[00:00:04]
>> GOOD EVENING. THE TIME IS NOW 7:00 PM,
[Call to Order]
AND I'LL CALL TO ORDER THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF TUESDAY JUNE 4TH.WE, THE TOWN COUNCIL, ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT HONOR GUARD WITH US TONIGHT FOR THE PRESENTATION OF COLORS.
BEFORE THE HONOR GUARD MARCHES IN, I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE OFFICER KEVIN SCHWEBS.
OFFICER SCHWEBS BEGAN HIS CAREER WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN DECEMBER 2003, AND WAS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF THE HONOR GUARD.
TODAY IS OFFICER SCHWEBS FINAL DAY WITH THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT.
AS HE RETIRES AFTER TONIGHT'S HONOR GUARD DUTY, WE THANK OFFICER SCHWEBS FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF JUPITER, AND WISH HIM WELL IN HIS WELL DESERVED RETIREMENT.
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD ASK THAT EVERYONE IS ABLE TO PLEASE RISE FOR THE INVOCATION IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOLLOWED BY THE PRESENTATION OF COLORS IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> DEAR GOD, HELP US TO BE MINDFUL OF OUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND ALLOW US TO SEE THAT STRENGTH OF HARMONY AND TEAMWORK CAN OVERCOME THAT WHICH DIVIDES US.
AMEN. LET'S HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
>> MAY WE HAVE A ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
>> COUNCILOR 4. COUNCILOR MAY. TOWN MANAGER [INAUDIBLE].
>> ACTING TOWN ATTORNEY LASHLEY.
>> WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH THE PROCLAMATION THAT I WILL BE
[1. Code Enforcement Appreciation week - June 3 - 7, 2024 – Mr. Chris Ailes, Code Compliance Manager.]
PRESENTING TO MR. CHRIS ALES CODE ENFORCEMENT SUPERVISOR.[00:05:07]
A PROCLAMATION OF THE TOWN OF JUPITER, FLORIDA, DECLARING THE WEEK OF JUNE 3TH-7TH, 2024, AS CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICERS APPRECIATION WEEK.WHEREAS CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICERS PROVIDE FOR THE SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THE CITIZENS IN THIS COMMUNITY THROUGH THE ENFORCEMENT OF BUILDING, ZONING, HOUSING, FIRE SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND OTHER CODES AND ORDINANCES, AND WHEREAS CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICERS ARE OFTEN NOT CREDITED FOR THE JOBS THAT THEY DO IN SAVING LIVES AND IMPROVING NEIGHBORHOODS.
WHEREAS EVERY DAY ASSISTED BY SUPPORT AND PROGRAM STAFF, THEY ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS TOO MANY TIMES THEIR EFFORTS GOES UNNOTICED, EVEN AFTER CODE COMPLIANCE HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED DUE TO THEIR EFFORTS AND EXPERTISE.
WHEREAS CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICERS ARE DEDICATED, WELL TRAINED AND HIGHLY RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUALS WHO TAKE THEIR JOB SERIOUSLY, AND ARE PROUD OF THEIR DEPARTMENT IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WITHIN WHICH THEY SERVE.
WHEREAS THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF CODE ENFORCEMENT HAS DECLARED THE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE TO BE SET ASIDE BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE THEIR CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICERS.
NOW, THEREFORE, I JIM KURETSKI, MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF JUPITER FLORIDA DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THIS PROCLAMATION, ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN COUNCIL, AND DO PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF JUNE 3RD THROUGH 7TH, 2024 AS CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICERS APPRECIATION WEEK. [APPLAUSE]
>> CHRIS ELLIS, CODE COMPLIANCE SUPERVISOR.
THANK YOU, MAYOR, COUNSEL, TOWN MANAGER.
WE ARE PLEASED TO SERVE THIS AMAZING COMMUNITY OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS.
I'D LIKE TO EXTEND A GREAT DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO MY STAFF.
THEY HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT JOB AND THEY MAKE IT LOOK VERY EASY EVERY DAY.
THEY COME IN WITH A SMILE, THEY LEAVE WITH A SMILE.
IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW DIFFICULT THE DAY GETS AND THEY ARE TRUE STEWARDS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND WE TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
>> WE NOW MOVE TO A PRESENTATION AND I BELIEVE OUR POLICE CHIEF IS GOING TO PROVIDE THIS.
[2. Recognizing Code Officer Paul Ruddock and Police Officer First Class Luis Rocha who received the Life Saving Award for their efforts on a call for service.]
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COUNSEL.
THANK YOU MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TONIGHT.
BEFORE I START, I'D LIKE TO JUST ASK CODE OFFICER PAUL RUDICK AND OFFICER LOUIS ROCHE TO JOIN ME.
THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN. AS WE'VE SPOKEN TO COUNCIL MEETINGS BEFORE, I JUST WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE BOTH OF THESE INDIVIDUALS FOR LIFESAVING ACTION THAT THEY TOOK BACK IN NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR.
SPECIFICALLY, THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A 911 CALL FROM AN INDIVIDUAL WHO SAID THAT THEY OBSERVED ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL LAYING ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF 5TH STREET AND OLD DIXIE HIGHWAY.
OFFICER PAUL RUDICK WAS ACTUALLY AROUND THE CORNER ON THAT STREET CONDUCTING A CODE VIOLATION INSPECTION WHEN HE HEARD THE CALL GO OUT OF THE RADIO, AND OFFICER LOUIS ROCHE WAS ACTUALLY DISPATCHED TO THE CALL FOR SERVICE A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY.
UPON OFFICER PAUL RUDICK'S ARRIVAL, I SEE HE SAW AN INDIVIDUAL HISPANIC MALE WHO WAS LAYING ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRACKS, AND HE WAS TRYING TO TELL HIM TO GET OFF OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS AND JUST A FEW MOMENTS LATER, OFFICER ROCHE SHOWED UP.
THIS WAS AT THE SAME TIME THAT ONE OF THE BRIGHT LINE TRAINS WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE RAILROAD TRACKS SO AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GET HIM TO COME OFF THE RAILROAD TRACKS ON BOTH OF THESE INDIVIDUALS ACTUALLY GRABBED THE INDIVIDUAL, PULLED HIM OFF OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS, WHICH WITNESSES ARE DESCRIBING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN FIVE TO EIGHT SECONDS BEFORE ONE OF THE BRIGHTLINE TRAINS CAME THROUGH THAT AREA AND WOULD HAVE STRUCK AND KILLED THE INDIVIDUAL.
AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS LAYING ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRACKS, THEY DETERMINED THAT HE WAS ACTUALLY TRYING TO COMMIT SUICIDE AND IF THEY WERE NOT IN THE AREA AND IF THEY HAD NOT RESPONDED, AND IF THEY HAD NOT PUT THEMSELVES IN DANGER, GOING ONTO THE RAILROAD TRACKS AND PULLING HIM OFF AS THAT TRAIN WAS BARRELING DOWN THE RAILROAD TRACKS, THAT INDIVIDUAL WOULD HAVE DIED.
I JUST WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE BOTH OF THEM FOR THEIR ACTIONS AND TO ADVISE THE COUNSEL THAT THEY WERE AWARDED A LIFE SAVING
[00:10:02]
CITATION FOR THEIR COURAGEOUSNESS IN SAVING THAT LIFE.>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH CHIEF ENGLAND.
THANK YOU TO COUNSEL AND THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY IN ATTENDANCE.
ON BEHALF OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT.
I WANT TO THANK CHIEF ENGLAND AND THE REST OF OUR COMMAND STAFF FOR GIVING CIVILIANS LIKE MYSELF THE TOOLS AND THE CONFIDENCE NEEDED TO RESPOND TO SITUATIONS LIKE THIS AND ALSO TO MY SUPERVISOR CHRIS ELLIS WHO ENCOURAGES GOING OUT AND ASSISTING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND NOT HESITATING TO SAVE THE LIFE WHEN NEEDED. THANK YOU.
>> IT SOUNDS CLICHE, BUT IT'S JUST ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER CALL, AND WE DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO OUT THERE AS POLICE OFFICERS SO THANK YOU, EVERYONE.
>> WE DON'T CONSIDER IT ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER CALL.
THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE A PRESENTATION ON THE TOWN CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION PLANNING.
[3. Town Centennial Celebration Planning Update.]
>> THANK YOU MAYOR, TOWN COUNSEL FOR THE RECORD, SEAN REID, COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER AND PIO FOR THE TOWN.
I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT AN EXCITING TIME COMING UP IN THE TOWN OF JUPITER.
FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW IN FEBRUARY 9TH OF NEXT YEAR 2025, THE TOWN WILL CELEBRATE ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY AND TOWN STAFF HAS BEEN VERY BUSY PLANNING FOR THAT EVENT.
AGAIN, FEBRUARY 9TH 2025, TOWN TURNS 100.
TO CELEBRATE THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION, WE'RE PLANNING A YEAR LONG CELEBRATION.
IT'LL START IN JANUARY OF 2025 AND RUN THROUGH DECEMBER OF 2025.
FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW, OUR COMMITTEE OF TOWN STAFF HAS BEEN MEETING TO START PLAN AND COME UP WITH IDEAS FOR THAT CELEBRATION, AND TO FURTHER THAT PLANNING PROCESS, TO MAKE SURE WE HAD ALL FACETS, A BROAD VIEW OF OPINIONS, AND IDEAS INVOLVED, WE'VE CREATED SEVEN SUBCOMMITTEES THAT ARE MADE UP NOT JUST OF TOWN STAFF BUT ALSO DIFFERENT RESIDENTS IN TOWN FEATURING SOME OF OUR DIFFERENT CONSTITUENCIES.
I JUST WANTED TO GO REAL QUICK THROUGH SOME OF THOSE COMMITTEES AND SOME OF THE PLANNING, WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT.
THE FIRST COMMITTEE I'LL TALK ABOUT IS OUR BRANDING COMMITTEE.
WE DID LAST SEPTEMBER, PUT TOGETHER COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT THE BRANDING.
WE WANTED TO COME UP WITH A BRAND THAT ENHANCED AND DIDN'T DO ANY HARM TO THE TOWN'S CURRENT BRAND.
THAT COMMITTEE IS MADE UP OF 10 TOWN STAFF MEMBERS AS WELL AS A MEMBER OF OUR ART COMMITTEE.
ALL GREAT IDEAS CAME OUT OF IT.
WE DID ESTABLISH THAT BRAND, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE HAVE CREATED A NEW LOGO THAT WILL BE USED BY THE TOWN NEXT YEAR.
THIS LOGO WILL BE ON ALL TOWN DOCUMENTS ANYTHING THAT OUR WEBSITE, ANYTHING THAT GOES OUT, AND I'M HAPPY TONIGHT TO UNVEIL THAT LOGO FOR THE FIRST TIME.
JUST TO POINT OUT A COUPLE OF FACTS ABOUT THE LOGO.
FIRST OFF, OBVIOUSLY, IT CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF JUPITER.
OUR TAG LINE UNIQUELY JUPITER THAT WE'VE USED FOR A LONG TIME, YOU CAN SEE WE'VE ADDED A COUPLE OF WORDS TO IT AT THE BOTTOM SO WE'RE UNIQUELY JUPITER SINCE 1925.
JUST TO LOOK AT A COUPLE OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE LOGO.
WE REALLY WANT TO HEARKEN TO OUR COASTAL COMMUNITY.
IN ADDITION TO THE LIGHTHOUSE, WHICH IS PART OF THE TOWN LOGO CURRENTLY, WE HAVE THE NAVIGATIONAL ROPE THAT'S OBVIOUSLY PART OF BOAT RIGGING.
THEN IF YOU LOOK AT THE WAVE ON THE END WHERE IT SAYS YEARS, IT'S ACTUALLY A WAVE OF WATER.
TRYING TO PULL IN OUR COASTAL COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT IN THAT.
YOU'LL START SEEING THIS LOGO A LOT, STARTING WITH THE BUDGET WORKSHOP COMING UP.
SINCE WE'RE LOOKING AT NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET THERE, THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT WANTED TO GO ON AND START USING IT, SO THEY'LL BE THE FIRST ONES USING IT.
A COUPLE OF OUR COMMITTEES THAT WE'VE HAD.
FIRST OFF, LIKE I SAID, WE WANTED TO GET A WHOLESALE VIEW AND WE WANTED TO INCLUDE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.
OUR FIRST COMMITTEE WE HAVE IS A BUSINESS PARTNERS, AND THIS COMMITTEE IS AIMED AT LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN PULL BUSINESSES IN THE TOWN INTO THE CELEBRATION.
[00:15:02]
HOW CAN THEY TAKE PART COMING UP WITH IDEAS AS WELL AS US HELPING THEM PROMOTE THOSE IDEAS.THE TOWN HAS A COMMITTEE THAT IS MADE UP OF DIFFERENT BUSINESS OWNERS IN TOWN, AND THEY ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO COME UP WITH SOME IDEAS ABOUT HOW THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY CAN HELP OUT.
WE HAVE AN EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION COMMITTEE THAT IS AIMED AT CELEBRATING TOWN EMPLOYEES BOTH PAST AND PRESENT.
THEY'RE LOOKING AT RETIREES AND OTHER EVENTS THAT WE CAN DO TO CELEBRATE ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES.
MOVING ON, WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE A HISTORY COMMITTEE.
YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT 100 YEARS OF JUPITER WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE RICH HISTORY OF THE TOWN.
WE'VE GOT A COMMITTEE THAT'S SAYING THAT FINDING DIFFERENT EVENTS AND PROGRAMS THAT WILL JUST FEATURE THE HISTORY OF THE TOWN.
WE'RE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH THE JUPITER LIGHTHOUSE IN THAT REGARD AND THEIR CHIEF HISTORIAN JOSH MILLER.
OBVIOUSLY, WITH JUPITER, WE TALK A LOT ABOUT OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
WE'RE VERY PLEASED WITH OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
PEOPLE LOVE BEING OUTDOORS IN JUPITER.
WE HAVE A COMMITTEE THAT'S AIMED AT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND HOW WE CAN CELEBRATE THAT ENVIRONMENT DURING THE 100TH.
A LOT OF GOOD IDEAS COMING OUT OF THAT ONE, IT'S BEING LED UP BY BARRIER CRUZ AND OUR ENVIRONMENTAL TASK FORCE WILL BE VERY INVOLVED WITH THAT COMMITTEE.
THEN TWO MORE, WE HAVE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERS.
THIS IS LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN GET OUR NEIGHBORHOODS IN TOWN INVOLVED WITH THE CELEBRATION AND ENCOURAGING CELEBRATIONS WITHIN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.
THEN ALSO OUR NONPROFIT PARTNERS.
THE NONPROFITS OBVIOUSLY DO A LOT IN TOWN, AND WE WANT TO INCLUDE THEM JUST LIKE WE INCLUDE EVERYBODY ELSE.
AGAIN, LOOKING AT A LOT OF OUR DIFFERENT CONSTITUENCIES IN TOWN AND PULLING AS MANY AS POSSIBLE IN TO HELP CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF JUPITER.
JUST REAL QUICK, LOOKING AHEAD.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MONTH, WE WILL HAVE A PLANNING BOOK THAT EACH OF YOU WILL BE RECEIVING.
THIS BOOK WILL SHOW IDEAS THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED BY THE DIFFERENT COMMITTEES.
IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE A CALENDAR OF EVENTS.
I WILL NOTE THAT THIS CALENDAR OF EVENTS IS GOING TO BE A LIVING DOCUMENT SO WHILE YOU'LL SEE SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE OF JUNE, THAT IS A DOCUMENT THAT WE DO THINK ITEMS WILL BE ADDED TO PROGRAMS AND EVENTS WILL BE ADDED TO AS THOSE IDEAS COME UP.
BY OCTOBER, WE WILL HAVE OUR PLANNING AND PROCUREMENT COMPLETED FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR.
JANUARY THROUGH MARCH, EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE PLANNED AND PURCHASED FOR THAT.
BY DECEMBER, WE'LL HAVE THE SECOND QUARTER DONE AND THEN AS WE GET INTO JANUARY 25TH, I'VE ALREADY SAID THAT'S WHEN THE CELEBRATION WILL BEGIN.
I WILL NOTE, IF YOU REMEMBER AT THE BEGINNING, I SAID THAT FEBRUARY 9TH 2025 IS THE ACTUAL 100TH ANNIVERSARY.
WHAT WE'VE PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR IS JUPITER JUBILEE, WHICH IS NORMALLY THE FIRST SATURDAY IN FEBRUARY EACH MONTH.
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE IT TO THE SECOND SATURDAY NEXT YEAR, SO IT IS THE ACTUAL DAY BEFORE THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY.
IT WILL BE A TRUE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR THE TOWN.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR ANY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS THAT PEOPLE MAY HAVE.
MY EMAIL IS SHAWN, S-H-A-W-N OR @JUPITER.FL.US.
WE'RE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY SUGGESTIONS PEOPLE MAY HAVE.
WE ARE LOOKING AT EVERYTHING, AND I WILL JUST LEAVE IT WITH OUR NEW LOGO THAT WE'RE VERY PROUD OF AND ASK IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, BUT I JUST REALLY WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE, APPRECIATION TO STAFF WHO IS ALWAYS BEING VERY PROACTIVE AND HOW THOROUGH YOU PURSUED TRYING TO GET THE VARIOUS CONSISTENCY GROUPS INVOLVED.
CAN BE A REAL CELEBRATION. WE APPRECIATE IT.
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY THE SAME THING.
I'M JUST VERY THANKFUL FOR STAFF INVOLVING THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS OF THE TOWN AND PUTTING ALL THE WORK.
I DIDN'T REALIZE YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR SO LONG, SO I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO.
>> I THINK IT WILL BE. THANK YOU.
>> I AGREE WITH THOSE COMMENTS AND I JUST HAD ONE QUESTION I WANTED TO ASK.
IN JUPITER JUBILEE, WE TYPICALLY HAVE A LOT OF FOOD VENDORS AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES.
COULD ONE OF THOSE FOOD VENDORS BE CHIPOTLE? BUT I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT ON THE RECORD.
>> I WILL BRING THAT UP TO THAT PLANNING COMMITTEE, DEFINITELY.
>> I WILL SAY WHAT YOU BELIEVE.
WE ARE PLANNING ON ADDING TO IT.
IT'S ALWAYS A GREAT EVENT, BUT OBVIOUSLY WE ONLY TURN 100 ONE TIME, SO WE ARE GOING TO ADD TO THAT NEXT YEAR.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE E-BIKE SAFETY CAMPAIGN INITIATIVE PRESENTATION.
[4. E-Bike Safety Campaign Initiative.]
[00:20:05]
AGAIN, I BELIEVE, OUR POLICE CHIEF.>> DOWN THERE. IT SEEMS EASY ENOUGH.
AGAIN, GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COUNSEL.
I'VE BEEN ASKED TONIGHT TO GIVE AN UPDATE AS FAR AS OUR E-BIKE CAMPAIGN.
BEFORE I DO THAT, I JUST WANT TO GO OVER SOME SPECIFIC TERMINOLOGY, SO EVERYBODY'S ON THE SAME PAGE AS FAR AS THESE VEHICLES ARE CONCERNED BECAUSE THEY'RE SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT IN NATURE.
FIRST OF ALL, AN E-BICYCLE, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN E-BIKE AS PICTURED ABOVE IS BASICALLY THE SAME SIZE AS A TYPICAL BICYCLE.
SPECIFICALLY, THEY HAVE PEDALS AND THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE FOR IT TO BE AN E-BIKE, IT HAS TO HAVE THE MEANS OF HUMAN PROPULSION.
THERE'S THREE TECHNICAL CLASSIFICATIONS WITHIN E-BIKES, AND THEY REALLY HAVE TO DO WITH THE TYPE OF PROPULSION AND THE MEANS OF EITHER PROPELLING WHILE IN MOTION OR FROM A STOP.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE FLORIDA STATUTES DO DEFINE WHAT AN E-BIKE IS, BUT THEY DO NOT GOVERN IT, MEANING, THERE'S NO SPECIFIC LAWS AS FAR AS ITS OPERATION.
IT JUST DESCRIBES IT AS FAR AS WHAT EXACTLY IT IS.
BE VERY BRIEF ON A VERY COMPLICATED TOPIC.
THE SAFEST RULE TO SAY IS THAT IF A E-BIKE IS BEING PEDALED ON A SIDEWALK, THAT'S COMPLETELY LEGAL.
BUT IF IT'S UNDER BATTERY POWER, IT NEEDS TO BE IN THE STREET.
YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE RIDING AN E-BIKE UNDER ELECTRIC POWER ON THE ROAD.
SPECIFICALLY, THESE E-BIKES HAVE GOVERNORS ON THEM THAT PREVENT THEM FROM GOING OVER A CERTAIN SPEED, AND DEPENDING ON WHICH CLASSIFICATION THAT YOU MAY BE TALKING ABOUT, THAT SPEED IS EITHER 20 OR 28 MILES AN HOUR.
NOW, I POINT THAT OUT BECAUSE THERE'S SOME CONFUSION WITH WHAT AN E-MOTO IS.
NOW AN E-MOTO IS BASICALLY AN ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE.
IT'S PICTURED ABOVE THAT YOU SEE MOTORCYCLES ARE POWERED STRICTLY BY ANOTHER ELECTRIC BATTERY, AND THAT'S IN PLACE BUT TYPICALLY A COMBUSTIBLE ENGINE.
THEY DO NOT HAVE PEDALS, SO THERE'S NO WAY TO ACTUALLY PROPEL THE BIKE BY ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE ELECTRIC BATTERY.
THEY BATTERIES TYPICALLY HAVE ABOUT A 750 WATTS, AND WHAT THAT EQUATES TO IS TYPICALLY SPEEDS GREATER THAN 28 MILES AN HOUR.
THEY ARE CONSIDERED UNREGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLES, AND I POINT THAT OUT BECAUSE E-MOTORCYCLES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE OPERATED EITHER ON A SIDEWALK OR ON A STREET.
JUST THE MERE OPERATION OF THEM IN THOSE AREAS IS A CRIMINAL VIOLATION, JUST LIKE DRIVING A CAR OR A MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT REGISTRATION.
JUST THE MERE FACT OF SEEING SOMEBODY ON THEM IS REASON FOR AN OFFICER TO STOP THEM.
MOVING INTO THE FLORIDA STATUTES, THERE ARE CURRENTLY 24 SEPARATE FLORIDA STATUTES THAT GOVERN BICYCLES THAT GOES ANYWHERE FROM HAVING TO WEAR A HELMET WITHIN A CERTAIN AGE TO HOW BICYCLES ARE TO BE TYPICALLY OPERATED.
IT DOES NOT DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN WHETHER IT HAS ELECTRIC POWER OR IT'S A PEDAL POWER.
THERE'S A LOT OF STATUTES THAT ALREADY GOVERN THE OPERATIONS OF THEM.
THERE'S ALSO OTHER NUMEROUS FLORIDA STATUTES THAT GOVERN HOW THEY'RE SPECIFICALLY OPERATED WHEN THEY'RE IN THE ROADWAY, MEANING IN THE TYPICAL WAY WE DESCRIBE THAT IS THAT IF YOU OPERATE A BICYCLE IN THE ROADWAY.
YOU NEED TO FOLLOW ALL THE RULES OF THE ROAD.
THAT MEANS NOT RIDING TO ABREAST, THAT MEANS NOT RUNNING STOP SIGNS OR RED LIGHTS, NOT DRIVING ON THE WRONG OR OPERATING ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD OPPOSITE OF THE DIRECTIONS OF TRAVEL.
ANYBODY WHO DOES SUCH WOULD BE SUBJECT TO YOUR TYPICAL NON MOVING OR MOVING OR CRIMINAL VIOLATION WITH A TYPICAL UNIFORM TRAFFIC CITATION ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.
DEPENDING ON WHETHER IT'S POINTS, GOING, DRIVING, SCHOOL, PAYING THE FINE THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM.
THAT COURT SYSTEM THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE FOR TRAFFIC LAWS IS THE GOVERNING BODY OF WHICH INFANT INDIVIDUAL WERE TO GET A TICKET, THEY WOULD SEEK RELIEF THROUGH FOR THEIR DUE PROCESS.
HERE'S ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE EXPERIENCE, AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE EXPERIENCED THIS ALSO.
TYPICALLY, E-BIKES OUT OF THE BOX FROM THE MANUFACTURER.
THEY HAVE GOVERNORS ON THEM THAT PREVENT THEM FROM GOING AGAIN ABOVE THAT 20 OR 28 MILES AN HOUR.
THEN THE E-MOTORCYCLES TYPICALLY OR OUT OF THE BOX, TYPICALLY GO ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR.
WELL, YOU CAN GO ON YOUTUBE OR OTHER AREAS ON THE INTERNET AND YOU CAN FIND WAYS TO DEFEAT SPECIFIC PORTIONS OF THE BICYCLE OR THE BIKE THAT GOVERN ITS SPEED.
THERE'S MECHANICAL FEATURES, ELECTRONIC FEATURES THAT COUNT THE ROTATIONS OF THE TIRE OR MEASURE THE SPEED IN SOME WAY.
WELL, YOU CAN GO ON YOUTUBE, YOU CAN FIND OUT HOW TO EASILY DEFEAT THAT AND THEN THUS TAKING THE GOVERNOR OUT AND IT WILL GO AS FAST AS THE BATTERY WILL ALLOW IT TO GO OR AS FAST AS THE MOTOR WILL GO.
IN ADDITION, YOU CAN GO INTO THE AFRA MARKET WORLD FOR ELECTRIC BIKES AND ELECTRON MOTORCYCLES AND YOU CAN REPLACE THE BATTERIES WITH HIGHER VOLTAGE BATTERIES OR WITH LARGER MOTORS.
NOW WHAT THIS DOES IS THIS TAKES THE TYPICAL BIKE THAT GOES
[00:25:03]
FROM 28 MILES AN HOUR INTO THE 30S.NOW THESE E-BIKES CAN GO UP TO 40 MILES AN HOUR.
IN ADDITION, THE E-MOTORCYCLES, WHICH TYPICALLY GO ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR, YOU CAN SEE THOSE GOING 50 AND 60 MILES AN HOUR.
ALTHOUGH THESE MODIFICATIONS ARE NOT ILLEGAL, THEY DO HIGHLY INCREASE THE PROBABILITY THAT AN INDIVIDUAL, SOMETIMES AND I SHOULD SAY THE MAJORITY OF TIME, YOUNG PEOPLE VIOLATE TRAFFIC LAWS OR OPERATE THESE BIKES IN AN UNSAFE MANNER.
>> SO FROM THE OFFICER'S PERSPECTIVE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, WE STARTED SEEING A LARGE AMOUNT OF VIOLATIONS ON BIKES SPECIFICALLY DOWN IN THE ABACOA AREA, AND MOST OF THE VIOLATIONS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH YOUNG ADULTS, MIDDLE SCHOOL-AGE STUDENTS WHO ARE EITHER GOING TO OR FROM SCHOOL OR DOWN IN ABACOA FOOD TRUCKS ON THE WEEKENDS ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS, IT SEEMS TO BE A PROLIFERATION OF E-BIKES FROM CHRISTMAS AND WHATNOT THAT THE KIDS ARE RECEIVING.
WE DECIDED THAT WE NEEDED TO DO SOME SORT OF EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN.
THE FIRST THING I WANT TO DO IS I WANT TO POINT OUT, WE HAVE TWO OFFICERS WHO PRIOR TO US EVEN HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS STARTED TAKING THE INITIATIVE TO EDUCATING THEMSELVES AS FAR AS THE LAWS ASSOCIATED WITH E-BIKES AND E-MOTORCYCLES, AND THEY WERE DOING THINGS ON THEIR PLATOONS TO EDUCATE THE OFFICERS AS WELL AS GIVE THEM THE TOOLS IN WHICH YOU GO OUT THERE AND ENFORCE THESE LAWS AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STOP INDIVIDUALS AND EDUCATE THEM.
I DO WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE OFFICER JOHN O'KEEFE FROM ONE OF OUR DAY PLATOONS AND OFFICER SHANNA SHAFF FROM THE KNIGHTS PLATOON.
ONCE WE STARTED THE CAMPAIGN, THIS STARTED AROUND APRIL, WE ARE DOING AN EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN, AND THAT'S OUR MAIN FOCUS, BUT THERE WILL BE AT SOME POINT, AN ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN.
SPECIFICALLY, OUR CAMPAIGN IS DIRECTED TOWARDS PARENTS AND YOUTH BECAUSE WE FIND THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OPERATING THESE UNSAFE ARE KIDS.
I BELIEVE THAT THE PARENTS ARE BUYING THESE BIKES, NOT UNDERSTANDING THEIR CAPABILITIES, NOT UNDERSTANDING THAT MODIFICATION CAN BE MADE AND THE CHILDREN ARE LIKELY TO BE OPERATING THEM IN AN UNSAFE MANNER.
WE ALSO CREATED A TOWN WEBSITE PAGE SPECIFICALLY TOWARDS E-BIKES AND E-MOTORCYCLES, AND WE HAVE SOME FLYERS HERE NEXT COUPLE OF SLIDES AND I'LL SHOW YOU THAT WE'RE PUTTING OUT ON OUR TOWN WEBSITE.
WE HAVE DONE A SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN BOTH IN PRINT AND IN MEDIA.
I DO WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF THANK YOUS ALSO.
JOEL LOPEZ FROM WPTV5 DID A REALLY NICE ARTICLE ON THE TV REGARDING THE EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN AND THE PROBLEMS AND USE A LOT OF STATISTICS AND MAYO WASHBURN FROM THE PALM BEACH POST, WROTE A NICE ARTICLE ALSO THAT WE READ.
I HAD A LOT OF COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC THAT THEY DID SEE THIS AND THEY HEAR AND THEY UNDERSTAND IT.
THEY HAVE A LOT OF THE SAME CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE REGARDING OUR KIDS AND OPERATING THESE BIKES IN AN UNSAFE MANNER.
BOTH OF THEM DID A FANTASTIC JOB AND I DON'T THINK I COULD WRITE THE STORY MORE ACCURATELY MYSELF AS FAR AS THE SPEAKING POINTS.
WE ARE HAVING OUR DISTRICT CAPTAINS.
PRIOR TO THE SCHOOL GOING OUT OF SESSION, THEY WENT IN AND THEY'RE TALKING TO BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
WE'RE TAKING OPPORTUNITY TO GET INFORMATION INTO THE SCHOOLS TO PASS ALONG TO THE KIDS.
WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE SUMMER BREAK, BUT WE'LL PICK THAT INITIATIVE UP AGAIN IN AUGUST TO MAKE SURE WE TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
WHEN WE GO TO OUR TYPICAL HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION MEETINGS, WE HAVE HAD QUESTIONS AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AS FAR AS THE PARENTS THAT ARE AT THESE MEETINGS SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND WHAT THEY CAN DO TO ADDRESS IT.
WHEN WE GO TO PUBLIC EVENTS AS WE'VE HAD HERE BEFORE, WE SET UP A TENT, WE BRING FOLKS OUT, WE BRING OUT A BIKE AND IT SPURS CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE.
WE'RE DOING SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGNS.
LIKE I MENTIONED A MOMENT AGO, WE KNOW THERE'S LARGE EVENTS SPECIFICALLY DOWN THE ABACO AREA WHERE KIDS TYPICALLY CONGREGATE SO WE'RE GOING TO PUT OUR POLICE OFFICERS ON OUR BICYCLES OUT THERE, HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO STOP KIDS, TALK TO THEM, EDUCATE THEM, GET THEM FLYERS WHEN APPROPRIATE.
WE MAY REACH OUT TO THEIR PARENTS IF THE ACTIONS ARE SO EGREGIOUS AND WE FEEL THAT THAT'S THE APPROPRIATE WAY TO GO.
TYPICALLY, THEY ARE GOING TO BE RECEIVING WARNINGS AT FIRST BUT IF WE ENCOUNTER AN INDIVIDUAL OVER AND OVER THAT WE'RE CONDUCTING THE SAME EDUCATIONAL MOMENT WITH THEM, WE WILL GO INTO AN ENFORCEMENT MODE.
WE'VE BEEN NETWORKING WITH ALL THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
SPECIFICALLY, ALL THE AGENCIES IN THE PALM BEACH CHIEFS OF POLICE ASSOCIATION.
WE ALSO HAVE A NORTH COUNTY ASSOCIATION WHERE WE MEET WITH JUPITER JUNEAU TEQUESTA, JUPITER, AND COLONY.
WE'VE SHARED THIS INFORMATION WITH THEM.
THEY'RE EXPERIENCING SOME SIMILAR ISSUES.
WE'VE SHARED OUR FLYERS WITH THEM.
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE HERE IN A MINUTE. SOME OF THESE ARE VERY SIMILAR TO OURS.
WE'VE ALSO SPOKEN WITH REP SNYDER, DISCUSSING SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING AND SEEING WHAT MAY BE ABLE TO BE DONE ON THE LEGISLATIVE SIDE.
I DO BELIEVE OF ALL THE FLORIDA STATUTES THAT WE HAVE,
[00:30:03]
WE ARE ABLE TO ADDRESS IT BUT AS I SAID, THE FLORIDA STATUTE THAT DESCRIBES E-BIKES, JUST DESCRIBES IT, REALLY HAS NO GOVERNANCE OVER IT WHATSOEVER SO A LOT OF THESE MODIFICATIONS ARE COMPLETELY LEGAL, ALTHOUGH DANGEROUS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN DRIVING THEM.LAST SLIDE I HAVE. SO UP HERE, YOU SEE ONE OF THE FLYERS FROM THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT ON THE LEFT.
YOU SEE A FLYER FROM THE TEQUESTA POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IN THE MIDDLE, YOU SEE A FLYER FROM THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ON THE RIGHT.
WE FOUND THEM TO BE EXTREMELY GOOD PARTNERS, I SAID EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS THAT WE ARE.
THEY HAVE THE SAME MENTALITY WHERE WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS FOR SAFE OPERATIONS AT THESE E-BIKES AND HAVING NO MOTORCYCLES ON THE ROAD WHATSOEVER AND THEY'VE BEEN VERY GOOD PARTNERS.
LET ME ALSO ADD IN CLOSING THAT WE ARE COLLECTING DATA ASSOCIATED WITH OUR EFFORTS.
TO DATE, WE'VE HAD ABOUT 32 TRAFFIC STOPS INVOLVING E-BIKES.
ALL OF THEM EXCEPT FOR I BELIEVE TWO WERE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND TWO OF THEM WARRANTED TRAFFIC TICKETS, BUT ANYTIME AN INDIVIDUAL IS STOPPED, WHETHER IT'S AN ADULT OR A CHILD ON AN E-BIKE, THEY'RE WALKING AWAY WITH EITHER A WARNING OR A CITATION ASSOCIATED WITH IT SO WE ARE DOCUMENTING ALL OF OUR EFFORTS.
WE BELIEVE WE'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
IT'S ANECDOTAL AT THIS POINT BUT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO COLLECT THE DATA FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS GOING INTO THIS AND THEN AGAIN, THROUGH THE FIRST PART OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO DETERMINE OR AT LEAST MEASURE SOME SORT OF IMPACT THAT THIS CAMPAIGN IS HAVING.
HAVING SAID THAT, I MAY ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> JUST I'M INTERESTED ON THE E-MOTOS YOU REFERRED TO THEM. IT'S INTERESTING.
I HAD A PARTIAL ROAD DIRT BIKE AS MANY YOUTHS WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, BUT THEY WERE GAS-POWERED, THEY HAD GOVERNORS TO ACTUALLY TO RIDE THEM ON THE ROAD.
THERE WAS SUCH A THING AS GOVERNORS BACK THEN, BUT YOU STILL SINCE THEY WERE ROADABLE, YOU HAD TO BE AT LEAST 15 TO BE DRIVING THEM WITH THE FIVE-BRAKE HORSEPOWER, I KNOW I CAN DO THE CONVERSION, BUT I GUESS THERE'S NO SUCH GREAT HORSEPOWER ANYMORE NOW IT'S A DIFFERENT REIGN.
>> THE E-MOTORS ARE BASICALLY MOTORCYCLES AND THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED.
THESE MOTORCYCLES ARE NOT REGISTERABLE AS THEY DO NOT HAVE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS, BUT THEY ARE CLASSIFIED BY FLORIDA STATUTE AS A MOTOR VEHICLE SO THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE STREETS AND ROADS AT ALL.
IT'S AN IMMEDIATE ABILITY FOR AN OFFICER TO STOP THEM AND HAVE A TALK.
>> POINT I WAS GOING TO MAKE ABOUT THAT IS, YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST MOVED TO JUPITER, WE HAD A NUMBER OF AREAS WHERE, DIRT BIKERS COULD ACTUALLY GO.
THERE'S NOTHING LEFT THAT I KNOW THAT THEY SHOULD EVER BE ALLOWED ON BECAUSE PRETTY MUCH THEY CAN'T GO ON OR SHOULD NOT BE ON PRESERVES AND WHAT HAVE YOU, AND WE'RE FAIRLY WELL BUILT OUT.
SO HAVE YOU SEEN E-MOTOS AROUND AT ALL?
>> EQUALLY SO WHEN I WAS GROWING UP HERE, THERE WAS A LOT OF UNDEVELOPED LAND, AND WE USED TO GO ON TO THE UNDEVELOPED LAND FOR REASONS LIKE THAT.
THERE ARE NO IN JUPITER AREAS THAT ARE ALLOWED TO OPERATE THEM UNLESS IT'S ON A PERSON'S PRIVATE PROPERTY.
LET'S SAY YOU HAD AN ACRE AND A HALF AND A CORPORATE AREA OR THE FARMS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT YOU RIDE AROUND YOUR YARD ALL THE DAY, YOU RIDE YOUR HOUSE OR WHATNOT BUT WE DO NOT HAVE ANY TRACKS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.
NOW, IF YOU GO UP IN MARTIN COUNTY, THERE ARE SOME TRACKS UP THERE THAT I KNOW OF THAT PEOPLE GET TO TRAILER THEIR BIKES UP THERE, DRIVE THEM AROUND AND MOST OF THEM ARE COMBUSTIBLE ENGINES, BUT YOU'D BE ABLE TO TAKE AN E-BIKE UP THERE ALSO.
>> BUT THE REASON I BROUGHT IT UP IS BECAUSE YOU SAY THAT YOU'RE PROHIBITED FROM BEING ON THE ROAD.
LIKEWISE, THEY'RE PROHIBITED FROM BEING OFF THE ROAD IN JUPITER BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ANY PLACES THEY COULD GO.
>> THEY'RE INTENDED TO BE A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE.
THEY'RE NOT MEANT TO BE A PRIMARY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.
>> UNDERSTAND BUT WE WOULDN'T WANT KIDS TEARING UP PRESERVES AND WHATEVER.
SO IF THAT WERE TO BECOME A PROBLEM, I WOULD HOPE WE WERE INFORMED ABOUT THAT, AND I'M SURE THEN THE POLICE WOULD TAKE ACTION.
>> I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF CLOSE RUN-INS WITH THESE THINGS ON THE ROAD.
I'M JUST GLAD YOU'RE DOING THIS, AND IT'S VERY PROACTIVE.
THIRTY-TWO CITATIONS, YOU SAID?
>> THIRTY-TWO TRAFFIC STOPS, 30 OF THEM WERE WARNINGS TWO OF THEM WERE CITATIONS.
>> IN WHAT TIME PERIOD? WHAT TIME PERIOD WAS IT?
>> THIRTY DAYS. MID-APRIL TO MID-MAY.
>> GOOD IT'S MAKING A DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU.
>> CHIEF, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND THE JUPITER POLICE FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE ON THIS.
THERE WAS A REQUEST FROM THIS COUNCIL TO LOOK INTO E-BIKES AND YOU HAVE DONE SO MUCH WORK TO BE SO VISIBLE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
[00:35:01]
I SAW YOUR INTERVIEWS, I SEE YOU ON SOCIAL I SEE YOU EVERYWHERE AND I LOVE THAT.I'M ALSO GRATEFUL TO LEARN SO MUCH ABOUT THE FLORIDA STATUTES AND SEE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT LEGISLATIVE OPTIONS.
WE HAD TALKED ABOUT A POTENTIAL ORDINANCE HERE, IT SEEMS THAT THE RULES ON THE BOOKS ARE SUFFICIENT JUST NEEDING THAT ENFORCEMENT AND THAT EDUCATION.
I WAS GRATEFUL TO SEE YOU CONNECT WITH COUNSEL.
I KNOW A NUMBER OF RESIDENTS CAME AND SPOKE TO YOU AT THAT EVENT, AND AGAIN, JUST THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE.
>> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SIR.
>> JUST ONE LAST QUESTION. IS THERE ANY RULES GOVERNING TWO WHEELS SHOULD BE ON THE GROUND WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING IT?
>> SO THERE IS A FLORIDA STATUTE THAT SAID A VEHICLE IN THE ROADWAY, DOING A WHEELY IS AGAINST THE LAW.
IT'S ACTUALLY ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE CITATIONS THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS.
IT'S $1,000 TICKET, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT IS A MOTORCYCLE OR AN E-MOTOR.
>> THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THAT ON THE RECORD.
>> I'VE SEEN A LOT OF THAT BOTH WITH MOTORCYCLES AND E-BIKES.
>> WE HAVE AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT THERE THAT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SOMEONE'S GOING TO GET HURT, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT'S THE INDIVIDUAL ON THE E-MOTORCYCLE, THE E-BIKE, A PEDESTRIAN, ANOTHER VEHICLE SO WE'RE PUSHING THIS VERY HARD.
>> AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE STAFF FOR BEING SO PROACTIVE ON THIS AND GETTING OUT IN FRONT OF IT AND EDUCATING AND EVERYTHING.
THE WAY YOU'RE HANDLING IT THANK YOU.
>> I WILL PASS IT ALONG. THANK YOU.
>> MAY I HAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THIS ITEM? ADAM PAULSON.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ADAM PAULSON.
I'M BORN AND RAISED HERE IN FLORIDA FROM PALM BEACH GARDENS.
THE LAST 15 YEARS I'VE LIVED IN JUPITER, SPECIFICALLY, IN THE HEIGHTS OF JUPITER.
THERE WAS A POLICE EVENT REPORT THAT I HAVE BACK IN THE END OF MARCH, MARCH 30TH.
IT WAS CALLED IN BY SOMEONE ELSE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT 20:06 HOURS.
SO WHAT IS THAT? 8:06 IN THE EVENING.
IT'S PRETTY MUCH DUSK OR DARK AT THAT POINT.
THE NOTES FROM THIS OTHER CALLER IS THAT THE 37, WHICH I IMAGINE ARE SUBJECTS WERE DOING WHEELS ON THE BIKES, FIVE OR SIX BIKES, LAST SEEN HEADED TOWARDS HEIGHTS BOULEVARD, 37 WERE ON E-BIKES.
I ENCOUNTERED THE SAME INDIVIDUALS ON HEIGHTS BOULEVARD.
IT WAS DEFINITELY THE E-MOTOS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE SEEN IT ON THE FACEBOOK REELS, ETC., BUT THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED E-STUNTING, WHERE THESE INDIVIDUALS WILL SURROUND VEHICLES, DO WHEELIES, TOUCH THE CAR, MESS WITH THEIR MIRROR, DO CERTAIN THINGS TO ELICIT A RESPONSE.
I PULLED OVER ON HEIGHTS BOULEVARD AND FREDERICK SMALLS TO CALL THE POLICE AND GIVE THE DESCRIPTION.
I WAS APPROACHED BY THE FOUR INDIVIDUALS.
THEY HAD MADE THREATS, BECAUSE I DID GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE TO IDENTIFY THEM.
THEY MADE SOME COMMENT OF, OH, IT'S FOUR VERSUS ONE.
I LAUGHED BECAUSE OF THEIR SIZE.
AT THAT POINT, WORDS WERE EXCHANGED THAT, HEY, I WISH I HAD THESE E-BIKES WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, ACTUALLY LIKE THEM, BUT THERE'S A TIME AND A PLACE FOR THIS.
THEY WERE STRAIGHT, THEY WERE ELICITING A RESPONSE, AND THEY GOT IT.
AS I'M OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THEY THREATENED FOUR VERSUS ONE.
ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS THEN PUT ON A BLUE BANDANA OVER HIS FACE, WENT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND SMASHED THE MIRROR.
AT THAT POINT, THEY FLED THE SCENE INTO ABACOA.
I WENT TO MY RESIDENCE IN THE HEIGHTS AND CALLED THE POLICE.
I COULD READ IT, IF YOU'D LIKE, BUT I BELIEVE I ONLY HAVE THREE MINUTES.
THAT EVENING, AS A MATTER OF FACT, I PUT A PICTURE OF MY SMASHED MIRROR AND POSTED ON OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FACEBOOK PAGE.
THE LAST I SAW WAS UP TO 45 COMMENTS.
ACTUALLY, SEVERAL CONCERNED MOTHERS REACHED OUT TO ME VIA MESSENGER, ASKED ME TO DESCRIBE THE INDIVIDUAL. I DESCRIBED HIM.
THEY CONFIRMED THAT'S DEFINITELY HIM.
I'VE HEARD HIM TALKING TO MY KID.
HE'S ACTUALLY THREATENED MY KID.
HE'S THREATENED THIS, THAT, AND THE OTHER.
ESSENTIALLY, I HAVE IDENTIFIED THIS INDIVIDUAL.
HE'S 15-YEARS-OLD ADOLESCENT THAT LIVES IN ABACOA.
SINCE THEN, I'VE CALLED JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CONTACTED THE ORIGINAL RESPONDING OFFICER, AND I AM YET TO GET A RESPONSE.
[00:40:01]
TODAY, WHEN I SAW THAT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD FACEBOOK THAT E-BIKES WAS ON THE COUNCIL AGENDA, I CAME UP TO JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT TO THE PUBLIC RECORDS TO ACQUIRE SOME OF THE DOCUMENTATION, AND I ACTUALLY SPOKE WITH A MAJOR HERE IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.HE HAS ASSURED ME HE'S GOING TO LOOK INTO THE SITUATION.
THAT'S IN REGARDS TO THE E-BIKES.
HOWEVER, I HAVE ABOUT PROBABLY OVER 20 OTHER POLICE INCIDENT REPORTS WHERE I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN MISREPRESENTED, DENIED LEGAL REPRESENTATION FROM JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THE MAJORITY OF THESE ARE WITH AN ALTERCATION THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER TWO YEARS WITH MY NEIGHBOR.
WHEN SHE CALLS AND MAKES EGREGIOUS CLAIMS AGAINST ME.
SHE'S TOLD THE POLICE, IT'S IN THE REPORT, THAT SHE'S GOING TO SHOOT MY DOG.
THE POLICE HAVE ALSO MET HIM AND SAID HE LISTENED TO HIS COMMANDS, ETC.
LIKE I SAID, I'VE GOT PROBABLY UP TO CLOSE TO 20 REPORTS.
SHE MAKES A REPORT FROM JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEY'LL WRITE A NOVEL ABOUT HER AND HER COMPLAINTS.
I CALLED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO TALK ABOUT HER RUNNING ME OFF THE ROAD WHILE I'M WITH MY DOG.
WHEN I'M WORKING ON MY MOTORCYCLE IN MY DRIVEWAY, SHE WILL SAY, I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU OUT ON THE ROAD.
SHE'S DESTROYED ONE OF MY VEHICLES BY PUTTING SOMETHING IN THE GAS TANK, WHICH I ACTUALLY DON'T HAVE DOCUMENTATION, BUT I HAVE SINCE PUT UP CAMERAS.
SHE HAS CALLED THE POLICE SAYING THAT I HAVE CAMERAS UP TO WATCH HER AND HER CHILD.
THE POLICE HAVE PUT THE WORD PEDOPHILE IN MULTIPLE REPORTS, WITH MY NAME, WITH NO JUSTIFICATION, NO ANYTHING.
I'VE CALLED THE POLICE TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT ME BEING RUN OFF THE ROAD, ETC.
THE POLICE WRITE MY NAME IN THE REPORT, WHICH IS MISSPELLED IN THE NUMBER 45.
FORTY-FIVE IS SIMPLY CODE FOR CONTACT MADE.
I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS EITHER A GENDER BIAS BEHIND IT, OR I SPOKE WITH THE MAJOR, I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ACTUALLY A DEEPER BLACKLISTING OF ME BECAUSE OF AN INCIDENT THAT I HAD WITH A JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICER AT DAS BEER GARDEN OVER TWO YEARS AGO, AGAIN, REGARDING MY DOG.
I JUST IMPLORE MAJOR, THE OFFICER THAT I SPOKE TO TO INVESTIGATE THIS AS HE INDICATED HE WOULD.
I'M ALSO GOING TO BE FOLLOWING UP WITH CAPTAIN SPELLINI, TOLD ME HE'S OUT OF TOWN FOR THE NEXT WEEK AND A HALF.
BUT WHEN I SAW THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT ABOUT E-BIKES, AND I'M ACTUALLY VERY WORKED UP OVER THIS, OBVIOUSLY, BEING FALSELY ACCUSED OF SOMETHING, ESPECIALLY SO EGREGIOUS OF THE P WORD.
I'VE TRIED TO CONTACT LEGAL AID.
AS MY NEIGHBORHOOD HAS EVEN SAID WHEN I TOLD HER I'M A SUER FOR LIBEL AND SLANDER, BECAUSE SHE'S POSTED ON OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FACEBOOK THAT I'M A FELON.
POLICE HAVE LOOKED INTO IT, IT SAYS, NO 00 SCENE, NO FELONY SCENE.
I'VE HAD TO BECOME A CODE READER OF ALL THESE CODES AND ALL THIS.
I JUST WANTED TO BRING IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE TOWN OF JUPITER THAT THERE'S A NEW THING CALLED KAREN. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE SEEN IT.
THIS IS THE WORST THING IN THE WORLD TO BE SUBJECTED TO LIVING NEXT TO A KAREN THAT IS ABLE TO SLANDER ME IN THIS WAY.
I HOPE THEN THE MAJOR LOOKS INTO IT.
I'M SURE MY THREE MINUTES IS UP.
THIS WAS VERY HARD FOR ME TO DO.
I ACTUALLY SUFFER FROM VERY BAD ANXIETY, BUT I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
>> I'M SURE OUR POLICE WILL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO CITIZEN COMMENTS.
[CITIZEN COMMENTS]
THIS IS THE TIME FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS, LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES, AND ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK IS ASKED TO STATE HIS OR HER NAME FOR THE RECORD PRIOR TO ADDRESSING TOWN COUNCIL.FIRST IS LINDA MCDERMOTT AND THEN CAROL WATSON.
>> GOOD EVENING. LINDA MCDERMOTT,107 CHADWICK DRIVE.
I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED OVER MEMORIAL DAY.
THIS IS SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING, RANG LOUD AND CLEAR, WHEN A HERO NAMED TRAVIS REPORTED A DOG NAMED DANGO BEING ABUSED AT REYNOLDS PARK.
[00:45:01]
IMMEDIATELY CALLED POLICE ALONG WITH OTHERS.HE SHARED PHOTOS, REACHED OUT TO THE COMMUNITY FOR SUPPORT NEXT DOOR APP, GOT ATTENTION FROM THE KVJ RADIO SHOW, LOCAL NEWS, AND ALL FLOODED JUPITER POLICE TO GET ACTION, AND FINALLY GET THIS MAN ARRESTED.
THE DOG WENT UNDER THE CARE OF PALM BEACH COUNTY ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL.
THIS INCIDENT BROUGHT OVER 500 COMMUNITY COMMENTS WITHIN TWO DAYS, AND AN OUTPOURING OF CARE AND CONCERN, AND IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF UNITY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AND SPEAKING UP FOR THOSE WHO NEED US AS THEIR VOICE.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE ENGAGEMENT ALLOWED IMMEDIATE INFORMATION SHARING, WHICH ULTIMATELY RESULTED IN THE OUTCOME THE COMMUNITY EXPECTED.
I HOPE TO SEE THAT THIS TOWN RECOGNIZES TRAVIS.
I DIDN'T WANT TO SAY HIS LAST NAME FOR RESPECT.
THE TOWN IS INVESTIGATING, THEY KNOW THE NAMES AND THE OTHERS, AND I TRULY APPRECIATE THOSE PEOPLE WHO I LIVE NEAR.
ADDITIONALLY, I LOVE THAT JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT INITIATED SO MUCH EDUCATION, THE INITIAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE JUPITER EBIKES IN OUR COUNTY.
THE COUNCIL ALLOWED ORDINANCE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR DOING EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN. THAT IS GREAT.
>> CAROL WATSON AND THEN ERIC WITZ.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNSEL, CAROL WATSON, 6500 CHADWICK DRIVE.
LAST THURSDAY IN PALM BEACH POST, WHICH I'M A DINOSAUR.
YES, I STILL GET A PAPER DELIVERED TO MY DOOR.
THERE WAS AN ARTICLE IN THE LOCAL SECTION HEADLINE, 'WEST PALM COMMISSIONERS TO VOTE ON RAISES', AND I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THE JUPITER COUNCIL PEOPLE GOT A RAISE? NOW, I KNOW SEVERAL MONTHS AGO WHEN THERE WAS DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WAYNE POSNER CAME UP HERE AND HE WAS TALKING ABOUT A FEW DIFFERENT SUBJECTS, AND ONE OF THEM WAS THE RAISES FOR THE COUNCIL PEOPLE, AND HE USED TO SIT ON THE COUNCIL.
I ASKED LAURA HILL OVER THERE.
SHE'S WORKED FOR THE TOWN A LONG TIME.
SHE DOESN'T REMEMBER THE COUNCIL GETTING ANY RAISES.
I'VE BEEN COMING HERE TO MEETINGS SINCE OCTOBER OF 2014.
I DON'T REMEMBER ANY RAISES EVER HAPPENING FOR THE JUPITER COUNCIL PEOPLE.
IT'S BEEN TOO LONG, AND WITH THE COST OF LIVING, WITH THE COST OF TRYING TO LOOK GOOD FOR THE CONSTITUENTS OF JUPITER, I MEAN, LET'S REMEMBER, WE LIVE IN THAT ZIP CODE 33458.
THEY ARE GIVING THEMSELVES, WELL, THEY NOT GIVING THEMSELVES OBVIOUSLY THE TOWN PAYS FOR IT,32% RAISE.
THE LAST RAISE THAT THEY GOT THE WEST PALM COMMISSIONERS WAS IN 2016.
IT'S BEEN EIGHT YEARS YEARS FOR THEM TO GET A RAISE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY YEARS IT HAS BEEN FOR THE JUPITER COUNCIL PEOPLE TO GET A RAISE.
BUT WHAT YOU EARN IS REALLY SAD AND IT'S PITIFUL, AND I THINK IT'S LIKE $24,000.
BUT YOU GUYS DO A LOT OF WORK.
WE'VE GOT THIS BEAUTIFUL TOWN HALL.
WE'VE GOT A NEW POLICE STATION, SOON TO BE A NEW FIRE STATION.
ALL THIS STUFF JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN.
I KNOW YOU DO A LOT OF WORK BEHIND THE SCENES, AND I TRULY BELIEVE THAT IT'S TIME EITHER TO DO A STUDY WITH ALL THE OTHER MUNICIPALITIES IN THIS COUNTY, MAYBE SISTER CITIES IN THE STATE TO FIND OUT FOR A TOWN OF OUR SIZE, 60-70,000 PEOPLE.
IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO BE MAKING WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS BEEN MAKING. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. ERIC WITZ FROM 230 OCEAN GRANDE BOULEVARD, JUPITER.
THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR JOB HERE IN VOLUNTEERING.
[00:50:05]
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A1A.THAT'S WHERE I LIVE, AND I CROSS A1A A COUPLE OF TIMES EVERY DAY, AND WE HAVE THESE NEW LIGHTS FOR CROSSING AND A LOT OF PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY'RE YELLOW, AND THIS IS FLORIDA.
PEOPLE JUST DRIVE RIGHT THROUGH THE YELLOW LIGHT, AND I DON'T THINK WE CAN CHANGE THAT, BUT THAT'S AN ISSUE.
BUT WHAT I COMPLAINED ABOUT, I BROUGHT IT UP TO THE TOWNSHIP HERE.
TO THE COUNTY, I WAS TOLD THAT SOONER OR LATER THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE THE EXCESS SIGNS DOWN BECAUSE IF YOU DRIVE DOWN A1A, THIS IS OUR PREMIER ROAD.
WE'VE GOT BIG YELLOW SIGN LIGHT AHEAD, 100 FEET.
WHEN YOU LOOK DOWN A1A, IT'S JUST NOTHING BUT YELLOW SIGNS UP AND DOWN.
THIS IS OUR PREMIER ROAD IN THE TOWNSHIP, AND WHATEVER YOU CAN DO TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY TO CLEAN THAT UP.
THE COUNTY TOLD ME THEY HAD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAID FOR THAT STUFF AND THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR THEM TO CLEAR OUT OF HERE, AND THEN THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO WORK ON THE SIGNS.
BUT IF YOU CAN TALK TO THEM, WORK ON THAT.
ANOTHER THOUGHT ALONG THE WAY HERE ON A 1A SPEEDING.
I THINK IF PEOPLE WANT TO SPEED, THEY CAN GO ON ROUTE 1.
WHAT JANA BEACH DOES, THEY TAKE A COUPLE OF OLD POLICE CARS AND THEY PARK THEM ALL OVER THE PLACE.
THEY KEEP MOVING AROUND AND NOTHING THAT SCARES PEOPLE AND MAYBE THAT SLOWS THEM DOWN.
I'M SURE WE RECYCLE POLICE CARS HERE AND GET NEW ONES, MAYBE TAKE SOME OLDER ONES AND JUST PARK THEM HERE, AND PARK THEM THERE, AND HOPEFULLY THEY'LL GET PEOPLE TO SLOW DOWN.
THANK YOU. THE MAIN ISSUE, I SENT YOU A NOTE ON THE FIREHOUSES.
I WISH I WOULD'VE KNOWN ABOUT THIS BEFOREHAND.
I UNDERSTAND YOU WANT TO TRANSITION TO YOUR OWN FIREHOUSES AND RESCUE.
I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.
I THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE GOING TO SAVE MONEY.
BUT THE THING THAT BUGS ME AND I WISH I WOULD'VE KNOWN ABOUT IT BEFOREHAND ON ROUTE 1, AS AN EXAMPLE, YOU GET A FIREHOUSE AND YOU WANT TO BUILD ANOTHER FIREHOUSE ACROSS THE STREET BECAUSE THE COUNTY DOESN'T WANT TO GIVE UP THE FIREHOUSE.
I HOPE THE COMMUNITY HERE SOME OF YOU HEAR THAT.
ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, OVER THE YEARS, WE PAID FOR THOSE FIREHOUSES IN OUR TAXES, AND IT'S ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BUILD A FIREHOUSE AND HAVE ANOTHER ONE ACROSS THE STREET.
NOW WE MAY BE GETTING LATE IN THIS SUBJECT HERE, BUT IT'S NEVER TOO LATE.
I DON'T THINK THE GROUND HAS BEEN BROKEN YET AND YOU CAN DO ALL THE ENGINEERING WORK AND THE DRAWINGS AND SO ON.
BUT I THINK WE GOT TO FIRE UP THE COMMUNITY TO CALL UP OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO.
TOMORROW, I'M GOING TO TRY TO GIVE THEM SOME MORE CALLS.
BUT THIS IS OUR MONEY, AND I THINK IT'S JUST RECKLESS TO GO AND SPEND FOR TWO MORE FIREHOUSES WHEN WE HAVE THE FACILITIES HERE, THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAID OFF A LONG TIME AGO. THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE BEFORE US THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 21ST TOWN COUNCIL MEETING.
[5. May 21, 2024 Town Council Minutes.]
I DON'T SEE ANY CORRECTIONS ON THE DIAS.IF THERE ARE NONE, I'D CARRY THE MOTION FORWARD.
>> EVERYONE THERE, I DO. [OVERLAPPING]
>> MAYOR, IF I MAY, WE DON'T HAVE A QUORUM TONIGHT.
>> SORRY. I THOUGHT THE TOWN CODE REQUIRED A MAJORITY. NEVER MIND THEN.
SITUATION BY PROVIDING A CONTRACT IN EXCESS OF $250 BILLION, IT SAYS A YEAR, I SAID OVER 10 YEARS.
>> I HAVE ONE AS WELL. SORRY ABOUT THAT.
PARK TAKEN AWAY SHOULD BE DOG PARK TAKEN AWAY.
>> TAKE A MOTION WITH THOSE TWO CORRECTIONS.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED.
>> MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA
[CONSENT AGENDA]
BECAUSE THERE'S NO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT WANT TO PULL THE CONSENT AGENDA.[00:55:01]
TAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON APPROVING THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> MOTION AND A SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> AYE. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ON TO REPORTS. TOWN ATTORNEY.
[TOWN MANAGER]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK THINGS.
VICE MAYOR, I DID NOTE, CHICK-FIL-A IS GOING TO BE ON MY NUMBER 1 FOR THE JUPITER JUBILEE IF WE CAN GET IT DONE.
I DO WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE AGAIN TO CONGRATULATE OFFICER KEVIN SCHWEBS ON A REMARKABLE CAREER.
I KNOW IT'S A LITTLE EMOTIONAL ON YOUR RETIREMENT DAY BUT HE HAS REALLY DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB FOR US, SO CONGRATULATIONS TO HIM.
WHEN WE WERE ACKNOWLEDGING, I ALWAYS FIND THIS VERY INTERESTING, BY THE WAY.
WE'RE ACKNOWLEDGING CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICER RODDICK AND OFFICER LOUIS ROCHE, AND THE CHIEF IS TELLING THE STORY ABOUT HOW BRAVE THEY ARE, AND THEY TAKE A PICTURE, AND AS THEY'RE TAKING THE PICTURE, THE MAYOR IS LOOKING AT HIM LIKE, DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? I SEE THE OFFICER LOOK OVER TO THE CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICER AND HE GOES, "I'M NOT SAYING ANYTHING. YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING?" THESE GUYS WILL RISK THEIR LIVES, BUT YOU ASK THEM TO PUBLIC SPEAK OR SPEAK IN PUBLIC, AND THEY JUST WILL NOT DO IT.
I THOUGH THAT WAS JUST REALLY INTERESTING.
THEN ALSO FOR THE JPD TO THE CHIEF ON TAKING THE INITIATIVE WITH THE E-BIKES, ONCE AGAIN, THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT IS SETTING THE PACE ON THAT AS WELL, AND WE'VE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF GREAT FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN THE MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY QUITE REMARKABLE, AND AT THE REQUEST OF THE VICE MAYOR, WE ARE NOW INCLUDING LOCAL TRAFFIC INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON OUR TOWN'S WEBSITE FOR ANYBODY THAT MAY NEED THAT, AND SO THANK YOU TO SEAN AND THE TEAM FOR PUTTING THAT UP THERE, AND THAT'S MY REPORT, MAYOR.
>> I JUST WANT TO ADD THAT IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE WE WERE ABLE TO APPROPRIATELY HONOR OFFICER SCHWEBS ON HIS RETIREMENT AND RECOGNIZING HIM FOR HAVING BEEN PART OF THE ORIGINAL HONOR GUARD.
I SPOKE TO BOTH INDIVIDUALS BEFORE, BUT NONETHELESS, PUBLICLY HONOR THEM FOR SAVING A LIFE.
AS MAYOR OF THE TOWN, I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE AND WE HEARD THE OFFICER SAY, "JUST ANOTHER DAY ON THE JOB." AND I HOPE HE HEARD ME SAY, "IT'S NOT JUST ANOTHER DAY ON THE JOB." SO I UNDERSTAND THAT OFFICERS AND STAFF MAY BE RELUCTANT TO STEP UP HERE.
I THANK YOU MR. KITZEROW AND OUR POLICE CHIEF FOR HAVING THEM HERE.
WE'RE NOT DEPRIVED OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPROPRIATELY RECOGNIZE THEM, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
PLEASE DO THAT BECAUSE WHETHER THEY THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, WE THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT ATTEND THE MEETING TO KNOW ABOUT IT AS WELL AS THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT WATCH ONLINE.
IT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
VICE MAYOR, ANYTHING, COMMENTS?
[TOWN COUNCIL – LIAISON REPORTS AND COMMENTS]
>> I DO WANT TO SAY, I REMEMBER MY FIRST EMPLOYEE PICNIC AND I SPOKE WITH A POLICE OFFICER THERE CASUALLY AND I SAID, "HOW'S YOUR DAY GOING?" HE SAID, "IT STARTED WITH A DEATH." AND IT JUST GOES TO REMIND YOU THAT THEIR DAYS ARE NOT LIKE OUR DAYS.
MANY OF THEIR DAYS ARE NOT, AND THAT GOES FOR ALL OF OUR FIRE RESCUE PERSONNEL AS WELL, AND SO I JUST WANT TO EXTEND MY GRATITUDE TO ALL OF YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO.
RECOGNIZING YOU IS CERTAINLY A WONDERFUL PART OF THIS JOB AND WE SHOULD DO IT MORE OFTEN.
WITH REGARDS TO MEMORIAL DAY, I ALSO WANT TO SAY I WAS SO GRATEFUL FOR THAT CEREMONY.
I'M ALSO GRATEFUL FOR SUNGLASSES FOR WHEN WE GET TEARY EYED, AS WE ALL DO.
BUT I THINK WHAT I LOVED ABOUT IT WAS THE CONGRESSMAN MAKING IT ABOUT OTHERS AND INVITING OTHERS TO COME AND GIVE THE NAMES OF THOSE THAT THEY WERE REMEMBERING THAT DAY, AND THAT IS THE SPIRIT OF THE DAY, AND SO I WAS VERY GRATEFUL TO SEE THAT AND GIVE MY VOICE.
I THINK THAT'LL BE ALL FOR TONIGHT.
>> I JUST WANT TO PILE ONTO IT.
MY COLLEAGUE SAID, OFFICER RODDICK AND ROCHE, I HAD HAD A CONVERSATION WITH OUR TOWN MANAGER IN A MEETING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND IT'S JUST AMAZING TO ME HOW YOUR OFFICERS CAN GO PRETTY MUCH FROM A ZERO JUST, NORMAL, DRIVING THE CAR OR GETTING A CALL AND JUST SPRING INTO ACTION,
[01:00:03]
RUN UP TO THE RAILROAD TRACKS WITH AN ONCOMING TRAIN.THOSE TRAINS ARE ON YOU SO QUICKLY, YOU CAN'T GAUGE HOW QUICKLY THEY'RE COMING, BUT THEY JUST THROW CAUTION ASIDE, GRAB THE MAN, AND GET THEM OFF THE TRACKS.
LIKE THAT, THEY ALL COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.
IT'S REMARKABLE COURAGE, AND I THINK WE ALL HAVE TO SHOW GREAT GRATITUDE TO THE WONDERFUL PUBLIC SERVANTS WE HAVE IN OUR TOWN.
I JUST WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK EVERYBODY INVOLVED AND THAT WORKS IN OUR PUBLIC SAFETY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. THE TIME IS NOW 8:00 PM, AND WE'LL ADJOURN THE MEETING.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.