Aug 02, 2022 Board of County Commissioners

[Call to Order by Chair]

[00:00:15]

>> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE! WELCOME TO OUR AUGUST 2 COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING. WE WANT TO WELCOME ALL OF OUR GUESTS THIS MORNING AND THE FIRST THING WE'LL DO IS START WITH A ROLL CALL IF THE CLERK WOULD PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

ALL PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR. NOW AS WE ALWAYS DO, START WITH AN INVOCATION AND THEN THE PLEDGE.

I WILL CALL IN PASTOR EARL OF ANCHOR FAITH, TO LEAD US IN AN INVOCATION. BUT BEFORE YOU START SIR, LET ME ALSO RECOGNIZE MERLIN -- HOPE TO HAVE THAT RIGHT, US ARMY SERGEANT FROM A RETIRED. HE WILL LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. LET'S START, WE CAN STAND WITH

THE INVOCATION. >> LET'S PRAY.

YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER, ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD, WE MAKE TREES AND PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVING ON BEHALF OF ALL MAN AND WOMAN SO HE MAY LEAD A TRANQUIL AND QUIET LIFE IN ALL DIGNITY AND GODLINESS. REST THAT YOU WOULD GRANT THE COMMISSIONERS KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING FOR ALL OF THE BUSINESS THEY ARE TO OVERSEE. SO THEY MAY MAKE DECISIONS WITH MORAL CLARITY. WE KNOW ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD THAT YOU OU GIVE WISDOM AND EVERY MOUTH COMES KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING. MAY THE HEARTS OF THESE MEN AND WOMEN CONTINUE TO RECOGNIZE OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS WISDOM I PRAY THAT THEY HAVE WISDOM AS THEY MAKE DECISION ON TODAY'S MEETING AGENDA. AND THAT THOSE DECISIONS WILL REFLECT YOUR WILL. FOR YOU SAID YOU WOULD DIRECT OUR STEPS AND LIGHT OUR PATH. AS A TRUST IN YOU, I BELIEVE THIS COUNTY WILL CONTINUE TO SEE POSITIVE GROWTH.

LORD, STRENGTHEN THEM IN THEIR CALL TO PUBLIC SERVICE BY EMPOWERING THEM BY YOUR SPIRIT. AS THEY SEEK YOU AND YOUR KINGDOM FIRST AND ALL THINGS NEEDED FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY WILL BE ADDED. I PRAY FOR PROTECTION AND BLESSING FOR THEM, STAFF MEMBERS AND FAMILIES.

IN THE NAME OF JESUS, AMEN. >> THANK YOU SIR.

IS SERGEANT -- WITH US? NO? OKAY. WOULD YOU PLEASE LEAVE US IN

THE PLEDGE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH

LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> PLEASE BE SEATED.

[Public Safety Update]

WE'RE GOING TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY.

WHO IS HERE TO GIVE A BRIEF PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT? HEY CHIEF, COME ON UP! OUR FIRE AND RESCUE CHIEF.

43 YEARS? >> I'M IN MY 41ST YEAR.

NOT QUITE! >> I EXAGGERATED.

41 YEARS. >> I STARTED WHEN I WAS REALLY YOUNG. A COUPLE OF THINGS THIS MORNING. OVER THE WEEKEND THE STATE OF FLORIDA REQUESTED SOME HELP WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REQUESTED HELP WITH THE DEVASTATING FLOODING.

THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA MANAGEMENT TEAM WAS ACTIVATED.

PART OF THE TEAM ASSISTANT CHIEF, DEPUTY CHIEF WILSON AND ENGINEER MAX BRENT WERE DEPLOYED AS PART OF THE TEAM.

AND OTHER AGENCIES ARE CURRENTLY AT THE STATE OF KENTUCKY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER.

VERY FEW REPORTS BUT I DID GET SOME INFORMATION TONIGHT THAT IT IS REALLY DEVASTATING. A LOT OF WORK, THEY ARE THERE 14 DAYS. NOTICE THE PUBLIC KEEP THE STATE OF KENTUCKY AND THOSE RESIDENTS AND OUR RESPONDERS, TRY TO HELP MITIGATE ACTING AS THE INCIDENT COMMANDER.

WE WILL KEEP THEM IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

THIS PAST WEEKEND, BACK IN JANUARY STARTED A CADET PROGRAM FOR TEENAGERS TO INTRODUCE THEM TO FIRST RESPONDERS AND FIRE SERVICE AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE. AND SO, THIS PAST WEEKEND, SIX OF THEM, THEY WERE 18 AND THE GROUP OF SIX PARTICIPATE IN THE SUMMER GAMES IN GAINESVILLE FLORIDA.

THE FIRE RESCUE AND THE FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION.'M PROUD

[00:05:01]

ONE OF THEM IS GOING TO BE A SENIOR THIS YEAR, CHERI HAS PLANS TO GO TO FIRE SCHOOL STARTING NEXT SUMMER.

HOPEFULLY ONE DAY SHE WILL BE STANDING HERE.

THAT WOULD BE GREAT! THIS PAST WEEK WE ALSO HAD THE LIFEGUARD ASSOCIATION PUT ON KING OF THE BEACH.

SOUTH BEACH GETS TO BE KING OF THE BEACH FOR THE YEAR IT'S A COMPETITION EVERY YEAR BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT ZONES AND LIFEGUARDS. PUT ON BY THE ASSOCIATION FOR EVENTS THEY HAVE TO DO OVER TWO DAYS AND SO SOUTH BEACH GROUP GETS TO HAVE BRAGGING RIGHTS FOR THE YEAR.

ONE OF THE THING WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN, I DON'T KNOW IF RUSS WILL SPEAK ABOUT IT SO I WILL TALK ABOUT IT.

TONIGHT IS NATIONAL NIGHT OUT STARTING AT 5:00 TO 8:00. WE WILL BE THERE WITH OTHER FIRST RESPONDER AGENCIES.

THAT IS MY REPORT. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I'D

BE HAPPY. >> THANK YOU CHIEF.

>> GOOD MORNING. RUSS MARK, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. JUST TO REITERATE SOME OF THE THINGS AND EVENTS ARE GOING ON.

I THINK I SPOKE PROBABLY A MONTH AGO ABOUT WHAT WE WILL BE LOOKING AS FIRST TRAINING. WE SPOKE ABOUT THAT AND WILL TO LOOK FORWARD TO THROUGH THE SUMMER.

ALL THE TIME WE HAD WITH THE SCHOOLS BEING OUT, WE HAVE OUR STUDENT RESOURCES, DEPUTIES, ALL TRAINING STAFF OUT OF THE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS. WE ARE WALKING OUT THE ACTIVE THREAT RESPONSE. WE PARTNER WITH REAL-TIME INTELLIGENCE CENTER ALSO WITH THE FBI TO IDENTIFY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY, HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE THAT APPROPRIATELY AND EXERCISING ALL THE TECHNOLOGY WE SPOKE ABOUT PREVIOUSLY.

IT REQUIRES RAPID RESPONSE FOR THOSE SCHOOL FOLKS THAT HAVE ACCESS TO THAT AND NOTIFIES US DIRECTLY.

WE'VE BEEN TESTING THE IN THE COMMUNICATION CENTER.

REALLY WE'VE BEEN SATURATED ALL MONTH AND ALL SUMMER WITH ALL HANDS ON DECK, ACTIVE THREAT RESPONSES ON THE TOPIC.

WE CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF IT, WE WILL BE DOING ALL WEEK THIS WEEK. YOU'VE SEEN STAFF OVER THE PAST MONTH AND WILL EXTEND THAT FOR THE FULL MONTH OF AUGUST TO GET EVERY DEPUTY IN OUR AGENCY SO WE CAN REALLY BUILD THE SKILLS WITH THE SKILL LEVELS AND GET THE RESPONSE.

AS FAR AS SCHOOLS, IT'S ABOUT OPEN SO WE'RE PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. SOME ARE PROBABLY MORE EXCITED TO GET THE SCHOOLS OPEN. BUT WE JUST ASK YOU GUYS BE PATIENT, THERE WILL BE SOME CONGESTION.

WE'RE GOING TO LAY OUT EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET THE SCHOOLS OPEN AND IN THE SAFEST WAY POSSIBLE.

HE ALSO INCREASED PRESENCE WITH DEPUTIES AND DETECTIVES, THE FORCE AND PS A'S, CROSSING GUARDS.

WE CAN'T DO LOANS OF PARENTS PLAY A BIG ROLE IN THIS.

WE REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO THIS AND LOOK FOR HAPPY SCHOOL YEAR.

WITH THAT I WILL CONCLUDE UNLESS YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR

COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU SIR.

THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE. BRANDON PATTY.

[Clerk of Court's Report]

NICE YOUNG BUNCH OF GUYS AND GIRLS FOLLOWING YOU.>> YES SIR, GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE TODAY'S REPORT. I WOULD LIKE TO BRIEF THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AND INTRODUCED TO THE COMMISSION, SEVERAL OF OUR INTERNS FROM THE SUMMER.

OUR PROGRAM WAS IN COLLEGE STUDENTS IN HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AND JUNIORS WITH INTEREST IN LAW AND PUBLIC SERVICE TO LEARN ABOUT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND MANY VITAL SYSTEMS THE CLERK OFFICE PROVIDES TO COUNTY RESIDENTS.

DAY-TO-DAY STUDENTS SHADOW AND ASSIST DAILY CLERKS IN THEIR DUTIES AND COURT HEARINGS, BOARD MEETINGS, OR ASSISTANT COMPTROLLER FUNCTIONS. THEY PROVIDE REAL BOOTS ON WELL SUPPORT WHILE SEEING FIRSTHAND HOW LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKS.

FOR EXAMPLE, STARTING A JUNIOR YEAR INCREASE IN THE FALL INTERNING IN OUR MEDICINE RECORDS DEPARTMENT HE SUPPORT STAFF DURING THE COMMISSION AND OTHER BOARD MEETINGS AND HELP VERIFY ACCESSIBILITY OF ON RUN RECORDS.

ACTUALLY, A LAW STUDENT AT STETSON LAW SCHOOL SUPPORT OUR CIVIL DIVISION AND ATTENDED HEARINGS, DEPUTY CLERKS AND HELPED WITH DOCUMENT REVIEW AND VERIFICATION.

LAST WITH US IS BLAKE A STUDENT YOU ENOUGH, GRADUATING IN 2023.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT INVESTMENTS MAJOR, GOT TO SEE UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL GOVERNMENT FINANCES WITH THE COMPTROLLER OFFICE PRETTY WORKED WITH DEBT SCHEDULES, FIXED ASSETS, ACCOUNTING AND PREPARATION OF ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF FINANCIAL REPORT. OVERALL, OUR OFFICE WELCOMED EIGHT INTERNS FROM ST. JOHN'S COME TO THE SUM OF ALL

[00:10:01]

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS IN THE FALL AND BEYOND AND WELCOME HELPING SPREAD THE WORD AND BRING ADDITIONAL FOLKS WHO WISH TO LEARN ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICE SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT. THAT IS MY REPORT PENDING ANY

QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU SIR, QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR INTERNSHIP AND WE HOPE THAT YOU'VE LEARNED A LOT.

THAT'S A GOOD GUIDE TO LEARN FROM.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] IT IS NICE TO SEE YOUNG STUDENTS PROGRESSING NOT ONLY IN THE ACADEMICS, BUT THEIR CIVIC WORK LEARNING ABOUT THINGS LIKE CLERK OF COURT, WHICH DOES A LOT MORE THAN MOST PEOPLE REALIZE.

PWHICH I CERTAINLY DID NOT REALIZE UNTIL I WAS ON THE COMMISSION AND GOT THE TOUR. Y'ALL DO THIS? WOW! ALL RIGHT, LET'S MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA, AND AS WE DO EVERY MEETING, WE WILL SEE IF THERE ANY DELETIONS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA STARTING, STUFF WE CAN COMMISSIONER ARNOLD ANY DELETIONS?

>> NONE. >> NONE MR. CHAIRMAN.

>> NONE MR. CHAIRMAN.> NONE. >> NOR DO I. ANY STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS AND OTHER JUST MOVE FORWARD?E HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, NOT THE REGULAR

[Approval of Consent Agenda]

>> SEEING NONE. >> ALL RIGHT CAN I HAVE A

MOTION? >> MOTION.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND, PLEASE VOTE. ALL RIGHT, AND THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED.

THEN WE GO TO THE ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS OF THE REGULAR AGENDA. COMMISSIONER ARNOLD?

>> NONE. >> MR. WHITEHURST?

[Approval of Regular Agenda]

>> NONE. >> WALDRON?

>> NONE. >> BLOCKER?

>> NONE. >> OKAY.

LET'S HAVE A MOTION ON THE REGULAR AGENDA.

[1. Public Hearing * REZ 2021-42 Old Moultrie Flex Space. ]

>> SOMOVED. >> SECOND.

>> THESE VOTE . THAT IS APPROVED.

ALL RIGHT. WE WILL START WITH OUR REGULAR AGENDA THIS MORNING. THAT WOULD BE ITEM NUMBER ONE,

OLD MOULTRIE FLEX SPACE. >> GOOD MORNING, THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST FORMALLY THAT WE MOVE THE ITEM TO THE DATE CERTAIN FOR SEPTEMBER 6. TO PROPERTY FILL OUT THE APPLICATION. WE'VE HAD SOME ISSUES WE ARE TRYING TO FIX. WE HAVE PRODUCT AND REVIEW WITH STAFF CURRENTLY. WE WOULD LIKE TO FORMALLY REQUEST DATE CERTAIN FOR SEPTEMBER 6 TO CONTINUE WITH THE ITEM. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I AM HERE TO ANSWER AND STAFF IS HERE TO ADDRESS QUESTIONS AS WELL. THANK YOU.

>> ANY QUESTIONS OR PUBLIC COMMENT?

>> PORTAL HERE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE.

SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> DO WE HAVE A MOTIO? >> YES MR. CHAIRMAN.

MAKE A MOTION TO CONTINUE 2021-42 OLD MOULTRIE FLEX

[2. Resident proposal to install a State Historic Marker along Neck Rd. in Ponte Vedra Beach]

SPACE, TWO SEPTEMBER 6, 2022. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION AND SECOND, PLEASE VOTE.

THAT PASSES. LET'S GO TO NUMBER TWO.

CLOSE TO MY HEART. ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER TWO? THERE HE IS, I DID NOT SEE YOU.

GLASSES ON. >> LET ME PUT A COUPLE OF THINGS THERE. I'M JUST SHOWING YOU THIS EXAMPLE P MOST OF YOU KNOW THAT I AM GARY COULLIETTE I GREW UP IN JACKSONVILLE, I'M HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR SPONSORSHIP FROM ST. JOHN'S COUNTY FOR A HISTORICAL MARKER SIMILAR TO THIS ONE. RECOGNIZING MOUNT PLEASANT PLANTATION AND NATIVE AMERICANS WHO LIVED IN NORTH FLORIDA, A MARKER RECOGNIZING -- LOCATED IT WAS SPONSORED BY THE COUNTY

[00:15:06]

JOHN'S COUNTY HELPS SPONSOR THIS ALONG WITH THE STATE.

WE ARE SPONSORED BY THE COUNTY IN THE STATE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AND SAINT AUGUSTINE ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN THE HISTORY OF FLORIDA AND NORTH AMERICA RENO FLORIDA NORTH AMERICA STARTED HERE, PONCE DE LEON DROPPED AN ANCHOR 1513 JUST OFF THE COAST, 15 MILES NORTH OF SAINT AUGUSTINE THEN IN 1565, SAINT AUGUSTINE WAS FOUNDED, NOT LONG AFTER I MOVED TO MY RESIDENCE, I BECAME AWARE OF THE NATIVE AMERICANS, MY OWN PRIVATE PROPERTY IN INDIA LIVED HERE AND GOVERNED RANCH PLANTATION I HIT FEEL THE HISTORY IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE AND IN 1780, JAMES GRANT, THE FIRST BRITISH GOVERNOR OF EAST FLORIDA BEGAN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MOUNT PLEASANT PLANTATION.

GRANT ALSO OWNED GRANTS VILLA OR RAN IT LOCATED WHERE THE RIVER MEETS NORTH RIVER THE GOVERNOR FELT FLORIDA TO BE A GREAT ASSET FOR COMMERCE FOR ENGLAND AND TRADE PRODUCE BOY WAS HE WAY AHEAD OF HIS TIME ON THAT.

THE PLANTATION AT THE NORTH END OF NECK ROAD WAS LARGE EXTENDED GREAT DISTANCE ALONG NECK ROAD ON THE LAKE.

THE MAIN CROP WAS RICE, CORN AND OTHER VEGETABLES 32 ACRES OF CHINESE TALLOW ALSO PLANTED FOR WAX PRODUCTION, THE NORTHERN DAM OR LEVY, I MISSPELLED THE NOSE AND BARTHA CANNOT CORRECT IT. WAS LOCATED, WHERE WAS MY FIRST ROAD THERE IS, WHERE THE NORTHERN LEVY WAS.

TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE SCOPE OF MOUNT PLEASANT PLANTATION 37 SLAVE CABINS AND OVERSEERS HOUSE AND BUILDINGS.

I WANTED TO SHOW YOU A COUPLE OF THINGS.

THIS IS ACTUALLY A MAP AND THIS WAS FOUND IT'S PROBABLY HARD TO READ BUT THIS IS ACTUALLY A MAP OF THE PLANTATION AND THE OCEAN IS UP HERE AND THIS IS THE ROAD RIGHT HERE.

I WAS SO SHOCKED TO SEE, ONE OF THE NEIGHBORS ACTUALLY GAVE ME A COPY OF IT. I LOOKED UP IN THE ARCHIVES JUST TO SHOW YOU AND I APOLOGIZE FOR MY NOT SO GREAT PHOTOS. BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO PLACE IT, THIS IS WHY APPEAR THIS IS PROBABLY WITHIN A COUPLE OF HUNDRED FEET OF THE INTERSECTION.

THE STATE WANTED LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE WHERE IT WOULD BE SO I PROVIDED THAT. THIS FUNNY LOOKING MARKER HERE IS WHERE IT WOULD BE. I'VE ACTUALLY WORKED WITH A SIGNED APARTMENT ABOUT MAKING SURE IT WAS PLACED FAR ENOUGH OFF THE ROAD. I THINK WE CAME UP WITH THEY ASKED FOR 12 FEET AND WE CAME UP WITH A THIN 14 FEET.

PLENTY OF ROOM, I WOULD JUST ASK THAT THE COUNTY SPONSOR THIS.T STILL HAS TO GO, IT HAD TO BE REWORDED BUT IT'S BEEN A LONG TRAIL, TAKEN ABOUT TWO YEARS TO GET THIS FAR.

I STARTED OUT WITH JUST -- NOT REALLY WHAT I HAD TO COME TO THE COUNTY ALSO. SO IT'S WOVEN ITS WAY THROUGH DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY.

AND THE HORTICULTURAL REVIEW BOARD THEY ASKED US TO EDIT IT AND I BELIEVE THE LADY OVER THERE RESIGNED TO THE WAS THAT ANYONE IN THE POSITION SO MR. ADDISON RECENTLY TOOK THE POSITION. HE CAME OUT TO MYSELF AND MY PARTNER WHOSE PROPERTY WILL BE IN FRONT OF AND WE REWORDED AND SENT IT BACK AND HE'S APPROVED IT.

NOW IT HAS TO GO BACK TO THE STATE BECAUSE WE CHANGED THE WORDING. IN OCTOBER IT WILL BE ON THEIR GENDER. HOPEFULLY, THEY WILL AGREE WITH WHAT WE'VE WRITTEN. AT THAT POINT, WE HAVE TO JUST START MAKING MONEY SO WE CAN PAY FOR IT.

I WILL APPLY FOR A GRANT. MANY NEIGHBORS INTERESTED IN THE HISTORY OF THE AREA, ESPECIALLY MY PARTNER, HE'S VERY EXCITED THAT IT COULD BE EVEN PLACED IN FRONT OF HIS PROPERTY. AND I HAVE NO DOUBT COLLECTING THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR IT, BUT WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE COUNTY ON THAT.

[00:20:01]

>> COMMISSIONER BLOCKER. >> I APPRECIATE -- I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THIS UP, I KNOW IT'S A PASSION OF YOURS AND GLENN FOR A LONG TIME IN THE COMMUNITY.

I'M NOT SURE WE DO HAVE ANY LANGUAGE IN HERE SPECIFICALLY BUT I WOULD BE HAPPY TO MAKE A MOTION FOR OUR SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS PROJECT, I THINK IT'S A WORTHY EFFORT AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY AND THIS PART OF FLORIDA REALLY TO THE HISTORY GLOBALLY.

I'M EXCITED AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO MAKE A MOTION.

>> LET ME HAVE THE STAFF, THIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY, I WOULD TOTALLY SUPPORT A MOTION IF APPROPRIATE AND TIMELY.

I CERTAINLY SUPPORT YOUR MOTION.

I WILL CALL ON EITHER LEGAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE IF IT WILL BE APPROPRIATE AT THIS TIME TO MAKE A MOTION OR IF THIS IS

JUST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. >> THROUGH THE CHAIR, IT IS INFORMATION ONLY BUT A MOTION COULD BE APPROPRIATE IF YOU

CHOOSE. >> JEREMIAH WOULD YOU LIKE TO? WE WILL CALL A PUBLIC COMMENT AFTER HE MAKES HIS MOTION.

>> MY MOTION IS FOR THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO SUPPORT AND ENDORSE AND SPONSOR THIS HISTORICAL MARKER.

>> SECOND. ANY PUBLIC COMMENT?

>> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON COMMISSIONER BLOCKER IS MOTION AND AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO.

ANYONE WISHING TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC FORWARD.

>> WE HAVE A VOTE AND SECOND, EVERYONE VOTE.

THAT PASSES, GARY WHY YOU'RE HERE, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU PUBLICLY FOR ALL THE WORK YOU'VE DONE OVER THE YEARS.

SUPPORTING AND MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THAT RIVER PRESERVE. YOU HAVE BEEN DOING THE LORDS

WORK AND I APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH I APPRECIATE IT. I CONTINUED TO VOLUNTEER AS A RANGER ON FRIDAYS, I LOVE GIVING HIKES AND IT'S JUST ONE OF MY FIRST LOVES. HOPE THE LORD GIVES ME A LONG LIFE SO I CAN CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF

YOU. >> THANK YOU, GARY.

>> THANK YOU. >> LET ME ASK THE COMMISSIONERS TO INDULGE ME FOR ONE MOMENT. I THINK THAT WE MAY HAVE A

[4. Consideration of approving a Purchase and Sale Agreement to acquire approximately 31 acres of property located on the San Sebastian River with deep water access for a public boat ramp and related uses, including but not limited to parking and passive recreation.]

THAT IS MY THOUGHT PROCESS. WOULD YOU PLEASE, STAND TYPE FOR HOPEFULLY NO MORE THAN 15 OR 20 MINUTES.

>> GOOD MORNING. GAIL OLIVER, DIRECTOR OF LAND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT. I'M HERE TO PRESENT TO CLAY, THE POTENTIAL ACQUISITION OF 31 ACRES OF PROPERTY ON THE SAN SEBASTIAN RIVER FOR PUBLIC BOAT RAMP AND PASSIVE RECREATION.

THE DIRECTOR OF OFFICE AND MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET IS HERE TO SPEAK OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND WE HAVE GREG CALDWELL, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR AND RYAN KANE, PARKS AND RECREATION IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT OPERATIONAL OR CONSTRUCTION. TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON THE PROPERTY, THE PROJECT ITSELF, COUNTIES 2019 PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN HAS WRECKED IDENTIFIED WATERWAY ACCESS AS A PRIORITY. THE COUNTY CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN HAS INCLUDED FUNDING FOR LAND ACQUISITION FOR BOAT RAMPS AND BEACH ACCESS AND FISCAL YEAR 22 AND FUNDING PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 23. AS OF 2021, THERE WERE 16,701 REGISTERED VESSELS IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY ALONE.

THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE ADJOINING COUNTIES.

OUR ESTIMATED EXISTING BOAT RAMP PARKING SPACES OVER 13 COUNTY MAINTAINED RAMPS OR 437 SALTWATER SPACES AND 135 FRESHWATER SPACES. AS YOU ALL ARE AWARE, THERE BEEN CHALLENGES FOR YEARS FUNDING AVAILABLE DEEPWATER ACCESS PROPERTIES LARGE ENOUGH TO ADDRESS THE COUNTIES NEEDS.

BACK IN DECEMBER 2019, THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY WAS IDENTIFIED AS A POTENTIAL SIDE HOWEVER THE FAMILY MOVED ON WITH THE CONTRACT WITH A PRIVATE DEVELOPER, WHICH HAS SINCE EXPIRED. IN MAY 2022, THE COUNTY WAS CONTACTED BY A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY REACHING OUT TO SEE IF AGAIN, THE COUNTY MAY HAVE INTEREST IN ACQUIRING THE FULL 31 ACRES. THE MAP THAT'S ON THE SCREEN

[00:25:01]

IT IS APPROXIMATELY FOUR MILES TO THE SAINT AUGUSTINE FROM THIS PROPERTY. THE NEXT MAP SHOWS AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROPERTY. THOSE OF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WHERE THE PROPERTIES AT IS ON THE SAN SEBASTIAN RIVER.

AND THE INTERCOASTAL WATERWAY. IT'S DEEPWATER ACCESS WITH AMPLE PARKING AND OTHER RELATED USES.

FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES, THE BOAT RAMP IS SIX ACRES AND THIS PROPERTY IS 31 ACRES. THIS WOULD PROVIDE AMPLE ACREAGE FOR BOTH THE BOAT RAMP AND PASSIVE RECREATION AND OTHER RELATED USES. THERE IS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FROM REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SAINT AUGUSTINE PORT WATERWAY IN FLORIDA AND NAVIGATION DISTRICT.

FOR GENERAL PURPOSES, THE PROPERTY IS ZONED OR AND IT IS IN THE MIXED-USE DISTRICT. THIS MAP ZOOMS IN A LITTLE BIT CLOSER. WITH THIS MAP YOU CAN SEE THE BEAUTY OF THE OAK HAMMOCKS. IS PRIMARILY ALL LIVE OAKS.

THERE IS HOMESTEAD PROPERTY HERE, THE ENTRANCE WOULD BE OFF -- BOAT RAMP PARKING, PASSIVE RECREATION.

THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL ENTRANCE OFF OF 312.

SOME OTHER ACCESS POINTS OUT APPEARANCE OF LEGAL DOCUMENTS AND STAFF WILL BE WORKING THROUGH AND THE DUE DILIGENCE PERIOD SHOULD THE BOARD VOTE TO MOVE FORWARD.

OUR SHOW NEXT, PICTURES THE PROPERTY AND I BELIEVE THESE PICTURES SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE PROPERTY.

THIS IS THE ENTRANCE ROAD WITH THE LIVE OAK HAMMOCKS.

THIS IS THE, THIS IS THE HOME THAT THE MAN LIVED IN IT'S AN OCTAGONAL SHAPED HOUSE. IT COULD POSSIBLY BE REPURPOSED. STAFF COULD WORK TO THE OPTIONS DURING THE PLANNING PROCESS. THE NEXT PHOTO IS AN INTERIOR PICTURE OF THE PROPERTY, AGAIN, SHOWING THE LIVE OAKS IN ITS NATURAL BEAUTY. THIS PICTURE IS FROM THE RIVER.

THIS IS THE HOUSE, THIS IS AN EXISTING DOCK WITH A FLOATING DOCK. THIS IS LOOKING OUT TOWARDS THE DEEPWATER AND THE SAN SEBASTIAN RIVER.

YOU CAN SEE THE CHANNEL MARKER RIGHT HERE.

STAFF IS OF THE OPINION IT WOULD TAKE VERY LITTLE DREDGING ONCE INITIAL DREDGE OCCURRED FOR THE BOAT RAMP CONSTRUCTION.

THIS IS A GREAT PICTURE THAT SHOWS THIS IS A PROPERTY THIS IS A 300 TROWBRIDGE AND THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL SALTWATER MARSH THAT WOULD HAVE MINIMAL IMPACTS PROVIDED THE MAJORITY OF THE PROPERTY STATE UNDER PRESERVATION CONSERVATION

STATE. >> THIS IS ZOOMED A LITTLE BIT FURTHER OUT. THERE'S AN EXISTING BOAT RAMP AND BROUGHT THROUGH HERE. SO THE NEW BOAT RAMP, WHICH STAFF IS LOOKING AT SOME TYPE OF REGIONAL BOAT RAMP, WOULD COVER THIS AREA ALREADY HAS SOME ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT EXISTING. IN JULY, AFTER FAMILY REACHED OUT TO THE COUNTY IN THE SPRINGTIME, COUNTY INITIATED AN APPRAISAL AND AS OF JULY 8, THE PROPERTY IS VALUED AT $15.9 MILLION. PER OUR ST. JOHN'S COUNTY ORDINANCE FOR REAL ESTATE ACQUISITION, WE WILL BE ACQUIRING A SECOND APPRAISAL, WE ANTICIPATE THAT TO BE COMPLETED IN THREE WEEKS. THE AGREED-UPON PURCHASE PRICE WITH THE SELLER IS 17.5 MILLION, WHICH IS 10 PERCENT ABOVE APPRAISED VALUE. THIS WOULD NOT INCLUDE THE CLOSING COST FROM MY RESEARCH, IT IS NOT UNCOMMON TO PAY OVER APPRAISED VALUE FOR A PROPERTY SUCH AS THIS THAT MEETS THE DEEPWATER ACCESS NEED AND THE NEED FOR PASSIVE RECREATION AND CONSERVATION. AT THAT POINT I'LL TURN OVER TO

TALK ABOUT THE FUNDING. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AND SO, WHEN THIS IS CAME UP I WAS ASKED TO PUT TOGETHER AN PINITIAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATION.

CERTAINLY, AS WE HAVE SOME TIME BETWEEN 90 AND 120 DAYS OR

[00:30:02]

JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE AND THAT IS TO BE SURE, SOME LEVEL WE HAVE TO ENSURE A LEVEL OF TREES MAINTAINED THERE IF IT WILL BE A PASSIVE PARK ETC., WE WANT TO MAINTAIN A LEVEL OF INDIGENOUS TREES THERE. WE CAN UTILIZE THAT TREE BANK FUND, THEIR IMPACT FEES, A LITTLE OVER MILLION DOLLARS EL OF TDT THIS CATEGORY FIVE AND STILL HAVE FUNDING IN THEIR FOR MANY OF THE BEACH NOURISHMENT INITIATIVES THAT ARE THERE.

THAT WOULD BE A NONRECURRING BALANCE IN THERE.

AND THEN WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT AS WE CONTINUE TOWARDS THE CLOSING ON THIS, IS A COMBINATION OF PLACES I PUT HERE GENERAL FUND IS A FALLBACK AND SHORT-TERM FINANCING.

THOSE WOULD BE REALLY OUR LAST RESORT, WE WILL LOOK AT OTHER AREAS AS WELL CERTAINLY WE CAN LOOK TO THE GENERAL FUND, INTERESTINGLY, YESTERDAY COUNTY ATTORNEYS OFFICE PROVIDED AN OPINION RELATED TO PARK IMPACT FEES THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY USE IF THE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE, IMPACT FEES FROM OTHER DISTRICTS IF WE DEEM THAT THIS PART, THE PARTICULAR PROJECT WAS A BENEFIT TO COUNTYWIDE. WE WILL LOOK AT A COUPLE OF OPPORTUNITIES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS TO KIND OF FINISH THE ENDGAME ON THAT BUT WE ALWAYS HAVE AT SOME LEVEL THAT GENERAL FUND FALLBACK TO SOME LEVEL OF THIS CERTAINLY THAT DEPENDS WHERE THE BUDGET ENDS UP WITH THE FISCAL YEAR 23, THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THOSE FUNDS AND AGAIN, KIND OF THE LAST RESORT WOULD BE SHORT-TERM FINANCING.

WE ALWAYS WANT TO AVOID -- WE WOULD CASH FLOW THIS IF WE COULD WE WILL DO THAT THE BEST WE CAN.

I WILL HAND IT BACK TO GAIL. >> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THE FUNDING COMPOUNDED LAST WEEK, STEPH AND I MET WITH BACKGROUND WITH THE STATE OR AUGUSTINE PORT AND WATERWAY DISTRICT AND MATT HAS COME THEY'VE IDENTIFIED 1.5 MILLION FOR PROJECTS SUCH AS THIS, IT'S ALREADY SET ASIDE THEY FUNDED THE OTHER PROJECTS AND THEY HAVE COMMITTED WITH THE OTHER AGENCIES IN THE COUNTY. SHOULD THE BOARD VOTE TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS ITEM TODAY, I WOULD BE PRESENTING ON AUGUST 9 FOR THE PROJECT AND MATT INDICATED THAT SHOULD HIS BOARD VOTE IN FAVOR OF IT, IT WILL BE 1.5 MILLION.

IT WOULD BE FAIRLY QUICK FUNDING.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO GET THE FUNDING QUICK ENOUGH TO GO TO CLOSING WITH BUT THERE ARE CERTAINLY 1.5 MILLION CUT OFF SETBACK EITHER GENERAL FUND OR SHORT-TERM FINANCING.

BORROWING. >> BEFORE YOU LEAVE, LET ME ADD THAT I HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY A SECOND MEMBER OF THE PORT AUTHORITY BOARD AND THEY HAVE FIVE MEMBERS.

SO, THE INDIVIDUAL CONTACTED ME SAID THAT THEY WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO PARTICIPATE FINANCIALLY TOO BECAUSE IT IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT ACCESS. I FEEL VERY OPTIMISTIC THAT WE WILL GET ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE SAINT AUGUSTINE PORT AUTHORITY. AND THAT WILL BRING THE $8 MILLION NUMBER DOWN, JUST DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH.

>> SURE AND WE ALSO MET WITH CARL -- FLORIDA NAVIGATION AND THAT HAS ALLOWED TO SPEND 80 PERCENT OF CERTAIN FUNDS COLLECTED ON WATERWAY PROJECTS. THEY HAVE $1 MILLION AVAILABLE TO SPEND, THAT IS THROUGH A GRANT PROGRAM AND $1 MILLION FOR ST. JOHN'S COUNTY WE WOULD BE COMPETING WITH THE CITY OF SAN AUGUSTINE, CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTIE BEACH THROUGH GRANT RANKING PROGRAM. THERE IS THE GENERAL FEELING

[00:35:03]

>> I'M SORRY BUT I'VE BEEN REMISS, I ALSO GOT AN EMAIL FROM THE MAYOR CHEMISTRY SEE UPCHURCH THIS MORNING -- TRACY UPCHURCH. THAT SLIPPED MY MIND, SHE

SUPPORTS THIS. >> I SPOKE WITH JOHN REGAN AND WE HAD A SIMILAR CONVERSATION. THE CITY FROM THE CITY MANAGERS PERSPECTIVE, SUPER EXCITED ABOUT .

AND THEN, I LIKE O ADD, STEPH WILL AGGRESSIVELY PURSUE FUTURE RE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES, WHETHER TO THE HE THE STATE NORTHPORT, BLUE WAYS, JUST OPPORTUNITIES EVEN FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE BOAT RAMP, THE K, ETC. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING MOVING RWARD WITH PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT. THERE ARE FIVE SIBLINGS INVOLVED IN THE SALE. THEY WILL SIGN THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT. THE REASON THIS IS COME TO SO QUICKLY IS THEY REALLY HAD SOME BACKUP OFFERS OUT THERE.

AND WHEN THIS INFORMATION WENT PUBLIC THIS WEEK ACCORDING TO ONE MEMBER OF THE FAMILY, PEOPLE ARE KNOCKING THE DOORS DOWN. IF THE DEAL WITH THE COUNTY FALLS THROUGH, THEY HAVE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE.

WE WILL GO TO THE DUE DILIGENCE PROCESS, PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL, WILLISTON THE SITE IS CLEAN BUT IT COULD TRIP A PHASE 2 OPTIMISTIC ON THAT. THE TITLE COMMITMENT WILL RUN THE TABLE MAKE SURE IT CLEAR TITLE ETC. WILL HAVE A SURVEY DONE CLEARING ENCROACHMENTS OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

AND DURING THE TIME OF OUR DUE DILIGENCE, WILL WORK WITH STAFF INTERNALLY FOR AN INTERN MANAGEMENT PLAN.

SHOULD EVERYTHING GO FORWARD IF YOU GUYS VOTE AFFIRMATIVELY, WE COULD CLOSE AS QUICKLY AS PDECEMBER SO WE REALLY GOT TO PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER WITH MAINTENANCE, MOWING, GATES, SITE CONTROL, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

AND WE WILL BE COMING BACK STEPH WOULD BE COMING BACK WITH CREATING SOME TYPE OF CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN YOU KNOW, HOW WE THINK VISION WAY WILL SEEK PUBLIC INPUT TO THE PROCESS.

STAFF SEES THIS AS A LONG-TERM PROJECT 10 TO 20 YEARS, 31 ACRES. COMMISSIONER DEAN AND I SPOKE YESTERDAY, IT'S IN THE HEART OF SAINT AUGUSTINE.

YOU JUST DON'T FIND PROPERTY LIKE THIS ANYMORE.

SO THAT BEING SAID, I AM OPEN FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

>> QUESTIONS? OKAY, PUBLIC COMMENT?

>> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WITH THEIR PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> WE ARE PRESUMABLY DONE WITH THAT PORTION?

>> I AM. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE.

PUBLICCOMMENT? >> PLEASE COME FORWARD IF YOU HAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR.ES

MA'AM . >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.

CHAIRMAN DEAN, MY NAME IS BARBARA -- I AM A COMMISSIONER ON THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE. AND I'M HERE TO VOTE I'M SORRY, I MEANT TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THIS.

ON THIS ACQUISITION. I THINK IT IS, ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT IN THE CITY LIMITS, IT IS CLEARLY VERY CLOSE TO THE CITY AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER WALDRON AND I HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT BOAT RAMPS AND THE LACK THEREOF. I KNOW HE MUST BE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS, I WOULD ASSUME SO GIVEN THAT CONVERSATION.I LIVE NEAR THE VILLANO BOAT RAMP AND REGULARLY, I GO PAST IT IT IS OVERCAPACITY. ALMOST ALWAYS.

THE NEED IS CLEARLY THERE. AND I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT FISHER ISLAND PRESERVE, THAT IS WITHIN THE CITY OF SAN AUGUSTINE, HAS BEEN TREMENDOUSLY POPULAR.

ADDITIONAL OPEN SPACE, PASSIVE PARK, RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTY, THAT WOULD BE A THING VERY POPULAR COUNTYWIDE. IT WOULD BE VERY BENEFICIAL.

SO, THANK YOU FOR ENTERTAINING THE IDEA AND THANK YOU TO STAFF FOR DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB AND GETTING THIS READY.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. MR. ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL SURGERY YOU ENDURED OVER THE LAST MONTH

OR TWO. >> GOOD TO SEE ALL OF Y'ALL.

>> LITERALLY! >> I NO LONGER HAVE CATARACTS THANKS TO UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.

[00:40:01]

-- IN TERMS OF NOMENCLATURE WE CALL THIS A PARK.

NOT A BOAT RAMP BECAUSE AT ONE TIME, YOU REMEMBER CHAIRMAN, WE HAD A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WHO ALLOWED DEBRIS TO BE ACCUMULATED AT BUTLER PARK ON THE ISLAND.

AND IT WAS CLEARLY PRESENT DANGER TO THE WATERWAY BECAUSE OF HIGH TIDE COMING IN. AND MR. OF THE TIME IS NOT A PARK IT'S ABOUT RAMP.

SO SYMETICS A VERY IMPORTANT PTHE SKULL IS A PARK WAS TALK ABOUT WHO IT SHOULD BE NAMED AFTER, IT MAY BE A -- FAMILY WOULD BE THE CANDIDATE I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ACCEPT THAT.

THE COASTAL HAMMOCK THERE IS A CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSET.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT IS PRESERVED AND PROTECTED.

BUT RAMP IS FINE BUT LET'S PROTECT THE TREES.

ALSO, I'D LIKE TO SEE A STARK MONUMENT HERE BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED HERE TO DOCTOR -- AND THREE OTHER AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

HERE WERE FOUR AFRICAN-AMERICANS AT A RALLY NEAR THE SITE. THEY WILL PILED UP, THE SHERIFF PREVENTED THIS BUT THE DENTIST A CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER, HAD 11 BROKEN RIBS, 11 LOST TEETH, BROKEN RIBS, HIS HAND WAS PERMANENTLY MAIMED THEY WANTED TO KEEP HIM FROM WORKING AS A DENTIST SO THIS WAS A CRIME SCENE.

WE NEED TO HAVE A MONUMENT THERE FOR PEOPLE WHO SURVIVED THE KKK ATTACK ON THAT DATE. AND WE WOULD HAVE A PARK NAMED FOR THE DOCTOR, FREEDOM PARK IN THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE BUT I LIKE TO SEE HISTORIC MONUMENT.

ALSO, IF WE COULD CHECK MR. CHAIRMAN HELPED GET THE FLORIDA FOREVER FUNDS IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION, CAN WE GET FLORIDA FOREVER FUNDS FOR THIS TO DEFRAY SOME OF THE LOCAL EFFORT, ARE YOU WORKING ON THAT? JUST REMEMBER THE DOCTOR. THIS HAS TO BE PRESERVED AND PROTECTED IN A 17.5 MILLION LET'S MAKE SURE THAT LAMP KNOWS THEY CAN THINK BIG. AND IF LAMP COMES UP WITH SOMETHING MORE THAN $500,000 WHICH IS CURRENTLY THE LIMIT THEY'VE BEEN TOLD, I'VE ENCOURAGE THEM ENCOURAGE ALL TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO THINK BIG. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY I'VE ADMIRED IT FOR YEARS I'VE OFTEN WONDERED WHAT WAS THERE.

I MET -- AND HIS LATE PARTNER. THEY DID A LOT FOR THE COMMUNITY MAYBE YOU WANT TO ASK STAFF AND COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND NAMES. MAYBE -- PARK WOULD BE A SUITABLE NAME THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN AND COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS GOING TO BE A KEY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSET.

FUTURE GENERATIONS HONORING THE SEVEN GENERATION TEST WILL SAY

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU THE NEXT SPEAKER IS COMING UP, LET ME JUST SAY THAT I CONSIDER THIS A TWO FOR, I'D BE WILLING TO BUY THIS AS A PARK OR BOAT RAMP BUT I'M CALLING THIS A BEAUTIFUL PARK THAT HAPPENS TO HAVE A BOAT RAMP. THE WAY I'M APPROACHING IT.

NOW WE GET THERE FROM THE VICE MAYOR FROM SAINT AUGUSTINE

BEACH. >> CHAIRMAN, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I THINK WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNTY TO PRESERVE A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT'S REALLY ADJACENT IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE 312 BRIDGE WE HAVE FISH ISLAND AND EASTSIDE.

SEE BOOKENDS ON EACH SIDE OF THE ISLAND EASTBOUND OR WESTBOUND. I THINK IT IS GREAT, I KNOW AS ONE COMMISSIONER AT THE BEACH I WOULD DEFINITELY SUPPORT THIS AND I WOULD SUPPORT YOU GOING AFTER THE GRANT TO GET MORE FUNDING FOR THIS. BUT ANYTIME WE HAVE A CHANCE TO PRESERVE SUCH A PRISTINE PIECE OF LAND I THINK IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO SO. I APPLAUD EACH AND EVERY ONE OF Y'ALL IN THE ADMINISTRATION FOR GOING AFTER THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY AND KEEPING IT TO CONSERVATION AND USE AS A PARK AND A BOAT RAMP. THANK YOU.

>> NEXT SPEAKER PLEASE. >> DJ -- CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF PROPERTY. THERE WONDERING HOW LONG THIS TREES WILL STAY THERE BECAUSE IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY.

IF YOU COULD TELL US WHO CONTACTED YOU BESIDES MR. UPCHURCH. AND MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE, AND THIS IS WHAT BOTHERS ME. WE CAN ALWAYS FIND MONEY FOR WHAT WE WANT TO DO AND THEN WE CAN'T TAKE CARE OF THE NEEDS OF THE COUNTY IN THE CITY. WE NEED TO LEAVE $8 MILLION

[00:45:01]

WHERE ARE OUR PRIORITIES? I THINK THE PRIORITIES ARE MORE FOR THE FUN AND GAMES AND PEOPLE COMING IN HERE AND ENJOYING OUR WATERWAYS WHICH IS FINE.UT THERE WILL BE PROBLEMS COME UP THAT MESS UP THE MANATEES BECAUSE WILL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT TOO. FOR THE RECORD, I JUST WANT TO BE ON SAYING LEAVE THE 8 MILLION FROM THE GENERAL FUND ALONE. LET ALL THESE OTHER PEOPLE GET THE MONEY UP AND FIND THE MONEY TO PRESERVE THIS BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF LAND. IT WENT FROM 15 MILLION TO 17 MILLION AND I THINK THEY GET, THINKING ABOUT IT, THEY COULD PROBABLY MAKE A LOT MORE MONEY FROM WHOEVER IS REALLY INTERESTED. AND THAT'S ALL WE HAD TO KEEP IT A SECRET A COUPLE OF MEETINGS AGO.

BECAUSE OF THIS VERY FACT. AS OF THE PEOPLE THAT COULD PROBABLY DO A BETTER JOB OVER THERE AND IS GOING TO BOIL TELL WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN WAIT ON THAT BIG MONEY COMING IN OR IF THEY WILL GO AHEAD AND DO THIS WITH THE COUNTY.

IT SHOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU I THINK ABOUT 10 MINUTES WILL TAKE UP A DISCUSSION.

A PRETTY INTERESTING AND BROAD DISCUSSION OF PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO OUR RESIDENTS BUT WE ARE NOT A ONE TRICK PONY, WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON WE ARE TRYING TO COVER THEM ALL WELL. ELLEN, YOU'VE BEEN ON VACATION?

>> I HAVE NOT. I JUST DECIDED TO DISAPPEAR AND THEN MAGICALLY REAPPEAR.AS A PRIVATE CITIZENS TODAY, -- MANY OF YOU KNOW, I OFTEN REPRESENT PEOPLE WHO LEAVE THEM PRIVATE PROPERTY, THIS IS A PRISTINE PIECE OF PROPERTY IT IS BEAUTIFUL WHY NOT CAPTURE IN HIS PRISTINE CONDITION AND USE IT FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT AND INSTEAD OF ALLOWING THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITH IT.

THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE HAS DONE AN AMAZING JOB OF PRESERVING FISH ISLAND. THIS WOULD BE ANOTHER CROWN IN THIS AREAS ENVIRONMENTAL JEWEL IF YOU WILL.

WHY NOT PRESERVE A PIECE OF OUR BEAUTY AND HISTORY? AS A TAXPAYER AND RESIDENT OF ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, I VERY MUCH APPLAUD YOUR ACQUISITION OF THIS PROPERTY, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU MA'AM ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS AGENDA ITEM? SAY NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC

COMMENT. >> COMMISSIONERS.

OR GAIL, OR BOTH. >> IS GOING TO BRING THE MOTION PBACK UP TO THE SCREEN. THERE WE GO.

>> I GOT A MOTION IN FRONT OF ME.

>> I WAS GOING TO MAKE A MOTION, MR. CHAIRMAN.

>> EVEN THOSE DISTRICT 5, SINCE I AM CHAIRMAN.

I WILL DELEGATE THE MOTION. LOGO.

>> THE AGENDA SAYS FIVE. >> YOU GO AHEAD.

>> I WANT YOU. >> I WAS GOING TO SAY BEFORE, THE QUESTION WAS WHETHER I SUPPORT IT I KNOW I SUPPORTED HIM VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT, WE HAVE A CHANCE REALLY WITH THIS PROPERTY TO BUILD ONE OF THE MOST PRISTINE AND NICEST PARKS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND I'VE USED BOAT RAMPS IN A BID TO PARKS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THIS COULD REALLY BE A CHANCE TO HAVE THIS IS JUST A LANDMARK AREA IN THE COUNTY.

AND CLOSE TO THE CITY, IT WOULD BE WHEN YOU LOOK AT A NUMBER OF BOATS THAT ARE ACTUALLY REGISTERED IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, IT IS TREMENDOUS, I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO MAKE A MOTION. I THINK COMMISSIONER BLOCKER

WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. >> I JUST WANT TO THANK GAIL.

I KNOW THAT GAIL HAS BEEN BEHIND THE SCENES KEEPING HER EYE ON THE PROPERTY FOR LONG TIME HER AND HER TEAM WORKED HARD ON THIS SO THANK YOU FOR WORKING VERY HARD TO BRING THIS. WE APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR

TEAM, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> AT THIS TIME I WILL MAKE A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2022 Ã285 APPROVING THE TERMS AND AUTHORIZING COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR OR DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE APPROXIMATELY 31 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE SAN SEBASTIAN RIVER WITH DEEP WATER ACCESS FOR A PUBLIC BOAT RAMP AND RELATED USES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PARKING AND PASSIVE RECREATION. -- DIRECT MCENTEE FINANCING TEAM TO REPAIR

[00:50:06]

PROPERTY. >> I WILL SECOND THAT.

GLADLY SECOND THAT MOTION. >> PLEASE VOTE.

THAT PASSES 5-0 GAIL, GREAT WORK, APPRECIATE YOU.

ALL RIGHT. LET ME SUGGEST, I CERTAINLY DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR ANNUAL BUDGET. BUT IT IS ALMOST 10 O'CLOCK AND WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST IS WE GO AHEAD IF EVERYONE IN THE AUDIENCE IS ON BOARD, HERE I HOPE TO TAKE UP THE ITEM ON THE

[5. Discussion of Housing Authority in St. Johns County.]

IS THERE ANY REASON NOT TO DO THAT NOW? FRANK, ARE YOU GOOD WITH THAT? ALL RIGHT, LET'S TAKE UP THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ITEM WHICH I BELIEVE IS NUMBER THREE.

YES NO, THAT'S THE BUDGET THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS WHATEVER IT IS. FIVE.

WE WILL TAKE UP ITEM 5 AND I'M NOT SURE, I'M NOT 100 PERCENT SURE HOW THIS HAS BEEN ORGANIZED TO PUT TOGETHER BUT

JOE, ARE YOU KICKING IT OFF? >> YES SIR.

>> AND WILL HEAR FROM MR. FRANK WILLIAMS. ANOTHER OTHERS HERE THAT PROBABLY WANT TO SPEAK.

SO GO AHEAD. >> OKAY MY NAME IS JOSEPH COHEN THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

BASICALLY, HIS IS A DISCUSSION ITEM TURNED OVER TO MR. WILLIAMS A FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE WHO REPRESENTED ST. JOHN'S COUNTY I BELIEVE FROM 72 TO 84.

WILL HAVE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SALT LAKE CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY. IN UTAH.

BASICALLY, THIS ITEM STEMS FROM A DISCUSSION BETWEEN OUR HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY, HERE LOCALLY IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AND THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THEY HAD A JOINT WORKSHOP IN THE SPRING. AND THEY DISCUSS THE SUDDENLY BROUGHT UP THERE IS A LETTER IN YOUR PACKAGE WHERE BASICALLY THEY ENDORSED THE ORIGINATION OF A LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITY.

AND I WILL KIND OF TURN THIS OVER TO MR. WILLIAMS, TROY LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS AND DO A BRIEF PRESENTATION ON THIS

ITEM. >> LET ME ADD TO THE INTRODUCTION. COME ON UP FRANK.

LET ME ADD TO IT THIS WAY BECAUSE I WILL GIVE YOU A LITTLE CONTEXT OF WHY THIS IS ON THE AGENDA.

ABOUT SOMETIME LAST FALL IF I REMEMBER, MAYBE LAST SPRING, SPRING OF 21. MR. WILLIAMS APPROACHED THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

WHICH I HAVE SERVED ON DURING MY TERM AS A COMMISSIONER, UP UNTIL I WAS HAPPY TO APPOINT SIR ARNOLD, HELP US CARRY THE DIFFERENT COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS.

SARAH TOOK OVER IN FEBRUARY OR MARCH ROUGHLY WHEN I FINALLY GOT AROUND TO SIGNING OFF ON THE ASSIGNMENTS.

BUT DURING THAT TIME, FEBRUARY AND MARCH THE PREVIOUS FIVE OR SIX MONTHS, MR. WILLIAMS HAD PRESENTED A RATHER THOROUGH AND VERY INTERESTING PRESENTATION ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND HE CAN SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE AND AUTHORITY BECAUSE HE COMES HAVING SERVED IN TALLAHASSEE ON BEHALF OF THE LEGISLATURE, 50 YEARS AGO.

WORST TIME GONE. >> YOU SHOULDN'T TELL MY AGE.

>> I DIDN'T I JUST SAID 50 YEARS AGO.

HE THEN WENT ON TO CALIFORNIA AND WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

WHICH IS ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY.

AND HAD GREAT EXPERIENCE THERE AND JUST AS PERSONAL ASIDE, HE'S MOVED BACK TO ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AND BOUGHT A HOUSE ON THE SAME STREET THAT I LIVED ON FOR 26 YEARS.

ALL THAT SAID, I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT ONCE YOU PRESENT THE ITEM TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND THERE WAS A PRETTY STRONG AND POSITIVE REACTION FROM A NUMBER OF THE MEMBERS WHERE THE POLICYMAKERS THE POLICY SETTERS AND IF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS TO BE CREATED, WHERE THE ENTITY THAT DOES IT BY ORDINANCE. NOT TO STAY, NOT A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION. WE WOULD DO A COUNTY ORDINANCE.

THAT SAID, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT WE'LL GO TOO FAR DOWN THE ROAD IN MY OPINION WITHOUT GETTING A FULL DISCUSSION, FULL INPUT BECAUSE OF THE END OF THE DAY, WHERE THE ONES THAT DECIDE TO GO FORWARD OR NOT BASED ON THE PROS AND CONS.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE THIS MORNING, WE'VE A LOT OF PEOPLE I THINK THAT WOULD LOVE TO WEIGH IN, WITH THAT BACKGROUND

NOW, I WILL TURN OVER TO YOU. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO

[00:55:01]

WHEN I REPRESENTED THE COUNTY, FROM 1972 TO 1984, REALLY HAD 35,000 PEOPLE HERE IN THE COUNTY.

MY GOODNESS, WE'VE GROWN, I CAME BACK ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO.

AND I STARTED ATTENDING THE FORD WILL HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND I WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR HAVING SOMEONE ON YOUR STAFF LIKE JOE CONE, WHO'S BEEN REALLY HELPFUL TO ME THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS. AND JOE, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU AND ROBERTO ORTIZ FOR ALL OF YOUR ASSISTANCE.

ESPECIALLY MARY GARCIA. A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW MARY BUT SHE'S THE PERSON WHO DOES ALL OF THE GRUNT WORK.

WE KNOW WHO DOES ALL OF THE WORK.

ANYWAY, I'M DELIGHTED TO SEE MY FRIEND DAN ACKERMAN HERE, UP ON THE SCREEN ZOOMING IN, FORTUNATELY DAN IS WITH US FOR THE LAST 15 DAYS, HE'S BEEN BATTLING COVID.

SO, REALLY APPRECIATE, IN FACT GOT STRANDED ON BEAVER ISLAND MICHIGAN AND HE WAS ISOLATED UP THERE.

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU ARE BACK IN SALT LAKE CITY OR STILL OUT ON BEAVER ISLAND BUT I AM DELIGHTED.

>> STILL ON BEAVER ISLAND. >> GREAT.

>> TWO MORE DAYS. >> OKAY, THANKS FOR BEING HERE, DAN. DAN WAS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THE FIVE YEARS THAT I SERVED AS CHAIRMA THERE.

AND WHEN I STARTED ATTENDING THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEES I KEPT HEARING ABOUT THE HOUSING CRISIS HERE IN THE COUNTY. AND I STARTED READING ARTICLES IN THE NEWSPAPER ON THE HOUSING CRISIS HERE IN THE COUNTY.

I SAW SO MANY GROUPS STRUGGLING FOR FUNDING, TO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS. I STARTED DISCUSSING THE CREATION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY BECAUSE I SAW AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNTY TO REALLY ACCESS MORE TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX TO ADDRESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUES.

AND IF YOU BEAR WITH ME, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO GO DOWN A LIST OF WHAT I THINK ARE GOOD REASONS TO QUIT HOUSING AUTHORITY, TO DEAL WITH THIS HOUSING CRISIS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE COUNTY. ONE, YOU GAIN FEDERAL RESOURCES FOR LOCAL HOUSING. TWO, LEADING AND DEVELOPING PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS. OUT OF HIS EYES FOCUSING ON PUBLIC PRIVATE OWNERSHIPS TO CREATE MORE HOUSING.

REDUCING POVERTY FOR FAMILIES AND SENIORS AS RENT BURDENS LEAVES. LEVERAGING VOUCHER COMMITMENTS AS STINGLESS FUNDING FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT OR MAJOR REHABILITATION UTILIZATION OR UTILIZING FOR-PROFIT DEVELOPERS CREATING NONPROFIT ENTITIES TO SPUR ADDITIONAL HOUSING COMMERCE DURING BLADED HOUSING AND MODERN VIABLE COMMUNITIES.

ALLOWING EXPEDITED PUBLIC FUNDING TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR FASTER CREATION OF NEW HOUSING.

-- DIRECTLY FROM HOUSING AUTHORITY, ISSUING BONDS DIRECTLY FROM THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

AND THE LIST GOES ON. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE A MISCONCEPTION OF WHAT PUBLIC HOUSING IS TODAY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE IMAGE IN THEIR MIND, THE OLD PROJECTS UP IN CHICAGO AND NEW YORK, THE CRIME-RIDDEN HOUSING PROJECT AND THINGS LIKE THAT. WE ARE IN THE 2000.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS.

[01:00:05]

AND FORTUNATELY, THEY GAVE ME THIS LITTLE DEVICE THAT I CAN PLUG IN MY EAR. I AM NOT USED TO HAVING IT SO I APOLOGIZE. FOR THAT.

BUT GETTING BACK TO WHAT HOUSING LOOKS LIKE TODAY, WITH PUBLIC HOUSING, IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

I WILL LET DAN GO INTO MORE DETAIL ABOUT THAT LATER AND I'M SURE YOU ALL HAVE QUESTIONS. I COULD GO ON FOR HOURS TALKING ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF CREATING A HOUSING AUTHORITY.

THE MAIN THING YOU WOULD HAVE AN AGENCY FOCUSED ON HOUSING.

NOT JUST THE LOW-INCOME FOLKS, BUT EVERYBODY.

IN FACT, IN THE STATE OF COLORADO RIGHT NOW, THE CONGRESS PASSED A DEMONSTRATION, A PILOT PROGRAM THAT WOULD CREATE A MIDDLE INCOME HOUSING AUTHORITY.

SO, HERE IN THE BEGINNING OF THE CREATION OF A HOUSING AUTHORITY, YOU CAN FOCUS ON THOSE SPECIFIC NEEDS YOU HAVE THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY.

BUT OVER THE LONG RUN, YOU WILL FIND SO MANY TOOLS AVAILABLE TO YOU TO CREATE THE HOUSING THAT'S NEEDED HERE IN THE COUNTY. THANK YOU.

DO YOU WANT DAN, DAN, WOULD YOU MAKE A FEW COMMENTS I'M SURE THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO KNOW HOW TO FUND IT AND THINGS LIKE THAT. WHAT WOULD BE REALLY IMPORTANT IF YOU CREATE A HOUSING AUTHORITY, WE NEED AN EXPERIENCED PRACTITIONER WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

AND THAT'S WHY I HAVE INVITED DAN TO TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE HE HAS 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE, HE'S BEEN THE DIRECTOR, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND ON THE PRIVATE SIDE TOO.

FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS I GUESS. BUT HE'S THE KIND OF GUY WE

NEED IN THIS COUNTY. >> DAN IF YOU COULD GIVE US MAYBE NINE OR 10 MINUTES OVERVIEW AND THEN SEE IF THERE ANY COMMISSIONERS THAT HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

THEN WE WOULD GO TO THE PUBLIC AND THEY HAVE SEVERAL ELECTED OFFICIALS HERE TO SPEAK. WITH THAT, DAN, IT'S ALL YOURS.

>> THANK YOU, CHAIRPERSON DEAN AND COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU TO CHAIRPERSON FRANK WILLIAMS, WHO WAS QUITE A LEADER IN THE -- EMPIRE IN CALIFORNIA AND HOUSING.

ESPECIALLY SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING.

BUT REALLY, ONE OF THE GREATEST LEADERS I'VE EVER WORKED FOR.

AND REALLY, I'VE BEEN AT SIX HOUSING AUTHORITIES, TWO OF THEM TWICE AND ONLY SENIOR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS.

I'VE BEEN ASSAULT LAKE CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY SIX YEARS.

WE HAVE CREATED MANY MORE UNITS THAN EXISTED BEFORE.

MANY OF THOSE ARE MARKET RATE UNITS.

AS FRANK MENTIONED, UNITS THAT WE CALL MIDDLE INCOME.

WORK WORKFORCE HOUSING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU LITTLE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO NOT KNOW.

AS FRANK SAID, THE TERMS HUD, OF SECTION 8 AND LOW-INCOME HAVE HAD SORT OF NEGATIVE BAGGAGE LEFT OVER FROM THE 70S AND 80S PRIMARILY. BUT IT REALLY IS NOT THAT WAY TODAY. ALMOST HALF OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE HELPED WITH RENT NATIONWIDE THESE DAYS ARE ACTUALLY SENIORS WHO JUST HAPPENED TO BE ON SOCIAL SECURITY ONLY OR FOR SOCIAL SECURITY WITH A SMALL PENSION AND THEN OF COURSE THERE ARE MANY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN,

[01:05:04]

THERE ARE ABOUT 3400 HOUSING AUTHORITIES IN THE US.

THERE ARE 90 HOUSING AUTHORITIES IN FLORIDA TO DATE.

CREATING CREATING A HOUSING AUTHORITY IS SURPRISINGLY SIMPLE AND GUIDED IN EACH STATE, BY VERY SIMILAR LAWS.

THEY START AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

THERE ARE SOME BIG DIFFERENCES IN HOUSING AUTHORITY BETWEEN CITIES OR COUNTIES, THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BEING USUALLY IN CITIES, THE MAYOR'S POINT, THE COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTIES, THE GOVERNOR APPOINTS THEM. I THINK THE REASON TO START A HOUSING AUTHORITY IS IT ATTRACTS FUNDING THAT WOULD GO ELSEWHERE AND OF COURSE, IT EVENTUALLY ADDS MORE AFFORDABILITY TO THIS EVER-INCREASING DEMAND, WHETHER IT IS FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER HOMES, ASSISTANCE WITH RENT OR JUST THE STIMULATION OF MORE UNITS.

IT REALLY IS A MATH EQUATION NATIONWIDE WHERE A SHORTAGE OF UNITS CREATES HIGHER RENT AND THAT IS IN MOST AREAS OF THE US INCLUDING RURAL AREAS ON A SMALL SCALE.

SO, I THINK THE ADVANTAGES TO ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AND PERHAPS SOME OF THE CITIES WITHIN OUR TWO ADD RESOURCES AS FRANK MENTIONED WHO REALLY GUIDE AND HELP YOU KNOW, CREATE MODERN LIFE CHANGING COMMUNITIES. IT IS A VERY PRAGMATIC RESPONSE TO THE GROWING SHORTAGES AND THE RISING RENT AND COST AND DOES ALSO FILL SOME OF THE COMPONENTS OF YOUR MERGING HOUSING STRATEGY SUCH AS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGY AND FRANKLY, IT ALSO BOOKS A BIT OF A TREND WHERE MANY HOUSING AUTHORITIES NATIONWIDE ARE STARTING TO MERGE WITH EACH OTHER, JUST FOR EFFICIENCIES ETC. SO IT'S KIND OF SURPRISING THAT THERE ISN'T A HOUSING AUTHORITY THERE YET.

I HAVE DONE A FAIR AMOUNT OF WORK JUST CONSIDERING AND HELPING CHAIRPERSON WILLIAMS, CONSIDER HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THIS AREA. BY THE WAY, THE PLAN THAT I HAVE PUT IN PLACE INVOLVES LEGAL ADVICE, WHICH WE ARE READY HAVE SOME VERY STRONG LEADERSHIP IN THAT AREA OF WASHINGTON D.C., MOYER AND ROD SOLOMON AND ARE ALSO RESOURCES, A CLOSE FRIEND OF MINE IS THE TAMPA HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE COO. BUT I DO WANT TO EMPHASIZE WHAT FRANK SAID AS WELL. AND THAT IS, IF YOU FORM HOUSING AUTHORITY, YOU KNOW HOW TO ACCEPT THE WHOLE MENU.

IN OTHER WORDS, YOU CAN DESIGN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AROUND HOUSING RESPONSES. IN YOUR CASE, NOT TO SPEAK FOR YOUR COMMUNITY, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THOSE RESPONSES ARE THINGS LIKE WORKFORCE HOUSING, WHERE YOU HAVE SUPPORT WORK, EMPLOYEE PEOPLE, I KNOW THAT THEY CALL THEM THE ALICE HOUSEHOLDS.

THAT SEEMS TO BE VERY BIG NEED, FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNERSHIP SEEMS TO BE A BIG NEED. YOU CAN HAVE A STRATEGY AND PURPOSE WITH THE AGENCY DON'T HAVE TO DO ALL OF THE THINGS HOUSING AUTHORITIES ARE CAPABLE OF DOING.

AS AN EXAMPLE MANY HOUSING AUTHORITIES THESE THEY FORM JUST TO DO EMINENT DOMAIN. THAT IS A TOOL YOU KNOW FOR SUBSIDY PROPERTIES ON LAND THAT IS NOT BEING UTILIZED, YOU HAVE TO USE THAT, YOU HAVE TO ISSUE BONDS, BUT THE STEPS ARE

[01:10:11]

I'VE ALSO, I WORKED FOR A DEVELOPER BUILDING A LUXURY APARTMENT IF YOU WELL, AS WELL AS HISTORIC RENOVATIONS.

BUT IT IS AN HONOR TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE COUNTY AND WITH YOUR CITIES AND I STAND READY TO HELP IN ANY WAY I CAN.

>> THANK YOU DAN. IF YOU'RE STAYING AT A HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS ON BEAVER ISLAND, YOU PROBABLY ARE LITTLE WISER THAN MOST LAWYERS. WE APPRECIATE YOU, I CAN SAY THAT BECAUSE I AM A LAWYER IN REMISSION.

SO I CAN SAY THAT. [LAUGHTER] WHAT I WOULD DO FIRST, LET'S CALL THE COMMISSIONERS, DO YOU WANT TO ASK DAN ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT OR ANY THOUGHTS YOU WANT TO SHARE? SURE.

I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC BECAUSE I'VE GOT SOME QUESTIONS TOO. IF WE HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC IT MIGHT GENERATE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, WE CAN GO BACK IF THAT'S OKAY WITH YOU. YOU WANT TO CALL THEM PUBLIC

COMMENT? >> ABSOLUTELY.HIS TIME WILL PHEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. ANYONE WISHING TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT PLEASE COME FORWARD. WE HAVE TWO PODIUMS, YOU CAN USE EITHER ONE. THE MICROPHONES WILL BE ON FOR YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS WHEN YOU GET UP HERE.

DON'T BE SHY. YOU GUYS CAN COME ON UP ANYTIME

YOU ARE READY. >> I FORGOT TO MENTION, YOU MAY HAVE SEEN PEOPLE COME UP TO ME AND HANDED ME PIECES OF PAPER.

I HAVE BEEN CIRCULATING A PETITION THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY TO CREATE A HOUSING AUTHORITY.

I HAVE HUNDREDS OF SIGNATURES THE PEOPLE WHO SIGNED THE PETITION TO CREATE A HOUSING AUTHORITY AND TWO NOTABLE SIGNATURES ON THEIR, ONE IS THE MAYOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, TRACY UPCHURCH AND THE OTHER IS THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH. I DO NOT WANT TO PRESENT THAT PETITION AND THE SIGNATURES TODAY BECAUSE IT PROBABLY WOULD SPUR AN ACTION THAT I SEE THAT YOU ARE MOVING TOWARDS SO I DON'T SEE ANY NEED OF PRESENTING PETITION TO YOU.

AND THERE IS A GROUP IN THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN REALLY HELPFUL TO ME AND COLLECTING THOSE SIGNATURES, IT'S A GROUP CALLED CARE WHO I AM SURE ALL OF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH AND THEY ARE A GROUP OF ACTIVE CITIZENS IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. AND I WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK THEM FO ALL OF THEIR ASSISTANCE TOO.

>> THANK YOU. I WAS A LITTLE REMISS.

I KNEW WE WERE GOING TO HAVE SOME ELECTED OFFICIALS HERE TO SPEAK AND REALLY, WE HAVE SORT OF A POLICY THAT WE CALL ON ELECTED OFFICIALS FIRST SO Y'ALL JUST STAND BY SECOND AND LET ME CALL ON THE MAYOR, LET ME CALL THE MAYOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH AND THEN IF THERE ARE THOSE REPRESENTING THE CITY OF SAN AUGUSTINE, STANDBY, THERE IS, WE WILL HEAR

FROM YOU AGAIN. >> HELLO, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU CHAIR. I AM THE MAYOR OF SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH. ALSO A BUSINESS OWNER IS SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH. I GOT THE PLEASURE OF MEETING WITH MR. WILLIAMS REGARDING THIS TOPIC.

I'M NOWHERE NEAR AN EXPERT IN THIS AREA, I WILL SAY HE BROUGHT FORTH SOME VERY INTRIGUING IDEAS AND WHAT OCCURRED TO ME IS WHAT I SAID IN YOUR POSITION FOR OUR CITY, IS THERE A NEED FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS? AND IS THIS GOING TO BE A TOOL THAT WILL HELP US MAKE THE SITUATION BETTER? AS I LOOK AT THE NEEDS, THE HOUSING NEEDS IN OUR COUNTY, AND OUR CITY, OUT ON THE ISLAND, I SEE THERE'S A BUSINESS OWNER EVERYDAY WORKFORCE HOUSING IS A PROBLEM AND AS A COUNTY GROWS AND ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN A GREAT COUNTY.

[01:15:01]

THERE IS A NEED HEAR THE NEED WILL CONTINUE TO GROW, THE NEXT PART MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT IS, HOW DO WE ADDRESS IT? DO WE HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS IN PLACE? I DON'T KNOW IF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS THE RIGHT TOOL BUT IT IS CERTAINLY, HAS SOME POINTS THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION AND I BELIEVE IT IS WELL WORTH TAKING A LOOK AT AM NOT SURE WHAT TOOLS WE HAVE IN PLACE RIGHT NOW.

TO GET MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR JUST WORKFORCE HOUSING INTO THE COUNTY. THE THOUGHT OF PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS IS VERY INTRIGUING.

I KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT HAVE EMBARKED ON MISSIONS LIKE THIS AND DEFINITELY SHOW AN INTEREST NOT JUST TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR PROFIT BUT ALSO, SOME AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVES. I THINK I'M GLAD I APPRECIATE CHAIR DEAN FOR BRINGING THIS BEFORE THE COMMISSION.

THAT YOU CAN ENTERTAIN IT AND I WOULD DEFINITELY SUPPORT TAKING A DEEPER LOOK AT IT. THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE WHAT

YOU DO. >> THANK YOU.

>> SORRY. WE SHOULD'VE CARPOOL BECAUSE DON LIVES ACROSS THE STREET FROM ME.

IF I KNEW HE WAS COMING I WOULD'VE SAVE GAS.

ANYWAY. YES MA'AM?

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN. >> IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

[LAUGHTER] BARBARA JAFFA COMMISSIONER CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE. WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF SPECIAL MEETINGS, WORKSHOPS ON BOTH HOMELESSNESS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHICH, AND WORKFORCE HOUSING WHICH ARE ALL ON A CONTINUUM AS I'M SURE YOU ARE WELL AWARE.

THIS IS THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH INDICATED, THIS IS A TOOL, OKAY? THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS A TOOL THAT WE ARE LACKING CURRENTLY AND IT IS A TOOL THAT WOULD HELP US ADDRESS WHAT IS FRANKLY A HOUSING CRISIS. WE ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS COUNTY AND HAVING THE HOUSING CRISIS. BUT WE DO NEED TO ADDRESS IT AND I APPLAUD YOUR EFFORTS AND STAFF EFFORTS, THE COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO BRING THIS TO THE FOREFRONT.

I THINK IT'S A CRITICAL TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX.

IT WOULD ENABLE FOR EXAMPLE, AS I MEET WITH DEVELOPERS AND TALK ABOUT INCLUDING AFFORDABLE AND WORKFORCE HOUSING UNITS IN THE PUD FOR EXAMPLE, A SET NUMBER, PERCENTAGE, RENT RELIEF THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD ENABLE.

THE FEDERAL FUNDS THAT WOULD NOT FURTHER BURDEN OUR COUNTY TAXPAYERS, OUR CITY TAXPAYERS AND ADDRESSES, THE AVAILABILITY OF THOSE FEDERAL FUNDS WOULD BE ENORMOUS.

AND THE TIMING IS PROBABLY, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO DO IT NOW.

SO, I ALSO WANT TO SPEAK ON, THAT IS FROM THE CITY AS A SINGLE CITY COMMISSIONER POINT OF VIEW.

THIS WOULD BE HELPFUL TO THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE TO OUR WORKFORCE, TO OUR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS, TO OUR HEALTH WORKERS, TO OUR TEACHERS. AND SO, I WANT TO GO TO THE TEACHING PART OF IT BECAUSE I AM AN EDUCATOR AND MY HUSBAND IS A LONGTIME EDUCATOR IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

I KNOW WHAT HIS SALARY IS WHICH MEANS I KNOW WHAT THE OTHERS TEACHERS SALARIES ARE AND I KNOW WITH THE MEDIAN PRICE IS FOR A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME IN THIS COUNTY.

AND THE TWO DO NOT MATCH UP AND AS WE HAVE A TEACHING SHORTAGE, AS WE HAVE A WORKER SHORTAGE, SERVERS, HOSPITALITY WORKERS, AND ALL OF THE OTHER WORKERS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE CIVIC WORKERS. WE NEED TO HELP THEM STAY HERE IN THIS COUNTY, COME TO THIS COUNTY, BE COMPETITIVE, HOW THE COUNTY BE COMPETITIVE IN ORDER TO BE THE WONDERFUL PLACE THAT WE KNOW IT IS TO LIVE AND TO BE ABLE TO ATTRACT RECRUIT, RETAIN THE QUALITY WORKERS THAT WE NEED TO KEEP THIS COUNTY THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. WHEN ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO MAKE

PUBLIC COMMENT? >> APPROACH ON BOTH SIDES.

>> THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN. YES SIR, NAME AND ADDRESS PLEASE.RUSTY MORNING, MY NAME IS GREG BURKE I LIVE AT 434 -- SAINT AUGUSTINE. I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF YOUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

ON THE BEHALF I THINK THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF PEOPLE WHO WILL SPEAK ABOUT THE ADVANTAGES OF HAVING THE HOUSING AUTHORITY COMPLETELY IN AGREEMENT WITH IT HAVING LEADERSHIP SIMILAR TO SOMEONE WITH DAN AND FRANK'S BACKGROUND I THINK WE CAN GET THERE. WHAT I WANT TO ADDRESS IS SOME OF THE IMAGES THAT MAY BE ON PEOPLES MINDS AND FRANK DID THIS VERY QUICKLY. I JUST RETURNED FROM THE ANNUAL

[01:20:01]

WE HAD TWO VERY SPECIAL GUESTS HERE WITH US, THE ENTIRE WEEK.

FLORIDA NATIVES, LORD EDUCATED, THEY NOW LIVE IN LOS ANGELES.

THEY WERE AWARDED THE NATIONAL AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS METAL. THEIR PRIMARY WORK IS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THE TYPE OF HOUSING THAT WOULD FIT INTO A HOUSING AUTHORITY. THIS SHOWS THE EMPHASIS BOTH FROM A DESIGN STANDPOINT IN CONSTRUCTION AND COST.

THAT WORD IS NOT GIVEN OUT LIGHTLY.

IT'S GONE TO PEOPLE LIKE -- YOUR FAMOUS ARCHITECTS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY. THE FACT THAT THEY GAVE IT TO A HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM WHO WORK IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT I'VE SEEN HAPPEN IN MY PROFESSION IN THE PAST 30 OR 40 YEARS PART OF THE ISSUE THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL SOLVE IS THE MOST OF ZONING SET FOR EITHER SINGLE-FAMILY OR HIGHER DENSITY MULTIFAMILY PROJECTS. THIS WILL GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO WHAT WE CALL MISSING MIDDLE AND WITH EVERYTHING FROM DUPLEXES UP TO THE HIGH DENSITY APARTMENT COMPLEXES. HAVING THIS TYPE OF SET UP WILL ENABLE ALL THE FOLKS THAT THE VICE MAYOR JUST HIGHLIGHTED, TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD HOUSING THAT WILL GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A GOOD LIFE, ENRICH OUR COMMUNITY AND GIVE US ALL A MUCH BETTER COMMUNITY. WITHOUT THE RIGHT OF PEOPLE LIVING N DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOUSING, I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE COMMUNITY, YOU JUST HAVE A JURISDICTION.

ASK THAT YOU STRONGLY CONSIDER THIS AND VOTE IN FAVOR OF IT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS.

AGREE. WE BELIEVE MUST ESTABLISH A PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY SOON AS POSSIBLE.

CITIZENS WHO VALUE RACIAL AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND SEEK TO PROMOTE SOCIAL JUSTICE AND RACIAL EQUITY IN THE INTEREST OF ALL OF OUR CITIZENS. CARE THANKS YOU FOR CONDUCTING THIS WORKSHOP TO EXPLORE PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND WE THANK YOU ALSO FOR INCLUDING SAINT AUGUSTINE AND THE BEACH AS WELL AS ALLOWING PUBLIC COMMENT.

THIS WORKSHOP IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BECAUSE WE ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO STOP TALK ABOUT THIS AND DO MORE THINGS TO ADDRESS IT. THE GROWING HOUSES AFFECT ALL OF US AND WE NEED THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKING TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS. THERE IS A CONTINUUM OF NEEDS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE COMMUNITY FROM THE HOMELESS TO LOWER INCOME SERVICE WORKERS AND MIDDLE-CLASS TEACHERS AND FIREFIGHTERS NOT TO MENTION SENIORS AND OTHERS ON FIXED INCOMES WHO INCREASINGLY FIND THEMSELVES STRUGGLING WITH RISING RENT THERE IS NO ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL SOLUTION TO THIS COMPLEX PROBLEM AND IT'S ONLY GETTING WORSE.

DIFFERENT ELEMENTS REQUIRE DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS AND AS WE LEARNED TODAY, ST. JOHNS COUNTY PHA WILL ADD SEVERAL POTENTIAL TOOLS TO THE LOCAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING TOOLKIT INCLUDING GETTING DIRECT ACCESS TO ADDITIONAL FEDERAL RESOURCES FOR LOCAL HOUSING INCLUDING VOUCHERS, ISSUING BONDS AND PROVIDE FUNDING FOR FOUR WILL HOUSING DEVELOP REAL ESTATE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY AND PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS EXERCISING EMINENT DOMAIN AND RESTORING AREAS WITH MODERN VIABLE COMMITTEES THEY OFFER MANY DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS TO THE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROBLEM.

RECENTLY WITH OFFICIALS FROM THE TEMPLE HOUSING AUTHORITIES, PART OF OUR EDUCATION ON THE ISSUE AND WE LEARNED AS DAN ECKMAN AND FRANK WILLIAMS CAN TELL YOU WITH THE NEW CREATIVE APPROACH AND PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS CURRENTLY EMPLOYED, TODAY'S PHA IS NOT OUR GRANDMOTHERS PHA.

PLEASE BANISH FROM YOUR MIND IMAGES OF BLEAK HUGE RUNDOWN PRIME DRUG INFESTED PROJECTS WAS ALSO CHICAGO OR SOUTH BRONX FROM THE 1970S IS JUST NOT HOW PUBLIC HOUSING IS DONE ANYMORE AND IF ANY OF YOU FEAR UNDERLING RESIDENCE MAY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY IF YOU ESTABLISH WHEN I WAS TO THE NEEDS AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY ARE VERY REAL AND GROWING AND SECOND ESPECIALLY WHERE FUNDING IS INVOLVED PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORS ARE REQUIRED TO ENGAGE SIGNIFICANT VETTING AND ENGAGE A SIGNIFICANT VETTING OF RECIPIENTS AND NEED FOR PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY ARE OUTWEIGHS ANY POTENTIAL CHALLENGES WE FACE.

ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS AND TAXPAYERS AND VOTERS OF ST.

JOHNS COUNTY WE URGE YOU TO ESTABLISH PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE PLEASE DON'T BE PENNY WISE AND FOOLISH ALTHOUGH SOCIAL STANDING WILL TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS R-- FOR US TO BE UP AND GOING.

ENABLE US TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AND START PROVIDING SOLUTIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL OF US.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

NEXT, YES MA'AM? >> 4370 COASTAL HIGHWAY SAINT

[01:25:10]

SHERIFF DEPUTIES AND TEACHERS WHO NEED TO LOOK FOR HOUSING OUTSIDE OF OUR COUNTY AND MORE AND MORE NOW HAVING TO FIGURE, IS IT WORTH IT WITH THE COST OF GAS TO KEEP COMMUNITY TO TRY AND COMMIT TO OUR COUNTY, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE ANY OF THESE CRITICAL WORKERS, PEOPLE WORKING IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRIES, PEOPLE WORKING AS TEACHERS AND DEPUTIES.

THIS HOUSING AUTHORITY, IS NOT GOING TO BE A MAGIC BULLET.

I KNOW THAT WE WOULD LIKE SOMETHING THAT WOULD FIX THE WHOLE THING, IT WON'T BUT I THINK IT WILL HELP US ADDRESS PEOPLE IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT ARE CRITICAL AND WILL HELP THOSE PEOPLE. SO IT'S WORTH DOING IN MY MIND.

I THINK A LOT OF TIMES, YOU HAVE A CHOICE.

DO THE RIGHT THING, AND THEN SOMETIMES YOU HAVE A CHOICE, DO YOU DO THE SMART THING? THE THING THAT WILL SAVE US MONEY.I THINK THIS IS BOTH, I THINK THIS IS BOTH THE RIGHT THING AND THE SMART THING FOR OUR COUNTY.

I'M ASKING YOU TO CONSIDER FAVORABLY HAVING THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND I THINK THERE ARE OTHERS, THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE HERE THAT I THINK SUPPORT THIS.

CAN I JUST ASK THEM TO STAND REAL QUICKLY? SOME OF THEM MAY SPEAK BUT WE MIGHT IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, HELP YOU GET THROUGH YOUR AGENDA.

IF NOT EVERYBODY THAT CAME HERE TO SPEAK TO THIS COULD JUST STAND. AND THOSE THAT WANT TO STILL, YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN THIS COUNTY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> THAT'S HARD TO FOLLOW.

MY NAME IS GREG WHITE. 905 CORAL STREET.

WEST SECTION OF SAINT AUGUSTINE.

I STAND BEFORE YOU TO SAY THAT I FULLY SUPPORT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN THE COUNTY. I WAS IN THE STEERING COMMITTEE AND HAD THE PLEASURE TO TRAVEL THROUGH VOLUSIA COUNTY, DUVAL COUNTY, -- PUTNAM, CLAY, ALL THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES.

AND IT IS IRONIC, THEY'LL HAVE HOUSING AUTHORITIES.

I WAS SOMEWHAT SURPRISED THAT ST. JOHNS DID NOT.

I'VE GOT A YOUNG LADY THAT WORKED AT BURGER KING, 13 CONSECUTIVE YEARS. WITHOUT MISSING A DAY.

SHE TRIED TO GET HOUSING IN ST. JOHNS AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.

SHE THEN MOVED TO PUTNAM COUNTY AND IN LESS THAN 12 MONTHS SHE WAS ABLE TO GET HER OWN HOUSE. THAT IS ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF HAVING A HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

I WAS SURE TO SAY UNITED ST. JOHNS AND I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT WITH CARE, WITH TROUBLE, COMPASSION SAINT AUGUSTINE AND CONCERNED CITIZENS, WE ARE UNITED AS ONE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

WE USE MANY TERMS AS WE WALK THROUGH THE JOURNEY CALLED LIFE. BEFORE USED TO BE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND I'M HERE TO TURN WORKFORCE AND IF YOUR HEATER TURN WORKFORCE, WE SUPPORT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, I'M A VETERAN, -- WE SUPPORT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE SUPPORT TEACHERS, WE SUPPORT OUR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS.

I THINK WE NEED TO NARROW THIS THING AND GO BACK TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING BECAUSE OUR YOUNG FOLKS THAT WORK IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRY, YOUNG -- THEY DON'T HAVE THAT PUSH TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY BE PART OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.

THAT IS HOMEOWNERSHIP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND

HAVE A SPLENDID DAY. >> THANK YOU.

YES SIR? WELCOME.

ANOTHER TOUGH SPEAKER TO FOLLOW.

GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS DWIGHT MILLER.

11 SEVEN -- SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH, NICE TO BE IN FRONT OF ALL OF YOU AGAIN. IT'S BEEN A WHILE FOR ME.

[01:30:03]

TODAY WE ARE REALLY FOCUSING ON ST. JOHNS PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY. BUT I DO WANT TO REMIND ALL OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS HERE, TODAY, CARE HAS PROPOSED IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONTACT. WE DID SO AFTER METING WITH PINELLAS COUNTY LAST SUMMER AND LEARNING ABOUT THEIR IMPRESSIVELY SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO TACKLE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEEDS OF THEIR CITIZENS.

AND IT INVOLVED ALL OF THE MUNICIPALITIES AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. AND THEY ALL GOT TOGETHER AND ENTERED INTO THIS AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPACT.

SUCH A COMPACT HAS NO LEGAL EFFECT, BUT IT PROVIDES A PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS, ARTICULATES THE BONA FIDE COMMITMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITH COMMUNITY SUPPORT. TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM IN A COLLABORATIVE COORDINATED WAY AND LAYS OUT STRATEGIES AND TOOLS THEY AGREE TO APPLY TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WITH THE PERMISSION OF PINELLAS FORWARD, THAT IS THERE COUNTY LAND AND TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION. CAROL BORROWED HEAVILY ON THEIR AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPACT. WE HAVE A DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

AND MADE CHANGES BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A VERY DIFFERENT COUNTY THAN PINELLAS COUNTY. THE NEW PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD BE THE CENTERPIECE OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONTACT FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

BUT THE COMPACT IS AN ISSUE FOR ANOTHER DAY.

FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY, THEY NEED TO HAVE A PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY. PLEASE, IMPLEMENT ONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. MILLER.

>> GOOD MORNING I'M BILL -- DIRECTIVE ST. JOHNS HOUSING PARTNERSHIP 525 W. KING STREET. HOPE THAT Y'ALL ARE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS. THE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP HAS BEEN WORKING ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY SINCE 1995. WE'VE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF EXPERIENCE WITH WHATEVER RESOURCES WE CAN FIND HERE.

BUT ONE OF THE BIG MISSING PIECES HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY. IT CAN BRING OTHER RESOURCES TO COMMUNITY. THAT IS REALLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT. WE NEED TO LOOK ACROSS THE ENTIRE RENTAL OR OWNERSHIP. WE NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES HERE. WE ARE SLOWLY SEEING RESTAURANTS CLOSE, SEVERAL CLOSE LAST MONTH BECAUSE OF LACK OF EMPLOYEES. I GET CALLS EVERY WEEK FROM PEOPLE HIS RENT WENT UP $200 IN A MONTH JUST BECAUSE OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY. THE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP WHETHER YOU REALIZE IT OR NOT WE WORK A LITTLE BIT IN CLAY, PUTNAM AND FLAGLER COUNTIES. OCCASIONALLY IN DUVAL COUNTY ALSO. START SEEING SOME OF THE DIFFERENT HOUSING PROGRAMS WE HAVE AND I SPENT A LOT OF TIMES WORKED WITHOUT NORTHEAST FLORIDA PLANNING COUNCIL.

MOST OF THE HOUSING SOLUTIONS ARE GOING TO BE LOCALLY BASED.

WE NEED HOUSING AUTHORITY THAT WILL REALLY DRILL DOWN AND SEE WHAT'S IMPORTANT IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, WAS GOING TO FIT, HOW AND WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE.

THE 340 HOUSING COMPLEXES THAT ARE GOING UP NOW WERE SLATED TO GO UP, TWO OF THEM CAME ABOUT BECAUSE OF HURRICANE MONEY I'D HATE TO THINK THAT THAT'S HOW WE HAD TO FIND RESOURCES TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THE OTHER ONE IS ABILITY HOUSING IN THE PROJECT THAT THEY'RE PLANNING ON DOING IN WEST AUGUSTINE.T TOOK THREE YEARS FOR THEM TO COMPETE TO GET A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION. AND THAT'S BEFORE THEY EVEN STARTED BEING ABLE TO BUILD IT. WE REALLY WANT THE RESOURCE THAT CAN EXPEDITE SOME OF THE SOLUTIONS.

WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE. WE NEED TO BE BUILDING AND CREATING NEW UNITS NOW. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS. I THINK THE SOONER WE CAN GET IT KICK STARTED AND GET IT GOING, THE BETTER OFF WE WILL ALL BE. THANK YOU.

>> MR. LAZAR, THANK YOU. WELCOME BACK.

>> THANK YOU. -- I AGREE WITH EVERY THE SPEAKER. YES WE CAN, LET'S DO THIS.

[01:35:02]

THE 80 ACRES. IT WAS SAVED FROM POLLUTION, WE HAD A FORMER CITY MANAGER DUMPED A LANDFILL IN A LAKE THERE. SOME OF US COMPLAINED AND IT WAS CLEANED UP. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SPOT LAND IS ALREADY CLEARED, WOULD HAVE TO DO ANYMORE DEFORESTATION LESS EMPHASIZED THE 80 ACRE SITE WAS MAKING THE VERY FIRST PROJECT FOR THE PHA. AND I HEARD MR. WILLIAMS AND MR. ACKERMAN, ONE THING I WANT TO CAUTION YOU ALL ABOUT.

THAT IS EMINENT DOMAIN. I HEARD THE WORDS EMINENT DOMAIN USED. AS A THINKER PHA NEEDS TO TROUBLE ITSELF WITH EMINENT DOMAIN.

AFTER THE KILO VERSUS CITY OF CONNECTICUT CASE IN THE US SUPREME COURT OUR STATE OF FLORIDA LEGISLATURE WISELY PUT LIMITS ON EMINENT DOMAIN. THEY ARE INTENDED TO PROTECT PRIVATE PUBLIC PROPERTY RIGHTS. I DON'T THINK THAT WE NEED EMINENT DOMAIN FOR THE PHA AND IF WE DO, AND IS TO BE FULLY COMPLIANT WITH OUR LAW, WE GOT A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH EMINENT DOMAIN BACK IN 1978. SOME PIPE LINERS TRY TO GET CONGRESS TO DO EMINENT DOMAIN FOR COASTAL PIPELINES AND I WAS 21 YEARS OLD, WET BEHIND THE EARS BUT FARMERS AND RANCHERS AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS WORK TOGETHER OUT IN THE WEST, AND I RUN 11,500 WORD ARTICLE 1ST THING EVER PUBLISHED.

CONGRESS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REJECTED EMINENT DOMAIN FOR THOSE PIPELINES BY OVERWHELMING MAJORITY. NOBODY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE DONE. WE HAVE TO PROTECT PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS. I WOULD BE RELUCTANT TO HAVE EVERYONE BE PART OF EMINENT DOMAIN AND PHA IN THE SAME PARAGRAPH. -- CAN DO IT AND I DON'T THINK WE HAVE TO HAVE THE ON THE TABLE AND I DON'T THINK WE HAVE TO HAVE, -- THE STATE OF FLORIDA AGREES, LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, LIST IT WITH NONPROFITS AND NOT WIT PROFIT-MAKING MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS THAT ARE DESTROYING OUR FORESTS AND ENVIRONMENT.

THANK YOU . >> THANK YOU.

YES MA'AM? >> GOOD MORNING, SHERRY BADGER, 2772 SOUTH COLLINS AVENUE. ONCE AGAIN GENTLEMEN, YOU HAVE LAND UP FOR GRABS. THE 20 YEAR AIRPLANE FELL APART. THESE EMINENT DOMAIN AND BLACKMAILING PEOPLE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SELL THEIR PROPERTIES. THERE HAS BEEN 300 PROPERTIES TAKEN OFF THE TAX ROLLS RIGHT HERE, OBSERVE THE AIRPORT, BUILD IT, BUILD WHAT YOU'VE GOT TO BUILD BECAUSE EMINENT DOMAIN HAS BEEN USED IN THE PAST, AND THE REASON IS NOT-FOR-PROFIT ANYMORE. AND THAT IS THE REASON OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA ADOPTED THIS PROGRAM.

DEVELOPERS COULDN'T USE EMINENT DOMAIN, YOU STARTED TALKING ABOUT THIS YOU WILL NEED TO WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE.

YOU HAVE 200 PIECES OF PROPERTY OUT THERE.

AND THE AIRPORT AUTHORITIES TAKING OFF, ALSO YOU MAKE THESE PEOPLE PAY BACK THEIR BOND MONEY.

AND THEN WE WOULDN'T BE IN A DEFICIT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

KEN MCLEAN, -- I WANT TO REFER TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE ELEMENT, WE MANAGE DEVELOPMENT BY DESIGNATING AREAS OF ANTICIPATED FUTURE DEVELOPMENT WHICH CERTIFIES THE LAND WERE FEASIBLE. AND COST-EFFECTIVE IN THE ENVIRONMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL -- ENCOURAGE AND ACCOMMODATE LAND-USE WHICH MAKES ST. JOHNS COUNTY A VIABLE COMMUNITY.

CREATING SOUND ECONOMIC BASE AND DIVERSE OPPORTUNITIES FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF WORKING, SHOPPING AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES WHILE MINIMIZING IMPACT ON NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.

[01:40:06]

COMMISSIONERS, WITH THREE NEW COMMISSIONERS ON THIS BOARD.

YOU GUYS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN THE PAST. THE TWO THAT ARE HERE ARE FAMILIAR THEY ARE WILLING AND DESIRED TO DO THE SAME THING.

AS A COUNTY, WE TRUST IN YOU, WE ARE BACKING YOU.

ALL THESE PEOPLE THAT STOOD UP, ALL OF THESE PRESENTATIONS, WE ARE BACKING YOU. WHATEVER YOU FEEL YOU MIGHT FALL SHORT, REACH OUT TO US AND WILL BE ABLE TO HELP YOU.

BUT I THINK THIS HOUSING AUTHORITY IS A GREAT FOR ST.

JOHNS COUNTY AND QUALITY OF LIFE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

HAVE A BLESSED DAY. >>.

>> YES SIR? >> GOOD MORNING I'M WARREN CLARK, 702 -- SAINT AUGUSTINE. I CAME ACROSS A STATEMENT YESTERDAY AS I WAS DIGGING ABOUT A MEETING WE WILL HAVE SOON ABOUT FOCUSED ON WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY FOR GOOD TROUBLE. A STATEMENT WAS, GIVE ME PERSPECTIVE AS A HOMEOWNER. WHEN YOU'RE COMPLAINING ABOUT YOUR LIFE, JUST KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT COULD ONLY DREAM ABOUT THE LIFE THAT YOU ARE LIVING.

WHAT WE HAVE HERE, IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY GOOD. WE CAME HERE TODAY FROM A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT GROUPS TO LIFT UP A VISION.

OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE FOR US. THAT VISION IS PRETTY CLEAR AND IT GIVES US GOOD PEOPLE WITH UNDERSTANDING AND BACKGROUND AND PROFESSIONALISM. DEALING WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WORKFORCE HOUSING AND HOUSING FOR PEOPLE OF VERY LOW INCOME. AND SO, I JUST HOPE THAT YOU ALL WILL COME WITH US AND HAVE THE VISION AND LISTEN TO SOMETHING THAT REALLY CAN MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE OVER TIME FOR GENERATIONS. HAVING A SECURE SAFE HOME, MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE. AS FAR AS HAVING A FEATURE.

THANK YOU GENTLEMEN AND LADY. >> THANK YOU.

ANYBODY ELSE? YES MA'AM.

WELCOME. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 100 S. PARK BOULEVARD.

FIRST I WANT TO COMPLEMENT YOU ON CONTINUED EFFORT IN FINDING SOLUTIONS TO OUR HOUSING CHALLENGES IN THE COMMUNITY.

AS A BUSINESS ORGANIZATION, THE CHAMBER IS FOCUSING AND RESEARCHING AND ADDING TOOLS TO HELP US MOVE FORWARD FOR SOLUTION TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING SPECIFICALLY FOR OUR WORKFORCE. EMPLOYERS ARE CURRENTLY AS YOU KNOW, FACING A TIGHT LABOR MARKET.

IN ADDITION TO THAT WORKFORCE HOUSING.

THEY ARE AN EMPLOYER -- FRONTING AN EMPLOYEE THAT MATCHES THE JOB DESCRIPTION OR FOR THE JOB EXCEPT THE JOB LOOKING FOR HOUSE HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY NOT FUNNY ONE, AND TELLING THE FUTURE EMPLOYER I CANNOT TAKE THAT JOB.

IT'S A REGULAR -- THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT TYPE OF SELLER TO OFFER KATHLEEN AND THAT BASED ON THE COST OF HOUSING AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN AFFORD THE SALARY.

WHEN THE ISSUE IS REALLY AFFECTING, LOW ENFORCEMENT, OUR EDUCATORS, FIRST RESPONDERS, AND PROVIDERS BECOMES REALLY AN ISSUE FOR RESIDENTS. TO THAT EFFECT THE CHAMBER CRATER WORKFORCE HOUSING TASK FORCE FOR A BUSINESS TO SHARE THE DEPARTMENT EDUCATORS HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, FIRST RESPONDERS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND WE ARE LOOKING AT ALL OF THE APPROACHES IN ORDER TO LOOK AT WORKFORCE HOUSING.

SO, THROUGH THE LENSES OF HOUSING AUTHORITY AND ALSO COMMUNITY TRUST, TODAY I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO WORK WITH THIS COMMISSION TO WORK AT THE BEST

[01:45:04]

>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS AGENDA ITEM? SEE NONE, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT.

ONE MORE. JUST UNDER THE GUN.

>> WE GOT THE CHAIRMAN. >> GOOD MORNING.

STEVE -- I DID NOT BRING A BUNCH OF STATURE EXAMPLES OR THINGS TO SITE BUT I THINK THEY NEED IS PRETTY CLEAR WITH THE SPORT IN THE ROOM, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

I COME TO WEARING THREE HATS TODAY.

AS COMMISSIONER DEAN MENTION OF THE CHAIR OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO ARE HERE AND SUPPORT.

I ALSO AM PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF REALTORS FOR THE SEER REPRESENTING REALTORS IN OUR COUNTY.

AND THEN ALSO, LARGE EMPLOYER HERE IN REAL ESTATE IN OUR COUNTY. I'VE BEEN ON THE COMMITTEE FOR SIX YEARS.WE HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD.

PRESENTING OUR ANNUAL PLAN AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMISSION TO CONSIDER TO HELP EASE THE NEED FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING. AND WE HAVE HELPED GET SOME THINGS DONE AND I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT BUT I WANT TO SAY THAT FIRST, TAKE YES FOR HAVING THIS WORKSHOP.

THIS IS THE SECOND ONE AND THANK YOU TO STAFF, THERE ALWAYS SUPPORTIVE AND MOVE IN THE DIRECTION WE WANT TO GO IN KEEPING MOMENTUM GOING. I FEEL LIKE AT THIS POINT I'M A BIG READER AND WE REACHED THE LAW OF THE LID IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THAT JOHN AND MAXWELLS 21 IRREFUTABLE LAWS OF LEADERSHIP, ONE OF THEM IS THE LAW OF THE LID.

THAT MEANS WE REACHED A CEILING.

WE APPROACHED THE BALL AS FAR AS IT CAN GO WITHOUT ADDITIONAL SUPPORT. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO BREAK THE GLASS CEILING AND BRING MORE SUPPORT AND KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING. BECAUSE BIG RESULTS TAKE BIG ACTION. THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING AND SUPPORT OF FUTURE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.

THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A HUGE STEP FOR HOUSING FOR ALL. I THANK YOU FOR THE

OPPORTUNITY. >> THANK YOU SIR VERY MUCH.

>> MR. RAMOS, WELCOME. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING. MR. CHAIRMAN AND FELLOW COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS VICTOR RAMUS, 1789 LAKESIDE AVENUE. SAINT AUGUSTINE.

I AM NOT A PROPONENT OF CREATING ANOTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. HOWEVER, IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE I THINK IS NECESSARY AND I FULLY SUPPORT LOOKING FURTHER INTO IT FOR THE BENEFITS THAT WOULD BRING.

IT IS JUST ONE OF MANY TOOLS IN THE TOOL CHEST AND TO WORK TO GET THAT AND HAVE THEM WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY, THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ON THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE AND HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY, BOTH OF WHICH I'VE SERVED ON THE PAST, THEY'RE DOING AN ADMIRAL JOB AND THEY WOULD WORK WELL WITH THE HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY. AS SOME OF THE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SAID THIS MORNING, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS GREAT BECAUSE IT HAS THE ABILITY TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

THEY CAN HELP WITH THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS WE HAVE IN ST. JOHN'S CURRENTLY. THEY CAN ACCEPT ALL, -- THICKENS UP SOME BUT NOT ALL POLICIES THEY WOULD HAVE IN YOUR TOOL CHEST AS WELL. AND SO I WOULD SAY, I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE TODAY.

AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE RECOGNIZING THAT THERE IS A CRITICAL NEED FOR WORKFORCE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. AS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SAID, WE PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME AND WORK IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY BUT CANNOT AFFORD TO COME IN, CANNOT AFFORD TO COMMUTE, THEY NEED A PLACE TO LIVE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE?SEEING NONE, I WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS AGENDA ITEM.

>> LET'S COME BACK TO THE BOARD.

IF THERE COMMISSIONERS WITH QUESTIONS OF STAFF OR MAYBE MR. WILLIAMS WERE COMMENTS, YOU CAN WEIGH IN NOW.

COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR.

I DO HAVE SOME THOUGHTS AND QUESTIONS FOR MR. ACKERMAN.

FRANK WILLIAMS SPOKE VERY HIGHLY OF YOU.

AS IT RELATES TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WORKFORCE HOUSING.

AND HE'S TOLD ME A GREAT DEAL ABOUT YOU.

I'VE BEEN IN RETAIL FOR 23 YEARS, IN THOSE 23 YEARS, I'VE COME FACE-TO-FACE WITH THOSE WHO HAVE TOLD ME AND OTHERS THAT HAVE WORKED NEXT TO YOU, THAT I DO NOT WANT TO WORK MORE

[01:50:05]

I WANT TO HELP THOSE FOLKS, THAT'S WHERE MY HEART IS, I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WHEN I WAS SWORN IN AS A COMMISSIONER, FORD WILL HOUSING WAS A PROBLEM.

NOW IT IS A FULL-BLOWN CRISIS. YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW WE LANDED ON THE LIST AS THE 11TH MOST AFFORDABLE PLACE OF THE COUNTRY WHEN YOU COMPARE MEDIAN HOME PRICE AND MEDIAN INCOME BUT THAT WAS BASED ON 2020 NUMBERS WHEN THE MEDIAN HOME PRICE WAS $292,000. TODAY THE MEDIAN HOME PRICE IS $558,000. I KIND OF WONDER WHERE WE WOULD LAND ON THE LIST BASED ON TODAY'S NUMBERS.

I AM ACUTELY AWARE OF THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE WORKFORCE, BUT I DON'T WANT TO DO IS CREATE A SITUATION WHERE UD INCENTIVIZE WORKFORCE THAT DOES WORK IN RESTAURANTS RETAIL HOSPITALITY INDUSTRIES, I WENT AND DOVE INTO THE GUIDELINES FOR FLORIDA SECTION 8 AND I DID NOT SEE A SECTION THAT SPOKE TO WHETHER OR NOT A PERSON HAD TO WORK OR IF THEY HAD TO WORK, HOW MANY HOURS THEY HAD TO WORK.

YOU MENTIONED WE COULD DESIGN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AROUND HER HOUSING RESPONSE. MR. ACKERMAN, CAN WE TAILOR THIS HOUSING AUTHORITY IF WE WERE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE FOLKS APPLY FOR THE SECTION 8 VOUCHERS, THAT ARE IN FACT ACHIEVING MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY OR PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY UNABLE TO WORK.

I'VE SAID A LOT THERE BUT THERE IS A QUESTION, SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE, CAN WE TAILOR THIS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE WORKERS

RECEIVING THE BENEFITS? >> YES THANK YOU.

I DON'T WANT TO GO INTO THE WEEDS TODAY BUT I DO LOVE THIS KIND OF STUFF. I WILL START BY SAYING, MOST OF THE HUD FUNDED ASSISTANCE FOR RENTERS, IS TARGETED AT 80 PERCENT -- YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS THIS MANY INCOMES, THIS IS THE MEDIAN. IT IS SLIGHTLY BELOW THE AVERAGE. AND AT 80 PERCENT.

SOME OF THE REAL LEVERAGING THAT HOUSING AUTHORITIES CAN DO OFFER PROGRAMS LIKE LOW INCOME TAX CREDITS WHICH COMMIT 60 PERCENT OF AMI. ALSO, JUST THINGS LIKE BONDS AND THE KIND OF THING I MENTIONED EARLIER AS TOOLS, BUT TO GO BACK TO THE TRADITIONAL, IT'S NOT LIKE SOME OTHER FEDERAL PROGRAMS, ONE OF THE UNFORTUNATE THINGS WITH HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER, WHICH IS THE NEW NAME FOR THE OLD SECTION 8 PROGRAM. IN MOST CASES WHEN PEOPLES INCOME GOES UP, THE RENT GOES UP.

THERE'S BEEN A GREAT RESPONSE IN THE LAST FIVE OR 10 YEARS TO TRY TO THWART THAT ISSUE. SOMEWHAT, AS AN EXAMPLE, DELETE RENT GOING UP FOR ANOTHER YEAR. SO THAT PEOPLE CAN ADJUST AND START TO SAVE MONEY ETC. THEN THERE IS SOME SPECIAL PROGRAMS I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN, TWO OF THEM CALLED MOVING AND WORK WHERE AND WE CAN SEPARATE THE RENT STRUCTURES FROM THAT PROBLEM OF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE INCOME GOES UP, THE RENT AUTOMATICALLY GOES UP. THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT YOU HEARD FROM SOME OF THOSE WORKERS, WHO ARE IN ESSENCE NOT VERY MOTIVATED TO MAKE MORE -- SENIORS IN PARTICULAR ALSO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THAT WILL NEVER GOING TO ARE OFTEN NOT GOING TO BE FULLY EMPLOYED. AND THERE IS SOME INCENTIVE PROGRAMS BUILT IN HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS OF SECTION 8 AS AN EXAMPLE, FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAMS, WHERE THOSE RENT INCREASES GO TO ESCROW ACCOUNT AND THEN RETURNED TO THE FAMILY AFTER FIVE YEARS.

IT'S BEEN IN PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE LEAVING RENT ASSISTANCE IN BUYING A HOUSE. SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY WHERE

[01:55:03]

THROUGH THE FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND TRANSFER PROGRAMS. IT IS, ALL OF THESE TOOLS ARE THERE TO NOT JUST ASSIST PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS AS AN EXAMPLE, I HAD A, ONE OF THE THINGS I PREACH TO PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES IS YOU KNOW, PEOPLE DO NOT DISAPPEAR, THEY LIVE SOMEWHERE. THEY ARE EITHER HOMEOWNERS OR RENTERS OR HOMELESS. UNLESS THEY'RE IN A CITY THAT IS LOSING POPULATION WHICH THERE ARE VERY FEW IN THE UNITED STATES, THEY ARE SOMEWHERE AND OF COURSE, HAVE TO SAY THERE IS A CATEGORY WORSE THAN HOMELESS, THAT IS LIVING WITH HER IN-LAWS. EMPORARILY.

[LAUGHTER] THESE HUD AND OTHER PROGRAMS OF THEIR SUPPORT ANTS INCENTIVIZE EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION AND JOB TRAINING. THERE'S A PROGRAM CALLED SECTION 3, THAT REALLY EMPHASIZES LOWER INCOME PEOPLE HAVING TO PARTICIPATE IF YOU'RE GOING TO USE SOME OF THIS FEDERAL MONEY AND JOB TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

AGAIN, IT'S A BIT OF A STEREOTYPE THAT PEOPLE ARE DIS-INCENTIVIZE FROM WORKING. IT IS QUITE OFTEN IN MY EXPERIENCE, AND I HOUSE 10,000 PEOPLE RIGHT NOW IN SALT LAKE CITY. IT IS REALLY THERE TO MOVE PEOPLE ALONG AND MOVE PEOPLE TO THE PROGRAMS NOT TO --

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHTS. MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, WE'VE HEARD FROM MAYOR SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH AND NOT SURE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY THE RIGHT TOOL TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.

I FEEL SERVE THE SAME WAY THAT THE MAYOR DID.

ALL OF YOU KNOW HE SIGNED THE PETITION AND I UNDERSTAND HE'S IN SUPPORT OF IT BUT I FEEL THAT WAY I'M NOT QUITE SURE IF IT'S THE RIGHT TOOL FOR ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.

WE HEAR SAN BERNARDINO VISIT COUNTY 2.1 MILLION PEOPLE, WITH SOME FOLKS GO TO TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY IS 1.4 MILLION PEOPLE. I THINK THIS WOULD HAVE TO BE A GOOD FIT FOR THE CHARACTER AND CULTURE OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND 300,000 PEOPLE. WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL HOW WE CHOOSE TO DO THIS. THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS.

>>. >> FOR FIVE YEARS I WAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MARION COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY TO THAT POINT WAS THE WEALTHIEST COUNTY IN THE UNITED STATES.

IN THE KNEES THERE WERE GREAT THE NEEDS FOR THE SENIORS, THE NEEDS FOR THE WORKERS, EVEN THE NEEDS FOR HOMELESS AND THERE'S ALSO A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THAT DON'T REALLY TALK ABOUT IT.

AND THEY ARE IN A LOT OF NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THE NEIGHBORS DON'T EVEN KNOW OR NOTICE.

IT'S NOT LIKE THERE IS A BUILDING THAT SAYS THERE'S TWO SECTION 8 RESIDENTS LIVING HERE.

SO, MOST COMMUNITIES IN MY EXPERIENCE, WHETHER THEY ARE SMALL OR LARGE OR URBAN, HAVE TREMENDOUS HOUSING NEEDS THESE DAYS. AND THESE ARE VERY PRAGMATIC

RESPONSE TO THOSE NEEDS. >> THANK YOU DAN.

I WANT TO GO BACK TO GREG'S COMMENT, I THOUGHT HE SAID, I THOUGHT YOU SAID GREG, PUTNAM, FLAGLER AND -- HAHAVE HOUSING AUTHORITY STREET IS NOT A REASON TO IMMEDIATELY ADOPT ON JUST REFLECTING THAT THERE ARE LOCAL OR SURROUNDING SMALLER COUNTIES THAT DO HAVE HOUSING AUTHORITY SPIRIT IS NOT JUST HILLSBOROUGH AND MIAMI-DADE OR BROWARD.

SOMETHING TO WORK WITH. >> THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE I THINK YOU BROUGHT UP THE POINT, WHAT TO HIGHLIGHT BECAUSE I DID NOTICE THAT AS WELL.

WHEN OUR PACKET, THE LIST AT SOME OF THE DIFFERENT PHA.

FLAGLER COUNTY, JACKSONVILLE, OCALA AS WELL.

PALATKA, VOLUSIA COUNTY. WE HAVE SOME NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES THAT ARE SIMILAR THE MAKE OF THE POPULATION.

I JUST WANT TO OFFER THAT. AND I THINK YOUR POINT IS WELL TAKEN BUT I DO THINK IN THIS REGION WE HAVE EXAMPLES.

[02:00:02]

>> THANK YOU. >> ONLY GET DOWN TO THE WEEDS AND HOW IT OPERATES, HOW THEY ARE FUNDED, PART OF THE THING ABOUT MR. WILLIAMS IS THE MAYOR SAYS POINTS THE BOARD THE COUNTY DOESN'T, THE GOVERNOR POINTS TO THE BOARD.

THE COUNTY DID IT AND NOT THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE YOU TAKE ALL OF THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD AWAY FROM LOCAL PEOPLE. SO THAT WOULD BE WHO WAS APPOINTED TO THE BOARD AND IF I'M CORRECT THAT WAS A CONCERN I HAVE. NOT TO DISPUTE WHAT YOU SAID, BUT I HAD WHAT EIGHT OF THE 10 CITIES LOST POPULATION SINCE THE PANDEMIC. AND THAT IS A CONCERN TOO.

I RECEIVE EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS PEOPLE WHO ARE OLDER WANTING TO RETIRE TO ST. JOHN'S COUNTY BUT WANT TO KNOW WHAT PROGRAMS WE HAVE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY BEFORE.

BACK TO THE COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST'S,, I DON'T WANT TO SEE WHERE WE BECOME WE ARE FUNDING RETIREMENT FOR PEOPLE COMING OUT OF TOWN. I WANT TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP TAKE CARE RESIDENTS WERE HERE.

AND WHO HAVE LIVED HERE AND WORKED HERE AND ARE WORKING HERE. YOU KNOW THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME ON THAT SIDE OF IT. I HAVE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS BUT I'LL WAIT UNTIL WE KIND OF GET INTO THE WEEDS OF IT.

ONE CONCERN I DO HAVE OUT RIGHT WOULD BE SET UP IS TO GOVERNORS APPOINTING WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER WHO IT IS.

AND THEN THE CITY AND I DON'T MIND THAT IF WE ARE NOT LIABLE IN ANY WAY. OR HAVE OUR LOCAL TAX DOLLARS INVOLVED IN IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE PAY AN INCOME TAX. NOT TO PREACH FROM -- ARE ALWAYS HERE WHEN IT COMES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT, I WRITE A CHECK EVERY 15 TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT I PAY SALES TAX, PROPERTY TAXES.

ALL OF IT ADDS UP IT COMES FROM SOMEWHERE.

IT COMES FROM THE TAXPAYERS. THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN.

>> I'VE ALWAYS HEARD BEING THE STATE GOVERNMENT THAT IF YOU START ACCEPTING MONEY FOR US TREASURY, THEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL COME TO MOTHER-IN-LAW.

IS ANOTHER ISSUE WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

HAVING SAID THAT, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST IF THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION, I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST AN IDEA IN THE FORM OF A MOTION OF A MOTION WHICH WILL INCORPORATE ALL ABOUT HEADING DOWN THE ROAD A LITTLE WITH SOME INTEREST AND A LOT OF QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED IN MY MIND. LET ME SUGGEST FOR MY STANDPOINT BUT I WILL ASK THE STAFF TO DO IN THE WAY OF MAKING THIS MOTION. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS MAKE A MOTION TO INSTRUCT STAFF TO COME BACK AND PRESENT ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON THE FOLLOWING.

I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT IF WE HAVE IT, MAYBE FRANK CAN HELP US, I LIKE TO SEE SOME SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF WHERE HOUSING AUTHORITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY AND SPECIFICALLY IN FLORIDA, ACTUALLY RECEIVED FEDERAL DOLLARS SPECIFICALLY HUD DOLLARS BECAUSE OF THEIR EXISTENCE AS A HOUSING AUTHORITY. AS OPPOSED TO A CITY OR COUNTY, OR THEIR EXAMPLES I WANT TO BE ABLE TO POINT TO, IN MY MIND REACH AN UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE ARE SOME HARD BENEFITS HERE, REAL BENEFITS. NUMBER ONE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THEIR EXAMPLES, NUMBER TWO, IF THERE ARE ANY REGULATIONS, HUD REGULATIONS OR GIVE GREATER POINTS OR GREATER EMPHASIS OR GREATER ABILITY TO ACQUIRE GRANTS.

TO HOUSING AUTHORITIES, ARE THERE ANY REGULATIONS ADDRESS THAT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL? OR NOT.

TWO THINGS THERE. AND THEN, I'D LIKE TO ALSO COME BACK WERE STAFF TO COME BACK WITH A PRESENTATION WITH MAYBE SOME ALTERNATIVES TO CONSIDER. SUCH AS, CREATING A HOUSING AUTHORITY AT THE TRADITIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY EXISTS, MAY BE LOOKING AT THE BEST PARTS OF A HOUSING AUTHORITY, A BEWARE

[02:05:03]

NUMBER THREE, THE STATUS QUO, DO NOTHING.

AND I AM NOT NOW BUYING INTO ANY OF THOSE CHOICES I WANT TO HEAR THE PRESENTATIONS OF STAFF AND GET TO THE POINT ABOUT HOW WOULD WE ACTUALLY SET UP A HOUSING AUTHORITY, WHO WOULD GOVERN AND WHO WOULD MAKE APPOINTMENTS AND HOW MUCH MONEY THE COUNTY WOULD BE PUTTING IN ANNUALLY.

TOWARD A HOUSING AUTHORITY AND I SIMPLY HAVE THIS ON THE AGENDA TODAY TO GET TO THAT NEXT STEP.

BEFORE I MAKE ANY DECISIONS. THAT'S WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST.

IT'S VERY DISJOINTED MOTION IF YOU WILL.

I THINK WE ARE RECORDING THIS SOMEONE IS GOING TO PUT THAT TOGETHER AND LISTEN TO THE MINUTES.

THAT IS MY MOTION. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE VOTE. PASSES, 5-0 ONTO THE NEXT STEP INTO THE WEEDS PAUL! ALL RIGHT.

NOW, DAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PARTICIPATING AND CERTAINLY, WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST AND A SPEEDY RECOVERY BACK TO SALT

LAKE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I APPRECIATE EVERYONE RECOGNIZING WHAT STABILITY HOUSING CAN BRING THAT HAS MANY OTHER BENEFITS BEYOND A STABLE PLACE TO LIVE THAT AS A LAUNCHPAD FOR MANY OTHER GOOD

[3. Fiscal Year 2023 Recommended Budget and Proposed Millage Rates.]

THINGS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND FRANK, THANK YOU FOR BEING THE CIRCUS OR RINGMASTER HERE.

WE WILL GO ON TO, THAT WAS FIVE LET'S LEAP BACK WHERE WE LEFT OFF. WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE BUDGET, FINALLY! JESSE, WE GET A LITTLE BIT OF A

DELAY ON THE BUDGET. >> NO PROBLEM.

GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS, DIRECTOR OF OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, THIS MORNING WE WILL, THE BOARD IS GOING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023. AS WE GO THROUGH THIS, WE WILL DISCUSS EACH OF THE MILLAGE RATES INDIVIDUALLY, THE INFORMATION FROM TODAY WILL BE PUT ON WHAT IS CALLED A DR 420 FORM WHICH FOR THE LAYPERSON, IS THE IDEAS THAT IT WILL BE PRESENTED TO THEM IN A DRAFT TAX BILL IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. GOING TO GO VERY QUICKLY FOR THE PRESENTATION. THE BOARD WAS JUST PRESENT A RECOMMENDED BUDGET IN JULY AND WE WENT THROUGH ALL OF THE PINFORMATION. RELATED TO THAT FISCAL YEAR 23 TENTATIVE BUDGET OR PROPOSED BUDGET.

FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT BE TURNING IN RIGHT NOW, THAT BUDGET PRESENTATION, IT IS LINE ITEM VERSION WHICH IS OVER $1 BILLION, AND AGAIN, LINE ITEM PRESENTED IS ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE ON THE HOMEPAGE, THE OMB HOMEPAGE.

THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATES AND PRETTY IMPORTANT, THE DECISION TODAY, HOWEVER, THERE IS PLENTY OF TIME STILL REMAINING IN THE BUDGET PROCESS AS IT CONTINUES INTO SEPTEMBER.

JUST AS A REMINDER, THE BUDGET RIGHT NOW IS A LITTLE LESS THAN 1.3 BILLION AT THE RECOMMENDED. WHEN WE BRING THIS BACK THE FIRST HEARING IN SEPTEMBER, WE WILL INCLUDE WHAT ARE CALLED MULTIYEAR GRANTS AND CAPITOL CARRYFORWARD.

YOU WILL SEE A HIGHER BUDGET AT THAT FIRST HEARING.

LET'S GET RIGHT INTO THE DISCUSSION THAT WILL ULTIMATELY INFLUENCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATES.

THE GROWTH AND TAXABLE VALUE THIS CHART WE BEEN USING FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW, YOU CAN SEE FOR 23, THE VALUATION IS 17.8 PERCENT WHICH IS CERTAINLY HIGHER THAN WE HAVE SEEN IN RECENT YEARS. THEY JUST KIND OF INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT RID MILLAGE RATES TODAY FISCAL YEAR 21, WE WENT, THE BOARD WENT TO THE ROLLBACK RATE WHEN WE WERE REALLY AT THE HIGHEST VALUATION WE'D SEEN IN CLOSE TO 15 YEARS. WE SAW VALUATION AT 11 PERCENT, THE COMMISSION ROLLED BACK AT THAT POINT.

WE HAVE SEEN THE ROLLBACK RATE OCCUR AND WE ARE STILL, THOSE EFFECTS ARE RECURRING AS WE CONTINUE FORWARD INTO EVEN THIS

[02:10:03]

AT THE EXISTING RATE. IF THE BOARD WERE TO MOVE FORWARD AND ADOPT EXISTING MILLAGE RATES.

17.8 PERCENT AGAIN, I WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS HAD THAT PROVISION IN THERE THAT ALLOWS US TO REALLY MINIMIZE THE BURDEN OF VALUATION EFFECT TO RESIDENTS. THE ROLLBACK RATE AFFECTS OUR SHOWN HERE, THE COMMISSION WERE TO GO TO THE ROLLBACK RATES, AND O'SHEA WHEN THIS LAST COLUMN HERE.

THE REDUCTION WOULD BE OVER $30 MILLION THE LARGEST EFFECT TO BE TO THE GENERAL FUND OF 20 MILLION.

AND CONTINUING DOWN FIRE DISTRICT AT ABOUT $5.9 MILLION.

TRANSPORTATION AT 3.8 AND AGAIN, THE HEALTH FUND ABOUT $74,000 AT THEIR ROLLBACK RATES.

SO, VERY QUICKLY, I WAS BRING UP THE RESERVES, THEY ARE HEALTHY THEY ARE CUMULATIVE AND WE CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN OUR TARGET RESERVES. WE HAVE ESPECIALLY IN THE GENERAL FUND, SOME UNRESTRICTED RESERVES ABOVE AND BEYOND OUR TARGETED LEVELS THAT ALLOW US TO RESPOND TO VARIOUS OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDING WE TALKED EARLIER ABOUT AN AGENDA ITEM WHERE WE COULD POTENTIALLY USE GENERAL FUND RESERVES.

BUT ALSO, AS WELL AS WE GET INTO HURRICANE SEASON AND JUST TURNING ON THE NEWS THIS MORNING WITH THE FLOODING AND FIRE AS WELL, WE ARE IN HURRICANE SEASON, IT IS THE GENERAL FUND RESERVE THAT I WAS RESPONDING RESERVE WHERE WE FUND THOSE DISASTER RESPONSES AND IT REALLY VERY RECENT YEARS, BOTH WITH HURRICANE MATTHEW AND HURRICANE IRMA WE NEEDED TO GO TO THOSE RESERVES TO REALLY RESPOND EFFECTIVELY.

WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE, GOING INTO THE FIRST MOTION TODAY, THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION APPEAR, I'LL WALK US THROUGH THIS. WE ARE REQUIRED TO SHOW THE ADOPTED FISCAL YEAR 22. MILLAGE RATES.

WE ARE REQUIRED TO SHOW THE INDIVIDUAL ROLLBACK RATES FOR EACH OF THE LEVEES SO THE GENERAL FUND TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH UNIT FIRE DISTRICT ETC. AND THEN WHAT THE BUDGET THAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED REFLECTS. 423, AND MANY OF THE CASES, WE RECOMMENDED IN OUR BUDGET, FOR THOSE MILLAGE RATES TO REMAIN AT THE SAME LEVEL AS 22 AND I WILL GO THROUGH THESE INDIVIDUALLY. JUST KIND OF A RULE OF THUMB LOOKING AT THIS PAGE. 1/10 OF A MILL IS FOR MILLION DOLLAR EFFECT SO AN INCREASE OR REDUCTION AGAIN, .1 MILLS IS

[02:15:06]

WHICH AGAIN, THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET MINISTRATION DID NOT RECOMMEND. I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT, IN GENERAL FUND IS REALLY YOUR PSTATUS QUO OF YOUR ST. JOHNS COUNTY BUDGET OR OPERATIONS WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THEM.

I WILL GO THROUGH AND THIS IS IN THE WORKBOOK.

THIS IS ON PAGE 25 THROUGH 27 WHICH IS THE GENERAL FUND SUMMARY. THIS IS EVERYTHING FROM, AND I'LL READ A COUPLE OF THESE, IT'S YOUR RECREATION PROGRAM THIS IS THE OPERATION AND CAPITOL.

THE COUNTYWIDE RECREATION, INTERLIBRARY SERVICES.

WE JUST TALKED ABOUT HOUSING, IT IS YOUR HOUSING AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS. IT IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING SOME OF THE IMPACT FEE COMMERCIAL IMPACT FEE OFFSETS THAT WE PROVIDE. GOING THROUGH HERE, IT IS FUNDING FOR OUR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS FROM THE PROPERTY APPRAISER. TO THE CLERK OF COURT, FUNDING FROM YEAR TO YEAR. THE TAX COLLECTOR SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS, ITS GENERAL GOVERNMENT IT IS EVERYTHING FROM MAINTAINING THIS FACILITY PUTTING ON GT FEE TODAY YOUR ATTORNEYS OFFICE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

IT IS AS WELL, YOUR EMS PORTION OF FIRE RESCUE.

IT IS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. IT IS ANIMAL CONTROL, CODE ENFORCEMENT, 9-1-1 AND AS WELL, IT IS A GOOD PORTION, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHICH IS AGAIN, YOUR FIRST RESPONDERS.

EVERYTHING FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CORRECTIONS.

SCHOOL SAFETY PROGRAMS. NOT ONLY THE SCHOOL SAFETY IN THE SCHOOLS WOULD EVEN DOWN TO THE CROSSING GUARDS.

THESE ARE CERTAINLY, LARGE PROGRAMS THAT ARE FUNDED OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND. THE RESERVES IN THE GENERAL FUND AS WELL PROVIDE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND DURING HURRICANE OR DISASTER RECOVERY. THOSE RESERVES ALSO PROVIDE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WHEN CERTAINLY, ITEMS ARISE AND AGAIN, WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL LAND PURCHASE AND USED AS A LAST RESORT AREA THAT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY SO THE GENERAL FUND IS AN IMPORTANT PORTION OF THE CONVERSATION EVERY TWO WEEKS IN THIS ROOM, AND FINALLY, KIND OF A RUNNING PARALLEL, I MENTIONED THIS DURING SOME OF OUR OTHER BUDGET DISCUSSIONS, A SURTAX, THE DISCUSSION IS COMING UP IN NOVEMBER FOR CONSIDERATION FOR SALES TAX. CERTAINLY, IF THAT SALES TAX REFERENDUM FAILS, THE GENERAL FUND IS KIND OF OUR FALLBACK POSITION. MANY OF THOSE PROJECTS THAT ARE ON THEIR IN MY OPINION AS YOUR BUDGET DIRECTOR ARE, WOULD REQUIRE BEING PUSHED OFF SIGNIFICANTLY WERE, WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT SOME LEVEL OF BORROWING.

AS WELL KNOW, GOING OUT TO THE MARKET AND PAYING INTEREST IS CERTAINLY WITH 20 AND 30 YEAR TERMS ON SOME OF THE LOAN BONDS IT WILL BE SIGNIFICANT INTEREST ON THIS.

CERTAINLY, THE GENERAL FUND AND ITS RELATED MILLAGE IS A GREAT SIGNIFICANCE OVERALL TO OUR OPERATIONS.

WITH THAT, AGAIN, THAT IS THE REASON FOR THE RECOMMENDATION OF THAT MILLAGE AT THE EXISTING RATE OF 4.6537. I WILL CONTINUE DOWN. CHAIR, IF THERE'S ANY NEED FOR US TO STOP AFTER EACH MILLAGE, BUT THAT IS THE REASON FOR THAT RECOMMENDATION. COUNTY TRANSPORTATION.

THAT IS ALL MILLAGE RELATED TO OUR ROADWAY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR DRAINAGE, PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, BOTH OPERATIONS INCLUDING YOUR ROAD AND BRIDGE CREW, ENGINEERS, AS WELL AS

[02:20:02]

WHEN WE WENT TO ROLLBACK RATE, IN FISCAL 21 AFTER YEARS OF SHIFTING MILLAGE GOING TO THE ROLLBACK RATE ACTUALLY PULLED IT BACK. IT CERTAINLY WAS A DECISION AT THE TIME BUT WE FOUND OURSELVES WITH LESS MILLAGE AND REALLY LESS FUNDING FOR TRANSPORTATION NEEDS.

AGAIN, WE CONTINUE TO RECOMMEND THE MILLAGE RATE AT THE EXISTING RATE OF .8444 MILLS. THE FUNDING FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THAT WAS RECOMMENDED AT THE .0160 MILLS, A SINGLE LINE ITEM CONTRACT THAT WE ADOPT ANNUALLY.

FIRE DISTRICT FUND IS REALLY THE FUNDING FOR OUR OVERALL FIRE RESCUE PROGRAM, 75 PERCENT OF THE PROGRAM COMES FROM FIRE DISTRICT 25 PERCENT COMES OUT OF GENERAL FUND.

THAT IS YOUR RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

I DON'T EVEN NECESSARILY NEED TO GET INTO IT BUT FOR THE PUBLIC, OF THE PROFESSIONAL FIRE RESCUE ORGANIZATION, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF STATIONS AS WELL.

THAT ARE IN THE CAPITAL PROGRAM CURRENTLY CONSTRUCTING A STATE ROAD 207 FIRE RESCUE STATION. THERE ARE TWO OTHERS AS WELL IN THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN INCLUDING WHAT'S CALLED THE CENTRAL OR SILVERLEAF AREA FIRE STATION THAT IS AT LEAST PLANNED FOR IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AS WELL AS THE BEACH ROCK STATION.

AND THE FIRE DISTRICT MILLAGE IS THE MILLAGE THAT WOULD FUND THOSE ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTER POSITION IF WE CONSTRUCT THOSE FACILITIES. THIS IS A DIRECT MILLAGE TOWARDS THOSE NEEDS SO THE COUNTY BUDGET REFLECTS THE EXISTING MILLAGE RATE AT 1.3813 MILLS IN LIEU OF THE ROLLBACK RATE. THE SAINT AUGUSTINE STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT ACTUALLY IS RECOMMENDED BELOW THE ROLLBACK RATE FOR 23. AS WELL AS THE VILLANO STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT. THOSE BASED ON THE NEEDS FOR FUNDING THE STREET LIGHTING DISTRICTS, THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET FELT THAT AT THE LOWER MILLAGE RATES, WE WERE ABLE TO OPERATE, PROVIDE THE NECESSARY FUNDING FOR THOSE OPERATIONS, FOR 23. I WANT TO CAPTURE THE NEXT LET'S SEE, SUMMER HAVEN. WE ARE RECOMMENDING AT THE FULL RATE, WE ARE NOT RECOMMENDING THE ROLLBACK RATE.

THIS IS THE SUMMER HAVEN AREA PARTICIPATION.

FOR ANY EROSION IMPROVEMENTS OR NEEDS OR STUDIES THAT OCCUR IN THAT REGION. GO TO THE ROLLBACK RATE FOR THAT JUST REALLY DECREASES THEIR PARTICIPATION AND COULD BE CONSIDERED COUNTERINTUITIVE. SIMILARLY, FOR THE NEXT THREE THE COASTAL HIGHWAY MSTU AND TWO MORE -- THESE ARE THREE MILLAGE RATES THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH AGAIN, DUNE AND BEACH RESTORATION PROJECTS AND THIS IS THE, THOSE PARTICULAR REGIONS PARTICIPATION IN PAYING THE DEBT SERVICE ON THOSE IMPROVEMENTS THERE. GOING TO ROLLBACK RATE ON THOSE IS KIND OF COUNTERINTUITIVE. IT REDUCES THEIR AGREED-UPON PARTICIPATION. WE HAVE RECOMMENDED THOSE AT THE MILLAGE RATES THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED ON THIS FLOOR AT THE .5 FOR COASTAL AND TO MILLS FOR PONTE VEDRA AND .55 MILLS FOR SARAH NOT A BEACH. IN TOTAL, THE AGGREGATE MILLAGE RATE IS 6.8286 MILLS AND THE FORMULA AGAIN, BASED ON THE ROLLBACK RATES IS THE AGGREGATE ROLLBACK RATE WHICH IS 6.0642.

AGAIN, WE CONTINUE TO RECOMMEND THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATES IN THAT LAST COLUMN. AND WITH THAT, THE FIRST CONSIDERATION IS THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED MILLAGE

[02:25:03]

RATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023. >> BEFORE WE PROCEED, HELP ME UNDERSTAND, ARE WE GOING TO PUBLIC COMMENT AT SOME POINT? BEFORE WE VOTE? I ASSUME SO.

YOU'RE NOT SUGGESTING A VOTE NOW?

>> NO, THAT'S JUST THE FIRST CONSIDERATION.> ARE WE GOING

TO HAVE MORE MOTIONS? >> THERE ARE TWO MOTIONS TODAY.

>> ONE WE GO TO THE MOTIONS THAT HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT AND VOTE TO REQUEST THE FIRST MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023, WHICH IS THE LAST COLUMN HERE. AS IN PAST YEARS, I WILL CERTAINLY LOOK TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS OFFICE, HAVING IT PRESENTED UP HERE. UNLESS THERE ARE CHANGES SUFFICIENT AS PART OF THAT MOTION.

>> THAT IS SUFFICIENT. IN SEPTEMBER THERE MIGHT BE

MORE REQUIREMENTS. >> FOR TODAY IT SUFFICIENT TO REQUEST A SECOND MOTION, WAS THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATES ARE APPROVED MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COMPLETION AND EXECUTION OF WHAT ARE CALLED THE FORM TO YOUR 420 BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WITH THOSE APPROVED PROPOSED MILLAGE RATES, AND ESTABLISHING SEPTEMBER 6 2022 WHICH IS A BOARD, DAVID BOARD MEETING AT 5:01 MAC PM AND THE COUNTY AUDITORIUM THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION THIS YEAR BUDGET.

THOSE ARE THE TWO MOTIONS FOR TODAY.

>> ANY QUESTIONS? >> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE.

THE MILLAGE RATE. >> HELLO, ED SLAVEN -- I THINK THE CHAIRMAN MAY BE PUT IT BEST, MAYBE IT IS A FLORIDIAN OR FREUDIAN SLIP ABOUT GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS.

A BUDGET PROCESS IS DEEPLY FLAWED.

WE HAVE THE BUDGET HEARING FROM COUNTY ADMINISTERED A BUDGET HEARING EARLIER THIS YEAR, QUESTIONS WERE NOT ANSWERED.

PEOPLE WERE NOT TREATED WITH RESPECT.

AND SOMETHING GOT MISSED, A LOT GOT MISSED.

KIND OF LIKE MY MOTHER ONCE SAID, SHE QUOTED EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKS AND HER FAVORITE COMEDIAN A REPUBLICAN LEADER AT THE U.S. SENATE. HE SAID $1 BILLION HERE $1 BILLION THERE PRETTY SOON WE ARE TALKING ABOUT REAL MONEY.

THIS BUDGET HAS NO MONEY FOR POLICE BODYWORK CAMERAS.

IT HAS NO MONEY FOR POLICE, DASHBOARD COMMERCE WHY NOT? A BUDGET IS A MORAL DOCUMENT. AND IF WE LEARNED ANYTHING FROM THE TRIAL OF DEREK CHAUVIN AND THE M.R.D. OF GEORGE FLOYD, IT IS THE POLICE NEED TO BE WATCHED.

EVERY FORMER SHERIFF DAVID SHORE WHO FUNDS HER CAMPAIGNS, HE ACTUALLY SAID IN THE DEBATE IN THIS ROOM AND 2016, THAT HE REJECTED THE FALSE NARRATIVE THAT POLICE NEED TO BE WATCHED.

THAT NARRATIVE IS IN THE CONSTITUTION AND BILL OF RIGHTS. AND IT IS IN THE FEDERALIST PAPERS. ALL PUBLIC OFFICIALS NEED TO BE WATCHED. AND IF A POLICE OFFICER DOES SOMETHING WRONG, VIDEO IS THE EVIDENCE.

IF A POLICE OFFICER IS WRONGFULLY SUED, VIDEO IS THE EVIDENCE. MOST POLICE OFFICERS AND FAMILIES AND THE COUNTY NEED TO BE SPARED POTENTIAL LIABILITY FROM FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS BY GETTING POLICE BODY CAMERAS.

OUR NEIGHBORING COUNTIES HAVE THEM.

WE ALSO, PLEASE TO A MOTION FOR LINE AND FOR POLICE BODY CAMERAS. PICK A NUMBER AND GIVE THEM A NUMBER AND TELL THM THAT'S HOW IT'S GOING TO BE BECAUSE YOU ARE THE POLICYMAKERS NOT THE SHERIFF.

FURTHERMORE WHEN YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC LINE ITEM WITH REAL MONEY FOR PUBLIC HOUSING FOR THE PHA LET'S GIVE THEM A NUMBER. WE NEED TO HAVE A NUMBER FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, REAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NOT WHAT WE HAVE NOW. AND WE NEED TO DO MORE IN TERMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS, WE ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE BOARD ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WERE LIKE IN TAMPA AND ELSEWHERE.

WE NEED TO START DISCRIMINATORY ITERATIONS FROM BEING PUT OUT WITH COUNTING MONEY THE SHERIFF DOES A WEBSITE, IT STILL HAS A PAY INTO DAVIS A SEGREGATIONIST AND ACTUALLY SAID THAT HE WAS EXONERATED BY THE FLORIDA STATE SENATE.

HE WAS CONVICTED BY THE FLORIDA STATE SENATE AND REMOVED ON A

[02:30:01]

PLEASE ANSWER, THANK YOU. >> YES MA'AM.

>>. >> WEST CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE. 1.3 BILLION BILLION BUDGET FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY. THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

EXCUSE ME. WE JUST TALK ABOUT 17.5 MILLION TO BUY THE PROPERTY, WE HAVE TO USE GENERAL FUNDS.

1.3 BILLION. I THINK IT'S TIME TO ROLLBACK THE GENERAL MILLAGE RATE TO 4.121 NO, 4.1201.

AS I READ IN THE PAPER, THERE IS OTHER COUNTIES THAT ARE DOING THAT, IT'S TIME TO RETURN SOMETHING TO THE TAXPAYERS.

THE TAXPAYERS ARE NOT GETTING A THING.

WE CONTINUE TO RAISE EVERYTHING AND PRETEND THAT WE ARE TAKING CARE OF THE CITY AND THE COUNTY.

THEY PAY DOUBLE TAXES, WHAT DO WE GET? I QUESTION WHAT WE GET. THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING THAT THE GENERAL FUND ROLLBACK THAT TO 4.1201, THANK YOU.

>> WHEN ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS

ITEM? >> SAY NONE AND WE WILL CLOSE

PUBLIC COMMENT. >> CAN WE SEE MOTION NUMBER

ONE? >> WE CAN ROLLBACK INDIVIDUAL

RATES. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> SEPTEMBER? >> YES.

THE OPPORTUNITIES TODAY TO SET THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATES AND THEN THE COMMISSION HAS TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO STILL LOWER

THOSE. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> JUST FOR THE PUBLIC, WE DIDN'T COVER IT WHAT WE SAID TODAY WE CAN'T RAISE IN SEPTEMBER IT ALLOWS US TO LOWER

IF WE CHOOSE. >> THAT'S ACCURATE, YES.

>> IS THERE A MOTION? I WILL MAKE THE MOTION AND PUT

IT ON THE SCREEN. >> I THINK THE MOTION IS THE FIRST SENTENCE THERE, TO APPROVE THE MILLAGE RATE SPEAK WITH THE MOVE TO APPROVED THE MILLAGE RATES.

>> SECOND. ALL RIGHT.

TO PROVE THAT I CAN READ, SEE IF I CAN READ NUMBER TWO.

MOTION NUMBER TWO. >> THERE WE GO.

CHRIS MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COMPLETION AND EXECUTION OF FISCAL YEAR 2023 FORM DR 420 THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, WITH APPROVAL, APPROVED PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE AND ESTABLISHMENT OF SEPTEMBER 6 2022 FIVE 5:00 P.M. THE COUNTY AUDITORIUM THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER ISCAL YEAR 2023

BUDGET. >> SECOND.

SE VOTE. THAT IS APPROVED.

THANK YOU JESSE. APPRECIATE YOU.

[Recess Regular Board of County Commission Meeting]

>> RECESS. >> WE DO NOT WANT TO ADJOURN.

WE WANT TO RECESS THE COUNTY COMMISSION AND WE WANT TO CONVENE THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR WEST

[6. Designation of Affordable Housing Lots Within West Augustine CRA.]

RECESS? >> NO MOTION IS NECESSARY.

YOU ARE NOW RECESSING THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING AND CONVENING THIS A ST. JOHNS COUNTY COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT

AGENCY. >> GOOD!

[02:35:01]

GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING AGAIN COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.THIS IS AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SIX. I'M HAPPY TO BRING FORTH TO ANOTHER AFFORDABLE HOUSING ITEM.

ONCE AGAIN, HAS BEEN LED BY CITIZEN INITIATIVE SOME LEADERS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY PRIMARILY THE WEST AUGUSTINE CRA STEERING COMMITTEE. WHAT WE HAVE BEFORE YOU IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE ITEM. BASICALLY, IT WILL BE DESIGNATED CLOSE TO 120 LOTS, I'LL GET THAT IN A SECOND.

BEFORE YOU AS A PROJECT AREA MOST OF YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THIS AS THE WEST AUGUSTINE CRA. CONSIDERING THE LOTS DISCUSSING TODAY, THIS WILL BASICALLY AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, ADMINISTERED OF ACTION TO DESIGNATE 120 PARCELS.

FOR SINGLE OR MULTI FAMILY OCCUPIED AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS. AND TO PROVIDE USES THAT WILL COMPLEMENT DEVELOPMENT OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THE PROPOSED PLAN IS CONSISTENT WITH THE WEST AUGUSTINE CRA PLAN THAT WAS DEVELOPED THROUGHOUT 2000 I THINK IN THE EARLY 2000 AND LATE 2000. THE RESOLUTION BEFORE HE WILL PROVIDE STAFF WITH COMMUNITY ALLIES.

WHEN ABLE, IN EFFORT TO FURTHER DEVELOP WORKFORCE HOUSING THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE. THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THE ADMINISTRATOR OF ACTION IS TO RESTRICT THE SUBJECT PARCELS TO BE DEVELOPED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR PORTIONS NO MORE THAN 140 PERCENT OF THE COUNTY AMI.

JUST KIND OF A LITTLE GUIDEPOST BASED ON CURRENT NUMBERS THAT COME OUT OF HUD, A THREE-PERSON HOUSEHOLD ROUGHLY $105,000.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, IT'S TWO PARENTS AND ONE CHILD BOTH MAKING CLUSTER AROUND $50,000. BEFORE YOU IS THE PROPOSED

MOTION. >> THANK YOU.

PUBLIC COMMENT? >> I'M SORRY MR. CHAIR, THANK YOU. MR. CONE, AND THE BRIEFING WAS MEANT JUST THAT WOULD NORMALLY PREFER THIS DESIGNATION BE AT 120 PERCENT AMI THEREFORE BE MORE AFFORDABLE.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO ME THE THOUGHT PROCESS THAT WENT INTO MAKING 140 PERCENT OF AMI? THE STAFF WOULD PREFER TO BE

120. >> I THINK THE 120 NUMBER, I DON'T KNOW IF PREFERENCE IS THE RIGHT WORD BUT IT CERTAINLY IS WITHIN THE CONFINES OF MOST OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING GRANTS.

WE TYPICALLY DON'T GO INTO THE 140 PERCENT RANGE.

IT IS A LITTLE BIT HIGH BUT IT DOES ALLOW FOR THE BOARD AND ANY OTHER ACTION WEATHERBY GRANT MANAGEMENT ACTION OR ANY TYPE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVE.

WHEN YOU HAVE 140 IT TYPICALLY CAPTURES MOST OF OUR FIREMEN, SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THINGS THAT WE KIND OF HEAR MUCH ABOUT.

AND 140 PERCENT WAS PRETTY CONSISTENT WITH SOME OF THE NUMBERS PROPOSED TO US IN SOME OF THE EARLY MEETINGS WITH WEST AUGUSTINE GROUP. I SHOULD NOTE THAT WE RAN A PROGRAM WHICH WAS ANOTHER HOUSING PROGRAM, WE DEVELOPED CLOSE TO 100 UNITS IN THE SAME AREA AND THAT WAS 142.

YES, I PREFER FOR TO BE 120 WERE LITTLE LOWER, YES.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE RECOGNIZE IT IS A WILLINGNESS AND WIGGLE ROOM IF YOU WILL TO ALLOW FOR GREATER PROGRAM ACTIVITIES.

ALSO THE LOWER YOU GO, THE MORE THERE IS EMPHASIS ON SUBSIDY.

IF WE DO 80 PERCENT, WHICH IS ALSO TALKED ABOUT DURING THE PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY DISCUSSION, IT WOULD REQUIRE SUBSIDY WEATHER COME FROM THE COUNTY OR THE FEDS, EVEN PRIVATE SOURCES IN SOME CASES. THE NUMBER OF INCOME IS LOWER FOR THE HOUSEHOLDS TYPICALLY REQUIRE GREATER SUBSIDY.> 140 IS MORE TARGETED TO THE FIRST RESPONDERS AND TEACHERS.

>> WILL CLOSE A LITTLE HIGHER AND ALLOWS FOR FOLKS TO KIND OF CAPTURE AND I THINK WITH SOME OF THE SALARY MODIFICATIONS AND A LOT OF ENTITIES PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR, WE WILL SEE HIGHER SALARY NUMBERS KIND OF COMMON AND CAPTURE THOSE FOLKS

TOO. >> ALSO KNOWS THE RESOLUTION PREVENTS RENTALS, IS THERE A REASON THAT --

>> I CAN'T REALLY SPEAK TO THAT.

AGAIN, WE TALK ABOUT PERSONAL PREFERENCE, JUST FROM A GENERAL GRANT MANAGEMENT ALLOWING FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES, IF YOU WILL I'D LIKE TO SEE RENTALS BUT IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE THE REQUEST WAS FOR OWNER OCCUPIED.

PERHAPS ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE I THINK

[02:40:05]

>> THAT'S PRECISELY WHY WANTED TO ASK THESE BEFORE PUBLIC COMMENT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR

COMMENTS? >> REALLY ARE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SIX. ANYONE WISHING TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE COME FORWARD. > HELLO COMMISSIONERS.

HONORABLE CHAIR, DEAN, COMMISSIONER DEAN AND MRS. SARAH -- AND PAUL WALDRON. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO IN THE COMMUNITY. AND HEARING US WITH THIS CONCERN ABOUT WEST AUGUSTINE PARCELS.

>> WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.

>> OKAY, ROBERT NEWMAN'S, 871 W. NINTH STREET, CHAIRMAN OF THE WEST AUGUSTINE CRA STEERING COMMITTEE.

>> THANK YOU SIR. >> THE STEERING COMMITTEE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF FOR PREPARING A WELL WRITTEN RESOLUTION FOR THE RESIDENTS OF WEST AUGUSTINE AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

BACK IN 2002, THE PAST HOUSING DIRECTOR SAW FIT TO PURCHASE THIS LAND AND PARCELS OUT OF BANKRUPTCY WITH THE WEST AUGUSTINE CRA FUNDING. IT WAS USED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHICH LED TO THE BIRTH OF A -- PROGRAM AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF NORTH ST. JOHN STREET.

THE RESOLUTION IS VERY SPECIAL TO US.

BECAUSE IT PUTS US AHEAD OF THE HOUSING CRISIS AS WE LOOK AT OTHER SURROUNDING AREAS IN THE COUNTY THAT COST THE RESIDENCE DEARLY. WE BELIEVE IN HOMEGROWN OPPORTUNITY. FOR EVERYONE TO REMAIN A RESIDENT OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY. AS I LOOK AT THE RESOLUTION ON ARTICLE 5 AND SIX, IT SIMPLY EXPLAINS THAT IN ORDER TO PROVIDE OWNER OCCUPIED AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CONDITIONS OF AVAILABILITY AND ALLOCATED FUNDS ST. JOHNS COUNTY WILL PROVIDE FUNDS LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL MONIES INCLUDING GRANTS AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SUBJECT PROPERTY WHICH -- THE NEXT ONE GOES ON TO SAY THAT THEY WILL CONTINUALLY WORK WITH ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND ALSO THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE TO PROVIDE WATER AND SEWER SERVICES TO THE SUBJECT PROPERTY WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE LOOK AT THE $10 MILLION SET ASIDE BY THE CITY.

TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF SEWER IMPROVEMENTS AND WATER AND ST.

JOHNS COUNTY. I CAN REMEMBER A STORY ONCE THAT WAS TOLD TO ME BY A CNA. SHE SAID, THE CNA WAS FOR WEST AUGUSTINE AND SHE SAID SHE WAS A NURSE, A CNA NURSE EVERY FORMER SHERIFF BY THE NAME OF NEIL PERRY.

SHE WAS SAYING HOW SHE MET SO MANY PEOPLE DURING HER CAREER AS A CNA. THAT ONCE WAS A SERVANT LEADERS AND DIFFERENT PERSONS OF THIS COMMUNITY.

THAT CNA WORKER IS NOW A PROUD OWNER OF A THREE BEDROOM HOME BUILT IN HANCOCK PLACE IN WEST AUGUSTINE.

WE MUST CONTINUE TO SEE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE, SUBSIDIES AND CREATE AVENUES TO KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE.

I BELIEVE WHEN WE PASS THIS RESOLUTION, OUR BOARD WOULD ALSO LIKE TO LOOK AT GOING INTO PHASES TWO AND THREE SO WE CAN IDENTIFY HOW TO CREATIVELY BE INVOLVED IN MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR OUR DEVELOPERS AND OUR BUILDERS TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. OUR COMMUNITIES HONOR AND RESIDENTS ARE AS WELL, WE WILL CONTINUE OUR REQUEST TO MOVE WITH THE COMMUNITY AS WE FIGHT THIS BATTLE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> EXCUSE ME.

AS CHAIRMAN, I WANT TO ALLOW HIM A COUPLE MORMONS BECAUSE HE'S CHAIRMAN OF THE CRA AND HE SHOULD BE GIVEN THAT OPPORTUNITY, LET'S GIVE YOU THREE MORE MINUTES IF YOU NEED

IT. >> YES SIR, LIKE I WAS SAYING, COMMUNITIES HONOR AND RESIDENTS ARE AS WELL AND WE ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROPERTY.

YOU JUST ADJUST 140 PERCENT OF THE AMI THAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS. AND WE CAREFULLY LOOKED AT THAT WITH OUR ATTORNEY. WE ARE ALL FOR CHANGING IF WE NEED TO GO TO 120 BUT I JUST THINK THIS IS A GOOD

[02:45:02]

YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.

NEXT? >> -- 905 PEARL STREET SAINT AUGUSTINE FLORIDA. 32084.

FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK MY SOUTHWEST DISTRICT NUMBER TWO COMMISSIONER AND ALSO, MS. SMITH FOR ASSISTING THE CRA IN MY OPINION, WITH THIS RESOLUTION.

COMMISSIONER ARNOLD, YOU HAVE GRABBED THE BATON AND IF YOU MOVED IT IN A MIGHTY WAY WITH WORK SPEED I MUST SAY.

ROBERT MENTIONED HANCOCK PLACE BUILDERS ARE STILL HERE.

IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUILT CORRECTLY ABOLISH THE STATE AUGUSTINE IN MY OPINION THAT WAS BUILT TO LAST, GOING TO STAND THE HAND OF TIME BECAUSE IT WAS CONSTRUCTED CORRECTLY. I CERTAINLY SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION, COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, I LOVE YOUR QUESTIONING ON AMI.E LOOKED AT THAT 140 PERCENT AND CERTAINLY HAVE SOME CONCERNS THERE AND AS MR. CONE MENTIONED IN ORDER TO GET 80, 100 OR 110 PERCENT, WITH AMI, WE NEED -- WE UNDERSTAND THAT AND WE WANT TO ADDRESS THAT.

AS I SAID EARLIER, THE CRA STEERING COMMITTEE TARGET POPULATION RIGHT NOW IS THE YOUNG CNA IS, THE YOUNG SERVICE WORKERS IN ADDITION TO THE YOUNG NURSES, POLICE OFFICERS, FIREMEN ETC. BUT WE CANNOT IN MY OPINION, LEAVE THE SERVICE WORKERS OUT, LEAVE THE YOUNG CNA IS OUT.

WITHOUT SEARCHING FOR THOSE DEEP SUBSIDIES TO BRING THEM UP. COMMISSIONER BLOCKER HAD A TERM AND I LIKE TO HE SAID THE RISING TIDE RAISES ALL SHIPS AND I AGREE WITH THAT. BUT IN WEST AUGUSTINE SOMETIMES, IN THE AREA, THEY HAVE A BIG HOLE IN IT SO WE HAVE A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND WITH THIS RESOLUTION TO BEGIN TO REPAIR THAT BIG HOLE SO WHEN THE TIDE RISES, COMMISSIONER BLOCKER, SO WILL WEST AUGUSTINE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, MR. WHITE. COMMISSIONER?

WELCOME BACK. >> IT SEEMS LIKE I CAME ON A GOOD DAY. THANK YOU FOR HEARING MY PERSPECTIVE AGAIN. BARBARA -- COMMISSIONER CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE. AS WAS MENTIONED EARLIER, THE CITY HAS COMMITTED TO THE UTILITIES OF WATER AND SEWER IN WEST AUGUSTINE. AS THE NATIONS OLDEST CITY, EVEN THOUGH THIS PART OF WEST AUGUSTINE IS NOT IN THE CITY LIMITS, IT IS SUCH AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR HISTORY AND AS A COUPLE OF THE SPEAKERS AHEAD OF ME HAD SAID, GENTRIFICATION IS A REAL THREAT. WE NEED TO PRESERVE THIS COMMUNITY, RAISE IT UP AND SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY, PROVIDE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WORKFORCE HOUSING AGAIN.

AS A PREVIOUS TOPIC WE TALKED ABOUT ON NUMBER FIVE I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE REALLY NEEDING MORE AFFORDABLE WORKFORCE HOUSING AND THIS FITS THE BILL IN ALL OF THESE.

I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT, THANK YOU.>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. YES MA'AM.

>> -- SAINT AUGUSTINE. TODAY, THE PRESENTATION WAS IMPRESSIVE. I'M EXCITED TO SEE THAT WE HAVE REACHED A LANDMARK. YOU'VE HEARD THREE GENERATIONS OR TWO GENERATIONS GREAT WHITE CRA, MYSELF, AND ROBERT.

WE TALKED TO A LOT OF COMMISSIONERS AND TODAY BY FAR IS THE MOST PHENOMENAL AND MONUMENTAL TO ME BECAUSE YOU HAVE A TRUE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE RELEVANT SIGNIFICANT AND LONG-TERM -- I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BENDING YOUR EAR ALLOTMENTS ARNOLD. SHE KEEPS UP, TALK FAST I'M TALKING SOFTLY BUT SHE SAYS SHE SMILES AND SHE NODS.

COMMISSIONER SMITH JUST IS OKAY.

[02:50:01]

TODAY I KNOW I HAVE YOUR EARS I THINK THE COMMUNITY HAS YOUR EARS.E WORK VERY HARD, WE PUT IN SWEAT AND A LITTLE BLOOD AND TEARS BUT TODAY I'M SMILING BECAUSE IT'S ALL COMING TOGETHER COMMISSIONER -- JUST INDICATED WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE AND WORK IN THE COUNTY, 100 PERCENT ON BOARD AND HOPE TODAY YOU ADOPT THE RESOLUTION BECAUSE IT WOULD ALLOW THE FOLKS THERE REALLY WANT TO REMAIN IN THE COUNTY HERE, I AM A MEMBER OF NINE SIBLINGS EMILY WAS STILL HERE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. MORE WANT TO COME BACK I HAVE SOME RETIRED COME BACK AND SAY MY GOODNESS WHAT AM I COMING BACK TO? I LEFT THE CANOE THAT WAS DRIVING. I LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY REPRESENT THEM I LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND I WANT TO GET BACK.

I BELIEVE THIS RESOLUTION IS A FOUNDATION TO KEEP THOSE THERE THAT WANT TO LIVE BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO LIVE.NOT BECAUSE THE- I REALLY TRULY WISH YOU WILL CONSIDER THIS RESOLUTION, EXCEPT TO GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY AND FOUNDATION TO BUILD UPON WE'VE A LOT OF BARRIERS I THINK THAT WE TALK OF THEM WERE OUT ONE BY ONE WE CAN DO THIS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASPIRATION BECAUSE ALSO HAVE TODAY.'M TRULY

INSPIRED, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> ED SLAVEN, IT WAS JFK WHO SAID THE RISING TIDE -- LET'S NOT FORGET THE SOURCE HE ALSO SAID AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN 1963 WE NEED TO MAKE THE WORLD SAFER AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE I THANK YOU. ONE CONCERN THOUGH THAT I JUST HEARD A LITTLE WHILE AGO THIS IS LIMITED TO OWNER OCCUPIED HOUSING AND NOT RENTALS. COULD WE PLEASE HAVE COLLECTIVELY OWNED THE COMMISSIONERS ON EVERY PROMOTING DIVERSITY IN FORMAL HOUSING THAT IS TO BE RENTAL COMPONENT. WEST AUGUSTINE WAS FOR LONG TIME THE VICTIM OF ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM.

IT WAS SO BY THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE DUMPED A LANDFILL ON A LAKE AND WE CAUGHT THEM AND WE GOT IT REMEDIED.

AND THAT CLEANUPS THAT WILL NOT HOPEFULLY BE THE SITE FOR -- THEN, THEY ACTUALLY PROPOSE THAT THEIR CLIENTS AGREE TO WAIVE CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH ANY OTHER CLIENT.

AND THERE IS NO LIST OF WHAT CLIENTS THEY HAVE.

SO, DID THE CRA SIGNED RETAINER AGREEMENT LIKE THAT? COULD THE CRA GET INDEPENDENT LEGAL ADVICE FROM A PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FIRM OR SOMEBODY NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF REPRESENTING BIG DEVELOPERS AND NATIONAL CORPORATIONS? BECAUSE MY DR. HAD ESPN NOT SURE IF IT'S TRUE OR NOT BUT I'M CONCERNED MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS LIKE DR HORTON ARE GOING TO MAKE A KILLING NSA EARLIER, I'M CONCERNED MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS RATHER THAN LOCAL NONPROFITS WILL MAKE MONEY FROM THE PUBLIC HOUSING HERE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AND SAINT AUGUSTINE I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT LET'S EMPHASIZE LOCALS LET'S EMPHASIZE NONPROFITS, AND LET'S DEEPLY SCRUTINIZE ANYTHING ROGERS TOWERS IS INVOLVED IN AND TAKE A GANDER AT THE RETAINER BECAUSE I STILL HAVE WHEN THEY PROPOSE FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL AND IT SPECIFICALLY SAID THE CLIENT AGREES TO WAIVE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST OF ANY OF OUR OTHER CLIENTS AND IS NOT A LIST OF OTHER CLIENT ATTACHED IT BEARS WATCHING, THANK YOU LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

>> THANK YOU. WELCOME BACK.

>> STILL VICKY PEPPER, I'M STILL REPRESENTING HERE COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR RACHEL -- I HAVE THIS TIME TO REMIND YOU THAT WE ARE AN INFORMAL INDEPENDENT CIVIC ACTION GROUP THAT GREW OUT OF SAINT AUGUSTINE ONGOING COMMUNITY CONVERSATION EFFORT THAT IS ABOUT TO START TODAY.

THEY ARE PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE BOC SEE ND ITS ROLE AS COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY IS WORKING WITH THE WEST

[02:55:01]

RESIDENTS OF WEST AUGUSTINE HAVE BEEN HIT ESPECIALLY HARD BY THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS.

THANK YOU FOR FOCUSING -- THIS IS ANOTHER CONCRETE STEP TOWARD PROVIDING SOLUTIONS FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS IN THE AREA. HOWEVER, IN WORKING WITH LEADERSHIP OF WEST AUGUSTINE, KAREN IS THE STEERING COMMITTEE HELPS SERVICE WORKERS SEE INNOCENT OTHERS -- WE REMIND EVERYONE THAT 140 PERCENT OF AMI IS A CEILING, NOT A FLOOR.

IN IMPLEMENTING THIS RESOLUTION ARE TRUST ALL INVOLVED WILL WORK TO MAXIMIZE THE CREATION OF LOW INCOME UP TO 80 PERCENT AMI. UP TO 120 PERCENT AMI HOUSING TO THE EXTENT FEASIBLE. WE ALSO EXPECT ALL INVOLVED TO STAY CREATIVELY AND MAKE AGGRESSIVE USE OF TOOLS SUCH AS DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE OR PERHAPS CREATIVE PRICING OF PROPERTIES THAT BENEFITS BUYERS TO MAKE THE NEW HOUSING AFFORDABLE. THEREFORE CARE URGES YOU TO PASS THE RESOLUTION AS REQUESTED, THEN ASK YOU TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU MRS. PEPPER.

HI. WELCOME BACK.

>> GOOD MORNING. THE RECORD ELLEN AILY SMITH.

1 100 WET STONE PLACE, ST.

AUGUSTINE. I HAVE THE HONOR OF BEING PRO BONO COUNCIL WITHOUT A RETAINER LETTER TO THE STEERING COMMITTEE WHICH ARE THREE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE PEOPLE I HAVE EVER MET IN MY ENTIRE LIFE SO WE'LL TALK ABOUT THEM IN A MINUTE, BUT FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU AND YOUR STAFF FOR WORKING SO HARD WITH US BECAUSE THIS BEEN A TRUE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TAKING LAND THE COUNTY HAS OWNED FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS AND TURNING IT INTO WHAT I CALL TRUE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ABOUT WHY WE WANTED IT TO BE OWNER OCCUPIED, BECAUSE EVERYONE WANTS TO TAKE THEIR MONEY AND BUILD SOMETHING OUT OF IT. WE WANT PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING DISPLACED FROM THEIR HISTORIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AUGUSTINE TO TAKE THEIR HARD-EARNED DOLLARS AND PUT THEM IN THEIR HOMES FOR THEIR FAMILIES TO OWN FOR GENERATIONS.

IT'S NOT MY IDEA, IT'S THEIR IDEA, THAT'S WHY WE ASKED NO RENTALS BECAUSE THEY DISPLACE PEOPLE WHEN THE RENTS GO UP AND PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING RETAINED AS THEIR OWN FOR THEIR FAMILIES IF THEIR NOT GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN THEIR HOME THAT'S WHY WE'RE ADD MONTH ABOUT DOING THAT OWNER OCCUPIED AND WE WANT DEED MAKE SURE THE INCOME RESTRICTIONS WENT WITH TITLE TO THE PROPERTY SO THEY DON'T GET FLIPPED FOR VACATION RENTALS OR OTHER KINDS OF RENTALS, THAT THEY WOULD BE OWNER OCCUPIED SO PEOPLE CAN'T ALLOW THEIR HOMES TO BE USED FOR VACATION RENTALS. THEY HAVE TO BE FOR PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THAT'S THE IDEA.

AGAIN I VERY MUCH THANK YOU, BUT I WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS. THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE HAS TEN MILLION DOLLARS IN WATER AND SEWER FUNDS TO HELP CONNECT THESE HOMES OR THESE FUTURE HOMES TO UTILITIES.

WE'RE WORKING WITH DEVELOPERS IN PRIVATE COMMUNITY TO BUILD TRUE AFFORDABLE HOMES ON THESE LOTS AND SINCE I'M GOING TO RUN OUT OF TIME I WANT TO SAY, IT'S MY ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO WORK WITH MY TEAM. THEY ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY. THEY WANT TO PRESERVE WEST AUGUSTINE'S HISTORY, BUT THEY HAVE THE VISION FOR KEEPING WEST AUGUSTINE MOVING INTO THE FUTURE WITH THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE.

THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE FOR GENERATIONS AND WANT TO CONTINUE TO BE THERE FOR GENERATION, SO I'LL GET OFF MY SOAP BOX. THANK YOU VERY MUCH IF YOU CAN'T TELL I'M PASSIONATE AND HAPPY ABOUT TODAY.

PLEASE MAKE IT OWNER OCCUPIED. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU MRS. AVERY SMITH. >> BJ CAULEY.

PEOPLE GET UP HERE AND SAY SOME THINGS AND I THINK THE TAXPAYERS IN THE CITY ARE KIND OF IGNORED ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING IN

[03:00:03]

RESIDENTS IN THE CITY LIMITS OF ST. AUGUSTINE ARE DOING MORE THAN THEIR FAIR SHARE AND SOME PEOPLE NEED TO SAY IT OUT LOUD AND THAT'S ONE REASON I'M UP HERE.

I DO PAY ATTENTION AND I DO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN WEST AUGUSTINE AND ALL THE PEOPLE UP HERE KNOW ME TOO AND KNOW WHAT I STAND. I WANT TO HELP PEOPLE BUT LET'S MAKE SURE WE SAY WHO IS HELPING AND IT IS THE PEOPLE, BUT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IT'S IN A SERVICE AREA THAT THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR BEATING THE WATER AND SEWER OUT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET WATER AND SEWER OUT THERE.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THE COUNTY CAN'T.

IT WAS AN AGREEMENT BACK IN THE DAY LONG BEFORE I CAME HERE THAT THE CITY WANTED THAT AREA BECAUSE THEY NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE DEVELOPED. LET'S GET BACK TO WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON. IT'S GOING TO BE PASSED, BUT I THINK THE RENTAL SHOULD BE, THERE SHOULD BE ONE OR TWO PLACES THAT PEOPLE CAN RENT OUT OF WHAT'S GOING TO BE BUILT THERE AND THEN ABOUT THE DEVELOPERS DOING THE FLIPPIN' ALL THE TIME, I THINK YOU'RE DOING A DISSERVICE NOT ALLOWING SOME OF THOSE THINGS THAT THEY BOUGHT WITH THEIR CRA MONEY WHICH IS IN THE MILLIONS AND NOT PROVIDING PEOPLE THAT CAN'T AFFORD TO OWN THEIR HOMES. THAT'S THE PEOPLE SERVING YOUR FOOD AND CLEANING THIS BUILDING. THEY'RE T ONES NOT BEING HELPED AND I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU ARE EVER GOING TO HELP THEM.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.

WELCOME BACK. >> WELCOME.

BILL LAZER ST. JOHN'S HOUSING PARTNERSHIP.

I THINK THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR HOME OWNERSHIP.

NOT BECAUSE WE KNEED DON'T NEED RENTAL.

THESE ARE SCATTERED SITES AND NOT REAL FEES TO BE ABLE BUILD AFFORDABLE. THE ONLY PEOPLE BUILDING SCATTERED SITE BUILDING SITE IS THE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP OR RENTAL INVESTORS CHARGING AN ARM AND A LEG.

THE HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY IS TRULY THE BEST WAY TO STABILIZE OUR WORKFORCE. WE'RE NOW BUILDING HOUSES, THREE BEDROOMS AND TWO BATH. $250,000, BUT WITH A MORTGAGE OF 3.5 PERCENT AND 33 YEAR FINANCING THEY'RE GETTING IN FOR LESS THAN $1,400 A MONTH. YOU CAN'T TOUCH THAT.

THE CRITICAL PART IS NOT JUST BUILDING IT, BUT GETTING THEM FINANCING AND THAT'S WHAT YOUR DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING SERVICES IS DOING. MATCHING PEOPLE WITH FINANCING SO THEY CAN TRULY KEEP THE HOMES AFFORDABLE.

NOT THAT WE DON'T NEED THEM, BUT IT'S HARD TO BUILD A SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE AND RENT IT OUT AFFORDABLY SO THE IDEA IS LET'S USE THESE AND BUILD HOME OWNERSHIP AND STABILIZE THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WANT TO STAY THERE.

>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE?

PUBLIC COMMENT? >> SHERRY BADGER.

2772 SOUTH COLLINS AVENUE. IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE IT, BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE STIPULATIONS BECAUSE I'VE KNOWN PEOPLE THAT HAVE GOTTEN HUD HOUSING AND THEN LATER ON MOVED IN WITH THE BOYFRIEND AND SOLD THEIR HUD HOUSING FOR FOUR OR FIVE TIMES WHAT THEY PAID FOR IT, AND THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME KIND OF STIPULATION BACK IN THERE IF THESE PEOPLE WANT OUT THAT THEY SELL IT BACK TO HUD FOR WHAT THEY PAID FOR IT.

THEY'RE GETTING ALL THESE BREAKS, SO THEN THIS HUD HOUSING GOES AND GETS SOLD FOR THREE OR FOUR TIMES WHAT THEY PAID FOR IT

[03:05:02]

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE MAKING MONEY AND JUST LIKE COMMISSIONER WALDRON, YOU GOT A BUNCH OF CARPET BAGGERS COMING IN HERE AND WANTING TO MOVE HERE AND GET IN ON THE THING AND THEY'RE NOT THE ONES WHO LIVED HERE AND SUFFERED IN THIS COUNTY.

THEY DIDN'T SUFFER THROUGH EVERYTHING THIS COUNTY HAS BEEN THROUGH. THEY MOVED DOWN HERE AND THEY EXPECT IT. GOD BLESS AND HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>> THANK YOU MRS. BADGER. WOULD ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> ANY COMMISSIONER COMMENTS? IS THERE A MOTION.

THIS IS DISTRICT TWO I BELIEVE? >> YES I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION RESOLUTION 2022-2. RESOLUTION OF THE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FLORIDA DESIGNATED 120 PARCELS IN THE WEST AUGUSTINE COMMUNITY AREA FOR AFFORDABLE

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT. >> SECOND.

>> WE HAVE SEVERAL SECONDS AND NOW WE WILL VOTE.

AND THAT PASSES 5 TO 0. VERY GOOD, VERY GOOD.

JESSE? I THINK YOU RECOMMENDED OR ADD ADVISED ME THAT I CAN TAKE UP ANOTHER CRA ITEM? I'D LIKE TO PRESENT TO MY FOE FELLOW COMMISSIONERS WHILE WE'RE DOING CRA. THIS A BET OF HISTORY BUT LET ME BE BRIEF AND I THINK IT WILL BE SELF-EXPLANATORY, I HOPE.

WHEN THE COUNTY REPURPOSEED THE SOLOMON CALHOUN CENTER INTO A REGIONAL VACCINATION SITE FROM JANUARY 21 THROUGH MAY OF 21, THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY FOREWENT THE USE OF THE FACILITY.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE COUNTY REIMBURSE THE CRA FOR LOST RENTAL REVENUE INCLUDING AN OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE ARPA GRANT. THE PROGRAM GENERATES APPROXIMATELY 63,000 ANNUALLY AND I'D LIKE TO SEE 1/2 OF THOSE PROGRAM AND REVENUES DIRECTED TOWARD THE STILTS DEBT SERVICE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023. THIS IS MY SUGGESTED MOTION IF THERE'S PUBLIC COMMENT TO FOLLOW.

THE MOTION WOULD BE TO APPROVE A ONE TIME RENT REIMBURSEMENT ON THE SOLOMON CALHOUN CENTER JANUARY THROUGH MAY 2021 INCLUDING USE OF AMERICAN RESCUE ACT FUNDING AND DIRECT 1/2 OF THE PROGRAM REVENUES GENERATED FROM THE SOLOMON CALHOUN CENTER TO OFFSET DEBT SERVICE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023.

THAT'S MY MOTION. >> SECOND.

>> LET'S TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THAT MOTION.

AND THEN WE'LL CALL FOR A VOTE. >> I THINK THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS RECENT MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DEAN.

PLEASE COME FORWARD IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> BJ KOL IT, CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.

IS THE RENT REIMBURSEMENT GOING TO COME FROM ARPA FUNDS? THAT AS SIMPLE QUESTION AND I NEED A SIMPLE ANSWER PAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WANTING MONEY FROM ARPA AND YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING ON THAT AND I'M SUPPOSED TO BE GETTING INFORMATION ABOUT IT TOO. THAT'S THE QUESTION.

YOU WANT TO REIMBURSE THEM. IS IT GOING TO BE ALL THE ARPA MONEY? WHERE IS THAT MONEY COMING FROM? CAN SOMEONE ANSWER THAT QUESTION FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC?

>> MR. DUNN CAN YOU ANSWER THAT? >> ABSOLUTELY.

YES. WHEN THE COUNTY TOOK ON THE VACCINATION SERVICES FROM THAT PERIOD JANUARY THROUGH MAY, THOSE WERE ELIGIBLE VACCINATION REIMBURSEMENT COSTS THROUGH REALLY TWO PROGRAMS. ONE WAS ME IF AN AND ONE WAS AMERICAN RESCUE SO THOSE ARE ELIGIBLE COSTS REIMBURSEMENTS.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT?

>> ROBERT. 871 WEST NINTH STREET.

MAN. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK JESSE BECAUSE THIS BEEN A PET PEEVE OF THE WEST AUGUSTINE CRA COMMUNITY

[03:10:03]

EVERY TIME THERE'S A HURRICANE OR NATIONAL DISASTER AND EVEN THE PANDEMIC WHICH IS CRAZY IF YOU ASK ME BECAUSE THE ENTIRE STREET IN THE NORTH END OF THE COUNTY WAS BLOCKED OFF BECAUSE OF THE VACCINATION WHEN THEY WERE REALLY TERRIFIED OF THIS PANDEMIC AND THEN IT WAS SHIFTED TO THE WEST AUGUSTINE COMMUNITY AND WE RAISED QUESTIONS ON HOW TO WE LOOK AT THE COMMUNITY IN THE EYE AND TELL THEM THAT WE'RE BEING CHARGED OVER 90% OF TIF FUNDING FOR A CENTER THAT WE ONLY USE ROUGHLY 15 TO 16% OF THE TIME. WE THOUGHT WAS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. RIGHT NOW I THINK THIS IS HEADED STRAIGHT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS AND I HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE TO LOOK AT WEST AUGUSTINE AND SAY WE CAN DO BUSINESS IN WEST AUGUSTINE BECAUSE THAT IS BUSINESS IF YOU ARE USING OUR CENTER FOR A PANDEMIC SITE, WHAT ARE THE RESIDENTS GETTING BACK IN RETURN? AND IN THE SALES AND MARKETING ARENA IT'S CALLED ROI AND I THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

MRS. WILLIS. >> I ABOUT RAN UP HERE.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS BEFORE THE FLOOR.

ROBERT DID NOT STATE AND HE WAS BEING GENEROUS.

OUR USE IS ALMOST AREN'T 9 PERCENT OR LESS IF YOU GET TRUE NUMBERS AND WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE THAT BEFORE THE COMMISSION.

IT WAS PUT THERE FOR THE RESIDENTS AND WE KNOW THE COUNTY USES IT AND WE WANT EVERYBODY TO ENJOY IT, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO BE EXCLUDED FROM OUR CENTER. IT WAS A PLACE FOR OUR YOUTH TO GO HANG OUT AND BE SAFE AND THE ELDERLY TO GO SAFELY AND DO ACTIVITIES. WE CAN NOW USE THOSE FUNDS TO BRING THOSE PROJECTS BACK THAT WE NEED.

I TRULY THANK YOU TODAY. THIS IS PHENOMENAL.

I'M ABOUT TO JUMP OUT OF MY SHOES HERE AND I HAVE HIGH HEALS ON SO THAT WOULD NOT BE PRETTY. I LOOK FORWARD TO A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS COMMISSION.

I'M SO EXCITED. WOO.

>> THANK YOU MRS. WILLIS AS ALWAYS.

MR. SLAIVEN. >> I SUPPORT THE MOTION.

THANK YOU CHAIRMAN DEAN FOR DOING IT.

I'M VERY PROUD OF THE COUNTY AND HOW WELL THE VACCINATIONS WERE HANDLED AFTER THE COUNTY TOOK OVER FROM THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN THE FUTURE COULD WE PERHAPS CONSIDER ANOTHER BUILDING TO DO IT IN. IN JACKSONVILLE THERE WAS CONTROVERSY BECAUSE THE MONO CLONAL ANTIBODIES WERE DISPENSED AT THE MAIN PUBLIC LIBRARY THAT CLOSED FOR MONTHS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF VACANT PROPERTY.

LET'S BE RESOURCEFUL AND HAVE CONTINGENCY PLANS AND IF WE NEED TO DO THIS AGAIN LET'S LOOK AT ANOTHER BUILD RAG THERE THAN THE CALHOUN CENTER. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> ANYBODY ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS MOTION? SEEING NONE WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC

COMMENT. >> DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING?

>> I DID THROUGH THE CHAIR. AS A CAUTIONARY MEASURE YOU'RE IT ISING AT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND THE AGENCY MAKES A RECOMMENDATION THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE A PROVEED BY THE BOARD FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I DON'T THINK THE AGENCY HAS THE AUTHORITY SO YOU CAN DO A RECOMMENDATION AS THE AGENCY AND WHEN YOU RECONVENE AS THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS YOU CAN

DO THAT. >> I WONDERED WHY THE CRA WAS TRANSFERRING FUNDS TO ITSELF, BUT NEVERTHELESS, SO THE MOTION WILL BE TO RECOMMEND TO US, THE COUNTY COMMISSION TO TRANSFER TO US THE CRA. YOU SATISFIED WITH THAT MOTION? SECOND? LET'S VOTE.

THAT IS APPROVED 5 TO 0. WE'RE GOING TO ADJOURN THE CRA

[Reconvene Regular Board of County Commissioners Meeting]

[03:15:01]

>> I CAN MAKE IT NOW, MR. CHAIRMAN.

WHILE IT'S UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> WELL NOW WE WILL RECONVENE THE COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING.

>> WE HAVE ADJOURNED CRA AND NOW RECONVENE THE COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING. WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE THAT MOTION TO DO THE TRANSFER. YOU WANT ME TO READ IT.

>> YEAH. >> LET ME READ THE MOTION SO I DON'T MESS IT UP. I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO APPROVE A ONE TIME RENT REIMBURSEMENT OF THE SOLOMON CALHOUN CENTER JANUARY THROUGH MAY OF 2021 INCLUDING USE OF AMERICAN RESCUE FUND ACT AND REVENUES SET FOR OFFSET OF FISCAL YEAR 2023,

SECOND? >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A

[7. State Road 16 Discussion.]

WE HAVE ALREADY DONE PUBLIC COMMENT AND THAT IS APPROVED 5 TO 0. THAT TAKES US TO THE ITEMS THAT WE ALREADY ADJOURNED THE CRA SO NOW ITEM 7, RIGHT? WE'RE ON SEVEN? MIKE? GOOD AFTERNOON. BY THE WAY WE'RE NOW ON ITEM 7 AND WE'LL FINISH WITH PUBLIC COMMENT AND COMMISSIONER REPORTS AND FINISH AND AD URINE THE MEETING RATHER THAN TAKE A LUNCH BREAK AND COME BACK. IF YOU ACKNOWLEDGE WE CAN GET

OUT OF HERE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS.

MIKE ROBERSON GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT.

I'M BRIEFING YOU ON STATE ROAD 16.

BESIDE ME IS GREG CALDWELL DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION AND OUR CHIEF ENGINEER SHOULD WE GET INTO SOME DETAILED QUESTIONS. WITH THAT, THE BOARD DIRECTED STAFF TO COME BACK WITH SOME KIND OF A GENERAL EXPLANATION OF STATE ROAD 16. IT'S CURRENT ROADWAY CONDITIONS AND FUNDING STATUS. YOU HAVE SEEN THAT IN STAFF REPORTS, BUT MAYBE THIS WILL PUT IT ALL TOGETHER SO YOU CAN GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE WE ARE.

SPECIFICALLY, IT'S THIS SEGMENT OF STATE ROAD 16.

THERE'S MORE TO 16, BUT IGP TO THE OUTLET MALL ENTRANCE TODAY.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY.

THE BREAK DOWN IS THAT IT'S A TWO LANE SEGMENT AND IT'S ABOUT FIVE MILES FROM THE SEGMENT. IT GIVES YOU THE TRAFFIC COUNT.

IT'S NOT PART OF THE FIVE YEAR WORK PROGRAM.

THE IS BECAUSE OF COST CHANGES IN THE LAST YEARS IT HAS SKYROCKETED. $80 MILLION TO $100 MILLION.

NO FUNDING AVAILABLE WITH THE CAVEAT THAT I'LL TALK ABOUT IN A SECOND. UTIMATELY THIS IS GOING TO FOUR LANE. THAT'S THE QUESTION HERE.

IN ORDER TO DO THAT YOU NEED RIGHT-OF-WAY, RETENTION POND, DESIGN, PERMITS AND OF COURSE FUNDING.

SO THE FIRST SEGMENT WE'LL TALK ABOUT IS INTERSECTION STATUS AND THAT AS QUARTER MILE OF MOVING EASTWARD OR SOUTHEAST WARD FROM IGP. THE COUNTY IS SEEKING FUNDING, LOOKING TO IMPROVE THAT REALLY TO IMPROVE THE INTERSECTION MOVEMENT. THAT'S WHAT THAT IS.

THAT'S MORE OF THE COUNTY AND PUBLIC WORKS WORKING WITH OUR STAFF, AS WELL TO DO IT. THERE'S ABOUT SIX MILLION DOLLARS OF CURRENT FUNDING AND 50% DESIGNED A WE NEED A STORM WATER PERMIT. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT COMMITMENTS ONE OF THEM IS THE WORLD COMMERCE CENTER AND THEY'RE BE ON THE LOOKING FOR MILES. IT IS A PRIORITY AND THE COUNTY IS WORKING WITH THAT. THE DEVELOPER COMMITMENT THUS TO SOUTH FRANCES ROAD. CURRENTLY THEY'RE AT PHASE ONE.

WHEN THE PROJECT REACHES PHASE THREE THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO DO THIS IMPROVEMENT. YOU MAY ASK, WELL WHERE ARE THEY NOW? IT'S DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE THAT BECAUSE THEY ARE A DEVELOPMENT O REGIONAL IMPACT AND THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO LAND, CONVERT LAND THAT THEY HAVE ACTIVE IN OTHER WORDS, THEY CAN SWITCH OUT THEIR INDUSTRIAL, MOVE TO THEIR INDUSTRIAL COMMIT MENS THAT CAN PUSH BACK.

ULTIMATELY THAT CAN PUSH BACK TO PHASE THREE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE ABILITIES THEY HAVE.

WHAT WE CAN'T TELL YOU IS THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY CLOSE.

I HAVE STATISTICS WHERE THEY ARE IN OFFICE AND WHAT WOULD TIP THE

[03:20:07]

YOU CAN SEE THEY'VE ALREADY DONE SOME OF THEIR COMMIT MENS AND THE ONE IS IN YELLOW AND THAT'S FROM IGP TO SOUTH FRANCES THAT WILL BE REQUIRED AT PHASE THREE. THE OTHER IS FROM GRAND OAKS AND THAT IS FOR THE THREE MILES FROM THEIR MIRIDA STREET ENTRANCE ALL THE WAY TO THE EAST ENTRANCE AND THAT'S THREE MILES, RIGHT SO THEIR COMMITMENTS OR THRESHOLDS BEFORE THEY CAN GET THE 443RD PLAT, THEY NEED TO HAVE ENGINEERING OR EXCUSE ME, APPROVED DESIGN AND ENGINEERING AND POND SITE PURCHASES.

I THINK THEY'RE RIGHT AT THAT THRESHOLD RIGHT NOW.

41, 42. RIGHT THERE.

FURTHER DOWN THE LINE WHEN THE ROAD REACHES 0 PERCENT CAPACITY OR THEY GET TO THE PLAT THEY WOULD BE THEN REQUIRED FOR THE FOUR PLANE LANE THE 581ST PLAT. THE COUNT IS AT 83 PERCENT TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA WHERE THAT ROADS.

RIGHT NOW I'M NOT SURE AND I DON'T BELIEVE THE DESIGN HAS BEEN APPROVED AND I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE APPROVED POND SITES BUT THEY MAY BE IN THAT PROCESS. HERE'S A GOOD MAP THAT SHOWS IN THE LIGHT BLUE, THAT'S THE GRAND OAKS COMMITMENT.

THE YELLOW IS THE WORLD COMMERCE CENTER COMMITMENT.

AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO MILES AND THAT'S BASICALLY UNFUNDED.

SO THERE'S NO DEVELOPER COMMITMENT OR FUNDING SOURCES AND THAT'S OUT THERE FOR FOUR LANES.

AND JUST HERE'S A GENERAL OVERALL FUNDING TABLE TO SHOW YOU WHAT'S GOING ON. I-95 WILL BE WIDENED TO 10 LANES IN THE SPRING. THERE'S TWO SEGMENTS OF COUNTY ROAD 209 AND YOU CAN SEE THERE THAT THERE'S PARTIAL FUNDING TO IGP FROM THE PARKWAY AND THEN THERE'S FULL FUNDING FROM IGP TO STATE ROAD 16 AND THEN WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE DEVELOPER COMMITMENTS FOR THE INTERSECTION THAT THE COUNTY IS WORKING ON AND THE TWO FOR GRAND OAKS AND THE WORLD COMMERCE CENTER AND THE UNFUNDED. THERE'S ON-GOING TRAFFIC AND I DRIVE IT EVERY DAY THE DOT CONSTRUCTION.

YOU MAY HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH IT AS WELL.

THAT'S A VERY BRIEF SUMMARY OF WHERE WE ARE IN TERMS OF FUNDING FOR THE FOUR LANING OF STATE ROAD 16 AND SOME OF THE DEVELOPER COMMITMENTS AND AGAIN, THIS WAS JUST A GENERAL THING TO GET THE DISCUSSION STARTED, THAT THE BOARD ASKED FOR.

I'M AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS. >> BEFORE WE DO PUBLIC COMMENT, LET'S START WITH ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS, AND IF NOT THEN WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

QUESTIONS? >> NO.

>> AT THIS TIME WE'LL OPEN UP FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT.

MR. SLAIVEN. >> ED SLAIVEN.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS REPORT.

ONE THING THOUGH. ON THE STORM WATER PONDS FROM THIS DAY FORWARD COULD WE PLEASE REQUIRE THAT EVERY DEVELOPER THAT'S REQUIRED TO BUILD A STORM WATER POND OR THE STATE DOT THAT THOSE NOT BE SQUARE OR RECTANGULAR AS THEY ARE NOW? SOME AMERICANS HAVE A POSITIVELY BY DO FROM THE UGLY WAS ONCE SAID, AND IF YOU LOOK AROUND THERE'S FISH IN THESE PONDS.

THE BIRDS LIKE THEM, BUT THEY ARE SQUARE.

THEY DON'T LOOK LIKE ANYTHING YOU'VE SEEN IN NATURE.

WHY DO WE GET PEOPLE TO PROVIDE FOR SQUARE POPPEDS THAT DON'T LOOK LIKE ANYTHING OTHER THAN A DRAINAGE POND.

THEY SHOULD LOOK LIKE PONDS AND WE WON'T BE LAUGHING AT THE ENGINEERS AND POLITICIANS THAT ALLOWED THESE RECTANGULAR PONDS TO BE BUILT. THEY'RE UGLY.

PLEASE STOP. >> THANK YOU.

WOULD ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT?

YES, SIR? >> CHUCK ELEVEN, THIS BEEN MY PET PEEVE. MOST OF YOU KNOW THAT.

YOU KNOW I'M CONCERNED. I JUST SAW PEOPLE DOING SAMPLE

[03:25:04]

WHY ARE WE PAYING SO MUCH TO DRILL THAT SO MANY TIMES? IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO PULL SAMPLES FROM THE SAME LOCATIONS OVER AND OVER AGAIN. IF WE'RE NOT READY TO GO IN AND BUILD AND WE HAVE NO PLACE FOR STORM WATER.

NOWHERE SO THIS IS BEING DELAYED.

FROM IGP TO SOUTH FRANCES, THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN DONE 7 YEARS AGO. I UNDERSTAND THE FUNDING, BUT THE MORE WE PUSH IT BACK THE MORE IT'S GOING TO COST AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING AT THE RATE IT'S GOING.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MIRIDA STREET PUT IN, BUT YOU SHOULD HAVE THOSE FUNDS THERE FROM IGP DOWN TO SOUTH FRANCES.

INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR THE WORLD COMMERCE CENTER TO COMPLETE THEIR PHASE THREE AND NEV THERE NO DATE FOR THAT.

WE'RE DEPENDING ON DEVELOPERS THAT PUSH BACK THE CLOCK.

PLEASE. LET'S DO SOMETHING ABOUT 16.

IT'S WAY PAST DUE AND LAST I HEARD IT'S ANOTHER 7 YEARS BEFORE IT GETS WIDENED IF WE CAN GET THE STORM WATER.

THANK YOU. >> WOULD ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING UP IN WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> NEEDLESS TO SAY YOU HAVE HEARD ME RANT AND RAVE ALMOST AS LOUD AS CHUCK OVER THIS ISSUE FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS, BUT I HAVE LEARNED FROM THE STAFF RECENTLY THAT, WELL I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE STAFF, THE DOT APPARENTLY HAS BEEN ASKING FOR OR EXPECTING OR REQUESTING A LETTER FROM THE COUNTY.

SO I'M PREPARED AFTER ALL COMMENTS ARE MADE TO OFFER UP A LETTER TO VOTE ON AND TO SEND TO JIM KNIGHT TO MOVE THIS AHEAD.

I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO SIT HERE AND RANT AND RAVE ABOUT THE FAILURE TO GET 16, FOUR LANES. IN FACT, HAVING IT SUGGESTED THAT WE MAY BE A POSSIBLE PART OF THE DELAY BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT SENT A LETTER TO REQUEST THAT WE IMMEDIATELY START DESIGNED A CONSTRUCTION, SO WITH THAT SAID, DID YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING?

>> THAT'S INTERESTING. THAT'S AN INTERESTING REVELATION. I WANT TO MAKE SURE 16 GETS WIDENED, IF YOU BELIEVE A LETTER TO DOT WOULD GET THE BALL MOVING

I'M IN FAVOR OF THAT. >> I WAS TOLD BY STAFF THAT THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD BY JIM KNIGHT THAT ALL HE NEED IS A LETTER FROM US COUNTY TO START AND THAT'S PART OF THE DELAY.

HAVE I MISSPOKE, BRAD OR HUNTER? THAT'S WHY I'M PROPOSING A

LETTER. >> THEN I HAVE NOTHING ELSE.

>> IN MY BRIEFING I WAS NOT TOLD THEY NEEDED A LETTER FROM US, OTHER THAN FROM THE GRAND OAKS PEOPLE.

AM I MISUNDERSTANDING? >> I WAS ON THE CALL WITH JIM KNIGHT AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS HE TOLD MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OR STAFF THAT IN ORDER TO PUSH THE BALL FORWARD ON 16, WE NEED A LETTER CONVEYED FROM THE COUNTY THAT IT'S OUR DESIRE TO MOVE THE PROJECT FORWARD. THAT DOES NOT BIND THE COUNTY TO DO ANYTHING RELATED TO THE FUNGED.

AS ALL OF YOU WERE BRIEFED, THERE'S STILL ON-GOING NEGOTIATIONS NOT RESOLVED SO THOSE HAVE TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE THE COUNTY COMMITS TO ANYTHING. IT SAYS INTENT TO CONVEY BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. THIS IS TO TELL DOT THAT YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT MOVING 16 FORWARD, BUT IT DOES NOT BIND THE COUNTY.

THERE'S NOTHING TO CONVEY IF AN AGREEMENT IS NOT REACHED BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THE DEVELOPERS ON THIS AREA OF THE ROAD.

>> THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD MR. CHAIRMAN, CAN WE ASK FOR A LETTER BACK STATEING WE DO THIS HE'LL PUT IT AS A PRIORITY SINCE

IT'S NOT IN THE PRIORITY. >> I'D BE HAPPY TO DO IT.

I'D PERSONALLY LIKE TO DO THAT. >> WE GET TOLD A LOT OF TIMES THINGS THAT NEVER HAPPEN AND I DON'T WANT TO BE LEFT OUT ON THIS. IT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND PROBABLY NEEDED TO BE DONE FOR YEARS. I JUST WOULD LIKE SOME REASSURANCE FROM THEM SINCE IT'S NOT ON THE FIVE-YEAR-PLAN.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN IT IN THE TP O IF I'M CORRECT?

>> IT DID APPEAR ON THE T.P. O UNFUNDED LIST.

>> WELL WE GOT A LOT ON THE LIST.

>> NUMBER 16. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE TO DOT IF WE DO THIS AND MOVE FORWARD AND THE AGREEMENT IS MET, THAT

[03:30:04]

>> WELL, LET ME SAY THIS. RATHER THAN TRY TO TAKE SOME KIND OF INTERMISSION AND REDRAFT A LETTER THAT THE STAFF HAS WORKED ON, I THINK WE UNDERSTAND THE INTENT HERE AND I AGREE WITH YOU SO IF YA'LL AGREE WITH PAUL, WHAT I SUGGEST IS WE BASICALLY HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND AND VOTE TO SEND A LETTER AS REFLECTED IN THE DRAFT THAT I ASKED JOY TO DISTRIBUTE TO EVERYONE SO I KNOW IT'S ONLY BEEN AN HOUR, BUT NEVERTHELESS, BUT INCORPORATE PAUL'S COMMENTS ABOUT ASKING FOR A RESPONSE.

THEN WE CAN HOPEFULLY GET CERTAINTY OF HOW WE ARE PROCEEDING AND WITH THAT I'D BE HAPPY TO I GUESS ONCE AGAIN COBBLE TOGETHER THAT MOTION THAT I TRIED TO EXPLAIN.

UNLESS THERE ARE OTHER COMMENTS? YOU GOOD, PAUL SO I GUESS I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT, OR I WOULD MOVE THAT WE, WELL WE HAD PUBLIC COMMENT, WHAT AM I SAYING? I MOVE THE LETTER THAT'S BEEN HANDED OUT WITH ADDITIONAL COMMENTS INCORPORATED COMMISSIONER WALDRON REQUEST TO INCLUDE LANGUAGE FOR A RESPONSE TO OUR LETTER FROM DOT. STAFF, IS THAT CLEAR ENOUGH?

>> YES, SIR. >> PLEASE VOTE.

>> TO WE HAVE A SECOND ON THE MOTION.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAD A MOTION AND SECOND BY PAUL AND THEN CHRISTIAN AND EVEN SARAH.

[Public Comment]

THAT COMPLETES THE AGENDA I THINK.

FOR THE MOMENT AND WE WILL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> ALRIGHT AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA.

ANY PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD SHOULD COME TO THE PODIUM AND STATE THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS AND YOU WILL BE ALLOWED THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK OR FIVE IF YOU REPRESENT AN AGENCY.

NO LAND IS ROUSE REMARKS OR BOISTEROUS BEHAVE.

MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE SHOULD REFRAME FROM COMMENTS AND APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL. ANY SPEAKER THAT PARENTS OVERHEAD MATERIAL, PLEASE PRESENT THAT TO THE STAFF OF THE CLERK OF THE COURT TO BE ENTERED INTO PUBLIC RECORD.

MR. SLAIVEN. >> ED SLAIVEN.

I'M SORRY COMMISSIONER BLOCKER IS NOT HERE.

I THINK HE WOULD LEARN SOMETHING FROM PUBLIC COMMENT AND IT NEEDS TO BE RESTORED TO THE BEGINNING OF EVERY MEETING.

IT WAS DISRESPECTFUL WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE IT AND IT'S DISRESPECTFUL NOW. I PROPOSE AUGUST 8TH BEEN BARBARA KOLWTE DAY. I'VE WATCHED HER SINCE NOVEMBER FIFTH OF 1999 AND I ALWAYS LEARN FROM HER AND MY FRIEND TIE AN MILLS ASKED ME TO FIND OUT WHAT IS BJ'S BIRTHDAY AND IT'S AUGUST 8TH. TIE AN IS NO LONG WEAR US.

HER HUSBAND JERRY IS GONE, BUT BJ IS HERE AT EVERY MEETING AND DOES HER RESEARCH AND IS PASSIONATE AND CARES ABOUT OUR COUNTY AND COMMUNITY AND I'D LIKE TO SEE HER HONORED BY THIS COUNTY AND OUR CITY AND I'D LIKE TO SEE SEPTEMBER 2 TO BE MADE MICHELLE O'CONNELL DAY IN HONOR OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTY'S GIRLFRIEND THAT WAS KILLED. THE "NEW YORK TIMES" AND OTHER JOURNA JOURNALISTIC HAVE DOCUMENTED WHAT HAPPENED. TWO RESPECTED JUDGES OF OUR COUNTY AND FEDERAL COURT FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE THAT MICHELLE O'CONNELL'S DEATH WAS A HOMICIDE AND YET THE PERSON THAT WAS ACCUSED OF HER HOMICIDE STILL HAS A GUN AND A BADGE AND STILL WORKS FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

IT'S UNACCEPTABLE. ROBERT KENNEDY SAID IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO ALLOW DECENT WE MUST DEMAND IT.

FOR THERE IS MUCH TO DESCEND FROM.

OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT DOES NOT HAVE BODY CAMERAS AND IS NOT EVEN HERE TO ADDRESS CITIES CONCERN ABOUT CAMERAS.

IT'S AN URGENT REQUIREMENT. WE NEED IT IN OUR BUDGET.

JOE BIDEN'S FATHER TOLD HIM MANY YEARS AGO, SHOW ME YOUR BUDGET AND I'LL TELL YOU WHAT OUR VALUES ARE.

WELL, I LOOKED AT THAT BUDGET AND I'VE ATTENDED EVERY SINGLE BUDGET WORKSHOP, I THINK SINCE 2016 AND WE'RE NOT DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB ON PUBLIC POLICY DEVELOPMENT.

LET ME GIVE ONE EXAMPLE. I ASKED DURING TO HEARING IN MAY

[03:35:06]

IT'S 0 POINT 68 THAT MEANS FOR WORKERS COMPENSATION PURPOSES WE GET A DISCOUNT. THAT AS FANTASTIC ACHIEVEMENT.

THAT SHOULD BE IN A PRESS-RELEASE.

SAME WITH THE LAMP BOARD. OUR PR DEPARTMENT DOUSE LOUSY JOB OF INFORMING PEOPLE OF WHAT'S GOING ON AND EVEN WHEN WE COLLECTED A LAMP BOARD THEY WOULDN'T OPEN A PRESS-RELEASE.

WE NEED SO MUCH MORE, BUT THANK Y

YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

HERE WE GO. >> JOE MASK EARNY.

THE COMMISSION WILL HAVE AN IMPORTANT PROJECT ON AUGUST 16TH. THE INDUSTRIAL PARK, VERY IMPORTANT PROJECT AND WITH A DEBATE THAT STARTED LONG BEFORE I WAS HERE AND LONG BEFORE I STARTED TO PAY ATTENTION AND THAT'S DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTH COUNTY AREA.

SO WHEN THIS APPEARED ON THE P Z A'S UPCOMING AGENDA I WANTED TO PREPARE. I READ THROUGH THE APPLICATION AND THE STAFF REPORT AND THE ATTACHMENTS AND I E-MAILED COUNTY GROWTH MANAGEMENT AND ASKED IF THERE HAD EVER BEEN A STUDY AT THE 302 CORRIDOR AND I WAS RECOMMENDED TO DEVELOPMENT AND THEY TOLD ME UPCOMING NEXT YEAR THE COUNTY WOULD LOOK TO HAVE A COUNTY-WIDE STRATEGIC ECONOMIC PLAN DEVELOPMENT.

THIS DID APPEAR TO BE A SPECULATIVE THING, 1.25 MILLION SQUARE FEET AND 1,400 JOBS. 1.5 MILLION DOLLARS IN AD VALOREM. THE DISCUSSION IMPORTANT.

I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT. IT WAS SPECULATIVE, BUT IMPORTANT. THAT WAS FINE.

I WAS PREPARED TO GIVE MY COMMENTS ABOUT THE STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND HUH THIS PROJECT SHOULD WAIT UNTIL THAT WAS COMPLETED, BUT AT THE THREE HOUR AND 31 MINUTE PRESENTATION BY MR. SHAI HE INTRODUCED THIS AND SUDDENLY THIS WAS NO LONGER THE ELK TON INDUSTRIAL PARK, BUT THE KEYHE PARK. P ZA DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THAT BEFORE JULY 21ST. I FEEL SO BADLY FOR THEM TO NOT HAVE THAT INFORMATION. SORRY FOR MY WORDS APPROVE IT OR LOSE IT, BUT MR. SHAI SAID WITHOUT APPROVALS THIS PROJECT WAS PREPARED TO MOVE TO WEST JACKSONVILLE.

OH MY GOSH. SUDDENLY THIS IS NO LONGER SPECULATIVE PROPOSAL, BUT ARE WE GOING TO LOSE 14 HUNDRED EMPLOYEES AND MILLION AND A HALF AD VALOREM? PUT THIS IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT LIGHT.

K EHE IS A TENANT. 240 THOUSAND SQUARE FEET AND 300 EMPLOYEES AND INFORMATION NOT PRESENTED TOP ZA.

THEY'RE NOT TAKING 1.5 MILLION SQUARE FEET.

SORRY, DOES THAT MEAN THEY'RE NOT DOING TO HAVE 1,400 EMPLOYEES. WHO KNEW BEFORE JULY 21ST? WELL, KEHE EXECUTIVES MET HERE IN THE COUNTY.

WHY WAS THEP ZA NOT AWARE AND THE PUBLIC NOT AWARE? I'M HOPEFUL FOR YOU THAT THIS IS NO LONGER IT'S ALL ABOUT THEM.

LET'S ASK SOME SERIOUS QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. WOULD ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO MAKE

GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT. >> SHERRY BADGER: SOUTH COLLINS AVENUE. I DID FORGET TO GIVE THIS PICTURE TO YOU THE OTHER DAY WITH THE OTHER ONES.

THIS IS WHAT WE CALL THE HOLDING PIN.

THIS IS WATER THAT HOLDS 266 CUBIC YARDS OF WATER GOING INTO THE 18 INCH PIPE THAT'S DOWN HERE.

I FORGOT TO GIVE YOU THIS ONE LAST WEEK SO THERE YOU GO.

GOD BLESS. HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>> THANK YOU MRS. BADGER. WOULD ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO MAKE

[03:40:01]

GOT SOME FLAIR? >> SORRY ABOUT THAT, SIR.

>> THAT'S FINE. >> BJ COLLETTE.

THIS IS KIND OF IMPORTANT. NOT THAT EVERYTHING I SAY IS NOT IMPORTANT. WHAT COMMISSIONER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VALLIANO AREA? THERE'S A SERIOUS PROBLEM UNDER THE BRIDGE. THERE'S BEEN HOMELESS ATTACKING PEOPLE. SERIOUSLY.

I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO, BUT THAT'S COME TO MY ATTENTION. I LIKE TO SAY THIS OUT LOUD TOO.

LAWYERS AS LUKE 11:46 STATES. THERE'S GOOD AND BAD IN EVERY PROFESSION, BUT SOMETIMES I THINK SOME PEOPLE THINK THEIR OPINION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN SOMEBODY ELSE'S AND WE ALL ARE EQUAL IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD. BE CAREFUL WHEN VOTING ON AUGUST 23RD AND NOVEMBER 8, VOTE NO TAX HIKE.

AND I DO AGREE AND I'LL KEEP SAYING THAT WE NEED TO RETURN PUBLIC COMMENT TO THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETINGS AS A COURTESY TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT ARE PAYING YOUR TAXES.

WELL YOU HAVE TO PAY YOUR OWN TAXES, BUT WE'RE PAYING YOUR SALARY. THE WORD IS PERSIST.

PER PERSIST.

YOU HAVE TO KEEP ON KEEPING ON AND THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING AND I WANT TO SAY PUBLICLY, REALLY PUBLICLY, THERE SHOULD NEVER EVER, NEVER. I KNOW WE DON'T SAY THAT, BUT I'M SAYING IT FOR MYSELF. DO NOT NAME A DAY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA STARTING WITH THIS COUNTY FOR BJ COLET.

GET THAT IN THERE. BLACK AND WHITE IN WRITING SO NO ONE WILL FORGET THAT WE ALL GOT IT HERE AND WHOEVER IS LISTENING AT HOME LISTEN TO THAT. I APPRECIATE THE OFFER, BUT REALLY, NO. I DON'T NEED ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

THE ONLY REASON I'M HERE IS THIS IS MY COMMUNITY AND I AM VERY CONCERNED AND I WILL CONTINUE TO COME AND SPEAK MY OPINION, EVEN THOUGH, I FEEL THOUGH SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON'T LISTEN.

BUT YOU ALL DO LISTEN. I'M NOT NAMING NAMES, BUT PLEASE LOOK AT THE BRIDGE AND WHAT HAPPENED UNDER THERE.

THANK YOU. >> GO AHEAD.

I WANT TO COMMENT, BUT SEE IF THAT'S IT.

>> THANK YOU. WOULD ANYBODY LIKE TO MAKE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC

COMMENT. >> WHILE YOU ARE HERE BJ, CAN YOU HEAR ME? THAT'S THE FIRST TIME ANYBODY HAS BROUGHT THAT TO MY ATTENTION AND TIME DISTRICT FIVE COMMISSIONER SO IT'S INTERESTING THAT ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, SHERIFF HARD WICK AND CONRAD AND I AND TEN OTHER STAFF AND I MET WITH THE MAIN STREET CRA GROUP THAT MEETS EVERY MONTH AND WE MET AT THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS, WE WERE RIGHT BY THE BRIDGE, RIGHT SO I'M A LITTLE SURPRISED NOBODY HAS BROUGHT THAT TO MY ATTENTION. I WILL LOOK INTO THIS AFTERNOON

WITH THE SHERIFF. >> I'VE TRIED TO FIND OUT FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND GOING THROUGH RESEARCH AT THE LIBRARY, BUT I DON'T THINK THEY WERE INVOLVED, I THINK IT CAME FROM THE HIGHWAY PATROL WAS INVOLVED IN THAT, AND I THINK IT WAS TWO FRIDAYS PAST AND I'M STILL TRYING TO FIND THAT OUT, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY AWARE OF THAT BECAUSE THIS IS A

[Commissioners’ Reports]

>> I WILL TALK TO THE SHERIFF BECAUSE I KNOW HE WILL BE CONCERNED ABOUT ANY PUBLIC SAFETY PARTICULARLY WITH ANYONE ATTACKING ANYONE. THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN ON MY

WATCH OR HIS. >> THANK YOU.

>> DONE WITH PUBLIC COMMENT? COMMISSIONER REPORTS? WELL GOOD LUCK TO JEREMIAH. WE NOWHERE HE IS.

[03:45:04]

>> NOTHING MR. CHAIRMAN? >> CHRISTIAN?

>> I HAD NO REPORT, BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THAT THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE DO A FANTASTIC JOB OF GETTING GOOD NEWS STORIES OUT AND ALL THE RELEVANT INFORMATION OUT TO THE PUBLIC AND SHE PREPARE AS REPORT FOR EVERY COMMISSIONER.

I DON'T KNOW IF SOMEBODY WERE TO E-MAIL YOU TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GETTING OUT TO WHICH OUTLETS, WOULD SHE BE ABLE TO SEND THAT OUT? THANK YOU.

THAT'S AVAILABLE AND THAT AS REPORT AVAILABLE TO ANY MEMBER OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. HOW THE INFORMATION IS BEING DISSEMINATED SO IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS REACH OUT TO THE DIRECTOR THERE.

>> SARAH? >> NONE TODAY, MR. CHAIR.

>> SINCE I THOUGHT WE WERE PROBABLY GOING TO ADD JAURP 2:30 OR 3:00 I'M GOING TO TAKE UP AN ITEM I WAS GOING TO POSTPONE, BUT IT WILL NOT TAKE MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES.

I HAD A CALL THURSDAY OR FRIDAY OF LAST WEEK FROM ONE OF THE HOMEOWNERS AT MILL'S CREEK ESTATES.

ISN'T THAT WHERE THE ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY WAS PROPOSED.

SHE WAS ONE OF THE LADIES THAT SPOKE HERE AT OUR MEETING WHEN WE TOOK UP THE APPEAL OF THE ADMINISTRATION INTERPRETATION AND SHE BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION SOMETHING THAT I WALKED AWAY FROM THE DAIS HERE AFTER THAT DISCUSSION AND VOTE THAT I WAS KIND OF THINKING THE SAME THING AND THAT'S, I'M NOT 100% SURE THAT NUMBER ONE, WE SOLVED ANYONE'S PROBLEM AND SECOND IF WE HAD THE AUTHORITY TO AT THAT MEETING.

IT WAS SORT OF LIKE ALL WE DID WAS APPROVE AN ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL. SHE EXPRESSED CONCERN.

THE REASON I BRING IT UP IS SHE CALLED ME AND EXPRESSED GRAVE CONCERN ABOUT WHAT EXACTLY OR WHERE ARE WE WITH THE ISSUE? AND DON'T WE NEED TO LOOK AT THIS COUNTY-WIDE AND NOT JUST MILLS CREEK ESTATE. I TOLD HER THAT I WOULD DIRECT YOU TO AGREE WITH ME, MIKE ROBERSON, TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE AND REVIEW THE BIDDING AND COME UP WITH SEVERAL SUGGESTED STAFF PROPOSALS OR OPTIONS ABOUT HOW WE, AS A COMMISSION WOULD LIKE TO GO FORWARD? WHAT'S OUR POLICY? BECAUSE I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT IF THERE ARE LOOPHOLES STILL IN EXISTENCE, FOR WHATEVER NUMBER OF BEDS OR ROOMS, ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTY. NOT JUST ON THAT PARTICULAR APPLICATION SO WITH YOUR CONCURRENCE I'D LIKE TO ASK MIKE TO COME BACK TO US WHEN, HE'S PRETTY BUSY SO IT HAS TO BE NEXT MEETING, BUT IT CAN BE THE FOLLOWING TO COME BACK WITH A SOUP TO NUTS HERE WE ARE AND WHAT WE CAN DO IF YOU WANT TO,

[County Administrator’s Report]

THANK YOU. >> MR. CHAIR? MR. CHAIR OVER HERE? WAS THAT A CONSENSUS FROM THE

BOARD? >> YES.

THANKS MIKE. OKAY.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.