[Call To Order]
[00:00:06]
>> GOOD EVENING. THE TIME IS NOW 7 PM.
I'LL CALL TO ORDER THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 19.
WE'LL BEGIN WITH AN INVITATION, FOLLOWED BY A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND THEN PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE.
IF ALL THOSE THAT ARE ABLE, PLEASE JOIN ME IN STANDING.
>> LET US PRAY. ALMIGHTY GOD, AS WE GATHER HERE TODAY WITH GRATITUDE AND SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY, MAY YOU GRANT US WISDOM, PATIENCE, AND UNITY.
MAY OUR CHOICES REFLECT THEIR TRUST PLACED IN US BY OUR RESIDENTS.
AMEN. WE WILL NOW PAUSE FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
>> PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE.
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> CAN WE HAVE ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
>> ACTING TOWN ATTORNEY BRETT LASHLEY.
[1. The Honorable State Representative Mike Caruso - Legislative Update. #]
>> WELL, FIRST ON THE AGENDAS, WE HAVE A PRESENTATION.
WE ARE PARTICULARLY HONORED TONIGHT THAT STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE CARUSO IS COMING HERE TONIGHT TO GIVE US A LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, AND CERTAINLY WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR I CALL IT A SIGNIFICANT PROMOTION, BUT WHATEVER YOU CALL IT, BUT THANK YOU [LAUGHTER].
>> I WON'T SAY WHAT SOME WOULD CALL IT [LAUGHTER].
THANK YOU, MAYOR COUNCILMAN, AND MEMBERS.
I'M NOT HERE AS STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE CARUSO ANYMORE, ALTHOUGH THAT'S HOW WE BOOKED THIS GIG, RIGHT.
I'M HERE AS THE NEWLY APPOINTED PALM BEACH COUNTY CLERK OF COURT AND COMPTROLLER.
I GOT SWORN IN AT 12:01 LAST NIGHT.
BY CHIEF JUDGE KELLY AND WAS AT WORK AT AROUND 07:15 THIS MORNING AND REALLY DRINKING FROM THE FIRE HOSE.
I KNOW YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN [LAUGHTER].
BUT I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT, AND LOOKING FORWARD TO TAKING ON THE CHALLENGE AND THE POSITION.
OUR NEW COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR JOE BRUZZO LEFT IT IN GOOD SHAPE.
DOES SOMEONE WANT TO TAKE THAT?
>> IT'S AMAZING. I THINK I'VE GOT 400 AND SOMETHING UNANSWERED MESSAGES AND PHONE CALLS, BUT IT'S ALL PART OF THE PROCESS.
BUT I'M TRYING TO GET TO THEM.
ANYWAY, THIS SESSION, I'M HERE TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON WHAT HAPPENED IN TALLAHASSEE THIS PAST SESSION.
THIS SESSION WAS UNLIKE ANY OTHER SESSION I'VE HAD IN THE PRIOR SIX YEARS.
THIS ONE WAS TOTALLY DIFFERENT.
THIS ONE WAS MORE ABOUT STOPPING BAD LEGISLATION RATHER THAN CHAMPIONING THE BEST LEGISLATION. GOOD THINGS.
IT WAS ALL DUE TO, I BELIEVE MISGUIDED PRIORITIES AND IN FIGHTING THAT JUST LED TO A VERY UNPRODUCTIVE SESSION.
AS A RESULT, WE WEREN'T ABLE TO DO THE THINGS WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN UP THERE WERE DOING, WORKING ON HARDENING OUR HOMES AND LOWERING INSURANCE RATES AND REDUCING OUR TAXES AND CREATING TAX HOLIDAYS, THINGS LIKE THAT, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND SO MUCH MORE.
INSTEAD, THE SESSION WAS MORE ABOUT, AS I SAID, STOPPING BAD LEGISLATION.
WHAT DID WE STOP? THE FIRST ONE WAS THE GOVERNOR CALLED FOR A SPECIAL SESSION ON IMMIGRATION.
SOMEHOW, I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT LEADERSHIP PUT TOGETHER A AMNESTY BILL FOR US.
WE GOT PRESENTED WITH AN AMNESTY BILL THAT BASICALLY MADE IT ILLEGAL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.
I MADE IT ILLEGAL FOR LAW OFFICERS TO WORK WITH ICE IN ANY CAPACITY.
YOU'D GO TO JAIL, NOT THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT THAT COMMITS A CRIME.
[00:05:02]
IT MADE AUTHORIZED JUDGES CATCH AND RELEASE, AND IT DIDN'T PROVIDE ANY PENALTIES FOR THOSE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO COMMITTED CRIMES.IT ALLOWED THEM NO PENALTIES FOR VOTING IN OUR ELECTIONS.
I FOUGHT HARD AND WORKED WITH THE GOVERNOR, AND WE CAME UP WITH A BETTER BILL.
THAT ONE DID PASS, BUT FIRST ONE I JUST DESCRIBED, IT PASSED, AND THE GOVERNOR VETOED IT.
I STOOD BEHIND THE GOVERNOR AND DID NOT TRY TO OVERRIDE HIS GOOD VETO ON THAT.
SECOND, WHAT DID WE DO? ANOTHER BILL THAT WE JUST STOPPED.
THEY TRIED TO REPEAL TORT REFORM.
IF YOU REMEMBER BACK IN 2022, WE WERE DOWN TO ONE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THE ENTIRE STATE OF FLORIDA.
WE HAD 750,000 LAWSUITS FILED IN OUR COURT SYSTEMS, AND THREE OUT OF EVERY $4 PAID OUT BY INSURANCE COMPANIES WAS FOR LAWYERS AND NOT AS HOMEOWNERS THAT HAD CLAIMS. THEY TRIED TO REPEAL THAT.
WE FOUGHT THAT. I FOUGHT IT HARD.
I ACTUALLY STOOD UP IN ONE MEETING ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, AND I SAID, MEMBERS, THIS BILL WILL RAISE INSURANCE RATES FOR EVERY SINGLE FLORIDIAN IN THE ENTIRE STATE, EVERY BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, WHY THE HELL, WOULD YOU VOTE FOR IT? THEN THEY ALL VOTED FOR IT.
BUT THE GOVERNOR HE VETOED IT.
ANOTHER BILL THAT IS JUST JUST CRAZY WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH, BECAUSE WHY WOULD WE WANT TO RAISE INSURANCE RATES? EVERYBODY YOUR INSURANCE RATES HIGH ENOUGH? ARE THEY HIGH ENOUGH? PICTURE THEY DOUBLED THIS YEAR, IF WE'D HAVE LET THAT BILL GO THROUGH.
THAT'S OF SOME OF THE STUFF WE WERE FIGHTING.
THEY TRIED TO GET RID OF CRAS. SHUT THAT DOWN.
WE STOPPED THAT. THEN THEY TRIED TO GET RID OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION.
THAT WOULD HAVE UNLICENSED PEOPLE LIKE ENGINEERS, CONTRACTORS, CPAS, THINGS LIKE THAT.
THAT BILL JUST DIED A DEATH WE RAN OUT OF TIME FOR THEM TO GET THAT ONE THROUGH.
THAT WAS GOOD. WHAT DID WE PASS? WE DID PASS GOOD LEGISLATION WHEN IT CAME TO IMMIGRATION.
WE MADE IT SO THAT IT'S LEGAL FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT BOTH LOCAL COUNTY AND STATE TO WORK WITH ICE, MADE IT ILLEGAL FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO VOTE, TO SEND MONEY THROUGH OUR CHECK CASHING STORE SYSTEM, THINGS LIKE THAT.
IT REQUIRED PRETRIAL DETENTION VERSUS THE CATCH AND RELEASE.
WE PASSED THAT. THAT WAS A GOOD THING.
ANOTHER THING WE PASSED, WE ELIMINATED THE SALES TAX ON COMMERCIAL LEASES.
WE WERE THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT HAD COMMERCIAL SALES TAX LEASES ANYBODY IN BUSINESS, THEY RENT PROPERTY.
BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, YOU WON'T HAVE TO PAY ANY SALES TAX ON YOUR LEASE.
I WENT THERE SEVEN YEARS AGO WHEN I FIRST SHOWED UP AT THE LEGISLATURE.
HE SAYS, MIKE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE IT IN STEPS.
IT TOOK SEVEN YEARS, BUT WE GOT RID OF 7% SALES TAX ON THE COMMERCIAL LEASES.
LET'S SEE, WHAT ELSE DID WE GET DONE.
DID THE SECOND LAUNCH OF MY SAFE FLORIDA CONDO PROGRAM.
WHAT THAT DID IS IT WAS ON A TRIAL PROGRAM PRIOR TO THAT, WHERE WE SET ASIDE $30 MILLION.
IT WENT PRETTY QUICKLY TO CONDOS TO HARDEN THEIR PROPERTIES, 150,000 PER CONDO.
WE UP AT THIS YEAR TO 175,000, WE TRIPLED THE MONEY THAT WAS GOING TO BE USED FOR IT AND MADE IT A PERMANENT PROGRAM.
THEN WE CONTINUED THE WORK OF THE LIVE LOCAL ACT TO ADDRESS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THAT'S THE ONLY THING WE ARE MANDATED TO DO BY OUR CONSTITUTION IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
WE PASSED $117 BILLION BUDGET AS A $2 BILLION DECREASE FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.
THAT'S PRETTY INCREDIBLE BEING THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT ACTUALLY CUT OUR BUDGET BY $2 BILLION A LITTLE UNDER 2%.
[00:10:02]
WHERE THE 117 BILLION GO? HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TAKES ABOUT 45% OF IT.WE GET A LOT OF THAT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
OUR EDUCATION TOOK A THIRD OF THAT BUDGET ALMOST $32 BILLION.
THEN IN TRANSPORTATION NATURAL RESOURCES, AND THE ENVIRONMENT, WE ALLOCATED $22 BILLION.
AS I MENTIONED, WE CUT TAXES IN DOING IT.
WE CUT $2 BILLION AND THAT WAS FOUND IN THE COMMERCIAL LEASE RENT TAX, WE CUT THAT AND WE MADE PERMANENT A LOT OF THE HOLIDAYS THAT WE HAVE, BACK TO SCHOOL SALES TAX HOLIDAYS.
THEY'RE PERMANENT NOW, TAX EXEMPTION ON EVENT TICKETS, STATE PARK ADMISSIONS, LIFE JACKETS, THINGS LIKE THAT, OUTDOOR FUN, PERMANENT EXEMPTIONS FOR DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, YOUR GENERATORS, ANYTHING THAT'S FOR HURRICANE WIND MITIGATION.
WE DID WHAT DO YOU CALL THIS? I THINK I'LL READ IT TO YOU.
THIS IS THE SECOND AMENDMENT SALES TAX HOLIDAY FROM SEPTEMBER 8 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2025 ON PURCHASES OF BOWS, FIREARMS, AMMUNITION, TENTS, SLEEPING BAGS, CAMPING STOVES, FISHING RODS, AND TACKLE BOXES AND BAIT AND TACKLE.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING UP IN TALLAHASSEE THIS SESSION.
IT TOOK US 105 DAYS TO DO A WHOLE LOT LESS THAN WE NORMALLY GET DONE.
INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL 60 DAYS THAT WE'RE UP THERE, SO WE WERE UP THERE A LONG TIME.
I THINK WE DID GET ONE APPROPRIATION THROUGH FOR THE TOWN OF JUPITER.
IT WAS $127,000 WATER PROJECT.
I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF IT OFF TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT I WASN'T ABLE TO RUN ANY APPROPRIATIONS THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE STANCE I TOOK ON THESE LEADERSHIP BILLS.
BUT I DID GET A CALL FROM THE GOVERNOR WHEN THE BUDGET GOT SENT TO HIM AND HE SAYS, MIKE, MAKE ME A LIST OF YOUR APPROPRIATIONS.
I SAID I DIDN'T RUN AND HE SAYS, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, MAKE ME A LIST OF YOUR APPROPRIATIONS BECAUSE I HAD DIVVIED THEM OUT, AND HE MADE SURE THAT THEY DIDN'T GET VETOED.
THANK YOU, GOVERNOR AND WE GOT THAT ONE THROUGH FOR THE 127,000 FOR THAT WATER PROJECT.
THAT'S ABOUT IT. I'M OPEN FOR QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE THEM FOR ME.
>> I KNOW YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE IN TALLAHASSEE IN THE NEXT SESSION, BUT DO YOU HEAR ANY CHATTER FROM MORE INSURANCE CARRIERS COMING INTO THE STATE? ARE WE INCENTIVIZING THEM TO COME IN ORDER TO HELP MITIGATE THESE INSURANCE COSTS?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, COUNCILWOMAN.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE 12 INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT ARE NOW IN THE STATE AS A RESULT OF OUR 22, 23 LEGISLATION WE PASSED, THE TORT REFORM.
THE ONE THAT'S LOCAL HERE, AND BOCA RATON JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WERE CUTTING THEIR INSURANCE RATES BY 14%.
I PERSONALLY HAVE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IN DELRAY BEACH.
I REDUCED MY DEDUCTIBLE FROM 7.5% TO 5%, AND MY RATE DROPPED FROM $93,000 A YEAR TO $82,000 A YEAR.
THAT'S 11.6% DECREASE THAT I PERSONALLY FELT.
IF YOUR INSURANCE IS UP, I WOULD RECOMMEND EVERYBODY TO SHOP.
THERE'S SOME SERIOUS COMPETITIVE MARKET OUT THERE.
THEY WANT YOUR BUSINESS AND THEY'RE WILLING TO CUT THEIR PRICES TO DO IT.
WE HAVE CERTAINLY CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM TO COME IN AND TO CREATE COMPETITION AND BRING THOSE RATES DOWN.
I THINK WE SHOULD SEE IT OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS ALSO.
>> GIVE YOU AN IDEA. WE WENT FROM 750,000 LAWSUITS ON PROPERTY INSURANCE CLAIMS AT THE BEGINNING OF 2023, AND WE'RE DOWN TO 212,000 LAWSUITS TODAY.
THAT'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE. YES, SIR.
>> WELL, I JUST WANT AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR PARTICULARLY FOR COMING OUT.
THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST INFORMATIVE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE WE'VE EVER RECEIVED, SO WE APPRECIATE THAT AND THE LACK OF CONVERSATION IS MORE BECAUSE YOU'RE NO LONGER THERE.
>> [LAUGHTER] WELL, I'M EXCITED TO SEE YOUR NEW CITY HALL.
[00:15:02]
YOU SAID THEY'RE CAT FIVE RATED, WHICH IS UNBELIEVABLE.YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB HERE IN THE CITY AND JUPITER IS A BEAUTIFUL TOWN, AND I LOVE IT, AND WE KEEP MOVING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO IT.
MAYBE ONE DAY, I'LL MOVE UP HERE.
I GOT A SUN THAT'S UP HERE NOW.
>> GOOD LUCK IN YOUR NEW ROLE.
>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO US TOO THAT NEW ROLE.
>> I FORGOT TO ANNOUNCE CAITLIN MCCOMER, I GUESS MY FORMER DISTRICT AIDE, BUT SHE'S STILL WORKING IN THE OFFICE.
IF YOU STILL NEED ME, STILL CALL ME AND SHE'LL TAKE CARE OF IT. [LAUGHTER]
>> THANK YOU. NEXT ON THE AGENDA,
[2. Jupiter Fire Rescue Department (JFRD) Update.]
WE HAVE AN UPDATE ON JUPITER FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT. CHIEF DONATTO.>> SHAWN TOLD ME WHAT TO DO HERE. THERE WE GO.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COUNCIL, AND ALL OF THOSE ATTENDING THIS MEETING EITHER IN PERSON OR VIRTUALLY.
WE'RE HERE TONIGHT TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE JUPITER FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT. IT'S EXCITING.
NEXT YEAR, JUPITER FIRE RESCUE WILL BEGIN PROVIDING FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.
BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, WE WILL HAVE RECEIVED AND OUTFITTED ALL OF OUR FIRE APPARATUS AND EMS APPARATUS.
WE WILL HAVE OUR TWO NEW STATE OF THE ART FIRE STATIONS, AND WE'LL HAVE HIRED ALL OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND THEY WILL BE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMS. WE'RE EXCITED TO SHARE SOME OF OUR PROGRESS TO DATE WITH YOU.
IT'S AN ITEM TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THREE TOPICS.
JUPITER FIRE RESCUES EMS SERVICE PROVIDER LICENSE, OUR TEMPORARY FIRE STATION AT THE ABACOA COMMUNITY PARK, AND OUR FIRE STATION CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS.
AS YOU KNOW, ON JUNE 10, THE BOARD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO GRANT THE TOWN OF JUPITER OUR CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY, AND THAT WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 1 OF 2026.
IN THE FIRST WEEK OF JULY, JUPITER FIRE RESCUE APPLIED FOR OUR STATE ALS TRANSPORT PROVIDER LICENSE FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
ON JULY 20, 2025, JUPITER FIRE RESCUE RECEIVED OUR ALS TRANSPORT PROVIDER LICENSE.
ALONG WITH OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, OUR FDID, THIS NOW COMPLETES ALL OF OUR REGULATORY LICENSE REQUIREMENTS.
>> WE'RE OFFICIALLY A FIRE DEPARTMENT AND OFFICIALLY AN ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT TRANSPORT SERVICE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
AT YOUR LAST MEETING, YOU APPROVED SOME ENGINEERING WORK FOR A TEMPORARY FIRE STATION AT THE ABACOA COMMUNITY PARK.
I WANT TO PROVIDE A LITTLE CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND TO THAT.
THE EXISTING ABACOA FIRE STATION, WHICH CURRENTLY IS KNOWN AS PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE STATION 16, IT'S ON MILITARY TRAIL JUST NORTH OF FREDERICK SMALL ROAD.
THAT STATION WILL REVERT TO TOWN OWNERSHIP ON OCTOBER 1 OF 2026.
AS YOU KNOW, WE ATTEMPTED TO DEVELOP A TRANSITION PLAN WITH PALM BEACH COUNTY TO AVOID BEING FORCED TO TRANSITION OUR SERVICES AND THIS FIRE STATION AT PURPOSE SWITCH AT MIDNIGHT.
WE'VE EVEN ATTEMPTED TO MEET WITH PALM BEACH COUNTY TO DISCUSS THE TRANSITION OF SERVICES IN THE STATION, BUT THEY'VE DECLINED TO MEET WITH US UNTIL JANUARY OF 2026.
THE JUPITER FIRE RESCUE WILL HAVE TO STATION OUR FIREFIGHTERS IN THEIR STATION BEFORE OCTOBER 1, '26.
WE'LL HAVE TO MOVE FURNISHINGS AND EQUIPMENT INTO THE EXISTING ABACOA FIRE STATION AFTER OCTOBER 1 OF 2026.
ALTHOUGH WE EXPECT THE EXISTING ABACOA STATION TO BE TURNED OVER TO THE TOWN IN GOOD CONDITION, WE MAY NEED TO MAKE SOME IMPROVEMENTS OR RENOVATIONS.
THESE IMPROVEMENTS WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE UNTIL THE STATION RETURNS OR REVERTS TO TOWN OWNERSHIP.
TO ENSURE THE CONTINUITY AND TIMELINESS OF FIRE SERVICES TO ABACOA AND THE NEARBY NEIGHBORHOODS, THE TOWN OF JUPITER IS ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY FIRE STATION THAT WILL BE LOCATED IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE ABACOA COMMUNITY PARK, AND THIS TEMPORARY STATION WILL BE LOCATED IN A LIGHTLY USED PARKING AREA THAT'S ALONG THE GREENWAY DRIVE NEAR INDEPENDENCE MIDDLE SCHOOL.
THE STATION WILL BE INSTALLED BY MAY OF 2026 AND WILL BE OPERATIONAL WHEN JUPITER FIRE RESCUE ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY OF SERVICES ON OCTOBER 1 OF '26.
THIS ACTION IS NECESSARY, SO WE CAN STATION OUR FIREFIGHTERS IN THEIR STATION BEFORE OCTOBER 1.
WE CAN MOVE FURNISHING AND EQUIPMENT INTO THE EXISTING STATION AFTER OCTOBER 1,
[00:20:05]
AND SO WE CAN MAKE ANY NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS OR INNOVATIONS TO ACCOMMODATE OUR STAFFING AND EQUIPMENT AFTER OCTOBER 1.JUPITER FIRE RESCUE IS COMMITTED TO BEING RESPECTFUL AND CONSIDERATE NEIGHBOR THROUGHOUT THIS TEMPORARY DEPLOYMENT AND BEYOND.
WE'VE MET WITH MEMBERS OF THE TUSCANY AND ANTIGUA HOAS, AS WELL AS THE PRINCIPAL OF INDEPENDENCE MIDDLE SCHOOL, TO KEEP THEM INFORMED OF OUR INTENTIONS AND TO COMMIT TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM AS WE TEMPORARILY WORK OUT OF THIS SITE.
THE SLIDE YOU SEE NOW DEPICTS THE TEMPORARY STATION'S LOCATION AND THE ROUTE THAT FIRE TRUCKS WILL TAKE FROM THAT STATION.
THIS SLIDE DEPICTS A RENDERING OF THE TEMPORARY FIRE STATION, WHICH WILL ENABLE JUPITER FIRE RESCUE TO MAINTAIN CONTINUITY OF SERVICES AND TIMELY RESPONSE.
WE SECURED THIS BUILDING FROM ANOTHER FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR OUR USE.
THE BUILDING IS RATED TO WITHSTAND A CATEGORY FIVE HURRICANE, WILL HOUSE A FIRE ENGINE AND A RESCUE TRUCK OR AN AMBULANCE.
WE'LL PUT LANDSCAPING ALONG GREENWAY DRIVE TO ENHANCE THE APPEARANCE OF THE SITE, AND WE ESTIMATE THE TEMPORARY STATION WILL BE IN PLACE FOR ABOUT 6-7 MONTHS.
AS FOR OUR TWO NEW STATION CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
CONSTRUCTION ON THE PIATT PLACE FIRE STATION IS ON SCHEDULE.
THE STEM WALLS ARE COMPLETED, THE FIRST COURSE OF BLOCK IS BEING COMPLETED NOW.
THEY'RE BEGINNING TO POUR THAT FIRST COURSE OF BLOCK.
THE REMAINDER OF THE EXTERIOR BLOCK WALL SHOULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, AND THE TOP OUT FOR THE PIATT STATION IS SCHEDULED FOR THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
THE CINQUEZ STATION IS ALSO ON SCHEDULE.
THE FOOTERS ARE ALMOST COMPLETE AND STEM WALLS ARE GOING IN NOW.
EXTERIOR BLOCK WALL SHOULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH, AND TOP OUT FOR THIS BUILDING IS ALSO SCHEDULED FOR THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
WITH AUGUST 15, JUST LAST FRIDAY, BEING OUR TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY SINCE INCEPTION, AND AS WE MOVE INTO OUR FINAL YEAR OF CREATING THE JUPITER FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT, I'M HAPPY TO CONTINUE TO REPORT TO YOU.
WE REMAIN ON SCHEDULE AND ON BUDGET.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE HAPPY TO ENTERTAIN THEM.
>> [INAUDIBLE] I HAVE ONE QUESTION. IF I LOOK AT THE AREA COVERED CURRENTLY BY STATION 16, HOW IS OUR TEMPORARY STATION POSITIONED WITHIN THE AREA? IS IT MORE CENTRAL LOCATED TO THE SIDE? I'M JUST CONCERNED.
HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THAT? WHAT ABOUT THE RESPONSE TIMES FOR THAT STATION VERSUS THE CURRENT STATION 16?
>> WE HAVE LOOKED AT THAT. WE HAVE SOME COMPUTER SIMULATION MODELS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO RUN.
I'D BE HAPPY TO RUN THROUGH THOSE IF YOU WANT, BUT THEY'RE PRETTY COMPLEX.
YOU'D HAVE TO COME BY THE OFFICE.
REALLY, IT CHANGES OVERALL AVERAGE RESPONSE TIMES IN THE NUMBER OF SECONDS.
OVERALL, THE IMPACT IS SOMEWHAT MINIMAL, I'D SAY. EVERY SECOND COUNTS.
WE LOVE TO DECREASE TIMES, BUT IT WILL INCREASE OVERALL AVERAGE RESPONSE TIMES IN THE NUMBER OF JUST A FEW SECONDS.
AGAIN, THIS IS ON A TEMPORARY BASIS.
WE BEGIN RUNNING CALLS OCTOBER 1 OF 2026, AND OUR GOAL IS TO GET OUT OF THAT TEMPORARY STATION AND INTO THE EXISTING FIRE STATION ON MILITARY TRAIL AS QUICK AS WE CAN.
I CAN'T READ THE FUTURE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER TO THAT IS.
IT MIGHT BE A MONTH, MIGHT BE A MONTH AND A HALF, BUT WE'RE GOING TO DO OUR BEST TO GET BACK INTO THAT STATION BECAUSE WE DO BELIEVE THAT STATION 16 IS BETTER SUITED IN A BETTER LOCATION FOR US.
BUT IT'S OUT OF OUR CONTROL AT THIS POINT.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO THAT STATION TO GET IT OPERATIONAL.
WE HOPE THAT IT'S A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
WE HOPE THAT WITHIN A WEEK, WE'RE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE STATION AND MOVE. WE JUST DON'T HAVE THAT ANSWER.
AGAIN, AS I SAID EARLIER, CONTINUITY OF SERVICE IS ESSENTIAL.
WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN AND WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN B AND A PLAN C. THE STATION ENSURES THAT NO MATTER WHAT, WE'RE READY TO RESPOND.
ON OCTOBER 1 OF 2026, WHEN YOU CALL 911, WE'RE RESPONDING.
>> I MIGHT TAKE YOU UP SOMETHING BY SENIOR MODELS. THANK YOU.
>> I DO WANT TO SAY I'M HOPEFUL IN THE MEETINGS IN JANUARY THAT THEY MIGHT LET YOU SEE THE STATION CONDITION, THAT WE MIGHT BE IN A PLACE WHERE ON OCTOBER 1ST, WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO MAKE PLANS AND HAVE THOSE PLANS IN PLACE FOR OCTOBER 1ST.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HOW THOSE MEETINGS PROGRESS IN JANUARY AND I WILL BE INTERESTED IN HOW THAT GOES. THANK YOU.
>> LIKE YOU, I'M OPTIMISTIC AND I'M HOPEFUL.
>> I AGREE WITH THAT. THANK YOU.
>> TWO THINGS. PERSONALLY, I THINK IT'S HOPEFULLY IT WILL WORK OUT WHERE YOU GET TO SEE IT AHEAD OF TIME, SO WE CAN PLAN FOR WHAT MAY BE SMALL RENOVATIONS, BUT RENOVATIONS NONETHELESS.
[00:25:01]
I THINK AS YOU DESCRIBED THE LAST MEETING WHERE SOMEBODY DID ABOUT IT'S LIKE BUYING A HOME.THE CHANCE OF BEING ABLE TO JUST ONE PERSON MOVES OUT, THE OTHER MOVES IN AND THE FIRST DAY IS SLIM TO NONE.
BUT THANK YOU. I WANT TO JUST EMPHASIZE.
I APPRECIATE BOTH THE TOWN MANAGER.
PUTTING THIS OUT AS A MONTHLY UPDATE, I THINK IT'S VERY HELPFUL.
AS WE'VE LISTENED AND GOTTEN ALL THESE UPDATES, OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, THERE'S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF WORK BY YOUR TEAM.
AS A MEMBER OF COUNCIL, WE'RE GRATEFUL THAT YOU HIT THE ROAD RUNNING, AND YOU'VE GOT US FAR AND GIVES US CONFIDENCE THAT WE'LL BE READY ON OCTOBER 1ST. THANK YOU.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY I APPRECIATE HEARING FROM A RESIDENTS POINT OF VIEW THAT YOU'VE MET THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS AND THE PRINCIPAL OF THE SCHOOL.
AS A PARENT WITH LITTLE CHILDREN, I'M SURE THEY ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO KNOW YOU'RE COORDINATING THIS EFFORT, IF IN FACT, YOU HAVE TO BE THERE FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME. THANK YOU.
[3. Emergency Management Response Plan - JPD & JFRD]
>> NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS WE'RE GOING TO GET A PRESENTATION ON THE TOWN'S EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RESPONSE PLAN.
>> I GOT YOU, I'M GETTING YOU THERE, MAN.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR TOWN COUNCIL, DON HENNESSY DEPUTY CHIEF OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
HERE WE ARE WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HURRICANE SEASON.
WE'RE HALFWAY RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT JUNE TO NOVEMBER.
AS WE GET INTO HURRICANE SEASON, WE WATCH HURRICANE AIR AND MAKE A FORTUNATE TURN.
IT LOOKS TO BE IN OUT OF OUR PATH.
WE'RE HOPEFUL FOR THOSE OTHER STATES THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT EITHER.
BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE YOU ALL WITH AN UPDATE ON SOME OF THE PREPAREDNESS EFFORTS THE TOWN HAS UNDERTAKEN OVER THE LAST YEAR SINCE OUR LAST HURRICANE SEASON.
BEFORE I GO INTO SOME OF THOSE UPDATES, I WANT TO POINT YOU BACK TO 2023.
THE TOWN DOES ITS BIENNIAL NATIONAL CITIZEN SURVEY.
ONE OF THE METRICS THAT THE RESIDENTS ARE ASKED TO RATE THE TOWN ON IS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.
JUST TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE DATA FROM THAT SURVEY, THE TOWN RECEIVED 87% POSITIVE FEEDBACK ON THE RESIDENTS COMFORT LEVEL WITH OUR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.
RANKED US NUMBER 5 OUT OF 320 ORGANIZATIONS THAT WERE TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT PORTION OF THE SURVEY, PUTTING US IN THE 98TH PERCENTILE OF THE COUNTRY.
I FOUND THOSE NUMBERS TO BE PRETTY REMARKABLE.
BUT STAFF NOT PREPARED TO SIT ON THOSE NUMBERS.
WE'RE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR WAYS TO ENHANCE AND MAKE OUR STORM PREPARATIONS BETTER.
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE GONE THROUGH I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU SOME OF THE UPDATES WE'VE DONE SINCE LAST YEAR.
AGAIN, WE'RE SITTING HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF HURRICANE SEASON, JUNE 1 OF NOVEMBER 30.
EACH YEAR, WE SPEND TIME PREPARING FOR THE SEASON, PREPARING FOR A STORM AND BEING PREPARED FOR THE AFTERMATH OF WHATEVER STORM MAY COME.
I ASSURE YOU SHOULD A STORM THREATEN THE TOWN OF JUPITER THIS YEAR, WE ARE PREPARED TO HANDLE IT.
FIRST OFF, LAST YEAR, MANY OF YOU KNEW AND GOT TO TAKE A TOUR.
WE OPENED OUR EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER.
THIS PROVIDES A CENTRALIZED LOCATION FOR DECISION MAKERS TO GATHER SO WE CAN ALL TALK CANDILY IN THE ROOM AND MAKE REAL-TIME DECISIONS ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO RESPOND TO AN EVENT.
THIS ROOM ACTUALLY IS SET UP WITH TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS THAT ALLOW US TO VIEW LIVE NEWS AND WEATHER UPDATES, TRAFFIC CAMERA AND DRONE FEEDS, COUNTY DASHBOARDS, DAMAGE ASSESSMENT DASHBOARDS, AND THEN HAS VARIOUS COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT THAT ALLOWS US TO COMMUNICATE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF OUR ORGANIZATION.
HAVING ACCESS TO ALL THIS ALLOWS US TO MAKE PROPER DECISIONS, PRIORITIZING AND ALLOCATING RESOURCES WHERE THEY'RE NEEDED.
I DO WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE TO THANK THE IS DEPARTMENT FOR PUTTING THAT TOGETHER.
IT WAS A HUGE BURDEN TO PUT THAT THING TOGETHER.
THEY REALLY PUT A LOT OF TIME AND WE FEEL COMFORTABLE BEING IN THAT ROOM THAT WE HAVE ALL THE TOOLS THAT WE NEED TO DO, WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
THANK YOU TO THEM. NEXT UP, WE IMPLEMENTED SOME NEW EOC ACTIVATION LEVELS, HOW WE'RE GOING TO ACTIVATE THIS EOC WHEN IT COMES TIME.
JUST GOING BRIEFLY THROUGH THOSE LEVELS.
THE FIRST LEVEL LEVEL 3 OUR LOWEST LEVEL.
AT THAT POINT, WE'RE MONITORING EITHER NO STORM OR A STORM THAT HAS PRESENTED ITSELF, AND IT'S IN THE EARLY STAGES, WE'RE KEEPING AN EYE ON IT, HAVING SOME PRELIMINARY MEETINGS AND STARTING TO DO WHATEVER EARLY PREPARATIONS WE CAN DO.
LEVEL 2 MOVES UP A LITTLE BIT.
THAT MEANS WE HAVE A STORM THAT IS LIKELY TO IMPACT OUR AREA IN SOME FORM.
THAT CAN BE A PARTIAL ACTIVATION THAT WHERE SELECTED STAFF ARE PUT INTO THE EOC TO HANDLE CERTAIN TASKS.
THE GOOD PART ABOUT THAT IS THAT'S SCALABLE BASED ON THE TIME FRAME OF THE STORM, THE SEVERITY OF THE STORM AND THE EXPECTED IMPACT, SO WE CAN SCALE THAT.
[00:30:03]
THEN LEVEL 1 IS A FULL ACTIVATION.DURING THAT SCENARIO, WE HAVE A 24/7 OPERATION OUT OF THE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER WITH A FULL STAFF ACTIVATION.
JUST NOTE THAT THESE THREE LEVELS ARE CONSISTENT WITH LEVELS USED BY THE COUNTY EOC AND OTHER VARIOUS MUNICIPALITIES.
THAT'S GOOD WHEN WE START TALKING INTER-AGENCY, WE'RE USING SIMILAR TERMINOLOGY.
THE NEXT UPDATE IS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW CRISIS TRACK SOFTWARE.
I MENTIONED EARLIER DISASTER MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIONS IN REAL-TIME DATA.
THIS NEW SOFTWARE CALLED CRISIS TRACK ALLOWS OFFICERS AND RESPONDERS POST STORM TO GO OUT AND GATHER INFORMATION ON ROADWAYS, TREES, DOWN, UTILITIES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE, AND THEY REPORT THEM BACK TO THE EOC.
ONCE WE GET INTO EOC, AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PHOTO, IT GIVES US A GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF WHERE OUR AREAS OF IMPACT ARE.
THEN WE CAN TAKE AND PRIORITIZE RESOURCES TO THE AREAS THAT WERE MOST SEVERELY IMPACTED.
IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY HELPFUL TOOL FOR US TO MANAGE AND MAKE SURE ALL THE AREAS ARE BEING COVERED IN A TIMELY MANNER.
ALSO, IN ADDITION TO THE OPERATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE SOFTWARE, IT ALSO TRACKS STAFF AND ASSET USAGE FOR FEMA REIMBURSEMENT EFFORTS LATER ON.
IT DOES A BASIC LEVEL OF THAT NOW, BUT THE TOWNS EVEN GOING BEYOND THAT.
WE'RE WORKING CURRENTLY WITH THE VENDOR TO FIND ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WHERE WE SEE A VALUE THEY COULD PROVIDE.
THEY'RE WORKING THROUGH SOME EXTRA PROGRAMMING STUFF TO TRY TO GET SOME AUTOMATED INPUT OF FORMS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
WE'RE LOOKING EVEN BEYOND WHAT THEY'RE PROVIDING TODAY.
NEXT UP IS OUR STORM EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN.
LET ME GO BACK REAL QUICK ON THE CRISIS TRACK.
I WANT TO THANK SCOTT CASTILE.
SCOTT CASTILE IS THE PROJECT LEAD ON THIS AND HE TOOK A LOT OF TIME TO BUILD THIS SYSTEM.
THERE'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF INPUT THAT GOES INTO THAT, RESOURCES, PERSONNEL INFORMATION, AND HE PUT FORTH A LOT OF WORK, TRAINING THE ENTIRE STAFF AND HOW TO USE IT. THANK YOU, SCOTT FOR THAT.
THE NEXT THING WE PUT TOGETHER IS A STORM EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN.
WHAT THIS DOES IS WE TOOK ALL THE STORM PREP ACTIVITIES THAT THE TOWN TYPICALLY GOES THROUGH.
WE WANTED TO PUT THEM ALL IN ONE PLACE IN A CHECKLIST OR TASK FORMAT AND BASED ON TIMELINES TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
MEMBERS OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, WE MET WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL DIRECTOR OF EACH DEPARTMENT IN THE TOWN AND WENT THROUGH AND SAID, WHAT ARE YOUR STORM PREPARATION TASKS? WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH? WHAT ARE YOUR TIME FRAMES FOR HAVING TO DO THAT? ONCE WE DID THAT, WE HAD ALL THESE MEETINGS, AND THEN SEAN REID WAS ABLE TO HELP US COMPILE ALL THAT DATA INTO THIS MANUAL HERE THAT WE'LL CARRY WITH US.
IT'S ELECTRONIC FORMAT AND PAPER COPY.
WE'LL BE ABLE TO TAKE IT AND WE BREAK IT DOWN INTO TWO SECTIONS, SO WE HAVE A PRE SEASON CHECKLIST.
WHEN WE'RE GOING INTO FEBRUARY AND WE START THINKING, WE'RE GOING TO START MOVING INTO JUNE HERE.
LET'S GET OUT THE PLAN, LET'S REVIEW THE PLAN, MAKE SURE EVERYTHING'S WHERE WE NEEDED TO BE.
THEN WE CAN SAY, HEY, TOWN, WE'RE READY FOR HURRICANE SEASON.
WE'RE PREPPING FOR THE SEASON ITSELF.
THEN WE GO INTO INDIVIDUAL STORM BASED CHECKLISTS, WHERE A STORM HAS NOW PRESENTED ITSELF, WE GO THROUGH ANOTHER SET OF CHECKLISTS AND SAY, THIS ONE IS SPECIFIC TO THE STORM, AND THEN THAT WILL HELP US MAKE SURE WE COVER EVERYTHING AND IT HELPS FOR CONTINUING TOO, WHEN A NEW PERSON STEPS INTO A ROLE, THEY HAVE A MANUAL HERE TO HELP THEM GO THROUGH THE PROCESS.
THAT'S GOING TO BE EXTREMELY HELPFUL.
THE GOOD THING IS ALL THESE CHECKLISTS WILL ULTIMATELY BE INCORPORATED INTO THAT CRISIS TRACK SYSTEM.
IT'LL BE A ONE STOP SHOP FOR OUR PREPAREDNESS.
AGAIN, WE'VE ADDED ADDITIONAL STRUCTURE TO OUR STORM PREPAREDNESS RECOVERY EFFORTS.
THIS INCREASE WILL HELP US WILL ASSIST US IN OUR PREPAREDNESS EFFORTS FOR BOTH THE HURRICANE SEASON IN GENERAL OR SPECIFIC STORMS AS THEY PRESENT.
I ASSURE YOU WE ARE PREPARED FOR THE 2025 STORM SEASON.
I CAN TAKE ANY QUESTIONS FROM YOU.
>> QUESTIONS? JUST A COUPLE, FIRST, I WANT TO COMMENT.
NUMBER 1 I WAS ABLE TO SEE LAST YEAR, AND I THINK OTHERS ON COUNCIL DID BOTH THE PREP BEFORE A NEAR MESS AND THEN THE DAY AFTER TO SEE HOW QUICKLY THE TOWN WAS INVENTORYING THINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED, PUBLIC SAFETY ITEMS AND THEN ACTING UPON THEM, THAT GAVE ME GREAT COMFORT, IF YOU WILL.
THEN TO JUST SEE AND HERE TONIGHT, LIKE YOU SAID AT THE BEGINNING, WE'RE NOT RESTING ON WHERE WE WERE LAST YEAR.
WE'RE TRYING TO GET CONTINUE TO GET BETTER, SO I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT, BEING ON THIS COUNCIL FOR A BIT OF TIME.
I WORRIED FOR MANY YEARS BECAUSE IN THE OLD TOWN HALL, THE WEAKEST BUILDING WE HAD WAS THE ONE THAT OUR POLICE WERE HEADQUARTERED IN,
[00:35:03]
SIGH OF RELIEF WHEN THE NEW HEADQUARTERS WAS BUILT, SO OUR POLICE HAD AT LEAST SOME PLACE THAT WOULD STILL BE STANDING AFTER A SIGNIFICANT HURRICANE EVENT AND NOW NOW OUR TOWN HALL.>> I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS, WHICH IS WHY I'M TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK.
IF ERIN HAD COME OUR WAY, WHAT IS THE PROTOCOL FOR POLICE ON HUNKERING DOWN? IS THERE ANYBODY THAT STAYS HERE ON SITE OR CAN YOU SHARE WHAT THAT IS? I'M JUST CURIOUS. IF THERE'S SOMETHING YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO SHARE, THEN DON'T.
>> NO, SURE. I'LL TELL YOU IT IS STORM SPECIFIC.
WE GAUGE BY THE IMPACT OF STORM WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING, AND WE TRY TO GAUGE THAT AND SCALE THAT RESPONSIBLY.
HOW MANY PEOPLE DO WE NEED HERE? YOU DON'T WANT TO CALL A BUNCH OF PEOPLE IN HERE THAT YOU DON'T NEED.
WE LOOK AT THE STRENGTH OF THE STORM, WE LOOK AT THE SPEED OF THE STORM.
WE LOOK AT WHAT THE STORM HAS DONE IN OTHER AREAS TO MAKE A DETERMINATION ON HOW MANY OFFICERS WE'RE GOING TO WANT TO HAVE.
I WILL TELL YOU TYPICALLY, WE USUALLY TRY TO AT LEAST DOUBLE SHIFT.
BECAUSE THE OFFICERS ARE OUT THERE IN HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS.
IT'S HELPFUL TO HAVE MAYBE DO TWO TO A CAR.
BUT AGAIN, THAT'S SOMETHING WE WOULD DETERMINE BASED ON THE STRENGTH OF THE STORM.
>> BUT WHERE DO THEY HUNKER DOWN WHEN THE WINDS GET WHERE THEY REALLY SHOULD BE OUT
>> TYPICALLY THEY HUNKER DOWN IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER.
WE WORK WITH THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT TO ARRANGE THE GYMNASIUMS, SOME OF THE CLASSROOMS, AND THEN THAT'S WHERE THEY TYPICALLY STAY.
>> WELL, AGAIN, WE APPRECIATE OUR POLICE, OUR NEW FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ALL OF STAFF THAT DOES TAKE ACTION BEFORE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE AS PREPARED AS WE CAN, AND THEN AFTERWARD TO RESPOND.
I KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS, BUT JUST SO THE PUBLIC CAN HEAR BECAUSE I REMEMBER LONGTIME EMPLOYEE OF FPL, WHICH IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH RESPONSIVE PLANS AND WHAT HAVE YOU.
I REMEMBER IN HURRICANE ANDREW, WHERE WE LOST CONTACT WITH EMPLOYEES.
THAT WAS A SERIOUS HURRICANE, AND WE ACTUALLY HAD TO SEND SCOUTING TEAMS, IF YOU WILL TO FIND WHERE THEY WERE AND IF THEY WERE SAFE AND WHAT HAVE YOU, I THINK I UNDERSTAND OUR TOWN HAS THAT IN PLACE AS WELL? IS THAT THE CASE? I'M JUST CONCERNED FOR OUR EMPLOYEES THAT MAYBE WE GET SPARED, BUT WHERE THEY LIVE NORTH OR SOUTH HERE GETS HIT?
>> IT IS. WE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE EMPLOYEES.
IN FACT, ONE OF THE THINGS IN THE MANUAL HERE, THAT'S PART OF THE FOCUS IN THERE, IS WHEN THEY'RE NOT HERE, WHERE ARE OUR EMPLOYEES? IF OUR EMPLOYEES VACATE AND THEY GO TO ORLANDO, WHAT'S A CONTACT NUMBER THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET FOR THEM? WHEN A STORM PRESENTS, WHERE ARE YOU GOING? STAFF DEPARTMENT LEADERS, REACH OUT TO THEIR STAFF? WE HAD DURING THE LAST EVENT AND WE DIDN'T WIND UP BEING A MAJOR EVENT, BUT WE HAD SOME PEOPLE THAT SUSTAINED SOME DAMAGE.
WE WERE ABLE TO GET THAT INFORMATION INTO THE EOC QUICKLY AND ABLE TO GET TO THOSE EMPLOYEES TO GET THEM THE ASSISTANCE THAT THEY NEEDED.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I JUST HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION, AND IT'S GENERATED FROM ALL OF THIS CONVERSATION.
IS YOUR PLAN COORDINATED WITH THE HOSPITAL FACILITIES AND MEDICAL FACILITIES, IF IN FACT, THERE IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO COORDINATE WITH?
>> WE DO COMMUNICATE WITH THE HOSPITAL.
USUALLY A LOT PRE-STORM, WE'LL REACH OUT TO THE HOSPITAL.
THERE'S BEEN TIMES IN THE PAST WHERE WE'VE ACTUALLY STATIONED OFFICERS AT THE HOSPITAL.
YES, WE ARE IN COORDINATION WITH THE HOSPITAL.
>> THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO CITIZEN COMMENTS.
[CITIZEN COMMENTS]
THIS IS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS, AND IT'S LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES AND ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL IS ASKED TO STATE HIS OR HER NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD PRIOR TO RESPONDING.DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS?
>> YES, SIR. WE HAVE TWO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
MASON TORRES, FOLLOWED BY ANDY WESTON.
>> GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS MASON TORRES, RESIDENT OF LIMESTONE CREEK.
MY ADDRESS IS 6814 MITCHELL STREET, JUPITER FLORIDA 33458.
FOR THE CLERK SUMMARY, I AM ASKING THE TOWN COUNCIL AND POLICE CHIEF TO CONTACT PALM BEACH COUNTY ENGINEERING AND FDOT REGARDING CHILD AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.
I AM LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO WALK MY SON TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY WHILE HE RIDES HIS BIKE.
I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE SLOW DOWN IN OUR TOWN SIGNS ARE ONCE AGAIN IN FRONT OF LIMESTONE CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT ABOUT A THIRD TO A HALF OF DRIVERS ARE USING THEIR PHONES WHILE THEY DRIVE ON CHURCH STREET AND LIMESTONE CREEK ROAD.
[00:40:05]
NOT ONLY ARE DRIVERS NOT SLOWING DOWN, THEY ARE NOT EVEN PAYING ATTENTION.HERE'S A QUOTE, "IF YOU NEED A SIGN TO TELL PEOPLE TO SLOW DOWN, YOU DESIGN THE STREET WRONG." THAT'S FROM CHARLES MAROHN, THE FOUNDER OF STRONG TOWNS, AND AUTHOR OF THE BOOKS, STRONG TOWNS AND CONFESSIONS OF A RECOVERING ENGINEER.
LUCKILY, PALM BEACH COUNTY IS CURRENTLY RE-ENGINEERING CHURCH STREET AND WILL BEGIN CONSTRUCTION IN LATE 2026 OR EARLY 2027.
THIS IS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO ADD PROVEN SAFETY COUNTERMEASURES.
THEY ARE STATISTICALLY PROVEN TO REDUCE VEHICLE SPEEDS, COLLISIONS, AND FATALITIES OF BOTH DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS.
EXAMPLES INCLUDE LANE NARROWING, ROAD DIETS, TEXTURED PAVEMENT, AT GRADE CROSSINGS, AND ESPECIALLY STREET TREES.
UNFORTUNATELY, NONE OF THESE PROVEN SAFETY COUNTERMEASURES ARE LEGAL ACCORDING TO CURRENT RULES AND STANDARDS.
I WILL DO MY BEST TO EXPLAIN, BUT PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT I AM GROSSLY OVERSIMPLIFYING.
CHURCH STREET IS CLASSIFIED AS A COUNTY THOROUGHFARE.
THIS AFFECTS THE ROAD DESIGN ELEMENTS THAT ARE PERMITTED.
I HAVE ASKED PALM BEACH COUNTY ENGINEERING IF CHURCH STREET COULD BE UNCLASSIFIED AS A THOROUGHFARE DUE TO LOW TRAFFIC COUNTS, BUT TO PARAPHRASE, THEY SAID NO.
ACCORDING TO FDOT, THE CONTEXT CLASSIFICATION FOR CHURCH STREET IS SUBURBAN.
THIS ALSO AFFECTS THE ROAD DESIGN ELEMENTS THAT ARE PERMITTED.
I HAVE ASKED PALM BEACH COUNTY ENGINEERING IF THE CONTEXT CLASSIFICATION FOR CHURCH STREET COULD BE CHANGED FROM SUBURBAN TO URBAN, BUT TO PARAPHRASE, THEY SAID NO.
THE BEST PALM BEACH COUNTY ENGINEERING COULD DO IS TO WIDEN THE SIDEWALK, WHICH IS GOOD.
BUT FOR A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR ROAD REBUILD, JUST GOOD ENOUGH IS SIMPLY NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
OVER 1,000 CHILDREN ATTEND SCHOOLS ON CHURCH STREET.
THIS REBUILD WILL AFFECT AN ENTIRE GENERATION OF STUDENTS, AN ESTIMATED 25,000 JUPITER CHILDREN UNTIL THE NEXT CHANCE TO REBUILD.
I HAVE SAID TO THIS COUNCIL BEFORE THAT TRAFFIC SAFETY IS NOT AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM.
IF AN OUTDATED RULE OR STANDARD LEADS TO UNNECESSARY DEATHS, IT MUST BE CHANGED.
JUPITER WAS ONE OF THE FIRST MUNICIPALITIES IN PALM BEACH COUNTY TO JOIN THE VISION ZERO NETWORK.
THIS IS A COMMITMENT TO UNDERSTAND THAT ALL TRAFFIC FATALITIES ARE PREVENTABLE AND TO TAKE ACTION.
THIS STARTS WITH THE DESIGN OF THE STREETS AND ROADS THEMSELVES.
SIGNS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE TOO LATE OF A SOLUTION TO PREVENT CONDITIONS THAT ARE DANGEROUS BY DESIGN.
I AM BEGGING THE JUPITER TOWN COUNCIL AND POLICE TO PICK UP THE PHONE.
CALL PALM BEACH COUNTY ENGINEERING, CALL COMMISSIONER MARINO, CALL FDOT.
DEMAND TO KNOW WHY THEY ARE MAKING IT MORE DANGEROUS FOR OUR CHILDREN TO WALK AND BIKE TO SCHOOL.
FOR REFERENCE AT THE CURRENT DESIGN SPEED OF 35 MILES AN HOUR, A CHILD STRUCK BY A VEHICLE HAS ABOUT A 10% CHANCE OF SURVIVAL.
WE CAN DO BETTER. OUR CHILDREN DESERVE BETTER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
>> GOOD EVENING. HONORABLE MAYOR, TOWN COUNCIL STAFF. DOLPHIN ROAD.
I'M BACK. I TALKED TO YOU PERSONALLY AT THE LAST MEETING AND ASKED YOU TO GO DOWN DOLPHIN AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT SEEMS TO BE COMING, BUT I'M HEARING IT FROM MY NEIGHBORS.
THEY'RE ALL TALKING TO ME, THEY'RE ALL TALKING TO THE FOLKS THAT ARE OUT THERE DOING STUFF ON THE STREET.
IT'S BECOME EVIDENT THAT THE WEST SIDE WHERE ALL THAT CONSTRUCTION IS GONE, WHICH IS THE SIDE WHERE WE NEED TO WIDEN THE ROAD, THE ROADS COMING APART.
I'M TOLD THAT IT'S A FOOT AND A HALF IN PLACES WHERE THE ROAD HAS JUST DISAPPEARED.
THAT FOOT AND A HALF HAS TO BE REBUILT FOR THE THOUSAND FEET THAT GOES DOWN WHERE THEY'RE WORKING ON THAT.
I DON'T KNOW HOW CAN YOU DO A FOOT AND A HALF AND NOT DO FOUR FEET? YOU KNOW ALL THE ROAD EQUIPMENT THAT THEY DO TO PUT DOWN ASPHALT AND PUT THE UNDERLAYMENT AND THEN COME WITH A ROLLER DOWN THERE.
IF YOU JUST DID THAT, THE WIDTH OF THE ROLLER, THAT WOULD BE A HELP.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING WITH THAT ROAD TO BEGIN WITH.
WHY NOT JUST MAKE IT FOUR FEET INSTEAD OF A FOOT AND A HALF THAT YOU'VE GOT TO PUT BACK?
[00:45:01]
I AM HEARING THIS STUFF.THEY JUST THINK I'M THE GUY TO COME DOWN HERE TO TALK TO YOU ALL.
IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN COME DOWN AND TALK TO THE NEIGHBORS TOO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> I DID DO A SITE INSPECTION OF THE ROAD AND DID SEE SOME OF WHAT YOU SHARE, AND I'M SURE MOST OF US ON COUNCIL HAD ASKED THE TOWN MANAGER AND STAFF TO LOOK AT IF THERE WERE OPTIONS AND I WISH IT WAS THAT EASY, BUT WE HAVE DRAINAGE TO DEAL WITH AND WHATEVER.
THAT'S THEY CONCLUDED THAT WE WILL HAVE TO RESTORE THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO WEST SIDE THAT IS TORN UP FOR THE PROJECT, AND IT WILL BE RESTORED.
THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO THE MINUTES.
[4. August 7, 2025, Meeting Minutes.]
COUNCIL, WE HAVE BEFORE US SOME CORRECTIONS TO THE MINUTES ON THE DIAS.IF THERE'S NO FURTHER CORRECTIONS, I'LL TAKE A MOTION IN A SECOND ON THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED AMENDED.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE IS AMENDED.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
THIS IS ITEMS 5-10.IS THERE ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC THAT WISH TO PULL A CONSENT AGENDA ITEM?
>> ANY MEMBER ON THE DIAS WISH TO PULL A CONSENT AGENDA ITEM?
>> I'LL TAKE A MOTION IN A SECOND ON APPROVING THE AMENDED CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTING OF AGENDA ITEMS 5,6,7,8 AND 10?
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
[9. Resolution 85-25, Approving a Contract with Felix Civil Construction LLC, for Replacement of Floridan Aquifer Raw Water Main Crossing (W2439) for an amount of $1,157,922, and Amending the Project Budget.]
RESOLUTION 8525 PULLED BY TWO MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.FIRST, I'LL TURN TO COUNCILOR SUNDSTROM.
WHAT IS YOUR PLEASURE? DO YOU NEED A PRESENTATION OR DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR?
>> NO PRESENTATION NEEDED MAYOR, I'D JUST LIKE TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS OF OUR DIRECTOR OF UTILITIES.
THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO ASK BECAUSE I REMEMBER THIS BEING SUCH AN EMERGENCY FOR THE TOWN WITH THE RAW WATER MAIN WHEN IT WAS DEVASTATED BY THE CONTRACTOR.
WHAT WAS THE TOWN'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CONTRACTOR? WHAT IS ITS RELATIONSHIP? IS IT A VENDOR OF OURS? WAS IT ON A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CONTRACT FOR A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ENTITY?
>> COUNCIL, I CAN JUMP IN ON SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS HERE STARTING WITH THAT ONE.
THE TOWN WAS NOT IN PRIVITY WITH THE CONTRACTOR THAT STRUCK THE TOWN'S PIPE HERE.
THE UTILITY SERVICE, I BELIEVE, WAS TAMPA ELECTRIC ACTUALLY, THAT CONTRACTED WITH THIS CONTRACTOR TO DO SOME UNDERGROUND BORING.
ABOVE AND BEYOND THAT, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY WERE CONTRACTED TO DO, BUT THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS THE TOWN DID NOT HIRE THIS CONTRACTOR.
WE WERE NOT IN PRIVITY WITH THAT CONTRACTOR.
>> THE LAST UPDATE I RECEIVED ON THIS SOME TIME AGO WAS THAT WE WERE TALKING TO THEM TO TRY TO WORK OUT HOW WE MIGHT BE COMPENSATED FOR SUCH A DEVASTATING LOSS.
WHEN I LOOKED AT THE BRIEFING MATERIALS FOR THIS ITEM, THAT SEEMED TO BE ONGOING, BUT NOT VERY FRUITFUL.
I WANTED TO ASK WHAT WE WERE DOING TO STEP UP, POTENTIALLY BE MORE AGGRESSIVE ON THIS BECAUSE OF THE COST.
WE'RE LOOKING AT WHAT WAS IT A 70% INCREASE OVER THE LAST TIME.
AS TIME GOES ON, THIS PROJECT, WE WOULD HAVE TO GO AND DO IT AGAIN, AND NOW IT'S MORE EXPENSIVE, AND WE SHOULDN'T BE IN THIS POSITION TO BEGIN WITH.
I WANT TO RECOMMEND, IS THERE SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK AT IN TERMS OF TRYING TO GET SOME ACCOUNTABILITY HERE?
>> IT'S A GOOD QUESTION. IT'S A VERY FAIR POINT, THE TOWN DID NOTHING WRONG HERE.
OUR OFFICE DID REACH OUT TO THE CONTRACTOR, THE UTILITY COMPANY.
WE'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO DO THE RIGHT THING, STEP UP.
OBVIOUSLY, THE TOWN IS NOT AT FAULT HERE.
WE'VE SENT SOME REQUESTS TO THESE COMPANIES TO DISCOVER THE INSURANCE COMPANY INFORMATION.
BASICALLY, WE'VE BEEN STONEWALLED.
WE OFFERED THESE COMPANIES TO COME OUT AND INSPECT THE SITE.
[00:50:01]
ONLY ONE, THE CONTRACTOR WHO CAUSED THE DAMAGE TOOK US UP ON THAT, AND THAT TOOK SOME TIME TO ARRANGE.MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE PIPES ARE PRETTY FAR DOWN AND THAT WAS PRETTY INVOLVED.
BUT IT WAS JUST BACK AND FORTH WHERE WE WERE TRYING TO ALLOW THESE PARTIES TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND HERE WE ARE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD THAN WE SHOULD BE, AND THAT WAS GOING TO BE AN ITEM THAT I WAS GOING TO ADDRESS WITH THE COUNCIL TO ASK FOR THE TOWN COUNCIL'S THOUGHTS ON PURSUING A LAWSUIT BECAUSE TO MY FIRST POINT, THE TOWN'S NOT IN PRIVITY WITH THE CONTRACTOR.
THE ONLY WAY TO REALLY GET ANYWHERE AT THIS POINT, IF NO ONE'S TAKING RESPONSIBILITY IS TO FILE A LAWSUIT AND HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.
>> I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT BASED ON ALL I'VE LEARNED ON THIS ITEM.
>> I AM GOING TO PIGGYBACK ON WHAT COUNCIL SAID BECAUSE MY QUESTION WAS NOT KNOWING IF WE WERE IN LITIGATION.
I WOULD SUPPORT THIS MOTION AS WELL.
SECOND QUESTION IS, IS THIS THE FINAL NUMBER THAT THE BUDGET WILL NEED TO BE AMENDED FOR THIS RESOLUTION?
>> YES. FOR THIS PROJECT, THAT IS THE FINAL BUDGET.
>> THE CONTRACTOR WAS A SUB TO A SUB OR IS UNDER THE FDOT ROADWAY PROJECT, IS IT NOT?
>> I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT CHAIN WE HAVE HERE, MAYOR.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS TAMPA ELECTRIC CONTRACTED WITH THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR.
THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOME SUBS AT PLAY, BUT WE'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE CONTRACTOR OR THE SUB, BUT I THINK IT WAS THE CONTRACTOR THAT MADE THE INITIAL DAMAGE, AND THAT'S THE COMP THAT'S THE ONE COMPANY THAT CAME OUT TO DO THE INSPECTION.
>> I'M CERTAINLY SUPPORTIVE OF TAKING THE NEXT STEP, WHICH WE NEED TO TAKE TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC'S INTEREST ON THIS BECAUSE THE PUBLIC SHOULD NOT BE PAYING FOR DAMAGE COST AND AT SIGNIFICANT COST DAMAGE THAT WAS CAUSED.
BUT I THINK TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE ON THIS BECAUSE IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THIS WAS RELATED TO THE FDOT PROJECT ON THE ROAD BECAUSE THE BRIDGE WAS WIDENED.
LONG AGO, I THOUGHT I HAD UNDERSTOOD WE HAD NOTIFIED FDOT, BUT IF WE HADN'T AND OBVIOUSLY, WHATEVER IS LEGAL, BUT FDOT PROJECT, IF THEY HADN'T BEEN NOTIFIED, THEY SHOULD BE NOTIFIED AND THEN THE MAIN CONTRACTOR BECAUSE WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE CHASING THE SUB.
WE MAY NEED TO DO THAT IN LITIGATION, BUT BASICALLY, IT'S FDOT PROJECT, IS A GENERAL CONTRACTOR, AND THEN THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT USUALLY HAVE A BETTER INSURANCE COVERAGE AND WHATEVER.
WHATEVER IS NEEDED, I THINK YOU'VE HEARD THERE'S A MAJORITY PROBABLY CONSENSUS, I WOULD IMAGINE TO SUPPORT.
MOVING AHEAD POST AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.
>> WELL, ON THAT NOTE, THEN, WOULD SOMEONE LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE TOWN ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO FILE INITIATE A LAWSUIT?
ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> CAN I ASK ONE QUESTION? IT TRIGGERED SOMETHING FROM DIRECTOR BARNES.
READING AHEAD TO THURSDAY, ONE OF THE PROJECTS YOU HAVE IS WE'RE REPLACING A 24-INCH OF A LINE, IT GOES FROM I THINK FRONT OF THAT RECORD, GREENWAY ALL WAY TO THE PLANT ITSELF WITH A 30-INCH LINE.
THE EXISTING 24, PUTTING IN A 30 INCH BECAUSE OF HIGH VELOCITIES IN THAT LINE, AND ALSO THERE'S A BUILD UP PRESSURE, WHICH MAKES IT HARDER FOR THE PUMPS TO PUMP THE WATER, STUFF LIKE THAT.
SINCE THIS LINE IS 24 INCH, IS THERE ANY THOUGHT OF MAYBE CHANGING THAT TO A 30 INCH TO MAYBE LOOKING OUT IN THE FUTURE WHERE WE MIGHT BE CONCERNED? I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S DRIVING THE HIGH VELOCITIES IN THE 24 INCH LINE, WOULD WE EVENTUALLY GET IN THAT SITUATION ON THIS 24 INCH LINE ON UNDER INDIANTOWN ROAD?
>> THE PROJECT YOU'RE REFERRING TO IS A SURFICIAL AQUIFER RAW WATER MAIN, WHICH WE HAVE 51 SURFICIAL AQUIFER WELLS.
THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE LOCATED SOUTH AND WEST IN THE HEIGHTS, IF IT'S LANDING, THE SOUTHWEST REGION OF THE TOWN, AND THEN ALL OF THAT WATER HAS TO TRAVEL DOWN CENTRAL BOULEVARD TO THE WATER PLANT.
THAT'S A HYDRAULIC RESTRICTION FOR ALL THOSE WELLS PUMPING IN THAT PIPELINE.
THE RAW WATER MAIN THAT WE NEED TO REPLACE THE DAMAGED SECTION REALLY ONLY NEEDS TO BE 24 INCH.
THERE WILL BE, LET'S SEE, FOUR FLORIDA WELLS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF INDIANTOWN ROAD WITH NO PLANS FOR FUTURE.
[00:55:07]
WE CAN'T INCREASE OUR FLORIDA AQUIFER WITHDRAWAL THROUGH OUR CONSUMPTIVE USE PERMIT.THOSE WELLS ARE SIMPLY TO GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO ROTATE WELLS FOR WELL HEALTH.
>> THAT 24 INCH LINES WELL WITHIN THE CAPACITY OF THE WELLS, THEN?
>> YES. ANYTHING LESS THAN 24 INCH WOULD WOULD NOT BE SUITABLE.
>> WE ALSO HAVE RESOLUTION 8525, WAS AGENDA ITEM 9.
I APPRECIATE THAT HAVING GOTTEN POLLED, SO WE COULD TAKE THE ACTION ON FUNDING, WHICH WE HAVE.
CAN I GET A MOTION AND A SECOND ON RESOLUTION 8525?
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 8525.
>> MOTION AND THE SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ON TO REPORTS, TOWN ATTORNEY?
>> NO REPORTS. THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY ONLY REPORT, BUT I APPRECIATE THE COUNCIL'S DIRECTION ON THAT AND WE WILL GET STARTED.
[TOWN MANAGER]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. BEFORE I MOVE INTO MY COMMENTS, I JUST WANT TO ADDRESS AN EMAIL THAT YOU ALL RECEIVED REGARDING THE WORK OF TWO OF OUR EMPLOYEES, SPECIALIST LEILA SCHULTZ AND NANCY WALMERSLEY, CAME FROM A RESIDENT WHO WAS ATTEMPTING TO FIND SOME DOCUMENTS ONLINE THROUGH A COMPUTER SEARCH AT HOME RELATING TO SOME BUSINESS THAT SHE HAD TO TAKE CARE OF, COULDN'T FIND THE DOCUMENTS, CAME DOWN TO TOWN HALL TO SEE IF SHE CAN GET IT DONE IN PERSON.
THE TWO OF THESE EMPLOYEES JUST THEY BEND OVER BACKWARDS TO HELP HER EVEN TO THE POINT THAT THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD HELPED HER AS MUCH AS THEY COULD.
AS SHE WAS LEAVING, THEY FOUND ONE MORE THING AND WERE ABLE TO COME OUT AND CATCH HER STILL IN THE LOBBY TO GO AHEAD AND ADDRESS HER CONCERNS.
IN THE CLOSING ON THAT EMAIL THAT YOU ALL RECEIVED, SHE SAID THE LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION DEMONSTRATED BY THE TEAM IS TRULY IMPRESSIVE.
EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND LOYALTY, AND THESE TWO EMPLOYEES CERTAINLY WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND, AND TO GET A SPONTANEOUS LETTER LIKE THIS REALLY MEANS QUITE A BIT.
IN KEEPING WITH THIS RESIDENTS REQUEST, SAID, IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED IF THIS RECOGNITION COULD BE SHARED WITH THESE PEOPLE AND THEIR SUPERIORS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR OUTSTANDING WORK AND DEDICATION TO THE PUBLIC.
FOR US, THERE'S NO HIGHER PLACE THAN THE TOWN COUNCIL.
I WANTED TO BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION.
THANK THEM FOR THE WORK, SPECIALIST LEILA SCHULTZ AND NANCY WALMERSLEY.
THEY REPRESENTED ALL OF US EXTREMELY WELL.
IN MY REPORT, MAYOR, JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS, INVITING EVERYBODY TO CELEBRATE THE RIBBON CUTTING OF THE NEW PLAYGROUND AT MAPLEWOOD PARK THIS FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, AT 3:30.
AS YOU KNOW, THEY'VE GONE BY THERE AND THE KIDS ARE ALREADY PLAYING ON THAT PLAYGROUND.
IT'S JUST REMARKABLE TO SEE PLENTY OF SHADE.
I REALLY WANT TO THANK THE RESIDENTS FOR ALL OF THEIR INPUT ON THE THINGS AND WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE THERE AND CERTAINLY COUNCILOR SUNDSTROM'S INPUT AND CHAMPIONING OF THIS PROJECT.
THANK YOU FOR THAT. ON THURSDAY OF THIS WEEK, THE TOWN WILL HOLD ITS SECOND BUDGET WORKSHOP, AS YOU KNOW.
THIS ONE FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM OR CIP.
CRA WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT 6:00 PM FOLLOWED BY THE TOWN BUDGET WORKSHOP AT 6:30.
BOTH MEETINGS ARE HERE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
THIS THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT HOSTS MONTHLY COFFEE WITH A COP AT JUPITER DONUTS FROM 9:00 UNTIL 10:00.
ME PERSONALLY, I NEVER HAD A DONUT IN UNIFORM IN 42 YEARS, SO I WOULDN'T HAVE HOSTED IT THERE, BUT THAT'S UP TO DEPUTY CHIEF HENNESSY NOW.
I'M PLEASED TO SHARE THAT ANOTHER DERELICT VESSEL, THANK YOU TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THE BILLY B WAS REMOVED FROM JUPITER'S WATERWAY ON JULY 31, AND SUPPORTS THE TOWN COUNCIL STRATEGIC INITIATIVE PERTAINING TO DERELICT VESSELS.
SO PLEASE PASS ALONG MY THANK YOU TO THE TEAM FOR THAT.
THE FIRST WORKFORCE SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING UNIT CONSTRUCTED AS PART OF THE TOWN'S WORKFORCE HOUSING PROGRAM HAS BEEN SOLD TO A FIRST TIME HOME BUYER.
THE HOUSE WAS SOLD TO A SINGLE MOTHER WHO RECENTLY MOVED INTO THE HOUSE.
TWO ADDITIONAL SINGLE FAMILY WORKFORCE HOMES ARE CURRENTLY BEING PROCESSED AND WILL BE OCCUPIED SOON.
THESE HOUSES WERE BUILT AS PART OF THE CORNERSTONE PROJECT APPROVAL PROCESS.
THE TOWN HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THE RAILROAD CROSSING ON DONALD ROSS ROAD,
[01:00:04]
JUST WEST OF ALTERNATE A1.A WILL BE CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE TOMORROW EVENING, 06:00 PM, WILL REMAIN CLOSED TO MIDNIGHT THIS SATURDAY.
WE WILL BE POSTING JPD OFFICERS TO BE STATIONED AT THE CROSSING TO HELP ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MOTORISTS.
THE TOWN HAS SHARED THIS INFORMATION AND DETOUR ROUTES ON ITS SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS, EMAIL DISTRIBUTION LIST AND WEBSITE.
I'M HOPING FOLKS HAVE BEEN NOTICED THAT WE ARE HEARING LESS TRAIN HORNS COMING THROUGH TOWN.
YOU HEAR THEM OCCASIONALLY AND WE'RE WORKING ON THAT AS WELL.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS AWARE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER WILL CLOSE THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 23 FOR ITS ROUTINE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE.
COMMUNITY CENTER WILL REOPEN ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2.
JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES ITS EFFORTS TO FOCUS ON E-BIKE AND BICYCLE SAFETY THIS LAST WEEK, COINCIDING WITH THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
WE HEARD COMMENTS TONIGHT, THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN AND THOSE GOING TO SCHOOL.
I CAN TELL YOU FIRSTHAND THAT THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT IS SECOND TO NONE IN THE BACK TO SCHOOL INITIATIVES THAT THEY UNDERTAKE AND THIS YEAR IS NO EXCEPTION.
FINALLY, SPEAKING TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, IF YOU DIDN'T HEAR LAST WEEK, CHIEF MICHAEL BARBERA, THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT, HAS ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT EFFECT OF OCTOBER 3.
MIKE HAS HONORABLY SERVED THE RESIDENTS OF JUPITER FOR 29 YEARS.
I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE AS HIS POLICE CHIEF AND NOW TOWN MANAGER TO WATCH HIM AS HE GOES THROUGH HIS CAREER AND ACTUALLY PROMOTED HIM TO HIS FIRST SUPERVISORY RANK, AND HE'S JUST BEEN REMARKABLE.
HE'S A DYNAMIC LEADER AND HE'S JUST RELIABLE AND CAN BE COUNTED ON TO HANDLE THE MOST COMPLEX SITUATIONS.
HONESTLY, IF THERE WAS EVER ANYTHING THAT I NEEDED THE POLICE FOR, I'D BE GETTING BEHIND MIKE.
HE'S PROGRESSED THROUGH THE FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM DROP PROGRAM AND HE HAS REACHED THE POINT OF MANDATORY RETIREMENT.
OBVIOUSLY, WE KNOW THAT HE HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE IN FRONT OF HIM AND WHEREVER HIS NEXT STEP MAY TAKE HIM, AND WE'RE CERTAINLY VERY PROUD OF HIM. THAT'S MY REPORT, MAYOR.
[TOWN COUNCIL – LIAISON REPORTS AND COMMENTS]
>> I APPRECIATE HEARING THE EMAIL BECAUSE PERSONALLY WHEN YOU COME INTO THE TOWN HALL, THE GIRLS SITTING AT THE FRONT DESK OR WHOEVER IS THERE, I WITNESSED WATCHING THEM, SPEAKING WITH CUSTOMERS.
THEY'RE ALWAYS SO PLEASANT TO ALL OF US WHEN WE COME IN.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT'S HOW THEY REACT TO OUR RESIDENTS WHO COME IN WITH QUESTIONS.
YES, WE'RE GOING TO MISS THE CHIEF.
IT'S BEEN AN HONOR GETTING TO KNOW HIM AND THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT.
BUT I THINK OVERALL, I CAN SEE SCHOOL OPENING IS A HUGE, HUGE DEAL TO EVERYBODY.
I KNOW I'VE WITNESSED ON TONY PENA, THE POLICE BEING OUT THERE.
THERE HAVE TO BE OTHER SOLUTIONS, MOST CERTAINLY.
BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.
CHILDREN ARE CHILDREN, AND WE HAVE TO THINK FOR THEM, AND HEARING COMMENTS FROM OUR RESIDENTS, IT'S BEING WELL TAKEN.
>> THANK YOU, TOWN MANAGER FOR YOUR REPORT.
VERY THOROUGH. ALSO LIKE TO THANK MR. TORRES AND MR. WESTON FOR THEIR CITIZEN COMMENTS.
HOPEFUL THINGS BEING DONE TO HELP OUT OBVIOUSLY THE SCHOOL SITUATION AND WE DO THE RIGHT THINGS RELATIVE DOLPHIN ROAD.
ALSO I APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION BOTH BY JUPITER FIRE AND ALSO JUPITER POLICE AND THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER, AND ALSO FOR EVERYBODY WHO ATTEND TO NIGHTS MEETING IS APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.
>> I'LL JUST BE QUICK AND SAY, I'M GOING TO MISS THE CHIEF.
I HAD A GREAT EXPERIENCE WITH HIM ON THE E-BIKE TOWN HALL.
HE REALLY TOOK THAT BY THE REINS. HE LET IT WELL.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS A REALLY GREAT EXPERIENCE.
I KNOW HE'S ONLY BEEN CHIEF BRIEFLY, BUT THAT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE, AND I THINK IT'S REALLY CHANGED A LOT IN THIS TOWN.
FOR THE PLAYGROUND, I AGREE, I WENT AT NOON ON SUNDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME.
I WOULD NEVER GO TO A PLAYGROUND AT NOON IN AUGUST.
I ENJOYED THE SWINGS AS DID MY 10-YEAR-OLD, AND IT WAS GREAT.
IT WAS NICE TO SEE A BUNCH OF FAMILIES THERE TOO, AND CARS COMING IN AS I WAS LEAVING.
THAT WAS NICE TO SEE OUR PARKS BEING USED ON THE WEEKENDS.
THEN SORRY TO STEAL YOUR THUNDER TOWN ATTORNEY, BUT I AGREE WE NEED TO BE PRETTY ASSERTIVE ON THAT.
I'M GLAD THAT YOU GUYS ARE TAKING IT ON AND I HOPE TO GET A GOOD RESULT. THANK YOU.
[01:05:03]
>> FEW QUICK ITEMS. FIRST, KUDOS AND GRATEFUL TO OUR NEW TOWN CLERK FOR THE INPUT SHE PROVIDED ON SUNSHINE LAW COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS AND PRACTICES.
THAT'S THE BENEFIT OF HAVING SOMEBODY FROM OUTSIDE OF THE TOWN JOIN THE TOWN BECAUSE YOU GET A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING THAT EXPERIENCE YOU HAD CLEARLY WITH YOUR FORMER GOVERNMENT EMPLOYER.
NUMBER 2, KUDOS ON THE DERELICT VESSELS.
FOR THE NEWER MEMBERS, IT WAS A STRATEGIC INITIATIVE A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO BECAUSE WE HAD DERELICT VESSELS FOR YEARS AND ACTIONS WEREN'T BEING TAKEN.
BUT NOW IT'S REALLY BEEN INSTITUTIONALIZED AND, KUDOS TO OUR POLICE FOR BEING VERY ACTIVE ON THAT.
THEN THREE OTHER QUICK ITEMS. FIRST OF ALL, HAD A WASTE MANAGEMENT MISSED A NUMBER OF YARD WASTE COLLECTIONS IN THE SHORES.
I WENT AHEAD AND DID USE JUPITER CONNECT.
NUMBER 1 IS, I BELIEVE THEY MIGHT HAVE MISSED THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE IT WAS A COUPLE OF BLOCKS THAT I KNOW THAT I WAS ABLE TO REPORT ON.
AT THE END OF THE DAY ON FRIDAY, IF YOU GO AND YOU FIND ANY OTHERS, YOU DON'T KNOW IF THEY WERE PUT OUT DURING THE DAY.
THESE FOUR THAT I REPORTED, I KNEW HAD BEEN OUT IN THE MORNING.
WHAT I ENCOUNTERED WAS A COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT.
I REPORTED IT THREE TIMES OVER THREE DAYS AND IT GOT PICKED UP TODAY, BUT VERY DISAPPOINTING.
WHAT HAPPENS IS THE FIRST STEP IS GOT THE COMMENT.
I FIGURED, THAT MEANS THEY'RE GOING TO COLLECT ON SATURDAY, WHICH IS WHAT NORMALLY HAPPENS.
WHEN THEY ACKNOWLEDGE IT, THEN YOU CAN'T AMEND IT.
TO ME, IT PUTS A BURDEN ON THE RESIDENT, HAVING TO ADD ANOTHER JUPITER CONNECT ENTRY AS OPPOSED TO BECAUSE THEN IT'S CLOSED FOR, I COULD HAVE JUST SAID DAY 2, NO WASTE MANAGEMENT, DAY 3, NO WASTE MANAGEMENT, BUT I WASN'T ABLE TO DO THAT.
THAT'S SOMETHING MAYBE MORE LONGER TERM, BUT IF WE CAN LOOK AT THAT, WE'RE A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO INITIATES ONE, AND AS OF THIS AFTERNOON, I HAD NOT GETTING ANY RESPONSE ON ANY OF THOSE.
I WOULD APPRECIATE SOMEBODY GETTING WASTE MANAGEMENT AND FIND OUT, HEY, WHAT'S UP? NEXT, JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT E-BIKE BEHAVIORS.
I APPRECIATE ALL THE EFFORTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT JUVENILES ARE STILL JUVENILES.
IT WAS REPORTED TO ME, TWO PEOPLE LEAVING THE SHORES, I THINK IT WAS SUNDAY AND I'D ASKED THEM TO WRITE IT UP IN AN EMAIL AND SEND ME SO I COULD SHARE THAT WITH THE POLICE.
BUT TWO CARS LEAVING LONGSHORE.
THERE WAS FOUR E-BIKERS THAT DID IT DAREDEVIL MANEUVER IN FRONT OF THE FIRST CAR TO GET ACROSS THE STREET, COULD HAVE BEEN HIT.
THEN THE SECOND DRIVER HAD ANOTHER KID DAREDEVIL AND MOVE FROM ONE SIDE OF THE OTHER.
IT WAS LIKE THEY WERE LAUGHING WHEN THEY CUT IN FRONT OF THE CAR.
IT'S GOING TO BE A SERIOUS INJURY.
THE TRAGEDY WILL BE SOME DRIVER IS GOING TO FEEL COULD THEY HAVE DONE SOMETHING DIFFERENT, BUT THAT KIND OF BEHAVIOR.
OF COURSE AFTER THE FACT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT POLICE CAN DO ABOUT IT, BUT I JUST WANT TO REPORT I BELIEVE THEY MUST LIVE IN THE SHORES AREA.
THAT'S WHERE THEY WERE DOING MISCHIEF, BUT THEIR MISCHIEF COULD HAVE GOT HIM INJURED.
I WAS AGAIN, WAITING ON THE ACTUAL RESIDENT TO REPORT IT SO I COULD SHARE AS MUCH SPECIFIC DETAILS.
I HEARD FROM ANOTHER RESIDENT THAT THEY HAD ADDED SOME CAMERA TO THEIR VEHICLE.
IF THAT HAD HAPPENED TO THEM, THERE WOULD AT LEAST BE SOME RECORD THEY COULD SHARE WITH THE POLICE OF WHO WAS THE THAT FIRST I HEARD ABOUT THAT.
THEN LASTLY, WITH REGARDING CHURCH STREET, I'LL CERTAINLY FOLLOW UP WITH THE COUNTY, BUT THAT IS A COUNTY ROAD.
REALLY, YOU NEED TO WORK WITH MR. TORRES, YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY, BUT IT'S A LITTLE BIT PUZZLING TO ME BECAUSE THERE IS A TRAFFIC CALMING BETWEEN LONGSHORE AND LIMESTONE CREEK ROAD.
[01:10:02]
SOME OF WHAT THEY WERE TELLING YOU SEEMS INCONSISTENT WITH WHAT I'VE SEEN IS, AGAIN, TRAFFIC CALMING ON THAT ROAD.WE REALLY HAVE NO INFLUENCE OVER THAT, BUT I WILL FOLLOW UP ON THAT.
YOU SHOULD AS WELL AND LOOK AT THE CHALLENGE.
HOW CAN THERE BE TRAFFIC CALMING RIGHT NOW ON CHURCH STREET THAT CAN'T BE REPLICATED FURTHER? DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.
ANYWAY, WITH THAT, THE TIME IS NOW 8:10, AND I'LL ADJOURN THE MEETING.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.