[Call to Order by Chair]
[00:00:04]
>>> GOOD MORNING, I'LL CALL TO ORDER THIS SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. I BELIEVE WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CALLERS ON LINE SO IF WE CAN CONFIRM AS WE GO THROUGH ROLL CALL THAT WE HAVE EVERYONE. CLERK, PLEASE CALL
THE ROLL. >> JEREMIAH BLOCKER.
>> PRESENT. >> VICE CHAIR COMMISSIONER DEAN
>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST WHITE.
>> PRESENT. >> COMMISSIONER JEB SMITH.
>> PRESENT. >> COMMISSIONCOMMISSIONER WALDR,
PRESENT. >> GOOD MORNING, IN ORDER TO MITIGATE THE TRANSMISSION OF CORONAVIRUS AND REDUCE THE RISK OF COV ILLNESS, THE BOARD ADOPTD THE MEANS OF REMOTE PARTICIPATION THROUGH 20-10 SO THE PUBLIC HAS THE MEANS TO COMMENT WITHOUT PHYSICALLY ATTENDING. THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO COMMENT BY TELEPHONE WHILE WATCHING THE MEETING ON GTV OR STREAMING POSTED BY THE COUNTY WEBSITE. THE WEBSITE PROVIDES A TELEPHONE NUMBER USED TO CALL IN. EVEN IF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DO NOT PROVIDE COMMENT, PEOPLE MAY BE LISTENING WHO DO NOT PROVIDE COMMENT. THEY'RE NOT REQUIRED TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES. IF YOU CALL IN TO COMMENT, IF YOU RECEIVE A BUSY SIGNAL, PLEASE CALL BACK. IN ADDITION, PLEASE SELF TIME THE THREE MINUTE TIME LIMIT, THE TIMER MAY NOT BE VISIBLE AS YOU WATCH REMOTELY. PLEASE MUTE YOUR PHONE WHILE WAITING TO COMMENT AND MUTE THE MEETING ON YOUR TELEVISION OR COMPUTER WHEN SPEAKING. THERE MAY BE A 30 SECOND DELAY IN THE ADVICE ALL PRESENTATION. IF WE EXPERIENCE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WE'LL RECESS AND RESUME THE MEETING. AS FAR AS MATERIALS, THERE ARE MATERIALS AVAILABLE ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE UNDER AGENDAS AND MINUTES. ONCE YOU FIND THE MEETING AGENDA, CLICK ON THE ITEM TO ACCESS SUPPORTING MATERIALS TO BE COVERED. IF ANY BOARD MEMBERS, AND WE HAVE ONE PARTICIPATING REMOTELY, EACH VOTE WILL BE CONDUCTED BY ROLL CALL. AT THIS TIME COMMISSIONER SMITH, WOULD YOU LEAD US IN THE INVOCATION, PLEASE.
>> SURE. >> LET US PRAY. FATHER WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR GRACE, MERCY AND LOVE AND WE THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR THAT MANY ARE ABLE TO BRING TO REMEMBER RANS THE COMING OF OUR SON, JESUS CHRIST WE'RE THANKFUL FOR HIS DEATH, FOUR OR SINS, HIS BURIAL AND RES RESTING OVER DEATH ON THE GRAVE AS WE CONDUCT BUSINESS, WE PRAY FOR WISDOM AND GUIDANCE AND PRAY FOR YOUR HEAVENLY INSIGHT TO THE MATTERS AT A HAND. I PRAY YOU PROTECT OUR COUNTY AND RESIDENTS AND PROTECT OUR COMMISSIONERS AND EMPLOYEES. WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO US. THANKS TO YOU FOR YOUR UNSPEAKABLE GIFT. THESE THINGS WE ASK IN PRAYER IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN.
>> WOULD YOU LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE?
>>> PLEASE BE SEATED. AT THIS TIME WE'LL MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM
[1. Emergency Management Update]
NO. ONE. >> GOOD MORNING, CHAIRMAN.
COMMISSIONERS, JOSEPH GIAMMANCO, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. CURRENT CASES, TOTAL CASES IS 11,300. THE HOSPITALIZATIONS 465, WE HAVE CURRENTLY 27 HOSPITALIZED AND A TOTAL DEATHS OF 108.
HOSPITAL CAPACITY IS ADEQUATE FOR THE -- WHAT'S BEING SEEN.
WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES THROUGH THE ST.
JOHNS, PLAY ST. JOHNS. LAST WEEK OUR COMMUNITY TESTING SITE CAN FLAGLER HOSPITAL SAW 892 RESIDENTS. ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT WALGREEN'S AND CVS HAVE STARTED VACCINATING OUR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, MOSTLY NURSING HOMES. WE'RE IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE HOSPITAL AS WELL AS THE FACILITIES TO GET UPDATED INFORMATION. SO AS THEY COME IN, I'LL PASS THAT ALONG. I'M HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
>> JOE, ON THE VACCINES, I'VE BEEN ASKED, DO WE KNOW HOW MANY WILL COME TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY? OR WE HAVE NO IDEA.
[00:05:01]
>> GOOD QUESTION. IT CHANGES DAILY. DEPENDS WHICH VACCINE IS COMING. WE GET A OVERALL COUNT FOR THE HOSPITALS. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION SPECIFICALLY TO THE COUNTY, WE DON'T HAVE THAT ANSWER YET. WE DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC NUMBER BUT WE'RE IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH THE STATE, WITH THE HOSPITAL AS THEY COME IN. I KNOW THE STATE GETS A LARGE ALLOCATION AND SEPARATES THAT THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THEY'RE THE ONES ADMINISTERING TO CVS, WALGREEN'S, THE HOSPITALS. FROM THERE, THINK OF IT AS A MAIN HUB AND THEY SPREAD IT OUT. THAT'S HOW WE GET IT.
IF YOU WILL, WE DON'T HAVE INSIDE BASEBALL KNOWLEDGE. THIS COMES OUT AT THE SAME TIME. THE COMMUNICATION MACHINE IS DOING WELL TO GET IT OUT TO EVERYBODY AT THE SAME TIME.
>> I JUST WANT RESIDENTS TO UNDERSTAND, WE'RE NOT ALLOCATING AS A BOARD WHERE THE VACCINES GO.
>> CORRECT. YES, SIR. I WILL SAY THE FIRE RESCUE, DOH AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARE IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATIONS WITH THIS. WE'RE MEETING, THE TEAMS ARE MEETING TO TALK ABOUT THE PLAN ON HOW WE COULD BETTER SUPPORT THE MISSION AS WE GO
>> YES, SIR. >> WE'LL OPEN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, AGENDA ITEM NO. 1, AGENDA ITEM NO. 1 FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT. >> I KNOW IT'S CUT AND DRY, THE EMERGENCY MEETINGS AND STUFF BUT I WANT YOU TO BEAR IN MIND, WE'RE NOT GETTING REALLY GOOD INFORMATION COMING OUT OF THE STATE. TWO MAJOR NEWSPAPERS HAVE TO SUE THE GOVERNOR. I MEAN RAIDS AND CRAZY -- A LOT OF NONSENSE COMING OUT OF TALLAHASSEE. I WISH IT WASN'T.
I KIND OF LIKE THE GUY BUT BEAR IN MIND, THERE'S A FEW THINGS IN LIFE THAT I DO KNOW ABOUT. THERE'S A LOT I DON'T. BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU, GOVERNOR DESANTIS, HE'S TAKING AN OPIUM. HIS WHOLE ATTITUDE. I KNOW HIM FROM U.S. 1 WHEN HE CAME TO THE COFFEE SHOP. I WANT TO TELL YOU, HIS ANGER COULD COST LIVES. THE MISINFORMATION COMING OUT OF THE STATE, DEMANDING THE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE SILENT. IN A WAY, I THINK IT MAKES YOUR JOB A LITTLE HARDER. HERE YOU ARE, CAUGHT COMMISSIONERS, PEOPLE REALLY LOOK UP TO YOU. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS NOT EVEN HERE. I MEAN DR. ELACART TOOK AN OATH TO BE A DOCTOR. ALL OF THEM DID, TO SEE THEY'RE SILENCE, IT WORRIES ME. NOW, I GET MIXED ON THE WHOLE COVID THING. IS IT THE FATHER ALMIGHTY DOING A MASS CALLING? I DON'T KNOW. I WORKED IN A HOSPITAL EIGHT YEARS. I REMEMBER A COUPLE WINTERS WERE ROUGH. WE LOST A LOT OF PEOPLE. THERE'S ANOTHER THING TOO ABOUT THE COVID IS I KNOW IT SOUNDS OUT THERE, BUT NOW THEY CAN SEE THE HIMALAYAS AND THEY'RE GOING TO THAW SLOWER AND BE BETTER FOR THE FARMS AND WATER BELOW. WE GOT PLACES WHERE THERE'S WATER, THEY CAN SEE THE BOTTOM NOW. BUT AS FAR AS THE ACTUAL HEALTH, YOU KNOW, YOU REALLY SHOULD BE DOING A LITTLE BIT MORE HOMEWORK. ALWAYS TRY TO REMEMBER, IT'S PEOPLE BEFORE PARTY. AND I THINK SOMEHOW WE'RE LOSING A LITTLE BIT OF THAT WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS. AND SO THAT'S ALL I REALLY GOT ON AGENDA ITEM NO. 1, I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO
NUMBER 3. >> GOOD MORNING, COULD YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
>> THANK YOU, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> COMMISSIONERS, WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF A CRISIS IN THIS COUNTRY, MEETING, WE -- WE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE PANDEMIC. WE'D RATHER TALK ABOUT -- DEATHS KEEP MOUNTING. WE NEED TO STOP THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE. THIS IS A TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE BY YOU.
YOU NEED TO GET RID OF THIS -- MENTALITY PROMOTED BY DONALD
[00:10:04]
TRUMP AND RON DESANTIS. IT'S CRAZY. LISTEN TO THE MEDICAL EXPERTS, NOT THE POLITICIANS. THE DOCTOR STRONGLY RECOMMENDS WEARING A MASK BUT YOU DIDN'T LISTEN TO HER. THERE IS A WHITE HOUSE CORONAVIRUS TASK FORCE THAT PUTS OUT -- FOR EVERY STATE. DOESN'T WANT TO RELEASE HIS REPORT BECAUSE IT SHOWS HE WAS INADEQUATE IN HIS RESPONSE TO THE VIRUS. THIS TASK FORCE IS CHAIRED BY VICE PRESIDENT PENCE THEY MAKE SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS. AMONG THEM IS WEARING OF THE MASK ANYTIME IN PUBLIC. I BRING THIS UP BECAUSE THE MASK MANDATE, WHICH I THINK PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN IS CERTAINLY GOING TO HAVE STATES ENACT A MASK MANDATE STARTING JANUARY 20 AS PART OF A NATIONAL POLICY. I'M ALSO CERTAIN GOVERNOR DESANTIS DOESN'T WANT TO DO IT. THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN PUT THROUGH ENOUGH DIVISIVENESS BY DONALD TRUMP. WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AS A COUNTRY. AS TO MASK MANDATE, I WANT YOU TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION, NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM. VACCINES ARE ON THE WAY AND NOBODY NEEDS TO DIE FROM THIS CORONAVIRUS. THANK YOU.>> GOOD MORNING, B.J. CALATTY, ST. AUGUSTINE, 8 KNEW.COM. I APPRECIATE THE UPDATE MR. JOE ALWAYS GIVES BUT HERE'S A QUESTION I WANT TO ASK. HOW MANY COUNTY EMPLOYEES HAVE HAD COVID-19? THOSE FACTS ARE NOT GIVEN OUT TO THE PUBLIC ON A REGULAR BASIS AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE DONE. AS OF LAST FRIDAY, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO TALK WITH SOME STAFF IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE. THERE HAVE BEEN 20 CITY EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE CONTRACTED COVID-19. IT'S NOT UP TO US TO KNOW WHO THEY ARE BUT I THINK THE COUNTY IS IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW. PLUS THERE ARE FIVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHERE THE EMPLOYEES HAD TO BE QUARANTINED THAT'S FINE TO HELP WITH THE STOPPING OF THIS SPREADING OF THE VIRUS. BUT I THINK IN ALL TRANSPARENCY, THE COUNTY SHOULD LET THE PUBLIC KNOW, BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHO YOU MIGHT BE COMING IN CONTACT WITH. AND EVEN IF THEY DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU THEY'VE HAD IT, THAT'S FINE BUT IT'S AFFECTING PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY AND IN THE CITIES AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE GIVEN OUT TO -- THAT INFORMATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED THROUGH THE NEWSPAPER OR THROUGH SOME KIND OF ANNOUNCEMENT. AND I LOOKED AT THIS THING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHER PEOPLE. IT'S A SERIOUS PROBLEM. WE HAVE A LOT OF SERIOUS PROBLEMS. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY HEALTH ISSUE THAT'S EVER COME BEFORE THIS COUNTY AND THIS NATION BEFORE.
AND AS FAR AS BEING SAFE, I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THIS JUST SO Y'ALL CAN FEEL SORRY BECAUSE DON'T FEEL SORRY FOR ME. I KNOW WHO MY SAVIOR IS. I HAVE HAD MY PROPERTY, WHICH NONE OF YOU HAVE EVER SEEN, VANDALIZED SEVEN TIMES. AND REPORTS ARE MADE, BUT YOU SEE I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT SURVEILLANCE SO I REPORT IT. AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT KNOW WHO THEY ARE WHO HAVE DECIDED TO DO THAT. AND I CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH. LIKE IF I WANT TO WEAR A MASK, FINE.
THE NEXT THING UP, I'M GOING TO SPEAK TO NUMBER 2. I APPRECIATE THE CONCERN OF PEOPLE WHO DO HAVE MEDICAL PROBLEMS AND I ASK PEOPLE, DO YOU WANT ME TO WEAR IT? IF THEY SAY YES, I'LL DO IT. OTHER THAN THAT, I FEEL THAT I DON'T NEED TO AND IT'S NOT THAT I'M GOING TO NOT TAKE CARE OF YOU ALL, BUT IT'S MY CHOICE. AND WITH MY CHOICE, I HAVE TO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS JUST AS YOU DO AND I DO EVERY DAY WHEN WE GET IN A CAR. THAT'S MY ONLY CONCERN, THAT YOU BE MORE PROACTIVE IN PROVIDING THAT INFORMATION AS FAR AS
COUNTY EMPLOYEES. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT THIS MORNING?
>> SEEING NONE, MR. CHAIRMAN, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT ON
[00:15:04]
AGENDA ITEM 1. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER SMITH, ANYTHING ELSE FROM THE BOARD? WE'LL MOVE TO AGENDA
[2. Extension of Local State of Emergency]
ITEM NO. 2. EXTENSION OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY.>> MR. CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS, GOOD MORNING, REGINA ROSS, DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION BASED ON MR. GIAMMANCO'S UPDATE AND THE FLORIDA STATUTE AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY ORDINANCE 2019-40 FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AS A PROPOSED PROCLAMATION EXTENDING THE STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY BASED ON THE UPDATE PROVIDED BY MR. GIAMMANCO. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF OUR CLERK'S OFFICE, I BELIEVE IF APPROVED, YOU'LL BE LOOKING AT EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION 2020-48.
>> THANK YOU. >> IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS,
I'M AVAILABLE. >> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS FROM THE BOARD?
>> SEEING NONE. >> WE OPEN UP AGENDA ITEM NO. 2
FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> B.J. KALADI, WEST CITY OF ST.
AUGUSTINE. I'LL CONTINUE TO SAY THIS. THERE'S PROS AND CONS TO EACH ONE OF THESE THINGS. MY THING IS GOING TO BE RESCIND MASK REQUIREMENT IN COUNTY BUILDINGS AND JUST AS AN UPDATE FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW, THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE HAS DECIDED TO MANDATE THAT YOU CANNOT SPEAK IN THE ALL CA CZAR ROOM WITHOUT KEEPING YOUR MASK ON. THE TECHNOLOGY GARRABLES. THE MAN WHO SPOKE AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MEETING, I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WAS SAYING. I REALLY COULDN'T. I CAN'T GET UP TO SPEAK WITHOUT TAKING MY MASK OFF. ALSO, FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND, THERE ARE ONLY NINE SEATS THAT THE PUBLIC CAN BE ALLOWED IN AND THEY HAVE DECIDED TO PUT ANOTHER PODIUM OUTSIDE SO THAT PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE NOT TO WEAR A MASK CAN STAND OUT IN THE COLD WHILE THE DOOR'S OPEN AND MAKE A PRESENTATION. I BELIEVE WE'RE OVERSTEPPING BOUNDARIES. I KNOW EVERYBODY WANTS TO DO THEIR OWN THING AND NOT HAVE EVERYBODY TELL YOU WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN'T DO. AS A CITIZEN AND TAXPAYER, WHEN YOU HAVE DIRECTIVES COMING DOWN, YOU WONDER, ARE WE BEING RUN BY KINGS AND QUEENS OR RUN BY REPRESENTATIVES, WHAT THE PUBLIC AND THE GOOD OF THE PUBLIC IS. I BRING THIS UP JUST TO LET COUNTY TAXPAYERS KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. ALSO, CITY TAXPAYERS THAT DON'T EVEN SHOW UP TO THE MEETINGS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOREVER, BEFORE THE VIRUS CAME IN. IT'S A SMALL ROOM. THEY NEVER MADE ANY ATTEMPT TO PUT US IN ANOTHER PLACE. YOU GET TO SIT OUTSIDE. THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN, GO TO THE LIGHTNING MUSEUM. SO THESE ARE THINGS I THINK WE ALL NEED TO REALLY TAKE A STEP BACK AND THINK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING.
WHAT WE'RE DOING. AND PROSECUTION IS ONE THING, BUT I THINK THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO SPEAK AND BE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD AND YOU WILL, I'M GLAD YOU AT LEAST LET US TAKE A MASK OFF IN THIS ROOM SO WE CAN SPEAK AND WE CAN HEAR WHAT YOU ALL SAY TOO.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NO. 2? SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER SMITH. BACK TO THE BOARD,
COMMISSIONER WALDRON. >> I WAS GOING TO MAKE A MOTION MOTION TO ADOPT ST. JOHNS COUNTY EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION NUMBER 2020-48 EXTENDING THE LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR AN
ADDITIONAL SEVEN DAY PERIOD. >> SECOND.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WALDRON AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION?
MR. WHITEHURST? >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
THROUGH THE CHAIR TO LEGAL, I REALIZE I'M THE NEWEST COMMISSIONER TO THIS BOARD BUT IS IT REQUIRED WE EXTEND THE STATE OF EMERGENCY BY ONLY ONE WEEK? PERHAPS THIS BOARD HAS HAD THIS CONVERSATION BEFORE AND JUST FOR MY INFORMATION, ARE WE ALOWED TO EXTEND IT BY TWO WEEKS?
>> BY STATUTE, IT'S SEVEN DAYS. THERE HAS BEEN A PUSH THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE TO EXTEND THAT. SO FAR IT HAS NOT PASSED BUSY BUTIT'S BY STATUTE WE EXTEND BY SEVEN DAYS. THERE ARE PROVISIONS IN THE COUNTY ORDINANCE WHICH ALLOWS, IN THE
[00:20:02]
EVENT THE BOARD CAN AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO EXTEND RATHER THAN CONDUCTING THE FULL BOARD OR YOU MAY AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXTEND THE LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY. SO THERE ARE THOSE PROVISIONS THAT ALLOW FOR IT INSTEAD OF A COMPLETE FULL MEETING, YOU COULD ALLOW FOR THE ENTIRE BOARD TO ATTEND, YOU COULD AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR OR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXTEND FOR SEVEN DAYS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATUTE.>> THANK YOU, MISS RAT ROSS, I APPRECIATE IT. MY QUESTION TO THE BOARD IS WOULD IT MAKE SENSE TO CHANGE THE WAY WE EXTEND THE STATE OF EMERGENCY? I REALIZE I'M NEW AND YOU HAVE BEEN DOING THIS ALL YEAR, SO I WOULD APPRECIATE THE THOUGHTS OF THIS
BOARD ON THAT TOPIC. >> IS THERE ANY FURTHER COMMENT
FROM THE BOARD? QUESTIONS? >> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, I THINK YOU RAISE A GREAT POINT. I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING WE PROBABLY SHOULD LOOK AT. I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE READY TO DO THIS TODAY BUT WE CAN GET THROUGH THE END OF MEETING. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR COMMISSIONER WALDRON, A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION? SEEING NONE, WE WILL GO TO A VOICE VOTE.
COMMISSIONER DEAN, ARE YOU STILL PRESENT?
>> YES, I AM. I VOTE YES. >> THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER WALDRON? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST? >> YES.
>> I'M A YES AS WELL. PASSES 5-0. WE'LL MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM
[3. Debt Refunding Opportunity]
NO. 3. MR. DUNN. >> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING CHAIRMAN BLOCKER, COMMISSIONERS, JESSE DUNN, DIRECTOR FOR THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET BRINGING FORWARD A DEBT REFUNDING OPPORTUNITY. BEFORE THAT I WANT TO SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL. LAST TUESDAY, I MET WITH PFM.
THEY'RE OUR COUNTY FINANCIAL ADVISOR. THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS THEY'RE OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR. THEY BRING BACK TO THE COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARISE RELATED TO SOME OF OUR DEBT REFUNDING POSSIBILITIES. WE RECEIVED A CALL BILL YOUNG, DIRECTOR OF UTILITY SERVICES AND I MET WITH PFM LAST TUESDAY TO PROVIDE THIS DEBT REFUNDING OPPORTUNITY. I PROVIDED IN THE BOARD'S AGENDA PACKET AN OVERVIEW ON THE POSSIBILITIES ON THIS. NORMALLY WE WOULD BRING THIS AT A REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING. JUST FOR THE TIMING OF THIS, THE FIRST MEETING WE HAVE IS IN REGULAR MEETING IS IN MID JANUARY. THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE OF THIS GROUP IS OUR CONCERN PERHAPS AFTER THE FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR, WE'LL SEE INTEREST RATE CHANGES. I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING DRASTIC FOR PEOPLE OUT THERE BUT WHILE WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF HISTORIC LOW INTEREST RATES, THE SOONER WE CAN GET AT IT WITH AT LEAST DUE DILIGENCE, THE BETTER OPPORTUNITY FOR SAVINGS. FOR THIS DEBT REFUND OPPORTUNITY, OUR TWO UTILITY SERVICES DEBT ISSUANCE. ONE IS 2013A BONDS WITH A POSSIBLE NET PRESENT VALUE DEBT SERVICE SAVINGS OF $2.7 MILLION WITH A -- WHICH IS A 15% SAVINGS ON THAT AS WELL AS A 2014, A 1.5 NET PRESENT VALUE SAVINGS OR 7.5% OF THE REFUNDED PAR, BONDS PAR AMOUNT. THIS IS IN THE MEMO. COMBINED IS A $4.2 MILLION OR 11.1% OF THE REFUND BONDS PAR AMOUNT. OUR POLICY, THE BOARD'S POLICY, IS T ARISES, AT 3% OR GREATER, IS SOMETHING WE WOULD WANT TO CONSIDER. CERTAINLY AS AN ONGOING COMMISSION POLICY, CERTAINLY WHEN THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES TO REFUND AND ACHIEVE SAVINGS ON OUTSTANDING DEBT, WE WILL BRING THOSE FORWARD. SO TODAY'S MOTION WOULD JUST BE FOR THE COMMISSION, IF THEY WOULD LIKE US TO AT LEAST BRING FORWARD IN FEBRUARY THAT DEBT REFUNDING OPPORTUNITY WOULD BE TO ASSEMBLE A FINANCING TEAM. THAT TEAM INCLUDES OMB IN THIS CASE. IT WOULD INCLUDE UTILITY SERVICES, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THEN WE HAVE B COUNSEL, DISCLOSE
[00:25:03]
OUR COUNSEL AND CLERK OF COURT. TWO ITEMS, THIS CAME TOGETHER QUICKLY AND WE WANTED TO GET ROLLING WITH THE DUE DILIGENCE FOR THE FEBRUARY MEETING. TWO ITEMS I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE UNDER SEPARATE EMAIL TO YOU WOULD BE, THERE ARE ALWAYS CLOSING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS. I WILL PROVIDE THE LAST REFUNDING OPPORTUNITY CLOSING COST TO YOU IN ACTUAL, SO YOU WILL HAVE AN INKLING OF WHAT THE COSTS WILL BE. THOSE ARE ROLLED UP INTO THAT REFUNDING OPPORTUNITY. BUT JUST SO YOU YU HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT THAT AGGREGATE COST IS. THEN THE OTHER THING I'LL SEND TO YOU IS A -- I'M THINKING FIVE OR TEN OF THE LAST REFUNDING OPPORTUNITIES SO YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW THESE OPPORTUNITIES COME UP. WITH BONDS, THIS ISN'T -- YOU KNOW, THE QUESTION SOMETIMES ARISES, WHY DON'T WE GO OUT AND REFINANCE UNDER THESE RATES, ALL OF OUR OUTSTANDING DEBT? WITH BONDS, WHICH IS WHAT WE USE IN MANY CASES, WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN OPPORTUNITY ASSOCIATED WITH THE CALL DATE OF THOSE BONDS.IF WE REFINANCE PREMATURELY BEFORE A CALL DATE, THERE ARE PENALTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT. IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, THE CALL DATE IS ARISING, THE HISTORIC RATES ARE THERE. IT'S A PERFECT STORM, IF YOU WILL. SO WITH THAT, I'LL LEAVE THAT TO THE COMMISSION IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS.
>> THANK YOU, MR. DUNN. COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST?
>> THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN. MR. DUNN, YOU TOUCHED ON -- I WANT TO CLARIFY FOR THE RECORD. WE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE FEES NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH REFINANCE OR
>> BEFORE WE MAKE THE FINAL DECISION.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> THANK YOU.
>> YES. >> ARE THERE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC
COMMENT. >> I'LL OPEN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, AGENDA ITEM NO. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT, AGENDA ITEM
NO. 3. >> COMMENT ON -- COMMITTEE. I HEARD JESSE MENTION THE PEOPLE ON THE COMMITTEE. I WAS WONDERING IS THAT A MEETING THE PUBLIC CAN ATTEND AND OBSERVE EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON? ALSO, THE CLOSING COST -- IS THE CLOSING COST, WHEN IT COMES BACK TO YOU, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT IS NEGOTIABLE? BECAUSE YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THESE COMPANIES -- I DON'T KNOW ABOUT OURS BUT I DO READ A LOT OF COMPANIES KIND OF CRUSH GOVERNMENTS ON FEES. SO YOU KNOW, I HOPE WHEN HE COMES BACK, IT'S NO BIG QUESTION PENDING TODAY THAT IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT YOU'RE SEEING, BECAUSE A LOT OF FEES -- I DON'T KNOW, THEY DON'T HAVE MUCH MEANING.
AND ALSO, TOO, IS ALL THE FOLKS THAT ARE ON THE BOARD, ARE THEY ALL PAID GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES OR ELECTED OFFICIALS? IS THERE GOING TO BE ANYBODY THAT COMES IN FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR, BANKING VOLUNTEERS, RETIRED PEOPLE VOLUNTEERING FOR THE FINANCE COMMITTEE? THIS IS SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE TO PUT OUT THERE. I KIND OF HOPE IT'S A PUBLIC MEETING. AND MY LAST THING I WANT TO PUT OUT TO YOU IS OUR FINANCIAL CONSULTING COMPANY, DO WE PAY THEM IN A CONTRACT SO -- DO THEY HAVE A CONTRACT WE'RE PAYING ANNUALLY TO BE OUR FINANCIAL PEOPLE OR JUST ON PERCENTAGE? SO WILL THEY BE GETTING A PAID CONTRACT AS WELL AS CLOSING COSTS? I MEAN I WANT YOU TO BALANCE THAT IN YOUR MIND BECAUSE IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO TAKE A
LOOK AT. >> MR. DUNN, WOULD YOU HELP
ANSWER? >> ABSOLUTELY. THOSE ARE -- YES, EXCELLENT QUESTIONS. HOPEFULLY I'LL GET TO THEM ALL.
PFM IS A ANNUAL CONTRACT IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE. WE USE THEM FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS. ONE, THAT -- WE MAY CONSULT WITH THEM ON C.A.R.E.S. ACT OR LEGISLATIVE CHANGES SO WE HAVE THEM ON AS AN ANNUAL CONTRACT WE PAY MONTHLY ON THAT CONTRACT.
WHEN A REFUNDING OPPORTUNITY COMES UP, THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL COST WE WILL PAY TO OUR FINANCIAL CONSULTANT ASSOCIATED WITH THE CLOSING. I WILL PROVIDE, AS I MENTIONED, WHAT THE LAST CLOSING COSTS ARE PRIOR TO SO, IF THE BOARD HAS CONCERN
[00:30:05]
ABOUT THE LEVEL OF THOSE CLOSING COSTS. WE HAVE TIME TO ADDRESS THOSE. IN TERMS OF OUR FINANCES COMMITTEE THAT'S PUT TOGETHER, IT IS LARGELY -- IT IS COUNTY STAFF, COUNTY ATTORNEYS STAFF, CLERK OF COURT STAFF, IT DOES INCLUDE PFM FINANCIAL ADVISORS. IT DOES INCLUDE OUR DISCLOSE OUR COUNSEL, BOND COUNSEL, WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH COUNTY PROCUREMENT.THE REFINANCING ITSELF WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE BOARD AS PART OF A REGULAR AGENDA ITEM SO IT WILL BE A PUBLIC MEETING. IE OF THE DISCUSSIONS A ZOOM MEETING. I'LL HAVE TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. IT'S LARGELY DUE DILIGENCE BUT I CAN WORK TO MAKE THOSE MEETINGS AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC AS THEY ARISE. BUT IT'S A LOT OF DUE DILIGENCE. WE HAVE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC. WE'LL BRING THIS BACK TO THE PUBLIC'S CONSIDERATION, THE COMMISSION'S CONSIDERATION,
TENTATIVELY IN FEBRUARY. >> THANK YOU, MR. DUNN.
>> ANY MORE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NO. 3? SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM 3.
>> BACK TO THE BOARD FOR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
>> I'LL BE GLAD TO MOVE IT, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>> PLEASE. >> MOTION TO AUTHORIZE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO ASSEMBLE A FINANCING TEAM TO PREPARE REFINANCING DOCUMENTS TO -- FOR THE WATER AND SEWER REVENUE BOND AND WATER AND SEWER REVENUE BONDS SERIES 2014 AND SO PRESENT IT AT A FUTURE ST. JOHNS BOARD COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING FOR
>> CAN WE HAVE A POSSESSION BY COMMISSIONER SMITH, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WALDRON. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, A
VOICE VOTE. COMMISSIONER DEAN. >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER WALDRON? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. >> YES.
>> I'M A YES AS WELL. PASSES 5-0.
[4. Any Other Business]
>>> AT THIS TIME WE'LL MOVE INTR BUSINESS, WE'LL MOVE INTO COMMISSIONER COMMENTS. STARTING WITH COMMISSIONER DEAN.
>> YES, JUST VERY BRIEFLY, SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT OVER -- HAVING JUST DONE THIS, OUR UTILITY BOND. IT JUST -- THE INTEREST RATES AT THE HISTORIC LOWS, IT WOULD BE A GREAT TIME AND OPPORTUNITY TO -- ARE 35 -- IT'S NOT A STATIC -- THERE'S -- IF WE WERE TO PURCHASE THE FACILITIES AND TAKE OVER THEIR -- IN THE LONG TERM, I THINK THAT THE AVERAGE COST A MONTH FOR WATER -- SO THIS --
THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON. >> COMMISSIONER DEAN,
COMMISSIONER DEAN ... >> COMMISSIONER DEAN?
>> COMMISSIONER DEAN, I'M NOT SURE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GATHER ALL OF THAT FROM THE CALL. THE CALL WAS BREAKING UP. WE'RE GOING TO SEE IF WE CAN GET -- MAYBE FIGURE THAT OUT. IT SOUNDED LIKE WHAT YOU WERE BRINGING UP WAS SOMETHING WE NEED TO HEAR ALL THE DETAILS. COULD ANYONE HEAR THAT? WE'LL SEE IF YOU CAN COME BACK TO YOU, COMMISSIONER DEAN, IF THAT WORKS
FOR YOU. >> THERE WAS A LOT OF -- I'M NOT
SURPRISED. >> WE'LL SEE IF OUR STAFF -- WE'LL COME BACK TO YOU, COMMISSIONER DEAN. COMMISSIONER
>> OKAY. >> COMMISSIONER WALDRON.
>> I JUST HAVE ONE THING TO BRING UP. I KNOW IT'S CLOSE TO THE HOLIDAYS BUT I WAS TALKING WITH A CUSTOMER AT OUR STORE YESTERDAY. IT MAY BE TIME FOR US TO REACH OUT AND TRY AN ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO TRY TO BRING SOME OF THESE MANUFACTURERS THAT ARE SHUT DOWN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY IN FLORIDA TO WORK. MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND, THEY CAN COME HERE TO A BETTER TAX BASE, WORKERS, BRING THEIR COMPANY HERE. YOU KNOW, A LOT OF INDUSTRIES RIGHT NOW CAN'T GET PRODUCT BECAUSE IT'S NOT BEING BUILT OR PRODUCED. MIGHT BE TIME TO TELL THEM ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS OPEN
[00:35:05]
FOR BUSINESS AND GET SOME OF THEM TO MOVE OUR WAY. OTHER THAN THAT I WANT TO TELL EVERYBODY MERRY CHRISTMAS.>> ABSOLUTELY. >> MR. CONRAD, COULD YOU HAVE --
>> YOU KNOW IT'S A ROUGH TIME TO GET STARTED.
>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST? >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I HAD A CONCERN BROUGHT UP BY RESIDENTS ABOUT A SMOKE AND VAPE SHOP THAT OPENED UP WITHIN A LITERAL STONE'S THROW OF AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THE STAFF AND LEGAL TEAM, WHAT ORDINANCES ARE IN PLACE TO PREVENT THESE BUSINESSES THAT ARE INTENDED FOM OPENING UP WITHIN -- I COULD LITERALLY STAND ON THE EDGE OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROPERTY AND THROW A BASEBALL THROUGH THE WINDOW OF THAT STORE THAT SIGN ONLY READS SMOKE AND VAPE SHOP.
SO IT'S GREAT CONCERN TO ME, OBVIOUSLY ADULTS ARE FREE TO DO AS THEY CHOOSE AS LONG AS IT'S LEGAL. BUT I KNOW THAT CHILDREN RIDE THEIR BIKES BY THIS STRIP MALL. I KNOW THAT CHILDREN WHO ATTEND CREEKSIDE HIGH SCHOOL HAVE TO DRIVEBY THIS STORE. IN MY VIEW IT'S NOT THE RIGHT PLACE FOR THIS SORT OF BUSINESS. I DIDN'T KNOW IF WE HAD ANY RECOURSE AS A COUNTY, IF THERE'S ANY ORDINANCES IN PLACE BUT IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE
US TO LOOK INTO. >> MR. CHAIR?
>> LEGAL, PLEASE. >> IF YOU CAN, AFTER THE MEETING, COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, IF I COULD GET WITH YOU AND GET THE INFORMATION ON LOCATION, WE CAN TAKE A LOOK INTO IT. I CAN WORK WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTER STAFF AND COME BACK TO YOU WITH RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> THANK YOU, MISS ROSS. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> ANYTHING ELSE, COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST? THANK YOU. I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND WISH EVERYONE MERRY CHRISTMAS, THIS IS OUR LAST MEETING FOR CHRISTMAS. I HOPE EVERYONE AND THEIR FAMILIES HAS A BLESSED TIME CELEBRATING THIS IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL HOLIDAY. I WANT TO OFFER CONDOLENCES TO THE WALDRON FAMILY, THE PASSING OF YOUR MOTHER. YOUR FAMILY HAS DONE SO MUCH IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE'RE ALL MOURNING WITH YOU AND APPRECIATIVE OF THE GREAT WORK SHE DID IN RAISING A GREAT SON AND YOUR FAMILY. SO OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH
>> THAT'S ALL I HAVE. MR. CONRAD? LEGAL? CAN WE GO
BACK TO COMMISSIONER DEAN? >> BETTER TO PURCHASE ASSETS.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> COMMISSIONER DEAN, I THINK WE
HAVE YOU BETTER NOW. >> OKAY. I'M NOT GOING TO GO INTO FIVE MINUTES OF COURSE. I WANTED TO SAY AFTER LISTENING TO JESSE DUNN BEFORE WITH WITH INTEREST RATES AT AN HISTORIC LOW, IT'S THE TIME TO CONSIDER PURCHASING ASSETS. THAT'S ALL.
>> OKAY. COMMISSIONER DEAN, THANK YOU. WE'LL -- I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MR. CONRAD. CAN YOU GET WITH COMMISSIONER DEAN AND
FOLLOW UP ON THAT? >> SURE. IF I MAY, MY UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT COMMISSIONER DEAN WAS SAYING NOW MAY BE THE TIME TO REVIEW PURCHASING OF ASSETS. I'LL BE HAPPY TO HAVE THAT FOLLOW-UP CONVERSATION WITH COMMISSIONER DEAN AND FIND OUT WHAT HE'S LOOKING FOR OBVIOUSLY BEFORE THERE'S ANY FURTHER PURSUIT OF THAT. THAT WOULD NEED TO GO TO YOU AS A BOARD TO PROVIDE CONSENSUS IF THAT'S SOMETHING YOU WANT US TO MAKE CONTACT WITH JEA ABOUT. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT ME TO TALK TO COMMISSIONER DEAN OFF-LINE AND SEE IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO COME BACK BEFORE THE BOARD.
>> THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED BOARD CONSENSUS ON. I'M NOT SURE -- MY HEARING'S OFF BUT IF WE COULD DO THAT, THAT'S AN IMPORTANT ISSUE TO COMMISSIONER DEAN AND SOMETHING THE BOARD WILL CONSIDER. IF YOU COULD CLARIFY THAT, THANK YOU. SOUNDS LIKE YOU WERE ABLE TO HEAR IT BETTER. COMMISSIONER SMITH?
>> I'M CURIOUS, IS THERE A WILLFULNESS OF JEA TO LIQUIDATE ASSETS? AM I MISSING SOMETHING PUBLICLY?
>> I HAVE NOT HEARD THAT SPECIFICALLY FROM JEA. I HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH A NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS. THAT'S NOT BEEN AN INDICATION TO ME AT THIS TIME. BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THEY'VE DISCUSSED PRIVATELY OR AMONGST THEIR BOARD. IT'S NOT BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION AT THIS TIME.
>> LET ME SPEAK TO THAT. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES. >> LET ME SAY, IF YOU CAN HEAR ME, THERE IS CURRENTLY NO OPENING IN THE -- WE HAVE
[00:40:02]
OPENING -- I HAVE NOT DISCUSSED THIS AT ALL WITH ANYONE -- ALL I'M SAYING IS THAT EVERYTHING IS FOR SALE. EVERYTHING IS FOR SALE -- BEING NEAR ZERO, IT'S NOT THE TIME TO THINK ABOUT APPROACHING JEA EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE OPEN TO -- BUT IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT -- I HOPE YOU HEARD THAT, COMMISSIONER,BECAUSE THAT'S -- >> COMMISSIONER DEAN, I APOLOGIZE, I'M STILL HAVING DIFFICULTY HEARING YOU TODAY.
IT'S PROBABLY MY ISSUE. I'M NOT SURE IF THE REST OF THE COMMISSION WAS ABLE TO HEAR THAT. IF IT'S OKAY WITH YOU, LET'S HAVE YOU BRING THIS UP AT OUR NEXT MEETING AFTER TALKING TO COMMISSIONER -- RATHER TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. THAT WAY WE CAN MAYBE HEAR YOU BETTER IN PERSON. WILL THAT WORK FOR YOU?
>> YEAH, THERE'S NO RUSH. THERE'S NO RUSH. I JUST WANTED -- THOUGHT ABOUT LOW INTEREST RATES. IF YOU CAN'T HEAR ME, I'LL BRING IT UP IN PERSON IN JANUARY.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER DEAN IS THERE ANYTHING FURTHER?
>> I THINK WE'RE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. OKAY. IF THERE'S NOTHING FURTHER -- DID WE GET TO LEGAL? NOTHING. AT THIS TIME THE SPECIAL MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.