Remarks by Aaron Baker
50 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 2 of 2
- Play at 46:47
“Okay. And just for the public, we discussed this again at the Housing Committee, but I remember we talked about the Housing Assistance Corporation already had a list compiled of folks that were interested in the program. Is that correct?”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 47:12
“Right and I think that's important to note that you know we're talking about 26 homes here and we already have what three almost three times that on the on the wait list and the other thing I'll note on that is that while you know fair housing practices certainly prevent you from restricting who can sign on to a wait list like that. You can't say only people that live in Brevard are allowed to be on this wait list. Housing Assistance Corporation does a great job of I guess for lack of a better word, geo-targeting where they're advertising that wait list. So they've done a lot of outreach in…”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 58:08
“So when this comes back, I'll just clarify that my motion was to approve the $88,400, not where that funding would come from, with the understanding that that will come back as a budget amendment in two weeks. Can I just further clarify, that budget amendment, how will we see that in our agenda?”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 1:06:08
“second yeah I'll just say what I said last time and say that I appreciate the the focus on on equity here and not punishing certain developments just because they might have the word multi multifamily in them and focusing instead on the actual footprint of the of the development itself and how much stormwater they would actually create. Just one question, I know that as a part of the state law that has passed, the same law that got rid of parking minimums statewide, there were some stormwater provisions in that. Does any of this overlap?”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 1:06:56
“Okay, okay. Then I'll just say I'm looking forward to seeing the full stormwater plan. And as I've said before, particularly the recommendations on how we structure the fees to be sure that they are as equitable as our rules are. So that's all.”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 1:45:53
“Yeah. First, just let me say, I think this might be a reoccurring theme as we deal with some other issues that are coming up, but that is that you can't have public safety without the trust of the public. And as Dean said, transparency and oversight um i think are critical so thank you for digging into those data issues and um you know i also want to say those quarterly reports that i suggested we implement at the last meeting at the committee level the public safety committee that is open to the public anybody can come to that that was not I brought it up because we were discussing this, but…”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 1:48:01
“Okay, and then I have a more specific question for our attorney on, let me find it here, 42-5. And section C, we're gonna get real in the weeds on some legal stuff here. So the first, everything before the comma, that which is it shall be unlawful for any person to habitually loaf or loiter on the streets do you want no I'm not going to do you understand the rest of that sentence to read in such a way as to obstruct is that second clause there does that apply to the first”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 1:50:13
“Yeah, and I understand that. I think just increasing the penalty or creating a penalty in my mind you know increases the scrutiny on the language or should and so I think all along and I'm sorry because we've talked about this at the committee level and now we're getting into the weeds on it here but I all along I've been uncomfortable with the habitually loaf or loiter on the streets because of what you just said don't ask me to define that and that is opens us up and our officers up for potential liability.”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 1:51:08
“And the reason I asked my original question about whether that second clause applies, because the second clause clarifies to obstruct or interfere with the free passage into or out of any public business or private property. That is either a yes or a no. You're either obstructing or you're not obstructing. but it's much more clear, habitually low for loiter. I don't, I can't. So if that second clause was, you know, applied to the first, I would be more comfortable with it. Or, and I, the other thing we could do is just strike that the first part altogether.”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 1:51:49
“Okay. Well, maybe we'll, We'll get to that point when we have a motion. There's no motion. Whether the mayor is ready for a motion or not.”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 1:52:03
“Yeah, I'm finished with my comment for now.”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 1:54:22
“I've got one more question and then I will have a motion.”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 1:54:27
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 1:55:57
“Okay, I'm going to read something to you and you tell me what you think it means. It shall be unlawful to loiter or congregate on the streets or sidewalks of the city in such a way as to obstruct or interfere with the free passage into or out of any public business or private property.”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 1:56:19
“Would loiter be one person and congregate could be multiple? But the second clause applies as if you can't block the free passage.”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 1:57:04
“Right. That's what I'm trying to get at is that the loitering is not just loitering.”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 1:58:44
“I'll make a motion that we approve the amendment as presented with the change of just section 42-5, removing in the title loitering generally and then amending section C to read it shall be unlawful to loiter or to congregate on the streets or sidewalks of the city in such a way as to obstruct or interfere with the free passage into or out of any public business or private property.”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 1:59:40
“I know, but now we have something to talk about.”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 1:59:45
“I just want to make just some more general comments and talk to the public about why I think this is so difficult and why we spent so much time on it. And that is that over the last 10 years or so, but really before that, we've all kind of witnessed in this country – this new sort of political project that recognizes and tries to make legitimate cruelty as a policy. And knowing everybody that's up here on the dais, I know that we are all incredibly sensitive to that and I personally reject that as a policy. Cruelty is not a policy and is not, certainly not a policy that I want anything to do…”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 2:17:01
“Yeah, as Councilman Wise said, this is our county's icon, and an icon for the city of Brevard as well. I truly believe this is one of the most important projects that we could endeavor upon over the next few years. This is where we recite the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, it's where we light the Christmas tree during the holidays. It's where our Memorial Day service is. I've attended protests there. I've attended vigils there when national events have brought people out to vigils. And it would be very hard to do any of those things in front of a hotel or an office building. I think…”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 2:21:10
“I'll make a motion that we approve the resolution appointing Shanna Powell to the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee.”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 2:21:43
“I think it's great that we can recognize Howie's service on this committee and appoint a new member at the same meeting. So excited to get started.”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 2:24:36
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 2:25:48
“Okay. Thank you. And looking forward to talking about that more in a couple weeks.”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026
- Play at 2:32:46
“Good job, y'all. There will be no lowering tomorrow night.”
City Council · Aug 3, 2026