[00:00:03]
>> [BACKGROUND] GOOD EVENING THE TIME IS NOW 7:00 PM
[Call to Order]
AND I'LL CALL TO ORDER THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5TH.WE'LL BEGIN WITH AN INVOCATION, FOLLOWED BY A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, JOIN ME IN STAND, PLEASE.
>> DEAR, GOD HELP US TO BE MINDFUL OF OUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY, AND ALLOWS US TO SEE THE STRENGTH OF HARMONY AND TEAMWORK AND OVERCOME THAT WHICH DIVIDES US. AMEN.
>> LET'S HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
MAY WE HAVE A ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
[1. Presenting a Meritorious Award to Officers Sales-Lopez, Wyatt, and Sergeant Counihan]
WE HAVE TWO PRESENTATIONS.I'D ASK OUR POLICE CHIEF TO COME UP TO PRESENT.
BUT BEFORE THAT, I THINK ATTORNEY WANTED TO MAKE SOME OBSERVATIONS OR COMMENTS.
I DON'T WANT TO STEAL THE CHIEF STANDARD, BUT I DID WANT TO REPORT TO THE COUNCIL WHEN I WAS TOLD BY JUDGE HAFELE WHEN OFFICERS SALES LOPEZ AND WHY IT PRESENTED THE RISK PROTECTION ORDER TO THE COURT.
FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW, RISK PROTECTION ORDERS ARE SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS RED FLAG LAWS THAT PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY BE MENTALLY UNSTABLE AND IN POSSESSION OF FIREARMS. WE WERE IN COURT, OFFICER LOPEZ AND I FOR THAT PARTICULAR RPL.
JUDGE HAFELE'S COMMENTS REGARDING THAT WAS THIS IS VERY FINE POLICE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE BY YOUR OFFICERS.
COUNSELOR, AND I SAID THANK YOU, JUDGE.
I LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT ALL OF OUR OFFICERS DO VERY FINE POLICE WORK.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW, THAT ONE OF OUR CIRCUIT JUDGES MADE THOSE COMMENTS ABOUT OUR OFFICERS. [APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR COUNCIL.
THANK YOU FIRST FOR YOUR TIME THIS EVENING, WHERE YOU RECOGNIZE SOME OF OUR OFFICERS AND ULTIMATELY THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE SECOND PRESENTATION.
I'D WOULD LIKE TO ASK OFFICER KEVIN CHARLES LOPEZ, CHRISTIAN WYATT, AND SERGEANT COONEY, WHAT'S GOING ON DOWN HERE? JOIN ME, PLEASE.
WHILE THEY'RE COMING DOWN ON THE EVENING OF SEPTEMBER 18TH THIS YEAR, AROUND 09:30 PM OFFICER KEVIN CHARLES LOPEZ CONDUCTED A TRAFFIC STOP ON A VEHICLE FOR AN INOPERABLE HEADLIGHT, SOMETHING THAT IS TYPICALLY CALLED A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP.
BUT AS YOU'RE ABOUT TO HEAR, NOT EVERY TRAFFIC STOP IS ROUTINE.
DURING THE TRAFFIC STOP, OFFICER KEVIN CHARLES LOPEZ BUILT A RAPPORT WITH THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE.
BUT AS HE SAID IN HIS REPORT, SOMETHING JUST SEEMED TO BE VERY OFF ABOUT THE DRIVER HIMSELF, SO HE ASKED FOR CONSENT TO SEARCH THE VEHICLE, AND THEN OFFICER CHRISTIAN WYATT RESPONDED AS BACKUP OFFICER.
DURING THE SEARCH OF THE VEHICLE, OFFICER KEVIN CHARLES LOPEZ LOCATED SOME NARCOTIC PARAPHERNALIA, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, HE ALSO FOUND A HANDWRITTEN NOTE.
THE NOTE, IT SAID THAT THE INDIVIDUAL WAS INTENDING TO KILL EVERYONE, OHS WITH A HINT GUNS.
OHS WAS LATER DETERMINED TO BE THE DRIVERS HIGH-SCHOOL IN OKEECHOBEE COUNTY.
IT'S SPECIFICALLY LISTED ONE ADMINISTRATOR THAT HE WISHED TO KILL AND LISTED 14 OTHER INDIVIDUALS THAT HE WANTED TO KILL FOR A TOTAL OF 15.
THE NOTE THEN WENT ON THAT WHEN HE LEFT THERE, HE WANTED TO CONDUCT A MASS STABBING AT A SPECIFIC CHURCH DOWN IN MIAMI.
AT THE END, HE WISHED TO COMMIT SUICIDE BY COP AT THE END OF THIS MASS KILLING.
INDIVIDUALS ULTIMATELY TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND CONFINED TO MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY AND CRIMINAL CHARGES WERE FILED.
THE NEXT DAY, SERGEANT COONEY HAN BECAME INVOLVED WITH THE RISK PROTECTION ORDER, AS THE TOWN ATTORNEY HAD MENTIONED.
HE ALSO WORKED WITH THE FBI AND PBSO, PARTICIPATE IN A FURTHER INTERVIEWS WITH THE INDIVIDUAL, RETRIEVED DATA FROM HIS ELECTRONIC DEVICES,
[00:05:01]
WHICH ULTIMATELY RESULTED IN A SEARCH WARRANT FOR THE INDIVIDUALS, RESIDENTS, AND ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL CHARGES.I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT, OFFICER CHARLES LOPEZ HAD ABOUT ONE YEAR OF EXPERIENCE WITH THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
AN OFFICER WYATT HAD JUST UNDER TWO YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WITH THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT.
TRULY AMAZING FOR NEW OFFICERS.
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS TRULY EXTRAORDINARY AND WITHOUT DOUBT SAVED NUMEROUS LIVES, SAVED A HIGH-SCHOOL AND SAVED THE COMMUNITY FROM HORRIFIC TRAGEDY.
IT IS MY HONOR TO PRESENT TO THESE THREE INDIVIDUALS IN MERITORIOUS SERVICE CITATION ON BEHALF OF ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN AT JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT. [APPLAUSE]
>> HUMBLE INDIVIDUALS [OVERLAPPING] EITHER WAY. THAT'S INCREDIBLE.
WE ALL APPRECIATE THAT GREAT POLICE WORK.
>> ABSOLUTELY. MY SECOND PRESENTATION,
[2. FBI LEEDA Agency Trilogy Award]
THE COUNCIL WANTS TO SHARE WITH YOU AN AWARD THAT THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY RECEIVED JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.IT'S FROM AN ORGANIZATION THROUGH THE FBI CALLED LEEDA.
IT'S LAW ENFORCEMENT EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION.
THIS ORGANIZATION ACTUALLY STARTED IN 1980 AND IT PROVIDED EXECUTIVE LEVEL TRAINING AND EDUCATION TO FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
THEN OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS, IT CHANGED HIS FOCUS TO STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT EXECUTIVE LEVEL.
THE FBI LEEDA TRILOGY IS COMPRISED OF THREE SPECIFIC LEADERSHIP COURSES, EACH OF THEM 40 HOURS IN TIME.
THEY'RE INTENDED TO BE TAKEN OVER AN INDIVIDUAL'S CAREER.
FIRST-CLASS IS YOUR SUPERVISOR LEADERSHIP, WHICH IS BASICALLY A CLASS FOR YOUR EMERGING LEADERS AT THE FIRST LINE LEVEL.
THE SECOND COURSE IS A COMMAND LEVEL COURSE OR MIDDLE MANAGEMENT COURSE, IF YOU WILL, INTENDING TO PROVIDE EDUCATION OF LEADERS TO LEAD OTHER LEADERS.
THE THIRD COURSE IS CALLED THE EXECUTIVE LEVEL LEADERSHIP.
IT'S BASICALLY AN OVERSIGHT FOR A CEO OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AS A PUBLIC SERVICE.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHED A GOAL TO PROVIDE THIS LEADERSHIP TRAINING IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR SUCCESSION LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE THAT WE'VE HAD FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
LEEDA IS RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE FINEST INSTITUTIONS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERSHIP.
WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES ALL THREE OF THESE COURSES, THEY ARE AWARDED A TRILOGY AWARD.
HOWEVER, WHEN IN ORGANIZATIONS EXECUTIVE TEAM COMPLETES THE TRILOGY, THE AGENCY IS AWARDED AN AGENCY TRILOGY AWARD.
NOW IN THIS COUNTRY, THERE'S APPROXIMATELY 17,985 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND ONLY 47 OF THEM HAVE EVER RECEIVED THIS AWARD FROM FBI LEEDA.
ALSO, THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT IS THE FIRST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN FLORIDA TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD.
AT THIS POINT, I DO WANT TO STOP FOR ONE SECOND AND RECOGNIZED MAJOR ADAM HERSHEY WHO RETIRED FROM THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT SHORT TIME AGO.
IT WAS REALLY HIS INITIATIVE IN HIS WORK THAT BROUGHT THIS ORGANIZATION TO THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IN THE THREE OR FOUR YEARS THAT WE'VE HOSTED THESE CLASSES, WE'VE HOSTED APPROXIMATELY 20 CLASSES OF 500 STUDENTS EACH, WHICH IS JUST UNDER 1,000 STUDENTS.
BECAUSE WE HOSTED THE CLASS, WE HAD SOME FREE SEATS IN THOSE COURSES, WHICH ULTIMATELY SAVED THE TOWN OF JUPITER ABOUT $44,000.
I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT WE ARE WITH FIRST IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO RECEIVE FBI LEEDA TRILOGY AWARD [APPLAUSE].
THIS IS THE AWARD ITSELF AND IT WILL BE PLACED IN THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC DISPLAY.
[00:10:02]
AGAIN, MAYOR, COUNCIL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.>> THANK YOU AGAIN. NEXT, THAT'S TREMENDOUS FOR POLICE AGENCY.
NOT SURPRISING, BUT THAT'S REALLY DISTINGUISHES AS TREMENDOUSLY. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR, IF I COULD TOO I KNOW THE CHIEF IS BEING VERY HUMBLE, BUT THIS IS A DIRECT REFLECTION OF LEADERSHIP.
SITTING IN THAT CHIEF'S SEAT AS A TOUGH JOB. HE DOES IT WELL.
>> NO DOUBT. THANK YOU. [BACKGROUND]
>> MOVING ON TO CITIZEN COMMENTS.
[CITIZEN COMMENTS]
THIS IS A TIME WHERE CITIZENS ARE ALLOTTED THREE MINUTES ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS. ANYONE WISHES TO SPEAK IS ASKED TO STATE HIS OR HER NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD PRIOR TO AGGRESSION TOWN COUNCIL.I'M GOING TO START WITH JAMES GUNN, FOLLOWED BY BRETT LEE ARMY. [BACKGROUND]
>> TONIGHT, I WANT TO ADDRESS COUNCILOR FOR COUNCILOR DELANEY AND COUNCILOR SUNSTRUM.
YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR SOME THINGS TONIGHT THAT YOU MAY LIKE OR DISLIKE.
BUT AT THE END OF THE NIGHT, WHEN YOU GO HOME AND YOU'RE SITTING IN THE PRIVACY OF YOUR OWN HOME AND YOUR MULLING OVER WHAT'S HAPPENING TONIGHT, I'D LIKE YOU TO THINK TO YOURSELF, WHAT IF THEY'RE RIGHT, AND IF YOU THINK THAT THEY'RE RIGHT, THEN I'M ASKING YOU TO DO SOME INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AWAY FROM THE MIRROR AND AWAY FROM THE TOWN MANAGER.
I WANT TO TELL YOU A LITTLE MATHEMATICAL CONUNDRUM TO BEGIN MY STORY.
THERE'S THREE SISTERS THAT CHECKED INTO A HOTEL ROOM WAS $30 FOR THE ROOM.
THEY GO TO THE ROOM, THE CLERK REALIZES SHE MADE A MISTAKE. IT'S ONLY 25.
SHE GOES TO THE ROOM WITH $5, TELLS HER SISTER I MADE A MISTAKE.
THEY TELL HER SHE CAN KEEP $2 FOR HERSELF AND SHE CAN GIVE EACH ONE OF THEM BACK $1.
NOW THEY'VE PAID $9 A PIECE FOR THE ROOM.
THREE TIMES NINE IS 27, $2 TO THE CLERK.
WHERE DID THE OTHER DOLLAR GO? IT'S MATH.
YOU CAN MAKE IT SOUND LIKE WHATEVER YOU WANT AND THAT'S GOING TO BECOME APPARENT TONIGHT.
IF YOU WANT TO MANIPULATE SOMEBODY OR GASLIGHT SOMEBODY, THE BEST WAY TO DO IT IS ACTUALLY CREATE A REPORT THAT HAS A LOT OF TRUTH TO IT AND THEN START SPRINKLING IN YOUR MAGIC NUMBERS IN THE BACKGROUND.
THE FIRST THING YOU DO IS YOU PUT THE INFORMATION IN FROM THE FACT THAT 61,000 PEOPLE LIVING JUPITER.
FACT PALM BEACH COUNTY IS A GREAT DEPARTMENT 90 PERCENTILE SATISFACTION, AND SO FORTH AND THEN IN THE BACK END OF THE REPORT, YOU SPRINKLE IN ALL THE MATH THAT YOU WANT TO, HOPEFULLY PEOPLE WILL OVERLOOK.
THE NUMBERS AND THE THREE SISTERS STORY, THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH THE CPSM REPORT AND I'M GOING TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THE NEXT TIME I SPEAK.
TWO MEETINGS AGO I ASKED THE TOWN MANAGER, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOUR RELATIONSHIP IS TO JOE POZZO.
I ASKED YOU THAT LAST TWO MEETINGS AGO.
I WANT TO KNOW THE RELATIONSHIP FROM JOE POZZO TO TEN-8 FIRE EQUIPMENT.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN JOE POZZO, WHY HE WAS HIRED FOR THIS REPORT? HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY GIFTS, ANY MONEY, ANYTHING RELATED TO THAT? HAS JOE POZZO RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM TEN-8 FIRE EQUIPMENT TO RECOMMEND THEIR EQUIPMENT THE WAY THAT HE DID.
NOW, I ASKED TWO MEETINGS AGO, I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT YOU HAD A COMMENT SECTION AT THE END OF THE NIGHT.
YOU'RE BUSY PATTING YOURSELF ON THE BACK INSTEAD OF ANSWERING THE QUESTION SO I'M ASKING IT AGAIN TONIGHT IN YOUR TOWN MANAGER COMMENTS OR BEFORE.
I'D LIKE AND EVERYBODY HERE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE ANSWER TO THOSE QUESTIONS BECAUSE I THINK THAT THERE'S A RELATIONSHIP THERE THAT MIGHT BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL. FOR THE RECORD, BRENTLY ONLY 132 BARBADOS DRIVE.
NOT HERE TONIGHT TO GET INTO MORE AN ISSUE, ONE PROJECT OR ANOTHER.
BUT IN THE FAMOUS WORDS OF SESAME STREET,
[00:15:01]
TODAY'S WORD OF THE DAY IS TRANSPARENCY.OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF ELECTION CYCLES, THIS WORD HAS BEEN THROWN AROUND BY A LOT OF THOSE SITTING ON THE DYESS AND THAT WERE ELECTED ON YOUR CAMPAIGNS PROMISED ADDITIONAL TRANSPARENCY.
THE MAIN FOCUS OF THIS WAS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND WE KNOW WHAT THOSE ARE.
AGAIN, I'M NOT HERE TO GET INTO DETAILS.
IN THE CASE OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, THE VOICE OF THE RESIDENTS WAS HURT AND IT WAS LISTENED TO AND IT INFLUENCED VOTES.
EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE TOWN'S WEBSITE WAS UPDATED.
NEEDED A LOT OF UPDATING TO GET INTO TODAY'S TIMES, I THINK IT LOOKS GREAT.
MY ONLY ISSUE WITH IT IS THAT THE LACK OF INFORMATION ON THE HOMEPAGE, PUBLIC NOTICE, PUBLIC INFORMATION, AGENDAS AND ALL THAT USED TO BE IN A MENU.
IT ACTUALLY USED TO BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I WAS LIKE, OH MY GOSH, WHERE'D IT GO? JUMPED TO THE LEFT SIDE. THE PUBLIC USES THAT.
IN TERMS OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, THE TOWN'S WEBSITE IS VERY MUCH OUTDATED.
THERE'S PROJECTS THAT ARE COMPLETED, C-OED AND OPEN THAT ON THE WEBSITE SAY THEY'RE STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR STILL UNDER REVIEW.
THERE'S HUNDREDS OF MUNICIPALITIES THAT I'VE LOOKED OUT ACROSS THE STATE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WHEN I LOOK FOR REAL ESTATE AND OTHER STUFF, AND THEY FAR EXCEED WHAT THE TOWN HAS AS FAR AS INFORMATION.
THOSE THAT WERE ELECTED AND RAN ON TRANSPARENCY, SPECIFICALLY IN TERMS OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, I URGE YOU TO LOOK AT YOUR WEBSITE AND TELL ME WHAT INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AND I THINK THE BIGGEST ISSUE AND THE REASON THESE MEETINGS HAVE BEEN SO FULL IS THE LACK OF INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN SENT OUT, THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.
I'M NOT HERE TO GET IN TO THE DETAILS OF THE PROCESS OF THAT.
CONGRATULATIONS. HERE IT'S ABOUT TO OPEN.
CAN'T WAIT TO ATTEND A MEETING IN THERE.
ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO THOUGH, IS THERE'S PEOPLE THAT SAT ON THIS DYESS BEFORE YOU ALL THAT MADE THE DECISION AND VOTED ON TO BUILD THIS TOWN HALL AND PUSHED FOR IT.
I THINK THEY DESERVE SOME RECOGNITION ON THAT BUILDING AS WELL.
ONE LAST ITEM, AND I'LL END ON A POSITIVE NOTE.
THIS NO PLACE LIKE HOME EVENT WAS FANTASTIC.
GREAT ATTENDANCE, GREAT EVENT.
MY LITTLE THEODORE'S OBSESSED WITH FIRETRUCKS.
I THINK I TOLD THE TOWN MANAGER THIS WHEN I WAS THERE.
BUT HE WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT WHERE YOU ALL ARE KEEPING THE FIRE TRUCK BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A FIRE STATION YET, SO I TOLD HIM I COME TONIGHT AND ASK THAT QUESTION.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] NEXT WE HAVE VICTORIA FAZZINO, FOLLOWED BY WAYNE POSNER.
GOOD EVENING, VICTORIA FAZZINO 103 WELL KAY WAY.
NOT HERE TO DRESS ANYBODY PERSONALLY.
I SERVED THIS COUNTRY FOR 20 PLUS YEARS.
I'VE SERVED THIS COMMUNITY NOW FOR ABOUT 27 PLUS YEARS.
ONE THING THAT WE'VE, AND YOUR FORMER POLICE CHIEF, YOU KNOW THAT WHEN WE TALK TO OUR YOUNGER OFFICERS, INTEGRITY IS AN ISSUE.
WE TELL THEM WHEN YOU GO TO COURT AND TO TESTIFY HONESTLY, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE OUTCOME IS, WHETHER IT MEANS SACRIFICING A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP.
THE INTEGRITY INTO THE PROCESS OF HOW FIRE RESCUE IS BEING DEALT IS NOT ON THE UP AND UP.
YOU HAVE TO BE STRAIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING.
THIS WHOLE HANDSHAKE ON THE SIDE AND PUSHING THE PROCESS THROUGH AND THAT LETTING FOLKS VOTE ON IT IS RIDICULOUS.
THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN, THEY WON, GOT A PETITION.
BOARD OF ELECTIONS CERTIFIED, I THINK IT WAS CLOSE TO 5,500 OF THEM OUT OF THE 10,000 PETITION PEOPLE THAT PETITIONED FOR IT.
THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HEARD.
IT SHOULD BE PUT ON THE BALLOT.
THAT'S ALL I'M REALLY GOING TO SAY SO LET THE PROCESS WORK.
I'VE TAKEN TO SERVE THIS COUNTRY, SERVE THIS COMMUNITY, ARE ALSO THE SAME.
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES IS TO PROTECT AND DEFEND.
PART OF IT THAT IS THE RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH AND THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD.
WE EMPOWER TO COUNSEL, WE EMPOWER GOVERNMENT TO DO IT, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
THAT'S PROBABLY WHY YOU HATING ALL THIS BECAUSE YOU'RE DICTATING TO US WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITHOUT OUR VOICES BEING HEARD AND THAT'S SAD.
I WILL SEE THAT ON A NATIONAL LEVEL, BUT NOT ON A LOCAL LEVEL.
LISTEN TO YOUR FOLKS. THEY VOTED YOU IN.
[00:20:02]
LIKE I SAID THE NEXT ELECTION, THEY CAN VOTE YOU OUT.BUT I WOULD RATHER SEE US WORK TOGETHER AND FIND A COMMON SOLUTION.
I DON'T THINK ON THIS LEVEL THAT WE CAN REPLICATE WHAT PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE BRINGS TO THE TABLE.
THEY'VE HELPED ME ALONG THE WAY AND BECAUSE THEY GET THAT VAST RESOURCE AT A COUNTY PULLING INTO THE CITY, WE JUST CAN'T REPLICATE THAT UNLESS YOU WANT TO PUT MORE MILLIONS ON THE TABLE AND OVER TIME, PEMBROKE PARK IS PROBABLY A GOOD REASON TO SHOW.
THEY'RE GONE BELLY UP AND THEY STARTED THE FIRE RESCUE NOW THEY WANT TO GO BACK TO BROWARD AND BROWARD SAID NO.
THAT'S GOING TO LEAVE US IN A CONUNDRUM DOWN THE ROAD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR.
I'M GOING TO TRY TO SPEAK AS FAST AS I CAN.
I HAD TO CHANGE SOME OF THE THINGS I WAS GOING TO SAY.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FINEST POLICE.
I CAN'T EXPRESS MY FEELINGS AS A CITIZEN.
AS THEY SAID, TRAINEES, THEY ARE NEW PEOPLE.
WHAT MAKES THE PEOPLE HERE THINK THAT WE CAN'T DO THAT WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT? WE CAN DO EXACTLY THAT.
I JUST HEARD THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET THE BEST SERVICE.
I BELIEVE THAT WHAT WE HAVE WITH THE POLICE WE CAN DO WITH OUR FIRE.
I ALSO BELIEVE THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS.
WE ALREADY HAVE A FIRE TRUCK AT THE VARIABLE PRICE THAT WE SAID, WE WOULD GET IT AT.
WE'RE GOING TO GO DOWN THAT ROAD, WE'RE GOING TO MEET THOSE CRITERIA.
I WANT TO GO THROUGH A FEW OTHER THINGS.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR BRAVERY COUNCILMAN AND MAYOR FOR MAKING THIS DECISION.
SO REPUBLIC MEANS LIKE WHEN WE DO THE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG FOR THE REPUBLIC, YOU WERE HIRED BY THE PEOPLE TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE.
TEN MONTHS WE WENT THROUGH THIS; 10 MONTHS.
AND NOW THAT YOU MADE THE DECISION, ALL OVER A SUDDEN EVERYBODY COMES OUT OF THE WOODWORK.
WELL, WHERE ARE THEY COMING FROM? WE KNOW WHERE THEY'RE COMING FROM.
ITS NOT THE COUNTY THEY'RE COMING FROM.
WHERE THEY CAN PAY FOR A FULL-PAGE AD.
IT'S NOT QUITE THE WAY I WOULD HAVE DONE IT.
I WOULD HAVE THE HEADLINES LIKE THEY DID.
THE WORLD'S COMING TO AN END, IF YOU DON'T HIRE PALM BEACH COUNTY.
WE HAVE 80% OF THE EASTERN SEABOARD WITH CITY, AND TOWN ON FIRE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE VERY SUCCESSFUL.
THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT THAT. I'M GOING TO MOVE ON.
I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE NEW BUILDING.
I'D LIKE TO SEE IT BE SMOKE-FREE IF THAT'S POSSIBLE.
I THINK THE COUNSELORS NEED A RAISE, ALL OF YOU.
IF I AGREE WITH YOU, ALL OF YOU ARE NOT.
WE HAVEN'T HAD A RAISE FOR THE TOWN COUNCIL.
THE ECONOMY SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.
THE ECONOMY RENT TODAY YOU CAN'T EVEN AFFORD TO BUY GASOLINE, LET ALONE COME HERE AND THE GUY, "WHAT DO YOU PEOPLE DO? YOU'RE NOT GETTING PAID ENOUGH." I'M A CITIZEN, I'M WILLING TO PAY THAT TAX.
I'M PROBABLY GOING TO RUN OUT OF TIME BEFORE I GET IT ALL DONE.
OF COURSE, I STILL WANT DOLPHIN STREET FIXED. SHE'S A CITIZEN.
HE'S ALSO A VIETNAM VETERAN, JUST LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER PEOPLE IN HIS ROOM, AND HE DESERVES HIS STREET TO BE FIXED.
I WILL CONTINUE. I HAVE ONE MORE SHOT AT THIS IN THE NEXT CONSENT. THANK YOU.
>> ROBERT ROTH, POWERED BY CHERYL SNYDER.
I LIVE AT 199 REGARD TO DRIVE JUPITER, FLORIDA.
I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT FOR 23 YEARS.
AND I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT MY VIEWS TONIGHT. I HAVE NO AGENDA.
NONE WHATSOEVER, EXCEPT WHAT'S IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF JUPITER. I LIVE HERE.
I LOVE THE POLICE, AND FIRE DEPARTMENT IS CRITICAL TO US.
I JUST WANTED TO DO WHAT'S IN THE RIGHT INTERESTS OF JUPITER.
AND THE REASON I'M HERE, IS I'VE BEEN HEARING A LOT OF NOISE, AND IT'S LIKE, "WHAT'S GOING ON?" AND THEY'RE LIKE, "THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END IF WE GO AHEAD WITH WHAT THE COUNCIL IS DOING." SO BEING WHAT I AM,
[00:25:03]
I DOVE INTO THIS THING, AND WHAT I FOUND, I'M HEARING THINGS LIKE IT'S GOT TO GO TO A BALLOT.WE HEARD IT TONIGHT. WE GOING TO USE PARKS.
OH MY GOD, DOG PARK PARK IS TERRIBLE.
THEN I'M HEARING THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
AND I'M HEARING THINGS LIKE WITH THE MEETING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THAT ONE I JUST SAY, LOOK HOW WE THINK ABOUT THE POLICE.
IT'S THE SAME COMMENTS I HEAR ABOUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL, WONDERFUL PEOPLE LEVEL.
WE TOOK A DIVE INTO THE ISSUES.
WHAT WE FOUND OUT IS, THE COUNCIL, IN OUR OPINION, IT'S JUST RESIDENTS, NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS, ABSOLUTELY HAS THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
SERVERS THAT WE'RE GETTING NOW, THAT WE WANT TO CHANGE, AND WE WANT TO DO IT OURSELVES, THE COUNCIL ABSOLUTELY HAS THAT RIGHT BASED ON OUR READING OF THE DOCUMENTS.
IN TERMS OF COST, YOU HIRED A COST CONSULTANT.
THE COST, IF WE STAY THE SAME, ARE GOING TO RISE FAIRLY DRAMATICALLY.
THE MILL RATE IS GOING TO GO FROM ONE SOMETHING TO THREE SOMETHING.
IS GOING TO BE $20 MILLION PLUS TO $60 MILLION PLUS.
AND IT'S GOING TO COST EVERY HOMEOWNER, SOMETHING LIKE $1,000- 3000 MORE.
THEN WE STILL DON'T HAVE CONTROL OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THE COST CONSULTANT BELIEVES THAT WE CAN DO IT OURSELVES, AND DO IT IN A COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER, AND THEN WE'RE IN CONTROL OF THE WHOLE THING.
AND AS FAR AS HOW WE TREAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL, WHAT I'VE POKED AROUND THAT IS EVERYBODY LOVES THEM, AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE WELL TREATED.
I DON'T SEE THE ISSUE BUT, ANYBODY FEELS THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE WELL TREATED.
OF COURSE, THIS AFTERNOON I GET AN EMAIL AND I FIND OUT THAT THE UNION IS SUING THE TOWN. IT'S A PARK.
NOW, WE, AS CITIZENS, HAVE TO FUND THE COUNCIL THROUGH TAXES AND PAY FOR LEGAL MATTERS AGAINST SOMETHING THAT IS, IN MY OPINION, A WASTE OF TIME.
AS A RESIDENT WHO HAS ONLY THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE TOWN OF JUPITER, I FULLY SUPPORT WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
ONE OF MY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, I'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH THIS.
>> [INAUDIBLE] PLEASE WRAP UP.
>> HE SAID, I SUPPORT THE COUNCIL.
THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING ONE OF THE VERY FEW RECENT EXAMPLES OF THOUGHTFUL, COMMUNICATIVE GOVERNANCE AT ANY LEVEL, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> CHERYL SCHNEIDER FOR ST. LUCY.
IN EACH CAMPAIGN I'M LISTENING TO THE RESIDENTS AND BEING OPEN AND TRANSPARENT.
NOW, YOU REFUSE TO LET ANYONE CHALLENGE YOUR VIEWS, INCLUDING YOUR COLLEAGUES, AND SEEM TO BELIEVE THAT THE ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS ENSURES THAT THE CHECKS AND BALANCES BUILT INTO THE TOWN SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT, OPERATE PROPERLY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC.
THESE RULES ARE NOT OPTIONAL, CANNOT BE REPLACED WITH YOUR OWN SET OF RULES, CANNOT BE USED AS OBSTACLES TO SUPPORT THE OPPOSITION, IT CANNOT BE VIEWED AS MERE SUGGESTIONS WHEN IT SUITS YOU.
THE SUNSHINE LAW REQUIRES YOU TO GIVE REASONABLE NOTICE OF EACH ITEM TO BE CONSIDERED BY COUNCIL AT AN OPEN MEETING.
THIS THEN ONLY PROTECTS THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE, BUT ENSURES THAT YOU HAVE AVAILABLE TO YOU, THE USE OF THE PUBLIC WHEN YOU DELIBERATE, WHAT THE RESIDENTS THINK IS SUPPOSED TO BE A KEY COMPONENT OF ANY DECISION.
BUT YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO TOSS THAT ASIDE.
ON AUGUST 15TH, YOU HID BEHIND A PRESENTATION ITEM AND CALL THE VOTE TO TERMINATE THE NEW FIRE CONTRACT WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR PUBLIC INPUT.
THEN, YOU SPREAD THE MYTH THAT THE TOPIC WAS DISCUSSED AT NINE PREVIOUS MEETINGS AND BLEND THE PUBLIC FOR NOT PAYING ATTENTION.
BUT THE 2023 CONTRACT DOES NOT EXIST AS A LEGAL MATTER, UNTIL JULY 11TH WHEN THE COUNTY COMMISSION RATIFIED IT.
THERE WERE ONLY TWO COUNCIL MEETINGS BETWEEN JULY 11TH AND AUGUST 15TH, NOT 9.
MOREOVER, HOW CAN YOU INVOKE THE TERMINATION CLAUSE OF A CONTRACT THAT ISN'T IN EFFECT? ONLY THE 2013 CONTRACT HAD STANDING AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE.
COUNCIL HAS LOST SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT DISCUSSIONS FROM A PREVIOUS MEETING CAN NEVER
[00:30:02]
ERASE THE OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE REASONABLE NOTICE ON EACH ITEM AT EACH MEETING.ON NOVEMBER 21ST, DID ANOTHER END ROUND AROUND SUNSHINE.
THE MAYOR DECLARED THAT HE WOULD NOT ALLOW THE FIRE RESCUE REFERENDUM TO APPEAR ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.
A VOTE WAS HELD WITHOUT REASONABLE NOTICE.
AGAIN, THE RESIDENTS WERE PREVENTED FROM WEIGHING IN.
THIS FUNDAMENTAL RULE IS NOT OPTIONAL.
IT CANNOT BE REPLACED BY PR CAMPAIGN WAGED AFTER THE FACT.
THE RESIDENTS SIT AT THE TOP OF THE TOWNS OR CHART FOR A REASON.
YOU WERE ELECTED, NOT ANOINTED.
THERE IS NO DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS OR QUEENS AT PLAY HERE, ONLY PUBLIC SERVICE.
STOP THE ATTACKS, STOP DOUBLING DOWN ON PREVIOUS DECISIONS, AND START LISTENING LIKE YOU PROMISED YOU WOULD.
>> NEXT IS NANCY GONZALEZ FOLLOWED BY TERI GROOMS.
>> HI, MY NAME IS NANCY GONZALEZ. I LIVE IN THE SHORES.
I JUST ALLOW ME TO SAY IF THAT YOUNG OFFICER IS STILL HERE, I'M A MOTHER AND JUST ON BEHALF OF MOMS, I COULDN'T HELP BUT THINK THAT THERE ARE FAMILIES THAT ARE GOING TO BE WHOLE OVER THESE HOLIDAYS BECAUSE OF YOUR ACTIONS.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU.
I WANT TO START BY SAYING THANKS TO EVERYONE TAKING THE TIME TO BE HERE THIS EVENING, ESPECIALLY DURING THIS BUSY TIME OF THE YEAR.
THANKS TO THOSE OF YOU NOT NEW TO THIS FOR SHOWING UP FOR OUR COMMUNITY TIME AND TIME AGAIN.
THANK YOU TO THOSE AT HOME WATCHING ONLINE FOR REMAINING ENGAGED.
I'D PREFER TO BE AT HOME MYSELF READING WITH MY DAUGHTERS BEFORE BED, BUT THE ISSUE OF WHO RESPONDS IN AN EMERGENCY IS JUST TOO IMPORTANT.
I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE E-MAIL JUPITER RESIDENTS RECEIVE THIS EVENING FROM THE TOWN.
I COULDN'T HELP BUT NOTICE AN IMPORTANT OMISSION, SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN MISSING FROM ALL THE TOWNS EMAILS AS SIMPLE OPEN-ENDED ASK.
THAT WILL GO SOMETHING LIKE THIS, DEAR VALUED JUPITER RESIDENTS, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU, SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE TOWNS STARTING A NEW FIRE DEPARTMENT.
INSTEAD, YOUR EMAIL READ, "PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LET THE COUNCIL KNOW OF YOUR SUPPORT BY EMAILING".
MY QUESTION IS, DO YOU ONLY WANT TO HEAR FROM US WHEN WE AGREE WITH YOU? IN LIGHT OF PETITION SIGNED AND CERTIFIED BY OUR SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS, AND CONSIDERING THE PENDING LITIGATION AGAINST THE TOWN BROUGHT BY CITIZENS, I ASK THE COUNCIL TO STOP SPENDING TAXPAYER DOLLARS TOWARD A NEW FIRE DEPARTMENT UNTIL RESIDENTS HAVE HAD A SAY.
TO THOSE ON THE COUNCIL SAYING PEOPLE WHO SIGNED THE PETITION HAVE CHANGED THEIR MINDS, THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE NO ISSUE BRINGING IT BEFORE VOTERS IN THE MARCH ELECTION.
TO THOSE SING MULTIPLE THOUSANDS OF SIGNERS OF THE PETITION, WE'RE SOMEHOW "FRIGHTENED" OR "TRICKED" INTO SIGNING, I SAY YOU SORELY UNDERESTIMATE THE PEOPLE OF JUPITER.
I TAKE OFFENSE TO THE IDEA THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SOMEHOW INCAPABLE OF MAKING IMPORTANT DECISIONS FOR OURSELVES.
THAT WE MUST RELY ON POLITICIANS TO THINK FOR US.
ALL YOU HAVE CURRENTLY AS AN INBOX FULL OF RESUMES, AND ONE VERY BASE MODIFIER CHUCK, IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO PAUSE SPENDING.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT EVERYONE IS LIVES AND PAYS TAXES IN THE TOWN OF JUPITER DESERVES TO BE HEARD.
I'M HEARING SOME RESIDENTS THAT SPEAK AT THESE MEETINGS FEEL THE NEED TO ADD A DISCLAIMER THAT THEY ARE NOT FIREFIGHTERS, OR UNION MEMBERS OR FRIENDS OR FAMILY OF ONE.
ALL EXPERIENCES ESPECIALLY FIREFIGHTERS, SHOULD BE HEARD AND OPINIONS VALUED.
THE VERY FEW COMMUNITY MEMBERS I HAVE HEARD SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE COUNCIL'S MAJORITY DECISION DON'T FEEL THE NEED TO ADD A DISCLAIMER THAT THEY ARE NOT PERSONAL FRIENDS, RELATIVES, OR BUSINESS ASSOCIATES OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS OR HOPING TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE TOWN.
NOR SHOULD THEY NEED TO, BECAUSE EVERYONE WHO LIVES IN PAYS TAXES HERE IN JUPITER DESERVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD.
THAT'S WHY IT NEEDS TO GO BEFORE CITIZENS TO VOTE.
I ALSO RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT SOME STOP WITH THE UNFAIR CHARACTERIZATION THAT PALM BEACH COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS, MOST OF WHOM ARE UNION MEMBERS, ARE A GROUP OF SELF-SERVING, POWER HUNGRY INDIVIDUALS.
I'D LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS HAVE DEDICATED THEIR ENTIRE CAREERS TO SERVING OUR COMMUNITY AT GREAT COST OF THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.
THEY ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LITERALLY RUN INTO A BURNING HOME TO SAVE US, OUR NEIGHBORS, OR EVEN OUR BELOVED PETS.
THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF SELFISH, POWER HUNGRY PEOPLE.
RESPECTFULLY I MUST ASK CAN THE SAME BE SAID OF MOST POLITICIANS? [APPLAUSE]
>> WITH EACH DAY THAT PASSES, I BECOME MORE AND MORE DISGUSTED IN THE MANNER IN WHICH THE TOWN AND SOME MEMBERS OF COUNCIL HAVE CONDUCTED THEMSELVES REGARDING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THERE IS A LOT BEING SAID ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT MISINFORMATION AND NOT GETTING ANSWERS THAT YOU'VE BEEN SEEKING.
[00:35:01]
I'LL JUST SAY RIGHT BACK AT YOU.IT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE IN THIS MATTER THAT THE TOWN OF JUPITER IS THE ONE WHO'S PEDDLING AND MISINFORMATION AND NOT GIVING ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.
AS A LAY PERSON, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO CONTACT THE STATE, THE COUNTY, PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE AND THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OFFICES, AND ASK, AND GET ANSWERS.
THE LONGEST IT'S TAKEN ME TO GET INFORMATION WAS A DAY AND A HALF.
BY CONTRAST, I'M STILL WAITING ON THE INFORMATION THAT I REQUESTED FROM THE FINANCE DIRECTOR WEEKS AGO.
ON NOVEMBER 22, I REQUESTED THE COMPLAINT EMAILS THAT MELISA INVITED THE PUBLIC TO VIEW.
I GOT THOSE AT 05:30 THIS EVENING. TWO WEEKS LATER.
I HAVE SENT TWO EMAILS IN PLACE TO PHONE CALLS TO THE TOWN ATTORNEY, TO SEEK TO UNDERSTAND HIS DECLARATIONS REGARDING THE PETITION TO AMEND THE CHARTER.
I'M STILL WAITING FOR AN ANSWER.
THE FIRST DECLARATION CAME FROM THE FILL-IN ATTORNEY TO SAY THAT AFTER CONSULTING THE STATE AND THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS, THE EARLIEST THE PETITION COULD BE ON THE BALLOT WAS MARCH OF 2025.
THAN THE STORY CHANGE TO THE PETITION DOESN'T GIVE ENOUGH NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC, AND THAT THE LANGUAGE WAS MISLEADING.
THE LANGUAGE IS PRETTY CLEAR TO ME, IT'S CRYSTAL CLEAR IN FACT.
AS I STATED BEFORE IN MY COMMENTS, IT SHIFTS THE CONTROL ON WHETHER TO TERMINATE FIRE RESCUE SERVICES FROM THE MAJORITY OF THREE, TO THE REGISTERED VOTERS OF JUPITER.
IT WOULD NOT HAVE AN EFFECT ON ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THEN IT WAS SAID THAT THE LANGUAGE OF THE PETITION VIOLATED STATE STATUTES, THE TOWN CHARTER, AND THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION.
I HAVE LOOKED EVERYWHERE I COULD THINK OF AND CONSULTED THE STATE, THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS.
I READ THE TOWN CHARTER FIVE TIMES AND REVIEWED THE MINUTES FROM THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEES FROM 2009 AND 2019, AND I CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION THAT VERIFIES THE DECLARATIONS MADE BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY.
HENCE, THE REASON FOR MY EMAILS AND ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THE ATTORNEY BY PHONE.
ON THE CONTRARY, I'VE BEEN FINDING INFORMATION THAT WOULD LEAD ONE TO BELIEVE THE OPPOSITE, THAT THERE IS NO VIOLATIONS AND NO REASON WHY THE AMENDMENT CANNOT BE PLACED ON THE MARCH 2024 BALLOT.
THERE IS LANGUAGE SYSTEM SUCH THAT THE GOVERNING BODY, AND THAT IS YOU, SHALL PLACE THE AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE.
I FOUND IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE GOVERNING BODY HAS NO VETO POWER.
THE TITLE OF MAP MAYOR IS CEREMONIAL AND DOES NOT GIVE YOU THE POWER TO REJECT ANYTHING OR FORBID A CONVERSATION.
YOU ARE ONE OF FIVE WITH THE SAME VOTING POWER AS ALL THE REST.
YOU CAN CHOOSE TO ACCEPT THE AMENDMENT TO MAKE THE CHANGE TO THE CHARTER OR NOT.
THEN IF YOU DON'T, IT GOES DIRECTLY TO THE BALLOT.
I AM WILLING TO ACCEPT THAT I'M WRONG AND THAT'S WHY I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR AN EXPLANATION.
BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT THE THING THAT OFFENDS ME THE MOST IS THE BOLD-FACED LIE THAT THE TOWN RESIDENTS SENT TO THE EMAIL FOR THE TOWN RESIDENTS THAT SAID THE COST OF A STANDALONE ELECTION WOULD BE $100,000 TO VOTE ON THIS.
THE STATEMENT IS FALSE FOR TWO REASONS.
ONE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO HOLD A SPECIAL ELECTION IN ORDER TO PUT THE AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT.
THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OFFICE HAS SAID THAT THE TOWN CAN PIGGYBACK ON THE MARCH 2024 BALLOT.
YOU KNOW THAT BECAUSE I SENT YOU THE EMAIL SAYING SO.
TWO THE COST WOULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN A STANDALONE ELECTION.
I HAVE THE FEE SCHEDULE AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO GO OVER IT WITH ANYBODY TO CHECK MY MATH.
IT WOULD COST EXTRA, BUT NOT $100,000 EXTRA.
THE CURRENT TALKING POINT IS, AS YOU HEAR FROM RESIDENTS THAT WHO LOVED THE IDEA OF THE NEW FIRE DEPARTMENT AND OR REGRET SIGNING THE PETITION.
THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE REASON TO MAKE SURE THE AMENDMENTS ON THE BALLOT SO THOSE FOLKS CAN HAVE A REAL SAY, AND PROOF THE REST OF US WRONG.
THE LONG LIST OF EXCUSES, NOT SENDING THE LANGUAGE TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS JUST KEEPS GROWING AND THERE'S NO ATTEMPT TO EXPLAIN.
IT ALL JUST LOOKS LIKE AN ATTEMPT TO RUN OUT THE CLOCK UNTIL THE DEADLINE PASSES.
ON A SIDE NOTE, CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE EXPLAIN THE WEIRD OBSESSION WITH WHERE EVERYBODY LIVES? IT'S JUST WEIRD. [APPLAUSE]
>> ANDREW WESTON. FOLLOWED BY LISA GREENLAND.
>> ANDREW WESTON, 949, DOLPHIN.
GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR, TOWN COUNCIL, STAFF.
THE PRESENTATION TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR POLICE OFFICERS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE OUR OWN FIRE DEPARTMENT, THAT OUR PEOPLE DISLIKE THIS.
CHIEF, FORMER CHIEF, [INAUDIBLE] YOU HAD A HAND IN HANDING OFF THE BATON TO THESE GUYS.
[00:40:09]
I CAN'T GET MY HEAD AROUND IT.JAMES GUNN, HE COMES UP HERE AND HE SAYS, SCOTT GAVE AS AN EXAMPLE, THE $500,000 VALUE.
YOU'RE GOING TO PAY X. JAMES GIVES I'VE JUST BOUGHT A $500,000 HOUSE AND I'M NOT PAYING THAT.
MAYBE WE SHOULD INVESTIGATE YOU, JAMES.
I KNOW WHAT YOU DID, BUT MAYBE WE SHOULD INVESTIGATE YOU.
YOU BROUGHT YOUR HOMESTEAD THERE, BUT DO YOU QUALIFY FOR IT? THEN WE'VE GOT OTHER PEOPLE GET UP AND THEY'RE DOING THE SAME THING AND THEY'RE PAYING $200 OR LESS FOR FIRE TAX.
BUT THEN YOU HEARD THE GENTLEMAN GET UP HERE AND SAY THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE PAYING 1,2,3.
I GOT SOMEBODY ON THE STREET PAYING $8,000 IN FIRE TAX.
WHAT THE COUNTY AND WANTS TO DO, AND YOU KNOW THIS, THEY WANT TO RAISE THE MILLAGE RATE TO 3.4 FROM THE 1.7 THAT IT'S BEING CHARGED FOR THIS YEAR, TO 3.4, THAT'S TWICE.
OUR TOWN MILLAGE RATE IS 2.3 AND CHANGE, WHICH I CALLED 2.4.
THAT'S WHAT ALL THE OTHER FIRE DEPARTMENTS THAT THEY ARE PROVIDING SERVICE TO.
THEY'RE PAYING 3.4 AND OUR MILLAGE RATE AT THE TOWN IS 2.4.
NOBODY SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THAT WHEN WE'RE ASSIGNING THAT PETITION, KIM.
THAT IS RIDICULOUS, THAT YOU'RE GOING OUT AND GETTING PEOPLE AND NOT TELLING THEM THAT WE'RE GOING TO DOUBLE YOUR FIRE TAX.
DO YOU WANT TO KEEP GOING ON THAT? THAT IS THE ISSUE. KEEP GOING.
I THINK THE GENTLEMAN THAT WAS TALKING ABOUT IT, HE MENTIONED THE 3.4.
I THINK HE WAS SAYING HE WAS SUPPORTING YOU ON AND THAT'S THE REASON WHY YOU'RE DOING THIS AND KEEP GOING. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS LISA FREELAND AND I LIVE IN THE HEIGHTS.
I'M NOT A FIREFIGHTER, I DON'T WORK FOR PBCFR.
I'M NOT A MEMBER OF THE UNION.
I'M A CONCERNED CITIZEN ABOUT WHAT THIS MAJORITY COUNCIL IS DOING TO MY HOMETOWN, AND THE RESIDENTS SAY SUPPOSEDLY SERVE.
I'M SURE TONIGHT YOU'LL CONTINUE TO GIVE EACH OTHER VERBAL HIGH FIVES AND JOB WELL DONE IN THE UNVEILING OF THE NEW TOWN FIRE TRUCK.
I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER RESIDENTS, HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS TRUCK.
WHERE IN THE CONSULTANTS TIMELINE DOES IT LIST A PURCHASE OF THIS OFF-THE-FLOOR-BASE MODEL TRUCK? AS YOU KNOW, AND AS MANY HAVE POINTED OUT TO YOU TIME AND TIME AGAIN, THE PROCUREMENT AND RECEIPT OF A CUSTOM-BUILT APPARATUS TAKES YEARS, NOT LESS THAN 90 DAYS.
I'VE HEARD IT'S BEEN SPECCED, BUT QUITE HONESTLY, THE ONLY CUSTOM THING I SEE ON THIS TRUCK IS CUSTOM STICKERS.
ANOTHER QUESTION, WHERE'S THIS TRUCK BEING STORED? YOU STILL HAVEN'T GIVEN US LOCATIONS FOR ANY STATION.
WHO'S HOLDING ONTO THIS FOR THE TOWN, AND WHAT ARE YOU PAYING IN STORAGE FEES FOR THIS PARADE AND EVENT PROP? WHO IS DOING THE MAINTENANCE ON THIS APPARATUS AS IT WILL STILL NEED REGULAR SERVICE, WHETHER YOU USE IT OR NOT? IF IT'S NOT BEING USED TO ITS FULL CAPACITY FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS, WHY DO WE HAVE IT IN THE FIRST PLACE? IS IT JUST TO CONTINUE TO SHOVE THIS DEPARTMENT IN OUR FACE TO THE MANY WHO CONTINUED TO VOCALIZE THEIR DISDAIN AND DISTRUST OF THIS MAJORITY COUNCIL? ONE OF YOU ALSO SAID THIS APPARATUS IS JUST A SPARE.
I GUESS IT'S OKAY TO HAVE BASIC FLOOR MODELS NOT DESIGNED FOR THE TOWN BECAUSE IT'S JUST A SPARE.
I GUESS IT'S OKAY BECAUSE YOU SAY SO.
IS THAT HOW IT'S GOING TO BE DONE NOW, JUST BUY THINGS AND CALL IT A SPARE AND WE ALL SHOULD BE FINE WITH IT? I'D ALSO LIKE TO ADDRESS THE ROLODEX OF EXCUSES THAT SOME OF YOU KEEP REGURGITATING.
FIRST, IT'S THE LANGUAGE OF THE PETITION, THEN YOU SAY THE DATES ARE WRONG.
NEXT, YOU SAY THE RESIDENTS WERE BEING FORCED TO SIGN.
DO YOU NOT HAVE ANY TRUST IN YOUR RESIDENTS? DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT 10,000 OF US ARE SO UNEDUCATED AND GULLIBLE THAT WE WILL JUST SIGN ANYTHING? THAT MIGHT BE HOW YOU DO BUSINESS, BUT THAT DOESN'T FLY.
I'M REALLY TIRED OF PEOPLE ON THE DAIS, INSULTING ME AND MY FELLOW NEIGHBORS.
WHAT KIND OF LEADERSHIP IS THIS? NOW THE LATEST EXCUSE IS THAT YOU'RE DOING THIS TO SAVE THE POOR AND THE ELDERLY.
WHAT WILL YOU THINK OF NEXT? LASTLY, YOU CONTINUE TO MISS THE BIGGEST PICTURE OF ALL.
YOUR RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO TELL YOU THAT THEY WANT TO VOTE AND YOU ARE DENYING THAT BASIC RIGHT.
IF YOU ARE SO CONFIDENT THAT PEOPLE REALLY SUPPORT THIS, PUT IT TO A VOTE AND PUT THIS TO BED.
BUT IN REALITY, YOUR DESPERATE EXCUSE OF AN EMAIL TELLS US EXACTLY WHY YOU CONTINUE TO SUPPRESS THE VOICE OF THOSE YOU SERVE.
[00:45:02]
>> CHELSEA GASS, FOLLOWED BY CONNER WALLACE.
HELLO. MY NAME IS CHELSEA GASS AND I LIVE AT 401 CIRCLE EAST, BRENTWOOD NORTH.
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD JUST CELEBRATED OUR 60TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL HIDDEN GEM RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN.
IT'S TWO STREETS, ONE WAY IN, ONE WAY OUT, THAT'S IT.
A FEW MONTHS AGO, A DRUNK DRIVER TOOK OUT OUR LITTLE SIGN AND I WANTED TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR HELPING US REPLACE IT.
BUT TONIGHT, I'M HERE BECAUSE MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS, MY HUSBAND AND I THINK THAT THE SPEED LIMIT NEEDS TO CHANGE AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF WE CAN GET SPEED BUMPS ADDED TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE SPEED LIMIT IS 25 MILES PER HOUR, WHICH IS TOO FAST FOR OUR TWO-STREET NEIGHBORHOOD.
MY NEIGHBORHOOD HAS TONS OF YOUNG CHILDREN, INCLUDING OUR THREE YOUNG BOYS, THAT PLAY AND RIDE BIKES UP AND DOWN THE STREETS.
I'VE ALREADY CALLED ALL THE DELIVERY SERVICE DRIVERS THAT GO AWAY TOO FAST LIKE FEDEX AND UPS, AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
I BELIEVE SPEED BUMPS ARE OUR LAST HOPE TO SLOW DOWN THE DRIVERS GOING TOO FAST.
I LEFT MY CELL PHONE NUMBER, MY ADDRESS, AND MY EMAIL, AND I HOPE TO HEAR BACK FROM THE TOWN ON THIS SITUATION.
THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IS MY FIRST PRIORITY.
IF I CAN GET YOUR HELP, PLEASE, SPEED LIMIT'S WAY TOO FAST.
THEY FLY DOWN THIS TWO-ROAD NEIGHBORHOOD, IT'S A LITTLE CIRCLE.
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, SUPER SMALL, IT'S VERY UNSAFE.
WE HAVE THOSE KIDS SIGNS OUT BY THE STREET, LOTS OF THEM BECAUSE THERE'S LOTS OF KIDS ON BOTH SIDES.
MY CONCERN IS MY KIDS' SAFETY, OUR SAFETY.
THEY DON'T EVEN SLOW DOWN WHEN THEY SEE THE KIDS IN THE STREET, THEY JUST FLY RIGHT BY.
THEN WHEN I TRIED TO TALK TO THEM, THEY'RE LIKE, "WELL, I'M GOING 25." I THINK 25, EVEN CHANGE IN SPEED LIMIT, IT JUST NEEDS TO BE BUMPED DOWN WITH SPEED BUMPS, SO IF WE CAN TRY, SOMEBODY. THANK YOU.
>> [BACKGROUND] APOLOGIZE, MR. TOWN MANAGER.
CONNER WALLACE, 107 JEANETTE WAY.
TO ME [INAUDIBLE] GENTLEMAN, AND HE SPOKE TODAY, THERE'S A POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTERESTS BETWEEN TOWN MANAGER KITZEROW AND CONSULTANT CHIEF POZZO.
EVEN BEFORE THAT MEETING, I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH MYSELF REGARDING THE CONSULTANT CHIEF POZZO AND THEY REQUIRED DIGGING INTO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIM AND MANAGER KITZEROW, BUT THAT GENTLEMAN IS A STRONG MAN JUST A LITTLE BIT, SO I DID SOME MORE DIGGING.
I PUT A LITTLE OF BUCKET RECORDS OR QUESTIONS ON TOWN MANAGER KITZEROW ABOUT ANY POSSIBLE SECONDARY OR PRELIMINARY CONFLICT OF INTERESTS BUT TOTALLY NONE EXISTED.
HOWEVER DON'T I SEE HIM AS POLLED WHEN HE WAS POLICE CHIEF.
IT WAS THE SESSION REGARDING FINANCIAL INTERESTS WITH ICMA WHICH, AFTER SOME MORE DIGGING, IS ACTUALLY UMBRELLA COMPANY FOR CPSM, THE SAME STUDY GROUP THAT WAS USED AND AT THE TIME WAS RECOMMENDED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
INTERESTING. WHAT'S EVEN MORE INTERESTING IS THAT TOWN MANAGER KITZEROW CONTINUE TO USE THE STUDY DESPITE THE INTEREST OF RECOMMENDATIONS IT'S MADE FOR OTHER STUDIES AND ITS OBVIOUS CONNECTION WITH THE COMPANY.
[INAUDIBLE] THE STUDY IS DONE AND FOR MICHIGAN'S POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT USED TO STUDY.
FOR POLICE, THE STUDY GROUP'S RECOMMENDATION FOR AN OVERBURDENED SYSTEM WAS A CUT-THROUGH RESPONSES FOR TRAFFIC INSTANCES, MEDICAL INCIDENCES AND ALARMS, ALSO THE SAME TRAFFIC INCIDENT THAT HELPED FIND THAT GENTLEMAN I WAS ABOUT TO GO DO SOME EXTREMELY UNFORTUNATE STUFF AT OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, ALTHOUGH WE FOUND HIM, OR EVEN THE HANDFUL OF POLICE OFFICERS HERE THAT PROBABLY RECEIVED RESUSCITATION AWARDS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE FOR RESPONDING TO MEDICAL INCIDENCES, INTERESTING.
SAME CONSULTING GROUP, IT SEEMS ODD.
AS FOR FIRE, THE GROUP'S RECOMMENDATION WAS TO CUT THE ARSON INVESTIGATION AS QUOTED IN THE STUDY.
YOU DON'T TYPICALLY CATCH PEOPLE WHO SAID THEY CAN BUILD THINGS ON FIRE.
THAT SEEMED INTERESTING. THAT'S JUST ONE STUDY, WE COULD GO INTO A LOT MORE OF THEM.
THAT'S NOT CONSIDERING CHIEF POZZO'S HISTORY HIMSELF.
AT VOLUSIA COUNTY, WHICH IS WHERE HE WORKED BEFORE, HE HAS A HISTORY OF BROWNING OUT STATIONS OR BROWNING OUT RESCUES FOR 12 HOURS INSTEAD OF 24 HOURS JUST TO SAVE MONEY, ALSO THE SAME REASON WHY WE'RE STARTING FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THAT'S SCARY CONSIDERATIONS, CONSIDERING WE HIRED THE GUY, JUST TO SAVE MONEY.
AS I MENTIONED A COUPLE OF MINUTES AGO AS WELL, THE SAME CPSM STUDY HAS ALREADY PROPOSED A WORST SCHEDULE FROM KEY WEST TO INDIAN RIVER COUNTY.
SOUNDS LIKE JUST ANOTHER EXPLOIT FOR THE TALENT AND EXPLOITS EMPLOYEES AND TURNS BACK ON THEM SOMEWHERE, JUST LIKE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
[00:50:01]
GETTING THE WORST SCHEDULE POSSIBLE WITHOUT PAYING THEM OVERTIME, IT'S UNFORTUNATE. THANK YOU.>> NEXT WE HAVE MICHELLE [INAUDIBLE] AND KRISTEN HENRY.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS MICHELLE MONDANA.
I LIVE AT 03:15 FOURTH STREET OR AS I LIKE TO CALL IT A FOOT.
I HAVE LIVED AT THAT ADDRESS FOR 50 YEARS, I JUST TURNED 53.
LIVED THERE SINCE I WAS THREE YEARS OLD.
I'VE DEALT WITH JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT, I'VE DEALT WITH JUPITER FIRE RESCUE AT JUPITER PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE.
LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE, I'VE GOT THE PAPERWORK HERE ABOUT THE AMBULANCES, TWO MILLION DOLLARS FOR AMBULANCES, THREE TRUCKS AND RESERVE TRUCK.
WE HAVE ALL OF THESE FIRE RESCUE VEHICLES TO US, AND THESE ARE JUST FOR VEHICLES.
WHAT ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT? THAT NEBULIZERS AND THE OXYGEN AND ALL THAT OTHER STUFF THAT HAS TO BE PAID FOR AS WELL.
I'D RATHER PAY MORE IN TAXES TO KNOW THAT MY LIFE WILL BE SAVED.
I'VE CALLED FIRE RESCUE SEVERAL TIMES FOR NEIGHBORS, FOR MYSELF, FOR MY PARENTS.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE.
I DON'T KNOW ANYBODY WITH FIRE RESCUE, BUT WE SHOULD LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE.
YOU LOOK LIKE YOU NEED TO WAKE UP.
[LAUGHTER] THIS GUY WAS LOOKING AT THE CEILING OVER HERE.
WE'RE SERIOUS. WE WANT TO VOTE. DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?
>> YOU SAID IT LOUD ENOUGH, I'M SPEAKING.
ANY WAY ASK YOURSELF, IF YOU'RE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND YOU CALL 911, WHERE'S OUR FIRE TRUCK? WHERE'S THESE AMBULANCES? YOU CALL FIRE RESCUE, THEY'RE GOING TO COME THEY'RE GOING TO SAVE YOUR LIFE.
>> I'M SORRY, THEY COULDN'T FIND MY HOUSE.
>> WELL, YOU TOLD US YOUR ADDRESS.
WE'LL FIND YOU. DON'T WORRY, PLEASE.
[BACKGROUND] PLEASE, LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE.
KEEP PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE.
I THINK YOU'RE MAKING A BIG MISTAKE.
WHY ARE YOU SHAKING YOUR HEAD, VICE MAYOR? IT'S MY TURN TO SPEAK. IT'S UP TO ME.
>> IT'S NOT YOU, IT'S EVERYTHING. GO AHEAD.
>> WE'RE ANGRY. MAYOR, COULD YOU LOOK AT ME WHEN I SPEAK?
>> I'M READY TO GO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
>> I THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT SHE WAS TYPING, I'M SORRY.
THIS IS MY FIRST EVER COUNCIL MEETING.
I HADN'T REALLY GIVEN A CRAP AND ALL THIS TIME WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS TOWN? THIS HAS GOT MY ATTENTION.
I WANT TO KEEP WELL ENOUGH ALONE.
JUST KEEP PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE JUST THE WAY IT IS.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ALL THESE EMPTY FIREHOUSES FOR WHAT? WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE THEM OVER OR ARE WE GOING TO BUILD A FIRE DEPARTMENT HERE AT THE TOWN COUNT AT THE TOWN HALL.
I COME HERE TO PAY MY WATER BILL.
NOW IT'S OUT IN THE FRONT, AND IT WAS IN THE BACK AND I USED TO PULL IT IN THERE.
YOU'VE GOT THE CHARGING STATIONS FOR THESE CARS.
WHOSE CARS ARE THOSE? THEY'RE NOT TOWN CARS FOR SURE.
BECAUSE THEY JUST READ THAT WE GOT NEW TRUCKS FOR THE WHATEVER DEPARTMENT IT WAS.
BASIC TRUCKS. WHOSE CARS ARE AT THOSE CHARGING STATIONS? IF THEY'RE YOURS, CHARGE YOUR CARS AT HOME.
IF THEY'RE THE PUBLICS, THEY SHOULDN'T BE HERE.
THEY SHOULD HAVE CHARGING STATIONS AT HOME FOR THOSE CARS.
WHY AM I PAYING FOR THAT? WHY ARE THE TOWN PEOPLE PAYING FOR THAT? IT'S MY TAXES. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.
I JUST WANT TO KEEP PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE JUST THE WAY IT IS. WE DESERVE IT.
ASKED YOURSELF, IN AN EMERGENCY, IF YOU HAD TO DEPEND ON PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE OR JUPITER FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHO ARE YOU GOING TO TRUST? WE GOT ONE FIRE TRUCK, NOBODY TO RUN IT.
THREE AMBULANCE IS NO WHITMAN AND RESERVE ONE AND THAT'S TWO MILLION DOLLARS, JUST LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR IN TOWN, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
KRISTEN HENRY, 109 MIRACLE WAY, JUPITER, FLORIDA.
I'M TRULY SADDENED TO BE STANDING HERE.
TRULY SADDENED TO BE STANDING HERE TONIGHT, MONTHS AFTER SO MANY RESIDENTS HAVE PLEADED, NOT ONLY TO KEEP THE DEPARTMENT THEY LOVE AND TRUST, BUT IF NOTHING ELSE, AT LEAST ASKING TO CONSIDER A FAIR VOTE AND THE MATTER.
IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE TOWN WAS RECENTLY SERVED A LAWSUIT.
FRANKLY, THAT IS COME TO THIS FAR IS UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT DON'T BENEFIT ANYONE.
BUT I SUPPOSE WHEN SO MANY VOICES GO UNHEARD, OFTENTIMES, IT TAKES GREAT LENGTHS TO REACH THIS POINT.
THERE HAVE BEEN QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY SO MANY TACTICS SUPPORTING PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE HAVE OCCURRED SINCE A NON-AGENDA VOTE.
FRANKLY, AS COUNSEL HAS SAID, FOR REASONS REGARDING THE SWIFT VOTE TO CANCEL THE PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE, DEADLINES HAD TO BE MADE ON THE RESIDENT'S SIDE AS WELL.
THE URGENCY TO ACT HAS ONLY BECOME MORE APPARENT IN THE PUSH THROUGH OF ITEMS TO CREATE THIS DEPARTMENT.
RESPECTFULLY, REGARDING MR. BARRETT'S COMMENT ON THE BALLOT QUESTION BEING INSUFFICIENT DUE TO BEING MISLEADING AND
[00:55:03]
CONFUSING BECAUSE IT FAILS TO ADEQUATELY ADVISED VOTERS OF THE PROPOSAL'S PURPOSE.I'M WONDERING WHAT LEGAL QUESTIONS AREN'T CONFUSING.
DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO VOTE ON ELECTION QUESTIONS IS ALMOST ALWAYS ADVISE DUE TO LEGAL JARGON.
IT'S OFTEN HARD TO UNDERSTAND THE TOWN COUNCILS AGENDA ITEMS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TRANSPARENT TO THE PUBLIC.
EVEN COUNCIL HAS TO ASK AT TIMES HOW TO, HOW TO BE ADVISED ON THE DIETS.
ON ANOTHER SUBJECT, REGARDING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION, IN THIS NOVEMBER'S LEAGUE OF CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE, ONE OF THE MAIN TOPICS WAS FIRST RESPONDER RETENTION.
I ADVISE YOU TO READ THE WHITE PAPER STUDY DONE BY FLORIDA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FLORIDA STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE.
THE FIRST PERTAINING TO THE SHORTAGE OF AVAILABLE FIREFIGHTERS, ESPECIALLY, PARAMEDICS.
CHIEF DURHAM, ACTUALLY, POINTED THIS OUT IN THE MARCH MEETING HERE IN THE COUNCIL.
I CONSIDER THE QUOTE WAS A CONSIDERABLE FACTOR FOR OUR FLORIDA WORKFORCE, IS THAT POPULATION HAS GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY.
THIS IS PLACED PRESSURE ON LOCAL AGENCIES TO EXPAND AND RETOOL THEIR SERVICE.
FLORIDA WAS LISTED AS THE FASTEST GROWING STATE IN AMERICA, INCREASING 1.2% IN JUST A YEAR.
THE NEXT ONE PERTAINS TO WHY RESONANCE AND FIRE FIGHTERS HAVE CLAIMED RETENTION PROBLEMS WITH MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS.
THIS FLOW IS FIREFIGHTERS HAVE NOW SEVERAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT HOLD PARAMEDIC AND ADVANCED COLLEGE DEGREES.
OFTENTIMES, FIRE FIGHTERS SEEK EMPLOYMENT WITH LARGER DEPARTMENTS WHICH COMMONLY PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS INCREASED BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION, SPECIALTY IN PARTICIPATION, AND UPWARD MOBILITY.
THESE ARE THE CHALLENGES SMALL MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS ARE FACING ALL OVER THE STATE OF FLORIDA TODAY.
LASTLY, AS MR. POSNER KINDLY POINTED OUT, THE COST OF LIVING IN THE TOWN IS UNAFFORDABLE.
JUST ANOTHER REASON WHY CANDIDATE SEARCH FOR HIGHER PAY AND BETTER BENEFITS.
>> THE LAST COMMENT IS FROM EMILY HAKE.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COUNCIL, EMILY HAKE JUPITER INLET FOUNDATION.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH JUPITER INLET FOUNDATION OR JIF, WE ARE FOR 501C3 CITIZEN ADVOCACY GROUP DEDICATED TO THE CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES ALONG THE WATERWAYS OF THE JUPITER INLET.
THE PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSETS THAT LIGHT THROUGHOUT THIS AREA, AND TO EDUCATING AND ENLIGHTENING RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ABOUT ALL OF THESE WONDERFUL TREASURES.
TODAY, JEFF WOULD FIRST WANT TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION TO THE JUPITER POLICE MARINE UNIT FOR ASSISTANCE THAT THEY HAVE PROVIDED THIS PAST YEAR.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SUPPORTIVE JEFF, IF ANYBODY IS HERE FROM THAT UNIT TONIGHT WITH A QUEUE.
NEXT, JEFF WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS HEARTFELT APPRECIATION TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS WHO PROVIDE INVALUABLE HELP AND FURTHERING OUR MISSION.
THESE FOLKS COME FORWARD WITH NO EXPLANATION, EXPECTATION OF COMPENSATION.
THE REWARD IS THE SATISFACTION OF LENDING A HAND.
IT'S AN ATTITUDE ROOTED IN A PERSONAL COMMITMENT OF DOING FOR OTHERS.
THIS PASTURE, THERE'S ONE PERSON IN PARTICULAR WHO HAS PROVIDED SHIFT WITH INVALUABLE ASSISTANCE.
FROM RETRIEVING RUNAWAY BLEEDS, EDUCATING LOCALS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING SEAGRASS.
ONCE EVEN SEEMING A BOARD MEMBER FROM DROWNING, THAT PERSON IS COME MAY.
MOST NEEDS WERE SPUR OF THE MOMENT.
CAMERA LENSES HELP AFTER SHIFT AT WORK OR TAKE TIME OFF ON HIS DAYS OFF.
OFTENTIMES WE DIDN'T KNOW WHO ELSE TO CALL FOR HELP, BUT CAN NEVER QUESTIONED.
HIS ANSWER WAS ALWAYS, I'LL BE THERE.
CAMPS DEDICATION TO THE JUPITER COMMUNITY CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED.
HIS DEEP LOCAL KNOWLEDGE OF ITS HISTORY, ITS CURRENT PLUS FUTURE NEEDS, AND HIS GENUINE COMMITMENT ARE REAL.
AS A FIRST RESPONDER, A WATERMAN, A HUSBAND, FATHER, AND STEWARD OF OUR COMMUNITY CAN MAY HAS SET THE BAR QUITE HIGH.
THIS TRANSPARENCY, HONESTY, CONCERN, AND GENUINE LOVE FOR JUPITER IS WHAT PROPELLED HIM TO BE A COUNSELOR.
SOMETHING WE'D HOPED WOULD BE A PREREQUISITE FOR ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND WHAT EACH SITTING MEMBER SHOULD REMEMBER AND SEEK TO EMULATE.
WE'RE HONORED THIS EVENING PRESENT 2% CANDY, THE JUPITER INLET FOUNDATION OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD IN RECOGNITION OF HIS EXEMPLARY COMMITMENT TO THE MISSION FOR JEFF AND FOR HIS OUTSTANDING VOLUNTARY ASSISTANCE.
[01:00:22]
[APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND][MINUTES]
THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 21ST TOWN COUNCIL MEETING AND THERE'S ALSO SOME CORRECTIONS ON THE DAIS.IF THERE'S NO FURTHER CORRECTIONS, I'D ASK FOR A MOTION.
>> MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA,
[CONSENT AGENDA]
THIS ITEMS 4 THROUGH 7.ON THE AGENDA, IS THERE ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC THAT WANTS TO PULL A CONSENT AGENDA ITEM?
>> YES. RESIDENTS WOULD LIKE TO PULL NUMBER 4.
>> ANYBODY IN THE COUNCIL THAT WOULD-
>> SEEING NONE, I GUESS I'LL TAKE A MOTION ON THE AMENDED AGENDA ITEMS 5, 6, AND 7.
>> MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
[4. Ordinance 15-23, First Reading - Consenting to continue the inclusion of Jupiter in the Jupiter-Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) to finance the provision of fire-rescue services by Palm Beach County Fire/Rescue (Second reading 12/19/2023). ]
THE PUBLIC AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4 ORDINANCE 15-23, FIRST READING.WE'LL I GUESS TURN FIRST TO THE MEMBERS IN THE PUBLIC THAT HAD COMMENTS ON THAT.
>> JAMES GUNN FOLLOWED BY WAYNE POSNER.
>> IS THIS A THREE-MINUTE DEAL; THIS ONE? YOU GUYS ARE TOUGH. I'M GOING TO MAKE IT EASY.
SAID 50-70 MILLION IN SAVINGS GO INTO A NEW DEPARTMENT.
SO $70 MILLION DIVIDED BY 61,000 RESIDENTS EQUALS $1,147.
DIVIDED BY 10 YEARS, THAT'S $114 PER YEAR.
114 PER YEAR DIVIDED BY 365 DAYS A YEAR, THAT'S 31 CENTS.
THIRTY-ONE CENTS A DAY IS THE DIFFERENCE THAT YOU WILL PAY TO KEEP THE TOP-NOTCH BEST DEPARTMENT THAT THIS TOWN COULD EVER HAVE AND YOU HOPE TO SAVE 31 CENTS IF YOU HIT YOUR TARGET.
NOW MALISE, I KNOW YOU LIKE NUMBERS. DO YOUR OWN MATH.
THAT'S NUMBER 1. NUMBER 2 IS I TOLD YOU THAT I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSAL A LITTLE BIT.
IN THE PROPOSAL; PAGE 69, 56-HOUR WORKWEEK IS WHAT IS PROPOSED.
THAT WORKWEEK HAS NOT BEEN WORKED IN THIS COUNTY TO MY KNOWLEDGE SINCE AT LEAST THE 1990S.
IN THE PROPOSAL, 76 FIREFIGHTERS TOTAL AMONGST ALL THREE SHIFTS AND THE DOLLAR AMOUNT WAS $13,000,710.
THAT'S FOR A 56-HOUR WORK WEEK.
WHAT'S WORKED IN THIS AREA? YOU KNOW IS A 48 HOUR WORKWEEK.
THAT'S WHO YOU'RE GOING TO COMPETE WITH FROM MIAMI TO AT LEAST MARTIN COUNTY, MAYBE EVEN FURTHER NORTH.
FOR YOU TO GO TO A 48-HOUR WORKWEEK AND COMPETE WITH EVERYBODY ELSE AROUND HERE, YOU'D HAVE TO HIRE AN ADDITIONAL 38 PEOPLE.
USING THE MATH AND THE REPORT, YOU'RE GOING TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL $6,530,304.
NOW YOU'RE HOPING TO SAVE FOUR MILLION A YEAR JUST FOR YOU TO COMPETE WITH YOUR LOCAL AREA IF YOU PLAN ON HAVING A 48-HOUR WORKWEEK AND ATTRACT PEOPLE, YOU'RE GOING TO PAY $6 MILLION MORE.
PLEASE DO THE MATH; IT'S ON PAGE 69.
I'M THINKING THAT A LOT OF YOU AREN'T ACTUALLY LOOKING AT THE REPORT AT ALL.
YOU'RE RELYING ON A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING TO GIVE YOU ANSWERS THAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR AND YOU'RE JUST RELYING ON HIM.
I SAID I TOLD YOU YOU THREE, I'M TALKING TO YOU TONIGHT.
PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND US A FAVOR AND START LOOKING AT THE REPORT.
IT'S IMPORTANT. THESE TWO PEOPLE ARE PUSHING YOU DOWN THE ROAD HOPING TO SPEND ALL THE MONEY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE SO THAT YOU JUST CAN'T TURN BACK.
[01:05:05]
WE STILL HAVE TIME TO LOOK AT IT.DON'T LISTEN TO ME, GO TO SOMEBODY THAT YOU TRUST.
JUST NOT HERE AND JUST NOT THERE, PLEASE; SOMEBODY ELSE, ANYWHERE ELSE.
CALL HIGHLAND BEACH AND ASK THEM HOW THEY'RE DOING WITH THEIR NEW FIRE DEPARTMENT.
CHIEF GLENN JOSEPH IS A GOOD PLACE TO GO LOOK.
ASK HIM IF THEY ARE UNDER BUDGET AND HOW MUCH THEY'RE PAYING.
>> [INAUDIBLE] I'M SORRY I INTERRUPT YOU AT ONE TIME.
I'M NORMAL LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.
MALISE DOES A PRETTY DEEP DIVE IN THESE THINGS AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO MALISE IMMENSELY.
EVERYBODY ELSE ON THE COUNCIL, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO.
I BELIEVE THE NUMBERS WILL WORK OUT NOT AT EXACTLY LIKE YOU SAID.
YOU CAN MASSAGE THE NUMBERS, BUT WE'RE NOT MASSAGING THE NUMBERS.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, WHEN WE PURCHASED HIS FIRST FIRE TRUCK, IT WAS WITHIN BUDGET SO THEREFORE I BELIEVE THE NUMBERS.
IN THAT ALONE, THAT PROVES IT OUT TO ME.
IT'S ALWAYS A CONTEST, WHO LIVED HERE LONGEST? WHO'S A JUPITER LOCAL? I'VE ONLY BEEN HERE 34 YEARS.
THAT'S EQUALS TO SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT STOOD UP HERE THEIR WHOLE LIVES.
I'M A JUPITER PERSON, I BELIEVE IN OUR COUNCIL, I BELIEVE IN OUR RULES OF LAW, I BELIEVE IN THE REPUBLICAN, I BELIEVE IN OUR CHARTER.
WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL, WE TALKED ABOUT THE CHARTER.
WE COULD HAVE CHANGED THE CHARTER THEN.
IF WE CHANGE THE CHARTER, WE'RE RISKING USING OUR POLICE BECAUSE THAT'S THE SAME KIND OF CONTRACT WE HAVE TO SIGN.
EVERY TIME THE CONTRACT COMES UP, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO BACK.
WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, LOOK HOW GOOD THEY DO.
I BELIEVE THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND NEW JUPITER FIRE DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO BE GREAT AND WE SHOULD GET BEHIND IT FAST.
>> KRISTEN HENRY FOLLOWED BY CHELSEA GASS.
>> HELLO AGAIN COUNCIL. KRISTEN HENRY, 109 MAJORCA WAY JUPITER.
FIRSTLY, I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE COUNSELOR MAY ON RECEIVING THIS AWARD.
IT'S AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT AS WELL AS I KNOW HALF OF THEM ARE GONE, BUT THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR AWARDS, ALSO INCREDIBLE.
I THINK EVERY RESIDENT WHO WANTS TO KEEP PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE ALSO AGREES THAT OUR JUPITER DEPARTMENT IS A GREAT DEPARTMENT.
WHAT WE DO SAY IS THAT PALM BEACH COUNTY IS A GREAT ONE AS WELL.
I'VE SEEN A LOT OF RECENT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT PALM BEACH COUNTY CONTRACT BASED ON THE INITIAL PROPOSAL NOT THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE.
ACCORDING TO THE TOWN'S HIRED CONSULTANTS TECHNICAL REPORT, THE MILLAGE RATE ACTUALLY DECREASED FROM 1.87-1.78 FOR THE 2024 YEAR, NOT THE INITIAL THREE PLUS RATE, A CHANGE THAT WAS MADE IN THE SAID NEGOTIATED CONTRACT.
IT IS ALSO MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PERCENT OF TRANSPORT FEES GIVEN TO THE TOWN OF JUPITER HAS ALSO INCREASED.
IN THE MARCH 21ST, 2023 MEETING, WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE INCREASED COST, IT WAS ADDRESSED BY PALM BEACH COUNTY THAT THINGS SUCH AS COST TO DO SERVICE HAD GONE UP, CALL VOLUME, UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRING STATION RENOVATIONS, PROVIDING EQUAL SERVICE TO THE TOWN WHEN THERE ARE MOVE UPS, ETC., ALL VIABLE REASONS TO SEE AN INCREASE AFTER A 10 YEAR CONTRACT.
DURING THAT TIME, WE'VE SEEN THE RATE OF POPULATION IN VISITORS IN OUR AREA EXPONENTIALLY EXPAND FASTER THAN THE RATE OF PROVIDING EXPANDING SERVICES.
AT THE MARCH 21ST MEETING, THE THIRD TIME PALM BEACH COUNTY CAME TO RENEGOTIATIONS.
REFLECTING COUNCILOR SUNDSTROM, YOU HAD ASKED IF THIS WAS THE BEST AND FINAL ON THE PROPOSAL.
CHIEF KENNEDY STATED, "I BELIEVE WE ARE NEARING THE END OF THIS AGREEMENT.
WE CERTAINLY WANT TO CONTINUE AND TALK ABOUT THESE DISCUSSIONS AND POINTS TO WORK THIS OUT WITH THE COUNCIL WHEREVER WE CAN." HE GOES ON TO SAY, "IN TERMS OF THE COST, I CERTAINLY WANT TO HEAR FEEDBACK BECAUSE I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
IN FACT, YOUR CONSULTANT CHIEF POZZO'S PRESENTATION HE STATED, "PALM BEACH COUNTY HAS ALWAYS COME TO THE TOWN TO ASK THE COUNCIL BEFORE ANY CHANGES WERE MADE." THIS TO ME DOES NOT SOUND LIKE THE TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT GUN TO JUPITER'S HEAD RESPONSES THAT I'VE HEARD REGARDING NO CHOICE TO CHANGE.
RESPECTFULLY MAYOR, WHEN ADDRESSING PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE CONTRACT AND YOUR RESERVATIONS ABOUT ALLOWING ALLOCATED COST TO BUILD THE NEW STATION, IF THERE BECOMES A FUTURE NEED, YOU SAID THAT THE TOWN WAS AT BUILD-OUT AND DIDN'T SEE A NEED.
YET THE TOWN'S PLAN IS PROPOSED TO BUILD TWO ADDITIONAL STATIONS AND ARE NOW CLAIMING THAT CREATING JUPITER FIRE RESCUE WILL BENEFIT THE TOWN DECREASING RESPONSE TIME DUE TO THOSE ADDITIONAL STATIONS.
[01:10:02]
THIS IS WHY PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE HAS A CLASS 1 RATING DUE TO THEIR ABILITY TO SERVE A CERTAIN CITIZEN TO PERSONNEL AND DEPARTMENT RATIO.IN FACT, WHEN THE BRIDGE WAS CLOSED, STATION 11 WAS CREATED TO MAINTAIN THAT TOP LEVEL OF SERVICE, ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF PALM BEACH COUNTY'S ABILITY TO PIVOT AND PROVIDE RESOURCES WHEN NEEDED; A MOVE WHICH RESPECTFULLY MAYOR, YOU DID NOT NECESSARILY AGREED TO IN THE MARCH MEETING.
IN FACT, THERE WAS A COMMENT THAT SAID IN THE MEETING THAT THERE'S A LEVEL OF SERVICE AND THEN THERE IS COST.
>> HELLO, AGAIN. MY NAME IS CHELSEA GASS, I LIVE AT BRENTWOOD NORTH.
2023 WILL BE A YEAR THAT THE RESIDENTS WILL NOT FORGET.
IT WILL BE A YEAR THAT THE RESIDENTS OF JUPITER WILL LOOK BACK ON AND WILL NOT BE PROUD OF OUR MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE HAVE TRIED EXTREMELY HARD TO GET YOU TO LISTEN, BUT YOU ARE BLATANTLY DISREGARDING ALL OF OUR COMMENTS AND CONCERNS.
WE ARE HERE AGAIN TONIGHT ASKING YOU TO STOP SPENDING OUR MONEY.
GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.
IF YOU THINK THIS IS SUCH A GREAT IDEA FOR OUR TOWN, GIVE US A CHANCE TO VOTE.
YOUR CHOICE WILL BE PUSHING OUT THE LOCALS BECAUSE WE WON'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE HERE ANYMORE.
HE'S RIGHT, KEEP JUPITER, JUPITER AND KEEP PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE SERVICE.
>> OKAY. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON 11623?
>> SCOTT, JUST REAL QUICK. BEFORE THIS MSU WAS ALWAYS A RENEWED ON FIVE-YEAR TERMS.
>> ACTUALLY IT WAS A 10 YEAR, IT WAS SET FOR THE FULL 10 YEAR INITIALLY UNDER THE OLD CONTRACT.
WELL, YOU ADOPTED IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR ALSO NOW CONTAINS AN ELEMENT TO BE RENEWED ANNUALLY.
>> OKAY. THAT WAS MY QUESTION IS SWITCHING TO AN ANNUAL RENEWAL.
>> THIS IS A PROCEDURAL PROCESS THAT WE'LL GO THROUGH EVERY YEAR.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, WHEN WE'RE NEGOTIATING WITH THE COUNTY, WE DISCUSSED THAT SO THEY ARE WELL AWARE THAT THIS CONTINUAL CONSENT WILL OCCUR EVERY YEAR, ANNUALLY.
>> JUST FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW, THIS IS A WAY TO BE ABLE TO COLLECT THE SPECIAL RATE THAT WE ARE GIVEN BY PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE.
>> IT IS THERE FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO COLLECT THE RATE AND SET TRIM IN JULY, BECAUSE I HAVE TO SEND IT TO THE PROPERTY APPRAISER AS WELL.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE, I'LL TAKE A MOTION ON ORDINANCE 15-23 ON FIRST READING.
>>SECOND. I'D ASK THE TOWN ATTORNEY TO READ THE ORDINANCE 15 AND 23 ON SHORT TERM.
>> ORDINANCE 15-23 AND ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL EXPERIMENT JUPITER, FLORIDA, CONSENTING TO THE TOWNS CONTINUING PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC WHICH CAN INJECT YOUR MSW FOR FIRE RESCUE, EMERGENCY MEDICAL, AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES FOR 2024 AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> HAD A MOTION AND A SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ON TO REGULAR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 8,
[8. Approval of Song & Assoc. extension of contract W1734 and the approval Song & Assoc. Professional Services Fee Proposal Agreement for Town Hall phase II demolition and site restoration.]
AND I GUESS ASK STAFF FOR PRESENTATION AND WHAT HAVE YOU.>> GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE WITH THE TOWN HALL, AS WELL AS PHASE 2.
FIRST OF ALL, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF FINISHING THE NEW TOWN HALL.
I WAS HANDED OFF THIS PROJECT BY MIKE DELILAH, IN A VERY GOOD SPACE IN TERMS OF ON BUDGET AND IT BEING ON TIME.
I'D LIKE TO THANK HIM FOR THAT.
POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
THIS PROJECT HAS DEFINITELY BEEN A TEAM-BUILDING EXERCISE.
ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE COME TOGETHER TO CREATE SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR OUR CITIZENS.
I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL THE DEPARTMENTS AND EACH AND EVERY EMPLOYEE FOR MAKING SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR THE CITIZENS.
TONIGHT I'M GOING TO DISCUSS THE TOWN HALL BUILDING UPDATES.
I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU SOME PHOTOGRAPHS SO WE CAN SHOW THE PUBLIC THE PROGRESS THAT WE'VE MADE OVER THERE AND HOW BEAUTIFUL THAT BUILDING IS.
WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT EXTENDING A CONTRACT WITH SOME ASSOCIATES.
[01:15:04]
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO TALK ABOUT CONSIDERATION FOR YOUR APPROVAL TO APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE PROPOSAL FOR PHASE 2 SO WE CAN GET THE DRAWINGS AND THE ITEMS THAT WE NEED TO BEND THIS CASE TO.THEN I'M ALSO LOOKING FOR COUNCIL'S DIRECTION ON EIGHT ITEMS PERTAINING TO PHASE 2.
AT THE END I HAVE A LIST, AND THEN I HAVE A SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON.
A LOT OF THE PHOTOS THAT I'M GOING TO HAVE IS JUST TO SHOW THE PUBLIC HOW BEAUTIFUL THE GREEN SPACE IS GOING TO BE AND HOW BEAUTIFUL THAT NEW BUILDING LOOKS.
I DO HAVE SOME SUBJECT EXPERTS HERE WITH ME TONIGHT.
I HAVE GARRETT WATSON RIGHT THERE.
ANY PARKING QUESTIONS, PRINCIPAL PLANNER, HE'LL BE HERE FOR US.
I HAVE JOHN SICKLER, THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND ZONING.
HE'LL BE HERE TO HELP US WITH THE GREEN SPACE.
I HAVE ROB CASTROVINCI THE PRINCIPAL WITH SOME ASSOCIATES, IF WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE DESIGN.
WELL, LET'S START OFF WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THE NEW TOWN HALL.
FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANTED TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW WHERE THE MAIN ENTRY WAYS FOR THE NEW BEAUTIFUL TOWN HALL.
WE HAVE A NORTH ENTRY AND AN EAST CENTURY.
THESE PICTURES DON'T REALLY DO IT JUSTICE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF LANDSCAPING AND IT'S BEEN COMPLETED.
WE'VE MADE SOME GOOD PROGRESS SINCE THESE PHOTOGRAPHS WERE TAKEN.
IN TERMS OF EMPLOYEE ENTRANCE, THEY CAN ENTER IN THROUGH ANY OF THE ENTRANCES.
BUT WE DO ON THE SOUTH SIDE HAVE AN ENTRANCE INTO THE BREAK ROOM.
HERE WE HAVE OUR GRANT URBAN CORRIDOR.
AS YOU WALK IN EITHER ENTRY OF THE BUILDING, THE MAIN ENTRIES, YOU'LL SEE THIS BEAUTIFUL FEATURE IT ALMOST RESEMBLES A BOAT HALL.
THEN YOU HAVE THE BEAUTIFUL BLUE PAINT REPRESENTING THE WATER.
IT'S JUST MAGNIFICENT OVER THERE.
THIS CUSTOMER LOBBY WILL BE A PLACE WHERE STAFF CAN INTERFACE WITH OUR CUSTOMERS AND CITIZENS.
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TWO MEETING ROOMS THAT WERE ABLE TO UTILIZE WHEN CUSTOMERS COME IN AND WANT TO TALK WITH US AND DISCUSS PLANS OR OTHER ITEMS. WE HAVE NICE COMFORTABLE CONFERENCE ROOMS THAT WE CAN GO IN TO.
THEN I TOOK SOME PICTURES OF THE BACK-OFFICE CABINET TREE.
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE OFFICES.
AS YOU CAN SEE, IT STARTS AS THE SAND AND THEN IT GOES INTO THE WAVES AND THEN YOU HAVE THE WATER REPRESENTED.
THIS IS FINISHED AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY JANUARY 16TH.
THIS IS GOING TO BE LOCATED ON THE NORTH ENTRY ON THE EAST SIDE, AS YOU WALK INTO THE ENTRY.
IT'LL BE SIMILAR TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WE'VE ALREADY STARTED INSTALLING THE MODULE FURNITURE.
WE'RE HOPING TO HAVE THAT COMPLETED BY THE 11TH.
WE HAVE AN EARLY TARGET DATE THAT WE'RE STILL ON SCHEDULE FOR FOR TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY FOR ON THE 15TH, 16TH, AND 17TH WOULD BE THE MOVE IN.
WE WOULD HAVE ALL THE COMPUTERS HOOKED UP DURING THAT WEEKEND AND THEN OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON THE 18TH.
THE CONTRACTUAL TARGET FOR TEMPORARY CEO IS JANUARY 1ST, MOVE IN WOULD BEGIN THE SECOND, AND THEN WE WILL BE OPENED FOR BUSINESS ON THE 8TH.
WE HAVE AN UPCOMING RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY ON THE 16TH.
I'M HOPING TO GET PHASE 2 CONTRACT BACK TO YOU FEBRUARY 20TH, IF APPROVAL OF THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ARE CONSIDERED AND APPROVED.
[01:20:02]
WE WOULD START THE PROJECT.WE WOULD ISSUE A NOTICE TO PROCEED, AND THEN WE WOULD START THE PROJECT.
PHASE 2, IT WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY 11 MONTHS FROM START TO FINISH.
I AM ASKING YOU TO CONSIDER CONTRACT W17 34.
THIS WAS DONE BY RESOLUTION 27 18, AUTHORIZING A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH SONG ASSOCIATES.
CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN FIVE YEARS ALREADY.
WITHIN THE CONTRACT, WE HAD A SECTION 2.1 THAT WOULD ALLOW A THREE-YEAR EXTENSION.
THE EXTENSION PERIOD WOULD BE FROM APRIL 17TH OF 2023 THROUGH APRIL 17TH OF 2026.
THE NEXT PIECE IS THE CONSIDERATION OF THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND FEES ASSOCIATED WITH PHASE 2.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS SO FAR? HERE IS THE FEE OF $165,000 I HAVE SCHEDULED OUT EACH OF THE ACTIVITIES THAT GO ALONG WITH THIS PROFESSIONAL SERVICE.
I JUST WANTED TO BE ABLE TO SHOW THE PUBLIC FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF SLIDES SO EVERYBODY CAN TAKE A LOOK AND THE PUBLIC CAN SEE.
AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION, I'LL HAVE A SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON OF THE PREVIOUS APPROVED SITE PLAN, AS WELL AS THE RECOMMENDED.
THIS IS THE PREVIOUS APPROVED SITE PLAN.
BASICALLY JUST AT A HIGH LEVEL.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THE LET ME SEE, RIGHT HERE, IT HAS A T AWNING.
THE GREEN SPACE GOES ALL THE WAY UP TO MILITARY TRAIL.
THERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL PARKING ALONG THIS AREA.
THE CONCERN WITH THIS LAYOUT WISE, EMERGENCY VEHICLES BEING ABLE TO TRANSVERSE IN FRONT OF THE TOWN HALL AND BEING ABLE TO GET OUT THIS WAY.
AS YOU COULD SEE, WITH THE PROPOSED, IT ALLOWS FOR A LITTLE MORE RADIUS TO BE ABLE TO MANEUVER THROUGH THE PARKING LOT INTO THE INTERSECTION.
HERE'S AN ENLARGED OF THE PROPOSED SO I'M GOING TO JUST GO THROUGH SOME OF THE PROPOSALS, NOT TO HAVE THAT T-SHAPED AWNING, TO HAVE IT MIMIC WHAT IS EXISTING OUT THERE NOW ON THE MAIN ENTRANCES FOR THE, WHAT IS THAT, THE YOUR MOVE SIDE AS WELL AS THE EMPLOYEE ENTRY.
TO HAVE THE PARKING PARALLEL TO MILITARY TRAIL REMAIN AS A COST-SAVING MEASURE, TO ELIMINATE AND ADD MORE GREEN SPACE ALONG THIS AREA, AND TO PUT THAT RADIUS SO WE CAN HAVE OUR EMERGENCY VEHICLES TRANSVERSE THIS PARKING AREA.
THIS IS A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THE EAST ENTRANCE.
THIS WILL BE IN PHASE 2 WHERE YOU HAVE EITHER A PAVER BRECK OR A STAMP CONCRETE THAT WILL PICK UP THE COQUINA WALLS VERY NICELY.
HERE'S A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THAT GREEN SPACE LOOKING WEST.
IT REALLY PUTS HOW BEAUTIFUL THIS CAMPUS IS GOING TO BE ONCE WE CLEAR OUT THIS OLD BUILDING.
HERE IS A BIRD'S EYE VIEW LOOKING NORTH.
[01:25:03]
PLENTY OF GREEN SPACE TREES.BASICALLY WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITH THIS SECOND PHASE IS TO CREATE A BLANK PALETTE.
WE CAN HAVE CITIZENS INVOLVEMENT ON WHAT THIS MIGHT BE AND HOW MIGHT IT BE PROGRAMMED.
THEN PLANNING AND ZONING CAME UP WITH AN INTERESTING CONCEPT WHILE WE DO HAVE THE GREEN SPACE TO BE ABLE TO PUT SOME TEMPORARY, NATIVE WILD FLOWERS TO GIVE IT SOME INTEREST.
ALSO TRY TO GET THE JUPITER HIGH SCHOOL, THE HORTICULTURE PROGRAM INVOLVED WITH THE PLANNING.
HERE ARE THE PROPOSED COST REDUCTIONS THAT I'D LIKE TO GO OVER WITH YOU.
VM2, AND THEN I'M GOING TO SWITCH TO THE SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON.
THE FIRST ONE WOULD BE TO REDUCE THE ALUMINUM AWNING COVERED INSTEAD OF A T, JUST A STRAIGHT SHOT.
ELIMINATE SIDE AND REPLACE WITH THE SIDE IN THE CENTER WITH WILD FLOWERS AND SEEDS AROUND THE PERIMETER AND GET JUPITER HIGH SCHOOL INVOLVED.
NUMBER 3, ELIMINATE THAT ADDITIONAL PARKING AND CREATE MORE TOWN GRAIN.
NUMBER 4, THIS IS A PARKING AREA THAT IS IN PHASE 1.
HOWEVER, WE'RE GOING TO BE RECEIVING CREDIT FOR THIS BECAUSE THERE'S SOME UTILITIES IN PHASE 2 THAT NEED TO BE RUN UNDERNEATH THE PARKING LOT THERE, SO IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO PUT THE PARKING LOT AND THEN IN PHASE 2 RUN THE FIRE HYDRANTS AND UTILITIES.
WE WANT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT.
ONE RECOMMENDATION IS TO ELIMINATE THAT PARKING AND CREATE ADDITIONAL GREEN SPACE.
NUMBER 5, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THE EXISTING PARKING NEXT TO MILITARY TRAIL, SO WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY TO DEMO THAT.
THEN NUMBER 6, WE HAVE SOME EXISTING SITE LIGHTING THAT CAN BE REPURPOSED FOR PHASE 2.
THEN NUMBER 7, PROTECT THE EXISTING TREES AROUND THE GREEN SPACE INSTEAD OF TRYING TO RELOCATE THEM.
THAT WAS A PRETTY BIG EXPENSE.
THEN ANOTHER COST-SAVING MEASURE WOULD BE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET SOIL ONCE THE TOWN HALL IS DEMOED AND WE HAVE A LOW AREA HERE TO BE ABLE TO GET SOIL FROM JUPITER INLET DISTRICT.
THEY WOULD DONATE IT. WE WOULD HAVE IT TRANSPORTED OVER HERE TO FILL IN THAT GREEN SPACE.
SO HERE'S THE SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON.
>> THIS HAS BEEN GOOD INFORMATION, THUS FAR, I APPRECIATE IT.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WHAT IT IS WE WERE BEING ASKED TO ACT ON.
CERTAINLY, EXERCISING A THREE-YEAR EXTENSION ON THE SONG AND ASSOCIATES CONTRACT, THAT MAKES SENSE.
WE HAVE ADDITIONAL WORK IN THE COMPLEX TO BE DONE.
BUT THEN IS THERE ANOTHER ITEM THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY BEING ASKED TO ACT UPON A SCOPE OF WORK OF SERVICES BASED ON SOME CERTAINTY OF THE SCOPE OR MY MISSION [OVERLAPPING]
>> WELL I'M ASKING TO HAVE THE CONTRACT EXTENDED AND THEN APPROVAL OR CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL, THE FEE TO DO THE WORKING DRAWINGS.
>> I GOT THAT, BUT YOU'RE ASSUMING THAT WE'RE GOING TO AGREE TO EVERYTHING THAT'S ON HERE.
BUT I JUST WANT TO ASK, I DON'T SEE AND I MADE THIS COMMENT BEFORE GOVERNMENTAL COMPLEX SIGNAGE CHANGE.
WE'VE GOT AN ANTIQUATED SIGN OUT FRONT I WAS EXPECTING THAT THAT WAS, I DON'T SEE THAT IN HERE.
I WOULDN'T THINK THAT'S AN INSIGNIFICANT ITEM.
WELL, I WANT TO ASK ABOUT WHAT'S THE NET PARKING CHANGE? WHILE I ALWAYS APPRECIATE PROPOSED STAFF RECOGNIZING PROPOSED COST REDUCTIONS,
[01:30:04]
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ADDRESSING EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS BEFORE WE PROCEED, AND THEN NEXT THING YOU DO WHEN YOU BRING IT BACK A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT ON THAT.I DON'T KNOW HOW MY COLLEAGUES FEEL ABOUT THAT, BUT CERTAINLY SIGNAGE HAS TO BE A PART OF THIS NEXT PHASE.
>> YES, SIR. WE HAVE OR WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING A TOWN.
WE'RE FINDING SIGN PROGRAM AND WE VOTE.
WE ALREADY HAVE A WORKING GROUP TOGETHER.
>> UNDER WAYFINDING, BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT ALONG MILITARY TRAIL, EVEN AS THE SIGNAGE EXIST.
WE REALLY GOING TO EXPECTING THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE MODERNIZED, AND NOW IT'S GOING TO BE MORE BECAUSE NOW WHEN THAT SIGN WAS PUT IN, WE DIDN'T HAVE TO TELL HIM BUILDINGS, WE HAD ONE COMBINED.
NOW WE HAVE A PLACE WE HAVE SO WHICH SEEMS PARTICULARLY SETBACK, WE WOULD HAVE JUST DIFFERENT SIGNAGE GENERALLY DESIGNED, BUT WHAT IT'S SAYING THAT'S NOT WAYFINDING.
>> MAYOR, WE CURRENTLY TALKING ABOUT THE SIGNAGE SPECIFICALLY, WE DO HAVE MONEY IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET THAT WE HAVE SET ASIDE SPECIFICALLY FOR SIGNAGE ON THE TOWN HALL CAMPUS.
THAT'S ALREADY BEEN CONSIDERED, AND WE WILL DEFINITELY CONSULT WITH THE COUNCIL ON THAT ITEM.
>> I KNEW, I RECOLLECT THAT, IT'S NOT IN THE SCOPE YET.
I'M JUST ASKING IT WASN'T MENTIONED AND THAT'S WE'D BE COMING BACK WITH ANOTHER SCOPE CHAIN FOR THAT. IS THAT THE PLAN?
>> YES, SIR. WELL, I GUESS I WAS PUTTING IN, LETTING YOU KNOW WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE ORIGINAL SITE PLAN, WHERE COULD I FIND SAVINGS FOR THE TAXPAYERS? I WENT THROUGH IT AND THESE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE MINED OUT OF IT, AND I'M PRESENTING IT TO YOU COUNSEL TO SEE WHERE.
>> THE DIRECTION I'M RECOMMENDING.
>> I WAS MORE JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALL UNDERSTOOD WHAT IS OUR ACTION HERE, BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE ACCEPTING THE PROPOSAL ALREADY MAYBE LIMITING WHAT'S IN THERE AND THAT'S WHY I ASKED BY EXAMPLE ON THE SIGNAGE.
THAT'S NOT IN THERE, THEN OKAY, THAT GETS COVERED LATER.
FINE IT ISN'T A MESS, IT'S GOING TO BE COVERED.
BUT IT SEEMED LIKE WE'RE KEEPING PARKING, WE'RE DELETING PARKING, SO WHAT'S THE LOGICAL QUESTION IS YOUR NET PARKING CHANGE OR IS IT NET ZERO?
>> THANK YOU MAYOR. FOR THE RECORD, GARY WATSON, PLANNING AND ZONING.
WITH THE PROPOSED CHANGES UP THERE TO REMOVE THE SPACE THAT'S NOTED AS THREE, POTENTIALLY REMOVE THE SPACE NOTED AS FOUR, BUT KEEPING THE SPACES OF FIVE, IT'S A NET ZERO.
>> OKAY, AND THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT. IT'S LOGICAL WHILE YOU'RE MAKING THOSE CHANGES, BUT I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU AREN'T TRYING TO SAVE MONEY AND THEN REGRETTING IT IF WE DON'T HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES WE THOUGHT THE COMPLEX IS GOING TO HAVE, SO IT'S A NET ZERO.
>> SIR IS THE PRESENTATION FINISHED? I'LL WAIT UNTIL THE END.
>> JUST WANTED TO GO TO NEXT STEPS.
I'M HOPING NEXT STEPS WILL BE BASED TO COUGH BEEN BRINGING THE CONTRACT TO YOU BEFORE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION FEBRUARY 20TH.
DEMOLITION OF THE CURRENT TOWN HALL TO BE COMPLETED BY JUNE OR JULY, STARTING AT THE END OF FEBRUARY.
DAYS TO COMPLETION, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER OF 2024 AND WE ARE WORKING ON THE WAYFINDING.
SCOTT TALKED ABOUT THE MONEY THAT'S BEEN APPROPRIATED FOR THE CAMPUS SIGNAGE PROGRAM, AND WE ALREADY HAVE A WORKING GROUP WORKING WITH THAT. QUESTIONS?
>> TURN IT ON TO COUNSELOR SECTION FIRST.
>> TO THE SLIDE THAT YOU HAD UP EARLIER WITH THE PROPOSED COST REDUCTIONS.
THIS IS THE DIRECTION YOU'RE SEEKING TONIGHT FROM THE PRESENTATION.
JUST TO GO OVER AGAIN WHAT'S EXPECTED THESE ARE EARLY DISCUSSIONS, JUST GENERAL OUTLINES, THOUGHTS ON WHAT COUNCIL IS THINKING ABOUT THESE DIFFERENT ITEMS PROPOSED.
I'D BE INTERESTED IN SEEING WHAT THE COST SAVING IS FOR EACH ITEM.
[01:35:03]
SOME MAYBE MORE THAN OTHERS, AND THAT WOULD CERTAINLY BE A FACTOR.I CERTAINLY MAY NO, I DON'T SEEM TO BE INTERESTED IN ALL OF THEM AS I LOOK AT IT.
THE ALUMINUM MINING FOR EXAMPLE.
IN TERMS OF INCLEMENT WEATHER FOR SHADE, IT CREATES AN OUTDOOR GATHERING PLACE FOR RESIDENTS, AND I SEE THERE'S A STRUGGLE WITH THE COMMUNITY CENTER AT TIMES WITH ALL OF THE SUN THERE, WITH THE PALM TREES.
THAT DEPENDING ON COST, BUT I THINK THAT ONE I WOULD WANT TO KEEP, HONESTLY.
ELIMINATING THE SIDE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A DREAM WITH THE WILDFLOWERS, I SEE STEPHANIE'S PRINTS ON THIS AND I THINK IT'S LOVELY.
I WOULD BE IN SUPPORT OF THAT, ABSOLUTELY, AND TO GET JUPITER HIGH SCHOOL TO PARTICIPATE WOULD BE A WONDERFUL THING.
I'D BE INTERESTED IN WHAT THE TOTAL GREEN SPACES FOR THE MUNICIPAL CAMPUS, AND HOW THIS ADDS TO IT, AND WHAT THE GOAL IS FOR JUST THAT ADDITIONAL CONTEXTS.
THEN KEEPING FIVE, I AGREE WITH THAT BECAUSE IF IT'S EXACTLY ON MILITARY TRAIL, WE DON'T KNOW YET WHAT THE USES FOR THE SPACE WILL BE, BUT IF SOCCER IS PLAYED OR IF RESIDENTS ARE OUT, I WANT IT TO BE CONTAINED AND SAFE FROM MILITARY TRAIL SPEEDS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
THAT WAS ONE THOUGHT. KEEP EXISTING SITE LIGHTING, I THINK I'LL HAVE TO VISIT.
IT'S HARD WITH THE BUILDINGS BEING WHERE THEY ARE TO VISUALIZE THIS.
I'D WANT TO GET A BETTER SENSE OF THAT TO SEE WHAT'S EXISTING AND WHAT WE CAN KEEP.
THEN THE JUPITER INLET DISTRICT, THAT'S WONDERFUL.
THEY HELP US WITH OUR BEACHES, THEY CAN HELP US WITH THIS.
I LOVE THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THEM.
THOSE ARE JUST SOME INITIAL THOUGHTS FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, BUT I'LL HAVE TO HEAR MY COLLEAGUES.
>> I JUST WANT TO, SOMEWHAT HAVE CAPTURED.
DO YOU WANT TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT THAT?
>> WELL I'D LIKE TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT ALL OF THEM IN TERMS OF COST AND PACKED JUST FOR MORE CONTEXT.
ONE I'M IN SUPPORT OF KEEPING BECAUSE OF THE GATHERING SPACE IT CREATES OUTDOOR.
MY BACKYARD IS MY OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM IN A WAY.
IT CREATES ANOTHER SPACE AND INCLEMENT WEATHER.
IF IT'S A REALLY HOT, SUNNY DAY AND RESIDENCE WANTED TO TALK AND THEY'RE TOO COLD FROM THE AC OR THE WHATEVER.
IT JUST CREATES ANOTHER SPACE AND MAKES IT A BIT MORE COMFORTABLE.
>> WELL 3, 4 AND 5 SEEM LIKE THEY'RE A COLLECTIVE DECISION THAT HAD TO BE MADE, PARTICULARLY WITH THE EMERGENCY VEHICLE.
>> THEREFORE 3, 4 AND 5 ARE NET ZERO.
>> THAT'S AN ENHANCED DESIGN. WELL, LET ME ASK OTHERS. VICE MAYOR, YOU SAID.
>> I'M IN AGREEMENT WITH COUNCIL SUNDSTROM.
THE AWNING, I LOOK AT IT AS RAIN PROTECTION IN THE SUMMER.
IT TAKES YOU ONE SECOND TO STEP OUT OF THE CAR AND BE COMPLETELY DRENCHED.
YOU'D HAVE A GOOD LIKE 25'' WALK, AND IF IT'S SOMEONE'S DISABLED, GETTING OUT, NEEDS HELP, I WOULD WANT THAT ORIGINAL DESIGN WITH A T ON IT.
IN REGARDS SEED VERSUS SOD, ARE THERE THE MAINTENANCE ISSUES BETWEEN SOD OR SEED.
SEED YOU HAVE TO RECEIVE EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS OR ONCE A YEAR.
SOD HAS ITS OWN LATER IN LIFE ISSUES WITH FUNGUS AND INVASIVE WEEDS AND ALL THAT STUFF IS THERE.
I KNOW IT'S A COST-SAVINGS WHO'S BEGINNING BUT OVER TIME, IS IT MORE MAINTENANCE FOR THE SEED. DO YOU KNOW?
>> I'M NOT SURE. [OVERLAPPING] I FIND CURIOUS.
>> SOD ALWAYS LOOKS GREAT WHEN IT'S MAINTAINED.
>> WE DID ANTICIPATE COST SAVINGS THROUGH THAT.
ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WE WERE LOOKING AT DOING THIS WAS TO BE AN INTERIM USE OF THE AREA.
YOU TEST OUT TO SEE HOW THAT WORKS.
IT CAN ALL BE MOWED DOWN TO REALLY SEED WITH BEARER.
IF WE GO WITH SEED WITH BEARER WE WILL HAVE TO GROW IT RELATIVELY HIGH, LIKE MAYBE 18 INCHES OCCASIONALLY TO GET IT TO RECEDE BEFORE IT'S ACTUALLY CUT DOWN.
THE SAME THING WITH THE WHITE WILDFLOWERS.
OR WE CAN CHOOSE TO RECEDE A COUPLE OF TIMES, MAYBE THREE TIMES A YEAR AND GO THROUGH THAT.
BUT IT'S REALLY NOT LOOKED AT A LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION.
IT'S REALLY LOOKED AT AN INTERIM USE OF THAT AREA THAT WOULD HAVE SOME POTENTIAL FOR LIKE DURING THE SEASONS WHERE THE FLOWERS GROW, AND THEY GO IN AND OUT OF THERE TIMEFRAME FOR BLOOMING.
[01:40:03]
IT'LL CREATE A NICE AESTHETIC.BUT OTHER TIMES A YEAR, WE MAY ACTUALLY JUST MOW IT DOWN, AND THEN AS WE WORK THROUGH WHAT THE LONG-TERM PLAN IS FOR THAT SPACE, THAT WILL BE PRESUMABLY IT WILL EVOLVE INTO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
>> I LIKE THE IDEA OF SOMETHING MAYBE IN THE FUTURE WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE AND ROLL A TWO AS A PERMANENT SOLUTION FOR THE WHOLE SITE.
I THINK PROTECTING EXISTING TREES FOR NOW, IT'S JUST COST-SAVINGS AND IF DOWN THE ROAD WE HAVE TO RELOCATE SOME OF THEM.
I DON'T SEE ANY REASON TO MESS WITH THAT AT THIS POINT.
>> IN THE ORIGINAL PHASE 2 SITE PLAN THERE WAS A LOT OF TREES BEING RELOCATED.
WITH THE CONFIGURATION OF THE PARKING WITH THE RADIUS GOING OUT, WE ONLY HAVE TO REMOVE ONE TREE.
>> IT'LL BE REMOVED AND RELOCATE IT.
INSTEAD OF QUITE A FEW TREES, WOULD JUST LIMIT IT DOWN TO ONE.
>> THEN OBVIOUSLY THE SOIL FROM GID, WE ALL LOVE THE PARTNERSHIP AND WE CAN GET FREE SOIL OR DISCOUNTED. WHERE ARE THEY GETTING THAT FROM?
>> JUST CURIOUS. IS IT A [OVERLAPPING].
IT'S BEEN ON THEIR SITE FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS.
IT HAS BEEN CLEANSE THROUGH THE RAIN PROCESS AND DRINK.
THOMAS HERNANDEZ HAS, ACTUALLY, GONE OUT AND LOOKED AT IT, INSPECTED IT AND I THINK WITH BARE CHRIS AS WELL, THE NATURAL RESOURCE COORDINATOR, TO MAKE SURE THAT THE QUALITY WAS APPROPRIATE AND IT ACTUALLY, I BELIEVE EXCEEDED WHAT HAS MINIMUM STANDARD WOULD BE FOR THE QUALITY.
RECOGNIZING THOUGH IT IS SAND, IT'S NOT A SOIL PERSE.
DEPENDING ON WHAT WE DO ON THE SITE, WE MAY HAVE TO IN THE FUTURE, AUGMENT THAT SAND TO PROVIDE A QUALITY MIX OF SOIL WHERE WE PLANT SO THAT WE MAKE SURE THERE'S A GOOD MIX FOR GROWTH.
>> IT'S A GOOD LOW COST OPTION FOR RIGHT NOW.
>> THAT'S PART OF THEIR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE THAT TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
THEY'VE MADE THAT AVAILABLE TO US AND WE FELT IT WOULD BE A GOOD FIT.
>> I SEE WE'RE ON SCHEDULE FOR MOVING INTO NEW GENTLE.
>> ON THE SCHEDULE. UNDER BUDGET. YES, SIR.
>> NICE. GOOD JOB. I WANT TO SAY GOOD JOB.
WELL DONE. PRETTY. IT'S GOING TO BE A GORGEOUS SYMBOL FOR OUR CITY. THANK YOU.
>> VERY NICE. I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS.
I AGREE WITH COUNCILOR DELANEY THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE AWNING TAKEN OUT TO THE PARKING LOT.
YOU CAN GET SOAKED IN THREE FOOTSTEPS HERE. THAT WOULD BE GOOD.
AS FAR AS THE OTHER SEVEN ITEMS GO, I HAVE NO PROBLEM EXCEPT POSSIBLY WITH EIGHT.
I KNOW YOU SAID YOU'RE GOING TO BE CHECKING THE SOIL, CHECKING IT FOR SALT CONTENT.
THAT'S AN OBVIOUS THING. IS THAT GOING TO BE DONE? IT'S GOING TO BE [OVERLAPPING] I'VE TRIED TO USE DIRT THAT HAD SALT IN IT BEFORE AND WOULD NOT RESORT.
I SEE YOU HAVE A LOT OF ADA SPOTS THAT ARE OUT OF THE SOUTH EAST CORNER GREEN SPACE.
IS THAT THE BEST SPOTS FOR THOSE? WHAT'S YOUR THINKING ON WHY THEY ARE PLACED OUT TO THE SOUTHEAST CORNER? THEY'RE ALL BUNCHED TOGETHER THERE.
WOULD THEY NOT BE BETTER SERVED, MAYBE BEING ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE GREEN SPACE RIGHT HERE?
>> THOSE WERE EXISTING SPACES, AND SO THEY WERE ALREADY DESIGNED FOR ACCESS.
WE DO ANTICIPATE THAT SPACE MOST LIKELY TO BE USED FOR SOME EVENT FUNCTIONS.
IT'S NOT THAT THERE USED TO BE SERVING THE OTHER AREAS OF THE CAMPUS.
THERE ARE ADEQUATE NUMBER OF SPACES.
WE CAN GO BACK AND JUST CHECK TO RECONFIRM THAT.
BUT THAT'S THE WAY I RECALL, HOW THAT WAS LAID OUT AND THEY WERE JUST KEPT THERE BECAUSE IT'LL BE A LOWER DEMAND AREA FOR MOST DAY-TO-DAY.
BUT IF PEOPLE ARE VISITING THE GREEN OR WHEN WE HAVE EVENTS, THEY WILL BE A USEFUL LOCATION.
>> I SEE THERE ARE ADA SPACES AROUND THE BUILDING OR THOSE ADEQUATE FOR THE BUILDING LOAD TO THEMSELVES? THESE ARE JUST EXTRA.
>> YOU'VE GOT SOME KEEN EYES ON THAT WITH OUR BUILDING OFFICIAL, THE TOWN ENGINEER.
>> YOU KNOW HOW THAT'S [OVERLAPPING].
>> ACTUALLY, THREE OF US LOOK AT IT BECAUSE PLANNING LOOKS AT IT, ENGINEERING LOOKS AT IT, AND THEN THE FINAL TEST IS IF YOU CAN PASS THE BUILDING OFFICIALS.
>> THERE IT IS. FOR FIVE YEARS I HAVE SEEN YOU PLAY HARD ON THE 88.
THAT PROJECT OF MINE, SO GOOD.
THAT SOUNDS REAL GOOD. OTHERWISE, EXCELLENT.
A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EXTENSION OF THE CONTRACT.
[01:45:01]
WAS SOME OF ASSOCIATES ON BUDGET AS WELL THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE PROCESS THROUGH TO FIVE YEARS?>> ON TIME, ANY TIME DELAYS FOR THEM DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME?
>> NO TIME DELAYS. VERY RESPONSIVE.
>> PLEASED WITH THEIR RESPONSES TO ANY CHANGES OR?
>> THAT'S WHAT I MEANT. THANK YOU.
>> I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN SAID UP HERE.
I ALSO SUPPORT LEAVING NUMBER 1 ON THERE.
NOW, OBVIOUSLY, FOR THE REASONS THAT I'VE ALREADY BEEN STATED. IT'S ALL I GOT. THANK YOU.
>> WELL, I THINK WE WOULD HAVE REGRETTED ELIMINATING NUMBER 1.
IN MATTER OF FACT ONE PROPOSED TO PUT IT IN THE BUDGET.
MIKE WAS HERE, PEOPLE NOTICED, BUT WE BOTH ATTEND THE SAME CHURCH THAT FOR COST-SAVINGS ELIMINATED SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND IT NEVER GOT PUT IN.
I WOULDN'T WANT TO REGRET THAT.
I'M GLAD EVERYBODY REALIZES WE NEED TO HAVE THAT.
I THINK THAT WHAT I WAS HEARING, I WAS JUST TRYING TO TAKE NOTES.
CERTAINLY 3, 4, AND 5, IT'S A NET-ZERO.
IT SEEMED LIKE AS YOU PRESENTED IT.
I'M REALLY SUMMARIZING, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE ANYBODY ON COUNCIL DOESN'T AGREE BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO HEAR EVERYBODY'S POSITION. PLEASE, WEIGH IN.
SEEMS AS IT WAS PRESENTED AS THIS IS AN INTERIM.
OTHER THAN LEAVING ONE, I'M NOT SO SURE THOUGH THAT WE'RE STILL WAS AN OPEN ITEM NUMBER 6.
THAT COUNCIL SUNDSTROM HAD MENTIONED TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTOOD WHAT THAT MEANT.
I THINK SIX SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY OPEN ONE, AT LEAST FROM COUNCIL SUNDSTROM'S PERSPECTIVE.
I AGREE. I JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT AREA WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
ITS SCOPE AS MUCH AS IT IS MONEY.
>> SURE. WE HAVE THREE EXISTING LIGHTS RIGHT OUTSIDE THE OLD ON THE NORTH SIDE ALONG THE MAIN ENTRANCE.
THERE'S THREE EXISTING SITE LIGHTS THAT WORK CAN FUNCTION FINE.
WE JUST WOULDN'T REPLACE THEM.
>> DO THEY HAVE A CERTAIN STYLE, OR IS THERE DESIGN GUIDE FOR THE LIGHTING OF THE MUNICIPAL CAMPUS? WILL THEY DEVIATE IN ANY WAY FROM THE [OVERLAPPING] PROVIDED? THEY WOULD DEVIATE, AND WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE? I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THAT.
WE GOT COMMENTS ON THE LIGHTING ON INDIAN TOWN ROAD AND OTHER THINGS.
>> JUST AN ESTIMATE ON THAT, IT WOULD BE A $47,000 SAVINGS.
>> YOU SAID THEY WERE JUST RECENTLY REPLACED. DID I HEAR THAT?
>> THEY'VE BEEN THERE. THEY WERE IN FUNCTION.
>> THEY HAVE BEEN THERE A LONG TIME, BUT I THOUGHT YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT BEING REPLACED.
I CAN HAVE A DISCUSSION AFTER THE MEETING AND LEARN ABOUT THAT.
>> DO I SUMMARIZE, EVERYBODY FINISHING?.
>> JUST OTHER THAN SIX, TO BRING CLOSURE, I DON'T THINK THAT SHOULD AFFECT TONIGHT, WE'LL JUST LEAVE THAT AS AN OPEN ITEM. YOU NEED TO COME BACK.
I'D BE INTERESTED IN MYSELF AND KNOWING WHERE THEY ARE IN.
AGAIN, WE'RE GRATEFUL, APPRECIATE YOUR DILIGENCE IN PROPOSING THINGS THAT COULD REPRESENT A SAVINGS.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T COME TO REGRET NOT HAVING STANDARDIZED EDGE WHERE THEY'RE LOCATED.
IT COULD BE IN AN AREA WHERE THEY DON'T REALLY STICK OUT, WHICH IS OKAY.
>> I'M SORRY, FOREMAN FUNCTION.
>> HAD YOU FINISHED YOUR PRESENTATION?
>> GOOD. I DIDN'T WANT US TO CUT YOU OFF. EXCELLENT.
>> GREAT JOB TO ALL INVOLVED GETTING THIS BUILDING DONE ON TIME.
BUT ACTUALLY EARLY UNDER BUDGET, IT'S NOT SURPRISING AFTER YOU FOLKS DID THE PD A FEW YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A SIMILAR SITUATION.
EVERYBODY HAS DEDICATED MCKEOWN MODERNIZATION, EFFICIENCY.
>> GREAT TEAM EFFORT BY EVERYBODY ELSE.
>> IT'S OUTSTANDING. I JUST WANT TO GIVE EVERYBODY CREDIT FOR THAT.
>> THE CREDIT, JUST TO EMPHASIZE, IT'S A LOT GREATER THAN IN LIGHT OF THE HIGH INFLATIONARY TIMES WE HAD, THEY BROUGHT IT IN UNDER BUDGET BECAUSE IT TOOK ADVANTAGE OF BUYING MATERIALS EARLY, INSTALLED A MOON WHERE THE POLICE HAD BEEN.
HAD THAT NOT HAPPENED WITH THIS SKYROCKET,
[01:50:03]
NOT ONLY IN COURSE DELIVERY TIME TO GET THAT WOULD HAVE DELAYED THINGS.I WANT TO SAY KUDOS FOR THAT EXCELLENT MANAGEMENT TO DO THAT AND BE ABLE TO STAND HERE AND SAY TOO.
WE ALL REALIZE IN THE LAST YEAR-AND-A-HALF, TWO YEARS, WE'VE UNDERGONE THE MOST INCREDIBLE INFLATIONARY TIMES IN 40 YEARS.
TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT, I CANNOT EMPHASIZE. THANK YOU.
>> BUT IT'S ALSO VERY EXCITING EVENT, SPACE AND RESOURCE FOR THE RESIDENTS.
I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE WILD FLOWERS AND ALL THE EVENTS THAT COULD BE HAD THERE.
I KNOW WE'RE HAVING A RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE TOWN HALL, BUT I HOPE WE'LL HAVE SOMETHING SMALL FOR THE TOWN GREEN AS WELL. THANKS.
>> IT COMPLETELY TRANSFORMS TOWN HALL FROM AN ARMY BARRACKS TO THIS, IT'S OUTSTANDING.
>> THIS DECISION, WE CAN ACT ON AID AND THE DECISION ON WHAT WE DO IN THE LIGHTING DOESN'T AFFECT THE PROPOSAL EFFECTIVELY.
>> I'M JUST ASKING FOR YOU TO CONSIDER THE EXTENSION OF THE CONTRACT AND APPROVAL OF THE CONTRACT SO I CAN GET WORKING DRAWINGS SO I CAN GET HARD NUMBERS FOR YOU.
>> I UNDERSTAND. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS WE ARE VOTING ON.
>> TAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> MOTION AND A SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> MOVING TO REPORTS, TOWN ATTORNEY?
[TOWN ATTORNEY ]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. AS COUNCIL KNOWS, MANDAMUS LAWSUIT WAS FILED ON FRIDAY AGAINST THE TOWN BY A POLITICAL COMMITTEE THAT IS SPONSORING A QUESTION.
IN RESPONSE TO THE FILING OF THAT LAWSUIT, WE DID SOME RESEARCH AS TO THE TOWN'S LEGAL OBLIGATIONS IN RESPONDING TO THAT LAWSUIT.
WHAT WE FOUND WAS FROM OUR APPELLATE COURTS, THE FOURTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL THAT WHERE MUNICIPALITY HAS DECLINED TO PLACE A REFERENDUM QUESTION ON A BALLOT THAT THE TOWN BELIEVES IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL OR OTHERWISE LEGALLY INSUFFICIENT, THE MUNICIPALITY SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF SO THAT THE COURT CAN DECIDE THE LEGALITY OF THE REFERENDUM QUESTION.
GIVEN THIS DIRECTION FROM THE FLORIDA APPELLATE COURTS, I'M SEEKING A MOTION FROM THE CARROTS AND AUTHORIZE US TO FILE A COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF AGAINST THE POLITICAL COMMUNITY SO THAT THE LEGALITY OF THE QUESTION CAN BE DECIDED.
>> MOTION SECONDED. ANY DISAPPROVAL? SEEING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> SECONDLY, AS IS COMMON IN CASES WHERE THE TOWN HAS BEEN SUED, WE SOMETIMES ASK FOR A SHADE SESSION, ALSO KNOW AS A PRIVATE ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION SO THAT THE LITIGATION CAN BE DISCUSSED.
I AM ASKING THAT YOU AUTHORIZE THE SHADE SESSION IF WE DEEM INAPPROPRIATE IN THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION AS A DIFFICULT ONE IN THAT WE DO NOT HAVE UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT AMONGST THE COUNCIL AS TO THE LEGALITY OF THE REFERENDUM QUESTION.
BEFORE WE WERE TO NOTICE THAT SESSION, I'M GOING TO ASK MY OFFICE TO UNDERTAKE SOME RESEARCH TO DETERMINE WHETHER ALL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL MUST BE PRESENT FOR THAT MEETING OR WHETHER ANY MEMBERS CAN BE EXCLUDED FROM THE SHADE SESSION.
NEVERTHELESS, I WOULD ASK YOU TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN MANAGER AND MYSELF TO NOTICE THE SHADE SESSION IF WE DEEM IT'S APPROPRIATE.
>> SORRY, CAN YOU REPEAT THE ACTION AGAIN? IT'S A SHADE SESSION, TO NOTICE THE SHADE SESSION. YES.
>> BOTH OF THESE ACTIONS, WE HAVE TO DO AS A COUNCIL TO GIVE DIRECTION, AND IT STILL HAS TO BE SCHEDULED AND WHATEVER.
>> YES. FLORIDA STATUTES REQUIRE FIRST THAT I ASK YOU TO ESTABLISH OR NOTICE A MEETING, AND THEN ONCE I HAVE THAT AUTHORIZATION, IF THE SHADE MEETING IS DETERMINED TO BE APPROPRIATE, THEN WE WOULD NOTICE THAT WE WILL PLACE IT ON YOUR AGENDA.
I DID NOTE THAT THE NEXT DECEMBER MEETING IS GOING TO BE A RATHER FULL MEETING AGENDA.
[01:55:10]
OFTENTIMES, AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT MEETING INVOLVES A SIGNIFICANT TIME COMMITMENT.I'M NOT SURE THAT THE MANAGER AND I WOULD BE LOOKING AT DECEMBER IF WE DEEM IT'S APPROPRIATE TO HOLD SUCH A MEETING, BUT WE CAN'T HOLD A MEETING WITHOUT ME ASKING FOR YOU TO AUTHORIZE US TO DO SO.
>> WE HAD A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVING TOWN ATTORNEY AND TOWN MANAGER TO SCHEDULE THE SHADE SESSION AS NEEDED.
>> I REMEMBER THE PROCESS FROM HARBOR SIDE, SO YEAH.
>> ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NOTHING FURTHER. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
[TOWN MANAGER]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS FOR POINT OF CLARIFICATION.
FIRST OF ALL, IN OUR CONSULTING CONTRACT.
OUR CONSULTING CONTRACT IS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CITY MANAGERS ASSOCIATION.
THEY'RE EXCLUSIVE ARM, WHICH IS THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC SAFETY MANAGEMENT.
THAT'S THE SAME GROUP WE USED IN THE LAST TIME THAT WE WENT THROUGH THIS, I SAT IN A DIFFERENT SEAT AS THE POLICE CHIEF AT THAT TIME, BUT IT'S THE SAME CONSULTING GROUP THAT WE USE LAST TIME.
SECOND THING, I WOULD SAY THAT WE'VE HEARD CHIEF POZZO'S NAME COME UP A COUPLE OF TIMES THIS EVENING.
I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH CHIEF POZZO'S.
WHILE I WAS A POLICE CHIEF, HE WAS A FIRE CHIEF IN THE CITY AND HAD A STRONG WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.
HAVEN'T SEEN HIM IN TWENTY YEARS, BUT I'M DELIGHTED THAT HE'S ON THIS PROJECT AND WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE HIM.
I MAINTAIN THE SAME PROFESSIONAL WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH CHIEF POZZO, AS I DO AS A POLICE CHIEF WITH OTHER FIRE CHIEFS AND I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF ALSO WORKING WITH CHIEF LIKE CHIEF BRYCE FROM PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE, CHIEF ST. PIERRE, CHIEF GERALD, CHIEF COLLINS, CHIEF WELLS, CHIEF DORIN, CHIEF RALLY, CHIEF KENNEDY AND A HOST OF OTHER FIRE CHIEFS.
WHILE I SERVED AS THE POLICE CHIEF FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND PALM BEACH COUNTY, WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO PROTECT 200,000 CHILDREN IN 187 SCHOOLS ACROSS 2,300 SQUARE MILES.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CLEAR ON WHO THE CONTRACT IS WITH AND WHAT THE RELATIONSHIPS ARE.
THE SECOND THING THEN MOVING ON, I DID WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALL THE WORK THAT WAS PUT INTO THE SNOW PLACE EVENT.
LAST WEEK, IT WAS JUST REMARKABLE.
WE HAD THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THERE.
THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO READJUST THE TRAFFIC PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR.
WE HAVE TO MAKE A FEW ADJUSTMENTS, BUT IT'S WELL ATTENDED.
THEY DID A PHENOMENAL JOB AND I COULDN'T THANK THEM ENOUGH.
IT WAS REALLY VERY SUCCESSFUL.
I KNOW THE CHIEF IS HERE WITH MAJOR HENNESSY AS WELL.
I JUST WANTED TO AGAIN, CONGRATULATE AND KUDOS TO THE OFFICERS THAT WERE HERE THIS EVENING AND RECEIVED THOSE AWARDS.
IT'S JUST REMARKABLE TO SEE THIS POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ONE OF THE GREATEST PRIVILEGES OF MY LIFE WAS LEADING THAT POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I'M SO PROUD OF YOU GUYS, A GREAT JOB.
WE HAD THE PRESENTATION HERE TONIGHT ABOUT THE TOWN HALL.
I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK OF MIKE VALALA, WHO ACTUALLY, HE HAD A PRETTY HEAVY LEFT.
I KNOW HE'S NOW WITH THE TOWN ANY LONGER, BUT HE HAD HIS PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THAT.
I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I ACKNOWLEDGE HIS WORK.
AS YOU HEARD FROM ROGER, WERE IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING, YOU GO UP IN THESE OFFICES, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE TAGS AND BOXES AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT MOVING THIS PROCESS FORWARD.
WE HAVE TO GET THROUGH A COUPLE OF LAST HURDLES AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL MEET THE THE MARK FOR THE 18TH OF DECEMBER.
BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ASKING COUNCIL OR THE PROJECT IS ON TIME AND UNDER BUDGET.
THAT'S KUDOS TO ALL THOSE INVOLVED.
THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF, IF THAT WORKS THEN UNLESS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A JANUARY 2ND MEETING THAT OUR LAST COUNCIL MEETING IN THIS BUILDING COULD BE THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.
[LAUGHTER] I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE ALL AWARE OF THAT, BECAUSE IT'S PRETTY INSIGNIFICANT.
THAT'S MY REPORT MAYOR. THANK YOU.
[TOWN COUNCIL – LIAISON REPORTS AND COMMENTS]
>> I JUST ALSO WANTED TO ECHO THE TOWN STAFF FOR THE SNOW PLACE OF JUPITER.
THAT IS AWESOME, BETTER GREAT TIME.
THE ONLY THING I WOULD REQUEST, FOR NEXT YEAR, IS MORE BOUNCE HOUSES BECAUSE OH MY GOD,
[02:00:02]
THE LINE WAS INSANE AND MY KIDS CANNOT EVEN GET ON TO BALANCE OUT.I FELT BAD WE HAD TO GO TO ANOTHER EVENT.
>> IT'S ON THE LIST. [LAUGHTER].
>> IF WE CAN GET THAT GOING AND IT WAS A GREAT EVENT AND APPRECIATE STAFF PUTTING IT TOGETHER AND GET EVERYTHING GOING.
THE LIGHTS ARE COMING UP AROUND TOWN.
THEY ALL LOOK GREAT, AGAIN THIS YEAR.
AS WE GO THROUGH, WE WOULD LIKE TO START LOOKING AT WHAT WE GOT.
WE HAD A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT WITH THE HOLIDAY LIGHTS, SO JUST SEE WHAT WE LIKE AND MAYBE START TO MOVE TOWARDS THE PROCESS OF MAYBE PURCHASING OUR OWN SO WE DON'T HAVE THE CONTRACT FOR THOSE TYPES OF HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND STUFF ANYMORE BECAUSE I KNOW IS A CONCERN ABOUT THE EXPENSE FOR THAT.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU.
>> WANT TO GO BACK AND FORTH BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE HAVE BELIEVED LIKE, I'M DRIVEN FAVORITISM.
I'M GOING TO JUST DO IT RANDOMLY.
>> THANK YOU. [LAUGHTER] THANKS.
>> I WANT TO ADDRESS SOME ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN CONTINUING IN [INAUDIBLE].
IT'S BEEN MY GOOD FORTUNE TO HAVE WORKED WITH MANY STAFF MEMBERS FOR MANY DIFFERENT PROJECTS.
WE HAVE AN EXCEPTIONAL GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR THE TOWN.
WHAT MIGHT SEEM HIGH FIVES THAT WE'RE GIVING EACH OTHER AS I'VE HEARD IT DIRECTED TOWARDS THE COUNCIL TODAY AND PRIOR MEETINGS, I DON'T THINK WE'RE HIGH-FIVING OURSELVES AT ALL.
THAT'S MY CONTINUOUS BELIEF AND ATTEMPT TO HIGH-FIVE OUR STAFF, WHO I THINK HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB.
I BELIEVE THEY HAVE EARNED OUR TRUST.
FOR INSTANCE, THE TOWN MANAGER DISCLOSED TO ME HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH CHIEF [INAUDIBLE] OVER THE VERY FIRST TEN MINUTES THAT I MET THE TOWN MANAGER ON THIS.
I HAVE SEEN NOTHING THAT'S BEEN COVERED UP.
I BELIEVE, THAT THERE HAS BEEN FULL TRANSPARENCY.
YOU HAVE MY FULL FAITH AND BACK.
QUITE FRANKLY, SOME OF THESE COMMENTS THAT I HEAR THROWN AT US, WE ARE HERE TO TAKE THOSE.
IT'S CERTAINLY THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT.
I ACTUALLY ENCOURAGE THEM TO COME SPEAK THEIR MIND AND EVERY WAY POSSIBLE.
BUT SOME OF THESE OFF-HANDED COMMENTS THAT THERE'S AN IMPLICATION THAT SOMEBODY IS GETTING SOME KICKBACK FROM DOING SOME OF THESE RELATIONSHIPS IS VERY IRRITATING TO ME.
I HONESTLY BELIEVE IF SOMEBODY THINKS SOMETHING LIKE THAT IS GOING ON, WELL THEN THEY NEED TO POINT OUT SOMETHING SPECIFIC TO THIS.
INSTEAD OF THESE UNDERHANDED, SIDEWAYS COMMENTS, THAT AN IMPUGN HAS INTEGRITY.
I'VE GOTTEN A LITTLE TIRED OF IT.
IT'S SOMETHING I DON T THINK WE CAN STOP BUT I JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS MY OPINIONS ABOUT THAT.
I WISH THERE WAS SOME WAY WE CAN STOP THAT STUFF BUT PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK THEIR MIND NO MATTER HOW TERRIBLE THE CONVERSATION MIGHT BE.
BUT I HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT A LOT OF THIS TYPE OF COMMUNICATION TOWARDS US IS ABSORBED BY THE TOWN STAFF AND IS AFFECTING MORALE IN AN ADVERSE WAY.
I FELT THEIR MORALE DROPS SINCE I'VE JOINED THE COUNCIL.
MORALE, LAST YEAR WAS MUCH HIGHER THAN IT IS NOW.
I THINK NEEDLESSLY BEEN A SAILED AND I DON'T SEE A LOT OF HOW THAT'S HELPING.
SEVERAL CITIZENS HAVE BEEN HERE EVERY SINGLE MEETING SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.
THAT'S VERY HIGHLY COMMITTED TO SPEND YOUR TIME ON A TUESDAY NIGHT TO COME DO THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
BUT THE NASTINESS SHOULD BE TONED DOWN AND WE SHOULD DO IT IN SOME TYPE OF RESPECTFUL WAY.
FOR YOU AS WELL, MAYOR, I HAVE NOTHING BUT HIGH REGARD FOR YOU.
THEN CONSIDERATION THAT YOU MIGHT BE PERSONALLY BENEFITING OFF OF THIS AS REPUGNANT.
WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF VALIDATION, JUST THROWING IT OUT THERE TO MAKE IT SOUND LIKE THERE'S IMPROPRIETY.
I DON'T OPERATE THAT WAY AND I DON'T LIKE IT BEING OPERATED THAT WAY BUT THAT'S MY OPINION.
PEOPLE CAN SAY WHAT THEY WANT.
THERE'S NO RESTRICTION ON THAT.
AS NASTY AS AN UNTRUE AS THE CONVERSATION MIGHT BE, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT.
I JUST WANTED TO GET THAT OFF MY CHEST.
>> I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING COUNCIL 4 HAVE STATED.
WE'VE SAID BEFORE WE'VE OBVIOUSLY APPRECIATED ALL THE PUBLIC COMING TO THE MEETINGS OF WISHES, PLACES PACKED EVERY MEETING.
IT MAKES IT MORE EXCITING THOUGHT I KNOW WE HAVE ISSUES AND ALL THAT.
WE'RE TRYING TO WORK THINGS OUT.
[02:05:01]
BUT OUR TOWN MANAGER, HE WAS THE CHIEF OF JEPD FOR 13 YEARS AND THEN HE RETIRED.I HOSTED HIS RETIREMENT PARTY OVER THE OTHER BUILDING, IT WAS FANTASTIC. NOT ME, HIS PARTY.
THEN HE WAS RECRUITED BY THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AFTER ALL THE HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTINGS, THEY CHOSE THIS MAN TO PROTECT ALL THOSE THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS, WHICH SHOWS YOU THE CREDIBILITY OF HIS EDUCATION, HIS EXPERIENCE.
THEN WE BROUGHT HIM IN AS OUR TOWN MANAGER.
I LOOK AT ANY GRATUITOUS STATEMENTS OF HIS CHARACTER, IT'S COWARDLY.
THERE'S NO EVIDENCE OF ANY OF THAT.
JUST PLEASE STOP BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HELP ANYBODY.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY ON THAT YOU APPRECIATE OUR TOWN MANAGER.
AS FOR THE POLICE, WHAT MORE CAN WE SAY? AN EXCELLENT ORGANIZATION CREATED BY THIS MAN SITTING TO MY RIGHT HAND, THE BATON TO, STAND-UP CHIEF, BUT THERE ARE NEW CHIEF, DAVE ENGLAND IS OUTSTANDING AND HE'S A GREAT ALL AROUND GUY [APPLAUSE].
HE'S OUR FUTURE AND WE JUST PROMOTED A NEW CAPTAIN SERGEANT THE OTHER DAY.
WE HIRED FROM WITHIN, IT'S JUST A WAY A GREAT ORGANIZATION SHOULD BE RUN.
EVERYBODY MENTIONED THE SMOKE PLACE EVENT, THE TREE LIGHTING.
I GOT STUCK ON THE FRENCH SMALL TRAFFIC.
I WAS ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTED, BEFORE THE TREE LIGHTING AND I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO MAKE IT AND IT WAS BACKED UP.
THEN WHEN I GET ACCESS TO LOOK OVER INTO THE PARK, IT WAS JUST A SEA OF PEOPLE.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE THERE? ANYBODY GET A NUMBER ON IT? A COUPLE OF THOU?
>> IT WAS JUST FANTASTIC. GREAT. KUDOS TO THE STAFF, DID A REALLY NICE JOB ON THAT.
AS COUNSELOR MAY SAID, LIGHTS LOOK GREAT, UP AND DOWN MILITARY HERE AND ALL THAT.
WE CAN LOOK AT DOWN THE ROAD BUYING A ROW AND LOOK AT THE COST ON THAT.
I GUESS FOR NOW THAT'S IT, BUT IT'S BEEN A VERY BUSY COUPLE OF MONTHS AND WE'RE GETTING A LOT DONE.
>> VICE MAY, IF I COULD ADD ONE MORE THING.
>> WE HAVE MAJOR DON HENNESSY HERE AS WELL.
>> HE STARTED AS A DISPATCHER JUST SO YOU KNOW.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. HOW MANY YEARS YOU'VE BEEN HERE?
>> WOW. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] THAT'S IT.
>> FIRST OF ALL, I DO WANT TO GIVE A HIGH-FIVE TO COUNSELOR MAY FOR THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS OR THE HOLIDAY LIGHTS.
THEY ARE FRAMING THE TOWN TREE, THE TREE LIGHTING.
THIS MONTH IS ABOUT CONNECTION, IT'S ABOUT LIGHT FOR SO MANY, AND I THINK WHAT YOU DID IS GREAT AND I THINK IT REALLY DOES A LOT FOR THE TOWN.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS A GREAT EVENT.
IF YOU LOOK AT JUST THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE, I THOUGHT WE WERE AT A ROCK CONCERT FOR A SECOND.
IT WAS INCREDIBLE, ESPECIALLY COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.
I'M GOING TO ADD ANOTHER PIECE OF FEEDBACK, WHICH IS FOOD VENDORS.
THAT'S SOMETHING I'VE BEEN SEEING IS NEEDED, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT'S AROUND DINNER TIME WITH CHILDREN, SO LOTS OF FOOD VENDORS.
IT'S HARD TO PLAN FOR, I KNOW, AS A FREE EVENT. WHICH ONE?
>> [LAUGHTER] THAT IS THE MOST REQUESTED FOOD IN JUPITER.
[LAUGHTER] BUT IT WAS A REALLY GREAT EVENT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO IT EVERY YEAR.
WITH OUR TOWN MANAGER, I'M SO HONORED TO KNOW YOU AND TO BENEFIT FROM YOUR MODEL AND YOUR GUIDANCE AND YOUR WISDOM.
I TALK TO EVERYONE ALL THE TIME AND I TALK TO STAFF AND RESIDENTS, AND WHAT I HEAR FROM ALL THE DIFFERENT PARTNERS THAT WE HAVE, THE STAFF, IS THAT YOU LISTEN.
IT'S TRUE. FROM THE EMPLOYEE COMMITTEE THAT YOU STARTED, YOUR CHECKLIST THAT IS CONSTANTLY GETTING ITEMS ADDED TO IT FROM ALL DIFFERENT PEOPLE YOU TALKED TO, THE MEANS YOU TAKE, I'M REALLY GLAD THAT, THAT IS A WORD THAT THEY USE ALL THE TIME WHEN THEY SPEAK OF YOU.
I HAVE FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MEETINGS BEEN ANSWERING QUESTIONS ON FIRE BECAUSE WHENEVER THERE ARE PUBLIC COMMENTS, I DO WANT TO TRY TO BE RESPONSIVE, I DID SAY THAT A FEW MINUTES AGO, AND I HAVE BEEN DOING THAT.
I'M GOING TO JUST CONTINUE IN THAT TRADITION FOR A LITTLE BIT IF THAT'S OKAY.
[02:10:04]
I DID HEAR A COMMENT ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND THE WEB UPDATES, I WILL LOOK INTO THE WEB UPDATES.I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
WE DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE UPDATING ALL OF OUR PAGES.
WITH PUBLIC RECORDS, SO I'M REALLY GLAD THAT THE RESIDENT WAS ABLE TO GET HER REQUEST.
I KNOW IT CAN BE A WEIGHT SOMETIMES.
IT MUST BY LAW BE A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME THAT THESE ARE PROVIDED IN.
BUT I DO WANT TO SHARE THAT WE ARE BURIED IN PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS.
DO YOU HAVE AN ESTIMATE TOWN MANAGER ON HOW MANY WE RECEIVED? I THINK THERE'S A SPREADSHEET AT SOME POINT, BUT [OVERLAPPING]
>> I THINK THEY'RE SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 28 OR 30 THAT WE'RE WORKING.
>> YEAH, SO 28 OR 30 REQUESTS AND SOME OF THEM ARE SPANNING SEVERAL MONTHS, EVERY SINGLE RECORD RELATED TO THIS, SO OUR IT DEPARTMENT IS WORKING ON THIS, OUR CLERK AND LAURA, AS YOU KNOW, IS OUT ON MATERNITY LEAVE, SO THEY'RE DOING THEIR VERY BEST.
WE'RE GETTING EMAILS ABOUT IT AND PULLING INFORMATION, BUT IT IS A VERY HEAVY LIFT JUST GIVEN THE NUMBER OF REQUESTS.
THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE SEE EVERY DAY.
IF I SPEAK ABOUT TRANSPARENCY, WHAT I'M REALLY PROUD OF WITH THIS TOWN AND WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH FIRE RESCUE, IS HAVE A DEDICATED WEB PAGE FOR FIRE RESCUE.
IT HAS THE FAQ, IT HAS THE ORIGINAL SOURCE MATERIAL.
AGAIN, I SAID, TRUST IS HARD TO COME BY IN THIS POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE SAGE SOMETIMES, WE HAVE TO EARN IT.
WHAT WE NEED TO SAY HAS EVIDENCE AND NEEDS TO BE VERIFIED, TRUST BUT VERIFY, AND SO WE POST THAT SOURCE MATERIAL ON OUR WEBSITE FOR RESIDENTS TO VISIT AND FORM THEIR OWN OPINIONS.
ALSO, EVERY EMAIL THAT THIS TOWN SENDS OUT REGARDING FIRE RESCUE, WE ALSO POST TO THAT WEB-PAGE, SO IT IS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE ANYWHERE WHO WANTS TO READ IT.
TYPICALLY WE'LL GET LOTS OF EMAILS, THEY'LL SAY THE EXACT SAME THING, AND WE'LL WONDER WHAT HAPPENED, AND AN EMAIL WENT OUT AND I HAVEN'T SEEN IT.
I ACTUALLY ASKED A RESIDENT IF SHE MIGHT START FORWARDING THEM TO ME AND SHE HAS, SO THANK YOU KAREN.
IT'S HARD FOR THE TOWN TO RESPOND WHEN WE CAN'T SEE WHAT THE MESSAGE IS THAT WE NEED TO RESPOND TO, THERE ARE TEXT MESSAGES THAT GO OUT, THERE ARE EMAILS, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THOSE ARE.
THAT WOULD BE A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE PACK POTENTIALLY TO HAVE EVERYTHING IN ONE PLACE.
THE VOTE, WELL, LET'S START WITH THEM, LET'S KEEP EVERYTHING THE SAME.
I DO UNDERSTAND THAT SENTIMENT, BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT CAN'T STAY THE SAME BECAUSE PALM BEACH COUNTY WANTED TO CHANGE THE CONTRACT.
THE CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE TODAY IS NOT THE CONTACT WE HAVE BEFORE.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CHANGES THAT WERE DISCUSSED IN PUBLICLY NOTICED MEETINGS.
THAT CONTRACT THAT WE HAD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30TH, THE NEW ONE THAT WE HAVE IS NOT THE SAME AND SO WE HAD TO RESPOND TO THAT.
THE VOTE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE BALLOT LANGUAGE, I MENTIONED THIS MAYBE TWO MEETINGS AGO, AND LET ME DRINK SOME WATER.
I ACTUALLY READ THE BALLOT LANGUAGE OR SOME OF THE BALLOT LANGUAGE.
MY PERSONAL INTERPRETATION AND IT IS CONFUSING FOR RESIDENTS, IS THE BALLOT LANGUAGE SAID, "THE TOWN SHALL NOT START OR OPERATE A FIRE DEPARTMENT OR EMERGENCY SERVICES," I FORGET THAT LAST PART.
BUT THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT THE PACK WOULD WANT IN OUR TOWN CONSTITUTION.
IT WOULD THEN TAKE A SECOND REFERENDUM, SEEMINGLY THROUGH SOME SUNSET PROVISION TO THEN UNDO THAT.
THEN THERE'S SEPARATE LANGUAGE REGARDING THE MSTU AND OTHER MECHANISMS. THAT TO ME, IS DIFFICULT TO GET BY.
IT ESSENTIALLY CREATES A MONOPOLY.
WHEN THERE'S A MONOPOLY, THE QUESTION OF, WE'D LIKE TO VOTE, I ABSOLUTELY UNDERSTAND.
I WOULD SUPPORT THAT ON ITS FACE THOUGH IT'S GREAT TO VOTE, BUT THE QUESTION THEN IS VOTE FOR WHAT? WHEN YOU GET INTO THE SPECIFICS OF WHAT THE BALLOT LANGUAGE IS AND WHAT THEY'RE ASKING TO VOTE ON, IS IT THE CONTRACT NEGOTIATED RATE? IS IT THE MS? IS IT THE MILLAGE RATE? ONCE YOU DIG INTO THAT, THINGS GET COMPLICATED REAL QUICK.
I WOULD SAY THE BALLOT LANGUAGE IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO READ.
I HAVEN'T SEEN IT POSTED ANYWHERE.
I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT SOURCE MATERIAL.
THAT WASN'T SOMETHING WE CREATED, SO WE HAVEN'T ADDED ON OUR WEBSITE, BUT MAYBE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE SHOWN. LET'S SEE.
[02:15:03]
PUBLIC RECORDS, I SPOKE ABOUT.COSTS, I WATCHED COUNTY MEETINGS.
THE COUNTY HAD A REALLY GREAT DISCUSSION ON COST LAST WEEK.
I'M REALLY GRATEFUL TO OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR ASKING ABOUT FIRE RESCUE AND WHY IMPACT FEES WERE WAIVED FOR THREE YEARS.
BASICALLY WHEN THERE'S DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTY OR IN THE TOWN THERE ARE IMPACT FEES IS AND THAT JUST SHOWS THAT DEVELOPMENT HAS AN IMPACT ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES OF A COUNTY OR A TOWN.
YOU DON'T WAIVE THOSE FEES BECAUSE YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THOSE IMPACTS EVENTUALLY.
THE IMPACT FEES WERE WAIVED FOR THREE YEARS FOR FIRE RESCUE 2016-2019, ACCORDING TO THAT COUNTY DISCUSSION AND WORKSHOP.
WHEN ASKED WHY THEY WERE WAIVED, THE BUDGET DIRECTOR SAID, "BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROJECTS AT THE TIME, AND SO IF WE DON'T HAVE ANY PROJECTS, WE DON'T ASSESS." THAT TO ME IS CONFUSING BECAUSE YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT FUND TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE THAT AND THAT CONFUSED ME.
BUT THEN LATER ON, I THINK IT WAS LIKE AN HOUR AND 43 MINUTES AND IF THIS HELPS, THERE'S DISCUSSION AROUND JUST BUDGETING PROCESS ABOUT THE NEED FOR COST-EFFECTIVENESS, ABOUT WHY AN ANIMAL CONTROL BUILDING IS $70 MILLION AT THE COUNTY LEVEL.
WE JUST SPOKE ABOUT OUR TOWN HALL [LAUGHTER] BEING ON TIME UNDER BUDGET.
IT SEEMS THE EXACT OPPOSITE IS HAPPENING AT THE COUNTY LEVEL AND THERE IS QUITE A BIT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT IT.
I'M REALLY GRATEFUL TO OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR RAISING SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS.
I'M GLAD THESE DISCUSSIONS ARE BEING HAD AT THE COUNTY LEVEL.
I THINK WE NEED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE HERE AT THE TOWN LEVEL AND CONTROL WHAT WE CAN FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
THAT JUST GIVES YOU GREATER CONTEXT.
LOOK AT SOME OF THESE OTHER CONVERSATIONS.
THEN I AGREE ABOUT OUR DISCOURSE.
I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER BEEN ANGRY.
I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER YELLED.
I'M VERY CAREFUL NOT TO DEGRADE OUR PUBLIC DISCOURSE.
I TRY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS WHERE I CAN.
I TRY TO BE DIRECT BUT I'VE NEVER, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, HAD A MOMENT OR I TRY NOT TO.
WE ALL DO SOMETIMES, MAYBE I DO AT HOME OR SOMETHING WITH MY HUSBAND.
BUT I THINK WE NEED TO TRY TO BE IN THE BUSINESS OF ELEVATING OUR PUBLIC DISCOURSE.
I HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
I CAN ONLY HAVE SO MANY MEETINGS AND COFFEES.
I KNOW JAMES I'VE HAD COFFEE WITH YOU WITH A LOT OF DISCUSSION, BUT I CAN'T DO THAT ACROSS ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT COME TO ME.
IT IS HELPFUL. I'VE SENT DOZENS OF EMAILS.
I'M TRYING TO TAILOR THEM, MAKE THEM SPECIFIC TO THE PERSON SENDING THEM AND SHOW THEM THAT RESPECT.
IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME, JUST LIKE OUR CLERK'S OFFICE AND OTHERS THAT ARE BURIED.
WE ARE BURIED AND WE'RE TRYING TO RESPOND.
IF YOU CAN HELP US, IF THERE'S A WAY, I'M TRYING TO ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
I DID TRY TO JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP FOR THE COALITION.
I PROMISE IF YOU DO, I WILL BE NOTHING BUT CONSTRUCTIVE, TRYING TO GET A DIFFERENT VIEWPOINT IN AND BE WHAT I'VE ALWAYS BEEN.
I JUST WANT TO SEND THAT NOTE AND I'M TRYING. THANK YOU.
>> I WAS REMISS [INAUDIBLE] NUMBER 47 OF THE 17,000.
>> [INAUDIBLE] BETTER THAN 99.8% OF THE [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER] UNBELIEVABLE [INAUDIBLE], I'VE MISSED THAT.
SOMETHING THAT YOU SAID JUST STRUGGLING.
I'M GETTING OVER 400 EMAILS IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, THAT'S ALMOST 30 A DAY, THAT'S FIVE TIMES AS MANY AS I GET FOR MY PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING PRACTICE THAT I HAVE.
STAGGERING. BEST I CAN ANSWER TO MANY, BUT A LOT OF THEM ARE CLEARLY FORMED BY POINTER TOWARDS THE SAME SUBJECT MATTER EVERYTIME.
UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO READ EVERYONE.
I CAN SEE IT. WHICH IS WHAT YOU ARE YOU AFRAID OF? I GIVE IT [INAUDIBLE] ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
I'VE READ ENOUGH IS ENOUGH A 100 TIMES. GOT IT.
I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF ENOUGH. I'M GOING TO BE LOOKING.
I WANTED TO MAKE SOMETHING CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THAT PETITION IS ASKING FOR.
[02:20:04]
IT'S NOT JUST ASKING FOR US TO PUT A THING ON THE ROAD.IT'S ACTUALLY, THEY ASKED ME FOR US TO CHANGE OUR CHART.
THE NEXT FEW SECOND AMENDMENT TO LIVE IT'S AN INVENTORY OF OUR TOWN CHARTER AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION.
WE WOULD HAVE CALLED ECONOMISTS, WOULD COME UP FOR MY EMAIL BUT WE LIVE IN IRAN.
WHY IS THIS NOT A DEMOCRACY? THAT'S ACTUALLY A REPRESENTATIVE FORM OF DEMOCRACY.
UNLESS YOU HAVE A STATE SENATOR OR A STATE LEGISLATOR DO NOT BOTHERED ON ANY STATE LAW UNLESS YOU'RE ON THE COUNTY COMMISSION IS NOT UNDERLYING ANY COUNTY BOARD TO DO THAT AND LET IT SIT ON THE SIDE, IF YOU'VE NOT HEARD ON ANY CITY OR LOSS, THAT'S THE LEGISLATORS THAT IS ELECTED AT THE STATE AND COUNTY AND CITY LEVEL.
IT'S HOW OUR FORM OF DEMOCRACY ACTUALLY WORKS, DIG INTO IT.
I THINK WE'RE TRYING OUR BEST. I BELIEVE I AM.
I BELIEVE ALL OF YOU ARE. FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN WE'RE ALL TRYING TO REPRESENT OUR CONSTITUENTS AS BEST AS WE CAN.
NOT A PERFECT WORLD GETS UGLY AT TIMES, BUT CERTAINLY NOT CONTINENTS AND THOSE [INAUDIBLE] ALMOST ANYTHING.
BUT I HAD TO ADDRESS [INAUDIBLE] A CHANGE TO OUR TOWN CHART, WHICH IS THE SAME AS HAPPY STATE AMENDMENT IS WHAT'S BEING ASKED HERE? THAT'S HUGE AND THAT'S ONE THING WE CAN DO.
THAT HAD BEEN DONE. THERE'S A LOT OF PRIOR DECISIONS THAT I'VE MADE I WOULD HAVE LOVED THAT.
HAVEN'T BEEN ADJUVANT FOR 37 YEARS WHEN INDIAN TOWN ROAD WAS DOING.
THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS I WISH I COULD HAVE, BUT WE DON'T DO IT LIKE THAT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING WE'RE POKING OUT.
THAT'S THE THING. GUYS GO AWAY, THERE'S SOME A LOT OF YOU DON'T.
IT IS ON YOURSELF. THAT'S PERFECTLY FINE.
I'M NOT SAYING [INAUDIBLE] THAT'S CRAZY. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? WHAT I MEAN BY [INAUDIBLE] THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD WORK [INAUDIBLE] AND I HOPE WE CERTAINLY RESPECT WHEN YOU GO TO TAKE THE PLACE.
>> JUST TO APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN SAID AND GENERALLY AGREE.
I JUST WANT TO ADD, I THINK FIRST OF ALL, IN OUR TOWN GOVERNMENT AS A COUNCIL MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT, SO ALL THE STAFF WORKS FOR THE TOWN MANAGER.
IF WE WANT SOMETHING, WE GO THROUGH THE TOWN MANAGER, THAT'S BASICALLY HOW THE PROCESS WORKS.
AS AN EXAMPLE ON COMMUNICATIONS, THERE'S NO OUTSIDE OF SUNSHINE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TOWN COMMUNICATIONS.
IT'S THEIR JOB TO BE COMMUNICATING ON ISSUES.
AS IT WAS SAID, WE'VE GOTTEN SO MANY EMAILS, ANSWERING EMAILS PEOPLE WOULD EXPECT.
WE GOT TO ASK STAFF, WHERE ARE WE ON THAT? TAKE AN ATOM, FOR EXAMPLE, I JUST DROVE OUT THE FIRE STATIONS.
WELL, WE THINK IT'S LOGICAL THAT THE COUNTY, WE WOULD BUY FROM THEM THE STATION OVER ON US 1, WE CAN'T IMAGINE THEM KEEP THAT GOING, BUT RIGHT AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THEY'RE SAYING NO, THEY'RE GOING TO KEEP IT GOING FOR ONE CALL TODAY.
WE'RE NOT ABLE TO BRING CLOSURE ON SOME OF THAT, BUT WE HAVE THREE YEARS TO BRING CLOSURE.
NOTICE I'M SAYING IS FINDING FAULT.
I'M JUST TRYING TO EXPLAIN HERE RIGHT.
THERE WAS THAT ONE EARLY ON, WE HAD TO WHERE MIGHT A SPACE BE.
THIS THING ABOUT THE DOG PARK, IT'S BEEN, FIRST OF ALL, THERE WAS PROPERTY NEXT TO THE DOG PARK THAT WAS NOT PART OF THE BOND MONEY.
BUT SECOND OF ALL, WE'VE DISCOUNTED THAT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WHEN IT WAS AFTERWARDS WRITTEN, BUT WE HAD TO PUT SOMETHING DOWN.
I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE SO WE'RE NOT YET IT COMES UP.
CAN ANSWER YET WHERE IT'S GOING TO GO BECAUSE WE'RE STILL LOOKING AT THOSE THINGS THAT MAKE THE BEST DECISION AT THE LOWEST COST FOR A RESIDENCE AND ALSO DO IT IN COLLABORATION HOPEFULLY WITH PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE, WHICH WE WOULD HOPE TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH AS THEY'RE SERVING UNINCORPORATED AREAS.
I APPRECIATE STAFF ON THEIR OWN TRYING TO PUT OUT THESE UPDATES OF INFLAMMATION, BOTH HAVING A PAGE DEDICATED TO IT IN THESE REALLY COUNTER WHAT I DO PERCEIVE TO BE AS A LOT OF MISINFORMATION ON COMING OUT FROM THIS PARK.
[02:25:06]
IT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.IT BUGS ME MORE THAN ANYTHING THAT PEOPLE THINK THAT WE DON'T LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC.
I SIT HERE AND I WRITE DOWN SOMETHING.
YES, OR TOWN CLERK ULTIMATELY DOES THE MINUTES.
BUT I'M TRYING TO REFLECT DURING THE MEETING WHAT EVERYBODY SAID.
I TAKE A TAKEAWAY FROM EVERYBODY.
EVERY CITIZEN COMMENTS AND THEN THE AGENDA ITEMS. WHICH REALLY ANOTHER THING THAT'S FRUSTRATING TO ME IS THAT, CAN I ASK SCOTT, COULD YOU PUT UP THE TABLE THAT YOU HELPED TO DEVELOP THAT ON? WHEN IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO IT OR A BIG PART OF IT IS WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO, WE ON THE COUNCIL, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE'RE SERVING THE INTERESTS OF THE PUBLIC.
AGAIN, THE WAY IT WORKS, WE CAN ASK STAFF AND THEN THEY COME BACK WITH INFORMATION.
STAFF HAD GOTTEN WITH THE PROPERTY APPRAISER, AND THESE ARE ACTUAL CURRENT FACTS.
WE HAVE 27,000 RESIDENTIAL UNITS IN A TOWN, 19,000 PLUS WHICH ARE SINGLE FAMILY AND 7,000 PLUS WHICH ARE CONDOS, AND THEN WE HAVE HOMESTEAD IN A NON-HOMESTEAD.
THIS IS THE TAXABLE VALUATION AVERAGE PER UNIT.
HOMESTEAD IS SINGLE FAMILY UNIT IS 440,000, NON-HOMESTEAD IS MORE THEY DON'T HAVE THE PROTECTION OF SAVE OUR HOMES.
ONE THING I'LL POINT OUT, WHICH IS INTERESTING AND NOT SURPRISING, AND CONDOS AND THE NUMBER OF NON-HOMESTEADING UNITS EXCEED THE HOMESTEAD.
BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY, I'M JUST HYPOTHESIZING, BUT PROBABLY THAT TENDS TO BE RENTAL UNITS AND SUCH AS WELL.
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS THIS THOSE GO AHEAD AND WE DO BELIEVE WE'VE SAID ALL ALONG THAT FEEL PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT WHAT WE DID WAS A BEST CASE SCENARIO COMPARISON OF WHAT WE THINK WE'RE GOING TO SAVE.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE AVERAGE SINGLE FAMILY HOME, WHICH SAVE $173 IN FIRST YEAR, AND OVER FIVE YEARS WOULD BE $883 AND SO FORTH.
YOU CAN READ THE TABLE THERE WHERE THERE'S HOMESTEAD, A NON-HOMESTEAD, CONDO OR NOT.
THEN, BUT ULTIMATELY, WHAT DISTINGUISHED AND BUYING FIRETRUCKS, COUNTY HAS TO BUY A FIRE TRUCK SO THE COST ARE THE COST OF COMMON.
BUT THIS ALSO SHOWS THAT WHAT WE DON'T HAVE AS A TOWN FOR A MUNICIPAL FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT, WHICH WE WERE CREATING, WE DON'T HAVE A GOAL TO INCREASE TAXES TO SUBSIDIZE THE REST OF THE COUNTY.
THAT WAS A STATED POLICY GOAL.
THE COUNTY COMMISSION, IT WAS IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR COUNTY FIRE RESCUE.
THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE GOING FOR US IS WE'RE NOT MOTIVATED TO CHARGE MORE TO HELP OFFSET OTHER AREAS OF THE TOWN.
THAT'S IF THEY WERE TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOAL AND THE PARTNERS, THE CONTRACT GOT REVISED.
THAT MOTIVATION HASN'T CHANGED.
I LOOK AT THESE NUMBERS AS BEST CASE, WORST CASE SCENARIOS.
ON THE WORST CASE SCENARIO, IF THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL IN OVER THE COURSE OF TIME, IF WE WERE TO GIVE THEM CHARTER RIGHTS THAT THE COUNTY IS GOING TO DO THIS.
LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS, OVER FIVE YEARS A HOMESTEAD, SINGLE FAMILY, 14,000 MINUTE TOWN, HE'S GOING TO PAY $4,500 MORE.
A NON-HOMESTEADING WAS GOING TO SPEND OVER $6,000 MORE OVER FIVE YEARS.
THAT'S WHAT I AND MY COLLEAGUES ARE AGONIZING ABOUT ON THIS CHANGE, IS THAT WE KNOW WHAT THE MOTIVATIONS WERE AND IT REALLY BOTHERS US.
THESE ARE NOT INSIGNIFICANT NUMBERS.
WITH THAT SAID, I THINK TONIGHT WAS A SUCCESSFUL NIGHT TO THE DEGREE EVERYBODY'S BEEN ASKING EXPLAIN ABOUT THE BALLOT.
I THINK WHAT'S WHICH I APPRECIATE COUNSELOR MAY THAT YOU JOINED US IN A 50 TO DO A MOTION FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF, WHICH EFFECT IS GOING TO LET JUDGE CONCLUDE, ISN'T A VALID LEGAL OR NOT.
WE THINK IT'S NOT A JUDGE WHO'S GOING TO DECIDE.
EFFECTIVELY, WE'RE PROCEEDING TO CONFIRM OPINIONS ON THAT.
[02:30:03]
THEN OFF YOU WANT TO COMMENT WHAT I JUST SAID, THAT TOWN ATTORNEY, BUT IN THE END, WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE SAME.WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE SPOT.
SOME OF US THINK UP HERE, WE REALLY WEREN'T REPRESENTING THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
BY THE WAY, WE'VE BEEN GETTING SIGNIFICANT FEEDBACK.
WE'VE GOT RESONANCE THAT ADVISORS, THEY RESCINDED THEIR SIGNATURE ON A PETITION IS BASED ON HOW THEY NOW PERCEIVE THEY WERE MISLED, AT LEAST SEEN IT AS A POINT OF INFORMATION.
BECAUSE WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHO'S ON THE PETITIONS BECAUSE WE NEVER LOOKED AT THEM.
BUT WE'RE CERTAINLY HEARING FROM A LARGE AT LEAST I AM.
WE'RE GETTING A LOT OF EMAILS AS WELL.
HEARING FROM A LOT OF RESIDENTS THAT ARE SAYING, HEY, NOW IT'S TIME.
WE WANT TO BASICALLY ENJOY THE TAX SAVINGS THAT WOULD COME WITH AND HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MUNICIPAL FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT MUCH AS SURROUNDING MUNICIPALITIES HAVE.
WITH THAT, I JUST REALLY WANTED TO, MAYBE I WENT TOO FAR AND EXPLAINING, BUT JUST TO THE DEGREE I AM LISTENING, WE ALL ARE LISTENING.
THIS IS A DIFFICULT, BUT I WOULD SUBMIT IS PROBABLY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FINANCIALLY IMPACTING DECISION EVER TO BE MADE BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
THE NUMBERS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.
ONE MORE THING MAYOR. [INAUDIBLE] SOMEONE SAY, I FORGET WITH THAT.
I SEE IF IT'S A TOWN ROAD OR LEAVE IT GET.
TIME IS DOWN 9:31 AND WE'LL ADJOURN THE MEETING
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.