[00:00:05]
>> GOOD EVENING. THE TIME IS NOW 7:00 PM AND I'LL CALL TO ORDER
[Call to Order ]
THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 2ND, 2024.WE'LL BEGIN WITH AN INVOCATION, FOLLOWED BY A MOMENT OF SILENCE, AND THEN THE PLEDGE.
IF YOU'RE ABLE, PLEASE JOIN ME IN STANDING.
>> DEAR GOD ENABLE US TO ADD OUR SKILLS AND STRENGTH TO ALL WHO SERVE FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AMEN. LET'S HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
> PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE.
>> MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
>> WE BEGIN WITH CITIZEN COMMENTS.
[CITIZEN COMMENTS ]
THIS IS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES EACH.ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK IS ASKED TO STATE HIS OR HER NAME, AN ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD PRIOR TO ADDRESSING A TOWN COUNCIL.
WITH THAT, DO WE HAVE CITIZEN COMMENTS?
>> YES. FIRST, WE HAVE PENNY PAYNE.
AFTER PENNY PAYNE IS CARREY FLYNN, AND BOTH THE PODIUMS ARE USABLE.
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU, MAYOR, TOWN COUNCIL, MR. ATTORNEY.
WE JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE ART COMMITTEE FOR ALLOWING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ART THAT YOU SEE OUT IN THE HALLWAYS AND THROUGHOUT THE TOWN HALL HERE.
IT GAVE US A CHANCE TO BOND WITH THE STAFF AND REALLY UNDERSTAND YOUR EXPECTATIONS.
HOPEFULLY, WE MET THEM AND EXCEEDED THEM.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY VERY SOON, HOPING FOR A ROUND TABLE TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE, AND JUST WANTED TO SAY THANKS.
>> THANK YOU. YOU EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS.
>> CARREY FLYNN. AFTER CARREY IS LINDA MCDERMOTT.
I LIVE AT 298 CARAVELLE DRIVE IN JUPITER, IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF MARTINIQUE.
I'M HERE BECAUSE I'M VERY CONCERNED WITH THE PROPOSAL TO CHANGE THE ZONING IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA OF ABACOA, THE THREE GREEN SPACES BY THE STADIUM.
RIGHT NOW I'VE LIVED THERE FOR THREE-AND-A-HALF YEARS AND I MOVED THERE BECAUSE I LOVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
YOU CAN WALK, YOU CAN RIDE YOUR BIKE.
IT'S VERY FRIENDLY FOR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY.
IT'S A VERY MIXED NEIGHBORHOOD AS FAR AS YOUNG AND OLD PEOPLE LIKE ME.
BUT ANYWAY, I'M VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC ALREADY HAS GOTTEN BAD ENOUGH WHERE PEOPLE ARE CUTTING THROUGH FROM DONALD ROSS DOWN TO INDIAN CREEK, ZOOMING DOWN THE ROAD, AND I KNOW THE POLICE TRY TO GET THERE SOME, BUT IT'S 20 MILES AN HOUR, THEY'RE ALREADY GOING 30.
WE HAD SOMEONE KILLED IN A BIKE ACCIDENT THIS PAST YEAR.
I'VE ALREADY ALMOST GOTTEN RUN OVER TWICE, EVEN ON THE SIDEWALK, AND TO INCREASE THE TRAFFIC, I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.
ALSO WITH THE PROPOSED UNITS, SUPPOSEDLY THERE'S ONLY GOING TO BE ONE PARKING SPACE PER UNIT AND MOST PEOPLE THEY NEED AT LEAST TWO, AND THEN IF THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TEENAGERS.
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE PARKING BECAUSE EVEN RIGHT NOW WHEN THEY HAVE SPECIAL EVENTS, YOU CAN'T FIND A PARKING SPOT.
I'M ALSO VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT IT'LL HAVE ON THE SCHOOLS.
YOU'VE GOT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL THERE, YOU'VE GOT SOME ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS NEARBY, AND I JUST THINK IT'S GOING TO IMPACT THE COMMUNITY WAY TOO MUCH.
I THINK IT'S 104 UNITS THAT WERE ORIGINALLY ZONED FOR, BUT TO PUT IN FOUR BUILDINGS FIVE STORIES HIGH WITH 300 AND SOMETHING UNITS IS JUST WAY BEYOND WHAT WE CAN HANDLE IN ABACOA.
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AND LOOKING INTO CHANGING IT, I HOPE YOU WILL SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF US IN ALL THE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS AT ALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.>> LINDA MCDERMOTT. AFTER LINDA IT'S CONNOR WALLACE.
>> GOOD EVENING, LINDA MCDERMOTT,107 CHADRICK DRIVE.
I WANT THERE TO BE NO MISTAKE THAT I AM HERE BECAUSE I'M SUPPORTING PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE.
I'M NOT WEARING A T-SHIRT BECAUSE I COME STRAIGHT FROM WORK AS A GOVERNMENT PROFESSIONAL AND SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT.
I KNOW YOU LIKE TO TAKE NOTE OF WHAT WE DO, WHO HAS A SIGN, WHO HAS A T-SHIRT, SO I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW THAT THIS IS MY FIGHT.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE. I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT THE PASSION IN THIS FIGHT STARTED WITH RESIDENTS.
IT WASN'T THE MONEY FROM THE IFF AND THE PAC, THEY HELPED US RESIDENTS AFTER THEY SAW THE PASSION, THE WILL THAT THE PUBLIC WANTS.
WE'VE NEVER SAID THAT THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH FORMING A FIRE DEPARTMENT IF IT WAS NEEDED.
WHAT WE DID IS WE WANTED TO GET TOGETHER SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, WE WANTED TO PROVE THE BUDGET, WHICH I HAVE TOLD YOU, MANY HAVE TOLD YOU, YOU DID NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT BUDGET.
THE NUMBERS THAT THE COMPANY GAVE YOU ARE OLD NUMBERS FROM BEFORE COVID.
YOU'VE CHOSEN NOT TO TAKE ACTION, TO CHANGE FINANCES, TO GIVE US THE TRUTH, AND I'M HERE TO TELL YOU HOW DISAPPOINTED I AM ON THIS MATTER.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT THE TOWN COUNCIL HAS NOT MADE GOOD DECISIONS ON OTHER THINGS.
PLEASE DON'T MISINTERPRET THAT I DON'T LIKE COUNSEL BECAUSE I DO, I JUST DON'T LIKE WHAT'S GOING ON ON THIS.
I WARNED PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE IT SHOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN LAWSUITS FROM ANYBODY.
THEY WANT MY NEIGHBOR, MY RELATIVES, MY BUSINESS ASSOCIATES, THE NURSING HOMES, EVERYBODY WHO STEPS FOOT INTO JUPITER DESERVES GOOD MEDICAL CARE, AND I BELIEVE PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE IS WORTH PAYING.
YOU NEGOTIATED, YOU LED US TO BELIEVE IN JULY 2023 THAT YOU WERE GOING TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT.
THAT'S WHEN THIS FIGHT STARTED, NOT OVER 10 MEETINGS THAT YOU ARE SAYING TO THE PUBLIC.
IT WASN'T, IT WAS AFTER JULY WHEN YOU DECIDED NOT TO HAVE A SECOND HEARING TO SAY YES, AND IT WASN'T UNTIL AFTER THAT THAT MY PASSION AND MY HAIR GOT REDDER AND I DON'T LIKE WHAT THE TOWN IS DOING.
>> CONNOR WALLACE. AFTER CONNOR IS LISA LELAND?
>> CARL WALS 107 JEANETTE WAY, JUPITER FLORIDA.
I MAY NOTE LET ME SAY SO I APOLOGIZE A BIT SCATTER BRAIN WITH THIS BUT I DID SEE RECENTLY THE TOWN DECIDED TO POST A RECRUITING VIDEO.
I FIND THAT CONCERNING BECAUSE THAT'S DUE TO BE IN 2025 IF I RECALL LOOKING AT THE CHART THAT YOU GUYS PROVIDED.
I FIND THAT CONCERNING ALSO BASED ON THE FACT THAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WE'RE ACTUALLY PAYING THESE EMPLOYEES AND THE FACT THAT THERE'S A MENTIONED FLOATING DAY, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE YOU GUYS ARE SCARED TO USE KELLY DAY WHICH IS AN INDUSTRY STANDARD AT THIS POINT.
I'D REALLY LIKE TO KNOW FACTS AND FIGURES BEHIND, LIKE HOW MUCH WE'RE ACTUALLY PAYING THESE EMPLOYEES AND IF WE'RE ACTUALLY DOING A KELLY OR NOT BECAUSE THAT IMPACTS THE OVERALL COST OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GREATLY.
IF THAT COULD EVER BE SUPPLIED IT WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
I KNOW WE DO LEAVE OUR CONTACT INFORMATION ON THE COMMENT CARDS, BUT I DON'T THINK I'VE RECEIVED A SINGLE EMAIL FROM THE TOWN ON ANY FOLLOW UP INFORMATION ABOUT ANYTHING I'VE ASKED OR ANY OTHER CITIZENS HAVE ASKED ABOUT FINANCES.
ANOTHER POINT I NOTICED THAT WAS MADE LAST MEETING WAS ABOUT THE FINANCES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE INTEREST RATES THAT THEY WERE REGARDED WITH.
I KNOW HE CALCULATED THE INTEREST RATES TO BE LESS THAN 1%, BEING 0.46% TO BE EXACT.
I KNOW THE LOWEST INTEREST RATE HE WAS ABLE TO FIND WAS 2.67% WHICH IS BASED IN MIAMI.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO KNOW THE TOWN'S ACTUAL MONETARY FIGURE WITH WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO GET FINANCING WISE, NOT AN ESTIMATE, BECAUSE AT THIS POINT, THE BALL IS ROLLING.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW AN ACTUAL FIGURE, NOT JUST THE ESTIMATE.
THEN LASTLY, ONE OTHER NOTICE I WANTED TO TOUCH ON IS RESPONSE TIMES.
IT SEEMS LIKE THE TOWN ALSO STILL DOESN'T HAVE A DEFINITIVE LOCATION FOR ALL OF THE STATIONS.
I FEEL LIKE THE STATION COVERING THE WEST SIDE OF TOWN HAS CHANGED LOCATIONS ABOUT THREE TIMES.
IT STARTED OFF AT THE DOG PARK, THEN IT WAS INDIAN CREEK PARK, AND THEN NOW I HEARD SOME RUMOR ABOUT IT NEGOTIATING A CONTRACT LARGE AT ROAD STATUE RIVER DISTRICT.
IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE MOVING ALONG, BUT WE STILL DON'T HAVE THE BASELINE OF WHERE STATIONS ARE GOING,
[00:10:03]
WHICH IS A VERY LARGE IMPACT IN YOUR FIRE RESCUE SERVICES BECAUSE IT AFFECTS RESPONSE TIMES GREATLY.EVEN DEPENDING ON YOUR STATION LOCATION, WHAT UNITS YOU'RE ABLE TO EVEN STORE THERE.
BECAUSE SOME SPOTS ARE SMALLER, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE A LADDER TRUCK, OR DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OR ENGINE, IT'S GOING TO AFFECT WHAT TRUCKS YOU ACTUALLY ORDER.
A LOT OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS, UNFORTUNATELY, I'D LIKE TO GET SOME FEEDBACK ON WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE ESTABLISHED OR ALREADY KNOW.
IF YOU KNOW SOMETHING BUT HAVEN'T RELEASED IT, IT'D BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.
>> LISA FREELAND AND CINDY LUTHE.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS LISA FREELAND, AND I LIVE IN THE HEIGHTS.
I DON'T WORK FOR PALME COUNTY FIRE RESCUE.
I'M NOT A MEMBER OF THE UNION.
NOBODY IS FORCING ME TO SAY ANYTHING, I CAN THINK FOR MYSELF.
I'M A CONCERNED CITIZEN ABOUT THE ACTIONS OF OUR LOCAL TOWN GOVERNMENT.
IT'S SAD THAT I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO PUT A DISCLAIMER UP FOR MY COMMENTS, BUT SINCE YOU FEEL THE NEED TO TRY AND INTIMIDATE PEOPLE WITH YOUR INTERROGATORIES, HERE WE ARE.
THE LATEST ATTACK ON RESIDENTS NOW INCLUDE WHAT T-SHIRTS WE ARE WEARING AND WHERE WE GET THEM FROM. ARE YOU SERIOUS? LET ME MAKE MYSELF ABSOLUTELY CLEAR HERE, I WILL WEAR WHAT I WANT WHEN I WANT.
I'VE BEEN A JUPITER RESIDENT LONGER THAN ANY OF YOU.
FOR YOU TO TRY TO INTIMIDATE ME AND MY FELLOW NEIGHBORS BY ASKING WHO HAS COALITION SHIRTS IS AN ALL TIME LOW EVEN FOR YOU.
BUT HEY, I GUESS IT'S OKAY IF PEOPLE WEAR YOUR CAMPAIGN SHIRTS.
IT'S OKAY IF IT SUPPORTS WHAT YOU WANT.
IN YOUR LATEST REACTIONARY EMAIL, YOU APOLOGIZE TO RESIDENTS ON BEHALF OF THE PARK FOR THE APPARENT MISINFORMATION IN THE EMAIL. KNOW YOUR PLACE.
THE ONLY APOLOGY THAT SHOULD BE ISSUED IS FROM THE COUNSEL TO THE RESIDENTS FOR MAKING DECISIONS FOR US REGARDING OUR SAFETY WITHOUT OUR INPUT OR OUR CONSENT.
YOU ARE DOING THIS FOR THE PARK, SO WHY WASN'T THIS DONE FOR A SERVICE THAT IMPACTS EVERYONE? YOU ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE PARK IS TAKING OUT THEIR ANGER ON THE RESIDENTS.
YOU COULDN'T BE MORE WRONG, BUT I GUESS YOU AREN'T LISTENING WHEN RESIDENTS COME UP HERE TIME AND TIME AGAIN TELLING YOU HOW ANGRY WE ARE WITH YOUR FORCED DECISIONS.
IT'S REALLY SAD THAT YOU ARE SO BLIND TO IT.
AGAIN, IN YOUR EMAIL, YOU INSULT RESIDENTS BY STATING, PEOPLE JUST BLINDLY SIGNED A PETITION NOT KNOWING WHAT THEY WERE SIGNING.
AGAIN, DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT 5,000+ PEOPLE ARE THAT STUPID AND CAN'T THINK FOR THEMSELVES? THE LANGUAGE WAS PERFECTLY CLEAR.
IS IT THAT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE MORE VERIFIED SIGNATURES ON THE PETITION THAN THOSE WHO VOTED IN 2022? YOU CONTINUE TO MISS THE GLARING POINT OVER AND OVER AGAIN, 5,000 PEOPLE PLUS ARE AGAINST THIS.
ACCEPT THAT PEOPLE ARE EDUCATED, ACCEPT THAT PEOPLE ARE ANGRY, ACCEPT THAT MANY DISAGREE WITH YOU.
STOP THE RETALIATION AND DO THE RIGHT THING AND STOP SPENDING OUR TAX FUNDS ON A SERVICE WE DON'T WANT OR NEED.
>> CINDY LUTHE. AFTER CINDY, IT'S KRISTEN HENRY.
>> HI, MY NAME IS CINDY LUTHE FROM JUPITER. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT MY ARREST ON MAY 24TH BUT MORE ABOUT MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
WE'RE GOING TO START WHEN I'M IN THE BACK OF A POLICE CAR.
I WAS CONFUSED, I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING.
I FELT I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A TWILIGHT ZONE EPISODE, BEING ARRESTED BY THE KEYSTONE POLICE.
WHEN THAT GENTLEMAN SAID THAT HE WAS ARRESTING ME FOR FLEEING AND ROOTING, I TOOK A MOMENT, SAT BACK, AND SAID, "SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK ON MY DAUGHTER.
SHE HAD A STROKE, SHE'S HOME ALONE, THERE'S CHICKEN IN THE FRONT SEAT. " SEVEN TIMES, NO ONE CHECKED ON MY DAUGHTER.
MY DAUGHTER HAD HER FIFTH SEIZURE THREE WEEKS AGO AND THE TIME THAT I HAD BEEN ABLE TO SPEND WITH HER AFTER THAT INCIDENT, I WASN'T ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF HER.
I WATCHED HER LEARN ALL OVER AGAIN AFTER HAVING HER STROKE.
I HAVE A LOT OF POLICE OFFICERS' FRIENDS.
THEY DON'T LIKE THAT I CALL IT AN ASSAULT.
I FEEL I WAS ASSAULTED THAT NIGHT.
IT AFFECTED ME MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY, SPIRITUALLY, AND I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN TO ANYONE EVER AGAIN.
I'M NOT TO BE THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB AS I'VE TOLD THAT I'M.
I MADE THE DECISION TO TAKE A DIVERSION PLAN, SO THAT I COULD PAY FOR MY DAUGHTER'S MEDICAL EXPENSES IN LIEU OF
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PAYING FOR THE ACTIONS OR THE INACTIONS OF THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT.AS I SAID BEFORE, HAD THERE BEEN DASH CAMS, IT WOULD HAVE REITERATED THAT I DID NOTHING WRONG THAT NIGHT.
I MISSED TWO WEEKS AGO, I WENT TO GO VISIT MY DAUGHTER WHO LIVES IN WASHINGTON STATE.
SHE'S AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON.
SHE WON $180,000 SCHOLARSHIP AS SHE WAS A JUPITER RESIDENT, JUPITER HIGH SCHOOLS.
SHE IS SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF.
I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN TO BE PROUD OF.
YOU ATTACKED A SINGLE MOM AND NO ONE COULD TELL ME STILL WHAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY.
I YESTERDAY SOLD MY HOUSE BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THE TOWN THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE SAFEST TOWN IN PALM BEACH COUNTY IN MY OPINION, AND I'M VERY SADDENED BY THE FACT THAT NO ONE HAS DONE ANYTHING TO RECTIFY A WRONG.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCIL, MAYOR.
KRISTEN HENRY, 109 MAJORCA WAY.
I AM A PROUD KEEP PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE T-SHIRT WEARER.
I AM A JUPITER RESIDENT AND NOT A PAID ACTRESS BY THE LOCAL 2928 TO STAND BEFORE YOU TONIGHT.
I HAVE ATTENDED AND SPOKE AT NEARLY A DOZEN TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS SINCE GETTING WIND OF THIS CHANGE.
I HAVE BEEN HERE ASKING MY LOCAL RESIDENT ELECTED GOVERNMENT, AMONG MANY OTHERS LIKE ME, TO AFFORD US THE RIGHT TO PUT THIS MONUMENTAL MULTI MILLION DOLLAR CITIZEN EFFECTING CHANGE TO A VOTE.
BUT SINCE JUPITER FIRE DEPARTMENT IS STILL PRESSING ON, I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO GENERALIZE BUT TO RESPECTFULLY DIRECT THEM TO RANDOM COUNCIL MEMBERS HOPING FOR ANSWERS.
COUNSEL FOUR, YOU, AMONG OTHERS, APPROVED SPENDING TO PURCHASE VEHICLES DUE TO TIME RESTRICTIONS, CITING WE COULD ALWAYS SELL.
SINCE THEN, THE TOWN HAS APPROVED ADDING THREE FIGURE SALARIES.
APPROVED SITE PLAN ARCHITECTS, AMONG OTHER EXPENSES.
KNOWING THERE ARE PRETRIAL AND TRIAL DATE SET FOR JUNE TO AUGUST TIMELINE, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE TAX MONEY SPENT, THE NEW HIRES AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT MAY HAVE LEFT THEIR OLD JOBS IF THE JUDGE SIDES IN THE OTHER DIRECTION? FOR THE TOWN MANAGER OR FINANCE DIRECTOR, CAN YOU SHARE WITH THE PUBLIC WHERE THE MONEY WE'VE ALREADY SPENT COMES FROM IN THE BUDGET? SPEAKING OF FIRE ENGINES AND AMBULANCES, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS A FURTHER DELAY IN PRODUCTION.
COUNCILOR MAY, SINCE YOUR COLLEAGUES SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADVISING, RATHER THAN POINTING FINGERS AT YOUR KNOWLEDGEABLE EXPERTISE.
I'M WONDERING IF YOU HAVE HAPPENED TO HEAR ABOUT THESE DELAYS YOU MIGHT SHED LIGHT ON.
IF THE VEHICLES ARE NOT READY FOR SERVICE BY YOUR PRESUMED INAUGURAL DATE, VICE MAYOR DELANEY, WHAT DOES THE TOWN HAVE PLANNED IF THEY ARE WITHOUT THEIR VEHICLES? HOW WILL THE EMPLOYEES TRAIN AND BE READY FOR THE 9,017 CALLS PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE RESPONDED TO IN JUPITER THIS PAST FISCAL YEAR? WHICH BY THE WAY IS UP 636 SINCE THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND UP 1,653 IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WHILE ALSO DECREASING RESPONSE TIME.
STAFF, PLEASE UPDATE THOSE NUMBERS IN YOUR PRESENTATION.
COUNCILOR SUNDSTROM, WITH THIS RAPID CALL INCREASE, WHY IS THIS THE LOGICAL TIME TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE DEPARTMENT THAT THIS YEAR HAS BROUGHT A HEARTBEAT BACK TO 34.9% OF THE 43 CARDIAC ARRESTS IN JUPITER? WHEN THE STATE AVERAGE IS JUST 23.3%, ALL FOR THE SAKE OF LOCAL CONTROL, STARTING FROM SCRATCH AND MOVING BACKWARDS AND OFFERED SERVICES TO PRESUMABLY SAVE A LITTLE MONEY ONLY TO RELY ON MAYBE LEASING LAND AND MUTUAL AID FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS ANYWAY.
LASTLY, MAYOR KURETSKI, WHY IS THIS AVOIDABLE WITCH HUNT COME SO EAGERLY FOR BLOOD FROM THE ONLY SUPPORT THAT WILL GIVE THE OPPOSING RESIDENTS A FIGHTING CHANCE TO BE HEARD.
IT FEELS LIKE A DISTRACTION TO SWAY OTHERS INTO THINKING THAT THE PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF, A NON UNION RESIDENT, DO NOT ACTUALLY EXIST.
IT IS IN HOPES THAT THEY WILL FORGET OUR COUNCIL IS DENYING THE RESIDENTS THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
TO ALLOW FOR COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY, MAYBE THE TOWN'S E-MAIL HEADLINE SHOULD HAVE READ, IMPLEMENTATION OF JUPITER FIRE RESCUE PUSHES ON DESPITE OUTSIDE MONEY INFLUENCE AND EVERY RESIDENT THAT HAS BEEN SILENCED VOICING OPPOSITION. THANK YOU.
>> THAT'S IT. OKAY. MOVING ON TO THE MINUTES.
[1. March 19, 2024 Town Council Meeting Minutes. ]
COUNSEL, WE HAVE BEFORE US THE MEETING MINUTES FROM MARCH 19TH WITH SOME REVISIONS ON THE DIOS.IF THERE'S NO OTHER REVISIONS,
[00:20:01]
I'LL TAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE AMENDED MINUTES.>> MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[CONSENT AGENDA ]
THIS IS ITEMS TWO THROUGH NINE ON THE AGENDA.IS THERE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO PULL A CONSENT AGENDA ITEM?
>> ANY MEMBER OF ANY MEMBER ON THE DIOS HERE WANT TO PULL A CONSENT AGENDA ITEM?
>> SEEING NONE, I'LL TAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA.
ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
OKAY. MOVING ON TO THE REGULAR AGENDA.
[10. Approving the 2024 appointments to the Town’s Boards and Committees, and Countywide Organizations. ]
THIS IS ITEM NUMBER 10, APPROVING THE 2024 APPOINTMENTS TO THE TOWNS BOARDS AND COMMITTEES AND COUNTY WIDE ORGANIZATIONS.ARE THERE ANY CITIZEN COMMENTS?
>> OKAY. WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE LIST OF COMMITTEES.
FIRST ONE IS THE ART COMMITTEE.
WE HAVE TWO VACANT MEMBERS AND THREE VACANT ALTERNATE MEMBERS IN CONSISTENT WITH PAST PRACTICE.
THE ART COMMITTEE HAS PROVIDED US WITH RECOMMENDATIONS TO FILL THE REGULAR MEMBER VACANCIES AND THE ALTERNATE MEMBER VACANCIES.
I WOULD TAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND UNLESS THERE'S SOME CHANGES.
ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ON TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.
WE HAVE ONE VACANT COMMITTEE MEMBER.
CONSISTENT WITH PAST PRACTICES, WE DO HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FROM OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT, FINANCE DIRECTOR.
IF WE HAVE AGREEMENT ON THAT RECOMMENDATION, I'LL TAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH APPOINTING A FORMER CFO OF THE TOWN.
AND ALSO ON A PERSONAL NOTE FOR ME, SOMEONE WHO RECENTLY FILED A STATE ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST ME AND SITTING ON THE AUDIT COMMITTEE FOR THE TOWN OF JUPITER.
>> OKAY. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
>> MOTION CARRIES FOUR TO ONE WITH THE COUNCILOR MAY DISSENTING.
OKAY. MOVING ON TO THE BEACH COMMITTEE.
WE HAVE APPOINTMENTS TO BE MADE FOR AN AT LARGE MEMBER AND TWO ALTERNATE MEMBERS.
I BELIEVE THOUGH, DO WE HAVE ANY STAFF RECOMMENDED REAPPOINTING THE CURRENT MEMBERS WHO WISH TO BE REAPPOINTED AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEW APPOINTMENTS.
>> IT SEEMED LIKE ALL JUST SIGNED UP.
>> MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVE IT ON TO THE CONSTRUCTION BOARD.
IT'S BEING A UNIQUE BOARD THAT HAS TO HAVE CERTAIN SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT DECADE THEY LAST MET IN.
WE GENERALLY GO WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF OUR BUILDING OFFICIAL.
IF WE'RE IN AGREEMENT WITH THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS, I'LL TAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> SECOND, AND THIS IS JUST THEM WANTING REAPPOINTMENT AGAIN.
>> MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
[00:25:08]
WE HAVE TWO VACANT TASK MEMBERS AND ONE VACANT ALTERNATE MEMBER.I THINK FIRST OF ALL, BOTH THE VICE MAYOR AND COUNCIL FORE HAVE VACANCIES.
IS THERE ANY APPOINTMENTS YOU WISH TO MAKE TONIGHT?
>> THERE WERE TWO. NOBODY REACHED OUT TO ME, DO STAFF HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS?
>> NO. THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY REQUEST FOR STAFF TO BE ENGAGED IN MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS. OKAY.
>> LET'S SEE, IS ANY OF THE APPLICANTS HERE? I ALWAYS APPRECIATE IF THEY HEAR IT AND SHOW SOME INTEREST, BUT I GUESS NOT.
I'M GOING TO GO WITH ELIZABETH SUMMERS.
>> ELIZABETH SUMMERS, IF SHE'S STILL INTERESTED.
>> I HAVE ONE MEMBER OF THE APPLICANTS THAT HAD APPLIED, AND THAT'S JILL WATSON, BUT WE ALSO HAVE AN ALTERNATE TO TO FILL AS WELL.
>> THEY ALL LOOKED LIKE STRONG CANDIDATES TO ME.
>> THEY ALL LOOK LIKE STRONG CANDIDATES TO ME, SO I'M OPEN.
THEY ALL HAVE A STRONG PREFERENCE.
>> COUNCIL FORE, YOU CAN CONTINUE TO DECIDE ABOUT WHO YOU WANT TO APPOINT OR?
>> I'VE NOT HAD ANYBODY APPROACH.
>> VICE MAYOR HAS APPOINTED ELIZABETH SUMMERS, AND I BELIEVE THERE IS POTENTIALLY A CONSENSUS TO APPOINT JILL WATSON ON FOR THE ALTERNATE TERM.
CAN I TAKE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND ON THAT? SO MOVE.
>> MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYINGAYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ON TO THE HISTORIC RESOURCE BOARD, WE DO HAVE A STAFF RECOMMENDATION IN THE PACKAGE THAT ALL EXISTING QUALIFIED MEMBERS BE REAPPOINTED.
I THINK WE HAD FOUR MEMBERS THAT HAD INDICATED AN INTEREST FOR REAPPOINTMENT.
>> THEY'RE RECOMMENDING THAT THEY HOLD THE VACANCY UNTIL A LATER DATE.
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR HRB ARE VERY STRINGENT IN TERMS OF BACKGROUND NEEDED.
TYPICALLY, THEY NEED A DEGREE OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN ARCHAEOLOGY THAT CAN BE HARD TO FIND.
THEY WERE RECOMMENDING HOLD IT UNTIL POTENTIALLY SOMEONE COMES FORWARD WITH THAT EXPERTISE.
>> WE ALSO NEED TO STAY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> CORRECT. TO BE WHAT IS IT? A CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
>> I GUESS WE COULD TAKE ACTION JUST MOVING UP THE SECOND ALTERNATIVE FIRST BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE NORMALLY OUR PRACTICE ANYWAY.
WE WANT TO GET A MOTION FOR THAT.
>> MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ON TO PLANNING AND ZONING.
[00:30:07]
COUNSEL MAY HAS A VACANCY AS WELL AS EACH ONE OF US IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE APPOINTING WHO WE CURRENTLY HAVE.I BELIEVE ALL HAVE EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN REAPPOINTMENT AND WE HAVE ONE VACANCY TO FILL.
I WOULD RECOMMEND BETH KELSO FOR THAT VACANCY.
>> I AGREE. BUT I DO HAVE A CHANGE FOR MY PICK.
FOR MY PICK, I CHOOSE DR.. MICHAEL, C-E-A-S-S-E-L-Y.
HE'S BEEN A JUPITER RESIDENT FOR 30 YEARS NOW, HAD A MAXIOFACIAL PRACTICE IN TOWN FOR 20 PLUS YEARS.
SOMEBODY I'VE PERSONALLY KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME.
>> I GUESS, COUNCIL MAY YOU'RE GOING TO HOLD UP OR?
>> I'M GOING TO SELECT KAREN VINCENT.
>> OKAY. I'LL TAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THOSE APPOINTMENTS.
ALL IN FAVOR OF SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ON TO ANY WIDE ORGANIZATIONS.
WELL, FIRST WE HAVE THE LOCK SACHE RIVER MANAGEMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL, WHERE COUNCILOR SNYDER HAD BEEN THE REPRESENTATIVE, WITH VICE MAYOR DELANEY BEING THE ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AGENCY.
I'M THE APPOINTEE, WITH VICE MAYOR DELANEY BEING THE ALTERNATE LEAGUE OF CITIES.
WAS A ROTATION OF MEMBER COUNCIL MEMBERS, SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT LIAISON WAS COUNCILOR SUNDSTROM, WITH COUNCILOR MAY AS AN ALTERNATE.
THE BIOSCIENCE LAND PROTECTION ADVISORY BOARD HAS BEEN TERMINATED, SO THAT'S NO LONGER ONE TO ACT ON IN ANY ISSUES FORM.
THAT'S ONE THAT I HAVE COVERED.
IS THERE ANYBODY THAT WELL, WE WOULD NEED TO TAKE ACTION ON THE LOCATE RIVER MANAGEMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL AND ASK IF ANYBODY WAS INTERESTED IN CHANGING FROM?
>> I'M INTERESTED IN JUST STAYING ON THAT. TAKING THAT SPOT.
>> YOU WANT TO TAKE THE MAIN SPOT?
>> OKAY. I'VE ATTENDED THE LAST TWO, SO I ATTENDED THE LAST TWO.\.
>> BECAUSE I THINK THEY STILL HAVE ME AS THE PERSON.
>> I JUST BEEN DOING IT, SO I DON'T MIND KEEP DOING IT. I WANT TO KEEP IT.
>> INSTEAD OF COUNCILOR SNYDER, I'LL JUST GO.
>> THAT'S FINE. YEAH. I DON'T KNOW ANYBODY WAS GOING.
>> YEAH. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS ON IT THE YEAR BEFORE AND THEN WHEN SHE RESIGNED, IF IT KICKED BACK TO ME.
BUT I'D BEEN GETTING THE EMAILS AND GOING TO THE MEETING.
>> I DIDN'T HEAR. THAT'S OKAY.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY WAS ATTENDING OR NOT.
>> THAT'S FINE. I GUESS THAT WOULD BE YOU WANT TO CONTINUE AS THE ALTERNATE ON THAT?
>> OKAY. THAT COMPLETES THE APPOINTMENTS.
MOVING ON NOW ONTO THE SELECTION OF JUPITER VICE MAYOR.
[11. Selection of Town of Jupiter Vice-Mayor 2024-2025. ]
>> I'D LIKE TO MOTION FOR COUNCILOR SUNDSTROM FOR VICE MAYOR.
ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ON TO REPORTS, TOWN ATTORNEY.
[TOWN ATTORNEY ]
>> JUST TO NOTE THAT THE MEDIATION CONTINUES IN THE SPERRY ENVIRONMENTAL LANDS DISCUSSION BROUGHT BY THE MODICA LLCS.
IT'S BEEN A SLOW PROCESS, BUT SOME PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE
[00:35:02]
AND WE CONTINUE TO STUDY SOME PROPOSALS THAT MAY RESOLVE IT.>> ANYTHING ELSE? TOWN MANAGER.
[TOWN MANAGER ]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS FOR US.
THE PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES MASTER PLAN SURVEY OPENED YESTERDAY APRIL 1ST.
SURVEY ALLOWS RESIDENTS TO PROVIDE INPUT ABOUT CURRENT PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES AND TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR PARK FACILITIES.
SURVEY IS GOING TO BE OPENED THROUGH APRIL 30TH.
REMARKABLY IN THE FIRST DAY, WE HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED MORE THAN 400 RESPONSES.
THAT'S A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT.
A LINK TO THE SURVEY CAN BE FOUND ON THE TOWN'S HOMEPAGE AT WWW.JUPITER.FL.US UNDER NEWS AND TRENDING TOPICS JUPITER U KICKS OFF TOMORROW.
WE'LL BE DOING THE WELCOME SESSION AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER TOMORROW MORNING FROM 10:00 AM UNTIL NOON.
COUNCILOR MAY IS GOING TO BE THERE IN THE MORNING.
WE INVITE ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO MAY WANT TO ATTEND.
YOU'RE WELCOME TO ATTEND AS WELL.
THIS YEAR'S SESSION HAS EIGHT TOURS SCHEDULED BETWEEN NOW AND MAY 1ST.
YOU SHOULD HAVE ALL RECEIVED EMAIL ABOUT EARLIER TODAY WITH THE SCHEDULE OF TOURS.
IF ANY OF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN ANY OF THE TOURS, PLEASE LET STACY OR SEAN KNOW AND THEY WILL SET THAT UP FOR YOU.
THE SECOND ROUND OF ORDERS FOR THE VETERAN BRICKS PROGRAM CLOSED ON SUNDAY.
THE BRICKS ORDER THIS TIME WILL BE INSTALLED ON MEMORIAL DAY, MAY 27.
WE WILL REOPEN ORDERS IN MAY FOR THOSE THAT WISH TO STILL PURCHASE A BRICK.
THEN FINALLY, THE NEXT OPEN HOUSE EVENT FOR CONNECT WITH COUNCIL IS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE NINE DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING JFRD, HR, ENGINEERING, P&Z, BUSINESS COMMUNITY LIAISON, PD, FINANCE, UTILITIES AND PARKS AND RECREATION WILL BE TAKING PART IN THIS EVENT.
THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT WILL ALSO BE THERE TO TALK ABOUT JILONA AND THE JUPITER BRANCH LIBRARY WILL BE ON HAND.
OBVIOUSLY, WE INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT AND INTERACT WITH THE TOWN COUNCIL AND TOWN STAFF AT THIS INFORMAL EVENT FOCUSED ON CONNECTING OUR RESIDENTS IN THE TOWN. THAT'S MY REPORT, MAYOR.
[TOWN COUNCIL – LIAISON REPORTS AND COMMENTS ]
>> I WAS ASKED A SPECIFIC QUESTION DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS AND I THINK I'D LIKE TO RESPOND TO THAT, CHRISTINE.
I WAS ASKED A VERY PERTINENT QUESTION.
I DID APPROVE THE VEHICLE EXPENDITURE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE COULD EVENTUALLY SELL THAT VEHICLE IF THIS DIDN'T WORK.
NOW WE'VE GONE AHEAD AND APPROVED OTHER EXPENDITURES AS WELL THAT I HAVE AGREED WITH.
ONE POINT THAT SHE BROUGHT UP IS, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THESE FIREFIGHTERS THAT CHOOSE A CAREER WITH US AND THEN WE HAVE TO SHUT THIS DOWN BECAUSE IT DIDN'T WORK? I THINK WE'RE GOING INTO THIS FAIRLY GOOD FAITH WITH ANYBODY WE'RE OFFERING A JOB TO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON, NOT HIDING IT FROM ANY PROSPECTIVE JOB APPLICANTS.
I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY'RE TAKING FORWARD THAT THERE WOULD BE THAT RISK.
I'D HATE TO SEE SOMEBODY THAT WOULD HAD ACCEPTED A POSITION AND THEN HAVE THAT POSITION PULLED AWAY, BUT THAT IS A RISK.
I DON'T SEE HOW WE CAN GET AROUND THAT.
THE OTHER EXPENDITURES THAT I'VE BEEN APPROVING ARE THOSE THAT WE HAD TO DO AT THIS POINT TO BE READY TO TAKE OVER TO SERVICE WHEN IT HAPPENS.
WE CAN SAY, WELL, I'M NOT GOING TO APPROVE ANY OF THESE BUDGETS BECAUSE I DON'T GO ALONG WITH HOW WE'RE DOING THIS.
THIS IS OCCURRING, THIS IS HAPPENING, SO WE HAVE TO MAKE CERTAIN EXPENDITURES AT THIS POINT SO WE'RE READY WHEN THIS TRANSITION HAPPENS.
IF IT DOESN'T HAPPEN, IT WILL BE A TERRIBLE LOSS OF MONEY THAT ANYTHING WE'VE LOST OUR MONEY ON.
BUT I CAN'T RESPONSIBLY NOT APPROVE BUDGET EXPENSES NOW FOR SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE SO WE HAVE A FIRE DEPARTMENT IF AND WHEN THE JUPITER FIRE DEPARTMENT COMES TO FRUITION.
THAT'S MY JUSTIFICATION FOR THAT.
IT'S NOT PARTICULARLY PALATABLE, BUT I THINK IT'S SOMETHING I NEEDED TO DO.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE TO FUND AS THOUGH WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING THIS OR WE'RE GOING TO BE CAUGHT UNPREPARED, AND THAT'S THE LAST THING.
I WANT EVERYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE AND EVERYBODY IN THE TOWN TO KNOW WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN DO TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE EXCELLENT SERVICE WHEN WE TAKE THIS OVER.
I HAVE NOTHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT. NOT AT ALL.
I'VE KNOWN SEVERAL FIREFIGHTERS.
NOTHING WRONG WITH THE EXISTING SERVICE.
THIS IS STRICTLY A CONTRACT ISSUE.
[00:40:02]
IN NO WAY DO I WANT ANY OF OUR ACTIONS TO DECREASE THE QUALITY OF OUR SERVICE.I DON'T BELIEVE JUST BY VIRTUE OF US DOING THIS, WE'RE GOING TO NECESSARILY BE WORSE OFF.
I THINK WE COULD PRODUCE A VERY HIGH QUALITY AWARD WINNING SERVICE HERE, JUST LIKE WE DID WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WE'VE HEARD A COUPLE OF SESSIONS AGO FROM CHIEF ENGLAND, WHERE WE'VE ACHIEVED A REMARKABLE RATING FOR SUCH A SMALL CITY AND POLICE FORCE.
WE'RE IN A VERY EXCLUSIVE CLUB, EXCLUSIVITY FOR QUALITY.
I'D LIKE TO SEE AND HOPE THAT THAT WILL TRANSFER OVER INTO OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT AND I HAVE EVERY BELIEF WE WILL PRODUCE A WORLD CLASS FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND I BELIEVE ALL OF US ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN POSSIBLY DO TO ENSURE THAT.
BUT I JUST WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT ONE COMMENT.
ALSO I WANTED TO APOLOGIZE TO EACH ONE OF YOU, AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC FOR ME MISSING THE LAST TOWN COUNCIL MEETING.
I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND DISCLOSE A HEALTH PROBLEM.
I HAVE A DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS IN MY LEFT LEG, AND I ALMOST CAME.
MY WIFE HAD TO RESTRAIN ME TO KEEP ME FROM COMING.
I WANTED TO COME SO BADLY, BUT I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT AND JUST WANTED TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW IF YOU'VE GOT A PAIN IN THE BACK OF YOUR KNEE, IF YOU'VE BEEN TRAVELING A LOT, IF YOU'VE BEEN FLYING OR DRIVING LONG DISTANCES, YOU FIND A PAIN IN THE BACK OF YOUR KNEE, GO GET IT CHECKED OUT.
IT'S AN ULTRASOUND, NOT UNLIKE WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE DURING A PREGNANCY TO LOOK AT YOUR BABY TO BE.
IT'S AN EASY, PAINLESS PROCESS.
>> TWO THINGS REGARDING THE, I THINK WAS MISS FLINT'S COMMENT ABOUT THE POTENTIAL PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF THE APARTMENTS ON DOWNTOWN ABACOA.
I READ THINGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND I GET EMAILS AND PEOPLE DISCUSS IT AS OPEN SPACE OR GREEN SPACE. IT'S NOT.
THAT'S PRIVATELY OWNED LAND BY THE RENDINA FAMILY.
I FORGET THE NAME OF THEIR COMPANY, BUT WE'VE DEALT WITH THAT PROPERTY OVER FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AGO.
THAT COULD APPROVED TO BECOME THE CENTERBALL, WHICH IS A BOWLING ALLEY FAMILY ACTIVITY VENTURE AND THAT NEVER CAME TO FRUITION.
UNDER THE MASTER PLAN OF THE ABACOA DRI, WHICH MEANS DEVELOPMENT WITH REGIONAL IMPLICATIONS.
THAT LAND, I BELIEVE, WAS ZONED AS MIXED USE COMMERCIAL.
IT'S NOT TOWN SANCTIONED OPEN SPACE OR GREEN SPACE.
I THINK PEOPLE MISINTERPRET THAT AS THEY'VE TAKEN AWAY OUR OPEN ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS AND THEY'RE NOT.
WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT APPLICATION.
IT MAY OR MAY NOT COME FORWARD.
WE LOOKED AT IT MONTHS AGO AND IT GOT SENT BACK, SO I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S COMING UP NEXT.
BUT ANYWAY, I JUST DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK THAT GREEN SPACE IS BEING DILUTED FROM OUR INVENTORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SPACES.
SECONDLY, THE QUESTION FROM, I BELIEVE IT WAS MISS HENRY ABOUT THE FIRE TRUCKS DELIVERY DATES.
I KNOW WE ALREADY OWNED THE CHASSIS FOR THE AMBULANCES AND THE BOXES WILL BE MADE PROBABLY IN THE COMING MONTHS.
AS FAR AS I'VE HEARD, EVERYTHING'S ON SCHEDULE.
TOWN MANAGER, AM I MISTAKEN ON THAT?
>> WE'VE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF ANY DELAY OR CHANGES IN THE SCHEDULE.
>> I'M VERY CONFIDENT EVERYTHING WILL BE DELIVERED BEFORE THE OCTOBER 1ST KICKOFF OF 26. THANK YOU.
>> I ALSO JUST WANT TO ANSWER SOME OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
I'VE MADE IT A TRADITION TO ANSWER PUBLIC COMMENT AND COUNSEL COMMENTS AT THE END OF THE MEETING.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MIGHT BE NEW, IF YOU DO GIVE PUBLIC COMMENT, WE DON'T ANSWER WHEN THEY'RE GIVEN, BUT WE TRY TO ANSWER TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY AT THE END OF THE MEETING OR WE ASK STAFF TO FOLLOW UP WITH RESIDENTS.
I'VE DONE THAT FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MEETINGS, AND I'LL DO IT AGAIN.
I DO WANT TO SAY I DID SEE THE UNION BACKED PAC'S EMAIL THAT WENT OUT.
I WASN'T AWARE SPECIFICALLY OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE LITIGATION.
THAT WAS THE FIRST SENSE THAT I HAD.
BUT WHAT THAT LED TO WAS MY ACTUALLY SPEAKING WITH OUR TOWN ATTORNEY AND JUST ASKING FOR AN UPDATE ON WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND ASKING FOR SOME OF THE DOCUMENTS THAT WERE REQUESTED AND GOING FORWARD.
THESE INTERROGATORIES ARE QUESTIONS.
THE TOWN IS ASKING QUESTIONS OF THE PAC INTERROGATORIES QUESTIONS.
[00:45:08]
I ASKED FOR THE DOCUMENTS, I READ THE DOCUMENTS.I FOUND ONE IN PARTICULAR THAT I THINK WILL HELP ANSWER A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS THAT CERTAINLY ANSWERED SOME OF MINE.
BUT I WONDERED BECAUSE IT WAS TIED TO LITIGATION, I JUST WANT TO ASK OUR TOWN ATTORNEY, ARE WE ALLOWED TO READ ANYTHING THAT IS INVOLVED IN THIS? IS THIS PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL? CAN I SHARE A DOCUMENT THAT YOU SHARED WITH ME OR THE ATTORNEYS SHARED?
>> NONE OF THE DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN PRODUCED ARE PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS.
ANY PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION WOULD NOT BE PRODUCED AND IN FACT, THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF COMMUNICATIONS THAT THE PAC IS WITHHOLDING BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THEY ARE ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGED.
THE RECORDS THAT HAVE BEEN PRODUCED, INCLUDING THOSE THAT YOU REQUESTED, ARE PUBLIC RECORDS.
THEY'RE FILED IN THE COURT WITH THE COURT AND THEY'RE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION LIKE ANY OTHER DOCUMENT THAT'S IN A COURT FILE.
>> SO THESE ARE PUBLIC RECORDS.
I RECEIVED A NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS, I WENT THROUGH THEM AND I FOUND ONE, AS I SAID, THAT I THINK WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS, BUT POTENTIALLY POSE OTHERS.
THIS IS AN EMAIL SENT FROM RICHARD ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 AT 5:23 PM.
RICHARD IS SOMEONE THAT WORKS FOR A POLITICAL CONSULTANT AND IT WAS SENT TO PRESIDENT@IAFF2928.COM.
IAF2928 WOULD BE THE UNION, SO PRESIDENT@IAFF2928.COM AND THE SUBJECT IS JUPITER PROJECT AND I'LL JUST READ A LITTLE BIT INTO THE RECORD RIGHT NOW.
IMMEDIATE ACTION ITEMS. NUMBER 1, CAM TO LEAD THE PUBLIC FACING OPPOSITION EFFORT.
INITIAL LAUNCH AT THE SEPTEMBER 5 COUNCIL MEETING PC, WHICH WOULD BE PUBLIC CONCEPTS TO ASSIST DEVELOPING MESSAGES AND TARGET LISTS FOR EMAIL AND TEXT OUTREACH.
NUMBER 2, JEFF DISCUSSING WITH ATTORNEY PETITION LANGUAGE AND DEADLINES, SET UP CONFERENCE CALL TO INCLUDE PC, PUBLIC CONCEPTS TO DISCUSS STRATEGY AND DETAILS.
ITEM 3, PLAN TOWN HALL MEETING FOR SEPTEMBER, DATE AND LOCATION, TBD AND THEN NEXT PC TO DEVELOP COMS STRATEGY AND PETITION LAUNCH ROLLOUT.
THEN PC TO DRAFT SURVEY FOR FIELDING IN SEPTEMBER.
IDENTIFY MEMBERS IN JUPITER WHO CAN DO COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.
FOR THIS, THE CONSULTING FEE WOULD BE 5,000 A MONTH.
THAT EMAIL IS A PUBLIC RECORD AND I DO RECOMMEND THAT RESIDENTS LOOK AT IT BECAUSE THIS WAS SHOCKING TO ME AND I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS SEEN IT.
I'VE REQUESTED IT AT THE PROMPTING OF THE EMAIL THAT CAME OUT.
I ASKED FOR INFORMATION ON WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH LITIGATION.
I RECEIVED MANY EMAILS FULL OF DOCUMENTS.
WHAT IT SHOWS CLEARLY IN ADDITION TO THE NEARLY $215,000 THAT THE UNION HAS GIVEN TO THE PAC, WHICH WHEN YOU SPEND $215,000 IN OUR COMMUNITY AND YOU TELL PEOPLE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO CLOSE STATIONS OR FIRE FIREFIGHTERS OR FIRE PEOPLE, YES, YOU MIGHT GET SIGNATURES.
TO COMPARE THE $215,000 THAT WAS SPENT, SOME OF US IN OUR ELECTIONS, LIKE OUR MAYOR, IF I REMEMBER HIS FILING, SPENT SOMETHING LIKE $8,000.
THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF THE MONEY THAT WENT OUT INTO MAILERS, INTO PEOPLE AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS TELLING PEOPLE THAT STATIONS WOULD BE CLOSED.
WE HAVE EMAILS TO THE TOWN SAYING AS MUCH TO US.
THIS TO ME WAS PRETTY UPSETTING AND SURPRISING TO READ AND IT ANSWERS SOME QUESTIONS, BUT IT ASKS OTHERS.
I HAVE QUESTIONS, I THINK THE COUNCIL HAS QUESTIONS, I THINK RESIDENTS HAVE QUESTIONS AND IT'S TIME TO ANSWER THOSE TOO.
ONE MIGHT BE, WHAT IS THE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF COORDINATION THAT TOOK PLACE BASED ON THIS EMAIL? WHAT IS THE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF COORDINATION? WHEN YOU SAY THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TARGET LISTS FOR EMAIL AND TEXT TO JUPITER RESIDENTS, WHAT ARE YOUR CRITERIA FOR TARGETING JUPITER RESIDENTS? WHEN THE TOWN SENDS AN EMAIL, YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR AN EMAIL FROM THE TOWN.
WITH REGARDS TO FIRE RESCUE, WE HAVE A DEDICATED FIRE RESCUE PAGE.
EVERY EMAIL WE SEND IS THEN POSTED TO THAT WEBSITE.
[00:50:03]
I GET SOME EMAILS FROM THE PAC.I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER GOTTEN A TEXT MESSAGE WHO IS BEING TARGETED AND WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR THAT TARGETING? WE NOW HAVE THE FINANCIAL REPORT FROM JANUARY SHOWING THE $215,000.
I LOOK AT THIS EMAIL, IT'S VERY UPSETTING AND I HAVE QUESTIONS AND I THINK A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE DO TOO.
I JUST WANT TO LEAVE IT AT THAT.
>> I CAN ANSWER THE FIRST STATEMENT THAT YOU MADE IF YOU WANT, JUST SO IT'S ON RECORD.
I WAS ASKED FOR THAT TO LEAD THE PUBLIC OPPOSITION EFFORT OR WHATEVER IT WAS, AND I ACTUALLY DECLINED TO DO SO.
THAT WAS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THEM.
THEY CAME TO ME AND ASKED ME TO DO THAT, I SAID I'M NOT GOING TO.
AS YOU CAN SEE, I HAVEN'T BEEN THE FACE OF A PUBLIC OPPOSITION EFFORT, I'VE JUST BEEN DOING MY DUTIES AS A COUNCIL MEMBER.
THEN JUST SO EVERYONE IS AWARE, I'LL JUST MAKE IT KNOWN RIGHT NOW.
I THINK I'VE TOLD A FEW OF YOU I HAVE STEPPED DOWN FROM MY POSITION WITHIN THE UNION, SO I'M NO LONGER GOING TO BE THE LEGISLATIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNION.
MY TERM ENDS JUNE 1 BUT I HAVEN'T REALLY BEEN PARTICIPATING IN MANY THINGS.
THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION AS TO MY INVOLVEMENT LIKE THAT WAS SENT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE COORDINATING.
I DECLINED TO DO ANY OF THOSE THINGS.
JUST TO ANSWER THAT FIRST QUESTION FOR YOU.
>> I MYSELF WAS CURIOUS WHO WAS BEHIND IT AND CERTAINLY PUBLIC CONCEPTS HAPPENS TO HAVE A HISTORY THAT AFFECTS ME SINCE THEY HAD COORDINATED OR APPEARED TO COORDINATE OVER HALF A MILLION IN THE LAST ELECTION THAT I PARTICIPATED IN.
IT REALLY IS TROUBLESOME TO REALIZE THAT WHEN AS WAS STATED, TYPICALLY I SPENT SINGLE DIGIT THOUSANDS IN AN ELECTION.
IN THE LAST ELECTION, I WAS FACED WITH OVER A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN DARK MONEY THAT WE NEVER COULD FIGURE OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM OTHER THAN PUBLIC CONCEPTS WAS INVOLVED.
I'M JUST SO TROUBLED ALSO BY THE PROPAGANDA THAT THEY'VE SPREAD AND MISINFORMATION IS REALLY TROUBLESOME TO ME.
WITH THAT I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE COMMENTS.
BUT TIME IS NOW 7:52 AND WE'LL ADJOURN THE MEETING.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.