City Commission - Regular Meeting

Shores city commission meeting of March 3rd, 2026. Sherry, can you take a roll call, please? Here Mr. Dinsky here. Thank you. Reverend Bob all the way in the back. So this is Reverend Bro from our driving invitation. Thank you,

mayor, commissioners. Thanks for having me again. And I'll invite those who are able to stand for this invocation. Gracious and eternal God, we gather tonight as stewards of this beautiful community, mindful of your presence and your enduring grace. Even here in Florida as the season of spring emerges, a time of new growth, renewal, and fresh beginnings emerges as well. And so we pause to give thanks for the gifts of life and the blessing of community. May the promise of new life we see all around us inspire us in our work and in our care for one another. As many visitors arrive for bike week festivities, we ask for your protection over all who travel our roads and fill our streets. Grant safety and compassion to residents and guests alike. Bless the efforts of our public safety officers and grant them your wisdom, strength, and courage they need to do their work effectively. We thank you for their tireless efforts to keep our community secure and peaceful. Guide them with v vigilance and bring them home safely to their families and loved ones at the end of each shift. We also lift up with deep concern those who serve our nation abroad. In a time of uncertainty and rising tensions in the Middle East, where conflicts and hostilities persist, we pray especially for the safety and well-being of our service members and diplomats stationed far from home. Grant them courage in the face of danger, peace in moments of fear, and

protection under your watchful care as events unfold in Iran and throughout the region. We pray for your abundant presence with those who have lost loved ones in the line of duty, comfort for families waiting and worrying, and for wisdom for leaders seeking paths toward peace. Bless the decisions now made here tonight. May our deliberations be guided by fairness, compassion, and a shared commitment to the flourishing of this city. Just as spring renews the earth, may our work together renew our community's spirit of home, neighborly concern, and hospitality. Amen. Amen. Please join me in the pledge of

allegiance algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you.

Speaking of the pledge of allegiance, I have to tell you a story. Maddie and I, yes, yesterday were R.J. Long Street School reading to the third, fourth, and fifth graders. And and I asked each one of them, you know how the um art class comes in for the kids art and we always identify one student to do the pledge of allegiance and there was one young fellow there. He said, "Mayor, I've done your pledge of allegiance." And others are asking, "How do I get to do that?" And it was just so wonderful. These are our future leaders of our city, our state, maybe even our country. And it was just so enthusiastic to see how excited they got about that. So we love when we have someone come and do the pledge of allegiance. So tonight we have um ceremonial presentations and public notices. Just want to check on your agenda. So Sergeant Enrique Rosiano will not be able to be here tonight. He is ill. Also item C, our annual audit report from James Moing Company will be postponed until the April meeting. But I'm so glad to have our finance department here led by our director Lorie Irwin. So I am going to read a proclamation. If you can all come up, we want to congratulate you on the wonderful job you do. Whereas the Florida Government Finance Officers Association, FGFOA, is a professional association founded in 1937 that serves more than 3,300 professionals from state, county, and city government, school districts, colleges, universities, special districts, and private firms. And whereas the FGFOA is a professional resource that provides opportunities through education, networking, leadership, and information. And whereas government finance professionals week is meant to recognize government finance professionals who provide a vital

service to our state, county, and community. Whereas the city of Daytona Beach Shores finance professional work hard every day to ensure that our financial possibility policies are followed and the processes in place are efficient. Whereas the city of Daytona Beach Shores finance professionals have a wide range of job responsibilities, including but not limited to processing invoices for payment, preparing f financial statements, insurance compliance with legal regulations, and reviewing financial reports and also our paychecks.

That's not here. Whereas the city's financial professionals serving in the finance department reflect great credit upon the city and contribute greatly to ensuring the financial health of this organization. Now therefore, be it resolved that this third day of March 2026, I extend my sincere appreciation and for our whole council to our finance professionals for their hard work and dedication. and we proclaim the week of March 16th to the 20th as government financial professionals week in the city of Daytona Beach Shores. Thank you so much. Um for those of you that don't know, um our finance department is stellar. They just do a wonderful, wonderful job. As you can see, they run very, very lean, but they accomplish so much. And on top of that, I think our city manager has one other award that he'd like to give her notification.

Yeah. Separate and above from that, uh, I hope everyone can join me in congre congratulating Director Irwin and her staff for winning the impressive certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting from the government finance officers association. Uh this award recognizes local governments that go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare annual comprehensive financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure. So I'd like to congratulate them on that award for their act.

Thank you so much. Would you like to take this award? And I think Maddie has some pictures you want to Maddie. Do you want them right in front of us? would love right in front right there.

And also we are a debt-free city.

All right, everybody. Thank you so much. Great job. Thank you. Okay. And as you're going over your agendas, the one other item, if you look to item F under new business, the requesttor has um pulled out his request for this evening. So, we will not be going over item F under new business. Thank you. Okay. Next, we're going to go approval of the minutes. So, this would be our city commission minutes from February 3rd, 2026. Do I a motion to accept those minutes as is? Also move. Thank you.

Second. Any discussion on those minutes? If not, Sher, can you take a vote, please? And we approve the minutes. 50. Thank you. Next, we're going to go on to a consent agenda. We do have four items on the consent agenda this evening. Do I hear a motion to accept the consent agenda as is or is there an item we have to pull for discussion? I'll move as is. Thank you. Second. I'll second.

Any discussion whatsoever? If not, Sherry, take a role on that, please. And that passed 50. We do not have any old business this evening, so we are going to go on to new business. This is ordinance 2026-01, a land development code amendment. Attorney Simons, can you read that for us, please? Yes, there is code amendment to create a definition for wine beastro and have wine beastro as a permitted principal use in the GC2 retail service commercial development district and the GCRD general commercial redevelopment district ordinance 2026-01.

Thank you attorney Miss Hurst. Thank you, Madam Mayor, Vice Mayor, City Commissioners, Glstein, City Planner. After a request from current business owner Don Rogers from Blue Wine Company of 101 Belmont Boulevard, ordinance 20261 assists with her request and really helps anyone who wants to conduct outdoor dining or any conditional use permit in the city of Dayton Beach Shores. The we added a wine beastro through this ordinance. A definition for a wine beastro. A restaurant offering a selection for consumption on premises of wine together with curated food pairings. Education regarding the pairings and about the wine by formally trained staff and also the allows the retail sale of that wine. So for consumption but also for bottle sale. We ask that these um that this use be added to both the GCR zoning district and the GC2 zoning districts. And I've got a slide for each. GCRD basically runs from just north of City Hall to uh Van Avenue. I'm sorry. GCRD runs that's the maroon colored properties and it runs from on the west coast the west side of A1A from Fraser Road to Florida Shores Boulevard. So basically in the northwest quadrant of our city along A1A and then GC2 runs from just north of City Hall to Van Avenue and again picks up on the north side of Dunlton Boulevard down to Phyllis Avenue for this review. Uh the consistency review, the land development code, the cons comprehensive plan, and the 2019

strategic plan were all adhered to and requirements were met for each. Staff has reviewed this ordinance and recommends approval. That's the community services department, public safety department, and our legal team. Staff is recommending approval of ordinance 20261 as presented. The planning and zoning board did recommend their approval of this ordinance at the February 9th meeting. I have a couple questions. The planning and zoning, did it pass unanimously? I believe it did.

Okay. Thank you. And then one other thing, and I'm sorry I'm confused, but I know you'll set me straight. So, when we talk about the um end north of the city, so some let me give you an example like Lunas, they already have outside dining. I know they se serve beer and wine. Are they not already included in this and they will be? Can you explain to me how correct how how they were able to do that?

So a wine beastro is more specific in that its primary focus is not simply food. In fact, 101 Dunlotton Boulevard's primary focus and the the manner in which they opened was to offer specialty wines, organic and other types of bio uh specific and biodiverse uh wines that um she had so many people coming into her place. And if you haven't been, it's it's worth going. um that said, "If only you were able to serve here too, we could do um more extensive rather than just a little tasting, more extensive, maybe a flight of wine, pair it with food, etc." And she had so many requests that it caused her to reach out to the city and say, "What does the city think about this?" And the city supported it and wanted to support her in that endeavor. So, it's different because its main focus is not simply being a restaurant, but this would be an accentuation of what he's already doing, which is selling specialty ones.

Okay. And then across the street, would this affect that little strip plaza where Genevieces is? Is that included in that? It absolutely is. Yes. And I can show you again. Um, that is they're both in our GC2 district. the lower of the two boxes. Um toward the top of the box, you see the the dark red, that's Dunlen Boulevard there. And so both sides of Dunlton Boulevard would be um allowed to add a wine beef use. Thank you.

Any other questions for Quinn? Um there's no other question. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak about ordinance 2026-01? I know no one signed up, but as always, I'm want to hear what you have to say. Okay, seeing none, do I hear a motion to accept ordinance 2026-01? I so move. Thank you. Second. Second. Any other discussion?

Not. Sherry, can you take a vote on that, please? And that passed 50. Okay. Next, we're going to go on to ordinance 2026-02. And um if you could read that for attorney Simons, but Gwen, I have to say, is this the same as when we're doing an annexation? There's things that build on top of each other that we need to do. Is that what

I don't plan to repeat a single word, but these both of these ordinances were required to fully meet um to fully meet Miss Rogers request. And we found that both of these sets of changes went above and beyond and were desirable to um to other people seeking outdoor dining um and and anyone seeking a conditional use permit in general.

Thank you, Attorney Sims. Ordinance 2026-02 land development code amendment to streamline and clarify the application and approval requirements for conditional uses generally and to streamline the application approval and renewal process for certain outdoor and unconditional uses. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I apologize vice mayor and commissioners. Excuse me. We're going to have the city attorney read the entire title. She kind of gave a synopsis. Okay. Thank you. Pardon. Thank you.

The agenda rather from the ordinance itself if I may. This is an ordinance of the city of Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, relating to outdoor dining conditional uses, amending the municipal code of ordinances, appendix G, amended open code by amending section 14-58 entitled special exceptions and conditional uses to streamline and clarify the application and approval process requirements for conditional uses generally and by amending section 14-58.2.1.8 A entitled outdoor dining to streamline the application approval and renewal process for certain outdoor dining conditional uses, providing for legislative findings and intent, providing for enforcement of policies, providing for a savings provision, providing for codification, providing for conflicting ordinances, providing for separability, and providing for an effective date.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Mayor, vice mayor and city commissioners. Glen Hurst and city plan. Basically, ordinance number 202602 will implement, if approved, uh it'll allow wine beastro to qualify for outdoor dining. It will provide a um it's going to streamline the application process for all conditional uses, not just outdoor dining. There are five conditional uses. It'll simplify the renewal process and remove the fee from that renewal. and it'll slightly ease the thresholds um triggering non-administrative approval. So, it'll slightly ease the requirement to come before the city commission for approval and um which also triggers things like public notice requirements which can get costly. And it will also um slightly ease the parking requirements having to be fully considered when adding an outdoor dining a smaller outdoor dining space. Again, consistency review, the land development code, the comprehensive plan, and the 2019 strategic plan have all been satisfied. All criteria have been met. Again, staff has reviewed this ordinance and its changes and um and all departments who have reviewed it have shown approve of the changes. Staff is recommending approval of ordinance 20262 as presented and the planning and zoning board also recommends their approval do so at their February 9th meeting.

Thank you. And again, I have one other question so I can understand it a little better. So, a couple of years ago, I think we granted to Milliey's the um ability to have that little outside deck there. Are you saying that every year they had to come back for approval and now they won't have to? Can you explain it to me using that as an example?

Certainly. We have uh we have two outdoor dining spaces in the city. Milliey's being one of them that was authorized by development agreement. Um, the other is casual bird and they do not have to go through they still have to meet the requirements that were set in set agreements but they don't have to go through an annual approval. Everyone else who gets a certificate or a conditional use for outdoor dining has to renew every year and the process has been streamlined through this basically um simplified. They do so now through a um through satisfying and submitting a checklist which staff will also review. It's much simpler than them having to um come up with how they're meeting all the requirements on their own. And again, we're remov removing the feet. The initial setup for any outdoor dining conditional use is the hardest part. Once you're once you're doing that, um any changes are typically minimal, but if they do make changes, they have to go back through the process if they're significant. And um I don't I don't see anyone have any questions right now, but um do we have any questions from anyone on our council commission? Okay, seeing none. Again, our audience, I do not have anyone that signed up to speak on this, but is there anyone that has anything that they want to say? Any questions that they'd like to say on this ordinance 2026-2? If not, can I have a motion for ordinance 2026-2?

I'll still move. I'll second. Shar, can you take a vote, please? Thank you, Gwen. Thank you. And this passed 50. Thank you. Next, we are going to go on to item C. This is ordinance 2026-3. Um, Attorney Simons, can you read that for us, please?

Yes, Mayor. Ordinance 20263, an ordinance of the city of Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, relating to general penalties for certain illegal activity, providing for an amendment to section 1-8 of the city of Daytona Beach Shores code ordinances with regard to the provision of penalties for violations of city code, providing for conflicts, providing for codification, providing for separability, and providing effective date. And I am actually going to be the one who is explaining this ordinance if I may. Um, so what this ordinance does is it reflects section 162.22 of Florida statute, which provides a mechanism for local municipalities to offer penalties for violation of local code through um imprisonment in a municipal detention center for up to 60 days. That penalty did not currently exist under the existing code. Um, it was currently just restricted to a fine and so that left a gap in enforcement for violation of city code. This ordinance amends section 1-8 to include the imprisonment for up to 60 days when appropriate for relevant violations of city code. So that that enforcement mechanism can exist.

Thank you. Did we have a gap previously until this? Previously there was no language that um reflected the 60-day municipal imprisonment mechanism. That's correct. Okay. is um does anyone in the audience have any comment on ordinance 2026-03? Don't see any speakers. So I hear a motion to accept ordinance 2026-3. So move second. Thank you. Any discussion? Oh, first it was uh vice mayor. Vice mayor actually vice mayor and then you were second. Yes.

Thank you. Two male voices down here. Sometimes it's hard to distinguish. Shar, can you take a vote, please? Thank you. This passed 50. So, next we're going to go on to a resolution. It's 2026-01. I don't know how familiar you are. This is one of the county programs that we have. It's called Valuchia Forever. So, our PIO, Maddie, will be explaining it to us and then we do have one guest speaker on it as well. Madame Mayor, we'll let the city attorney read this.

Oh, I'm sorry. If you read the resolution. Resolution number 2026-01, a resolution of the city of Daytona Beach Shores, Valuchia County, Florida, in support of the continued operation of the Valuchia forever program for the purpose of preserving conservation lands, providing for transmitt, and providing for an effective aid.

Thank you. Good evening. Madam Mallister, community information coordinator. So I'm going to keep this really brief. This is my only slide for you all. I just wanted to talk about some specific metrics when it comes to the Valuchia Forever program. And I think it's very important and it's very relevant. Um so this is a voter approved initiative from the Valuchia County Council. Um voters approved to put zero I'm sorry 210 of a mill um of tax money into a a this program since 2000. This was voted on in 2000 and again in 2020. In 2020 when this hit the ballots, the voters voted yes at a 75.6% yes approval. Um the conservation records are of 60,000 acres worth of land throughout Valuchia County that have been put into conservation from 1986. And that's a combination of Valuchia Forever and the Endangered Lands program. So they both have a similar goal. Um they both protect the water recharge area, preserve wildlife habitat and they are long-term sustainable and they help cities with long-term sustainability. Um they protect the environmental sensitive lands and ensure sufficient water supply for current and future residents. So that's a little bit about the program. The resolution that's in front of you this evening currently is in support of continued operation for the Valuchia Forever program. That will conclude my presentation. I am available if you have any questions though. Thank you. Let's see what happen when we hear from our um our speaker this evening will be Suzanne Shriber. If you'd like to come up.

Good evening uh mayor and I'm Suzanne Shriber. My organization is Dream Green Valuchia. We advocate um in the state of Florida for funding at the state level in Tallahassee for Florida Forever and also matching funds for Valuchia Forever because it's a matching funds program for cities and for partners. So, I'm sorry to the mayor. She's going to sit through. Part of this was delivered today at the council, but regardless, um there's been discussion at the Valuchia County Council meetings about Valuchia Forever, specifically concerning perpetuity and why we have partners. In the year 2020, an impressive 75.6% of voters expressed strong support for the land conservation program, a percentage that exceeds the approval ratings of any current county council elected official. and likely any of those in the past or future. In 2000, the initiative received 61.6% which was still very high. With percentages this high, a reasonable assumption would be that many of you in the chamber tonight voted to tax yourselves in support of land conservation. The term Valuchia forever meant forever. It is worth noting that this is a willing sellers program providing land owners with options. There is a 25-year precedent of Valuchia County never selling land acquired through the program, coupled with a proven track record of establishing strong partnerships, always with participation of county attorneys in these discussions. The benefits of land conservation are many. Water quality improvement, flooding prevention, biodiversity, recreational opportunities, cultural preservation, agriculture, and more. Valuchia County has been a leader for 25 years in land conservation in the state of Florida. The discussions could jeopardize our

future partnerships partnerships and achievements. So, we're calling on all elected officials to provide their unwavering support for perpetuity and partnerships with the 25-y year Felucia Forever tradition. Thank you all. Thank you. Matt, if you'd step back up again. I have a question. Commissioner Densky has a question. Maddie, I the young lady that was speaking, is she saying that the Valuchia Commission or the Valuchia Council is thinking about selling some of their Forever Lands? It has been a topic of discussion and there's been no decisions made as of yet. Thank you.

Um either Suzanne or Maddie can answer this. Um do we vote on this every five years, 10 years? I heard that it comes back up for a vote every so often. At the county level, it goes to voters every 20 years. 20. Okay. And the last year was what? 2020. 2020. Okay.

And I think the reason that it's coming up right now from just coming to the county meetings, it's um people may be having a little bit different idea of what forever is, you know, perpetuity. And so if you listen for any of the county meetings, if you want to stick around for seven hours and listen to the meeting, they'll explain it a little bit more. But thank you both for your very um detailed explanation of what it was. So um if anyone else in the audience wishes to speak on Valuchia Forever, if not, do I hear a motion to accept the resolution in support of Valuchia Forever? It's resolution 2026-01. I'll make that motion. Thank you. Second. I'll second.

If there's no other discussion, Sherry, can you take a vote, please?

That's ridiculous. Thank you so much. We passed 50. Suzanne, thank you for being here today. Thank you. Suzanne has a I've heard Suzanne speak several times on this. She has a real passion for it. Thank you for visiting with us today. Next, we are going to go on to resolution 2026-2. Attorney Simons, could you read that for us, please?

It's resolution number 2027-02, a resolution of the city of Daytona Beach Shores, Valuchia County, Florida, adopting the 2025 Valuchia County multi-jurisdictional program for public information plan, providing for implementing administrative actions, providing for a savings provision, conflicts, severability, and an effective date. Thank you, Director Cruz.

Thank you, Madam Mayor, Vice Mayor, Commissioners, Seu Cruz, Community Service Director for the Record. So, this resolution 2026-02, if adopted, will adopt the 2025 VCA multi-jurisdictional program for public information plan. This is essentially a fancy way of saying it's a countywide effort in which the local governments and the county within county have joined together to create a common outreach program in an effort to help not only reduce to the lowest possible number the premiums for which property owners in the community shores and throughout county have to pay for flood insurance within special flood hazard areas but to also reduce the impact of floods in special flood hazard areas. So we have been doing this um every year for the last five years. It's an it's a every five-year renewal that we have to do. If we adopt this, our citizens will be able to receive up to a 25% uh discount on their flood insurance premiums. If they purchase flood insurance for properties within the special flood hazard areas if they're not within the special flood hazard area, they receive up to a 10% discount. I'm happy to answer any questions. Staff is recommending approval. Okay.

Is there anyone in the audience that would like to speak on resolution 2026-2? Okay, seeing none, there are a motion to accept resolution 2026-02. I You go, Chris. I'll also move. And I'll second.

Thank you. Any discussion? Sherry, can you take a role, please? and that passed 5-0. Thank you.

All righty. I have already said that um item F has been pulled. Next, we'll go on to item G. This is a petition submitted by one of our residents, uh Mr. Groot. I don't see Mr. Groot here today, but is there anyone else reading on the agenda would like to talk about the petitions that he submitted? Not do I hear a motion to accept these petitions? Okay, hearing no m motion, we will go on. It died for lack of a motion. So, next we're going to go on to our city attorney's comments. Attorney Simons, what do you have for us this evening? Thank you, Madam Mayor. I do not have any comments for you this evening.

Okay, thank you for being here. Okay, next we'll go on to our city manager comments. City manager Fowler, what do you have for us this evening?

Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, I want to let you know that uh, Director Swanson and his public safety staff are moving forward with its uh, new K-9 program. These canines will be trained in drug detection and tracking of missing persons. Um, leveraging a a relationship. Uh, Director Swanson was able to um secure a private donation of $21,100 from the Hunter Foundation that's based in Poninlet. and that money will go toward the purchase and training of one of the two dogs. Um, we'll in a moment we'll have pictures of the two canines. Director Swanson uh went out and met the canines today. Um, I'd like to also remind you that payment for the um second K9 uh we received a burn grant last year. So, we're receiving both these dogs and their training at no taxpayer cost.

Great. We're very excited about this. And as you can see, along with Hunter,

they're ador They haven't met Hunter yet. They're still in training. Um, I heard that they're not very interested in people. They are very ball driven, which is a good thing for working dogs. So, um, next, we can leave those up because they're so cute, if you don't mind. Um, next, the Brown Museum, formerly the Museum of Arts and Science, will close most of its facilities uh at the end of March to begin construction on a new $150 million building project. Um, and it's expected to take approximately three years. Uh, the city of Daytona Beach Shores is pleased to announce its partnership with the Brown. Uh and it will host the mus uh some of the museum's programs once a month at the Flores Community Center during that construction. Uh you announced that the first program is Aottabon in Florida. Uh and that will take place on Tuesday, April 21st at 2 p.m. upstairs. Um the majority of the programs over this three-year period will be free and open to the public. So that's a great enhancement of uh some of the services that we bring to the city. Um as a reminder, FDOT after bike week will resume its repaving of A1A. Uh that is from just south of ISB all the way through the shores and open bridge to US1. You may have noticed some additional paving. Uh that's on our side streets. That's the city of Daytona Beach. Uh they are currently in the process of doing side streets. So we're happy to see that. Um an inquiry came up um at about the utility box wrapping through FDOT. Uh director Cruz reached out and we have found that that program has been suspended indefinitely and we don't know whether it will resume. So we

will not be moving forward with that. Um, on the economic development front, I'd like to point out that the uh the two ordinances that came before you tonight are a direct result of Commissioner Card and staff going out and visiting with our businesses. Uh, they went out, met with the wine beastro a couple of months ago. Uh, came back with some ideas that she had. Director Cruz and his staff were on it actually within an hour. Um, he went down and the owner told me he spent an hour with her. So, I'm very excited about that. We're going to go ahead and formalize those meetings. Staff is going to um continue to do that. We're putting together a list uh of all of our businesses and we will be visiting with all of those and we're excited uh about Commissioner Card joining us on those. Uh also on the economic development uh front, we were sorry to see that we lost our dry cleaner. Uh it's service that uh the community definitely embraces. So, as soon as we heard that they were closing business, staff worked with another dry cleaner to bring uh Diamond Cleaners to the city, and they're expected to open soon at the previous location from the other dry cleaner, 3060 South Atlantic, just past the public safety building. Um, I also want to bring you up to date. Uh, I'm sure you've seen that, uh, the House passed joint resolution 203 a couple of weeks ago. um that is that calls for the end to all advalorum taxes um for homesteaded property. To let you all know what the process is, because it's a joint resolution, the Senate has to pass the same resolution and if they do, uh that will go on the ballot for voters for a constitutional amendment. Um that amendment has to pass as all do at 60%. I want to let you know

what the impact of the current uh joint resolution would be on Daytona Beach Shores. Um it would take $2.2 million of revenue directly out of our budget. Um our finance director, Lori Irvin Irwin, did a quick review today. Uh to make up for that loss, we would have to do a 26.11% increase to our current mills, which would go from 4.588, as you know, we're in the lowest portile right now, to 5.786 for all non-homesteaded properties, which of course covers not just uh the the homes that aren't homesteaded, but all of our businesses as well. So this would have a huge impact on us. So um I would encourage folks uh to reach out to their state senator and let them know what their feelings are uh regarding this this resolution. Now is the time

and right now that would be our state senator is Tom Wright, but also we have senator Tom Leak that is very very involved in Valuchia County. I think his jurisdiction ends right at Orman. uh we've had him previously. So, that's somebody you want to reach out to because as we've talked about before, all the amenities that we have in Daytona Beach Shores, everything we probably take for granted um might go away. We'd have to make some hard decisions at that point.

So, some of the other funding possibilities are um a voted sales tax. Unfortunately, those uh monies are distributed by population. And although we may have up to 20,000 folks in town during a given day at 51, I think it's 5162 is our current population, uh we would not collect near the amount that uh that is generated out of Daytona Beach Shores. Um, the other idea that's been floated is revenue sharing through the state, which means you all would have to go to the state and ask them uh for additional funding. Uh, the same formula would most likely apply and we would not be funded uh the same as other municipalities with a larger population.

One of the things that I'm worried about is the sales tax is that one of our industries in this area is tourism. And so that means when you do a sales tax, then it's distributed to everyone that's buying anything here. I can just imagine maybe somebody coming from an Ohio, Wisconsin, wherever you're coming from. If we have that high of a sales tax, would we just be stopping at the Georgia border, you know, and say, "I'm not even going to go into Florida because of that sales tax." Um, I had one uh comment, too. I think since our, and this is changing the subject, but he talked about Director Swanson. Um I I think since the last time we've met we um he has you have some news on Director Swanson. Can you share that with us please?

Yes. Uh after our last meeting I appointed Director Swanson our new public safety director. So please join me in congratulating will be March 20th at 10 a.m. And where will that take place? City manager? Right here. Right here. We're very excited.

Yes. please come by and congratulate him. We're just when he thought he was going to retire and slide out, we brought him back in again. But, um, if you've spoke with him, um, he has a an extensive public safety background, what, 40 plus years. Uh, and we are just so thrilled to have him and I think we've made him into a Daytona Beach Shores lover. He every conversation I've had with him, he's been just so happy here. I know that everyone that reports to him is very, very happy. So, thank you again for accepting that position. What other questions do we have for our city manager? Okay. If not, we're going to go on to commission comments. I'll start. And I do not have director Maddox here to hand me the notes of what's going on. So, I'm going to have to read you reach out to Maddie or the city manager. Um I believe we have food trucks. Is it March 27th? Maddie, do you know?

That's right. Okay. March 27th. Um unfortunately, well, we had the battle of the food trucks. The um on Saturday night, we had do we have four or five? We had four judges and we roped Ed in um because they were preparing for five. But um it was just fantastic food. We had a good time. But if you remember, Saturday was very, very cold and windy. Unfortunately, the food trucks didn't have the participation they would have liked. So, let's hope for a nicer day on March 27th. Tomorrow we will be having coffee with the mayor upstairs and I believe our guest will be from the brown. Is that correct? Correct madam mayor.

So of those of you that don't know, please come and see. So when it was the CC and Hyatt Museum, it has now turned into the Brown and they have wonderful, wonderful plans. It's just going to put the Daytona area on the map. It's going to be one of a kind. So come by and they'll give us a little uh preview of it. Maddie, is there any other activities I'm missing? No, ma'am. Okay. All right. And that is it. So, we will go on to Commissioner Dinsky. I just listened to everything and and I'm thinking how lucky I am to live here in the city.

Thank you, Commissioner Cart. Thank you for the wonderful job you're doing in economic development. I saw pictures of you at our local Shores Resort and Spock. Can you tell us a little bit about how that turned out?

Yes, we did a visits and tour of the Shores Resort. uh myself, Director Maddox, and PIO Maddie. Um we really stopped to ask them what their needs and wants, and he was just pleased that we even showed up and and asked him. He didn't have too many things that he was looking for other than he said he'd like to uh do on a Saturday um a farmers market in the in the adjacent parking lot. He said that's something that he thinks about. um he doesn't know if it's possible, but he's trying to work on that. Um the other thing is he said that with the new chef in there on Sunday and Monday nights they're having prime rib night. So if anybody likes the cow, prime rib is on on board. Other thing is um I want to say thank you to the city staff for finding a way to say yes. That's one of the things that the city manager brings up and it's starting to work. Um we're finding a way to say yes to some of these things in the city and getting them through. So that's awesome. Um one of the things that they asked also is above their walk over they have um they wanted to know if it's possible to put up signage on there um Daytona Beach Shores uh whatever it may be. So, that's just something that I I'm talking to the commission about. Maybe in the future that's something we want to use. It's basically their canvas. They own the walk over on A1A, but it would be something that we could put um on there. Maybe they'll throw in some money towards the the signage on it, but that's something that we can talk about in the future.

Other than that, that is all. And I think that came up one time previously and to best of my recollection, I don't think they were um interested in any cost sharing. Is that correct, Director Cruz? Um do you remember? I know you were around. Was it about four or five years ago?

Thank you, Madam Mayor. I do not remember the details exactly but staff has done some research and and we have communicated with the Florida Department of Transportation and the different uh divisions within that department and they are amendable to it if it's a city initiated um uh uh signage. So they do have some standards through their what's called the community aesthetic feature program the cash program and so we are doing some research and it seems as if the pathway is there. So we just need to ensure that we go through the proper process ensure that all the standards are met. Okay. Thank you.

Um, speaking of the shores, Maddie, can you do some checking for us? Um, Lori Larson and I saw something that next Wednesday, March 11th, I believe this is that the Shores is having an event that I think it was 15% of any dinner that they come in and take that night would be donated back to R.J. Long Street School. Check to see if that's correct and maybe you can put something out because again, as you remember, R.J. Long Street um is our adopted school. We do not have a school in this area and sometimes they get forgotten about. They're in Daytona, but they're such a wonderful, wonderful school. The teachers that are there are awesome and they so appreciate everything we do. So, I would just like to announce that um on March 11th, if we could contribute back to RJ Long Street, that would be wonderful. Thanks, Manny. Commissioner Conas.

Yes. Uh I'm keeping tabs on the ebike issue on sidewalks. Uh the Senate um just passed a bill about a week ago. I think it's SB 382. Uh which obviously allows ebikes on sidewalks. Um but they have to slow down work to 10 miles an hour within 50 ft of a person or in pedestrian areas as well. Now that still seems kind of fast to me. Um but um they're going to move that on to the house and we'll see what happens, but I I would anticipate that would pass as well. But I I'll keep tabs on it and I'll let you know. Thank you. Any other updates from TPO? Um, no. Um, that's pretty much, you know, as far as our area, that's pretty much it. So, okay. Thank you. Yep.

Vice Mayor, I um I was going to ask Director Cruz, but you know, as we don't have jurisdiction on peninsula,

like between Florida shores and let's say up to the back entrance of Publix. So, who if we could direct someone to contact the county if they're responsible for it cuz a lot of the frost uh that we had with the with the with the real cold nights has destroyed a lot of those uh plants. Hopefully, they'll come back, but there is a lot of debris and stuff and I'm just fearful for people that walk because I see a lot of walkers there, including me. Mel's in charge of the southside. I take care of the north side. Um that we can get someone at least to go and clean it up. You know, I no disrespect, we have all kinds of ages. There's young kids, there's older people, and I would hate for someone cuz sometimes they think it's we control it. And so, if we can make a request, it'd be nice to see if they could go up and down there and clean up the debris.

I think currently that's a state highway. There's been talk. LPGA LPGA, see, correct me if I'm wrong. LPGA is a county street and uh Peninsula is a state and they're talking, but I think it's been talks for two or three years of swapping. Um, Director Cruz, maybe you can add something on to that. You're absolutely correct, Madame Mayor. And what we will do, uh, Vice Mayor, is we will put in a ticket with the FDOT to have them come out and take a look while they still have jurisdiction over that road to essentially get rid of all that degree that you you're referring to. Okay. Thanks. Yeah, I think your um, fellow board member Ka is Kaia Powell. She's the one that you could you could ask, too. Just thought I'd throw it out there. Thank you. Thank you. Anything else? No.

Okay. Thank you. All right. We're going to go on to audience comments and we do have two speakers requesting today. The first one is Marty TR.

Good evening, Madame Mayor, Vice Mayor, Commissioners. My name is Marty TR. I'm a resident here in the shores. I'm here tonight responding to the vice mayor's previous uh invitation at the January meeting. encouraging citizens to bring forward ideas regarding economic development and I appreciate the opportunity to do so. The beach shores has tremendous assets. Our oceanfront location, strong residential base, tourism flow, and a unique uh small city identity. At the same time, we continue to see long-term commercial vacancies and underutilized properties along key corridors. That represents more than empty storefronts and vacant lots. It represents unrealized tax base, fewer amenities for residents, and fewer reasons for visitors to stay and spend locally. I'd like to propose that the commission consider forming a standing economic development committee, an ad an advisory body comprised of a commissioner leaison, local business owners, property owners, and residents with relevant expertise focused specifically on commercial activation and long-term strategic um strategy. I recognize the city already has an economic development director and I appreciate the work being done. My suggestion is not a replacement for that role, but a way to support and strengthen it. In many municipalities, advisory committees work in partnership with staff to expand capacity, provide continuity, and generate structured recommendations for the commission's consideration. Economic development requires sustained focus. A committee creates a forum for ongoing analysis, recruitment strategy, vacancy review, and public private collaboration without adding ne unnecessary bureaucracy. I would respectfully ask whether the

commission would consider directing staff to explore what such a committee might look like and bring back recommendations regarding structure and silk. Additionally, I would like to uh I would be interested to know whether the city's municipal code contains any provisions related to extended commercial vacancy or whether that would require ordinance level discussion in the future. I'm not suggesting that property owners be penalized. Rather, I'd like to understand what tools the city currently has and how we can how we can create incentives and conditions that make activation an obvious choice. I would also be happy to volunteer my time if the commission feels that would be helpful. Thank you all for your time and your leadership.

Thank you, Mr. True. City Manager, um, which one of your staff would be best reach out to, Mr. TR? Uh, we can have Director Maddox reach out to him regarding that. Thank you. U, Mr. TR, sorry, Director Maddox heads up our economic development. She is out of town. I understand she'll be back in a couple of days, but somebody will be able to reach out to you if you've left your name and number with our city clerk. Yes. Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

Madam Madam Mayor, can I add that we are currently working with the urban land institute to uh do an economic development tap is what they call it and there will be an opportunity during that for citizen input. So I would encourage not just you sir but everybody here we will advertise that everyone will know in advance please attend please bring your ideas we have an extremely talented uh citizenry here I've had some folks come up and share some ideas with me and it's it's very exciting uh what they've got. So we look forward to hearing what you have. Thank you. And now Mr. Michael Johnson.

Hello everyone. Thank you for letting me speak in front of your city council mayor. Um my name is Michael Don Johnson. I live in an unincorporated area of Simino County, but I'm for the record I am running for commerce as Republican candidate in the Congressional District 7. What I want to bring to your attention today, and I've done this with other cities, I've seen your mayor and other other hearings and commission meetings that we have a crisis in our area regarding ethics and morality with some of our politicians that represent us. Just a week and a half ago, a federal judge issued a restraining order against a politician ordering him not to sell, change, or transfer any of his assets around. And it's because there was another federal lawsuit up in Virginia where this person was sued for fraud for conversion of money and taking down payment in the millions of dollars and they worked out a consent agreement to pay back $8 million to a company over in check. The person didn't do that. So that's why the off the judge issued the restraining order. the the the the contract was about ammunition that was being sold to Ukraine and instead of selling the the ammunition to that company, they sold it to another company and that company ammunition was seized by the Customs and Border Protection Agency, which is now DoD is another federal lawsuit up in Virginia. In addition, this politician has a $66 million foreclosure lawsuit going on in Taylor County, Florida, up in Perry. $34 million of that lawsuit is interest not paid. This politician has been living living a lavish lifestyle pretending he was a multi-millionaire when in fact his company was shut down. The people were sent home over Halloween and still haven't been paid for the last couple weeks of their employment. In addition, this politician has defaulted several times on SBA loans that he had gotten

years ago. SBA did investigation, found out he illegally obtained COVID PPPC care act loans. also and his order to pay him back. Instead of paying back, he actually sued the SBA, lost at the federal district court in Virginia, and they also lost at the appeals court with the federal court up in Virginia. In addition, this individual has also used his congressional office to get his staff to forge a retired general's signature in order to get a bronze star gift that he got due to false testimony and false statements. when the soldiers that actually were named in the document said that he's lying. He's fraudulent. He never saved us. He never rescued us. He's lying. Including his first sergeant of his company, the the colonel that runs this battalion, Eric Nance, also said this guy did not do what he claimed in those documents. In addition, I think everyone knows in this audience here now who I'm talking about. It's your incumbent congressman. In Taylor County, he has a restraining not Taylor, but Columbia County has a 14page restraining order for sex extortion. He also has an outstanding warrant right now that they the federal attorney Judge Judine Judge Jean has a warrant in front of her to decide whether or not they want to arrest him for sexual assault for his mistress in Washington DC. Thank you very much and sorry to bring you in a sad day, but we got to better politicians more closely and people come into our community. Thank you. Great city. I love it. I love coming up here. It's a fantastic city. And God bless you all.

Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Great, Nancy. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Next, we're going to uh do um no one else signed up to be a speaker, but as I always do, anyone else that would like to speak? So, um when you're done, if you just sign up in the back with your name and turn it into our clerk. Thank you for being here. Hello, Mayor and Council. I'm Tracy Vega. I'm with the Port South Chamber. I just wanted to say thank you to you guys for always being a huge support for the chamber and our businesses and just wanted to let you know we we really appreciate everything you guys do and everybody that participates and just share with you we got a couple events coming up in case anybody's interested. We got a morning mix and mingle uh over at the new Pet Evolution on Nova Road, which is going to be awesome. From 6:00 to uh excuse me, 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. We have a women's day celebration that's going to be at the Daytona Beach Toyota up at the um Auto Mall from that's going to be on March 6th starting at 11:30. They still have spaces open, but tickets are going fast. It's for men and women, so please feel free to sign up. They got an awesome panel that's going to be up there. And then um we have a ribbon cutting at another new business in Port Orange at the pavilion at um hot hot works. That's going to be on March 5th. And then a business after hours at Tiki Docks on March 19th from 5:00 to 7:00. If you guys can join us, we'd love having you there to connect with our new businesses and we appreciate everything you do. And thank you so much for allowing me to speak.

You're welcome. Thank you. We love being part of the chamber. Thank you. Anyone else that wishes to speak? Okay. If not, what items do we have recommended for the next agenda?