City Commission - Regular Meeting

OK, good evening, everyone. Hello. It is 6.32. I'm calling the meeting to order. Mauricio?

Great. Thank you. If you could all please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. Please be seated. We have an invocation from Rabbi Barron.

OK, before we get to the order of business, I just want to welcome everyone. It's always nice to have a full crowd here. So thank you for coming. For the regulars, hi. And for those that are here for the first time, welcome. I hope you come often. Please just. We have rules of decorum here, so we speak one at a time. If you wish to speak and then change your mind, that's OK. Just fill out a public speakers card now, and then you could change your mind later. Just say, I don't want to speak any longer. But once the item is closed and public comment is closed, I will not be allowing public speak

OK. So both the agenda and the changes to the agenda are in the back. It doesn't change any of the item numbers except for the addition of the last one? And then the change for the millage is a date change? It's just the date, yes. OK. All right. Please go ahead.

I need a second. OK. All in favor? Aye. All right. Thank you. Please go on to ordinances.

Okay, thank you. Do we have public speakers? Okay. Hi, Ken. Just as a reminder, I know you've been here before, but for everyone else, your name and address for the record, and you will have three minutes once the clock starts.

This is a very specific item that we're talking about.

You're speaking about the budget. We're not voting on the budget.

Not next fiscal year, this fiscal year. You're speaking about next fiscal year. This is for this one that's ending in the end of September.

OK, thank you. I'll take questions from the commission.

Yeah. What's going to happen with the emergency pedestrian bridge? Not pedestrian, emergency bridge, because it's apparently being completely defunded with this. And as of it is right now in our budget book, it has high priority. It was supposed to be done by September this year. I know it depends a lot on the FPL. But if we proceed with this, we are completely basically canceling the project.

Yeah. It would be to the finance director, but she's not here. So I guess it's to the city manager.

No, no, I understand. This is not adding or subtracting from the final number. It's just shuffling. What I don't understand, and I would like to have a clarification, is why are we deciding to completely defund a program that was supposed to be high priority, that we still need to do, that we have an easement, we're selling house for it. We could be getting that from any other account. Let's say, for example, land acquisition, that we have still $4 million there. So this is the thing about the budget that it always makes me uncomfortable, that we are just shuffling numbers between lines, like

What was the last communication from FPL regarding this?

Yeah, okay. I mean, it's getting taken off from this... budget, 25-26, but it's still going to be, I mean, the next year's budget is fast approaching, so it's going to be there.

OK, so the question is, let's say in November of next year, no, November of this year, next year's budget, we have someone from FPL, we'll have to have a budget amendment? Or can we pull that million dollars from another account or from the general fund? Or how can we?

Wait, hold on a second, please. I'm trying to understand the situation.

So there was never that million dollars is not like an updated estimate?

Yeah, to be honest with you, I'm not too worried about the money. I mean, I'm more concerned with the FPL side of this equation and them not getting back to us. So OK. All right.

One second, Commissioner Joseph. Just for, since we do have an audience, what we're talking about is we had a budget workshop. And one of the things that we came to consensus about was any items that have been on the books for years that have not been started, to take them off the books so that it doesn't look like an inflated budget.

Commissioner Joseph, you have the floor. Yes, but okay. The budget issue is one thing, but pursuing, we need squeaky wheel. We need a squeaky wheel to get FPL going. We can't just let it ride because they're happy to go do other projects and not complete our projects. It's the same thing, like I've been yelling about internet and golden shores, and today we had a great workshop, which is going to solve issues for residents. We need someone, it's not me, I'm not an authority, someone in the city manager's office, assistant city manager, to pursue FPL and not let them off the hook.

All right. Vice Mayor, did you want to add anything? All right. I have some questions for clarification. As far as the bus stops, we talked about this during the agenda review. It was the 22 of the bus stops were going to get cameras. Okay, so that means that whomever is at the bus stop at that time is going to be seen live from the police department, and we keep that footage for 30 days as far as I understand? That is correct. All right, and then this also includes the camera at the pier?

All right, perfect, and then what's the timing on this once this gets approved?

So if I did the math, we could anticipate having cameras at the bus stop in November? Yes.

I have a question. Commissioner Stubbs, anything, had something? No, no, you can go first.

Go ahead. So the connecting of cameras to the bus stops, is that a similar situation to connecting cameras to our elevators, which took forever? Or no, that's a simpler issue?

okay so this is a much more quick process okay all right commissioners do you have something yeah um in the budget right now we have over 34 million dollars in appropriations but they were not used at all last year or until this year like again we are shuffling between accounts because those allocations are not money that we have spent at all. So that was part of my conversations about the budget, that we need to make sure that the numbers have to make sense. We have a budget of $240 million or so when we are just bringing the bank around $70-plus million. So everything else in this SIP, which

Okay, thank you. And for the public, just so you understand, we have made changes to first the scooters. So anyone under 16 is not allowed to ride an electric scooter. And now we've made changes to the e-bikes as well in the interest of safety, obviously. Do we have any public speakers? Yes. Okay.

All right. Public comment is closed. If I can just get some clarification, are we going to have the same sort of education period with this ordinance, or is it immediate? Yes. So 60 days? Yes.

Warnings, and then after that? Citations. Citations are 250? Yes, ma'am. And then the second citation? 500. 500, okay. Are there any questions from the commission? No. Take a motion, please.

And again, I just want to remind you all, I do and we all very, very much appreciate you all being here. But please, no clapping. Thank you. All right, your name and address for the record, please.

Thank you. Thank you. Time's up. Thank you.

OK. Thank you. I'll take comments or questions from the commission.

Go ahead. That was the second part of it. Okay. Do we have any public speakers?

That's it. All right. Any questions to the commission?

OK. I know that the rabbi's synagogue, he has rentals from the city at Gateway on the rooftop. I was questioning whether there are any other spots that are available to increase the number of spots that the rabbi could lease. That's additional parking.

At Gateway, are there additional parking spaces?

At Gateway, yes. Are there additional spots that can be leased?

OK. Thank you. All right. I'll take a motion. Second. Second. All in favor? Aye. Okay, item passes. 9C, we're going to go on. If you all want to stay, please go ahead and stay. But I think the item that you all came for is done. But please stay if you want to. I'm not, this is going to be a very interesting meeting. I shouldn't have said anything. Thank you. Just come more often. It's nice to have the company. All right. Thank you.

No speakers. All right. I'll take questions from the commission or comments.

I have a question. What does the funding comes from the general fund? And now for future funds or anything else?

And I also have the question, why don't we invite the companies that are going to be awarded these contracts, which is going to come to the next contract as well, to just come here and at least be present in case that we have any questions about the product. Because, for example, I'm OK with this, and I will make a motion to approve it. Like I said, safety and security is always, I believe, and I hope it will continue always being our priority. But we have here $30,000 for the product, more or less, and $30,000 for installation, more or less. it is very interesting that we are paying almost th

OK. Are you making a motion? I'm making a motion. All right. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Okay. Next item, please.

But that was a question, actually, before we go to the next item.

Can you clarify your question again? Yes. Why don't we make the people that is going to be awarded this, or at least a request of a requirement to come here to be answering questions that we may or may not have before we are awarding this kind of contract to them? That should be at least a courtesy, because if Any person is going to be getting awarded millions of dollars. The least thing they can or they should be doing is being here and presenting their faces. Unless, like I said, it's so predetermined that this is going to be a just by default and we are just sitting down here to rubber stam

So to the deputy manager and perhaps maybe it's to the attorney what is our normal process in when we are approving contracts is it typical to have vendors come in front of a commission to be grilled about the items on the contract that's being submitted for the proposal.

Okay, so just one second. I just want to get clarification. So, Commissioner Stevenson, your question is noted. Did you ask the manager this question and he did not answer it? Is that why you want the vendor here?

Question before. It's just been the practice of not having the contractors in here or the vendors in here. I remember when I was just elected, we used to have many of those vendors here. And they would just sit down there in case that we need to ask them certain questions. That has disappeared during your administration. And I don't think that's best practices. So I think this should be changing.

OK. Thank you. I don't make any sort of changes by myself here. We vote as a body. But go ahead, Commissioner Joseph.

It's not a legal question. But to the point of the suggestion that some people are not reading the agenda book, If you are reading the agenda book, you do have an opportunity to ask those questions before the meeting. And if there is a need to request a vendor to be here during the meeting, that is something that I don't think that the manager's office would be against if this was something that was the consensus of the commission. Is that correct, Mr. City Manager?

But if during the agenda review, if a member of the commission felt strongly that they wanted the vendor here for the commission meeting and there was consensus, would that be possible?

Do we need a consensus for that? Because, for example, I'm going to bring the same comment twice more during this agenda. So I don't think we need a consensus for that if we want to have the vendor present to ask them certain questions.

I agree. I think one commissioner's questioning should be enough.

That's not the way it's written in your contract, by the way.

Can we stick to the items on the agenda?

I'm sticking to the question regarding whether we should be able to question vendors.

Well, I understand. But that came up, and it requires a fuller understanding. I remember we were replacing turf at Pelican. And we had a vendor come up, and I had questioned the chemical composition of the material. And he told us one thing. It turned out to be incorrect. And they then changed materials, or he said that during COVID, the material was changed that they were supplying to us. I never actually ended up getting a fair resolution as to what the composition was, but that turf ended up being installed in any event.

Okay, and just for clarification, would these drones also be able to drop those life vests, those the same kind of drones, just before we get to public comment?

If you could just be close to the microphone, please. Thank you.

OK. Thank you. I'll take any questions from the commission. No, I just want to get clarification. This is the one that we discussed that the agenda review is going 90 miles an hour, up to 90 miles an hour. And once this is approved, how long will it take for us to get this drone?

And so, but let's just, I'm going to play devil's advocate. In 28, for future commissions, if they choose not to purchase this, that could still happen.

We can step out of line. We're getting in line, and later we can step out of line. Correct, yes. I have a question. Go ahead, Commissioner Joseph.

So this model that we're purchasing now for $1.8 million in 2026 but is not being delivered till 2028, how many revisions will this company have gone through before we actually receive the model?

But drone technology these days is advancing so fast. Correct. That we're buying a model in 2026 that it could be out, it's outdated, maybe next week.

I have a question. Go ahead. I sent a memo through the city manager this morning to be shared with the commission. Was my memo shared with the commission about this specific item?

OK, it was really important to be chair when I sent it. Otherwise, I would have made copies here and give it to them right now. So that was the idea for them to see it before. Because again, I'm going to make a motion for this item. I'm totally in favor of the item. However, I did read all the documents in the package. And for example, as far as what I understand, I'm not a lawyer, the price seems that it's provisional. The product is under development. It's not being developed just yet. The delivery date is not guaranteed. The data has to be shared with them. It's one of the terms on the cont

I do it before take your motion commissioner Lama did you have anything to add. I need a second for commission second all right all in favor. All right next item please.

OK, thank you. Mauricio, do we have any public speakers?

All right. Go ahead, Commissioner Joseph.

I just want to make a note that when we buy a set of tires, the person that's at Goodyear, they know how to look for the year number on the tires so that we know we're getting fresh tires.

All right. I'll take a motion. I just want to add one clarification. There are no more renewals after this one, correct? So next time it has to be bid again? OK. I just wanted to put that on the record. So next I have to go out and bid.

I just want that commitment. There's no more questions. I'll take a motion. Motion. Second. All in favor? Aye. Next item, please.

All right. Are there any questions from the commission? I'll take a motion. Motion. I need a second. All in favor? Aye. All right. 9G, please.

Thank you. Do we have any public speakers?

All right. I'll take comments or questions to the commission.

Okay. Questions from the commission? No. I'll take a motion. I need a second. Second. All in favor? Aye. Okay, next item please. I'm a no. What, you're a no? I'm a no. Okay, please note that.

Marisi, will you read the proclamation, please?

Just for the record, this proclamation request came to all of us, and we are all co-sponsors on this for Hunger Month. Hunger Action Month.

Thank you. Do we have any public speakers? All right. And for anyone in the audience who are watching, this is very serious for many people in our community. If you are experiencing any issues getting food, we have the St. Vincent de Paul Society that's adjacent to Mary Magdalene Church. that provides food. They have a pantry. I believe they're open on Tuesdays. And you can also contact the Kosher Kitchen, which also has food. And Mary Magdalene also has kosher items as well. Are there any comments from the commission? No. I'll take a motion, please. Motion. I need a second. Second. All in favor? Aye. All right. Nine aye.

Thank you. Do we have any public speakers? No, ma'am. All right. I'll take any comments or questions from the commission. All right. I'll take a motion.

I do. I do have comments. Go ahead. This is the fifth amendment. This contract was originally for $120,000. Now it's $1.2. That's 1,000% more than it was contracted for. So at what point a contract, another amendment, doesn't just become a new procurement? We are not beating this. And I'm going to say the numbers again. Originally, a year ago, it was a, I'm sorry, January 2024, two years ago, we contract this for $120,000. Right now, with this new amendment, is going to $120,000 to $129,000, over 1,000%, like I said. Nobody's being allowed to compete for this. We are basically giving it to som

Okay, thank you. Mr. City Manager, just for the record, could you please expand on the change in the contract? I see in the whereas clauses there is some level of detail every time that we made an amendment to the contract because the scope changed. But can you clarify for this vote what is included in the scope, please?

So I'd like to ask, regarding the Golden Shores project, who is responsible now for removing the old light poles?

That's FPL? Yes. So they'll get around to it whenever they can? Is that it? OK, so we have one house that has an issue that I'd like to address tonight. That's Galena. You know, you're going to tell me it's a lawsuit.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Commissioner Joseph.

All right, Commissioner Joseph. But this one house is holding up the entire project then, correct? Well, we can discuss the fact whether the project can't be completed and we can't move forward to have other things done until the city settles on this issue that I'm aware of. Excuse me.

Yes, and it's to the city's best interest and the city's best interest to settle this because from what I know of it, we're not in the right.

OK. I know, but I just need to make clear that the city is.

OK, thank you. All right. Commissioner Stevenson, if we could just, if you want to add something that's not related to that.

No, it's not related. So since November 2023, when we awarded this contract, which it was for preventive maintenance service, Nobody. There is now the contractor that want to give us a price on entering a contract per hour with us. This is almost three years. So this is the only company that is looking forward to provide electrical service to the city. That's exactly what kind of, I want clarification about that. What's the question? OK, since November 2023, According to what I just heard, other companies are being also provided the opportunity to give us a price or enter in a contract with us

Okay. To my point, so that was November 2023. So if we have only as a reference the second price, we should be going to bid right now. Because this is the Fifth Amendment, and now this contract has spiraled out of control. And we are basing this on a second company that, by all means, could have any kind of agreement with the first one not to be signing. So that's the point. Please do not bring more amendments to this contract and just bid again. And if they are the best one with the best price, they're going to win again. And we're going to continue working with them. But now, there is maybe

If I can get clarification, please. If we were to stop this and not have If we were to bid this out, what would happen with the current work that is planned for Golden Shores? FPL would leave for now until we got our act together, and then we would have to wait for them to come back. And how long is the bidding process approximately, let's say, for the next amendment, if there's another amendment?

Okay, so we're at three years right now?

Got it. All right. Thank you. The approval was $120,000. Now it's $1.2 million. And to the process about how long it takes, that contract originally, the bid was in November 1, 2023. And this contract was signed in January 18, 2024. So it only took three months if we rush, like we said. So we can start right now doing the bid for the electrical for the next year. And I'll be waiting when we have an emergency.

Right. No, I'm looking at the whereas clauses. We approved each amendment, correct. No, I voted against it before. Right. As a body, we approved it. Thank you. I'll take a motion. If there are no questions.

OK. Commissioner Schubison's a no. All right. Now we are on to Citizens Forum. Do we have any public speakers?

Thank you for always coming up and saying something positive. Appreciate it. Any other public speakers?

OK. Your name and address for the record, please.

No, no, no. Sir, sir, sir. Can we just keep it to city business? The city is not, that's not city business. And everything is towards me. My apology.

Please just address everything to me. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Any other speakers?

All right. With that, meeting is adjourned. Thank you, everyone, for coming.