City Council - Regular Meeting

public officials and many others recognize the importance of emotional health. Would everyone raise your right hand for me, please? I, Michael C. Blake, including you, Miss Bishop. Yes, ma'am. On behalf of the greatest city on this side of the Mississippi River, the city council of the great city of Coco, do hereby proclaim September the 25th as National Suicide Prevention Month. Wherefore I have raised my right hand and everyone else calls on the seal of the great city of Coco to be affixed the 26th day of August 2025. Let's give this national month a round of applause. Mrs. Bishop, would you share some words, please?

Sure. We want to say thank you to the city of Coco for being a strong supporter of this initiative over the last four years. you were early in our adoption of supporting the National Suicide Awareness Month. And I don't know if you know or not, but as of 2023 is the most recent statistics we have from the Florida Department of Health, there were 150 individuals in Bvard County that died by suicide. That's 21 per 100,000. For the state of Florida, it's 14 per 100,000. So, we are working hard with the mental health community in Bvard County to bring awareness to the mental health issues and to break that stigma. So, thank you. And thank you.

Let's give Miss Bishop a round of applause because knowledge is power and for us to make a well-informed decision, we must have the knowledge. Amen. Step aside right here, young lady. Come on, everyone. Surround yourself around Mrs. Bishop. Come on, man. There you go. Come on. Okay. Thank you very much. Yes, ma'am. We will give you Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Um, we have one more presentation, but I think it's going to be completed by HR. Is that correct? Sage view presentation of a retirement investment performance. Is that you, Mr. Stenette, sir?

No, sir. Mr. Mayor, we have a representative from Sage View Advisory is going to do the presentation. Okay, that's what I'd like to hear. Make the introduction. Okay. So, shall we assume the position behind that desk? Yes, sir. Yeah, she's going to do a presentation for the board. Yes, ma'am. Thank you very much. Thank you, sir. Thank you, ma'am. You're welcome. Thank you.

So, Mr. Mayor, I'd like to introduce Lisa Drake, QPFC AIF, with Sage View Advisory Services, which is a consulting firm that assists with the fiduciary responsibilities of the city's retirement plans investments. Sage View was selected and approved by city council to serve in this role through a competitive process on January 21st, 2021. There's an investment committee that operates under a charter that was approved by city council on April 13, 2021. And uh through that a an investment policy was adopted and a charter for the retirement plans a charter for the committee and then investment policy for the plans. The committee meets with Mrs. Drake quarterly to review the retirement plans activity and performance. Under the charter, the committee is required to report the activity of the committee annually. So, Miss Drake is here to present to council what the committee's actions have been and review the retirement plans performance.

Thank you. Again, I'm Lisa Drake with Sage View Advisory Group. Um, as Miss Bowman mentioned, my intention here today is to give you a a quick overview of what we cover on a quarterly basis with the committee at the city of Coco. So, I've had the pleasure of serving as your investment adviser in a fiduciary capacity, providing investment oversight to the city's 457b deferred compensation plan and 41A plan. So, we meet on a quarterly basis to review a few things. So part of our role is to monitor the investments, provide investment recommendations to the committee for approval, uh provide uh compliance updates, regulatory updates based on the DO and IRS guidelines, benchmark the plan fees on an annual basis, and provide financial wellness education to the city of Coco employees. Generally, our meetings take about an hour, and I'm going to just give you a high level summary in the in just a few minutes. Um so here on the screen again we serve as the the advisory um the investment adviser of the plan. Mission Square is a recordkeeper. So we assisted the city and partner with procurement a few years ago to do a competitive RFP process. At that time the city had three vendors, three providers. We did a consolidation to mission square that was the best in the best interest of the employees because it resulted in lower fees um a streamlined um process for the employees and less administrative you know um operational uh for the for the city. So all in all it you know this was a couple years ago but it's been an effective efficient process for everyone involved. So where we're at today between the deferred compensation plan there's and the 41A plan we have about $15.6 6 million in assets. Uh for those that are not familiar with the plan, the 457b deferred compensation plan, it's, you know, like a 401k plan, but is for governmental um employees, government entities. That's where employees defer from their paycheck into the retirement plan um as they choose. Uh we did uh we do monitor the investment performance on a quarterly basis. mentioned year-to-

date as of the end of second quarter as of June 30th the plan performance for deferred compensation plan is about 6.6% and for the 41A plan is 7.07%. This investment performance is based on how the employees choose to make their investment elections. Unlike a pension plan this is participant directed meaning the employees uh choose their portfolios based on the investments that we make available to them. They have the option to change those investments at any time. Um over the last year the investment performance for the deferred compensation plan is 10% and for the 41A plan 11% and over the last three years the 457b investment returns are 11 and a half and the 41A plan is about 12 a.5%. Um when we look at the weighted investment expenses the 457b is at 40 basis points or 0.40 and the 41A plan at 0.46. when we when we did that uh the RFP project a few years ago, we also changed the investment lineup to make sure that the city has institutional price investments. We don't have retail investments. There's no commissions, no sales charges. We have the lowest share class available to the employees and we continue to monitor that on a quarterly basis. Uh we do have an investment policy statement that we review. So our investment committee looks at the investment options and when the investments are not performing and do not meet the criteria of the investment policy statement, we place them on a watch list. We place that investment on the watch list for four consecutive quarters and we monitor and we you know we update the committee with what's um going on with that investment and after four consecutive quarters on the watch list we make a recommendation to replace that fund with the like option. So in the recent uh few years there's only been one change that was May of 2024 the Lumis sales small cap growth was on the watch list we replace that with the Lord Abbott developing growth as of today we have the PIMCO high yield bond fund on the watches for three consecutive quarters next quarter when we meet with

the committee if it's on the watches we will make a recommendation to change at that time from a regulatory and compliance standpoint uh secure 1.0 had passed back in 2020 secure 2.0 know passed in 2023 which included a lot of regulatory changes um in stages. There's some that were already effective, some were effective this year, some are effective last um next year. And we reviewed those provisions with the city to so they can you know adopt what's you know the the optional provisions. Some were required, some were IRS requirements, but there are some provisions to make the plans more flexible for employees. For example, if uh you know we were hit with a na natural disaster, the plan allows employees to take a distribution from the plan to you know take care of what they need to take care of as a result of that. If uh and if an employee had a child, adopted a child, there are new provisions um that passed this past year that allows employees to take a distribution from the plan. So we have adopted those provisions that are allowed to make the plan more accessible and flexible for employees to meet their needs. Um, and there is one more this year that I have in in the uh the packet here which is uh part of secure 2.0 effective January 1st of 2026 for any um employees that make over a certain amount if they're over the age of 50 and they make over $145,000. The IRS um mandates that the catchup contributions are made in Roth contributions and not pre-tax. So we have been educating the committee on that so that um and you know working with mission square to make sure the plan and your payroll process is up to date to meet that um regulatory change effective January 1. Part of that is amending the plan documents. So we work with the committee on mission square to make sure your plan documents are in compliance with the IRS uh regulations. I also mentioned that part of our role is to benchmark your plan fees. So here's a a highlevel snapshot of what that looks like. Um we look we benchmark your plan based on your peer group. So

based on plans your size. So if you look at other plans that are around $15.5 million with about 255 employees that are participating or have a balance in the plan your total plan cost which includes your record keeper mission square your advisor Sage View and your investment expenses should range somewhere between uh 45% and 87 and for the city of Coco the total plan fees is 74. You can see the recordkeeper which we benchmark every year as well for mission square. Uh after that competitive bid a couple years ago they provided a proposal of 18 0.18% and for a plan your size or the city size we should be somewhere between4 and 28 and then for stage view as your consultant that's uh for our fees we are at 13 uh3% or 13 basis points for plan your size the average is between6 and 25. So we do look at this every every year as I mentioned and if we start to um kind of range towards the higher um end of the the peer group average you know we negotiate the fees even including our fee we can uh you know lower that percentage or the committee might decide to do an RFP to renegotiate the the current plan fees. I had just included supporting information about the performance but I gave you the um the highlevel information there and this is just a snapshot of the fund score summary as I mentioned our investment committee um there's a 20 member investment committee at our firm that looks at the investment options and we don't look at just what's the best performing fund because if we did that we would be changing investment options every single uh month we look at on a risk adjusted basis and all those metrics which I won't bore you with today are on that screen so we look at different risk adjusted criteria which make up what we call the Sage View score. And as I mentioned earlier, the PIMCO high yield which is has a 52% in yellow there is considered to be um on

our watch list. And lastly, uh this is the update on secure 2.0 we have been discussing with the committee um which will be effective January 1st. So including the Roth um mandate effective the beginning of the year for those employees over the age of 50 that make over $145,000. And this past year they passed a voluntary uh regulation or regul you know provision I should say um that the city did adopt for any employees that are between the ages of 60 to 63. They have the add the option to make additional contributions you know additional catchup contributions of $11,250 for the 2025 uh calendar year. So with that I will pause and happy to answer any questions. First of all, ma'am, thank you for a detailed and concise presentation. Um, kudos to you, Mrs. Bowman, and their staff. Also, HR to you, Mr. Stinette, and your staff as well. But we're trying to be outstanding uh stewards for the taxpayer dollars and properly invest our funds so that we reach and teach the hearts and educate the employees of the great city of Coco. because I'm a firm believer in proper preparation promotes positive productivity

pleasingly. So kudos to you, ma'am. Thank you. How's the woman cost? Uh yeah, just a quick question because I know you can explain it to me. I've I've wondered what is the difference between the 401k and the 457. And I know 457 is nonprofits and government, but beyond that, are there other benefits to having the 457?

Yeah. So the uh for a government um entity, you you know, you have to have a 45 you don't have to have 457b, but you cannot have a 41k. That's for private sector. The equivalent is the 457b. For tax purposes, it works the same. So the employees have the option to put in money on a pre-tax basis or after tax basis. the and the limits are the same. So it's 23,500, but we have a 401k too. So we have a 401A, a defined contribution plan, which only applies to a few individuals that opted out of FRS.

Yes. So it's only a handful. But to um answer your question further, the main difference is 401ks, private sector retirement plans are governed by Orisa. government employ um employer plans are not governed by ORISA and there's no testing or tax filings that are required for government entities um because it's a 457b plan. Okay. Thanks. Y knowledge is power, ma'am. I thank you for educating our council here tonight and we look forward to having this continued collaboration and cooperation with you. Thank you. We have any other additional questions for for this charming young lady?

Seeing none, thank you. Job well done. Let's give her a round everyone. Thank you very much. Okay, proceeding forward under um item number four delegations. We have a few cards here. You have 180 seconds. Safe journey home, Miss Lisa. Um we'll expound on your particular item. Uh we will proceed in this order. Uh, Miss Kelly Gant, Jeff Gant, and then Alec Greenwood.

Mr. Gant, Mrs. or Mrs. Gant first and then Mr. Gant and then Mr. Greenwood.

Hi, my name is Kelly Gant. Um, I am a 20-year resident of Coco. I've had two Coco High graduates and I have a special needs son who will graduate this year. Um, Mayor Blake and Deputy Mayor Blake have already heard my issue, but I want to say it in a public forum because I can't stand quiet anymore. We live over in College Park across the street from where the path goes through. We currently have an RV next door to us. Now, I believe fully that everybody deserves a home. That's not my issue. My issue is a week after this came, May 30th, we had an incident where there there was a woman oding. Now, we called the cops. Multiple mayors called the cops. Um he came. The man in the RV said, "I don't know what you're talking about." While the woman was actively oding, she then walked across the street to wing Wing Stop and was later tased by the same cop who then told us, "I don't know what you want me to do." Now, I understand the laws slightly and I understand his point. I have no issue with that. My issue is this. This RV has now became a absolute nuisance in this neighborhood. Um, I stood before Mayor Blake a few years ago and told him when he did a walk around in this neighborhood that what was going on over there was not a problem. He was keeping it contained. He is no longer keeping it contained. We have a backyard pool that we cannot go into without either having learing eyes or people screaming because they're oding or they're they're on something. We have asked him directly. I only had three rules. Please don't talk to my son. He is autistic. He does not understand. I have asked him not to feed my dog. I have asked them to please just keep it over on their side. And they are refusing to do it. We have called Sunday. Um, I looked out my back window to see a woman being beat with a broomstick. Now, Mayor Blake, you've been in touch

with my husband and he and the person that you uh this past week did call me to to his credit. They are trying to look into it. However, Sunday it was a 26-minute response time for someone being beat. I was told there was three patrol cars on on duty and basically that if we didn't have names or they wouldn't say anything, there was nothing they could do. I understand that, but I wasn't going to allow women to get beat. I understand.

I had decided at that point to kind of let it go. However, today when I got home at 3:00, now the RV has children in it. Not only does it have two children who, to their credit, do look safe and clean and wellfed, they have now put a lock on the outside of that RV. It is not registered. It has never been registered. And there are drugs and prostitution going on literally 6 in from my property line. I propose to please have a sit down meeting either here or at the police, not at my house with the mayor, the chief of police, and the code enforcement so that we can fix the problem. Continue, ma'am. Continue.

Um, my son no longer goes out in the backyard. Um, his dog, who was trained to be a service dog, has now kind of become a guard dog because they constantly talk to my son. Um it has been nothing but a nuisance to have a pool and you can't even get in the pool without comments being made, learing or someone screaming. Last week we had someone um yelling about a machete that was missing. Okay. Um I just at this time would like some some kind of resolve. Um again to the person that you had call, they they spoke to me. He said to please give them till Wednesday. Um but now there's children involved and I can't stand here quietly any longer. Okay. I have a question. Yes.

I think I heard you say College Park. Did you mean College Green neighborhood? Yes. College Green. We We call it College Park in the neighborhood. I guess that was the name years and years ago. We've lived there 20 years. So, it's the pathway that goes to Publix. Yes. And the RV is parked in the Publix parking lot. It is parked at my neighbor's front yard. Oh, wow. Literally this far from my property. The issue not being that there's people living there. I had no issue with that until again all of this started May 30th. Yeah, it should be I don't think you can live in an RV at a residence. Nobody seemingly, like I said, we've called code enforcement a few times. Um I've been in touch with a couple couple officers that Mayor Blake has been kind enough to have call me.

At this point, I'm on anxiety meds and I'm not sleeping because we hear them all the time. Yes, ma'am. And we will go ahead. I'm sorry. No, I was just going to say I think city manager's taking note and I hear chief over there. So I I think they'll be getting with you on that situation. See if we can help. All right. Thank you very much. Thank you, ma'am. And Mrs. G. Yes. Please come back. Thank you for having the courage to come forward. Ma'am, I can't let kids get hurt. No, ma'am. I understand. That today was kind of it. And and as of 5:15, they were still there. The truck that I think brought them was not there. Um, and we decided literally at 5:15 today that although this is not my wheelhouse at all, that I couldn't stand here quietly and I told my husband we're going to the council meeting.

I don't know what else to do at this point. You here, ma'am? Okay. Thank you very much. Again, thank you for having the courage. M. Yes. Yes. Right here, Mr. Gant. You want to come forward, sir? Yes, sir. Okay. And then after Mr. Gant Wood, that's green. Same situation. What my wife ain't telling you is last week there's an assault in the path to go to Publix. None of my neighbors feel safe in my neighborhood no more. Me and three of my neighbors go home. Put our guns on, walk around our yard. Everything I do, I have to have a gun because I don't know who's coming through my yard. I don't know who's coming through Publix.

It's the littlest thing. If there's a gate from Publix, if we have somebody from the city, lock the gate. That would solve some crime right there. We don't have the police go through our neighborhood. Sunday, the cops are treating me hostile asking me, "What do you want me to do?" I'm a taxpaying citizen. I'm calling the cops because somebody's getting assaulted. This is not going to end good for them, for my family, somebody. I got a hold of you one night, May 30th, I believe, because I had enough. I'm watching videos of a woman get tased and her arm broke. I sent that to you that night, I believe.

Yes. And I shared it with the proper authorities. Every day I go home and I take another picture and I post it on Facebook. If you guys go look on your city Facebook page, there's more of my pictures than probably yours, but at this point, I am so sick and tired of all of it. I I just can't do it no more. It's It's going to end bad one way or another. Either I'm going to be locked up in jail. No. Or somebody one of them is going to be locked up in jail and my family is going to get hurt. Brother, I go to work every day. I work 10 12 hours a day. All I want to do is come home, relax in my house. I can't relax in my house. If I pull an RV next to your house, I think you guys would feel the same way I do,

right? I have no problem feeding people. I have no problem giving people clothes. When this started, me and my wife, my wife does a resell business. We were giving them clothes, giving them food. No problem. But this is out of hand. This is ridiculous. It's to the point where it's it's sickening. I I don't know what to do anymore. I need help. I I call you probably once a week. I've called you. Yes, I have. I've called you at least two days this week. I keep getting your machine. I call code enforcement. The lady at code enforcement knows me by name now. I My neighbors call the code enforcement. My neighbors call the cops. I came home today and the most sickening thing, I seen two kids in this RV. Beautiful kids, beautiful little girls. And I'm watching a guy put a lock on the outside of the RV. It has a main tag. This thing is leaking sewage. They got extension cords to it. It's It's just sickening. I can send you pictures if you want. It's just I I don't know what to do,

sir. The proper authorities are hearing it, sir. But that's the other problem. They keep telling me they're going to handle it and it's still here. Yes, sir. I understand. You know, it takes a long time for stuff to work, but how long? Thank you, Chuck. Thank you. Mr. Greenwood,

Alex Greenwood, Coco Bard Avenue. I thank your mayor and the council, Alex Greenwood. Um, I wanted to um bring uh a correction to everybody's attention here. Uh, because at the last council meeting, I did I ran out of time to correct it. Uh, I had brought up an issue in reference to a complaint uh that was sent to the environmental agency about a property that's on the corner of Dixon and River Road. And I wanted to be clear because it uh it was taken as if it was my property. And the reason I brought it up is because it's a not my property. It's someone else's property of 17 acres that they're getting ready to develop on. And I just wanted it to be clear because having a council member try to stop a viable construction project by asking the St. John's River Management not to approve their permit is unacceptable. We need new growth here. If we don't have that, property taxes go up. Uh you end up not wanting people to have kids or have housing for new people that want to move here. You cannot find money to pay for infrastructure without getting new tax money coming in for the city. And I just wanted to make sure that people knew that it was not my property that the council member on this board sent asking not to approve the permit. Start, please start supporting the projects like the rest of the majority of the council. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Councilwoman calls ma'am.

Yeah. So delegations are really do we really want to every every time we meet go over this? I mean this is a vendetta. Uh I think this is the ninth or tenth time Mr. Greenwood has spoken on this. You have seen the letter I sent. It did not ask for it not to be approved. It asked, "How can citizens weigh in on this?" That's exactly what it asked. And it was within my rights to send it since I live in that neighborhood and people are coming to me about it. Now this is also you know how many times uh of course this is the property that in October of 22 um there was a request to increase the density on the property but is in a high hazard flooding zone and of course that's against our comp plan so we voted against it. Uh since that time Mr. Greenwood had got up on February 14th, June 6th, July 25th, September 12th, November 14th, December 13th, 2023, uh February 20th, 24, and then of course the last meeting, August 12th, 25. Yes, I know it's not your property. I However, the consent order uh from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection uh was on you. Um and I think I don't know what your relationship is, but it was not he's right that he is not the

owner of the property at the time. He explained to us that he was in a um a partnership with the owner. Now, um Mr. Greenwood also talked about, you know, he's made many slanderous remarks against me during all of those meetings. Um, and last time I think he mentioned all of the ethics complaints. Of course, the ethic complaint he's referring to is the one that he filed. And the response to that ethics complaint again is the complainant, which is Mr. Greenwood disagrees with the respondents policies and her position with regard to the preservation of wetlands and development. However, just because one disagrees with the policies and viewpoints of a public official, that does not mean the public officials actions are corrupt. um this whole idea, this entitlement that if you don't agree with me, you are somehow doing something illegal or corrupt. Um we should not tolerate that. We should be encouraging people to speak their different positions on the planning and zoning as well as on on this dis. Um, and you know, I don't know how long we're going to tolerate this. Um, but it is certainly come to the attention of many more people than those that are here. And again, this is not what delegations are for. They're not for re repetitious, you know, it it's you're bringing something to council, not to keep repeating or slandering someone. That's not what we should be allowing this

council meeting or delegations to be about.

Mer, do we have any additional cards, ma'am? No, sir. City clerk, ma'am. item. Okay. On to consent agenda item. What are the wishes of council? Motion to approve. Second. We have a motion on the floor by Councilwoman Carlson and the second by Councilman Gowens. Chair's going to call a question. All favor saying I. I.

I. Any ns? Eyes have names. Proceeding on to public hearing adopted second and final reading of ordinance number 062025 amending the city code regarding code enforcement board jurisdiction and duties regarding the noise and excavation violations and code enforcement lean reduction request. This is a way to streamline this and that is the intent of streamlining some of the information from the codeboard to the city manager in which we agreed upon. So um Esquire Gargani, this is the second and final reading. Esquire Gargani, would you read this ordinance into the minutes? And as you all know before he reads it, we did approve this first reading on July 8th, 2025. And um I stand behind it, but I will give everyone the opportunity to elaborate. Esquire, the floor is yours.

Okay. Second and final reading, ordinance number 06-2025, an ordinance of the city council of the city of Cocoa Boulevard County, Florida, amending chapter 6, article 2, division 1 of the city code regarding the powers and jurisdiction of the code enforcement board, amending chapters 12.5 and 13.5 of the city code regarding enforcement and penalties for mining excavation operations and noise disturbances, providing procedure for entering into code enforcement compliance agreements, altering the procedure for processing Code enforcement lean reduction request making additional housekeeping amendments in compliance with chapter 162 Florida statutes providing for the repeal of prior inconsistent ordinances and resolutions incorporation into the code severability and an effective date. This is a public hearing item and it's second reading. There have not been any changes since first reading. I'd be happy to answer any questions. Mayor,

thank you. Equishi, do we have any questions for Equishi? Seeing no chair, let me close this. I have a question. Ma'am, I have a question, but I don't know if it's for him or just in general about the order. Go ahead and ask your question, ma'am. The floor is yours, Deputy Mayor Weeks.

Okay. Thank you. Um, I understand about the streamlining. My concern on this on this item is uh it says in there that the uh anybody who wants to appeal has to pay for it upfront or pay for a fee upfront. But as we've seen in recent days, a number of people have come who never should have had a lean in the first place. And I hate that they would have to pay upfront for something that they um were never should never have been uh given a uh a code enforcement thing on. So is there a way around forcing everybody to pay for something upfront?

Um let me let me respond to that. uh Esquire Ganesh or city manager. Um after it leaves the code board, does it not go to the city if approved on the second reading, does it not then go to the city manager? What's the process? Not not all of them come to the city manager. Those those are the voluntary agreements there. Where's the where's the language that says pay upfront? She may be talking about the ones that are the voluntary agreements. in order to go to council where where just point on the um

I'm trying to find it. I had it I had it underlined on page. It's number four. Upfront cost recovery. Is that the one you're talking about? Yes. Yeah, it's number four. Correct. Y that's the last page on the recommended motion. You see it up there. upfront cost, recording fees, inspection time, that's administrative cost. It's the same thing.

Yes. But if they never had a or should have had a lean or anything in the first place and now we're forcing them, we've seen so many of these folks who uh are very um low income and they should have never had a lean on there and uh so they get everything forgiven and now we're forcing them to fork up money up front that hopefully I mean if we put in that they get it back. But many of them may not have the money upfront to pay for that. That's my concern.

But but where is that at? Because my thing is I'm looking at administrative costs. I mean, we have to entertain that cost just to do the investigation just to see within itself. So, so, so, um, and and to counter that, there's been tons of people that we've forgiven their, um, lean against them or reduce their lean considerably out of good faith. Now, we do have to incur the cost for manpower hour or woman power hour or whatever the case may be, but we we as a city must also be operational to as well because a lot of those individuals will let their property go. They will negate their authority or negate their their ability to maintain their property. Well, I I understand, but we've had people who the lean should have never been put on.

They were here. They came before us. They came before the code enforcement and then us and it was an error and should have never been put on. So why are they paying for administrative cost that they did not should never have incurred? I've never I've never heard of that. I've never heard of that. Miss Newman, can you um address that issue, Miss Nman?

Uh we recently brought before the council uh two cases where that uh there was an error made by previous staff of code enforcement and we recommended that there be no fine imposed. And so we would review those cases up front and and we would be able to uh make that determination before uh bringing it before the city manager and before council. So I I think that that that's being resolved with our current processes. We've we've updated our standard operating procedures for the code officers and the processes on how we uh operate. So, I think uh a lot of what happened with previous staff is now being addressed and being corrected to avoid those types of situations.

Okay. Thank you. That that makes me feel better. Okay. Go ahead, sir. Okay. Well, I think her interpretation of upfront cost recovery that's maybe um do you see can you specify that uh deputy mayor weeks because council members are asking where in the booklet. I thought your interpretation was number four. Yeah, it's not. That's what she's talking about. Yeah, but I'm sorry. I'm having a really hard time hearing you guys. I asked to have the volume turned up and I just can hardly hear and I've got my volume up all the way on my phone.

Okay. Does that answer? They're saying that number four, upfront cost, recording fees, inspection time, staff hours tied to lean matters are assured at the application stage rather than after council action. But I think we do take good discretion in reference of when someone has been derelcting their duties or maintaining their property. Um, again, I'm a firm believer in administrative costs because yeah, if you read in the streamline lean reduction thing about halfway down, it says applicants must reimburse the city's recording costs upfront.

What number is that? That's what he's asking. That is under the on the first page where it says streamline lean reduction request and you go down and it talks about make payment within 30 days. Keep going. It says applicants must reimburse the city's recording costs upfront. It's in the staff report actually um under practical implications for staff. It's number four. Not not actually in the ordinance. Okay. No, it's not written in the ordinance that way. It's it's the explanation of the practical implications that staff are implo implying.

Yeah. But you're saying, Miss Nudman, that it um that you guys will rever review those cases so we don't have the ones that were done in error that they won't get hit with that fee. Correct. We are going to review every case before it goes before the city manager or city council. Oh, wonderful. Thank you. Okay. Like I said, that makes me feel better. So, thank you. Thank you. Okay. Any other questions? Councilwoman calls and then council.

Okay. Um, well, that was one of the issues that I had, but I mean there there are a couple we've had some correspondence back and forth with the code enforcement board, a member of the code enforcement board and I listened to the code enforcement board meeting in response to this and and they had um they had a robust discussion. I think they brought up a lot of things that in the time we spent on it initially I hadn't thought about. But really two things here. one um well I think one is is the way we present this to the committee that we should have done that and I know at the when we address this originally I asked if we had talked with them but should have followed it up with um trying to get us to direct staff to follow up with them. Um, two, I thought there were really good points brought up in the meeting in regard to the increased opportunity for a citizen to make their case. Uh, we know when things come here um certainly in shortorthhand as compared to um how much they deliberate at the code enforcement board. It really shifts this from a citizen board where if citizens are hearing the appeal to staff. Um, and I would like to see I I am really supportive of the streamlining and of the standardization. That seems um like a really positive step forward. Um, but I would I feel like taking it out of the code enforcement

uh board's hands or not allowing them to listen to the cases, not allowing them to dig into them before they come to us. Particularly since Deputy Mayor Weekes has been uh the liaison for that committee. I think we've gotten a lot of useful feedback that has really informed us well. So in this case um you know I feel like I'd like to take these recommendations but before it comes to the city council I'd like it to go the to the code board. and we've heard about time. Um, but I don't think if someone's appealing a fine that that that's going to be a problem for them. Um, we heard one of the things that was brought up in the code enforcement be meeting. Is this because we as a board have been um, you know, we've been letting too many go without fines. And that was it's it sounded like that's really kind of what's going on that the staff costs aren't being um they're not they're not getting those recouped. But with this new system, I think we have the opportunity for it to be better, to be more standardized, for the code enforcement board to even be more standardized in the recommendations they make. [Applause] And so I would really like to see us modify this to include the code

enforcement board. You know, I'm reminded that, you know, this is a democratic government. What makes it a democratic government versus a bureaucracy is that we have civil citizen engagement and we have elected representatives making decisions. So, it's really important to me that we not shift that from citizens back to staff who who, you know, we hear are overburdened anyway. Um, and but maybe the issue is that actually going back to the code enforcement is more time on the part of staff. And I think anytime you go back to the citizens that and we get that input that it's time well spent.

Councilman going. Yes, sir. Well, I want to make a motion to approve. I'll second that staff recommendation. So, I will say but I will hear from the audience. I think If we take that route of going back to that code enforcement board, what it does is pretty much discontinu what we're trying to do with your streamline now. You still you still add another process to it to me in my opinion.

Um I think we're trying to get away from that. And so even though elected officials could possibly be a part of that appeal process, but hey, I look at, you know, we are elected for a reason and and we're citizens as well. And I believe we can make that call if there's appeal, if it if it's if there is an appeal, then it'll come back to the council. Um, and the other thing was I know I responded to um Mr. Otto, too. um he made some awesome points uh on on the email and the the process and and and city manager also he uh responded as well. The process that we did um to get to this point we probably could have did a better job of communicating and we expressed that and so um and again it wasn't a disrespect to the to the code enforcement board. I know some of them felt slighted um um but I believe this is the best process for us. Uh, one of my fears was, and I talked to city manager about this as well, uh, if we don't have a a just and fair city manager in the future, right? Could this could this hurt a particular community? Cuz we know at one time um, imminent domain was a huge deal in certain communities and and so, but but when I read number six about the appeal process, it helps me out with that. And so, um, I'm I'm in favor of this. I think it'll help us out in the long run. Sir.

Yes, sir. Motion on the table.

Yes, sir. I have to, as you know, public hearing. You know what I have to do next? Councilwoman Car, do you want to say anything? Yeah, just that um the streamlining as I understand it is that we have a formula and that staff looks at this and the uh person that's being fined has the opportunity to, you know, take that. So that streamlines it. We also have a couple of additional things that we're considering now that I guess weren't on the list of considerations, at least the way it was formerly written. Um, you know, looking at if they have other unsatisfied code enforcement penalties.

What number?

I'm just looking at uh what is it? Page ordinance page 10 of 13 on the ordinance. So you know the streamlining is still there. Um other than they um the citizen has another opportunity to come before a group of their peers and make their case which as I mentioned has has been really helpful. I've been quite informed by uh the reports back that we've gotten from the deputy mayor. Chair would like to close this portion to council and open to the public. Please come forward, state your name, submit a card, please. Go.

I'll sign a card for this because I have another one. I have that one. Is there somebody before me, sir? No, sir. Alex Greenwood, Coco, Florida. This This is definitely a very good um way to handle the way that the uh certain issues are presented during the code board meeting. It reduces the amount of time that's involved. I think it's uh a benefit for everyone, including the staff. they don't have to be as involved as they are when it's gone through the normal routine. I go to all the meetings there and I see it. I really feel that this is a very good idea and I hope that the council approves it. Thank you.

Thank you very much, sir. Do you have any cards, Mrs. Singer? You have any cards, Mrs. City Clerk? No, sir. Could I just clarify one thing? Well, yeah. be mindful that like I give you the opportunity to speak your amendment one rights he should have the same right to as well that's all oh no it wasn't but I'm just saying ma'am hear me out thank you

so um I just want to make it clear that yes I think this is an advance over what we're currently doing um just the fact that we're standardizing it and you have the the staff overseeing that and and giving an opportunity just to do away with it without going to boards. But it's just the issue of having another set of citizen eyes looking at it making recommendations to us that I would like to continue to have.

Thank you. Any other cards? Saying no. Going once, going twice. chair like to close the portion to the public and return to the council. We have a motion on the floor by council points that said he follows. Yes, sir. Um staff recommendation and I second um deputy mayor weeks. Mayor. Yes, sir. I'm sorry. It's very hard when you're on a phone to figure out when is a good time to jump in. So, I'm really sorry. I don't ever want to over talk over you. I just had one last quick thing if I could, sir.

Ma'am. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Uh yeah, I watched the code enforcement last code enforcement meeting as well and I was going back and forth as to what the best uh thing with this was and um I would like to see us try this new model and see how it goes. We can always go back and change it at some point if it doesn't if it doesn't go well or takes too much time for staff or for the city manager. Um, but I do like the idea cuz we were definitely holding up uh people from moving on with your with their property. So, I hate that the code enforcement people won't get to see the lean reduction, but it does definitely speed up the process. So, I'm going to support it at this point.

Okay. Thank you, ma'am. Chair's going to call the question. All in favor by saying I. I. I. Any nays? Nay. Let the record reflect. We have one A. That's Councilwoman Cos. City manager, is your light on, sir? Yes, sir. I I wanted to to give you an opportunity give you all an opportunity to get through the motion there. Uh code enforcement board will still hear code cases. That's what I thought. Um and so, well, nobody's question. Excuse me.

He's talking, ma'am. Come on now. Yeah, there there there are well there may be implications I may or I may be inferring from the comments there, but but again just to clarify even beyond the comments that were made, the code enforcement board will still hear cases. Um again the changes are they'll they'll hear noise and uh we don't have very many mining excavation cases but uh they may be very busy with the noise cases there. So they'll hear noise cases because remember that is now uh uh can be a civil process going through the code enforcement board. That's a very big step. Um, city manager is not taking over uh the hearing of code cases there. That is a voluntary compliance agreement where there is an admission to a code violation and a time frame in which uh the uh the violator agrees to come into compliance there. And so again, the schedule is associated with that. But that's a voluntary uh action on the part of of the uh of the uh the violator. And then uh again the the change is the the uh the lean reductions and the final lean reductions and that comes to you all. And so that's not something that's going to the city manager. And so um you know again I I apologize to Mr. Eterero. Um, with regards to not presenting this to to the uh to the code board, I should have given them a heads up on that. We all make mistakes. I I gave him the apology. I gave him uh a discussion on what this item was uh and gave them a briefing sheet on it there.

And so, um, I don't know by their absence here that they, uh, understand it a little better, but again, tried to educate them to the extent possible. But again, just to be clear, they'll, uh, continue to hear code cases. Obviously, the lean the lean uh, the final lean reduction has been changed. The voluntary there's a voluntary process for compliance. And again, this is all in pursuit of compliance. If the whole goal of code enforcement is compliance, we we just simply believe that this is a more streamlined, better process for the citizens to get there. Thank you, sir.

Thank you, sir. Okay. Proceeding on to item number 6-2, consideration of an ordinance transmitting amendments to the city of Coco's comprehensive plan based on the city's evaluation and appraisal of the comprehensive plan pursuant to section 163 decimal 3191 Florida statutes to the department of commerce for coordinated state review. Also this evaluation appraisal report basically known as ear uh base amendment on first reading transmittal. Um this is done by Mrs. Alexis Crespo. Yes sir. Am I saying that correct?

You are. A thousand thank yous ma'am. Um let me just one second before I surrender the floor to you ma'am. City attorney or city manager? Do would you all like to shed any light on this particular item? Yeah, I'd be happy to read the ordinance in by title. So, yes, sir. Um,

ordinance number 05-2025, an ordinance of the city council of the city of Cocoa Boulevard County, Florida, setting forth amendments to the city of Coco comprehensive plan based on the city's evaluation and appraisal of the comprehensive plan pursuant to section 163.3191 Florida statutes providing for the repeal of prior and consistent ordinances and resolutions incorporation into the comprehensive plan. legal status of the comprehensive plan amendment severability and an effective date. So this is what they call as a transmitt hearing a first reading of this ordinance um proposing comprehensive plan amendments. Uh the airbased process is a statutory process that's required periodically for the city cities and counties to go through their comprehensive plan and do a do a checkup to make sure that um it it at least meets the minimum requirements of Florida statutes. And that's what um our consultant is going to uh present on all the changes that are recommended um to bring the comprehensive plan into um statutory compliance um for the for the for the next duration of this plan. Um so um that's all I have to say at this time.

Thank you very much Esquire Gargani. And just for the record, on August 6th, 2025, uh, PNZ unanimously recommended the approval of this transmit. Okay, ma'am. The Thank you, Esquire Garganis. The floor is yours, ma'am.

Thank you. Uh, good good evening. My name is Alexis Cresbow. I'm consulting planner uh with RBI. Um, happy to be before you tonight uh to discuss your earbased comprehensive plan amendments. Um, also here with me is Erica Hughes who's our director of planning um for the Orlando office and uh Mr. Garganzy did a did a great job of explaining the intent here this night tonight. Um, in planning we love our acronyms and so we call it the EAR but that stands for evaluation and appraisal report. So, we are evaluating the comprehensive plan and we are appraising it for its consistency with state law and that's all governed by Florida statutes chapter 163. You are mandated to do this every seven years. So, our seven years is up. We must transmit by the end of September 2025. As you can see, um the minimum required changes to keep your comprehensive plan consistent with the state law. Often times local governments will do more than that. They will go in and start tearing up the comp plan, rewriting whole chapters. Um that was not the charge of of RVI in preparing this update. What we did was simply look at the state changes um to statute since 2019. The last time you conducted this type of evaluation, we checked each change to state law, uh, reviewed your comprehensive plan, and identified just those policies that are in conflict with state law, which fortunately, because your staff does a great job, was fairly minimal.

So, that was our charge. Again, these are not optional illustrative type amendments. These are just the minimum to keep consistent. Uh, so y'all are all familiar with your comprehensive plan. you deal with this uh on a monthly basis. We've been before you with changes to your comprehensive plan. This is your vision for the city. It's not your land development code that's going to say you have a 5-ft front yard setback or your fence can be 8 foot tall. It's the policy document that says we want Coco to protect its neighborhoods, uh protect natural areas within the city, have functioning roadways, etc. So it's it's much broader document and more of a visionary um type setup. Um it's got many different elements or chapters because it's really covering the whole breadth of what makes the city function from land use. Recently we had to include a private property rights element. It deals with transportation, parks and wreck, schools, the full gamut of um facilities and aspects of of city growth. So we've been working on this uh since about the beginning of the year. Uh the first step was to do the evaluation uh or we called it our preliminary assessment report. That is where we uh reviewed again all the goals, objectives and policies in your plan for consistency with the state law. We also had to uh prepare some data and analysis to show the state that we were consistent with the long-term planning projections required. So we had to look at how Coco is going to grow between now and 2050 and make sure that the policies your future land use map can accommodate the intended growth based on the data we get from from the state and other sources. So that was your assessment um which is included as an appendix. Um then we've been working on uh the proposed amendments which are before you this evening. Uh hopefully tonight you do recommend approval or approved

transmitt and we send it up to Tallahassee where department of commerce will disseminate the uh all the amendments to department of transportation, department of education, all the different state agencies. They have 60 days to review these amendments. They will send us any comments and then we'll be before you for one final hearing um hopefully for adoption of these changes. and we the burden on us is to transmit before the September 20th date which obviously we're um in front of which is a good thing. So uh we did have a workshop with you all um just to give you the key takeaways of that assessment of your plan. Um we established a new planning horizon of 2050. So this plan is going to look to accommodate growth in the city of Coco through the year 2050 which is consistent with state law. We noted um in the data and analysis that the city's projected to grow about 24% grow about by 5,000 people between now and 2050. So it's pretty significant growth. The good news is uh the city does have adequate land available on the future land use map and vacant properties to accommodate the density needed to accommodate these people that are going to move into town. There's sufficient areas to build new homes, multif family housing, etc. to accommodate the growth. Another key item is the city's done a good job with infrastructure and there is water, sewer, and the levels of service look to be met through the long range planning horizon as well. So, because you're in good shape with these major metrics, the the bulk of these amendments are just really minor housekeeping. And you may have noticed as you scan through the entire document, there's not a lot of red lines in it um because you're relatively in good shape regarding relating to state law. Could you re reiterate that just one more time? Speak into my good ear, please, ma'am, if you don't mind.

The the good news about the ear is that uh the city has done a good job of planning their infrastructure, accommodating uh population growth within the city. Thank you kindly, ma'am. Kudos.

So, I'm just going to zip through um the key uh text changes. Uh again, they're pretty limited in nature. Starting with the future land use element, we added a a minor footnote just stating uh per state law that floating solar facilities uh are allowed by right within all land use categories throughout the city. These are you maybe solar panels in a water management pond or other ways of incorporating clean energy into into the city's infrastructure. We also had to acknowledge that uh the state law now preempts the city from enforcing residential design standards for single family homes and two family homes. Uh so the good news is this is not applicable in your CRAAS. So your CRAAS can continue to have residential design standards. Those are not preempted. It's just, you know, new residential communities aren't allowed to have requirements for shutters or porches, things of that nature. Uh, and this was intended by the state to encourage affordable housing and developers basically saying these residential design standards are preventing us from getting affordable housing because it's too expensive. So, that's where the the law originated. The other good piece of news, um, and we we just had the Plucky Bomb project come through, is when when it comes to a PUB, that's a negotiation tool, and that applicant was happy to oblige the city with some architectural design standards, minimum features on the homes that you attach to that PUD approval. So, we're going to continue to be able to work around this law, but we we did have to tweak a policy to make it consistent. In terms of transportation, we simply uh updated a chart that um to correct it to note which roadways are in the city and and some are within the county. So, we just really a clerical error there. The

housing element um um a reference to the live local act, which is a powerful tool for affordable housing that needed to be referenced and then just cleaning up a date that had passed. The most significant change we made was um to your sanitary sewer element in response to a state law that says the city has to plan for areas that are uh subdivisions of over 50 lots or more um that are still on septic tanks. So obviously water quality is a huge issue in the state of Florida and the state legislature said we have to identify the subdivisions that are 50 lots or more where there's more than one septic tank per acre and create a plan to get them off septic and onto centralized sewer. Um so I contacted Mr. Walsh and like I said earlier he was well ahead of the issue. He he said yes we have two subdivisions that are 50 lots or more still on septic. um here's where they are. Here's a a a plan we have in place for them. So, we were able to update that POS policy pretty handily to identify those subdivisions. You do have adequate capacity in your sanitary sewer plant that would serve those subdivisions. And so, we added in the language just to note that uh within the 10 years we will address feasibility of connecting. Now, the state can't require you to do anything um that's an unfunded mandate or mandate you to spend money you don't have. So, we did include language that yes, we will do all these things subject to state funding becoming available. And of course, the city can find their own means, but we wanted to put that protection in place. portable water element. Uh just basic updates to level service standards. Because uh water fixtures have gotten more efficient over time since the plan was last updated, we're able to adjust

those level service standards to better reflect what's being used in terms of of demand. Uh just minor changes really linkages in the natural groundwater aquifer element. Again, to tie it back to those sanitary, sewer, septic policies we added into the previous element, um some updates to um outdated timelines in your coastal management element. Um references and conservation element, again linking to the water supply facilities work plan and that sanitary sewer um conversion policy. There was a change in the public school facilities element um where the state's requiring acknowledgement that if developers pay their proportionate fair share to accommodate expansions needed to schools that that money would basically need to be earmarked and a timeline for the school district spending the money to accommodate the students. I guess in some county or jurisdiction within the state the school district had taken the money and not readily provided the capacity for the students. So, this was intended to fix some some issues, not not obviously specific to Coco or Kabar County. And then lastly, capital improvements element. We simply updated the the plan to reference your new capital improvements plan 2025 through 2029. You may have noticed the document was excessively long because it it attached to it the entire CIP. You don't need to do that. That's a a fluid document that gets updated annually. So, we're just going to reference it so that we can strike a date and not have to um pull out hundreds of pages out of the plan every time we do this.

Thank you. You're welcome.

So, summing up the map amendments, um you had a couple of annexations over the years. So, we just updated the city boundary to reflect those newly annexed areas. And then we um and this was really the good work of your city staff, not RBI, but your GIS department worked extensively going through uh dozens of maps to just update with the latest wetland data, um latest transportation data, FEMA data, etc., so that all your maps are up to date. And so, um kudos to your GIS staff. And then there were some maps that we noted did not need to be in your comp plan. You want this to be a streamlined, flexible document. You don't want a bunch of stuff in it that's going to get outdated very quickly. So stuff like soils map did not need to be in there and uh we're proposing to eliminate that. As outlined in our staff report, um the proposed changes are consistent with your uh land development code criteria governing amendments to your comprehensive plan. I won't bore you by reading all those, but that's information is housed in the staff report. Um, and in terms of timeline, again, we hope to be back before you with an adoption package by November after the state reviews um, these amendments. So, with that, I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Kudos to your presentation, ma'am. Um, clearly you define the areas of major concern. I made it up. Rest assured, it is all important, but a lot of the areas you did highlight and I'm glad to see that collaboration with the staff here, Councilwoman Calls. Yeah, great presentation. Thank you.

Um, how do you come to how do they determine the population, you know, what what is the basis for anticipating the population growth? And I asked that because when I was elected, we were at 19,286. We've had 10% growth in six years. So, it's it's really um quite remarkable. Um and I'm just wondering how they come to 24% in 30 years. Yes, we use a combination of the University of Florida,

Bieber, not Justin Bieber, but Bieber. Um, uh, they issue population data and they show low growth, medium growth, and high growth scenarios. Okay? And so they publish that and then there's the Shimberg Center that collaborates with with Bieber. And we typically use the medium growth projection. Okay? Of course, medium growth. So we use medium. We don't want to assume it's going to be gang busters for 25 years and we also don't want to underestimate Florida's a high growth area generally. So,

um yeah, because I was looking I was adding up, you know, all of the developments that we have going on now, which is an additional I mean actually there are 2,733 units that could potentially be coming online. Um, that's probably, you know, 1.5 people per household. That could be 4,100 people, which is that's we're talking 20%. Um, so yeah. So, what's the maximum? What what does the Bieber What do your calculations show? Do you recall

the high I don't recall the high growth. I can say based on your future land use map and the available vacant lands if if you built out by 2050 it would be more population growth than the 24% if if we filled up each parcel with the available density that we could have but um but I can get back to you on that I'm just curious how they figured that out. You explained it well. Thank you. Yeah. Do we have any questions for Mrs. Crespo or Mrs. Hughes? That dynamic duo. Yes.

Okay. Seeing none, chair would like to close this portion of council and open to the public. Please come forward and state your name for us. And you have 180 seconds to elaborate on this outstanding ear. Coin once, coin twice. Chair like to close this portion to the public and return to the council. What are the wishes of council? Motion to approve. Got a motion on four by Councilman Hearn. Second. Second. Which one of y'all want? She can she can take it.

Okay. Okay. We have a second by Deputy Mayor Weekes. And please be mindful when you do make your motions speak into the microphone so we can make sure um Deb said there the transmitting can be challenging on her end. All right, chair's going to call the question. All in favor saying I I I eyes have unanimously go in peace. Thank you ladies. Thank you.

Safe journey home please. Moving on to item number 6-3. Nob brainer. Approve the final assessment resolution 2025-052 for the fire protection for fiscal year 2026. On August 12th, 2025, council did approve the preliminary fire assessment resolution 2025-047 was approved by city council Esquire Gargani. Before I turn it over to Mrs. Bowman, Esquire Gargani or city manager, would you all like to say anything?

No. Okay. Mrs. Bowman, ma'am, please. Yes, Mr. Mayor. This is the final assessment resolution for the fire protection fees for fiscal year 2026. Um there has not been any changes from the first reading and so staff is requesting approval of the final resolution to adopt the fire assessment rates for fiscal year 2026. Okay. Do we have any question for Mrs. Bowman? I'm going to do something a little strange. Uh I'm going still a page out of council's book. Chair would like to make a motion.

Second approve staff recommendation for this resolution. Now I will open it to the public. Chair like to close it to council and open to the public. Is there one in the audience that would like to expound on this? Going once, going twice. Chair like to close it from the public and return of the council. We have a motion on the floor. Chair is going to call the question. All in favor of saying I. I. I. I.

I have it unanimously. Proceeding on to our final item under 6-4 in the public hearing. approve the final assessment resolution for fiscal year 2026 storm water utility services. As you all know, we did approve this already um on the public hearing on um the fiscal year estimate and storm water assessment revenue for fiscal year 2026 is 2.4 million budgeted at 95% total 2.3 million. Okay, before I turn it over, do we have any question? Mr. Gargani or city manager? No, sir.

Okay. Just trying to be fair and equitable. Young ma'am, young lady, the floor is yours. Thank you, Mr. Floor is yours. Uh, as you stated, this is the final assessment resolution to adopt the storm water utility rates for fiscal year 2026. Uh the previous um resolution was on the agenda at the last city council meeting and there have been no changes. So staff is requesting approval of the final assessment resolution 2025-053 for the storm water utility rates for fiscal year 2026. Do we have any question for Mrs. Bowman? Don't have a question.

I don't know. Do you? The floor is yours. I I just wanted to um because I'm I support this um of course there's no increase here, right?

Um but I wanted to ask because I was looking through the materials and looking into the different tiers. We have a tier system which um this was the first year that Alex or Councilman Goins and I were in office that um we developed the storm water plan. We have a tiered system and that is going to that has to be redone next year and I understand that there's a really significant administrative cost to that. I wanted that tier system and actually recommended and pushed it because I thought that it would be a way to it was a way to um economically get some of the results we wanted in terms of um folks doing things to mitigate storm water on their properties. I don't think that's the case. And um the tier system itself, we have um we're right there in the middle compared to our our middle tier is in there in the middle, but our top tier is second in the state in terms of expense. And this also negates the the role or or the value of uh storm water management to all of our citizens since those in apartments and um are not uh they don't have an equal share of of the management costs. And so I just would like for staff to bring that to us next year to take a fresh look at that before we stick before we do the um what I understand is an expensive uh new analysis. Is that possible or is that something

you want a motion for? award and I'm looking at the city manager. Does Stant Tech do is this the Stantech project, ma'am? Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, uh council meets with Stantech each year to go over what's proposed and come to some kind of resolution so that staff can present the uh the findings and proposed rates to council. But the analysis next year, don't they do the full study? We do the full study next year which could which could include analysis of the tiers,

right? Similar to doing utility rate studies that they would analyze that anyways to see it are we in the appropriate right do we have the appropriate tier set? Yeah. So, so it's it goes beyond just rate sufficiency next year. it goes to the to the to the full uh study analysis which again could include the methodology uh tiers versus I guess Councilwoman Cos you're saying flat fees or

Yeah, I would just like to look at it because at the time we did that there was only one other city in the whole state that was using that methodology and I haven't been satisfied with the results of it. Um, I think when we manage storm water, it's a benefit to everyone and if we're spreading it over a larger universe, it becomes less of an expense for everyone. I don't think we need a motion on that. I think we can just incorporate that into the analysis next year. Okay. Again, the floor is yours, Mrs. Bowman.

So, Mr. Mayor, as I requested, staff is requesting approval of the final assessment resolution 2025-053 to adopt the storm water rates for fiscal year 26. And those rates have been included in the budget development um to this point.

That's been public information, etc., etc. Proper notification. Thank you very much, Mrs. Bowman, finance director, union staff, city manager, city attorney. Chair like to close this portion to council open to the public. Please submit a card um pertaining to this particular item approval of the final assessment resolution number 2025-053 for the fiscal year 2026 storm water utility services. Going once. Going twice. Chair like to close this portion to the public and return it to council. I think we should get a unanimous vote. Chair like to make a no motion to approve.

Second. We have a motion on the floor by chair and a second by councilwoman cause. Chair's going to call the question. All in favor saying I. I. I. I.

Eyes have it unanimously. Proceeding on to city council business. As you know, we deleted or amended or amended item number one 7-1. Now we're going to item number 7-2. I have one card right now so far. Consideration of enhanced services and of options and contract extensions for waste collection services 2025-833. Now this will come from the economic development combination of multiple departments, public works, um city managers, city attorney, uh we'll all chime in on this and we do have waste management in the audience too as well. We have Mr. Oh well, I'll let you gentlemen identify who you are as you Luigi. Is that right?

Yes, sir. Mr. Luigi, but also WM uh Jordan Chandler. Um, city manager sir there. Well, before you even get started, before I turn it over to you, Mr. City, as if you go to your page, you see we have and Mrs. Singer Padomi Madam, we have multiple options ranging from one all the way to option number five. I know where I stand on this, but I will let you all do your presentation. Ma'ams and sir, so we shall start with you first, Mrs. Singer. Is that a safe assessment?

Yes, sir. Mrs. Singer and uh Mrs. Morgan are going to share the presentation, sir. Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Um Yes, sir. As you stated, this uh staff is seeking council direction on the addition of regular bulk yard waste and bulk trash pickup service um as an addendum to the current solid waste agreement uh with an extension to the term of the current agreement for 2 years. Um so Abby is going to start um give you a little brief timeline.

Okay. Um the city of Coco currently provides solid waste services through a franchise agreement with Waste Management of Florida. The previous agreement began in 2006 and was renewed for its first renewal in 2011 and a second 5-year renewal in 2016. At the February 23rd, 2021 city council meeting, council directed staff to negotiate a contract with waste manage management as opposed to solicit soliciting bids due to the cost increases seen in new contracts around the state at that time. In October 2021, the city's waste services contract with waste manage management was renewed for a term of October 1st, 2021 to September 30th, 2028. As part of that extension of the contract and to keep increases for our residents to a minimum, the bulky yard waste pickup process was changed. It was regularly serviced once a week without having to call for pickup. This service is now picked up on an asneeded basis instead of a regular service day. That means any resident who has a large pile of yard debris has to call public works to schedule a pickup. Over the past years, staff and council have received complaints of bulkyard waste and trash being left curbside for long periods of time. So, as part of that contract renewal in 2021, like uh Miss Morgan stated that we had changed to um not a regular yard bulky yard waste pickup um but they had residents had to call it in. Um and we did um a number of different uh campaigns, promotional and marketing

campaigns to promote that to our residents. Um we included it in our quarterly newsletters. I think we we do that every quarter um since we've done it for probably the last four years. Um we have in we've sent out two postcards. We did one on bulk yard waste which included a pop out magnet that people could put on the refrigerator and we did a separate postcard on bulk waste pickup. We also did social media campaigns that we run every so often that we've run for the last four years. We call it trash tip Tuesday. Um, and we do uh various graphics um associated with those social media campaigns and we produced a video um that was starring our our mayor that explained the new process as well. So, we did a number of different things to promote to our residents what the change in process would be. So, per our current contract, bulk waste is collected one time per week at with at least 72 hours advanced call-in request by the resident. This process is not changed from the previous contract that began in 2006. Issues faced include bulk trash piles that are not bundled and sorted correctly, which will not get picked up by waste management. Current contract language states waste management should be tagging the piles with an explanation of why it was not picked up and coordinating with code enforcement to enforce compliance. As a side note, bulk trash service is not offered on a regular pickup schedule in any other local community. So, two things I just want to reiterate. The bulk trash was not ever picked up on a regular basis. Was not part of the original agreement. I just want to make sure everybody is aware of that.

You say bulk trash. Bulk trash.

Bulky yard waste was a regular pickup. Bulk trash was not. You still had to call it in 72 hours in advance. That language never changed in the new contract. Um, and then also reiterate that that's not something that is done in in any other community locally. So, I just wanted to point those two things out. Um, so, um, your options for consideration, I'll go through these pretty quickly. You have the details. Um, if we stay with option one, was to stay with the current agreement where residents would call into public works for their bulky yard waste pickup. Um again we have a 3% annual increase that gets applied to the monthly rate that does not get calculated on the admin fee um but just on the the uh current monthly rate and you are going to see with this option about a 53 cent increase beginning October 1st and that again is just for the 3% CPI increase. There would be no um contract extension on this option. it would expire in se on September 30th, 2028. Option two would be to add in that regular scheduled routed bulk yard waste collection every other week um and extend the current term date to September 30th, 2030, adding two years to the current agreement. Um, with this 3% CPI increase and the enhanced yard service, you are looking at about $244 per month increase beginning October 1st, 2025. And again, this extends your current contract for two years ending September 30th, 2030. Option three is to add on a bulk routed regular regularly scheduled routed bulk trash collection. Um, this is your uh household furniture, that type of those

type of items, bulk items that do not fit in your trash can. Um, with your 3% increase in your enhanced waste service, uh, residents would see about a $183 increase per month beginning October 1st, 2025. And again, this would also include a contract extension of two years to September 30th, 2030. Option four is to do both of those two things to add pretty much combine option two and three together. Um so you're looking at including both your uh regularly scheduled yard waste, bulk yard waste pickup and bulk trash pickup. And those would rotate every other week. So one week you would have a truck that comes through and picks up bulk yard waste. And then one week you would have the next week you'd have a truck that comes through that picks up bulk trash. Um, and then, uh, this will also include the 3% CPI increase. Again, that will be $3.74 cents per month increase beginning October 1st. And again, uh, 2-year extension on the contract to September 30th, 2030. Um, and then option five would be to continue to negotiate with Waste Management, but again, we have been doing that over the last few months. So, um, another thing I wanted to just include in here, just for your reference, um, so you could see some of the comparisons, um, to what the the cost for some of local communities are, um, for their trash pickup. And then I also included in in kind of that orange color, uh, a little bit of what it would be if you added those services. So, I just I did the uh bulkyard service alone and then uh added both the bulkyard and trash services um and compared that cost with some local communities. Um and then one thing I didn't want I didn't include and I apologize because I

there was a lot of numbers in that presentation that I was calculating and I'm not the best with math. So, I apologize that I completely forgot that we um Waste Management has also agreed to do um a $7,500 donation and and Stockton can maybe elaborate on that a little bit more, but a $7,500 um annual donation um that we had talked about possibly earmarking towards our public safety sponsorships that we do for our high schools as well. and I'm either of us are available to answer any questions that you might have.

Okay, we'll proceed in this order I think and correct me if I'm wrong. A former de Councilman Hearn and Councilman Goins. Um we do have um as I said the WM here uh Mr. J uh Jordan Chandler and Mr. Luigi here as well so we can direct um some questions because I have some concerns as as well. Council her and I have a question when you get to me. That's okay. I'll wait. No, ma'am. You want to go first because I want to make sure you know we speak clearly in the mic. So, you want to go first? Well, I didn't want to have to go first. I just wanted you to know my light is on.

Okay. All right. We'll proceed in this order. Councilman Hearn, Councilman Gins, uh Deputy Mayor Weeks, and then Councilwoman Cost. and then I'll ask my questions. Go ahead. So, first off, I'd like to give a thanks to uh Samantha and your team. You've all done a great job over the past four years on trying to communicate the rules to the bulk pickup and uh or the yard waste pickup and uh it just for some reason it just didn't connect with the community. So, here we are. Um and I think this is one issue that we can all agree that we we've gotten from all our constituents. uh a number of phone calls.

Amen. Been cursed out a few times. A few. So, I I'm actually glad that we're here. And uh of course, we never like to increase any um any rates on any of our constituents. That's the last thing we like to do. But, uh through all of the complaints I've gotten over the years, this is one issue that citizens have, uh agreed that they didn't mind paying more. At least the citizens I spoken to, they didn't mind paying more for better services when it come to picking up uh some of the uh the trash that we see in the city. Um you could just take a ride on any one of my street, you're going to see about three or four mattresses, couches.

It's it's crazy. Um and uh I know we're all going to take a vote, but uh I'm in favor of option four. Just based off my experience, what I' I've dealt with. Um, and I I'm praying that this address the issues um, especially in D2. I'm trying to see my property values go up, continue to go up as they have been doing and uh, and beautify the community. So hopefully this helps.

Um, Council Mah, you bring up a good point, sir. Mrs. Um, Morgan, can you expound on uh about uh a trip or a dry run that you all for district 1, district 2, district 3, district number four?

Yes, sir, mayor. Um, so on Monday, I asked staff to go out and do a windshield inspection of all four districts and looking specifically for uh uh bulk waste piles. And so contrary to to popular belief, um uh districts one and two had 100 we had in total 260 piles and uh districts one and two had 139 and districts three and four had 121. So they're pretty even. Uh and so uh you know our current contract only calls for bulk waste pickup once a week. With those number of piles, what ends up happening is only so many get serviced and it's only a percentage of that 260. And so during the next week more get more piles get added. And so it's a constant issue. analysis. Great analysis, council goes. Um, well, I don't want to pay any more money at all, right? But I know it's it's necessary, right? And so, um, and to Councilman Hearn's point, we've gotten so many calls, um, and we really have no other options, I believe, except to go this route. Um, so number four would be, um, for me as well. Um but the question I have is on the alternate date the alternate weeks um will how does that work for green waste

if cuz that that means no green waste during the bulk waste week correct correct there's no and so that mean that particular pile regardless of call or not there will be no call no pickup no call no anything you got to wait the following week to pick that up. To get it picked up. Yeah. To to Yeah. to pick it up or to either to put it out also. Right. Because remember it's regularly scheduled there. So every other week there's a truck that comes around in the city picking up what are we talking green waste here? Green ball. And it'll be on a specific day. Right. Yeah.

So, so it's it's a you have that consistency of knowing that every other week um on whatever day that you have for your route, the the green waste bulk truck is going to be by Yeah, cuz council goes, you bring a good question. Here's my question. Do they have the equipment to accommodate this? Because we're talking about the city of Coco and you all have other surrounding areas to do as well. So, you know, that's I just want to make sure that they can. Is that what you're asking to as well, Council Garn? Yeah. Well, I'm not I'm not concerned with that because I think I think they'll be okay with that. Well, maybe you can you can talk about that one. We talking about citywide.

Yeah. Yeah, that's true. You know, all four districts. Uh good evening, uh Jordan Chandler, government affairs manager for WM. Uh also, first and foremost, let me say happy 35th birthday to uh the city manager.

Oh, we going to get him, man. We going to get him. Um he's w with that being said and and and once again just phenomenal job to uh Miss Morgan, Miss Singer, the city manager. Um I'm I just got in this role about four months ago. Dina Ryder Hicks got a promotion and um um I know that they've had these conversations as far back as a year ago, right? Talking about potential options to remedy uh these issues that are uh that have emanated from on call service. So to answer your point, um, Councilman Goens, um, there will be a dedicated truck or two going throughout the city, right? Uh, five days a week making sure that these piles, whether it be the week that you do uh uh clam yard waste or clam bulk furniture, we call it trash, right? And so there will be dedicated equipment specifically to Coco going throughout the city servicing these piles. So there is no question as it relates to um uh if we have the equipment or the capacity to be able to service it. Uh um what you see here tonight and that's been presented by staff uh means that we're going to fulfill those obligations and make sure that the equipment is here to be able to service those piles efficiently and effectively.

Gotcha. Uh next question I I I know is a major issue um dealing with landlords landlords evictions. Um, so apartment complex, u, I know we have some issues always on Stone Street. Um, evictions happen, throw everything out, that mean everything out and that means mixed material.

Um, it's true. Um, so how do we I I guess I I I I brought this up a couple months ago mandating landlords to provide um rolloff for evictions because what's happening is they're not separating the piles. So, how does that work with waste management when you come pick up bulk? Because I'm pretty sure that guy is coming out in a clam without a person. Am I correct?

Correct. Um so, so I would say this. Um it it's twofold. Um number one, those piles that are mixed, as I would say, contaminated um our drivers, right, should be tagging those piles. That's contractual. Um and um we are to work in tandem with code enforcement to make sure uh that if these piles are uh uh mixed, whatever the case may be, and the resident does not unmix it. Yeah. Uh so that we can actually service it, then code enforcement will then get involved. Um on the back end,

I can't uh stand up here and and say what uh what landlords should I as it relates to their their leases with tenants. Um we do have options and opportunities to provide rolloff service. Um and I think the rolloff itself is give you an estimate here roughly $300 that is delivery fee and then on the back end it ranges between $100 and $200 for uh actual actually hauling that material away.

Now here here's the issue with the rolloff. um if I have a roll out in front of my property, who is to say that someone else won't come and dump their material into my rolloff? Uh so then that ultimately becomes, you know, an issue on the back end. So it would be hard as a landlord. I know I would be upset to to, you know, be hard to really regulate that. So um you know, that's why I say I think ultimately this this routed service for both of them uh will solve a lot of these issues. uh but more especially on the back end. Um and I know we've had extensive conversations with the city manager about this and not to be repetitive but also we have to do what we need to do and are supposed to do contractually and tag these piles.

Yeah. Yeah. Only reason I I brought up the roll off because I I did see um um Coco Housing Authority the last few weeks. They they they've had some issues but I I will give them credit. This week I've seen multiple rolloffs on G I believe F Street as well that they use the rolloffs and to me it makes it look a lot cleaner than but but I get it having the alternate weeks by us getting the information out they know um that particular resident we may not put that material out until the following week which I don't believe is going to happen

but we going to cross our fingers that that happens that they follow that. But but here's the beauty of it. It sits out there for a week rather than it sitting out there for months. No point taking folks once again and and I see this and all of the municipalities more especially on the yardway side. Um um um just we Samantha's done a phenomenal job in terms of education and campaigning uh um to inform the residents about the on call option. Uh but it's just obviously not working and I and I do see that in other areas. So, it's not really on the yardway side germanine to the city of Coco. Um, it it is an issue in other municipalities as well. Now, once again, I I do see a

um a greater influx of the bulky furniture and those items in Coco than I do see in other municipalities. Yep. Well, good point. I I I appreciate it. But, um, I think number four for me is is is a go for sure because again, I think this that's I think that's a way even though it's $3.74 per month increase. Um, probably going to have some people grumbling, but I don't I don't think they'll grumble as much on this as a water situation or or um or any other increase, but I think this one would be good for the community in my opinion. just shows up on the water bill. Yeah, they going to be crying.

And you bring a good point there, Council McGome. You said you arrived through the housing authority. Um, when people call in, we need a local number. I don't want to call Texas by God Texas. I don't want to go out there. I want to talk to a human living body. I don't want an automated system. It rhymes with the word bell and soap. You'll figure it out.

Um, I want a human being. Please, sir. Please, ma'am. Please, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Luigi, and whomever else may be listening to that. Go ahead. Yeah. Yeah. One other thing. Uh, Council Go, you hit the thing about what about those empty lots? empty lots. How do we deal with uh city manager uh Miss Sanger, Miss Morgan, WM? How do we deal with those empty lots? Cuz because currently we we don't we don't pick up um yard waste in front of vacant properties.

No, but a lot of times it's being dumped there and so it's a code enforcement issue. So that it's just a better coordination with our code enforcement on those issues. So code enforcement would tag or zap them. Well, yeah. And it's it's going to have to be a code issue for us there. If there's property uh if there's garbage, if there's bulk on a vacant property, then then code enforcement is going to have to actually through the through uh active patrol actually site those properties.

Right. Okay. See, that's that's that's the concern we have. And and and one other thing, as he was saying, that phone call, you want to talk to somebody local. Everyone, all council members, including the one on the phone now, Deputy Mayor Weeks, you want to be able to talk to a human body. It's important that we we we we address that. Um Okay. Is that it for you, sir? Yes, sir. Okay. Is it deputy mayor weeks then councilwoman calls and then I'm going come back to councilman her. Okay. Thank you.

Okay. I'll start off right by saying option four is a go for me as well. But I have a question. I have a couple of questions. One uh we came to this issue number one because I've heard from so many that they could never get a hold of anybody at Waste Management. And when they did get a hold of them, nobody ever came to pick up the trash. And those are two issues as well that I want to make sure waste management is aware of. Um, can people still call and get pickup if Okay, I'm moving. I'm going to be putting a bunch of stuff out. Will they still be able to call for pickup or will the pile have to wait until they come by? Excuse me.

They're going to have to wait until the regular scheduled pickup. Okay. So there won't be any calling for special anything? No, I think we part of that agreement is to do it as a regularly scheduled service and not a um not a call-in anymore. Okay. Okay. And so it's a 13-day or 14-day wait. So it's a two week that's actually a 13-day wait wait. Okay.

Okay. Um I I was just curious about that because I know you know there's some people who you know know are going to put out and then they call. Um also I had a call and I know a number of people spoke to Mr. uh Dave on Coldchester Road who says he has called repeatedly for yard waste to get picked up off of his street and it's and he's still waiting. He said a lot of the I guess waste management doesn't even know their little road exists. So, I want to make sure that Colchester Road um is on somebody's radar to get the tra get the yard waste picked up. Duly noted.

Duly noted. I will look at the address here. Uh Dave on Colchester Road. Um I don't have an actual address here. 2915. Okay. Thank you. Oh. All right. Thank you. Anyway, I just want to make sure on that, but I'm I'm for four. I'm done. Thank you. City manager, what's the date? Is it September? If if if ratified and approved tonight, it will start when if this contract is approved? This is in October 1st. Okay. October 1st fiscal year.

Okay. Now, let me let me ask another question. what you were talking I'm sorry. Go ahead, deputy mayor. Oh, I'm done, sir.

Yes, ma'am. C, go ahead, sir. And just to say one thing, uh, relative to the effective date of October 1st, uh, we'll work with, uh, the, uh, city staff, Samantha, um, and and, uh, Miss Morgan to push out collateral material, you know, to all the residents just informing them this of this change that they no longer have to call these services in that it'll be regularly uh, uh, regularly scheduled pickup. And so we'll make sure we do our due diligence on the back end to make sure that uh residents are notified in a doing time due and timely manner of this uh service change. Okay. Okay. I got a Go ahead. Councilwoman calls.

Yeah. Is it a regular day? So the yard So like in my neighborhood it's Fridays. So will it always be Fridays? Um I would have to get with our our uh operations manager. he was here, but unfortunately he was unwell and so we didn't want him coming in and contaminate anybody. I think the issue with it being a regular day is it makes it easier to get the word out.

Yeah. Um we will actually break the city up into uh four quadrants. I don't have the actual route at this particular point in time because we don't obviously know which option um you all are going to go with or if you're going to go with both. But uh it will be on a regularly scheduled day. Uh Luigi, can you chime in a little bit relative to that?

Good evening. Luigi Pace with WM. Uh it'll be a regular schedule day. So once the maps come out, if it's going to be a Friday for Clamyard Waste, it'll be every every other Friday. So they'll know that they can put it out. And so on the collateral material that we will send out to the residents, it will literally have that map on the po postcard mail or whatever the case may be saying, okay, this particular section, this will be your day of service for uh clamard waste. This will be your service for clam bulk. And so once again, we just don't have that information uh readily available at this particular point in time.

And and we can add it. We also have that interactive map on the website too that anybody can add in their address and tells them what days their yard way or any all of their waist services are. So we'll add that as well. Okay. Um see oh Samantha the um Cocoa Beach do they do their own garbage collection? I was looking No, it's done through waste management. Okay. Okay. Um

I I mean I think as I explained today I you know one of our goals is to you know really change the perception of the city and and um a lot of that is in the way our corridors and our neighborhoods look. So I mean I think it's I think it's important that that um we pursue this. And the option number four, I wasn't convinced before, but after listening to the windshield inspection and then your observation that Cocoa has more of an issue with people leaving maybe more renters or Yeah. Yeah. I think

with mattresses and you know, I get calls all the time, how am I supposed to sell my house if you got a mattress on the corner? Um, so yeah, as much as that four bucks on the utility bill. Yeah. Does anybody have uh know what the total increase on the utility bill is going to be because we have the water and we're proposing 3% water and the percentages go up, the franchise percentages go up six%. Okay. No, we have not calculated what an average like bottom tier person's bill would be. Yeah. It's consumption based,

right? In part. Yeah. Right. Okay. Um but I mean I think we need to try option four. And can we name this after Wilson Williams? Please update him. Yeah, for real. Oh, yeah. We call them all. We hear from him. Oh, cuz I get Well, I get mine from the riverfront. Yeah, but go ahead, ma'am. I'm going to let you finish. Yeah. No, I think um I I think it it's it feels like I hate the increase because I have a feeling with the other things it'll be noticeable. But

I think it's important for our city to to do this. And in a full cander, uh, Councilwoman Cost, we hate it, too, because we don't we don't like to come back and ask for additional dollars because, uh, um, you know, as of right now, we know that there is uh, some tension. You all get the phone calls and I get the phone calls from you, right? And so I I do know to your point, you know, whatever we can do uh to pick these piles up to stop you all from getting the phone calls. Um you know, unfortunately we're at that particular point in place where this seems to be the option that will work uh because we couldn't get the on call to work. Okay.

Is that it? Yeah. Just to say I mean in two years we could come back and say, "Oh, that didn't work." Absolutely. Yeah. Right. Absolutely. Okay. Um can can I say something real quick? Dev, you want to go? Thank you, sir. Um did you all talk about Colchester? Is that is it 2915 cold? Yeah. Yeah, that's David. Is he in the group?

My Okay. Okay, I got you here, sir. I'm getting ready to talk about you, David. Go ahead. Thank you. Also on the riverfront, sir. Derby Street, River Drive, uh Highland West. Um, also in reference of trash pickup too as well, my thing is to have our city clean and pristine. Um, when we drive in um because that's the first thing they ask and I want to separate ourselves from the county. You know, I want you to know when you're in the city of Coco. Yeah. You know, next to cleanliness is holiness.

And and and my good friend over there knows what I'm talking about. So, um I think it's going to we want to keep Coco beautiful and that's what it's all about. Um and I'll give my summation after I hear from Councilman her. Okay. Uh took a couple notes. So, you answered about the start date. Um another issue or another item accountability. Um will these piles to get picked up? Is there any means that the drivers can keep count on how many uh books they pick up on, you know, throughout the year? That way, you know, we try to uh give this information to our citizens. They want to see that it's working, the increases in their their rates.

Um yeah, we we definitely do a uh tonnage report on these bulk items, whether that's vegetative andor these other, you know, ancillary items you call furniture. Uh but we do produce a tonnage report. Um I don't necessarily know if it's broken down obviously by house. I don't think we uh have it that refined but we do produce a tonnage report to determine how much each municipality and you know uh tonnage from uh either one of these services actually or these residents are producing. That sounds like it'll work. Just any kind of data that we can relate. Absolutely.

Um also I'm really big on visibility um on any action that we take here. So, um I'll speak to pro promotion uh promoting the program or the new uh process. Um we have the national night out is coming up. Normally it's the first Tuesday of October if I'm correct Samantha. Uh yes. Y

so um I would love it if Waste Management could, you know, maybe spare a uh a truck or somebody to come out and do some promotion. Uh that way the citizens citizens can see that we're, you know, actually taking this issue serious. Just help out with us. Um getting that information out. I would love it. Prefer preferably a clean truck, not one of those smelly ones. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Duly noted. And if I'll get that information from Samantha flyer, collateral material uh and we'll get with our team to make sure uh we're present because we we want to be a good community partner. Correct. Perfect. All right. All right. That's all I got. Just one tiny thing.

No, go ahead, ma'am. Give me next line. Well, October 21st is the town hall for District 4. We usually have pretty good attendance. So, if um make sure that we do that's one of our agenda items. October 21st. Yeah. Okay. Be at the Brevard County Adult Education Center. Okay. Base. Base. in your face. Is that it?

Okay, here we go. City Manager Samantha, I love all these Rs. I know it's Samantha, but from the south, we put a R on it. Or Miss Morganer, uh, help me understand when we talking about our contract. We have a contract. Um, help me when that accidents will happen. Um, I know like I get the phone calls, hey, how do I remedy this? so that it's not as frequent. You know, I know once upon a time we couldn't negotiate or assess a fine or levy a fine. Y'all help me understand that, Mr. City Manager. Yeah. That that that part of the the contract doesn't doesn't change.

And so they still have performance measures in the contract. That part won't won't change. Okay. Good deal. So, you know, like our feet because I get we all get those phone call. Hey man, you missed my route. I'm not going to pay because they didn't pick up, etc., etc. I'm just being honest. That's right. And and and and we have to look at the bigger and the good of the picture.

It's imperative. And and we definitely don't want to be assessed liquidated damages uh uh because if there's too many of them, then I might be coming filling out an application here uh to work. Yeah. And the only I mean we we may need to do some tweaking to the to the the language that talks about if it's called in and we have to come pick it up then we can assess you there. But but that's some tweaking. It'll still be performance-based. Correct. Performance based. Okay. That's okay. I'm down with it. I think one of the pivotal important things if we're going to go with option number four based on the assessment I think it's it's imperative that we educate the people.

Yeah. It's education is a pivotal player right here. Um and I think if if we can educate the people separation of trash that bulk waste is going to come by. that bulk green pickup is going to come by. You know, that's my thing. And educating the people when they know that this is my area, this is my designated day and I can't combine the piles. And it's going to be hard at first. People are going to try. If I got an open lot, I'mma put my trash on yours. You don't see me, you don't catch me. I'm free.

And it's unfortunate, but everybody's accountability. I think all of us here have said accountability, education, and we got to be consistent. Sir, go ahead. And just once again, mayor, uh we will be tagging those piles that are not in compliance, and we will work in tandem with code enforcement to address that or remedy that contaminated pile as expeditiously as possible. All right. So, uh then obviously if they they don't abide by that, then code enforcement will more than likely take further action.

Okay, sir. Um I'm just thinking about I'm not scared. We're in hurricane season and I know we're going to deal with FEMA, etc., etc. And I know we must work hand in hand with them, but that I just want a check and balance like you said. What measures can you use to continue to doing a better job? Right, y'all? Amen. Okay. And that's what we want. Simot, okay? education being consistent and uh addressing having talk to a human being because I know what it's like to talk to the automated system. You get full of urivity. You know what I'm saying? All right.

Yes, sir. All right. All right. Do we have any other questions before I hear from the public? You want to hear from the public first or you want to ask your question now? I only have but one call, Mr. Mr. Greenwood, Mr. Greenwood is the public. You got to come to the podium, please. Wood, come on to the podium because you know you have a card. Make sure you fill out a card check. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Prior. David Prior, I live on Colchester Road. That's good, sir. You Yeah, just

u It's been We get our trash recycles and yard waste picked up on Tuesdays. This is the fourth Tuesday that a truck has not come by. I don't know why. I called Western Waste or Waste Management. I called you your utilities department. I called the uh city manager's office and I called you today.

I'm still waiting on a call back from anybody except you. you you called me back today and I sent you the information, but there's there's been at least three cans and these are the approved cans sitting in the gutter that have been there for four consecutive Tuesdays. Okay,

it just the stuff is going to start blowing around. All right, there's three other uh bulk green on the street also. They've been there over a month now. I don't know if anybody's called or not. It's not mine, but my next door neighbor has it and two of them down the street. It's just it's just blowing trash all over the uh the uh neighborhood. Now, we're on Colchester is a side street dead end to culde-sac. On the east side is a county road. On the north side is a county road. Maybe that's the problem. I don't know. Uh but we're in the city. Our street Colchester is in the city if Wish is not which is on the east side. And what's the street to the barber? Barbara, what's the street to the north of us?

I'm sorry. What's the street to the north of us? North Road. Uh, no. Barkway. Parkway. It's off of North Road. Yes. Parkwayish County. Yeah. Now, Coventry is also to the east, but that's city. So, you've got these two county subi roads subdivision. So maybe the driver doesn't know. Uh occasionally they'll miss us with the um um education

recycles, but I can go a couple weeks there because the we don't have that much. It's just the two of us. But it's just ridiculous that no one can call me back when I made the effort to call. Who do you call? What do I do other than the mayor? Call me. We'll get it. You see this? I hate to bother I hate to bother you. Don't worry about it, sir. Get out. You have staff that's supposed to take care of this. We got We got it. Where are they? We got you, Mr. Prior. Rest assured, sir. Okay. We're going to be like the undertaker. The last one to let you down, the last one to throw dirt in your face. Okay. Thank you, sir. Yes, sir. Thank you. And your wife.

Go ahead, Deputy Mayor Weeks. And then Wood, come on up and then it's yours. Yes, I just wanted to say that I did call Dave back several days ago when he called and left me a voicemail and I forwarded it on to the city manager and then I called him back today. So, okay, I just want to clarify that I did call him back and told him I would bring it up tonight as well. Okay, I'mma steal a page out of Councilman Go's book. Point well taken. Am I lag uh definitely Wood, you have one minute.

Yes, sir. I'm going to be quick. I don't want to take any more time. Uh, Mr. Jordan really explained it well. The rest of the council, I think that your idea of going for number four there, all of you, I think is a great way to go. There's one thing I want to say about the vacant lots. Um, there are people, and I don't know if it's going to change after we do this because Waste Management has been good. We just, it's time to tweak it and that's all it is. these mistakes or issues can now be uh fixed and see what happens for the next phase. But vacant lots, there are some that used to have houses on them, right,

that are now vacant. I have a vacant lot and there was a issue about the debris yard waste uh to be removed. And I found out that because it's been a vacant lot and it's never had a residential unit on it, there is part of the taxes that are not being there to cover for that, right?

So, I can understand that, but they're going to have to pay attention to the ones that are vacant with no houses to make it even. Also, in order to keep the neighborhood looking good, even after the on the whole street of where my largest number of apartments are, I I even go out and clean up the gutter from one end of the street to the other, both sides, just because it makes the street good. When you have rentals, they it's got to look good. But right now, the main entrance, Orange Street, to city hall,

there is mattresses that have been there for it just does not look good. And that includes Lemon Street. And what people do is they consolidate on the vacant lots to make the street look good. Now, I've done that, too, and it's been for years where you put it in the front of the vacant lot and it gets picked up because it's consolidated. It basically helps waste management. They don't have to keep stopping. But I think that now with this change, that will be uh something that'll be uh a much better look for the city. Much better. Thank you. Thank you very much, sir. There's a famous song by Sam Cook, A Change Is Coming. Okay. On that note,

do you know that song? Okay. You're too young to know that song. Councilman Go, sir. Motion to approve option number four. I'll second it. I'm not scared. All in favor? We have a motion on the floor. Mr. Mayor, can I can I can I Sir? Yes, sir. Mr. City Manager, let me give you some some things that we need in that option there. And so option four would also include the $7,500 annual scholarship donation. And then Mrs. Bowman needs you to include some budgetary actions in that uh motion. Okay.

Yes, sir. The budget has been developed without this revenue and expense. So this will be our first budget amendment for fiscal year 26. So staff is requesting approval to do the necess necessary budgetary measures to true up the budget related to this action. What she said. Absolutely. And I'm in my motion to reflect that as well. Do you have that, Madam Clerk? Yes.

I made my um a motion to reflect that too as well before we even vote on it. Um city manager and staff kudos. Samantha kudos. Sister Morgan, Kudos Bard, um WM, Brother Chandler, Brother Luigi, we're here, sir. We need you. The citizens need you. Education be consistent and I trust in you. All right, chair's going to call the question. All in favor saying I. I. I. I have it unanimously. Job well done. Now go forward. Hit the road. Thank you.

Thank you.

So, yes, sir. Uh, moving on to item number 7-3, a no-brainer. Approve the grant accepting $30,000 from the National Fitness Council for an outdoor fitness court with a city grant match of $285,000. Approved. A resolution amending fiscal year budget 25 Bath #205-080- A for 315,000 approve a resolution waving a competitive bid as a sole source purchase and allow the city manager to issue the purchase order 2025-834. Okay. economic development, physical ability. Okay, Mrs. Singer, is that you, ma'am?

Yes, sir. Um, this is just again, you read it. Um, this is to accept a grant of $30,000 for the National Fitness from the F National Fitness Council for an outdoor fitness court. Um, as you may recall, um, or not because it was pretty late that night, but on July 22nd, I, uh, came forward with a request to apply for the grant, and we were notified shortly after that that we were awarded the grant. So, that'll, um, be part of a, a larger project on what is currently the soccer field um, in Provos Park that will also include the mini pitches and the fitness court. I do. Rob, do you have that PDF that you can put up? Um, if you can just scroll down for me, Rob. I'm sorry, I don't. It's a PDF. So, you can just see some of the pictures here that shows some of the equipment. Um, it'll have kind of freestanding exercise equipment and then the other half of the court, if you keep going down. Oh, can I do that on here? Oh, look at that. Um, and so, um, this kind of gives you some of the

examples, but it has, um, a fitness studio on one side, um, and then a fitness court with exercise equipment on the other side. And this will kind of give you an example something similar to this where again it'll be part of a bigger plan that will also include the mini pitches um and possibly some additional green space for smaller sided soccer games. Okay. And I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have.

Keep I was just asking about the location. It's on the It's on the soccer current soccer field. Um that is on the It's just north of the multi-purpose field. So is that a form of a motion, Councilman Go? Absolutely. Second staff recommendation, right, sir? Yes. Thank you. Sorry. All right. Anything else before we call the question? Can we go back a couple slides? I sure can.

Is that what you were looking at? That's what I thought you were talking about for your So, it's one big platform. Yeah. It's hard to see on some of these smaller ones, but you can It's It's a platform. It's two-sided with kind of a wall in between that will Are there more slides, more pages? That's one half of it. That would just be the fitness court side, but there's also where you can do the exercise. This is the only PDF that I have.

So, the part that you you see the legacy part. So, that would separate the two courts there. One would be the fitness equipment and then one would be the sort of fitness studio where you could have uh yoga classes um sort of group fitness classes out there. And then the intent uh really is on on the on the legacy part. You know, remember you all have had discussions about creating some sort of memorial um or wall or dedication placards. And so it would be to to actually as opposed to making that a mural or anything like that, it would be um stories of uh individuals that have been uh impactful in the uh in the Diamond Square in the the sort of Provos Park area. And then the intent the intent is to actually do some uh corporate and community fundraising um to balance out the uh the fiscal need. Um obviously we have to budget it. Um but again the intent is to to uh go and solicit from uh corporate sponsors just as we have with um with the soccer man pitch. Council Go, your light is still on.

And I think another um and Samantha probably already thought of all of this, but just the communication with so many uh fitness groups that we have inside the community. Um just communicate with them as well to kind of bring them in on it because we need them to cuz right now they're going to like Rock Ledge Hub. We want to get them away from Rock Ledge Hub like now and we want them to use utilize Provos Park because that's I believe that'll be a better facility for it anyway. So, yeah, I just wanted to make that point.

Okay, that's it. So, I can go ahead and call the question. Are we all on one accord for um deliberation and discussion? All right, chair's going to call the question. All in favor by saying I I I

eyes have it unanimously to our final item for tonight. Yes sir. Now um we have a vicarious unique scenario for the last item. We're talking about rehabbing a home and the concern is do we put all of our eggs in one home and negate the other three or four homes or do we try to be fair and equitable and and um properly ma'am ma'am ma'am it's okay allocate funding um as you can See, take a look at this home and everyone has pride. Um, you know, with children, you got to love all your children equally and equitably. You can't say, "Mama or daddy or auntie or uncle, you chose so and so over me. You don't love me." So, I will turn the floor over. And this is a tough one, ladies and gentlemen. But we have to do what's best for the big picture. help those most that are workable people. Um, in reference of rehabbing a home and using all the funds on one home, I'm just trying to lay it out for you. Versus the condition of this home and there are other people that's in line for funding.

Does everyone understand what I'm saying? Can I get a yes or no? Just nod your head so I know. See? Yes. All right. Thank you, Mrs. Nudman. The floor is yours.

Yeah. Before you before, let me and and so I I directed Charlene to bring this one to you all because again, this is really a policy matter. So, so the the home requires it basically, and I gave you the pictures because we didn't want to put the pictures on the screen and um you know, protect uh their privacy there. But, but the mayor hit it in a nutshell. It is using all of the program dollars to actually uh I guess air quotes rehab a home that really is more of a tear down. Um and so the tear down would be uh above what the uh what the value of the home is.

Um and so you would spend above what the value of the home is. And uh unfortunately the uh the the residents actually still have a mortgage on it. And so so what I've given you are the pictures that are really the the after some cleanup uh of the home. And so this is a tough one. Um, you know, do you spend that amount which would go to one resident which is a rehab of a home that really should be uh uh torn down from from the foundation or do you use those dollars to service probably four or five

uh residents? And so that really is the question uh in front of the council, you know, do we do we use basically all the program dollars for this rehabilitation project that is uh spending more than uh what the house is valued at? or do you um engage the community, other not forprofits to to hopefully assist and then thereby assisting more uh homeowners in terms of the traditional rehab projects which are Charlene, correct me if I'm wrong, in somewhere in in the neighborhood averaging between 40 and 50,000 somewhere in that.

We average right now about 75,000 per project. So, so, so again you can you can you can meet the needs of four or five as opposed to the one which really um again really requires much more than just uh the dollars that we're putting into it.

Um got anything else from staff on this? I I I'll just go over the options that we had uh laid out here. The first one is to like the city manager had noted was to utilize the available ship funding. Uh to complete the rehab on four to five homes and not the rehab at the home at Montlair Road or to utilize the SHIP funding plus some general funding uh affordable housing set aides to complete the project and a minimum of the four to five homes of on the rehab list or to just utilize SHIP funding to complete the rehab at man

10001 Montlair and perform no other rehabilitations until additional ship money is allocated in a future year. So with regards to number two, I've forgotten. Thanks Charlene. That that was actually on there. So we do we do actually have the dollars that remain from the sale of the uh five homes in Michael C. Blake. Now, those dollars aren't all aren't all the general funds general fund because part of the dollars belong to the um Diamond Square

Diamond Square and so and so, you know, we didn't break out how much we would have to borrow from or get from the general fund allocation. Um but again two is a combination of the SHIP funding and the and the general fund dollars that are available and and affordable housing um designated uh fund to uh to do this project. And the only other thing I would add is that the three bids that we received, uh, the highest bid was 202 and and that was looking at what they can see at the house. Um what we expect once they have peeled away drywall and ceiling and other factors that there are going to be some massive unforeseen um circumstances that are going to raise that price from 202 to potentially closer to $300,000 because what we don't know is what if there is any mold mildew or other type of damage within the walls. So, we we we just can't see that right now until the project starts. And so, we anticipate if we do this, there will be extensive change orders.

Okay. Um we will proceed in this order. Um Councilman Hearn, Councilman Goins, Councilwoman Cost, and Deputy Mayor Weeks.

So, yeah. Uh definitely it there's nothing more that I would love to do than to uh rehab this home and make the you know just make things a bit easier for this family. My grandmother's home was rehabbed and it made a big difference for her quality of life. Um but with that being said and and for disclosure, I'm not an engineer. Um but I'm very familiar with this uh house. I used to live a couple houses down from it and um I just have some structure some serious structure uh concerns about the property. is very very wet in the back. I believe there's a uh uh there's a runoff area in the back and uh just seeing how the house is built, I have concerns. Um and as as you stated, the rehab would cost more significantly more than what the house is worth currently. Um so it's a tough one because I want to help the family out. Um, but I I I really don't think this would be the best use for the funds at this time. Um, that's just my opinion.

Okay, sir. Councilman Go, sir. Thank Councilwoman calls. Then deputy mayor Weeks. Okay. Councilwoman calls. Ma'am, yeah. Do do we need a policy, some sort of policy that uh we have a housing policy. We have to follow the ship guidelines which are the state guidelines that are set set forth on what we do for rehabs and how we can perform those rehabs based on the the cost principles. So we do have guidelines that are set forth by the state in our in our ship manual.

But you do need you do need a council policy because again this is a policy decision and so and so the guidelines the state and federal guidelines would allow us to put to actually do the rehab. But but you you you and even if the policy is when the rehabilitation um cost exceed the value of the home, the the uh the the application will be uh brought to the council

to make a determination, then that's that's a good enough policy because again I'm I'm I'm I was uncomfortable making that decision as a as a city manager. And so and so yes, you do need a policy. We'll we'll bring that back to you. Okay. Um but again, this is this is the sort of project that uh that is uh before us today. Is there is so do we abandon this completely or is there you know a certain amount of funds that would that's what we're asking help them we're asking your directionable

the options one two or three. So option one is to abandon their project alto together and yeah to do the other rehabs. Option two would be to use ship and city dollars to do that. And option three would be to only do um the the house at Montlair and do no other rehabs until we get future allocations and ship. Okay. Okay. Thank you,

Deputy Mayor Week. Well, since I can't see the pictures of the house, I'm going to have to go based on what everybody else is saying. Um, is there no way? I mean, it seems like it's cheaper to tear it down and build something new. Is that is that not something that could be done? Even, you know, um even buying a manufactured home and putting it in the place would be less expensive than spending all this money on a house that's falling down or seems to be. Um is there no other option?

The the ship guidelines allow for a demolition and rebuild with a maximum allocation of $250,000. Uh, but that would exhaust the majority of the ship dollars that we have available. I gotcha. And would it cost that much to build it? I mean, it seems that Lenar is building homes in that area for, you know, very reasonable cost.

So, a a demo, we have to take those cost into a demo. And demos are typically in the 13 to $20,000 range depending on if there's asbestous, lead, paint, and other contaminants on the property, which we anticipate that is the case. And then to rebuild the house, we would have to use the remaining dollars that are available. So it it is may or may not be possible.

And just for the boards, um just as an FYI, we didn't put this on the agenda. We we did reach out to Habitat. Uh, I actually talked to uh, Bank of America because I thought they still had the mortgage on it, you know, to to see if they had some sort of a loan forgiveness uh, program. Um, and so so we we have actually reached out uh, I reached out to uh, um, to a community organization um, to get their assistance there. And so I don't I don't think we would abandon uh this as a sort of community project if the if the council decided to do something

other than um other than um than to uh do the the complete rehab. Yeah. Yeah. I I like the idea, but I I agree with uh Councilman Hearn that um doing more homes with the money and having it spread out more seems to make more sense than um spending it all on the one house. I just would love to see us be able to do something to help these folks. That's all I have. Let me ask I have a question. Yes, sir. Are the the Did we mention their names? I'm trying to if we didn't mention that their their names, I would not mention their names.

We didn't, sir. Okay. I have not mentioned their names. Okay. The individuals that reside there, ma'am, or sers, are they willing to relocate? Oh. Oh, that's true. It is. Right. Right. There you go, sister girl. Ma'am, um, in conversations with them, they have not expressed a willingness or desire to relocate. Right.

It's a husband and wife, correct? Yes, sir. The husband, was he former military personnel? No. Wife former military personnel? No. What are the wishes of council? We're going to make a decision.

I just had a question.

Go ahead, sir. So, the mayor just brought up um a option that was asked and um I don't know the family's living situation or finances, but as you state, someone stated, we do have the LAR homes going up. Um I'm sure the city manager is going to go back and try to find some more solutions, but if possible, something that we make could think about um if the city can take u ownership of the property. uh and maybe make a way so the family can go into one of the Lonard homes being built and demo that property and survey it for u one of the properties that we're going to be putting up on the list surplus list. So that's just something maybe we could think about. Let me ask this question again.

Miss Nman, yes. Are they willing to relocate? At this point, they have not indicated that, but we did not talk to them about the potential Michael C. Blake Holmes. Okay. I'll make a motion to I'll make a motion to go with the option one. Utilize the available second. You can finish your motion, man. Go ahead. Uh, utilize I'm sorry.

No worries. utilize the available SHIP funding to continue completing the rehabilitation on a minimum of four to five homes on the rehabilitation list. A second. Madame clerk, you have the motion. Yes, sir. And we have a motion by Councilman Herren and a second by Deputy Mayor Weeks. Chair's going to call the question. All in favor saying I. I. I. Any nays? Nay. Let the record reflect. I got a question. Can I ask a question? Yes, sir.

Help me understand something. Your motion indicates that the monies will go where? Let me make sure I understand option one. I just want to make sure. My motion? Yes, sir. The money will go on uh finishing four to five homes on the list and not complete the rehabilitation on the home of uh one 01 Montlair Road. Let the record reflect 41. Yes. Yes sir. Okay. We only have one dissenting vote. Who desent? I did.

Council and I know it's tough, man. Only reason why I I I know I know it seems like there's a older family that lives in the house. Um and I I feel like we probably should do something, but I understand about spreading out the finances. So, I get that. Um but just that was just a no vote. That's just my own conscience, I guess. So, that's tough. It's tough. You feel better than that? Yes. Okay, good. All right, moving on to Thank you all council. That's that's a tough one, ladies and gentlemen. Um, thank you staff.

Thank you city attorney and city manager. Uh, before we move on to reports, all I want to say happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, city manager. Happy birthday. Now, oh, that's Steve side now. Here we go. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear city manager and Charlene. And who else? City manager. Yes, sir. Let me let me drag them with me. Yeah. Bring it in, man. Misery loves company. So, the August birthdays for the directors are uh Mrs. Bowman. Hey, Mr. Beach.

Hey. Mr. Stinette. Hey. Wow. Mr. Walsh. Hey. Wow. And Mrs. Neutman. Hey. And counselor. Here we go. Was your birthday counsel? W and and counselor her. So, happy birthday. They're all Leos. All Leos. Hey, all of y'all are sweet 16 and you ain't been kissed yet. Sorry Samantha. You're left out over there. All right, Mr. City Manager. On the reports, yours, sir. Move over here.

We have one report from Chief Lamb. Short and sweet, sir. On your um DAS, I left a flyer for you. We're proud to announce we'll be doing the push-in ceremony of our new engine 33 at station 3 this Friday at 6 p.m. at the actual fire station. So, we'd love to have you come out if you can. Got to have goodies.

Samantha owes me dinner now. Do we get the red um tiles and everything to shine it up a little bit like we did last time? Yes, sir. Uh I I understand it's fire engine red, but I certainly would like to have some orange cuz when I see red, I'm thinking old red Raiders over there. But that's all right. I'm not going to even say nothing cuz as Council Hearn says, how about those Tigers, baby?

How do you get the merit out? I don't know. All roads lead through Coco. State champion. You going to get the ship. Championship. Super Bowl ship. State champ. Yeah, I hear your lips moving over there. Esquire Garganise. Okay. Uh can can I ask one of your employees a question? Mr. City Manager. City Manager. Sir, birthday man. Today is the city manager's birthday. Today. Yeah. Let's give him a round of applause. Yeah, man. You have mustache.

Okay. Uh, who goes first? Deputy, help me out. Odds. Odds. Odds. So, that's one and three. You want me to go first? Yes, ma'am. Please. Okay. I'll make it short and sweet. I didn't send in any pictures. I'm uh currently at the Florida Realtors Convention. However, I got a lovely email today from the Florida League of Cities that I have been appointed to the Finance and Taxation Policy Committee. That's my committee. Congratulations, ma'am. Let's give her a round of applause. I'm looking forward to serving.

Yes, ma'am. Hopefully, we will continue that Coco legacy. I chaired that committee to before you guys were even born then. So, I'm older than you. Nice try. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. But uh congratulations, ma'am. I think that's wonderful. Thank you. I appreciate that. I'm looking forward to it, like I said. And um uh you and I did a walk through Lost Lakes with the chief of police this week, and I'll bring pictures next time. Maybe you have some in your presentation. But the feedback from the Lost Lakes folks was wonderful. They so

were so appreciative of the of the chief of police and all the police officers. They just wish we had walked the entire Lost Lakes, not just one section of it. But it was pretty toasty out there. And so uh the one hour I think was plenty. Uh but again, thank you to to the uh chief of police, all the police officers. They were just marvelous. And thank you, Mr. Mayor, for coming out for that. And that's the end of my report. Thank you, Council Ma'am. I think I submitted some photos. Okay. Yes, I'm getting that nod from the honorable Mr. Beach. Council Gins, sir. Great job, Deputy Mayor Weeks. Um f first um there there was a young lady that did a tour here um from McNair Middle School a couple years ago. Um um for she passed away in a car accident uh 16 years old. She came here and did a tour um as a I think she was in eighth grade at that time. So now she she's 10th grade, 16 years old, died in a car crash on 520 in Coco. Um, now she she was a 10th grade at Coco High School. Um, so I want to give my condolences to the Davis family. Her name was Jada Davis. Um, it was her and another friend that got in in a car accident. Uh, fortunately the other her friend survived, but um, unfortunately Jada Davis did not um survive. So um again condolence to her family a beautiful young lady um definitely a lot of challenges um but she overcame a lot a whole lot of challenges in her life and um I thank God that I met her and um she the one that was talking so much while they was

here trying to get them to be quiet but she's uh she'll be missed um and so I wanted to say that. So um this was a photo that I forgot the last meeting. Um, this was the min and roll our 321 board members are all the all the guys are in the white shirts. Um, so we have school board members. I mean there are are um former athletes u accountants all different walks of life for different people. We missing about six or seven um of those guys but want to show that uh this is my rollers on the lefth hand side. Uh again, he's a neurosurgeon now. He has a residency at um what's that over there on Lake Nona, the children's hospital,

Nemor uh now. And so to the right is uh Hurley Brown, which is the head coach of Holy Trinity High School football. Um another photo um in the middle is John Thomas. He's one of our school board members. Um he's on the board as well. to the right is Cornell Spain. Uh he's also a former Florida State defensive tackle. That's right.

Um but he's from Melbourne, Florida. Um and so again, you know, a lot of great men that are um a part of the 321 organization. Um this was the first day of school. Uh again, I didn't have this photo, but I I really want to show this this photo of it's probably about around this circle uh maybe close to about 50 men or so uh around this circle. And so I wanted to show you know how we all uh come together when for our children. Um this is um uh Mr. Jim Williams. Um

his father is a was a definitely a Coco Tiger all the way through and through. So he helped me out. Uh we cleaned up this homeless camp over off of US1. Um and he's homeless himself. And so he came over um and and and helped clean it up and we just had a had a couple people volunteering and and so I want to give him a a shout out for that as well. Um League of Cities uh meeting um it it was the last time our mayor was the president. Um powerful photo with another uh city of Rock Lledge Councilman and Pastor Sean Ferguson. I wanted to capture that forehead and all, you know.

Um that's Claudia.

So this Claudia Thomas, um she was actually was living in Bvard at one time, but now she's in the city of Sanford. Again, you know, Fil Liga City is a great opportunity to run across a lot of different people and again good conversation with people and and we realize we're not the only one that have difficulties and challenges. And so, um, there was some shoes that my daughter and some other people donated, um, to Immaela Charter Academy. Um, they donated, um, which I don't know how she donates things that she doesn't buy. Um, but, um, and these like brand new Jordans. Uh, so she kind of hurt my feelings a little bit. Uh, but she she donated uh, shoes. uh a bunch of people donated some shoes and clothes, man, because you'll never know uh who needs uh clothing because a lot of times the children, they will not say anything and parents sometime are too prideful to ask. And so there's a room set up at Emma Child Academy where they just go and get whatever they need. And so it is a beautiful thing today to see like three or four students walking around in these shoes and u it makes you feel good. So uh that was my daughter last day here in Bavar. Now she's back at University of Memphis um with her sophomore year on the track program and that is it.

Great job. Tell me how you want to do it. De Okay, Councilwoman calls.

Oh, um I also got a letter, so I'm going to continue serving on the utilities and infrastructure committee. Congratulations. All right. So, I have gotten um coyotes. I got a call and then I was at my dentist's office and heard more comments about coyotes in their neighborhoods. So, um it

the actually the calls I got would have been uh one was from district three, but I think what's happening is that as we clear areas, the wildlife is being displaced and there's probably some education in order here to so that uh folks can figure out how to we can't get rid of them is basically what it boils down to. Um and they're gonna move on. Um they when I went on the Florida Wildlife page, they talk about hazing. So they talk about doing alarms to get them to run away or turning on your sprinkler. Um, and definitely not feeding, being conscious about, you know, not having cat food left out or whatever that might attract them. Um, so anyway, and that's true even in the the district 4 neighborhood um over there behind Publix. So, um earlier I was talking I was asking about population because I was invited to the um the Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce. They had a um a symposium on Friday and all about you know space Florida was there and all the all the space players and um I don't think this growth is going to slow down.

It's not anytime soon. Um, and I've got a feeling whatever the projections were for 50 years from now, we're more likely to be on the top end than in the middle. Uh, and just to say that uh, the League of Cities, the conference was, I think, the best of the six years that I've gone. The quality of speakers and programs, I think it was the best one we've had. That's it.

Thank you, ma'am. Councilman got my photos in too late. I don't have any for you, sir. I might be sending it to the wrong email address. just hand the remote after you finish. Okay. Um, please. Thank you.

I have some photos, but I I'll present them at the next meeting. Um, I wanted to talk about so it's I seen you all probably know about the whole incident that took place over in Orlando where the uh the removals of the crosswalks are taking place. And uh it made me think about some of the crosswalks we have here in in the city of Cocoa. And I was just wondering um how are we going to uh mitigate that if that affected us or not. Um kind of hurts me if we do have to remove them. Yeah, we got I got a call from um the director of FDOT on Friday. And so the one that that uh was subject to the new regulations um in the city of Coco was the Endeavor crosswalk that has been restored back to FOT specs. And so that was the only one that they identified in the city of Coco. kinds of pains me. It kind of pains me, but I understand uh we have to follow u those regulations. Um, another thing I wanted to talk about uh spent some time at Anderson Park uh this weekend and I know we had previously the conversation about the basketball court. Um so I don't know if I need to bring that back up through a motion to uh address the painting. Yeah, that that's that's just that's just scheduling it out. I mean, that's that's event planning and and so whenever you guys are ready,

I'm ready. Um we just need to gather up the kids and we'll find the paint. So,

okay. Um I would love to get that done as soon as possible. I know it's scheduling. We can make it happen ASAP. Um especially after spending some time over at Provo Park. uh yesterday actually. I love the court. It makes a difference. Um the kids are out there playing. They love it as well. Um also have a huge influx at Anderson Park, too. So, I would love them to be able to enjoy um a nice basketball court. Um and also, uh I don't know what what it would be like financially, but I would love to address the fence at Anderson Park, too. Um, I I see Parks and Rex or whoever it is, they keep going out there and fixing it, but uh the little crossarss, they keep falling down and it just looks kind of uh crappy. So, we can probably address that as well. Um, I had some other things, but it's it was on the photo. So, like I said, I'll bring it back up next meeting.

Good sir. Yes, sir.

Okay. Hey ladies and gentlemen, my fellow earthlings, it is a pleasure to be in your presence today. Let me know when you're ready, Mr. Beach, and I'll be on my way. Say hey to you August babies. As you can see, this is the night of the ceremonial part where uh they had the magic show and everyone was there. And I did want to say thank you to our council members for attending and celebrating our um outgoing passing the baton over to um Mrs. President Holly D. Smith. I call her the good hands people because we're turning it over to her and she'll do a remarkable and phenomenal job. uh myself, uh Deputy Mayor Weekes, and as you can see, Councilman Marcus, um Smith, Colonel, uh we were at the magic show, and he was a participant there. He asked to sit at our table. Um this is my family members and friends there at the dinner table and Space Coast League of Cities is directly behind us. Um this is our group u acknowledging the people the new and incoming individuals and the mayor from down south and Richard Radcliffe 40 years of service with the Florida League of Cities as the senior executive director administrative director. Um this is my handsome family with Casey Cook who's in charge of governmental affairs. Um, this is our president, as you can see, Holly Smith, Jenna Talia, our attorney, Eric Hartwell, and also Casey Cook, and our dynamic leader, yours truly, Miss Jeanie Gardner. This is old

Casey Cook in my final days. Uh, he's old panhandle guy, Mr. Baseball Man. Uh, this is our family here at opening day, right? Councilman Goins was talking about on that Monday. That's my son. That's Principal Cole. That's my baby mama. And that's yours truly. This is Mr. uh Leak. Y'all remember him? I hear you over there, Council McG. I'mma get you. He was a dynamic speaker there. Uh we had a great time.

Uh this is I remember Tony the Tiger. mascot. Uh when he came into city hall, we took some pictures together. Again, Mr. Leak, uh dynamic speaker. You all know he phenomenal job. Uh this was the the last portion of my tenure as president. And here's um Torn the Tiger again. Uh this is the mayor from Albundale, uh Dr. Dora Taylor Bogart. She's the mayor of Auburndale, Florida, part of the Florida League of Mayors. And I and I know that uh Deputy Mayor Weekes would like to be a part of that. This is the E. Harris Drew recipient right there. Um, yours truly, Isaac Salver from Harbor Bay Island. And Chris Cloudman, the mayor of yours truly, Deltona, Florida. This is old Isaac when he won his award. Great day for the great city of Coco. Um, this is like Councilman G was saying, Pastor Apostolic or Apostle Sean Ferguson. I want to get it right because they'll let us know. Mr. Mechum was there. He did a phenomenal speech as well. We gave him some stogies, some cigars. He's an avid cigar smoker. And when we took that trip to Tampa, the last surviving cigar factory, um, we were able to have his cigar given to him personally. We had an event at the early learning coalition. Right there you will see James Box, Mrs. Tiffany Taylor Jones, and Demarcus

um Mercherman. He's the secretary or what do you call it? Um for representative Tammont from the Valuchia County area. Um this is our event we just had for Early Learning Coalition of Boulevard. This is the group yours truly. He moderated this event. Um chairman yours truly. What's his name? Y'all come on. I know you know his name. Y'all don't know his name. Rob Felner. There you go. Ding ding ding ding ding ding.

And this is where we're at. The chief's walk at Lost Lake. Excellent turnout. Um Terry and Jerry and we myself and Deputy Mayor Weeks. We pound the pavement there at the house. Former teacher here at Cocoa High School and her husband. This is young lady is 92 years young. We had a great time. Uh wellreceived in the community as you can see and they did a phenomenal job and they would like for us to come back even have the uh fire department make pancakes again. Fire department and the police department

make pancakes because that used to be one of our stomping grounds. Um Pyano, did I ask you for your reports? I may have accidentally Okay. I just want to make sure. Pisano. Okay. All right. Before we depart again to all you uh birthday babies. Yes, sir. Councilman Gins, I'm going to give you the last word. Go ahead. Number one, I'm just inform I'm going just inform you that baby mama is going in the minutes. Oh boy. Oh my god. Oh, thank you, Councilman. Yes, sir. forward to the jour.

Yes. Thank you, Deputy Mayor Weeks. Buy local, spend local, keep it local. Thank you all 400 employees of the great city of Coco and the citizens of Coco. We thank you. Go in peace. Keep it moving. All in favor saying I. I. I have it unanimously.