[00:00:04]
>> [BACKGROUND] GOOD EVENING. THE TIME IS NOW 7:00 PM.
[Call To Order]
I'LL CALL TO ORDER THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6.WE'LL BEGIN WITH AN INVOCATION, FOLLOWED BY A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND THEN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
IF THOSE WHO ARE ABLE, PLEASE JOIN ME IN STANDING.
>> LET US PRAY. ALMIGHTY GOD, WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TODAY TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
MAY WE BE GUIDED BY WISDOM AND RESPECT AND MAY THE WORK WE DO TONIGHT STRENGTHEN THE SPIRIT OF UNITY AND CARE THAT DEFINES OUR TOWN. AMEN.
>> WE WILL NOW PAUSE FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
>> PLEASE JOIN ME IN A PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> WE BEGIN TONIGHT. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF PRESENTATIONS.
FIRST IS A PRESENTATION BY OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.
[1. Jupiter Police Department Update.]
TURN IT OVER FOR AN UPDATE.>> GOOD EVENING. SHANE LUNSFORD, DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF.
GOOD EVENING TO THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
CHIEF PENNESY COULDN'T BE HERE TONIGHT. HE WAS UNDER THE WEATHER.
HE SAID HIS VOICE WAS FAILING HIM A LITTLE BIT.
I THINK IT WAS DUE TO HIM YELLING AT ME, PRETTY ALL DAY YESTERDAY, SO I'LL GO 50/50 ON WHICH ONE THAT IS.
I'LL BE GIVEN THE UPDATE THIS EVENING.
WHAT WE'RE GOING TO COVER IS SOME OF THE CRIME AND TRAFFIC TRENDS WE'VE HAD OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS HERE IN JUPITER, SOME OF OUR HOLIDAY CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS, HOLIDAY EVENTS THAT ARE UPCOMING, OUR STAFFING LEVELS AS THEY CURRENTLY STAND, AND THEN TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF OUR EMPLOYEES OF THE QUARTER WE HAD FOR THE THIRD QUARTER.
YOU SEE SINCE THE LAST THREE YEARS.
THERE YOU GO. THE CRIME HAS TRENDED DOWNWARD SINCE 2023.
WE USED THE THREE YEAR TREND BECAUSE THE POST COVID COMING OUT OF COVID WAS A LITTLE SLOW.
SOME OF THE EVALUATIONS ARE GETTING EVERYTHING BACK UP TO WHAT WE CALL COMPARING APPLES TO APPLES, THAT PROBABLY PRETTY MUCH STARTED IN 2023.
YOU CAN SEE OUR PERSON'S CRIMES ARE DOWN 12%.
PROPERTY CRIMES ARE DOWN 18%, AND OUR TOTAL CRIMES OVERALL ARE DOWN 19%.
NOW, WE'LL NOTE WE'RE STILL IN THIS GOES THROUGH THE THIRD QUARTER THIS YEAR.
WE STILL HAVE THAT FOURTH QUARTER YET TO GO.
WE'RE NOT SLOWING DOWN OUR EFFORTS AT ALL.
THOSE NUMBERS WILL CHANGE, BUT WE ARE STILL TRENDING TO BE LESS THAN WE WERE AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR.
TO GO OVER SOME OF OUR TRAFFIC CRASHES AND INJURIES.
WE'VE ALSO SEEN A DECREASE OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS OF 4.3%.
THAT IS ALSO RELATED TO A DECREASE OF THE INJURIES BY ALMOST 10% OVER THAT SAME TIME FRAME.
AGAIN, KEEP IN MIND, WE STILL HAVE ONE QUARTER TO GO HERE FOR THIS YEAR.
ONCE WE HIT JANUARY, WE'LL UPDATE THESE NUMBERS AND WE'LL SEND THEM OUT THERE EVERYBODY SO WE CAN COMPARE THE ACTUAL YEAR TO THE YEAR TO DATE FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR.
SOME OF THOSE DECREASES WE'VE SEEN.
WE DO A GOOD JOB OF LEVERAGING SOME OF OUR GRANTS.
KRISTEN REITLER DOES A REALLY GOOD JOB FINDING THEM, SEEKING THEM OUT.
WE HAVE SEVERAL, WE DO THE PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE GRANT, IN PARTICULAR, IS ALONG THE INDIAN TOWN ROAD CORRIDOR.
THAT ONE IS FROM PENNOCK ALL THE WAY DOWN TO OLD DIXIE HIGHWAY.
FOCUSES SPECIFICALLY ON BOTH PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLE SAFETY IN THOSE AREAS.
WE ALSO HAD THE DISTRACTED DRIVING GRANT, IMPAIR DRIVING GRANT, AND THE SPEED AND AGGRESSIVE DRIVING GRANT.
I THINK WE HAD AROUND $60,000 A YEAR TO PUT OFFICERS OUT IN THESE PLACES DURING THE TIMES THAT WE SEE WHERE WE CAN MAKE THE MOST IMPACT.
[00:05:04]
AS YOU ALL KNOW, SINCE MARCH, WE DID OUR E-BIKE EDUCATION ENFORCEMENT INITIATIVE UNDER CHIEF BARBERA. WE HAVE CONTINUED THAT.WE HAVE SEEN A LARGE DEGREE OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE KIDS THAT WE SEE ON THE STREET NOW IN THE SCHOOLS, WE PARTNER WITH THE SCHOOLS.
WE PARTNER WITH OUR COMMUNITY RELATIONS HERE TO PUT OUT SAFETY MESSAGES THROUGHOUT THE TOWN, AS WELL AS EDUCATE THE SCHOOLS, AND THOSE EFFORTS ARE GOING TO BE ONGOING BECAUSE IT'S A HOLIDAY SEASON.
WE KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE AN INFLUX AFTER CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR.
WE'RE NOT ONLY LOOKING TO CONTINUE THE EDUCATION ENFORCEMENT, BUT ALSO LEVERAGE WAYS AND SOLUTIONS TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR OUR TARGET AUDIENCE AND SOME OF OUR CITIZENS SO WE CAN GET A GOOD HANDLE ON IT MOVING FORWARD IN A CONTINUOUS EFFORT YEAR AFTER YEAR.
SOME OF THE CRIME PREVENTION WE TALKED ABOUT.
WE DO THIS EVERY YEAR GENERALLY DURING THIS TIME, YOU SEE AN UPTICK AND SOME THEFTS, RETAIL THEFTS, THEFTS FROM CARS.
THE PARKING LOTS GET JAM PACKED AT OUR RETAIL STORES.
WE TEND TO DO EXTRA PATROLS, NOT ONLY EXTRA PATROLS, BUT WE DO SPECIAL OPERATIONS THAT WE PUT PEOPLE NOT ONLY ON MARKED CARS WE LEVERAGE OUR LICENSE PLATE READER SYSTEMS, THE ONES WE HAVE TO HIT THESE AREAS.
TO MAKE SURE WE'RE MANAGING SOME OF THE TESTS THAT WE SEE DURING THIS TIME.
WE ALSO TRY TO PUT OUT SAFETY TIPS AGAIN THROUGH SHAWN AND OUR COMMUNITY RELATIONS TO PUT OUT TIPS AND OCCURRING TRENDS AS WE SEE THEM IF WE SEE AN UPTAKE OF A CERTAIN CRIME, WE MAKE SURE WE PUT OUT PORCH PIRATES.
IF THERE'S AN UPTAKE IN THIS OR CERTAIN AREAS OR CERTAIN THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR TO TAKE.
WE TRY TO GET THOSE PUSHED OUT TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH OUR VARIOUS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AS WELL.
SOME OF THE HOLIDAY EVENTS TO TAKE NOTES COMING UP THANKSGIVING GIVEAWAY NOVEMBER 25, WE HAVE A SHOP AT THE COP DECEMBER 4, AND WE HAVE THE SANTA IN THE PARK ON DECEMBER 13.
I'LL GET INTO SOME PROMOTIONAL CEREMONIES WE'LL BE HAVING ON NOVEMBER 18, THAT'S COMING UP.
THAT OFFICER YOU SEE SITTING NEXT TO A SANTA CLAUS, POLICE OFFICER FIRST CLASS JOHN MCENTEE, IS GOING TO BE PROMOTED AS SERGEANT, SO HE'LL GET TO SEE HIM ON THE 18TH AND WELCOME HIM INTO THE ROLE OF BEING A SUPERVISOR.
TO GO OVER OUR CURRENT STAFF, WE'RE CURRENTLY 96% CURRENTLY STAFF.
WE HAVE SIX OFFICERS THAT ARE SCHEDULED TO GET OFF OUR FIELD TRAINING OFFICER PROGRAM IN DECEMBER.
WE'RE LOOKING TO HIRE STARTING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR TO FILL OUR OTHER POSITIONS THAT ARE CURRENTLY OPEN.
BUT AS OF TODAY, WE'RE AT 96%.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PROMOTIONAL CEREMONY NOVEMBER 18, I BELIEVE IT 10:00 AM, I THINK.
TO ANNOUNCE THE PROMOTION OF SERGEANT MCENTEE, WHO I JUST SHOWED YOU, CAPTAIN JOSEPH FERANACI, MAJOR SCOTT KIMBARK, AS WELL AS MYSELF TO OUR NEW POSITIONS.
JUST TO TOUCH ON SOME OF THE OFFICERS OF THE QUARTER AND OUR CIVILIANS OF THE QUARTER.
VINCENT CURCIO, HE HAD ONE OF OUR CANINE OFFICERS HERE FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
HE TOOK OVER OUR FLEET COORDINATOR POSITION.
HE'S DONE A FANTASTIC JOB IN THAT POSITION.
NOT ONLY HE RECENTLY DID THE KEY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, WHICH HELPS KEEP TRACK OF ALL OUR CARS, WHICH IS A HEAVY LIFT FOR HIM.
BUT HAVING SOMEBODY WITH A KNOWLEDGE THAT'S BEEN IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR A LONG TIME.
IT'S STREAMLINED THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS AS FAR AS DEALING WITH OUR OUTSIDE VENDORS.
HE HAS THAT KNOWLEDGE THAT'S REALLY BEEN AN ASSET TO US.
OFFICER CHRISTIAN WYATT, YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN HIM BEFORE BECAUSE HE'S ON OUR HONOR GUARD.
HE'S TAKEN ON SOME ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AS HELPING SOME OF THE FIELD TRAINING OFFICERS WITH SOME OF THEIR NEW HIRES THAT WE'VE HAD.
SINCE WE'VE HAD SO MANY, HE'S FILLED IN A DAY HERE AND THERE WHEN THOSE GUYS HAVE BEEN OUT DUE TO VACATION OR WHAT HAVE YOU.
HE'S ALSO ON THE FAST TEAM, WHICH IS OUR MERCY FIELD FORCE TEAM.
HE'S ALSO HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE EXPLORER PROGRAM AS WELL AS THE CRISIS NEGOTIATION TEAM.
HE DOES A GOOD JOB AT ALL OF THEM.
I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AS WELL.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST AGENT BRANDON LOPEZ.
WE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE CRIME TRENDS EARLIER, THAT ARE TRENDING DOWNWARD, A LOT OF PART OF THAT IS DUE TO TECHNOLOGY.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT LICENSE PLATE READERS, NOT ONLY WITHIN OUR COUNTY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT HAVE GREATLY EXPANDED, BUT THE COUNTIES NORTH AND SOUTH US HAVE THEM TOO.
BUT OUR PARTNERSHIPS WE HAVE WITH THE OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND TASK FORCE PLAY A PART IN THAT AS WELL.
AGENT LOPEZ IS CURRENTLY ASSIGNED TO THE SOUTH FLORIDA CRIMINAL APPREHENSION TEAM THAT USED TO BE THE SOUTH FLORIDA TASK FORCE, I BELIEVE.
THEN CHIEF KITZEROW STARTED BACK IN 2016.
I BELIEVE WE STARTED THAT PROGRAM.
THEY MAINLY FOCUSED BACK THEN ON STOLEN VEHICLES.
[00:10:03]
NOT ONLY STOLEN VEHICLES, BUT RETAIL THEFT, RINGS AND GOING AFTER THE CRIMES.THIS LAST QUARTER, THEY'VE MADE OVER 44 ARRESTS.
THEY'VE TAKEN EIGHT FIREARMS OFF THE STREET.
THEY RECOVERED MULTIPLE STOLEN VEHICLES, TRAILERS, AS WELL AS ONE EXCAVATOR THAT SOMEBODY HAD TAKEN.
HE'S ALSO PARTICIPATED INVOLVED IN STATEWIDE, ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT INVESTIGATION, WHICH AN ADDITIONAL THREE ARRESTS WERE MADE.
HIS EFFORTS, OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE DEFINITELY PAY DIVIDENDS.
KUDOS TO THOSE THREE INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR EFFORTS TO THIS THIRD QUARTER, JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THEM THIS FORUM SO PEOPLE GET TO HEAR THEIR NAMES AND HEAR A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THEY DO.
>> I THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT, AND THE DOWNWARD TREND IS VERY POSITIVE.
JUST A QUESTION. ARE WE STILL GIVING OUT HELMETS TO BIKE RIDERS?
>> THE 96% ALLOTTED POSITIONS, 96% FILLED.
THANK YOU. WHAT'S YOUR FULL EMPLOYMENT NUMBER?
>> OUR FULL EMPLOYMENT IS 122 AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE 115, INCLUDING THOSE SIX THAT ARE GOING TO BE COMPLETE THE FIELD.
>> NINETY SIX IS RELATIVELY FULL EMPLOYMENT WITH RETIREMENTS AND FOLKS MOVING ON AND IT'S A GOOD LEVEL.
>> IT'S WITH ANY RETIREMENTS. WE HAVE THE DROP PROGRAM.
ANYBODY IN THAT, I BELIEVE WE HAD 22 INDIVIDUALS IN DROP PROGRAM CURRENTLY, AND THEY CAN CHOOSE TO LEAVE WHENEVER THEY WANT.
WE HAVE ANOTHER OFFICER THAT'S LEAVING HERE, I BELIEVE NEXT WEEK EARLY BECAUSE SHE'S GOING BACK HOME.
WE HAVE THOSE, BUT WE DEAL WITH THEM AS THEY POP UP AND KEEP MOVING FORWARD.
>> OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE'VE HAD A LOT MOVE ON, SO WE JUST GOT TO KEEP THEM COMING THROUGH.
>> I WANT TO FIRST CONGRATULATE YOU AND ALL THE HARD WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING AND IT'S WONDERFUL NEWS TO SEE THESE TRENDS GOING DOWN.
I KNOW IT'S OF INTEREST TO EVERYONE RIGHT NOW AND AS WE GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON, SOMETHING THAT'S ON EVERYONE'S MIND.
BUT I DO WANT TO SAY, I THINK I HAD HEARD AND I WANT TO CONFIRM THAT WE'LL BE IN THE FUTURE DOING A SPECIFIC E-BIKE SAFETY OR UPDATE. IS THAT TRUE?
>> I THINK I BELIEVE THAT'S SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY, BUT IN LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS, YOU'RE NOT ONLY LOOKING FOR THE EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT, WHICH WE DO AND WILL BE ONGOING.
YOU ALSO WANT TO LOOK TO AVENUES THAT WE CAN PROVIDE ACTUAL TRAINING TO WHATEVER THE TARGET AUDIENCE THAT'S GOING TO BE ALONG WITH THE ORDINANCES AND SOME OF THE FORCES STUFF THAT'S FINE.
BUT LET'S LOOK FOR OTHER SOLUTIONS AS WELL AS FAR AS NOT ONLY EDUCATION, BUT PROVIDING SOME ACTUAL TRAINING TO THE PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT BE GETTING.
>> I THINK YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS REALLY BEEN ON TOP OF THE ISSUE.
I THINK WE'RE TAKING THE INITIATIVE, WE'RE DOING QUITE A BIT.
I WANT TO SAY I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT PRESENTATION IN JANUARY, SPECIFICALLY SO WE CAN SHARE RESULTS WITH RESIDENTS.
A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING, WE'VE DONE ALL OF THIS.
WHAT'S COMING OUT OF IT? THE POLICE HAVE SHARED WITH ME THE NUMBER OF CITATIONS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE.
I THINK YOU'VE DONE OVER 30 CITATIONS, 90 WARNINGS.
YOU'VE TOWED 14 VEHICLES, IF I REMEMBER FROM LAST UPDATE.
THAT INFORMATION, I THINK IS GOING TO BE OF GREAT INTEREST TO RESIDENTS.
BUT JUST FOR THAT PRESENTATION COMING UP, I KNOW THERE ARE A COUPLE OF BILLS IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT ARE GOING TO ADDRESS YOU BIKES.
I'D LOVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING FORWARD AND THE DISCUSSION AROUND IT.
THEN IT'S INTERESTING I THINK WE HAVE DATA STATEWIDE, JUST THE NUMBER OF TRAUMA CASES, JUST TO PUT WHAT WE'RE DOING IN CONTEXT, I THINK WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL AND THEN TO LOOK AT THE RESULTS OF ALL THE PROGRAMS. I KNOW THAT WE'RE EDUCATING, BUT HOW MANY HAVE WE EDUCATED?
>> HOW MANY HELMETS HAVE WE GIVEN? I THINK THAT'LL BE IMPORTANT.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT PRESENTATION. THANK YOU.
>> JUST ONE QUESTION. THE 115 CURRENTLY STAYED ON STAFF.
DOES THAT INCLUDE THE RECENT SWEARING OF OFFICER MUNEZ?
>> RELATIVE TO THE TREND YOU'RE SHOWING, IT LOOKS VERY POSITIVE AS FAR AS REDUCING.
EVEN BY EXTRAPOLATE THE RATES YOU HAVE CURRENTLY FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS, IT STILL SHOWS A SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN WHAT WE WERE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, SO I APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS DOING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> A FEW QUICK ITEMS NUMBER 1, GREAT PRESENTATION.
I'M ALSO MINDFUL IN GETTING THE UPDATE THAT NORMALLY IN FIRST QUARTER WE HAVE AS PART OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN.
WE GET AN UPDATE OF BOTH FROM BOTH ENGINEERING AND POLICE.
I'M GOING TO BE INTERESTED IN WHEN THAT HAPPENS.
[00:15:02]
IT'S NOT AN APPROPRIATE QUESTION NOW BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE THAT DATA, BUT AT LEAST I DON'T THINK YOU DO, BUT ON THE CRASHES AND CERTAINLY FOR INJURIES TO GO DOWN BY 10%, THAT'S PHENOMENAL.THERE'S TWO AREAS WE WERE SOMEWHAT EXPECTING CRASHES AND ACCIDENTS TO GO DOWN.
ONE IS ALTERNATE A1A AND INDIAN TOWN ROAD WITH THE OPENING OF THE BRIDGE.
BECAUSE I HAD BEEN ASKED IN THE PAST, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A HIGH ACCIDENT LOCATION AND WAS INCREASED WHEN THE BRIDGE WAS CLOSED BECAUSE SHE HAD MORE TRAFFIC GOING THROUGH IT.
HOPEFULLY THAT GOES DOWN AND THEN HOPEFULLY, INDIAN TOWN ROAD WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.
I GOT TO SAY I WAS ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED THAT CAME BACK FOR A MEETING WITH THE COUNTY A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO.
I GOT OFF AT THE TURNPIKE AND I MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO PANIC LANE WITHOUT HITTING A LIGHT. I WAS STUNNED.
>> BUT IT'S IN PATIENTS AT THOSE INTERSECTIONS THAT IS REALLY CAUSE THE AGGRESSIVE DRIVING AND RUNNING RED LIGHTS AND ALL THAT.
THERE'S NOT MUCH POLICE CAN REALLY DO ABOUT THAT OTHER THAN YOU TRY TO TICKET.
WE'LL SEE THAT MAYBE THE ENGINEERING WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE SOME TRAFFIC COUNTS OR SOMETHING.
BUT IT'D BE NICE TO UNDERSTAND THAT BETTER, BUT AGAIN, NOT A QUESTION NOW IT'S NOT A FAIR ONE, BUT LOOK AHEAD TO THAT FIRST QUARTER MEETING.
ON E BIKES, WE STILL CONTINUE TO SEE NO MATTER WHAT OUR POLICE DO, WE HAVE KIDS DRIVING E BIKES THAT SHOULDN'T BE HAVING E BIKES THAT HAVE BEHAVIORAL ISSUES.
I SAW ONE ON SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY, KIDS BEHAVE WHEN THE POLICE OFFICERS THERE.
AS SOON AS THE POLICE OFFICER LEAVES, SOME OF THEM ANYWAY BECAUSE I SAW ONE POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY THAT SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO SEE IF THE PARENTS WOULD SEE IT TO ENGAGE, BUT AGAIN, VERY INTERESTED.
WE APPRECIATE ALL THE EFFORTS THE POLICE ARE DOING, BUT WE ALSO RECOGNIZE AT SOME POINT, WELL, THE COMMUNITY IS GETTING AROUND IT AND TRYING TO FIND WHO THE PARENTS ARE AND WHATEVER.
THEN LASTLY, THIS ONE IS REALLY MORE FOR OUR TOWN MANAGER.
I THINK IT'S THE CASE, AND IF IT ISN'T, WE'RE WILLING TO TAKE SOME POLICY GUIDANCE, BUT AS YOU MENTIONED ABOUT THE DROP PROGRAM, THAT PEOPLE CAN LEAVE AT ANY TIME AND THAT'S TRUE.
THEREFORE, YOU CAN'T COMPLETELY PLAN FORWARD.
HOWEVER, IF SOMEONE'S REALLY GOING UP UNTIL THE DROP DATE, THEN WE CAN HAVE PLAN FORWARD AND WE GO OUT AND HIRE A REPLACEMENT, TRY TO HIRE HIM AHEAD OF TIME, CORRECT? I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE CLEAR POLICY DIRECTION TO DO THAT.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. WE CURRENTLY TYPICALLY GIVE THE CHIEF THE AUTHORITY TO OVER HIRE IN THOSE CASES.
>> THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT I BUT I WANTED TO JUST MAKE SURE THAT THE COUNSEL AND THE PUBLIC KNEW THAT THAT'S AN ACTION THAT DIDN'T ALWAYS EXIST, BUT WAS INITIATED A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK TO TRY TO KEEP THE COUNTS UP.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> MOVING ON TO THE SECOND ITEM.
[2. Jupiter Narrows Conservation Alliance (JNCA) Presentation.]
WE HAVE A PRESENTATION.I'M NOT SURE I'M PRONOUNCING IT RIGHT. FOLLETT?
>> FOLLETT PANELLA AS PRESIDENT OF THE JUPITER NARROW CONVERSATION ALLIANCE, WHO WILL BE GIVING US A PRESENTATION, CONSERVATION.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US TONIGHT.
I'M THE PRESIDENT AND COFOUNDER OF THE JUPITER NARROWS CONSERVATION ALLIANCE.
WITH ME TONIGHT, I ALSO HAVE JP BROOKER, WHO IS MY COFOUNDER AT THE JNCA, IS OUR NICKNAME, AND HE'S ALSO THE DIRECTOR OF FLORIDA CONSERVATION FOR THE OCEAN CONSERVANCY.
THEN WE ALSO HAVE SCOTT AND MARTHA HARRIS, WHO ARE HERE FROM THE ANDREW RED HARRIS FOUNDATION.
I'M HERE TO SHARE A REALLY EXCITING COMMUNITY EFFORT TOWARDS CONSERVATION IN THE JUPITER NARROWS.
WE ARE A 501C3 FLORIDA NONPROFIT CORPORATION, AND OUR MISSION IS TO PROTECT, RESTORE, AND PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY OF THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM IN THE JUPITER NARROWS.
SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE WORKING TO SAVE SOME OF THE MANGROVE LANDS AND SEA GRASSES THAT I'M SURE YOU'VE ALL SEEN THAT ARE IN REALLY BAD SHAPE.
WE'RE WORKING NORTH OF CATO'S BRIDGE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE INTERCOASTAL WATERWAY.
[00:20:01]
IT'S INTO QUESTA, BUT THE LAND THAT WE'RE RESTORING IS STATE LAND.THEN WE'RE WORKING ACROSS THE WATERWAY FROM THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT RESTORATION PROJECT.
IT'S THE NORTHERNMOST PART OF THE JUPITER INLET OUTSTANDING NATURAL AREA RESTORATION.
THAT'S SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IF WE CAN BE IN THE WATER DOING OUR RESTORATION AT THE SAME TIME THAT THEY'RE THERE'S REAL OPPORTUNITIES TO SAVE SOME MONEY AND FIND SOME ECONOMIES, AND WE'RE VERY HOPEFUL FOR THAT.
THIS PROJECT STARTED ON AN INFORMAL BASIS ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO.
THIS IS AN AREA THAT'S BEEN REALLY IMPORTANT TO MY FAMILY FOR OVER 50 YEARS.
MY GRANDMOTHER LIVED ON THE LOXAHATCHEE RIVER, BOUGHT THE FIRST CONDO IN THE BUILDING THAT I'M IN NOW, PRE CONSTRUCTION IN 1969.
I'VE SEEN THIS AREA GO FROM REALLY LUSH BEAUTIFUL MANGROVES JUST SWARMING WITH BIRDS AND LOTS OF WILDLIFE AROUND IT TO NOW WHAT YOU SEE JUST BELOW, THOSE PICTURES WERE TAKEN IN 2022 FROM THE EXACT SAME VANTAGE POINT AS THE PICTURES ABOVE THEM THAT WERE TAKEN IN 1995.
I PULLED OUT THESE PICTURES AND A LOT OF THE NEIGHBORS WERE TALKING ABOUT THE DECLINE OF THE MANGROVES, BUT THIS BECAME MY CALL TO ACTION.
I SAW THOSE PICTURES AND LIKE, I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.
I THOUGHT I GOT TO MAKE SOME PHONE CALLS.
GOT SOME HISTORICAL PICTURES TO ADD EVEN MORE CONTEXT HERE ABOUT WHAT THEY LOOKED LIKE IN THE 40S, WHERE IT WAS A SOLID BAND OF MANGROVES, TO THE MID 70S, WHERE WE HAD FOUR VERY ROBUST ISLANDS, TO NOW WHERE WE HAVE TWO VERY SURB LOOKING ISLANDS AND ONE THAT'S ON ITS LAST LEGS.
I KNOW YOU'RE ALL FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA.
THIS IS AN AREA THAT IS EXTREMELY POPULAR FOR SWIMMERS, BOATERS, KAYAKERS, SNORKELERS, BECAUSE OF THE NATURAL BEAUTY, BECAUSE OF THE CLEAR WATER AND THE WILD LIFE, AND IT'S JUST GETTING DESTROYED.
THERE'S EVEN MORE PRESSURE ON IT NOW IN THE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT HAPPENING, WHICH IS DISPLACING BOATS, AND NOW THERE'S MORE BOATS PARKING THERE AND PUTTING MORE STRESS ON THE ECOSYSTEM.
I CALLED FWC, THIS WAS THREE YEARS AGO.
THEY CAME OUT AND SNORKELED THE AREA WITH PEOPLE FROM PALM BEACH COUNTY ARM, ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT.
THEY INTRODUCED US TO A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE RESTORATION IN THE AREA, AND IT CULMINATED IN A MEETING WITH A LOT OF RESIDENTS.
THREE MAJOR THINGS CAME OUT OF THIS.
ONE, THEY DID A FANTASTIC JOB EXPLAINING TO THE LOCALS WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO RESTORE THESE MANGROVES AND SEA GRASSES AND NOT LET THIS ECOSYSTEM DIE.
TWO, THEY TOLD US, YOU'RE MUCH BETTER OFF WORKING INDEPENDENTLY BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO MOVE QUICKLY AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO MOVE MORE QUICKLY IF YOU DON'T WORK UNDER OUR AUSPICES.
THAT PANICKED ME BECAUSE I REALLY DIDN'T KNOW A WHOLE LOT ABOUT THIS.
BUT I WAS VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE THIRD OUTCOME OF THIS AND WE HAD A BIG TURNOUT OF RESIDENTS.
I KNEW THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO CARED ABOUT THIS.
I KNEW WE HAD TO EXPAND OUR CIRCLE.
WE HAD TO SAVE, WHAT YOU CAN SEE HERE, ARE REALLY AWFUL LOOKING MANGROVES.
THEY LOOK LIKE THEY'VE BEEN HIT BY A HURRICANE.
I WAS VERY FORTUNATE AT THAT TIME TO BE INTRODUCED TO JP BROOKER FROM THE OCEAN CONSERVANCY.
JP'S INTEREST AND THE OCEAN CONSERVANCYS INTEREST IN PARTNERING WITH ME WAS THAT IF A COMMUNITY LED EFFORT LIKE THIS CAN SUCCEED, IT CAN BE REPLICATED IN SO MANY AREAS OF FLORIDA THAT NEED IT IN THE INDIAN RIVER RIVER LAGOON AND BEYOND.
JP AND I PARTNERED, WE ESTABLISHED OUR FIVE, ONE, TWO, THREE AND BECAME INCORPORATED JANUARY 1 OF LAST YEAR, AND THINGS REALLY STARTED TO MOVE.
YOU CAN SEE HERE WE'VE BUILT SOME GREAT PARTNERSHIPS.
I'M GOING TO GO INTO A COUPLE IN MORE DETAIL.
BUT LET ME JUST TELL YOU WHAT THE PROJECT ENTAILS.
THEY'RE THE ENGINEERING FIRM THAT HAS WORKED WITH BLM ON THEIR RESTORATION.
THEY'VE WORKED BIRD ISLAND EAST OF A ONE A IN THE LOXAHATCHEE RIVER CENTRAL EMBAYMENT.
THEY'VE WORKED SOUTH OF THE LIGHTHOUSE.
THEY CAME OUT AND DID ALL THE SCIENTIFIC STUDIES, ASSESSED THE SITUATION AND SAID, YOU REALLY NEED TO INSTALL SOME BREAKWATERS, IDEALLY NATURAL LIMESTONE BREAKWATERS BETWEEN THE NAVIGATIONAL CHANNEL AND THE MANGROVES THEMSELVES.
GIVE THESE MANGROVES A CHANCE TO SURVIVE BY REDUCING THE WAVE ENERGY THAT BASICALLY, TURNING UP THE SEDIMENT AND THE ROOTS ARE STARTING TO BE EXPOSED AND THAT'S WHAT'S KILLING THEM.
THEIR PROPOSAL IS THREE LIMESTONE BREAKWATERS.
WE'LL DO A LONG TERM MONITORING PLAN, AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE A PROGRAM FOR AWARENESS AND EDUCATION.
THE PERMITS WERE APPLIED FOR LAST NOVEMBER,
[00:25:02]
YEAH, A YEAR AGO, EXACTLY.WE ARE HOPEFUL, WHERE IT HAS IT, WE'LL PROBABLY GET OUR NOTIFICATION WITHIN A WEEK OR TWO THAT WE'RE GETTING THEM.
THEY HAVE COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH FDEP AND THE ARMY CORPS ABOUT WHAT THIS WILL LOOK LIKE, WHAT THE DIMENSIONS WILL BE AND EVERYTHING.
NOW WE'RE JUST WAITING FOR THE SENIORS TO SIGN OFF ON IT.
THEY WILL LOOK VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU SEE SOUTH OF THE LIGHTHOUSE AND IN THE LOXAHATCHEE RIVER CENTRAL EMBAYMENT.
WE THROW OUT THESE TWO EXAMPLES BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL.
THE MANGROVES HAVE REALLY THRIVED SOUTH OF THE LIGHTHOUSE AND IN THE CENTRAL EMBAYMENT.
BUT THE OTHER THING THAT YOU DON'T SEE IS UNDER THE WATER.
THAT CENTRAL EMBAYMENT AREA EAST OF A ONE, WEST OF A ONE A, 860% INCREASE IN SEA GRASS GROWTH IN LESS THAN FIVE YEARS.
THAT'S HUGE AND THAT'S WHAT WE FULLY EXPECT TO HAPPEN IN OUR AREA.
IN TERMS OF THE AWARENESS, ALL THE CONDOS ALONG THAT AREA HAVE ALREADY BOUGHT SIGNS AND BANNERS AND PUT THEM UP TO BASICALLY ASK PEOPLE TO PLEASE EXERCISE CAUTION.
WE KNOW PEOPLE ARE GOING TO COME THERE AND ENJOY IT, BUT JUST BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT WHERE YOU'RE DRAGGING YOUR ENTHUSIASM AND SO.
WE ALSO INTEND IN SOME OF THE OPEN AREAS TO APPLY FOR PERMITS TO GET SOME VERY LOW PROFILE INFORMATIONAL BUOYS.
IT'S A PROGRAM THAT'S BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN OTHER AREAS OF FLORIDA JUST TO RAISE AWARENESS AND ASK PEOPLE TO TAKE CAUTION.
ONE OTHER EXCITING EDUCATIONAL PIECE IS WE ARE JUST STARTING TO WORK WITH JERFSA, THE HIGH SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL ACADEMY.
THEY HAVE TWO FRESHMEN WHO WANT TO WORK ON OUR PROGRAM AND HELP US WITH SOME OF THE TRACKING OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.
THE WHOLE PLAN IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $1 MILLION.
THESE ARE NUMBERS THAT WERE PROJECTED LAST YEAR.
WE KNOW PRICES HAVE GONE UP, BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE MATERIAL IN INSTALLATION, WHICH IS THE BIGGEST PIECE IS WHERE WE MIGHT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE SOME MONEY WITH BLMS CONTRACTOR.
THAT'S THE HOPE. THE GOOD NEWS IS WE'VE RAISED THREE QUARTERS OF THAT ALREADY.
THIS IS WHERE THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN UNBELIEVABLE.
WE'VE RAISED ABOUT 340,000 FROM INDIVIDUALS.
WE HAVE A COMMITMENT FROM THE ANDREW RED HARRIS FOUNDATION.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR A 175,000, AND I'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A MINUTE.
THEN WE'VE GOT SOME LOCAL BUSINESSES AND FOUNDATIONS AND THE IRL, NEP WHO HAVE KICKED IN AS WELL.
WE STILL HAVE OUR WORK CUT OUT FOR US.
WE HAVE QUITE A BIT TO RAISE IN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE MONTHS.
WE'VE GOT SOME GRANT APPLICATIONS OUT AND WE'RE VERY HOPEFUL THAT ONCE WE GET PERMITS, PEOPLE WILL STEP UP.
I'M HAPPY TO SAY AS WELL THAT THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA JUST PUT A LINE ITEM IN THEIR BUDGET.
WE DON'T HAVE THE EXACT AMOUNT YET.
IT WON'T BE HUGE, BUT THAT'S A BIG WIN.
NOW WE'RE REACHING OUT TO COMMUNITY GROUPS, RECREATIONAL GROUPS.
WE'VE HAD SOME GREAT MEDIA, LOCAL BUSINESSES, AND IT'S JUST THE COMMUNITY IS REALLY RALLYING AROUND THIS BECAUSE IT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT AREA.
ALL OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS THAT YOU SEE HERE HAVE EITHER DONATED MONEY, ADVICE OR LETTERS OF SUPPORT THAT WE'VE USED IN OUR APPLICATION.
LET'S SEE. VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA HAS BEEN A GREAT PARTNER FOR US.
THEY DID SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION ON OUR BEHALF.
THEY PUT INFORMATION IN THEIR QUARTERLY NEWS LETTER AND ON THEIR WEBSITE JUST TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE.
THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING WE COULD DISCUSS WITH YOU GUYS AS WELL SINCE SO MANY JUPITER RESIDENTS USE THE AREA.LET ME HIGHLIGHT ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT PARTNERSHIPS, AND THAT'S THE ANDREW RED HARRIS FOUNDATION.
I THINK MOST OF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE FOUNDATION.
IT WAS ESTABLISHED ABOUT 11 YEARS AGO AFTER THE TRAGIC DEATH OF ANDREW RED HARRIS, WHO WAS SNORKELING IN THE AREA, AND HE LIVED IN ONE OF THE CONDOS THAT WAS RIGHT ADJACENT TO THESE ISLANDS.
THEIR MISSION IS TO ENHANCE AND PROTECT THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT IN NORTHERN PALM BEACH COUNTY, AND THEY'VE DONE IT PRIMARILY THROUGH OFFSHORE ARTIFICIAL REEFS ALONG JUPITER AND JUNO.
BUT SEVERAL OF THEIR SUPPORTERS HAD SAID, LET'S DO SOMETHING INSHORE WHERE WE CAN SNORKEL AND SEE IT IF WE DON'T SCUBA DIVE.
SCOTT HAD STARTED RESEARCHING THIS PARTICULAR AREA WITH THE INTENT TO TRY TO FIND A WAY TO RESTORE IT.
THEN WE WERE CONNECTED BECAUSE WE WERE ALREADY WORKING ON IT.
THEY'VE BEEN GREAT PARTNERS WITH US.
THEY'VE COMMITTED SOME SIGNIFICANT FUNDS, AND WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD WITH THE STATE TO GET THE ISLANDS NAMED IN ANDREW'S MEMORY.
WE'RE HAVING GREAT SUCCESS WITH THAT.
I GUESS, SCOTT AND JP MET WITH SENATOR HARRELL.
[00:30:03]
AWHILE AGO, SHE HAS AGREED TO SPONSOR SOME LEGISLATION TO CHANGE THE NAME.BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IS TO HAVE LOCAL SUPPORT.
THE STATE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DO IT, BUT THEY WANT TO KNOW THAT THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES ARE ALSO SUPPORTIVE OF IT.
WE HAVE A RESOLUTION FROM THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, WHICH I THINK YOU'VE ALL SEEN.
WE HAVE ALSO GOTTEN A PROCLAMATION FROM MAYOR MARINO AND THE COMMISSIONERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE WOULD LIKE YOU ALL TO CONSIDER TONIGHT OR WHENEVER IS APPROPRIATE IN YOUR OWN PROTOCOL.
BUT WE WOULD LOVE TO ASK YOU TO CONSIDER SOME A PROCLAMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THIS RESTORATION AND ALSO THE NAMING OF THE ISLANDS AFTER ONE OF YOUR FORMER RESIDENTS AND WONDERFUL GUY IN THE COMMUNITY.
THAT'S REALLY ALL I HAVE, AND WE CAN OPEN IT UP TO SOME QUESTIONS.
>> WELL, I'LL JUST START BY THANKING YOU FOR YOUR PASSION AND LEADERSHIP IN THIS AND CERTAINLY SCOTT HARRIS FAMILY.
>> THIS IS WHAT MAKES THE JUPITER AREA SO SPECIAL IS PEOPLE THAT DO STEP UP AND DO THESE KINDS OF THINGS.
I WAS MOST STUNNED AND JUST SEEING THE PRESENTATION AHEAD OF TIME ABOUT THE 860% INCREASE IN SEA GRASS.
I'D LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT SIMPLY BECAUSE, WOW, HOW DID THAT HAPPEN, AND MAKE SURE WE TRY TO REPLICATE THAT? THAT IS A STUNNING, SOMETHING MUST HAVE ENCOURAGED THAT.
BUT WE, THE COUNCIL, HAVE A STRATEGIC INITIATIVE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW AND HAVE BEEN WORKING ON TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE, AND REVITALIZE SEA GRASS AREAS.
WE'RE VERY ALIGNED WITH THAT, AND ONE OF THE THINGS WHEN WE KICKED IT OFF AS A STRATEGIC INITIATIVE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STUNNED US, WE LEARNED THAT BISCAYNE BAY HAD WOKE UP ONE DAY AND THERE WAS NO SEAGRASS LEFT.
WE SAID, WELL, GEE, WE CAN'T LET THAT HAPPEN ON OUR WATCH UP HERE.
WE USED TO THINK WATER WAS OUTSIDE OF THE JURISDICTION OF THE TOWN, BUT I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE.
AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND I'M SURE WE WILL UNANIMOUSLY AGREE TO PROVIDE WHETHER IT BE A RESOLUTION OR A PROCLAMATION IN SUPPORT.
CAN'T DO THAT TONIGHT, BUT WE CAN COMMIT TO DOING IT, AND THEN IT'LL COME BACK TO US.
WITH THAT, I'LL LET ME TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
>> I WANT TO SAY WE'RE THRILLED.
I CERTAINLY AM THRILLED AT THIS.
I WANT TO SAY ALSO JUST FOR HISTORY AND FOR NEW REMEMBERS, BUT IN APRIL, WE HAVE A CHARITABLE DONATION PROGRAM WITH OUR TOWN, AND WE KNOW THE ANDREW HARRIS FOUNDATION QUITE WELL, AND I REMEMBER ACTUALLY FIRST SEEING YOUR PRESENTATION AT THEIR HOLIDAY EVENT.
I THINK I MAY HAVE YOU PRESENT LAST YEAR.
I DON'T THINK THE ANDREW REED HARRIS FOUNDATION APPLIED IN 2024.
SCOTT, I WAS THE ONE THAT APPROACHED YOU THAT NIGHT, SAYING, YOU GUYS SHOULD APPLY.
THE CONCERN WAS, WELL, IT'S NOT IN JUPITER.
I WAS LIKE, NO, THIS IS SOMETHING RESIDENTS CARE ABOUT.
THEY DID APPLY IN 2025, AND I'M HAPPY TO SAY WE AWARDED GRANT DOLLARS IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR FOR THIS FOUNDATION.
WE'RE NOT UP THERE ON THE SIGN, BUT WE GAVE TO ONE OF OUR PARTNERS THAT IS ON THE SIGN THAT'S DOING THAT.
>> I THINK A LOT OF US ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE.
I KNOW MY KIDS PLAY OVER THERE.
IT'S A VERY BUSY, POPULAR AREA, AS YOU SAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS TO LIGHT, AND YOU'VE GOT THE QR CODE.
IF WE WANT TO DONATE AS RESIDENTS AND WE WANT TO SHARE THE INFORMATION, WE'VE GOT IT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
APPRECIATE ALL YOU'RE DOING, T. I LIKE YOUR THREE WORDS, PROTECT, RESTORE, AND PRESERVE OUR ECOSYSTEM, SO I CAN'T SAY MUCH ABOUT WHAT YOUR CONSERVATION GROUP IS DOING.
I APPRECIATE IT AND I WOULD LIKE TO RESERVE A MINUTE IN FOR A FINAL COMMENT AFTER ALL THE Q&A IS DONE, IF YOU DON'T MIND, MAYOR.
YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU HAVE SOME GRANTS YOU'VE APPLIED FOR.
YOU'RE STILL WAITING. DO YOU KNOW ROUGHLY WHAT THE FIGURE IS AS FAR AS DOLLAR WISE, FOR THOSE?
ONE IS WITH A FOUNDATION WE ALREADY RECEIVED MONEY FROM, SO WE'RE HOPEFUL WHETHER WE GET THE FULL AMOUNT, WE DON'T KNOW.
THE OTHER ONE IS, WE DON'T KNOW THEM, I DON'T KNOW.
>> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE, AND OUR WATER IS OUR GREATEST RESOURCE,
[00:35:03]
I THINK IN JUPITER, BESIDES OUR PEOPLE.WHAT DO YOU FOLKS FIND WAS THE GREATEST CULPRIT? IS IT THE EROSION OF THE BARS THAT THE MANGROVES SIT ON? BECAUSE MANGROVES ARE USUALLY KNOWN IF THEY'RE HEALTHY, THEY DIMINISH WAVES BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY GETS TO THE SHORELINE.
WAS IT A BOAT WAKE OR HURRICANE? HURRICANES DID SOME DAMAGE TO HIM OVER THE YEARS.
>> YEAH. ACCORDING TO THE ENGINEERS, BOTH OF THOSE THINGS IMPACTED IT, BUT REALLY, IT'S THE INCREASE IN VOLUME AND SIZE OF BOATS.
THE ONE THING WE KNOW THAT THE SPEED LIMIT JUST REDUCED THERE, AND THAT WILL CERTAINLY HELP.
>> IT'S NOT ENOUGH. BUT THAT'S A REALLY GOOD HELP.
>> YOU FOLKS ARE MODELING YOUR AREA, WHAT THEY DID AT THE BIRD ISLAND WEST OF THE A1A BRIDGE.
I'M OUT THERE IN MY BOAT A LOT, AND THAT SANDS REALLY FILLING IN THE MANGROVES DO LOOK HEALTHIER.
YOU SAID WHAT WAS THE PERCENTAGE IN THE SEAGRASS SET?
>> IS THAT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER OF THE WALL?
>> INSIDE. OKAY. IT'S AMAZING.
HOW FAR ALONG ARE YOU ON THE PERMITTING PROCESS?
>> WE'RE HOPEFULLY WEEKS AWAY FROM GETTING WORD THAT WE'LL GET IT.
AND WE HOPE TO BE IN CONSTRUCTION FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR.
>> AND ONE OF MY QUESTIONS WAS WHO ACTUALLY OWNS THE LAND, BUT IS A STATE SUBMERGED LAND? I DIDN'T KNOW THE EQUESTA LINE GOES ACROSS THE INTRACOASTAL AND THEN IS JUPITER ISLAND.
I DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS JUPITER ISLAND EQUESTA, BUT IT'S THE STATE.
>> EQUESTA DOES GO ACROSS ONTO THE ISLAND AS WELL.
BUT THE PLACE THAT WE'RE RESTORING-
>> IT'S SUBMERGED, SO YOU'RE GOING THROUGH THE STATE FWC.
HOW MANY AGENCIES YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH?
>> DEP AND THE ARMY CORPS ARE THE TWO THAT ISSUED PERMITS.
BUT WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN YOU APPLY TO THEM, THEY GO OUT TO THEIR AGENCIES OR TO OTHER AGENCIES LIKE FWC, HAS CONSULTED, THE UNITED THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE AND FIND THE NAVIGATIONAL PEOPLE.
THEY SORT OF CHECK IN WITH EVERYBODY TO MAKE SURE IT WORKS WITH EVERYBODY.
>> THERE'S A LOT OF LAYERS, RIGHT?
THAT'S A LOT OF WORK TO GO THROUGH, AND I'M THRILLED ABOUT THIS AND ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP.
I'M ALL IN FAVOR OF RESOLUTION AND MAYBE MORE, SO DOWN THE ROAD.
>> I WANT TO THANK YOU AS WELL.
MY COLLEAGUES HAVE PRETTY MUCH SAID EXACTLY THE SENTIMENT THAT WE ALL HAVE, BUT PERSPECTIVE OF GRASSROOTS, WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO WHEN THE PASSION IS THERE.
AND I CANNOT SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR THE PERIOD OF TIME THAT YOU'VE PUT IN.
YOU RETIRED, AND HERE YOU ARE.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A LEGACY IN THE TOWN AND IN THE STATE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND LEARNED QUITE A BIT TONIGHT, WHICH I'M FIRST TO ADMIT.
IN THAT RESOLUTION, YES, THE SUPPORT'S THERE.
HOPEFULLY, YOU CAN GET THAT 40,000 MOVED UP CLOSER TO THE NUMBER YOU NEED.
YEAH. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
>> YEAH. WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS, I LIKE THE IDEA OF THE TOWN SUPPORTING THIS THROUGH A RESOLUTION.
BASED ON IT, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT TOWN STAFF DRAW UP A RESOLUTION THAT COULD BE PRESENTED AT OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL.
>> ON FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
[CITIZEN COMMENTS]
>> MOVING ON TO CITIZEN COMMENTS.
I BELIEVE THIS IS A TIME FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS, AND IT'S LIMITED TO 3 MINUTES.
ANYBODY WISHING TO SPEAK IS ASKED TO STATE HIS OR HER NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE ONE PUBLIC COMMENT?
>> YES, SIR. WE HAVE ERIC WHITES, FOLLOWED BY BRETT ONE.
>> GOOD EVENING, ERIC WHITES AT 230 OCEAN GRAND BOULEVARD.
THAT WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION. THANK YOU.
I RECENTLY HAD A CHANCE TO SEE THE FACILITY FOR THE JUPITER FIRE AND RESCUE UPSTAIRS IN THIS BUILDING.
SOMEHOW, MAYBE THE CITIZENS THINK, EVERYBODY'S JUST SITTING, EATING DOUGHNUTS UNTIL THEY GET A PHONE CALL TO GO OUT.
THERE'S A FANTASTIC FACILITY UP THERE, AND I'M SURE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS SOMETHING SIMILAR, AND IT'S NOT JUST PEOPLE SITTING THERE WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN.
THEY'RE CHECKING OUT AND KEEPING US SAFE.
[00:40:02]
I THINK SEAN REID OR SOMEHOW YOU NEEDS TO GET THE WORD OUT OF WHAT ARE SOME OF THESE PEOPLE DOING FOR US? WE SEE THE FIRE ENGINES, BUT WE DON'T SEE THE STUFF HAPPENING IN THE BACKGROUND.I THINK I WAS REALLY IMPRESSED BY THAT. THAT'S NUMBER ONE.
I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT O BEACH ROAD.
WE HAD A PRESENTATION BY A CITIZEN TWO WEEKS AGO.
AND I'VE BEEN WALKING FOR EIGHT YEARS NOW ON THAT ROAD, AND I THINK IT'S KIND OF DEPRESSING. I MEAN, I ENJOY IT.
ON THE WEEKENDS, THAT SIDEWALK IT'S ONLY GOOD FOR ONE PERSON, A BABY CARRIAGE AND SOMEBODY WALKING BY, PEOPLE WALKING BY WITH DOGS.
WHEN WE GO DOWN TO FURTHER SOUTH, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SIDEWALK IS MUCH WIDER AND THERE'S NO PROBLEM PEOPLE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK THERE.
FURTHER NORTH, THE SIDEWALK IS SO SKINNY ON THE WEEKENDS, WE HAVE JOGGERS.
WE HAVE WALKERS BECAUSE THE SIDEWALK IS FULL OF DOGS LIKE ME, AND THEY GO OUT ON THE ROAD AND THEN COMES THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CHASES THEM OFF THE BIKE PATH AND TELLS THEM TO GET BACK ON THE SIDEWALK AGAIN.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL AREA TO GO WALKING.
I DON'T SEE VERY MANY PEOPLE WALKING ON ROUTE ONE ON THE SIDEWALKS.
THIS IS A PLACE I THINK THAT HAS BEEN NEGLECTED THERE.
I THINK WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB.
THE SIDEWALKS, THE POINT ON THE SIDEWALK, I THINK THEY NEED TO BE EXPANDED TO BE WIDE ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO WALK THERE WITHOUT HAVING TO GO OUT INTO THE ROAD.
PEOPLE DRIVE FROM THE TOWN FROM OUTSIDE.
THIS IS A PLACE TO GO TO FOR A WALK.
IT'S BEAUTIFUL. THE GRAPE LEAVES BUSHES. I'M SITTING HERE.
I'M LOOKING AT THAT PICTURE OVER THERE IN THE WALKWAY.
THE GRAPE LEAVES HORIZONTALLY, THEY GO OUT.
I THINK THEY'VE BEEN GROWING FOR 20 YEARS, AND THEY COVER A BIG AREA.
BUT AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THAT WALKWAY UP THERE, THEY'RE HUMONGOUS.
I QUESTION WHY THE HECK THEY HAVE TO BE SO HIGH.
I HEAR THERE'S A CUTTING POLICY OF 42 ".
I'M WONDERING WHY THIS CAN'T BE DOWN TO 36 BECAUSE THEY GROW PRETTY QUICKLY.
MAYBE THEY SHOULD BE CUT THREE TIMES A YEAR.
PEOPLE GO WALKING THERE, THEY WANT TO GO WALK, THEY WANT TO SEE THE OCEAN WAVES, AND WHATNOT.
IT'S HARD WHEN THE SEA GRAPES ARE GROWING WILLY-NILLY.
RIGHT NOW, IF YOU GO OUT THERE, SOMEBODY CUT THE FIRST FOOT OF THE SEA GRAPES.
THEN, 1 FT FURTHER IN, THEY'RE JUST GOING WILLY-NILLY.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE.
PLEASE. PARDON ME. PLEASE, THAT WAS THE TIME A LITTLE BIT AGO.
JUST ASK YOU TO WRAP UP YOUR.THE BACH ACCESS WALKS, LIKE THIS ONE OVER HERE IS TOO SKINNY.
WE HAVE TALLAHASSEE, WE HAVE PALM BEACH GARDENS, NOT PALM BEACH GARDENS.
COUNTY. I THINK WE GOT TO WORK TOGETHER ON THIS TO TRY TO IMPROVE SOME OF THESE THINGS TO MAKE AS TO MAKE BETTER ACCESS FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE HANDICAPPED.
IF SOMEBODY COMES DOWN WITH A STROLLER ON THAT WALKWAY, THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR ANYBODY ELSE TO COME BY.
SEATING. YOU CAN'T SIT ANYWHERE.
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, I CAME HERE AND WE TALKED.
IF YOU SIT ON THE BENCH, YOU GOT A RAILING IN YOUR EYESIGHT.
NOW, IF YOU GO THERE, YOU GOT TO SEE GRAPES JUST LIKE THAT TAKEN OVER.
I THINK WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB IN THE TOWNSHIP. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNSEL, FOR THE RECORD, BROON 32 BARBADOS DRIVE.
BACK AGAIN, I FEEL LIKE I COME EVERY YEAR AROUND THIS TIME WITH THE TIME CHANGE TO DISCUSS LIGHTING AT INTERSECTIONS.
MY DAILY COMMUTE IS THROUGH ABACOA, SO THAT IS WHAT I KNOW BEST, BUT I DO KNOW THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER INTERSECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE TOWN THAT LACK SUFFICIENT PHOTO METRICS.
JUST TO NAME A FEW THAT I DRIVE DAILY, STADIUM DRIVE IN FREDERICK, SMALL AT ABACOA PARK, ESPECIALLY WITH THE BASEBALL TOURNAMENTS THAT GO ON IN ROGER DEANE.
PEOPLE TRYING TO CROSS THAT STREET THERE.
IT'S REALLY DARK, HARD TO SEE THEM.
SOMETIMES THE UNIFORMS ARE BLACK.
PEOPLE ARE WEARING DARK CLOTHES, JUST REALLY HARD TO SEE THEM.
THEN YOU HAVE GREENWAY AND MAIN STREET AS YOU HEAD WEST.
[00:45:02]
THAT ONE'S PRETTY DARK AS WELL.I GOT BERMUDA AND FREDERICK SMALL, PARKSIDE AND FREDERICK SMALL, PARKSIDE AND UNIVERSITY.
AGAIN, I JUST CAME BACK BEFORE YOU ALL TO ASK THE STAFF TO LOOK INTO SOME OF THESE INTERSECTIONS FOR LIGHTING. SECOND ITEM.
A LOT OF IT WAS COVERED IN THE FANTASTIC PRESENTATION.
BUT GREW UP HERE, I'VE SEEN THOSE ISLANDS CHANGE OVER THE YEARS, NOT SINCE THE 40S OR AS LONG AS SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN AROUND, BUT MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO LIVE ON JUPITER ISLAND.
I USED TO DRIVE TO THE ATO'S BRIDGE.
A LOT USED TO GO, SNORKELING OVER THERE AND GO BOATING UP AND DOWN THE INTERCOASTAL.
COUNSELOR GEISINGER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THAT MOTION AND FOR ALL OF YOU FOR SUPPORTING A RESOLUTION.
TO NAME THAT AREA IN HONOR OF SOMEONE WHOM I GREW UP WITH.
MRS HARRIS IN THE AUDIENCE WAS MY JTA BASEBALL COACH WITH RED, AND SO I'VE KNOWN HIM THROUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL.
THEN WE WENT TO FLORIDA STATE TOGETHER, AND WE BOTH MOVED BACK HOME. WE MISS HIM.
HE WAS A GREAT KID, TRUE LOCAL IN THE AREA.
ANYTHING YOU GUYS CAN DO TO SUPPORT IT FINANCIALLY THROUGH A RESOLUTION OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT WOULD BE GREATLY SUPPORTED. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. THAT WAS IT RIGHT?
[3. October 21, 2025, Town Council Meeting Minutes.]
COUNCIL, WE HAVE BEFORE US, THE MINUTES TO THE OCTOBER 21ST, TOWN COUNCIL MEETING.I DON'T SEE ANY CORRECTIONS ON THE DIAS, IF THERE ARE NONE.
I'D TAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO PROVE THE MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 21ST, 2025 AS PRESENTED.
>> MOTION A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
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?
>> MAYOR, I BELIEVE ITEMS 4 AND 5 NEED TO BE PULLED TOGETHER ITEM.
>> I'LL TAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE AMENDED AGENDA CONSISTING OF ITEM 6 THROUGH 10.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 6 THROUGH 10.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION A SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 6-10.
ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
[Items 4 & 5]
MOVING BACK TO ITEMS 4 AND 5, PULLED BY COUNCILOR STROM. WHAT'S YOUR PLEASURE?>> THANK YOU. ON ITEM 5 I HAVE NOTHING TO SPEAK TO ON ITEM 4 RELATED TO SECTION 1480.
I HAD ASKED FOR SOME DETAIL ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN PARKS.
SOMETIMES THEY'RE RESTRICTED TO CERTAIN SPACES, CIVILIANS, THINGS LIKE THAT.
STAFF SAID THEY WERE GOING TO GET BACK.
THEY DID PULL THE LANGUAGE FROM HERE.
IT SAYS, THE SALE PURCHASE CONSUMPTION, AND POSSESSION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IS PROHIBITED WITHIN PARK PROPERTY UNLESS SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED AS PART OF A TOWN SPONSORED EVENT.
THERE USED TO ALSO BE THE OPTION FOR A SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT.
I BELIEVE THERE WAS ONE OTHER USE.
BUT BASICALLY, I DON'T WANT TO TIE THE HANDS OF OUR PARK STAFF IF A PARK SPACE BECOMES AVAILABLE ONE DAY OR A PAVILION OR SOMETHING, THEY CAN ALWAYS DENY, BUT THERE SHOULD BE AN OPTION FOR A SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT THAT STAFF CAN REVIEW.
I HAD SPOKEN WITH RECREATION STAFF AFTER THE FIRST READING.
I'D LIKE TO JUST PUT THAT BACK IN.
IT WAS THERE ON THE FIRST READING WITH THE BOARD'S APPROVAL.
BUT I'D LIKE TO RECOMMEND THAT THAT BE PUT BACK IN THERE.
>> WELL, IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THE MOTION, INCLUDING THE SEX LANGUAGE.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 1225, SECOND READING WITH AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 1480 A TO ALSO ALLOW FOR SPECIAL PERMITS OR USES.
>> YOU HAVE A MOTION. CAN I HAVE A SECOND?
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE? WELL, BEFORE WE VOTE, I'D ASK FOR THE ORDINANCE TO BE READ.
[00:50:01]
>> ORDINANCE 1225, AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL AT TOWN OF JUPITER, FLORIDA AMENDING CHAPTER 14 CODE OF JUPITER, ENTITLED PARKS AND RECREATION, PROVIDING FOR AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE 3 DIVISION 1, RENAMING IT PARKS RULES AND REGULATIONS, PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF SECTION 14 69, PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF NEW REGULATIONS IN SECTIONS 1475 THROUGH 1487 TO MORE APPROPRIATELY REGULATE THE USAGE OF TOWN PARKS, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT, PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ALL IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ORDINANCE 1225 ON SECOND READING.
>> AYE. MAYOR, DO I NEED TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 825 AS WELL SINCE IT WAS PULLED.
> HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE MOTION P.
>> SECOND BY COUNSEL GEISINGER.
ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ON TO REPORTS, TOWN ATTORNEY.
[TOWN ATTORNEY]
>> WANT TO REPORT THAT IN THE LITIGATION INVOLVING SENATE BILL 180.
I RECEIVED SOME COMMUNICATIONS LAST WEEK THAT THE LAW FIRM HEADING THE LITIGATION IS AMENDING ITS COMPLAINT.
SOME CITIES ARE GOING TO BE ADDED.
I ALSO REVIEWED A MOTION FOR TEMPORARY INJUNCTION THAT WAS PREPARED.
THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN FILED, BUT AS YOU MAY RECALL FROM THE FORM 6 LITIGATION, IT WAS IN ORDER GRANTING A MOTION FOR TEMPORARY INJUNCTION THAT ESSENTIALLY KILLED THAT LEGISLATION BECAUSE ONE OF THE STANDARDS THAT THE COURT MUST FIND IS THAT THERE'S A LIKELIHOOD OF PREVAILING ON THE MERITS.
I WOULD EXPECT THAT THAT MOTION WOULD BE PRESENTED.
IT MAY HAPPEN AT SUCH TIME OR THE ACTUAL HEARING OF IT MAY HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE'S MEETING, SO THERE MAY BE SOME SYNERGY BETWEEN A BILL THAT'S BEEN INTRODUCED TO AMEND THAT LEGISLATION AND THE LITIGATION ALSO. THANK YOU.
[TOWN MANAGER]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. JUST A FEW THINGS FOR ME.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK DEPUTY CHIEF LUNSFORD, ROGER HELD, OUR TOWN ENGINEER.
WHEN YOU LEAVE HERE TONIGHT, IF YOU LOOK OVER TOWARDS THE PD, YOU CAN SEE THE FIRST PHASE OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL ACTUALLY LIT UP.
IT FINISHES UP TOMORROW FOR PHASE 1, AND THEN IN A FEW MORE MONTHS, WE'LL HAVE THE REPLICA OF THE POLICE OFFICER OUT FRONT.
IT'S REALLY OFF AND RUNNING NOW.
JUST FOR THE TOWN'S INFORMATION, WE'RE WORKING DILIGENTLY ON THE OTHER MEMORIAL THAT WE WERE ASKED TO WORK AT FOR FORMER MAYOR HANTON.
ALSO, THIS PAST MONDAY, CONSTRUCTION WORK BEGAN TO REPLACE THE SIDEWALK AND IMPROVE THE SWALES ALONG THE EASTERN SIDE OF PENTACLINE BETWEEN NORTH VIEW DRIVE AND INDIAN TOWN ROAD.
THE PROJECT IS GOING TO REBUILD THE SIDEWALK AT A SLIGHTLY HIGHER ELEVATION, REGRADE THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND SMOOTH AND RESERVE THE SWALES TO IMPROVE DRAINAGE IN THE AREA.
THE TOWN'S ALSO GOING TO REPLACE A PORTION OF EACH DRIVEWAY ALONG THE STRETCH OF ROAD TO ENSURE THE DRIVEWAYS LINE UP WITH THE NEW SIDEWALK.
THE TOWN HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH EACH OF THE HOMES IN THE AREA TO MAKE SURE RESIDENTS ARE AWARE OF THE PROJECT, AND THE TOWN IS USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO COMMUNICATE ABOUT POTENTIAL INTERRUPTIONS TO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AND VARIABLE MESSAGE BOARDS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AT EACH END OF THE PENTACLINE TO NOTIFY MOTORISTS OF THE WORK.
THIS PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO RUN THROUGH APRIL OF NEXT YEAR, AND WE'RE PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE COMMUNICATION PIECES.
AT THE OCTOBER 7TH TOWN COUNCIL MEETING, COUNCIL DIRECTED STAFF TO INSTALL NEW SCHOOL ZONE TRAFFIC SIGNS NEAR JERRY THOMAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO INDICATE THAT THE SCHOOL ZONE EXTENDS BEYOND THE INTERSECTION OF TONY PENNA DRIVE AND MAPLEWOOD DRIVE.
AGAIN, LIKE TO THANK THE TOWN ENGINEER FOR HIS WORK ON THIS.
THE SIGNS ARE PLACED ON BOTH THE NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND SIDES OF MAPLEWOOD DRIVE, AND THEY'RE IN PLACE NOW.
FINALLY, FROM MY REPORT, MAY I JUST REMINDER OF SOME OF THE UPCOMING DATES EVENTS THAT WE HAVE.
FIRST NEXT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, THE TOWN WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL VETERANS DAY CEREMONY AT 9:00 A.M. AT THE VETERANS MEMORIAL HERE ON THE MUNICIPAL CAMPUS.
ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT HOST THIS MONTHLY COFFEE WITH A COP AT CRUX COFFEE,
[00:55:04]
WHICH IS LOCATED AT 11:55 MAIN STREET IN DOWNTOWN ABACOA AREA.THAT EVENT WILL BE 9-10 IN THE MORNING.
EVERYONE IS INVITED TO COME OUT FOR A CUP OF COFFEE AND TO MEET SOME OF OUR JPD OFFICERS.
FINALLY, ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, THE TOWN AND OUR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR WILL CELEBRATE THE TOPPING OFF OF THE PITT PLACE FIRE STATION AT NOON.
THEY'VE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY THERE.
THANKS TO ALL THE STAFF FOR ALL THE WORK, STARTING TO TAKE SHAPE.
THAT LOOKS AMAZING, THEN WE'LL BE DOING THE TOPPING OFF ON THE OTHER STATION, THE FOLLOWING WEEK, ONCE I GET THAT DATE SETTLED, I'LL BE SURE TO BRING THAT TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU. MOVE ON TO COUNCIL, COUNSEL CHOY.
[TOWN COUNCIL – LIAISON REPORTS AND COMMENTS]
>> AGAIN, WANT TO THANK OUR REPORT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE NEGATIVE TRENDS GOING DOWN.
YOU WORK HARD AND I KNOW THE RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN SEE YOU, YOU'RE OUT THERE, YOU'RE PUBLIC, AND YOU'RE ACCESSIBLE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THAT.
IT WAS AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT GOES ON WITH OUR OWN SEA GRASS.
I LEARNED TONIGHT MORE THAN I THOUGHT I COULD IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
IT JUST SHOWS YOU WHAT GRASS ROOTS FOLKS CAN DO, WHO HAVE A PASSION I COMMITTED.
IT WAS NOT AN OVERNIGHT PROJECT THAT TOOK ON.
>> THANKS, MAYOR. LAST MEETING, MAYOR, YOU BROUGHT OUT THE EXPERIENCE MODIFICATION RATE THAT WAS ALREADY INCORPORATED IN SOME OF THE WATER UTILITIES, PROCUREMENTS FOR CONTRACTORS AND THAT'S BEEN WORKED TO A TOWN WIDE SYSTEM NOW, WHICH I APPRECIATE.
I ALSO WANTED TO OVER THE YEARS, WHEN IT CAME TO SEALED BIDS AND BIDS ON MAJOR PROJECTS IN THE TOWN, WE ALWAYS WENT TO THE LOWEST BIDDER AND AND I DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE TOWN MANAGER IN THE PAST THAT WE'VE GOTTEN AWAY FROM THAT.
IT'S GOTTEN US IN SOME JAMS A FEW TIMES IN PARTICULAR LIKE THE A1 A ROUNDABOUT THE BUSTED WATER MAIN ON INDIAN TOWN ROAD A 6-7, MONTHS AGO, AND THAT CANAL ISSUE AT OLD TOWN HALL.
I THINK WE NEED TO REALLY LOOK AT THE APPROPRIATE COMPANY THAT HAS THE RESOURCES TO DO IT.
I'VE NOTICED OVER THE YEARS, THE LOWEST BIDDER, SOME OF THESE COMPANIES THEY MAY BE SPREAD A LITTLE BIT TOO THIN AND THEY LEAVE US IN ALERT WE HAVE TO HIRE NEW CONTRACTORS COME AND CLEAN UP THE MESS.
I JUST THINK THAT LOWEST BID, YOU ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR, AND THE TRICK IS TO GET THE JOB DONE CORRECTLY, MAY PAY A LITTLE MORE, BUT YOU GET IT DONE IN THIS BUSINESS THAT WE'RE IN, YOU GOT TO GET IT DONE ON TIME AND APPROPRIATELY.
I SAW SOMETHING ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHILE BACK, IT WAS A GROUP THAT THEY HAVE A PETITION GOING.
I WENT TO BACK TO LOOK FOR IT. I COULDN'T FIND IT.
I DON'T KNOW THEIR NAME, BUT THEY'RE APPROACHING JUPITER INLET DISTRICT AND THEY WANT TO GET BECAUSE THE JUPITER INLET IS TREACHEROUS.
IT'S SUPER SHOWING, AND THERE'S A LARGE SAND BARGE GROWING ON THE NORTH JETTY.
I JUST THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT.
I'M NOT IT'S VERY COMPLICATED, BUT JUST I JUST THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IN TOWN.
I'M GOING TO KEEP AN EYE ON IT.
THE COAST GUARD DOESN'T CONSIDER IT A NAVIGABLE WATERWAY BECAUSE THERE'S NO PORT IN JUPITER, IN THE INLETS NATURAL STATE, IT'S ACTUALLY A RIVER DELTA, AND IT'S VERY BROAD AND SHALLOW AND VERY TIGHTY.
WHEN YOU PUT JETTIS IN, THE SHOWING GETS ALL REARRANGED AND IT MEANDERS AROUND, BUT IT'S PRETTY BAD OUT THERE.I'M GOING TO KEEP AN EYE ON THAT AND GET IN TOUCH WITH JID AND SEE WHAT THE FUTURE PLANS ARE FOR THAT. THAT'S IT. THANK YOU.
>> I DID HAVE 3 ITEMS. ONE, FIRST MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC THAT SPOKE, ERIC WHITES, NORMALLY, WE DON'T AS PRACTICE ENGAGE IN CONVERSATION, BUT I WANTED TO ASK STAFF TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT BOTH WITH THE RESIDENT AND US, MY UNDERSTANDING MAY OR MAY NOT BE CORRECT, BUT NUMBER ONE IS HURT A LITTLE BIT AS MUCH AS HE SAID WE CAN DO BETTER BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THAT WE COULD.
IF HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE SIDEWALK ON THE EAST SIDE, THERE IS NO MORE ROOM.
I CAN TELL YOU THIS PREDATES ME.
COUNSEL AGONIZED, WE HAVE LIMITED RIGHT AWAY IN THAT AREA.
[01:00:04]
IT WAS DOLED OUT SO THAT EVERYBODY COULD HAVE A PIECE, BUT THERE IS NO SOLUTION THAT I'M AWARE OF.IF HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE EAST SIDE, THEN THAT PERHAPS, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT CAN BE EXPLAINED TO HIM, THAT THERE IS NO ROOM IN THE ROAD.
THERE IS NO ROOM IN THE RIGHT OF WAY TO DO THAT, PLUS IT'S A COUNTY ROAD.
I SAY THIS NOT TO MAKE EXCUSE, BUT JUST IF THERE WAS A SOLUTION, ALL WOULD WANT TO DO THAT.
THAT PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE THAT WE HAVE MANAGED AT THE TOWN FOR YEARS, WE'RE HOPEFUL, BY THE WAY, IF SOMEONE OF COUNCIL MAY OR MAY NOT BE AWARE, BUT THERE'S AN INITIATIVE.
THERE'S A PROJECT THAT HASN'T BEEN FUNDED, BUT IT'S ON THE LIST OF DESIRED PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE MPON FD AND THAT IS TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS ON US ONE.
WITH SIDEWALK AND BIKE LANES THAT COULD HOPEFULLY SHIFT SOME OF THE TRAFFIC OFF OF A1 A. I'M TALKING ABOUT BIKES AND WHATEVER.
BUT IN ANY EVENT, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THE ITEM ABOUT MANGROVES AND WHATEVER TRIMMING, I DO THINK THAT'S A REGULATORY LIMITATION THAT WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER, IN FACT, I BELIEVE, BUT AGAIN, I WANT STAFF, NUMBER 1, TO CONFIRM WHAT IS THE FACTS AND THEN LET US KNOW AND LET HIM KNOW.
I THINK THAT BY EXCEPTION, WE'RE ABLE TO DO MANGROVE TRIMMING AT THE CROSSWALK AREAS, AND I DON'T THINK WE CAN DO ANY MORE THAN WE'VE BEEN DOING.
>> IN ANY EVENT, IF STAFF COULD JUST SHARE WITH US THE FACTS AND THEN GET WITH A RESIDENT TO SHARE THOSE WITH HIM BECAUSE WE'VE AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND, I'M OPEN IF THERE'S SOME SOLUTION WE HAVEN'T CONSIDERED, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANY TO BE HAD, BUT I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE IT AS IT ENDED HERE WITH HIM.
THEN JUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF MY COLLEAGUES, I CONFIRMED THIS EARLIER TODAY WITH SEAN THAT THE TOPPING OFF CEREMONY IS NOT A TOWN EVENT, IT'S THE CONTRACTOR EVENT, AND IT'S A CELEBRATION FOR THE CONTRACTORS AND EMPLOYEES.
JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHILE WE ALL WERE INVITED TO BE THERE, WE DON'T GET UP THERE AND IT'S NOT OUR EVENT.
I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS.
WE WERE INVITED, BUT IT IS NOT THE TOWN'S EVENT AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S TRADITIONAL FOR CONTRACTORS AND THEIR STAFF.
THEN THE COMMENT THAT VICE MAYOR BROUGHT UP ABOUT THE SAFETY EMR RATING, I JUST WANT TO SHARE THAT I'M GRATEFUL FOR STAFF HAVING FOLLOWED UP ON THAT SO QUICKLY.
I WASN'T EXPECTING IT THAT QUICKLY.
I WAS PUTTING ON THE PUNCH LIST, SO WHEN THE PROCURE MANAGER GETS HERE, BUT THANK YOU.
I THOUGHT IT WAS EXCELLENT THE WAY IT WAS WRITTEN UP.
BECAUSE NOW, IN FACT, NOW WE'RE NOT JUST ASKING FOR THE RATING.
THE CONTRACTORS IN BIDDING KNOW THAT IF YOU'RE ABOVE ONE, THAT THE TOWN HAS THE DISCRETION TO GO WITH SOMEBODY ELSE.
WE NEVER HAD THAT BEFORE, SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY BECAUSE I DIDN'T SEE NOR WOULD WE NORMALLY SEE THE INTERNAL PROCEDURES FOR THAT.
BUT I DO THINK THAT AND I HAD SAID IT THAT NIGHT THAT IF WE GO ABOVE THEN THE THRESHOLD, I THINK ONE IS THE RIGHT THRESHOLD, SO YOU PICKED THE PERFECT THRESHOLD, BUT TO GO ABOVE IT, IT NEEDS TO BE, I THINK APPROVED BY THE TOWN MANAGER IS WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO GET THAT EVERY SINGLE DEPARTMENT HEAD CAN MAKE A DECISION ON THAT.
IT'S A WAY THE DECISION ARE BE MADE AND THERE MAY BE FACTS THAT SUPPORT IT.
BUT MR. KIZER I'D PREFER THAT IT'S WRITTEN THAT WAY, OTHERWISE, YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE ONE OF ANY EVENT.
MOVING DOWN DIAS TO COUNCILOR SUNDSTROM.
>> I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF COMMENTS TONIGHT DESPITE THE LIGHT AGENDA BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT GOING ON OUT HERE THAT WE'RE ACTIVE IN AND WILLING TO SPEAK TO.
WITH THAT IN MIND, I WANT TO JUST SHARE A COUPLE OF THINGS.
ONE, THERE IS A TEMPORARY ROAD THAT'S BEEN BUILT NEAR SINGULAR STATION NEAR CARVER AVENUE.
[01:05:01]
A COUPLE OF RESIDENTS CAME TO ME.I WAS ABLE TO SPEAK WITH OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, THAT'S A TEMPORARY ROAD SO THEY CAN STRAIGHTEN OUT THE FIELD OVER THERE.
WHEN WE HAD GONE THROUGH THE SITE PLANNING PROCESS, ONE OF THE ASKS FROM THE RESIDENTS WAS, THERE'S THIS HUGE HUMP IN THE MIDDLE OF A GREEN FIELD THAT WE CAN USE IT FOR ANYTHING, AND WE'D LOVE TO USE IT FOR SOCCER AND ALL OF THIS.
THEY'RE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THAT NOW AND IMPROVING THAT FIELD AND THERE'S GOING TO BE SOLD.
I'M SO EXCITED FOR THEM AND THEY WERE PLEASED TO HEAR THAT THERE WAS MOVEMENT ON IT.
I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT UPDATE WITH EVERYONE BECAUSE THE ROAD SUDDENLY APPEARED OVERNIGHT.
I THINK WE'RE WORKING FAST IS WHAT I SEE.
ANOTHER THING I WANT TO SHARE IS LAST MEETING YOU GUYS, LET ME BE COUNSEL REPRESENTATIVE, I GUESS, FOR OUR COUNCIL FOR LEGISLATIVE ISSUES, AND IT'S BEEN BUSY.
I JUST WANTED TO BRIEF YOU GUYS ON ONE ITEM.
THERE IS A LOCAL BILL THAT THE COUNTY FIRE UNION HAS PUT FORWARD.
THIS WAS INTRODUCED TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OCTOBER 28, AS ITEM 3B1.
I KNOW THAT OUR COUNCIL HAS RECEIVED THE LANGUAGE.
THAT LANGUAGE IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS WELL AS A LETTER AND SOME ADDITIONAL BRIEFING MATERIAL ON THE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION WEBSITE.
THE LOCAL BILL HAS TO DO WITH ANNEXATIONS, AND BASICALLY WHAT IT SAYS IS, IF A MUNICIPALITY ANNEXES, WHETHER THAT ANNEXATION BE FIVE HOUSES LIKE JUNO BEACH RECENTLY DID, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, OR 500, THAT THOSE HOUSES WOULD CONTINUE TO USE PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE, AND THEY WOULD NOT PAY INTO THE MSTU.
THAT WOULD BE SHIFTED TO THE ANNEXING MUNICIPALITY.
THERE'S A DOUBLE TAXATION QUESTION BECAUSE THEY WOULD BE PAYING FOR OUR RESIDENTS, IT WOULD BE SPREAD TO ALL JUPITER RESIDENTS THEN OR TRANSFERRED TO THEM RATHER, AND WE WOULD BE PAYING FOR OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, BUT THEN WE WOULD ALSO BE PAYING INTO THE MSTU, BUT ONLY FOR THOSE ANNEXED HOUSES.
NOW, THIS IS A BROADER MUNICIPAL ISSUE.
THIS HAS TO DO WITH ANNEXATION.
THE TOWN AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS HAS NO SHORTER MEDIUM TERM PLANS FOR ANNEXATION.
A LOT OF OUR MUNICIPALITIES HAVE PLANS TO ANNEX IN THE FUTURE, AND A LOT OF THEM ARE VOLUNTARY THAT COME TO US, AND WE DON'T NECESSARILY CONTROL THAT.
THEY APPLY AND THEY SEEK TO BE ANNEXED.
IT HAS GOTTEN A LOT OF ATTENTION.
IT WAS PULLED BY MAYOR MARINO AND BROUGHT UP.
THERE WAS A LOT OF CONCERN BY MUNICIPALITIES THAT WE WEREN'T APPROACHED OR BRIEFED ON IT.
WE'RE STILL TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IT.
THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS I HAVE.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND AT THIS POINT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE DOUBLE TAXATION ISSUE.
MUNICIPALITIES ARE TALKING ABOUT IT ON THE DIAS.
I THINK GARDENS IS DOING SO, I THINK BOCA DID, AND THE LEAGUE OF CITIES IS ACTUALLY HAVING A SPECIAL MEETING ON THIS LOCAL BILL BECAUSE THEY VIEW IT AS A POTENTIAL CONCERN FOR LOCAL CONTROL AND MUNICIPALITIES.
THEY'RE HAVING THAT MEETING ON MONDAY.
THEN THE LOCAL BILL WILL BE HEARD NOVEMBER 13TH AT THE EL CENTER IN JUPITER.
I WOULD URGE ALL OF YOU TO LOOK AT THE LANGUAGE MORE CLOSELY.
IF THERE'S ANY DISCUSSION OR ANY QUESTIONS, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM OR TRY TO ANSWER THEM.
BUT I THINK THERE'S SERIOUS CONCERNS FOR LOCAL CONTROL IN THE BILL.
I WOULD LOVE TO SHARE IN ANY FUTURE MEETINGS THAT THAT CONCERN IS SHARED BY OTHERS ON THIS COUNCIL.
THAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE LOCAL BILL AND NOVEMBER 13TH.
THE LEAGUE WE'LL SEE WHAT COMES OUT OF THAT MEETING, BUT THEY DON'T TYPICALLY MEET LIKE THIS FOR SPECIAL ITEMS, SO IT SAYS SOMETHING THAT IT'S A CONCERN.
THE THIRD THING QUICKLY, I JUST WANT TO SAY, I WAS LISTENING TO THE COUNTY FOOD BANK.
A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT FOOD GOING INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
A LOT OF US DONATE, A LOT OF US GET INVOLVED.
BUT THEY WERE SHARING THAT 211 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL.
THEY'VE SHARED THE FIND FOOD MAP, AND A LOT OF THOSE FOR JUPITER INCLUDE A LOT OF THE PARTNERS THAT WE'VE FUNDED THROUGH CHARITABLE GIVING WHEN WE DO OUR DONATIONS IN APRIL, BUT RESTORATION BRIDGE, THE CROSS MINISTRY.
A LOT OF THOSE ARE LISTED, BUT I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PARTNERS THAT ARE OPERATING IN JUPITER AND THAT THEY'RE URGING PEOPLE TO USE THE 211 NUMBER.
I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT.
>> JUST BEFORE I GO ON, I WANT TO JUST RESPOND TO THAT ONE ITEM BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU WE'RE ASKING FOR US TO WEIGH IN AND GIVE YOU GUIDANCE.
[01:10:04]
I'M OPPOSED TO THAT BILL WITH REGARD TO ANNEXATION.HISTORICALLY, ANNEXATIONS HAVE BEEN SOMETHING, WELL, COUNTY WIDE, THEY'RE DONE DIFFERENTLY, BUT OFTENTIMES THEY HAD BEEN AGREED UPON ANNEXATIONS BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE MUNICIPALITY.
BECAUSE YOU KNOW REDUCING POCKETS CERTAINLY HELPS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
THIS IS INCREDIBLE IN A WAY BECAUSE IT WOULD DEFEAT WHAT THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT MIGHT OTHERWISE WANT TO HAPPEN AND DISCOURAGE ANNEXATIONS.
THEN TO SUGGEST THAT THE GOVERNMENT THEN, YOU MADE A GOOD POINT ABOUT PEOPLE HAVE COME TO US VOLUNTARILY AND ANNEXED IN.
WHAT WOULD THEN HAPPEN, PARTICULARLY, IN RCRA, AS AN EXAMPLE, THERE WAS A FEW THAT HAD INSTILLED COULD COME IN.
SOME OF THOSE ARE NOT RESIDENTIAL.
THOSE ARE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES THAT COULD HAVE SIGNIFICANT COST IMPACTS FOR THAT.
HERE WE ARE SUGGESTING AND HAVE BEEN OFFERING UP TO THE COUNTY THAT THEY COULD SHUT DOWN BURT REYNOLDS, AND WE WOULD GO AHEAD AND DO MUTUAL AID.
THEN I SAY IT IS PULLED AS FAST ONE I'M TRYING TO HAVE WHERE WE'RE GOING TO BE HAVING TO CONTINUE TO PAY MORE AND MORE TO THE COUNTY, EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY NOT BE DOING ANYTHING, JUST DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.
FOR MANY REASONS, I'M OPPOSED TO IT, SO I APPRECIATE YOUR LEARNING ABOUT IT, SHARING WITH US TONIGHT, AND THEN THE FACT THAT YOU SAY IT'S GOING TO BE IN CONVERSATION ON THE MEETING ON THE 13TH, WHICH I DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WAS ON THAT AGENDA, BUT I'M HOPING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT THERE AS WELL.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW YOU CAN SPEAK AT LEAST AND I'D ASK OTHERS IF IF YOU'RE PREPARED TO OR NOT.
IF YOU'RE PREPARED TO, THEN WEIGH IN SO WE CAN ARM, COUNCILOR SUNDSTROM KNOWING WHERE WE STAND AS A COUNCIL.
>> I AGREE WITH BOTH COUNCILOR SUNDSTROM AND YOU MAYOR.
WE NEED TO NIP THIS IN THE BUD AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.
SUPPORT NOT GOING FORWARD WITH THE BILL. QUICK QUESTION.
YOU SAID THE MEETING ON MONDAY WITH THE LEAGUE AND THEN THE MEETING WITH THE PALM BEACH COUNTY COMMISSION LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.
DO YOU NEED ANY SUPPORT FOR ANY OF THOSE? ARE YOU GOING TO HIM FIRST? DO YOU NEED ANY SUPPORT FROM US?
>> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF KEY DATES.
IT'S THE LEAGUE OF CITY'S BOARD MEETING THAT'S HAPPENING.
IT'S A SPECIAL MEETING THAT WILL BE CALLED ON MONDAY TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE IN PARTICULAR.
>> WILL YOU PARTICIPATE IN THAT?
>> I'M ON THE BOARD, SO I WILL BE IN THAT MEETING, BUT IT'S NOT THE WIDER MEETING.
THE IMPORTANT MEETING WILL BE NOVEMBER 13TH, AND ALL ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND.
IF NOT TO SPEAK, THERE WAS A DEADLINE TO SHARE IF YOU'RE GOING TO SPEAK AND I DON'T KNOW WHO THE SPEAKERS WILL BE ON THE ITEM, BUT WE'RE STILL LEARNING ABOUT IT, TO BE HONEST.
>> [INAUDIBLE] ATTEND THE EL CENTER?
>> IT WILL BE AT THE EL CENTER IN JUPITER.
SORRY. I'M SURE STAFF I THINK MORNING, BUT I'M NOT CLEAR IN THE HOUR.
IT'S JUST A FUNCTION OF LOCAL CONTROL.
THE CONCERN WHEN THE COUNTY BROUGHT IT UP, THEY SAID IN THEIR EXECUTIVE BRIEF ON THE ITEM FOR 3B1, OCTOBER 28TH WAS, THE ISSUE IS TO AVOID ADVERSE FINANCIAL IMPACT TO THE MSTU ASSOCIATED WITH ANNEXATIONS.
MAYOR MARINO DID BRING UP, WELL, HOW DOES MUTUAL AID WORK? ARE WE BENEFITING? ARE WE PAYING MORE IN THAN WE'RE GETTING BACK? THEY ABSORBED A 2472 SCHEDULE AND DIDN'T NEED TO CHANGE ANYTHING.
THAT'S A MAJOR HIRING WITHOUT MEETING.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE DOES HOW THE MSTU WORKS.
TO BROADLY IMPACT SO MANY MUNICIPALITIES AND FREEZE MUNICIPAL FUNCTIONS AND CREATE CONFUSION IS A CONCERN.
I THINK WE'RE TRYING TO LEARN MORE, BUT WE'RE TRYING TO SHARE OUR PERSPECTIVE WHILE WE CAN BECAUSE AFTER NOVEMBER 13TH, IF A MAJORITY APPROVE IT, IT'S REPRESENTATIVE SNYDER THAT INTRODUCED IT.
ANOTHER WAY YOU COULD SUPPORT IS TO REACH OUT TO ALL OF THE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION, IN PARTICULAR, REPRESENTATIVE SNYDER, BECAUSE HE'S OUR REPRESENTATIVE, BUT TO EVERYONE, BECAUSE THEY ALL WILL VOTE, AND IF THE MAJORITY PASSES IT,
[01:15:01]
IT WILL GO TO TALLAHASSEE.THIS IS THE TIME TO SHARE YOUR LOCAL PERSPECTIVE.
IF YOU DON'T DO IT NOVEMBER 13TH, THEN YOU CAN DO IT INDIVIDUALLY VIA PHONE CALL OR EMAIL.
BUT I THINK THAT'S REALLY HELPFUL.
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WHEN THEY WERE DISCUSSING IT, THREE OF THEM TALKED ABOUT IT AT LENGTH.
THEY PULLED IT AND DISCUSSED AT LENGTH, AND THEY TALKED ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE REACHED OUT TO THEM AND CALLED THEM AND WROTE THEM ON THIS ITEM.
IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN WE SPEAK UP.
>> NO, I AGREE WITH YOU, 100%.
YOU'VE DONE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK, BUT I AGREE AGAIN THAT IT WAS PUT BEFORE US AND THERE WAS A BIG QUESTION MARK OVER THE ENTIRE PRESENTATION PUT OUT.
MAYOR MARINO WAS VERY CLEAR ON THE DIOCESE AS WELL THAT SHE WANTED MORE.
WE DON'T KNOW WHERE ANY OF THIS CAME FROM.
NONE OF US IN ANY MUNICIPALITY WERE AWARE THAT IT WAS COMING OUT.
I SUPPORT EVERY EFFORT THAT WE'RE ALL DOING.
WE MUST CALL OUR LEGISLATURES, BUT BEING AT THE EL CENTER ON THE 13TH, EVERYONE HAS TO HAVE THEIR VOICE IN HERE RIGHT NOW.
DOUBLE TAXATION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE BY ANY MEANS.
>> I AGREE WITH EVERYBODY UP HERE.
ALSO, WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT FROM A JUPITER PERSPECTIVE, WE HAVE LITTLE POCKETS WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO INCORPORATE BACK IN THE TOWN AND IT'S DIFFICULT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO GET IF YOU HAVE A STREET OF 10 RESIDENTS, I THINK YOU HAVE TO GET ALL OF THEM OR 90%, SO THAT'S DIFFICULT ENOUGH.
THEN JUST LOOK AT IT FROM THE EFFICIENCY STANDPOINT OF, GARDNER LANE OVER EL CENTER STREET WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE WHEN IT JUST BE EASIER FOR US TO HANDLE IT.
WHY WOULD THEY WANT TO DO? EVERY LEVEL, IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME.
THAT WOULD ONLY BE THE CASE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY, AND THEN IN MARTIN COUNTY, THOSE THAT WOULD ANNEX WOULD HAVE THAT.
WELL, THANK YOU. I THINK I HAVE SOME CLARITY.
>> THANK YOU FOR WORK ON [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE WENT ON TO LASTLY TO COUNSELOR GEISEN, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING?
I WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE TOWN STAFF.
I ATTENDED THE IKER HOUSE CEREMONY LAST WEEK, OPEN HOUSE, THE GRAND OPENING.
I PARTICULARLY WANT TO REACH OUT TO STEPHANIE [INAUDIBLE] NOT ONLY DID SHE DRESS THE PART ALONG WITH HER AND THATCHER HART, BUT I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE AMOUNT OF WORK SHE'S PUT IN THIS EVER SINCE THE MOVEMENT OF THE HOUSE TO ITS CURRENT LOCATION.
WORKING WITH THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AS FAR AS THE PRESERVATION OF IT.
I JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE HER FOR ALL SHE'S DONE IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS MAKING THAT HAPPEN.
ALSO, SHE DID A GOOD JOB POSTING ME.
TOOK ME ON A TOUR OF THE TRAIN DEPOT.
FIRST TIME I'VE BEEN INSIDE HERE, SO IT WAS ALL AROUND WELL RECEIVED, AND I'M REALLY PLEASED WITH WHAT WE'VE DONE RELATIVE TO THE IKER HOUSE.
I HOPE I GOT THAT PRONOUNCED CORRECTLY.
>> IKER, STEPHANIE'S BEEN DOING THAT FOR YEARS.
HISTORICALLY, SHE'S GREAT ON ALL THAT, SO IT'S FANTASTIC.
>> THE TIME IS NOW 8:18 AND WE ADJOURN THE MEETING.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.