City Commission - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. We are calling to order the city commission meeting of September 23rd, 2025. Um this evening I am asking for a motion to include Commissioner Conamos. He is um ill but he would like to join. So first of all I'm going to ask you to um a motion to approve that he can join and secondly that he can vote. Do I hear a motion? I so move. Thank you. Second. Second it. Okay. Thank you. All right. I will put him on the line right now. Thank you, Mr.

Mayor. Let me [Music] I hate this phone.

Hey Chris, it's Mayor Miller and the rest of the commission. We have just taken a vote um that you can join by phone and also vote. So, if you want to put the phone Okay, you're welcome. Um, if you want to put the phone on mute and then, um, if you need to talk, you know, unmute it. So, we're just gonna get started with a roll call. Can you seem to hear us? Okay, Chris, I can. Okay, great. Mayor Miller here. Vice Mayor Flight here. Commissioner Card here. Commissioner Conamos here. Commissioner Dinsky

here. Hey, thank you very much. Uh, Reverend Bob. This is Reverend Bob from the Drive-In Christian Church. So glad to have you this evening.

Glad to be back with you. I invite you to stand as you're able and join me in this invocation. Gracious and loving God, on this day, as we gather for the work of this city commission, we pause to give thanks for the gift of this new season we find ourselves in. Autumn has arrived here in Florida. Not always with the cooling breezes and falling leaves of other places, but with its own beauty. The promise of gentler days, the shifting of rhythms, and the anticipation of renewed community as our seasonal neighbors begin their journey back to us. We ask your blessing upon the safe travel and arrival of those snowbirds who will soon join us again, enriching the life of this city. In these times when violence and unrest weigh heavy on our nation and world, we turn to you as the source of calm and peace that surpasses our own understanding. Grant us hearts that remain steady, minds that seek wisdom, and spirits that work for the good of all. May Daytona Beach Shores be a place where kindness, safety, and respect prevail. Guide the deliberations of this commission tonight. May their decisions serve the well-being of every resident and visitor, reflecting fairness, foresight, and compassion. We offer this prayer with hope and with gratitude for your abiding presence. Amen. Amen.

Thank you, Reverend Bob. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge 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 so much. Okay. Um, and again, this will be our final reading for our trim process. So, first of all, I'm going to um ask um attorney Garrett to read resolution 2025-16, final leveling of ad valorium taxes for fiscal year 2526. Attorney,

thank you, mayor. Good evening. This is resolution number 2025-16. A resolution of the city of Daytona Beach Shores, Valuchia County, Florida, adopting the final levying of adorum taxes for Valuchia County for fiscal year 2025 through 2026, providing an effective date. Thank you.

Thank you. So, please call up resolution 2025-16 for fiscal year 2025. This is a final millage rate. This will be a public hearing. The city attorney has already read resolution 2025 in its entirety. Finance director, uh, you have given us several background informations. Do you have any additional information for us? Well, madame mayor, there's some things I have to give you. Sorry.

Based on statute. Sorry about that. Madame Mayor, vice mayor, commissioners, Lori Irwin, finance director, tonight uh we are here for the final mil to set the final millage rate. This is our final hearing. Um the proposed final millage rate of 4.5880 mills per thousand of assessed value. It's the same rate as last year. Uh the roll back rate is 4.4529 mills which would generate the same income as last year for the city. And the final rate of 4.5880 mills is a 3.03% 03% increase over the roll back rate of 4.4529% or mills. Now, we have gone over this at a workshop in July uh July 28th and then we had our first hearing um on September 8th. So, this is our final hearing tonight. Again, um just showing a little bit of our millage rate history. Um showing that we've actually been at this 4.5880 now for the past three years, which I know is something that you like to see. As you can see that uh Daytona

Beach Shores will remain in the bottom 25% of the cities here in Valuchia County for millage rate with a final rate of 4.5880 mills. This ends up being a monthly increase for your single family home of $4.31 and for your condos of $3.36 over last year's rate. Also, this generate uh the total city budget is 97,447,400. This includes the general fund of $24,280,300 which includes $100,000 for the economic development fund. Um there's also a capital uh fund budget of $4,726,500. The enterprise fund, which is your sewer fund, that is the increase in our budget over last year is $43,690,900. That's due to capital projects for our sewer infrastructure and that includes um $16,000 for the sewer impact. But as you can see there, the capital budget fund for the sewer fund is $24,749,700. Do we have any questions I can go over?

We've gone over this several different times. Um, Commissioner Dinsky, I know you were on some of the calls uh remotely. Is there any any questions you have on this? No, this is No, I think we're good, director. Thank you.

Okay. Um, if there's no other questions, uh, the public hearing is now open on the fiscal year 2025 mill rate. So again just repeating what our director said. This hearing is to establish the final millage rate of 4.5880 mills which is a 3.03% increase over the roll back rate of 4.4529 mills. Um thank you for everything that you and your staff did. It was very um refreshing to see that there was only two cities below us. So thank you for everything you do. I hope our um all of our residents would agree for this slight increase and everything that we get in the shores that makes life better. You know, this is a very reasonable. So, thank you again. So, I'm going to open this up to public comment right now. Um I do not have anyone that signed up to speak, but as always, is there any members of the public that wish to ask questions prior to our final millage rate adoption? Okay, seeing none, I'm going to close public comment. So now I need a motion to accept um resolution 202516 for fiscal year 2025, our final mill rate.

So move to accept 2025-16, a resolution. Thank you. Do I hear a second? I'll second.

Thank you. Okay. Is there any further discussion? Any questions? If not, Sherry, can you take the role on this, please? Okay. And this passed 50. So um any uh after the adoption I am now able to publicly say that our final operating millage rate is set at 4.5880 mills which is a 3.03 over the rule rule back millage rate of 4.4529 mills. Thank you.

Hey mayor can I interrupt? Certainly. How's Chris voting? Chris, are you on your computer? He can vote from his computer. Yeah. Get out of here. Really? Well, yeah, cuz you can pull this up at, you know, at home and all over. See, something I didn't know. Okay. He's wonders of technology. Yes. Thank you. Um, thank you. Is there any other questions before I move on?

Okay. If not, we're going to move on to item B, resolution 202517. Please call up resolution 2025-17 for fiscal year 202526, our final budget. This will be a public hearing and um Attorney Garrett, would you please read the resolution in its entirety? Absolutely, Mayor. This is resolution 2025-17, a resolution of the city of Daytona Beach Shores of Valuchia County, Florida, adopting the final operating budget for fiscal year 2025 2026 of 97,477,400, providing for appropriations, and providing for an effective date.

Thank you. This also is a public hearing. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak on fiscal year 202526 final budget? Finance director again. Madame Mayor, vice mayor, commissioners, Lori Irwin, finance director. uh as uh was written, this is our um final budget hearing and the total budget for the city is 97,447,400. Um this is actually a 59% increase according in the paper over last year uh due to the enterprise fund the project of the sewer infrastructure which is mostly that $24,749,700 for um the capital budget. The other thing I wanted to point out is that we will have a public hearing for our utility rate on October 7th at 6 pm. And this is where these are the rates that we will be uh setting. These are based on our service provider, the city of Port Orange increasing their rates um processing rates to us. And um then what we do is we have a uh increased CPI increase to our sewer rates to help pay for infrastructure in the um future. And then our solid waste and recycling increases based on our contract with WRO. And that again will be October 7th at 6 PM.

And that is our at our monthly commission meeting.

Correct. Correct. Uh I just wanted to put out there these are some of the um transfers of funds that are going on for the general fund. We're having the public safety um Havac system the for 800,000 fleet replacement of 585,000 public works building expansion of the 1.6 6 million um just for the public to see some of the um if they weren't here for the other uh for the workshop on July 28th or for the first hearing on September 8th. And really um I guess the biggest one I really wanted to put out there is um this is what was in the paper. If anybody has any questions regarding the budget, you can see how the transfers out uh total $27.2 million which is that big increase to the 7 97 million. This is just our re revenue budget showing that 44% is our adalorm taxes. Uh you can also see that 12 and a half% are transfers from our home balance balance there. Um these are expenditures by department. Public safety is 38%. You can see transfers out to capital of 16%. And then our sewer budget you can see here that last year it was 23 million this year 43 million. And that is all due to that capital improvement. I saw something there on uh beach access. So those are the ones that are owned by the city. Do you happen to know which ones in particular those are?

That one is St. Kits. Oh, so what we're gonna All right. What we're doing there for the ADA accessible. Where are we at on that project? Do you happen to know? That would be something we'd have to ask. Our community service director director manager. Sorry, Stuart. What phase are we at in that? Thank you, madam. Commissioners, we're still in the design process. So, um, we're hoping to, we've actually gotten comments from the Department of Environmental Protection. So, we're working on the RAI response for them.

Okay. Thank you. I do want to tell you a couple weeks ago the um director of public safety and the city manager and I had taken a little ride on the beach and the back of Tuscanyany whoever did that work did an excellent job. I mean you cannot see any remains of what you know what was there before. So I don't know if we had anything to do with they did but it it looked wonderful. Thank you. Uh do we have any questions for our Do you have more slides? I'm sorry.

Okay. Well, they can have questions. This is just showing, you know, the enterprise fund again transfers and are 53% out all for the capital fund. And then I just have um if anybody had questions or wanted to know what was part of the capital improvement fund because they weren't here. You can see information technology, public safety, car replacement, uh transportation, we had some uh storm drains, uh the EOC that we're looking um doing work for um that's partially funded. City hall paid sea upgrades, hurricane shutters, security, doing a lot.

We're doing a lot really. We are doing a lot here in the city in the next couple of years. We're very busy with projects and u large portion of them are funded with grants. Oh, that's wonderful. Thank you. And I know you work on that diligently, so we appreciate that. Continually looking for grants and and applying for anything that we can, right? Thank you. Appreciate it.

And the sewer project, these are just projects for the next capital improvement budget for the next five years because we look out that way. You can see that there's unfunded projects of 12.9 million because we don't know at this point where that funding is coming from, but we are but you planning on applying for more grants. This is the slide I wanted the residents to really see is that your tax bills will be coming out November 1st. You have until the 30th. you get that 4% deduction of November and then each month after that you can see December 31st you get a 3% reduction and then uh January 31st it's a 2% deduction from your tax bill. Um February 28th 1% and it's in March when you actually have to pay the full

Okay. And those go right to our Valuchia County tax collector and then it's dispersed to us. Correct. So, what questions do we have for our director? Seeing none, I have question.

Okay, thank you, Chris. Uh, seeing none, I had opened up to um public comment. And before I close that, is there anyone that has any public comment on resolution 2025-17? Not I'm going to close that for public comment. So I'm now going to entertain a motion to adopt resolution 202517. This will be adopting the fiscal year resolution 202526 for the final annual budget of 97,447,400. I'll make that motion. Thank you. Do I have a second? I'll second. Okay. Any discussion on it before we take a vote?

May I make a comment, please?

Certainly. uh director Irwin and really the other people should be commended for her and her staff. We have had workshops and we've had opportunities to ask a lot of questions which we did. So don't think that we're just sitting up here and we're just rubber stamping things. We went through it and we asked questions about grant money and what percentage it would fund all these capital expenditures. We went over budgets for fire and uh the department for the police department. So, I just want everyone to know just because we don't ask a lot of questions here, it's because we've already gone through that questioning process through the workshop and through the prior uh opportunities that we've had to interact with Director Irwin. But these tidbits that you saw uh on the video on on the teleprompter were just um a really good uh idea of where the money comes in, where it's spent, the process. We all go through this. So kudos again to a a welloiled machine the way the city is run. So thank you for your presentation and it makes our job as city commissioners um a lot easier because you know to squeeze the money and still not raise the the millage rate and and and accommodate that high level of um of quality of of uh services that the citizens ask for. Um, that's good, especially in this day and age when everything just goes up. So, I wanted to thank you again and uh let everyone out in computer land know that, you know, we're not just a bunch of quiet ones up here. We we actually ask a lot of questions, but we went through that process. So, this is the the finality, the the formality, so to speak.

Thank you for that explanation. Yes, it's like yes, yes, yes, but you know, this is the second, third, fourth time that we've looked at this budget and asked questions line by line. So, thank you for that explanation. Sure. Can you put that up for a vote, please? Okay. And that passed 50. Thank you. Okay. Next, we are going to go on to and this is a special special presentation. So, this is to Roseanne Tornator for her service for the service of the planning and zoning board. So, um, we'll we'll come down there and, um, Stuart, are you coming up to give this award or am I or am I? I guess I am. Well, come on and let's go down and give her this wonderful award. Chuck, can you join us, too? So, Chuck is a member of our Yeah. Planning and zoning board. So, and so she served with him for many years. Rosanne Right.

No, I couldn't. You can stay. All right. Don't let me call everybody up. Come on, guys. Oh, okay. We didn't know. Oh, yeah. They want to see everyone for the presentations. They don't like when it's just the mayor. So, Rosanne for your many, many, many years service on this. Um, I think it is 16. Uh we are just so happy for all this uh service that you've given to the city and this board for many many years. Chuck, if you want to come up to I love this city. I know you do. I know you do. Don't make me cry. I'm going to miss it. Okay. All right. I'm the one who said it was time that the young Stewarts had to take over. All right. Well, um thank you. Thank you. Congratulations.

Thank you. Great job for everything you do. Yes. because I was always nervous about coming to these meetings because I wanted my own opinion. Oh, okay. But now, well, we love you coming and then you have to skip work to go ask. Thank you. Very nice. Steuart in here. Yes.

Can you take one of [Applause] I can help Nancy.

I want to say one other thing about Roseanne, too. So Marilyn wasn't able to be here this evening, but we have a Ralph Wheeler award that we give out every year and Roseanne got it. Was it last year that we gave it's I surprised her. I said just come to coffee with the mayor. I haven't seen you for a while. And she got that. So um Marilyn was able to present that to her. So now you're I'm sure you have many many many award. Okay. Thank you. Okay, next we have a letter of thanks from RJ Long Street Elementary. Item B. Do I hear someone? Is somebody going to present that? You mentioned you were just going to read a little bit.

Okay.

All right. Let me read this to you. You know, to refresh your memory, R.J. Long Street School is the one that has the kids for art program and we are a gold sponsor of that and I can't tell you how grateful they are for us to have that. Um, we bought several license plates that's helped their art department and then we also give those out at coffee with the mayor. So that's like the grand prize of these art things. So I'm going to read it right now. So this went to dear Mayor Miller and Mr. uh Will Roberts, the tax collector. On behalf of students and staff at RJ Long Street Elementary, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of funds to our art program. Your support plays a crucial role in enhancing the educational experience for our students and help us to provide the resources they need to soar. Your kindness is truly appreciated and we are incredibly thankful for your commitment to support education in our community. The donation will go towards the purchase of necessary supplies to v benefit prek through fifth grade students. We are fortunate to have people like you who believe in the power of education and are willing to invest in the future of our students. Your generosity will have a lasting impact on their learning journey. Once again, we are grateful for your support. We are proud to have you as part of our school community. With heartfelt thanks, Amy Richardson. She is the proud principal at R.J. Long Street Elementary. So, congratulations to everyone and you supported us, too. And if you ever have a chance, I know they have a reading program. I know there's a lot that they can do. This school is not right in Daytona Beach Shores, but it we

have adopted it. So, please continue to do that. Thank you so much. Okay. Next, we are going to go on to the presentation of hurricane preparedness. Good evening, mayor, vice mayor, commissioners. Uh a couple meetings ago, I believe it was Vice Mayor Politis uh asked staff to come and give a brief overview of what we do to prepare uh for hurricane season. Uh so tonight, um myself, uh community services director Cruz and public safety director uh Fowler will kind of give you a very high level overview of what we do u throughout the hurricane season. So June 1, uh, really we begin looking at hurricanes. So this is actually a screenshot, so I'm hoping this isn't appropriate timing, but um, there's a screenshot from Noah yesterday. Uh, a lot of activity out there right now. Um, I did look earlier. These seem to be turning northward. Hopefully that is the case. Uh but this is where it all begins for staff. Uh we start watching this. We're watching it, but so is the county EOC. They have folks that dive into this

really deep. Send us weather warnings about tropical storms or just bad weather. if we're going to have a high wind event throughout this season as we get those non hurricane storm uh events that come through. Even things like high tide that we know uh or king tides, they'll send us information about that. Uh but this is where it all begins. We watch this regularly during this season. I probably check this about every other day just to see what's what's out there. Um and you can too. This is all on Noah's website. Um, so really what happens is when something is happening like this, uh, I'll usually just talk to each of the department heads and say, or sometimes at if it's timed up with a department meeting, I'll say, "Hey, be watching Noah and let's keep an eye on this storm." We'll start getting uh, briefings from the county. If it looks like something may happen, if it's coming, um we'll begin daily staff meetings like one time a day, whether it's just a phone call of staff. Um and we'll begin to talk about pre and postevent plans. Um if we're at that point, we'll begin sandbag distribution for citizens and businesses. I think we're all very familiar after the last couple of years how that process works. I am happy to say we now have our sandbagging machine, but I'm hoping not to have to try it out. When we get far enough along, um there's the city manager calls with all the cities and the Valuchia County Emergency Operations Centers. The fire and police folks, I believe, do a separate call uh as well, but we get on every day with a phone call with county staff and talk about what everybody's doing, what type of event we think it is. Is it going to be a wind event, a rain event, what is

everybody doing? We try and be consistent um in messaging across all the cities and consistent with the county. Um, so that's where we all talk about, hey, when are you going to shut down city hall or when are you going to close operations? So all the cities try and talk about that. Nobody wants to be the first one to do it. Nobody wants to be the last one to do it. So we all try and coordinate uh that discussion. When we get far enough along, uh, under our current policy, the city manager declares a local state of emergency. Usually we do that for a period of seven days and that can be extended uh, as needed. Um and then we make a call at that point as I said when are we going to close city operations? Um and then hurricane operations begin. Uh staffing for the emergency. I have my full management team on hand throughout the storm. Community services brings in essential employees. Public safety brings in essential employees. And they'll kind of talk about that later. We have staff that stays in three different uh buildings in the city. city hall, public works and public safety. Um, we do have staff that uh train and are assigned to report to the county EOC. I believe it's three people that we send out there. Uh, and they stay out there for the duration of the event. So, during the storm, um, public safety converts to AB shifts. They run 12-h hour shifts 6:00 a.m. to 6 pm. And um when winds hit a certain level, we stop responding uh to wind um to emergency calls. Once after the storm, once the wind slows back down, we go back out. There have been cases where we I believe it was after Nicole, we got out on the streets and the winds kicked back up and we had to, you know, stop responding as well.

Immediately once that wind is at a level, community service starts clearing the streets so that our safety uh public safety crews can get around the city and we can start to assess and do things like clear storm water drains. Um and as accessible, our building officials uh and public safety begin assessing property for life safety issues. Um as able, the full community services crews will come in and continue continue to clean streets and um clear parks and other things as quickly as we can to get as quickly back to normal as possible.

Before you go on that second to the bottom paragraph, so we had to um and I don't want to use the word condemn because that was wrong. Declare some buildings unsafe. So is that our chief building official that makes that decision? Then again, we just let the people know there is No way we can mandatorilally force them to leave. Is that correct? I'm sorry. I didn't want there. There is. And I'm going to look to the chief come up and kind of answer that because we did evacuate quite a few properties last year.

Actually, once the chief building official has determined that is unsafe statutoily, we could remove someone and and charge them with staying there. We use our discretion there. We understand these are people's homes and we have never gotten to the point where we've had to make a criminal case out of it. And this was the activity that the sheriff sent several um of his deputies to help us with. Uh probably about 125 had to help us with the evacuations when we were losing the seaw walls and we had this uh severe erosion.

Great. Thank you. And as part of this process, we have our other folks who are have to go out and do a damage assessment. And I think Stuart uh Cruz will talk about that in a little bit. But um we have to report numbers as quickly as possible to the county so we can get a declaration uh for a presidential declaration which opens FEMA money up. So the the county wants that as quick as possible because they have to send it to the state and then the state has to request the declaration uh from the federal government. And at this point, Director Cruz.

Thank you, Madame Mayor, Vice Mayor, Commissioners. Stuart Cruz, community services director. So, this manager um kind of stole most of my presentation already, but I'll go over some of the key activities that um he didn't mention um as part of his introduction. So, typically whenever there's a storm nearby, we initiate in community service department, we initiate our hurricane preparedness plan, which includes operational planning, some other things. We essentially divvy out all the roles and responsibilities of all the staff members um within the team, all the essential employees and we also go over all the FEMA requirements. Um I know that's a plug for the finance director. Uh FEMA is very important because a lot of the damages that happen locally we try to get reimbursement for that and if we don't follow the right procedure and protocol um FEMA may not give us that reimbursement that we so um need. So in addition to that and associated with FEMA to some extent is is a catalog in of all our city assets. We do this throughout the year whenever there's new construction or something is rehabilitated. We typically take pictures and videos of those assets. However, FEMA wants information that and information that is essentially as as new as possible. So we go out there and we try to get enough information, new information as possible in terms of taking pictures and identifying um certain assets in terms of um their their vulnerability and what they currently look like so that we can get reimbursement if needed. All our equipments and vehicle we typically cycle our generators, our bypass pumps, we cycle, we fuel them so that if there is a need for them after the storm or during the storm, we can go ahead and and and there's no issue, there's a smooth transition. And of course, our most most important asset, which is our human capital. We we need to ensure that they have proper PPE and equipment. And so, we typically do a round check of all those different items so that whenever they're out there responding, they're safe and they can do the job that they need to do in an efficient and safe manner. We also mobilize all vehicles and equipments um that we have. Some of our equipment is actually stored at different storage facility throughout

the city and we basically bring bring them to a centralized location and different parts of the city so that whenever this the all clear is given by the public safety department we can go out there and we can get the job done as quickly as possible. And of course we work very closely with other departments within the city including public safety setting up barricades if needed by the bridge or whatever have you. In terms of the individual divisions within the community services department, the streets, as you know, all the banners down the road, those are things that we typically have to remove. So, we try to remove our banners or flags or anything else that could be destroyed by the storms. In addition to that, we also clear whatever stormwater infrastructure that we have because we know if those are not cleared, and this is something that we do monthly, by the way. So, we don't wait until a storm comes along, but we clear all our infrastructure monthly as required by actually our CRS and our MPDS program. We also secure our electrical cabinets out there in the roads to ensure that that you know whenever the wind comes that they're not blown apart and create issues for a light system whenever we need those. The parks division they secure everything on the property on all these park properties as best as possible. So all the sunscreens that we have, all the sun shades that we have, all the umbrellas, anything that can be become a missile or can become ripped or destroyed or whatever have you, we basically try to remove those and secure those as quickly as possible. We also lock all the gates, all the bathrooms, turn off the waters, power, irrigation because if there is an issue after the storm or during the storm and public safety has to respond, we don't want them to be in danger in their lives. So, we try to um get rid and eliminate those hazards as best as possible. The sewer division secures all the lift stations that we have within the city and they secure all their equipment as well. And most importantly, they also ready any kind of bypass pumps for mobilization. So if for some reason there's a generator issue, power issue, or the pumps just fail, we can use the bypass pumps to essentially move all that important things off the all the important stuff off the island. The

building and permanent department or division typically contacts and visits sites. Um, and when I say sites, I mean construction sites to ensure that the contractors and the property owners are secure in those sites because we know how construction sites can be. that can have a myriad of different things that can become airborne missiles or debris that can cause damage to life and and and property. We also contact property owners and reschedule inspections so that no one's expecting us there in the middle of a storm. And the building official also surveys city buildings for potential safety concerns. The building maintenance division secures all our our city buildings. So all of our buildings essentially um have shutters that could be installed and so we typically try to get those installed. We try to batten and secure all vulnerable components such as uh this beautiful building that we have here. We actually have some hanging lights on the outside. So we have to remove those, secure them uh and and any little thing like that. We we basically have a checklist and we go through the system and we ensure that that everything's secured as best as possible. the code enforcement and planning division along with our city clerk. Uh they actually do the the damage assessment for us. As the city manager mentioned earlier, damage assessment is really important because when we provide that information to the county, they can provide to the state and ultimately to the feds to release money and provide resources that is necessary to to to have us become or to to recover local communities that are impacted by the storm. So, we basically do our damage assessment prep. There's there's actually a kit that we have and and we go over the checklist and we ensure that we have all those things and we're ready to go as soon as all clear is given. We also contact the property owners with vulnerable properties. I'm happy to say that there's less than a handful of properties in the shores that we consider vulnerable in terms of seaw wall um and and there's a myriad of different reasons why some of those um people have chosen to not do what um most other people have done which is basically uh construct a seaw wall or rebuild a seaw wall. But we basically

contact them and we say, "Hey, do you need sandbags? You need trap bags? Do you need X, Y, and Z? You know, what can we do to help?" Um, unfortunately, some of these property owners are are absently absentee landlords as well. So, we have a we have a a list of and contact information of all these property owners and we get in touch with them as soon as possible. We also remove um illegal signage in our rightways. Um, as you probably know, those things, you know, can easily be blown out um out of the rightway, out of the ground, and they can they can impact not only pedestrians, but they can also impact uh staff and and and public servants as as public safety officers as they're out there. So, with that, I'll pass it on to Director Fowler. Thank you.

Good evening, Commission, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Mike Fowler, public safety director. Um, I'll go over some of the things that uh that we do uh in advance of the storm. Uh, initially uh when hurricane season starts, we send out an advisory to all of our uh sworn officers and our essential personnel letting them know to start their plan at home. So, they make plans for their families, uh, for their homes, for their pets, so that that's taken care of before a storm comes. um they prepare to be here for up to 5 days uh in the event of a storm. So, we start with our operational planning. We meet with staff once or twice a day depending on how close we're getting to the uh to the storm. Uh bring in our essential folks and come up with what our plan's going to be. Um our drone pilots deploy and this takes quite a while, but they run the entire length of the beach and show all the seaw walls. They get all of our uh beach walkovers and any other uh city facilities videotaped before the storm comes so that we can document that for our damage assessment. Um we communicate the potential hazards to property owners and that varies depending on how much time we have before the storm. We've uh actually physically gone doortodoor and let people know that there's an evacuation order. uh we have gone and put flyers on doors and then when it gets closer to the incident we'll go around on our public address systems and announce that the uh evacuation is in order. Um we've manned our sandbag distribution site. Uh city staff is there, but we've had some uh very unhappy non-residents show up and uh want to use our site in the past. Um, I think all of you uh know that our fine officer back there, Officer Jackson, peeled off his vest and started loading

sandbags for the elderly at the last one. So, again, I thank him for that. Uh, supply procurement. We order extra tires. Obviously, when we're out there afterwards and when public works is out there afterwards and all the roofs have blown off and the other materials, we get a lot of flat tires. We try to get the last load of gasoline on the island. uh we fuel everything up and then top off the tanks, especially the diesel because if we have to run off of our um our generator, uh that's where that's supplied. We also have to have uh food and drink for 50 people for we plan for 3 to 5 days at that point. Um and then we convert our building over to uh to have our staff stay. Um our operational uh activities uh starts with patrol. Um when when we ask people to leave or when the county asks people to leave through an order, we feel like it's our responsibility to make sure that their property is as safe as it can be while they're gone. Uh so our patrol folks are out there aggressively stopping anybody who's really moving during the time of the storm or immediately thereafter. Uh we helped to man the Dunlton Bridge as you know at 39 miles an hour. the bridge is shut down. We hard block the eastbound to keep people from coming over after they should. Those stay closed uh until they're inspected by the Department of Transportation. Um we set up checkpoints at the north and south city limits. We bring in other agencies to help us with that, but again, anybody who doesn't have a pass, uh we try to keep them out. And then at the last one, we had to help with the ALF evacuation. Afterwards, we go back and uh put the drones up and try to as quickly as we possibly can get a damage assessment through the air. Uh we go around cordoning off dangerous areas and unsecured businesses. That of course was

uh we had a lot of the properties who had lost their seaw walls. Invariably, we'll have several fires after our hurricanes. It's happened in every single one of them. Um we do a daily survey of the damage to the properties and the beach erosion. Um, as soon as we can get down there, uh, we do what we can, but we also have our people, uh, from the top side go and see what they can uh, evaluate. Um, enhanced patrols, again, I talked about that to, uh, combat looters. And again, every every one of these, we catch a looter. Somebody comes here and tries to take advantage of the, uh, the properties that have been, uh, left vulnerable. And then we, um, are the ones who take around FDM and FEMA. uh we are the ones who drive them around. So with that city,

that was a great presentation.

Thank you. Just to wrap it up, one thing I did forget to mention is before the storm, we opened what we call our community information center. Um and we actually use your old phone number, Chief, as our main number. And that's where everybody calls with questions. Um each department will get questions like people pick up their water bill and that you call that number and call finance but everybody's well-versed works together but um when we close the city we usually forward all the main numbers of each department to that uh CIC number and then folks we have different folks uh it's been Lori Nancy uh Sherry depending on who's doing what people just step in and and take those phone calls and they all we keep that number going after the storm as well. So, uh when we had to close all the buildings, that was a very popular number. We had it on our website. Uh we also provide as much information as we can to the county um for their website as well. And we do direct everybody to the county website. That way messaging stays the same. As you're aware in the past there's been but the bridge is open, no the bridge is closed. Um, that's one of the big issues for us. So, with that, if there's any questions, we'll take them. Um, I just want to close my speech by saying these folks are well prepared. U, we've done it before, they can do it again. So, no other questions?

Questions? Thank you. Uh, like I said, I had a couple of citizens that had asked and I told them I think they got it going on, but I'll ask. And and sure enough, nice presentation. Thank you again. Have a question. Appreciate it. Oh, I'm sorry. Um, Commissioner Cart Commissioner Cart has a question. And this was for you, Stuart. You mentioned that there was illegal signage, and I'm wondering what was the illegal signage that you're talking about.

Thank you. So, those illegal signage that I'm referring to are typically um signage. They look like real estate signs and they're they're placed in the right way. Um, they advertise from the Garlic Fair, not getting on the Garlic Fair to to realtors uh advertising open house or something. I'm glad you said that because I know that that's something the our association puts out that they're supposed to take their signs down. So, thank you,

Chief. I have a follow-up question. So, I spoke with a resident last week and I think it was at the north end of town um when the lights went out, when the DOT lights went out and there was a temporary sign, but how we're used to seeing a stop sign on our right side. It was in the middle and I know you know about this. Can you tell us what lessons we've learned from that that we'll do differently next time?

Sure. Um we had a discussion with staff. There's no requirement that there be a stop sign there and um we may be better off to not put any stop signs up there. Statute says that folks would have to uh stop when the lights are out, but we did determine that if we put out a uh a stop sign that we're going to put one there in the middle of the road and to the right to the right side there. But again, I I think the situation that we're talking about, I mentioned it. My folks are looking to stop anybody they possibly can who's out in violation of the um curfew. And I think this was at 2:15 in the morning.

2:15 in the morning. I I don't think that our main concern was um was the not stopping at the stop sign as evidenced by the fact that uh no citation or warning was issued.

Great. Thank you for that followup. Any other questions? Well, again, thank you very very much for that uh presentation and I can see there was a lot of lessons learned that you'll implement next time. So, appreciate that. So, next we have our vice chair and our district 2, our very own Matt Reinhardt that's going to give us a update on some of the county items. Matt, thank you. Yes. Thank you.

Good evening, Madame Mayor, Vice Mayor, Commissioners, city staff. Thank you very much for having me. Um it's always uh a pleasure to come here. Um, I was driving up this evening and and just took notice, spent a few minutes. I'm I'm always early. Uh, and I took a few minutes to stand outside and I I got to tell Stephanie we got to move up. This is just too gorgeous up here. Really is. But nonetheless, it is a beautiful area and I always look forward to coming here speaking to your group. Um, I'm not just your Valuchia County District 2 representative, uh, but also your partner in building a stronger, resilient, and vibrant future, uh, for this community as well as all of Valia County. Tenny Beach Shores is more than just a town within Valuchia County. It's a close-knit community that blends the comfort of a retirement haven uh with the charm of family-friendly beachfront uh city. Tonight, I want to update you on some special projects, some several projects and initiatives that reflect how our commitment are working together for recovery, infrastructure, economic growth, and the quality of life. So, there we go. I don't need to point it up. Okay. Um, our coastline is one of the community's greatest assets and protecting it remains a top priority. Uh, using sand dredge from the Army Corps uh project in Poninlet to the uh the North Sand placement project that began earlier this summer south of the Sun Globe Pier and is steadily working its way to the North Jetty. Uh, if you remember uh I believe I mentioned this before, how many millions of cubic yards of beach compatible sand? Uh we started with the idea of two projects. Uh number one being the uh dredging of the entire inter coastal waterway which would have given us 775,000 cubic yards. We later defined that it was over 900 uh thousand cubic yards which was great. And then we took another 550 or were planning on doing another 550,000 cubic yards for south uh

in New Simra Beach that will come from Rattlesnake Island. In doing so, we had enough money left over uh that we were able to do yet a third dredging project which will identify the Shaw area. Uh the Sholes being your close to your shoreline where we can get another 2.1 million cubic yards of beach compatible sand. Therefore, we'll be able to continue that project that we stop or we work southward from Sunlope Pier to go north of Sunglope Pier uh to the areas that are most vulnerable hit by that area. Uh it's also important to note that the project is not uh is not gone or washed away as a result of the recent storm that we had or any of our king tides that we've been experiencing. Uh these projects were designed so that added sand acts as a buffer. If you've noticed, it's it's kind of piled up. So it does create that barrier and that buffer uh to help protect uh protect not just the shoreline but the beachfront properties as well. While some of the sand shifts, it naturally redistributes between the dunes, what they call a swash zone. I have to find out what that term actually is. I was sitting there reading it. I said, I have no idea what a swash zone is. So, uh, nonetheless, uh, and nearshore waters continue to provide storm protection. Uh, the Norsand project, uh, this project is critical because our dunes are the first line of defense against the storm surge and coastal erosion. By re uh rebuilding and reinforcing the dunes, we're not only protecting homes, businesses, and infrastructure along the shore, but also preserving the beach that drives our local economy and quality of life. We're restoring critical nesting habit lost during the 2022 hurricanes. Uh once the sand has been placed, uh the planting of sea oats, as you noticed here in the pictures, uh and those remained, those stayed. If you've taken the trip down to the beach, you've seen that. I was very uh quick to learn that uh I was a little worried about the king tides and how that would affect that, but they have

stayed in place. Uh I'll talk a little bit about this project later. Uh we have some ideas when I get to my second chance initiative that we'll talk about being able to grow some more of this and be able to provide it for our shoreline as opposed to having to go out and buy it. Matt, you were exactly right when I saw them. They were only about this big. But now look at them. We had our event at Krabby Joe's last Friday or last Thursday and we looked down and they were still there and growing

and growing. Yes, they are and they do they grow quick. So, very very pleased about that. Uh coastal feasibility study and the public engagement of uh sand placement is just one piece of the puzzle. Uh we're also looking decades ahead. Another round of public meetings. You know, we had the first round where we got public input on how they felt that we needed to best utilize our resources and the feasibility of our beach. Um, another round of those meetings uh will take place and will be announced very soon. Uh, the study itself was funded entirely uh by FD, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and will help us design long-term multi-generational coastal protection strategies and solutions that will stand the test of time. kind of an insurance policy for our beaches. Uh I was asked that question up in the shores of what do you mean by insurance policy? We're able to plan out 50 years ahead um and be able to better prepare for storms like we experience. That to me um is a testament of what these feasibility studies uh can do and provide. Unfortunately, you have to have the studies in order to get the money. So, uh, it was nice to have both the money that's coming as a result of the grant operation, um, and being able to fund the feasibility study entirely, uh, with grant dollars as well. Um, we're also hosting community meetings this fall that will, uh, give a chance to give more input on how future generation will enjoy the shores. Uh, we will be posting that materials online to provide an online form so that people can review them and submit their feedback at their convenience. uh transform 386. Uh that project has g been going on. We did uh everybody was familiar as a result of hurricane Ian and Nicole uh that was received quite a bit of funding from HUD uh housing urban development um to be able to fund that project and be able to rebuild some homes, help with some infrastructure, some mitigation uh projects that we've done. But then right

after Milton, we received another aotment of money from HUD to coincide with the first batch. So that will continue to to uh keep that project going for some time. Uh right here in Daytona Beach Shores, Valuchia County has helped with major projects that are already moving forward through the federally funded project. Uh the first focus is on sewer improvements uh north of Dunlton Avenue that include waterproofing manholes, uh gravity sewer lines that are need of repair. They're they're aging. They're old. Uh the first focus is on the sewer improvements. Um by upgrading the infrastructure and developing a longerterm sewer asset management plan, we're not only addressing today's uh vulnerabilities, but also preparing for future challenges. The second project addresses the wastewater system along A1A and throughout the city. Uh crews will replace outdated sewer force mains that run along the barrier island, a system that if we do not address it now, uh could threaten both environmental and public health. Uh at the same time, the 12 own city lift stations will be upgraded with new emergency generators installed to ensure operations continue even when we face those power outages that you referred to earlier. Uh these projects uh represent more than pipes and pumps. They're protecting neighborhoods, preventing environmental hazards, and ensuring Daytona Beach Shores has the reliable infrastructure it needs for decades to come. Uh countywide infrastructure, as you can see here, $460 million were secured for that project. Uh the transform 386 as a result of transform 386 and uh advanced over 200 homeowner recovery projects. It all allocated $67 million to infrastructure improvements across the county and more is on the way. Uh that includes storm water retention, lift stations upgrades, wastewater treatment plant enhancements. Um many of which if

you noticed we and the county are not in the water business just like you. Uh a lot of our cities and unincorporated parts of Valuchia County, we buy our water just like you do uh from the city of Port Orange. We buy it from neighboring cities as well. Uh we do have uh some facilities and we did expand on some of those facilities as a result uh of some votes that we just took at the last council meeting uh and more to come. But this is nice to know that we can help those areas that we do obtain the water from and may be able to discharge our our sewage to as well to help them. Excuse me. In addition to the uh infrastructure planning, we're also just launched uh this is what I referred to earlier, the Hurricane Milton homeowner recovery program. The program provides options such as home repair and replacement reimbursement for completed repairs, vol uh voluntary property buyouts and high-risisk flood areas and match funding to Elevate Florida and FEMA mitigation grants. If you know someone that had their home damaged as a result of Hurricane Milton, uh have them refer to the transform 386 folks. This one, um Frank Rendan Park, uh I wanted to talk a little bit about that. Um I just noticed in an email that we just received. Did I go too far? Yes, I did. Sorry about that. There we go. Frank Render Park. Um an email that we just received from FEMA. Uh when FEMA did some grant money, it was $37.1 million for the entire state of Florida uh for projects such as this. Valuchia County uh was awarded $1.7 million uh just for this just to help with this project. Um that includes the um bear with me here.

Um the sign damage um the the seaw wall. It just keeps checking. I did not do this. I promise you. Okay. Um, it isn't just about replacing what it was lost. It's about restoring the accessibility and the resilience as a beach for your beachgo experience. Crews will rebuild the storm damaged pavilions, restore the pedestrian observation area overlooking the coastline, and install new coina rock along the south end to bring back the natural buffer that once existed between the park and the ocean. We're also making sure the park is welcoming to everyone by constructing our new ADA ramp uh accessible doom walkover. Uh that is part of the 141 walkovers that the county currently has. Um when completed, Franken Park will once again serve as a vibrant community gathering place ready to be enjoyed by all residents, not just of the shores. Um moving on, it just wants to go to that slide really back. I'm just going to leave it there. Maybe it's my hand that's hitting it. Uh working with our coastline properties. Um beyond parks, uh we're focused on strengthening access points that connect community beach. Uh we also know our beach access points are critical not just for residents and visitors, uh but for the overall health of the coastline. uh county staff is working directly with adjacent property owners to both the vote

for vote for and uh Florida shores beach ramps to develop resilient solutions that better protect these areas against future storms. Uh just to expand on this a little bit, you notice that we uh we just completed the project over by ISB that ramp. Uh originally I wanted to expand on this a little bit because it has to do with the the access to the beach. Originally, that was supposed to be the second project. We were actually supposed to do the one on Silver Beach, that ramp first. However, FDOT ch kind of changed the rules on us when they wanted to do the improvements to uh International Speedway Boulevard uh and that access right near the beach. So, we figured uh it would be a lot more cost-effective. We don't want them damaging our stuff if we would have done that ramp second. We didn't want to interfere and damage what they've already done at that. So, we decided to switch those two projects. So, we'll be starting very soon for the silver beach ramp, uh, which was actually supposed to already be done. Park Valuchia, um, Park Valuchia initiative, uh, we're also close to wrapping up the first year of our new Park Valuchia initiative, which provides complimentary beach driving and off beach parking to county maintained lots to registered Valuchia County residents. uh if they haven't yet uh done so uh encourage your citizens to go to the www.parkvvelvalucia.org to do so. Uh it's relatively well it's the process is easier now. It wasn't I'll I'll be the first full full disclosure wasn't so easy for me. I I'll be honest and we had given that feedback to our staff and uh we do subcontract uh this initiative out to another organization that helps us um they provide the vehicles for that does the do the observation part to register those tags. You're going to start seeing um the implementation of more of the tag readers that I'll actually um I have

mixed emotions about that. I love providing jobs for people and uh some of those people that if you've gone to the beach, you you come to know individuals that work those booths on a regular basis and I I will kind of miss that. Uh but I also understand technology and uh the reason for keeping costs down that we have to go to those uh other types of resources. Um but we you will start seeing some of those replace those booths. Uh we will have a little bit of both. uh for obviously we'll have to signage will be required so we can direct uh citizens of which access points will have the tag readers and if they're not registered to be able to go to the booth to be able to provide their access that way. There we go. Ah now something I'm very very excited about. I don't even need the notes for this. Um our corrections you know my experience uh just a couple years with corrections prior to becoming elected. Uh it's been a 30-year career uh in this field. Uh retired as awardman 2000 or 2017. Um one of the things that always uh always concerned me was the individuals the recidivism rate that happened within Valia County, seeing the same faces over and over again. I'd ask those individuals why, you know, why you kept coming back. And many of them would say because they they simply check that box that they've been arrested, not convicted, but just merely have been arrested. Uh so we started a uh process along with the Port AR South Daytona Chamber of Commerce uh which I refer to as the second chance initiative and the second chance initiative has kind of grown. The idea actually was going to be just a farm, an inmate farm. Uh however, when I first got elected, our staffing levels at the jail were about 80 positions down. So we weren't able to do so. So I didn't want to sit on my hands. We want to keep uh see where we could take this program. So again, we partnered with that organization. uh we start a virtual welding program to where we can teach inmates how to weld. Doesn't certify them, but it actually

puts them on the top of the list when they do get out of custody. They can go to Daytona State College and be able to complete that program. Uh in doing so, that opened up the door for some other programs as you see there in the bottom picture of the barbering program. Daytona State also partners with us again and uh donated four barbering chairs. We are going to expand from that program to start a cosmetology program for the female inmates. Uh we have a forklift driving uh training course right now and with our uh Amazon facility that just opened. I went toward that today. I think that's vital. I think that will help out. They were very eager to get on board with this and start coming to our job fairs. Uh we do those quarterly for the inmates. We've never done that. Uh so there's a lot of uh exciting things that are happening and as a result the last meeting we had a 70 vote to go ahead and get started on that farm which we will start uh in January. So, I'm very excited about that.

The farm uh the first phase of which will be an ingground farm. We've already started a hydroponics and what I said I would I alluded to before about the uh the sea oats uh one of we have two currently two green houses. I would like to see utilization of one of those green houses for the purpose of growing sea oats. Uh we are using one right now to grow mangroves. Mangroves takes about a three, four, fiveyear process. Uh we want to use those to help protect the Indian River Lagoon um to be able to that sustain some of the damage as a result of the storm as well so we can regrow those and put that plant those foliages back out there. And we will have some other sea native plants that we can grow and and act and help as our buffer. Right now we had to take some of that funding that we got from find uh to be able to purchase the sea oats. Those grants, as you know, aren't always available. And in the event that we have this issue come up again, we want to be able to uh replace uh what we may have lost or may lose as a result of storms uh to be able to grow it ourselves at no cost to the taxpayer and no cost uh to well, no cost to the taxpayer. I think that's simple set up. There we go. JetBlue. Uh very excited about this. Uh JetBlue is soaring back into Daytona Beach International Airport with two non-stop uh routes to JFK and Boston. And that service will begin December 4th. And tickets are on sale now. With just Blue's edition, Daytona Beach International Airport now serves five commercial carriers uh offering 11 non-stop destinations and seamless one-stop connective uh connections to cities across the county and across the globe. According to the study, FDOT, Daytona Beach's annual economic impact as a result of this was measured at $3.2 billion uh just in 2023. Um we we kind of asked uh there has been a lot of interest on

the west side of the county for some uh flights to the Caribbean. Um and we do have a lot of uh individuals that have family members in Puerto Rico. Uh, so we are at least starting those conversations now with hopefully a non-stop flight to that location. Nothing official about that yet, but I I I I think that's exciting just to hear that. You think it'll be with JetBlue or

I think it's going to be with JetBlue or Breeze. It could be one or the other. We um we're leaving that door open. So I don't think that we'll get it from the other carriers of Delta or are the the main carriers that we have it but I think we can with JetBlue or Breeze uh fiscal responsibility. Finally, a word about our fiscal stewardship. No matter how uh exciting a project is uh it has to be financial uh financially sustainable. The council is in the process of developing our budget as you know we just finished it u in the second and final reading. Uh I'm proud to say that the general fund millage uh will remain flat also uh and other rates will either stay flat or go to a roll back. There was some discussion um about taking some of our other funds like uh echo and forever to go to roll back. I don't see how we can do many of the projects that we want to do and go to a roll back rate. So we're going to keep those at flat. uh the the uh issue that was uh voted in several years ago and extended for another 10 years or 20 years um was approved to it would not exceed uh 02% or point2 mills. Uh we're going to keep it at that. We think we can fund those many of those projects like our ballparks and things of that nature. Uh right now I will tell you that in Valuchia County uh what we do with Valuchia Forever one of many of which people and the residents don't understand that we currently have 38% of Valuchia counties in conservation right now much of which is as a result of Valuchia and Florida Forever projects and we're still growing. Uh our goal setting we asked for at least 50% to be in conservation. we're well on our way and if we can continue to purchase those properties uh to do so, but it has to be adjacent to other properties. We can't have pieces all over the state or all over the county. But 38% uh just to put

it in perspective is a size uh it's bigger than Semino County. So you can imagine taking Semino County plopping it into Valuchia County and expand that a little bit and that's what we currently have uh in conservation which is very very exciting. Um, I'm I'm very excited and thank you very much for the opportunity and and I'll take any questions that you may have uh with regards that I could go on and on. They gave me too many notes. I don't want I'd rather speak from the heart from the hip. What What questions do we have for our county council representative? I don't have any questions, but thank you for coming and what a nice presentation. A lot of information. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Um Matt, when do you think that will start um from Sununglow Pier going north? Is that like beginning of 2026? It probably will. I know we're talking about uh the Shaw area that we were talking about. U probably will be and because we'll be still uh continuing this project and then we do have the Rattlesnake Island project that we have to do next. Uh we did um determine that we're going to use the same dredging company out of Jacksonville. um you don't have to

wait for one to leave and bring another back. It amazes me uh and maybe somebody can explain that to me one day uh with as much as we have sustained in damage on our shoreline and we do this dredging project. The Army Corps of Engineers does it about every five to six years anyway. And normally they take that sand that they dredge out of the inter coastal for navigational pu uh purposes through the inner coastal and they dump it in anywhere from 8 to 12 feet uh deep water out in the Atlantic Ocean. they have never ever changed their permit and we were able to convince them to do so by giving us that sand uh to these vulnerable areas especially here in Daytona Beach Shores. So knowing that um it'd be nice to have a dredging company think about coming closer to Valuchia County. So I think that they could do uh I don't know that's just me but u seeing what I've seen uh I think that would be a great idea but nonetheless it's not my not my circus not my monkey. Uh Matt does a wonderful job of representing us. So we thank you very much for that.

Thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you, Matt. Okay. Uh next we are going to go on to the approval of the minutes. So this is our city commission minutes of September 8th, 2025. Do I hear a motion to accept those minutes as is? I so move. Thank you. Second. I'll second. All right. Any discussion on those minutes from 10 8? If not, Sher, can you take a vote, please?

Okay. And the minutes passed 5-0. Thank you for that. Next, we're going to move on to the consent agenda. We have three items on our consent agenda. Do I hear a motion to approve that consent agenda?

I so move. I second. Thank you. All right. Any discussion? Not Sherry. Can you take a roll, please? And that passed. 5-0. Thank you. Okay. Next, we're going to go on to new business. So, um, Chris Conamos, our commissioner, is our representative on our Valuchia Flaggler Transportation Planning Committee, and he had talked to us about six months ago in April that they were looking for commissionapp appointed uh, three citizens. So, normally I would have Chris take this over. I know it's a little bit hard with him being on the uh, call. So, I'm just going to read a little bit of a background on it. So on April 1st, 2025 at our city commission meeting, the commission appointed three citizens to serve on the Valuia Flaggler TPO citizens advisory committee. They were Karen Bullard, Vince Donvidito, and Carol Sutherland. Their term was for six months. The first term is now ending, and the members who were to switch roles with a new regular member and alternates. It seems at this time though the three citizens are no longer able to fill their commitment to the committee. At the April 1st meeting there was one other resident who has expressed interest in serving but she was not appointed. Her name is Susan Zosner and she is interested in the appointment if the commission so desires. So uh right now I'm looking for a motion to put Susan on the uh citizens advisory board. Do I hear a motion? Madame Mayor, I'll take that motion. Um, and can I clarify something as well?

Certainly. I I did speak to Miss um Xanister. I'm not sure if that's how you pronounce her name. Well, I did not speak to her. We had played phone tags a couple times. Um, so she was the only person I was not able to make contact with. She was not at the meeting when we actually appointed the folks, but um, but I do understand she is interested because again, she had left a voicemail or two for me. So I would be happy to have her on the citizens action committee. Okay. Thank you. Oh, thank you. So we have a a motion from Commissioner Conamost. Do I hear a second? I'll second. Thank you. Any discussion? Not Sherry. Can you take a vote on that, please?

Madam Mayor, can I just ask for what length of term would this be? Chris, would this be um a six-month term or what term would it be? Six. Six month. All right. So, let's Can you include that in the motion, please? Chris, can you reo your motion to appoint her for a six month to appoint Miss Sannister for a six-month um term in the citizens advisory committee? Okay, thank you. So, we have that. And did we have a second? I'll second it again.

Okay, second it again. And um thank you. And again, you know, this is something we're going to be voting on. So, um, I don't see anyone that wants to talk on this subject, but is there anyone else that has any other comment or might be interested in this committee? Seeing none, Sherry will take the vote now, please.

Madam May, I'd like to thank Sherry as well for following up on that as well. I appreciate that.

Okay. Thank you. Yes. and she did do that when when we were a little uh when we saw that three people didn't want to be back on. So, I I know Susan and uh Nancy Maddox knows her well and she's always looking for an opportunity to serve the city. So, I'm sure she was quite happy with this. So, uh that passed 50. So, next we are going to move on. Thank you for that. Next, we're going to move on to our um approval of the parks and recreation master plan. Good evening, Madame Mayor, Vice Chair, Commissioners Nancy Maddox, um community engagement director. Uh I'm very excited to present to you the first ever Shores Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Um and with us tonight is Brett Kuzoyan. Do you want to come on up? Um he's our principal in charge, project manager from Castlebay Design Studio, and he's going to give you a short presentation.

Great. Thank you so much. Welcome.

Uh I'm Brett Kazoyan, principal of Castle Bay Design Studio. Uh Castle Bay was also the consultant team leader on the parks and wreck master plan effort. Um the the master plan itself uh is nearly 200 pages in length and uh the result of over 600 hours of consultant team time. So we're not going to do a page turn here tonight and go through all the details. So I'm going to try to keep it short and sweet for you. I've got a few slides just to cover the high points and uh like I said, I'll run through these fairly quickly and we can open up for any questions. Uh the first slide here is basically just to cover the purpose of a rec park parks and recreation master plan. Um the inherent value of a healthy parks and recck system within a community uh as well as our process internally um which fits nicely into three primary efforts which is research, public engagement uh and master plan development. Um, diving right into the master plan recommendations, which is chapter 4. It's the culmination of everything that you have in the master plan in front of you. Uh, wanted to go over a few of the big the big points, the the the higher points within the master plan. Public feedback and public engagement was a huge part of what we did. Uh, we had a two-prong effort. So we had two public engagement meetings in midappril as well as a statistically valid needs assessment survey which was a hard copy mailer sent out to every residents within the shores. Um with those combined uh across both of those public outreach efforts, the most common responses received for future park and facility improvement and development were um furthering the tree planting program. Uh more shade, shade was king. I mean, if if you were to ask me what's the one thing that came out of the public meetings, I pretty much heard from every resident was more shade. More shade, more shade. Um, number two, u multi-use hiking, biking, and walking trails. Um, building upon the success of the Shores Community Center, a performing arts theater, and regarding the programming, the three primary

programming feedback elements we got were more cultural enrichment programs, an adult performing arts program, and more senior programs. Um, a few additional points I wanted to include on this slide which as the master plan developed became overwhelmingly um, apparent were that within the future of the city of Daytona Beach Park system, it became overwhelmingly obvious that all roads lead to McElroy Park. You put McElroy Park in fifth gear in terms of facility upgrades, improvements, and programming. that is probably the the biggest, you know, most juice for the squeeze. I mean, it's we can improve other little pockets and, you know, parks and beach crossovers and things like that throughout the city, but if you're going to focus on one area in the short and long term, Mckelroy Park is where all roads lead. Uh the second one there, expanding on the success of the Shores Community Center with the community center expansion. Obviously, that's a long-term approach, but one of the primary feedback items we got through the needs assessment survey and the public meetings were that folks really wanted to build upon everything that's positive here. Everybody, I didn't speak with a single individual that had anything even mediocre, let alone negative to say about what the Shores Community Center offers to the community. So, they would like to see if we could take a step forward with that as well. So, I wanted to include that here. Also, um, an interesting thing that came out of the public meetings was the some intra coastal water access. As you know, there's no current access. We've got a few things within the the master plan, which I think are hard swings on how we may be able to accomplish that, but providing one po, you know, we've got great beaches here, but to bring the river to the sea, it would be great if we had one point of access for the public to the inter coastal waterway. Um, and also establishing an urban trail network. That was something we heard repeatedly uh through both forms of public outreach. U this is a table you're going to see in the parks master plan. We felt like it

was probably the most appropriate one to include here. What it's outlining is the top four high priority projects that the master plan is recommending. Obviously, as I said, Miguel Roy Park being number one, far and away number one, I'll note. Um I'll get into that in some more detail here with the last slide. Uh number two, an improvement to the St. Kits Beach access. Um, third one, uh, a consideration for obtaining Sunset Park for the ICW access that I mentioned. Um, and finally, the Daytona Beach Shores branded urban trail network. U, each of these, if you go into the master plan in chapter 4, there's a full page for each of these which outlines it in much more detail. Um, speaking to Mckelroy Park, since as I've mentioned several times, Mckelroy, all roads lead to McElroy, what we wanted to do is instead of drafting a master plan, like I said, it's 200 pages long and it says Mckelroy is where the future of success is at and that's what you need to focus on. We wanted to be proactive and provide what the the book reads without a master plan. It reads as though, well, you're talking about Mckelroy Park, but you're not really telling us what we should do. So, what we decided to do was to create a conceptual master plan that we've included within the master plan. Um, and what this does is this is kind of a snapshot. If if we had our DRS in a clean canvas, what would we do to Miguel Roy to put it into fifth gear as I mentioned earlier? Um, and it's not that this is the direction, it's just one idea about how we could pursue that if if if we had our drivers. Uh, number one, starting off the top there in the northeast corner would obviously be the parcel where the existing Bank of America, the old Bank of America building um, sits. The idea is to acquire that parcel and turn it into a 70 approximately 75 space parking lot. Currently, most of the facilities in the pickle ball courts and the playground and the Van Alder dog park, most of those access ways are through the

residential neighborhood to the south. That's not ideal. It's fine, but it's not ideal. Obviously, as we all know, to get anywhere north and south in Daytona Beach Shores, you're likely traveling on A1A. So, it makes a ton of sense to have the primary parking facility directly off of A1A. So, the acquisition of the Bank of America property, turning it into a parking lot to provide approximately 75 spaces. It would also uh be home to a dedicated food truck loop um which is right there adjacent to what's labeled as the event plaza and flag court um which is just east of the existing shores pavilion. Um also on the backside as you know the shores pavilion there's currently just the standard set of typical uh staircase going down to the large green space there. What we're proposing is that instead of just traditional stairs we double that as amphitheater style seating. At the base of that, we have a covered stage. We've reigned um the perimeter walkway that currently goes around um the the large green area there. Just something a little bit more geometric, a little more aesthetically pleasing, something more conducive of a public sp park space. Looks a little more purposeful. Um, and then, uh, before we get into the pickle ball there, over where, uh, just north of the public safety building in between the event plaza and the public safety, you'll see that that's the building that's currently occupied by the express care facility. Again, as I mentioned, we took some hard swings in the master plan. And this is one that there there it is going to take some strategery, but long term if there's an ability to um when that lease does expire with that tenant because as you know that building is owned by Daytona Beach Shores, if you were able to acquire that, that really checks the box as far as what I mentioned earlier about a lot of folks really garnering for more community center space. That could be the first step in the right direction there. And just to the west of that, we've got the two-story community center expansion. Um there was a lot of thoughts about what could be contained within that, but it

could both be facility based and program based. Um over the pickle ball courts, um shade was huge whenever we had some of the plans up to some of the public. Um and we were talking about how they utilize Melroy Park and as well as talking to folks who were playing pickle ball. When we did our facilities tour, everybody was screaming shade. The biggest thing we could do of shade. If we do nothing else, if we accomplish a little bit more shade out here, that's a home run. So what we've got here is that we're showing graphically is a fixed shade structure over those existing eight uh pickle ball courts. Um we uh Castle Bay is currently doing something very similar uh over in Dand right now. We're putting a pre-engineered metal building over the David Disney tennis courts that are being converted into a pickle ball complex. We're having a lot of success with that. We found that financially it actually makes a ton of sense. and speaking with our structural engineers and architects that are on the job, um I couldn't help but think that that project that's running parallel with this, I couldn't help but think of how that could apply here to the Mckelroy Park and check a lot of boxes for the folks that um are desperate for shade out there. So again, this isn't meant to be all of the answers, but it's just providing a little bit of a snapshot and an idea of how we would approach as professional park designers and planners how we would um approach this and put some thoughts down on paper and start to open the dialogue and the discussion about the future of McElroy. So that's the last slide that I have for you. Um happy to answer any questions you might have. Um I see you have here in the presentation and we'll read on it a little bit more. The two pocket parks we have Andronopoulos and Beach Comr. Um very very underutilized. Correct.

Um do you want to give a high level what could happen there?

Yeah. Um sentimental value on those as well. Um I worked for an engineering firm in Orman Beach years and years ago when I actually designed Melroy in Beach Goldber. Um so we visited those and um multiple times and what we found is that nobody's utilizing those park spaces. Um we we met with one lady who was walking by. She was kind of interested in what we were doing. We were taking some notes, doing our thing and um she said, "Yeah, yeah, she lives in one of the towers across the street and she she echoed what we were observing um that very rarely is anybody in those spaces." So we started thinking about again going back to the hard swings we were taking. The idea there is, and I know it's not perfect and talking with Kurt and staff, that it does have some hair on it about how it would happen, but if funding becomes an issue, one of the funding mechanisms that we talk about later in the book, would be to um potentially let go of those two parcels. Those are very small. I think they're they're the most they're ever going to be today, which is very underwhelming and underutilized. So, I know it's probably a very unpopular opinion to remove park spaces from a park program in a parks master plan, but we do feel that all things considered with McElroy being the focus and other facilities um presenting some very lowhanging fruit for very high value that Beach Comr and Andronopoulos would probably be best served in the grand scheme of things to uh go a different route. I wish Matt would have stayed a little bit more representing the county, but um you know, depending on what's going to happen with the with the county parking situation, you know, that's up the Heritage changing whatever it's doing, but I know they're looking for a lot of offbeing.

So, uh Oh, Matt's still there. We asked a question about would you be interested in buying two beautiful parks? I'm sorry. Anyway, we'll talk later, but anyway, so that was one of the ideas that came up that maybe more off- beach parking would be um you know, something that the county might look at. And both of those parks, if I'm not mistaken, do have parking next to them. So, actual park and anywhere probably from t 20 to 30 um parking spaces at each. So it might too nice parking

in great condition I might add with a storm water infrastructure already already placed. So yes, you're you're correct. So that's something we could look at. I would encourage you to do that. Yes. What other questions do we have? Madame Mayor, I think I have a question.

Yes, this is uh Commissioner Conamos on the line. First of all, I'd like to thank Brett for an outstanding presentation and the packet that you provided. The agenda uh was very well done, very detailed, answered a lot of questions. Um, one of my main concerns is I understand that um the master plan has already been budgeted for the 2425 budget. Um, and I this may be addressed to Kurt. Um, and I understand we're not obligated to um undertake any of the recommendations. Some of them are very expensive. Um, but are we under any financial obligation to Castle Bay um as a retainer or do we renew this every couple years? How does that work?

Did you get that question? Yeah, we would have to do probably a an RFP later if we wanted to do an update in, you know, three to five years. Um but also uh Commissioner Conamos mentioned um you know we we are not under any obligation by accepting the plan tonight to do any of these project. They would all need to be budgeted and you know approved by commission at the time uh to do any of those projects. So if we have the motion tonight to accept the proposed park and wreck master plan, what does that look like? What are we approving? We do that.

And madame mayor, can I make one more comment as well?

My my other comment is if you know there's been a lot of talk about the state doing away with property taxes if they get their way um we're going to be hardressed to come up with money um to refurbish parks, you know, enhance them. But I understand it's been floated to maybe selling the two parks to to Valuchia County. Um I'm not at this point, you know, I haven't really thought about it that much, but I don't know how um you know, if I really like the idea of making beach parking right there that might increase the traffic A1A right there. Um so there'd have to be a lot of discussion about that as well. So, but my big concern right now is if if um property taxes um are done away with, where are we going to come up with a lot of this extra money to do this? So, all I'm saying is I'm not against voting for this, but I think we should proceed with caution with anything that we do. I don't think we should make big plans at this point to refurbish any of these parks. I did see some lighting issues in the dog park. Um I'd be amanable to that because that is really a safety concern. Um but anything beyond that at this point um you know I I think we need to proceed with caution.

Okay. Thank you. So Kurt again so if we do approve this this evening what are we approving? Just the concept of improvements. So right now there is no major park improvement budgeted in the 2025 2026 u budget year. So any project would need to be brought back before the commission. uh conceptually and then obviously would need to be added to the future year's budget.

Okay. So this is just approving the overall plan and then piece by piece by piece because he mentioned several different things that could be done in different phases. So all right so um I guess my second part of this is so tonight if we approve this there's no u financial responsibility right now. Okay. Just want to make sure of that. Okay. Um, any other questions? That was a wonderful presentation and again I wish everybody would go online and look at this because the documentation, the backup documentation and the detail looking at over again were just fantastic. So, thank you very much.

Um, one last note I forgot to mention. Uh, but during the public engagement process, we had a a first ever and and our master plan development. Um, the response rate that we received from residents was more than more than double our goal, which we've never seen before. set a goal. We send out the mailers and we've done them up to four times. So, uh, not only did we hit it on the first mailing, but we more than doubled it. So, I just wanted to thank all of the residents for an overwhelming response and making it nice and easy for us. Um, and it only, you know, ups the statistically valid portion of it even further than our goal was. So, that was fantastic. We have wonderful residents that are very, very committed to this and want to see this to be the best place to live, work, and vacation. So, thank you so much. All right. Thank you.

Yes. Thank you. Anything else you want? I I do want to add the appendices were not included in this packet because it was another how many pages? About another 80 pages, 60 pages. If anybody would like to see them, we do have them just for the record. Okay. With that said, if there's um no questions, do I hear a motion to approve this park and Rex plan or would you like to approve it with uh some changes? Do I hear a motion, please? I I'll move to approve it if I and we'll see if we get a second and I'd like to make comments. We have a second. I'll second it. I also have some comments. Thank you. All right. So, Vice Mayor, let's start with your comments.

First of all, Brett, thank you so much for you and your company for a really um detailed proposal. I like it. I I like some things about it. we as the fiscal responsibility for our our our residents, we have to see what we're going to do, how much it's going to cost, and then we can make uh budget items and and director of finance will get involved. So, this is just approving this presentation, but the second thing I like is maybe doing things in phases uh with maybe a priority, you know, kind of determined by us. Um, but it's I I love the concept and um it it it looks like it will improve um the most utilized parts of the the city and the parks. So, I I like it.

Thank you. Um Commissioner Conamos, any other comments? No, thank you.

Okay, Commissioner Dinski. Yeah. What I what I was fascinated when you stood up to start your presentation and you started talking about the input from citizens because very often citizens don't get involved in stuff like this, but Daytona Beach Shores has always been a city where the citizens they like the services that they get and that's what our job is to provide those services. That plan that's gorgeous and if if we could ever make something like that happen that would be a really good focal point. Um, the other thing you and I had spoken about the performing arts center and that would not necessarily ever have to be located in that park area. It could be anywhere with the if the land was available, but uh I think you got some very good input from the citizens. And uh thank you very much.

Okay. And uh Commissioner Carter, do you have any comments? I don't. Thank you though, Brett. Okay. So, uh we have a motion and a second. um I believe.

And so now if you could take a vote, Sherry. Okay. So that um passed 50. Thank you. That might be me. Okay. Uh thank you very much again for coming and all the work you devoted and everybody that when we came to the open house here at the community center they were very very open to answering our questions. So we appreciate that. Thank you. Okay. Now we're going to move on to uh continued discussion on the city manager hiring process. So um do you want to start us from the beginning vice mayor or

Sure. Um, we have I think everyone's got a copy of the really wellprepared brochure that asks for a resume and inquiry about the job and all the different things about our community and um kind of the minimum qualifications and the compensation benefits. So, this is a really wellprepared professional product. So, whoever was involved, thank you. Um, I'm working in conjunction with our city attorney. Want to do everything by the book and do everything so we can increase the likelihood of hiring the best candidate uh as city manager. That being said, we all approved this in the last meeting. It has gone out in advertisements and uh we are now starting to receive resumes and I think we have about seven or eight resumes from the last conversation I had with city staff. I'm not touching anything until I get authority from the city commission. So, um, attorney vos had given me an outline of kind of a protocol of how you want to proceed. And it really is up to us as a commission how we want to do it. But my goal is to we have time. So, you know, we still got time because we have till December uh within which to receive resumes. So, we're not doing any interviews yet. We're not going to have the candidates meet with any directors of um the the the city. They're not going to meet with me. They're not going to meet with you guys um because we all have sunshine uh laws. So, what I want to do is have a longer conversation and I had a few criticisms that I want to go back and forth with attorney boast. So by the next meeting I will have for you to look at a kind of a protocol an outline of how we'll do it. Whether we'll have a little committee, whether it'll just be me, whether I'll filter

the resumes or will I filter the resumes with the interim city uh manager, with the mayor, with the city commissioner. So um I'll I'll bring options, but I'll bring you information so you can make an intelligent decision about the process. But that's where we are now. So we're we're We're moving along.

Okay. Um, one of the things I wanted to talk about, vice mayor, is I know I had a conversation with Mr. Basinger after the last thing and then um, I was at a Florida League of Functions last year. This 90 days that we have seemed extraordinarily long and I I want to go over a timeline to see, you know, why I mean that. So, one of the reasons I I think was given that, you know, there might be some uh city manager that um maybe was let go with the change, but we have to remember this is a nonpresidential year. So, there's going to be very very few um um elected officials on a board. So, that's number one. And a 90 days, there was no one that I had talked to that had ever done 90 days before. Um, so, um, Susan Martin, can you weigh on that? You know, something like this, a position at this, and then I want to go backwards, um, saying, you know, like our our city manager gave us. And normally when you're at that high level, is it a 30 or 60 days that you give to the where you're leaving at the higher level you are, what we're looking for right now? So, uh, just first of all answer the question, what is a normal? to me coming from AT&T the maximum we did as a job opening was 45 days but you're the expert.

Yes. So um thank you mayor. Um typically in a position a high level position like this um I would say 60 45 60 days to maybe 45 days would be a maximum amount that would kind of be standard and what you would would look at. Okay. All right. Thank you. And is it a true statement? You know, probably when you're hiring somebody in public works, they might give their employer two to four weeks, but to at a level that we're looking at for people to be applying for this position. Normally, they might have a contract that says you have to give 30 days, 60 days. Would you agree the higher up position is, the more you

Yes, that's correct. I say that a minimum we're going to be looking at a minimum of a 30-day um submittent could be more of a 60-day submitt once we've actually identified the person from what they

so I was just and I want everybody else's opinion but I was looking at this and I know in our interim city manager is going to do a fantastic job um but you know my opinion is we want to get someone in you know learning the system as soon as we And so if we're looking at a December 15th, as I was going back over this, we're really realistically not going to do anything to January. That's going to take, I think, a minimum of days. So I know the vice mayor is going to tell us how he feels about who he wants on his selection committee. So I think we're t, you know, talking at least midFebruary. And if we get somebody, you know, if we make an offer in February, you know, we're talking, I think realistically we're looking at April. And I don't think our intent was that we wanted to wait six months. So that's something and that's uh open to discussion. Um, one of the other things that I was looking at at was the selection committee. So, I think we need to determine if not tonight, Vice Mayor, you know, when who we would have on the selection committee. And I think we've talked about before. We definitely want our directors to be involved in making the decision. And I definitely want the citizens involved. But my idea of citizen involvement is when we narrow it down to the three, the five that we have an open house that we have these candidates here and invite citizens in in a very relaxing atmosphere to talk to these candidates and get their feedback. So that's a couple things I had on my mind. Does anyone else have anything else or

Yeah, I I've got a couple comments. Um the uh interim city manager uh is willing I I know he spoke about this. He'll stay as long as it's necessary.

I don't I don't have any objections to cutting the time down, but no matter what this is, this is October. No matter what time we cut it down to, we're going to be into Thanksgiving, Christmas, the New Year. I don't see us being able to whether it's s 45 days, 60 days, or 90 days, being able to onboard anybody or even make an offer until the spring of next year. I I don't see how that would even be possible even if we said you got two weeks to apply now. There's just too much going on as far as the holiday season and there's a lot of planning to do and we don't even really know how we're going to interview. We do. The only thing I know about this SIS uh process is what I observed when I was the chief here. We had that process

and it takes time. There's a background investigation going to be involved. Uh and Mike has uh has agreed to stay as long as as he's needed. So I don't I don't see any advantage. I don't see any disadvantage to cutting it from 90 to 60 days or whatever. But I don't think it's going to cut our time frame down. That's that's just my opinion. Um if it if it was this if this was February or something, that'd be a different deal. Okay. Which part of it um commissioner, don't you think? So if we did a 60 days, and I think we posted this, was it September 15th?

Okay. So that would take us into November 15th, you know, again, you know, a week or two, but at least, you know, we could start to the selection progress. I don't think we're going to do interviews until the first week in January, even if we had a November 15th. But if we have a December 15th, I mean, that's just going to put push it one month over. I've talked to some candidates and um I know that they say they're in a position right now that um they um are in a place that they don't want public record requests. So, they're in somewhere right now that they know. Um, so and there was quite a few of them that said that to me. So no matter what we put the date is, I don't think we're going to get these applications till probably seven to 10 days before this cut off date. So um, you know, I don't think we're going to get a lot in that we can even really start to interview some of the quality candidates, but I'm, you know, I'm open to it. I'm just I'm always big on lessons learned and subject matter experts and everyone that I'm talking to 90 just seems too long. So I just want to bring that forward. Like I said, if it was a different time of year, I I I totally agree. I just don't see the advantage. But that's up to the commission.

Um, if I may, uh, following the, uh, commission's direction uh, at the last meeting, it was advertised as a closing date of December 15th. December 15th. And um in talking with staff, there was a good concern that we've already put that out there and that's already been advertised. Perhaps the attorney could weigh in on uh us changing that uh after the process has begun.

Um I'd want to talk to uh city attorney votes about this, but I think it's within the city's discretion to amend a date after it's been posted. Um, you know, we don't know any of the candidates say anything as of yet, but certainly I think that can be amended.

And I did have a conversation with her and it would not be we would have to we were the ones that voted on it. So we would have to be the ones and remember though the reason I'm bringing up now and if you remember, you know, I did bring up at that time that I had concern and we only had three members here. So I wanted to wait until we had the five here to make sure that everybody, you know, has a vote on it. You know, again, just when Mr. Basinger came up to me afterwards. So, it just raised a concern. So, two things that would be um Nancy has had this beautiful post out here. So, that's to your point too. You know, it has the December 15th date on it. Um I think this would be a little bit of a expense to our city. I think we could easily change it online. If people are following that posting, they're going to very much see that it's changed on there. But I just want to do what's best for this. And you know, I had hoped, you know, that maybe we'd have someone at the end of January, beginning of February, and I don't think that's possible. Uh, city manager, can I ask you because I know you've gone through a process again. Can you tell me like what would you think would be a natural timeline if we close this on December 15th? You know, go with the interviewing, the selection, and all that. Do you feel like it would be April? It all depends, I think, on the the applicant and uh what kind of time frame they would need to give. I I do agree with an earlier comment. I just want to say that, you know, most city managers that have been around and understand Florida Sunshine are probably not going to put um an application in and probably till the week of December, you know, 10th through the 15th uh for that public record because, you know, they are exposing themselves to that uh sunshine rule and they may not want their city to find out right away if the

process is stretched out. So, I would expect at the very end of whatever time frame is chosen to get quality applicants. Um, not that we won't get any quality applicants ahead of time, but that you'll get a lot more applicants that last week. Okay. Um, so anyway, uh, Commissioner Conamos, do you have any opinion on this? I I don't, but I agree with Commissioner Dipsky about his concerns. Um, but but I'm okay. And are we going to talk about the um membership um screening committee as well? You mean the selection team? Yes.

Okay. Yeah. Yes. Um so uh vice mayor, what are your plans right now? Who will be on your selection committee?

It we don't even if you guys want me to have a selection committee, that's fine. And I think that, you know, it would probably be good to have different personalities and different eyes on it. Um, so it could be a fellow city commissioner, it could be you, it could be the interim city manager. Um, I I I I'm open. I don't mind uh participating with another person and I'll make myself available uh for any time constraints. And um also just to answer your question, if you want to do this in 60 days and not 90, I'm fine with that too.

Well, I want to do what's best for the city, but and I want to follow um best practices that are out there. You know, we have access to you know, so we have our HR manager here. We had someone here last week that was um you know, that's his specialty. And I do have to say too, I when I was a meeting, uh there was a mayor there from Santael Island. She said, "I have somebody in Daytona Beach Shores that's great." And when she said the name, I said, "Yeah, he was at our last meeting." So, I know he does bring a lot of expertise that he even did Santael Island city manager. And, you know, I'm just again, I think I would have been a lot firmer last meeting had we had, you know, everyone there. I didn't want to with only three of us here last meeting bring that up. So, that's something we can absolutely vote on. Uh my opinion is I I would like to have at least at least one resident on that selection committee. Um a little bit and um about or were were you thinking maybe having the at city attorney on the selection committee or no? You were just asking

she could be if she wants she can appear by phone. You know, Becky has given me an outline and uh I reviewed it and and I had a couple of comments, but it has been one busy week for me and so I want to have time to reach to her. So by the next city commission meeting I will have an outline of what I propose but in the interim um you know I I will take suggestions or suggestions could be made to Becky so we don't violate sunshine and then she can take uh them incorporate them in her modifications of her skeleton proposal that she's given me. Okay.

And madame mayor I would not object to um the recommendations by the Bose law firm. They had I think their recommendations were uh vice mayor, um city finance director, community development director, HR manager, and acting city manager. Um and I think that would be an adequate list for that. Um I I think you probably should also talk to the city attorney about having a citizen on there because again, you know, there's going to be background checks. Um you're going to be dealing with very personal issues. Um, so I I wouldn't be I wouldn't have an objection to that, but I think um the city attorney needs to weigh in on that for any potential legal consequences.

Okay. All right. So, where are we? So, how about I I I make a motion? Yes. Uh I make a motion to reduce the deadline to 60 days as opposed to 90. Okay. And then I part of that motion is to have a selection committee comprised of directors of the different departments, myself, attorney Vos or member of her firm and someone from the city uh from the um the residents. Um so that way, you know, uh I think we cover all our bases.

And I'm and I don't know why in my mind did Becky say she'd be I know she's willing to assist us in this. I'm not sure the city attorney should be on the selection committee in then that's fine. We don't have to have her on there. I don't have a problem with that. All right. So, and I agree with everything else. I would really like to have a citizen on there. So, let's check with Becky for sure to see if there was, you know, a problem with that whatsoever. And I I guess um so I'm going to say attorney politus right now. Does if there were Yes. I'm so sorry to interrupt, but attorney Vos is available by phone if you'd like to reach her now. Okay. Or to dial in to advise on that. Otherwise, I'm sure she'd be happy to.

Okay. I think we can check with her later on. I don't know if it's necessary tonight. I know she's out. Um so, um so when you're going over the selection committee, you know, and again, you know, I haven't done anything like this before. with a background check come in. Are we going to do background checks on everyone or when we narrow it down? Um, so so on a selection committee, would a residents have to know the background? I think everyone's going to know the background because it's all going to be public record. So I mean I and I think that the background should come to the final four, the final five.

Oh, that's what I'm saying. Okay. So So I'm going to write a resume and we're going to read all these resumes. I I think if they had a felony on there, it's not going to appear on there until we do do a background check. So, we will all be able to see this resume, everything that you've done, but the background check to see if you have any felonies or misdemeanors would not come until we narrow it down. Susan, can you help me on that? Is that normal? That's what we would want to do. Excuse me. Sorry. Yeah. The initial selection would go through look at the information, you know, do they meet the initial requirements?

Did they submit the documentation um that we request it be submitted for each application to be, you know, considered? And then we would look at, you know, what is their experience and kind of weed people out from that standpoint. Whatever number that is arise that we say, okay, we're going to get it down to four or five, that's when you would start to look at, okay, dig deeper. What is the background? What do they actually have? Checking references and are the criminal and all that piece. Then you wouldn't want to do it on everyone,

right? Okay. So, so help me with the selection to um Commissioner Conamus' point. If we had a residence on this selection committee and they're part of the selection that said, "Here, I'm narrowing down to these four people." That wouldn't really be a violation, would it? Because then those four people that we have left, where does it go? And maybe vice mayor can help me after that. So we have the selection committee that narrowed it down to four. But remember, we all have to look at every single, you know, one of these. So when we narrow it down to four, is that a that is decision for the final decision is for us up here. Is that correct? Of course.

Yeah. Okay. So I don't see am I missing something on the background check? I want to address uh Commissioner Connivas's concern and Chris unless you can maybe well um our chief's going to say something about that that I'mma guidelines and their recommendations like Susan said you would just do a general background check uh you know Google and a criminal history check on that anybody can do from their computer

correct when commission narrows it down to one or two people that is when we would uh suggest suggest and ICMA suggests that you actually do a thorough deep dive into their background, their personal relationships, their professional relationships, and I would recommend that it be done in person um at at their current and past employers. Okay. Thank you,

Yes. I'm sorry. the one thing that I just want to get kind of straight in my mind. Uh Becky Vos told us under all circumstances we have to we have to be provided every resume that is submitted whether they've met the minimum qualifications or a selection committee has decided on four people or five whatever it is but we have to look at we have to

Yes. So, one thing that I'd like vice mayor to remember is that they might have a selection committee might have a list of four, five, 10 people. I as a as a commissioner might have some other people and that I think are more qualified or as qualified or whatever it may be. And we are the ones who are hiring this manager. Correct. Correct. Right. It's not the department heads. It's not the citizens. That's our job. Right. Okay. I just I just wanted to make sure that I'm going to have access to 50 75 resumes and that that I'm going to be able to read them all. I've done this before. It's not all that complicated, but I want to have an opportunity rather than having four names presented to me.

And to your point, the vice mayor, he's going to do a great job. That's exactly what I said last time, too. You know, maybe number eight or number 10, I might say that looks good to me. You know, I want that one included where you might do the same thing. an attorney. I think you had something to say to us. Uh yes, m I just for the sake of clarity, uh attorney Bose is both available and actually watching the meeting. So Okay, great. It would not inconvenience her at all. I just wanted to Thank you, Becky. Um so anyway, so we have have the motion to go to the 60 days. Do we want to include something else in that motion on the selection committee or do we want to hold that for next meeting

for the next meeting? How's that? So, we have all of us time to think about what we discussed and I'll have a proposal for you to consider that will come from the uh city attorney. So, uh let me let me do this. Let me withdraw my previous motion. Let me go ahead and uh and author a new one. I'll make a motion to reduce the deadline date from 90 days to 60 days and allow the city to advertise it accordingly. That's my motion. Okay. Thank you. Do I have a second on that? I'll second it.

Okay. Thank you. All right. Um any other discussion on that? So for this evening, that is the only thing we'll work on. Nancy, I'm so sorry, you know, on this. And um Susan, I'm sure you can update yours a lot more easily that Nancy can on this, but appreciate that. Um Becky, so the vice mayor is going to be getting with you on uh Commissioner Konamos's concern about having a citizen on there. Just to let you know, I I think it's very very important that we do have at least one citizen on there. So, I'm hoping that that's not an issue and uh the vice mayor will talk to you about that. So, we have a motion and a second. Sherry, can you take a vote on that, please? Okay. And that passed 5. So, we got that taken care of. What um any other discussion that we want to talk about on this city manager? Uh vice mayor, thank you for all the time and effort you've put into this. Nancy, it was this Ashley that did some of these graphics. Tell her it's just beautiful. It represents the shore so well. We love it. So, anything else on the discussion on the hiring process? Okay. Um if not, we'll move on. So, uh city attorney, do you have anything for us this evening? Uh nothing else. Just a quick clarification from um Becky on the last point that the commissioner made with respect to um you all uh reviewing every single agreement that uh comes to the city in the process. If the committee is open to the sunshine, if it's an open uh group, then that uh requirement doesn't necessarily have to be fulfilled. Their commission does not have to review every single agreement. Uh if

you mean every resume of every resume. Okay. However, if it's out of the sunshine, that would Okay. Now, explain that to me one more time. Okay. So, all these résumés come in and we get 50 as a total. Explain it to me from there. I'm sorry. Um the requirement uh that the commissioner brought up um according to Becky here, uh not every resume would need to be furnished to the commission if the uh selection committee is an open uh it's an open it's open to the sunshine. Okay. All right. Great. Good. Okay. Thank you for that. All right. Uh city manager, what do you have for us this evening? Uh, nothing time. Okay, great. Okay, so we're now going to go on to commissioner comments. Vice Mayor, what do you have this evening?

Nothing. Okay. Um, Commissioner Conamos, no comments. Thank you. Thank you. Um, Commissioner Dinsky, anything else? Uh, just one thing. I I'm going to ask to be excused from the next commission meeting. I'll be out of the country uh on I think it's the 8th of October. If I could be excused, it's not an emergency, but I'll be traveling. Okay. Thank you. And uh should we vote on that this evening, attorney, on this excuse? Do we need to vote on that? If it's if it's the pleasure of the commission.

Yeah, let's go ahead and do that. So, um let's take a vote on excusing um Commissioner Dinsky, please, for the meeting. Is it October 7th or 8th? Sure. Is the seventh. motion on October 7th. October 7th. Okay. Do we have we do we have to have a motion first, attorney, or just take a vote like a consent? I think a motion. Commissioner Card, can you make that motion? I'll make that motion. Okay. And do you want to specify it? So, and then uh we will excuse Commissioner Dinsky for the next uh commission meeting.

Okay. Thank you. Um Vice Mayor, can I'm checking my calendar. Oh, yeah. Sure. Of course, I'll second it. Yes. I wasn't I wasn't on the phone. I was uh I was sure. Can you take a vote now, please? Do I vote? Yes. Person. Okay. And it passed 5. So, uh, Commissioner, you are excused for the next meeting. Thank you. Um, Commissioner Kurt, do you have any? I don't.

Okay. All right. And um I just want to go over some of the things that are coming up in the city um that our community engagement director always gives me. Uh I want to tell you first of all that the um we had our mayor's fitness kickoff today, but I think she said there's close to 50 that signed up, but we probably had 30 or 35 there today. We actually have 61 now.

Wow. 61 signed up. Um and they're committed and they're ready and they're excited. So, uh, Mark and Jen, we're going to be doing pickle ball. Lori, you can join us, too. Um, oh, well, I don't know. You're not part of, but we'll arrange it. Okay. So, first of all, this Friday, September 26, from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Shores Pavilion, there's going to be a free concert. Um, there was a change of who our entertainment will be provided by. That's Bone Danny, Bone Daddy. Bring a chair. And then again, I talked about the fitness challenge. Uh, we had the kickoff today and it's actually going to start next Monday the 29th. Our next coffee with the mayor will be on Wednesday, October 8th at 10 o'clock a.m. and that will be fe featuring uh special guest Jake Johansson. He's the Valuchia County Council member at large. And Jake and I are also co-chairs of the storm water mitigation committee for the uh county. So, I'm sure he'll touch on that as well. And then um happy but sad. I say this all the time. Um our farewell reception for our city manager Court Schwarzlander will be on Thursday, October 9th from 3:00 to 5:00. We're going to have some light refreshments. Please come by and say um you know bid farewell to him on that day and extend your well wishes to Kurt. So that's all that we have for um city commission comments. I don't have any audience comments, but as always, is there anyone that wishes to speak that didn't sign up? Okay, seeing none, um any additional items for the next agenda? Hey.