Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Good evening. We'll call to order the uh agenda review meeting of Monday, March 9th, 2026 for the city of Winter Haven. City clerk, can we get a roll call, please? Commissioner Davis, here. Commissioner Dolison here. Commissioner Birdong here. Mayor Prom Mercer here. And Mayor Yates here. All right. We'll have invitation led by Pastor Mark Hodges of Winter Haven Baptist Church. We'll have pledge allegiance as normal. And uh we've got some presentations. So, looks like we've got three proclamations. Then we've got the Spring Lake Apartments uh presentation. You don't want to speak to that tonight, do you? Or

I think uh No, no. So, we are still uh putting the finishing touches on that and I want to make sure staff has time to Okay. make that complete. All right. And then we'll have uh for this evening, we've got the uh strategic plan presentation for economic sustainability. Do you want to do that now or at the end? That is it your pleasure. Our guests are here. If you want to knock that out or Why don't we knock it out and respect? I'd have made them wait personally just so they could see how good government runs, but

they they promise they're going to stay for the rest of the meeting. So, mayor and commissioners, we've invited this evening is, you know, we do these updates every month in different pillars and this month is on economic sustainability. Um, so much of our economy outside of the uh the development side in our residential, commercial, industrial properties revolves around tourism and folks that come to Winter Haven. Uh, we we've had a tremendous partnership with uh our friends at PK County. I still call it tourism and sports marketing. I don't know what the official name of them anymore is, but um for as long as I've been around, they have brought about a lot of economic investment in our community, both in terms of interlocal agreements for the development of some of our most iconic facilities and newest facilities to also the recruitment of the events that uh that come and play and and engage in those spaces which has a tremendous economic impact in our community. So, uh, Mark Jackson and Mark Zimmerman are with us this evening and we'll go through their presentation and certainly be ready to answer any questions you have for them. Gentlemen,

well, thank you. We've got a a few slides for you. We are going to keep this as short as possible. Okay. And uh, I'm Mark Jackson. This is Mark Zimmerman. So, you can just call us Mark and the other one of us will answer. He has a C. I have a K. So, uh, there we have it. Well, uh, we have a and we have ever since I've been involved, which is back to 1992 with tourism and sports, Poke County tourism and sports marketing, uh, sort of a dualprong approach to, uh, to tourism. Actually, three, uh, one, developing supply, number two, driving demand, and then three, increasing the spend. We don't want our tourists going to CM to Tampa. We want to keep the money here right here in Winter Haven. Now, I'm a Winter Haven resident. Um, and so other than the traffic, which uh there was a wreck on Cypress Gardens Boulevard on my way here, I was uh grateful to make it, but uh this is our busy time. February, March, April, it's uh pretty hectic. So, uh they won't let me play with a clicker. Board governance is a big deal. All right. and uh the structure of our organization. Uh many of you including the mayor are very familiar with this diagram. Um there's nine TDC board members. Uh the BLCC chair Martha Saniago is also the chairperson of the TDC. Uh there's two municipalities represented. uh Mayor Brian Yates from Winter Haven and Chad Mloud from the city of Lakeland, three representatives from the accommodations industry, and we try to develop these um board members geographically as well. So, there's good

representation across all areas of the county, north, southsou, east, west. Um and then three that are involved in the tourism industry. Uh some of these you know Dan Talbot uh school board ad athletic director Zack Bureick from the Tigers and then Jean Conrad from Sun and Fun. All combined there's nine board members. The tourism industry professionals make up um our committees and you can see there on the right hand side of the screen. I'm not sure what you're seeing there, but the uh tourist ministry professionals and anybody that's interested um can get involved in one of our three standing committees, sports and special events, the marketing committee, and then arts, culture, and heritage, which is a relatively new committee. They then feed ideas, suggestions, um they vote on various topics into the tourist development council. Then it goes to the board of county commissioners. So that's really um our board composition as well as the governance that that oversees the entire tourism uh budget and uh operation. We focus in on four things. There's actually four departments. There's five, but uh they we didn't put that up here. One is tourism, sales and marketing, leisure travelers that go to Legoland could be business travelers and those types of things. So we actively recruit those not only domestically um but also internationally it's about 4% of our business international travel sports and special events u you're all familiar with that right now Rusmat baseball is uh clogging our highways and filling our restaurants so that's a really good thing and uh my hats off to the city commission um and the city of Winter Haven for embracing the concept of

sports tourism. Uh we do about 300. We recruit uh some manage some of them. Um run over last year, I think it was 309 sporting events every year. So it's pretty impressive. Visitor experience. I mentioned that earlier. We want people spending their money in Pulk County in the city of Winter Haven, which helps the businesses grow, uh creates jobs and all of those types of things. So, it's one thing to get people in your store, the PK County store, the Winterhaven store, but unless they spend money, hey, are we any better off? And then finally, economic development, which Mark Zimmerman um is going to talk about here, I'm that's a perfect segue into his operation. And supply side development is critically important. We're unique in the state of Florida uh for the most part and really in the country for focusing in on economic development. It is so critical to our operation. We don't have a beach, but we do have facilities. We do have Legoland. We do have a lot of things um that create the destination and create a great experience for our visitors. Without further ado, Mr. Zimmerman. Thank you. Good evening. Um, so yeah, as Mark was mentioning, we uh we we do handle kind of different aspects of that. And so my my role um over the last six or seven years has been handling the economic development side, which really uh for for Winterhaven is some strategic investments that we have partnered with you all on. Um I think you all kind of are familiar with some of these. Um certainly the fieldhouse was a big strategic investment that we we partnered together. Um and then the chain of lakes baseball comp complex as part of that. Um so but it isn't necessarily just what we're investing. It's encouraging private investment as

well. So if we're providing those opportunities for people to come to our community, we also have to have places for them to stay. We have to have other aspects for them to do. So things like the Galactic Coaster at Legoland, which was their biggest single investment, just opening th again, those are people investing or businesses investing in our community because they believe that what we're doing and what you all are doing is is helping them and is going to continue to draw people in. And then just an overview of kind of some of the recent um hotels and one that's upcoming. Uh obviously the new Staybridge suites, um the Best Western Plus, the Home Two Suites uh down by by uh Legoland, and then the newer spring the new one that's coming as the Spring Hill Suites, which will be right next to the courtyard. Um which will be a great addition because that'll have two properties managed by the same company. Um and so that is that's kind of one of the things that I I mean is is one of my main strategic areas. Um we've really covered two of them here, building sports facilities. if we don't have place things for people to do and places for them to play uh that then people aren't going to come here but so we we invest in those aspects so that people get here but then we also have to have places for them to stay. So that's why we we are actively recruiting and and marketing our area as as needing more hotels and and that way we can get people spending those dollars Mark was talking about in our community. Um and I don't know if Mark did you want me to go into some of this. So, uh, some of the other information we kind of wanted to provide you, we we do an annual research study that we contract out with, uh, Downst Germaine. It's a great company out of Tallahassee. Um, probably the most respected, uh, tourism research company in the state. Um, and one of the most respected across the country. But, you know, again, top reasons for people to visit our community. Um, and this really, I know it may seem visiting f friends and family. That's actually really the top reason almost anywhere. Um if you ask any community other than maybe Las Vegas um you know it it is it is that is the number one reason why

people usually go somewhere. Um 10% uh just strictly just general vacation. This is just as you're a vacer kind of visiting the area maybe doing a variety of things. Then you see 9% specifically here for attractions obviously uh that is mainly driven by Legoland. Um 9% here for sporting events 8% here for special events. We do have a lot of other information. I believe I actually shared our whole research study uh with MJ. Um so if that's something you all wanted to see the entire breakdown, um he could share that with you. It is a it is a obviously a public document and we're happy. We love when people see it because that educates you all on what we do and what we're doing to actively bring people to the community. Um and again just kind of an origin reason uh regions of origin for people. Um, uh, you can obviously see 59% of our visitors are coming from within the state. Um, specifically in Winter Haven, uh, you actually do very well out of South Florida. Um, that is that is driven by Legoland. They have a very good attraction for people coming from the Fort Lauderdale, Miami date area. Um, but then you can see kind of as you get further away, those numbers kind of dissipate. but 16% in the southeast, 10% coming um from the Northeast, 9% from the Midwest, um and then uh 2% out west, and then as Mark mentioned, 4% of our visitors coming from outside the United States. Um these numbers keep shifting as we recruited Aello and we have direct flights coming in now. Those numbers kind of keep shifting a little bit uh depending upon where those flights are coming from. Um so obviously when we first added AL, we only had flights from New Haven, Connecticut. Um, so again, you're in yet that northeast section, but as they've added flights in the southeast, in the Midwest, these numbers will kind of continue to shift um as we as we move forward. So, one of the things we wanted to talk about uh specifically um kind of how we partner in Winter Haven. Uh Mark mentioned our kind of overall sports

number um you know, 300 plus events. Well, about 90 of them happen specifically just in Winterh Haven. Now, what that doesn't include is the number that happen in Winter Haven in another community. Um, so a lot of our softball events, for instance, they use Diamond Plex, they also use the Auburnale softball complex, they may be using the Barto softball complex, they may be playing in Lakeland. Um, so it these are ones that are specifically just based in Winter Haven. Um, so that's generating about $50 million in economic impact. If you look at that, that's about 35 events at the Fieldhouse. um about 34 events. Now, some of those obviously have not happened yet, but that's 34 projected events um at the on the baseball fields at the chain of legs and 16ish events again specifically at Diamond Plex, not necessarily counting the pure number, the whole number of events that happen at multiple complexes. Um Russ baseball specifically, 400 plus teams this year. Um, and then I I counted all the games uh that are being played just at the Chain of Lakes, 282 games this year at the Chain of Lakes. Um, and then I went and counted uh the spring games, which is 100 teams, and I counted all those games that are being played just at Diamond Plex. And I have that number. I should have had it up. It is 244 uh games specifically at Diamond Plex. Um so combined over two 520 games college games being played at the Chain of Lakes and at Diamond Plex this year. Um which is a tremendous impact to the community. Obviously those teams continue to come. Um and then we kind of wanted to highlight you know Mach 3 volleyball that's another uh great uh organizer. Obviously we have a lot of events in the fieldhouse but we just kind of highlighted the one uh Mach 3 volleyball bring in four to five events. I know we have a lot of discussions with your parks and rec staff about how much is too much. Um but you know we

collectively have invested a lot in that facility. Um you know and that's a great partnership and we want to make sure that we are maximizing its usage and that it's creating as much benefit as it possible for you all. Um so one of the things and and and Mark we'll we'll surprise them with the other numbers. Um but um so one of the the other things obviously Mark mentioned the arts, culture and heritage committee. Um so what we do through that committee is they sponsor um arts, culture and heritage events. Um so we have these events that are sponsored at the Ritz and at Theater Winter Haven. Um but I wanted to mention we also have a really strong marketing partnership which is not part of Arts and Culture. We have a separate marketing partnership with Legoland Florida. Obviously, it's our largest attraction. We want to make sure they're driving as many people there as possible because that benefits everyone. Um, so that is another kind of aspect of what we do. Um, and then I Mark wants to mention Mark wants to talk about this because Mark is our water ski guru. Um, so I'm going to let him mention this and then we have I'll bring up the other aspect of that.

Sure. Okay. Well, one thing about the Legoland partnership um if if you all go back and this is a real important lesson for all of us and T. Michael um and some of the others in the room remember this. In 2010, tourism in Winterhaven and Pole County in general was pretty much in the tank. It was a disaster. Unmitigated disaster. What do you mean? We're on the back end of the Great Recession. Kansas City Royals left for Arizona. Cleveland Indians left for Arizona. Cypress Gardens closed for the last time. And uh Kent Bisher came in tried to make a go that didn't work and so on and so forth. A lot of things happened and a lot of things happened because of our partnership with this city to bail the tourism industry out in this county. that partnership and we have a phrase in tourism and sports marketing called prosperity through partnerships. We have an outstanding relationship with the city of Winter Haven that goes back decades. Uh can't say enough about uh the staff you have here and they know who they are. Um you know Andy Palmer's sitting behind me and and so on remember some of the history here. But when we got involved in recruiting Legoland, that was a gamecher for us. And now look where we are. More than 1.5 million people visit that park every year. Exact numbers aren't uh publishable. I'll put it that way. And so it's a really important part of our overeconomic engine of tourism, which is the state's largest uh industry by far. It's one of the reasons we don't pay state sales tax. Um, I've lived in Colorado, Wisconsin, and and other places. And, uh, uh, paying that state income tax is

not fun. And so, we've got to count our blessings, which which I do every day for the tourists that are here. Well, we are also the water ski capital of the world. Big part of Cypress, original Cypress Gardens. Undisputed. Hall of Fame is here. It's actually at our visitor center I4 and 27. Uh, the national governing body is here. satellite office for the international governing body. 100th anniversary came up in 2022. We c celebrated it big, but particularly with this city. Um, you know, the water tower, you see the 100th anniversaries there. That is huge. It's a it's a huge sport for this county and has been going back to the 1930s. Uh, partnerships with the city of Winterhaven, Winterhaven Main Street, Cypress Gardens Water Ski Club. We have an annual partnership with them. We worked uh with Andy and the team on the uh the stage for the ski team. I think that was a $100,000 stage and continue to partner with them to promote not only the club but also Winterhaven as a destination through our national broad and worldwide broadcasts um features Winter Haven. It's there's some pretty good stuff out there. Um and then I mentioned that the US Olympic Committee's national governing body USA water ski and wake sports their headquarters are at our office. So um that too uh 2022 World Championships was huge. It was one of the biggest events uh in the sports history and yes we had it here. We've got more coming including the 2027 World University Games. Um it's in November. Yeah, November. Um it's going to be a huge huge event and these are college kids so it'll be a mini spring break in uh in November but that'll be right here at Lake Silver. Uh and so many thanks go out again to Julie and the parks and

recck department for partnering on us with us on that uh specific event. Uh we do a lot of water ski events and they paid big dividends. Mark.

Yeah. So, uh, one of the things we, sorry, we had a little, um, issue with the slides when we when they went from our system to your system. Um, so some of this was supposed to come up separately. So, the 405,000 has nothing to do with water ski. Um, that is actually the investment that we make, uh, through the arts, culture, and heritage sponsorships into the events at the Ritz and Theater Winter Haven. Um, so, um, I wanted to clarify that just to make sure like you weren't saying, "Oh, we're putting $45,000 into this water ski event." Um, but that's a big investment. Obviously, we we love what Theater Winter Haven does in and the Rich Theater. Um, you know, and um, those are those are those are substantial sponsorships um, for that series of events, but but you know, that is a that is part of our budget. Um, and it's something that we, you know, is is something we want to continue to happen and we want we love those events happening. Obviously, when when there's a show going on um at the chain of lakes and a volleyball tournament, maybe something at the pool and there's baseball going on, it causes some logistic problems, but those are good problems, right? Those are those are why we keep investing some some additional dollars to build additional parking, make sure we can get everybody in there. Um but that's we just wanted to make sure that was that was clarified. Um so, we do have some additional numbers um that uh either Mark or I can share. Um

let me do the last one.

Yep. Um, so in Pole County, it's $4.5 billion industry. It's one of the top three in the county. Um, about $60 million come back in state tax revenue. Charge sales tax and that type of stuff. It's distributed back to P. Some of that is distributed back to Pulk County. Um, so that's a benefit to the city of Winterhaven gets a portion of that. About 32,000 people are employed in tourism and sports. Finally, uh you're going to get a always going to get an economic spin on this from me, but uh tourism is an export. Well, when I used to ask my economic students, well, tourism a export or an import? They couldn't answer the question. Wow, it's an import because they're coming here. I said, no, you got to look at the flow of money. Flow of money comes from outside in to the city of Winterhaven. Okay? and we export t-shirts, trinkets, great memories, and those types of things. So, tourism is an export. All right? So, it's new money coming in. It's not just taking local money and recirculating it. That doesn't make a community or a country or a county any wealthier. You have to have new dollars coming in just like your bank account, uh, personal bank account. So, tourism is an export. So the next time you get a little frustrated with the long lines and so on, uh just remember that's new dollars and jobs coming to PK County. And then some of the uh the stuff that uh you'll sleep better tonight knowing all this type of stuff. All right. About 5 a half uh million visitors come to Pulk County annually. Um little over three million room nights. Mentioned the 32,000 jobs. And then about 1.1

well round it up 1.2 billion in wages to this county. It's a lot of money but it makes us better off. Um economic impact 4.5 billion direct spending. That's the new dollars coming in and then recirculating up to the 4.5 saves each Pole County host house household about $874 a year. So that's the total impact of tourism, the tourism industry, the sports industry that this community that this board is invested in and we really appreciate it. I know the citizens of PK County appreciate it, too. Sometimes Parks and Recck doesn't get as much credit as they deserve. Let me tell you, they are a great partner. We love working with them. We love working with this city. And as a proud resident of Winter Haven, glad to uh be able to say that.

That's it. That's it. Hey, hopefully that was under the time limit that that was expressed. Any questions from any questions from the commission? Commission. So, I'll ask one and I asked this at the last board meeting, but just for the benefit of the rest of the commissioners up here. Obviously, last year the TDC came under attack legislatively from Tallahassee. Can you just give a brief update on where that currently stands this year? any threats or is there any legislative action that that you need to put us put upon us to take to Tallahassee?

Yes, sir. The uh situation last year uh raised its ugly head in the house and what essentially was being proposed with was that they were going to do away with all tourist development councils statewide, then redirect any of those funds to whatever initiative they wanted to. They're just but they were just going to do away with it. Um well, you don't you know there's a biblical saying that says you you know you don't muzzle the ax while they're treading out the grain. Tourism is the ox that's treading out the grain. You don't muzzle that. And it's just from an economic standpoint was absolute suicide. Uh when you look at the competition out there and so on, um it's horrible. And we're competing against New York, Las Vegas, uh who's not doing well. country is is was down the last six months or so. Uh we're sort of bouncing back now. But uh anyway, that uh hopefully answered answered the question. Right now uh there's nothing that we're aware of. The lady the representative that brought it up last year is not bringing it forward this year. Um we have uh developed a plan B if that were to happen. And so the uh overall feeling up in Tallahassee and from our lobbyists and everybody else's, it's not going to come up, but we do have a plan B.

Mayor, can I please expand on that a little bit?

And Mark Jackson did a a great job advocating against that reform that was pitched last year. You know, part of our messaging on that was really it's much like what we're doing with homestead exemption legislation is trying to educate people that if you don't understand the impact of tourism, you don't see that you stand to lose anything. When these hotels are looking to develop, which are, you know, multi-million dollar investments, the data that they're gathering, much of the significant data comes from, okay, what's the tourism that's happening in our area, that fieldhouse that was built and opened up in early 2020 is a catalyst for more private investment. They see that there's a demand for rooms and so they go and they make that investment. If you have an impact on that tourism tax and the way that PK County Tourism Sports Marketing uses a portion of that money is to recruit events to Florida, to Pulk County specifically and some of that money goes towards marketing. Some of it goes towards paying the fees for use of facilities and negotiating reduced fees. If you don't have those dollars to do that, then softball coordinator X has a choice to make. Do I want to go to Pulk County to Winter Haven, Florida, and spend significantly more than I may spend in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, or in Birmingham, Alabama, or in wherever Georgia, where they have those tourism dollars to help offset my expenses. And it all comes down to the dollar at the end of the day. uh they're going to get the teams, but they're going to go where it's most affordable to put on that event. If you don't have that support, they don't come here. If they don't come here, that's

less people that are staying in a hotel. That directly impact impacts every employee that is working for that particular hotel. It impacts the the need for positions within local restaurants. It impacts the tip wages for those employees. Everybody suffers when that goes away. Even if you're not in the tourism industry directly, the economy locally feels the impact. Um, and I think that that's something to always keep in mind and make sure we're educating folks is that you may not have anything to do with tourism in the sense of you're not going to the events or you're not an employee of one of the facilities or you don't work for Legoland or whatever, but we all benefit from that export concept that you're bringing in people and money from other areas to spend their money here and that money stays with us. Mark, I have I use your export statement probably once a week with people. And the other one is that the the multiplier factor that that dollar is going to change hands seven times before it leaves our county lines. And so if those dollars don't come in, then they don't change any hands. So I think that that's a an important one to keep watch of and continue to educate. Um I just want to say how proud we are to work with Pulk County Tourism Sports Marketing. You know, if you look at Chain Lakes Park as a whole, between the fieldhouse and the baseball complex, there's probably between 25 and $30 million that have gone into that facility in interlocal agreement funds coming from the county that are matched by our own dollars. Um, that has been a tremendous gamecher for us. And for other, you know, the same thing happens in other areas. the Lake Myrtle complex, some of the improvements in Lakeland, they they use those tax dollars to

invest the concept of you have to spend money to make money. And um it's been a a tremendous relationship. We work with them. I know Julie and Scott and our fieldhouse staff are working with them every week on bringing events in here. Um, and certainly their work with the uh the performing arts between the Ritzen Theater, Winter Haven, and all those activities that not only brings people to our area, but it also creates additional outlets for our our residents that are here year round. So, just wanted to pass that along. Thank you. Thank you, gentlemen. Any other questions? All right. Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you, commissioners.

Okay. With that, we've got three sets of minutes. So, leave it up to the commissioners to take a look at those and if there's any questions or comments. Hear them now. If not, we'll move forward. Um, we've got the ordinance second reading 02609. C manager. No changes. That's the again that's a uh a cleanup ordinance tied to budgetary funds. No changes since first reading. All right. And then we've got our consent agenda. We've got some library board reappoints. Yeah. So, I'm going to actually let staff give presentations on these this evening. So, Julie, I don't know if that's you or Jane, but invite you to the podium to do so.

Good evening, mayor, commissioners. Uh, this item is a routine item associated with the library board. Library board has been in existence since 1939 in an advisory capacity to the city commission manag city manager and staff. This board is comprised of five members appointed by the commission. Two of the existing seats of the five on the library board expired January 31st of this current year and in accordance with current protocols uh there were the advertisements for the position placed. Letters of intent for reimportment were received by Terresa Negley and Karen White. One additional application was received and all of these applications were reviewed by the library board during their January 13th meeting. The library board voted to recommend reappoint of Terresa Negley and Karen White for a three-year term which will expire on January 31st of 2029. Staff does recommend that the city commission reappoint Theresa Negley and Karen White to the Winter Haven Library Board, each to serve in their three-year terms expiring on January 31st of 2029.

Thank you, Julie. And just one uh comment on that. Karen White um has been on that library board for a number of years and very active with the friends. you if you went to the um there was a recent celebration at the library. I think Jane was it for the his the historical milestone for the friends if I'm not mistaken and Karen had taken lead on writing a book about the history um of the friends and and of the new library. So uh very involved in in what we're doing there. Thank you.

Uh next um three items I'll handle these. Uh these are for travel and training in accordance with our protocols for approval of commission training. So um first one is for Commissioner Birdong and Commissioner Dles to attend the Florida Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, the FBCLEO. Uh there that annual conference will be held in Tampa on April 15th and 17th. The next item is regarding our legislative advocacy trip to Washington DC. This will take place May 12th through the 14th. I know that Amanda Joe has been working to uh finalize all of that travel. Um this involves all five commissioners as well as myself, deputy city manager and our director of public affairs and communication. Um we and later on we're going to share with you a a letter that speaks to some of our legislative efforts while we're in DC. Um during this time we will also uh be attending um a I believe it's a vigil type ceremony at the police officers memorial in in Washington. We traveled to that three of us last year that were in in DC. There is a uh an individual who served in Winter Haven, I believe in the 1960s, Charlie, if I'm remembering correctly, um that was more recently uh recognized as having uh fallen in the line of duty. Um and uh so that name is going to be added to the memorial. So that will be part of the activity there and we will uh that's hence the the reason for a slightly larger uh engagement with the commission on it this year than than perhaps in years past. And then the third one is the um

Florida League of Cities federal action strike team or the fast flyin. Uh the mayor is a part of the the fast action or the federal action strike team and that is with the Florida League. They will be traveling to Washington DC in June on the 22nd and 25th. This was actually I believe mayor supposed to happen in May and and was rescheduled April

in April and so it's been rescheduled um and we've accounted for that as well. Next item is item 10E and I'll ask uh Britney Hart, our director of public works to give you an update on this item. Good evening, mayor, commissioners. Um, so as you are aware, the residential solid waste division is using automatic sideload vehicles uh for our residential collection for both solid waste and recycling services. Currently, we have six 2020 um automatic sideloaders that are in our fleet that will be ready and fully funded for replacement in the fiscal year 2027 ahead. In anticipation of that replacement coming, staff requested a quote from Florida's Tampa Kenworth to purchase six 2026 auto cars um equipped with a 31yard new Waysidewinder refuge body. We currently have two of these operating within our fleet. One, this blue one was our first purchase. We have a white one, that's our second purchase, and we have a third one that is on order and pending delivery. And they've proven to be really useful tools in our operation. um they're very wellmaintained, good to get in and out of the places we need and we don't necessarily have breakdowns with these vehicles. So, we are moving our entire fleet towards this model. Historically with the garbage trucks that we are purchasing, we have very long lead times and the manufacturers apply additional costs with the purchase of the chassis that they are having to hold on to while it's being upfitted. Um to avoid those additional holding costs, they have offered us the opportunity to remit payment for the chassis upon its completion while it goes to be upfitted and then we can pay for the final buildout once we receive it. Doing so, we would be able to have a total cost savings of $36,000 across all six vehicles. And then we would again pay that remaining balance once those vehicles are delivered to us which would be anticipated in late October 2026 or

early November um into the new fiscal 27. So the total cost for all of these garbage trucks um each truck is costing us $429,458. Um that would give us a total PO price. I see I see uh a Honda Civic is it? It's not.

It's not a Ford Escape. The total purchase price that we would be issuing um in a purchase order would be 2,576,43048. That is for all of the units. However, I've got good news. Um that cost does reflect some cost savings there. We would pay once the chassis is completed, we'd pay 229,955 per unit. Um, and then we would be responsible for the remaining cost once those are delivered to us, which would be $199,449. So, here's where the good news comes in. Um, five of these six vehicles currently have a reserve balance of 353,000. The sixth vehicle has a reserved balance of 325,000. Um, these are all currently funded to be fully replaced in fiscal year 27. So, that difference will be made up pending the approval of a budget in fiscal year 27. Um if we order the vehicles now and take delivery of them in late October or early of November, we would be able to reduce the fiscical year 27 budget um contribution from solid waste by $122,000. So we are going to see a cost savings. I think I am the first director who has already reduced their fiscal year 27 budgets ahead of any anything getting cut. Um, so staff is recommending that the commission uh approve the purchase of the six 2026 auto car side winders from Tampa Kenworth um and authorize the city manager or his designate to issue a purchase order and take any additional actions necessary to assume these vehicles into our fleet.

I'd like to strike from the record the comment about reducing because uh there are no free lunches. There will be another request somewhere I'm sure that comes with that. Uh but this mayor and commissioners just to to further elaborate on this you know this is trying to get ahead of the curve you know lead time on vehicles takes a long time can't be you know these are essential pieces of equipment if you can't get the garbage up you have a life health safety issue um I do want to commend the staff for finding a a a fiscally sound way to approach this that does not impact us uh in any additional cost actually saves us some money Um and uh yeah to to have these already funded or forecasted to be funded through our our capital replacement program puts us in a very good position there and they are not cheap

and and these would be solid waste only or are they universal? Can they use recycling and they're universal? So they would be utilized either in the solid waste collection or the recycling collection. And do these just get added to the rotation of existing inventory? So like or do we get rid of old trucks? We're going to get rid of six of the old trucks. Six of those 2020s that we have will be leaving the fleet and then these will be coming in as their replacements. We get any money for that or We do get some money for those at auction. It really depends on the condition that they are when we take them to auction. We also have the opportunity if there's some other agency that would like to buy them, we can sell them that way and we explore those. But we do recoup some of the costs, not nearly what we pay for them through the auction process.

So the life cycle on these are how long? So we have these vehicles funded for seven years. Solid waste vehicles typically are timing out around the 5 to sevenyear mark. Um some of them you're able to get a little bit longer life expectancy of around 10 years depending on how many miles you're putting on them. So we've we've picked seven years and we're replacing them at the seven-year mark. So, as y'all attend the next Ridge League meetings and Florida League meetings, start off the conversation with other commissioners around the state. Have I got a deal for you? We'll work on that for you. Okay. Thank you. They don't have that new car smell. They have that old garbage smell.

Okay. We've got uh three resolutions to look at this evening. So, Eric or do you want to present these? These are LAP projects and um mayor commissioners, let me just preface this by saying, you know, we originate these um the pursuit of these grant dollars out of economic opportunity and community investment. But really, that's about where the process stops with Eric's team. Then it's handed off to either public works or whomever is the appropriate uh department to oversee the project. But these uh Eric can can talk about these. They're all three contained within one fact sheet, but it is three separate resolutions.

Yes, sir. So, I'm not trying to save any money in fiscal year 27. I'm trying to get you free sidewalks in 28 through 32. So, thank you, Eric.

There's an effort. Um so, Florida Department of Transportation, as you guys are are probably aware, um they offer a U application. They open up uh application cycles um for grant funding um for uh sidewalk and pedestrian improvements, roadway improvements um periodically. Uh we are going to be applying uh pending your approval for three projects. Um they are pedestrian and sidewalk projects. We would submit the applications to TPO. They would rank those projects and then submit to uh Florida Department of Transportation. the three projects. Um the first one is uh associated with resolution R2606 and that is uh North Lake Mod area. Uh it's about 2,000 ft of um sidewalk along North Lake Mod Drive and also includes sidewalks on Third Street Northeast, Fourth Street Northeast, Fifth Street Northeast, and Edwin Street Northeast. So this is just north of Lake Ma in the general Florence Villa. um area. Uh the uh resolution 07 is Fifth Street um northeast. It is about 1,400 ft uh along Fifth Street Northeast. So on the south side of Lake Mod um so we're hitting the north side, we're hitting the south side. Um this would be for sixoot sidewalks along each side uh of the street and um upgrade storm water systems as needed. Um the last resolution 08 is for Fifth Street Southeast. This is uh in the general uh Winter Haven High School uh north of uh the Walmart uh facility. It's about 2,700 ft um along Fifth Street Southeast. Uh

again, it's the installation of sidewalks and uh potential upgrade of storm water systems uh as needed. Uh the total costs uh for those projects are denoted in your fact sheet. North Lake Mod would be approximately $830,000. Fifth Street Northeast um almost almost a million dollars, $997,000 and Fifth Street Southeast $851,000. Um this is these are resolutions um recommending city commission approve those and authorize the city manager or his designate to take all actions. uh related there too to make the applications.

Do we have a a didn't we do a sidewalk inventory at one time for for the entire city? Have we I mean I assume we stay on them and we're constantly looking at gaps still and and closing holes and Yes sir. So we have a sidewalk inventory. You are remembering that correctly. Um, we've been focusing on filling the gaps and where we have sufficient amount of rightaway to do so and then working our way in to reduce that. And we also do that through programs like the LAP program where we identify areas that don't have any sidewalks such as these that would be um ideal candidates for the application process.

Okay. We don't have to do this Monday night, but can we work on getting that on the agenda at some point just to do an overview of where we are with sidewalks? Good. I was going to add one of the reasons Fifth Street Southeast is on is a project that we're chasing funding for is because it was one of the high priority areas identified in there and it has a lot of complications with it that make it a more complex project that would be helpful to get outside funding on.

Yeah. I mean, I fully support all of these projects and it's just to me it's like out of sight kind of out of mind. So, unless we're constantly looking at it and seeing where the gaps are and what we can do differently. I I was just wondering, so these projects are you're going to uh present them to the Pope TPO and uh so they're not really funded funded that you hope to get in line for funding. Yes, sir.

For possible funding. The other thing is is that I I looked at these and uh it's great that basically the north um Lake Ma those streets there they're basically from MLK right

going south towards Lake Ma but there's a tremendous problem with these same streets going north to Avenue Y where there are no sidewalk walks and uh so that's really uh I drive that area a lot and people are in the road cuz there's nowhere else for them to walk and I understand that a portion of these streets are not in the city limits of Winter Haven as it goes towards Avenue Y it's uh in the county but we really do need to look to see if we can Yes, sir. We've actually we've had discussions with our partners at PK County about that and some of the challenges that we have on the northern side of MLK is that there's not significant rightway in some of those areas where we really truly need that sidewalk. But we have been working through those discussions and trying to identify solutions to those needs.

Okay. And one other question. So, it's hard. I'm just trying to figure we're stopping at Avenue F on this one. Is that where the road stops and then you got to cut over or does the road keep going north there? There may be sidewalk that picks up there. There is some sidewalk north of G in certain areas. There's a safe rout to school program years ago, but I think I'm just curious to I guess more advocating, but um just do we go all the way to Dennis Stadium or

Yeah, I'd have to we'd have to look at that, mayor. It may be that there is sidewalk up in that portion. I know there is some going up further north on there, but I'm not sure where the gaps are. Yes, I believe there is some to the north of that. And so this project would make a complete connection to have that. And then we also have other projects in this area um that will be coming in the future years. Avenue C from First Street all the way back to Sixth Street Southeast will be another one of those projects that's going into design in next fiscal year. Okay. And mayor, I do know that on Avenue O where it terminates there, there's sidewalk along Avenue O and then going back south towards First Street or towards Cypress Garden Boulevard to the south.

Yeah, that one I knew. I just couldn't remember if that goes all the way to Dennis Stadium or not, but be another good access point because you'll have a lot of kids come use utilize that sidewalk to and from uh Winter Haven High School. So, and and and uh Dennis for that matter. and Brigham. Okay. Any other questions? Thank you. Uh ordinance first readings. We've got a couple of those. Sander.

Thank you. Uh Mr. Lab is going to present 2607. Yes, sir. Mayor, commissioners. Um this is a small reszoning uh approximately half acre parcel um located at 15198 Street Southwest. It would be it's a resoning request from industrial I1 uh which is our light industrial district uh to multifamily residential lowdensity R3. Um the developer intends to develop the parcel with a residential duplex. The future land use would remain the same. So it is just a a zoning request. There's no future land use request. Um surrounding uses are denoted in your fact sheet. It's consistent with the comprehensive plan. Planning commission did hear it on February 3rd uh and voted uh in favor of the project. No members of the public spoke, so we would recommend approval of the reasonzoning of this parcel.

AJ, is there another slide? There you go. Thank you. Just to give you a sense of where this is. Um it's over off of the the east side of Lake Ship, kind of in where the old central Florida gas area is, just north of that. Hence that likely original zoning that was applied there, but certainly mostly residential to the north of it. Is that within the downtown CRA or is that just out of it? It is. I I double check. I believe it's in, but I'll have to double check. We'll confirm. I know to the north of it is, but I don't know if that one falls in there.

Yeah, it comes down the the CRA comes down to Avenue R. I'm just not positive if it goes all the way to the shore of Lake Ship. Okay. Okay. Uh Mayor, just looking at the map, it does look like it falls within. Okay. So, they'll be eligible for grants and whatnot. They so choose to apply. Certainly could. Yes, sir. Okay. Uh CJ, I'll have you present on Yeah. Ordinance 2611. Good evening, mayor and commissioners. Not to be competitive, but if the commission approves this, there's a reduction of 1.8 million.

So, not to be competitive.

Um, during the preparation and adoption of the current budget, projects, contracts, and other expenditures were properly budgeted. However, prior to the close of fiscal year 2025, there were purchase orders for some budgeted projects that um weren't completed and the unspent balances were carried forward. As a result, the roll board of these purchase orders created duplicate appropriations for the current year. So, the budget amendment reflected in exhibit A is necessary to properly reflect the 2026 budget. And I'm going to walk you through um the exhibit A. So, the first one is uh the first two are parks and wreck and the first one is for uh Department of Corrections. We had uh budgeted in prior year $170,42 for two work crews. However, we didn't we rolled forward 167,216. So, we're going to reduce the budget this year by two work crews and that's $170,42. The next one is contractual services for the annual restroom cleaning. We're going to reduce the budget by 56,000. And what happened is it was a two-year contract. We rolled forward one year to 2026 and then we budgeted it in 2026. So um the one after that is the CRA downtown that is for WHG utility connections and that is a connection fee reimbursement. We rolled forward from prior year 385,397 and then we budgeted again in the current year 235,000.

So we're going to take out the 235,000 just duplicate. I believe the next ones are utilities. Um the first one professional services that's for A2 consulting and that's for 50,000. We rolled forward 48,900 from the prior year and then we budgeted 50,000 in this year. So we're reducing that. Um the next professional services is for Hail Innovation. We rolled forward from the prior year 51,878 and then we also budgeted in the current year 50,000. So we're taking that out. The next one is utility engineering and that's for Tucker Paving. we budgeted in prior year, rolled it forward and then budgeted again the 1,17,737. And then the last one is reuse distribution. That's for Ferguson Enterprises and we just rolled forward the same amount and then we budgeted the same amount. So we're going to reduce the budget by $220,355. And how this occurred is We're we're new to encumbrances. This is our second year doing it. So when we were completing the budget, I think we had there was just like everything was happening at the same time. So we're completing the budget and then purchase orders were rolled forward. So how we're going to prevent that in the future is once we do the PO roll forward to the 2027, we'll do a reconciliation immediately. And so staff recommends city commission approve 02611 amending the current year budget 02529. Yes sir.

So with the million8 where does that money go from a budgeting standpoint since we're you know we budget everything. So when we, if you recall, we did a PO roll forward. We did a budget amendment for that. And what we did is we rolled forward too much. So we're taking this portion out. Um, so it brings us back to pretty much our original budget. So it reduces like in the last one you thought you could spend 2.2 million. No, no, you can only spend 1.1 million. Okay. Yeah.

All right. Well, I'll just say I'm glad everyone is in the mode to cut costs and shave because we are less than 30 days away for our strategic planning retreat and I think that that's going to be a topic of conversation if I had to guess coming up. So, um it's uh I'm optimistic to hear we're we're cutting already. So, um, I'm going to leave it at that. I don't I'm going to leave it at that. I don't know. We're cutting, per se, as much as we're trying to be as conservative as we can.

I just heard we made a million eight. So, okay. Uh, new business. We got the CDBG allocation funding support.

Uh, Eric or Angie, who's presenting this one? Um, I'll grab it and then if there's anything specific that I can't answer, um, Angie and Andy can probably jump in. Um, so we are a municipal partner with PK County with respect to CDBG funds. Um, so that means that when Pulk County gets our allocation, then then we um, we work through them um, with the funds that are available to us um, to make applications for projects. Um our allocation for fiscal year 2627 uh is $296,22.74. Um staff has identified RH Malcolm Park as a park eligible uh a census track eligible project, a park that's eligible for improvements. The park was um last renovated in 2008, so we're going on almost 20 years. Um, this is in the southeast uh area. If you travel down uh Sixth Street, um there was a project to build some uh some town homes that has has not been completed yet. They you may recognize that project as you as you travel down that road on the southeast side.

This is over by Oak Lawn Cemetery. The park is right behind that. Yes, sir. There you go.

Yeah. Um so this is um authorization for um city commission uh to authorize the city manager's designate to submit the municipal partner proposal which would be the basically the application to PK county uh to utilize the CDBG funds for the renovation of Malcolm Park. Um that renovation would in include um new uh playground equipment, uh pour inplace safety surface, new site amenities, picnic area, and upgraded ADA access. Again, the last time that park was touched was almost 20 years ago. Maybe that's why nobody uses it,

perhaps. And and that's what these funds should be used for is this kind of Yes, sir. Okay. Um I'm sorry. Were you done? I'm sorry. Yes, sir. Okay. Um you know on that corner there that that corner was cleared out essentially. It's it's it's I guess shovel ready if you will. Yes. To build on it. And I've reached out to not only Hartford for Winter Haven, but several others. I mean that's a that's a prime location for some affordable projects. Is there have you heard any movement on that or

I would agree. So So we actually approved some development incentives, the HIPP program through the CRA um for that project. The developer went in and he put in all the infrastructure. So the utilities are in um the parking surface uh is in everything's ready to go vertical and then my understanding was he went under contract with somebody who actually wanted to provide affordable housing there. Um and then I have not heard anything since. And so I think perhaps that contract didn't pan out um for them, but I'll make note and try to reach out to the uh developer and see what I can find out.

Okay. I mean, that's that if we're going to do this nice park, I mean, gosh, um it's even more prime real estate for an affordable housing project. um especially for families living in hotels or um undesirable locations. So, Eric, do you remember how many units were in that was two separate buildings? Two buildings. I want to say it was perhaps 12 units. 13. Thank you. 13. I was close.

And so that wouldn't attract somebody like a blue sky. That project's not big enough for them. but but someone who can be more impactful. Um, we've got the affordable housing trust fund of of funds available that we could assist with. So, I I'd really like us to push forward to try to get some something happening on that corner um and maybe partnership with uh Hartford for Winter Haven or or any other organization that wants to try to move forward with affordable housing. Um I I I could just envision I mean just what a great spot for families um to reside in and have a park right next door. So I have a question. Yeah. Um

some of those houses have been torn down, totally removed. Was that by um to clear it out? Was that a forced um deal on the corner there on as you go around the cemetery where the infrastructure is now that's been put in? Mhm. Yeah. There I believe there was two or three units on that site that were were torn down. The developer purchased all those properties um and had them demolished. Yeah. And mayor, you know, the the neighbors to the east are really quiet. So yeah,

they're not dying to get any in there anymore because it's full. But um yeah, anyh who um city manager report?

Yeah. So, uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. I mentioned we're going to be traveling to Washington DC in in May. Um we're finalizing that agenda. um all the different folks that we want to meet with. Certainly with the platoon of folks that we're going to have, it's going to be somewhat of a divide and conquer approach on some of the meetings this year. I know we'll be meeting with FAA and continuing our efforts there and um uh some other agencies that that will will schedule appointments with us in advance of that. And certainly we meet with all of our congressional members from the county, right? So, we'll be meeting with uh Congressman Franklin. He has a window for the uh community appropriation program that we have succeeded in years past of getting funding for uh some for uh Willowbrook Road in the past, for North Lake Ship Drive, for Lake Howard, either through him or Congressman Sodto. Um so, we the deadline for that is approaching. Uh they actually bumped it up. I don't know if that deadline is if they set their own for that. I I seem to think that maybe they do because I think Commissioner uh Birdong, you and I spoke on Friday about some money that came from Laurel Lee's district to go towards Lakeland.

Yeah, there there's a there's a time frame. Yeah, there's a specific I just don't know if it's if it's one for all of them or if their deadlines vary, but I can tell you that Congressman Franklin's is this Friday. So, um MJ and I have been been looking at projects and talking with our team at Ballard Partners, um on what will likely have support going forward. So, I'm going to turn it over to MJ to tell you about the two uh requests that we intend to submit and we're going to provide you a letter that uh will be part of our formal application for that.

Good evening, Mayor, City Commissioner. So, yes, he said some good news there. the windows open, but it closes quick. Um, Congress's deadline is the 20th, but uh, Franklin's office would like to have everything in by Friday. Um, so they can then do their deliberations. Uh, some good news with that is that they get, uh, that each Congress member gets to select 20 projects, whereas New Year's pass has been 15. So, everybody's chances are a little better. Um, so with that, we're looking at North Lakeship Drive. So, our strategy is to submit on projects that specifically Congressman Franklin has supported in the past. Um so the first one we're looking at is North Lake Ship Drive. Um this was carried by Congressman Franklin in 2024 and that is intended to be a full rehabilitation of that corridor. So that goes from the south end of North Lake Ship Drive near Satoma Park at Avenue O all the way north till it reaches the canal between Lake May and Lake Ship. And that'd be full rehab from underground utilities, um a new cross-section of the roadway, and then hardening of uh some of the utilities, the overhead utilities, power, communications, uh some of that through the area. Total cost of that project, we're expecting to be about 12 million. Uh the city is pursuing design for that right now and has that budgeted. We got a $2 million appropriation in 2024. We asked for six. Uh we got two, which is we're grateful for. Um, and so this year we're looking at requesting an additional four, which will close that funding gap of what we were looking for originally and bring it to about a 50-50 match between the city and um, the federal contribution. And then the other project we're looking at is Willoughbrook Road. Uh, you guys are probably all familiar with this one because we carried uh, the design cost for this to the state this year. And as of uh Friday, that was included in the House's budget, but the Senate hadn't really included a lot of the uh project funding within theirs as of yet. Um but this would construct a brand new roadway between Martin Luther King Boulevard to the south and Lucern Park Road to the north. Again, it's about a $12 million

project. Um we through Congressman Franklin's office, we got a $3 million appropriation last year um of six that we were seeking or five that we were seeking last year. And so we're asking for another three this year, which again would take us to about six million from federal contribution to match 5050 to about six million from a city contribution and try to move that project to fruition. I think that's about it. If anybody has any questions on that, uh we have the the letters that you have here uh we've drafted to provide to Congressman Franklin. Um we the city commission provided a letter of support last year. Uh we'll also seek some letters of support from community partners, um school board, chamber, EDC. Those are folks that have supported these projects in the past. So we'll just be seeking some additional support on that. Again,

and we we really emphasize that these are not local roads. These are these are corridors from around the county and quite frankly around the state. Yep. Right. Yeah, we speak to that. Um specifically on North Lake Ship, we actually have some data to show the regional impact. Um that that roadway, though it's technically a city road, it operates as more of a regional road. Uh and then Willowbrook is um brand new road, right? That's new new road in the network that takes capacity off the state roads uh state 54. Can we speak to that as well? Do we have the same data that we have for North Lake Ship yet or are we trying to get that for Willowbrook?

Yes. We don't because the road the data for North Lake ship is based on existing traffic um that uses that corridor. We wouldn't know that for Willrook Road because the road doesn't exist yet. So there's we don't we're not able to gather that. But you couldn't pull that for Lucern. I mean we we can look at it for Lucern and MLK but it's hard to say of that what comes off specifically. So you uh Will Road is not in in this is it? It's a it's a separate letter. Yeah, there should be two letters there. Oh, it was another letter. Oh, okay. We didn't get the two. I only got the Willowbrook one. Okay. I signed these two already. So, this is Lake Ship. I don't have another I got Lake Ship. I need Lake Ship.

Oh, you got another ship. No. Okay. Okay. I didn't have Will Road. Okay. So, now I have Will. Okay. Okay. So my other question is um we're only going to try with Congressman Franklin. Yeah. So that's that's the the district in which these projects fall.

Well, you you uh there the House is not the only ones that have these. The Senate can do them as well. Yeah, I don't know if we've if we've pushed for those through the Senate in the past. We've relied upon our our our House members. Um, so Congressman Sodto, as I mentioned, had had supported some of those when we were within his district. And then obviously

Frank I think what we've done with um Senator Scott and Senator Rubio who was prior and now um it's um Moody um was making them aware of those projects and and asking for support towards it without actually applying through uh a means with them. As I recall, Senator Scott has not traditionally supported projects individually. Um and and Senator Moody um that's one of the items we have on the list to discuss and make her aware of our efforts when we're in DC.

And is this the recommendation of Ballard to do it this pro this process? We looked at a we looked at a number of projects and you know the from a management standpoint my my advice is you know it's it we need to get the projects done

and and get them funded to carry them across the finish line before we start putting more projects on the table. you know, I'd rather have one project that has funding to get it complete than four or five projects that just have a small amount of funding and you can't get them done. Um, so when we looked at it, we know that these were supported. We see a direct benefit in so many areas, not just in transportation, but in the utility side as well, that they check so many boxes for us. Um, they make the most sense. All right. Any other questions, concerns, comments on this item?

And we'll make sure when we go um in addition to, you know, the application that we submit that you all want to have a copy of that application, but obviously we'll have a white paper on all these as well. Okay. And hopefully some intel on what's in the state budget on the Willowbrook Road. Okay. Um I've just got one additional question. So, I know we've got our CRA meeting Monday night at 5:00. Yes, sir. Um, and I didn't see anything from the CRA meeting on this agenda. And I know we're going to be talking about new grants for downtown and Florence Villa CRA. Does that stay within the CRA or does that

Yeah, I think once if you approve that resolution at the CRA level to create that to look at. I don't believe I think it just stays there. The only thing that would come to you all would be budgetarily when we come in in the summertime, right? The CRA budget um comes to the city commission just because it's adopted as part of the overall city budget. The only other thing that you guys see as a city commission is sort of a belts and suspenders approach as John likes to call it on the tiff agreements. The reimbursement the re the tiff reimburse re reimbursement agreements. Those developers agreements usually come to the city commission on consent agenda after the CRA board approves them.

Okay. So that's your Rita Rita 2 incentives that they're they're locking in and we we will potentially have one of those coming forward at some point uh in the not too distant future. We've received an application on one. Okay. Just wanted to make sure we weren't missing. Yeah. If if the CRA board approves that resolution, then we're ready to to roll forward with getting the grant application out there or the incentive application and and begin accepting those. Okay. Any other questions from the commission?

Mr. Mayor, I'm not sure if this is more under your perview as ceremonial, but um I've received a lot of messages from folks around the state and the country um about the fallen Captain Cody Cork. Uh would it be appropriate to incorporate a moment of silence at all at the beginning of our meeting? Yeah, I and thank you for I had that written down and I just just slipped my mind. I I I think yes. I think certainly appropriate to do a moment of silence Monday night. Um, did we hear back from the state on our on our flags or

I'll I'll let Vanessa comment on that from the clerk's office, but just for the benefit of the commission, um, when we when we want to do flags, do some type of recognition by lowering flags. Our protocol, and Vanessa, correct me if I'm wrong, this is state flag protocol, that that is authorized by the governor. Um, I will say I'm I'm a little surprised that that hasn't already come forward uh in recognition of that or even from the federal government out of, you know, uh, honoring fallen soldiers in a foreign conflict. Um, we've seen it happen both ways. We have reached out to our contact in the governor's office. Um, we also did that a few weeks back requesting permission to fly our flags at half staff in remembrance in honor of former mayor Ellie Throple. Um, we have not received yet a response on that. You may recall when Commissioner JP Pal passed away, we did the same thing and I think we ended up getting that authorization the day before his his uh uh going home service. So, we put in that request. Have we heard anything back as of yet, Vanessa?

We did. We did hear from a representative in the governor's office. Um he had called today and requested um an obituary and an article. So that was sent to them. Was that on Ellie's? That was for Ellie's. Yeah, that was for Ellie's. And so that is going to be granted and they're going to be sending an official response uh sometime next week. As for the fallen officer, they did request um an obituary and that that we don't have an obituary yet, but they also wanted um articles, anything that we can send to them. Latana did send that to them earlier. Um, and they are waiting for a funeral date.

Did you refer him back to the news media across the country? She Yes, she did even send them a link from um Bay News 9. She sent them three links and they're waiting for that. They said they'll grant that, but they're going to be working on that. So, we won't hear from them until we get them an obituary. So, I I've had I had several phone calls today as well and and one was especially heated and didn't understand and I I had to brush up up on my knowledge a bit. The president and the governor are the only two individuals who can authorize a government building's flag to be lowered at half staff.

Well, of course, the response is, you know, for lack of quoting, screw them. You you guys make the decision. And um so that can't say I disagree with that but you know there's there is a proper procedure that we do have to follow as as government officials and uh it's it's mindboggling to me though that this is getting the runaround. So Bay News9 you want to report on something here you go. Um, are there any also I was going to ask are there any public services planned or is that in the purview of of the city to plan a uh a a um memorial service or is that something that would be left to the family or what the I can't recall the last service member who was killed who was actually a resident. It's been a long time. So

yeah. So, um, obviously out of the utmost respect and consideration for the family, that's where that needs to rest first and foremost. Um, and and it's it's admirable and it's great to live in a community where so many people feel impacted by that and want to do something. But I think at the same time, it's recognizing there's a family dealing with a loss here. the Florida Southern College. I I just saw a news report this afternoon that they're trying to coordinate something that he was a significant um uh member of of their admission, you know, in in their uh ROC program and the like, but I've not heard anything specifically here. I've had calls from I had phone call this afternoon from a fellow uh Winterhead High School student um from North Carolina asking what what can we do? What can we do? You know, we're we're kind of in that limbo right now. I think what what you're recommending and what Commissioner Davis said, a moment of silence certainly that's much appreciated and welcomed. Um, I think we need to give it a minute to see what what is the family what recognition in remembrance are they moving forward with? Certainly, I think that I'm hopeful that the state will come back and say, "Yeah, let's lower flags and and do what we do." If there are if if the ROC program from Lake Region where he graduated high school, if any of those groups are

planning something that impacts us or that we can support from a municipal standpoint, we will certainly do that. But we have not taken a position as of, you know, today finding out less than 24 hours ago of anything on our side. You know, I don't remember exactly the uh all of the circumstances, but I do remember that uh we welcome as an elected official welcome home a fallen soldier at the airport. I don't I don't Yeah,

I don't remember the total circumstances surrounding, but I I I seem to recall that as well, Commissioner, but I I don't have the details. I think again as we as we learn more and and we we find a way to support a family um I think that that should be our our priority that there is a family that has a there's a country that's lost a soldier there's a family that's lost a child.

I think I can speak for the entire commission on this but the entire commission stands ready to to serve in anything we can do to help the family. If per our u agenda would where would we uh do the moment of silence? So it be at the beginning uh we'd have to the preference of the commission. I'm thinking because you have the uh invocation maybe that would be the appropriate time to prior to that prior to the invocation. May want to may I don't know if you want to acknowledge that or we would uh at least uh make uh pastor Hajes aware. Well, if that's your preference to do it before the invocation, then Amanda Joe can reach out to you

and he may he may already be considering that himself, but you know, as as I would if I were doing it. Thank you, Commissioner Davis, for bringing that up. Um, also in in that kind of same sadness, um, we lost a uh a member of our downtown CRA advisory committee, Florence Villa.

Florence Villa, sorry. tragically uh I guess in the Monday it was um Delrick Leonard who served on that committee for a number of years and has appeared before this commission uh representing the Jwitt Alumni Association and has been a just a a great friend and and advocate for the city and involved in many many things. I believe Commissioner Davis last I recall he was an employee of the school board if that was still the case. Um but um just a tremendous loss. So as we as we learn more of of uh his details and I understand Reverend Dawson may

next Saturday would be uh 12 noon next Saturday at First Missionary Baptist Church.

Thank you sir. Delri grew up his family's u been a part of that church you know many generations and uh pastored Bethl Lake Alfred uh for a number of years uh he was my first son in the ministry um ordained him licensed him and um such a tragic loss uh sadly he was hit by a drunk driver um that claimed his life and uh So our entire community, faith community certainly mourns the passing of uh the Reverend D Arthur Leonard. Uh his birthday will be Monday, be 50 years old and uh so again we are we're still trying to uh he has one uh surviving brother. Uh both parents are deceased and um so it's just uh very difficult time for for many. Delrich was a strong advocate for uh education of course youth uh even all the way from our local level to the national level. He served on many boards and various positions followed me as president of congress number three recently. So his life and his was born of service great service to uh to uh this community to uh P County schools uh to the national youth and uh effort. Uh so uh really a sad sad situation for for a lot of us who uh who knew him and loved him and appreciate him and I know like you said many had uh had known him. He was a man about community and uh and served wherever he was asked to serve. So God bless his family. We'll get um all of those details and push that out to all of you so you have that if you are available to attend that service.

One more. Yes. Hi. Um I attended a funeral last Wednesday of the utility employee um Garland Walling Whitey Walling um worked with some of us um for a long time. I don't know how long how many years he had in I heard about three hours before the funeral somebody else called me to let me know. Um so that's the only way I heard about it. some of the employees that had worked with him for a while.

He was a uh superintendent within our water department that had left had retired from the city, gosh, I'm trying to think, commissioner, probably eight or 10 years ago now, but um went on to work with some other uh contractors and worked on some projects for us, but was a he was a historical figure in our organization. Most definitely. So, um, yeah, we're kind of adding the ending the meeting on a sad note with all of these passings and certainly we put on your schedules um, memorial services for former mayor and city commissioner Ellie Thrle for next week as well. Um, so very