City Council - Regular Meeting

We'll go ahead and call this meeting to order. And will you all please stand for the invocation and the pledge of allegiance?

All right. Uh the the pastor does not show uh to so we're going to have a moment of silence. And during this moment of silence, please keep the family of Dorothy Pat Rudd in your prayers. Um Miss Pat Rudd, she passed away last week. Uh she was a citizen here in city of St. Cloud. Dear friend of ours, World War II veteran, amazing woman. Never going to be another one like her. So

All right. Thank you. And please join me in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Please be seated. Will the clerk please call the role? Mayor Robertson here. Deputy Mayor Gilbert here. Council member Paul here. Council member Urban here. Council member Fletcher here. All right. Thank you. And city manager, do you have any updates for us?

Yes. Thank you. I'd like to ask for police chief Gerky to make a presentation to the city council regarding our school zone speed camera program. Okay. Do we have to add that to the agenda or just he can just come up? It's just a presentation.

Just presentation. All right. Uh please Chief Doug Gerky, please come to the podium. Uh, good evening, council. Doug Gerky, police chief. Um, I have to give uh in accordance with the program, the school zone safety program specifically and Florida State statute, I'm required to give you a briefing um on the program itself for the year end for September 30th. So, it would be year-ending uh fiscal year 25 and October one starts a new year. So, you'll get another similar briefing uh next year around the same time. [clears throat] So, as an update, I just wanted to reaffirm where our school speed zone enforcement locations are and they're at the St. Cloud High School, St. Cloud Middle School, Michigan Avenue Elementary, Canoe Creek K through8, St. Cloud Elementary, and Lake View Elementary. Um, this this photo that you're looking at is actually on our website. So, for so so all of our residents can actually know where these are and when they're operating. So May 7th, and it's kind of an odd time, but May 7th is when our cameras actually went live. If you recall, we turned them on the first week of May, and it ran for about three weeks up until the end of the school year through September 30th, which would have actually ended the fiscal year. Uh during that time frame uh there were 5,085 violations issued. There were 30 violations that were contested. 15 of those were upheld and zero violations were dismissed. Of those violations issued, 912 became uh uniform traffic citations. And the violations that were paid, and again this is through September 30th, were 2,341. So, I just want to give you a quick breakdown because this is always a question of how the violation, the $100 violation that is collected, um, where this goes. So, uh, for every $100 that

is collected, $20 goes to the Florida Department of Revenues general fund. $60 goes to the city of St. Cloud and that's to administer the speed detection system in school zones and other public safety initiatives. And that includes the cost of the program itself to have the vendor. So, the money that does come in from us, we do pay back out the vendor um each month. $3 goes to the Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund. Uh $12 goes to the school district. Uh that must be used for security initiatives, uh student transportation, or to improve the safety of students walking conditions. Uh funds from this amount must also be shared with charter schools based on a formula. Uh and $5 goes to the school crossing guard recruitment and retention program. So in total, this is the collected funds for the department of revenue. Uh we sent $46,820. For the city of St. Cloud, $140,460. The crossing guard program received $11,75. The school board received $28,92 and the law enforcement criminal justice standards and training uh fund got $7,23. So, and again in accordance with fiscal year 2025 in the annual summary, uh we did issue 5,085 violations. 30 were contested, 15 upheld, zero dismissed. Total of 912 violations resulted in uniform traffic citations. Um and again, these are the actual numbers that were sent back out as fiscal year end. 2341 violations were paid generating funds distributed as follows. It's on your screen. I'd already gone through it. And there is a variance between the violations issued and paid. Um they are still some of them are still pending. So some of them have actually been paid since then in the October months but again I was required to go up through September 30th. So I will report on that next year as well. And that is the end and I'm willing to take any questions you may have.

Thank you chief. Thank you. You know uh I support this. I think this whole council supports this program. It's amazing program. I think the citizens support it. So, please continue to uh do great things for our community. Thank you, sir.

All right. And do we have any presentations? There are no presentations at this time. And let's go ahead and move on to the consent agenda. Next portion of tonight's meeting is the consent agenda, which contains items that have been determined to be routine and uncontroversial. If anyone in the audience wished to address a particular item on the consent agenda, now is your opportunity for you 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. Council, do you have any items you'd like to pull? With that, can I get a motion?

Motion to approve the Agenda. Motion approved. Council member Urban. Second. Second. Council member Paul. Madam Clerk, please call the role. Council member Paul. I. Council member Bert. Hi. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Hi. Council member Fletcher. Hi. Mayor Robertson. I. Motion carries 5 Z.

All right. Next up, we have the citizens forum. Any person who wish to desires to comment on any item not on this agenda is provide this opportunity to address city council. Each person requested to complete a sign-in form to be provided to the presiding officer prior to or soon as practical thereafter the person addresses the council. And first up we have Miss Claudia Dun Dundis from the Daughters of the American Revolution. Good evening Mayor and council members. My name is Claudia Dundis and I am the regent

Time's up. and I am the regent of the Joshua Stevens chapter, Daughters of American Revolution, here in St. Cloud. For those of you who are unfamiliar with D, we are a nonprofit, non-political women's service organization founded in 1890. Our membership is made up of women who have proven to be direct lineal descendants of of a Revolutionary War patriot. Our mission is simple and longstanding, promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Our local chapter is active throughout the community in projects that honor our nation's history, its veterans, and strengthen civic understanding. for the United States. As the United States approaches America 250, the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, our chapter would like to contribute a permanent historic historical marker honoring the patriots of the Revolutionary War, the men and women whose courage and sacrifice secured Americans independence. We are here tonight to request the city's permission to place a permanent marker and we would like to present two placement options for your consideration. Option one is our original proposal placing a marker at the Mount Peace Cemetery within the memorial area where many of our community celebrations already take place. We are fully uh we remain fully supportive of this option. However, after further reflection and conversation with community partners, another idea has emerged and may be better to serve the visibility and purpose of this memorial. Option two is to place a marker at the St. Cloud Veterans Park. There are several reasons this may be more appropriate uh of a location. Although we honor them, there

are no Revolutionary War veterans buried at Mount Peace, making the cemetery a symbolic rather than historic match. Veterans Park already contains other historical markers, and the Revolutionary War Patriot Marker would naturally complement and enhance the educational value of the space. The park provides significantly greater visibility, allowing our residents and visitors to encounter and reflect on the nation's founding. And finally, placement of the in the park would allow the city and the D to coordinate a meaningful unveiling during the a soldier city Sunday event, potentially the Sunday before Fourth of July 2026, directly connecting it to the America 250 celebration. It would be a powerful moment for the community, the unveiling of the Revolutionary War Patriot Memorial during the semiquincentennial year. This evening, we respectfully request the council's approval to place a historical marker within the Veterans Park or Mount Peace. While our chap while our chapter uh would of course welcome any financial support from the city if they wish to contribute the D will assume full responsibility of the cost of the marker which is approximately 2500 to 4,000 based on the installation. Thank you for your consideration and for your commitment to preserving and honoring the histo history history of our community and our nation. We would be honored to partner with the city of St. Cloud um on this America 250 initiative. I did uh present you each with a proposal as well as the image itself. If you could share the image of what the marker would be. Thank you so much for your time.

All right. Does any anybody have any questions for Miss Claudia? Just said I I would be supportive of this. I think it's a very nice tribute and would be great for the America 250.

Mayor, I'm a support of it. Also, I just the recognition, where would it be more recognized? Where would it be uh better seen? I I know Soldier Cities are having their Sundays now at at the the Veterans Park and I think that draws traffic. Either way is going to be good. I just asked the council where would it best be suited for people to be able to recognize it and see it. Um I think it'd be the park myself, but I I thought m too when you first started, but again, people go there usually to go directly to a site in this way to be part of the the I would just ask the pleasure of the council to consider which one they think. I I truly believe the park would be the best area for it.

Yeah, I like Veterans Park being that we're drawing, you know, people there on Sundays as well. So, I think Veterans Park is a great opportunity to have it placed there. Yeah, I agree as well. Um, city manager, we've spoken about this. Um, is that something you want us to go ahead and give direction on that now? I mean, if that's the or you want to get the recommendation from the veterans council, how do we want to

Well, [clears throat] excuse me. Um, I guess that's up to the city council. So earlier we were discussing city staff has drafted a policy regarding markers like this. As we seem to receive more or different sizes, we we were recommending that we start coming up with a standard. Um and so we've drafted a uniform policy and we thought that it would be appropriate to have the veterans committee review that policy, make recommendations to that policy, and potentially that the Veterans Council be the organization that approves markers that go in Veterans Park. Um but but that's up to the pleasure of the council. That was that was the idea that we shared. We've already drafted a policy to take to the Veterans Council if the city council would like to do that or we can go ahead and proceed with this at this time.

And we can go ahead and voice our support of that and then we can let them know, right, that the Veterans Council. Is that appropriate, Dan? Well, I think you have to decide whether who's going to be the final determining factor. If you want to delegate the authority to the Veterans Council, you certainly can do that, but this council has the authority right now to basically say we're okay with it. Yeah. Because the Veterans Council essentially is a recommendation council to us. So, it's kind of going backwards with this. I think we go ahead and just give the thumbs up on it and then the policy can be worked on and then every recommendation from that veterans council comes right back to us for approval. That works.

Can Can we go ahead and do we take a motion on that for the I think we got direction on that. Okay, that's okay. Is that good, Claudia? Thank you. Yep. And you know, I support it. We've spoken about this. Thank you so much. Thank you very much for everything you do. I appreciate you. Thank you. Yes, ma'am.

All right. Next, we have Joshua Kren. My name is Joshua Prince. Uh 4771 Salamander Street, St. Cloud, Florida. I know u mostly council from my years of volunteering with the city. Okay. Good evening, mayor and council and city staff. I first want to extend my sincere congratulations on another successful annual tree lighting event. It was a beautiful event that brought our community together and I want to recognize the hard work that went into making this such a memorable uh celebration for the city. Tonight, I would like to bring forward my concern and an opportunity regarding how the city engages with local veteranowned businesses. As many of you may know, a previous ordinance and directive was in place to prioritize local businesses in the procurement process. I understand that it was ultimately removed because of added time and complexitivity. It showed oper slowed operations. I fully respect that the city must balance efficiency, fairness. However, however, St. Cloud is the home to many talented, qualified, local veteranowned businesses that deeply invest their success in our community. When the cities partner with the businesses the businesses that the Sorry, I need to drink water. Um, yeah. When the when the city partners with these businesses, the benefits stay here in the city, supporting local jobs, strengthens Thank you so much.

Uh strengthen the tax base and reinforces the sense of community pride that defines St. Cloud. With that in mind, I would like to respectfully suggest that the city leadership staff explore and develop new directives to encourage the city staff to utilize local veteranowned businesses whenever feasible and when doing so does not implement the proceed uh procurement process. such an appro uh that this approach also engages with with our mayor and our city council's standing position on continued commitment to honoring veterans and reinforcing St. Cloud as Soldier City. supporting a veteranowned business and other meaningful uh ways can uphold the mission and not just by symbolically but through action and define those who have served. Many cities across Florida have successfully implemented similar encouragement policies and they have seen success without adding additional burden. I believe sink cloud can do the thing. Thank you for your time and service to the community and our community's commitment to making Scloud a place where local businesses can thrive and appreciate your uh consideration of this request. Thank you.

Yes, sir. Thank you, Joshua. All right. Next up, we have from the Ocula chain of Lake CDD, Supervisor George Maderos. Good evening, honorable mayor, city council members, deputy mayor, madam city manager, the gentleman, city attorney, and madam city clerk. Hey, George. Can we get your name and address for the record, please, sir?

Yes. My name is George Maderas. I'm a supervisor with the Oyola Chamber of Lakes Community Development District and we encompass the Hanover Lakes community. I am here today to uh first and foremost to uh speak about the uh conveyance of the roads which is now in its final process. would like to say thank you for the process finally coming to uh to a head, but also would like to say that my involvement as a supervisor in this process was absolutely and positively unnecessary due to the fact that our district staff tried countless times for this to occur at the staff level. And it was only upon the fact that they were unable to communicate this process clearly with the city meaning city staff and came to a head. In other words, came to a situation where the process was moving no further even though they were presenting city staff with the same documents I presented you. It required my involvement. My involvement should have never happened. I should have never had to email you. I should have never had to do anything other than get a briefing at the board of supervisors meeting. So, I wanted to share that specific fact with you. My involvement was specifically and utterly unnecessary. And that's why I'm here today because it required me to work an assignment that was unnecessary that could have been handled at the staff level. I still came to speak to you so you can understand that whenever I take a project, I take a project to its end and

I see it through and that I'm only going to bring you concerns and or items that I have thoroughly thoroughly vetted and made sure that I'm bringing you facts. So, with that, I wanted to uh thank Council Member Urban for calling me back, as well as Council Member Paul, Deputy Mayor Gilbert, and unfortunately, uh, Council Member Fletcher was unable to uh get back to me for reasons of his own. So, with that, I I'm coming down to my last 10 seconds. I want to thank you and I want to wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Yes, sir. Thank you, George. And it was a a pleasure speaking with you as well early on this process. That's all right, sir. I'm just commenting. Um I know it was a difficult situation where some of the roads had been conveyed, some weren't. There was it was convoluted deal. So, thank you for stepping in on behalf of the Ocula Chamberlake CDD and ensuring that the process was complete with staff. Thank you. You're welcome. Next up, we have the Reverend Dr. Norma Barbosa.

You don't look like Norma. I know I'm not I'm not the Reverend, but um is Norma not going to speak, Bruce? She's going to be speaking second. No, I just wanted to make the introduction, then she can come in with some other items. Okay, Bruce, we're going to do you first. Go ahead. Name address for the record, sir.

Uh Bruce Taylor, um 3121 Settler's Trail. Uh good evening, mayor, city council members, and city staff. Um I appreciate the time that you guys gave us over the summer and and fall with all the meetings and time that spent going forward and trying to discuss this project on the JJCC. Um, so we're kind of at we're kind of at a loss right now. We we don't really know where to go forward, what to do. Um, I know that we had a meeting a couple of weeks ago. Um, so I'm just going to go ahead and um go ahead and read off from this email on what we were supposed to be um proceeding forward. So this is from Veronica Miller and I reached out to her to kind of discuss where we're at with this. So, [clears throat] this is her email to me. Good good afternoon. During the conditional use public hearing, there were concerns raised regarding the vehicle stacking on Eastern Avenue parking and if the site would be able to meet the land development stards. City council discussed the need to review a site plan and conditional use was continued until the applicant could prepare a site plan for the city council's review during the conditional use public hearing. The previous time, previous time the request was made by the applicant to put this on the agenda without the site plan, staff discussed with the city attorney. Unfortunately, staff does not have the authority to put this item back on the agenda. The two ways could be reheard are number one, a council member can request that the item be placed on the agenda um based on the initial application that was continued. since it was so long ago, it would have to be readvertised at the applicant's expense, which the owner is fine with that to go ahead and readvertise it. The second one is applicant could file a new updated application, pay a new fee, and go through the process from the beginning. Well, the second item won't

be necessary because I've got an extension for the C, the conditional use case, and it's good through April 29th, 2026. So that should allow us enough time to get this heard for the conditional use to move forward and be voted upon if you guys are going to be um agreeable to that. So at this time um I would like to invite the owner Norma, Dr. Norma to come up here and she has some items about the stacking and the traffic which she actually had a couple of videos to um review with y'all which I don't think that was allowed to be because with the time time constraints but um I'll let her come up here but thank you for the time and um have a good evening.

Yes sir. Bruce I will allow her to come up here. This is public comment. Um thank you. But mayor mayor mayor if I can make a comment real quick. Yes sir. So, this matter is a conditional use permit application, which I think Mr. Taylor just mentioned, they want to have it heard back before you at an advertised public meeting. It was not advertised for a conditional use permit application. So, any information regarding things that were discussed when this first came through, parking, stacking, the operation of the site are really inappropriate tonight. They have to be discussed at the time that the public hearing is appropriately advertised because it is a quasi judicial proceeding. Yes, sir. And but are able to speak during public comment, right? Yes. But I limit

about discussion. Yes, sir. Uh, Reverend Dr. Norma Barbosa.

Good evening. God bless you. I'm not as tall on the other. Um, God bless you all this evening and thank you for hearing us once again. This request is to bring back the condition conditional use request after one year. Um, and I brought some videos and some pictures. Unfortunately, I didn't know I had to bring it 10 minutes or 15 before the meeting, but I think that maybe I can give it to someone and you can watch it and considering um, bringing back the conditional use before the site plan um, submission. Um, being that I've been a pastor here at St. Cloud for 14 years, the Reverend Dr. Norma Barbosa JJCC Assembly of God and I have a academy 11 years JJCC bilingual Christian academy. We serve the low to middle income. We're all based on scholarships. I myself help these students who come in into our hands to be able to uh graduate from families that have never graduated, have never gone to college. And that's what we're doing at this facility. And the reason why we are looking to expand to build another building alongside of our property is to have that use as fur church so that we can grow into our school which only allows us really um realistically 90 students at a time um to grow into 120 and that's already been approved was approved two years ago um for us to have 120 students. However, the facility is too small. So now we want to build a church building so that we can um serve our community, our own community in the families. Amen. Bilingual families and all families that are uh looking to come in um up to 120 students that will fit and be accommodated um in a rightful way. So that's why I'm here. I'm not asking for myself. I'm asking for these families. Right now we have almost 90 students. I cannot afford to bring any more in because of the size of the building. and I invite you all to come and see us. Um,

and again, we have a special needs school. I'm um alumni from UCF. I specifically have four endorsements through this uh state of Florida for autism um spectrum for reading endorsement for ESOL endorsement. So, we're serving and also a special needs um education, exceptional education. We have students with autism in our facility. We have students with ADHD with so many needs, special needs. and we are serving them in four areas not only academic but also spiritual, social and emotional. So this is why I'm coming back to you. I'm not asking for us. I'm asking for these families so that we can continue to grow since we've already been here for 14 years u ministering as a pastor and also 11 years as an administrator and principal. Um we're doing something good for our community. Our families are happy. Most of our graduates we have um moved them into UCF. There's some of them are in fullale university. some of them in OTC. Um, so we're doing something good for our families and I just need some help, some push from some council members so that we can continue with this project.

All right. Thank you, Reverend. Thank you.

Would anyone else in the audience like to speak during the citizens forum? Gordon, are you waving your hand? All right, take your time. Mayor, may I ask, was there any direction on that last item? Which last item? The JJCC. The citizens forum. There's no direction on that. So, continue with the previous process that they can complete a site plan and once it's completed, it can be returned to the city council. I mean, I've never had we've never had gone through this kind of a process where we just listen during the citizens forum and then give direction.

So So I believe she was making a special request. Um I think what she was asking was for the city council to allow it to come back

without this the condition of the site plan having been met. So, so mayor, if I may, this one is very unusual because the previous time this was in front of the city council and mayor and council Paul, I don't believe you were on the council when this came back before at that point. The direction that that staff was given that was given to the applicant at the staff was do not bring the conditional use permit back until without a complete site plan for the site. That's what we've been operating under. So, the request now is does this current council want to and allow initial use permit to come back without the completed site plan. And if you don't, we'll keep the direction exactly how it was then. But we do we do need something.

Deputy mayor. Yeah, I'm just a little confused because prior to the citizens forum, uh Dan had spoke that we are here to listen and no comments or questions and then we just heard it. Now you're asking for a comment or question. I just thought it was

Well, if I may, Mr. what my reference was to the particular facts related to the reason why you would grant a conditional use per it is a quasi judicial proceeding the last time this was in front of the city council there were there were residents that came forward that had made comments regarding it those folks are entitled by law to have the opportunity to discuss the conditional use permit so that's why I made that comment before about those issues so um I mean if the council is okay with the direction it is the applicant will have some direction can do it. It's a tough spot. It's unusual. Is it unusual the process that we've been going down with this project?

No, the city council has previously asked for applicants to have additional information before they came back and made a decision on something like a conditional use. The the applicant has received the city's the city planning department actually all city staff's DRC comments on the site plan. They have not responded needing those comments which is why there's no approved site plan to bring you at the time. Um so there let me get let me get clear on this. So they're asking for a conditional use prior to a site plan. Conditional use approval prior to a site plan. So how would we know if there's enough parking? That's the good that's that's the exact point that is a major issue in that area.

That's the exact point the previous council had there. Okay. I I'm good with uh continuing down the same path with uh ensuring that we have a site plan, understand the parking situation prior to approving a conditional use on that. That's just my views. It was my understanding and I' I've had met with the applicant. I had also met with staff on this particular issue. It was my understanding that staff had sent comments that had not been addressed. Is that correct? That is correct. Okay. Yeah, I would I would like those comments to be addressed before we bring that back into a conditional use hearing.

I agree with council member Urban as well because the comments um I sat down with staff earlier in this week and they shared about the comments not addressed. So I think they should be addressed before we make a decision. Okay, we have direction. Thank you. Yes, sir. Thank you. Hey there. Give me one second, Gordon. We're gonna get your notes here that you're handing out. I just did that because I didn't know how your AV stuff was working out over in this facility.

Yes, sir. Gordon, can I get your name and address for the record, sir? Yeah, it's Gordon Brown, 90012th Street, St. Cloud. Uh, I just put this together just thoughts that make me nuts, you know, when I'm rolling around and, you know, maybe it's been gone over before, I have apologized, but one of the ones, I'm on New York Avenue most of the time and you'd be amazed how fast cars go there. And I hate stop signs, but I truly think it would make sense to consider the idea of putting stop signs like every four streets and, you know, slow people down a little bit. You know, I'd love speed cameras and all that, but I think the stop signs might be a start. It wouldn't cost a whole lot. Uh, second idea is this is a major one to me. I'm fascinated. When you have your affairs, they put up signs everywhere saying road closed, road closed, road closed. As an outsider, you know, you're a tourist market. I have no idea why it's closed. I go, well, they must have a broken sewer line, so I'll I'll leave. You know, again, can you come up with the money and say road closed because of a fair we're having or something? Seems obvious to me, but sometimes things aren't so obvious. Uh, peeve I had that I'd love to be involved with, but again, I'm still an outsider here. The uh there's so many ordinances that just got me really spooked. Like, it's almost like St. Cloud thinks we're more of an HOA than a real city. And one of them is you did you know you're only allowed three pets? I mean, that allows the uh code enforcement to weaponize if they wanted to say, "Oh, you you had puppies and you you know, you didn't get a permit to have puppy." You know, stuff like that. You say it's silly, but the

last couple weeks ago, my property was basically hit with like six things because again, I personally think it's a mechanism to weaponize things. Can you remove a lot of these ordinances? So like if they're just s you know you you know is St. Cloud really want to think of themselves as an HOA and finally no secondly and uh in a previous meeting this is another one that to me just makes sense. I really would love to see that map idea I told you about and the last meeting you said oh hometown's covering that and I went down to hometown and you're right they are actually developing such an uh a map it's not ready yet but they're working on it but either way you guys don't refer to hometown at all and as a tourist if I wanted to find what to do how in the hell would I type in hometown St. cloud to find this map. You know, you got to have somebody that's smart enough to put a link to hometown on your web page. And then finally, the to the lawyer.

You can continue. Any progress on the old hotel? Well, sir, you got to speak to council. You're speaking with council here, sir. All right. Okay. Um, speak to council. Has any progress been made on the old hotel issue? since two months ago. I'm going to keep bringing it up because I think No. Yes, sir. And you have every right to um but this is public comment. It's not a Q&A. Um but I will address I I don't know what hometown is and maybe I'm just naive to that. I think it is Main Street. No, no, no. I'm talking about Oh, Main Street. Sorry. I even looked it up on the web. That could be why we don't say hometown. Yeah.

I don't know. Again, I'm still an outsider. No, the one I'm talking about is the old hotel issue is to me uh I would put that as job one if I was keen. If you stick around till the end of the meeting, I've got some comments on the hotel, sir. Great. And the lawyer said he was also working on anything. Have you sir, it's not a Q&A. It's public. How do you ever have a Q&A in this town? We don't. Well, we don't have it. Durham public comment section, sir. You can pick up the phone and talk to us oneon one. It's very hard. I've tried. I've spoken to you. You catch me in the parking lot. All right, Gordon. Thank you, sir.

All right. Anyone else in the audience like to speak during the public comment citizens forum? Anybody but Betty? We love you, Betty. You told me if I was I'm sorry I couldn't hear that, Betty. Thank you.

You told me if I was nice, I could have more than three minutes. Well, nice is not part of my characteristic. Naughty, but I'll be nice. Christmas parade. What more do I need to say? Really, what an awesome event. And on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, we want to thank you once again for partnering with us, for participating and helping to make this another great event. Think of this, the 62nd annual Christmas parade. That's older than most of you sitting up there. Almost as old as I am, too. 62 years we have been doing this parade. We had a hundred entries with a with a waiting list of about 10 or 15 more that wanted to be in it and over 2,000 of which you were part of participants in the actual parade. The estimate that we the rough estimate we've had so far is there were about 14,000 plus people watching the parade. You saw the parade, the particip the spectators as you were on the round. They were five and six deep. I know there at the production area it was even more than that. So what a turnout. Yeah. At the chamber, our committee, we start in February working diligently on this and preparing for the 63rd. But that's only the beginning. The parade is truly a community event. And that's what I want to stress tonight. 99% of the entries in this year's parade were local businesses, schools, and

organizations. These are people who spent their time, their money, and their effort to prepare for it. We start getting calls in July. What's the theme going to be? We want to start planning our float. That's the anticipation. The volunteers who help us man the barricades and do many, many other services. Those are your local residents donating their time. And then of course that massive crowd that comes out to watch. You see these people. I don't know if you took the time to really really watch, but I do down there at the production area. standing five, six feet deep people shouldertosh shoulder, strangers, total strange. But they're talking to each other. They're smiling. They're laughing. They're singing along with the music. And oh yeah, helping pick up the candy when it comes by. But it doesn't matter who you are or where you're from. That is one morning I can honestly say in all the years I've been doing this that everybody unites. And it truly is a community effort. It's not only a community effort. It's a community involvement. And that, my friend, is the spirit of St. Cloud.

Chief Corki. I have to rattle his cage.

First of all, where's that Christmas jacket? [sighs and gasps] This is such a vital part of our parade and I'm trying not to be emotional but that's how how deeply I feel about the safety and the protection that chief and his staff his officers give to us. Two of them are well several of them are on my parade committee. They every month meet with us diligently and help to plan and foresee whatever might be coming up. The day of the parade, it's amazing. They're all over the place. They're like ants. And you don't know what a good feeling of security that is. Think about it. When you've got 15,000 plus people gathered in what 10 blocks, 12 blocks, that is a massive endeavor. And these gentlemen, they solve the problems that arise. They take care of them immediately. And the bicycle pro patrol, they're they're my babies. They ride that route the entire parade going back and forth making sure we don't have any um unwelcome or un unauthorized guests in the parade or in the spectators. I don't know if you understand but safety is a major major concern when this comes up. I applaud you.

I can't clap but I'll Thank you. Give him a hand because he and his guys, I mean, they that is one of the most important parts of this parade. I'd also like to recognize a few of your city employees who help us with the parade. Mark Garcia from the traffic division. Bless his heart. He works all year long and then in the middle of the night he's out putting out barricades. And Richard Tons from the fire department. Oh, he's my man. Back right there.

Yeah, I've been talking to him. And Rose Tesserman, the employees from parks and wreck. They help us keep our eyes dotted and teas crossed on the legality so we don't have to come back here and be reprimmended. And of course, JB Miller. Jay, are you available? Jay's behind the scenes. Behind us. He's hiding. But Jay and his staff, they do an amazing job. There he is peeking through. [laughter] There he is.

They do an amazing professional job filming the parade and producing the video, which you can watch on YouTube, and it's on there. Now, when you're in the parade, it's really difficult for you to see all the other entries and grasp the entire concept of what is going on. And you also miss our pre preade performance. That's hard to say. That starts about an hour before the parade kicks off at the lakefront. These are local talents. Uh Chris Burns organizes students from the schools to come and perform and they are amazing. And then of course there's Keith Ronin with his saxophone. The people are singing along and you really you miss it. So I urge you to go back and watch YouTube. In fact, it's a great way to take your family and sit down and watch a Christmas movie of which you are actually in. [snorts] But Jay, he's amazing how he does the video and he choreographs with the MC's with the floats. It's an amazing task and I I just want a special thanks to him. And finally, my personal thankfulness to Dirk Webb, our chairman, our CEO at the chamber, to Stephanie, and to Heather, how they help us all year long. They support us. They encourage us. Sometimes when it gets tough, they say, "You got to keep going. You got to keep going." But they really are such a blessing to this city. And I hope you realize that. Just one last thing. I hope you will take the time to watch

the video and as you watch it, make notes of which companies and organizations are in the parade, schools are in the parade. And then when you're out and about and you go visit them, thank them. Thank them for being in the parade. Because if it weren't for them, we wouldn't have a parade. They are the parade. So encourage them and thank them. So again, thank you for your support for all the help that we get. And let's move on to 63rd annual grade.

All right, Betty, you did an amazing job. You and Robert, the the whole chamber staff, uh, great partners of the city. Uh, I want to note, you know, I walked through I went through the parade twice. I don't know if you saw me. I was going to catch up with you at the end. But we got down to the lakefront and I told everybody, "Oh, I'll see you downtown." And the St. Cloud High School marching band grabbed me and said, "You want to walk with us?" I said, "Sure." And those four kids, they didn't they weren't wearing their uniforms because their the room flooded and I guess their uniforms got got ruined for the day. So, they walked in their plain clothes and I got to walk with the drum major dancing all the way all the way up downtown back to the lakefront again. So, yeah, we saw you twice. Yeah. Yeah. There's a lot of surprised looks like, wait a minute, what's he doing out there?

Well, that that was me. I thought, wait a minute, am I missing something here? One other thing, we should be really thankful for the beautiful weather we always have for the parade. I've been chairing this committee for well over 15 years now. And I can only remember one time that we had rain and it was just a miss. The only thing that happened was the bands couldn't play because they didn't want to get their instruments. But that's something definitely to be thankful for, too. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Thank you, baby. Would anyone else in the audience like to speak during the citizens forum?

All right, we'll move on to public hearings. Will the clerk please read item number one? Public hearing for resolution number 2025-171R. A resolution of the city council of the city of St. Cloud, Florida, granting a conditional use for a child care center in the highway business HB zoning district on the plus - 5.94 acres of land known as Adventure World Kids Project CNU25-00007 located at one at 1386 and 1388 South Narusi Road as described in the body of this resolution. You don't look like Melissa. Hi, Marcus.

Good evening, everyone. Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Um, yes, you're right. You're stuck with the junior varsity team tonight. Uh, Melissa is uh out on a very deserved vacation for the week. Um, this is um resolution 2025 171R CNU 007 007. uh and it is the request of a condition of use for um Adventure World Kids. The future land use for this property is commercial. Uh first of all, the property is located or generally located um on the northwest side of Narusi and um Rammo and it's approximately um 5.94 acres uh for the whole site. They are one of the tenants on the site and the property um currently has a future land use of commercial and zoning of highway business. Uh they have a uh proposed conditional use request for uh child care center in HP zoning. Uh the proposed operation times will be from 7:30 a.m. to 6 pm and with a maximum of 60 students. Here we have a general location of the site. Uh we're looking on the uh in the highlighted area. It will be the center base of the back building uh where you see a kind of a um center courtyard. This is just a general location. That's existing future land use. Uh they are along the edge of some of our incorporated areas. Um and the back side where you see the hatch and the south,

those are commercial and uh LDR in the county. This shows their current zoning and the applicant understandably uh they're not uh your you know the typical developer. uh so they had some difficulty to convey some of the request uh or or aspects of the request. So I prepared this slide with assistance from um uh from they they described to us what they wanted to do. Uh the exhibit that was provided with their application was u incomplete and did not quite convey what they wanted to do. But what you're seeing here is the proposed circulation pattern for uh drop offs. Uh anybody coming from the south side will have to do a U-turn. Uh from the north side, you just take a right in into their property. They have uh some parking spaces um that are usually available along the frontage of the property and they would take a right turn to go out on Narusi. The area in question here um is the um the two bays on the along the center of this um uh these two buildings and uh we'll talk about defense area in a second. This is what they uh currently have. Defense itself is not uh part of this request. However, it's one of the conditions of approval and we'll talk about in a minute. Uh so the approval of the request uh has received a recommendation on or uh before the 11th of December and uh staff recommends approval of the resolution uh 2025171R with four conditions. The first condition is that this conditional use

request does not constitute approval of the actual concept plan. Um and any changes will require uh approval of a site development plan and any other uh requirements of the code. This conditional use is for a child care center subject to land development code 1333A or I'm sorry E and it's valid only while the initial certificate of use remains active. If these uh certificate expires or any u um changes in business ownership happen, the new operator would have to require new conditional use for as long as the use is permitted under uh I'm sorry, for the long as the use permitted here continues um and in the event of stacking or standing or any other issues with uh safety or traffic in the public right away or any other issues that interfere with the flow of vehicular traffic um as determined by the city. Um the resolution may be brought back to the city council in front of you uh to review and consider if any additional conditions draft traffic issues will be required or if the revocation of those rights uh will be um applicable. And finally, upon approval of this condition of use, but prior to the issuance of any certificate of use, u a site variance pursuant to section 2310 of the land development code will be required and the applicant will also be required to obtain uh fence permit for the uh existing fence that you just saw in those pictures that is unpermitted at this point. Now uh the variance in question is for the open uh space minimum for the whole development because that currently um acts as the overall as part of the overall uh open space requirement. So once they fence it becomes a private u a private area.

Um on 18th of November, the um planning commission recommended approval with the conditions uh stated by staff. And tonight we're requesting approval of ordinance, sorry, resolution 2025171R with the conditions and I'm available if you have any questions. Yeah, Marcos, can you go back to the u the areas that's going to be fenced off there? Is that that's that's in between the buildings, not behind. It's in between the buildings is correct. Do we have that clear back up one?

Oh, and I apologize. Uh you might not have that in your staff report. I I prepared that because the exhibits that they had on the staff report were not sufficient to explain what what's going on. So I have included that. I'll be happy to um give you copies of that, too. I don't know Dan if uh I think the one we had in our in our packets showed the area extending that is incorrect to the wetland and that's why I made this exhibit because it was unclear to me in all prior discussions

uh that we had our understanding was that they were taking it to the back of the property and that is not the case according to what the applicant told me. um they are here so they can uh tell me if I'm I'm being uh inaccurate here. But based on the understanding that I had with the applicant or the conversation I had with the applicant, what's uh what's happening is that they're fencing the area that is in front. You can see on the back of that picture that there's some uh electrical equipment and mechanical equipment equipment uh uh I think the electrical panels might be towards the back. So they have to keep that away from the fence area for the kids. Um, the kids are actually taken from the inside playgrounds to the outside through the back of the properties. There are no doors on the sides of both bays. So, they're taken from the back and taken uh there's a fence perimeter in the back as well. And they will be taken to this internal courtyard through the back of the building. They uh also stated that they will have to install um a front gate in case of emergencies. if there's, god forbid, any emergencies that access can be made through the front of the playground.

All right. I guess I'm confused. I'm looking at fence already existing. So that is the unpermitted fence. Yes, they have a they have they they put in an unpermitted fence. Yes, exactly. And we're requiring them to bring that up to standards. not do up to stand but requ if I could the current site that area where the fences are my understanding is the current site that was approved include that designated that as open space it's a common open space yes

so they couldn't get a permit to fence it in because it's designated without changing the site plan the way it was approved so uh that permit that fence is unpermitted umce as u was referenced once the site variance is completed to to change that from open space to basically dedicated space for this facility then they'd be able to get a building permit for the fence but if I do mayor we do need to confirm if the council is going to move forward the exhibit B to that resolution to make because that identifies the behind the building as being part of this and so we'll need to confirm that before the council takes any action.

Yes. And we the applicant is here so they can action like to speak on this item.

Hello. Good evening everyone. Yes. So um the reason we had put the fence and the gates up is because in our lease with our landlord he said that area is a part of the lease agreement. And so in order for us to have the kids out there in the courtyard area for playground, um we wanted it to be safe and closed off, you know, so that they don't escape or run away. Um and that's why we put it in, but now we're taking, you know, the next steps in complying with the fence variance and permit. We're in the process of doing that. Can you state your name, please? Sorry. Oh, I'm sorry. Name and address for the record. Nicole Morales.

Thank you, Nicole. Um my address of the Yeah, you put your facility business address. That's fine. Yeah. Yeah. 1388 and 1386 South Narusi Road, St. Cloud, Florida 34771. All right. Thank you. You're welcome. All right, Marcos. Yes. So the the four conditions on this Sure. Um would you like to we're approving a condition to remedy the unpermanented fence?

Yeah. So so the the three first conditions are fairly standard. Those are conditions that we usually put on. Uh which means that this is not an approval for a use and I'm going to go back to them so you can see it. Uh but they don't they do not constitute like you're you're approving the use not necessarily not the plan right? Uh you're only giving the conditional use. uh it's not unlike what we just saw on the uh JCCCC JJCC right so you're approving only the use um the conditional use is only for that child care center and if ownership changes if anything changes they have to come back for a new uh conditional use the third one is just that um in the event that um uh stacking or drop off or any other safety uh issues happen that that is um may be revised or revoked And then the fourth one is the one where we're giving two um conditions here. It's one with two clauses which means that before any kind of um certificate of use is issued that they have to solve the uh site plane issue with the open space through a variance. So they're going to have to request a variance uh for the uh open space uh that is going to be turning to their private space. And then the second one will be that then they have to bring the uh unpermitted work up to code.

All right. These conditions only uh continue with this business. So if this business is not there anymore then everything gets revoked. Yes. Okay. Mayor, can I just confirm something from the applicant if we could? Can we confirm that air? Because again Nicole, can you please come back? The I don't know. Can we pull up the exhibit B to the resolution? Does anybody have that? We might need to we don't have that on the overhead. So I will describe that if it's uh if it might that might be sufficient.

Well, so the exhibit B of the resolution includes the area that's shown there in that in the fence and then it includes to the build in the right side of that picture. It includes an area behind the building up against the vegetation. Yes, that's what's in the exhibit. My understanding, hang on. My understanding is that that area behind the building is not part of the open space. I mean, I'm sorry, the designated space. I'm asking the applicant.

So, may I uh may I just kind of slightly refra? So, I just want to confirm that the area that you guys using for the playground is only the area that is fencing today, right? because in your original exhibit um that and that's why I called that playground was extending to the back of the buildings. That's not the case. No, he's correct. It's just in that area where the fence is the area between the buildings. Between the buildings. Yes, sir. Okay. So, if you can see where we're talking, this is what was part of the application and you can see that area that's identified as courtyard. That's the back of the building. where it's on that M on the Can you see the picture?

Yeah, I can see it here, too. Yeah. Know that it's the that's a typo because the courtyard for us is just in between the two buildings. They're not going in the back. Okay. Yeah. All right. Thank you. So, we'll need to correct that exhibit. Thank you for clarifying. So, it's only the Finchston area. Yes. And um if you [laughter] then what brought me to what what brought that to my attention that particular exhibit is that I saw I was trying to figure out how big it was and I saw the 25 ft and the 25 ft is clearly just the space between the buildings. So that's when I called him and I asked Mr. David off discovered that the other day.

So that is now included as rentable area. It's a common area today, right? So, it's it's supposed to be used by all tenants of this development, but now it's just for one. Well, when the variance when they get the variance to the site, it will be no longer common area. It will be dedicated for these build for these use. Okay. And the landlord apparently is okay with that. So, yes, the owner of the building. Are the other renters okay with that? That would be between the owner of the building and his other tenants or her other tenants. That's not our issue, right? That's not your issue.

Because the owner of the property is the one allowed to come up here. Yes. The owner of the property is going to have to participate in the u in the variance request at least to authorize it. Yes. In fact, I believe that the owner there were discussions with the owner to uh that they will make the this applicant, the agent for that variance. And and if I may, I think I misspoke during the briefing and said that it would be a board of adjustment variance and just verified that it's a city council variance. That comes back to us.

Yeah, it has different the reason why you couldn't do it. There's different notice requirements and different application requirements that have to be made to that variance. Okay. So, the area behind the fence where the is that is that a water line and the cap sign that is not included in this. The area in front of the fence between the fence and sidewalk concreted the concreted area looks different than the photo.

Oh yeah, that that is um you know there's a difference in the age of this picture. So the bottom uh the inset picture that you're seeing is the existing condition today. So it has been paved. The grass in the front has been uh you know paved. Yeah, I think and you answer my question earlier. It's just between the fenced areas. Yes, that's it. Just the area that you see in green on that inset. Okay. Would anyone in the audience like to speak on this item? And city council, if I may.

Yes, sir. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. U Miss Nicole, can you come back up please? to get my understandings properly. Uh when you were negotiating with the um landlord, you said he said, "Hey, you got to have a fence between these areas." Yes. You said, "Okay." And you popped up a fence, right? Yes, sir. Did you know at that time that you can't put a fence up without permit? No, we didn't because he said that's his property and he allowed it and it's in the lease agreement as well. Okay. That it's included for the both buildings that we are renting.

Okay. I I would try to somehow the landlord that that is for future reference needs permitting. The size of that fence that you're taking this one out, put it in. What's the height of that? Um it's 6 feet and 4 feet. They That's what we were supposed to put in. Um uh that was said by the um city. Okay. And I'm sure that you're going to have to have two uh entries and exits into that with a safety issue because there's going to be Yes,

little ones running around, right? Okay. And then the last but not least in in the back there where they come out the back door, is any of that area going to be fenced or is that open area that they can go into the woods and then go into that? I know they'll be um supervised. I just Yes. I wondered how that they probably escort them.

Yes, sir. So, um we're going to have um five teachers total for each um for both buildings. And then when they go out for recess time, we're gonna have um there's like a rope for this um case, you know, when teachers take the kids out for playground and recess and they all hold on to it and literally the door from the back to the gate like where the playground area is is like a foot. Like it's so close. I'm sorry I've asked you that because that's an operational that's be that's for you all. I just look at wetlands and escapees. Oh, of course. I'm big on safety. Yeah, for sure. Yeah,

I have over 15 years of experience with early childhood education. I'm a pediatric sleep specialist and I work in prenatal and postpartum. So, it's a lot. I I deal with HIPPA and tellaalth. So, I'm big on safety and all of the regulations. I I'm sure you're super wellqualified and again that was just a question. Thank you for answering that and I yield back to you. Of course.

Thank you, sir. So, I do want to say um for the record that I did tour this facility 1013 2025. Um Nicole reached out and asked if I invited me to tour the facility and I did go out, I seen all of this stuff that is listed. I did have one concern originally when we seen the back portion along the wooded area, but since that is not going to be moving forward with that, um my concern you guys had already addressed as well as um Deputy Mayor Gilbert. So, thank you, Councilman Paul. All right. Any other comments from council? And with that, can I get a motion?

Um if I may, I just would like to make one comment, Mr. Gilbert. Um, there is, it doesn't show on this picture because it's slightly older, the the aerial photo that you see here, but there is a fence against the back of the property. I believe that is 15 feet back setback. And so, um, any little escape would have to jump two fences, right? And and I saw that the the picture in the background is a rendering and the picture in front is an actual photo. And I've saw the fence back there uh that it's put been done by the uh landlord. All right. I'm going to ask for a motion again. Motion to approve. Motion to approve. Council member Paul.

Second. Second from Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Madame Clerk, please call the RO. Council member Urban. I. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. I. Council member Fletcher. Hi. Council member Paul. I. Mayor Robertson. I. Motion carries 5. Thank you. Thank you. Will the clerk please read item number two?

Public hearing for resolution number 2025-172R. A resolution of the city council of the city of St. Cloud, Florida, electing a timely pres preser preserve for the uniform method of collecting a non nonadalorum assessment levied in all parts of the city of St. cloud for fiscal year 2026 27 beginning October 1, 2026 stating a possible need for such levy providing for the timely mailing of this resolution is provided by general law and providing for effective date. Jeff, I like how you walked up here earlier so you'd have a long walk up.

Yeah, I learned my lesson after the last one. Get tired after that walk and out of breath. Uh this is to conduct a preliminary public hearing to adopt a resolution as required by state law to preserve collection options for assessments if levied by declaring the intent to use the uniform method of collecting non-avalarum assessment for fiscal year 2627 um and notify the Oola county tax collector and property appraiser of such intent. So the legal authority for this is sections 197.3732 and 197.3635 in Florida statute. Uh approving resolution 2025-172R preserves the city's statutory opportunity to use the uniform method of collection. State law requires this extensive advanced notice of almost one year to the local tax collector if the city wants to use the uniform non-advalum revenue collection alternative. And this resolution does not require or authorize the imposition of any special assessment and there is no cost associated with this item. Uh staff are recommending approval and we're uh requesting the city council approve resolution 2025-172R. If you have any questions.

All right. Thank you, Coop. And anyone in the audience like to speak on this item and any council discussion? Can I get a motion? Motion to approve. Motion to approve. Council member Urban. Second. Second from Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Madame Clerk, please call the RO. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Hi. Council member Fletcher. Hi. Council member Paul. I. Council member Urban. I. Mayor Robertson. I. Motion carries 5 Z. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. And next up, we have council action. The clerk, please read item number one. Request council's approval for the reduction of code enforcement lean filed in amount of $142,755.70 and acred fines of five fines to 5005,000 to be paid within 30 days of the council meeting. Property address 1512 Connecticut Avenue.

Good evening again. U Marcus Bastian, deputy director. apologize. Um, this case, um, started in October of 2023. Um, the owner is, um, or was Mr. Jamie Domiko. The site address was 1512. And I need to give you a little bit of a background in this. I assume that you probably already are familiar with it, but um, Mr. Miko um fell ill uh and and battled with cancer for about three years. He unfortunately passed away in August of 2025. Uh the first citation uh inspection and citation was on October 2024 when he was already ill. And that's that's the understanding that I have from um statements by his uh ex-wife. And in um March of 2024, uh this case was brought to um code enforcement hearing when the property was um assessed a fine of $250 a day um if didn't bring the property into compliance um by March of 2024. Obviously, uh Mr. the make being ill. He was unable to comply with the requirements and um this property went into um u this running um fines for 500 I believe it's 540 days. I might be uh mistaken here, but um and then the lean eventually added up to 142,500

with additional $255.70 in administrative fees. Um as I mentioned, Mr. Miko unfortunately passed away in August of 2025 and uh at his uh in his will um he um named his former wife as the executive executive of the state. within um about a month um uh she brought the property uh into compliance and uh her name is Melinda Chavani I believe or Chavini um and so Miss Chavvini uh was not aware until she became the executive of his state that uh there were this pending on code enforcement issues so um they brought it into compliance as I already mentioned and then M chin uh off offered a combined settlement to a total of 5,000 uh dollars that would include the reduced fees and that any administrative fees. Um on October of 2025, a tentative settlement was agreed by the code enforcement um and by code enforcement and the city manager uh obviously contingent on uh approval by city council. And finally in November of 2025 uh in a special magistrate hearing uh that recommendation was um also approved and that is what we bring to you to this evening. So, the recommendation is for um the reduction uh a reduction for a total of $5,000 from the 142,000 and 577 and.70 and I'm sorry in the uh days in violation was 570 days. [clears throat]

All right. Thank you, Marcos. Uh, Melinda Shabini.

Hi. Um, yes, I am Jamie Deiko's ex-wife. Can I get your name and address? Melinda Shabini. Yes, ma'am. 3892 Coington Drive, but this is regarding 1512 Connecticut Avenue.

Um, yes. My Jamie and I have three kids together. Um he passed away in August. Um he left me as the executive because we have three kids together. Um soon as we went over and started looking at the house, the neighbors came over and started telling us that there was code enforcement issues. So we um started cleaning up and doing what we could do. We got it all cleaned up in about 15 15 days or so. Um, I realize the efforts of code enforcement and everything, um, trying to get Jamie to comply. Um, and I'm not asking for the reduction, um, to minimize those efforts in any way, but to help with the financial burden this has put on us. It like landed in my lap. Um, I'm a single mom living paycheck to paycheck and I've had to take on the responsibility of the mortgage, the power, the water bill. Um, things just keep piling up. Um, after I made the $5,000 offer, we have had to have a termite inspection and the house has major termite damage, so it has to be tinted now. So, um, any kind of leniency from you guys on all of this would be a tremendous help.

Yes, ma'am. All right. Thank you. Would anyone else in the audience like to speak on this item? All right. Um, first I'd like to say from what I understand speaking with staff that uh this amount covers our administrative costs and then correct I believe so. Yes, sir. The total the city's total administrative costs in this matter are $1,134.99. So, this would more than cover that. All right. Thank you. And council comments.

I I have one. I'm I'm never been one to lower u code violations except for special circumstances. And if you have a single mother with three children taking on this burden and responsibility, coming up to the council and saying, "Listen, I got this in my lap. I'm doing the best I can raising my children. I'm a citizen of St. Cloud. You know, I normally, you know, me, I'm not one in reducing of coding violations, but I'd really like to say ever pay the $1,300 and uh God bless her and and and move on her way. That's me personally, but I'd like the uh council to consider that especially during these circumstances in which she acquired the home. I yield back to you, Mayor. I

would second that. Just administrative cost only. All right. Can we go ahead and get that total again, Dan? $1,134.99. And if that's the direction of the council, we'd ask that that be paid within 30 days. So, if you could just as part of your motion include that that amount would be paid within 30 days. All right, Melinda, you please come up here real quick.

Would you be able to pay that within 30 days? Yes. The 1,300 $1,134.99. Yes, I'll make it happen. Yes, ma'am. All right. I appreciate you guys so much. Can I get a motion on that motion to approve? Motion to approve to reduce it to $1,134.99. We have a motion from council member Paul. Second. Second from Council Member Urban. Madame Clerk, please call the RO. Council member Fletcher, I. Council member Paul, I. Council member Urban, I. Deputy Mayor Gilbert, I. Mayor Robertson, I. Motion carries 5. Thank you.

All right. Will the clerk please read item number two? Discussion and possible action regarding the selection of deputy mayor. I guess that's just us. Yes, sir. [laughter] Well, uh, any ideas, folks? I'd like I assumed that I had nothing to do with this idea. I apologize. Didn't didn't mean just to walk away, so I thought you were going [laughter] to talk to us about I'd like to make a motion to keep Deputy Mayor Gilbert for the full year this year.

All right. We have a motion from Council Member Urban to uh retain Deputy Mayor Gilbert as our deputy mayor for the 2026 year. I will second it. And we have a second from Council Member Paul. Will the clerk please call the RO? Council member Paul. I. Council member Iran. Hi. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Hi. Council member Fletcher. Hi. Mayor Robertson. Hi. Motion carries 5. Thank you, Council. And will the clerk please read item number three? Discussion and possible action regarding council serving on committees and boards of other entities.

I guess we'll run right down the list.

Okay, Sean, you are on education foundation. Is that how do you all want to do this? Does anybody have any interest in education foundation or Sean? Did you want to remain in that? Hello. I'm sorry. I can't hear. [clears throat] Sean, I can't hear you. Yeah, I can hear you. Go ahead. Would you like to remain in the on the education foundation board? Yes, sir. All right. We're just going to approve the whole slate at the end. Yes, that's the best.

Uh metro plan. I like Ken on that. He comes back with a lot of information. Um I don't if he still likes it from the council. Yeah. Yeah. I that is a a board that um we've been working on for three years now and we're making headway. Uh and it's just there's uh 27 people on that board and three different counties and you kind of got to grind and we've been grinding and I think we're getting results. So I would love to continue if the uh council so honors me to do so. I believe you may have a important seat this upcoming year you may want to tell the council about. Yes. Subcommittee is called the no and I'm determined. Awesome.

Really? You could have mentioned that. Oh, I mean we can still give it to you, but that would have been icing on the cake. Say cloud. I still enjoy being on the Ocula chamber. Um unless y'all have any issue with that. Sean Is that okay, Sean? That I stay on the ocul chamber. Say that one more time. The ocular chamber you said. Yes, sir. It's okay that I remain on that. Yes, absolutely.

All right. Thank you. And the Ocula Council on Aging. I'm on that. Uh does anybody have any interest in that? I will remain on that. May I step in just a second? I know there's some committees here that are in different dates and times.

Please, if you can't make it or have a conflict, let us know. I think between council, we'll be able to figure that out. Uh there's certain specific dates that these they meet on. My goal, I think the council's goal is to make sure we have representation on each one of these boards and council. So if if we can't if there's a date conflict and dates conflict, if we could do it now, it probably easier than in the future. Thank you, mayor, and yield back. All right. Does anybody have any any councils that they sit on or committees that that their schedules conflict where they can't go to meetings? Mayor, if I may. Yes, sir.

If someone was if another council member was interested in sitting on the Florida League of Cities. Yes. Uh I would have interest in that, Council Member Fletcher, if that's okay. Oh, you're you're okay. All right. Sounds good. Uh yeah, if that if that conflicts with your schedule, I I would enjoy that. So, we're going to skip down and mark that. That was the Tri County. Yeah, it's the Tri County League of Cities.

All right, next up we have the OU Joint Contract Administrative Committee. We have Council Member Urban and former Mayor Nathan Blackwell. I'm okay with continuing on and council member Irvin is good with that. I enjoy sitting on that and the citizen continues on as at our will as well. Kobe would be okay if you double check to make sure that his schedule as the citizen. U you want me to double check with former mayor Black if you could. I just courtesy maybe. Yes. Yeah, I could uh I could get

Would that be okay? Staff can staff can reach out to him. So for now we can appoint it and it doesn't work out. He he hasn't missed any. I don't believe Yeah, I'm sure he's very qualified and do a great job. Just want courtesy. Absolutely. All right. This is a long the policy makers leazison committee of the Florida Municipal Power Agency. Council member Urban. Yes. I also enjoy sitting on that board. It's very informative and I would like to remain there. It's the council's pleasure. All right, Council Member Paul, do you enjoy the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce? Yes, I think they love me on there. So, [laughter]

we all love you. That's I think Betty said she loved us all. [laughter] She was afraid. St. Cloud Main Street as well. And likewise. All right. Next up, we have the Tourist Development Council, TDC. And I know Council Member Gilbert loves this. He's got a passion for that. It's like Metro Plan. He's so I would recommend he stay if he'd like it. Of course. Thank you for that. I'm honored to serve if the council so say so. Council member Fletcher, is that okay that Deputy Mayor Gilbert stay on the TDC?

Yes, sir. Absolutely. All right. And then we've got the water cooperative of Central Florida. I tell you what, I think Kobe played Monopoly. He really got the utilities, doesn't he? He's got place coming next. I was uh I'm honored to be have been appointed as the vice chair of that board for this year. So, it's it's an honor and I hope I represent the city. Well, congratulations.

That is the Toho board. Is that correct? Is that the same? It's no, it it's a um a branch of the Toho board that manages the um the water cooperative, the different projects that they have going on to bring water throughout the region. All right, Kobe is the water guy and the St. Cloud Citizens Foundation. It's not a board or committee, but I'm the bylaws of that. I'm the chair of that board. The Scloud Veterans Advisory Committee. Um I'm the current chair. I think we just kicked it off what four months ago.

This isn't for action. We're just we wanted to put additional community boards that you were required to be on. It was justformational. Okay. And I think um after that one year, I think it goes from to seat two and seat three. I think that's what we agreed to. All right. Is everybody okay with the slate? Council member Fletcher, are you good? I'm good. Thanks, sir. All right. And can we get a motion on the entire slate of committee appointments? Motion to approve. Motion to approve. Deputy Mayor Gilbert. Second from Council Member Urban. Madam Clerk, please call the RO. Council member Urban. I. And Deputy Mayor Gilbert.

I. Council member Fletcher. I. Council member Paul. I. Mayor Robertson. Hi. Motion carries 5-0. I'm not going to read it. We have no first readings and introductions at this time. And on to the end, we've got city attorney comments. I do not have anything, Miss May. Thank you, sir. Thank you, city manager. Yes, thank you. I have only a few items. Um, recently the city council had requested a workshop on Mutter Road. Then the following meeting we we selected Mutter Road as a legislative item. So, I'm asking if we still want the workshop or if I can go ahead and cancel it. I don't think we need it. You guys think we need it?

Great. Because we have a long workshop list. Um, and I I wanted to ask if we could consider starting this next workshop next week. We are starting earlier because of of the length of the discussions that we were going to be having with the 4, the EDAC, and the downtown business group. I wanted to ask if the council would consider starting all workshops in the future earlier. Um, we've been starting at three quite often. We're we're going past 5. I didn't know if maybe the council would like to consider starting at two. We're starting at 1:30. Um, so you can get out earlier at your pleasure. What was um what's the this is 3:00 next week? No, next week is one o'clock and that's already been advertised.

Yes. Okay. So, we're good at that. Yes. So you're saying following that in in the future? I have no problem with that. Dan, are there any charter restrictions for workshop times? Not for workshop. Thank you. Well, I think the any the meeting was is not charter. I think the meeting meeting is in the rules of conduct. That's in the rules of conduct, right, that we vote on. 1:30. Is that okay? Gives everybody time for lunch. Yeah, that's fine. Okay, perfect. Thank you. Long as Ivy feeds us, we're good to go. [laughter]

We're happy. Um, and the last, um, I wanted to share some good news for our Rock in the Cloud event that's coming up on New Year's Eve. Um, because we're not going to have another city council meeting before then. Um, we would like everyone in the community to come. Starts at 7. The headliner is Less Than Jake. And what's exciting this year is Spectrum 13 has um worked with the city communication department and they're going to be at the event all night long doing live spots. So um you may be on on News3. All right, Council Member Paul.

All right, so I have a few things. Um first, I wanted to see about um sponsoring a event event um in February on the 7th. um in collaboration with Vice Mayor Edy. Um as many of you know that the baseball field at Hopkins Park is named after her dad. So they in his honor they would like to do like a community fun day with some little leagues from CMI, one league from CMI, one from St. Cloud and just having the children have a baseball day, softball day and um you know just bringing the community out. It will um be with some vendors, different vendors, but just wanted to put that out there. And I will um would like to there is a request that I did um speak with Veronica about our city manager. Um they are in the process of forming a form so when we have requests that we can complete it and it will be documented properly versus you know emails that get tied up and stuff like that. I just always want to make sure I'm doing things the right way. So once that form gets filled out, I do have a form that's similar to that, but this I'll pass to everyone else. Um but just would like to February 7th, 2026 uh community funday um for David Edy senior. Um he does have history involvement here in St. Cloud. He was one of the little league coaches here. So um just wanted to put that out there. So her dad's last name is Hopkins. That's

No, her her dad's last name is Edy. Oh, he's named the baseball field at Hopkins is named after him. Oh, isn't it? They named the field is named something different than Hopkins. Yes, because they would like to get their um his wife, Miss Alice Edy, whoever um everyone knows her in the community to throw the first pitch. So, I know Hopkins will be eventually demolished. So, that will probably be like the last, you know, fun day before it gets, you know, demolished. So, Okay. What what are you looking for? Um just letting them use the the field or maybe doing the joint thing between Yes. Is it city of CM coming over here? Well, yes. We can collaborate, you know, just bringing the community together out to have a fun day. So, um that'd be great.

We'll be reaching out to some people to see if there are, you know, a little league team that would be willing to participate that day. So, can hit can you can hit? I can't. I can't run, but I can hit [laughter] I'll be the penc. Okay.

So, if I can, um the the special event permit application cost is normally $315. The facility rental fee, um which is a 4-hour block and only includes one staff member, is $375. We don't know how many people are planning on attending. So, I I don't know what other additional expenses there would be. um wanted to make sure that if the city council moves forward with this that you're explaining on the record which fees we're we're waving but I will bring it back in January once the form is to complete it so that way everyone on the council can review it. So right and so city of CMI they're going to bring people over or is it Angela? I'm sure she can get people over. Um

well it's like is it a city of CMI event over at St. cloud or how do we do they want to do like the I guess a team from CMI, a team from St. Cloud and just play against each other. So, but um Vice Mayor Edy did say she is willing to help collaborate with this event. So, okay. I think Mayor we could do uh like two or three innings with city council and staff against CM city council and staff. Yeah, that would be [laughter] and and what a great community collaboration. That's a great idea, Miss Paul. It's a great collaboration. I can also bring that up to to her as well.

And that's the way I look at it as more of not as really waving fees, but kind of coming together and doing a joint city and and if if Commissioner Edy wants to be their representative and you be ours and putting this event together, I'm all in support of that.

Thank you. Um my second thing is the want to say the parade. Um, as in reference to Miss Betty stated, it was a beautiful community event in St. Cloud. Um, thank you to the chamber and the volunteers for their hard work. I know it takes a lot um, putting everything together. So, wanted to say thank you um, for that event. Um, wanted to also do a followup on my trip to Utah. Um, that was amazing trip. Yes, it was cold um for this Florida girl. Um and also city of CMI really showed up with their representatives as well um between the workshops and um networking events with other elected officials across the um United States. It was just beautiful to see so many elected officials who are, you know, passionate about serving their community. Um yes, we all face, you know, similar challenges in the community, but when we all can work together, that's the beauty of it. as well. So, I really enjoyed it. Next year it will be in Tennessee, so I hope more City of St. Cloud elected officials can represent as well. And lastly, I wanted to see about um currently our um city employees, they get a um $50 to $100 um I guess incentive in their check. And so this has not been updated changed since 2011. I would ask the council if we can consider possibly incorporating an increase in the budget next year. Um, and I am open to hear what others have to say on the council as well. So,

so right now it's in the budget for $50 per parttime employees receive 50. Full-time employees receive a hundred. Um, if you if you haven't been here long enough, then I believe you receive the $50. Um, employees have already received it in their paychecks. Um, we always give it to them before the holidays. I would definitely be open to that. I My only concern is of course with all of the property tax cut talk at the state level. I know our budget's going to be very uh constrained in in the near future if these things pass. So that does concern me, but as long as our budget allows for it, I want to support our staff any way we can.

I agree. Um each year we uh have staff that we've give bonuses to just uh cola alone is you know in the 14 years if you do it percentage wise has raised quite a bit uh I do understand your concerns uh Mr. urban because we don't know about legislative. So I would like to put that uh caveat in there also as long as we have the same budgetary items coming from uh the state of Florida to be able to increase it and increase in a way of of the 11 12 14 years of of additional uh I know that's a number but these are the folks that make it happen. These are you talk about the parade, you talk about the streets, you these are the best of the best. They come out every day, Saturday, Sunday, whatever. So, I would definitely consider it. Uh, mayor, I don't know how we make sure that the the budgetary items from uh state of Florida with Ed Borum and all that. So, but uh I think it's a great idea, Miss Paul, Mr. Urban.

Yeah, it's a great idea. So, we're talking about for next Christmas is it it's a Christmas bonus. Is that it is it is special wording because of the legislature. I'll let Dan call it the correct word so we don't get in trouble.

The the city is authorized to do a extra compensation payment for employees. There's just steps you have to follow. As you know, the one that was that Veronica just mentioned that was paid recently was approved as part of the budget process. There actually specific language within the budget that approves it that that meets the requirements of the state statute. And so that would have to be done this time. It the the law requires that those uh that that statutory process be followed when you create these sort of programs. They need to be perspective and not retroactive. you obviously have to do it for before well before you're going to pay the do the uh extra compensation on it. You do not have to do it as part of your budget process. You can essentially can do it anytime you you want um you feel comfortable doing that. You do not have to do it as sort of an end of the year thing. You can you can do it then too. So there's options to be able to do it that way too.

Okay. So we can wait till session and find out what what happens and our budget everybody feels comfortable with that our budget process we have a workshop um usually in June July and that's usually when we bring you a prepared budget and we will plan on assuming nothing happens with the legislature in including that and that's the workshop where we where we discuss the proposed cola we discuss um all of those all of those raises at that time okay so it's clear direction we will we will include an increase Is that good? Council member Paul. Okay. Uh, Council Member Urban,

thank you. U, Mr. Gordon brought up the hotel earlier. I know we had a lengthy discussion uh at our CRA meeting about the hotel, so I'm not going to rehash all of that. But, um, I I I also had a discussion with our city attorney earlier this week during my staff briefing, and I I know he is pursuing that. Um, I'm going to make it my personal mission at every single council meeting to aggressively pursue this until this is resolved. Uh, it's an absolute travesty to our uh, city into our downtown area. Um, and and and it's my understanding that there's a special magistrate hearing in January,

January 21st.

So, we hope to have uh some further guidance and answers uh after that. and uh we'll look forward to to learning more. And just also wanted to say the Christmas parade on Saturday was just an absolutely amazing turnout. It's my favorite day in the city of St. Cloud uh to see so many out there in the community. As Miss Dampy said, it's everybody comes together that day and it's it's really great. So with that, I just wanted to wish everybody a very merry Christmas and a happy new year and very thankful for all the staff who work so hard throughout the year. um to to make our jobs easier. So, just wanted to thank everybody and wish everybody a merry Christmas and happy new year.

All right. And Council Member Fletcher, I just wanted to say merry Christmas to everybody. Have a um awesome new year. And uh that's all I have. And Deputy Mayor Gilbert.

Well, uh 2025 blew by. That was crazy. I'd like to thank the council, the staff, the citizens for a very productive 2025. I I truly believe we can get better each year because you either go forwards or backwards, but I think the effort was put in by this council here and I'm honored that you listen to my words, that we work together, that I listen to you, and I I hope 2026 is even better through our continuity that we have here as a council. And I appreciate you guys very much. And just want to say that and a merry Christmas. And then also the staff. Um we can't do without the staff. uh the Christmas tree lighting, the the parade every day for it's just a great place to live. It's just I do you see the smiling f we we have some differences. We have some work we can do and we'll continue to do that. But I love St. Cloud. I love that my family's here. I love living here and I'm proud to be St. Cloud. So I just want to say thank you to to to to the uh staff which doesn't get enough recognition that they that's out there mowing the lawns, getting the trash, cleaning a 15,000 person parade with I know the mayor I think I hit him a couple times and he hit me a couple times. There's candy everywhere. You sat on my [laughter] chocolates kind of sat in his chocolates, too. But uh I I I'm there to to to wish you all a merry Christmas and just remember Jesus is the reason for the season and and God bless you all and I look forward to working with you guys in 2026. Yield back, mayor.

Yes, sir. Yep. Amazing Christmas parade. Um the festival downtown, Rotary Club did an amazing job with that. staff did an amazing job with the parade. Um, you know, we we look forward to it every year and uh um of course the the staff at city hall dressed us up like elves, which I appreciate. Um yeah, it wasn't too bad. So, no, thank you all. Um yeah, I do hope everybody has a merry Christmas and happy new year. I know Rocking the Cloud is going to be a great event and I know our police department and our fire department is going to keep everybody safe during that event. So everybody come on out to that. This Sunday we're going to resume Soldier City Sundays. We took a break last week on Sunday because of the the uh Christmas festival. We're going to resume that this Sunday. And I want to give a shout out. David Castar has been working his tail off on that from Solid Waste. So he's been a big help and coming out there every single Sunday so far. All right. And with that, we have our information section. We have the reports. uh warrant list number two, fiscal year 26. Friday, December 12th, 2025, we have the employee holiday lunchon. City offices will be closed from 12:00 p.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, December 18th, 2025, city council workshop, 1 p.m. at St. Cloud Community Center. Wednesday, December 24th, 2025, city offices closed in observance of Christmas Eve. Thursday, December 25th, 2025, city offices closed in observance of Christmas Day. Thursday, January 1st, 2026, city offices close in observance of New Year's Day. And Thursday, January 8th, 2026, we have our next city council meeting, hopefully in new council chambers, 6:30 p.m. at city hall council chambers. And with that, this meeting is adjourned. Thank you.