City Commission - Regular Meeting

Heat [music] [music] up here. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music]

[music] Hey, hey, hey. Amen. [music] The pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

You can be seated and we will open our meeting. Well, this is a holiday time of year and I know Commissioner Madden had a chance uh last night to represent the city uh at the Hanukkah event. So, could the Manora lighting? So,

thank you, Mayor. So, every year it is so exciting for me to be able to go and participate in the Manura lighting. It is in Kger Park. It's a beautiful situ right there. You look out over the lake and all of the holiday seasons are represented there. um at the park and over the lake. And this year in particular, there was some reticence among some of the Jewish community, as you can imagine, after the shooting in Australia. Some of the folks I talked to said that it was to them telling that it was at the beginning of the time zones. Of course, I had not considered that, that having the shooting in Australia would kind of kick off the holiday season for them um with fear. you know, that's kind of they're earlier than we are. And so, I hadn't really thought about that. And a lot of the people that I talked to last night had not come before, but felt more in solidarity to come to be able to show support. Others were not there because they felt a little more fear and were still grappling with some of the the news that they had seen. And so one of the young women that I spoke to um some of you may know her uh she is a student at University of Florida and when she lived in Lakeland she didn't have a lot of Jewish friends and so when she went to University of Florida she had such a a wonderful experience with so many um friends in her sorority and um in her dorms. Uh and then when October 7th hit while she was in college, it was such a um a profound moment for her as a young Jewish woman. She had u been to Israel um really enjoyed that trip to kind of see her uh homeland, so to speak. And um she said to me, "I remember when you and Mayor Mutz uh acknowledged October 7th at the

city and that meant so much to me. And you know, coming into my adulthood and being in college and having some Jewish friends and having a lot of protests outside my windows and hearing news from around the world that was um fearful and tenuous. Um she just loved feeling that support from her city. And so today, likewise, the mayor had mentioned to show support from our city is so important to all of our citizens. And I asked them how they felt about the security there at Kriger Park last night. And so the rabbi who um he and his wife Libby who orchestrate this event every year, she said she emailed our chief in the morning, Sunday morning, and said, "We're a little worried. We have some uh people who are are kind of nervous about coming." And he said, "We" he replied on a Sunday to the email and said, "We will make sure we have extra security there." And then at the event um I was speaking to one of our officers and he was talking to uh the past president of the synagogue and she had worried about letting their trespass warning uh expire. That is something that is done annually and when she was president she made sure that was there. So if you see suspicious activity it's just easy to call LPD um for the synagogue. and that officer went and and got the paperwork and brought it to the event so that she could feel secure and fill out that paperwork for the synagogue. And so I just wanted to brag on our city and um I also was so excited to have um Commissioner Leand. He is such a trooper. He is at so many events and he was there and he he got up and he acknowledged um the community and and uh expressed our attempt to want unity in our city and to celebrate with them. So it was a small group but it was a beautiful evening. The weather was perfect last year. It was raining and

stormy. We had to move the Monora over to the um Peggy Brown building at the last minute and uh so it just was it was a special evening for me. So, I just wanted to thank the mayor for letting me be able to share those remarks this morning and to say happy Hanukkah to all those um in our Jewish community. Which takes us to a very appropriate transition to the Christmas parade. And so, we are excited to hear about the awards that were earned.

Good morning, mayor, commissioners, city management, and members of the audience. Um I am John Williams with the Parks and Recreation Cultural Arts Department, and uh we are here to celebrate the uh 44th annual Lakeland Christmas Parade. This year's parade was on December 4th and the theme was rocking around Lakeland. This year's parade had a total of 123 units. Every year, many people believe the parade just happens, but we all know it wouldn't be possible without months of planning and coordination from city departments to pull off this holiday event. The first evening Lakeland Christmas parade, as we know it today, started in 1980. The parade was started by former city commissioner and retired executive director of the Lakeland Downtown Development Association, Miss Anne Fur. Miss Fur approached the city officials for permission to organize an annual Christmas parade, and the city gladly teamed up to pull off this parade with about 100 units. In 1984, the Junior League of Greater Lakeland adopted the Christmas parade as an annual project. The Junior League selects a parade theme each year. They provide organizational support to secure participants and provide volunteers to assist with parade day lineup. I am so proud to say today that that collaboration still continues. And before we start the awards, uh we would like to thank all the participants in this year's parade. While everyone can't win an award, we recognize the effort that it takes to decorate, coordinate, and participate in a parade each year. So again, thank you all. And now for the 2025 parade awards. I ask Mayor Mutz, Bob Donahe, and this year's co-chairs from the Junior League, Ashley Booth, and Pette Brown to join us on stage to present the awards. Okay, [snorts] Pette's not here, but we appreciate all

her efforts in the parade. She should be walking up any moment. Okay. All right. All right. This [clears throat] year, the judges decided the best theme float award goes to South McKill Academy PTO. Is someone here to receive this award? [applause]

Congratulations. I'm the president. [clears throat]

Great job. Great job. [applause]

The best professional flow award goes to Midstate Industrial Maintenance. Is someone here on their behalf? Yes. [applause] [clears throat] Oh gosh. [laughter] Hey, thanks guys. [applause] This year's best youth educational float award goes to Lake Gibson FFA. There's someone here. All right. [applause]

Great job on that. I'll get on the other side. Three, two, one. Thank you guys. Thank you very, very much. The best business float award goes to Smithville Industries. Is someone here from Smithville? Oh, all right. We'll get it. Yep. Uh, the best community float award goes to Early Coalition of Poke County. Is someone here? Yes. [applause]

[clears throat]

Three, two, one. Thank you. [snorts] Thank you for your great work. The most original float award goes to Santa Fe Catholic High School. Is someone here from Santa Fe? Yes. [applause] [applause]

All guys in the back. [laughter]

Three, two, one, click. Thank you. Thank you all very much. [applause] And I see uh Pette Brown has made it in. If you could join us on stage, please. Sorry. Yes. Yes. All right. The most outstanding band award goes to Kathleen High School.

All right. [applause] Okay. Three, two, one. Thank you. [applause]

And for the final award, the judges choice award. The judges have decided this award goes to Family Martial Arts Center. All right. [applause] [laughter]

Three, two, one. Thank y'all. [applause] As previously mentioned, many people believe the parade just happens. However, hundreds of city employees dedicate countless hours to make sure the Christmas parade goes as smoothly as possible. At this time, we want to recognize the following city departments that help us all get into the holiday spirit. From street closures to staging floats to maintaining safety along the routes to airing a live parade broadcast uh to street cleanup after the parade, we cannot express how much we appreciate each department and division and how much you mean to us for making this parade continue a success in the city of Lakeland. If anyone in the audience is a part of this departments that are listed above, please stand and be recognized. Any persons a part of these departments,

stand up. Don't be shy. There we go. [applause]

Last, but certainly not least, we would like to recognize two special ladies uh from the Junior League parade co-chairs Ashley Booth and Pette Brown for all the volunteer hours dedicated to ensure the cit citizens of Lakeland enjoy a festive holiday parade. Mayor Mutz and Bob Don have a token of appreciation to the both of you. Thank you again. [applause]

take a picture. Then we're going to have to make some comments. [laughter]

Three, two, one. Thank you. Thank you. All right. I did not know I was going to speak up here. Um, thank you all so much. We love doing the parade. I know that is Plet and I's last year. Um we love the community. Junior League is so um thankful and proud to be a part of the Christmas parade for the 44th year and we really appreciate Bob and Pam. Um thank you all for attending and I hope it goes on for a bunch more years and it takes a lot of organizational work on your team's part. So thank you for that. Thank you. All right. Thanks very much, [applause]

Mayor. If I could, before we go to any questions or comments, I just wanted to also give an update on this weekend's events for the parks and recreation department. Uh we had our uh 11th annual Holly Jolly Jingle Bell Jaw out of the Cleveland Heist Golf Course. Uh and it was a beautiful morning. We had over 500 runners attend and again those departments that you see listed above all play a part in everything that we do. So again, just wanted to say thank you to all of those in attendance.

Thank you so much and thank you for all you've done to make this happen. So it is a great great celebration in our city for which we're super grateful. That brings us then to the next item on our presentation agenda, which is the Purple Heart City Award. John Hillary, Military Order of the Purple Heart, will be making that presentation. John, come on up to that center mic or the side mic, whichever one you would prefer. Or maybe why don't you bring your whole crew up to the middle and we'll do it from there. Why don't you all come up here? I'm not giving good instructions. You come this way and and if you prefer there, you can do that from there or I can have him have a mic up here. All right.

He's going to have to come up for a picture. He will. We're'll have him come up [clears throat] at the end. Yes, that's right. Come closer. Good morning. Good morning, John. Um, the military award of the Purple Heart. Uh,

we want to express to you all the things that you've done for us and for the community in regards to the combat wounded veterans that live in and around Lakeland, Florida. So, upon your departure, [snorts] the first award we're going to give to you is to the city and the presenter is Chris Foron. He is United States Marine Corps, a two-time Purple Heart recipient. And it says, "The Department of Florida Military Order of the Purple Heart certificate of recognition is presented to the city of Lakeland for dedication, unwavering support honoring the Americans combat wounded veterans by becoming a Purple Heart Entity City within the Purple Heart Trail." Signed, John Hillary, Commander.

That's your first one. That's to the city. The next one is being presented by our finance officer, Mr. James Helman, United States Marine Corps two times Purple Heart recipient. And he's going to issue the rest of them to you. This certificate is for recognition Department of Florida Milroy of the Purple Heart from chapter 535 is presented to H. William Mootz. I think H stands for Henry. Harold.

Harold. Okay. I gotta get my glasses out to read this one. This one's gonna be good. [laughter] I take great pleasure in expressing my appreciation for the outstanding support of our chapter. Your unwavering and exemplary support for the military of the Purple Heart here in Lakeland, Florida was with compassion, dignity, respect for all of us to see. Thank you for serving this great city. Signed, John Hillary Commander. And the last one is being presented is a something you can put on the wall to remember us by. Give it to James. Give it to James. Yeah. Here you go.

You ready? You ready? This is a plaque from the miltor of the purple heart special recognition award is bestowed with pride to HW William Bill Muntz mayor of 2018 to 2025 city of Lakeland Florida for outstanding dedication and wavering support for the men and women of the purple heart. Your support for our chapter was an exempl to everybody to see. Our chapter will always remember you and the support that you gave us. presented by the patriot members of chapter 535. Thank you, Bill. You're welcome. [clears throat] [laughter]

I got a little box.

Okay. Three, two, one. All right. [applause]

Thank [snorts] you. That brings us to a very special presentation for the Daughters of the American Revolution. And here to accept the proclamation that I'm going to read today are Natalie Whitam, the Lakeland chapter regent, Jaylen Nora Breler, honorary regent and MC for the 100th birthday celebration, and Sheila McCullen Tindle of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, NH Derkott, 791 in Lakeland. Come on up.

Those are two different organizations. So, what do you want me to do now? We're doing something for you. Uh oh. See, this is a trick. [laughter] Then come all Can you all come on up? Well, I I guess I do my my um daughter. Put that away. Who the boss is?

This is to honor you. This is to honor the mayor. Uh we really appreciate all that you've done for our organization. I know we've had some turbulent times in the past. Uh the city made the right decision on what to do with our monument. We really do appreciate it and we've uh appreciate the city's support in all of our patriotic activities. We've done some really great projects and uh the last one was uh Private Robert Coulter that you were able to to be involved in. So, uh, wanted to take the, uh, time to say that the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Annie H. Derkott, 791, awards the this, um, plaque to you, award of excellence, presented to H. William Bill Mutz, in recognition of your unwavering support, cooperation, and partnership, which has made a significant impact on our collective achievements. is dated December 15, 2025 and it's number three. This is a coveted award. So, we really appreciate all your efforts and thank you and we hope you enjoy your retirement.

Thank you very much. [applause] And and as you know, I could not have done any of this and I this isn't tripe. This is serious without a supportive commission that worked through all the difficulties of decision-making and the value needs that needed to be addressed. And so I am so grateful just to be a part of that and thank you uh for allowing me to be a bit of an annunciator in it. But certainly um it was with the help of them all and and Commissioner Madden by the way has been a marvelous support for us through that whole process. I also have a challenge for you.

Awesome. I love these. I just got my challenge coin tray in at home last night on an Amazon shipment because I have to move them from my desk to my home. My wife is a little concerned about my stuff. [clears throat]

God bless you. Okay. What a surprising day. Okay. Yes. [clears throat] Now it is time for me to do the um Daughters of the American Revolution. I got another challenge coin for us that has our sh [clears throat] has our Thank you. Thank you so much. I love challenge coins. They're great. Thank you. Should have gotten the bigger rack. Okay. So,

come on up. This is celebrating the 100th birthday and cra and citing a daughters of the American revolution day. So here we go. Whereas the Lakeland chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution D is celebrating its 100th birthday. And whereas the D and ancestry based organizations dedicated to education uh preservation and patriotism was founded in 1890. And whereas [snorts] the Lakeland chapter was organized and chartered on December 4th, 20, 1925 at a dinner held at the Terrace Hotel. So there's a couple things that are 100 years old here with 20 founding members and Annie Hannah Derkott serving as its first regent. And whereas the chapter has grown appro to approximately 140 members and continu continues to thrive as a recognized leader at both the state and national levels. And whereas the for a hundred years, the Lakeland chapter has actively served the Pulk County community by presenting history essay and citizen scholarships to hundreds of students, donating tens of thousands of dollars in support of veterans initiatives, financially contributing to commemorative monuments and to historic buildings, and delivering thousands of interactive educational programs to child care centers, public and private schools, civic and social clubs, and the general public. And whereas the Lakeland chapter played an instrumental role in bringing the first citizenship naturalization ceremony to Pulk County and has consistently earned state and national recognition for its innovative projects and individual achievements with many members holding leadership positions within the D nationally. And whereas the chapter is currently supporting the America 250 path to freedom project which is now the largest multiaceted permanent commemoration of the nation's semiquincentennial in central Florida an initiative originally conceived by a former

Lakeland D chaplain and whereas the extensive projects include the commissioning and installation of a bronze statue of revolutionary patriot Mary Katherine Goddard in Veterans Park which is going to be so exciting. Let me get that done. Okay, I like that as well as a community forums, a student art competition and the development of educational curriculum and dosentled tours. Whereas as it celebrated its 100th birthday, the Lakeland chapter, the daughters of the American Revolution, remains a vital and enduring part of the fabric of this vibrant city of Lakeland. Now therefore, I William Mutz, mayor of the city of Lakeland, and the entire historically celebratory city commission, do hereby proclaim December 4th, 2025 as Daughters of the American Revolution Day in the city of Lakeland, Florida. Congratulations.

Thank you. Any comments? [applause] Thank you all. Thank you so much, Mayor Montz and city commissioners. This is really it is a great honor and it has been our privilege to serve this community for the past 100 years. Amazing.

And now uh we would like to show the commissioners and Mayor Mutz. This is the actual bronze model of the America 250 path to freedom statue. Uh my husband Josh is going to turn it around so that you can see that. You all have not seen that yet other than uh Commissioner Stephanie Madden. Oh yes, that is what it's going to look like. So a little bit of Wow.

Uh this is for for those of you that may not be aware, Mary Katherine Goddard was the printer of the Declaration of Independence and when she published it and even placed her name on the back of that document. So there is a woman's name on the back of the Declaration of Independence. That would have been an act of treason had things [clears throat] not gone our way. And so just like the famous 56 signitories on that momentous document, she too pledged her life, fortune, and sacred honor for the cause of freedom.

Pretty awesome. Great choice. Thank you. [applause] Three, two, one. Thank you, Commissioner Madden. Any comments? Well, I was able to be at the 100th [clears throat] birthday party on Saturday and be able to read the proclamation to the members. So grateful for Natalie's leadership as our regent and I'm a member of the D. And I kind of miss it because [clears throat] my children all were children of the American Revolution and they would come and do Proclamation Day and Constitution Day. So, so thank you for letting me be with my sisters up here to celebrate our 100th birthday. Very, very nice. Thank you. Thanks very much.

God bless you all. Have a great Christmas. You too. Merry Christmas. Thank you. Okay, there are no requests to appear from the general public. Uh that will bring us to the approval of the consent agenda which includes the minutes as well as three other items. There's four items on here on consent that are marked by an asterric. Is there a motion to approve? Motion to approve. Second. Discussion by commissioners. [clears throat] Discussion by any members of the audience. Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I.

Oppose. Same. Unanimously passes. Taking us to reports and related items from our municipal board and committee chairman, Commissioner Loland, and he's going to give that report. Good morning. The municipal boards committee met within met in the city commission conference room. Commissioner Galon, chair, Mayor Bill Mutz, Commissioner Sarah Roberts, McCari, members were all present along with Commissioners Bill Reed, Stephanie Madden, and Chad McCloud, Assistant City Manager Ashley Statos, I'll never pronounce that correctly, [snorts] Committee and Economic Development Director Brian Ruis, Finance Director Mike Broard, Creative Services Specialist Patrick Patterson, City Attorney Palmer Davis, and City Clerk Kelly Cuz, and staff were present. Commissioner Galong called the meeting to order at 8:20 a.m. The purpose of this meeting is to receive and act upon the following recommendations. Number one, airport advisory board recommendation from airport director Chris Hollstrand to appoint Steve Strickland as citizen at large to serve a three-year term beginning January 1st, 2026 and ending December 31st, 2028. Mr. Strickland will be eligible to serve an additional three-year term. Number two, on our beautifification board, recommendation from horiculturist Daisy Smith to appoint Maria Carver to to fulfill the unexpired term of Stephanie Karns beginning December 15, 2025 and ending May 20th, 2027. Miss Carver will be eligible to serve an additional two full three-year terms. Number three on our code enforcement board recommendation from code enforcement manager Sunny Marshall to appoint Stephanie Karns to fulfill the

unexpired term of Lolita Barryian beginning December 15, 2025 and ending May 30th, 2028. Miss Karns will be eligible to serve an additional three-year term. I'm just going to stop real quickly right there. I just want to give a special recognition to Lol Lolita Barian who uh recently passed away. She had served on many different city commissions and boards. I had the opportunity to run against her for city commission but uh you'd be surprised how you can go from opponents to friends to family and anything is possible with God's grace and she will deeply be missed. So number four in the firefighters pension board recommendation from city manager Sean Sherouse to appoint Tim Spivey to fulfill an unexpired term of Christopher Hammond as commissionapp appointed member beginning December 15, 2025 and ending December 16, 2028. Number five on the Lakeland History and Cultural Center Advisory Board, recommendation from Liberian Supervisor Lannne Mims to appoint Anna River Accassio to serve a three-year term beginning December 15, 2025 and ending December 14th, 2028. Miss Aassio will be eligible to serve an additional three-year term. Number six under mayor council on the arts recommendation from mayor Bill Mutz to appoint a appoint Stra Center as a full member organization located outside of the city of Lakeland to serve on the council and B appointment is Sylvania Knight to serve the unexpired term of Betsy Boower to beginning um beginning December 15, 2025

and ending April 16th. 2026. Miss Knight will be eligible to serve an additional two full three-year terms. Number seven, on the public improvement endowment fund board, recommendation from Mayor Bill Mutz to appoint Ya Oing to fulfill unexpired term of Paul Habfield beginning December 15, 2025 and ending December 31st, 2026. Mr. Obe will be eligible to serve an additional two full three-year terms. Number eight, on the zoning boards of adjustments and appeals, recommendation from senior planner Todd Vargo to appoint oh boy, Warner Bowman to fulfill unexpired term of Gregory Kent beginning December 15, 2025 and ending April 18th, 2027. Mr. Fau will be eligible to serve an additional two full three-year terms. [cough] For information purposes only, the general employees pension board of trustee member Ruffen Gray was reelected without opposition to the city of Lakeland employees to serve a second three-year term beginning January 1st, 2026 and ending December 31st, 2028. On the civil service board, member Barbara Jordan was reelected without opposition by City of Lakeland employees to serve a third three-year term beginning January 1st, 2026 and ending December 31st, 2028. As a reminder, the city is always accepting applications to all boards and all committees and anyone who is interested or any interested residents may apply at ww.lakego. lakeinkov.net departments cityclerkmunicipal

boards and committee and at this time I'll entertain a motion to approve. Is there a motion to approve the report? So move second. This report was um um approved by the unanimously by the uh committee uh in its committee meeting. Any dis further discussion by commissioners? Any by any members of the audience? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppos the same. Unanimously passes. We're not meeting as an equalization board today. We are going then to public hearings. Item 481 for second reading. That would be our city attorney.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. A number of ordinances for a public hearing consideration of adoption this morning. [clears throat] The first is proposed ordinance number 25-042. Ordinance relating to zoning making findings providing for I3 heavy industrial zoning on approximately 23.78 acres located at 2760 North CMY road providing conditions finding conformity with the conference of plan provided for severability providing an effective date. Motion to approve second. Motion to approve in a second. Discussion by commissioners any by any members of the audience. [clears throat] Is that are you coming down? Is this the time to speak

for um this particular public hearing on uh 25-042? Is that what you're wanting to do? This is the solid waste transfer station off of Cumby transfer station. Yes, this is it. Great. [clears throat]

Thank you. Good morning. My name is Martha Tonis of 2670 Gilrose Drive in Lakeland. Lakeland's been my home for more than 40 years. I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you today about something that has caused me quite a bit of distress. This project is approved for an industrial space. You've considered this rural and swampy area as appropriate, but this is my neighborhood. The land is blessed, and this project is not your run-of-the-mill industrial operation. It's solid waste. Filth in its juices being trafficked past our homes and neighborhoods along Comi Road, being processed less than 1,000 ft from us. Number one, you are too close and have apparently made no allowances for alternative locations. You notified only 10 property owners. The notification range was only 500 ft. And I would say that was a disingenuous effort given there is a neighborhood of 24 single family homes right across the street who rely on Bob Rolls Road, the one outlet on Dumbi Road which is within that 500 ft. Also considering the nature of this facility is not your typical industrial operation. There absolutely should have been more inclusion. I've had to find I've had to work to find out I'm too late and not considered and the project keeps going.

[clears throat]

Meanwhile, my home and quality of life are in your hands. It has been clear this isn't a matter of whether it will happen, but when. All these meetings are formalities and the orderly business it should be. And I'm uninvited to speak up despite its very real impact on myself and my neighbors. Number two, the proximity of the solid waste transfer station will absolutely adversely impact the quality of our lives. noise, loose refues, traffic, including type of vehicles transporting refues. Constant scavenging birds, rodents, and flies. Think of a fast food parking lot and dumpster area magnified. Our property values will tank because 56 ft of the garbage place will not be concealed behind natural vegetation. The eyesore and smell drifting on the breeze from the parked and baking storage containers waiting for transport. How pleasant would be to be outside? Number three, even if you were all to insist this developer include building and operating concessions to make the plant more palatable, these would be absolutely irrelevant based on the precedent set with the neighboring MAT plant. When an eagle's nest was found in those same woods, which is adjacent property, the concession to build the plant back off the road was dropped and the plant was constructed right onto Cumbi Road. And the noise complaints from this plant were not dealt with timely, and we still endure times of very loud maintenance there, like this past week. Inside our homes, we could hear the roar continuously for hours. Number four, you would never ever agree to build a project of this sort so close to your own home, and certainly not without being heard like this has gone down. I am fairly confident my neighbors are oblivious. This is all happening on the city/county line and those you have contacted have had little faith that you would listen to them because they were county not your constituents of the city or they were unable to take off work to

be here. Lastly, please do not move forward with this project. Despite the hefty investment the city has made so far, you would be absolutely harming many when you move forward. More care should have been taken by those who investigated and invested their time and resources in this project. I can tell you that the feather in your cap for building this amazing facility for Lakeland's future will actually prove to be a blight as you install such a facility in this location adjacent to the natural land of Tennere and our peaceful rural residential homes. I want the best for Lakeland and implore you to seek an inter alternative location for solid waste processing for Lakeland and its surrounding municipalities. Thank you.

Thank you and thank you for your very well organized comments. Any other um comments from anyone else in the audience? Any questions or comments from the commission? All right, this is a roll call vote and we will begin with Commissioner Loland. Yes. I I I I I uh unanimously passes and not without the concerns expressed which I want you to know we will be very very uh aware of and police will.

Thank you. That brings us to item two. Item two is proposed ordinance number 25-05 uh 043 an ordinance [clears throat] relating to zoning making findings amending ordinance 6027 to provide for a major modification of an existing conditional use for a solid waste transfer facility to expand the boundaries and to adopt a new site development plan on approximately 23.78 acres located at 2760 North Cy Road finding conformity with the conference plan providing for severability providing an effective date to approve Second discussion [clears throat] by commissioners disc commissioner Madden.

First of all, I want to thank you for coming. So, um this is the first I've been able to meet you and hear your concerns from the neighborhood. I'm looking at the map and [clears throat and laughter] you mentioned Bob Ross Road. I would like um Chuck to please get up. There's some other concerns that I have also with this property. Um going into the future, I do feel, you know, what we've heard so far sounds like a wonderful amenity for, you know, our services. I'm seeing that it's 27 something um acres here and looking at the picture. We're also hopeful to do some um water treatment and water storage, make use of the wetlands for the future, so to mitigate for flooding in the area. I've asked our staff. I don't know if they're prepared today because this is a different ordinance specific to the use on this land, but I I was hopeful that maybe Chuck would be able to kind of look at it in its entirety so that she feels more comfortable with where her neighborhood is. It was very compelling what you said about the Mat plant being right across the street and looking at that, you know, being in such close proximity with noise. Um I don't know if it was wetlands behind that and that's why it couldn't be you know built farther back you know from the road but I'm just curious um to have some staff perspective certainly and and for the record Chuck Barby with community economic development department and so the subject the the actions today involve the assignment of I3 zoning on 23.78 acres on [snorts] say an additional land to the north of the conditional use permit that was previously approved on almost 21 acres, 20.93 acres to the south. And with this change, um the scope of the of the of the overall development uh expanded to include administrative offices, additional truck parking uh for the solid waste operations itself for the city of

Lakeland. And so in terms of going back to the previous conditional use permit approval, it's worth noting that the scale house and the transfer station itself is approximately 700 ft west of the um Cumby road north cumby road rightway line behind Lake Electric substation uh that exists as highlighted here. So, in terms of layout and the difference between the currently approved conditional use permit and what is under consideration here today, um the additional lands, most of that area will remain as wetlands as you get to the north end of the project site above the new relocated driveway to the north and the additional parking for the solid waste operations itself, which I'm highlighting here. The additional truck parking is to the northwest corner. And so this really highlights the primary change with this action today and is definitely worth noting that the properties to the uh to the north end of the parcel would remain wetland.

And Chuck, I'm looking at my map that shows the actual um [clears throat] bird's eye view of the property. Could you show us on that map so she can see Bob R's road and where she lives in comparison to the map you were just

referencing? So I'm highlighting Bob Bob RS road as at the northern entrance to the masses and tri gas facility to the south electric Lakeland electric substation south creek substation the existing conditional use permit area which is 20.93 acres that has been previously approved by the city commission and then the additional 23.78 acres which is being added or would be added through this action which includes the relocated driveway to the north. And then the additional uh kind of along this line here, right along the uh the parcel boundary would be the uh parking area, the new solid waste employee uh administration building and then the solid waste vehicle truck parking area kind of in this area here to the western western side of the site. So, in your opinion, when you were going through the plans, do you feel like we did everything we could with regard to wetlands and also neighbor concerns to put the actual sorting facility as far away as possible from the residents? We

we actually uh I I believe we've done that. Um and going back to the original condition use permit, staff actually also va uh uh visited a similar facility over at Clearwater, which is right next to the uh I believe it's the Philly Spring Training Facility. um no noises, odors, other things that would indicate that this is a solid waste operation. Um I will also u uh ask that the solid waste manager and the project consultant answer, you know, be available to answer any specific questions about how this is going to operate. But uh in looking at other examples, this is is this is not expected uh or would be designed to be uh a you know an outdoor solid waste operation where you do see a lot of additional smells and and external impacts that um is is typically uh expected from the public.

That would be terrific. If we could just hear the difference between where we typically take our solid waste, which is the landfill, versus a sorting facility like this, could we have that explained, please? Sure. Can you go uh Jean Gin, solid waste and recycling manager? Um can you go back to the site plan [clears throat]

uh picture that one? Yes. So in the design um as you can see I'm not sure how to use this thing, but I will try. Oh, there we go. Okay. So here are all the wetlands depicted in the property. Uh we've done everything we can to avoid and minimize impacts to the wetlands uh which are identified here, here uh and here as well. Um so we've done that and we've also made sure that the transfer station is as far away from Cumby Road as we can we can make it and then our our refuge trucks will be parked in this area only. So this will be employee parking for personal cars. the admin building. So everything that's non-solid waste related is is is close road and then the solid waste operations are farther the transfer station building to help mitigate a lot of the concerns is fully enclosed. Uh so there's one door where trucks go, two doors, one one where trucks go in, one where trucks come out. And all the operations for solid waste, transferring the material from our route trucks to larger transfer trucks happens inside a building. There's nothing going on outside of the building to help mitigate wildlife and potential smells.

Functionally, what happens in the building? Yes. Just talk about what happens inside the building. What happens in the building is the building is a it's a 20,000 sorry [snorts] back that up 20,000 square foot transfer building. Uh we're dumping our route trucks on a concrete floor and then we're using a front load to push that material and potentially separate some of that material uh inside the building into a 100 cubic yard transfer trailer where it will be then which is in a tunnel underneath the building. Um, and then that material will be transferred to its final destination, whatever type of material it might be. So that's the basics on how a transfer station operates

and it's all fully enclosed. Commissioner Music. Thank you, Jean. How how do we I spent more than my fair share of time at the Pulk County landfill and as you you go off and head into landfill, that's where we start seeing debris. you know, trucks un on unroll, um, roofing trucks, crap falls off. How are we, as they come down Cumby Road going to mitigate that? from, you know, we're pushing the building back as far as we can, but how are we going to help mitigate and and this could be third party, not even our own city, but as as crud falls off of that, how are we going to So, our part part of our operation plan that we have to submit to FD is planning for those type of things and having the ability to clean our area, not only in our transfer site, but also the road leading up to our transfer station. uh we'll have staff that will actually keep uh it policed the roads swept uh and any debris that might be on the edge of the roads uh cleaned up on a regular basis. It's part of the requirements of operating a transfer station um that we keep the debris inside the transfer station as much as possible.

So there will be, you know, dedicated staff that that's part of their job. This isn't, oh, I drove in and saw a piece of trash and picked it up. They'll they'll be dedicated to Correct. That's a requirement of the FD permit to operate a transfer station. Other comments, Commissioner Man.

And so I would want to mention to the citizen who's come today, if this was industrial and it was a private business, certainly we would have code enforcement that we could also apply. But because this is part of the city of Lakeland, I hope that you could look at other City of Lakeland facilities. you could see how our downtown is picked up after even huge events like our Christmas parade in the morning. It's meticulously clean. I would hope that you would have um you know some hope in that the city does have higher standards for how we keep things and the neighbor for which we are. But that being said, we want to hear from you if you are seeing debris coming off of trucks that are not City of Lakeland trucks. We want to hear from you if this does not go according to plan. We feel like our city staff has worked behind the scenes very hard to try and and I'm not saying it's going to be perfect, but we really do hold our staff accountable for wetlands, for the environment, for traffic concerns, for landscape buffers, for placement on the property. I feel they've done the best due diligence possible on this project. But I do want you to know we're grateful you came today because you're the first neighbor to come and to talk to us and it is on the second reading. But we do want you to know that you can text our cell phones if you start to feel that your um quality of life is encroached upon by this project and we expect to hear from you and we want you to feel like you have friends and advocates on this commission to make sure that they're doing everything in their power like they're saying to that they are going to today. I think the thing you want to recognize if that confidence sounds at all like indifference, it isn't. So there's the confidence [clears throat] is really in

the fact that we the way that this wonderful gentleman runs the solidways department is phenomenal. And so um it's really that team that does a wonderful job and they are conscientious on a daily basis throughout the city wherever these wherever things occur that it's very important to us too that you don't have a devaluation in terms of consideration of where you live at any levels. Forget property value which is of of course in and of itself importance but on a daily basis in terms of smells and and and trash and the things that seem prohibitive about having a transfer station like this. [snorts]

But in fact, this is a very responsible way to do it. And the fact that Clearwater can put it next to their spring training stadium and not have any kickback with respect to those people who go to those uh games is indicative too about how you can control the odors. And are we overstating anything from your perspective? Uh no. And and honestly, it's the the site has been designed to be good neighbors. Uh and I'm going to live out there as well cuz my office is going to be there. So I'm going to do everything in my power to make it a beautiful place. and and and us, you know, just be a [clears throat] good neighbor to everyone around us. But we appreciate the comments very much. Thank you for coming.

Um, any other comments from anyone in the audience? Okay. Yes, please come forward. Just state your name.

My name is Nquatia and I actually do have questions about this. Um, I see what her concern is. Was there any other alternatives with the actual main road that everybody uses? Would there be another alternative as far as the road goes in regards to the big trucks um coming in and out? If at any point these heavy uh industrial vehicles cause any damage to the roadway, how soon are y'all going to how soon is the city going to get out there and fix this road? If there are any holes, any damage to the actual road. Um, and it's also beside a wetland based off of the issues we've had with our Kathleen area where they built all these beautiful houses in the wetland area when we had a hurricane. That entire area flooded. So, what is the chances of them actually starting this building and there becomes an issue with the wetland? What is going to happen if they cannot build where the um demographic is? What if they're going to have to end up pushing that building closer to where she lives just because that area is not buildable? So I think that there is a lot to question because there will come a point where you realize at some point that ground is not strong enough to handle the weight and the capacity of these this building the trucks within that in the demographic because we know for a fact that is wetland area you know so and and then you have other houses in that area. So the weight I I I think that there's a lot and I understand the trash and I understand what he said. Everything's going to be inside. It's going to be a warehouse. They're going to need more employees. There's going to be a lot of traffic with employees coming in and out. And I worked in warehouse, so I

understand how loud it gets. Um and it's trucks coming in and out, the noise. uh she has a lot of concerns for something like this being built close to her home knowing that there's already one there and it's already loud. So now you're going to add an additional one. So, I I understand her concern, but I also understand that when you're building something close to a wetlands, there are a lot of things to be concerned about, [clears throat] especially past situations in our city limits where hurricanes and natural disasters have affected us and it's affected everybody around us in those areas as well. So, um I have those questions. Thank you.

Thank you. And again, for the record, Chuck Barn, I'll I'll address the transportation comments. Um, one of the major changes with this u updated uh modified conditional use permit are the um installation of turn lanes on Cumby Road, which is also State Road 659. So, it's a minor arterial that is part of a major truck route between Ser Creek's major um distribution and and and truck terminal and I4. So definitely in terms of the road itself, the structural it is, it's made to handle heavy truck traffic. The uh amount of trucks per day associated with this facility is estimated at 160. Uh number of employee trips uh per day are estimated at 314 and that involves 7 78 employees that would be working on on on site. So you've got the turn lanes. Uh the the road classification uh would support the uh uh this type of heavy vehicle. Um it also has to go through the Department of Transportation uh permitting process since CMY Road is a state of Florida facility. Um and so those are just a little bit of the the kind of particulars related to the traffic uh analyses that have been conducted to date. I'll turn over to Mr. Gin to discuss the survey work and and what that uh tells us about the wetland locations and other u dynamics related to this particular site. Um to date, Jean Gin, solid waste and recycling manager. Uh to date, we've done um uh we had to do environmental surveys, which uh we've flagged the um boundaries of the wetlands. That's kind of how we know where everything is. Uh we've also done drilling samples on where the buildings go to make sure we have suitable ground to build those buildings. Um so they are not going to move in that uh plan. So we've done all the ground work and all the survey work. We've also done um what they call kestrel surveys which is identify

wildlife that's out there that we might have to manage. Um but all those surveys have been done and that plan you see is uh the building is the the all the drilling has been done underneath the transfer station property to make sure it's solid ground and and everywhere we're building buildings. We've done all that drilling and surveying to make sure that's exactly where it's going to go. Excellent. Thank you. Loland.

Yes. Just real quick, and I'm not sure who this question is for. Um, thank you very much for coming and sharing your concerns. One thing that she pointed out, and it seems to always keep coming up a lot, at least while I've been on the commission, is the 500 ft notice. It seems like whenever we get close to county or you know we do this technical 500 ft boundary there's nothing within the 500 ft boundary why is that not like scoped out to actually reach the citizens does anyone have any on that

uh Chuck Barmy community economic development that 500t buffer is a standard buffer width that goes uh associated with the courtesy letter notification it's not a requirement but is something that the city of Lakeland U mails to property owners within that within that buffer area. So for a reasonzone u like like this that buffer would be the would be the standard would be the standard buffer. There are instances where it um uh depending on the the actions requested the commission where it's actually 250 ft. So this is the maximum buffer area that is uh part of the notification for those courtesy letters. I appreciate that and I and [clears throat] I understand that you're saying that that's a courtesy like I always tell everyone if you're driving down a road if it's on your way to work to from you see a pink sign or a green sign saying there's a public meeting you know please stop you know check out see what the meeting is and I understand that and I understand that we do that as a courtesy but it seems to me like maybe we need to revisit that later. I mean a true courtesy is being able to reach all constituents so they can at least have their say so before this point in time. I do have full confidence as like the mayor and Steph commissioner Madden has stated and Jean Jyn they they do run they run very very efficiently. I've been out several times and not smelt anything. They they will do everything they possibly can to mitigate that. And to echo Commissioner Madden's choice, you know, uh, uh, point, if you see something or anything, please reach out to, you know, reach out to Jean Jen. Maybe you can get his contact number now or reach out to us in the commission meeting and share your concerns with us. But I am sure they'll do that. But I would love to maybe someday learn a little bit more about the courtesy buffer, maybe expanding that. Well, an additional thing to remember

too is this went through two rounds in planning and zoning. Uh this this had a this had a public hearing and a final action by the planning and zoning board and of course the first rig on December 1st with the commission and then uh today's public hearing. Correct. Um and so there's definitely continued um kind of public public hearing and public processes associated with these with these zoning actions going forward. There will also be a technical submitt of the site plan. Um the permitting through swift mud through the Florida Department of Transportation. So um even depending on the action that's taken today by the commission, there will be uh technical work that will have to happen before anything uh is constructed on this on this property.

And and the reason I think that's important because I certainly agree with Commissioner Lond. We're not trying to minimize exposure for the purpose of having the least amount of opposition. Sometimes it might be just broader. We know that a neighborhood even if it's in the county is on the other side for us to be able to expand some of the zone that could be contacted. But I say that but add we do have planning and zoning. There are changes made in this plan that have been a result of some of the objections that are have occurred and that's important and it's important to know that that's why they have happened and so the process does work. Um uh and so I if there again if there's an inevitability it isn't an insensitivity [snorts] as you hear about that because we are very concerned about not disrupting the property and the life quality of life around you as well. So I appreciate that Commissioner Land. Yes, Commissioner Reid.

Thank you. You know I too have a concern in reference to notification in the future. I I hope we can expand that to maybe a,000 ft. sometimes 500 ft doesn't reach all the residents that we need to be contacted. And I hope in the future that we can expand that to a,000 ft. Maybe it would help individuals [clears throat] and give us a better idea of where it's really going to be in reference, how it's going to impact our citizens.

We we can take that feedback and and and take a look at the implications going to a larger buffer area. Um, also one of the things we've also found is is especially with larger neighborhoods, we don't there's really not an ability to um get everybody within a particular particular area even if they're outside a thousand foot buffer. And so we rely on on on certainly um folks keeping keeping up with the agendas before the planning and zoning board, before the commission, of course, news coverage um signs posted on the property as well as just following the agendas of the commission and the planning and zoning board. But what we will do is go back and take a look at the um the options of being able to expand those those coverage areas.

Commissioner Sharass, city manager, sorry for just a minute. I'm honoring Commissioner finish. I'm sorry. Again, sorry.

You know, I would really like to strongly consider moving this to a,000 ft, you know, in the future. You know, 500 ft doesn't touch a lot of citizens sometimes, but sometimes it does. [clears throat] But on a when we do industrial or I1 type of zoning and that type stuff, it does it does impact a lot more people than you really think. But I would hope that in the future that we can go expand this to a,000 ft. Uh and I think it' make it easier for us as well as make it give our citizens more that nothing's going to happen within their neighborhood generally right now. City Manager Shrauss.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. and and on, you know, related to the notice letters. Uh, and Chuck, I'm going to ask you, but at times I get confused with other places that I've worked before, when we call that a courtesy, what what we're really referring to is that there there's no state requirement that we provide that notice, but but instead locally, is that part of our land development code? It it is part of our it's part of our standard operating procedures to be able to to send that type of letter out within that buffer area. So it's not codified in in in our LDC. It's it's in the line development code.

It is in the code. So So then we would have an ability the commission would have an ability to at some point amend that code to provide for a a larger area. Now there are some difficulties in that that we should probably talk about at another time. But the point I just want to make is especially for the public is that when we call it a courtesy letter, that's because it's not required by state law. in the city of Lakeland code. We we do that as part of our uh practice, but also in meeting our own land development code requirements. I'm glad that you mentioned that, Sean, because that goes to show that we we try to operate over and above that. It just I think what some of us are trying to say is we are good at doing that. I think we could even do better. We want to honor all. I think this will still be a wonderful project and I think you'll be pleasantly pleased how well of a job that they do do.

What are hours of operation going to be? Hours of operation.

Jean Gin, solid waste and recycling manager. Uh, our solid waste hours of operations are 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the transfer station will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Okay. Any other [clears throat] comments or questions by we've kind of mixed a little bit the the um opportunity to do both from either side. So, seeing none, this is a roll call vote and that would begin with uh uh Commissioner Alain. [cough and clears throat] Roll call. Yes. I I Yes.

I I unanimously passes. Thank you very much. That brings us to item three. Item three is proposed ordinance number 25-044, an ordinance of the city commission of the city of Lakeland, Florida relating to zoning, providing for text amendment LDC25-02 to the land development code, establishing a minor subdivision review process, removing final plat approval authority from the planning and zoning board, and designating the city manager as the administrative authority responsible for uh final plat approval, revising the planning and zoning board review and approval requirements for subdivision plats in the Green Swamp area of critical state concern and establishing proced procedures for issuance of early start construction permits prior to recording of the final plat making findings finding conformity with the conference of plan provided for severability providing an effective date move for approval second

motion to approve in a second discussion by commissioners any discussion by any members of the audience [clears throat] seeing none this is a roll call vote commissioner um mloud I yes I I I I unanimously passes number four

number four is proposed Ordinance number 25-045, an ordinance of the city commission of the city of Lakeland, Florida relating to zoning providing for text amendment LDC2-3 to article 13 nonconformities section 13.4 lot nonconformities of the land development code to allow non-conforming lots of record altered due to a public taking to be built upon within the resulting lot dimensions are within 10% of the original platted lot depth and area. making findings finding conformity with the conference of plan provided for severability providing an effective date move for approval [clears throat] second and a second discussion by commissioner man

thank you so so often we get to this point in our agenda and just it's the second reading and we just vote for it [laughter] I thought it was important to bring up this one in particular um just for citizen um advocates and so I know I personally was at an NAACP meeting and they were talking about affordable housing at that meeting and asking what the city was doing about it. I had a chance to talk about some of the partnerships we have with the P3s to build affordable units and there was a representative from Habitat for Humanity there. She had they had received some lots um through gifting of the city and then realized that they were non-conforming and could not be built upon. That was very, you know, frustrating uh realization to see that they had lots. they were trying to build affordable homes in these neighborhoods and unable to do so because of our land code. And so oftentimes it's very difficult when you're in a situation where citizens are advocating on behalf of something and you have elected officials who are trying to hear the voice of the people and make a difference. I was able to have Habitat for Humanity, Veronica Roundtree from the neighborhood that would be affected meet with city staff. Our city manager even took the time to come in and to talk about these non-conforming lots. I see Teresa and Brian and the team uh that all gathered at several meetings to be able to address the lots that were not buildable for Habitat for Humanity, to improve a neighborhood, to provide affordable housing, whose impetus was at an NAACP meeting. And so sometimes it seems like government is very slow or that government has to turn away a citizen who feels that her property values are in danger because of a city project that's gone through a very long process of approval. Oftentimes developers are frustrated by this very long tenuous approval process that has

to go under the scrutiny of the public because we are in the free state of Florida and they think you should be able to buy a piece of property and do whatever you want with it. But when your property is next to my property and next to my neighbors property, then the neighbors tend to care about their quality wife of life as well as the business being able to build what they want to build. So all of these things are citizens vocalizing their opinions, concerns, philanthropic agencies like non uh like Habitat for Humanity, businesses, everyone [clears throat] has a stake in their quality of life in the beautiful city of Lakeland. And this is just a point that we're going to just gloss over and say non-conforming lots of record altered due to public taking to be built upon in certain circumstances. Proposed 25-045. And no one may recognize that now. Not only does Habitat for Humanity get to build on these lots because of the expert uh commitment of our staff in the community economic development department and our city management and our and our colleagues up here, but also if someone else happens to get one of these slots, they can build upon it as well. And so I just thought I needed to take a moment to say that this is how it happens. There's small tweaks in our code. We can't just break the law, whether it's state law or our city code, but we can work together. We can make projects better. We can listen to the voice of the communities and we can listen to the voice of the developers. And we can not everyone's going to get their way. Not everyone's going to get a yes and then the other other side has to get a no, but we can work collaboratively and collectively to make sure our city has the best possible quality of life for all. And so I just thought this is my chance on number four. propose proposed 25-045 to say that's kind of how your local government works.

Superbly stated. Thank you. [laughter] Any other comments from commissioners? [clears throat] Anybody any members of the audience? Uh seeing none, Commissioner Lain? Yes. I I I I unanimously passes. That bringing us number five. Uh number five is proposed ordinance number 25-046 an ordinance of the city commission of the city of Lakeland Florida relating to zoning provided for text amendment LDC2-04 to article 4 general site development standards uh section 4.4 fences and walls of the land development code to establish standards for security fencing on vacant undeveloped property making findings find conformity with the conference of plan provided for severability providing an effective date. Move for approval.

Second. A second. Discussion by commissioners. Any guess commissioner? Same. Just want you to know that if you need a rolloff container, it's coming up on the next one. You can have one without a permit. If you need to have some security fencing on your vacant lot so people don't dump on it, we've heard those from citizens and now you can have one. So, you're welcome. [laughter] This is a little like Moana. Thank you. Christmas edition. [laughter] Any other comments? Any from any members of the audience? Seeing none, that would be Commissioner Mloud. I Yes. I I I

I unanimously passes as well. Number six. Number six is proposed ordinance number 25-047, an ordinance of the city commission of the city of Lakeland, Florida relating [clears throat] to zoning provide for text amendment LDC 25-05 to article 2 use standards section 2.5 temporary uses of the land development code to allow for the temporary use of rolloff containers for non-construction related activities making findings find conformity with the conference of plan providing for severability providing an effective date for approval. Second discussion by commissioners. Any discussions or questions by any members of the audience? Commissioner Mloud I. Yes. I I I I unanimously passes. [clears throat]

Item seven is proposed ordinance number 25-048 and ordinance relating to zoning making findings approving a conditional use to allow a two family dwelling a duplex on property located at 40 420 Plum Street find conformity with the comprehensive plan provided for severability providing an effective date. Motion to approve. Second discussion [clears throat] by commissioners. Anybody any members of the audience? Seeing none, Commissioner Land. Yes. I I I I I unanimously passes as well. Number seven. Uh that was number seven. I'm sorry. Eight.

Uh number eight is proposed ordinance number 25-049. an ordinance relating to the local government conference of planning making findings providing for smallcale amendment number LUS25-02 to a certain portion of the future lane use map of the Lakeland conference of plan our community 2030 [clears throat] changing the future uh land use designation designation from residential low RL to residential medium RM on approximately 8.48 acres located at 752 Carpenters Way and residential medium RM to residential high RH on approximately 2.48 48 acres of property located at 503 Carpenters Way providing an effective date. Motion to approve. Second.

And discussion by commissioners. Let's listen then to Mr. Barby on this one, please.

Um good morning. Uh for the record again, uh Chuck Barn, Community Economic Development Department. Um we'll begin this morning's presentation. I'm just I'll just provide an outline real quick of how uh the proceedings will be structured. We'll begin with an introduction by city staff, turn the presentation over to the applicant who has a PowerPoint presentation as well to explain their project, their request. Um then we'll turn it back over to staff and we'll go through the specific changes uh between the currently adopted PUD and what is proposed today as well as the conditions of approval. Uh we'll turn it back over to the applicant to provide answers to questions that have been raised uh by the commissioners um since the first reading and then we would recommend at that point then uh the the hearing be opened up to receive public testimony from uh those uh those affected by the by the proposed change.

Very good. So, the subject property is approximately 128.93 acres located north of I4, west of or east of US 98, west of Serum Loop Road uh on the north and south sides of Carpenters Way. And so what we'll do is we'll be um discussing the individual changes to the individual tracks. And just very quickly, uh, tract one is the the northernmost track next to the residence of of Heather Point. Um, the way the tracks are numbered is they run clockwise. So, you've got track two, track three, which is um, north of Carpenters Way. Track four is the multif family phase at the intersection of Lakeland Park uh, Lakeland Park Drive extension and Carpenters Way. Track five

is south of is south of Carpenters Way um kind of in the uh uh Derby uh Derby Drive area. Track six is adjacent to I4 and the Lakeland Park Drive extension rideway uh dedication area. Track seven is generally um I would say more central to the development. Uh it would be let's see north of track 6, south of track 5 and and primarily uh accessed via Derby and Stafford Shshire. Tracks 9A and 9B uh are um kind of in the northwest northwestern most part of the development. Um ultimately they would be bisected by the Wedgewood Estates Boulevard extension over to align with Heatherpoint Drive. And so Douglas Cook Park is immediately to the left or to the west. And then the uh track eight uh is is not being changed as part of this action. So it's not specifically being shown. And so with that introduction, I will turn it over to the applicants team. Uh Danny Kovac uh with tracked engineering as well as Mr. House. Good morning Kovac tract engineering 5137 South Lakeland Drive. Uh thank you Chuck for introducing the presentation and kind of giving you guys the background. So I'll start off by just saying that this project has been of course around since 2022. So we've had to go through some evolutions. Uh we have coordinated several times with city staff and with all the engineering folks as well to kind of see some of the future things that we're going to be proposing with this project. Um but I do have uh a list of questions that you guys have all addressed us at the last hearing. Some we've heard at the community meetings. So we'll touch on that. I know Chuck wants to hit that second. Um but as far as the presentation goes, um I guess if we can just kind of flip through it. So mine

has not been updated since the first hearing. So I will try to address some of the changes that we did as we we work through it. So obvious. So this is um Wedgewood redevelopment property. Uh it's south Lakeland uh by the mall. If we go to the next slide, please. So um actually this one did get updated. So this actually has our latest layout. Um you'll see some of the changes that we've done um since we first started this project. Um we did we did uh address uh some of the um concerns from the citizens of the community meeting and address some of the apartments that was a concern near uh Fairfield Estates and also uh near Ottabon Oaks. So, if you look at our layout, um you'll see if you can highlight kind of around where the town homes are, the 121.

Thank you. So, you'll see we did um we did uh change some of the multif family in this area to town homes and the reason behind that was we had some concerns with high-rise buildings being next to some of the existing residents. So, we wanted to put a use in there that was really compatible uh that would not, you know, create any issues as far as compatibility of land use from the land development code. Uh, additionally, um, as a recommendation from the planning commission, we did propose a 20- foot buffer, which also includes building setbacks. So, we have a 40- foot, uh, separation between the town homes that are there and the, um, and the existing residents. Uh, some of the other changes that we did, just kind of working through staff. U, we did end up, uh, removing all the proposed units off of track 6, if you can highlight that for me, Chuck. Um, thank you. That that will be the, uh, new future Lakeland Park Center Drive extension. Uh we relocated some of those uh units. Um um most of that was single family just to kind of you know uh make the layout and kind of walk and talk with what the city has requested and some of the partnering that we're doing with the city and then of course you know making an efficient design for our project. Um area 9B. We also made some changes as well. Um that is part of what we're here to talk about today is assigning zoning to area 9B. It was already in the AR in the PUD from the original ordinance. However, it was labeled as future development. So, our intent is to put uh town homes on that tract as well. Um, overall, that's that's really the bulk of the changes. Um, I know you guys have seen this several times, so I'll echo a lot of Chuck's presentation, but um, I know there's going to be some questions that come up about maintenance and storm water flooding, uh, some of the economics possibly, and of course some of the calls that the city's had on the project. So, um, I would like to reserve my time to go through all those questions with you guys.

All right. All right. So, in terms of the in terms of what was approved back um by the city commission back in 2022, the um um the project right now uh is allowed to develop a total of 954 lots um single f uh 60 single family uh detached, 60 town home units and 834 multif family or apartment units. Track 9 based on the current uh PUB that was adopted back in 202 2022 would be uh dedicated for future development. So there have been two minor modifications that have been approved by the planning and zoning board. Um going back to December of 2023, a minor modification was approved in the uh track 2 area that would uh that would reduce the total number of units as shown here on the screen um down to 820. 96 town home units were going to be an option instead of the 230 multif family dwelling units that were approved with the original PUD. Then moving forward uh about six months to July of 2024, another option was approved by the plank and zoning board that would have resulted in 652 units. Um this is kind of generally in the area of tracks 11, 10 uh primarily and and a little bit of four. But what that would have done is allowed 162 town home units as an option instead of uh the 400 multif family dwelling units that were approved with the original PUD. So in terms of the request today uh nets an additional 19 units from what was

approved back in 2022. So the unit count would go from 954 to 973 units. Um the mix with the proposed PUD uh as it exists now or as proposed today would be 61 single family detached 212 town home and 700 multif family uh or apartment dwelling units. Uh the map here that was produced by Todd Vargo uh shows generally the location and and and dwelling unit mix uh between the single family detached, the single family attached and the multif family units throughout the development. You can see here that the multif family units are primarily clustered in tracks 2, 3, and four extending back towards 11 and 12 uh on the north side of Carpenters Way, west side of Lakeland Park Drive. The areas in tracks 1, five, and seven are single family detached. And it's important to note that the uh for for track 7 particularly, the minimum lot width is 60 ft. So that's that I know that was a a concern that was raised uh by the residents in the neighborhood meeting back on November 13th. The blue colors are town homes and so that's track 10 that's 116 units. Track 9b which is 36 and then again track 8 um is not being changed with this action. So again uh the PUD ordinance 5962 uh with minor modifications approved in 20 uh 23 and 24 remain in effect. The major modification associated future land use uh map amendments would add 19 dwelling units to the approved plan at track 12 which is 2.48 acres immediately to the east of Savannah Cottages to the PUD for

an amenity center to serve the multif family and single family uses throughout the development. It would assign specific uses to tracks 9A and 9B which currently are shown under the currently adopted PUD as future development area but it would define particularly 9B is um uh is town home pod 36 units. It would rise the revise the layout [clears throat] to reflect the additional lands that had been added into the PUD as well as to address comments that had been received through the city's public works department during the site plan review for phase one which were apartments on the north side of Carpenters Way immediately west of Lake and Park Drive in tracks 4 and 10. Um there were some roadway alignment issues related to the uh and site visibility issues related to the proximity to the arch. So this revised layout plan cleans that up and and creates a better a better layout and flow. And of course too uh as mentioned previously the uh mix of dwelling units are revised as well as shown on the screen. So the single family detached go from 60 to 61. The town home units go from 60 to 212. The multif family units go from 834 to 700. And again, the new uh total cumulative dwelling unit total goes from 954 to 973. [clears throat] Um again, as part of the revised PUB, there would be a set of set of exhibits that would also be adopted as part of that document to show site circulation. The um the red is a revised alignment for a trail that would run along the south side, southeast side of the town homes proposed for track 10. Uh that's an alternative cross-section and so that is shown separately in the PUB document. Um we have the right ofway. So the cross-sections that were approved with the 2022 adoption remain um [clears throat] this is this reflects uh

changes uh based on the new layout uh to those to those cross-sections but the cross-sections remain in exhibit and would be adopted as part of the PUD. So they show street width, buffers, um street trees, the the general uh requirements that would be uh required for each of the each of the streets. Oh, thank you very much. Um we have the landscape buffers that are also as part of the plan. And so um as Mr. Kovac noted, uh this was a change made at the planning and zoning board meeting to require a uh 20 foot wide buffer along the south side of the Fairfield on the T. um uh town home uh development. Um and as part of that, there would be a requirement from a or an intent to maintain 40 ft between building faces from Fairfield to the back of the new town homes within within track 10, but that was a change made was made at the planning and zoning board. Again, the cross-sections for each of the of the landscape buffers uh continue to be adopted and would be part of the PUD document. Um the public comments that we've received to date and continue to receive uh related to traffic on Carpenters's Way at at certain times of the day. Drainage issues is a huge concern of the residents in the neighborhood. Um a a concern that four stories is not compatible with the neighborhood. No other fourstory structures are around and that the um um the request to keep the multif family structures at three stories. Um, there was a request that a uh or concern that a traffic signal at Wedgewood Estates Boulevard and Carpenters Way may lead to additional traffic congestion and that a roundabout would be a better fit to manage uh speed and traffic flow throughout the Carpenters Way corridor. Um, a comment was provided by the Ottabon Oaks developer uh concerned that the two trash dumpsters that are shown on the exhibits would be too close to the uh Ottabon Oaks's buildings. I'll note

there that the trash enclosures themselves would be subject to uh relocation during the site plan review process and would have to comply with public works uh requirements. Comment that is illogical to expect that the Lakeland Park uh Lakeland Park Center Drive extension would solve the traffic problems when there's no funding to build the road currently programmed in the city's uh capital improvement plan. Um a request that the Lakeland needs a financial guarantee that the developer will finish the project once it's started. Again, the recommendation for approval would net an increase of 19 dwelling units over the original PUB approval from 2022. It keeps the multif family near the interstate away from the single family detached dwellings uh within the within the community. It reduces uncertainty by eliminating the single family attached options granted through the minor modifications in 2023 and 2024. So, it cleans the slate and we have we would have one master plan uh going forward. And then it would also increase connectivity to Lakeland Park Drive and the Lakeland Park Center Drive extensions uh through um track 7 and uh with the rightway dedications that were shown on the master plan. So jumping into the conditions again uh track 12 um which was the addition the additional 2.48 48 acres added to the east of uh Savannah Cottages. The phase 2 70,100 foot assisted living facility would be uh would be replaced. Um the permitted uses for uh what we're calling area W uh which is which would be the the PUD area would allow for single family detached uh uses in tracks 1, five, and seven. Track six again is becoming part of the rideway dedification area for the Lincoln Park Drive extension. Single family attached dwelling units would be allowed in tracks 8, 9B and 10. And multif family

res residential uses would be allowed in tracks 2, 3, 4, and 11. So primarily on the eastern part of the PUD, central central and eastern part of the PUD area. So a number of the um u of the conditions related to the uh previously approved options by the planning and zoning board would go away with this action. An amenity center uh would be identified uh for the multif family residential uses in track 12. Rightway donations would be uh dedicated through track 6 and 9A. And again 9A is uh to the north of Wedgewood Estates Boulevard immediately adjacent to uh Douglas Cook Park. [clears throat] Now kind of going in more granular level of the specific uh number of uses by tract. The single family detached dwelling units in tracks 1, five and seven would be modified as follows. For tracks one, we would go from 14 to 17 single family um detached. Track five would go from 14 to 15 single family detached dwelling units. Track seven would be uh uh built with 29 single family detached dwelling units. For tracks 8, 9b, and 10, this is the uh the the town home component. Track 8 would have 60 single family attached dwelling units. Track 9B would have 36 town home units and track 10 would have 116 uh town home units and that's the track 10 is the area south and east of Fairfield on the T. Multif family residential uses allowed in tracks 2 3 4 and 11. Um track 2 would go from 230 to 240 apartment units. Track three would go from 154 to 60 uh multif family dwelling units. Tract four would be constructed with uh 280 multif family

dwelling units and really kind of broken out as its own separate separate tract. Tract 11 would be developed with 120 multif family dwelling units. Um the PUD would also allow a transfer of units between the development tracks. And I think it's important to read this in um just so that the public understands the intent behind behind this language. Um um a maximum 5% increase in residential units may be peritted permitted above the amount approved in any receiving tract provided the total cumulative residential density for the development does not exceed 973 units. Any redistribution of units within this limit shall not require formal amendment uh to the approved PUD or development agreement subject to staff level review and approval for uh for consistency with the overall master plan and available infrastructure capacity. Residential units transferred between development tracks shall be the same residential use track uh use type i.e. multif family residential to multif family residential or single family attached residential to single family attached residential. So it allows some movement depending on uh issues that that arise during the permitting process but the units have to be consistent um to the to the areas that would be receiving that that additional density. In terms of development standards, the um the maximum building height would be would be generally three stories. However, four stories would be allowed in track 4. So that is that is something that's that's that is important to note here. Um we have updates to the exhibits to to reflect the revised layout plan and those are listed here. And again that the uh there would be a master amenity center that shall be located in track 12 which is again is 2.48 acres on the north side of carpenters way just east of Savannah Cottage.

Under transportation um LB would be modified to introduce the potential for a traffic signal at the Wedgewood Estates Boulevard Carpenter Way intersection subject to the submitt and approval of a traffic study by the applicant. We haven't received that traffic study yet, but it would the intent here is is to have a traffic engineer um not only review the information with 2025 traffic counts, but also provide us with recommendations on the best traffic control at this new intersection of the realigned Wedgewood Estates Boulevard Heather Point Drive intersection with Carpenters Way. um in terms of major updates to the um to the traffic study uh because there will be a subsequent development agreement going forward that would address issues like concurrency vesting uh impact fee credits and the timing of the transportation mitigation measures in the PUD. We would be uh extending out um the date beyond which the um the study would need to be updated from September 1st of 2027 to November 1st of 2035. So any of the building permits uh that would be requested after that date would require an updated traffic study to reflect current conditions at that time. In terms of bicycle pedestrian infrastructure, um we also have a um a continued requirement for a sidewalk to connect along the south side of Carpenters's Way to connect with the new Wedgewood Estates Boulevard intersection to provide connectivity to Douglas Cook Park. And then again this was a um um this was at the request of the planning and zoning board as well is that condition M regarding the maintenance of trails, storm water infrastructure and common areas that each development track have shall have a homeowners association, property owners association or some other legal entity which shall be responsible for the perpetual maintenance of of trails and common areas within the boundaries of the development tract. [snorts] Um so that was an important comment that was

received and and and addressed by the planning and zoning board. Um related to the buffering that Mr. Kovac noted on the south side of Fairfield on the tea, there was an additional condition that was added after the planning and zone or or at the planning and zoning board meeting in November that states that for the buffering of single family attached dwellings south of Fairfield on the T. An enhanced buffer is required between existing town homes in Fairfield on the tea and new single family attached dwellings located in track 10 to provide a minimum separation distance of 40 feet between structures and 20 ft from rear lot line to rear lot line. A type B landscape buffer is shown in exhibit W4B with a minimum width of 20 ft shall be installed along the southern property line of Fairfield on the T following first reading. And this is something that is being worked into the draft development agreement that would receive first tiering on January 5th. Uh also is that instead of a transit shelter and bus bay being installed on Lincoln Park Drive at the entrance to tracks 3A and 3B that it would just be the transit shelter. The the requirement for a bus bay would be deleted from that from that condition.

Chuck, real quick question. The um and I was I was trying to go to find that um amendment or that attachment on here. Can you briefly describe what that um buffer is or what what qualifies as the landscape buffer for C2, please?

Sure. We'll go back to [clears throat] So this is this is the landscape buffer B. Um it would include four canopy trees uh four understory trees and 50 shrubs uh to two and three uh and a two to three foot height burm. Um the shrubs uh would be to place in a national natural organic pattern. And so this is kind of the general um the general planting requirement within that 20 foot wide buffer area. I will step back and show that um this would apply to the south side of Fairfield on the T and and that was the reason for that specific language that was raised by the planning and zoning board.

Hold up on that. So, and the the requirement is canopy trees. So, I can envision what that'll look like in 20 years. What is our do we have a requirement on when it's planted a particular height or growth rate or anything to there there's nothing at this point related to the specific timing of the installation of that buffer. Um it would be when um construction begins on on track 10. That's generally how that would but I mean so so let's say they're going to plant an oak tree. I mean, do we have a requirement that the oak tree that is planted is a, you know, a 4-year-old tree with a 6- in diameter type of thing to start with, or it's just here's the tree and it'll grow?

Um, it's generally worked out through the through the the review process with parks and recreation department. Uh we rely on on Stacy Smith and the um um um the as the horiculturist to be able to give us the ideas of the exact uh location of the plantings and and to provide guidance to the development team on the the the size of the of the plant material. Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Man. Thank you, Commissioner Music. That is exactly what I was thinking about. So, you know, we're looking at a aerial position of the tops of the canopy, but if so, if you're looking at your backyard and you used to see a golf course,

um, long since not been a golf course, but there is going to be a two two to three foot burm. So, it's an elevation kind of that then a hedge, correct? Then above the hedge is the canopying trees. That's that that would be the intent. Thank you. Okay, continue, please. I think we should be getting getting close to the end here,

but you're right. Um I know at the at the at the first reading there was also a question about school concurrency and and and so on the screen is the is the um the finding of adequate capacity that was provided by the school district this year. Um it's also important to note that the um of course the school district is in the middle of a resoning uh evaluation. And so for example um it looks like that um most of Wedgewood if not all of Wedgewood would be in the Lake Gibson district um you know depending on what is ultimately approved by the school district. So there are changes of foot um starting with high schools and then kind of working to the other to the other grade levels. But um to address the the the comments that have been made, there is adequate capacity now in either the zoned or the adjacently zoned um schools uh for for all levels. [snorts] Are you finished then?

Yes. All right. And you had some buffer pictures that were actually on our illustration at the end that were were um visual that maybe they aren't on the end of yours. I'm on page 46. Let's see. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. But okay. 447 just and and there were cross-sections in the in the existing PUD that aren't being modified and so those continue forward as very good. So those include streets, trails. Okay. Other [clears throat] questions by commissioners or comments? Uh yeah, coming from Madden.

Okay. Um so Chuck, thank you. I'm I'm I know we're going to hear from residents as well. I I kind of want to bring in sort of a historical perspective. We talked about on Friday for those who were not here on Friday that um you know in the state of Florida when someone purchases land if the city does anything with regard to an ordinance or modification of the land that diminishes their ability to receive the benefit that they initially thought that they could have when they purchased that land. That is a Bert Harris infraction and we're sued as a city. So, so number one, we can't just say no to a developer who's purchased a piece of property who has entitlements to build on that property. Is that correct?

I I will look over to the city attorney uh that answer that one. Yeah, that's generally correct. I mean, there's already entitlements on this property. What was it? 950 954 954 units. So if you take away go below 954 units today that would be a Bur Harris uh violation and you'd have to pay for the decrease in property value. So really the focus of today's hearing is that difference between 954 and was it 97 973

973. And so the purpose for having planning and zoning hearings and public hearings for the city commission is actually not as much to hear from the developer as it is to hear from the citizens. Because throughout that process, we hear things from the people who live there whose quality of life is changing and may [clears throat] in their opinion be disrupted. So that we can use the request for a modification not just to bolster the developer's opportunity but to leverage the request with an opportunity to add landscape to study traffic to think about things from a city perspective inside the project and even outside of the project that we can do for the benefits of our whole city our whole community and neighborhoods. So I feel sometimes people think it's it's [clears throat] developer versus the citizens. Really it's developer plus the citizens. Someone buys a piece of land, they have an opportunity to build. We live in the state of Florida that we want them to be able to buy property and build property. That's property rights. But property exists and people have a quality of life. And it's sad when you lose a view of a golf course. I think it's very sad. From the beginning, I knew that there would be disappointment, but I cannot prevent someone from buying that property and building on it. But what I can do is I can listen to every email I receive and we can have public hearings at the planning and zoning and at the city commission meeting and we can say how can we work together to make this the best possible project without being unreasonable with regard to the developers. They have to sell the units. They have to recoup the money that's put into building all the roads and building

all of the units. So, also then add the city who knows development's coming. They know that the there's no one been using the golf course. It's probably going to sell. We know these residents will be sad to lose their green space. And so, our parks and wreck team behind the scenes is strategizing because they look at all of our where's residential growth happening? We love green space. We love trees. We love our environment. We love our quality of life. We love our lakes. How can we as we see something diminishing incorporate a city-owned park? So, I hope that even, you know, the residents would realize we hate that they would lose a golf course view and the green grass. Could we retain the walking paths? Could we make that a part of this condition that they have to maintain those walking paths? Oh, and then make sure those walking paths lead to a now city-owned green space that wasn't city-owned before. that will not be developed by more houses, that will not be developed by an assisted living facility or any other use because the city was able to retain that green space in Cook Park in perpetuity. So that at least we know that we cannot prohibit development or purchase of land and building. But when we see it happening, we can start to scramble to work for a Lakeland Park Drive connection and we can start to work towards having green space in a park for those neighbors. So, I know we want to hear from the residents today about this particular project, but I think it's incumbent upon us to say, don't take any of this as we are not listening. I hope you see that city staff wants to allow development to occur because that's what we believe in the state of Florida. But use the opportunity at every turn when they have a request for a change. How can we make

it better, more beautiful, have more trees, allow for ponds, even storm water ponds to become ponds where birds and wildlife live. So, I just I felt like it was important to take this moment to say we want the quality of life both for the citizens who live there by having a Cook Park accessible. We want to work on those traffics. It's not going to be tomorrow. I hope that we can get the roundabout. I hope we don't have to shut down Heatherpoint Drive, which I hope the folks on Heather Point Drive realize that we've worked with them as a city to be able to improve their road, even though it's a private road. The city is is your is your voice. We want to help your neighborhood be the best possible quality that it can be. But we cannot this is not a one side wins, one side loses. It's development or it's the people who live there. We hope that you see that this city staff at every single turn according to what we're always telling them to do. get to yes, but also use the yes as a leverage point to make sure our citizens have their waterways, have their wildlife, have their green space, and if it looks like it's diminishing, how can we augment those possibilities through parks and wreck and through uh traffic and roads and other mitigation strategies? So, that's just kind of my big picture. Um,

and the town homes are a great picture of that as well. in coming down from four stories to three stories and the and the 20 buffer to the 40t buffer and and a lot of things. So I know it's never perfect and we and I hate I hated from the beginning if if I lived in your you know beautiful view of the golf course that would be very sad to lose that view. Um, but I hope it I hope that the trees in the burm provide at least green and birds will still come and to those trees and that it would be a better project because the city staff has been working on it and that the developers have been amanable and willing to work on it because that will benefit his uh future residents who live in the units he builds. Yeah, I think that expresses very well the desire uh by all of us with respect to these kinds of matters and so thank you um because that was eloquently done. Okay, other comments from commissioners.

All right, then let's open up some citizens comments if we could. Oh, I'm sorry. Did I

I have one. Yes, and I appreciate [clears throat] you commissioner Madam for saying that so eloquent and stuff. It's good to hear from some that they're going to be some concessions made. I think and before we hear from them, uh, you know, the Wedgewood community has res, you know, they've raised legitimate documented concerns and stuff, I don't think any of them out there don't really not necessarily approve it. They know it's coming. They guess their concerns are, you know, [clears throat] are actually some of mine as well as, you know, they've had over 37 code enforcement issues that have gone on over and over and over. I'm sure we're going to hear from some citizens here who've experienced where since they have not taken care of the drainage and the runoff and the storm water and have negative back pressure that they're losing they're losing their yard and and one gentleman is almost losing a pool. Um you know the storm water conditions still out there are still the ponds are still overgrown water levels are unstable. Seaw walls are falling. At least one owner is at risk of losing his pool. I know for me personally when I supported that CDD it was based on the insuranceances from them that time that the infrastructure and storm water would be addressed responsibly and that has still not occurred you know under state concurrency requirements the infrastructure I know we're going to get to a point where these things will be done but before anything can occur even under the concurrency requirements infrastructure must be adequate before development impacts do occur. Um, my concerns are I know it's coming. I'm just hoping that I don't know what levers we can pull to ensure that they're going to do that. I mean, we went out of our way to listen to the concerns of both. We approved the CDD in order for them to gain the money in order to do these things, but they haven't even maintained the property. And that's that's very well documented

that they have not. Chuck, you had commented on this a little bit at our agenda study. Can you maybe respond to some of those concerns?

So, in terms of maintenance, um, and and Mr. Kovac has some pictures to show some recent work that's been done by the developer on the property, but also the CD the CDD is um really almost a government entity that would be responsible for the the the funding and implementation of the infrastructure uh within the CDD area which does not include the entire that does not include the entire PUB area. Um but one of the things that was key and this was something that the planning and zoning board um had added to the conditions was that there has to be a property owners or a homeowners association established for each track to be able to maintain the common areas including the drainage infrastructure um because that is a obviously a major concern of the residents. The other thing that's important to note too is is that through the the technical review going forward, kind of a combination of subdivision plat review as well as site plan for the multif family is that those um those those tracks would be permitted through uh Southwest Florida Water Management District. Um a lot of the neighborhood today was developed prior to Swift Mud being in existence and that may be contributing some of the issues that we have out there. And so with with uh permitting through Swift MUD today as well as the conditions, the revised conditions for the PUD, we believe that we've addressed as much as we can the concerns that the the residents uh have

and I appreciate that that's going to definitely help moving forward. However, some of these have been in concurrence or have continued since 2022. I know that I have had the pleasure or not pleasure of walking many of these grounds and stuff and seeing it. I mean, when it was under SJ, SJND or who owns it now, Scott Als, whoever. The the primary concern is they're not against, you know, having this done. I mean, they understand that growth is coming. They're just not seeing any maintenance. I understand what the CDD was for, but some of those discussions that we had with them, we were assured that they would do a better job. There'd be a little bit more teeth and holding them accountable to make sure they're maintaining what he's got pictures of now, not in concurrence of what's been going on for the last two years

and deep concern and and something if it's if it's helpful, u Mr. Kovac does have some answers to the questions that have been raised by the commission um prior to uh having u public comment. May be helpful to go through and take a look at the answers to those questions because I think I may address some of some Let's do that. Let's do that. Appreciate it. Thank you, Chuck.

Good morning, Danny Kovac again. Uh I did want to reserve my time just to kind of go through some of the questions that have come up by the commission and the workshop. So, I've actually got 12 total questions, but I'm going to jump right to the maintenance. And we do have some slides that uh we'll kind of go through these um one at a time. Uh so, actually, let's let's start with the first one. We'll go through them. Um excuse me, let me go back. Okay, so one of the questions was will the developers sell the property in tracks? So, we've we've discussed this internally and this site is set up to where it could be sold in individual tracks or it could be sold in clusters. So in our in our perspective and with what we've seen in today's market, if we have uh if there's a vertical town home builder, he'll he'll purchase the vertical. Now SJD, myself, track engineering will be involved throughout this project uh as we go through the construction plans and documents and all that good stuff. So that will happen. We'll get the permits and then of course start construction and the the actual vertical de uh developer will actually take it up from there after we get through our site approvals and and get CFC on our property. So um that's one of the main things. I also wanted to point out that as we've been working through uh the entire process over the last three and a half years, you know, there's been a lot of complexities to this project. So, one being an off-site force bane that has really, just to give you an idea, we're crossing the four, right? We have two uh 10-in lines designed right now and permitted with DOT to cross the four. That took some time. Obviously, we had a lot of scrutiny from the city, from DOT. uh there's two there's two firms that have been working on this project track engineering and Kimley Horn to kind of flush out all those all those issues. So that's been some of the kind of the I won't say delays but some of the lengthy processes that we've gone through with this project. Um so uh going back to you know the tracks you know single family will more than likely go with one vertical developer multif family will go with one possibly two as we have 700 total but again we're going to we're going to be involved with the construction plans. My firm will be working with the city directly. We also have Kimberly Horn that will be helping us with some of the utilities. Uh we

also have um uh way engineering as well that's going to be helping us with the traffic. So we've got a lot of players involved that are going to really make this project, you know, come to life and and follow uh excuse me, supersede the the codes that are in place right now. Has development changed hands? I've heard some rumor about this. Um I think it was even brought up at the workshop. So to answer your question, no. Scott House is the sole owner of SJD. He has been the owner since this project was purchased. Uh and has not changed. There were some other let's call it um me not even members really some other folks that were involved early on um that are no longer involved in this project but uh the sole owner and principal is uh Scott House of SJD why were there significant layout changes was uh one of the questions we heard between the workshops and also at planning commission so obviously as projects evolved um you know we've had some market studies we've had uh some different uh conversations with city staff you know working directly with uh transportation on the Lake Park center drive uh working through all the challenges of the uh um un aligned intersection at Heather Point Drive and trying to find the best mechanism to bring those together and free up some of that traffic flow. So, we've we've worked diligently with those folks and we've got multiple traffic studies that have also taken place over the last three and a half years with our final draft um now with the approved methodology from Mr. Barby uh in place right now that we expect to have uh early next week. So, I know it's taken some time, but there's been a lot of this this project is very complex. Anytime you have a redevelopment project, as you guys have seen over the years, it's complex. So, we've got to we don't want to skip anything. We want to make sure everything is detailed and thorough. Okay. Is the development ready to break ground? So, to answer your question, yes. Uh, as soon as we get through this process, um, as a matter of fact, we have already in our in our office um approved DOT signed uh, force man plans to build the off-site force bane. We're working with uh, upper management at U Water Utilities. working with Robbie and Gina and those folks and we've we've discussed making the master lift station and the offsite force bane its own phase

one project. We want to do that. It works it works out for us because we need that infrastructure in before we can really get any of the on-site moving. That's a high component. And then also it works out for the city as there's some there's some some sharing agreements that we're going to be uh working with them on outside of this commission hearing and um just just to help improve the area as a whole. So that's our phase one. as soon as we get through that process and again those plans are already approved by FDOT. Uh water utilities just needs to take a second look make sure no codes have changed since it's been about a year little year and a half but we don't expect a lot of changes u especially with the fact that we've already got a design approved across the four that's something that takes a lot of lift and we want to make sure we we follow the same proper channels. So, uh, to answer your question, yes, if we can get past this portion, uh, and we can also get past the developers agreement. Um, that, as you guys have not, has taken some time. It hasn't come before you yet. Uh, we've continued it. And the reason we've continued it is because of the fact that we're working directly with transportation and Mr. Barmy to make sure that we we're partnering with the city that our developer is, you know, get putting the the boxes in check. you know, where people we'll get into that at the next hearing, but there's a lot of there's a lot of um things that are going to be happening within that DA that's going to help both the city and our development, uh come to fruition. Um, okay. So, I'll I'll just kind of go back again on the complexities. So, uh, one of the questions that keeps coming up, why is this [clears throat] taking so long? I'm going to go back to the fact that we have we've been working with the city. Uh we really it's come down to trying to find the best way to to structure this DA to structure what plans we already have approved now and um we've had some minor evolutions to our plan as you can see it's it's similar to what was there before but of course with market conditions it's changed somewhat which is why we're here today asking for this resoning but um really the um we've already started engineering on a good chunk of this project and uh we've had to make some changes just because of the demands of the city some I shouldn't say demands because of some of the partnering with the city and um also some of the uh the updated codes that we've gone through. So again, I I'll cite the complexity,

the complexity, uh the different uh redevelopment areas that we're doing, the DA that's going to be in place, which you guys will hear uh in January's hearing, and all that good stuff. But it's taken some time, but we are at a point now where our developer is ready to sign. The city has agreed with uh or we have partnered with the city, and we've come to an agreement on those items. Uh everything down to the funding to how it's going to get built, all that good stuff. So, I know it's taken some time, but all that stuff has been vetted and we're we're ready to bring it to you guys now. Is the CD still in place? The CDD, you mentioned that um Commissioner uh uh Leonard, you mentioned that uh you wanted to know why the CDD basically u you know why it's taken so long. So, and and if the CDD is still a funding mechanism. So, to answer your question, yes, the CDD is still on the project. Uh all all of tracks within Wedgewood are available to use the CDD. Uh we do have some multif family and we have single family. Um the CDD is a great funding tool. um we've got a um a nice attorney that can really speak more about that. I think you heard from last time his name is Jair and uh you know we have bond market allocations that we can pull from. So really the the as we as we look at those processes um you the multif family developer can can pull from those funds, the single family developer can pull from those funds and so can the attached town homes as well. So, so that's there and available, but um the CD is kind of on top. But then we'll also have the HOA and the property owners association that will go in place. That's going to really dictate, you know, uh the future storm water requirements that we're bringing, the maintenance, the architectural standards, all those things. So, they kind of go hand in hand, but but that mechanism is there. It has not been removed from the property. What is the major component of this for zoning? U I'll just briefly touch on that. And I just wanted to home in on that today outside of the other changes and the things that we're trying to improve according to Commissioner Madden um you know we're really focusing on 9B and track 12. Those are the two main changes in this design. The rest of it has been there with some minor modifications.

Okay. So Mr. Barber already discussed this um you know we I'll I'll skip this slide but essentially it's just talking about the town homes and the buffers that we've in place. Uh this is a good one. Okay. So maintenance and storm water. So, let's touch on this a little bit. So, Wedgewood Development, as you guys know, was built in 1970. Obviously, at that time, there was no [clears throat] storm water requirements, and Mr. Barney has hammered that home, and there were no real HOAs on the golf course, ironically. So, we've got a community that has a golf course, which is open space at the time, has stomark ponds, but we also have multiple adjacent communities feeding this project. So you you know the storm water ponds on uh SJD properties uh property is also taking storm water from the surrounding um communities the sur even some of the city's roads etc. So in today's world if we were starting this all over we would have a master HOA that would incorporate all of these folks there would be funding in place through assessments that would handle all that maintenance. So um I just wanted to point that out there that that's not in place right out now. So really we've got all this storm water coming to us and um we really um you know we we don't have any master HOA that kind of regulates that. So we're trying to get there obviously with moving forward with this project. Um I also wanted to talk about um some of the new designs that actually just came into place as of uh December of this year. Uh we have Senate Bill 7040. This bill as you guys have probably seen and it's been talked about. It's going to really strengthen one of the things that we're talking about today. The maintenance the maintenance is in the bill. this the the cost estimates that have to go in before we even pull our permit are on this bill. We have to have fun all this stuff in place. So, if we can get to that point and get our permits pulled, all that all those items will be in there, including the cost. So, um there's also improvements on the amount of flooding control we have to have on the project. OB, you know, Milton came through, we've all seen it. You know, I've got multiple flood studies that we're working through right now, just making sure that, you know, we're we're following those

standards. So, this Senate bill uh will really enhance those requirements and it will apply to this project. So, um this is one of the ones, you know, that will that will look at that. We've got a lot of folks that are currently right now trying to beat that deadline just because of some of the prior drainage. So, we're going to follow those those checks and balances and and uh that's really going to scrutinize this project. So, I just wanted to put that out there. That is that that's that's really going to add some some um some code uh excuse some compliance. Go ahead. So my question is you own the property now. So why is it the maintenance not being done now? There was storm water stuff put in place and now it's become overgrown and I physically have watched the water reroute itself because it's not been maintained. I appreciate you telling me about Senate Bill 7:30 and how that's going to strengthen it, but the simple fact of the matter is SJ&D has been the owner of this project since 2020. and now you're coming before me and asking for a modification. We've already approved one and it was in my hopes and when we strengthen that with a CDD, we're going to move forward. I understand things change, business models shift and stuff, but you're trying to get the concurrence or get the agreement of the entire city commission. And to my thing, I think I'd rather have the support of the community rather than seven of us up here voting because there's really I mean, we're limited. I mean, we're bound by law to approve and not create, you know, lawsuits and things. Our only thing that we can pretty much approve is either whether we increase the level or keep it the way it is. What I'm trying to see is every time you're explaining away, and no disrespect to you, sir, but I'm still not hearing the concerns of the citizen, and I know that they're going to get up here and talk. One thing I've learned, I think we've all learned when we become members of the commission and probably especially the poor mayor even this is his last

meeting. He's he's had to do battle with many different things. We become lightning rods for our citizens to come and be the conduit and hear the deep concerns. We're not always going to create those win-wins, but at the CDD and today, I'm still hearing about what we're going to do in the future to ensure that these things going to be made right. But since 2022, I've personally physically seen since I came on the commission how maintenance standards and drainage standards have not been maintained at all by SJ and D. Tell me they're going to be strengthened by a Senate bill that hasn't been passed yet isn't really giving me good cause. Thank you for that, Commissioner Lillen. And um my uh Scott House is here today. Um I could certainly have him come up and address some of these questions after we get after we hear from the public. Um I do I I will I will state that um uh according to SJD Development um they are actively um maintaining the property as far as landscaping, mowing the golf course, etc. Now there's been some times during the rainy season where the golf where um some of us have to cut our properties, you know, twice a week, even some sometimes three times a week. Um and uh you know, that's obviously been something that they've had to work through. Um there's also some complexities to this and we talked about this at the community meeting we had where we have you know certain structures that are not technically on our property like uh inlets that are in some of the other communities that are overgrown and we technically don't have rights to those. So what we do have rights to is the um outlets that are coming into our ponds and um Chuck if you don't mind if you could present some of the pictures that were and this was recently done and um you know so in full disclosure but this is some of the things that the developer is is working too to help free up some of the flow. Um so once he uh gets the camera going there so we can discuss that but essentially um you know there's there's there's quite a bit of acorage on the property. Uh I know that um Mr. House is is paying a landscape company to go out there and maintain the ponds. Um, I know

that uh there's been uh multiple calls, some code violations on landscaping, but none on none on storm water of course. So that's that from what I've been told is those have been resolved within a matter of days. There's never been any type of, you know, penalty as far as financially or anything of that nature. So um as we go through these, so this is just some of the things that were done. I mean the as we can see the infrastructure is dated, right? So there's another comp complexity there. It's dated. That's a uh an alum a corrugated metal pipe which we don't even use in today's role when it comes to development. Um that these kind of things will will get replaced. But in the interim uh our developer is committed to you know moving forward and keeping the community uh maintained making sure that the water can flow that there's no vegetation growing in the pipes uh things of that nature. Um there should be a few more slides that'll kind of show you some of the improvements that have been done. So obviously that that's heavily overgrown. Um uh once he gets to the next photo, you'll see this is a another inlet that will allow water to pass through the property. Um we heard some uh discussion about a swale behind one of the properties that we've also spent some time maintaining. There's another good example of um how the pipes has been cleaned out. But again, this is all, you know, goes down to we have the only what we can really do to to open this up is, you know, pro um you know, really have our landscaper go in close, you know, clean out the vegetation, make sure the water can flow, and uh you know, talking with Mr. house. That is something he's committed to do. So, we'll if we keep going through some of the slides, you'll see some of the uh improvements that we've done. So, that's that's ongoing as you know, he's he's working on this and he wants to keep that up. But but um again, we'll we'll I can't stand here today and tell you we're going to start tomorrow. Uh I wish we could, but we still have some more things we have to get through. Once we get through peritting, uh which will probably take another 6 to 8 months by the time we get through all of our checks and balances in the process, uh we will be able to break ground. But in the interim, uh Mr. House has committed to um you know um adding additional maintenance around the uh outlets, some of the inlets that are on our property.

Um but again, I can't go to the adjacent communities and and and clean out their inlets. They have to do that themselves. So it gets it gets a little dicey with some of the you know ownership rights and things of that nature. And I think to Commissioner Lain's point or it's about moving forward. So being aggressive to correct what has happened and and not having that be present is very pivotal to the continued support. Okay, go ahead please.

Excellent. Thank you. Okay, so u ah this was a a question I believe that was brought up by um by by Sarah our future mayor. Um there was a question about the open excuse me actually commissioner Madden I apologize. Uh there was an open space uh discussion. So um this prop this modification did reduce the open space slightly. uh full disclosure, but we did check the we did check the densities. Um we still meet the 20% requirement. We're still exceeding it. Um but because we dropped it from four stories to three stories, we added, you know, some buildings to be able to accommodate that, but we also tried to scale the intensity down by using more town homes versus, you know, multif family. So yes, it did reduce it, but we still exceed what's required by city of Lakeland's land development code. Uh this is just basically kind of highlighting the code violations a little bit. just uh e going off of uh SJ and their reporting. Um you know, yes, it has you guys have received multiple calls. Um you know, Mr. House has gotten all those calls on landscaping. Uh there's been a lot of um um you know, attention to this matter. I know that um you know, from what I'm what, uh Mr. House can attest to this as well, but uh the landscaping violations, you know, were there's never been an enforcement action on any of those. He's he's he's dealt with those, you know, when they come in and he's actually processed those and and I think Mr. Barney can kind of echo that as well just he what he's heard from uh code compliance. Um so uh and then just kind of echoing again the fact that you know this development once we get to that point will be brought up to current code you know we'll have all of the uh swift bud regulations um the the new swift mud rules um commissioner Latin are in effect as of December so we will be following those requirements which do which do follow some of the guidelines from that Senate bill. So, you know, the additional flooding, the additional maintenance, the cost, all that good stuff that that that's in there that will that will be in place when this project goes to permitting. [clears throat] Housing standards. Um, this was already kind of talked through with you guys during the original presentation, but just single family uh

town homes, the minimum square footage is 14 uh 63 with 19 ft. You know, multifamilies uh will be uh from three and four stories. Um the we've removed the two the two u the twotory multif family. So mainly uh three and four stories, but the four stories will be centralized around Carpenters's Way. So away from the existing residence as much as possible. Okay. So that's that's kind of the summary. So if you guys have any direct questions for me before I we open up the public or if there's anything that I I can touch on that might might address that. Any commissioner questions? And let's listen to the public view. Okay. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Appreciate that. That's very comprehensive. So, anyone from the public who wants to speak on this, please um just come to the front, state your name, and um we'd be happy to entertain your thoughts. If you can come to this lower podium, will that work, sir? Right there. Perfect. My name is Don Hamilton. I live at 4137 Derby Drive. Um, I'm retired Army with 100% disability, uh, Vietnam vet. And I, when I left the army, I went to work for Department of Interior as an engineer. And now [clears throat] to get to my point, uh, in 2022, I went to a meeting at the clubhouse and they had, uh, SJD Development had a a couple of people there uh, going over the plans. [clears throat and cough] The plans looked very good and I was I approved them. You know, I I thought that was a great idea. Now they want to add six roads going on to Carpenters's Way. And [clears throat] the traffic on Carpenters Way already is really bad. [clears throat] the at certain times of the day the traffic is backed up all the way past Staffordshire and you can't even get on Carpon's way and you cannot cannot make from Staffordshire a lefthand turn on the Carpenters's Way because the traffic is so backed up. Now I have issues with them at that meeting at the clubhouse in 2022.

I had talked to Jonathan Hall. I gave him my name, my number, and my address. And my concern was the seaw wall because when they drained the pond, there's no longer back back pressure on that seaw wall. And I was afraid of it collapsing. Now, this s hurricane, the last hurricane we had, the seaw wall did collapse partially, which caused a lot of problems on my property. Um, I have pictures here. Can you grab those, please? Thank you.

There you go. [clears throat and cough] [snorts] It's tremendous. Thank you. [clears throat] The pictures show what's happened over the past year since the hurricane. Um, my pool is right along that edge. Mhm.

And you can see it's the land is undermined on my lai wall and you see the pool beyond it. Now, I I can't I can't even swim in the pool because I'm afraid that if a wall continues and collapses while I'm in the pool, the the pressure from the pool water will put me into the pond. Now, [clears throat] it's it's a shame. You know, I I understand that the the golf course is no longer open, and it's a shame because it is overundred years old. Mhm.

And to me, that should be a historic piece of land, you know, as a golf course. But as a developer, I understand why he wants to develop it. But as far as the new plans come out, I think that's overdevelopment, especially when you're adding all these roads to uh Carpenters Way. Um I've contacted FEMA about my problem and they said they can't do anything because the seaw wall is not on my property. It's was 18 in from my property. Now it's 26 inches from my property. Um, I also contacted the Army Corps of Engineers. I also contacted code enforcement. Now, code enforcement, they told me that they couldn't do anything because it was a civil matter. So, now I've had to contact a lawyer and I've had to hire an engineering company to come out to to give a report on the wall. um to me getting [clears throat] anything else approved by this SJD company and they haven't done anything at all as far as I'm concerned to to help or show any kind of concern at all. Uh I see Scott House is here today and I'd like to ask him what he plans on doing about that wall.

All right. which you may or he may answer publicly or he might do that privately and you know that's which is up to him. Yeah. All right. Well, thank you very much. Thank you very much. Appreciate that. Any other comments? Yes, ma'am. Come forward. Please just state your name.

Good morning.

My name is Beverly Copelan Inman. I live at 733 Carpenters Way. I've lived there for going on 26 years. Um, I have some serious questions about a lot of what I've heard this morning. They were talking about a master association with CDD and assessments. How can they support maintenance on this property when you only have 61 single family homes and 212 town homes? the majority of the inventory is apartments. You can't assess renters assessments. Um, our other concern is the traffic study. The last traffic study was done in September of 2022. And since that time, a lot has happened in North Lakeland. [snorts] And we are that's that traffic study is outdated. and it was based on 734 units, apartments, town homes, and private homes. Now we're at 973. In that study, it was stated that cra traffic decreased in that area. Traffic has not decreased in that area since I moved there in 1999. Okay. So, we're requesting a new traffic study because we need that roundabout. We definitely need the roundabout when the school buses, we have school buses that stop two and three time, you know, a couple times a day, morning and at night, and traffic backs up. If on both sides, if you've got an emergency vehicle, which we do have a lot of because we got assisted care facilities all along Carpenters Way, they can't get through. There's no place for them to

go. And last but not least, we would we're very concerned about the force main. I'm glad to hear that they finally got the permitting from FDOT, but I will call and verify that [cough and clears throat] um because we don't want to happen to us what has happened at another development that this developer owns. We don't want the city or the residents of Wedgwood community to have to pay to put in a force man. and that that was something that should have should be a requirement because the current one is at capacity. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Good morning. My name is Linda Sanchez Dowers. I reside at 4013 Chelsea Lane. My husband Wayne Dowers and I have been residents of Lakeland and Wedgwood estates for over 30 years. I ask that the proposed ordinance number 25-050 amending ordinance number 4773 not be passed today. I understand that the passing of this amendment is inevitable, but I am asking for a continuence that will allow the I understand that this amendment will allow the city of Lakeland and SJD Development to move forward with a proposed developer agreement which was discussed at the December 1, 2025 city commission meeting. This is a very large and complex development that still has many unresolved issues that SJD has not fully addressed to the satisfaction of those of us who live in the neighborhood and issues which were also questioned by members of the city commission at the December 21, 2025 meeting. Okay.

Sorry, I'm a little nervous. It's

okay. Okay. While I appreciate Commissioner Madden sentiments and Commissioner Alain's support, I've I do have and this and I know that this development will happen. I will say that I have zero confidence that SJD will install the necessary infrastructure to ensure that our quality of life and enjoyment of our property is not greatly diminished more than it already has been since SJD has purchased the Wedgewood Golf Course. SJD has not demonstrated that they are good neighbors by not properly maintaining their lands to the point that their negligence has and continues to create situations where damaged retaining walls, weakened retention ponds, unkempt retention ponds, overgrown vegetation, and then in the case of my home which is adjacent to track 7, a rotting and dying oak tree are all now public nuisances under the nuisance law of Florida. The Wedgewood Community Development District was created to govern, manage, and oversee SJD's use and operation of the property. But the CDD has been ineffective and I believe the CDD has not held SJD responsible and accountable because the members of the CDD supervisory board includes Scott House and his friends and associates. The only thing that has happened in the past three years is a lot of talk and

promises conveyed by SJD and its representative which do not make them a good neighbor. Being a good neighbor is not in is not contingent on PUD and city approvals. SJD and Scott House cannot handle the required basic tasks and have proven to be non-responsive, non-compliant, and ignored written requests only for us as the neighbors to have to take action after we have had to work and make continued efforts to force SJD and Scott House to [clears throat] maintain its property. If SJD cannot even take responsibility for problems that cost a few hundred dollars to resolve, how can we trust that SJD and Scott House will fix problems that will cost thousands and or millions of dollars. Well, I appreciate all that the city of Lakeland has been doing to make sure that we, the residents, can try and maintain the quality of life and that our property values will continue to appreciate. Moving forward at this stage, I think is premature. And I believe that doing so today will not only be a disservice to the residents of the city of Lakeland, but also to the incoming commission that will start in January because they are the ones who are going to have to deal with any of these other problems and issues. Thank you for your time.

Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Before I start my time, could [clears throat] I ask that the gentleman bring up the the graph that shows the zonings for uh 9B, the the um the zones themselves? Yeah. Which shows the um the buffers, the buffer zones. Before I [clears throat] start my time, we can do that. Yes. I have to say this the first time I've ever seen this map. That's why I have to ask that. Yeah, that one. That the one you want? Yes, please.

Okay.

I'm Mike Wagner. I live at 4240 Stafford Shshire Drive. My wife Tracy and I have lived there for over 20 years. [snorts] Um, I was really relieved to hear what Commissioner Madden said about, you know, when you consider development like this, your property is next to mine and we have to ensure that the quality of life is good for both parties. um reszoning the property that's 9B from residential medium I'm I'm sorry from residential low to residential medium does not improve my quality of life it include it improves the profitability of the developer and them alone and I'm going to get to that in just a minute when this project was presented to you in 2022 too. They presented 9B as a green space. You may not recall that, but you approved that it was a green space. In fact, they they made this whole community sound like it was going to be the the celebration of Pulk County with all these linear parks and beautiful. And now, if you look at that, I don't see linear parks. I don't see beauty there. I see profitability for for one one person, and he's in this room right now. and they haven't been a very good neighbor. [clears throat] Scott House has not been a very good neighbor to us. And particularly, I'm going to get to you about one area that affected me personally during Milton because they have not maintained that that property back there. The water came right down and my wife Tracy and I were up till 3:00 in the morning bailing water out of our lai into our sink. It had never happened in 20 years. I'll tell you why it happened. Because right behind our house, behind our lot, there's a a drainage ditch. It's not been

maintained. The water it's been covered up. That water came right off the golf course and into our backyard, into our lai, and we were bailing water until 3:00 in the morning to keep it. Now, Mayor Mut said, "Well, we should just go forward. We should move forward and and we should just trust this this developer." He has not earned our trust. And now the main point I'm going to make is you're probably going to approve this. I I I would ask two things. Don't approve this, but B, why don't you give us the maximum amount of um of green space there of buffer? They're going to put the smallest buffer they can there with a white vinyl fence. That's going to be our buffer. That when we used to look at this beautiful golf course and now we get the minimum buffer in a white vinyl fence. That doesn't help us. That's not improving our quality of life at all. It helps maybe the city of Lakeland. I don't know. It helps this developer. It definitely helps Mr. House because he makes more money. Um secondly, the roundabout shouldn't go away in in place of a of a um a stoplight. [clears throat] that doesn't help anybody and the traffic's already a mess. And my final point is why do you have to decide this today? I mean, you have 15 days left in the month and then I understand a new board of commissioners are coming in. You don't have your complete board. Why don't you just table this for a minute? Don't approve it today. Think about it and and and then let us why don't you revisit this? Instead of it being residential, helping them by making it they can put more buildings. They're adding 39 36 town homes that can be up to three stories. Now, they say they're only going to be two stories,

but they could be up to three stories. Now, right now, I have I have a view of my my swimming pool and it and the and the sun the sun sets. It's this beautiful Unbelievable sunset. It's gone. I I'm never going to see that again with a townhouse. If you kept it the way it was, residential medium density or residential low density, it'd be a single family home there. You know, you said in this that the the Bert Harris doesn't allow you to diminish the value of a of a property that's purchased. Um, you know, you can't diminish the value after somebody a developer buys a property. Well, why do you have to make changes that help increase the value to the developer while at the same time decreasing the property value of the current people that live here in this neighborhood? That's that's being fair to us. That's being improving the quality of life for us and for them. If that'll pass.

Thank you. [applause] [snorts]

Hi, good morning. My name is Patty Lurinaga and um we live at on Derby Drive, 3901 Derby Drive and we've lived there for 22 years. Um most of the concerns that have been spoke today um I 100% have the same thing. So I'm going to try not belittle those. Um, most of us in the community bought many years ago and we bought into a beautiful golf course residential area. The entrances off of 98 and uh Lakeland Hills Boulevard is a very small winding road. Carpenters Way, it doesn't have space to be um made larger. So, when we were told that the golf course was going to be sold, we were told that they were going to maintain the integrity of our home and our our um neighborhood. Um, every time we come in here, there's more and more buildings, higher buildings, uh, smaller buffers, and um, we are very concerned. [clears throat] We were hoping that we would be able to expand what the lifestyle that we're living now and most of us invested have invested our life savings into our homes. Our community is being changed every every year we've come in here and I live um where it buffers up against uh I4. Um we've been told that there were going to be apartments there. We were told later that there were going to be town houses. We were told later there were going to be ponds. We were told that there were going to be single family homes. It keeps changing and changing. We have lost confidence with SJD. I know that it the statement was made, let's move forward, but you have to have confidence in who's going to be taking care of your community. We have had floods along Derby Drive. Um there were,

I believe, 41 water intrusions the last hurricane season. It's not because they've been taking care of little drain holes. It's far beyond little drain holes being cleaned there. The ponds there are coyotes living in the ponds in the brush in the p ponds beyond our home. We see them. We videotaped them. That's how big the brush is. The storm drains can't reach the ponds any longer. The the culverts are so overgrown that the water is rerouting and it's rerouting into our homes. I know going forward that isn't a problem, but my [clears throat] parcel behind my house, they're talking about four years. For 4 years, we're not to worry about the rerouting of the water coming into our homes. The other issue I have is Derby Drive. They said that they were going to put a street behind us. I think it's parcel 7. And they said that they were going to be of equal value. the lot lines. They have crammed so many homes into that that the lot lines are back to back. I don't even think you could get a a little mower through them almost. Um that is not comparable to the value of our homes. Um we're concerned about that and we're concerned about the road coming out onto the Lakeland Park. um the traffic that that's going to bring to our neighborhood, people cutting through to get over to Best Buy and so forth. Um again, I know that moving forward is is probably the best way to look, but we have lost full confidence. JDD has or SJD has not given us the confidence. Um, I did speak to them personally a couple times why they weren't developing and I did speak to Scott and he would told me that the market wasn't great. So, that just tells

me that they're looking for their own improvements and their own value of what they can do. But what about us? We know that the housing um is not what it was four years ago when they bought the properties. We're afraid they're going to build all these apartments and that they're going to send sit vacant because the housing is there's not a housing need like there was four years ago. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Good morning, mayor and members of city commission. My name is David Dearse and I'm the owner of Ottabon Oaks Apartments at 4350 Ottabon Oak Circle. as well as Gibson Oaks Apartments at 130 Willow Oak Lane. I'm here representing 648 residents who live directly within and adjacent to this project. I have two main points to discuss today. First, the building height. This plan has gone through many iterations and at the September planning and zoning board meeting, I was encouraged to see that no multif family buildings were proposed at four stories. Since that meeting, however, the plan has changed again and seven multif family buildings have now been increased to four stories. Although earlier versions included four-story buildings, the plan before you today allows the opportunity to refine the project. In this residential context, limiting apartment buildings to three stories would better align with the surrounding single family homes and lowscale apartment communities. Three-story buildings already allow for reasonable density while maintaining compatible with the surrounding community, including Ottabon Oaks. Four stories do not improve livability. We simply maximize unit count at the expense of neighborhood character. I respectfully asked the council to require a maximum building height of three stories. This would remove approximately 70 units, yet the project would still remain well above the alternate density

previously approved by council in 2024, making this a reasonable accommodation that still allows the development to move forward. Second, traffic in the roundabout. The original traffic study for this project was approved in September of 2022, analyzing 1,28 units and included a realigned intersection with a roundabout. An updated trip memorandum was completed in May of this year, analyzing an optional reduced development of 734 units and assumed a two-way stop control instead of the previously proposed roundabout. The current plan now proposes approximately 973 units, which is materially higher than what was analyzed earlier this year. Because the development agreement will incorporate a traffic study as an exhibit, it is important that the study actually reflects the unit count and intersection design being approved today, which I think they brought it up that it's going to be updated.

[snorts]

Roundabouts perform better at traffic volumes grow, which is especially important given the size and long-term buildout of this project. As the council considers the final design of this development, I respectfully ask that the roundabout be required to ensure safety, efficiency, and compatibility with the surrounding residential community. In closing, I want to be clear that we are not opposed to development. We are developers ourselves and we understand the importance of thoughtful growth. Our request is simply that this project be designed in a way that fits within the existing residential community, protects nearby residents, and reflects sound planning principles. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you very much. [applause] Hi, my name is Wes Stiger and I live at the corner of Derby and Stafertshire. Uh Mark's my neighbor. So is Dawn. Um you know I I just wanted to start out by saying you know it was wonderful seeing this meeting start out with a recognition of the Daughters of the American Revolution 100 years in Florida. 100. You know, in 1960, there were a million people in the entire state. A million in the entire state. Poke County's got getting close to 3/4 of that number right now. But Lakeland had it had that. Traffic studies in Lakeland were what? Horses and carts. I I think BTO had a Ford dealership. Um, you know something about Ford dealerships, right?

[laughter]

Um, and our our neighborhood's 196 ft above sea level, but we're talking about flooding. You know, Mark had flooding. Stan, the guy straight across the street from me, he's owned it 35 years, over $100,000 worth of uninsured damage because of flooding. The water had no place to go. When the eye passed by us, all that water came straight into his house. 4T off the ground. Everything in the house had to be gutted. Everything was gone. Furniture, everything. And uh you know for a 92y old guy that that's sort of brutal you know but um you know it's uh you know Wedgwood was 100 years old and development has to happen and it's been approved and you know David's a great example of of a good neighbor good development really top-notch facility really a compliment to the neighborhood. It was scrub land before he came in. He's really turned it into something nice and and you know like like Commissioner Madden said is a good neighborhood. But you know it's something about when the answer is longer than the question I start to doubt the answer and not the question. And when we talking about man maintenance and and good ne you know uh neighbors the fact that you know people keep coming back to the table asking for more and more and more and more and you know a beautiful pole home is now going to have attached um town homes behind him. I I mean, you know, it's got to happen, you know, to have a somebody build a house behind your house, like, yeah, but when you have a really nice pool home and now you're like staring up at a twotory attach, that that's, you know, that's just not cool, you know. So, I I I

support good development and and you know, David is a fine example of that and we welcome more good development in there. You know, that's it's going to happen. We welcome that. But good development is different than just asking and asking and asking and not meeting the minimum requirement that that even got you to the table. So, so that's uh you know what I have to offer and and I really appreciate you know [sighs] I'm I'm part of that that Jewish community here in Lakeland and you know our synagogue is close to a hundred years old in Florida. I mean, a synagogue close to a hundred years old, that's that's crazy amazing. And Lester Wishnowski, I guess long-term people, you know, guy is had a heart of of pure gold. And, you know, um, yeah, I definitely a huge piece. I've lived all over the world, but I've always maintained my house here in Florida in Lakeland because that's my home, you know. So, uh, I appreciate your time. appreciate what you guys are doing and ladies are doing it. It really means a lot to us and you know, keep up the good work.

Thank you. Thanks very much. [applause]

It's a race to the front. One of you can come. [laughter] Go.

Good morning, Mayor Commissioners. Andrew Benzel, 208 Heather Point Drive. Um we obviously recognized the original approval uh planned for 954 dwelling units. Subsequent proposals reduce that to 652 which was going to be a big improvement in terms of housing density and in particular traffic flow. The latest at 973 is totally in the wrong direction. Since the last public hearing, we've received and reviewed the traffic study, but just cannot believe the claimed acceptable and minimal impact on traffic flow. The statistics are there. They just don't seem to bear uh any relationship to what's happening at the moment. With over 2,000 vehicles added with this development, given commuter journeys, school buses, etc., The proposed road modifications are totally inadequate. We've heard about six uh entries onto Carpenters's Way questions, stop signs or traffic lights or roundabout. But um an example uh an existing local resident in Heather Point Drive recently had a journey time of an hour from Heather Point to Dixie Land. It's just crazy the current level. You add another 2,000 vehicles in the area and and it's just going to be unacceptable. We really look to the city to look at at uh bringing on additional road structures around the development alongside what is being proposed by SJD themselves

to ease the flow in the whole [clears throat] area. Going back, I really appreciate Commissioner Leland's um concerns about maintenance. We hear that eventually there will be HOAs in place and so on to maintain the property going forward, but our concerns are right now looking back over the last few years and looking forward to the next few years while the development is in process. We have no confidence in the developer in maintaining the existing property. Uh making sure that the uh soaways are working correctly, preventing flooding, preventing uh deterioration of culverts, seaw wall structures and so on. And lastly, the infrastructure costs. Um there is a massive upfront investment on infrastructure uh to support this development. If there is a downturn, there's a downturn at the moment in housing prices. Don't know how long that's going to continue, but if if that does continue, if the developer struggles to sell homes to fund that developing, what's going to happen? We've seen with another development in Pulk County, Green Leaf, where existing homeowners are being asked to fund infrastructure costs brought about by a development not of their um instigation and that's now um imposing significant costs on those existing homeowners. Uh we would like to have the uh commissions uh and the cities undertaking that should this development

fail having invested in those infrastructure costs that those costs are no not going to be put onto existing homeowners and that it's shared by the city as a city improvement. Thank you for that.

Thank you. Good morning. For the record, Gina Ward, 4037 Derby Drive. Again, thank you so much for hearing us. A lot of the comments that I and concerns that I have have already been spoken, so I'll be brief, but SJD does not want to take ownership of the ponds until they're regulated to do so. The former golf course maintained them because he wanted to be a good neighbor. And I believe that if Scott House wanted to make friends with all the people that he's going to impact, he would want to at least maintain them. Um, if it's going to take 2 and 1/2 years to build, there's not going to be an HOA to help him be regulated to take care of what we have existing. That's already a concern. And um again, they don't want to do anything until they're regulated. Again, my heart goes out to Mr. Hamilton who's losing his pool, not being able to use his pool due to concerns. And um there's no more water left in that seaw wall area. There's nothing to hold the walls up his yard's going to go. Again, this is something that could have been mitigated a long time ago, but now there's 20ft trees in that pond, and I just live two houses from that. So, I've already had damage that we've already repaired probably about 8 years ago. Um, the community wish list is that we don't want to see this new urban development that's going to be 4 [clears throat] ft from my pool enclosure. Um, I just realized probably about 2 months ago that we live in this beautiful suburban neighborhood and now we're going to get a hide park or some

other very close-knit housing and maybe millennials like that. I like my green space. I like to look out and and enjoy the wildlife that we've afford been afforded for years. So, the only way that we can get these single family homes to live right up behind an urban development and a BM's not going to do it, nor is some uh a buffering. That's all that's planned for the single family homes. Um is they've always been talking about putting utilizing the existing uh golf cart paths. That is the farthest away from my home. I would much rather have a buffer, a walking trail, a buffer, a road, and then the houses. I think that's the only way you're going to be able to take an urban development and let it cohesively live in a suburban area that's been developed for years. And that's never been listened to. It just always the drawings always show that that backyard with that um 15 foot setback um is going to be in my backyard. Those lots are so narrow that I'm only going to have something twotory behind my property and then I have no privacy whatsoever. that if you create this beautiful buffer, walking path, buffer, then a road, you've totally separated two very different living conditions so that we can live cohesively. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Are there any other comments from the public?

Good morning. My name is Dennis Grace. I live at 707 Carpenters Way number 21, the Fairfield community. I'm also the HOA president there. A few comments we have are the concerns about the buffer. The buffer I live on the southeast set of town homes and my property line is only 10t behind my house. I bought it that way 20 years ago, but I had a golf course out there, so it didn't really matter. [snorts] Now, you know that the last at the uh the meeting with the uh planning and zoning, they did request that there's a 20ft buffer. So, my 10 ft plus that 20 foot ends up about closest of me to the mayor. So, it's still not a lot of room, but better than it was, but we still have concerns about the at at one time it was an apartment 100 yards away. Then there was a road. Then there was a pond. Then there was town houses on some of us. Now there's town houses and completely behind that neighborhood on my side on the south side of Fairfield. The other qu the other comment is uh traffic. Can we

Now we have some pictures there. And this this was done on Friday 4:30 5:00. So obviously that's a killer time, but that's an everyday occurrence 2 or three times sometimes a day on that highway because there's a bottleneck at the interstate where they installed half of a road. So there's a three-way stop there. So traffic goes go stop go stop. So when it gets down to our coming out, there's just enough room not to get out. [snorts] And then on the other end of the thing down at Walgreens, if anybody's been in that area, there's a four-way stop there. That's a a nightmare and a half. So the roundabout right there where they're going to put the uh Wedgewood, great idea, but still need to do something about [clears throat] my I would say nothing gets built until Lakeland Park Center is complete. Give them a thing to go from. They're trying to go from this side to that side. Uh my final comment is about storm drains. We have four storm drains. One is completely clogged now. Dirt all the way to the top. It goes down to another one. And their other ones are slow. I called the city. City said on our property, we can't do it. And so I'm going to have to get people to put money in of our association to dig that out, but I don't know where it goes. It goes to a pond somewhere that's not going to be there anymore. So what's going to happen that then? Thank you for your time.

Thank you very much, sir. [applause] [clears throat] Any other comments? Yes.

My name is Jeff Brown. I live with my wife at 740 Carpenters Way. Uh we have the only house on Carpenters Way, the only single family house. Uh we've enjoyed the our time there. Uh enjoyed the view out the back. Uh I can relate to my neighbor Mike who lives two doors down from me. Uh enjoying the sunsets and so forth. Uh the nice wide open view. Uh and to have uh new dwellings behind us. Um we're just not crazy about that at all.

[snorts]

uh and the the traffic, how to echo the uh feelings of my fellow neighbors that the traffic is already nuts, especially with the when school's in session. I mean, some I can't even back out of my own driveway. Sometimes I have to pull out uh I have to turn around, pull out frontways, and even then sometimes it takes me 5 to 10 minutes just to get out of my own driveway on Carpeted Way. I do not see how this development is going to improve anything with regard to traffic. Even even with the roundabout, it I just don't see it. And the other concern I have is uh our property values. I don't see I've heard it at the other meetings at the at the uh previous uh golf club that you know it's going to enhance our property values. Uh I don't see it. So, uh I I would definitely like to see that area behind our house, which is uh on the green, um next to the former, uh 7th hole. Uh that that's just got to stay open [snorts] and, you know, have a you know, greenery, you know, maintained. Um, [snorts] I'm not exactly sure what else could go in there that would be more desirable, but uh I would definitely not this. And then plus the construction, uh, just about all of my neighbors along,

you know, next to me down in Saffers, we all have pools. And I just can't imagine the amount of dirt that's going to wind up in our pool with all that construction going on, especially on a windy day. I mean, we we would have mud in the bottom of our pool and [clears throat] I mean, pools aren't cheap to maintain anyway. [snorts] So, I would ask that uh the at least the part of the program, part of the uh request for this development behind us not be approved. [clears throat] Thank you for your time. [snorts]

Thank you. Are there any other comments?

Make sure any more comments. [laughter] Um, my name is Ncoya Coward and y'all please forgive me what I'm about to say. [laughter] Um, I've been a resident here for a very long time and I know I do not live in the Wedgewood area, but I actually agree with a lot of the residents that are here today. Uh, that is considered a, correct me if I'm wrong, a bidirectional road. What kind of road is that? One way coming, one way going Mr. Barn beat two lane direction

two-lane directional road the road is too small there is no way um [clears throat] there's no way you can have that extra development over 900 people or families the road is too small first and foremost a roundabout would not be wouldn't even be feasible for that area um and I wear multiple hats so when I come to you as I'm a substitute teacher knowing that none of the middle schools in the area have capacity for those children. What are we going to do there? What are we going to do with the additional families and the additional children? Um P County school boards already have a lot of children um substituting and knowing I'm going into a classroom and there are already almost 25 children per one teacher. I can't even imagine what our middle schools are going to do if none of the middle schools I took a picture of it have capacity for the children in that area. Um secondly, um if I take off that hat, I'm also a CNA and I've worked with a lot of elderly. Um, and I've had the pleasure of going to Wedgewood and um, it's a very nice area without all of the traffic. And I think that if I speak for those who are older than me, I think that being able to come out your home and have that peace, um, it's nice, especially when you've lived a long life. I think that you want to come home and you want to relax knowing that yes, there'll be a high-rise apartment behind you or multiple families. Um, I can see where she was uncomfortable knowing I don't have any privacy, you know. So, maybe if that area is developed, maybe there needs to be a consideration. Well,

maybe those need to be single family homes at least, you know. Um, but high-rise apartments, um, I can understand how she'd feel. I would want my my comfort and my privacy if I go in my backyard. So, I think that knowing we want to build up our city is great, but traffic has become terrible [gasps] [sighs] and I'm in my mid30s and to know I've been here all my life and it take before would take 10 minutes to get from one side of town to the other and now it takes almost 40. Um, I can't even imagine what the traffic is going to look like once that area is developed. It's a roundabout is not even good enough. The road has to be expanded. It's almost it's going to turn into Pipkin. The road has to be expand that it's no other way. And please forgive me um for those who are older than me. I know everybody's probably still driving, but I think that you you're you're building up an area. You have younger people speeding. You have older people driving a little bit slower. There's going to be some conflict. There going to be some

that's that's just work being done on another floor. Oh, okay. Okay. I didn't do it. [laughter and gasps]

So, I think that as and and even with the nursing homes um and the older people, what are we going to do when there's an emergency? 911 needs to be called. Um there isn't the lanes aren't big enough. There are definitely going to be issues with transportation. If there's an emergency, the fire department, the po the police need to come out. um 911 gets called there. I think that there's some safety um issues with that as well. The road has to be expanded. It can't be it. It's too small. If you're going to develop it and have an extra 900 families, we need to expand the road like it is at Pipkin right now. There's no way a roundabout. I mean, they're willing to accept a roundabout, but the area the roads the road is bad. I mean, roundabout, if we can take that, great. But it the roads have to be expanded. There's no way that you can add an extra 900 families and the roads aren't expanded. So, um, thank you.

Thank you. [applause]

Come on down, sir. Good morning. I was actually now we're afternoon. Yeah.

It just goes to show y I've been here since 9:00 and I'm really tired. [laughter] Now, my name is Don Brown. I live across from this plan unit development that they are proposing to build. My concern is not so much about how Bills and all of that. I'm concerned about the master HOA. [clears throat] My concern is that if you don't do the maintenance now, when they get this thing built, you know who it's going to be on if any maintenance is going to be done? It's going to be on the residents of that H OA. They will have to absorb the cost of anything that happens. Now, we can sit here and debate all of this other I shouldn't say what was coming to my mind back [laughter] and we can sit here and play around with it. But as people have indicated, they've been out there 20, 30 years, they are becoming older. [clears throat] And if we suddenly have to pay for all of the stuff that they're complaining about, it's coming out of their pockets. If they are not having income increase over the years, and I'm understand it's going to be about two and a half more years before it can be constructed. They're going to have a problem. I'm a landlord and when things infect my hip pocket, you know what I do? I go up on my rent. Simple. What you think is going to happen to all of these people? Let's be careful. We want to have affordable housing. We want to have more housings being built. But think about what you're going to do to the people who are increasingly

getting older. Think about that. Thank you, sir. [applause] Are there any other uh comments at all? All right, that brings us back then to the commission. Is there anything else on a presentation basis as a response that you want to make? Anyone including [clears throat] Mr. Barby? Yeah, please just state your name, sir.

Good afternoon, commissioner. My name is Scott House, president SJD, owner of Wedgewood. Just want to quickly respond to some of this because I think it's gone through a lot. And people are saying, "Why aren't you developing the property? Why haven't you done it?" Um because I haven't been able to get a permit uh for the property for 3 years since I was given the entitlement in December 5th. And there's reasons behind that. Uh there's a lot of traffic issues out there with the straightening of Heather Point Drive. Uh getting my approvals with the DOT uh to come under I4. Um an open DA that was put in my PUD at the end of 22 that I had to uh we had to come to an agreement with the city which we still you know we just got to an agreement. So it's not a lack of me wanting to do it. Matter of fact, I have as a developer you have to pay interest on your money. uh you have to maintain the property. Uh it is not a lack of wanting to do it. It's a lack of not being able to do it. Just can't get a permit. So, as soon as we can get an approval [clears throat] of this and then get into January and I can get um I can get my DA approved, I'm ready to go. Uh we have our DOT permit for a 10-in line under I4, which was a miracle. Um, we are I believe we finally reached an agreement with the city on the DA. I also want to say that as far as maintenance goes, I I agree with a lot of the residents of our period. We do have a drainage issue on Wedgewood that I inherited when I purchased this property. It is a very old property. Um, it has never had any regulations from Swift Mud or anyone to maintain these culverts or to redo the water water drainage systems and so on. So, I bought it. Yes, I'm the I'm the latest buyer, but this has been owned by many people

and none of them have solved this problem. This problem has been ongoing and the only way to solve it is tons of excavation, tons of water management which which you have to develop to do that. I have to get a permit to break ground to fix the issues that are out there. So, it's not a lack of, you know, Mr. House doesn't want to do it because, you know, he doesn't have to per code, which is true, but that's not the case. I can't solve this problem that is 70 years old without going in the ground with excavation equipment. I can't get a permit to build the first residential home. How am I going to get an excavator in there to redo the whole water drainage system? So that takes time. So in defense of that, the other thing as a developer, I do take failed golf courses and I redevelop them. Wedgewood, I'm not taking the golf course. And I've explained this in many city hearings. I'm not taking the golf course. The golf course failed. I bought a failed golf course and the golf course was not in good shape. It wasn't Pebble Beach out at Wedgwood. It's it was it's it was terrible. And they they played I believe I let Mr. Chen Shen use it till April after 22 and he just got as much as he could and then we closed the golf course up. And as a developer, I'm not maintaining a golf course. I'm maintaining raw land. It it's not a golf course anymore. And that's that's sometimes a mental thing that neighbors need to understand. You know, I have a standard for raw land that you mow the grass and you get your permits and you and you you start construction. I had no idea it would be 3 years later in maintaining this course to get to that point. But I agree completely and we've kind of listened to the neighbors and we we want to do these culberts. We want to, you know, mow this land because it

is taking so much time. And that really is probably my fault that I should have hired a professional landscaper earlier. I had my own team who's other golf courses for me. Uh we do raw land for the most part, so we don't really have water issues and so on when we do our other golf courses. I will say this, we hired a professional group uh last December that's been out there to maintain the course. I have given them direction after we've had these city meetings and and we've heard the neighbors and now we're cleaning the culberts. We're, you know, trying [clears throat] our best to do the best water management of what's out there, which is still deficient.

It's deficient. um mowing grass, cleaning under a bridge or clearing out a culbert. We I'm glad to do that, but it's still going to be a deficient project until I can get an excavator in there and bring it up to swift mud standards. That's really where we are. Um what was the other I'm just trying to address the issues. I apologize. What was the other thing? If I can chime in. Hey, good ch.

Perfect. Thank you, Scott. Thank you uh members of the commission and also from the public. That was great. Um we appreciate everybody's feedback. Um before I get into the list of questions and and and thank you Scott for kind of, you know, really identifying the fact that we need to pull a permit, bring heavy equipment in there to solve these issues because really that's that's reality, right? This this stuff was installed in the 70s. It's decayed. It's deficient. We want to we need to bring new infrastructure in. But I did want to discuss, you know, we did go through the planning commission and a community meeting. And I and I I do have I actually pulled up the last set of comments that we had from planning commission and um we did continue the hearing then as well and I heard continuence a couple of times. I know that's being requested by the residents, but we we've gone down this road already and I I did go back through all the tapes yesterday, you know, all the way back from the first planning commission to today. So, we're we're trying to work with the citizens and help, you know, bring this into something that's a partner versus, you know, we're we're just we're not trying to take away green space, but obviously, you know, it was mentioned at the beginning of the hearing, we do have, my client does have developer rights, and we're trying to work with the community to exercise those rights, but still do it in a good way. Okay, so I'm going to go down the list here. Uh there was a question about the size of the trees on the buffer, I think, by Commissioner Leilen. Uh it's 2in caliper at the time of planning. That's city code. Uh we'll excuse me, um Commissioner Madden. Uh but that's that's city code. So we'll we'll follow parks and wreck as Mr. Barby said. Um the force main future growth we touched on that earlier. Uh that'll be fully funded by the developer. The existing residents will not pay anything to that that expense. Um a lot of these uh comments that were made about traffic and all on and uh the traffic studies. I wanted to correct a couple folks. You know, it was 954 originally. We had a zone option in place uh which gave us the uh the 7 34 units. Uh we never took away that other zoning. Uh, and I just wanted to kind of put up on the screen here if you guys can view that. This is the before and after of where we were in 2022 and where we are today. I'm hearing a lot of comments about u changes and things of that nature. But uh the compatibility uh is actually improved based on what we've seen and also the city and trying to

trying to match some of the the existing areas. Um even even some of the areas around uh Derby Drive. Uh you can see the red is the uh 2022 and uh behind it is our new design in gray. And as you can see there's really nothing shading through there. It's the same design. So, that area hasn't changed. Uh, we do have a buffer there that's been there since 2022 and that's going to stay in place. So, I just wanted to kind of discuss that a little bit. Uh, Ottabon Oaks made a comment about the four stories. Um, we did have four stories right against Ottabon Oaks. Uh, we have reduced most of the site to three stories. Uh, it was a decision during planning commission actually we we wanted to go all three stories. It's more marketable. we may not even build the four stories, but um because of the fact that we retracted some of the density and we worked with Fairfield to really um be be compatible with those folks, we um we did we did ask to have the fourth story near Carpenters Way. So, uh that's that's actually still less intensity than it was before. Um there was a discussion about the buffer. Um I wanted to remind everyone in the room that, you know, it is 40 ft from building to building. That that's what we do public rideways at, right? So, we're not talking, you know, uh an arms length buffer. We're talking something pretty intense with a 20ft buffer and then that's going to be heavily forested. You know, we have the live oaks, canopy trees, and then we also have the 20 foot between the buildings on top of that. So, that's 40 ft. That's that's typically what we use to design public rideways. And then there was one last comment about the master HOA. I'll touch on um sorry, two more. Uh the HOA will only affect the residents of Wedgwood. As you guys already know, we're not going to be assigning an HOA to the existing residents. And uh also the CDD, same same premise. all the rules and regs will follow based on everything we have to do to meet state protocols. Uh lastly, um there was a discussion or was it a a resident that discussed construction activities? Um you guys already know this. We'll have BMP measures in place during construction. Uh there's a state permit that's required that keeps all of our contractors in check. So I think I addressed I believe all of the concerns of the public, but if there was anything

I missed, I'd be happy to address it. All right, Scott, any final comment? I just want to give my commitment uh Mr. commissioners to the city uh to the neighbors that uh we will intensify our landscaping and we will make sure that Culberts and and all the water management that we can control with the ponds and so on we will we will take care of it going forward for sure. Okay, I appreciate that as a public commitment and with that we'll close and we look forward to your favorable vote. Is it appropriate for a resident to rebute what they just said? We do a one round. They have two rounds. Why we have two? because I decide. Okay. And we we No, we have one round with comments from residents.

They had to chance to reply. Excuse me. And and the reason that we do a reply is so that your addressed concerns can be addressed by them. Otherwise, we would not know and you would not know what their intentions are. So, I'm not trying to make this difficult. I'm just trying to make it round about. But otherwise, we could spend all day doing circles and discussions. And so if there is uh let me do it this way. I'll answer you differently. If there's a unique not yet mentioned point that somebody wants to bring up that they'd love to hear a response to which they would be able to do please uh raise your hand and let me know what that point is and then we could make a decision on whether or not

Mr. Mayor along those lines I just want to [clears throat] point out that we are on proposed ordinance 2549 which is is the comp plan amendment. Uh and a lot of these comments have been Yeah. And so we have the PUD ordinance actually which we have not actually read into the record yet and and open for a public hearing. So there would be an opportunity for comments that have not been heard yet. That's a good flap. So we'll since we have two rounds, you do have another round in the next ordinance to be able to make comments. Okay, let's just hold it till then. All right, Chuck, any com final comment to us?

Just following up on what Mr. Davis said the land use amendment uh request right now is a small scale to change future land use designation from residential low to residential medium and major modification of PUD zoning uh on 8.48 acres at 752 carpenters way that's tracks 9A and 9B. Then also a small scale map amendment change future line use designation from uh RM which is residential medium to residential high uh including a major modification to the PUD on uh D 2.48 acres located at 503 Carpenters Way. So those are the two um smallcale map amendments that would be um decided first.

Okay. Um so uh we can do some commissioner comments. Commissioner uh Mloud.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Chuck. Uh thank you, everyone, for uh your comments and sharing today. These types of development proposals are always challenging. Uh this one has been from the beginning back in 2022 and I I see a number of issues that are raised and some of them I think fall under that good neighbor uh category. So, Mr. House, I appreciate some of the things you shared. Uh some others, Chuck, I think will be addressed in the development agreement. I know there are things that are brought up that that that's your job as the city team to work through some of these concerns and questions and suggestions to see do they fit into a development agreement. You can comment on that in just a second. And it from where I sit I think this plan is better than the original one in 2022. I know I had a lot of concerns back then about the number of multif family the density and so um if we did not pass this and we talked about this the last time Chuck that what has been approved remains in place so it's not a question of of this or nothing it it still holds the the original uh proposal with those modifications those options right those are options correct that doesn't require the developer to exercise those so just trying to step back and think of all of this I know it's difficult I know it's challenging to to envision uh when there's nothing on land, this type of development. But I do appreciate your team and everything that you have gone through and you're working through these details and as Commissioner Madden mentioned, I think correctly, you are trying your best to incorporate the concerns, the feedback, uh the just the resident input that you have heard throughout this process and and you've heard today. So just a my thoughts mayor and

they're wonderful comments and appropriate and listen we don't think for a second we don't hear those comments and concerns and respect them we do. Uh it's just part of the process that we have to go through. That's also why we also have to underscore planning and zoning has done and and the city staff alongside them has done a arduous amount of work to get to where we are now. And so our goal is just to make certain that there's not something else being missed that should be addressed in the process of this. And I think it is a benefit to the developers who have had some patience and getting to where we need to be getting on a permitting process as well if in fact this is going to move forward. So I appreciate that comment. Um and our goal is to have you have the green parks and the trails in between you know that are surrounded that area. And I am a huge roundabout proponent personally and so it makes a big big difference and I know there is a large pressure to consider that in the process of this on the staff side as well. All right. Any other comments? Commissioner Lolan.

Yes, mayor. So we are 25-049. Correct? Yes, sir. Chuck, this is pretty much reference only to 9A and 9B. Correct? Yes. Uh 9A, 9B, and track 12. And track 12. Thank you. Yeah, I was just confused. I I think I I had heard Commissioner Mloud uh refer mostly to 255, which would be the plan unit development change, which would also be the majority of our comments. Correct. We would just be the vote would be 99B adding it right now. We had already done an original approvement in 2022, so this is just some modifications. Thank you. I just wanted my clear. Any other comments from commissioners? No.

All right. This is a roll call vote and I think you're up on this one first. I Yes. I I No. I So that is a 5 to1. That brings us to 9250.

All right. Uh that is proposed ordinance number 25-050. An ordinance relating to zoning making findings amending ordinance 4773 is amended to provide for a major modification plan development PUD zoning to allow 36 single family to attached town [clears throat] home dwelling units on approximately 8.48 acres. Allow a clubhouse amenity center on approximately 2.48 acres. Increase the maximum number of single family detached dwelling units from 14 to 17 on approximately 19.02 acres. Adopt a new site development plan and reduce the maximum number of single family detached dwelling units from 46 to 44 on approximately 33.24 24 acres and adopt a new site plan to allow 116 single family attached town home dwelling units and 700 multif family dwelling units on approximately 57.74 acres of property generally located north of Interstate 4 south of he Heatherpoint Drive east and west of Carpenters Way and south of Wedgewood Estates Boulevard providing conditions finding conformity with the comprehensive plan providing for severability providing an effective date

all right it's a mot to approve motion to approve approve and a second. Second discussion by commissioners. [clears throat] Commissioner Reid. Thank you. And get into that mic or I'll get in trouble. [laughter] Okay. They moved it around a while ago. There again, I I appreciate everybody being here to say say the least.

Excuse me. And I appreciate our developer being here. I think I'm [clears throat] hoping that what he says is what he's going to do. You know, we have a we [laughter] have a lot of commitments to different things and and invariably [clears throat] when you redevelop a golf course, you're grabbing a lot of problems you don't really know you're going to have until you get them. [cough] [clears throat] And I sincerely hope that you're going to uphold what you're saying you're going to do for these residents, that you can back it up. That's all I really have to say at this point. Other comments from commissioners?

Yes, Commissioner Madden.

Uh, if I could have Chuck stand just, you know, from your professional opinion, do you feel like this is a better product for the residents here because of the modifications and the uh things that you've been able to do throughout this process? Certainly, it's been a lengthy process on the developer side. you know, that that does contribute to the explanation of waiting three years to get approval processes to be able to get that force main under I4 is a herculean task that will ultimately affect the entire area for the good. And um you know, from our perspective, we're hopeful that we're using the process to make it a better project to consider the residents to let them be heard throughout this whole process. But we also know that delays it's then it's another three years of things not being fixed and things not being able to go forward. And so we're put into a position here with we want to have as many of the citizen requests heard as possible. As many modifications that can be made made without unduly delaying the process so that there's more things left unkempt and there's not a way for the developer to realize some funds of some building some houses to be able to then reinvest in the property to make some of these things happen. So in your professional opinion going through this for 3 years with this developer, do you feel this project is a better project at the end of the day that voices were heard that residents suggestions did did apply and into some modifications that were made.

Uh for the record, Chuck Barby with Cumin Economic Development. Um I do believe that the revised plan that's presented here today is a better plan uh than what was adopted back in 2022. I think a lot of the concerns about uh particularly the street connections to Carpenter's Way, I think the compatibility with the adjacent units, it's it's a better it's a it's a better layout, better a better plan overall. I think the one issue that we still have to address and and the commission uh you know, we'll be taking this up on January 5th and 20th is development agreement. I think the transportation conditions and implementing what is in the PUD is going to be key and part of that is going to be not only funding uh from the developer but also city commitments that would be necessary to implement that development agreement. So I think the transportation issues are still very critical. We've heard everybody on that but they still are very critical and and are going to be part of that development agreement uh discussion which is two hearings before before this commission. the um but I go back to the layout is is better. We're talking 19 additional units relative to what was approved back in 2022. Um we're getting rightaway dedications built into the plan for Lakeland Park Drive extension, which is uh an additional two lanes between Carpenters Way and US 98. Um, a big concern would be is to try to forlane or do anything to widen Carpenters Way because that actually if if you think about um the the worst thing you can do in terms of connectivity to Douglas Cook Park or some of the other amenities are being built into the development, you don't want folks to have to cross four lanes of traffic to be able to do that. And so having those two additional lanes which had been in the planning stages since 2007 is very important to provide that connectivity. Um and and so I think that the the the you know the buffer uh the buffer uh changes that were made at the planning and zoning board, the additional language related to the maintenance of the common areas as also um recommended by the planning and

zoning board add a lot of um I would say um certainty compared to where even where we were with the with the plan that was approved three years ago. So yes, this is this is a better plan than than what was originally adopted by the commission. And if if this was not favorable today, it would revert to the the plan that's not as favorable. The the plan that exists today, uh the adopted PUD is still in effect with the options that were approved by the planning and zoning board in 23 and 24 uh through the minor modifications through the through the P&Z.

Okay. And then going forward, if this is approved, what is the best advocacy for the residents with regard to flooding and traffic? Would that be reaching out to SwiftMUD because they're going to be a part of the process of figuring out the storm water for this new project? Would it be FDOT with regard to the the road modifications? What's the best steps for the residents who've made progress but don't feel like the progress is still where they want it? Who is the best advocate for them in this regard?

I I I would say that it's the city and swift mud on flooding, city on transportation. really DOT doesn't have a doesn't have a stake in the in the transportation component of this, but it's the city and so we will continue to be the points of contact when it comes to the implementation of the project and and what may or may not be happening on site as the project progresses forward. And that's not unlike other developments that we have, you know, particularly, you know, for folks who remember the engagement we had with the with the neighbors out at Hawthorne. You know, there were issues with buffering, tree damage, other things. staff work directly with those homeowners and and we believe address those concerns. This is the same type of situation that we would be seeing seeing here uh with Wedgwood moving forward.

Commissioner L. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. Uh my concern here is as much you say we get to this PUD stuff, I guess there's still plenty more work to do that and yes, that'll be directly Swift Mud and the city of Lakeland. My concern with this is too is that you're saying this is the better plan and I I understand the reason why you are as far as the density and the lowing of some numbers and we're only increasing 19 numbers. But just as like the same reason why I just voted no on 25.049. We just took away track A, 9 A, 9B, and 12. So now you're removing more green space out of the area, but yet we're adding 19. So

and and and so for clarification, if it if it helps, the tracks 9A and 9B were adopted as part of the PUD's future development area. So it wasn't green space, it was a holding area for future development to be determined at some point down the road, which is that's down the road. The original thing that we approved in 2022 did not include 9,9B and/or track 12 or six additional lanes adding more traffic into the in and out of Wedgewood. And and track 12 uh just for clarification was uh was always set aside for a assisted living facility, 70,000 square ft give or take. And so that's being replaced with the amenity center for the multif family.

Quite honestly, I was never really opposed to track 12. I thought that could work especially the amenities and stuff but my concern is track 9A 9b the wetland area that's just up slightly above that that has a lot I mean that should just all my opinions my opinion right I just trying to figure out how this is going to balance in the middle where it's going to be honoring to all there's not one citizen here that doesn't agree that there needs to be development in order to bring life back to I don't think anyone is opposed to that part but they want it to done where it's going to be honoring to all. You know, I mean, we've had commitments as far as maintenance and stuff. I'm hopeful that Mr. House here is recommitted to that stuff. I see that some work being done, but I don't see how that I mean, you've been doing this a lot longer than I have, but what's better for what we appear as a plan? Is that necessarily better for the citizen that resides there? So,

one one other thing and and just following up on the maintenance of the of the infrastructure [snorts] when this project moves forward through through site plan, of course, there will be the swift mud review and approval, the city review and approval, but depending on how the tracks are developed, we would likely also end up needing to have a master plat which point the property owners association or the homeowners association would be established because, you know, with a development of this size and this complex, Being able to lay out those interconnection points between those tracks, laying out the common drainage system and all the other infrastructure that will be needed to support the project is going to require that extra step in the process. And so there are some other safeguards in there that uh will be able to um help assure that you know the the proper permitting and proper ongoing maintenance would occur um as soon as as soon as we start getting the plans under under development and approved. Could you please restate again when we will visit these puds the putt agreements on this?

So the development agreements for transportation uh would be scheduled if if continued today would be scheduled for January 5th and January 20th. They require two full hearings before the city commission. Thank you. Other comments from commissioners? Yes, Commissioner Music.

Thank you. Um Mr. house and the development team certainly has a lot of work to do. Um talk is cheap. So to say that something is going to be done um especially when they've seen for the last couple of years things not being done to the level that they want. So I think action continued action on your part is going to just be important to to build that trust because when we look at a developmental site and we look at the culverts that are used when this development is done it is going to be you know from the storm water situation at least I I believe and I'm confident that swift mud and the permits that are going to be required are going to be um positive. I'm not a huge fan and it's not part of this. I'm not a huge fan of the um approving something that well it's it's you know this we're going to approve this size but maybe we can approve you know that size. Um, I think of things we've done in the past, uh, the, you know, the, uh, public's parking lot, right? It's like, well, okay, at some time in the future, we're going to, to do a building or do a development. And I always struggle a little bit with that because parameters give people confidence and to know that it's only going to be three stories, they can they can deal with that. And even if it turns out that it's four stories, they can deal with that if they know, right? It's it's the unknown that that gives people the discomfort. It's the It's the talk that yes, we're going to be out there and we're going to mow it and they look and they see it's not um is is is tough. And you know, I I I know that um he has the right to develop certain things. So, I'm with Commissioner Madden. Let's fight and make sure that we are giving the best thing that we can can do. Um and there's there's unknowns, you know. Um we we had a storm come through with with Milton that we haven't had that kind of water in in in my lifetime. So where that water goes um sometimes nobody knows. So to be able to take that time to to redevelop it and go through

with um with the development team I think is is just important. But I I it's just you you you you've not given the citizens of that community comfort and that's that's an uphill battle that you have. Um so I'm I'm hopeful for you over the next couple of years because developers that's just what they do. What the word, right? They are developing. They're taking something that was non-functioning that that went into business and they're going to redevelopment. um it doesn't uh it doesn't do him any good to to build something that that doesn't bring a proper balance to everybody because that's not that's not the goal of a developer. Um he doesn't live there so obviously you guys have a different point of view. Um but I I think that I appreciate the um tenacity in which we pull this apart and um try to you know make the best situation that we can for the residents. So, um, just continue to to be out there and show the citizens, right? You've got, you know, you've got years and time ahead of you. So, um, you know, hopefully the the confidence that they they build in you is because they see you out there doing something. So,

and if this passes and the DA is done in January, that's gives the all the confidence you need to be able to get going. Listen, we understand three and a half, four years of pain of not seeing anything happen and the difficulty it is to be able to watch that and and feel assured. So to us, it's important to hear him say publicly that that is not something that they would do. So that's important. And of course, as you're saying, doing is the is the measure. And and that's true. Other comments from commissioners? All right. Any other comments you want to make, Chuck, before we go forward? Um, no additional comments from staff.

Okay. [snorts] And any comments from the public and trying to think about it this way on things we haven't talked about yet with respect to this project? We We can do that. Let's do one at a time. We have to do it at the mic. I'm sorry. Yes. My name is Harlem Turner. And so I've been sitting here listening to everyone. And so Kathleen North Kathleen uh maybe about a quarter mile coming back south on the left hand side. Y'all know where that new developer at, right? Mhm. It just been a new right down there from the fire station. The new fire station we have, right? Mhm.

So when when that hurricane hit, right? All them beautiful $300,000 homes built, right? And everybody just buying them up out there. And guess what? The developer did not protect the ones that bought the home there. It was so flooded out there. They had to bust the back of the fence, brand new fence. They had to tone. Nobody cared about those folks. They couldn't even get into their houses. So, I'm sitting up here and listen. And sometime what we forget is you took your money, invested your money into that because you wanted to make a profit from that. But what about the people's? Look at how those people's life was uprooted

during that hurricane. Look what they lost.

They didn't get back. The developers done gone now. So I don't blame these folks in here for speaking their mind about how they feel about developing. You understand me? It's all kinds of ways. I come from the construction world. I build some of the major building in Tampa throughout the United States. And I know that it's always better. There's always another way to doing something the way you got it planned. It's another way. You talking about threetory condos and all this. You don't have to build a three-story condiment. You go build a single story condiment to keep the neighborhood. I hear you talking about the golf cart. He talking about trees. But look at the people's life that you all up here [clears throat] playing with. You all ain't one of one that's suffering. So, I don't care if you get mad at me for the way I use these words. It doesn't matter. I didn't come here for you to like me now. But I'm saying to you all, you all got to stop this what you're doing and think about somebody else or put yourself in their shoes. I'm coming back at the end of this meeting and I got something to say to everybody that ain't not going to be pleasant. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Any other comments? [applause] Yes. Please come up, sir. [snorts]

Something I've never heard anybody discuss is on Stapachire Drive there's a drain road drain that drains directly into the pond behind my house and on Derby Drive there's a road drain that drains into the same pond. So that's why there's always water in that pond. Last week we had two inches of rain and I know this because my pool raised 2 in and that I checked to see and there's a lot of water in that pond. Now they plan on building a house in that same area where the pond used to be. So that means they're going to have to fill it in with dirt uh on landfill. What are they going to do with the drains that are draining into that pond? And if they divert it someplace else, what's going to happen to it then? And they're going to have to have a ditch 25 ft deep to put lay the pipes so they can get drainage. That's it. Actually, there's a positive value probably for you as a neighborhood in this because since there wasn't any storm water planning in 1970 when that was done, this requires that will require that. But that would be part of this whole process of approval going forward.

Can we get your name, sir, again for the record? But Don Hamilton. Don Hamilton. Thank you. Sorry. Any other comments? Yes. That are unique to what we've talked about this morning. Excuse me, mayor. I believe she still needs Mr. Turner's name. No, no, she Harlem Turner. She has No, no, no. She has it. Go ahead, ma'am. Go ahead. I apologize.

Beverly Beverly Copeland Inman again. Um, I have two questions which I've never gotten an answer to. First of all, they're touting the fact of a master association to handle all the maintenance of this project. um 61 homes. Are the town homes going to be rentals or are they going to be for sale? We know the apartments can't be assessed and that's the majority of their inventory. So that's what my question is. So you want to make a response. I think you may have covered that on the last [clears throat] recap.

Thank you Beverly. So to answer your question, the town homes are proposed to be fee simple. So, um, we're going to keep it as as fe simple and they'll be platted. Um, and of course, as we talked about before, the apartments, if the vertical developer would like to use those bond proceeds from the CD, he's able to. Thank you. So, so I think the the the concern is does any of that responsibility flip back to the homeowners, existing homeowners? No, the existing home owners will not be affected. I apologize. Yeah, only the new residents will be affected by the CDD. As a matter of fact, we can't annex any existing home into a CDD. It's by law. Did that address your concern? Yes or no? Yeah. Okay, good. [cough and clears throat]

Yes, it is.

Excuse me.

You're doing a great job. I My name is David Stevens. I live at 707 Carpenters Way in unit number 48. We've obviously in our history, it goes back to 1985. We've been through several developers. Buildings have been started and not finished. And so I'm concerned about the $300,000 purportedly town houses that are going to be built south of um one of our buildings. And and that is if this gentleman starts the construction project, scars up the land, has a several town houses that are started and not completed, and sales are not what he expects. If he decides to just fold his tent and walk away and declare bankruptcy, is there some sort of performance bond that's going to be involved here to ensure that those units do get completed and not just left abandoned and detract from everybody's else's value? [clears throat] Is there something like a performance bond involved here?

The the the city requires performance bonds for the [clears throat] construction of infrastructure. So if if they're building infrastructure and that's in uncompleted, then the city draws on the performance bond to complete that infrastructure, we do not require bonds for the private portion of that construction. So for example, the the actual units, uh we would not have a performance bond for that.

All right. Well, then I think I've got a valid concern because just in my development alone, which was supposed to be 60 units, ended up being 47, but two different buildings were started there two different times by two different developers who didn't complete them and just turned and walked away. And so it detracted everybody up from everybody else's value. And right now, the market is very uncertain. and this gentleman starts building in 6 or 8 months and the market continues to worsen. I mean, we've got two units in our development, 47 units that haven't been sold in almost a year. They've been on the market. So, a 300 these are only $200,000 units. So, if he's going to have $300,000 units and they don't sell like he thinks they are, we may end up with another walk away and a whole bunch of people's property values in Fairfield on the tea are going to be devalued by the lack of completion of construction south of them. That's my only comment.

Thank you, sir. [applause] Any other comments? So, uh, I'm Mike Wagner. I live at 4240 Stafford Tire Drive. I was not aware that these would be two separate issues voted upon, and I would have saved my comments for this one.

Um, just a couple of things. You know, I realize that the developer said that he bought a failed [clears throat] golf course, and I agree. I mean, I played golf there, and it was deteriorating, wasn't maintained. But then he said he, you know, he develops raw land and that's his normal way that he develops. Well, in this case, he he bought a golf course that is ingrained in a community and and then failed to take uh care of that. And one of the ways he could have done that to show that he was a good neighbor is the lakes. The lakes are worse. They've degraded horribly since he purchased this golf course. They're they they're overgrown. The the banks of them, you can't you can't even really see that there's a lake anymore. And when they came in front of you, they said that they were going to make these lakes beautiful because they all had not been maintained for 20 plus years. And he was going to rebuild them and make them beautiful. There's been three years to do it. [clears throat] They haven't been touched. Not once. Not one lake has been touched. Uh Commissioner Madden asked this gentleman here, and maybe he can answer it. Is the plan better now than what was approved in 2022? And I'm going to specifically relate to section 9A and 9B. This gentleman purchased a track of land and it was zoned in a particular way. And he said that he hasn't been able to get approval and that's why it's taken so long. Well, you kind of keep moving the goalposts. You bought it zoned one way. Okay, develop it as it's zoned. But instead, why? And who does that benefit? He's tried to change the zoning to make it more profitable. And I understand I'm a capitalist. We're all capitalists. I mean, not all of us, but majority of us are. He wants to maximize his profits, but at our expense, that doesn't sound fair to me. So, maybe this gentleman could ask me, answer me, what is better

about changing from residential low density to residential medium density? and specifically about 9A and 9B and who does it benefit. With that, I'll yield. Okay. Do you mind, Mr. Barby?

Sure. For the record, Chuck Barmy, the community economic development. I think that in terms of this particular plan, what it does is that the the single family attached uh product is compatible with the surrounding land uses. It does allow for additional density, but it also allows for the realignment of Wedgewood Estates Boulevard with a set development plan with access points that support that realignment of Wedgewood to Carpenters Way. So that provides a known as opposed to a future development which could have been an ALF or other some other type of facility that may or may not have been as compatible or may have had their own external impacts. And so that's where relative, you know, this is where a difference between green space, you know, a green piece of land with an entitlement versus a known entitlement. I think it's it's better because then it fills out the the rest of the plan and allows PD to move forward in more of a consolidated fashion.

So there's an inevitability about what would go on that green space for later. That that's correct. Any other comments from the audience at all? Yes, ma'am.

Good morning again. My name is Linda Sanchez Dowers. I reside at 4013 Chelsea Lane, Lakeland with my husband, Wayne Dowers, and we've been there for over 30 years. I want to first uh for the record my earlier comment during uh the proposed 255049. I would like for that to also stand for this proposed 2550.

It does. And in addition um on a more personal note, my earlier comment really was uh a general comment overall, but now um this comment is more on a personal note. As I stated earlier, there is a dying and rotting tree that is adjacent and the root system is encroached has encroached onto our property. uh we have not been able to use that section. We have a fence and because of that root system and that dying tree, we've had to divert the fence away from the tree. So, we are not able to use 100% of the property that we own. Um, I understand that this is not a code enforcement hearing, but I did file a complaint with code enforcement and it has been unfortunately uh there have been some errors made and so then um it has been reinstated and because of whatever administrative action, clerical things that had to happen, I was not able to speak or have a hearing about this tree. U Mr. House as he has stated that a lot of the actions he was not able to take because he did not have a permit. Unless I am mistaken, I do not think that he would need to have a permit to remove a dead and dry and dead and rotting oak tree from his personal property, which is has the very strong possibility of creating damage and is a liability against my property and the people who live in and around my home. [sighs] There are two on record written arborist reports from professional licensed

arborist that state that this tree needs to be removed and he still has not done so. So, I'm using this platform for the record that that tree is a public nuisance and I would like to have it removed and at the very least he would have to remove it anyway should he start building the two lots that are adjacent to my 120 foot square foot lot that are the that bound that are

adjoining that back up against uh track seven where he intends to build or a builder who he would probably sell to would build two homes that would overlook my land. So, I don't understand why he can't just go ahead and take care of this simple problem. He doesn't need a permit to do that. Thank you. Thank you. [clears throat] Yes, ma'am.

Okay, Nicoia Coward. Um, I was coming because um, the property that I I know this is I'm trying to stay in line with what's what the conversation is, but um, so the development that's trying to be built, I think that um, and tying with the housing authority, knowing that they want to build that um, senior community there, I think that this would be an opportunity to build a senior development instead of the mix of the um different communities. I think that that would be an opportunity to build up for seniors and you know the development where they're pushing all these single families and mixed families from that property on kettles that would be a great opportunity for them to rebuild that back up for those that are in the community. So I think that if there was a switch swap in the way the development would be going versus with housing and this u developer I think that that honestly would be a great opportunity or a great um so that nobody kind of loses out. Um, secondly, I was kind of informed, but I'm not 100% sure. But I think that it is a great opportunity to know that this property is or the owners here have the opportunity to choose whether they want to be a part of the HOA or um they get the opportunity to choose, right? They get the opportunity to choose to be a part of

No. No. No, they won't be they won't be part of it. No. No. Okay. Okay. Cuz I know that if if the HOA is who pays in the people in the community pay into the HOA and anything that they need on their property, they are responsible for building that up. So, no no issues. No issues. No. So, okay. Well, I'm I'm here to ask questions and say what I got to say. So, what is that money a as a as a homeowner? All the money that they're pouring into the HOA, where do those fees go? There is not an HOA for it today. [clears throat] It's not. No, that that'll be formed later. Okay. So, there isn't.

Right. There's not. Okay. Any other comments at all from the public? Okay. Any other uh closing questions by the commission on this? None. Um Mr. Land is You'll be back in just a second. Just a second. Okay. Um any response? Yes. At all. I'm going to um I think a lot of the questions I think we've address invite Mr. House up. He wanted to address one of the residents. Okay. [clears throat] Tell you how granular I get here. My name is Scott House again. How are you? All right.

This um I think she talked about a tree. My landscaper did call me about this tree. Uh we did get a code enforcement complaint. Uh we did see an arborist write a short paragraph that the tree needed to be removed. My landscaper um hired another arborist to come out and that arborist uh did about a two-page report saying the tree was fine and uh there was no re no reason to remove it. It was healthy and um so uh we didn't remove it and code enforcement uh took the complaint and closed the closed the case. But um I will I'll go back with my landscaper and revisit this and see, you know, I like to reser uh preserve our trees because in our new development, you know, if we're just not we don't want to bulldoze everything. We want to keep as much these mature trees out there as possible. Laurel oaks are considered trash trees, but not to me. I mean, I try to keep as much as possible. So, we fight sometimes when people want trees removed and and so on, but I I'll revisit this case.

Okay. Okay. Thank you. and code enforcement is the right place to to handle that. All right. So, [clears throat] any other uh comments at all? And none from the commission. So, we were taking a look at um proposal 2550 amending ordinance 4773. Uh and we are voting on that in roll call order. And we will start with um uh Commissioner Commissioner Music. I I

I'm going to vote yes. And I and I want you to understand that we're counting on this developer to live up to his word. And Chuck's got to be his responsibility to totally overlook this as well. So we'll be you'll get a better development than you had. Commissioner Lant. Sorry. Yes. The motions the motion is to approve the ordinance. Yes. I do have one quick question on this. No, I we're voting right now. Okay, great. Um, no. Okay. I I So, it is a 51. Thank you very very much for your time today.

Appreciate it very much. That brings us to item number 10. Uh, go ahead for the reading, sir. Yes. Item number 10 is proposed [clears throat] ordinance number 25-051. Excuse me. An ordinance of the city commission of the city of Lakeland, Florida relating to the city's storm water utility making findings providing for an amended fee schedule. Amending [snorts] the unit of measurement used to determine an equivalent residential unit or ERU amending the credit provided for qualifying on-site storm water uh facilities providing for severability providing an effective date. All right. Is there a motion to approve? There may not be a This is for storm water.

This is number 10. Number 10. Motion to approve. Motion to approve. Okay. And is there a second? There's no second. All right. Then we don't have a motion. Well, I mean, there could be a motion to deny as well. Okay. Is there a motion to deny? I'll make a motion uh to deny this um proposed amendment 25-051. Second. And uh discussion by the commission. Yes. Commission.

Thank you, Mayor. We've had a lot of discussion on this one. We had more on Friday. And I I go back to what I said when this came came up the first time. I would like to see LC, I know Steve Scruggs is not here today, but mentioned having ideas and wanting and being willing to work with staff on um possible other scenarios and what the fee schedule, what that structure could look like. Uh after hearing from businesses such as Publix and Saddle Creek and even Bonnet Springs Park on Friday, how that could impact them, I'd really like to send it back to staff with a um sense of urgency priority that we want this to come back as as quickly as possible. Uh we know that there is a tremendous need that needs to be solved, almost $70 million in in projects. And so we recognize that, but I would like to take that extra time and just make sure that we have fully exhausted all of those different options and and potential solutions, particularly as it relates to the the commercial customers

and city manager just kind of wrap what that might entail. Well, and that's, you know, the question that I have, Mr. Mayor, with with that direction. you know, I mean, we we have consulted, you know, with the LED. Uh we even created a different option uh to to recommend um and and none of that, you know, gain their support. So, if we're unable to reach consensus with them, you know, then at then at what point and how do we do we bring that back? Um if if we don't reach agreement,

yes, commission. I think just my thoughts on that uh Sean is it if you came back and said we have we've we've spent several weeks we have looked through different solutions and here we are that may be something that we have to consider that we're back in the same spot but if it's another month or a couple of weeks in the grand scheme of this entire discussion and approach I would be okay with that and then we could evaluate okay how do we move forward commissioner Madden

thank you mayor uh so I I similarly from the beginning you know you know my thoughts since this was shown to me in a one-on-one I felt like that the our our biggest, you know, uh job creators and commercial partners were carrying a heavy burden, you you know, with regard to up to 300% increases. And you know, it seems like the residential, you know, $2.50 extra a month is [clears throat] absolutely palatable. And certainly, we had a lot of re residents who flooded. We want to see our storm water system improved. Uh echoing my colleague Commissioner Mloud's comments about the $70 million. I know we have to utilize uh this particular study. I know it seems fast to us, but for Lori and her team for they've been working since 2023. Um trying to figure out the figures and working with the consultant on the fairway according to state statute, how we come up with an ERU, have a monthly fee, and then if we offer any tax incentives. But because the formula that we used adversely affect a certain number of customers, if we could take the time to look at those specific customers and see is there any mitigation strategy to lower that threshold of 300% increase. I mean, I don't think anyone thinks that that's fair to go up to a 300% 200% 130% increase. So to me it's just like when we do a wage study or anything else you have a a a fair uh study applied to go throughout your 2600 person organization and then you have to say there's going to be some human collateral at the end of that fair study and then you you focus in and you go towards those who were adversely affected by the fair

study. To me, that's my goal is to look at, yes, we've had a fair study. Yes, it sounds like it's it's definitely needed. Our consultant uh in Friday's agenda study explained how we come up with ERU and impermeable um impervious uh buildout and development is contributing to the storm water and flooding problems. Um but those those people also our businesses are doing just what we're asking. Now, this new development, this new development is going to be forced by Swift Mud and it sounds like a Senate bill is going to make it even more stringent to invest at millions of dollars storm water mitigation. Is that person also then required to pay a 300% increase on our restructuring and fortifying ditches and coverts and pipes in areas that did not have the same strategies. I see this a lot with downtown development. You have buildings, the current land owner can do nothing, completely derelict, and then the next owner has to get every single code that's been updated, you know, and and make sure that that building's not going to fall over. And it is phenomenally expensive to to retrofit and do that. That's where we are in our storm water system. That's what we're trying to mitigate. It just shouldn't fall on the shoulders more heavily of of some of our biggest, you know, job producers. You know, I I I will say publics out loud that they have contributed. I don't think any of us think that Lakeland would look like the city it is without the investments, the contributions, the jobs, the philanthropic work of some of these bigger companies who will pay more of that 200 to 300% increase for their storm water than the residents who want these mitigation strategies in place at

$2.50 a month. So, I don't know how we get to a more fair and equitable spread of the $70 million, but I think it's incumbent upon us to take a little time one more time and go through with the consultant to see if there's any way possible. I will also add that I was surprised to learn about Bonnet Springs Park because we have, you know, almost a $50 million grant from the uh state. They built a net zero storm water system into their park at the cost of I think $8 million to be able to uh absorb their storm water on site on their property at 100%. I've reached out to our city attorney who he was fairly certain that we have an ordinance that says if you contain at 100% your storm water that you should not have to pay storm water fees because you've already paid you know [clears throat] uh an enormous amount to remediate your property, remediate the the water and then even with this state grant uh do even further mitigation uh to be punitive towards the park with $60,000 a year in storm water fee under this particular arrangement. Those are the things that we need to look at in my

Would you like me to address that one issue? The uh excuse [clears throat] me, the stormwater ordinance states that a uh stormwater utility customer is exempted from the imposition of utility fees if if the storm water utility customer demonstrates to the satisfaction of the director and that's public works director which would go through links to storm water that the developed property subject to the utility fee does not discharge storm water to the storm water management system during the 100year 24-hour design storm event as defined by swift mud. So it the standard is do you discharge during a 100 100year 24-hour design storm event? If you do not, you're exempted completely from the fematically [clears throat]

and you would have to how would you be able to justify that? Does someone [clears throat] come to your property? Yes, that would require you know inspection and analysis by lace storm water to verify that.

Okay. And and to my understanding that is not determined uh that I did I did tell you know Josh Henderson at Bonnet Springs Park that's what we thought was the case. Um but my goal in delaying is to make sure that those things are codified and uh you know further looked into before we move forward. Even though I understand the mayor and and it is difficult to think that postponing means that those 60 $70 million funds are not collected until we decide. I I have I have an imperative to to be as quick as possible and not kick the can. But I do think that now that we've done the fair assessment and the study, if we could work with a consultant to say who is the most adversely affected and then look at those scenarios to see if there's any relief. Okay. Other comments, Commissioner Loland.

Yes, I I appreciate that. So, I understand where she's coming. I was also speaking to Lori and I also spoke with Josh as well. Great stuff that they do out there and stuff, but they could also file for an amendment to that. And I believe Lori could probably give more to that. So, whether we approved it today or not, they would always have the ability to file that amendment. I I don't think anyone loves Publix more in this room than I do. I get the benefits of those beautiful dividend checks four times a year. But at the end of the day, you know, you talk about paying fair share fair share. Us as homeowners, we don't get an eru credit. You know, we don't get those credits. These businesses can apply for those credits. What we were talking about was reducing the credit from 75% to 50%. What Steve said was about 4% of these businesses remaining still have some type of credits. Those credits can be reapplied for as long as they're maintaining them. So they've enjoyed over the last 10 years or at least the last four years reduced credits up to 75% of their erus. So to that point they've enjoyed it. They also do get other credit tiff agreements every time they build something. We want to respect our business dollars and I appreciate what you're saying. I want to respect Publix no more just as much as you do. If we're going to call Publix or any other business, but at the same point in time, if a business covers more pvious ground, then they have the onus to pay more of it. I think some of the dealing and some of the floodings that we've dealt with down in downtown that affected these CRA properties are due to failed infrastructure. Whether we're going to do this now or we're going to do this down the road, you know, it's it's coming. When's the next storm coming? When are we going to have the

next training? I just want to set on record, you know, just someone's going to pay something. And I I don't mind having uh that argument or that discussion further down the road, but I just felt like if we could have got something on the record now, I think it was shared pretty clearly by city staff that that could have been visited at any time. Commissioner Music.

Thank you. Yeah. One of the things that um that I want to be cautious of personally is ever feeling like I'm rushing into something, right? we know that our our staff is is working, you know, hard behind the scenes, you know, uh 40 hours a week. You know, they're processing all this stuff and then then it comes to us and we have questions and it gets kicked back and forth and we do all that kind of thing. I'm I'm certainly in favor of pushing pause and saying, "Let's dig into some of these questions, right? and and giving the certainty um to places like Bonnet Springs, hey, because this is how you develop this and spent the money, we know ahead of time, not we pass and then we have to come back and try to give them those exemptions which which can be uncertain. The flip of that coin is that we have we are way below where we need to be on our storm water and we've got to get these these monies generated ASAP. So, if we're going to vote, which I would be okay with of saying, let's let's give ourselves a little bit more buffer on time, what does that really look like? How quickly does the team think that they can come back? When do we have um another um you know uh workshop? When do we have something? I I would like to at least go down that road a little bit more before we we do this to have some certainty on when we can button that up.

Any other comments? I have one. [snorts] So, um, it would appear to me that that's what you're what that this vote will do is delay it. And so, I would concur with you that if it passes and it is delayed, since I won't have an opportunity to voice it earlier, that you try and work with the existing ordinance that is proposed. And if there are ways then to work through some uh identifiable um perhaps uh amendments to or something subject thereafter that those things get identified and I don't know if that's possible um uh from a legal standpoint.

Sure. I mean it's is there's plenty of things that could be adjusted in in the existing ordinance.

I here's my caution. My caution is when you haven't raised fees for way too long, it is going to be an ownorous change for every one of our corporate partners. And so whatever you find, you need to find that is universally acceptable that is universally applicable to everybody in those veins. Um you can't I am green. My folder is green. Okay. So, I love Publix and my point in that is that um it's going to be a big change. When people tell you what they don't want but won't tell you what they will accept, we've got a problem.

And so, I think what we are pushing against is I don't like that. I don't like that. I don't like that. And we should start with what would we say is acceptable. And I would the LED is the primary principle pushing back on this. The LAC should become the primary advocate for what they will approve and what they wouldn't object to. And that's a voice in our community. It's not all the voices. So, it's going to be a big change needs to be done. Listen, all the flooding issues that we're talking about, if we aren't being responsible on the baseline of doing the projects that we know we need to have that are identifiable today and are going to cost much more later, we are not doing our job. So, uh find out what people if this passes, this uh uh denial passes, then find out what people want and then let's move towards that end. And I wouldn't start with frankly having a whole lot of meetings until that gets identified. And so um because otherwise you end [snorts] up pushing back. So and and we probably are not going to be 100% copacetic and all that as you go forward. I appreciate the pause for the purpose of trying to be discerning and that doesn't bother me.

Mr. Mayor, yes.

If I may, to that end, and again, you know, Mr. Scrugs and I have worked very well together through this process, and I think that was evident from the comments that he made as well. and and we've talked about, you know, if we need to um continue to revisit this until we have something to bring back, then we certainly can. The the challenge for me, and I guess what I'm what I'm trying to seek today, is, you know, what are we willing to kind of negotiate here? you and and and I guess what I'm looking for is we we have the the the $70 million worth of expenses for the 62 identified projects. And so is the commission willing to rather than trying to solve for the full $70 million, are we willing to try to solve for a lower number? Are we willing to try to solve for 75% of that? Because if we know what that what that ultimate goal is going to be, then then we can work toward that. Otherwise, it it's hard to figure out what number we're trying to solve for. And so is there any thoughts from the commission at this point in time about maybe maybe should we not try to solve for 100% of those needs right now and instead something lower because that will certainly then based on also the number of years that that will be spread out over that that will have the effect of of lowering you know what would be those um those increased rates. Is there any thought on that? Should we be trying to solve for something other than 100% of the $70 million cost?

Commissioner Long.

Yeah, I appreciate that. That's a very good point. My concern is this. Which citizens do we tell that we're going to solve their part? There's $69 million worth of infrastructure needs right now. [clears throat] And I appreciate you wanting to meet in the middle. I have the utmost respect for Steve Scrugs. He has done so much good for this for this city. I truly do. But when he sat here, and no, like I said, no no disrespect to him. Well, what about the 8-year? Well, we're still paying 133%. My problem is if one citizen with that amount of power, and I love him and respect him to that point, can't give me a solution, I mean, then that's becoming part of the problem. There's still $69 million worth of water infrastructure, and nobody floods more like Publix. public's floods. I I mean, if you go down North Tampa Highway, even though that's not city, they flood probably worse than anyone does. So, well, they do a great job of mitigating some of their stores and different things like this and other businesses mitigate different way. I don't think we should sit here and as a commission, I don't think I want to tell any single citizen, you tell me which part of the flooding you want me to fix and we'll come back to you later on and discuss the rest of it. I think we have a duty to solve as much as that $69 million as we do right out the gate because that is what the need is and that need gets more expensive each and every single day. Many of us are business owners in there and yes, we've had to make decisions like I can only afford this much right now. I can only afford this much right now. But if we're not going to diligently seek the whole solution, then we're still looking at a problem. And I don't know which citizen you want to tell, well, we're going to focus on yours today, but not someone else's tomorrow. That's I don't want to I don't want have anything to do with that.

And and so [clears throat] I would recommend that you not think about that as also a part in comment. We want to solve the whole problem. We want to solve it all and and and it's what's identifiable today. It is going to be more expensive later. And so it's about how do we get there? We hired a consultant who's done an excellent job of giving us a basis to be able to do this and put through it into an ordinance and we have a process in place. Let's finish the work at some point in time soon. And if you guys can work on that and get that done if this fails or this passes then in January, February, I think that's responsible to our citizens. Okay. Yes, Commissioner.

Yeah. And just to that end, I mean, I I I believe that that those that are um feeling the highest pinch from this are listening and paying attention from the seat that I sit in, if if I'm willing to say I don't want more than a a month or two break to to really dig into this. But at that time, if we're sitting back up here again with no alternative from those that feel the highest pinch, then that makes the decision awful easy, right? I mean, I I think that I shouldn't say awfully easy, but it makes it easier because we're trying. We're we're the reason that we're taking a pause is for no other reason than just to dig into this a little bit deeper and make sure that the largest users of this have the greatest amount of understanding from me and from the rest of us to say my bill is going up X. I need some some understanding that. And then we'll go and say, okay, can we do longer? Can we keep the 75%. What what can we do? Go back and forth. Not necessarily negotiation, right? But an understanding.

Any cautioning comments? consultant on that in that regard that you'd want to make at the mic. You're here and I just appreciate the presence [clears throat] of that. Uh Sandy Newbart with um Answer. I am here to answer any questions you have, but if you don't have any um then I will work with whoever you guys want me to work with to try and figure this out. Um, but like I explained the impervious area methodology and the rationale behind it, we would have to come up with some legally defensible methodology to spread those costs.

Okay, Commissioner M.

Thank you. And you know, we were not able to uh have a conversation with you Friday. You were so helpful. And so that's part of it, right, is to be able to often when we make a big decisions, we have a chance to have a workshop where we can hear from experts on where other places, you know, how they do these uh things. And so you've been able to work with staff behind the scenes. The reason it seems fast for us is because the first our constituents hear about it, we don't have all the answers. We don't have all the explanations. It is, you know, seemingly that a, you know, Commissioner Long can say that, you know, you can get a T, you can get a credit if you pay several ERUs. Well, a house is a house is a house. Doesn't matter how much impervious you have. It's been averaged at a certain rate and you only pay one. If you're a giant house with all kinds of cement and, you know, impervious area, you you're only going to be one. So that's where it seems unfair that in the residential communities that are not under an HOA who have not done mitigation strategies or paid for any storm water and I will use you know so that we don't think we're trying to you know punish at risk neighborhoods who have had flooding you know one of our best neighborhoods the Hollingsworth area has a ton of flooding on the private road Collins Lane I mean I took the city manager myself to go in a backyard that became a storm storm water pond for everyone in the neighborhood and it's private. I feel like there is room to say just like we did with Heather Point Drive. You know, we talked about that earlier. We were able to help them with some construction, get those initial upfront capital investments and then it's now they they voluntarily wanted it to go onto their tax bill to pay us back that internal loan to be able to make the improvement. There are probably some

areas that would say um I would rather be under a particular I think um city attorney Davis said you can do some kind of an an assessment if there's a neighborhood that's going to have a particular ditch you know or pipe or mitigation strategy placed there that's going to dramatically improve that area they might [snorts] I don't know how that works if they would have to all sign a petition that they're willing to be assessed at a particular uh price to make those uh implic, you know, those improvements. We just never were offered any of that. So, we're not saying that we don't think we need 70 million and that it won't increase with inflation to 150 million. We're saying that even, you know, I can look at math and say my $11.50 50 cents a month I'm going to pay is not buying me a pipe or filling, you know, improving my ditch or doing a huge strategy that's going to solve my flooding in my neighborhood. I and and I may be wrong. People might say, "I don't want to pay $11.50 and certainly not a dollar more on my house bill. There's, you know, prices are too high." And then they need to let us know. I haven't heard from any residents really that you know are affected by this because I think they understand we have to have a direct method in order for us to bond. We have to have a revenue stream. We have to be able to say this is our storm water fee and it's this much and we'll get this much over this many years so I can make these capital improvements with the bonding. Oh, and then it won't cover it. So, but then because of my investments, I can go get a grant from the state or the federal level to match my funds that I'm already doing on my shovel ready project. We know we're going to need grants. We know we're going to need additional funds. We know that this is the bare minimum cost that we need to improve our storm water and make sure we don't have flooding and also our lake quality, which we are required to do by unfunded mandate from this state. And of

course, we want our states to be beautiful and we love them. But it just seems like taking this and saying all the houses in the whole city are just averaged and they get one eru. Doesn't matter their size, doesn't matter, you know, whatever. And then businesses are actually calculated on their exact number of square foot of imperous material irrelevant of whether or not they have invested storm water infrastructure. I just think there's a way to look at all the puzzle as complex as it is to see if there are some nuances or some things that we could do to still get the $69 million but not make certain particular customers do the heavy lifting and pay paying for it all.

So, let me turn your comment into a question. How typical is that methodology that we're proposing? Okay. So, you could do residential tiers if you would like. It's harder an administrative burden when it goes on the utility bill. That's why we said um you have it right now. All houses pay one. It doesn't really help your commercial properties because what it does is it says we're going to take the bulk. You use your bell curve. We're going to take the bulk. They're going to pay one. So, what's in the middle? Then you got like 15 to 20% in the small, 15 to 20% in the large. The small would pay and it would depend on what the what the tiers [clears throat] showed would pay.5, the middle would pay one, the large would pay 1.5. So it basically reallocates what the residential parcels are paying. So it it wouldn't help you solve that problem. It would help you solve the large houses paying um the same as the small house um but it would be a lot more work to administer using the utility bill. We usually see that and we develop a lot of our projects that way when you use the uh tax bill collection method um because you reook at the parcels every year. um you look at the building footprint and what the property appraiser has assigned um to each house and then you would um put it in a tier. Um when you're using the utility bill, I don't believe that they reconcile um with the property appraisers records on an annual basis. They do it um when somebody comes in to open a utility account or there's a permit or something like that. So, it's a little bit more complicated um and more administrative

staff um and time to maintain that on the utility bill. And then what about the special assessment in areas that are receiving a

those are those are neighborhood assessments. So, if you're going to do like a localized assessment, you don't have they don't have to volunteer. You have your home rule authority and you can impose them. um it's a lot more pleasant to impose them if they volunteer. Um you know um because they can be very expensive and um sometimes cost prohibitive when you're cuz usually it's smaller neighborhoods. So but you can definitely do localized assessment programs for anything storm water or anything. Um so yes you have that authority through your home rule authority. Um,

okay. Commissioner Music, thank you. What do we need to do, um, Sean and Palmer, to, you know, we have a storm water study, we're all there, we're talking, and then we get here and all these questions build up, right? We we we talk to people who reach out to us. What do we need to do to be able to get together with parties in the room and ask the questions we need to ask, get the feedback, and then have the team, you know, Loren Heath and their team go back, get it, and come back. what what do we need to do so that we can we can get that set up whether we have a you know tenative date hey we can do this sometime in January um to be able to do that

that would just simply be a scheduled workshop or multiple workshops um to to be able to bring people in the room work with consultant you know present what updates and information we have and if the commission chooses to hear from others that are in attendance I certainly have the ability to do so but a workshop would be I think it would certainly be my suggestion Okay. From a cloud, do you have a Okay. [clears throat] Any other comments from commissioners? Any comments from any members of the audience? We're going to vote. Seeing none, this a roll call vote. Commissioner um Mloud. I. Yes. I I I

unanimously passes. We deny. Okay. So, we that will be revisited postwork being done. Thank you. That brings us to item B1 and that is proposed resolution number 25-075. A resolution [clears throat] of the city commission of the city of Lakeland, Florida electing to utilize the uniform method of collecting non-adorm assessments as [clears throat] authorized under section 197.36324 to statutes for collecting all unpaid uh demolition and lot clearing nonavor assessments levied by the city commission during calendar year 2025 and preceding years. adopting finds a fact stating the need for the levy of set assessments provided for the mailing of this resolution providing an effective date. Motion to approve. Second.

Discussion by commissioners and discussion [clears throat] by any members of the audience. Just got one quick question. Yes, sir. Commissioner L. So this is this is going to allow us to put the non-advant and get those special assessments of levity and get us our money that's due us that we've done all year long in assessments. Exactly. This is the first step of that process. It's a good step. Next August, you'll adopt the final role. Some of these people will fortunately pay over the course of the year, but by August, we'll know who hasn't paid, and we'll those are the ones we'll forward to the tax collector.

I appreciate that. I guess some of my concerns are is we don't really have escalators in places and some well, I guess this is unpaid demolition and lock clearing. That wouldn't really affect code enforcement, but I guess we can visit that later. Thanks. It does once there's a hearing as I Okay. Um, [snorts] any other questions or comments? No. Anybody members of the audience? Okay. Commissioner London. Yes. I I I I So, unanimously passes. That brings us to C1. I'm sorry. Yeah. C1.

B. We're at B2 actually. Uh, that is proposed resolution number 25-076. A resolution of the city commission of the city of Lakeland, Florida, expressing support for the trade port boulevard feasibility study recommending uh that adjusted corridor 2 be advanced to the project development environmental uh environment study with multimodal typical section providing an effective date. Move for approval. Is there a second? Second. Okay. Discussion by commissioners, discussion by any members of the audience. Seeing none, um we'll starting with Commissioner Reid. Yes. Yes. I I [clears throat] I so unanimously passes.

That brings us to C1. And C1 is the development agreement with SJD Development, Wedgewood uh that you've been hearing about a lot uh this morning and early this afternoon. And we are requesting that development agreement public hearing be continued until uh January 5th. Uh that would be the first hearing on that. And then the second hearing would be January 20th. Uh so just need a vote to continue that until those dates. So is there a motion to continue? Motion to continue and a second. Second. All right. Discussion by commissioners. Discussion by any members of the audience. Seeing none, uh let it be Commissioner Reid. Yes. I I

I I So it unanimously passes as well. We cease to [snorts] meet as a commission and we What number are we on now? We are now on Roman numeral five. We uh convene as a community redevelopment agency in our different role and we have a uh item a a task authorization.

All right, that is a proposed task authorization with uh Dicks height if I'm pronouncing that right plus partners uh for the lakewire master plan. Uh this is a proposed task authorization with with that uh corporation that firm to prepare the lake wire and freedom park master plan. This work will produce a coordinated planning and design framework for the area including conceptual and schematic design documents for Lakew Wire and Freedom Park and a preliminary cost estimate to guide uh future uh capital uh planning. Uh this planning effort is anticipated to be completed within approximately 7 months. This was reviewed by the CRA advisory board at its November 13, 2025 meeting and received a recommendation of approval. The the total not to exceed cost for this task authorization is $342,000 and all these services will be performed in accordance with the city's continuing contract for park planning consultant consultant services with Dixite. So that is recommended for your approval.

All right. Is there a motion to approve? Move for approval. Second. A second. Um any discussion by commissioners? Any discussion or questions by members of the audience? Uh seeing none, this is a voice vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose. Same. Unanimously passes. That brings us to the next uh four three items that I'm going to change the order of. We'll do them in this order. We'll do item D, C, and B exactly backwards to what you see. So D will be first, C will be second, and B will be third. Okay. All right. Go ahead.

I'll just introduce it, and I know Brian has some some uh numbers to to show to you. Um uh so 310 Plum Street. uh that is neighbors neighbors of Lakeland and we've uh they they have uh submitted a proposal to purchase their property at at a at appraised value with a I believe it's a 20% redevelopment credit and Brian Ruis, our community and economic development director will be uh providing the numbers so you can see what that looks like for this particular property. Okay. Thank you, Brian.

Good afternoon. For the record, even though Palmer said it, Brian Ruis, director of community and economic development. Um, so we are starting with the uh agenda item for neighbors of Lakeland, which is uh referred to as market lofts. Uh Palmer shared with each of the commissioners late Friday uh some updated uh table option scenarios for each of the three mass market uh tenant buyers or prospective buyers uh that I'm going to walk through this morning. Um, this was staff's best attempt over the past six, eight weeks, two years, and from Friday's agenda study discussion to try to refine the the conditions and the options that the commission has collectively considered uh in a scenario that candidly is is all but limitless in the terms of the the things that you can consider. Um, so without further ado, I'm just going to jump in. So the these are are lettered in order, but that is not an order of preference. It does not represent a staff recommendation. It simply is just a way to show the commission different scenario options that you can consider or even then from there other uh hybrids that you might consider further. So with with option A, um this is the proposal or the offer that Brian Celely on behalf of Neighbors of Lakeland LLC submitted uh and handed out to you at agenda study on Friday. No, it's not.

No, it's not. This is

so apologies. So a is uh essentially what was proposed in terms initially with just the base rank credit in in the case of market loss. There has not been any additional uh prior capital investment. So this this particular one is is kind of the one that that began the discussion. it had some additional which will be in B the options where additional future buildout capital uh investment credit is considered. So you see here uh the purchase price and and for all tenants including market lofts the purchase price does reflect the appraised value in this case is $1.32 million. And in option A it's simply a base rent credit additionally of $114,000 in change uh that comes off of that purchase price netting the CRA sale proceeds in that scenario of $1.206 million. in option B, like I said, that that folds in additional to the base rent credit u the 300,000 that was contemplated for crediting uh market loss neighbors of Lakeland to uh renovate the 12 existing units and to build out four additional units. And so credit in that scenario is at 300,000 plus the base rent totals $414 uh in credit. That takes the net sale proceed to the CRA of $95,900. And so then that brings up C where I got started and and shouldn't have. I was a little ahead of myself. C represents the option or the proposal that Mr. Cely handed out to the commission on Friday and in that scenario represented it as simply a reduced purchase price reduced by 20% of the appraised value again of $1.32 million.

staff, you know, taking the commission's discussion and points during that that uh evaluation and hopefully the uh encouragement that I gave you to not sell any of these properties for less than their appraised value, you know, came back and and and coined this or showed it to you as a redevelopment incentive. If if it represents consideration for base and future uh base rent and future investment, fine. If it if it is simply just an incentive to help make the deal work, then there's the 20%. The the dollars that are in the rightmost column of this table are identical to that which Mr. Celely presented to you and handed out in hard copy form on Friday. So there's option C and then option D. Each of these uh tenant options will end with a do nothing scenario as we described and I believe Palmer did as well on Friday, which was you do not have to sell any of these properties. And if you do not, it simply puts us as a staff on behalf of the CRA uh in a renegotiate leases scenario. And and it's in this case that's a new lease term because the current lease term with neighbors of Lakeland expired last month in November. They're operating monthto-month now. So no fear. There's no effort to evict neighbors of Lakeland from their current occupancy. But if we were not to see this uh result in a contract to sell that actually made it to a sale uh transaction, then we would need to renegotiate that and and address the lease term. and then address the improvements that are needed andor sought for that additional four units on the second floor.

Then it's just worth mentioning again as we talked about on Friday, this this particular property does not have the same complications as the other two in that neighbors has fishing on-site parking. So there's no need for off-site parking to service the use on this property. We go back one slide and we go to the C. Is that offer still the one that um u Mr. Silly you'd be most interested in pursuing? Yes. Um yes. This uh see and I' I've put together get your name for the record. I'm sorry. My name is Brian Cely with Neighbors of Lakeland. [snorts]

And I've uh prepared um something that matches what what Mr. Ruse has put forth. Can I pass this out? Sure. Cool. [clears throat and cough] Thanks.

Thank you, sir. Thank you, Brian. Um, I appreciate the opportunity to present this item as its own action. I wanted to hand this out to you for those of you that weren't there on Friday, just to kind of hear the heart behind um, my proposal. So, this is what I'm asking for you all to consider. It takes into consideration some of the concerns I heard from some of you and the tension that was there. And my hope is that the number I propose here is um that it it meets you where you know it's appropriate. So I'm ready for you know a motion [clears throat] when you are but this is what I've got for you today. Thank you.

Okay. And nothing else to add other than what you have written. Right. Um yeah, I think I feel like I've shared a kind of my position on the property and and um my desire to maintain the environment that we've been able to have there for the past decade. Very good. And this this allows for me to pursue that. So this would allow us to have a motion on item D and it [snorts] would be uh to this proposal. So, is there a motion um for motion for approval on C on item or on C of D on C? Yes. Yes. I second the motion on item C. All right.

And just with that, I mean, we would obviously have to develop the real estate contract. Uh with a lot of the standard terms you get in those real estate contracts, there's a need for an easement over an adjacent property for a dumpster. Uh things like that will work out in the final document. You would [snorts] would you anticipate any of those things as being unresolvable? No. Okay. Mayor. Uh yes. Uh Commissioner Madden first. I don't

I'm just curious um with this new proposal, Brian, does this include any renovation for the additional units or will you just pause for a while and just kind of absorb the price of this new acquisition? I would um you know do as much of the improvements as I can and I believe that I would be able to work with the bank to you know do [clears throat] all that I desire to do there but I can be flexible and and you know work with this deal. Um but for sure that's my intent is to add more units on longer term

to to add more for sure to add more units. how that looks with um you know this particular the amount proposed. It could sh it could change a little bit but certainly to add more units and to improve the current units over there. So and the true heart behind it is to be able to maintain you know not shoot rents up too high for current tenants. Excellent. Mr. Ruth, you had a comment, sir.

What a similar question to that which Mr. Cely just responded to and it was whether the commission intends this redevelopment incentive to simply be a a a credit as a grant against the sale price and no performance and no security on the part of the CRA, meaning it does not contemplate any delivery of any improvements. So once we close, Mr. Celely's obligations to the CRA and to this community end. I'm not I'm not saying that to disparrage Mr. But without something to secure that additional credited investment, he is he is free to operate the building and the property as he sees fit. Maybe with a right of first refusal, Palmer, that was a term intended in all of these transactions if I'm not mistaken.

And again, that's going to be part of what we ultimately negotiate. And it it would seem to me if we were wanting to have criterion applied, we would go to item B where we're giving previous capital. I'm sorry. Um it's previous capital investments. We would go to the one where that should not be previous. That shouldn't be

it should be future. My should that's what threw me off. So, the future capital investments would be the criterion we'd want to extend for an additional discount of money uh in order for him to do the four units. So, if we were really tying to the four units, then we'd take B if we want to let him be able to do with it what he deems in the time frame he wants to see. Uh, Commissioner Mloud,

thank you, Mayor. And that was Thank you, Palmer, for mentioning bringing back a a real estate contract. I figured we had to go from this to to that step. Um and and Brian and the other business owners, thank you for continuing to come back and say we're we're hearing your feedback. We're trying to find an offer a number that that works. I think one of the challenges as we've said about negotiating or trying to negotiate from the dis is that it it can be easy to lose the big picture in that. [clears throat] And so as we're looking at what do we what do we hope for this area, its redevelopment, its long-term success of businesses in this space, and I I think we're we're setting up for that in this area if we can can get through this. Um, but I did have the question about the right of first refusal and and Brian I think it was a Brian Ruis say um was there sort of a tiered structure to that? So if depending on how many years that scenario could does that make sense what I'm asking?

Yeah, but they're two different issues. So, so the the right of first refusal that we had contemplated in all of these transactions, I believe, was structured for 10 years. And it's only if the buyer elects to sell the property that puts the CRA in the position of being able to match any bonafide third party offer and buy the property back. it that would not speak to any performance tied to the incentive that went along with this transaction that you have in front of you today. And so my question really is only in seeking clarity from the commission as we move to that contract development that Palmer's talking about because any ambiguity that comes out of this discussion as we've well seen over the past several weeks is just going to potentially challenge development of those contract terms.

[cough and clears throat] All right, Commissioner Madden. Okay, so let me just I just want to clarify for myself. We have to keep the purchase price the same as the appraisal price. So, which we don't do in real regular real estate. We could discount our property by 20% and just call it we want to sell it and the market's down and I want to sell fast. It wouldn't have to say it's a a CRA redevelopment credit. But we are saying it that way because we want this value to have increased since we purchased the property to show predictability to other people who invest in the area that our property values are higher

and to not negatively impact values in the area. If you sell for less than the appraised value, it will become a comparable that's used by appraisers that look at values in the area for a period of time. So, it isn't that you can't sell it for less than it's appraised for. It's that it would be better for the surrounding neighborhood and community to sell it at appraised value and then find a way to get to the bottom line you're trying to get to with credit for certain things or redevelopment incentive or uh and terming it that is is pretty well up to you is our hope has been to just have some kind of basis behind it. whether it's base rent or something because it it creates expectations as we talked a couple of meetings ago where other potential CRA buyers might seize upon it.

Well, and that is the spirit of the CRA is to improve property values. It might not necessarily be the spirit of someone selling their house who has to relocate for a new job who doesn't really care what it does to the property values. They just want to, you know, make the price less. I think what was difficult for us to grapple with at first is it looked like we were giving away particular specific finite grants or amounts for things called base rent and that we would have to then duplicate in another scenario that if we give base rent back then we have to give base rent always. In my opinion, it was just a a well-crafted way of keeping the property value at the appraised rate because we've improved that area and call it something that makes sense to also give them because they have invested in a blighted area. They have invested in the in the facilities. But if this is the true appraised value of this facility, them getting 20% off their initial purchase price is not as big of a deal as we initially thought when it looked like capital improvements of whatever sort it may be. Uh it's [clears throat] just like all of us in real estate know it's a little softer market and if I was selling my house, I might have to sell it for 20% less right now than I did two years ago when the market was hot. So, I just I'm wanting to say that out loud for people following this process that we have had to grapple with all of these nuances of what the words mean on the paperwork and what's happening here. And to Commissioner Reid, we are not giving these properties away. That that is still a million dollars that he's willing to pay, you know, for this building that he's been renting. Um, and it's appraised at a million3. It's not like we're giving away that. That's a far cry from giving away a property in my opinion. Um, but I do

appreciate this whole process of having to talk about it to make sure we can, you know, we don't want to give away city properties. We do want to operate as a CRA that invests back into this area and cause it to go from crimeridden and blight to to where other private sector folks will come in and and and invest as well. Agrelain. [snorts] Yes, mayor. Do we need to amend that motion then to allow Are we asking for the I don't think he's we're I think we may get there, but just Thank you. Yes. Commissioner Music.

I was just going to say I can appreciate I I was uh not at the agenda study, but was able to watch it twice um just just to make sure I was getting and this is this is the least complicated of the three. Um and I appreciate the the cleanliness of the offer. it it's much easier to to digest because when we start looking about past improvements, future improvements and and things of that nature and and um you know it's I think it's a little bit similar to the conversation we had on the other development is if we were to give him a credit of X and he takes it and blows it somewhere else. We can't necessarily control that unless we write it in. But we also have, you know, a history of him taking and redeveloping what he has. So I feel confident in in his ability to do so with the the credits and the money that that he would receive off of this. So I think it's a a solid other comments. The question I would ask Mr. Cely if you could come up is you don't have to make a commitment on C. Would you prefer B if we extended more credit for the purpose of being able to do the future capital improvements? and you'll make a decision on that today then B is B is certainly better.

Yeah. But it obligates you to do those four. Yeah, I understand. So you may not want to be as pressed on timeline for that. That's the only reason I'm asking the question. Mhm. So um is it a con I'm trying to to understand. Is it constraining to you to think about being obligated to the four units right out of the gate? The four If I had to choose between B or C, I would choose B. You would choose B. Should it be voted on today? Yes. Okay. All right. So, yes, Commissioner.

Just the scenario C is the one that I I know that's what's on the table. Um, I also would I think prefer removing condition stipulations to the business owners and you have to do this, right? Like that just if we're selling the properties and and we are moving out of it from a CRA ownership standpoint, then let's move out of it. Got it. And

I think that's where the right of first refusal comes in to some extent that if if you see a development potentially coming forward for that property that you don't want, you can step in and exercise your right of first refusal. that well that's the existing motion which is C. Okay. Um thank you very much for that. Any comments other comments from commissioners? Any comments from the any members of the audience on this? Yes. Sorry. I do coward. Um I do remember this gentleman coming at one of the past meetings.

You get by the mic if you can please. I do remember meeting this gentleman at one of the past meetings and what he is doing for our community is actually great. Knowing that um the homeless coalition has almost 15,000 families that are homeless, need somewhere to live and knowing that this gentleman has been doing his best to support those in the community and help people who do need help um means a lot. So I think y'all should take that into consideration as well. You got somebody actually trying to help other people. So thank you. Thank you for that. Any other comments from anyone else? All right, this is a voice vote. All those in favor of the motion, which is item C, as outlined in red, um can uh signify by saying I. Hold on.

Whoops. Just want to make sure that's clarifying that we still have the first right of refusal. That's going to be true for everything. Contrary. I'm just asking. Yes. Yes. Okay. Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. I oppose. Same. Unanimously passes. Congratulations. You are an owner. subject to contract. All right, go get an iced tea or something. You know, [laughter] that brings us then to item C, disposition of 8:30 North Mass A. [clears throat] And thank you to Commissioner Musk for pointing out that that was the least complicated of the three that you will be considering today.

[snorts]

So, disposition of 8:30 North Massachusetts Avenue is Bake House LLC doing business as do Bake House. Uh, consistent with the methodology behind the prior item. I'm going to walk you through uh I think six in this case scenarios. Um, the first one [snorts] is the one that is reflected in the memo behind the agenda item. So it contemplates selling the building, leasing the parking with only partial future capital improvement, actually the remediation cost of the collective space at what the city's insurance adjuster calculated it would cost to put it back exactly as it was before Hurricane Milton. In this case, the purchase price again is the appraised value of $1.41 for $1 million. Base rent credit of $246,000. Previous capital investments of $172,000. Again, that $60,000 remediation cost, that's a total credit of $478,388. Uh in the leased parking scenario, so the the off-site surface parking, this is the retain the surface parking and lease it to the business. You'll recall that that had a significant impact on the appraised value of the the property to be sold. And so that reduction in this case is $610,000, leaving a net uh of $321,612 sale proceeds to the CRA. In scenario B, again, $1.41 $41 million sale price. Base rents the same, previous capital investments the same. Future capital improvement remediation is left the same at 60,000. But in this

scenario, the parking, the offsite uh surface parking is sold with the building. So you do not have that $610,000 reduction in appraised value. So that leaves a net sale proceeds to the CRA of $931,000. Oh, in scenario C, the only thing that changes is the removal of $60,000 in remediation, replaced with $500,000 that the tenant buyer had previously submitted as the cost to build out the former collective space and the the building to meet their needs. That's $500,000 credit. Uh so and and in this case the uh the parking the off-site surface parking is sold as well. So there is no reduction in the appraised value there. Total credits 918,000 net sale proceeds to the CRA in that scenario of 491,612. Uh option D was created to show the comparable with the offer that Mr. Celely made for the market loss property. So it is simply appraised value purchase price, a 20% redevelopment incentive off of that purchase price and a net to the CRA in that case of $1.128 million. Option E is again to renegotiate lease terms and not sell the property or the surface parking associated with it, which would require that we renegotiate a lease to contemplate and cover that collective space that uh house 820 or house management currently has the lease to. Um and then it would also need to contemplate the improvements that would be needed to build that space out to meet the needs of do bake house moving

forward. And now today I have added an option F. Um late Friday afternoon, we received from the prospective buyer a an uh edited or amended quote from a contractor uh Avon Modular to restore or restore is probably not the right word to actually build out that collective space at far less cost than the 500,000 that was previously represented. you'll see it there is $147,000. Um, so this scenario represents uh selling it all. So, building and surface parking with the same base rent credit, same previous capital investment credit, a revised uh interior buildout now with that informed contractor estimate of 147,000 for a total uh value of credits of 566,000 roughly for a net sale proceeds to the CRA in this scenario of 844,187. And it's my understanding though Diana and David can confirm that that that is the preferred option from their perspective.

That's correct. Is that correct? Yes. Um so my name is Diana Cortez from do house.

Um first of all I want to start by saying thank you. Um, thank you to the CRA staff, Valerie, um, everyone that has worked with us, and thank you also for taking the time to go and see our space and understand our operation. Um, before I talk about the numbers, I'd like to zoom out for just a moment. In our view, the CRA's goal in mass market has never been simply to help three tenants. The goal is to transform an entire district so that over time every resident and taxpayer benefits from a neighborhood that is safer, more attractive, and economically productive. To do that, the CRA stepped in early and used different tools at different times to bring in early adopters. House 820, Market Lofts, and Do House have become proof that this corridor can support real long-term businesses. Helping those anchors move from leases into ownership is a way to strengthen that foundation so that in the future larger developers and investors see mass market as a play worth coming to. Um, Laura at House has made a remarkable contribution as a pioneer opening and sustaining a wedding venue directly across from social services and that's not easy and she chose to build that trust here in the mass market. Um, on the housing side, Brian at Market Loft has kept Brent more affordable because he cares about being a stable residential anchor for this neighborhood and we're very fortunate to have and to continue sharing this blog with them. Um, for our part, we brought dough into this corridor instead of moving to another county closer to our largest client and chose to bring that economic activity and those job opportunities here because we believe we believe in this project and because Lakeland is our home. With the support and partnership of the CRA and the city of Lakeland, we've grown from b from a business of a twoman show to 30 team

members and we look forward to bringing more jobs to the area. Seeing through that lens, we hope we can support the CRA's original goal to eventually stepping out of the landlord role so we can step into long-term stewardship as owners and this area can keep growing into the kind of district everyone in Lakeland can be proud of. Um, I have the same proposal that is up there. I have it here. And there's also uh the quote from the contractor. Um and it shows option F. So it's the [snorts] base rent that we've already paid the documented capital improvements that um they were agreed upon a couple of weeks ago. And there's the remediation credit for 147. That's what the contractor um sent us on on Friday afternoon. Um, do you have any questions about our proposal?

No, ma'am. I Anybody have any questions at all? Thank you so much. Mayor, yes. Thank you, Diana. Um, can you just uh elaborate on that remediation quote, the 147, uh, in terms of what that's bringing the space back to what it would need to be for anybody to be in there. Correct. Yeah. That's not adding any equipment or freezers, nothing like that. Um, they just went in, they saw the place, they said, and and I think it's pretty clear. It says like itemize what they would do to be able to put the walls back again, some electrical things. So,

it does it give you some freedom to make those walls different than the way they are? This is just for remediating. So, we just said like, don't over complicate things. Just show me what it would take to get it back to where it's habitable. And if there were any additional changes in that, you'd be eating those yourselves. Exactly. Right. Got it. Okay. Very good. Other questions or uh from the commission. Any questions from any members of Oh, wait. Wait. Before we get started, we need a motion. Move to approve. Option F.

Second. Second. Discussion by commissioners on that. Just the same thing that we mentioned about neighbors. It would be subject to a ride or first refusal on negotiation of a formal you know real estate contract. Yes. And no anticipated difficulties in any of that. And this one you know you have the issue of the parking off-site parking. So one question I would have is do we want to reserve an option to purchase at some point in the future?

Yes. as distinguishing from a writ of first refusal, an actual option to purchase. You know, a writ of first refusal requires that a third party presents an offer to the owner. An op an option to purchase gives that option to the city to purchase in the event that there's a need for a garage on that location without us requiring that. Isn't that something you could try to negotiate with the buyer in the contract that you're doing? Yes, I could work on that and then bring that back to you. Yes.

But is an option for purchase like a taking? it would not be a taking. I mean, you know, that's another option is is just to not address it at all. And then in which case, if we wanted to get that property back and we'd have to file an imminent domain action that the the my preference would be for an option to purchase because with an imminent domain action, you're responsible for attorney's fees, engineering fees, appraiser fees. With an option to purchase, you just simply get, you know, an appraiser or several appraisal appraisers to determine the fair market value of the property. And then you pay for that with all all the extra costs associated with the imminent domain. Correct. Thoughts? But there's no negotiation. You just have the right to purchase it whenever you want without

right them consenting. Right. That's there' be an option to purchase that we would have the right to exercise. Commissioner Mloud. Well, I would imagine there is negotiation if if I'm in their shoes and you're negotiating an option to purchase, right? you would they have that opportunity in that to um to present a counter or say this is what it would have to look like for the city to to purchase it. So we would keep it easy from the standpoint of the sale with the opportunity for you guys you to discuss that and bring back something for agreement. We would we could include that in in [clears throat] whatever real estate contract we bring back for final approval so you have time to look at that.

We're not opposed [clears throat] to redevelopment. So I [snorts] don't think we'll get to eminent domain back. You know, the idea is just like to support all of the efforts of the whole mass market area and and be good team players. Still good, Commissioner Lulan. Uh yes. Uh I guess I'm still more in favor of option B and stuff. I'm all for remediation, but I'm just still opposed to future capital investments. [clears throat] But isn't that primarily remediation? It's not capital. It's not capital. It's not future capital. If you look at his quote, it's all remediation. Well, I I read actually did read the quote. I read it last night and stuff and it wasn't really

they explained pretty much what was a buildout for capital improvement, not necessarily remediation. The um specs, the architectural engineering are remediation. 8,800. Yeah. Probably been adding EMT piping. That's for fire alarm if required. Empty conduit box. Prior comp. A lot of that stuff is already over there still pre-existing as well as the wall. So it would only be in the places where it isn't. Is this beyond remediation at any level in terms of getting the property? Not that I'm aware of. They just said that they didn't.

It's to build it out though, isn't it? This is uh David Hernandez from Do Bake House. So the contractor what I what I when I talked to the contractor he gave me a quote just not to modify the floor plan that was on the collective but just to restore it and then he asked me okay what do you want the place to so I said it's going to be a food operation so that's why he I I guess he included panels there but that's the reason why but he didn't include like any any kind of like hand sinks or anything um related to a Florida Department of Agriculture regulation or anything like that, that will be on us. Mhm.

So, it's $147 for $147,000 to put the drywall back on. That's the quote that he gave us. Basically, I think it's itemized. It's itemized there. I mean, uh actually, it's really not to be honest. If you look at construction services, it has the various different items. Constructions prior to and I would say there I mean there there's more than drywall. For example, one bullet point says add new grid stone ceiling tiles all bacon areas per department of health requirements. This is an example.

Commissioner music.

Yes. Thank you. Um yeah, two things that I've um struggled with from the very beginning is the future capital improvements. I've just I've always struggled with that. I can't and trying to get over that and struggled. Um, and two is the fact that the both of these have to be really done in concert. I mean, we're doing them separately, but one is still, you know, an occupant, um, and the other's looking to take it over. So, that's a little bit of an interesting conundrum. um there having looked at the construction services and happened to be in this world um I I mean I know that it's just verbiage but I would prefer for that not to say future future capital improvement/rediation because as I look at this there is no addition right there are new no new walls that are being built there are no the ceiling tiles that would not be uncommon that would not be uncommon in a in a construction and then there will be things whenever you do a construction that you've got to add. So there will be updating some basic electric and things like that. So I I I I appreciate again the cleanliness of um this option F. Still concerned with House 820 coming behind this one. Um having not seen what we're seeing here to vote on this and then then have that. But um but I do appreciate again the cleanliness of this and think that their construction services uh description there to me does lend itself to be remediation or repair um of of damaged.

Brian, do you have any problem removing that uh future capital improvements and just making a future remediation? Just talking about what we call it. Yes, that's what he's saying. Yeah, we don't have an objection. I mean, it it seems it seems little, right? But to me, the the the fact that I don't want to get behind and as I look at this construction services, I can agree that this appears as remediation. I've been in the space. Um I've seen it. So I I just I just don't want to look and approve anything that could be misconstrued as future improvements.

And and I don't want to get bogged down on ceiling tile replacement, but if it meets the Department of Health's requirements, then it wasn't required to put the space back the way it was because the collective did not need to meet the Department of Health's requirements. Okay. Got it. Okay. Uh, Commissioner Mloud. Thank you, Mayor. Brian, can in your different scenarios, can you remind us the original one go back to our one-on-one meetings with and I believe that was the full credit, right, that we were initially looking at. I wanted to show the difference between option F and where we started.

Yeah. So option C really is the result of the the the general conceptual approval that the CRA advisory board made without any of these figures in front of them except for an appraised value. But that is that reflects what the uh intent I guess was at that time. I think that's helpful because as I've tried to look at this from all possible angles like my colleagues probably many hours of thinking through these scenarios when I see where we started and in the offer today from Diana and David it it really is significant the difference and I think it speaks to your your commitment to this area to renovation to your vision of of uh the CRA and so I I just wanted to point that out for me as I looked at that the difference between those two proposals or those two options it it is significant again.

Excellent. Any other comments? Are there any comments or questions from any members of the audience? So, let's flip back to You have it up there. Good. So, that would We're our motion is on item F, which is cash to CRA of 844187. All those in favor signify by saying. Mayor. Oops. I'm I'm sorry. So Palmer's question about our negotiating in the contract a buyback option is the commission's preference.

Our goal is that that's your your work to get done. And and and so in both of these scenarios where we have surface parking that we have considered selling away, my biggest fear is that at some point, and I realize it is as uncertain as anything we do, but that at some point we're going to need that land or we're going to regret that we don't have it. And Palmer knows better than I do the the the labor and the cost involved in getting it back. And we own it now. That's that's where it's the the safer route to me has been try to hang on to it. But if if we can somehow negotiate a way to get it back and compensate the owners for that, then that would be preference. My second question uh similar to neighbors but more specific in this case because there is actual dollars being committed to the remediation of the space is do we secure that investment credit and do we confirm that that work gets done or that money gets spent in furtherance of that intent.

Well done. However you feel most comfortable. I have no concern about them doing it. So yeah me either. Yeah. I would defer back to Commissioner Mloud's comment on on that that that yeah, I think we're once once we sell this and let it go. But but if we need to amend this for future um parking and make sure that or or if we're just going to let him know verbally, hey, make sure that's part of it one way or the other. I just want to make sure that's included as well. That's understood. Okay, it's understood. Okay, so no other changes. Correct. All those in favor signify by saying I

oppose. Same. unanimously passes. Two down, one to go. Congratulations and thank you for your patience in the process. Thank you guys. [snorts]

You're not going to tee this one up for me, Palmer? Okay. [laughter] So, last but certainly not least least is the uh disposition of the property 820 North Massachusetts Avenue House Management LLC. Uh doing business at that location is House 820. Um so, same sort of structure as the last two. Uh the scenario A shows uh the the transaction as contemplated in the memo that is behind the agenda item for this commission meeting. That is a purchase sale price of $1.88 million which is the appraised value base rent credit of $151,000 previous capital investments of $294,000. uh that $60,000 uh insurance adjuster calculated value to restore the collective uh for a total credit value of $55,000. In this case, the surface parking uh would be leased to the tenant. And so that comes with a sizable reduction in the appraised value of the improvements in the property to be sold of $1.19 million, leaving a net uh sale proceeds to the CRA in this case or scenario of 184,567. Option scenario B is to sell the building and the parking with only that $60,000 uh remediation credit for the damage to the collective. So you remove the reduction in the appraised value and are left with a net to the CRA of 1.374 million.

Option [snorts] C, which I am given to understand is the tenant buyer's preference, is to sell the building and the parking with all of the requested credits by the prospective buyer. Again, 1.88 88 million purchase price, base rent credit of 151,000, previous capital investments of 294,000, future capital improvements and buildout of 544,751 for a total credit value of $990,000. And that nets cash to the CRA at the closing of $890,000. D uh like David is the uh 20% redevelopment incentive scenario. So sale price remains the same. 20% of 1.88 million is 376,000 leaving a sale proceeds cash to the CRA in that scenario of $1.5 million. And then option E, were you not to elect to sell the property would be to renegotiate the leases where we would need to renegotiate to to uh consider create the leaseold uh occupancy for the former artifact studio space that house management occupies now. Uh and then for the improvements to that space that would be necessary for their business. Okay,

back up one slide, please. Yes, good. I think he did. He did. Yeah, that's perfect. Um, yes, Commissioner Madden.

Thank you, Brian. When you mention insurance adjuster, you know, I I have failed to ask um how is insurance arranged on these CRA properties, do we do a self-insured kind of why was why wasn't insurance paying for the hurricane damage right away? So, our CRA properties are are are insured uh pretty well identically to other city- owned properties. So, our risk management department arranges for the coverages and the quotes and binds that coverage. After Milton, they did have the city's adjuster review the damage to those spaces. And that's where that $60,000 number came from. At that time, our CRA manager was in what I would call active negotiations to get these transactions completed and see house management move from the collective space into the formerly occupied artifact studio space in the west end of the House 820 building. [gasps] And so spending that insurance 60,000 to put the collective space exactly how it was before knowing or at least hoping I think at that point that we would see the movement by house management and by do house to take that space over and and and retrofit it to meet their needs felt like or at least I'm speaking for Valerie and maybe she should come speak but I I'm I'm confident that that that felt like a waste. of $60,000 in insurance proceeds where we knew that these or were confident that these tenants would not be in those spaces or in the space they were in premilton.

So we don't we're not required to use insurance money on the facility that it was designated to remain. Not if we don't take the insurance money and we did not. Okay. So

in this case, you're you're simply your scenario shows that as a credit from you, we would not go seek that reimbursement from the insurance adjuster. It's just simply the money had we sought it at that time after Milton to [clears throat] restore the collective space. We had the insurance adjusters uh estimate of $60,000 with which to do that. and and we could have done it, but it it it at the time did not feel like the smartest move. And I and I don't think the tenants disagreed, particularly in this case, uh, house management, because they too were working towards occupying that artifact space and moving out of the collective so that we weren't continuing to operate in this shared space inside of single buildings scenario. But we did leave money on the table to improve the spaces by not using insurance money. So it was just lost.

I can I can confirm with Valerie and our risk management director, but I'm pretty sure we did not take the claim and the 60,000 for that space and that wouldn't have been out of our self-insured portion. I don't believe so. Mike may be able to speak to it. No, no, it was insured and there was no claim issued because of the decisions on their behalf. It was looked at as wasted money at the time because it was assumed that this scenario here would have occurred. Other comments or questions? Um, yes. We don't have a motion yet.

Right. Is there another scenario that you all are presenting or is it There is. Okay. Yeah, I was thinking maybe there was another one that Good. Thank you, sir. [clears throat] Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you.

Oh, yeah. I don't know. You might be able to, but I One back here. He's gonna speak.

Yes. You want me to explain it? Ma'am, go ahead.

Laura Shannon, House Management. Good to see you all. Um, if you'll actually flip. So, page one, um, or I guess second page says original qu request. Um, our numbers are a little bit different, but that was the same as um, what was I don't remember what letter that was. I'm sorry. Um, okay. Anyway, the one that we'd like to present you today is this revised purchase offer, which is technically page three of the packet you just received. The first I'm [clears throat] just going to walk through the graph really or the spreadsheet real quick. First is the 1.1 or 1.88 um, purchase price. We would be honoring the rent paid of 151. I'm going to round numbers. Uh prior capital improvements were the 176. The remediation refund, that's for all the money that we that house management has spent out of pocket so far on remediation as far as um the the different business losses we had. And then also the money that we then had to put into artifact to renovate that temporarily to get us basically sort of back up and running. And then um instead of asking for the full 544 replacement of collective into artifact today um just out of the sake of trying to to be able to move forward with owning, we'd be willing to modify that and basically just request the commission honor 335,843.11 from our numbers. Basically going back uh with Kevin, my husband who's the contractor, we revised our numbers to reflect what would happen, what the cost would be to us if we had to uh create basically a vanilla shell white box in artifact. We are willing to take the

burden of updating the space past that for all the finishings that we're looking for for our clients, etc. So even though we did have those things in artifact for the sake of today's discussion I would like um to offer that to the commission as an option. So your pro your proposal would be the revised purchase offer as the desirable yes item to promote. Okay. Um so we could start with a motion move to approve the re motion to approve and a second from Stephanie. um discussion by commissioners and questions. Uh Commissioner Music.

Yeah, just a just a comment. It's a um reflective of comments that I've made so far is I was um on the tarmac yesterday for about 4 hours while they were doing some maintenance. So, I was able to watch the video twice and um I was and I was concerned to be honest with you um because I thought that there was a lot more given away and and um by the CRA, by the city and you know that reflects on not only how I feel about development and business, but also the future, right? I mean, there's a lot of properties there that that we're looking to develop in the future. So, I appreciate everyone that has come with an additional option because I I was going to be a no because I just couldn't get behind it. I could understand some rent credit. I could understand some of this, but I just I struggled with this future improvement mainly just because I'm a business owner and I pay for my future improvements. Um, so I wanted to I wanted to to see that. I really appreciated them hearing me whether they heard everyone else, you know, but but I just and and to say let you know and and I don't need to get all the way. To me, the finish line was not paying full price for everything. That's we we talk about this repeatedly as what the CRA is for and what what they've been willing to do for for the last decade there in this property. So, um I'm excited and thankful for what you guys have presented. Um it it definitely makes it easier for me. So, thank you. Uh, thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Commissioner Music. Um, Laura, thank you for uh this updated purchase offer. Can you, for people who haven't walked through that artifact space recently, and I know a number of us have, and you have talked about it, but could you just describe from now to putting it into that white box condition? Um, and as you're before you say that to add to Commissioner Musk's comments, I think as we have had

reservations from the beginning about the credits, um, maybe thinking it was too much of a giveaway, we wanted to find, for me, I wanted to find deals for all of these properties and business owners that, yes, are good for the area, they're good for the mass market spaces, but also that we can stand behind not only as a CRA. We've sat on the CRA board, a number of us and the advisory board, but that we can stand behind as a commission that when we're asked about the terms and the deals that we that we can fully support it and say this is good for both parties uh and it is good for the city, it is good for the CRA. So just adding to that context of what we've been looking for and then just the question about uh the the white box condition.

Sure. Uh happy to. So for us, you know, obviously we were trying to be as wise as we could. As soon as the hurricane happened and we talked to architects, it was very much, okay, so what we've had in the collective was five offices. It was five private offices we could rent. It was um a bridal suite that had private bathroom, a groom's room that had a private bathroom, a office for our staff, etc. So, in looking at trying to capitalize on the space in artifact, we were we wanted to make sure that we understood how to get [clears throat] all of those items over um the artifact state when we moved in, there were no once you walked in the door, there was not another door in the entire uh half of that building. Um and and so the white box for us also includes us bringing up artifact um to code. So that included once we started talking um I shouldn't say we that would be Kevin talking to permitting uh and figuring out what was necessary that was [clears throat] they see being changed and improvised um fire suppression u the need for more more bathrooms uh because of capacity. So those items are all what work and the plumbing for that because it's a concrete building. Um it all has to be saw cut I believe is the term um in the concrete. Um so all of Hey, thanks. Um all of those things are what we would consider white box and then the additional things are the things like the wallpaper walls that we lost and the murals that we lost and all of that. Um we just wouldn't recoup that at this point

and we would pay for it. That's helpful. Thank you. I think especially if you haven't walked through the space when you do you see some of those things but it's helpful to paint that picture. Thank you. Yes, Commissioner Madden.

Thank you, Mayor. And I think it's also important for the public to know that these were old inherited buildings, all three of them. And so this is not like it's easy cuz we just built it at a per square footage price and all new infrastructure and all new to code. You know, I know for even like Dough Bake House, it was the Salvation Army building and there was an office and they had to go into an office and have someone come in and build the freezer inside the office and then build the next refrigerator inside the office. And then in the bathroom there's a bathroom and a drain and they remove the bathroom and then they put in their chocolate making stuff up to code and sanitized it to where they can get, you know, permitted to sell food out of a bathroom. I mean, we're we're acting like we're giving away giving away these properties. They have really they have taken old properties that were left neglected in a blighted area. I think it's very important to remember that old buildings left in a blighted crimeinfested area that really didn't fit a bakery or a you know a fancy you know wedding venue or even affordable housing. and they got in there and they put their own blood, sweat, and tears and their own creativity and they cleaned it up at Dough Bake House. Yeah, they had the hurricane, but guess what? They had all their employees come through the night uh to do what small business owners do and to get in there and to get the water out because they had to still sell their cookies and have it be, you know, certified with all the health standards to do so. And they knew it was up to them. They couldn't wait on insurance. They couldn't wait on uh even their landlord who is the city to take care of that or they would be out of business today. Out of business waiting on this agreement with the city. So it is simple

to say city's just giving money away. This is not giving money away. This is working with business owners and you know community advocates to invest in a place no one wanted to invest and to uh now sell to Disney out of that little location right there that was the Salvation Army building that was not that great. It is so exciting. It is so exciting what these business owners have endured. Yes, we have all endured co COVID. We all endure struggles in our businesses. We can relate to those and nobody's coming to our rescue to pay for them. Commissioner Lond, I get that. I I totally get that and I get that that's a sentiment from citizens. But if you want to sign up to invest in our CRA uh districts, then see our CRA staff and you can see what else there is to do in these highly complicated areas of town that we actually formed a CRA and everyone puts their tax increment into a pot so they can collectively over time improve that area for everyone who lives there, for everyone who has a business there. And it's super easy a decade from now to come and say I wish I would have got that building or I want a building like well where were you and what did you go through all of the things that these business owners endured. And so when you look at these numbers I mean you know she's they are still getting a loan they are still getting a million more dollars you know to invest in this area and it's still a risk for them to do that. So um I I appreciate so much my colleagues asking the tough questions. I know for staff this is not what they love, you know, and probably why it didn't go from a one-on-one to a public meeting because it's messy and we don't want to have to have these negotiations. But I'm hopeful that if the citizens would go and rewatch where we started and hear all

the questions, thoughtful questions and considerations that were made and the debates and the from staff and the commission, they'll see that this was not a simple easy dis decision, but but but we've gotten to this point and I'm hopeful that we're taking it over the finish line today. Any other comments? Commissioner L. Just want to say congratulations to all the new buyers. I'm glad that everyone was able to come and meet in the middle and stuff. I know that's a lot of hard work. I'm glad that we're through this. It's my hope now that we can get Brian all focused on the yard on mass and 103 and some other projects we have moving forward. So,

one of the things we do need to do though, Commissioner Leand [laughter] Commissioner ML, I know you're trying to listen, we can eat dinner here. Have fun. Um, I'll be brief.

As I've thought about all of these, and I know we're taking them individually, but if you look at uh all three transactions, and I know it's not officially across the finish line, um, but the gain to the CRA is, if my math is correct, it's just under $3 million. And that's an opportunity for us that we can take, the opportunity is here and now, and we can reinvest that money. Uh, we have other properties and other projects that we're working on. So just as we look at that again going back to the trying to keep the big picture in mind as we move through this just the same comments on as for the others option to purchase write a first refusal negotiating a final real estate contract are part of the motion correct

yes uh Commissioner Reed what days are you open I'm sorry what day are you opening to open the building [laughter] she's very flexible we've been by to see your building several times and and we're always going a weekend cuz that's we can go. But I never got a chance to really see inside of it since it's been completed and well to the status you're at but I was just wondering. I'll have you anytime. You just let me know. You have to call her and make an [laughter] appointment. We went on a we only put on a Saturday when you're always closed. But all right. Other comments at all? Any from any members of the audience? Yes. Is do you have a comment? Yes sir.

The option to repurchase would that be sorry Will Herrell uh 632 Ace Main. Um the option to repurchase would that be for the entire property? My intention would be just to the parking areas. That's the way I understood it. Okay. Which the parking just correct? And our question would be then um is there any consideration taken then for the number that the city's appraiser showed how much that affects the existing value of the building that's left.

That's something that we need to negotiate. But uh you know my idea would just be that it's you know you probably have competing MAI appraisers that appraise what the value is of the parking area. Okay. We'll take it for today then. Yeah. Any other questions or concerns on that regard? Any other comments by any members of the audience? Yes, sir. Young man, come on down. [snorts] Told you.

Good afternoon. Uh my name is Mario Stone with the Well, and I am so excited to hear this robust conversation concerning the movement of the properties in the mass market area. I'm grateful for the approval for both house um Brian Cely in your property and do bakery and I am grateful that we could move forward with these just get to a yes. Thank you for asking all the hard questions and all the the tenants was able to come up with good ideas and good good ways to kind of see how government work and I appreciate Miss Madden for moving this this um conversation along. So, thank you for working as a good, wonderful government entity to make things happen for our citizens in our community. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. All right. Any other members of the audience that would like to make a comment? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I oppose. Same. All three have unanimously [clears throat] passed today. Unbelievable. Unbelievable. [applause] I think it's a Christmas miracle. [laughter] We have one more CRA item which is determination of a redevelopment agreement, a bank acquisition and redevelopment agreement.

Okay. Uh I I'll introduce this one. Uh [clears throat and cough] back in in May of 2022, the city commission and the CRA entered into an acquisition and redevelopment agreement with Onyx Investments 2 LLC for the development of a multif family and retail office mixeduse development with an associated parking garage on an approximately 1 and a half acre [snorts] CRA owned property uh north of Oak Street, east of Tennessee Avenue, south of Peace Street, and west of Kentucky Avenue. and Patrick. I think there may be a map on the next page that shows where this property is. I'm sure you're all well aware of where this is. I think just to the west across [clears throat] Tennessee Avenue is is McKill Academy, which it's my understanding they you use this current parking lot for for parking. [snorts] uh under this under the agreement issued entered into in May of 2022 uh the uh property there a closing was to have occurred on the sale of this property within 30 days of the satisfaction of all closing conditions but no later than 12 months following the effective date of the agreement which again was in May of 2022. Uh the agreement did allow

[clears throat]

uh the developer to extend that closing date twice uh for free and then provided that the the closing date could be extended beyond that uh upon for for 30 days each upon the developer paying a $10,000 extension fee. And that has occurred a number of times. uh by my count at least eight 18 times there's been a payment of $10,000 to extend the closing date. The last extension payment was made December 9th of 2024. I think there was a meeting with Onyx uh and city staff in May of 2025. Uh but but there has not been a extension payment as a result of that meeting. Uh [sighs] because of the lack of progress, the lack of the the payment of of extension payments, it is staff's recommendation that we terminate the agreement with Onyx and then at at the appropriate time reissue an RFP for a new development project on that property.

Motion for approval and a second. Is there a second? Second. Second. Okay. Discussion. Um before we go into discussion, let me let you go ahead and make a presentation. That would be great.

Thank you. U I'm Arjun Chri. I'm I'm with the Onyx group and I'd like to kind of take at least three four minutes and just kind of you know paint a little bit of a picture with respect to you know what's happened since we signed the agreement in May of 2020 uh 2022. So, [snorts] just to kind of, you know, summarize, um, Onyx is invested about $2 million in this project, and it it was proposed to be a sevenstory premium multif family development project, uh, in downtown Lakeland. There are six members of our team here, including our CEO and our chief operating officer who right behind me. From the perspect from our perspective, the history as we see it, uh, Oak Street site that was already taken out to RFP, this was the third time it was taken out. Onyx won it and and and and you know I cite the number of the dollars spent which was the $2 million number I cited. I'm I'm just basically trying to elucidate that you know it's not been an easy project and it's been it's been challenging and I'll kind of paint a little bit of a picture deeper in in this moment. Now uh the original conceptualization of this project as it is right now was done by Alise Drumo who was with the CRA at that point of time and he left for Tampa which is where Onyx is headquartered out of. Um and then since then Valerie took it over and and did really well uh with you know working with us. We spent the money that we basically raised for this project on developing and designing the project and and getting it almost through permitting completely. uh during this time we also grew the scope uh with the blessing of the city from 150 units to 200 units and that also increased the number of affordable housing units that were at uh at the table at at that point of discussion. Uh so everyone's kind of aware of the idea that you know we had a ma massive macroeconomic adjustment. Interest rates went from you know basically 3% to like 7 8% and it it it kind of has trickled back down but not

to a point where banks have have reduced spreads and and we'll we'll chat a little bit about it in in in a second right here. But basically what that did over the last 3 years was rendered this project unviable and and I'll I'll there's something to be said about that. uh the Oak Street projects just needs more support from the CRA CRA to kind of execute the project on and and one point that I'd like to kind of you know uh make based on even the presentation that happened right before I got on here you you basically awarded three businesses back to back a 20% uh concession in the form of credits just to not affect pricing in the overall market and and not let neighborhood properties get affected. I have to kind of tell you that you know this is a $70 million project. The project's off budget by that same number for us too. It's off about 10 to 14 million is what we estimate for it to be viable. That's part of the reason that we at this point of time even despite all the progress we've made with respect to the design, the development we have a HUD housing and urban development loan conceptual approval for this project. It's moved basically as far as it can go, but it won't go any further because it's not got the right structures and elements in place for it to be financially investable for equity partners to come into the city, which is I think the intent of the the goal of the CRA. So, I would strongly recommend that this requires a deeper discussion, I wouldn't say a renegotiation, but a definite amendment. and taking it back to RFP is very counterintuitive, at least to me personally, because we've already made all this progress. There's nobody who's going to come to the table and get this project this far this quickly. And to kind of add a little bit more context to this conversation, this is not the only location that Onyx is actually solving a problem of a civil nature, which is basically developing a premier multif

family project in in a downtown setting. We're doing the exact same thing in a town called Murreey'sboro in uh in Tennessee. So, we have some context and experience in being able to help a CRA through this process. Uh I think I've made most of the points that I wanted to cover in this short uh window that you have given us to kind of present at this point of time. But I'd open it open up the conversation for any of the commissioners mayor uh to for you to kind of shoot back at us and say, you know, why didn't this happen? And and my teammates are here. they'd be happy to step in to answer any of the questions that I can't.

Arjun, let me start with the fact that we met in May and discussed [clears throat] why don't you come back with a proposal with fewer parking spaces that we provided leniency in that discussion and nothing has ever come back and payments have not been made and we also talked at that point in time in May that with this would be suppose we keep the payments which are not material to the risk that we're talking about here. I understand that, but it's a non-performance. And so if you're me sitting in that having sat in that meeting going, wh what's coming back? And nothing's coming back and we've kept this open very very long. What would the action item of commitment be from you for getting this project underway um if we were going to go forward?

So just just let me give uh uh answer the question that you asked. He asked us for uh figuring out what is it that's needed to get the project off the ground. It it was that $10 million number that that we' said even back then. Things haven't changed. In fact, they've gotten slightly better. Interest rates have fallen down by about 75 basis points since you and I last spoke in that meeting. So, you're absolutely correct. But I mean maybe it was a certain amount of earnestness that you know we were running to back to our designers and our contractors saying can you hack prices more and more and more and we did get some elements down. it was around the 12 to$13 million number and we got it down to 10. So that's where we kind of stuck and and in our attempt to kind of get it down to a point where it made a little bit easier for you because it it would have been you know hard for us to come to this table and and we're kind of happy that this is happening because this gives us the stage to level set again. It it would we didn't want to come to this point where we're basically saying hey CRA we need another $10 to 11 million. How do we solve for this on a project which is you know where where I understand that you're already contributing a significant amount which is not which is very well appreciated but the situation has changed the market's changed it's just not it's just not viable so so that's really where we are at at this point of time but to your point about uh the non-payment and non-performance it's something that we'd be willing to explore but you also encure immediately but but there has to be some kind of a conversation there has been a lack of uh communication ation with the CRA despite our best efforts. But but if I mean you've been open, you've been open.

We're open from the beginning. Yes. And and we dinner over this, [laughter]

you know, and so it's just that I've got to tell you from my standpoint, I see nothing that is a commitment and everything that is holding a space on the borders reserved with um out any benefit and we forgo the opportunity to develop with other developers that may wish to do so. and it's in a prime space for us. Um, and so my question specific, what would it take to commit to what date to break ground on this project? If you want a flatline answer, the answer is kind of what I already said. If the project scope does not change, which is 200 units with 230 parking spots back to the city in a structured parking, the delta is $10 million. Now how we come up with it we'll have to sit down and discuss but if you change the scope of the project now you know the scope of the project being if it's something else not multif family the answer is different but if the scope doesn't change it's $10 million

so what's different from today than in May when we asked to change the scope of the project and tell us what would be viable because we have burned up 3/4 of a year

yeah you're not wrong we just were looking to engineer a better answer and kind of to some extent working with the HUD bas HUD basically trying to see how much low can we lower our cost of capital things didn't change and also you know there there were rules there are rules even now that a lot of you may be aware of uh basically this is this is an opportunity zone the rules around opportunity zones are changing so we've been talking to groups that are investors in opportunity zones even when the project is in a negative yield or doesn't make money they would be interested in investing in a project like this despite everything that's that's not like you know an upside. So those were sol problems that we were looking to solve. It's not that it wasn't for a lack of trying. It was almost with for a lack of trying to a point where we couldn't come to you with the answer that you wanted to hear. But Mayor Mutz, you're not wrong, but I also tell you this that fundamentally the ask is $10 million if you're going to kind of pull the trigger on this project. Nothing's

And so is that something you can resolve within 60 days? if you open the door for us to sit down with Valerie and have a discussion about it. Absolutely. If he can get to that answer, but I you'd have to kind of, you know, the the the team here that we're talking to right now is going to change in a few days, right? So, how do we take the conversation forward? Is staff empowered to be like, you know, we're seeing this in a public setting. Is staff empowered that we kind of get work with them, figure out what we tap into to solve for that delta of $10 million? because if we solve for it, the project's an immediate go. Like everything else is just procedural at that point of time.

So just to clarify what that you're asking, you're you wanting $10 million of additional CRA incentives to make it happen

in in one form or the other if we don't change the scope. My my suggestion would be to do a hybrid solution of some sort. we cut down the scope a little bit, change the change the needs of the project a little bit and then we solve for it because the $10 million might be a big swing unless unless you tell us that's exactly what the city needs. And just one more point like we we spoke about comps, right? We spoke about comparable properties and how it affects everything else. This is an acutely different and difficult project relative to even the Carter project that's happening, you know, right at the edge of downtown. There are no comparables. When you go to a bank and tell them, "Give me $50 million for this project," they'll be like, "Okay, tell me which is the closest project that resembles this where rents are $2, $2.20 a square foot in downtown Lakeland." And there are none. We were we were going to be the first. So, this is going to require an acute amount of effort from the CRA to get it over the hump if we are serious about getting this done.

Mr. Ruth, comments? just just a couple again for the record. Brian Ruis, Community and Economic Development. So where the 10 million additional CRA investment is concerned, the commitment that is already reflected in the agreement that that the CRA approved in May of 2022 and I worked very closely with Elise Drumo in Arjun to get that agreement across the finish line between the reinvestment of the sale proceeds in the project to $1.8 8 million the TIFF which is 5 years at 80% and another 5 years at 60%. So so rebating the increment tax revenue that comes off of the project once it was completed and 20 years of leasing back the public parking spaces that were to be replaced in the structured parking garage equates to about $9 million. So now you're saying we need to go from $9 to $19 million of CRA incentive to make the project viable. I don't see us doing that without readvertising the project and seeing that competitor developers [clears throat] are telling us this is the only way to make it work under those development terms. Same thing with revising the scope. If we're going to pull out significant numbers of units or replaced structured parking spaces, that to me is a substantial change to the development program that was contemplated when we solicited proposals, when we accepted proposals, and when we negotiated the agreement that this commission acting as the CRA approved in April of 2022. So to go back and try to change it materially now without advertising and giving other developers a chance to compete for that project probably gets us in legal trouble. But I'll let Palmer speak to

that. Sure. I I mean I I would echo what you said. I think it's not just a a business issue, but it is a legal issue to change the the terms of that RFP to that extent. That is significant.

Uh Commissioner Music. Yeah, we we've talked about this in a broad sense on the LDDA as as it's come up and the the the project because I mean having seen the the renditions I mean an absolutely just beautiful beautiful property. What what frustrates me has been um and I have very little experience with this but what has frustrated me has been the length of time that we've had no communication. We've had no real feedback. Now, when we have a termination, now we want to re renegotiate or retalk. And I just I don't have an appetite for that. Commissioner Loland,

I just want to echo the same thing. My biggest thing is when I heard you speak on Friday, that sort of resonated with me that you went and took it upon yourself to try to mediate it, find that common ground. And I thought that's that's not usually what most mayors do. I thought that was pretty pretty nice. But then the whole point in time, I've always lived by one onus. If you don't pay your rent or you don't make your payments, it's pretty much a done deal with me. It wasn't a lack of trying. Uh but we did try to reach out. It's been more than [clears throat] a year without payment. Correct. About a year. Yes. I would pick someone if they owed me three months worth of rent.

I just wanted to Is it okay? Um Ally Wald um with Onyx Group um the COO, but also I worked pretty intimately on this project. uh for the last two and a half to three years. So, I understand you guys thinking, "Hey, let's go out for another developer. They may have better ideas, but I just wanted to let you know a little bit about what this process has been like. As you all probably know, we initially worked with Steve Boington, who's longtime Lakeland resident, very invested in downtown, and we worked with his team, his young architects who live and work in the city. We spent, you know, basically a year coming up with this design, working closely with Valerie. um to have a design that you know we were working with a contractor. Um and the cost just it didn't work with this podium design with everything that we were trying to do going seven floors. Um people were concerned about that structure and we spent that's this is where the extensions began. Um as we mentioned we have taken investment money that we've put into this put everything that we had towards it. um and when it didn't work with that cost um and as some of you know you know Steve had [clears throat] since retired um we started exploring the HUD option and in doing so obviously you need HUD kind of certified architects contractors so we actually started all over again with a HUD certified architect architect with another contractor um came up with a new scope two different options one to do a six-story parking garage and wrap um and then another one to do like a podium parking. We went down two different roads um and working with at that point with the CRA, with Valerie, with HUD um to get to the fact that it still was not viable even with a an a different a different architect tweaking the design,

tweaking the cost, tweaking the efficiency, trying two separate parking situations to do some type of structure parking in there. So the effort and I I understand you know the lack of communication since we got to that point and again couldn't save the cost. Um just so you know we've been operating entirely on our own with all of these extensions. This is we were out of any investment money. This is just us as a company which is essentially a small business. I mean that's what we are just like anyone else. We've put our own money into this to do all these extensions. and we got to the point where, you know, it was challenging and we were still working on it behind the scenes as far as the communication and the the channels and avenues, the reaching out. Maybe we didn't have the right answer or didn't say the right thing to get um to get that dialogue with the CRA and we apologize for any part we had in that but we were as Arjun said the lack of communication on your side was more our side trying to figure out what can we present how can we make this work since the conversation about the parking we tried to take out a floor of the parking maybe that would work and it still doesn't work that structured parking is the most expensive part of any of this like if there was separate garage, we could make the housing work and lease back. There's there's things that are kind of out of the box we could try. And I think that was what that meeting was about. But to kind of act like it's it's an advantage to go to another developer. I mean, we have actually worked on this very hard for 3 years. And like I said, two different contractors, two different architects, and two different concepts of a parking as well. [clears throat] So, I'm saying we are way ahead of what anybody else is going to think they can do. I mean, everybody thinks they can do something until they really dig into it, which is what we've done. So, again, our our our biggest issue was not following through on the payments that were literally coming out of our pocket as we were just trying to scramble to say, "Hey, can we

renegotiate these extensions in some way? We've put in $25,000 um at this at this point." And, you know, just separate from any investor money um plus some other things. I mean, we were paying architects. We're paying all of that out of our pocket to try to get this this project going. So, from a commitment standpoint, I just wanted to let you guys know that we have been working on it a long time. And like I said, I don't think anybody's going to be be as invested. We were designing it with local artists with murals to try to tie into the to the market with just looking at what your town really wanted um as far as a concept. So that's all I wanted to say is, you know, I I know it looks bad on us not to have done the extensions, but we really are committed to the project and we have been trying to find answers to make it work. So that's all I wanted to say. [clears throat]

I appreciate your comments and listen, I want you to know that we are big advocates of you guys. um we wanted this to work uh well and I think the difficulty for us is that on a restructure just to our city attorney's comments we've got to do another RFP and so that's really what you have to address here because from our standpoint um without some kind of a specific that we can go to bat and do this

yeah I mayor [clears throat] I I just request you not to take that decision right now because two reasons one something that happened in Lakeland we increased the scope without changing the RFP parameters like you know that was that's one thing that's happened we are going through the exact same exercise in Murphy'sboro Tennessee their attorneys are working creatively to look for answers also and it was the same process it was an RFP so there are solutions out there I I mean we'll have to just sit down with Palmer and figure out maybe we put them in touch with the attorneys at Murphy'sboro and figure them figure that out like I I'll tell you give you an example from you know technology sourcing in in in in governments there's something called a cooperative agreement which a vendor like Kerasoft uses you you can fly under like you don't need to you know you don't violate any rules. I 100% I'm sure that there's a solution out there that that can be solved. If if we have your blessing and support, the commission's blessing and support, we still have a path forward. And and Mike, I I I the what you said in terms of communication, I I I I have documented proof that, you know, have multiple unrespond unresponded emails sent to the CRA requesting a conversation that didn't happen. Not throwing anybody under the bus, but because it's come to a point where this is being discussed publicly, I have to say it.

Okay. Um, Commissioner Mloud first, then music.

Thank you, Mayor. Uh, I don't get excited about reissuing the RFP. I don't think any any of us would, but at the same time, it can't be stuck in what feels like a perpetual limbo where we don't know what's happening. So, I would say I could go for 30 days for y'all to come back and show us what that path forward looks like. So, I think the frustrating part is we haven't known it. It seems like it's gone quiet on your end and and when you're trying to figure out what's happening on that lot, but also answer questions when constituents say, "Hey, you approved this back on this date. What is happening?" And and we start to think, "I don't know. I haven't heard anything in a while." So, I'm hopeful, but I think cautiously hopeful that we can find a path forward on this one. That would be my

Let let and I would concur with that. I mean, I don't want to have to start over. I mean, I think that that's and and if legally there's a way that we can do it again. It's all about timelines and communication may not have been responded, but the check still should have been in the mail. Um, you know, so I think that that one doesn't necessarily have to do with the other. Um, even if you're trying to to work a different deal. So, I would 100% get behind that and could probably even stretch the time a little bit. Um but but I I I you know that's where we have to lean on the team and say we really have to push this. What would a little bit be?

I would I mean I don't I think 60 days is is the amount that I would be willing to go um just because we have the holidays, we have some things coming up and I know communication could be tough. So Mr. Loland, I like hearing both of this, but the biggest thing I'm stuck on is that they're not current. I think if you want 60 days, you get current. You make it current, we give you the 60 days.

Well, hi, my name is Dwan Patel. I'm the CEO. I have a question in regards to the payment. So, we did make an attempt to after we talked to Mayor Muntz and Sean, we uh we went back sent an email to I sent an email to the CRA. Now, the payments are the payments, but if we're going to make the payments, if we're if we just need to be simply told that we can't keep putting capital at risk if if it's going to have to go back out to an RFP because of what we believe is is a modification that's going to be needed in terms of the structured parking. So, we're going to put out whatever amount of dollars there are to be told, hey, it's going to go back out to an RFP. We simply just wanted a sit down conversation to say, okay, look, we're going to have to go back out to an RFP. That's just what legally has to happen here because what makes the project feasible is to reduce the structured parking count.

Well, with all due respect though, what makes it feasible is honoring both sides of that contract. You're asking for us for an extension, but you're telling you're not you're telling me that you don't want to current? No. No. I'm simply asking for a clarification in a onetoone meeting. That's what we were asking for. So, if we were going to be told, guys, it's going to be, you know, make the payments current and then we can discuss if there's modifications, then that was something we could have taken away and can make a decision on. Commissioner Madden,

thank you, Mayor, and thank you for coming today. Um I was in the meeting when we uh voted for Onyx to I was on the CRA board at that time and uh you know we got a lot of uh criticism for going with Onyx uh because some of our local uh builders thought thought it was ridiculous to ask for the affordable housing and the parking and they said that the the dollars would never work out. And so I think what our city attorney is pointing to is to then take out the structured parking now when we had other people participate in the RFP at the beginning who said that's a deal breaker. We can't make it. We can't offer affordable housing and parking on that block. I mean it's just impossible. They were saying what you're saying back when we had the RFP, but you said you thought it was possible. So, I think what you're saying is I can't continue paying and sinking more money into something that is legally um prohibitive. If it's legally prohibitive to at this juncture modify your deal to take out the structured parking, you don't want to put any more money and lose any more money, which I totally understand. So, if that was what you were kind of waiting for, you said the deal difference is $10 million. In my mind, I'm thinking, is that 30,000 a space for 330 parking spaces?

Essentially, that's right. Yeah, 30,000 a spot for about 230 240 spots. Okay. And how many do you need for your actual units? 238 for 240 units. Okay. So, how would you on other deals do parking if you didn't do structured parking? and seeing that your property is limited to that space, how if you had a magic wand, how would you restructure this to be able to be affordable for your invest investors?

So, I mean, outside of the city not requiring us to have parking for them, we could probably make it work with just the required parking on a podium of one level and surface with the uh 24 units that we uh plan to do. So you could cover your 240 unit parking within the structure, but you could not offer community parking back for what you lost in the purchase of the property.

That's definitely a big factor towards us not being able to get the project off the ground is the structured parking requirement for the for the city. So ba basically and we we don't know if other people other contractors have magic math or or can do this you know more affordably with the incentives that are on the table. You know what it sounds like is about $10 million from this with TIFF and with um the property being reinvested into the the structure. So I do think that we need a community conversation and we are the CRA right now but we also have a CRA as advisory board. I think a couple things need to be established. We have to know legally. It sounds like we can't just say, "Oh, well, it's too expensive. Let's take the structured parking off because then we'll have the backlash of saying, well, well, anybody, we all would have participated in this project, you know, and won it if we didn't have to do the parking. We knew that was impossible from the beginning." Is that kind of what you're saying, uh, city attorney?

That's correct. And and and in addition to that, and Brian or [clears throat] Valer can speak to this, I think it was an essential part of this deal that we not displace parking from a kill that we somehow provide parking for them. I mean, I don't think they have anywhere to go with their parking. So, I mean, that's a very significant change to the deal. It it absolutely is. There are 150 surface parking spaces. Half or more of them are leased. So we were going to displace them for construction and we were working feverishly with Mackielle to see that through. And so to and and and in in the in terms of the requirements when we solicited proposals for development of the Oak Street surface parking lot, it may not have been requirement number one, but it was in the top three and that is replacement of the 150 surface parking spaces on that lot. So we we were not willing as a CRA staff advisory board or CRA board to give that up to incentivized development of this project. And we actually solicited proposals for it once prior before COVID hit. Um, and so we're as reticent as any of you to go for round three, but based on the discussion here that today, I was going to say this morning, but we we've seen the morning pass us by, I don't see a path to get this done legally if our only options are double the CRA investment andor remove the critical terms of the development program that were part of the agreement. And this agreement with all respect to Onyx was not coerced. They signed on the dotted line the same as your approval as the CRA was in 2022 said these are the terms of the agreement. And so I understand

the practical application of not paying $10,000 closing extension payments monthly. But making those payments was not so that you could talk to us. It was because that's what you agreed to do, to extend those closing deadlines every single month after the initial ones ran out. Thank you. Anyone else? I I just appreciate the sentiment of of additional time to discuss it, but I don't want to hold out false hope. I just don't see how that works.

Okay. And so how would in good faith the CRA deal with developers like this who have gone through the due diligence and then seeing the market change if it's an impossibility to do it? We're going to modify the RFP and then people will apply but but it's certainly a value to know the research that's gone into this and how much it would actually cost to build a project like this. How are we going to take that into consideration if we go out for another RFP on what we are trying to solicit uh other than what we have uh with with Onyx?

Well, I I think I think probably at a minimum our expectation of the necessary level of CRA investment to see the minimum terms of a development happen maybe gets [clears throat] higher. But thinking back to 2022, even that $9 million cumulative CRA commitment did not come without criticism, not just from competitor developers, but from members of this body, that that was too much, that that was too high a price to pay. And now we learn that it's not even half as much as is needed to deliver that program,

that project. So, but what I'm saying is it it seems like unless we have fairy dust that the project's not viable. So, what are we going to do? We have a parking lot. The mackle needs parking. We need public parking on that side of of downtown. I mean, we need structured parking sooner rather than later, not just to replace Mackil's, but for other businesses down there that don't have parking. So, I'm just curious where that leaves us as with regard to CRA master planning. Is there another lot? Could an Onyx person build on another lot that doesn't have all the requirements of affordable housing and parking? You know, where do we go from here?

Yeah. So where this site is concerned, if and when there's no longer an agreement with Onyx and we're ready to advertise for new proposals, we will structure the requirements for the scope for that development based on what you know our expectation is of the minimum requirements. The advisory board and the commission obviously acting as the CRA will have input on that. But then we go out for competitive proposals and maybe we find out that yes, in order to get what we feel like is absolutely a dealbreaker for that lot, it's going to cost a lot more to get it, but to take this developer, and again, no disrespect towards Onyx at all, but to say, okay, now four years later, everything has changed and so we should just double the CRA's investment and consider changing the requirement ments of the development is going to see other developers it protest at best litigate at worst

and and frankly if we do a new RFP and you have the work done that you have invested in it you can apply for that RFP and you'll be far ahead of other people in terms of being able to do so. So that's that's another scenario. I just don't see this as a way to be able to preserve the option that exists today when it hasn't been activated or clearly communicated. Um and and we haven't even been faithful to the contract. And so uh with great respect for the organization and the and the team, it's non-performance and a problem that has to be resolved and another and the only way to do that fairly is with a new RFP which requires a termination of this contract.

We did have a a citizen to speak. Okay. Yes. Go ahead. Thank you.

Thank you. Um Frank McCauley, I'm with Trinity Presbyterian Church. Uh so one block adjacent also on the board of Mackil Academy the block next door but mainly speaking as a donut eater um we desperately if you've been to the market lately it's beautiful it's amazing um there is nowhere to park uh so I just want to say um you know it felt like uh we compromised with no bay uh long ago um we let parking out of that deal. Um, and we're paying the price today for that decision. It's okay. It's fine. Uh, we have residents downtown, which is amazing. It's fantastic. But somehow we need structured parking down there. Um, and I don't know if if we have 9 million, I think Winter Haven's going to get one for 10. So,

let's let's do something. You know, Frank, you might be on to something. I think maybe we should just use the 10 10 million to build the parking garage on that lot. Yes, sir.

Yes. Thank you sir. So it it's interesting that a citizen is saying that we actually propose that as an option that you know either we come up with a $10 million and that solves for this uh this project alternatively we go to one of the neighboring sites where there's need for parking and there there's again like you know we we are working off of the feedback that we're getting from the city that is also a little conflicted. We when we proposed this I I heard the answer that there is no need for parking like flat out and that never went anywhere which is where we felt like we what are we doing here there's no answer to this problem so so I I would still request you that you know give us another 60 days this is what needs to be figured out the last 30 seconds 40 seconds of this conversation where does the parking need to sit is really the problem our CEO said it in in one sentence because he summarized it and and to some extent oversimplified it. Parking is the issue. We need it and and and as the owners of that building also, one of the biggest issues if we don't give the residents parking right under their building or at least like next to the building, they're not going to pay top dollar which defeats the purpose of of the CRA where you know you don't have premier uh housing in in downtown Lakeland then. So, I'd leave it at that

and that and that can be part of the RFP consideration reconsideration is multiple uses and that's part of what they can do. All right. Any other community or or uh audience comments? Yes. And Commissioner Bill, I think we need to listen to our attorney. You [clears throat] know, he's he's he's going to lead us in the right direction and I think that's the only way we can do is a new RFP and be done with it. All right. So, in that case, um, we can vote on this. And if you're voting yay, it is to terminate, which would then solicit an RFP. Okay. A new RFP or ultimately opens the window to solicited [clears throat] it isn't an action required by Okay. Uh, Commissioner Mloud,

no. Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait. Just to make sure. So, voting for yes is to terminate the contract. Voting no is not to terminate. This is not a roll call vote. It's a voice vote. Oh, voting yes is to terminate the contract. Yes. Vote is terminate the contract. Okay. If you're in favor of a 60 days, [laughter] what was the motion? I thought he made the motion to I thought the motion was to approve the recommendation, which is a termination. Motion, right? I second it. The conversation that we just that that we had had back and forth was do we want to extend? But that is not the motion. That's not the motion unless this is to terminate the mo to terminate the onyx agreement.

Terminate the deal. Yeah. Sorry, it's we're running long here. All those all this is a voice vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. I post same. No. Okay. So one nay. One nay. Thank you. So you you were right out of the gate. Thank you. I thought so. But yes, you were. Okay. [clears throat] And without disrespect to your organization, but with respect to propriety and advancing forward and perhaps even redesign. Um, Argent, I need to have you give the speaker names, first and last names to Kelly, if you wouldn't mind. Alicia World CO A L I

A L I C I A W A L D and the CEO, Dwan Patel, D H V A N I T P A T E L. Thank you. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. That brings us to the city manager portion of our meeting and we have had two consent items in that of those five points of which were A and C. So we'll go to item B.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh good afternoon. I have three items for presentation. The first item is a regarding a purchase order with the redesign group for hardware upgrades and extended support for the city's virtual server infrastructure. Uh the uh vendor here, Redesign Group, is a uh Dell recommended reseller for upgrade and support renewal of the city's virtual server infrastructure known as VX Block. Uh this is the hardware platform that hosts most of the city's virtual servers and is a critical part of the city's information technology infrastructure. The proposal will replace key hardware components and extend support for the system for an additional 2 years. This additional investment to extend the life of the system will provide a cost-effective alternative to the replacement of the entire system while reducing the overall annual cost of the system from over $1 million annually to uh just over $500,000 annually. The total estimated cost of the 2-year contract is $1,64,54 which is included in the FY26 hardware replacement budget. The uh purchasing division has approved uh this for a cooperative uh purchasing uh program through the state of Florida and the recommendation is that the city commission authorized the is issuance of the purchase order as presented.

And before you do before you do I want to give you the excitement to know that we are back as a city commission and I eliminate our CRA meeting which I failed to do as we open up this new commission meeting portion again. So now what? Motion to approve. Second. Um uh okay. Any discussion by commissioner? Discussion by commissioners. Anybody by any members of the audience? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I oppose. Same. Unicely passes. You're [clears throat] fast compared to the rest of us.

The uh next uh the next item is a task authorization with Atkins Realis. This is for design, permitting, and construction services for phase one construction for the southeast quadrant water main extension at the airport. and then uh required corresponding appropriations. The southeast quadrant water main extension project is broken down into four distinct phases. Phases 2A uh through 2C will extend the water man further into the southeast quadrant of the airport. While phase three will replace the existing aging 6in water man alongside Airside Center Drive and it will upsize it to a 12-in water man. combined these improvements will complete the looped system and enhance domestic and fireflow capacity. Uh this task authorization with Atkins Realis would be in the amount of $231,900 and includes an appropriate scope of work. Um the task authorization with Atkins Realis would be procured under the city's continuing contract provisions. Additionally, staff seeks to appropriate funds from the water utilities for the construction of phase one of the southeast quadrant water main extension project in the amount of $230,000. Um this scope of work will be completed under the existing task authorization with registered construction and engineering and that was for the construction of an aircraft maintenance facility and would be procured then under a provision for a city's continuing contract. The total cost for the design, permitting, and construction phase services of phases 2 A, 2 B, 2 C, and three along with the construction of phase 1 is $461,900. Staff request approval of appropriate uh

two appropriate uh appropriate funds from the water utility in the amount of $461,900. The airport will reimburse water utilities for its share of the project cost in the amount of $369,140. This will be accomplished through an internal loan fund at 4% interest. Repayment of the internal loan will occur through annual repayments of $45,511 and that will be for a term of 10 years which will commence in May 2026. uh water utilities will fund the phase 3 portion of the design directly in the amount of $92,760 and all necessary appropriations have been included in the uh agenda item. So staff recommends that the commission authorize the appropriate city officials to execute the task authorization with Atkins Realis uh for the purposes uh presented and um and the airport uh this is for the water main extension at the airport again in the amount of $231,900 and then authorize all the required uh appropriations.

Motion to approve. Second. Second. A motion to approve and a second from uh Commissioner Mloud. Um the discussion by commissioners. Any by any members of the audience? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Oppose. Same. Unanimously passes.

All right. The last item that I have is regarding an amendment which is known as amendment number one uh to a contract with Atkins Realis. This is for professional engineering services. This is for the taxiway a shoulders project at the airport. This amendment uh in the amount of $458,653 is for professional engineering services for the addition of 30 ft 30 foot wide paved shoulders along the existing taxi way A between runway 5 through 23 or 523 and taxiway A1. Uh designed by Atkins Realis under their existing contract. This amendment includes bidding support and construction phase services consisting of providing professional services and technical support to include resident project representative uh services. A time allotted for this phase of the project is 165 days. Atkins realis was awarded this contract through an RFP uh in December of 2024 at a not to exceed cost of $1,9,140. This amendment number one will increase the total project cost by $458,653 or 45%. Having now received additional grant funding from the FAA for the construction phase of the project, staff is requesting approval to execute this amendment number one in order to pay for the remaining services that were awarded to Atkins Realis pursuant to the RFQ. The total cost for the professional services will be1,467,793 uh for which funding is through FAA grants, an FDOT grant and also from airport surplus funds and that will be allocated with an FAA grant being uh $1,321,13.

The FDOT aviation work grant is in the amount of $73,389. And then the airport surplus portion will also be in the amount of $73,389. So the recommendation is to approve me amendment number one to the contract as presented. Move for approval. Second a motion and a second discussion by commissioners. Any by any members of the audience? This is I agree. I agree. I just I just thinking that that's all. I'm just I'm sorry. Any uh comments by anyone in the audience? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppos. Same. You unanimously passes. Thank you.

That brings us then back to city attorney um for a first reading item 7 A1. One ordinance, one ordinance for first reading uh this afternoon. This will be read by title only. We'll come back for a public hearing consideration adoption on January 5th. That is proposed ordinance number 25-052. An ordinance relating to the Lakeland area mass transit district making findings approving the inclusion of certain lands located within the city of Lakeland within the boundaries of the Lakeland area mass transit district providing for severability providing an effective date. Again, that will come back for a public hearing and consideration of adoption on January 5th. Thank you. That takes us item B1.

Good afternoon. Ramona Serani from the city attorney's office. have an agreement with Walpert, Inc. This is for development of an airport business plan for Lakeland Linder International Airport. Uh this plan would be an updated plan that would be consistent with general aviation airport business plans and the Florida General Aviation Airport business plan guide book. The airport's existing business plan was completed back in 2014 and all recommendations contained in that previous plan have now been fully executed and incorporated. So, the airport is now seeking to develop an updated business plan to address the airport's continuing growth. The intent of the business plan is to provide a detailed analysis of the airport's business opportunities, its financial health, operating and operating uh structure to assist airport staff in identifying key target areas for future growth and continued improvement of the airport property. Uh to address that need, the city's purchasing department issued a request for proposal back in August of this year. We received three proposals. Uh upon receipt of those proposals, the city's selection committee uh selected Walpert, Inc. as best capable uh of meeting the needs of the airport in consistent with the RFP. Um part of this uh proposed scope of work that will will include the key components include a mission a mission, vision, and values. uh addressing those things, a SWAT analysis that includes strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Uh current and future business uh opportunities for the airport, as well as a financial analysis of budgeting, which includes budgeting and accounting and controls. Uh a comprehensive review of the airport's debt structure and future funding app

opportunities for capital improvement projects. uh review of the airport operating structure and government as well as the econ economic impact to the overall uh community. The term of the agreement will be effective uh upon city commission approval and that will continue for a 12-month period. The total cost of Walpert services is $345,000. However, that funding is in part 50% of that funding is provided by a Florida Department of Transportation public transportation grant agreement in the amount of 172,500 that was previously approved by the city commission back in May of this year. The remaining 50% of the project cost would be provided from unappropriated surplus of the airport's operating fund and that is in the amount of 172,500. That amount was also previously approved by the city commission on May 19th, 2025. So we are recommending uh city commission approve this agreement with Walpert, Inc. for the development of an updated airport business plan and authorize the appropriate city officials to execute all corresponding documents as well.

Move for approval. Second. A motion and a second. Discussion by commissioners. Uh any by any members of the audience? This is an important next step in our airports. um you know just honing getting better at everything that they do and so we're very very grateful for that opportunity. All those in favor signify by saying I oppose same unanimously passes. Thank you. Item two of consumed I'm sorry. It was taken off. Item two.

All right. Item two is the termination of the uh agreement uh with the FDOT and CSX for the New York Avenue pedestrian overpass project. Uh back in June of of this year, uh those parties enter into an agreement. CSX agreed to allow FDOT to construct an overpass over New [snorts] York Avenue over their railroad tracks in New York Avenue. So the the DOT was going to pay for that and then once they finished the construction, the city was going to take take over that project and maintain and and accept all liability for that overpass. Uh shortly after it entered into this agreement, the Florida legislature and the governor uh remove the funding for this project and uh there's a non-appropriation clause in the contract in favor of the DOT which says they can cancel the contract if if there's no money. So because of that deappropriation, uh the DOT is is is exercising their right to cancel this uh agreement and it's recommended that the the the city commission approved that and you really don't have a whole lot of discretion.

Right.

Well, and and listen, we took this off consent because we wanted because this is a disappointment and our uh Mr. Barby has worked so hard on this along with others to make this happen. And it's not that we're quitting, it's that it's it's a pause for now. And but we wanted people to be aware because of the long-term desire to build a bike path through the city for both bikes and pedestrians. Uh this is an interruption and of anticipation and hopefully it can work together for good for some other uh modified um um modification that may occur in the future. But as of the present time, um, our need is to pass a motion to accept FDOT's decision.

Do we have a motion? No. Oh, move to approve. Second. And a second. Uh, discussion by commissioners. Discussion by any members of the audience. Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I

oppose. Same. Unanimously passes or unanimously is accepted. I'm going to rephrase that. Okay. [snorts and clears throat] Then that brings us to item three. Uh Ramona Serriani from the city attorney's office. This is an agreement with Genuine Parts Company doing business as Napa Auto Parts uh to serve as the integrated on-site supplier of automotive motive parts for the city. Uh we are seeking services for for Napa to serve as the in-house parts store to manage the purchase of inventory and issuance of any fleet related parts, materials, and other items which include fluids and tires. The city is would be purchasing these services from Napa pursuant to the Hillsboro County Sheriff's Office request for proposal 20124-17. Um, the Napa has been serving currently as our on-site supplier of automotive parts since 2010. This in-house store eliminates the need for parts, material procurement, inventory management, parts management staff, and inefficiencies with tasking technicians with parts research and procurement instead of repairing vehicles. So instead, Napa is using its own staff on the on the in staffing for the on-site store with its own personnel. By utilizing this, the city benefits from a variety of improved efficiencies. The technology that Napa has will interface with the city's fleet software systems to help reduce uh pricing and markups uh since Napa has national buying power. In addition, the city is able to take advantage of cost reductions through agreements between Napa and other companies for non-Napa parts as well. Uh the term of this agreement shall be effective January 1st, 2026, and that's subject to city commission approval. It will continue

through September 16th, 2029 and that includes also five additional one-year uh renewal periods and that would be upon mutual written agreement of the parties. All the terms and conditions will be consistent with the Hillsboro County uh sheriff's integrated business solutions master agreement dated September 17, 2024 as well as the attached corresponding addendum with Napa. Uh consistent with the city's existing agreement with Napa, billing will occur at the same initial 10% gross profit rate for monthly material purchases and inventory issuance. uh operational costs for delivery vehicles, computers, and other materials will continue to be built at cost. Currently, the city's purchases with Napa of total approximately $2.8 million per year. that's contained in Fleet's FY26 budget uh which will be obviously subject to uh approval by the city commission and any additional renewals if the parties choose to exercise those will be subject to budget approval by the city commission in subsequent budget years as well. So, we are recommending that the city commission approve the agreement with Napa to provide uh the as the on-site supplier for the automotive parts for city vehicles and also authorize the appropriate city officials to execute all corresponding documents consistent the agreement.

Move for approval. Second discussion by commissioners. Any by any members of the audience? All those signify by saying I. All those same unanimously passes. X.

Good afternoon. Alex Landbeck for the city attorney's office. This is an agreement with Bentley Systems Incorporated for the purchase of software subscription under the enterprise 365 public sector program. This proposed agreement is for a three-year software subscription. Um, the multi-year purchase order will be governed by the EPS 365 program agreement as amended and most recently approved by the city commission on December 16th, 2024. The city uses uh utilizes this software across multiple departments including water utilities, electric and public works primarily for the support design, modeling and asset management activities related to roads, wastewater, water systems and other infrastructure. The proposed purchase order provides 88 software licenses covering seven applications. Purchasing department has approved Bentley as a sole source provider for these software products. The three-year software agreement uh subscription will be effective January 1, 2026 and run through December 31st, 2028 upon city commission approval. Total cost for the subscription is $455,945. And the first year cost of 144,630 is included in the Department of Information Technologies FY26 budget. Uh funding for the two uh years two and three will be subject to f future budget approval. Uh by entering into a multi-year subscription, it is estimated to save the city about 224,000 over current market pricing for annual renewals. Is recommended the city commission approve this agreement with Bentley Systems and authorize the appropriate city officials to execute all necessary agreements. Move for approval.

Second. Motion to approve and a second. Discussion by commissioners. Discussion by any members of the audience. Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose. Same. Unanimously passes. Item number five.

Uhi from the city attorney's office. The next item we have is a lease agreement with Appraisal Central, Inc. This is for the lease of 3,000 square feet of hanger space that's located on the south side of the airport and also on the eastern side of what is the airside center. Um, appraisal center central has been attended at the airport since 2012 and has occupied that same space. That existing lease agreement expired at the end of November of this year. So, Appraisal Central is now requesting to enter into a new lease agreement to continue leasing that same space. This uh new lease agreement would be for an initial term of 5 years with a retroactive effective date of December 1st, 2025, subject to city commission approval. It also contains two additional one-year renewal options upon mutual written agreement of the parties. The base rent for the first year of the lease is $1,317.50. 50 per month or $15,810 annually. And then beginning on December 1st, 2026, base rent will be subject to a 2.5% uh increase. And that 2 and 12% increase will also carry through to uh each subsequent uh renewal period as well. These are consistent, the annual rent as well as the 2 and 12% increases are consistent with other uh lease agreements for similar spaces located in this area of the airport. Uh in accordance with the lease, the airport will also be responsible for paying for all utilities including electric water, wastewater, storm water refuge collection, and heating and air. So, we are recommending that the city commission approve the lease agreement with appraisal central and authorize the appropriate city officials to execute all corresponding documents uh with the consistent with the lease terms.

Move for approval. Second. Discussion by commissioners. Discussion by any members of the audience. Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose. Same. Unanimously passes.

Number seven. The next agreement we have is with Hubard Construction Company. This is for the construction of paved shoulders along taxiway A of the airport. This project is necessary to bring taxiway A into compliance with FAA design standards and in accordance with FAA advisory circular TDG5 taxiways require this 30 foot wide paved shoulder. So, in accordance with the requirements needed, the city's purchasing department issued an invitation to bid in May of this year for construction services, uh, the city only received one bid, which was from Hubard Construction Company based in Winter Park, Florida. Uh the airport's engineer of record, Atkins Realis, along with airport staff, evaluated Hubard Construction uh company's bid and determined that it met all of the city's uh requirements in the bid and selected uh Hubard Construction Company to do the construction services and are re recommending that uh the company's scope of work will include the installation of a 30 foot wide paved shoulder along taxiway A from runway 523 to taxiway A1. In addition to that work, the project will also include installation of new LED taxi way, edge lighting, air for airport airfield directional signage, storm water drainage convey conveyances, pavement markings and also grading of air airfield infield areas as well as installation of sod. The term of the agreement would be uh effective upon city commission approval. We anticipate construction taking approximately 165 days. The total cost for the construction services is 6,825,96725. That funding, however, for the project

will be provided through FAA grants, an FOT grant, as well as through airport surplus funds and are allocated as follows. The FAA airport improvement pro program grant will provide for 3,761,17.95 of funding. An FAA program grant will provide for $2,723,560.93 of funding. The F DOT aviation work program grant will provide for $170,649. And then air plus surplus airport surplus will provide for $170,649.37 cents. Uh the city commission previously previously approved and accepted the FAA airport improvement program and program and IJA program grants in September of this year. And then the F.Aviation work program grant was also previously approved by the commission back in April. So, no additional appropriations are being requested at this time. We are recommending approval of the agreement with Hubard uh construction company for the construction of the paved uh shoulders along taxiway A as well as the additional work mentioned and we're asking that they authorize the appropriate city officials to execute all documents in accordance with the agreement.

Move for approval. Second. Um discussion by commissioners, Commissioner Madden.

Thank you. Uh, [clears throat] so I don't know if this is for Chris or Ramona, but aren't, you know, when you first say FAA grants, you know, I wasn't clueing in on Friday, but just because it's the IGA, I felt like there are kind of some uh restrictions or strings attached with regard to when you know you're shovel ready or when the project starts is not in in what is it the infrastructure and investments job act. Um, so how how is that different? I know that that was a big um Biden administration, you know, allocation. Was that given to FAA and once it's in FAA's hands, we don't have any jeopardy of losing the grant because it's or just it made me a little reticent right there with the

Okay. Um Chris Holstran, airport director. I'm happy my legs work to get up here this afternoon. Yes, [laughter] they're not numb.

So, [clears throat] yes, there was two different grants that were given by the FAA. one with the jobs grant which was part of the Biden uh administration grants that were done quite some time ago. Um so we had to break that up which is why you saw the funding issues with the design on the previous one that we approved for Atkins to do the oversight is because it was two different grants instead of just one. Well, this was the same. We just used different pots of money. this money all once it's been allocated all the FAA projects didn't really get cut when there was some of the discussion of some of these projects that were getting removed from the the CIPs or from the grant process um the FAS didn't it really doesn't put any other changes on us it's I mean it's it's money coming in no different um we didn't have to change the way we bid or anything it's it's normal FA money to us it's just out of that bucket from the federal government

well that is fantastic news because I mean I think that There still is emphasis in this administration on the airports and air traffic control and uh you know getting us all up to speed from analog coax. Um but I did want to just ask you about that like if it had a threshold we have to start here and if we don't finish by then you know like some of the other um grants that we received. No and it's just another bucket um just like the other day we were informed that now we have commercial passenger service bucket of about a million dollars a year that we get to. So that's just another bucket that we take money out of when we're doing these projects. Wonderful. Thank you.

And I just while you're up there, Chris, I just want to compliment you and your team. Chris has led so well in terms of this. I mean, you look at we're getting $6,825,000 of a and we have a $170,000 investment in that. Uh and the poor the the need and the security to be able to do these things. even though it doesn't maybe sound like it's a big deal on taxiway, it is a big deal for visibility and and um [clears throat] uh so this is so important. So I just thank you for that leadership and keep up the great work and and thank you and it's more than just the airport, you know, with finance and Dedra. Dedra gets tired of hearing from us at the airport. So we want you to uh call her often.

Every everybody's involved, so I appreciate it. Thank you. [laughter] Thank you. Uh any other comments by commissioners? Anybody? Any members of the audience? All those in favor signify by saying I. Oppos. Same. Unanimously passes. Uh we had an appropriation decision done for the finance directors as a part of the consent. We have number seven. Whoops. Thank you very much. Am I marked wrong? Uh we now have recyclable materials which is why Jeene Gins in the room. Okay, I got it. Yes.

All right. Just uh briefly uh the [clears throat] city's contract with Republic Services of Florida uh for recycling processing is about to expire at the end of this year. So in October of this year uh solid waste issued an RFP for recycling processing services and received [clears throat] four responses. uh city staff and the city's consultant reviewed those responses and is making a recommendation that unlike previous years that we split [clears throat] uh uh recycling processing among two different vendors uh recycling services of Florida for commercial recycling and Republic Service of Florida uh as uh for residential recycling under these contracts the city's [clears throat] recycling trucks will continue to pick up the recycling from customers both residential commercial so our customers will not see a change. It's just a question of where we take the materials once we collect them. Uh so u you know we we'll take them to recycling services of Florida for commercial and republic services for uh residential. They're responsible for cleaning, sorting and then marketing those recycling products on the secondary market. We pay a fee to those vendors. they in turn pay us uh what they are able to get on the on the secondary recycling market for those materials. Uh both of the agreements are for an initial [clears throat] 5-year term uh beginning December 19th of 2025 and ending December 18th of 2030 and may be extended upon mutual written agreement of the parties for two periods of one year each. Uh importantly, each agreement allows the city to terminate without cause upon 90 days written notice. for whatever reason the resident the recycling market implodes and it's it's no longer financially uh feasible to be in that in that market we do have a fairly short termination without uh notice without cause provision in in both contracts as you [clears throat] heard on Friday uh right for for the current fiscal year

it is estimated that we're going to pay republic around around $360,000 when you consider the the the processing fee versus what the products uh procure on the secondary market and uh a net of $60,000 to Recycling Services of Florida for that same time period. Uh you have to compare that against what it would cost to take that those materials to the to the PK County landfill. Um the the cost to do that is estimated at around $276,000 for that time period. So really the net cost is around $79,000 to to recycle. And as Mr. Broar pointed out on Friday that that amount is covered uh by the recycling fees that we charge customers. Uh funding for these services are provided in the FY26 solid waste annual budget will be subject to annual appropriation and future annual budgets. So that is recommended for your approval.

Motion to approve. Motion to approve and second as Commissioner Alain. Um and discussion by commissioners. Anybody by any members of the audience? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I oppose. Same. And that [clears throat] brings us to utilities. And thank you, Ramona. We have the last two items from you.

Uh Romeo Serriani from the city attorney's office. Uh the first utility item we have is a task authorization with Geocentec Consultants. This is for the groundwater monitoring support in accordance with residual rule for the byproduct storage area out at the Macintosh power plant. Geocentech will be providing sample collection from the groundwatering monitoring wells. Semianual detection and assessment monitoring support. They'll prepare an annual groundwater monitoring corrective action report for this byproduct storage area. They'll also provide groundwater elevation contour figures and also conduct a landfill inspection of the private product storage area as well as a corresponding report and then general uh support to city staff. Upon approval by the city commission, goint will commence work. They anticipate that work being completed in January of 2027. All services pursuant to the task authorization will be done in accordance with the city's continuing contract that the city commission approved back in November of 2024. The total not to exceed cost for the work is estimated to be $186,200. And there was a point of clarification made at Friday's agenda study as well that Orlando Utilities Commission will pay $68,480 of that as a 40% owner of the property with the city paying the remaining amount which is $111,720 as the 60% owner of the property. And that portion that the city is required to pay is included in Lakeland Electric's FY2026 budget. We are asking that the city commission approve the task authorization and authorize the appropriate city uh officials to execute any corresponding documents in accordance with this to perform the services.

Move for approval. Second. Discussion by commissioners. Discussion by any members of the audience. All those in favor signify by saying I. Uh the same unanimously passes. Item two,

last item that we have is an agreement with AI-N. This is for intelligent vegetation management system for Lakeland Electric. Uh this will employ a uh software service platform to support proactive identification, prioritization, and mitigation of vegetation related risks across Lakeland Electric's transmission and distribution network. Currently, Lakeland Electric has almost 1,500 miles of overhead lines. These are often inspected on three-year trim cycles, and there are also issues with hyperrowth, trees falling, which are currently um the method employed is to utilize the city's Maximo uh system for trimwork management. However, this IVMS system will enable the vegetation management team at Ellie to utilize artificial intelligence uh driven tool for remote sensing and analytics to enhance Ellie's ability to manage the vegetation impacts on system reliability. This will be done through a comprehensive combination of satellitebased vegetation analyt analytics, multi-year planning and budgeting tools, mobile workforce workflows, and a unified uh data dashboard. This is considered to be a pilot project. So, this is a term for a one-year agreement for this pilot project which includes also four additional one-year renewal options upon mutual written agreement of the parties. That one-year cost is $99,000 uh including the four-year renewal options. Should the city determine um that it wants to exercise those, the total the total cost, including implementation, configuration, and integration would be $499,500 for a 5-year period. That first year,

$99,000 cost is included in Lakeland Electric's FY26 budget. uh remaining costs would be subject to city commission budget approval in subsequent budget years and that um implementation and configuration is anticipated to be completed in Jan by January early January of 2026. So we are asking for approval of the agreement with AI- Inc. and to authorize the appropriate city officials to execute all corresponding documents. Move for approval. Second

discussion by commissioners. This is an innovative opportunity and we love to see those kinds of things happening and look forward to seeing what the results will be like. Any comments from the audience at all? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I oppose the same unanimously passes. And that opens us up to audience comments. And those of you who are so patient that have been here um and want to make comments, just start to make your way forward. Please state your name and then you're limited to five minutes. Good afternoon. Good [laughter] afternoon. It is definitely afternoon. [gasps]

My name is Nicoia Coward and I am submitting um this formal complaint on behalf of residents and concerned community members regarding ongoing and serious issues at the Lakeland Housing Authority. Um, numerous tenants have reported a persistent pattern of neglect, intimidation, unresolved grievances, and retaliation for speaking out despite reported attempts by residents to bring these concerns to executive director Mr. Benjamin Stevenson, the board of commissioners, and the housing authorities attorney. Complaints continue to go unanswered. This has created an environment where residents fear retaliation and feel powerless due to the political insulation surrounding housing authority leadership. Um, and specific resident concerns would include the neglect of maintenance and safety issues, the prolonged delays in addressing hazardous living conditions, retaliation against residents who file complaints or speaking publicly. Failure to follow federal grievance procedures under section 24 CFR part 966. Uh intimidation of residents exercising under 24 CFR part 245 to organize or raise concerns. A lack of transparency in board decision making and communication. failure of the board of commissioners to investigate or respond despite fiduciary obligations and potential misuse or mismanagement of federal resources requiring review. Although the city commissioners appoint several board members, they have stated that their role is limited to appointment appointing. As a result, local avenues or protection of accountability have been exhausted, leaving residents

without an effective remedy. Um so we did do some requests for HUD. Um and I come today um like I have been coming um and it is always a pleasure to come and speak um not just for myself but for those in my community uh about just what's continuously going on um which is it seems to never end. So, um I don't know what I can say. I can just say that it is definitely been a battle. It has been a battle to get something done for people to act. And um I I don't know what to say um outside of this. I I honestly don't know what to say. Um, it's just disheartening that you have people in seats of power that can do something and they choose not to because of favoritism or because they're friends with others. Uh, versus catering to people that actually need. If we needed something, we come to you because we need help. We're not coming to you to be on TV to impress other people. We're coming because we simply need help. And it's disheartening when you come and you ask for help and help is not being provided. Um, so I I'm there are a lot of people being affected by this, but instead nothing's being done. Money is still being provided to an organization that's not even t catering to the people. I I just I wouldn't I wouldn't I wouldn't give any more money until issues are resolved. I wouldn't pass any I wouldn't pass anything. I wouldn't agree to signing off on anything for an organization that's not catering to the residents, to

the people in our city. And it's just disheartening. Last month, I came in here and y'all signed and y'all passed a bill or pass something for them to start new development. How about having them fix and resolve the issues in the city before signing off on a large another large lump sum of money when they already have money that is not going to the people that you have that they have money that is not is not being used for what it's supposed to be used. So why why why are you signing off to give them extra money to do what who knows what they're doing? We continue to ask for forensic audit. They continue to go around the question. They continue to ignore what everybody's asking for. And I went to a board meeting last month and simply asked for public records. I asked for if I could please have documentation in regards to false allegations that have been held against me. But yet I haven't received anything. And I haven't received any public records. I haven't received anything. So there's a lot going on. So thank you.

Thank you. Appreciate it. Anyone else?

First of all, let's let's me get something clear. I didn't come here to disrespect no one here. That's never my intention. And so I don't care how you feel about me, but that's between you and yourself. But what I'm here for is the concern of of others. And before I go any further, I want to thank you, Commissioner Guy, for your caring, your compassion about other folks uh that now you see that is not being treated right. I want to thank you, sir. Not putting you on no spot, but you the only one [clears throat] that really have really cared about the people. You the only one. So we can't even get on the agenda. We have to sit here last because they pass it down. Say they don't want to hear this. What we got to say? The FRS defend section 8 tenants after false claim threatened family stability. Florida law rise concerns that the landlord action could constitute discrimination. Well, we here today worried about a tree golf cart but not people's lives living kids being homeless. That's sad. Something is just not right when we put our trust in the ones that we have elected and then I hear the polls have a very low turnout. What do you think? You do not care about those ones. All you care about is what you cannot do. This problem with LHA is not going away.

Now, here we go in the year 2026 with the same problem that should have been addressed long time ago. And we ain't just got here. We've been here with this problem. This great city that we live in, because it's not you. What if it was you living in their condition? How would you feel? What [clears throat] if it was you? What if you and your kids were put out? You don't have no compassion for these children, lest longs when they ain't got nowhere to stay. What if it's you? I know all us on this diet and me, we pretty okay. So, we don't have to worry about all of that. I know we can handle oursel and we can speak for ourself, but what about the ones that can't? What about them? Do y'all care about [clears throat] that? Do anybody care about them ones that can't? That they are living in a condition that they don't want to live in, but they're living there cuz they have no choice and then they get kicked out because of your ego because of Lakeland Housing Authority is the best housing authority. What? It can't be. This cannot [clears throat] be. This cannot be. When is enough is enough. When is it? When is enough? We got new commissions coming on board now. So, I'm going to say to this board here, I'm not going to stop coming out cuz I sat here all day and I got a bad, very bad health condition, but my life don't mean nothing to me no more now cuz I'm going to fight harder now, even more now cuz I see where it's going. So, I might as well just give up my little life. I got to fight for these peoples. I pledge to [clears throat] refuse to represent

special interest, politicians, or to use this commission for personal gain or for gaining of friends or support. I recognize that all though I have been appointed by the who city commission. My responsibility is to the entire community. Let me rephrase that again. My responsibility is to the entire community. I think that's where we missed it at. I think we only care about those ones and not about the rest of them that live in this community. They live in too. They live here so nobody care about them. Why is it I put my life on the line for people that I don't even know nothing about? Don't even know. I mean, we can't even get a a fair shake here concerning people's lives, children lives. It's like it's okay. We're going to walk out of here. Oh, bump. What he's talking about? What about the kids? They ain't got a way to stay now. This young lady, him been evicted for no right reason, for no good reason. Right.

Thank you, sir. Anyone else? It's been a long day.

Uh my name is Michael. Um Mayor [clears throat] Mutz, me and you have been going through this for a very long time. You know, um with prayer in school, I had to beg you and beg you, when is the time, the right time for prayer in school? You said, you know, we fought about that. We fought about RP Funded Center. They don't do nothing for our kids, for our people. You guys said y'all will get rid of them, but y'all end up giving them more money. RP funding center don't nothing but give gun shows. We don't have no concerts. We made the Le Civic Center. I could name all the groups that was there. My my mother sold the property in in um Mohead for them to build the Lake Civic Center. You know what I mean? It's just And then the last time we came down here, I'm going keep it short, keep it simple. You told us to have a a barnyard meeting. Town hall meeting. Sorry about that. What is a town hall meeting? Give me your definition.

Oh, a town hall meeting is an opportunity. This ain't the Beverly Hillbillies. We ain't no town hall meetings. I mean, you got to do something. Mayor, you the mayor. You you well act the mayor cuz you just acting right now cuz Sarah is the mayor now. [clears throat] Okay. But uh I hope you do better. Okay. I could go on and on but I'm not going to waste more time. I've been praying about you not to come up here and say what I want to say to you. Okay. Yes, sir. Amen. Amen. Any other [snorts] comments? Come on up, sir. Just state your name.

Good afternoon. My name is Matt Hamilton. Before I begin, I would like to state that the views I'm here to express or my own as a city of employee or city of Lakeland resident and former employee of the city of Lakeland. They are not endorsed, expressed, or implied to be those of the Pulk County Board of County Commissioners or Pulk County Fire Rescue. I wanted to make that clear as I'm in uniform as I just left over a 50our shift at the fire department and I rushed over here to get to this meeting.

No problem. No problem. These are your own. Believe me, I would rather be here at be [snorts] at my house than addressing this commission. I'm here today to hold Lakeland Parks and Recreation leadership, city manager, and the city commissioner's office accountable. I'm not going to go into the laundry list of reasons I resigned my position last December as a lifeguard too, but with the city, but trust me, there are great many of them. I'm here today to address an incident that occurred at Gandandy Pool last March. Where am I? Uh around the time that the renovations were being completed, I was informed by a former colleague of mine that the pool was open to the public with no working pumps, filters, or automated chemical sanitation systems. In this conversation, the employee informed me that the facility have been open to the public the day before that day and would possibly open for be open for the next few days without those critical functions. These systems are required by Florida Health Code as an improperly maintained swimming pool, especially a commercial pool, presents significant public health risk. Due to this, I reached out to the PK County Health Inspector's Office. The inspector seemed to be confused that Gandy Pole was even open as he was unaware that any reopening inspection had been completed. In fact, he seemed to be under the impression that the renovation was still in progress. He assured me that he would make some phone calls and get to the bottom of the matter. A short time later, I received confirmation from my former colleague that the pool quickly closed for maintenance. I actually went there and took a picture of the sign that was closed for maintenance and spoke with an employee that was left there. After this incident, the aquatic supervisor, Olivia Roor, sent a staffwide message threatening employees with with retaliation if they did not if they did not admit to whom notified the health department and that city leadership would attempt to figure it out. I actually have that text message from Olivia. I'll read it to you now. Hey there. On a very serious note, we got word that someone on staff told their friends to report our pool motor situation to the health inspector. Please be aware that my supervisors will be coming the next few days to ask some questions, but they need someone to come clean about it. If no one comes forward, they're hope they will pull public records request to find out who that who

it was that reported us and that she didn't want anyone to get in trouble. This is a blatant violation of the Florida Bistleblowers Act. I have sent numerous emails about this to HR, city management, to this commission, and have received no reply. Open records requests are unresponsive and often go uh ignored. So, I'm here today to ask this commission and the city management why nothing has been done to correct this behavior and hold those in charge accountable. My qualifications to qu to question Mr. Ror and her supervisors are beyond reproach. I have certifications as a lifeguard instructor trainer, something that no one else on that staff held. That is the highest within the Red Cross. I'm a water safety instructor, aquatic facility operator, certified pool operator. I'm also a licensed EMT. So, I think I might know what I'm doing. I also worked in pools for 25 years. No, 23 years, sorry. Uh, most of that in supervisory positions, usually being the one responsible to comply with health code. So, to reiterate, this is a blatant violation of health code and public health policy. It was grossly incompetent incompetent and needlessly reckless. I have seen the harm caused by recreational waterbborne illnesses, especially to young children, the immuno compromised and the elderly, the most vulnerable sections of of our society and quite often the ones that use public pools the most. To emphasize this, just four years ago, a child died from a brain eating amieba contracted by contaminated recreational water at a poorly owned and operated municipal facility in Arlington, Texas. Their chemical sanitation systems were improperly maintained, but at least they had circulating water and working filters. Gandandy Pool had nothing for potentially 5 days. [snorts] Where was I at? The health codes in Texas are almost identical to those here in Florida. These codes are written for a reason, and they're written in blood. By furing a point and to add insult to

injury, the adult supervisors threaten city employees, many of whom are minors, with punishment and illegal retaliation. These young professionals are charged with a very serious role, which is to provide a safe and secure environment to their patrons and respond to emergencies. Because they are so young, many of them do not know health code. The risk presented to themselves and the public or that retaliation for reporting violations is illegal. These young rescuers often express their concerns to me that if they said anything, they'd get in trouble. I do not share such compunctions with my young colleagues. I will be the voice for them and for the public as this body and the city management have done nothing to address it. I will continue to demand answers until the events [clears throat] that happened in March along with the many other failures and shortcomings within the aquatics program and parks and recreation leadership are explained and addressed accordingly. Thank you for your time.

Thank you very much. Is there anyone else? Is there any comments? All right, we will flip then to Commissioner Loland. anything to share for the good of the whole [clears throat]

at 4:15 p.m. I got to say it's been an honor to have worked with you for the last two years. I'm going to miss your guidance. I mean, I know I'm going to see you again on the 5th, but uh as in your acting role, you know, uh you've always challenged me to do better, be better. you help open my eyes to different things and uh for that I'm very grateful to Bill Reid, you know, for your guidance and uh your steadfast I think I get a little bit of your argumentative. I mean I got a compliment I guess the other day they said I'm the new Bill Reed. So I don't know how to take that right. I don't know how to take that one compliment.

But to both of you I'm going to miss you both very very deeply. And to all of my colleagues here, I hope you have a very merry Christmas and it's been much love and great time with your family. Thank you. Well, it has been quite a day and uh this is just something I love every year is the Army Navy game that was on this weekend. Go Navy. I know. And good for y'all that you won. But my son is Army and so I do like to say go Army beat Navy. But you know, of course the great thing about the game is how can you not be a fan for both sides, right?

And I love when they say, you know, it's the only game that they're fighting, you know, they're willing to die for the people watching that game. And um so it was special for me and you know I'm just taking a moment of privilege to say that George I know most of you know that he was in the best zapper competition back in the spring and so he was invited um to be honored in after the third quarter on the field and called out in the game. So that was really special. Of course they didn't have it on the show. So we're like George where were you? We didn't see you. And um so he had to have a friend who had videoed him out there send it to us. And you know our commissioner colleague Commissioner Franklin now Congressman Franklin um we kind of have a little thing every every Army Navy game and I have to say go Army Beat Navy cuz he's a Naval Academy grad. And um he was able to bump into George and send me a picture with Amy and his daughter Sarah with George. Sarah, his daughter Sarah and George are friends in high school. So anyway, that is not necessarily city related, but it is our country related. And I know I've got our city manager and commissioner Lond and so many in our city team um who have, you know, fought to preserve the freedoms that we have to sit here all day in this chamber and to listen to people and to do the best we can in government. We couldn't do it without what?

All the alignments. without our military fighting to preserve, you know, what we have here. And I want to be grateful for that. And I do think we kind of had a Christmas miracle in a meeting today. I didn't think that was going to happen. Um, but I hope everyone, whether it's happy Hanukkah today or whether it's just gathering with your friends or having a little time off, I hope you have a wonderful uh and merry Christmas holiday season.

Commissioner Reid, listen. Excuse me. [clears throat and laughter] Having a hard time speaking today for some reason. I I just want to say I thank you guys. I' I've really enjoyed my time up here and I love all of you and I think y'all did a great job and I think you'll have a great marriage. She's not here today and I know Bill's done a great job and I'm really appreciate my time up here and I want to thank you all for giving me the opportunity to spend some time with you guys. I love you all and hope I get to see you again soon. We look forward to the future that you have going forward as well. He's [laughter] moving in slowly.

Well, I got my better half out here somewhere. She is your better half. [laughter] She I'm going to go to his house and take his blends.

Well, I I want to then close with just wishing all a very very merry Christmas. looking forward to the time that you have ahead with your families. And I'm looking forward to our January 5th meeting, which will be our final meeting. And um I just want you to know what a privilege it is in this last full business meeting for me to [snorts] be able to have been uh have the opportunity to serve this city. Uh it's a privilege to work with the staff at levels it's hard for me to express and sometimes I can get very emotional about but we have a fabulous city and a fabulous city staff. And so I know for all of us as commissioners uh we end the year in 2025 thrilled to have been able to work with people of such professional competency. Thank you. Happy Hanukkah. Merry Christmas. We are journed.