City Council - Regular Meeting

Well, she's really It's hard. You know, it's interesting. Most residents would want next to their property. Wonderful.

That's my No. You're talking If you just go on your own, they can probably make it work

A little different. the meeting. In the interest of time, efficiency, and ensuring that everyone who wishes to address the council is given the opportunity to do so, the following will apply to all comments made by the public. If you desire to be recognized by the chair, please fill out a request form and present it to the city clerk present. council chambers. Each coun each speaker shall be allotted three minutes to address the council unless such time is extended by the mayor or from questions from council. Group shall designate a spokesperson to avoid repetition of comments. Every

effort will be made to avoid interrupting speakers. Thank you for participating in your city government. Please silence all electronic devices. I'll now call this meeting to order. And can we all please stand for the invocation uh by Pastor Randy Law from National Day of Prayer of Ocola County and the Pledge of Allegiance. I ask you the only Father Lord Father. interest bless you just of the United States of America and to the stand. Will

clerk, please call the role. Mayor Robertson here. Deputy Mayor Gilbert here. Council member Paul here. Council member Urban here. Council member Fletcher.

All right. And first up, agenda updates. City manager. Do we have any agenda updates? Yes, thank you. Like to request that public hearing number nine, ordinance 2026-06. The applicant has requested to continue this item to the May 14th, 2026 council meeting. May 2026. May 146. All right. And we need a motion to need to read it into the have a motion. Yes, sir. Will the clerk please read item number nine to the record?

Final public hearing for ordinance number 2026-06. An ordinance of the city council of the city of St. Cloud, Florida to annex into the city of St. approximately plus - 743.53 acres identified as wavy flat project 25-0020 generally located north of Lake Tohobala east of Ocula road south of CM Park Road west of Lake Topala Road in accordance with the voluntary annexations um annexation provisions of chapter 171.044 Florida statutes. All right, can we get a motion on that? Motion approved. Motion approved. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Second. Second. Council member Paul. Will the clerk please call the role. Council member Urban. Hi. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Hi.

Council member Fletcher. Council member Paul. I. Mayor Robertson. Hi. Motion carries 40.

All right. Next up, we have presentations. Uh first we have a proclamation in recognition of National Prayer Day uh by Deputy Mayor Gilbert to Randy Law. Uh you know when I uh we say the Pledge of Allegiance, it always has God's name in the pledge of allegiance. So that's pretty cool. So I love that our our country is based on that. But uh I have a proclamation. I have actually two today. So I don't know if take my glasses on or off because I can't see you guys. So hopefully that's good. But I should be able to read this. Whereas April marks the anniversary. Whoops. Let me try again. That's the second proclamation. I told you I couldn't read. Uh where America is founded on the principles of religious faith and freedom. And throughout the history of our state nation, we have humbly prayed for the guidance and comfort where needed and have given thanks for many blessings which God has graciously bestowed upon us this nation in its inception. hand. Whereas prayer is regarded by millions as the most important utterance for mankind for its benefit. And the national day of prayer is a day set aside by Congress for all Americans to pray and reaffirm the spiritual principles upon which this nation was founded. And where in every state across America, the observance of the National Day of Prayer will be held on Thursday, May 7th, 20 26 with the theme glorify God among the nations seeking him in all generations. That's first Chronicles 16:24. and across our nation and in the world.

May 7th, 2026, Americans will unite at a specific time in prayer to acknowledge the dependence upon God to ask for forgiveness, mercy, grace, and wisdom as we are faced with unprecedented challenges, and to give thanks for the many blessings our country has received from him. to recognize our need for personal and corporate renewal of moral values to invoke God's wisdom and blessing upon our leaders and ask God to heal and unite our city, state, and nation during these difficult times. I therefore, Ken Gilbert, deputy mayor of the city of St. Cloud, Florida, along with our city council, do hereby Thursday, May 7th as National Prayer Day. I'm short.

No, we would love to invite you as the community to come on out for National Day of Prayer. Uh St. Cloud this year is actually going to have a twohour instead of a one hour. You're going to be having from 11 to 2 o'clock at the lakefront pavilion. if you can come and join. This is a big year. It's 250 years of our nation. 75 years of National Day of Prayer. So, it's a year to truly thank the Lord for our nation and what he's done. He's allowed us to to remain strong. You know, we need to get together as Americans and pray for our nation. That's how we were founded. Um in CMI, we will be from 12 to 1. If you work in the area of CMI at the courthouse in between the old courthouse and where the commissioner's quarters are, we'll be there from 12:00 to 1. And then in the evening at the sheriff's offices, there will be a celebration from 6:30 to 8:00 in the evening for those that can't come during the daytime. Uh that's a big celebration that they're hosting for the 75 years and 250 for our nation. So, if you can join us that evening, there'll be praise and worship and just a time of being together as a community and just acknowledging our God. And Ronald Reagan said, "If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, we will be one nation gone under." Teddy Roosevelt, "The teachings of the Bible are so interwoven with our whole civic and social life that it would be impossible for us to figure out what the loss would be if these teachings were removed. We need to stand up as Americans. We have our soldiers overseas fighting for the freedoms that we have here. We need to take advantage and enjoy them. So, I welcome you to come and join us. Thank you. Thank you.

It's 11 to1. 11 to one. Can I just

The St. cloud pavilion down here at the performing arts pavilion will be 11 to1 and we'd love you all to come out and at the uh I'll have some of these in the back out there that um the sheriff's department was with the chaplain that of the sheriff's department that are doing it at the uh facility where they work on the sheriff's cars that used to be the dealership. That's where that'll be held and that starts at 6:30 on the same day. Thank you. Are we good? Can I give it to the clerk?

Okay. Yes, sir. Go ahead.

Thank you. Thank you, mayor, and thank you, council, and thank everybody here. Uh again, 11:01 at at uh Lakeshore and the pavilion and we'd love to see everybody there. It uh it's a great community uh uh event and uh please join us but just not you invite everybody. This is it's a cool thing when when the power of prayer when two more are together stuff happens. Uh the next proclamation um is going to be fair housing month. Now now you got to think about fair housing month in in this excerpt. In 1968, the federal government um put a law together for fair housing month. So, I'm going to read the proclamation and you'll understand why they did it in 1968. I was born then, probably the rest of council wasn't. Uh whereas April marks the anniversary of the passage of the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, landmark legislation that prohibits discrimination in the safe rental and financing of housing based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, family status, and national origin. And whereas fair housing protection promotes equal opportunity, expands access to housing, and helps ensure that all residents can live in a community free from discrimination and the barriers to opportunity. and where diverse and inclusive neighborhoods strengthen our local economy, enhance education and employment opportunities, and contribute to the overall quality of life for all all residents. Whereas local government housing providers, lenders, nonprofit organizations, and our own oyola realtors play a vital role

in advancing fair housing, education, outreach, and enforcing enforcement within our community. and ACE realers are committed to upholding the principles of the Fair Housing Act through professional standards, advocacy, and ongoing education that promotes equal housing opportunities for all. and Fair Housing Month provides an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to equal housing opportunity and to encourage all residents to learn about their rights and responsibilities under the fair housing laws. Now therefore, I, Deputy Mayor Ken Gilbert, do hereby proclaim the month of April as Fair Housing Month and encourage all residences, businesses, and communities and organizations to promote fair housing practice. Celebrate diversity and work together to ensure equal housing opportunities for all for the Fair Housing Month. Thank you. Can we have uh Thereso Dhy and Twist Liz Swain, would you like to come on up and receive this proclamation?

I'm sorry. I should ask you all. We got you. Thank you, Mayor.

Good evening everyone and thank you all for being here. On behalf of Oyola Realtors, we are proud to accept this proclamation for fair housing month. Um, unfortunately, Deputy Mayor Gilbert took all the words out of my mouth because I don't want to repeat myself, but the Fair Housing Act was enacted in 1968. It is 58 years old. And Oyola Realtors are very serious about um keeping everybody far from discrimination and allowing families and individuals to be free of the discrimination and have a roof over their head as I would say it and be proud of that roof. So on behalf of Oyola Realtors, this is an honor to accept and thank you all for being here.

I'm so sorry. Tell me what's good. Thank you, sir.

Thank you'all. All right. Next up, we have presentation for employee of the month of April by Lucy Lugo. Mayor, council, citizens, and staff, tonight I have the honor of recognizing our employee of the month, Nick Chalet. On the afternoon of January 26, while I was on my way home, I received a message from Nick informing me that he found $30 in the building department lobby. We agreed that we would meet the following morning so that he can turn in the money to me. The next morning, um, when I arrived to my office, I found messages from Nick indicating that he had taken the initiative and time to review all of the camera footage from the day before in an effort to determine who the money belonged to. Through his efforts, the resident was identified as a retired veteran who had visited the office earlier or the day before for permitting questions. He was contacted promptly and the money was returned to him. The resident expressed sincere gratitude and was genuinely surprised and appreciative that the money had not only been found but actively traced back to him. Nick demonstrated exceptional integrity and professionalism through the entire situation. And not only did he do the right thing by turning in the money, but he also went above and beyond by taking the extra steps necessary to locate the rightful owner. His proactive approach and commitment to doing what is right reflects positively both on his character and our organization.

And he's a brand new daddy also. And that's JB Miller, employee of the decade. All right. All right. Next up, we have the consent agenda. Uh, next portion of tonight's meeting is a consent agenda, which contains items that have been determined to be non routine and non-controversial. If anyone in the audience wishes to address particular item on the consent agenda, now is the opportunity for you to do so. Additionally, if staff or members of the city council wish to speak on a consent item, they have the same opportunity. Mayor, I'd like to pull item 14.

All right. Item 14.

I would also mayor, but I'd like Jen I'm sorry. I'd like Miss Paul to discuss it first. Same item. Same item. Yeah. We might be redundant. I like All right. Let me look at something else here if you don't mind.

All right. Council member Paul.

Um, so I pulled this item because I wanted to um have a discussion on why the county is transferring these parks over to the city. And from what I understand is that in the first amendment in the JPA, it was agreed upon back from 2015. So, um, for these certain parks to be transferred over to the city and you know, with Hickory Tree being one of them as well as other ones in the future, I just wanted to publicly say that because to avoid confusion later thinking the city is just going after these parks when the county is actually transferring these parks over. And also, um, I know the county is also supposed to be providing $115,000 to the city. um for a new build at Hickory Tree due to um the condition current condition of it now um which is below standards that currently so and that's what all I wanted to say and publicly say on record. So

all right thank you ma'am Deputy Mayor Gilbert.

Thank you Councilman Paul. Uh in agreement with Councilman Paul what I would like to see and this is where um the St. club Bulldogs and a lot of activities go on at at this facility. So, um if we can get the upgrades as as as council uh woman Paul said so we can get it clean and get it up to standards uh because I I don't know if anybody notices but St. Cloud Parks are the greatest parks ever and we have to give Stephanie a great uh hand up for that. We we have the world's best parks and that's what is part of making us the safest city in the state of Florida. It really does because we offer those services. But to maintain parks here in the city I is not a positive, it's a negative. But we want to provide that for our citizens. We we we see this on council. We we serve we serve the citizens. But those are activities that we want. But as Councilwoman Paul says, we want to make sure that when we move into that facility that it's up to standards so then we can maintain those standards for the uh citizens of St. Cloud. Uh, as we grow, we're going to need more parks and more recreational, and we're excited to have this. But if you all ever take a look, if you have kids that ever played in St. Cloud Football League or any of those leagues, we want to make this a multi-field um for all for all uh soccer, football, and things like that. It'll take time, but who's going to run this city in the next 20, 30 years? That's our youths. And we need to continue to promote them in in social activities in physical activities and things such as that. So, I yield back to you, mayor, and I'm saying this is a good thing, but the commitment of the county to make sure that it's upgraded to the standards will help us continue those standards. I yield back to you, mayor. Thank you.

Yes, sir. Thank you. Uh I believe that is the commitment, right? Uh to upgrade that was the uh was it the playground or was it something else? They're providing the the $115,000 for us to purchase a new playground. Very cool. All right. Uh and I will say the county has done an amazing job operating that field many years. Um, I can remember when I was a kid, the the St. Cloud youth football program, they played over at St. Cloud High School and I remember I guess it was 20 years ago they that the county's been operating that complex. So, they've done an amazing job as our city's kind of grown around it. It only makes sense that it becomes a city park and I know we're going to commu uh continue the top-notch services there for our citizens. So, thank you, mayor. All right. Anyone in the audience like to speak on any of the consent items?

All right. Can I get a motion? Motion to approve. Motion to approve. Council member Paul. Second. Second from Council Member Urban. Madame Clerk, please call the RO. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. I. Council member Fletcher. Council member Paul. I. Council member Urban. I. Mayor Robertson. I. Motion carries 40.

All right. Next up, we have the citizens forum. Any person who desires to comment on any item not on this agenda is provided this opportunity to address the city council. Each person is requested to complete a sign-in form to be provided to the presiding officer prior to or as soon as practical thereafter the person addresses the council. First up, we have Stephanie Gilbert. Okay, I'm a little nervous. You already know me. Um, good evening, mayor, city council members. Again, my name is Stephanie Gilbert, 20008 Pine Street. I am the president of Hopkins Heroes. I'm not here tonight for myself. I'm here because I made a promise to our community. Um over the years, we have built more than a program. We've built a village. A place where families, children, and seniors feel seen, supported, and valued. A place where they matter. And tonight, I'm here to fight for that village. First, I'd like to uh sincerely thank the city manager and the deputy city manager for taking their time out today to meet with me. The conversation truly mattered. Um it helped clear up a lot of misunderstandings between the community leadership and things that may have not been communicated clearly or fully understood on both sides. Um but I want to be honest with you, this community is tired. They've filled surveys. They've showed up. They've shared ideas only to feel that those solutions disappeared. They haven't stopped caring. But many have stopped believing that showing up actually makes a difference. I have refused to stop believing. I believe the city, this council, the community can come together and do what's right. I believe we can find a solution that protects progress without sacrificing

people. Right now we are facing a real and immediate problem. We understand there there may be support for available for four possibly four children immediately in the Hopkins area who are still age available. Uh that still leaves us 23 children with no options. 23 children whose families cannot afford the 125 to 150 per week per child. Um that's not a small gap. That's a crisis. Because for these families, this isn't about convenience. It's stability. It's about knowing their children are safe, fed, supervised, and off the streets while they work to provide for them. We can't trade the stability for progress of any park or any project. And we have come forward in good faith and willingness to partner with the city to find solutions. So tonight, I'm asking for one thing, for the city of St. allowed to consider waving the fees for these 27 children at least for the summer so that no child is left behind while we continue to work towards a long-term solution. It's not a permanent ask. This is a bridge. If all else fails, we will continue to fight to fund raise and to find a way because that's what we do. But we shouldn't have to do it alone. I appreciate your time, consideration, and willingness to listen and truly hope that together we can come up with a solution that keeps these kids safe, these families working, and this community whole.

Thank you. Thank you, Stephanie. Yes, sir. Um, I'm going to keep you up here for a second. Uh, I know y'all had a lengthy conversation today about this and Yes. And and I know the last time we talked about this, we were going to try and find a solution to this and and I guess they've identified there's four in that immediate area. Correct. But you're saying there's 23 other correct. There's 27 all together. 27 all together. And where do the the rest of them where do they reside? They're all on the I don't have those addresses.

We have a map. Okay. Okay. Very good. who sees a Statue of Liberty face on that head. Oh, yeah.

All right. So, in the purple, that's what we're identifying as the five. Oh, no. It says within the JPA but outside. So where where's the actual the area that they would all be between Orange, Crawford, 13th, and 19th Street. The the the four that my the city's solution for the ones that were in the the walking distance. Um sorry I didn't give you that map. I gave you all the all the kids. Okay, I can. So, just to clarify the map that you're looking at right now, all the blue spots and the purple circles are the children who attended Hopkins Park camp last summer. Um, it's the the residences and then I'll I'll bring the map for the

Yeah. And obviously the reason for this, we've got the park under construction this this coming this summer and and you know, it's kind of a unique situation. Um, so have have we found a way to uh I guess there's got to be a financial a mechanism to determine financials for low income. Is that how we're going to pro proceed with at least the four in that area or are we just saying those four we're going to find a way to transport them or

so walkers? city staff was working to try to find what what we could consider the boundary of what Hopkins Park would be. So that would be the area that you see in red. Um and and first we mapped all the children within a mile and then we mapped everybody within a half mile trying to anticipate who was actually walking to camp. Um so so that's where we came up with this red um lined area and these were the again attendees from last year and we've already verified that several of those have aged out of camp or they moved. So, of these, there's there's only four that would still um children who would still potentially want to go to camp, and we felt that we could easily handle the transportation for for four children to to bring them if they were previously walking, but we would need to ensure that the parents were signing them in and out. That was always required.

Okay. And and these kids, they they attended a free camp there last year, correct? Okay. So, I mean, I believe and I think some we've mentioned this that I that those in that immediate area, we we'd find a way to continue that at the civic center at at no cost to them. That right. So, we've already checked that box off. Correct. Okay.

We the city staff tried we had a solution that we were working towards. We wanted to try to use our CDBG funds to allow it to be a potential scholarship or a sliding scale for all the kids within the city limits that that may be in need. That was part of our conversation with the city council. Unfortunately, we recently learned that we could not use the CDBG funds for a scholarship. So, we had to pivot and and that's where we we settled on the smaller walking distance area. Okay. Yeah. And I'm I'm glad we're taking care of the kids in the Hopkins Park community. That is number one because we are going to have that park under under construction.

Um we do offer the the I believe a a more uh in-depth camp over at the civic center. You got a swimming pool. You got more fields and and there's not going to be that at Hopkins Park, especially this year. Maybe next year once the things I don't know if it'll be finished next year, but there won't be a pool.

No, not a pool. Not a pool. Um uh but there will be an indoor facility. Yes. So not just a construction trailer because that's what we're looking at. You know, do the kids should just because they're in the the Hopkins area, should we force them to be in a construction trailer for summer camp? Because that's essentially what this we're talking about here. We want them to be in a better facility with more camp counselors with a pool with everything else. Um and I understand. So, I guess I need to wrap my head around what Hopkins Kids truly is because I I I didn't hear about that until

eight months ago, I guess, when I, you know, I got on council. I mean, I know the Hopkins area and I know but Hopkins kids, I mean, those are children in our community. So, how do we how we how do we differentiate between other children in our community and children not in the Hopkins Park community? How do we discriminate? I don't I'm going to say well because what I'm saying is we're going you're asking for free for for kids in our community but not others. So that's where I want to know somebody's got to offer that solution to me if you want us to do that.

Here's here's what I here's the reason I'm asking. While we know that there is going to be a there's going to be payment required once the building be on a sliding scale or however it is. But this coming up right here, these are kids that have already been dependent on this program with everything in and the way life is right now with the gas and food bringing this extra this there's going to be people without jobs. Hopkins kids to us are the kids that come to Hopkins whether they're out in the manor or they're up in town or they're right there at Hopkins Park. Those are our Hopkins kids. Okay,

we're a family there. So, it's more of whoever comes there and and as we had discussed last time, I thought there was a vetted process. So, that's the way we looked at it and we take care of each other there. So, if they need food, sorry, there was a vetted process. I my understanding Yes. I don't do that. That's a city. No, I didn't. I think Well, no. When you were up here last You said, that's what I just said. Stephanie said no. That was my first knowledge of that. Yeah,

I was always because when my children were there, I know I filled out the documents, but again, my children are now a little older. They now all both work for the city. So, I was unaware that there was not a vetting process. Okay. And I'm the guy that calls balls and strike out out in public here. So, um so are where where do we go in the future with this? So, do we cap that number off? Because you can't we can't just keep adding because once people say, "Hey, if you are considered a Hopkins kid, then you just get free forever." No. Okay. That's where I'm I'm trying to understand where do we go.

This year it would be it's kind of like a moving on this year before the rebuild. It gives them a year to understand you're going to be on a sliding scale next year or whenever the new program starts. You will have to pay. You will have to. But this gives them time. Society right now is hard and making groceries and this is whether or not a mom can go to work or not. Okay.

Now, if the city is willing to get those 20 other families to fill out, you know, to show us they financially need it and that's how we cover them, then that would be I don't deal with private information. Not when I deal with the schools, not when I deal with the city. I take their vetted families, children, and I drop off the food. I drop off the clothes. I drop off the school supplies. I don't ask questions. Okay? I say, "Here you go. Let's take a picture so the community can see their money's being spent and we keep moving." But this extra year, but but the camp is a city program. Yes, sir.

Okay. That's differentiate. Hopkins Heroes is a nonprofit that started as me volunteering and getting donations. It grew too big too fast which in turn turned it into a nonprofit. Now we supplied like all the garden, we did snacks, we did you know all these and we try to partner. We want to be a team with the city not pointing fingers or we want to work together and you know I feel that we can do that and work on that as time goes on. Um I'm a little slow on it and had also we misunderstood on what they were looking for when I had the meeting. So I will come with more information and try to get that together. But as of right now, this is more immediate to where we got, you know, a month and a half. These 27 kids are all taken care of. We can then move on to the next and figure out where we go from there.

And I'm learning more and more. I think last time it was 62 and now I'm glad we're narrowing down 42. Well, no, last meeting it was 62. We can only take 42 kids in the program there. That's all the building will hold. Okay. The numbers you told us last month were 62. And then we narrowed it down when I said, "Okay, can you tell us how many are in that immediate area?" Okay. But we have And I'm glad we've got that. So what are the numbers? What are we looking like if So we got 20. How many kids? They gave it to me. It's 27. They came with me, but they aged out. I don't have that information. You're looking about $35,000 because we don't know how many of those are in the county. Have you visited the county on the county kids? I don't have private because don't they have a program

information? I don't have private toy get with the parents. Um if it comes down to it and the city can't help with those that would be in turn when Hopkins Heroes would try to get funding to cover those children to make sure they had those camp the camp available. And I've spoken with the deputy and them about holding those spots for the, you know, for a month so that we can make sure those kids because some of them might not want to go. So we might not even need those spots. Okay. Tell me about the holding the spots. What is your idea on holding spots

where I mean so it won't fill up immediately where we have the the time and availability to try to reach these parents let them get signed up for the program

and you know instead of who knows by Tuesday 200 people might sign up they're all gone and these children families have no idea to get on sign up to register because they know they can't afford $125 $150 a week they can't get on there sign up because I mean I wouldn't if I couldn't afford it. Why would I get on and try to register and take a spot? So none of those parents would do that. So to give us time to come up with a compromise understanding of how we can reach out to the families, ask them if they're interested in doing the program for free and if so then yes, if not mark them off and we don't have to worry about it.

And that's my concern with the other kids in our city. How do we how do we how do we say they get some they get it and others don't and they could be low income as well. Correct. Who's going to I I'd love to help everybody we can but these are families that have already been dependent on this for a multiple I helping more children is what we want in the end. I'm going to need some help up here to Okay. sort through this. Deputy Mayor,

Miss Gilbert, everything you do is wonderful. We're so gracious that you uh dedicate your time and efforts for these folks. Um I I got a left and a right side that I have to work on and my left side is let's take care of the whole village and I got the right side that I I'm spending taxpayer money. So I I've got to think of it in two ways. Um, I love Hopkins Park and and the reason their displacement is because we're investing 12 to$15 million to make it the best park in in St. Cloud. I'm not saying today or tomorrow it's going to be the best future park that we've ever ever built. And that's cool. But with with that, it's kind of like the road construction. You got to go through some pain. And that I think that's what we're doing right now with children. Uh, I I came from from a poor family. My dad was a police officer and there's one income, five kids. So, you know, black cheese and powdered milk. Had it my whole life. I'm okay. I'm 6'3, 250, so it worked out. But but but we have to look at boundaries in how to do it, but we have other parks that that uh people pay money for their kids to go to in the city of St. Cloud. A and um that's we still offer below um prices for summer camps but I don't know how that I can say well Hopkin Park you whoever comes here from Orange County as Colony JPA or Hopkins you guys get it free but over at the civic center we got to charge you because as the mayor said everyone from the civic center is going to go to Hopkins Park and I get that and please know my heart is giving my I've got that giving heart. So, it's a a thing. And we got uh Pastor Gus here, too. And he's been a great community leader for my for ever, and I love him to death. He's a great

Amazing man. Yeah. But so, we have to figure out as a council what works. Okay. So, we asked the the city manager and they did a great job of there's one, two, three, four, five, six, seven people in the Hopkins Park area that are in this program. Am I wrong? were um some of them moved or aged.

Well, yeah, they moved out. But from last year, I'm sorry, I'm a statistics guy. Liars don't figure. Figures don't lie. So, mathematically, this is what we have from 2025. We had five uh 1, two, three, four, five, six children within Hopkins Park area that that utilize the services. We had one or two inside the uh JPA and then we had other people because word of mouth, if someone tells me I get a free steak, I'm going to their house. I might not know them. I'm just gonna go hang out with them if I get a steak and a burger. So, so we got to work at that, too. So, uh, as council, it's tough on the council, but we have to set some parameters. What I'd like to do is look in the future of offering program for anybody in St. Cloud to to offer assistance to that needed that assistance. Not just Hopkins Park, which I love Hopkins Park, but all those, but there's a system that goes through. When I was um in college, I went to I was a camp counselor for one of the uh uh in Detroit City. uh 80% of our kids that went to that camp didn't pay and and 20% did, but it was all based on uh their economic uh interest. So, I think we need to do a better job as a city, as a county, as a state of who qualifies for that and who doesn't. But word of mouth is is you know, I know Facebook and I don't even have Facebook, but but you know that what's it called? X or or Instagram. Insta kids call. That's how things are done. Hey, there's a free free meal over here. Let's go get one. But I I truly believe that we should take care of our our village and I I believe in you and I and I honestly respect you for what you've done and what you continue to do as a council. We have to spend the tax money properly for all those kids. So I want to offer something citywide. I don't have those answers yet because they came into me. But I don't think we should be offering 27 spots to kids we aren't even qualified for that. And as a city we can qualify them as a nonprofit and we talked about that. You weren't a nonprofit when we first met,

correct? You went through those processes. This great process. I have a nonprofit called Place for Grace Ministries over Florida Avenue. Survey food there. So, so, so we have to work in the future, but right now for this, I would like to look at our and we don't want to lean on them too much, but we got a lot of commercial here that would be love to sponsor those children. And when I go raise money for a place of grace, I go to different entities and I don't want to name them because

when I donate when the first time I donate money, everyone's calling me. So there's like there's tire stores and there's restaurants and there's hospitals and there's things like that we can go to. So I'd rather form a committee with Hopkins Park and then be able to put banners on the fence. Now, the cool thing is is that we have 12 to$15 million going into that place. And I don't see why you said that they're going to have to pay when it's built. I don't see why we can't grandfather the Hopkins kids in. I don't see why we can't do those kind of things to grow. Amazing things.

Well, we we can and I think this council hears me on that. But we have a council have to be responsible for the taxpayer dollars. If you like soccer and we sponsor a soccer team and none of the other kids play soccer, then are we really spending taxpayer dollars in appropriate way? So, mayor, I don't have the solutions, but I would look at corporate sponsorship for the other people that are outside this Hopkins Park area, and then I'll be more than happy to knock on doors with you as a private citizen if I can, city manager, and then see if we can do it that way till we we grow till we grow this and if we can get some way of finding if they find, you know, I right now, and I don't know, we're still small,

but to find who really belongs because like I said, I was unaware of the not vetting process, right? Um, but in the ones as as long as those ones that were already there, already dependent and really truly financially needed, those are the ones you said something very interesting. It takes a a village to raise a family 100% agree. How big is a village? You know, does our village go out to Orange County when they have programs? Our village go out to Oyola County when they have programs? Our village go out Where does our village end? And where do we work together? I don't I I'm asking I don't have those answers. I'm sorry, Miss Gil.

I have the answer to that. My village as far as what we do at Hopkins Heroes is to take care of St. Cloud community citizens whether they're in this the city of St. Cloud. When we do the back to school event, we require an ID to show that that family, the children are there and they are receiving it and here as a St. cloud resident not coming Winter Park or all these other places. So community or the village the village is St. Cloud and anyone inside of St. cloud that can't. I would love to work with the city and find a way and funding programs.

It's it's it's just the timing on this now and maybe with you know the help of you and others we can find that funding. Yeah. But for us to come right now and come up with I mean what is it 30 I get my glasses just for that you're talking what $34,500. Yeah. Let me let me chime in real quick. I'm sorry. Mayor, um when did we figure this out? I mean, you say the timing on this. When did we know that Hopkins part was going to be under?

There was a misunderstanding because we have community and I have people from there for the last four years. We've done community meetings. When the trailer was told, it was told to us. We were under the impression until January whenever I came right before that that trailer was for the summer program and after school. We had no idea that's what the communication was at the community meetings. Okay. Do you know who who communicated that? I would have to go back in notes because we had so many people there between that and Aaron and we had different people coming but it was multiple times and multiple people were there. Mr.

Three months ago as well. No, more than that. Oh, they said January is when we got the knowledge that it wasn't going to be there anymore. Okay.

We had no idea that the summer program and I'm going to be honest how I learned. I went to Hopkins and they were packing stuff up and I'm like, "What are you?" They're like, "We're not doing." And I'm like, "Oh, I had no clue." None of us did, Mr. Augusta. I mean, he can come up and tell you this is what was discussed. It was never changed. It wasn't continuously discussed. It was understood. So, we tell them, you know, we don't have to worry about it yet when the new bill and we thought payment when it comes, but nobody knew until then. when I came in front of you, that's when I learned all all this outside, which is when I went back to the few families I knew and was like, "Yeah, like we got a letter at the January.

We didn't know what our kids can't go to camp." And I'm like, "Can I can I chime in one word, then Mayor, I'll back council member Paul after

I'll yield back to you. Uh I I own three autistic schools in in Daytona and and Winter Park and Longwood and the qualifications are 56% of them are Medicare and the other ones are paid by private insurance, but they're all qualified and quantified before they're brought in. And there's a waiting list for that. Personally, I'd want them all to come in. I really do. My heart says that, but we have to go through the process. So, I ask council if we if whatever we do today, if we figure out a process in the future to to help the citizens of St. Cloud and then beyond. But if there's not a process, then then we're allowing everybody, which is fine, but we have to have a process. So I yield back to you, mayor. That's the only thing I can tell you on the private sector and my feelings.

Yeah. In any process, I believe that it it can't just be for one group because we can we can have groups all over. Agreed. It's got to be all of the children in our community. Agreed. And if you do that, we're looking at a couple hundred,000

easy. And so that's where we have to be very careful with this. Uh Council Member Paul. Um, so I do want to say, um, as a parent of two girls, single mom at dad, I do emphasize with these parents of having somewhere for their kids to go. Um, I think the city also, we need to look at vetting the whole program entirely. Um, you know, back in the '9s, they had the stars program at Hopkins that helped fund pay for summer camp, after school, even staff. So if we look at start looking at you know I don't I'm not sure what happened to that program why what was the stars program

stars program um actually it is success through academics and recreation support so they help um pay for after school and um other things at Hopkins Park as well um just look at bringing back a program that will help the entire summer camp program within the city as well um there's many grant opportunities out there I think If we you want to work with the city, the city work with you, look at grant opportunities out there and you as a nonprofit can, you know, go for it and then help bring in the funding, you know, cuz I continue hearing about, you know, taxpayers dollars as well. But there's other resources that, you know, we can look at grant funding because if we can't come to a decision, we have people that are watching these meetings that are coming out of their pocket and paying for it themselves because they want it's all about the youth. And you know, it's not fair to people to have to personally pay for it, but they're doing it because they see these meetings. And if we can't come to a solution that's going to help these children, you know, let's make it for this year. do what we have to do to help these children. Next year, look at ways to bring in grant opportunities, vet these programs better. So, and that's all I have to say on that.

All right. Thank you, uh, Council Member Urban.

Yeah, thank you. Uh, great conversation. Uh, just first, Mrs. Gilbert, I appreciate everything that you do for Hopkins Heroes and and the Hopkins community there. Um I I I agree with we we need some kind of vetting program because we've got to have u um you know figure out um something on an income based scale. But um if it's possible, is it okay to ask staff to maybe uh delay the the registration deadline for the people who attended Hopkins last year uh while we can work on some kind of uh funding source, whether it's private fundraising or or um working with uh local businesses, something like that. Um so that they're not um in a pinch here to to get registered and have to we so that we can have some more time to work it out.

That's what you were requesting, the 30 days. Yes. I'm I any kind of help in getting these kids fed and taken care of, I am all for. Um I did read your email. You had mentioned the Masonic Lodge. Are they offering up their facility? Yes, they have. They told me that they would have to discuss with the city. No cost. It would just have to be covered um by insurance. Okay. I haven't seen those numbers other than I just saw that as actually I went to I had a meeting with Stephanie and them I had a meet I've had several meetings since January with Stephanie and them um because that's what we're talking about outside other organizations stepping up and saying to them and they said those were not options. So that's why I was looking for other options.

Oh Masons they're not going to do it. No the M the Masonic Lodge would offer their space. Well that's what I'm referring to. You put that as an option. Stephanie said it wasn't. They told me it wasn't an that we didn't do that for a se we didn't budget for a separate camp. Right. Oh, correct. Right. But the Masons, they're willing to allow us to use the building. That's why insurance if if it came down to it. We could But Hopkins can operate that, right? Hopkins, your your nonprofit could operate your own camp at the Masonic Lodge. Is that what you were talking about? We don't have the the manpower for

watching or the licensing, the CPR. We don't have that. It was just finding places because these, like I said, we thought the trailers were there for the summer. So, when we did, I just went to find places. I didn't trying to find different avenues to try to help these families and kids still have a place, still have food.

Okay. Um I mean, I think right out of the gate, I think the four there, that's a no-brainer. I think we we can find a way. I think we said that last meeting that we would find a way to make that work. Those four that are in that community. Um the others I've got to wrap my head around that because that that's a large amount of money. Um you know if you remember the nonprofit grants last year I think that was only at a h 100,000 but essentially this is $35,000 um because somebody pays for the obviously this the taxpayers have to pay for the staff to to operate these camps. What are your thoughts? Mine my my thoughts are what? Let's look at Masonic. Let's take care of

Well, we can't put our staff in. I didn't say us. I didn't say us. But norm a lot of camps are ran on voluntary basis

and and that's how it happens. Um internship things like that. So, I we're close, but we can organize this kind of stuff, but I I I agree with the councilwoman Paul is that what are we going to do today? And in the future, we need to fix it. And I agree with Councilwoman Paul. We need to fix it. But what are we going to do today? Because those kids need to be fed today. Those kids need to be taken care of. Those parents need to work. One thing I know is that anytime you need food, you got to sign waiverss. you you can't do lunches or anything like that. If the city gets involved in any aspect of it, which we have through through through staffing, we have to make sure that those kids can get a brown bag lunch that they're waved out and I don't mean to say it that way that they're acceptable. I want to look at Gosh, I wish I could do it privately, but look at private funding for this and then public funding for it. So, mayor, uh the Masonic is is a great place. I think it fits. I I went over there and saw Miss Gilbert for another venue, the Easter egg hunt. We we met over for that.

Um I think if we put our heads together, work diligently, we can resolve that. Maybe not today here in the DAS, but I think we this needs to be um taken care of because I agree with you in the village, but our village has got to be uh within our city limits at this present time. And I don't mean to leave anybody out, you know, but we have to figure that out, too. So, I wish I had a solution. Uh, but our solution is private funding. Our solution is Masonic and our solution is voluntary uh people to to man where we were staffing parks and rec staffing that uh that venue. But there's those parks and recck people are staffing the venue at civic center and they're staffing the venue at that. So, that's a tough call. How do you say no nothing for you but for you and it's still the same pocket? So, I don't know. I I just want to take care of everybody. I'm sorry.

And this isn't this isn't this isn't something that we have to vote on tonight. Obviously, we have a workshop next week that we can bring this right back up after doing some homework in a week, right? Yes, we can. Okay. So, right out of the gate, I would like to just like we said last time, the four that are in that area, I'm glad we we honed it down to exactly who's still there, who's active. They've already committed to attending the camp this year. I don't have access to them. I was just No, we haven't reached out. Zero. We haven't reached out.

Zero commit. Um, I I I would support fully funding those kids bare minimum and the transportation to the civic center, all four of them, within whatever the boundaries y'all had looked at and agreed upon. Um, and of course the 30-day holding the spots till we can figure a solution. And I'm we're happy to be help or work with you guys to make it happen. Yeah. And but we need we we need to look at a citywide because it's it's a if if we're saying that for low-income families that the the price of our camp the cost of the camp is way too high. We need to look at that and find mechanisms to address that issue because it's it's got to be a citywide problem. If it's just the kids that attend that camp, if they're low-income kids having a problem,

right? It's for all kids. I agree. I just got to do what's right in front of me that I know that have depend dependent. But I'm all for it. I agree. We need to offer it across the city. I asked if it was going to be kind of publicized or advertised and of course because there's no funds, it's kind of hard to do that. Um, so I was put on hold with that. But you know, my priority just like now, like I said, is just to make sure the ones that are dependent on it already are taken care of. And if we can add more, I would love to be able to help do that as well.

Yeah. And that's the problem is we can't just give to them and not the rest of the city, the kids in our city that that their parents experience the same financial difficulty. We can't just say them and not the rest of them. So that's where it's a bigger problem. Um and that's why we need a little more time. But yes, the guaranteed 30 days fund those four, get them the transportation to the civic center. Council member Paul, you had some more to add to it.

Yeah. So, if um a parent can't afford the fee that we set it at, I do agree maybe we do need to look at um the fee cost of what we set it at. I understand that, you know, we need to have something there, but you have to look at someone, you know, if they're they're going to be choosing between their kids going somewhere and this and that's hard on the parent to have to decide. And so, you know, with me, I'm a person at Community of Heart and, you know, I've been in these situations before. So, it's really tough right now because, you know, I I really wholeheartedly feel these parents and understand what they're having to go through. So, I think we need to have a serious conversation next week regarding this fee amount of whatever we decide to do. So,

okay. You good for now? All right. Mayor, may I ask you if we can put that on the on the workshop? Is it because Councilwoman Paul is doing it? Are we Is that good? Council, we're good. Yeah, I just do it. Thank you. I can do it on my own. Thank you for doing that. All right. Now, when you guys doing this, can I be, you know, updated, involved so that we know? Well, it'll be a meet. It'll be a workshop next week. You can come right back. That's what I'm saying. I'll let you come up and talk again. And but I want

you need to do all that. I I don't like to. But in the meantime, I mean, you're a nonprofit that focuses just on those kids. Focus on fundraising. If you just want to focus just on those kids, I would focus your fundraising efforts on that thing. I think you're biting off too much that to chew because the Easter egg thing that because I can tell you there's some that probably wrote a check for the Easter egg that would sit there and no problem pay for two of these kids. But some people may have donated over there. You know, it's almost like

I can come up with a million ideas. I run three nonprofits. I could come up with a million ideas and I could come to the city and ask for thousands and thousands and million dollars, but um we have to be realistic and say, "Okay, here's where we're going to focus on." And if your focus is Hopkins kids, I would keep it to that and do your fundraising maybe next year. I know you did the Easter egg thing and there's other Easter things and that's an amazing event. I think it was great.

Eventually, I don't want it to be what you consider. I we want it to be the city inside the city. Anybody who comes to Hopkins is Hopkins kids. That's what I keep reiterating just like right now. I'm only worried about these because they were already dependent on it. They already have had multiple years, multiple camp programs. This is something that they've already it's their other home.

So that's the only reason we are worried about these ones right now. Now come later, I mean I'm building. I've gotten bigger and bigger. I've we've grown huge over the last year and a half, but I I would love to eventually, but unfortunately the separation in Hopkins kids and this that's been a city thing for the last 30 years. It's been separated that way. And so that's the only reason it is that way now. We don't care where you live. You're still Hopkins kids if you can't afford it and you come here. We take care of each other. So eventually, yes, I would love to be able to fund more across the citywide.

The only reason these are now is because it's immediate and they this is something they've depended on. And I fund raise um in my personal life, I fund raise in my the in the private sector to focus on veterans, right? You fund raise to focus on those kids. Correct. Mostly. All right. I do veterans and elderly and schools and Well, Hopkins Heroes is the Hopkins kids, correct? No, I do I have We got veterans attending this camp too for free.

I do actually. They don't do the camp. Hopkins Park is our priority. It was the beginning of what was started with me as a volunteer. I now have, you know, partnerships with seven schools across St. Cloud. We do teacher baskets and emergency hygiene, emergency food. So, we are doing more things than that. It's just that high spread priority. I I think you're spread too thin on all those things where to come to the city and ask for $35,000. That's where I think if you had all your efforts towards that, I think you'd have hit that goal. Um because I I can tell you hold on a second. I had never heard that we were using a construction trailer for a camp.

You're saying you just found out that it was not going to be that in January? I had never even heard that it was going to. I knew it was under construction and that the um civic center was going to be the camp for everybody that I had never heard that there was going to be a camp there. I I've never I never had the conversation with with our director or our city manager about that. So, um if you're saying that's the case, I don't I don't doubt what you're saying, but um it just seems like it's a last minute request for $35,000 thing. And that's where found out what's that? We just just found out got an understanding of that. Okay. Came or tried to figure it out. We just didn't know.

Okay. All right. Um I think we're good for tonight, right? I think we we all come to came to an agreement on that and next week we'll readress it all and come up with other solutions and and um and I agree. Whatever it takes to get these kids through the summer to camp. Um, it's a hard position up here because we can't just say this area and not the entire We've got 71,000 people in our city and how do we say only the kids and their families that have been going there do they get a break at that camp at the civic center but the rest of them don't. I don't know how I don't know how legally we do that Dan. So that's where there's a lot of moving parts. Mayor, we really have to take a good look at this before we before we make any

R. I I I have to look at the big picture. Everybody, not I can't just focus on, you know, just that 26 number. The four, that's the easy one. Those are right there in that community that the walkers as Council Member Deputy Mayor Gilbert explained. Um, but yeah, I think we we're we're we're checking off some boxes on this. So, thank you for coming up here. Thank you guys.

Just Mayor, uh, Miss Go. We are putting the gem of all facilities in Hopkins Spartan. It's approved. It's getting built. So, no, it's super amazing. And your your your volunteerism helped get that. It wasn't just council. It wasn't just city. It's whatever you've been up on this podium talking about for the last few years and everybody in Hopkins. So, thank you. And that will be a gem of a recreational center. I don't know if you've seen the drawings. It is. So, so yeah, you will get more people from Hopkins there. It's going to be a drove and and I think

and y'all your organization, y'all do the the garden out there, correct? You continue to do the garden. And I I went out there for the MLK. We pressure wash me and actually the police chief, we pressure wash the the playground equipment. And the former mayor, he wouldn't let us the former mayor wouldn't let us do the work. He's like, I got this. I thought you two would be squirting each other, you and Doug. Thank you, Stephanie. Appreciate you. Thank you. Yes. Thank you. All right. Next up, we have uh Sarah Markeith Mark.

Good evening, members of the city council. My name is Sarah Marquith. I'm a 17-year-old who has been born and raised in St. Cloud, Florida at location 4670 Cypress Landing Lane. I've also had the opportunity in the past year to work as a city of St. Cloud parks and reccks employee. Through that experience, I have firsthand see seen that the in affordable summer camp that our community that is in our community. I have witnessed that I've witnessed I've witnessed more than one thing made very clear, but especially that this program is not optional and that is that it is essential. Right now, local families are facing the loss of critical response resources, including the back- toschool bash, the after-school programs, and most importantly, the summer camp program. These are not just events or activities. These are the most these are supporting systems that families depend on. Removing them does not just create an inconvenience. It creates a gap gap in safety, structure, and opportunity. During the summer program, I watch kids grow re in real and measurable ways. Students who began the summer quiet, withdrawn, or struggling socially became confident, more engaged, and I ended up breaking out of a shell that I had not seen in my own schools. The structure is critical because without it, many of these students would not just be behind socially, but academically as well. Research supports what I observed. On average, students lose about two to three months of learning over the summer with low-income students experiencing greater setbacks, sometimes falling behind as much as 30th percentile in points um over within reading. Without access to structured programs, the gap only cont continues to widen, making it harder for those students to catch up on these programs. I also saw how deeply families relied on additional resources offered there through the lunch program. children who were not even enrolled at camp would come specifically to receive meals. That alone speaks volumes about the level of

need in our community. Nationally, only about one in seven low-income children who depend on school meals during the year are reached by summer meal programs. That leaves millions of children without reliable access to food. Um when affordable programs or facilities are removed, the impact of im uh is immediate and farreaching. Students lose a safe pro place to grow grow. Families lose critical support systems and children lose access to not only learning opportunities but also basic needs like consistent meals and supervision. Based on what I I have personally seen as an employee of St. Cloud, I am deeply concerned about what will happen when this affordable option is no longer available for our families. This is why I'm urging the council to consider providing funding through grants or scholarships for low-income students to attend the summer program. I propose that the initial civic center camp application that in the initial civic center application we include an optional question that to provide income information and from that information I would recommend that we take the lowest income individuals possibly around 5% to be provided with free access to the camp then I would offer the lowest middle-income individuals about another 10% to have a discounted rate or an opportunity to not pay the 12,000 to 15 thou $1,500 upfront cost of summer camp. Thank you for your consideration. All right. Thank you, Sarah.

Yeah. And although we we discussed it heavily with Stephanie, your input obviously weighs heavily on on our decision in the future on this. So, thank you for coming. And additionally, I've seen most of you add events such as uh Splashdown with the PD and we see how much these kids need it. And yeah, I I've worked at both Civic Center and Hopkins Park and I have seen explicitly um some of the stuff that these kids do need both. It's not even a question of city kids or Hopkins kids. Like I said, within the application, we can make it to where it is all kids. That way it is not an issue of well, we can't just serve one community.

Yeah, thank you. You're so right. Thank you. All right. Next, we have Terresa Mailhot. She said she only wants 30 seconds to get to the podium a little bit faster on doing that now. You're moving well, Teresa.

Thank you. Terresa Milhot, 2924 Kbury Circle, St. Cloud, Florida. I'm here to speak about the Hopkins Park camp. I have been going to the community meetings out there for years now and it seems to me promises were made about the camp this year, but the city now is having promises unkempt. various um city staff have came to those meetings through the years and it was always said that there was going to be a construction trailer out there and the camp would go on this year as usual because the playground cannot be touched during construction and a safety barrier could be put up. Um schools do it all the time. Mater right now I know St. Cloud High School did that when they were under construction building new buildings. Um, and truthfully, a construction trailer is probably not much smaller than the amount of room that little building has out there right now. So, I always thought that this was the option. They that not an option. That's what was going to happen. Promises were made through the years. And um I know um she's not here tonight, but there was somebody taking notes at all those meetings and probably could tell you who the different staff members were through this time. Okay. So far for that. Also, I want to say that the summer break program, the federal program that feeds school age children during the summer, Hopkins Park was a member of that. Not the civic center. A couple of the schools here in St. Cloud was I know um the high school was and I know Lake View Elementary was could be another Hopkins Park was where

any school age child could go there during the day and receive a lunch and I believe a snack too. Um they had to eat it there except during CO when you could just drive through and pick up your bag lunches. So losing that is going to impact other children in our community. I think Councilman Paul understands I I I I see that she understands as a single mom and the struggle at times that you have to pay and right now inflation, gas, um all cost a lot. So, some of these people will not be able to go to camp. So, I just want to say I was here at the meeting when the little league came. I did not hear one council member say, "Oh, we can't give these free. We can't give these a reduced rate be I didn't hear anybody say that." Um, I didn't see hear anybody say tax dollar taxpayer dollars well spent. I didn't hear that either.

Oh, wait. No, I'm sorry. I I missed the first part of what you just said. Am I over already? Yeah. Yeah, but I'm You're fine. Yeah, but what what did you just say? You didn't hear when? I did not hear anyone sitting up there say we can't do that. When? No, I'm saying when. I don't know what at what point you didn't hear it. What were you saying? The little league. The little league. When the little league came. Okay. I think we're talking about apples and oranges on this one.

Okay. Well, maybe so, but it's a group and that had county people, uh, county kids, everybody got a break, whether you were city or county. As a St. Cloud resident and taxpayer, I'm perfectly happy paying taxes for any children's program because I think that's one of the most vital things a community can do. Yeah, I'm going to stop you right there because I'm going to correct you. That is apples and oranges because we didn't give a break. All we did was we agreed to the one-year deal. We didn't give a break. Everybody across the board.

What we're talking about here is a specific group of people all over the place that an undetermined I mean I don't know what qualifies them and saying they get free and others don't. But we don't have to go into all that because we're going to, you know, spend the next week. Two minutes. Yeah. Yeah. On in two more minutes.

Two more minutes. In August 2014, a 9-year-old a 9-year-old St. Cloud resident boy who was left alone while his parents worked during the day and he was not supposed to leave the house. He um decided to get on his bicycle and ride down to the lakefront. It was August around the 9th, I believe, 2014. I'm not going to mention his name, but there's plenty of news articles you all can um go check it out. He was left home alone during the summer and he was supposed to stay in the house instead. He got on his bicycle. He rode down to the lakefront and he decided to get in the water behind Krabby's bill in the no swimming area and got bit by an alligator. The news media were all over it. Um, you couldn't even go down to the lakefront for days afterwards without a different news station down there. I just don't want to see something like that happen again. And that happened here in our town at our lakefront. So I think a children's camp is the most important thing we can do right now and time is running short. So what I would like to suggest is promises made through the years should be promises kept. Get the trailer, put up the safety fence, have it go as usual at Hopkins Park this year, and then you all still hold your thing, your meetings, your whatever y'all do and and and work something out for the ne probably next year because the building will be being built by then. Okay.

And what happened? And that's all I have. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you all for your time and consideration. I appreciate it. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Uh, but yeah, I did want to clear that up. Little League, all we did instead of doing a three-year deal, we we everybody agreed, let's just lock down year number one. Nothing changed. Nobody really got a break, I think. And everybody was agreeable to that. Um, one thing I did want to bring up and I was trying to think of it. So, my friends operate the the Military Heritage Museum out of Panagorta and every year they have a summer camp. And Stephanie, this is something that your nonprofit may want to look at going through Americanore.

Yeah, Americanore. They offer money for summer camps, uh, other programming as well. So, um, but they fund all of their summer camps through that and they generate a lot of money as well, but America will pay for the staff, they'll pay for the operational expenses, food. So, that is something that as a nonprofit you can go after that. I don't believe as a city, you know, that's the that's for us to go through. Um, but we'll address this again next week. All right. Anyone else like to speak uh during the citizens forum?

All right. With that, we'll go ahead and move on to public hearings. Will the clerk please read public hearing number one? Public hearing for resolution number 2026-023R. A resolution of the city council of city of St. Cloud, Florida granting a conditional use for a private school in the single family dwelling R1 R1B zoning district on the plus - 2.45 acres of the land known as Graceful Christian Academy project CNU25-00008 located at 1215 Old Hickory Tree Road as described in the body of this resolution.

Mr. Mayor, before we run into these, I just wanted to generally make an announcement to anybody that has an application up for public hearings. As you can tell, there's only four city council members up here. So, in the event that your item receives a 22 vote, that works as a denial or non-approval. So, if you are concerned about that, you will be given the opportunity to ask that your item be continued to a hearing when we have a full counsel. And if that's what you wish to do, you can just do that when you come up for your item. Yes, sir. Thank you. Jeff.

Good evening. Um, mayor, deputy mayor, council members. My name is Jeffrey Balm, the new community development director. Uh, happy to be here this evening and, uh, to present the first case for you. Our first case is a a condition of use. Here we go. Let me get my glasses. So, um this is uh just a little bit north of 192 uh just behind the existing Wawwa. Again, this is a conditional use for a school and a church. It was previously approved for that use because of it uh the name change it required to go through the process again. So really that's what's being changed tonight is it's just a name change to uh allow for the uh new folks uh to operate the school. So this is resolution number 20 uh 2026-023R. Uh staff is recommending approval with the conditions. So uh the future land use is institutional with zoning of R1B which is residential. The proposed and existing use is a private school. The hours operation is 8:00 am to 3:30 uh p.m. The student capacity is max 20 students per building. There's two classrooms on the site. And so again, this was uh previously approved under a different application number in September of last year. Because of the ownership change, a new condition use is required. So this is the existing site plan. You can see in the highlighted areas of the two modular classrooms down in the souththeast corner of the property. Nothing else has changed on the site plan. So this is the future land use which identifies this as

an institutional zoning is R1B which is a residential zoning district. uh cups uh require a different level of scrutiny with that um as a condition where staff will review and identify any off-site impacts and that will be captured in the special conditions. So again staff is recommending approval of resolution 2026-23R with the following conditions. Uh first condition is approval of the requested conditional use does not constitute approval of the provided concept plan. Changes to the site will require approval of a site development plan and any additional approvals required by the land development code. No reduction in parking shall be permitted. uh approval for the private school Graceful Christian Academy subject to the land development code section 1.3.3E and is valid only while the initial certificate of use remains active. If the certificate of use expires or the school changes ownership, the new operator must apply for a new can use permit to continue operating. And the last condition, for as long as the use permitted here continues, in the event the stacking or standing of vehicles encroaches into the public rightway or otherwise interferes with the flow of vehicle traffic as determined by the city, the resolution may be brought back before city council for review and consideration of additional conditions to address traffic issues or possible revocation of the rights granted here in perpetuity. again, Jeffrey Ball, community development director. Happy to answer any questions. Thank you.

Yes, sir. Thank you, Jeffrey. Uh, Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Jeffrey, I'd like to uh welcome you and thank you. I've heard a lot about you and I'm excited to work with you. Uh, thank you and we welcome you to uh, City of St. Cloud and with all your experience. We're humbled by you uh, being employed here. So, thank you very much. Thank you for the warm welcome. Thank you, sir. I have one question to the pastor of Alter Church that actually um, runs the facility, if I may, mayor. Absolutely. Pastor Luke,

Pastor Luke, I I I've known you through various areas and uh was there Friday during your feeding through the mustard seed and we had a stacking issue uh back in October 2025 and we had no more stacking issue the week after. So, you did it a and you made a plan and they executed that plan. Uh we had other applicants uh for schools there that you were unaware of and then you said no, you're not going to allow them there. Um it's your property. We we're going to hold the school responsible, but we're going to hold the pastor responsible, too, that runs the facility. Um you okay with that? Yes, sir.

Okay. Cuz because we you you're doing a good job and we like what you're doing, but uh we we want to come to you uh with that. But um I just think you've done a great job resurrecting that facility and and schools are good. All types of schools are good and u as a person on this council I think you're a man of your word. So if you understand that we we expect those standards to be kept in any school and also one on your property. So absolutely I yield back to you mayor but uh the mustard seed they have what two to 400 families 200 three times a week. So yeah 600 families served. That's actually a second harvest that we work with

that they work with and it's remarkable. I went there, sat through it cuz we were working on stackable. I went sat through it on Friday and they make them drive in, park, walk, go. But these are 200 families are feeding three times a week. So if they have that responsibility, I think they can be responsible for the for the school. I'm just saying that the council, in my opinion, it's a pleasure to council to approve or disapprove. Thank you, pastor. Thank you. All right. Thank you, pastor. Pastor, can you state your name into the record, please? Luke Anthony 1215 Old Hickory Tree Road, St. Clair, Florida. Thank you. And you are the applicant. I know you're the pastor. You're the applicant. All right. Anything you'd like to address counsel with on this?

No, just the name change. We' already gone through everything and, you know, got everything approved. But thank you guys for what you do. You know, you're making hard decisions up here. I don't envy you, but I appreciate you.

Thank you, Pastor Lou. Appreciate you. All right. And anyone in the audience like to speak on this item? Yes, sir. Jim Moore, 3855 Santo Circle, St. Cloud, Florida at 34772. Um, I think I owe it to Pastor Luke and the church to get up here and speak. Um, last time it was a different school, different uh situation going on um with my family. Uh, but I also spoke as manager of the Wawa right across the street and I can attest to the changes that were made and have I mean I see it every day. There is no more back backstocking. Um, they do a great job. So I I just appreciate Pastor Luke. Appreciate him taking the time to, you know, look for the right people and to address this situation and uh take care of it. So he's doing a great job. I have nothing but great things to say about him in the church.

Yes, sir. Thank you. Yeah, I've actually bumped into Pastor Luke at the Wawwa. You sure about that?

Wow. Okay. Uh, anyone else in the audience like to speak on this item? All right. Right. With that, can I get a motion from council? Motion approved. Motion approved. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Second. Second from Council Member Urban. Will the clerk please call the role? Council member Fletcher. Council member Paul. I. Council member Urban. Hi. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Hi. Mayor Robertson. Hi. Motion carries 5-0. I mean 4 Z, excuse me. Will the clerk please read item number four? I'm sorry, number two. Sorry. Two.

Final public hearing for ordinance number 2026-16. An ordinance of the city council of city of St. Cloud, Florida to annex into the city of St. cloud approximately plus - 4 44.33 acres identified as Chisuma Estates projects ANX25-000025 generally located north of Old Oak Trail east of East Lake Tohopa south of Lillian Lillian Black Road west of South Nusi Road in accordance with the voluntary annexation provisions of chapter 171.044 Florida statutes.

This is uh Jeffrey Ball the community development director city of St. Cloud. This is just a annexation of the Chisum estate uh subdivision and there's uh some surrounding properties as well. So this is ordinance 2026-16. Um so a little bit of background with uh annexations in accordance with uh section 171.044 Florida statutes. uh it has to be contiguous and reasonably comp uh compact adjacent to city limits is located within the joint planning area boundary and it's continuous to the city limits. The existing future land use varies and the existing zoning varies. Again, this is just the annexation of the property which is the uh legislative process of bringing the property into the incorporated area of St. Cloud. So this is approximately 44.33 acres. Uh there was a community meeting held uh March 9th, 2026 at the Narusi Elementary School. Annexation does not affect existing out of Lauram tax exemptions. City services will uh be effective immediately except for solid waste which begins October 1st. residents already paid the county for solid waste services through September 30th, 2026 on their property tax bill. Uh, beginning October 1st, solid waste will be build on the monthly Toho water bill. The HOA takes over the storm water pond maintenance and the street lights. City agreed to handle any new nuisance alligator issues that might come up. So the MSTUMSBU will no longer be on the residents advorum tax bills. As of October 1st, 2026 effective October 1st, 2026, residents will be build on a monthly storm water utility fee on their monthly toho water bill. Uh this fee is uh for

the storm water fee fund city services for managing the storm water once it leaves the private property for clearing of ditches, in lifts and canals and etc. So staff recommends approval of ordinance 2026-16 planning commission approval was on March 17, 2026. Uh the requested action is approval of ordinance 2026-16. Staff is available for any questions that you might have. All right. Thank you, Jeffrey. Anyone in the audience like to speak on this item? All right. And any council comments? Can we get a motion? Motion to approve.

Motion approved. Council member Urban. Second. Second. Council member Paul. Will the clerk please call the role? Council member Paul. I. Council member Urban. I. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Hi. Council member Fletcher. Mayor Robertson. I. Motion carries 40.

All right. Will the clerk please read item number three? Final public hearing for ordinance number 2026-10. An ordinance of the city council of city of St. Cloud, Florida to annex into the city of St. Cloud approximately plus - 9.79 acres identified as Nak Nakusi Starline project ANX 26-00001 generally located north of J Street east of Twisted Branch Lane south of Lilian Black Road and west of South Nakusi Road in accordance with the voluntary annexation provisions of chapter 171.044 Florida statutes. Will the clerk please read item number four and item number five as well?

Final public hearing for ordinance number 2026-11. An ordinance of the city council of city of St. Cloud Florida assigning a future land use designation of approximately plus - 9.79 acres identified as Narusi Starland project CPA 26-00001 generally located north of J Street east of Twisted Branch Lane south of Lilian Black Road west of South Narusi Road from LDR lowdensity residential to a county coom commercial city providing amending of official future land use map of the comprehensive man filing of the planning commission's recommendations proof of publication applicability effect servability copies on file and effective Eight. Final public hearing for ordinance number 2026-12. An ordinance of the city council of the city of St. Cloud, Florida, providing a zoning amendment of the zoning map of the land development code of the city of St. CL Florida specifically changing the zoning designation of approximately plus - 9.79 acres identified as Nakusi Starline project ZMA26-00001 from AC agricultural and conservation to R2 rural development county to HB highway business city generally located north of J Street east of Twisted Branch Lane south of William Black Road west of South Kusi Road providing for the entry in the designation of the zoning map of the official zoning map of the filing filing of the planning commission's recommendations proof of publication effective All right. Thank you, sir.

Jeffrey B, community development director. Uh before you are three companion applications uh ordinance 2026-10, 2026-11, and 2026-12. There is an annexation uh ordinance, a comprehensive plan amendment ordinance, and a zoning ordinance. So, this is property just north of the previous application. So uh under section 171.044 Florida statutes this property is contiguous and reasonably compact. It's adjacent to city limits uh located within the joint planning area boundary and it's contiguous to the city limits. Acreage is approximately 9.79 acres. The current future land use is in city residential which is in a county. The pending future land use uh as if it was brought into the city would be commercial. Existing zoning is AC which is an agricultural and conservation zoning district and R2 which is a uh rural development. The proposed zoning uh highway business uh HB uh the development uh is compatible with the surrounding area and when staff reviewed uh that there is no adverse impacts to the city facilities. So the eastern portion of the site is physically separated along Narusi road. This was discussed in length at the planning commission meeting where there was an existing railroad rightway uh that was vacated. This issue will be addressed at the site development plans uh later in the process. So the railroad track was abandoned 1942 and the tracks were removed. The rail corridor is now commemorated by a plaque in downtown St. Cloud. uh the site is being considered as a unified parcel for the application.

So this is the existing future land use. So uh it is low denser residential highlighted in the yellow area. So the existing zoning you can see the two different zoning districts. You have AC to the north and then um the R2 uh to the south. So staff recommendation is approval of ordinance 2026-10 2026-11 2026-12 planning commission recommendation was approval on March 17th approval of ordinance 2026-10 2026-11 and 2026-12. Uh city council requested action is approval of all three ordinances. Thank you and I'd be happy to answer any questions that you might have. All right. Thank you, Jeffrey. Uh, would the applicant like to speak on this item?

Yes. Good evening, mayor, council members. Thank you. Christopher Blurton with Underplan LLC. We're the planners for the project 220 East Central Parkway, Altimont Springs. I don't have a presentation planned, but I am here to answer any questions that the mayor or the council members may have. Thank you. All right. Thank you, sir. Uh, anyone in the audience like to speak on this item? Uh, first off we have Betty Dempkkey. Damky.

I saw you start the clock before she got up here.

I heard you. I think I heard you. Good evening everybody. The residents understand that property is going to change and I'm here tonight. We're not objecting to the annexations or anything. We just want to discuss a little bit regarding what the residents concerned are for it going commercial. This property is extremely rural, residential, and in the Narcus overlay. This site is not within the seven commercial districts outlined. Yes, Vanderpool's was grandfathered in because they were there long before the Narusi overlay. But during the uh last planning commission meeting, Mr. Burton stated that they are looking at potential users but failed to mention the county failed to mention that during the county's community development meeting earlier that same day presented a site plan reflecting a grocery store and shopping area plaza. Also during previous meetings with either it was either the city or the county in a preapp meeting or something a mention was made of a threetory storage facility which to see if it would be applicable. We understand the city's need for additional commercial tax base. That's obvious. But your focus should be on commercial that brings higher more profer waging more professional types of employment rather than more of the lower minimum wage.

Let's get our standards higher. This is an economic development problem. Everything comes in it is mediocre. Raise your standards. And according to your statements and to that fact, if it they would love to put in some nice professional buildings, bring in some first class, toprated, expensive lawyers and things that could help on the traffic going to Orlando to those jobs. But according to your statements, you guys made them during the JPA meeting a few months ago. Both the city and the county expressed the desire to eliminate the overlay. The standards outlined in the overlay were established to ensure new growth, both commercial and residential, protect the existing heritage, environment, and the residents. Why destroy such a positive forwardinking idea? To that point, the residents in the community are requesting denial of the highway commercial zoning unless the following special conditions are irrevocably implemented to the zoning. We're asking that parking for all out parcels facing Narusi Road be located to the rear of the building such as at Jones Road in Jack Brack. Residential facades on all buildings. A minimum twostory height. An 8-ft wall surrounding the south, west, and north sides of the site. That is to protect the existing residents. Dense landscaping with mature trees on footage facing Narusi Road. And whenever possible, move the storm

water ponds to the front of along Narusi rather than stashing them in the back as we did with Turtle Creek on Araml Road that is across from your house. Originally, they were playing way at the back with houses up front. We said, "No, switch it around." And they did. And you know the difference. We're asking that storage units, car washes, gas stations, etc. of that caliber be prohibited. We feel that these requests are reasonable. They will ensure narcissus road does not What was your third one, Betty? I'm sorry. I'm writing two. I'm going to give you a copy of this. All right. Storage, car wash. Do you say

there was a third one? storage units, car wash, gas stations, etc. Okay. Thank you. Something of that nature. Let's bring in a professional. Look at not that. Sorry. I didn't mean to cut you off. You know what I mean? Write down these conditions that you're requesting. I got them. Well, we have to understand them up here. I I'm not following what you're saying. No, that was it. I need you to repeat it because I mean, you have them, but I need them to I'm getting ready to give it to you. Okay. And in addition, there's a the site plan that you presented to the county just for general reference. That's fine.

Yeah, we're going to make a decision on this tonight. I'm not going to take that home. Make a decision. So, that's why I wanted to know what happened. Okay. We're just asking for the corridor from Bi Creek down to 192. It's a really nice corridor and it's travel not only our residents but our visitors. Let's maintain a standard of something different from Lake Nona. Okay. To put it plain. Yes. Absolutely. Thank you, Miss Betty. Uh, anyone else in the audience like to speak on this item? Yes, sir. I promise last time

James Moore 3855 Tennessee drove St. Cloud Florida 34772. Um as I was looking over the agenda today for today's meeting um I really like the idea um you know as we continue to grow we are growing and then we can do I do like the idea of the commercial uh development opportunities like Miss Dempki said I would like to see you know high higher level income type positions the lawyers offices stuff like that. Um, but I think it's it's a great opportunity to keep local residents here, you know, create jobs in town for the city. Uh, something we've been talking about for last year or two years. Um, but I think this this gives us a great opportunity to do so. Yes, sir. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Urban.

Yeah, I appreciate uh the the last two comments on this. Um, I also agree that we need high quality commercial in our city. It's why we just went through the whole process of hiring a economic development firm to to help us bring that to our city. I think that's going to be huge uh in the future. Um, one of the things that I think that the Narusi overlay oversaw or maybe didn't see coming as our city grows is the way that it limits commercial. If you notice, the traffic on Narusi Road is very bad because everybody's driving to Lake Nona to get to the commercial. Once you pass Boggy Creek Road, it's like the world opens up and you you've got every commercial product in the world. We need to get more commercial south towards St. Cloud and and uh but I do agree with uh making sure it's quality commercial. I don't know legally how we could do that, but um would love to uh to work with with the applicant on that.

Yes, sir. Deputy Mayor Gilbert,

I agree with Council Member Urban. I was going to ask our attorney, what are what can we do as a council to limit what kind of businesses are there? And I I couldn't agree with uh uh council member Urban anymore that we need to have that high-end there, but we we're driving down a two-lane road on each side, opens up a Bogy Creek, threelane road, and that's where we're spending our tax base. So I don't know if we did not if we said and I don't know this mayor we said you can't have this can't have this can't have this and it goes to court of law and we spent a million dollars and they said well it's a property owner and they if it fits in with that then they can have that. I mean house bill 399 there's a lot of bills that are out there that are limiting this council of what we can and cannot do. I I don't know the law as well as our as

well the city attorney hit his light so he knows the law. I hope because again, but I agree with Councilman Urban. We need to have more more high-end business, but I don't know how we regulate that in this council. I just don't and I I'll do whatever I can, which which is underneath the law and the Florida statutes. So, I yield back to you, mayor, and I think you're going to pass it to the attorney, city may uh city attorney.

Thank you, sir. So, um what's before you is annexation, the future land use complaint, and then zoning, right? If it meets the require, if it if the zoning piece is consistent with the comprehensive plan and the staff has already presented that it is and the zoning that they're asking for, then you you can't necessarily say we want to limit this on with and impose that upon the developer or the applicant.

The city code does allow for what's referred to as provisions of restricted zoning upon agreement by the applicant. So it does allow for limitation of uses and we've done that uh we have done that recently um most particularly as I recall with regard to storage units right so um we could so if you want to talk about limiting certain uses it would be a good idea to discuss them and of course give the applicant an opportunity to explain but the only way to really to address that Mr. Gilbert to go back to your thing under where we are right now is to either deny the whole annexation, deny the comp plan and deny the zoning and then you don't have to worry about it because it's not in the in the city anymore or see if we can reach an agreement with the where the applicant might be willing to limit some of the uses that the city thinks the city council believes are not appropriate for their spot voluntarily and then we could incorporate that into the last item on the agenda on of these three items. Yes, sir. Thank you, Council Member Paul.

Um, so I'm looking at the map here and um, I have one concern about which we already know Narusi Road is a headache um, if you traveled at and at the intersection where Starline is, it's a divided road. If adding this commercial building, how would the traffic, I guess, crossing over be addressed? Because I just see that as an accident waiting to happen on Narusi Road. And if that happens, you know, if you don't know your way around, then being in an accident on Narusi Road, you're going to be sitting a while. So that's my concern on that one.

And and mayor, respectfully, I think my you you've thrown a couple questions out. I think be good these questions be addressed to the applicant so they can respond to that. Yes, sir. Um before the applicant, I want to the deputy mayor had his light really quick. I again this is just a legal ease question and and and again uh if we say you can't have that you can't have that you can't have that you can't have a gas station and they take us to court and they win then we pay million well as a condition of approval of the zoning right that we can get them to do that if they want to if they want to do that that I'm sorry

that's where he said that that is the way restricted so thank you mayor that's my only question is I don't like to address this on this Oops. You probably answer a lot of these questions.

I can try. I can try. I can answer what I can and I'm going to go kind of backwards. I tried to make notes as as the speakers were speaking and some of the council members were speaking. Uh specifically regarding the traffic. Uh we would be proposing more than likely and this is of course it's based on what a traffic study does justify. We would be looking likely at putting a traffic signal there at Starline and Narusi to handle the traffic there. specifically the traffic crossing from Narusi across Narusi and then going northbound and southbound from this intersection. Uh we did submit the concept plan that the resident handed out to you. We did submit that to the city. We have discussed that with city planning staff. We have had, I believe, at least two meetings with city planning staff most recently to discuss the requirements of the overlay district, the Narusi overlay district, and the requirements that would be expected and the high quality development that would be expected on this parcel, these two parcels. Uh what we understand would be required are the standards that are held throughout the Narusi overlay district. And our firm has worked on some other commercial projects on Narusi. Uh most recently the Taco Bell Pizza Hut up at Jack Breck and Narusi. Uh that does was built to those standards built up against the road kind of a new urbanist layout is what planners would typically refer to it as with all the parking in the back and creating a streetscape along Narusi. We understand that that is what the city wants to see here at least on those out parcels along Narusi. It sounds like that's what the residents are looking for as well where we've got again high quality development single two-story commercial buildings, you know, not necessarily and we can talk about some of the uses potentially here, but I I don't think we're looking at car washes or self- storage buildings here. Certainly not up against Narusi Road. Uh, you know, there are some larger format retail and services that would probably be going in the rear of the development. Uh but that currently is still being marketed to potential users

at this point. Uh but we do understand the requirements in the Narusi overlay district and we are willing to meet those requirements along Narusi. Uh storm water at the front along Narusi obviously is a direct conflict with that. Uh the other issue of course is just the topography of the site. Uh I think everybody here is probably relatively familiar with Narusi in that area. It obviously slopes from east to west towards Lake Tojo. So we we have to work with gravity. We have to work with the topography we have. Uh and the Narusi overlay district wouldn't allow storm water up along the street anyway. Uh so that would be a conflict there. Uh again speaking to the uses, I haven't heard anybody and I don't see any way we could really construct a car wash there based on the Narusi overlay requirements. I haven't seen anybody propose one or any marketing towards a car wash. No marketing towards a self- storage facility. Uh, I believe those may be permitted by right under highway business. Uh, however, if the council was interested in restricting any particular uses, I believe I would have to ask for a continuence and go back and ask my client and the property owners if they'd be willing to to live with any particular restrictions on those future uses.

Yes, sir. I mean, I I think my opinion on that is, yeah, I I think we should put those type of restrictions, come to some sort of agreement. Um because I agree. I think we've got enough car washes, enough, you know, of those items on there. Um but you are in agreeance on the Narusi overlay, the the the design standards. Yes, sir. You have read those. You understand what uh what Mrs. Dampy was referring to. Yeah. I think we had about an hourong meeting with planning staff and it's been made very clear to us exactly what the city is looking for there. Okay. All right. Um and and with that said, I think we have Deputy Mayor Gilbert, so before I go further, I'll go ahead and let him add something.

Just one comment. I'm glad you said that. And what we're trying to do is conclude this and we don't want to continue it for too long. But if we continue that and we can put in that there are no car washes or self storage. I think that would uh helpful to the citizens of that area and we can move forward. And I know you're saying that, but you have to go back to them. Um, I don't want to delay your projects, but I I do want to listen to the residents and get their input. So, I yield back to you, mayor, but if if that could be a condition, I would love to see that happen. And thank you very much for considering that. And please take it back if possible. Thank you. I'd yield back. Yes, sir. Uh, Council Member Urban,

those are the two big ones for me. The car washes and the self- storage mechanic shop, I would add. Mechanic tire shop. But those are the three I would add. Yeah. What are what are the types? What is your vision for those out parcels on the front? I think that's really because it looks like is that a a grosser? That was one particular retailer that they were re they were marketing the site too. Yes. Unfortunately, nothing has been set in stone at this point, but yes, that was one particular use they were looking at in the back. All right. And with with other multi-tenant building adjacent to that. Correct. Okay. Yes. I mean I in in the out parcels in the front. Are we looking at restaurants? Are we looking at Is that who they're they've been approaching?

Yeah, I think they're looking at smaller retailers, restaurants. I think the city specifically showed uh there's an area and they referred to it as Mills, but it's actually 1792 in Winter Park. If you're familiar with the Trader Joe's, and I think it's a a Booya restaurant is on the other side there. It's where the old uh Best Western I think used to be there in Winter Park. And that that's kind of what the city was indicating that they would be looking for in that particular area. If you're familiar with that, I mean, there's restaurants, uh, personal services, spas, things like that. Uh, I couldn't necessarily promise that we wouldn't be looking at a gas station, but we would be looking for, uh, we did discuss that with city staff as well. They would be looking for not your typical gas station layout. Obviously, if we did do some type of automobile orientated use, something where the buildings up at the front, the pumps uh and the parking are actually behind it. So, it's not your typical, you know, massive fueling canopy up front and the gas station in the very back. Something more pedestrian friendly.

Okay. All right. Yeah, I think uh I think we kind of hit it right there. Maybe a continuence to the next meeting. When's the next meeting? May 14th. May 14th. Would you be fine with that? and we can kind of um kick around some ideas and um if you work with staff and obviously with the input from the Narusi folks, Miss Betty Dampy, I know she's got a lot of input to add. Um but I like the fact that that you're open to doing a lot of these things. Um and that you have to go back and and obviously um get the okay on that, but thank you for for working with the community on that those sort of items. Well, we want to be a good neighbor to to the residents and to the city as well, of course. Yes, sir. All right. Uh so that would be for all three items. Yes. Okay.

So we would need a motion. You can just do by item if you'd like. Motion to continue all three of the items. So it's items three, four, and five on your agenda. All right. Can we get a motion from council? Motion to continue all three items. Motion to continue all three items. Council member Urban. Second. Second. Council member Paul. Will the clerk please call the role? Council member Urban. I. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Hi. Council member Fletcher. Council member Paul. Hi. Mayor Robertson. Hi. Motion carries 40. So they're continued to May 14th. May 14th. Thank you. Thank you, Betty.

All right. Will the clerk please read item number six, 7, and 8?

Final public hearing for ordinance number 2026-13. An ordinance to the city council of city of St. Florida to annex into the city of St. Cloud approximately plus - 4.85 acres identified as Hickory Tree Road Community Center project ANX 25-000026 generally located north of Olive Mountain Bend east of Hickory Tree Road and south of Ny Road and west of Hickory Tree Road in accordance with the voluntary annexation provisions of chapter 171.044 Florida statutes. Final public hearing for ordinance number 2026-14 an ordinance of the city council of the city of St. Cloud, Florida, signing a future land use designation of approximately plus minus 4.85 85 acres identified as Hickory Tree Road Community Center. Project CPA 25-00000016 generally located north of Olive Mountain Bend, east of Hickory Tree Road, south of Nulti Road, and west of Hickory Tree Road from CC Community Center to County County to CC Community Center City providing for amending official future land use map of the comprehensive plan filing the planning commission's recommendations, proof of publication, applicability, effect, servability copies on file, and effective date. Final public hearing for ordinance number 2026-15. An ordinance of the city council of the city of St. Cloud Florida providing a zoning amendment the zoning map of the land development code of the city of St. Cloud City of St. Cloud Florida specifically changing the zoning designation approximately plus - 4.85 85 acres identified as Hickory Tree Road Community Center project ZMA25-000020 from CCC Community Center Core County to CCC Community Core City generally located of north uh north of all of Mountain Bend of Old Hickory Tree Road south of Ny Road west of Hickory Tree Road providing for entering the designation of official future official zoning map of the fin planning commission's recommendations proof of publication servability and effective date. Good evening. Jeffrey Ball, community development director. Um, so this is another companion application. There's an annexation land use and zoning with the request orance 2026-13,

2026-14, and 2026-15. It's approximately 4.85 acres. So again, uh, according to Florida statutes 171.044, 044. The application is contiguous and reasonably compact. It's adjacent to the city limits. It's located within the joint planning area boundary and is contiguous to the city limits. So, the current future land use as was read into the record is uh community center uh currently in the county. The pending future land use is community center. Uh that would be the city designation. The existing zoning is CCC, community center core. The proposed zoning is also CCC uh community center core density would allow uh anywhere between 18 and 40 dwelling units per acre. The development is compatible with the surrounding area and no adverse impacts to city facilities. So this is the existing future land use which is uh community center. This is the existing uh zoning district which is uh community center core. So staff recommendation is approval of ordinance 2026-13, 2026-14 and 2026-15. Planning commission approval was for approval on March 17, 2026. Uh staff is requesting approval of ordinance 2026-13, 2026-14, and 2026-15. Staff is available for any questions. Thank you.

All right. Thank you, Jeffrey. All right. Would anyone in the audience like to speak on this item? And was this a staff driven? Would the applicant like to speak on this? There's an applicant on this. Good evening, mayor, council members. Uh my name is John Adams from RJWA, Inc. 8 Broadway, Kism, Florida 34741. Um we're in agreement with the staff report. I won't uh repeat it. They did a great job in working with us on this. Be happy to answer any questions uh council may have tonight. Thank you, John. Council member,

question for the applicant. What kind of um uh I know the community center uh there could be quite a bit of different what what kind of vision does your client have for this property?

So, this is a part of uh your recent JPA urban infill adoption with your comp plan. Uh it's my understanding that you guys will be adopting the same uh urban infill uh zoning district requirements. So this tag of community center is actually the zoning we're requesting is community center core which it's a part of a larger community center in the area. So some of the parals to the north at existing gas stations in the community center the storage facility in those town homes were part of a community center uh property to the west and some on the north side of Ny Road. So this is what's considered the core. So there's requirements for commercial in there. Uh, and this is per county code. And again, it's my understanding you guys are adopting that code. I don't believe it's done yet, but that commercial requirement is 4,000 feet uh per acre of raw land if they chose to do residential because there is residential components allowed in community centers. Uh, in the core, it's 18 to 40 dwelling units an acre. It's not their intent. Their intent is to develop uh all commercial. There are also some of the requirements that were uh requested by the public on the last item and that minimum twotory maximum of fivetory. There's also a build two line requirement of uh 0 to 10 foot uh 60% on your public roads which that would be frontage from Hickory Tree. So, if you've been out on Hickory Tree and that big storage facilities right up on the road and all the parking and back of house is uh in the rear, not visible from the road, that's what's required within these community centers. Uh some of the target uh market that they're looking for is uh office on the second floor. Uh then you know spa wellness facilities uh coffee shops uh sit down restaurants some gyms yoga uh spa and wellness and maybe high paying lawyer facility offices.

So thank you that that is their target market. Uh and we've done several site plans and you know it's all meeting those requirements. And you know, the other thing I'll add, it's also interconnectivity that they'd be required to allow interconnectivity. So, for instance, the existing development to the south would be able to connect to this. You wouldn't have to drive your car out on Hickory Tree Road to get to this facility. You could go, you know, off-road, walk, ride your bike, or take your car as well. Thanks. Uh, Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Yeah. Uh, we don't need any more lawyer facilities. Sorry. What do you do for a living?

Um, we talk about twotory buildings, right? Yes. It's a minimum of two story. Minimum. Correct. Two to five story. Good. Yes.

Good. Because uh our our land, although we're the uh largest in the tri county area with available land, we understand it will be gobbled up pretty much if we do one story, twotory buildings everywhere we go from now on. So, we'd like to see more verticality, or at least I would and I know St. Cloud is a is a great town, but as we grow, I would like to see higher facilities. I know the regulations and restrictions are more. You need an elevator, you need this, you need that, but I think this is prime land to to do something like that. And and and again, I can't all I can do is suggest, and I appreciate everything you do, and I yield back to you, mayor, but I I I would I'd like to go vertical uh in the future with St. cloud because we are getting larger instead of spreading out with with car washes and and storage units. I yield back to you, mayor.

All right. Thank you. Anyone in the audience like to talk on this item? Speak on the item. All right. Any other council comments for the applicant? And can I entertain a motion for we have item number six, we have item number seven, item number eight. We have to do these individually, right, Dave? Yes, sir. Okay. Motion on six. Motion on six. What's the motion to approve? I'm sorry. Motion to approve. Deputy mayor Gilbert. Second from Council Member Paul. Will the clerk please call the role? That was Urban. Huh? I'm Oh, did you say I'm sorry? I heard I just heard a noise over there while he was talking. Uh, yeah. The second from Council Member Urban. Will the clerk please call the RO? Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Hi. Council member Fletcher. Council member Paul. Hi.

Council member Urban. Hi. Mayor Robertson. I. Motion carries 4 Z. And can I get a motion on item number seven? Motion to approve. Motion to approve. Council member Paul. Second. Second. Council member Urban. Will the clerk, please call the role. Council member Fletcher. Council member Paul. I. Council member Urban. I. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Okay. Mayor Robertson. I. Motion carries 40. And can we get a motion? Item number eight. Motion to approve. Motion approve. Item number eight, Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Second. Second. Council member Urban. Will the clerk please call the role? Council member Paul. Hi. Council member Urban. I. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Hi. Council member Fletcher. Mayor Robertson.

I. Motion carries 40. Thank you. Thank you, sir. And item nine has already been continued to May 14th, 2026. Item number 10. Madam clerk, please read that item.

Final public hearing for ordinance number 2026-09. An ordinance of the city council of city of St. Florida amending article 13 special purpose overlay district section 3.13.3 entertainment district amending subsection C outside consumption in the district sub paragraph 1 district possession consumption hours revising the days and hours for authorized consumption of alcoholic beverages between the within the entertainment district providing for conflict serverility administrative correction classification publication and effective date Jeffrey B community development director I'm going to make this very easy this is based on council direction where staff was directed to change the number of days that alcohol is served during the week. So, we're going to seven days a week. So, this is ordinance 2026-09. Uh this is to increase the number of days of seven days a week. So, this was uh based on uh council direction. The current is Wednesday through Saturday. The proposed is seven days a week. There's no change in the times. It's still going to be 11:00 a.m. to 12 a.m. So, staff is recommending approval of ordinance 2026-09. Planning Commission approved um of ordinance 26-09 at their March 17th meeting. Uh city council requested action is approval of ordinance 2026-09. Staff is happy to answer any questions that you may have.

All right. Thanks, sir. And anyone in the audience like to speak on this item? And Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Uh could I entertain uh the chief of police and Matt to to comment on this because they're Well, we got the chief here. They're they're they're in it. They're they're they're in it. Uh Doug Gerky, chief of police. No issues, sir. Okay. No issues. Thank you. We don't really have any issues with it. Our residents are amazing and they're very responsive and so this will actually help us a little bit more. And uh the midnight cut off is normal. That's what everyone's used to anyway, so shouldn't have any issues at all. I I I just want to ask the pros and I I I apologize because I'll be sleeping by 9:30. So, besides today, so yeah,

I yield back to you, mayor. I just want to ask the police that are actually looking at that area and the noise ordinances and things like that because we do have residential there, too. So, but I I've done a great job of doing that. So, I just want to as the nightlife grows and everything, I'm sure if there's any any challenges that we perceive, I assure you we'll bring it back to you to have a conversation. Thank you for all you do. Yes, sir. Thank you, Chief. All right. Any other council comments? All right. I will entertain a motion. Motion to approve. Motion to approve. Council member Urban. Second. Second. Council member Paul. Madam Clerk, please call the role. Council member Urban. Hi. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Hi. Council member Fletcher. Council member Paul. Hi. Mayor Robertson. I

motion carries 40. Will the clerk please read item number 11?

Final public hearing for ordinance number 2026-17 an ordinance of the city council of city of St. CL Florida amending chapter article 3 um chapter 3 article 4 agricultural zoning district article 5 residential zoning districts article 14 use regulations section 3.14.3 accessory dwelling units ADU of the land development code providing for servability conflicts codification publication effective date Jeffrey B community development director the background of this proposed ordinance change is for the accessory dwelling unit standards which is established through orange 2020 23-45 required two additional improved parking spaces and impact fee payment at the single family rate allow for garages to accommodate the parking requirement based on city council's request on the January 9th 2025 meeting an amendment came forward to remove the parking and impact fee requirements. So the proposed amendments adds consistent development standard language in residential zoning districts. It removes parking requirements. It removes the impact fee requirements, the single family and mobility and recreation. It prohibits garages for detach accessory dwelling units. Staff recommendation is approval of ordinance 2026-17. Planning commission recommendation was approval on their March 17th meeting of ordinance 2026-17. City Council requested action is approval of ordinance 2026-17. Staff is available for any questions.

Thank you, sir. Anyone in the audience like to speak on this item? Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Yeah, if I may ask the city manager, uh, we talked about these units in previous meetings, maybe a year or two ago, and those impact fees were were on those units, right? Yes. And the change to that is because of council direction. Okay. Uh no more questions. I yield back. Thank you. Yes, sir. Deputy uh council member Urban.

Uh if I could explain a little bit what um for from the impact fee perspective, I um have a lot of experience in in these ADUs and uh actually have a family member, a grandmother who lives in one, 86 years old. Uh it's it's an affordable housing alternative for families who uh can stay together, can live together, can eat together. Um and what previously the city was charging pretty much double dipping on impact fees where you would charge the impact fees for the main house and then you would charge them again for the second house. Um this allows for a more affordable housing alternative for families who people who maybe would have to live in a nursing home, live somewhere else. Um, and it just allows for that. I know OciOla County does the same thing and it's been really successful in the county as well. So, that's my comments on it.

Yes, sir. Deputy Mayor.

Thank you, Council Member Urban. Because there's there there's two things that there um more people I know that are are are staying at home in the elderly age there. And if we can bring those families together to do that at that cost, I I think that's phenomenal. Uh many people are aging at home right now. I did a study with the metrop plan and that they are so this allows the families to stay together and have the units. The reason I think the city council did in the past was additional parking and impacts on the on the roads but I think this outweighs it. I think you're right. I think if you do it in law, I know the county at one point was doing the same. But again, that doesn't matter to us. But your explanation is great that if grandma and grandpa want age at home, which they are most because of cost of nursing homes and things like that, I think this is a great alternative uh to that because you're not going to do an ADU with 14 cars there. So, I I appreciate your comment on that. Uh Council Member Urban, I yield back to you, mayor.

Yes. Thank you. Is this just limited to uh R1 single family zoning district? No, it would it would apply to all the residential zoning districts. Okay. So, my my one concern I'm I'm all for this except for if it's just a multifamily. If somebody's just building a multifamily and being able to skirt around impact fee and they're just building a separate unit to lease out, that's the unintended consequence here. Understood. So, right, Dan, am I wrong? No, you're not.

Okay. So, that's why I would say limit it to the single family lots because that's the intended goal, right? For the accessory dwelling unit for for a single family home uh behind it. Is that correct? This these will always be behind or above. How do we do that? Dan, however they want to construct. Well, however they can logistically build it on their property, right?

Where we're talking about. So I I So I will point out to you though the other unintended consequence of this is we can refer to them as affordable housing for relatives and all those, but there is a there is probably an inability of the city to regulate folks building an ADU like this. and then simply renting them out right for profit. Yeah. What's that? Uh makes sense. Yeah. We just we just can't Airbnb them, right? And that's not what we're looking for. This is for an accessory dwelling unit. And that's why I think if we keep it if we limit it just to this the is that R1 would be the single family zoning. May May I?

Yes. Thank you. So, we already have land development code language that limits accessory dwelling units. Um, we we weren't proposing to change anything except for the parking and the impact fees because a after we adopted it, we had council members that asked us to see um and and it's been a while, but asked us to see how many had actually been built after we put them into place,

and we weren't having any any built. And and that was I believe when um Councilman Urban and Fletcher both I think were asking us to to bring this back. But I can give you um some of the language in in the code if if that's helpful. Um but it it basically says that it's supposed to be a single family character. Um and let me see what else it has. It's one accessory dwelling unit per parcel. uh provided. However, a permit shall not be issued by the city for any property upon which exists a violation of any code provision. Okay. And R2 zoning allows for two family. Correct. All right.

So, it's no longer single family with an accessory dwelling unit. That's a two family multifamily piece of property. Right. That would be a dup.

That's the unintended consequence. We're not trying to give a an impact fee break so somebody can with a R2's own zone piece property can just build another home on there and lease it out. We want somebody who's in a single family home, right? That's really what we're looking at and encourage them to to build the accessory dwelling unit to allow it to happen by not having the impact beyond that. Is that really what the the intention of this is? Yeah, I'm absolutely good with limiting it to single family and and the other thing that was brought up was the short-term rentals or Airbnbs. Is there a way to say these can't reenter and out for Airbnbs or short-term rentals?

Yeah, there's a way to address that from a code provision. I have to be frank with the enforcement of that will be very difficult. It's already in the code,

but yeah. Yeah, it's it's already in the code. And in order to have one, it has to be it can only be up to 60% of the size of the primary unit. It can't be more than 1,000 square feet. Um, but it does say that you cannot lease or rent it for consideration of of any kind unless the record title owner of the property permanently resides in the primary structure or the ADU. Continued maintenance of a homestead advalorum tax exemption for the property in the name of the owner shall be I'm not an attorney. Prima fascia evidence of compliance with this requirement. Primary primma. Thank you. Nothing here. Enough attorneys who know.

Yeah. Nothing herein shall authorize or permit rental or leasing of the primary structure or ADU as a short-term rental. Right. Yeah. And how do you regulate it? Well, you know, it's it's kind of a Deputy mayor, go ahead.

The in and again I council member Bergman is great great um project that you brought up. Uh the European model of of living is the more kids you have the more stories you build because land is limited. So if you have a one-story building, you have kids, they move in a twotory, the kitchen stays on the one story, everyone gathers, goes three, four, five, and six and seven. I think that's a great model of of a family community to keep together, but as mayor said, a rental property just to make money. I don't know how to regulate it because you need people to, but but I I don't I've seen families together doing that stuff. That's the best thing in the world. So, I don't know how you regulate, mayor, but you're you're right. A rental unit versus a family unit or or mother-in-law suite we used to call them. And I had a mother-in-law suite before, but I still have a suite, but no mother-in-law. But no, I'm not kidding.

And I think it narrows it down to its true intent by limiting it to the single family properties. Right. Yeah. And the the other thing that kind of self-regulates it is, as the city manager was reading the code, it has to be your primary place of residence, your homestead residence. So, you're not going to rent it out to just any person that's going to party there all night. And kind So, that kind of helps it, too. I don't want someone living on my property that I'm not going to get along with and and and that kind of thing. So, that helps. Here's what I want to avoid. Somebody buying a lot, say it's a single family lot, coming in and saying, "Well, I want to change zoning to R2, and then not having to pay that second impact fee." Right. Right.

So, agreed. Um, I think that's the um, you know, that's a kind of a loophole, I believe. So, I think can we limit just single family? Now, these are just homes, not just in the grid, right? Are we talking about even all subdivisions? I mean, do HOAs have a Well, most HOAs have either have restrictions that would would would probably prohibit those. Most of the newer subdivision unless there were a designed subdivision that you see around like, you know, Celebration has it and Ball and Park in Orange County allows for ADUs basically, but unless unless most of them are prohibited anyway. So,

okay. Can Can we put it in there that's R1 it own lots? I believe we'd have to amend different sections of the code. I've just been scrolling through. Yeah, we're going to have to you would have to do a uh a more uh comprehensive look at where how how the code interacts with this. Yeah, there's there's in each of the there there's a separate use table in each of the residential zoning districts that calls out which uses are allowed or not allowed. So, it's unfortunately it's it's not covered by the header of this. So, we have to bring So, we can if that's a direction of the council, we certainly can rework it and bring it back.

Yep. So, we want to move that to the May 16th meeting. Why don't we if we could because as the city manager just pointed out if we change the header we're going to have to readvertise it anyway. So we have to change the title. So why don't if it's okay we can continue to work on we can bring it back at a at a future meeting and once we get all that work through. Yes sir. Thank you. All right. So we need a motion on that. No sir.

Okay. We're good. May 16th. Thank you. And will the clerk please read item number 12. Final public hearing for ordinance number 2026-18 an ordinance of the city council of city of St. Cloud St.Cloud Clad Oyola County, Florida, amending chapter 24 environmental article 9 open burning section 24-308 emergency prohibition burning or use of fireworks and related actions to define dangerous environmental conditions providing for conflicts or ability administrative corrections codification publication effective date.

Good evening, Mayor Council Jason Miller, Fire Chief 2026-16 or 18. My eyes are a little blurry right now. I can't even see it. um is 18 is in reference to the city's burnban ordinance. We added a little bit of language that says dangerous environmental conditions. Um in this past year, if you'll realize, we had the severe freeze that hit central Florida. It created a lot of dead growth on the ground. In turn, we followed it up with a little bit of a drought. Um created some severe fire conditions that the ordinance did not necessarily allow us to enact a burn ban um at that time due to those conditions. This language clears that up and allows us to put that in place. here. If you have any questions, we recommend approval. Uh, Deputy Mayor Gilbert,

I'm sorry. I have a question. Uh, why is the state getting involved with us in our burn bands? I'm going to let the attorney answer that one. I will defer I will defer to him. Deputy mayor, I do not have an answer for you. I have no I have not received anything that would explain why they think they haven't. We've done my office has done some more research on the issue. Uh there I have found nothing that would preempt the city from doing this in the state statutes. There is a preeemption that's related to controlled burns. Is that what we call them? Control burns for the purpose of wildlife culture mitigation

and we are the city is completely preempted by the state from from regulating those. But that's not what this is. So I'm waiting. The chief and I have talked about this. We've asked the folks at the state to tell us what you're talking about and we as far as we know haven't received anything. May May I ask you it's been it's been radio silence from them since we've made that request. May May I ask the the the attorney and the fire chief to to write a strong letter and say uh if your fire trucks are going to come put out the fires, we understand that. But if the city of St. Cloud's going to put out the fires, which I don't think we've called the state in for any of the burns, have we?

Not in the last few years. Well, we do for like out on CM Park Road. We had an area that was recently annexed. They had a little fire out there. We called Is that state or county? It's in Ocel County, but we called the state forestry and plow line around the fire for us. Okay. So, it's not normal.

No, it's not a it's not a regular occurrence. Um, and we work very well with on in general with the Florida Forest Service. Okay. I think this may just be a one-off. They've got some new people in some new positions and I I'd like some more time as far as to deal with that issue. Um the biggest thing is is our working relationship I feel is fine. I think it's just this sticking point of these burn piles for land clearing operations that you know it's not necessarily that forestry is in favor or against those. Our problem at the city is is we get 101 complaints about them. You know people aren't don't like the smell of smoke. They're worried about the ash. Um and rightfully so. I mean some of these are in areas that are a little more habitated than they used to be 20 years ago. Are these the same people that have a camper and go camping uh with the smoke? And but I I at the pleasure of the council, I'd just like to ask if we could write a letter to the state and saying, "Why are you regulating something that we can control?"

Well, Deputy May, we can we can become more active in trying to get this information from up there. we can and our office and the chief we can work together and we can send something formally and and point out that our council is very concerned about the action in the state if that's okay and then we can see what we can get back from them. So what I understand uh Chief Miller is that if we can't say it's been dry as ever here in St. Cloud but we can't say we're going to have a

so we can burn recreational or forbid recreational fires and things like that. This particularly applies to the silva culture, we'll call environmental fires where they burn off heavy growth so it doesn't come into a wildfire and land clearing burn piles. Our issue at the city is the land clearing burn piles. More specifically, what happened over in Stevens this last couple weeks.

Um my phone was ringing off the hook. City Hall's phone was ringing off the hook and it was an issue on day one. We went out there. Um we received calls from the school, received calls from school resource officers. It it was an active day receiving phone calls. At the time, the burn pastor for that location advised he was going to move the materials over towards the east. Um the next morning, he did move a vast majority of the burn materials over to the east. Um however, there was still some smoldering remnants on the west side near the school. Later on that day, we started receiving calls when the wind shifted again. Um again, we went out there. It was within our parameters that we had initially set forth for that transition with the forestry. um discussions that we had. And at that point, forestry took over or the Florida Forest Service and said he has to use the high-pressure fan to help burn cleaner, create a better a better fire to burn off this material. That did not stop the phone calls. But at that point, I'd been told by Florida Forest Service, unless we wanted to go out there and commit a bunch of resources and put our trucks out in the middle of the area, we had no recourse but to let it burn. you good?

I I am any any pleasure council. This is something you're restricting us to take care of our city. Yeah, I know it's frustrating, but I mean obviously if if they had a state permit, right, that went in that we're referencing Stevens Plantation, Stevens North. Um, I mean, obviously the guys on the ground aren't going to stop them because they're gonna the owners of property are going to say, "We got a permit."

Well, and and yeah, it it was it was not a good situation all the way around. That's all I'll say. I think that in in the future, um, I think we're going to handle these a little bit differently also on our side. Um, I'm not a huge fan of burn as far as land clearing burns. You know, we had the past issue which brought this to a head was over off of Nora Tyson where they were doing burning and all that traveled over into Turtle Creek and there was all those issues there. That's what actually brought this whole thing to a head I think about a year and a half ago. Now, um all we can do is I can work with the city attorney and get the information that they say is out there, which they haven't been able to provide us yet, and we can go from there.

And mayor, I'll just make one final point. This language that we're asking that you adopt as part of this amendment will actually give the fire chief more flexibility to deal with these dangerous environment conditions. Which means the way that these things are typically resolved is we will have more authority to go after the actor that's doing the burning and then we may have to actually enforce our ordinance and see how the state responds to that if at all. In other words, see if they if they really want to push this issue back. So that's even if they if they present a state permit, we still take action.

I have not I have not found anything and that's that would preempt the city from you. There were the the the two types of burning that the chief defense, the first one, not not the land clearing burning. There is nothing that preempts the city from regulating that at the state level that I haven't found. We got some tough guys here that will take care of, you know, and and thank you, mayor. That that's the only answer I was looking at. I didn't want it out of the city. Chain himself to a tree out there. No, no, no, no, no, no. I'm I'm I'm okay not training chaining myself to a tree, but you know, especially at the end at the end of the day, these these types of fires are problematic in in residentially occupied areas. Yeah, that's what it comes down to, right?

No. And thank you for stepping up, especially the Narusi one, the Stevens Plantation one. I think that's uh that was a good call on those. Thank you, mayor, for allowing you. Absolutely. Anyone in the audience like to speak on this item? And city attorney, you still good on this? Yes, sir. I'm sorry. Thank you. All right. And can I get a motion on this item? Motion to approve. Motion approved. Council member Urban. Second. Second. Council member Paul. Madam Clerk, please call the role. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. I. Council member Fletcher. Council member Paul. I. Council member Urban. I. Mayor Robertson. I. Motion carries 40. And I thank you, Chief. Thank you.

Will the clerk please read item number 13? Final public hearing for ordinance number 2026-9. An ordinance of the city council of city stal Florida prescribing the manner of holding the regular election to be held at the first Tuesday after the 1st Monday November each election year to November 3, 2026 with a primary election on August 18, 2026 if required pursuant to chapter 20 article 1 section 20 of the coded ordinances of the city of St. Cloud providing an effective date. And essentially this is the ordinance that is required by the charter that you adopt it before each election. It sets the election day and it sets it sets the precincts and it's required for you to do it so we can get u so that as under your existing charter. So we're asking for you to approve it.

Yes sir. Can I get a motion on this item? Motion approved. Hold on a second. Anyone in the audience like to speak on this item? Sorry. Sorry. Now we're good. Motion approved. Motion approved. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Second. Second. Council member Urban. Will the clerk please call the role? Council member Fletcher. Council member Paul. I. Council member Urban. Hi. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Hi. Mayor Robertson. I. Motion carries 40. All right. Let's go ahead and take a 10-minute break.

And on to council action. Will the clerk please read action item number one? Resolution number 2026-032R. A resolution of the city council of city of St. Cloud, Florida, prescribing the date of the election of the primary election if necessary. The office is to be voted for the nomination period for candidates and the precinct locations. And anyone in the audience like to speak on this item? And anyone on council? Yes, I do. Yes, ma'am.

Um I did have a concern about um which I brought it up to our city manager and um our attorney regarding um when a candidate um they have to of course do the petition of 25, but then they're also having to pay a qualifying fee. I think it's like 186 or something like that from my understanding. Are we doing both or is it one or the other?

I I'm I since the other day I haven't had a chance to really look into it. If I can give me a little bit more time, I'm happy to clarify the question and I apologize for for so I can certainly address that as soon as possible and get you an answer to that. I'm not we have to follow the state statute and then we have to follow the local provision to do that too. So, um I believe and and again this is off the top top of my head, the the petition does not apply to the lo the locally the fee required through the supervisor of elections for the ballot, but I'll have to look at that if I could. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to look at that, but I will. When you see the you say the fee the 10 what now?

186 cuz my thing is they're like you need to do 25 petitions. Okay, that's easy to get 25 people or more to do a petition. But then um and I'm speaking from experience. When I got there, they were like, "Okay, you owe me 186." And I'm like, "Quifying fee?" And when I asked about it, they said it's something that is set at the city. That's what they require. So, okay. Yeah. I don't remember either. I know. I I must have paid it too. I paid it too, but you know, do you know the answer, Ivy? You do. I apologize.

Um, in the charter it states that it's 25 petitions and 1% of the previous salary of the year before. So, right now, it's going based off the salaries of the city council of the seats that were sitting in July of last year. So, we made $18,000 last year. Yes. This guy's pinching pennies over here. What's happened with me? Imagine his head got a raise in four years. Yes, there is a way to and I don't have the exact percentage. There is a way to wave the petitions and pay a qualifying fee which is much higher in lie of the the petitions but other than that it's 1%. Stacy doesn't have a button but go ahead Stacy% added on to the 1% if they don't.

Oh if they don't want to get the petitions. Okay. So you can pay for not having to get petitions. It's 25. If you don't know 25 people and you run for office, I I turned my I turned mine in like two years ago. Okay. Well, Council Paul, again, I apologize. You obviously asked the wrong person. Don't ever ask the attorney a legal question. He hasn't been here long enough. Sorry. He had enough tenure.

All right. Are we good on that still? Um, so that that's a question from Councilman Paul. Any other questions or any other comments from council? So, is that something that the supervisor of elections could, you know, cuz when I went down there, they were like the 25 petitions plus the paying that, but if they're saying we can pay the fee, which would be more than that, I mean, maybe sharing that information with them so that way they know cuz when you're going to get the information,

what we can do is we can we can give them a quick summary what we believe, how it reads, and we can give it to them and we ask them to give us to the candidates when we're And under the new process, we're actually going to be getting the qualifying packets for candidates for municipal election so we can we can make sure that uh we it is in the qualifying packet. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. And can I get a motion on this item? Motion to approve. Motion to approve item uh we're council action resolution one. We have a motion from council member Urban, second from council member Paul. Will the clerk please call the role? Council member Paul. I. Council member Urban. I. Deputy Mayor Gilbert.

Hi. Council member Fletcher. Mayor Robertson. Hi. Motion carries 40.

And Mayor, if I may, since we're talking about elections, as you as you know, we just before the break, we adopted an ordinance. After the break, we adopted this resolution. They're identical. We're going to clean that up. So for the next election, we won't have to do this dup duplicative effort. But I also want to point out there based on the way the election schedule is going to be and the need to qualify the candidates that are on the that will be on the ballot after the qualifying period. We've scheduled or we've asked the mayor to call a special meeting to occur on June 15th. We'd like to have that meeting at 2:30 under your rules of conduct. We need basically a consensus from the council to have a special meeting at any other time other than 6:30. Since so since we were talking about it, I thought I'd just get that consensus from the council now. That that that meeting would be at on June 15th at 2:30 for the sole purpose of

um qualif verifying the candidates that are going to be on the ballot for me. If it ends up on my calendar, I show up. Could be 2 a.m. I don't care. All right. Well, we'll make sure we put a So will the police chief. We'll do a 2:30 p.m. on the agenda. So you don't show up 2:30 a.m. All right. Thank you. Yes, sir. Thank you. All right. And will the clerk please read item number two? Resolution number 2026-45R. A resolution of the city council of city of St. Cloud Florida approing administrative services agreement with UMR Inc. third party administrator for United Healthcare. A reference based pricing agreement with the Health Scope Benefits Inc. for administration of the city of St. Cloud self-funded health insurance plan with an effective date of October 1st, 2026.

Good evening. Justin Klesner, human resources director. Um, I'm excited to talk to you tonight about everyone's favorite topic, health insurance. I know, uh, when we talk to our employees about it, they are always thrilled. Um, but tonight, I'm actually really excited because in a world where everything is going up in costs, uh, we are excited about a new proposal where not only our employees, but the city would also save quite a bit of money. Um, so I'm excited to walk you through that tonight along with our uh benefits broker Danielle Bole from Brown and Brown. Um, the city has seen over 10% increases in our health insurance year-over-year over the last several years. That's resulted in increases of over $1 million. And that is

each year.

Each year. Yes. Each year. And that continues to be unsustainable. And much of this is tied to inflation just like everything else is, right? Uh but in this case, the costs for medical are going up. The costs for pharmacy claims are going up. We've been working with Brown and Brown Danielle here uh to alleviate those rising healthcare costs and are excited to propose this new model for you today. Um one path that does a reference-based pricing model and another that allows employees to choose a plan similar to what we currently have except under United Healthcare. I'm really excited about this because we have been talking to some employees about this and kind of teasing what this plan could look like and it has been they've been really excited uh to say the least. Um for better or for worse. Uh as you'll see here, there's going to be some uh there's going to be some co-pays that are going to be coming down. There's going to be some fixed fees that are added to this plan that makes it really attractive. Uh, I say for better or for worse because we've had an employee say that maybe I'm going to put off that uh maybe I'll maybe I'll put off that uh medical need until October. You know, if it's something that they need to do now, they need to do it now. U but they're already seeing the savings that this plan could bring for them and they're really excited about it and the city's going to save quite a bit of money, too. So, with that, I'm going to turn it over to Danielle Bole from Brown and Brown and she's going to walk you through this. Just simple, right? Good evening. Nice to see you all. So, I will go ahead and take you through the renewal options that you have before you. If you were to stay with Sigma, we have a 12.4% increase to necessary funding, which comes to about $1.2 million for the next fiscal year. That would be no plan design changes, and that is purely a function of your claims costs

increasing. It's not an increase from Sigma. Um, in a prior meeting, I went through a pie chart of what your costs are made up of. And your costs are primarily medical and pharmacy claims. Your what Sigma charges you is about 3% of your overall cost. So, if we do nothing and uh stay with Sigma, it would be 1.2 million. Option two, employees would have the choice between a traditional PO option like what you have today. So if they like what they have today, they can continue with a very similar plan, a network that is uh actually broader than Sigma's a national PO network or they can choose the other plan through claim doc that I will go through. And to Justin's point, it's quite a bit richer. Um for example, somebody can have an inpatient hospital stay and pay $500 for that entire stay. The employees and the city would save on this model. Um, and it's because the claims are are paid on a transparent basis. And so under a network model, we've talked about in prior meetings, you're starting out at a a build charge. And that build charge is set by a hospital's chargemaster is is really the the name for it. And it spits out a cost, but it's not the cost. It's it's the charge. And you're getting a discount by being a PO member with any of the carriers that you participate with. This is a cost plus model under the reference based pricing and I will go through some of that data with you in a minute. So if you go with option two which is the employees would have the choice between the true PO option with United Healthcare UMR or claim doc and the enhanced plan design you would see between a 2.6% decrease and a 3.3% decrease. And there's some assumptions there that we've outlined above that. Employees are going to have a choice during open enrollment. Right now, they

have a choice between two pretty similar plans with Sigma. This is going to be a a real choice between a plan that has much lower costs at the time of service and lower peray deductions or something that they are used to and they'll be paying pretty much what they would pay with Sigma. Based on my experience under this model, those two things coupled together, you'll see between 70 and 80% people choose the plan that is the stronger benefit and the lower cost. So 70% choose the claim doc plan, you'll see about a 2.6% decrease. If 80% choose it, you'll see a 3.3% decrease. Um, a question that I know is on everyone's mind, what if no one chooses that plan and they all want to stick with what is is comfortable? You would have the 12.4% 4% increase like you have today with Sigma. It is truly it's a networkbased plan. It's your medical claims that would be a trend increase. Why are health care costs high? This is something I'm passionate about, something I've spent a lot of my free time researching and digging into over the past several years. And I think that with the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, the CAA, we've been able to tap into a lot more data. Hospitals set their prices strategically, and it's not that hospitals are bad. We want to have wonderful hospitals, and we do. We do in our area. And somebody's job as the CFO or the head of that hospital's profit margin and ability to do business is they're doing a good job. And because not many people have access to the data, we just go on with how things have always been done. Um, but what we've really found is that hospitals are inflating the cost between 200 and 400% in our area. And in other areas in South Florida, it's 800%. And every now and

then, you'll have a high cost claim where the discount does not apply. And you're you're paying over a,000% above what the cost of that service is. Now that we have access to that data, I feel and I think that there's an argument that there's a duty as somebody that's managing the self-funded plan to really use the data to best keep costs down and improve the benefit for your employees. The RAND study and the stage transparency tool is what opened my eyes into the real detail here. It's a free public facing school fa public-f facing tool. Uh the website if anyone wants to go to it is sage2.0.org. It is from an nonprofit employer group in Indiana. They figured out a way to put together several different data points that are government filed by the hospitals. They have to file their their annual financial reports and the machine readable files that all of the plans and carriers have to send now that that law has passed. What was really helpful is that it will show the ratio of what a commercial private insurance pays versus Medicare for that same exact service, same exact hospital, same exact time period. And then it will also show the hospital's break even point, meaning what they need to make money. In Florida, we have the pleasure of being the most expensive state in the country as it relates to the cost versus what we are charged as an employer plan. And I've spent 17 years doing this in the state of Florida. And the argument has always been, and I'm very good friends with many of the heads of the insurance carriers, the argument has been told to me time and time again.

because we lose hospitals lose so much money on Medicaid and Medicare that we have to make up for it. And that's just that's part of living in a place where we have a lot of senior citizens. We have a lot of hourly employees within the service industry and they don't make a lot and they're on Medicaid. This blows that out of the water because your break even point is truly what the hospital needs to make money and we're paying 380% and they need 137%. So the delta there is the profit margin. We want them to have a profit margin, but my argument is how much is healthy versus if if you're trying to weigh your budget priorities, do we need to be giving that much over to hospitals for care. This is based on the city of St. Cloud's top medical spend in 2025. We access this data through our reporting tool with Sigma and your top hospitals were Orlando Health, uh, St. Cloud Regional, of course, Advent Orlando, HCA, Florida Oyola, and HCA Pointanna. The blue column is what the average self-funded or group health plan like the city is being charged and that is the allowed amount. So that's what the the city's health insurance pays plus the employee responsibility 348% for example out of Orlando Health Orlando. What they need to break even is 91% of Medicare. This also takes into account their net profit margin, their operating profit from commercial payers, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Excel file has probably 50 different columns, but these are the most critical for this conversation. What we would like to do using this information because you have two local hospitals that do a wonderful job in your community is just go and ask for a

direct contract for the city of St. Cloud. We're not asking them to change their entire business model, but understanding that you all can't increase your prices to pay for health insurance the way that a private business may be able to. Um, there's only so many things that you can shift to employees and I would rather you be able to give raises than have to pay more for insurance. Where does the savings come from? I I talked about how it's a cost plus model, but really the claim audit piece that I I mentioned in a prior workshop is a huge uh a huge saver as well. So instead of just paying the bill as it comes in, every single facility claim, whether it's $2,000 or $2 million, is line by line audited to find double charges by claim doc has a team that does this. Um PO contracts typically prohibit uh the TPA from doing that. The other thing I will tell you is your annual trend is going to be reduced. Meaning right now my clients, all of them have 8 to 12% trend. It's just medical inflation. If you're tied to a reference point that's Medicare, their trend is 1 to two point 1 to 2%. So if you're tying to that, you're going to stabilize your your curve over time. You have two plans today with Sigma, the preferred and the standard. I won't read all of this to you, but it is here in case you have questions. Uh, a couple of things that I'll point out are the deductible, which is what the employee or the dependent has to pay before a hospital service is covered, $1,250 on your riches plan, and a $4,000 out-of- pocket maximum. That's your worst case scenario. That's you're in the hospital for three months or the whole year. That's the most that you're going to pay in medical and pharmacy costs. And in your standard plan, that number goes up to 5,000.

What we've done with the claim doc plan, which is the one that has um the $500 shown here, is reduce that deductible to $500. So, it is going down quite a bit. And it also doesn't apply to anything except for home health care, skilled nursing, uh durable medical equipment, the things that a lot of people don't see regularly and aren't even on most of our our displays. Your out-of- pocket maximum is going down to 3,000. And so remember right now today employees have either a 4,000 or a 5,000. So now that plan is a 3,000, but it's going to be difficult to get there, meaning you'd have to have a lot of inpatient stays at $500 to get to that 3,000 or on a lot of medications, etc. We've reduced that inpatient facility fee. And the other important item here is it includes all of the provider fees. So if you have labs like pathology, radiology, surgeons, assistant surgeons, you're paying $500 for that surgery, that baby, whatever the impatient stay is, and that's all in inclusive. It can be really challenging to budget. And I've had two children, and one of them cost me 6,000, the other one cost me over eight. My out of pocket was less than that. It was I had an out of network uh pathology. I had other tests done. And to know whenever you're going into planning a family or having a knee surgery or any of the things that we have to deal with in life that you know your cost all in is significant. The outpatient surgery we've also removed that physician fee on the direct access plan under claim doc. Right now you have a $200 co-pay but employees are often surprised as with all of my clients because it's deductible and co insurance for those provider fees. So you're paying who knows what depending on what you had done. Reduced the emergency room a little and then applied a $150 ambulance co-pay here rather than deductible and co insurance.

What I'll say on the choice plus plan. So that's the network option. That's ther network option. We have made that slightly less rich than your standard plan just in a couple of areas. So right now the deductible is$,750. We're increasing that to 2,000. That's really as a tool to make employees stop and think, but also a reflection of the true cost. Your services are not staying at the same price year over year. Your services are going up 10 to 12 to who knows what percent depending on what's going on. And so when an employee is isolated by having the same deductible year after year after year, they're not sharing within that that increased cost. Now the good news. So your preferred plan and non-per or in standard plan you have employee with wellness and non-wellness. I will not read all of this to you. It is here for your review. I will tell you what we've done for the proposed plans on the claim doc referencebased pricing plan. we have reduced the cost by uh 20% versus what your lowest cost plan is today. So it's a richer benefit than your premium plan, your preferred plan. And it's 20% lower cost than your standard plan. On the traditional PO plan, we've applied a 10% increase. And really, if you would stay with Sigma, that would be a 12.4% 4% increase if the risk if the increase was spread as it looked to be. The good news is you're going to have employees 72 families right now. If we go back to this page on the preferred plan, you have 72 people that are buying up to that better coverage for their families. And those 72 people, if they choose, the claim doc

plan will save almost $3,000 per year just in payroll contributions. So we there's several reasons that I believe in this. One, I think that you can give money back to employees in their paychecks, offer a lower cost, more predictable insurance plan, and then the city can use money that rather than pay $1.2 million into the budget for health care, you can use that for something that has a priority other than that. How employees access care. So, this plan is different in that when you get an ID card, it's not going to say one of the major carriers, Bluec Cross, United, Sigma, Etna. And so, if you were to just call and say, "I need to make an appointment here. I'm I'm with Claim do or I'm with Health Scope," those front desk people don't have that on their list. They're going to say, "We don't take that." And so the reason we're coming to you now in April rather than in August when open enrollment begins is we need to be educating employees about what the way to make this the easiest for them will be and that's called pave the way. Employees will either go to the online portal or sit one-on-one with us or send an email or call in and say my doctors are and give the provider's name, the patient's name, and Claim do has 200 people in their office that reach out to these providers to explain how the plan works and in fact tell them they're going to make more money under this plan than they would just under a network option because doctors make more under this option. It's the facility claims that we're seeing savings on. There's a 96% acceptance rate nationwide. Um my experience within Central Florida is 98 and it's because they're making more money than rather than being in network.

Throughout the year, there are member advocates and it's like having your own assistant for health care. If you get a bill in the mail or you have a procedure coming up, you have one person, their direct contact information once you are established with them that you can just call, email, text whenever you have something that you need and they'll take care of it. I don't have that and I work for a company that's 23,000 people. the access summary for facilities. We intend and we have meetings scheduled uh in about a week or two weeks with your two local hospitals that do not have a lot of activity with claim. So claim has many employer groups, many smaller employer groups within our market. Um one very large employer group in our market, but those employees are not using the hospitals in St. Cloud regularly. And so we need to have meetings with them and talk to them about having a direct contract so that you don't have any any surprises, make everything smooth. Um that has already been lined up. The rest of the hospitals that are on here are regularly processing claims without issue for employees. And then your providers, uh to recap a prior discussion, there were 377 doctors that were seen by your employees and their dependents over that 12 months. 135 of them are already treating patients that are with claim doc. So not your employees but other patients. This is a network free plan. It's not they don't have to be on a list to work with the plan. We're just saying they already know how to do it. So that leaves room for employees to nominate their providers so that there's no um questions when they go to make their first appointment after the insurance changes. uh you have my commitment that I would be the one leading these meetings with your employees along with a woman named Stephanie Moore with claim doc. She's been there since the company started.

She's incredibly um educational, passionate, she's like a teacher who will explain all the nuances, answer questions, and then we'll have a team to help employees submit their nominations. And did I miss anything, Justin?

No, thank you Danielle. I think you covered it very well. Um, we are really excited about this and we know that this is a big paradigm shift for how insurance, how we think about insurance and it is going to take a lot of education for our employees to understand and that's okay. Uh, because the little bit of conversation that we're already having with some of our employees, they are already excited. They will do. They see the savings in their paychecks. they see the savings that they're going to see when they go seek services at hospitals and at their clinics. Um they they see the value in that and I think uh it's this isn't a this is a situation where everyone wins. You can stick with your traditional model if that is what makes you more comfortable or you can figure out if this plan might work better for you. The employee can save money and the city can save money as well. So with all that uh we're here for any questions you might have.

Thank you Justin. Anyone in the audience like to speak on this item? Hi, Deputy Mayor. I saw you right away. Press my button. I saw you. Go ahead. Yeah, you appreciate what you're doing. I I I and if I was a single healthy guy like Justin there, I'd probably go with it, but I'm a 63 year old guy that's been through a lot. Uh, but you had 377 uh providers and you have 135 participants. So you have 50% of the participants uh in this program that participated in the in they're participating in the programs we have now.

I I I know there's beautiful graphs and there's beautiful things going on. I like I'm a figure guy. Yeah. Figures just to me it just there isn't a network with claim do. And so what this is showing is that they're already working with other patients that have claimed doc insurance. Okay. Uh from St. Cloud. No. Oh, I'm sorry. Your employees are going to 377 doctors. And of those 377, 135 of them are treating other patients that are with claim doc. So we already know that they know how to submit claims to the plan. The other ones may not have ever heard of claim do. It's not that they're not accepting it. It's not that they're not in network. It's just they may have never heard of that name before. Right. Yes.

Right. And I'd like to ask the council of the pleasure to council later. I'm going to ask him a question about if we hire somebody internally to transition this plan. If we're saving a 1.2 mill, we pay somebody 50k to help these employees get through. Unless you're you said you have uh this one lady that's a great teacher that's going to There's 200 employees, sir. That that's their job is I'm sorry. You said one person that was a teacher. Which one was there? Stephanie Moore is the implementation manager at claim do and she will be leading the meetings with me. Okay. The team that is back in um Iowa are the ones that will be reaching out to all the providers. All right. All right. Please don't get defensive. I'm asking questions for the employees.

Absolutely. Sorry. No, I'm just I've had too much coffee. I was trying to stay awake. That's all. I wish I drank coffee because I'd be just like you, you know, but and I make a great presentation, but it's late and I don't drink coffee. So, if I fall asleep during mid-sentence, that's just because I'm old. Uh uh so we understand the three $3,000 per year savings. These are all just estimates and I and I get that and I really want to offer this service to our employees because if you look at I'm probably in the old end of the scale for uh uh city of St. Cloud employees, but there's some people been here 30 like Dan's been here 47 years and he's 52.

But but you have some start when I was five. But but I I I get it. I I really want this program to work for our our city employees. I do, Justin. I'm not debating that at all. I'm just saying I want somebody to guarantee me that they're going to hold our hands through that transition because there's so many people that care about what their grocery costs are, what their gas prices are, but they don't care about what their health care is because that saves their lives or that puts them on the medication and the doctor they need to see. You know, I've heard something that old people uh try to stay alive instead of be alive. And you want to make sure they're healthy.

Yes. And to to instead of, you know, you have a doctor take this bill, take this bill, take this, whatever. And cost of a pharmacy, I know it's going down, but does claim doc have anything to do with? No, sir. Your your pharmacy will stay with one of your major pharmacy benefit managers. That's not on the agenda. It's interesting. you can stay exactly with express scripts like you are today and that's on the table that's coming up for so if our doctor says hey Ken you need to take Eloquist not that I do but maybe uh that then I could get that prescription and that would be paid through our health insurance correct okay okay those are just questions I'm thinking of for the people I'm sorry if I'm long on this

but this is a big decision that we have to make as a city council I feel you have a lot of experience being a I I I've done I've done I've different companies have different I've had these programs with different companies and this this I might go we might be presenting another another day. Uh that was a great suggestion for if if we have a large percentage of employees switch over with the savings we could get somebody on our HR staff to help with the transition the $330,000 savings that if we had 80% if that that would be an easy that would be

I just want ease the pain of our employees and not for them to have to call the doctors not for them to make appointments not for them to have to do that and I like it that we don't have any of the St. Cloud hospitals involved with this now. But I heard that you might be calling on them to tell them that we're going to that to to get them because HCA and Orlando Health are not participants in your chart. But that's probably where most of our employees go to when they have hospitals. They go to HCA or Orlando Health in St. Cloud. I I would think uh uh for hospital stays. Is that right or wrong? Is that a pie chart that I'm good at? the HCA generally and Orlando Health generally there there's access. It's just this the regional ones. There's not a lot of other employers that have employees that are in this area that have used them. So that's why we want to have those conversations

and it's at St. Cloud the city's going to be in on those conversations. Orlando Health

and that's what we're talking about intermediary. Is that what I mentioned to to to the city manager and to you if we have an intermediary with with maybe Jason's group uh to do that for the transition? I like it. I I'm just I'm don't mean to be the devil's advocate, but I am because I look at the people that have health issues or their kids have health issues and that's the ones that not for a healthy guy like Kobe that runs and goes to Augusta on Tuesdays and back on Thursday, but there's other people that are older that can't afford to go to Augusta. But in the same I'm I'm just jealous. That's why I just said that. But that's the only thing I'm looking at. If we can transition this, I I would love it. And the savings is great. But you know, you say, "Hey, let's go. We're going to get we're going to save you a bunch of money. All you have to do is get a Kia Smart car. You don't need to drive that truck anymore. We're going to get you a little one. Just don't get an accident because you're going run over." But if you got truck, you might be better at that. So that may be a bad analogy, but I I don't want to suffer their insurance for our employees. I want them to be able to drive that same truck and have that same service. And I know it's a bad analogy, but I and I love the presentation. I I think it's a good one. I I I'm not going to say which way I'm going to go with it,

but I I did have questions I think you'd answer them. Well, last question is you're a the broker of this. I am the city's employee benefits consultant since 2012. And you will continue that? Yes, sir. Okay. I already feel better because you're still representing us. Yes. You're not selling us something and going to sell to uh there's another city that's not the safest city in Florida that's right down the road. So, you're just for us and that's cool. I yield back to you, Mayor. Those are the questions I had and I may have a few more, but thank you very much. Yeah, sir. Uh Council Member Paul. Um yes. How often are the claims denied?

Denied. So they are not denied any more than the Sigma claims as far as prior authorization. Is that what you're talking about? Like an authorization or a claim that is just not paid? Yeah. Not paid. There's none. Zero. Okay. So anything that the doctor sent to you guys, you have paid at all? Yeah. And it's not me to clarify. It's not you. But but yes. So what happens is the doctor submits the claim. It's reviewed for accuracy and then paid. Okay. Thank you, Council Member.

Um, are the patient advocates or whoever gets you hooked up with a doctor, are they subject to the HIPPA laws, like say if I get in a fight with Deputy Mayor Gilbert and he breaks my nose and I don't really want people to know about it. He went to Augusta. I didn't. He didn't invite me. Are they subject? Yes, that would just it would be between you two.

Okay. Um so the what um deputy mayor had some really good points about this. Um I do understand this is going to be a major major transition and an education campaign uh for all of the employees. What really made me feel better about this is that to me it's giving employees just more options. Uh because they they could still have the option of staying with a traditional health insurance plan if they choose or they can if they're healthier guy they could go to uh this and and save some money on their paycheck. So I like that it offers options and savings. Um you can go either way with that. All right. Any other comments?

One more. Yes, sir. Sigma is who we currently have. Yes. And United Healthcare I have with another company. And United Healthcare is normally a larger cost than Sigma. I mean, they're all very similar, but there's $800 for a Talon, 600 for Sigma, 800 for United Health. Why United Health? Because Sigma says either all or none. Correct. Okay. Thank you. That's all I understood. No explanation needed, which is cool. They're both good. Good. So, the people that go to Unite Healthcare

will see an increase of 12.4% or if not maybe more. And I can't we're estimating right now, but Sigma's is going to be how much more? It was it was a 12.4% increase. And the premiums for the PO under United are 10% for the employees. Thank you very much. Okay, that was annoying. I'm just asking questions and again I think you did a great job. I you'd like to offer that. You know, it's like do you want cheese pizza or cheese and pepperoni? You kind of but but it's you still get full, right? You get taken care of unless you go to Bellaromas. It's very expensive. But the best pizza joint in in St. Cloud.

Are you getting paid to advertise? No, I just I'm sorry. I'm hungry and late. Can you tell? No. And I know this is the second time you've come back and you've kind of This is a different option obviously a better option. They did some homework, didn't they? Yeah. Uh, city manager.

Thank you. I just wanted to uh let the council know that earlier today I joined a conference call with the vice president from claim to discuss the process a little bit more. Um, and I think one of the things that was it was it was probably clear during all of the briefings, but it it it was more clear after the meeting today to me, and I just wanted to to to make sure that the city council had the same understanding that I I gained today. Um, we don't have to have an agreement with each of the providers and the doctors. It actually potentially saves the city even more money because when they enter into an agreement with the hospital, they typically agree to to pay more than the 125% of Medicare. Um, so what what's what's important is that employees are working with the claim doc representative that's assigned to them when they need to use the doctor to to make sure that they call and say who they're going to go to and we'll find out that that doctor has already already knows how to how to work with claim do it's like a pre-authorization what already happens right now with the doctor's office and Sigma before we go but this time the employee instead of looking online is potentially going to be reaching out to the representative. So, I I just wanted to to let the council know that that was it it was a little more obvious to me today with that meeting with the vice president. So, I hope I explained that right.

You you did. and he just to let the council know he was a hospital executive a CFO for many many years and moved over to help claim doc because they wanted to be provider friendly versus their competitors that are in the market who have more of a um more animosity towards the hospitals. So it's more of a give and take and it's a I will do what I say I will do. He knows all of our hospitals within Central Florida, the same people that um are making these decisions. And it's a prove it and they've proved it. Um they've done what they said that they would do at these hospitals and they're not saying we won't work with claim do.

So let's assume so they can have an option, right? An employee. So if they go with claim doc, let's just assume they present their doctor to claim doc and claim doc says or doctor says no, right? They they can't go and be covered under United Healthcare, right? They have to go with a doctor that will say yes to claim back. There's two things on that. So

one, we're trying to get all of that information well before open enrollment begins in August. So the employee will know going into open enrollment if they are already seeing a doctor whether or not that doctor is accepting the plan. The other piece I'll say is what if they don't have a doctor or they have to go get a new doctor and that doctor says no I want 800% of Medicare and this plan won't pay me that. Um which is what really the discussion is behind the scenes with with claim do. um there might be a some sort of surgeon that that's what they would like. And what can happen there is the employee is redirected to any of the other surgeons that don't want 800% or,000% of Medicare or the employee can self-pay and continue going to that doctor and submit their claim to the plan for reimbursement up to the plan maximum. So, if that doctor wanted $15,000 for the surgery, but claim Doc's willing to pay up to eight, the employee could can self-pay if they really wanted to go to that doctor. I haven't had any employees that have done that um with my other clients. What we see is an employee may be undergoing treatment over the summer, then forgets to nominate the provider, and we have to do some transition of care early in the plan year. And that's where I come in. there might be some some things that we need to to take care of early in the year and get that education back out.

Yeah. And I think that's what you guys were saying is if we had somebody on staff just to encourage these folks, hey, present your doctor to this program, you know, present this program to your doctor, see if they will accept it right early on before the enrollment. So, yeah. Go ahead, Jess.

If I may, if I may add, if this is approved tonight, that's exactly what we're going to do. And so, we have benefit staff on our team. They're going to work with Danielle. how they're going to work with claim doc. We are going to have meetings with employees in this room. We're going to have meetings with employees in their departments out in the field and talking about this. We'll be sending information home to their to their spouses. Uh because sometimes spouses are the ones making those decisions. Uh we intend to campaign, for lack of a better word, to make sure every employee understands what this plan is about so they make a well-informed decision by the time it come by the time it comes to August for open enrollment. They should know If they've submitted all their doctors, their pediatricians, their urgent cares, their labs, their chiropractors, their mental health counselors, they should know if this plan is going to work for them or not.

All right. If their doctor accepts Sigma now, that's what they have now, right? That's what correct. But let's say they've got the option of claim doctor, United Healthcare, what if the doctor doesn't accept either one of those two? They they all do. They all do. Unite healthcare. They do. Okay. So that option is there where they It's a wider network than what we currently have with That's safety net right there. Yep. Exactly. And they'll know that before the enrollment. Correct. Perfect. Is that good? May I have a question? Sorry manager first. Let's go ahead. I'm sorry.

She Thank you. I I wanted to share actually I'm going to prompt the question so that Danielle can share because I I asked it earlier today with the um with the vice president. So, so my question at the time was if we don't enter into an agreement with HCA for instance and say we get one with St. Cloud Hospital and we don't have one with HCA or say we don't have one with either uh but certain certain I I know certain um medical issues you're going to be taken to HCA because say St. cloud hospital doesn't have that facility to care. But what happens if they don't have an agreement? And he it was explaining that under in an emergency situation, Danielle, that that's the prompt for you.

Yes, I'll take that. So, uh, under the no surprises act, it is uh, hospitals and providers are not allowed to balance bill members during emergency services. So, that member does not have to think whether there's an agreement, what they're paying. They pay their co-pay and they're done. Let's say the hospital, which I've only had two out of my three larger employers that are on this right now in our area. I've had two employees that the the hospital did try to balance bill the plan and claim doc is a a co-fiduciary under the plan. So they take that risk from the city. They do all of the legal back and forth and they come to a settlement which is done by a um arbit arbitur

arbitrator. Yes, that um and they decide what the fair amount is and it's usually a lot closer to what claim do was going to pay. Deputy mayor,

the following summary shows the status of physicians used by St. Cloud as of February 27, 2026. This report is a general overview of the access and care enjoyed by members of the plan and numbers of providers for each category. Total unique providers are 377 participating are 135. Got it. Justin, you know there's 377 to be proactive and offer this to our employees. I would like to contact the other 200 and some and say, "Listen, we're changing. You a board or you're not so we can provide that to our to our employees." And that's what you said you're going to do. And that's what we said we even if we had to hire somebody that's a care provider or a transitional provider because we still have to when I when I came to work here I had to United Healthcare and I was blessed by the city is one of the benefits we have here in councils we get health insurance and I went to Sigma and you know how many problems I had from changing from United to Sigma? Zero. I would love to have the same if I transfer from Sigma to what's it called? Docs.

CLA. Claim docs. You you you dock. Okay. Claim docs. So if you can bridge that gap for us, Justin, with with with your department, even if we have to put additional staff on board, would would council would that please counsel? Oh, I before you before you even answer that because while I would love additional hands helping us in our department, um I believe already we're going to take that provider file of those 377 providers. Claim doc is going to get that and then they're going to start reaching out in addition. So they are the ones that are going to be So you're not okay. Did you correct? Can this is on record, right? Yeah.

So we're going to get this service and we don't have cost the same money. Justin, I like you more than I did today than I did yesterday. And I always liked you, but that's a good thing. I yield back. I I just I I know how important it's usually salary and then healthcare in any employment opportunity that you have in in the real world. So, and this is going to make it even more attractive. Okay. Well, thank you again. I'm asking the questions for for us and the mayor's allowed me to ask those questions. I appreciate that, Mayor. I'm going to yell back to you, but it seems like you get to ask as many questions as I do. I I just I just looking for the employees. I'm just I'm just looking for

and I'm glad you're asking a lot of this. You have experience, especially with uh the hiring of many many employees going through all this. So, uh Okay. So, what's next? Right. Well, we need a motion. Motion to Everybody wants to move forward with this. Um if you're comfortable with it. Okay. Motion to approve. All right, we have a motion to approve. Council member Urban. Second. Second from Council Member Paul. Will the clerk please call the role? Council member Urban I. And Deputy Mayor Gilbert. I. Council member Fletcher. Council member Paul. Hi. Mayor Robertson. I.

Motion carries 40. Thank you. I know it's difficult, but thank you. And and and one thing this council will do, and Justin knows it, this presentation is under recording. We're going to hold you to every bit of those words. You can go have coffee now. I have to drive back to Iowa. Get some coffee before you leave. It probably only take an hour now. It's not middle of the day.

All right. And will the clerk please read item number three? Resolution number 2026-044R a resolution of the city council of city of St. Cal Florida authorizing the termination of that certain agreement dated July 28 2021 effective October 1, 2021 between the city of St. Cloud and Signet Healthcare Life Insurance Company whose subject matter is administrative services only agreement and providing an effective date. Good evening again, human resources director. This is a mere formality. So, now that you've approved the prior agreement, we do need to terminate the contract with Sigma at the end of this current fiscal year. All right. Would anyone in the audience like to speak on this item? With that, Deputy Mayor Gilbert,

the only question I had, and I think it's it's answered, Justin, but uh if you could tell me that this is a separate agreement than the the clinic that's uh provided for for for the staff because I think that's one of the best benefits that the city of St. Cloud has that they we have a clinic. Correct. The clinic will remain okay regardless and that is a separate contract that's not impacted by this decision. Thank you very much. I yield back. Well, you're putting wild on Justin on this one. This is He He You went all in on this one, Ken. So, it better work. No, I think uh I have faith that it's going to work out. All right. And uh can I get a motion on this item? Motion to approve.

Motion approved. Council member Paul. Second. Second from Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Will the clerk please call the role? Deputy Mayor Gilbert. I. Council member Fletcher. Council member Paul. Hi. Council member Urban. I. Mayor Robertson. I. Motion carries. 5-0. I'm sorry. Excuse me. 40. Justin, thank you very much. I appreciate your hard work. I really do. All right. And will the clerk We appreciate your support. Thank you.

Yes. Thank you very much, Justin. Will the clerk please read item number four? Resolution number 2026-051R a resolution of the city council of city of St. Cloud Florida create creates a process to allow for to allow for individual council members to provide direct funds to purchase tables and events and select organizations that directly benefit the citizens of St. Cloud. Good evening, Mayor. I looked over for you. Oh, I guess

now I moved over this side. Yes, sir. Uh Scott David off, deputy city manager. Uh well, what you have before you tonight is something that this council has talked about for a very long time uh over the course of probably two years now that that's had some changes and some modifications. So what staff has presented here is all of the feedback and the comments that we have put together into this policy. Uh and what it does is it creates two separate categories under community empowerment funds. Uh the two categories that the city council had directed staff to come up with was for event tables. So this is for when city council members are asked to want to attend an event that has a table that is outside of what is already in the budget. Uh, as you know, we've sent out to city council members for those uh, events for the budget, and these are for those other ones that come up throughout the course of the year. So, that would be $5,000 for each city council member, and then there are certain qualifications that these organizations would be required to meet, provide certain documentation, again, all the things that city council has asked for previously. And then the second category of that is for community organizations. So this is no longer limited to a specific event. Uh it could be used for that purpose, but it's also just for an organization purpose. Uh and for this uh each city council member would have $10,000 with a maximum of $1,500 allocated to any single organization per fiscal year. And again, there's a number of requirements that city council has asked for. Some of the other areas uh for example being nonprofits uh that

they have been in uh that the organization has existed for a certain amount of time as well as providing documentation postevent or if it's for an organization would be documentation that they have to provide to the city council uh at the end of the before the end of the fiscal year. So, I know there's a lot of information. We had sent this out ahead of time. Uh, so I'm here to answer any questions as we assume there'll probably be a number of those or some changes. All right. I'm going to ask audience uh if anyone in the audience has any comments on this first. With that, Deputy Mayor Gilmer,

uh, thank you for putting this together. Uh, two things. You said 1,500 uh, per table per event. Uh, it's 5,000 for the tables. It's 5,000 in a 10, but you can only use 1,500 of the 5,000 for event. Two separate categories. So, I can say I'm putting $5,000 to this one table. Yes, sir.

Okay. Thank you. Uh, second thing is I would like stipulations in that is that each table that is purchased by the council has a council member plus one to that as the introductory. And then if those aren't used, then it goes to city and city management for representation. I don't want to book a table and bring my buddies.

Yes. Absolutely. And that's the language that exists in there now. Uh the way it's written is it says purchase tables shall be for city council member plus one guest and then be open to all other city council members. If seats are left open, they shall be made available to other city staff members according to the city's standard operating procedure, which is the same way we do it now where it kind of moves down the line. Perfectly. I don't want to change I I'm sorry. I would not want to see that changed on my on my position. And then the events, there's a $10,000 events. Is there a limit on how much per event?

Uh for the organizations, it was the $1,500 per per organization that city council had directed previously. It that's what we directed as I'm sorry, I got sometimes. So if that's what we did, that's fine. But but I just didn't know because some of some of these tables are a little bit more expensive, right? And that's why the council know we can't talk. We might sponsor half a table and then a half a table or something like that. I don't know. But thank you for that and thank you for following up with this. This is a this I think this is a pretty good structure. But I yield back to you, mayor. Thank you.

Yeah. But the one comment I had on what you said, um is it only the sponsoring member that gets a seat plus a guest or is it council members? because that's the way it's been before is they ask is it you and a guest for each council member on all of these tables. So I know council member Gilbert, Deputy Mayor Gilbert often times will bring his wife or Yes. Um but this if another council member does it, you don't bring a plus one. That's that's different than what we've had in the past.

Um what we have in the past uh so for example many of the events that the it's typically eight at at a table there. So we know we have five council members. If everybody came plus one that that's 10 there there's not enough room at that point. So the way that our our policy has always worked is um it's on a first come first- serve basis. So as the policy is now you all Sandra will send something out ask who's bringing a guest and then it kind of goes based on who who responds.

But that's not how it how it reads in here. So we need to clean that up. And and I appreciate all of this. I think it's I'm I'm going to be working some of this out of this and saying it out loud here because I think it's a little stringent. I think it's creating a lot of work on staff that really doesn't need to. We're a self-governing board. We're all grown-ups here. We know what a nonprofit is and what's not.

Um, one thing I don't think we need a nonprofit to be open for three years. Maybe in procurement, maybe all of that. That's not what we're talking about here. this is council and and and I appreciate all that. I think we just kind of took a lot of that language from procurement and threw it in here, but this is not that type of a grant program. Um, and I will 100% say I will not give any of my money to any of the nonprofits that other than maybe the St. Cloud Citizens Foundation, which is the city obviously, but I think they've got enough money in there. I don't really think they need any. Um, yeah, so I can even say that. Um, but I operate a C19 which is a veterans organization which is I believe the American Legion and the VFW. So under this they don't qualify for anything and they are a nonprofit. So if we can add C19s in there as well. Um being that we are Soldier City and they focus on a lot of our veterans, it's a veteran organization, but we're going to say they don't qualify.

I think we add C19s in there as well. U I have a problem with C4s because they can get into politics. So we need to really look into into the C4s and I know it says they can't be but they are not necessarily they can get into the politics. We'll trust I believe that that there's some some activity that can um bless you.

So no C4 add C19. Well, look into the C4 as long I know it does say they shall be nonpartisan, non-religious, non-political. Even if it's just the activity that they're doing is not political or non-religious. I think if the organization does any of that, they don't qualify. Right. Right. That's correct. I mean, that's that's the intent. Yes. So the way that's written, they have to the organization has to meet all of the applicable items on that list.

So even if it is organized where it can be a political based function, it still would be prohibited because the organization shall not be a political shall I mean shall be non-political.

2.6 is where you're reading from. Yeah. I'm just looking online. Are you looking at the C4s? Yeah. Let me see what it was.

Because I remember I've seen a C4 where they kind of dip their toes into the into the politics and they were allowed to. I'm sorry. I know. I don't really want to get hung up on this one, but uh it's a good point though. We definitely don't want to get involved in that. Um, I want to take away the the the three years. I don't care if a if a nonprofit starts up today and they start a soccer program or and they they need some funds, $300 or something, we should be able to to give that out and and I jumped the gun and started talking, but council member Paul hit her light earlier. I am so sorry.

Um, yeah. So, one of the um under the community empowerment fund tables that indicated shall be based in or directly serving St. Cloud. So, how do you handle that? Like being that I was selected for an award, the organization who nominated me is not in St. Cloud. So,

and and again, I I think the mayor really hit it on the head because the way that this is written is that each city council member is making that determination that it fits within that policy. So, if it I I think that can be argued a lot of different ways. um that that's really going to be something that's up to each individual council member at that point. If I may comment, Miss Paul, is that it is part of the city because you're part of the team and you're being awarded so that becomes a city function. Okay. I just want to make it clear because it and here it says what it says. So I just want to

my interpretation is you're being awarded something. You represent the city. So then the city is represented, right? That would be serving the city of St. Cloud. That's what I that's my understanding unless Dan's got something different. But and this was really written kind of following the rules of conduct where council is the judge of council. So it was really written for for council you to be making the decisions about your funds and we're we're just the check writer, right? Um yeah, you took everything what we talked about last meeting matched up with the way the grants, right? and previous meetings on some of the other conversations from all the previous notes.

So if if you as the council member think that it applies to the rules, you you get to make that decision. That's not up to that's not up to us. That is as as it was written. Correct. We we govern each other up here. That's the at the end of the day.

Okay. Okay. And I also under advertising I want to take out the um I understand if we use the logo on the flyer um we talked about having sponsored by can council member and city of St. Cloud that can the text can be removed cuz I don't ever want to be classified as being self- serving on a flyer. So that could be taken out because I don't have to have a picture or I don't have to have none of that text on there. So if it has the logo I know it represents all of us up here. So, so no text at all is what you're you're stating, just the city logo on there. Yes.

Okay. Is that all you had on there, Council Member Paul? Yes.

All right. I'm going to go through the list and what just I'm trying to simplify it because this is with with the request that Council Member Paul, you know, made for some a few events. we need to while I agree with them, we need to have parameters and this was kind of the result of that and I appreciate every all the work you guys did on this. So, um, of course the we're going to allow that table the Okay, it because it doesn't have about the table. We're good on that, right? For her request. Yes, sir. Okay, good.

As long as that's because I'm looking at, you know, because there's there's different rules for each one. That's why I'm looking at it's it's it's very very similar. It's it's the the tables just because I would like to strike out the existence for three years. Perfect. That's applicable. Um I understand for like a pattern of of um good behavior with some of these, but some of these it's I think these council members can use their best discretion on that. uh add the C19s in there,

but I would never I operate a C19. I will never give a dollar from mine to uh to that. Um All right. And and we're talking about the the the first set of rules under the table section one. Yes, sir. Yeah.

Okay. This one shall be eligible for one community empowerment fund table request per year. That's fine. Um that's the organization, right? Talking about the organization. That's correct. All right. Now, if they didn't request it and we just went ahead and purchased it, they can't request it. You see what I'm saying? So, say there's a table that non say Boy Scouts or another organization and they didn't request it and we just did it. They can't request it. It's really the intent is one purchase per organization, one table.

Correct. Because the only the only other way there would be something would be if it was already in the budget for an organization. And so there there's language um well I don't know on the other side. I don't think you understand what I'm saying is so say there's an organization that I feel that that I would like to support in a community, but they didn't make a request to me. I'm taking the approach and saying I think that's something that we should be a part of and and have a seat at the table. And so say we purchase table, say it's $1,000, right? Correct. That I guess the language reads it says shall be eligible for a table request per organization. Well, it's it's it it's one table because the request is from the the request is actually from the city council member.

Council member, sir. Got you. That's what I was saying. So, before I was I said the organization, but actual the city council member. Yes. Perfect. The requester is the city council member. Again, the other stuff about 45 days in advance, all of that stuff, the IRS termination letter. I think we can determine that ourselves. Um, well, the 45 days was just for sometimes organizations take a very long time to get that information to you and for us to be able to I don't think we need the check.

I don't think we need because I can tell you how they handled the county. I purchased a table. I'm sorry. Commissioner Chowry purchased a table from an organization every three months. I call her up. She says yes. They call within an hour. I they read over the the the card and I'm not opposed to the PC card being used and then put in a a request for it to be funded out of that um whatever the $10,000 or the 5,000. We got to simplify this. This is this is this is put creating too much staff work I think and and too much red tape. Um I don't think that's the intent in 45 days. If I've got a soccer team, a St. cloud soccer team, which if y'all remember before I got elected, they were reaching out to me and they needed $350 or something. And if they contact me and says, "Hey, next week we need some assistance. We're going to state, you know, we're going out to Texas." That's an actual thing is what they did. Um, can you help us out? The

I want to immediately say, "Yes, here you go. Done." The the intent is that processing time to cut a check because we have to put them into the system for them to be a vendor. So, we have to have the W dine and we have to have them fill out that that vendor form. And sometimes just that physical process takes a bit of time. And so, if we're requiring that that information, if it's a nonprofit, we have to have all that information. We can change that to whatever you want. It's just more so that the organization doesn't expect that if they

come to you on Wednesday and say, "We need a check on Thursday." But no, I I say we put in prior to them receiving any funds, they need to have that W9 in, which is what, you know, I I've had to do with St. Cloud Hospital for the St. Cloud Citizens Foundation, the Veterans Council, and other things. So, I think that's on the actual application. No matter if it takes whether it takes a day, a week, a year, if they don't have that W9 in as a vendor, then they don't get funds. Sure. We can certainly put the time clock on them, not on us. Yes, sir. So, we can scratch out all of 1.3. That's uh other than the W9, we can just put in a W9 is required in order to receive any payments.

So you don't want them to provide an IRS determination letter. We can figure we can find out their nonprofit. I can go on the IRS and search it myself. But mayor, if I may on that, if you're going to establish a policy where where city funds are going to go out to private organizations that if one of the thresholds for it is not for profit, I think you're going to need something in the record. an auditor so that the auditor doesn't look back and go so what are you doing what can we look out to see to verify that all this money went to not for profofits so just and I'm just going off how my experience in for three years with the count of the

I understand the county has a different process of doing it they just allow each one of the commissioners to have a set amount of money that they're able to use for basically whatever purposes they want but I'm just trying to cut red tape so we're not delayed if they agree 100% % on our staff. And I do also think that you probably don't need even the reference to all the different 501 organizations. They're either a not for profofit as registered for the IRS or they're not right. So there are except there was that one that gets into the political. Well, no, if you look at if you look at it's and I did look it up.

Yeah. 501c3s, which is probably the most traditional nonforprofit anybody ever sees, and 501c4s are both allowed to do permitted to do political political activities. 501c3s are much more limited as to what they can do, and the 501c34s are unlimited.

So, but there also are a lot of organizations that take go for 501c4 registration, right? Like that out there. I don't reason why I'm saying you can remove it. If you keep the language in there that says they they they're not g they're not going to be organizations that participate in political activity. It doesn't matter how they're registered. That's the threshold, right? So if they are an organization that participates in political activity, they're they are excluded from this under your policy if you keep that in there. Yeah. Yeah. And I only mentioned I showed you that one obviously and it was a C4 and they've come out and and they actually endorse candidates and we don't want to be given money for endorsing candidates.

I looked up when you brought it up I looked up some of the I was surprised to see some of the enemies that are listed on the C4 and I can tell you that at least three or four of them I've gotten mailers from for political candidates just by one I just looked up. So apparently under a C4 and I don't know this I'm learning it along too. C4 there's unlimited it allows for unlimited political activity by a C4 organization the IRS does well can't we just exclude C4s from that well but they al but but there are other organizations that don't participate in political activity that are registered as C4s like certain like homeowners associations so there are I want to give money to homeowner association it was my

and mayor if it if if it may help with this too this isn't necessarily an organization coming to you this this is If an organization were to come to you, it's the individual council member doing your own due diligence, understanding what the city attorney just said that you're taking a look. If if it is something of that nature, you're you're under no obligation whatsoever at at for any of these to provide this funding to them. This is up to you as an individual council members to make that determination on is this an organization that you're willing to support with this funding. Okay. Yeah. Yeah, we just have to take a deep dive every time we do if we do. Um, do you have anything else on that, city attorney?

No, sir. Thank you. Thank you. All right, that's fine. Um, how long would it take to get an IRS determination letter? And typically those are uploaded. Yeah, the the organization would provide it. I mean, we we have to do that now for anybody who's who's a facility delay. Obviously that's 45 days was a little extreme. We can certainly they got to put a request in and 45 days prior to they may not even know that they've won a state tournament. Then we want to help them out. Sure. We can certainly remove that just because that's right. No, we can certainly remove that.

And if you remember that was that was one where I think that the the grants were already put out. I think remember there was only there was limited money left. It was prior to me being elected and I called around. Yep. Yeah. I was harassing y'all before I even got here. Um W9 obviously that's a no-brainer vendor form eligible prior submitting community. Yeah. So one so 1.3 stays just with us striking the minimum of the 45 days just be made in advance. Right. I think it would just read prior to receiving funds the determination letter and the W9 those Right.

Right. We we could remove I I I I I think it may be it may fit where requests must be submitted to the executive assistant via community empowerment fund and then it takes out that entire section about the time frame there. Just here's here's that has to be submitted form W9 determination letter. Well, and the event flyer but what if it's not an event? Well, this is for the tables. This is the Okay. And if they've got a t Yeah, if there's a table, they've got a flyer. That's fine. Um,

so sure fight is spent hosting meets all purchase tables. This is the one the the plus one guest and then be open to all the council members plus one guest. I think that's the this is for whoever the sponsoring council member is is automatically getting themselves plus one guest. And then it's it's available for the other council members referring to 100%. Okay. 100%. It's a city council. If there's eight, there's eight. Yeah. If there's 10, there's

and we never go to the same thing. I mean, typically you'll have me and and Kobe and and Ken and and he'll bring a guest and maybe I will and Kobe sometimes. We're pretty fair with each other on how that how that but before it gets offered to staff, I think we should have the option of bringing guests as well. Oh, always. That's that's that's the process that it is now. It's going to follow the exact same process. Uh the only difference is that whoever the sponsoring council member is will have that first opportunity to bring the one guest. And the only thing reason I guess we request that is they're normally at night on Saturdays and Sundays and we we try to keep our absolutely together. He gets why.

Just kidding. Um, the city shall not advertise for events. That's essentially saying the city's not having to advertise. We can push it out there and say, "Hey, we support this with this 100% with our funds." Yeah. Just the city is not pushing out. Correct. For for the tables. Yes, sir. That's fine. Receipt of funds is not exempt from adherence to all code codes. What's a code? City codes. I know what that means. Just I knew it was a typo.

All right. Yeah, that's fine. Um, all right. Section two. Let me I say I assume most of it's about the same stuff. Um, each com shall be entitled to Okay. um a maximum 1500 uh to any single organization. Now, is that one coun what what if I chose $1,500 to an organization? Is that saying that another council member can't?

That's correct. Okay. Are we specific on that? That that's why it says a maximum of 1500 can be allocated to any single organization per fiscal year. Can we discuss that, Mayor? Yes, sir. Go ahead. Y uh there may be causes that you and I both support

and the tables maybe 2500 bucks. I I I'm just I don't have the answer. That that number just came from what the council had had provided before. So, thank you, Scott. I mean, and I agree. We don't want to sit 1500, 1500, 1500. All of a sudden, we got 8 n grand or whatever between everybody. Um, well, you know, that might put a parameter on everything. I think I think you put the parameter at maximum per council member. Um, maximum 2,000 per organization. Is that fair? If that's the Well, what what whatever we tell this organization, mayor, is that this is what our maximum offer as a council person. But I agree.

Here's the deal. At the end of the day, this is stuff that occurs without individual votes. Again, if if a situation like that occurs, we can vote as a council at a council meeting because we're putting these rules on ourselves. Put her light on cuz I'll also watch I had my light on you guys just like it's like the council code of conduct all that stuff as a whole. We Right. I also remind you you are adopting you're doing it by resolution, but it's a policy. Yeah. So a month into it if you think it's not working because it you can just we can put it right back and we can change it right. So you and since it's some of these things you have to kind of get started on them and tweak them and see yeah is it is it really doing what we thought it was going to do.

You can always just like we've been doing with the proclamations where something might not quite fit the policy. A council member brings it up during their time just because they want to get it on the record and you guys could all say I'm all giving $1,500. I mean, if donates to save the unicorns, I mean, how'd you know? We may have an issue with that. All right. Um, the one thing I did see, or does it say receive funding from one council member per year? That is funding from the 10 grand, right? Yes, sir.

I think up to that, 1500. So, what if we say you get because I think I think number 2.2 two kind of is enough because what if they come to me and say, "Hey, I need $300." And then next time they s, you know, couple months down the road, can you get us $200? Well, now they're only, you know, 700 bucks. Then they say 500. You said three. You said three and two. I was trying. So what you're saying is that the organization it's a grand total of 1,500. I think that and it could be 200, 200, what whatever. Yeah, we can do it. certainly pull that out.

But that also um um here's the other concern uh 2.5 uh organizations that currently benefit from St. Cloud budget appropriation um including other direct funding grant assistance. So we assist the council on aging. Say there's something that I want to support at the council on aging. Well, we we're already given funds, but not for um maybe there's some other kind of initiative. Meals on Wheels. I I don't know if we do. We get money at to Meals on Wheels. CDBG funds. They have gone there. They they've gone there. They've also they've also gone for the the van.

We bought we bought a refrigerated truck for them in the past. In the past. We can take that out if Yeah. But you see what I'm saying? like there may be something that they've got so many programs. They've got the medical, they've got the elder care, they've they've got the food pantry, they've got meals on wheels. You're right. They they do have a lot. Certainly. 2.5 out. Okay. Perfect. I think the 1500 really protects what's in the best interest of taxpayers. We're not sitting here just dulling out to one organization, you know, over 15. And and all of this again spreads it out,

right? And all this again goes goes away from providing waivers that this way you're able to provide the the actual funding because you know one of the challenges when the city council provides waivers to an organization is that city department public works parks and recreation police fire whatever it is those departments are out that revenue now and having to pay for those expenses this way that revenue is actually going to that department. Yeah. Yeah. I understand this the same language align this 2.7 we would remove that 45 days. Yeah. Take out I would take out the three years of the 2.6. Yep.

As well. Keep the rest of it request submitted 45 day. Yeah. You're already down to 2.7. Yes, sir. Okay. I would I don't think we need a copy of their annual budget. I don't even need I mean an afteraction report. I don't know. Those were all things that council had asked previously. I think I think we give a at least report on anything that we get out. I think it's great to to tell people, hey, this is where that you know that we've we've allotted taxpayer dollars. If you're going to a gig, you're going to know if it's worth it by the time you leave the gig.

So ju just to so I've got it here. So you want to remove the annual report, the tax return, and the budget. Yeah, I think a determination letter. I'm fine with articles incorporation as well, you know, having that in there. Um, a W9 and a vendor form are really all that matters. So, and then the um the 2.9 then you wanted to remove as well where the the post Yeah, I don't think that's necessary. I think um I'll definitely let everybody know we're you know well that that limit if we're given $1,500 they got give us a report then they have to hire a company then they spend $300 on a report

and what's the recourse if they don't give it to us in certain amount of time what's the I just it would be that they wouldn't be eligible for future funding that's it so I it's not enough money to do that if we're giving corporations 50,000 or whatever I think we're different you guys on on the TDC See, you require the report and I I turn it in 11:59 in A45. But we do require the report. A lot of this portion of the thing, and some of this was pulled directly from the requirements of TVC, but it takes EK. I I'll tell you, they spent a lot of time encouraging us, hey, get it in, get it in. So, there's a lot of just Right. I agree.

All right. Does not exempt from adherence. Okay. Oh, got that right. City codes on that one. advertising. This is the Mary Emma section. Geez. Mary Emma. She was She's not here anymore. Like I don't This whole digital post shall be shared for up to two months. I know she's working in the best interest of the city trying to put all that in there. She'll yell me tomorrow, I'm sure, for even we just wanted to be consistent with with everything else that's that's done and and to make sure that organizations and and council members have some clear expectations on what that is. Okay. city logo as well as tech sponsored by council member. I'm good all with that.

This is all the brand brand standards that we have for everything that the city does. We just want to make sure you brought that up, but you were saying that's just not important, right? It's not important. I'm okay with that. If if that's what we're doing, that doesn't Am I wrong, Councilwoman Paul? You said it's not important that your name isn't attached to it, but I mean the logo is there, but are you okay with that? Um, yes, I'm okay with the logo. Um, I was just referring to um a comment that was made. Well, matter of fact, the email that was made about me being self- serving on the flyer, and that's not important to me. Good. So, I'm just I care about supporting who's serving our community. That's what I care about. So,

okay. So are you guys saying you want to take out that part? Well, just the logo is fine, just not what individual has sponsored the event because we're a team, right? Then we're going to take that off. So it just be city logo must be utilized. That's perfect. That that really simplifies it. And uh Councilman Paul, I wouldn't worry about what anybody says on Facebook. This wasn't Facebook. So that I know you were doing out of the goodness of your heart like you're really trying to do something. And this is we just know we we need to set parameters when we do things. And that's the I think that was the whole intent of this logo. Shall I use and meet city branding guidelines? That means this lapel pin. I know Mara does not like they're looking good though.

I gave one to her as a gift in her office. She's got it with her challenge coins. Oh, you got it, too. I'm sorry. I got um logo shall use meet all brand guidelines. marketing materials for the event shall include seed logo if any of the approved formats but we're not going to have that the sponsors and all that we can just take out I don't care about marketing I think we'd be putting it out there anyway if it's um in some organizations

I think it's important that we put it out there that the city of St. Cloud does sponsor it, but I don't think that they need to be I I think they need to put us on as a sponsor if time permits, right? We want to encourage that. So, we're not making it a requirement, right? But but if it's something like a a soccer league, we want them to obviously we want them to come out and thank us for helping them. Well, they may not have any advertising with it. That's it. So, this is only if they're doing if they do, right? This is only if they're doing print advertising. if you know if you if they can.

And the timing was a really good point because you you have to give your logo very early when you're sponsoring an event to get on the marketing materials. Right. I know. Well, with like with Rotary and what we were doing with the Chism Park with the boat trailers and all that, you know, that's one of the things they said, "Look, we can't put your logo on there at this time, but you guys can hang your banner. you know, we don't have the time to, it's too late to add the city logo to their stuff. Um, when desired by the event, organizer, marketing materials may include a photo of the spot. We don't need that line. You see which one I'm talking about. Mhm. All right. Uh, city will provide official photo of the county. So, we can take out that whole,

right? First city's brain stand. No all trace made over. That's perfect. Got to keep that. Uh, and there must be clear. Okay, that's a Marama protecting the logo, which I appreciate. Draft, printed, and digital content shall be sent to the city's communication department for review to ensure brand compliance prior if time permits. I mean, obviously, I mean, if we're they're putting the logo on there, just don't change our logo, right? We have to give permission for people to use our logo. So, that's just that's being consistent with that, right? And you would be surprised some people who use our logo. It's Chicago. Oh no.

It's it it can be pretty bad sometimes from some organiz. I knew it. Aren't you supposed to be home by now? And this again, this is all content that that city council has previously approved. We just wanted to put it in here so that anybody from an organization would would be able to see it as well.

Okay. So, if they and that is just the the logo. So, say they want to put something on. So, I'm just making sure you're not, you know, going to make threatening motions to me. Um, I'm afraid to talk now. No, if so, say say I sponsored say a uh like the soccer team. I'll just keep going to that. They can put a post out and say thank you city of St. Cloud with the logo that's already on our website, right? I mean, we encourage that as long as they we don't want them changing anything.

They can't copy and paste it from the website because that changes the the branding. Okay. that that that you want to uh maybe clarify and maybe I'm just overthinking it. No, we're not overthinking it. But what I think they're thinking, mayor, is that they use us and put it on the top thing. The city of St. Cloud sponsors D event, please come. And they think it's sponsored by us instead. Well, it's not our event. Sponsored by us. But it could be they could use that as a marketing advertisement. City of St. Cloud event that's okay. The big concern,

right? The big concern is that they take our logo, they somehow modify our logo. Yeah. We don't want And people through good intentions, if anybody's going to modify that logo, it's going to be us. Through good intentions, sometimes people just just don't do it the right way is is is all it is. And we see it often. And yes, sir. Mama or Dan have to get a hold of those people, right? Me and Colobby both have these things on, so you can't just attack me on that. These were a gift from our admin. All right. I think I'm pretty uh good with everything else if they if everybody else is good.

Um digital post re. Yeah, we've already approve our resolution. All right. Are we good? Did we remove the C4s? because I did Google that. Yes, we're going to change that. We're going to take all of that out and put in there shall be a registered not for-profit organization. Okay. Okay. It's fine with me. Okay. And then you have your other catchall. But if we feel that becomes an issue, we can always put it back. We always deal with put it back in. You saw what I saw. Yeah. It says it can lobby uh for political candidates or legislative efforts. So that's like So it's gone. Pretty broke. Yep. It's gone.

And not that we would do that intentionally. I know none of y'all would, but if we inadvertently did it and then all a sudden somebody says, "Hey, wait a minute. That's these people are out there advocating for a candidate and the city of St. Cloud gave money to them." How's that work? All right. Um, did we already ask for any comments from the public? Yep. All right. And can I get a motion on everything we've discussed? Motion on everything the mayor discussed. Okay. Approve. Motion to approve. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Second. Second. Council member Paul. Madame clerk, please call the role. Council member Fletcher. Council member Paul. I. Council member Urban. Hi. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. I. Mayor Robertson. Hi.

Motion carries 4 Z. Thank you, Scott. Sorry about that. Thank you, Marama. We just wanted to see in council tonight. This is a great thing for the council because now hopefully that will help eliminate some of the requests you get non-stop. So every time I reference your name in council, you're just gonna appear, right? Genie watching behind the scene there. I'm afraid to mention her name.

All right, we are wrapping this up with first rings introduction and we have one. So first rings introduction. Next items on the agenda for ordinances before the council for first reading and introduction for the sole purpose of council authorizing the publication of the ordinance for a final hearing. The council will not take final action on the items tonight. Full presentations and public input on the ordinances will occur at the final hearing at which the council will consider final action. Will the clerk please read first reading introduction number one?

First reading introduction for ordinance number 2026-23 an ordinance of the city council of the city of St. Cloud, Florida amending city of St. Cloud code chapter 8 animals section 8-7 exemptions for nonprofit nonforprofit youth or special needs adult organizations providing for serability conflicts codification publication effective date. Anybody presenting on that one? No, but just first reading and intro. Just first reading. That's right. And can I get a motion on that? Motion to approve. Motion to approve. Council member Paul. Second. Second. Council member Urban. Will the clerk please call the role? Council member Paul, I. Council member Urban, I. And Deputy Mayor Gilbert, hi. Council member Fletcher. Mayor Robertson.

Hi. Motion carries 40. All right. City attorney. I do not have anything, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Yes, sir. City manager.

I'm sorry, I have several things. Um, first, um, great news. If anybody has driven down 10 Street, you will see that our former power plant, um, is substantially complete. Uh, I think they've been putting in sod. Doesn't look like all the sods in yet, but um very excited that we we're moving into the next monitoring phase here soon. Um, I'd like the city council had previously asked uh for recently for staff to work on a scope for the potential of a P3 on that property once it's done with its compliance period. And with the fact that the city council this evening entered into a contract with GMAN York for economic development, I'd like to ask that we task them with um finding the best use for that property. Um they would have the they would have the contacts in order to bring us I think what you're looking for.

That's okay. So putting that in the first saying the task authorization a task authorization for that. But will we be voting on that or we're already off to the races? As long as Yeah. As long as it's within my authority authority. You tell me direction. This is what you want. You give me consensus. We have it in the budget. I I issue with the procurement department. Uh we get them to write it as a scope. We go ahead. We do a task authorization and issue a PO. Okay. Yes. Because we just voted on their their agreement. Yes. Yes. Um and that was great. They stayed long after their agreement was voted on. And they live, of course, not in St. Cloud, which is nice, you know, not too far, but I was impressed that they hung around for a while.

They were probably shocked that our meeting went on and on and on. And they're like, "When is he going to take a break?" Yeah. And they didn't know I was going to I have two two items to potentially give them work. So that that and they probably wanted to say hi or something. You know, that's And then they were like, "Okay, this guy's going to go for four hours." But uh All right. All right.

So, it looked like there was consensus on on on that. Okay. And I have one more for them potentially. There um recently there's a to the directly west of the city limits on 192, north and south of 192, there's some vacant property that um recently had gone through the pre-application meeting for some commercial development and then nothing happened. staff reached out to them this week to find out, you know, what was happening and they said that they were having an issue bringing in a uh high-end users for the property, concerns about the processes, differences between the city and the county. I'd like to ask the city council if we could task Gman York on that. Also, that is the missing piece for us to be able to annex all the way to Hobby Lobby.

I agree with that. It used to be Henry Yates property. You've probably seen wash machines and dryers and all that on the right side of the road. Uh if you'd see him going to 192 to the turn bike, that was his property been sold. They've done nothing with it. I think that's a great task and it's a great commercial property uh ability for the commercial property. You're talking about that little white building back there. Yeah. Remember back at right before Hobby Lobby, it's they used to have washerd dryers. It was a mess. So that was my karate dojo I took class in. Oh, okay. In the washing machine.

Yeah, in there. No, that house. So, I started off at the civic center. Actually, the the Highlanders were in that karate class as well. And I started at the civic center and then went out there when I was like uh seven, eight years old. Wow. That was the dojo. That was just a few years ago. So, I I think I had consensus on that, too. Perfect. Um, we had we've we're in the process of resurfacing our pool and there's people who have annual passes. So, just to be fair, I would like to extend those annual passes by however many weeks the pool ends up being closed because they did pay for a full year.

If you pay for a year and they close the facility down, you should extend that to to a full year of their payment. So, that's just being fair of any business, right? Okay. Thank you. Um Ken's got a pool. They can use his pool for the next month. I've been training. I was going to introduce but you you saw him this evening our new community development director, Mr. all. We're very happy that he's here. Thanks, sir. You go by Jeff or Jeffrey? It doesn't matter. Was good. Okay. Just not late for dinner. And I'd also like to share although she left early, I don't think she's here. He has already promoted Miss Tisha Manning to be deputy director of community development. So, very happy. Jeff, you're no longer the only Jeff.

You are the coupe. There can only be one C. I'd like to share that um we won the gold level healthy workplace designation for the second time. Um we previously I think we're the silver level then gold last year and gold again. So we're very happy about that. And my last item I'm going to this is a draft letter. Thank you. Um, as the city council knows, we had a workshop talking about the um, MSTU in Kingsrest, Cane, and Woods at Kingsrest. We had a community meeting with those residents, and they would like the city council to please reconsider um, and allow us to do a special assessment for the services that used to be covered by the county's MSTUB, King's Crest. That was um the council had already agreed to do that for the street lights, but this would be adding in King's Crest the landscaping entry features in Cane the landscaping and at Woods at King's Crest the the landscaping also. They don't have HOAs. Um and and so they they they asked and I you know we met with them a group of us with staff um and I I told them that I would come back and and ask the city council. In order to implement that, if the council would reconsider, we'd like to ensure that that the majority of the people in each of the subdivisions would like that. So, you can see there's a a draft letter. That's obviously a draft. We're still working it out, but we would have every property owner say if they were interested or not in that special assessment, and we would only proceed if more than 50% of those residents wanted that special assessment.

Okay? So, at the end of the day, we'd be paying it, but they'd be paying us to pay it. Correct. That's all. They just want to put us in the middle. And that's okay. If we're already going to be doing what? What did you say? The Yes, we've we've taken over the ponds and we had already agreed to do the street lights. Um, but we had not the council had not agreed to do the landscaping and entry features and and they they have asked they requested that we reconsider and they were okay. They said that with the county. They they knew that they were paying an administration fee. They were okay paying that administration fee for us. So it would not cost the city anything, we would be reimbursed for our efforts. I'm okay with that. Again, you guys

conditioned upon if over 50% of the people agreed with I think that was two. Are we getting reimbured for the ponds or no? We we're taking those over to foot that bill. We're we're taking over the ponds because they were dedicated to the public. Although I've already been having conversations and the county did mow more often and charge them more for mowing more often. So at this point we're doing it at our level of service and wouldn't charge if they want us to do it to the same level as the county we would need to charge for that additional and you could add that to the the assessment that we're talking about for the other items.

Okay. Now, we just talked about Chisum Estates. We're creating a district there. No. Right. We're not. Okay. They have an HOA. They have an HOA. They have an HOA. And when we had the community meeting with Chisum Estates, the HOA representative was there. We had conversations with her. She knew that they're taking over their um pond as well as um any gets the alligator out of there personally. Yes. He gets to tase him. Yeah. We'll have Andrew there with the camera. That's not how you get a gator. How do you get a gator? You ever jumped on a gator? It won't stick. You bear hug it. Okay. And so, do you have any comments on that?

Deputy mayor, you good with I just I I just don't want to be a lost leader. I I wanted to cover our costs, administration costs to to totally, but I think uh the city manager told me that those administrative costs would be acceptable and they would beh provided. So, I'm good with that. as long as it's not a lost leader because we may have more may air as we annex him.

I was also asked by King's Crest, their irrigation has been turned off. Um, and they're asking if I could if we would immediately turn the irrigation back on and back charge them with the street lights if this doesn't pro proceed because they're they're they said they haven't been able to irrigate their landscaping um since October. When you say back charge them for street lights, but what about for the irrigation?

Well, we're going to start charging them now for the irrigation. That's that's what that that's what they asked if if we could please because we we had already said that we would backcharge them for the street lights and they're saying if this doesn't go through regardless could we please could we please right now go turn on their irrigation and backcharge them for that I think it's to the benefit of the community that that at least the entryway and all looks nice and we don't want it to look um dead and have a drought and have a grass fire out there that Jason's got to put out personally. Yeah. Do you know somebody with the water company? Well, I know someone who manages our water. Perfect.

Okay. Okay. Thank you. Um, that was all I have. Thank you. All right. Uh, Deputy Mayor,

good. Uh, thanks. I sent out some information about the, uh, human trafficking. I met with those folks. We're third third largest state human trafficking, and I sent you the information for that. It's because we're such a tourist destination that u that happens and we don't realize it because there's so many people that we're not familiar with that we don't see that. So uh they've got a grant coming in from Darren Sodto. I sent a letter and I think uh council member Urban sent a letter just to be aware of it. It it exists and and I met with them and just would like you consider your support if you can send a letter to uh Darren to do that. It's mostly online mayor. It's mostly online. I didn't realize it. It's they they're predators are on mine. So, that's all I got. But, thank you very much for everything today.

Well, was that an email that everybody got for that? Do you know? It it was a letter we sent uh or Sandra sent on behalf of each council person. So, I'll have to look at I'll have to look at that, too. But I I I passed out the last information I think during the last meeting, just the information I gathered. Okay. Is that it? Yes, sir. Thank you for allowing me. Absolutely. Uh, Council Member Paul.

Oh, yes. So, um, I have a few things. Um, I did have a resident reach out to me about their pickup bins being cracked, and I'm assuming it's when it gets picked up by the clam. It's It basically crushed. They have a crack in their um, bin. And I know for a fact because I have one in mind that's currently cracked. But I know if we call down to have it replaced, then we're charged $100 to have it replaced for something that we technically did not do. But how do we handle cases like that? Yeah, we we we we don't charge if we break it. We break it, we bought it. Um but Mr. Mr. Felinger,

exactly. I'm sorry. That's exactly how I was going to say. We don't charge for it. If you you call us and let them know something's broken, we actually have a a a staff member that goes around and fixes broken ones and if they're cracked, we will replace them. We we don't charge for that. We the only the $100 charge is if you want an additional uh can that that that that is where we will charge $100. But to come and replace our infrastructure, we don't charge for that. Okay? Cuz the resident when she indicated, she was like if I called down there, they're going to charge me for it. And so I said I knew we had a meeting this week that I would bring it up and see how that is handled um as well. So, I will be calling down there tomorrow for myself. Okay. Um,

well, like I said, I can take care of that and the person that that has the issue if if you have them reach out to me, I I'll also make sure I can send you the address for that person as well. So, thank you. Thank you. Um, I do also, I know we talked about it earlier and I don't want to deep dive in there, but we did have a private sponsor pay for one of the childs um at Hopkins Park for the summer camp, which now will be refunded back to them. They paid for the whole 10 weeks for the um summer. So they will be refunded back um since that child will now be covered um now. So um they they paid to go to the civic center. Yes, they did. Okay. Yeah, they paid for the whole 10 weeks for one child because they're one of the four.

Yes. Cool.

Um and I also wanted to see if we can um look at grant opportunities. Um, as I'm out in the community, I network with different people and um, I know we talked so much about summer camp, but I met someone from the early coalation um, which I plan to have a meeting with them and would like to sit down to see what grant opportunities are out there to possibly maybe share with other um, organizations to let them know because I think I find um, a lot of times people don't know. If you're not one that you know research on the computer, you're not going to know what's out there. So, um, I will be having a meeting with them to see because that was one of the concerns when I went to Utah, they talked about this whole thing, how, you know, with summer camps and stuff like that for the working families and so I found it interesting that, you know, we're having a discussion on that as well. So, just wanted to share that. And then um I had a recommendation from a citizen and um their idea is um creating recommended a cemetery committee and um I thought it was interesting because back in November I did bring up a concern about um graves being deteriorating out there with cracks and stuff like that. And I know it costs money to have things replaced um or even with this crack, it could potentially lead to c, you know, the graves being exposed um and stuff like that. But um this committee would go around and I know we have a great section who keeps the graveyard looking beautiful out there, but you know, he's one person and to identify the different graves out there that are, you know, deteriorating. Not everybody still has family around, so they might not pay attention to, you know, the different things out there. But this committee and the two ladies who I spoke to are very interested in

being a part of it. Um, they will also identify grant opportunities because being that this cemetery is a historic, there are grant opportunities to help with this kind of stuff. And I know we talk about money all the time here, but it's additional resources where we can pull in the funding to help beautify these graves that are out there deteriorating. So, um, wanted to share that um, on there and get your thoughts on that. Well, I mean, is that something that we can look at?

Are you looking at creating this? So I'm not So we're looking at a volunteer committee that would be responsible for maintenance of actually the grave sites.

Yeah. Identifying the different graves because I mean Michael is one person and out of however many graves that are out there. But you know there are graves that are out there cracked and I brought an issue back in 2024 after I got elected that I was at an event and people were pulling me over to see some of these graves and stuff like that. if he doesn't report it back, then who's going to know that these are out there and eventually they get, you know, exposed and stuff like that. So, if we can catch it now, this committee could be something they could be out there catching the stuff and bringing it back to identify the problems and stuff like that. Also, look for additional opportunities for um grants to help preserve that cemetery out there.

You're not saying they physically do the work. You're saying No, not physically do the work. the research, the grants, programming to to try and Okay, I'm good with that. As long as they're not physically Well, that's I think that's where you come into some issues where no not doing the work. Yeah, we because Michael he Michael's pointed out some of those older um tombs that are cracked or whatever and that there are some things and there was another gentleman I think that's uh yeah because I have pictures of something that maybe talk to city manager and city attorney and kick around ideas and bring something. So we're looking basically at a citizens committee that would have some sort of advisory role participation in maintaining the cemetery. Yeah.

Not to do the actual work. not to do the actual work. No, just identifying the different graves that are damaged. And and just like the St. Cloud Veterans Council, if they identify, I mean, they could either run it through the city council, but if it's required to use a 501c3, the citizens foundation can be that.

That's exactly what I was thinking of, Mayor. Most of the a lot of those grants that are out there are especially ones that are associated with cemeteries are not necessarily for public cemeteries. Therefore, a lot of the old private cemeteries that have got become abandoned over the years, they didn't they weren't funded appropriately and go under the, you know, the the trust funds that are required for cemeteries. So, so it may be even better to get to to work through something like the Citizens Foundation for grants, but that committee can research it and figure all that out.

The police department has used the Citizens Foundation for their shop with the cop. So, it it's um it it's essentially it would be that council or that committee that would be going after the the funds. You know, they'd have to write the grant, but it'd be it'd have to be submitted through the citizens foundation and then those those the monies would go towards those efforts. Um that we can and I can see a lot of thing, you know, a lot of historical grants that can go out there with that. Okay, that's a good idea. Okay.

There's a lot of history out there. Yes, it is. Um, let me see. And then on May 7th, um, there is a community prayer breakfast hosted by um, Pastor Michael Young. He is, um, in CMI, but he did open and invite um, city of St. Cloud to participate as community leaders, which there will be other leaders participating as well too for this event. It starts at 8:30 in the morning on May 7th. So, um, for breakfast, I don't can't go wrong with having prayer. So, um, wanted to extend that to, um, share that as well. Um, and then other than that, I don't have anything else. And happy birthday to Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Thank you. It's only about 50 minutes away.

Oh, it's tomorrow. Well, yeah, Facebook didn't notify me.

Well, I know, but but I I I think the grave area is a great idea. I I would like the council to at least look at the rates that we charge because there is an expense in graves that will continue throughout the years and to restore it. We are the lowest city county and I could be wrong in the state for our grave uh placement and and cost but that's going to be a forever cost. So, I would like the council to consider at one point raising our rates because if we don't catch up with it now, council members in 15 or 20 years, it's it's going to affect them. So, our rates are the lowest by far. They're over half as much as other cemeteries. And again, I don't want to raise rates and people dying, but but we have to maintain these for the rest of not their lives, but however long it takes. And there's so much history there. I'd love to clean it up, but where the funds are found for that may be something that

that's a great thing. I mean, that that's what is good. It's going going for those going for those other funds. Yes, that's that we wouldn't typically go after typically. Yes. Yes, sir. But thanks. I just want to and thank you for the birthday. I wish. I'm 63 and I I born in 1963. Isn't that crazy? I'm old. That means it's your lucky year. All right. Is that all? Council member Paul. Yes. All right. Council member Urban.

Yeah. Looking back on uh what the city manager was talking about with the getting some task on for our new economic development advisors, maybe something as well came up tonight. uh if that they can look into ways that our city can discourage what I call lowquality development, the storage units, the car washes, the dollar stores, and encourage because obviously the state with their SB80 and all their new bills is basically took away the power of the city to say what we want in our city. But we want to discourage this low quality development as much as possible and get high wage jobs in here things where people can live, work and play right in St. Cloud. So I would love for that to be one of their opening tasks with our city as well.

So if I'm understanding you right parameters for what quality and quantity of of businesses that we'd like maybe a list or something like that for them to give them some directions. Is that what you're talking about? Right. and and what qualities that we don't like. Like we don't want car washes. We don't want uh storage units or tire shops. No one wants a tire shop until they have to get the tire changed. Well, there's about 50 of them in St. Cloud, so you can go to one of us. That's all I have.

All right. Very cool. Um so I was the Ocula Council on Aging reached out to me. Of course, y'all know I represent you guys, this board on their council, um on their as a board director. So, uh, they emailed me asking if I could do for May Older Americans Month, do a proclamation. Uh, this is one that came in after the me or Dan. Uh, everybody. You guys. Yeah. You You're going to be the poster child for Can we limit Mr. Gilmer's time, please? All right. Are you guys good with that? Slap heavy. Yeah. Are we good?

We're good. We're good. Okay. Yeah. That doesn't take a vote. Just a consensus is right. It'll be You want to You want to do it at the next meeting, right? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. In the May meeting. Yeah. Correct. We'll do present that at the to the council as long as they bring cookies they brought last time. Yeah. No, we uh we enjoy them. That's a great group. Obviously, we all In fact, we all did the uh meals on wheels over there. Best thing. Yeah. Tough is best. Yeah. Yeah. That was so cool going out there. the first house I stopped at, we were out in the manor and happened to know the folks. And that's awesome.

Yeah. And um and they the folks I went out with, you know, we we jumped in a car with with a group that has a route already and they they mailed me a letter, you know, and uh said they had such a great time doing it with me and doing the the route. So uh so that's done. I just want to let you know last um last Saturday I had the honor of being the guest speaker at the St. Cloud High School Junior ROC uh awards banquet. That was up there at the Fidian Hotel at the Florida Mall. Last time I was there was 1998 prom. St.Cloud High School promised to be Sheridan. Was it What's that? Used to be Sheridan, right? Uh it was called the Fidian. I don't know.

Yeah. 1998 Florida Mall. Yeah. Yeah. Right there. Florida mall. There flags of Sheridan. Yeah. Yeah, it was cool. I mean, it was it was a packed house and these all these kids were dressed up in their, you know, in their uniforms and uh and Colonel Donnelly was there and the principal Nate Fans was there and that whole whole table of um the St. Cloud High folks. So, it was so cool. It was honor to be there. And after that, I came down here to the uh Taste of Main Street, which was an amazing event. I know Council Member Paul was there and she was uh Did you taste everything around the room? I mean, it was a it was good. A lot of fun. Yeah, we got some delicious food here in the city. Thought I would see you there, Ken, but I didn't.

I was I would have been, but my daughter got her confirmation on that same day and we had 12 of their members in. So, we were at St. Thomas Aquinas from 6:00 till about what 12:30, Veronica. I think I got home at 11:15. And that was the night before Easter. Yes. But to go right back to to morning mass. Oh, yeah. Right. Yeah. No, it counted. It it counted. That was the Easter vigil. I had to go back. That was the Easter vigil. Uh longest mass of of the Catholic my life, right? That doesn't count, does it? Not for me. No, I had to go back. I went back to church Sunday village mass that doesn't count for towards the sun. So, one Saturday. Uhuh.

Yep. No, I went back to church. I bragged to my mom. All right. Uh there was that and and this morning I know council member Paul was there as well. We were at Mater Academy and we got to do career day there. So it's been about an hour and a half, two hours and I visited three rooms. I don't know how long you stay. They had me five and then I go to Neptune Middle School tomorrow for career day. So very cool. Yeah. I had to leave a little earlier but I got in a few in and those kids had all the questions. The first class was civics class and so that was a fun one. Um, other than that, I've got nothing else. And I think if nobody else has anything else, let me go.

I'll join you, Miss Ba. I got the uh uh Central Florida NO at 9:00 at Downtown Orlando. So, I'm sorry. I don't get invited to these things. We're a team. So, hey, that's right. Uh Ken doesn't go. He doesn't have a career.

All right. Next. Next up, we have the information section, report section. Friday, April 10th, 2026, Veterans Council meeting 1 PM, City Hall. Thursday, April 16th, 2026, City Council Workshop, 2:30 p.m. City Hall, Council Chambers. Thursday, May 14th, 2026, City Council meeting, 6:30 p.m. City Hall council chambers reports warrant list. Number six, fiscal year 26 economic development advisory committee committee me minutes January 21st, 2026. And this meeting is adjourned.