City Council - Regular Meeting

Listen, you okay? real quick. All right. Thanks, If I see

over there,

check. Check.

Thanks. Does mine work? You know, I go through You don't get a choice.

Thank you. Thanks for the warning. Good morning.

I don't know if Steve will need it or not, so I'm going to give it to him. I guess so. Okay. Okay. You got it. I will send you a message.

Okay. And then that's yours. Can I send you a signature on the way shows up? Smart that end of the table over there. Do you need anything? I mean, Debbiey's within arms length. I know. I better watch my piece of Hey, I walked to the door and didn't realize I forgot a few things back.

I've had that happen. Must be the tie. It must be it. Are you making fun of it or what? It's just kind of gestureish. Like what's the crowd for today? Volunteers. Police. Yeah. We'll play that on the count. We going to an all volunteer police department now. So uh for the 20 years

about it's on one. Huh?

Yeah. Yes. I saw the misconception. There's no misconception. It's a bit of a risky thing. Good morning everybody. If we can settle down. It is now 9 o'clock in the morning.

Thank you so much. So, good morning. It is Wednesday, April 22nd, 9:00 in the morning at Lashley Community Room. Can we have a roll call, please? Janine Pulk, Greg Julian, Janice Denton, Melissa Locker. Thank you. and Bill Frank is going to do our invocation this morning.

Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we recognize you as creator of heaven and of earth, and we ask for your presence to continually guide us, direct us, and lead us through this. Lord, we pray that you allowed each life here today to not become too busy about life, but to be busy about seeking you and your direction. We ask you to renew your heart in us, the love for one another, and strength and purpose in this life. Forgive us of where we have fallen short, and continue to lead us on into good things. We ask for your wisdom, your guidance, and your direction, not only for this council, but also for everyone involved today that you would be honored throughout this day. We thank you that the decisions made here will be for the betterment for the city of Pontagora. And we thank you that in Joshua chapter 24, it says, "As for me and my house, I will serve the Lord." In Jesus name we pray.

Amen. to the flag to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all and thank you everybody for being here today. All of our veterans please stand in the room. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Do you have any announcements? Nope. I have one. Not only does Odalis help me with the city, but I want to introduce the community to Wendy Deman.

Do you have any announcements? She's back there in the green. She's sitting way in the corner. She is my office manager at Levich Law Group. And her and of Dallas are the rocks that help me that help you guys. So, I wanted you guys uh see her as well, seeing that she's helping Dallas on the back end as well. Thanks.

Thank you for helping him. Our next meeting is May 6th. Um it's our regular council meeting. It's right here at 9:00 in the Lashley community room. We are going to go now to our proclamations and presentations. We're going to please ask anybody speaking after you've received it to limit your speech to one minute. And our first one is National Volunteer Week.

I think we have a few in the room. Maybe you guys all want to come up.

It's my honor to read this proclamation. City of Pontagora. Whereas National Volunteer Week was established by presidential proclamation in 1974 to highlight the various opportunities available to those interested in volunteering. And whereas the Pontagora Police Department volunteers in policing VIP program was established in 1997 and has five major program areas including administration records, volunteers on car patrol, volunteers on bike patrol, and volunteers on marine patrol. And whereas VIP program members contributed 7,224 hours of service to Pontagora Police Department in fiscal year 2025. And whereas the Pontagora Police Department VIP program has 62 active members supporting our community, including support of do the right thing program, police pension board, and various community events. Now, therefore, the city council of the city of Pontagora, Florida, does hereby proclaim the 19th to the 25th of April, 2026 as National Volunteer Week in Pontagora and does hereby honor all the men and women whose diligence and professionalism make the volunteers and policing program possible. passed and duly adopted this 22nd day of April and accepting is our chief.

Good morning everybody. Chief Pam Smith and I'll read really fast. So um we have at least 65 dedicated volunteers. They play a vital role in a lot of our daily operations. In other words, they help us with major community events like our Fourth of July fireworks, Christmas tree lighting, MLK Day parade among many parades that they're out there with. Um, their efforts alone obviously help us with our needing of significant resources that would otherwise be spent on overtime. Collectively, they contributed 7,224 hours of service, but their impact can be felt every day. So last year they patrolled 19,177 miles across our canals, our streets, and our harbor walk and and our trails. Obviously some of our bike patrols here, you probably see them the most um because they are out there talking to everybody on a daily basis. We behind the scenes we also have our volunteers supporting our community services unit like do the right thing program and pension board meetings while others also made sure our accreditation process was successful. Our administrative well there you go. So um I just want to say thank you very much to our volunteers. We could not do what we do if we did not have them. Um they are fantastic. We also have our reserve officers and our chaplain who are phenomenal. So thank you. Got to get a photo of everybody. Please come on up.

Right up here. Come on.

Thank you all. Thank you so much. That's awesome.

We get to We get to hide behind Lynn. hide behind, two, three. Thank you for being here today.

Is Noah here? Noah Perry.

Is no one here? I was messaging with Mr. Perry this morning from the Masonic Lodge and I'm not sure if he is on his way or if he can make it. But this is a proclamation for Armasonic which is also celebrating a big time. They're having a lot of people here. Whereas Freemasonry has long stood as one of the oldest and most respected fraternal organizations in the world, dedicated to the principles of brotherly love, relief, truth, morale, integrity, and service to humanity. And whereas Pentaga Masonic bodies and their members have played a vital role in the historical development within the Pentaga community service since 1890 by promoting charity, education, leadership, civic responsibility, and fellowship. And whereas the establishment of the Gilchrist Masonic Center represents a continued commitment to community enrichment, preservation of historic traditions, mentorship, and the advancement of morale and civic leadership within the city of Pentaga. And whereas this center of excellence serves not only as a gathering place for Masonic education and fellowship, but also as a beacon of community engagement, charitable outreach, youth development, and Masonic preservation for present and future generations. And whereas the dedication of this Masonic facility honors the legacy of Albert Gilchrist 1858 to 1926, Florida House of Representatives 1893 to 1895, 20th governor for the founder of the Florida Masonic home and past Master of Puntaorta 115 Masonic Lodge in 1896, whose vision, labor, and service contributed significantly significantly to the cultural and civic foundation of our community. And whereas the city of Pontto Gorda recognizes the enduring contributions of Freemasonry and applauds the efforts

undertaken to create a center that strengthens community bonds while preserving an important part of our shared heritage. Now therefore, the city council of the city of Pontto Gorda, Florida by does hereby proclaim the 2nd of May 2026 as Masonic center of excellence dedication day in the city of Pontto Gorda and encourages all citizens to recognize and celebrate the historic significance, charitable mission, and continued community service represented by this important dedication. Is no Did Noah make it? No.

Okay, I'll just give it to him on t on Saturday on May 2nd. So, he's really appreciative. I know. Um, they're actually helping out with a lot of things in our community and they take a lot of part and they're pretty proud of this. So, thank you.

I know they're actually helping out with a lot of things in our Good morning everyone. Um, I would like to see Diane Mson. Hi, Diane. How are you? Nice to see you. And it's an honor for me to give this proclamation to you today. Um I know that we used to be called the the city of hibiscus. This is actually the history of why that that is.

Whereas the city of Pontagorta has proclaimed itself to be hibiscus city the hibiscus city since 1926 when plantings were provided throughout the city. And whereas the city adopted resolution 2177- on March 1st 2000 reaffirming that designation and declaring itself to be the city of Pibiscus. And whereas Harry Guling made Pontagorta his home and was known by many for his worldclass award-winning hybrid hibiscus plants growing some 60,000 varieties of hibiscus over 60 years. He won many accolades and awards including the prestigious American Hibiscus Society shows best in the world category five times and whereas to continue efforts to highlight the city's designation the 22nd annual hibiscus festival will be held in Gilrest Park from May 1st 2026 through May 3rd 2026 and include a Friday evening concert unveiling the king and queen of hibiscus on Saturday plant sales and continuous music on Saturday and Sunday as well as food vendors and other activities. Now therefore, the city council of the city of Pontagora, Florida does hereby proclaim the 2nd of May 2026 as hibiscus day and encourages all residents to plant hibiscus to beautify the city and continue the tradition which began many years ago passed and duly adopted this 22nd 2022nd uh day of April 2026.

Thank you. invite everybody. We have two stages. So there's no Oh, I'm sorry. So there's no setup and tear down. It's the constant music and it's great time and the little midside business pageant is darling. On Saturday morning at 9:00, it's going to probably be about 20 women, girls. I mean from uh 18 months to 18 years and they get little flowers and a tiara and everything. It's really nice for to be on stage probably for the first time for a lot of the kids. So please come if you have a chance. I want to give everybody a free drink card here.

Thank you.

Could Alexa and Bill come forward to receive this presentation? I didn't see you here.

Good. So, this is for the PGICA diamond anniversary. Whereas the city whereas Puna Gorda Isle Civic Association PGICA was incorporated in 1966 as a 501c3 nonprofit with the mission to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Punaorta and the surrounding area. And whereas for six decades the Pundora CI civic assoc pun Isle civic association has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life of residents by serving as the government liaison community representatives and social and educational center for residents of our community. And whereas this dedication has resulted in over 20 organizational clubs and groups who offer a variety of recreational and educational programs, classes and events to its members and the general public. In addition to supporting various charities and other nonprofits in our community through the generosity and hard work of its members and whereas leadership and members of the Punagorta Isles Civic Association have demonstrated outstanding dedication, professionalism and community spirit making Punaga Isles and the city of Pontagora a better place for all residents. Now therefore, the city council of the city of Punagorta, Florida does hereby proclaim 2026 as the year of Punaga Isle Civic Association's Diamond Jubilee anniversary in recognition of their 60 years of dedicated service and commitment to the enrichment of our community and urges all citizens to join in celebrating this significant milestone and expressing profound gratitude for their enduring legacy. passed and duly adopted this 22nd day of April, 2026.

Well, I want to thank everybody for that. And uh you know, Yogi Barra says, "I want to thank everybody who made this day necessary." But I was thinking we should be thanking all the people who made this day possible. Uh you know where where there's a vision the people flourish and back in the late 50s early 60s people had a vision of turning a mangrove swamp into a beautiful community with I don't know how many houses today 5 6,000 maybe 8,000 7,000 residents. We're going to be celebrating our organization's Diamond Jubilee this year with a number of events. Our events are open to the public and uh uh pgica.org. One of them will be a history of Pentag iss put on by us and the Pentag History Center in May. Again, it's open to the public. I uh I want to just introduce I'm Bill Mateo, our external relations director, and we have here Alexa Weiss, who is our operations manager, and also our presidentele, Maryanne Cop. and thank you for coming and thank you so much.

Good morning everyone. Dr. Missy Riker, I'm the city manager. Kristen Simeone, if you could come up, our finance director. This is an award presentation. The city was awarded the certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting by the government financial officers association for a comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending September 30th, 2024. This distinction is considered the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting and is awarded only to entities that demonstrate a clear and comprehensive presentation of their financial position. The report was reviewed by an impartial panel and found to meet the highest standards of the program, including a strong emphasis on full disclosure and effective communication. But wait, there's more. The finance team has also earned the distinguished budget presentation award from the GFAO, which is another high honor. I'm very, very proud of our finance department and all of the work they do. Uh, our leadership at the top is absolutely phenomenal and Kristen Simeone and her team is phenomenal as well. Kristen, would you like to say a few words?

First of all, I want to say thank you for um the leadership that we have. Um the commitment starts at the top and it goes from our leadership as you as a city council to the city manager to our directors, division managers, supervisors, and actually all of our employees because they have to follow all the rules and procedures to make sure that the accounting information is accurate and correct. Um, and then I want to say a special thank you to the finance team. It's a lot of hours to put the information together and compile everything as well as um making sure we hit all the marks. There's a huge checklist for both um documents that have to be adhered to. And so without their help and work um we wouldn't be able to earn those awards. So thank you without supplementing. Okay.

Okay. Next, we're going to go to public input. Those wishing to introduce themselves as nominees for a board or committee may do so at this time. So, this is for a board or committee. Um, please state your name for the record if you're wishing to do this. This is for a board or committee. As nominees for a board or committee at this time. So this is for a board or committee. Oh, please come up to the podium. Please state your name. Thank you, sir.

Good morning. Uh George, I'm applying for reinstatement on the utility advisory board. Um been doing it for six years. I enjoy it. It's a remarkable utility, great people, and uh Kristen I always appreciate and she uh keeps us informed of how we've uh done over the last four years by a chart that's very colorful and I'm color blind.

Do you have any questions for him? Thank you very much, sir. Thank you. Anyone else? If no, we're going to go ahead and move on. Anyone wishing to address the council on any matter must state their name for the record. Each person will be allowed to speak up to a maximum of three minutes. We're asking that please be kind as you do this. Okay. Anyone wishing to address the council on any matter for the record. Each person will be allowed to speak up to a maximum of three minutes. We're asking that please as you do this. Morning everyone. Uh Brad Austin, 34 Hibiscus. I'm here on the right day anyway.

Yeah, that's right. I'm here. Uh I've got a a boat cover that I just got a citation for that I thought I had and bought an illegal or illegal system and found out that it's not 100% legal.

Um so I just wanted to address the council on it and I know you've been having a lot of meetings that just found out about this. Um mine's a bulk cover, but is attached to the boat lift, which I've since found out is legal, but the letter states that it's illegal because it's attached to the boat lift. Um, but mine has the pipes. It's a newer system. It has two tubes that come up over the top and then a thin rail, two two inch tubes that go from one pole to the other. And then it's got a rail the length of the boat that's uh inch and a half by three inches that has a basically a shower curtain and um just slides back and forth and protects the boats. Most of you know these boats are getting to be as expensive as the homes. And we're just trying to protect them and there's a lot of bad looking boats on our canals and rotten and don't run. And you know, I'm just trying to protect my boat and keep my property looking nice and and uh you know, protect it. And this this cover I thought was the best cover to do that. It fits the boat very very snug and tight. Um I I'll get pictures and stuff and send them to Sym to work with by the way and um get that information to you, but um they have pictures of boats going through hurricanes and the lifts are all gone and the boat's still covered laying on its side. So, I mean, they're a good they're a good strong cover and they cover just the boat. Um, they come tight down under the hole and so I'm just trying to protect my my property and make it look nice and have the whole city looking nice like it does. So, thank you very much. Appreciate it.

Thank you, sir. Good morning. My name is Dave Kalin with Kalin's Farm, Far Market, and the Legion Farmers and Flea Market. I'm here to set the record straight today.

My farm and my business is not affiliated with any council member. However, due to the volume of community work our family does, many of us are bound to work at events, fundraisers, and storm cleanups at the same time. I'm also not affiliated with Andrew Sheets, nor do I condone his actions in our community.

I'm also not interested in bidding on the downtown market should the city put it up for bid. However, I do agree with going out for bid given the market is located on city-owned property. Under Florida Chapter 225, it requires an RFP or an RFQ to justify why a sole source arrangements has been allowed. This spells out running a market, changing vendors, or taking profits from city land. Additionally, under Florida Constitution Article 8, Section 10, it states that the government cannot give a private party a special benefit as this is known as an unlawful subsidy. Now for the real story. This started in October of 2024 when Hurricane Helen and Milton flooded our town. The downtown market was closed indefinitely by the precellers via an email communication and Facebook posts. Given the fact that our farm and our market was undamaged by either hurricane, we made an offer in writing to the vendors of our downtown market to use our property on a temporary basis only until that market reopened. We were met with nothing but hostility from the preellers and quickly it spiraled into defamation, liable and slander and numerous emails. Our farm and market and I quote does not have permitting or liability insurance in place and that he meaning myself is a computer hack and somehow is infiltrated our Facebook page and I'm working on that insurance.

First and foremost, I've held a countywide multi- vendor and farmers market license for years. Second, I carry a $2 million policy for liability, not just on myself, but our vendors as well. Third, if the pursellers believe that I hacked your Facebook page and made the drunk posts that were there, you should have filed a police report and truly gotten to the bottom of the source of the posts. By the way, I've never hacked your Facebook page or any of your accounts

or your systems and you know that. Which brings me to my final issue. If the downtown market manager wants to accuse me of being a drunk at your market or at the car accident I was recently involved in, you might want to ask me before you spread false statements to your vendors, your customers. And as I don't drink, it's a slap in the face to every sheriff's deputy EMT and hospital staff that was there. Dave, thank you. Customers matter. Here's the email. Dave, thank you.

Dave, thank you.

Cindy O'Hara. Dave is a great guy and I'm glad you're okay, Dave, after you were uh hit 50 miles an hour while stopped at a red light or a stop sign. God was watching after you, and he does for Christians. Anyway, um I'm here to talk about the police negotiations that are still undergoing to my understanding. Um since I moved here, just weeks after I moved here 29 and a half years ago, things didn't add up with the police and they kept getting I kept getting weird signals and things just weren't right. I've I was 38 years old. I had lived in several places, Pennsylvania, Tampa, around that area, and Connecticut for 16 years and and in like three or four different places

and it just didn't make any sense. Well, Chris Salman was one person on my list who was very arrogant and two council meetings ago when the city council rejected the 10% raise for the police, he stormed out of this room making loud noises and and angry. Cindy, can we try to refrain from names, please? Yeah. Well, you know, people have the right to know who's running our our our safe our public safety here.

So, anyway, um You know, I I last council meeting I explained that federally police got a 3.8% raise. And these guys around here expect a 10% raise after we went through a major hurricane at the end of 2022 and two floods in 2024 that have devastated our community and we're putting all this money out. I mean, really, I unconscionable. I kind of wonder what kind of police we have since things didn't add up for 28 and a half years for me. And I keep seeing things that don't add up with the police department. And then um you know it's like what do we have here? They don't care enough about this little community. I mean they're lucky to be living here. You want go on to Fort Meyers in Sarasota if you don't like it here. Get out of here. We don't want you. And I don't think any of these uh guys making over 100 or anybody making over 100,000 a year here need a raise. I don't think they should get a darn thing. And then um looking at Uh, I went through I still haven't gotten the the the all the names, their wages, and their positions. I've been asking that for a month. Oh, you can go here, you can go there. I can't find it on that 600page count city report.

So, I'm not I want to look at all of them and uh you know, I looked at all the wages and everything and I'm recommending nothing over a h 100,000. I used to sit on a board of finance for a four-year term, unpaid, honorary elected. uh the people in the 90,000 maybe a 2.5% increase. The guys in the 80,000s or women whatever 3aid

8% increase give them what everybody else is getting and the ones in the 70,000s 5%. And the guys in the 60s should get about 8%. And the reason I say this, I added up the numbers. I looked at the cost. I looked at the savings by not giving the higher up guys money. And um the Florida medium income is 84,578. A Charlotte medium is 70,000. Survivable income is 40,000. Middle class starts at 52,000 and 70,000 is considered comfortable. I don't think any police officer that's putting their life on the line every day should make less than 70,000. They should not be they should be able to live comfortably. They should be able to focus on their jobs. They should be able to have a house. We have too many young people that can't afford homes and having a higher bottom income for the younger guys. We want to we want to encourage them to get it get in here because we want the older corrupt guys out. We need to get them out. I'm telling you, I have all kinds of evidence that the police are corrupt here and they're and they're create and they're customizing relationships.

Yeah, they are. We need to get them. No, thank you. I'm telling you, I have all kinds of evidence that the police is corrupt here and they're and they're create and they're customizing relationships. Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Jerry Waxler. I'm president of the board of the Peace River Community Housing Partners, uh, better known as Porch, which provides low housing for lowincome, very low and lowincome veterans given priority. And after if there are no veterans who are available at the time, then we move to the regular We're currently building a triplex at the corner of Scott Street and um Lilla Road. We are ready to go with It's taking forever, but we are ready to go with the sewer. Um we're waiting only for someone actually in the utility department get back from vacation because we have to do it on the weekends and we need to have somebody there to oversee doing it on the weekends to avoid conflicts on Cooper Street with the with the uh school district. Um, I wanted to thank the city again for their tremendous support in this project, not just the sewer project, but the housing project as well. And um, I'm here because we are asking for the ability to utilize a halfacre corner at Olympia and Cooper Street for staging. Our contractor, Hunch, has said that if you would like, he will pull up the asphalt for you. There had been a request to put down sod after the asphalt came up. We priced it out. It's between 25 and $30,000. That just not in our budget. So, we hope that you will understand that, but we are happy to help with the asphalt if uh that is something that you wish. We hope that you will support that temporary use. It's for about 45 days maximum, hopefully less than that because we are still shooting for heads and beds by the end of June. Um so, we thank you again for your support and hope that we will see your support again today. Thank you.

Thank you, Cherry. Anyone else wishing to speak this morning?

Good morning. State your name for the record, please. My name is Samuel Tarpening. I am a Punaga resident and I appreciate the opportunity to be here this morning. Uh, sorry.

I stand here this morning as a vendor at a farmer's market. Not just as one voice, but as a representative of nearly 100 unique vendors whose livelihoods, families, and dreams are hanging in the balance while this debate drags on. For 17 years, Jerry Presler has poured his heart into making this market vibrant gathering place that it is today. Some of you want to see him stay. Some want change. I respect that this conversation is happening. But while it rages, real people, our neighbors are losing sleep, wondering if they will still have a place to sell the goods they grow, bake, and create with their own hands. This market is more than a row of tents on a Saturday morning. It is a beating heart downtown. The traffic it brings is not a problem to be solved. It is proof of life. Families stream in, tourists linger, local businesses see their doors swing open. You cannot put a price tag on that energy, but you can lose it in a heartbeat if we let uncertainty paralyzes. Let me tell you what I see every week that numbers cannot capture. Claudette, a longtime customer, was so moved by the spirit of this market that she had a t-shirt made for me. bright letters across the front that simply say thank you. She handed it to me with tears in her eyes. And Dale, she came here on vacation last winter, fell in love with the market, the people, the community, and came back again this year just to be a part of it. These are not my friends because I sought them out. They are friends because the farmers market turned strangers into family. Tourists became locals. Locals become lifelong connections. Friends meet friends. Families meet families. People who would never have crossed paths now

hug each other across the aisle and say, "See you next week." That kind of community cannot be measured in dollars. But it can be destroyed by delay. I am not here to protect or block another. There is another man who may want a fair chance, and I welcome that. Competition, when done right, can make us all better. But we cannot keep our vendors, my fellow small business owners, in limbo any longer. So I ask you with urgency and with hope, approve a contract for the current operator today or within the next 30 days, open a transparent, fair, and open bidding process so that everyone who loves this market has a clear shot. 30 days, not six months, not we'll study it. 30 days so that nearly 100 families can plant, plant, and can breathe. Panagora's farmers market is not an event. It is who we are. It is where strangers become friends and our city shows the world what small knows best. God bless.

Thank you. Samuel Turpling. Samuel Turpling inside the Sorry. My name is Samuel Turping. Thank you. T E R P N I N G. Thank you. God bless. Let me remind people. I mean, we have to record this. So, make sure that you we can hear your voice.

Well, good morning everybody. Good morning. You know, everybody, I want to first Tim Richie. Thank you. Son of David and Lillian. Good morning, everybody. It's great to see you this morning, Dave. You know, everybody, I want it's really it's really great to see both of you and I'm so grateful that you're here today. But what I want to tell all of you right now is I've said it to all of you many, many times in this chamber that you're here

that my body of work is so much further and bigger than just the little city of Pontagorta and Next Door social media. I want you all to know that in this room right now, there are only two environmental advocates in this chamber. You just heard one of Florida's great environmental advocates speak. That's Mr. Samuel Turpin, my friend in the back.

We've been on many battlefronts fighting for clean drinking and bathing water. And Cindy, I loved what you had to say. You are a fountain of information, but God protects every one of us. We are God's children. And I am a soldier of Christ. But God protects every one of us. I had a very nice conversation a couple days ago with the city attorney. I am a soldier of Christ

and while I'm here today and Dave Kalin said something very good. I think it might be a good idea that the chief of police and the city attorney and myself get together so I can file a police report here because somebody is impersonating me on next door and made a post that I didn't do and they used my home address and you're lucky we have the police and we're not in the 1800s cuz I'd find you, man. You'd be in deep I want to know who's behind this crap on next door.

Before I leave today, I want the city attorney and I want the chief of police and I want to make a police report. I want to know where I feel safe. Next door. Before I leave today, I want the city attorney, chief of police, and I want I am really pissed off. I take care of my 87 year old mother. Any of you take care of your parents? I don't have time for this on next door. I take care of my 87y old

and before this me I have to take my mother to physical therapy at 12. But I want a police report made today. Matter of fact, let's go do it right now. on next door and before this me I have to take my mother to physical therapy at 12 but I want a police report made today matter of fact let's go do it right now good morning

good morning Sean Mclofflin Pagori Chamber of Commerce uh thank you for having us here today and everybody showing up we're in a very interesting time I'm sure some of you guys read what I write and various publications um I I talked about property tax and the very likelihood of that happening and erasing that from our tax bills and what that has to do. So, that kind of leads into police um salaries and I understand what you're faced with and having to figure out where that money is going to come from. And I'm not here today to beg you to pay the police what they're worth, but I'm here to encourage you to think about the

problems that might come if we have to recycle police officers. we can't keep our officers in our city and they leave. I'm not just worried about a rookie force. I'm worried about retreads from other cities and other departments coming here to represent our cities. I'm worried about our businesses that are going to have to get to know all new police officers. Cindy talked about corruption. I don't know if that's true or not. I've never heard anything like that, but I know we've had recent um turnover from with Chief Pam coming in. I love our city. I'm very afraid of what might happen if we can't keep our officers. Um, that's all I have today. Thank you. Thank you.

Anyone else? Anyone else? My name is Alice Whitel. I go by Alice Gail. Everybody at the farmers market knows who I am. I have been a victim of the hecklers. Ian Maguire was my heckler. The things this man did to me at that farmers market

were cruel. things I read. If you don't read the stories, you don't know anything about it. I am so grateful for the Puna Gorta Police Department and Chris Salsman that I know that you don't like him. Whoever I am glad that man was at that market. I was chased through the market. I was cameras put in the back of my market in my booth. I had to hide in another booth to get away from this gentleman. I got a letter last week. I had to go to court because he wanted me to drop the injunction I have against him.

Hell no, I won't. I want him to be punished for all the things I had a 12 and 14 year old grandchildren I were raising. They called me thousands of times on the phones. They were going to rape my 12year-old granddaughter. They were going to rape me in front of them and then make the kids piss on each other. That was the stuff we had on those phone calls. So, Detective Cochran with the Punaorta police helped me with my injunction. The federal prosecutor for this in Florida, sent them to prison.

They served their time. I'm fine with that. But people have to understand we're a farmers market. We all love each other there. We take care of each other. When you have a heckler standing on a corner with a sign saying things about Muslims or having bloody sheets on them saying that abortions, that is not part of a farmers market. The farmers market is people. I have been there nine years. I have made friends from all states.

That come to this Punaorta. They love our farmers market. And Jerry Presler, the sorry I'm going to say this. The he had to go through too because of this heckler was a nightmare. And I do not appreciate a one of those hecklers coming through our market with his gun on the side of his leg and he gets by us and grabs it. What the hell's wrong with him? Stay out of our market with your little cameras and trying to record us. But I love that farmers market and I'll fight every tooth and nail for it.

Thank you. else and I'll fight every Okay, thank you for all your input. We're going to go ahead and move on. Wait, one more. Oh, good morning. My name is Katrina Hendris and I am Can you talk a little bit louder? I'm sorry. I'm talking to the microphone.

Sorry. Um, my name is Patrina Hendrickx and I am the owner of Yum Yum's Dessert Stop. Um, and now half owner of Sweet Boutique that just opened on Herald Court. And I'm just coming to just represent for the farmers market. Um, I started there in February of 2022, four years ago. And, uh, that farmers market, Punaga Farmers Market, was highly recommended. Um, I had to use a commissary kitchen starting out because of, you know, it being cheesecakes. And um the owner of that commissary kitchen all the way in Fort Myers was the one that recommended this farmers market to me. He gave me a long list of you know all the big ones all around. He said but this one is the best. If you get in there you're going to do great. And I was like okay. And there were other um businesses that used that commissary kitchen in Fort Myers that were vendors at the farmers market and they mentioned that they do like three or four different ones and this was the best one. They made the most money. you know, it was the me most organized um best run. And I said, "Okay." So, I I remember calling Jerry, emailing him. Um he put me on the list. And I think that was in 2021, probably November, cuz that's when I uh started um as far as getting my food license. And then February 22, he said, "Okay, you have a spot open." And there I was. And four years later, now I'm in a storefront. Um, and it's really all because of that market and just getting the exposure. Um, and I just think it's just really wellrun. Uh, you know, like I said, I've I've heard many stories of other places and everybody can attest that this is the best market that they've been to. Um, my partner that I work with, Angie, with Stacked by Angie, that's how we met is her coming there and, you know, patronizing myself and other vendors and that's how the connection was made. Um, so I just think it's it's it's a staple. It's I mean, even on Saturdays, we were

like, "Okay, you know, trying to figure out our hours. Um, we said, "Okay, let's do 10:00 a.m." cuz, you know, and we'll go till 8:00 p.m. But the farmers market traffic brought brings so much, you know, foot traffic uh to that street because I'm I'm my booth is on that street. So, it's almost so ironic that we found a building on the same street where, you know, I've um I had my booth. So, now we open at 8:30 a.m. just to get that foot traffic. And that's our best day. Like, we could add up everything we do on that day and it probably equals what we do all week, right? Um, so I think it's just I think as it is is how it should stay. Um, I'm sorry I came in late, so I don't know everything that was discussed, but I just wanted to put that in there. Just I'm very grateful for the opportunity to be at this market in particular. I've met so many people. I've met a lot of realtors that, you know, as they are, you know, bringing a client to show a house, they show them the farmers market as this is what you're getting if you buy a house in Puntaorta, you know. So, I think it's just a great representation of the city um and a great opportunity for vendors to be in a place that's wellrun, well organized, and well, you know, well reputed um near and far. So, thank you.

Good morning. I've rewritten what I wrote last night. My name is Carol Turner. I am a a resident of Puna. I'm a small business owner in Puna, a 14-year vendor at the downtown market. And could you speak up, please? We can hear you.

14-year vendor at the farmers market, and a concerned citizen. I'm here today to show my support for the existing downtown market under the present management. We love Jerry. Everybody loves Jerry. A successful business cannot operate on a 4mon schedule.

Annually we have to get our licenses, our tax business license. I have three from the counties Lee County, Jalik County, Sarasota County. I have two city tax business license. I also have to get insurance as a vendor. My insurance is issued annually, not every three months. So please, a successful business cannot operate on a 4mon rotating schedule. I encourage the city council to please keep the market as is. It is successful. And thank you very much.

Thank you. Good morning.

Jerry Preseller, manager of the Panaga Farmers Market. You've heard my name mentioned a little earlier and I guess not in the best tone, but uh David, I'm sorry you haven't gone past the past. We we've gone past it. We're going going forward. We apologize to you and we did everything we could. However, I'm not here for that today. Um, I'm here to ask that you um reconsider the permit that we have. Uh, normally it just just renewed itself every February. We had no problems and this year for some reason something happened whereby

it's not being issued as normal and something about the the renewed itself annual permit ran out or something. We have to renew it. Uh that's fine. But we need to do this in May so we can tell my vendors what they're going to be facing. Right now they're

very concerned about what happens next season. Where am I going to be? Am I going to have a am I going to have a market here? Am I going to make where am I? So right now some of them are looking elsewhere. And actually what's happening is without you knowing it, you're destroying what we have going. And as mentioned, it really is a a icon for the city. Everybody brings their visitors to the market. Everybody enjoys the market. Uh and whatever it is we need to do to continue on, we'll do. But we need to get that done as soon as possible. We can't wait until July. I mean, it's not fair. It's not fair to the vendors. And we will totally destroy the market. And if that's what your desire is, then I guess so be it. But we hope not.

We hope that we can work this out and go forward. So, thank you all very much and thank you all for your nice comments, vendors. I appreciate that. Have a wonderful day. Thank you. Thank you all for your nice comments. Hi, Morning.

My name is Mike Schllo and I own farms and I was a previous vendor of the farmers market but that's irrelevant. What I would just like to say is that um while everybody's all the stories about how well Jerry's doing or not doing or whatever doesn't really matter. Fact is it's under Dave Kalin quoted the statues it needs to go out for bid

and maybe the answer is while it's going out for bid the existing vendors can get first right of refusal or something like that so we don't destroy what the vendors that are there while it's you know while you're going out for bid there are many qualified people that can run that market and I think it's maybe just time for some new energy in there and and more local businesses in there's a lot non-local people, non-local vendors in there. We need to put some more local vendors back in there. Including the farms. There's at least three local farms I know that have been banned out of including mine local. Thank you. Thank you.

I know that. Anyone else wish to speak?

Okay. Thank you for all your input. We're going to go ahead and move on. Coming on to 3A, legislative agenda za-01-2026, an ordinance of the city of Punagorta, Florida, amending chapter 26, Punagorta code, the city of Punagorta land development regulations to establish procedures for the review and approval of certified recovery residences and a process for requesting reasonable accommodations from local land use regulations as mandated by Florida law including section 397.487's 487s PN 15 PN A Florida statute amending article 3 section 3.5C GM general multifamily re residential district uses permitted with conditions amending article 3 section 3.7C and our neighborhood residential district uses with conditions amending article 4 to adopt a new section 4.42 Providing for implementation of administrative actions, providing savings clauses, savings clause, providing for um the c the cotification and scribers, providing for severabilities, uh proving for conflicts and providing for an effective date and this is the first reading.

Good morning, council. Rachel Barry, zoning official for the record. Uh so as read into the record um this is coming back to you with some changes that were made. All of the other uh residential districts that mentioned it as a use permitted with conditions. Those have been removed and the only districts remaining are the general multif family and the neighborhood residential. In the neighborhood residential district, the only areas that allow multif family use is if it is specifically an NR15 district. And so it would only apply to those specific areas as well. And I'm here for any questions if you have any. Any questions? No. No.

No. Can I get a motion? Oh, wait. This is public input. Sorry. So, anybody wishing I'm sorry. Is it legislative? It's legislative. Legislative. Okay. It's always public. Any questions? Anybody speaking wishing to speak on this topic? Please come up and state your name. So, anybody wishing second time Anybody wishing to come up? Anybody speaking? One last time. Anybody wishing to come up? Move to close public hearing. Second. We have a motion and a second to close it. All in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. Move to approve ZA-1-2026. First reading. First reading. I'll second that.

We have a motion, a second. All in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. Thank you. Going on to 3B, legislative GA-02-206, an ordinance of the city of Pagora, Florida, amending chapter 23, article one, section two, section 23-9 of the code of ordinances of the city of Punaga, Florida, authorizing the placement and installation of the speed detection systems on roadways, maintaining school zones, providing for codification, providing for penalties, for violation, providing for severability, and providing an effective date. This is the first reading.

Good morning everybody. Chief Pam Smith, Pony Police Department, and Ashley's going to pull it up on a thumb drive. Thankfully, he had to back up. Um, just a real quick couple slides that I was going to go over to kind of address some questions that have come up over the last few months. And I do have Representative Bred Speed here with me. I'll let him introduce himself in a little bit. So, you know, over the months, we've talked about why we need a school zone safety uh speed camera safety program, and really it boils down to saving lives. Um obviously the risk of pedestrian fatalss is less when the speed is 20 miles an hour or less. Um other cities have seen 90% reduction and only about 10% recidivism rate. And a couple of the places that have seen this are Pinerest, South Miami, and High Springs. Um and I just found out that Bradon's wrapping their year up and it looks like they've decreased um reduced it down 90% as well. So, it is a successful program. I did come up um and put together this crash stat crash stats within about a quarter of a mile of school zones. Well, as well as within because as you're going into school zones, you want to be slowing down as well. So, I that's why I captured that. Um we had 63 of the 81 crashes over the last 5 years occurred during school days and hours within the 210 of a mile. 14 of these crashes had injuries. And I

went ahead and broke that down even more. There were 29 crashes in the actual areas of the school zones and five of those had injuries. We did also have a fatality at Carmelita and Education um which would have been on a school day except I don't want to say luckily but it was the day before Thanksgiving so thankfully the kids were not in school.

How does it work? Um the these cameras work in all weather. They work in low light. They have a very high resolution video um with infrared. The image is very clear. You can see from some of the photos up there. They Red Speed calibrates their their cameras every day. They do a self check every day. Um the state only requires that you do a self check every 30 days and they have a require that you have a third party come out and calibrate it um annually. So, and Red Speed is um all up to speed study was done March 10th through the 26. I'm sorry, March 10th, 2026 through March 12th, 2026. And there were three areas that were identified as the highest um safety risk. And that was Sally Jones Elementary School from Taylor Street um on Taylor Street from East Mackenzie to Nanja, Charlotte High School on Cooper Street from East and to Carmealita and Hunter Middle School um from Carmelita Street on Carmelita Street from education. So the process with this is the are going to operate when flashing when the lights are flashing. Um, and I I did speak with somebody from the county. They're they're planning to to continue that as well. And we we're going to be try to be consistent with the county and that's how they operate. Um, so I put the times up there for you. So it'll be basically in the morning, 30 minutes before, and 30 minutes after the start of school, and in the afternoon.

And then as far as how it happens, the violations recorded when somebody is doing 11 miles hour over the speed limit. Red Speed has two humans that check it and then it's sent to a our department which will have trained law enforcement officers um that will also review the recording match that the vehicle information matches confirm that the times are correct and that they are on school days.

Then they approve the citation to be issued. Red Speed will mail the citation out to the registered owner with a photo showing everything and they'll have a link to um on the website where they can either view it at their own home or they can actually request to come in and review it with us. Um they then elect to pay the citation or they can actually appeal to a special magistrate. They have to do that within 30 days. If the appeal is um elected, special magistrate will schedule it. We'll have a clerk schedule that and and they'll be notified of the hearing date the if upheld at the hearing. The hearing officer must still require them to pay the penalty that was previously assessed which is $100. Um it is not that gets points. It's doesn't affect insurance. It's um just a civil infraction and they may ask when the federal magistrate could have them pay for cost as well, which can't exceed $250. And if the fine is not paid, if somebody decides not to pay the fine or or select a hearing, then that's when the unifor uniform traffic citation gets issued. So our our officer will be notified and they will issue a uniform traffic citation that this person elects to do nothing. And then just putting up there for next steps. If this passes, um the procedures obviously will we've been working with the vendor already, but we'll clearly define how the procedures are going to work. We'll make sure the school calendar is up to date as well as the speed zone times. The cameras will then be installed and we'll put out we'll do a 30-day education period where it's warnings only. will put out a lot of um media information and then just so you guys know on annually we are required to present um the number of violations appeals upheld dismissed all that in the uniform travel citation all that stuff that's by state statute so that's all I had for our presentation what questions do you have for me and David if you want to come on up and introduce yourself

yeah good morning uh council members David I'm with Redspeed and I gave my card to somebody over there so they can spell the last name properly.

The presentation pretty much covered uh from from start to finish. The only thing I'll add is that one of the things that we do for the educational campaign and for me that's one of the most important parts which I think is why we see such great reductions in speed um is we'll film a a PSA where we'll feature the chief andor designate. Uh we will set that up so that we can start pushing that out prior to the start of the new school year. At this point, because of where we are in the school year, by the time permitting and construction, we're probably looking at at the very beginning of the next school year. Um, but the but the most important part of all this will be the educational aspect of this, making sure your community members know that this is coming. Melissa,

okay. Uh, I had a few few questions that were brought to my attention. So, um, are our speed limits, whether it be the flashing or the regular speed, the same as the county because citizen thought there's a little bit of a difference. There's a difference in some of the areas. Um, I believe what happened was they have 45 mph zones, 40 and 45 mph zones. So, they reduce theirs down during the flashing lights goes to 20. Okay. We have 30 mph zones. So, ours is reduced down to 15. Okay. So, that was the one question. Um the second question were what about charter schools because obviously we have a couple of those in the city one at least that I know of.

We just took all the school zones from the county that have designated school zones and that's the speed study that we did. So right now that's what we're finally know when we originally spoke about this it was going to be the whole day right you know 30 minutes before all through the whole day whe they're flashing or not. I am in favor of going that route. I mean it sounds like the county might be going that route. Um, regardless if they do or not, I feel like, you know, everybody really kind of pays attention to the flashing lights more so than not flashing. And I know those children are, you know, going to dentist appointments. They're going out and about lunches off campus and this and that. So, um, I really would like us to see to go through all day. I know we're trying to be consistent with the county, but I would really like to see us go all day at some point and that. I I think that

WX for the record. Um I think you brought up some very valid good points at our pre-aggenda meeting. So I think a couple of those like chief when you're saying if they don't pay then a uniform traffic citation is issued. Doesn't the cost go up significantly because of that? Correct.

I I do need to make a little correction on that. If if they elect to go to an administrative hearing and they're found guilty or upheld and they're assessed the $100 plus whatever you all decide is the administrative fee. If they don't pay that, that does not convert to a UTC. It goes to collections. That's really right now the only statutory um remedy that we have. The only way that a violation converts into a uniform traffic citation is if the violator completely ignores it. they have to completely ignore the violation in order to convert to a UTC. And even if it converts into a UTC, it still will never uh have points assessed and will not impact their insurance.

So, I think that's one of the things that I was going to ask that you say like um it's a civil infraction, no points and transferring to the driver. Do you want to explain that a little bit?

Yes, ma'am. So, the uh violation the statute requires that the violation be issued to the registered owner. However, as we as we all know, you know, from time to time, you the register owner is not necessarily the person driving the vehicle. When they receive that notice of violation and the instructions on the back, there is instructions on how to transfer the liability to the person that was driving. If, for example, they wanted to do that, we've seen husbands transfer to wives, wives transfer to husbands, which, you know, pretty surprising to me, but we've seen it happen. So they they do have the abil the ability to do that transfer and then the process will start all over again for the new person. The only requirement is they have to give us the name and date of birth. And with those two items, as long as the affidavit that they fill out, right, it's got to be uh sworn to

uh we will do the trans. Awesome. And I think that you're saying that if we had police officers do it instead of the traffic camera, the changes the the fines would be

So I I'll uh Yes, ma'am. Uh I so for the record just because I did it I said it on Monday just to give you a little bit of context of where I come from in terms of experience. Uh I served for almost 30 years with the city of Miami Beach Police Department. I was very fortunate enough to go through the ranks and when I retired I was the assistant chief of police. But most of my career was very traffic oriented radar operator, breath test operator, laser, etc. If a police officer is to stop someone in a school zone doing 11, 12, 13 miles over the school zone during the flasher times, you're looking at today probably over $400, four points.

So the $100 and zero points, I think, um was part of the legislative intent when this passed in order to get it passed uh up in Tallahassee. There was only, I believe, six or seven dissenting votes in Tallahassee when this legislation passed. And I want to and I want to think that that was part of the reason is that it wasn't as uh expensive if one of the officers stopped. Now, the benefit of not having the officer in the school zones and having our cameras in the school zones is just that because now your chief can reallocate those resources to places where perhaps it could be better utilized um instead of having a police officer for every school zone and the cameras will be able to handle all of that enforcement without her having to dedicate that resource. and chief, you know, it is my understanding. I think maybe the public needs to know this isn't this is something that hopefully we can phase out because we're going to change the way people drive. This is to protect our children. It isn't, you know, you hear that it's just a revenue grab and and I think our goal is to completely eliminate these speed cameras by having people change the way they drive.

I don't know about completely eliminate. I think what's going to happen is if it reduces by 90%, you're still going to have your 10% of speeders, but it is going to change behavior all in in not just in the actual school zones, but I like when I talked about those crash stats that are just about a quarter mile. I think it's going to start to change it there, too, because they're going to already start slowing down. And that was one of the things I was going to also ask is um with the accident and injuries, can we add that to the report, the crash stats as well, because I don't think it's in there, but I'd like to see that as well. So that that to the annual report. Yes, ma'am. Yes. ask is um with the accident injuries we add that to the report and then also I think that what oh Janine I think the other thing sorry Janine

and I think that one thing as well is that right now because we are following what the county is doing it is just during the time the flashing lights are occurring and you're going to be posting the speed limit um and the hours the hours on there yes there'll be a sign posted 100 feet from the S1-1 which is Thank you Janine Yes. So my question is I receive a ticket. I want to fight it. I go before a magistrate. The magistrate says, "You're right. You were not guilty. Then the city's on the hook for the magistrate." I mean, how does that work? Because from what I understand, if you if you lose, then you pay for the magistrate. But if you don't

Yes. But what will happen is there'll be hearing dates set up and there'll be a number of cases heard that day. So, as you're charging the court cost, it it will probably at the same time cover that. Um, however, only about I'd say 3% appeal less less than 1% appeal. Um, so the fines that you're taking in all the time anyways can be used to pay for the matter. So, you'll be able to cover the fees.

Well, realistically, before it even gets there, you've had lots of humans touching that ticket. You've had the company touching the ticket. We've had our local police department touching that ticket before it gets. So hopefully, you know, there really wouldn't be a lot because or a lot, you know, and they still may want a magistrate, but we would have a lot of proof that it was them that was feeding because all these humans have touched it before it gets there. Correct. And that's I'm glad to hear it's 1% better. So obviously it's only 1% are appealing. It's

right. And the upheld the upheld rate is in the upper 80s percentile. And really I think the difference uh you know in in not 100% is because many of times especially at the beginning of a of a program you're going to see people uh come to the hearings with two three four tickets just because you know it takes time to get to them and deals are cut by magistrates. You know pay for one and we'll dismiss three and but you're seeing 80 85% upheld rate at administrative hearings. So they're pretty solid. Chief, can you also explain how you're going to work with them to make sure that you know like Thanksgiving is off that we're not going to be ticketing during those times?

Correct. So, we we have somebody who's going to be dedicated. Amber Gray is our traffic officer. She is going to be the main dedicated person. Lieutenant Chadakowski is here today. He's going to oversee the whole program. They will be coordinating with the county for the school zones just to confirm once again that's the times the flashing lights are working. They'll go out and double check that and then work with Red Speed and say here are the calendar days. We're going to look at are they half days or anything like that so they have everything they need. As a matter of fact, I just got an email saying hey when you're ready we need these times and to be specific on that so that and and obviously if we find an issue that we've done something wrong we will notify them immediately and get everything corrected. So we we will definitely be working dotting our eyes and crossing our tees. Thank you.

And obviously if we find an issue that we Anyone else? Motion. Moved to approve GA-02-2. Oh, sorry. That's my fault. Sorry, I got so intent in this. Sorry. Okay. Thank you. Public input. Please state your name, sir. Oh, sorry. That's my fault. Sorry. Good morning. Bob Fritz, Bster Isles. Uh, consistency.

The city council. uh thing from the minutes last sentence. The speed detection cameras will be placed at these locations and will only capture violations when the school zone flashing lights are in operation. Same thing here process cameras will operate when lights are flashing.

Then we come to the ordinance. Provide that the city may enforce the applicable speed limit on a roadway properly maintained as a school zone within 30 minutes before through 30 minutes after the end of the regularly scheduled school session. That means all day, which is different than this and this. The county is just doing it when the lights are flashing. before and after. Uh I think we should do the same. And speaking of consistency,

the county is now 20 miles an hour in most of those. These schools are all county schools. They happen to be on a road that is in Pontagorta, but it's all those roads are also county roads. So it goes from county to Pontigora back to county. I think we should be consistent with Charlotte County so everybody knows if the lights are flashing it's 20 miles an hour not maybe 15 not maybe 20 the same all through the county makes sense to me thank you body

anyone else I move to close public hearing second we have a motion second to close public Public hearing. All in favor? I oppose. Can I? Motion carries. Can I ask the chief a question before you guys vote on this? Yes, sir. Chief sir, when it gets to the magistrate component, um, Sally Jones is on a different school schedule than Charlotte High and Pagora Middle. Correct. So, are these zones

like zone district specific? Sally Jones may not the the flashers may not be working at Sally Jones but could be working at Charlotte High merely because of the spring interession or fall interession when the school correct. So the Sally Jones the one on Taylor um will will be exactly the same as the times uh for Sally Jones Elementary School. Correct.

And then the Cooper one. Now the Cooper one run because people use Cooper to go to Sally Jones. That's why it's during the It's also during Sally Jones time. Um, so I would I would have to double check on if they are actually flashing that that same time when because Sally Jones is in session sometimes when the other schools are not because they're an all year round all year round school. Um, so I just need to confirm that for you. But and because of the differencing and starting of the school,

you could have flashers going on but not correct. That's correct. And and what we would both Redspeed would also be advised that uh PGorder Middle and Charlotte High are not in session. The only ones that would be in session would be Sally Jones. So that's the only ones that they would operate the cameras for that during that time. Also be advised that do we need to amend not in session? So, I I I think I understand what you're asking and and we specifically program our cameras to the school zone.

Um, as part of this process, when we do the onboarding, and I do the onboarding, so I know this, we provide and we prepare a spreadsheet that has the zones for, in this case, the three schools that that we're going to be doing. Um, it's going to show the the start of the morning flasher, the end of the morning flasher, the start of the afternoon flasher, and the end of the And then from there, after we've confirmed that with the police department, and they've been able to confirm all the times are correct, we prepare individual calendar forms for that specific zone and site. Every camera has its own site code. And then that goes back to the chief to review with her personnel, sign off on it, and say, "Yes, this is this is the proper programming." But it absolutely can be different times because elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools typically have different schedules. High schools usually start really early and let out earlier than the middle schools and the elementary schools. So because that flasher time is um is statutoily defined, the 30 minutes before and the 30 minutes after. They cannot be the same time. They'll be different times, but the but the cameras will be programmed specific to that exact zone.

Okay. So do we need to amend what Mr. Chris was talking about in the ordinance ordinance that actually said the 30 minutes 30 minutes what he specifically stated does that need to be amended can I just so the 30 that language is specific from the state statute from house bill 657 which basically is just saying that you're authorized to enforce that entire window but by by policy you're directing us to enforce the much smaller window so I would say no that's what I was going to say thank I just want to be I just want to be clear for Mr. Fritzo. Okay. So, you can come on the back end with a resolution policy component of it,

but this is going to give you the avenue down the road. You won't have to amend the directing speed and say here's the times we want them. Wonderful. Right. So then do we um amend the motion at least to say following a resolution to be during these specific times that we have to have a resolution? I think it's in there. It's just I just didn't know if we needed to amend the state part of it because it does say in the summary that it's just going to be that. No, you don't have to do that. Okay. I'm going to make a motion to approve GA-2-2026. A second. We have a motion and a second on the floor. All in favor? I oppose.

I Okay. Four to one. Jamie P opposes. Motion carries. We have a motion second on the floor. All in favor? Thank you.

Uh going on to 4 A. Uh a resolution of the city council of the city of Panagorta, Florida. The city approving the form and author and authorizing the execution and delivery of a a revolving line of credit agreement by and between the city and region's commercial equipment finance LLC subject to the parameters set forth in this resolution authorizing and approving the issuance of a note by the city in connection with said revolving line of credit agreement. Relative to the interim financing of capital improvements to the city's water and sewer system, pledging designated revenues to repay the note. Covenanting the to budget and appropriate from and appropriate from le from legally available non-adorium revenues of the city. Authorizing the proper officials of the city to do all things deemed necessary or advisable in connection with the revolver line of credit agreement. And revenue note and providing for an effective date.

Good morning, Kristen Simeone, finance director, and we do have um Mark David Adams for our bond council and Joel Tindle for our financial adviser here as well if you have any questions for them. Um but this particular line of credit is to provide interim financing to move forward with our utility project, the RORO um expansion. Um it is a three-year line of credit as a taxable issue which again will allow the city to move forward um with the utility projects while other project funding is being obtained such as additional grants um 1% local option other permanent financing options based on actual cash flow needs. Um we did make it as a taxable so that we wouldn't have to do a draw down immediately. we can use our SRF funding first, which is the um loan forgiveness as well as a 0% loan. So, we could start with that before having to move into that financing. But again, in order to issue purchase orders for a full project, we have to have all our funding in place. Um this line of credit is using all non-adalorum revenues, but it is intended and would be budgeted be to be repaid by utility revenues for the intended purpose of the utility projects. The cost of the issuance will be paid by the utility project and not um directly and we are not going to draw down on the the line of credit to avoid any additional interest costs. The draws will be made and repaid by grant funds that are reimbursed only on an asneeded basis on cash flow of the projects. Um this particular line has no unused fees and no prepayment penalties. The draws will be made and repaid by take any questions or if you have any concerns. We like I said we do have our bond council and our financial adviser here as well.

Any questions? No. Motion move to approve 4 A. I second. We have a motion and a second to approve 4 A. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Going on to 4B. A resolution of the city council of the city of Pagora, Florida. amending the budget for fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025 by providing for reappropriations and supplemental appropriations in the amounts identified in exhibit A and providing an effective date.

Again, Kristen Simeone. So, these are for the gas tax fund, information technology um reappropriations and appropriations if they were for a different purpose. And then again for the general fund and general construction fund was for the fire truck apparatus to again move forward with that purchase, issue the purchase order, but we know it's going to take two and a half years to complete and we'll be um hopefully um reimbured from the 1% sales tax um fund there. Any questions? Any questions? Move to approve 4B. Second.

We have a motion, a second to approve 4 B. All in favor? I I oppose. Motion carries. Thank you.

Going on to 4C C. A resolution of the city of Pagorta, Florida, vacating a portion of the utility easement situated in the state of Florida, county of Charlotte, lying in section 6, Township 41 South, range 23 east, as described in official records book 1559, page 1232 and official records book 1560, page 1413, public records of Charlotte County, Florida, and being further bounded and described in exhibit Attached and incorporated there herein and providing an effective date.

Good morning, council. Rachel Barry, zoning official for the record. So, this public hearing came before you all on March 11th. Um, and we mistakenly the resolution was not included on the agenda and so the public hearing has already been approved and this would just be a formal signing of the resolution. Any questions? No. Move to approve 4C. We have a motion, a second to approve. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Now, we're going to go ahead and close the regular agenda and we are going to convene as BSI canal, but can we take a 10-minute break? Yes. Okay. Thank you. That's a great idea.

Okay, we're going to go ahead and reconvene as the BSI Canal Advisory District. Well, wait a minute. I just need to clarify it for the record. You're going to We closed the general. You're going to close council meeting, reopen it as the Burnt Isles Canal Maintenance Assessment District. Yes. Okay. To address for 5A. That's just okay.

Good morning. I don't know what to call you now, council or BSI. So, good morning. Um, here to speak about this parcel that is located on US 41 just outside the BSI uh community. BSI has been looking for a staging site for quite some time. And this was a funded CIP that came on the records last year. and the parcel came up for sale um not too long ago. We immediately contacted the um the real estate agent and discussed with them the possibility of purchasing just this portion of land for BSI which is the ideal commercial piece for the use and separating it from the other commercial property. The seller was agreement with that and so he provided to us the assessment or the the appraisal for the development of his concept. So it was a it was a an appraisal of what the value of the land could be to someone buying it and developing it. this par these three parcels separated off uh were identified on that appraisal as 2.1 million

and so we put an offer on this property at 2.1 at the appraised value with plenty of contingencies to be able to back out if uh the true appraised value or council or PSI did not agree with the decision. So he came back stating that the loss of revenue that would come from not developing the dry dry dock boat lift storage area would be detrimental to the rest of the property and so he came back with a $3 million price. Uh we held firm at 2.1 and went under contract at that point in time. We performed the feasibility study with Hans Wilson and had the appraised by an independent appraisal. That independent appraisal came back at 900,000. We went back to the seller and negotiated with them. He came back with 1.5. We held firm at 900. He appraised it. So, we amended the contract and that's what we're currently under contract for. We have one more step for in the contingency and that is the approval of city council. BSI has already heard this yesterday and I'm going to let Kristen Simeone provide you with a little bit more detail on the financial side of things and the conversation with BSI and any of the technical questions that may come up um about the project at the end after Kristen's presentation then Brian and I can address

Kristen Simeone for the record and we wanted to bring to you this is the same PowerPoint we did present to um BSI um canal advisory board yesterday. However, at the end is the only slide that was changed just to give you what their recommendations were and provide for city council discussion and recommendations. Um, so first we wanted to start with kind of like the history of the assessments. So you can see in fiscal year 26 we were at $820 for regular operating and we had $100 specifically starting to be set aside for special projects such as the land acquisition and the channel corner widening project as well as $90 which was still towards the um lock widening project. And you'll see that when we get to the proform on the next page. So this is the base proforma and so you have your original budget for fiscal year 26 and then the proforma 2027 to 2030 which would have been what was presented to um city council as well as the uh awards last year when we were going through the budget process. Um we did update fiscal year 26 with projected. So that projection includes the um uh PO rollovers and projected reappropriations. Um it does exclude some of the uh information for FEMA at this point in time because again we're just trying to focus on specifically the um funding for these the projects. So you'll see that at the beginning of fiscal year 26, we had um approximately almost $2.5 million worth of operating reserves, but some of those are the expenditures that also came over. So at the end of fiscal year 26, we're in a little bit better of a position than originally proposed for for 26 um by about $200,000.

Um you do see in there that we have both the projects the land acquisition for staging at $100,000 per year and the channel quarter winding project. Um and again that started in fiscal year 25. So that's why in projected you see the 200,000. So that was taking the amount from fiscal year 25 plus the budget of fiscal year 26. Um and you have 200,000 for the channel cord providing 26. So, we have a land purchase price of 900,000 and then we worked with the um the division to determine what are the estimated costs for the permitting and land preparation for use. And so, they had provided a number of $700,000 is what they think um that would be needed to move forward with those items. So, then we have we presented two different options for BSI canal maintenance fund to consider and could have suggested additional options. However, they were um very happy to just review the two options that were provided and make a decision off of those. Um so, in the first option, the purchase of land is without financing. It's keeping the $100 additional rate used for projects and spreading the land preparation costs over five years and delaying the channel quarter winding project. So, um and that would be like the construction portion of the project. So I highlighted in yellow where those changes are made. So you can see the expense for the land acquisition and then the $140,000 that's the first four years we added 2031 that would be the final year for that to get to that 700,000. So you do see that at the end of fiscal year 2030 you are still um about $400,000 in reserves. that doesn't include um any res. So the reserve for contingencies is there the 50,000 per year. We don't always spend that. That

ends up usually going back to fund balance if it's not needed. So again, when we're looking out this long, you know, we know we have some of those items that will probably come back and add to the reserves. Option two was to purchase the land and then do an inter loan um interfing which would have increased the additional rate used for the projects from hundred um dollars per year to $250 per year. We would have still spread the land preparation over the five years, but there would have been no change to the channel corner widening project. So again, I highlighted the same areas. Um you can see the increase of the additional rate, how that affected the operating assessments, the financing, the additional debt service. Um

and then the same expenditures but just adding back in also for the channel corridor widening.

We did present to BSI again that we are still working with FEMA on um our obligations for the walls. FEMA has been cutting certain walls out due to the docks and al um because again they feel like that might have been a contributing factor and determination that rip wrap could be the form of repair rather than replacement. So again, we are still working to get these um obligated for walls where they have the rip wrap as the repair process. Um we are probably going to be submitting a mitigation request that would take that rip wrap as the approved FEMA and use replacement as the mitigation effort. So kind of a little bit different than what we did in Irma where the wall was the replacement and the rip wrap was the medication. the rip wrap would be that and then actually replacement of the wall would be the mitigation effort. So we are working with FEMA on that

depending on where we end up falling and again this could be another year or two again continue to work with them. It's already been a long process but um we may have to turn our financing that we had for the city portion into a longer term financing depending on where we like I said fall. So that's something just to consider, but we would again address that as we move forward.

So BSI had their discussion and the BSI advisory board did recommend to move forward with the purchase of the land. They also recommended option one in delaying the channel corner widening project. And so now we are bringing this to city council to have discussion and direction of of what you would like to move forward with. Melissa. Um, a couple questions that were asked of me to ask. Um, right now I know we're going to have we're going to have to do some permitting and and get some other things developed for this site. We don't do we have a definitive that this land can be used for exactly what we need?

I guess that's the easiest question to ask.

Ron Evers public works. So, we had um extensive discussions with the environmental engineer Hans Wilson yesterday in regards to that same question. Is there anything that he sees in this that would be detrimental to not being able to permit it? He saw nothing in there that would be detrimental, would uh hold up anything was much less permitting than say Buckley's Pass. It's much more straightforward. So, he saw no objection. I've spoken with Rachel Barry, our zoning official, in regards to its current zoning and also the Charlotte County zoning. Governmental use is a permitted use in the EP, which is what the sliver on the bottom is in the city property. So, if we annex that in, she would suggest putting that in EP zoning also because there's a large area of wetlands that we'd like to preserve. And so we will probably annex that in and have it in EP and then it's an allowed use and don't see anything detrimental in that

because that was you know just a followup because that's the biggest concern is we do not want to buy this property and then find out we can't and it was even suggestion what I thought was a great suggestion is you know can we go into an escort type or contingency type that you know it's this sales to go through is contingent on being able to per you know get those permits. I don't know what timeline that is or anything, but you know, we just want to make sure that if we approve this that we're not buying a piece of land that we find out we can't use. That's that's the crux of it. Yes. Um, first of all, great job on the part of everybody that negotiated the price. It's amazing.

And secondly, I'm curious how it's going to look. I imagine from 41, it's just going to be a road going back there, probably even a gravel road. And then, but I'm more curious about the other What are the residents going to see?

Sure. So, if you uh looked at the site plan that was in the pamphlet or the assessment from Hans Wilson, you'll see that all of the mangroves along the side most adjacent to the condos across the way are going to remain in place. So, from that area, unless you see an arm of a tall activity or something like that, you wouldn't see the things that are happening on the ground. In the same way from 41, it'll still be wooded in front of it and you would not see the activities back there.

Okay. I have a few concerns. Um, first of all, some things that we're going to need before and I I agree with you, um, Councilwoman Lockheart, we're going to need an environmental species survey. According to the report, 3.2 acres are forested saltwater mangrove. So, about two acres are usable um in Charlotte County and and it's CG zoning. And then I'm looking at the CG zoning and it says it will allow industrial marina if that's what we're going with. Um I don't know exactly what we're going to be calling it uh as far as zoning is concerned, but it may be a special exception.

So CG zoning also allows without an exception a standard use governmental use. Okay. And and are you sure that they're going to call this a governmental use? You know, to me, a governmental use is um I don't know, like a like a building that you would put there. You know, you know what I'm saying? Not a not a high industrial type place where spoils will be. We have not asked that question. Our intent is to annex it in and have it under city control so we'd have a single permitting entity to deal with. Okay. And then FDOT would need to agree to a cut in from 41 if I'm not mistaken.

There is already an access point there at the entrance and the culvert pipe that's a concrete apron that goes over the culvert. There is an existing street light that is kind of in the middle of that. Brian and I have looked at that and we feel as though we might be able to do a right in right out without moving the pole, but there may be a chance we may have to have that street light relocated. Okay. And then again, um, like you said, Greg, the homes that are exposed, that's a little concerning to me. Did anyone look at other sites that were right there? When you say right there, right next to it in Ponta Gorda with access. Did anybody look at

another piece that's right next to it? That's in Pontagorta. That's So, if you're referring to the larger uh four acres? Yes. Okay. So that is under contract. At the time we made the offer, it was under contract and so we're not able to purchase that. Okay. Because it was showing in our um information that it is not. So I don't know if that didn't pass through or what, but that is all uplands and it's it's interesting to me because it it seems to me like it's got a lot more usable area and it's less exposure to as many homes. About three homes would be exposed.

One of the uh benefit that the city is going to reap from this is the commercial development that's going to take place on those uh parcels because it is under contract. They've proposed some conceptual plans at Design Studio. I've seen those plans and I think it's something the city will be excited about. Okay, my turn.

So, I agree with Janine. It it wasn't just talking about the light there, but it was also about an extra lane that has to be placed on on 41 for you know ingress and egress out of that street. Um it the things that concern me is the site access and parking is located almost all in the environmental preserve zoning. So out of this whole area we have a strip that's environmental preserve and that's the area that we want to put this. It also talks about the impact. It it shows where manatee were right there and manatee are protected. So even though it's not on the register, this might be something that was newly discovered that could be on the register to protect these manatees. And now you're talking about placing something there as well as a small tooth sawfish. um even though it's not on the register

and then also the the modifications you know who's going to so if the road needs to be modificate modifications to it do we have to pay for that is that an extra expense so that's built into the 700,000 estimate that Hans Wilson put together as in the feasibility report

until we go into permitting with FOT we don't know if it will be required put it in there as uh an extra contingency just in case that is required. In regards to the EP's strip on the bottom and the parking, this is a very conceptual plan of just what could happen. We're obviously going to be constructing that in the most in effective way possible to be able to do the work we need to do without spending a tremendous amount of money. So that we probably will not have concrete parking area or a concrete drive that comes all the way into the parcel. And if we don't have to impact the EP, we won't. I believe that his current proposal shows the burm on the north side of the EP outside of that segment.

And as far as the manatees, um, anywhere barges interact with manatees currently in in the canals, there's going to be no more danger to the manatees than they're currently experiencing. Small to sawfish. you discussed that landing site. It's uh not a site where the barge landing is proposed that is attractive to small to softish because it drops off very rapidly down to about agative -10 just a few feet off the shoreline. So if you think about all the vacant lots that we have around BSI at this time that the barges are utilizing currently those actually have more

habitat that's conducive to the small sawfish. So we'd actually be by isolating the use of in one area, we're probably going to have a net gain in their undisturbed environment.

I'm still looking at this where it it serves, you know, you're saying that the manatee are there, but according to the Charlotte County, you know, while Charlotte County does not have established warm water refuge for manatees, so this is a refuge. It's not just that they're kind of hanging out there. And if anybody else has seen the barges, they were sitting in my backyard for several years. Those guys aren't, you know, dainty when they're moving things around. They're actually pretty aggressive. Those those boats, those barges, you know, stir up a lot of our waterway. And if this is a protected area and and I'm sorry, even with the last one, we were asking about dredging in another environmentally protected area. If environmental protection said no, we hired lobbyists to convince Governor DeSantis to try to approve it. and and shame on us, you know, that we're not protecting our environment. So, um I think that we have to be very very careful in how much that we are trying to do. I understand that you're trying to say we're trying to protect that area, but if maybe the land next to it is maybe back up for sale, maybe we should be looking at that where, like you said, it's it's not affecting all the other homeowners. that excuse me that land adjacent immediately adjacent to this would be incredibly expensive for the city to purchase and it' be a heavy burden on the BSI.

It's not affecting all the other assessments. My other question was it says the site is designated as having medium probability where archaeological resources are likely to occur. If you look in the historical photos that were provided in the beginning of the report, it clearly shows that that area was spoil area that was used during the construction of BSI and so that area has been disturbed for many years. I think it's Sorry, go ahead. No, no, James. Go ahead.

We got ourselves in a problem by not planning ahead for PGI and I appreciate you planning for this and it's important. We need to do it somewhere and this looks like the best option. I think you're protecting by having man mangoes. It sounds like they're going to frame everything and not be removed as much as possible. And there's it's close to the highway. I I think it's ideal. I don't love that there's manatees there. Um but manatees are wonderful creative creatures and they'll find another place. They they move. They don't stay in one place very much. But so, you know, we have to do something and we don't want to get stuck not having it when we need it. And then we have to be even more disruptive like what we might have to do for PGI. So it's and I I appreciate the thought that the BSI advisories gone into and how much work you've done. So I mean there's never a perfect solution on these kinds of things. We have to make the best possible choice

and I don't see anything else. It's better from you know and we might lose this. I mean we need something. My question is why didn't we have why are there why is there not some sort of uh marine contract and I'm just saying marine contracting because that's the only way I can think of it. Why isn't why aren't they located on the water themselves so that there is an area for them to put the barges instead of us purchasing property for them to go to. You know that that's one of my biggest questions that we have. It's a good question but we can't

I know we can't do anything. You know it's it's frustrating. We're we're spending all this money which is going to cost a lot of money and it's not you know it it affects the BSI homeowners. It does affect people you know having the property right by there. And I think that we really have to take a look at how do they feel about the barge being placed there.

There's no doubt that any waterfront development that's going to happen, there's going to have to be discussions with the neighbors. So, it's going to be an education piece. It's going to help them understand what's going to be there and get the support prior to entering into the permitting phase that will make it a lot easier um in any public meetings that may come down the road. I would like to um expressed on the manatee u question. That report also states that there's no seaggrass in that area because of the depth. I don't think that that's an area that manatees are using for a um there's not large clusters of them. There's not it's not like a water plant where you've got warm water and there's 50 of them in there. They're an occasional uh occasionally there, but they're occasionally everywhere in our canal systems. Anywhere the barges are operating currently,

it's commercial property, so something was going to be built there. You know, something was going to be built there. So regardless if it's us or not, yeah, the proposed use um on the from the seller was going to be a tall dry dock storage boat facility with a docks and everything else going on there, but they would have had to go through EPA and Army Corps of Engineer and everything as well. And they could have been turned down just as easily. Those approved. I'm ready to make a motion. I'm ready to move u to approve 5A. I second that. We have a motion, a second. All in favor? I I oppose. I I Okay, motion carries three to two.

Thank you. Thank you. Okay, with that, we are going to go ahead and close. Sorry, I just want to mention you'll see this on the agenda a little bit later just for the approval of the land purchase as well because council has to approve all land purchases. Okay. Thank you. Okay, now we're going to go ahead and close the BSI Canal Maintenance Assessment District and reopen again as our regular agenda. So, we're going to the consent agenda. We're going to pull anything. Yes, please. I'd like to pull 6F. Perfect. Thank you. So, do we approve and a motion?

I'll motion to approve everything but 6F. I'll second. Okay. We have a motion and a second on the floor to approve everything but 6F. All in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. Okay. 6F.

Um, couple things. And again, these were asked of me, you know, looking at this and I know and I and I told the people that had some concerns that we had a really good conversation on Monday about broadening terms. Um, I just didn't see it reflected in here. So just for the record, I wanted to, you know, let them know that, you know, we were going to change things to, you know, Harbor Walk or possibly, you know, their concern was it seemed like everything was was aimed at downtown. So even if it was just flooding or, you know, something more broad that it that money then couldn't be used for whatever, you know, those different circumstances and we weren't kind of pigeonholed into into one. So that was the first question and I again I think we already kind of explained that. Um, and then I was asked to have somebody explain again why the reverse osmosis plant expansion was on even though it's part of, you know, the enterprise fund.

And I know we answered that before. I just wanted to see if we could put that on the record. That's it.

Osmosis expansion was on the enterprise fund. I know we answered that before. Kristen Simeone and Pinboy is also here to discuss some of these items. Um we'll start with the reverse osmosis plant. So again um it was rated very highly by the sales tax committee.

Any additional funds that are used or that can help that project? would help all rate payers of the utility. It is a public purpose. So that is why it is on there. We did ask and we put it in the little um parentheses there that again to have some flexibility in case we do come up with some additional funding sources such as grants that maybe some of those funds could be used to another utilities project again to continue to help the utility and um the rateayers of the utility.

Thank you. Um we to brought in. And again, if we didn't do such a good job, we can work with the city manager to try and help help with that. Um, down below is where, and I'll try and make this a little bigger so you can see it.

Um, we have the citywide storm water infrastructure. So again to address any area versus just um the downtown for flooding. Um for Harbor Walk it is the fourth from the bottom. We wrote Harborwalk improvements and we wanted to make sure we included park facilities because Gilchrist Park is right on the Harborwalk. So that's where we kind of um lumped both Harborwalk as well as Gilchrist Park activity facilities in there. Um, we did do the AI and information technology infrastructure. Again, I know we talked about AI, but there are some very high information technology needs, especially with um networks and possibly ERP systems and things like that. So, we wanted to put some funds there um based on conversations with council. So, again, this is for discussion and in direction. Um we did try to get to the full um little over 85 million for a whole full 20 year program. Um we focus more on the the 10 range to for the tier one, but then you still have all that for tier two.

I have a couple questions. Um Baniard Basco sidewalks is that county right now? I didn't hear that. I'm sorry. What' you say? Banyaniard Basco sidewalks is that county right now. Boyd Lawrence, planning director. This section is within the city. It's north of Southwalk. Um public works yard expansion. I I don't recall talking about that on Monday, so I was just kind of curious to see.

No. So, that was a new one because again, we were trying to get to that 85 million. Um when talking to public works, they We were trying to think of what other um facility projects are still on the books that need to happen and they have mentioned the public works yard expansion. So again, we we put that in as tier two. Um and again, we can remove it if if it's not something council wants to move forward with. So we're talking about increasing the acreage or I I don't understand what the expansion.

I don't believe so. I'm going to let them come and talk to you about that. Ron Public Works. Um, as you'll recall, you approved earlier the enclosing of our front portion with fencing to be able to prevent the theft. What we'd like to do in the future is to be able to put down a little bit more of the concrete and put up a barn that we would be able to store equipment under. What happens is the sun is beating down on the equipment that's not underneath shade structures and hydraulic electrical harnesses tend to degrade quite rapidly. So, we'd like to get more of our expensive equipment undercover.

And you think that's going to be $2.8 million for a barn and concrete? I'm sorry. But you're talking about a large I mean I think he's talking about large pieces of industrial type, right? And the other thing that we've been looking at is a vac dump location so that we could properly empty our back trucks there on site rather than having to travel to do that.

Melissa, we are looking at various options for the marina. Um, but we're not addressing it here if none of the other options come through. Should we be addressing the marina as a 1% sales tax use? Because if we don't do it here, where will we do it?

So, we did put some funding in there. And again, I don't I'm not sure if it's really the right number because we don't have a full plan yet, but we did put and we did up it because again, talking to public works, they said um the dredging is also required over there. So on Monday, I think we had 800,000 and then now it's at 1.5 million. We put it in as a loan so that the marina would still pay it back over time and those funds could be reused by the 1% sales tax. The marina has never been good at making money. So I think that's a bit of a pipe dream to think they can pay money back perhaps, you know, but even when it wasn't ruined, the projection was it was going to lose money. So

it only started losing money after the hurricane. It was it was it was um Okay. Yeah. So you said how much? We have 1.5 million in there right now. And that would be to rebuild it. That's the estimate I was provided at a point in time. I'm not sure if that's the correct estimate, but I can only go by what's provided. Um for sure. I think it would be a lot more than that, which is a scary prospect. It could be 10 million, you know, but um I mean we're we're kind of buffering these things for a lot of the projects and I'd like to see a bit more of a buffer if we do have it have to build a marina or rebuild or rehab or whatever.

Sure. Do you have a suggestion as to where you'd like to see that come from public works? No, I don't know. I mean, we could still put it under tier two like you know what I mean? Because again, tier two is not a commitment. Any of these can be moved around as council um besides the priorities. I just don't want to ignore it because everybody loves having vote access in so we can't just ignore and maybe we'll find a better solution, but Yep. Do you want me to put like another figure out where do you want me to put another 1.5 2 million? I again I don't know what the cost would be either. At least 2 million. I agree. I think we can borrow from a couple places. Okay. Yeah.

And maybe we'll be able to rehab. We should be able to rehab what's there and add and you know, I don't think we have to tear it out and build a whole new marina, but just to make an allowance. Okay. So, we'll add that to tier two. And again, it's okay if we go over between tier one and tier two because tier two, you know, we did that in the past. We don't know what the revenues will be and sometimes they come in higher than expected. We try to be very conservative. It's okay. Appreciate that. Harborwalk improvements that encompasses like our playground, pickle ball, tennis courts, all that stuff. So that's kind of an all which is really good that we do that.

And so that's why I put including park facilities. We had a separate one for pon. So that's why um we felt it was okay to do that. Nice job. Glad to see the elevator replacement. Yes, that was one place. You got to get the elevator working. One that will never break down.

So, a motion. I'll Yes, we do. Because this was part of consent. Okay. I make a motion that we approve the final list of projects for 2026 with the um changes discussed. Second. Okay. We have a motion and a second to approve. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Okay. Next on the agenda is council approval for the lease renewal of Hunter downtown merchants 117.

Okay. So we had the request from the artisans italier to uh renew the option on their lease. Um just a little bit of back history on that. So they pay 10% of their gross revenue from their sales plus their um AV tax monthly. That's their advalorum tax. Um and then we tr that tax up at the end of the year. For fiscal year 2024, they paid $1,620 for the year. For fiscal year 2025, they paid $1,635 a year. Um, at our pre-aggenda meeting, we had talked a little bit about if that space could be used for other things. Um, there is the possibility that they could at at the time when they went and they did this, they were going to do a variance to be able to use that space because that space isn't dry floodproofed. Um, it is still not dry floodproofed. We have the Tiger Dams now. I had chatted with our building official a little bit yesterday. He doesn't think that that'll quite meet the definition of being dry floodproof to have those. Um, but he is open to further conversations about what acceptable uses could be in that building should you decide not to uh move forward with renewing at these terms.

Question. Did we end up reimbursing them for uh rehabbing it after the floods? No, we did not. Um, yeah, I got some kind of back history on it. Uh, first, apparently the ceiling heights are not normal like the other spaces. Uh, it's L-shaped, so it's not very wide. And you just kind of said the concrete slabs, I guess, are not anchored down, so it's not, you know, it's it's it moves. So, realistically, anybody that rent in there, they that that would rent in there cannot build any walls. Um, and right now, that's why you see the cages and I guess the outlets are about 3 ft up there.

So, it's very unique space. So, I'm not sure if it would be presentable really for anybody that would be palatable to want to rent that other than what we have there. But just some background on on that particular one. It's definitely different.

Yeah. And I would like to mention too that um you know those those were not very well planned. I'm just going to put it out there. Um I have a friend who wanted to lease a space and looked into their restaurant. They need they need all of the the equipment that you have to in order to to get the smoke out. Um, and it's not ventilated for that. Also, there wasn't a grease trap. I mean, so there are some issues with it and it's very limiting. Um, the entire building is very limiting. You would only need you would only be able to put in retail and if it's restaurant, it's going to have to be like a Subway where they just keep it in a refrigerator and then they serve it. So, it is very limiting as far as what it's open to. I think also with office space you can do the partitions that separate people so you don't have to actually build walls you know so you know there but you're right it is limited my concern is they've never paid cam and it when you hear 1,635 that's for the year that's not per month and our normal leases are $17 a square foot like the others plus they have cam on top of it um this is a unique um a unique space you know Maybe we lessen it, but may maybe make it a dollar amount plus cam instead of a percentage or anything like that. So, it's a solid amount. And the only reason why I'm saying that is because Herald Court is losing money right now. We need to figure out revenue and paying $1,635 a year doesn't even cover a lot of the expenses that we need.

Electric. Do they pay their own electricity? They do. Yes. Okay. Say that again. They do pay their own They pay their own electric and water. Yes. I believe so. Yes. I think with the space being very unique, I'm not in favor.

Um, you know, they've been there for a long time. Uh, it's kind of a an art artist kind of community where people are drawn to that. So, I believe it does bring people down there to kind of go through there and see that. So, I am okay with uh approving it as is at this time. I I I think that if it was a great place and we would have a lot higher revenue if it was a highly visited um place where they have revenue. I still think that we are losing money on this and we really have to be careful on what we're doing. I think we should come up with a set dollar amount.

Um Kristen Simeone, I just want to clarify the revenues. It's it's 10% of the rental spaces. It's not gross revenues of the artists or anything like that. I just wanted to be very So it's only 10% though. It's 10% 10% of the rentals. So if it was space rental, it would it would be what a thousand and they're paying. Explain what you mean. So like each of the unit say each of the artists they either have some have one or two spaces. It's I think they rent it for $100 a month for that space. And so we would get 10% of each of those spaces. Who gets the the um entity the vendor

the vendor that's in char the downtown merchants they're they're managing the artists why do we get 50% of that instead of 10% that's the contract that was approved by the council and it just seems like the city they're not even covering what we're trying to at least cover property tax if there was such thing in this I don't know. We're just trying to help the taxpayers. It's not really a nonprofit or is it? I don't know. But even if it was,

they do pay their own property taxes. So any any units that are are paying their property taxes. Now remember, we are we have made quite a few of the units city offices. So of course, it's not going to be able to afford it because we're not renting those to profit profit profit forprofit businesses. Yeah. So, I just want to bring that up because we can't spread that cost over to the rest of the I could see fit to adding CAM to what they pay for because they do use those facilities. Beyond that,

what's CAM? What CAM be idea? I think it's $4, isn't it? Or something like that. We currently we currently charge $4 per square foot. Yeah. For annually and then it's divided by

so you know Yeah. It doesn't bring up that much more in it. You know what about because we're saying that it's more of a unique spot and that you know it doesn't have everything that we'd like to instead of $17 which we're trying to make consistent through our whole herald court is maybe to make it half the price. At least it's something that we're still getting with some revenue in there. And we know that it's not the most ideal place. It it can't have walls put in there, but to at least rent out so we can get some revenue to start covering and getting a new elevator and things like that and keeping it fixed and maintained or they can move out and then we'd have to try to find another renter. That that's my concern. My concern is if they leave, but I rather have what we have now. That space is very limited. I mean, very limited. I don't know that even a retail store is going to want to go in there when they know that the the slab isn't anchored down. I mean, to me, that's absurd. I don't even know why we did that, but that's back in the past. And L-shaped, I just don't see anybody wanting to run in there.

Well, geez, our city council could have little partitions and we could have our own little office spaces. Yeah. I mean, there there are things. We're just we're we need to be more openminded. Right. I'm just saying. She said there's nothing. I'm just saying. But if you're looking at $1,000 a year, you know, $1,600, excuse me, a year versus I would like to hear from them before we make a decision on that. I'm sorry that doesn't make sense. I'm just looking I think what I would suggest we would do is some direction from council as to what they would actually like to see in this lease and then I will meet with the downtown merchants association, see what they're willing to do. Uh we can bring that information back to you if that's okay. Yes. Yes, that'd be fine. Okay,

we're just trying to figure it out. So, I have heard CAM as a suggestion that is something that council be okay with having on the table and then the other um place of negotiation would be to go at 850 a square foot was one suggestion. I'm not in favor of any change other than the camp. Okay, go. But we can discuss it and vote. I think that this well she needs consensus I think so she can go forward with that. Now, is there any appetite for uh an increase in the amount of gross revenue? Yes. Yes. Instead of say the 850 per square foot until we understand what their their income is. Well, right now we're we're getting 10%. So, I mean, we could just raise the percentage that would

we have to treat our city as a business. That's our biggest thing. If you look at like Military Heritage Museum, which is a wonderful nonprofit, they pay rent. We have to treat our city as a business so that we can It's not that. It's the location that I have a problem with. It's such a weird location. And without understanding what their revenue is, if we were to go ahead and raise it arbitrarily, not knowing the impact on them, they may just pack up and leave if they can't afford. They also have a place at Visual Arts Center, too. Do they pay for that? I I don't have that information.

Okay. Well, maybe you could do a little more research for us and come back to us. I will definitely find out what what their thoughts are on this. So, is that 20? It's 24 2400 2500 feet, call it, right? Is that correct? And you're saying $4 a square foot. Another 10,000. 12. Exactly. 833. per month. Yeah. And you're saying $4 a square foot. So I think three of us said yes. We're looking at a change in price as well and two said no. Thank you. Thank you. Except you're except Melissa's open to CAM. So we're we're working at a we're trying Yeah, that was CA. Yeah, she's going to come back. Right. But I think the consens so

the consensus was the consensus was the majority consensus was CAM and a raise. Yes. In lease that. Okay. Then we don't have consensus on that. But I think Do we have consensus on camp? Yes. Okay. We have consensus on camp. Do we have consensus on raising the lease? I think at this point we're just asking. Yes. We're just asking and I think we need to we need to ask first. Okay. So we have consistent learning more. Perfect. Next on the agenda is road closure request for Junth on Cooper Street.

Good morning, council. Connie Payne, um, president of NAACP Charlotte County, and we are hosting the Junth event on June 20th. So, we have submitted all of our uh paperwork and this is the last thing that we need to get approval. Do any questions for I move to approve 7B. I second that. We have a motion and a second to approve. All in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. Thank you. Thank you very much. That was nice and easy. Sorry to make you wait so long.

It's always good to see you. Next is rose road road closury request independence day celebration fisherman's village

Adrian Gery planner one um do we have any questions besides what's in the agenda? No, this is just our normal road closure that we typically do on this time of year. Okay. Move to approve. Where am I at? 7C. Second. We have a motion and a second to approve 7C. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Next one is temporary use permit. Approve 7C. We have a motion second to approve 7. All in favor? I motion carries. Next one is

good morning. Rachel Barry, zoning official for the record. Uh so as Miss Jerry Waxler mentioned earlier during public comment um this application is TU052026. It is a request to utilize the property located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Cooper Street and East Olympia Avenue um identified by parcel number 41236287001. Staff does recommend approval of the temporary use permit application with a few conditions of approval. Uh number one, the applicant shall obtain proper permitting for and install uh and maintain security fencing around the staging site. All vehicles, equipment, material, and any other items brought to the staging site must be located completely within the property boundaries and shall not encroach into any rightway. Number three, any temporary lighting shall be shielded and shall be oriented so as to direct the light into the staging site and away from adjacent properties or roadways. Number four, the applicant shall ensure that dirt, rocks, mud, or any other similar debris or materials are not tracked onto adjacent roadways from the staging site and shall immediately have removed any debris tracked into adjacent roadways from the site. Number five, hours of operation on the staging site shall be limited to 7 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Number six, failure to comply with the conditions and requirements related to the temporary use permit may cause the permit to be revoked. And then we would also um recommend the uh the agreement of them removing the uh impervious area from the property when when the uh job is complete.

Any questions? When they remove the impervious area, will we end up with a mud pit? No, we do have um we're doing some more research to get an exact number of um what either hydro seed or sod or you know some ground cover appropriate ground cover u would be. Um we do have it was looking like hydro seed would be somewhere around 5,000. That is a very very rough approximate. Um and of course sod would be more expensive than that. Yes, I'm I'm with you, Janine P. For the record, I just don't want it to be,

you know, I mean, if we have rainy season and it's just nothing but mud, it won't be a good situation. But so, we need to think about if we're going to make them take up the impervious area or not, what's best. Yeah, I think if we leave it in there that they're going to remove it, we can always change it if it doesn't seem wise. But if we don't ask for it now, we won't get it later. So, they aren't going to remove it until they're done, aren't they? Yeah. But still, we have to pay money to fix it, right?

Debbie Lux, for the record, um I think it's it's very beneficial for us to have that impervious structure and if it's $5,000, I I would hope that the city, you know, could find something to do the the hydra seat and everything like this. This is, you know, we we keep on talking about helping our nonprofits and we keep on doing all these things. This is, you know, kind of a one-time. I think it's actually beneficial that they are actually taking up which cost us quite a bit of money to take up the impervious structure. So I would I would like to see where um the conditions would be to include taking up the impervious structures, but then the city would come right after and at least do hydro seed. Yeah, they that's what she presented. So no, they wanted both.

So is this all all inclusive? If we approve 7D, um what do we need to do? Do we need to amend it or do we just say approval of 7D and then move on and talk about the other part later? it it's part of this with the the application. So I think that we could say it um removing the impervious materials but not include placing hydro seed with the application. So I think that we could say Okay. Shall I make a motion please? Okay. I make a motion that we approve 7D with the stipulation that that they remove all impervious areas after um construction is completed

and the conditions. What's that? And the conditions. And the conditions of course. Yes. We have a second. I second that. Okay. We have a motion and a second to approve with conditions plus removing the impervious structures. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Thank you, Jerry. Thanks for waiting and looking beautiful, Jerry. Nice. Good looking place. Yeah, it is. project updates.

Okay, everyone should be excited to hear that we have received from Corollo Engineers the scope and specs and have entered the requisition for the AMI system. So that's going to include the project, the meters, installation and supporting infrastructure. That's a big step forward. The letters on Herald Court have been replaced and something that we've been waiting on for quite some time. the pickle ball courts. We're just waiting on a top railing cap and then those will be able to be opened. Council chambers, you'll see that the ADA ramp was poured if you go by there. We've also received a lot of the materials. An update um one of the federal requirements that the city has is we have to have lactation rooms on site that employees are able to use should they need to. So, we have one that's being installed on the third floor. So, you'll see that as a new addition when you come up there. The sad is being installed at the pickle ball and tenn tennis courts. Um we've got the procurement study, the meeting of the uh ranking committee. It will take place on 55. The historic city hall portion that PO was issued along with a notice to proceed. So that's underway. The fire training building slab is currently out to bid. engineering library. We're working on the licensing and references, getting those in. Public safety assessment, the licensing and requested references, their date that they have to have the responses in is 423 of 26. So, that's coming along nicely. The booster and water main improvements, the consultant is still developing that scope of work and hourly rates. The Gilchrist gazebo, the bid closed with two responses. Evaluation is underway right now. Um, Tiki Point, we only received one bid on that. So, due diligence is being performed, researching, calling, and emailing local vendors. That'll close on

424. And the pedestrian crosswalk improvements, that department is reviewing the scope of work on those again. And that's all I had unless you have specific questions. Awesome. Nice to see things moving. Okay. And what was added also is the approval to purchase the track of vacant land located at 36.95, 36.99, and 3731 Tamiami Trail. Okay. And what was added also is the approval to purchase the track of vacant land. This is yes, the same item that you heard before, but now you're hearing it as city council. Move to approve 7F. I second.

We have a motion, a second to approve 7F. All in favor? I oppose. I I motion carries three to two. Opposing was Janine and me. Okay. Next board and committees. Motion a second to approve. All in favor.

Good morning, city council. City clerk Sarah Welch. For the record, under boards and committees, we have one alternate seat on the board of zoning appeals open. One alternate seat on the building board open. We have one regular and one alternate seat coming up on the Burnt Store isles canal advisory committee. We have one regular and two alternate seats on the code enforcement board and one alternate seat on the utility advisory board. Then under nominations we have one regular seat on the utility advisory board. George Rupti had introduced himself earlier. He has been a member for some time. That is a board that does benefit if we are able to keep members on in place because they do work on a lot of projects that extend over a number of years. It would be a benefit if we could reappoint him. We would just need that by motion.

I'll make a motion to nominate and appoint. I'll second. We have a motion, a second to nominate and appoint Mr. Joy. Is it sorry? All in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. Thank you so much for willing to do that for us. And then uh we also have an appointment that needs to be confirmed. The Puna Police Officers Pension Board has appointed Samuel Kers as their fifth member. If we could get a motion to confirm the appointment. Motion to confirm. Second. Do we have a motion, a second to confirm Mr. Kyber's? All in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. Want to do your report? Yes, please.

So, first I would like to thank everyone who attended our desserts and discourse event that was held last Saturday. Gary was there, I know, and I believe we may have seen u a few other somewhat regulars from council. It was a great time. We'd also like to thank First Baptist Church of Punaorta for providing some really good desserts. again at that event. Then this Friday, we have Picture Perfect Projects and Popcorn coming up. It's going to start off at 6 with an Animal Mask craft followed by Zootopia at sundown. We are going to have snacks provided including popcorn from the Punicorda Masonic Lodge number 115. So if anyone needs something to do, it'll be a really nice time out on the harbor at Lashley Park. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay, a special congratulations to Ron Evers, our public works director. He has earned the certified public works professional manager designation. So proving that he is not only street smart, he is actually books smart. So congratulations, Ron. That was a big accomplishment and I know you worked hard on that.

Last week we talked or at our last council meeting we talked a little bit about Alar. We had some concerns from residents about speeding on there. We did a study. We had 8,12 cars that traversed that roadway on 47 to 413. Only 5.6% were traveling over 35 miles per hour. Only 1% were going over 40 miles per hour. So those results do not indicate that there's a serious speeding problem on that street. Uh we looked at the crashes for the last five years and there were no crashes on Omar over those five years. Um, our next steps would be if council thought that there might be a problem that we're not seeing from these results, we could bring in a traffic engineer to look at it. Um, we could also explore some of the um ideas like painting a speed limit on the road. Those types of things. But as far as um what we're seeing from our own studies here, there there isn't necessarily a speeding problem on that road.

Maybe they have a police officer. They're actually giving tickets a couple of times might slow it down. And certainly the chief has indicated that she was directing patrols in that area as well. Awesome. Okay. And then I have some public works anniversaries that uh the employees didn't uh necessarily have the time or ability to attend council. So we have Joe Gian Giamanco, I'm going to guess 35 years of service in May. So that's amazing. Joe Tyler, 20 years of service in May. Robert Hemingway, 35 years of service in March and John Parish, 10 years in February. So, we have some really tenured folks in public works and we're very grateful for them. That's awesome.

And that's all I have for my report. Awesome. Um, I sent you guys an email about the one lawsuit being dismissed and we are in the process of coordinating non-binding arbitration for RJ Gorman's. We'll be coordinating depositions with that coming up in the next couple months. That will take away some of our staff time because they'll have to appear at a deposition. Um, and anything else that has been presented to Odalis or I have been taken care of and I've got a couple meetings I have to schedule with Ron and Boyd and everything appears to be moving good. Awesome. Thank you, Melissa.

Uh only a couple things. I know we're trying to really make sure that when we do our proclamations that there's not not a lot of time taken up, but I would like to see that anything to do with the city employees or the city in general, we all lot them three minutes um to to present that to them and then you know the other proclamations, we can just have that minute. I just feel like this is the only time that sometimes the employees are honored. So, I just like to change that for the next time. Consensus. Oh, golf cart. I know I mentioned before that I would love to see, you know, what Northport did with the golf cart. Do we know where we're at with that? No pressure. I just We are working on that for an agenda item. That's Thanks. That's it.

Oh, golf cart. I know I mentioned before, you know what? Was that a formal consensus to provide staff? I tried to ask Steph. Was that a consensus to change that to three minutes instead of one minute for any of our giving recognition? Sure. I'm good with that. I'm I'm fine with that. Sorry to ask that. So I think that's unanimous. Yes. Yes. Okay. Janice, I have nothing. Greg, I just have three quick things. Um, I attended a presentation by captains for clean water recently and I was very impressed with their um, legislative

involvement in killing some things that would have been detrimental to our water and I would like to know if you would agree to have them come and present to us. I wouldn't mind have a presentation. Sure. I think they're awesome. So, sure. Okay. Second thing, we all received an email from Noah Hyde talking about some code enforcement volunteers with all these uh what are they called snipe signs that people are just sticking in the rightways all over town and it's very unattractive. Is there any appetite for moving forward with that? Are you like saying the roofers promoting themselves that type thing?

Yeah. Or open houses. that I think on city property you're saying if it's on city property in the easements and stuff like that that you're giving people permission to just take it off right no I don't think it's giving people permission to take it is just to report it on city property I don't like all the signs yeah I think what happens is like on Sundays when nobody's working is when you see a lot of the signs coming out and being put in our easement areas and I think you're asking maybe for volunteers who are signed up if they see it to to have the ability to remove it. Is that what I'm understanding? That's what we all got that email. I didn't I I don't remember seeing that. Yeah. I'm just trying to clarify. I'm the only one.

And I would like to look at this from a liability standpoint before we would just have volunteers working in our um rightways. Um I think it's something that should be coordinated through co code enforcement and de a program developed should council wish to consider that. Okay. I feel there's I all I can hear is liability. So I'm not really in favor of that. Yeah, I don't want to take up any more of code enforcement time on something like that. The realtors are pretty good about removing their sign. So then it's just a few other ones. Anything else? Greg.

Yes. One last item regarding the farmers market. I received an email after the Saturday before last from one of the vendors and he said, "The mayor showed up at our booth and talked mostly with my wife Lola, telling us that nothing is going to change. She also accused you, me, of creating fear to us, the vendors. So, first of all, they came to my town hall and told me about their concerns about not having an extended permit and the difficulty in managing their businesses accordingly. And secondly, if nothing is going to change, I suggested we take it off our radar entirely and end this nonsense about the farmers market. So, Greg, for clarification, I said we weren't trying to take away the farmers market, and that was a big scare that was put out, and apparently somebody brought it up. So, that's not what I said. I said that we are looking at keeping a farmers market. It's just that we are looking at all contracts

and it was an extensive conversation. That's what I got from him, but that that's fine. And thank you for letting me clarify that, Janine. Yes. Um, my concern is, and maybe Chief Smith can can give me more information on this, but the road closure

at Sullivan, I noticed the other day when I was um eating at Leroy, um, which I do a lot, um, I noticed that people instead of going right where we're trying to direct them after they go over 41 and going right down Sullivan to get on 41, they're all going left and they're cutting through and it's a very teeny tiny road, Sullivan Um, and then they're trying to go across Mariam and they're going over to um I think it's Rea to cut on to and it's extremely dangerous. So I I don't know what the the answer is here, but something has to be done. And then now we're going to close off the streets with the farmers market on Saturday. And I'm super concerned because people won't be able to turn left. They'll be having to turn right, I guess. Or should we be closing off? all of that section just for safety sake. I don't know.

Chief Smith, um it is a two-lane road, so it I know what you're talking about, but it's a tight road. Anyways, um I we're hearing some feedback of a couple different issues. One of the things I noticed, I personally went out onto Virginia Avenue

yesterday cuz I was seeing the backup and it that light is only allowing two cars to turn onto 41 from Virginia. So, I talked to Ron this morning. and he's going to be talking to FDOT to or the county actually to get that light adjusted which will help get those cars out of Virginia Avenue. That should free up some of it. But in the meantime, we'll make sure some officers are keeping a good eye on it to to address it. I don't know. Um short of closing Sullivan down as well, which could be an option um so that people can't cut through there, but then you're just limiting

egress. So, it's going to be a mess for quite a while. My concern is this this weekend when the farmers market is there, that's why I was suggesting maybe they should move over because you're going to have farmers market people all there. Um people trying to park and then people trying to cut through. It's going to be a mad house. I'm I'm very concerned about the liability of the city. Um okay, thank you very much, Chief. Also, you know, this morning I tried to take a different way too and with the light, I think it's at Carmelita after you go through the roundabout. That's also backing up traffic quite a bit right in there because the people who are So once you're on Carmelita, you mean?

No, on on 41. So people So people are turning right to try to avoid the traffic, you know, to come around. They're coming into the circle which backs up all of 41 because they, you know, don't have a light or anything like that. And then we when it's time to go, the light just passed it towards the downtown area. I thought that was Carmelita Street. But that stopping which is backing up the traffic on 41. I think that's what I was talking about. The Virginia the light. So um is it Virginia? Is it Virginia? Okay. Yeah. So that's we're trying to get addressed. I think if that changes No, it's not Virginia. It's it's the one where it's the Carmelita by the Carmelita is the roundabout and then you go down. You're saying going northbound? It's the very first one north where you have the stoplight bicycle.

Oh, Taylor and 41. Yes. Taylor. Okay. Okay. Yeah. So, I didn't That might be something too, Ron. We'll just have to take a look at all those. Yeah. It just started because I think if we can get those lights adjusted to allow that traffic to get out of there, it'll keep it from backing up so bad. Sullivan is another story. So, we'll we'll definitely have to be keeping an eye on that and I'll make sure my guys Thank you. Um, also speaking of the market, um, I didn't think we were supposed to be bringing this up and I'd like to hear from the city attorney on that. I thought we were not supposed to be discussing it at all. That was my message that I got and so I'm not understanding why there's such an upheaval just my two cents from

about the farmers market. Aren't we supposed to not be talking about it? I mean, I thought there was going to be no discussion on this because of litigation. We weren't going to put it on the agenda and discuss it, but they came out on their own to tell you about the the challenge that they're dealing with. I'm sorry, but I think some of these I I think some of these people were asked to come in here. So, what's going on? Are we supposed to be talking about it or are we not supposed to be talking about it? I just need to know. Yes. There was a social media post last night

asking people to show up today on behalf of the farmers market, setting the record straight. It didn't surprise me that we had a few folks here talking about it during public comments. Addressing kind of in rebuttal of what they're saying is okay, but it was my understanding keeping it off of the agenda for now was the way to go. And that there were have been council members um misrepresenting the farmers market, saying that they don't have insurance and this and that and that needs to stop. What council member said that? I was told that it was a council member that had a town hall meeting and said that

and then there was a candidate that was out there on the streets saying those things. But in any case, uh, so it's a rumor. They came to No, not a rumor. In any case, they came to my town hall and expressed their concerns. I said, they asked, "What can we do?" And I said, "Well, why don't you come and let the rest of the council know what what the issue is?" So, town hall you had on your agenda. You had farmers market discussion. They didn't just kind of pop in. You had it on there for your agenda. Okay. I published that. Okay. Anything else to call you on your market?

Councilwoman, what's been brought to my attention is being handled in the legal department regarding farmers market. Be more than willing to sit down with you and Okay. let you know what we have going on from our angle. It's just my concern that we're we keep putting things out there and I I I'm very concerned that anyone sitting on this dis should be careful about that because we're here to protect the city too and so um it's important not to cause an upheaval. I think as leaders we need to be really careful about that and and let them know listen there's nothing we can really say right now. I mean there's a professional way to do this. It's just let them know hey we're under And there's really nothing. Our hands are tied.

We can't be discussing any of it. If am I right in in saying that or am I incorrect in saying I mean you shouldn't really put things out there. Right. You should be very cautious with what's being said being put out. Of course. Am I right? Thanks Jane.

Okay. Um on mine I I did want to do a shout out to utilities. I know that there was an accidental line break and I think within 10 minutes we had the utilities out there working way into the dark and I had a lot of neighbors just expressing gratitude for them coming out and trying to fix something right away because our street was soaked. Um, next I know we have announcements at the beginning when we do a call to order. I don't think there's any reason I think that this is something we don't really need to have on there because most of our announcements are done at the end of the day anyhow unless it was an emergency. I think that we could just go ahead and have a consensus to say we don't need to have the announcements there. This is something of our announcements. I disagree or you

I disagree. So announcements at the beginning of the meeting is a common thing. I mean they're it's meant for emergencies, I believe. No, I don't think so. Well, it didn't say emergency announcements. It just says announcements. And the majority of people that are here usually aren't for the whole meeting. So I have no problem keeping them on there. I think that the announcements are Unless, well, I would like to have a consensus here. Unless it's something that is extremely important to announce that that's when we'll make announcements. Otherwise, at the end of the day, we can always make our announcements. Otherwise, we'd all have our public comments on here at the announcements. I think that's what it would change, too. And I think we need an announcement that wasn't important. At the end of the day,

I I let me let me just say I I feel that we should use that time because I think we have the most listeners at that time and we also have the most people in here at that time. I think that time should be used for emergency messages such as you know the watering or the burn burn. I mean, because there are always there's always something that needs to be put out and I think we should do that at the beginning um to to make our own personal announcements unless it's coming from the city. I I don't understand why we're even doing that. That should should be at the end. I agree. But that's that's fine. So, as long as the announcements aren't personal and it's by the city or it's an emergency, is that what we're talking about? That would be what our announcements would be for.

I just don't see the harm. Who cares? If somebody wants to make an announcement at the beginning, they don't take up a lot of time. They don't do a presentation. I don't bother doing it. Doesn't bother me though. Takes up very much time. It doesn't bother me. Put a clock on.

I mean, it really doesn't bother me at My next one is especially with the time restraint and everything and you're probably going to disagree on this then as well is I know the county actually has speaking about what's on the agenda for the first three minutes and then at the end of the day people can talk about anything at the at the end and you know following protocol. I don't know if that might be a wise idea is that the public input at the beginning is just for anything that's on the agenda, which is normally what happens. If they have a concern, they come here because it's on the agenda and they're going to talk and then at the end of the day, they can talk about anything.

Well, no, the the guy with the boat cover came and and spoke about it. He didn't stay for the entire meeting, but there are people that are going to come and talk about things that are not on the agenda. Yeah, I never like I never like that about the county actually because I feel like some people just want to get their three minutes and they have to get to work and they can't stay the whole meeting. So I'd rather just I was always in favor I I'm happy we brought back the three minutes at the end of the meeting because you just be the beginning and that's it. But now people have an opportunity to speak on maybe things we've spoken on. So I I like to keep it just completely open for for both. I think it's it's good to let people's voices be heard. things we've spoken on.

You know, when something unexpected comes along, like I I had no idea we were going to be talking about the marketplace and I don't like looking like the bad at the like the bad guy because it looks like we don't care when we really can't talk about it. You know, I don't like that kind of uh whatever you want to call it, but they have a right to be heard and so I heard them and there's not much we can do right now. So, and Janine pulled for the record. So I I how I feel about this is again we have the most listeners at that time

and I think that that it it's a great time for people to get whatever it is. Doesn't matter what the topic is. And I I know the county also has a little signin sheet where you have to sign in and kind of tell them it's specific. It's very specific as to what agenda item you're speaking on. And I just don't feel like that's you know Yeah. I don't think it's

I don't I don't think it's let freedom rain type of feeling. So Okay. I'm I'm not okay with this. Nope. That was just a suggestion to be brought up. Um the other thing is now with um our speed cameras, I'd like to even though they can't do it right away, it might not be, you know, tomorrow or Friday to give them another week to actually make a resolution, but I would like to see the resolution with our specific hours um be done at the same time because I know we've got a lot of residents are extremely concerned about the speed cameras are going to be all day long or whether they're going to be with the specific hours. So, and what we were said is we can make a resolution for that. So, have a resolution done at the same time. It's just that staff won't be able to give us that resolution to look at until Friday before our council meeting.

So, is that okay? Yeah, that's sure. It's fine because we've already discussed it. Good. Okay. And my last thing is because our next meeting is what? May 6th, I just wanted to say happy Cinco de Mayo. See? Okay. Public input. And my last thing is and we're going to keep it in the morning too.

Good morning. Uh no hyde. Two items if I may please regarding the uh volunteers for code compliance. I sent an email to council member Julian because I saw that he had brought this item up last September to the city council and there was no action taken on it. And and I just wanted to reinforce the issue. If we can have volunteers in policing that are supposed to help the police department, not make it more uh laborious for them, but to help them.

I thought the idea would be to help code compliance with all these signs that are popping up all over the place, particularly at intersections. You see those H-frame signs everywhere. They're all in the rightway. They're not legal. And if there were people who would be willing to volunteer and work with code compliance, they could eliminate a lot of those signs. They could just take them down and throw them in their trunk and deliver them wherever code compliance takes them or throw them away. But it's be it's becoming very unsightly around the city to have these signs everywhere. And so that was why I sent I sent it to you.

I should have maybe sent it to everybody. Speaking of sending it to everybody, I did send an email to everybody this week and it had to do with item 4B. Did we skip over item 4B and 4C on the agenda this morning? Did we talk about the reappropriation of funds? Yeah. Yes. So, it was explained for specific items like the fire truck. Okay. Well, that was what my email to you had to do with regarding looking at those. And we looked at 4C as well. Okay. I'm sorry. Thank you.

Some more fireworks. Cindy O'Hara. Um I'm trying to understand this that there's a 4% raise given annually to everybody, city employees, police, and firefighters. So, does that mean on top of that we're giving them raises in addition to this 4% across the board that somebody told me that it's happening?

Maybe later somebody can clarify that. And second, um an investor in PGI said it used to be that everybody got a cost of living adjustment every year. Not much a not much of a raise, but they keep up with the prices, but not last year's or so for for the private sector. the private sector. We have not even gotten the cost of living. So, people are doing more with less and I should expect everybody else to be the same. Otherwise, we will vote for change. Just so you know that.

Um, again, I've been watching the police here for almost three decades. I've seen weird things and weird things and and illegal things and all kinds of stuff, drug running, drug dumping for decades. And I firmly believe that the police, and I don't know if it's fun to go to police, but there in any doubt in my mind, the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office has been protecting some druggies. There isn't any doubt. And uh there's and and they have certain people patrolling the water areas. It's been a a big game. I was targeted by Canadians who I firmly believe were coordinating with ple people here to run drugs all the way up to Canada. And it's it's if you knew the details, you would say, "Oh yeah, the Canadians were getting drugs out of Pontagorta and the Keys."

So anyway, I think we need mental after that explosion couple meetings ago with the one $135,000 a year cop and uh the behavior I've seen ongoing, massive corruption in the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. our sheriff belongs in prison and I have facts to show that he should be there in prison. I think we need to look at have these cops been uh mentally tested. I want to know about the mental testing for our police officers if there's any, who's doing it and when it was done and how often it's done because we got problems. And again, I am all supportive in the young cops. Give them an 8% raise. They all should be making 70,000 or more a year. They should be able to live comfortably. These people over the the police over a 100,000, they do not need any more money. Matter of fact, we need to look at them real closely. Two of them were uh standing right next to Mary Nolton before she was murdered. Mayor, there isn't any doubt in my mind that was a murder. They wanted that uh new chief of police who had only been there for six months out. Mayor Keyasling did not like him. He was not fulfilling her little agenda. and she's in the corrupt circle. And I'll say it right now, right on tape. That's how firm I believe it. But we need mental testing for our cops.

Not like him. He was not fulfilling her little agenda. Anyone else? I'll say it right now. Right on tape. That's how firm I believe. We need testing for our cops.

Hi, my name is Rich Beac. Um I'm here to object to excuse me object to the uh the boat uh structure um that has been proposed or that has I think you have a picture of it um that uh a person has already erected it uh which is illegal as we all know because code compliance is already involved in this. Um we've been through this before about blocking dues. We've had we've had many conversations, huge amount of email, a lot of time we've all spent on this on the last uh uh resolution and it was turned down to change the code and I agree with that and I don't know why we have to go through this over and over again. It's a structure that's blocking people's views. people. The um the chairman of the uh PGI canal committee stated in front of you guys that one of the one of the things that comes up every time they put a boat lift or they put in docks, the first concern that all our residents have are views.

This is this is a a terrible use of your time. We should we should take it off the table and move forward. Thank you. Thank you.

Jerry Julian, for the record, I just have a comment about the farmers market. It is a beautiful um program that was created to bring revenue downtown. and listening today that you went to a vendor and told them it was a contract and it needs to be competed is absolutely ridiculous. It is an event permit. It is not ran by the city. It it is not contracted out by the city. And for you to say it's a contract is absolutely out of line. You guys need to get your language together and you need to understand that you are impacting over a hundred businesses. You are creating insecurity and fear to them by not letting this permit not a government contract get approved.

Over 100 businesses you are creating insect.

Anybody else have anything to say? Meetings adjourned. Thank you. Anybody else?

Thank you. Mostly