City Commission - Regular Meeting

Good evening.

We'll call the City Commission meeting of Monday, August 24th to order. Can we get a roll call, please?

Yes, sir. Commissioner Davis? Here. Commissioner Dollison? Here. Commissioner Birdsong? Here. Mayor Pro Tem Mercer? Here. And Mayor Yates?

Here. We'll have invocation led by Dr. Steve Negley of First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by City Clerk Vanessa Castillo. Please stand to fable. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Let us bow before God in prayer. Wonderful God, as the pages are ready to turn on another month in the calendar as the year proceeds, we thank you for your constant presence and guidance. We thank you for this summer, for city projects underway and some completed, for programs for people of all ages, wonderful programs by our city staff. We thank you for our staff. We thank you for the commission. We thank you for the departments that never sleep, fire and protective services, and police. And God, we thank you again for your constant guidance. Be with the commission as we now consider the fall and another year. We ask you to guide them, give them wisdom and insight, and be with all of us as we enjoy this place that you've given us to call home. In your precious name we pray.

Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United and is full of liberty and justice

Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners. We have two items for presentation this evening. The first is a proclamation for Unique Abilities Awareness Week. And I will ask Aisha Boyd, the founder of Unique Abilities Homeschool Collective, to come forward to the podium while I read the proclamation. Whereas the City of Winter Haven is committed to fostering a community where all individuals are valued, respected, and provided opportunities to participate fully in civic, educational, recreational, and community life. And whereas individuals with disabilities and unique abilities contribute meaningful talents, perspectives, strengths, and experiences that enrich our community and strengthen the social fabric of the City of Winter Haven. And whereas families, caregivers, educators, therapists, healthcare professionals, advocates, service providers, and community organizations play an essential role in supporting individuals with unique abilities in promoting their success, well-being, and inclusion. And whereas increasing awareness, accessibility, understanding, and meaningful connections help create a more welcoming community in which individuals of all abilities can learn, work, play, and thrive. And whereas the observance of Unique Abilities Awareness Week provides an opportunity for residents, businesses, schools, faith communities, and organizations throughout Winter Haven to recognize the contributions of individuals with unique abilities and reaffirm their commitment to inclusion, belonging, and opportunity for all. and whereas the City of Winter Haven recognizes the importance of strengthening community connections and access to resources that support individuals with unique abilities and their families. Now, therefore, William Bryan Yates, Mayor of the City of Winter Haven, Florida, does hereby proclaim the week of September 6, 2026 as Unique Abilities Awareness Week in the City of Winter Haven. and encourages all residents businesses schools organizations and community partners to join in recognizing celebrating and supporting individuals with unique abilities and their families while promoting a more inclusive and connected community for all and witness whereof he is here to set his hand and cause the seal of the city of winter haven florida to be affixed this 24th day of august 2026 signed william brian yates mayor attest vanessa castillo city clerk You're welcome to make comments if you like.

Okay. Good evening, mayors, commissioners, city staff, and members of our community. On behalf of Unique Abilities Homeschool Collective, I am honored to accept this proclamation recognizing September 6th through the 12th, 2026 as Unique Abilities Awareness Week in the city of Winter Haven. Thank you.

Our next recognition or presentation this evening is for six city employees who recently completed the Certified Public Manager program or CPM program that is an accredited professional management program brought to us by Florida State University. The city has participated in this program for a number of years. Those employees who are selected to participate in this go through a two-year curriculum that involves eight different learning modules spread out over the course of those two years. I fail to recall exactly what number cohort this is, but we have put through just about all of our executive leadership department leadership personnel through this program so it is a great honor this evening and i'm going to ask sean dykes our human resources director to help hand out their plaques and we'll bring them all together for a photo with the commission our 2026 certified public manager graduates are nick gregory winter haven police department Troy Heidel, our Airport Director. Angie Hibbard with our Economic Opportunity and Community Investment Department. She's our CRA Manager. Kyle Reeves, our Assistant Customer Service Manager within the Water Department. Mr. Alan Weeks, our budget guru within the finance department. That's his official title. And Ms. Savannah Wynn-Stanley with our public works department in our natural resources division.

One, two, three. One, two, three.

Next year we need the war champ.

Every two years we do that. Two years, two years.

Okay. Well, with that, we've got no developments of note this evening. We do have one set of minutes for approval from July 13th, 2026. Mr. Mayor, move approval of the minutes. Motion's been made. Any questions or discussion on this item? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, like sign. Motion carries. comments from the audience. We do have two individuals signed up this evening. They have not specified a specific agenda item. So I will say if there's anyone in the audience who wishes to speak on an agenda item, please wait until we get to that point. But if not, now's an opportunity for you to have five minutes to present whatever you like to the commission. So first up, we have Ms. Beulah Thomas. If you'll state your name and address for the record, and you'll have five minutes.

Good evening. Beulah Thomas, 2327 Twin Lakeview Road, Winter Haven, 33881. So I just would like to speak on what I spoke the last meeting. I did meet with the city manager and the city project manager, and I can honestly say it confirmed all the observations that I spoke on the last time. The only thing that I found out new was that there was a bid that could have been made. And because nobody knew, nobody could bid on it, I would have bid it. I upgraded my collusion to collusionary premeditation because it says that that it is describes a secret joint plan or prior agreement between two or more parties to commit an unlawful or dishonest or deceptive act. We know it wasn't unlawful, but it was dishonest. It was dishonest. It was dishonest. And I say it that many times because I want you to hear me because I still think you don't believe it. I wasn't clear if you knew the back story until after the meeting. But during the meeting, the city manager said he knew that the owner had refused to sell this particular lot. So with prior knowledge, that means it's premeditation. We often hear that the buck stops here. So the buck stops with the city commission because we elected you. We voted for you to be fair to all of us, to be transparent, and to govern with integrity. And just like we voted for you to be representation for us, we can vote for somebody to take your place if you're not being fair. You need to be fair. You need to be transparent. Because we expect that from you. I can't say anything more then let your conscience be your guide and represent all the people who you're supposed to represent, not just friends, not just golfing buddies, but all the citizens of Florence Villa expect that from you.

Thank you, Ms. Thomas. Next up we have Paul Illouz. Thank you.

You'll have five minutes if you'll speak your name and address for the record. My name is Paul Illouz and I live at 1605 Hummingbird Road. First of all, I just want to thank you all for your hard work and dedication to Winter Haven. Over my career, I've had the privilege of working alongside several city managers and council members, and I respect the time and effort you pour into our community. My wife and I moved here in April 2025, bringing my son, his wife, and two of my grandchildren. In Massachusetts, we had a front row seat to government corruption and opaque spending. That experience is precisely why I attend every city commission meeting here in our new home. A couple of months ago, I learned something concerning at one of those meetings. The city has been allocating hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to local non-governmental organizations. When I spoke with neighbors in my HOA and long-time residents, not a single person was aware that this was happening. I don't believe in government money. To me, there is only taxpayer money. Too often, when budgets tighten, the default answer is to take more from taxpayers rather than scrutinizing where we can save. This issue is magnified by our current financial landscape. Between proposed homestead exemption changes impacting ad valorem revenues and the proposal of levying additional fire assessment fees on residents, many of us are feeling squeezed. In neighborhoods like Harmony Estates, we have families with adult children living under one roof due to high housing costs, rising utility expenses, and crushing grocery bills. I decided to look closely at the tax documents of the NGOs receiving these funds. While I deeply value community outreach and personally support organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, the Mission, and Freedom Tour, I believe public tax dollars should not subsidize financially robust nonprofits. For instance, the organization receiving the largest share of our city's NGO funding sits on over $15 million in total assets against $10 million in liabilities. Last year, they brought in $7.7 million in revenue against $5.6 million in expenses. I can name dozens of for-profit organizations who would envy that balance sheet. Furthermore, nearly 49% of their budget goes toward salaries and wages, well above standard nonprofit operational benchmarks of 30%. And their CEO is paid an annual salary of $295,000. I'll repeat that. The CEO of a local nonprofit in the city, we are giving that taxpayer funds to, and he's making a salary of $295,000. According to public records, that would make him the highest paid city employee in Winter Haven by more than 30%. More than our police chief and fire chief combined, more than double what the governor of Florida makes, and more than double what every commissioner up on the dais makes. This organization is financially strong on its own. And honestly, to compound this, the city recently spent nearly $24 million on a new recreation center less than three miles from this organization, offering many of the same programs we are subsidizing. Meanwhile, another organization, I learned later today, is requesting an additional $350,000 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which relies in part on ad valorem revenue. I don't really have time to discuss other outlays in my allotted five minutes, but as I've started researching the 44 NGOs the city is subsidizing, I have noticed similar patterns. There are many phenomenal organizations operating in and around Winter Haven without a single cent of taxpayer money. Groups like Refuge on the Ridge, Winter Haven Fellowship Hall, Anchor House Ministries, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. When a cause is vital, our community, businesses, and local churches will step up voluntarily. I've personally witnessed each of these organizations transform lives. I love that we open every commission meeting in prayer. And that's part of my point here. Historically, when government attempts to fulfill roles best served by community and faith initiatives, corruption thrives, efficiency drops. We don't need our government to act as a savior. We have a savior. We need our government to act as a prudent steward. So whether these state tax amendments pass or fail, we still have the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. With all the NGO fraud and abuse that has been revealed at the national level in the last few years, please don't burden us at the local level as well. I urge the Commission to reconsider and potentially eliminate some of these NGO outlays. And at the very least, please look into them and review them to see if they really need our tax dollars. We have difficult decisions coming up, as we all know. So I just thank you. Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your service to the city. Thank you.

Anyone else wish to speak to the commission at this time? Okay, seeing none, we'll close the comments from the audience. We'll open the second reading public hearing, Ordinance O-26-19, City Attorneys.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Commission, Ordinance Number O-26-19, an ordinance amending Chapter 21 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Winterham, Florida, by rezoning six parcels from Commercial Heavy C-4 Zoning District to Plan Unit Development PUD Zoning District, providing for the administrative correction of scrivener's errors, repealing all ordinances in conflict herewith, and providing an effective date. General location, 717 6th Street Southwest. The area covered by this request is 4.24 plus or minus acres. Thank you.

Thank you, City Manager.

Mayor and Commissioners, this is a project requested by Lake May District JV LLC requesting the city to rezone six parcels from commercial heavy C4 zoning district to a planned unit development zoning district. As you can see on your map, This is located at 717 Sixth Street Southwest and includes approximately 6.24 acres. It consists of the Marine Supply Boating Center and Marina located on the eastern side of Lake May. The petitioner proposes to renovate the existing full-service marina and redevelop the property with additional uses including parking, a boat club, food trucks, outdoor entertainment, and a restaurant. The PUD conditions provide standards for permitted uses, development standards, marine structures, and parking requirements. The Planning Commission on July 9th, 2026 voted to recommend approval of this request. There were two members that spoke during that hearing in support of the request. In conclusion, based on staff's review, the proposed rezoning from commercial C4 to planned unit development is consistent with the primary mixed-use hub future land use designation and will not increase the property's maximum development potential. The proposed PUD provides a framework for the continued operation and enhancement of the existing marina while establishing development standards for future improvements and complementary commercial uses. The request is compatible with the surrounding land use pattern and supports reinvestment in a waterfront property on the chain of lakes. The request also implements concepts contained in the 2003 Urban Lakefront Study and the 2022 Downtown CRA Plan, both of which are appendices of the 2035 Winter Haven Comprehensive Plan. This is second reading and staff recommends the City Commission approve Ordinance 026-19. Thank you.

Thank you. Commissioners? Mr. Mayor? Yes. Move approval of O2619 on second reading public hearing. Thank you.

Okay. Motion's been made for approval. We'll close the commission meeting, open the public hearing. Anyone wish to speak to this item? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing, reopen the city commission meeting. Commissioners, any other questions or discussions on this? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, like sign. Motion carries. Commissioners, you have the consent agenda.

Mr. Mayor?

Yes. Move approval of the consent agenda in its entirety. Okay. Motion's been made for the consent agenda approval. We'll close the commission meeting, open the public comment. Anyone wish to speak to any item within the consent agenda? Seeing none, we'll close the public comment, reopen the commission meeting. Commissioners, any other questions or discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, light sign. Motion carries. No resolutions this evening. We do have a first reading. Second reading will be on September 15th. This is for Ordinance O-26-21, Compensation of City Commissioners and Mayor. City Attorney?

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Commission Ordinance Number 0-26-21, an ordinance amending Chapter 2, Section 2-28 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Winter Haven, Florida, relating to compensation of city commissioners and continuing to provide an automatic annual adjustment equivalent in value to any across-the-board cost-of-living percentage increase to be awarded city employees, if any. Repealing all the ordinances in conflict herewith, providing for the severability, codification, administrative correction of criminal errors, and providing for an effective date. thank you city manager mr mayor i will defer to the city attorney to elaborate on this item as he did during your agenda review thank you mr city manager um mayor commissioners this was an ordinance that was requested to be brought forward by the commission by a majority consensus of the commission for your further review As it's noted in the title, it proposes to amend the compensation provisions in our code of ordinances, codified at 2-28 of the city's code. This follows a memo that was prepared by Commissioner Davis dated May 17th of 2026 that was distributed to the commission. which made certain suggestions for increasing and updating the city commission's compensation-based salary and allowances based on an analysis of matters that are set forth in the memo. Then again in July, July 13th meeting I believe, the city manager provided you some information that was relating to what other governing bodies' compensation levels are that are located within Florida. And we had then a discussion of this matter at your agenda review work session last Wednesday. And there is no recommendation being made by staff on this particular item. This is purely for your consideration and your further deliberations. The charter of the city of Winter Haven provides that compensation of city commissioners is to be determined by ordinance. So therefore, that's an ordinance. Ordinances require two readings, as you know. Tonight would be a first reading. If it goes forward tonight, it would come back for a second reading and then a public, advertised public hearing. But again, this is a matter that is prepared at your request, you being a majority of the commission, and there is no recommendation per se. So it's up to you all how you want to handle this.

All right. Commissioners, any questions, discussion on this item? Yes, sir.

Yes, so when I spoke with the city attorney about when we're talking about the some of the specifics in the ordinance I realized that the chart we were giving of these salaries Our salary was listed and included the allowances that were in there. I then started to look at some of the other Cities and found that some of the cities what they're what's stated here is their salary did not include their allowances so City Attorney, do you recall about where our salary is without the allowances currently? It's closer to $13,000 or $14,000. Is that correct?

Yeah. I don't know. I think that's correct.

Okay. And the reason why that matters to me is because then when you compare it on the chart, that puts us below what Bartow and Lake Wales are currently paying their city commissioners. And I think that's relevant. The reason why I proposed this and we're having this conversation is because we're trying to right-size, being the second largest city in the county and with all the growth going on, we're trying to bring our salaries in line with the work that we're putting in, the decisions that we have to make and the constituents that we serve. I DID, AS I EXPLAINED IN MY MEMO, WHICH IS PUBLICLY AVAILABLE, I DID THIS BASED ON A RATIONAL APPROACH BY LOOKING AT THE PER CAPITA COMPENSATION FOR OUR CITIES, TAKING OUT SOME OF THE LOWER POPULATION CITIES BECAUSE THOSE WERE SKEWED A LITTLE BIT HIGHER BASED ON THE LOWER POPULATIONS. THAT'S WHERE I CAME UP WITH MY RECOMMENDATION. uh... however we've had some very productive conversations and uh... you know some different viewpoints and i just wanted to also offer uh... for your consideration that you know should uh... some of you prefer you know not to see this raise or even to be paid at all if maybe we ought to consider an amendment that a commissioner may waive compensation um... if they were so to choose uh... just to make that clear so so that way you know we're not all having to uh... embrace a raise if we don't Think we need one or if we'd rather do this job for free as a volunteer service I just I think that might be something I'd be willing to entertain if we wanted to amend it and add that into the ordinance But I'd like to see if maybe we have any consensus for that Commissioners

i guess my thought on that is i just don't think it should happen across the board we're in a time where we should actually be cutting cost um not knowing what potentially is coming forth and i don't know how you do that and then you have commissioners that say well i'll take a raise and i won't take a raise i mean i think it's just flat across the board shouldn't be done and that's been my opinion on this since the beginning so that's that's my feeling

I'm sorry, are you supporting my recommended amendment then?

No, I'm sticking with my recommendation, which we never should have started this in the first place, but that's just me. Commissioners, any other questions or discussion on this item?

I do have a question, so I'm clear. Commissioner Davis made a, I guess, suggestion for an amendment. I don't hear anyone taking up for that amendment. The mayor has made a comment that has been consistent from the very beginning. I don't hear anyone taking up for that. So if I'm not, I mean, I don't want to read tea leaves, but I want to be transparent and understand that this will move forward as is to a second reading. on September 15th of 2026. Is that my understanding?

Can pass or fail at that time? Yes, it is my understanding. We do not have consensus that the commission would rather not have the option to waive their compensation.

And to answer your question, Commissioner Davis, my understanding of the salary, the base salary for the commission for this year would be $13,795.34.

Okay, which is below Bartow at their 20,502 population and Lake Wales at their 17,558 population. We are at 57,923 population. So that does align with what my understanding is too.

Okay, so we will go forward with this and have second reading on September 15th. With that, we've got new business, RFQ 2608, approval for construction manager, city manager.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. On November 5th of 2025, the city issued RFQ 2608 for construction manager at risk for CMAR services in Cypress Wood and Pollard Road water production facilities. The Professional Services Committee unanimously ranked Wharton Smith Inc. out of Tampa, Florida as the top firm. On February 23rd of 2026, the City Commission authorized me to begin negotiating a contract for these services. That is what is before you this evening. Within that contract, Wharton Smith will manage the project through a set of distinct task orders, first being the pre-construction phase, during which the CMAR collaborates with the city and its design consultants to ensure all phases of the project are ready for build-out. The key responsibilities of the CMAR team will be to assist in the development of plans and specifications with a focus on constructability, provide preliminary cost estimates, value engineering, owner direct purchase strategies, and early construction activities. Establish a construction schedule and preliminary guaranteed maximum price, or GMP, for each component project of the larger overall scope of work. And has an allowance of $132,060 for subsurface exploratory investigation as needed for the Cypress Wood Water Treatment Plant site specifically. During the construction phase, once each design is finalized, keep in mind this is two separate water plants, one at Cypress Wood, one on Pollard Road, as well as the development of the Fourth Street connection, which is part of the road infrastructure leading to that plant on Pollard Road. The individual component projects of the larger overall scope, the CMAR will transition into project execution, including providing a final GMP for the full construction management for the component project, securing all necessary permits for the construction, providing construction schedules and updates, managing all labor, supervision, materials, and equipment, and oversight of project startup, staff training, and delivery of the as-builts. As a member of the Polk Regional Water Cooperative, the city must have the Pollard Road water production facility operational by October of 2028 to receive scheduled alternative water supply. This necessitates GMPs for a pair of early out packages of work consisting of long lead time items, site preparation work, and key improvements. funds are budgeted in the current fiscal year twenty six budget in the amount of six hundred thirty two thousand seven hundred fifty nine dollars for the pre construction phase in in fiscal years twenty six twenty seven twenty seven twenty eight as reflected in the five-year capital improvement plan for the construction phase of the project for the construction phases the contract allows for eight percent construction management fee Staff recommends the City Commission approve and execute the Construction Manager at Risk Agreement for the Cypress Wood and Pollard Road water production facilities and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the pre-construction phase scope of work and take any and all actions necessary thereto. We do have with us, representing Wharton Smith, Mr. David Behan, should you have any questions of the contractor. And we also have with us members of our executive team from the Water Department should you have questions about the projects more specifically. Thank you.

Okay, commissioners? Mr. Mayor? Yes. Move approval of RFQ 2608, approval of the construction management and risk agreement with Walton Smith for the Cypress Wood and the Pollock Road production facility.

All right. Motion has been made. We'll close the commission meeting, open a public hearing. Anyone wish to speak to this item? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing, reopen the commission meeting. Commissioners, any other questions or discussion on this item? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, like sign. Motion carries.

Okay, next up transitional affordable housing agreement with Hartford winter-haven City manager Mr. Mayor and commissioners I would like for mr. Eric labby director of economic opportunity community investment to provide the summary for this item before you and we do have Representatives from Hartford Winter Haven with us as well. I will note that this item has been updated to reflect comments and consensus on those comments during the agenda review session of last Wednesday Yes, sir mayor commissioners

Hartford Winter Haven Inc at the time of the writing of this fact sheet entered into a contract to purchase approximately Point eight one eight acres of land located at the southwest corner of 7th Street Southwest and Avenue in Southwest and Winter Haven It's my understanding that they have closed on that property at this time the property is entitled for the construction of 13 townhomes and and is partially developed with utilities, paid parking, and other infrastructure already constructed. Hartford Winter Haven intends to construct those townhome units and utilize those units for transitional affordable housing for families with children in Winter Haven area schools who are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. Hartford Winter Haven has requested assistance from the city in the amount of $350,000 from the city supplemental affordable housing trust fund to be paired with other raised and committed funds including a matching grant from the county to facilitate the purchase of the property and construction of the townhome units a affordable housing agreement has been drafted and proposed and It contemplates a $350,000 forgivable grant to Hartford Winter Haven to be used specifically for acquisition or construction only. The funds shall be placed with an escrow agent. and shall be available to be dispersed at the closing, which has already occurred, or upon execution of the agreement that has been modified in the agreement that is before you today. It will be held in escrow until such time as the applicant Hartford Winter Haven can demonstrate that the loan will be a combined loan to value ratio of 75% or less. Within 30 days of the purchase of the property, Hartford-Winterhaven shall allow the city to place a lien on the property in the amount of the grant as security. Construction shall commence within 12 months. The units constructed on the property shall remain affordable according to HUD standards and definitions and used for their intended purpose for a minimum of seven years from the date of initial occupancy. Provided that those units do remain affordable according to those definitions, the grant can be forgivable at 15% per year for the first six years. The final 10% shall be forgiven upon completion of seven years of compliance. If Hartford Winter Haven is found to be in default of the terms of the agreement, they shall have 30 days to cure the default. If the default is not cured, then any amount secured by the lien shall become due and payable. Funds are available in the city's supplemental affordable housing trust fund in the amount of $350,000. Staff recommends the city commission approve the transitional affordable housing agreement and authorize the mayor to execute the agreement, and the city manager is designated to take all necessary action related to implement the terms of the agreement. Thank you. Thank you.

Commissioners? Mr. Mayor? Yes. Move approval of the transitional affordable housing agreement with Hartford-Winterhaven Inc. Okay.

Motion's been made. We'll close the commission meeting, open the public hearing. Anyone wish to speak to this item? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing, reopen the city commission meeting. Commissioners, any other questions, discussion on this item? Yes, sir.

Yes. Mr. Laddy, can you explain to me the supplemental affordable housing trust fund? How does that get funded?

That is an annual allocation of commitment by the city commission to put $250,000 a year into that supplemental affordable housing trust fund.

Okay. How much, do you know roughly how much we have in the trust fund right now?

I don't have an exact amount. Mr. Reeder, do you know off the top of your head? I want to say it's around $1.6 million. I believe it's $1.4 million. $1.4 million. And that was originally funded with our ARPA funds. We had ARPA funds initially went into there. We use those dollars as match dollars for affordable housing projects such as this. I recently did one with Mr. Galt for a similar housing project, and also in years past is the city's portion or match associated with the tax finance credit efforts through Florida Housing.

So we've funded other projects similar to this, and we have the funds there already. And my understanding, we still have more funds available, and we're looking at some other projects too. So this is consistent with what we've been doing.

You have slightly over a million dollars, based upon Mr. Reeder's recall, of about $1.4 million in there at the present time.

Does that mean commitments that have yet to be paid out, such as Mr. Goff?

i believe mister goals payments are that's back down that already i think that was just shy of three hundred thousand dollars and so there's dollar when that program was set up around twenty twenty one it was with the intent of bringing more affordable housing opportunities to the area is other programs or projects come forward whether they are through the tax credit financing of florida housing or otherwise these these pat this project in the in the prior one that you approved we're not part of that florida housing program but should one of those come forward at some point i think the current match associated with a local government area of opportunity in the future if the city should offer up one of those or around $600,000 required match. That number fluctuates year over year, but you have sufficient funds. And this was established, like I said, primarily to help bring about more affordable housing in Winter Haven to address the housing needs. Thank you. Yes, sir.

Commissioner, any other questions or comments? I've got just a couple I'd like to make. And they're kind of going to include some comments based upon what we heard earlier this evening as well. So, you know, first of all, I am not for building a multimillion-dollar homeless shelter. uh... i don't think that that fixes the problem that doesn't get homeless off the streets a lot of the homeless actually choose that lifestyle and that's how they want to live it's unfortunate but that you know that's that's their choice homelessness is not illegal in the state of florida uh... But what this project potentially does is it helps prevent homelessness specifically for families with school-aged children. And when I look at something like this, this is an opportunity children did not ask for the situation that they may have been placed in by their parents or guardians or what have you. But here's an opportunity to give a hand up versus a handout and help families with school-age children to become more financially stable so that they can make decisions moving forward to get them out of this step and into a step of hopefully what ultimately becomes home ownership. For this project, we've really implemented a lot of reporting requirements that are going to have to be met by Heart for Winter Haven. They're going to have to come back to us each year and say, this is who we help. This is what's happening with the project. This is where things stand. And then also, as we previously discussed, I think getting those update reports. Here's the family that's come in. This is what's happened. This is where they are now. And I think that's imperative to part of the reporting process going forward. also put multiple clauses within this agreement recapture these funds if for some reason the project did not move forward so i believe if i remember correctly there was twelve months with an additional potential for six additional months of eighteen months to get at least the first set of units uh... built and constructed and so i think that's a positive thing and then portions that are going to be forgiven year over year up to the seven years comes in, you know, sorry, I lost my train of thought here. So it comes in over the course of time to be sure that, again, this project is moving forward the way that this commission intended it for it to move forward. As far as lumping this into grant and aid giving, I look at it two separate buckets. This is a bucket that the commission six years ago, I believe it was, established the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to fix a problem of homelessness with a specific cause of fixing childhood homelessness. We've had some national individuals come in who have built close to 100 units. They wish to do another project close to 100 units. But now we've actually got local not-for-profits, local individuals who are seeing an opportunity to provide a much-needed housing opportunity requirement or or need that this community has and so hopefully it keeps these families out of the hotel rooms and and out of uh temporary situations and you know as far as grant and aid can go you know when we established grant and aid it was really with the purpose of filling the local gaps could these entities survive without funding from the city of winter haven the majority of them could most likely but could they continue to help as many local residents as they do without the funding from the city of winter haven and that's that's no i mean that that's very simply no the haley center is is a prime example of what grant and aid funds are used for and go towards to help individuals with medical services that would otherwise just go without. If Amendment 3 were to pass in November, and that's the will of the voters, that's fine. If that's what the voters want, pass it. We've got a lot of work to do at that point. I'm excited about potentially jumping into that head first and putting that work forth. However, we have to understand what we're voting for in November. And that would end things like grant and aid. The funds, you're getting rid of about $350,000 in grant and aid year over year. But you've got to replace $10.5 million. You've got a lot more work to do. So if Amendment 3 passes, we'll put forth the effort. We'll put forth the work. We'll get this thing balanced out the best that we can. But as far as affordable housing, I'm just super excited about this project. I can't wait till all 13 units get completed. i can drive by those units i can drive by that playground and see those kids playing after school that to me is a win and i'm excited to see it come to fruition so i just wanted to make those comments commissioners any other comments or discussion yes sir yeah thanks you jogged my memory i just wanted to uh

acknowledged to the city attorney that founded in terms six of section two uh... i want to read that for for the public as well this is in the agreement uh... that that time that must be met the thirteen units construct on the property shall be occupied by families with children in winter haven area schools with a total income of 120% of AMI or lower, and rental rates shall be consistent with or below the rent limits associated with household income and household composition, as published annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Florida Housing Finance Corporation Guidelines. So we've actually built in here that these units will be serving our families, our children, and our schools. So I really do appreciate that, and I echo the Mayor's uh... support i think this this is going to be great project uh... i look forward to seeing how comes to fruition uh... and i i hope that uh... you know we'd like to exercise any of these these terms uh... because i i wish you all uh... success with with the plans i think that we all have a certain agreement that this is a great

which also I do remember very vividly, when we championed the idea of the fact that 5,000 students in Polk County were homeless. We did that specifically because we recognize that people do recognize children as being vulnerable and most vulnerable, seniors and children. But we also recognize, too, that with these children are connected Families, of course, mothers, fathers. I think when you think about homeless people, that if it's a lifestyle or a choice, I don't think no one's choosing that per se. If you know homeless people, you talk to them, you have conversations with them. You meet one I met the other day, Charlotte. When I got to talking to Charlotte, having a one-on-one with Charlotte, she was looking for something to eat. She's living in the bushes. She's about a white lady, older. She's got family. She's got children. She's apart from her children. So I think, you know... This is more complicated than we think sometimes. But I think, you know, recognizing that, you know, there are a lot of people who are suffering in our community. And for those who are working hard and every day to try to make life better for them, I applaud their efforts and those who have been championing these efforts. And I know this commission because we brought the issue to this commission many years ago. And the commission did embrace this. And that's why we have even this trust fund. And I'm happy to see that and happy to be a part of that. That's why I'm sitting up here. And so I think that, you know, as we consider there's no place for men right now for housing. We have a place, the Talbert House is a great opportunity for women and children, but there's no place for men who are in our community, no place for them to go at all. And so there are many needs, and I think that the fact that we are working toward that at all is certainly a is admirable and one that I think that we should continue to do so. And for Hartford Winter Haven to exist today, we know how it came into being, and the work that they're doing is wonderful. And we see that the numbers are trending the right way in Winter Haven, but we should not be satisfied with that in Winter Haven unless it's happening everywhere. So, again, I applaud the efforts, and I think that there's no one fighting against this. I think we know this is a step in the right direction, and it's a good use of the funds. Now, whatever happens with regards to November, we'll deal with that, as the mayor has mentioned, and I think we'll live with the consequences of whatever that may be. As it relates to cutting, I don't know anything we've cut yet. I ain't heard us cut anything. Not yet. So if we're talking about cutting stuff, I don't know when does that happen. So that may be something that may be as a result of something that may transpire later, but right now we haven't done that. So, you know, we are doing what we can with what we have in order to advance, I think, the agenda. There are concerns that have been mentioned even here tonight that at least raise my ears and attention to. I think we certainly need to look at. We talked about grant aid. We said that those who are grandfathered in, some of those that And part of that has been over tradition over time. But, yes, they should be looked at. I think that suggestion was made that we would give consideration to those organizations to see pretty much are they still worthy of receiving those necessary funds. We do have an oversight committee that basically does that. We don't necessarily do it ourselves, but that committee is basically looking at those applications and vetting them and bringing them to us. So, like I said, I'm looking forward to this effort. I think others that have come before us are moving in the right direction, and I think that is the way forward.

Commissioners, any other questions, comments? All right. All those in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, like sign. Motion carries. All right, city commissioner liaison reports. We'll start off with Commissioner Bergson.

All right. Just a few things. All of us attended the Florida League of Cities conference, and I think probably one of the highlights of all of the workshops that they did was the one on large data centers. And so... To be continued is all I can say about those. Tended a ribbon cutting for 1890 venue, which is a waiting venue over on Avondale Boulevard, which is very nice. And finally, the South State Bank. groundbreaking which is really significant for the city of winter haven in our downtown area to finally get something in that blighted area that has existed since the fire i guess that's it all right commissioner davis all right yes um i attended my first florida league of communist conference excuse me league of cities um

I learned that that's actually a nickname they have for it up in Tallahassee years ago, which I find really ironic and really surprising. What I discovered at the Florida League of Cities Conference were people from all across the state reflecting their own local communities. And it was so neat to meet people from the Panhandle, from South Florida, and from everywhere in between. And they just have such a heart for the local communities, what they're trying to do, which is fascinating. exactly what we expect from our leaders, our elected officials, and those who are governing us. And so it's just so heartbreaking to see that there's such an attack on that. It's like the last fashion of what we expect from representative government. And it was an honor to get to meet these folks and to hear from the presenters, and I look forward to going to it next time. I also attended the South State Groundbreaking. That was a wonderful event. I'm looking forward to seeing that project rise up out of the ground. I attended a couple of Chamber of Commerce events, their Thursday-Thursday social that they had at Union Taproom as well as their luncheon. And then I had the honor last Friday of guest bartending at Sauvage to benefit Hartford Winter Haven. That was a lot of fun. I thank everybody who came and showed up and got to try my Mai Tais. So thank you.

Commissioner Dollison.

I had the opportunity to go to the FLC. It's just great to be a part of that group, well, being there for several reasons. You get a chance to meet commissioners, leaders from other cities, and, in fact, sharing information, networking together. I even advanced our chief of police number, phone number, so chief, you should be getting a call from me. one of our leaders from one of our neighboring cities, and about an initiative that I heard actually you had presented to our group of ministers. And, you know, with coding for, you know, for individuals in their cars, you know, if you're if officers are certainly dealing with or coming up on individuals who may have challenges, middle challenges or whatever. I was impressed by that and they were looking for something like that. I told her, we got something coming on that's starting like that. So she was excited just to be able to get that information. Also, Katrina, she's not here tonight, is she? She gave a presentation, so I wanted to be there once for her, but also recognizing that what we're doing in Winter Haven is so cutting edge as it relates to presenting our budget in a way that others can understand it. It's a lot of information, but deducing that down to something that people can appreciate, budget in brief. And I want you to know she did an outstanding job. As a matter of fact, she did a wonderful job. So much so that other people were making offers to us. Two job offers. Trying to lure her out of Winter Haven. And also many came up to her. I think the count that I was, she had at least 14, 15 cities that were asking for a copy of what we do. I mean, that made me feel good as a commissioner, though, that we're doing something that others recognize as being helpful and essential, and we're willing to share those ideas with whomever. Because the idea is that we're not just trying to keep this secret to ourselves. You've got to best keep secret and share it with someone. The only way you keep anything is by giving it away. So I want to say, certainly, kudos to Katrina for the great job, and her staff, and also to our city. manager for one encouraging such work to be done in our city. The South State Bank, boy, that's a big deal. Number 26 in the nation. I mean, I'm sitting there like, I'm in Winter Haven, Florida. Number 26 in the nation of banks is being built. Their headquarters is being built downtown Winter Haven.

Largest bank headquartered in the state of Florida.

I mean, I don't know about you, but that's a big deal. And particularly in a place where the Mexican restaurant, I was wondering, where did Mexican restaurant go? So it's right over here in Old Town. So I was getting my watch fixed, so I went next door and had a burrito. So I was glad that it was still around because I had some people say, that's some of the best Mexican food you can get anywhere. I'm glad to know it. And it's a beautiful place. I encourage anyone to go there. It's great. But to also sit there and recognize that spot, someone referred to it as the missing tooth in our city. And now... Now that's going to be filled with a beautiful harmony story building. Parking garage that many people complained that was not full, it will be full. So I was sitting there just thinking just how proud we should be as a city to see, one, the CFO, CEO, John Corbett, and the leadership deciding that Winter Haven would be the place they would have this facility. So that speaks well to Winter Haven and what we are trying to do.

Mayor Pro Tem Mercer.

Yes. I attended the League of Cities and I got stopped in the hallways and about, oh, you're that city that presented the budget and we've asked for copies of that, so. tell Katrina that she did a very good job in doing that. And I did the South State Bank, and I think you've heard a lot of comments on that. And I'd like to say a few things about the homeless. A lot of them have different needs. But I've always tried to remind myself, you know, you give in different ways. And too much that is given, much is expected. So if we can, we should support. And we do support, I do, my local church, and that used to fall on the church a lot. But I think that we all, you know, if we're better off than some of the people, then we need to give back.

All right. Okay, so continuing on that, I think I figured out another fee revenue we could generate is consulting for other cities. This is a document that you create. This is how you do it. We need to monetize that, and that's how we do it. That's how you make up $10.5 million. So outside of that, I think that was my most enjoyable part is just hearing the different perspectives from around the state on the initiative or on the issue of Amendment 3. And, you know, I'm going to say right now, I differ from probably a lot of my colleagues around the state of Florida on whether or not Amendment 3 should pass. I think we're going about it the wrong way. I think we should have moved forward with what was already set forth within the state for reviewing property taxes and coming up with a understood, balanced approach and decision rather than just throw this all in because it's a good sound bite and I'm going to run for president one day. I think that's what happened, in my opinion. Now, we'll see if he decides to run or not, but it created tremendous amount of uncertainties for cities across the state, and most municipalities in the state of Florida are not, I'll say it, as well run as the city of Winter Haven. I mean, it's just my observation, my opinion, but... I think we do a, are there areas that we can figure out how to cut? Absolutely. I mean, but what are you cutting out? And if you make those cuts, are you going to recoup $10.5 million? Because a city like Winter Haven puts together a well-defined, very clear budget, where the funds are going, how they're spent, you can see that there's not a lot of extra room in there to make up $10.5 million without figuring some other way of revenue sources, whether that be a fire assessment fee, whether that be other fees throughout the system. And I'll say, like I've said before on the fire assessment fee, I would only move forward on that If it was balanced with a structure to where we're cutting here, we're raising here, we're doing this, it's got to be a piece of the puzzle. It's not the entire puzzle. You're not going to make up $10.5 million from a, could you make it up? Yes. Should you make it up? Absolutely not. So again, I'm excited to jump into this one way or the other. I think if Amendment 3 fails, I think we're going to have tremendous amounts of opportunity to peel things back to look at things deeper to make make changes make adjustments in which i hope leads to a millage rate reduction within the city limits of winter haven and at the end of the day that's what we control up here it's what we do in the city limits of winter haven not what orlando does not what tampa does or any other city in the state it's how we do things here in winter haven and i'm excited to take this on um So with that, I wanted to mention I also attended the TDC board meeting. I'm chair of the arts committee. division of that they did pass their budget the theater of winter haven received funding for all of their requests the ritz theater received some funding for their requests ridge art received funding and i believe there are a few other arts organization around organizations from our area that also received funding from their requests so um with that that's all i've got

And we'll go on to the city attorney City manager Thank You mr. Mayor a couple things this evening first. I'd like to make an introduction although I think you know Mr. Brandon Giles joined our city workforce a week ago today. So I asked Brandon to come to the podium Brandon has been brought on in the role of recreation manager. This is a position that we added to the Parks and Recreation and Culture Department in fiscal year 26 that will work directly with our various recreation centers, senior center, our youth sports affiliates that operate out of our facilities, as well as our active recreation program. So I wanted to give him just a minute to introduce himself for those of you that may not know Brandon.

Thank you. Yes, Brandon Giles to the City Commission. Thank you for having me and T. Mike on this wonderful team. I'm extremely excited to lead within the I-5 components and extremely excited to serve the city of Winter Haven. I grew up in this city, enjoy the network of people and ready to just learn and understand everything that is needed of me and continue to move forward there. So thank you for having me. Thank you, Brandon. Yes, sir.

Brandon does come to us from Polk State College, where he was the head men's basketball coach for many years. So just putting a word out to the police and fire department that if they intend to do a basketball charity tournament again next year,

Watch out for the Parks and Recreation team. Well, we need to go ahead and set an amendment to that, that Mr. Giles is not eligible to participate in any basketball events without severely offering up a handicap to the opposing team.

Well, I think what we need to do is pass an amendment that Chief Newbrand is not allowed to participate for fear of incurring some type of handicap situation. Tomorrow evening, we will kick off City U for 2026. So I believe you all have that on your schedule to join us at the Woman's Club. We have roughly 25 citizens that were selected to participate in that high intensity academy type program. That has been very beneficial to us in not only building future board members, committee members. Commissioner Davis was a participant in City U, the first alumni to be elected to the city commission. It also creates great advocates and people that will help be ambassadors for the city. When questions come up in the circles that they run about how things are, we have more informed people to help us in that. So we look forward to seeing you. That is an eight-week program that the team has put together, and looking forward to another great season of that learning. I also want to put out a reminder, your next city commission meeting is not on a Monday. It is on Tuesday, September 15th. That will be your first budget hearing, and that meeting had to be moved so as to not conflict, I think in that case, with the school boards. With the Board of County Commissioners. Board of County Commissioners, one of those two that we had to move it, and so the 15th. uh was the most appropriate for that so that is updated on your calendars but i want to make that announcement publicly so anything that was heard this evening that will go forward for a second reading or items that are expected to come before this commission at your next meeting will not be on a monday it will be on tuesday the 15th of september and then finally Mr. Mayor, you mentioned the Theater Winter Haven. For those that are interested, Theater Winter Haven will hold their, I believe they still call it the Perot Awards, but it is the awards ceremony for the actors and the personnel that are involved in the many productions they do across all the stages that they manage in our city facilities. That will be this Saturday evening at the Ritz Theater. I believe it's at 7 o'clock. And if you are interested in attending that, if you would just let Amanda Jo know, we will coordinate to make that available to you. And that's everything I have for this evening. Thank you.

Nothing this evening, sir. Thanks.

See you, Claire.

Nothing this evening.