[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:05] We will begin today with an indication by senior pastor Russell Taylor of Covenant Baptist Church of Crestview, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance of Colors from the Occlusive County Department of Corrections Honor Guard, the Pledge will be led by Captain Brian Graham.
[0:24] Pastor, if you will please stand with us.
[0:31] Let's pray. Holy Father, I come to you this morning in the name of Christ to you as all authority
[0:37] in heaven and earth, and certainly that includes this place. Father, we pray that as you were
[0:46] ordained government for your purpose and your glory, I just pray that you would impart wisdom to
[0:51] our civil servants to perform justice for the people of this community, and that you would
[0:59] help us to be guided and your wisdom according to your word.
[1:04] Father, we pray that your kingdom of come, your will would be done on earth as it is in heaven and Christ's name. Amen.
[1:45] pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which
[1:51] it stands one nation under God and divisible liberty and justice for
[2:24] all.
[2:48] Next to be our county administrators update, Mr. Huffson.
[2:54] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Commissioners, Happy New Year to everyone and I will be brief.
[2:58] I have just a few items I need to brief the board on.
[3:01] Firstly, you have a consent agenda item number two, which is the Board Chairman's selection
[3:06] of the Commission Reform, it's ever revised the list of circulated to each of the commissioners.
[3:11] Very simply, we may change this with the county extension and the property of Fraser's
[3:14] liaison appointment, and the only other change is we notice that the bylaws of the Choctat
[3:20] T. Bayesh, where a coalition required an alternate appointment as well, so the Chairman selected
[3:26] the Commissioner Goodwin as the alternate appointment to that.
[3:30] So those are the only changes with that, I'll submit that to the record and I've also submitted a copy of the clerk's office.
[3:36] And last few items, I just wanted to brief the board that we are preparing to close on the bank property.
[3:43] South and across you is the board well-known.
[3:45] That's the property we're looking to purchase for a North and welcome center for TDD.
[3:50] Hope to close on that property here in the next two weeks.
[3:52] And lastly, just want to remind the board.
[3:54] Our next meeting on the 16th of January also follows a holiday,
[3:58] So that is an afternoon meeting, a one thirty start in our shell, a mart in administration building. So with that Mr. Chairman, that's all I have.
[4:07] Thank you, Mr. Shaharan. How are the attorneys up there?
[4:09] Thank you Mr. Chairman. I have no updates today, but just wanted to wish everyone happy new year.
[4:17] Mr. Clerk.
[4:18] Thank you Mr. Chairman, after you're there by and hope you had good holidays.
[4:23] I just wanted to mention one thing.
[4:25] We are in the throes of the annual audit.
[4:29] That usually starts as we close the books in September and goes into the new year.
[4:35] I want to always give my appreciation for all the department heads and department staff who
[4:40] work with the auditors and the finance department.
[4:43] There's a lot of work going on now with that.
[4:45] That'll pick up pace as we get close to it.
[4:48] I think we wish you to, or the one I would issue to a couple of the constitutionals
[4:52] in draft form.
[4:53] And so we're making good headway, but I did want a good chance to express my thanks to all the
[4:59] county staff who worked with the auditors in our finance team for that important work that we do.
[5:06] Thank you. Take this time to have a recognition of our chairman from 2023, Commissioner Goodwin,
[5:18] fantastic leadership and just a great servant opportunity of watching you lead as our chairman
[5:28] throughout the county and the ways that you stepped into that role tremendously serving
[5:33] on the value adjustment board with you the first year when you decided I needed to be chair
[5:38] of that. I didn't care that much for you in the moment.
[5:44] But growing from there and being able
[5:46] to watch your leadership as chair, to the commission, and emulate that.
[5:51] Thank you for the way that you serve.
[5:52] Thank you for the way you serve the constituents of your district, but also the entire county.
[5:57] So we have a plaque for you that I'd like to take a moment to have a photo and to present
[6:03] you with the plaque.
[7:10] Mr. Chairman, I do appreciate the kind words, but I want to note that everyone, he made darn
[7:14] sure this one was glued down real good.
[7:18] Chairman May act for a second.
[7:20] I sort of compliment, Commissioner Goodwin, on the excellent job he did as Chairman, and
[7:26] you did a very nice article this morning on front page of the Daily News for those of us
[7:30] who still read the Daily News on the front page.
[7:33] And I think, you know, I keep wondering, people keep asking, what's the secret sauce in
[7:37] Oguz County?
[7:38] Why do you all get along so well?
[7:40] And many of our neighboring counties do not get along well.
[7:43] And I think the reason is, is because like Ronald Reagan, we know that if nobody wants the credit, we can get a lot done.
[7:50] And it seems like we leave our egos checked at the door.
[7:54] And I just wanted to say that thank you for your leadership.
[7:56] You've been so fun to work with.
[7:58] You've been, you and I came in together and it's been great.
[8:02] Just being your co-worker and seeing the things that you've accomplished.
[8:05] Thanks, Tray.
[8:06] Thank you, Commissioner.
[8:10] Yes, please.
[8:11] Thank you, Chair.
[8:12] I want to appreciate that, you're a great leader, and I noticed even before I
[8:19] had the honor to come to serve with this great team that we have, witness first
[8:24] in what you did, even during the COVID year, and your leadership at that point
[8:28] time, or we needed someone to sustain up and do that, was exceptional, and this
[8:33] past year was no different. To serve on you, this team is a great honor, but to
[8:42] Obviously, you know, a new chairman coming in, we'll have exactly the same type of leadership
[8:46] and expectations, but I just want to say thank you for setting a good example that
[8:51] we could all be proud of.
[8:59] No, we'll move to public comments.
[9:01] I'd like to remind you, you have three minutes to talk about whatever item you choose.
[9:07] We'll begin with Tom Daniel.
[9:20] Just push the button.
[9:23] Thank you.
[9:24] Okay.
[9:24] Thank you.
[9:25] All right.
[9:26] My name is Tom Daniel.
[9:27] I'm with Florida Trail Association, I'm on the Board of Directors, and I'm here to support
[9:32] of a pedestrian bridge across the Yellow River.
[9:36] You know, from a standpoint of the Florida Trail Association, the Crest View is already a destination
[9:42] for hikers.
[9:44] So what we want to do is try to increase that and bring more hikers to this area.
[9:50] And other, you know, not so much hikers, but just people interested in seeing things.
[9:55] And the yellow river bridge would be a big enhancement to the north end of the county and draw a tourist to this part of the county.
[10:03] The Crest view is already a gateway community for the Florida Trail Association.
[10:09] And in that sense, it's already a major lodging for hikers coming through and a resupply point.
[10:16] So the Florida National Scenic Trail, which is a Florida Trail, we already have a presence in the near county.
[10:23] We have, for the last 20 years, we've maintained a hiking trail on an echelon air force base.
[10:31] And, you know, that is a tracks people from all over the world, really.
[10:36] There's about 60 miles of trail in echelon air force base that our volunteers maintain.
[10:43] And with the Forest Service, the US Forest Service is our major partner.
[10:47] The trail is already attacks attracting tourists and revenue to this area.
[10:55] If you, you know, just to get an example, go to our trailhead, which is just south of the
[11:00] Shull River on Highway 85, and in any morning, there's a dozen or more, and sometimes as
[11:06] many as 20 and 30 cards there, people using the trail.
[11:10] I would ask that each of you, you know, if you have an opportunity to take your family for a
[11:17] and place, you know, go out.
[11:19] There's actually about seven different trailheads
[11:22] on echelon air force base that we
[11:24] and where you can access the trail.
[11:27] For my standpoint, you know, that trail right now,
[11:31] it's open to bird blockers, runners,
[11:36] echelon uses a lot for their people.
[11:39] The pedestrian bridge over the yellow river
[11:41] would close a major gap in our system of trail,
[11:45] which runs all the way from Naples, Florida, to Fort Piggins, by Pensacola, and we just thank
[11:52] you very much for your consideration on this.
[11:55] So, what would you like to take a minute, those people in support of the bridge, would you
[12:00] stand just briefly?
[12:04] Thank you very much, and that's really all I say.
[12:07] I appreciate the opportunity, and thank you very much for the opportunity to speak.
[12:12] Thank you.
[12:18] James Wilson.
[12:26] Good afternoon everyone. My name is James Wilson and I'm a chair of the talk
[12:31] to hatch a chapter which we maintain the trail that's in Oklahoma and in Wulton County.
[12:39] The Florida Trail is like a linear national park without the Rangers and it's pretty much
[12:47] free, except for an exception of permit for eggland reservation.
[12:55] It's a portal, really, that people who engage in it, it opens them up to the natural world
[13:04] of nature.
[13:07] It's solitary, communal, it's word, lists, and wordy.
[13:14] But this last weekend, well, actually, the New Year's Day, we had a day hike, and we actually
[13:23] hike the Cimmer on Trail, portion of it, which goes from 85 to dead ends in Yellow River.
[13:30] And it was a soggy, bottom portion of it.
[13:34] And I heard comments like I would often hear like, wow, this is really cool, this is, this
[13:42] beautiful. Well, that's the section that really through hikers never see, because they're having
[13:48] to circumnavigate around that area on busy highways.
[13:55] So that this pedestrian bridge is going
[13:58] to open that up. And by the way, if it does, it will be one of the longest sections as
[14:04] uninterrupted by a wide roadway.
[14:08] I think it's a, it will be a jewel.
[14:11] It will be something that was showcased this area
[14:15] and that people throughout the state of Florida
[14:19] and otherwise will find it's just a spectacular view
[14:22] and spectacular experience.
[14:26] And it's right here in Oklahoma,
[14:27] the County and I hope you'll give it consideration.
[14:36] Dave Hinsley?
[14:42] County commissioners and county officials.
[14:45] Thank you for the opportunity to speak for the kind of commissioners like to update you on two areas of interest.
[14:51] As you wear the floor department, Vermont Protection FVP is currently conducting a desktop review of documentation pertaining.
[15:00] Of their comprehensive environmental response compensation and liability act, Circula, I've been in contact with Allison Hankens, FDEP Circula Manager, regarding the legendary co-subdivision.
[15:14] I had provided her with a statement from our former employee that had briefed to last in back in November.
[15:21] During our conversation, she indicated that if the EP contested the backyards of homes adjacent
[15:29] to the Asphoma asphalt plant for the presence of petrochemicals.
[15:34] So, together with some concerned citizens, we are going to contact 14 homes along Shirley
[15:40] and North Rive asking permission.
[15:42] We got permission from a 10 or 11 homeowners, which was good.
[15:46] On December 15th, I submitted that list in Miss Hankens, so she has that list now.
[15:52] Secondly, last week I spoke with Kay Rasmuson, Associate Director at Economic Development
[15:59] of Oklahoma's County, and she's the member of the Florida Defense Support Task Force
[16:05] regarding rumors I'd heard about the former Piquito military family housing area.
[16:12] And she provide me with the end update also in the more insight than I asked for.
[16:17] First of all, with the former military family housing area, the 96 test-wing plans to
[16:23] lease this property, similar to what the county did with Jay Odom, and the property
[16:28] adjacent to, I think, the jail and the bureaucrats. This would be mixed use, small businesses,
[16:33] shops and recales, and she said with the possibility of apartments and work count homes.
[16:38] They plan to hold an industry day, some time in their future solicit requests for proposals
[16:44] from local state and national developers.
[16:47] Then she told me about the University Board of Research
[16:51] Engineering Education Research Center, the Reef,
[16:54] they're going to do a research and development technology
[16:57] campus.
[16:58] This is about 98 acres, and they're going to, again,
[17:01] same thing at some point in their future request
[17:03] proposals from local state and national developers
[17:05] develop this 98 acres into any research and development
[17:10] campus right there.
[17:11] So now we have led a very close subdivision with about 250 vehicles in our neighborhood.
[17:17] Next we got victory village coming down the pike over a 10 to 15 year period.
[17:22] Now we've got these two other pieces of land that are going to be developed.
[17:27] So now it's more important than ever that the County Commissioner and the County Grove
[17:30] Management folks really pay attention and look forward in regarding to traffic, water
[17:35] sewer and other important aspects and we need to plan this thing right.
[17:40] Thank you.
[17:45] Mark Folk,
[17:52] Mark Folk, I'm from Descent Florida, and what I wanted to talk about was in the development of the Yellow River Bridge, I thought I would add on to the fact that we are eliminating about a 20 mile road walk, which is a safety concern for the people walking along the road.
[18:11] In addition to that, I thought it would be a good idea in the future to come up with plans
[18:19] for possibly a kayak launch and even picnic tables around that area and a kiosk where the
[18:28] entry to the bridge would be if it's approved and also possibly one day I was county campground in
[18:37] So a lot of the options that could go into this besides that and even fight paths away from there to make, I know I've been reading about they wanted to make
[18:50] Crescue sort of what they were investing in the tourist development council investing into
[18:57] Making this sort of a eco-chairs and areas sort of like South Walton County and
[19:02] and thought, you know, this would all be, this would be a one piece of the puzzle.
[19:09] So, that's what I would like to say, and I'll, you know, please give that some more consideration.
[19:14] Thank you.
[19:16] Thank you, Mr. Faust.
[19:22] Commissioner, is next week are they consent agenda?
[19:36] Mr. Chairman, before we take up a motion, I'd like to pull item 11, or discussion.
[19:47] Second, discussion.
[19:54] Do you have another item?
[19:54] No, I'm just trying to figure out why I'm in the middle, Mr. Chairman.
[19:57] You've got your last words.
[20:01] You've got your last words.
[20:06] You've got your last words.
[20:14] All in favor, the consent agenda of mine is 11.
[20:17] Signify with I.
[20:18] Can you oppose the carries unanimously?
[20:23] Commissioner Goodwin.
[20:24] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
[20:25] I just had a question about item 11.
[20:27] And Mr. Shah, this may be one that you want to look at for us.
[20:33] It looks like a pretty simplistic, you know, kind of run into the male requisition for some
[20:41] new mowers or mower equipment, but attached to the requisition documentation on the item.
[20:49] At the very end, is an additional document called a rental contract agreement.
[20:55] I didn't think we were actually renting these and so I don't know what meaning the agreement really has.
[21:02] But here's the reason I'm questioning it because I want to make sure we're not approving it.
[21:06] Item 10 on that additional page is called an indemnity and hold harmless harmless agreement.
[21:11] And it talks about where the county would be indemnifying and holding harmless the vendor, including the agreement to defend the vendor as well.
[21:24] And those are all terms I think we're usually pretty shy about agreeing to, and so I just wanted to bring that up.
[21:30] And sorry to have a chance to talk to you about it before the meeting, but I just caught that last page.
[21:36] Last night when I was taking one more look through it and it kind of jumped out at me.
[21:43] Certainly, since we are presenting this agreement, this rental contract agreement should not apply.
[21:50] this isn't OMB's, I'm trying to see if there's anyone
[21:53] who can have a department, but we'll make sure that this
[21:57] doesn't get executed by the board.
[21:59] I think it would be great.
[22:00] I guess this is no MBI, so maybe if your office could kind of follow up
[22:04] with OMB, I don't know if they have anybody here or now, but follow up
[22:07] with them, it may be, you know, make sure that we're not only on this
[22:11] one, maybe, but even on others that we're not letting some of this stuff
[22:15] kind of, you know, see if it's way into the things we're
[22:18] proven, because, I mean, again, I don't like to make a mountain out of a mole hill, but
[22:24] as you can probably appreciate indemnity agreements can be those kind of things that look
[22:28] like nothing until they are something, and then there are bad something.
[22:33] And so I just want to make sure, but it could, it would be appropriate if I made an emotion
[22:38] in the literature if that's okay, that we would accept it without the additional sheet
[22:44] We're going to contract agreement attached, just to make sure we're not approving that.
[22:48] Yes, I think that would be appropriate.
[22:49] I'll second that.
[22:52] All right.
[22:52] Okay.
[22:52] Motion by Commissioner Goodwin, the second by.
[22:57] All right.
[22:58] Commissioner Ketchel, all in favor, sing followed by.
[23:02] All right.
[23:02] Can you pose?
[23:04] Passes unanimously.
[23:06] So we have four public hearings today.
[23:08] The first is a public hearing to consider authorizing the county's water and sewer departments
[23:13] to construct the Oklahoma's Island Water Main Replacement Project utilizing county staff and equipment.
[23:19] Last Mr. Hackett to present this item.
[23:32] Good afternoon, commissioners and happy new year.
[23:36] We had presented this project in the November 21 meeting.
[23:43] It's a six phase water replacement project on the northwest side of Oklahoma's Island.
[23:49] The system is probably circa 1960, so as well in need of being replaced will phase it in complete starting with phase 2, and then probably moving to phase 3, would like to get started around the end of 2024, maybe 2025.
[24:10] When you look at the phase map, you can see it's not in linear order, that's because the phases are categorized.
[24:18] What we feel to be most important all the way through to, certainly not least important.
[24:26] But they are in a sense, numbered in terms of what we feel is needed.
[24:33] Phase one is maybe a little bit to jump into, so we're going to go into phase two first and then probably phase three.
[24:38] It will be multi-year, we'll be working it in with other projects.
[24:43] We've done this many times before and has proven to be very successful and provides a variety
[24:50] of benefits for us to perform it in house in terms of being able to coordinate, being able
[24:57] to serve customers better with issues, also no contractor overhead or profit, things of
[25:03] So what's the less benefits to do it this way is extensive and we were asking for permission to proceed in-house.
[25:17] For this public hearing, I do have one speaker card.
[25:20] If any other member of the public is here to speak on this, Mr. Tomochak has cards in the back of the room.
[25:26] But the first speaker card I have is for Mr. Brian Harrington.
[25:42] Honorable Chairman, there's two much more members.
[25:44] I'm going to be as Brian Harrington, I live in San Francisco for Pelican Drive,
[25:48] I'm also the president of Oakland Island, Lee Silver Association.
[25:53] Safe and modern water supplies, paramounts,
[25:55] I'm important to all the island residents, all of our visitors.
[25:58] The water lines of Oakland Island, as Mr. Michael had mentioned,
[26:01] to plug in around 60, maybe 70 years.
[26:04] When they were designed, the island only had
[26:06] a handful of hotels, a couple of hotels,
[26:08] a few single-family homes.
[26:10] Engineers in the 50s, probably, didn't
[26:11] foresee the amount of customers
[26:12] these lines would wind up serving in modern times.
[26:16] Really a month goes by when Oakland County Water
[26:18] and Sewer Workers aren't outperforming repairs
[26:21] on some of the water lines on the island.
[26:23] Just last couple of months, I've seen repairs on Pelican Drive,
[26:26] off an old sailfish and tarpon, just in the last couple of months.
[26:32] Oculus County Water Sewers always responded swiftly and I think they should be
[26:36] commanded for keeping these ancient supply lines serviceable for as long as they have.
[26:40] Oculus Water and Sewers' organization most experienced with these water lines as they've been servicing them for the last
[26:47] six years.
[26:48] And one would reason they'd be the best suited to undertake this project.
[26:51] That said, we do have a few questions from my constituents about the project itself.
[26:58] One of the regards to the timeline is the county, one of the sewer workers that are able
[27:04] to maintain state ahead of a timeline versus a private contractor.
[27:10] And if so, would it be possible for the constituents on the island to get just a rough calendar,
[27:16] maybe a monthly calendar that says, a during this month?
[27:19] This is what we anticipate as far as interruptions of service or traffic pattern changes or anything like that.
[27:27] I wouldn't think that anything more frequent than once a month would be in order to get something that's possible.
[27:37] A couple of other questions are, of course, the floor at least the nation and protecting the water supply.
[27:44] And I'm sure that protective measures will be put in place to ensure that there's no cross-contamination for the public on the island.
[27:53] I've no doubt that Oklahoma's waters, or as fully cable, were accomplishing this task in a timely manner.
[27:58] I'm certain that once it's completed, the project is going to enhance the quality of life for all of us and all of visitors on Oklahoma's island.
[28:05] Honorable Chairman, and board members, thanks for your consideration and your service over this campus.
[28:10] Thank you, Chair.
[28:13] So anyone else from the public wishing to speak to this time?
[28:19] This time we'll close the public hearing in the action from the board.
[28:25] Chairman?
[28:26] Thanks.
[28:27] Well, this is my board and I'm very, this is my district, not my board, this is my board too.
[28:32] And I'm very excited about this project, the repaving, the beautiful new roads that we're
[28:37] going to put in out there.
[28:38] And hopefully we're going to be able to bury the power lines, which would be so wonderful.
[28:42] and hopefully all that's going to come together about the same time.
[28:46] So I'd like to make a motion for approval and see if I get a second.
[28:52] Thank you very much.
[28:53] The motion by Commissioner Kessel, the second by Commissioner Ponder.
[28:57] Yes, sir.
[28:58] Thank you, Mr. appreciate that.
[28:59] I didn't wonder this has to do you think that the timeline he's asking for would be adequate
[29:03] that once you've got to get maybe within six months of getting whatever the timeline might be.
[29:07] You can at least keep the constituents surprised of what's going on.
[29:14] I don't know if that's how pressing that might be to do.
[29:19] However, I think if there's a 30,000, some sort of,
[29:22] you know, communications stream might be good.
[29:24] Even if there's just once a month or once,
[29:25] there'd be a couple of months or something like that.
[29:27] Are you able to maybe meet that request for them?
[29:31] Yes, sir.
[29:32] I think Mr. Harrington.
[29:35] I'd be happy to meet with you.
[29:38] And let's establish a relationship early on.
[29:40] We will have to acquire materials, we are still going to have to finish design, and so that's why we're looking at probably toward the end of 2024.
[29:49] We do have other projects that we're considering.
[29:53] And so in terms of once we get started working within a phase, absolutely, I think we can really...
[30:00] Meet your need. Maybe even better than what you're asking for in terms of scheduling and letting you know what to expect and who to contact if there is a problem.
[30:10] In terms of phase to phase, that's going to be a little bit, that's going to be a little more challenging. Not that it's impossible. We still want to get it completed in a certain amount of time.
[30:23] We have it within a certain five-year capital project allocation, and so we still have to get a certain complete in a certain amount of time.
[30:32] You need to understand if one was to start this project and go all the way through without any interruptions.
[30:38] You're still looking at a two-year project.
[30:41] So this is a weekend or a month long project, but we will certainly, if you're the one who I could work with as a representative for the whole community, I'd love to.
[30:57] I want to, I guess, see the structures in the room, too.
[31:01] In my way of thinking, maybe this is not realistic, but I was hopeful that once we disrupt
[31:06] that area out there with roads and power lines and water, we're doing this kind of simultaneously
[31:11] and not roads first and then water's going in and I thought it was kind of happening at the same
[31:17] time.
[31:18] This project is not part of the Santa Rosa Boulevard.
[31:23] It is not.
[31:24] improvements, we will coordinate with public works in
[31:28] Mr. Alchry, but likely when that particular project comes
[31:32] online, we'll install a singular line that will form a
[31:36] manifold for supply to each one of these neighborhoods.
[31:39] So do you intend to do this before we begin the road project?
[31:42] Well, we'll be primarily working just within the neighborhoods
[31:45] within the phase is staying off of Santa Rosa Boulevard.
[31:49] There may be a time limit in the neighborhoods.
[31:52] Okay, but not at the same time as the roads going in.
[31:56] That's correct.
[31:57] Okay, so that's not going to be as coordinated as I'd hope for disruption.
[32:01] It actually is heavily coordinated.
[32:02] In fact, Mike and I have sent some emails back and forth.
[32:05] The work we're doing for the Sanor's of all of our improvements is a long Sanor's of all of our.
[32:10] So they're talking about doing it north of Sanor's of all of our.
[32:14] So we are actually going to be tearing those roads up per se.
[32:17] The work that is done with the electrical, if that goes underground is all done through.
[32:20] or it's not tearing up the roadway in the house.
[32:23] So it will be, they're not undoing something
[32:26] that we're gonna redo later on.
[32:27] We're not gonna undo something they do now.
[32:29] When we get to Santa Rosa Boulevard,
[32:31] absolutely, we're gonna do those all at one or all things.
[32:33] So that way we don't tear it up, put a water line out,
[32:35] tear it up, put a electric down, tear it up, put a road down.
[32:39] So we were very clear to make sure that these phases
[32:41] were off of the main roadway.
[32:42] Okay, that's what I wanted to hear.
[32:44] Thank you.
[32:44] One thing to consider, when we're in the neighborhood,
[32:47] we're not gonna be necessarily tearing up the road.
[32:49] We'll saw cut the trench for the pipe installation and where we can be off the road certainly
[32:55] we're going to do that and we'll go back and forth for services and we'll do some
[33:01] mainland times because of the water main supply is on the opposite side but that boring
[33:09] shouldn't disrupt any traffic flow.
[33:12] Thank you.
[33:12] Thank you both.
[33:14] Any further discussion?
[33:15] Chairman, just real quickly. First, Mr. Authrie, that is some very attractive face for her in the
[33:19] true group here in the holiday season. I just wanted to make note of that.
[33:24] The second, not that I was stationed for a compliment or anything. Second, to the point
[33:31] about the reason this is in front of us today, which is because the self-performance of a contract
[33:36] of the size, I will say that our order to its department is, all of my fellow commissioners
[33:41] has a long history of successfully performing these projects and we have seen at least on one occasion
[33:48] that we're actually trying to compel us to put the work out for bid and require that we
[33:51] actually bid for our all work in which case we were able to successfully show once again that we
[33:57] can do the work more timely at lower cost because we have, you know, through the years the department
[34:03] has cultivated those construction teams in house and so I don't, you know, Mr. Hackett's new leadership
[34:08] But I think that organization remains there and less than until they prove otherwise.
[34:14] I certainly will continue to support, you know, these requests to conduct that self-performance.
[34:19] Thank you.
[34:23] All in favor, thank you for that.
[34:24] All right.
[34:25] And you pose.
[34:26] Passes unanimously.
[34:28] The second public hearing is to consider a request for future land use map amendment.
[34:33] Resonating and land development code amendment.
[34:36] This is a quasi-judicial hearing, and I will turn it over to Miss Socialist.
[34:42] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As you mentioned, this is an agenda item, or public hearing
[34:46] to consider the future ninety-some amendment rezoning, then the billman code amendment on behalf
[34:52] of the bill, a quick, quick plantation relating to property located north of Highway 90, just
[34:58] east of Boxx Airport. Since this is a quasi-judicial hearing, now I'll be happy to swear
[35:04] anyone who plans on speaking, if you'll please stand and raise your right hand, do you swear
[35:10] or firm that the testimony shall give, shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but.
[35:14] I do.
[35:15] Thank you.
[35:15] Also, commissioners, now would be the appropriate time to disclose any expert take
[35:18] communications you may have had on this matter.
[35:21] I have multiple meetings on both sides, but none that will impact my decision.
[35:25] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
[35:27] I will turn it over to Mr. Campord.
[35:29] Thank you.
[35:30] So, Shahar, good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, members of the Commission.
[35:33] Welcome to 2024.
[35:34] This is actually a three-part packet covered as one discussion item, because they are also
[35:40] related.
[35:41] Don't you have here as petition 534-016-BCC-2023, and 534-019-BCC-2023, which is a request
[35:50] to amend the Future Landious Map and an associated rezoning for 125 acres, which is shown
[35:57] In the package of the subject property, we can move forward a little bit.
[36:02] Okay, to south of the airport road, to the east of Casey Ridge Road, as you see on
[36:05] the arrow photo graph there.
[36:07] The purpose of this is to change the designation of this land from rural residential to
[36:11] low-density residential, because the proximity to our own airport, as well as concerns from
[36:16] the regular four space.
[36:18] In addition to the feature-line swap, I mean the rezoning, we're also asking the Board of
[36:23] commissioners to amend the Land Development Code to create a special section, which would be
[36:28] 3-0, let 3.11.00, the 125-acre Willow Creek Plantation at Crestview Overlay District.
[36:35] The overlay will limit the density of the property to 250 residential units, which is
[36:40] two units per acre.
[36:42] Estelle, which I have limitation required dark-star lighting principles, and provide coordination
[36:46] with agonair force base.
[36:48] If deducted by the board, these mems recent the Florida Commerce Department for Final
[36:52] agency review and take effect 31 days later in accordance with the Florida Statutes.
[36:57] I would like to enter the rest of the staff reporting to the record, you know, by reference.
[37:03] The board has already seen this once when they did the Transmittal, he said today's
[37:06] reduction.
[37:07] The Planning Commission recommended approval to propose for each of the latest map amendment
[37:11] rezoning as the proposed amendment to the kind of land development code by an end of
[37:15] this vote during this meeting in August 10, 2023.
[37:17] The military representative did not provide written comments, nor did they show up at the meeting,
[37:23] but they did provide a letter of support, which is in the packet.
[37:26] The applicant has provided a letter of support from Eglom.
[37:29] The agenda was properly advertised, the Northwest Florida Daily News on December 18, 2023,
[37:35] and public notice via certified return receipt letters were provided all property owners
[37:38] within a 300-foot radius perception 11.02 of the loose accountable envelope record.
[37:45] Staff has no objections to the proposed amendment rezoning and creation over the overlay.
[37:50] Staff recommends the board consider this report.
[37:53] This testimony is afternoon and he testimony may hear the public hearing.
[37:57] And then approve the conference of plan amendment rezoning and Oakley's
[38:00] Kind of land development code amendment for the 125th vehicle.
[38:04] Willow Creek plantation across the overlay district.
[38:07] This would be to my three separate motions.
[38:09] Starting with the large scale future land use map amendment.
[38:12] Second motion be move approval of the rezoning and the third motion to be to move
[38:17] approval of the Warden's establishing section 3.11 of the land development code.
[38:22] We have to answer any questions and the applicant's agent is here.
[38:25] I've put it up on the screen so you can kind of orient to what it is today, which is what
[38:32] would be going to if it goes to lead us to the racial subject to the other way.
[38:36] We have to answer any questions.
[38:42] Mr. Greer.
[38:43] I'm going to come forward on behalf of the applicant.
[38:44] Good
[38:51] afternoon. My name is Ray Greer. My address is 2910.
[38:55] Carrie Forge Parkway, Tallahassee Floor, and I am the applicant's representative.
[38:59] As Elliott mentioned, we are planning an overlay district that will apply to this property.
[39:06] And this overlay district does multiple things.
[39:09] One of it is the biggest thing it does is to address not only eggplant air force base
[39:15] and the low level flight corridor that travels through this area,
[39:18] but also the proximity to Bob Cites Airport.
[39:21] So in doing the development restrictions that are contained
[39:25] within the overlay, just such as limiting density,
[39:29] not only makes this compatible with this surrounding area
[39:31] and the subdivision to the north,
[39:33] which is the Willow Creek Plantation phase one.
[39:36] But it also makes it consistent with eggland.
[39:39] It also reduces the lighting issues that occur
[39:43] when you have residential subdivisions
[39:45] the urban development near airports and then flight corridors.
[39:48] We are proposing dark sky requirements in here,
[39:51] which we'll have down lighting.
[39:53] All the lighting will be directed down.
[39:55] They will not impose an issue at night for night flying.
[39:58] We do have high limits.
[39:59] We are proposing a single family subdivision.
[40:01] We have a high limit of 35 feet.
[40:04] This will be the third phase of the Willow Creek Plantation
[40:07] subdivision.
[40:08] It is connected to Wayne Rogers Road through Willow Creek.
[40:12] We do intend to work with the county.
[40:15] We've been having several discussions with the county on,
[40:18] bringing a road in from Fairchild to provide an alternative access.
[40:22] So it have another access point that would also benefit not only this development phase three,
[40:28] but it also benefit phase one to the Willow Creek Plantation subdivision.
[40:33] And then in addition to it, we wanted to in the same right away that goes through the airport
[40:39] So authorities property connect sewer lines too, what we want to do is provide a sewer line
[40:45] connection from the county up through this new proposed road.
[40:49] We'd like to build an inner and into the back of the subdivision.
[40:52] We would loop it through the subdivision and provide not only sanctuary sewer to this area,
[40:57] but also pull a water and bring it back out the fair child.
[41:00] So it will provide a looping ability for the Auburn water authority and it will also provide
[41:06] for additional connections to the Oklahoma City County sewer.
[41:10] I'll be glad to answer any questions you may have.
[41:16] Is there anyone else from the Public Met Designers to speak to this item?
[41:23] At this time, we'll close the public hearing.
[41:27] Would anyone like to make a motion to approve a disapprove?
[41:30] I'll tell you, it isn't my district.
[41:32] I am in favor.
[41:33] There's been many meetings and conversations so far to get us to this point.
[41:38] I'd love to hear the pleasure of board.
[41:41] Mr. Chairman, I'll move approval.
[41:45] Mr. Soshihara, I suggested we take these in three different motions, and so we'll take
[41:49] that as a motion for approval on the large scale future land use map amendment.
[41:53] Yes, sir.
[41:57] Motion by Commissioner Boyles, a second by Commissioner Ponder. Any further discussion?
[42:05] In favour?
[42:06] Oh yes, sir.
[42:07] Mr. Chairman, just real quick, and I do support our vote in favour of it.
[42:12] Just seeing like an opportunity for a quick question, you know, we're talking about the
[42:16] issues with, I think, protecting the aviation uses at the airport with the dark skylighting
[42:24] of those sorts of things.
[42:26] But it kind of brings up an issue that I suspect Commissioner Ponder's far too familiar with
[42:31] is as we develop in and around an airport, you know, how do we, what are we looking at
[42:38] managing, I guess, the end user of the residential properties
[42:43] compatibility of the airport.
[42:46] I know that, you know, and I think you know,
[42:49] you know, I'm talking about the Destiny airport
[42:51] and the challenge is that's brought, right?
[42:53] And there's a good argument that I've heard from some folks,
[42:56] but it doesn't really solve anything
[42:59] when you say, well, the airport is their first true.
[43:02] But doesn't mean that people don't get disturbed
[43:05] by noise and aviation stuff.
[43:09] So again, I'll vote in support of this one, but just what are we looking at to kind of
[43:14] manage that those competing interests as residential development gets closer to the Bob
[43:20] Psyches Airport, because I suspect this is just going to keep happening as the north
[43:25] end of the county is becoming more urbanized.
[43:30] There's two parts of that answer.
[43:32] The first part is, if you look at the map on the screen, you'll see where that purple
[43:36] kind of color cuts diagonally across, that's not a weird cardographic mistake.
[43:42] Basically, the state several years ago put in place requirement that the county governments
[43:48] and the city government, the governor, put in place airport compatible zoneings.
[43:53] And that marks the area of airport compatibility zone.
[43:57] Within that purple area, residential density is very highly constrained.
[44:01] And within the gray, which is your airport industrial type uses, we would not allow a rezoning
[44:08] to allow residential to creep in there.
[44:11] The compound and the land development code space specifically states that those lands are supposed
[44:15] to be for aviation cloudable uses.
[44:18] That's why it was set up that way.
[44:20] Unfortunately, because that statute came about long after people had plated in that area.
[44:26] There were some subdivisions and existing lots that were more or less recognized by what we
[44:30] call the AC1, which is 1 unit per unit or an AC.5, which is the half-acre sawslots in recognition
[44:36] of the prior plating and development platter that had occurred.
[44:40] But as of 2006, when that was created, that line got drawn and so from here on forward,
[44:46] we're not going to be hopefully seeing any more increases of intensity within the designated
[44:51] zone that's 5,000 feet from the runway.
[44:53] This is where that goes.
[44:54] That's why I should look on the maps to see like a big overlap around the runway.
[44:58] So, if I'm here and you're right, I'm kind of like...
[45:01] This particular property is just right outside kind of the zone of where we, from a policy perspective, would say we don't want to make that change.
[45:09] That's correct.
[45:12] That helps.
[45:15] I mean, fortunately, in this situation, we've had the opportunity to do some planning and there's a little bit more land to deal with than the other situation I'm talking about.
[45:23] But appreciate it just because I know it can become a big issue.
[45:27] Thank you.
[45:27] That's all I have Mr. Chairman.
[45:30] The additional.
[45:32] All in favor?
[45:33] Sing, fellow.
[45:34] Aye.
[45:35] And you pose?
[45:37] It passes unanimously.
[45:39] Chair, move.
[45:40] Approval.
[45:41] The second staff recommended motion.
[45:43] With regard to the zoning change.
[45:47] The motion marked.
[45:49] Mr. Boyles.
[45:50] The second by Commissioner Ponder.
[45:52] Any further discussion?
[45:54] All in favor?
[45:55] Sing, fellow.
[45:56] Aye.
[45:57] Passes unanimously.
[46:00] Mr. Chairman, the approval of the ordinance
[46:06] motion by Commissioner Boyles, a second by Commissioner
[46:10] Ponder, any further discussion? All in favour? Sing if I'm with aye.
[46:15] It passes unanimously. The next public hearing is to consider a third amendment to the Patriot
[46:21] Ridge Development Agreement, unless Mr. Kampert to present this item.
[46:26] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think Nick is about to advance it. Our next item, as you
[46:30] It is to conduct a public hearing for Secretary chapter 163 of the Florida Statutes to consider a third amendment to the development agreement between the county and Patriot Ridge LLP for the purpose of establishing development rights for certain property.
[46:45] So, based on this is the Patriot Ridge development, we heard this multiple times before you are familiar with the project down there on the south side of 85.
[46:53] Basically, the reason for the proposed amendment this time is subsequent to the second amendment,
[46:59] at which time the board also entered into a percolation agreement with the property owner
[47:05] to receive a 186 more or less acre piece of property, a new appraisal was done that came
[47:12] in with a different value than what we showed in the appraisal done, you made it for that second amendment.
[47:18] So, basically, in order that the development agreement and the secondarily, the part of
[47:24] the nation agreement reflect the most current surprise value, that's what this proposed
[47:28] amendment does.
[47:29] The proposed amendment does not increase the number of units, does not increase anybody else's
[47:33] obligations, either the cannula of the developers, it doesn't change anything, except for the
[47:38] value stated in the agreement and pervue appraisal.
[47:42] So, Mr. Greg Manifina, the property owner developers here, if you have any questions, I'll
[47:47] be happy to answer any questions as well.
[47:53] Is anyone from the public wishing to speak to this matter?
[47:56] I have no comments from you.
[47:58] Mr. Manavina?
[48:06] Greg Matavino, 1, 2, 4, 4, 3,
[48:08] San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida.
[48:11] I just want to clarify one thing.
[48:12] The property was not previously appraised.
[48:15] There's a $2 million value that was placed in the original development agreement,
[48:20] which was entered into in 2019.
[48:23] And that was based on roughly what we paid for the property at the time on a
[48:27] our anchor basis and so staff asked us to get an updated appraisal, which we have done and
[48:36] that's what you have this value based on before you.
[48:39] So I'm here to answer any questions you may have.
[48:46] Just a time we'll close the public hearing, would anyone like to make a motion to approve
[48:51] or disparate?
[48:53] It's a pyramid in your district.
[48:55] It's sort of a different behavior.
[49:01] Okay.
[49:01] And since Mr. Metabene is here to say, as I've said before, the first time you came to Oakland,
[49:06] the county, I thought you were crazy because you held a public meeting with a whole bunch of folks out there.
[49:11] And I thought you were kicking an ant hill and you're your method of engaging the community
[49:16] and what was really a pretty difficult redevelopment process to take what it formally began to
[49:22] been a golf course and redeveloped that it seems to have worked well.
[49:26] And so anyhow, I just wanted to note, once again, for the record,
[49:29] between that, between the, you know, what is at the end of the day, apparently a pretty
[49:33] sizeable donation, valuable property to the county, which has been ultimately developed
[49:39] in Commissioner Nixon's district for the benefit of the public. It's been an all-around
[49:44] good deal. It looks like it's slightly, slightly better now, basically on the appraisal.
[49:48] Motion to approve. Second.
[49:52] Any further discussion?
[49:54] Yes, sir.
[49:54] Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that.
[49:57] And I don't know where to, obviously, grateful that you're here developing this.
[50:01] It's a huge blessing on over our area, what you're doing out there.
[50:04] I'll tell you where I'm struggling on the approval of this, is not that you've got an appraisal,
[50:10] and I guess there are staff as you get one.
[50:14] But I'm just an excellent about this earlier.
[50:16] I don't know why we've got to go through an amendment to our development order to validate
[50:22] essentially this appraisal when I don't see that, it's in there for us to do that when he
[50:31] donated the land back in the spring, there was an estimated value on the property back as he said when he bought it,
[50:37] what it was per acre, we had an value then and so we knew what it was in 2019 and so now through
[50:45] 2023 through strong property appreciation, we've asked them to re-appraise it, of course the
[50:50] and work quite a bit more money, and so I don't know procedurally, I don't think if you've
[50:58] done anything we've been asked to do. I don't know why procedurally we were asking for an
[51:02] amendment to essentially validate something that should be up in value, so I'm not going to
[51:06] support the motion today just because I don't know the downstream consequences that we would
[51:11] be having as a county essentially a many in an existing development order for something that really
[51:17] It does not seem to be part of it to begin with, so up on the note.
[51:29] Yes, ma'am.
[51:29] Could I ask Mr. Campord to address Mr.
[51:34] Commissioner Ponder's concerns?
[51:36] Basically, as a matter of housekeeping, this is being done because the question, this was an estimated value.
[51:43] I think it was understood that prior closing on the property would have a real
[51:49] Ascial, a praise will done on the property, which Mr. Matt Medivine has provided, and just so
[51:55] all the documents read the same, we feel it's appropriate that whatever transpires between
[52:00] the value of the property, when the county accepts his identity to value, should be reflected
[52:03] in the development agreement and the park agreement.
[52:06] As Commissioner Ponder points out, I don't really know if that's going to matter to the
[52:10] transaction at all, but it just keeps the accounting correct as far as what the various
[52:14] documents are going to reflect.
[52:19] It's true, man.
[52:20] I understand, Commissioner Pond of your perspective.
[52:22] I think what I would offer a couple of points is, in theory,
[52:26] this could have gone the other way, right?
[52:28] So the appraisal could have come in and validated that we had improperly
[52:32] value the property to begin with, or that the value had been over
[52:35] inflated by the, you know, as a part of the steel.
[52:37] And so, you know, the reality is that the contribution to this property
[52:41] did come into play in the context of the overall developer agreement.
[52:45] And so, if nothing else at the end of the day,
[52:46] I think this validates for me, that this commission made a good decision in so far as that
[52:53] property is valuable on the market, and therefore is valuable to our constituents.
[52:59] And so that, if for nothing else, because of that, I think it certainly is no harm.
[53:05] The other thing I would notice, I could see the potential benefit for example, as we make
[53:16] There's a notion of matching, and sometimes matching can be with things other than with cash.
[53:20] It can be with capital or if you can be with labor or it can be with the property that's being used for that purpose.
[53:26] And so I could see the potential if we establish this about you now.
[53:29] That that could have some knock-on upside benefit later.
[53:32] And I'm not fine in any significant downside to keeping the paper trail straight.
[53:38] Thank you.
[53:39] Thank you.
[53:40] Commissioner, that really answered my questions.
[53:42] Thanks very much for your explanation.
[53:47] Well, in favor, sing for with I, and you pose with no,
[53:53] four to one.
[53:55] The last public hearing is to consider him in minutes of the Patriot Ridge Park Donation
[53:59] Agreement.
[54:01] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
[54:01] Again, this is just simple follow up to what you just did on the Development Agreement
[54:05] itself.
[54:06] This immense the Park Donation Agreement to reflect the same value as now is included in the
[54:11] Development Agreement per the October 20, 23th, Brazil.
[54:15] Is there any public comment?
[54:18] Mr. Medivina?
[54:20] I just wanted to thank Commissioner Boyles for his kind words, and it gives me great pleasure
[54:26] even more than what you mentioned to see the bridge being widened on live-optured
[54:31] approach, which was part of our commitment to get that road widened to help with the traffic
[54:35] situation. It really makes me happy when I drive down that road and see all that work being
[54:42] Now, the job being done in House and they're doing a great job with it.
[54:49] There's no one else from the public to speak, would anyone on the Commission like to make a motion to approve a disapproval?
[54:55] Second.
[54:55] Motion to approve.
[54:56] A motion to approve.
[54:57] A motion of Boyles.
[54:57] A second by Commissioner Ketchill.
[54:59] Was there any discussion?
[55:05] All in favour?
[55:06] Singed Pauadon.
[55:07] All right.
[55:08] And you posed.
[55:11] It passes.
[55:12] Four to one.
[55:13] Thank you very much.
[55:20] That will move to Department Business.
[55:22] Mr. Hackett.
[55:23] And one or two?
[55:24] I'd
[55:30] like to request that Oklahoma is a county water and sewer commissioners authorize the purchasing
[55:40] department to solicit competitive quotes and the formal beards for the perpetrators of pipe
[55:46] and associated materials for the Oklahoma's Island Watermaid Project. If you've looked at your
[55:53] action item. It says Southwest, Chris view bypass. That's incorrect. I apologize for that.
[56:01] We want to take this option because overall we're able to maximize savings on each individual.
[56:08] Lied item versus accepting one bid from one supplier where we might get some good presses or not so good presses.
[56:16] the will, is you multiple purchase orders for different vendors and maximize the savings
[56:24] on each material, fly and item, which we estimate to be around 1.8 million.
[56:35] Gentlemen, this is my district.
[56:37] Thank you for making that correction and with that and with the correction added where
[56:41] we strike press view and have the Ogalusa, I authorized approval for the purchasing department.
[56:47] Thank you.
[56:48] It was motion by Commissioner Kachel's, or second,
[56:52] second by Commissioner Pondor, and a further discussion.
[56:56] All in favor, seeing you five with aye.
[56:58] Can you pose?
[57:00] It passes unanimously.
[57:02] Thank you.
[57:05] Next is Mr. Canpert for Growth Management.
[57:10] Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman Commissioners.
[57:12] Our one item of regular business today concerns the House.
[57:16] The Eastbeat 100 Dolphin Road, as you all know.
[57:19] This has probably been considerable nuisance for quite some time to the neighborhood.
[57:23] This was one of the specific properties of the Board of County Commissioners, had directed
[57:28] staff to take a special look at, and authorized the County Attorney's Office to pursue
[57:31] aggressively, culminating in October of 2023, October 17, the Board of County Commissioners
[57:38] in fact, we had gone through and hired a demolition contractor.
[57:42] The house was knocked down.
[57:44] The problem was abated.
[57:46] One of the issues surrounding this property was the fact that there were multiple errors involved,
[57:50] including one that was more or less a swatter, and they could not agree.
[57:54] I want to do with the property we should never have been appropriated.
[57:57] One of the relatives involved,
[58:00] stepped up, went to court, and became the court appointed spokesperson,
[58:03] more or less for the property,
[58:05] and can speak for the properties authorized to do it,
[58:08] and they are now in the process of selling the property.
[58:10] But because the amount of the lean,
[58:11] how did need $2,000 is worth far more than the property.
[58:16] It really discourages the sale.
[58:18] And the sales work got a lot of to be redeveloped.
[58:21] So also in October of 2023, the Board of Counter-Commissors adopted a policy where by a
[58:27] people wishing to have COVID-19 enforcement means reduced or abated could do so.
[58:32] This is the first of those petitions and it is consistent with that petition.
[58:37] The Board directed that the entire administrative costs would be recovered as well as any
[58:43] costs the county had in actually abating it, wishing this cases demolition plus 20% of
[58:48] fines. So, with the recommendation staff, is going to be that we reduced the amount owed from
[58:55] $182,000 to $2972.99, which includes $327.49 administrative fees, $17,150, which is the
[59:08] actual demolition cost, and $3,495.99, which is 20% as provided in section 1116 of the code.
[59:17] As all is provided in the code, the amount must be paid within 60 days if the board approves it.
[59:23] If not, the amount reverts back to 180, 2000, and without requiring further board action.
[59:28] As an incentive to do the deal, get the property back in production, and then to be developed.
[59:33] I'll be happy to answer any questions.
[59:38] Mr. Goodwood?
[59:40] Yes.
[59:41] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
[59:41] This isn't my district, and of course, you know, the last time we had one of these, I think
[59:48] along with, you know, several of my fellow commissioners kind of question, you know, how do we approach it?
[59:53] So, as you pointed out, Elliot, we then crafted a loose policy, I think, and it sounds like in this...
[1:00:01] The particular circumstances would fit the policy that we crafted to me the most important aspects are that we're not waving any hard costs or out of pockets by the county.
[1:00:13] The bulk of the money owed, I think it's what's 182,000, the bulk of that is punitive, right?
[1:00:20] Yes, sir. $250 a day.
[1:00:22] So, you know, if we agreed to this, really what we're doing is reducing the punishment
[1:00:30] not actually, you know, giving away money that was spent out of general fund and that's
[1:00:37] owed back to general fund.
[1:00:39] So I think that's an important distinction.
[1:00:40] And with that, again, since we're following the policy,
[1:00:49] Mr. Chairman, if it's appropriate, I'll
[1:00:50] go ahead and make a motion that we approve.
[1:00:53] The motion by Commissioner Goodwin.
[1:00:56] Second.
[1:00:56] Second, by Commissioner Ketchew, any further discussion?
[1:01:02] All in favor, Sing Foe Dye, any pose, passes unanimously?
[1:01:07] Thank you very much.
[1:01:07] Sir, the next item will be Mr. Entry from Public Works.
[1:01:17] There's no, it's going to get walk up, music.
[1:01:20] Is it fitting?
[1:01:22] Jason Entry Public Works, we have one item for your consideration.
[1:01:25] Today, for several years, we've been working on the Bridge Bridge Path.
[1:01:29] The big piece of that was getting an easement from Agle and Air Force Base, the Federal Government to go.
[1:01:33] From basically, basically, Park is all the way to the desk and bridge.
[1:01:36] I'm happy to say that we have finally been able to get the easement detail squared away.
[1:01:41] Because it has taken us so long, it took a little bit of a proactive step on our part, and I did get the past Chairman to sign the document.
[1:01:48] Since our last meeting, we have provided it to Eglon and we are simply looking for ratification of the easement.
[1:01:54] Just so everybody is aware, Eglon has this, they have some signatures, they have to obtain probably both here at Eglon as well as through San Antonio,
[1:02:02] but they have to go in that process, and we are going to find a way to time it as such that we can get building this bike path.
[1:02:07] But this is simply a ratification of the easement of cross federal property for the bridge bridge bike path that we are eagerly looking forward to construct any questions
[1:02:15] I'll be happy to answer them.
[1:02:17] Mr. Kesel.
[1:02:18] And you think that was welcome music. That was exciting.
[1:02:21] I have trumpets or something. Thank you for all your hard work and thank you for signing that document.
[1:02:26] And I did speak with Mr. Marks today at Eggland and with all due hasty is going to get those signatures.
[1:02:32] I'm really excited. I think we're going to have a bike path finally from Bridge to Bridge
[1:02:36] with a 12-foot wide, you know, what do you call it? Pathways and a barrier.
[1:02:44] So the people do not get killed. I'm so excited about this. I can't stand this.
[1:02:48] It's always a goal. It's taking five years. So if you understand how hard this has been five years,
[1:02:53] I do want to expand a little bit. It's not just a pathway. Part of the negotiation we have
[1:02:58] with eggland-involved controlling access points is you all know that there are so there are
[1:03:03] I think five access ways to go from 98 across where the dunes are used to be.
[1:03:09] We are improving those parking areas, we're making better controls at the end of the
[1:03:13] deaths of bridge at the Marlow Bridge.
[1:03:15] So it's not just putting down an asphalt pathway, there are some other improvements associated
[1:03:19] with it, and that was a very important task of working with eggland.
[1:03:23] So we're excited about it, can't wait to get it going.
[1:03:25] It's going to get a lot easier to get a footbridge across the Yellow River than to get this bike pad, but I'm excited.
[1:03:31] Thank you very much.
[1:03:32] So somebody second this please.
[1:03:34] Thank you.
[1:03:36] Motion recognition.
[1:03:37] Catch all the second by Commissioner Pondor.
[1:03:39] Is any further in comment?
[1:03:41] I'll just say Mr. Chairman that, you know, apparently, you know, a Jason's behest.
[1:03:46] I signed this.
[1:03:47] We're asking for belated permission.
[1:03:49] So I suppose all vote in favor of my mistake.
[1:03:55] I'll just say congratulations, Commissioner Catcher, I know this one is, you know, and you push
[1:04:02] heart on it and it's taken a long time and any quite frank, I think it's, you know, making
[1:04:07] it a little bit easier.
[1:04:08] You broke a bit of trail.
[1:04:09] I think making the out and the follows after this perhaps a bit easier, you know, I'm seeing
[1:04:13] that these projects are, I think, broadly embraced by folks in Oakland, so good work.
[1:04:19] I'm going to, with the Chairman's permission, say one other thing, most of you don't
[1:04:23] So this, but my brother Stephen Newcomer, my name is Newcomer, was killed on a bicycle when
[1:04:29] he was 17 years old and it has been my lifelong effort to get by paths in place, so that's
[1:04:36] my heart.
[1:04:42] With no further comment, all in favor, sing a bow that I, and you pose, and it passes unanimously.
[1:04:49] Thank you.
[1:04:53] Mr. Coffee for towards development.
[1:05:02] Thank you Mr. Chairman of Board members, I'm pitch hitting for Jennifer who has a bad
[1:05:06] out of the flu. So thank thankfully she didn't bring that to you to board. So I'm gonna pinch
[1:05:13] it just briefly. Just just wanted to re-orientate you've already heard a lot of good things.
[1:05:18] You've heard already heard a lot of good details in the staff report as well about what this
[1:05:25] will do and not do. And you received a white paper from a Spit Cheryl several weeks ago.
[1:05:30] This is the location. This talks a little bit about the detour and you can imagine it is a long journey
[1:05:35] around. We will have to connect up, it decides the foot bridge, you have to connect about
[1:05:39] five miles to make connection back to the floor of trail. That is a easier thing that's
[1:05:45] just basically getting permission in your cut and trails with, you know, basically bush hogs
[1:05:49] and machetes or funcils, but you're, it's easier cutting, you're not building essentially a paved trail
[1:05:56] of any kind. These are, these are more rural trails. What might it look like? This is an example
[1:06:03] what something like that might look like.
[1:06:05] It'll be a very iconic thing that will be tracked many people.
[1:06:09] And again, you've heard about the things that it will do.
[1:06:13] As far as avoiding the detour, it will be a undisturbed section
[1:06:19] of trail.
[1:06:20] And also, I should make note of the legislative appropriation
[1:06:22] we requested.
[1:06:23] We actually requested the design and construction.
[1:06:26] The legislative appropriation will actually be adjusted
[1:06:28] to just be construction.
[1:06:31] So just to make note of that.
[1:06:32] The reason we want to go forward with that is to do a variety of things.
[1:06:36] This is not going to be an easy project from a sense of wetlands and flood plains and stuff
[1:06:42] like that.
[1:06:42] So we want to get going in an engineering right away.
[1:06:44] We hope you use an engineer from our current approved list of engineers.
[1:06:49] And Mr. Autry, we work in a mist trail, per se, as well.
[1:06:54] So that's exciting too.
[1:06:56] But this will be a journey, this will be a process working through Eglant and the environmental
[1:07:00] season and getting approval, but we want to start that journey right away.
[1:07:09] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
[1:07:11] So first thanks Craig, and thanks to Jennifer Hertingey.
[1:07:16] Thank you to Sheila for the collective effort.
[1:07:21] I think everybody really kind of staff level kind of jumped in to support moving this along quickly.
[1:07:28] I think no one that once it gets going, it's still going to take some time.
[1:07:31] Right, Commissioner Kichel, one thing I want to emphasize here is that you know, we're really one there's as we seem for the public here today, there's there's a broad support for this, but there's also some really established mechanisms in place, you know, you have a very active chapter here locally, for keeping the trail maintained, you've got a statewide association, their trail program director, Mr. Frisco couldn't be here today, I think he had an emergency come up, but he spoke at CDC meeting if I remember correctly and so, you know, there's a whole,
[1:08:01] There are a lot of other resources and partners that are really kind of teed up what they needed.
[1:08:06] Really was kind of that first big, you know, that big piece of funding.
[1:08:11] I think we're blessed now to be able to bring to the table because of the expansion of the bed tax district.
[1:08:17] And so, you know, I say that only to say, you know, we're,
[1:08:20] I think we're a necessary kind of first first piece in this, but when you talk about, you know,
[1:08:24] kind of closing at, you know, once the bridge is built connecting up the existing trail,
[1:08:27] There are lots of folks with lots of experience and expertise in doing just that, and we'll be able to kind of kind of kind of, you know, just stand at their side and partner, but we won't be doing that alone.
[1:08:39] I am super excited for this project to get going.
[1:08:44] Commissioners, I have certainly appreciate your support.
[1:08:46] Up to this point, hope to get it today as we vote to take this next step.
[1:08:51] Can you get a second?
[1:08:52] So you got a second.
[1:08:53] You got me first.
[1:08:55] That's okay.
[1:08:58] So first of all, I want to thank those who came today.
[1:09:01] This is very important.
[1:09:03] I have community advocacy.
[1:09:05] It really is, especially when I thank Mr. Daniels, Mr. Falken.
[1:09:08] Mr. Wilson for speaking.
[1:09:11] I will promise you that I will bird dog this.
[1:09:14] First of all, I want to thank you for bringing this forward.
[1:09:17] And as you exit the board, I promise you I will bird dog this thing.
[1:09:20] like I have the bike path, and I'm sorry.
[1:09:24] I apologize to the staff in advance,
[1:09:25] because they know how hard I can be on this.
[1:09:28] So this is very exciting.
[1:09:29] We want to see this path go forward.
[1:09:32] I was very involved in scouting at one point
[1:09:35] with two equal scouts and very proud of that as a mother,
[1:09:38] and did a lot of hiking on those Florida trails,
[1:09:41] and I can't say how beautiful they are,
[1:09:43] and how much they're maintained by the citizens
[1:09:46] that you take care of it.
[1:09:47] So thank you for that.
[1:09:48] And this is going to be a real asset and I've already actually spoken to the legislatures in Tallahassee and asked for funding for it, that's how excited I am. Thank you.
[1:10:01] Mr. Bounder.
[1:10:01] Thank you, Mr. Chair. Appreciate it very much, Mr. Bounder.
[1:10:03] Thank you for bringing this idea to us.
[1:10:06] The very moment that you brought it forward and you recognize we had a deficiency along really a natural asset that we had and that we could play a part to be a solution to that.
[1:10:17] and also have the support that we had here today.
[1:10:19] I think speaks to the volumes of people that,
[1:10:21] not only hear locally,
[1:10:23] but those that travel to come and speak in favor of it.
[1:10:25] I think it will, you know,
[1:10:26] as a North End continues to expand their footprint
[1:10:29] from a tourism standpoint,
[1:10:31] this will, I think, can believe be one of the cornerstones
[1:10:33] of what it can, what things can be built around.
[1:10:35] I love the ideas that the gentleman brought about.
[1:10:38] The added things we could do at the base of the bridge
[1:10:41] and things that nature, those are all added components.
[1:10:44] We could easily grab into the vision of this piece,
[1:10:47] but proud to support it, look forward to getting done.
[1:10:51] And I think it's a great win for the North end of the county
[1:10:54] so congratulations.
[1:10:57] I think Craig already has some sharp East Gets
[1:10:59] he's back in the back of.
[1:11:01] It's just talking to him.
[1:11:05] I'm just talking to him.
[1:11:08] Mr. Goodwin.
[1:11:08] Mr. Chairman, thanks.
[1:11:09] So just say, you know, I'll wholeheartedly support this.
[1:11:13] Obviously, you know, there's strong community support.
[1:11:16] Um, you know, much like the, the bike path, the, uh, the commissioner, uh,
[1:11:21] catch a little ID and push forward, which will be a great community asset.
[1:11:25] I think, you know, commissioner boils, um, you know, good job on, on spotting this as an opportunity.
[1:11:31] One of the things that that I'm really excited about with both this projects is, is the fact,
[1:11:36] and I just want to remind everyone that we're going to be able to leverage those tourism
[1:11:40] dollars, the money collected from tourists, you come here and, you know, getting your
[1:11:46] away when you're trying to get where the heck you're trying to go, but at least they pay
[1:11:49] some bed taxes, and at least these projects will help put some of that money back in
[1:11:54] the community in a way that our local residents will be able to appreciate it.
[1:11:58] Of course, both of these assets, the bike path and the trail, once they're done, are going
[1:12:03] to attract people from outside or you're going to come and enjoy it.
[1:12:06] It's going to enhance our product, but I just like to see we get a little bit of a benefit
[1:12:11] back to the hometown folks too because we all have to live here and you know deal with the
[1:12:18] downside of tourism but there's a big upside to tourism too and so we get to see that
[1:12:23] and on a countywide basis now which is a great thing so thank you.
[1:12:30] I received one fun question about this and using tourist development dollars for what kind of
[1:12:36] person travels to do. My wife and I have been section hiking the Florida Trail a little bit of
[1:12:42] over the last few years. So we have traveled to other areas of Florida and supported their
[1:12:49] tourism dollars to be able to participate in the Florida Trail. So having this right here
[1:12:55] to be able to use, but also to be able to see the people that it will bring to hike more
[1:13:01] through Oakland County. I think that's an exciting feature that many will have their eyes open to.
[1:13:09] I just want to find out, I didn't want to note he's hiding, but I think I see Mayor
[1:13:13] Whitten City of Crest, you use Mayor is in the audience and doing the City of Crest,
[1:13:19] you, I think some number of years ago actually became, there's a term for a designated
[1:13:25] City of Gateway City, is that there have that right, and so Mayor certainly appreciate
[1:13:29] your leadership in the City of Crest, you and excited to see this extension right there
[1:13:35] at your southern boundary.
[1:13:35] No
[1:13:39] further discussion, all in favor, signify with aye.
[1:13:42] Any opposed passes unanimously?
[1:13:47] Mr. Parker.
[1:13:48] Would you come and talk to President?
[1:13:56] Chairman, Commissioner Siddout, the new and it happened
[1:13:58] New year to everyone.
[1:14:00] Tyrone Parker, transit division.
[1:14:02] One item for your consideration this afternoon.
[1:14:05] The transit department is requesting a fifth contract
[1:14:07] amendment with MV translation,
[1:14:10] who has our transit management contract.
[1:14:12] The transit department at the county's trepidation contractor, MVP transportation, are entering
[1:14:17] in its six year of transit partnership that began in December of 2018.
[1:14:22] Amendment number four, recently approved by the board, extended the period of the contract
[1:14:26] through the December 31st of 2024.
[1:14:30] During the month of December, contract extension negotiations were held between the county
[1:14:34] and MVP transportation for adjusted revenue per hour rate.
[1:14:39] These negotiations have been successful with both parties mutually agreeing to reduce annual service hours from 80,000 to 64,000 at a full rate of 52,777 cents per hour.
[1:14:53] and a variable rate of $37.60 per hour for all hours exceeding those 60.
[1:15:00] 24,000 hours, retroactive back to January 1, 2024. Therefore, it is requested this commission to approve
[1:15:10] the fifth contract amendment, for modifications to the trestation contract, with the adjustment
[1:15:16] of annual hour volume from 80,000 to 64,000 hours. Revenue per hour, increasing from 42,044
[1:15:24] cents to 52,000 cents, 77 cents for county year 2024. A verber rate of 37,61 cents for all
[1:15:33] hours that exceed those 64,000 annual hours in this county year. Retroaffed back to January
[1:15:40] 1, 2024. So at this time, I'll entertain any questions or comments and Nick, if I'm not mistaken,
[1:15:48] maybe someone from V on the line is well if there are any questions that may need to be directed
[1:15:53] it in the transportation.
[1:16:00] Mr. Chairman, thank you.
[1:16:02] Just a question about this.
[1:16:04] I understand really the two basic components.
[1:16:08] The reduction of the hours and the increase of the rate.
[1:16:14] I mean, if we hit a, you know, sort of a deadlock as far as further negotiation on this with the service provider,
[1:16:25] or is there an opportunity to continue to try to work on the number?
[1:16:31] Because, and I guess maybe I'm, you know, maybe a little out of work.
[1:16:34] I don't want to say in this now, because we have to have a motion in a second.
[1:16:38] But my concern is not so much with the hour reduction.
[1:16:41] I think we can figure out how to make that work.
[1:16:44] But I have some pretty significant concerns about the rate increase, not just for this amendment.
[1:16:52] But what it means for our future ability to negotiate this service, you know, so I guess I'm asking that, you know, if the board were to push back and say, look, you know, we could go for some modifications, but we're not to the full numbers that you've got on this draft could you and your team go back and continue to work on this.
[1:17:17] I do believe we can go back, I said, I know I was part of the team with Mr.
[1:17:23] Colffian and Ms. Fitzgerald as we negotiated with him be
[1:17:27] transportation and we did go back and forth trying to negotiate the best
[1:17:31] rate that we could in order to continue the services here in Oklahoma's County.
[1:17:35] I do know that we did receive a letter like said if we couldn't come to a
[1:17:40] agreement like said that the MV would submit a letter to the county in the
[1:17:45] like said they would, I guess they noticed to, to vacate, like said based on the contract,
[1:17:51] which is in the terms of the contract between envy and the Oculus accounting, which would
[1:17:56] be a six-to-date term.
[1:17:58] So basically if we didn't negotiate at this time or finalize the agreement, we were looking
[1:18:02] at March or April, either taken in the House, so to speak, like, so for a certain period
[1:18:08] of time, or like said negotiating with another contract, they're at that point.
[1:18:13] But they could do that at any time.
[1:18:15] That's right, yes, sir.
[1:18:16] So they could, I mean, we could give them everything to ask for right now and they could do it the next day.
[1:18:21] Well, actually, if we agree today and so forth, we're guaranteed to let's hit up until the end of the...
[1:18:25] It's the end of the end, yes, sir.
[1:18:26] But only to the end of the year.
[1:18:28] Yes, sir.
[1:18:28] That's right.
[1:18:30] So really, it's that that potential 60-day termination that would be, I guess, the time, the time issue that we would be looking at.
[1:18:39] Yes, sir.
[1:18:40] Has one been issued yet?
[1:18:42] They have not, they have not at this time, because again, we were in negotiations to come over to different
[1:18:47] rates at our, and negotiate the rate between both parties here.
[1:18:52] Yes, sir.
[1:18:54] And if I hear you right, you're not telling me they gave you a, these numbers were, you know,
[1:19:01] final best offer, take it or leave it or is that the message?
[1:19:04] This is their final best offer.
[1:19:06] It is.
[1:19:08] Yes, sir.
[1:19:09] I'll just add to that. I feel like, unfortunately, if this board were to choose not to move
[1:19:16] forward with this negotiated rate, I do believe they would provide us with a 60 day notice
[1:19:21] to terminate the contract.
[1:19:28] Sure.
[1:19:28] Chairman, I'll make a motion for approval.
[1:19:31] You know, in my way of looking at things, it's important that government provide transportation
[1:19:38] and for the elderly, the blind, disabled, those who cannot drive.
[1:19:44] And we have seen the benefits of this as we look around our community, and we see workers
[1:19:50] at publics and other grocery stores that would not be able to get to and from, as far
[1:19:56] as going to their community shelters during the day, I don't know who your appointment
[1:20:00] is to the disadvantaged transportation board, but that person will hear over and over in
[1:20:05] the stories from the providers and those who ride the bus.
[1:20:08] How important this transportation is to them.
[1:20:13] I've referenced this story before, but I had a gentleman come to me who actually works
[1:20:17] at one of the air bases here, and is a GS-12, and said, you know, within two months,
[1:20:22] I went blind.
[1:20:23] First, in one eye, when I woke up and the other, I have two children.
[1:20:26] This is the only way that I have to support my family to get to and from work.
[1:20:31] I know this is an expensive thing, but it's not near as expensive as
[1:20:35] as it once was. I mean, when I first came on here nine years ago, we had a lot of money going
[1:20:39] out. We've been able to leverage this match with a lot of federal dollars. So I hope
[1:20:44] I get a second. I hope we go forward with this. And this has been a very good transportation
[1:20:49] system in Mr. Parker. You've done a fabulous job since you came and everything's been
[1:20:53] right since you came. So thank you for your work.
[1:20:56] I'm sorry. Thank you Mr.
[1:21:02] Ponder.
[1:21:02] Thank you. I appreciate that. Mr. Parker. I want to thank you as well. I want to thank
[1:21:08] as well as this company for not to give us a 60 day notice, as they legally could.
[1:21:14] You know, the system to your credit and leadership, you know, we pay very little general
[1:21:20] fund dollars for the service.
[1:21:22] It's provided by federal funds as Commissioner Ketrol had on and so the low cost high yield
[1:21:27] we have.
[1:21:28] This is a great example of providing a service that's costing our taxpayers very little, very
[1:21:33] little.
[1:21:34] It's an increase, no doubt about it, and about overlooking that part, however, if we were
[1:21:39] going to disrupt that whole system, I don't think we could find a plug-in plate person
[1:21:43] that, I mean, do you believe that in 60 days we could stand something up?
[1:21:47] That's a massive ask to get someone to come and stand up a full operation to put drivers
[1:21:52] and every bus we have running the routes, and so I'm thinking for the sake of working out
[1:21:57] this next year, adding the additional, a few dollars you're asking for, to accommodate
[1:22:02] this amendment, then if we need to, that gives Sheila y'all a longer runway, hopefully to
[1:22:07] either ask the commissioner to go in and on maybe to renegotiate with them, or if they feel
[1:22:12] like a word in inroads, that gives us a longer time to find something that's going to be
[1:22:16] more compatible to our county and the needs of our people.
[1:22:19] So, I will second it based on those comments right there because I think that based on what
[1:22:22] we're facing.
[1:22:23] I'm not, you know, here's from the government, right, some great, great points, great
[1:22:26] legal points, especially about negotiations, but I think what's there are quite over
[1:22:31] barrel but do you think we're it's a it's a very good negotiated point to move forward with
[1:22:35] the least get us to another year. And just one comment I said when I first came on board
[1:22:40] here within the county we made a transition from the previous contract to our current contract
[1:22:45] in the transportation now. And we did a see this like that with that particular contract and we had
[1:22:51] basically 30 days to the transition MV from the previous contract and it was very challenging.
[1:22:58] Very challenging.
[1:23:04] Mr. Chairman, I'm going to have to vote no on this one, and I'll kind of explain why.
[1:23:13] And Mr. Parker, I've said it before, you know, you've stepped in and done the job we've asked you to do with the department that we handed you.
[1:23:22] And I can appreciate that. You didn't invent this system, and so any of the flaws in it.
[1:23:28] I don't wait your feet because you didn't create it.
[1:23:31] We said we'd hire you to come work for work on this system and you've done a good job getting those complaints down and working through those operational issues.
[1:23:43] But the problem for me is multi-tiered.
[1:23:47] When you first look at the very high level, the reality of it is, as long as I've been in office,
[1:23:56] I've been unable to answer the question why we ever gotten this business in the first place.
[1:24:01] It's not, in my view, a county government's core function to provide subsidized public transportation.
[1:24:10] Cities do it regularly.
[1:24:12] But we're a county.
[1:24:13] We're designed to be, you know, the broader government for a larger geographic area.
[1:24:20] Public transportation, mass transit, just doesn't work well for that.
[1:24:25] It can work in a densely urbanized area where cities picked that up and we see examples of that in other places.
[1:24:32] But in my view, as long as this system is around, it's been here for decades.
[1:24:39] It predates you by a long time.
[1:24:41] It predates me and my tenure.
[1:24:45] And I still see buses running around with nobody in them.
[1:24:49] And from the first door I knocked on, running for election.
[1:24:52] I got to say people were asking me what are you going to do about those buses that run around all day?
[1:24:58] It was nobody riding them and I've been here and we've done a good job.
[1:25:02] I think of reducing some of the problems but it kind of gets back to this core problem.
[1:25:07] Is the real issue that this public transportation?
[1:25:11] It's a good thing but it's the wrong thing for the county to be in.
[1:25:16] And I still kind of feel like it might be in the long run.
[1:25:20] Now, yes, it's a system we have, and we've got a lot of grants, and it's a system we had when I got here.
[1:25:27] So that meant there were a lot of capital assets, transit facility that the federal government helped pay for buses that the federal government helped pay for.
[1:25:36] And so, once you've taken those things, you have an obligation to deal with them and run them, or there's clawbacks in these grants, and I recognize that.
[1:25:45] So we've kind of moved along, and like I said, under the circumstances we have, I think we've
[1:25:50] done about the best we can.
[1:25:52] But this just highlights to me that it's going to continue to navigate towards a point of
[1:25:58] not working well or not being palatable.
[1:26:02] The biggest concern I have with agreeing to the rate is that it's going to make it very difficult
[1:26:08] when we go out to another solicitation.
[1:26:10] I think it sets off new floor and I think it sets it and it did I mean we're going to dig into general fund a little more
[1:26:18] a great you know understanding we have reduced those numbers over time
[1:26:23] but this this is going back in the opposite direction I think we you know we were what at a hundred thousand this
[1:26:29] going to be another twenty or twenty five thousand so you know when you look at percentage of of general fund
[1:26:35] you know that we're putting in I mean we're you know it's it's increasing it by
[1:26:40] quarter give or take to me that's substantial and just go in the wrong
[1:26:45] direction and again I don't lay this at your feet again you've done what we
[1:26:49] ask you do we have a system we said well you come and help us run it you've done
[1:26:52] that but I just feel like you know saying that we have to do it and you know
[1:27:02] that we're just going to pay the cost and live with it,
[1:27:06] or otherwise we're faced with some huge disaster,
[1:27:10] I just don't think it's a good way to govern.
[1:27:13] I don't think I should govern from the position of being scared
[1:27:15] of a 60-day letter because I just don't think that's the best way
[1:27:20] to negotiate.
[1:27:23] And I don't think it's a foregone conclusion
[1:27:25] that we have to set up an in-house service in staff this.
[1:27:29] Like I said, I'm not sure that it's a system that the county should have ever gotten involved in.
[1:27:36] We have it, but how deep do we dig the hole?
[1:27:40] And my concern is, you know, if we raised this, I mean, this is significant rating increase.
[1:27:45] It really is.
[1:27:47] And how are we going to go out for competitive proposals at the end of this year?
[1:27:53] I expect everybody not to see that as the new zero.
[1:27:55] I just don't get it.
[1:27:56] So I'm not blaming you for it at all, either you've, right, you know, I'm looking at you
[1:28:02] because you're the presenter of the item, but I'm not blaming you for this or I'm saying.
[1:28:06] But just, again, it's not that I'm heartless, but at some point I've got to recognize, I was
[1:28:13] hired to be a commissioner, not to fix every problem across society, but only those that
[1:28:22] to work on those are within the core function of county government and this one just never
[1:28:26] has seemed a good fit and I'm not sure it ever will be a good fit because we are a county
[1:28:31] and not a city but that's just my perspective so thanks Mr. Boyles and then Mr. Kitchell.
[1:28:40] So, you know, Commissioner Goodwin, you may disagree with this but I would suggest you and I are
[1:28:45] often philosophically, pretty closely aligned.
[1:28:50] Not always spot on, but pretty closely aligned.
[1:28:54] The vantage point of county government constraining itself
[1:28:59] is only those things that it is statutory, either obligated to do,
[1:29:04] or those things that fit squarely within our mandate,
[1:29:07] I think is one that certainly resonates with me.
[1:29:11] And I think there are a number of areas where, you know, I've brought that argument to bear in the past and times successfully sometimes.
[1:29:18] Usually not.
[1:29:19] But I will say this that, you know, my view on this issue has evolved some through the years.
[1:29:25] I have come to the conclusion that the operation of a basic transportation system of last resort for those who are not otherwise able to get to critical medical appointments in particular.
[1:29:40] or for, you know, basic life necessities is, is an opportunity, is a responsibility, if not certainly fall screwing enough within that box of things that I kind of package is the things that the private sector doesn't do well and for which the public sector can provide a better solution.
[1:30:00] And so that is not to suggest I think we should be running an extravagant or robust system. But, you know, I've learned that of the of the two halves of the system, really the pair transit is as as important and probably frankly more important than the bus side of it.
[1:30:13] Now, the bus side is a little bit more efficient
[1:30:16] and that you can move more folks at lower cost.
[1:30:20] But it takes what really is a skeleton bus system
[1:30:26] back supported by a pair of transit system
[1:30:29] in order to provide that safety net for folks who, otherwise,
[1:30:34] simply don't have access to those resources.
[1:30:37] And so I certainly am not a proponent of enlarging the system.
[1:30:42] I have come to the position that I'm a proponent of attempting to maintain the system to the extent we can justify the return for the cost input.
[1:30:52] The end of the day, the cost input from local dollars that we're responsible for is $20,000.
[1:31:00] And that's not a heavy lift, but it's all the honest.
[1:31:03] I would also say that the other half million dollars is also coming from tax dollars and
[1:31:09] the end of those are our tax dollars too.
[1:31:11] They make flow down from the federal government and they may be monopoly money, but they
[1:31:14] end of the day still tax dollars, and somebody's not to pay them back one day.
[1:31:18] So it's equally important not to be that extreme money.
[1:31:20] I think we need to make the same kind of part of decisions we would make if it were just
[1:31:27] local dollars.
[1:31:28] Again, I think the system is necessary as to the negotiating position.
[1:31:34] I fully agree with you.
[1:31:36] I will say this in extensive discussions with Sheila and Craig in particular.
[1:31:42] I do not think the conclusion that I don't think the vendor is using this simply as an opportunity
[1:31:46] to increase the margin on this contract.
[1:31:48] I have come to the conclusion, and I actually ran some numbers, we are in another had effectively
[1:31:54] in the transportation business, I'll be with a little bit of a different cargo, and I can tell
[1:31:58] you, you know, the rate increase that they're, you know, getting over the last four years
[1:32:02] is commensurate, and in fact, less than what I've been seeing in order to attempt to simply
[1:32:07] maintain margin because of the crazy world we've lived in with price escalations. And so,
[1:32:13] you know, this is a labor-intensive business that's their primary cost driver, and there's a
[1:32:18] lot of pressure there in a particular way when you talk about drivers. And so, I think that on balance
[1:32:24] to me, I could rest comfortable knowing that they were not receiving a rate increase that was out of
[1:32:31] out of square with what I think the market has done at large. Having said that, I think you're
[1:32:34] absolutely right. We are of course setting a floor in this contract. There is no question that we're
[1:32:39] not going to see a reduction in rates going back, but I think if we do not enter into this amendment,
[1:32:44] they will plot out of the contract. I think it's a threat. I think it's just been making a very
[1:32:48] business like decision at the end of the day. They're doing so very politely, very earnestly,
[1:32:52] And I think they would probably hold, you know, to the letter of that 60-day provision, they might even give us 90 days if we ask from real nice.
[1:32:59] What I know from having been on, you know, been here long enough to see this process.
[1:33:03] That is a painful thing and we don't want to do it if we can avoid it.
[1:33:06] And we have a system that's functioning reasonably well right now.
[1:33:09] And, you know, my, my move is to simply preserve that status quo with possible.
[1:33:14] While respecting all of the, all of the arguments you made is to why you're not able to vote for support.
[1:33:22] Yeah, so in between time I looked up, I see that you are the appointment to the transport and so you'll be working with all the cities as well as the disadvantage that come forward and let's just talk about the cities from I'm going to if we turn this over to the cities
[1:33:39] We're talking in what eight municipalities that's you can't do that there just wouldn't work
[1:33:44] So that's probably why Oakley's county took this because it's the only way it could have worked
[1:33:49] You can't ask the city of Sinko by the city of Fort Walton the city of Crestview to run their own transit system
[1:33:55] So but the mayors have all bought into it and you will see representatives from all of those
[1:34:01] Secondly, you can't have a transit system or a parent transit
[1:34:04] Para, let me just define that for everybody.
[1:34:07] Para is the medical part of it.
[1:34:09] It is when you call and make an appointment
[1:34:11] to go to the doctor, you can't have that by itself
[1:34:16] without the transit system.
[1:34:17] That's the way the federal law reads.
[1:34:20] So you have both in order to get the para,
[1:34:22] you have to have the transit system.
[1:34:25] Because a lot of people really love the para
[1:34:27] a transit system, especially seniors in the blind
[1:34:30] who can't necessarily figure out how to call Uber.
[1:34:32] And we're cheaper than Uber.
[1:34:34] Uber has increased their rates through the roof.
[1:34:36] I just found that out when I went to a major metropolitan area.
[1:34:40] The other thing is that our reserves, when I first came on here,
[1:34:45] I wish I could win those as two, we didn't have a lot of money in the bank.
[1:34:49] We now have a lot of money in the bank.
[1:34:51] We have $36 million.
[1:34:52] This is a very small fractional amount of general revenue.
[1:34:57] And when you add that to the federal match,
[1:34:58] this is the right thing to do.
[1:35:00] I will vote for this.
[1:35:01] I understand why my colleague cannot.
[1:35:03] But I must vote for this.
[1:35:05] My conscience will not allow me, otherwise there are too many people that I understand
[1:35:09] that are mentally challenged, aged and blind in our community, including those who have
[1:35:14] been have traumatic brain injuries that fought for our nation, who use this system.
[1:35:20] It's the right thing to do.
[1:35:21] I will always support this system.
[1:35:27] Any further discussion?
[1:35:30] Yes.
[1:35:30] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
[1:35:32] Just real quick.
[1:35:35] Two things.
[1:35:36] One, are we actively looking at modifying the fares?
[1:35:41] I can tell you a commission, like I said, we're currently undergoing a transit
[1:35:46] study.
[1:35:47] In telling that transit study, it's focusing on the fixed route system itself.
[1:35:52] Not only are they going to evaluate the service area that we currently operate within,
[1:35:56] But they're going to look at the actual rouse.
[1:35:58] They're going to detail and dab into the rouse itself.
[1:36:00] Those rouse that are unpredictable as you mentioned.
[1:36:02] I see you see buses and so forth.
[1:36:04] They're going to make recommendations to us and so forth.
[1:36:06] And we've identified a couple of rouses and so forth.
[1:36:09] We know there's a need in this where we sit today and so forth
[1:36:12] in Chrisview and so forth.
[1:36:13] And we have ideas and recommendations we want to move forward
[1:36:16] and provide in service and Chrisview.
[1:36:18] And part of that process also, we'll take a look at the fairs.
[1:36:21] Of course, like I said, the co-op and this body,
[1:36:24] Well, the co-op will make recommendations to this body and make determination, if that means
[1:36:28] a fair increase.
[1:36:29] If that means staying in a particular area and reducing those routes, that will become
[1:36:33] for this body and this group to make that decision.
[1:36:37] But again, that's all part of the comprehensive operation study that we're currently undergoing
[1:36:41] now and should be completed and making recommendations back to us, no later than May of
[1:36:46] this year.
[1:36:48] Just for the benefit of our public, can you, what is the current rate for a bus ticket?
[1:36:54] But, I'm sorry, sir, like to have a passenger just wanted to board the bus, just a one-way trip is $2.
[1:37:01] If they wanted to buy a 31-day pass, it's $40.
[1:37:06] We have a $15, which is $20, and we have a all-day pass, I was $4.
[1:37:13] And of course, like I said, we have fairs that are basically on reduced rates, like for those that qualify.
[1:37:18] If they're disabled, like I said, no, for the senior citizen, they meet that criteria.
[1:37:23] So basically, if I want a 31-day pass, instead of paying $4, it'll be $20, so basically
[1:37:27] half what the actual fare is at this time.
[1:37:31] But what about the pair of transit rates?
[1:37:33] The pair of transit rates, like I said, it all depends on, again, we receive funding from
[1:37:37] the transit disadvantage.
[1:37:39] So again, like I said, the base rate, if you qualify for transit disadvantage, it's $3.
[1:37:43] It's $3.
[1:37:44] If you were a wheelchair-boundal passenger, it's $2, and if you're in, we call it the
[1:37:50] Audit County, or in the county.
[1:37:52] If you're out of county, it'd be $6 million.
[1:37:54] If you originate here in the county, and you travel out to Pennsylvania, California,
[1:37:58] and so forth, it'd be $6,000.
[1:38:00] Just $6,000 one a way.
[1:38:02] I absolutely agree, like I said, to Mr. Commission of Catchals Point,
[1:38:07] uh... paratransit is a complimentary service
[1:38:11] uh... like so you have the fixed route service and
[1:38:13] you have a company you require to have a company to prepare transit service that
[1:38:17] operates off that fixed route service
[1:38:19] uh... you can travel within that boundaries of that fixed route service and you can
[1:38:23] travel to the records of a mile outside of that service or whatever the service area
[1:38:27] that you designated within the urbanize area you can utilize that service
[1:38:30] uh... but to your question those are the rates uh... for the fixed route service and uh...
[1:38:35] of transit and parents transit we operate under transit disadvantage because we see those state funding.
[1:38:40] Transit disadvantage does not mean disabled or handicapped does it.
[1:38:44] It does not like said but under FTA like said in fact we just went through all of this past year
[1:38:50] and so forth and one of the findings is that we define our self under transit disadvantage because we
[1:38:56] received that funding but right now I said we if application comes in we can certify a person under
[1:39:03] the FDA, which is on the FTA or the OT, guidelines are on the trace of this advance.
[1:39:08] Trace of this advance could be for the elderly.
[1:39:11] They could be for individual that doesn't have a former transportation and on the income.
[1:39:17] But under FTA guidelines and so forth, it's for a particular citizen or customer that is unable
[1:39:24] to access the fixed-row service, and that could be visually impaired.
[1:39:28] I think we're sure about our other criteria like that meet under that ADA guideline there,
[1:39:35] but you are correct commission.
[1:39:36] There is two different certifications on the transit disadvantage and ADA compliance there.
[1:39:42] And transit disadvantage are eligible for the parent transit cars?
[1:39:46] Yes sir, they are.
[1:39:48] At the at what rate, it'll be the $3 rate, the ADA and the transit disadvantage have the same rate.
[1:39:54] So it's used subsidized rate, which is available to a middle, to a working age person,
[1:40:04] a working capability regardless if the only reason they needed is because their escalators
[1:40:10] in the shop. True or not? If you have lack of transportation like going to you apply for that service,
[1:40:18] you can't quantify, right? Well, what we try to do also, like I said,
[1:40:21] encourage them to exercise the fixed route service.
[1:40:24] We would say that, you know, there is a fixed route service that is a quarter of a mile from
[1:40:28] your residents.
[1:40:30] You can utilize that service, like I said, at this rate here, we share that information with
[1:40:34] them even though they will qualify on the transit this rate advantage, but we also, like
[1:40:39] said, give them the option for the fixed route as well.
[1:40:41] And I believe that you do do that, and I believe that you are trying to navigate people
[1:40:47] to the fixed route where it makes sense.
[1:40:48] I think the inherent problem is, just like you or I, wouldn't get on that fixed route
[1:40:53] bus to get the work because we don't know what time we'd ever get home if we could find
[1:40:56] a bus that would actually pick us up at a convenient time because we're not a compact city.
[1:41:01] Most people don't do it.
[1:41:03] So instead, it's easier, and of course it's cheaper than Uber.
[1:41:06] You can't get an Uber to take you to, you know, to the grocery store for $3 and take you
[1:41:12] back home.
[1:41:13] And again, I know that's not your program.
[1:41:15] But I'm just trying to point out that, yes, there's this side of it where maybe there is a population of folks that need help, there's also a side of it that I have seen firsthand, where people just simply take advantage of the system that's available, because the federal government decided to define a very broad dependency class that includes people who are able-bodied working age.
[1:41:44] They can take advantage of this and you subsidize tax dollars to get around town and I guess that's where I have some problems with it
[1:41:52] It not problems you created problems with this with the entire program
[1:41:57] Starting at the top at the federal level
[1:41:59] Yes, sir
[1:42:00] I appreciate you answer those questions and fair responses
[1:42:03] I know you're doing everything you can within the system that we have
[1:42:06] Yes, sir. I just want to know. I said the transit is events that is strictly a copay
[1:42:10] because we reduce it, we do receive funding for those trips on a monthly basis.
[1:42:15] So, if we have trips to save, we had five on a trip so far, we will request that through transit
[1:42:20] advance within the state, and we receive reimbursement funding for those trips there.
[1:42:25] Yes, sir.
[1:42:26] Thank you.
[1:42:31] Any further discussion?
[1:42:33] All in favour?
[1:42:34] Sing in favour of the aye?
[1:42:35] Aye.
[1:42:35] Any opposed?
[1:42:36] No.
[1:42:38] Pass this forward to one?
[1:42:39] Thank you, Commissioner.
[1:42:40] So
[1:42:45] we'll move to the commissioners minute and begin with commissioner Goodwin.
[1:42:52] Well I just want to say it's been a pleasure not sitting where you are today.
[1:42:57] Mr. Chairman.
[1:43:00] But, you know, again, I appreciate everyone's support through the 2023 year.
[1:43:05] Look forward to 2024 and I just couldn't let Mel get his own four to one.
[1:43:10] I had to have one too.
[1:43:16] Mr. Kesel.
[1:43:17] That was a good and robust discussion.
[1:43:19] I think a lot of good information was shared.
[1:43:22] And again, I'm so happy at the Florida trails,
[1:43:24] but so here, and that we've got a plan to move forward.
[1:43:27] Thank you for taking time out of your day.
[1:43:30] If you don't like what you heard,
[1:43:31] you can always come on up here and sit.
[1:43:34] It's an interesting experience.
[1:43:36] It really is to do this.
[1:43:38] And it's been a privilege to serve.
[1:43:42] Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the forward year leadership.
[1:43:43] As I said earlier, thank you for the foundations been late for years and years and coming
[1:43:52] off to the commissioner going to you, we're in very great hands and so it was four
[1:43:56] year leadership for our county and I will say what commissioner going to brought up, I appreciate
[1:44:01] commissioner Bowles who set the set here way longer and it's seen the cycle come back a few
[1:44:05] times and I have some commissioner catch on commissioner good when well before my time as well
[1:44:09] but obviously brought up a larger conversation
[1:44:12] that maybe over the course of the year could be had
[1:44:15] about what our role is and how we go with that.
[1:44:17] But for what we have, I felt,
[1:44:19] and you know, going on a good course.
[1:44:20] But on that, looking forward to great year,
[1:44:22] Happy New Year, everybody excited about the trail
[1:44:23] and the good one that's going to provide here
[1:44:25] in North Oakland, County, and looking forward to seeing
[1:44:27] what the good Lord does for our County 2024.
[1:44:30] Yes, sir.
[1:44:31] Ms. Wolves.
[1:44:32] Proud to be here and I'd say to my fellow commissioners,
[1:44:34] thanks for the support on this trail project.
[1:44:38] I'd come here to get some of you ready mentioned.
[1:44:39] And you've had those conversations in my fellow commissioners, Commissioner Ponder, in particular
[1:44:43] with your connectivity in Tallahassee, if you get the opportunity to chat with any of
[1:44:47] our legislative tours, certainly we'll appreciate putting in a good word for trying to
[1:44:52] grab some extra funding since we've got such a substantial local match to get that project
[1:44:56] moving fast.
[1:45:00] Would be interesting to see the transit study come back. The box rate is incredibly low. Having traveled in a couple of cities over the last few months. I didn't pay near that, and any of those have been much, much more. So it would be great conversation. Excited for the trail and the progress coming forward with that.
[1:45:21] I haven't hiked out to see that location because it's a it's a day hike out and back. It's not not through and so that will be a great thing to go see
[1:45:30] That is all I have
[1:45:31] Is there anyone from the public wishing to have any additional public comments you have up to three minutes
[1:45:38] Just as that you fill out a speaker card, but it can be right after you speak
[1:45:43] with nothing there the meeting is adjourned