Feb 26, 2024 Commission Meeting

THIS WEEK, THEY WELCOME RESIDENTS, NEIGHBORS AND GUESTS WILL OPEN THE MEETING IN JUST A MOMENT,

[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:10]

COMMISSIONER KELLY.

GREATER OF ALL BEING JUDGE OVER NATIONS, BLESS OUR COMMUNITY AND GUIDE US IN MAKING THE BEST DECISIONS FOR ALL THE CITIZENS OF OUR CITY.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER KELLY.

BEFORE I.

WELL, LET ME GO AHEAD AND OPEN THE MEETING.

FIRST OF ALL THIS MEETING DATED MARCH 11TH, 2020 FOR THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH WILL NOW COME TO ORDER.

DONNA, CAN YOU START US OFF WITH A ROLL CALL? YEAH. COMMISSIONER BOLE PRESENT.

COMMISSIONER KELLY.

PRESENT. COMMISSIONER RING.

PRESENT. COMMISSIONER WATERS.

PRESENT. MAYOR FORD.

HERE. BEFORE WE GET STARTED.

I WANT TO RECOGNIZE A ANOTHER OFFICIAL IN THE ROOM TONIGHT WHO'S BACK WITH US? AFTER MANY MONTHS OF DEPLOYMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

RORY DIAMOND, OUR CITY COUNCILMAN REPRESENTING THE BEACHES.

WELCOME, SIR.

I'D LIKE TO CHANGE THE ORDER.

TONIGHT, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.

FIRST OF ALL, LET ME SEE A SHOW OF HANDS.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HERE TO SPEAK ON THE ACQUISITION OF THE PROPERTY ON WEST FIRST STREET? RAISE YOUR HAND. SO THERE'S A FAIR NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS CHANGE THE ORDER AND GO AHEAD AND ADDRESS ITEM NINE A ON THE AGENDA DIRECTLY AFTER APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES SO THAT WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THAT.

AND IF ANY WISH ANYONE WISHES TO BE EXCUSED, WE'LL TAKE A FIVE MINUTE RECESS RIGHT AFTER THAT ACTION ITEM SO THAT YOU CAN RECESS OR THAT YOU CAN LEAVE IF YOU WISH. ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO BASED I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SPEND QUITE A BIT OF TIME ON SOME OTHER ITEMS TODAY.

THE THE ADDITION.

ON FRIDAY OF ITEM.

LET'S SEE ITEM THREE D UNDER UNDER CITY MANAGER REPORTS THE AHERN PROJECT.

I'M GOING TO ASK CITY MANAGER TO DEFER THAT UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING.

AND THAT'LL GIVE OUR CITIZENS MORE TIME TO LOOK AT THAT, BECAUSE THAT WAS FAIRLY SHORT NOTICE.

OKAY. ITEM ONE, APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.

[1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

THE MINUTES STAND AS PRESENTED.

AND DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER MINUTES? THAT'S IT.

SO NOW WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM NINE A ANANÉ BEING A AN ORDINANCE, THIS IS THE SECOND READING.

[9.A. ORDINANCE NO. 20-24-171, Public Hearing and Final Reading]

AND AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND OPEN UP FOR, WELL, FIRST I'LL READ IT AND THEN WE'LL OPEN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

NINE A IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2023 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 20TH 30TH, 2024, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE MR. KILLINGSWORTH. BUT GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONER, AND MR. MAYOR. JUST A SECOND.

SO THOSE ARE THE FUNDS FOR 101ST STREET WEST, AND WHICH THE COMMISSION HAD PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED THAT I ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR.

SO THE $700,000 FOR THE ACTUAL PURCHASE ITSELF AND THEN A GUESSTIMATE OF $50,000 PER CLOSING COSTS AND AND OTHER EXPENSES.

SO IF YOU CHOOSE TO CONTINUE WITH THE PURCHASE, IT WOULD BE THERE.

WE WOULD REQUIRE AN APPROPRIATION OF $50,000.

AND I FORGOT TO MENTION, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WISH TO SPEAK ON SOMETHING OTHER THAN THIS ITEM, WE WILL OPEN COURTESY OF THE FLOOR LATER.

SO LET'S HOLD THOSE COMMENTS TILL LATER.

BUT, DONNA, DO WE HAVE A LIST OF SPEAKERS JUST FOR NINE A? YES. WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO START CALLING? YES, PLEASE. LINDA LANIER.

GOOD EVENING. I'M LINDA LANIER.

[00:05:02]

SO THE PURCHASE OF THE ALMOST HOME PROPERTY.

I KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING YOU'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT.

AND ONE OF THE POSSIBLE USES THAT'S BEEN BROUGHT UP IS TO HOUSE 14 WOMEN VETERANS FOR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING.

AND SO I DO HAVE SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT.

I WHILE I DON'T TONIGHT SPEAK FOR THE SULZBACHER CENTER, I DID RUN THE SULZBACHER CENTER, OUR PROBABLY OUR PREMIER HOMELESS SHELTER HERE IN TOWN FROM 1996 TO 2003.

SO I CAN TELL YOU THAT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING IS A RELATIVELY QUIET THING.

IT'S NOT A FOOD KITCHEN.

IT'S NOT AN EMERGENCY SHELTER.

IT'S NOT A FOOD PANTRY.

IT'S NOT A DAY CENTER.

SO IT'S IT'S NOT THE IT'S NOT THE KIND OF THING THAT BRINGS A LOT OF TRAFFIC OR A LOT OF HANGING AROUND IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, IF THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.

AND ALSO WHAT I HAVE KIND OF MONITORED SINCE I LEFT THE SULZBACHER CENTER 20 YEARS AGO, ACTUALLY, IS THAT IN JACKSONVILLE, THE HOMELESS ASSISTANCE SYSTEM, THE CONTINUUM OF CARE HAS REALLY GOTTEN VERY, VERY SOPHISTICATED, VERY SUCCESSFUL.

AND I THINK IF THIS WERE TO BE THE CHOICE OF THIS COMMISSION TO SORT OF LET THAT PROPERTY GO FOR THAT POTENTIAL USE, I THINK YOU COULD TRUST THAT IT WOULD BE WELL RUN, HOWEVER.

I THINK THERE'S A BIGGER POINT HERE, AND THAT IS WHAT IS THE LOST OPPORTUNITY COST OF LETTING THAT PROPERTY GO FOR A DIFFERENT USE. AND SO I WILL KIND OF TAKE YOU BACK TO, I THINK, EVERY YEAR WHERE I'VE HELPED YOU DO THE PRIORITIZE THE PRIORITY SETTING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR IN JANUARY.

AND REMEMBER, WE TALK ABOUT THE EISENHOWER DECISION MAKING MODEL.

THERE'S FOUR QUADRANTS, AND THAT UPPER LEFT HAND QUADRANT IS WHEN SOMETHING IS BOTH IMPORTANT AND URGENT, IT MEANS IT'S TIME SENSITIVE.

AND WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A HURRICANE BEARING DOWN ON ATLANTIC BEACH.

THAT'S THAT QUADRANT, URGENT AND IMPORTANT.

I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE IS BOTH URGENT AND IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU HAVE ONE CHANCE TO BUY THIS.

AND IF YOU DON'T BUY THIS PROPERTY, YOU'LL PROBABLY NOT GET ANOTHER CHANCE, OR AT LEAST NOT IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

SO IF YOU BUY THE PROPERTY, YOU'RE REALLY KEEPING THE DOOR OPEN FOR THE MOST APPROPRIATE USE.

I'M SURE THE COMMUNITY WOULD ADVISE YOU THERE'S A LOT OF OPTIONS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN SURFACED USES FOR THAT CENTER, INCLUDING POSSIBLY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

AND SPEAKING AS THE MOTHER OF A VETERAN, MY SON MY OLDEST SON WAS A PILOT FLYING PLANES FOR OUR NAVY AND FOR ALL OF US FOR 21 YEARS. SO BELIEVE ME, I SUPPORT WHAT HAPPENS FOR VETERANS.

BUT I ALSO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

SO IF YOU PASS, I THINK YOU LOSE THE OPPORTUNITY FOREVER.

BUT THERE'S ONE MORE THING THAT IS JUST LIKE THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, AND THAT IS THIS MENTALITY WE HAVE THAT GOES WAY BACK IN HISTORY.

THE EAST SIDE OF MAYPORT ROAD AND THE WEST SIDE OF MAYPORT ROAD.

SO TRADITIONALLY, NOT REALLY BECAUSE OF ANYBODY IN THIS ROOM, BUT THE DYNAMICS HAVE BEEN THAT THE WEST SIDE HAS A HISTORY OF LOW EXPECTATIONS, IN MANY CASES NEGLECT.

LOOK AT THE SIDEWALKS, THE ROADS.

THERE'S STILL A DUMP OVER THERE.

THE WAY VARIANCES WERE MADE OVER THE YEARS, THE FACT THAT LIGHT INDUSTRIAL BUTTS RIGHT UP AGAINST RESIDENTIAL IN MANY AREAS.

I MEAN, THAT'S OLD CODE AND THAT COMES FROM A HISTORY.

AND I'M NOT CRITICIZING THAT.

I'M JUST SAYING IT IS WHAT IT IS.

BUT IT DOES DIMINISH THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

IT'S EMBEDDED IN HISTORY.

BUT MAYBE IT'S TIME TO WRITE A NEW HISTORY FOR THE WEST SIDE OF OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE I'LL TELL YOU, IF YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE POSSIBLE USES FOR THAT PROPERTY ON SILVER MARINA DRIVE, IT WOULD NOT FLY.

SO IF IT'S GOOD FOR SILVER MARINA DRIVE, THEN IT SHOULD BE GOOD FOR OCEAN AND IT SHOULD BE GOOD FOR SEMINOLE AND IT SHOULD BE GOOD FOR MAIN STREET.

IT SHOULD BE GOOD FOR EVERYBODY.

YOU ARE SMART AND DEDICATED COMMISSIONERS.

YOU'RE HERE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.

AND I KNOW THAT YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE A REALLY GOOD DECISION TONIGHT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS LANIER.

THANKS.

ELLEN GLASSER.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY.

IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU.

IT'S ALSO NICE TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE HERE THAT CARE ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO I SPEAK SOLELY FOR MYSELF.

I'M ELLEN GLASSER, BY THE WAY.

I'M SPEAKING SOLELY FOR MYSELF TONIGHT.

I WOULD LIKE TO CLEAR UP SOME MISINFORMATION ON THE SUGGESTION THAT I MADE REGARDING THE USE OF ALMOST HOME NEXT TO VETERANS PARK.

[00:10:08]

WITH THE BUDGET YOU APPROVED, YOU HAVE IMPORTANT CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT ARE NOT IN THE BUDGET LIKE THIS ONE.

TONIGHT YOU WILL VOTE ON WHETHER TO USE EMERGENCY RESERVES TO BUY IT.

YET STILL NO USE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED OR PUBLIC MEETINGS ON THESE CAPITAL PROJECTS HELD.

I KNOW THAT WILL COME IN THE FUTURE.

WHATEVER THE ULTIMATE USE OF THE BUILDING, IT'S GOING TO COST MONEY WITH RENOVATION, STAFFING AND PROGRAMING.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT AS A CITIZEN, I AM ABSOLUTELY NOT OPPOSED TO USING THE BUILDING AS A COMMUNITY CENTER FOR RESIDENTS, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU CHOOSE, AND OR TO PURCHASE IT FOR CITY CONTROL.

FROM DAY ONE, I'VE SAID THIS WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

THE COUNCIL ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OFFERED MANY SUGGESTIONS IN 2022 THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN, TOO.

IN TERMS OF PROGRAMING.

THEY ARE CONTAINED IN THE HANDOUT THAT I JUST GAVE YOU.

SO MY SUGGESTION SPRANG DIRECTLY FROM COMMENTS IN THIS CHAMBER TO AND FROM THE COMMISSION, AND NOT BY ME SUGGESTING THAT WE USE THE BUILDING FOR VETERANS. A VETERANS CENTER OR SPACE IN THE BUILDING IS ALSO LAUDABLE.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT, BUT IT DOES RAISE SPENDING ISSUES TO ME.

THERE WAS A LOT OF MONEY OUT THERE FOR VETERANS PROGRAMS FROM THE STATE FEDERAL FUNDS AND FROM GRANTS, AND I QUESTION AB TAXPAYERS FOOTING THE WHOLE BILL FOR THIS. IT SHOULD BE IN PARTNERSHIP, WHATEVER YOU DECIDE.

ALMOST HOME IS LOCATED IN AN AREA I CALL VETERANS CORNER WITH A BEAUTIFUL PARK, ANNUAL EVENTS, THE BIGGEST FLAG AT THE BEACHES, AND TWO FRATERNAL MEETING PLACES FOR VETERANS AND MAYPORT STATION DOWN THE ROAD.

I AM VERY PROUD THAT WE LIVE IN A MILITARY FRIENDLY TOWN.

IN THAT VEIN, I PROPOSED EXPLORING THE PARTNERSHIPS FOR TEMPORARY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR FEMALE VETERANS AND THEIR KIDS.

JUST LIKE HER SPACE, THE LIGHTHOUSE THAT IS LOCATED ON BEACH BOULEVARD IN JAX BEACH.

YOU CAN LOOK IT UP.

THERE ARE MANY VA HOUSES LIKE THIS IN THE US.

THIS IS FUNDED THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN A CHURCH, THE VA, AND A NONPROFIT.

NOT BY THE CITIES OF JACKSONVILLE OR THE CITY OF JAX BEACH.

AND IT WAS ESTABLISHED WHEN MAYOR CURRY WAS IN OFFICE.

AND I THINK COUNCILMAN DIMOND WAS THERE FOR THE RIBBON CUTTING.

WITH THIS MODEL, THERE WAS NO PUBLIC OUTCRY.

THERE ARE NO TENTS, NO CROWDING, NO HALFWAY HOUSE, NO SOUP KITCHEN, NO PANHANDLING, NO WALK INS, NO TRASH, NO BLIGHT, NO NEED FOR ADDITIONAL POLICE, NO SIGN. IT'S A NONDESCRIPT HOUSE WHERE WOMEN AND KIDS LIVE AND TRY TO GET ON THEIR FEET AND BE SELF-SUSTAINING.

YOU WOULDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT WAS UNLESS SOMEONE TOLD YOU.

I HAVE A HEART FOR THESE WOMEN.

SO BECAUSE I GUESS I HAVE FIVE MINUTES WOMEN VETERANS THAT ARE HOMELESS AND THEIR KIDS ARE USUALLY HIDDEN.

YOU DON'T NORMALLY SEE THEM.

THEY COULD BE EMPLOYED BUT NOT HAVE HOUSING.

THEY COULD LIVE IN CARS.

THEIR KIDS GO TO SCHOOL WITH YOUR KIDS AND THEY HAVE HIGH SUICIDE RATES.

THEY ARE NOT CRIMINALS.

I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO MOVE THIS ALONG AND DO NOT HAVE THE POWER TO DO SO.

THAT IS YOUR CALL.

NO ONE ON THE COMMISSION RESPONDED TO THE SUGGESTION, SO I TOOK IT THAT THE PARTNERING ON THIS EFFORT WAS WAS NOT A PRIORITY.

AND I AM SORRY TO DISTRACT YOU WITH ANY EMOTIONAL DISCOURSE ABOUT THIS TONIGHT.

SO I WAS SURPRISED WHEN IT WAS SHARED WIDELY ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT I WOULD TURN THIS INTO A COMMUNITY CENTER, WHICH HASN'T BEEN DECIDED YET, INTO SOMETHING LIKE MISSION HOUSE.

I READ A LETTER TO THE EDITOR ABOUT CRIME AND POLICE ISSUES, AND I SAW THE POSTER AND THE CALL TO ACTION TONIGHT DEPICTING A TENT CITY.

THIS IS ODD, BECAUSE ONE OF MY LAST VOTES AS MAYOR WAS TO PASS AN ORDINANCE MAKING CAMPING AND OBSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC SPACES ILLEGAL AND REQUIRING POLICE ASSISTANCE.

SO I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE MARSH SIDE AND IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS DOES MATTER A LOT TO ME.

I WOULD NEVER SUGGEST A USE THAT I KNOWINGLY THOUGHT WOULD BRING NUISANCES TO ITS RESIDENTS, OR THAT I WOULDN'T SUPPORT ANYWHERE ELSE.

I'M SORRY FOR ANY CONFUSION.

SO, COMMISSIONERS, THE VOTE IS UP TO YOU.

YOU HAVE IMPORTANT DECISIONS TO MAKE AS FIDUCIARIES IN TERMS OF WHAT IS IMPORTANT, WHAT IS URGENT, WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY, AND THE SETTING OF PROJECT TIMELINES.

I WILL SAY THAT AND YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT THIS LATER THAT IN A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION WE HELD THAT I DO BELIEVE THE LIFEGUARD STATION IS PROBABLY THE MOST URGENT.

AND AGAIN, THANKS TO COUNCILMAN DIAMOND CEO APPROPRIATED $562,000 FOR THAT PURPOSE.

SO GOOD LUCK.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

THANK YOU. CINDY ANDERSON, ARE YOU SPEAKING TO THIS? I'LL WAIT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

NANCY STOTTS.

[00:15:05]

NANCY STOTTS. MY DRESS IS ON RECORD.

SO JUST TO BE REALLY CRYSTAL CLEAR, I THINK THE ISSUE FOR ME AND FOR MANY PEOPLE THAT I'VE SPOKEN TO IS SOMETHING THAT LINDA MENTIONED ABOUT BEING URGENT AND IMPORTANT AND IN TERMS OF THE IMPORTANCE, I THINK THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT REALLY COMMAND GREATER IMPORT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE LIFEGUARD STATION.

BUT I KNOW WE'RE COMMENTING JUST ON THIS, BUT I'M JUST CURIOUS, HAS THE COMMUNITY RAISED CONCERN ABOUT HAVING MORE SENIOR, YOU KNOW, SENIOR SPACE FOR PROGRAMS? IS THERE A SHORTAGE OF SPACE BETWEEN THE GAIL BAKER CENTER AND ADELE GRAGE WHERE WE HAVE PROGRAMING THAT WANTS TO HAPPEN, BUT WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE PHYSICAL SPACE? IF THE INTENT TRULY IS FOR VETERAN SERVICES.

ABSOLUTELY. THERE'S A LOT OF FUNDING OUT THERE.

AND REALLY FOR THE CITY TO TAKE ON THIS AS PRIVATE INVESTORS IS NOT NOT THE SMARTEST USE OF OUR OF OUR MONEY.

QUITE RESPECTFULLY AND WE HAVE AGREED AS A GROUP, ALL OF US, THAT RESILIENCY IS SHOULD BE OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY, RIGHT? AFTER MUCH BACK AND FORTH, WE ALL SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH OUR OWN EYES.

WHAT'S HAPPENING? I DON'T SEE HOW THIS DOES ONE THING OTHER THAN PERHAPS PREVENT MULTIFAMILY HOME, BUT WE CAN'T.

WE CAN'T OPERATE UNDER A PROGRAM OF WE'RE GOING TO BUY EVERY AVAILABLE LOT SO NO ONE CAN DEVELOP IT THAT IS NEITHER SUSTAINABLE NOR NOR ETHICAL, FRANKLY. SO I DON'T SEE THE PROBLEM THAT BUYING THIS PROPERTY NECESSARILY SOLVES.

I'M NOT OPPOSED TO THE PURCHASE PER SE, BUT I THINK IT'S JUST VERY, VERY UNUSUAL TO BE THIS RUSHED ABOUT A PURCHASE WHEN WE CAN'T SEEM TO COME TOGETHER AS A GROUP THAT I'VE HEARD ABOUT WHAT ITS INTENDED USE IS, AND THOSE WHO ARE PLANNING TO SPEND THE MONEY ARE THE ONES WHO SHOULD BE ADVOCATING AND DEFENDING ITS USES.

AND I THINK IT'S NOBLE THAT CITIZENS ARE COMING FORWARD WITH DIFFERENT IDEAS.

THAT'S GREAT, BUT IF YOU'RE WANTING TO SPEND THE MONEY, THEN YOU REALLY NEED TO DEFEND WHAT ITS USE IS GOING TO BE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU, DOCTOR STOTTS.

JEANNIE GABRYNOWICZ.

JEANNIE. JEANNIE.

JEANNIE. HE.

HELLO, I'M JEANNIE GABRYNOWICZ AND I LIVE ON NORTH SHERRY DRIVE, ATLANTIC BEACH, AND I, I'M HOPING THAT OUR COMMISSIONERS WILL CONSIDER TO POSTPONE THE ACTION ON THE WEST FIRST STREET PROPERTY UNTIL WE ACTUALLY HAVE IT BUDGETED FOR THE PURCHASE AND FOR ANY IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE NEED TO MAKE.

I THINK MAYBE IT NEEDS FURTHER DISCUSSION.

EXACTLY WHAT DO WE WANT THIS PROPERTY TO BE USED FOR BEFORE WE JUST PURCHASE IT? BECAUSE IT'S VACANT? I WOULD ENCOURAGE HASTE IF THERE'S UNDEVELOPED NATURAL LAND THAT WE NEED TO PRESERVE SO THAT WE CAN COMPETE, KEEP IT FROM BEING DEVELOPED. BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE HERE.

SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO FIND A PURPOSE, BUDGET THE MONEY AND THEN MOVE FORWARD.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MISS GABRYNOWICZ.

I ALWAYS HAVE TROUBLE WITH THAT NAME.

SORRY. TOO MANY, TOO MANY CONSONANTS.

I USED TO REFER TO YOUR HUSBAND AS MR. DAWN SCOTT.

WAS. HELLO, COMMISSIONERS.

MAYOR. I'M DAWN SCOTT.

I LIVE IN MARSH OAKS IN ATLANTIC BEACH, CURRENTLY SERVING ON THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE, AND I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPERTY AT 100 WEST FIRST STREET.

I THINK MOST OF US HERE ARE AWARE THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH SHOULD DO ABOUT THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY, IF ANYTHING AT ALL.

I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE A SHAME TO PASS UP THIS GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY THAT'S DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO A PARK AND WITHIN A COMMUNITY THAT DOESN'T CURRENTLY HAVE A COMMUNITY CENTER, CULTURAL CENTER, OR ANY SIMILAR FACILITY.

IN CONTRAST, COMMISSIONER BOWLES DISTRICT HAS TWO COMMUNITY CENTERS, BAKER AND JORDAN, BOTH HAVE ADJACENT TO PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS, AND COMMISSIONER KELLY'S DISTRICT HAS ADELE GRAGE NEXT TO BALL PARK AND PLAYGROUND.

THERE'S A REAL NEED FOR A CENTER AND COMMISSIONER RING'S DISTRICT, ESPECIALLY AS A LONGTIME RESIDENT, I HAVE SEEN MARSH OAKS CITIZENS NEEDS TO BE UNDERSERVED AND OUR WISHES

[00:20:08]

EVERY DAY.

I HAVE SPOKEN TO BOTH SENIORS AND VETERANS AND OTHER NEIGHBORS WHO LOVE THE IDEA OF A COMMUNITY CENTER CLOSE BY, WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES DESIGNED FOR THEM.

THIS POTENTIAL COMMUNITY CENTER HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE SHINING STAR ALL OF ATLANTIC BEACH CAN BE PROUD OF, BUT MOST ESPECIALLY IMPACTFUL TO THE CITIZENS OF ATLANTIC BEACH AS MARSH OAKS COMMUNITY, WHO COULD REALLY USE THE FACILITY SUCH AS THIS FOR SO MANY GREAT THINGS.

UNLIKE THOSE WHO FEEL WE MUST DECIDE WHAT WE WILL DO WITH THE BUILDING BEFORE WE PURCHASE, I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE TO PICK A SPECIFIC USE AT ALL FOR THE PROPERTY IN ORDER TO JUSTIFY ITS PURCHASE.

COMMUNITY CENTERS ARE MULTI USE AND ADAPT AS NEEDS ARISE AND CHANGE OVER TIME.

ADELE GRAGE, FOR EXAMPLE, IS MANY THINGS A THEATER, AN ART GALLERY, A MEETING SPACE, EXTRA OFFICE SPACE, ETC.

ETC. THERE'S NO SINGLE USE, NOR SHOULD THERE BE AT THE POTENTIAL MARSH OAKS COMMUNITY CENTER.

MY THOUGHT IS THAT THE PROPERTY SHOULD BE PURCHASED AS A MULTI PURPOSE COMMUNITY CENTER, BUT NOT RELINQUISHED TO BE USED AS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING OR SHELTER OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE. THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH WOULD BETTER SERVE ITS CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS BY HAVING CONTROL OVER HOW THAT PROPERTY IS USED, ESPECIALLY IN THAT LOCATION. EMBEDDED WITHIN A RESIDENTIAL AREA NEXT TO A PARK AND A PLAYGROUND.

ITS PLACEMENT WOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH THE THREE OTHER COMMUNITY CENTERS IN ATLANTIC BEACH, ADJACENT TO A PARK AND A PLAYGROUND.

IT'S BEEN SUGGESTED THAT A NONPROFIT TAKE POSSESSION OF THIS PROPERTY, BUT IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN, IT WOULD LIKELY END UP SERVING ONLY A SELECT FEW.

WHEREAS IF WE FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THIS PURCHASE, A MULTI-USE COMMUNITY CENTER CAN SERVE MANY.

I IMPLORE YOU ALL TO FORGET.

FORGE AHEAD WITH THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY AND ALLOW THIS PROPERTY TO BLOSSOM INTO A MULTI-USE COMMUNITY CENTER WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

THANK YOU, MISS SCOTT.

SUZANNE BARKER.

RIGHT THERE. SUZANNE [INAUDIBLE] SUZANNE BARKER AT 1938.

BEACHSIDE COURT AND MAYOR.

COMMISSIONERS. I JUST WANTED TO REPORT BACK TO YOU ABOUT A MEETING THAT ATLANTIC BEACH PRESERVATION HAD LAST WEEK.

AND WE HAD ABOUT 28 PEOPLE COME FROM THE COMMUNITY WHO VOICED THEIR OPINION ON THE THREE DIFFERENT PROJECTS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING AT SOME POINT.

ONE IS THE ALMOST HOME, THE DOOR STREET PROPERTY AND THE LIFEGUARD STATION.

AND I'VE SENT YOU A SUMMARY.

I JUST WANTED TO GET IT ON RECORD THAT THE ALMOST HOME.

ALTHOUGH IT WAS MOST OF THE PEOPLE SUPPORT THE PURCHASE, IT WASN'T THE HIGHEST PRIORITY.

THERE WERE SOME HERE ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS AND IDEAS.

WHY DO WE NEED THIS? WHAT IS IT FOR? IT'S IMPORTANT TO BUY THIS, THEN MAINTAIN CONTROL OF WHAT'S BUILT.

HOWEVER, OUR CODES AND LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR WHAT IS BUILT.

WHAT ARE THE TRUE COST? RENOVATION, PROGRAMING AND STAFFING COSTS? DOES THE PARKING LOT NEED TO BE REPLACED? AND OUR CEOJ FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR THIS? WHAT ARE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS, AND IS IT AFFORDABLE? WHAT WILL THE TRAFFIC IMPACT ON MAIN STREET BE? THE BAKER CENTER CURRENTLY HAS A GRANT OF HALF A MILLION AND FOR EXPANSION OF PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, ADULTS AND SENIOR CITIZENS, THIS COULD PROVIDE FOR SENIOR AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.

HOW MUCH ARE WE CURRENTLY USING OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS? IS THERE A REAL NEED FOR ANOTHER CENTER? SENIOR CITIZENS AND SERVICES WERE PART OF THE COMMISSION'S 2023 PRIORITIES, SO USING THIS PROPERTY FOR SENIORS WOULD FULFILL THAT PRIORITY. MAKE IT A ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY.

THERE ARE NONE IN THE ATLANTIC BEACH AREA THAT ARE REALLY AFFORDABLE AND MAKE A SENIOR CENTER SIMILAR TO NEPTUNE BEACH AND WITH ALL THEIR SERVICES TEAR DOWN THE BUILDING AND EXPAND VETERANS PARK TO ADD BANDSHELL FOR CONCERTS ON MARSH OAKS SIDE.

SO THAT WAS THE THE IDEAS THAT WERE EXPRESSED AT THE MEETING.

[00:25:04]

HOWEVER, THEIR PROPERTY ISSUES CURRENT OWNER HAS TO CLEAN UP THE SITE.

CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH WOULD NEED TO HOLD HARMLESS CAUSE IF CONTAMINATION WAS FOUND AFTER PURCHASE.

AND HAS THERE BEEN AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY? WHAT IS THE COST AND RISK OF A RETENTION POND? WHAT ARE OTHER OPTIONS FOR CONTROLLING STORMWATER THAT CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH ENGINEER HAS SUGGESTED AND THE LIFEGUARD STATION. ALMOST ALL OF THE PARTICIPANTS FELT THAT THIS PROJECT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT.

OF THE 28 PEOPLE, 20 BELIEVED THAT THIS PROJECT SHOULD COME FIRST.

COJ HAS PROVIDED 562,000, THAT MAY NOT BE CORRECT.

I THINK IT'S MORE THAN THAT.

THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR LIFEGUARDS IS IMPORTANT.

THERE IS MOLD IN THE BUILDING AND NOT ENOUGH SPACE FOR THE LIFEGUARDS TO TAKE SHELTER DURING SEVERE WEATHER.

THERE NEEDS TO BE A STORAGE AREA FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES.

THIS PROJECT SERVES ALL OF ATLANTIC BEACH CITIZENS BY PROVIDING SAFETY AT THE BEACHES.

CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH.

MANAGER OR COMMISSIONER SHOULD APPOINT A SPECIFIC PERSON TO BE RESPONSIBLE DURING SEASONAL USE.

THE CITY ENGINEER STATED AT THE LAST COMMISSION MEETING THAT HE BELIEVES THE PROJECT IS IMPORTANT, AND SUGGESTED USING THE FUNDS FOR DOOR DRIVE PROPERTY TO BE USED FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE LIFEGUARD STATION.

SO AND SO THE THE PROJECTS WERE RANKED AND THE LIFEGUARD STATION DID COME FIRST, AND THAT WAS THE FEELING OF THE PEOPLE THERE.

WHAT CAME IN SECOND WAS DORA AND THEN ALMOST HOME AND SO WE JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU THAT INFORMATION AND FOR THE REST OF THE PEOPLE HERE AS WELL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS BARKER.

THAT'S ALL THE NAMES I HAVE FOR THIS TOPIC.

OKAY. I'LL OPEN IT UP.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK TO HIM? THANKS. SHE.

GOOD EVENING, LENNY JEVIC.

239 SEMINOLE ROAD.

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, WHEN AMY ROSE LET ME KNOW THE 100 WEST FIRST STREET PROPERTY WAS FOR SALE.

I WAS ECSTATIC.

I'VE ADVOCATED FOR THE CITY TO PURCHASE IT AND TO USE IT AS A MULTI-USE COMMUNITY CENTER FOR THE MARSH OAKS COMMUNITY, TO INCLUDE PROGRAMS FOR THE CHILDREN, SENIORS AND TO HAVE A VETERANS RESOURCE OFFICE.

THE GAYLE BAKER'S COMMUNITY CENTER AND THE JORDAN COMMUNITY CENTER DO FABULOUS THINGS.

WE HAVE WATCHED THEIR CHILDREN GROW OVER THERE.

WE NEED TO DO THE SAME THING FOR OUR MARSH OAKS COMMUNITY.

THE GAYLE BAKER COMMUNITY CENTER IS TOO FAR FOR THE YOUNG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ELEMENTARY CHILDREN TO WALK, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S A LACK OF SAFE SIDEWALKS TO TRAVEL UPON.

HAVING A COMMUNITY CENTER, WHICH OFFERS AFTER SCHOOL HELP AND TUTORING WILL AID THE AREA, CHILDREN BECOME BETTER STUDENTS GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW, ALL WITH A CLOSER, ACCESSIBLE LOCATION.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE USED AS A SENIOR CENTER FOR OUR ELDERLY CITIZENS HAVE CLASSES AND ACTIVITIES.

NOT ALL OF OUR SENIORS ARE ABLE TO SAFELY MAKE THE TRIP TO NEPTUNE BEACH.

I'VE RESPONDED TO REOCCURRING CALLS WHEN I WAS A POLICE OFFICER HERE IN ATLANTIC BEACH FROM THE SAME SWEET OLDER PERSON, SOMETIMES FOUR AND FIVE CALLS IN A WEEK, NOT BECAUSE SOMETHING WAS WRONG, BUT BECAUSE THEY NEEDED SOMEONE TO TALK TO.

THEY WERE LONELY.

LONELINESS IS AN EPIDEMIC WHICH CAN LEAD TO INCREASED HEALTH PROBLEMS SUCH AS HEART DISEASE, STROKE, DEMENTIA AND SUICIDE.

COULD ADDING A SENIOR PROGRAM HERE IN ATLANTIC BEACH MAKE A DIFFERENCE? I'D BET ON IT.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AN OFFICE FOR A VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER, A PLACE WHERE A LOCAL VETERANS CAN FIND A NECESSARY RESOURCES BENEFITS AVAILABLE, AND OBTAIN HELP ACCESSING THEM WITHOUT HAVING TO GO DOWNTOWN.

FOR VETERANS RARELY ASKED FOR HELP, BUT IF THERE WAS A PLACE LIKE THIS AVAILABLE, THEY COULD COME IN AND GET SOME HELP AND PERHAPS WE COULD SAVE A FEW LIVES.

I'VE TALKED TO A FEW OF OUR VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE AREA, AND THEY'RE WILLING TO SEND VETERAN SERVICE OFFICERS OVER TO HELP FILL VA DISABILITY CLAIMS, PROVIDE RESOURCES SUCH AS VA LOANS AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES.

THE ATLANTIC BEACH OWNED AND RUN CENTER WOULD BRING A LOT OF GREAT RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES INTO THE MARSH OAKS COMMUNITY.

THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE ENDLESS.

ALL IT TAKES IS A VISION FOR A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL.

[00:30:05]

A GREEK PROVERB SAYS A SOCIETY GROWS GREAT WHEN OLD MEN PLANT TREES AND WHOSE SHADE THEY KNOW THEY WILL NEVER SIT.

I'M ASKING YOU TO PLANT A SYMBOLIC TREE BY BUYING THE PROPERTY AT 100 WEST FIRST STREET, AND LET'S TOGETHER WATCH IT GROW FOR ATLANTIC BEACH IN THE MARSH OAKS COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. JEFF MAYOR.

I HAVE ANOTHER CARD.

IT'S FALLON SEXTON.

YES. PLEASE COME UP.

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS FALLON SEXTON.

I'M AT 990 CAMELLIA STREET AND THE MARSH OAKS COMMUNITY.

THE SUGGESTION HAS BEEN MADE FOR THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY AT 100 WEST FIRST STREET AND TURN IT INTO A NONPROFIT TRANSITIONAL SHELTER.

THE CITY OF AB HAS HAD THE PROPERTY UNDER CONTRACT SINCE FALL OF 23, WITH THE INTENTION OF UTILIZING THE SPACE AS A MULTI-PURPOSE COMMUNITY CENTER.

NOT ONLY WOULD THIS BE CAUSING OUR CITY TO NEGATE A BUILDING BLOCK USED TO SOLIDIFY OUR FORWARD MOMENTUM AS A COMMUNITY, BUT WOULD ALSO HINDER PUBLIC SAFETY AND CAUSE PROPERTY VALUES TO DECREASE? DURING THE LAST CITY COMMISSION MEETING ON FEBRUARY 12TH, AN AB RESIDENT RAISED THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT A HOMELESS PERSON WHO WAS CONSTANTLY FOUND SLEEPING OVERNIGHT WITH ALL OF THEIR BELONGINGS IN THE HEART OF THE TOWN CENTER.

OUR MAYOR ADMITTED THAT THE CITY DOES NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB ADDRESSING THE ORDINANCES THAT PERTAIN TO OVERNIGHT CAMPING ON CITY PROPERTY.

IF THIS IS ALREADY A KNOWN OPPORTUNITY, HOW WILL OUR CITY PREPARE FOR A LARGER INFLUX OF HOMELESSNESS UPON OPENING A SHELTER? THE PROPOSED SHELTER WILL HOUSE APPROXIMATELY 14 PEOPLE, AND AS A CONSEQUENCE, THOSE AWAITING ADMITTANCE WILL BE FORCED TO CAMP IN THE BEACH AREAS OF DUTTON ISLAND, TIDE VIEWS AND THE AB TOWN CENTER.

THE MARSH OAKS COMMUNITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, WHICH HISTORICALLY HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED AND UNDERSERVED, HAS MADE HUGE STRIDES TO IMPROVE AND GENTRIFY OUR DISTRICT.

RELINQUISHING CONTROL TO THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE IS NOT THE ANSWER.

WHILE THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH STILL HAS THE UPPER HAND, WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU SUPPORT YOUR CITIZENS AND SIGN THE CONTRACT TO FINALIZE THE PURCHASE OF 100 WEST FIRST STREET.

GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN A COMMUNITY CENTER THAT WILL SUPPORT OUR RESIDENTS.

YOU HOLD THE FUTURE IN YOUR HANDS, SO PLEASE MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION ON THE BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY, ONE THAT WILL BENEFIT OUR CITIZENS FOR YEARS TO COME.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU, MISS SEXTON.

DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? OKAY. HEARING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT, AND I'LL REFER BACK TO KILLINGSWORTH FOR ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE FUNDS IN THE RESERVES.

WELL, THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. SO, LAST COMMISSION MEETING, THE COMMISSION ASKED THAT WE GATHER SOME INFORMATION ON THE RESERVES, AND I HANDED OUT A COPY OF AN EMAIL THAT I RECEIVED. BUT HAVING DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE TIME I RECEIVED THIS, AND NOW I MORE FULLY UNDERSTAND IT, SO WE CURRENTLY HAVE $5.4 MILLION IN UNASSIGNED FUNDS.

OUR RESERVES ARE ASSIGNED, SO THIS IS $5.4 MILLION ABOVE AND BEYOND OUR RESERVES.

SO LOOKING AT ALL THE PERMUTATIONS, QUITE FRANKLY, YOU WON'T HIT THE RESERVES BECAUSE WE GOT $5 MILLION AND YOU'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT A $1.4 MILLION HIT.

SO IF YOU LOOKED AT THE EMAIL THAT I HAD, WHAT YOU'LL SEE IS SOME PERCENTAGES.

THOSE WOULD BE THE PERCENTAGES OF OPERATING EXPENSES ABOVE AND BEYOND THE RESERVES WE ALREADY HAVE.

SO I THINK IT'S PERFECTLY REASONABLE IF YOU CHOOSE TO, TO TO GO AHEAD AND HIT THE UNASSIGNED FUNDS FOR FUNDING THIS PROJECT.

OKAY. I'LL OPEN IT UP TO THE COMMISSIONERS, BUT I WANT TO CLARIFY, SO I'M SORRY, THE NUMBER AGAIN OF UNASSIGNED IS 5 MILLION.

IT'S $5,354,230.

SO TO BE TO, YEAH, EXACTLY.

BUT TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT DEALING WITH THE REQUIRED 25% RESERVES.

THAT NUMBER, I BELIEVE.

DO YOU HAVE THAT NUMBER MR. [INAUDIBLE]? I DO HAVE IT SOMEWHERE . IT'S 4 MILLION SOMETHING.

[00:35:01]

SO ONE THING THAT I THINK IS, IS NOT ONLY PRUDENT TO MAINTAIN THAT RESERVE, BUT IT IS CODIFIED.

AND I DIDN'T FIND IT TODAY, BUT WE'LL FIND THE THE DATE OF THAT, I BELIEVE IT WAS DURING THE GULLIFORD ADMINISTRATION BACK IN THE 80S OR EARLY 90S THAT THAT WAS CODIFIED FOR A REQUIRED RESERVE OF 25%.

SO I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT, PARDON..

NET STATE. I'M SORRY.

STATE REQUIREMENT.

NO NO, NO. BILL GULLIFORD, WHEN HE WAS MAYOR PASSED AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING A MINIMUM OF 25% IN RESERVES FOR THE GENERAL FUND. SO THAT BEING UNDERSTOOD, WE'LL MAINTAIN IT.

I'M SORRY.

SO MR. MAYOR, I HAVE THE NUMBER.

SO CURRENTLY, WE HAVE ASSIGNED TO OPERATING RESERVES $4,561,859.

OKAY. AND MOST PEOPLE WOULD UNDERSTAND INTUITIVELY THAT IS FOR RAINY DAY, FOR UNEXPECTED ISSUES.

IT COULD EVEN BE FOR DISASTER EXPENSES.

ALTHOUGH THE NICE THING TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN YOU HAVE RESERVES LIKE THAT AND YOU SPEND THEM ON DISASTER, OFTEN YOU GET THAT MONEY BACK FROM FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LATER ON REIMBURSEMENT. BUT BUT STILL IT'S IMPORTANT AND IT'S PRUDENT TO MAINTAIN THAT.

SO I WANT TO BE CLEAR TO THE CITIZENS.

AS YOUR LEADER, AS MAYOR, I AM NOT INTERESTED IN SPENDING DOWN THE REQUIRED 25% RESERVES.

BUT IF WE HAVE EXCESS RESERVES.

I'VE SAID IT BEFORE, AND I SAID IT WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT DOING A ROLLBACK ON THE MILLAGE RATE.

WE ARE STEWARDS OF THE PEOPLE'S MONEY.

AND I'M NOT HERE TO SIT ON YOUR MONEY AND COLLECT MORE AND MORE MONEY TO BUILD A BIGGER AND BIGGER BANK ACCOUNT.

IF WE DECIDE AS A COMMISSION AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE MORE RESERVES THAN 25% AS AS A STANDARD THEN WE CAN CERTAINLY VOTE ON THAT.

BUT FOR TODAY, WE HAVE AMPLE RESERVES THAT ARE UNRESTRICTED THAT CAN FUND NOT ONLY THIS THIS PARTICULAR AGENDA ITEM, BUT COULD FUND THE BALANCE ON THE THE LIFEGUARD STATION.

SO, AND WE MAY TALK TODAY.

I'M NOT SURE WHETHER MR. KILLINGSWORTH IS GOING TO TALK MORE ON DORA, BUT DORA IS ALREADY BUDGETED IN THE CURRENT BUDGET, SO THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ON THE RESERVE.

SO AT THIS POINT, I'M GOING TO OPEN IT UP TO COMMENT.

I'LL START WITH COMMISSIONER RING.

THANK YOU MAYOR.

SO I WANT TO FIRST SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE PUBLIC WHO CAME AND SPOKE IN THIS PARTICULAR ORDINANCE.

THIS IS MY DISTRICT THAT I REPRESENT, AND CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, THIS IS THE ONLY COMMUNITY OR WOULD BE THE ONLY COMMUNITY CENTER IN MY DISTRICT. GAIL BAKER IS LOCATED IN BRUCE BOWLES DISTRICT.

AND I CALCULATED IN GOOGLE MAPS, AND IT'S 1.7 MILES BETWEEN BAKER AND 100 WEST FIRST STREET.

SO TO THOSE WHO ARE WONDERING WHAT WILL THIS BE? AND I HEARD IT MULTIPLE TIMES, SAID OVER AND OVER AGAIN, IT'LL BE THE SAME THING.

WHAT BAKER IS, WHAT JORDAN IS, WHAT ADELE GRAGES.

AND THAT IS A MULTI-PURPOSE CENTER.

YOU LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF ADELE GRAGE.

WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED, IT WAS SWIPED UP BECAUSE IT WAS THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY.

THIS OPPORTUNITY IS NOT GOING TO COME AGAIN.

NOT IN THIS MARKET, NOT TODAY.

MAYBE NOT NEXT YEAR.

IT'S IT'S IMMEDIATE.

AND AS LINDA LANIER SAID, URGENT AND IMPORTANT.

AND I WOULD NOT BE A GOOD REPRESENTATIVE OF MY DISTRICT IF I DIDN'T SAY OTHERWISE.

SO I'M FOR THIS PURCHASE.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER RING. COMMISSIONER WATERS.

I WANT TO THANK, I'VE BEEN TALKING TO MR. JEVIC EVER SINCE ALMOST HOME BECAME AVAILABLE AND I APPRECIATE ALL HIS EFFORTS.

I ALSO APPRECIATE WHAT DAWN SCOTT SAID, AND MISS SEXTON SAID.

I HAVE RECEIVED SO MANY EMAILS AND TALKED TO SO MANY PEOPLE ABOUT THIS.

WHEN I RAN, I RAN FOR THE ATLANTIC BEACH RESIDENTS.

AND I KNOW THAT THIS MAYOR RIGHT HERE IS FOR THE ATLANTIC BEACH RESIDENTS, AND THERE IS URGENCY TO BUY THIS ALMOST HOME.

AND IT IS FOR ATLANTIC BEACH RESIDENTS.

THIS MULTIPURPOSE FACILITY AND ALL THAT'S BEEN SAID SO FAR OVERPOWERS ANYTHING ELSE IT HAS BEEN PROPOSED THUS FAR. I'LL LEAVE IT THERE.

AND I, WE HAVE A LOT OF INPUT FROM VARIOUS PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH THIS.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES.

AND RIGHT NOW I FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO PURCHASE THIS, AND MOVE FORWARD.

[00:40:03]

THANKS. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER WATERS. COMMISSIONER BOLE.

YEAH, I JUST WANT I JUST WANT TO SAY I THINK I VOTED FOR THE LIFEGUARD STAND SIX TIMES IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.

I VOTED FOR DORIS STREET.

EVERY TIME THAT'S COME UP.

AND I UNDERSTAND IN THE BUDGET AND MAYOR, YOU MENTIONED IT.

I'LL ALWAYS SAY THAT WE ARE ALSO THE COUNCIL THAT ROLLED BACK THE MILLAGE RATE.

I THINK WE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT WHEN WE VOTE.

ALSO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CURRENT COSTS.

I MEAN, THE LIFEGUARD STAND, AND MAYBE YOU GUYS CAN CORRECT ME HAS GONE UP, I THINK ABOUT 30 OR 40% FROM THE ORIGINAL BUDGET FROM WHERE WE STARTED OUT, BUT AT LEAST I THOUGHT IT HAD MORE THAN DOUBLED.

YEAH, A LARGE AMOUNT.

HOW ABOUT THAT. SO CURRENT SPENDING THAT WE TALK ABOUT IN THE BUDGET.

I HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR.

BUT THERE'S ALSO COSTS FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD.

SO I'M FOR THIS, BY THE WAY.

BUT I ALSO WANT TO SEE WHAT ARE THE RECURRING COSTS.

WHAT'S THE DEAL ON THE TAXES? YOU KNOW WHAT? WHAT DO WE WANT TO HAVE OUT OF IT? IT WORRIES ME THAT I DON'T HAVE A PIECE OF PAPER IN FRONT OF ME THAT SAYS, WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS WITH THIS PROPERTY.

THAT'S WHAT BOTHERS ME.

BUT I ALSO LOOKED AT, YOU KNOW, THE OPPORTUNITY COSTS OF LOSING THIS.

RIGHT? THAT AND I AGREE, FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH COMMISSIONER RING THAT WE SHOULD..

THAT'S IN THE MINUTES THOUGH, RIGHT.

THAT'S GOING TO BE IN THE MINUTES, DONNA.

BUT I, I, I GUESS WHAT I'M SAYING IS I, YOU KNOW, I WOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE LIFEGUARD STAND, DORA STREET AND THIS IS A STRONG THIRD AS YOU GO THROUGH IT.

THANKS. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER KELLY. SO I, I GOT THE FEELING THAT PERHAPS YOU WERE THINKING WE COULD ONLY DO ONE, BUT WE'VE ALREADY WE'VE BEEN PLANNING TO DO THE DORA DRIVE.

IT'S PART OF IT, DORA DRIVE IS EITHER BUY NOW OR BUY LATER.

AS PART OF OUR RESILIENCY PLAN.

I GOT IN THE ELEVATOR WITH THE WITH THE WITH THE MAYOR DEEGAN THE OTHER DAY AND SHE SAID, HOW ARE YOU DOING ATLANTIC BEACH? AND I SAID, WE'RE RESILIENT.

HE SAID, SHE SAID, YOU GUYS ARE THE POSTER CHILD.

AND I SAID, YES, WE ARE.

AND SO DORA DRIVE IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

AND WE ARE DOING OUR DUE DILIGENCE TO FIGURE OUT, YOU KNOW, HOW TO DO IT, THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT EVERYBODY AND TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, AND FOR IT TO DO ITS JOB AS PART OF OUR GREATER RESILIENCY PLAN.

AND THE THE LIFEGUARD STATION, WE'VE HAD ALREADY TALKED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, SORT OF OFFLINE ABOUT HOW, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO AND WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG, AND WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? AND SOME OF THE PROBLEM IS BEYOND OUR CONTROL, THAT WE COULDN'T GET THE DEP TO PROCESS THE PAPER AT WORK ANY FASTER.

WE COULDN'T GET COMPANIES TO BID ON OUR PROJECT BECAUSE IT'S SMALL POTATOES COMPARED TO ALL THE MONEY THAT'S COMING OUT OF OUT OF WASHINGTON.

AND SO WE'RE WE'RE WE'RE NOT OPPOSED TO LIFEGUARD IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM.

WE'RE WORKING ON GETTING IT DONE.

AND SO AND THEN I, I JUST THINK THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY IS TO BUY THE ALMOST HOME.

I'M ONE OF THE FEW PEOPLE IN THE ROOM WHO WOULD, WOULD DISPARAGE ANY NEED FOR WOMEN VETERANS.

BUT FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT ALL THE POSSIBILITIES.

NOW, THE PROPERTY IS NOT ANYWHERE READY TO BE BOUGHT BECAUSE THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE TITLE.

SO WE HAVE TIME TO TALK AMONG OURSELVES AND SAY, WHAT DO WE WANT? I DON'T WANT TO I DON'T WANT TO REPRODUCE NEPTUNE BEACHES COMMUNITY CENTER.

YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE JUST OVER THERE.

AND I DON'T WANT TO, YOU KNOW, REPRODUCE WHAT WE HAVE AT AT BAKER.

IT'S IT'S UP TO US TO FIGURE OUT WHAT COULD WE ADD, WHAT WOULD MAKE OUR CULTURE THAT MUCH BETTER? BECAUSE WE'RE FULL, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF NEW PEOPLE.

AND WHAT CAN WE DO? WHAT CAN WE PROVIDE FOR OUR CITIZENS AS FAR AS CULTURAL AND RECREATION, WITH A NEW BUILDING LIKE THAT? AND IT'S GOT IT'S BIG.

SO IT COSTS THAT 14 ROOM BUILDING, PLUS A KITCHEN AND A GREAT ROOM.

AND WHAT SIX BATHROOMS OR SOMETHING IS CHEAPER THAN A HOUSE OVER IN SAILFISH.

SO IT'S IT'S A GOOD DEAL AND IT'S NOT IN BAD SHAPE.

AND WE'LL BE OPEN TO WHAT THE COMMUNITY CAN, CAN BRING TO US TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

I GUESS I'LL ROUND IT OUT.

YOU'VE HEARD MOST EVERYTHING THAT I WOULD SAY, BUT I WANT TO PUNCTUATE IT.

I. I RAN ON THE BASIS OF ATLANTIC BEACH RESIDENTS FIRST, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS VERY CLEAR TO ME IN WALKING THE

[00:45:03]

IT IS FORTUITOUS THAT THIS PROPERTY CAME ON THE MARKET.

IT CANNOT BE REPLACED.

IT CANNOT APPEAR SUDDENLY A YEAR OR TWO FROM NOW IF WE TAKE OUR TIME AND STUDY AND DEVELOP AND SO ON, IT'S TODAY OR NEVER.

AND SO I'M ABSOLUTELY FOR THE ACQUISITION FOR THIS TO BE A COMMUNITY CENTER TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF MARSH OAKS PREDOMINANTLY.

BUT UNDERSTAND, IF WE CHOOSE AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT SURVEYING THE CITIZENS IN A MINUTE.

BUT IF WE CHOOSE TO MAKE A A FOCUS ON A SENIOR CENTER AS WELL AS A VETERANS CENTER AND CHILDREN.

BUT THE SENIOR CENTER, IF WE CHOOSE TO MAKE A FOCUS ON THAT, THAT WOULD SERVE THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

SO WHILE IT WOULD BE LOCATED IN MARSH OAKS TO THE BENEFIT MOSTLY OF THE RESIDENTS OF MARSH OAKS, IT WOULD STILL SERVE THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

SO THERE THERE ARE QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED.

THE THE COST OF MAINTAINING IT, THE COST OF STAFFING IT, THE COST OF RENOVATING IT.

BUT I THINK, COMMISSIONER KELLY, YOU AND I ACTUALLY AGREE HERE.

SO WE PUT THAT IN THE MINUTES THAT THAT SHE MADE THE STATEMENT YOU LITERALLY WOULD PAY ALMOST AS MUCH MONEY FOR A HOME IN IN SAILFISH AS YOU WOULD PAY FOR THIS 4500 SQUARE FOOT CONCRETE BLOCK BUILDING ON WAS THAT 4.44 OF AN ACRE, HALF AN ACRE, HALF AN ACRE DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK AND A PLAYGROUND.

SO IT'S AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY.

AND I WOULD ASK THOSE CITIZENS THAT HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE RACE OR THE RUSH TO PURCHASE TO UNDERSTAND, I AGREE WITH YOU THAT ON A NORMAL BASIS, YOU WOULD TAKE YOUR TIME, YOU WOULD PUT IT IN YOUR STRATEGIC PLAN, YOU WOULD BUDGET IT.

THAT'S NOT OUR OPPORTUNITY HERE.

WE EITHER FISH OR CUT BAIT ON THIS.

AND AS YOUR MAYOR, I AM ABSOLUTELY PREPARED TO ENDORSE THE ACQUISITION OF THIS PROPERTY ON WEST FIRST STREET.

SO DO WE HAVE FURTHER COMMENTS? DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? WELL, LET'S GO BACK TO THAT.

I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE ORDINANCE NUMBER 2020 4-1 71, PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL READING.

SECOND. SECOND. OKAY.

WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER RING AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER BOLE.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY WITH AYE.

AYE. IT'S UNANIMOUS.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS.

SO THANK YOU RESIDENTS, FOR COMING TO SHARE YOUR, YOUR OPINIONS AND YOUR DESIRES AND YOUR HOPES FOR OUR CITY TO IMPROVE.

WITH THAT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR REGULAR COURTESY OF THE FLOOR THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY ITEM NUMBER TWO ON THE AGENDA.

AND WE'LL OPEN IT UP.

DONNA, DO YOU HAVE A LIST? AND ACTUALLY, I TOLD I SAID, TAKE A RECESS.

SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE ONE FIVE MINUTE RECESS NOW, IF YOU'LL START THE CLOCK, DONNA, SO WE CAN MANAGE THAT.

AND WE'LL RECONVENE.

AND WE'LL MOVE TO COURTESY OF THE FLOOR

[2. COURTESY OF FLOOR TO VISITORS]

ITEM TWO ON THE AGENDA IS OH, I'M TALKING BEFORE THE RECORDING.

IS DONNA HERE? DOES SHE HAVE SPEAKER CARDS READY? THANK YOU. WE DIDN'T DO COURTESY OF THE FLOOR.

THAT WAS JUST THE FIRST ONE.

THAT WAS JUST THE CAROLYN ZISSER.

SO SHE WAS HERE EARLIER.

HOLD THAT ONE. AND IF SHE COMES BACK IN, WE'LL BRING HER UP.

GO AHEAD. THE NEXT ONE.

BRINKLEY HARRELL.

MISTER HARRELL.

IT'S. OH.

YEAH, IF YOU'LL HOLD MR. HAROLD. I DIDN'T REALIZE THE..

MY TIME'S ALREADY EXPIRED.

THAT'S RIGHT. I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING.

HAVE A SEAT. THANK YOU FOR THIS.

GOOD. OKAY, OKAY.

NOW WE CAN OFFICIALLY START THE MEETING, AND WE'LL GET TO CAROLYN'S ZIZZER IN JUST A MINUTE.

OKAY. GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, STAFF.

MONEY MONEY MONEY, MONEY.

TONIGHT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.

OR WAS IT SHOW ME THE MONEY.

I WON'T GO OVER ANY OF ALL THOSE PREVIOUSLY THINGS MENTIONED ABOUT MONEY FOR THIS PROJECT OR THAT PROJECT OR SO ON AND SO FORTH.

[00:50:06]

I THINK WE'VE GOT MORE THAN 50% OF THE GENERAL FUND IN RESERVES, AND WE'RE LIMITED TO 50%, BUT I THINK WE'RE OVER 50%.

SO USING, YOU KNOW, THOSE RESERVES ABOVE THE 25% MINIMUM FOR SMART PURCHASES, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THAT PURCHASE IS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED ON THREE DIFFERENT ITEMS IS A SMART WAY TO GO.

THAT MONEY IN THE BANK MIGHT BE MAKING 1%, BUT IF WE GO TO BORROW MONEY LIKE SELVA PRESERVE, WE'RE GOING TO BE PAYING 5 OR 6%.

SO WHEN A MILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS WAS BORROWED DURING THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION AND COMMISSION, AT A MILLION AND A HALF AT FIVE I DON'T REMEMBER IF IT WAS 5 OR 6% FOR 10 OR 15 YEARS, BUT I LOOKED IT UP ONCE UPON A TIME.

YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE OUGHT TO USE SOME OF THE RESERVES TO RETIRE THAT DEBT.

WHICH BRINGS ME INTO THE NEXT THING, EIGHT ITEM EIGHT A ON YOUR AGENDA FROM PUBLIC UTILITIES.

HOLY MOLY.

HALF A MILLION TO BUILD 340FT WORTH OF ROAD AND BULKHEAD.

THAT IS MORE MONEY THAN WHAT WAS SPENT ON THE RECENT REPAVING OF EAST COAST DRIVE FROM ATLANTIC BOULEVARD TO 10TH STREET, MOST OF C OATS DRIVE, AND FOUR LITTLE BITTY STREETS THAT EVERYBODY HOLDS NEAR AND DEAR TO THEIR HEART, CALLED DEWEES, CORAL, SHELL AND COQUINA.

THAT'S. THAT FIVE 500, HALF $1 MILLION COULD GO A LOT FURTHER THAN TO BUILD A REALLY, REALLY, REALLY GOOD ROAD ON A UTILITY ROAD THAT'S USED AT BEST, ONCE A MONTH, 12 TIMES A YEAR.

OKAY, WELL, MAYBE IT'S USED ONCE A WEEK.

OKAY. 52 TIMES A YEAR FOR ONE VEHICLE TO GO DOWN.

THAT IS A LOT TO ME.

WASTEFUL SPENDING TO PUT IN A BULKHEAD AND WIDEN THAT ROAD.

AND BY THE WAY, I RODE MY BIKE DOWN THERE ON THURSDAY.

I TOOK A LOOK AT IT. I'D SEEN THE PROPERTY BEFORE.

UNTIL RECENTLY, THAT ROAD HAD BEEN COMPLETELY OVERGROWN BECAUSE THERE WAS ALL KINDS OF DEAD DEBRIS AND WHATNOT LAYING ON THE ROAD BECAUSE THEY DON'T EVER USE THE ROAD, OR THEY RARELY USE THE ROAD.

I'LL SAY THERE ARE THERE ARE OTHER ALTERNATIVES.

IT WOULD APPEAR THAT ON THE WEST SIDE OF THAT ROAD, THAT ROAD COULD BE EXPANDED ANOTHER TWO FEET TO THE EDGE OF THE PROPERTY LINE FOR A LOT LESS THAN HALF $1 MILLION, YOU KNOW, TWO FEET WIDE TIMES 340FT OF WIDENING.

THAT WOULD BE EASY AND A LOT LESS EXPENSIVE THAN PUTTING IN 340FT OF BULKHEAD.

BUT THE BIGGER ISSUE, THE ADDITIONAL ISSUE THAT ONE SHOULD ASK IS, WHY IS THAT DRAINAGE DITCH ALWAYS FULL OF 3 OR 4FT OF WATER NOW? YEAH, I KNOW IT'S A DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT.

PUBLIC WORKS OKAY.

BUT THE ISSUE REMAINS WHY ISN'T THAT DRAINAGE DITCH DRAINING RATHER THAN JUST BEING THERE AND BREEDING MOSQUITOES UP ON, YOU KNOW, FOR THE PEOPLE BETWEEN 19TH AND 20TH STREET, WHERE THAT DRAINAGE DITCH HAS ALWAYS BEEN FULL, I'VE NEVER SEEN IT EMPTY.

SO, YOU KNOW, I WOULD VERY MUCH SUGGEST THAT YOU NOT VOTE TO SPEND A HALF $1 MILLION FROM THE WATER AND SEWER ENTERPRISE FUND TO BUILD A ROAD AND A BULKHEAD.

USE THAT MONEY FOR A BETTER WELL OR AN ADDITIONAL WELL, BETTER PUMPS.

REWORKING THE.

THE WATER TOWER OVER ON MAYPORT ROAD.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S PLENTY OF DIRECT WATER AND SEWER PROJECTS THAT HALF $1 MILLION WOULD BE BETTER SPENT ON THAN BUILDING A BULKHEAD ALONG A DITCH.

THAT OUGHT TO BE DRY ANYWAY.

BUT THERE IS ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE.

LIKE I SAY, WIDENING THAT ROAD ON THE OTHER SIDE, THAT NO ONE HAS BROUGHT THAT PROPOSAL TO YOU OR THAT ALTERNATIVE, I SHOULD SAY.

AND OH, AND BY THE WAY, THAT HALF $1 MILLION DOES NOT EVEN INCLUDE THE GENERATOR THAT'S GOING TO BE IN PLACE THERE.

THAT'S ONLY FOR ROAD WIDENING AND TAKING OUT A CURB AND PUTTING IN 340FT OF BULKHEAD.

SO ANYWAY, SO THAT REALLY IS ABOUT IT.

PLEASE CLOSELY CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT PUBLIC UTILITIES DOING A PUBLIC WORKS TYPE PROJECT WITH THOSE PARTICULAR ENTERPRISE FUNDS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, MR. HARRELL. CAROLYN ZISSER.

GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS COUNCIL AND MY FELLOW NEIGHBORS.

I'M HERE TONIGHT TO SPEAK ABOUT THREE ISSUES RELEVANT TO ITEM B, THREE B, WHICH IS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND, AND THREE C THE RESERVE IMPACT FUND.

[00:55:02]

ISSUE NUMBER ONE, I THINK, IS A LIFEGUARD STATION.

AND SINCE ALTHOUGH THE COST OF THAT HAS GREATLY INCREASED, WE CAN HOPEFULLY GET SOME HELP FROM THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE.

SO I'M VERY GLAD THAT THAT OUR COUNCILMAN DIAMOND IS HERE TO HEAR THAT IT IS A MUST FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, FOR HEALTH MOLD WE HAVE TO GET RID OF.

WE NEED TO WORK ON THIS NOW.

I MEAN, IMMEDIATELY, IT'S IT'S NOW ALMOST MARCH.

IT'S GOING TO BE SOON GETTING A LOT WARMER.

SO THAT IS THE NEEDS TO BE THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

AND I'D LOVE TO SEE AN ORDINANCE TO GET THIS STARTED IMMEDIATELY.

ISSUE NUMBER TWO, ON THE ISSUE OF GOAL ORIENTATION, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A DEDICATED SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER.

AND I'M SPEAKING TO YOU AS A SENIOR, I CAN FINALLY ADMIT THAT I'M A SENIOR AND I'M PROUD OF IT.

AND SENIORS REALLY NEED HEALTH, EDUCATION EXERCISE.

AND THERE ARE MANY OF US WHO ARE AGING IN PLACE.

I'VE BEEN IN MY HOME NOW FOR 47 YEARS, AND WE ARE AGING IN PLACE.

AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER RESIDENTS WHO ARE ALSO AGING IN PLACE WHO DO NOT PLAN TO GO TO RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES.

AND I HAVE NOT YET LEARNED OF ANY COMMUNITY WIDE PROGRAMS, SUCH AS A MEALS ON WHEELS, SUCH AS HELPING PEOPLE GET TO HOSPITALS AT THE BEACH.

I MEAN, THERE'S SO MUCH THAT I THINK CAN BE DONE IN A DEDICATED SENIOR CENTER.

SO I'M HOPING THAT AS YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT SHOULD BE THE USE OF THE PROPERTY THAT HAS BEEN VOTED TONIGHT TO PURCHASE IN MARSH OAKS, THAT PERHAPS THAT WOULD BE ONE OF THE MAIN FOCUSES AS A SENIOR CENTER.

THERE ARE MANY OF US WHO ARE NOT PLANNING TO SELL OUR HOMES FOR THE SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS IN APPRECIATION FOR YOUNGER FAMILIES WHO WANT TO MOVE IN WHO INTEND TO LIVE HERE.

AND I THINK ONCE WE DO SOME RESEARCH, IT WOULD BE GOOD TO DO SOME RESEARCH AS TO HOW MANY RESIDENTS THERE ARE IN THIS COMMUNITY WHO ARE OVER THE AGE OF 65 OR 70 OR 75.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE ANY OF THAT DATA, BUT I THINK THAT WOULD BE IMPORTANT DATA TO BE GATHERING.

AND LASTLY, ON THE THIRD ISSUE, I'M REALLY GLAD TO HEAR WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE INVADING RESERVES FOR THIS.

AND I WAS VERY HAPPY TO HEAR FROM CITY MANAGER KILLINGSWORTH AS TO THE AMOUNT OF THE RESERVES THAT WE HAVE AND THAT WE DO NOT NEED TO GO INTO THE RESERVES TO TO IMPROVE THE LIFEGUARD STATION AND TO HOPEFULLY BE MAKING A DEDICATED SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER.

I THINK NOT INVADING RESERVES IS NECESSARY, AGAIN, IMPORTANT AND URGENT TO THE ISSUE OF RESILIENCY, BECAUSE OUR CITY HAS TO BE RESILIENT IF WE NEED EMERGENCY FUNDING.

WE'VE READ IN THE NEWSPAPER HOW IT'S EXPECTED THAT THERE WILL BE AN INCREASED ACTIVITY WITH STORMS. SO WE NEED TO BE VERY MINDFUL OF THAT AND BE SURE WE HAVE THE FUNDS TO HELP OUR CITIZENS IN THAT, IN IF THERE IS A WEATHER HAZARD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

I KNOW YOU'LL BE MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS.

AND THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

THANK YOU, MISS ZISSER.

FALLON SEXTON.

I THINK VALLIN ALREADY SPOKE.

SHE ALSO WANTED TO SPEAK DURING COURTESY OF THE FLOOR, ACCORDING TO HER CARD.

SHE MAY HAVE MISUNDERSTOOD BECAUSE SHE'S SHE'S GONE.

OKAY. AND CINDY ANDERSON ALSO SAID SHE WOULD NOT.

SHE DOESN'T WANT TO SPEAK AFTER ALL AS WELL.

OKAY, SO THAT'S THE END OF YOUR LIST? THAT'S ALL I HAVE. SO I'D LIKE TO BRING UP OUR REPRESENTATIVE ON THE CITY COUNCIL, RORY DIAMOND.

THANK YOU, MISTER MAYOR. RORY DIAMOND, 1515 OCEANFRONT, NEPTUNE BEACH, THAT CITY JUST TO THE SOUTH, IF YOU'RE NOT SURE. FOUR THINGS, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU WANT TO GO HOME.

TRUST ME, I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE BEING ON THAT SIDE AND GETTING HOME, SOUNDS REALLY EXCITING.

FOUR QUICK THINGS, FIRST OF ALL, I LOVE BEING BACK.

IT'S AMAZING.

I ALWAYS ASK TO COME AFTER AND SPEAK AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT BECAUSE I LOVE SEEING DEMOCRACY HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'VE JUST SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN A PLACE WHERE THERE IS NO

[01:00:04]

AND SO THIS IS A LITTLE BIT PAINFUL.

IT TAKES MORE TIME, TAKES A LOT OF PATIENCE.

SOMETIMES IT'S PERSONAL, UNFORTUNATELY, BUT THIS IS WAY BETTER THAN THE THE OTHER OPTION.

SO GREAT TO BE BACK, ESPECIALLY IN THE BEST COMMUNITY, THE BEST CITY AND THE BEST STATE AND THE BEST COUNTRY IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.

SO IT'S NOT JUST BACK ANYWHERE, BUT BACK HERE.

SECONDLY, AMAZING JOB.

GOOD JOB. ATLANTIC BEACH CITY COUNCIL.

THE COMMISSION HAS HIRED BILL KILLINGSWORTH TO BE THEIR CITY MANAGER.

I CAN'T I MEAN, LOOK, WE'VE BEEN IN ALL SORTS OF BRAWLS TOGETHER IN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE AND HE'S A HEAVYWEIGHT.

SO YOU GUYS LANDED A SOLID I MEAN, IT'S AMAZING.

SO CONGRATULATIONS, BILL.

BUT ALSO REALLY TO THE PEOPLE OF ATLANTIC BEACH.

AND THEN YOU HIRE JASON GABRIEL, WHICH IS ANOTHER SOLID HIRE.

SO LET ME JUST SAY THIS.

I'VE JUST COME FROM DEPLOYMENT, BUT I'VE BEEN TO WAR WITH THESE GUYS.

AND YOU HAVE TWO OF THE BEST CITY EMPLOYEES THAT YOU WILL FIND ANYWHERE SERVING THE CITY.

AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT STEFOPOULOS AND NOW CHIEF QUAY AND MR. KILLINGSWORTH, OUR BEACH CITIES ARE SO WELL SERVED, BY WHICH THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE WAS HALF AS WELL SERVED AS YOU ALL ARE.

SO THANK YOU FOR FOR THAT LEADERSHIP.

THIRD, I'VE GOT GOOD NEWS.

MS. ZISSER, THIS ONE'S FOR YOU.

GOT THIS ONE. SO A COUPLE YEARS AGO, WE HAD AN EXTRA MILLION OR SO IN CHANGE THAT WAS DEDICATED TO PURCHASE JOHNSON ISLAND, HELP YOU ALL PURCHASE THAT.

OBVIOUSLY THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

AND SO THE MONEY WAS AVAILABLE.

I WORKED WITH MAYOR CURRY AND HIS TEAM, AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET THAT MONEY JUST KIND OF LOOSELY DEDICATED TO THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, BECAUSE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE YOURS ANYWAYS, KIND OF SPLIT THE BABY AND USE HALF FOR THE GIL BAKER CENTER AND THE OTHER HALF FOR THE NEW LIFEGUARD STATION.

AND I UNDERSTAND IT.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH. AND SO I WAS ABLE TO GET ANOTHER $200,000 TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

SO THAT'S OUR ANNOUNCEMENT FOR TODAY.

WE GOT 200 GRAND, MS. ZISSER, I THINK THAT MEANS THAT WILL HAPPEN.

BUT THAT'LL GET VOTED ON TOMORROW, SO WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT BUDGET.

LITERALLY TOMORROW.

WE'LL VOTE ON IT AS A CITY COUNCIL.

AND WHEN THAT MONEY'S ON TODAY.

IT'S TERRIBLE TO HAVE A FISCAL CONSERVATIVE COME IN AND START TELLING ABOUT HOW HE'S EXCITED TO BRING YOU MONEY, BUT THAT'S PART OF THE DEAL.

SO THAT'S THE SECOND THING.

SO ALL I ASK OF YOU AS A COMMISSION IS PLEASE ENCUMBER IT, SPEND IT BEFORE SOMEBODY ELSE GETS OTHER IDEAS.

SO TAKE IT AND RUN.

PLEASE BUILD IT. I THINK IT'S AN EASY SELL TO MY COLLEAGUES, BECAUSE, LISTEN, EVERYBODY LOVES TO COME TO THE BEACHES.

THE LIFEGUARDS PROTECT US ALL.

THEY DON'T CHECK TO SEE IF YOU'RE FROM COJ OR FROM OUT OF TOWN.

THEY JUST SEE THAT YOU'RE IN TROUBLE.

YOUR FAMILY NEEDS HELP AND THEY COME AND HELP YOU.

OR IF THEY'RE SMART, THEY TELL YOU NOT TO DO STUPID THINGS BEFORE YOU GO DO STUPID THINGS.

SO IT'S, YOU KNOW, WE HOST THE PARTY, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF THE TIME WE ALSO, YOU KNOW, CARRY THE BILL.

AND THIS IS ONE WHERE THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE IS ABLE TO JUMP IN.

SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

AND THE LAST THING I JUST WANTED TO MENTION AND I DON'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS, THE JOB OF THE DISTRICT COUNCIL PERSON.

IF PEOPLE AREN'T AWARE, I REPRESENT ALL THE BEACHES IN DOWNTOWN JACKSONVILLE AS YOUR COUNCILMAN.

AND BUT THERE'S ALL SORTS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS OUT HERE AT THE BEACHES.

WE'VE GOT FIVE HERE, FIVE IN NEPTUNE BEACH, SEVEN IN IN JAX BEACH.

AND COLLECTIVELY, YOU ALL ARE MUCH CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE.

SO IT IS NOT MY JOB TO TELL YOU HOW TO SPEND YOUR MONEY OR WHAT TO DO.

PURCHASE THAT LAND, WHAT YOU DO WITH IT, I DON'T CARE, BUT I DID NOTICE THERE WAS AN END AROUND EFFORT TO TRY AND FORCE A HOMELESS SHELTER HERE INTO ATLANTIC BEACH AGAINST, YOU KNOW, WITHOUT YOU ALL WEIGHING IN ON IT AND CERTAINLY WITHOUT THIS JACKSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL WEIGHING ON IT.

AND, YOU KNOW, I LOOKED AT THESE PUBLIC RECORDS AND I SAID, THERE'S THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN JUST DO THAT, THAT THAT DOESN'T WORK.

SO I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THE WAY THIS WORKS IS YOU ALL DECIDE FIRST WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE, AND THEN YOU COME TO THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE IF YOU NEED THE HELP.

AND IF WE CAN DO IT, I WILL CERTAINLY ADVOCATE FOR YOU EVERY SECOND OF THE DAY.

BUT THAT'S THE WAY IT GOES IF ANYBODY'S LISTENING.

SO THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

I JUST WANT TO SAY ONE LAST THING.

THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH IS MY MOST IMPORTANT CITY.

AND EVEN THOUGH I LIVE IN NEPTUNE BEACH, AND EVEN THOUGH I JUST CAME FROM JAX BEACH CITY COUNCIL AND ALL THE REST, IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT CITY TO ME BECAUSE MY MOM LIVES HERE, AND IF I DON'T DO MY JOB WELL FOR ATLANTIC BEACH, I WILL GET IN TROUBLE NONSTOP.

SO ANYWAYS, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.

I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, MR. MAYOR, IF YOU HAVE THEM. OTHERWISE, I'LL WELL, NO..

WE'LL GET OUT OF HERE. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU, MR. DIAMOND, FOR THE APPROPRIATION.

SO APPRECIATED. BUT ALSO, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.

WELCOME HOME. THANK YOU.

SIR. YOU LOOK WELL.

SO YOU DIDN'T TAKE ANY BULLETS OR ANY SHRAPNEL? I'M GOOD. OKAY.

YEAH. I'M A LAWYER.

YEAH. I TAKE WAY, WAY WORSE INCOMING FIRE HERE.

QUESTIONS FOR MR. DIAMOND.

YEAH. WHY DO YOU LIVE IN NEPTUNE BEACH? I'LL TELL YOU THE TRUTH, SIR.

THROUGH THE MAYOR.

MR. COMMISSIONER BOLE, I.

THE FIRST TIME I EVER SAW JACKSONVILLE WAS HERE FOR A JOB INTERVIEW.

AND I DROVE UP FIRST STREET DROVE UP FIRST STREET IN NEPTUNE BEACH, AND I LITERALLY STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE I ENDED UP BUYING.

I JUST FELL IN LOVE WITH IT RIGHT ON THE SPOT.

I TRIED TO MAKE AN OFFER.

THEY SAID NO, I BOUGHT THE ONE NEXT DOOR.

OKAY. I JUST WANTED FURTHER.

I JUST HADN'T MADE IT THAT FAR NORTH.

AND I WAS, YOU KNOW, I CHOSE TOO SOON.

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING. YEAH. NO. HAPPY TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU ALL. AND I APPRECIATE IT.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. THANK YOU, MR. DIAMOND. OKAY.

ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK? COURTESY OF THE FLOOR.

OKAY. HEARING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE COURTESY OF THE FLOOR AND MOVE ON TO CITY MANAGER REPORTS OR WHAT'S LEFT OF IT.

[3. CITY MANAGER REPORTS]

SO THE FIRST THING UP IS THREE A, WHICH IS THE 90 DAY CALENDAR, WHICH IS BEFORE YOU.

[01:05:05]

EVERY SATURDAY ON THE NINTH, WE HAVE TOURS TO PARKS ON THE 16TH, WILD WONDERS AT DUTTON ISLAND ON THE 23RD, MY FAVORITE PAUSE IN THE PARK.

AND THEN ON THE 30TH WE HAVE THE EASTER EGG HUNT.

WITH THAT, MR. MAYOR, IF WE COULD GET CONSENSUS ON THE CALENDAR.

SO, COMMISSIONERS, ARE THERE ANY RECOMMENDED CHANGES? HEARING NONE. DO WE HAVE CONSENSUS TO APPROVE THE 90 DAY CALENDAR? YES. YES. OKAY.

APPROVED. AND THEN THREE B IS A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS UPDATE.

LAST TIME I WENT THROUGH PUBLIC WORKS TONIGHT I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH PUBLIC UTILITIES.

AGAIN, THOSE PROJECTS THAT ARE $100,000 OR MORE, THERE ARE FAR FEWER ON PUBLIC UTILITIES, BUT SOME OF THEM COST MUCH MORE.

SO THE FIRST ITEM IS MODERNIZATION OF OUR WATER TREATMENT PLANT.

NUMBER ONE.

THAT'S A $992,000 PROJECT.

THE CONSTRUCTION IS THE CONTRACTS OUT.

THE CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE ON APRIL 23RD.

THE NEXT ITEM IS MODERNIZATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF WATER PLANT NUMBER TWO, WHICH IS A $1.3 MILLION PROJECT.

THAT'S NOT STARTED YET, BUT IT IS CURRENTLY BEING PUT OUT FOR A DESIGN BUILD CONTRACT.

THE NEXT PROJECT IS A HYDRO PNEUMATIC PUMP FOR WATER TREATMENT.

ONE THE 90% PLANS ARE EXPECTED IN DECEMBER OF 23.

SO WE SHOULD HAVE THOSE.

I THINK THAT'S SUPPOSED TO SAY WE SHOULD HAVE THOSE PLANS.

I THINK THAT'S A TYPO.

EXCUSE ME. YEAH.

SO ALSO ON WATER TREATMENT PLANT NUMBER ONE, WE HAVE SOME CLEANING AND PAINTING INSIDE.

THAT'S 250,000 THAT HASN'T WE TOOK THAT MONEY TO HELP FUND ANOTHER PROJECT.

AND THEN $100,000 FOR ENGINEERING EVALUATION AND REPAIR OF WATER TREATMENT.

NUMBER TWO, THAT WAS MONEY THAT WE USED LAST COMMISSION CYCLE.

YOU MAY REMEMBER, WE BORROWED SOME FUNDS FROM OTHER PROJECTS TO SEE ONE PROJECT OFF SO THAT FUNDING IS NO LONGER THERE.

IN TERMS OF OUR POTABLE WATER DISTRIBUTION, THE SERVICE LINE AND VALVE REPLACEMENT.

IS ONGOING.

WE HAVE $200,000 FOR 110FT OF LINEAR, 110 LINEAR FEET OF 12 INCH PIPE ALONG MAYPORT ROAD.

CAP CONTRACTING HAS HAD THAT CONTRACT, AND IT IS NOW COMPLETE.

WE HAVE $197,000 OR 250 LINEAR FEET OF 12 INCH PVC PIPE FOR A DIFFERENT SECTION OF MAYPORT ROAD.

WE HAVE 100% DESIGN ON THAT.

AND WE'RE REVIEWING THE PLANS CURRENTLY.

SO FOR WATER WASTEWATER TREATMENT REPLACING THE DIGESTER CATWALK IS $185,000.

THAT'S PUT OUT TO HUTCHINSON WELDING.

AND THAT'S BEING MANAGED CURRENTLY.

AND THEN WE HAVE A $300,000 PROJECT TO CONSTRUCT A HYPOCHLORITE BUILDING.

AND WE'RE WAITING ON DESIGN FOR THAT RIGHT NOW.

AND THEN WE HAVE A REPLACEMENT OF CLAY SERVICES.

THIS IS A WASTEWATER COLLECTION, $100,000.

WE TOOK MONEY FROM THIS TO MAKE UP A SHORTFALL ON OUR PROJECT FROM LAST COMMISSION MEETING.

WE HAVE A INFILTRATION AND INFLOW CONTROL ASSESSMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION.

THAT'S $163,000.

SO WE ALSO BORROWED MONEY FOR THIS PROJECT.

THIS IS THE PROJECT THAT GOT IT ALL IS BUCCANEER LIFT STATION RETROFIT.

IT'S $981 MILLION.

SORRY, $981,000.

YOU APPROVE THAT LAST WEEK, AND IT'S GOING OUT FOR CONTRACT.

AND THEN WE HAVE A LIFT STATION VULNERABILITY FOR FLOODING ON A KAVA, KAVALA, EXCUSE ME.

IT'S $150,000.

WE TOOK MONEY FROM THAT.

SO, AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'VE TAKEN FROM A LOT.

AND THEN THE LAST IS THE 20TH STREET LIFT STATION, THE ACCESS ROAD FOR THE.

AND BULKHEAD.

THAT IS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.

CURRENTLY, THERE'S $250,000 THERE.

WE HAVE TAKEN FROM THREE OTHER PROJECTS TO BRING THAT UP TO THE LOW BID FOR THAT PROJECT, WHICH IS $456,809.

AND THAT IS THE PROJECTS FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES, MR. MAYOR. OKAY. THANK YOU, MR. KILLINGSWORTH. AND WE'VE ALREADY ADDRESSED RESERVE IMPACT AND WE'VE MOVED AHERN PROJECT.

[01:10:06]

YOU YOU HAD I THINK YOU HAD MENTIONED SOMETIME THIS PAST WEEK THAT YOU'RE PREPARING A SURVEY MONKEY SURVEY TO GO OUT TO THE CITIZENS OF ATLANTIC BEACH FOR THE USE OF THE ACQUISITION AT FIRST STREET FOR FIRST STREET AND GAIL BAKER.

SO I THINK IN YOUR.

THAT PACKET IN YOUR HANDOUTS IS A DRAFT SURVEY.

KEVIN'S GOING TO EMAIL YOU THAT.

SO IF YOU COULD JUST GIVE US COMMENTS, ANYTHING ELSE YOU THINK SHOULD BE ADDED TO IT? WE'LL TAKE THOSE COMMENTS OUT AND THEN WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GET THE SURVEY OUT ON THE STREET.

OKAY. I WOULD ALSO SAY SO BASED ON THE DISCUSSIONS, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU WOULD ENTERTAIN AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE THE ADDITIONAL MONIES FOR THE LIFEGUARD STATION.

YES. SO, COMMISSIONERS WE COULD ACTUALLY MOVE FORWARD ON THAT TODAY WITH DIRECTION VIA CONSENSUS TO INSTRUCT THE CITY MANAGER TO PREPARE THAT ORDINANCE IF YOU'D LIKE TO PROCEED.

SO, IF I MAY, MR. MAYOR, I WOULD.

YES. YEAH, I WILL WATCH THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT, WHICH IS SOMETHING I VOWED NOT TO EVER DO AGAIN.

IN YOUR PAJAMAS? YES.

I WON'T GO THERE.

AND NOW PULL THE BILL TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT'S BEING APPROPRIATED TOMORROW NIGHT.

AND WE'LL JUST DEDUCT THAT OFF THE OVERAGE AND I'LL MAKE IT THE DIFFERENCE.

SO CURRENTLY THERE'S A $700,000 SHORTFALL.

200 WOULD ASSUMINGLY BE MADE UP BY CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, AND THE ORDINANCE WOULD APPROPRIATE AN ADDITIONAL.

ACTUALLY IF THEY'VE ALREADY APPROVED THAT, YOU STILL WOULD PREPARE YOUR ORDINANCE FOR 700,000.

SO LET ME I'LL TALK WITH JASON ABOUT THAT.

WHETHER WE NEED TO DO A SEPARATE ONE TO APPROPRIATE THE 200,000 FROM COJ AND THEN 500 FROM US, OR IF WE CAN DO IT ALL AS ONE ORDINANCE, JUST RIGHT OFF THE BAT, I DON'T SEE WHY WE COULDN'T DO BOTH AS ONE ORDINANCE, BUT WITH TWO SORT OF SUB FUND DISCUSSIONS IN THAT ONE ORDINANCE.

BUT WE'LL, WE'LL DOUBLE CHECK THAT.

OKAY. SO COMMISSIONER.

YES, COMMISSIONER. SO LIKE THE STUFF THAT THE MONEY WE'VE TAKEN FROM WATER PLANT NUMBER TWO IS, IS IT HOW CRITICAL IS IT THAT WE GET YOU KNOW, WE PROJECT FUNDS FOR WATER PLANT NUMBER TWO? SO WE'LL BRING THAT BACK IN THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE.

SO THAT'S THE IDEA.

AND THEN, TROY, IF YOU WANT TO COME SPEAK TO THIS IDEA, IS THESE ARE PROJECTS, THE PROJECTS THAT WERE TAKING MONEY FROM, WE'RE TAKING THEM FROM PROJECTS THAT WE PERCEIVE TO HAVE A LESSER PRIORITY AND MOVING THEM TO A HIGHER PRIORITY.

IT'S NOT THAT WE'RE MAKING THE PROJECTS GO AWAY.

AND THEN AT THE END OF THE YEAR, IF WE STILL HAVE FUNDS, WE CAN COBBLE IT ALL TOGETHER AND GET ANOTHER PROJECT DONE.

AND THEN THOSE THAT WE DON'T HAVE SUFFICIENT FUNDS, WE'LL PUT IN THE BUDGET FOR NEXT CYCLE.

YES, MA'AM. SO WHAT WAS YOUR QUESTION? WELL, WE TOOK FUNDS FOR FROM WE TOOK FUNDS FROM WATER PLANT NUMBER TWO.

SO WATER PLANT NUMBER TWO IS..

WE HAVEN'T TAKEN FUNDS FROM WATER PLANT TWO.

BUT IN THE SITUATION IN THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE MOVED MONEY AROUND.

RIGHT. WHAT'S THE SO WHY WAS THE CHOICE FROM THE PARTICULAR PROJECTS THAT YOU PULLED FROM.

AND THEN HOW ARE WE EXPECTED TO BACKFILL THOSE, I THINK IS WHAT THE QUESTION IS.

SO THE PROJECTS THAT WE'VE TAKEN THAT WE'VE PUT MONEY INTO OUR HIGH PRIORITY, OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY JOBS LIKE THE LIFT STATION AT BUCCANEER, THAT'S NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

YES. SO THOSE MONIES WERE ONLY TAKEN FROM WASTEWATER? NO, NO WATER.

THE OTHER JOB WAS 20TH STREET.

THOSE AGAIN WERE ONLY TAKEN FROM WASTEWATER ACCOUNTS AND NOT WATER ACCOUNTS.

SO WATER PLANT TWO IS STILL A HIGH PRIORITY.

AND WE'VE NOT TAKEN ANY MONEY FROM THAT PROJECT.

SO COULD YOU EXPLAIN THE THE EXPENDITURE THAT MR. HARLEY SPOKE ABOUT? BUT MR. BRINKLEY, 20TH STREET, BUCKHEAD.

YEAH. WE HAD TO BORROW FROM THREE OTHER ACCOUNTS TO BRING THAT UP TO THE LOW BID PRICE.

WE CHOSE THAT BULKHEAD DUE TO THE, THERE'S A BUFFER ALONG THOSE THOSE PEOPLE'S HOMES THAT LIVE THERE AND THEY DON'T REALLY WANT TO SEE THAT LIFT STATION, I THINK, IN THE PAST.

SO THAT'S WHY WE CHOSE THAT, THAT ROUTE WITH THE BULKHEAD.

SO I THINK IT WAS SUGGESTED ON GOING BACK AND TAKING UP SOME OF THAT EASEMENT FROM THEM, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S A DOABLE OPTION JUST BECAUSE THOSE PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT LIFT STATION BACK THERE IN THE BACK.

AND WE DO VISIT THAT LIFT STATION.

WELL, MORE THAN WAS WAS REPORTED.

SO WE'RE ACTUALLY AHEAD OF OURSELVES ON BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO RESOLUTION 24-10.

[01:15:04]

SO AND I GET IT, I GET IT.

BUT IF YOU'LL HOLD ON THAT BECAUSE I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU WHEN WE GET TO THAT.

ALL RIGHT. OKAY. OKAY.

YOU'RE. YEAH, I THINK I HAVE ONE MORE ITEM, MR. MAYOR. ALSO IN YOUR HANDOUT WILL BE A PRINTOUT THAT LOOKS SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

THIS IS IT'S NOT FOR DISCUSSION TONIGHT UNLESS YOU WANT TO MAKE IT SO.

BUT IT'S I SAID I WOULD GET YOU A COPY OF YOUR WORK FOR THE PRIORITY SETTINGS.

SO THIS IS HOW I'VE TAKEN IT AND MELDED IT INTO THE CITY'S VISION AND SET PRIORITIES AND IDENTIFIED PROJECTS THAT WOULD IMPLEMENT THOSE PRIORITIES.

AND THEN AT THE END OF IT, THERE'S TWO SECTIONS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE.

ONE OF IT IS ON PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND FINANCIAL INDICATORS.

AND THEN THE OTHER IS LONG RANGE FINANCIAL PLAN AND BUDGET.

THOSE AREN'T IN THERE BECAUSE I DON'T.

I HAVEN'T FULLY FORMULATED THOSE YET, BUT YOU'LL SEE THE PATH THAT I'M TRYING TO GET TO BY THE TIME WE GET TO THE BUDGET.

BUT THE PRIORITY IS THE WORK THAT YOU DID.

AND ACTUALLY, I BELIEVE EVERYTHING THAT GOT A DOT MADE IT INTO THE LIST.

SO YOUR WORK IS THERE.

AND I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY FEEDBACK BEFORE THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING.

YEAH. SO WHEN IS AMANDA GOING TO SLEEP? SHE HAS ALMOST ALL THE, IF I MAY, MR. MAYOR. THAT'S THE JOY OF BEING THE PLANNING DIRECTOR IS YOU END UP IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYTHING.

OKAY. WE'LL NOW MOVE TO ITEM FOUR ON THE AGENDA REPORTS AND REQUESTS FROM CITY COMMISSIONERS.

[4. REPORTS AND/OR REQUESTS FROM CITY COMMISSIONERS]

I NEED WE GET AN EMAIL FROM THAT WAS FORWARDED FROM DONNA TO US FROM LEAGUE OF CITIES REGARDING A POTENTIAL LAWSUIT OR.

YEAH, LAWSUIT ABOUT FORM SIX.

AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHETHER THAT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULD CONSIDER JOINING OR NOT.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REST OF YOU THINK, BUT WE ALL GOT THE SAME EMAIL.

ON MY LIMITED KNOWLEDGE, I BELIEVE THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES WAS WILLING TO TO PAY THE COST OF THAT SUIT.

DOES ANYBODY KNOW THAT? CAN WE FIND OUT? COUNCIL. SURE.

AND TO THAT END THERE IS A FIRM OUT THERE, AND I THINK THAT MAY BE THE FIRM THAT THE LEAGUE OF CITIES IS REFERRING TO.

SO WE'LL NEED TO GET CLARITY ON THAT AND WHETHER THE LEAGUE OF CITIES WILL UNDERWRITE IT OR FINANCE IT.

BUT REAL QUICK, I, SINCE YOU AND I TALKED COMMISSIONER KELLY, I DID LOOK INTO THIS A LITTLE BIT.

SO THERE'S A FIRM WEISS, SIROTA, HOFFMAN.

THEY'RE A FLORIDA BASED FIRM.

THEY'RE REALLY GOOD FIRM.

AND THERE'S A PARTICULAR ATTORNEY, A PARTNER.

THEY'RE THE MANAGING PARTNER, JAMIE ALLEN COLE.

AND SO WHAT THEY'VE DONE JUST BY WAY OF BRIEF AND THIS IS ACTUALLY PART OF MY CITY ATTORNEY REPORT.

SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GET THAT DONE HERE.

AS OF FEBRUARY 15TH, A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, THIS FIRM HAS, ON BEHALF OF 26 CITIES AND 74 MUNICIPAL ELECTED OFFICIALS, FILED TWO DIFFERENT LAWSUITS ON BEHALF OF THOSE CITIES AND MUNICIPAL ELECTED OFFICIALS CHALLENGING THE FORM SIX REQUIREMENTS AS TO THE MUNICIPAL ELECTED OFFICIALS.

ONE WAS FILED IN FEDERAL COURT IN MIAMI BASED ON I'LL SPARE YOU THE LEGAL YOU KNOW, THEORIES, BUT JUST AS AN UMBRELLA TOPICS BASED ON IT BEING COMPELLED ON CONTENT BASED, NONCOMMERCIAL SPEECH AND VIOLATION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.

THEY ALSO FILED A A CIRCUIT COURT CASE IN STATE COURT IN LEON COUNTY BASED ON THIS BEING AN INFRINGEMENT OF PRIVACY AND THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION, THOSE ARE THE MAIN THEMES THEY'RE USING AS THEORIES.

SO THEY FILED THESE TWO LAWSUITS.

WHAT THEY HAVE PROPOSED IS A FLAT FEE TO EACH JURISDICTION, AND THEY'VE EVEN PREPARED THEY'VE MADE IT VERY NICE AND EASY.

THEY PREPARED A DRAFT RESOLUTION AND OTHER THINGS, BUT BASICALLY A FLAT FEE INCLUSIVE OF ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS OF $10,000 TO REPRESENT THE CITY AND INDIVIDUAL ELECTED OFFICIALS.

SO ANYWAY, I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT'S WHAT'S BEEN PROPOSED.

THIS ATTORNEY IS CANVAS, I THINK, A BUNCH OF CITY ATTORNEYS IN FLORIDA TO, YOU KNOW, INVITE ANYONE ELSE TO THE TABLE.

SO WITH THAT IN MIND, I CAN CHECK AND SEE.

SO IS THE LEAGUE OF CITIES, FOR EXAMPLE.

ARE THEY UNDERWRITE, ARE THEY PAYING? ARE THEY INVOLVED WITH THIS PARTICULAR FIRM? FOR ALL I KNOW THERE MAY BE ANOTHER FIRM OUT THERE DOING SOMETHING, SO THAT'S WHAT I KNOW AT THE PRESENT.

BUT IF IF YOU'D LIKE, I CAN LOOK A LITTLE FURTHER INTO THIS AND GET A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION IF YOU'RE SO INTERESTED.

I AM. YEAH I AGREE..

OR NO, I, YOU KNOW, DECIDE WHETHER SOMETHING I WANT TO DO OR NOT.

OKAY. SURE. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP, COMMISSIONER KELLY.

ANYTHING ELSE ON YOUR LIST?

[01:20:01]

OKAY. COMMISSIONER BOLE.

I'M GOING TO BE REAL SHORT AGAIN.

I IT WAS GREAT TO SEE OUR CITIZENS OUT HERE TONIGHT.

YES. AND ONE THING STRUCK ME WAS, DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ ON SOCIAL MEDIA BECAUSE YOU YOU COULD ALMOST SEE THE INFLUENCE OF SOME POSTS THAT PEOPLE WERE GETTING WRONG INFORMATION.

SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO COME IN THIS ROOM OR EMAIL US, GRAB US, WHATEVER.

BUT IF YOU BELIEVE EVERYTHING ON SOCIAL MEDIA, THEN YOU'RE.

YOU'RE PROBABLY NOT INFORMED. SORRY.

THANKS. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER RING. I WANTED TO DISCUSS THE LIFEGUARD STATION.

I HAD NO IDEA COUNCILMAN DIAMOND WAS GOING TO SHARE THAT GREAT NEWS WITH 200,000 OF US.

I WAS ACTUALLY PREPARED TO ASK BILL TO CONSIDER LOOKING INTO GETTING MORE MONEY FROM DOJ THROUGH OUR INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, BUT NOW THAT'S OFF THE TABLE.

SO THAT WAS GOOD NEWS.

WHEN NOW THAT WE'VE ALL UNANIMOUSLY AGREED ON THE PURCHASE OF 100 WEST FIRST STREET, I'D LIKE TO IMPLORE OUR ART COMMITTEE TO GIVE US SOME SUGGESTIONS.

THIS IS A COMMITTEE THAT'S FORMULATED BY CITIZENS FROM ACROSS THE DIFFERENT DISTRICTS WHO DO THIS EVERY MONTH.

THEY SIT DOWN AND THEY MAKE THESE MEETINGS AND THEY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ALL THE DIFFERENT NONPROFIT PROGRAMS THAT ARE OPERATING.

THEY VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME.

THEY'VE DONE THIS FOR YEARS.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ARC SORT OF LOOK INTO THAT AND, AND HAVE A SAY IN WHAT WE RECOMMEND OR WHAT THEY RECOMMEND US TURN THAT COMMUNITY CENTER INTO, ALONG WITH THE SURVEY THAT WAS IN ON OUR DESK WHEN WE FIRST WALKED UP.

SO THAT SURVEY GOING OUT TO OUR CITIZENS AND ARC COMMITTEE, I WOULD LIKE TO GET THEIR TAKE ON IT AND THAT'S IT.

TONIGHT'S A GREAT MEETING.

YES. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER WATERS.

YES, KIND OF A LOAD OFF THIS WHOLE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS WITH THE THREE PROPERTIES AND THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING UNSEEN COSTS THERE.

AND JUST A LOT'S BEEN GOING ON, SO I APPRECIATE ALL THE RESIDENTS COMING HERE AND SPEAKING.

ONE THING WE TALKED ABOUT LAST MEETING WAS WHEN THEY WERE GOING TO TRIM TREES AROUND THE CAMERAS ON 18TH AND GET BETTER VISUALIZATION, IN MY OPINION, DID NOT GO VERY WELL AT ALL.

TALK TO EVERYBODY ABOUT IT, INCLUDING THE CHIEF AND INCLUDING SARAH BOREN.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT GET SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THESE CAMERAS.

WE, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS ONLY A VERY FEW PEOPLE WHO WANTED THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AND ARE THEY REALLY WORKING? ARE THEY WORTH IT? AND WHEN THEY HAVE TO TAKE DOWN TREES AND THINGS LIKE THAT TO GET THEM, TO GET THEM TO VISUALIZE THE STREETS? WE JUST HAVE SOME DECISIONS TO MAKE.

AND I'VE ASKED THE CHIEF TO GIVE ME SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THAT FOR ALL OF ATLANTIC BEACH, BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL OVER THE PLACE, SO.

THANK YOU. ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU. I ONLY HAVE ONE COMMENT TO CITIZEN ZISSER.

VERY SELDOM HAVE YOU EVER COME BEFORE ME AT THIS COMMISSION AND ASKED FOR SOMETHING AND BEEN IMMEDIATELY SATISFIED WITH THE 200,000 WILL ATTRIBUTE THAT TO YOU TONIGHT.

I HAVE TWO WORDS FOR YOU.

OY VEY.

YEAH. WE'RE GOING TO PUT YOU ON THE COMMITTEE.

OKAY. WE'RE MOVING ON TO COMMITTEE REPORTS.

[7. COMMITTEE REPORTS]

YOU'VE BEEN SO PATIENT.

AND BY THE WAY, FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, THIS IS OUR SECOND SCHEDULED PRESENTATION FROM A COMMITTEE CHAIR THIS THIS YEAR.

THANK YOU FOR BEING NUMBER TWO.

AND I'VE LOOKED AT ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU SENT US.

IT'S QUITE EXTENSIVE, SO.

WELL, THANK YOU. AND I, LISA GOODRICH, I AM BUILDING OUR HOUSE ON SEA OATS.

BUT I'VE BEEN LIVING HERE FOR 30 YEARS, SO.

I WANT TO FIRST APOLOGIZE.

I SENT THESE DOCUMENTS ON FRIDAY TO EVERYBODY.

SO YOU HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO REVIEW AND HAVE QUESTIONS PREPARED.

AND IT SAID EVERYTHING WENT THROUGH ON MY END, BUT APPARENTLY IT DIDN'T.

SO NOW YOU HAVE IT AGAIN TODAY, AND AND KEVIN'S HANDING OUT HARD COPIES.

SO I JUST FIRST WANTED TO SAY THAT I WATCHED YOUR PRIORITY SETTING, AND I REALLY ENJOYED THE PROCESS.

LINDA HAS HAS GUIDED US THROUGH THE SIMILAR PROCESS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW.

AND IT WAS COMMISSIONER WATERS THAT SAID QUALITY OF LIFE PERMEATES EVERYTHING THAT WE DO.

I WOULD SUGGEST THAT ARTS, RECREATION AND CULTURE IS A VERY PUBLIC FACING AND FUN EXAMPLE OF QUALITY OF LIFE.

[01:25:02]

IT'S LIKE THAT EVERY MONTH, AND I KNOW WE ALL PARTICIPATE AND THERE ARE EVERYTHING IS WIDELY OR WILDLY ATTENDED.

SO WE'RE JUST THRILLED RIGHT NOW.

ON THIS PACKET THAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU.

THE FIRST PAGE IS OUR, OUR PRIORITIES.

AND I THINK AFTER THIS PROCESS THAT WE WENT THROUGH AND THEN WATCHING YOURS, YOU'LL SEE THAT WE'RE DOVETAILING ON A FEW THINGS NICELY.

SO I'M HAPPY TO SEE THAT WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER FOR SOME OF THE SAME THINGS AND THAT WE HOPE TO HELP IMPLEMENT SOME OF YOUR PRIORITIES.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT COMMISSIONER KELLY SAID IN YOUR PRIORITY SETTING WAS TO IDENTIFY GAPS IN ARTS PROGRAMING THAT IS TOP OF MIND FOR US RIGHT NOW.

YOU'LL HAVE IN YOUR PACKET A COUPLE OF RATHER LARGE SPREADSHEETS.

WE HAVE ASKED OUR STAFF TO IN THE ARTS AND REC DEPARTMENT TO PUT TOGETHER A LISTING OF ALL OF THE PROGRAMING WHERE THEY TAKE PLACE.

WHO IS THE INTENDED AUDIENCE? WHO IS THE ACTUAL AUDIENCE? WHAT IS THE COST OF THIS PROGRAMING TO THE CITY? AND ARE WE, YOU KNOW, GETTING OUR MONEY'S WORTH? ARE WE SERVING A LOT OF THE COMMUNITY? AND THIS IS HELPING US TO IDENTIFY WHERE WE HAVE SOME HOLES AND SOME PLACES TO FILL.

AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO ADDRESS THOSE TWO WAYS.

FIRST, WE HAVE THE GRANT CYCLE COMING UP, AND YOU HAVE THE GRANTS CALENDAR THERE.

IN 2022, WE PUT THAT WHOLE PROCESS ONLINE SO THAT WE'VE REALLY KIND OF STREAMLINED IT AND BROUGHT SOME STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION TO THAT PROCESS. AND WE'VE BEEN REALLY HAPPY WITH THE THE GRANTS THAT WE'VE MADE THIS PAST SEASON.

AND RIGHT NOW WE'RE ALL IN THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING EACH GRANT OR EACH PROGRAM AS IT'S IMPLEMENTED.

EACH ONE OF OUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAS BEEN ASSIGNED A COUPLE.

WE GO, WE ATTEND, I THINK COMMISSIONER KELLY, YOU DID GO TO CHAIR YOGA.

IT WAS GREAT. AND THERE YOU GO.

SO SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE AND CHECK THE CALENDAR TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING WHEN AND THEN EVERYONE WILL MAKE, WE'LL MAKE OUR FINAL REPORTS ABOUT HOW SUCCESSFUL THE PROGRAM IS OR ISN'T, AND WE'LL CONSIDER THEM FOR EITHER FUTURE PROGRAMING OR FUNDING IF THEY APPLY.

WE'RE GOING THROUGH THAT PROCESS STARTING IN IN JUNE, I THINK, IS WHEN THE CALENDAR SAYS THAT WE'LL BE PUTTING OUT THE, THE NEW GRANT APPLICATION. SO YOU HAVE A COUPLE COPIES OF THE GRANTS FOR SCHOOLS AND FOR INDIVIDUALS AND THEN. LAST.

WE HAVE A COUPLE WORKSHOPS COMING UP.

ACTUALLY, TOMORROW, FROM 1 TO 4, WE HAVE A WORKSHOP TO TALK ABOUT TURTLE CRAWL.

THIS IS A PROJECT THAT WE SET AS ONE OF OUR PRIORITIES.

IT WILL HELP ADDRESS THE CONNECTIVITY DESIRES IN THE IN THE PARKS.

IT WILL BE A FAMILY FRIENDLY OPPORTUNITY IF YOU'RE NOT FULLY AWARE OR UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT IS.

I CAN QUICKLY EXPLAIN.

IF YOU'VE EVER BEEN TO GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, THEY HAVE MAIN STREET THERE, AND THEY HAVE THIS WONDERFUL LITTLE PROGRAM.

IT'S CALLED MY SON MAIN.

AND YOU GO TO CITY HALL AND YOU GET A MAP AND IT'S LIKE A SCAVENGER HUNT, AND THERE'S THESE LITTLE BRONZE MICE ALL OVER ON MAIN STREET, AND YOU KIND OF WALK AROUND AND IT ENCOURAGES THE SHOPPING AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF, THE RESTAURANTS, THE WHOLE AREA.

AND WHEN YOU FIND ONE IT ON THE MAP, IT TELLS YOU WHAT IS OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE MICE.

AND SO YOU'RE LEARNING ABOUT THE CITY AS WELL.

SO WE THOUGHT A TURTLE CRAWL AND THESE TURTLES WOULD BE ALL OVER THE CITY IN HISTORIC IN PLACES OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR BIKING THROUGHOUT THE PARKS TO FIND THESE TURTLES.

AND SO WE'RE IN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF REALLY PUTTING SOME MEAT ON THOSE BONES.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A FORMAL PRESENTATION TO YOU.

IF THIS IS SOME KIND OF PROGRAM THAT WE MIGHT WANT TO IMPLEMENT AND SET SOME MONEY ASIDE TO, TO DO.

AND THEN OUR NEXT WORKSHOP IS JUST NEXT WEEK, ACTUALLY, AND THAT'S WHERE WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THESE PROJECTS.

AND WE'LL ADDRESS THE, THE NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR A MULTI-USE COMMUNITY CENTER.

AND WE WERE DIRECTED BY CITY MANAGER KILLINGSWORTH FOR OUR ORGANIZATION, OUR COMMITTEE TO THINK REALLY BIG.

HE SAID IF MONEY WERE NO OBJECT, WHAT WOULD ARTS, RECREATION AND CULTURE LOOK LIKE IN OUR CITY?

[01:30:01]

SO BUT WE'RE WE WERE ALL EXCITED WHEN WE PRESENTED WHEN I PRESENTED THAT TO OUR COMMITTEE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THESE BIG PICTURE THINGS AHEAD OF THE BUDGETING CYCLE AND COME BACK TO YOU GUYS WITH WHAT WHAT WE THINK.

ALSO EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT THE THE SURVEY MONKEY.

I, I REALLY THINK THAT THAT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY AND WE CAN HELP TO GET THE WORD OUT FOR THAT AS WELL.

SO DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ARTS AND CULTURE? RECREATION. I JUST WANT TO SAY, I KNOW I.

I'M A PART TIME MAYOR.

I THINK YOU'RE A FULL TIME CHAIR OF THIS COMMITTEE, SO.

WELL, NO, WE HAVE WE HAVE STAFF, AND.

. WELL.. IT'S FUN. I KNOW YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON IT.

WHAT QUESTIONS DO WE HAVE FOR LISA? FIND SOMEBODY IN ROTARY BECAUSE WE DO BIKES AND BREWS, AND IT'S A HISTORY CRAWL WITH BEER.

WITH BEER. OKAY, OKAY.

YEAH, THAT'S A GREAT SUGGESTION.

THANK YOU. OKAY.

BOLE, MR. BOLE, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY COMMENT? OR QUESTION. I YOU KNOW, AS I WAS READING THROUGH, I WAS LOOKING AT YOUR SPREADSHEET REAL QUICK THAT WHAT WHAT DO YOU GUYS HAVE AT THE FARMER'S MARKET? BECAUSE THAT'S BEEN SUCH A HIT FOR US.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE EVER DRIVEN BY ON A SUNDAY.

IT'S FANTASTIC.

YEAH. WE DON'T THAT IS MANAGED BY AN ORGANIZATION.

I KNOW IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S A FOR PROFIT.

WE USED TO HAVE A NONPROFIT.

IT'S A FOR PROFIT. RIGHT. I WAS LOOKING THROUGH.

YOU DON'T HAVE YOU DON'T HAVE A BOOTH SET UP OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT OUT THERE? NO, WE DON'T KNOW.

BUT THAT'S A GREAT PLACE FOR US TO ACTUALLY HAVE HARD COPIES OF THIS SURVEY THAT WE CAN ..

BECAUSE IT'S REALLY OUR FARMER'S MARKET.

YEAH. GAVE IT TO THE, YOU KNOW, A SIGN OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CITY.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S A GREAT PLACE..

PEOPLE. YOU'RE RIGHT. I WOULD GUESS WE HAVE HUNDREDS MAYBE THOUSAND PEOPLE WALK THROUGH THERE.

YOU'RE RIGHT. SO IT'S JUST AN IDEA.

YOU'RE RIGHT. THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DID NOTICE WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT ATTENDANCE, I KNOW WE DID A LITTLE SNAPSHOT OF ADULT AND SENIOR PROGRAMING FOR JANUARY, WHAT THAT LOOKED LIKE, AND THE COPY OF THAT'S IN THERE AS WELL.

I DID NOTICE THAT SOME OF THE THINGS WERE NOT VERY WELL ATTENDED, AND I PUT OUT A REQUEST TO EVERYBODY IN MY CIRCLES, YOU KNOW, WHAT DO YOU ATTEND? AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE JUST DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT.

SO I THINK A LOT OF WHAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS IS NOT NECESSARILY, ALTHOUGH I DO THINK WE NEED INCREASED PROGRAMING IN SOME AREAS, BUT WE NEED TO FIND OUT HOW THESE HOW OUR NEIGHBORS WANT TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

BECAUSE I AGREE THAT SOME THINGS COULD BE BETTER ATTENDED AND SIGNAGE AT THE FARMER'S MARKET IS A GOOD IDEA.

IT'S OUR PROPERTY. YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT, IT'S A REALLY GOOD IDEA.

GOOD. GO AHEAD.

CHIEF. DON'T WE HAVE AFFORDABLE SIGNED ON A TRAILER.

CHALLENGE TO GET IT TO THE LOCATION WHERE IT IS.

IT'S A MATTER OF WHERE WE WANT TO PUT IT.

BUT SO YOU COULD USE THAT, AND I WOULD SUGGEST PUTTING IT LIKE OVER ON WEST NINTH, WHERE PEOPLE ENTER TO THE MARSH SIDE SO THAT YOU GET, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE DRIVE BY HERE, BUT, YOU KNOW, PUT SOMETHING ON THE OTHER SIDE.

I SAW ONE RECENTLY THAT RIGHT WHERE THE FLYOVER IS IN FRONT OF THE PAWN SHOP.

SO THAT WOULD BE GOOD.

YEAH. WE WANT THAT ON OUR..

I THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA RIGHT THERE.

IT'S WHERE THE ATLANTIC BEACH SIGN IS, WELCOME TO ATLANTIC BEACH.

OKAY. ANYWAY SO THANK YOU.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

ANYTHING ELSE. JUST THANK YOU LISA FOR COMING.

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO WITH OUR PARKS AND RECREATION AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.

I KNOW JANE IS BACK HERE AS WELL.

AND SHE SITS IN AND, YOU KNOW, RELAYS ALL THE INFORMATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO YOUR COMMITTEE.

AND I THINK THIS WAS A HUGE WIN TONIGHT FOR PARKS AND RECREATION.

I THINK SO, TOO. AND IT WAS UNANIMOUS.

SO JUST WONDERFUL.

SO LOOK INTO WHAT PROGRAMING WE HAVE THAT COULD INCREASE.

AND WHAT YOU YOUR COMMITTEE WOULD SEE.

OKAY. THAT OR ENVISION THAT BEING OKAY.

THANKS. YES THANKS LISA.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK. THANK YOU, MISS GOODRICH.

OKAY. MOVING RIGHT ALONG.

ITEM SEVEN B, REAPPOINTMENT TO POLICE OFFICER.

PENSION BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

TRUSTEES. THE MOTION.

THE RECOMMENDED MOTION IS REAPPOINT ROBERT LEGGERO AS A MEMBER OF THE POLICE OFFICERS PENSION BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR AN ADDITIONAL TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 2026. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? I MAKE A MOTION TO REAPPOINT HIM TO THE PENSION BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

THIS IS ONE I FOLLOW AND DOES A GREAT JOB.

THERE'S A LOT ABOUT IT.

IT'S NOT AS SIMPLE AS IT SOUNDS.

AS FAR AS THE INVESTMENT THAT GO INTO THAT PENSION FUND AND ALSO THE GENERAL ANYWAY.

SECOND, BOB'S BOB'S A VERY GOOD AT IT FOR A LONG TIME.

[01:35:03]

ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION HEARING NONE.

ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY WITH AYE.

AYE. UNANIMOUS VOTE.

THANK YOU. LET'S SEE.

[8.A. RESOLUTION NO. 24-10]

RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-10.

WE'RE BACK TO YOU, TROY.

THIS IS A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, AWARDING BID NUMBER 2324-03 FOR 20TH STREET LIFT STATION ACCESS WIDENING, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AND PURCHASE ORDERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH, AND AS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS RESOLUTION AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

MR. KILLINGSWORTH? THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.

SO WHEN WE PUT THIS OUT FOR THE BUDGETED AMOUNT WAS $250,000 FOR THIS.

WHEN WE PUT IT OUT FOR BID, THE LOW BID WAS $456,809.

SO WE'VE MADE UP THE DIFFERENCE BY REPRIORITIZING THREE, FOUR OTHER PROJECTS, THREE OTHER PROJECTS AND TAKING FUNDS FROM THEM SO THAT WE CAN MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE.

TROY IS HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

GOOD. THANK YOU. COME ON UP, TROY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

IF I MAY, I WANT TO LEAD OFF.

I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF SIMPLE QUESTIONS.

I HEARD FROM THE CITIZEN ABOUT THE PATH, WHICH I BELIEVE IS TEN FEET.

AND YOU WANT TO WIDEN IT TO 12, IS THAT.

YES, SIR. AND IT IS POSSIBLE TO GO TO THE WEST ON THAT WIDENING.

BUT THEN YOU'RE RIGHT UP AGAINST THE REAR PROPERTY LINE OF THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, ALONG THAT PATH.

MY QUESTION IS, SO WE GOT TWO THINGS GOING ON HERE.

WE GOT SOME ROAD WORK, IF YOU WILL, AND A QUESTION MAYBE FOR YOU, MR. KILLINGSWORTH. IS THAT TIED INTO OUR OTHER ROAD CONTRACTORS THAT COMPLETELY SEPARATE.

SO IT'S SEPARATE. IT'S COMPLETELY SEPARATE.

AND THEN MAYBE SHOULD IT BE, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT THEN WHAT I REALLY NEED TO UNDERSTAND, I GET IT ON THE ROAD.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE FREQUENCY OF TRAFFIC BY YOUR VEHICLES ON THAT ROAD.

BUT MY QUESTION IS WHY NOW, AFTER DECADES OF THAT DRAINAGE DITCH BEING THERE WITH NO RETENTION WALL, WHY NOW SPENDING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON A RETENTION WALL? WE HAVE A GRANT FUNDED GENERATOR.

OKAY. AND WITHOUT PUTTING WIDEN THIS ROAD, WE CANNOT ACCESS THAT GENERATOR.

WE COULDN'T EVEN GET THAT THE GENERATOR INSTALLED IN THAT LIFT STATION.

SO THE GENERATOR IS NOT INSTALLED YET? NO. AND WHEN IS IT DUE IN? IT'S COMING. IT'S IT'S IN THE WORKS NOW.

IT'S STATE FUNDED.

AND I DON'T MEAN TO BE A PEST ON THIS, BUT IF THE WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD, IT'S SANDY.

IS THAT THE PROBLEM? SANDY, MUDDY DITCH LINE.

SO IS, AND I'M GOING TO LET THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS ASK QUESTIONS IN A SECOND.

BUT IS THE NEED FOR THE RETENTION WALL BECAUSE YOU SPEND AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF TIME EXCAVATING THAT DITCH? WHAT IS THE REASON FOR THE RETENTION WALL? IS IT THE WEIGHT OF THE TRUCK PUSHING THE DIRT BACK DOWN INTO THE DITCH? WHY DO WE NEED THAT? WE SAY THAT'S A TEN FOOT ROAD, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS.

I BELIEVE IT'S MORE LIKE AN EIGHT THAT THAT'S ACTUALLY ACCESSIBLE.

WE CAN'T GET A BIG TRUCK DOWN THERE TO SERVICE THAT WET WELL DOWN THERE AT ALL.

RIGHT NOW OUR BACK CON CANNOT GO DOWN THAT TRUCK COULD GO GO DOWN THAT ROAD.

SO HOW HAVE WE SERVICED? THIS IS.. WE GOT TO SUB THAT OUT TO A SUBCONTRACTOR WITH SMALLER TRUCKS TO GO IN THERE.

AND IF WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT WET.

WELL, WE PAY AN OUTSIDE FIRM TO GO DOWN THERE AND WORK ON THAT.

SO FORGIVE MY IGNORANCE ON THIS.

YOU SAY WET. WELL, THIS IS A LIFT STATION.

YES, SIR. WITH A WET.

WELL, YES. SO ALL YOUR FLOW COMES INTO THE WET WELL AND WE PUMP IT OUT FROM THE WET WELL TO THE WASTEWATER PLANT.

OKAY. AND WE COULDN'T CONTINUE OUTSOURCING THE SERVICE OF THE NEW.

WELL, IT'S THE GENERATOR.

THAT'S THE ISSUE. GENERATOR IS COMING.

IT'S IN THE WORKS, IT'S A GRANT FUNDED THAT WE'VE BEEN AWARDED.

IT'S PROBABLY A YEAR OUT BEFORE WE CAN.

WE'LL SEE THAT GENERATOR.

OKAY. VERY GOOD.

I'M GOING TO LET THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS ASK QUESTIONS.

WELL, THAT WAS MY QUESTION.

YOU ANSWERED MY QUESTION. OKAY, I HAVE A QUESTION.

YES. HOW MANY BULKHEADS DO WE HAVE, THE CITY HAS CREATED AND UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S A PROBABLY A PUBLIC WORKS QUESTION.

I HAVE NO IDEA. WE DON'T LIKE, SAY, UTILITIES.

WE DON'T MAINTAIN THE BULKHEADS, THE CREEKS.

UNFORTUNATELY. WE'RE LOOKING AT PUTTING A BULKHEAD.

SO WIDENING THIS ROAD FROM TEN FOOT TO 12.

YES, MA'AM. AND THEN PUTTING A BULKHEAD SO THAT IT IS ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE WEIGHT OF YOUR TRUCK SO YOU CAN GET TO THE GENERATOR.

YES. THAT CANNOT HAPPEN WITHOUT A BULKHEAD.

[01:40:03]

WITH SUB SUB, YOU KNOW, GLAM ROCK AND EVERYTHING ELSE TO MAKE THAT ROAD FEASIBLE.

WELL, WHAT ARE THE ARE THERE ANY OTHER ALTERNATIVES? AND THAT IS THERE AREN'T ANY ALTERNATIVES.

THAT THE.. THE ONLY OTHER ALTERNATIVE, IF I MAY SAY, IS WHAT WAS ADDRESSED EARLIER, AND THAT IS TO GO RIGHT UP TO THE REAR PROPERTY LINE OR CLOSER TO THE REAR PROPERTY LINE OF THE RESIDENCE THAT ARE ADJACENT TO THAT ROADWAY.

AND THEN YOU ARE ENCROACHING ON..

THEIR PROPERTY. THEIR PROPERTY.

WHY DON'T WE BUY A SKINNIER TRUCK? MA'AM, WOULDN'T IT BE CHEAPER IN THE LONG RUN JUST TO BUY A SKINNIER TRUCK? I MEAN, IT'S 400,000.

UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN THE GENERATOR GETS INSTALLED, IT'S HEAVY.

WE DON'T. WE DON'T HAVE.

YOU KNOW, I CAN'T TELL A SMALLER TRUCK TO COME OUT THERE AND WORK ON THAT GENERATOR.

AND WE DON'T WORK ON THE GENERATORS OURSELVES.

WE USE, LIKE, RING POWER AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

YEAH. JUST IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL OPINION, THIS IS REQUIRED TO SERVICE THAT GENERATOR.

AND HOW WOULD YOU RANK THIS? YOU KNOW, OF THE PROJECT CURRENTLY THIS IS A RESILIENCY PROJECT.

WELL, DURING A STORM, WE COULD LOSE POWER, RIGHT? THAT WHAT? WELL, COULD OVERFLOW? CREEK IS RIGHT THERE. IT'S GOING TO CONTAMINATE THE.

SO MY PROFESSION WE NEED WE NEED THIS DONE.

THANKS. SO I'M JUST GOING TO MAKE A FINAL COMMENT.

I, I WOULD LIKE TO STUDY IT A LITTLE BIT MORE.

IF IT'S GOING TO BE A YEAR BEFORE WE GET THE THE GENERATOR, WE DON'T HAVE TO ACT ON IT TODAY.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO GO OUT AND LOOK AT IT AND I APOLOGIZE.

I ACTUALLY INTENDED TO GO OUT, DRIVE IT.

I KNOW THE ROADWAY.

I'VE SEEN IT SO MANY TIMES GOING DOWN 20TH STREET, BUT I WAS NEVER PAYING ATTENTION.

I'D LIKE TO LOOK AT IT.

AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE IF WE COULD GET A A SURVEY OR, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING WITH A DRAWING OF THAT CITY EASEMENT.

SO I UNDERSTAND REALLY WHAT THE WIDTH OF IT IS.

AND THEN I'LL PROBABLY CHALLENGE YOU ONE MORE TIME.

TROY, ON THE REASONING FOR THE BULKHEAD, ESPECIALLY IF WE DID SHIFT IT OVER, BUT I, I'M INCLINED TO APPROVE THE REQUEST.

YOU'RE MAKING GOOD DECISIONS FOR THE CITY, BUT I WOULD LIKE TWO MORE WEEKS TO STUDY IT IF THE COMMISSIONERS WOULD AGREE.

IT'S FINE.

I'M SURE MAYBE.

YOU KNOW, I KIND OF KNOW. MAYBE SOME PICTURES WOULD HELP.

I MEAN, I'M TRYING TO VISUALIZE, RIGHT.

EXACTLY. BUT I, YOU KNOW, I'D LIKE JUST TO SAY I SUPPORT THE STAFF ON THEIR PROFESSIONAL.

YES. IF YOU TELL ME THIS IS WHAT WE SHOULD DO AS A PROFESSIONAL, THEN, YOU KNOW, I HEAR YOU.

YEAH. SO DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO DEFER THIS? I MOVE, WE DEFER THE RESOLUTION 24-10 AS READ.

SECOND. OKAY.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE IS SIGNIFY YOUR VOTE BY SAYING AYE.

AYE.

DID I GET A CLARIFY. WE'RE DEFERRING IT TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING.

NEXT REGULAR MEETING. AND I DIDN'T HEAR YOU, MR. BOLE. DID YOU DID YOU VOTE? AYE. YEAH. THANK YOU.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

TROY. MOVING ON TO WELL, WE ALREADY DID NINE A, SO AND WE'VE ALREADY HEARD FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY.

SO CITY CLERK DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS? NO IT'S NOT. OKAY.

[12. CLOSING COMMENTS BY CITY COMMISSIONERS AND CITY MANAGER]

MR. BOLE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO START? YEAH. I APPRECIATE THE CITY ATTORNEY SAYING SOMETHING LIKE LAST TIME WHEN THERE WAS NO COMMENT.

BUT IF YOU'D LIKE, I CAN HAVE A PRESENTATION EVERY SINGLE MEETING.

BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY TWO THINGS.

WE HAD A SQUAD REUNION OVER AT ONE OCEAN.

THAT IS A GREAT FACILITY.

THEY TOOK GREAT CARE OF US.

I KNOW THE MAYOR AND MRS. MAYOR CAME OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON, BUT WE HAD WELL OVER 200 PEOPLE OVER THERE.

AND, BOY, I TELL YOU WHAT WE NEED TO, YOU KNOW, THEIR MONEY IS OUR MONEY, YOU KNOW? SO WHAT A GREAT FACILITY AND AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF.

ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. I AGREE WITH FARMERS MARKET DOWN BEFORE.

BOY, THAT THING IS QUADRUPLED FROM WHEN WE STARTED, YOU KNOW, AND AS I SEE IT FOR THIS, YOU KNOW, FOR THE CITY, WHAT I'M THINKING, THERE'S GOT TO BE A WAY FOR US TO MAKE MONEY IN THERE. SO I'M THINKING.

THANKS. OKAY.

COMMISSIONER KELLY. I'M NOTHING MORE.

OKAY. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER.

TONIGHT WAS A WIN.

NOT JUST FOR MY DISTRICT, BUT FOR THE CITY.

AND I'M HAPPY TO HEAR ABOUT LIFEGUARD STATION.

AND THAT'S IT.

I'M LEAVING HERE A LITTLE LATER THAN I THOUGHT, BUT HAPPY.

COMMISSIONER WATERS.

YOU'VE COVERED A LOT OF GROUND.

I'M FINE, THANK YOU. NEXT TIME, I GUESS I'LL YOU'RE GOOD.

OKAY. SO I'LL BRING IT HOME.

I WANT TO CELEBRATE OUR COMMUNITY AND WHAT WE DO THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN SO MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES.

I ATTENDED A DEDICATION ON SATURDAY FOR MISTER CHARLES UPCHURCH, A VIETNAM VETERAN WHO HAD HIS HOUSE RENOVATED

[01:45:04]

AND THIS MAN IS USING A WALKER.

HE IS, AS WAS MENTIONED EARLIER BY CITIZEN ZISSER.

HE IS AGING IN PLACE AND NOT WISHING TO LEAVE HIS HOME.

BEACHES HABITAT DID A GREAT THING IN RENOVATING THAT HOME, MAKING IT ACCESSIBLE FOR WALKER AND WHEELCHAIR AND SO ON.

AND I'M JUST PROUD THAT THEY ARE A, AN ATLANTIC BEACH ICON THAT CONTINUE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND IF YOU'RE UNAWARE, THEY HAVE THEY HAVE ADJUSTED WHAT THEY DO.

I SAID AT THE AT THE DEDICATION, WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER ONE OPENS.

THEY RECOGNIZE SEVERAL YEARS AGO THAT LAND, AFFORDABLE LAND IN ATLANTIC BEACH WAS WAS RUNNING OUT.

AND SO THEY STARTED THEIR SENIOR REPAIR PROGRAM.

AND NOW HAVE MOVED INTO VETERAN REPAIRS.

AND IN THIS CASE, THIS WAS A VERY SENIOR VETERAN.

AND SO I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOUR CITY HAS A HEART AND BEACHES HABITAT IS DOING A FABULOUS JOB FOR ATLANTIC BEACH.

AND IF THERE IS NO FURTHER CITY BUSINESS, THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.