[1. Demonstration of new library resource - Peterson's Test Prep database. At the request of the BCC Chair, SJCPLS will demonstrate a new electronic resource to assist job-seekers and students. This database replaces the previous BrainFuse database at a cost-savings of $4,000.00 annually.]

COMMENT. >> ALL RIGHT, WE'RE BACK TO THE BOARD AND I'M EXCITED FOR AGENDA ITEM 1.

I'M ON THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD, AND AT ONE OF THE MEETINGS I WITNESSED WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE AND WHAT YOU CAN DO WHEN YOU HAVE A LIBRARY CARD.

SO COME ON UP AND SHOW US HOW GREAT OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM IS.

>> THIS IS AMY ACROMAN. GO AHEAD.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER. THANKS FOR INVITING US HERE.

WE LOVE TO SHOW-OFF OUR RESOURCES AND OUR TOOLS.

AS THE COMMISSIONER MENTIONED THIS CAME UP AS A PRESENTATION PREVIOUSLY WITH OUR LIBRARY ADEVISARY BOARD, AND I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A BIT OF BACKGROUND BEFORE I HAVE AMY DO HER MAGIC. WE HAVE A PROCESS, AND I DO GET QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY AND FROM BOARD MEMBERS ABOUT HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT THINGS GO IN YOUR BUILDINGS, AND HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT THOSE COST BENEFITS ARE? AND THERE'S A WHOLE PROCESS IN AMY'S DEPARTMENT WHERE WE TAKE, WHETHER IT'S A PRINT ITEM ON A ELECTRONIC ITEM OR EVEN A DATABASE LIKE THIS ONE, AND WE RUN TRENDS AND ANALYSIS. WE HAVE A WAY TO SHOW HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE ACCESSED THAT, HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE USED IT, AND THEN TAKE THE VALUE OF THAT, WHAT WE PAY FOR THE USE OF THAT DATABASE. ULTIMATELY, IS IT WORTH IT? AND AMY'S TEAM BREAKS THAT DOWN PER QUESTION, PER AUDIO BOOK, PER PRINT BOOK. AND SO WE HAVE THAT PROCESS RUNNING IN THE BACKGROUND. AND WHEN WE MAKE OUR REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL DOLLARS EACH YEAR BASED ON OUR COLLECTION NEEDS, THOSE FACTORS COME INTO PLAY. AND TODAY'S PRESENTATION WAS BASED ON ONE OF THOSE CHOICES. WE PREVIOUSLY HAD A DATABASE CALLED BRAINFUSE, AND IT HAD SOME OTHER MPONENTS WHERE YOU COULD USE IT FOR STUDENTS. YOU COULD USE IT FOR VETERANS.

YOU COULD USE IT FOR EMPLOYEES. AND WE DECIDED THAT ULTIMATELY THAT SAY NOT WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY. IT WASN'T GETTING THE USE THAT IT NEEDED, AND THE COST OF THAT

[00:55:04]

OUTWEIGHED THE VALUE IN TERMS OF THE USAGE. AND THE REPLACEMENT IS THIS PETERSON'S TEST PREP. AGAIN, IT'S FOR EVERYONE.

IT'S FOR STUDENTS, FAMILIES, PEOPLE LOOKING UP EMPLOYERS AND THEY WANT ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING FOR POSITIONS INCLUDING VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND ACCESSING INFORMATION RELEVANT TO THEM.

THE COST SAVINGS ON THAT TO TRANSITION FROM BRAINFUSE TO THIS DATABASE WAS A COST SAVING OF ABOUT $4,000, SENOT TOO SHABBY.

PROVIDES SOME EXTRA DOLLARS IN OUR BUDGET TO REALLOCATE FOR SOME OTHER THINGS. SO THAT'S WHERE THIS CAME FROM.

WE DID A PRESENTATION AT THE LAB MEETING A MONTH OR SO AGO AND THEN WAS INVITED TO COME HERE. I'LL LET AMY SHOW YOU WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT. THE GIST OF IT, TOO, THIS IS FOR YOUR PARK COMMUNITY A VALUE ATTACHED TO YOUR LIBRARY CARD. I WE WANT PEOPLE TO USE THOSE RESOURCE AND DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S PRINT, ELECTRONIC, OR DATABASE, YOUR CARD GETS YOU ACCESS TO ALL OF THIS FREEFREE CLEAR.

SO THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SO I'M AMY ACERMAN.

I'M THE MANAGER FOR SUPPORT SERVICES AT THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY LIBRARY SUPPORT SYSTEM. TODAY IT'S A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF OUR NEWEST RESOURCE, PETERSON'S CAREER TEST PREP AND CAREER DATABASE. THIS IS RESOURCE AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY IF THEY GET A LIBRARY CARD.

LIBRARY CARDS ARE FREE. IT DOES NEED TO BE ACCESSED THROUGH OUR WEBSITE. GO TO E- LIBRARY, GO TO DATABASES AND THEN CLICK ON EITHER CAREER OR EDUCATION. BOTH WILL LEAD TO IT.

THERE ARE FOUR MAJOR COMPONENTS FOR THIS PARTICULAR RESOURCE.

IT IS GREAT FOR STUDENTS, SOON TO BE STUDENTS, GRADUATES, AS WELL AS JOB SEEKERS.

I WENT TOO FAR. FOR INSTANCE, WE'VE GOT SOME FOUNDATIONAL SKILL BUILDING. WE ALSO HAVE COLLEGE PREPATORIAL MATERIALS SUCH AS S.A.T. QUIZZES, ACTUAL COURSES IN HERE AND PRACTICE TESTS FOR NO CHARGE. SOME OF THE MATERIALS INCLUDED ARE GENERAL SAT PREPARATION AND THE QUIZZES ARE TIMED. AND YOU CAN TAKE THEM AS MANY TIMES AS NEEDED.

YOU DO HAVE THE OPTION TO PRINT DIRECTLY FROM THE DATABASE. YOU DON'T NEED TO STAY ON THE DATABASE THE ENTIRE TIME. HERE'S AN EXAMPLE OF THE TEST PREP. IT ALSO HAS THINGS FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS FOR GRADUATE SCHOOLS.

SO YOU HAVE PRACTICE TESTS FOR THE GRE, LSAT, MCAT, ALL THE MAJOR EXAMS. WE HAVE EXAMS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE IF YOU'RE PRACTICE FOR THE U.S.

CITIZENSHIP EXAM. UNDER FIND A SCHOOL WE HAVE THE TRADITIONAL FIND A SCHOOL IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR COLLEGES OFFERING, LIKE, BIOLOGY DEGREES OR WHATEVER OR SCHOLARSHIP TOOLS OR FINANCIAL AID TOOLS. BUT MY FAVORITE PART IS THE TEENS GUIDE TO COLLEGE AND CAREER PLANNING.

THIS IS VERY ROBUST SECTION THAT WILL HELP STUDENTS NAVIGATE WHAT -- WHAT THEY WANT TO BE WHEN THEY GROW UP. YOU HAVE THE FIRST STEPS TO A CAREER, PLANNING YOUR EDUCATION, BUT ALSO OTHER OPTIONS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.

MAYBE THEY DON'T WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE.

THERE'S A SECTION ON CONSIDERING THE MILITARY. BUT IF THEY DO DECIDE TO GO TO GO TO COLLEGE, IT GOES THROUGH THE DIFFERENT ENTRANCE EXAMS AND THINGS LIKE PREPARING FOR COLLEGE IN ADULT LIFE, THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE MOVING OUT ON YOUR OWN, ALL THE THINGS WE HAD TO KIND OF FIGURE OUT ON OUR OWN. THERE ARE MATERIALS TO HELP PARENTS AS THEY'RE GUIDING THEIR CHILDREN TOWARDS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. WE HAVE FOR REGULAR -- FOR JOB SEEKERS, FOR ADULTS WE ALSO HAVE A SECTION ON CAREER ADVICE.

PART OF THIS IS A SELF-ASSESSMENT.

WHAT MIGHT YOU BE GOOD FOR THE JOB SEARCH, RESUMES, INTERVIEWS, AND NETWORKING. THERE'S A GREAT COMPONENT IN THIS ONE THAT'S SPECIFICALLY FOR TRANSITIONING OUT OF THE MILITARY. SO IT WILL HELP VETERANS WITH WRITING THEIR RESUMES AND COMING UP WITH THE RIGHT LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE THE SKILLS THEY LEARNED IN THE MILITARY AND WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE ON A CIVILIAN R\SUM\. THERE ALSO IS A COMPONENT FOR JOB HUNTING FOR MILITARY SPOUSES.

THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE FREQUENTLY SEE IN A LOT OF OUR DIFFERENT RESOURCES, SO WE WERE EXCITED TO SEE THAT ONE. THERE IS A RESUME DASHBOARD THIS ONE ALLOWS YOU TO PRECIPITATE AND DOWNLOAD ALL FOR FREE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF RESUME RESOURCES OUT THERE THAT SAY THEY'RE FREE, BUT WHEN YOU DOWNLOAD IT, THEY TRY TO CHARGE YOU. YOU CAN COME BACK TO IT AS MANY TIMES YOU NEED TO UPDATE OR PRINT OUT YOUR RESUME.

YOU CAN DO TEMPLATE SEARCHES. IT'S ALMOST TOO EASY A LITTLE

[01:00:02]

BIT. SO FOR INSTANCE THIS ONE WAS FOR SALES. THEY HAD ABOUT TEN DIFFERENT TEMPLATES YOU COULD CHOOSE FROM AND DOWNLOAD IT, AND IT ALREADY HAS ALL THE INFORMATION IN THERE. YOU JUST NEED TO GO AHEAD AND ADJUST IT ACCORDINGLY TO WHAT SUITS YOU.

IT'S -- AND IT COMES OUT VERY PRETTY. YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND ADJUST THE COLORS. YOU CAN ADJUST THE TEMPLATES AND THE FONT AND THE SIZE. WE ALSO HAVE A SECTION ON VOCATIONAL TEST PREP FOR ALL THE OTHER CAREERS THAT ARE OUT THERE. THERE ARE THINGS LIKE HOSPITALITY PRACTICE AND HIS FOR THE SERVE SAFE FOOD MANAGER AND FOOD HANDLER TESTS. THERE'S A SECTION FOR JOURNEYMEN ELECTRICIAN EXAMS, THINGS LIKE ESTHETICIANS. WE HAVE DIFFERENT PRACTICE TESTS FOR THAT AS WELL. AND ALSO FOR THE MILITARY, IF TO PRACTICE THE ASVAB, IT DOES HAVE THAT % COMPONENT AS WELL.

IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS, THEY CAN CONTACT THEIR LOCAL LIBRARIES AND LIBRARY STAFF.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD.

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR.

>> I JUST LOVE THIS. IT IS AWESOME. I'M SUPER EXCITED, AND IT'S AMAZING, LIKE YOU SAID, THAT YOU CAN PRECIPITATE THINGS AND THAT IT'S FREE.

GREAT JOB. I'M EXCITED.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WELL, I GOT SO EXCITED. THAT'S WHY I WANTED HER HERE TODAY. SO WE'LL HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT REAL QUICK, IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT WITH YOU, AND THANK YOU FOR BEING

HERE. >>

THANK YOU. >> AND GOOD TIMING.

GOOD TIME.

>> WE'LL NOW TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM 1.

GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. SUZAN, NOW THAT WAS COOL.

THAT IS THE BEST INFORMATION WE'VE GOT ALL MORNING. PUT IT ON A BILLBOARD.

PUT IT ONLINE. GO ON SOME OF THESE RADIO SHOWS THAT WE HAVE LOCALLY AND SOME OF THE BLOGS AND WHEREVER. I WAS TOTALLY CLUELESS ABOUT THIS, ABSOLUTELY TOTALLY CLUELESS.

THIS HAS INFORMATION EVERYONE CAN USE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO VERY

MUCH. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT?

>> THANK YOU.

WELL-DONE. >> COME ON DOWN.

WE'LL WAIT ON YOU.

>> SORRY FOR THE DELAY. I JUST WANT TO SAY, I DON'T HEAR VERY WELL, BUT ALL I KNOW THIS WAS ABOUT THE LIBRARY, AND IT'S ONE OF THE GREATEST RESOURCES THIS COUNTY HAS TO OFFER. AND I FOR ONE WITH MY LIBRARY CARD READ MY KINDLE E- BOOKS FREE ALMOST DAILY FOLLOWING A MULTITUDE OF AUTHORS. SO ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM, I'M ALL FOR

IT. >> THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC

[2. Constitutional Officers’ Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Presentations - The St. Johns County Sheriff and the Supervisor of Elections. Presentation of the Constitutional Officer’s tentative budgets for Fiscal Year 2026. Under F.S. 129.03(2), on or before June 1 of each year, Constitutional Officers shall submit to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) a tentative budget for their respective offices for the ensuing fiscal year. Since the Tax Collector is fee-based, it is not required for the Tax Collector's budget to be submitted to the BCC at this time. The St. Johns County Sheriff and the Supervisor of Elections will each make a brief oral presentation to the BCC relative to their respective tentative budget.]

COMMENT. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AGENDA ITEM 2 IS THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER'S FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET PRESENTATIONS. STARTING WITH -- I'LL LET YOU

GO. >> I'LL OPEN IT UP.

GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. WADE SHROEDER WITH THE OFFICE OF BUDGET.

TODAY IS THE CONCLUSION OF THE FISCAL YEAR BUDGETS.

AT THE JUNE MEETING THE BOARD HEARD FROM BOTH THE CLERK OF THE COURT AND IT PROPERTY APPRAISER.

THIS MORNING YOU'LL HEAR FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AS WELL AS THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS. AND JUST AS A REMINDER THE TAX COLLECTOR, THEIR BUDGET IS FEE-BASED, SO THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT FOR THEM TO PRESENT A BUDGET OR PROVIDE A BUDGET TO US.

JUST REAL QUICK GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF UPCOMING DATES RELATED TO THE BUDGET PROCESS.

ON JULY 1 WE WILL RECEIVE THE CERTIFIED TAXABLE VALUES FOR FISCAL YEAR 26 FROM THE PROPERTY APPRAISER, AND AT THE JULY BCC MEETING WILL BE A PRESENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET AS WELL AS THE REQUEST TO APPROVE THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATES. AND FINALLY IN SEPTEMBER THERE WILL BE TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS TO APPROVE BOTH THE BUDGET AND THE MILLAGE RATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026. SO UNLESS THERE ARE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF ME RIGHT NOW, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO SHERIFF

HARDWICK. >> COMMISSIONER MURPHY, YOUR LIGHT'SON. DO YOU HAVE

A QUESTION? >> FORGIVE ME, MADAM CHAIR, I DO NOT.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

>> MADAM CHAIR, VICE CHAIR, COMMISSIONER, COUNTY STAFF, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, OF COURSE, AND OUR CONSTITUENTS

[01:05:02]

BEHIND US HERE.

I AM GOING TO TELL YOU REAL QUICK OUR DIRECTORS ARE HERE, BUT IF YOU DON'T KNOW WE ARE BURYING ONE OF OUR OWN TODAY, SO THEY MAY WALK OUT DURING THIS PRESENTATION.

BUT, OF COURSE, IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, THEY'RE HERE TO ANSWER THAT. ALL FIVE DIRECTORS ARE BEHIND ME HERE. THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, NEXT TO HER IS OUR DIRECTOR OF OUR JAIL, NEXT TO HIM TO HIS RIGHT IS OUR DIRECTOR OF OUR PATROL DIVISION AND OUR YOUTH RESOURCE DIVISION. DIRECTLY BEHIND IS DIRECTOR SKIP COLE. ON BEHALF OF THE 1,020 MEMBERS OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO PRESENT. WE TAKE A COURSE IN PROVIDING THE SAFEST PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK AND SOME OF US RETIRE. WITH THAT BEING SAID, IT COMES WITH A PRICE TAG. WE CONTINUE WITH YOUR PERMISSION AND APPROVAL TO INVEST IN OUR EMPLOYERS FIRST. PEOPLE ARE NOT STOPPING TO COME TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY. IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF THE SCHOOLS, BY THE WAY. IT'S BECAUSE OF THE 42 BEACHES AND THE RELATIONSHIP WE SHARE WITH THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE TO PROVIDE THOSE PUBLIC SAFETY ASSETS AND SERVICES TO OUR RESIDENTS HERE IN ST.

JOHNS COUNTY. I DON'T HAVE A CLICKER.

OH, IT'S THAT EASY. AGAIN, THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, BEFORE I GET INTO THIS SHEET, I THINK YOU ALL KNOW WE'RE 600 SQUARE MILES OF LAND.

WE HAVE 563 DEPUTY SHERIFF'S. ABOUT 150 OF THOSE DEPUTY SHERIFF'S THAT WORE A UNIFORM JUST LIKE MINE WORK IN YOUR JAIL, WHICH WE'LL TALK ABOUT IN A MINUTE. AND ALSO TOO WE HAVE ABOUT 298 CIVILIAN STAFF, AND TRULY IT'S THE BACKBONE OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WE HAVE 159 VOLUNTEERS -- I'M SORRY, PART- TIME EMPLOYEES.

AND THAT INCLUDES CROSSING GUARDS AND ALMOST 78 LOCATIONS TO GET OUR CHILDREN TO AND FROM SCHOOL SAFELY. ALSO, TOO, WE HAVE 44 PSAS.

YOU'VE SEEN THEM OUT THERE. THEY'RE PART- TIME EMPLOYEES AND DRIVE VEHICLES VERY SIMILAR TO OUR PATROL VEHICLES.

THEY WEAR A HIGH VISIBILITY UNIFORM.

AUTHORIZE 44 OF THOSE. 22 OF THEM ACTUALLY PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ROAD COVERAGE AND TRAFFIC MOVEMENT WHEN THE SCHOOLS ARE ACTUALLY OPEN. AS WE PRESENT OUR BUDGET TODAY WE'RE GOING TO TALK REAL QUICK ABOUT OUR CALLS FOR SERVICE.

WE HAD A MEETING YESTERDAY FOR A.I., AND I KNOW IT'S A SCARY TOPIC. HOW DO WE MAKE SERVICES MORE QUICK AND EFFICIENT? AS YOU SEE UP THERE WE CONTINUE TO WATCH THAT POPULATION INCREASE, BUT WE'RE NOT SEEING A VIOLENT CRIME INCREASE.

I THINK YOU'LL SEE THE REASON WE'RE DOING THAT IS THE INVESTMENT YOU CONTINUE TO APPROVE TO INVEST IN TECHNOLOGY- BASED POLICING WHICH IS UNDER DIRECTOR SKIPP COLE AND WORK NOT JUST IN OUR BEACHES AND AIR BUT ALSO TOO WE'RE DOING TECHNOLOGY BASED POLICING INSIDE OUR JAIL, WHICH I'LL TALK ABOUT IN A MINUTE. SLIGHT INCREASES, BUT ALSO TOO WE'RE KIND OF TAKING OVER SOME OF THE TRAFFIC CRASHES THAT ARE OCCURRING ON THESE STATE ROAD AND HIGHWAYS BECAUSE OF FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL BEING MISDIRECTED TO MISSIONS.

OUR OFFENSE REPORTS ARE GOING TO INCREASE AS WE CONTINUE TO HAVE OUR INCREASE IN POPULATION AND VISITOR. EVERYONE WANTS TO COME HERE. OUR MAJOR DRUGS, OF COURSE WE'RE SEEING SOME SHIFTS. MY PARTNERS AND I BEHIND ME, MY COWORKERS, WE'VE ALWAYS SEEN THAT COCAINE SEIZURE. WE'RE SEEING CRACK COCAINE COME BACK, OF COURSE. FENTANYL IS OUR NUMBER ONE KILLER. NAME THE DRUG WE'RE SEEING FENTANYL MIX SAID IN THERE. MEXICO HAS THE GRAP ON IT, AND THEY'RE GETTING THAT WE BELIEVE NOW TO ATLANTA AND SOUTHERN FLORIDA. ALONG WITH THIS MAJOR DRUG SEIZE WE TALK ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING, TRAFFICKING IN CHILDREN AND INTERNET CRIMES WITH CHILDREN. IT'S ONE UMBRELLA.

I THINK I'VE MADE IT CRYSTAL CLEAR IF DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE AND BELIEVE IN, IF YOU COMMIT A CRIME IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, WE'RE GOING TO CHARGE YOU AND HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR CRIME.

THAT'S WHAT THE SYSTEM SAYS. OUR CALLS FOR SERVICE IF YOU LOOK ON THE RIGHT- HAND SIDE, YOUR LEFT IF YOU LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER WOULD BE 292 CALLS FOR SERVICE. WE'RE JUST OVER 200 DEPUTY SHERIFFS THAT WORK IN OUR UNIFORMED PATROL DIVISION. ALSO THOSE CALLS OF SERVICE OUR AIR ENFORCEMENT, OUR WATER ENFORCEMENT, OUR ROAD ENFORCEMENT, OUR TASK FORCE ON 95.

INCOMING 911 CALLS WAS 91,000 LAST YEAR, AND WE AVERAGE OVER

[01:10:03]

1,000 A DAY AS FAR AS PHONE CALLS COMING IN.

WE WORK WITH CARE AND A LOT OF OTHER ENTITIES HERE OF HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO LOWER AND KEEP THAT AMOUNT IN OUR JAIL POPULATION? I HATE THE WORD INMATE BECAUSE THEY'RE TEMPARY GUESTS.

THEY'RE NOT DIRTY PEOPLE. THEY'RE PEOPLE WHO MADE MISTAKES IN LIFE AND OUR JOB TO GET THEM BACK ON THEIR FEET AND GET THEM WHERE THEY DON'T WANT TO COME BACK IN OUR JAIL. SO WE'VE INVESTED TIME, PERSONNEL, AND A LOT OF RESOURCES IN OUR REENTRY OUTREACH PROGRAM, OUR HOMELESS INITIATIVE, OUR REINVOCATION PROGRAM. AGAIN, PRIPS PARTNERSHIPS WE SHARE WITH EVERY ENTITY. I'M HEADING AFTER THIS TO ORLANDO TO RECEIVE OUR CREDITATION AND DISCUSS THINGS WE DID GREAT IN OUR JAIL. ONE OF THOSE THINGS IS ON A RAINY DAY WE CAN HOLD 730 PEOPLE.

I'LL ARGUE WITH YOU THERE WAS A DAY WE COULD ACTUALLY HOLD 730 PEOPLE IN OUR JAIL, EVERY BED BEING FILLED WITH A HEAD, BUT IT'S IMPOSSIBLE WITH OUR CLASSIFICATION OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, VIOLENT CRIMES, ADDITION, SUBSTANCE ABUSE. THAT NUMBER, AGAIN, WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD TO MAINTAIN.

AROUND 400 IS OUR POPULATION. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THIS IS WHERE WE'RE ACTUALLY REQUESTING, OF COURSE, IS A 7.

6% INCREASE IN OUR BUDGET.

AND 70% OF THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IS GOING TO PERSONNEL SERVICE. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN YOU HAVE EMPLOYEES WHICH ALL OF YOU KNOW BECAUSE YOU'RE RUNNING A BUSINESS IS AN INCREASE.

YOU'RE GOING TOSY AN INCREASE, OF COURSE, IN OUR SALARIES. WE'RE ASKING FOR A 5. 5% INCREASE ACROSS THE BOARD FOR ALL 1,020 EMPLOYEES. THAT'S THE AVERAGE INCREASE WE SHOULD START FOR. AND THE STARTING DEPUTY SHERIFF PAY IS INCREASING THAT SO WE CAN BE COMPETITIVE.

YOU LOOK AT PUTNAM COUNTY TO OUR WEST, AND I HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM, THEY ARE FISCALLY CONSTRAINED COUNTY.

THEY ARE GOING TO INITIATE THE FISCALLY CONSTRAINED COUNTIES WHERE THEY HOPE TO COMPETE WITH US. I AM A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS. I DID TALK TO THE GOVERNOR STAFF AND VICE CHAIR YOU'RE RESPECT THIS BUT A 20% INCREASE IS GOING TO HURT THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND EVERY LOCAL AGENCY AS THEY GRASP ALL THE TROOPERS BACK THEY'VE LOST TO US OVER THE YEARS HISTORICALLY. AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM, BUT WHAT IT DOES IS PUT AN EXTRA BURDEN ON US TO MAKE SURE WE RECRUIT AND RETAIN. OUR FRS INCREASE WAS 12. 49% WHICH WAS IN OUR PRESENTATION TODAY.

THAT WAS $2. 2 MILLION FOR ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES. THIS IS IN OUR PRESENTATION TO AND WHY OUR BUDGET IS BEING REQUESTED FOR INCREASE. OUR OPERATIONAL BUDGET WAS INCREASED. WE NOW BY OUR RADIOS -- COMMISSIONERS, YOU APPROVED YEARS AGO THAT COUNTY RELATIONSHIP WHERE YOU BOUGHT THOSE RADIOS FOR US.

WELL, THAT THREE- YEAR CONTRACT IS NOW OUT, AND WE'RE PURCHASING THOSE RADIOS STARRING THIS YEAR OURSELVES, AND IT'S EXPENSIVE BUT KEEPS US SAFE.

AND OUR GUARDIAN SYSTEM HELPS US KEEP CARE, CUSTODY, AND CONTROL OF OUR TEMPARY VISITORS IN OUR INMATE FACILITY, AND WE CANNOT OPERATE WITHOUT THAT NOW BECAUSE THAT'S HOW WE AVOID THINGS HAPPENING. THAT INCLUDES, TOO, OUR NEW CYBER SECURITY SOFTWARE. I'M SURE YOU KNOW ACROSS IT COUNTRY OUR GOVERNMENTS ARE GETTING ATTACKED, AND WE CANNOT RISK THAT IN OUR COUNTY. ROLLING OUR FLEET OVER TO MAKE SURE THOSE OVER FLEET VEHICLES ARE ROLLING OUT AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD. I'M SORRY, BACK ONE SLIDE. I APOLOGIZE.

ON THE BOTTOM OF THAT YOU'LL SEE E-111.

IT IS ONE OF OUR REPORTING ENTITIES SO THE 1.8 MILLION COMES WITH ALL THE STUFF THAT COMES OFF E 11. ALSO, TOO, YOU'LL SEE ON THERE OF COURSE PERSONNEL SERVICE.

IT'S OUR LARGEST BITE OF THE APPLE, WHICH WE'LL TALK ABOUT ON THE NEXT SLIDE. HERE BROKEN DOWN, OF COURSE, IN OUR DIVISIONS AGAIN IN OUR PRESENTATION OUR E11 IS ONE OF THE FOUR, AND THE OTHER IS LAW ENFORCEMENT, OUR BIGGEST ENTITY IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

DOWN IN THE CORRECTIONS DIVISION TO MAKE IT SIMP THE DIRECTOR AND HIS STAFF HAVE ABOUT 151 DEPUTY SHERIFF'S AND ABOUT 70 ADDITIONAL NON- SWORN EMPLOYEES AND THIS IS PROPOSAL FOR NEXT YEAR TO MOVE FORWARD.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AGAIN, I'M NOT TRYING TO RUSH THIS AT ALL. YOU KNOW I'M VERY ACCESSIBLE.

BUT AND JUST WANT TO PUT OUT TO YOU SO OUR STAFF CAN MAKE RESPECT TO A LONG TIME MEMBER OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND A HE

[01:15:05]

WAS A UNITED STATES ARMY SPECIAL SPECIAL OPERATIONS GROUP, AND WE'RE GOING TO PAY RESPECTS TO HIM AS WE LEAVE OUT OF HERE TODAY.

WITH THAT I OPEN TO UP TO YOU FOR

QUESTIONS. >> ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE

BOARD? >> I'LL TURN TO MY STAFF TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T MISS ANYTHING, BECAUSE THEY'LL SCOLD ME WHEN I GO INTO THE STAFF

DOORS. >> DO WE WANT TO WAIT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT UNTIL THE END OF THE ENTIRE PRESENTATION, VICE CHAIR?

>> I THINK THAT WOULD BE

APPROPRIATE. >> OKAY, BUT I WANT TO LET THEM BE ABLE TO LEAVE, SO --

>> YES, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. CHAIR, VICE CHAIR, STAFF.

BEFORE I GET INTO MY BUDGET PRESENTATION I HAVE A COUPLE OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR THIS YEAR.

CURRENTLY AND MY CURRENT BUDGET IS AS WE KNOW THE NOVEMBER 5TH GENERAL ELECTION. IT WAS PHENOMENAL HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND HISTORY SETTING FOR US WITH THE LARGEST NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS EVER PARTICIPATE IN AN ELECTION.

I AM VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT OUR VOTERS TURNED OUT 87%. WE TURNED OUT SIX HIGHEST IN THE STATE. I WAS VERY PROUD OF OUR VOTER TURNOUT. BUT, YOU KNOW, ELECTIONS DON'T JUST HAPPEN. IT TAKES LOTS OF HANDS. MY ELECTION TEAM FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION WAS ALMOST 700 STAFF MEMBERS. AND I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO ALL OF OUR STAFF, FULL AND PART- TIME AND THE ALMOST 700 POLL WORKERS THAT ARE TRAINED, WORKED DURING EARLY VOTING, AND AT THE PRECINCTS ON ELECTION DAY TO ALLOW OUR VOTERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS AND LET THEIR VOICES BE HEARD.

ALMOST 200,000 VOTERS CAST BALLOTS IN THIS ELECTION, AND I WE ALL REMEMBER IT WAS A LONG BALLOT. IT WAS TWO PAGES FRONT AND BACK, THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, AND THAT MEANT ALMOST 400,000 BALLOT PAGES WERE CAST IN THE ELECTION. WE HAD NINE EARLY VOTING SITES, AND OUR POST- ELECTION AUDIT REVEALED OUR ELECTION RESULTS, 99. 96% ACCURACY. KUDOS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS TO ALLOW US TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL 2024 GENERAL ELECTION. VERY SHORTLY AFTER THE GENERAL ELECTION, PRESIDENT TRUMP APPOINTED MICHAEL WALZ, CONGRESSMAN, TO NATIONAL SECURITY POSITION WHICH ALLOWED HIM TO RESIGN IN CONGRESS, AND LO AND BEHOLD WE HAD A SPECIAL ELECTION. THANK YOU TO THIS BOARD FOR FRONTING THE ELECTIONS OFFICE THE MONEY TO CONDUCT THE ELECTION, AS I DID NOT HAVE IN MY BUDGET.

THE GOOD THING ABOUT IT IS WHEN THE GOVERNOR CALLS A SPECIAL ELECTION, THE STATE GETS TO PAY FOR IT. SO 100% IS REIMBURSABLE.

WE HAVE COMPLETED THE COSTS OF THE ELECTIONS, SENT THE BILLS TO THE STATE, SO I DID NOT REQUIRE ALL OF THE FUNDS THAT I HAD REQUESTED UP FRONT, SO I HAVE SOME FUNDS TO RETURN BACK TO THE COUNTY, ABOUT $56,000, THAT WE DID NOT SPEND. SO NEW FOR 26, AND THIS IS A PROJECT THEY HAD IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS WAS TO REPLACE OUR AGING PLEAT OF DS200S WHICH ARE PRECINCT TABULATORS. WE PURCHASED THEM AND BEGAN USING THEM IN 2010, WHICH IS 1515 OLD NOW.

TIME TO REPLACE THEM. SO WE HAD PURCHASED THEM BACK IN NOVEMBER. THEY ARE AT OUR OFFICE NOW.

OUR STAFF WILL BE TRAINED IN JULY.

WE'RE GOING TO ROLLOUT A WHOLE VOTER EDUCATION PROGRAM.

WE'LL NEED TO REDO OUR POLL WORKER MATERIALS.

AND THE DS300S WILL BEGIN BEING USED IN THE AUGUST 26TH PRIMARY ELECTION. JUST AS A REMINDER, UNDER

[01:20:04]

FLORIDA LAW I MUST USE A TABULATION SYSTEM TO COUNT OUR BALLOTS. ELECTION SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE IS OUR VENDOR. THEY ARE ONE OF TWO CERTIFIED EQUIPMENT VENDORS THAT CURRENTLY OPERATE WITHIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

THERE ARE THREE COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM, OUR PRECINCT TABULATOR, OUR 850S, WHICH ARE HIGH- SPEED VOTE BY MAIL TABULATORS, AND THE EXPRESS VOTES, WHICH ARE OUR TOUCH- SCREEN ADA DEVICES WHICH PRODUCE OUR PAPER BALLOTS AND ALLOW VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES THE CAPABILITY OF VOTING UNASSISTED.

ALSO AS A REMINDER OUR VOTING SYSTEM IS NOT OPEN TO THE INTERNET. IT IS A CLOSED SYSTEM, SINGLE SERVER IN MY OFFICE THAT PROGRAMS AND TABULATES OUR ELECTION RESULTS. SO WITH THAT NOW I'LL MOVE ONTO OUR BUDGET PRESENTATION. EACH ONE OF YOU HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH MY ANNUAL REPORT OF MY BUDGET.

IT'S A GENERAL OVERALL VIEW AND LOOK AT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF MY OFFICE, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO, SOME OF OUR DAILY PROCESSES. AND IT'S ONLY LINE ITEM JUSTIFICATION FOR THE DOLLARS THAT I REQUEST FROM THIS BOARD FROM THE COUNTY GENERAL FUND.

SO MY OFFICE ON A REGULAR BASIS FUNCTIONS ON A FOUR- YEAR BUDGET CYCLE. EVERY SINGLE YEAR THAT DEPENDS ON THE NUMBER OF ELECTIONS AND ANTICIPATED VOTER TURNOUT THAT DRIVES THE COST OF MY BUDGET CURRENTLY I AM IN YEAR TWO, A PRESIDENTIAL GENERAL ELECTION.

AND YOU'LL SEE IT'S THE HIGHEST OF ALL FOUR. NORMALLY IT IS BECAUSE IT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE ELECTION AND HIGHEST VOTER TURNOUT OF ALL THE ELECTIONS THAT WE HAVE. ADDITIONALLY, IN MY CURRENT YEAR, YEAR TWO BUDGET, IS THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE REQUESTED FOR THE PURCHASE OF OUR PRECINCT TABULATORS. YEAR THREE, FISCAL YEAR 26, THE BUDGET I'M PRESENTING TODAY CONTAINS THE 26 PRIMARY ELECTION. AND YOU'LL NOTICE ON THE FOUR-YEAR BUDGET CYCLE THAT IT IS DOWN.

AND THE REASON IS IT COSTS LESS TO PUT ON A PRIMARY ELECTION THAN IT DOES A PRESIDENTIAL GENERAL ELECTION OR A GUBERNATORIAL GENERAL ELECTION.

SO SOME OTHER CONSIDERATIONS CONSIDERATIONS BESIDES THE TYPE AND KIND OF ELECTION IN MY BUDGET PLUS ANTICIPATED VOTER TURNOUT ARE ITEMS LIKE POPULATION INCREASE. THE SERVICE LEVELS THAT CONTINUE TO INCREASE. IN MY FIVE- YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN EVERY FIVE YEARS JUST TO KEEP UP I'VE BEEN ATTING ONE NEW FULL- TIME STAFF POSITION.

THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH OF THE COUNTY WE PLAN ON ADDING TWO ADDITIONAL POLLING PLACES, ADDITIONAL POLL WORKERS. AND SADLY, WE ARE PREDICTING A 35% VOTER TURNOUT FOR OUR PRIMARY ELECTION IN '26.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY DOES WELL IN GENERAL ELECTIONS IN OUR VOTER TURNOUT.

SADLY, YOU HAVE TO LOOK BACK TO ABOUT 2004 TO SEE ANYTHING HIGHER THAN A 31% VOTER TURNOUT IN A PRIMARY ELECTION.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT INCREASE.

AND WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING SOME THINGS THIS YEAR TO TRY TO INCREASE OUR VOTER PARTICIPATION. IN OUR PRIMARY ELECTIONS.

ADDITIONALLY THE COST OF LIVING FOR OUR EMPLOYEES AND INSURANCE, ALSO JUST THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS WITH OUR VENDORS INCREASE EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

NOT ONE OF THEM HAVE GONE DOWN. AND WE DO A LOT OF MAILINGS IN OUR OFFICE TO COMMUNICATE WITH

[01:25:01]

OUR VOTERS REGULARLY. THE POSTAGE CONTINUES TO INCREASE, AND THAT AFFECTS OUR BUDGET QUITE A BIT.

SO THE COUNTY GROWTH, OUR REGISTERED VOTERS CONTINUES TO INCREASE. IF YOU LOOK AT TODAY RIGHT ON THE FRONT PAGE OF MY WEBSITE WE'RE NOW AT 240,000 REGISTERED VOTERS, WHICH HAS INCREASED BY 2,000 IN JUST TWO MONTHS. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF OUR BIANNUAL LIST MAINTENANCE, AND WHAT YOU'LL SEE IN JULY IS THOSE NUMBERS COME DOWN JUST A BIT, AS WE GO THROUGH OUR PROCESS OF LIST MAINTENANCE.

BUT COME NEXT YEAR, COME OUR REGULAR DAILY VOTER REGISTRATION, THOSE NUMBERS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE. I HAVE SOME POLLING PLACES AND SOME PRECINCTS THAT ARE GETTINGGETTING VERY LARGE.

I HAVE A COUPLE THAT ARE APPROACHING 10,000, AND THAT'S A LOT.

WHAT ALLOWS US TO HAVE LARGER PRECINCTS IS THE AVAILABILITY OF VOTING BY MAIL AND EARLY VOTING. YOU SAW IN THE INITIAL SLIDE FOR VOTER TURNOUT 119,000 VOTERS IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS VOTED EARLY IN ADVANCE OF ELECTION DAY. THAT HELPS US.

HOWEVER, WHEN WE HAVE SMALL LECTIONS AND LARGE NUMBERS AND EVER INCREASING AREAS BECAUSE OF GROWTH, I WILL A LITTLE LATER IN THIS YEAR COME BACK TO THE BOARD TO REQUEST YOUR PERMISSION TO DIVIDE SOME OF OUR PRECINCTS. I CAN ONLY DIVIDE AND CREATE NEW PRECINCTS IN ODD NUMBERED YEARS, SO WE'LL DO THAT THIS YEAR. BETWEEN NOW AND '28 WITH THE ANTICIPATED GROWTH, WE WILL BE ADDING FIVE MORE POLLING PLACES. TO THIS YEAR AND TWO IN '27 AND AHEAD OF THE '28 PRESIDENTIAL GENERAL ELECTION.

I WILL TELL YOU LOCATING POLLING PLACES IS A STRUGGLE.

IT'S A STRUGGLE I HAVE WITH MY OFFICE BECAUSE NOT EVERY PLACE WANTS TO BE A POLLING PLACE.

WE'VE GONE INTO A PHASE OF WORKING WITH OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS AND SOME OF OUR LARGER DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE COMMUNITY CENTERS PERMISSION TO USE THEIR EQUEST- CENTERS FOR VOTING, AND THAT'S WORKING VERY WELL FOR US AS LONG AS THE ROOM AND THE AMENITIES CENTER AND THE PARKING ARE ADEQUATE. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS INCLUDING ADA ACCESSIBILITY AND PARKING THAT HAS TO BE IN CONSIDERATION. WE DO USE CHURCHES ON OCCASION.

HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE ABLE TO USE SOME MORE COMMUNITY CENTERS AS THEY COME ONLINE.

>> ANOTHER AREA THAT I REALLY STRUGGLE WITH IS FOR EARLY VOTING. EARLY VOTING FACILITIES BY LAW MUST BE IN COUNTY FACILITIES BY LAW. LET ME THANK THIS BOARD FOR YOUR FORE FORESIGHT IN THE NEW REGIONAL PARKS COMING ONBOARD. LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING TO THE GROUNDBREAKING ON FRIDAY FOR THE FIRST ONE BECAUSE YOU NOT ONLY INCLUDED COMMUNITY CENTERS, PUBLIC LIBRARIES, AND OUR NEW REGIONAL PARKS. YOU'VE ALSO SAID THE ELECTIONS OFFICE CAN USE THESE FOR VOTING PLACES FOR OUR VOTERS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT FORESIGHT AND THAT PLANNING.

I AND THE VOTERS APPRECIATE IT, AND WHERE I KNOW THAT THEY WILL NO BE READY AND AVAILABLE QUITE ONLINE FOR '26, I CAN LOOK FORWARD TO UTILIZING THEM.

THEY SHOULD BE BUILT AND IN PLACE AND AVAILABLE FOR US BY THE '28 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. YOU CAN SEE SEE JEWELLINGTON CREEK, WE OUTGREW THAT.

OUR COUNTY RESOURCES AND COUNTY ACCESS FOR US TO HAVE EARLY VOTING SITES ARE VERY LIMED. I'M HAPPY THE RESOURCE HALL

[01:30:01]

IS COMING BACK ONLINE. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME ARRANGEMENTS WITH THEM, BUT THAT IS A POSSIBLE LOCATION, AND WE'LL BE LOOKING AT CONTINUING TO MAKE VOLTING TING PLACES AVAILABLE FOR OUR VOTERS.

THIS IS JUST A MAP FROM THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTIONS, AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE ABLE TO USE MOST ALL OF THEM MOVING AHEAD FOR THE '26 ELECTIONS.

SO OUR STAFFING CONTINUES TO GROW NOT ONLY FULL- TIME STAFF, PART- TIME STAFF, WITH OUR POLL WORKERS ANTICIPATED WORKFORCE. IT WORKS SO WELL FOR MY OPERATION TO UTILIZE TEMPORARY AND PART- TIME STAFF, THOSE EXTRA HANDS WHEN WE NEED IT.

SO FOR NUMBERS SAKE I ACTUALLY HAVE TWO BUDGETS.

I HAVE AN OFFICE BUDGET AND AN ELECTIONS BUDGET.

OVERALL YOU'LL SEE THERE'S A LITTLE INCREASE ON THE OFFICE SIDE. MY CURRENT BUDGET RIGHT NOW IS AT $5 MILLION. SO WITH THE BUDGET THAT WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER FOR THIS YEAR WE'RE LOOKING AT A 13% DECREASE OVER CURRENT YEAR.

THAT'S WHAT MY FIGURES LOOK LIKE.

4. 3 FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR '26 REQUEST.

I ALWAYS LIKE TO GIVE YOU ALL JUST A LITTLE UPDATE ON MY FIVE- YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN I BEGAN IN 202 AND 2 AND GIVE YOU AN UPDATE WHERE WE ARE ON THAT. I WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE AND GIVE YOU ALL A LITTLE HISTORY ON THE ELECTIONS OFFICE.

WE MOVED TO OUR CURRENT LOCATION IN 1996, 29 YEARS AGO.

WE WERE THE LAST COUNTY AGENCY OUT OF THE DOWNTOWN COURTHOUSE, WHICH IS NOW THE CASAMONICA, LAST OFFICE OUT. AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW OUR LAST FACTORY IN THE '60S WAS THE LAST POTATO CHIP FACTORY BEFORE BEING PURCHASED BY THE COUNTY. WHEN WE MOVED THERE IN '96 WE HAD 59,000 REGISTERED VOTERS. IT WAS A DIFFERENT WORLD BACK THEN.

IN 2008 WE ADDED TO OUR FRONT OFFICE 3,700 SQUARE FEET 18 YEARS AGO WHEN WE HAD ALMOST 125,000 REGISTERED VOTERS, AND I'M STILL OPERATING TODAY IN THE SAME FOOTPRINT FOR MY OFFICE AS I HAVE FOR THE LAST 18 YEARS. IN '21 I CAME TO THIS BOARD, SAID I NEED YOUR HELP, I NEED SOME SPACE, AND SO THE BOARD WAS KIND ENOUGH TO ALLOCATE MY OFFICE $2 MILLION FOR EXPANSION. WE LOOKED AT ADDING 1,000 SQUARE FEET TO THE FRONT OF MY OFFICE, AND THE PRICE TAG CAME IN AT $1. 5 MILLION.

AND I SAID OH, NO. 1,000 SCARE FEET FOR $1. 5 MILLION THAT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME.

I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT. LET'S LOOK AT SOME OTHER OPTIONS.

ABOUT THAT TIME THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT HAS A WAREHOUSE ADJACENT TO MINE. HE WAS EXITING HIS WAREHOUSE AND WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE FOR US, AND AT THAT TIME I HAD ASKED THE COUNTY TO LOOK FOR US FOR MORE WAREHOUSE SPACE.

I HAD MADE A DECISION THAT WE WERE GOING TO DIVIDE MY OFFICE.

AND DUE TO THE COLLABORATION WITH THE CLERK'S OFFICE AND THE COUNTY, WE WERE ABLE TO -- ONCE HE EXITED HIS WAREHOUSE, ABLE TO ADD THAT TO MY WAREHOUSE SPACE. WORKED VERY WELL COLLABORATION BETWEEN OUR AGENCIES TO ALLOW TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND ON SITE. SO IN '23 THE COUNTY DID -- HIRED THEM TO DO AN ENTIRE SURVEY OF THE COUNTY.

MY OFFICE WAS INCLUDED WITH THAT IN '23, SO THEY HAD COME UP WITH A PLAN FOR EXPANSION IN PLACE OF MY OFFICE SO THAT MY OFFICE CAN BE AND REMAIN UNDER ONE ROOF.

THAT IS MY PREFERENCE. I DO NOT HAVE ANY BRANCH OFFICES. I DO NOT HAVE ANY OFF- SITE LOCATIONS.

[01:35:02]

MY OFFICE FUNCTIONS BEST UNDER ONE ROOF, AND THAT WAS MY GOAL TO STAY. I NEVER ASKED FOR A NEW BUILDING. SO IMMEDIATE NEEDS.

NOW THAT WE HAVE 240,000 REGISTERED VOTERS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THEY WERE IN '21 WHEN I CAME TO THE BOARD AND SAID PLEASE HELP, CAN WE HAVE A PLAN, AND I WANT TO SAY ESPECIALLY THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, HER STAFF, AND FACILITIES MAINTENANCE WHO HAS WORKED VERY HARD AND HELPS US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE OUR REQUEST AND SOME PLANNING BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT 18 YEARS OF GROWTH AND MY AGENCY LOOKS LIKE WHEN I'M OPERATING STILL IN THE SAME SPACE.

I'M BUSTING AT THE SEAMS. SO THANK YOU TO JOY, AND I'M HAPPY AND LOOKING FORWARD TO MOVING AHEAD, LOOKING FORWARD TO THE PLANNED EXPANSION OF MY OFFICE.

I STILL HAVE THE $2 MILLION THAT THE BOARD ALLOCATED ME A COUPLE YEARS AGO, SO I'M NOT ASKING FOR ANY MONEY FOR THAT. BUT WITH THAT, I'LL BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL MIGHT

HAVE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD?

>> COMMISSIONER MURPHY.

>> JUST ONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION. YOU MENTIONED AN ACCURACY NUMBER OF 99.97 --

>> 96%, YEAH, FOR THE GENERAL

ELECTION. >> THAT'S FANTASTIC.

CAN YOU GIVE ME AN IDEA OF WHAT 0. 4 -- WHAT AN ERROR WOULD BE FOR THE 0.4? COULD YOU EDUCATE US WHAT AN ERROR WOULD BE THAT WOULD SHOW UP AT WOULDN'T PUT US AT

100%? >> YES.

GREAT QUESTION. IF YOU DON'T MIND ME EXPANDING JUST A LITTLE BIT. WE HAVE A CLEAR AUDIT SYSTEM THAT IS A SEPARATE AUDITING SYSTEM THAT ALL OF OUR BALLOTS ARE RUN THROUGH FOLLOWING AN ELECTION. POLL WORKERS HANDLE BALLOTS. ON OCCASION A POLL WORKER WILL MAKE AN ERROR HANDLING THE BALLOTS, AND IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

ADDITIONALLY, THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT FORMS OF TECHNOLOGY, SO THEY READ THE BALLOTS JUST A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY. THE AUDIT SYSTEM READS IT A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY THAN A REGULAR TABULATION SYSTEM, SO IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> SO COULD IT BE JUST AS EASY AS IT DIDN'T READ A MARK THAT ONE MACHINE DID READ?

>> YES, CORRECT. AND YOU HAVE SEEN AS WELL AS THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS WHO HAVE SERVED ON THE CANVASSING BOARD, YOU ALL HAVE SEEN FIRST- HAND THE PHENOMENAL INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE IN OUR AUDIT SYSTEM WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE OVALS, AND YOU CLICK ON THEM AND YOU CAN PULL UP THE ACTUAL BALLOT, AND YOU CAN SEE THEM. AND I INVITE THE PUBLIC TO COME TO OUR AUDITS BECAUSE THE SHAME IS NOBODY EVER COMES TO OF

OUR -- >> I THAT'S KIND OF WHY I WANTED TO ASK THE QUESTION BECAUSE I GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THAT, AND IT'S FASCINATING THE JOB YOU AND YOUR TEAM DO FOR

THAT. >> HOW MANY BALLOTS DOES THAT MEAN, JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY?

>> I'M SORRY?

>> HOW MANY BALLOTS IS THAT FOR THE 0. 0 --

WHATEVER. >> LET'S SEE FOR THE ALMOST 400,000 BALLOT PAGES CAST IN AN ELECTION, I WOULD HAVE TO DO THE MATH. IT WOULD BE LESS THAN TEN. AND ANY TIME THERE'S LESS THAN ONE HALF OF 1% OF VARIATION IN THE RACES AND THEIR CLOSE, WE WOULD HAVE A

RECOUNT. >> THANK YOU.

>> MADAM CHAIR, CAN I MAKE A COUPLE COMMENTS?

>> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR. >> GREAT PRESENTATION, AND I DO HAVE TO SAY WHEN I HAD THAT TOUR RECENTLY WITH YOU IT WAS SO EYE OPENINGER AND SO INFORMATIONAL.

AND I REALLY ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO HAS NOT BEEN TO DEFINITELY COME AND TAKE A LOOK AT EVERYTHING BECAUSE DEFINITELY IT'S A LOT MORE THAN A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS. WE GET SO MANY QUESTIONS

[01:40:01]

WITH OUR ELECTIONS. NOT THAT THINGS AREN'T HAPPENING IN OUR COUNTY BUT THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY. I THINK IT'S ONLY NATURAL VOTERS HAVE QUESTIONS. ONE OF THEM ARE THE ESNS VOTING MACHINES OPENED AND EXAMINED HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY?

>> OPENED AS FAR -- WHAT DO YOU MEAN

OPENED? >> THAT WAS THE

QUESTION. >> TYPICALLY THEY ARE NOT.

THERE ARE ONLY CERTAIN AREAS THAT MY STAFF HAS ACCESS TO WHEN THE POLL WORKERS OPEN THE MACHINES UP FOR THE OPERATIONAL.

BUT AS FAR AS THE INTERIOR, NO.

>> OKAY, GREAT, THANK YOU. AND THEN ALSO WHO VERIFIES THAT ONE WHOLE VOTE IS ALWAYS COUNTED AS ONE WHOLE

VOTE? >> WELL, WE DO A LOT OF TESTING PRIOR TO EACH ELECTION. THERE'S LOTS OF BEHIND THE SCENES TESTING. WE HAVE AUDIT TEAMS THAT AUDIT OUR WORK. WE HAVE A PUBLIC LOGIC AND ACCURACY TEST PRIOR TO EACH ELECTION, AND A NUMBER OF YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THOSE SERVING AS MEMBERS OF THE CANVASSING BOARD WHERE WE DO A PUBLIC TEST, AND EACH OF THE MACHINES HAVE TO BE CERTIFIED THAT THEY ARE COUNTING ACCURATELY BEFORE THEY CAN BE USED IN AN ELECTION.

AND I THANK YOU FOR BRINGING UP OUR TOURS, COMMISSIONER TAYLOR. I ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO HAS QUESTIONS, PLEASE COME TO OUR OFFICE. I OPENED THE DOORS IN 2021. WE'VE HAD HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COME THROUGH OUR OFFICE. TAKE A TOUR. LEARN THE FACTS ABOUT HOW YOUR ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, AND MANY OF OUR PROCESSES ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SUCH AS OUR LOGIC AND ACCURACY TESTS, SUCH AS THE PROCESSES WHERE WE OPEN AND COUNT OUR VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS. THOSE ARE ALL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AND ANYONE CAN COME, AND ANYONE CAN ATTEND.

SO I ENCOURAGE OUR -- OUR PUBLIC TO COME SEE, COME TALK TO US, ATTEND SOME OF OUR PUBLIC EVENTS THAT WE HAVE.

>> GREAT, THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> YOU'RE

WELCOME. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND WE'LL OPEN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, AND IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS YOU CAN ANSWER, THAT'D BE

GREAT. >> WE'LL NOW TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> BOTH BUDGETS IN ONE PUBLIC COMMENT, AND DO WE GET A DO OVER WHEN WE WERE DENIED PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE OTHER TWO BUDGETS AT THE LAST MEETING? WE NEED TO CONSIDER THAT.

UNDER FLORIDA STATUTE 129. 03 SUB2 THE COUNTY COMMISSION CAN REQUIRE BY RESOLUTION THAT THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS PRESENT THEIR DRAFT BUDGETS BY MAY 1ST, AND THAT WOULD HAVE -- AND DO IT A MONTH EARLY, AND JESSE HAS TOLD YOU BEFORE YOU'VE NEVER DONE THAT.

WHY? IF YOU REQUIRE THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS TO PRESENT THEIR BUDGETS EARLY, WE CAN GET INTO SOME REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS LIKE WHY ISN'T THERE A CHIEF OF STAFF IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT? I MEAN THEY ABOLISHED THE UNDER-SHERIFF, BUT THERE'S NOT A CHIEF OF STAFF. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? WHY WOULDN'T THERE BE A CHIEF OF STAFF? I COMMEND MS. OAKES FOR WHAT SHE'S DONE WITH 15TH AMENDMENT COMPLIANCE, WITH EARLY VOTING. WE NOW HAVE EARLY VOTING AT THE CALHOUN CENTER. I HAD TO FILE SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THERE'S NO PLACE -- FOR VOTING AND I THOUGHT IT VIOLATED THE 15TH AMENDMENT. I DON'T SEE THAT EFFORT AT THIS COUNTY COMMISSION. I DON'T THINK YOU EVEN TRY. I AGREE WITH MY FRIEND COOK AND I THINK WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THINGS AS IMPORTANT AS THE OLD 1953 JAIL, THEY WERE GOING TO DEMOLISH IT. COUNTY ADMINISTRATION WERE GOING TO DEMOLISH THE OLD JAIL WHERE 1,000 PEOPLE WERE ILLEGALLY INCARCERATED, AND FEDERAL JUDGE IN JACKSONVILLE WHO A FEDERAL COURTHOUSE IS NOW NAMED ORDERED EVERY ONE OF THOSE CRIMINAL CASES TO BE DISMISSED, AND THAT OLD 1953 JAIL WAS GOING TO BE DEMOLISHED BECAUSE WHY? WELL, THAT'S THE KIND OF STUFF WE NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT IN THESE BUDGET MEETINGS. AND THE LIMITATION ON THE TIME THAT WE HAVE TO RAISE QUESTIONS REALLY LEAVES MUCH TO BE DESIRED. AND HAVE YOU READ THE WONDERFUL PROPOSAL THAT TREY

[01:45:07]

ALEXANDER ASNER DID ABOUT PRESERVING THE OLD JAIL. AND THE EXCUSE, OH, THERE'S ASBESTOS EVERYWHERE. THAT'S NOT THE REASON WHY THE ADMINISTRATION WANTED TO DEMOLISH THE OLD JAIL.

WE CAUGHT THEM, WE STOPPED THEM, AND I'M SO GLAD WE'RE NOT GOING TO DEMOLISH THAT OLD JAIL. IT'S A HISTORIC LARND MARK, AND THE LANDMARK STATUS NEEDS TO BE ALLOCATED IN THE BUDGET, AND OF COURSE WE'VE NOT GOTTEN A WHOLE LOT OF COOPERATION OUT OF THE COUNTY STAFF. SHE'S SMIRKING, BY THE WAY, OVER THERE. ANYWAY, THERE'S A LOT TO ASK. JUSTICE FOR ELI MCCONNELL, JUSTICE FOR -- AND 786 WORTH OF EMBEZZMENT -- IS THAT STILL THE

CASE? >> THANK YOU, SIR.

GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. DENVER COOK. MY ADDRESS PROTECTED. RETIRED CORRECTIONS OFFICER.

A LOT TO SPEAK ABOUT IN 3 MINUTES WITH THESE TWO CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS COMING UP, BUT I'M GOING TO START WITH THIS OFFICE.

DEALING WITH KIDS IN THE DIINVESTIGATIONARY PROGRAM, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR YEARS HAS DONE A LOT, AND NOW THEY'RE DOING EVEN MORE. THE LAST SHERIFF SAID WE NEED A NEW JAIL YEARS AGO, AND I THINK WE NEED A NEW JAIL.

HERE I AM FIRST CUT MY TAXES, BUT SPEND IT IN THE RIGHT PLACE. THE REALITY IS WE'RE WASTING IN A LOT OF AREAS. WE NEED A NEW JAIL.

IF YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH THAT FACILITY, IT'S OLD AND IT'S NOT DESIGNED EFFECTIVELY FOR ACTUALLY DOING WHAT IT SHOULD BE IS CORRECTING PEOPLE. BEING IN THE PROFESSION THERE WERE TWO TERMS. YOU COULD EITHER BE A GUARD OR A CORRECTIONS OFFICER. BEING A CORRECTIONS OFFICER ISN'T THERE ABOUT PUNISHING SOMEONE AND BEATING THEM. IT'S ABOUT CORRECTING THEIR BEHAVIOR SO THAT THEY CAN BE PROTECTIVE MEMBERS OF THEIR SOCIETY AGAIN. THOSE PROGRAMS HAVE STARTED AT THIS JAIL UNDER THIS SHERIFF. THEY'RE EXPANDING, BUT THAT FACILITY IS INAPPROPRIATE TO DO THOSE PROGRAMINGS WELL, AND MY GOD, THAT BUILDING NEEDS TOTO BLOWN UP AND NOT KNOCKED DOWN. IT COSTS TOO MUCH TO MAINTAIN FOR WHAT WE'RE GETTING OUT OF IT.

SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK MORE CLOSELY IN THE FUTURE OF DEALING WITH THAT AND THE COSTS COMPARATIVELY WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT, IT COULD RUN -- I'VE HEARD ESTIMATES OF $65 MILLION, WHICHEVER 20- YEAR BOND IS REALLY NOT MUCHY CONSIDERING WHAT YOU'RE TAKING.

I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF SINCE TAKING OVER AND I USED TO JOKE WITH MY WIFE IBPENNSYLVANIA SINCE WORKING THERE THEY WEREN'T INESTIMATES, THEY WERE MY CUSTOMERS. AND THEY WERE ALWAYS MY CUSTOMERS. THEY WERE MY CLIENTS EVEN THOUGH I WAS THERE LOOKING OUT FOR THEM SO THEY DIDN'T ESCAPE. IN THE MINUTE I HAVE LEFT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ELECTIONS OFFICE.

WHAT WE SAW FROM REPUBLICANS SECOND HIGHEST FOR LARGE COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND RECOGNIZED US WITH A $6,000 CHECK FOR OUR EFFORTS TO GET PEOPLE OUT.

THAT ON THE HEELS OF WHAT WE KNOW HAPPENED IN THE PRIMARY WHICH WAS I THINK SOMEWHERE AROUND 25% TURNOUT, WHERE WE HAD SOMEONE CLAIM OUR NAME, SEND A MAILER OUT TO THE VOTERS TO DEFRAUD THEM OF THEIR ELECTION.

THAT INVESTIGATION HAS GONE UP DAILY AND THOSE PEOPLE NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, AND WE NEED TO START PUSHING FOR THAT INVESTIGATION TO HAPPEN AND FINISH. BECAUSE WHEN THAT IS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN, IT IS THE WORST THING AND WHY WE GET BAD TURNOUTS BECAUSE PEOPLE LACK FAITH IN OUR

SYSTEM. >> THANK

YOU. >>

THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING AGAIN.

MY NAME IS VICKY PEPPER. I'M HERE TO REPRESENT MYSELF AND CARE.

CARE'S PURPOSE IS TO SERVE BLACK AND UNIDENTIFIED RESOURCES. THEY ARE GENEROUS WITH THEIR TIME IN THIS ONGOING DIALOGUE AS THEY LISTEN TO OUR CONCERNS, ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS, AND WE EXCHANGE INFORMATION ON ISSUES OF COMMON CONCERN FOR THIS COUNTY WE ALL LOVE. ALSO WE HAVE MET THE SHERIFF'S CHIEF OF STAFF, SO MR. SLAVIN IS MISTAKEN ON THIS POINT.

SHERIFF HARDWICK'S HARD WORK PRESENTS A SHARP CONTRAST TO

[01:50:03]

WHAT WE SAW LAST WEEK IN HIS BRE BREVARD COUNTY COUNTER PARTS. I WAS AT THE CASTILLO SATURDAY FOR WHAT WAS A LARGE, PEACEFUL, JOYFUL EVENT.

SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WERE THERE TO PROVIDE BACK UP FOR THE PARK POLICE AND FSPD. I'VE LONG CONTENDED MOST ISSUES ESPECIALLY LOCAL ISSUES ARE NONPARTISAN AND THAT POLITICS OFTEN GET IN THE WAY OF NEIGHBORS WORKING TOGETHER TO FIND SOLUTIONS FOR OUR COMMON PROBLEMS. SATURDAY WAS ABOUT WE, THE PEOPLE, AMERICANS COMING TOGETHER IN DEFENSE OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND OUR DEMOCRACY.

I HAD SOME GREAT CONVERSATIONS WITH REPUBLICANS PARTICIPATING IN SATURDAY'S DEMONSTRATION IN MARCH. CARE THANKS THE SJSO FOR ITS ROLL IN ENSURING IT WAS A GREAT DAY FOR ALL RESIDENTS.

I CAN'T SPEAK IN ANY DETAIL ON HIS BUDGET KWGS, BUT I CAN SAY THE CARE THINKS THE SHERIFF AND HIS STAFF IS DOING A GREAT JOB SERVING AND PROTECTING ST.

JOHNS COUNTY. THEIR HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL REENTRY PROGRAM IS NOT ONLY A MODEL FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA BUT FOR THE ENTIRE NATION. THEIR GROWING CO- RESPONDER PROGRAM IS A GREAT ADDITION TO THEIR LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOL KIT. PLEASE GIVE THIS BUDGET REQUEST DUE CONSIDERATION AND DO AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TO SUPPORT THE ST.

JOHNS SHERIFF'S OFFICE SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COUNTY IN AN EXEMPLARY MANNER. I WASN'T PREPARED TO SPEAK ON THESE ISSUES, BUT I ALSO THINK OUR SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS DOES A GREAT JOB SERVING ALL OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY IN A FAIR AND EVEN HANDED MANNER, SO PLEASE GIVE DUE CONSIDERATION TO HER REQUEST. THANK

YOU. >> THANK

YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

>> 1748 NORTH -- DID ANYONE SLEEP WELL LAST NIGHT? I KNOW NO ONE'S GOING TO ANSWER.

BUT I KNOW I SLEPT LIKE A BABY KNOWING WE'VE GOT AN OUTSTANDING, AWESOME SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT THAT WATCHES OVER US WHILE WE SLEEP.

THEY WATCH OVER US WHILE WE DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD.

THEY TAKE CARE OF US. IT'S TIME THAT WE TAKE CARE OF THEM. I SAW A SCARY NUMBER TODAY.

$97,000 TO LIVE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

$97,000 TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE IN ST. JOHNS.

WE'RE NOT PAYING OUR DEPUTIES ENOUGH.

WE NEED TO START TAKING CARE CARE THEM. THEY WATCH OVER US CONSTANTLY.

PLEASE TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM OTHER CATEGORIES AND SUPPORT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. WE'RE IN THE SHERIFF'S $139 MILLION BUDGET ARE THETHE FUNCTION WITH MUG SHOTS TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY? THIS IS MORE THAN AN INCONVENIENCE SINCE DECEMBER 20, 2024, SEVEN MONTHS. THIS FAILURE TO FIX THE INMATE SEARCH SITE JEOPARDIZES THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE IN ST.

JOHNS COUNTY.

NOT ONLY SEX OFFENDERS IN ONE'S NEIGHBORHOOD BUT ALSO INFORMATION ON THOSE ARRESTED SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR OUR SAFETY. THOSE ARRESTED ARE INMATES.

WE CAN CHANGE THE WORDS ALL WE WANT, BUT THEY NEED SOMETHING.

AND TO REHABILITATE IS FINE, BUT THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE IN THIS COUNTY SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION, AND I NEED TO KNOW SOME ANSWERS, AND WE DON'T HAVE ANSWERS.

SO REMEMBER YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORDS, BUT CAN YOU CHANGE THE BEHAVIOR? AND SOME PEOPLE YOU CAN'T CHANGE THE BEHAVIOR, AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THOSE BEING ARRESTED FOR ILLEGAL ACTIONS ARE HELPED BY JUST CHANGING A WORD AND CALLING THEM SOMETHING ELSE. THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC

COMMENT. >> ALL RIGHT, BACK TO THE BOARD.

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR.

>> THAT QUESTION DOES COME UP A LOT

[01:55:04]

REGARDING THE INMATE SEARCH. WE DO HEAR ABOUT IT ATAT MEETING, SO THANK YOU.

>> MADAM CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS, I'M GOING TO BE A LITTLE CANDID WITH THIS ANSWER BECAUSE I'M IN MY SECOND TERM, I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU. THE CARE, CUSTODY AND CONTROL OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, I'VE BEEN TASKED TO PUT PEOPLE BACK INTO SOCIETY SO THEY DON'T REOFFEND. YOU CAN CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT TO, I REALLY DON'T CARE, BUT WHAT WE'RE DOING IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE OF PEOPLE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

FIRST OF ALL, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO COMMIT CRIMES ON PEOPLE THAT ARE SERVING TIME IN OUR JAIL.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT. SO INNOCENT FAMILIES THAT ARE OUT THERE AND GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION BECAUSE THEIR LOVED ONES OR NEIGHBORS OR WHATEVER GOT ARRESTED, AND WE'RE GOING TO VICTIMIZE THEM BECAUSE SOMEONE MADE A BAD DECISION IN LIFE? THERE'S A TIME MY STAFF HAVE GOT TO STEP FORWARD AND SAY WHO ARE WE PROTECTING? WELL, WE'RE PROTECTING A LOT OF PEOPLE BESIDES THE PERSONS THAT ARE TEMPORARILY IN MY JAIL.

5% -- 5% OF THE INMATE POPULATION, YOU CAN DO THE MATH YOURSELF ON 414 PEOPLE THAT AVERAGE THERE EVERY SINGLE DAY ARE HEINOUS AND ATROEGSING CRIMES.

THE REST OF 95% OF THE POPULATION ARE DUIS, DOMESTIC BATTERY, MISTAKES IN LIFE TO EITHER FEED THE ADDICTION OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE OR SIMPLY MAKING A MISTAKE.

IT'S NOT A MASSIVE BUDGET TO FIX THIS, BUT MY DETECTIVES WERE BUSY WITH DOING DETECTIVE WORK ON SCAMS, PEOPLE TAKING INMATE INFORMATION AND MAKING UP I.D. S AND POSING AS THEM, COMMITTING MORE CRIMES IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR US TO DO OUR JOB BECAUSE WE'RE TIED UP WITH THAT. OUR BONDSMEN THAT ARE TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING ARE BEING VICTIMIZED BECAUSE THEY'RE USING INFORMATION ON THESE INMATES THAT ARE TEMPORARILY ON THE DATABASE AND COMMITTING MORE CRIMES.

AGAIN, COMMITTING MORE CRIMES. SO WE'VE ALREADY BUDGETED THIS IN, BUT UP FORTUNATELY WE'RE NOT GOING TO ENTERTAIN EVERYBODY IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY BECAUSE THAT'S THEIR THING IS LOOKING AND MAKING FUN OF PEOPLE. I HAD AN AFRICAN AMERICAN IN MY JAIL THAT CAME ON WITH PURPLE LIPSTICK AND PURPLE EYEBROWS ON.

IT'S NOT FUNNY.

HE'S GOT A MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUE.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED. THERE'S A SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM OUT THERE TRASHING A GROWN MAN WHO'S GOT SOMETHING BECAUSE HE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE US? I'VE GOT TO STAND UP FOR HIM. YOU CAN SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO, MEANING NOT YOU BUT THE COMMENTS BEING MADE. SO THE SYSTEM IS BACK IN PLACE.

BY THE WAY, YOU CAN DO A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST TODAY EVERY SINGLE ASK FOR INMATE PICTURES ALL YOU WANT TO. THAT'S WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES, BY THE WAY. JACKSONVILLE SHERIFF'S OFFICE STOPPED THIS SEVEN YEARS AGO UNDER DIRECTOR WILES. SEVEN YEARS AGO BECAUSE OF THE SAME THING. SHE WAS IN CHARGE OF 3,000 INMATES A DAY IN JACKSONVILE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THINK ABOUT THE CRIMES BEING COMMITTED ON THEIR LOVED ONES.

THE JAIL BOOKING PHOTO IS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW.

YOU CAN CALL 824- 8304 RIGHT NOW, ASK FOR MAIN CONTROL AND SAY IS BILLY SMITH IN JAIL, AND WE'LL TELL YOU YES OR NO AND YOU CAN DO THE Q&A. I THINK YOU'LL SEE A REMINDER OF THE SHERIFF'S GETTING TOGETHER IN THE NEAR FUTURE DOING THE SAME EXACT

THING. >> THAT WAS PRETTY

CLEAR. >> YES,

MA'AM. >> THANK

[3. Space Needs Discussion for Constitutional Officers and BCC Areas. This agenda item provides an update to St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners regarding identified immediate space needs for the Constitutional Officers (including the Sheriff’s Office, the Supervisor of Elections, and the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Office) and BCC Departments (including MIS and Medical Examiner Offices). The recommendation is to proceed with funding for expansion of the existing Medical Examiner Office and seek funding for the capital cost from both Flagler and Putnam Counties who currently participate within an existing Tri-County Medical Examiner Agreement.]

YOU. >> YEAH, THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT, ARE WE ONTO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3? DAN WHITCRAFT.

>> I WANT TO MOVE OVER HERE BECAUSE I PROMISE YOU I WILL HIT THAT THING. MADAM CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS, DAN WHITCRAFT, DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT.

I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE TEN- YEAR SPACE RACE FOR THE COUNTY. TODAY'S TOPICS WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNTY. WE'RE GOING TO TOUCH ON THE PUBLIC SERVICE CENTER, BOTH THE NEW PERMIT CENTER THAT IS BEING BUILT AND WHAT WILL NOW BECOME THE PUBLIC SERVICE CENTER FOR THE EXISTING SITE.

WE'RE GOING TO TOUCH ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, AND WE'RE GOING TO TIE IN THE NEW PARKS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS INTO THAT CONVERSATION AS WELL.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT COUNTY DEPARTMENT NEEDS.

AND AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION THERE WILL BE A RECOMMENDED MOTION FOR THE BOARD TO CONSIDER.

SO BEFORE I START, I DO WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK ALL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS WE HAVE WORKED WITH, THE CONSTITUTIONALES, THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT, AND

[02:00:02]

THEIR WILLINGNESS TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, TO TRY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE SPACE NEEDS. AS YOU WILL SEE AS WE MOVE FORWARD, THERE WAS A SPACE NEEDS STUDY DNE IN 2023.

THE DEPARTMENTS THAT WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TODAY, IT'S A VERY LARGE NUMBER THAT CAME OUT OF THAT SPACE NEEDS STUDY.

WHAT WE ARE GOING TO PRESENT TODAY IS GOING TO BE A MUCH, MUCH SMALLER NUMBER TO BE REQUESTED.

IT IS A VERY LARGE DELTA IN BETWEEN THOSE NUMBERS, AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE NUMBER THAT WE'RE PRESENTING TODAY.

SO WHAT IS THE COUNTY'S RESPONSIBILITIES? PER FLORIDA STATUTE 125 THE COUNTY IS RESPONSIBLE TO PROVIDE BUILDINGS FOR BOTH COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS. SOME OF THOSE ARE HIGHLIGHTED THERE IN ORANGE, AND AS A SELFLESS OR A SELFISH PLUG TO FACILITIES MANAGEMENT ALL OF THOSE BUILDINGS BOTH LEASED AND OWNED ARE MAINTAINED BY FACILITIES.

SO TO CONTINU BACK IN 2023 AS JUST PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, THE COMMISSION APPROVED A SPACE NEEDS STUDY BY A THIRD PARTY VENDOR. SO THAT STUDY INCLUDED THE SHERIFF'S COMPLEX INCLUDING THE JAIL COMPLEX, SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS, THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE COMPLEX, THE PROPERTY APPRAISER, TAX COLLECTOR, AND ALL ASSOCIATED ANNEXES, THE ADMINISTRATIVE HHS COMPLEX BUILDING WE ARE IN TODAY, AND THE MEDICAL EXAMINER.

THOSE WILL BE THE AREAS THAT WE ARE GOING TO DISCUSS TODAY AS WELL.

SO THIS PLAN THAT WE'RE GOING TO PRESENT ADDRESSES NEEDS FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS. IT ALSO CREATES THE FLEXIBILITY FOR US TO COME BACK AND REEVALUATE LET'S SAY IN FIVE YEARS DEPENDING ON GROWTH WITHIN THE COUNTY AND OTHER FACTORS THAT RIGHT NOW WE ARE NOT AWARE OF. SO AS A CAVEAT TO THIS PRESENTATION AND PUT IN CONTEXT IN 2023 THE CONDITION APPROVED THE APPROPRIATE FUNDING FOR THE NEW PERMIT CENTER, FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THAT AT THE TIME, THANK YOU VERY MUCH BECAUSE THAT IS A HUGE COMPONENT TO THE PLAN THAT WE ARE PUTTING FORTH TODAY. SO WHAT IS THE PLAN? THE ORIGINAL SPACE NEEDS STUDY BY THE THIRD PARTY THAT ADDRESSES WHAT WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TODAY AND THOSE DEPARTMENTS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED APPROACHED ALMOST $100 MILLION. SO COUNTY STAFF IN COLLABORATION WITH ALL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS WE ARE PROPOSING A TEN- YEAR PLAN THAT ADDRESSES BOTH CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS AS WELL AS BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. SO WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THE PUBLIC SERVICE CENTER.

SO THE PERMIT CENTER THAT IS CURRENTLY, AS YOU'RE AWARE, IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION. SO WHAT IT DOES IT PROVIDES ROUGHLY 30,000 SQUARE FEET. THAT BUILDING WILL HOUSE PRIMARILY THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS.

BUT WHAT THAT DOES, IT -- IT FREES UP THE EXISTING PERMIT CENTER THAT WILL BECOME THE PUBLIC SERVICE CENTER.

SO MANY MOVING PARTS WITH -- WITH THIS OPPORTUNITY HERE.

WE WILL BE MOVING AT LEAST ONE COUNTY DEPARTMENT FROM THIS BUILDING OVER TO WHAT WILL BECOME THE PUBLIC SERVICE CENTER. WHAT THAT DOES IS IT NOW FREES UP SPACE HERE IN THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

THAT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT DEPARTMENT EFFICIENCIES MOVING FORWARD. ALSO WE WILL BE RELOCATING ONE OF THE STATE ATTORNEYS DIVISIONS OVER TO THE PERMIT CENTER -- OR TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE CENTER. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST AND A HUGE COMPONENT OF THIS BECAUSE YOU'LL SEE THIS DOMINO EFFECT MOVING FORWARD, WE WILL BE MOVING THREE DEPARTMENTS FROM THE CLERK OF THE COURT, FROM THE EXISTING COURT COMPLEX INTO THE PUBLIC SERVICE CENTER, AND THIS IS A BIG COMPONENT OF WHAT WE WILL CREATE AS A ONE- STOP SHOP. SO IF I USE THE EXAMPLE OF BUILDING PERMITS, COMMISSIONER MURPHY, HE IS GETTING A BUILDING PERMIT, GETS A CLEARANCE SHEET, HAS TO RECORD A NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT AND HAS TO PAY FOR ALL THIS STUFF. WE DO IT IN ONE LOCATION.

IT'S CITIZEN CONVENIENCE IS WHAT WE ARE AIMING TO PROVIDE.

[02:05:02]

SO WE'RE GOING TO MOVE OVER TO THE SHERIFF'S COMPLEX, THE OLD JAIL. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR MENTIONED ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO THAT DEMO PERMIT HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY REMOVED. WHAT THIS NOW ALLOWS US TO DO IS TO RENOVATE APPROXIMATELY 11,000 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE THAT WE DID NOT PREVIOUSLY HAVE IN THIS MASTER PLAN. IT ALSO ALLOWS US TO MAINTAIN THE HISTORICAL VALUE AS WE DO THE RENOVATION OF THIS BUILDING. WE HAVE AN ESTIMATED COST OF $2 MILLION TO DO THIS RENOVATION. THIS IS BOTH DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION. THIS FUNDING IS IN THE FY - 26 RECOMMENDED BUDGET, AND WE WOULD LOOK TO HAVE THIS COMPLETED BY THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2026.

SO THE WHOLE PLAN, AND I SHOULD HAVE STARTED WITH THIS, A LOT OF THIS PLAN IS BASED ON THE DOMINO EFFECT. SO WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS ONE RENOVATION OR EXPANSION NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE FOR ANOTHER RENOVATION AND EXPANSION TO TAKE PLACE. SO IT'S ALMOST LIKE A RIPPLING EFFECT. SO SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS, VICKY OAKES MENTIONED THE EXPANSION.

SINCE 2021 THIS HAS BEEN A CONVERSATION.

SO WE HAVE LOOKING TO AS PART OF THIS PLAN EXPAND HER PURVIEW OR HER SPACE BY APPROXIMATELY 7,500 SQUARE FEET. THIS WILL ALLOW FOR, AS SHE MENTIONED, ADDITIONAL OFFICE SPACE, ADDITIONAL WAREHOUSE SPACE AND TRAINING FACILITY AS WELL. THE $2 MILLION, AS MENTIONED, IS ALREADY APPROPRIATED. OUR TARGET DATE FOR COMPLETION IS THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2028.

SO IN CONVERSATIONS WITH VICKY IS SHE'S GOOD FOR THE 2026 MID-TERMS. OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE IT READY AND DONE BY THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2028 SO SHE CAN GET SET UP FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION LATER THAT YEAR. SO HOW ARE WE GOING TO EXPAND THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS? THE AREA IN THE RED IS THE CURRENT SPACE. THE ADJACENT AREA IN YELLOW IS OUR CURRENT M.I.S. DEPARTMENT.

SO IT'S APPROXIMATELY 7 TO 7,500 SQUARE FEET. CONTIGUOUS TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS WE WOULD GO AHEAD AND EXPAND INTO THAT AREA.

SO AS MENTIONED IN THE INTRODUCTION THE PARKS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS. SO WE WILL, AS WE DO EVERY ELECTION CYCLE, WE WORK WITH THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS TO MAINTAIN OR IDENTIFY EARLY VOTING SITES. SO THIS IS ACTUALLY -- THIS IS AN ACTUAL RENDERING OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER/LIBRARY THAT WILL BE BUILT IN THE SHEARWATER, THE NEW SHEARWATER PARK. IT WILL BE A NEW SITE AS WELL.

IN ADDITION WE'RE BUILDING A NORTH EAST PARK, I'M SORRY THE LIBRARY AND A COMMUNITY CENTER IN THE NEW NORTH WEST PARK. THESE WILL ALL BE AVAILABLE FOR EARLY VOTING SITES. SO WE ARE GOING TO EXPAND INTO THE M.I. S. WE'RE GOING TO EXPAND SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS INTO THE M.I.S. SPACE. SO WHAT DO WE DO WITH M.I.S.? THIS IS A PHOTO OF THE SHERIFF'S CURRENT HR BUILDING.

THIS BUILDING IS LOCATED RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE OLD JAIL.

SO ONCE THE OLD JAIL IS RENOVATED AND COMPLETED, THE HUMAN RESOURCES STAFF OR THE SHERIFF WILL MOVE INTO THE OLD JAIL. THIS FREES UP THIS SPACE.

WE ARE ALLOCATING OR WE ARE REQUESTING $500,000 TO OUTFIT THIS BIDDING TO ACCOMMODATE THE M.I.S. DEPARTMENT. SWITCHING OVER TO THE COURT COMPLEX NOW. AS YOU'RE AWARE THE CURRENT LEGISLATION, IT APPEARS THAT THE SEVENTH CIRCUIT WILL BE GIVEN TWO NEW JUDGES. ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS PART OF THAT. WE CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE SPACE FOR TWO NEW JUDGES.

SO THE PLAN CALLS FOR WITHOUT EXPANDING THE FOOTPRINT OF THE COURT COMPLEX, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED UNDERUTILIZED SPACE TO ADD TWO ADDITIONAL COURTROOMS TO THE COURT COMPLEX. WE ARE ESTIMATING A COST OF $4

[02:10:05]

MILLION BOTH DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, AND WE WOULD LOOK TO COMPLETE THIS BY 2027. A COUPLE OPTIONS THAT WE WILL BE PRESENTING TO THE STAKEHOLDERS, AND THAT MEETING ACTUALLY TAKES PLACE ON THIS FRIDAY.

IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THE COURT COMPLEX, THIS AREA IN THE BLUE IS IN THE NORTH EAST CORNER OF THE COMPLEX. THIS IS THE ANNEX.

IT IS CURRENTLY BEING USED FOR JURY ASSEMBLY. WE WOULD CONVERT THAT TO TWO NEW COURTROOMS. THE AREA IN THE GREEN WOULD BE FOR THE JUDGE CHAMBERS AND SUPPORT STAFF. AREA IN THE YELLOW, JURY DELIBERATION. AND THE AREA IN THE ORANGE WOULD BE WHAT WOULD BECOME NOW THE NEW JURY ASSEMBLY. ANOTHER OPTION THAT WE WILL BE PRESENTING, THE AREA IN THE -- IN THE BOTTOM LEFT- HAND CORNER, WHICH IS THE SOUTHWEST PART OF THE COMPLEX. THE AREA IN THE BLUE, TWO NEW COURTROOMS. GREEN, THE JUDGE'S CHAMBERS SUPPORT STAFF, JURY DELIBERATION. THE AREA IN THE ORANGE AND UPPER CORNER WOULD REMAIN THE SAME. THAT WOULD BE THE JURY ASSEMBLY WHERE WE CALL FOR JURY DUTY.

SO PART OF THIS -- AND I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY -- THE AREA IN THE TOP BUT THE RED COLOR, THOSE ARE THE THREE DEPARTMENTS THAT WILL RELOCATE OVER TO THE PERMIT CENTER.

SO ALL OF THIS WORKS IN CONCERT WITH EACH OTHER.

WITH THE ABILITY FOR US TO MOVE THOSE THREE DEPARTMENTS, IT FREES UP SPACE FOR US TO LOOK AT EXPANDING AND ADDING COURTROOMS WITHOUT EXPANDING THE FOOTPRINT AND WITHOUT SPENDING NEARLY $100 MILLION. ACCORDING TO THE 2023 SPACE ALLOCATION, THIS COMPLEX ALONE CALLED FOR A 50,000 SQUARE FOOT EXPANSION AT THE TUNE OF ABOUT $65 MILLION.

THE TAX COLLECTOR. SO WE ARE CURRENTLY, AND THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN FUNDED. THEY ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

WE ARE MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AREA AT BOTH THE MAIN BRANCH AND AT THE SOUTHEAST ANNEX.

BOTH LOCATIONS BASICALLY THETHE SCOPE. THE -- ENHANCING THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER. THE MAIN BRANCH WE ARE LOOKING AT COMPLETION FOURTH QUARTER OF 2025 AND SPRING OF 2026 FOR THE SOUTHEAST ANNEX.

AND THEN THE LAST LOCATION WE'LL TALK ABOUT IS THE MEDICAL EXAMINER. THIS IS THE ONLY LOCATION THAT WE ARE PROPOSING THAT WE EXPAND THE ACTUAL PHYSICAL FOOTPRINT OF THE BUILDING.

SINCE, AS YOU'RE WELL AWARE DR.

SNEAD PROVIDES SERVICES FOR NOT ONLY ST. JOHNS COUNTY BUT ALSO FLAGLER AND PUTNAM COUNTY AS WELL. CASELOAD HAS INCREASED OVER 30%.

CURRENTLY THE ADMINISTRATIVE MORGUE SPACE IS AT MAX CAPACITY. THE COUNTY DID PURSUE STATE APPROPRIATIONS LAST YEAR. WE WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL IN DOING SO. WE WOULD LOOK TO -- OR WE HAVE INCLUDED SOME FUNDING REQUESTSREQUESTS THE 2026 RECOMMENDED BUDGET, AND WE WOULD ALSO LOOK TO OFFSET AND MITIGATE SOME OF THIS COST DUE TO OUR TRI- COUNTY AGREEMENT WITH, AGAIN, PUTNAM AND FLAGLER COUNTY. THIS IS A LAYOUT OF WHAT THE EXPANSION WOULD LOOK LIKE.

THE AREA ON THE LEFT IS THE COUNTY EXAMINER. THE AREA ON THE RIGHT IS FUTURE EXPANSION TO THE NORTH. THIS IS APPROXIMATELY 4,000 SQUARE FEET. MOST LIKELY WE WOULD DO A PARTIAL SECOND FLOOR TO GAIN SOME ADDITIONAL SQUARE FOOTAGE. WE ARE REQUESTING 6,000 SQUARE FEET, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION TO THE TUNE OF $6. 5 MILLION.

THIS SLIDE HERE GIVES A BREAKDOWN OF WHAT WE ARE REQUESTING. THE ORIGINAL SPACE NEEDS STUDY IN 2023 FOR THE AREAS THAT WE JUST DISCUSSED WERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $100 MILLION.

FOR 2026 WE ARE REQUESTING $13. 2 MILLION TO MAKE THIS PLAN COME TO FRUITION.

[02:15:01]

SO THE MOTION IN FRONT OF YOU, ONE MOTION, TWO PARTS.

ONE IS TO APPROVE THE TEN- YEAR PLAN. THE SECOND IS TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO ASSEMBLE A FINANCE TEAM TO COME BACK AND EXPLORE FINANCING OPTIONS FOR THE MEDICAL EXAMINER NOT TO EXCEED $6. 5 MILLION. AND WITH THAT, HOPEFULLY I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY

HAVE. >> BACK TO THE BOARD.

COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T HEARD VICKI OAKES NEEDS MORE SPACE, SO I'M HAPPY TO MOVE THIS ITEM. DO YOU WANT TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT FIRST, BUT --

>> I HAVE SOME THINGS TO SAY, TOO. LET'S JUST SEE WITH OTHER COMMISSIONERS. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS. BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO DOGE -- I'M TRYING TO HAVE A ROLL BACK WITH OUR COUNTY BECAUSE THE PRICE OF OUR WATER IS GOING UP, THE PRICE OF OUR GARBAGE IS GOING UP. SO I WANT TO KNOW WHY ARE WE PAYING FOR THE CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT NEEDS.

IS THAT NOT STATE? AND ST. JOHNS COURT IS THAT ALL OF ST. JOHNS OF ALL THE

COUNTY? >> I MAY

HAVE TO DEFER. >> AS UNDER FLORIDA STATUTE WE'RE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SPACE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL ENTITIES AND ALSO INCLUDE THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE.

>> SO ARE OTHER DISTRICT COURTS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY OR OTHER COUNTIES INVOLVED?

>> NO, WE PROVIDE SPACE IN OUR COUNTY.

EVERY OTHER COUNTY HAS A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT.

>> SO THERE'S A 7TH CIRCUIT

COURT. >> THERE'S A 7TH CIRCUIT COURT THAT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WORKS WITH EACH LOCAL COUNTY COMMISSION BECAUSE OF THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT THEY PROVIDE SPACE, TECHNOLOGICAL NEEDS, TELECOMMUNICATION NEEDS, STORAGE FOR FILES, AND THINGS LIKE THAT AS WELL AS SOME STAFF.

>> SO WHY DOESN'T THE OTHER COUNTIES PITCH IN, TOO? I DON'T GET THAT.

>> THEY DO.

>> I DIDN'T HEAR THAT.

>> FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTIES, THEY

DO. >> AND SO THIS IS COMING FROM GENERAL FUND? THE 13 MILLION.

>> WELL, THE $6. 5 MILLION IS WHAT WE WOULD COME BACK WITH, FUNDING OPTIONS TO THE BOARD.

>> WELL, THAT'S FOR THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE, CORRECT? I MEANT THE MOVING EVERYBODY AROUND.

I JUST WISH WE COULD PUSH THIS OFF FOR A YEAR BECAUSE I THINK WE REALLY NEED A ROLLBACK, AND I THINK THIS IS GOOD PLACE TO START. BUT THAT'S MY OPINION, AND I'M JUST GOING TO STICK WITH IT. SORRY.

OKAY, THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE? COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST?

>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I REMEMBER WHEN COMMISSIONER BLOCKER BECAME A CHAIR WHICH MY FIRST YEAR AS COMMISSIONER. HE DID THIS INITIAL ASSESSMENT, AND THE CAME IN AT OVER $100 MILLION TO MEET THE SPACE NEEDS OF THESE MANY DEPARTMENTS AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, SO MAYBE WITH THE HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE OF WHERE WE STARTED, WHICH WAS AN ESTIMATE OF OVER $100 MILLION TO SEE $13. 2 MILLION IN FRONT OF US TODAY, AND JUST WISH -- I THINK WE SHOULD GIVE CONSIDERATION TO THE HARD WORK GETTING THAT DOWN TO THE INITIAL ESTIMATE. A LOT OF HARD WORK BY ADMINISTRATION, BY OMB, BY MR. WHITCRAFT, AND BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS WENT IN TO GETTING THIS NUMBER DOWN TO 13.2. I WOULD LOVE TO SPEND NO MONEY ON ANYTHING EVER AGAIN, BUT THE FACT REMAINS THAT WE HEARD A GENTLEMAN GIVE PUBLIC COMMENT. I BELIEVE IT WAS MR. COOK THAT HE WANTS TO ROLL BACK THE MILLAGE RATE, AND THE NEXT TIME HE CAME UP TO ME PUBLIC COMMENT HE SAID HE WANTS TO BLOW UP THE JAIL AND BUILD A $65 MILLION JAIL IN ITS PLACE. WE HAVE NEEDS IN THIS COUNTY.

PEOPLE ARE MOVING HERE. VICKY OAKES, IN ORDER TO DO HER JOB EFFECTIVELY SHE NEEDS MORE SPACE.

THE CLERK AND COMPTROLLER NEED MORE SPACE.

I DON'T THINK THESE ARE LUXURY ITEMS WE HAVE.

WE CAN'T PUT THIS OFF ANOTHER YEAR IN MY OPINION, SO I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THE MOTION.

AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK THAT WENT INTO GETTING THE NUMBER DOWN TO $13. 2 MILLION.

>> THANK YOU. THOSE ARE GOOD COMMENTS.

I JUST WANT TO CHALLENGE THESE DEPARTMENTS TO LOOK FOR REVENUE. THEY DO HAVE A SOURCE OF REVENUE IN EVERY DEPARTMENT. AND I DON'T KNOW, EVERYONE HAS TO THINK OF THESE EXTRA THINGS THEY CAN DO FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FOR MY CONSTITUENTS.

AND I'M GOING TO GIVE IT NOW TO COMMISSIONER MURPHY.

[02:20:01]

>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

>> THANK YOU, DAN, FOR THE WORK. AS SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN IN CONVERSATION WITH THE CLERK AND WITH VICKY OAKES I KNOW THEY HAVE THIS INCREDIBLE NEED FOR SPACE. YOU KNOW, I GO BACK TO THE FACT THAT WE -- YOU KNOW, WE CAN KICK THIS CAN DOWN THE ROAD IF WE WANT TO, BUT I DON'T THINK OUR RESPONSIBILITY WOULD ALLOW US TO DO THAT.

I THINK THIS IS GREAT PLAN. I THINK IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO USE OUR FUNDS WISELY AND EFFICIENTLY, AND I CAN'T -- I'LL ALSO SUPPORT THIS.

THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE? THEN PUBLIC

COMMENT. >> I HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3.

>> GOOD MORNING.

SUZANNE, 32086. I APOLOGIZE IF I DIDN'T SEE A SLIDE, BUT I JUST HAD A QUESTION. $6. 5 MILLION, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A FINANCING PACKAGE FOR THAT, WHICH BONDING.

I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND ARE THE TAXPAYERS IN THE OTHER TWO COUNTIES ALSO GOING TO BE PAYING INTO THIS? I MEAN, WE'RE DOING THEIR KMANER'S WORK FOR THEM, RIGHT? IN OUR BUILDING THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE BUILDING, AND I JUST DIDN'T SEE WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE

COST. >> IS THAT YOUR

ONLY QUESTION? >>

YES. >> I THINK I CAN PROBABLY ANSWER THAT. CAN STAY AND HELP ME, THOUGH, IN CASE I MESS THIS UP. WHEN IT COMES TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE, THEIR SHARE IS PRORATED, AND THEY WILL BE PAYING THEIR SHARE BASED ON THE USAGE OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE. DID I GET THAT RIGHT? YES, SO THEY ARE GOING TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE.

THE COURTHOUSE IS OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE SPACE FOR THE CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES AND THE COUNTY JUDGES TO DO THEIR BUSINESS FOR THEIR COUNTY FOR OUR

COUNTY. >> I GET THAT, BUT WHEN YOU SAY THEY'RE GOING TO PAY A USAGE CHARGE, THAT'S WHEN THE BUILDING IS USED? WE'RE BUILDING

THE BUILDING. >> NO, THEY'RE GOING TO PAY A PERCENTAGE BASED OF THE NEW COSTS BASED ON THEIR USAGE, THE PERCENTAGE OF THEIR USAGE. SO IT'S NOT A USAGE FEE.

IT'S A PERCENTAGE OF THE COST OF THE BUILDING BASED ON THEIR USAGE. SO IF THEY ONLY UTILIZE IT 25% OF THE TIME, THEY'RE ONLY GOING TO PAY 25% OF

THE COST. >> BASED ON WHAT USAGE BASED ON THE USAGE TODAY?

>> BASED AS THE BOND COMES

THROUGH. >> AS THE BOND IS BEING PAID BACK? I'M SORRY, I'M STILL CONFUSED AND I'M SURE IT'S JUST ME.

I'M SURE IF I READ THIS TOUGH LATER, ASK SOME QUESTIONS, I'LL GET IT, BUT I STILL DON'T GET --

>> DAN, MAYBE YOU CAN CLEAR IT UP FOR US.

THE COMMISSIONER IS RIGHT. IT'S BASED ON DEAD BODIES, AS IT RELATES TO THOSE TWO COUNTIES. WOULD ST. JOHNS COUNTY TAKE THE LEAD ON DOING THE CONSTRUCTION, ABSOLUTELY.

WE ARE THE BIGGEST USER OF THE TRI- COUNTY AGREEMENT.

BUT, YES, THEY WOULD HELP MITIGATE AND PAY BACK WHATEVER THAT FINANCING IS, WHETHER IT'S A BOND, WHETHER IT'S A PAPER LOAN, THEY WOULD HELP PAY BACK.

>> OKAY, THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. YES,

MA'AM? >> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS JUDY SPIEGEL. I LIVE AT 1101.

1.5 A SEPARATE THING FROM THE $13.

2 MILLION? I THOUGHT THAT WAS RIGHT.

I FULLY AGREE WITH THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS.

THEY NEED THIS. THEY HAVE GOT TO HAVE THIS.

YOU CANNOT STACK DEAD BODIES -- THEY'VE GOT IT SO PACKED IN RIGHT NOW, THIS IS ESSENTIAL. THIS HAS TO BE DONE EVEN IF IT IS DOES INCREMENTALLY. AND THAT'S THE WAY IT KIND OF LOOKED TO ME. ON THE OTHER, I DON'T SEE THAT WAITING IS POSSIBLE. I WAS A MEMBER OF THE CANVASSING BOARD, AND I WORKED IN THAT BUILDING DURING THAT ELECTION. AND YOU CAN'T MOVE.

IT'S SO PACKED IN SO TIGHT. AND IF WE ARE LOOKING AT THE '28 ELECTION I DON'T SEE HOW PUNTING THIS IS GOING TO BE A HELPFUL THING FOR THE COUNTY.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO STOP GROWING, AND IN TWO YEARS WHAT IS THE POPULATION GOING TO BE? I DON'T KNOW. I THINK THAT PROBABLY THE FACT

[02:25:05]

THAT THEY'VE WORKED SO HARD TO MOVE PIECES AROUND AND REALLY BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THIS AND BE ABLE TO SHIFT THIS SO IT ISN'T SUCH A COST BURDEN, I THINK THAT'S THE KIND OF WISE THINKING OUT OF THE BOX WE NEED TO DO, NOT JUST SAY WE CAN'TCAN'T ANYTHING. I THINK THIS IS MONEY WELL- SPENT, AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT THIS. THANK YOU.

>> YES, SIR?

>> GOOD MORNING. CALLING YOUR ATTENTION TO PAGE 7, SHERIFF'S COMPLEX. THERE'S A PICTURE OF THE OLD JAIL WHERE TOMORROW THEY WILL BE READING ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE 16TH RABBI'S ARREST, THEY WILL BE READING ON THE STEPS OF THAT OLD JAIL THE LETTER THAT THE RABBIS WROTE. I INVITE EVERYBODY TO COME OUT, BE THERE FOR THAT OCCASION, AND CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO PAGE 7, SHERIFF'S COMPLEX.

ORIGINALLY DISCUSSED DEMOLITION TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACE. THE OLD JAIL COMPLEX WILL BE RENOVATED TO PROVIDE APPROXIMATELY 11,000 SQUARE FEET OF ADMINISTRATIVE SPACE TO THE COMPLEX WHILE STILL RECOGNIZING ITS HISTORICAL VALUE. AND IT'S ON THE BLOG, AND I WOULD CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO IT.

ACTUALLY, MR. ROVERSON, ONE OF HIS PEOPLE TRIED TO TELL TREY ASNER HE COULDN'T MAKE A PRESENTATION, HE HAD TO SPEAK IN PUBLIC COMMENT AND THEY WOULDN'T EVEN PUT THE LANDMARK STATUS REQUEST ON THE AGENDA FOR THE CULTURAL RESOURCES REVIEW BOARD.

WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT? ANYWAY, IT SAYS COST ESTIMATED WITH $2 MILLION WITH DESIGN BEGINNING IN FY 2025. FUNDING INCORPORATED IN THE FY 2026 BUDGET, APPROXIMATE COMPLETION FOURTH QUARTER OF 2026. THAT IS A HUGE VICTORY, AND I THINK IT'S REALLY COOL THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE HR DEPARTMENT WILL BE IN THAT HISTORIC BUILDING. AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO TEAR IT DOWN, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET THE KU KLUX KLAN SET THE PRIORITIES FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY ANYMORE.

THEY WANT TO ERASE THE HISTORY IN THAT BUILDING.

A WONDERFUL FEDERAL JUDGE NAMED BRIAN SIMPSON DISMISSED EVERY SINGLE ONE, AND THOSE PEOPLE ARE OUR FRIENDS AND OUR NEIGHBORS. SOME OF THEM ARE STILL ALIVE. ONE LADY JUST CELEBRATED HER 102ND BIRTHDAY, BUT THEY WERE -- THE COUNTY WAS GOING TO DEMOLISH THAT BUILDING, CAN AND THAT SHOWS SUCH POOR JUDGMENT ON THE PART OF THE ADMINISTRATOR AND THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD SAY, OH, WE'RE GOING TO DESTROY OUR CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY.

REALLY? TOO MUCH OF THAT HAS HAPPENED.

THE MONSON MOTEL WAS DEMOLISHED. THAT'S WHERE THE RABBIS PRAYED AND WERE ARRESTED AND PEOPLE DID A WAIT IN, IN THE POOL AND THEY WERE ARRESTED AND THOSE CASES WERE DISMISSED.

WE NEED TO HONOR AND TREASURE OUR CIVIL RIGHTS IN ST.

JOHNS COUNTY AND OUR JEWISH HISTORY.

AND COME ON OUT TO THE OLD JAIL AND THERE'LL BE A READING OF THE RABBI'S LETTER, AND WE NEED TO REINSTATE HIM TO HIS POSITION IN WHICH HE WAS WRONGFULLY FIRED. THANK YOU, LADIES AND

GENTLEMEN. >>

YES, MA'AM? >> NICOLE CROSBY, 1169 NECK ROAD.

I JUST HAVE A QUESTION. I KNOW I CAN'T EXPECT TO GET A QUESTION ANSWERED. I SAW ANOTHER COMMENTER GOT A QUESTION ANSWERED SO MAYBE I WILL TOO.

I'M JUST CURIOUS IF IMPACT FEES COVER ANY KIND OF COUNTY OPERATIONS WE'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT THIS MORNING, THE ONES WE JUST HEARD ABOUT, THE VOTING NEEDS, THE MORE SPACE NEEDS FOR ALL THESE OPERATIONS. WHEN I SAW THE SHEARWATER COMMUNITY CENTER PICTURE PUT UP THEY NEEDED THAT FOR VOTING, AND I JUST WONDERED WHEN THAT SHEARWATER DEVELOPMENT WAS BUILT, I'M JUST TRYING TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS AND ISN'T COVERED BY IMPACT FEES. SO I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY IS WILLING TO ANSWER THAT OR NOT, BUT THAT'S MY

QUESTION. >> FAIR QUESTION.

DO WE HAVE A FUNDING SOURCE THROUGH IMPACT FEES FOR

THESE? >> I'M HAPPY TO RESPOND.

I THINK WE HAD TALKED ABOUT IMPACT FEE UTILIZATION DURING THE BONDING PROGRAM FOR PARKS, LIBRARIES, AND SHERIFF'S ADMIN BUILDING. SO, YES, WE'RE MAXIMIZING ALL OUR IMPACT FEES FOR ALL THESE FACILITIES. I DON'T KNOW WE HAVE REALLY ANY

[02:30:01]

LEFT FOR THESE BUILDINGS, BUT WE DO HAVE A CATEGORY CALLED PUBLIC FACILITY IMPACT FEE, AND THAT HAS BEEN MAXIMIZED AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU. YES,

MA'AM? >> WEST CITY OF ST.

AUGUSTINE. AND LET'S FINISH UP WHAT MR. COOK SAID. ALSO WHEN HE SPOKE HE DID IMPLY THAT IT WAS FOR THINGS WE NEED, IF YOU GO BACK AND LISTEN TO WHAT HE SAID, NOT JUST WHAT WE WANT. SOME THINGS ARE NOT NECESSARY RIGHT NOW OR IMMEDIATE, BUT I JUST WANT TO REFRESH EVERYBODY'S MIND, IF THEY CAN, WAY BACK I THINK IT WAS IN '23.

I WISH I HAD MY NOTES UP HERE. BUT I DO BELIEVE THE CLERK OF COURT, CIRCUIT COURT AND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE WAS GIVEN THE ABILITY TO KEEP A LOT MORE MONEY FROM FEES THEY COLLECTED BECAUSE THERE WAS A EFFORT IN ALL THE COMPTROLLERS AND CLERKS GOING TO TALLAHASSEE, AND WHENEVER MR. TRAVIS HUNT -- NO, HUDSON -- HOW CAN I GET THE NAME WRONG? HUDSON WORKED IT OUT WITH ALL THESE CONSTITUTION OFFICERS, WITH THE CLERKS TO KEEP MORE MONEY AND NOT GIVE IT BACK TO OUR GENERAL FUND, SO I REALLY QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT WE NEED TO GIVE HIM ANYMORE MONEY, AND ESPECIALLY SINCE WE GOT MR. HUDSON WORKING FOR HIM NOW, MAYBE HE CAN GET SOME MONEY, TOO, WHEN HE'S GOING UP LOBBYING FOR US. SO I JUST WANT TO BRING THIS UP AND REMIND EVERYBODY WHERE SOME OF THE MONEY HAS BEEN ININ PAST, AND WHAT ARE WE SPENDING THAT MONEY ON? AND IS HE THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS CONTROL NOW OF SPENDING THAT EXTRA MONEY? BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE TAX COLLECTOR DID NOT GET TO KEEP HIS MONEY.

HE HAD TO GET EVERYTHING BACK AND HAD A LOT OF MONEY.

I'D LOVE TO SEE EVERYBODY GETTING AN ANSWER RIGHT-OF- WAY WHEN THEY COME UP HERE AND SPEAK. MIGHT HAVE TO PUT DOWN SOME QUESTIONS.

THANKS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC

COMMENT. >> ALL RIGHT, A MOTION?

>> MAY I? >> COMMISSIONER MURPHY?

>> DAN, MAYBE I'LL NEED YOU TO COME UP AND JOY. SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FUNDING SOURCES, AND I JUST WANT TO BRING THIS OUT THERE BEFORE WE GET THIS DISCUSSED, BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER ON THIS.

I'VE HAD SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT DOING THIS INCREMENTALLY INSTEAD OF ALL AT ONCE. IS THERE ANY WAY WE CAN DO THIS IN A MANNER THAT WOULD BE INCREMENTAL SO THAT WE PAY AS WE GO INSTEAD OF HAVING TO BOND? IS THAT A POSSIBILITY? AND LET ME JUST TELL YOU WHY I'M ASKING THAT QUESTION.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT BONDING, AND I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE A GOOD BOND RATING, BUT THAT ALWAYS COMES WITH INTEREST, AND WE'RE GOING TO END UP HAVING TO PAY INTEREST.

AND THAT COMES OUT OF THE BOTTOM LINE, SO IS THERE ANY WAY WE COULD DO -- WE COULD DO IT A DIFFERENT WAY INSTEAD OF HAVING MAYBE INCREMENTALLY OVER FIVE YEARS? AND I'M JUST -- I REALLY LOVE TO HEAR THE THOUGHTS OF THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS ON THIS, TOO. THANK YOU.

>> ACTUALLY, AND WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THIS. SO LIKELY WE'RE GOING TO GO FORWARD WITH A RECOMMENDATION OF A SHORT- TERM COMMERCIAL PAPER WITH THE LOWEST INTEREST POSSIBLE.

LIKE DAN DAN HAS MENTIONED THIS A DOMINO EFFECT THAT EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED SUBSEQUENTLY IS GOING TO RELY ON WHAT HAPPENED PRIOR TO THAT. I'M GOING TO TAKE DAN'S LEAD.

SO THE SHORT ANSWER IS WE DON'T HAVE AN ABILITY TO REALLY DO AN INCREMENTAL PAYOUT FOR A CONSTRUCTION THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR FEDERAL OR STATE FUNDING, AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS. AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET ANY RELIEF FROM ANY COST SHARE FROM THE STATE. WE'LL HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ANY AMORTIZING FINANCING WE DO HAVE AND CHARGE THOSE TWO RESPECTIVE COUNTIES FOR THEIR SHARE.

I HOPE THAT ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION,

COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU.

I WANT TO BE CAREFUL MAKING THIS NEXT STATEMENT, SO PLEASE ALLOW ME A ROOKIE MISTAKE. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED TO SAY THAT WE DIDN'T GET FUNDING FOR

[02:35:08]

OUR MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED TO SEE THAT GOT CUT OUT. I'M VERY LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING BACK AND MAKING SURE WE TRY TO GET THAT BACK IN NEXT YEAR SO THAT THIS BURDEN IS NOT ON OUR TAXPAYERS GOING FORWARD. THAT'S ALL I HAVE, THANK

YOU. >> COMMISSIONER, IF I CAN ALSO ADD THE PLAN, AND YOU TALKED ABOUT KIND OF PHASING THIS. THE PLAN DOES GO OVER A FEW FISCAL YEARS, SO, I MEAN, WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR EVERYTHING IN FY '26.

IT DOES COVER FISCAL YEARS. SO IF THAT MAYBE HELPS ALLEVIATE SOME OF THAT FINANCIAL THRESHOLD STRESS, IT DOES CROSS OVER FISCAL YEARS.

>> CAN WE HAVE MORE DETAIL ABOUT THAT? THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO GET MY

SUPPORT. >> YES, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND PUT TOGETHER A MASTER TIME LINE ON HOW THAT -- OBVIOUSLY WE SEE THAT THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS 2028, AND WE ARE KIND OF BACKING DOWN FROM THAT -- THAT TIME LINE THERE.

>> OKAY. COMMISSIONER

TAYLOR? >> I JUST HAVE A COMMENT AS WELL, AND I KNOW IT WAS MENTIONED REGARDING IMPACT FEES AND THAT THE PUBLIC FACILITY AMOUNT IS MAXIMIZED.

BUT I THINK THIS JUST, YOU KNOW, WITH THE GROWTH AND EVERYTHING THAT OUR COUNTY HAS HAD IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE THAT OUR IMPACT FEES ARE NOT KEEPING UP WITH OUR NEEDS. AND WITH ALL THE GROWTH THAT WE'VE HAD, THE FACT WE STILL HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, NEED THAT KIND OF MONEY AND THERE'S A SHORRAGE FROM THE IMPACT FEES, THOSE NEED TO BE ADJUSTED BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT COVERING OUR NEEDS HERE IN OUR COUNTY, AND THAT WE HAVE A HUGE DEFICIT, AND THIS IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW THOSE ARE LAGGINGLAGGING WHERE THEY NEED TO BE. SO I REALIZE YOU'RE SAYING THEY'RE MAXIMIZED, BUT THEY'RE CLEARLY NOT MAXIMIZED, SO I HOPE THAT WE CAN -- I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO LOOKING AT THE IMPACT FEES MORE GOING FORWARD, BUT WE NEED TO ADJUST.

BECAUSE IF THEY'RE MAXIMIZED AND WE STILL HAVE THIS KIND OF A DEFICIT, THEY'RE NOWHERE NEAR WHERE THEY NEED TO

BE. >> UNDERSTOOD.

>> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOTION TO APPROVE TEN- YEAR COUNTY OPERATIONS SPACE NEEDS PLAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $13.

2 MILLION AND IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $6. 5 MILLION.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A QUICK COMMENT. IS THERE ANY WAY TO SEPARATE THOSE TWO MOTIONS?

>> I MADE ONE MOTION. THE MOTION'S ON THE FLOOR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> THAT PASSES 3-2. ALL RIGHT, WE'RE ONTO AGENDA

[4. Public Hearing * Board Discussion of Land Development Code (Tree Ordinance). Staff and Inspire are providing a presentation to seek Board guidance on possible updates to the Land Development Code with regard to Article IV Tree Protections.]

ITEM NUMBER 4. THANK YOU, MR. WHITCRAFT.

I'M GOING TO RUN TO THE RESTROOM REALLY QUICK, AND YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND GET

STARTED. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

COMMISSIONERS, MIKE ROBERTSON, GROWTH MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR. I'M JUST GOING TO GIVE A QUICK INTRO HERE. THIS ISN'T A NECESSARILY NEW TOPIC. YOU'VE SEEN THIS. MR. DAVID HENNING WHO'S THE INSPIRED PRESENTER WILL HAVE A SLIDE THAT HAS KIND OF THE HISTORY HERE OF THE TREE ORDINANCE. WHAT I WILL SAY IS JUST A COUPLE THINGS I HAD HEARD OVER THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS. THERE WAS ONE -- I THINK SOMEONE DIDN'T KNOW WE HAD AN ARBORIST ON STAFF.

CORIN IS INCIDENTALLY GOING TO PUBLIC WORKS.

CONGRATULATIONS TO HER ON THAT PROMOTION.

SO THERE IS 40 SLIDES HERE. THIS IS A LOT OF DETAIL.

I'VE ASKED MR. HENNING TO MOVE AS QUICKLY AS HE CAN BUT STILL CONVEY THE THOUGHTS. WE WERE ASKED FOR THOSE ITEMS TO COME BACK. SOME WERE NOT ASKED TO COME BACK BUT TO GO OVER THEM. AND THE HOPE IS WE CAN GET SOME DIRECTION. WE DO HAVE SOME POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS. I THINK THAT WAS THE REQUEST, WRIGHT? SO THAT'S THE OBJECTIVE HERE. GET SOME DIRECTION FROM THE COMMISSIONERS ON WHAT, IF ANY, TO MOVE FORWARD, AND THEN WE'LL GO FROM THERE. AND WITH THAT I'LL INTRODUCE DAVID AND HE CAN COME UP AND GIVE THE PRESENTATION.

>> THANK YOU. AND I APPRECIATE BEING ASKED BACK HERE TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION ON THE TREE

[02:40:01]

ORDINANCE WITH YOU ALL. AND WE'LL MOVE THROUGH AND AS MIKE MENTIONED SOME OF THE HISTORY OF IT.

STAFF WAS PROVIDED WITH 14 GOALS THAT HAVE CONTINUED ON AS THE BACKBONE OF THIS EFFORT THROUGHOUT IT.

THEN IN OCTOBER THE BOARD DIRECTED STAFF TO EXPLORE THOSE GOALS WITHIN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE. AND NOW WE ARE BACK HERE NOW WITH THOSE PROPOSED CHANGES AND HOPING TO HEAR, YOU KNOW, SPECIFICS OF WHICH AMENDMENTS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH OR WHAT ADJUSTMENTS TO MAKE THESE AMENDMENTS READY FOR YOU.

THE GOALS HAVE BEEN NARROWED FROM THAT INITIAL SET OF 14 BY THE INSTRUCTION THAT WE RECEIVED FOR WHAT'S SET ASIDE FOR THE PARTICULAR EFFORT MOVING FORWARD.

THE OTHER PIECE I'D LIKE TO PROVIDE FOR THE BOARD HERE AND FOR THOSE WHO MAY COME UP WITH COMMENTS AFTERWARDS AS WELL IS SOMETHING THAT WE USE INTERNALLY WHEN WE WERE DRAFTING ORDINANCES TO INSERT INTO EXISTING CODE AND EXISTING LANGUAGE ACROSS THE STATE AND FRANKLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WHAT'S LEGALLY CHANGING IN YOUR ORDINANCE. THE SCALE, HOW MUCH IS BEING CHANGED WHETHER IT'S A CERTAIN FOOTAGE OF A SETBACK OR A CERTAIN SIZED TREE THAT'S BEING DEALT WITH THAT CAN CHANGE, AND ANY EXCEPTIONS THERE MAY BE TO THE GENERAL RULE AS A WHOLE, THE HOPE BEING THAT AS YOU ALL SEEK TOWARDS CONSENSUS, IT MAY HELP TO KNOW WHETHER THE PARTICULAR OBJECTIONS OR DESIRES FOR EITHER AN INCREASE OR DECREASE ARE BECAUSE THERE'S DISAGREEMENT BECAUSE THERE'S A PURPOSE FOR A MECKMISM OR IT'S DIFFICULT TO CHANGE FOR THE MECHANISMS THAT ARE ALREADY

THERE. >> I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT.

BUT CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE SLIDE BEFORE THIS

ONE? >>

YES. >> THIS ONE, THANK YOU.

OKAY, GREAT. THANK

YOU. >> THERE'S CONCERN WITH WHAT MAY BE PROPOSED AND WE HAVEN'T TOUCHED ANY OF THESE EXCEPTIONS. AND THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS WHEN YOU NEED TO DO A SURVEY OR TESTS OR FIRE BREAKS. THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS FOR ROUTINE TRIMMING AND PRUNING.

THAT'S NOT GETTING RID OF A PARTICULAR TREE THAT'S PROTECTED. THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS FOR UTILITY EASEMENTS, FOR PROPERTY ACCESS, FOR VELICKULAR ACCESS WHERE IT EXISTED PRIOR TO THE CODE. TO PERIL TO LIFE, PROPERTY AND TREES. IT'S DIRECTION THAT COMES FROM STATE LAW TO BE ABLE TO MOW AND MAINTAIN AND A COUPLE DIFFERENT THERE FOR ASPECTS OF AIRPORT USE, AND FINALLY THERE'S THIS POLICY EXCEPTION AS WELL AND AND LOTS 1 ACRE OR LESS OR FOR A HOME IN DISTANCE WITHIN A LARGER LOT. THAT SAID IN GENERAL FOR PROTECTED TREES THERE'S STILL A REQUIREMENT FOR APPROVAL FOR SPECIMEN TREES. ALL OF THAT ARE EXCEPTIONS THAT EXIST EVEN BEFORE WE ENTER DISCUSSION OF ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS AND ADDITIONAL TREE PRESERVATION. AND SO WE'LL BEGIN WITH ITEM 3 OR GOAL 3 IN WHICH WE ARE LOOKING AT SPECIMEN TREE

[02:45:04]

MEASUREMENT AND STANDARDIZATION. AND SO, AGAIN, JUST A REMINDER OF THOSE TOPICS THERE. BUT ESSENTIALLY THIS IS FROM A GOAL TO BETTER PROTECT IRREPLACEABLE TREES AND MAKE IT EASIER, AND MORE TO MAKE THE EXPECTATIONS CLEAR FOR DESIGNATING PROTECTED AND SPECIMEN TREES.

AND SO YOUR PROTECTED TREE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S NECESSARILY, THAT IS CHANGING. IT'S MEASURED BY THE DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT.

YOUR SPECIMEN TREES ARE CURRENTLY MEASURED BY A FORMULA THAT INCLUDES AT LEAST THREE MEASUREMENTS AND IS TIED TO THE STATE CHAMPION TREE.

WE RECOMMEND INSTEAD SELECTING ACTUAL INDIVIDUAL MEASUREMENTS TO MAKE IT MUCH MORE PREDICTABLE WHAT NEEDS TO BE MEASURED AND TO MAKE IT EASIER TO IDENTIFY THOSE TREES FOR PROTECTION. THE LIVE OAK AT 50 INCHES AND THE SAND LIVE OAK AT 18 INCHES ARE NUMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BEFORE THIS BODY, BEFORE IN EARLIER STOPS IN THE PROCESS, THE RED CEDAR AND ALL OTHERS AT 12 INCHES AND 30 INCHES, THAT'S NEW TO SEED, BUT ALL BASED ON THE AVERAGES THAT WERE CALCULATED, ONES THAT LOOKED AT THE BROADER RANGE OF MULTIPLE MEASUREMENTS BY YOUR STAFF EARLIER IN THE PROCESS WHEN YOU WERE FIRST STARTING TO LOOK AT TREE PRESERVATIONS.

AND THEN THERE ARE, OF COURSE, THE SAME EXCEPTIONS WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT AS FAR AS ENDANGERED TREES. SO WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IN THE CODE IS IT BECOMES A TABLE OF TREE THRESHOLDS AT WHICH POINT A TREE IS SPECIMEN TREE THAT RECEIVES THOSE ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS. AND YOU CAN SEE IT THERE WITH THE LATIN NATURAL NAMES IN IT AS WELL. AND SO I CAN PROVIDE -- I CAN PAUSE HERE AND I CAN PROVIDE EXAMPLES OF HOW THAT ADDS ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS.

THERE ARE TREES IN PAST APPLICATIONS THAT YOUR COMMUNITY HAS SEEN WHERE THERE WERE TREES THAT WERE CLOSE TO THE THRESHOLD WHEN ACCOUNTING FOR THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT MEASUREMENTS, BUT NOW WITH A MORE SIMPLIFIED THRESHOLD. IT DOES ADD, YOU KNOW, ADDITIONAL SPECIMEN TREES PER THESE PROPOSED PROVISIONS AND WITH THE SIMPLIFIED NUMBERS YOU CAN DETERMINE QUITE QUICKLY JUST BASED ON THE DATA ALREADY TAKEN IN THE SURVEYS WHEN THESE WERE APPROVED WHAT THE ADDITIONAL PROTECTED SPECIMEN TREES WOULD BE.

LIKE THE COMMERCIAL SITE WHERE THERE WERE MANY TREES AND THE NUMBERS THAT WERE ALREADY THERE AND DISCUSSED TO BE SPECIMEN TREES SO FAR.

YOU CAN SEE THERE ARE ADDITIONAL PROTECTED TREES.

MANY OF THEM WERE IN SPACES PROTECTED ANYWAY.

BUT A FEW OF THEM ARE IN PLACES WHERE THEY'D BEEN DESIGNATED FOR REMOVAL ON A YIELD SYSTEM. I'LL PAUSE THERE, AND I'M HAPPY TO GO BACK TO ANY OF THE SLIDES, AND MAYBE THE MOST HELPFUL ONE MIGHT BE THIS ONE IF YOU ALL ARE WILLING TO GIVE DIRECTION ON THIS PARTICULAR

PIECE. >> THANK YOU, THAT'S PERFECT. SO TO THE BOARD HERE, DO WE HAVE CONSENSUS ON THE FIRST ONE? IF NOT, LET'S HAVE A DISCUSSION TO SEND THIS FORWARD TO A RED

LINE. >> FOR NUMBER 3?

>> YES, COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

>> SO I'M AGAINST THIS INCREASE IN REGULATIONS, TO INCREASE THE STANDARDS FOR SPECIMEN

TREES. >> JUST MAKE IT EASIER FOR US TO SEE THAT, RIGHT? IS CORIN AVAILABLE? CAN SHE KIND OF -- SORRY.

>> HI. GOOD MORNING FOR THE RECORD CORIN GEORGE. CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION? I APOLOGIZE.

>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

>> I'M TELLING YOU I'M AGAINST THIS INCREASE IN REGULATIONS FOR DEFINING SPECIMEN TREES.

I THINK IT MAKES IT MORE ONEROUS FOR A PROPERTY

OWNER. >> WHY? IT'S NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL

REALLY. >> I THINK IT IS.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE DISCUSSION IS ABOUT.

IT'S VERY SUBJECTIVE. IT'S YOUR VIEW OF THINGS VERSUS MY VIEW OF THINGS. I THINK IT MAKES IT MORE ONEROUS, AND I'M OPPOSED TO IT. CORIN, IS IT SUBJECTIVE OR --? I MEAN THE NEW MEASUREMENTS ARE NOT AS OBJECTIVE AS IT USED TO BE.

>> SO I LIKE TO DEAL IN FACTS, COMMISSIONER, JUST COMING

[02:50:02]

FROM MY BACKGROUND. I WILL SAY THIS IS GOING TO CREATE MORE SPECIMEN TREES, RIGHT? THAT'S A FACT BECAUSE CURRENTLY OUR SPECIMEN TREE STANDARDS ARE BASED ON, LIKE, DAVID SAID THE STATE CHAMPION TREE, WHICH ARE THE BIGGEST KNOWN TREES OF ANY GIVEN SPECIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND THOSE NUMBERS CAN CHANGE, SO THIS IS GOING TO CREATE MORE SPECIMEN TREES, AND THAT COULD POSE A CHALLENGE FOR SMALLER PROPERTIES. HOWEVER, IT IS GOING TO STANDARDIZE THOSE MEASUREMENTS TO WHERE IT WILL SAVE TIME WHEN WE ARE, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT APPLICATIONS.

INSTEAD OF HAVING TO GO OUT AND DO SIX INDIVIDUAL MEASUREMENTS, WE WILL JUST NEED ONE MEASUREMENT WHICH IS THE DIAMETER OF REST HEIGHT, AND THAT'S TYPICALLY DONE BY A TREE SURVEYOR. AND THAT'S KIND OF THE FACTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR GOAL.

>> IF THERE'S A SPECIMEN TREE, THEY DON'T HAVE TO BUILD AROUND IT.

THEY CAN MITIGATE IT OR --

>> NO CHAIR. SO SPECIMEN TREES CODE SPECIFICALLY SAYS SPECIMEN TREES SHALL REMAIN PRESERVED ON SITE WITHOUT IMPACTS. SO WHAT THAT MEANS YOU CAN'T REMOVE A SPECIMEN TREE AS YOU CAN A GENERAL PROTECTED TREE. IT HAS TO REMAIN PRESERVED AND PROJECT AROUND THE PRESERVATION OF THAT TREE. THE OTHER PART OF THAT IS TYPICALLY WHEN YOU DO THAT, YOU ALSO HAVE TO HIRE AN ARBORIST TO HELP DESIGN. YOU TYPICALLY HAVE TO DO A PRUNING PLAN, A ROOT PRUNING PLAN, THINGS LIKE THAT.

YOU CANNOT REMOVE SPECIMEN TREES.

THEY HAVE TO REMAIN PRESERVED. THE CODE ACTUALLY SPECIFIES COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HAS THE RIGHT TO AUTHORIZE THAT. AND IN MY HISTORY OF MY TIME I BELIEVE THERE'S ONLY BEEN ONE AUTHORIZED.

IT WAS THE REMOVAL OF MISSION TREES AND IT WAS ON A SINGLE FAMILY LOT AND IT WAS ESSENTIALLY RENDERED UNMOVABLE BECAUSE OF ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.

>> SO OUR COUNTY CODE DOES HAVE ASSESSMENT CODES? JUST THE WAY YOU MEASURE?

>> ANY TREE EXCEPT FOR PINE TREES 8 INCHES OR GREATER IS CONSIDERED A PROTECTED TREE. AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS YOU NEED A PERMIT TO REMOVE THAT TREE, NUMBER ONE. AND NUMBER TWO, YOU KNOW, IT IS PROTECTED, SO YOU CAN USE IT FOR REQUIREMENTS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE. IF YOU DID NEED TO MOVE IT, YOU CAN MITIGATE FOR IT, SUBMIT A PERMIT OR YOU CAN REMOVE THOSE INCHES OR PAY INTO A PERMIT FUND. A SPECIMEN TREE YOU HAVE TO PRESERVE ON YOUR SITE THE ENTIRE CANOPY OR TRIP LINE, SO THE EDGE OF WHERE THE BRANCHES EXTEND IS THE PROTECTED AREA.

SO FOR A LARGER SITE, YOU KNOW, WITH MULTIPLE SPECIMEN TREES AND I THINK DAVID GREAT A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE COMMERCIAL ONE, IT IS FEASIBLE TO PRESERVE SPECIMEN TREES. THAT IS AN EXAMPLE ON STATE ROAD 16. IT HAS EIGHT SPECIMEN TREES BY OUR CURRENT CODE.

WITH THIS CHANGE BECAUSE THE STANDARDS ARE GOING TO BE DECREASED FOR ALL OTHER TREES 30 INCHES DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT, THAT INCLUDES HARDWOODS LIKE MAGNOLIAS AND THAT IS GOING TO CREATE MORE CHALLENGES WHEN IT COMES TO PRODUCT

DESIGN. >> WHAT IF YOU PICKED A SIZE -- WHAT SIZE -- OBVIOUSLY 1 ACRE IS GOING TO BE REALLY HARD, BUT IS THERE A SIZE WHERE IT COULD MAKE SENSE?

>> YOU KNOW, I WOULD SAY THAT'S KIND OF WHAT WE'RE REALLY HERE TODAY FOR, TO SEE WHAT YOU GUYS THINK IF WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS, WHAT WOULD BE A GOOD ACRE THRESHOLD OR MAYBE WE WORK WITH INSPIRE TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY RESEARCH ON THAT. TREES ARE ALWAYS CHALLENGING.

THERE'S BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES TO TREES AS ARBORISTS. I'VE WORKED CLOSELY WITH DEVELOPERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OVER THE YEARS, AND THERE'S ALWAYS WAYS TO PRESERVE TREES. IT DOES USUALLY COST MORE, YOU KNOW, AND THERE IS SITE CHALLENGES WITH THAT, WHETHER IT'S REDUCING FOOTPRINT, MOVING THINGS AROUND. SO THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT WOULD NEED TO BE CONSIDERED WITH THIS CHANGE.

>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST?

>> WELL, I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE ANSWERS THAT MS. GEORGE GAVE TO MY STATEMENT, AND THAT IS SHE HIGHLIGHTS THE BENEFITS, WHICH ARE CLEAR. ONE MEASUREMENT MEANS IT'S EFFICIENT WHICH IS GOOD THING.

I THINK SHE ALSO SAID WHICH IS FACTUALLY CORRECT, THIS IS GOING TO CREATE MORE SPECIMEN TREES.

REALLY IT'S A PHILOSOPHICAL CONVERSATION ABOUT DO YOU WANT TO INCREASE THE REGULATION, DO YOU WANT TO INCREASE THE FUND OF WHAT IS A SPECIMEN TREE OR NOT. I WANT TO THANK MS. GEORGE FOR HER ANSWER BECAUSE IT CLEARLY

[02:55:03]

DEFINES WHAT THE BENEFITS ARE VERSUS WHAT THE ANSWERS WOULD

BE. >> THAT'S WHAT I WANT US TO DO.

IS THERE ANY WAY TO FIND A MIDDLE GROUND BETWEEN --

>> THAT WAS MY QUESTION.

>> AND IF WE CAN'T, CAN WE LIKE YOU SAID MAYBE SEND IT TO INSPIRE SINCE THEY'RE PAYING FOR THE TREE, FOR THEM TO COME BACK TO SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE IN THE MIDDLE WHETHER IT'S ACREAGE OR -- CAN I GET CONSENSUS FOR

THAT? >> IF THAT'S THE BOARD'S

CONSENSUS? >> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER

MURPHY. >> THANK YOU.

THAT WAS MY QUESTION. SO TWO QUESTIONS.

INCREASING THE MINIMUM ACREAGE INSTEAD OF 1 ACRE, WE CAN INCREASE THAT TO A HIGHER NUMBER AND THEN INCREASING THE INCHES. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE TRY TO BALANCE THAT BETWEEN WHAT THE OLD REGULATIONS WERE AND THE NEW REGULATIONS. THEY NEED TO BE PRETTY BALANCED, AND SO I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SEEING SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR.

>> YEAH, I AGREE. I'M -- IF WE CAN HAVE A BALANCE, I JUST DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT SO STRICT SO WE'RE NOT SAVING ANY OF THE TREES EITHER.

SO THERE'S GOT TO BE A HAPPY MEDIUM, BUT I'M HAPPY TO LOOK AT MEDIUM MAYBE SO MANY ACRES WE NEED TO DO THIS WITH.

BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS I HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR FROM SOME OF OUR RESIDENTS THAT LIVE IN THIS COUNTY, THEY WANT TO SAVE MORE TREES, SO WE HAVE TAGOT TO PUT SOMETHING FORWARD THAT IS GOING TO DO THAT.

>> CAN I GET CONSENSUS FOR THAT OR

NO? >> SO FOR ME AGAIN I'M OPPOSED. I LIKE THE MEASUREMENTS RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE. I LIKE THE DEFINITION RIGHT WHERE IT IS, SO I'M GOING TO BE OPPOSED TO MOVING THIS FORWARD.

>> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD? >> MYSELF AS WELL.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE WHAT WE SUGGESTED WHAT WE FOUND MIDDLE GROUND TO SUGGEST ACREAGE OR WHATEVER IDEAS YOU HAVE BECAUSE I LIKE TO WAY YOU CAN MEASURE THEM AND I ALSO THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA BECAUSE I RECEIVE SO MANY E-MAILS ABOUT SAVING SOME SPECIMEN TREES, AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT IF I HAVE A SECOND, AND WE CAN JUST VOTE ON

THAT. >> FOR THE CHAIR, CAN YOU CLARIFY YOUR MOTION?

>> THE MOTION IS TO SEND FORWARD TO INSPIRE TO COME UP WITH THE NEW IDEA ABOUT SOMETHING IN BETWEEN WHAT THEY BROUGHT HERE, THE PROPOSING OF GOAL THREE AND THE CURRENT CODES -- THAT WE DO SOMETHING BETTER THAN THE CURRENT CODE.

THANK YOU. >> MADAM CHAIR, IF I MAY TRY TO SUMMARIZE IT. WHAT I THOUGHT I HEARD YOU SAY WAS MAKE A MOTION FOR STAFF AND INSPIRE TO LOOK AT MAYBE SOME HIGHER -- SOME ACREAGE LIMITATIONS ON IT, RIGHT? NOT HAVE --

>> AND INCHES.

>> OKAY, SO IF IT'S 30 INCHES. AND POTENTIALLY OFFERING SOME SOLUTIONS FOR SITE ACREAGE, MAYBE LET'S JUST SAY 40 ACRES

AND ABOVE. >> OR 20 OR 10.

>> I WAS THINKING LIKE 5, MAYBE 5

ACRES. >> I THINK WE GOT SOME GOOD

DIRECTION. >> YEAH, WE DEFINITELY DID.

IF I CAN ADD LATER IN THE PRESENTATION ON THE GOALS THAT ARE RELATED SPECIFICALLY TO BUFFERS BECAUSE BUFFERS DEAL WITH A PERIMETER OF A

SITE. >> BUT WE'RE NOT THERE YET.

THERE'S A MOTION ON THIS ONE ON THE TABLE. I'M SORRY, SIR. SO WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT THEN,

PLEASE. >> WE'LL NOW TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE MOTION AND AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4.

>> NICOLE CROSBY, 1169 NECK ROADS. THIS IS JUST ABOUT SPECIMEN TREES, RIGHT?

>> GOAL NUMBER THREE.

>> RIGHT, SPECIMEN TREES, CORRECT? I FAVOR THIS MOTION. I THINK IT'S A REALLY FAIR MOTION, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY A REASON TO TRY AND SAVE MORE SPECIMEN TREES IN OUR COUNTY, WHICH IS THAT THEY'RE VERY RARE. THERE ARE VERY FEW OF

>> IF I UNDERSTOOD THAT CORRECTLY, HAVING A SPECIMEN TREE DOES NOT HAVE TO PROPERTY UNBILLABLE. THERE ARE WAYS OF TAKING DOWN A SPECIMEN TREE IF ONE HAS TO. I WOULD GO TO A 10 OR 15 ACRE THRESHOLD. THAT WOULD BE WAY TOO HIGH. I HOPE THEY WILL CONSIDER TWO TO FIVE ACRES. IN SAVING SPECIMEN TREES PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL ASPECTS OF THEY'RE REY

[03:00:01]

RARE, THEY REALLY ARE. >> THANK YOU.

>> WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND AND I HOPE THAT INSPIRE WILL TALK TO THE PEOPLE AT THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE. WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD TREE ORDINANCE. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THIS AND THE REGULATION.

WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON IN PELICAN BRIEF IS THERE A RULE IN PLACE YOU FIND A LOT, MAY NOT BE A HUGE LOT AND THE TREE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LOT, THEY GET CUT DOWN AND YOU HAVE TO CALL CODE ENFORCEMENT AND THEN YOU HAVE TO FIND THESE PEOPLE 10 OR $20,000 FOR CUTTING THESE TREES DOWN WITHOUT A PERMIT. NO MATTER WHAT YOUR REGULATION IS, IT IS ABOUT THE VACANT LAND THAT IS AVAILABLE IN THIS COUNTY AS WELL AS IN THE CITY AND THAT IS WHAT THEY WANT, THEY WANT A BIG HOUSE AND THAT IS WHERE THE PROBLEM IS AND YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BUT, IT IS DONE ALL THE TIME. KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN YOU DO NOT WANT TO REGULATE, THAT IS A PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTY AND THE CITIES, THEY ARE REGULATED, THERE IS A WAY AROUND IT AND IT IS NOT PROTECTING THE QUALITY OF LIFE. THE MONEY VERSUS THE QUALITY OF LIFE WILL CONTINUE TO BE EVERY DECISION YOU HAVE TO MAKE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CITY, YOU KEEP VOTING 3-2 AND IT SHOWS OUR MONEY IS AND OUR MOUTH IS. IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE, OUR ENVIRONMENT - - A BIG LOT AND IF YOU CAN'T, BUILD A SMALL HOUSE. THANK YOU.

I WAS A BIT PASSIONATE THERE, WAS AN EYE? I AM USUALLY CALL, WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME. OH, IT IS NOON TIME.

>> YES, MA'AM. >> I LIKE THE IDEA OF CHANGING THE MEASURING METHODS. I DON'T THINK THAT IS ADDING REGULATION.

SINCE WE ALREADY HAVE REGULATIONS THAT DEFINE WHAT SPECIMEN TREES ARE, I LIKE THE IDEA OF A COMPROMISE. WE DO WANT TO SAVE MORE TREES. WE DO NOT WANT THIS TO BE AN ONEROUS THING. THE LARGER PROPERTY WILL BE MORE THE DEVELOPERS AND COMMERCIALS AND SINGLE FAMILIES. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS SOMETHING TO JUST KICK THAT IS HOT OVER REGULATION.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. [INAUDIBLE] IT IS NOT OVER REGULATION THAT IS A TRITE TROPE. IT IS UNSOPHISTICATED THINKING FROM THE OFFICE OF THE - - COMPANIES WHICH EMPLOYS THESE PEOPLE.

WHICH FUNDS THEIR CAMPAIGNS. IT IS A SIGN OF THE CORRUPTION IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY WE CANNOT EVEN HAVE A SOPHISTICATED DISCUSSION ABOUT TREE PRESERVATION WITHOUT THAT ONE SMIRKING ON US. SMIRKING. SHE SMIRKS. IT IS INAPPROPRIATE, UNPROFESSIONAL, JUVENILE. IT REALLY IS.

>> BRING THIS BACK AROUND. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE Y'ALL HAVE THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE TREE ORDINANCE AND WHEN YOU HAVE - - A COHERENT DEBATE. THIS IS NOT A GOOD PUBLIC POLICY DEBATE. WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS CORRUPTION IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. OUR ELECTIONS ARE CONTAMINATED BY DIRTY CORPORATE MONEY. A FORMER COUNTY MISSION TOLD ME IN 2004, WHEN HE WAS THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER, BASICALLY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE THERE IS A HIGH RATE OF GROWTH, THEY SENT THEIR MONEY OVER HERE AND HIGHER LAW FIRMS AND HIGHER DEVELOPERS AND INVEST. I THINK AS A PART OF THIS TREE PRODUCTION ORDINANCE, COULD YOU PLEASE ASK THE LOBBYISTS IN THE AUDIENCE TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES? THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK? WE DO NOT EVEN HAVE LOBBYING DISCLOSURE BECAUSE THE HUDSON COMPANIES DIDN'T WANT IT AND RACHEL BENNETT SAID SHE WANTED TO HAVE CONTINGENCY FEES FOR LOBBYISTS AND SHE PROHIBITING THAT WOULD BE RUN. PLEASE PASS THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE TREE ORDINANCE THAT YOU CAN. WE NEED SOME NEW COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. WE HAVE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HERE WHO ARE NOT REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE. THREE OF YOU ALL I THINK THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE IN MIND AND, YOU WERE ELECTED FOR THAT REASON. TWO OF YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE ONLY TO CORPORATE, POWER MONEY AND GREED. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. WE

[03:05:04]

ARE TALKING ABOUT A COUNTY COMMISSION THAT VOTED TO HIRE A CORPORATE LAW FIRM AS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. WE DO NOT GET GOOD LEGAL ADVICE. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. AND WE HIRE THIS INSPIRE GROUP TO WRITE AN ORDINANCE. ORDINARILY, WOULDN'T YOU HAVE A COUNTY ATTORNEY WHO COULD WRITE AN ORDINANCE? NO. WE DO NOT WANT THAT. PLEASE, PASS THE BEST THAT YOU CAN. TRY TO ENGAGE IN A DIALOGUE WITH THESE PEOPLE AT THE END. AND APPEAL TO MORAL REASONING ABOUT D4 STATION AND THE STATUS OF OUR PLANET. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANYONE

ELSE? >> I'M NOT REALLY SURE HOW YOU STAND ON THIS ISSUE. JUST TEASING.

>> MY NAME IS JOHN - - SAINT AUGUSTINE. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A FEW GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE ISSUE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

IT IS MY PERSONAL OPINION THAT THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE NEEDS TO INCLUDE INCREASED PENALTIES FOR PROTECTED TREE REMOVAL.

THRE ALSO NEEDS TO BE A DATABASE THAT REVEALS WHICH TREES SHOULD BE PROTECTED. IT IS DIFFICULT TO ENFORCE A LAW THAT PROVIDES NO CLARIFICATION AS TO WHAT TREE IS PROTECTED. THAT IS IF THE LAW IS NOT TO BE REGARDED AS A JOKE. SO MUCH OF THE COUNTY'S SOIL IS CLASSIFIED AS DRAINAGE FOR THE MORE IMPERMEABLE SURFACES ARE ADDED, THE GREATER RISK TO THE TREES AND, LET ME START. PROTECTING MORE LANDS AND THE TREES ON THE LANDS IS THE ANSWER TO SENSIBLE - - DEVELOPERS WANT TO BUILD, SELL AND CUT AND RUN OUR NATION'S ECONOMIC INDICATORS SHOW A PATTERN OF DECLINE. IN THE FACE OF THIS, SHOULD THE COUNTY AUTHORIZE THE CREATION OF MORE EXCESS HOUSING? AND INVENTORY IN THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE? ENCOURAGING MORE POPULATION GROWTH IS IMPACTING TRANSPORTATION.

ESPECIALLY EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION AND THE EVACUATION IN THE EVENT OF THE EVER-GROWING WEATHER CRISES.

LAST YEAR, WE HAD HURRICANES AS WIDE AS THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

EVACUATION ROUTES WILL BE CRITICAL. HOWEVER, THE ANSWER IS NOT TO BUILD MORE ROADS BUT TO SLOW THE GROWING DEMAND FOR SUCH ROUTES BY MANAGING POPULATION GROWTH AND BY OPPOSING A MORATORIUM ON SUCH GROWTH UNTIL CURRENT - - OF NEW STRUCTURES HAS BECOME MORE REALISTIC. YOU DO NOT THROW GASOLINE ON A BURNING FIRE AND THAT IS WHAT OUR CURRENT DEVELOPMENT SITUATION IS HERE IN THE COUNTY. IT MIGHT SOUND THAT I AM SAYING THAT EVERY DEVELOPMENT IS THE ROOT OF ALL PROBLEMS AND, I BELIEVE THAT IS A FACT AND IT SUMMARIZES MY OPINION. THANK YOU

FOR YOUR ATTENTION. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> MY NAME IS VICKI PEPPER, I LIVE IN HARBOR VISTA CIRCLE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE AND I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENT MYSELF AND CARE COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS FOR RACIAL EQUITY. I HAVE TO LEAVE SHORTLY SO I HOPE I MAKE A COMMENT THAT - - WITHOUT AFTER THE LAST MEETING THAT WE WOULD HAVE A REDLINE TO EVALUATE THOSE CHANGES TO WHICH THE COMMISSIONERS HAD AGREED AND PROPOSED CHANGES THAT IT DID SEEM WOULD REQUIRE ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION. WE ARE DISAPPOINTED, BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT TO EVALUATE A PROPOSED NEW REGULATION WITHOUT SEEING THE NEW TEXT. YOU MAY RECALL WHEN CARE SPOKE ON THE TREE ORDINANCE IN MARCH, WE NOTE THAT STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT TREE INEQUALITY EXISTS IN THE UNITED STATES. A BIGGER ISSUE IN URBAN AREAS THE FACT THAT LOWER INCOME AREAS GENERALLY HAVE BEEN FOUND TO HAVE FEWER TREES PRESENTS AN ISSUE OF FAIRNESS. IN ADDITION TO THEIR AESTHETIC VALUE, TREES HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO HAVE MANY ENVIRONMENTAL AND HUMAN HEALTH BENEFITS. INCLUDING REDUCING TEMPERATURES AND IMPROVING THEIR QUALITY. TREES ARE GOOD FOR EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE ALL FOR PROTECTION OF TREES WHENEVER POSSIBLE. THAT SAID, WE RECOGNIZE THAT CAN BE TENSION BETWEEN THE GOALS OF TREE PRESERVATION AND INCREASING OUR STOCK OF AFFORDABLE WORKFORCE HOUSING AT THE 80%, 50%, 30% OF MEDIAN INCOME LEVEL AND BELOW. WE HAVE LONG SAID THAT SMART GROWTH WILL REQUIRE US TO MAKE DIFFICULT TRADE-OFFS OF COMPETING VALUES IF WE ARE EVER GOING TO INCREASE OUR INFORMAL HOUSING STOCK IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. IT IS ALL ABOUT ACHIEVING THE RIGHT BALANCE IN THE INTERESTS OF OUR ENTIRE

[03:10:02]

COMMUNITY. THEREFORE, PLEASE ENSURE THERE IS A WAIVER BUILT INTO THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR DEVELOPERS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT BOTH THE IMPACT ON HOUSING AFFORDABILITY FOR THOSE BELOW 80% AND ALSO WHETHER ANY TREES PRESERVED ARE LIKELY TO NEED TO BE REMOVED IN FIVE YEARS. ALSO, PLEASE EITHER CREATE A FUND OR A - - AMEND THE PERMISSIBLE USES OF THE EXISTING TREE BANK FUND TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS. - - WHEN REMOVAL BECOMES NECESSARY FOR SAFETY OR INSURANCE REASONS. INSURANCE COMPANIES MAY THREATEN TO DROP COVERAGE IF HOMEOWNERS DO NOT REMOVE TREES CLOSE TO THEIR HOME BECAUSE OF HURRICANE RISKS. DROPPING INSURANCE COVERAGE IS NOT LIKELY TO BE AN OPTION AND HAVING TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REMOVE TREES COULD CAUSE LOW INCOME FAMILIES TO LOSE THEIR HOMES. FINALLY, WHEN WE ACTUALLY GOING TO SEE A DRAFT OF THE PROPOSED NEW TREE ORDINANCE? THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT?

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> MY NAME IS PAM - - IN THE SHORES. I JUST MOVED THERE TWO MONTHS AGO. I LOOKED AT 30 HOUSES EASILY, ALL OVER. I CAN TELL YOU THAT, WE HAVE NOT A STRONG TREE ORDINANCE AND, WE NEED A MUCH, MUCH BETTER ONE. IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. THE DEVELOPERS ARE SIMPLY CLEAR - - FOR I CHOSE TO LIVE IN THE SHORES, THE HOUSE WAS BUILT IN THE 80S AND, THERE ARE PONDS AND WOODS AND - - FOR THEM. IT IS A REALLY BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO LIVE. THE NEW ONES, THEY'RE HAVING HUGE MONTHLY FEES AND, THEY HAVE NO TREES. THE TREES ARE, YOU KNOW, FOUR TO FIVE FEET TALL. LITTLE TREE PLANTED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. A 10 FOOT FENCE BEHIND IT SO THEY CAN BUILD ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT RIGHT BEHIND IT. WITH MAYBE FIVE FEET OF PINES. AND NO WOODS. FIVE OR 10 FEET OF PINES IS NOT WOODS.

PLEASE, LOOK AT A STRONGER TREE ORDINANCE. WE NEED THE TREES BECAUSE WE DO NOT NEED THE CARBON DIOXIDE, WE DO NOT NEED THE WATER RISING. WE DO NOT NEED CLIMATE WARMING. THERE IS A LOT OF VERY STRONG REASONS. YOU D■O NOT WANT YOUR GRANDCHILDREN SAYING YOU ARE A COMMISSIONER AT A TIME WHEN THIS COULD BE DONE.

THINK ABOUT YOUR GRANDCHILDREN TOO. THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND VOTE ON THE TABLE.

>> I DO HAVE ONE COMMENT BEFORE WE VOTE. WANTED - - ONE OF THE SPEAKERS SAID SOMETHING ABOUT SPECIMEN TREES. I AGREE, WE NEED TO PROTECT SPECIMEN TREES. MY CHALLENGE IS THAT, IF WE TOO BROADEN THE DEFINITION OF A SPECIMEN TREE, EVERY TREE WILL BE A SPECIMEN TREE AND WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET ANYTHING

DONE. KEEP THAT IN MIND. >> AGAIN, THE MOTION IS TO SEND IT BACK SO WE CAN FIND A MIDDLE GROUND.

>> I JUST HAD ANOTHER COMMENT TOO. I AGREE, WHEN WAS MENTIONED ABOUT HAVING A REDLINE VERSION I WOULD HAVE APPRECIATED THAT. A REDLINE VERSION SO WE CAN SEE WHAT THE OLD IS AND WHAT WE ARE GOING FORWARD. I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO NOT HAVE THAT.

>> LET'S DO THAT MOTION AT THE END, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE, PLEASE VOTE. THAT PASSES 3-2. I THINK WE ARE GOING TO BREAK FOR LUNCH UNTIL 1:00. THEN WE WILL CONTINUE ON. I'M SORRY TO

>>> WE ARE BACK FROM LUNCH. WE ARE ON NUMBER TWO - - FOUR.

[03:15:09]

>> FOR DISCUSSION ITEM FOUR, THE VEGETATION PRESERVATION WITHIN TWO THAT IS THE GOAL WE ARE LOOKING AT AND THE LANGUAGE CHANGE IS DISCRETE, IT IS THERE ON YOUR SCREENS AS WELL. THE MINIMUM CURRENTLY SET AT 5% CONSERVATION. NATURAL VEGETATION MOVED UP TO 20%. AGAIN, THE GOAL HERE TO PROTECT ADDITIONAL TREES AND DEVELOPMENTS WHERE THERE MAY BE MORE FLEXIBILITY OVER THE SITE AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN THAT IS WHAT OUR PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS OPERATE TO PRESERVE THE UPLAND VEGETATION AND THE INCREASES FROM 20% TO 5%. THAT IS THE ENTIRETY.

>> WHAT DID INSPIRE SAY ABOUT THAT?

>> OUR OPINION WAS THAT IT IS CERTAINLY A MEANS OF PROTECTING ADDITIONAL TREES. AND THAT, IF YOU ARE TO PLACE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS AND PROTECTIONS ON A PIECE OF PROPERTY, ONCE LIKE THE PUD'S WHERE THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO GAIN BACK SOME OF THAT DENSITY THROUGH DIFFERENT DESIGN CONCERNS.

CERTAINLY MAKES SENSE. THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IN ITS CURRENT DRAFT ITERATION ALSO I BELIEVE HAS INCREASED THE MINIMUM POD - - PUD SIZE TO FOUR.

>> ANY COMMENTS? >> THIS IS ONE OF THE MORE TROUBLING GOALS FOR ME. WE HAVE OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS WITHIN THE PUD'S. WE HAVE PAWNED SIDE DRAINAGE REQUIREMENTS THAT TAKES LAND WITHIN PUD'S AND NOW WE WANT TO INCREASE THE BUFFER REQUIREMENTS WITHIN PUD'S. THIS FEELS LIKE A LANDGRA TO ME.

THAT IS MY OPINION AND I AM OPPOSED TO IT.

>> COMMISSIONER MURPHY? >> WHEN I FIRST SAW 20% OF UPLAND, I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THAT. I DO NOT NORMALLY LIKE TO SAY THIS, NO OFFENSE BUT I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. NO OFFENSE SIR. I DO. THIS FEELS LIKE A LANDGRAB TO ME AND THERE ARE THINGS IN HERE THAT I THINK WE HAVE SOME NEGOTIATING ROOM ON THIS ONE AND THE ONES I HAVE A HARD TIME WITH. IF IT WAS, WE ALREADY SAVED WETLANDS AND WE ALREADY HAVE BUFFERS TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL 10, 15% ON TO UPLAND REQUIREMENTS SEEMS A LITTLE

ONEROUS TO ME. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR,

ANYTHING? >> WHEN I THINK ABOUT SOME OF THIS, I DO NOT KNOW AS FAR AS THE BUFFERS, WE HEAR ALL THE TIME WE NEED ADDITIONAL BUFFERS AND MORE TREES. MAYBE WE DO NOT NEED TO GO TO 20 BUT I THINK 5% IS VERY LOW. WHAT ABOUT 10 OR EVEN 15, IF WE CANNOT ALL AGREE ON 20? I THINK 5% IS VERY LOW. I DO NOT THINK THAT IS WHAT OUR RESIDENTS, JUST FEEDBACK, THEY

WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LOT MORE. >> IS THERE ANY NUMBER AT ALL? COMMISSIONER MURPHY YOU AGREE TO?

>> I WOULDN'T MIND MOVING TO 10 BUT, WE HAVE TO HAVE A MINIMUM ACREAGE LIMIT. WE JUST CANNOT DO THAT TO SMALLER PROJECTS. THERE IS NO ROOM LEFT TO BUILD. IF WE COULD MOVE THAT MINIMUM UP TO I DON'T KNOW, TALKING ABOUT 40, 50 ACRES EARLIER? ANYTHING OVER THAT. I COULD PROBABLY LIVE WITHOUT BUT ANYTHING SMALLER THAN THAT, I WOULDN'T SUPPORT.

>> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD? >> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER WHITE HOW - - KEEP IT AT THE 5% AND WITH THE RISING COST OF PROPERTY I CANNOT SUPPORT THIS.

>> IS THERE A MINIMUM ACREAGE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT?

>> SINCE THIS PARTICULAR ONE IS WRITTEN IN RELATION TO THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS AND, THERE IS THAT KIND OF MINIMUM SIZE COMING IN, ASSUMING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN GOES IN AS CURRENTLY WRITTEN, RIGHT NEAR THERE IS AN IMPLICIT 40 ACRE PIECE THERE. YOU COULD MAKE THAT EXPLICIT, YOU CAN MAKE IT DIFFERENT NUMBER EXPLICIT BUT, THAT IS WHERE IT STANDS NOW.

>> WE ARE GOING TO TALK LATER ON TODAY ABOUT A PLAN THAT IS THE PUD, ONE .8 ACRES. - - 118 ACRES. JUST THINK PUD WILL NOT

[03:20:06]

DO IT, WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME PROTECTIONS FOR SMALLER BUSINESS, SMALLER PEOPLE. I ONLY HAVE .8 OF AN ACRE BUT, - - I AM

OKAY WITH THE 40 ACRES. >> 40?

>> AT 10%? >> YEAH. I AM GOOD WITH THAT.

>> WOULD YOU BE OKAY WITH THAT?

>> WHAT WE ARE SAYING, ANYTHING UNDER 40 ACRES WOULD BE 5%?

>> YEAH. >> ANYTHING OVER WE COULD GO TO

40%? YES, 40 OR OVER. >> I THINK THAT IS A GOOD

COMPROMISE FOR ME, ANYWAY. >> WE HAVE A MOTION ON THAT? THEY'RE NOT GOING TO AGREE SO WE HAVE TO HAVE EMOTION.

>> AGAIN, MY CONCERN STEMS FROM THE FACT THAT THERE IS ALREADY OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS THAT TAKES A CERTAIN PORTION OF LAND AWAY. THEN THERE ARE DRAINAGE REQUIREMENTS WHICH REQUIRES POND SITES IN ADDITION TO THE OPEN SPACE. ADDING ANY INCREASE TO THE BUFFER IS A PROBLEM FOR ME. THAT IS MY CONCERN. I CANNOT

CONCEDE TO. >> DO NOT FORGET, WHAT THIS DOES, IF WE MAKE A MOTION FOR THAT GOES TO REDLINE. WE CAN STILL ADJUST IT. THEN IT GOES TO DOING A COST - -

>> A BUSINESS IMPACT ESTIMATE, ONCE YOU HAVE YOUR FINAL REDLINE BEFORE YOU COME FROM THE CURING BY STATUTE WOULD REQUIRE TO POSE WHAT IS CALLED A BUSINESS IMPACT ESTIMATE THAT STATES HOW THE CHANGES AFFECT PRIVATE, NONPROFIT BUSINESSES.

>> WE DO HAVE MANY MORE STEPS IF YOU WANT TO JUST MOVE THIS FORWARD IN THAT CAPACITY. COMMISSIONER MURPHY, IF YOU ARE NOT ON BOARD WE DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE EMOTION.

>> I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MOVING IT FORWARD WITH THE 40 ACRE MINIMUM. I REALLY WANT TO SEE WHAT THE BUSINESS COST ANALYSIS WOULD BE. WE ARE MAKING THIS ONEROUS ON OUR BUSINESSES,

I THINK IT IS A BAD IDEA. >> IF WE HAVE A REDLINE, THAT IS

WHEN WE DO THAT. >> I AM TEETERING ON THE BRINK.

>> OKAY. >> YEAH.

>> DO WE HAVE EMOTION, COMMISSIONER TAYLOR?

>> DO YOU WANT ME TO MAKE THE MOTION?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. AGAIN, I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS MOVING FORWARD BUT COMMISSIONER MURPHY, TO YOUR POINT, NOT JUST THE BUSINESS IMPACT BUT, WE SHOULD, WHATEVER DOES GO THROUGH MAKING SURE WE ARE DOING RESIDENTIAL IMPACT ESTIMATE. ULTIMATELY, THESE COSTS WILL JUST GET PUT ON THE PEOPLE. I REALLY WANT TO SEE WHAT THE FINANCIAL BURDEN IS THAT WE ARE PUTTING ON OUR RESIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THE POLICIES. JUST A SUGGESTION.

>> THAT IS A GOOD POINT TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HERE WE ARE, EVENTUALLY RAISING THE COST OF HOUSING.

>> MAYBE THAT IS PART OF THE AGREEMENTS WHEN WE DO, REMEMBER WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BONUSES THAT CAN BE PART OF THAT.

>> EXCLUSIONS? >> I THINK IT IS ALREADY IN THE

PLAN THAT - - >> OKAY.

>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE EMOTION, 40 ACRES OR

MORE, TO INCREASE THAT TO 10%. >> SECOND. LET ME CLARIFY THE MOTION. AS I UNDERSTAND YOUR MOTION - - MOTION IS FOR PUD'S OF 40 ACRES LATER THE BUFFER REQUIREMENT WOULD BE 10%.

ANYTHING UNDER 20 AT 5%? >> YES.

>> SECOND. WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> DO WE NEED TO HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT? ON EVERY SINGLE?

>> WE HAVE EMOTION. >> WE WILL NOW HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE MOTION PRESENTED.

>> THANK YOU. NICOLE CROSBY, I AM GLAD WE ARE MAKING SOME INCREMENTAL MOVEMENT IN THIS DIRECTION. I AM A LITTLE CONFUSED THIS WAS INCREASING THROUGHOUT OTHERWISE THE TREES

COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE - - >> BUFFERS I THOUGHT WAS A SEPARATE ISSUE WE WOULD BE MOVING ON TO MY UNDERSTANDING, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 10% OF THE TREES DEVELOPMENT WHITE, NOT

JUST IN THE BUFFERS. >> 10% OF THE TREES.

>> I DIDN'T EVEN SAY THAT. IT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, NOT STRICTLY THE BUFFERS BUT THE ENTIRE PROPERTY.

>> BUFFERS CAN BE INCLUDED IN THAT 10%.

[03:25:01]

>> AS LONG AS THEY ARE UPLAND. >> THE QUESTION WAS JUST RAISED ABOUT NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON THE RESIDENCE. LET'S NOT FORGET ABOUT POSITIVE IMPACTS, THERE ARE STUDIES THAT SHOW TREES INCREASE PROPERTY VALUES TREMENDOUSLY. THEY CREATE SHADE AND CAN LOWER HVAC BILLS BY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. THEY REDUCE NOISE, THEY CREATE PRIVACY THEIR LEAVES CLEAN THE AIR, QUALITY OF LIFE BENEFITS. SOME OF THESE CAN BE QUANTIFIED AND SOME CANNOT. LET'S NOT FORGET THAT WHEN WE ARE ASSESSING COST TO BUSINESS. LET'S ALSO ASSESS FINANCIAL BENEFITS TO THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE IN THE HOMES. I'M GOING TO KIND OF JUMP AROUND FOR A SECOND AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY LAST MINUTE. I WAS SURPRISED WHEN I SAW ALL THE FINES HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND I TAKE BLAME FOR THAT. I DO NOT READ IT CAREFULLY ENOUGH THE LAST TIME. I REMEMBER IN 2023, A DEVELOPER SAYING I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH KEEPING FINES UP WITH INFLATION. FINES FOR ILLEGAL TREE REMOVAL. SO THEY NEVER ILLEGALLY REMOVED TREES, IT IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR ME. CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT I AM NOT SEEING INCREASING FINES. WONDERING IF THAT GOT LEFT OUT

BY ACCIDENT OR WHAT. >> IT IS NOT REALLY - -

>> THAT IS DIFFERENT. >> THERE WERE TWO ITEMS REMOVED.

THERE WERE SIX. PROTECTED THREE REMOVALS.

>> IT IS ON MY PHONE NOW, SORRY. IT WAS IN THE VERY FIRST FRAME WERE SOME THINGS WERE GRAYED OUT AND TWO THINGS THAT WERE GRAYED

OUT YOUR FINES. >> I AGREE WITH MS. CROSBY.

TREES INCREASE THE VALUE OF THE HOUSE. WHY WOULDN'T A DEVELOPER WANT TO HAVE MORE TREES? THAT IS WHAT PEOPLE WANT. THE PURPOSE OF THE MARKET SYSTEM IS TO GIVE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT. THE DEVELOPERS SAY NO, WE WANT TO MAKE EVERY LAST DIME WE CAN MAKE UNTIL WE DIE. MY GRANDMOTHER, A POLISH-AMERICAN, SHE LIVED IN A POLISH-AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOOD CALLED PORT RICHMOND IN PHILADELPHIA. OF COURSE WE HAD 10 ACRES, NOTHING BUT TREES. AT NIGHT, UNLESS IT WAS WINTER TIME AND THE TREE LEAVES FELL OFF, YOU LOOK OUT FROM OUR KITCHEN WINDOW YOU COULDN'T SEE - - I WAS VISITING WHEN I WAS SIX, I SAID HOW COME YOU DON'T HAVE ANY TREES AT YOUR HOUSE? IT WAS A MISERABLE EXISTENCE. THE BACKYARD WAS ALL CONCRETE, NOT A SINGLE TREE BUT, MY POOR, LOVELY POLISH-AMERICAN GRANDMOTHER SAID TREES MAKE DIRT. SHE LIVED IN A ROW HOUSE IN PHILADELPHIA. 3136 BELGRADE STREET. IT WAS A MISERABLE EXISTENCE. THESE DEVELOPERS WANT TO SUBJECT PEOPLE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY TO A MISERABLE EXISTENCE WITHOUT TREES BECAUSE THERE IS MORE MONEY IN IT.

>> MICHELLE, THE CLOCK. >> THOUGHT IT WAS EXEMPT FROM

THE CLOCK. >> NO, AS A MATTER FACT, I NEED TO CUT SOME OF THAT OFF. THAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE TREE KILLING. WE ARE CUTTING OFF OUR NOSE TO SPITE OUR FACE. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? WHY WOULD WE PUT UP WITH THAT? D4 STATION IS A NATIONAL AND WORLDWIDE CRISIS. THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD HAVE SAID, WE NEED TO STOP DEFORESTATION. THIS LEGISLATION IS IN TOTAL HARMONY WITH THAT GOAL. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THE DISCLOSURE OF WHOM MET WITH TWO. WHICH LOBBYISTS MET WITH COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST AND COMMISSIONER ARNOLD IN PARTICULAR. WHAT DISCUSSIONS WERE HAD WITH TRAVIS JAMES HUTTON AND THE HUDSON COMPANY'S? CAN WE PLEASE HAVE SOME EX PARTE DISCLOSURES ON THIS MATTER? CAN WE PLEASE KNOW WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO? WHEN THERE ARE CONSCIOUS PARALLELS GOING ON, WHEN THE SAME TRITE PHRASES ARE USED BY A COUPLE OF THE COMMISSIONERS, IT IS LIKE BILL CLINTON SAID, IF YOU'RE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND YOU SEE A TURTLE ON A FENCE POST, YOU KNOW SOMEBODY PUT HER THERE. I MEAN COME ON, LET'S BE SERIOUS. TELL

[03:30:03]

US. WHAT DID TRAVIS JAMES HUDSON AND HIS FATHER SAY TO THE COMMISSIONERS? WE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW. RIGHT? LOBBYISTS, CAN WE REQUIRE THAT LOBBYISTS IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY REGISTER? WE HAD A FOREMAN OR TWO FORMER COMMISSIONER WHO PASSED AWAY RECENTLY WHO SAID IN A FEEDING THE LOBBYING REGISTRATION BILL THE JIMMIE JOHNSON HAVE PROPOSED, IT WOULD BE BURDENSOME. YOU KNOW WHAT THE BURDEN WOULD BE? $25 PER YEAR.

THAT DOG WON'T HUNT. LET'S ASK IF THERE ARE LOBBYISTS IN THE ROOM? TO THE CHAIR? COULD YOU PLEASE TELL US WHO YOU ARE? THANK YOU. I AM SORRY I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. JUST ONE STATEMENT, I KNOW WE DO NOT HAVE TO DO THIS BUT I WANT TO TELL ED, I'VE NOT TALKED TO ANY LOBBYISTS OR ANY DEVELOPERS

ABOUT THIS TREE THING. >> YES-MAN? - - YES MA'AM?

>> SUZANNE - - I JUST HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. THIS SAYS PRESERVE NATURAL VISITATION, IT IS FOR THE PUD'S ONLY.

APPARENTLY NOT FOR ANY OTHER ZONING CLASSIFICATION SINCE PUD IS A ZONING CLASSIFICATION. AND 210 OR 20 UPLAND NATURAL VEGETATION, NOT INCLUDING UPLAND - - OR WHATEVER IS IN CH IS. WE HAVE THE BORDERS, THE BUFFERS AND EVERYTHING THAT IS INSIDE.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TREES AND NON-TREAT AREAS, APPARENTLY.

BECAUSE THERE IS NATURAL VISITATION THAT ARE NOT TREES.

INSIDE THESE BORDERS WE HAVE TO HAVE OPEN SPACE. WE HAVE TO HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PONDS. WE HAVE WHAT LENS WE HAD TO WORK AROUND.

I NOTICED THAT IN THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION, THERE WERE, THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE ABOUT THIS PLAN BY THE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION, I BELIEVE. I THOUGHT SEVERAL OF THEIR COMMENTS WERE SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. ONE OF THEIR COMMENTS WAS - - WILL UNINTENTIONALLY DRIVE BEHAVIOR TO FILL IN WETLANDS IN ORDER TO LEAVE THE UPLAND. WHAT I HAVE DISCOVERED HERE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS IS, WHEN YOU MAKE RULES AND REGULATIONS, THERE ARE WAYS TO CIRCUMVENT THEM THAT PEOPLE EVENTUALLY FIND IN ORDER TO GET WHAT THEY WANT. MORLAND, MORE MONEY. TO ME, I WOULD RATHER PRESERVE THE WETLANDS THEN THE TREES. THAT IS JUST ME. I WANTED TO BRING THAT UP. SINCE I HAVE A LITTLE TIME LEFT, BUT THAT WAS MY FAULT, YOU REALLY DON'T. I DON'T?

>> NO, GO AHEAD, GO AHEAD. >> YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR CLOCK

RUNNING SKILLS GOING, CLAY. >> I NEED COFFEE.

>> ANYTHING THAT WILL INCREASE COSTS LIKE SOME OF THESE THINGS WILL IS JUST GOING TO BE BORN IN THE PERSON BUYING THE HOUSE. WE JUST GOT OUR PRELIMINARY REPORT BACK THAT I GUESS HE WILL BE COMING - - YOU WILL BE GETTING FROM THE CHAMBER, ONCE AGAIN I THOUGHT THE COST OF HOUSING WAS GOING DOWN. THE ACTUAL, THAT THEY TRACK ON IPOD SUCH AND SUCH A HOUSE FOR SO MUCH MONEY HAS GONE UP LAST YEAR. MAYBE THIS YEAR IT IS GOING DOWN. TO ME, THIS WILL FORCE BUILDERS TO BUILD UP INSTEAD OF OUT. BUT IT DOES INCREASE THE COST OF THE HOUSE BECAUSE THEN IT HAS TO BE INTRODUCED AND ENGINEERED DIFFERENTLY FOR THE SECOND FLOOR. PLEASE DO NOT DO TOO MUCH THAT WILL DRIVE COSTS UP, PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD TO LIVE HERE AND BUILD HERE AS IT IS, THANK YOU.

>> ANYTHING ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING THEM, WE WERE

[03:35:05]

CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. A QUICK POINT OF DISCUSSION.

>> CAN I SAY SOMETHING? >> PLEASE.

>> I DO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SAYING BUT THIS IS NOT BEEN CHANGED FOR YEARS. SO MANY OTHER COUNTIES THAT HAVE MORE STRICT ORDINANCES. THE NUMBER ONE THING PEOPLE MET WITH, I AM HERE BECAUSE OF THIS, I'M GOING TO TRY AS HARD AS I CAN FOR THE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT WANT THIS. THERE IS WAYS TO CUT COSTS BY ADVERTISING AND IN OTHER WAYS. TREES ADVERTISE THEMSELVES. WE ARE NOT DOING MASSIVE THINGS. WE ARE SLOWLY FINDING A MIDDLE GROUND AND IT HAS TO BE DONE. IT HAS BEEN FOREVER, EVEN COMMISSIONER DEAN WAS READY TO DO THIS. I GET IT, LET'S KEEP MOVING THIS FORWARD. THERE ARE STILL OTHER DUTIES.

>> THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO SAY SOMETHING, I AGREE WITH NICOLE CROSBY. THESE POLICIES INCREASE THE PRICE OF THE HOUSE.

INCREASES THE VALUE. COMMON SENSE. THIS WOULD BE LIKE US MANDATING EVERY CAR SHOULD HAVE HEEDED LEATHER SEATS BECAUSE IT IS MORE COMFORTABLE AND WILL KEEP YOUR REAR END WARM IN THE WINTER TIME BUT IT INCREASES THE VALUE OF THE CAR. WE CANNOT PASS GOVERNMENT POLICIES WITHOUT THERE BEING CONSEQUENT. THAT IS ONE OF THE MISCONCEPTIONS, WHEN GOVERNMENT COMES IN TO FIX IT, THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO THE CONSUMER. THINGS GO UP ALL THE TIME, THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS OUTSIDE THE SPHERE OF OUR INFLUENCES THAT CAUSED PRICE INCREASES. ALL TOO OFTEN, GOVERNMENT IS THE CAUSE OF PRICES GOING UP. THAT IS A NEGATIVE IMPACT SO, MS. CROSBY IS RIGHT, THIS POLICY WILL INCREASE THE VALUE OF A HOME. UNFORTUNATELY FOR YOUNG WORKING COUPLE OR OUR SHERIFF'S TEACHERS THAT IS A NEGATIVE

THING AND NOT A POSITIVE THING. >> IF IT INCREASES THE VALUE I GET TO SELL MY HOME FOR A HIGHER VALUE.

>> YOU HAVE TO GET INTO THE HOME TO THEN SELL IT. THAT IS THE POINT OF HAVING FREE WILL IN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE ECONOMY RIGHT NOW IS ADJUSTING SO IF YOU ARE MAKING THE SAME INCOME YOU WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO GET INTO A RENTAL BECAUSE IT IS AROUND $1200 AND SOME OF THE PRICES IN THE HOMES HAS GONE FROM 500,000 TO 300,000 IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

THERE IS A SUPPLY THAT IS INCREDIBLE. THEN YOU CAN HAVE YOUR TREES. WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE, COMMISSIONER TAYLOR

YOU HAVE ANY MORE TO SAY? >> I WANTED CLARIFICATION WE ARE

BRINGING BACK THAT FINE THING. >> WE HAVE THIS MOTION ON THE TABLE BUT YOU CAN BRING THAT AT ANY TIME YOU WANT. LET'S VOTE WITH HER WE ARE JUST PUSHING THIS FORWARD FOR TWO MORE BITES

AT THE APPLE. >> PASSES 3-2. LET'S MOVE TO GOAL SIX. WHEN WE GET TO THE END OF OUR GOALS IF YOU CAN BRING BACK ALSO WE WILL VOTE ON A REDLINE COMING.

>> IN THE ORIGINAL LIST OF 14 GOALS, THERE WERE THREE RELATED TO THE TREE BANK FUND. WE HAVE TAKEN THE LIBERTY OF REORDERING THEM SO YOU CAN GET THOSE IN A ROW.

>> THE INITIAL WAS THE INCREASE IN COSTS FOR LOST THREE INCHES.

GOING UP FROM $25 TO $25. NOT THE ONLY ORIGINAL - - THAT IS WHAT NUMBER SIX LOOKS AT, INCREASING THE PER INCH VALUE FOR MISSING INCHES ON THE TREE BANK FUND. THE PURPOSE IS THIS INCENTIVIZING THE REMOVAL. THE MECHANISM IS THE COST PER PROTECTED THREE INCH THAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING. THE GOAL INCLUDES WITH IT RECOMMENDING SCALING UP TO 100 PER THREE INCH. OUR STAFF HAS HELPED US LOOK AT THE CURRENT COST FOR NURSERIES AND THAT IS AN IMPROVEMENT BUT NOT NECESSARILY GETTING YOU TO THE VALUE OF REPLACEMENT TREES. THEN, THE EXCEPTIONS ARE THE STANDARD THAT WE SPOKE ABOUT BEFORE. I WILL TAKE DIRECTION AS TO WHETHER TO MOVE ONTO THE NEXT PIECE.

>> THE THING ABOUT TREE BANK FUND THE ONE THING I THOUGHT WE

[03:40:06]

HAD CONSENSUS FOR. I KNOW COMMISSIONER DEAN WAS ON BOARD BUT BRINGING UP TO MARKET VALUE, COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

>> WHAT IS THE CURRENT BALANCE OF OUR TREE BANK FUND?

>> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO DIVERT TO STAFF.

>> OKAY. >> IF I MAY, MIKE ROBERTSON. WE MENTIONED MARKET VALUE. THIS WAS, AGAIN SOME DIRECTION TO LOOK AT 100. IF MARKET VALUE IS ON THE TABLE AND PART OF THE QUESTION, KAREN DID WORK WITH LOCAL, I THINK THREE DIFFERENT MACHINES. IF YOU DID THE MATH PER INCH IT WAS USUALLY NOT A ONE-INCH TREE BUT, FOR LIVE OAK WHICH WAS THE MOST COMMONLY REPLACED TREE THEY CAME OUT TO ABOUT $200.

>> I THOUGHT HE ASKED WHAT THE TREE BANK FUND WAS.

>> JESSE IS LOOKING THAT UP. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. THE CURRENT RESERVE IN THE TREE BANK FUND WHICH IS BASICALLY YOUR BALANCE

IS A LITTLE OVER $1.1 MILLION. >> HOW MUCH DID WE DRAW DOWN ON

THAT LAST YEAR? >> FOR LAST YEAR, IN 2024, WE SPENT ABOUT $233,000. THIS YEAR, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF ITEMS IN

THERE, ABOUT $400,000. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER MURPHY? COMMISSIONER TAYLOR?

>> IT SEEMS TO BE LIKE THIS IS AN EASY ONE. I WOULD ASK FOR

CONSENSUS ON THIS. >> I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER WHERE WE GOT THE 100 FROM. MIKE JUST SHARED, IF IT IS $200 AN INCH AND WE ARE GOING 100, WE ARE A LOT LESS. THAT IS REALLY LOW.

>> THE 100 WAS INCORPORATED INTO THE ORIGINAL GOAL. I COULDN'T SPEAK TO WHETHER IT WAS COMPROMISED OR OTHERWISE.

>> OKAY. IT SEEMS VERY LOW. HE IS SAYING THE REPLACEMENT VALUE IS 200 SO 100, 25 WAS INSANELY LOW, 100 NOT REALLY REASONABLE EITHER. I UNDERSTAND THAT 25 WAS VERY LOW. I'M OKAY WITH 100 BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE, REALISTICALLY, I'M NOT SAYING WE HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY TO 200 BUT THIS IS STEEP. IT DOESN'T

SEE - - >> COMMISSIONERS, CAN YOU KEEP

YOUR MICROPHONES ON? >> IT HAS BEEN 25.

>> I HAVE TO BE HONEST I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT ABOVE 100. TO ME,

100 IS VERY LOW. >> I AM COMFORTABLE WITH 100.

THE NUMBER THAT, I HAVE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY CONTACT ME ABOUT THIS AND THEY ALL SAID THEY COULD LIVE WITH THIS. I'M ALL FOR COMPROMISE WHEN WE CAN.

>> I AM DEFINITELY ON BOARD WITH GOING OVER 100. I AM STRUGGLING TO GET TO 100. WE ARE INCREASING THE FUND FEE FOUR TIMES. PEOPLE SEE ANY GOVERNMENT FEE AS A TAX. THIS IS SOMETHING WILL HAVE TO ANSWER FOR AND THINK ABOUT. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? - -

[03:52:55]

BIG COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS. I MEAN, WOULDN'T IT BE NICE TO

[03:52:58]

SEE ONE GREAT TREE PRESERVED, OR MAYBE, HERE'S ANOTHER IDEA.

WHAT ABOUT DOING SOMETHING TO INCENTIVIZE BUSINESSES? HAS MOV COMMERCIAL EXEMPTION -- GETTING RID OF THAT AND SAYING, HOW CAN WE INCENTIVIZE BUSINESSES TO LEAVE A COUPLE OF TREES UP.

LET'S BE CREATIVE. IF THERE IS SOME WAY WE CAN END UP WITH A POINT WHERE WE HAVE MORE THAN ZERO TREES AND PERHAPS THEY ARE INCENTIVIZED IN SOME WAY. THAT'S ALL I'M SUGGESTING.

>> WHITEHURST'S REMARK. I DID NOT HEAR A GOOD REASON. UNDER THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE -- WE HAVE THREE LAWYERS SITTING RIGHT HERE. THEY HAVEN'T SAID A WORD TO JUSTIFY OR EXPLAIN WHY MR. WHITEHURST WOULD WANT TO DO THAT. WHY ARE WE PAYING THREE LAWYERS TO SIT HERE IF THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO A THING OTHER THAN LOOK PRETTY? I MEAN, REALLY. WE ARE NOT GETTING GOOD LEGAL ADVICE FROM OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. I DISAGREE

WITH THE MOTION. >> TWO THINGS. I'LL STOP THE TIME FOR YOU, IF YOU DON'T MIND. TWO THINGS. LET'S KEEP THIS TO GOAL NUMBER 11. SECOND, HE DID GIVE A REASON WHY.

>> I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND. >> WHAT COMMERCIAL -- WE NEED T COMMERCIAL TO COME HERE AND HE DIDN'T WANT TO PUT A

RESTRICTION ON THAT. GO. >> I HAVE YET TO HEAR AN ECONOMIC STUDY OR ECONOMIC -- FOR THIS.

>> IF I MAY GIVE YOU ONE. WHAT IS OUR PERCENTAGE OF BELOW TAX REVENUE FOR RESIDENTIAL VERSUS COMMERCIAL? DO WE KNOW?

>> IT IS PROBABLY -- IT IS IN THE BALLPARK OF 80 TO 20 -- 80%

[03:55:04]

RESIDENTIAL. >> WHAT IS A GOOD BALANCE?

>> I MEAN, THAT WOULD BE PER COMMUNITY.

>> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT?

>> THE SOLAR SYSTEM YOU GOT HERE. OH, YES. THANK YOU, NOW. IT'S STILL UP THERE. SO, THE CITIZENS THAT ARE ABLE TO LISTEN TO THIS MEETING AND THE ADD-ONS WE ARE HAVING, YOU CAN JUST ABOUT FIGURE OUT HOW THE VOTE IS GOING TO GO AND REMEMBER THIS WHENEVER 2016 -- 2026 COMES AROUND -- BECAUSE WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE UP HERE THAT ARE FOR THE RESIDENTS. I'M NOT GOING TO NAME NAMES, BUT YOU CAN PROBABLY READ MY MIND. YOU CAN'T COME HERE AND DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. I CAN'T LIVE WHEREVER I WANT TO LIVE.

YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE DECISIONS IN LIFE. SO, LET'S GO AHEAD AND VOTE THREE MINUTES TO AND KEEP VOTING TO MINISTRY. I'D LIKE TO HEAR CONSENSUS BEFORE THE AFTERNOON IS OVER. I HAVEN'T BEEN HERE IN THE AFTERNOON IN A LONG TIME. AND WHAT TIME ARE WE GOING TO GET OVER WITH? BEFORE 6:00, MAYBE? BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO CALL YOU AT, MR. CRAVEN. I KNOW THE SECONDS ARE VERY

IMPORTANT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. IS A MOUSE FOR PUBLIC COMES SQUEEZING THEM, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE. LET'S VOTE.

>> THAT PASSES, 3-2. GOODBYE, GOAL NUMBER 11. GOAL 12.

>> THANK YOU. MOVING ONTO GOAL 12, HOW THE TREE BANK FUND IS DISPERSED, AND THE INSTRUCTION THAT WE GOT ON THIS WAS -- GOT KIND OF -- DIALING BACK ON WHAT THE TREE BANK FUND CAN BE SPENT ON. AT THE MOMENT, THE WAY IT CURRENTLY FUNCTIONS -- WE ARE NOT PROPOSING ANY CHANGE TO THIS. ALL TREE BANK FUND EXPENSES ARE CURRENTLY APPROVED BY THIS BODY BEFORE THEY ARE USED. THAT SAID, THERE WAS A DESIRE TO KIND OF WALK IN THE EXPENSE TYPE AS GENERALLY TREES, LANDSCAPING EQUIPMENT, ASSOCIATED INSULATION AND IRRIGATION AND THINGS THAT ARE INCIDENTAL TO INSTALLING THE LANDSCAPE. WHAT WE HEARD IN PART AT THE LAST MEETING WAS THERE SEEMED TO BE A DESIRE TO HELP ESTABLISH TREES BUT NOT NECESSARILY IT BEING THERE FOR THE ONGOING MAINTENANCE, BECAUSE THAT WAS A SEPARATE ISSUE. THE OTHER PIECE THAT WE HEARD ABOUT WAS GENERALLY, PRESERVING THIS FOR COUNTY PROJECTS AND THERE MAY NOT BE A DESIRE TO CONTINUE EXTENDING IT TO PROJECTS FOR HOUSING THAT WAS QUALIFYING UNDER STATE OR FEDERAL AFFORDABLE WORK HOUSING PROGRAMS. SO THE CHANGE THAT WE'VE TEED UP THERE IS IF YOU WANT TO SPEND IT ON THOSE PARTICULAR HOUSING TYPES, AND THE CLARIFICATION THAT ONGOING MAINTENANCE IS NOT PART OF THE

EXPENSES. >> ANY COMMENTS ON THAT?

>> CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS PAGE? IT WAS SO QUICK.

>> I THINK WHEN I LOOKED INTO THIS FIRST, THAT WE WERE SPENDING MONEY ON THINGS THAT REALLY DIDN'T HAVE TO DO WITH REPLACING TREES, AND THE MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO BE GOING TO REPLACING THE TREES THAT WERE CUT DOWN, AND SO THAT'S WHY I FELT IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT TO DO THAT THEN USE PLAYGROUND A COMMENT OR WHATEVER ELSE WE WERE SPENDING IT ON AT THE TIME.

COMMISSIONER MURPHY. EXPECTED I READ IN THERE THAT THE FUNDS AND HOW THEY ARE SPENT IS SUPPOSED TO GO THROUGH THE BOARD? FOR

APPROVAL. IS THAT RIGHT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. IT GOES THROUGH THE CHAIR AND COMMISSIONER MURPHY. ALL THE EXPENSES FROM THE TREE FUND ARE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. IT IS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF TREES.

>> I JUST DON'T REMEMBER DOING THAT.

>> JESSE WAS LOOKING AT, I THINK, THE ONES THAT SPENT THE 400,000 WAS A PROJECT APPROVED LAST YEAR. ALPINE ROADS, MAYBE.

>> THROUGH THE CHAIR, THE QUESTION IS, HOW ARE WE -- THE

[04:00:06]

BOARD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR -- AND THIS IS PART OF YOUR ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS. WE STARTED DISCUSSION FOR '26, BUT THE ADOPTED BUDGET INCLUDED ITEMS FOR THE TREE BANK. CERTAINLY IN THE PAST AND THIS YEAR. IF THERE WERE ANY ITEMS THAT WOULD COME UP THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, THEY COULD EITHER BE A REGULAR OR CONSENT AGENDA ITEM. BUT THEY ARE APPROPRIATED DURING

YOUR BUDGET PROCESS. >> DOES IT ACTUALLY SAVE MONEY FROM THE TREE BANK FUND FOR THAT LINE ON THE BUDGET? BECAUSE I

HAVEN'T SEEN THAT BEFORE. >> THERE IS A SEPARATE TREE BANK FUND WITH THE ASSOCIATED REVENUE, AND THE ASSOCIATED EXPENSE, AND YES, THOSE ARE APPROPRIATED SPECIFICALLY.

>> SO WE ARE GOING TO SEE THAT SIN?

>> THAT WILL BE PART OF -- THAT WAS -- ULTIMATELY, THAT WAS IN THE REQUESTED BUDGET, AND WILL BE INCLUDED IN A RECOMMENDED

BUDGET IN JULY. >> IS EVERYONE GOOD WITH THAT? OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO WE DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.

>> WE GOT A CONSENSUS. OKAY. >> MOVING BACK INTO NUMERICAL ORDER, DISCUSSION ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. REMOVING THE CLEARING AND GRADING CONSTRUCTION PLAN AS A POTENTIAL APPLICATION TYPE. THE PURPOSE OF THIS BEING TO MAINTAIN TREES LONGER WHEN THERE ARE NOT YET PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT, SO THE MECHANISM HERE IS CHANGING WHAT THE ACTUAL APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE ARE FOR CLEARING AND GRADING CONSTRUCTION PLAN DOES NOT INSTEAD, APPLICANTS WOULD BE DIRECTED TO USE THE EARLY LAND CLEARING APPLICATION, WHICH DOES ALLOW FOR CLEARING, WHETHER IT COMES WITH VESTED CONSTRUCTION RIGHTS.

PUSHING OFF TO A LATER POINT IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS WHEN YOU ACTUALLY BEGIN TO CLEAR TREES. THAT MAY BE A REASON THAT SOME DON'T NEED TO BE CLEARED ALONG THE WAY. THERE I A HIGHLIGHT ON THE COUNTY POLICY THERE THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY A CHANGE, BUT THAT ANSWERS TO SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT WE HEARD AND COLLECTED, THAT, YOU KNOW, EARLY LAND CLEARING PLANS ARE TIED TO CONSTRUCTION PLANS. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THERE'S A PENALTY IF THE PLANS ARE NOT BUILT. IT JUST IS.

>> OKAY. THIS IS THE ENTIRE REASON I RAN FOR OFFICE, AND MIKE ROBERSON, CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS ONE, HOW YOU HAVE SKIN IN THAT GAME? BECAUSE SO MANY CLEARINGS ARE SITTING THERE IN PONTEVEDRA FOR FOUR YEARS NOW WITH CLEARCUT JUST SITTING THERE. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOU EXPLAIN WHY THIS IS A GOOD

THING. >> RIGHT. AND COMMISSIONER, WE HAD CONVERSATIONS EARLY ON WHEN YOU HAD THE 14 -- AND WE TALKED ABOUT -- WE HAVE THESE TWO APPLICATIONS THAT ALLOW FOR EARLY CLEARING BEFORE YOU GET YOUR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PLANS APPROVED. THE EARLY LAND CLEARING AND THE PROFESSIONAL GRADING AND CLEARING PLAN. THE EARLY LAND CLEARING REQUIRES YOU TO SUBMIT ENGINEERING PLANS. OF COURSE, ENGINEERING PLANS ARE COSTLY. SO, THERE WAS -- CREATED AROUND 2011 OR '10, THE CG -- APPLICATION THAT ALLOWED THEM TO CLEAR BUT NOT HAVE PLANTS. TAKEN INCORPORATE AND -- A SITE PLAN THAT SHOWS THERE IS SOME INTENT TO DEVELOP OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT. I THINK THE IDEA, COMMISSIONER, WAS, IF YOU HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME -- IF YOU HAVE INVESTED MONEY AND RESOURCES SUCH AS CIVIL PLANS, WHICH CAN BE UPWARDS OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THE PENDING ON THE SITE, THEN, IN TURN, MAYBE THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO BUILD QUICKER BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN APPLICANT OR A BUYER OR A BUSINESS OWNER THAT HAS A SPECIFIC PLAN, SO I THINK THAT WAS THE IDEA BEHIND THE CONVERSATION. I WILL SAY, THERE IS NO GUARANTEES AT THIS POINT FOR REGULATIONS. WHATEVER YOU DO, IT MAY SIT THERE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT

VOLUME ] >> I UNDERSTAND. IT IS LIKE AN E-BIKE ORDINANCE. IT'S THERE AND IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO KEEP -- WE CAN'T HUNDRED PERCENT KEEP IT FROM HAPPENING BUT MAYBE SOMEONE WOULD THINK ABOUT IT TWICE TO SAVE MONEY IF THEY DON'T REALLY HAVE A PLAN. COMMISSIONER MURPHY.

>> YEAH. I JUST HAD A QUESTION, MIKE. AND MAYBE YOU WOULD BE -- I DON'T SEE ANYONE FROM THE BUILDING INDUSTRY HERE. THERE'S TWO CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS GOING ON NEAR MY HOUSE. ONE OF THEM WAS CLEARED TWO YEARS AGO OR A YEAR AGO AND IT HAS BEEN SITTING AND THEY BROUGHT THE FIELD THIRD AND AND THEY LEVELED IT OUT AND IT'S BEEN SITTING FOR A YEAR. SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR. THE OTHER ONE, THEY CLEARED, AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED THE IMPACTING TRUCKS. THEY COME AND THEY IMPACT. THEY BRING DIRT INTO BE IMPACTED. IS THERE AN ADVANTAGE TO ALLOW SIX MONTHS

[04:05:02]

WORTH OF RAIN TO COMPACT THE DIRT? WILL THAT AFFECT -- WOULD CHANGING THIS AFFECT THE COST OR THE ABILITY FOR A BUILDER TO COME IN AND ALLOW THE DIRT TO BE COMPACTED NATURALLY WITHOUT HAVING TO VIBRATE THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH A VIBRATING MACHINE? BECAUSE I GET A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FROM -- I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. I'M GOING TO SAY IN THE SOUTH OR IN THE SHORE, THERE IS CONSTRUCTION GOING ON THERE WHERE THEY ARE NOT WAITING FOR THE DIRT TO COMPACT NATURALLY.

THEY ARE COMING IN AND DOING IT ARTIFICIALLY AND THEY GET A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT PEOPLE -- FROM PEOPLE ABOUT DAMAGE TO THEIR HOUSES. WITH THIS AFFECTED IN ANY WAY?

>> I'M NOT SURE IF IT WILL. I'M GOING TO LOOK BACK TO -- LET'S SEE. THEN HOUSTON. -- BEN POWELSON.

>> COME UP TO THE MEGAPHONE. >> WITH THIS AFFECT SOMEONE DOING IT WITHOUT DAMAGING THEIR ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> SO, I CAN'T SPEAK TO YOUR SPECIFICS OF THOSE TWO PROJECTS.

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE YOU LIVE OR THE SPECIFICS OF THOSE BUT IN A GENERAL SENSE, ONE THEN MAYBE USING A METHOD OF ALLOWING THE DIRT TO COMPACT IF YOU WILL, NATURALLY, BUT USUALLY, WHEN THEY DO THAT, IT IS DESIGNED TO DO THAT, SO THEY WILL HAVE WELL

POINTS PUT IN. >> THEY DO.

>> THE WATER COMES OUT. IT HELPS IT COMPACT. WATER SEEMS TO BE THE ENEMY OF EVERYTHING CONSTRUCTION. THAT IS ONE WAY TO DO IT. THE CGCP HAS PROBABLY BEEN USED TO DO THAT IN THE PAST. THAT IS NOT ALWAYS A GUARANTEE. SOME PEOPLE INTEND TO MAKE A SITE MORE SELLABLE. THEY WILL CLEARED. THEY WILL FILL IT.

SOMETIMES, IT DOESN'T NEED THE BIG COMPACTION. THEY WILL LEAVE IT GRADED, STABILIZE IT, AND SELL IT. SO, YOU CAN LOOK AT IT A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT WAYS. THE MOST DEVELOPMENT WE SEE IS WITH THE LABORATORY COMPACTION. THEY WILL BRING THE ROLLER IN. THAT IS THE QUICKEST WAY TO DO IT. IT IS -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO DO IT BUT FROM A TIME PERSPECTIVE -- BUT THE NEIGHBORS ARE NOT HAPPY WITH IT THAT WAY.

>> THEY ARE NOT, AND A LOT OF CONTRACTORS. THERE'S MONITORS THEY CAN PUT IN. -- MONITORS AND ALL THAT STUFF. SOMETIMES THEY GET A LITTLE BEHIND. THEY DON'T MEASURE THE VIBRATION OF THE LIGHTS AND ALL THAT STUFF. FROM A CONSTRUCTION STANDPOINT, WE TRIED THAT MONITOR. IF WE ARE GETTING A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS, ESPECIALLY RELATED TO WHEN THEY'RE PUTTING DOWN LAND ROCK FOR THE ROAD BED. THAT STUFF, THE VIBRATION TRAVELS RIGHT THROUGH THAT STUFF. OR IF YOU LIVE IN AN AREA WITH SANDY SOILS, VIBRATIONAL TRAVEL THROUGH THE SAND MUCH BETTER THAN IT WILL THROUGH A SILTY AREA OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I KNOW I'M GOING OUT THE CHECKS A LITTLE BIT.

>> I GET A LOT OF COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE SAYING, THEIR HOUSES ARE FULLY IMPORTANT -- FALLING APART.

>> SOME PEOPLE, THEY CAN LOOK AT IT FROM A QUICK WAY VERSUS A CORRECT WAY. THERE IS NO ONE WAY TO DO IT. WE DON'T DICTATE MEANS AND METHODS AT OUR LEVEL, BUT THERE IS DIFFERENCES TO EACH ONE. I WOULD SAY THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHAT WE SEE IS SITE,

AND LABORATORY COMPACT. >> OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> AGAIN, THE POINT OF THIS WOULD BE TO NOT HAVE IT FOR THREE YEARS SITTING THERE FOR FOUR YEARS. COMMISSIONER

WHITEHURST. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS CONVERSATION FOR TWO YEARS. YOU KNOW WHERE I STAND ON THIS. I DON'T THINK IT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S JOB TO DEVISE A LAW OR SOMEBODY CAN'T CLEAR THE TREES OFF OF THEIR PROPERTY WHEN THEY SEE FIT. WE WANT TO STOP THEM USING THE POWER OF GOVERNMENT BECAUSE WE DON'T LIKE THE WAY THEIR PROPERTY LOOKS WHEN WE DRIVE PAST IT.

>> WHAT RIGHT DO WE HAVE, PROVIDED TO US IN THE CONSTITUTION TO DECIDE WHAT THEIR PROPERTY LOOKS LIKE WHEN THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO CLEAR THOSE TREES, WHEN THEY SHOULD CLEAR THEM. SHOULD WE CLEAR THEM NOW, LONG BEFORE THE BUILDING IS ERECTED OR SHOULD WE CLEAR THEM LATER RIGHT BEFORE THE BUILDING IS ERECTED? I DON'T THINK THAT IS MY JOB AS SOMEBODY THAT MAKES POLICY FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, TO USE THE ARM TO DECIDE WHEN THEY CAN AND CANNOT DO THAT. IF THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO

[04:10:02]

CLEAR THE TREES, I DON'T CARE WHEN THEY CLEAR THE TREES. WE KNOW THAT NOTHING WE CREATE A PAIR OF RIGHTS THE RIGHTS SOMEONE HAS UNDER CIVIC CULTURE. WE ARE PREEMPTED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A FINITE AMOUNT OF PARCELS THAT THIS WOULD EVEN APPLY TO. I DON'T WANT TO CREATE ANOTHER RULE THAT WOULD DICTATE WHAT SOMEBODY CAN AND CANNOT DO WITH THEIR PROPERTY BECAUSE WE DON'T LIKE THE WAY IT LOOKS.

>> IT IS NOT THE WAY IT LOOKS. I'LL GIVE YOU EVERY NAME OF THE DOLPHIN COVE PEOPLE THAT WERE HAVING A BARBECUE ON JULY 4TH.

SOMEONE STARTED CLEARING. IT IS NOT -- IT IS STILL SITTING THERE FOUR YEARS LATER. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE AT ALL. IT JUST DOESN'T. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH LOOKS. IT IS GETTING RID OF ALL THE HABITAT OF ALL THE ANIMALS. IT IS CREATING MUD AND FLOODING. I MEAN, THERE IS NO REASON IT SHOULD BE LONGER THAN -- I GET A YEAR OR SO IF YOU ARE PREPPING YOUR GROUND OR IF YOU CAN'T SELL, IT'S GOING TO BE LONGER, BUT AT LEAST THERE IS SOMETHING THERE TO PUT SKIN IN THE GAME OF THE PEOPLE WHO OWN

THESE PROPERTIES. >> COMMISSIONER, DON'T THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO SELL THOSE TREES, THOSE -- THOUGH?

>> I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT SELLING THE TREES. NO TREES WERE SOLD OFF THE PROPERTY OF PONTEVEDRA. THEY WERE JUST MOWED

DOWN. >> FIRST OF ALL, I DON'T KNOW

THAT'S TRUE. >> IT SITTING THERE STILL.

>> THAT TREE CAN -- FOR PEOPLE.

SPEAKERS ] >> YES. THEY'RE GOING TO BE GROWING TREES AND THEN THEY'RE GOING TO SELL IT 10 YEARS FROM NOW. I GET IT. THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. I'M TALKING ABOUT THE PIECES OF LAND LIKE ON RACETRACK ROAD AND ON U.S. ONE ON THE RIGHT. IT HAS BEEN SITTING THERE FOR FOUR YEARS.

NOTHING ON IT. IT IS THE DIRT THAT IS FLYING AROUND. IT IS JUST INCREDIBLY RUDE, AND NO ONE CARES ABOUT OUR COUNTY, AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SEE, IF YOU'RE GOING TO DEVELOP AND THEY PROBABLY DON'T EVEN LIVE IN OUR COUNTY. THINK ABOUT THE NEIGHBORS. THINK ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE TO LIVE NEXT TO

THAT. >> THAT IS NOT THEIR LAND. EVEN IF THEY LIVE NEXT TO IT, THEY DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO DICTATE WHAT HAPPENS ON A PERSONAL THAT THEY DON'T OWN. THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE. YOU THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO TELL SOMEBODY THAT A PERSONAL -- PARCEL THEY DON'T OWN, BUT THEY CAN AND CANNOT DO. THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE. THAT IS WHY WE DON'T HAVE CONSENSUS ON MANY OF THESE ITEMS.

>> WHY DID COMMISSIONER ARNOLD MOVE THIS FORWARD ? I DON'T GET IT. SHE HASN'T AGREED TO ANYTHING.

>> THAT IS A HEAVY BOOK THAT DICTATES WHAT PEOPLE CAN AND CANNOT DO WITH THEIR PROPERTY. YOU WANT TO ADD MORE PAGES. YOU

DON'T THINK THAT'S ENOUGH. >> I THINK THAT'S ENOUGH

GOVERNMENT MIGRATION. >> THAT'S UP TO YOU NOT HAVING

ENOUGH LAND DEVELOPED CODE. >> YOU MIGHT BE HERE FOR A LOT OF REASONS. I'M NOT GOING TO HAVE A POLITICAL CONVERSATION ABOUT THE CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL OR HOW MY RECORD MAY OR MAY NOT BE MISREPRESENTED BY PEOPLE IN THE AUDITORIUM. THAT BOOK IS PRETTY THICK. I TALKED TO PEOPLE EVERYDAY WHO WANT LESS GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN THEIR

LIVES. >> LET ME GO TO COMMISSIONER

TAYLOR, PLEASE. >> PLEASE, THANK YOU. SOMEONE WHO IS INCHING HERSELF BECAUSE I'M UP HERE, I REPRESENT A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY. THEY FEEL THEY ARE NOT HEARD. I HEAR FROM TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE HAS DIMINISHED AND THEY ARE UPSET ABOUT ALL THE TREES THAT HAVE BEEN DESTROYED IN THE COUNTY. THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR RESIDENTS. REGARDLESS -- I UNDERSTAND WE ARE DISAGREEING, BUT OUR RESIDENCE -- RESIDENTS DO NOT APPRECIATE WHEN LAND IS CLEARED AND NOTHING IS BUILT FOR YEARS. THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY

WANT. >> AND THESE ARE THE ONLY

CHANGES. TWO LITTLE PAGES. >> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT. SO, WHERE DO WE STAND, COMMISSIONER MURPHY? ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M JUST GOING TO MAKE -- I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH -- GRADING. ELIMINATE THE APPLICATION TYPE FROM THE DRM AND RECOMMEND APPLICANTS APPLY PRIOR TO THE AUTHORIZATION OF CLEARING AND GRADING.

>> I WILL SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. WE CAN TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION. >> COMMISSIONER MURPHY.

>> THANK YOU. >> SO, MAYBE THIS MIGHT BE A QUESTION FOR YOU AGAIN. THE WAY THIS IS WRITTEN, IF SOMEONE BUYS THE PIECE OF PROPERTY. AND SUBMITS THE PLAN AND CHANGES THEIR MIND AND CHANGE -- SELLS IT TO SOMEONE ELSE, DO THESE REQUIREMENTS GO AWAY FOR THE NEW OWNER.

>> SAY THAT AGAIN, PLEASE. >> IF WE ARE GOING TO REQUIRE THEM TO HAVE PLANS TO BUILD BEFORE THEY CAN CLEAR, THEN THEY CLEAR THE LAND AND THEY PAY THE FEES AND THEN THEY DECIDE TO

[04:15:07]

SELL THE PROPERTY AS IS, DOES IT FOLLOW TO THE NEW PROPERTY OWNER?

TAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS. >> NICOLE CROSBY. MY APOLOGIES FOR MY PHONE . PRINTER PROBLEMS. CAN YOU ZOOM IN ON THAT. I KNOW YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PICTURE AND I KNOW THAT IT WAS SENT TO YOU LAST NIGHT. I THINK IT IS WORTH LOOKING AT AGAIN. IT IS FROM DOLPHIN COVE. ROBERT MCVEIGH HAD THIS HAPPEN AND THAT'S THE BEFORE AND AFTER. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER THAT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT LOOKS, ALTHOUGH LOOKS MATTER. WHAT WAS MOST DEVASTATING FOR THE PEOPLE IN DOLPHIN COVE IS THIS WIDE OPEN CLEARED LAND WAS LIKE A DUST BOWL AND IT WAS BLOWING INTO THEIR SWIMMING POOLS AND UNDER THE SIDES OF THEIR HOMES AND UNDER THEIR CARS AND THEY WOULD CONTACT SOMEONE AND THEY WOULD SAY CAN YOU PLEASE DO SOME POWER WASHING AND HELP US CLEAN UP. NOPE. THEY DID NOT DO ANYTHING. AND THEY WILL OR LIVING WITH MUD IN THEIR SWIMMING POOLS AND EVERYWHERE ON THE PROPERTY. WHEN YOU CLEAR A PROPERTY IN THIS COUNTY , YOU TAKE OFF THE GROUND COVER , WHAT YOU HAVE IS DIRT AND WE HAVE THE WIND, IT IS IN PEOPLE'S LIVES. ITS WAY BEYOND JUST AN ISSUE OF LOOKS. THIS IS A MAJOR IMPOSITION ON PEOPLE. AND GOD FORBID IF YOU ARE TRYING TO SELL A HOUSE WHILE THIS IS GOING ON FOR MONTHS, YEARS, ON END, THIS WOULD ABSOLUTELY IMPACT YOUR PROPERTY VALUE BIG-TIME. SO I'M ASKING YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER THE FACT THAT WHEN YOU CLEAR LAND, THERE IS A DUST BOWL IF YOU DON'T BUILD ON IT PRETTY SOON, AND EVERYONE THAT LIVES WITHIN THE WIND OF THAT SUFFERS. AND LITERALLY PAYS THE PRICE.

FOR ME , THIS ONE WAS AN ABSOLUTE NO-BRAINER , AND I THINK THAT THE COMMISSIONERS WHO MAY BE THINKING THIS IS TRIVIAL AND JUST LOOKS, IF YOU WERE IN -- IF YOU VISITED THAT AND YOU'VE EXPERIENCED WHAT IT WAS LIKE DURING THIS PERIOD , YOU WOULD'VE REALLY SEEN HOW AWFUL IT WAS. SO I'M ASKING YOU. I KNOW YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS, PLEASE RECONSIDER BECAUSE THIS WAS A HUGE QUALITY-OF-LIFE ISSUE FOR THESE PEOPLE. THANK

YOU. >> THEY HAVE DESCRIBED A PUBLIC NUISANCE. THE COMMISSIONER IS SO FAR RIGHT HE DOESN'T THINK WE CAN REGULATE PUBLIC NUISANCES. SUPREME COURT SAID IN 1926 IN A 6-3 DECISION A VERY CONSERVATIVE JUSTICE THAT WE CAN HAVE ZONING.

THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE THAT DON'T BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE ZONING. I LIVED IN HOUSTON ONCE . THE BIGGEST MISTAKE I EVER MADE IN MY LIFE. THAT PLACE IS HIDEOUS. THERE'S NO ZONING YOU CAN HAVE A WAREHOUSE NEXT TO A CHURCH OUST. YOU CAN HAVE RESIDENTIAL NEXT TO INDUSTRIAL. AND 25% OF THE LAND WHEN WE LIVED THERE WAS UNOCCUPIED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO PLANNING AND NO ZONING. AND WHEN WE LIVED THERE THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN BY INDUSTRIALISTS. BIG OIL COMPANIES WHO WANTED TO STOP THE ZONING FROM HAPPENING. AND YOU KNOW THEY DID? THEY CALLED THE PEOPLE WHO WANTED ZONING IN HOUSTON COMMUNISTS. AND SOCIALISTS. THAT LOW QUALITY OF THOUGHT DOES NOT BELONG IN GOVERNMENT DECISION-MAKING. SO WHEN COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST SAYS WHAT RIGHT DO YOU HAVE TO TELL A PROPERTY OWNER WHAT THEY CAN DO, WE CAN PREVENT PUBLIC NUISANCES AND WE CAN HAVE ZONING AND THAT'S BEEN THE LAW OF THIS COUNTRY FOR 100 YEARS. NOW, WHEN YOU HAVE MUD , WHEN YOU HAVE WATER , AND YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING FLOODED OUT OF THEIR HOMES, WHEN YOU HAVE MOSQUITOES

[04:20:05]

CAUSED BY FLOODING BECAUSE OF THIS UNOCCUPIED LAND , AT THE PUBLIC NUISANCE, AND LET ME TELL YOU, MY FATHER WAS BITTEN BY A MOSQUITO IN SICILY IN 1943 WHEN HE WAS WITH THE 82ND AIRBORNE AND GOT MALARIA. I SAW THE LIFETIME EFFECTS ON MY FATHER OF MALARIA. HE HAD HOT AND COLD SWEATS , AND ART DIRECTOR OF MOSQUITO CONTROL DISTRICT GOT MALARIA WHEN HE WAS A KID. HIS BABY SISTER DIED OF IT. 1 MILLION PEOPLE DIE ON THIS PLANET EVERY YEAR FROM THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL ON EARTH AND THAT'S MOSQUITOES. IF YOU DON'T EVEN BELIEVE THAT WE CAN HAVE THE DECENCY AND THE DIGNITY AS A COUNTRY AND AS A COUNTY TO REGULATE A PUBLIC NUISANCE SUCH AS COMMISSIONER JOSEPH DESCRIBED , WHAT AILS YOU? WHY WOULD YOU THINK WE CANNOT REGULATE A PUBLIC NUISANCE BECAUSE TRAVIS JAMES HUDSON WANTS ONE AND THERE'S MONEY IN IT FOR BIG DEVELOPERS? JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE UP THERE SMIRKING WITH YOUR LITTLE SMIRK? I'M SORRY. YOUR

SILLY. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC

COMMENT? GOOD AFTERNOON. >> CAN I VOTE? MY NAME IS JUDY .

OKAY. I MET WITH STUFF. I WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT STUFF AND NOT JUST WHAT I HEAR ALL AROUND ME. AND SHE SAID OF EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE , REMOVING THIS PERMIT WOULD BE THE MOST HELPFUL THING FOR PRESERVING JUST THE WAY THINGS LOOK RIGHT NOW. I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE -- THERE'S A BIG GROCERY STORE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BUILT AND THEY CLEARED AND DID NOT BUILD AND NOW IT IS WEEDS.

AND I UNDERSTAND IT HAPPENS. BUT TO ME TAKING A PERMIT OUT OF THE SYSTEM IS NOT ADDING ANOTHER REGULATION. IT'S REQUIRING FORETHOUGHT AND REQUIRING JUST A PLAN. JUST TO HAVE A PLAN. YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THE PLAN. IS NO PENALTY IF YOU DON'T, BUT COME UP WITH ONE AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING. THERE'S A WAY IT CAN BE DONE AND IT'S HORRIBLE THAT PICTURE OF THE CLEARCUT THING. THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEXT TO ME THEY JUST CLEARCUT THAT. AND WE KNOW HOW MANY YEARS WE WORKED ON GETTING THAT WENT THROUGH OR NOT. THEY DID IT IN A REALLY SENSITIVE WAY. IT CAN BE DONE. THEY PUT IN FILTERS BUT PUT THEM 30 FEEDBACK FROM PROPERTY LINES AND ALLOWED THE BUFFER , THE NATURAL BUFFER BETWEEN OUR PROPERTY AND THERE'S SO WE DON'T HAVE TO JUST LOOK AT A BIG OPEN PLACE WITH ALL THE DUST BLOWING IN ON US. THEIR WAYS IT CAN BE DONE. IT'S NOT AN UNREASONABLE THING AND I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL. ANOTHER THING TOO IS THAT IF YOU ARE CLEARCUTTING TO MAKE IT MORE SALABLE, IT'S CURB APPEAL. WE HAVE A NICE PROPERTY CLEAR AND CUT. CLEARCUTTING BEFORE YOU ALLOW SOMEONE TO DEVELOP -- IS THERE A WAY WE CAN MITIGATE FOR THAT AND HAVE THEM HAPPEN TO DO SOMETHING TO KEEP IT NOT JUST DIRT. IT JUST SEEMS LIKE THERE'S A WAY TO DO THIS THAT IS BENEFICIAL TO THE COUNTY THAT IS NOT A HORRIBLY ONEROUS THING FOR A LANDOWNER. COMPROMISES A GOOD THING. THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE TWO PIECES OF PROPERTY I THINK THAT COMMISSIONER MURPHY WAS TALKING ABOUT , AND IT HAS ANNOYED ME TO NO END FOR 3 YEARS . BOTH PIECES , THERE ARE LARGE PIECES AND THEY LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE TO GO COMMERCIAL AND THEY SOLD AND GOT THERE ZONING AND EVERYTHING AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW EVERYTHING IS CLEARED OUT OF THEIR AND ONE STILL REMAINS DIRT AND WEEDS TO THIS DAY . THE OTHER ONE AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OR MORE OF SITTING THERE, THEY DID GO IN AND DO SOME INFRASTRUCTURE STUFF TO PUT SOME DRAINS IN. THEY PUT A RETENTION POND IN. IT LOOKED LIKE SOMETHING WAS GOING TO START HAPPENING THERE. AND THEN THEY QUIT AND IT WAS STILL DIRT AND IT BLOWS AND IT LOOKS TERRIBLE AND IT IS ANNOYING. JUST MAYBE

[04:25:04]

68 WEEKS AGO -- MAYBE LONGER -- THE ONE THAT PUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN FINALLY GOT GRASS SEED TO GROW THERE. AND WITH THE RAIN AND EVERYTHING IT LOOKS DECENT NOW. IT'S GREEN.

IT SEEMS LIKE -- AND I GET IT. IT'S THEIR PROPERTY AND THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO WHAT THEY WANT WITH IT , I NO. I GET IT.

BUT IT'S JUST GOING TO SIT THERE AND BE FOR SALE I'VE DECIDED I'M NOT GOING TO DEVELOPER THE ONLY REASON I BOUGHT IT WAS TO GET IT SO FAR IN THE PROCESS AND THEN I'M GOING TO SELL IT. COULD WE SAY IF IT'S GOING TO SIT FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME THAT AT LEAST IT'S GOING TO GET PLANTED WITH GRASS -- OR PUT THOSE -- THOSE THINGS ARE AS UGLY AS THE DIRT BUT IT KEEPS THE DIRT FROM BLOWING INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT JUST SEEMS LIKE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE REST OF THIS TO HAVE SOMEWHAT OF A QUALITY OF LANDSCAPE AS WE DRIVE BY AND NOT HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT . THE CLEARCUTTING ITSELF IN THESE LARGE PARCELS , I GET IT. IT'S THE LEAST EXPENSIVE WAY FOR THEM TO DEVELOP AND MOST OF THEM LIKE THE SHORES IT WAS A LOT OF HOOPLA WHEN THEY WERE BURNING THE TREES , BUT THEY GOT STARTED PRETTY QUICKLY. ONCE THEY MADE UP THEIR MIND, THEY WERE READY TO CLEAR AND READY TO GO AND IT WAS DONE IN LESS THAN A YEAR AND THE HOUSES ARE THERE AND PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN THEM.

THAT IS MY TWO CENTS. >> ANYONE ELSE?

>> VERY RARELY DO I DO THIS EITHER. I HAVE TO AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. THERE ARE PROPERTY RIGHTS OUT THERE, BUT THERE'S ALSO A CAUSE-AND-EFFECT IN WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR PROPERTY RIGHTS. IT CANNOT BE DETRIMENTAL TO OTHER PEOPLE ON WHAT YOU DO. I CAN TAKE YOU TO SEVERAL PROPERTIES ON 207 WHERE THEY FINALLY GROWN OVER WITH WEEDS THAT OF BEEN VACANT FOR YEARS. THEY BEEN BULLDOZED, DONE. THERE TWO PIECES OF PROPERTY ON 16 THAT OF BEEN BULLDOZED THIS PAST YEAR AND ARE STILL SITTING THERE VACANT WITH FOR SALE SIGNS ON THEM. SO THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING. IF YOU COMMIT TO SOMETHING OR YOU CAN A TRY TO DEVELOP YOUR PROPERTY , THEN PUT A PLAN IN. IF YOU ARE GOING TO DEVELOP IT, LEAVE IT NATURAL . I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY YEARS IT TAKES FOR NATURAL COMPACTION TO TAKE , BUT IT ONLY TAKES A COUPLE YEARS AND TAKES THAT LONG TO GET PERMITS. LET'S DO SOMETHING TO LIMIT THE CAUSE-AND-EFFECT AND DETRIMENT TO NEIGHBORING AREAS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. I THINK IT TAKES ABOUT SIX MONTHS.

>> NO ONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS. A QUICK POINT OF CLARIFICATION, IF I MAY. THANK YOU. IF DUST BLOWS FROM ONE PROPERTY THAT HAS BEEN CLEARED ONTO ANOTHER PROPERTY, THAT IS IN VIOLATION OF ONE OF THE 100 PAGES OR SO THAT'S IN THIS BOOK. IT'S ALREADY A VIOLATION OF THIS FIVE POUND BOOK. IF YOU FLOOD FROM A CLEARED PROPERTY ONTO ANOTHER PROPERTY, THAT IS A VIOLATION OF SOME OF THE PAGES IN THIS FIVE POUND BOOK. WE ALREADY HAVE CODES TO COVER ONE PROPERTY -- ONE PARCEL OF LAND HAVING A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON ANOTHER PARCEL OF LAND. SO I WANTED TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. WE HAVE A TON, INCLUDING A ROBUST TREE ORDINANCE. WE HAVE REGULATIONS ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO WITH THEIR LAND AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. THIS DOESN'T COVER EVERYTHING AT THE STATE LEVEL IN THIS BOOK DOESN'T COVER EVERYTHING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. THIS IS JUST THE LOCAL LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE THAT WE HAVE IN ST. CHARLES COUNTY. I WANTED TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. BUT WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE. SHOULD BE VOTE SHOULD WE VOTE? THAT PASSES 3-2. I THINK THE NEXT -- NINE AND 10 GO TOGETHER

SO LET'S DO NUMBER 8. >> MOVING ON TO NUMBER 8.

PRESERVING NATURAL BUFFERS OR PROVIDING EDGES TO PUD'S. THIS

[04:30:03]

ONE I'VE GIVEN TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS A TOPIC OF CONVERSATION AT THE LAST MEETING. SO I WANTED TO SEE -- I'M HAPPY TO CONTINUE

ON AND PRESENTED. >> I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR IT.

>> NUMBER EIGHT THE DEVELOPMENT BUFFER, THE PURPOSE IS TO PROTECT IMPLANT ADDITIONAL TREES . THERE IS A SCENIC EDGE COMPONENT OF THIS IN THE STRATEGY OVERALL WE ARE LOOKING AT IS EXPANDING ON THE PROGRAM THAT'S WITHIN THE NORTHWEST PORTION OF THE COUNTY PROVIDING A VEHICLE FOR THAT TO BE APPLIED ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTY AND THERE'S THE SCENIC EDGE IN THE DEVELOPMENT EDGE BUFFERS, EACH OF WHICH HAVE DIFFERENT SCREENING AMOUNTS. AND THEY CAN BE LEFT NATURAL AND THEY CAN BE LANDSCAPED. THE SCALING IS TO EXTEND THIS REQUIREMENT TO THE NORTHWEST BOUNDARY TO THE FULL COUNTY. AND I CAN SHARE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE AMOUNTS OF LAND THAT WE LOOKED AT AND IN GENERAL WE RECOMMEND , THIS IS THE STARTING POINT ON SCALING TO LOOK AT DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE AT LEAST 40 ACRES IN AREA. THE EXCEPTIONS ARE THOSE WHO'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT AS WELL AS CLARIFYING THE DEVELOPMENT EDGES CAN RUN CONCURRENTLY WITH OTHER DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS ARE PLANNING REQUIREMENTS THAT MAY BE WITHIN THE CODE. THIS ONE HAS A LOT OF EXTENDED TEXT, THE REASON FOR THAT IS THE METHOD BY WHICH WE RECOMMEND EXTENDING THE NORTHWEST AREA IT'S NOT SIMPLY TO CROSS OUT THE WORD NORTHWEST BUT TO PROVIDE A COUNTYWIDE -- IN A PORTION OF THE CODE WHERE THOSE WHO ARE DEVELOPING AND OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTY MIGHT EXPECT TO SEE IT HERE IN 606 02. IT'S WITHIN YOUR POWER TO DO IT EITHER WAY, HOWEVER OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO KEEP WHAT'S WORKING IN THE NORTHWEST SECTOR AND PROVIDE THIS FOR THE

REST OF THE COUNTY. >> I'M LOOKING AT PROPOSED KEEP NATURAL UNDISTURBED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE -- AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

SO IT'S REALLY -- IS THAT ANY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THE CURRENT

THING IS? >> IT IS NOT DIFFERENT THAN WHAT IS IN THE NORTHWEST SECTOR EDGES RIGHT NOW , IF I UNDERSTOOD THE

QUESTION. >> THE NORTHWEST 'S -- WE JUST HEARD HOW BEAUTIFUL HIGHWAY 13 AND HOW GREAT THE BUFFERS ARE IN THAT PART OF THE COUNTY. AND I KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER MURPHY HAD A PROBLEM WITH DOING IT IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF HIS COUNTY, RIGHT? SO MAYBE THERE IS -- TRY TO KEEP NATURAL BUFFERS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN THEIR? OR WHATEVER THE DAY

>> THIS IS 40 ACRES, THESE ARE BIG PARCELS WE ARE LOOKING AT TO DO THIS IN. AND I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS. I TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO MY NEIGHBORS ALL THE TIME. YOU SHOULD NOT WOKE UP TO A BULLDOZER OUTSIDE YOUR KITCHEN

WINDOW. >> DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION

WE CAN PUT IT ON THE TABLE? >> YES.

>> WHAT IS THE WORDING FOR IT? >> I DON'T KNOW.

>> IT SAYS PROPOSED -- UNLESS YOU WANTED TO DO THE NORTHWEST

BUFFER EVERYWHERE ELSE. >> I WOULD LOVE TO EXTEND IT TO THE FULL COUNTY AND THAT WOULD BE FOR DEVELOPMENTS OF AT LEAST

40 ACRES. >> I SECOND.

>> COMMISSIONER MURPHY. >> PUBLIC COMMENT?

>> DON'T FORGET THE TIME. >> ON GOAL NUMBER EIGHT. BUT I PROMISE YOU WILL NOT HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN FOR A LONG TIME AFTER TODAY. I KNOW IT'S GETTING OLD AND I'M SORRY. NICOLE CROSBY.

BUFFERS. ONE THING -- TWO THINGS. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S ALREADY BEEN SOME AGREEMENT OR AN AGREEMENT ABOUT ENLARGING 5% TO 10% THE TREES IN LARGER PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS. THAT SHOULD MAKE THE BUFFERS VERY DOABLE, RIGHT? I WOULD JUST LIKE TO COMMENT ON SOME LANGUAGE. WE NEED BUFFERS BETWEEN BIG DEVELOPMENTS FOR PRIVACY, BUT I THINK WE NEED IMPROVED LANGUAGE ON THIS POSSIBLE. MASTER ARBORIST LOOKED AT THIS AND SAID IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO SAY -- ACTUALLY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE

[04:35:02]

LANGUAGES. THIS IS A PRESERVED NATURAL VEGETATION BETWEEN DEVELOPMENTS? TRY. FORGET TRY. IF WE ARE DO TRY, THROAT OUT. WE EITHER DO OR YOU DON'T. BUT CHUCK SAID VERY OFTEN THE NATURAL VEGETATION THAT EXISTS IS JUNK. THAT'S HIS WORDS AND HE'S A TREE GUY. HE SAID IT COULD BE FINES OR SMALL PLANTINGS OR INVASIVE UNDESIRABLE VEGETATION. IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT HAVING A BUFFER, AT LANGWOOD ABOUT TREES BEING PLANTED AT EVERY CERTAIN NUMBER OF FEET TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A PRIVACY BUFFER BETWEEN DEVELOPMENTS. SO IF IT'S JUST COULD BE NATURAL VEGETATION ACCORDING TO CHUCK, FORGET IT. MOST OF OUR NATURAL VEGETATION IS NOT THAT DESIRABLE. I JUST WANT TO ASK YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER THAT.

THAT PRIVACY IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSETS OF A HOUSE . THAT'S WHY I THINK BUFFERS ARE SO IMPORTANT. THEY CUT NOISE AND THEIR BEAUTIFUL. SO I THINK THIS IS KIND OF ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ONES. I WOULD JUST ASK YOU TO RECONSIDER THAT LANGUAGE AND STATE THE TREES . I DON'T CARE IF IT'S THREE INCH . WHATEVER THE SIZES THERE NEED TO BE TREES PLANTED SO WE ARE JUST HAVING SOME WEEDS AND VINES AND CALLING THAT THE

BUFFER. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NONE WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. BUT WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE.

COMMISSIONER MURPHY , DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY? SO THIS IS FOR 40 ACRES IN LARGER, RIGHT? GO AHEAD AND VOTE. AND THAT FAILS -- I'M WAITING FOR ONE MORE. THAT FAILS TO -3. DO YOU

WANT TO AMEND THE MOTION? >> I GUESS KIND OF ADDRESSING IT ALREADY. OKAY. NINE AND 10 ARE TOGETHER?

>> YES. >> NINE AND 10 DISALLOWING RAISING THE GRADE A DISTANCE OF PROPERTY BOUNDARIES AND NUMBER 10 ENSURING DEVELOPMENT ON ABUTTING PROPERTY DOES NOT LEAD TO TREE DIE OFF ON SURROUNDING PROPERTIES. THESE WERE JOINED TOGETHER BECAUSE THE WAY TO ADDRESS THEM OR A WAY TO ADDRESS THEM IS TO DEAL WITH THE LEAD UP TO THE BUFFER DISTANCE AND THE BUFFER ITSELF. SO THE PURPOSE IS MAINTAINING PRESERVED OR PLANTED TREES IN BUFFERS AND THE SURROUNDING DEVELOPMENTS AS WELL SO YOU AREN'T HARMING NEIGHBORING DEVELOPMENTS OR THEIR LAND. AND THE MECHANISM IS TO REGULATE THE GRADING AND AS A RESULT OF GRADING THE HYDROLOGY AND BOULDERS SO YOU ARE DROWNING OR MAKING THINGS TO DRIVE FOR TREES THAT ARE ALREADY THERE AS THE CHANGE COMES . BY ESTABLISHING A BUFFER WITH AND PREVENTING THE HARMFUL DRAINAGE WITHIN THAT. THE SCALING HERE PROPOSES A BUFFER WITH THE 20 FEET EXTENDING -- EXTENDING THE PROTECTION TO THE DRIP LINE WITHIN THE BUFFER OF THE TREES THERE AND APPLYING THIS TO BOTH PUD'S AND REGULAR DEVELOPMENTS ON THE 40 ACRE SIZE WITH THE STANDARD EXCEPTIONS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT PLUS AN ADDITIONAL ONE JUST TO MAKE IT SO THAT THE STAFF HAS THE ABILITY TO MAKE AN EXCEPTION IF SOMETHING GOING ON ON THE BORDER OF THE PROPERTY IS PART OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION THEY CAN ALLOW THE DRAINAGE TO DO WHAT IT NEEDS TO DO FOR THAT HABITAT. SO THAT LOOKS -- IN ADDITION TO A TEXT WE PROVIDED A DIAGRAM OF HOW TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT WORKS FROM THE EDGE OF THE PROPERTY AND HERE ARE THE BLACK LINES AT THE EDGE OF THE PROPERTY AND THE PROPERTY IS TO THE LEFT. SO YOU HAVE YOUR TREES WITHIN THE 20 FOOT RANGE AND A DRIP LINE IS WELL PROTECTED AND DRAINAGE WOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE EDGE OF THE PROPERTY INTO A DISTANCE HYDRA LOGICALLY POSSIBLE FROM THE DRIP LINE. AND THE FLEXIBILITY FOR STAFF TO HAVE EXCEPTIONS WITHIN THE ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS. SO IT LOOKS LIKE THIS AS FAR AS THE ACTUAL REDLINE LANGUAGE AND I UNDERSTAND WERE COMING BACK.

AND QUICKLY ANCHORING IT TO 40 ACRES , PROTECTING THE SPECIMEN AND PROTECTING THE TREES AND THEN PROTECTING BASED ON THE DRAINAGE THAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CAN WAY. I LIKE TO

[04:40:02]

TALK TO THE DIFFERENT SIZES AND I WILL PAUSE THERE.

>> CAN YOU JUST TELL ME HOW REALISTIC THIS IS ?

>> IF I CAN SUPPORT THIS GOING FORWARD. I THINK WE'VE ALREADY

COVERED THIS. >> I MAY AGREE WITH YOU . AND,

WHAT HE THINK? >> I AGREE WITH YOU COMMISSIONER

MURPHY. >> I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO

SUPPORT THIS. >> I'M WILLING TO VOTE ON IT IF YOU WANT. OKAY. SO WE HAVE CONSENSUS ON THAT WE DON'T HAVE

TO DO ANYTHING, RIGHT? OKAY. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, YOU HAD

EXTRA ONES WHO WANTED TO DO. >> I WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE

FINES. >> WHAT ARE THE FINES NOW?

>> LOOKING AT THE MINUTES FROM THE LAST MEETING. THE FINES WERE UNDER GOAL NUMBER FIVE AND THERE WAS CONSENSUS NOT TO LEAVE AS IS OR MAKE THE CHANGES REGARDING THEM. ARE FINE STRUCTURE IS HIGH AND OUT OF LINE WITH FOR THE STATUTE FOR CODE VIOLATIONS SO WE WILL HAVE TO BRING THAT BACK IN LINE JUST SO YOU ARE AWARE.

>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? >> WE HAVE A HIGH FIND FOR THE TREE ORDINANCE , THE LIMITATIONS UNDER CODE ENFORCEMENT THROUGH FLORIDA STATUTES AND WE WERE REVIEWING THAT TO SEE IF WE HAVE TO RESTRUCTURE THEM OR SOMEHOW HANDLE THEM DIFFERENTLY. FINES ARE BEING LOOKED AT AND I WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THAT. I ALSO WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE AND THE MINUTES FROM THE LAST MEETING THERE WAS CONSENSUS TO LEAVE THIS AS IS AND NOT MAKE CHANGES AND THAT'S WHY IT WAS NOT BEING BROUGHT TO YOU TODAY.

>> CAN I GET A CONSENSUS ON SENDING THIS TO REDLINE?

>> SENDING WHAT? >> ALL THE THINGS WE AGREED ON

FOR THE NEXT MEETING? >> I THINK I VOTED AGAINST

EVERYTHING. >> WE PASSED QUITE A FEW SO WE WANT TO BRING THEM FORWARD INTO THE FIVE POUND BOOKS TO MAKE IT

UP 5.1 POUND BOOK. >> I'M GOING TO BE NO ON MORE GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS ON LAND DEVELOPMENT.

>> DO I HAVE TO VOTE ON BRINGING IT TO REDLINE?

>> YOU ARE THERE ANYWAY. >> SO ALL THOSE CHANGES ARE GOING TO REDLINE AND THEY WILL BE AT THE NEXT MEETING BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE HERE -- NOT THE NEXT MEETING. WHENEVER ?

>> I THINK IT'S SCHEDULED FOR JULY. SO IT WILL BE WHENEVER.

IT'S COMING. >> THANK YOU. TO BE FINISH THAT?

[5. First Reading - LDCA 2024-03 Land Development Code Updates. Updates to Land Development Code (LDC) Articles II, III, V, VI, IX, and XII, and the Table of Contents, to maintain consistency with Florida Statutes and to better organize existing parts of the code. The Planning and Zoning Agency voted on May 15, 2025, to recommend approval of this item 5-0.]

I. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. THIS IS NOT MY PRESENTATION. IT STOPPED ON ME. HERE WE ARE. AMY RING. I AM PRESENTING AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE. THESE ARE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE UPDATES. TO BE CLEAR THESE ARE NOT IN RELATION -- THE CHANGES PROPOSED IN THIS AMENDMENT ARE NOT RELATED TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY IMPACT THERE WITH. THE CHANGES I'M PRESENTING TODAY FOR THE PROPOSED CHANGES INCLUDED IN THIS AMENDMENT ARE DIVIDED INTO

[04:45:01]

TWO CATEGORIES. THE FIRST IS TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY WITH FOR THE STATUTE AND THE SECOND CATEGORY IS JUST TO PROVIDE GENERAL CLARIFICATION WITHIN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. STARTING WITH CATEGORY 1 CHANGES RELATED -- CHANGES THAT UP AND PUT IN PLACE IN THE FLORIDA STATUTE FOUR CHANGES. PROPOSED CHANGES.

IN FLORIDA STATUTE 190 -- 005 CERTAIN CRITERIA AND STATUTES APPLY THAT CHANGED FROM 1000 ACRES TO 2500 ACRES. WE WANT TO MIRROR THAT CHANGE IN SECTION 5.06 OF THE LDC AND THAT SECTION IS ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS. THE SECOND ITEM THE QUALIFYING ACREAGE AMOUNT FOR SMALL-SCALE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHANGE FROM 10 TO 50 ACRES SO WE JUST WANT TO MIRROR THAT CHANGE IN SECTION 9.04 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE , WHICH IS REZONING OF LAND AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS.

BUT COULD YOU REPEAT THAT ONE? >> THE QUALIFYING ACREAGE AMOUNT FOR SMALL-SCALE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT CHANGED FROM 10 TO 50 ACRES AND THAT WAS IN STATUTE 163.3187. NEXT UP THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE STILL REFERS TO A BIANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ADOPTION CYCLE AND THAT LANGUAGE IS BEEN REMOVED FROM STATE STATUTE SO WE WANTED TO REMOVE THAT FROM LDC SECTION 9.05 LAND USE POLICY DECISIONS. THIS IS THE LAST CHANGE IN RELATION TO STATE STATUTE. IN 2023 FLORIDA STATUTE 163.3208 CHANGED AND THAT SECTION NOW DEFINES ELECTRIC SUBSTATION AND IT ALLOWS JURISDICTIONS TO ADOPT LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS TO ADDRESS AESTHETIC STANDARDS LIKE SETBACK BUFFERING, AND LANDSCAPING. AND THE STATUTE ALSO SPECIFIES THAT ELECTRIC SUBSTATIONS ARE A PERMITTED USE AND ALL LAND-USE CATEGORIES EXCEPT PRESERVATION, CONSERVATION, OR HISTORIC PRESERVATION. SO IN THIS AMENDMENT WE PROPOSED ADDING A SMALL SECTION AND 6.08, SPECIFICALLY 6.0 8.45 TO INCORPORATE THESE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS THAT ARE ALLOWED BY STATUTE THAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR REDLINE IN YOUR STAFF PACKET . ADDITIONALLY WE WOULD LIKE TO AMEND THREE TABLES IN THE LDC TABLE NUMBER 2.0 3.01, WHICH IS THE TABLE OF ALLOWABLE SPECIAL USES AS WAS TWO SIMILAR TABLES THAT ARE IN LDC FOR THE WEST AUGUSTINE OVERLAY DISTRICT AND WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THE STATUTE DEFINITION FOR ELECTRIC SUBSTATION IN SECTION 12 OF THE LDC. IF THERE ARE NOT ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT, I CAN MOVE FORWARD.

>> GO AHEAD. >> MOVING ON TO CATEGORY 2 THESE ARE INCLUDED IN THE AMENDMENT FOR GENERAL CLARIFICATION AND ORGANIZATION. WE WOULD LIKE TO CORRECT AND INCORRECT CODE REFERENCE IN SECTION 2.0 3.06 FOR OTHER ANIMALS. IT'S A PRETTY SIMPLE ONE. IT'S A REFERENCE TO 2.0 3.56 IN THE CODE SHOULD REFERENCE 2.0 POINT NEXT IN SECTION 2.0 3.10 ON LAND EXCAVATION WE WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY THAT THE ENGINEERED SITE PLAN IS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF CONSTRUCTION PLAN APPROVAL AND NOT AT THE TIME OF SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION. WE PROPOSE REMOVING THE REQUIREMENT FOR STAFF ON-SITE OFFICES AT PERSONAL PROPERTY AND MANY WAREHOUSE FACILITIES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE BOTH STORAGE FACILITIES WHILE RETAINING THE SECURITY REQUIREMENT THAT IS CURRENTLY IN THE CODE FOR BOTH FACILITIES THAT RESTRICTS ACCESS TO THE HOURS OF MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL BEING ON SITE UNLESS INDIVIDUAL ELECTRONIC ACCESS IS AVAILABLE.

NEXT WE'VE IDENTIFIED AN INCONSISTENCY IN TABLE 2.0 3.01 AND WE WANT TO CORRECT THAT AND STATE THAT IT'S NOT RESTAURANTS WITH AND WITHOUT DRIVE-THRUS THAT ARE ALLOWED AS THE NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL USE ITS RESTAURANTS ONLY WITHOUT DRIVE-THRUS. THE NEXT ITEM IS FOR CLARIFICATION.

6.19 IN LDC PLACES LAND-USE CLASSIFICATIONS INTO GROUPS ACCORDING TO THE LEVEL OF INTENSITY FOR DETERMINING BUFFERING REQUIREMENTS. WE WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY THAT MULTIFAMILY GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 16 PER ACRE BELONGS IN GROUP 3 AND NOW

[04:50:03]

IT STATES THAT BOTH GROUPS 2 AND 3. I THINK WE JUST HAVE TWO ITEMS LEFT. ORGANIZATION WITHIN THE LDC WE THINK CAN BE IMPROVED SOME DESIGN STANDARDS THAT APPLY TO SPECIFIC USES REGARDLESS OF HOW THOSE USES ARE ALLOWED ARE LOCATED IN 2.03 AND WE WOULD LIKE THOSE STANDARDS MOVED INTO 6.08. LAST WE REALIZED THAT THE LDC IS A VERY LARGE DOCUMENT AND SOMETIMES PEOPLE WANT TO GET TO THE TABLES THAT ARE IN THEIR BECAUSE THEY ARE USED EXTENSIVELY. SO WE SUGGEST ADDING OR PROPOSING A QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE TO TABLES IN THE LDC IN THE TABLE OF CONTENTS.

THIS ITEM WAS BROUGHT UP TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY ON MAY 15TH. THEY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL AND A VOTED 5-0. TODAY IS THE FIRST HEARING NO ACTION IS REQUIRED BUT I'M AVAILABLE

FOR QUESTIONS. >> I WAS JUST NOTICING THE

MICROBREWERY AND THE RV. >> THOSE ARE INCLUDED TO MOVE THE CRITERIA FROM SECTION 2.03 TO 6.0.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW WE ACTUALLY DID THAT.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? PUBLIC COMMENT?

>> WE WILL NOW HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER FIVE.

SEEING NONE WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> SO THERE'S NO MOTION, CORRECT?

[Items 6 & 7]

>> ALL RIGHT. MOVING ON TO NUMBER 6. THANK YOU.

>> MY NAME IS JAMES ASH AND I REPRESENT APEX UCC.

>> THIS IS GOOD BE A PLAN AMENDMENT AND REZONING SO WE WILL HEAR ITEMS SIX AND SEVEN TOGETHER .

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST I HAVE NO RECORD OF MEETINGS A WHITE OR EMAILS.

>> I HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY MEETINGS OR EMAILS.

>> NO MEETINGS AND NO EMAILS. >> I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS. YOU

HAD SOME ERROR >>> USE OF THE SHOULD BE VERY CUT AND DRY. THIS IS WHERE THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS CURRENTLY AT. AGAIN WHAT THEY ARE SEEKING TO CONSIDERATION IS REZONE THIS PARCEL OF LAND THAT IS CURRENTLY ZONED OPEN RURAL TO COMMERCIAL INTENSIVE AND COMMERCIAL INTENSIVE SOUNDS INTENSIVE BUT IT IS NOT. REALLY ARE UTILIZATION OF THIS PROPERTY IS ALL INTENDED AS MOVING FORWARD. THE PLANNING AND ZONING WITH THE EVENT PLANNER WE SIMPLY USE THIS AS LAID OUT FOR TRAILERS OR VEHICLE MAY BE THERE ONCE IN A WHILE HER PERSONAL BOAT DOCKS THEIR SMALL EQUIPMENT, THINGS LIKE THAT. THIS COME ABOUT IS REDOING IMPROVEMENTS ON PROPERTY AND REALIZED THAT THIS HAS A LOOK AND A FEEL OF INSTALLATION AND SUGGESTING THAT THREAT WE NEED TO GO WITH THIS AND WENT THROUGH ALL THE PROPER CHANNELS TO SEND OUT THE DOCUMENTATION THEN MY NEIGHBOR IS A TELECOMMUNICATION TOWER AND A DOG POUND IN A TRANSFER STATION.

THIS IS SOMETHING I BELIEVE THE COUNTY HAD COME UP WITH. AND ALL THE AREAS THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY UTILIZING AT THIS TIME. AGAIN , FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE WE DON'T HAVE ANY INTENTIONS TODAY, TOMORROW, NEXT MONTH, TO CHANGE ANYTHING. IT'S NOT RETAIL. THERE'S NO DAY-TO-DAY . IF THERE ARE TWO VEHICLES ARE PERSONNEL COMING OUT THERE ON A DAILY BASIS

[04:55:01]

DON'T INTEND ON DOING ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY RIGHT NOW MAKING NOISE OR CREATING ODORS A FEW LIMITATIONS. NONE OF THAT IS IN OUR INTENTIONS FOR THE PROPERTY. THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWS THE LOCATION THIS IS GOING ON NOW. IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR WHAT'S GOING ON SEVERAL SEVERE ACCIDENTS THERE. IT'S A GOOD THING THE COUNTY AND STATE GOT THAT. AND HERE'S A PICTURE OF THE PROPERTY AND I BELIEVE WE'VE GIVEN FULL ACCESS FOR THEM TO GO OUT AND LOOK AT THAT AS MUCH AS THEY WANT. IT'S NEVER BEEN OFF-LIMITS TO THEM. AND WHAT YOU SEE THERE A THREE MENTAL PICTURE IT LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE THAT TODAY. ALL WE INTEND TO DO IS IMPROVE IT AND GRADE THINGS OUT AND PUT FENCING UP AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE AND IT WILL BE THE MOST RESPECTABLE COMMERCIAL BUT NOT A RETAIL HIGH TRAFFIC IN AND OUT AREA.

>> ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? PUBLIC COMMENT?

>> WE WILL CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS SIX AND SEVEN. SEEING NONE WE WILL CLOSE IT.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ENACT THIS ORDINANCE APPROVING PUBLIC HEARING * CPA(SS) -- AS PROVIDED IN THE

STAFF REPORT. >> I WILL SECOND. WITH A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY OTHER COMMENTS. LET'S GO AHEAD AND VOTE. THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. >> YOU WILL NEED A MOTION ON THE

ZONING. >> CAN I MAKE THE SECOND ONE?

>> A MOTION ORDINANCE 2025. APPROVING REZONING APEX UPC

INAUDIBLE ] >> SECONDED. IN MOTION IN THE SECOND. PLEASE VOTE. THAT PASSES 5-0. HAVE A GOOD DAY. HELLO.

[8. Public Hearing * REZ 2025-01 Arapaho Avenue Townhomes. A request to rezone approximately 2 acres of land from Open Rural (OR) to Residential General (RG-2) with conditions, located at 1540 Arapaho Avenue. The Planning and Zoning Agency (PZA) heard this request at their regularly scheduled public hearing on May 15, 2025. The Agency recommended approval with a condition to restrict the site to a maximum of 12 units, voting 5-0 in favor.]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. JAMES WHITE HOUSE. THIS IS QUASI-JUDICIAL .

>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. >> I MET WITH MR. WHITEHOUSE IN THE OFFICE AND WE DISCUSSED SITE LOCATION AND THE PROJECT AND SOME OF THE CONCESSIONS THEY MADE.

>> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. >> I DO BELIEVE I'VE MET WITH YOU IN THE OFFICE. FOR SOME REASON MY SHEET IS WRONG.

>> MINDSET IS NO MEETINGS OR EMAILS.

>> I'M PRETTY SURE WE MET AS WELL.

>> SAME THING. >> I WAS SITTING HERE THINKING I THOUGHT WE HAD MET. SO WE DID HAVE MEETINGS.

>> NO EMAILS, BUT I DID HAVE A MEETING.

>> THANK YOU. I'M HERE BEFORE YOU ON BEHALF OF THE PROPERTY OWNER FOR REZONING -- A REQUEST FOR INFILL ZONING IN THIS MIXED-USE DISTRICT PARCEL LOCATED AT 1540 ARAPAHOE NEXT TO THE TARGET THAT'S WITHIN THE CITY. THE SHIPYARDS IS BACK HERE AS WELL AS THESE PROPERTIES THAT BEEN ANNEXED INTO THE CITY.

IT'S MIXED-USE. HERE'S A BETTER OVERVIEW THIS IS THE TARGET WITHIN THE CITY AND IT SURROUNDS THIS PROPERTY IS SQUARELY WITHIN THE COUNTIES MIXED-USE IT WILL ALLOW THE REMOVAL OF THE DILAPIDATED INCOMPATIBLE MOBILE HOMES IN THIS DISTRICT AND WILL ALLOW THIS PROPERTY TO BE USED FOR COMPATIBLE COMPLEMENTARY LIMITED TOWNHOUSE USE IN ARSONING. AS I SAID, IT'S SURROUNDED BY THE CITY OF SAN AUGUSTINE IN THIS SECTION AS A SHIPYARD PROPERTY THAT ALREADY HAS THE SHIPYARDS.

AND SOME SINGLE-FAMILY DOWN HERE WITHIN THE CITY AND MIXED-USE.

AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE FUTURE MAP PINK IS ALL MIXED-USE SO WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS. AND AS FAR AS THE ZONING GOES IT'S A MIXTURE OF USES ALONG U.S. 1 MOSTLY COMMERCIAL AND THEN THIS

[05:00:04]

IS THE TARGET PUD AND THIS IS MIXED-USE MULTIFAMILY BACK HERE IN THE BACK. AS I SAID , AGAIN, JUST TO REITERATE, THIS REQUEST IS CLEARLY COMPATIBLE AND FULFILLS THE OBLIGATIONS AND GOALS AND POLICIES OF OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. THE OVERVIEW IS THE OWNER OF THIS MIXED-USE TWO ACRE LOT DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE TARGET WOULD LIKE TO DO A TOWNHOUSE USE AND THEY SEEK TO REZONE FROM RURAL TO RG TO RG TO DIG FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THIS DILAPIDATED PROPERTY AND THE MOBILE HOME USES TO ALLOW FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 12 TOWNHOME UNITS THIS IS A MIXED-USE PROPERTY. WE WENT THROUGH THAT THAT IF WE HAD A LIMITED NUMBER IT WOULD MAKE IT MORE COMPATIBLE IN THE OWNER RESPECTIVELY AGREED TO GO FORWARD. IT FULFILLS THE GOALS AND POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHICH CALLS FOR THIS TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE MIXED-USE DISTRICT AND I TALKED ABOUT THE PROJECT BENEFITS AND ALLOWS FOR THE UPDATING OF THIS POLICY WITHIN THE DISTRICT AND MEETS A1311 . IT ALLOWS FOR LIMITED TOWNHOME USES , WHICH FULFILLS THE OBJECTIVES OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHICH ALLOWS FOR MULTIFAMILY IN A MIXED-USE DISTRICT TO COMPLEMENT THE ADJACENT COMMERCIAL. IT IS FROM OR TO RG2 . UTILITIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE CITY OF SAN AUGUSTINE. EXPERT ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW SHOWS THERE'S A LIMITED NUMBER OF UPLAND SON HERE AND THEN THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW ALSO SHOWS THAT THERE WAS NO PROTECTED SPECIES ON THE LOT . AGAIN AND MIXED-USE DISTRICT PLANNING ZONING RECOMMENDED APPROVAL UNANIMOUSLY THEY RECOMMENDED THERE WOULD BE A CONDITION RESTRICTED TO 12 UNITS AND THE OWNERS COMFORTABLE WITH THAT. THERE WERE NO CALLS ON THIS. THERE'S A MOTION IN YOUR PACKET AND WE WOULD ASK YOU TO APPROVE THIS AND I'M HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS THANK YOU.

>> ANY QUESTIONS? PUBLIC COMMENT?

>> WE WILL NOW HERE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER

EIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I WAS AT PCA WHEN THIS WAS PRESENTED. THEY'VE WON ME OVER , OKAY? THIS SECTION OF TOWN ALONG U.S. 1 WHERE 207 COMES IN , IT'S ALREADY A MESS CREATED BY THE CITY OF SAN AUGUSTINE , SO WHAT'S 12 MORE GOING TO BE MILLION-DOLLAR TOWNHOUSES? MR. WHITEHOUSE JUST CALLED THE MULTIFAMILY. Y'ALL CAN'T DECIDE IF TOWNHOUSES WILL BE MULTIFAMILY OR SINGLE-FAMILY. WE WILL CALL THIS ONE SINGLE-FAMILY BECAUSE THEY WILL BE MILLION-DOLLAR HOMES AND I'VE NO PROBLEM WITH IT. REALLY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE CITY OF SAN AUGUSTINE IN THE COUNTY ARE GOING TO COME UP WITH FOR A SOLUTION TO THE TRAFFIC THAT COMES IN AT THAT FIVE POINT AREA THERE. WHERE THEY COME FROM THE SHIPYARDS THAT HAS A TON OF STUFF BACK IN THERE RIGHT NOW.

AND THEN 207 COMING IN AND FIVE GAS STATIONS AND FOUR LITTLE CLAUSES. IT'S JUST CRAZY , BUT IT IS A SMALL PIECE OF PROPERTY.

IT'S NOT IN GOOD REPAIR. 'S ON THE RIVERFRONT. IT WILL INCREASE OUR TAX BASE PROBABLY NO CHILDREN WILL BE LIVING IN

THERE. SO GO FOR IT. WHY NOT >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR

PUBLIC COMMENT? >>

>> I LIVE THERE. I SEE WHAT THEY'VE DONE. THIS IS WHAT GOES ON IN THIS COUNTY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND MAYBE JUST TO GET THE REZONING TO DO WHATEVER HE WANTS TO DO THERE WITH THE OWNER WANTS

[05:05:01]

TO DO. BUT IT'S THIS PROPERTY, YOU KNOW? REGULATIONS. AND I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO PASS THIS. IT'S INTERESTING WHENEVER YOU SEE ALL THIS DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY YOU DON'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY ABOUT IT AND YOU JUST SMILE BECAUSE YOU AREN'T DOING ANYTHING BAD TO ANYONE OVER THERE. HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRAFFIC OF COURSE THEY DO. THERE TRYING TO PUT IN A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THAT WILL HAPPEN IN 100 YEARS. MY CONCERN IS COULD HE HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT CHANGING THIS REZONING? THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE LAND DEVELOPMENT. YOU HAVE TO REZONING. WHY DIDN'T HE KEEP IT OR AND CLEANUP THE MOBILE HOMES AND WHAT'S BACK THERE AND JUST KEPT OR ANNEXED IT INTO THE CITY? ALL THE OTHER ONES ANNEXED IN THE CITY BUT THEY DON'T WANT ANNEXED BECAUSE HE CAN'T DO WHAT HE WANTS TO DO. IT'S VERY INTERESTING WHEN I LISTEN TO THESE THINGS. CITY UTILITIES.

IT'S OUR UTILITIES NOT YOUR UTILITIES. THIS WILL BE ANOTHER UNFORTUNATE -- VERY UNFORTUNATE. YOU DRIVE DOWN U.S. 1 AND YOU LOOK OVER TOWARD THE WATER AND YOU CAN'T SEE THE WATER.

SHIPYARD HAS BUILT RIDICULOUSLY HOUSES AND SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.

BUT IT'S THEIR PROPERTY. THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE YOU PEOPLE DON'T EVEN GET DOWN U.S. 1 TO SEE ALL THAT ON WHAT WE'VE HAD TO PUT UP WITH. SO YOU MAKE THESE KIND PLANS AND YOU WRITE IT DOWN AS BEST YOU CAN AND THE DEVELOPERS AND THE LAWYERS KNOW HOW TO GET AROUND IT AND THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE. PERFECT EXAMPLE THAT'S HOW IT GOES SOMETIMES. JUST REMEMBER, PEOPLE. WE GET TO VOTE

IN 2026. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. SEEING NONE WE WILL CLOSE THIS.

>> IF I CAN REAL QUICK, MADAM CHAIR. I TALKED WITH ] ABOUT THIS. I DID ACTUALLY BACK IN THE DAY REPRESENT THE SHIPYARDS AND I WORKED ON THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THAT'S GOING TO PUT A LIGHT AT THAT WHERE THE DUNKIN' DONUTS IS IN THE GAS STATION. THEY HAVE TO WAIT FOR NUMBER OF TRIPS BECAUSE THE D.O.T. REGULATES THAT ROAD BUT THEY'RE GETTING CLOSE TO THAT IN THE DIRECTOR AT THE CITY TOLD ME AND I REPRESENTED THAT IT LOOKS LIKE RENT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR THE TRIPS WILL BE MET BECAUSE THOSE APARTMENTS ALMOST DONE THAT ARE ADJACENT TO THE VOTE STORAGE SO THERE SHOULD BE A LIGHT COMING IN THERE SOON AND THERE'S A COMMITMENT FROM THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR WHEN THEY DID THAT -- THAT LIGHT WHERE ARAPAHO COMES OUT TO U.S.

1 SHOULD BE GOING IN. I WANTED TO MAKE IT CLEAR FOR THE RECORD BECAUSE IT WAS IN THE COMMENTS. THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT. WE DID PUBLIC COMMENT. ANY MOTIONS?

>> I CAN MAKE A MOTION. MOTION TO ENACT ORDINANCE 2025.

APPROVING ARAPAHO AVENUE TOWNHOMES ON THE FOUR FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONDITIONS PROVIDED IN THIS REPORT.

>> I WILL SECOND. BUT GO AHEAD AND VOTE.

>> THAT PASSES 4-1. NUMBER NINE. WE ARE GETTING THERE.

[9. Public Hearing * NZVAR 2024-19 Elam Family Legacy. Request for Non-Zoning Variance to Sections 4.01.05.E.3, 4.01.05.E.3.a, 4.01.05.E.3.b, 4.01.05.E.3.f and 4.01.05.E.3.g of the Land Development Code regarding enforcement of protected tree removal without a permit on a +/-5.5 acre parcel on Pine Island Road. The Application for a Non-Zoning Variance seeks relief from a fine of $137,700.00 due to clearing without a permit of 4.59 acres of the subject parcel. The Applicant proposes a condition of preserving a one acre buffer along the eastern and southern boundaries of the property and describes their intent to plant larger trees than the code required minimum as a mitigative measure. The NZVAR stands alone as a request for relief but is a precursor to a pending Small-Scale Comprehensive Amendment application currently under review and a companion NZVAR requesting relief from subdivision regulations.]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. ARE YOU READY? I WAS GOING TO SPEAK FIRST QUICKLY BEFORE CHRISTINE PRESENTS OUR PROPOSALS.

YESTERDAY WE HAD OUR MEETINGS AND WE HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE CLOSING OF THE PROPERTY IN CLOSING COSTS AND THE QUESTION THAT CAME UP WAS WAS THERE ANY THING NEGOTIABLE ON THE CONTRACT PRICE AND I ANSWERED NO. THE CONTRACT PRICE CLOSED AT WHAT IT

[05:10:03]

IS A PUBLIC RECORD AND EVERYTHING ELSE. WHEN I GOT HOME WE CHECKED IN THE THINGS AND ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO BE COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT ABOUT IS THERE WERE CONCESSIONS MADE OF $57,000 , WHICH I WANT TO PUT ON THE TABLE IN A HAVE TO SHARE THAT INFORMATION FOR YOUR DECISION-MAKING OR WHATEVER. I WAS ASKED THE QUESTION AND I LOOKED INTO IT AND IT'S NOT ON THE DEED BUT IT WAS A CONCESSION AFTER CLOSING.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> I'M SORRY.

>> CHRISTINA EVANS. SAN AUGUSTINE. HERE I AM REPRESENTING THIS UNIQUE ZONING VARIANCE REQUEST RELATED TO THE VERY LARGE $137,000 FINE FOR UNPERMITTED TREE REMOVAL THE LARGEST TO DATE AND BEFORE I GO INTO THE APPLICATION , I WANTED TO START OFF WITH FOUR THINGS. NUMBER ONE, THE UNPERMITTED TREE REMOVAL WAS NOT PERFORMED BY THE APPLICANTS. THE CURRENT PROPERTY OWNERS. IT WAS DONE BY THE SELLER OF THE PROPERTY AND PASSED ALONG WHEN THEY PURCHASED THE PROPERTY. NUMBER TWO, THE APPLICANTS WERE THE ONES WHO SUBMITTED THE VIOLATIONS REQUEST FOR THE UNPERMITTED TREE REMOVAL TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY. THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THINGS WERE NOT BEING DONE RIGHT ON THE PROPERTY AND CONTACTED ST. JOHNS COUNTY STAFF SO COULD BE HANDLED CORRECTLY. NUMBER THREE, AS MR. ELAM SAID, THE POINT WAS BROUGHT UP YESTERDAY , THE CLOSING INCLUDED A $57,000 REDUCTION WHICH WAS NOT THE ENTIRE 137,000 THEY HAVE LOTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND IN-LAWS SO THEY WANT TO SEE THE CANOPY RESTORED AND THE PROPERTY FIXED UP. THEY ARE PROPOSING TO USE THE MONEY TO PLAN EVERY SINGLE TREE. TO REPLANT EVERY SINGLE TREE. IT IS 5.74 ACRE PROPERTY AT THE EAST END OF PINE ISLAND. AFTER SEARCHING FOR SEVERAL YEARS THE APPLICANTS WERE UNDER CONTRACT TO PURCHASE IT DOING THEIR DUE DILIGENCE WHEN THEY SAW THAT THE SELLER OR THE SELLERS CONTRACTOR HAD NOT PULLED PROPER PERMITS.

SEEING THAT KNOWING IT WOULD BE AN ISSUE THEY REPORTED IT TO ST.

JOHNS COUNTY. THE STAFF DETERMINED THAT ALMOST 4.6 ACRES HAD BEEN CLEARED , WHICH IS WHEN THEY ASSESS THE EXTREMELY LARGE A TIME FOR THEIR DUE DILIGENCE, THEY CLOSE ON THE PROPERTY ABSORBING THE FINE WITH THE PURCHASE.

>> TO THE TREE BANK FUND AND COUNTY PROJECTS AND ALLOW THEM TO INVEST INTO REPLANTING EVERY TREE D ON THE PROPERTY AND REPLACING WITH THE LARGEST TREE THAT CAN BE REPLANTED SAFELY. THEY CAN'T REPLACE THE EXACT SIZE, BECAUSE THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO SURVIVE AND VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE ON TO THE PROPERTY.

SINCE THEY WILL BE REPLANTING SUCH LARGE TREES AND SO MANY AND THEY HAVE PLANS FOR FOUR HOMES AND A BARN, THEY CANNOT REPLANT ALL THE TREES THAT ARE ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN REMOVED.

IN ORDER TO ESTIMATE WHAT WAS REMOVED, THEY WORKED WITH TWO DIFFERENT COMPANIES. ONE TEAM SURVEYED ALONG WITH ONE ACRE TO THE WEST TO COME UP WITH WHAT WAS ON THE PROPERTY.

THE SECOND USED TREE MAPPING AND GROUND SURVEYS AND BOTH TEAMS AGREED THE ESTIMATED TREE REMOVAL TOTALS 23 LIVE OAKS AT 12 INCHES IN DIAMETER AND FIVE MAGNOLIAS, NINE INCHES IN DIAMETER.

THEY ARE CONSIDERED PROTECTED TREES BUT NOT SPECIMEN TREES. THE PREVIOUS OWNER COULD HAVE JUST APPLIED FOR A TREE REMOVAL PERMIT AND REPLANTED OR PAID INTO THE TREE BANK FUND WITHOUT COMING TO THE BOARD.

EITHER WAY, A TOTAL OF 321 TREE INCHES OR 9% WERE REMOVED.

[05:15:01]

THERE ARE STILL OVER 3,000 INCHES ON THE PROPERTY TODAY. THEY ARE WORKING WITH A COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZES IN LARGE TREE RELOCATING AND PLANTING TO REPLACE ALL 23 LIVE OAK AND FIVE MAGNOLIA TREES. CODE WOULD ALLOW THEM TO INSTALL SMALLER TREES THAT WOULD TAKE YEARS TO GROW TO THE SIZE OF THE ONES REMOVED.

THIS IS THE CHEAPER OPTION. INSTEAD, THEY WANT TO USE THE LARGEST THAT CAN BE REPLANTED.

FOR LIVE OAKS, THAT'S EIGHT INCHES IN DIAMETER AND FOR MAGNOLIA, SIX INCHES. THE PURCHASE OF THE TREES AND INSTALLATION IS ALMOST $90,000, PLUS COSTS FOR IRRIGATION TO ENSURE THE TREES SURVIVE.

ONCE THE EXTRA LARGE TREES ARE ESTABLISHED, BASED ON THE STANDARD GROW RATE, THEY WILL REACH THE SIZE OF THE ONES REMOVED WITHIN THREE TO FOUR YEARS.

THIS WILL BE THEIR HOME FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILY.

THEY WANT TO SEE THE TREE CANOPY BACK AND HAVE A BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY JUST LIKE IT WAS BEFORE.

SHEER HERE IS THE PLANNING SCHEDULE AND PLAN. THE TREES ARE PLACED EVENLY AROUND THE PROPERTY IN RELATION TO THE EXISTING TREES AND THEIR PLANS FOR HOUSES AND A BARN.

THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH ROOM FOR REPLANTING ON THE PROPERTY.

MOST OF THESE ARE LIVE OAKS WHICH REQUIRE 20 TO 30 FEET OF SPACING TO THRIVE.

THEY REALLY CAN'T BE ON TOP OF EACH OTHER. THEY ARE PROPOSING TO REPLACE EVERY SINGLE TREE THAT WAS REMOVED, THE SAME NUMBER.

THEN WITH A FEW YEARS OF GROWTH, THE TOTAL INCHES REMOVED WILL BE RESTORED ON THE PROPERTY.

PER THE CODE, THERE IS A DEFICIT OF 130 TREE INCHES INITIALLY UPON THE REPLANTING.

EVEN THOUGH THOSE WILL GROW WITHIN FOUR YEARS.

THEY WILL PAY THE STANDARD RATE INTO THE TREE BANK FUND FOR THE INCHES NOT REPLANTED. THAT'S THE $3,250.

THE APPLICATION MATERIALS IN THE AGENDA REFERENCED A ONE- ACRE BUFFER COVERING MOST OF THE REMAINING TREES TO THE SOUTH AND EAST.

AFTER CONSIDERATION, WE CAME UP WITH A BETTER SOLUTION TO ENSURE THAT THE TREES ARE PRESERVED.

WE MADE EACH OF THE LOTS OVER ONE ACRE, NOT INCLUDING THAT ACCESS DOWN THE MIDDLE.

THEREFORE, ALL THESE LOTS ARE SUBJECT TO GETTING A TREE REMOVAL PERMIT SAME AS THE ORIGINAL PROPERTY OWNER SHOULD HAVE DONE IF THEY WERE UNDER ONE ACRE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN EXEMPT FROM THAT REQUIREMENT AND COULD HAVE JUST REMOVED THE TREES.

TO CLOSE, I WILL REITERATE, THEY DID NOT REMOVE THE TREES.

THEY ARE THE ONES THAT REPORTED THIS VIOLATION TO ST.

JOHNS COUNTY AND ABSORBED A MAJORITY OF THE FINE. THEY ARE HERE TODAY ASKING THE BOARD TO WAIVE THE FINE AND ALLOW THEM TO USE THAT TOWARDS REPLANTING EVERY TREE REMOVED WITH THE LARGEST OPTION AVAILABLE SO THAT WITHIN THREE TO FOUR YEARS ALL WILL BE REPLACED.

THEY ARE WILLING -- OFFERING TO PAY THE DIFFERENCE IN TREE INCHES TO THE TREE BANK FUND PER THE CODE.

I'M HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THEY ARE PRESENT TODAY IF ANYONE ELSE HAS ANY QUESTIONS.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION. I WENT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE PROPERTY YESTERDAY. THERE'S A LOT OF REAL BEAUTIFUL TREES STILL THERE ALL OVER.

THEY ARE OAK TREES. YOU WILL TAKE THOSE DOWN ALSO?

>> NO.

>> YOU WILL WORK AROUND THOSE? THEY ARE KIND OF AROUND IN THE MIDDLE AND EVERYTHING.

>> HERE IS THE SITE PLAN. BASED ON HOW WE PLANTED THE NEW TREES AND THEY HAVE AN IDEA WHERE THE HOUSES ARE GOING, THEY DON'T HAVE ANY PLANS TO TAKE DOWN THOSE TREES. IF THEY DID NEED TO FOR WHATEVER IMPROVEMENT THEY ARE DOING, THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE TREE REMOVAL PERMIT PROCESS LIKE EVERY OTHER PROPERTY.

>> SORRY TO BOTHER YOU. THE DISCREPANCY BETWEEN 137,000 -- HOW DID WE GET TO THAT?

>> CURRENTLY, TO CLARIFY, THE $137,700 CAME FROM THE CURRENT FINES IN ARTICLE 4 WHICH STATES THAT IF WE CANNOT DETERMINE THE SPECIES AND SIZE OF TREES THAT WERE REMOVED, THERE'S NO STUMPS, THEN WHAT WE DO IS WE DO AN ACRE MEASUREMENT.

WE TOOK A GPS HANDHELD UNIT AND WALKED THE CLEARED ACREAGE.

THAT'S WHERE WE CAME TO THE $137,700.

THE 32,500 THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING, THEY DID AN ESTIMATE ON THE TREES REMOVED. THEY WORKED WITH A TEAM AND THEY CAME UP WITH AN ESTIMATE WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS REMOVED. THERE'S

[05:20:01]

NO WAY FOR STAFF TO VERIFY THE VALIDITY OF THAT.

WE ARE USING THE ADJACENT PROPERTIES TO COMPARE WHAT WAS AROUND THERE.

THE 32,500 IS THE DEFICIT OF WHAT THEY CANNOT REPLANT BACK ON THE PROPERTY. THEY ARE SAYING, 130 INCHES THEY CAN'T REPLANT. THEY WOULD PAY THAT INTO THE TREE BANK FUND.

>> HOW IS THAT $3,000?

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT CODE SECTIONS HERE. THE FIRST ONE IS THE VIOLATION FINE WHICH IS THE $137,700.

THAT'S A PENALTY FOR CLEARING LAND WITHOUT A PERMIT.

THE 3,250 IS TO MITIGATE FOR THE TREE INCHES THEY ESTIMATED TO BE REMOVED.

>> I'M GLAD THE BOARD IS HERE. I WANT TO -- THIS IS WHY WE HAVE A TREE CODE THAT WE WANT TO UPGRADE.

DO WE HAVE ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE COMMISSIONERS WHAT YOU THINK WE SHOULD DO?

>> THANK YOU. I THINK $137,000 FOR TREES THAT WERE REMOVED WITHOUT A PERMIT THAT THEY MAY HAVE BEEN WITHIN THE RIGHTS TO REMOVE HAD THEY GOTTEN A PERMIT, THAT SEEMS LIKE A STEEP PENALTY.

WE HAVE A NEW PROPERTY OWNER. I APPRECIATE HIM DISCLOSING THE DEAL DONE AT THE TABLE. THIS IS A VERY SMALL DEVELOPMENT. IT'S A FAMILY PROPERTY.

IT'S GOING TO BE LIKELY FOR HIS DAUGHTER AND SOME OF HIS FAMILY.

IT SEEMS AWFULLY STEEP IN MY OPINION.

>> I JUST HAD A QUESTION. WHY WASN'T THAT FINE TAKEN CARE OF AT CLOSING?

>> THE FINE WASN'T TAKEN CARE OF BECAUSE WHAT WE WANTED TO DO IS FOR LACK OF A MORE PROFESSIONAL TERM, WE ROLLED THE DICE AFTER WE HAD A FAMILY MEETING TO GO AHEAD AND PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY KNOWING THE FINE -- WHAT THE FINE WOULD POTENTIALLY BE. INSTEAD OF LAWYERING UP AND SUING THE SELLER, THE SELLER SUING ME AND TWO YEARS LATER NOTHING GETS DONE, WE CHOSE TO LITERALLY PUT IT RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF THIS RIGHT NOW IS WHERE -- I HAVE LIVED IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY 30 YEARS.

MY FAMILY LIVES IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

THE PROPERTY IS IN ST. JOHNS PROPERTY.

IT'S WHAT WE WANTED FOR OUR HOMESTEAD.

I'M GOING OUT FEET FIRST ON THIS ONE. THE FAMILY MEETING WAS THAT WE WOULD BASICALLY PUTPUT FATE IN THE HANDS OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN IN THE SENSE OF BEING ABLE TO FIND A REASONABLE, WELL- BALANCED ANSWER TO THE SITUATION AND THAT'S WHY IT WASN'T PAID AT CLOSING. FOR ONE, I COULDN'T AFFORD TO PAY IT AT CLOSING. I JUST PURCHASED THIS LAND FOR MY FAMILY. THAT WOULD BE THE

REASON. >> I MEANT BY THE SELLER.

I UNDERSTAND IT WASN'T YOUR FAULT.

WHY DIDN'T THE SELLER --

>> I APOLOGIZE.

>> WHY DIDN'T THE SELLER PAY WHAT WAS DUE TO THE COUNTY?

>> I'M NOT WELL VERSED IN CODE BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION.

I DID JUST ENOUGH QUICK RESEARCH ON MY OWN THAT THESE TYPE FINES -- JUMP IN IF YOU WANT -- THESE FINES PASS TO THE NEXT PERSON. IT COMES WITH THE PARCEL.

ALSO, IF WE WERE OKAY, YOU PAY THE FINE AND WE'RE OUT, WE HAD A FAMILY MEETING.

WE DECIDED WE DIDN'T WANT TO BE OUT.

WE HAD TO MAKE A RUN AND CLOSE THE PROPERTY BECAUSE IT'S EXACTLY WHERE WE WANTED TO BE.

I COULD HAVE WALKED AWAY FROM THE DEAL.

AS I MENTIONED, I ROLLED THE DICE.

FAMILY VOTED. HERE WE ARE. I HOPE THAT ANSWERS IT.

AS FAR AS WHAT I CAN ANSWER.

>> IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THE SELLER WAS WILLING TO PAY IT. THIS IS THEIR DREAM PROPERTY THAT THEY HAVE SEARCHED FOR SEVERAL YEARS FOR THEIR FAMILY AT THE DIRT ROAD OF PINE ISLAND.

THEY DIDN'T WANT TO LOSE THE PROPERTY.

>> THANK YOU.

LET ME MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THIS RIGHT.

YOU ARE GOING TO PAY $90,000 TO REPLANT THE TREES THAT YOU CAN AND YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY WHAT YOU CAN'T TO THE TREE BANK AT $25 AN INCH?

>> CORRECT.

>> THROUGH THE CHAIR, JUST SO YOU ARE AWARE, TWO THINGS.

THERE'S A REQUIREMENT FOR THE FINE. BUT ALSO A REQUIREMENT TO REPLANT THE INCHES THAT WERE TAKEN DOWN. IF YOU CAN'T REPLANT THE INCHES, THAT'S WHAT GETS PAID INTO THE TREE FUND. THERE'S TWO SEPARATE

THINGS. >> EVEN IF THEY PAID THE

[05:25:02]

FINE, THEY WOULD STILL HAVE TO REPLANT.

>> THEY WILL REPLANT ANYWAY. REPLANT -- OKAY.

I TEND TO AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUES ABOUT THE FINE.

SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE STEEP. I WOULD BE INCLINED TO ASK THE BOARD FOR CONSENSUS TO WAIVE THE 137,000. HERE IS MY CHALLENGE. ROLLING THE DICE SOMETIMES IS A LITTLE SKETCHY. WE JUST WENT THROUGH A LONG PROCESS TO TALK ABOUT INCREASING THE TREE FINE PER INCHES FROM $25 TO $100.

I WOULD BE WILLING TO -- IF MY BOARD MEMBERS WOULD BE TO WAIVE THAT FINE OR ASK THE FINE TO BE WAIVED IF YOU WOULD PAY $100 AN INCH INSTEAD OF $25 AN INCH.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO DO?

>> AS WE WERE SITTING ON OUR CAR WATCHING THIS, WHICH IT'S AMAZING TO ME HOW THIS WORKS. WE HEARD THE COMMENT MADE.

I TURNED TO MY WIFE AND I WAS LIKE, THAT'S STILL VERY REASONABLE.

IT'S NOT JUST MY GOSH, YEAH, LET'S GET IT DONE.

NO, THAT IS A REASONABLE TREE INCH AMOUNT.

I KNOW WHAT THE LIVE OAKS ARE GOING TO COST ME.

ON AVERAGE, THEY COST $225 AN INCH BEFORE THEY LEAVE THE NURSERY. YOU WERE ASKING FOR INFORMATION.

SOMEONE STOOD UP AND WAS TRYING TO ANSWER THE QUESTION.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE ESTIMATED FOR THAT.

AS A RESIDENT OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, THAT 100 INCHES IS VERY FAIR. STANDING HERE RIGHT NOW FROM MY CURRENT ISSUE OF TODAY IS, YES, I WOULD DO THAT.

>> HE PLANTS THE TREES. THEN INTO THE TREE BANK $100 PER INCH.

>> $13,000 INSTEAD OF $3,200.

>> IF I CAN GET CLARIFICATION. THEY WILL REPLANT THE TREES IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE TREE PLAN, BECAUSE THAT'S OUTSIDE THE CODE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE IF THERE'S SOME CONCESSION MADE, BECAUSE THERE'S A $57,000 CONCESSION GIVEN TO THEM, THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BEING PLANTED BACK. THAT SEEMS TO EXCEED THE CODE.

AT LONG AS WE HAVE A GOOD HANDLE ON THAT.

DO WE UNDERSTAND THE TREE PLANNING PLAN?

>> THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT.

THIS WAS A SITE PLAN WE REQUESTED BECAUSE STAFF WAS HONESTLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW ALL THE TREES WOULD FIT BACK ON THE PROPERTY. YOU HAVE TO PLANT 20 FEET APART.

AS A GENERAL CONCEPT, WE MIGHT NEED MORE SPECIFICS.

IF WE SAY WE PLANT A MINIMUM OF 214 TREE INCHES BACK AND PAY THE REMAINDER TO THE TREE BANK FUND, I UNDERSTAND THAT. IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOLDING TO THIS SPECIFIC SITE PLAN, WE MIGHT NEED MORE CLARITY ON AS FAR AS MAYBE DIRECTION FROM THE BOARD OR IF WE'RE SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT THE TREE INCHES AT THIS POINT.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE TREE INCHES. ON SITE PLAN, DO THEY HAVE TO COME BACK FOR THAT?

>> NO. THAT WOULD GO THROUGH GROWTH MANAGEMENT.

>> I THINK WE JUST USE THIS FORMULA, THE FORMULA THAT WAS PLANNED OUT BY GROWTH MANAGEMENT AND THE FAMILY USING THE SUGGESTION.

I THINK WE HAVE A DEAL. I SEE THEM MAKING EVERY EFFORT.

>> ONE LAST CLARIFICATION. TREE INCHES REMOVED WAS NOT CONFIRMED BY STAFF. THAT'S SOMETHING THEY ARE PUTTING FORWARD, JUST FOR CLARIFICATION.

>> OKAY. ALLOW HE HAD TO MAKE A MOTION.

I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE 137 -- LET ME MAKE SURE. $137,700 FINE FOR ILLEGALLY REMOVING THE TREE S. WITH THE RESTRICTIONS THAT THEY MUST REPLANT 214 INCHES AND THEN PAY A DEFICIT ON THE 130 TREE INCHES THEY CAN'T OF $100 FOR INCH FOR $13,000.

>> SECOND.

>> CAN WE INCLUDE THAT TO ANY OTHER INCHES THAT CAN'T BE REPLANTED? IS THAT WHAT I'M UNDERSTANDING? WE DON'T FLOW WHEN KNOW, THEY MAY PLANT 200 INCHES.

ANY INCHES THAT CAN'T --

>> IF THEY CAN REPLANT MORE INCHES --

[05:30:03]

>> OR LESS. >> WHATEVER THE DEFICIT IS.

BASICALLY, WHAT WE ARE SAYING HERE, IF I UNDERSTAND, IS THAT -- PUT THAT ONE SCREEN BACK UP. GO BACK. BASICALLY, WHATEVER YOU CAN'T OR WHATEVER YOU CAN, FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU CAN PUT MORE THAN 214 INCHES, IT REDUCES THE FINE BY $100 AN INCH. THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING.

EVERYBODY UNDERSTAND THAT CORRECTLY?

>> IS THAT RIGHT?

>> WE HAVE A MOTION.

>> I SECOND IT. WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM 9.

>> NICOLE CROSBY. A COUPLE OF ISSUES.

I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A DEADLINE ON IT.

THEY WILL PROBABLY NOT PLANT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER. MIGHT BE THE WORST TIME FOR SURVIVAL OF TREES. THEY NEED TO GIVE US -- TELL US WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO GO IN THE GROUND. IF DAN AND CHUCK WERE HERE, THEY WOULD BE SAYING THAT THEY HAVE TO BE A CERTAIN GRADE OF TREE. THERE WOULD BE A WATERING PLAN TO ENSURE THEY SURVIVE. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING SET UP SO WE DON'T HAVE SOME DEAD TREES OR THAT THEY DECIDE NOT TO PUT THEM IN FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. I THINK THERE'S THAT. MY OTHER ISSUE IS THAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS LEGAL QUESTION, WHAT KIND OF PRECEDENT IS THIS SETTING? THIS IS A HUGE FORGIVENESS.

WHAT IF SOMEBODY ELSE WANTS FORGIVENESS? ARE WE STUCK? THAT'S MY ONLY CONCERN.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE?

>> SUZANNE KLUGER. JUSTICE AND MERCY REIGNS TODAY.

ALLELUIA. I FEEL BAD FOR THESE PEOPLE.

YOU FIND EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT. THEN YOU FIND OUT IT'S GOT ALL THESE PROBLEMS THAT YOU DIDN'T CREATE. I THINK YOU HAVE GOT A VERY GOOD PROCESS HERE OF, WE GET SOMETHING, THEY GET SOMETHING.

I THINK IT'S VERY, VERY FAIR. I THINK THEY HAVE BEEN VERY HONEST ABOUT THE WHOLE THING.

HE CAME FORTH WITH THE REPORT. HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD JUST HIDE BACK THERE ON PINE ISLAND AND HOPE NOBODY EVER SAYS ANYTHING? THIS IS A GOOD DEAL.

THANKS, GUYS. >> THANK YOU.

>> JUDY SPEIGLE. I WANT TO COMMEND THIS FAMILY FOR COMING FORWARD, DOING THE RIGHT THING.

THEY COULD HAVE HIDDEN AWAY AND MAYBE NEVER KNOWN. BUT YOU HAVE THAT BEHIND YOUR BACK. I THINK THEY ARE TRYING TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS. I THINK THEY WANT THE TREES TO SURVIVE. I THINK THEY WILL DO WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE SURE THE TREES SURVIVE.

THEY ARE NOT JUST DOING IT BECAUSE THE RULE SAYS.

THEY ARE DOING IT BECAUSE THEY WANT A BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY WITH BIG TREES.

THIS IS A VERY GOOD THING. AS FAR AS SETTING A PRECEDENT, I WAS SO MAD WHEN I SAW THIS, WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY CLEARED ALL THOSE TREES? THE STORY IS WHAT THE STORY IS.

WE DEAL WITH EACH SITUATION INDIVIDUALLY.

I DON'T THINK THIS SETS A PRECEDENT FOR ANYTHING. SHAME ON THE PERSON WHO CLEARED THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE. I GUESS THAT'S NOT MY PLACE TO SAY. I THINK THIS IS A GOOD DEAL FOR THE COUNTY AND FOR THE FAMILY.

>> THANK YOU. YES, SIR.

>> I'M PROUD OF THE FAMILY. I'M PROUD OF THE COMMISSIONERS FOR HANDLING THIS IN A LOGICAL AND SHALL WE SAY BETTER THAN MOST GOVERNMENT WORK AROUND THIS BUILDING. COULD WE HAVE IT RETURN FOR A VOTE ON AN ACTUAL SIGNED CONTRACT TO BE DRAFTED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT? LET'S NOT DO THIS LOOSE AS A GOOSE. HAVE IT COME BACK TO THE ONLY MEETING WE HAVE IN JULY. MAKE SURE THAT OUR DUCKS ARE IN A ROW, SO TO SPEAK. MAKE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY DO SOME WORK ON THIS. THEY HAVE BEEN REALLY QUIET ALL THIS MEETING.

AT ANY RATE, I SUPPORT THE MOTION.

IT NEEDS TO HAVE A RETURN DATE IN JULY. LET'S NOT DO IT ON THE FLY.

I LIKE WHAT WAS SAID ABOUT HAVING A PLAN AND SPECIFYING WHAT KIND OF TREES, WHAT KIND OF IRRIGATION. LET'S GET THIS RIGHT.

I LOVE THE MOTION AND I LOVE THE APPROACH. THANK YOU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

[05:35:03]

>> THANK YOU.

>> WELL, IT'S OBVIOUS THIS DEAL WITH THE SELLER AND THE BUYER, SOMEBODY OR EVERYBODY DIDN'T DO THEIR DUE DILIGENCE. WE SPENT AN HOUR OR SO ABOUT THE COMP PLAN. SO YOU CAN COME IN HERE AND THERE'S A LAWYER, I KNOW AT LEAST ONE SITTING HERE.

YOU CAN GET A ZONING VARIANCE WHEN YOU DID SOMETHING WRONG. THE REGULATIONS ARE NOT ENFORCED. THAT'S THE REASON WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TREES AND OTHER THINGS. A DEVELOPER, WHICH COULD BE AN INDIVIDUAL OR A COMMERCIAL PERSON HAVE BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO KNOW HOW TO GETGET OUR COMP PLAN AND OUR ZONING. I HOPE -- KEEP HOPING THAT REGULATIONS ARE THERE FOR A REASON. BUT THERE'S ALWAYS A WAY AROUND IT. I'M VERY, VERY DISAPPOINTED.

NOT SO MUCH IN THIS LITTLE CASE BUT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING TODAY, IT DOES NOT MATTER. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT OUR COMP PLAN SAYS. YES, COMMISSIONER, I DO LIKE TO BE LAST. THERE'S A REASON.

I'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO REFUTE WHENEVER COMMISSIONERS GET VERY UPSET AND WANT TO JUSTIFY WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

NOT ON THIS VOTE. BUT WE ARE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES. IT'S BEEN A VERY EDUCATIONAL DAY FOR ME. I DIDN'T HAVE TO GO TO ANOTHER MEETING IN THE CITY.

>> ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER

QUESTIONS? >> I DO.

WE HAVE OUR OWN ARBOR STAFF? WOULD THERE BE A WAY FOR US TO CHARGE YOU WITH MAKING SURE THAT THE DEAL WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY GETS TO FRUITION? CAN WE LAY THAT IN YOUR LAP?

>> COMMISSIONER, I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE ON THAT RESPONSIBILITY. HOWEVER, I THINK MIKE LET YOU KNOW, I'M MOVING TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MONDAY, THE 23RD.

OUR DIVISION WOULD BE LAP HAPPY TO TAKE ON THAT RESPONSIBILITY. WE REVIEW PERMIT APPLICATIONS.

THIS WOULD BE ONE THAT WOULD COME BEFORE OUR TEAM.

WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM THERE OUTSIDE OF ME THAT KNOWS ALL THE CODE JUST AS WELL AS MYSELF. WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE REVIEWING FOR THIS. ABSOLUTELY.

>> OKAY.

>> THROUGH THE CHAIR TO COMMISSIONER, WHEN YOU HAVE A NON- ZONING VARIANCE, WE IMPLEMENT THOSE VARIANCES THROUGH AN ORDER. THERE WILL BE AN ORDER.

WE WILL MODIFY THE ONE IN YOUR PACKET. IT WILL STATE THE MOTION AND SET FORTH THE PARAMETERS ON WHICH YOU ARE VOTING.

>> THANKS. - >> YOU DON'T NEED TO COME BACK WITH A CONTRACT. WHAT WE SAY ON TV AND GTV IS ALL --

>> PER THE MOTION, WE WILL MODIFY THE ORDER GRANTING NON- ZONING VARIANCE AND IT WILL HAVE THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE TODAY.

>> OKAY. WE CAN GO BUG CORINNE EVEN IN A DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> MOTION ON THE TABLE. PLEASE VOTE.

THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY, 5-0.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NUMBER 10.

[10. Solid Waste Presentation on Special Assessment. The prior agreements for residential curbside solid waste collection services expired on July 31, 2024. As all contractual renewal provisions under those agreements had been fully exercised, the County was obligated to initiate a new competitive procurement process pursuant to applicable statutory and procurement requirements. Following the issuance and evaluation of a formal Request for Proposals (RFP), a new contract was awarded, which reflects an increase in service costs to the County. In order to maintain the existing level of service to properties within the Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU), an adjustment to the annual solid waste assessment is required. County staff will deliver a presentation and request authorization from the Board of County Commissioners to proceed with the proposed assessment modifications. This process will include the preparation and issuance of all statutorily required notices, as well as the scheduling and conduct of a duly noticed public hearing, in accordance with Florida law.]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. CORINNE WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE TO HELP OUT ANY WAY SHE CAN. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT HAVING HER JOIN THE PUBLIC WORKS TEAM.

THIS PRESENTATION IS THE TALK ABOUT THE SOLID WASTE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT AND THE NEXT STEPS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT. THERE'S A COUPLE AGENDA ITEMS WE WILL GO OVER.

THE LEVEL OF SERVICE. THE PROPOSED MSBU ASSESSMENT.

NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNERS AND THE MOTION.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT.

WE MANAGE AND OPERATE TWO SOLID WASTE TRANSFER STATIONS.

[05:40:04]

ONE IN THE NORTH, ONE IN THE SOUTH.

WE ENFORCE THE SOLID WASTE ORDINANCE AND MANAGE IT.

WE OVERSEE RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE PICKUP. AS WELL AS OVERSEE THE DISPOSAL OF RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL WASTE. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS AS WELL AS WHITE GOODS, TIRES, MAINTAIN THE LANDFILL AND MONITORING. THE CURRENT LEVEL IS THE BASE LEVEL OF THE SOLID WASTE SERVICES FOR RESIDENTIAL COLLECTION. HOUSEHOLD GARBAGE ONCE A WEEK.

THAT'S MANUAL HAND LOADING AND UNLIMITED.

PUT OUT AS MUCH AS YOU WANT AND WE WILL PICK IT UP.

WE HAVE YARD WASTE, MANUAL AS WELL.

THAT'S UNLIMITED AS WELL. WE HAVE THE RECYCLING, AUTOMATED, THAT WE CAN PROVIDE 35 OR 95- GALLON CART FOR COLLECTION.

WE PROVIDE BULK WASTE, FURNITURE, MATTRESSES, SOFAS, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO PUT OUT THERE, THAT'S UNLIMITED. WE WILL PICK THAT UP ON A WEEKLY BASIS. ANOTHER AREA THAT WE PROVIDE IS DISPOSAL SERVICES FOR NOT ONLY RESIDENTIAL BUT FOR COMMERCIAL.

TODAY IS TALKING ABOUT THE RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT.

THIS IS HANDLING TRANSPORTATION AND FINAL DISPOSAL OF THE HOUSEHOLD GARBAGE.

COMES INTO OUR TRANSFER STATIONS.

MAKES ITS WAY UP TO CHESHIRE ISLAND IN GEORGIA. WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS MUNICIPAL SERVICE BENEFIT UNIT. THIS IS HOW WE PAY FOR THE RESIDENTIAL SERVICES.

THE PURPOSE OF THE ASSESSMENT IS TO FUND THE RESIDENTIAL DISPOSAL, RESIDENTIAL COLLECTION AND THE RECYCLING SERVICES.

MSBU IS AN ASSESSMENT CREATED TO FUND ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

THIS IS NOT PART OF YOUR PROPERTY TAX.

THIS IS A SEPARATE CHARGE ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING THESE SERVICES. ALL RESIDENTIAL UNITS PAY THE SAME THING IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. EVERYBODY PAYS THE SAME AMOUNT FOR THE BASE LEVEL OF SERVICE.

CURRENTLY, THE SOLID WASTE REVENUE IS PROVIDEDPROVIDED DIFFERENT FUNDING OPTIONS.

AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE TOP, THE MSBU, PROVIDES 70% OF OUR FUNDING.

THIS YEAR WAS A LITTLE DIP BECAUSE WE DID RECEIVE SOME GENERAL FUND TRANSFER TO ASSIST US THROUGH THIS YEAR AS WELL AS THERE ARE FUNDS IN THE BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR.

THAT'S WHERE YOU SEE IN 2024 THERE WERE ZERO MONEY COMING THE GENERAL FUND AND '25 AND '26 WE DID BUDGET SOME TO SUPPORT THE SOLID WASTE ENTERPRISE.

THAT IS WHY WE ARE COMING TO THE BOARD TO GET THIS STRAIGHTENED OUT AND TO ASSESS THIS PROPERLY.

THIS IS -- WE HAVE THREE DIFFERENT MSBUS THAT CREATE THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING RESIDENTIAL SERVICES.

IT'S THE COLLECTION, THE DISPOSAL AND THE RECYCLING.

AS OF 2025, EACH RESIDENT PAYS $254 IF THEY ARE PROVIDED THIS SERVICE. THE REQUEST IS TO GO UP TO $334 NEXT YEAR, WHICH IS AN INCREASE -- TOTAL INCREASE OF $80 OVER THE ENTIRE YEAR. IN 2027, UP BY ANOTHER $60.

THAT WILL GET THE SOLID WASTE ENTERPRISE FUND IN GOOD STANDING AS WELL AS PAY BACK THE GENERAL FUND FOR TWO YEARS OF SUPPORT. 2028 THROUGH 2030 ARE KEEPING UP WITH THE CPI ASSOCIATED WITH OUR CURRENT CONTRACTS.

THAT'S A $20 INCREASE ON THE ANNUAL BASIS.

THAT WILL GET THE SOLID WASTE FUND BACK INTO GOOD STANDING AND BUILD BACK SOME OF OUR RESERVES IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

OF COURSE, WE LOOK AROUND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE PAYING.

I WILL SAY, NOBODY -- SOLID WASTE SERVICES FROM COMMUNITY TO COMMUNITY, IT'S NOT APPLES TO APPLES. THERE'S NUANCES PEOPLE HAVE.

IT'S BASED ON WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS.

HERE IS SOME THAT THEY PROPOSED IS $334.

AS YOU CAN SEE, A LOT OF THE ADJACENT NEIGHBORS TO THE NORTH, SOUTH AND WEST, ARE IN THE GENERAL AREA, IF NOT HIGHER. ONE OF THE AREAS EVERYBODY IS FAMILIAR WITH CLAY COUNTY.

THEY WENT THROUGH A TRANSITION AS WELL.

THEY ARE AT $358, WHICH WE WILL BE AT $334.

I BELIEVE ST. JOHNS COUNTY, WE HAVE UNLIMITED HOUSEHOLD AND YARD WASTE, AUTOMATED RECYCLING AND UNLIMITED BULK. CLAY COUNTY ARE NOT GOING TO PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING COLLECTION.

I BELIEVE THEY HAVE RECYCLING CENTERS. THEY HAVE ONE BIN FOR HOUSEHOLD GARBAGE AND THREE CUBIC YARDS OF

[05:45:02]

YARD WASTE. OUR COST WE FEEL IS LOW FOR THE HIGH LEVEL OF SERVICE WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE. AS PART OF THIS PROCESS, ONE OF THE KEY THINGS IS A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT RATE INCREASE REQUIRES PUBLIC NOTIFICATION BY STATE LAW.

WE WORKED WITH LEGAL TO MAKE SURE OUR LETTER WE'RE GOING TO MAIL OUT, IF THE BOARD DIRECTIONS, WILL MEET THE REQUIREMENT. THE NOTICE WILL BE DELIVERED BY FIRST CLASS MAIL TO THE OWNERS OF EACH PARCEL. ALL 116,000 PLUS.

THE LETTER WILL INCLUDE THE PURPOSE OF THE ASSESSMENT, TOTAL ANNUAL REVENUE AND THE PROPOSED RATES FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

IT'S A VERY CLEAR LETTER. IT'S A VERY LEGAL DOCUMENT THAT WILL BE PROVIDED TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE IMPACTED BY THIS DECISION.

THE NEXT STEPS ARE STATESTATE REQUIRES THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT. TODAY IS NOT APPROVING ANY ASSESSMENT INCREASE RIGHT NOW.

IT'S ALLOWING US TO START NOTIFYING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE NEXT STEPS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROCESS. THE PUBLIC HEARING, IF DIRECTED, WILL BE HELD AS A REGULAR BOARD ITEM IN A FUTURE BOARD MEETING IN AUGUST.

WE WILL SET THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR AUGUST 5TH.

TWO BOARD MEETINGS AWAY FROM NOW.

THAT MEETS REQUIREMENTS STATUTE-WISE.

EVERY RESIDENT WILL RECEIVE A LETTER THAT NOTIFIES THEM OF THE COMPONENTS OF WHAT WE ARE REQUESTING. HERE IS THE PROPOSED MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD.

I'M HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> YES. I HAVE A QUESTION.

THIS IS NOT IN THE -- THIS IS A SEPARATE BILL THAT WILL COME TO EVERY HOUSEHOLD? IS IT THAT AMOUNT? IS IT SEPARATED?

>> IT WILL BE PART OF THE TRIM NOTICE. YOU WILL SEE IT IN YOUR TAXES.

IT WILL BE A SEPARATE LINE WITHIN YOUR TAXES.

>> IT'S NOT A BILL THAT COMES AND WE HAVE TO PAY IT?

>> NO, MA'AM. PART OF YOUR TAXES BUT SEPARATE AS A DIFFERENT COST.

>> THERE YOU WILL COME TO MY DOOR FOUR TIMES FOR $4. 48 A WEEK?

>> THAT'S THE CHARGE FOR THE SERVICES. THAT'S FOR COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL.

>> WHEN IT GOES UP THE NEXT IN 2026, IT'S $6. 42 A WEEK?

>> IT'S AN INCREASE --

>> I DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE IT TO THE STATION THREE TIMES OR THE YARD WASTE AND THEN THE GARBAGE AND THEN RECYCLE?

>> NO, MA'AM. WE WILL COME TO YOUR RESIDENCE AND PICK EVERYTHING UP.

>> I DON'T HAVE TO USE MY CAR IN.

>> NO, MA'AM. >> THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, IF YOU ARE READY. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM TEN.

SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION?

>> BE HAPPY TO MOVE. I MOVE TO DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE A PROPOSED ADJUSTMENT TO THE MAXIMUM SOLID SPECIAL ASSESSMENT RATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 AND FUTURE FISCAL YEARS FOR CONSIDERATION DURING THE BUDGET ADOPTION PROCESS AT A DULY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING AND PROVIDE SUCH NOTICE AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

>> I WILL SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. PLEASE VOTE.

THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. NUMBER 11.

[11. Recommended adoption of the proposed schedules for certain rates, deposits, charges, fees, and costs relating to the use or availability of water, wastewater, and reclaimed water services and unit connection fees pursuant to the St. Johns County Utility Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2025. In response to the requirements of Senate Bill (SB) 64, which mandates the elimination of treated domestic wastewater discharges into Florida’s surface waters and promotes the reuse of reclaimed water, St. Johns County is expanding its reclaimed water infrastructure. This expansion involves significant capital investment to support operational needs and system growth. After a recent review of current and projected annual operating costs and capital investments, SJCUD is recommending potential adoption of certain rates, deposits, charges, fees, and costs related to the use or availability of water, wastewater, and reclaimed water services. The proposed adjustments will not have an impact on existing water and wastewater customers and are limited to existing reclaimed water accounts and unit connection fees. To ensure cost recovery and maintain affordability for customers, these adjustments aim to support the County Utility's long-term financial sustainability while complying with state environmental regulations. The additional revenue collected from the proposed adjustments will be utilized for securing long-term water resources or mandatory growth and regulatory capital projects.]

THE LAST ONE. MR. SHINKRE.

>> MADAM CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS, GOOD AFTERNOON. UTILITIES DIRECTOR.

I HAVE THE PLEASURE FOR YOUR LAST ITEM TODAY.

WE ARE REQUESTING A RATE FEE ADJUSTMENT TO FUND OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS.

I HAVE MULTIPLE SPEAKERS TODAY. WE HAVE ROB DENNIS.

HE IS OUR EXPERT FOR WATER SUPPLY PLANNING, RESOURCES AND PERMITTING. 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE. WE HAVE JAMES GALLEY WITH US.

HE IS OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OFFICER. HE IS WITH US TODAY, 20 YEARS PLUS EXPERIENCE. HE IS OUR IN- HOUSE RATE EXPERT MODEL THAT WILL OFFER SOLUTIONS ON THE FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS. WE HAVE -- IN THE SPIRIT OF TIME, MAKE TWO POINTS SIMILAR TO WHAT GREG SAID.

WE ARE ALSO -- WE ARE AN ENTERPRISE FUND.

WHATEVER WE ARE ASKING TODAY IS FULLY FUNDED BY SALES FROM WATER -- WASTE WATER AND RECLAIM WATER.

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE

[05:50:02]

TAX. ANOTHER THING, WE ARE TODAY IS 63,000 PLUS ACCOUNT UTILITY, SERVING 160,000 OF YOUR RESIDENTS, INCLUDING 9,000 BUSINESSES AND 5,500 RECLAIM WATER CUSTOMERS. WE CALL OURSELVES A BUSINESS WITH ABOUT SALES REVENUE ABOUT 125 MILLION A YEAR.