[0:00]

[0:32] It was mountainous.

[0:34]

[1:12] So I pull over toward the cliff and goes over

[1:14] toward the railroad bridge.

[1:16] I can only have one car with this.

[1:19] Lindsay went out to get my glasses for me.

[1:22] I went out and looked and start or wait till she gets it.

[1:25] Yeah Lindsay went out to the car to get my glasses.

[1:29]

[1:36] Good afternoon and welcome to the August 19

[1:40] to very city council meeting.

[1:42] I'd like to remind everyone to please put your phone on vibrate

[1:46] or silent.

[1:47] If you'd like an agenda item up here at this table,

[1:52] you'll have the agendas.

[1:53] If you'd like the agenda and there's some little cards you

[1:55] just fill out your name and the agenda item

[1:57] you'd like to speak on and give it there to Mr.

[1:59] Dykes at the end of the table.

[2:02] He'll get it up to me.

[2:03] And when we get to that item, I'll call you up.

[2:05] And with that, I am going to invite pastor Greg watts

[2:08] from the Leesburg church in Tavares

[2:11] to come up and lead us in our invocation

[2:13] and pledge of Allegiance.

[2:14]

[2:19] All right let's pray.

[2:20] Lord, thank you so much for this day.

[2:21] Thank you for this city that we all live in

[2:24] and do business with.

[2:25] And Lord, I just pray that you'll

[2:26] just continue to bless it.

[2:28] Thank you for these leaders in this room that stepped up

[2:30] to serve, and I just pray that you'll just bless this meeting

[2:32] tonight and give the leaders discernment and understanding

[2:36] and wisdom from you, Lord.

[2:38] And we ask this in Jesus' name.

[2:39] Amen amen.

[2:41] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,

[2:46] and to the Republic for which it stands.

[2:49] One nation under God, indivisible,

[2:52] with liberty and justice for all.

[2:55] Thank you.

[2:57] Thank you.

[2:58] Thank you.

[2:59] Pastor what.

[3:03] You struck out.

[3:06] I guess I wasn't the only one who missed then.

[3:09] Are they reading glasses.

[3:12] Yeah maybe I could do those.

[3:14] They're prescription.

[3:16] And so are these.

[3:19] It's just for you.

[3:22] Oh, yeah.

[3:23] Kind of.

[3:24] Kind of.

[3:26] All right.

[3:27] We're going to move on to the approval of the agenda.

[3:30] Staff, do you have any changes.

[3:31] None from staff council.

[3:36] Move to approve.

[3:37] I'll second it.

[3:38] Motion and second.

[3:39] All those raise a hand.

[3:41] Motion passes 5 to 0.

[3:43] Proclamations and presentations have two to

[3:47] various governmental advocacy.

[3:49] Representative update Mr. Drury, previously the city council

[3:54] selected continental strategies to represent and advocate

[3:58] on behalf of the city on matters related to federal and state

[4:01] initiatives.

[4:03] Ashley spicola, managing partner of continental strategies

[4:08] in Tallahassee, will provide the council

[4:09] with an update on the state legislative session that

[4:12] concluded in March, as well as the special session

[4:15] that concluded in June.

[4:18] Come on up.

[4:19]

[4:25] I will be succinct so we can get to the real star

[4:28] of the show that's behind me.

[4:30] So, as we last night was the state primary elections.

[4:35] Byron Donalds will be the Republican candidate.

[4:38] David jolly will be the Democratic candidate.

[4:40] We'll be sending all of you.

[4:41] I think it goes out maybe right as we speak.

[4:45] The elections update.

[4:46] So you guys will get a full rundown

[4:47] of what's going on statewide.

[4:49] It will definitely affect what happens here.

[4:52] I'll start with our federal efforts.

[4:54] We had a really successful fly in December,

[4:57] where we met with our Florida delegation,

[5:00] including members outside of just our local delegation.

[5:04] We met with Representative Patronis, Senator Scott, Senator

[5:08] Moody's office as a result of that,

[5:13] while we weren't on the recommended list,

[5:15] we're still a project of merit, which means we're still alive.

[5:18] And I have our office has reached out to us as a result

[5:23] of the newest developments on the rails to trails program,

[5:26] and we're going to be looking to set up a meeting,

[5:28] I think, in September or October,

[5:30] based on the availability of the folks to rebrief them,

[5:34] and they seemed very excited about that.

[5:36] I think the biggest holdout was the property acquisition.

[5:40] And since that piece looks like it's kind of been handled,

[5:42] I think that it'll make a lot more

[5:44] competitive on the next round of the funding.

[5:47] So I look forward to continuing to work on that.

[5:51] And then for the state legislative session,

[5:54] it was another wild one.

[5:55] If this is your first one you've been following.

[5:57] We didn't end on time and we had two

[5:59] special sessions, one for budget, one for property tax.

[6:03] I don't want to go into the downer property tax,

[6:05] so I'll just go on to the budget.

[6:07] This year's budget was 114.5 billion, which is 300 million

[6:11] than last year with 800 million in vetoes.

[6:14] I think as a result of our successful fly in guys there

[6:17] to tell the story is impactful.

[6:20] And we saw that in the results.

[6:21] We had one budget veto that was pretty small compared to what

[6:25] other people experienced.

[6:26] I think we were very successful.

[6:28] We got almost $1 million for the city of Tavares,

[6:30] including the $600,000 for Golden Triangle

[6:34] and 350,000 for the culvert.

[6:38] We couldn't have done it without our local delegation.

[6:41] Senator Trudeau, Senator or representative Bukowski

[6:46] really came through for us.

[6:48] And then we follow through with the governor's office.

[6:50] And they remember talking to you guys.

[6:52] So it really does make a difference.

[6:53] The return on investment is there.

[6:55] Nobody speaks about these projects

[6:58] better than the people that live it every day except for me,

[7:00] who's from this area and loves it so much and everyone knows.

[7:04] So I'm looking forward to another successful year.

[7:06] I know that you guys have are still discussing your budget,

[7:08] but I really I'm actually will be down in Lake County

[7:11] for the next three weeks.

[7:12] So I talked to James about maybe getting some time next Wednesday

[7:16] with you guys to hear about what projects maybe we'd

[7:21] want to work with our delegation to put forward as budget items.

[7:24] And I think we have a good story to tell here.

[7:28] And every time I just got to see James's new building.

[7:30] Amazing like the things that are going on here

[7:33] are we're so lucky.

[7:35] And I'm lucky to get to tell that story in Tallahassee.

[7:38] So I don't know if you guys want me

[7:40] to throw it to the next person or if anyone has questions.

[7:45] Well, just thank you for your help

[7:46] because obviously you were a big one.

[7:48] You did a great job of getting us around when we were

[7:50] up there because I was lost.

[7:51] I had no idea where I was going.

[7:53] Walking through those buildings.

[7:54] So thank goodness we had you to get us there.

[7:56] I appreciate getting to represent a place

[7:59] that shaped me being from here.

[8:01] It's an honor to say great things about Seabreeze and Lake

[8:06] County.

[8:06] So thank you guys for the honor and I

[8:08] look forward to keep working.

[8:09] And it's going to be great.

[8:10] We're going to have a really successful DC

[8:12] meetings coming up.

[8:13] And I think a really great I just

[8:15] thank you for our Uber driver.

[8:17] Yeah Yes Ubers everywhere.

[8:19] I can't walk in heels for long distances.

[8:21] Yeah he was great.

[8:22] The guy that drove us around he was great and gave

[8:26] us a good view of everything.

[8:28] Made sure we was on time.

[8:29] So appreciate it.

[8:30] Awesome well I thank you guys and I'll let

[8:33] the star of the show go next.

[8:35] Thank you.

[8:35] All right.

[8:36] Thank you so much.

[8:38] And we're going to move on to tab three

[8:40] the state appropriations presentation

[8:42] by Representative Nan Cobb.

[8:44]

[8:51] Good afternoon, everyone.

[8:53] I just want to say this.

[8:54] And you all know this because you were up in Tallahassee

[8:56] with Ashley.

[8:58] I represent seven cities and not everybody has the funding,

[9:04] the opportunities, if you will, that can afford a lobbyist.

[9:07] And you're very blessed with continental strategies.

[9:12] We work very well together.

[9:14] We tag teamed well together between the governor's

[9:16] office appropriations chairs.

[9:20] We work very, very well together.

[9:22] And so you truly, I have no idea what you're saying.

[9:27] And that's not my business.

[9:29] But I will tell you, whatever you're paying them,

[9:30] it's well worth it.

[9:31] You've got great representation in Tallahassee as well.

[9:34] So I am pleased to bring you.

[9:38] We would like to do a check presentation

[9:40] tonight for and $50,000 to the city of Tavares.

[9:45] And as Ashley spoke before to the Golden Triangle regional

[9:48] park, $600,000, and for the ST Clair Abrams culvert

[9:54] replacement at $350,000.

[9:56] So any questions on that at all.

[10:00] Any questions.

[10:02] Thank you for all the work you did.

[10:04] Yeah that was a heavy lift.

[10:06] And you did it.

[10:09] Thank you.

[10:09] Thank you very much.

[10:10] This session was dicey, a little dicey,

[10:13] and we went back and forth.

[10:15] We had it in the house, not the Senate.

[10:17] We had it in the Senate, not the house.

[10:19] I can remember being in between sessions

[10:22] and being in Miami texting the appropriations chairs

[10:25] and saying, here we are.

[10:28] Please don't forget us.

[10:29] Please don't forget us.

[10:30] I mean, it was really not a fun trip, right.

[10:34] It was a fun trip, but it wasn't.

[10:35] So we were consistently working for the city.

[10:39] And I just want to thank you for allowing

[10:41] me to represent you all, and I will

[10:44] continue to do the good work.

[10:45] I look forward to actually meeting with you all next week.

[10:49] And then come to us and let's talk about the appropriations

[10:52] and what we think we can get bought, if you will.

[10:55] Make sure we have skin in the game.

[10:57] And because in Tallahassee, in the House,

[11:00] the Senate may be a little different.

[11:01] But in the house we've got our half.

[11:03] Where's your half.

[11:04] That's how we operate.

[11:06] And I don't see much changing from this year to last year.

[11:10] So I look forward to seeing what the projects are.

[11:13] All right.

[11:14] So without further ado, if we could,

[11:16] would you like to take a picture with us

[11:17] on the check presentation.

[11:18] Absolutely, Ashley, I'd like to come up.

[11:20]

[11:23] And where would you all.

[11:25] You all want to stand up here.

[11:26] OK come with us.

[11:42] OK OK.

[11:46]

[12:04] One, two three 1.

[12:14] Two three.

[12:15] One two.

[12:16] Three Brandon.

[12:17]

[12:20] Sorry Brandon.

[12:25] All right.

[12:26] Thank you very much.

[12:28] Very much.

[12:29] Thank you so much.

[12:29] Thank you.

[12:30]

[12:37] I was hoping.

[12:38] Would you please.

[12:38]

[12:47] Do that.

[12:48] That's pretty cool.

[12:50]

[12:52] OK thank you.

[12:55] You're welcome.

[12:58] Oh thank you.

[13:00] Nan thanks, Nan.

[13:01] Thank you.

[13:02] Yeah thank you, Representative Cobb.

[13:04] And thank you also from southeastern strategies.

[13:10] Continental strategy.

[13:11] Continental yeah.

[13:12] Thank you so much for all the work that you put into this.

[13:16] Thank you.

[13:19] All right.

[13:19] We're going to move on to tab 4 proclamation inaugural

[13:25] in a mi Lake County walk.

[13:27]

[13:31] Whereas mental health is an essential component

[13:34] of overall health and well-being,

[13:36] and millions of Americans, along with their families

[13:39] and loved ones, are affected by mental health conditions

[13:43] each year.

[13:44] And whereas the National Alliance on Mental illness

[13:47] is the nation's largest grassroots mental Health

[13:50] Organization dedicated to improving

[13:53] the lives of individuals and families affected

[13:55] by mental illness through education, advocacy,

[13:58] support and public awareness.

[14:00] And whereas in Lake County is launching a new chapter

[14:06] to provide free educational programs,

[14:08] support groups and resources for residents throughout Lake

[14:12] County, helping to reduce stigma,

[14:15] foster understanding, and encourage hope and recovery.

[14:19] And whereas the inaugural Lake County walk,

[14:24] to be held on October 10, 2026, will bring together

[14:29] community members in support of Mental Health Awareness

[14:32] while encouraging compassion, acceptance, and access

[14:36] to resources for individuals and families

[14:39] affected by mental illness.

[14:41] Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the city council of the city

[14:44] of Tavares, Florida, that they proudly express their support

[14:47] for the Lake County inaugural walk

[14:51] and commend the volunteers, participants, sponsors

[14:56] and community partners whose dedication helps

[14:59] promote mental health awareness and support

[15:01] throughout Lake County.

[15:03] Past and duly adopted by the city council on this

[15:06] 19th day of August 2026.

[15:10] And they're here.

[15:11] So if y'all would like to come up and we'll present you with

[15:17] this vote on how to vote on it.

[15:22] I would vote.

[15:22] OK yeah.

[15:23] Let's vote.

[15:24] Let's vote on it.

[15:25] Yeah, I'll make the motion.

[15:26] Yeah I moved we have a motion and a second.

[15:29] All those in favor.

[15:30] Aye Motion passes 5 to 0.

[15:35] All right.

[15:35]

[15:39] Yeah y'all want to.

[15:40] Y'all have someone you want to take a picture or anything.

[15:43] OK, OK.

[15:47] You can present to them.

[15:49] OK, sure.

[15:51]

[15:55] Close to the mirror.

[15:57]

[16:12] Oh, no.

[16:12]

[16:17] All right.

[16:17]

[16:26] All right.

[16:26] And again.

[16:27]

[16:47] You want to say a few words about the event.

[16:49] Sure as was in the proclamation on October 10,

[16:55] Tavares will be hosting the inaugural Lake

[16:57] County Mental health walk.

[16:59] Because that's October 10 is mental Health Day.

[17:03] So NAMI is always looking for sponsors.

[17:06] Anybody out there who would like to sponsor tables or come

[17:09] out and walk because they do everything for free,

[17:13] they need to raise money for things so they do not charge

[17:16] families for any services or all the things

[17:18] that they do to help people who are dealing with mental illness.

[17:21] So whatever we can do in the city, get out there and help,

[17:24] that would be really great.

[17:26] It's a great organization and it's just

[17:28] long overdue coming here now.

[17:30] Luckily, we have people who are doing a great job of putting it

[17:33] together and making mental health

[17:35] a priority here in Lake County.

[17:38] Thank you.

[17:41] And thank you all for the great job that you're doing.

[17:43] I'm excited to see your organization grow.

[17:47] Thank you.

[17:48] All right.

[17:48] We're going to move on to tab five.

[17:50] Rails to trails funding program update Mr. Dillon.

[17:54]

[18:03] Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[18:04] Vice mayor, members of council.

[18:06] I'm pleased to announce that last Tuesday, the Board

[18:08] of County Commissioners unanimously approved our $23.5

[18:12] million public lands and trails application to acquire the 11

[18:17] mile CSX railroad corridor.

[18:20] A major milestone for the wekiva trail regional and the city

[18:24] of Tavares.

[18:25] This decision affirms firms to very long standing commitment

[18:29] and strengthening our regional connectivity,

[18:31] supporting economic growth, enhancing

[18:33] the quality of life for our residents for generations

[18:35] to come.

[18:36] Those who attended the BCC meeting last week

[18:39] witnessed to various leadership standing

[18:41] United in support of this transformational project.

[18:45] Mayor Mr. Vice mayor Bobby Grenier, council member Walter

[18:50] price, city administrator John Drury, recreation director Scott

[18:53] Aldridge, sports services Director Mark O'Keefe were

[18:56] present to demonstrate the city's commitment to a more

[18:59] connected, vibrant future.

[19:01] Although council member Sandy gamble and town

[19:05] were unable to attend scheduling conflicts,

[19:07] I wanted to acknowledge that they were very much with us

[19:10] in spirit.

[19:11] Fully supportive and aligned with the city's vision.

[19:15] I would also like to extend a special recognition

[19:17] to John Drury, whose leadership and advocacy

[19:20] were instrumental in articulating the long term

[19:23] value of this acquisition is.

[19:26] Remarks from the dais at the BCC meeting

[19:28] underscored that this corridor represents

[19:31] a once in a generation opportunity to advance safety,

[19:35] recreation, economic vitality and regional mobility

[19:40] throughout our community.

[19:42] So what's next with the Board of County commissioners.

[19:46] Approval of the full $50 million bond issuance

[19:49] anticipated in November.

[19:50] The project is positioned on a strong financial foundation

[19:55] over the next six months.

[19:56] Lake County.

[19:56] The trust for Public Land, Mount Dora Tavares,

[19:59] will begin with the pre-acquisition due diligence

[20:01] work and closely work with our government relations

[20:04] firm on the upcoming build application

[20:05] to construct the trail.

[20:07] Congratulations, council!

[20:10] Your shared vision and steadfast leadership

[20:12] continue to shape Tavares into a stronger,

[20:14] more vibrant community.

[20:16] This achievement reflects your dedication

[20:18] and contributes to a brighter future for our residents.

[20:21] I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

[20:23] Back to you, Mayor.

[20:25] Thank you, Mr. Dhillon.

[20:27] Council, do you have any questions.

[20:30] No, just a great job.

[20:31] Obviously, we've been working at it for a while

[20:34] and the County was able to help us out some so.

[20:37] But I know you have things well in hand and what's next.

[20:40] So it's nice to see a staff that just doesn't let go of a vision.

[20:45] No I love watching it and witnessing

[20:48] that great leadership.

[20:52] And Mr. Curry, could you tell us are people in the audience who

[20:57] maybe would like to Could you just touch on how long we've

[20:59] been working on this project.

[21:02] I would say we've been working on.

[21:05] Well, it's been in the works 20 years,

[21:08] but we've probably been working very hard with the applications

[21:11] and the studies and the appraisals and the trips

[21:15] to Washington, DC to get the money and different places,

[21:19] probably for seven years.

[21:21] Yeah well, thank everyone for a lot of work.

[21:25] Yeah I want to thank everyone for their hard work

[21:28] and their due diligence and not giving up on a project.

[21:32] That's something that we're good at.

[21:33] We hang with it until we get it done.

[21:36] So thank you, James, for your hard work.

[21:39] You've been involved with this project.

[21:40] Thank you.

[21:41] Thank you.

[21:42] Thanks OK.

[21:50] We're going to move on to tab 6 to various chamber

[21:52] of Commerce update.

[21:53]

[21:58] Hi Stephanie Hays from the Chamber of Commerce.

[22:01] Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor and members of the city council.

[22:06] So, so far this past month coming in for our traffic,

[22:10] we had approximately between 100 and 36, 140 people

[22:14] come in as far as our membership.

[22:16] We're approximately 310 now.

[22:19] So we are building.

[22:20] We actually have a ribbon cutting.

[22:23] Ribbon cutting coming up on the 27th.

[22:26] We have 17 businesses doing a ribbon cutting.

[22:30] So it's going to be held at the graceway church.

[22:33] We have our luncheon there as well.

[22:34] Day before.

[22:35] But this is just the honor.

[22:37] 17 businesses include from Orlando Health

[22:39] all the way down to small businesses.

[22:41] So we're all they're each going to get to cut their ribbons

[22:43] and we'll have a luncheon.

[22:45] It's catered.

[22:46] So everybody would love to have you all here and all come.

[22:49] Other than that, it's pretty much our gala right now

[22:52] is on a to be determined list.

[22:54] Just waiting.

[22:55] And so other than that, we're just

[22:57] kind of doing our lunches right now

[22:58] and our ribbon cuttings and new memberships.

[23:02] So any questions.

[23:04] Yes question.

[23:05] Sure on Saturdays, how many people do you

[23:08] normally have come in to visit.

[23:11] Majority of the time one.

[23:15] OK yeah.

[23:17] And there's many times that we had a girl.

[23:19] Our girl actually worked there on Saturdays,

[23:21] and now my boards kind of were taking switching Saturdays,

[23:24] but when they haven't had anybody.

[23:27] So it's slower on Saturdays.

[23:28] I would say during events would probably

[23:30] be the biggest when people come, maybe try to use

[23:33] the bathroom sometimes too.

[23:34] And would the chamber be interested in trying to do.

[23:39] As years passed, the chamber did a lot of involvement with

[23:44] the special events that we had, like

[23:48] 4th of July and things of that nature there, most definitely.

[23:51] As far as raising the funding, sure.

[23:54] We would love to.

[23:55] We've been wanting to partner, especially with you

[23:58] have your Oktoberfest, you have your trunk

[24:00] or treating all those.

[24:02] So I think it would be a more beneficial for us to be together

[24:06] doing it rather than us just on the side

[24:10] promoting it just for you guys.

[24:11] I think it would be a better situation.

[24:13] OK yes.

[24:15] You're welcome.

[24:15] You're welcome to come in and ask, because I remember

[24:18] previously, the chamber was very involved

[24:21] in the majority of our events that we had, which was great.

[24:24] So yeah, definitely.

[24:25] Absolutely welcome y'all to come in and take over some

[24:30] of the responsibilities for it.

[24:32] Definitely and let the notoriety go to you.

[24:35] Hey we'd love to I even besides participating

[24:39] I mean helping as far as that.

[24:40] I mean we even wanted to do a float and become involved.

[24:43] I don't know why we never did.

[24:44] So we've been talking a lot about that as well.

[24:48] So well, in my experience, in the past year, the chamber was

[24:52] involved with the 4th of July.

[24:53] The city only provided the police and fire and things

[24:56] of that nature there.

[24:57] But the chamber did all the fireworks and everything

[25:02] of that nature there.

[25:03] I gotcha.

[25:03] Also light up Tavares.

[25:06] That was done.

[25:07] Originally done by the junior woman's club

[25:10] and the chamber got involved.

[25:12] But there's other things as well.

[25:16] Over the past, I'd like to see the chamber more involved.

[25:19] Yes, sir and help the city alleviate some of the funding.

[25:23] On that.

[25:24] Definitely I think it builds a better,

[25:26] stronger together partnership.

[25:28] So yeah.

[25:30] And we're all about partnership, for sure.

[25:33] Well that's good.

[25:34] You're welcome to jump in feet first.

[25:35] OK we're there.

[25:37] All right.

[25:38] All right.

[25:39] Thank you guys for having us.

[25:40] Thanks anytime.

[25:44] All right, we're going to move on to swearing

[25:45] in by City attorney.

[25:46] Disclosure of ex parte communications.

[25:49] Good afternoon, Mayor and council.

[25:50] We do have quasi judicial matters on the agenda today

[25:54] there at tabs 9 through 11, as our quasi judicial nature

[25:58] of anyone wishing to be heard on these matters

[26:01] to be considered competent, testimony will need to be

[26:03] sworn, including city staff.

[26:05] We'll go ahead and do that at this time.

[26:07] Please raise your right hand.

[26:10] Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you will give

[26:12] will be the truth, the whole truth,

[26:14] and nothing but the truth.

[26:16] Thank you.

[26:16] After city staff presents, if you do come up to be heard,

[26:19] please make sure you state your name and your address.

[26:21] The clerk can put it into the minutes and council.

[26:25] At this time, it would be proper to disclose

[26:27] any ex parte communications regarding taps 9 through 11.

[26:31] Have there been any by council members.

[26:35] Seeing none.

[26:36] Back to you, Mayor.

[26:37] All right.

[26:38] Rating of all ordinances and resolutions

[26:41] into the record city clerk, MS Novak.

[26:44] Thank you.

[26:44] Mayor we have three ordinances for second reading ordinance

[26:48] 2020 604, an ordinance amending the boundaries of the city

[26:52] of Tavares by annexing 19.18 plus or minus acres

[26:58] of non-contiguous property located East of County

[27:01] Road 561, approximately 200 North

[27:04] of Frankie's road intersection.

[27:07] Under terms and conditions of the interlocal service boundary

[27:10] agreement between the city of Tavares and Lake County,

[27:13] rezoning the property from Lake County MP

[27:15] planned industrial district and heavy industrial to City PD

[27:20] planned development subject to the rules, regulations,

[27:23] and obligations retained by the city of council,

[27:26] providing for an effective date.

[27:28] Ordinance 20 2005 an ordinance of the city of Tavares, Florida,

[27:33] amending the comprehensive plan future land use

[27:36] map 2040 providing for a change from Lake County.

[27:39] Future land use designation of industrial I to City of Tavares.

[27:44] Industrial I for property located at County Road 561,

[27:49] approximately 200 North of Frankie's road intersection,

[27:52] providing for severability and providing for an effective date

[27:56] in 2020 606.

[27:58] An ordinance of the city of Tavares amending ordinance,

[28:02] 2003 25 2013 21 of the city of Tavares,

[28:08] generally known as fisherman's Cove PD,

[28:11] superseding all said ordinances with a newly stated plan

[28:14] development PD ordinance subject to the rules, regulations,

[28:18] and obligations ordained by the city of Tavares council,

[28:21] providing for severability and providing for an effective date.

[28:24] Back to you, Mayor.

[28:27] Thank you, MS Novak.

[28:29] All right.

[28:30] We're moving on to the consent agenda council.

[28:33] Would you like to move on that.

[28:35] I'd like to move out of the consent agenda for discussion.

[28:38]

[28:42] I hear a motion.

[28:43] Make a motion.

[28:43] We approve seven of the consent agenda.

[28:46] I'll second it.

[28:47] Motion and second.

[28:48] All those in favor.

[28:49] Aye Motion passes 5 to 0.

[28:52] OK we're going to move on to tab 8 Mr. Price.

[28:56] Yeah I just didn't know for sure if we actually

[28:58] needed to vote on this voting delegate thing

[29:02] because we needed to get official approval.

[29:04] I just didn't know if we actually

[29:06] had to carry on a formal vote.

[29:08] Yeah retroactive.

[29:09] Thank you.

[29:09] Yeah Formal vote.

[29:12] Yeah OK.

[29:13] So, do I hear a motion.

[29:16] I move that we had Mr. Price being the official delegate

[29:19] for the League of cities.

[29:22] Second, second.

[29:24] All those in favor, raise a hand to also.

[29:28] Also, I just wanted to let everyone know

[29:30] that city of Tavares won the local action

[29:35] award at the Florida league of cities

[29:37] conference for our public works facility

[29:40] out on Captain Haynes road.

[29:43] The award was featured on the marquee that ran the whole time

[29:48] of the conference.

[29:50] It was in the agenda program.

[29:53] It was on an easel board, and it was on a video that was

[29:56] shown to the general session.

[29:58] So everywhere I went during that conference,

[30:03] people say, where are you from.

[30:04] I'm from.

[30:04] Oh, I love to bury.

[30:07] So you guys are doing great things up there, so

[30:10] gives you a big head.

[30:11] When you're here.

[30:13] All these people praising berries.

[30:14] But yes, we did win the local action award.

[30:17] I just want everyone to know that.

[30:18] Yeah you figure there's 411 cities in Florida five

[30:21] cities got awards.

[30:22] We were one.

[30:23] Yeah mayor, just real quick.

[30:26] I appreciate Mr. Price filling in.

[30:29] I'm on call, and I didn't see if I got there.

[30:34] I would have to leave.

[30:35] So that's why contact with John.

[30:40] I may be here today and gone tomorrow because of

[30:43] my sister-in-law situation, so.

[30:46] But I appreciate Mr. Price doing that and being there for us.

[30:50] And I had all intent to be there because I'm

[30:52] proud of what Tavares has done and proud of that facility

[30:55] out there.

[30:57] And so I just wanted to throw that in.

[31:00]

[31:03] Very understandable.

[31:04] Council Member gamble, thank you.

[31:06] And thank you.

[31:07] Council Member price, for standing in

[31:10] and being the one in charge when I was unable to go

[31:13] at the last minute.

[31:14] So thank you so much.

[31:16] You're welcome.

[31:17] All right.

[31:17] We're going to move on to resolutions or none.

[31:20] So we're going to move to tab nine.

[31:23]

[31:38] Thank you mayor.

[31:39] Good afternoon city council members.

[31:42] For the record, my name is Antonio.

[31:44] Everybody most people the director,

[31:48] we're going to bring over a couple of items

[31:51] that the city clerk already read,

[31:53] which is ordinance 2020 604.

[31:57] It is approximately 19.18 acres of land.

[32:01] Non-contiguous contiguous property

[32:03] located East of County Road 561 and approximately 200 North

[32:08] of Frankie's road intersection.

[32:10] Some people say junction into Tavares

[32:15] and rezoning the property from Lake County.

[32:20] Planned industrial and heavy industrial zoning.

[32:23] We're going to put it all into one, which

[32:25] is the planned development.

[32:29] In summary, the land is presently

[32:31] used as light industrial, warehousing, and vacant land.

[32:36] The subject property is located within the interlocal service

[32:40] boundary agreement, which allows for the city to annex land

[32:46] from Lake County, which from non-contiguous

[32:50] into the city along a certain conditions are being met.

[32:54]

[32:58] Go to the next slide.

[33:01] With the PD plan.

[33:03] Development plan development ordinance comes with a plan

[33:06] development or conceptual plan.

[33:08] The conceptual plan shows the structures

[33:12] and some additional structures that are

[33:15] being added along the frontage.

[33:17] So they have one or two existing structures

[33:19] and they're going to be expanding, one providing

[33:22] the parking and providing two more structures in the front

[33:26] as a mixture of commercial and of professional offices and some

[33:32] recreational commercial use.

[33:34] Can I have the next slide, please.

[33:36] This is a little bit better because it's

[33:38] overlaid over the aerial.

[33:40] You can see the changes that are being proposed.

[33:43] Next slide, please.

[33:48] This is a rendering of the elevations

[33:50] on the front buildings facades.

[33:54] And next one.

[33:56] All right.

[34:00] The proposed annexation and rezoning

[34:02] is consistent with our land development code.

[34:04] It's also consistent with the interlocal service boundary

[34:07] agreement and supports the city's long term

[34:09] economic development objectives.

[34:11] And our comprehensive plan staff recommendation.

[34:16] We always add what happens in the planning

[34:18] and zoning department.

[34:19] Planning and zoning board meeting that we have.

[34:22] So on July 16, 2026, the planning and zoning board

[34:26] met and voted to recommend approval of the ordinance

[34:31] as presented.

[34:32] There were some questions from the planning board

[34:34] that was addressed at the city council.

[34:37] I attached a draft minutes of what

[34:39] happened in the proceedings, but it was looked

[34:42] at pretty much favorably.

[34:45] Therefore, this information staff

[34:47] is recommending that the city council move

[34:49] to approve ordinance 2020 604, which includes

[34:54] the annexation and rezoning of the property

[34:57] to Planned development district.

[35:00] This ordinance, of course, was reviewed by the city attorney

[35:04] and for legal sufficiency.

[35:05] The ordinance is included in your packet with several maps,

[35:10] including the traffic study.

[35:13] That's the accepted traffic study

[35:14] that we reviewed and approved, and the environmental report.

[35:20] That pretty much concludes the staff report presentation on it.

[35:25] I'm happy to answer any technical questions

[35:28] on the review process and how it meets

[35:31] our land development regulations and our comprehensive plan.

[35:35] We also have the representatives of the development

[35:40] and the audience as well.

[35:43] All right.

[35:43] Thank you Mr. council questions.

[35:48] OK can you tell me what a recreational commercial uses.

[35:56] Yes, they want to build a yes.

[35:58] Actually you can.

[35:59] They want to build a pickleball court,

[36:02] and that's my understanding.

[36:04] They'll be here.

[36:04] They can elaborate a little bit more,

[36:06] but it will be an indoor pickleball facility.

[36:09] That's what they envision that could happen there as well.

[36:13] So it's not like a machine gun range or anything like that.

[36:17] Not that I'm aware of.

[36:18] The applicant is here.

[36:19] We can ask them.

[36:21] OK I was just curious what that might entail.

[36:24] I didn't know if it was ziplines or who knows

[36:27] what pickleball for right now.

[36:28] All right.

[36:31] I think I'd like to say the applicant is here.

[36:35] Yeah, I'd like to just hear, just touch on what

[36:38] they're planning on doing.

[36:42] If they'd like to come up and just briefly,

[36:45] just briefly touch on it so we know what to get excited for.

[36:50] Yes good afternoon, Mayor and council members.

[36:53] My name is Jennifer stone and it's 4850

[36:56] North highway 19, a Mount Dora.

[36:59] I'm here on behalf of the owner.

[37:01] We appreciate staff's work on these applications

[37:04] and the planning and zoning board's

[37:06] recommendation of approval.

[37:09] We are in agreement with the staff presentation,

[37:11] and we are here to request these ordinances.

[37:13] And the next one that's coming up,

[37:15] I do have the owner here to explain

[37:18] what they would like to do.

[37:19] It is some light retail and some recreational, commercial,

[37:23] and some industrial uses.

[37:25] And we also have our engineer here if there's

[37:27] any technical questions.

[37:29] Yeah, I just want to hear just the overview.

[37:31] Yeah just the overview on overview

[37:34] of a couple of minutes worth tell me,

[37:36] tell me what it's all about.

[37:40] Hi, I'm Scott Brock, resident of Lake County for about 36 years

[37:44] now.

[37:45] We believe I believe I've had this property since 20 sorry,

[37:50] 2000, in 2001, and we've been using it

[37:54] for light industrial sort of refurbishing equipment,

[37:58] machinery, as well as having a little bit of manufacturing

[38:03] with my product as well.

[38:04] Accu cut for flooring, cutting and rolling machines.

[38:08] And now seeing the growth and seeing what's

[38:11] happening in this area, we're getting

[38:13] a lot of requests for warehouse space, some

[38:17] light industrial manufacturing.

[38:19] And I've also had some experience

[38:21] where I built some strip plazas before

[38:23] in the minneola Clermont area.

[38:25] So I kind of wanted to tie that theme in the front highway

[38:29] frontage as well.

[38:32] OK council, do you have any questions.

[38:34] Light commercial.

[38:35] Do you expect or hope to be in there.

[38:39]

[38:42] What particular light commercial are you hoping to attract there.

[38:46] Yeah, I mean, I think the days are gone where you have

[38:49] a lighting store and these kind of things where

[38:51] everybody's buying online now.

[38:52] So it could be a lot of specialty, maybe air

[38:54] conditioning, contract type of businesses

[38:57] and professional offices, maybe some medical, dental office,

[39:01] this type of thing.

[39:04] As far as the pickleball, we had talked about maybe the theme

[39:08] of having a brewery microbrewery in there as well as pickleball.

[39:11] I know there's other cities that have done this quite successful.

[39:17] All right.

[39:17] Perfect Anyone else.

[39:20] Well, good luck with your project.

[39:21] Thank you.

[39:22] Appreciate it.

[39:23] Council how would you like to move.

[39:25] Move to accept the ordinance as is.

[39:29] I'll second it.

[39:30] We have motion.

[39:30] And a second.

[39:31] Any more discussion.

[39:32] All those in favor.

[39:34] Raise a hand.

[39:35] Motion passes 5 to 0.

[39:37] Congratulations all right, moving on to.

[39:43] This is the companion.

[39:44] Yep tab 10.

[39:47] Exactly like the city administrator pointed out

[39:51] is the companion ordinance to this item.

[39:55] It is changing the comprehensive plan future land use

[39:57] map from future land use designation County

[40:02] to the city's industrial.

[40:05] There isn't really much to that other

[40:08] than we have to do this because the state

[40:10] requires comprehensive planning and we

[40:12] have to change these things.

[40:15] I think that's probably enough.

[40:18] All right.

[40:19] Thank you.

[40:19] Council, how would you like to move.

[40:21] I'll make a motion to approve the ordinance.

[40:24] Second Motion, a second discussion.

[40:27] All those in favor, raise your hand.

[40:30] Motion passes 5 to 0.

[40:32] Moving on to tab 11.

[40:34] Ordinance 2020 606 fisherman's Cove.

[40:38] Yes the next item is Fisherman's Cove.

[40:41] This is the fisherman's Cove that's

[40:43] out there in the RV center.

[40:46] There's different uses in there, but in summary, the subject

[40:50] property is currently operating as a recreational vehicle

[40:55] resort, with some supporting recreational facilities, marinas

[41:02] and the dry bulk facility.

[41:04] The proposed development plan allows for continued operation

[41:10] of the existing resort and authorizes additional resort

[41:14] related amenities, including expansion of the dry boat

[41:19] facility, storage facility, construction of the resort

[41:23] cottages for short term rental accommodation,

[41:27] expansion of recreational facilities

[41:30] and additional RV accommodation.

[41:35] This is what you see on the screen

[41:38] is the proposed development.

[41:40] The ones that have color area around the front, that's

[41:44] where they're proposing the change, which is the expansion

[41:47] of along State Road 19 as the dry dock

[41:50] facility and some cottages internal

[41:53] and of course, the former golf course that they have,

[41:57] they want to expand it into the RV use

[41:59] as well with some cottages.

[42:02] Next slide, please.

[42:03] This is the sample of the cottages and they're pre prefab

[42:09] and there's just very little there.

[42:11] It's just not there.

[42:13] They're there for the recreation of the intent of the short term

[42:18] resort accommodations.

[42:21] The PD OK.

[42:23] And then this one, that's the one that's

[42:25] along the frontage right now.

[42:26] State route 19.

[42:27] A lot of people go by there.

[42:28] They want to expand that.

[42:31] The last PD that was done prior to this

[42:34] wouldn't allow them to do it.

[42:37] So we had to combine this PD and the other PD

[42:41] and make sure that everything is functioning accordingly.

[42:44]

[42:51] On July 16, 2026, the planning and zoning board

[42:55] met and voted to recommend approval

[42:58] of the ordinance 2020 606 as presented

[43:02] during the public hearing.

[43:05] Neighboring property owners and representatives

[43:08] expressed concerns regarding setbacks

[43:11] and buffers issues, open space, stormwater,

[43:15] and utility infrastructure.

[43:17] These issues were discussed and addressed

[43:21] during the public meeting.

[43:23] I have attached the draft minutes.

[43:25] You can go over that a little bit more

[43:27] in details in your packet.

[43:29] In addition, the applicant agreed to meet with city staff

[43:33] to review and confirm the compliance with all

[43:36] the applicable setbacks and landscape buffer requirements

[43:40] associated with the proposed future development

[43:43] as depicted in the master development plan.

[43:48] Because most of the questions were related to that issue, what

[43:51] is the buffer between the future development

[43:54] plan before the future development and this.

[43:58] The PD already established that we were going to the buffer

[44:03] requirements on the land development regulation

[44:05] when it comes to site planning, and we reviewed it.

[44:10] The applicant came to the staff again on July 31, 2026,

[44:14] and we met and they acknowledged that they're

[44:16] going to meet the landscape buffers are there,

[44:20] codified in the land development regulations,

[44:23] because there was a question at the meeting

[44:25] that may have vested rights for smaller landscape buffers.

[44:30] But we looked at it, we looked at it twice.

[44:33] And the landscape buffers, as I described

[44:36] on our recommendation part, is what he's required to do.

[44:43] Staff therefore, staff recommends that the city council

[44:46] approve the ordinance 2020 606 amending

[44:51] and adopting the proposed master development plan

[44:54] as presented tonight.

[44:56] We also.

[44:59] The ordinance was, of course, reviewed

[45:01] by the city attorney's office.

[45:03] It was included in your packet.

[45:05] I also noteworthy attachments you have 10

[45:10] was the environmental report, the traffic study.

[45:13] And I also included the abutting residential opposing letter.

[45:18] And for your information, I added

[45:20] the old ordinances that are being replaced

[45:24] just for your edification.

[45:27] We also have the applicant available on the audience.

[45:31] If you want to elaborate on any of his proposal,

[45:36] and I'll be happy to answer any questions in the review process.

[45:41] Thank you.

[45:42] Council any questions.

[45:44] So this is not expanding the land area at all.

[45:48] They're all within current land that they own.

[45:51] Correct And of course replacing a golf course

[45:57] probably makes no money with RV sites.

[45:59] Make money will improve the commercial value and therefore

[46:02] the taxable value of that property.

[46:04] Correct I would assume so.

[46:06] And it's not functioning right now.

[46:08] So it'd be better than nothing.

[46:12] All right.

[46:12] It's a very nice resort.

[46:15] It's not by my area over there.

[46:17] I go by it all the time.

[46:21] Any more questions.

[46:22] How would you like to move.

[46:24] I'll move to approve the ordinance.

[46:27] 2020 6-6, fisherman's Cove.

[46:29] Second Motion and a second.

[46:31] Any more discussion.

[46:32] All those in favor, raise a hand.

[46:35] Motion passes 5 to 0.

[46:36] Thank you.

[46:38] All right.

[46:38] We're going to move on to tab 12.

[46:41] Discussion and direction regarding

[46:43] the preferred approach for addressing data

[46:45] center development.

[46:47] I guess that's still you, Antonio.

[46:49] That is still me.

[46:51] Thank you.

[46:51] Mayor this item.

[46:53] I did put a little information about the data centers

[46:57] and how they're being treated, and how they're currently being

[47:00] approached by Lake County.

[47:02] So it is for city council to discuss.

[47:06] However, I'll read this first part of the staff report,

[47:10] I think is so it's noteworthy as an interest

[47:16] in data center development and continues to increase.

[47:19] Staff is seeking policy direction

[47:21] from city council regarding how the city

[47:24] should address future applications

[47:26] for these types of facility.

[47:28] While data center can provide economic development

[47:32] and support critical digital infrastructure.

[47:35] They may also present unique land land use consideration

[47:40] related to building scale, utility demand, backup power

[47:45] generator, noise aesthetics, compatibility

[47:49] with the surrounding development.

[47:52] As a general thing on data center

[47:55] that people watch this in the news all the time.

[47:58] But on June 23, 2026, the Lake County board

[48:02] of County Commissioners discussed a temporary moratorium

[48:07] on data centers facilities within the unincorporated areas

[48:11] of Lake County.

[48:12] After discussing, the board collectively

[48:15] agreed to have the Lake County attorney bring

[48:19] back a proposed moratorium.

[48:23] Ordinance on August 5, 2026.

[48:29] The Lake County planning and zoning

[48:31] board were presented the ordinance

[48:34] that I just talked about.

[48:36] So they did draft an ordinance, and it was presented

[48:38] to the planning and zoning board on August 5, 2026

[48:42] for a temporary moratorium, a one year moratorium.

[48:48] The proposed moratorium was approved by Lake County

[48:51] planning and zoning board.

[48:53] The moratorium is going to go next to back

[48:57] to BCC on September 1, 2026.

[49:01] At this time, the city does not have

[49:04] any land development regulations specifically

[49:07] addressing data centers.

[49:09] As a result, staff requests that the city council

[49:12] discuss the appropriate regulations or approach,

[49:17] and provide directions on whether the amendments

[49:20] to the land development regulations should be pursued.

[49:24] I have incorporated some options.

[49:26] There are two potential options to talk about talking points.

[49:31] This one is adopting a temporary moratorium on new data centers

[49:35] applications by the city evaluates

[49:37] the appropriate regulations.

[49:39] That's number one.

[49:40] Number 2 is directing staff to prepare amendments

[49:44] to the land development regulations, regulations

[49:46] establishing objective development standards

[49:49] and for the data centers.

[49:52] And the third one is maintaining the existing regulations

[49:57] and evaluating future proposals on a case by case basis

[50:01] through the city's current development

[50:04] review process right now.

[50:08] I will open it back to city council for discussion.

[50:14] All right.

[50:15] I have a question in our city attorney

[50:18] do the same thing that the County did as far

[50:20] as this temporary moratorium.

[50:22] Bring it back to us in ordinance.

[50:24] Absolutely can we have a permanent moratorium?

[50:27] No, no, no.

[50:28] How about three years.

[50:30] Yeah One thing that we did go when we were at the Florida

[50:35] league of cities is they did a presentation on data centers,

[50:38] and there was a lot of misinformation out there.

[50:40] I think there were things that people have heard

[50:42] that are absolutely not true.

[50:43] But I think what we need to do is pretty much do the one year

[50:47] kind of what Lake County did to give us the opportunity

[50:50] to investigate more because again, what we were told

[50:53] and what we had heard were completely two different things.

[50:55] And so I think to make sure that we're fully aware of what we're

[50:58] dealing with, we need to do the one

[51:00] year moratorium to give time for the city

[51:02] to look at these things.

[51:05] Well, as Doug was saying, a lot of misinformation

[51:09] floating around about data centers out there.

[51:12] First off, they have what are known as edge data centers,

[51:16] which are only 1,000 to 10,000ft building

[51:20] on a tenth to one acre in land.

[51:23] They have enterprise corporate data centers,

[51:26] which are 10,000 to 50,000ft only need one to five acres.

[51:31] They have locations that have a different size go up

[51:35] to 40 acres.

[51:36] Once you start getting to cloud, regional or hyperscale, which

[51:41] can take over 100 acres, I don't think

[51:43] that we have any land inside the city limits of Tavares

[51:48] that would accommodate a building these big anyhow.

[51:52] So another misconception was that it was going

[51:55] to hurt our electrical power.

[51:56] But as it turns out, people from Florida Power were there,

[52:00] and they said that any data center has to provide

[52:02] their own electrical infrastructure

[52:03] and they have to pay for it themselves,

[52:05] and it's added to what's already there.

[52:07] So it doesn't take away any capacity in the city.

[52:10] And as far as the water goes, it's not constantly using water.

[52:14] They fill up their system one time.

[52:16] It's a closed system and it recycles that whole time.

[52:20] So they only put water in it one time.

[52:21] It's not constant sources of water.

[52:24] So being that there's all different sizes and scales,

[52:28] we do want some commercial or industrial type.

[52:32] Business here in Tavares.

[52:34] I don't think we need to just absolutely

[52:36] slap a moratorium on there.

[52:38] I think that would be more appropriate

[52:40] would be option number three, maintaining the existing

[52:43] regulations and evaluating future proposals on a case

[52:46] by case basis, I think would be much more appropriate.

[52:48] Because we don't want to turn away a 10,000 square foot

[52:52] small data center that might could

[52:54] bring some jobs to the city.

[52:55] I don't think we should do that.

[52:58] Just one point on your closed water thing.

[53:00] There's no such thing as you fill it up once, and it's done.

[53:04] No, take it from somebody who's dealt with closed

[53:07] water systems his whole life.

[53:09] Somewhere there will be a breakage,

[53:11] somewhere there'll be something that

[53:13] will happen where that will end up having to be refilled again.

[53:16] There'll always be something that it's

[53:18] not going to be one time something's going to happen.

[53:20] And you will end up having repair of that.

[53:22] Fill up the water again and it could happen a lot.

[53:25] I've dealt with cold water boilers, cold water,

[53:28] chiller systems, cold water.

[53:30] And there's always repairs, there's always refilling.

[53:32] There's always something that has to be done.

[53:36] So I just wanted to get that point out there.

[53:39] So that is not a miss.

[53:41] I don't misnomer or something that has to go off the table as

[53:46] far as it's a one time thing.

[53:48] No, I still want a moratorium.

[53:49] I can get a moratorium for the next four years.

[53:53] That would be great.

[53:56] I can't see us going.

[53:58] No I think what we do if we do a moratorium is we do it to allow

[54:03] our staff to be able to come back and develop

[54:05] some regulations and things of that nature that

[54:08] will go over for this.

[54:11] Yeah I'm just being I'm just being the one year.

[54:16] Yeah I'm just being like.

[54:18] And the thing is, by us saying one year doesn't mean that we

[54:21] have to go the full year.

[54:23] We could actually cancel it at any time once the staff.

[54:27] But this way it doesn't put all the burden right now

[54:29] on our staff to try to come up with something

[54:31] within two weeks or three weeks and allows them to research it.

[54:35] And, Mr. Price, I appreciate the information

[54:37] you brought, because that way they would be able to have

[54:41] more understanding as well.

[54:43] That's what's out there.

[54:44] But I would be in favor of a moratorium, maybe not a year,

[54:48] maybe six months, but at least give our staff the time

[54:52] and opportunity to be able to do the homework

[54:57] and bring back something to us.

[54:58] And how long would it take us.

[55:00] We could get it done in six months.

[55:01] But what I'm talking about to get it approved,

[55:03] though once they bring it back to us,

[55:06] it depends what you decide to do.

[55:07] If you decide to do it on a case by case basis is council member,

[55:11] price said, then you're done.

[55:13] If you decide you want an ordinance to advertise

[55:16] and that takes about maybe 3060 days.

[55:20] Got to go to p and z.

[55:21] They got to review it.

[55:22] They have to approve it.

[55:23] That's another 3060 days.

[55:25] So you're probably talking.

[55:28] 1234, 5, six months from the time

[55:31] you say, we want to do this, to get through the planning

[55:37] and zoning board advertising twice back to the city council

[55:41] to amend your codes.

[55:43] I mean, what all you're probably going to do

[55:44] is amend the codes for these particular types of facilities.

[55:51] I'd hate to see us pass up an opportunity to not allow

[55:54] a 10,000 square foot building in an industrial park to not

[55:58] come in here, because of all the myths surrounding these places.

[56:03] I just don't think we should limit ourselves like that.

[56:08] And I think that I don't really know enough about data centers

[56:13] and don't care to.

[56:15] That's not the direction I want our city to go.

[56:19] And I think we're so limited on property.

[56:22] We're so limited on what we can do commercially

[56:25] or I know we have industrial parks.

[56:27] I don't even know how much property is left in those.

[56:30] I certainly don't want them to start

[56:32] encroaching on up to Highway frontage

[56:36] with these industrial parks.

[56:38] And if we added we're losing out.

[56:40] We are so limited to what we can do commercially.

[56:44] I would rather let data centers go to the other cities.

[56:48] Let us keep our acquaintance, acquaintance that we have

[56:52] and keep going in the direction that we're going.

[56:56] I mean, how many other cities have

[56:58] a Publix on a two lane road.

[57:00] I really haven't been to one.

[57:01] I feel like we're really fortunate to have.

[57:04] I want to keep growing things that are good for our residents

[57:09] that we have.

[57:10] I don't really I don't see a data center

[57:13] as something that would enhance the quality of life

[57:17] in the city of Tavares.

[57:19] To be honest with you, I see visually encroaching on up

[57:22] into our commercial space and I just think we can do better.

[57:28] And I know the data center will bring in all these tax dollars

[57:31] and they're not going to use any water in.

[57:33] They're not going to do anything to our electric

[57:36] and it'll be jobs.

[57:37] But, if you go different places that I've traveled

[57:42] and watch things change like up in,

[57:45] up in let's say Georgia up there and they

[57:47] started with one rug place.

[57:50] And then next thing when you're driving up there,

[57:53] it's absolutely beautiful.

[57:54] And then all of a sudden, you have all these buildings just

[57:57] building after building, after building

[57:59] these huge, huge buildings and that's all they have.

[58:03] That's what their town is now.

[58:04] They have nothing left.

[58:06] If you go up there in those areas,

[58:08] there's just nothing left for quality of life initiatives,

[58:12] quality of life businesses that can

[58:14] still come into the community and make a good living.

[58:18] I mean, that's really what I'm looking for.

[58:21] I don't want to be a city of industrial parks.

[58:25] I'd rather keep going in the direction that we're going.

[58:27] Well, I'm saying not.

[58:29] We have existing industrial parks,

[58:32] existing land now that could accommodate

[58:34] one of these smaller things.

[58:36] And these are high paying, high tech

[58:37] jobs that you come to our area.

[58:40] And I just don't think we should hamper ourselves.

[58:43] If you want to put a limit, fine.

[58:44] I mean, we limited the amount of those gaming places

[58:48] that could be to various.

[58:49] We had an ordinance that limited the number of those.

[58:51] I mean, you could always limit it if you wanted to

[58:52] at some point, but I really don't

[58:54] think we're going to be the hotbed for data centers anyhow.

[58:58] They're out there looking for 2000 5,000 acres.

[59:01] They're not looking for one acre and Tavari.

[59:03] I don't really I think it's all really

[59:05] going to be kind of a moot point, which is why I'm just

[59:08] soon leave everything alone.

[59:10] And if something comes up and we can address it when it comes up.

[59:12] I don't think we're going to have much of a problem with it.

[59:15] Well, I mean, one thing I would say

[59:16] is that if this is off subject but not off subject,

[59:21] if we lose on Amendment three and we lose on property taxes

[59:24] coming in, we need to make up.

[59:26] If we're going to need to make a revenue.

[59:28] Revenue is going to come from businesses and places like that.

[59:31] So I think limiting our I agree with Council price

[59:33] that limiting us from being absolutely out of it

[59:37] is not a great idea.

[59:38] I support the moratorium to make sure

[59:40] that we do a thorough study.

[59:42] But I don't think we should just say no.

[59:45] And I really don't even care about having a moratorium,

[59:49] to honest with you.

[59:50] If we're going to leave it open, then let's just leave it open.

[59:53] And whoever suggested case by case,

[59:56] I mean council member price just a bit.

[59:59] I think that's a great idea.

[1:00:01] I mean, I'm not so close minded.

[1:00:03] That's not the direction I saw the city going.

[1:00:05] But as long as we keep control, if it's just

[1:00:08] not a runaway train, just dropping buildings

[1:00:11] everywhere within our city.

[1:00:13] I just that that's not what Tavares is.

[1:00:16] I agree with you.

[1:00:16] So I personally would just say, let's

[1:00:20] not waste any more time on this, but that would be option three.

[1:00:25] Yeah well, and I'm going to ask I

[1:00:28] know that no one has turned anything,

[1:00:31] but is there anyone in the audience

[1:00:32] that would like to speak Mr. Santoro, come on up.

[1:00:38] In my peripheral vision, I could see you flailing back there,

[1:00:42] so I thought, I better get.

[1:00:43] Mayor members of council, Mr. Drury,

[1:00:45] city staff MS Holt, Gary's into our royal harbor every weekend.

[1:00:49] As part of my routine, I go by a certain.

[1:00:51] I drive-through the city.

[1:00:52] There's one section of town that continues

[1:00:56] that I continue to watch.

[1:00:57] A for sale sign goes up and it comes back down.

[1:01:00] It's a large, wide open section off of 448 near Shirley shores.

[1:01:05] A structure like this would fit perfectly out there,

[1:01:08] and it's adjacent to that waterway lake

[1:01:11] that's sitting out there.

[1:01:12] So I. I don't know when Phil was here,

[1:01:17] a developer talked to him about water and stuff like that.

[1:01:19] And then they backed out.

[1:01:20] So that's the one big, large portion of property

[1:01:25] that you have left that someone's

[1:01:28] going to grab to do something.

[1:01:30] And it's large.

[1:01:32] Thank you, Mayor.

[1:01:33] Thank you, Mr. Santoro.

[1:01:36] All right.

[1:01:36] So any more discussion or do we have a motion.

[1:01:39] Well, do we want to put a limit, as Mr. Price may be stipulated?

[1:01:43] as far as how many of those we allow.

[1:01:46] No someone may come in, and there's a perfect piece

[1:01:49] of property on the outside of town

[1:01:50] that could bring in thousands, hundreds of thousands of dollars

[1:01:55] to the city of Tavares.

[1:01:56] I'm willing to listen, but I don't.

[1:01:59] What I'm saying is I don't want to structure wise.

[1:02:01] Are we talking about one, 2, 3, 4, 10, 20.

[1:02:05] Let them come in and make us an offer.

[1:02:08] Yeah I mean, why close the door when someone

[1:02:11] might bring the perfect.

[1:02:12] That's just my thought.

[1:02:13] Someone may bring something.

[1:02:15] I don't want them here, but if it's on the outskirts of town

[1:02:18] that hardly anyone sees unless they're actually driving to it.

[1:02:24] As long as it's not taking up anything more or less in town

[1:02:28] where we want our commercial frontage

[1:02:30] to remain commercial frontage with commercial buildings.

[1:02:34] That's my thought.

[1:02:35] I don't want to close the door on anything that

[1:02:37] could produce good money for the city,

[1:02:40] but it has to be done our way.

[1:02:43] Well, I'll make a motion that we approve option three.

[1:02:46] I'll second that.

[1:02:49] Option 3 is the case by case.

[1:02:51] Yes, and I'll agree to that.

[1:02:54] I just want to say again out loud, this is not Tavari vision.

[1:02:57] This is not Tavari.

[1:03:00] This is not what we want here.

[1:03:02] It's just not with respect to Mr. Santoro,

[1:03:06] who I have a great respect for I don't

[1:03:07] want Shirley sauce, a gigantic piece of a gigantic building

[1:03:11] on this land.

[1:03:11] I just don't want it.

[1:03:14] It's just not our vision.

[1:03:15] These data centers are not our vision here in Tavares.

[1:03:19] This is not.

[1:03:20] That's Anytown, USA.

[1:03:21] Again, I use that a lot.

[1:03:22] This is not the quaintness.

[1:03:24] The small town charm.

[1:03:25] It's growing unwisely.

[1:03:28] I do not like this at all.

[1:03:29] I will, I'm going to vote with KDKA so that as they come,

[1:03:33] we'll review them and see what they want.

[1:03:35] That is what we've always done.

[1:03:36] So I'm going to continue with that.

[1:03:38] I just wanted to be out here saying I don't like them.

[1:03:41] That's not Tavares American seaplanes vision

[1:03:45] to have these things boom.

[1:03:48] Even again, there might be a industrial park

[1:03:51] that some of these buildings aren't even being used

[1:03:53] and the place wants to come in and get rid of them

[1:03:55] and they'll put the building.

[1:03:57] That's why I agreed to this, because maybe

[1:03:59] if it's an already an established industrial park

[1:04:01] that's just dying.

[1:04:03] Let's fix it up with one of these.

[1:04:04] But I just want you to know that, two, 3, 4.

[1:04:11] Nah, it's just not happening.

[1:04:13] It's not our vision.

[1:04:13] That's not where we want to go.

[1:04:15] No, we could limit these to industrial zoning only.

[1:04:18] We don't.

[1:04:18] We just say they're not.

[1:04:19] They're not allowed in commercial.

[1:04:21] Absolutely that's why we'll go case by case.

[1:04:24] That's what we've always done, that this council

[1:04:26] has always done that.

[1:04:27] And I agree to that.

[1:04:28] That's what makes us work so well together that we do that.

[1:04:31] So we have a motion for option three.

[1:04:34] But I didn't hear the wording in it.

[1:04:36] We just said make a motion to accept option three.

[1:04:40] Are we're providing the staff with an alternate direction of

[1:04:46] we're going to do case by case.

[1:04:48] Correct is that what the motion was.

[1:04:50] Yeah right.

[1:04:51] So we have a motion and a second.

[1:04:53] All those in favor.

[1:04:56] Passes 5 to 0 for option three case by case.

[1:05:01]

[1:05:07] OK, now we're going to have Mr. Bob

[1:05:10] tweedy, our economic development King King of the kingdom.

[1:05:18] Let's hear all that you got to tell us about.

[1:05:20] Good evening.

[1:05:22] Mayor members of council, for the record,

[1:05:24] Bob tweedy, your economic development director.

[1:05:26] The city council has prioritized commercial and industrial growth

[1:05:30] within the city to enhance employment opportunities,

[1:05:34] the commercial tax base, and overall economic, health,

[1:05:38] well-being and prosperity of our community.

[1:05:41] Although the city has adopted and implemented

[1:05:43] a well thought out, comprehensive and successful

[1:05:47] economic development strategy and that is attached

[1:05:50] in your package, current financial incentives

[1:05:53] are limited to a waiver of city impact fees, which

[1:05:56] are applicable only to large scale seaplane

[1:05:59] plane related businesses.

[1:06:01] And that's ordinance 2024 1511, which is also in your packet

[1:06:06] as a means of stimulating further economic growth

[1:06:10] in these areas, council may wish to consider

[1:06:13] enhancement of this incentive with the following one.

[1:06:18] Expanding current permanent waiver of applicable city impact

[1:06:22] fees under ordinance 2024 1511 and removing the seaplane

[1:06:27] related only provisions, including all manufacturers that

[1:06:31] create 25 or more full time employees

[1:06:34] or 25 and/or 25 equivalent residential units or eras.

[1:06:40] Two development of an additional new ordinance,

[1:06:43] waiving all applicable city impact fees,

[1:06:46] and/or building permit fees for new commercial development

[1:06:49] within the city for a limited period of time, for example, one

[1:06:53] year or 18 months with a phase in period,

[1:06:56] perhaps of an additional 6 to 12 months at 50%

[1:07:00] A similar program was put into place

[1:07:02] Citywide for all development in the 2009 to 2011 time frame.

[1:07:08] During a period of economic downturn,

[1:07:11] that program resulted in significant private commercial

[1:07:15] investment in the city to include projects

[1:07:18] such as the Downtown hotels, the big house and the osprey lodge,

[1:07:22] to name a few.

[1:07:23] And that was in the tens of millions of dollars

[1:07:26] worth of investment overall.

[1:07:29] If the city council approves one or both options,

[1:07:32] staff will work with the city attorney

[1:07:34] to develop formal ordinances for presentation and consideration

[1:07:39] by the Council, by the Council at a future meeting.

[1:07:42] And I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

[1:07:46] Back to you, Mayor.

[1:07:47] All right.

[1:07:47] Thank you, Mr. Tweedie.

[1:07:49] Council, do you have any questions.

[1:07:51] Do we have any seaplane manufacturers still.

[1:07:54] We do not.

[1:07:55] We had, as you all are aware, sea ray, which

[1:07:59] was located out on 19 by Lake.

[1:08:04] They went out of business.

[1:08:05] They are in the process of a new Owners have bought that company

[1:08:10] the license to produce that aircraft,

[1:08:14] and they actually are in the process

[1:08:17] of working on a development actually on the other side

[1:08:21] of Lake Ida mirror.

[1:08:22] They've talked to city staff.

[1:08:24] Their engineers are working on a site plan

[1:08:26] and coming back with a new development

[1:08:30] of a new and improved sea ray and a new and improved sea

[1:08:34] ray manufacturing facility, potentially on Lake Mirror.

[1:08:41] Figure out is that on the North side,

[1:08:44] that would be on the East side of Lake Ida mirror.

[1:08:49] So Southeast Southeast corner of the lake.

[1:08:52] 448 561 61 intersection area, across from the County property

[1:09:00] where the.

[1:09:02] Yeah where the Renaissance animal shelter.

[1:09:05] Yeah, exactly.

[1:09:06] And Mr. Drury, can you.

[1:09:13] This is something that's very dear to me.

[1:09:16] Is this.

[1:09:19] These waivers.

[1:09:20] And let me explain why.

[1:09:22] 20 years ago, when I first got on the council

[1:09:25] and Mr. Drury first began as our city administrator, the taxes

[1:09:34] for the city were 90, 10, 90% of the taxes

[1:09:41] were on the back of the residents, which is horrible.

[1:09:46] And we went out and when we first did this

[1:09:49] and there was all this housing, all this new housing

[1:09:52] built and we just had different things going on in Mr. Drury.

[1:09:56] We got that down to.

[1:09:58] Was it 60-40.

[1:10:00] Very close to 60/40.

[1:10:02] And then we had all this housing start and we had.

[1:10:09] We had housing developments that had been approved,

[1:10:13] 19 years before.

[1:10:15] Which a lot of us didn't even remember.

[1:10:17] And all of a sudden.

[1:10:18] So now we have all.

[1:10:19] These different developments built in all this housing.

[1:10:22] And the same thing happened has happened again.

[1:10:25] We've crept back up to what I think we're probably in the 70s.

[1:10:31] Yeah, somewhere around there.

[1:10:33] So I felt like we have lost a lot of traction.

[1:10:35] So to me doing this for the commercial

[1:10:39] based building build outs, I think it's

[1:10:43] going to help tremendously.

[1:10:45] I would love the thought of this just filling up all

[1:10:48] the commercial highway frontage that we have

[1:10:51] when the word gets out.

[1:10:53] And I like that they put in here that we can readdress

[1:10:57] it and find out, if we need.

[1:11:01] And we expanded it.

[1:11:02] I remember before when we had it,

[1:11:04] we went a little bit longer for whatever reason,

[1:11:07] because people were not quite ready to come

[1:11:10] in and get their approval, and we had done that.

[1:11:12] But I think this is great.

[1:11:15] It absolutely worked before, and I think it will work again,

[1:11:18] because I would love to see us get those numbers

[1:11:22] back to where we once had them.

[1:11:23] And we were so close.

[1:11:25] And I'm just excited to see what can become of this

[1:11:31] if we pass this.

[1:11:33]

[1:11:36] I wasn't aware that we back during that time

[1:11:38] that we did the building permit fees.

[1:11:41] I know the impact fees we did, but I wasn't

[1:11:43] aware the building permit fees.

[1:11:45] Well, we did just impact fees.

[1:11:47] There was a revision.

[1:11:49] So you initially started you did a revision

[1:11:51] to include for a limited period, I

[1:11:53] think the building permit fees you could pay

[1:11:56] after at a later date, I think.

[1:12:00] Yeah, we did do building permit fees.

[1:12:02] I think you still have to pay them.

[1:12:05] But instead of paying them at the time of applicant,

[1:12:08] we moved it at the time of Ko.

[1:12:11] There had to be paid before, but they had to pay.

[1:12:14] I just didn't remember that we completely waived is a deferral.

[1:12:19] I believe it was a deferral.

[1:12:21] Yeah we could do that again.

[1:12:25] I know someone put a $1 million building on an out parcel.

[1:12:32] How much money we would lose if we weren't collecting the impact

[1:12:35] fees or building fees.

[1:12:38] I would punt over to I think, community development director.

[1:12:43] Yeah, I think we bring back an ordinance to you.

[1:12:45] We would answer that question.

[1:12:46] We'd have if you want us to head in this direction,

[1:12:49] then we would have all of that information for you.

[1:12:52] Well, how is the current commercial,

[1:12:57] especially retail interests, into areas going at the moment.

[1:13:03] It's pretty good.

[1:13:04] We as you're aware, especially Mr. Price,

[1:13:07] we engaged thanks to council's appropriation

[1:13:10] in last year's budget for a retail consultant.

[1:13:14] They've been working hard at it, developed work with us

[1:13:17] to develop a very well thought out strategy and plan,

[1:13:21] which they've been implementing, and they're

[1:13:22] gaining some great traction.

[1:13:24] They've got a couple of prospects in the hopper

[1:13:27] right now for some properties out on 19

[1:13:31] that are in negotiation with potential commercial developers.

[1:13:36] So it's going along pretty well.

[1:13:39] I spoke to them about this last week in advance of this

[1:13:43] and they're very excited.

[1:13:45] They said it's a very competitive market.

[1:13:48] These retail commercial developers

[1:13:50] are looking at they're not just looking at Tavari.

[1:13:53] They're looking about around the whole area.

[1:13:55] And it could definitely give us an edge

[1:13:59] when it comes down to final selection of those types

[1:14:05] of commercial operations.

[1:14:06] When potential retail clients come to see you,

[1:14:12] is this something that they've expressed interest in

[1:14:14] is some kind of a waiver of impact fees to help them.

[1:14:18] Is that something that would push them over the top.

[1:14:20] We have had commercial developers

[1:14:23] that have indicated that it would be very, very helpful.

[1:14:30] What do you think council.

[1:14:35] How would you like to move.

[1:14:36]

[1:14:38] I move to approve the suggestions

[1:14:40] from the economic department both items one and 2.

[1:14:46] Are we talking about.

[1:14:48] I think so, yes.

[1:14:49] Yeah this is all for commercial.

[1:14:52] This isn't for residential.

[1:14:54] No, this is commercial.

[1:14:55] Industrial I'll second that motion.

[1:14:59] And second, any more discussion.

[1:15:00] Just a question.

[1:15:01] What was the motion again to approve

[1:15:05] the above suggested economic development,

[1:15:07] to remove the industrial plane.

[1:15:10] Related and to whatever it said, add a new Impact fee waivers

[1:15:18] for a limited time for commercial development

[1:15:20] and bring that back to you in ordinance

[1:15:23] form for your second review and approval

[1:15:27] and just under discussion, if you would as Mr. Price asked,

[1:15:31] if you could put that together, a million, dollar, billion,

[1:15:35] million dollar building, how much revenue would

[1:15:38] be lost from the impact fees.

[1:15:40] Nothing from the building permit fees.

[1:15:43] Because they're just.

[1:15:44]

[1:15:47] Deferred deferred.

[1:15:48] Yeah I mean, if we're going to lose 50 grand,

[1:15:53] but get a million building on $1 million out

[1:15:56] I think that's a pretty good trade.

[1:15:59] Yeah we'll give you the tax revenues

[1:16:02] and the future contributions to the city.

[1:16:04] Yeah, I'm looking forward to. right, right.

[1:16:07] Well, and that's where I think when this

[1:16:08] was done back in that period, because I

[1:16:12] was here at that time, 2009 11.

[1:16:15] That was the idea was, yeah, you may lose upfront,

[1:16:20] but you gain over a period of years of what you lost,

[1:16:24] you're going to gain because of having that building there.

[1:16:27] So I think it's a good idea what's

[1:16:30] going to happen to projects that are already

[1:16:32] in the pipeline, such as heritage square,

[1:16:36] depends on when they submit, when this ordinance passed

[1:16:40] and when it's approved.

[1:16:41] I know I've had a couple of meetings with a couple of people

[1:16:44] and they're basically well, we're not

[1:16:47] quite ready to move forward.

[1:16:50] And we're looking at it closely.

[1:16:54] And what I like about an ordinance that says

[1:16:57] got nine months to pull it together or 12 all of a sudden.

[1:17:02] I mean, that's what happened in 08.

[1:17:03] I mean, I had a lot of people who said, yeah,

[1:17:05] we're not quite ready to move as soon as we pass it.

[1:17:08] And I told the owner of the hotels,

[1:17:13] 12 months to pull the trigger.

[1:17:15] Within 30 days, he was like, OK, I'm going to take the risk.

[1:17:18] And it was a big risk.

[1:17:20] And it's Roger Kooser.

[1:17:21] Yeah Because the economy was tanking.

[1:17:24] But I kept telling him, you're going

[1:17:26] to get good pricing on your lumber and your concrete

[1:17:30] and labor, and which they did.

[1:17:34] So it's a very powerful economic incentive tool

[1:17:39] to get people to not just sit on property and talk

[1:17:42] about doing projects, but actually

[1:17:45] do them because they only have 12 months to get it done.

[1:17:50] OK, yes.

[1:17:52] And I remember the stimulation the last time when we did.

[1:17:55] I mean, we were the only city we had people working,

[1:17:58] people were going out working every day.

[1:17:59] All these houses were being built.

[1:18:01] I mean, it was when we had done that back in the whenever

[1:18:04] it was 2009, 8, 9, 10, whenever it was when things were so bad.

[1:18:08] And I mean, the people in our city,

[1:18:11] they were going to work every day and had plenty of work

[1:18:14] to do.

[1:18:14] It was good.

[1:18:15] It definitely was obvious that it.

[1:18:18] I have one other point.

[1:18:20] I want a question for clarification.

[1:18:23] Sure we're talking about commercial.

[1:18:26] OK rental houses.

[1:18:28]

[1:18:31] I House would be.

[1:18:33] That'd be single family home, right.

[1:18:35] Commercially zoned.

[1:18:36] You could have commercial within, say,

[1:18:38] a multifamily such as heritage square, that sort of thing.

[1:18:44] But yeah, I mean, apartment buildings, if it's commercially

[1:18:48] zoned, it would be eligible.

[1:18:51] It's not commercially zoned.

[1:18:52] It would not be eligible.

[1:18:53] Because also what we ran into with what's happening

[1:18:57] on 19 there on that corner, I don't

[1:19:00] know where they went if they've even went any further

[1:19:03] where they're trying to build.

[1:19:04] Even though we turned low income,

[1:19:07] it was where we turned them down.

[1:19:10] Actually, it was turned down, but yet they came live, local,

[1:19:15] and that is zoned commercial industrial there.

[1:19:19] So that would qualify even though that's apartment if it

[1:19:25] had a commercial component.

[1:19:28] The commercial was going to be on the frontage of 19.

[1:19:31] The apartments were going to be six story behind it as I recall.

[1:19:36] Yes so let's make sure the right commercial gets here, please.

[1:19:43] That's a big thing.

[1:19:45] This is a great board.

[1:19:47] One of the best we've had.

[1:19:49] You all got to remember that I think of Tavares

[1:19:52] as a blank Canvas, or that we create

[1:19:54] a Currier and Ives scenario with the cemetery Arboretum.

[1:19:59] What are we doing here.

[1:20:00] Everything that we do has to be visually wonderful.

[1:20:03] Beautiful it has to be something that if I can stand there

[1:20:06] and I'd want to take a picture of that,

[1:20:08] that's how I visualize Tavares.

[1:20:10] But what makes this group really good

[1:20:12] is that we can discuss how we shall grow,

[1:20:14] but at the same time, let's just not

[1:20:17] grow for the sake of growing.

[1:20:18] Make sure what commercial comes in here is really worthwhile.

[1:20:22] There was a period of time there that we

[1:20:23] had some things going in here.

[1:20:26] Like somebody mentioned.

[1:20:28] We don't.

[1:20:28] That's not what we want when we talk commercial.

[1:20:31] And to give these incentives to these people.

[1:20:34] We want to make sure that the right commercials coming in.

[1:20:38] I'm looking forward down at Publix.

[1:20:40] I'm looking forward to going down there

[1:20:41] to go to a bonefish or a Miller's ale house

[1:20:45] or something like that, going to fight for

[1:20:47] the right commercial cheddars.

[1:20:50] Yeah there you go.

[1:20:51] There you go.

[1:20:52] Something like that.

[1:20:53] The one reason with now we approved

[1:20:56] that laundromat there, that eyesore

[1:21:00] has been there for so long.

[1:21:01] And at least the architecture of that laundromat looked good

[1:21:04] and we needed something there again.

[1:21:07] But would I rather had something else there.

[1:21:09] Boy, I sure would have loved to have something else there

[1:21:11] besides a laundromat there.

[1:21:13] But that the way they've designed it,

[1:21:16] it's going to be nice looking.

[1:21:17] It's beautiful.

[1:21:18] It does enhance the landscape.

[1:21:19] And we don't have to look at that eyesore

[1:21:22] that's there anymore.

[1:21:23] But again, at the same time, I really

[1:21:26] want to watch for the proper commercial that comes there.

[1:21:31] But we've got a motion and a second.

[1:21:33] Yes, there was discussion.

[1:21:36] Sandy, when you brought that up about that property,

[1:21:38] that because of the Live Local and the low income

[1:21:41] housing that was going to go there

[1:21:43] along with some commercial.

[1:21:46] How do we stop that.

[1:21:47] Because they're already getting incentives.

[1:21:49] Still live local, still exist.

[1:21:51] It's still breathing.

[1:21:52] It could happen.

[1:21:54] You can't double dip.

[1:21:56] I mean, they can't come in and want to do the commercial aspect

[1:22:00] of it within the low income housing,

[1:22:02] because they're already getting the break

[1:22:03] on the low income housing.

[1:22:06] They can't double dip.

[1:22:07] Yeah we'll work with the city attorney

[1:22:08] to have a carve out that meets statutory requirements

[1:22:11] in the ordinance that we bring back to you

[1:22:13] to address that, to the two concerns

[1:22:15] you've just brought forward.

[1:22:16] Yeah y'all understand what I'm saying.

[1:22:19] Yeah, that's a good point.

[1:22:20] All right.

[1:22:21] We'll do it.

[1:22:22] Have a motion and a second.

[1:22:23] Any more discussion.

[1:22:25] All those in favor, raise a hand.

[1:22:27] Motion passes 5 to 0.

[1:22:29] Thank you.

[1:22:29] OK thank you for your hard work there, Mr. tweedy.

[1:22:36] All right.

[1:22:36] We're going to move on to tab 14 budget workshop.

[1:22:42] The general fund budget was presented

[1:22:45] to the city council on July 15, had a budget workshop.

[1:22:48] The enterprise and special revenue fund budgets

[1:22:51] were presented to the council at the August 5 budget workshop.

[1:22:56] The city council set the maximum tentative millage rate

[1:23:00] of 7.2 Mills, and the maximum tentative

[1:23:02] voted debt service rate of 0.1335 Mills

[1:23:07] at the July 15 budget workshop.

[1:23:09] At this meeting, the five year capital improvement

[1:23:12] plan will be presented, after which the council will have

[1:23:15] an opportunity to discuss it and then the proposed budget

[1:23:20] at the next item, tab 15.

[1:23:24] So with that, I'm going to ask our finance

[1:23:27] director to present the five year

[1:23:30] capital improvement program.

[1:23:33]

[1:23:38] Council I'm here to present to you

[1:23:41] some highlights of the capital improvement program.

[1:23:44] Staff has prepared some extra large copies

[1:23:47] for easy reading of the complete program at the dais for you.

[1:23:51] Yes This thing if you want to.

[1:23:54] So that should you have questions,

[1:23:56] it will be easier to read.

[1:24:00] And if you don't mind, I'm going to read it from.

[1:24:02] I'm going to go through the presentation from here.

[1:24:05] It is going to be short and we're just

[1:24:07] going to hit the highlights.

[1:24:09] That way it'll come back to council for your discussion.

[1:24:12] Sure all right.

[1:24:14] First, let's go over what does capital assets mean.

[1:24:18] The government finance Officers Association defines capital

[1:24:21] assets as assets of significant value

[1:24:25] and having a useful life of several years.

[1:24:28] City of Tavares.

[1:24:29] Anything with a useful life of five

[1:24:31] or more years is capitalized, and our capital

[1:24:35] threshold is $5,000.

[1:24:37] If an item costs that much, it goes through the capital plan

[1:24:41] capital improvement program.

[1:24:43] The capital improvement program, or CIP,

[1:24:45] is a plan for capital expenditures

[1:24:48] to be incurred each year over a fixed period of several years,

[1:24:53] usually five or six, setting forth each capital project

[1:24:57] and identifying the expected beginning

[1:25:00] and ending date for each project,

[1:25:03] the amount to be expended in each year,

[1:25:05] and the method for paying for those expenditures.

[1:25:09] As you know me, I love quotes that are right on target

[1:25:13] with what we're doing.

[1:25:15] Louis Pasteur said chance favors the prepared mind.

[1:25:21] Our Ci plan SIP plan land gives us that preparation

[1:25:26] for a prepared mind.

[1:25:29] Let's look at an overview of the categories within the SIP plan.

[1:25:35] The total amount is $99,655,806.

[1:25:41] From fiscal year 2026 through fiscal year 2031.

[1:25:48] As you can see, we have beautification,

[1:25:50] economic development, public buildings and facilities,

[1:25:54] parks and recreation, transportation, water facilities

[1:25:58] and improvements, wastewater facilities and improvements,

[1:26:02] water reuse and reclamation, solid waste, stormwater

[1:26:07] and general government.

[1:26:09] And as you can see, some of the largest categories

[1:26:14] is the water, transportation and wastewater

[1:26:18] sectors, as well as the public buildings and facilities.

[1:26:22] Abilities OK, let's take a look at the five year

[1:26:29] CIP categories in a graphical perspective.

[1:26:32] And as you can see, potable water, public buildings,

[1:26:37] wastewater, our parts of the largest parts of our capital

[1:26:42] plan with transportation and parks

[1:26:44] and recreation and general government

[1:26:47] coming in right behind.

[1:26:48]

[1:26:53] And then if you look at the proposed funding

[1:26:55] on a graphical pie chart, you can

[1:26:58] see that most of your funding is going to come from general fund.

[1:27:03] This is the proposed funding, state revolving loan funds

[1:27:07] for those capital projects for water

[1:27:09] and wastewater and stormwater.

[1:27:12] And then we have wastewater impacts

[1:27:16] that are going to fund and strategically

[1:27:19] offset some of the SRF funding.

[1:27:22] And we have water wastewater operations, general fund

[1:27:27] operations, operating revenue.

[1:27:29] 27% is proposed.

[1:27:30] That's pay as you go.

[1:27:32] There's 0 amount in the proposed plan

[1:27:35] for general government debt.

[1:27:37]

[1:27:40] Now this is a favorite quote that Bret loves.

[1:27:44] Give me six hours to chop down a tree.

[1:27:47] And I will spend the first four sharpening

[1:27:49] the x Abraham Lincoln.

[1:27:51]

[1:27:54] Now let's look at some of the highlights

[1:27:56] for the general government CIP.

[1:27:59] This does not include all of the capital items,

[1:28:02] but it's just intended to highlight those that are.

[1:28:07] In fiscal year 2027, total $1,566,682.

[1:28:14] As you can see, we've got police vehicles.

[1:28:17] We've got breathing apparatus for the fire department.

[1:28:20] We've got alleyway improvements, road paving.

[1:28:23] We've got the West Main Street streetscape.

[1:28:27] We've got signs to define the waterfront,

[1:28:29] we've got the Veterans Memorial plan and columbarium,

[1:28:33] and we've got cemetery, laboratory, Arboretum

[1:28:36] and irrigation repair.

[1:28:38] And then we've got new vehicles for parks and recreation,

[1:28:42] and then we've got the Golden Triangle

[1:28:45] regional park, West parking, restrooms,

[1:28:48] and sidewalk construction.

[1:28:49]

[1:28:53] Now let's look at some of the highlights

[1:28:55] for the enterprise fund. $22,655,000 you've got

[1:29:01] several projects here.

[1:29:03] The largest one I'll draw your attention to

[1:29:05] is the Citywide improvements to drinking water system design

[1:29:08] and construction that is anticipated

[1:29:13] to be all loan forgiveness.

[1:29:16] We will apply for an SRF loan.

[1:29:18] We meet all the requirements as we go through the process.

[1:29:22] And then the loan is forgiven.

[1:29:23] That is, we think that is just absolutely awesome.

[1:29:27] We have a base read phase 9.

[1:29:31] That's our antenna program for me to read.

[1:29:34] Wastewater treatment pump station.

[1:29:36] Upgrade their lift station.

[1:29:38] Install a bypass for lift station 38.

[1:29:41] Pipelining wastewater upgrade panel for pumps.

[1:29:45] Low pressure for the sewer system.

[1:29:48] Hundreds kilowatt portable generator and then some storm

[1:29:51] line repairs.

[1:29:54] Now let's take a look forward for some of our locked projects.

[1:29:58] And if you look on the screen above,

[1:30:01] you can see some of the largest ones of the pavilion AC

[1:30:04] in design.

[1:30:05] We've got a fire engine replacement there.

[1:30:08] We've got a senior center on the long range

[1:30:11] planning for 1,000,008 50.

[1:30:13] We've got 9 million can plan for SRF or wastewater treatment

[1:30:17] plant expansions and upgrades.

[1:30:21] We've got a million 725 on the plan

[1:30:24] for reclaimed water in 2028, and then more in 2029.

[1:30:29] And we have let's see.

[1:30:33] We've got several for the recreation.

[1:30:38] We've got the dock pier.

[1:30:39] Well I won't go there.

[1:30:41] The ST Clair Abrams project, which

[1:30:44] should that we're currently working on

[1:30:46] should finish this year.

[1:30:49] But there's several there.

[1:30:51] And I encourage you to take a look.

[1:30:53] And as we go through the budget process each year,

[1:30:57] we take a look at all of these projects,

[1:30:59] look at the priority for them, and they may move up.

[1:31:03] They may move further out into the future depending

[1:31:06] on the expected funding opportunity

[1:31:11] to offset the needed projects.

[1:31:15] And that pretty much is a high level view of your CIP plan.

[1:31:20] And we're here to answer any questions that you may have.

[1:31:25] Mayor, back to you.

[1:31:26] Thank you.

[1:31:28] All right.

[1:31:29] Council, have any questions for MS

[1:31:31] Houghton or discussion questions for Mr. Questions anywhere.

[1:31:36] Comments hello.

[1:31:43] No thank you on this.

[1:31:50] Once again great job.

[1:31:53] Thank you.

[1:31:55] As you're reviewing it this through the budget process.

[1:31:59] Should you have any questions Brett and I

[1:32:00] will be happy to assist you.

[1:32:02]

[1:32:05] All right.

[1:32:06]

[1:32:08] How would you like to move.

[1:32:09]

[1:32:13] I think the next item is I think this was to receive the budget.

[1:32:20] I don't think there's a vote required on this.

[1:32:22] All right.

[1:32:24] So we're moving on to continued deliberations and updates Mr.

[1:32:30] Drury, and opportunities provided the council to resume

[1:32:34] budget deliberations and then finalize a draft budget

[1:32:38] for the first public hearing, which is on Thursday,

[1:32:41] September the 3, 2026, at 5:05 PM and the second and final

[1:32:46] public hearing, which is on Wednesday,

[1:32:48] September 16, 2026 at 5:05 PM.

[1:32:53] Based on discussions at the last budget workshop,

[1:32:58] the proposed budget has been updated to include

[1:33:01] two additional police officers.

[1:33:03] Starting on 7, 127 and two new police vehicles.

[1:33:07] Additionally, the proposed budget

[1:33:09] has been updated based on current updates from the city's

[1:33:12] health and dental staff vacancies, changes in health,

[1:33:15] dental insurance coverage, et cetera.

[1:33:18] Exhibit A contains the adjustments

[1:33:20] to the proposed budget.

[1:33:21] Should be noted that the city is still waiting on final revenue

[1:33:24] estimates from the state for state shared revenues

[1:33:28] and final costs for general liability

[1:33:29] and workers' compensation from the city's

[1:33:32] public entity insurer.

[1:33:34] It is anticipated that these figures

[1:33:36] should be available before the first public hearing.

[1:33:41] The original proposed budget had in it 158,884, to be added

[1:33:49] into general fund reserves.

[1:33:52] The updated proposed budget, reflecting the changes above,

[1:33:56] resulted in a $245,242 more in expenditures

[1:34:04] than in budgeted revenues.

[1:34:06] The changes we did have increased

[1:34:10] what I recommended by 245.

[1:34:13] 242 therefore, in order to have a balanced budget,

[1:34:17] it's recommended to reduce.

[1:34:20] The amount provided for general fund reserves from 158 894 down

[1:34:26] to 0.

[1:34:28] This still maintains three months of general fund

[1:34:30] reserves and the budget.

[1:34:33] And results in a lowering of the 7.2 tentative millage

[1:34:38] rate down to a millage rate of 6.992,

[1:34:45] to have a balanced budget based on the changes

[1:34:48] you made at your last meeting.

[1:34:52] After the council deliberates and finalizes the budget millage

[1:34:54] rates, they will be brought back to the council

[1:34:57] with any final adjustments from the state,

[1:34:59] along with supporting resolutions for the two

[1:35:03] public hearings in September for further public input

[1:35:10] on the council.

[1:35:13] So at this point, you have an opportunity to instruct staff

[1:35:18] to move forward and bring back the resolutions

[1:35:20] for the public hearings, as is to make further adjustments

[1:35:27] to the budget and deliberate anything you want pulled out,

[1:35:32] put in.

[1:35:34] We'll take notes and then we would bring back any changes

[1:35:37] you have in the final, at the next, at the next meeting,

[1:35:42] back to you.

[1:35:44] I have a change.

[1:35:45] So I know at the last meeting we had discussed the opportunity

[1:35:54] to give over 20 years, five years

[1:35:57] health insurance going forward.

[1:36:01] I thought about that.

[1:36:03] I heard countless and I mean countless responses

[1:36:08] from constituents, and no one was in favor of that.

[1:36:13] I heard a lot of and I listened to a lot of people's reasoning

[1:36:16] wise on that, and I have come to agree with what they told me,

[1:36:21] so I am voting against that.

[1:36:24]

[1:36:27] So you're saying you want to pull that back out.

[1:36:30] It's back in OK.

[1:36:31] Correct all right.

[1:36:38] I have and I could not go with that

[1:36:42] because to me that's telling our staff that is not a director.

[1:36:49] You really don't mean anything to us

[1:36:52] deal that we're only concerned about the upper echelon.

[1:36:57] And that's not I don't think this council's viewpoint.

[1:37:01] What I asked Mr. Drury, was what could

[1:37:04] we do similar to what Leesburg did with their employees

[1:37:08] over there to help out.

[1:37:11] And they came up with a longevity plan over 20 years

[1:37:17] that we would contribute so much money into that on our budget

[1:37:22] hearing this year.

[1:37:24]

[1:37:28] I would love to do it this year.

[1:37:30] But if we did it this year, we would have to go into reserves

[1:37:34] to be able to do it.

[1:37:35] And I'm not for going into our reserves

[1:37:37] until I know what happens in November.

[1:37:39] But if we were able to do it, fund it, and the funding

[1:37:44] to do this would be $66,658.

[1:37:50] And they came up with a plan that starts at five years

[1:37:55] and goes all the way up to 20 years.

[1:37:59] But I would ask Mr. Drury to share this with everyone,

[1:38:02] but I just.

[1:38:03] If you're interested in something of this nature

[1:38:06] that it allows gives them an incentive.

[1:38:08] It also what it does.

[1:38:10] It puts money in and is paid out each December.

[1:38:13] But he can give that.

[1:38:15] And you can get what MS Lori about it.

[1:38:17] Get more information that way.

[1:38:19] I'm not giving second hand and mixing it up, but to me this way

[1:38:24] it gives every employee something.

[1:38:28] And technically what it comes out to

[1:38:29] is like a bonus at December, that they could even keep it

[1:38:33] in there or roll it over however they want to do,

[1:38:36] or they could do something else with it.

[1:38:38] But it's something that tells our employees.

[1:38:41]

[1:38:43] We care about you.

[1:38:45] We may not be able to give them a raise per se,

[1:38:49] but if we could do something like this,

[1:38:51] it would be something there.

[1:38:54] But I talked to another individual

[1:38:56] and they said it sounded like this is a great way to do it,

[1:39:00] but I would prefer that you gave the employees more money.

[1:39:03] If what you're telling me their average salary is we

[1:39:05] need to increase their pay.

[1:39:09] And this would be an incentive.

[1:39:11] But like I say, this is something

[1:39:13] that Mr. Drury can share with you between now

[1:39:15] and the next meeting.

[1:39:16] And you can review it and see and if you've

[1:39:18] got any questions about it.

[1:39:20] But this tells every employee that you matter to us.

[1:39:25] We care about you and I. I just I can't just nail down

[1:39:31] just one group of people and say, OK,

[1:39:34] we're just going to do this.

[1:39:35] And I appreciate Mr. Collins pulling back his vote on that

[1:39:40] because it does set a precedent.

[1:39:45] But if we could come up with a 66,000,

[1:39:47] I have an idea for this year, but I don't think Mr.

[1:39:50] Bernier would like it.

[1:39:51]

[1:39:54] And that would be the $50,000 for that special event.

[1:39:57] I have a question about that too.

[1:39:59] The 50,000.

[1:40:00] What does that cover.

[1:40:03] We would go out for proposals.

[1:40:06] They would submit a proposal to this council,

[1:40:10] and then you would be given what they're going to use it for.

[1:40:15] It would be various costs associated with putting

[1:40:18] on an event of this caliber.

[1:40:21] So you'll get to see that in the proposal process, probably

[1:40:25] in the October, November time frame.

[1:40:28] They'll be making the presentations to you

[1:40:31] on what that money would be spent on,

[1:40:33] and it would be legitimate event costs.

[1:40:37] Because that covers police fire and clean up afterwards.

[1:40:43] I would assume everything would be included in there.

[1:40:46] OK Mr. Mr. Grenier, the reason I asked chamber what I did

[1:40:50] was because of this.

[1:40:52] If they would get on board and they would come up

[1:40:54] with the funding for that themselves

[1:40:57] because it benefits them and the businesses around more than

[1:41:00] it does the city of Tavares.

[1:41:02] This is not a chamber type of thing.

[1:41:04] Well, I'm just saying chamber type of thing.

[1:41:07] It is an event that they could do and promote and go,

[1:41:11] but I would be more apt to put that $50,000 toward helping

[1:41:15] our employees on something there that goes over a 20 year period.

[1:41:20] I think his event will generate a lot of income for our city.

[1:41:25] A lot of income for our businesses.

[1:41:27] It's projected to fill every hotel room that we have.

[1:41:32] It's huge.

[1:41:33] We have people coming nationwide or coming to the city of Tavares

[1:41:40] for this grand finale of rival rails and history.

[1:41:44] It surprised me.

[1:41:45] I've never been interested in it, but I'll be honest.

[1:41:49] Every time they did it before.

[1:41:51] What?

[1:41:51] you did it a couple of years before.

[1:41:53] Five years.

[1:41:54] However long it was.

[1:41:55] And I just remember it was very, very

[1:41:58] lucrative to the businesses.

[1:42:00] It truly was.

[1:42:01] I think we have to have things like this.

[1:42:03] We have to promote things like this

[1:42:06] to make sure that our businesses here in the city

[1:42:10] remain and grow, which they should be entitled to do.

[1:42:14] I darn sure would not take that $50,000 from that.

[1:42:18] I love your idea.

[1:42:19] I mean, if you feel like we need to do

[1:42:23] something more for the employees, I understand that.

[1:42:26] I mean, I like to do a whole lot more than we're

[1:42:28] doing for all of our employees.

[1:42:30] It's just.

[1:42:31] What can you do.

[1:42:32] Well, my interest is keeping them here.

[1:42:34] That's what I want to do.

[1:42:35] We invest in them, and I want them to stay.

[1:42:37] And I think something like this would more likely

[1:42:43] keep them here versus us.

[1:42:45] Become a training ground, and they go somewhere else.

[1:42:47] That's what I'm saying.

[1:42:48] Because years ago our thing was with the police department when

[1:42:53] Stoney was when I was on council years ago and we were hiring

[1:42:59] policemen, they were here for maybe two years,

[1:43:01] and then they went elsewhere because they got two years

[1:43:05] of training here and they went elsewhere making maybe

[1:43:08] $10,000 or $15,000 more a year than

[1:43:10] what we could pay them here.

[1:43:12] And so what we got to do to correct it.

[1:43:14] Well, we did over a period of time,

[1:43:16] the council approved, we increased the pay

[1:43:19] for the police officers, and we did the same thing

[1:43:20] with the fire department.

[1:43:22] And we've tried to do it with everybody.

[1:43:24] So I think we're on the right track

[1:43:27] to try to create some type of incentive to keep our employees

[1:43:30] so that they don't go elsewhere.

[1:43:32] Well, my thing on this, what I wanted to do,

[1:43:36] I definitely was not trying to wipe out the other employees.

[1:43:41] When you think about it, general employees,

[1:43:45] they provide daily services every day.

[1:43:47] Our general employees are out there.

[1:43:50] They provide services for our residents

[1:43:53] like police protection and fire protection and parks and water

[1:43:57] and sewer and roads and they're paid by the taxes

[1:44:01] that we bring in the resident taxes.

[1:44:04] And if they work extra, all of our employees,

[1:44:06] if they work extra, they get paid time and a half overtime.

[1:44:10] They have ways to make extra money by volunteering to do this

[1:44:15] where your department heads, they manage the people

[1:44:20] and of course, they get paid more.

[1:44:22] They're have much more experience.

[1:44:24] They have much more education.

[1:44:27] They're out there they have to be qualified to do this.

[1:44:32] But they manage the people, they manage the budgets.

[1:44:36] They schedule the services, daily services that we

[1:44:40] provide for our residents.

[1:44:42] They're also paid by taxes and fees

[1:44:44] that we get by the residents.

[1:44:50] But they work extra to they work extra applying

[1:44:56] for grants, securing grants, and they

[1:45:00] don't get anything for that.

[1:45:02] They don't get anything.

[1:45:03] Their day is spent managing their employees

[1:45:06] and their schedule and doing logistics and getting

[1:45:09] people where they belong.

[1:45:12] It's the night time.

[1:45:13] It's the midnight oil that they're

[1:45:14] burning most of the time trying to get these grants,

[1:45:19] and they get a Pat on the back.

[1:45:20] I mean, that's all they get.

[1:45:22] And the city manager and all the Department

[1:45:26] heads they have secured.

[1:45:29] And I want you to hear this number.

[1:45:30] They have secured over $100 million in grants.

[1:45:36] Our department heads, Mr. Drury, and our department heads,

[1:45:40] have secured over $100 million in grants for infrastructure

[1:45:46] and for the residents of Tavares.

[1:45:51] So they get a Pat on the back for all this extra work.

[1:45:59] And we are huge with what we're doing.

[1:46:01] We have some of the best.

[1:46:02] I tell them all the time.

[1:46:03] Our department heads are 1 in a million.

[1:46:06] I mean, I don't want them to go anywhere.

[1:46:09] I don't feel like we're not as competitive

[1:46:11] as we could be with their pay.

[1:46:13] So I'm back again wanting to fight for this insurance.

[1:46:17] And I've just learned different things.

[1:46:19] And to me, of all the things that we could give them,

[1:46:24] this was one of the most economical but meaningful.

[1:46:28] That would help a lot of them in different situations.

[1:46:33] I'm not sure of the exact money, but how many

[1:46:36] department heads do we have.

[1:46:38] John, and how many department heads do we have that

[1:46:40] are even close to 20 years at this moment.

[1:46:43] I think there are 10 department directors,

[1:46:46] and we probably have two or three that are.

[1:46:50] Yeah so it's minimal.

[1:46:52] It's absolutely minimal.

[1:46:53] But it's meaningful.

[1:46:55] So it's minimal.

[1:46:56] It's minimal but it's meaningful.

[1:46:59] So I suggested it because it's to provide health

[1:47:05] and wellness longevity benefit.

[1:47:07] That's what I want to call it who have worked

[1:47:10] here for over 20 years securing the grants

[1:47:13] and doing what they do.

[1:47:15] So I really want y'all to think a little bit more about this

[1:47:20] and let's find out the cost.

[1:47:24] It we'll get no cost this year.

[1:47:27] Is that correct.

[1:47:28] This won't affect this budget this year.

[1:47:30] No no it will not affect the budget this year.

[1:47:34] If for some reason things change, you can always come back

[1:47:38] and readdress this.

[1:47:39] You hate to take things away, but if the economy tanks,

[1:47:42] then you have to do what you have to do.

[1:47:44] And then as far as the employees,

[1:47:46] and I'd be real excited to hear what you

[1:47:48] have to say of something we could also

[1:47:51] do for the general employees.

[1:47:53] We have good people here.

[1:47:55] I want to take care of them.

[1:47:57] And you're right.

[1:47:58] I was wrong to single out.

[1:48:01] I was more or less thinking about what our department heads

[1:48:04] bring in, and that they don't have the ability

[1:48:07] to make extra money.

[1:48:08] There is no time.

[1:48:09] At the end of the day.

[1:48:10] They've been here since some of them o'clock this morning

[1:48:14] and they're still here now.

[1:48:15] This is what happens.

[1:48:16] They don't get paid any more for this.

[1:48:18] They get paid X amount of dollars.

[1:48:20] That's the point I'm trying to make.

[1:48:22] I don't want to lose them to another city

[1:48:24] because they get more benefits.

[1:48:26] I'm not.

[1:48:27] And the residents, every resident I've talked to that

[1:48:30] has asked me about this.

[1:48:32] They completely understand as long as it doesn't

[1:48:35] really affect them, they understand and said,

[1:48:38] well, that's nice.

[1:48:39] I haven't had any.

[1:48:41] I had one person who told me, a person

[1:48:44] who's not reasonable to begin with told me,

[1:48:47] oh, well, I still don't like it, so I'm willing.

[1:48:51] I mean, I really want to keep this in here

[1:48:53] for so many reasons.

[1:48:55] Again, it's meaningful but minimal cost.

[1:49:00] So let's talk to see what we can figure out.

[1:49:05] Let's talk now, Sandy.

[1:49:06] What you're thinking for the employees.

[1:49:09] What are you thinking for the employees.

[1:49:11] Is there a way that we can work this out where again,

[1:49:13] it's minimal to our budget.

[1:49:17] Well, like I say, the total for this year, if we were to do it

[1:49:21] and go forward with it.

[1:49:22] But I really don't think this is the year to do it with November

[1:49:27] hanging on us right now.

[1:49:28] As much as I want to do it, the total would be 66 5565.

[1:49:33] I'm sorry.

[1:49:33] Yeah, 66,006 58.

[1:49:36] What this does is it puts this in there

[1:49:39] and it gives them like I said in December,

[1:49:41] it gives them like a bonus and all it is deprived of $50

[1:49:46] a month for everything.

[1:49:50] Is that all employees or is it.

[1:49:52] Yeah, that would be employees or employees or department heads,

[1:49:56] not Department heads.

[1:49:57] Every employee.

[1:50:00] Everybody includes department heads.

[1:50:02] Every employee.

[1:50:04] And what it does is the first five years

[1:50:10] would be a payment of $250.

[1:50:12] They've been here.

[1:50:15] Yeah the first five years or after five years,

[1:50:18] the employee with five years of service

[1:50:20] would receive $250 at December.

[1:50:23] And then it goes each year after that at $50,

[1:50:28] all the way up to 20 years, where they

[1:50:30] would be eligible for $1,000.

[1:50:33] And this turns out to be a bonus,

[1:50:37] but it gives them an incentive.

[1:50:39] What I can do is bring it to you at your next meeting.

[1:50:43] We're going to be doing a budget,

[1:50:45] and I can give you the effect on if you want to do it this year,

[1:50:49] I'll give you the effect on this year's budget.

[1:50:51] And then you can at that meeting,

[1:50:54] I'll give you the whole plan that he's been working on

[1:50:59] and present it to you the next meeting

[1:51:01] and show you what the impact of the two things are.

[1:51:06] Well, and I just see right here in this email

[1:51:12] that we got director's health proposal isn't with no impact

[1:51:15] on city administrator recommended budget and no impact

[1:51:19] on the millage there for this year.

[1:51:21] For this year.

[1:51:23] We discuss it next year, but it has to go away.

[1:51:25] It goes away.

[1:51:26] I mean, at the following year and again, then we could also

[1:51:32] talk about what you would like for the rest of the city staff

[1:51:35] there.

[1:51:36] I think this is a great incentive for directors who

[1:51:39] are here for that extra work that they do

[1:51:41] that now keeps directors in a nice, great administrative

[1:51:44] position.

[1:51:45] We continue to get all the wonderful things they do

[1:51:47] that these not JustGrants, but a lot of things

[1:51:50] that are done here.

[1:51:52] But at the same time, I'd still like

[1:51:53] to come because we do give raises to our staff members

[1:51:56] each year.

[1:51:57] But what other incentives.

[1:51:59] Yeah, that's right, that's right.

[1:52:01] But it's usually pretty good.

[1:52:04] And to see what we can do to make it even better is Cola.

[1:52:09] That's the cost of living.

[1:52:11] I mean, it doesn't make sense.

[1:52:12] Yeah, but I've had others say, well,

[1:52:14] you're giving your staff that much where

[1:52:16] others not even given the Cola.

[1:52:18] So anyways.

[1:52:18] But that's besides the point.

[1:52:19] What I'm saying is that we can come up

[1:52:22] with something, some incentives for the rest of the staff

[1:52:26] as well.

[1:52:27] Well, before y'all say no to any of this,

[1:52:30] I would really like for John to bring

[1:52:33] us back something to give us an idea of what the cost will be.

[1:52:37] I Sandy, you figured it out.

[1:52:39] I want to hear from John.

[1:52:40] We started it.

[1:52:41] They figured it out.

[1:52:42] OK, well, they figured that much out,

[1:52:44] but I want to know about this.

[1:52:46] For the directors, the insurance.

[1:52:50] I still want to know about it.

[1:52:51] I haven't seen the exact figures.

[1:52:53] I'd like to know the expectations

[1:52:55] of where it would take us.

[1:52:56] And again, you can always go back.

[1:52:58] And if it has to go away, it has to go away.

[1:53:00] If you get in tight times, I think

[1:53:02] everyone, when you're in your home and times get tight,

[1:53:08] things go away.

[1:53:09] You do away with Netflix or do you make adjustments,

[1:53:13] and I feel like and I don't want to live.

[1:53:16] I've never been one to live.

[1:53:19] And this is because I'm not like y'all.

[1:53:22] I'm not going to oh, we better not spend any money because we

[1:53:24] might have a hurricane or we better not spend any money

[1:53:28] because we might get a flood.

[1:53:30] I mean, I just can't live that way.

[1:53:32] We'll make the adjustment if this happens and if this

[1:53:35] happens, I don't know how they think

[1:53:37] we're supposed to figure it out, but I guarantee you we will.

[1:53:39] One way or another.

[1:53:40] We've figured out worse times than to me

[1:53:43] than you saying about the property taxes,

[1:53:46] I mean, 2029 or when was that.

[1:53:50] I mean, those were horrible, horrible years.

[1:53:52] Every other house was being foreclosed on.

[1:53:55] People were homeless.

[1:53:56] I mean, it was really sad times.

[1:53:57] And somehow the city made it through.

[1:53:59] And I have complete confidence that we will see through again.

[1:54:04] We have Walter, the number cruncher here,

[1:54:06] who will make sure that if something needs to go away,

[1:54:10] it will go away.

[1:54:11] There's no doubt about that.

[1:54:12] And I wouldn't vote to keep something

[1:54:14] that we couldn't make work.

[1:54:17] I wouldn't but this just seems so workable.

[1:54:21] And, Sandy, even what you're saying, that seems fair.

[1:54:24] That seems very fair to do.

[1:54:26] But I'm not so sure I'd want that.

[1:54:28] I mean, I don't think the directors need both,

[1:54:31] I would rather divide it up.

[1:54:33] I'm more interested in trying to keep my directors here for 20

[1:54:37] years because they're good.

[1:54:39] They bring in money, they're familiar,

[1:54:41] they get things done, they know where not to waste their time,

[1:54:45] where to put their efforts.

[1:54:46] They find us money.

[1:54:48] I don't think, but.

[1:54:50] But the employees would much more the employees,

[1:54:53] not the directors.

[1:54:54] Let's divide that up.

[1:54:55] Now we have employees and we have directors.

[1:54:57] I know they're all employees, but just

[1:54:59] for the sake of conversation, I would like to divide that up

[1:55:03] and say our directors, I think, would

[1:55:05] appreciate more having that insurance at the end,

[1:55:11] I really do.

[1:55:13] I'm finding with Meta, whatever you call that stuff right now.

[1:55:17] So I just told my age and it's horrible.

[1:55:19] I've never had so many deductibles,

[1:55:21] and I have all these different parts that everybody said,

[1:55:24] I pay more for insurance than if I had a city policy.

[1:55:28] I pay more this matter.

[1:55:31] Something or other.

[1:55:31] You gotta get one for pharmacy.

[1:55:33] You have to get one a different plan.

[1:55:35] You need this plan you need.

[1:55:36] That gives me a headache.

[1:55:38] But anyway, can I make a couple.

[1:55:41] You make.

[1:55:43] OK let's see.

[1:55:50] As far as Sandy's plan, I don't think I'd want to look

[1:55:53] at that this year again.

[1:55:55] For the same reason.

[1:55:57] We don't know what's happening in November

[1:55:59] with the property tax thing.

[1:56:01] If it's fine and we still have a budget next year,

[1:56:04] let's take a look at it then.

[1:56:06] As I was against the extending the health insurance for

[1:56:10] the directors for five years.

[1:56:12] I was a no on that from the beginning.

[1:56:14] And I too have received several phone

[1:56:17] calls this week from Citizens saying, no, no, no, no, no.

[1:56:22] The problem is, if our department heads were CEOs

[1:56:26] of their own corporations, and they

[1:56:28] wanted to arrange for their own golden parachutes.

[1:56:31] For their retirement.

[1:56:33] Great fantastic.

[1:56:35] But as far as the taxpayers paying for additional.

[1:56:39] Health care for insurance, for directors.

[1:56:43] No, I don't think that's a taxpayer thing.

[1:56:46] So I would still be a no on doing the five

[1:56:48] year extended health care.

[1:56:50] Plus, if they retire before age 65,

[1:56:54] they can still continue to buy insurance

[1:56:56] through the city at that rate.

[1:56:58] Is that correct.

[1:56:59] She's gone up.

[1:57:01] Or they can switch to Medicare once they're at that age.

[1:57:04] But I can answer that.

[1:57:05] I'm still the answer is yes, but keep going.

[1:57:07] So I'm still against that.

[1:57:12] I do, though, after hearing about the potential economic

[1:57:19] impact of the rails program that councilman

[1:57:24] Bernier has brought up.

[1:57:25] I'm still in favor of going ahead with that event.

[1:57:28] I think the benefit to the hotels, the restaurants

[1:57:33] and everything else around here will way

[1:57:36] come in way more than 50 grand.

[1:57:38] I think it's a good return on the investment

[1:57:39] for that particular event.

[1:57:42] You want to get the steam train here for four days.

[1:57:44] I think that's going to bring a lot of people into town just

[1:57:46] to want to see that, if nothing else.

[1:57:48] So I'm still a no on the health insurance,

[1:57:53] and I don't want to start with either.

[1:57:54] Any other new plans right now, because I'm

[1:57:56] very concerned about November 3 and the property tax Amendment.

[1:58:01]

[1:58:03] Anyone else.

[1:58:05] Just as a point of clarification, Bob,

[1:58:08] I am not against the rails and rifles.

[1:58:10] I'm just against the way the funding is.

[1:58:14] OK I still think the chamber could get involved and help

[1:58:17] with the funding, but to youth for them

[1:58:21] way out of their league.

[1:58:23] Well, way hey, they used to do more than that.

[1:58:26] Way out of their league.

[1:58:27] I'm sorry.

[1:58:28] Yeah OK, well, can we at least have

[1:58:32] Mr. Drury bring back the information

[1:58:35] that I'd like to see or.

[1:58:38] And I'd also like to see the information

[1:58:40] for the Department heads if we brought them up

[1:58:42] to a more competitive salary.

[1:58:45] How much would that cost.

[1:58:48] So I want to see what comes out of.

[1:58:52] The thing to understand is, I think also is that the military.

[1:59:00] Has to be approved by all five, I think for four.

[1:59:05] Yeah OK.

[1:59:07] So the 6.95 was the original.

[1:59:12] And from what I'm seeing now it's Yes And so got to make sure

[1:59:20] we can justify that difference.

[1:59:25] Well, could still go down a little

[1:59:28] depending upon when we get actual.

[1:59:30] Yeah, our costs will be in probably in two weeks.

[1:59:32] Yeah we'll have the updated numbers.

[1:59:34] It could be worse.

[1:59:36] Yeah, well, but it could be better.

[1:59:37] I like your positive attitude.

[1:59:40] Yeah, it could be better.

[1:59:42] Well, you're lowering the tentative

[1:59:43] from 7.2 down to 6.9 right now.

[1:59:45] And if we can get it lower, we will.

[1:59:47] There you go.

[1:59:48] All right.

[1:59:51] That's all I got on that.

[1:59:53] So what are we asking.

[1:59:55] So I think what I'm going to do, what I'm going to do

[1:59:58] is leave the budget the way it is with no under these changes

[2:00:02] that we heard today, we're going to bring it forward to you.

[2:00:05] And in the meantime, I'm going to put

[2:00:07] together more information on the two proposals

[2:00:10] and the fiscal impact.

[2:00:12] And I will get that all to you, and you'll have

[2:00:14] it before the next meeting.

[2:00:15] And then you can either say, we're putting it in

[2:00:17] or we're not putting it in.

[2:00:19] Is that fair with everyone.

[2:00:21] Absolutely I don't mind looking at actual numbers.

[2:00:25] Yeah, I'll get it to you.

[2:00:27] What was the thing that we said.

[2:00:29] The data that those data buildings.

[2:00:33] So we're going to allow Mr. Drury to put together the data.

[2:00:36] Yes the data pull up.

[2:00:39] You will have the data.

[2:00:40]

[2:00:44] All right.

[2:00:45] So what else do we need to talk about.

[2:00:49] Budget anything.

[2:00:50] No, I think we're good.

[2:00:51] We're going to put together the resolutions, the budget.

[2:00:56] I'll give you the data and then you'll

[2:00:59] make a final decision, a semi-final decision

[2:01:04] at your September meeting.

[2:01:05] And then you'll make a final decision

[2:01:07] at your two September meeting.

[2:01:09] And that's where it all.

[2:01:10] That's where the rubber comes.

[2:01:12] The rubber hits the road.

[2:01:15] All right.

[2:01:16] Perfect OK.

[2:01:17] We're going to move on to New business council.

[2:01:19] Any new business about any old business.

[2:01:25] About new old business.

[2:01:27] New old business in between.

[2:01:29] Normally she has the new old business.

[2:01:31] But I just have been a hard couple of weeks.

[2:01:35] I have my thought process has been elsewhere,

[2:01:38] to be honest with you.

[2:01:39] OK we're going to go to audience to be heard.

[2:01:44] I guess our only choice Mr. Santoro, you and your wife

[2:01:47] are it.

[2:01:48] And we appreciate you staying for all of this.

[2:01:51] Yeah, right down to the end.

[2:01:54] Mayor and members of council Mr. Drury.

[2:01:58] City staff MS Holt, Gary Santoro, Royal harbor.

[2:02:02] First and foremost, I'm a proactive person.

[2:02:05] When I brought to you about the property on 448,

[2:02:08] it was not because I wanted to see

[2:02:09] the data processes out there.

[2:02:12] I'm concerned what's going to happen out there.

[2:02:16] We ought to be proactive on what we're going to do.

[2:02:18] If you go back into the minutes, maybe three, four years ago,

[2:02:21] I brought before this council, the city ought to consider

[2:02:24] buying a sliver of property out there to put

[2:02:26] a remote pumping station, because the way

[2:02:28] they're building out there, and I don't want

[2:02:31] to speak for his department, it's got to reach

[2:02:33] its maximum sooner or later.

[2:02:35] And what's going to happen.

[2:02:36] So that's my concern is what's going to happen out there.

[2:02:40] I agonize with you on your discussion

[2:02:43] on the salaries and stuff like that.

[2:02:45] God knows I've sat through them and there's nothing

[2:02:48] more demoralizing than sitting in their seat listening

[2:02:50] to what you have to say.

[2:02:52] Whether they're worth it or not has nothing to do with that's

[2:02:55] what it is.

[2:02:56] But that's the perception.

[2:02:57] And I can say that because I sat in their seat

[2:03:00] and I went through it for 25 years,

[2:03:02] I listened to that during budget season.

[2:03:05] So I understand you have to look out for the constituents.

[2:03:09] But I can also tell you, I've sat

[2:03:10] in this audience where I've heard people say, don't do this,

[2:03:13] don't do that.

[2:03:14] And those people have moved out of Tavares.

[2:03:16] Guess what.

[2:03:17] I'm still here and I still support this city.

[2:03:20] And I'll pay whatever you want because I understand

[2:03:23] where it's coming from.

[2:03:25] And the last thing I want to leave you with

[2:03:27] is I got something from this.

[2:03:29] This from somebody in this room many years ago.

[2:03:33] Have a lot of admiration for this person.

[2:03:36] Vision without implementation is an illusion.

[2:03:39] Is that not right, Mr. drury?

[2:03:41] Yep continue the vision that the city has been going.

[2:03:46] It's working.

[2:03:47] Yeah it may cost us a few more dollars,

[2:03:50] but look at what it's got us.

[2:03:52] Thank you very much.

[2:03:54] Thank you, Mr. Santoro MS Santoro.

[2:03:57] Would you like to come up.

[2:03:59] All right.

[2:04:01] He's the spokesperson.

[2:04:03] All right, so I guess we're going to close.

[2:04:06] Audience to be heard, Mr. Drury.

[2:04:09] I guess I want to first of all, congratulate the mayor

[2:04:13] for being re-elected unopposed.

[2:04:16] Congratulations on that.

[2:04:18] Vice mayor re-elected unopposed.

[2:04:21] Congratulations on that.

[2:04:24] Walter price has qualified.

[2:04:27] Congratulations on that.

[2:04:30] And with that, I will just ask that the clerk read

[2:04:36] into the record the formal thing that occurred in your office

[2:04:42] recently.

[2:04:44] Thank you, Mr. Drury.

[2:04:46] Qualifying closed on August 17 because the 15th

[2:04:52] was on a Saturday at o'clock o'clock

[2:04:54] o'clock o'clock o'clock noon.

[2:04:55] And the following people are fully qualified.

[2:05:00] Seat one.

[2:05:01] Bob Grenier is a qualified incumbent with no opposition

[2:05:04] for Tavares city council seat one,

[2:05:06] and will not be placed on the ballot

[2:05:08] and is elected without opposition.

[2:05:11] Seat three.

[2:05:12] Amir Asghar and Walter price have qualified

[2:05:16] and will be placed on the ballot and seat five.

[2:05:19] Lawrie foster is a qualified incumbent with no opposition

[2:05:22] for Tavares city council.

[2:05:24] Seat 5 will not be placed on the ballot

[2:05:26] and is elected without opposition.

[2:05:29] Congratulations Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[2:05:33] Susie is that all you have to say.

[2:05:37] Sorry back to you.

[2:05:38] OK, Chief.

[2:05:41] I have nothing to report, Mayor.

[2:05:42] Thank you, Mr. tweedy.

[2:05:45] Nothing further this evening.

[2:05:46] Thank you.

[2:05:47] Mayor Mr. O'Keefe, as we look outside and see the dark skies,

[2:05:52] the National Weather Service has just issued a severe weather

[2:05:55] statement for Tavares.

[2:05:57] So, are you telling me to hurry up.

[2:06:02] I think he is.

[2:06:03] Hang on to your hat as you leave.

[2:06:04]

[2:06:07] Nothing further.

[2:06:08] Mayor, thank you.

[2:06:09]

[2:06:15] They're looking at the clouds.

[2:06:16] I'm just looking at everybody.

[2:06:18] Scott nothing to miss Houghton.

[2:06:22] Thank you.

[2:06:24] Antonio thank you.

[2:06:28] No report.

[2:06:28] Mayor, thank you.

[2:06:30] Couple of things.

[2:06:33] The retention pond.

[2:06:34] The park going on.

[2:06:36] ST Clair is moving along.

[2:06:38] That's good.

[2:06:38] And I've had contacts with individuals

[2:06:41] from Lake Francis there, and they're asking questions.

[2:06:44] And I've told them and they're like, wow,

[2:06:46] that'd be great to get rid of some of that water over there.

[2:06:50] Those that are into sports, little League

[2:06:54] World Series baseball is going on as we speak now.

[2:06:58] Alabama was playing whenever I left to come here,

[2:07:01] and I recorded it so I could watch it later.

[2:07:04] But also.

[2:07:08] Arch of various police department has been conducting.

[2:07:13]

[2:07:15] What do you want to say.

[2:07:17] Speed control on ST Clair Abrams in the morning and afternoons.

[2:07:22] And I appreciate their attendance

[2:07:26] as I was there speaking with one of the officers. there he goes.

[2:07:31] Because somebody going through there about 25 miles an hour

[2:07:34] and I'm like, oh, no.

[2:07:36] But the thing that I understand at the time,

[2:07:38] they were just issuing warnings to slow down

[2:07:41] that school has started back.

[2:07:43] And also we've received, I'm sure you

[2:07:45] have some emails from some residents

[2:07:48] about the traffic and things.

[2:07:51] And as I was telling our chief, this

[2:07:53] is something that's been going on since she was

[2:07:56] in elementary school and that we've had traffic every year,

[2:08:04] the first two weeks of school, and sometimes it

[2:08:06] runs into the third.

[2:08:08] But by the time the parents get to the place

[2:08:09] where they feel confident that their children can ride the bus

[2:08:13] or walk or something of that nature there,

[2:08:15] then the traffic dies down and it's back to normal.

[2:08:18] But our police department has been

[2:08:20] doing a great job there, overseeing that and trying

[2:08:24] to ensure the safety.

[2:08:25] And as I mentioned earlier, I'm maybe

[2:08:31] here tonight and gone tomorrow.

[2:08:33] I don't because of my situation with my wife's oldest sister,

[2:08:37] but if we have to go, I plan to be back before the next council

[2:08:43] meeting.

[2:08:44] But just be in prayer for us for safe journey,

[2:08:49] because you never know what we saw so many accidents happening

[2:08:52] as we were coming back from Tennessee a couple weeks ago,

[2:08:56] and one was real severe.

[2:08:58] It had the whole I-95 intersection, all four lanes

[2:09:02] tied up, one car on the side, so be safe out there

[2:09:07] and please observe the school zones.

[2:09:10] Be safe there in the school zones.

[2:09:12] Thank you.

[2:09:15] All right.

[2:09:16] A couple quick things.

[2:09:17] I think I know we kind of touched on the Florida league

[2:09:20] of cities, but I think there was some good information put out

[2:09:22] there.

[2:09:23] I know I learned a lot of things during that time.

[2:09:25] So I appreciate the opportunity to go

[2:09:27] and hopefully I can bring some of those back Mr. Santoli,

[2:09:30] I appreciate what you said.

[2:09:32] I see your perspective without a doubt.

[2:09:35] I think it's a tough situation.

[2:09:39] I hate to think that I would be a lower

[2:09:42] morale for our directors.

[2:09:44] I try to be as considerate of them as possible.

[2:09:48] But I can understand what you were saying.

[2:09:50] So I certainly see that but I will.

[2:09:54] I'm going to start doing my whatever you want

[2:09:57] to call open house Thursdays, the third Thursday of the month,

[2:10:00] from o'clock to o'clock.

[2:10:01] That would be tomorrow, but I just did one a week ago.

[2:10:04] So I will start that next month and not instead

[2:10:07] of tomorrow, just because I've already done one this month

[2:10:10] and I have to take the dog to the vet.

[2:10:11] So I already had that kind of dog, had to go to the vet.

[2:10:15] And then the last thing I had is just great job again.

[2:10:19] Public works and us getting that award

[2:10:21] I think that was like I said, Walter and I were beaming

[2:10:25] as we were standing there and one of the only names coming up

[2:10:29] across the thing, I mean, again, five names coming across,

[2:10:33] and here's Tavari one of them's like Tallahassee.

[2:10:35] They were ones everybody heard of.

[2:10:37] Nobody had really heard that much of us by the time

[2:10:39] they were done.

[2:10:40] They knew who we were.

[2:10:41] So that's a great thing.

[2:10:42] So good job.

[2:10:44] Yeah, I mainly was just going to talk about the Florida

[2:10:46] league of cities conference we went

[2:10:49] and to various winning the award.

[2:10:51] Like I say, it's very good for you

[2:10:54] to hear when other people say, oh, I know where Tavares is.

[2:10:56] I love Tavares, I go through there all the time.

[2:10:59] You got a great thing going on and I'd

[2:11:01] just love to hear that and keep up the good work, everybody.

[2:11:05] It's great.

[2:11:06] It really is great to hear all of that.

[2:11:08] God bless Tavares and happy days and be careful out there.

[2:11:14] Mayor oh.

[2:11:15] It's me Mr. Santoro, you talked about what John says,

[2:11:19] and I love that statement that he makes all the time.

[2:11:22] It's a great one.

[2:11:23] You said something that resonated with me.

[2:11:26] The very first email you ever sent me at the bottom.

[2:11:29] And I use it today when I send letters out to people.

[2:11:34] You said, when it's all over, it's not who you were, it's

[2:11:38] whether you made a difference.

[2:11:39] And I have lived by that from the day you sent it to me.

[2:11:43] I always think about that when I'm trying to make decisions.

[2:11:47] The right decision.

[2:11:49] But somehow now you've changed it.

[2:11:53] So now we have those that fail to learn from history

[2:11:58] are doomed to repeat it.

[2:12:01] I hadn't really gotten into that one yet, I like it.

[2:12:05] I'm still stuck on that other one.

[2:12:07] But I want to tell you, I really appreciate

[2:12:09] you sending those out to me because they

[2:12:11] do make a difference to me.

[2:12:13] But thank you.

[2:12:15] And I really have nothing else to say other

[2:12:17] than it was a good meeting.

[2:12:19] I love how we discuss things.

[2:12:21] Other councils will be screaming at each other

[2:12:24] and throwing their budget books and blowing up.

[2:12:30] And we just always seem to get through it.

[2:12:32] And we still like each other when we leave here, regardless

[2:12:35] if we disagree or not.

[2:12:38] And that's something we've always been able to do.

[2:12:41] And I'm going to have to just give Mr. Drury a little promo

[2:12:47] here, because of him.

[2:12:50] Because I am a little out there.

[2:12:52] I mean, I'd like to jump into a conversation

[2:12:56] and get loud and get my way.

[2:12:58] But he's taught me how to be better at this.

[2:13:03] How to be respectful to all the other members,

[2:13:06] how to be respectful to the audience.

[2:13:08] And he's a great, great teacher.

[2:13:11] That's why you've got such a great council.

[2:13:13] I would put our council up against any council

[2:13:16] in this whole state of Florida.

[2:13:18] That's how good that I think we are.

[2:13:20] We're the best.

[2:13:23] But, Mr. jury, thank you for you've trained us

[2:13:30] even though you really didn't train,

[2:13:32] but just the way that you lead us it.

[2:13:35] I think it makes us all want to be as good as we can be.

[2:13:38] And without further objection, this meeting is adjourned.

[2:13:44] Y'all be safe.

[2:13:46]

City Council Meeting and Budget Workshop

Agenda

Transcript