City Commission - Special Meeting

I'd like to call to order this special commission meeting, city manager application review and water quality projects grant approval February 13, 2026. If we could do the roll call, Mary. Sure. Mayor Collins, Vice Mayor Reid here. Commissioner Clark here. Commissioner Kobe here. Commissioner Rick here. All right. I pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Comments by city commissioners. Commissioner Rich, I have none. Commissioner Gio, uh, I have none. Thank you. Commissioner Clark, um I have none uh comments. Oh, I did have one thing. I don't know if anyone here or on TV could see this booklet that was put together uh for the applicants and review of the city manager's position. But I want to thank the staff. They have done an excellent job in putting this together. I want to thank each and every one of you. Thank you, Ryzen, for your department, HR. That's it. That's all I want to say. Thank you. I believe it was Miss Cuffy. Yes. That did all the booklets as well. I'm sorry, Cuffy. [laughter] The whole department.

But the whole department. I know there's a lot of hands in the in the Karen took the lead. Thank you. I have no comments. Um comments by city manager. I have none. Comments by city attorney? I have none. All right. Can I get a motion for approval of the agenda as published? Move approval of the agenda as published. I'll second the motion. Any public comment on the agenda, how it's published? Seeing none, Mary. All in favor? All in favor? I I I

uh comments from the public on non-aggenda items. No public comments. All right. Commission action lead. Authorization to submit EPA grant application. Resolution number 15-2026, a resolution of the city commission of the city of Steuart, Florida, authorizing a US Environmental Protection Agency grant application for water quality projects benefiting the St. Lucy River, including muck removal from creeks and authorizing execution of a grant agreement if awarded and further authorizing any minor amendments to the grant agreement and authorizing issuance of a purchase order to grant works for the writing and submission of said grant application providing for an effective date and for other purposes. And uh Ruth Holmes is here to answer any questions that you might have on this resolution. Any comments from the commissioners or questions?

I just wanted to thank uh Ruth Holmes, our environmental attorney. Um, thank you very much, Ruth. Great start. Did you just you just come? Yeah. On the application. Yeah. Terms of in the time frames. [cough and clears throat] Good afternoon, commissioners. Ruth Holmes. Um so my knowledge of the grant is that uh first of all the deadline for submitting the application is March 16th, 2026. So we have

start um we hurried up uh with grant works to get us a scope of work as soon as we could. We received it yesterday afternoon. That's how quickly things are moving and we just got notice of this uh early last week. Um, I was on a webinar with EPA um earlier this week and they said it takes a few months uh for them to determine whether or not you're you have an eligible project or projects for the grant. Um and also uh in talking with some of the folks here and in the community um and with some of the commissioners, you know, there's more than one creek obviously in the city that may need um muck removal. Um so the way I understand it is is that each creek will be its own project. Um so we'll apply for at least we're looking at now um talking with the public works director. Um we're looking at PPE Creek and also um Frasier Creek for um and the proposal from the city will be for conventional muck dredging. The big ticket item in that is um disposal of the muck. It all depends on what's in it and we don't know yet. Um each project uh grant is up to a million dollars just so that'd be you know in a perfect world if they looked at at the city favorably that would be $2 million per creek. Whether that actually happens that way I don't know. Um I'm also looking at another proposal um with a group that I think probably some of you are familiar with the Lake Okachchobee Restoration Initiative folks. Um and my understanding from Martin County um they use a similar product um in some of their uh public works projects in the past, they said

that that product that the it's a biological agent. It's not a chemical um and it works best in nonflow areas. So these creeks that lead out to the river probably wouldn't be the best projects for that um for that product as we understand it. I also talked to one of their board members this morning who is the um a former um executive director of South Florida Water Management District and the head of their operations division for a very long time. So he's a civil engineer. He's been around um since the early SER days. So I I trust his uh background and knowledge of it and he thinks that a proposal using that product in the upstream areas of say Pleton Creek would be a good idea. And then if if we do get funding from the EPA then looking at dredging from like Caner Highway out to the mouth of the river. And he also thinks that would be a good project if you know again if we could do it um because if we can clean everything out we would really see if there is another discharge event another excessive discharge event from a lake would be able to see um over time whether or not a lot of that um muck is coming from total suspended solids coming across the S80. So those are those are kind of some of the things that we're looking to do. Um, I will say that when I uh when I talked to Martin County, I talked to a couple folks there this past week. Um, they they received this grant. They received um $500,000 for this same grant in years past. And because of the very strict conditions placed on the grant, they actually couldn't turn their procurement times around. they couldn't get things in place and had to actually give the money back. So, I I want to just say that in full disclosure, we're going to be working really hard and hopefully, you know, when to get this grant going,

but nothing is a slam dunk. Um, and nor is this grant. So, I just wanted to let you know that. Um, so you Clark, you have a comment? No, let him finish first. You anticipate receipt of the funds June or July? Um, successful. I I if if [snorts] I remember correctly, I think it's I think it's actually a five to six month turnaround, but I I can I'll have to double check and make sure about that. And then how long would you anticipate this project would take? Don't know yet, right?

It depends. How about that? No, I really I I really don't know. I mean, it depends. A lot of it we have to do um sediment testing to see what's in it, right? because that will require you know it may require um unconventional disposal options. So I just attended a meeting of the Indian River Lagoon Council in Sebastian on Tuesday and uh they were reviewing the grants that they had given and there was one for muck removal. So I I will get you that information. Maybe we don't have to reinvent the wheel here. we can follow the success they've had or the procedure they've implemented already. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Rich. Commissioner Clark. Yeah. You mentioned unconventional um removal and and the disposal with all the other people who are dredging or do we have designated areas to to put this material and then see what the material is when when it's dredged? Well, um I believe that the procedure for doing that is uh is to do uh sediment testing first right there. Okay.

And to see what's in it, what kind of contaminants are, if any are in the muck. Um and then um disposal sites, local disposal sites may be an option, but depending again depending what's in it, it may have to be trucked to Okachobee. Okay. Question Ruth. Um, I know you mentioned there was a municipality that got $500,000 per. How long have this How long has this grant been available for? There's a city, a county.

Um, I I saw a table in the EPA documents. I I thought I may have had the table with me, but I don't. Um, it goes back at least 10 years. Has the city ever applied for this grant? Not that I'm aware of. It's possible, but not that I'm aware of. I don't think so. Okay. I think the county has, like you said. Yeah. The county has. And then they they didn't they couldn't

whatever. I'm not sure exactly what happened. You know, I intended to um talk to the county attorney about it before this afternoon's meeting, but I just couldn't get to it. But, um I would I would like to because I I'd like to have a lessons learned from them if they're willing to tell us. that way we can try and you know avoid those types of pitfalls. Thanks. As far as the grant application [cough] the cleanup or

so with any grants that you get you know there'll be a set of um special or andor general conditions and sometimes they're quite ownorous. It may be that they require some, you know, that you award it to a certain type of uh contractor or that you weight your procurement a certain way or that the timing the turnaround for the timing is is such that it it makes it pretty hard depending on the local government's um procurement rules. So, you know, I'm it I'm just not sure yet. Yeah.

So, it's just it's a simple grant application then for muck removal and cleanup. I don't think it's simple. That's right. [laughter] I mean, really, I mean, I'm anticipating also having to talk to people with um uh a you know, very um high level technical backgrounds. Um you know, I'm going to reach out to the the riverkeeper. I'm gonna reach out to Martin County's technical people, probably people at Florida Oceanographic because I think there's going to have to be some uh type of analysis that that, you know, the city doesn't necessarily have at it at its, you know, on staff

beforehand, like before it would be approved. Uh, Commissioner Clark, and those bodies of water um that don't empty into the river right now, do we have um a good uh listing of them for the city? Do you have them marked? I know you talked about upper Creek versus closer, but other areas that would have needed, let's say, like even the pond along Palm Beach Road or whatever it is, do you have those all? Do you have anything charted for our areas? Not yet, but we will. Okay.

Any further comment from the commissioners? Well, so we're looking for a motion then for this resolution. I'll make a motion to accept resolution 15 2026, a resolution of the city commission of the city of Stewart, Florida, authorizing US Environmental Protection Agency grant application for water quality protection benefiting the St. Lucy River. and uh for including muck removal from creeks etc. Second. Thank you. And I want to thank Ruth because obviously this has been around for 10 years and I want to thank you for the fact that we are now applying for it. I I will also say that thanks should be also extended to um Milton Leget. He was he's part and parcel of this whole thing. Thank you Milton.

There's a motion for approval on resolution number 15 20226 and seconded by Commissioner Clark. Are there any public comment regarding this motion? Seeing none, Mary, roll call. Commissioner Rich, yes. Commissioner Gio, yes. Commissioner Clark, yes. Vice Mayor Reid, yes. All right, Lee. Then item two.

Well, normally I'm reading the um resolution, but we don't have a resolution. It's a D&D, but it's the city manager application review, which are you going to do an opener? Okay. All right. the commission um opted to have a commission or a committee formed a screening committee to look at all the 82 applications that we received for the role of city manager. The committee consisted of Vice Mayor Shawn Reid, Robin Cartwright, Karen Chambers Cuffy from human resources, and Dan Hudson who's a former city manager and county administrator and such. So, they met this morning at 10:00 a.m. and I must say, I'm very impressed and pleased. Everyone was extremely [clears throat] well prepared, did their homework, came to the table ready to talk about the candidates. They did narrow down a short list for the commission down to these are for you. If you don't mind, I've given a copy to the city attorney and the city clerk. They have narrowed down the short list to eight individuals, four of whom are the veterans preference individuals we spoke of earlier. and then they added an additional five uh we call them second round in the event that you would like to consider any of them for first round or if any of the others decline the opportunity to interview or otherwise withdraw. So, those are in front of you and and at this time it would be a good opportunity to discuss the commission's thoughts on candidates reviewed as well and make a determination of who you would like us to extend an interview invitation to.

Commissioner Gio, I had a question um housekeeping question. They said that committee is done with their work now. Roslin, that is correct. All right. because I know that Miss um they were kind of like in I guess going to silence but Miss Cartwright is here so I know that it's a public meeting but I just wanted to be sure. All right, go on. You had a question? Yeah. Oh, I thought it was the wrong light. It was your light actually. Okay. Sorry. Thanks, Commissioner Rich. So, what does this mean? Second round. desire.

If the two two things, if any of the candidates, the initial aid up above decline the opportunity to interview, we could move one of the other individuals up to take that place. Or if the commission interviews these uh initial eight candidates and feels that they'd like to interview other people, these five were made available by the screening committee as potentials. Okay. We So are they So do they feel they are qualified to a lesser degree than the one two three four eight above them?

We requested to come up with approximately 8 to 10. The desire of the commission was to interview everyone in one day. Eight can be suited easily into one day. And they felt overall that these eight candidates did meet the qualifications most closely. But the others would be the next round if desired. So they are ranked. Yes. They're qualified. Yeah. Yes. Morris at that. [clears throat]

Absolutely. Commissioner Rich. So for to for further clarification, there were four that were veterans preferences, so they're required. Um the other four, [clears throat] Shane Corbin, Mark Matthysse, Christopher Russo, Chandler Williamson. Those were the four that were ranked higher where they had three or four um committee members that agreed to have them there. The other five, those were like may and stuff. Not that my personal opinion is I feel as if they should still be interviewed and we should go with the 13 just in case some drop out. That's my opinion. Um but yes, they were ranked. Um, we focused heavily on people with Florida experience, people that currently live in Florida. There might have been one or two that might have been maybe outside of Florida. I'd have to pull it up, but yes, that's how we ranked it off experience and their resumes.

Um, so I don't know if you had anyone that you didn't see on the list um that we provided out of the 82 applicants that might have got your attention versus ours. Absolutely. Um, and thank you. This was a very difficult task. I'm sure it was a lot. Yeah. I woke up I've been up since 4:00 a.m. this morning still going through resumes. And uh I apologize to the candidates because the problem is when you have this many even the slightest say error in your application or perceived disqualification, you're like you're out. Um I just have to comment on Latoya Rickettts. Yep. Do you know what

she is? Most credentialed. Most credentialed. She is number 71. What an impressive submission. Um did you was there any discussion about her suitability or I can't recall off. I really there's so many. I have that on my list but I I just wrote it down and I have I saw that on my list. I'm very happy to see Mark Matthysse on there. local boy lives right down the street. Impressive educational Mark is 52 I think. I know Mark got really tired of driving to Felsmeir. Don't blame him. A 52. Ricardo Mendes, is he on there?

He was a maybe. And and the reason he was a maybe by the way, Commissioner Rich, he didn't have any employment history from 2021 and on. Um that's why he was a maybe, but he had HR experience. He had finance experience and assistant city manager. Correct. And he was very detailed with his bullet points. So that's why he was a maybe, but we were just unsure of the employment history. So that's why he was a maybe. And I feel he should still be there. So we have no idea what he's been doing since 21 or if it was a typo. So when we spoke with uh city attorney Lee, he said sometimes this could be a common practice when there's uh government positions where it keeps things on the record.

Yeah, I can explain. So when you first apply for a government job, you you you probably spend a lot of time putting in information for the first time, but then when you subsequently apply to other local governments, your your information is saved in the cloud, I guess you could say, and you have to update it. So um for instance, when I first applied for Port St. Lucy, it took me several hours to put all this information in. And then later I applied for Martin County, I didn't have to I just had to edit it to update it for four or five years that I'd been at Port St. Lucy. Um, so there there could be operator errors in the software that you're in the cloud, but everybody who applies for a local government. That's why I think we saw some indication that they were applying for another job in another town. And it's probably because that's the place they applied to initially when they put all the information in and they didn't get the job and then they have applied to other cities years later. And you're like if I were to apply right now for another local job, my stuff is in the cloud in the software for local governments and I would have to go in and update it.

No, I was surprised. I was surprised to see even in the job they were applying applying for it was incorrect because of that, you know, the that fact because it was a prior application and they didn't even bother to correct it. So, I'm glad to see you put Chandler Williamson on there. That was pretty impressive. Larry Tibs. Yes, he's a I think I [clears throat] saw um a great great many military Yeah, I saw folks which is some of their in their experience. I'm surprised they could even describe it because some of those projects are pretty closely held. Um

I think I saw one where it said unclassified or Yeah, something like that. Yeah. [laughter] Um, did Ramon Ramon Cologne did that is that name familiar to you? No. What's that though? He's in Oregon, so maybe that's Do you know what the tab number was though? Oh, he's 18. 18. I don't think we discussed 18. Okay. I'll write it down. Shane Corb. Uh, no. Angela Cruz. I'm sorry. It was a remarkably diverse group of people, I must say. I agree.

Um, Colin Donnelly. Colin Donnelly was You're in the number 20. Yeah, he was in the maybe or no, I'm sorry. George Dickens. No, he's got or George Dickens. No, George Dickens. I just thought he would have is a very interesting what staff number was he? He was number 24, but he does he's got too many N's in his row, so I can see why. Uh could be fuel. Okay.

Interesting. Okay. I think those are the only ones that uh Commissioner Clark, you had comments. So, I had um David Harvell number 42. 42. He's local. I mean, he has a lot of years of experience, but he's local to Martin County and he has an extensive background. Um, I want to know why he was in college for 10 years. Submit a resume.

Well, I did, you know, I looked at his his job thing. So, you you have concerns about that. Well, it's just he was, if you look at his, he was at the University of North Carolina School of Government from 2010 to 2020. That's a long time to be in college. I liked his backpack, the the kind of work that he did and the fact that he was um living here even though he's um let me see when was the last time he worked. Commissioner, the 10 years of college could have been part-time ongoing. Young people work and go to school. No, he has a very interesting resume. He has a good resume.

There's no doubt about it. and he's he's was town manager, assistant city manager, town manager. He's he's got the experience. Yes. And then I had um Latoya Ricketts also because of her extensive background and education and practical background with the um the different um I think like somebody who can work in grants and community and culture. That's uh that and the same thing with number 72 after that Shamara Robinson. Um uh

but I but I know that they were um the the thing you know that the same thing with the seeking for the assistant city manager thing. That's uh one of those things where it shows up like that. But I did um like the background and I think that she was not a veteran of the veterans. I saw this um from Peora, Illinois. Um I think it's the one from Por Michael

GD number 34. Number 34. Um, and I'd at least like um, uh, Ricketts and I don't know if you guys don't like Harll, but um, and that one to at least be added to a a strong consideration. And out of these that were put in um, Oh, yeah. Michael is in your list. Okay, good. Fine. Thanks. Okay. Yeah, that's the one out of the veterans that I picked. Okay. So, Michael and Matthysse. I looked at Corbin, but I hadn't put him in the top thing, but m Michael and Matis are the two on my list that showed up on your first um what do you call it? First, first round, I guess. First preferences out of those one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

Top 10. Okay. They were they were they had three or four committee members that supported them. The may were like twos and threes potential. My question though definitely like for the either the committee or or for us to look at number 71 and number 72. My question with 72, Commissioner Clark, especially 71. It was um just because it was Illinois, so I didn't know how the rest of the commission would feel relocating a potential city manager. That was my concern about her was 71 or 72. 72. Yeah. If she's only ever supervised a very small number,

small amount. I hear you. I hear you. So like that that question got brought up too, Commissioner Rich from from Dan. I asked him for clarification. Dan Hudson and he said it could go either way. He said sometimes you can have a city manager and they should be able to scale it up based off the city. I don't I don't know. I mean that's what he had to say on that, but I get where you're coming from. Raj, have you ever seen this many words on an application? No. somewhere very it's it's I want I want her here just because of her her experience with CDBG and maybe she can point to this 71 [laughter] if we could add number 71.

I'm not going to say anything more. So I I and but I have it is I think she's from Rivera Beach and it's well written. I mean she has a PhD in something else. I I mean I would like to interview her. And Commissioner I I picked up Commissioner Clark, would you agree we should interview? I picked her up on on when I was looking through this this book. I mean, she had there's buttons she hits that I didn't know there were buttons. Those buttons existed. I've never seen anything like this.

Did um did Latoya Ricketts number 71 did Did they have uh city man did they ever hold a city manager position? I think they worked in planning and development because I think that was a big consensus from not only the committee. I don't know. That was my opinion to have been a previous city manager. Yeah. Just because I feel like it's such a niche thing that either you've worked side by side to a city manager or you've held the position. That that was my opinion on it. She was executive director of the housing authority. She was

worked for for work for HUD. You know she's done all the jobs of the people are going to be under her. I mean she's supervised a great you know many people service. Yeah. I just I don't know. Do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do you feel you need all of us to recommend that she be added or two of us three of us? I mean that was just I mean there's four of us here. We're we're missing one board member. But

if we could add Dr. Ricketts that would be a good thing. I think that I've looked I mean I've looked at the it's very uh her her background in some of the work that she's done um project manager. Do you think maybe we should try to get to like eight to 10 applicants and then if there's someone like Latoya that maybe didn't have city manager or experience in that they could be in the count for 12 I guess because I I mean I I think we should go through 8 to 12 in that range. There's already four veteran preferences. So we'd be picking eight potentially on top of that to have like a number around 12. Um because currently right now we have what 12 and then we added one, two, three, four, five. No, we had 13. So we have 18 currently with every board members picks up here between the committee members and the city commission.

So we're forced to consider vets. Correct. Even though at least one of them clearly is not qualified. Correct. Okay. [clears throat] It's a Florida state statute. Correct. For veterans preference. Yes. Florida. It's the F FVDA or FDVA. So, yeah. Yeah. But then Florida has nuances um in the states. So, these four met. We have a lot of veterans who applied, but these four met. Yeah. And and I think if we're doing 12, that's a lot of interviews in a day. I know we were pushing for a day, but it should be a check. You'd have to do two days. Right now, you have it scheduled for the 24th. You'd have to do two days of interviews. And I know there were a lot of scheduling conflicts which is how we got to the 24th. Yeah.

But then we would need another day. Correct. I'm not here. And I was able to navigate 8 for you starting at 9:00 a.m. If you started at 8:00 a.m. you could be done by 4:30, but if you start at 9:00, you'll be done at 5:30. So in essence, what you're saying is this is the screening committee has made the choice and that's what we're stuck with. No, that that would be implied from you. But um the screening committee was to screen them with the public. So we had two members of the public, myself included, and then someone from HR. So that was the purpose of the screening committee. But to say that these are already picked, I think would be a false statement. Thought we had a chance to add more. That's why we're here. Yeah. Okay. Correct.

Or you can replace some of the eight. So the four vet prep are are set there, but then you can modify this any way you wish. The screening committee's purpose was simply to help narrow down the 82. Correct. So that you'd have some options, but you can certainly add and remove, make two days of interviews, one day. It's whatever you choose. You don't want to do two days. No, we cannot remove the vets. Correct. No, right. Those are set. Yes. And that's where we're trying to stay between 8 and 12. And it sounds like we're going to be on the higher end of that number. Um Shane Corbin. So I think we should I agree. Shane's a good one. Yeah, I really think we should be looking at a good one. the five that were added, Commissioner Rich and potentially looking at those versus 73.

There's a give or take. Christopher Russo is a good one and Chandler Williamson's very impressive. I thought Colin Donnelly, what was the discussion on number? I'm sorry. Go ahead. Talk about number 71. That's Latoya Rickettts. No, we don't because of the no city manager. probably no city manager and well Latoya is uh in Riviera I believe which is Florida but I believe it was because of the city manager experience. Um I think what was the David Harville one? What was um

that was 42. That was actually one of my picks originally for a maybe. But then when we started narrowing may down I believe I might have been the only one on the committee. So, we're not allowed to say out loud who we disagree with because we're prejudging. Correct. Well, I think that's why we're here. Okay. Well,

if we're going to drop some somebody off this list now, clear it down to just four and four. Or if we're going to extend it to from Shane Corbin, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. If we got to Hawthorne, that would be eight if we just kept those eight. or if we added two or three today and made some changes in this second tier, whatever we need to do. If we have to keep the four in the first tier and maybe pick some from the second tier and whatever we need to add in. Um

I think maybe what we should do is just try to get it down to eight right now and then add the other four potential five because we have the four veteran preferences. I think maybe we should be discussing Shane Corbin, Mark Matthysse, Christopher Russo, and Chandler Williamson to see if that makes the eight and then going from there with the second round and narrowing that down to like four to five because like for example, Ricardo Mendes, he's missing on his resume work experience. So, he might not even make it through the second round. So, even if we were in he Yeah. Well, from 2021 and on until present. Yeah, we just expressed about that.

Um, and that one even if he was like number 13 or something, it might not necessarily be a big deal because if he doesn't meet or if there's something not there 16ired I wrote perfect career down for him. Ricardo. Yeah, Ricardo. But oh, I didn't notice. That's a good catch there. Is he live? He's local. Who is it? Ricardo Mendes. He's in Miami. Yeah. Well, that's local. Yeah. So, I mean, look at this resume. Holy. We're not. Well, Raz, can you reach out to him and ask him why there's that hole in his CV? Yes,

that I can certainly do that. That have to be done after this. It might delay your time. Yeah. So, um or we can ask him to come prepared with that if he's someone that you want to see. Okay. He could be on the second day of interviews also. Correct. Actually, the top candidate candidates would be on the first day of interviews where we go through them. We're now picking a second day which would might most likely be the next day, the 25th, if everybody's calendar is available. I think there was a conflict with that. Commissioner Clark had a comment. Okay. Okay. So, we have four veterans. That's a given.

That's a given. Yes. So, the the two that are named after that, number 19 and number 58, I would agree that we keep those two at least. Um, what about Christopher Russo? Yes. Oh, okay. So, then we're we're at we're going with the committee. We're going with the committee. Well, not necessarily. I mean, we're I know that's fine. That's fine. Um, and then um how'd you feel about 83 8? She's she's terrific. That's a terrific resume. Yeah, that's the one that you said that you but there's two vets who are not qualified, but we have to talk to them. Yeah, I'm not going to name them, but they're not qualified. So, Commissioner Rich, um

Halen Donley is not qualified. Artha, Ferrell, Benvit. Well, we'll discuss those next. So, like are these eight are you comfortable with these eight? Like the first eight? Yes. Uh Commissioner Gio, how do you feel about the first eight? comfortable with the first pick, the eight, and I think we can certainly discuss the second round. That's what I'm talking about. I think we should figure out the first eight and then we should figure out the next four to five potentials on the second round that were maybe from us. Um, I just want to make sure I get a consensus from the board though and I feel like we're there. Um, Commissioner Clark, how' you feel about the first eight

published? I'm looking at I did I I I looked at 83, but I didn't look at it in detail. So, no, I'm We have time that everybody um [snorts] Yeah, take a quick look. It's take your time. It's very apparent that he's he's he should be he's worthy of our consideration. He or she? Chandler. Mister. Isn't Chandler Mister? Well, there are lots of who knows nowadays. It's just a name to me. He has a Hotmail address. Is a Hotmail like the 80s late 70s I think at least. [laughter]

I still have an AOL and a Hotmail. Commissioner Rich doesn't mean I use them though, but I do have I can't remember the last time I saw a Hotmail of this. Um, did you see that he did some work on dredging and renovation of Lake Okachchobee? Yes. No, I look forward to speaking with Mr. Williamson. All right. What's your next question? Mayor, I thought we were looking at this. Yeah. So, I I feel like as a board, we're all in agreeance with the first eight. That's what I thought.

Um the thing that I would focus on heavily next then is the second round. So, we can eliminate some of them. Um I don't know if you want to go one at a time. Um or if you want to chime in if you have picks in these. How many? You're at number 25. Um, I thought we'd take some time just at the dis looking through the five and comment on those rather than flipping back and forth while we're trying to talk about each one. Okay. So, we're at number 25, right? But we're all going to look from 25 the next five people. Alan Donnelly out loud or or just look at something that we might have

you can your preferences or not and then we can discuss the next five which is the second round. I mean, he's a he's a he's a grant administrator. Okay. We were going to do them. Who we speaking of? What tab number? Commissioner number 26. We're looking at 25. I thought you said we're looking at the next five individuals. You make notes and then we can discuss them rather than going by individually. What are they going to do? Oh, okay.

They're going to figure that out. Time on the DAS. I already have notes on every one of them. So, Then you get to I will just sit quietly.

That would be nice. And as far as uh Commissioner Rich with Connelly, he was an assistant city manager from 2006 to 2019.

Yeah. And town manager in another state. And Dana Beach.

Yeah. He was assistant city manager in Jersey as well. So, um, the reason why put those probably more on the board on on the board of the the reason why this is maybe Roz can help me out here. Why it's seems a little bit more daunting. We had Colin Basinger who did the step before this was between the the city staff and what did Basinger do? How did that happen when he was doing the last or he did everybody?

The two primary functions of the Benzinger uh group was to source the candidates and run the backgrounds. That was those were the two primary functions. uh we had committees and we had other folks involved in helping narrow this down. What is really the most helpful if I may suggest is tab number three which has the listing of all of the candidates.

The column that refers to the bachelor's degree and the four to 10 years of leadership. Those are the minimum qualification columns. All the rest are really good to have. But the bachelor's degree and the four to 10 years of senior leadership are the primary minimum qualifications for the role. So going down there if there's a two yeses, they've met the minimum qualifications. And that's something that the screening committee also used to narrow it down even faster. Sometimes that helps. I don't know if it does, but if you want a quick glance at candidate 12 4281, this tool might prove useful. and and I noticed that a lot of people have 30 years or more of service. So

hence looking at Florida. [laughter] Yes. I mean I applaud the hutbah of the people who applied with just a high school education or working at Walmart or something. I saw that. Hey, give it a try. [laughter] What was that? I forgot. I wrote it down. like the one of number 57, I think.

I wish this was not in the second round. Which one? I think it's number 28, you know, 30 years. They're almost at the end of their career. When we say second round, Commissioner Clark, I I think they're part of the 10 to 13 that should be interviewed because some might drop out as well. Yeah. So, like when we talk second round, like they're still being considered. They just weren't a top priority. And that was probably verbiage. I could have said second tier. Second tier may have been better. Yeah. So second tier implies lesser second round I think

could be day two more neutral in the committee they in the committee they got lesser votes experience that's why they ranked it that way I think you I think you need to decide right now we've got one day with eight people in a day

so if you're going to keep it at one day you're going to need to have eight people that day so if the second tier you're probably going to need to rank them so that when one or two people in the first tier drop out for that one day, you can replace them automatically. The or you have the option of adding another second day and interviewing everybody. So that's that's but as attrician some people are going to accept a job elsewhere and not be available anymore or or decide to withdraw their application and so the list will get smaller as time goes on. Does that make sense? I thought I throw my two cents in. It does. I think we should have a second day. I agree. to give

even though you're missing the mayor, you still need three votes to uh take any action on something. I guess once we get to that point, Lee, then we'll Right. Well, let's finish. Are we going to Are we going to be sty because the mayor isn't here today? No, you just need three votes to take action, which would be the same if he was here. Three affirmative votes. Yep. So really really we're looking at the second round. That's what we're doing right now. Yeah. To drop some people potentially. Yes. And number them preference at this point. Again I I if you're going to add a second be your first preference. If you're going to add a second day.

You're not going to be dropping people out. You're going to have two full days. So that you need to decide that fact first. Do we want a second day of interviews or only one day? And if you only want one day, then the second tier you should rank them so that when people drop out of the first tier, we can as a staff can replace them based on your ranking. Well, we could utilize both because we could take the second day and have it as an option. If we find that people have dropped out before the interviews, we can move people from the second round up to the first day of interviews. But with the timing, we might not ask be able to have time to ask you which ones. So that's why if you're going to have one day Oh, yes. I thought we would should be ranking them anyway. I thought that's what we were doing now.

Well, I I I feel like that was not clear, but that's why I think you guys should if you're going to have two days of interviews, you probably had to decide that first. If it's only one day of interview, should we take a motion or a consensus as to whether we have either so that you have a groundwork of what you're working with? So, I I would like to Well, I think the the they're going to have to figure out a date now then on the motion. Yes. Um so, I don't know if any We're going to need the time. We need two days. I think we need two days also. First, let's get to a consensus. We all agree or majority of us agree that we need two days. I I believe that we do. Do we need a motion or can we just do it as a consensus?

Yeah, because I don't have any dates. Well, I'm available the 25th, but I think Sean, you had said the other day that you weren't. I think if you have a consensus of three days, then if you can we can work at that. Okay. Then work with our calendar. Is it a motion that we need to make this? I think we need to finalize it up before we make a motion, but Okay. Are we in consensus with this of a second day of interview? Second day. Yeah. Yes. Yes. So, uh, Sean, I I'm I'm in support, but I want to say on the 25th, Mayor Collins couldn't attend. Well, that's okay. We could pick another day, but I'm just saying at least we need, as our attorney just said, we need to at least have that piece of February. No, it's this month. The mayor cannot make that date. So, we'll have to pick another second date.

I have 9:00 a.m. on the 24th for K. First, though, we need to get through the fact that we are going to have a second date. And you were in agreement. I think that uh Commissioner Rich was think they I think it was four. There's three right there. Okay. So, we're in agreement that we will have a second day of interviews. And you want us to figure out a date in the motion? We can't do it the 25 the 23rd. That is the first one. What's the first day we're going to do? First one is the 24th. 24th was the first one. The first one's the 24th. Is the 23rd. We have a city commission meeting. That can't be. That's not going to work. Correct. It's not going to work that bad. I know we have one at 2 p.m. on the 26th. Also,

I wouldn't have availability until March 2nd, the earliest. Let me see. And March March 2nd was a conflict for someone if my memor is right because we the special meeting to the 3. The 27th is not good enough. I'm out of town. So, can't we just do all day? Is it terrible to ask them to be here until 8:00 at night on on the 24th? Well, that's up to you. The the the inter the individuals come and they spend an hour and they're gone. That's really up to the the people on the DAS here. Do we want to spend seven, eight hour day? What is coming down to you now is what an eight applicant interview schedule would look like. Starting at 9:00 a.m. That's eight people.

Okay. You'd go till 9:00. The individual applicants spend five hours here. Oh, that's true. They go to each um That's right. Each person. I think we should have two days and we have to figure out the date. Yes. Yes. Why are we What's the rush to get them by this March 20? Yeah. Okay. Because they've applied for jobs elsewhere. You're going to start to lose them. Interview them as quickly as we can. So, what about March 2nd? March 3rd. March 2nd. Let me see on um March 5th. So, March 3rd was the date of a potential special meeting

for what? It's listed on my thing. 9:00 a.m. meet at city hall regarding applicants. It's already on my agenda. It's not on my Oh, there it is. It just popped up. No, that's the fourth. So the third was a date um that we had looked at for to decide the candidate post interview. So all the interviews would have been conducted on the 24th. Then the commission had scheduling conflicts and we decided on the 3 to come back and determine the candidate. Third should be our second day interview. Then that could work

and then we would determine another day for the commission to reconvene. So from one Tuesday to the next Tuesday. Yes. So it' be March 3rd for the second day then. And what day would we be convening to be that tentative? Yeah, you did the half like four or five. city commission. So, let me ask a question. The 23rd is a commission meeting day. That's a 5:30 start time. Would the commission have an board meeting from 9 to 12? Okay. No, not on a meeting day. No.

Okay. If I didn't have the I would be for it. Yeah. I would have been for it also. I mean, it just makes sense. We're already here, right? Why can't we make another day like a Sorry. No. Are you thinking I was going to make a eighth day and you said there was a conflict on the second and the 3rd of March. The 3rd of March was good for the commission to reconvene to decide the selected candidate. We already agreed on that date. Correct. The second I believe there was a conflict. Well, we should probably have the third then the second day. Okay. All right. How do you feel, Commissioner Rich about that? Fine.

Okay. So, we just need a motion then for a second day on March 3rd. Are we still going to keep Ricardo men I mean number six to one here? Well, we'll talk about the second date. Then we can go back to selecting the candidate. Let's get the dates down. We've already gotten through the fact that we're doing a second date. Let's get that date down and then we can go back to the candidates. Okay. Do we need a motion for the second day?

Yeah, I would just I know that we've done this before, but I would just let's do a motion to have the first day of interviews and the second day. So, the first motion for first day of interviews on February 24th and the second day of interviews to be on March 3rd. Okay. I'll move you Laura. Um, no, you can if you want. Go ahead. Oh, okay. All right. I make a motion that we select February 24th as the first round of interviews for the applicants for city manager and that March 3rd be the second day of a round of interviews for that city manager position. Thank you. I agree. We need a second. She's the Okay. Second.

She agreed, didn't she? We have a motion by Commissioner Gio for the first and second dates and seconded by Commissioner Clark. Are there any public comments regarding this motion with select Mary? Sure. Vice Mayor Reid. Yes. Commissioner Clark. Yes. Commissioner Rich. Yes. Commissioner Gobi. Yes. Motion passes. All right. Now and just one to draw at some point you'll give us a breakdown similar to this for the amount of interviews on the second day March second. Indeed. You're welcome. March 3rd. Sorry.

When the board's ready to discuss the second round, let me know. I'm ready. I'm ready.

Oh, Mr. Vice Mayor. Yes. When you decided on your candidates, did you go Yeah. So, did you vote on each individual at one at a time? So, what I did for the second round, I I personally like what's on the second round as presented. One that I would be open to would be David Harville. Um, or I think it might have been I mean, if you guys want Latoya on there, I just I'm looking for city manager experience. As far as um Raone know and George and Chamara, those are out of state. I personally am looking for someone in Florida. That was my priority. Can I make a motion that we familiarity with Florida?

I don't see we had number number 71 and number 42. What? Number 71 is Latoya Ricketts. Number 42 is David Harville. I think it's going to be one big motion. That's I think you had a consensus on the top eight and now we're working on the second tier for the second day of interviews. So, Yeah, once you get it down, then do a final motion.

So, is there anyone that So, the ones that were added were 71. I'll I'll mention the tab number. It was 71 Latoya Rickettts, 18 Raone Colin, 24 was George Dickens, 42 was David Harll, 72 was Shamara Robinson. Those were the five that were added after it being published. Um, I mentioned was number 19. What was the other one you said? um 71, 18, 24, 42, and 72.

Those were the ones that were added after it being published. My personal opinion is if we're going to do it, I think it should be David Harvell that should be included as published. Um Latoya, yes, a lot of experience. I have no problem interviewing if that's what the board desires. I'd want her interviewed, but my only um opinion was there was no city manager experience, but a lot of government experience. I agree with you, Commissioner Clark. I don't know if there's anyone on here how you feel, Commissioner Rich, that you feel as if should be in the second round that I didn't mention or as published.

As Commissioner Clark and I both mentioned that woman, um 24 was interesting. I had he has a law degree in MPA. That's a He has an interesting resume. I think he should be interviewed. 24. Correct. Correct. 42. That was David Harell. We I think uh Commissioner Clark and myself agree with that for a second round. I just really want to know why he was in college for 10 years. Parttime [laughter] maybe. And 72 was 24 Shamira Robinson. And when it comes to um she's never supervised a sufficient number of employees was my impression. Okay. So we're we're we're leaving.

Yeah. And Commissioner Clark, when it comes to George Dickens, did he have I I see firefighter. I didn't have that list. Building inspector, leadership skills. I mean, I don't know. No. City manager. Um what what jumped out at you with them? It wasn't me. Oh, who was which one? George number 24. You said something about a law degree. You mentioned him. You brought him up. No, we don't see I didn't mention him. Commissioner who brought him up. You I don't see that. No, this is the list you gave me. You said it was added after it was published. Where's George Dickens on there? I think it's 18. He was talking about why did you say he had a law degree? I didn't see that.

When we were doing when we were discussing, I wrote down each commissioner who mentioned someone. Commissioner Rich mentioned George Dickens and number 24. Correct. That's the only reason why he's on the list. Oh. Oh. Oh. Okay. If I may interject real quick. Um, we got a lot of moving parts here. Yes, Lee. George Dickens. We keep using the term published, but this sheet of paper was created to get today by Roz after the committee. So, I don't know that it was necessarily well, he went to the Mitchell Hamlin School of Law presented to us. Just so the record's clear that I still think you need to add identify the names for the Excuse me. I'm sorry. Commissioner Rich is stating why he thinks Mr. is or the MP. He went to the Mitchell Hamlin School of Law or defense. Okay.

He had he has an MPA, a masters of public administration. Correct. Is that what's an MPA is? Roz. It is MPA's master. And he's a fire inspector, Bill Deputy. No, I don't. He doesn't need to be on there. Okay. We have a fire chief. All right. We can cross We have a fire chief. We can cross George off that [laughter] supervised. Uh, so the other one was number 18. Yeah, that was Raone Colin. That was out of state as well. I mean, I have no problem pulling up. It's tab 18 if anyone wants to look at it while we're here. I think he's Oregon, isn't he? I think Mr. Cologne was Oregon. His management is environmental, which is good.

The environmental has showed up. It's good for us. Yeah, Mr. Cologne currently resides in the state of Oregon. So, he could not possibly move further from where he currently is. It's a big jump. Yeah. And I'd like to stay I agree with the uh vice mayor. I'd like to stay with the a candidate in Florida because they have a little knowledge or hopefully a lot of knowledge of Florida rules [clears throat] and regulations. A lot of the out sorry Mr. Mayor, Mr. Vice Mayor. So, there is there is a column for Florida resident also experience with federal government and grants and so on. So, you know, that is important also, especially when we're

So, I really think what needs discussed if Latoya Rickettts is going to be in the second day. Um, Raone Colin, David Harvell, and Chamar Robinson. I personally think we should go for Florida ones and I believe only Latoya and David Harll would meet that requirement. I'm fine with that. I agree with those two. I'm fine with that. So, do you want me to list the names for the record, Lee, of all of them? I think we're getting there. Okay. Yeah. All right. If we're done, I don't think Colin Donley is qualified. Neither is Artha Frell B. Yeah, that's what I I didn't have her. No. I didn't have them out. No Florida experience. We could take out number 28 and number 25. Number 28 and number 25. So, those ones we already got a consensus with that we wanted them there.

Okay. Oh, from the committee. Okay. Correct. No, not just from the committee. From this board that we're currently at right now. I only show David Latoya as what we've agreed on so far. Yeah, we didn't we didn't want them other than the second round. We don't want them. I'm not saying your committee doesn't want them, but yeah. Oh, so you're saying keep the committee ones and just add two people. Correct. That's what I was saying. So, basically, it's as published. And when I say published, handed out from today from as recommended. And we're just adding Latoya Rickettts and David Harll. Okay.

And then we would be in two days. We'd be the 24th of February and then March 3rd for the second day. Are we in a final question by alphabetical order? The final question is and I thought it was a good suggestion. Should they be ranked? Yeah, that's the ne that's the next. Yeah. So, are we in agreement for the two additional people? When we have the meeting, when they come to us, they're going to be ranked. Yes. No, I don't I didn't want to rank them. I just figured you said if someone drops out of the first round.

Well, yeah. Let me explain. So, we initially had one day and you had backups in essence in the second round or second tier. So, if you had one day of interviews and people dropped out of that the first primary list, you would have to replace them. But now you've selected to interview all of them in two separate days. So, I don't think you need to rank them. I don't think we should. I I think you ought to leave even in your motion, I think you ought to leave it open just the all of these candidates will be interviewed on these two days because some candidates might not be available for that swap. So we can swap I agree with that Lee. But I'm saying when we come for the day of the interview, we are going to be ranking and marking down. Correct. Once we've interviewed Yes.

Yeah. [laughter] And then you'll have a subsequent you'll have a subsequent commission meeting where you guys will just have this similar discussion on the people that you interviewed. And we're choosing a lot of numbers here, but I probably it's probably guaranteed some of them are going to drop out. They're going to get jobs elsewhere and and by the time you call them to set up an interview. So, do you want me to mention all the names? I I think for the record.

So, for the record, um, tab six is Glenn Adams. Tab 34 is Michael Giardino. Tab 56 is Jeremy Marshall. Tab 80 is Larry Tibs. Tab 19 is Shane Corbin. Tab 58 is Mark Matthysse. Tab 73 is Christopher Russo. Tab 83 is Chandler Williamson. Tab 25 is Colin Donnelly. Tab 28 is Artha Frell Benvdas. Tab 40 or 32 is Carl Gfkin. Tab 44 is Stanley Hawthorne. Tab 62 is Ricardo Menddees. Tab 71 is Latoya Rickettts. And tab 42 is David Harville. So,

so we'd be looking for a motion for approval of that list of candidates to be in and in no particular order like Lee said, it would just be done over two days. Whoever can fit that criteria for the two days. So, if we have to correct mix and match, we can in the motion. Do you need to mention their names or can we just mention I just mention it for the record. I think you can motion the list that the vice mayor just identified and it gives us time to call other references. A lot of calls. Want to make the motion

mayor, Mr. Vice Mayor acting as mayor. the list that was uh read by yourself um for the on the record today. I make a motion that we um set up times to interview those persons over a two-day period and that the times be arranged with the city manager and and with with staff and then that we be notified when who will come on which day. The days would be the the last one is the 3rd of March and the first day is the 24th of February. We have a second. That's my motion. I'll second that motion.

We have a motion by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Gio. Are there any public comments regarding this motion and the applicants for the city manager position? Seeing none, Mary Sorry, can I is the guy who was in college for 10 years on there in that list? I believe that was Chan uh or Harvell. Let me make sure. Yeah, that's far. If he is, could you please just approach him and ask him? I will.

Thank you. Again, it was probably part-time ongoing, but I will certainly Yes, that was number This is David Harell tab number 42. Oh, he is on the list. 42. Okay. [clears throat] Um, but he has 30 years experience, too. So, maybe No, it's very impressive. But maybe he took a couple of years off. Who knows? Well, my wife took seven years to get through college, so [laughter] after we vote, Mr. Mayor, I want to have a public after we vote. So, she attended some very good schools. Ready whenever you are, Mary. Okay. Vice Mayor Reid, yes. Commissioner Gio, yes. Commissioner Clark, yes. Commissioner Rich, yes. Motion passes unanimously. And Commissioner Clark has a question for Ross.

Right. I didn't want the meeting to close before. So, Ros, um I I remembered what I was going to ask you when I was going through it, then I forget now. Um, did you see the the the the part about how people I know we had 83 83 applicants 82 82 so it seems like a lot but when you look at that little question that says how did you hear about the job like ICMA or internet or whatever did you actually did um Ryan go through and do a little survey and see how people are hearing about us? We do track that through our software. So, we're in the midst of compiling all of that, but yes, it is tracked. Most of them find out through gov jobs.

Okay. Most of them come through the government jobs websites. Okay. Is that why we get some from out of state? Probably see it. Exactly. How? Well, as I understand it, the jobs now they're actually fed to the individuals. Correct. So, you know, people have a resume online or something. Yeah. Yeah. and it'll say I'm seeking and then now we'll say here's this position in Steuart rather than them finding it. Okay. Okay. It's presented to them. That's one of the reasons we signed on with NEOGV and Gov Jobs for that very reason. They build an account as the attorney mentioned and then they can select I'm interested in all the these different professions. Then when it's posted it does it pings them. Yeah.

I'm going to leave this here. Certainly. Okay. Are we closing? I will hold on one second. I will expect a new binder with only the remaining applicants to be [laughter] available. Thank you. Is that Mr. Carter in over there? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Carter, could you come forward a minute since you're visiting with us? I just met Mr. Carter recently. Hi, Ryan. This is Mr. Ryan Cart. Just go over to the podium and introduce yourself. And um make sure you fill out a green card as well. Yeah, I know. Because you're speaking to us.

He seems eager. No, no. One of these days he'll come and speak to us. But since I saw him in the audience, so Mr. Carter, just say hello to us and give us your name and address. That's all. Uh hello. My name is uh Brian Carter. I'm of uh Florida Street, Southeast Florida Street over in uh the East Stewart area. Thank you. And he's been doing the basketball. Um I didn't get to go on Sunday, but we'll we'll hear more from Mr. Carter. I'm going to have him come in and speak to us about his basketball program and his other programs. So, good. Mr. Carter, are you from Chicago? No, sir. Not at all. But I grew up a Bulls fan. Michael Jordan is a goat. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Carter.

Ryan does a lot of good things for the community, by the way. Um, with the next generation, um, I went to Martin County High School where they had the nonprofit of Steuart Police Department versus Martin County Sheriff's. That was an event that Ryan was a big part of. So, he does a lot for the kids in the community. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Not a lot of conversation. So, trying to educate as many people as I can, but any further comments from the commissioners? No, sir. Any public comments? Seeing none, I'm gonna Yeah, you got to come to the podium.

Okay. No, you had your chance. You ran away. You ran away when you had your chance. Obviously, I missed the bulk of today's contents. Is there any way that I would be able to kind of figure out what was I mean like is there We have a video online. You can look at the meeting online. Okay.

And I can also sum it up for you so I can make a copy of who we selected so you can have it ahead of time if you want to do any due diligence on any of them. But basically, we have two days of interviews we're going to do. And I believe there's what, eight, 13? There's 15 potentials and two days for interviews. And some may or may not drop out. Um, and their resumes will be in the agenda packet moving forward and stuff like that. But yes. Okay, that sums it up. And there were 82 applicants total. More power to you guys. It was a lot, but thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Seeing no further discussion, I'm going to adjourn the meeting. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Grass. Thank you for coming out.