City Commission - Regular Meeting

you you you So, you Bye. So, Thank you for watching.

All right, 545 Colts.

Hello. You know I'm right here and I'm seeing you guys.

Mr. Mayor, good to go? Absolutely. Outside council, good to go? Yes, sir. All right, commissioners, good to go. All right. Mr. Attorney, would you recommend that I read the public hearing notice out loud? Okay, well, either way. Let's go ahead and stand up for the invocation. Would anybody like to read the invocation? You want to read the invocation? You want to say the invocation, Mr. Mayor? All right. Samantha, Nicholas, stand up. In Jesus' name I pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for granting us the gift of life, the gift of family, the gift of friendship, the gift of freedom in the greatest country in the world. Thank you for bestowing this most honorable privilege upon us on this dais here as public servants to serve our city, to do God's work, to do God's business for the betterment of our residents. Please continue to bless us with the wisdom necessary to make the right decisions for our city. Please continue to bless our police officers, our firefighters, and the greatest military in the world. In Jesus' name, I will always pray. Amen. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

be seated good job all right mr attorney you say we don't need to read the actual notice excuse me you do not need to read the notice you can inform the public what the meeting is about no problem um so i'll go ahead and i will

um read the first paragraph just so we can make mention this is a public meeting a notice is hereby given that on monday september 14 2020 says a public hearing as required by section 147 parentheses parentheses f of the internal revenue code of 1986 as amended The code will be held by the city of Sweetwater, Florida, with respect to the proposed issuance of a tax exempt bonds in one or more series under a plan of finance as qualified 501 C three bonds as defined in section one 45 of the code. In an aggregate maximum stated principal amount not to exceed $250 million. The bonds by public finance authority and commission organized under and pursuant to the provisions of section 66.0301. 66.0303 and 66.0304 of the wisconsin stat statutes as amended the issuer the hearing will commence at 5 45 pm or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard and will be held at the city of sweetwater office at commission chambers 500 southwest 109 avenue sweetwater florida 33174 the bonds are expected to be issued pursuant to section 66.0304 of the wisconsin statues as amended the public hearing is now open anybody wishing to speak on this public hearing please come forward seeing nobody coming forward the public hearing uh is now closed mr mayor do you have anything to add before we close this public hearing Commissioners, do we have anything to add before we close this public hearing? Council, anything to add? Okay. I move to close the public hearing. Do I have a second? Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Public hearing is now closed.

We can't start a regular meeting. you you you you you So,

You have to do it, okay? Sure, go ahead.

Thank you. Thank you.

Meeting date, Monday, September 14th, 2026 at 6 p.m. Commission Chambers 500 Southwest 109 Avenue. Roll call, Madam Clerk. We've already done the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Unless somebody has an objection, would you like to continue or would you like to do it again? nope okay um consider the invocation uh done pledge allegiance done number four special presentation mr mayor do you have a special presentation commissioner you have the floor Yep. Commissioner Young, you want everybody down there? Yes, please.

All right.

We'll be a little more. Let's go.

Uh, greetings, sir, mayor, commissioners, uh, and our fine staff and guests. Uh, today we'd like to, uh, commend one of our outstanding officers and I will start by reading the commendation. We would like to recognize and express our sincerest appreciation to detective Benjamin young for his exceptional dedication professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the City of Sweetwater Police Department. Detective Ben Young has been an integral member of the Task Force Investigation Unit since 2017. Detective Young routinely fulfills multiple roles within the Task Force Investigation Unit, serving as detective, canine handler, task force officer, and when needed, as acting supervisor. His willingness to assume additional responsibilities and provide leadership demonstrates the trust placed in him by both the department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. His reliability, sound judgment, and leadership have made him an invaluable member of both organizations. Since January 2026, Detective Young and K-9 Logan have made significant impact on law enforcement operations, contributing to approximately $1.4 million in total seizures and forfeitures, of which approximately $157,000 will come to the City of Sweetwater. Their outstanding results demonstrates their effective and dedication and commitment to protecting the community. This accomplishment reflects not only their effectiveness in the field, but also the dedication to pursuing cases and protecting the community. Beyond his investigation is investigative and operational responsibilities. Detective Young has also played an important role in the development of other unit members. He has assisted with training new members, sharing his extensive knowledge and experience to help prepare them for the demand demands and responsibilities of task force investigations. His willingness to mentor and support his fellow officers and detectives exemplifies the teamwork and professionalism that strengthens our organization. For these reasons, we wholeheartedly recommend Detective Ben Young for Officer of the Month for July 2026.

But he's still a T-Rex.

And a Miami PD alumni. Suck it in.

You want one just with the command staff and the mayor?

Yes, please.

You want one just with the mayor and the command staff?

Let's wait until they get a picture. Let's get a quick picture with the command staff. Go ahead. Command staff.

Well, you are command staff, Mr. Mayor. I know. You're excluded from that. At least you get to stand next to the cops.

Commissioners, please, can you join us?

We're going to have to get in the corner. We're not on time, Al. Waiting for your orders. Waiting for your orders, ma'am.

I want to call the cadets. Please stand up and come to the center, please.

OK, we'll be calling one by one.

Right there?

Yeah, she's the first one.

We didn't have that in the Marine Corps. So this, by the way, these certificates that we're giving are a lot of hard work that these young men and women did when we did the food recovery area for Venezuela. We worked it for several days. It was all hands on deck. Everybody participated, and we actually brought in a lot of things that were needed to be shipped to Venezuela. In fact, we filled the warehouse, which is 163,000 square feet. And it wasn't just Sweetwater. It was others, too. But it was impressive, a new warehouse from Pro Lodges that is actually in the city of Sweetwater. But there was a group of young men and women that did an incredible job. And they were there. The heat didn't bother them. Nothing bothered them. And they worked really strong. And that's where they come in right now to get a certificate. to say that we support you and thank you for all the work that you have done. So with that, ma'am, do you want to stand on the right? And let me hand this to you.

Thank you, sir. Will you turn around for the picture? And stay there so we can have a group picture.

Why don't you get in the middle? Let's do it one by one.

A round of applause for her. Yes.

You know, in the Marine Corps, one of the things we were known for is barking out orders. Let me tell you, I never heard a young lady could bark out orders like she could. It's very impressive. Very impressive. So with that, the next person we have. Airman.

Isabella.

Isabella B. Spangler.

Thank you, sir. Let's turn around for the picture and come over here.

Let's move you over there now, next to our president.

Stay here, stay here.

Airman? Airman, yes. Gregory N. Spangler, front senator.

I have to say something about Pete Cadet. He's only 12 years old, and he'll work like everybody else. I mean, he was there carrying everything that he could carry on, and he did a lot of work. And believe it or not, it's a good pride. He's only 12 years old.

How's Danny?

you right here.

Right here. Thank you. This is our future.

Yeah. Thank you.

Thank you all. One more man.

Yeah, I don't know.

Let's just find out. All right.

Let's just say food star supermarket. Do we have any representative from the food star supermarket? All right. Food star supermarket is a market just outside of the city of sweet water, but they, they really stepped up to the plate when, when they heard that we're doing the food collection. And they make sure they have boxes, they put it together, we picked it up, and they got a lot of goods donated. And it was pretty good because the people would buy and just drop it off right there. So with that, I just want to present this to Food Star Supermarket and their appreciation. Thank you so much for that, okay?

well deserved awards and the city of sweetwater civil air patrol continue to shine phenomenal leadership by commissioner and captain uh iranianu thank you for everything you do I believe that. So, Mr. Mayor, item five, presentation of employee of the month. Do you have one? All right. We already did the presentation of officer of the month, so we'll go to item seven. Unless there's another presentation I'm not aware of? Item seven, reports of officers, boards, and committees. Seeing none. Item eight, additions and deletions to the agenda. None. Item nine, petitions, communications, and that word that I can never pronounce, remonstrances. Seeing none. Item 10, consent agenda. Do I have a motion?

Move. Second.

Motion by Commissioner Yano, second by Vice President Matti. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Item passes unanimously. Item 11, staff items A. A resolution of the mayor and commission of the city of Sweetwater adopting the tentative millage rate of the city of Sweetwater for the fiscal year commencing October 1st, 2026 and ending September 30th 2027 pursuant to Florida statute section two 00.065 trim bill setting date, time and place for public hearing and to adopt final millage rate for the city of Sweetwater authorizing city clerk to advertise public hearing first hearing and trim requirement. Anybody wishing to speak on this item, please come forward. See nobody coming forward on this item. Public meeting is now closed. Mr. Mayor in for

This item is the first reading of the budget. I think I met with every single one of you, and you have expressed some questions and some issues, and we've addressed most of them. We still have to the next meeting, and we'll be looking, and we're getting some numbers that were required and asked of us, and we're going to give them to you. So we're ready to go. There's no difference of what we had. and we'll do some adjustments before the next one but i'll have you guys uh once again meet and uh have any discussions with me and what would you would like thank you mr mayor do i have a motion to approve the tentative mills rape second motion by commissioner yaño second by commissioner reynaldo ray uh

Hold on a second, ma'am. Hold on one second. Give me a second. Does this have anything to do with what we're talking about right now? Yes. It does? Okay. Commissioner Yano, are you willing to pull back your motion for a second? Okay, maybe you didn't hear the public hearing, but I'll grant it. Go ahead and go to the podium, please. Do you need a translator? No. Good. Do me a favor, go to the microphone, lower the microphone for me. I want you to state your name and address for the record.

My name is Amor Russo, R-U-S-O.

Good, and your address?

Well, I don't live in the apartment I'm complaining about. I live in Trail Run. I'm complaining about the Sweetwater apartment that I have rented. It's a tiny apartment, two bedroom, one bath. Do you own that apartment? Of course. Okay, state the address there, please. 10850 West Flagler Street, apartment 201D, Black in Dawn, Miami, Florida, 33174.

Before you continue, does this have to do with this particular item?

$1,000 more in taxes this year in the apartment. The apartment is, that's a 1974 building that has a lot of problems with the tubings because at that time, the PVCs were not mandatory. So we keep fixing tubes and fixing tubes and then we don't have money. for other things that the inspectors want. So we've had three assessments, one after the other. And I have that apartment rented to compensate for my low senior income. And I have a lady there who's my best friend who has has colon cancer and in the middle of kobe i took her out of an abusive friend i paid her her movers and i didn't charge her any any deposit and she's living there since going and she's she's still having cancer she had the operation but she still has cancer if you guys DON'T KNOW HOW TO ADJUST YOUR BUDGET SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO RAISE THE TAXES? PLEASE.

JUST STAND BY. HOLD ON, GUYS.

JUST LET HER TALK AND WE'LL TAKE IT. I ADJUST MY BUDGET TO WHAT COMES IN AND THE SITUATIONS I HAVE. I HAVE A 2000 YEAR OLD, THE CAR IS FROM THE YEAR 2000. 26 years. Thank God it's a Honda.

All right, let me stop you for a second.

Wait. Hold on, hold on. The air condition is in my house and here.

Miss, let me stop you for a second. First of all, we empathize with you. We do have rules here. That's why I let you speak. I want to put your mind at ease. We have not raised taxes in the last nine years. I just got it. No, if you look at the taxes, it's not us. It's either Miami-Dade County. It's not the city of Sweetwater.

It doesn't say.

It's the school board. It is solid waste. It has nothing to do with us. Unfortunately, we keep the taxes low. As a matter of fact, we just roll back the taxes.

You're the ones who know who's doing this, but- Yes, ma'am. If I have to adjust my budget for the income I have, and I do it very well, and I have a board. that keeps putting assessments, and now I have $1,000 more.

Yeah, it seems like you need to elect a new board that's giving you special assessments.

No, no, no, the problem is it's an old building.

Okay, so I'm gonna do this. If you want, go ahead and leave your information with the clerk. I will give you my personal cell phone number along with the cell phone number of any commissioner here or the mayor. I hear what you're saying. That's why I allowed you to speak on it. But we can't go back and forth on this. I already told you. It's a very old building. Hold on, hold on. I won't interrupt you. We have not raised taxes here. So your argument, it's a moot point. We have not raised taxes. I want to be abundantly clear, okay? So if you want to leave your information with the city clerk, please go ahead and do so. And I will personally contact you. Okay, ma'am? Thank you. Does anybody else wish to speak on this item? Okay, I have a motion by Commissioner Yanyu, seconded by Commissioner Reynaldo Rey. Roll call, Madam Clerk. On item A. So we have a motion by Commissioner Yanyu and a second by Commissioner Reynaldo Rey. THAT'S OKAY. I THOUGHT BY READING THE HEADING.

OKAY. ARE YOU DOING THAT? GET THE LADY'S CELL PHONE NUMBER SO WE CAN CALL HER, PLEASE. The tentative millage rate for the city of Sweetwater for the fiscal year commencing October 1, 2026 and ending September 30, 2027 is hereby fixed at the rate of 3.5634 mills, which is $3.56 per thousand dollars of assessed property value within the city. The rollback rate... Ralph, get a little closer if you don't mind, sorry. Sure. The rollback rate millage is hereby declared to be... There you go. 3.3629 mils which is 3.36 i'm sorry 3.36 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property within the city of sweetwater the second public hearing required by section 200.065 of the florida statutes the second public hearing required by section 200.065 of the florida statutes to adopt a final millage for the city for the fiscal year commenced in october 1 2026 and ending september 30 2027 is hereby set in the city commission chambers 500 southwest 109 avenue sweetwater florida

Say, will you trust Ralph?

Can you hear me from here, yeah, all right yeah just have to be really close from the start over my apologies. The tentative millage rate for the city of Sweetwater for the fiscal year commenced October 1, 2026 and ending September 30, 2027 is hereby fixed at the rate of 3.5634 mills which is $3.56 cents per $1000 of assessed property value within the city of Sweetwater. The rollback millage is hereby declared to be 3.3629 mills, which is $3.36 per thousand dollars of assessed property within the city of Sweetwater. The second public hearing required by section 200.065 of the Florida statutes to adopt a final millage for the fiscal year commencing October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2027, is hereby set in the City Commission Chambers, 500 Southwest 109 Avenue, Sweetwater, Florida, at 6 p.m. on September 28, 2026. Thank you, Mr. Attorney.

So back to our original motion, Commissioner Yano. You have a motion, seconded by Commissioner Reynaldo Ray. Roll call, Madam Clerk.

yes yes yes but a question this is only to set a date correct tentative tentative okay thank you yes yes yes yes yes item passes

Item B, a resolution of the mayor and commissioners of the city of Sweetwater adopting the tentative budget of the city of Sweetwater for the fiscal year commencing on October 1st, 2026 and ending September 30th, 2027 pursuant to Florida statute section 200.065 trim bill setting date, time and place for public hearing to adopt final budget for the city of Sweetwater authorizing city clerk to advertise public hearing providing an effective date First, public hearing and trim requirement. The public hearing is now open. Anybody wishing to speak on this item may come forward and speak. Seeing nobody come forward on this item, the public meeting is now closed. Do we have a motion on item B? Motion by Commissioner Reynaldo Ray. Vice President, might the other four.

Are we going to discuss anything on this?

If you want, absolutely.

I have a question.

all right commissioner uh vice president um i'd like if pd can come up yeah wow you really brought your homework huh just in case sir i hope uh whatever question you have i can answer it through these books so so your overtime budget

it's gone up i mean i've been looking you're up 117 in four years you're asking for 879 this year you know how do we get to that number what does the number represent are we understaffed i mean what's happening that we're we're growing so fast in overtime so uh by the way noel gill deputy chief of police for the city of streetwater police department 500 southwest 109th avenue uh so yes our our budget uh

Our overtime budget has increased. One of the things that we found three years ago when we first got here, that it wasn't uncommon for us to have two people on patrol, and we discovered that on a couple of occasions. We, at the time, tried to make a three-person minimum staffing, and the reason was that based on the scheduling that we had during that timeframe, the best we could do was that until we went to the 11 and a half hours, that gave us the ability to increase that number to five officers plus one supervisor. What did that bring us? That brought us several things when we went to the 11 and a half, right? It brought us to seven people per squad. We technically call it a platoon because as we increase there would be more squads added to that platoon but that brought us seven people in order to meet the minimum staffing we had at seven people is not enough right so you would have to go through to nine people per platoon or per squad in order to meet a minimum staffing with sick uh, annual leave and, uh, and training requirements, uh, that the police officers have. So we have spent a lot of money on ensuring that we keep minimum staffing. What are the benefits of minimum staffing is we have, as you all know, the city is divided into three area patrols. Uh, we further have subdivided those areas into two sections within the areas. And we now have zone integrity where we have officers per those areas. And, you know, this has been reflected by a lot of positive comments from the citizens that have said that they see more police, but we ensure that police officers stick to their areas to do their job. One of the things that you also know is that we have brought down crime by 66% since the time that we have been here in the last three years. And we've done that by ensuring that we have proper staffing out on the road. As far as staffing, let me add another thing to this is we've done Operation Safe Holidays that usually goes from the weekend before Thanksgiving all the way to January 6th because, as you well know, we live in a Hispanic community where Three Kings Day is celebrated, not only here but all over Central and South America and the Caribbean, that brings a lot of visitors into Dauphin Mall. So we have brought in a proactive measure through Operation Safe Holidays which has contributed to some of the overtime, uh, in order to stop crime within the mall. I would say that in the last two years of us doing that, uh, we have not had any vehicle burglaries, which was rather common during the holidays. Uh, in the mall, we haven't had last year, we had no auto thefts or anything of that nature. So those are things that have contributed to the decrease in crime. Um, I'll pause for any questions that you may have so far.

So I don't want you to take this wrong. I'm totally in support of you and your organization. I just want to understand why this is growing so fast. How much of that $879,000 is for you to meet your minimum manning? How much is it for special events? How much is it for holiday pay? How does that number break down, and why does it keep going up as aggressively as it's going up?

let me uh mr mayor the floor thank you that's a very good question commissioner and in order for you to get a complete clear understanding as i will be doing the same let's wait uh to have this totally divided up and looked at and we'll make an accountability of the hours as they were used as needed we all have the uh the preference every single person that's up here and our citizens to make sure that we have the most adequate coverage of protection, but at the same time, that comes with a cost. So maybe there's something that we need to do, because I understand exactly what you're asking for. It's a breakdown of all the particular needs for overtime. I want to see that in writing and then spread out in some kind of a sheet, something I don't think, with all due respect, the deputy had done up to now. And that's something we're also looking with IT to try to put that and the program of PACOM that we're trying to make sure that we could cover that too. So there's, that is something that we were waiting to see if they have a particular plugin for the program so we could have that analyzed in a given, all the time but i suggest that we still have another hearing and give us a at least a week or two to see if we could break this down and i don't think we need two weeks i think we could get it down within yeah i mean listen again i'm not i'm not against the number i just you know i just want to know it's a very valid question where we're at and and look if you if you had to go back up one of your guys that's at amazon now how long does it take you to get all the way back there

from here, a long time. It frankly depends, right? It could take a very long time, especially if the railroads, if the trains are running at that particular time and stuff like that.

Traffic and time of day, so do we have enough cops on the road is really my concern.

The cops on the road, and that's part of the, we're adjusting in this budget three new officers coming in to make sure we have that coverage exactly in the area specified. Yes, in the future, we'll see what happens and so on, but for right now, we will have sufficient coverage. Now, this is why we went to a three-zone system. That three zone as the deputy specified, it is divided into two so we could have faster responses within that particular area. The biggest area is actually area three, as we all know. And you're right, it takes, if you're all the way hearing a problem at Home Depot and you get a call at Amazon because you had a 17 in progress over there and so on, you will have an issue trying to get there. it takes time but they work it very well because our response time has been excellent so again that's what I said comes with a price we'll look at spreadsheet and will determine what could be maybe adjusted I think that would probably answer your question

Okay, perfect, thank you so much. All right, thank you.

You yield, Commissioner? Yeah, I'm .

Commissioner Saladi is the other floor. Yeah, I'm also concerned about this, you know, I'm piggybacking from Commissioner, I forgot his name now. reference this you know the police budget I got a couple of questions you answer like two of them you know how many officers are we gonna get I mean my only question is all right in this budget do we have any cards that we're gonna get we are also looking because you can't just paint it with one brush right and and I know president Commission

knows this very well. There's many levels of needs within a police department, and so does Commissioner Martí because he did it on the fire side. There's many different things from radios to overtime to equipment of all types, communications, all kinds of things to keep up to the level that we need to have our department, which is at the highest level that it's ever been. In doing so, we have to determine those costs. In determining those costs, we have to put priorities. What is a priority right now? If our priority is communications, then we have to look at funding for that. If we could do it with this kind of money, which is basically ad valorem, we could do it with some grant money. We're analyzing all that. The idea is to try to work with the forfeiture account, all the things that we have, the ability that they do a lot of hard work. as was just mentioned earlier with the officer of the month. So in order to do all this, this is why that's not an easy question to answer. Yes, we're gonna try to get vehicles because we don't want our fleet to, if we have 2,018s and they're doing patrol, it might be a little bit way past your time. But we gotta determine and we gotta work and see what is a priority. But you have the commitment that we're gonna try to make sure that the money that is used is spent extremely wisely in the department.

I got you, Mayor. I mean, this is what, you know, everybody's aware of what's coming. We got the Agenda 3 coming up on November, and that's a big, big thing going on right now through the whole county. So I'm very concerned about hiring somebody, and then we're going to have to let them go because of the budget. We don't know what's going to happen with Amendment 3, like I was saying. So I'm going to look forward. I'm going to go ahead and work with you with the police department. But we need to sharpen our pen a little bit because it's a lot of money. It's a lot of money.

Commissioner, if there's one thing that this administration has done, We got a really good pencil sharpener.

No, I know. I understand. But this one was a little bit.

It got my hand on it. But we've been able to pull off all the things in doing so. But you're right, sir, with all due respect. We're at that point. We want to make sure we do not go back in coverage on the opposite. We want to keep moving forward and using technology to help us. But there's nothing that would be better. that police officer on the beat on patrol and making sure that the eyes are everywhere. So that is very important. And I want to make, I made a promise when we swore in, I said that we will have the maximum best equipment that we could to protect our officers. So they will get home to their family every day. and that's what we're doing. It's just the extras, you're right, we might have to sharpen or tighten the belt a little bit.

Yeah. My concern, too, is that if we hire these officers, our overtime is going to come down, and that's something that we're going to talk about, I guess, in the next meeting. And we're going to see how much...

When you come and see me, I'll show you the numbers and the diagram on that and any other thing that's coming down. and um so you can see the decisions we're making i think we'll we're going to do fine i think they'll get what they need within the budget and what we need because the one thing i will not hold back if there is a need if it's a necessity we will make it happen if we have to even adjust from somewhere else

Got you, Mayor. Thank you. Commissioner Saldias, to answer your question on Amendment 3, the vote that's happening in November, our mayor and our city finance director have been working on these numbers for the last two years. I have been privy to those conversations. We're in a very advantageous position within the 34 municipalities in Miami-Dade County. Other municipalities do have some financial hurdles to get over. We do not. We are in a very good position where 10% of our city is residential and 90% is industrial and commercial. Based on the rough numbers that Our finance director has done. In the worst case scenario, we may lose about $700,000. But the statute and the mandate from the governor do not allow, I repeat, do not allow for the lowering of any police budget or the elimination of any police positions unless it is for violation of policy. ethics values by the chief police or the mayor is the ceo of the city as far as i'm concerned uh i do believe that we're under staff in the police department i think the the police chief and and the deputy and the assistant chief have done an amazing job uh working with one that we what they have they've gone to war uh with what they have uh yes 66 drop in crime is unheard of personally i've never seen it um but violent crimes in the surrounding areas has gone up so we're managing to keep the garbage out of sweet water but we also have a lot more residential units coming down the pike we have 1700 units that are being filled right now so our residents are going to go up so i want you guys to maintain a healthy appetite where as we continue to grow we need to grow on the civilian side and on the police side this is just my opinion If it were up to me, I'd hire eight full-time officers. The more full-time officers you have, the overtime budget goes down. That's just simple math. But all we do on the commission is approve or deny. I like this healthy dialogue. I like the fact that we're having conversations. By the way, we're supposed to disagree. That is a democratic republic. We are supposed to disagree. We are supposed to be advocates for our city. We all have the things that we like, the things that we don't like. What we can all agree upon is that we are not like other cities, where other cities are having some political drama and screaming. We're not here to do that. So I like the fact that you guys are talking about police. Everybody knows that's my bag. So if it's up to me, increase the police budget, give all the employees raises, we'll figure out how to cut the fat. So does anybody else wish to speak? No? All right. Do we have a motion on item B? Motion by Commissioner Yano, seconded by Commissioner Reynaldo Rey. We'll call Madam Clerk.

Say yes, ma'am. Do we have a date already is just going to be this and yes, I will be reading it in just a moment, thank you, yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes, point of order, Mr. Attorney. Do you need to read the term requirement before we vote?

I can read it now. I can read it now because it's a public notice. Okay, go ahead. So the tentative budget as presented by the mayor and revised by the city commission based on a millage of 3.5634 mills is hereby adopted subject to amendment and final adoption as provided in section 200.065 Florida statutes. The second public hearing required by section 200 dot 0, 6, 5 of the floor statutes to adopt the final budget for the city. For the fiscal year commencing October 1, 2026 and then the September 30, 2027 is here by set in the city commission chambers of the city of Sweetwater City Hall, 500 Southwest 1, 9th Avenue, Sweetwater, Florida at 6 p.m. on September 28, 2026.

Thank you, Mr. Attorney.

Thank you, sir.

Item C. Well, Mr. Mayor, you have the floor. Thank you, Mr. President. I would like, just for reference sake, due to my years of experience, I believe that that should have been read before the vote, so there's understanding on a vote. So... You're asking for a recount, Mr. Mayor? I would like to have a...

Yes, that would be the better thing to do at this point.

So, in order for this to occur per ordinance, the maker of the motion, which is Commissioner Yano... Would you like to, what's the exact language on this, Ralph?

This would be a motion for reconsideration. So anyone on the winning side may move. You'd have a second, then you'd have a voice vote on that. Okay.

Commissioner Yano, would you like a motion to reconsider? Yes. A motion to reconsider by Commissioner Yano, seconded by? Seconded. Seconded by Commissioner Monti. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? All right. Finish.

Now, it's been read into the record. If you want, I will read it again.

No. I think it's more, do you believe it's more insufficient? I think it's on the record. I think it's on the record, yes, sir. All right, do we have a motion for item B? Motion by Commissioner Yanni, seconded by Vice President Mati. We'll call Madam Clerk.

Commissioner Ruiz.

Yes, ma'am.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. All right. Item C, an ordinance of the city of Sweetwater amending chapter 54 of the city code establishing penalties for collection of solid waste without a permit and for late payment authorizing the mayor to revoke permit after proper notice increased requirement insurance for permittees, providing for authority, providing for severability, providing for an effective date. Second reading in public hearing. The public hearing is now open. Anybody wishing to speak on this item, please come forward. Seeing nobody come forward on this item, the public meeting is now closed. Mr. Mayor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President, and this is the second reading on an item that our diligent and over-washing CFO and budget director looked at all our particular entities that do trash collections in the city and found that quite a few of them were not paying their dues. Therefore, it came together to make sure that that that did not continue to occur, especially some of the bigger ones, and some small ones. And that's what this is all about to make sure that they understand that they have to pay their dues. And if not, they will be the license revoked.

Thank you, Mr. Ray, I have a question. This is an increase in insurance requirement. What are we increasing? Because it's currently 1 million 2 million aggregate, what is the increase?

could you go ahead and bring it in is that a scrivener's error or it's section three section five four dash five three it is one million per occurrence and three million for total coverage all right um what was it before one million two million it was three hundred thousand to five hundred thousand all right and now we're going one million three million yes sir

All right. My finance attorney, you're good.

Commissioner Saladi is good. No, I was going to ask, is this through the whole, only on Sweetwater, or is this through the whole city, the insurance? The insurer, um, no, it's for the city of Sweetwater where nobody insured, but, but are we matching anybody else? Any other city?

Yeah. These are what the normal requirements are for, you know, Coral Gables, something like that.

We adjusted everything according to what's out there. Okay. And we brought everything up to date, including making sure that they pay.

Yeah. I thought it was going to be a penalty and that's why you guys were going up.

No, there, there is a penalty if you don't pay the franchise fee or if you collect without a permit, which there wasn't before.

But the insurance, it's going to be the same as other municipalities? Yes. Okay, thank you.

In other words, just go ahead, Mr. Mayor.

Commissioner, if there's other companies that are doing it by the law, doing with everything that they need, they'd usually have that type of insurance because they're protecting their own self as a company. There's some people, some entities that are going around and trying to do the same and competing for a lower price without having all the things that they need that is required of these entities to do their job and before and to protect the residents are in this case the commercial residents to.

Mister attorney. I keep going back to this insurance thing a little bit of experience in this so we're requiring a 1 million 3 million aggregate per occurrence.

It's 1 million per occurrence 3 million total aggregate.

Right. We just said the same thing. Are we requiring to be added as additionally insured on their jail policy? Since we're requiring these limits on their policy?

It's not on here. I don't believe that's the case. Let me go through the rest of this.

You can amend it should you wish. I think that's up to the mayor. If he feels like he needs to add that later on, I guess the mayor and the mayor's staff will look at it. If you feel it necessary, you'll bring it back to us. I just, whenever I deal with insurance, I always add people as additionally insured. But they're not providing services for us. That's the situation. But we're requiring the limits in order to pick up in Sweetwater. Okay. Do we have a motion on this item? Move. Motion by Vice President Martí, second by Commissioner Yaño. Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Thank you. Unanimous. Item D. An ordinance of the City of Sweetwater, Florida amending the City Code of Ordinances by including section entitled Requests for Supervisor during Law Enforcement Encounters. providing that compliance with a request for a supervisor to respond to the scene is discretionary with the officer, authorizing the officer to satisfy such a request by providing the supervisor's name and contact information, providing for conflicts, providing for severability, providing for codification, providing for an effective date, second reading in public hearing. The public hearing is now open. Anybody wishing to speak on this item, please come forward. Seeing nobody come forward on this item, the public hearing is now closed. I'm the maker of this motion. If you all enjoy watching these social media justice warriors, these First Amendment auditors, these sovereign citizens. who get stopped by police and upon a traffic stop, they will go ahead and they'll get into a back and forth dialogue with a police officer and somewhere in there, in their sense of entitlement, they believe that if they say, I want to speak to your supervisor, a force field is created where the officer is no longer allowed to have any further police action whatsoever. which is unfortunately idiotic, but in today's YouTube social justice media thing, when you see it on social media, you think it's the law. It is not the law. People are not entitled to a supervisor. They cannot stop a law enforcement action by saying, I need a supervisor, and the officer now freezes in time. That's not going to happen. If an officer conducts a traffic stop and they request a supervisor, no problem. We're going to go ahead and we're going to continue with the law enforcement action. After the law enforcement action is concluded, whether the officer issues a citation or not, after that encounter, the officer will then say, now my supervisor's name is XYZ, and you can contact him at this number. Have a great day. No, I want to speak to him right now. This ain't Burger King. You're not going to have it your way. Not here in the city of Sweetwater. So I wanted my colleagues on the commission to understand the legislative intent behind this item. As we continue to experience social media, now you no longer get media on channel 64710. Now you're getting it on Instagram and all these social media justice pages. So this is the legislative intent. Does anybody wish to speak on this item? Do I have a motion on this item?

Have you opened a public hearing on this?

I did. Okay. And then I close it. Motion by Commissioner Yano. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Commissioner Isidro Ruiz. Roll call, Madam Clerk. Commissioner Martinez. No. Commissioner Reyes. Yes. Commissioner Reyes. Yes. Commissioner Yano. Yes. Commissioner Ruiz.

Yes.

Commissioner Dewey. No.

Yes. Item passes. Thank you very much. Item E, an ordinance of the City of Sweetwater, Florida, amending Chapter 2, Article 4 of the City Code of Ordinances by renaming the current Public Works Department to the Maintenance Department, renaming the Building, Planning, Zoning, and Roads Department to the Building, Planning, and Zoning Department, creating a new Public Works and Roads Department, renaming the Administration... department to clerks department designating the city engineer to serve as head of the newly established public works and roads department providing requirement and duties for the city engineer providing for severability providing for codification providing for an effective day first reading mayor diaz uh first reading this is a public hearing anybody wishing to speak on this item please come forward see nobody come forward on

this hearing the public meeting is now closed mr mary on the floor thank you mr president and once again we are continuously adapting to what should be out there as common language that with the work that is done and in practice uh we wanted to make sure that when people refer to the city and need a particular situation that when they contacted the contacted a department for one thing they weren't getting something else this was a clarification you read it very clearly It's just making sure that we have the right people doing what needs to be done. That's why we now have a public works director so he is an engineer that fits the pattern that is out there with the different municipalities maintenance department is the maintenance department the administration department of course is the whole city if you think about it now the clerks department has what needs to be put under what before was the administrative department now by doing all this it flows perfectly and we could pass very well with the rest of the cities out there and making sure the language goes well.

I have a question, Mr. Mayor. The city attorney and the city clerk fall under the purview of the commission. Are you saying that with this legislation, the city clerk is no longer under the purview of this commission? Is that what you're saying?

No, it is.

It's a question. If I may? Go ahead, Mr. Attorney. So the mayor and I have had several conversations on the code and the charter because a good portion of it is outdated. The charter and actually the code made the city clerk the head of the default head of the admin department, short for administration. That is not the same thing as the administration, which is headed by the mayor. Those are two different things. Over the course of years. what had been a mayor a secretary and chief of staff has become an entire operation essentially that is what has generally been referred to in the city as either the mayor's office or the administration either of those two things but that is confusing because the city clerk by code is head of the admin department even though the admin department exists nowhere else other than in that code section so what this does it takes the word admin department out of the code and replaces it with what it is which is the city clerk's office so now the former admin or administration department is called the clerk's office which is what everyone calls it no one calls it the admin department the public works department is the public works and roads department which is how it is in every other city in Dade County. The formerly public works department is renamed back to the maintenance department to what everybody is called ever since was changed back to public works. No one called it that they kept calling it the maintenance department then the administration of the mayor's office remains the same.

Thank you I'm going to ask my question again. The city clerk. and the city attorney are hired and fired by the commission does this language is legislation no it does not at all not at all by the way that is governed under the charter of the city yeah not the code I understand I asked I asked a question because I like things to be open and in the clear I have no problem the mayor you're in charge of the administration you can call the departments what you want to call them honestly I I don't have an issue with it does anybody else wish to speak on this item Do I have a motion on item E? I move. Motion by Commissioner Saldeas. Second by Commissioner Reynaldo Rey. Roll call, Madam Clerk. Commissioner Rey. Yes. Commissioner Reynaldo Rey. Yes. Commissioner Ayano. Yes. Commissioner Roy. Yes.

Commissioner Diaz.

Yes. Commissioner Martinez.

Yes. yes item passes unanimously item f a resolution approving for the purposes of section 147 parentheses f of the internal revenue code of 1986 has amended and other matters the issuance of public finance authority of its tax exempt bonds pursuant to a plan of finance in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 250 million dollars for the purpose of financing of the cost of the project known as

lapis located in the city of sweetwater providing for conflicts providing for severability and providing for an effective date mayor diaz you have the floor mr attorney that was what you did in the prior meeting today but uh you'll go ahead and address caesar master special counsel uh this is part of the public notice that we did before probably the prior hearing um this is just simply very similar to when we did uh tech tower You are simply authorizing pursuant to the IRS code that this is going to be used for a public purpose. The public purpose is university housing and staff for FIU. You're not responsible for the bonds. The bonds will be issued. This is only so that they are tax-free bonds. So you have these three resolutions coming up are all associated, but it's exactly the same as Tech Tower. Important part is that the city will never be responsible for this. They're 40-year bonds. They're gonna be paid out at 40 years. In this one, since this was FIU, FIU will receive the building after the bonds are paid off. So what you're doing is you're certifying the public purpose for the IRS TEFRA purposes.

So is this similar to a TEFRA?

It is a TEFRA, correct.

got it and is this um is this does this project have anything to do with any of the existing buildings in the city of sweetwater it is a separate project uh any ownership administration there will be a a new company that's one of the resolutions that you're going to authorize the formation of a new llc that has a governing board of five

five members, three of those will be city appointed positions. One will be FIU and the other one will be picked by the other. There is a attorney here for the owner that I believe had a small presentation if it's necessary.

Do you need to say it? Okay, go ahead and step up to the podium.

And if he doesn't answer your questions, I'll be more than happy to.

If you'll indulge me for one second, let me just. Before, Chair, before he.

Commissioner Saldi is on the floor. Cesar, what do we as a city benefit from this?

We're entering into a pilot agreement. Because as a tax exempt 501 entity, they do not have to pay Avalon taxes. But they have agreed to a pilot agreement, payment in lieu of taxes, which you have it there. But basically it's about $350,000 per year. So a part of his presentation is the amount of money that the city is going to make.

That's how much money the city is going to get every year?

Yes.

There's a list.

There's a list. It's Schedule B to your pilot agreement, and it has the schedule of payments. All of this has been worked out with the finance director as well.

All right. Mr. Alex Harris, you have the floor.

Mayor, Commission, thank you very much. Alejandro Arias, offices at 701 Brickell Avenue. I'm joined this evening by familiar faces, Marielle Ivano-Cruz and Brian Pearl of Global City Development. We're also here to answer any questions. This particular presentation deals with items F, G, and H, and we will discuss and mention the significant financial benefits to the city for years to come that this will provide. This transaction relates to the existing lobbyist building. It's a student housing project located at seven nine five Southwest one 10th Avenue, just west of the one at university city, which was the original Tefra that was done before the city lobbyist, which opened in 2023 encompasses 1,086 beds and a building height of 20 stories and a number of first rate amenities. Now via the Tefra bond process, the property will be owned by a 501c3 and an issuer will float approximately 250 million in TEFRA bonds to fund the full acquisition of LAPIS. This process was previously undertaken for the one at University City and the FIU Casa deal that was just recently approved and is now being proposed for the first time for an existing and stabilized asset within the city. No development will be needed, so in 2028 the first payments will begin to be made. With respect to the benefits to the city, A payment in lieu of taxes agreement will be provided to the city with yearly fixed payments. The first payment will begin in April, 2028 with the first payment amount being $350,000 and it will escalate every year thereafter. Total payments to the city will total over 31 million over the 39 year lifespan, approximately 37% more than would be paid to the city under a normal property tax structure. As part of this Tefra proposal, there's no credit risk or balance sheet risk to the city and all development risk management risk in this case, uh, and bond performance requirements are the sole responsibility of the 501 owner. So right now, based on the state of the economy, uh, the municipal bond market has shown significant liquidity. And on past performance, bond investors have had a generally great experience in the city of Sweetwater, and this is a very attractive financing method for the seller. So ultimately, these proposals will serve to further revitalize and grow the university district, and will ensure its functional and economic prosperity. With that, we're here to answer any questions you may have. Thank you.

Any commissioners wishing to speak on this item? Yes, please. Vice President Mathieu, the floor.

Good afternoon, Alex. You said the payments were going to grow?

Yes, every year. So for years 1 through 3, they escalate at 3% a year. For years 4 through 13, they'll escalate at 3.5% a year. And then from years 14 to 39, it'll be at 4% a year.

And after 40, what happens?

After 40, the bond is paid off, and then it's tax-free. It's actually, it will revert to FIU and FIU will own it.

So we'll get no further payments after 40 years?

From there, no.

Understood.

Anybody wish to speak on this item? I'm gonna say something. I know we approved the TEFRA in the past. I don't like the TEFRA model. The only reason why I'm considering it is because of the trust and relationship that we have with the stakeholder. with Global, they've been an amazing partner here in the city of Sweetwater. If it wasn't for Global, I'd probably be voting no. I do have a bias because I respect them immensely, what they've done with the military, what they've done to support our police department, what they've done to support our community. They've even donated softball equipment that somebody stole from me that's sitting in his office watching you. So yeah, I'm going to support this item because of you and your organization, sir, and your late partner. So I'm going to go ahead and move this item. Do we have anybody else? Second. Seconded by Commissioner Yano. Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Item G. Might as well stay up there, Alex. A resolution of the city commission of the city of Sweetwater authorizing the mayor to execute pilot agreement payment in lieu of taxes agreement with AHPC Lapis LLC, a Florida limited liability company, providing for authority, providing for severability, providing for an effective date. Mayor Deasy on the floor.

Very simple.

Do we have a motion on this item? Motion by Commissioner Yano, seconded by Commissioner Isidro Ruiz. This is a reso. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Seeing no opposed, item passes unanimously. Item H, a resolution of the City Commission of the City of Sweetwater, Florida authorizing the creation of a limited liability company for the purpose of financing, acquiring and managing a student housing residential rental project, finding that the inclusion and availability of housing for full-time students, faculty and staff of the Florida International University meets a public purpose, providing for incorporation of recitals, providing for authority, the mayor and city attorney to establish the limited liability company providing for the composition and purpose of the board of managers of the limited liability company providing for expenditure of funds providing for authority and providing for an effective date and declaring that such project lessens the burden of the city of sweetwater florida mayor diaz on the floor i'll take the prior discussion and move forward do have a question so this says providing for expenditure of funds but nowhere in here does it say upon a providing for expenditure of budgeted funds by the city commission so this just says providing for expenditure of funds so point of order mr attorney do we have language in here that this has to be budgeted And once the commission has approved this budget, then the mayor can go ahead and expend those funds.

I will defer to Mr. Mestre, who has been handling this matter.

Thank you. There is no requirement for any expenditure of funds, so there's nothing that needs to be budgeted. I think that was just legislative language that was taken from other resolutions, but there is no requirement whatsoever.

No, the expenditure of funds is wholly within on the llc that's created to manage i'm aware i'm just reading the language that's the language of expenditure funds is actually geared towards the management asset nothing to do with the city right so and then that's the other thing management are we managing anything mr mayor

no they have to manage it through the llc that's correct but there is a composition of a board of the board the composition is three that we pick i believe that you have one and if you have one correct and then that's correct and then who chooses the other three that comes to the administration so the administration chooses the other three it okay not not any commissioners it's the administration you and fiu fine i'm not jealous it's fine whatever um do we have a motion on this item since the mayor doesn't want to play with anybody motion by commissioner say goodbye Second by Commissioner Reynaldo Ray. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Since the mayor doesn't want to play with anybody else but himself, that's fine. Item passes. Item passes. Thank you very much.

Have a good night.

Commissioner Reynaldo Ray, you have the floor.

I want to put my name to be considered on that board.

No, yeah, he'll probably say yes to you. I'm just saying I'm going to put it out there. I don't want an invitation because whatever. Thank you, Brian. Thank you Alex All right item I a resolution of the mayor and the City Commission of the city of Sweetwater granting a final plat approval for Alpine fresh development a replat of blocks two and seven of Western Miami section be recorded plat book 27 page 33 of the public record of Miami-dade County, Florida and the adjoining portion of the Northwest 16th Street right-of-way closed abandoned and vacated by city of sweetwater resolution number five zero five one recorded an official records book three four zero nine zero at page four three four six of the public records of miami-dade county authorizing the mayor city clerk city attorney to take all actions necessary for implementation and providing for an effective date mayor diaz

It took a lot of wind on that one. George, what up? Yes, Jorge Vera, planning and zoning official. This is a planning of the Alpine Fresh development that's happening in area three. If you go by there, it's a humongous warehouse for Alpine Fresh, and part of it was there was a road closure, as stated in the ordinance, and additionally, they needed to replant the property, dedicate some additional five feet right of way to 129th and also they're dedicating 128th and building 128th straight through to 15th as I recall. So it's just a platting and once you approve it, we'll have a resolution. The mayor will sign the mylar and we'll send it over to get it recorded at the county.

Thank you, George. Any commissioners wishing to speak on this item? Okay, do we have a motion on this item? Move by Vice President Mati, second by Commissioner Ryan Aldo-Ray. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Item passes unanimously. Thank you, George. Item J, a resolution of the City Commission of the City of Sweetwater approving quick claim deeds drafted under authority of Resolution 5112, providing for authority and providing for an effective date. Mayor Diaz. Mayor Diaz.

Scott, what number is this, I'm sorry? J? J. J. J. Julia. J, I'm sorry. So we're doing a quick claim deed for... Yeah, it's a quick claim deed, simply.

It's the property, again, this is the property on 121st and 108th Northwest. It's right in the middle. You don't see it now, but there is a triangle that was purchased by an entity in the city. And the road, 108th, goes straight through it. So as part of this negotiation, the road used to go around it. Under Resolution 512, 5112, the road was closed way back. So now what we're doing is deeding those portions of the property to the adjoining owners, and we're getting the right-of-way right through the middle of the property that wasn't ours at that time.

Mr. President.

Mr. Mayor.

I'm sorry, I was looking at another item, getting ahead of it. This is simple. This is an area that is in the cul-de-sac over there in Seventh Terrace, it would basically be. That is adjacent to 102, when you meet at the end, the canal.

No, you're thinking, we're talking about the 108th and 21st Northwest. Sorry, wrong one. Is that one coming up? No, that one, I haven't heard from her yet.

Okay. That's why George is there.

Yeah, so I have a question. Is there any land value that we are giving these property owners? Yes or no? there is some okay but we took some okay i don't have a problem with that any other commission would you speak on this item do we have a motion on this item moved by commissioner reynolds second by vice president all in favor say aye aye any opposed item passes boy oh boy item k a resolution of the city commission of the city of sweetwater authorized the mayor to retain gazetesi did i say that correctly lopez metri and cobiella pllc a special council representing the city's interest in connection with the lapis student housing project providing for authority providing for cost recovery providing for severability and providing for an effect they mayor diaz

stated. Caesars done a very good job season yesterday which is the gentleman sitting to my right on these particular buildings and so we just keep it going since the knowledge is there everything's been proper and everything's been done very adequately on both sides so we're going to continue we have.

Any comments, concerns on this item? Any commissioner wishing to speak? Through the Chair. Vice President Monti.

How are we paying for these services, Mr. Mayor?

It's paid by the applicant.

The Apple campaigns.

Yes.

Perfect. Thank you so much.

And it's our ability to go ahead and bring our outside counsel to protect our interests and something that he's a special representation on. So, therefore, they have to pay for our attorney's use. No different than all the other ones.

Anybody else want to speak on the free attorney? Yes, both. Commissioner Idaniano, motion. Second by Commissioner Reynaldo Ray. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed to the free attorney? Aye. Item passes. All right. Item L, Lima, resolution of the City Commission of the City of Seawater authorizing the mayor to execute a professional service agreement with Bowman Consulting Group, LTD, for a university district transportation and mobility plan providing for authority, providing for severability, providing for an effective date. Mayor Diaz, you have the floor.

All right, so this is the one I was looking at before when you called me on the other item. This item is, Scott, do you want to come up on this? We've been working, as you know very well, to look at the university district and try to make sure. One of the biggest problems that we have, and I think this has been talked about by every single one of you up here, is that it's getting pretty dangerous with the amount of students that are crossing these streets, basically getting in front of cars, not respecting the stop signs not respecting the lights and we want to make sure that we re-look at everything as we're going to be re-looking at our streets and how the functions and so on we talked about in the last meeting a little bit and this is where we need to bring in a good consultant to once and for all get this done right because we're putting uh these buildings and uh we don't want to see another incident like the one we saw on 4th Street with a school bus and the young lady that got run over. So is our uh ability to make sure in our and it falls on us our liability to make sure that our streets are the safest once we could be able to have with special the amount of pedestrian traffic that will be going through there and we want to make sure that so Scott so you could continue Scott Mendelsburg finance director city of Sweetwater

This is an agreement with Bowman, who has been doing a lot of the traffic engineering studies for Flagler District and the buildings surrounding here. This is to try and give us a unified plan for all of the developments that we have coming in that are high rises. We have a parking requirement, which is good in that it keeps people from parking on the street, but it also means they're going to bring their cars and they're going to drive them around. And if we don't do something, we're going to end up with gridlock sooner than later.

Thank you. How much is this contract going to cost us? $250,000. $250,000. And what is the time length of this contract?

It's based on the hours. I think it's about 300 and something hours. It should take them a couple of months.

Okay. You got to break some eggs to make a cake. Where's it coming out of?

It's coming out of the transportation impact fees. Yeah, I knew. That's why I didn't ask that question.

Yeah, but in case one was coming, I just wanted to get ahead. Sure.

Any other commissioners wishing to speak on this item? Moved by Commissioner Reynaldo Ray. Second. Second by Commissioner Idanianu, who's beating everybody tonight. All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Aye. Item M. Thank you, Scott. A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Sweetwater selecting successful bid for expansion, improvement, and modernization of recreational amenities in Jose Lolo Villalobos Domino Park, providing for funding, providing for authorization, and providing for an effective date. Mayor Diaz.

Well, as you know, and we discussed in the, in the last meeting, we wanted to make sure that we, we brought up all our parks, pretty much the standard where we wanted them. The one that was missing was domino park. And we wanted to make sure that we looked at everything. Remember, as I explained last meeting, we had a lot of the, because she was 2 of them especially that the roots were rotten so we approved that the payment for the roof, I believe in the last meeting and to get that done one of the things that was needed there was a good playground Park where there was a long time ago there was one small little one that was donated by somebody some time ago. many years ago, and that was something that was taken down because it could have actually hurt a child that would have used it. So one of the things that we wanted to make sure is that when we're redoing everything, we're redoing the surfaces, we're redoing everything, was also to put that new playground there with the right rubber type so that It's in the one in Carlo Park and the one in Roselli Park. So we went out for bids and we came across probably the best bid, not only the best bid, but the vendor has stepped up and now changed the actual material to make it equal to the material that's used in our other parks. So we have even a further savings involved by getting this approved. But because of the number, that needed to be brought back to you all and that's it.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Question, these funds, are they coming from park impact fees?

On this one, for this particular, yes.

So are all funds for this project park impact fees?

No.

Are you using general funds for this project?

I believe that we have a little bit. Can you step up a second, Scott? I have a little bit, I think, that we're using.

I believe for the re-roofing, we're using park funds. for the new stuff like the uh top lot and the uh for the kids that's coming from impact fees yeah okay so we have park impact fees and then for the roof we're using general funds is that accurate yes and what's your current budget um general funds money i think it was like twenty thousand dollars twenty twenty four i think called it

Cool. Any other Commissioner wishing to speak on this item?

Yes, I do. Commissioner Saldias, go ahead. Mayor, thank you very much. That park needed some work, and I really want to congratulate the maintenance department, because they've been working on that park, I think, for a month already. I mean, I passed by there the other day, and it was incredible, the change that they did there. I'm talking about fencing, bathrooms, the placebo, and it's all employees of the city of Sweetwater.

um thank you appreciate that you know and i appreciate you i know that you with the parks are very vigilant and i appreciate your words when we finish this park we'll have another grand opening but that park is basically getting redone not only is what you see the pavements and so on also the bathrooms are getting redone uh the septic tanks that were there uh I don't want to even get into it. Let's just say that everything's has been redone. And in a way that is now going to be able to hold a good group of residents being able to enjoy one of the things that we discussed that one of the concepts in today's world is this park is a small park and it could be a very unique part when somebody wants to have a party for the family on the weekends maybe that part could be rented as a whole for whoever rents it out and that would work like some other parts and parks in the county that have areas where everybody could just enjoy so we added some parking in the pavement and we took a little bit of the grass area and a couple of extra spots. That way we have a lot more benefit and use in that park. And I think when it's done, one of the things our maintenance department has done very well is also been able to do the coverage of the cement and the walkways and all to have the same way that we did on Ronzelli Park and in Carlo Park, where we have that now finished. We're trying to make it all look the same and refreshed. And I'm telling you, I'm very proud of the work we're doing.

Yes, sir. And also, I was going to ask you, are they going to keep playing dominoes there, or are you taking that up? Because I didn't see no tables.

The domino situation is gone. Somebody wants...

That was a lot of issues.

What I've been told by the commissioners, each one of them, and from when I found out also the police and so on, it was bringing some situations that weren't proper. And for that reason, if somebody wants to have a party there with their kids, if that's what we're going for, they could bring in their domino tables and use it for the party and so on. But the way it was, it was only bringing a negative situation to it.

Now, my other question, Mayor, are you planning to change the name of that park?

We haven't brought that up yet. Okay.

Is that something that's in the pipeline? Because it's Domino Park, right? That's what it's called?

No, no. That park, many years ago, many years ago, when I was a mayor the first time, I went out to the state and was trying to get some money because that property was being knocked down and they wanted to sell it, and I felt that we needed at least one more little park, and we got that, and it was donated by, at the time, Senator Garcia and Villalobos, and they found me, I think it was $550,000 at the time, and we were able, to put and he asked to please put the name of his grandfather and it is on there. So it's, I forget the first name, but Villalobos, the second name, Domino Park. So what I am gonna redo is probably the sign, the original sign. For some reason, the prior administration took down that sign for whatever reason, I don't know why, but just like every building has a sign when they're done, we should go back and put that original reason for why that park was created.

Thank you, Mayor. And again, congratulate the maintenance department. They did a hell of a job. And that was basically funded by the hard work that the hands-on was from the maintenance department, correct?

Yes. Okay. I mean, we had a sub come out and do the roof, but they did the majority of the work, and we did have some plumbing that we have pending. and we have the payment that will be done also by a vendor. So we have probably, we're going to have a total of three vendors, but the rest of everything was done by our maintenance group.

Thank you, Mayor. Appreciate it.

We have a motion by Commissioner Reynaldo Ray. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Vice President Mati. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Aye. Item passes unanimously. Reports. Mayor's report. Mr. Mayor?

Commissioner Reynaldo Ray, you have the floor. Real quickly, just to excuse myself, I have a family matter to take care of before 8 o'clock. Of course. I hope everything's all right. Thank you.

Mr. Mayor, you have the floor.

Thank you.

One of the issues, and something I forgot to add to... the Domino Park was the all the all the beams are being redone to match that one particular one so not only are we changing colors and changing everything we're making it fit all together by the way something else we had some problems in the past with the barrel tiles and the way things were done we change it down to metal so it it's meant to last so all the money you know somebody said earlier i don't want to get into it that you know we got to look at our budget we look at everything and making sure that whatever is built has the maximum time use for the money that we spent so i wanted to be clear on that um i also want to congratulate um two officers uh and the maintenance uh department uh the other day on Well, on 10th, 110th Avenue and 3rd Street. Yeah, I got that one, okay. We had a big tree. I believe it was hit by lightning and the tree was broken pretty much. One section of the tree fell and fell on the road and covered the whole intersection. So I want to make sure that our maintenance crew came out. We even have volunteers come out. and help out and we cut that whole tree. They cut it and they went ahead and took it away. But there was two gentlemen that I have to recognize also besides our maintenance crew that specifically goes to do that. It's Officer Ramos and Officer Masu. They just went at it and helped them sweating as much as them And they went ahead and or they're wearing uniform or not they help pick up that whole tree and put away and we were blessed not only because the speed and everything the way was done but we're really blessed that there was no car going through because that would have been a very bad scenario that tree was a very big tree and I had to mention that because So a lot of people could just stand and look while others work. And for the first time I had to do it because I wasn't really dressed in any way, shape or form to do so. But I wanna thank them for doing that. And again, Jenny and the maintenance crew. And you know, by the way, her husband was also there and made sure that he helped out.

Never heard of him.

No, he's a, by the way, he's a pretty small guy. You know, he was really, I tell him, hey, slow down a little bit. Those are pretty big trees you're lifting up. So, we're getting ready for Halloween. I want to make sure that we do a spectacular again this year. I know our parks is ready and really coming up strong and making sure that we we're doing a good job to get ready. This year falls on a Saturday. So get ready. If it was packed last time, I think this year is going to be more impact. So we're buying extra candy. And all in all, we went through all the candy, but I mean, it lasted close to the end, and just about to our closing, or maybe not, but yeah. And we wanna make sure that we have plenty of candy this year and so on. I want to know, basically we're trying to see if we debate for a best costume contest, not of the employees per se, or the commissioners, but basically the people that show up, of our residents. you know, and put it in three categories and two different age groups, maybe three. We're debating that and getting that going. But any comments you'd like to have, please let me know. because I think it really works out, making sure we have our residents participate, and I think it'll be nice. So also I wanna say to the Parks, thank you on the movie nights. I think each one's been a success. People still showed up in this last one, thinking it's all two of you there, and actually three of you also, Ray, that just left. And it was raining through then, until then. basically before just started. And the field was dry. And it worked really the way should work. We put the money into it, but the results keep paying off. And it the results but we were prepared for Plan B to do it in the inside with the screens in the inside of for him a can also. So all in all, I could go on and on, but I think that that just about gets it. I don't think I have anything else right now. We have a lot of work to do on finishing the budget, and we should be good. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Commissioner Yanyan.

There would be this is just an idea for Halloween would be better if we have like backs already with the amount of candy ready so each commission could give it back so we don't have to worry about going to be running out of candies.

I thought that that was the case before and they said it's like a more when you're just going to have fun toss it inside their back. So, well, there's some commissioners that put bags inside, bags inside the committee. I think certain commissioners wanting to look good with their particular costumes and so on, so they provide a lot of candy that way. It might be a lot more reasonable to do it with the little bags. Yeah, we could just put it on my ass. We'll take that into accountability is just it takes a while to get everybody to do those bags and we don't want vendors doing it because they're extremely expensive to do that.

There's also something I I had it I just didn't turn the page to see it, but

civil patrol continues to show their loyalty and their commitment to this city and your leadership has been incredible and I thank you behalf of all of us in the city of Sweetwater because this is something extremely positive they continue to grow I actually saw those young men and women like I said earlier bartering the orders just right It brought back some memories. But most of all, I also want to thank you also, Commissioner, for the 9-11 presentation and making sure they are our cadets, which is our present, but really our future. Do not forget, and then continue on to have 1% of the population, which is our military, And these are dedicated young men and women. But it takes your work and the seniors that work there. So I wanted to say thank you once again. And good, good work.

All right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Commissioners report. I have a question to my colleagues on the commission. Does anybody want to have a budget workshop? Speak now or forever hold your peace.

From me it's a yes.

Okay, Commissioner Isidro Ruiz is a yes, Commissioner Saldi is a yes. Anybody else? For me it's most certainly a yes. That is three. Anybody else wish to speak? Vice President Matti wants to have a budget meeting. ian is frowning at me i don't know what that means okay so uh i'm open to it yes okay he's open to it all right i'm just doing that because of a conversation the mayor had the mayor said it was only me and i'm doing it on the open since he doesn't want to invite me to be part of the three people in that little committee with a tougher bond Whatever, I'm petty, I know. All right.

I don't want to be part of it. To the chair. You don't want to be part of it? To the chair. I want to say something because, again, this is our first meeting after we had the election, August 18. I want to thank you, all the residents, for their support, for believing in us.

Thank you, that's what I want to say.

It was really very hard. I never thought the four amendment could be so complicated to pass. I haven't seen it before, but it did it after everything that they did. uh flyers you know every week and those sending back saying wrong things lying to the to the you know to the city to the voters but thank you again for your support they believe in all of us and i appreciated every single one for voting in favor and we did pass the fourth uh you know commissioner it um

When you do the right thing and you say the truth, some people went out and spent a whole lot of money and lied to our people. And that made us even work harder. And when the people knew the truth, something that should have failed totally did not fail. Because they saw the common sense and they read the question again in that way, but the lies did not stop. And eventually we might get to know who it was. And hopefully that day will come. Because at that point...

I'm sure it will.

And I am going to have the... Let's just say I'm going to have a lot of fun.

I think you're already having fun.

Because there will be... You know, one thing is that you give an opinion. And you state your opinion, which... You're right, Mr. President. This is a democracy, and we have that respect. But when you lie and you do it for the wrong reasons and you misprint and you hide like cowards, and I'll say it again, like cowards, and throw rocks, your day will come.

I don't think they were throwing rocks. I think they were throwing scud missiles. But I will say, I'm sorry to interrupt you, Commissioner, because I do have to tell you that aside from the campaign that the mayor launched with his political action committee and spend those funds on the mayor's PAC, we don't talk about what you've done. So you went to war as well. And you pound the pavement, you knocked on doors, you spoke to our elderly community, you are the matriarch of our city. So I personally believe that that passed because of your efforts i don't think if you would not have been involved i don't think it would have passed it wouldn't have passed i think that um you can be as humble as you want and i don't care i i saw what was happening election day i saw how people were saying how they were going to vote and when you explained it they believed you they believe your leadership they believe you um you know as a resident here so i i can't i can't thank you enough and i have to i actually have to add

to that, she did an incredible job and I will tell you that she worked it incredibly hard because we met, we discussed, we did our strategies and they worked out. Saul, you also did an incredible job in helping and so on. I would tell you that I think what we need to do is when we all agree on something and we all believe that it's important for our city because these questions were all important to our city now those officers once we do get that camera that is for speed not for red lights as it was brought up and and many, many conversations that they did through mailers, knocking on doors of people, and then targeting people, family members of some of us, and going and doing that, that has never been seen in Sweetwater. And therefore, Idania, once again, incredible job. And so also for helping. But I would tell you that we need to show the people, maybe from the outside, that when we do something unanimous and we work together, we come together and this is our city, not their lives, and trying to change our city or go back to what it might have been in the past. So that's where we're at.

Well said. Any other commissioners have any reports? All right. What I will ask, Madam Clerk, does anybody have any particular date that they would like to schedule a workshop? Or would you like me to instruct the clerk to have conversations? Do you guys want to have conversations with the mayor first? How do you want to do this?

If you don't mind.

Mr. Mayor, you have the floor.

Thank you, sir. I'm gonna meet with them because I owe them information that they asked for particular okay because that's what they asked me for and so on we went over every detail you want to have it and they want to have it we'll sit down but pretty much a workshop is when we could see that there's still a need to clear up something and bring out things think everyone has been pretty much to the point and that's what I said what I said to you I didn't think and I'm sorry if you wrote I've ruffled your I'm ruffled that you're roughly with with this last little thing that passed but with that as far as a workshop that's usually done like in when we did them in the in the county it was because basically they were very divided But mostly we have the hearings and we should have it all worked out before then. And then we work it out in those particular, like the second hearing. Now, if there's something that has been promised to you and not delivered, I believe that it needs to be brought out in the meeting and discussed in the meeting. at the time. If you want to have something separate, if it's the will of this body, we have nothing to hide. Yeah, so we'll be good. But if not, like you said, Mr. President, we'll knock it off each one and make sure that whatever differences there is, we'll work with them.

So what I will say is I want a public workshop. And I this is this is where the commission does their job. This is where we debate and dialogue This is the most important aspect of our job. We are the purse of the city. So I hear what the mayor is saying. We don't always agree. I can say we agree the greater majority of time. I want to have a public meeting. If you guys don't want to have a public meeting, that's on you. So I will give the mayor an opportunity to have a dialogue, but I will be contacting the clerk. I'm just asking as a professional courtesy if anybody has a particular date before I go ahead and do that. have no problem waiting a week and i'm sure the mayor can have his conversations with the commissioner within that week if the mayor needs more time so be it but i'm telling you my intent i will contact the city clerk and i will tell her hey do me a favor get in hold of all the commissioners find out what is the best time and date for them and then from there we'll figure it out Does anybody else wish to speak on that?

Yes. Commissioner Saldes. Yes, I mean, I don't have a problem. I think we should ask the mayor for a date, you know, a week from now, like you said, Mr. President, and then we can take it from there. I'm available anytime.

Good. City clerk's report? Attached. City attorney's report? What do you have to report, sir?

Nothing, Mr. President. Thank you, though. Although we did work on two union matters, actually three union matters, on negotiating the lieutenant's contract, the officer's and sergeant's contract, and also the IUPAT contract as well. We're continuing to work on that. We have a teleconference, a Zoom teleconference tomorrow with IUPAT, and we're in the process of resetting the second PBA negotiation for sometime in October.

Thank you, Mr. Attorney. Mr. Vice President, you have the floor. Through the Chair, thank you.

Ralph, can you share those when you get to an end so we can see those before we vote on them? Because last time, the Lieutenant's PD contract, I never saw it until the very, very end.

So you're asking for a copy of the final version that has, before it's submitted to the... Yeah, when you get to the end, when you've TA'd on everything, you can share something so that we can look at it.

sure i will make sure that when we finish the negotiations before it would get to plenty of time you'll get that copy so you can do it if you could give me your suggestions uh but when we finish it we're finished so

Or maybe you can provide some articles as you TA as you go along. I can provide them as we go along or I can provide them all in mass at the end. However, I'm instructed by all of you.

The issue is that Nobody could actually get involved until the end.

Well, no, that is absolutely true. They cannot get involved. They cannot get... Actually, it's PERC, PERA actually, the Public Employees Relations Act. But they can view things in advance. They just can't really participate in the process until it's all done. But we can...

With me, you can.

That's what I mean.

I can come to you if an article is... So long as you guys don't go to the employees or anybody that's in the bargaining union or anything like that is my understanding.

That is exactly correct. That's a Public Employees Relations Act matter. Actually, I looked into it. It's not federal because we're exempt from the federal statute because we're a municipality. That's right.

I was in the county, so it was a little different.

exactly but we are covered by the public employees relation act and yes that is something that individual negotiations or individual communications by city commissioners with employees or with the union itself is not really permitted i want to make that clear because then any other unions could come back and cry about

and that's what we don't want. And I don't think that's gonna happen because we're negotiating, I think, very well with both unions. Let's just say, I think everybody would be happy by the time we finish.

Everybody seems happy so far. With all three unions, it's been a very, there have been contentious negotiations before. These are not them. This is a very cooperative process between the three unions and the administration.

Mr. Attorney, send me that case law, please.

Yes, sir.

Thank you. Does anybody else, Mr. Attorney, you done with your report? Yes, sir. All right, police report attached. Mr. President. I'm sorry, Mr. Mesta, you have the floor. Thank you.

I just want to give a quick update on the Lopez versus Sweetwater case. I've heard of this guy. We are set for remediation November 6th. We had to change mediators because the one that we had didn't have any availability, so now we're in front of Judge Bagley. The trial has been reset. There was a 90-day extension that was granted. So now it went from January to April of 2027. We have complied with all the outstanding discovery requests. We were with the clerk and the attorney's office for a full day putting documents together, getting them together for the other side. The judge still has not ruled on pending motions to dismiss that our side filed, so we're still pending on those. But just wanted to give you an update that the trial has been moved from January through April and the mediation is set for November 6th.

Thank you. Who's the judge again?

Judge Moore. Federal Judge Moore.

Thank you very much. Does anybody have any questions pertaining to that? Yes. Lower your hands. Police report is attached. Hi, Nicholas. Building is only report. Give me an out of the head. Attached. Code enforcement division report attached. Public works department report attached. Finance report, it's an amazing report, I mean astounding, attached. Community and elderly services report, attached. Let me flip the page. Parks and recreation report, attached. Unfinished business, new business, good of the order. Motion to adjourn?

Second.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Good night, folks.