City Council - Regular Meeting

Yes. Yes. of our mayor. I call the meeting to order. You would stand for the prayer and the place. Heavenly Father, we just come before you tonight praising you for who you are and how you accomplish things. So Lord, we lift our nation up to you and pray that you would move in such a way that our reigning government would do the right thing by the citizens that elected them. We pray that same thing for us here tonight. That we would make decisions that would be equitable for all the citizens of Perry. We love you. We trust you. We praise you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. Amen.

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.

Counselor Hamilton here. Mayor here. Item number four on the agenda is approval of item only consent agenda. Do I have a motion? Motion have a second. Council, yes. Council member Hampton, yes. Council Woodall, yes. Lindy,

yes. Number five on the agenda is receiving a request from the general public. The council welcomes you to this meeting. This is time is set aside for our citizens and the general public to address this council on any matter not included on the agenda. This is not a question or answer time. It is not a political forum, nor is it a time for personal accusations or derogatory remarks to or about council or city personnel. If you would like to address the council, please come to the podium when you are callers. Enter the microphone. State your name and address for the record. Please limit your comments to not more than five minutes for individuals and 10 minutes for groups or delegations. Is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak to the council and it's not on the agenda? Come forward, please.

Good afternoon, council. My name is Thomas Edward the second 2847 road. uh income will be named now for may uh city and county and something that uh is concerning to me is the lack of public interest. Maybe you know they're still at work. Lack lack of what? Public interest. Weird public interest.

Okay. And uh after numerous times of trying to look at meeting times and dates via my phone on the internet, it's uh it's like it's not being updated properly. And I've asked matter of fact, I talked to Lord the other day and asked him to pull it up on his phone out there at the airport. He could pull it up. So something's wrong there. Don't know where it is, but y'all can take a look at that. Maybe whoever's over updating that maybe look at that for us. So maybe you can get a little more public involvement out here. Uh number two through going to the meeting with y'all. Um there's the issue about uh the extra holiday being Veterans Day is tomorrow. I don't know if y'all doing it this year or next year for the folks, but and then I believe you've said you'd like to readress the day you want to take off toward the end of the year. I'd like to suggest to the council that maybe consider letting the people vote uh via uh put something in their paycheck and let them vote for what they believe um should be taken away what they would prefer and let the majority rule on that versus just being a counselor whoever because that's that's your working class people. I mean it makes it feel good when they have actually have a little say more than just uh doing all the work and picking up a check. And for today, that's all I'm going to ask. But, uh, I would like to be included as well because I don't think what I have to say would take only five minutes. So, I'd like to add my name if possible somewhere on your December 9th agenda. Thomas Edwards the second

you just get over reorganizing the I sure did.

Like to nominate Diane Landry. Well, I appreciate the nomination, but I'm happy with the one we got. So I will catch I guess I can't do that since I'm sorry how that works. I like to say something she don't do the same thing. But this father has been 13 years there with draw. Um, any more discussion? A second for my nomination?

Yes. My nomination. Oh, she nominated. Mr. Bill just withdraw as normation didn't he did you know everything okay so the first nomination has been withdrawn is that correct okay so now we have nomination on the floor for Mr. catch him. But I do not have a second. I can't think of the other than you. No. And what is it?

I don't like Well, I said

I want to give everybody a chance. Yes, ma'am. Well, he withdrew for a ward. Okay. Okay. So, I have our nomination and a second to maintain board catching as the mayor. Any more discussion or nominations? I'll call for a vote. Council BR. Yes. Council member Hampton. Yes. Council. Yes. Landry. Yes.

Okay. So, for the record, Ward, Katherine has been elected as mayor for the next four years. I believe it's still here. Oh yeah, he's got the ste. All right. Um, let's move on to bids and RF.

Oh, good. Are there any nominations for vice there? status quo. Status quo. Yep. I believe that's you. Do I hear a second? Can I say no to She nominated me first. Okay. Do I have a second for that? Miss Shirley has been nominated by Bonita. Is that correct for vice president?

I mean vice may you can remain. That's what that's what said we overlooked. Okay.

Okay. Yeah. That's why I'm asking for a second for permission to straighten me out, Miss Shirley. Now, now they're going to I don't want to believe. Okay. You're discrediting her. Okay. All right. So, Bill's motion is on the floor that we retain myself as vice mayor. Do I hear a second? Second. Call for a vote. Council Bry. Yes. Council Hampton.

Yes. Council.

Yes. Council Mayor Lind. I guess so. All right. So, for the next year, Lord, Katherine will continue as mayor and I will continue as vice mayor. Now, let's move to number six, bibs and RFQS. There were none at the time this agenda was made or there still not any. Okay. Then we move to general business. Item 7A. If can we move 7F to the first 7F? Can we move that to the first item so mayor can get out of here? Okay, we'll look at item 7F because Mr. Council discussed task order for test well and council take actions being necessary. Is there someone here that wants to speak to that? We do have that land on plantation under contract now. So this is to get moving forward with the test well while we have that six month contingency period. Make sure the quantity and quality is what we want out there. I didn't know it was under contract but it is now after that last meeting we went up on the deposit that you would go with the deal. This is I want to get started on this task order quick. You know how fast 6 months can pass by if we out that money and not have the land if we don't get the test well done.

Don't wish John that you would have put this out Friday. I didn't have it till Friday.

Just tell you John called me so we put it quickly together. Um and I can give you a little bit of background. I think we did some evaluation early on identified some areas and the uh city just selected it. It's um you know we may just stop it at a test well depending upon the water quality because there's a lot of testing that goes on. So that's why we put it together as immediate basis within the limits on it. So we can come back uh you can reduce the limit. I really you know when you do a test well it's uh getting once you get the results what we'll do is we'll evaluate we'll tell you what kind of treatment you will need and what kind of cost is involved the time sensitivity is you remember Mary G and we put some applications together so we'll have some good news coming in the next two weeks and that will I cannot say because right now we don't know 100% we'll know more in a week week and a half So this will come in handy that if you are ready for it then we can present that project to them. Uh so that's there is a lot of red water complaints and everything that that may happen in this one. Uh with that I'll answer any questions you have. Uh we have preliminary looked at it. That area looks great but you do not know in the Bill has a lot of experience. Uh if I've known what's in the ground I'll be a rich man. It's a two-inch whale

typically two or four depending upon you know we do it with a push uh I'm going to try to do it with a push uh through a geotech what it is there is a new technology we can get push it through if they can do it uh and that would basically preserve a lot more other than we can go with a four we go it out you're talking about the Tesla yeah we will have to depending upon what's cost will be uh if I can get a push one uh the testing is more than the well cost because it's you have to test for everything. We may pay more but I'm concerned about time.

So let's be I mean I know you're cautious of it. Yeah, I am. I am completely. So there is two ways to do it. There is one depending upon um how you want to bid it out or the other one I have done it in the past which is a new technology where they push we bid it out which would be nice but there is another one time

yeah time will be should be we'll put it in three months a month before we do there is another one which I'll bring it to you once I have it I have done it once is through a geotech not through the van drill what they do is they they have a push machine which can push it through and they'll preserve the sample. So they may come out a little cheaper but I'll I'll let you know. Reality of it is we do a geotech guy you know hydrogeeologist and then we will test but this is I've done it once before and it was very successful is the geotech company did it with their equipment rather than going out and it came out a lot faster and a lot quicker. You test for quantity that way. So they'll do they'll do a draw down push.

Yeah. They'll they'll do a uh you know push test and they they'll draw it out and you'll know that's it was done. Uh we had a similar situation where we didn't know uh how fast and how quickly it can be done. So we did that way but I called him up. He hasn't called me back. So I don't can't give you the answer but no it's it's an urgent situation. The testing just the testing after the well is done is more than a month to come because you have to test for all the forever chemicals and everything before you make that decision.

Who decides if the orders the quality is good enough that the D says okay? So we'll get we'll get about 50 or 80 different constituent and uh the main deciding factor is a PAS uh organics um and then um organics PAS and then one of the thing iron iron we can treat um organics to a certain point you can treat and we can tell you it says after this you'll have and then there is something called a THM potential which you are having issues right now THM potential is if you ever you know worse worst worst case scenario what kind of THM you will produce but if that's and then after that we based on that we can give you some idea of what treatments you need uh we're hoping we get the well number three which we don't have to do any treat but if we don't uh motion to proceed

I have a question oh you get time to read a little I got this when we got that today at right before the meeting. So, we know you need $10,000. That was part of the deal to get the contract freeze the deposit on the land. Yes, we had to put the extra 10,000 in there. We don't have anything. It's just a standard real estate contract. just to give you think this is contract

and like I said I'm just going to give you different this is the so the way our contract works you have a general contract with us and these are taskers so this is not like it's as needed basis so it's just whatever the cost is it's not it's not like we're fixing it because I don't know either ground you It may come out the best motor quality. We all happy. It may come out the worst that we'll be here and talking to you. So, you're basically describing the process in the timeline. That's it. I mean, that's what I see, but I didn't review it before.

I didn't want to waste the whole month because we won't have another meeting in November. So, we'd be a month behind. I wait till the next meeting. I understand John, but we need to start using Hopeing her. We need to start using sounds like have a motion on the floor to proceed. Do I have a second?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you, sir. Did you say yes or did you guess? That's a long way.

Okay, let's go back to item 7A. council to discuss state appropriation project ideas and council to take any actions being necessary. Pretty much the same ones we talked about as last time. The first one is continuing on with the fire station. So, this will probably just be land acquisition and some of the um environmental phase one reviews, things like that. Then we'll have a pretty package to give next phase when any other grants come around for that one. We als we did apply CDBGDR for the fire station too and we should be hearing back from them end of the year. End of the year. That's a possibility gets funded through there too.

Is there any way to do the environmental site assessment prior to purchasing the property? I don't Well, I mean, if it's not suitable, we wouldn't want to birth. We wouldn't. Then phase one gives you how to remediate, doesn't it? No. Phase one is easier. You can just hire phase two. So, once you do phase one, they'll tell you if you need a phase two. Phase two is where So, I don't know if you have done phase one. Phase one is fairly extremely expensive. It's not a land we own. Yeah. You have it under contract verbally.

If you have then it's,000 to I think. How big? How big is it? Just get a quote on it. See what you're going to do.

Yeah. So, you can do phase one is basically they'll look at the record and see if they ever see anything and then they'll make a recommendation for phase two. So, just stop it. If you have a recommendation for phase two, that doesn't necessarily rule the property out, but there's a concern. So, the way phase one work, phase one just says, is there a concern? And if there is none then they'll just start it. Phase two is where you go and test the land and everything. So ask find out what's the phase one cost is that's just an investment you want to do if you want to wait for uh so just to tell you that we have submitted 20 applications for you guys. You have a good success coming hopefully. uh the part CDBGDR goes through we got 16 of them to them they just wanted project project project and we have fire station in it maybe um then we did riff so if you want to wait till the end of the year that's you know we get preliminary indigation from them they will fund it then you can go for it if they said no then you know there are two options one you can spend few thousand dollar now and do it or you can wait till you say you have any indication that you'll get it and then you do. So either or

at least don't want us to purchase if it it's not suitable. You're not. That's my concern. I don't think you have I don't know that is there's no contract. There's no physical contract as far as I'm think so we can go on the property and inspect it up to a point without purchasing. Is that correct? We have to get the land owners approval over soon, but I think that could be done. I think it'll be wise. I still think we need to ask the state for the whole thing right now. Let's keep these phases moving because a phase one's going to be 7500 bucks or something. Maybe

10 grand. I don't want to miss out on 900,000 for the land acquisition. Waiting on 10 grand. We can ask it that way. Okay. Thank you. Second priority is the vacuum gutter truck for Sean. If I can, I want to combine a a new camera and a van for I don't think he's going to let me combine both of them into one project. Would it be nice to go ahead and get both of those been asking for this for two plus years? Um, we were told to get a water project in. Me and Andrews thought about the all the fire hydrants remember that were identified as failed, poor, very poor. I think it was 99 of them at the time. Going ahead and asking for it, just one big package. Get them replaced. Repaving Steen Street. We talked about that one last time. And

I'm not sure the state's got enough money to receive I don't know what could have to be done, but I told him here about the it might have been built on a landfill or we don't know what the underlying issues are. Okay, cool. All that needs to be included in the estimate. Um, so you can u typically bridge it with 5 ft of if there is something underneath it. So I was going to if you feel like it, we can just do a five foot cut. Done that once. Already done. And also it done it over there off the Buffalo.

It's got to eventually quit sinking. It's got to eventually quit sinking.

There is a way if you want to go that route. It's uh it's called stone columns and then they come in and we we dug out three so much. Yeah. Filled it in and it'll last a while and then I don't you know I could last but there is a way to do it if you want to. And um Oh yeah.

This is called there is what is called stone columns. um depending. So what they do is they drill a stone in the column. That's one way of doing it. Uh there other part um from the sounds of it if you put more weight on it, it's just sinks. um you know there is um there's a material which we have used and actually I personally used when you build the roads on wetlands it's a little it's a sheet of membrane you put it down and you'll see in dot highway they've done it uh so you can do that and then there is another one where they put a piece of plastic down in and it angles it out um I'm not on a road guys so I'm just going to give you what I when I build a tank in a bad environment. This is some of the things we do. Um there's a if money is not enough then you can do whatever you want to but I would just say we will put some money into demuck and then put like couple of layers what they do in normally with it build in wetland and that may give you a little more but the road life is 15 20 get that much out of it I would say will be and we are asking for six projects hopefully they will come the other Um but uh no state I think this uh just to to Brian this this um this year they took a lot of money out of other places and the legislature is making a lot of decisions more you know the more you put it in like we had a water quality grant uh which was there till five for five years to build treatment plants and they took it they took 500 million from there and now the legislator will decide It's not good for the small community but that's what they decide

because majority of the time small communities score really high on the any of the legislator decides there's no well I'll put the estimate together I'm glad I need by 30. And then we got to think about the evidence storage and it might turn into a bigger project than what we thought. So our plan since we don't have time to get it all together was to do similar what we did with the fire station, ask for the money this session for planning and design of it. That'll give us time to get it thought about and do it right. Then next cycle ask for construction.

So how many did you wind up with projects? Five and then six if we want to go with the pool. The lobbyist recommended not doing this. The land for the fire hydrants at Steven Street. What else? Evidence storage. Planning and design. Do the evidence storage. Okay. Yeah, the back truck. The back truck. Back truck.

Shirley called me earlier and wanted to make sure we go for the pool. The lobbyist said it could discredit some of our other ask because they've asked us to stick with just the necessities. He suggested that we try for other grants that are designed just for you know sports and wreck

like referred to app and there some other ones. I understand that don't want us to give our because at some point we have to think about but we are responsible responsible for research other grants you said I would like this to be an ongoing There are just four years left. So,

you want to try, right, Mr. G? I'll try to do it another way, not a state appropriation. Okay. Go for that. Okay. What does the council need to do? As long as I'm good with these, I got to have them into him by Thursday to approve your list. It wouldn't hurt. Okay. I have a motion to motion approve.

Yes. Council Hampton. Yes. Council. Yes. That's me.

Yes. Okay. Motion carries. All right. Let's move on to 7D, which is a resolution for the fiscal year budget amendment. So these this one and the next budget amendment are just the year end for last fiscal year to clean up. Um the general fund was in a deficit but we have money in the utility tax fund. So I wanted to do a larger transfer from that for this year cover. Have a motion to approve resolution 25-32.

Motion second. Council Burns. Yes. Yes. Council. Yes. Council Le. Yes. Okay. Item 7 C, resolution 2025. Well, that's the same thing. It It's not cuz this is for hurricane expenses. Oh, that's 33. Yes, it is. 20 25 33. Do we have them? Yeah, there it is. They look similar to the second page.

Look at those numbers and the funding. So, this is the auditors recommended that we go ahead and say that we're pulling money from reserves for hurricane expenses. And then when you get in the FEMA funding, you then replenish your reserves. That's the correct way to do it. We didn't do it that way last year. No one knew. We've never had a hurricane that really was large enough to put us in a deficit. So, if we don't do that, then we're in a deficit. If we pull from our reserves, we're technically not. And then when FEMA reimbures us, it'll reimburse those funds.

It's just basically clean up. It's not really changing any of the money. Do I have a motion? have a motion secret.

Um on this document I have to add it up real quick. Okay. Council member Bry. Yes. Council member Hampton. Yes. Council Wood. Yes. Council me. Yes. Motion carries.

Item 7D. Council to discuss speed zone, school speed zones for point of grace and council to take any actions deemed necessary. Same as the boys and girl club make a formal request to make Courtney that section of Courtney Road designated school zone. Um, it was $540,74. Is this changing the speed limits as well?

Only during schools on time, right? Yeah. Say, we they're usually established as 15 in the city. This is still it complies. What's the speed now? 30 30.

I've heard there's another one that and we're going to check to see if it really exists or somebody just trying to run like they have a school. So, we're going to investigate that one. So we have a motion and a second. Do I have any discussion? Any other discussion? Council Brown. Yes. Hamilton. Yes. Council Woodall. Yes. Vice Mayor L. Yes. Jamie, is this the second one we approved into the Boys and Girls Club? Yes. And is the city responsible for purchasing signage and baking license?

Not. We don't we're not required to put any lights up. What we would do is schools on signs with those times on the sign. Sure. Okay. Uh, let's move to item 7 Z. Council to discuss parcel ID0581-500-200 Davis Drive and take any actions if necessary.

Sally Roberts here on behalf of Mr. Samuel H. Strickland and Mary Strickland. I submitted a proposal for declaration of search. All right. Is that microphone on? Because I get very big. I was just wondering. I either have a really low voice or a big long voice. Well, there's a big It didn't start with you. I apologize for interrupting, but I was like I couldn't really hear with the last speaker or two.

Okay. I apologize. I submitted a letter to my request from the property owner here to declare this property as surplus property. not the entire property but a small portion of it. Uh so I submitted a letter with the uh request the background and justification

the lack of public impact or lack of negative public impact and the proposed basically are to answer questions but I'll be glad to present in detail any more of that. And just so the council know, Miss I want to say Miss Sally, I'm sorry. I wanted to say that um this attorney has been um very involved with communicating with the city of attorney the city attorney office as well as with John. Um and this was that property I made mention of at the last meeting. Um and um it does note it here but um whereas like any of the abuing there's only one abuing neighbor they have agreed and actually already signed over um the fact that they agree um to the plan regarding if the land was made surplus you know to have no issues regarding lines even though that would be surveyed but this particular road does not go to anywhere um and instead of um I when this when this property first came to our attention earlier this spring and then I think in July um this is and outside of my mentioning it this like I think the third official request the original one came just from the realtor so now this is from the buyer

any request I apologize and I don't think they were made quite the way they needed to be so it just confuses the issue I was just noting that um that um I really do appreciate appreciate you like in your and the way you all researches the wide appation as well. I have been using your attorney by the way. So are there any future plans for the property?

No. Um it points out in here one of the big reasons that this came to their attention. They I I don't know why they didn't know at the time of their purchase. I mean, you can look on the property plat, you can see how it is, you know, a platted street, even though when you drive to it, you cannot tell. You cannot tell that that um North Pine Circle. And it looks like how Davish Drive goes all the way. I drove up there to try to see. It looks like at some point before it goes to above that um long skinny parcel, it probably is somewhat the flatted property that is not actually a roadway all the way to that. Um, so when you drive down there, you don't know. You cannot tell by looking at the property physically. And when they purchased it, they actually have a shed that encroaches onto the city property, and they thought that was part of their property. They didn't buy a survey at the time. U so that, you know, that's kind of on them, too. But they've been paying property taxes for the improvement. So the property appraisers actually been taxing their parcel for the improvement that's on the city's property

street. You cannot tell when you ride by there. You cannot tell that there should be a street between the neighbor and them and the neighbor has signed fighting out agreement that if the city abandons or sells the property they want no interest in it and they completely consent to the other property owner doing this. You're good. Call me. Uh, are they living on this property? They are. I guess I see an address for Amber, please. Do they have an address there? Yes.

Okay. I I'll have to ask them. It was my understanding they live in there. Do you think they have plans to move in the future? And that's part of the problem. part of buyer realtor brought it up because the realtor explained to them if they went to sell it, this was going to be apparent to any prospective purchaser. Now that they know about it, they have to say, "Hey, that shed's not technically on my property and it might cause problems for marketability if they do sell it." That's how they found out about it. So, it's my understanding they are still living there, but I could be wrong and I can clarify that if you want me to. Just

Yes, ma'am. Well, um, Miss Roberts did do a very thorough job in describing her client's position as well as their willingness, um, if if the city were to allow to, um, as they appraised or as they surmounted regarding the percentage of and that it would be roughly $525 in value knowing that you know well I say knowing that we have our own process I know that we have not taken the steps of having an independent what's the description we're using

but price point I think

a broker's price point um and that um what I shared with Miss Roberts because it's come in first as a description of a a piece of the shed not being properly on their property and there was no interest in us as a city taking on the obligation of clearing that situation up that you know basically like you would need to move the shed. We gave no direction. We just said that or we the council showed no interest in trying to resolve the issue. Um since then there's been more discussion on surplus property and what could be done with it. So, I shared with Miss Roberts, you know, the idea of at least seeing if the council was open to having this be counted as surplus, therefore that they could sell it and the negotiation of a price um could be like the next step if that was the council's um prerogative since the last two times it was raised it was raised in a different format, but there was no interest to even look at that. We did look and verify that there was no utilities on that property that that the road itself like has been distri demonstrated in the map sort of goes to nowhere. You can't even really tell it's a road. Um and that we didn't find that there would be anything that would be greatly disrupted. So, um, and I do appreciate that she's already gone and outlined the idea that they would be open to paying, um, the value of the property, um, or to whatever price the council would agree on. So, if you would agree to, um, have this noted as a surplus property that could be um, sold that, you know, at least she can find out and her her clients could find out if there's any viable reason to even start negotiation regarding price. Yes, thank you. And where we came up with that price is the property

appraiser value for the whole parcel. That includes the actual roadway and the three areas that aren't really roads, but they're platted roads. U believe that's 2.86 acres. And so if you look at our portion, I did a very rough sketch on the property appraisers map. They came up with a.3 acre part of that. in. So, I took the $5,000 value, which is the property appraisers value of the total, and did a rough math equation on came up with $525. If you guys are willing to go forward, my clients will think we're ready. That will actually determine the boundaries and the portion of the property that is. We have a proposal before us to declare this a surplus land and ultimately sell it. Do I have a motion? Motion. Have a motion. A second.

Yes. Hamilton. Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you. You're welcome. We determine the selling I'm sorry we determine the selling price now or at a later date

the resolution regarding the certified broker. Um, I know that the estimation she bases on the tax appraisers and um, so if we can have that done or you want to wait for the survey of the exact property. Um, and I guess that's the only reason why I told you you all may not have a price you want to decide upon tonight, but because it was following following property property appraisers said that is worth something this we may want to resolve

is what we're talking about and you divide this into this multiplied times this and I might be wrong. Let's finally look and piece back the new procedure. Uh if it under a certain value, can aren't aren't you allowed to forgo the broker price opinion and do it based on the property appraisers value. So I would ask that you guys just allow us to get a survey and do the math and we'll pay the full property value based on that. We suspend making a price tonight until you come back with a after your service

based on the property appraisers value and our portion of the purchase. We're following Yes.

Thank you. Okay. Uh item 7E council to discuss pausing late fees and extension fees due to SNAP and pay some and council to take any actions being necessary. Good idea. Yes, sir. Motion to approve.

As sure as how long. Yeah, we have some discussion here. Snap soon. I don't know. appealing it. So I think you should at least do it for November. I just go ahead and do it to the end of the year. I just I would say January and then we just look at it cuz is it um I can never say the name. Is it the name? Nemo.

They're they're going to pick up some of those employees, aren't they? And they're they're doubling in their facility. Yes, I knew it's not going to be overnight, but there I think at least 200 more employees and possibly another expansion after that until the end of January 202 at the TCBA meeting this morning and they're going to try and pull some of them in the ones that you know. Yeah,

January. Yeah, I said to January about determinant who it was. Don't please don't give them that headache. Oh, so good for anybody, not just Is that right? It's going to be just straight across the board. Same thing we did with the hurricane. Same thing we did after the hurricane. Okay. So, just to clarify for their sake, you're talking about November bill and December bill, correct? January 15th or whatever. Y'all reve?

Yes. That's from Hampton. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Okay. Um item 7, age, approval of the minutes for October 14th and October the 28th, regular sessions. I have a motion to approve October the 14th. Second. I have a second. Any discussion about the minutes for the October the 14th?

Lines. Yes. Hampton. Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay. Minutes for October the 28th. Do you have a motion to approve? Motions. Second. BR. Yes. Council member Hampton. Yes. Council member Lup. Yes. L. Yes. We went down into the ports from the city.

Brother John, you have anything? Just Lord text me. He said he wanted to thank y'all for your confidence in him and he looks forward to working continuing to work together with y'all. He was that close to not being mayor. Yeah. I don't think you really want it, but like we didn't learn from the first time. Oh, Lord. Acceptance speech.

Better not be gone. Okay. You got anything else? the stamps, do you have anything?

Yes, I have a few things. I mean, well, I say a few, a couple. I just wanted to note um that um at the zoning and board of adjustment meeting um last week, last Monday um that um Sand Castle um corporation that is um uh submitted and was approved um for the site plans for a um work afford a workable affordability housing project that um that is planned um to be erected, I guess, behind a lot of the property of McDonald's and Burger King. Um well, I guess it's a a conditional acceptance because we're still waiting for regional planning um their their full um their full review, but um it sounds like it's exciting. It's 12 flexes. They're um based on the new or as new as 2023 state live local act where um basically governing the Santis and and the public houses um have passed an act that allows for um that type of development as long as it meets a certain threshold of affordability, affordable housing or something directed towards improving work um and affordable housing. housing that they can actually build um in certain areas that may be typically prohibited through zoning. Um it and and so that particular place that they're going to be building is in a commercial district. Um and it seems like um it's going to be or at least the board felt a great fit um with the housing that's available. It's going to be duplexes. So, but 12 duplexes, so it's not a lot. So, I guess that's homes for 24 people. Um, and it's going to be based on um

like so much of the property is going to be um the people have to make at least 60% of the median income of of our area. Um and so I just thought you all want to know um that that you know, and some of you already may do, but that's something exciting to look forward to. Um, and I'm just like when we get that Burger King cleaned up, that whole area is going to be looking really nice as far as the municipality. Um, and also, um, I just wanted to note, and I don't know if it's worth noting in the sense of, um, everything, but since we're all here, um, I continue to get some of my packets or not get them because they're being served serves. They're being delivered to, um, George Clayton's house. I know we look alike, but um um so just want to note to whoever does that great job. Um I'm grateful for the notes being given on um you know the agenda being given by by email. Um but I didn't get the agenda besides the ones that we got in when we walked in until like the fact I drove by my house around lunchtime and like oh there's my packet. Um, so if we can just have that clarified a little bit. Um, and Mr. Clayton's really good at getting stuff to me since we're, you know, not enemies, but he had because his son got married this weekend, so I didn't see it. I didn't get it or didn't even know. I thought maybe all of us didn't get it since it was a Monday. And also, um, I do appreciate John because I've scheduled about three meetings for us. um um and we've met we weren't able to meet today, but to meet particularly at least the Monday before any um agenda item or agenda so that we can make sure we're on the same page and I can review anything or if you ask questions he's pretty good at sending stuff to me. But

I just wanted to let the council know as well that um because my goal has been to sort of close up those gaps because I know that um sometimes there's things are urgent um even um say the sand castle situation um it and also talking to the staff has been helpful in like if there's something that sort of like that next meeting a decision has to be made and is a is never been looked at or not the council hasn't decided that at least we have you know I know all their minds work really well, but so also I could potentially be prepared to better answer any legal questions you have and because my goal is just to make sure that um I'm not dropping the ball. So, but again, we have a meeting on Monday and that's when we normally meet. So, that wasn't able to be done. And um although the the task order that um that was presented today in today's meeting that really just deals with process and timeline I have reviewed the contract by which we hired him to be able to make decisions regarding how things should run when it comes to these type of um projects. So, but again, my goal is to um I just want to let you all know, but also that, you know, we have been making strides and trying to make sure since I'm I think I'm the only staff that's not full-time. Um um so, but um yes, those are the two or three updates um that I just wanted to share, particularly the sand castle um project. And um that's it.

That's great. saying a part of those duplexes supposed to go to income based house. Yes. And actually and then go ahead property taxes would be the state going to pay property taxes. How does that how does that work for those for those two places? right income based

well there the way the live no problem the way the live local act works is all types of things that can be done um these particular property all of them I understand all of them are going to be based on income is not HUD housing though so or different type of affordable housing projects the idea of taxability was not raised so I don't want to not tell the truth um but Um but this partic because in some in some of their in some of that state legislation say 20% or 50% of the housing has to go to people at a certain income level whereas this entire project one is like higher than the other but they have to reserve so many for even some of the lower medium. So, um, but I don't I can get I can find out for you. And your question is, is the state going to pay for the taxes?

It didn't it didn't mention Cependent. Did you read there's a story going out Wednesday's paper? I believe the developer will pay the property taxes. The renters or leases will pay a monthly rent or lease. And I believe what hope From my understanding of what was said at the meeting, 80% of the tenants must meet 80% of the mean income level for the county. In other words, whatever the mean or median is, they have to earn 80% which is not that but 20% less than that and there's 20%

to be 60% of what the mean median income. Yeah, I I thought it said it would be an incentive of the state. They're getting terms in their loan

to build the project from the state. Florida Housing Finance Corporation. So, they're getting very favorable terms terms to borrow the money to build the project. In fact, that's why that it was sort of um expedient to place it on that calendar and have the vote because I think they're deadline for um being reviewed for financing is like December 12th. So um and also um it is department of housing and other forces that um they are held to and reviewed quite stringently in order to you know complete the project and to make the project happen. representative said they would be yearly reviewed for income requirements and to make sure the housing itself is up to code

states. Will they come before counsel just to let us know about what's going on? I'm pretty sure that's the I know you can't read that, but I think that's the financial program they're going with. They'll be all your questions answered tomorrow and Wednesday, I think. Okay. But I I don't know if they'll come back unless they have. They're from Bel. there. Well, the um the attorney, he would love to come back if you all need it, but um but yeah, I guess and also we still is still, you know, conditionally accepted. So, we're still waiting for our Central Florida regional planning um to complete very

That's good. We need it. Thank you. It's called Haven't officially announced, but I'm It'll be on maternity leave soon. So, just bring it though, baby. Just doing it. You need to be committed. You need more committed to a How long? He agrees. And I told him he was like, "How long? You can stay here. just transport you to the hospital from here. Thank So who will take over your duties temporarily?

Um I've been training with the Google department. We've been working on it for the last few months. This person this this person. Thank you. Unless again I don't know how I know. I'm planning on taking my 12 weeks. I mean you take Yeah. After you asked that I was like I'll take I want to retire.

I'll pay my insurance. I will spend time baby. We'll still be able to get a hold of her. We have plays. She got a work laptop. Yeah, I already told you inbody, but you're doing well. Chief, you got anything?

I don't have anything next. Sorry. I don't have anything to do. Street sanitation.

I've got one thing. You know, I was approved in the budget for our front end loader and a tractor. And we've got those where we got them at a lower rate than what I had budgeted for. Something I did not even think about when we bought them, so don't shoot me yet, Mr. Bryan, is somewhere to park them under to protect them from the weather. And it was brought to my attention after the fact. Well, I know that just because I have the money don't mean I have to spend it, but I didn't spend about 44 $45,000. And I'm won't just asking can we bid out to get a pole barn to park this new equipment and some of our other equipment under just you know get it out of the weather.

Ma'am, where you going to put it? We talked about in the either over by the um gas pumps or either in the center in the compound there. We're thinking more in the center. Um, they've done a lot of cleaning already. Yeah, we've tried to do a lot of cleaning there, but just something to park that equipment under. If not, I'll bring it back for next year. But if I can this year, did you say you had an additional $44,000

that I didn't that was it's budgeted for, but that I didn't spend? your part of your equipment so wrong. We tie them down. Don't I save this money? Or you budget? Yeah, probably. I'll I'll bring back over budgeted. Would I need a budget amendment for that or no? It's already in the money's there. The money's there. It just it's not dedicated for the pole bar and that's why I wanted to ask you have a consensus and it's in the minutes. It's probably it's still that department though.

Yes. And the pole bar is the actual equipment protest. Have a request from the street sanitation department to build a pole bar to protect trucks that we purchased. Do I have a motion? How much is it? I haven't did it out yet, but the last one we there I think it's 38 40,000. Oh, and they can get it less than that. But that it just depend on size to what you need, right?

I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. Motion and a second. Any discussion? Any public discussion? Councilman Burns? Yes. Council Hampton? Yes. Council Woodall? Yes. Vice Mayor? Yes. Thank you. I'll try to do better next budget. The whole city's going to overbudget now. I just incentiviz. He's not here. How about waste up? Please sir

got two minutes.

We're we're having um there's a project cleaning and inspecting Ple Creek. Uh there's a trunk line that runs up the creek. Um this is just one of the pictures I got today. Um, if you look in the middle, it kind of looks like a whale to me. Kind of like blowing water. It's that's basically if that pipe has been lined before and that liner is failing. And that is a groundwater gusher. That's part of the INI that they have. That's that's why we uh that's why we're doing what we're doing now. I have assembly reports as they go. And there's quite a few they use terminology like uh infiltration gusher uh let's see u object underliner unable to pass like some of the liner is collapsed. Um there's been rocks and and and a lot of debris in the line. There's one that says uh just a hole. There's a hole in the fire. So, um I'm sure as they go they're going to find more and I honestly have not had a chance to look at all the video yet, but I have looked at some of the reports. Um the further they get to the plant and closer to the creek, the wor the worse it's getting. So um um but just stuff like that's all where our flows are. That's a lot of water right there

cuz I think that's a that's a that's a 24 in pipe or it might even be a 36 inch pipe. Anyway, stand through that and um when whenever they're through, we'll assess everything and then guess we're going to seek funding to uh have repaired. Well, this is just an assessment right now. Yeah, we're just finding the problems.

I said this was this line was it was lying and fixed in the 90s. Guess you know the age of it the liners has failed a lot of spots. So some of it was good of you know like I said that that is the bottom of the liner coming up but that's just one in in the creek or something. It's the cross is at one part but it's usually just running beside it. And it's just the depth of it, the water table is really what gets it.

That's what how deep is it? So part it's five certain parts probably 15 or better. The pipe is actually 15 or

the reason I'm asking not expert but water table somewhat historic load. So I'm just curious, are we sure that water table's causing a flow that's actually spewing like that? Well, it's I'd have to get uh like exact exact location of that, but I don't think there's any water lines or anything that that's laid on top of. Um, but that that's common like uh it's like Cherry Street is a higher part and even when when the water table's low um on the clay pot of the joints, there's still a lot of There's so many springs and and u there's just a lot of ground.

Okay. Now, when the water is high, you can't dig 3 ft. I say I can't imagine what that would do two years ago. Right. And and um I mean I mean you're right. If that have been six months ago or a year ago, it might have been a foot higher in spring. So, but but the good thing is it's worked out for us. It has been dry so they can access them because that was one of the problems. The guys had to clear the easement. They had to build roads. Um and because of the drought we didn't have to use a lot of rock. We use a lot of hot dirt. So that did help us.

What's the normal lifespan of the liner? I guess it depends on the liner but I think they aim for like 40 50 years which it would be at 40 years. I mean I mean that's ideal, but I mean sometimes I mean you got you got pipe in Perry that's way older

but just been on the soil the roots the the the moisture content in the ground at the time is like clay is very good for sewer pipe. Not a lot, not a lot reacts to it. The gases don't really hurt it. The weak part of it is it does flex as the ground flexes and the joints where they put it together used to be just concrete or tar and they they get away and leave or roots get on. That's why, you know, usually as long as they're not broke and they're not, you know, structurally, you know, flawed or whatever, they they do the lining. And on certain parts of this, they don't know what they do to reline it. They probably pipe first. And I'm not really sure if that would be more expensive or less expensive. I think it would be less. But the only thing about that is we would lose inside diameter. But we cut back on the flow. I don't think there'll be like a a flow issue with piping small on the inside.

How did you cut back on the flow situation like that? Well, we just have to just seal off the pipe. That's that's the only way. And I say generally you can reline this line. But because of that, I don't know if they could um it it takes some Yeah. or what's underneath,

right? It takes some specialized uh robotic equipment to grind that out, regine it or put a They make these they're metal repair clamps that go on the inside of the pipe. They're called quick locks. It's basically like a It's got a rubber gasket on the outside of it's metal on the inside. You drag it in there with a camera. It's got a air bladder. We air it up and it like clicks in place. That could be something like that maybe, but they'd have to get rid of that that hump first.

And that may be I was always been told the lime rock grows. There's a lot of lime rock uh in berry and on the reclaim line. That's usually 99% of reason it breaks is because the lime rock is kind of like pushed up into it, split it. So I don't and it could be a trigger. Okay.

Well, Ardura has handled this part of it. And like I said, once we get everything done, we like I said, they'll seek funding and they'll turn in their findings and they'll they'll we'll seek funding and and all that should be contracted out because, you know, we don't have the capability of of lining or even repairing uh a line of that size. uh the depth that a lot of that's at. We would we would need uh quite a bit of equipment for all that. Any guesstimate thoughts?

Oh, it it depends on the length. Um they may not repair the whole pipe at one time. That's why we're doing this assessment. They may prioritize for the money they get. If they get enough money to do the whole thing, that would be great. But if they don't, we'll just uh, you know, prioritize what repairs need to be made, you know, to get the best bang for our buck to reduce the flow the eye. This is for information. What's that?

Is this just for all the information? Yeah, I'm just keeping you up to date on like we we have many projects uh like whenever the parts come in. We got some projects we're doing in the city in house fixing a couple lift stations. We're just waiting on the carts. This is kind of going on in the background. Other than us having to build the road and we have to help them every now and like if there's a tree in the way. This is kind of just they're doing their own thing. I really haven't had any problems. Uh, you know, I get I get a daily log of what they're doing, what they've done. So, this is just to keep you or just to show you that, you know,

the old repairs are they're they're no longer working. Yeah. Did you man get those shoes, the boots? I I haven't gotten them yet. we're waiting on with parts and uh last time we talked about a policy for the shoes and and I look through the policy and as that Mr. Bill always says we just follow the policies we have we do have departmental policy for confined space entry and we do have uh policies for like if someone's not you know wearing their safety equipment they're being you know not being insubordinate. So

what these come from all like get hurt. We have the policy statement this is what you're supposed to have and they're out.

I printed it off. I left it on my printer, but I had printed uh it's in our own head manual and it's basically and it does state safety shoes, you know, uh gas monitor, things like that. Um so I forgot to bring it, but um and I can we have an on and manual. It goes over everything on the plant. I don't have like a physical copy of it, but I could email it to you and it's very boring, but it basically goes through everything in the plant, every every piece of new equipment that was installed in in 2020 when it was ready to plant. Um, we use it for you can it'll tell you the vendor, how to order the parts, the machine, give you a parts list, and then it's it's print office. doing a good job. We appreciate you.

We appreciate it.

Thank you. They resort. Anybody here from the gas department or parks? Okay. City council request. M. No. No request. But I do want to clarify one thing. Uh I have never been against Veterans Day as being a recognized holiday city in all of my working days. I've always been given Veterans Day off. I try every time I can to attend the ceremonies that we have in the city. My only concern was that I still believe that we have too many paid holidays. That is it. I support Veterans Day. Always have always Thank you. Mr. RB,

is it possible for the guys to come to the health fair at Lock Ridge from 11 to 1:30? Just drop in. All right. On Saturday, this coming Saturday. Yes. Health fair at Lock Ridge. Can you just when you get a minute, send me an email and I will that way I can remember it. Okay. I'm getting old. Well, blend with the with the part situation. I know you play this. They have seen now to make the jerkens out of a derby race track, whatever you Yeah, we know.

Yeah. That area where we had the fence at, is it anything that we can put there to protect those kids?

Talking about Yeah. Yeah, they the area where the fence was at, they're coming around coming all the way through the bushes and coming up through the park area where the basketball court is at and they're coming back out and then speeding and going back out towards Martin Luther King and I say I think what I love bridge J. I'm serious. That's the only way.

And then every now and then you like they riding now with mask on their face now. So you can't identify who they are. You can't tell who they are. Uhhuh. That's what they're doing now. Somebody knows who they are. Oh yeah, but they ain't telling. That's who could stop this. And the people that witness it, they can stop this immediately if they gave us the info. I'm just worried about that part where they're coming back inside of the park area. And they could lose control and go right out there on that playground and hit somebody's baby out there. We we've had over the years we've had people riding scooters and stuff, paralyze themselves and crashes. Oh yeah,

they continue to do, you know, and and you're right, safety is the biggest concern. But the community can stop this faster than anybody can and without that cooperation or that help. Um there's not a lot that we can do. I mean, we we can try. You're um not the part the actual park part where the court the basketball courts are at. Yeah. where the park used to be. That part we had fenced off. It was added to um Gilman's. I think that was on our property, was it?

Because we had it fenced off and when they tore the fence up, we just took it down. And where would you want fence now? Here. Like where actually where we had it at. So that could that could stop some of that cuz they're going inside the park area coming through coming across the basketball court and then they're going back out on the side of the the actual park where the kids play at headed back towards the splash pad. I think so. I think I remember the dance. So, that's the old Jerkens property right there. Cuz there was a Are you talking Are you talking about like where the playground is?

Where the actual basketball courts are at? Right there. Right by the building. And there was a fence that went up and out. There was all that area behind they have made that dirty where they just coming in with it. the dirt bikes coming around coming across the um the court and then they're going back beside the actual area. Yes. And then they're headed back towards Martin Luther King and sometimes some of them can't even put the brakes on all time so the cars have to stop. Can we put like a visible razor wire there? So

put that in a I'm just want to watch out for those the babies because I'm getting a lot of parents that are complaining about it. And then I do understand what Jame is saying about you got to have the community, but it Yes, ma'am. We understand the community. And that was sort of just the terrible what I was sharing.

Yes. Yes. I know. I know. That's why I wanted to put it right. I wish it would just skin, you know, just a little neck, not make it uncomfortable. make it uncomfortable. Yeah, I know. I'm sorry. But until somebody gets hurt, it's all, you know, but you would think that you would had two people lost their lives doing that and then you got one that's paralyzed from the waist down now doing the same exact thing. Somewhere common sense will kick in. It's not going to happen to them.

That's what they think. But that you remember it slowed down a little bit after everybody and said, "Oh my, look at this." But now we're right back to It's a new generation of kids. That's what it is. Oh yeah. Because it's the younger ones that's that is that's actually doing it that I'm c that's doing it because if I catch them I they I will chase them and they be like miss. So they know. But it's just the point of the parents not telling them the right from wrong. Telling them hey that's not what you're supposed to be doing. And my thing is, if you ain't got nowhere to ride that, don't go by. See, I got enough yard I can really, my grandb babies ride in my yard. So, but getting on the highway and doing it, it's not good at all.

Yes, ma'am. And it appears that the parents do not understand that they are not allowed to ride on public property and and they tear up roads but they street. Oh yeah. Williams and not second street. Second. Mhm. It's actually LSJ now, not Williams. LSJ. And yes, right down the sh I know what you're talking about.

It's do we have enough officers yet that they can just patrol? That's a bigger discussion. If we had the if if a give them just give them a neighborhood too. If we had enough officers, we'd have a tripled budget for a police department. But see, they're smart enough not to do it when the officers are over there. They wait until no one's around and then that's when they get they got people spotting for them. Exactly. Exactly. We don't have we with the call volume we have and the things we got going on, we don't have enough people to stick in one spot. We just don't not stick in one spot, you know, just

they do that. Now, I do I will commend them for that. I do catch them doing their ride through. They do come through and if they see me out there in the front yard, they'll speak and some of them stop and talk, but they do come through periodically like they should. Okay, it's good. just it's it's bad and it's going to get worse. Come Christmas more. If if I may, I had a watch order placed on a particular street. Okay.

In the area. I'm not going to say where because we're not going to call names. Um, bless her. Even with the watch order and officers specifically right through and documenting the lack of activity, I was still getting calls every other day for a month we'd miss about issues. So, no mean barring having enough people to set somebody there at an intersection 247. We're trying. Sorry. You'll be wasting your time because like I say, they're not going to do it. If they see someone, then they're going to go somewhere else. Exactly.

And see, I think that's the problem is with the park. They now that y'all have got it under control with Block Ridge, they see an opportunity, let's go this area and start riding, but just this place where like you're saying, I'll go pee pressure goes a long way. Oh, yeah. So, well, instead of a pool, how about a track? I would love it for them to have someone, but then wouldn't that put the liability? It's a give and take. I think Jefferson County Road.

You're more than welcome to laugh. I know. Don't do it. I know the late Steve Walker, he was a commissioner in Jefferson County and they did open a lot of trails for ATVs and it did help a lot and and everybody uh in that area really loved that being able to have cert certain designated spots. And I know like on the um it's the west side of Tallahassee out Highway 20 there's uh you know there's land that stays trail riding and horse you know all that stuff.

I I don't mind it. But if we could find a way to take us out of liability you know I would love that because my babies love they like to ride. So it's mostly in the county isn't it? Forest over there. Mhm. You know, like um Jefferson County, it's county roads and trails and state land. And I think Gaston County has one also. I don't think we have. You can ride them on the county roads here in the county now. It's just nobody sees you catwalking it. It's real cool out there if nobody's watching. So,

it is all right. It's the Jos nothing before this. Wait a minute. I can go out. I do. I do have Do we have it in the budget? Are we doing anything for these guys for this? the council is doing anything for Christmas as far as giving. Did we put it anything in the budget for that gift cards or anything like that? Yeah,

the last two years we've done a two years ago we did $100 cash. I think last year we did $100 in the paycheck. It got packed. I didn't put it in the budget. I don't think there's I mean we can you can still do it. You could pull it from it's the same difference. I can do a budget amendment now. Okay. I just wanted to make sure that they were going to be giving something because I know what it's just something to think. Yeah, I'm saying what we want. But you need to make a decision now. There's only one more meeting before Christmas. Yeah. I don't want it to be cash. Please

don't cash in their first paycheck. Yeah, she did a bonus check. When it's cash, it's too hard to track for the auditors. Will we be able to go? So about 125. I think last year we actually made it where kind of your check your check was 100750 whatever it was. Okay. Exactly.

So do that. being very much got 15 million. We give everybody 500,000 hotel to pay the employees Christmas. Do I have

this more? Okay. Well, your name is 125.

Okay. I hear one twice person. Uh Shirley makes the motion for a $100 bonus for the employees.

Do I have a second? I'm only going to second it because I want to give him something. I want the 125, but I How many employees did that go to? It's like 90 employee. Yeah.

You got some vacancies on. It's probably about at 87 or so. Yeah, we got two vacancies. We do the part time. They don't get nothing. I think we did. We did. I think all everybody got them. Now we're back at probably 90.

Yeah. I'm pretty sure.

Yes. Yes. Anything else from the board this council tonight?