Town Commission - Regular Meeting

All right. Good evening everyone. Uh let's call to order the December 9th, 2025 town commission meeting program. It's our last meeting of the uh year. I'd like to invite up Bentley who's going to lead us in the pledge tonight. If everybody could please stand. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Bentley. And Bentley [clears throat] is earning his citizenship badge, so you can check that off giving the pledge at a town commission meeting. All right. Uh, good evening, Kathy.

Is there a patch for that? [laughter] Should be. Okay. Commissioner Keller here. Vice Mayor Sadderfield present. Mayor Taylor. Commissioner Ramos present. Commissioner McMullen present. Okay. Thank you everyone. Thank you Kathy. All right. So we're going to start tonight with a presentation and uh that is going to be given by uh oh I'm sorry Elise right? Yeah. Hopefully looking down here at these notes you gave me and it's been a long day.

Yeah. So we're just going to do um a quick presentation. in Orange County government met with um mayors and managers from Orange County on November 19th to talk about this going to be very familiar talk about a potential transportation sales tax. Um so I just want to go over that with you um really quick and it'll just be a brief overview, but um there's a little twist to it this time. We'll go over kind of the history and where we're at. This may not even make it on the ballot. Um there's there's some discussion. Um it is still has to get approved by Orange County Commissioners before it goes on any type of ballot. So it might not make it that far, but I wanted you to be aware of what's happening. So um basically the presentation outline is we'll talk a little bit about 2022 sales tax for those that remember that one. the 2022 efforts and then current efforts um were this this time. So 2022, if you remember, there was a a communitywide engagement um to get ready for that sales tax referendum. Um there was a lot of surveys completed, a lot of community engagement um opportunities for that one. A lot of community comments and recommendations received and then it went um basically everybody said, you know, there's a need for for transportation improvements um you know, based on everything, right? And so I think what happened at that time where we we did the town of Oakland provided a letter of support um to the county for that one. Um I think there

was some concern from various municipalities in Orange County as to the percentage that the jurisdictions were going to receive. Um, you can see right there that 45% would would have gone straight to the county, 45% to transit, which obviously is not in this area, and then 10% only would go to the city. So, I think some people in um, West Orange County were unhappy with that breakdown in distribution um, was what I recall were the comments at that time. So again, the funding allocation, we would have ended up at that time with like $144,000 out of the $ 37 million, right? Um so is that equitable? Is that it's something we were needed? We still supported it because something was better than nothing, but I know you'll look on this one. Um city of Apopka, for example, did not support that initiative because they didn't agree with the distribution. Um, and the other ones I know there was some hesitation as well. So that's kind of what 2022 happened. It went on the ballot for 58% were opposed and 42% were in favor. So it failed um at the ballot. So then come to 2024 and Mayor Demings wanted to move it forward again. Um as he started working on it um and listening to what the commissioner said, there was not the support for it at that time and so they decided to discontinue it before it even made it on the ballot. You can see they met like three different times. they had community meetings and the mayor moved to suspend that initiative. Um, so nothing happened in 2024.

So going into 2026, they're once again starting the process of reaching out. Um, the county commission has met several times to talk about it. This time they actually brought in Semino County and Aluchia County to talk about how they have succeeded in getting an infrastructure sales tax or a transportation sales tax passed. Um so listening to people that have been successful in these efforts, they also hired a third-party research firm called Great Blue that did a bunch of local surveys. Um and so Great Blue not only looked at transportation but a whole bunch of other areas of um interest. And so what they found on the market research side was they looked at like I said a variety of different areas, quality of life, transportation behaviors, roadways, bus and rail systems, storm water management, natural resources, infrastructure priorities and trust and communications. So they figured while we're doing this survey, we're going to check um a variety of things, not just transportation. They've also created focus groups in each district and then specific to a variety of groups. So basically what they found was that as as we've been preaching home rule, right? Um the public said that they overwhelmingly had confidence in local leadership. though people trusted the county, they trusted local government to ask act in the best interests of the county. Um there obviously transportation is still

a concern and people want to see increased transportation. We all know this, right? It's it's an issue in Orlando and Orange County. Um so then the little twist on from 2022 to 2024 is that this time they were looking at transportation systems tax which is what they looked at in 2022 and 2024. So that would be a one penny sales tax and it would be 757 million. So you can see in yellow the county has the option to share the funds with the city. There is no requirement for them to do so. So little bit of heartburn for jurisdictions, right? The twist is this infrastructure sir tax. So in that calculation the cities would be guaranteed some money. Um again I don't know if this will make the ballot but if we're looking at it the difference between the two is that the transportation system can be used for capital and operations and maintenance of transportation type initiatives right so roads bridges those kind of things transit systems again it would be on the ballot it would have to have a majority vote to to be put into practice. Um, and the estimated annual revenue would be $757 million. So then the local government infrastructure sir tax could be 0.5% or 1%. Um, the difference is it can't be used for operations and maintenance but it can be used for other things besides transportation. So infrastructure, land acquisition, facilities, parks, storm

water. So again, this would have to go on the ballot and it would have to get a majority vote and it would have to be shared with Miss South. So um you know in my mind if I were to pick one I would obviously pick the local government infrastructure sir tax even though you can't use it for operations and maintenance because it has a broader use um outside of transportation which we obviously need um help with our facilities and our storm water and parks. um we could use additional money for those and there would be a sharing that would have to take place with the municipalities. So basically um you can see the sales tax comparison within Florida Orange County is at 6% it has 0.5% um school outlay sir tax you can see compared with the other counties the only other one that's comparable is Valuchia everybody else has a higher one because they've implemented some type of infrastructure or transportation system sax so that's just one of the things Orange County is looking at and one the things that they're looking at because if the property tax exemption goes through at the state level in some shape or form, how do you replace some of that revenue? And so, this would be one of those things. So, key decision dates that we need to pay attention to. Right now, we're in um November 19th, as I mentioned, if you look under 2025, that was the dialogue with the mayor and city managers. Um December 16th is a board of county commissioners meeting that they're going to be discussing this. Um and then they'll have more discussions going through February. February they're going to do more community engagement and then they would make this the decision at the March 24th board of county commissioners public

hearing um on if they're going to move forward and then what that would look like. So then it would go on the November ballot if they decide to move forward. Um the effective date of the sir tax would then be January 1, 2027. So that's really what we know at this time. Um Mayor Taylor was also at this meeting. Mayor, do you have anything additional to add?

No, good job. Thank you. Um it was um it seems like there was uh a lot of good stuff, but you know, one of the transportation things uh out here in in our side of Orange County is, you know, if they were to go straight transportation, it really doesn't help us out. We don't have buses, we don't have a train, we don't have any of this. The infrastructure uh part of it is is good. The the unknown that that really is um is um if if If well, let me back up. The unknown is going to be the the commissioners in Orange County because like they did last year, they could sit there and say, "We don't want this to show up on the ballot and then it's done. It's not going to show up." Uh, it could show up again like it did and it could get uh approved or or rejected by the voters. Um, you know, is is next year a good time to do that because you have Tallahassee doing their homestead um tax issue. So there's an opportunity for to some people look at that and say, "Well, you're you're going to save me money, but yet you want me to spend more money." So it's just maybe not the the timing is not right. Other than that, we'll have to just kind of wait and see how the uh county uh commissioners approach it and what they say.

I thought before they were going to try to add more buses, more options. So that's not even a part of the package anymore. They didn't talk about anything about adding routes or routes or links or anything like that in the in the meeting. It was um Commissioner, it was almost just, hey, we want to present this to you and have you take it back to your town and it it was really a high level overview. Yeah. And then when the municipalities said we what we would like to see if you want us to sell this for you, right? we would like to see your list of projects and they said no it's up to you to come up with the list of projects. Yeah. Um you know which is

I think what they were trying to do and what I got out of it um was I think they were just trying to sweeten the pot to get you to jump on board and and have everybody reach out to your local Orange County commissioner to say, "Hey, I'm for this. I'm for this." Or show up at the public hearing and support. I know the road show that Jerry was doing, it was adding more bus routes. That was one of the biggest things we missed when it was snatched. I was even knowing about I mentioned in the meeting before. I just found out was hanging out at the park one day and one of the former bus drivers told me was coming. Yeah.

Yeah. It was like I said, it was a very it was not there was not much detail at all. What basically at least showed you was the presentation was that was it. Understand this right? It it's is it the gas or the transportation or infrastructure or is it gas is a definite transportation and infrastructure? Are they two that are a question?

They didn't really seem like they were talking about gas tax nor were they interested in that. They really talked about the transportation system sur tax or infrastructure s tax. I do know talking to some of the county people in the past tax on gas on tax a long time. It's been a while. That's been big issue. Why haven't we grow?

Yeah. And if the breakout goes that way, if it collects $757 million, I think the breakout was u 33. No, is it what was that right? It was 10 10% of the 757. Is that correct? Or is it more than that? It comes back, but then it's got to be split up between all the municipality local municipalities. So split it up between a but it's based on your population that you have. So Oakland having a population of 5,600 people compared to a popka or winter garden, it's really small, but as Elise alluded to at the beginning, something's better than nothing at that point. You know, if it goes through and if it does come our way, Shane, we do have at Metro Plan, you know, when we get together and we've been requesting the links to have a stop here in Oakland, which is needed as we get closer to the 10,000 mark when we do build out. And one of the stops was designed by FDOT and the links for the fourth street and uh Colonial Tub that corner of that complex to have a stop there. So when that gets going, we're going to circle back the metrop plan to make sure that happens because that's the promise they had for us. So whether we get this pass through ECC and push it, we'll still benefit through the stop that we need here. There'll be a lot of staff, you know, employees who will have to that stop there.

Yeah, that corner.

Agreed. Y anyone else? Okay. All right. Thank you, Elise, for that update. Um, let's move on to the consent agenda. And on tonight's consent agenda, several items. Uh, it's approval of the 111025 town commission regular meeting. Approval of the 202526 electric contract with Orange County Supervisor of Elections, approval of the first amendment to interlocal agreement with Orange County for fire prevention and rescue services. uh approval of outof field teacher assignments, approval to dispose of town-owned assets, and one item we do want to pull from the agenda tonight is the approval of landscaping proposal. Uh it's not quite ready there yet. So, um if anybody would like to have any questions or have any questions, not make them entertain a motion. If there's no questions, then I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda minus the we're taking out the landscaping proposal.

Right. Second. All in favor? I Okay, moving on to resolution number 2025-14 live local act property tax exemption and for town attorney Garrett going to fill us in on this. Absolutely. Does the

Oh, Kathy's got to read it. Yeah, we do. A resolution of the town commission of the town of Oakland, Orange County, Florida, pursuant to section 1961 197830, Florida statutes electing to not exempt property from ad valorum property tax under section 196.1978 3D 1.01 A1 Florida statutes, commonly known as the live local act property tax exemption, providing for incorporation of recitals, required bindings, direction to the mayor, direction to the town manager, applicability, sever severility, and a conditional effective date. Sorry,

mayor. Thank you, Vice Mayor, commissioners. Good evening. Uh, this resolution is um from our office. We recommend the the town commission adopt it. What it is a few years back uh the Florida legis legislature created a property tax exemption for certain multif family projects that met certain project criteria. Essentially if the median income of those of the folks who took advantage of those units was between 80 and 120% of uh let me get this correct the uh median annual adjusted gross income for households within the metropolitan statistical area. those projects could get some property tax relief. Uh the legislature looking ahead a little bit said beginning this tax year taxing authorities which the town is can opt out of that particular exemption if it makes certain findings and adopts a resolution or ordinance before uh January 1st of of the next year which is coming up. So this is a I can tell you this is a standard form resolution that we've pushed out to all of our cities. Um just about every city I think in the state has uh this up for consideration this month. So this is something that everyone is jumping to take advantage of before the new year uh which is only complicated by the fact that the annual report by the uh Schindberg Center for Housing Studies the University of Florida is delayed this year because of the federal government shutdown. That's why it's not coming, you know, coming before you now in December and not in November over when it usually would. So, I'm here to answer any questions you guys may have and uh otherwise uh I believe stats recommendation is to adopt this.

Thank you, Eric. Any questions or comments from the table? Okay. So, my understanding is we have to adopt this in order to if we should choose to in the future exempt Oakland from that taxation, we have to have this resolution in place.

So for the upcoming uh for the current tax role coming up in 2025, uh the town has to adopt it this year before January 1 so we can send it off to the uh property appraiser. Uh and it has to be renewed annually. So each year staff will have to evaluate the report that comes out um and make a determination whether town even qualifies. The reason we're bringing this as a conditional resolution is because we just have the report yet for this year, but it will have to be uh renewed annually if the town desires to renew it. And I forgot to add this uh earlier, but this does require twothirds vote of the commission for adoption.

Good. Good. Okay. Nothing. I'll entertain a motion. I'll make a motion to adopt resolution number 2025-14. Second. All in favor? I I thank you.

All right. Moving on to other policy matters and it's RFP 2025-01A, security camera replacements throughout the town. And Deputy Chief Bryant, you're going to fill us in on the good stuff. Mayor, vice mayor, commissioners, uh deputy chief Mike Bryan of the police department. You got to reset it every single time. All right. Back one. I've been asked to speak to you on the security camera replacement RFP 202501A. Basically, the town of Oakland has a camera system throughout the town which has aged and experiences frequent outages, service problems. The cameras are security cameras which have data stored on a server housed in the police department. And the problems experienced were the outdated server storage, constant outages, system lacking current technologies, accurate capabilities, mobile phone functioning and ease of locating recordings when needed for followup. The proposed solution was we a complete replacement of the existing camera system all current cameras down. The new system would include new expanded technology 4K resolution base platform and cell cellular telephone views AI features for search a complete cloud-based model replacing the need for the server for storage. The police farm would fund the entire project from impact fees. Ongoing annual fees would

be planned with each department annual budget 2026 2027. RFP closed on September 26 with a total of four vendors. These are the vendors here that we looked at. Leo site EJS global solutions MCS of Tampa. Uh these are some of the selection criteria. covered letter, proposed cost, proposal summary, firm profile, qualifications of the firm, the work plan, project staffing, and those are the uh scores allotted to each one of those categories. Uh the committee met on November 13th with committee of four. We open for public comment. There was none. 75% of the committee, three out of four, ranked CJS in cases as a top choice. Motion was made by member Jane Taylor, second by member Stacy Quinn. The motion was carried a 40 vote in favor in favor of awarding the contract to CJS communication. The highlights of the proposal include its fully cloud-based 72 cameras, 30-day retention period stored in cloud rather than a server AI search capabilities. Uh just to kind of let you know what that is is if right now if somebody was in one of our parks or at the P and our child was lost and they had a red shirt on we could simply put in red search and go through all our cameras and find out the quickest camera. That's example what the AI capabilities would do. Installation will use existing cables where possible the plan would use a vigilon ala system matching all specifications that requested to the RFP. What we did there is we wanted to make sure that whoever did this for us did not use proprietary software. So if for some reason we didn't like the way they were handling it, we wanted to switch. The cameras are ours and we can be they could be used by the next company, whoever we picked down the road, we wouldn't have to start over the whole situation and buy cameras again and whatnot. So we made sure that

the cameras could be run, if you will, by anybody down the road. And the camera offline alerts can be remotely repaired when possible, I assume. All right, these were the costs that they gave us. Um, as you can see, CJS communications came in second to last, but the LEO site did not give us a cloud-based server. It was half server and half not cloud-based. And we wanted to get rid of servers completely because of the fact that you have to update them and there's cost in replacing them and the fact they just they get outdated. with the CJS communications. All right. The replacement system is to ensure functional system, a functional system with new technology. The system is designed to emphasize safety and security for the Oakland Avenue Charter School for students and staff town employees infrastructure, Oakland Parks. Um we have cameras right now. police department, the charter school, town hall, meeting hall, public works, heritage museum, Spear Park, Hollard Park, Oakland Nature Preserve, and lift stations. So, it's our recommendation for the town commission to approve the fact that we're going to award this contract UCS. However, we're not going to be doing anything with the contract necessarily as far as signings. So, we're putting that off till next month. This contract isn't quite ready.

Any questions? Thank you. Any questions from anyone? Just a comment on Leo's site. Uh the numbers were closer than it appears. I don't know if it's 40. It says $41 per camera even though CJS is 179 per camera. And maybe that's just a typo. Probably closer than it appears. Well, there's that that was the camera cost. There was other costs also built into this. How much they thought it was going to cost to install. I think he just broke that out to show what their camera costs were. Just the camera part. Just the camera because there was other uh components and others and stuff like Okay.

How long it would take to put them up, how many employees they were going to have to they were going to have to hire to do the job. Yeah. And I think we were evaluating too how quickly that contractor can get out and and do it um and knock it out, especially with the school limited time and stuff like that. doing it all over there. It's pretty impressive. I mean, when you look at the technology compared to what's now here, I mean, the technology changes yearly. I mean, it's nuts how fast it goes. So, um, but when you look at, like you said, if you put in red shirt, it will just it's amazing.

You can you can flip it too, but the Heritage Center, we had something of value there on display. The camera will tell you when it's not there. Somebody came and took it. and stuff like that. There's lots of stuff that the AI does that we don't have right now. I like the cloud-based, you know, way of filing credit servers that give out. How safe is that? Um, they as far as the companies go, it was all broken down and and uh that's how bidding proceeded. They had the best product. Yeah, it's amazing. There's a lot of cameras around town. Watch out what you do.

Tell you that. Wear a red shirt. Tell [laughter] Delaware Santa Claus Santa tracker on it. Okay. Thank you, Mike. Uh, any other questions or comments? I know this is something that Chief mentioned to me when I did my tour when I first got appointed and I'm glad to see that we're moving forward with this. And then, you know, me always watching the money. I my first question was if this was, you know, budgeted or funded and the great news this is being paid for by impact fees. So this is awesome that we have a opportunity to use our impact fees for something that obviously we really need to update and get current for better security in the town. So a good plan. Thank you.

Just imagine one time we didn't have any cameras around town. It's unfortunately we live in a world where we need to have cameras but we do. So how long would the replacement process take? Yeah, it was uh it was I think it was less than four weeks is what it was to to knock out everything. Yeah. So they would uh I think that's main that's mainly though vice mayor if they can use our wiring and the stuff's up now, right? They're just it's already there. So they're going to one camera for another. If for some reason they got to kind of patch things together, it would take a little longer. But those are the the bids that we got.

Yeah. And that was the that was the uh that was the kind of the drive. Hey, how quick can you get this done for us? doesn't do it right. Um uh I think I don't know if this is still the plan that chief wanted to try to start the school first and that's what he told me those guys out of the break. Yeah, we were hoping to do the school during the Christmas break, but because we had to push it back till January. Um we'll still be able to do it, but we're going to try to do the school definitely first. That's our priority.

Yeah. Yeah. Hopefully it won't be that disruptive. Knock it out. Any other questions? We'll entertain a motion. I'll make a motion to approve the RFP 2025-01A for security camera replacement with the cloud-based storage and maintenance. Second. I'll second. All in favor? I I Okay, moving right along. Uh public forum. We'll open it up to anyone in the public that has any comments they would like to make related to town that's not on the agenda tonight. What do you want to talk about your She came with a sign.

Came with a sign. So I guess I mean the reality Jill, for you it wasn't a question, it was a statement. [laughter]

Jill Cox, 301 North Walker Street. Um just to remind everybody, Saturday weather looks wonderful. We're going to start lining up at 5 o'clock at Spear Park. We timed it today. It's about 45 50 minutes. Um we have judges throughout the neighborhoods that are going to text the winner pictures to us and then we'll award at the history center on Petrus as we're ending at. So we're encouraging people if you can't be in it, get on your driveway and watch it. And Santa's pulling up the rear. always. I'm sorry. Well, you have to say it like that.

Thank you, Jill. Hopefully there's a hope there's a a large turnout um uh on there and and your map and no fires. Um and your map uh covers pretty much a good part of part of the town. So, um excited uh to to participate in it. Um anyone else? Okay, so moving right along. Leaf,

there's a golf cart parade Saturday. Um [laughter] um Santa's Lane was a great event um last Saturday. The weather just barely held out. So, it was great. Um there was a little less attendance this year, probably due to that weather. Um but we still had probably about a thousand people attend. And I just want to give a, you know, a big kudos to Megan um and the community outreach group, the P police department and the public works group because it it takes everyone to make these events happen. So, a lot of happy kids, which is what we want to see. And of course, you know, a big shout out to Santa for for doing his Santa thing and Mrs. Claus this year, which was new to the event, which I I thought was great. Um, trees of the season, just a reminder, um, trees of the season runs through January 3rd. So, if you haven't had a chance to get over there and vote, um, do that. There's some great, um, trees this year. But we also have a amazing exhibit called the sky remembers over at the arts and heritage center put on by the Orlando Camera Club and that will run through January 9th. Um December 13th will be a Christmas market. So that's the regular farmers market day. And then our special day will be December 23rd. So that's the Tuesday of Christmas week. Um, and it'll be a Christmas market with a jingle bike parade. Um, as part of that for the kiddos. So, another thing to look forward to, we currently have a call for art out. There's flyers on the table for Black History Tribute 2026 and it's celebrating arts and art and icons changing America and those are due by January 3. So, there's information over on the table on that one. Um, and then

Oko Nature Preserve is also having a bird watching adventure on January 3rd. Um, so you can go to their website to sign up for that. And I would be remiss if I don't mention our new HR managers here, Ashley Wussy. Um, started on November 24th and she has completely hit the ground running. I'm very impressed. Um, we are very happy to have her as part of our team. That's all I have. Welcome, Ashley. Oh, Ashley, welcome. Um, did you want to mention um closures, town hall closures for the holidays because So, so we will let me look at my days. Sorry to put you on the spot.

Good, good point. Um, so we will be closed I'm sorry. Um, on half a day on starting at noon on Wednesday on Christmas Eve, the 24th and then full days on the 25th and 26th. So, those are closures. And then again, on New Year's Eve, since we won't have a meeting before that, we will close um half a day on New Year's Eve and then on the 1st and 2nd of January. Okay. Thanks. Pay your water bill early, right? Yes. All right. All right. So, Ashley, we'll put you on the spot. And what we do is we usually go around the table to all the department heads to ask if you have any input, anything you want to talk about in your department or anything or

Well, first I want to say Ashley Wapittity, I'm looking forward to being part of the strategic vision here at the town of Oakland. There are two entry level positions that we have open right now. One is set to close this week, Friday, and that is for our finance department. We have a utilities billing clerk. Again, entry level main key there is to have some Excel experience. And the next position is within our public works group. We are looking for an administrative coordinator. So any referrals or recommendations, if you can direct them to our website, I'm happy to take emails as well so long as they fill out our application and we'll go from there. Great. Thank you.

Good evening, sir. Good evening. Um, I just want to say, um, we don't have anything new in the public works department, but you guys will probably be hearing my voice more often in 2026. [laughter]

All right, Deputy Chief. Okay, I would just like to thank Lieutenant Castro for how he ran the uh, Christmas this year and the Santa event with the police department. We are we are fully staffed, but we're hiring uh more reserves right now. We just put a couple of reserves through the testing process. They have to take a a written test to make sure they can write arithmetic and that kind of stuff, civil servant exam, and then they had to do a PAT test, running, jumping, climbing fences, pulling a 150 pound dummy, so many yards and stuff like that. And we've got a a couple of really good candidates that might be coming on board soon.

Great. Awesome. I'm g bring it back to you, Elise. I know Mike Parker's not here. Do you want to talk about something that happened last week or this week? Yes. So, completely um skipped over that. So, we were awarded $2 million in a grant from state of Florida FDP for septic to sewer um on Brley Avenue. So, it was something he put in for at the last minute and we just found out last week we were awarded. So that will be a huge influx um to help with our septic to sewer conversion that goes on very excited and that goes on top of our 1.6 that we already have. Correct.

We'll continue to to expand in that area. And so it's really um Brryley Avenue south um to to the trail area that I think we're we're trying target. Yeah. Last minute too, right? and our public thanks to Mike Park. Yes. Wherever he shall be tonight and uh for the great work he does. It is phenomenal the money he does, you know, bring in for us. So, we do appreciate. Absolutely. Absolutely. Kathy, how are you?

Good. I'm great. Thank you. So, have an update. If you haven't heard yet, the qualifying period for the 2026 general election is closed. The results are Chris Keller qualified for seat one for a 4-year term and was unopposed. Um Mley qualified for sweet seat three for a two-year term and was unopposed. The unopposed candidates will not appear on the ballot. Seat four will be on the ballot with the following qualified candidates, Anne Fulton and Joseph McMullen. Also on the ballot will be six charter amendments. Please go to the town's website under public notices to read the amendments. If you have any questions about the amendments, please contact me. If you Okay. Also, all vote by mail ballots expired after the last federal general election cycle. If you prefer to vote by mail, submit a votebymail ballot request by going to the Orange County Supervisor of Elections website. The deadline to request a votebymail ballot is February 26th.

Thank you. All right. So, we'll go along the table here. Commissioner McMullen.

Uh yes. Uh about three things happened since the last meeting and I'll go over them real quick. But Ashley Ashley Trotman told me to tell you hello. Yeah, he's a good friend. New elected um commissioner in the in the city of Lakeland. Uh couple of things. I know the Cox would love to hear this. UCF has a grant uh with the federal government where they are um highlighting veterans who are buried in uh federal cemeteries. But eventually they were going to try to expand that grant and their support system to highlight any veteran. So, as I get more information from UCF and their staff as relates to um supporting or giving highlight because what they plan on doing is um interviewing families of veterans who are deceased and that's that are buried in federal uh cemeteries, but they hopefully will try to um also interview just anyone who's a family member of a a deceased veteran. And then also they want to do a project with our charter school. So, as that get fleshed out, I would definitely, you know, get that to the Cox and anyone who's on board as it relates to our Memorial Day celebration. So, hopefully, you know, that may be something that we can add on to how we are, you know, honoring our our vets and anyone, you know, during Memorial Day. So, um, as more information about that comes out, I would definitely share that. And I know the Cox definitely are are quarterbacking that for our town. Last week I attended the Florida the FLC legislative session. I shared with some of the parties of course the big hot button is um property tax elimination. So that's the big thing also uh

affordable housing uh sovereign humanity along with um enterprise fund transfers. So u whenever I go to these FLC meetings I always get that information over to Elise. And so as those as the information is u finalized these will be the priorities that the FLC will be lobbying along with other things to you know try to help and protect all the cities and towns in the state. Along with that of course session starts in January. This is the Santa's last session. There's a lot of bickering within the Republican party. Um it's good that we have received some additional funding. We do no one knows how Dantis is going to leave um the govern you know state governing um government as our governor. You know what kind of legacy does he want to leave behind? Is he going to have a big veto pin or a small veto pin? I know we have our legislative uh budget request that has been submitted. So we just got to really watch that. But it's great that there are other funding opportunities right now. Um the sentiment is that there's going to be a you know the Santis wants to leave in a in a in a great light. So if he can save any kind of dollars that may be something that's going to look positive for his future. Uh when I mentioned the bickering within the party, there isn't a solution for eliminating property taxes, but it's still being discussed. And within the Republican party, there is a lot of um indecisiveness going back and forth on how to do that. And so we're, you know, of course, we're always submitting our appropriations. So hopefully we will have um you know, we'll get caught in the middle of that, but at the same time, I know the lease and staff will be

following all those things. Lastly, I met with um Congressman Frost um one of his lead aids today and I had already emailed Elise and I emailed Mike Parker and I've been talking about this in some of my meetings about going after federal funding. Of course, the government shutdown. Uh in addition, I mentioned um Congressman Websley, which is a great guy, but his his um um federal funding, he just doesn't bring money back to the district. I found out today every congress person has funding where they can fund 15 projects in their area. Um there's nothing wrong with how Cong Congressman Webster approaches it, but he does not believe in bringing earmarks. So there's a thing called um community project funding. Uh what's going to happen in the new year? Uh that those funds will be funded again. We don't know how or when, but Congressman Frost office did tell me today they will at least give us the application. Like I mentioned, I already um told Mike Park and the lease to be ready. They would get the application. We can file and they can hold on to it for us and it goes back and if they um once the dollars come in, they can't do it for us directly, but if it's attached to something from Metro Plan, that's a bigger project, we may have some possibilities of some other funding. So, I know as we mentioned, we did get some extra funings from the state. Uh, also I mentioned, you know, we're a little leerary about what's going to happen in this next session. So, just trying to bring in some other avenues. And again, I've been mentioning this for a little while. We really need to try to go to the federal government. And last, I just land on this. James Harris, which is our lobbyist, is a real good friend of Congressman Webster. So, I'm going to really push on him to try to talk to Congressman Webster because those dollars are there every year. So, we don't know what's going to happen. I know I've been around for a while looking listening to Congress website.

I've never seen him bring any money back to his district. Great person, but I just very fiscally sound. I'm fiscally conservative and not much we can do about that. So, uh session u coming up the FLC meeting and then you know the consumer cemetery piece and the piece I just mentioned about the federal funding. You know, those are the things I just want to share with um with all of us. Thank you so much. Thank you, Commissioner McMullen. Commissioner Ramos.

Thank you, Joseph. So, uh, speaking of Metro Plan, I was in downtown Metro Plan for the Metro Advisory Committee meeting a couple of weeks ago, and we touched on, uh, well, I got some, um, good news for our town. Sarah Larson who does um um Emily Bush and Sarah Larson. Emily Bush who does the best foot forward. uh they do a safety improvement on uh certain crossings around um the county around the cities and uh of all the cities that participated in Simino County, Orange County and Oola um we were in the top five of improvement and one of the crossroads is right in front of our school and um we had a 113 citations which helped but the improvement was 22%. So that was a high improvement. Now the rest of the cities who uh beat us, they they they started way at the bottom already. You know, they had like 43% improvement. They were I don't want to name the cities, but they were really bad already. So they had nowhere else to go. But we stayed up there. Uh they mentioned Oakland a lot as one of the examples as the best put forward through that. Sarah Larson, which is u something that Mike Parker had asked me for grant applications because when they mentioned us winning that, you know, that award or not necessarily award, but just being mentioned as um an example to the rest of the counties, I said, uh we could be safer if you guys help us put sidewalks on Oakland Avenue. So, and I've been harping on that for years. And now they're opening um this particular last week of the month all the way to January 28th a grant opportunity for us to get and I asked for a quarter of a million dollars. I

just shot to the bow. See what they say. They said, you know, have Mike Parker. She lives here in Oakland, so she's a resident. She knows Mike. So, we said, you know, have him go there. Um, for the record, Sarah.Larsson at metroplanorlando.org. I needed that. And we already had uh for the Sadler Park through them, a grant for $100,000. That's what was donated to us for the park. Saddler Sadler Park. So, I'm asking for more for that. And they want to know what the total is. And I said, just keep it coming and I'll tell you when. [laughter] So, but it was very good news. I felt really good. Um, and um, I want to say congratulations, Commissioner Chris Keller. I'm sure you'll continue to do a great job. Uh, Yikica Mly, she's not here, but I'm sure she will do a great job in my seat. And as well, Joseph, I'm sure you'll do a great job for your next four years up here. So, uh, yeah. Thank you. Uh, I'm not going nowhere. As you know, I didn't run, but I'll still be around and um I'll be involved in our town and I'm going to be helping our town as much as I can in which way I can. I love this town. I'm not going nowhere be around. Thank you guys. Thank you to the staff that been working really hard all year. Yeah, sure. Sure. Sure. But that was Thank you for this year for the staff and everything you guys have done and merry Christmas. Merry

Thank you. Thank you. Commissioner Keller.

Um, well, I am u very excited to be serving the town for four more years. Um, it's it's a just very humbling to have been given this opportunity to do this and to continue to do it. I've loved it and enjoyed it and I hope to continue to do the best job that I can to serve the town. So, um, I appreciate the fact that I I will get to do that for four more years. So, I'm excited about that. Um, I don't really have a lot to add. I just want to say again, thank you to all of our amazing town staff. I made a little visit a week or so ago to all the different departments and just thanked everybody. You know, I say it all the time and when I see them at the events, we really have such a special thing here with all the hardworking staff because they obviously it's their jobs, but the extra time that they take to attend the events and put on the events and and the things that we do have in this town are just so special and I hope that we can continue to do those. Um, I did have the opportunity to participate in the Winter Garden Christmas parade which I have to say was pretty cool thing to get to do. Um it was very fun with the mayor and commissioner Ramos last Saturday. Um it was a really fun event to attend and I think it's really awesome that Winter Garden includes us. I think that's it's nice thing for the area. Um so that was fun to get to do. But again, we have such a great staff. Thank you guys for everything that you do and I hope everyone and our constitu our constituents, the lovely people of Oakland that have been very kind to me in in this new role. Um, I hope everyone has a great holiday season, however you celebrate, and I'm looking forward to a great 2026.

Thank you, Vice Mayor Santa Claus. I mean, Satfield, you know,

we just have to make sure you understand Santa Claus in training here. We'll be will be sitting on his lap next year probably. So, you don't know. So, you never know. Never say never. So I at business-wise it's nothing but the same to reiterate is uh my thanks to the staff to every department. Um as long as I've been around I have watched us evolve our 600 people town to our 6,000 people town and it is incredible how much work is involved with the few people that we have here to do it. So I I couldn't be more pleased and more proud to work with all of you guys. So, thank you very much for that opportunity. Um, with that, the same thing. Just merry Christmas, have a safe and happy new year, and um, we'll see you around town. I don't know if I'll wear red because the cameras might catch, you know. [laughter] Thank you. Uh, just a few things for me. Again, thanks to City of Winter Garden for allowing uh, Commissioner Ramos, myself, and uh, Commissioner Keller to participate in the parade. It is pretty cool. Uh, I took my daughter this year. She was in the car throwing candy. So, um, told her not to hit kids too hard when she was doing it, but did a great job. We made it through made it through the whole route with with candy with a little bit of candy left over. So, we we did really good. I thought this year there was a lot more people this year than there were uh the previous years. Um today, um Elise and I met with uh Commissioner Nicole Wilson, uh along with Winter Garden Mayor John Reese and town manager John Williams and Windemir's uh mayor U Jim O'Brien. And the purpose is a quarterly meeting that uh Orange County U District 1 Commissioner would like to have with the uh surrounding communities and and essentially just talk about how collaboration could happen. Uh what we can do to make things better. uh uh district one has a set of initiatives and we want to make sure that uh we're

in where we align with those initiatives that she wants to do. So uh very good meeting. So uh once a quarter we'll uh we'll continue that and then we'll let you know um if anything comes out of that. Um I did tell her today I didn't see anything on the paper about the fire department. So uh I can assure you we're on that one uh as well. Uh yesterday also um and if you're not aware, there's an Orange County mayor's seat is up. Uh um Mayor Dimmings is is terming out. So uh we had a uh potential candidate, Stephanie Murphy, come by uh visited with us a little bit. So I'm sure they're going to start making the rounds here soon, all the candidates. So um I guess just getting to know the the local towns and and the governments and the people who were who were here. Um and then also we have the as everybody's aware of the property tax issue that's coming up. U the town is going to do everything it can to kind of educate um the public on that um upcoming property tax if it hits the the ballot um in November. So we want to make sure everybody's educated. Uh, so you'll start seeing postings and we may hold some umformational sessions and meetings and stuff just kind of letting people know, hey, this is pros and cons and what could happen and stuff like that. And then lastly, um there's legislative action days is coming up in January. Lisa and I have already committed to go. I think we're going on the 27th. Uh, I know there's a three-day event, but we're going to go on the 27th there and just meet with our um representatives and uh see what happens. Other than that, everyone, uh, you know, merry Christmas and happy holidays to everybody. Looking forward to the golf cart parade on Saturday. Uh, like you said, the weather should be great. So, with that, end of the year. If

our hearts and minds are satisfied, let's adjourn at 7:56 p.m. And at least I'll be on that trip, you