City Commission - Regular Meeting

I call this poke at city commission Tuesday, April the 14, 2026 to order at 6:07 p.m. May we please stand for the invocation provided by Commissioner Everett McFersonson, Senior, followed by the pledge of allegiance. Dear heaven and gracious God, we come to you with bow our heads and humble hearts, Father. Father, we come to you submitting this city unto your hands, Father. Father, we ask that you just touch our city, Father. Touch each and every one of our leaders, Father. Father, whatever decision is made tonight, that'll be one that you will be glorified in, Father. Father, we ask that your precious son, Jesus, continue to watch over the citizens of Pokei, Father. Father, that you just give us the wisdom and the knowledge to be able to move this city forward. Father, we just thank you for another opportunity to come before your presence, Father, we just thank you in Jesus mighty name that everybody say, "Amen."

Amen. Pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Roll call. Madam clerk. Mayor B, present. Vice Mayor Calvin Williams, present. Commissioner McDonald, present. Commissioner McFerson, present. Commissioner Scott present. Interim city manager. She's present in the audience. In the audience. City attorney here. And city clerk is present.

Thank you, madame clerk. Thank you commissioners. Thank you staff. And most importantly, thank our audience for being here this afternoon to participate and witness us as we deliberate uh in our process of our commission meeting. First, we would have our We have additions. There's two dishes.

There are two additions. There are two additions. There are two additions for each uh entrance city manager is being interviewed for the permanent city manager position. So, she won't be at this particular uh proceeding at this time. uh we'll have our city clerk kind of guide and assist us in that particular area along with our HR director if needed. Uh at this time do we have any additions to our agenda city clerk?

Yes sir. There are two additions. The first one um is resolution 2026-12 and that resolution if um approved would allow for the ad the adding of Mr. Tammer Dadell the city's new finance director to the PNC bank account and the second addition would be resolution 2026-13 and that is for you guys to consider appointing um a vice mayor per charter appointing a vice mayor. So every April um of each year a vice mayor has to be selected. Yeah. Each April.

Oh. Yes. So each April um of every year you guys have to consider appointing um a vice mayor. Okay.

You out of orders. Officer if he's speak out of order again. We're going to remove them from this chamber. We're not going to have this. This is not a circus. This is an important event that we're having today. City Commissioner the two add-ons. Uh what would be your pleasure to the agenda? The two resolutions. I move that we accept the amendments to the agenda as noted. I'll second.

It has been moved by Commissioner Mcdana and properly second by Vice Mayor Williams for the addition of the two resolution that was uh added. Call for questions. Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call. Madam clerk. Commissioner McDonald. Yes. Vice Mayor Cowan Williams. Yes. Commissioner McFerson, yes. Commissioner Scott, yes. Mayor B,

yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Next, we have presentation, proclamation, public service announcement, city clerk, at this time, do we have any uh Yes, sir. presentations. Um no presentations but we do have um quite a few comment cards. The first one will be Miss Chenra Moore.

Good evening Mayor Bor commissioners and staff. My name is Chenitria Moore and the name of my company is She Holdings LLC. I'm here representing a company named Bristol Hospice. Bristol Hospice is one of the co companies that is applying for an open CO, which is certificate of needs for hospice services here in Palm Beach County. Palm Beach County is growing by leaps and bounds. So, not only are they going to open it up for one hospice, they're going to open it up for two additional hospices to keep up with the growth for Palm Beach County. I'm here because I want to ask for you all support. Um, Bristol is dedicated to supporting the tri county area, Belgade, Pokei, and South Bay. Reaching out to find out what are some of the needs of the community. Um, not just looking service, but reaching out to some of the local initiatives to see what we can do as a community partner for Poki. I will send additional information out to your offices. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach back out to me. Thank you for this opportunity.

Thank you.

The next person is um Miss Antinet Kelly. Good afternoon to everyone in the building, the board. Good afternoon. My name is Antonet Kelly and I reside at 800 Mccclure Road by Hoki, Florida. Um, I have concerns about our city. I don't see anything being done and my question is to everyone that's on the board. When you through our city. What are your thoughts? Are you comfortable what you see? Are you comfortable the way you ride in your vehicle on our roads? Are you comfortable that there's nowhere to stay for there's nowhere for residents in our community to live? Are you all comfortable with the way that our our city is being ran? Because the way it's being ran, I don't like it. So, when you go home tonight, we can probably talk about it at the next city meeting. Just think about do you like what you see when you ride through your town that you represent. Thank you.

Thank you. See if See if it's off, Kurt. See if it's on. It's not. Cut it. You can cut it on for just tap the mic to make sure. No, okay. It come. Thank you. The next person is Miss Cynthia Hall.

Good evening everyone. I just want to piggy back off what Miss Kelly said about the uh living conditioner we have in Pokei with the roads. Um nowhere for the kids to go. Um no grocery store where you can go to but only one. Uh and yes, let's all let's get together and make some things happen at Pokey because we can do it. We all can do it. Oh, let's work with Miss Busy and we can get this this done. You know, it's not a hard job. It's very easy. H is a small town. A small town. Now, it going to take a lot of money to get it where it needs to be. And if we work with Miss Busy and all us work together, not only the commissioners, the mayor and whoever, not all of us, all of a hope. Let's come together, get with Miss Busy, and we don't want to. It's not about Miss Busy, it about our city, what we living in. You know, Mr. Busy is fine. Poke is not. Believe you me, it's not. I don't spend over $8,000 to fix my car and it's still not fixed because of the roads. Anybody going to help me pay for my car? Anybody going to give me some money? I don't want the car. Buy me one. Because when it gets going, you know, the roads not fixed. When you step out of your house, step out to a beautiful town like me. I step out. But look at Pokey. Look at the roads. Come on, we can do this. Don't this this here. We can do this. Let's come together. Let's do it. All this fighting and boxing each other. We not moving. We want to move.

I never seen so many people in this building since I've been coming to a commissioner meeting. This is important. This means something to the peoples in Pokei. Y'all want to bite each other head off and we're not getting anywhere holding back progress. Things could have been done. Come on. We too grown for this. You all are too grown. If you don't want to step up, get up.

Them young man back there, I'll hold the door for you. You don't want to step up, get up and go so we can move. Only thing we got looking good in Poke is the bank and the fire department. That's it. And you all sitting up there like you're all of this and you're all of that trying to hold back progress. Come on. Come on. Please stop it. Stop it. Thank you. Thank you all. I did good. The next person is Mr. Love. Mr. Love.

2638 Gate Drive East, West Palm Beach, Florida by way of Pokei. Y'all know I come up here every time I get a chance. And I'm coming here to tell some people tonight about how they behave now since they ain't got the 3-2 vote. Keith, y'all set y'all behind here. And and and whoever running against Miss I mean, whoever in this speaking to the commission,

whoever in this application process, Keith, they see how y'all treating Miss Busy. I don't see how they can come behind me busting and know y'all gonna treat them the same way. If they don't do if y'all if they don't do what y'all want them to do. Y'all treating it busted like that because she won't do what y'all want him to do. St. Quarter. Amen. You address the commission.

I'm I'm addressing the commission. I'm calling y'all by your name but acting like you ain't got no sense up there. Acting like we some dummies. I have never and I've been coming up here since 1998. And you know it, Keith, I have never seen where they hire a intern where they have an intern and then they come back with a process where we going to hire somebody that's not been anything over the intern. If Buster don't get it, how y'all going to hire somebody over her and she been here 6 months and the person what y'all trying to hire, they haven't been here six minutes. I ain't getting to that point. Y'all have never ever hired somebody over intern. Now why it happening now?

Because because here some things done start falling from the tree because we keep shaking the tree money between you the attorney, Miss Cowan, this the clerk,

y'all doing all of this here. All of this is because of y'all. And I told Miss Buster last night, I told Miss Buster, "Have 20 policeers out there tonight." Like when y'all got ready to hire Lucas after you had done said you wasn't gonna hire him. They came back, they kissed your butt enough and then you came back and hired them. And then the night we sitting up here in time we walked out the door, 14 police at four of them had dogs in the car. Blacks on black crime. Black on black crime. That's all it is up here. And like I can tell y'all, you see you got a couple of white people right there tonight. Y'all ran them all out of here. The white people built and help made this town. Y'all done ran them away. That's why I ain't no money here. That's why the county won't come.

Because y'all racist prejudice behind Keith, you one of them and St. Qu, you done f you done got right in his butt. I can tell y'all about your behind cuz I know you. Y'all ain't y'all is this earthly no good to this town. This morning they were putting people out of pocket building way where the mayor and the vice mayor. I bet you if you was in Blay, Steve Wilson would have been there with bails on. These people won't show up for nothing. And all y'all were behind him. Y'all ain't showing up either.

Aaron Taylor. Next person is Aaron Taylor. Good evening everyone. Good evening. I'm just going to hold this up because I can't bend over like that. Can everybody hear me? Okay.

All right. Fantastic. Uh, I'm actually just here I come periodically to show my support for the things going on in Pokei. Even though I don't live out here, I've been working with the city of Pokei off and on for years when I worked with the county and since when I've been in the private sector and I'm kind of stuck in the middle because I don't I I'm not here to have been a part of the history that has caused some of this conflict. So, I can't take sides or play on that. Here's here's the side that I'm on. I'm on the side of progress.

Progress. That's it. So when I look between the various city commissioners that have been here over the years, the various city managers that have been here over the years and the city, everybody talks about progress, but I see very few people willing to do what it takes to make it. And that's on both sides, right? There are the things that have to happen politically to make things happen. There's a process that needs to happen.

There's also community involvement that needs to make that happen, right? Then there's the knowledge and the connections to make that happen. And that's kind of where I come in. For the little bit of time I've been involved with the city, I've tried to be this bridge to show people that the city of Pahokei is not exactly what they perceive it to be in the west in the east comm community. But sadly to my disappointment, coming to some of these meetings proves the very narrative that you're trying to get away from. So when the cameras roll, and this is on YouTube and everywhere else, how you conduct yourselves and how you handle your disagreements, makes a difference to decide whether people are going to come here at all.

White, black, the only thing that matters for progress is how you get along. How many people here claim to be Christian? Because I hear Jesus spoken to a lot. All right. Doesn't the Bible say that how can two walk together unless they agree? I've never seen more disagreement in any municipality other than here. That's true. So, if if we're going to talk from a spiritual standpoint, I need everybody to check themselves both on this side and that one and say, "What is in my heart that causes me to come against my neighbor without cause? If the goal is for progress, then how your your personal feelings about somebody is irrelevant to what needs to happen to move the city forward."

Okay. So, I'm only here to show that even somebody from an outside community that is trying to be a catalyst for progress, you guys have to check yourselves and each other on how you conduct, how you treat one another. This is the only municipality I know that has gone through four or five city managers in the time that I've been doing stuff here. That doesn't happen. I don't I don't know the reasons why.

Mr. Could speak to the commission to order. My my apologies. I don't really know the the history behind why. I just know that the perception of the people that I'm speaking to to try to paint a picture that Pokei is a place worth investing in, it causes them concern because they're investing millions of dollars in time to come out here and they need to know their projects and move forward. That's all. Thank you, sir. Okay.

The next person is Lolita Soers. Hello everyone. My name is Lolita Kang Soers aka Scratch Scratch. I resides at 290 Park View Court. And I'm just want to get up here to say that um our mayor, Mrs. Mayor B, I heard you say one night that our city is not moving forward because of the city managers that coming in and out of our city. So my thing is what are we going through all this for when we have a city manager, intern city manager that's trying to do something for our city, trying to make our city grow. This lady is going be above and beyond for our city. Whenever things are going wrong in this city, I never see the vice mayor Sin Queta nowhere. I never see you, Maybell. And Miss Busy is the only one showing up for these citizens. This lady is really making things happen in our city. And that's what we really need for our city.

Amen. We need someone that cares about the citizens. Someone that cares about our city, which evidently you don't because you've been up there over 30 some years. Me, this city looking like rundown. It's raggly cars tearing up. I have two vehicles and one of them is a Mercedes-Benz that I had to get a front end alignment done to her and I don't even want to tell you how much it cost at Mercedes. I have a Lincoln that I done spent $3,000 on getting my front end done. I was in the car with a mechanic that was fixing my one of my my daughter's car. That man was riding down Mccclure Road. hit a hole and you hit this the the car just went to ring.

The man say, "My god, I done tow my front end up." This is sad. It's pitiful. We need leaders up here that's going to lead that's going to make our city grow. That's willing to do what they are paid to do to get our city back on track. May Bab, you are not the one. Same quarter, you are not the one. And we have a lawyer sitting up there that won't even do her job. And you know why this lady can't do her job? because she is offending y'all. When money get missing in this city, it's up to y'all to tell this lady to press charges on somebody when y'all goes out and drop charges on people that's stealing from the city. We don't need those type of um leaders in our city.

Because our city will never grow with leaders like y'all sitting up there. Amen. Y'all sit up there holling about you're not my first choice and Miss Bus is not my second choice. What kind of male does that to a intern city manager that's trying to make things happen in our city? I don't know. With this lady up here, peep is willing to come in and help this lady build our city up.

They they they they willing. Sarah Baxter, I hope she looking. Lady, they they the people want to work with this lady. But y'all don't want this lady up here. And y'all don't want no one up here that's going to make this city grow, that's going to do something for the citizen. Why? My question is why? Can I please get one answer? Why? Well, have a nice day. I know I ain't going to get your mute. Have a great day.

The next person is Nathaniel Holmes. Good afternoon. Good afternoon, Mayor. Afternoon. Good afternoon,

Vice Mayor. All the commissioners. Uh, I came I came uh I've been here now about close to two months. Uh when I retired from the sheriff's office, I went to Val Dawson and I was living there and uh I came because basically my wife is got an illness that diabetes and I brought her back home. But I didn't come to force. I didn't come to fight. when I came I tried I was fixing up my house one of the family home in uh citizen village and uh I've been getting a lot of trouble uh one of them is uh every time I try to do something we got a code enforcer

listen I I have no problem uh obeying the law. That's what we have to do. Uh mayor, let me say this and I'm going sit down. I was having uh this uh young man fixing my house for me. I put about close to $50,000 in my house since I've been here two months. And uh while we were doing it, he rode this code enforceer. I ain't calling no name because I don't want to do that. Code enforcer uh pulled up and uh so I went out there to talk with him and I said everything's okay. Uh do I need to do anything? Oh no, you okay? You okay? The next day he said shut it down. He just told me everything was okay. Jesus.

Then he come and tell me to shut it down. I said, "Shut it down. Yeah, you got you putting brand new windows in and you need a permit." Okay. All they had to do is tell me that the day earlier that I needed a permit. So, uh, so the next day he came in my home, opened the door. my wife, God bless her soul, she had on her Brazil. He walks in my house,

but you know, I I you know, I tried to keep my peace, you know, I help my peace, but I didn't I you know, I said I I told the city manager, I said, "Uh, Miss Busty, I said, I know this got to be against the law." Uh, no one's supposed to come in a person house like that. He didn't knock on the door. He just opened my door and saying I shutting it down. So, you know, was that the bell? Yes, sir. All right. But anyway, I love y'all guys. Thank you.

See you later. The last comment. One more thing. Uh, please do something about this situation because uh if I was like I used to be, you know, I might have put a would have put a couple knots upside this dude head, but you know, I'm trying to live a decent life. I'm not perfect. Nobody is. But that's Yeah, whatever. He didn't tell you to sit down. Mr. the next time you make a comment outside of this meeting, you're going to be escorted out of here.

The last comment is for uh for this section is Brett Weinberger.

Good evening. Thank you for having me. Well, I have again have only been involved with many of you for a short time, but um I've appreciated getting to know each of you and it's uh as a representative and a new representative, there's so many people that you're learning and meeting and trying to help regularly. So, I've really enjoyed when uh Tammy would had has reached out to me honestly to have the invites for the Christmas parade which you see Annabelli, my little puppy who comes to the Capitol with me every day. sorry, but she goes with me everywhere. Uh, even the speaker's office. Um, but, uh, you know, it's really nice to have those invites and to get to know you guys and to see what when you ask for something from this from the state, you know, it makes me want to fight that much harder and to have a relationship with somebody like like Tammy, it's it's impressive. and to have somebody that cares so much and you know I wrote I have some remarks and she has quite the background and and the fact that she's from here you know it just to me you really feel when somebody truly cares and it's coming from their heart and I think that you guys I can tell obviously you probably all agree sorry but um it's it's a gift and I really truly hope that I I you know that the process how however it moves forward that you guys truly you know do soularching and you have a a really special person that wants to do a lot for your community and I also feel the same way. I want to do I want to fix those roads. I want to make sure that Pokei keeps moving forward, whatever I can do, you know, whatever infrastructure I can help with at a state level and whatever businesses I can help bring and and kind of bring to the table. But I truly believe when you have somebody like Tammy leading you guys and working together with you, I really feel like you're going to get a lot done. So, I wanted to make sure that I came out and spoke on on her behalf because I've been very impressed and I've appreciated the relationship that she has um you know continued to uh cultivate with me and my my team and to invite us out and to talk to us

regularly and and honestly even coming to the capital. So I uh whatever I can do to facilitate I'm happy to be a part of and just please make sure we keep these this open communications amazing and I hope that uh the next time I come out it's to celebrate uh my favorite city manager here in Pokei. So thanks guys for having me.

That is all for this section. Thank you.

Next, we'll move to I'm sorry, Mr. Mayor Rap. Actually, Mr. Porter, my apologies.

Um, good afternoon. I'm not going to stay too long or I'm not going to preach, but I just want to read the verse of the day from my Bible app. And it goes Isaiah 53:6. We all like sheep have gone astray. Each of us have turned away from our own turned to our own way. And the Lord has laid on on him the inequity of us all. And I say that to say nobody's perfect. We all make mistakes. We all going to stray away like sheep as they say. But we got to remember it's God's way. God is going. You got to have the understanding that you don't understand anything. So you trying to put your spin on it. You're trying to put your finesse stuff and do different stuff is not going to turn out how you want it to turn out in the end because God has the last say at all times.

Amen. So if if we just do what's right in your heart and understand and just follow that path, it makes stuff a lot easier than trying to finagle stuff. So just like uh everybody else said, really just need to work together, do the right thing, get on the same path, and progress the city, man. And you know, it's not it's it's self-explanatory. I'm not going to get up here and preach to y'all for too long. Just put it in your heart to do what's right by God. Not by you, not by your family, not by your interest. Just do what's right by God.

That is all.

Thank you. At this time, we'll move into the next part of our agenda, which will be conducting interviews uh for the city manager position. Uh we are going to be asking a series of questions. I would ask that the interim, not interim, she's actually the permanent HR director be the one to ask the question and we just rate the score of the response if that would be okay with everyone. Our city clerk would call the applicants by list and we would then conduct the interview process and after that we would rate them and hopefully by the end of that process we will be able to select our permanent city manager. So if the HR if you can come up and begin this process and city clerk when we get ready you announce the first candidate to come forward each one of them I believe we have a total of uh 10 questions and they will do a introduction uh to the committee commission in the audience. next to their office so they don't have questions.

Okay. Who's going to take She can sit there. It doesn't matter. You can you can just push that chair down.

You can sit in my chair if you need to. It doesn't matter.

That's what I was trying to do. No, you don't have to. You can stay there. She just she can sit right here for stay in your seat.

Yes. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Hello. We're going to do them in order then they sit on

So you want to do them in alphabetical order by last name. Yeah. Okay. Alphabetical order by Okay. You have sheet. So the listed as

But he No, it's in your Yes, you should. It should be three because it's only

Okay. I don't see the rate in the sheets.

So, the first candidate will be Brenda Bryant. Um, how long are we giving each candidate? So the other two candidates that are here would have to follow Miss Boule Washington. Okay.

Good afternoon, Miss Bryant. Thank you for your time today. Um, you're going to be asked a total of 10 questions. Um, after you've asked the questions, we've asked you all the questions, you will get the opportunity to ask us a question or ask the commissioners questions and then that would end your interview process. Okay. I have a document before you start that I would like to give to the commissioners.

Okay. So, you're going to start out by introducing yourself and telling the commissioners and the audience a little about yourself and then we're going to go right into the questions. Okay. Thank you so much. So, I have documented my information because there was so much I tried to limit it to the time frame and do I have a time frame?

No. Thank you. So, good evening, mayor, commissioners, and to all in the assembly. My name is Brenda Bryant. I am appreciated I am appreciative for the opportunity to present to you as um possibly becoming your next city manager of Pokei. To give you a little about myself, I was born in Belgate, Florida, and my family relocated to Pokei when I was in the fourth grade. I am a proud graduate of Pokei Junior Senior High School. Upon completing high school, I continued my education at Florida&M University where I earned a bachelor's in information technology. I am a trained computer programmer. Later in my career, I returned to college at Nova Southeastern University where I earned a master's in business administration. And after further work, I continued my I returned to Nova Southeastern University and I earned a master's of management with a focus on leadership. I have over 30 years of executive leadership experience beginning as a entry as a entry level computer programmer and rising to the ranks of vice president of information technology. I have a strong foundation in strategic planning, operational management, budgeting, project management, community engagement, problem solving, and morale improvement. The last three years of my work experience have been in government. I as the legislative aid for one of the longest serving senators in the state of Florida. I manage her glaze office. In this process, I work directly with

municipalities such as Belglade South Bay and the village of Wellington. I am the leazison between those municipalities and the senator. In this role, I attend commission meetings, coordinate with local leadership and as well as residents. I help navigate and resolve solutions and resolve problems that they have with the state of Florida, whether it be agencies or any other. I put them directly in contact with the person that could resolve that can resolve their problems. This experience have given me an even clearer working understanding of municipalities, appropriations, and intergovernment collaborations. Skills that I think are essent essential for city management. Throughout my career, I consistently focus on improving organization organizational performances and building stronger accountable teams which have led to accomplishments such as increasing productivity by over 40%. managing large scales budgets in excess of $20 million, departmental restructuring and successfully implementing systems that improve efficiencies and service deliverables. What sets me apart is that I have a strong belief in transparency, accountability, and data informed decisionmaking. I work to create environments where staff feels empowered, supported, and responsible for outcomes.

I am a 2025 graduate of leadership blades. Through that leadership, through leadership glaze, I have I have earned as well as already known from living here in Pokei both the challenges and the opportunities that exist in my hometown. from economic development and workforce readiness to infrastructure and community trust to demucking for safe stable housing and issues facing road restructuring. my services on the board on the Belgrade Chambers board of directors, the career readiness roundt and the lore group have further strengthen my relationship with local businesses and stakeholders in the community which I believe is critical for driving sustainable growth. This is more than a position for me. It is the ability to pay it forward to the community that raised me, the community that invested in me and the community that helped me to to create the the success that I have over the last 30 plus years. I would be honored to lead this progress in the city of Pahoki. Thank you again for your time and consideration and I look forward to your questions.

Okay. All right. We're going to get this question started. Okay.

First first question would why have you applied for the city manager position with the city of Poki? This is a two-part question. And why do you think you are the best suited to be the city manager? So I applied for this position because as I stated earlier I was born in the glaze and raised in Pokei. I have been here for the length of time. Even though I did move away after college to Miami, I was back home every month. So I was directly um related to what was going on in Pokei. My family is still here. And so after coming back to Pokei um I got directly involved with organizations that could make an impact to the community that was making an impact to the community and so I got involved with them so that I can help the glazed area as well as my city. Um again it's a little personal for me because I've seen everything that has gone on in the glades. I believe that there is room for improvement to continue to keep this city moving forward and to make a path for our youth. The workforce invol in the workforce and um is critical here and that we need housing. We need job opportunities for our youth and we also need to just make sure that we are using the resources that we have the best way that we can. Lake Okachchobee is a is a gym and there is so much opportunity that we can make with Lake Okachchobee and so um that is my reason for applying. I've had over 30 years of business

experience, executive experience, and the city, which most people may not say, but it is a business and it needs to operate as a business. So, I believe that I can add to that process and help the city continue its forward movement. Um the second part of your question, I think I answered both of them, but and why do you think you are the best suited to be the city manager?

I believe that I am the best suited for this position because as I stated earlier, I have hands-on experience um in business and the last three years I've had hands-on experience in government. I have helped the residents throughout the city, including the city of Pahoki, even though they are not in the district that I serve currently. I've helped them with appropriations. I've helped them with um understanding government and getting them in contact with the correct persons in Tallahassee to help resolve their problems. are giving them direct access to those that information as well as reviewing their appropriations and making sure they had everything that they need to um succeed. And the two two of the individuals that I helped just to name a few a few um their appropriations were approved on the first try by both the Senate and the House even though the governor cut it later because the two sen the two sites were um billions of dollars apart. So the governor had to make cuts and it makes sense that he cut new entry that was coming in. The second person that I help is um actually in the city of Pokei and she was al she was also um putting in an appropriation her first time. So I met with them to share with them what their what they needed to do, who they who they needed to talk to um the committees that are in place and how to direct that process so that they can get the information that they need. Okay. Okay. You ready for the next question?

Yes, I am.

How will you handle conflicts within the city of Pokei? Good question. So, conflict um regardless of how much we prepare, conflict will occur. Um in my past, I have presented conflict resolutions um workshops on how do we deal with it. We all are different. We all have different needs, different wants and different goals. With the city of Pokei, we should have one goal and that is whatever is best for the city. So in handling conflict with that, the first thing I do is listen. I listen to the other person because you can gain a lot by listening to the person to excuse me to see what the what the real issue is because eventually it will come out. After listening to that person, then we will set ground rules of what we will and will not do. There is respect that is due to everyone. And so we will respect each other's opinions and then we will deal with facts. Whatever their their concerns are, we deal with them head on. But through the process, throughout the process, we will respect each other. The city have uh procedures, they have guidelines. um there are sunshine laws and then there are rules of ethics. We have to ensure that we follow all of those things so that we do not make um we do not get the city in additional chaos or in areas that would that would require lawsuits or anything else. So again, just dealing with those items um in general, dealing with the individual and looking out for the best resolution that will move the city forward is how we will conduct conduct the um the conflict. In addition to that, there are guidelines and there are steps of leadership. And so whoever that person

is, we look at the the rank of that leadership as well because what we don't want to do is overstep anyone in their position. So whatever that conflict is, then we resolve it head on. Um we have a mayor in place. Whether you agree with the mayor or not, he is our leader in the city of Pokei. And so we go from there. We have commissioners and there are visions in place. There are visions that are in place for the city of Pokei. So again, we contact all of those. We look at all of those items and then we rank whatever that conflict is so that we may we we can disagree we can agree to disagree because we may never come to the same conclusion or the same point but in in hindsight we have to continue moving forward.

Next question. Explain your understanding of the principles of the city budget. So of city budgeting

city budgeting. So I have worked with budgets my entire uh career um starting back um 20 30 years ago working with budgets. The first thing we have to do is to look at what the resources are and how resources are coming in. Then we look at our expenses. what are the conti continuing um expenses that we have to apply that we have to adhere to and then we we set a um standard in place to see how much we have after those necessities have been paid. If we have any then we apply those based on again the guidelines and the programs and the projects that are already outlined. If there are no funds remaining, then we have a huge problem because now we need to look at how do we bring other funds in to meet the budget because every item on the budget that I've worked with in the past, there is a line item. It's the budget is itemized. And so, first we go through again whatever the city's requirements are to make sure that those requirements are handled. If not, then we seek outside funding. There are different grants. there is the county as well as the state and we need to um file the correct paperwork so that we can get additional funding in as it is needed. Okay, next question. How will you ensure transparency and accountability in city operations? In other words, what measures would you take to see that the city commission and the public understand what take place in city hall? The way that I would ensure transparency in city government is with open and clear communication. Everything that happens the is public when it comes to municipalities and that

is why everyone is here today. But in in in line with that as well, we need to be sure that the minutes, the budgets, everything has been looked at accordingly. And then we outline whatever issues or concerns there may be. And we create strategies to help implement implement those items. and we present the information um to to the council to the commission as well as to the community because the community will be there. One of the things that we do to um to ensure that we are balancing that is that there are strategies. What are the strategies that we will create to help resolve these issues? Because with everything what I have been taught as a computer programmer and moving forward which I have moved forward with in every position that I've been with even outside of information technology is that everything can be resolved if you break it into measurable pieces. And so what we do is we break it into measurable pieces so we can see where the issues lie and then we create res um strategies to resolve those issues.

Okay. Next question. How do you work with city officials to achieve goals? The way we work with city officials to rece to um achieve goals

achieve goals. Every city should have a plan or a mission or a goal for their city. And so as the city manager, I would obtain what those um goals are. And then with the staff available, then we create again strategic plans on how we implement each of those goals. We may not be able to implement them all at the same time. So we would prioritize them. And even more so, we have the commission prioritize the goals that they have that they've outlined, whatever their goals are for the city. And then we work with the staff because there may be most of the staff has been here for a while. And so we work with the staff to see what are some of the concerns they may have or some of the roadblocks that they have faced in the past. And so we look at those things and then again we create plans for them. Um, what I'm used to doing is I work with the when I was working with Florida Power and Light, Florida Power and Light was the first coming company to win in the United States to win the Deming Award and we were trained extensively on how that process would work. It was about seeking excellence in all we do and continual improvement. So, there was a process called the fishbone process. And so, you go through the fishbone process where you ask the question, why? Why is this? Why is that? How did this happen? And we could continue to ask that until you get to the root cause of what the issue is. Once you've gotten to the root cause of the issue, then again, we go through the process and make strategic plans on how we will resolve those issues,

okay? Or how we would create the the um accomplish the guidelines that the that are the goals of the city. Okay. Next question. What is your vision for the future of the city of Poki? Could you repeat that please? What is your vision for the future of the city of Poke?

Thank you. I miss the word future. Um my vision again um it's like most of most other people who live in Pokei. We need sustainable housing. We need restructured roads. We need opportunities for our youth because we want them to be around. We want them to to stay in our city, to stay with their family, but unless something changed, they don't. So when I left Pokei, the first time I went into a a business building is when I was looking for a job. That should never happen. We should be able to train our children, expose them to what's going on in the world and take them on trips to have them prepare for for their future for the opportunities that are around us and the opportunity that that are in surrounding cities um as well. And so my my um my vision again is that we would have sustainable outcomes in our city that we can all live. Our our seniors are here. um they need to live out their life in dignity and respect and we need to create opportunities for them to assist them with their living conditions with their housing and everything else. We need affordable housing. We need additional housing in Pokei as well. And so looking at those things again as I stated earlier there is already or there should be a plan of action already there. the the goal would be to look at that plan of action and then implement additional items that will be presented to residents to the city um commissioners as well as the city residents as well. So, everyone has input in what we're looking for for the city and what those goals should be. What are the issues that they are facing

currently? We've heard over and over about the roads and we understand that because um we are on muk that it's a little different than it is on the east coast and but that does not mean that it cannot be resolved. I think that there are solutions that we can fix the roads really quickly so that we can um again not damage our vehicles as much as we currently are. That we don't have to wait on one side of the road while someone else comes past that we should be able to ride on the on the road at the same time. Okay. Next question. What experience do you have developing and implementing long-term strategic plans?

So, my experience with longterm strategic plans, um, I've been implementing long-term strategic plans for the last 30 plus years. Um, with everything that I've done in leading organizations, in leading um, community organizations as well as businesses, we create plans. There is a a three-year plan, a five-year plan, and a 10-year plan. That 10-year plan would be long term. The five-year plan could be long-term based on what the situation is. So, in my role, I have attended training um multiple times for different companies because everyone is a little different and they see things a little bit differently. So I've had training on how do you develop strategic plans and that was one of the processes as I mentioned the deming award earlier with Florida PowerPoint light that was one of the processes that we went through was creating strategic plans my team won the presidential award for the company because of our plan and how we implement it and the results that we're received. So with every plan there is also outcomes and so what we do is look at what is the outcome that we want. Sometimes with strategic planning we work backwards. We determine what the output is and then we work to achieve that output. That is the training that I received as a computer programmer as well. Um one of the things that I never like to do was word problems. And when I got into computer programming lo and behold it's a word problem. And that is how I resolved um the problems. We just work backwards from it. And so I've learned to do that over the years to make sure that I could achieve whatever the results were. Um and as I stated earlier, I've been creating strategic plans um for the long time, long long range plans, including with the organizations that I've been in with my

church um with everything. I've been able to use the experiences that I've had that I achieve um through the different work environments and just life in general to create strategic plans.

Describe your familiarity familiarity with laws and regulation relevant to city government. So with laws and regulations for city government, as I stated earlier, there's the sunshine law. The sunshine law helps to guide the um municipalities and what they should and they should not do to ensure that they are meeting requirements. There are also um guides um of ethics, codes of ethics that are used throughout and additionally additionally there is the policies and procedures of the city. All of those things are used to ensure that the goals of the city, the plans of the city and that the um that the long-term plans as well as other plans and other goals are met within the city. Um we follow those those rules of ethics, we follow the sunshine law and then in addition to that um there's the city le the um league of cities which I have been attending for the last three years. Um, if all else fails, there is always someone in the League of Cities that will redirect you to the right way to do things. Additionally, we have an attorney. Every city has an attorney. The purpose for that attorney is again to ensure that the city is not violating any of those guidelines, those rules, those codes, so that the city will not um get sued and so the city stays where they need to be. Everyone has expertise and if we work as a team then we can resolve whatever problems and make sure that we are continuing to move the city forward without causing additional um hardship for the city.

Okay, next question. Describe your process for delegating task. So my process for delegating tasks is to look at the different um leadership styles as well. So I have a um combination of leadership styles and included in that most leaders will understand that there is no one set um style that fits every situation. So in dealing with those things and ensuring that that I am delegating correctly, I meet with either the team or the individual to ensure that the instructions are clear and that they clearly understand what the task is at hand so that we can go through not only do I um present the item to them, we outline everything that's there. And when I delegate, I ask the person to repeat to me what their plans are and how they would how they would um how they would approach this process to ensure that they clearly understand what the task at hand is. And then we go through a process of outlining the project, whatever that project is, whether it's small or large, we outline what the task would be. And then I delegate to them based on the information that has been provided and what the what the project itself is, the goal itself is and what the expected time frame when I am delegating as well. I also get feedback from the individual as far as timelines because there will be a timeline that is applied to everything. I let them take part in that in establishing that part line and to determine if they need additional help. If they need additional um help in the in the task that is being delegated, then we make sure that they have the

right resources that they need so that they're not left hanging. I'm going ask the audience to please be quiet. We're trying to listen tenidly to the speaker. If you have something to say, please excuse yourself and do that. Please. Thank you. Thank you. Next question. You ready for the next one? Yes, I am. Okay. This is the final question. How do you prioritize competing demands on the city resources? Repeat that, please. How do you prioritize competing demands on the city's resources?

On resources. Um so the way that I that I prioritize based on the resources um as a city manager I would already have known what the resources are whether it is staff whether it is equipment or whatever the task may be based on that we look at the timeline of what that what when that actual item is needed because usually there is a timeline we'll set that timeline if not and then we look at the the skill set of the person so that we can prioritize um appropriately um what the time frame would be and then what task would be um assign and what would take first place versus whatever. Um, additionally with that again we have staff, you have leadership, we work with them as well um, based on the vision of the city whatever that time whatever that priority is should be implemented with should be listed on the city's priority list of goals and priority list of goals I'm sorry and based on that we determine how urgent that item is needed um, and based on the task at hand that the individuals already are assigned, how likely it would be to complete that task um on time and whether it lies at the beginning or the end of the list the chain of of items that are to be include that are to be completed.

Okay, Miss Bryant, that concludes our questions. Do you have any questions for the commission?

I do. So thank you as well. I understand um the process that is taking place as well. But um just to ensure does the city have uh a comprehensive plan um that they have for the city and has that city and has that plan been communicated to um the citizens? We we we have a comprehensive plan and hopefully the majority of the citizen have access to it. We even have it I think listed on our web page that it can be found.

Thank you. Thank you. And the reason I asked that is because again um everything that that I would do will be based on the require the um the comprehensive plan for the city. Um I wouldn't come in and create a new plan when there's already a plan in place, but I would look at how we would implement that plan. Um, and then one of the key factors as well is to communicate that plan throughout the city because everyone in the city should know what the plan is and they should help to enforce or to accomplish that plan. We can all play um Monday morning quarterback.

But until we put forth an effort to actually help the city to move forward, then we are actually part of the problem because we need to work together. Pokei is is a um small knitted community. Everyone here pretty much knows everyone. I know everyone on the platform. I know their families. And so doing that, we make sure that everyone takes a part in the success and the accomplishments of the city. Yeah. And to just add to that is a 10-year comprehensive plan that's required by all cities and each year it have to be revised or updated publicly.

Correct. And I'm I'm aware with the the fact that every city has to have a plan, but I wanted to make sure um that the citizens knew that as well because it's required. Thank you so much. Thank you, Miss Bryant. So the next person she's the next will be Miss Busy.

The next person is Miss Busy. And just for the sake of transparency, um Ramsey Bokeley is listed on the agenda, but the HR um director has indicated that he would not be interviewing today. He has declined.

It was four but it is three now. Mr. Ramsey Bley will not be interviewing. All right. Can I do that? Before we get started, would you like a bottle of water, Miss Busy?

No, thank you. We're going to start off by you telling um telling the audience and the commission a little about yourself and then we're going to ask you I'm going to ask you 10 questions. After those questions, you get the opportunity to ask the commission question. Okay.

Okay. All right. Well, thank you. My introduction is to say good evening to everyone. I am Tammy Busy, your interim city manager for the beautiful city of Pokei, and I'm pleased to have the honor of interviewing for Pokei's permanent city manager position. As previously stated in my interview for the interim city manager role, my motto is service over self. And that is why I stand here with strong conviction to remain with the city of Pokei as your city manager, proud to serve our city and its residents alike. Serving in this capacity hasn't been easy, but I walk by faith and not by sight with the understanding that God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers. So, I'm still standing for the people and the purpose in this position. In October 2025, I stood here with 25 years of law enforcement service, 19 of those years in a supervisory capacity, 20 years with financial services experience. But today I stand here with 6 months and 8 days of city manager experience managing the great city of Pokei. And for that I am humbled and I say thank you.

Amen. Okay. The first question, why have you applied for the city manager position with the city of Poki? This is a two-part question. And why do you think you are the best suited to be the city manager?

Okay, thank you for that question. Why have I applied for the position of city manager? As I previously stated back in October, I was sitting at home in retirement and also having my own business and I was hearing the things about my hometown for Hokei, about the condition it was in, the things that were going on in the city and all the things that had left the city from when we grew up. And so I decided to put in for the position to come out to see how I can make a difference. I want to come back to my hometown to see if I could bring in resources to help grow the town, bring in partnerships to bring us back hotels, marina access, parks for our children. So that is my reason for applying for the position is to see about making it better. What makes me the best candidate? I without sounding arrogant, I've been here for six months and eight days and I have given my best. I have done things in the community to bring the community together. I have made partnerships and friendships that were I rebuilt with people who were no longer in Pokei. And so I feel that I'm the best candidate because I have the passion to go out and to grow our city. I have the resources, connections to help bring things into our city. And so with the experience that I've displayed, our city didn't crash with me here the last six months. So I think that I can continue to make it better. And so that's why I think I'm the best person for the position. Next question. How will you handle conflicts within the city of Pokei?

Thank you for that question. In dealing with conflicts within the city or any organization, the first thing that you want to do is stay calm. Listen to both sides. Look for a neutral mindset that will allow you not to be biased. And then you look for a solution to that that issue, that conflict. And then of course at sometimes you could bring in other people if you feel that they would help. But for the most part, I would just say have an open mindset, be neutral, listen to both sides of whatever the conflict is, and then come to a resolution that is fair to all. And that's always been my thought in dealing with conflict.

Okay, next question. Explain your understanding of the principles of city budgeting. Okay, thank you for that question. With the experience that I've gotten over the last six months in dealing with the budget, I can tell you the budget principles involve balanced budgeting. You have to work to make sure that your budget budget is balanced. You also want to make sure that your revenues equal your expenditures. That's what a balanced budget is. And then you want to ensure that as you reach out to make purchases or seek resources that it's aligned with your line items that come up in your budget. But for the most part, in a nutshell, a balanced budget when you're looking at budgeting, it's just about making a balanced budget where your revenues equal your expenditures. That's where you end up with that balanced budget. and there be no issues that you would have to really answer to in times of a audit if your BA budget is balanced. Next question, how would you ensure transparency and accountability in the city operations? In other words, what measures would you take to see the city commission and the public understands what it takes what take place in city hall? Okay, thank you for that question. In reference to transparency and accountability, it's what I have brought with me when I came is when I have an issue to address.

Sometimes it may not have to come before the commission, but I've done that. I brought it before the commission. And sometimes it, you know, worked well, sometimes it didn't. But my thing is, as I said when I stood here back in October is that everyone, the commission, residents, elected official, officers, employees should be held accountable, but also the transparency is important. If you h you have to have be clear, you have to be open, you have to be honest, and you you should bring the things that need to be addressed to those who are responsible for addressing them. If I am city manager and I know that the commission has to approve the things before I can move forward with them, then they need to come to you all in the open being transparent, not hiding anything, not covering up, not sharing things with one person I didn't share with the other. We need to make sure that we are transparent in every aspect of the position that we have um taken the oath for. So transparency is important. So that way the citizens can also see what we as staff members and officers, elected officials of the city, they know that they can trust us because we're bring it to the open meetings and they're able to see and hear what's happening with their taxpayers dollars.

Okay, next question. How do you work with city officials to achieve goals?

Okay. How I work with city officials uh to achieve goals is in preparing for our meetings and you know our agenda for the commission meetings. One way that we can accomplish the goals is if there's something that is going to be on the agenda and we place it on there, communication would be key for us to address as an agenda review. And that's something that I would look forward to doing is that having the agenda review so that way we can address those goals and those um you know those things that we are looking to work together. And so in standing here going forward, I would say the best way to work together on accomplishing them is that having those times where you you can sit down or have those for as a city manager have that time where you can sit down with the commissioners individually because we can't meet uh together all of us together without being in a public forum. So I would like to sit with each one of them individually to see what they expect of me. I can share with them what I'm looking to do and together we come up with the goals and the desires uh for the city to share with the citizens and that way we can work on common goals be on the same page and then the city will see us on the same page as we accomplish those things.

Okay. Next question. What is your vision for the future of city Pokei? Thank you for that question. My vision is to see us thriving, to see our kids playing in the parks with the proper equipment, to see our marina full of boats and campers, to see that restaurant being used. Amen. My vision is to have other businesses come in here and and we can do it. My vision is to see a hotel. Amen.

My vision is to see a grocery store. My vision is to see our roads repaired and not as bumpy as they are. My vision is to see any infrastructure, lights, or whatever we can do to make our city better. That's my vision and that's why I'm here. And not to get off on a tangent, but it it can be done. We just have to get out there and work together. We have to get out there and and and and let people know that, hey, we have somewhere for you to stay when you come up to the marina. You don't have to go and stay somewhere else. You can stay here cuz we have a hotel.

We have a neighborhood Walmart. You know, we have a neighborhood Publix. My vision is to see the infrastructure strong, to see businesses here, to see hotels here, to see our own residents have businesses. Don't say we need to bring businesses in. We have to encourage our residents to become business owners as well. So my vision is to see our our town looking better, sounding better, have restaurants. So I just have the vision, you know, just I have a a a huge vision and that's where I, you know, I sit back and I just think what can we do? I'm talking to uh various people about things they want to bring to POI and that's what I think that we need to work together, open up our minds, open up our our, you know, our hearts and let's work on accomplishing those goals in the vision. So my vision is to see our town with the things even a hospital, an urgent care center, you know, those types of things that we can have here. That was my vision uh for the city of Pokei.

Next question. What experience do you have developing and implementing long-term strategic plans? Thank you for that question. Um, and as far as strategic planning, strategic planning is something you have to think about. It's a vision of of a plan that you want to accomplish. It it takes you assessing the current situation to see where are we and where do I want to go. It takes looking at the resources that you have in your current situation to see if you can move forward to your vision. So strategic planning, the vision, assessing the situation, finding the resources and then implementing that and working towards it and um and it takes you like I say strategic planning. So that's you know my explanation of strategic planning.

Next question. Describe your familiarity with laws and regulations relevant to city government. Okay. Uh, thank you for that question. In the last six months, the experience has come in learning about those things and it has I have found that our laws and ordinances, they are first governed by the statutes. Florida statutes and the laws. That's where we build our ordices and our charter from from those statutes. And by doing that, that gives us a direction on where we can go and how the city and municipalities can impact ordinances or or um charters to make sure that the city follows those charters but not interfere or overstep our boundaries as it relates to the statues. It gives us guidance on like property taxes, um things that's that um pertain to the health and safety of our communities. Those are the things that we have to control within our ordinance and our charters, but that comes from the rules set by our statutes and laws. Describe your process for delegating tasks. Thank you for that question. U my process for delegating task starts first with me not wanting to do it myself. So that's one thing that I struggle with. My second way of delegating task is to look at the department or the area that it impacts. And if there's a department head that's responsible that department

then I give them the instruction. and I delegate the task to that department head to designate to the person that reports to them. Um, that way it avoids me from meddling in their little day-to-day operations at their department and I can manage and oversee, but I leave it to that department head to take care of their um particular department while they keep me informed. So for delegating task I delegate based on the the importance based on the level of of information that's provided and also based on the level of expertise that is needed to handle that. So I would delegate accordingly if it's something you know that could be handled by uh someone you know that right away not a very intricate uh assignment then you know you delegate accordingly but I believe in delegating to the department head and then letting them delegate to their subordinates.

Okay. Final question. How do you prioritize competing demands on the city resources?

How do you Thank you. How do you prioritize? Um prioritization should come with like the urgency, how urgent is it? So you would look at making a priority is is it urgent? What's the time limit on it? What resources will you need to make it happen? And so as far as prioritizing, you prioritize based on the the level of importance. You know, if if you have something that can wait until Friday to do, but this one has to be done today, then that's a priority. So prioritizing is looking at how urgent is it? Do I have the resources? What will it impact if I delay on it or if it needs to be done right away? So you make that determination based on your level of intelligence, your level of reasoning. You determine what's the priority and what can wait. And so that's what that's how I would do uh the order prioritization.

Okay. Thank you, Miss Busy. That concludes your inter um interview question. You've now get the opportunity to ask any questions to the commission.

Okay. Okay. Um I don't have a question but what I would like to do if you don't mind I would if I can approach the dus I have um some folders for each of you if you would give me a minute to share with the things that I have given you a bullet point on. I stand here to say it has been an honor to serve the city of Pokei during this period of transition. My focus has been simple to bring stability, strengthen operations, and move the city forward in a meaningful way. During my time as interim city manager, we have maintained full continuity of services while strengthening coordination, accountability, and performance across departments. today.

You don't have to say nothing. The way he's acting is enough.

Anyway, may I continue? Yes, ma'am. behind.

Today, key positions are filled and our teams are functioning beyond expectations. We have ensured strong fiscal oversight, including reestablishing responsible management of opera and grant funds while also securing a successful FEMA reimbursement appeal and advancing projects through the LMS portal. We have made significant progress on infrastructure by advancing the FDOT phase 4 road reservicing project, successfully closing out the Barfield road reconstruction project, and continuing coordination on the Mccur road reconstruction project initiative. We have also activated long awaited assets including the city's marina while addressing long-standing issues such as derelic properties and improving overall community standards. In addition, we have reestablished key regulatory relationships to ensure the marina is fully operational and progressing towards its full potential. Through proactive leadership, we are addressing expired contracts and actively procuring muchneeded services to complete city projects and support efficient day-to-day operations. Through neat grant funding, we are pursuing beautifification, agricultural, and sustainable initiatives while strengthening partnerships with long-standing community stakeholders. We have also expanded opportunities across both the public and private sectors while reactivating key regional relationships to better position POI for investment, collaboration, and long-term growth. Our community engagement is at an all-time high with the reactivation of community participation and events that bring residents together and rebuild city pride. Additionally, we have successfully activated two major housing developments, bringing over 100 new units with additional projects on the horizon slated to bring an additional 100 plus units positioning for Hoken for real measurable economic

growth. We have also lobbyed the state for appropriations to support critical priorities including demucking efforts and the hardening of Eddie Rose Gymnasium, helping to strengthen our infrastructure and resilience for the future. Equally important, we have established and maintained strong relationships with our local and state counterparts, elected officials, and the business community, many of whom are present this evening. Mech ensuring Poke is connected, supported, and positioned for opportunity. Most importantly, we have laid a strong foundation for continued progress focused on economic revitalization, service delivery, and long-term sustainability. I am not stepping into this role. I am already doing the work. I understand where the city is, the challenges we face, and the opportunities ahead. My leadership reflects stability, accountability, and results supported by a clear and actionable vision for Poki's future. Selecting me as your permanent city manager ensures continuity, sustained progress, and a leader who is fully invested and ready on day one to deliver for this commission and the residents we proudly serve. With the now fully staffed and highly capable leaders team in place, Pokei is stronger than ever, Pokei deserves strong leadership, real results, and a future we can all be proud of. And that is what I am committed to delivery. Thank you all. Thank you, Miss Busy. The last person will be Mr. Kim Johnson.

Good evening. Good evening. Good evening, Mr. Johnson.

Good evening. Is the Is the mic working? Okay. Good evening. Mr. Mr. Johnson, we're going to start off with you telling us a little about yourself and from there I'm going to ask you a series of question. After then you get to ask us any ask the commission any questions. First of all, first and most importantly, first and most importantly, I want to say good evening to everyone. Secondly, my name is Kim Johnson. Okay.

Okay. My name is Kim Johnson and I am proud to have this opportunity to interview for the position of city manager. and I'll share with you the reason why I should be your city manager. I was born and raised in Fort Pierce, Florida. And like Pokei, Fort Pierce has its challenges over the years, but it also has grown and now become a very successful city. All right. So, let me say this. Growing up in Fort Pierce taught me a variety of things. I grew up in a household with both of my parents for the first 12 years of my life. Uh I'm sorry, for the first eight years of my life. And then my parents separated when I was eight and my father got killed when I was 12. I was devastated and I acted out in school. I got in trouble. But then I began to listen. And as I began to listen, things started to change for me. I became a I don't I don't want to I don't want to interrupt anybody. I I No, I don't No, I don't I don't want to interrupt anybody because No, I don't want to interrupt anybody. All right. So, like I said to to the board, I got myself together. I began to walk down a path of of change because I began to listen and I began to learn and I began to know and I began to do. I became a star athlete in high school. I

also became someone who played college football. I graduated with a psychology degree from Southeast Missouri State University where I then became a teacher, an award-winning teacher, and then I became an award-winning motivational speaker, and then I became an award-winning government advocate as a county commissioner. And so, I just want to stop there and allow you to ask your your questions, okay? because I don't want to prolong the time or be disrupted. Can can can you not disrupt me while I'm talking? That is rude.

Question is he stayed in the whole Who who is that? That's what everybody's confused about. He didn't go outside. Well, I didn't even know anybody was going outside. So, okay. M Mr. Mr. Mayor. Okay, we we we're in the process of interviewing. We Yeah, we understand that now. I wasn't aware of that myself, but we're not talking between the commission, the candidate, and myself.

Mr. Mayor, yes. I just wanted to put on the record technically this is a public meeting. So the request that the clerk made was and I told her when she said it was a request because just as I think in the last interview when you all did the last interview everybody stayed in and I gave the same information on the record. So just so that you know audience allow allow the candidate to address the commission and answer the question that he's here for. And I apologize cuz I didn't understand what you guys were talking about. Yeah, I apologize. Yeah, I understand. I appreciate Yeah, I apologize.

Okay, so thank you, Mayor. Okay, we're going to start with the questions. Okay, why have you applied for the city manager position with the city of Pokei? And this is a two-part question. Why do you think you are the best suited to be the city manager?

Well, first off, I would say the city of Pokei is a diamond in the rough. If you look at the packets um board that you have in front of you, when I first ran for office to become a county commissioner, I talked about the city of Fort Pierce and St. Lucy County being a diamond in the rough. And I talked about how part of the reason that I ran for office is because the unemployment rate was so high. It was 13%. So I ran for office. They thought that I would never qualify. I did. After I qualified, I began to create a plan. And as I began to create that plan, when I got on the board, they said, "You'll never be able to do anything in your first term." I pressed the board and the members. I was the only minority on that board. I pressed every individual for communities that look like ours and to do right. and not only our community but others community as well because everybody's affected with bad decisions. With that being said, our unemployment rate went from 13% down to 6%. We cut it in half and I'll share with you how we did that as the questions go on.

Next question. How would you handle conflicts within the city of Poki?

Well, when you're handling conflict, first of all, you have to separate parties. When you separate parties, you have to talk to everyone individually. And as you're speaking to that person individually, you help them understand how to get back on track and play their role and understand what their responsibility is. Because if you get everybody back on their role, doing what they're responsible for, it can create a level of camaraderie even without you being around each other. And in the process of doing so, you can still accomplish tasks. Not only can you accomplish tasks, but you can also gain momentum after completing the task because everybody can celebrate the idea and the notion of what you succeeded in. And that's when you gain new momentum and create a new opportunity for success.

Okay. Next question. Explain your understanding of the principles of city budgeting.

Well, the city budgeting is very simple. I think that when we think about city budgeting and we think about the principles of city budget, first of all and foremost, money is there in design for it to be utilized and appropriated where it's supposed to go. Bottom line and we have budget workshops to prove that. Part of the reason why we have budget workshops because those budget workshops will tell you what you need to do with the money based upon inefficiencies of last year's budget based upon your vision for this year's budget. And so when you look at the budget, sometimes there's a shortfall and you have to make up for that shortfall. part of you making up for that shortfall is seeking out grant funding, uh seeking out state funding, seeking out federal funding. All of these are part of that process. Part of the reason why I can share that with you and and talk about basically any question that you want to ask me is because I was able to do something very admonishable. I think there was there was three groups within our governmental system. There was two cities and one county. When I got on the board, the first thing they said they said the city cities would never work with the county. I said, "Oh, yeah." They said, "Yeah." They say they always fighting against each other. They just would never work together. I said, "Okay." So what I did I my vision was port, airport and railway. So what I did I got all the I got both of the mayors from both cities. I got not only the mayors from both cities, but I also brought in the state

representative and I began to have the city managers and the county administrator come on a trip with me to the port Fort Canaro in Miami, Fort Lauderdale. We went to the Port Cano. We were thinking about how we could develop our port. I created another trip and that second trip was to the Port of Palm Beach. We came down to the Port of Palm Beach. We looked at that. That was part of me building camaraderie with staff across town and our staff and their board members and our board members. And last but not least, I took everybody to um down to Coco to Port Canaveral. And after we had that trip, all forms of city government started working together. As a result of it, I took everybody to Tallahassee and we went to Tallahassee and I talked to the appropriations chair with them in with them in in the facility as well as myself. We met with higher levels of leadership and as we began to meet with them, the first question they wanted to ask, how do you get city government and county government in the same building? How did y'all come together and work together because of the decision that we made? And we walked out of there, guys, with a record $126 million overall in funding for our county in multiple cities. And so, it's a part of the process. And let me say this, leadership is not easy because everybody can criticize anybody. So I don't care if someone does not like you. I don't care if someone does like you. At the end of the day, people don't want to know how much you know. They want to know how much you care. And I learned this in

life. Talking moves three things in life. Your teeth, your tongue, your lips, nothing else. Okay. You ready for the next question?

Yes. How would you ensure transparency and accountability in city operations? In other words, of all, you got to build trust. Okay, now let me let me back up. I had the delightful pleasure of working with a gentleman that that was one of the top county administrators and city managers in the state of Florida. The guy was phenomenal. our vision. We use television as a platform. And we use television as as a platform of trust. It wasn't just a board meeting. So, we had a variety of shows by members of the board on television. And what I told him, I was the vice chairman of the board at the time, and I knew I was going to be chairman of the board the next year. And I told him, the county administrator, I said, look, I said once again, people don't want to know how much you know. They want to know how much you care. I said, "Anything that we want to bring down the pipe for people to support, I need you to bring it on TV.

I need you to bring it on television because you can't build trust doing something behind people's back." So what we did, there was a situation young man, not only this young man, but a variety of of young people were walking to school. They were walking to school and and uh one of one of the young men was walking to his uh one of one of the young men was walking to his bus stop. Stop. I think it was like 6:00 something in the morning that there was no lights on the street. I think it was like 6:00 something in the morning that there was no lights on the street for him to be for him to be seen. The young man got hit by a car and killed seen. The young man got hit by a car and killed. So after So after this young man got hit by a car and killed and and and we began to talk about these type of things. Why we need lights on the streets? Why we need roads repair? Why we need why we need lights on the streets? Why we need roads repair? why we need sidewalks for these young people to walk on. What I did at that point, I began to allow the county administrator to educate members who were watching how we could do that. And part of it, we did raise our uh property tax enough not to destroy people's pockets, but enough to protect from death again. and we start putting down sidewalks and we start filling in holes in the road. And let me say this, I understand what members of this community feel when you have holes in your road. Right now, I am a consultant for the on behalf of the Florida

Department of Transportation. And as a consultant on their behalf, I actually know that these are opportunities where the money is and where the opportunities is to put whole. We're conducting interviews. You all you're talking. Please excuse yourself for a few minutes if you have something to say. We don't need to hear it. We're listening to the candidate. Please.

Thank you. There are holes in the road. And I'm going to tell you a story about a cousin of mine stayed I stayed in a community called Sharon Blaz. He stayed in a community called Paradise Park. In that community, uh I had one of the staff members come to me and said, "Commissioner Johnson, um we're going to go over there and pave a couple of roads. Uh what do you think about it?" I said, 'Well, let me ask you a question. I said, 'In in the other communities, how many rows do you pay? A couple. I said, ' Okay, how many roads do they need paid? A couple. So, they were going to pave a couple of roads in other communities because they only needed a couple of roads. So, what I did, I said to him, "No, we don't want to do a couple of roads. We want to do all the roads the same as other communities." and they went over there and they paved every road in that community. Cuz at the end of the day, once again, you got to have somebody fighting for you who know what they're talking about and who have relationships that will empower the opportunity for things to change. But like I said, I work for the Florida I mean, I work on behalf of the there's a company that I work with that has a contract. So, I work on behalf of the Florida Department of Transportation and I understand all the roads needs because I'm being educated quite often on what this looks like and that's what I really want to say earlier.

Okay. Are you ready for the next one? Yes.

Okay. How do you work with city officials to achieve goals? Well, first of all, I think I think the most important thing that people need to know, and this is why I said I probably whether I heard the questions or not, I probably was going to answer it this way anyway. But I'm going to tell you, I'll say this. When I first became a county commissioner, the first thing that I did, I visited every department and I heard staffers say, "You're a commissioner. Why are you here?" I said, "If I don't come to your department, how will I know what you're doing? And if I don't come to your department, how will I know what you do or don't need?" So, I began to visit these port these individuals and listen to what they have to say. The second thing that I did, I sat down with all of the commissioners one by one because you got to sit down with the commissioners and understand what their vision is because they got elected for some reason outside of them just being in the seat. And I think the third thing that you do because you got to have all stakeholders involved. The third thing you want to do is really have a because you want to know what the expectations of your citizens are. And let me say this, I love the community that I come from. I love people in this building whether you like me or not because I got the love of God in me. But I would tell you this, you guys have something great here and the devil don't like it. But things can turn around and things will change if you just work together. And that's why you got to have, watch this, departments buy in. You got

to have the board buy in. You got to have the citizens buy in. If the board gets their way, it may make the citizen dissatisfied. If the citizens get their way, it may make the board dissatisfied. But watch this. If everybody get out of the way and allow God to make a way through the abilities that he's given all of us, you can have real change. Amen.

And that's why guys, once again, I'm not saying anything to brag. I will get results. That's what I do. And and at the end of the day, I want to change the way people think. I want to change the way people deal with each other. I want to change the way people listen to each other. And it could be done. I'm not disrespectful to women. I'm not disrespectful to my peers. And guess what? I believe in every one of you sitting on on this sitting at this table here and everyone that's sitting in this audience and part of the reason why I believe because there was some before us that did better than us who's passed the baton to us for us to get it right. Okay, next question. What is your vision for the future of the city of Pokei?

So just walk with me for a second. The city of Pokei, let me tell you what I see, guys. You got a marina, right? A marina a marina needs boats. One of one of the one of the best things that that could ever happen to Boi and I think it could be done in the city of Fort Pierce. There's Maverick yachts. I'm Maverick boats and pursuit yachts. I believe that we can get boat manufacturing here in

Boi. And I believe we should get boat manufacturing because you can't have a marina and not have boats. And then you want to anchor that. And I believe the marina really should be pro I you know I don't know what the name Marina is but you know let's just say I'm thinking out loud. Marina West. Watch this. Marina West Entertainment District. You want to put a variety of entertainment out in that area. It could be done. You use use that the facility as an anchor for restaurants. You got you got an opportunity to have sport fishing tournaments. You got an opportunity to not only have sport speedboat tournaments. You got an opportunity for even Yamaha to even have a manufacturing place here. All these things are in play. Then on top of that, let's talk about the airport, guys. I think you got 400 and some odd acres worth worth of airport land. You got an airport that actually has I think 10 hangers. Those hangers should all be filled with businesses for creating jobs. You got flights on a consistent basis. But check this out. You should have a pilot academy for certification. And as these young men and young ladies start coming to this flight school, it's going to get more expensive because everybody just want to go to school and get the certification so they can go fly and their first residents will be here and they'll be your taxpayers. So that's another part of it. But watch this. you have an opportunity to create and I

also see this with all all this land around here a distribution center. We could have a distribution center here. We have easy access to Martin County going one way and Palm Beach Palm Beach County all around going east and west. And Florida is growing at an alarming rate. And let me say this, because Florida is growing at alarming rate, they're going to need more cold storage for for for goods, they're going to need more storage, period, for products, and they're going to need somewhere to put it at. Why not Pokei? And last but not least, you can have a a a packaging and processing plant here because the land is fertile. Let let me let me say this to you all. This this this is what I want to want to tell you real quick. This this the last part of the statement. Check this out. The word pokei I found out what it what it means. It actually means grassy waters from what what I understand. But but watch this. Pokei ain't just grassy waters. Pokei watch this. Boi is a place that grow beyond the ground and grow above the drown. Can't nothing hold you back. Just work together.

You ready for the next question? Yes.

What experience do you have developing and implementing long-term strategic plans? I've developed strategic plans at the governmental level for the county. I've also developed strategic plan for the fire district. I was a chairman of their board as well. Um so when you talk about strategic plans and understand about strategic plan, the plan is no good without the people. And the people are not good if they're not working together for the plan. Next question. Describe your familiarity with laws and regulations revalent to revalent to city government.

Well, first of all, we all know what sunshine law is. We can't be talking across backwards and forth to one another about particular items that we're going to vote on. That's first and most importantly. But here's what you need to know about law. Law is there to protect people's rights. Law is there to provide people opportunity. Law is there to create a peace of mind. So local government is designed for taxpayers, watch this, to be provided services for their dollars, to be protected when situations come up that's out of their control. and to have a peace of mind knowing that they have leaders that have their best interest at heart. That's what law is for locally.

Okay. Describe your process for delegating tasks.

Well, that's easy. when it comes down to delegation. And let me say this, I remember my first year as a I used to be a head track coach at Westwood High School. So I came and I encountered these young men. They were star athletes and they said, "Coach Johnson, I went to state last year with the relay team." I said, "Okay, and I'm probably going to go again this year." I said, "Okay." I said, "There's going to be a difference, though. We're not taking two to three people to state. We're going to take the whole team to state." So, what I had to do, I had to reframe their mind. Part of me reframing their mind was we started training one way. In the middle of the season, I had them start training a different way. And it was wearing them out and burning them out. Because just when you think that you've gotten somewhere, you realize you're only halfway there. And I wanted them to realize that. They started listening more. They started doing more. And as a result of them listening more and doing more, I took my team to state. First in the district, second in the region, third in the state. And so when it's all said and done, people want their talent to shine, but you have to put them in a position to shine. And one thing that I like about track, track is one of those sports whereas you have to put a person in a place that they're the best at. And so when it comes to government, if we put people in place that they're good at and they do a great job, they're gonna feel great about it. And as they're feeling great about it, they're going to

have success. And as they have success, they going to be a better asset to the community. They're not going to talk about the community. They're not going to talk about each other. They're going to find a way to see something positive. Final question. Okay. How do you prioritize competing demands on the city resources?

Well, I will say this that I will lean lean on my background in Tallahassee, which is already proven um at a state of hundred something million dollars. Also, one of the things that I'll share with you is this. I had a conflict. The New York Mets, of course, the New York Mets do spring training in my county. So, they came to me, they said, "Commissioner Johnson, we want to take you over to Fort Myers." I said, "Okay, because we want you to see the facilities over there." So, I go over there and I take a look at both the facilities that they want me to take a look at. And and I and I told the person that was over the mess, I said, "Let's talk. Let's continue to have our conversation. There's no yes on this project, but let's talk. So, next year come, I'm chairman of the board. I get a call and the call was the Mets saying, "Commission Johnson, this deal is about to drop. It's not going anywhere." I said, "Huh?" He said, "Yeah, if you don't save the deal, it's done. We're gone. we're leaving here. So what I did, I sat down with the Mets. I met with them, sat down with them, wanted to know what their acts were. Of course, staff was very smart because the staff did not want to tax out the citizens. So this was a very touchy situation. On one hand, you had staff did not want to tax out the citizens. You had a a organization that a variety of businesses in that area depended on spring training for

their businesses to thrive during that time for long-term benefit of them paying their bills for the rest of the year. So I sat down with our staff members. I sat down with the New York Mets, both of them individually. And this is what I was talking about earlier when you talk about uh roles and conflict and responsibilities and those type of things. After I sat down with those guys and I began to talk talk them through and even the money part, the conclusion that we draw was that we could do a deal but it would be longer than initially asked. The beauty about it, once we got on the same page, I thank God I was sitting in the room in Tallahassee in the governor's cabinet and they signed over a $20 million check to St. Lucy County because my relationship and our relationship as the board with the New York Mets and we were able to save the deal. We were able to save jobs and we were able to create jobs as a result of it.

Mr. Johnson, that concludes your interview questions. Now you have the opportunity to ask the commissioners anything.

Well, commissioners, let me say this. I don't envy your role. Been there, done it. Part of the reason why I believe I should have the job is because I understand what your role is. And not only do I understand what your role is, I'm a man of accountability cuz at the end of the day, I hold myself accountable first. And so knowing that you will be someone that will reside over me as a leader, I would tell you the truth at all times, good, bad, or indifferent. And part of the reason why I would tell you the truth all the time because the board's character is at stake. And guess what? The community's character at stake, too. Amen.

Because when you do the right thing, they need to give you credit for where you deserve it. And you and when they do the right thing, they need the credit where they deserve it, too. Nobody's cut short in here. And at the end of the day, once again, and I would tell you, people do not want to know how much you know. They want to know how much you care. So, I want to ask the the board this question. What is that one thing that you can think of right now And one can answer it or you all can answer it. What is that one thing that you believe in your head and heart of hearts that will gain the trust of the citizens back to the board and gain the board trust back to the citizens at a whole another level. And I'm not saying that there's no trust now, but what I am saying, how do we get that trust to the next level? So what do you what's your role in ensuring and empowering the citizens as a leader to believe in what we do on a daily basis? That's my question.

Thank you. My response would be transparency and accountability. Simple as that. Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you all for your time. Thank you on behalf of my family to your family. God bless you. God bless the city. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Johnson, for your time.

That conclude our interview process as the answering and asking the questions. I'd like to thank all the candidates for participating in this uh interview. Just for clarification, uh HR, we do have where we have total scores and we have you can receive up to 55 the highest. I think the 55 was there probably to evaluate the uh introduction, their opening statement. Other than that, we just need to just disregard that and look at the 10 question. Five each would be a total of 50 if they got a total of five for each answer. So, I'm not sure. You may be able to explain where the 55 come from. I'm just assuming it was possibly the opening statement, but I'm not quite sure. I don't want to speak for you.

So, there's a a section on there for um that is not included. If the person is um part of um like the armed services like if they had been in the army they get a additional up to five points that's what that that additional five is for. Okay. If go ahead if it's not a part of your process that you see in front of you I would advise that you not do that. Okay. And none of the applicants were on according to the application did not.

Okay.

So, Commissioner, what we'll do is add up the scores. We'll actually uh be able tonight to share your score and your candidate of your choice. And from that we would uh determine who would be the permanent city manager if we decide to go that route. Um also the scoring will come in too. It is it's is it's good and necessary because for instance if the number one candidate for some reason is unable to reach a contract agreement that may move us to go to the second one or in our charter it states that this is a exclusive employment of the city of Pokei meaning you cannot have a hold a second job. So if the person who's chosen, if that's the case, have the second job, they can always resign or whatever it takes. But this is a charter uh requirement from us. This is not coming from the city commission. Our charter did take that. So to violate that, we're actually violating the charter if we do that. So it's a way around it. The person can resign whatever paid position they're in. This is exclusive position. This is not a part-time employment. We need a full-time city manager here working on behalf of the city of B.

Good. Commissioners, I just want to remind everybody that um the documents that you have should be turned into the clerk when you're finished entirely in its entirety because those are the official public records and and they should be available. I put a note for them to give to Okay.

You sure? Hallelujah.

Hallelujah.

Okay. This how we would do it this way. We're going to start from Commissioner Scott and we'll move to Vice Mayor Williams, Commissioner McDonald, myself, and Commissioner Mike Fearson. You're going to name first your preference of who you would like to see pointed as a permanent city manager and give this score. This score going to be important again if we have to have a second place person to fill in or whatever or we may decide if that don't work out we may not we may end up doing it over again. I'm just saying. I'm just saying.

What you want me to do is just give just give the name. Uhhuh. Yeah. We're going to say you're going to you're going to name Uhuh. your preference and get a score for that person. That should be hopefully the highest okay person you rated. All right. In the score.

All right. Uh I select uh Tammy Busussy uh 39. Okay. Vice Mayor Williams. Hallelujah. Okay. My um highest score is Brenda Bryant with a 42.

42. We still in commission meeting. Whoever talking out in the audience, please, please.

Commissioner McDonald. Tammy Buster, could you give her score?

46. Okay. Brenda Bryant, 49.

Brenda Bryant, 43. base on the preference it would be Brenda Bryant. Come on. Mr.

Ma'am, you're out of order. Please, please, please leave. Please leave. Shame on y'all. Shame out there. Shame. Shame. Shame. Come back. Enjoy your retirement.

Enjoy your retirement. That's all. She didn't need any stress. Yes, you did. based on

based on the majority preference of Miss Bryan having high score and the majority uh vote, I'll entertain a motion for the appointment of Mr. Mayor. I I should read the resolution into the record. A resolution of the city commission of the city of Pokei, Florida, appointing is it Brenda Bryant? Brenda Bryant. I I want to make sure I have the correct name. That is the correct name.

Okay. Brenda Bryant as the permanent city manager, providing for adoption of representations, providing for appointment, providing for compensation, providing for an effective date, city commission, having heard the resolution read into our minutes by city attorney outlining the appointment. If this pass of Brenda Bryan as the new permanent city manager of the city of Bokei pending contract and the other proper documents that need to go along with the job,

I'll entertain a motion for that effect. Mayor Bab, I move that we accept um resolution 2026-11. Second. It is it has been moved by Vice Mayor Williams and properly second by Commissioner Mike Fearson for the movement of that pro uh resolution to name Brenda Bryant, our new permanent city manager. Call for questions.

My question would be this was a fair process. We all have different opinion. I think the majority spoke and say this with the person they felt did the best in interview or would be do the best in moving our city forward. And hopefully we all can work with our new incoming city manager. Any additional comments or questions? Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call. Madame clerk. Vice Mayor Cowan Williams.

Yes. Commissioner McFersonson. Yes. Commissioner McDonald. Yes. Commissioner Scott? Yes. Mayor Bab? Yes. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

Mayor Bab, there are some additional um items that have been added to the agenda by the commission. Would you like them to read the first one? I can sign my agenda. Okay. Okay. Next item on the agenda. We don't have any consent agenda items. Um it's two additional resolutions. So add onions. I know. I'm just reading the agenda as is presented. Just saying we don't have any of those items. I got it.

No consent agenda items. No old business. No public hearings. No ordinance. We do have a resolution. First resolution is resolution 2026-11 and that passed. That was a resolution that was passed. Then we had two add-on resolution. First add-on resolution I believe was 2026-14. 12.

That's 12. Yes, sir. I can read it into the record. A resolution of the city commission of the city of Pokei, Florida, amending the signitories for various bank accounts of the city of Pokei at PNC Bank NA recognizing Tamara Da Da Daell, excuse me, finance director as an additional signatory to comport with this resolution and with PNC banking requirements, providing for adoption of representations, providing for an effective date. And again, mayor Brad, what this resolution does is it allows for the addition of Miss Tamara Dodell, the new finance director, to be added to the PNC banking accounts as a signatory and be able to perform her job duties.

Okay. Having heard resolution 2026-12 properly read into the minutes by our city attorney, properly explained by city clerk. What are your preference? M. I move that we accept resolution 2026-12. Second. It is a It has been moved and second. Call for questions. Hearing none. Are you ready for a vote? Roll call. Madame clerk. Vice Mayor Cowan Williams. Yes. Commissioner McFerson? Yes. Commissioner McDonald? Yes. Commissioner Scott? Yes. Mayor B?

Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, commissioners. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Next resolution is resolution 2026-13. This was a second add-on commission. Uh attorney s attorney. Yes, sir. One one moment.

Okay. Um, Mayor Bab. Yes. Thank you. um in compliance with our charter and city code, I'm going to recuse my vote for the um finance director. Okay.

And so, um commissioner, you will fill out the the clerk will have the proper form for that and you can fill out that form. I'll go on to reading uh the next item to the record. A resolution of the city commission of the city of Pokei, Florida, appointing a vice mayor pursuant to article 2 section 2.04B of the city of Pahok's charter providing for adoption of representations providing for an effective date. And again, Mayor Bab, um with this resolution, per charter, the commission is required to appoint a vice mayor each year um each April of every year. So what this resolution does is it allows for that process to take place and the selection will be within your your field to um select.

Okay. City Commission having heard resolution 2026-13 properly read into the minutes by our city attorney properly explained by city manage I'm say city attorney a city clerk I'm sorry I'll entertain a motion or a recommendation for the appointment of the vice mayor motion that we make them. Commissioner McDonald. A second.

Okay. It has been moved by Commissioner McFersonson and properly second by Commissioner Scott for the appointment of Commissioner Mdonna as the vice incoming vice mayor. Call for questions. Hearing none, are you ready for a vote? Roll call. Madam clerk. Commissioner McFersonson. Yes. Commissioner Scott, yes. Commissioner McDonald, yes. Um, Vice Mayor Calvin Williams, yes. And Mayor Bab,

yes. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Next, we'll have the report of the mayor. Just remove that and not have a report at this particular meeting. Uh report of the city manager which currently we won't have a report of city manager. That is correct. But we can we have some announcements if okay report of the city attorney. No report this evening. Thank you. future agenda items of the commission if any hearing none. We'll move on.

Go ahead. Um I would like to I don't know uh how soon but I would like to have a town hall. Um cuz we have a situation in our community right now. I mean, it's probably already handled um with our residents being displaced and we might need to get some directions on that so we all be on the same same page. There's a second on that. Second move and second. Call for questions hearing none. Are you ready for a vote? Roll call. Madam clerk. Commissioner McFerson. Yes. Vice Mayor McDonald. Yes. Commissioner Scott,

yes. Commissioner Calvin Williams. Yes. Mayor Bab. Yes.

That's it. Yeah, that's it. And I don't know if I need to add it to it, but you know, even if we have some people like to um resources and stuff that we can probably have them to the table at the workshop. I don't know if that's feasible or not. Okay. But we'll we'll just have a discussion

for future gen item. And I I I want to push this even further than a future gen item, but I'll refer to the uh city of Trinity to see if it's appropriate or not. Uh we just appointed a newly appointed city manager. It's probably going to take maybe a week or two before she can get on and on on board and get all her paperwork and everything complete. However, I would like to see us personally, publicly thank interim city manager Tammy Busty for her work that she done in the last six months.

You don't want to do that. However, she better work for it. Bus your damn slave. Ma'am, you need to She better work for it. That's what I said. The bus ain't nothing work and stop trying to have sex with your daughter. I believe strongly at this time we need to appoint an interim city manager uh and receive

Mor you've just appointed a permanent city manager and under your charter it doesn't allow you to you've made the appointment that is that's who you have under your charter. So starting tomorrow that person should be you know available or you know whatever they need to do but you wouldn't need to do anything in the interim under your charter. Okay. Then at that point I think what I need to say then we need to terminate Miss Bus said service employment to the commission.

You don't have to automatically under your charter it's terminated as soon as you appoint a permanent person. So you there's nothing that you need to do. Uh you will need to pay the severance that is due to her based on the number of months that she's been employed as an with the city. But under your charter, you don't need to do anything else. And of course, HR would have to get all of the keys and all the her property that belongs to the city, including the vehicle and everything.

And there is a time period with which you have to um make that payment. And so you want to look at, you know, and I'll find it for you in the charter if you need it, but you I think it like may be the next pay period. So that needs to happen fairly quickly. Okay. Okay. Any other thing for future agent items? Anyone have any things they need to add? We want to try to expedite this in process and finish up if we can. Hearing that, we'll move now to the general comments of the public. Public comments. City clerk. Do we have any public comments called from the public?

Yes, sir. We have several. They filled out at the beginning. Um, I'll call their names. If they're not here, then we can, if you guys choose to, we can move to the next person. Um, the first person is Antinet Kelly. Cynthia Hall.

What's your pleasure?

I guess it Yes. Thank you, Mr. Porter. No, he's gone. Mr. Love is gone. Um, Aaron Taylor.

Hi, Aaron Taylor, Arc Development Global. Once again, um, I'll be really brief. with the appointment of a new city manager. Uh some of you know that I've been really trying to get the one North Lake project off the ground. I got the fire department plans approved. They've been in my car not knowing what was going to happen with the situation. I just need some contact person to make sure that the progress we've made thus far doesn't get stifled in any way because as you guys also know, we got approved for $3.2 million in gap funding from Palm Beach County, which is tied to a timeline. That being said, I don't under I don't know the timeline at which it takes to follow the policies and charter that you need to get the new city manager in place and up to speed, but I need to speak to her as soon as she's able to have that conversation to make sure that we can meet the timeline and not lose the four years of progress that it took us to get to this point. So, just want your support in that. Thank you.

Yes, you have it. This is going to be a quick process. It's not going to take long at all. I don't think to get her on board and at city hall. Thank you. Thank you. The next person is Lolita Soers. She's gone. She's gone. And the last person is Nathaniel Holmes. He's gone. So that concludes all of the public comments at this time. Okay. Then we'll move to comments of the city commission for the good of the order. And I'll start with uh Commissioner Mike Ferson.

Love you all. Ain't nothing you can do about it. That's it for me.

Thank you, Commissioner Mike Donald. Um, irregardless of the outcome here on today, I'm a part of this community and I have been for long as I can remember and um I certainly am of the mind that I want to see um progress for Hokei manifest itself here in Pokei. So, as I always say, uh I want to solicit and encourage the help and support of our entire community to um join us in our efforts to progress the hook. Thank you.

Thank you, Vice Mayor Williams. Uh I want to say uh good evening to all the residents. I want to say thank you to everyone that um was listening tonight and I just want all the residents to know the decisions that I make, they're the decisions that are for the best of Hokei and I look forward to working continue to work with this commission and the new um city manager to move for Hoki um forward. Have a good night,

Commissioner Scott. Uh yes. Uh I'd like to thank thank everyone for coming out and watching and um I really like to thank Miss Busy for the work that she put in in the time and u but majority spoke. So you know nothing we can do about that but we just going to welcome Miss Bryant uh on the board and hopefully that we can continue to work to get things done. Good night. Commissioners having all business brought before us being taken care of. I'll entertain.

I would like to say something as your five minute left. Uh city manager if you let me to please. Um I just want to stand here and say thank you all for allowing me to serve the last six months. I want to say congratulations to Miss Bryant. I wish you the best. I want to thank all the ones even the ones who have left for standing here with me because as I say what God has for you is for you. for those who whatever wasn't professional or it was personal, you know, hey to God be the glory. But I just want to say it's been a pleasure. I've learned a lot in these last six months because I didn't come in with the experience. I was qualified. I had the knowledge. I didn't have city manager experience. I have it now. So what God has for me is for me. So I wish the city the best. I still think I'm the best. But another decision was made. And congrats. We grew up together. I wish you the best and I'm here for you because that is not me. So congratulations. May God bless you. I wish you the best and I just thank God for PBSO and all of you for being here. And once again, thank you for the experience and for the time. Y'all have a good one.

Can I say one last thing? Uh I want to say to Miss Bryant too, congratulations. Um I'm not overlooking you. I'm just, you know, um I want to congratulate you and um I'm looking forward to working with you. I'll entertain a motion for the journment of this meeting. I move that we adjourn the meeting. Second. Has been moved and second. I'm sorry. I didn't hear the second. McDonald second. Call for question. Hearing none. Ready for a vote. Roll call. Madam clerk. Commissioner Cowen Williams. Commissioner Cowan Williams. Oh, yes. Vice Mayor McDonald,

yes. Comm um Commissioner McFersonson, yes. Commissioner Scott, yes. Mayor Bab, yes. Meeting a journ at 900 p.m. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Okay.