City Council - Regular Meeting
The Punta Gorda City Council discussed the second reading of the Tidal Creek Bridge, water and sewage rate increases, and a proposed land lease for "Learn to Sail," raising concerns about public land use and parking. They also reviewed a resolution on transparency and conflict of interest, and received updates on various public works projects.
About this meeting
- Government Body
- City Council
- Meeting Type
- City Council
- Location
- Punta Gorda, FL
- Meeting Date
- September 8, 2026
Transcript
78 sections
Buongiorno a tutti. Sono le 9. Diamo inizio alla riunione. Si mette a verbale che tutti i consiglieri sono presenti. Abbiamo del pubblico oggi. Non vedendo nessuno, passerò oltre i commenti del pubblico e andrò al primo punto all'ordine del giorno, il Patriot Day. Chi vorrebbe presentarlo?
Oh, credo che Carlos mi abbia chiesto di farlo, ma Greg.
Bene. Procedi.
American Entrepreneur's Day. Do you want to do it with an iron arm?
So who will do it?
Melissa.
I was part of it too.
Then we have a service award. We will do that recognition to the employees. I have one to add to the recognition for the employees. Gary Disher could be here. So we will do his service award at that time. Then we have a request for a Cranny Science variant. Any questions? Our rates for green and solid waste.
Oh, sorry. I was just looking for it to be on.
No, it's on. If not, I don't really want to talk.
Oh, were you testing it?
It's this one. It's definitely time to test it. So we have questions about the tariffs for green and solid waste. And we are back to the second reading of the Tidal Creek Bridge.
So I think I was as confused as anyone else last time. Ho detto che ero a favore del passaggio dei golf carts sul ponte. Beh. Ma poi, quando abbiamo votato, a quanto pare ho votato contro. E sono tornato a guardare. Sono stato ripreso da un residente che ha detto, beh, hai detto che eri a favore e ora sei contro. Mi ho votato contro. E io ho detto, va bene. Sono tornato a leggerlo e ho capito che il cambiamento linguistico lo eliminava, cosa di cui non sono a favore. So I'll correct the thing. I guess I won't be able to correct my vote of the last time, but I'll do it tomorrow.
Understood. And that's why it was proposed in the first place, because it was so confusing that we didn't do the second reading last time so we could discuss further, since the first time we had others in a similar situation. So we'll fix the matter. 4a, that is a grant for trees. Are there any questions about it?
Excellent.
Resolution that establishes the rates, the quotas and monthly benefits for water and sewage.
I have a question. Excuse me, I have a question on this point. I think that when we did it, we said that we would have done an analysis to see if 12% was still necessary, so that it was not just an automatism. I'm not sure we did the analysis to justify it. And then in the analysis were included the subsidies and the installments. Kristen Simeone. Yes, we examined the analysis and since we had reduced entries due to water restrictions, we considered it prudent to proceed with the 12% this year. We will continue to monitor it for the next year and we hope to reduce it. Abbiamo incluso le varie sovvenzioni, ma ancora una volta dobbiamo occuparci del finanziamento e non abbiamo tutto a posto. Quindi ci sono alcune incognite a cui dobbiamo essere preparati. Possiamo vedere l'analisi. Intendo dire che l'analisi è solo il prospetto e tutto il lavoro che dimostra che avevamo bisogno di quelle entrate.
I'm not sure that, you know, we use prospects, we insert those rates to see how it would appear, how it works. That's what I was asking, to insert everything, to see what we have and then present it to us, saying that we have inserted all these numbers and it still shows that we, it still shows that we. And if you want, I can bring it to you, send it to you today, because it is also part of our budget.
Thank you.
Va bene. Poi abbiamo SEM 269 Scott Street. Si tratta di un trasferimento di utenza. Domande. Va bene. Poi abbiamo alcuni stanziamenti supplementari. Nessuna domanda. Then we have 4e, a resolution of the municipal council that reaffirms the requirements of transparency and conflict of interest, establishing a process of revision of the private obligations of non-divulgation and reservatism, which can influence municipal duties, providing guarantees. Questions and comments?
Actually I don't have any. When I read it, I went back to look at what the rules were. It would be really nice to have them detailed in the resolution so that we can see exactly what they are and know what we are following. Ma penso anche che dobbiamo aggiungere la revisione in Camera di Consiglio come parte del requisito in modo che il nostro Avvocato Comunale abbia più potere di esaminare le cose. Allora, vorrei aggiungere una revisione in Camera di Consiglio e poi anche dettagliare quali siano gli statuti.
E lo riferirà al Dottor Lekovic.
Grazie. Aspetta, aspetta. Devi premere il pulsante. Devi schiacciare il bottone.
What is needed to start it? A single member of the council and a majority. I mean, I'm trying to understand the process. If we think that there is a need for some evaluation, NDA, how do we start it?
I just ask that the review be added to the council chamber so we can say yes and include it and then we are all in agreement or in disagreement or whatever the outcome of the vote is. Of three out of two. I only ask him to detail more things. One moment. I'd like to. But I think your question is, once you've done all this, what's the process? I think this is the question. And I think that's a question for Mr. Luscomizzi. I just want to make sure.
You're online again.
Di Nuo in diretta. Ordine del giorno. Ci sono domande a riguardo. Il contratto di locazione del terreno per Learn to Say.
Janine, ho un paio di domande a riguardo. Um. Prima di tutto, quel terreno è usato dal pubblico. Non so se possiamo affittarlo. Quindi? I would like the lawyer to examine the Reni case against the city of Lakeland to ensure that we are allowed to rent it. I mean, it seems that we could do something less invasive, like a letter of consent or something like that, rather than rent it since it is public property. e sono preoccupata che se iniziamo ad affittare non ho nulla contro learn to say perché penso sia un programma favoloso ma se iniziamo ad affittare i nostri parchi non credo sia una buona idea quindi per favore esaminate la cosa per domani grazie
I suppose that my only other concern, perhaps for the staff, is the parking lot. The parking lot should be public and it seems that they have many places and I think it should always remain public, not added as part of their rental contract. And then another thing, the required dimensions and the indicated dimensions did not come back at all. At least I couldn't understand it.
Carl Bench for the verbatim. So the parking lot is not part of their rental space. It's just that it was covered in that area. The parking lot then assigned, since they share the boat rental contract, the nautical club contract, they have a part of it, so they would share the assigned parking lot. But there is a lot of parking in the whole Bayfront area, so they can use any of the spaces. There are no spaces dedicated to Learn to Sail, if this is a concern.
That's why I was surprised that it was even indicated. You know, if it is dedicated, why insert it?
No, it's just that the area is easier to color all the same. But yes, auto places are not dedicated to Learn to Sail. And the other question, when you talk about measurements, what do you mean? 900 square feet for the store?
Yes, he said 900 square feet, then you started to add up all their size, they were like 00 square feet or something like that. Not that it is important, just that my thought was, in addition to having it, it would be nice for us to have Bayfront completed so that we can verify that there is enough space. As if we were not building this building based on Learn to Sail and then, you know, when we try to do Bayfront we will have problems. So it seems that we are putting the cart in front of you here.
We talked about Learn-to-Sale all the time. This project proposed for Learn-to-Sale does not influence Bayfront in any way. The layout approved. We were under the hypothesis that the council wanted what they had proposed when we were designing Bayfront, so we planned it so that that project and Bayfront are two separate things. You can reduce the dimensions of Learn-to-Sale, you can keep them varied. It does not influence the way Bayfront is approved and planned.
And the waste area remains, or is it the one they are going to incorporate?
It is the one they currently occupy.
So the one that will continue to be occupied by them.
There is. And the extra square types? Because they were not added in the 90s. If that's what you want.
But if they are occupying that, they are adding it, they actually have more space, right?
So they would have the closed one. Excuse me. This was to show the external space they were proposing, because they were already renting the current structure.
So the about 900 square feet are just a grassy area in the open where they will put their sailing boats. Correct.
And they will recinct.
For me it is much clearer.
No problem.
Thank you.
And I will note that we have verified their status of 5113. They are not for profit purposes and have been able to provide the financial data that we have been able to examine. Credo che sia una organizazione senza scopo di lucro. No, non farò. Se è una 500 non necessita di esserne senza scopo di lucro. Credo che abbiano cambiato quella terminologia.
Va bene.
Altre domande su questo?
Aggiornamento lavori pubblici riguardo.
Ai. Dato che stiamo esaminando Learn to Sail, vorrei dare un'occhiata al Bayfront Pavilion e a quali siano gli attuali piani. It seems that it is proceeding and I do not remember having seen the final plan and everything else if it is final.
Carl Bench Urban Design, we do not have a final plan yet.
We are still working with the approved layout that the council gave us. Currently we are sending it for the design. I'm working on a... independent cost estimate. Once I have delivered it to the purchasing office, we can proceed with the shipment for the design competition. This is where we are currently. Could you bring...
Wait, wait.
Could you send me those plans as they are now? Is that all I want? Yes, thank you.
I also have something else to say, I don't know. I think it could be useful, especially if we make the contract, because Janine, I'm just writing down what you said, but if by chance there was a contract, one of the things to include is that for any improvements made to the property they will not receive refunds, since they will have a great deal for, let's say, 10 years or down there. So if they were to return it to us in the event of a resolution, we would not have to pay any commission to Learn to Sail. And I think it is necessary to clarify it a little better in there. Right.
The boat club has a different type of agreement in which the city is responsible for some costs if we do not renew that rental contract. So I think it is really important to make sure that even the transfer of ownership to the city returns to this rental contract. I turned it off on my own. Sorry. Other questions? Yes. Judgment of the agreement with CNS Chemicals... Oh, wait.
You were at the...
I'm sorry. Public works, improvements to vehicles. Questions for Ron?
My only question, Ron, is that I know we're doing the study on central floods and things like that. We will have permeable surfaces that will be restored there, you know, or if there is any other necessary plant down there. Or if they already have it. You know, I wouldn't want us to find ourselves again suddenly doing pavements where we might need something else. Let's see, I'll turn you off.
Ron Evers, Public Works. These improvements to the walls are carried out using what is called asphalt milling, put aside by the last pavement project. It was the most economical way to make improvements to the gutters that did not require drainage. All these existing gutters currently have milling in one way or another, so it's just about adding thickness and improving the situation. If we had placed a surface in asphalt we would have had to install complete drainage systems and at the moment it was not sustainable. So this gives us the opportunity to improve things for the citizens without spending a lot of money.
Which, it seems, is more permeable, then. It is.
It is a ground product, so the water can flow through it.
Perfect. It's fantastic. Now we are at the judgment of the agreement to the CNS Chemicals. No questions about it. Road closure for Light of the Night. Healing Field of Honor. Tour of the houses for the festivities. Authorization number 2 is the Fort Myers Smith CDM for the improvements of forced driving at the main pumping plant. A framework contract with Central Square Technologies. Strategic plan. Mike will present his story map. We have another format as an appendix that we can add to the document in our possession that provides a little more details. It is the traditional frame for the definition of SMART objectives that we have been using for some years now. We will also include it at the end of the document when it will be definitive, but we will examine it during the council meeting and then we will submit it to approval at the next council meeting. And then updates on the projects. Are there any specific projects you are interested in? Otherwise I will simply give a general update.
I keep hearing um, since we have so much going on that people ask for updates, because I think we've had other cases where we talked about delays and similar things. And I know you've been in charge of a huge, you know, package of pleasant things to work on. Ma penso che per noi, sai, solo per un aggiornamento potrebbe essere davvero utile aggiungere. Ehi, ora abbiamo completato questo. Stiamo lavorando a questo. È fantastico. Vuoi che lo faccia ora o che lo faccia dopo?
Penso sia meglio durante gli interventi pubblici, così da salire e far sapere al pubblico cosa sta succedendo. Grazie. Scusa.
Oh, ti ho spento per sbaglio.
Riprovo.
Scusa. And Brian, I'll call you during the meeting after giving my updates on the projects to do a panoramic on IT. Okay, fine. Advice and comments. Mrs. Sarah, anything to say? No, do you have a microphone? No microphone today? Yes, I have a microphone. No problem. I needed to hear your voice. Um, remind everyone that we will have the sheets for the nominations of the application committee of the code. First we will nominate the two regular members and then those who will not be nominated as a regular member will be nominated as a substitute through motion if the council wishes to provide such service.
I just got a question from a resident of our politics that you can't be part of two decision-making commissions. I think it was once like that.
In reality, there is a state law that bans it. So Teresa Desquin is already part of the historical commission?
Uh, before closing, I wanted to announce that tonight we will have a public meeting at 5.30 p.m. at Ashley Park on the updates of the Three View Park. So we would like to see the public participate tonight. At 5.30 p.m. I'm sorry. It could be at 5.30 p.m. Arrived in advance. I'm sorry.
It's Ashley. Correct. Thank you.
Mi sembra che tu abbia detto legge statale. Penso che perché si tratta dell'applicazione del codice. Perché il codice.
La legge statale in realtà proibisce a chiunque di essere nominato in due commissioni decisionali. L'applicazione del codice è decisionale. Immagino che questo possa riguardare l'HPB. Attualmente loro non sono decisionali. I have informed the candidate that he will have to disobey one of the two advice if the HPAB becomes a decision-making body. All right, thank you. Comments from the Council members. Vice-Mayor.
Yes. I know that once we talked about the possibility of using it all of us at a certain point as a place to meet people on certain days if we could have a sort of calendar but personally I would also like to see some decorations if someone wanted to donate for free to the Adobbi municipality for Halloween or maybe for Christmas to make that area the entrance to our most beautiful city so proceed too
I intended to include it in the agenda of the joint meeting because I thought that the HPB or HPAB, or whatever they will be called at that time, would want to say their opinion and that you would also want their opinion. Fantastic. All right, lawyer, I'll keep him aside.
And Steve can make his comments.
Bene, allora la seduta è sciolta. Taff, se potete restare solo un secondo per un rapido controllo, ve ne sarei grato?
This transcript was automatically generated from the official public meeting video and is presented unedited. It reflects remarks made on the public record by elected officials, staff, and public commenters. Transcript accuracy may vary; view the original recording for reference.