[00:00:01]
>> GOOD EVENING. THE TIME IS NOW 7:00 PM AND I'LL CALL TO ORDER,
[Call to Order]
THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST WILL BEGIN WITH AN INVOCATION, FOLLOWED BY A MOMENT OF SILENCE, AND THEN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. PLEASE STAND.>> DEAR GOD, HELP US FULFILL OUR DUTIES.
GIVE US CLARITY OF MIND, FAIRNESS, AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS, AND STRENGTH AND COURAGE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AMEN. LET'S HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
>> PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE.
>> MAY WE HAVE ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
>> ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER KATE MORETTO.
>> OKAY. WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH A SPECIAL PROCLAMATION,
[2. Recognizing Jupiter Hammerheads 2023 Florida State League Championship. ]
WHICH I'LL READ AND THEN PRESENT.A PROCLAMATION OF THE TOWN OF JUPITER, FLORIDA CONGRATULATING THE JUPITER HAMMERHEADS ON WINNING THE 2023 FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS THE TOWN OF JUPITER HAS A LONG TRADITION OF SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL PASTIME, THE SPORT OF BASEBALL, AND WHEREAS IN RECOGNITION OF THE ENTERTAINMENT AND FINANCIAL BENEFITS AFFORDED TO THE JUPITER COMMUNITY BY HAVING A BASEBALL STADIUM IN JUPITER.
THE TOWN REQUIRED THE DEDICATION OF PARKLAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PORTION OF THE PRACTICE FIELDS AT THE ROGER DEAN CHEVROLET STADIUM COMPLEX.
WHERE'S JUPITER IS PROUD TO BE THE HOME TO ROGER DEAN CHEVROLET STADIUM, THE SPRING TRAINING HOME OF THE MIAMI MARLINS AND ST. LOUIS CARDINALS.
WHEREAS ROGER DEAN CHEVROLET STADIUM IS ALSO THE HOME OF THE JUPITER HAMMERHEADS AND THE PALM BEACH CARDINALS OF THE FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE.
WHEREAS THE JUPITER HAMMERHEADS WON THE 2023 FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP OVER THE CLEARWATER THRESHERS.
WHEREAS HAMMERHEADS DEFEATED THE THRESHERS TWO GAMES TO ONE IN THE CHAMPION SERIES.
WHEREAS THE HAMMERHEADS CLAIMED A 7-4 VICTORY IN THE FINAL GAME.
WHEREAS THE FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP WAS THE FIRST IN THE HISTORY OF THE JUPITER HAMMERHEADS ORGANIZATION.
WHEREAS THE HAMMERHEADS DEFEATED THE PALM BEACH CARDINALS IN TWO GAMES TO WIN THE EAST DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS THE HAMMERHEADS COMPILED 70 WINS DURING THE 2023 REGULAR SEASON, THE BEST RECORD IN EAST DIVISION.
WHEREAS THE JUPITER HAMMERHEADS ARE THE SAME WAY AFFILIATE OF THE MIAMI MARLINS.
NOW THEREFORE, I JIM KURETSKI, MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF JUPITER DO HEREBY EXTEND OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO THE JUPITER HAMMERHEADS PLAYERS, MANAGER NELSON PRADA, AND THE REMAINDER OF THE JUPITER HAMMERHEADS STAFF, THE ENTIRE MIAMI MARLINS ORGANIZATION, AND THE HAMMERHEADS FANS IN JUPITER AND BEYOND.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I HAVE HERE TO SET MY HAND AND SEAL ON THIS 21ST DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2023.
I'D LIKE TO PRESENT THIS TO SOME DISTINGUISHED GUESTS HERE IN ATTENDANCE.
FIRST, MIKE BAUER, GENERAL MANAGER OF ROGER DEAN STADIUM.
I GUESS COME UP AND I'LL PRESENT.
>> NICK BERNABE, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE JUPITER HAMMERHEADS, AND HECTOR CRESPO, DIRECTOR OF THE MIAMI MINOR LEAGUE OPERATIONS FOR THE MIAMI MARLINS AND BRIAN CHATTIN, ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER OF THE MARLINS.
[00:06:04]
[CITIZEN COMMENTS]
ASSISTANT, COMMENTS? DO WE HAVE ANY CITIZEN COMMENTS?
WE'RE GOING TO START WITH WAYNE POSNER, FOLLOWED BY KAREN VINSON.
>> GOOD EVENING. WAYNE POSNER, 315 CARINA DRIVE.
GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL, MAYOR, AND STAFF.
WE'RE GOING TO QUICKLY SAY, MY WORDS MIGHT BE MINCED A LITTLE SO I'M STILL RECOVERING AS YOU CAN SEE, I'M STUTTERING A LITTLE.
FIRST OF ALL, I HAD AN ACCIDENT.
IT WASN'T A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT.
I HAD A BRAIN BLEED AND THE JUPITER MEDICAL CENTER TOOK ME RIGHT IN AND OPERATED ON ME IMMEDIATELY.
I'M VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. THANK GOD.
THANK MY FAMILY, THANK ALL THE PEOPLE I KNOW AND I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE EVERYONE TODAY.
I CAME UP HERE BECAUSE AND I GUESS JUST GOT RELEASED TO DRIVE YESTERDAY, SHORT DISTANCES.
BUT I WAS READING THE NEWSPAPER THIS MORNING AND I SAW THIS.
I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN THE NEWSPAPER BEFORE.
I'M SURE EVERYONE HERE HAVE SEEN THIS BY NOW.
ATTENTION, JUPITER RESONANCE, DARKNESS, AND INJUSTICE.
I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING SO NEGATIVE AGAINST OUR GREAT COUNCIL.
I'M SURE WHEN YOU GUYS WERE THE MAJORITY OF YOU MADE YOUR DECISION ABOUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, YOU MAY NOT HAVE REALIZED THE POWER OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY UNION AND WHAT THEY CAN PUT TOGETHER.
IT'S A PAID ADVERTISEMENT, ON THE BOTTOM IT SAYS, "PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID FOR BY JUPITER RESIDENTS TO KEEP PALM BEACH COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS." THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY INDICATE THAT IT'S ACTUALLY THE RESIDENTS, IT COULD BE A PACK.
I'M SURE THE NEWS AND ALL THE JOURNALISTS WILL FOLLOW THE MONEY AND FIND OUT REALLY WHERE THAT CAME FROM.
I'M SURE IT'S GOING TO COME BACK TO SOMETHING SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT.
I JUST GOT TO APPLAUD THE BRAVERY OF OUR COUNCIL TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS AND BE VERY CONSERVATIVE WITH WHAT WE SPEND OUR MONEY ON AND HOW WE CONTROL OUR FUNDING AND OUR TAXES.
I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH, AS A CITIZEN.
AND I REALLY CAME OUT OF MY WAY TO COME HERE TONIGHT.
I'M DISAPPOINTED IN YOU, MR. MAY, YOU A NICE YOUNG MAN, AND BEING A PALM BEACH COUNTY FIREFIGHTER AND FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO VOTE ON THIS.
I'M SURE MR. BAIRD DUG INTO IT AS AN ETHICS THING, BUT MERELY, I FIND THAT DISTURBING THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO VOTE ON SOMETHING WHERE YOU GET PAID BY THE PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT AND IT DOES.
I BELIEVE YOU WORK IN THE TOWN AND YOU WERE ELECTED TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE, NOW IT SAYS A LOT MORE IRRESPONSIBLE, WASTEFUL, AND IN THE LONG RUN EVEN THREATENING.
I UNDERSTAND WE BOUGHT SOME EQUIPMENT RECENTLY WHICH WAS WITHIN THE BUDGET.
SO WHATEVER THEY SAY ABOUT THE CONSULTANTS AND WHAT THEY DID, IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S COMING TO FRUITION AND IT'S WORKING OUT.
I HOPE YOU CONTINUE ON THIS TRACK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> HI. KAREN VINSON, 1003 SIOUX STREET.
BEFORE I START TONIGHT, I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT I'M EXTREMELY THANKFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AT THESE TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT I'M EXTREMELY THANKFUL TO LIVE IN A COUNTRY THAT I CAN SPEAK MY OPINION FREELY.
WE ARE VERY LUCKY OR BLESSED IN THIS COUNTRY WHEN SO MANY OTHERS ARE NOT.
SO I'D LIKE TO WISH EVERYBODY A SAFE AND A GREAT THANKSGIVING FOR THIS YEAR.
[00:10:02]
STAY SAFE ON THE ROADS IF YOU'RE TRAVELING.THAT BEING SAID, THE PETITION TO ADD THE AMENDMENT TO THE MARCH 24TH BALLOT FOR THE JUPITER FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CERTIFIED BY THE SUPERVISORS OF ELECTIONS ON NOVEMBER 17TH.
NOW IT'S YOUR TIME TO ACT FAST.
AS A RESONANT, I'D LIKE TO ASK THE TOWN TO MOVE QUICKLY IN THIS MATTER SO THAT IT CAN BE PLACED ON THE MARCH 24TH ELECTION BALLOT.
NOW'S THE TIME FOR YOU TO SHOW THAT YOU'RE JUST NOT TRYING TO IGNORE THE PUBLIC REQUEST.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE MOTION NOW TO PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT, INSTRUCTING THE TOWN LAWYER TO ACT IN AN EXPONENTIAL WAY, SENDING THE SUPERVISORS OF ELECTIONS, WHATEVER WORDING THAT HE IS NEEDED TO PLACE THIS ON THE BALLOT FOR MARCH 24TH.
IF THERE IS A HOLD-UP, THEN IT WILL BE THE TOWN COUNCIL NOT REQUESTING THIS TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY.
[NOISE] JUST AS THE TOWN COUNCIL STATED THAT THEY WERE FORCED TO MAKE THEIR DECISION REALLY FAST ABOUT A FIRE DEPARTMENT WITHOUT A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION.
I KNOW YOU SAID YOU HAD NINE MEETINGS, I LOVE HEARING ABOUT THOSE.
MOST OF THEM WERE ABOUT THE CONTRACT OR SENDING SOMEBODY BACK TO COME BACK FOR MORE INFORMATION.
THERE WAS NOTHING BROADCAST THAT YOU ARE PLANNING ON DOING THIS UNLESS YOU GO BACK AND ITEM BY ITEM, WATCH IN DETAIL EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE WHERE YOU CAN SEE THAT SOME OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE THEIR MINDS SET UP.
THIS MUST BE DONE BY OCTOBER 15TH OF THIS YEAR.
I'M ASKING AGAIN, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE TOWN COUNCIL PLACE A MOTION TODAY, HERE AND NOW, TO ADD THIS TO TONIGHT'S AGENDA.
AS A SHOW OF GOOD FAITH THAT YOU REALLY WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR THE TOWN AND STILL CARE HOW THE RESIDENTS THINK AND FEEL, I EXPECT IT TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA NOW.
I IMPLORE YOU DO NOT DRAG YOUR FEET ON THIS.
ACT NOW, ACT FOR THE PEOPLE, AND ACT FOR THE TOWN.
>> NEXT IS KRISTIN HENRY AND LISA FREELAND.
. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
KRISTIN HENRY, 109 MAJORCA WAY, JUPITER.
I'M HERE AGAIN, SPEAKING ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TOPIC.
AS YOU KNOW, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH, THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS, SENDS A CERTIFICATE TO THE TOWN CLERK VALIDATING PETITIONS WHICH EXCEEDED THE NUMBER NEEDED FOR THE REFERENDUM ON THE BALLOT.
I AM ASKING THAT THE MEMBERS MAKE A MOTION TO PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA FOR TONIGHT'S MEETING.
WE'RE ASKING TO APPROVE THE LANGUAGE TO BE SENT TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS BEFORE DECEMBER 15TH IN ORDER TO GET A SPECIAL ELECTION PUT ON THE MARCH 2024 BALLOT.
SITTING IN YOUR HANDS OR 5,560 VOICES OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS THAT WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD.
WHETHER THESE VOICES SUPPORT ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER, THESE PETITIONS WERE CREATED AND SIGNED BY THOSE THAT FEEL A DECISION OF THIS MAGNITUDE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE TRANSPARENT FOR THE RESIDENTS TO DECIDE BEFORE SAID DECISION WAS ABRUPTLY VOTED ON BY MAJORITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
VICE MAYOR, YOU SAID IN A PREVIOUS MEETING, 'NOT EVERY ITEM CAN BE ON THE BALLOTS,' AND I AGREE.
BUT AS YOU ALSO MENTIONED, YOU DON'T FEEL THERE HAS BEEN ANOTHER SUBJECT WITH SO MANY MEETINGS.
DOESN'T THAT SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE PASSION THAT THE JUPITER RESIDENTS HAVE REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR SUBJECT MATTER? THERE WILL NEVER BE A DECISION MADE THAT DOESN'T RUFFLE FEATHERS.
YOU CERTAINLY HAVE TO HAVE THICK SKIN TO STAND WHERE YOU ALL ARE.
YOU'VE DONE SOME GREAT THINGS FOR THE TOWN, BUT WE ASK THAT YOU TAKE A PAUSE AND LET THE PEOPLE YOU WORKED FOR VOTE.
A DECISION THIS BIG AFFECTS EVERYONE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
SO ONCE AGAIN, WE'RE UP HERE ASKING THE COUNCIL TO PAUSE THE SPENDING AND PLANNING UNTIL THE ISSUE IS PLACED ON THE 2024 BALLOT OR PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOTS.
WHY NOT JUST ASK THE COUNTY FOR AN EXTENSION UNTIL THOSE THAT WILL BE AFFECTED CAN HAVE THEIR SAY? THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> [NOISE] GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS LISA FREELAND AND I LIVE IN THE HEIGHTS.
I'M NOT A MEMBER OF THE UNION, NOR AM I EMPLOYED WITH PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE.
I'M A CONCERNED JUPITER RESIDENT.
I WILL KEEP IT BRIEF THIS EVENING.
THE TOWN CLERK RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH.
THIS LETTER CONFIRMS THAT THE 5,560 SIGNATURES OF JUPITER VOTERS WERE VERIFIED, WHICH IS MORE THAN THE 10% THAT WAS REQUIRED TO BE ELIGIBLE TO ALLOW US TO HAVE THE VOICE THAT WE ARE DESPERATELY TRYING TO GET YOU TO HEAR.
WE WANT TO MAKE THE DECISION ON OUR FIRE RESCUE PROVIDER, PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
THIS CAN AND SHOULD BE PUT TO A VOTE TO BE HELD ON MARCH 17TH, 2024.
THE RESIDENTS SHOULD DECIDE WHAT IS IN OUR BEST INTERESTS, GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY.
LASTLY, A CORRECTION TO THE MISINFORMATION YOUR INTERIM TOWN ATTORNEY PUBLICLY STATED ON NOVEMBER 8TH, 2023, NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
SHE STATED, 'IT COULDN'T BE PUT ON THE BALLOT UNTIL MARCH 2025.' THERE'S NOTHING STOPPING THE TOWN FROM ALLOWING THIS TO BE PUT ON THE MARCH BALLOT.
[00:15:04]
DO THE RIGHT THING, STOP THE SPENDING, PUT IT ON THE BALLOT, AND LET US DECIDE.>> NEXT WE HAVE CAROL WATSON, FOLLOWED BY DYLAN NUQUIST.
>> GOOD EVENING. CAROL WATSON, 6500 CHASEWOOD DRIVE, APARTMENT B. I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT WAYNE POSNER SAID, SO I'M WITH HIM ABOUT OUR FIRE RESCUE, BUT I'M NOT HERE FOR THAT TONIGHT.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THE MEMORIAL VETERANS DAY EVENT WAS JUST WONDERFUL AND I THINK THAT EVERY TIME YOU GUYS DO AN EVENT LIKE THAT, IT'S JUST ALWAYS TO THE NINES.
I'M SO PROUD OF THAT VETERANS MEMORIAL.
I'VE JUST GOT RAIDED TEARS IN MY EYES.
BUT THAT'S NOT WHY I'M HERE TONIGHT.
WHEN WE HAD THAT STORM LAST WEEK, MY POWER WENT OUT AT CHASEWOOD.
NOT ONLY MY POWER AND MY BUILDING, THERE'S 32 BUILDINGS IN THAT CHASEWOOD NORTH.
SEVEN BUILDINGS DID NOT HAVE POWER.
NOW, THE FIRST UPDATE WE GOT SAID THAT THE POWER WENT OUT AT 3:00 AM.
THE FIRST UPTAKE WE GOT WAS THAT THE POWER WAS GOING TO COME BACK ON AT 8:30 AM.
WHOA, HALLELUJAH, WOULDN'T THAT BE NICE? BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN, AND AT 9:05 AM, WE GOT ANOTHER UPDATE AND SAID, "SORRY, OUR POWER IS NOT GOING TO BE BACK ON UNTIL 11:45 PM." NOW, I'M SORRY.
WE LIVE 1.2 MILES AWAY FROM THAT SUBSTATION AND ALL DOWN AND THEN TOWN ROAD AND ALL DOWN CENTRAL BOULEVARD, [NOISE] OUR POWER POLES ARE HARD.
SO IT HAD TO BE TRANSMISSIONS, OR TRANSMITTERS, OR WHATEVER THEY'RE CALLED.
I WANT TO KNOW WHY IT TOOK SO LONG. I'M NOT DONE.
SO AT 3:05, THEY SAID THAT OUR POWER WASN'T GOING TO COME UP BACK ON TIL MIDNIGHT.
WELL, I HAD TO GET MY FOOD OUT OF THE REFRIGERATOR, I HAD TO SEARCH MY CUBBY HOLE FOR HURRICANE LIGHTS BECAUSE IT GETS DARK EARLY, AND WHAT HAPPENED? THEY FIXED OUR POWER BY FIVE O'CLOCK.
EVEN THOUGH THEY SAID IT WASN'T GOING TO BE MIDNIGHT. NOW, I'M SORRY.
THAT'S A HUGE DISCREPANCY OF TIME AND IT UPSETS ME.
KATE, I WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME REPRESENTATIVES FROM FPL HERE AT THE MEETING AND FIND OUT WHY IT TAKES SO LONG WHEN WE LIVE SO CLOSE TO THAT SUBSTATION.
OUR SEVEN BUILDINGS AFFECTED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE.
IT WASN'T JUST A TINY LITTLE NEIGHBORHOOD OR ONE OR TWO HOMES.
I WANT TO KNOW HOW THEY DETERMINE WHO GETS FIXED FIRST. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> GOOD EVENING, TOWN COUNCIL.
I WANTED TO START OFF WITH THE DAD JOKE.
THIS MORNING I WAS SO EXCITED TO GO TO WORK THAT I SLEPT LIKE A BABY.
I WOKE UP EVERY TWO HOURS AND CRIED.
SOMETIMES LAUGHTER IS GOOD, ESPECIALLY IN MOMENTS WHERE WE HAVE DISAGREEMENTS.
MY COMMENTS TONIGHT ARE JUST QUESTIONS FOR MY OWN EDIFICATION PERTAINING TO SLIDES 4 AND 5 OF THE TECHNICAL UPDATE REPORT DELIVERED ON AUGUST 15TH OF 2003.
THE FIRST ONE IS ON SLIDE 4, WHERE IT MENTIONED THAT TO BE DETERMINED COST FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY, IT TOTALS IT AS TOTAL RECURRING COST FOR JUPITER FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS A TYPO WHEN IT'S LISTED TO PBCFR COST.
THE SECOND ONE IS, THE TBDS TEND TO HAVE BEEN REPORTED AS BAD THINGS.
I DON'T NECESSARILY, AFTER LOOKING AT THE NEXT SLIDE, SLIDE 5, IT EXPLAINS WHAT THEY ARE.
AND AGAIN, I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND FOR MYSELF, SO WHEN IT SAYS NON-BUDGETED SITUATIONS TBD, NEW STATION COSTS TBD, AND MOVE-UP COST TBD, WOULDN'T IT ALSO BE TO DETERMINABLE COST BY JFRD? CAN YOU PROVIDE NON-BUDGETED SITUATIONS LIKE ANOTHER COVID EVENT?
[00:20:05]
COULD YOU PROVIDE A NON-BUDGETED SITUATION LIKE A HURRICANE OR FLOODING, ANYTHING LIKE THAT? DO YOU HAVE THAT AVAILABLE? HOW I UNDERSTAND HOW THIS DOES ON THE NEXT SLIDE IS, PALM BEACH FIRE RESCUE IS SAYING, HEY, FOR ANYTHING THAT'S AN ADDED NON-BUDGET SITUATION, JUPITER IS ONLY VIABLE FOR $100,000 ANNUALLY.BUT IF YOU'VE HAD A JFRD SITUATION, IS THERE ARE NO CEILING? IF IT COSTS MORE THAN $400,000 ANNUALLY, WOULD THE TAXPAYER BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN THAT? THE OTHER THING IS IF YOU'RE ADDING MORE STATIONS OR YOU'RE RENOVATING STATIONS.
IT SAYS HERE THAT ADDED COST OF STATION RENOVATIONS AND REPAIRS, AN EXCESS OF $200,000, UP TO 400,000 PER PROJECT PER STATION.
IF YOU'RE ADDING TWO STATIONS AT AN ESTIMATED $43.9 MILLION, THAT'S WHAT THE TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING.
BUT IF PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE HAD TO ADD A NEW STATION BECAUSE THEY HAD TO SERVICE, WOULD JUPITER ONLY BE LIABLE FOR UP TO $400,000 FOR RENOVATION IN THE STATION? I'M JUST CONFUSED, BECAUSE I AM GETTING A SENSE BY LOOKING AT THIS THAT MAYBE THE TBDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON THE OTHER SIDE TOO, AND IF THEY ARE, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE THEM.
THAT BEING SAID, HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY YOUR TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY AND SOME GOOD FOOD.
>> THE LAST COMMENT TONIGHT IS ANDY WESTON.
>> GOOD EVENING. ANDY WESTON, 949 DOLPHIN.
THAT'S THE ROAD IT'S NOT A REAL ROAD, AND THAT JUPITER FIRE RESCUE CAN'T FIND MY HOUSE.
UPS CAN FIND IT, AND THEY ARE DRIVING AROUND IN BROWN TRUCKS ALL DAY LONG, TWO DOORS, NO AIR CONDITIONING, JUST TO POINT THAT OUT.
MAYOR KURETSKI, VICE MAYOR DELANEY, BOTH BROUGHT UP NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
THAT'S TWO OUT OF THE FOUR OTHER COUNSELORS.
CAM, YOU GOT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, AND AS SUCH, YOU'RE REALLY STEPPING INTO UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR.
I THINK MAYBE YOU SHOULD ASK THE OTHER TWO COUNCILORS WHETHER THEY AGREE AND RETHINK WHERE YOU'RE AT ON THAT.
I AM A SUPPORTER OF THE FIRE RESCUE CREATED BY THE TOWN OF JUPITER.
YOU HAD A FELLOW, AT THE LAST MINUTE, JAMES GUYN, AND WE'RE ALL SCRATCHING OUR HEADS, BECAUSE HE SAID HE BOUGHT A HOUSE FOR 500,000 AND HE'S ONLY PAYING $180 OR SOMETHING FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WELL, YOU ONLY HAD 100,000 ASSESSMENT, AND SO WHAT SCOTT HAD SAID ABOUT THE ESTIMATE OF WHAT THE COST WOULD BE FOR A $500,000 HOUSE WAS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
WELL, HE HAD A $500,000 HOUSE, BUT THAT WAS NOT HIS ASSESSED VALUE, THAT WAS HIS VALUE THAT THE COUNTY EVEN AGREED WITH THAT 500,000.
I PAY 500 AND ALMOST 600, BUT A LOT OF MY NEIGHBORS ARE PAYING $1,000, $2,000, 3,000.
THE WINNER ON OUR STREET IS PAYING $8,000 IN FIRE TAX, AND THERE'S NO HOUSE ON IT, IT'S A VACANT LOT.
THAT'S A RELEVANT NUMBER THAT IN THE NEGOTIATION AS I KNOW IT WAS TALKED ABOUT, THAT THE MILLAGE RATE WAS GOING TO BE MORE THAN THE TOWN'S RATE.
IN OUR TOWN MILLAGE RATE, 2.7 INCLUDES THE COST OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
PALM BEACH COUNTY DEVELOPED THIS SITUATION TO MAKE IT WHERE IT COST ABOUT $25 MILLION FOR OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT AS WHAT YOU'RE PLANNING ON.
I BELIEVE YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT.
EVEN IF YOU'VE GOT THESE UNTOLD THINGS, YOU ADD THE SAME ON ESTIMATES, THE TBDS AS PALM BEACH COUNTY.
KEEP GOING. I THINK IF YOU HAVE 5,000 OR 10% OF THE SIGNED PETITIONS, IT'S THE NEXT MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE TOWN ATTORNEY SAID.
YOU NEEDED 20% TO GET IT TO STAND ON AN ELECTION.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S RIGHT, BUT MAYBE YOU CAN CONFIRM THAT.
I APPRECIATE IT. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL.
[00:25:04]
[3. November 8, 2023 Town Council Special Meeting Minutes.]
COUNCIL WE HAVE BEFORE US THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 8TH MEETING AND WE ALSO HAVE SOME CORRECTIONS ON THE DIAS.IS THERE ANY MORE CORRECTIONS OR I'LL TAKE A MOTION?
>> MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED.
ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA,
[CONSENT AGENDA]
IS THERE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT WANTS TO PULL A CONSENT AGENDA ITEM?>> STAFF WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE ITEM 8.
I WOULD'VE PULLED 8 AS WELL, BUT PROBABLY FOR THE SAME REASON.
COUNCIL, WE HAVE BEFORE US AND WE'LL TAKE A MOTION TO AMEND THE AGENDA PULLING ITEMS 6, 7, AND 8 OFF THE CONSENT.
>> IT'S TO ADOPT THE AMENDED AGENDA.
>> YOU ASKED FOR A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AMENDED AGENDA, CORRECT?
>> TO ADOPT THE AMENDED AGENDA.
ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> REGRETS, I DO NEED TO GO BACK BECAUSE WE HAD QUASI-JUDICIAL ON NUMBER 5A AND B, AND 6 GOT PULLED.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUASI-JUDICIAL ON 5A AND B? I HAD NONE.
>> I GUESS I SHOULD ASK TOWN ATTORNEY TO READ ORDINANCE 18-23 ON SHORT TITLE.
[4. Ordinance 18-23, First Reading, - Local Building Code Amendment to the Florida Building Code 8th Edition (Second reading 12/19/23).]
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF JUPITER, FLORIDA, AMENDING ORDINANCE 19-20 IN CHAPTER 21 OF THE JUPITER CODE OF ORDINANCES, ENTITLED BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS; PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF SECTION 21-87, REGARDING LOCAL AMENDMENTS PERTAINING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE 8TH EDITION 2023 OF THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE AS SET FORTH IN EXHIBIT A, PROVIDING FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF VIOLATIONS, PROVIDING THAT IN THE EVENT OF CONFLICT, THE MORE STRINGENT PROVISIONS SHALL PREVAIL, PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR THEIR REPEAL OF LAWS IN CONFLICT, PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE BY REFERENCE ONLY, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> CAN I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON APPROVING THE AMENDED AGENDA?
>> MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
[6. Resolution 101-23 – Quasi-Judicial - Jupiter Medical Center site plan amendment to request a setback waiver to the parking garage.]
PULLED BY VICE MAYOR.>> MAYOR, MY WIFE'S AN EMPLOYEE OF JUPITER MEDICAL.
SO FOR THE APPEARANCE OF CONFLICT, I'M GOING TO ABSTAIN FROM THE VOTE.
>> NOBODY ELSE PULLED THIS ONE.
ON ITEM NUMBER SIX, CAN I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON RESOLUTION 101-23?
>> MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 4-0 WITH THE VICE MAYOR DELANEY ABSTAINING.
IS ORDINANCE 20-23 ON THIS AGENDA?
>> WHICH IS PART OF THE CONSENT AGENDA?
>> MAY I READ THAT ORDINANCE, PLEASE?
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF JUPITER, FLORIDA AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 57-89 THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF THE TOWN OF JUPITER PROVIDING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION AND THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF APPROXIMATELY 15.78 ACRES OF TOWN-OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET SOUTH OF
[00:30:04]
EAST FREDERICK SMALL ROAD AND ITS INTERSECTION WITH PALMWOOD ROAD WITHIN THE BEARS CLUB PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT FROM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO CONSERVATION, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF LAWS IN CONFLICT, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF JUPITER, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE TOWN'S OFFICIAL ZONING MAP TO REZONE APPROXIMATELY 15.78 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET SOUTH OF EAST FREDERICK SMALL ROAD AND PALMWOOD ROAD INTERSECTION WITHIN THE BEARS CLUB PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT FROM RESIDENTIAL, SINGLE FAMILY, R-1, TO CONSERVATION PRESERVATION, CP, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF LAWS IN CONFLICT, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
IF I COULD JUST CONFIRM, THERE WERE NO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT WISH TO SPEAK OR AN ORDINANCES 20 OR 21?
>> THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 7.
[7. Resolution 108-23, Approving FY23 Year-End Budget Amendments.]
I BELIEVE THIS WAS POTENTIALLY PULLED BY SEVERAL, INCLUDING A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC.>> JUST ONE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC, KAREN VINSON.
>> HI, KAREN VINSON, 1003 SIOUX STREET.
IT HAS LISTED ON IT FOR THE JUPITER FIRE RESCUE FUND.
SO I'M HERE TO OBJECT ONCE AGAIN TO THE NO-BID HIRING OF A CONSULTANT FIRM THAT'S ALREADY APPROVED TO SUPPLY INACCURATE AND SKEWED NUMBERS.
WE ALREADY KNOW THIS IS GOING TO TAKE A LOT MORE MONEY THAN WHAT THE FIRM ORIGINALLY SAID IT WOULD, BUT WE STILL WANT TO TRUST THEM.
THERE WAS NO BID FOR THIS CONTRACT, AND AT LAST MEETING, IT WAS BROUGHT TO LIGHT THAT THERE WERE A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TOWN MANAGER AND THE FIRM.
HOW IS THIS TRUSTWORTHY? I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY MONEY.
WE NEED TO TRAIL AND WE NEED TO FIND THE INACCURACIES.
THERE ARE NEEDS THAT NEED TO BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED INTO THE CONNECTION AND THE CONTRACTS FOR THE CONSULTING FIRM SERVICES WITHOUT PROPER VETTING OR PUTTING UP FOR OPEN BIDS.
AT THIS POINT, IT'S JUST THROWING MONEY AWAY, BUT IT SEEMS THAT YOU'VE ALREADY SET THAT PRECEDENCE WITH THE WHOLE FIRE DEPARTMENT THING.
SMALL TOWNS START FIRE DEPARTMENTS LIKE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT MANY YEARS AGO THAT GREW WITH OUR COMMUNITY AT THIS POINT, WE ARE WAY TOO BIG TO TRY AND START OUR OWN FIRE DEPARTMENT AND MEET THE NEEDS THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING, ESPECIALLY IN THE MANNER OF RUSH, RUSH, RUSH, HURRY, HURRY, HURRY.
THIS IS NOT WHAT I CALL BEING PHYSICALLY RESPONSIBLE.
JUST FOR COMPARISON, SINCE I KEEP HEARING AN AWFUL LOT ABOUT PALM BEACH GARDENS FIRE RESCUE, PALM BEACH GARDENS FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS FIVE FIRE STATIONS.
THIS JUST COMING FROM A LAYPERSON BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THAT.
BUT I DID LOOK IT UP TODAY, FIVE FIRE STATIONS, A LADDER TRUCK, TWO BRUSH TRUCKS, AND A BOAT.
THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE AN INLET LIKE WE DO.
YOU WANT TO BUILD THREE FIRE STATIONS, GOD KNOWS WHERE, IN A TOWN THAT IS "BUILT OUT", NOT MY WORDS, THOSE ARE YOURS.
ACCORDING TO THE 2020 CENSUS, JUPITER POPULATION IS 61,000, AND A POPULATION DENSITY OF APPROXIMATELY 2,600 PEOPLE PER SQUARE MILE.
PALM BEACH GARDENS' POPULATION IS 59,000 AND A POPULATION DENSITY OF 1,019.
2,600 VERSUS 1,019 AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT WITH THREE FIRE STATIONS.
I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THAT TO YOU.
AGAIN, THIS IS NOT WHAT I CALL THEM PHYSICALLY RESPONSIBLE. THANK YOU.
WAS ANYBODY ON THE COUNCIL THAT PULLED THIS ONE? NO?
>> CAN I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON RESOLUTION 108-23? WE DID HAVE SOME CORRECTIONS ON THE DIAS, JUST TO DATE CORRECTION.
ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING, AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES FOUR TO ONE WITH COUNCILOR MAY DISSENTING.
MOVING ON TO RESOLUTION 109-23,
[8. Resolution 109-23, providing Suntrail Grant support and commit to a maintenance agreement if awarded for a US1 shared use path south of the new bridge to Indiantown Road.]
AGENDA ITEM 8 PULLED BY THE ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER AND THEN I WAS GOING TO PULL IT PROBABLY FOR THE SAME REASON.>> YES. I BELIEVE MR. SICKLER WILL GIVE AN UPDATE.
>> GOOD EVENING, JOHN SICKLER FROM PLANNING AND ZONING.
FOR THE RECORD, STEPH REQUESTED THIS ITEM TO BE PULLED TO
[00:35:02]
BE REVISED TO EXTEND THE LIMITS OF THE SUN TRAIL GRANT, WHICH IN THE RESOLUTION BEFORE YOU IS FROM THE SOUTHSIDE OF THE US-1 BRIDGE DOWN TO JUST NORTH OF INDIANTOWN ROAD.THE REQUEST IS TO REVISE THE RESOLUTION, WHICH I HAVE COPIES HERE, TO GO FROM THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BRIDGE UP TO THE NORTH TOWN LIMITS.
THAT WOULD INCORPORATE THAT INTO THE STUDY AREA AND THAT NORTH SECTION, WE WOULD INCORPORATE IT INTO OUR GRANT REQUESTS AS A SECOND PHASE, MAINTAINING OUR PRIORITY FOR THE SOUTHERN SECTION.
I WILL PROVIDE THAT TO THE COUNCIL IF YOU'D LIKE.
>> DO WE KNOW IF WE HAVE TO REVISE IT? CAN I KNOW THEY WENT TO THE EPA OR CAN IT JUST BE CHANGED AS IS?
>> SORRY, JUST A SECOND. MY BATTERY WENT DEAD. IF YOU COULD JUST REPEAT.
>> DO WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO DO A SECOND PHASE OR IS IT POSSIBLE TO JUST AMEND THE FIRST PHASE?
>> IT'S POSSIBLE. WE JUST FELT LIKE THERE SHOULD BE A PRIORITY BETWEEN THE TWO.
IT WOULD STILL BE STUDIED ALTOGETHER SO FAR AS THE FEASIBILITY AND WE CAN KIND OF FASHION THAT.
I MEAN, THIS DOESN'T AFFECT THE RESOLUTION, BUT IF YOU WANT TO HAVE SOME FURTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT IN A WAY.
>> NOT THAT I WANT FURTHER DISCUSSION, I APPRECIATE YOUR EXTENDING IT TO THE NORTH BOUNDARY FOR REASONS THAT WE HAD DISCUSSED.
VERY LOGICAL AND TO THE DEGREE THAT TPA AND FDOT GO ALONG WITH IT, IT JUST SEEMS MAYBE IT COULD BE COVERED IN ONE PROJECT.
I DIDN'T WANT US TO BE FORCING IT HAS TO BE TWO PHASES.
>> IT WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE, BUT I GUESS WE WANTED TO CONVEY A PRIORITY TO THE SOUTHERN SECTION MAYBE WE CAN HANDLE THAT DIFFERENTLY.
WE DID GET CONFIRMATION FROM THE TPA THAT THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM TO MAKE THIS CHANGE AND WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR CONFIRMATION FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, BUT THAT WOULDN'T AFFECT OUR GRANT REQUEST.
THIS RESOLUTION WOULD BE APPLICABLE IN EITHER CASE.
IT'S JUST WHETHER OR NOT THEY AGREE TO EXTEND THE LIMITS. THANK YOU.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? IF NOT, I'LL TAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ONTO REPORTS. TOWN ATTORNEY?
[TOWN ATTORNEY]
>> THANK YOU MAYOR. AS YOU KNOW AND HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP TODAY, THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS DID CERTIFY THAT THERE WERE ENOUGH SIGNATURES TO PLACE A VEHICLE REFERENDUM QUESTION ON THE BALLOT.
WE'VE EVALUATED THAT QUESTION SINCE THE BOXES HAVE BEEN RETURNED AND WHETHER THE AMENDMENT WERE TO BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION IN 2024 OR WHETHER IT WAS TO BE PLACED ON THE GENERAL ELECTION AS THE STATUTE REFERENCES, IN MARCH OF 2025.
THE CHANNEL IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE SUPERVISOR WITH A QUESTION THAT IT BELIEVES IS LEGAL.
WE'VE CONCLUDED THAT THE PROPOSED REFERENDUM QUESTION IS MISLEADING, THAT THE AMENDMENT DOES NOT BELONG TO THE CHARTER THAT'S BEING PROPOSED WOULD NOT CONFLICT WITH EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE TOWN'S CHARTER, STATE STATUTES, AND THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION.
IT WOULD NOT BE MY RECOMMENDATION TO PLACE THAT PARTICULAR REFERENDUM QUESTION IN THAT PARTICULAR AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER ON EITHER IN MARCH 2024 BALLOT OR IN MARCH 2025 BALLOT.
OTHER THAN THAT, MY OTHER REPORT IS THAT THE VOYAGE CASE, WHICH WAS FILED IN FEDERAL COURT, WHICH WAS A RECOVERY CENTER SEEKING TO EXPAND ITS COUNSELING OFFICE BUILDING THAT THEY OCCUPY IN THE TOWN WAS DISMISSED BY THE FEDERAL COURT BEFORE AN OPPORTUNITY TO AMEND THE COMPLAINT AND GET IT RIGHT.
THAT WOULD BE A DIFFICULT CHALLENGE.
THAT'S THE MOST RECENT CASE THAT'S BEEN FILED AND DISMISSED AGAINST THE TOWN.
>> THANK YOU. HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
[TOWN MANAGER]
>> JUST A COUPLE OF ITEMS, MAYOR.
FIRST JUST A REMINDER FOR EVERYBODY THAT THE TREE LIGHTING AND THERE'S SNOW PLACE LIKE JUPITER EVENT IS NEXT FRIDAY.
[00:40:02]
IT'S QUICKLY COMING INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON FOR US.THAT BEGINS AT 5:30 AND THE TREE LIGHTING WILL BE AT 6:30.
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE TO FLIP THE SWITCH AND LIGHT UP JUPITER.
>> IT'S PROBABLY A WEEK FROM FRIDAY.
>> DECEMBER 1ST A WEEK FROM FRIDAY.
THEN JUST A BRIEF UPDATE ON THE NEW TOWN HALL BUILDING.
WE'VE RECEIVED GOOD NEWS TODAY THAT THE STOCKING PERMIT WAS APPROVED.
NEXT WEEK, OUR VENDORS WILL BE ABLE TO START INSTALLING FURNITURE AND FIXTURING AND THAT KEEPS US ON TRACK FOR A MID-DECEMBER MOVE-IN DATE.
WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. THE NUMBER OF COUNCIL MEETINGS AT THIS DIAS ARE WANING.
SOAK IT UP WHILE YOU CAN AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
[TOWN COUNCIL – LIAISON REPORTS AND COMMENTS]
>> JUST AT THE REQUEST OF THE RESIDENTS, I JUST WANT TO TRY TO PROVIDE EITHER DIRECTION OR I DON'T KNOW IF IT HAS BEEN IN THE FORM OF A MOTION TO PLACE THE CHARTER AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT AND PROVIDE THE LANGUAGE TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS BEFORE DECEMBER 15TH.
I READ IT. I THINK IT'S LEGALLY SUFFICIENT FROM WHAT IT'S REQUESTING.
I'VE JUST PUT THE EMAILS THAT I RECEIVED TODAY AND THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE IN THE AUDIENCE, I'M JUST TRYING TO ADVOCATE FOR THEM TO PLACE IT ON THE BALLOT IN MARCH, IF POSSIBLE.
>> WELL, IS THIS DISCUSSION OR IS IT.
>> IT'S IN THE REPORTS, BUT I DO THINK TO THE DEGREE THAT I THINK WE'VE RECEIVED THE REPORT FROM A TOWN ATTORNEY AND WHICH IS PRETTY CLEAR.
WE WANT TO SET EXPECTATIONS THAT, IS THERE ANY AGREEMENT WITH COUNCIL MAY OTHERWISE, I'M GOING TO SUGGEST, IN THIS CASE, FOR COMMENTS.
IN MY CASE, I'LL JUST SAY THAT I AGREE WITH THE TOWN ATTORNEY.
I THINK HIS OPINIONS ABOUT THE REFERENDUM QUESTION.
I SAY THAT NOT BEING AN ATTORNEY, BUT JUST MY OWN OPINION.
SECONDLY, I KNOW WE'VE BEEN DIVIDED SOMEWHAT ON THE COUNCIL WHERE SOME FROM DAY ONE, WE'RE WILLING TO DOUBLE THE TAX RATE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, I COULD PULL A PAUSE AT THE RISK OF DOUBLING TAX RATE ON OUR CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES.
I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF PROCEEDING WITH THAT ITEM.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S CLEAR TONIGHT.
I DON'T WANT IT ON THE NEXT AGENDA.
IT'S REJECTED. ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO COMMENT?
>> I'D LIKE TO COMMENT, IF I COULD PLEASE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HEARD THAT WAS PRETTY EMINENT ABOUT OPPOSING WHAT OCCURRED BEFORE WAS PUTTING AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA TO BE VOTED ON WITHOUT SUFFICIENT PUBLIC NOTICE.
I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT BEING PUT ON TONIGHT.
THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST TWO WEEKS NOTICE FOR AN AGENDA ITEM SO PUBLIC THAT DOES INTEREST IN IT CAN BE HERE.
MY MAJOR OPPOSITION WAS, EXCEPT FROM WHAT I'D HEARD BEFORE THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE THE SAME NIGHT, SOMETHING IS VOTED ON, THAT IT'S PUT ON THE AGENDA.
I'M GOING TO RESPECT THE WISHES FOR THAT.
>> WE DID THE OPEN SPACE BOND REFERENDUM AND REFERENCES, BUT VERY TECHNICALLY HAVE TO BE CORRECT SO IF THIS ISN'T LEGAL, IT WOULDN'T BE PROPER TO PUT THAT LANGUAGE ON A VALID ANYWAY SO THAT ONE IS OUT.
I ALSO AGREE WITH COUNCIL FOR THAT.
WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE NOTICE PUT ON A BALLOT.
BUT I ALSO AGREE WITH THE MAYOR THAT I JUST CAN'T PROMOTE DOWN THE ROAD SOMEBODY'S PALM BEACH FIRE TAX RATE WOULD BE HIGHER THAN ALL OF THEIR JUPITER TOWN TAXES, INCLUDING POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WE'VE ALWAYS LIVED ON BEACH FIRE, GREAT RELATIONSHIP AND I ALWAYS APPRECIATE EVERYBODY COMING AND WHETHER THEY AGREE WITH THIS OR NOT, BUT I JUST CAN'T PUT MY NAME ON THAT.
I WOULD NEVER MAKE THIS DECISION IF I DON'T HAVE FAITH IN OUR STAFF THAT WE COULD PUT TOGETHER THE FANTASTIC DEPARTMENT IN THE TIME THAT WE HAVE A LOT TO GET IT DONE.
WE'VE ALREADY TAKEN SOME FIRST STEPS ALONG THE WAY.
I JUST THINK WE JUST GOT TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD. THAT'S IT.
>> I AGREE. I TRUST OUR FLORIDA-BARRED TOWN ATTORNEY AND HIS FIRM.
I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY, BUT I DO AND WE'RE NOT ATTORNEYS, BUT WE CAN TALK TO OUR STAFF, QUESTION THEM.
WE HAD A NUMBER OF RESIDENTS SPEAK TO THE PROCESS.
[00:45:02]
I THINK WE HAVE TO CLARIFY THE PROCESS AND I THINK THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES ATTORNEY PROBABLY NEEDS TO CLARIFY THE PROCESS FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING WITH IT.WE DO HAVE THE LETTER FROM THE CERTIFICATION BUT THE CERTIFICATION IS FOR THE SIGNATURES.
IT SAYS AT THE VERY END OF THE CERTIFICATION THAT SHE HAS SATISFYING ONLY THE SIGNATURES THAT THEY MATCH THE SIGNATURES ON FILE.
THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS IS NOT CERTIFYING THE VALIDITY OR LEGAL SUFFICIENCY OF THE PETITIONS.
WHEN I WAS SAID EARLIER THAT THE PETITION WAS CERTIFIED, THAT IS NOT ACCURATE.
I AGREE WITH OUR TOWN ATTORNEY.
>> COUNCIL SUNDSTROM, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE?
>> FIRST OF ALL, I'M GOING TO BE REALLY SAD TO LEAVE THE TOWN HALL.
I DO REALLY LIKE, I DON'T KNOW, YOU GET AFFECTION FOR SOMETHING, THE CARPET, ALL OF IT, THE SMELLS.
I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT IT'S OUR LIVING ROOM AT SOME POINT.
I DID SAY IN THE LAST MEETING WE HAD A LONG MEETING, IT WAS FOUR HOURS LONG AT THE LAST TOWN-HOME OR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING THAT I WOULD TRY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT WERE POSED IN PUBLIC COMMENTS.
I'M GOING TO TRY TO DO THAT TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
AGAIN, RESPONDING TO COMMENTS I'D SPOKEN ABOUT THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS CERTIFYING SIGNATURES AND NOT THE PETITION LANGUAGE.
THAT IS ONE THING THAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE POINTED OUT.
WE DID DISCUSS THE CONTRACT OVER NINE PUBLIC MEETINGS.
THE OPTIONS FOR FIRE RESCUE ARE TYPICALLY THE COUNTY OR STARTING YOUR OWN.
THIS ISN'T THE PRIVATE SECTOR WITH SEVERAL COMPANIES COMING TO.
WE'VE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT THE LIMITED OPTIONS AND IN THAT, EVERY MEETING WAS ALWAYS ABOUT THAT CHOICE OF DO WE STAY WITH THE COUNTY OR START OUR OWN LOOKING AT ALL THE COSTS? YES, WE DID TALK ABOUT THOSE AT SEVERAL PUBLICLY NOTICED MEETINGS.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE CONSULTANT AND ALL THE WORK HE'S DONE.
WE ALL HIRED HIM, ALL FIVE OF US VOTED ON THAT ITEM IN 2022.
THE REASON THAT WE APPROVED HIS CONTRACT THE SECOND TIME IS BECAUSE OF ALL THE WORK HE HAD DONE BEFORE AND NOT WANTING TO LOSE TIME AND STARTING A FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THREE YEARS.
WE DO HAVE THE DEADLINE OF OCTOBER 1ST, 2026. LET'S SEE.
THERE IS NOTHING STOPPING THE TOWN FROM HAVING IT IN 2024.
THE LANGUAGE IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
AGAIN, I SPOKE TO THE PETITION THAT I RECEIVED IN MY HOME AND THAT I READ.
I ALSO SPOKE TO MY OWN EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE OF THE LIBRARY ONE WEEKEND AND WHAT I WAS TOLD WAS THAT ALL THE STATIONS IN JUPITER WOULD BE CLOSED UNLESS I SIGNED A PETITION, MANY PEOPLE SIGNED IT WITHOUT READING IT.
I DO WANT TO SAY THAT THAT IS MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
WE DID RECEIVE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.
WE DID POST AN EMAIL, IT'S ON OUR WEBSITE.
IT WAS COMPLAINT DRIVEN AND TO THE EXTENT THERE ARE PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS LOOKING AT SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT WE DID RECEIVE FROM RESIDENTS.
TBD IS ON BOTH SIDES? YES. COST IS A FACTOR, LOCAL CONTROL IS ALSO A FACTOR.
WE HAVE ONE COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF SEVEN THAT ANSWERS TO US.
ON THIS COUNCIL, WE ALL ANSWER TO YOU.
WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE, YOU HAVE ONE COMMISSIONER.
ALL OF THE OTHERS, THEY DO VOTE ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES.
THEY DO TRY TO LISTEN TO THE RESIDENCE.
BUT HERE, WE'RE ALL ACCOUNTABLE TO YOU AND WE ALL MUST BE TRANSPARENT.
I PERSONALLY LOVE THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE 2 AND 4 DOOR AMBULANCE DISCUSSION.
I LOVED ALL OF THE ACCESS TO INFORMATION THAT RESIDENTS WERE PROVIDED.
I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT MUCH INFORMATION PROVIDED TO RESIDENTS ON FIRE RESCUE OUTSIDE OF OUR OWN CONTRACT NEGOTIATION A LONG TIME, AND SO IT'S REALLY REFRESHING.
I DID STATE THAT MUNICIPALITIES DO HAVE THEIR OWN HONOR CODES, THEIR OWN CODES OF ETHICS.
I DID TALK ABOUT HOW THE COUNTY COMMISSION ON ETHICS DOES NOT ADDRESS PERCEPTIONS OF BIAS, DOES NOT ADDRESS IMPARTIALITY.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS THAT CONTINUE TO PRESENT THEMSELVES WITH THAT AND IT IS TROUBLING AND CONCERNING TO ME AND THAT'S ALL I'LL SAY ABOUT THAT. THANK YOU.
THANKS TO STAFF AND EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN PUTTING TOGETHER A GREAT VETERANS DAY MEMORIAL.
[00:50:02]
WE HAD A GREAT TURNOUT.I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE THEY'VE ALWAYS FANTASTIC.
THERE WAS ONE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN THERE THAT HE WAS 92, 95.
HE WAS AT THE SURRENDER IN TOKYO HARBOR.
WHEN HE WAS 16, HE SIGNED UP WITH THE NAVY AND HE LIED ABOUT HIS AGE.
HE SAID HE WAS SO CLOSE TO EMPEROR TOJO HE COULD SPIT ON HIM. HE WANTED TO.
ANYWAY, IT WAS A FANTASTIC DAY.
OTHER THAN THAT, EVERYBODY HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING AND EAT A LOT. BE CAREFUL.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HOW WELL I THOUGHT OF THAT EVENT AS WELL.
BUT THAT MEANT A LOT TO THE ATTENDEES, A LOT TO THE VETS THAT WERE THERE AND YOU COULD SEE IT IN THEIR FACE.
THEY APPRECIATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT.
I COMMEND THE TOWN AND THE TOWN STAFF FOR HAVING HOSTED THAT EVENT.
LAST NIGHT, I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO ATTEND THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE OF MARY HINTON AND I WAS VERY IMPRESSED.
THEY HAD A SLIDESHOW AND DISCUSSED AT LENGTH WHAT SHE HAD DONE FOR THE TOWN AND I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO HER FAMILY FOR THE TOWN'S APPRECIATION AND MY PERSONAL APPRECIATION FOR WHAT SHE DID FOR THE TOWN, BUT WHAT SHE DID FOR THE VETS.
HER INVOLVEMENT WITH THE RENEWAL COALITION WAS OUTSTANDING.
SHE HELPED HUNDREDS OF VETERAN FAMILIES.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY KNOWS ABOUT THE RENEWAL COALITION THAT WAS HERE LOCALLY.
THEY PROVIDED RETREATS FOR NOT JUST WOUNDED VETERANS, BUT FOR FAMILIES.
THEY WOULD BRING FAMILIES OF WOUNDED VETERANS AND PROVIDE A WEEK FOR THEM JUST TO DECOMPRESS.
I GOT INVOLVED WITH THAT AND THAT WAS A VERY GOOD PROGRAM.
A LOT OF GOOD PERSONAL FEEDBACK WATCHING HOW THESE WOUNDED, SOME HORRIFICALLY WOUNDED VETERANS WERE TREATED.
I THINK WE SHOULD ALL BE GRATEFUL TO MARY FOR HER EFFORT IN THAT REGARD.
EVERYBODY HAVE A GOOD THANKSGIVING.
>> JUST IN CLOSING, I KNOW IT'S A SMALLER EVENT BUT GRETZKY FAMILY HOUSE LIGHTING DATE WILL BE FRIDAY, THE 24.
ONE WEEK EARLY, I GET MINE DONE EARLY BECAUSE SCIENCE SAYS THAT THOSE THAT PUT A HOLIDAY DECORATIONS, GENERALLY THEY'RE HAPPIER, SO IT GETS ME IN THE SPIRIT.
WITH THAT, I WISH EVERYBODY HAPPY THANKSGIVING. THANK YOU.
WITH THAT, IT'S NOW 7:52, WE'LL ADJOURN THE MEETING
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.