

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00:28:25,503 --> 00:28:27,848
it went out with a bit of a whimper

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00:28:27,848 --> 00:28:32,258
and for the second year of a row without a completed state budget

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00:28:32,258 --> 00:28:34,208
which is the one thing constitutionally

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00:28:34,208 --> 00:28:38,108
the legislature is tasked with doing every year.

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00:28:38,108 --> 00:28:41,960
Despite supermajorities of Republicans and vote chambers

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00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:44,968
of the legislature, once again this year there

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00:28:44,968 --> 00:28:47,584
were some disagreements on priority and spending

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00:28:47,584 --> 00:28:52,384
that ended up causing the session to continue,

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00:28:52,896 --> 00:28:56,967
or multiple sessions I'm going to discuss here in a little bit.

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00:28:56,967 --> 00:29:01,688
During the regular session there was almost 1900 bills

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00:29:01,688 --> 00:29:03,688
filed in Tallahassee.

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00:29:04,400 --> 00:29:06,800
237 of those 1900 actually passed,

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00:29:09,248 --> 00:29:11,984
and since the session ended, the governor

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00:29:11,984 --> 00:29:14,368
has acted on every single one of them.

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00:29:14,368 --> 00:29:17,190
Signed most of them and vetoed eight.

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00:29:17,190 --> 00:29:20,335
One of them is going to be important

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00:29:20,335 --> 00:29:23,474
and of interest to you guys, I know you were already aware

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00:29:23,474 --> 00:29:26,128
but some of the notable things that passes

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00:29:26,128 --> 00:29:30,308
here were data centers bills that preserve some local control

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00:29:30,308 --> 00:29:32,838
over siting and development decisions,

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00:29:32,838 --> 00:29:38,768
I know the county had some workshops going on to discuss

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00:29:38,768 --> 00:29:41,768
those that have been postponed.

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00:29:51,728 --> 00:29:55,328
a cap increase on immunity claims ,

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00:30:00,968 --> 00:30:03,888
because of increased costs it would have brought to local

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00:30:03,888 --> 00:30:04,518
governments.

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00:30:04,518 --> 00:30:08,741
Another bill that passed was a piece of legislation giving

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00:30:08,741 --> 00:30:12,341
additional authority regarding municipal utility service

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00:30:13,581 --> 00:30:17,781
extensions , and agriculture package that connects farmers

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00:30:20,788 --> 00:30:24,988
in Florida with families and food banks,

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00:30:25,248 --> 00:30:28,248
legislation requiring verification of citizenship

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00:30:28,848 --> 00:30:31,160
before folks can vote in Florida,

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00:30:31,160 --> 00:30:35,960
and then a school safety package also passed.

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00:30:36,248 --> 00:30:39,888
Sometimes in Tallahassee what doesn't pass is even more

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00:30:39,888 --> 00:30:45,574
important than what does pass, and this year once again

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00:30:45,574 --> 00:30:48,808
the Renaissance bill did not pass,

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00:30:48,808 --> 00:30:52,768
the legislature did not successfully pass an AI bill

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00:30:52,768 --> 00:30:57,280
of rights , and a couple of other things.

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00:30:57,280 --> 00:31:01,438
But there were term limits for county commissioners, did not

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00:31:01,438 --> 00:31:02,720
pass this year.

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00:31:02,720 --> 00:31:06,468
And effort to repeal local governments authority to Levy

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00:31:06,468 --> 00:31:10,680
local business taxes, and legislation that

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00:31:10,828 --> 00:31:13,588
would have allowed large scale developments in Florida

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00:31:13,588 --> 00:31:16,794
to bypass some of the comprehensive plan

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00:31:16,794 --> 00:31:21,594
provisions that exist for local governments in Florida.

345
00:31:22,408 --> 00:31:26,800
Once the regular session ended we

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00:31:28,541 --> 00:31:31,136
took a break for a couple of weeks,

347
00:31:31,136 --> 00:31:34,154
but the governor had other plans for us

348
00:31:34,154 --> 00:31:39,114
and called the legislature back for a special session on an AI

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00:31:39,114 --> 00:31:42,368
bill of rights, medical freedom proposal

350
00:31:42,368 --> 00:31:44,368
and congressional redistricting.

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00:31:44,501 --> 00:31:46,901
The legislature ultimately decided

352
00:31:46,912 --> 00:31:51,788
not to take up the first two, but passed

353
00:31:51,788 --> 00:31:54,648
the congressional maps that the governor proposed

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00:31:54,648 --> 00:31:57,416
and then we were able to get on to the budget

355
00:31:57,416 --> 00:31:59,816
and complete that work.

356
00:32:00,488 --> 00:32:02,181
After several weeks of negotiation

357
00:32:02,181 --> 00:32:05,781
the legislature eventually approved a $114 billion

358
00:32:06,622 --> 00:32:09,622
state budget, which was $1 billion

359
00:32:10,704 --> 00:32:14,140
under last year's budget and roughly $3 billion less

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00:32:14,140 --> 00:32:16,978
than what governor Desantis proposed.

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00:32:16,978 --> 00:32:20,578
It includes $14 billion in reserves, $115 million

362
00:32:21,280 --> 00:32:25,480
in debt reduction, raises for correctional officers,

363
00:32:26,981 --> 00:32:30,581
public defenders, investments in natural resources

364
00:32:30,941 --> 00:32:35,800
and environmental restoration, funding for affordable housing

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00:32:35,800 --> 00:32:39,208
initiatives, cybersecurity grants and an overall increase

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00:32:39,908 --> 00:32:41,908
in education spending.

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00:32:43,368 --> 00:32:46,728
Importantly to this community, that budget also included

368
00:32:46,728 --> 00:32:50,928
$500,000 for the city's exfiltration project which has

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00:32:52,988 --> 00:32:58,880
been ongoing for several years, and we were very fortunate that

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00:32:58,880 --> 00:33:02,381
the governor approved that line item this year.

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00:33:02,381 --> 00:33:07,768
The budget passed on May 29th, and the governor signed

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00:33:07,768 --> 00:33:11,568
the budget on June 29th a month later and a day before the final

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00:33:11,568 --> 00:33:18,768
day of the fiscal year he vetoed $1.7 billion out of the budget,

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00:33:20,312 --> 00:33:24,834
800 million of which were local projects like the City

375
00:33:24,834 --> 00:33:32,634
of Ocala's which was more than last year but less than he had

376
00:33:32,870 --> 00:33:36,844
done in the past, so we are all grateful for that.

377
00:33:36,844 --> 00:33:39,860
Just when we thought we could head home for the summer

378
00:33:39,860 --> 00:33:42,512
the governor brought us back for a third special session

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00:33:42,512 --> 00:33:46,814
and this one was on property tax reform.

380
00:33:46,814 --> 00:33:50,128
I know you guys are incredibly well versed in what is going

381
00:33:50,128 --> 00:33:53,656
on with that, but I will give a little bit of an overview

382
00:33:53,656 --> 00:33:58,480
so that the House of Representatives had undergone

383
00:33:58,480 --> 00:34:01,668
a pretty significant process of workshops around the state,

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00:34:01,668 --> 00:34:07,668
and a lot of conversations came up with some proposals,

385
00:34:08,200 --> 00:34:11,800
and ultimately the Senate never took those up during the regular

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00:34:11,800 --> 00:34:14,438
session so the governor felt that it was important to call

387
00:34:14,438 --> 00:34:21,380
everyone back to have a special session on property tax reform ,

388
00:34:21,904 --> 00:34:25,516
and in short, the proposal that passed would increase

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00:34:25,516 --> 00:34:28,968
the homestead exemption for non-school taxes for Florida

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00:34:28,968 --> 00:34:31,968
residents to 150 zero zero $0 in 2027,

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00:34:33,613 --> 00:34:37,794
and that would go up to $250,000 in 2028.

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00:34:37,794 --> 00:34:43,768
It also limits the increase on assessed value for property

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00:34:43,768 --> 00:34:47,808
in the state and restricts local governments ability to use

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00:34:47,808 --> 00:34:53,808
property tax revenue for non essential items in the budget .

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00:34:55,974 --> 00:34:58,754
This proposal, as you know very well,

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00:34:58,754 --> 00:35:04,754
will require a 60% plus one approval in the November ballot.

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00:35:05,268 --> 00:35:10,616
We've already seen some court challenges that have resulted

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00:35:10,616 --> 00:35:14,578
in on Thursday a rewrite of the ballot language,

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00:35:14,578 --> 00:35:18,178
the summary and the language itself ,

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00:35:19,910 --> 00:35:23,708
and that seems to be what will go on the ballot in November.

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00:35:23,708 --> 00:35:28,508
If it does pass, the constitutional amendment will

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00:35:30,248 --> 00:35:34,878
take effect on January 1st of next year 2027.

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00:35:34,878 --> 00:35:41,800
The legislature will need to codify that as well as codify

404
00:35:41,800 --> 00:35:45,921
a process because the language says that local governments can

405
00:35:45,921 --> 00:35:52,874
use a plan to fully eliminate property taxes in a manner that

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00:35:52,874 --> 00:35:55,588
is prescribed by the legislature.

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00:35:55,588 --> 00:35:58,548
So, there's significant implications and lots

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00:35:58,548 --> 00:36:02,808
of conversations going on in local communities and certainly

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00:36:02,808 --> 00:36:06,168
here in the city of Ocala where you guys are

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00:36:06,168 --> 00:36:08,280
growing continually.

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00:36:08,280 --> 00:36:13,932
I know there are a lot of demands on the city's budget,

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00:36:13,932 --> 00:36:17,794
et, so it'll be interesting to see what happens with that

413
00:36:17,794 --> 00:36:19,476
and the next couple of months.

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00:36:19,476 --> 00:36:22,408
Now all of the sessions are behind us,

415
00:36:22,408 --> 00:36:26,600
legislators have gone back to their communities to spend time

416
00:36:26,600 --> 00:36:28,936
with their families this summer, campaign,

417
00:36:28,936 --> 00:36:36,688
a lot of elections are going to be decided today and it will be

418
00:36:36,688 --> 00:36:40,288
interesting, but once we get through the November election,

419
00:36:40,288 --> 00:36:43,808
the legislature will come back to Tallahassee in November

420
00:36:43,808 --> 00:36:48,568
the weekend of November 17th to formally organize for the 2027

421
00:36:48,568 --> 00:36:54,568
session, install our new leaders and get the committee process

422
00:36:54,648 --> 00:36:55,648
underway.

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00:36:55,648 --> 00:37:00,800
Then in January, we will welcome a new governor

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00:37:00,800 --> 00:37:04,296
to the state of Florida who will be inaugurated in January.

425
00:37:04,296 --> 00:37:09,696
In the meantime, we anticipate that in the legislature,

426
00:37:10,468 --> 00:37:15,848
Senator Jim Boyd will very likely become our next Senate

427
00:37:15,848 --> 00:37:21,248
president and Representative Sam Garrison from Clay County who

428
00:37:22,288 --> 00:37:25,428
is an attorney and has done some work for local governments

429
00:37:25,428 --> 00:37:29,628
in the past will very likely become

430
00:37:29,976 --> 00:37:33,160
our next speaker of the House, will also

431
00:37:33,160 --> 00:37:37,360
have some new leadership on state agencies

432
00:37:37,968 --> 00:37:42,181
and a few surprises will likely be on deck,

433
00:37:42,181 --> 00:37:45,388
we are going to be interested in seeing everyone's agendas

434
00:37:45,388 --> 00:37:48,988
for the 2027 session, although we don't

435
00:37:51,128 --> 00:37:52,493
know exactly what that is.

436
00:37:52,493 --> 00:37:56,416
We know it's going to be very interesting and never a dull

437
00:37:56,416 --> 00:38:02,416
moment in Tallahassee, so we will be ready for that .

438
00:38:03,464 --> 00:38:05,472
Our firm is incredibly grateful to get

439
00:38:05,472 --> 00:38:08,596
to represent the city of Ocala, and we

440
00:38:08,596 --> 00:38:10,728
will be back in the coming months

441
00:38:10,728 --> 00:38:13,208
to have a meeting with your senior staff

442
00:38:13,208 --> 00:38:16,578
and to meet with you individually

443
00:38:16,578 --> 00:38:21,880
as your staff works to develop your legislative agenda

444
00:38:21,880 --> 00:38:26,344
for next session, so we will see you again soon.

445
00:38:26,344 --> 00:38:31,744
We are incredibly grateful, thank you for your time.

446
00:38:41,288 --> 00:38:46,400
Chair: Agenda item number six is our consent agenda,

447
00:38:46,400 --> 00:38:48,654
are there any items with Council would

448
00:38:48,654 --> 00:38:54,540
like to include on the agenda for individual discussion?

449
00:39:01,808 --> 00:39:03,808
are there comments?

450
00:39:07,445 --> 00:39:09,445
call the roll.

451
00:39:15,423 --> 00:39:17,823
[Voting - all ayes]

452
00:39:30,248 --> 00:39:33,848
item eight A is the Ordinance.

453
00:39:41,936 --> 00:39:47,936
City Clerk: An ordinance to change the future land use

454
00:39:48,428 --> 00:39:53,228
designation amending the future land use map designation

455
00:40:01,428 --> 00:40:07,428
for property located in the 1700 block of Northwest Martin Luther

456
00:40:07,638 --> 00:40:12,438
King Jr Avenue from medium intensity to public ,

457
00:40:22,754 --> 00:40:24,754
approximately 11 acres.

458
00:40:40,210 --> 00:40:43,768
Chair: Item eight B is an introduction and ordinance

459
00:40:43,768 --> 00:40:45,768
reading .

460
00:40:52,677 --> 00:40:57,514
City Clerk: The ordinance amendment of the city map

461
00:40:57,514 --> 00:41:01,114
of Ocala in heavy industrial use,

462
00:41:03,968 --> 00:41:08,728
for property located east of the 1700 block of Northwest Martin

463
00:41:08,728 --> 00:41:12,328
Luther King Jr Avenue , approximately 11.2 acres.

464
00:41:22,608 --> 00:41:26,808
Provide direction to staff for conflicted provisions,

465
00:41:29,408 --> 00:41:33,328
provided for modifications arising from the consideration

466
00:41:33,328 --> 00:41:35,328
of the hearing.

467
00:41:48,128 --> 00:41:54,728
An ordinance amending the zoning map changing from B for general

468
00:42:04,568 --> 00:42:07,568
business to M1 light industrial .

469
00:42:16,928 --> 00:42:20,528
Approximately 5.93 acres , providing direction to staff

470
00:42:27,728 --> 00:42:30,728
repealing inconsistent provisions for modifications

471
00:42:32,688 --> 00:42:36,888
arising from considerations at a public hearing.

472
00:42:53,709 --> 00:43:01,509
8d Is an ordinance amending the zoning map of the city of Ocala

473
00:43:03,480 --> 00:43:08,448
for 3.23 acres for a property located at 1501 Northwest 14th

474
00:43:11,608 --> 00:43:15,808
Street from governmental use to neighborhood business .

475
00:43:42,592 --> 00:43:48,898
8e, An ordinance amending the zoning map of the city of Ocala

476
00:43:48,898 --> 00:43:53,698
Florida changing from light industrial to medium industrial,

477
00:43:54,418 --> 00:43:59,818
3.05 acres of property located in the 1700 block of Northeast

478
00:44:01,456 --> 00:44:03,456
18th place .

479
00:44:30,976 --> 00:44:36,976
8f., An ordinance amending the city of Ocala comprehensive plan

480
00:44:42,248 --> 00:44:47,648
map series has required detailing the future land use

481
00:44:51,328 --> 00:44:56,728
change amending the map from neighborhood to public located

482
00:45:02,854 --> 00:45:07,540
in the 700 block of Northwest 14th Street,

483
00:45:08,808 --> 00:45:10,808
approximately 0.52 acres.

484
00:45:15,128 --> 00:45:17,528
Providing for modifications arising

485
00:45:19,238 --> 00:45:24,380
from consideration of the hearing and effective date.

486
00:45:29,342 --> 00:45:36,542
8g., An ordinance amending the zoning map of the city of Ocala

487
00:45:44,568 --> 00:45:49,968
Florida changing from two family residential to government use,

488
00:45:52,960 --> 00:45:57,216
located in the 708 hundred blocks of Northwest 14th Street

489
00:45:57,216 --> 00:46:01,416
and the 1400 block of Northwest 17th place,

490
00:46:01,578 --> 00:46:03,578
approximately 9.94 acres .

491
00:46:11,800 --> 00:46:14,608
Approximately providing direction to staff repealing

492
00:46:21,668 --> 00:46:25,268
inconsistent , providing direction to the Codifier

493
00:46:30,968 --> 00:46:33,968
and providing an effective date.

494
00:46:40,500 --> 00:46:44,250
Chair: Is there a motion for 9a?

495
00:47:18,851 --> 00:47:24,851
Endira Madraveren: The agent for this request is Kendall Drake

496
00:47:25,988 --> 00:47:30,188
of Drake Construction Services, the properties impacted

497
00:47:30,848 --> 00:47:35,568
by the Northwest 13th Street aggregation include different

498
00:47:35,568 --> 00:47:40,968
ownership, which are the Magnolia Extension LLC as well

499
00:47:41,880 --> 00:47:44,464
as the property extension to the south.

500
00:47:44,464 --> 00:47:49,264
The portion of Northwest First Avenue being aggregated

501
00:47:49,560 --> 00:47:53,593
is internal to the Magnolia Extension site

502
00:47:53,593 --> 00:47:56,668
and will only impact that property.

503
00:47:56,668 --> 00:48:02,680
Both rights contain existing eight inch gravity sewer lines

504
00:48:02,920 --> 00:48:07,568
and Northwest 13th Street also includes a street light,

505
00:48:07,568 --> 00:48:09,968
but are otherwise undeveloped.

506
00:48:11,314 --> 00:48:14,314
Utility easement has been developed .

507
00:48:19,392 --> 00:48:22,352
The applicant has indicated the intent

508
00:48:22,352 --> 00:48:25,868
to utilize the aggregate of areas

509
00:48:25,868 --> 00:48:28,108
through further development of the site.

510
00:48:28,108 --> 00:48:32,800
Staff finds the requested aggregation will not negatively

511
00:48:32,800 --> 00:48:34,408
impact any adjacent properties.

512
00:48:34,458 --> 00:48:39,258
Other than city utilities, no comments or objections

513
00:48:39,958 --> 00:48:43,608
were received by any other utility providers.

514
00:48:43,608 --> 00:48:46,648
Staff recommends approval subject to the following

515
00:48:46,648 --> 00:48:49,398
condition that the applicant will assume responsibility

516
00:48:49,398 --> 00:48:54,908
for the maintenance of the eight inch gravity sewer lines upon

517
00:48:54,908 --> 00:48:58,528
the north half of the aggregation of Northwest 13th

518
00:48:58,528 --> 00:49:02,768
Street, and upon the aggregation of Northwest First Avenue

519
00:49:02,768 --> 00:49:06,480
and for the charges related to convert the street light

520
00:49:06,480 --> 00:49:13,601
on Northwest 13th Street to a yard light subject to the charge

521
00:49:13,601 --> 00:49:15,601
by OEU.

522
00:49:19,928 --> 00:49:23,528
I'm happy to answer any questions.

523
00:49:27,848 --> 00:49:32,480
Chair: Any public comments on this matter?

524
00:49:32,520 --> 00:49:34,520
call the roll.

525
00:49:36,247 --> 00:49:38,647
[Voting - all ayes]

526
00:49:42,608 --> 00:49:48,800
item nine B is a public hearing to consider

527
00:49:49,218 --> 00:49:54,180
approval for the on premise consumption for wine

528
00:49:55,496 --> 00:49:57,496
at via Panini.

529
00:50:01,496 --> 00:50:03,274
Endira Madraveren: The applicant,

530
00:50:03,274 --> 00:50:08,740
doing business as via Panini, is requesting permission

531
00:50:08,488 --> 00:50:12,848
to sell beer and wine for on premise consumption.

532
00:50:12,848 --> 00:50:16,448
Via Panini is a proposed restaurant

533
00:50:17,228 --> 00:50:20,828
located at 725 East Silver Springs Boulevard

534
00:50:21,240 --> 00:50:25,440
with a proposed 20 seats and two employees.

535
00:50:25,808 --> 00:50:28,448
Comments were requested from the Growth Management

536
00:50:28,448 --> 00:50:30,848
Department, police and fire.

537
00:50:31,648 --> 00:50:34,648
No objections were received, there

538
00:50:34,898 --> 00:50:36,455
have been three calls for service

539
00:50:36,455 --> 00:50:39,528
at this location during the past two years.

540
00:50:39,528 --> 00:50:45,528
There is one church and no schools or daycares located

541
00:50:45,688 --> 00:50:48,880
within the 500 foot radius.

542
00:50:49,328 --> 00:50:51,752
Staff recommends approval, and I'm here

543
00:50:51,752 --> 00:50:54,152
to answer any questions.

544
00:51:03,837 --> 00:51:06,648
Speaker: It will be nice to see it activated as a restaurant

545
00:51:06,648 --> 00:51:08,648
again.

546
00:51:09,408 --> 00:51:14,808
I'm going to make a motion to approve that.

547
00:51:19,225 --> 00:51:21,625
[Voting - all ayes]

548
00:51:29,982 --> 00:51:34,182
Chair: Item nine C is the amendment

549
00:51:36,896 --> 00:51:40,994
of the Housing Incentive fund revising criteria pertaining

550
00:51:40,994 --> 00:51:43,648
to affordable housing loan programs including length

551
00:51:43,648 --> 00:51:46,648
of terms, applicability, administrative process,

552
00:51:47,968 --> 00:51:49,968
and interest rates.

553
00:52:56,273 --> 00:52:59,873
Aubrey Hale: Chapter 106 addresses planning housing

554
00:53:01,296 --> 00:53:03,508
in general for the city of Ocala,

555
00:53:03,508 --> 00:53:08,832
but it also provides for the Housing Incentive Fund which

556
00:53:08,832 --> 00:53:14,832
is used to offset the qualifying under the city's definition

557
00:53:16,948 --> 00:53:18,278
of affordable housing.

558
00:53:18,278 --> 00:53:21,896
There's a code reference to a loan program that has limited

559
00:53:21,896 --> 00:53:24,296
or very restricted criteria.

560
00:53:25,768 --> 00:53:27,640
There's federal and state housing programs

561
00:53:27,640 --> 00:53:32,378
that help to address housing and greater access

562
00:53:32,378 --> 00:53:35,228
to affordable housing within communities,

563
00:53:35,228 --> 00:53:38,168
but the city current code reflects

564
00:53:38,168 --> 00:53:40,548
kind of a short term loan program

565
00:53:40,548 --> 00:53:42,548
currently at 0% interest.

566
00:53:43,748 --> 00:53:48,141
This does provide for a faster return to the Housing incentive

567
00:53:48,141 --> 00:53:51,354
fund, however it does have some limitations working

568
00:53:51,354 --> 00:53:54,354
with federal and state programs.

569
00:53:55,248 --> 00:53:58,848
Oftentimes those require longer financing affordability

570
00:53:59,528 --> 00:54:04,714
provisions as part of the state so this code addresses

571
00:54:04,714 --> 00:54:09,144
some greater flexibility and guidance to the programs,

572
00:54:09,144 --> 00:54:13,944
and really what it does is Establish loans

573
00:54:19,848 --> 00:54:23,516
that mature ten years or less from the effective date

574
00:54:23,516 --> 00:54:26,619
and have a maximum interest rate that ranges from 0%

575
00:54:26,619 --> 00:54:30,888
to half of the US Prime interest rate.

576
00:54:30,888 --> 00:54:35,661
Additionally, here's another one that establishes a long term

577
00:54:35,661 --> 00:54:41,610
loan program and does not exceed a 30 year max

578
00:54:43,320 --> 00:54:45,248
period for that loan.

579
00:54:45,248 --> 00:54:47,280
These loans for the long term program

580
00:54:47,280 --> 00:54:51,308
would only be available to assist with federal, state,

581
00:54:51,308 --> 00:54:57,308
or local housing programs and is worded in a way

582
00:54:57,963 --> 00:55:00,794
to not allow for the sole source funding out

583
00:55:00,794 --> 00:55:06,794
of the long term loan for assistance of other initiatives.

584
00:55:07,234 --> 00:55:10,528
Again, the interest rate would be slightly higher for the long

585
00:55:10,528 --> 00:55:14,728
term loans since they are longer term .

586
00:55:21,208 --> 00:55:25,352
It ranges from half the US prime interest rate up to the maximum

587
00:55:25,352 --> 00:55:28,128
of the US prime interest rate.

588
00:55:28,128 --> 00:55:31,128
Lastly, it provides administrative authority

589
00:55:31,136 --> 00:55:35,558
to the City manager designee to prepare the final signatures

590
00:55:35,558 --> 00:55:40,696
and approvals for the documents with the proposed code.

591
00:55:40,696 --> 00:55:44,234
In closing, the landscape of affordable housing is

592
00:55:44,234 --> 00:55:48,648
continuously evolving and due to these changes in federal state

593
00:55:48,648 --> 00:55:52,848
housing programs it provides flexibility and clarity .

594
00:56:00,528 --> 00:56:05,928
Staff recommends approval, and is available for any questions.

595
00:56:14,448 --> 00:56:16,848
[Voting - all ayes]

596
00:56:21,513 --> 00:56:24,800
Chair: Agenda item ten, general business.

597
00:56:24,800 --> 00:56:29,780
The adoption of the agreement for professional services

598
00:56:29,780 --> 00:56:32,904
with air show management for the production and management

599
00:56:32,904 --> 00:56:35,688
of the wings over Ocala Florida air

600
00:56:35,688 --> 00:56:38,688
show at Ocala International Airport.

601
00:56:38,768 --> 00:56:44,168
Do I hear a motion to approve this item?

602
00:57:08,288 --> 00:57:11,200
Matthew Grow: This is a new event for Ocala with

603
00:57:11,200 --> 00:57:16,528
the inaugural show scheduled for April 30th followed by spring

604
00:57:16,528 --> 00:57:18,528
events in 2028 and 2029.

605
00:57:19,928 --> 00:57:23,428
JLC Airshow Management is an experienced professional air

606
00:57:23,428 --> 00:57:27,628
show producer having completed several successful air

607
00:57:28,128 --> 00:57:30,768
shows around the Southeast United States.

608
00:57:30,768 --> 00:57:34,468
JLC takes responsibility for producing and managing

609
00:57:34,468 --> 00:57:39,268
essentially all aspects of the event, vendors, sanitation,

610
00:57:42,588 --> 00:57:46,188
fencing, insurance, and ultimately event operations.

611
00:57:47,416 --> 00:57:50,748
JLC is also responsible for all event parking

612
00:57:50,748 --> 00:57:55,548
both on and off site, shuttles, traffic management,

613
00:57:56,608 --> 00:57:58,144
all added expense.

614
00:57:58,144 --> 00:58:02,880
The city's role is primarily to provide the airport venue

615
00:58:02,880 --> 00:58:04,768
and coordinate public safety and emergency

616
00:58:04,768 --> 00:58:09,968
services that might be necessary to safely conduct the event.

617
00:58:09,968 --> 00:58:14,108
That includes specialized airport rescue firefighting EMS

618
00:58:14,108 --> 00:58:18,908
teams, law enforcement, regular fire services and traffic

619
00:58:19,818 --> 00:58:22,818
control along southwest 60th Avenue.

620
00:58:24,288 --> 00:58:26,816
There will be a cost to the city for those services,

621
00:58:26,816 --> 00:58:30,416
the police estimate approximately $23,000 and Ocala

622
00:58:31,808 --> 00:58:36,608
Fire approximately 15,000 for a current total of about $48,000.

623
00:58:37,144 --> 00:58:42,112
These costs will be paid for through the airport fund.

624
00:58:42,112 --> 00:58:46,312
There's also a 100,000 sponsorship from the tourist

625
00:58:49,168 --> 00:58:54,153
Council subject to approval and availability and it's intended

626
00:58:54,153 --> 00:58:58,528
to support production and operation of the event.

627
00:58:58,528 --> 00:59:02,728
The agreement contains a revenue sharing provision .

628
00:59:12,320 --> 00:59:15,610
For the first 300,000 of their revenue,

629
00:59:15,610 --> 00:59:18,610
they will retain 100% of it.

630
00:59:18,114 --> 00:59:21,714
For net revenue exceeding 300 000, they receive 70%.

631
00:59:24,978 --> 00:59:31,578
There is a mechanism to recover some cost to the agreement,

632
00:59:32,338 --> 00:59:35,808
there's other protections in the agreement and either party can

633
00:59:35,808 --> 00:59:38,808
cancel with 60 days written notice .

634
00:59:56,408 --> 00:59:59,408
From the airport's perspective, it's

635
00:59:59,741 --> 01:00:02,628
an opportunity to show off Ocala.

636
01:00:02,628 --> 01:00:04,681
We have a great facility out there,

637
01:00:04,681 --> 01:00:08,881
we could see upwards of around 45000 people

638
01:00:10,912 --> 01:00:15,548
and where we are right now with the airport is a perfect time

639
01:00:15,548 --> 01:00:17,776
to show it off.

640
01:00:17,776 --> 01:00:21,976
Those visitors generate hotel stays and quite

641
01:00:23,554 --> 01:00:26,328
a bit of other spending throughout the community.

642
01:00:26,328 --> 01:00:29,328
Staff from the Marion County Tourism Development Council

643
01:00:29,328 --> 01:00:33,128
are here and can address any economic related specific

644
01:00:33,128 --> 01:00:34,504
questions you may have.

645
01:00:34,504 --> 01:00:39,248
The airport Advisory Board absolutely supports the event.

646
01:00:39,248 --> 01:00:44,480
Staff recommends approval , happy to answer any questions.

647
01:01:05,403 --> 01:01:08,296
Speaker: As your representative, I sit on the council

648
01:01:08,296 --> 01:01:14,278
and he has been working on this thing for about two years.

649
01:01:14,278 --> 01:01:20,368
I always knew we had a diamond in the rough with the airport,

650
01:01:20,368 --> 01:01:26,368
they did a great job of bringing it to Ocala.

651
01:01:26,808 --> 01:01:31,230
Once we had it, then we had to wait to make sure

652
01:01:31,230 --> 01:01:32,828
we did get the Blue Angels.

653
01:01:32,828 --> 01:01:37,585
Now we've got it all tidied up, it's going to be a great event,

654
01:01:37,585 --> 01:01:40,474
I am excited about it.

655
01:01:40,474 --> 01:01:44,322
It's been a lot of work together,

656
01:01:44,322 --> 01:01:49,722
I'm excited to finally see in front of us.

657
01:02:00,975 --> 01:02:03,514
Speaker: I see a lot of new faces in the crowd.

658
01:02:03,514 --> 01:02:08,632
This money is not taxpayer dollars, the airport makes money

659
01:02:08,632 --> 01:02:12,168
and the money this airport makes is

660
01:02:12,168 --> 01:02:15,632
what is paying for law enforcement and fire

661
01:02:15,632 --> 01:02:16,640
to be there.

662
01:02:16,640 --> 01:02:18,784
This is not taxpayer revenue, it's

663
01:02:18,784 --> 01:02:22,224
coming from the airport revenue, I just

664
01:02:22,224 --> 01:02:26,424
wanted to say that for the record.

665
01:03:05,991 --> 01:03:10,191
Speaker: We're being conservative on those numbers.

666
01:03:14,582 --> 01:03:19,382
Speaker: Having spent 20 years around the aerospace industry,

667
01:03:19,981 --> 01:03:22,587
when I first moved to Florida we had

668
01:03:22,587 --> 01:03:25,928
the Blue Angels in Gainesville and we'd never

669
01:03:25,928 --> 01:03:27,496
seen anything like that.

670
01:03:27,496 --> 01:03:31,314
They traveled around the country, this is a huge impact

671
01:03:31,314 --> 01:03:34,680
and people will come far and away to see this

672
01:03:34,680 --> 01:03:37,680
because it's a great show.

673
01:03:49,770 --> 01:03:52,568
Speaker: We started initial contact in 2022

674
01:03:52,568 --> 01:03:56,310
and have been trying to get the Blue Angels, that

675
01:03:56,310 --> 01:03:58,880
was the initial push and we were able to get in the first two

676
01:03:58,880 --> 01:04:01,127
years of this attempt and this year we

677
01:04:01,127 --> 01:04:04,888
were able to get it secured by the federal government

678
01:04:04,888 --> 01:04:12,880
and we're hoping to get some more for the future of that.

679
01:04:17,577 --> 01:04:19,977
[Voting - all ayes]

680
01:04:27,400 --> 01:04:30,400
Chair: Adoption of resolution 2026-50.

681
01:04:47,480 --> 01:04:53,480
Matthew Grow: This meets goals, the total construction cost is

682
01:04:54,480 --> 01:04:56,480
$427,542.

683
01:04:56,318 --> 01:05:02,318
The airport's share is about $21,000 or 5% of the total cost.

684
01:05:07,160 --> 01:05:10,880
The project is consistent with the airport plan supported

685
01:05:10,880 --> 01:05:13,128
by the advisory board.

686
01:05:13,128 --> 01:05:16,882
Once the grant is executed and we have the hard copy in hand

687
01:05:16,882 --> 01:05:19,940
we are going to pursue some additional funding to further

688
01:05:19,940 --> 01:05:24,141
offset the airport to expense through grant monies,

689
01:05:24,141 --> 01:05:26,874
so you can expect to bring us back

690
01:05:26,874 --> 01:05:30,456
again once we get the additional grant money for the project.

691
01:05:30,456 --> 01:05:33,456
The FAA system grant disbursement

692
01:05:35,240 --> 01:05:38,840
is a little confusing at times.

693
01:05:40,359 --> 01:05:45,470
One grant was approved by Council, one was not,

694
01:05:45,470 --> 01:05:50,610
but they were both signed at that time on August 3rd.

695
01:05:50,610 --> 01:05:55,461
This agenda item at this time covers that signature ,

696
01:05:57,658 --> 01:06:00,408
I don't know if you have anything else you want to add

697
01:06:00,408 --> 01:06:02,408
about that.

698
01:06:06,555 --> 01:06:08,888
Speaker: Nothing that you spoke to them once you learned

699
01:06:08,888 --> 01:06:11,288
we signed it prematurely.

700
01:06:14,850 --> 01:06:17,850
Matthew Grow: Staff recommends approval,

701
01:06:19,720 --> 01:06:22,720
happy to answer any questions.

702
01:06:25,740 --> 01:06:28,140
[Voting - all ayes]

703
01:06:40,409 --> 01:06:48,209
Chair: Item ten C, do I hear a motion to approve this item?

704
01:06:54,225 --> 01:06:59,261
Matthew Grow: This is the budget resolution for the previously

705
01:06:59,261 --> 01:07:01,661
mentioned fiscal year 2025 2026 agreement .

706
01:07:11,127 --> 01:07:13,527
[Voting - all ayes]

707
01:07:19,328 --> 01:07:23,273
Chair: Item ten D is the adoption of the Second Amendment

708
01:07:23,273 --> 01:07:26,873
to agreement with Honorum productions Inc..

709
01:07:27,800 --> 01:07:32,408
Do I hear a motion to approve this item?

710
01:07:42,728 --> 01:07:44,758
Amy Liberty: This agenda item supports

711
01:07:44,758 --> 01:07:47,261
the city's strategic goal of quality of place

712
01:07:47,261 --> 01:07:49,261
and operational excellence.

713
01:07:49,368 --> 01:07:51,848
The Recreation and Parks Department

714
01:07:51,848 --> 01:07:56,480
are responsible for providing events featuring artists

715
01:07:56,861 --> 01:07:59,928
across various community venues and the city

716
01:07:59,928 --> 01:08:05,328
does not have the in-house expertise or equipment required

717
01:08:06,748 --> 01:08:09,748
to provide audio production services.

718
01:08:12,674 --> 01:08:15,674
Renewing this contract ensures continuity,

719
01:08:16,688 --> 01:08:19,248
maintains event quality and allows staff

720
01:08:19,248 --> 01:08:21,754
to remain focused on developing programs

721
01:08:21,754 --> 01:08:23,432
without technical concerns.

722
01:08:23,432 --> 01:08:29,148
This is the Second Amendment representing the final two year

723
01:08:29,148 --> 01:08:32,728
agreement option available under the original contract,

724
01:08:32,728 --> 01:08:37,528
staff recommends approval and I welcome any questions.

725
01:08:50,677 --> 01:08:53,770
[Voting - all ayes]

726
01:09:01,116 --> 01:09:05,316
Chair: Ten g, renew property, casualty, liability,

727
01:09:06,514 --> 01:09:09,514
and workers compensation insurance policies.

728
01:09:22,880 --> 01:09:26,888
Richard Dennis: This item supports the city goal

729
01:09:29,288 --> 01:09:31,288
of sustainable business.

730
01:09:34,328 --> 01:09:39,480
The recommended renewal will retain continuity of coverage

731
01:09:39,480 --> 01:09:41,480
beginning October 1st 2026.

732
01:09:42,688 --> 01:09:45,408
This is a favorable renewal that reduces the city's

733
01:09:45,408 --> 01:09:49,800
overall premiums, improves overall property protections

734
01:09:52,368 --> 01:09:54,768
across major risk exposures.

735
01:09:57,848 --> 01:10:02,480
The projection is $2 million representing overall reduction

736
01:10:02,168 --> 01:10:04,168
of $76,889 or approximately 2.9%.

737
01:10:07,154 --> 01:10:13,154
Staff recommends approval, and I am available for any questions.

738
01:10:28,688 --> 01:10:31,624
Chair: We have one additional item,

739
01:10:31,624 --> 01:10:36,424
the approval of an internal auditor employment agreement .

740
01:10:54,968 --> 01:10:59,264
Chris Watt: This agenda item supports the goal

741
01:10:59,264 --> 01:11:01,664
of being fiscally sustainable.

742
01:11:06,488 --> 01:11:10,688
Council voted to hire current assistant auditor

743
01:11:11,928 --> 01:11:14,783
for the internal auditor position.

744
01:11:14,783 --> 01:11:18,480
As a charter officer, he would work

745
01:11:18,480 --> 01:11:21,168
for council pursuant to terms of the employment agreement

746
01:11:21,168 --> 01:11:23,168
by the parties.

747
01:11:36,728 --> 01:11:41,352
As the internal auditor, the second council meeting

748
01:11:41,352 --> 01:11:44,261
per the city charter, staff recommends approval

749
01:11:44,261 --> 01:11:50,861
and I am happy to answer any questions you might have.

750
01:11:54,310 --> 01:11:57,310
[Voting - ayes have it]

751
01:12:13,808 --> 01:12:18,800
Chair: City manager, recognized for his report.

752
01:12:25,174 --> 01:12:27,596
City Manager Peter Lee: There's several items

753
01:12:27,596 --> 01:12:31,648
we will discuss on the city manager's

754
01:12:31,648 --> 01:12:36,888
report and the public comment portion of last week.

755
01:12:36,888 --> 01:12:42,261
I will leave those for you to read, especially the last two,

756
01:12:42,261 --> 01:12:48,728
I can discuss them with you individually at a later date.

757
01:12:48,728 --> 01:12:53,988
The email compromise incident, you may want to discuss.

758
01:12:53,988 --> 01:13:00,368
I brought Chris back up here, he was the editor of this document

759
01:13:00,368 --> 01:13:06,100
along with several staff members who I would like to thank

760
01:13:06,100 --> 01:13:11,500
for their procurement of the internal auditor the risk ,

761
01:13:24,354 --> 01:13:31,554
so they all work together after I found out about this incident

762
01:13:32,240 --> 01:13:35,768
to put this together, as you know we've got the bulk

763
01:13:35,768 --> 01:13:43,568
of the insurance money back , we got the check today so it was

764
01:13:44,918 --> 01:13:46,918
a 27 to $28,000 loss .

765
01:13:52,140 --> 01:13:57,150
Two employees are no longer with us as a result of this,

766
01:13:57,150 --> 01:14:02,550
I don't know if you have anything to add .

767
01:14:07,568 --> 01:14:10,392
Chris Watt: Mistakes were made and there

768
01:14:10,392 --> 01:14:12,184
have been several changes to procedure that

769
01:14:12,184 --> 01:14:14,598
have been put into place to prevent this

770
01:14:14,598 --> 01:14:16,598
from happening again.

771
01:14:16,788 --> 01:14:21,194
One thing I would like to say, if the procedures the city

772
01:14:21,194 --> 01:14:25,619
had in place at the time that we put in place in 2019

773
01:14:25,619 --> 01:14:29,455
as you will recall when this happened one other time,

774
01:14:29,455 --> 01:14:32,768
this would not have happened, the procedures

775
01:14:32,768 --> 01:14:35,964
if they had been followed would have stopped this

776
01:14:35,964 --> 01:14:37,101
from happening.

777
01:14:37,101 --> 01:14:39,456
Unfortunately, the employee did not

778
01:14:39,456 --> 01:14:43,656
follow the procedure that was in place.

779
01:14:50,108 --> 01:14:51,608
Mayor Ben Marciano: So you're saying

780
01:14:51,608 --> 01:14:54,904
you have a procedure that will protect us

781
01:14:54,904 --> 01:14:58,504
that hopefully now is in place?

782
01:15:03,257 --> 01:15:05,841
City Manager Peter Lee: We try to stay ahead of it,

783
01:15:05,841 --> 01:15:13,641
Richard and I try to draw up the best insurance that we can ,

784
01:15:13,674 --> 01:15:17,874
so when something like this happens --

785
01:15:23,168 --> 01:15:27,568
it's unfortunate we have to spend taxpayer money on that

786
01:15:27,568 --> 01:15:33,568
but as you can see, thank goodness that we do.

787
01:15:52,328 --> 01:15:55,928
Getting close on the parking garage,

788
01:15:56,808 --> 01:16:05,208
a lot of small things given the time and size and type of work

789
01:16:07,761 --> 01:16:11,112
that we are doing, but we are down to the elevators

790
01:16:11,112 --> 01:16:16,474
and signals from the fire rescue and safety in the parking garage

791
01:16:16,474 --> 01:16:21,274
and as soon as we finish with those ,

792
01:16:22,700 --> 01:16:25,328
I hope it's prior to next council meeting.

793
01:16:25,328 --> 01:16:31,368
On Friday August 28th from 10 to 11 we're going to do the ribbon

794
01:16:31,368 --> 01:16:33,768
cutting for the trolley.

795
01:16:34,488 --> 01:16:36,888
That's all I have.

796
01:16:42,946 --> 01:16:47,146
Chair: Item 13, Ocala Police Department Deputy Chief:

797
01:16:56,968 --> 01:17:00,332
First slide is going to go over the three different types

798
01:17:00,332 --> 01:17:02,381
of crime we track.

799
01:17:02,381 --> 01:17:07,144
All three are down, if you wonder what societal crimes are,

800
01:17:07,144 --> 01:17:11,944
they are things like public drunkenness, vandalism, drugs,

801
01:17:12,388 --> 01:17:14,388
white collar crimes .

802
01:17:18,328 --> 01:17:21,981
They are down this time this year from last year.

803
01:17:21,981 --> 01:17:28,412
The next is covering acts, these two are also down in comparison

804
01:17:28,412 --> 01:17:33,812
to last year's numbers , which is a good thing.

805
01:17:43,478 --> 01:17:49,478
Speaker: 364 compared to 640 year to date or for the whole

806
01:17:52,716 --> 01:17:56,316
year but we are trending down ?

807
01:18:04,448 --> 01:18:08,904
Deputy Chief: Just a little bit over 7300 incidents

808
01:18:08,904 --> 01:18:14,304
so far, slightly down from this time last year

809
01:18:14,312 --> 01:18:17,912
and dispatch calls are slightly up.

810
01:18:19,248 --> 01:18:21,248
Our final slide ,

811
01:18:37,800 --> 01:18:41,725
traffic is slightly down by 12% although we just added a new

812
01:18:41,725 --> 01:18:46,525
member to the traffic unit effective in September

813
01:18:49,128 --> 01:18:55,728
in crashes are down by 12% which is also a good thing .

814
01:19:00,205 --> 01:19:02,205
Any questions?

815
01:19:21,512 --> 01:19:26,312
Fire Chief: Total responded to vehicle accidents across

816
01:19:29,288 --> 01:19:34,880
the city was 164, total for the year is 17,480.

817
01:19:45,800 --> 01:19:47,880
Just a few updates or highlights,

818
01:19:47,880 --> 01:19:51,888
this was an extrication that happened on August 8th.

819
01:19:51,888 --> 01:19:55,502
We responded to a single vehicle that collided with a tree

820
01:19:55,502 --> 01:19:59,702
in the early hours of the morning .

821
01:20:05,992 --> 01:20:11,992
Also we had some promotions this past week, Battalion chief,

822
01:20:13,114 --> 01:20:15,114
captain .

823
01:20:27,800 --> 01:20:29,176
On behalf of all of our personnel,

824
01:20:29,176 --> 01:20:34,576
thank you for your continued support in the year.

825
01:20:49,757 --> 01:20:54,976
Speaker: Are we still seeing the trend in the right direction?

826
01:20:54,976 --> 01:20:59,728
Fire Chief: Unfortunately in the last month or so, I would say

827
01:20:59,728 --> 01:21:03,328
it's starting to trend back up .

828
01:21:04,448 --> 01:21:06,904
It could be a combination of things,

829
01:21:06,904 --> 01:21:12,118
I think probably the combination of drugs also that is out there

830
01:21:12,118 --> 01:21:18,118
that we are starting to see on the streets again .

831
01:21:25,747 --> 01:21:29,161
Chair: We do have some public comments,

832
01:21:29,161 --> 01:21:36,361
but I'm going to ask you to keep them to three minutes.

833
01:21:45,418 --> 01:21:50,218
Ryan P.: I started out with just wanting

834
01:21:57,880 --> 01:22:03,880
to know some simple questions and over the week I

835
01:22:04,428 --> 01:22:07,762
have called the city approximately 30 times,

836
01:22:07,762 --> 01:22:11,962
been hung up on 17 times, most specifically

837
01:22:13,380 --> 01:22:15,856
by the city manager's office.

838
01:22:15,856 --> 01:22:20,994
I called six times today, I left a bunch of voicemails

839
01:22:20,994 --> 01:22:23,828
and I don't know why I've been ignored.

840
01:22:23,828 --> 01:22:31,280
I've asked to talk to the city mayor and I've been ignored,

841
01:22:31,248 --> 01:22:33,714
I have asked to talk to the city attorney

842
01:22:33,714 --> 01:22:36,880
to find out if any of this was legal,

843
01:22:36,880 --> 01:22:38,541
I've been ignored and hung up on and I just really

844
01:22:38,541 --> 01:22:44,465
had some questions and I didn't know why I was treated that way.

845
01:22:44,465 --> 01:22:47,722
I don't know if you're willing to answer me,

846
01:22:47,722 --> 01:22:52,920
but I left a bunch of voicemails and I was just wondering why you

847
01:22:52,920 --> 01:22:59,128
didn't get back with me , same question me and you Mr.

848
01:22:59,128 --> 01:23:01,234
Mayor have had very good interactions.

849
01:23:01,234 --> 01:23:06,368
I left voicemails for you and the city attorney,

850
01:23:06,368 --> 01:23:09,848
I left multiple messages for you and I just

851
01:23:09,848 --> 01:23:15,848
wondered why I didn't get a call back from anybody.

852
01:23:20,168 --> 01:23:24,208
I wasn't asking for details of the case,

853
01:23:24,208 --> 01:23:26,352
I was asking just general questions.

854
01:23:26,352 --> 01:23:28,748
I feel like my First Amendment rights

855
01:23:28,748 --> 01:23:31,560
were violated because if I can't even ask questions

856
01:23:31,560 --> 01:23:35,848
to my government about money being misspent and scams

857
01:23:35,848 --> 01:23:38,802
and I can't even get a call back,

858
01:23:38,802 --> 01:23:42,452
I feel like that's a pretty easy violation of my First Amendment

859
01:23:42,452 --> 01:23:44,640
rights and I just didn't understand why

860
01:23:44,640 --> 01:23:48,781
you guys would do that to me.

861
01:23:48,781 --> 01:23:52,381
Anybody interested in answering that question?

862
01:23:57,846 --> 01:24:01,834
I could show you I have 30 times that I

863
01:24:01,834 --> 01:24:04,834
tried to call your office.

864
01:24:08,270 --> 01:24:10,340
Speaker: I heard about your phone call today literally

865
01:24:10,340 --> 01:24:15,140
at 2:00, I would have gotten back to you.

866
01:24:18,593 --> 01:24:20,968
Mayor Ben Marciano: I can't speak for the others why they

867
01:24:20,968 --> 01:24:26,968
didn't call you back, I heard about it today at 2:00.

868
01:24:28,568 --> 01:24:33,404
I'm answering your question, I'd be more than willing to talk

869
01:24:33,404 --> 01:24:38,204
to you afterwards when the meeting is over .

870
01:24:47,317 --> 01:24:51,634
City Manager Peter Lee: I got no messages to my phone,

871
01:24:51,634 --> 01:24:55,234
chief of staff represents our office

872
01:24:56,328 --> 01:24:59,480
and I told everyone he edited this document

873
01:24:59,480 --> 01:25:03,248
and there was nothing to talk about.

874
01:25:12,128 --> 01:25:16,219
Ryan P.: Though we're about to run out of time,

875
01:25:16,219 --> 01:25:18,728
I asked the sitting president if you

876
01:25:18,728 --> 01:25:25,928
can extend my time because this is a concerning matter to me.

877
01:25:26,948 --> 01:25:33,548
Chair: We had just got the findings a few moments ago ,

878
01:25:36,463 --> 01:25:40,680
so we know what we did know.

879
01:25:40,680 --> 01:25:43,680
There was an ongoing investigation ,

880
01:25:46,968 --> 01:25:52,968
so I can't answer why somebody didn't call you back .

881
01:25:56,629 --> 01:26:02,640
Ryan P.: This is a lot of times to be hung up on, asked to talk

882
01:26:02,640 --> 01:26:05,640
to supervisors, being totally ignored .

883
01:26:07,581 --> 01:26:11,181
Don't you think that that's inappropriate?

884
01:26:15,490 --> 01:26:19,690
Chair: Did you not talk to someone?

885
01:26:24,848 --> 01:26:26,801
Ryan P.: I talked to the secretary

886
01:26:26,801 --> 01:26:32,326
but they hung up on me when I called back and answered

887
01:26:32,326 --> 01:26:34,326
questions.

888
01:26:35,288 --> 01:26:38,541
Chair: How many times did you call back

889
01:26:38,541 --> 01:26:41,541
and talk to the secretary?

890
01:26:45,800 --> 01:26:47,568
Ryan P.: I believe it was 29 times,

891
01:26:47,568 --> 01:26:52,368
I left voicemail after voicemail after voice message,

892
01:26:53,328 --> 01:26:57,664
when I called back and asked for an additional question they

893
01:26:57,664 --> 01:27:00,103
would literally just hang up the phone on me.

894
01:27:00,103 --> 01:27:03,740
One time I called and they picked up the phone

895
01:27:03,740 --> 01:27:06,288
and said oh it's that guy and hung the phone up.

896
01:27:06,288 --> 01:27:11,748
Then I asked them, I believe the guy's name is Brian,

897
01:27:11,748 --> 01:27:13,676
I asked him to go back and listen and see

898
01:27:13,676 --> 01:27:16,948
if they hung up on me and he said he would call me back,

899
01:27:16,948 --> 01:27:18,192
and that never happened.

900
01:27:18,192 --> 01:27:23,592
I just think it's very suspicious or nefarious maybe

901
01:27:25,200 --> 01:27:28,944
that it wasn't brought to our attention,

902
01:27:28,944 --> 01:27:31,232
the city manager didn't bring it to the citizens

903
01:27:31,232 --> 01:27:35,432
attention for a long time and when

904
01:27:37,434 --> 01:27:43,488
trying just to get information, to ignore me for over a week.

905
01:27:43,488 --> 01:27:45,888
That's a really bad .

906
01:27:48,648 --> 01:27:50,208
You seem like an honest person, I

907
01:27:50,208 --> 01:27:54,408
wouldn't imagine that you think that's acceptable.

908
01:27:55,545 --> 01:27:59,330
Chair: I don't know what happened and what didn't happen.

909
01:27:59,330 --> 01:28:03,233
I understand, you're giving me your answers.

910
01:28:03,412 --> 01:28:05,352
I can't answer that.

911
01:28:05,352 --> 01:28:09,568
What I'm saying to you right now sir, I understand.

912
01:28:09,568 --> 01:28:15,493
The issue that we have right here now is we

913
01:28:15,493 --> 01:28:19,279
now have the information to give you,

914
01:28:19,279 --> 01:28:24,790
not just to give you, to give everybody.

915
01:28:24,532 --> 01:28:28,732
So please, the information will come out .

916
01:28:35,753 --> 01:28:38,288
I got what you're saying, but I can't

917
01:28:38,288 --> 01:28:43,688
answer what I don't know it is time now

918
01:28:44,928 --> 01:28:47,272
for me to move forward sir.

919
01:28:47,272 --> 01:28:54,472
We could stand here all night, and I can't answer the question.

920
01:28:56,210 --> 01:28:58,800
Ryan P.: I was trying to do this off

921
01:28:58,800 --> 01:29:00,518
of the record for the last week, and I

922
01:29:00,518 --> 01:29:06,518
think it would be really unprofessional to cut me off.

923
01:29:08,613 --> 01:29:13,424
Chair: I need to move forward sir, I do appreciate you coming.

924
01:29:13,424 --> 01:29:17,240
We do appreciate you coming, sir.

925
01:29:21,608 --> 01:29:27,800
Ryan P.: This is how we going to do it quacks this was not right,

926
01:29:27,800 --> 01:29:29,480
this was not right.

927
01:29:55,159 --> 01:30:02,959
Sonia Richie: I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you .

928
01:30:03,934 --> 01:30:08,930
We did attend the Marion County Commission meeting this morning

929
01:30:08,930 --> 01:30:09,908
and truly appreciated the commissioners

930
01:30:09,908 --> 01:30:13,888
being willing to listen, ask questions, and recognize

931
01:30:13,888 --> 01:30:18,880
there's an important distinction between traditional and

932
01:30:19,741 --> 01:30:21,741
synthetic products.

933
01:30:22,188 --> 01:30:25,768
I appreciate the willingness of the City Council

934
01:30:25,768 --> 01:30:29,144
to sit and have the conversation and I

935
01:30:29,144 --> 01:30:33,648
want to personally thank Ben Marciano for taking the time

936
01:30:33,648 --> 01:30:37,296
to come and sit down with us and have a conversation about what

937
01:30:37,296 --> 01:30:41,314
we serve and how we operate and the difference

938
01:30:41,314 --> 01:30:46,714
between traditional pure leaf and the products that are

939
01:30:48,566 --> 01:30:50,566
creating legitimate concerns.

940
01:30:52,420 --> 01:30:56,248
We stand with the city in addressing

941
01:30:56,248 --> 01:30:58,648
synthetic and manufactured products.

942
01:30:58,868 --> 01:31:02,380
What has been important to us from the beginning

943
01:31:02,380 --> 01:31:04,968
is making sure traditional pure leaf is

944
01:31:04,968 --> 01:31:08,216
understood and not simply lumped together with other products.

945
01:31:08,216 --> 01:31:11,578
For eight years we have operated responsibly

946
01:31:11,578 --> 01:31:14,541
as an alcohol free establishment in the community

947
01:31:14,541 --> 01:31:16,590
and will continue to do so.

948
01:31:16,590 --> 01:31:18,468
I wanted to acknowledge the willingness

949
01:31:18,468 --> 01:31:20,936
we have seen from both the city and the county

950
01:31:20,936 --> 01:31:23,104
to listen before making decisions.

951
01:31:23,104 --> 01:31:26,800
In my opinion, good policy starts

952
01:31:26,800 --> 01:31:28,408
with conversation, accurate information,

953
01:31:28,821 --> 01:31:32,638
and understanding what is actually being regulated.

954
01:31:32,638 --> 01:31:35,380
I appreciate your time.

955
01:32:11,783 --> 01:32:17,183
Kibbie Fulton: We are the only alcohol free bar ,

956
01:32:28,421 --> 01:32:33,288
we are a food establishment regulated by the state as a food

957
01:32:33,288 --> 01:32:34,208
establishment.

958
01:32:34,208 --> 01:32:38,408
I never can stick to the page.

959
01:32:38,590 --> 01:32:42,382
I heard some of your commentary not too long ago,

960
01:32:42,382 --> 01:32:45,392
and I would like to keep everything professional

961
01:32:45,392 --> 01:32:47,684
and let you know we run professionally

962
01:32:47,684 --> 01:32:50,400
and I would also like to be included with decisions

963
01:32:50,400 --> 01:32:54,656
you guys make, I would like you to be able to ask me questions.

964
01:32:54,656 --> 01:32:59,448
We don't believe in seven oh h, I

965
01:32:59,448 --> 01:33:05,880
think we align with Mr. Marciano if anything that is synthetic.

966
01:33:05,880 --> 01:33:08,280
We never sold it .

967
01:33:11,202 --> 01:33:13,388
A potato in a cup doesn't make it vodka,

968
01:33:13,388 --> 01:33:16,238
there have been bad players in the industry that

969
01:33:16,238 --> 01:33:19,128
have created something off of a leaf off of a tree

970
01:33:19,128 --> 01:33:23,474
and made it something that is not good for anybody.

971
01:33:23,474 --> 01:33:29,978
I would like to propose to you, like we have dispensaries

972
01:33:29,978 --> 01:33:31,878
for medical marijuana.

973
01:33:31,878 --> 01:33:34,885
Since we are food regulated, what

974
01:33:34,885 --> 01:33:40,285
if we were the dispensary for the leaf kratom?

975
01:33:42,865 --> 01:33:44,792
we're already licensed and inspected

976
01:33:44,792 --> 01:33:47,493
by the state, what if we helped set

977
01:33:47,493 --> 01:33:51,800
the bar for the testing, batch numbers, licensing,

978
01:33:51,800 --> 01:33:54,304
everything you guys are wanting accountability for.

979
01:33:54,304 --> 01:34:01,504
I'm just trying to offer you a pathway so that a Florida

980
01:34:02,380 --> 01:34:04,736
legal substance can stay legal.

981
01:34:04,736 --> 01:34:10,136
The state is already taking care of the problems .

982
01:34:11,624 --> 01:34:14,240
There will be more things that are probably

983
01:34:14,240 --> 01:34:15,994
coming up for testing.

984
01:34:15,994 --> 01:34:20,468
This is all new, the DEA is getting

985
01:34:20,468 --> 01:34:24,232
ready to drop the illegal side of the bad players

986
01:34:24,232 --> 01:34:27,758
in the industry, we are not one of them.

987
01:34:27,758 --> 01:34:31,480
I want you to know a lot of people jump to judgment

988
01:34:31,480 --> 01:34:36,728
not too long ago up here, and we've been in business

989
01:34:36,728 --> 01:34:37,988
for eight years.

990
01:34:37,988 --> 01:34:41,928
We care about our community, we care about integrity.

991
01:34:41,928 --> 01:34:45,336
I have compassion for anybody who

992
01:34:45,336 --> 01:34:51,368
has been subjected to people who are just seeking to make money

993
01:34:51,368 --> 01:34:54,560
and change something that it should have never been,

994
01:34:54,560 --> 01:34:56,632
that's just my proposal to you and I'm

995
01:34:56,632 --> 01:34:58,616
willing to answer any questions, I'm

996
01:34:58,616 --> 01:35:00,865
willing to sit down with you.

997
01:35:00,865 --> 01:35:02,936
If you guys go and make another meeting

998
01:35:02,936 --> 01:35:04,808
that has to do with this product,

999
01:35:04,808 --> 01:35:06,628
please let us be a part of it.

1000
01:35:06,628 --> 01:35:08,781
I'm not here to cause problems for you,

1001
01:35:08,781 --> 01:35:11,428
I'm here to actually solve some of the problems

1002
01:35:11,428 --> 01:35:13,880
and make it easier and I can bring

1003
01:35:13,880 --> 01:35:15,728
people in to help you to understand everything

1004
01:35:15,728 --> 01:35:18,748
a little bit easier not to benefit me,

1005
01:35:18,748 --> 01:35:20,203
it benefits everyone.

1006
01:35:20,203 --> 01:35:22,530
Like this morning we had someone flying

1007
01:35:22,530 --> 01:35:26,461
in from DC I had no idea who was going to be here to speak

1008
01:35:26,461 --> 01:35:28,836
about the kratom leaf product.

1009
01:35:28,836 --> 01:35:31,943
I know you have heard a lot of bad things,

1010
01:35:31,943 --> 01:35:33,888
but there are some really good things

1011
01:35:33,888 --> 01:35:37,148
that have come out of people in recovery,

1012
01:35:37,148 --> 01:35:41,888
pain management, veterans, so they are not on opioids.

1013
01:35:41,888 --> 01:35:44,288
It's just a leaf.

1014
01:35:44,748 --> 01:35:47,154
That's all I'm asking you to do is just consider

1015
01:35:47,154 --> 01:35:48,158
our small business.

1016
01:35:48,158 --> 01:35:51,528
Thank you for letting me go over Mr. President,

1017
01:35:51,528 --> 01:35:55,880
I appreciate it Mr. Marciano, I enjoyed meeting you,

1018
01:35:55,880 --> 01:36:00,800
thank you guys for listening to me.

1019
01:36:11,158 --> 01:36:17,758
Sabrina M. I'm also here as a representative of Muddy Lotus

1020
01:36:20,368 --> 01:36:25,320
tea, I just wanted to say this is only relevant because we went

1021
01:36:25,320 --> 01:36:27,248
to the county commission meeting this morning

1022
01:36:27,248 --> 01:36:30,856
and it's convenient the public comment at the City

1023
01:36:30,856 --> 01:36:33,968
Council, kratom has been a hot topic recently

1024
01:36:33,968 --> 01:36:37,754
and it was quite wonderful and really engaging

1025
01:36:37,754 --> 01:36:41,472
and informational, it was awesome to see support

1026
01:36:41,472 --> 01:36:47,472
from places like our capital and have the global Kratom

1027
01:36:48,288 --> 01:36:51,408
Association come take care of some things as well,

1028
01:36:51,408 --> 01:36:53,248
I felt like there was some real headway.

1029
01:36:53,248 --> 01:36:57,720
I feel like this has been beneficial bringing it

1030
01:36:57,720 --> 01:37:00,312
to the attention of the city in general,

1031
01:37:00,312 --> 01:37:05,592
I feel like things can get overlooked, shoved under, sold

1032
01:37:05,592 --> 01:37:11,592
in the back corners of gas station in effect individuals.

1033
01:37:12,388 --> 01:37:16,254
When we see the differences, it feels sometimes

1034
01:37:16,254 --> 01:37:19,588
like you're having to put up a wall and fight,

1035
01:37:19,588 --> 01:37:22,503
it's really nice to get that information out there

1036
01:37:22,503 --> 01:37:25,568
that there are differences and these things do hurt people

1037
01:37:25,568 --> 01:37:27,898
and there's people that need to be held accountable

1038
01:37:27,898 --> 01:37:28,568
with standards.

1039
01:37:28,568 --> 01:37:32,860
I think that's the biggest portion of that is that

1040
01:37:32,860 --> 01:37:36,398
their standards to uphold and when we don't create better

1041
01:37:36,398 --> 01:37:40,868
standards, people who hurt people just get away Scot free

1042
01:37:40,868 --> 01:37:45,736
and that's always been the bigger fight behind not just

1043
01:37:45,736 --> 01:37:49,448
banning it but really looking into the standards that we set

1044
01:37:49,448 --> 01:37:54,248
that hold other people accountable to their actions .

1045
01:37:58,312 --> 01:38:05,512
It's been great publicity, we did a good job at the bar

1046
01:38:05,768 --> 01:38:10,104
keeping our community safe for the past eight years

1047
01:38:10,104 --> 01:38:12,998
telling them over and over be careful where you go,

1048
01:38:12,998 --> 01:38:16,768
be careful where you buy from, these things are unregulated.

1049
01:38:16,768 --> 01:38:20,114
It's a passion project at this point

1050
01:38:20,114 --> 01:38:23,128
not only to advocate for something that can help people,

1051
01:38:23,128 --> 01:38:28,668
but also something that can also harm people when it's mislabeled

1052
01:38:28,668 --> 01:38:31,880
and people are thinking they are getting something that's

1053
01:38:31,880 --> 01:38:33,941
good for them, so I would love to see the standards,

1054
01:38:33,941 --> 01:38:36,536
it feels like the county commission took it really

1055
01:38:36,536 --> 01:38:39,560
seriously and they are interested in putting paws

1056
01:38:39,560 --> 01:38:42,568
coming back to it reviewing it and making headway

1057
01:38:42,568 --> 01:38:46,424
with that, so I'm hopeful in the future you guys will also

1058
01:38:46,424 --> 01:38:50,988
consider what it looks like to really create standards and not

1059
01:38:50,988 --> 01:38:56,292
just put a ban, because there's a good and bad to everything,

1060
01:38:56,292 --> 01:38:58,880
and this is an industry that needs

1061
01:38:58,880 --> 01:39:02,800
help to have its full potential and its good light

1062
01:39:02,800 --> 01:39:03,868
and actually hold other people accountable

1063
01:39:03,868 --> 01:39:05,112
to their bad actions.

1064
01:39:05,112 --> 01:39:09,312
Thank you for your time and support.

1065
01:39:30,645 --> 01:39:37,845
Peggy Thomas: I would like to first of all thank the city

1066
01:39:37,976 --> 01:39:43,376
of Ocala , I am a descendant of Vern Dawkins,

1067
01:39:48,202 --> 01:39:56,602
and I do have my badge with me that was presented to me here .

1068
01:40:20,341 --> 01:40:22,746
Chair: There's nothing we can do from right here, it

1069
01:40:22,746 --> 01:40:27,762
has to come from you and your staff here I want to hear,

1070
01:40:27,762 --> 01:40:31,118
but I just need to have one of your people.

1071
01:40:31,118 --> 01:40:33,518
You've got five minutes.

1072
01:40:36,927 --> 01:40:42,808
Peggy Thomas: I inherited the family property and home where I

1073
01:40:42,808 --> 01:40:44,808
reside .

1074
01:40:44,825 --> 01:40:48,276
I've been back in Ocala at least five years,

1075
01:40:48,276 --> 01:40:51,600
and I've been living in the house with no heat,

1076
01:40:51,600 --> 01:40:55,800
no hot water , it's been a challenge.

1077
01:40:59,819 --> 01:41:04,619
I found out my pipes were tampered with .

1078
01:41:09,368 --> 01:41:14,240
I have children in the Miami South Florida area,

1079
01:41:14,240 --> 01:41:16,705
it's been a challenge for me to be in the house.

1080
01:41:16,705 --> 01:41:21,628
I signed up for the re Bilitation program five years

1081
01:41:21,628 --> 01:41:24,628
ago when it first opened .

1082
01:41:28,470 --> 01:41:33,648
Four months ago I found out that I was taken off the list,

1083
01:41:33,648 --> 01:41:39,288
and I wasn't notified, no one sent me a letter

1084
01:41:39,288 --> 01:41:42,442
as to what the issue was.

1085
01:41:42,442 --> 01:41:46,642
Once I addressed it with Mr. Haynes

1086
01:41:51,888 --> 01:41:57,778
then I was told that there was a lien on my house

1087
01:41:57,778 --> 01:42:06,178
and I had to retain a lawyer to refute that, it was 20 years ago

1088
01:42:07,590 --> 01:42:09,148
from a repossessed vehicle.

1089
01:42:09,148 --> 01:42:12,680
I had a neighborhood of children I transported back and forth

1090
01:42:12,680 --> 01:42:17,480
to school 20 years ago, so I've been having

1091
01:42:18,268 --> 01:42:20,348
bumps in the road with this.

1092
01:42:20,348 --> 01:42:28,748
Then, I was number two on the list to get a rebuild and then

1093
01:42:35,448 --> 01:42:37,848
I've been Inquiring --

1094
01:42:38,619 --> 01:42:43,419
I was told that I was taken off the list

1095
01:42:43,419 --> 01:42:51,219
and no one had sent me a letter, no notification or phone call.

1096
01:42:56,648 --> 01:43:00,848
I'm here to find out definitely when

1097
01:43:02,880 --> 01:43:09,196
I will be scheduled for rehab, because they put me back

1098
01:43:09,196 --> 01:43:11,196
on the list.

1099
01:43:12,528 --> 01:43:15,848
All I knew was they were building houses all around me

1100
01:43:15,848 --> 01:43:20,688
and I started to question if I'm number two on the list,

1101
01:43:20,688 --> 01:43:26,880
why is everybody else getting homes and I'm not?

1102
01:43:29,446 --> 01:43:34,846
once I inquired, that's what I found out about,

1103
01:43:35,298 --> 01:43:40,698
a lean 20 years ago that I was not informed.

1104
01:43:41,688 --> 01:43:46,821
I couldn't be in the home during the winters, most of the time

1105
01:43:46,821 --> 01:43:49,648
during the summer I am in South Florida where

1106
01:43:49,648 --> 01:43:52,544
my children and family are.

1107
01:43:52,544 --> 01:43:58,778
I would like to get some answers as far as how should I proceed,

1108
01:43:58,778 --> 01:44:00,778
what's going on .

1109
01:44:03,455 --> 01:44:08,255
Like I said, I have no hot water.

1110
01:44:19,808 --> 01:44:23,400
Chris Watt: We will be moving forward with your request

1111
01:44:23,400 --> 01:44:24,905
as fast as we can.

1112
01:44:24,905 --> 01:44:28,128
I will give you my card, if there's anything else you would

1113
01:44:28,128 --> 01:44:32,928
like to speak to me about , you can.

1114
01:44:38,168 --> 01:44:43,141
Peggy Thomas: Thank you all for hearing me out, I appreciate it.

1115
01:44:43,141 --> 01:44:51,488
This has been a value to me, this is my family history and I

1116
01:44:51,488 --> 01:44:56,114
respect police officers, my oldest brother was a retired FBI

1117
01:44:56,114 --> 01:45:00,824
agent, I have a brother in Gainesville who's a retired

1118
01:45:00,824 --> 01:45:06,824
colonel in the Army, so I respect law enforcement deeply

1119
01:45:08,168 --> 01:45:16,368
and I just want to live out the rest of my life in comfort here

1120
01:45:16,368 --> 01:45:21,168
I appreciate you giving me some extra time .

1121
01:45:35,408 --> 01:45:39,608
Chair: Item 17 is notices about different activities

1122
01:45:39,968 --> 01:45:47,768
that we have going on with the city, make sure to read those.

1123
01:45:47,968 --> 01:45:52,168
Comments, we will start with Mr. Mayor.

1124
01:45:56,648 --> 01:45:58,648
Mr. Hilty.

1125
01:46:04,629 --> 01:46:06,379
Councilman James P. Hilty Sr.: Isn't there

1126
01:46:06,379 --> 01:46:09,400
some record of the guy who said he called 29 times?

1127
01:46:09,400 --> 01:46:13,448
I'm asking the city staff about is there

1128
01:46:13,448 --> 01:46:17,128
a record of the voicemails, that you

1129
01:46:17,128 --> 01:46:21,841
spoke to an individual did you leave a message to whoever

1130
01:46:21,841 --> 01:46:23,841
you were calling?

1131
01:46:27,608 --> 01:46:31,916
I don't want him, I want to hear from the city

1132
01:46:31,916 --> 01:46:37,316
as to why the citizen isn't getting responded to.

1133
01:46:45,611 --> 01:46:48,532
Speaker: Mr. Ryan's statements are not completely accurate.

1134
01:46:48,532 --> 01:46:51,248
I spoke with him a week ago in the presence of the city

1135
01:46:51,248 --> 01:46:54,128
attorney at which time he was demanding public records

1136
01:46:54,128 --> 01:46:57,728
requests be fulfilled regarding this investigation

1137
01:46:58,248 --> 01:46:59,328
and what happened.

1138
01:46:59,328 --> 01:47:01,590
I explained to him it was ongoing,

1139
01:47:01,590 --> 01:47:05,376
when it was done the report would be released to the public.

1140
01:47:05,376 --> 01:47:08,341
That was unacceptable to him, numerous times he said

1141
01:47:08,341 --> 01:47:11,488
I was covering it up, a crook.

1142
01:47:11,488 --> 01:47:16,378
Eventually I said to him by when someone continues to go on

1143
01:47:16,378 --> 01:47:19,848
and on I said I'm sorry I don't have any more

1144
01:47:19,848 --> 01:47:22,613
information, if that's hanging up on someone,

1145
01:47:22,613 --> 01:47:24,632
then yes I did it twice.

1146
01:47:24,632 --> 01:47:28,400
Yesterday once I knew the report was almost complete, we would

1147
01:47:28,400 --> 01:47:33,880
have it ready for council today, he had called many many times.

1148
01:47:33,880 --> 01:47:36,188
All the calls that come through the switchboard are recorded,

1149
01:47:36,188 --> 01:47:39,578
I've listened to dozens of them.

1150
01:47:39,578 --> 01:47:44,978
His characterization of what happens is just not accurate,

1151
01:47:45,408 --> 01:47:49,781
I called him yesterday to try to stop this nonsense

1152
01:47:49,781 --> 01:47:52,505
and I called him at the number he had left

1153
01:47:52,505 --> 01:47:55,768
and I told him that it was going to be released today

1154
01:47:55,768 --> 01:48:01,208
and would he like me to leave it at the clerk's office

1155
01:48:01,208 --> 01:48:04,208
or email it to him?

1156
01:48:05,511 --> 01:48:08,808
he became irate and called me a crook and insisted I give it

1157
01:48:08,808 --> 01:48:10,808
to him now .

1158
01:48:12,751 --> 01:48:14,168
I said it has to go to the council

1159
01:48:14,168 --> 01:48:17,501
first before it can be released, he

1160
01:48:17,501 --> 01:48:23,313
said I don't want you to leave it at the clerk's office

1161
01:48:23,313 --> 01:48:25,878
or to email it to me, I want you to be a man

1162
01:48:25,878 --> 01:48:29,408
and hand it to me, which may it be observed, I did.

1163
01:48:29,408 --> 01:48:32,708
I don't know what else to say other

1164
01:48:32,708 --> 01:48:35,412
than his characterization of what occurred

1165
01:48:35,412 --> 01:48:38,540
and what I listened to and what I

1166
01:48:38,540 --> 01:48:39,834
experienced by speaking to him could not

1167
01:48:39,834 --> 01:48:42,834
be further from the truth.

1168
01:48:43,640 --> 01:48:46,448
I think he did call 29 times, I think

1169
01:48:46,448 --> 01:48:50,834
he called more than that, but every time in an irate manner

1170
01:48:50,834 --> 01:48:58,340
the man spoke to a city manager that was at a conference

1171
01:48:58,384 --> 01:49:01,420
or had a business to run and wasn't at his beck

1172
01:49:01,420 --> 01:49:03,000
and call eight hours a day and wasn't available

1173
01:49:03,000 --> 01:49:07,184
and I tried to explain to this gentleman the thing

1174
01:49:07,184 --> 01:49:11,192
that he was demanding wasn't ready to be released yet, there

1175
01:49:11,192 --> 01:49:15,633
still in investigation and when it was I would have it for him

1176
01:49:15,633 --> 01:49:21,330
and when it was I gave it to him.

1177
01:49:43,372 --> 01:49:46,868
Mayor Ben Marciano: Thank you for coming out today,

1178
01:49:46,868 --> 01:49:50,308
I've had several conversations with the Attorney

1179
01:49:50,308 --> 01:49:52,736
general and the testing for the synthetic kratom,

1180
01:49:52,736 --> 01:49:56,907
there's one place that does it and they have to come up

1181
01:49:56,907 --> 01:49:58,282
with some more testing facilities

1182
01:49:58,282 --> 01:50:02,610
to be able to put a major focus on the synthetic kratom which

1183
01:50:02,610 --> 01:50:04,232
I do agree is causing issues in the community

1184
01:50:04,232 --> 01:50:06,346
and there needs to be a focus on that.

1185
01:50:06,346 --> 01:50:09,736
I'm going to be working on that to get that done, I appreciate

1186
01:50:09,736 --> 01:50:14,168
the time we met together and I thought it was a good meeting.

1187
01:50:14,168 --> 01:50:18,438
I also just want to reference I am in city council a lot,

1188
01:50:18,438 --> 01:50:21,802
I do speak to a lot of citizens and I see our staff

1189
01:50:21,802 --> 01:50:24,576
and how they interact with the citizens every day,

1190
01:50:24,576 --> 01:50:29,448
and I really believe they go out of their way to do a good job.

1191
01:50:29,448 --> 01:50:34,168
Sometimes we get it wrong, but I will tell you

1192
01:50:34,168 --> 01:50:37,988
that a lot of times the stories we hear are not always accurate.

1193
01:50:37,988 --> 01:50:42,210
I own a business, I hear from customers all the time,

1194
01:50:42,210 --> 01:50:44,953
but I will tell you our staff go out of their way

1195
01:50:44,953 --> 01:50:47,461
to try to do a great job.

1196
01:50:47,461 --> 01:50:51,634
I see the email strings, I just want

1197
01:50:51,634 --> 01:50:55,971
you to understand they are doing a good job most of the time

1198
01:50:55,971 --> 01:50:57,608
and really putting a lot of effort

1199
01:50:57,608 --> 01:50:59,368
into helping our citizens.

1200
01:50:59,368 --> 01:51:03,108
Lastly I just want to recognize our public information

1201
01:51:03,108 --> 01:51:06,340
office was named Government Team of the year,

1202
01:51:06,340 --> 01:51:09,350
I think Greg and his team have done an amazing job,

1203
01:51:09,350 --> 01:51:12,408
I think I wouldn't be able to do my job without him

1204
01:51:12,408 --> 01:51:16,232
and it's a great acknowledgment of the work that is being done.

1205
01:51:16,232 --> 01:51:18,630
It seems like a lot of our teams are consistently

1206
01:51:18,630 --> 01:51:22,339
recognized for the work they are doing

1207
01:51:22,339 --> 01:51:25,594
and Ocala is a great example for the rest of the country

1208
01:51:25,594 --> 01:51:28,594
and how they should lead.

1209
01:51:38,631 --> 01:51:40,480
Councilman Jay A. Musleh, Pro Tem:

1210
01:51:40,480 --> 01:51:42,968
I would like to thank Pete and the rest of the staff

1211
01:51:42,968 --> 01:51:47,408
for putting together the report on the fraud incident.

1212
01:51:47,408 --> 01:51:54,210
I think it was very thorough, I managed to skim through it .

1213
01:51:54,210 --> 01:51:58,221
It's unfortunate, but if policy and procedures

1214
01:52:00,248 --> 01:52:05,930
had been followed, we would never have had a loss.

1215
01:52:05,930 --> 01:52:07,568
To the employees that are out there,

1216
01:52:07,568 --> 01:52:09,344
I think you are doing a great job,

1217
01:52:09,344 --> 01:52:12,554
but the policies and procedures are in place for a reason

1218
01:52:12,554 --> 01:52:17,480
and they need to be followed, particularly in this day and age

1219
01:52:17,480 --> 01:52:23,480
when we are targeted for scams and frauds probably multiple

1220
01:52:23,748 --> 01:52:25,748
times an hour .

1221
01:52:42,800 --> 01:52:47,768
Thanks to the good work, we did recover a substantial sum

1222
01:52:47,768 --> 01:52:49,784
of money and thanks to the risk management

1223
01:52:49,784 --> 01:52:52,608
side we had the proper insurance in place

1224
01:52:52,608 --> 01:52:55,992
and to the rest of the employees I just

1225
01:52:55,992 --> 01:52:58,404
implore you to know your policies and procedures

1226
01:52:58,404 --> 01:53:01,936
and follow them so we don't have an incident like this

1227
01:53:01,936 --> 01:53:03,400
in the future.

1228
01:53:03,400 --> 01:53:05,400
Thank you.

1229
01:53:08,555 --> 01:53:15,155
Chair: Last week, a few of us went to the conference

1230
01:53:27,728 --> 01:53:32,448
And we talked about a lot of major issues

1231
01:53:32,448 --> 01:53:37,808
like property taxes, how to counsel management system should

1232
01:53:37,808 --> 01:53:42,808
operate, the decorum, we talked about policies and procedures

1233
01:53:42,808 --> 01:53:47,608
and just about anything you can talk about.

1234
01:53:50,768 --> 01:53:58,568
Places like that to go and sit down and talk to your peers ,

1235
01:54:05,738 --> 01:54:08,408
geographically things are different but most

1236
01:54:08,408 --> 01:54:12,800
of the information is the same .

1237
01:54:17,140 --> 01:54:18,681
We took advantage of a great opportunity

1238
01:54:18,681 --> 01:54:23,220
and I think we all came back better informed on how

1239
01:54:23,220 --> 01:54:27,454
to do our job, how we should work together and make things

1240
01:54:27,454 --> 01:54:32,648
happen for our city of Ocala, and I just

1241
01:54:32,648 --> 01:54:38,163
wanted to make sure we said something about that conference,

1242
01:54:38,163 --> 01:54:40,228
because it was outstanding.

1243
01:54:40,228 --> 01:54:43,161
Okay, we are at the end of the council meeting.

1244
01:54:43,161 --> 01:54:48,561
I hope all of you will be safe travels,

1245
01:54:49,632 --> 01:54:52,320
this meeting is adjourned.