[Call to Order by Chair] [00:00:08] GOOD MORNING. THIS BEAUTIFUL MORNING . WELCOME TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. THERE ARE MATERIALS AVAILABLE ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE UNDER AGENDAS AND MINUTES. ONCE YOU FIND THE AGENDA, CLICK ON THE AGENDA ITEM TO ACCESS SUPPORTING MATERIALS. THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO COMMENT ON ANY ITEM DURING PUBLIC COMMENT. PUBLIC COMMENT IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES SHOULD THE PRESENTER HAVE ANY EXHIBITS OR PHOTOGRAPHS, PLEASE PROVIDE THOSE MATERIALS TO THE CLERK OF COURT FOR INCLUSION. MAY WE HAVE THE ROLL CALL FROM THE CLERK OF COURT, PLEASE? >> >> I WOULD LOVE TO INTRODUCE PASTOR FROM ANASTASIA BAPTIST CHURCH FOR THE INVOCATION. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. SISTER IS A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE. WE WORK TOGETHER AT THE HOSPITAL ON A RECENT TRIP TO IRELAND. SHE CAME ACROSS THIS PRAYER. I WOULD LIKE TO PRINT IT TODAY. LET'S PRAY TOGETHER. GOD OF MY LIFE, I WELCOME THIS NEW DAY . IT IS YOUR GIFT TO ME. A NEW CREATION . A PROMISE OF RESURRECTION. I THANK YOU FOR THE GRACE OF BEING ALIVE THIS MORNING. I THANK YOU FOR THE SLEEP THAT HAS REFRESHED ME. I THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE TO MAKE A NEW BEGINNING. THIS DAY, LORD, IS FULL OF PROMISE AND OPPORTUNITY. LET ME WASTE NONE OF IT. THIS DAY IS FULL OF MYSTERY AND THE UNKNOWN. HELP ME TO FACE IT WITHOUT FEAR OR ANXIETY. KEEP ME THOUGHTFUL. PRAYERFUL AND KIND DURING THIS DAY . MAY I BE COURTEOUS AND HELPFUL TO OTHERS AND NOT TURN IN ON MYSELF . MAY THE THOUGHTS OF MY MIND BE PLEASING IN YOUR SIGHT. LORD, BLESS THIS DAY FOR ME AND EVERYONE I ENCOUNTER. MAKE IT A DAY IN WHICH WE GROW TO HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST, YOUR SON. LORD JESUS, FRIEND AND CLEARLY, LOVE YOU MORE DEARLY, AND FOLLOW YOU MORE NEARLY DAY BY DAY. WHEN NIGHT COMES, MAY I LOOK BACK ON THIS DAY WITH NO GRIEF OR BITTERNESS IN MY HEART. I PRAY THAT NOBODY IS UNHAPPY, BECAUSE OF ANYTHING I HAVE DONE OR FAILED TO DO. AMEN. THANK YOU. >> NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME JERRY OF THE UNITED STATES CHIEF WARRANT OFFICE. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. THANKS FOR HAVING ME AGAIN. IF EVERYBODY WOULD RISE AND PUT YOUR HAND OVER YOUR HEART AND FACE THE FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> [Certificate Recognizing the 30th Anniversary of the First Coast Cultural Center] GOOD MORNING. THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SYLVIA RAMIREZ COME FORWARD FOR THE FIRST COAST CULTURAL CENTER'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY FROM PONTE VEDRA BEACH. COME ON, EVERYBODY. WERE HAPPY TO HAVE EVERYONE HERE. COME ON UP. SHE IS GOING TO SAY A FEW WORDS, BECAUSE I WILL PRESENT HER WITH A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD MORNING. I AM HERE WITH A SMALL TEAM. THIS IS KIMBERLY. SHE AND I ARE STAFF OF TWO AT HER ORGANIZATION , AND COMMUNITY MEMBER HILDA, AND BOARD MEMBER CARISSA JACKSON. WE ARE FIRST COAST CULTURAL CENTER IN THE NORTHERN END IN PONTEVEDRA. WE ARE SO HAPPY TO RECEIVE A RECOGNITION OF OUR 30TH YEAR AS A NONPROFIT 501(C)(3) ARTS ORGANIZATION. WE HAVE BEEN SERVING FIRST COAST FOR 30 YEARS IN ARTS PROGRAMMING. OUR MISSION IS TO BRING THE ARTS INTO THE LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EXHIBITS AND OUTREACH AND ADULT PROGRAMS, CLASSES, SPEAKER SERIES, AND PROVIDING A CULTURAL HUB IN A LITTLE MILK RIGHT IN BETWEEN DOWNTOWN JACKSONVILLE AND DOWNTOWN SAINT AUGUSTINE. [00:05:09] ONE OF THE FLAGSHIP PROJECTS WE HAVE IS IN ITS 19TH YEAR WHERE WE SERVE CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY SCHOOLS THROUGH A MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM. THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, AND YOUR BOARD FOR PRESENTING THIS TODAY. >> SHOULD GET A PICTURE? THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. ANYONE ELSE? ALL RIGHT. [Proclamation Recognizing November 2025 as National Adoption Month] >> GOOD MORNING. AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO CALL LAURA ALEXANDER AND THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TEAM UP TO THE FRONT OF THE AUDITORIUM. >> A PROCLAMATION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA. WHEREAS, WHILE FINDING FOREVER HOMES FOR CHILDREN IN OUT OF HOME CARE IS THE OBJECTIVE THROUGH THE YEAR, IT IS DURING ADOPTION MONTH THAT WE HOPE TO BRING GREATER AWARENESS OF THE NEED FOR ADOPTIVE FAMILIES TO MAKE THE DREAM COME TRUE FOR ALL LOCAL CHILDREN AWAITING HOMES. AND WHEREAS, ST. JOHN'S COUNTY HAS A LONG-STANDING TRADITION OF LOCAL CITIZENS OPENING THEIR HEARTS AND HOMES TO CHILDREN IN NEED OF A TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT HOME, AND WE RECOGNIZE THE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ADOPTIVE PARENTS YOU HAVE FOUND REWARD IN THEIR COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CHILDREN. AND WHEREAS, THE YOUTH OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY ARE PRECIOUS TO EACH OF US AND REPRESENT OUR GREATEST HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. AND ALL CHILDREN DESERVE A NURTURING, SAFE AND STABLE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY CAN GROW UP TO ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF A HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE LIFE. AND WHEREAS, AS WE GATHER TOGETHER AS A FAMILY, COMMUNITY, STATE AND NATION TO CELEBRATE AND GIVE THANKS FOR OUR MANY BLESSINGS, IT IS OUR HOPE THAT ALL CHILDREN AWAITING ADOPTION WILL SOON FIND A PERMANENT AND LOVING FAMILY , AND THEREFORE, IT IS FITTING TO PROMOTE THE GOALS OF THIS OBSERVANCE DURING THIS SPECIAL SEASON, WHICH GIVES US SO MANY REASONS TO BE GRATEFUL. AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA THAT NOVEMBER 2025 BE DESIGNATED AS ADOPTION MONTH. ENCOURAGING ALL CITIZENS TO JOIN IN THE EFFORT TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF ADOPTION . PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA THIS 21ST DAY OF OCTOBER 2025. >> GREAT. THAT'S AWESOME. IT IS MY ABSOLUTE HONOR AND PLEASURE TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT THIS TODAY . I WAS ADOPTED MYSELF. THIS IS VERY DEAR TO MY HEART . I COULD NOT BE MORE EXCITED. AS AN ADOPTEE, WE MAY NOT HAVE GROWN UNDER A HEART, BUT WE CERTAINLY GREW IN A HEART. ANYWAY. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. ON BEHALF OF MY FAMILY, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY THANKS FOR THIS PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING ADOPTION AND THE MANY FAMILIES LIKE MINE FORMED THROUGH THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. I HAVE BEEN A FOSTER PARENT FOR ALMOST 6 YEARS AND HAVE HAD THE JOY OF WORKING ALONGSIDE FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THAT TIME. I HAVE ADOPTED ONE SON AND AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF ADOPTING ANOTHER LITTLE BOY WHO HAS BEEN WITH ME FOR THREE YEARS. MY JOURNEY AS A FOSTER AND NOW ADOPTIVE PARENT HAS BEEN FILLED WITH CHALLENGES, HOPE, AND ABOVE ALL, LOVE. I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WATCHING MY CHILDREN GROW AND THRIVE, AND I'M HONORED TO OFFICIALLY AND PERMANENTLY CALLED TWO OF THEM MY OWN. THIS PROCESS HAS DEEPENED MY RESPECT FOR THE RESILIENCE OF CHILDREN IN CARE, AND FOR THE PROFESSIONALS , THE CASEWORKERS, THE FOSTER CARE STAFF AND ADVOCATES WHO WORK TIRELESSLY TO HELP FAMILIES LIKE MINE COME TOGETHER. ADOPTION THROUGH FOSTER CARE IS NOT JUST ABOUT GIVING A CHILD AT HOME. IT IS ABOUT WALKING BESIDE THEM IN THEIR BIOLOGICAL FAMILY OFTEN THROUGH GRIEF AND TRANSITION AND BUILDING SOMETHING LASTING, GROUNDED IN BOTH TRUST AND [00:10:02] FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS JOURNEY AND FOR HELPING TO RAISE AWARENESS IN OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT THE NEEDS FOR MORE LOVING PERMANENT HOMES FOR THE CHILDREN IN CARE. I AM SO HONORED TO BE A PART OF THAT MISSION. >> [Proclamation Recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month] GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. IF I COULD HAVE JORGE AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHARES OFFICE DEPUTIES HERE TO RECEIVE THE NATIONAL HISPANIC MONTH PROCLAMATION . IF YOU WOULD START US OFF BY READING THE PROCLAMATION INTO THE RECORD. >> A PROCLAMATION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, FLORIDA. WHEREAS, IN 1968 PRESIDENT LYNDON JOHNSON STARTED HISPANIC HERITAGE WEEK, WHICH WAS LATER EXPANDED TO COVER A 30 DAY PERIOD UNDER PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN IN 1988. AND WHEREAS, SEPTEMBER 15 IS SIGNIFICANT CAUSE IT IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE FOR LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES COSTA RICA, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS AND NICARAGUA. IN ADDITION, MEXICO AND CHILE CELEBRATE THEIR INDEPENDENT STATES ON SEPTEMBER 16, AND SEPTEMBER 18 , RESPECTIVELY. ALSO, COLUMBUS DAY , WHICH IS OCTOBER 12, FALLS WITHIN THIS 30 DAY PERIOD. AND WHEREAS, ST. JOHNS COUNTY HAS DEEP HISTORICAL TIES TO HISPANIC CULTURE . MOST NOTABLY, WITH THE ARRIVAL OF SPANIARDS AND LATER CUBANS. AND WHEREAS, ST. JOHNS COUNTY HAS DEEP HISTORICAL TIES TO HISPANIC CULTURE BEGINNING WITH THE FOUNDING OF THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE IN 1565 BY THE SPANIARDS , FOLLOWED IN LATER DECADES BY HISPANICS FROM ACROSS SOUTH AMERICA, CONTRIBUTING TO THE RICH CULTURAL FABRIC OF THE COMMUNITY. AND THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY HAS DOUBLED FROM 2010 THROUGH 2020 , REFLECTING THE CONTINUED GROWTH AND INFLUENCE OF HISPANIC RESIDENTS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. AND WHEREAS, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY THAT SEPTEMBER 15 THROUGH OCTOBER 15, 2025 DESIGNATED AS NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH . PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA THIS 21ST DAY OF OCTOBER 2025. >> GREAT JOB. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AS EVERYBODY KNOWS, OUR HISTORY IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN SPANISH HISTORY. WE ARE KNOWN AS THE OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY OCCUPIED EUROPEAN CITY BECAUSE THE SPANIARDS LANDED ON OUR SHORES BACK IN 1565. THAT OCCUPATION CONTINUED PRIMARILY BY THE SPANISH UNTIL IT WAS HANDED OVER PEACEFULLY TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN 1821 WHEN ST. JOHNS COUNTY BECAME THE FIRST OF TWO FLORIDA COUNTIES IN THE REST OF THE STATE. A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY. ALL THE STATES IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY WERE ONCE A PART OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY. I CONSIDER THEM ALL OF OUR GRANDCHILDREN BACK JUST A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY FOR YOU. IT IS AN IMPORTANT PROCLAMATION, NOT JUST IN THE UNITES STATES OF AMERICA, BUT SPECIFICALLY FOR US HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. YOU CAN'T DO BETTER MOVING FORWARD IF YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR HISTORY. OUR HISTORY IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN HISPANIC HISTORY. IT IS MY PRIVILEGE AND PLEASURE TO PRESENT THE SPECULATION TO YOU, JORGE AND MONICA. PLEASE FORGIVE ME, MY GOODNESS. MONICA, WE WILL PRESENT THIS TO YOU. THANK YOU. >> OKAY. I ALWAYS HAVE A HARD TIME WITH US. COMMISSIONERS, MEMBERS ARE COMMUNITY, FOR ME IT IS A GREAT HONOR TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION. ON BEHALF OF THE FIRST HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY. AS YOU GUYS HAVE POSSIBLY SEEN WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, YOU HAVE SEEN MANY HISPANIC BUSINESS OWNERS THAT CONTINUE TO OPEN RESTAURANTS , [00:15:05] ATTORNEYS OFFICES, CPA ACCOUNTANTS. JUST IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA ALONE, YOU WILL SEE AT LEAST 1200 BUSINESS OWNERS CONTINUE TO OPEN THEIR DOORS. FOR US, IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE THE HERITAGE . FOR ME, MYSELF, I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 25 YEARS BUT I DO SEE MYSELF AS AN EXAMPLE THAT WE CAN DO IT WITH A LOT OF WORK, WITH A LOT OF DEDICATION, WITH A LOT OF FOCUS AND BEING ABLE TO OPEN BUSINESSES AROUND THE COUNTY IS REALLY CELEBRATE OUR HERITAGE. THANK YOU TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY . IT IS MY HOME. AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY THAT CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE THIS GREAT MONTH. THANK YOU. >> HAD TO LOWER THE MICROPHONE A LITTLE BIT , MONICA. JORGE, YOU'RE BEEN A GREAT PARTNER WITH THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WE A SMALL REPUTATION OF OUR PUBLISHER. WITH OVER 1000 MEMBERS OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, 83 SHARE THE ORIGIN OF HISPANIC. OUT OF THAT, 44 ACTUALLY WEAR UNIFORM OR ARE SWORN EMPLOYEES. I WANT TO INTRODUCE SOME OF MY STAFF AND STAND BEHIND ME TODAY. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO. OF COURSE, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT RICH CULTURE TO THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. GOD BLESS. >> [Acceptance of the Proclamations] DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION? >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> VOICE VOTE. >> AYE. [Deletions to Consent Agenda] >> WE ARE GOING TO GO TO DELETIONS TO THE CONSENT AGENDA . >> I HAVE NONE. >> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. >> NONE. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR. >> NO DELETIONS. -- >> TURN ON -- >> I WOULD LIKE TO PULL NUMBER 11. >> NUMBER 11. WE WILL MAKE IT -- IS THAT NINE? >> THANK YOU. >> OKAY. COMMISSIONER MURPHY. >> I HAVE NONE. >> I HAVE NONE. I WAS WONDERING FROM LEGAL, ARE WE PULLING ONE OF THEM >> WE NEED TO PULL CONSENT SEVEN. THERE IS ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE THAT THE BANK HAS ASKED [Approval of Consent Agenda] FOR THAT TRANSACTION . >> SO THAT IS BEING PULLED ALSO. DO I HAVE A MOTION WITH THE NEW AMENDED CONSENT AGENDA? >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THAT MOTION. >> SECOND. >> PUBLIC COMMENT? >> WE NOW HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. ANYONE WHO HAS PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT THE CONSENT AGENDA ONLY, PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NONE. WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> LET'S GO AHEAD AND SAY AYE . >> AYE. WE HAVE THAT SET. [Additions/Deletions to Regular Agenda] REGARDING THE REGULAR AGENDA, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO ASK JOY ANDREWS A QUESTION BEFORE WE DO THAT. GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU, MADAME CHAIR. I AM SCHEDULED TO PROVIDE MY TESTIMONY TO A JURY TRIAL AT 10:30. I WILL HAVE TO EXCUSE MYSELF FROM THE MEETING PROBABLY BETWEEN 10:00 AND 11:30. I DO HAVE NUMBER ONE TO PRESENT TO YOU, THE LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLAN. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU AND THE BOARD WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PLEASURE. EITHER WE COULD POTENTIALLY DO THE PRESENTATION OF NUMBER ONE ITEM BEFORE PUBLIC COMMENTS, OR MAYBE WE CAN WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS UP TO A POINT OF 10:00 . OR WE CAN TRY TO MOVE THE ITEM BACK TO THE END OF THE MEETING. WHATEVER THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD , I WOULD LIKE TO JUST MAKE SURE THAT WE ACCOMMODATE THE SCHEDULE FOR THE TESTIMONY. >> DO YOU THINK YOU WILL BE FINISHED BY THE END OF THE MEETING? >> THE TESTIMONY? >> MADAME CHAIR, OUR ESTIMATE IS THAT HER TIME WOULD TAKE ABOUT AN HOUR. >> OKAY. SO LET'S DO THAT. LET'S PUT HAVE -- THAT FOR NUMBER 10. COMMISSIONER [Approval of Regular Agenda] [00:20:04] WHITEHURST, ANY CHANGES OR DELETIONS? >> NO CHANGES. >> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. >> NONE. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR. >> NONE. >> COMMISSIONER MURPHY. >> NONE. >> DO I HAVE A MOTION WITH THE AMENDED AGENDA? FOR THE AMENDED AGENDA? [Public Comment] >> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDED AGENDA. >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> THAT IS SET. WE GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. >> WE ARE NOW HOLDING GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT SCHEDULED FOR ACTION ON TODAY'S AGENDA. WHEN ADDRESSING THE BOARD, COME TO ONE OF THE PODIUM THE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. EACH PERSON WILL PROVIDE A THREE MINUTES. WE AS YOU SPEAK DIRECTLY INTO THE MICROPHONE. SPEAKERS WILL COMPLY WITH THE BOARD RULES OF CIVILITY AND DECORUM. YOU MAY NOT DEMAND IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. NO PERSON WILL ADDRESS THE BOARD WITH PERSONAL, IMPERTINENT OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS AND BOISTEROUS BEHAVIOR. MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE WILL REFRAIN FROM DEMONSTRATION OF APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF ANY COMMENT. ANY PERSON WHO FAILS TO COMPLY MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE AUDITORY. FINALLY, ANY SPEAKER THAT WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT MATERIALS, UTILIZE THE CENTER PODIUM. PAPER MATERIALS MAY BE PLACED FOR OVERHEAD CAMERA TO DISPLAY IN A LAPTOP WILL BE SET FOR ANY USB PRESENTATION. AFTER PRESENT, PROVIDE THE MATERIALS TO THE STAFF OF THE CLERK OF THE COURT TO BE ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD TO MY RIGHT. THANK YOU. >> BILL HENNESSY, 5461 . WINDSWEPT ACRES PLACE. YOU ALL KNOW. AGAIN, I'M HERE ABOUT THE VOTE IN THAT SITUATION THESE PEOPLE STILL HAVEN'T MOVED THE MAILBOX. THEY WERE ORDERED TO 10 YEARS AGO . STILL THERE. THEY STILL HARASS PEOPLE . GETS DOWN TO THE POINT WERE WHEN I BOUGHT MY PROPERTY, THAT WAS A BOAT RAMP I USED. IT WAS OPTIONAL. YOU HAD 60 FEET, 30 FEET ON EITHER SIDE . NOW THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY BY THE NO PARKING SIGNS THAT WE ASKED FOR WHILE THEY WERE BUILDING THE HOUSES, BUT THEY PUT UP AFTER THEY BUILT THE HOUSES AND THEY GOT THEM SEVEN FEET AWAY FROM THE COUNTY RIGHT-OF-WAY. THOSE PEOPLE ARE PLANTING STUFF. BUT THIS DOCUMENT I HAVE BEEN SHOWING YOU ALL SHOWS THAT WILL SMITH AND SARAH CLARK , THOSE TWO ALONE WERE HAVING CONVERSATIONS . WE ARE TALKING ABOUT -- THEIR HIDING THINGS FROM THE PUBLIC. WE SHOULD HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SAY-SO ABOUT THE MAN'S BRIBERY THAT SHOULD NEVER BEEN THERE THE. ONE GUY TRIED TO GET HIS DRIVEWAY OUT THERE FROM SUNSET LANDING, AND THE COUNTY TURNED HIM DOWN. DIDN'T EVEN LET HIM APPLY FOR A VARIANCE. THEY SAID, YOU ARE A HOMEOWNERS ASSOCATION, YOU HAVE TO PUT YOUR DRIVEWAY IN THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION. SO HOW THESE TWO CAME UP WITH THIS DECISION IS BEYOND ME, BECAUSE THE LADY BACKS UP OUT OF THIS DRIVEWAY AND CAN ALMOST RUN YOU OVER. I'VE GIVEN YOU ALL PICTURES. I HAVE PICTURES I'VE GIVEN YOU ALL SHOWING THE HAZARDS OF THIS WHOLE SITUATION AND YOU ARE IGNORING IT, YOU ARE STICKING YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET RUN OVER. NO TELLING WHAT THEY WILL DO. THEY'RE SO PARANOID. PEOPLE KNOW NOW -- I HAVE BEEN HANDING OUT THIS DOCUMENT SURVEYS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD SHOWING PEOPLE ARE TAKING ABOUT DASHING THERE PUTTING IRRIGATION AND LANDSCAPING OUT THERE AND TELLING US WHEN YOU WALK YOUR DOG TO GET OFF OUR PROPERTY. YOU ALL NEED TO STEP IT UP, MAN. I AM NOT THE KIND OF GUY WHO IS GOING TO LET PEOPLE PUSH ME AROUND. THIS HAS GONE DOWN NOW FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS. THEN YOU SENT ME TO A PLACE WHERE I GOT TO TAKE JACK RICHIE WITH ME TO HELP PROTECT ME. YOU GOT TO HAVE BEN CRUMP. I TAKE A SHOWER EVERY DAY TO LOOK AT THE SCAR COMING FROM A SHOULDER TO MY ARMPIT WHERE I GOT JUMPED AT BUTLER WEST . I AM USING BUTLER NORTH, IT WAS A NEIGHBORHOOD BOAT RAMP THAT HARDLY ANYBODY KNEW ABOUT. ALL THE NEIGHBORS KNEW ABOUT IT. YOU KNOW? AND WE HAD IT NICE, CLEAN. NO TRASH. MAN, NOW IT IS CONSTRUCTION ZONE, COPS EVERYWHERE. IT IS RIDICULOUS. YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THESE PEOPLE MOVE THE MAILBOX. THERE ARE TAKING AWAY FROM ME BEING ABLE TO LAUNCH MY BOW. AND NOW, MY BALL IS IN MY YARD AND I DON'T USE IT. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> APPRECIATE YOU ALL. >> MS. NORTH. >> GLORIA NORTH, 664 WILD CYPRESS CIRCLE IN PONTEVEDRA. I COME BEFORE YOU AS A CITIZEN OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY . I WOULD LIKE TO PUT AN UNOFFICIAL PROPOSAL IN FRONT OF YOU TO HAVE YOU HAVE TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT . I AM IN CONTACT WITH THE TP USA , TURNING POINT USA . AND IN PARTICULAR, MONSIEUR L . -- MICHELLE. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT [00:25:05] THE NEW PARKS THAT ARE UNDER PROPOSAL THAT YOU APPROVED, I BELIEVE, LAST YEAR AND WHAT OUR PROPOSAL IS IS, IF YOU COULD PLEASE CONSIDER NAMING ONE OF THOSE PARKS IN MEMORIAM FOR CHARLIE KIRK . WHEN WE THINK OF PLACE WHERE THOUGHT IS QUIET , - AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT CHARLIE KIRK WAS PROPOSING. ARE YOUNG ARE OUR FUTURE. AND CHARLIE KIRK KNEW THIS. I AM ASKING THAT YOU PLEASE CONSIDER NAMING A FUTURE PARK IN MEMORIAM OF CHARLIE KIRK. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, MADAME. YES, SIR. >> HELLO. 8356 BASKIN ROAD, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. I AM IN CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 4, SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 3. DUVAL COUNTY. YOU KNOW, WHY AM I HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY? BECAUSE EVERYONE IS GETTING THE HECK OUT OF DUVAL COUNTY. WHEN I COME DOWN HERE, I LOOK AROUND, AND MAN, IT'S LIKE A REUNION. LET ME JUST SAY, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE LIVING RIGHT. AND SO, WHAT I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU IS , YOU KNOW, I HAVE GOT A NEW SHIRT. YOU KNOW, ON THE MONITOR, YOU CAN SEE IT IS THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL. YOU KNOW, THAT IS SEVEN COUNTIES. I AM GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT -- THAT'S 12 COUNTIES. THE EAST COAST OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL, DUVAL COUNTY IS A MEMBER. ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS A MEMBER. SO ON THE DATE YOU WILL SEE I WAS GOING TO THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL IN 2023. BEFORE SOME OF YOU WERE EVEN UP AND ELECTED. RIGHT NOW, IN DUVAL COUNTY, WE JUST HAD A PIECE OF LEGISLATION, 2025, 0504, THE BUDGET. THERE WAS A PART WHERE WE WERE GOING TO BE OUT OF IT. WELL, WE ARE BACK IN IT. SO THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE NEXT MEETING. ANYWAY, I'M HERE TO DEBUT THE NEW SHIRT , ELIZABETH BETH, MAMA PAIN . AND LET ME JUST SAY , WE ARE MAKING A MOVIE. A DOCUMENTARY. WE ARE MARKETING TO THE WORLD . YOU KNOW, I AM ONLY DOWN TO 50 SOME SECONDS. BUT YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW, LET ME SHOW YOU HERE. THIS IS THE MAYOR'S DISABILITY COUNCIL. THESE ARE THE MINUTES. HERE'S THE JACKSONVILLE SMALL EMERGING BUSINESS , THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THIS IS THE EVIDENCE THAT SHOWS HOW WE ARE GOING TO BE JUST MAKE A MOVIE E-MARKETING TO THE WORLD. HERE IS THE DIA, DOWNTOWN INVESTMENT AUTHORITY. HERE IS TAXATION AND UTILIZATION OF EXPENDITURES. THE POINT WITH US, I AM 20 SOME SECONDS. HERE IS THE WATERWAYS COMMISSION MEETING. YOU KNOW, ALL I JUST WANT TO SAY, WE HIT EVERY BUCKET YOU COULD POSSIBLY THINK OF WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE WATERWAYS IN DUVAL COUNTY . IT IS A QUALITY-OF-LIFE ISSUE. AND SO, I JUST WANT TO SAY TO THE WORLD, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY VISIT JACKSONVILLE, BUT VISIT FLORIDA. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> NICOLE CROSBY, 1169 -- THE WRONG THING. IN 2009, THIS MAN SHOT A GUN INTO A VEHICLE OCCUPIED BY A FATHER AND HIS SIX-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER ON A BUSY SAINT AUGUSTINE STREET. THE MAN WAS SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN JAIL. 16 YEARS LATER, THE SAME MAN WAS APPREHENDED IN -- BY ST. JOHNS COUNTY POLICE AFTER AN EIGHT MONTH CAMPAIGN OF ONLINE HARASSMENT AND TERROR AGAINST TWO ST. JOHNS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WHO HAD BEEN FIGHTING TO SLOW THE GROWTH. ALTHOUGH HIS ABUSE EXTENDED TO ABOUT A HALF-DOZEN OTHER LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO HAVE ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN SLOWING THE GROWTH IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, INCLUDING MYSELF, DORIS TAYLOR, FORMER COMMISSIONER BILL MCCLURE, AND BLOGGER WHO BORE THE BRUNT OF [00:30:01] THE ABUSE BY RECEIVING DAILY BLOGS OMISSION FROM THE MAN WITH MANY GORY PICTURES FEATURING HIM AND DOZENS AND DOZENS OF HORRIFIC COMMENTS DEMEANING HIM AND CONSTANTLY THREATENING LAWSUITS AGAINST HIM. I STOPED COUNTING AT ABOUT 40 THREATS. HE STOPPED PUBLISHING THEM. THIS MAN WITH MANY ALIASES THREATENED TO ME TOO AND NAME TOO OFTEN IN HIS COMMENTS SUBMISSIONS. WHO KNOWS IF HE WAS WORKING ALONE OR IF SOMEONE IN COME ON OR EVEN PAID HIM. THERE ARE DEVELOPERS WHO HAVE PAID FOR UNHOLY LIES TO BE BROADCAST ABOUT SLOW THE GROWTH ADVOCATES AND CANDIDATES. HERE ARE A COUPLE OF THEM. THIS CAMPAIGN OF TERROR COULD SIMPLY BE A CONTINUATION OF THIS CAMPAIGN OF TERROR, MOSTLY FUNDED BY DEVELOPERS, BUILDERS AND LAND CLEARANCE. I WAS SCARED . IF I HAD TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AFTER DARK DURING THOSE EIGHT MONTHS, I WOULD ASK A GROCERY BAG OR TO WALK OUT TO THE CORE WITH ME. THAT MAY SOUND STUPID, BUT I THOUGHT I ESCAPED THE FEELING OF FEAR LOOKING OVER MY SHOULDER WHEN I LEFT THE NEW YORK METRO AREA 12 YEARS AGO, BUT I DIDN'T. I'M HUGELY, AND ENORMOUSLY, GRATEFUL TO SJS I IN THE STATE'S ATTORNEY FOR TAKING THIS EXTREMELY SERIOUSLY AND EVEN EMPLOYING A POLICE HELICOPTER TO ENSURE THE SUSPECT WAS CAUGHT. WHAT A SHOCKER THAN TO VIEW A FOUR MINUTE PRESENTATION FROM A COUNTY COMMISSIONER IN THE LAST CBLCC MEETING CLAIMING I INCITED VIOLENCE AGAINST ANOTHER COMMISSIONER WHEN I CALLED THIS PERSON MEAN . WOW, I WISH THAT MEAN WAS THE WORST THING THAT I WAS CALLED BY THAT MAN WHO THREATENED SO MANY OF US. THE THINGS HE SAID, IF I SENT THEM OUT LOUD HERE, I WOULD BE KICKED OUT. I HAVE A REBUTTAL IN THE FORM OF A FACEBOOK POST. I ASK YOU TO GO TO THAT FACEBOOK PAGE . GO TO FACEBOOK.COM AND PUT IN FIGHT FIRST ST. JOHNS COUNTY IN THE SEARCH BOX WITH SPACES BETWEEN THE WORDS. CLICK ON THOSE WORDS HIM AND DON'T BE DISTRACTED BY THE OTHER LIES ABOUT ME FROM DEVELOPER CARTEL IN THAT SEARCH. MY PAGE LOOK LIKE THIS RIGHT NOW. YOU DON'T NEED TO JOIN IT TO READ IT OR COMMENT. I PIN MY REBUTTAL TO THE TOP OF THE PAGE SPEARING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAVING TO DO THAT AGAIN. I WILL NOT POST IT HERE. JUST CLICK ON IT. IT IS ONE OF THE GORY PICTURES OF ME. SOME PEOPLE TELL ME THEY READ MY PAGE RELIGIOUSLY. I HOPE YOU WILL BE ONE OF THEM. FIGHT FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. I'M HERE AS A HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROFESSIONAL. I DO HAVE COPIES FOR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR , AND FOR ALL THE COMMISSIONERS. THIS IS A PRELUDE OF MY PRESENTATION THAT I WILL MAKE AT THE DELEGATION MEETING NEXT WEEK. THE INFORMATION RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO THE MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATIONS INCLUDED BEYOND ST. JOHNS COUNTY. AS I HAVE DONE FOR THE LAST, THIS IS MY 30TH YEAR DOING THIS, AND AGAIN, SENATOR JIM KING IS THE ONE WHO ASKED ME TO DO THIS EACH YEAR. EACH OF THE RANKED GRANDSON GO THROUGH THE SPECIAL CATEGORY PROCESSED DIVISION OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES, THESE ARE JOBS, PROJECTS. THEY EMPLOY LOCAL CONTRACTORS, CRAFTSPEOPLE. THESE ARE RANKED BY 12 PROFESSIONALS FROM THROUGHOUT THE STATE. SOME OF THEM ARE APPOINTED AND SOME APPOINTED FOR THEIR PROFESSION AND BY ELECTED OFFICIALS. I HAVE THEM LINKED BY THEIR RANKING AND THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT IT WILL TAKE TO PUSH THIS THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE . FOR THE LAST SESSION FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 43 YEARS, THEY WERE NOT FUNDED. THEY WERE PULLED AT THE 11TH HOUR. WE HOPE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. WHATEVER YOU CAN ALL DO TO ENCOURAGE THIS, YOU CAN SEE THESE ARE THE MUSEUM, DOWNTOWN, GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, BOTH OF THOSE RELATED TO RESILIENT EFFORTS. SAINT AUGUSTINE LIGHTHOUSE TOWER REPAIRS, SAME THING. LOST SHIPS OF SAINT AUGUSTINE IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PROJECTS. THAT IS ALL THE SHIPWRECK ARCHAEOLOGY THEY ARE DOING. THEY'RE GOING TO DO THE INLET FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER DOWN AT THE SOUTH END OF THE COUNTY. ST. JOHNS RIVER COASTAL SURVEY AND RESILIENCE PROJECT IS A FUN PARTNERSHIP BETWEENTHE FLORIDA PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY NETWORK AND THE ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT. IT IS TO LOOK AT THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT'S RESPONSIBLE WATERS AND SEE WHAT IS THREATENING AND SHIFTING AND CHANGING AS WE HAVE STORMS AND DISASTERS THEY ARE SKATE. THE LAST ONE IS REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT. BUT IS ALSO INCLUDED IN CLAY COUNTY. IT IS MIDDLEBURG COLORED SCHOOL, TO SAVE A HISTORICALLY BLACK SCHOOL. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER. I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, MADAM. >> GOOD MORNING. HOW Y'ALL DOING? I WOULD LIKE TO THANK FOR ALL SHE DOES FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION. I HOPE THE NEXT TIME THE CULTURAL RESOURCES BOARD MEETS, WHICH HE CHAIRS, NEEDS TO BE IN THIS ROOM AND [00:35:03] NEEDS TO BE LIVESTREAMED. THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE , LIKE MIKE ROBERSON, WHO DON'T WANT LIVESTREAMED. THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT HISTORIC PRESERVATION, AND I WILL. HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY THAT. ABSOLUTELY. I WANT TO THANK SHERIFF HARDWICK AND SERGEANT KYLE IN THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY DETECTIVES FOR FINDING THAT MAN WHO INTIMIDATED TWO OF OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. WITH VILE, VICIOUS , COLOR ART, IF YOU CALL IT THAT. I THINK Y'ALL KNOW WHO IS BEHIND THAT. I THINK THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS MAN WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF MR. COMMANDO. WHEN HE STARTED ATTEMPTING TO POST IN MY BLOG, HE OBSESSED ON THE NO-BID HIRING OF A COUNTY ATTORNEY ON A LAW FIRM THAT IS A DEVELOPER LAW FIRM . THE SHERIFF HAS ALL THE DOCUMENTS. THE SHERIFF HAS ALL THE EVIDENCE. AS MS. CROSBY MENTIONED, THIS GUY ACCUSE ME OF LIBEL, SLANDER AND DEFAMATION. IS NOT A LAWYER, BUT OBVIOUSLY, HE IS TALKING TO DEVELOPER LAWYERS. ACCUSE ME AT LEAST 42 TIMES. EYEWEAR THAT AS A BADGE OF HONOR. THE ONLY PERSON OR PERSONS WHO EVER SUED ME FOR LIBEL WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ANDERSON COUNTY , TENNESSEE SHERIFF. THEY WERE CONVICTED OF FEDERAL CRIMES. THEY ENDED UP PAYING THE MONEY BECAUSE I SUED THEM IN FEDERAL COURT. SUED ME FOR $1 MILLION. BE NOT AFRAID. IT'S IN THE BIBLE 106 TIMES. ANYWAY, WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR WHAT THEY DID IN INVESTIGATING THIS MAN. IS ENTITLED TO A FAIR TRIAL. I HOPE HE GETS ONE. I HOPE HE GETS SWIFT JUSTICE. I ALSO WANT TO THINK THE PEOPLE WHO ORGANIZED THE NO KINGS RALLY AT THE CASTILLO SAM MARCO. I DIDN'T SEE ANY OF Y'ALL THERE. NEXT TIME YOU WILL BE THERE, I KNOW. SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE REPUBLICANS. ANYWAY, THE NO KINGS RALLY HAD 7 MILLION PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY , INCLUDING ABOUT 3500 HERE, AND ANOTHER 500 UP NORTH ON RACETRACK ROAD. GOOD JOB. WE DON'T LIKE DICTATORS BUT WE DON'T LIKE DICTATORS IN THIS ROOM. WE DON'T LIKE DICTATORS IN WASHINGTON. AND WE SURE AS HECK DON'T WANT DICTATORS DESTROYING THE WHITE HOUSE. DID YOU SEE THE PICTURES OF WHAT TRUMP IS DOING TO THE WHITE HOUSE? A DEMOLITION PERMIT, WHICH IF WE WERE UNDER THE RESERVATION LOSS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, TRUMP WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO. IT IS A SIN. WE ARE STANDING UP AGAINST DICTATORS. WE DON'T LIKE THEM HERE. ANYWAY, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. >> 2772 SOUTH COLLINS AVENUE . THIS IS STUFF I BROUGHT UP IN THE PAST. I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHY AT A PUBLIC BOAT RAMP WERE PEOPLE PARK YOU ARE ALLOWING , ALL OF Y'ALL, BECAUSE THIS MAN HAS THE COMING UP HERE FOR FOUR YEARS ABOUT THIS BOAT RAMP. IF IT IS COUNTY EASEMENT, THE COUNTY PEOPLE NEED TO BE PARKING ON IT . SOMEBODY NEEDS TO FIGURE IT OUT. OKAY. ALSO, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. WE HAVE NONE IN THIS COUNTY. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VENTING, WE CAN'T GET HERE, WE CAN'T GET THERE, WE HAVE TO GO HERE TO PICK OUR KIDS UP. WHY DO WE HAVE ANY KIND OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION? DOMITIAN OR DEAN BLEW ME OFF A COUPLE OF TIMES AND SAID, GO DOWN THERE. I CHALLENGE Y'ALL TO GO DOWN TO THE HIGH SCHOOL . AT 10 MINUTES TO 4 AND SIT THERE AND SEE THE TRAFFIC. THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS ONLY LED TO WERE THREE CARS, MAYBE FOUR, AND THE OTHER TWO OR THREE TRY TO RUN THE LIGHT. Y'ALL HAVE REMOVED THE PADS THAT PEOPLE PULL UP ON TO MAKE THE LIGHTS CHANGE . THEY PUT THE SENSORS UP. NOW THE SIDESTREETS ON 16, MOST OF THEM DO NOT HAVE PADS OR SENSORS ANYMORE. YOU CAN SIT THERE FOR 2 TO 3 RED LIGHT CHANGES. COMMISSIONER DEAN SAID THAT THEY WERE GOING TO GO ON A SET UP WHERE WHEN ONE, EVERY OTHER WOMEN WOULD REACT. I DON'T KNOW IF HE EVER HEARD ABOUT THE ITALIAN -- WHAT WAS IT CALLED? THE MOVIE WHERE THEY HACKED ALL THE SYSTEMS AND MADE ALL THE RED LIGHTS RED. NOW I SEE THEY'RE GOING BACK TO PUTTING PADS IN THE WORDS, BECAUSE THE SCANNERS UP TOP THAT THEY WERE USING OUR REAL SUSCEPTIBLE TO SALT AIR. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE. SO THEY DON'T WORK. SO EITHER THE COUNTY NEEDS [00:40:01] TO HAVE -- FIGURE SOMETHING OUT ABOUT THIS TRAFFIC PATTERN GOING ON IN THE TOWN. ANOTHER THING, WHEN Y'ALL GET UP HERE AND Y'ALL VOTE FOR WORK FORCE HOUSING, WORKFORCE HOUSING , SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, THEY MAKE $55,000 A YEAR. Y'ALL NEED TO REALLY INVESTIGATE THIS WORKFORCE HOUSING . EVERYBODY COME ALL THESE DEVELOPERS, WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS AND GIVE YOU WORKFORCE HOUSING . ADAM BLOOM, RUBBERSTAMP. PAST BECAUSE OF WORKFORCE HOUSING. Y'ALL NEED TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF HOMEWORK, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO HOLD Y'ALL ACCOUNTABLE. GOD BLESS, AND HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> YES, SIR. >> I AM JOE RYAN. SAINT AUGUSTINE. APPRECIATE -- ANYWAY. I WOULD LIKE TO -- SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE PADS AND THE TRAFFIC FLOW PATTERNS. I JUST GOT BACK FROM BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA. I WENT THROUGH THE ENTIRE TOWN OF BLACKSBURG WITHOUT EVERY STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT. WE WERE -- WE NEVER HAD TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT WITH NO CARS IN IT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT TIME OR. THAT REMINDS ME OF WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I WORKED IN SOUTH ST. PETE AND WORKED IN CLEARWATER . I CAN GO ALL THAT WAY WITHOUT STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT. THIS IS BACK IN THE EARLY '80S. NOW, I KNOW WE HAVE CONTINUAL GROWTH . SO THE TRAFFIC PATTERNS ARE IN FLUX. BUT THERE WAS A SYSTEM BACK IN THE '80S THAT WOULD ALLOW YOU TO NOT STOP. YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT , BETWEEN 3 TO 5 MILES PER HOUR, UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT, AND YOU CAN GO ALL THE WAY TO CLEARWATER, WHICH IS ALL THE WAY THROUGH ST. PETERSBURG. THERE IS TECHNOLOGY THAT LETS YOU DO THAT . WITH ALL THE ELECTRONIC CAPABILITIES WE HAVE NOW IN JUDGING THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS , WE CAN SET UP A SYSTEM WHERE EVERYONE STOPS ON SAY, U.S. 1 AT THE SAME TIME. AFTER THAT, YOU WOULD STOP ONCE, AND NOT HAVE TO STOP AGAIN UNTIL YOU GET TO YOUR DESTINATION ALL THE WAY THROUGH TOWN. THERE IS PROBABLY PROGRAMS AND PEOPLE IN OTHER CITIES TO DO THAT . IN FACT, IN JACKSONVILLE, YOU COULD GO ON BEACH BOULEVARD AND NOT HAVE TO STOP EXCEPT FOR ONE -- EVERY TIME SOMEBODY , THERE'S A REALLY WHICH NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE A CAR PULLED OUT, AND EVERYONE ON BEACH BOULEVARD HAS TO STOP. OTHER THAN THAT, YOU COULD GO ALL THE WAY THROUGH BEACH BOULEVARD. WE SHOULD LOOK INTO A SYSTEM LIKE THAT. YOU KNOW, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU GUYS, YOU KNOW, DO THE RESEARCH AND FIND IT. WE WASTE SO MUCH TIME AND GAS STOPPING FOR UNNECESSARY STOPS . YOU ARE STOPPING AT A LIGHT BUT NO ONE IS PULLING ON . THEN YOU TRAVEL , YOU KNOW, YOU GET THROUGH ONE LIGHT, AND THEN YOU HAVE TO STOP AT THE NEXT ONE, AND THEN YOU GET THROUGH THE NEXT ONE MAYBE, THEN YOU HAVE TO STOP AT THE NEXT ONE. THE SYSTEMS ARE OUT THERE. I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK INTO THAT. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE? >> THIS WEEK AND WE HAD A PRETTY EXCITING WEEKEND IN THE MILL CREEK AREA. ON A NORMAL DAY, IT WILL BE LOOKING LIKE THIS . OKAY. EXITING OR ENTERING, THIS IS A NORMAL WAY IT WOULD LOOK. [00:45:03] SUCH A SMALL ENTRY AND EXIT POINT . AFTER THAT, SATURDAY EVENING, EARLY SATURDAY EVENING, SOMEBODY MADE A BAD MOVE -- OKAY. THERE WE GO. HIT A FIRE HYDRANT. THAT WAS ABOUT 40 FOOT WIDE AND OVER 10 FOOT DEEP. THAT IS WHEN THE PUBLIC WORKS SHOWED UP AND STARTED PUMPING IT OUT. WE DID HAVE AN ENTRY AND EXIT POINT BECAUSE THAT WAS IT RIGHT THURSDAY. SUCH A SMALL ROAD. ONE OF THE RESIDENTS DOWN SILO ROAD WAS ABLE TO LET , OR MAKE A MAKESHIFT PATHWAY FROM DAIRY BARN ROAD TO SILO ROAD. THAT ALSO HELP TO GET THE EQUIPMENT IN . LIKE I SAID, THIS WAS ABOUT 5:30, 6:00 WHEN THIS WAS GOING ON. AND THIS WAS ABOUT 1:00 IN THE MORNING . YOU SEE THE BACKFILL OF A LOT OF THE DIRT . THE STARTED BRING IN TRUCKLOADS OF CRUSHED LIMESTONE SISTER PACKING IT IN AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT. THEY REPLACED THE FIRE HYDRANT, WHICH WAS CONNECTED TO A MAINLINE GOING INTO SILO ROAD. SO YES, IT TOOK A LONG TIME. IT TOOK A LONG A FEW MORE HOURS AFTER THAT. WHEN THE FIRST LIGHT CAME UP, IT MADE IT WHERE IT WAS MORE ACCESSIBLE. OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS A FEW THINGS TO DO ON IT. BUT YEAH, WENT OUT AND CHECKED TELL THEY WERE DOING OVERTIME. A SHOUT OUT TO, NOT JUST PUBLIC WORKS, BUT THE ROADS AND BRIDGES DEPARTMENT THE CAME OUT . THEY WERE ON CALL TO COME OUT SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING TIME. AND THEN, BY EARLY SUNDAY MORNING, THEY HAD REMOVED ALL THE WATER AND BACKFILLED ALL OF THAT WHOLE , WHICH WATER GUSHING FROM THE HYDRANT CONNECTION . THEY DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WAS DISPLACED, BUT IT WAS A LOT. A SHOUT OUT TO THE PUBLIC WORKS . NOT JUST THEM, BUT TO THE ROADS AND BRIDGES WHO CAME AND WORKED ON THAT LATE SATURDAY EVENING, EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. THANK YOU. >> I HAVE TO AGREE. THAT WAS A FANTASTIC. THANK YOU FOR SHOWING THAT TO THE BOARD. THANK YOU. >> BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET OUT. >> AMAZING. >> GOOD MORNING . >> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. SUSAN PHILLIPS . EXCUSE ME, I HAVE A SCRATCHY THROAT TODAY. PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU. SO GOOD TO SEE YOU THIS MORNING. I WANTED TO SPEND A FEW MOMENTS AND SHARE WITH YOU OUR NEW NIGHTS OF LIGHTS KNOW BEFORE YOU GO CAMPAIGN. ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE FOUND IS THAT WE NEED TO REALLY COMMUNICATE, NOT ONLY TO OUR VISITORS, BUT ALSO TO OUR RESIDENTS , AND ALSO TO OUR SMALL BUSINESSES TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT WITH NIGHTS OF LIGHTS. WE ARE GOING OUT THROUGH THE COUNTY, MY TEAM IS TAKING OUT ALL OF THESE POSTERS. THERE IS ADDITIONAL, I THINK YOU HAVE INFORMATION AT YOUR SEATS. ADDITIONAL CARDS. I WILL SHOW YOU THE APP IN A MOMENT. WE'RE GOING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY ENSURING ALL THESE MATERIALS SO THAT EVERYONE WHO COMES TO NIGHTS OF LIGHTS WILL HAVE A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE THIS YEAR. WE WANTED TO BE A SAFE EXPERIENCE. WE KNOW THE CITY AND COUNTY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS. THIS IS PART OF OUR SOLUTION TO TRY TO HELP EDUCATE PEOPLE . IT IS REALLY LETTING THEM KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. I AM GOING TO SHOW YOU, NOT ONLY THAT WE HAVE THE QR CODE HERE THE PEOPLE TO CLICK ON THE GO STORE WEBSITE WITH ALL THE MATERIALS AVAILABLE, INCLUDING A LINK TO DOWNLOAD OUR BRAND NEW NIGHTS OF LIGHTS APP, AND ALSO THE URL NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.COM TO GO TO FOR ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT WILL BE KEPT UP-TO-DATE. WE ARE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THE APP. EXCUSE ME JUST A MOMENT. I HAVE TO LOAD IT UP. THE KNIGHTS OF LIGHTS APP -- MAYBE IF YOU COULD CLOSE IN ON THAT. THANK YOU. THIS WAS LAUNCHED LAST WEEK. IN LESS THAN FIVE DAYS, WE HAVE HAD NEARLY 5000 DOWNLOADS. WE HAVE WORKED ON THIS WITH VISIT SAINT AUGUSTINE TO LAUNCH THIS. SUPER EXCITED ABOUT IT. THE PARKING WILL GO LIVE ONCE WE GET CLOSER TO THE DATE. WE WILL ALSO HAVE PUBLIC RESTROOMS. WE WILL SHOW SUBTLE -- SHUTTLE WAIT TIMES. OUR MESSAGE TO RESIDENTS, TO [00:50:06] VISITORS AND EVERYONE IS THAT NIGHTS OF LIGHTS IS NOT A DRIVE-THRU EVENT. IT IS AN EVENT THAT YOU DRIVE YOUR CAR, PARK IT IN A SHUTTLE LOT, TAKE THE FREE SHUTTLES, AND THEN GO DOWNTOWN AND ENJOY YOURSELVES , AND OF COURSE, SPEND SOME MONEY AND HELP RETAIL SHOPS AND ATTRACTIONS. HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. ANYTHING YOU COULD DO TO HELP ENSURE THIS INFORMATION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I HAVE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO WAYNE LARSON AND HIS TEAM. HE HAS BEEN WONDERFUL HELPING TO SHARE THIS. THANK YOU. >> I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT I PUT THE QR CODE RIGHT HERE. >> THANK YOU. IF YOU LOOK IN THE APP STORE, IF YOU LOOK AT ST. AUGUSTINE . I HOPE ALL OF YOU WILL DOWNLOAD AND SHARE WITH YOUR FAMILY. >> I NOTICED THERE ARE LIVE WEB TOWNS -- WEBCAMS. >> WE ARE SO PROUD. THE FACT THAT WE HAVE NEARLY 5000 DOWNLOADS IN FIVE DAYS, THAT'S PRETTY PHENOMENAL. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. >> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH TO YOUR TEAM. I KNOW YOU PUT A LOT INTO THIS, AS WELL AS HELP FUND IT. IT'S AMAZING. I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I DOWNLOADED IT RIGHT AWAY AND AM SHARING WITH EVERYBODY. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. I AM BENJAMIN . MY BUSINESS IS LOCATED AT 291 CUBBAGE ROAD. GIO TRIPPING.COM, KAYAK HERE.COM. MY MAIN WEBSITE. I'M HERE TODAY TO LET YOU KNOW KIND OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR INDUSTRY. I KNOW A LOT OF MY PEERS AND ECOTOURISM ARE KIND OF AT A POINT OF CRISIS. WE HAVE BEEN, IN MANY WAYS FOR MANY REASONS, ON APRIL 9 WE RECEIVED EMAILS FROM LETTING US KNOW THAT DUE TO THE ACTIONS OF OTHERS WE NEED TO START GIVING THEM 42% IN ORDER TO COMPETE . AND THEN, AT THAT TIME, MY EUROPEAN TRAFFIC THROUGH TRIP ADVISOR, AS WELL AS MY CANADIAN TRAFFIC, DROPPED TO ZERO. IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY SINCE THEN. WITH ALL THE OTHER DOWNTURNS, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE, TRAFFIC IS DOWN. MY LARGEST SOURCE OF REFERRAL TRAFFIC IS COMING FROM THE FLORIDA HISTORIC COAST.COM. FORTUNATELY, I DO HAVE THE SCO AND MARKETING SKILLS TO GENERATE MORE TRAFFIC THAN I NEED. I ONLY NEED 20 CUSTOMERS A WEEK TO MAKE A SIX-FIGURE INCOME. MY BUSINESS MODEL IS ONE THAT IS VERY HARD TO UNDERSTAND WITH PEOPLE THAT STILL THINK IN THE OLD WAY . I HAVE MANY THINGS I NEED TO BE SAYING UP HERE. I HAVE SENT EVERYBODY AN EMAIL . HOPEFULLY, WENT TO EVERYBODY ON BOARD, AS WELL AS OTHER PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY I HAVE BEEN WORKING TO TRY TO BE HEARD FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS. I AM HOPING THAT MAYBE I CAN GET A RESPONSE FROM THEM IN THAT REGARD TO THE EMAIL I SENT TO YOU. BUT I AM CURRENTLY FACED WITH A DECISION OF FOLDING MY BUSINESS AND GOING ELSEWHERE TO CARRY MY CRAFT, OR FINDING A WAY TO USE SOME OF MY OTHER SKILLS BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NO REAL MEDIA OUTLETS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY . SO WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS. I HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION . BUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR INDUSTRY IS A CRISIS. I HAVE BEEN SEEING THAT I HAVE NOT SEEN A RAY OR CRAB AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER IN SEVERAL YEARS. THE TURBIDITY IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS BECAUSE OF IRRESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT. IT IS NOT AN ARGUMENT BETWEEN, LET'S DEVELOP AND LET'S STOP DEVELOPMENT. IT IS A QUESTION OF HOW WE DO THIS RESPONSIBLY WHERE WE PUT THE ECOSYSTEM FIRST. THIS IS NOT ONLY THE STAGE ME AND MY FRIENDS PLAY ON AND PARTICIPATE ON AND BRING PEOPLE OUT, THE EXPERIENCE INDUSTRY IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING GROWTH INDUSTRIES. WITH EVERYTHING THAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, OUR PRIMARY INDUSTRY HERE ALONG THE COAST, WHICH IS FISHING, IS COMING UNDER. ESPECIALLY SPEAKING TO ALL THE FISHERMEN . THEY ARE LITERALLY ASKING, WHERE ARE THE FISH? MY CUSTOMERS ARE ASKING, WHERE ARE THE BIRDS? WHERE ARE THE DOLPHINS? WE USED TO GUARANTEE DOLPHINS. IN THE LAST YEAR, WE ARE GIVING OUT TOO MANY GIFT CERTIFICATES TO COME BACK. WHERE ARE THE DOLPHINS GOING? SAME PLACE MY GOING -- BUSINESS IS GOING. >> THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? >> THANK YOU. IT SEEMS THE RIGHTS OF CERTAIN INMATES IN ST. [00:55:08] JOHNS COUNTY CONTINUE TO BE MORE IMPORTANT TO THE SHERIFF THAN THE RIGHTS OF RESIDENTS TO SEE ALL INMATE MUGSHOTS . THIS CONTINUES TO JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE IN THIS COUNTY. YES ON OCTOBER 9, 2025 AN INDIVIDUAL -- I AM NOT USING THE NAME -- WAS ARRESTED, AND SOME SAY FOR POLITICAL REASONS, THE MUGSHOT AND ARREST RECORDS WERE PUBLISHED. HOW MANY RESIDENTS WHO LIVE ON SAND DOLLAR COURT ARE AWARE A "NEIGHBOR" WITH A PREVIOUS RECORD IS THEIR NEIGHBOR ? IS THIS SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT ? DISCRETION OR DISCRIMINATION? THURSDAY IS THE ONLY DAY THE PUBLIC HAS ACCESS TO THE SHERIFF BUILDING ON LEWIS SPEEDWAY FOR RECORDS. DOES THIS INCLUDE POLITICIANS ? PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO ACTIONS OF ELECTED INDIVIDUALS. REMEMBER, WE CAN VOTE . SINCE I HAVE A MINUTE OR TWO, I JUST WANT TO ASK , WILL THE DEPUTY PAY TO LIVE AT THE EQUESTRIAN CENTER, WHICH IS ON THE CONSENT NUMBER EIGHT? I BRING THAT UP BECAUSE THERE WAS A COMMENT ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE THAT CANNOT AFFORD WHAT MAY BE A TEACHER COULD AFFORD. SOMEONE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WORKFORCE HOUSING, WE NEED TO GET REALLY SERIOUS, BECAUSE THE ONE THAT IS BENEFITING IS DEVELOPERS. YOU COULD SAY WHAT YOU WANT, BUT IT IS NOT AFFORDABLE FOR MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT SERVE YOU OR CLEAN YOUR TOILETS. THANK YOU. AND THIS, I AM PUTTING UP HERE SO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT HERE CAN SEE THAT WE ARE TALKING AND GIVING OUT HATS ABOUT CANCER . BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. YOU NEVER KNOW UNTIL SOMEBODY SHARES WITH YOU WHAT THEY MAY BE GOING THROUGH. THANK [2. Discussion on County Approach to SB 180. Following Board direction at the October 7, BCC meeting, the Board will discuss the County's approach to SB180.] YOU VERY MUCH. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> BACK TO THE BOARD FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO. I THINK MIKE ROBERSON IS COMING UP. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. DIRECTOR OF GROWTH MANAGEMENT. OF COURSE, THIS DISCUSSION IS A BIG DISCUSSION, I THINK, I IN SENATE BILL 180. IN PARTICULAR, I THINK YOU ASKED ME TO COME UP HERE AND TALK MAYBE ABOUT THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THE EFFECT OF SENATE BILL 180 ON IT. THE SENATE BILL NOW IN THE STATUTE REQUIRES THAT ALL LOCAL JURISDICTIONS DON'T MAKE ANY UPDATES TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN , LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, MAKE THEM ANYTHING MORE RESTRICTIVE OR BURDENSOME. BECAUSE FOR 2024 TO 2027, WHICH WILL SUNSET AT LEAST AT THIS POINT. SO THIS CAME OUT . MOVING TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, THE BOARD GAVE DIRECTION. WE WENT THROUGH A LOT OF PUBLIC INPUT , GATHERED A LOT OF PUBLIC INPUT. ULTIMATELY, TRANSMITTED THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO THE STATE . WILL BE TRANSMITTED TO STAY, IT GOES TO A BUNCH OF AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE LAND PLANNING AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE. ULTIMATELY, THEY REVIEWED IT. THEY FELT MANY POLICIES WITHIN THERE THAT WE WERE CHANGING WERE CONSIDERED MORE RESTRICTIVE OR BURDENSOME. THEY ALSO FELT SOME OF THE POLICIES POTENTIALLY WERE MORE RESTRICTIVE OR BURDENSOME. WE ARE IN A SITUATION NOW WHERE WE HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT WAS DENIED . ON THAT, MOVING FORWARD, WE DID ASKED THE QUESTION, WHERE DO WE STAND RIGHT NOW? ARE WE OUT OF COMPLIANCE? WE HAVEN'T GOT A RESPONSE YET. WE JUST MET WITH THE STATE A WEEK AND A HALF AGO. WE HAVE ASKED THAT QUESTION. WHAT I DID GET FROM MR. STANSBURY, THE CHIEF OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WAS YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE ANY AND EVERY POLICY IS CRYSTAL-CLEAR AND IS NOT RESTRICTIVE OR BURDENSOME IF YOU WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD AND NOT BE CONSIDERED DENIED. MAYBE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT WHENEVER WE DO GET DIRECTION FROM THE BOARD ON WHAT WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE, IF WE'RE GOING TO CHANGECHANGE ANYTHING. SO WITH THAT, TOO, I WOULD ASK THE BOARD, WE HAVE SUMMARIZED THOSE POLICIES. WE HAD OUR CONSULTANT DO THAT. A DOCUMENT WHICH I SENT OUT TO YOU ALL. AND REALLY, THE NEXT STEPS OF [01:00:06] WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO, WHEN YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING ITIT BACK. >> I GUESS MY -- I DO HAVE A QUESTION. IF IT COMES BACK, LET'S SAY WE GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL COP PLAN. WHAT HAPPENS? >> SO IF WE GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL PLAN -- SO THE STATE REQUIRES US TO DO THIS REVIEW. THE STATE STATUTES SAY YOU MUST LOOK AT YOUR COMP PLAN EVERY SEVEN YEARS AND EVALUATE IT. THINGS CHANGE. YOU GET GROWTH, YOU GET THE OPPOSITE. SO, WE ARE REQUIRED TO REVIEW THAT AND WE DID DO A LOT OF DATA ANALYSIS WITH THE CONSULTANT TO SHOW THAT THEY'RE -- YOU KNOW, AT LEAST THERE IS PROJECTED TO BE A POPULATION INCREASE. SO, THINGS WERE CHANGED ACCORDINGLY. THERE ARE MANY CHANGES IN THERE, HOWEVER, THAT MANY MY OPINION, AND LOOKING AT THEM, THEY WERE MAYBE ADDS FROM -- ADD- ONES FROM THE CONSULTANT THAT WERE, YOU KNOW, BEST PRACTICES, THAT THEY'VE COME ACROSS, THAT MAYBE WEREN'T THINGS THAT WERE PARTICULARLY SPECIAL TO THE COMMISSION OR THE CONSTITUENTS, BUT MAYBE A GOOD IDEA, BUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU DIE ON THE VINE FOR THEM, THAT'S A DECISION FOR YOU TO MAKE. SO WHAT WE COULD DO IS WE COULD BRING THESE ALL BACK, WE COULD DISCUSS THESE POLICIES, MAYBE SOME OF THEM IN THERE ARE IMPORTANT, AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THOSE AS LENGTH. BUT IN MY OPINION, MANY OF THEM ARE SIMPLY BECAUSE LANGUAGE HAS CHANGED FROM SOMETHING LIKE, SHALL BE ENCOURAGED TO -- OR WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO SHALL BE ENCOURAGED, FOR EXAMPLE. YOU KNOW, IT'S A LITTLE BIT STRONGER OF A LANGUAGE. THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT MAYBE ARE EASIER TO CHANGE. SO, YOU KNOW, IF YOU WENT BACK, I DON'T -- AND JUST KEPT IT AS IS, I DON'T THINK WE'RE ULTIMATELY, YOU KNOW, THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE AND ADAPTING TO THAT TO MAKE SOME CHANGE FOR THAT. OF COURSE, WE DIDN'T MAKE ANY CHANGES AT THIS POINT TO THE LAND USE MAP. BUT THERE ARE SOME CHANGES IN THERE THAT CONTEMPLATE, IN SEVEN YEARS, RIGHT, WE'RE SUPPOSED TO COME BACK AND LOOK AT THIS, TO POTENTIALLY GET US TO THAT 2050 PLAN. >> WELL, SO, IN WHAT CASE -- I MEAN, JUST CHANGING "SHALL" OR "SHOULD" TO, YOU KNOW, A LESSER DIRECT -- I MEAN, DO YOU SEE -- I KNOW THERE'S AT LEAST 15 THAT WERE ABSOLUTE AND THE NEXT 15 WERE MAYBE. IS THERE A WAY TO DO THAT AND BRING THAT BACK. WE CAN, WITH WHATEVER THE WILL OF THE BOARD, YOU NEED TO PROBABLY ADDRESS THOSE TWO IF YOU WANT IT TO GET THROUGH. SO I HEARD AN INTERVIEW YESTERDAY, AND HE MENTIONED WE'LL HAVE TO MOVE THE DEVELOPMENT LINE TO GET IT TO PASS. IS THAT IN THERE? I DIDN'T SEE THAT THAT WAS EVEN IN THERE, AS A PROBLEM. NO, I SAW POLICIES WITHIN THE DOCUMENT OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. >> SO THAT'S GOOD. SO I KNOW THERE'S A QUESTION OF WHETHER -- THE GOOD THING, IS SB-180, IT'S FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT NEED TO REBUILD DURING HURRICANE SEASON, BUT THE PROBLEM IS IT'S GOING TO BE USED BY LARGE DEVELOPERS ON DEVELOPMENTS. I DID TALK TO KEN KENDALL. SHE THINKS THERE WILL BE. >> I WOULD HOPE THERE WOULD BE A BILL LIKE WITH ANY NEW RESOLUTION THAT IS A BIG CHANGE FOR EVERYBODY, THEY CLEAN IT UP, MAYBE CHANGE SOME THINGS THAT THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO THINK OF. I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING MORE THAN THAT, IN TERMS OF WHERE, IF THERE IS, MR. KMAN DOE? >> THANK YOU, COMMISSION. WE HEARD THAT THERE WAS A BILL THAT'S IN THE WORKS. WE HAVEN'T SEEN ONE THAT'S BEEN FILED YET. >> I MEAN, I GOT 33 PLUS E- MAILS, YOU KNOW, WANTING TO JOIN THE LAWSUIT, AND THAT IS A DISCUSSION TO HAVE, BECAUSE TALKING TO KIM KENDALL, SHE DOESN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT, BUT SHE DOESN'T KNOW HOW IT AFFECTS US HIGHER UP. AND THAT'S BEEN REALLY THE QUESTION. SO, THAT'S A DISCUSSION, IF WE COULD HAVE THAT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> YES, THANK YOU. YES. I HAVE RECEIVED MANY, MANY, MANY, MANY E- MAILS, COMMENTS, PHONE CALLS ABOUT THE LAWSUIT. AND I THINK WHAT'S KEY IS THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW MUCH WORKWORK GONE INTO OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND HOW MUCH OF OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS HAVE GONE INTO THE COST OF THIS PLAN, AND TO JUST HAVE IT BE REJECTED THE WAY IT IS BY THIS NEW LAW IS -- IT'S JUST -- WHAT A WASTE. WHAT A WASTE FOR THE COUNTY. IT'S THE TIMING OF OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RIGHT NOW THAT MAKES THIS SO CRITICAL. IF WE WOULD HAVE SUBMITTED A PLAN THREE, FOUR YEARS AGO, IT WOULDN'T BE AN ISSUE. SO THAT IS WHY -- THAT IS WHY, WHEN I SPOKE TO THE ATTORNEY REGARDING THE LAWSUIT, HE SAID, IF ANYTHING, ST. JOHN'S COUNTY SHOULD BE ABSOLUTELY ONE [01:05:01] OF THE COUNTIES IN THIS LAWSUIT, BECAUSE YOU ARE BEING SO DETRIMENTALLY AFFECTED BY IT. HE SAID, IT'S THE TIMING OF IT. AND WE KNOW THAT REALISTICALLY, THAT AS FAR AS SUNSET IN 2027, THERE'S A VERY LIKELY CHANCE THAT THERE'LL BE ANOTHER STORM, ANOTHER HURRICANE, AND THIS IS GOING TO GO ON INDEFINITELY. BUT WHAT THAT LAWSUIT DOES, IF EVERYBODY REMEMBERS, IS, THEY'RE HOPING TO GET A HEARING, AND THERE COULD BE AN INJUNCTION THAT ACTUALLY COULD PUT A HALT ON THINGS AND FREEZE WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW. SO AT LEAST WE COULD GET OUR PLAN SUBMITTED AT THIS TIME. BUT I JUST LOOK AT THE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THAT WE'VE SPENT, AND FOR $10,000, WE CAN JOIN THIS. I MEAN, AND THAT'S WHAT I'M HEARING FROM SO MANY PEOPLE. BUT ANYWAY, THAT'S MY THOUGHTS. WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND SPENT SO MUCH TIME ON, EVEN BEFORE I WAS EVEN HERE IN OFFICE, WHAT A WASTE AND WHAT AN INSULT TO OUR COUNTY AND TO OUR RESIDENTS. AND I HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO ONE RESIDENT THAT DOES NOT SUPPORT HOME RULE. THEY ARE TIRED OF THIS AND THEY WANT A VOICE. AND THIS PREVENTS OUR RESIDENTS FROM HAVING A VOICE. AND THAT IS WHY WE NEED TO BE FIRED UP AS A BOARD, AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT WHO WE'RE WORKING FOR. WE ARE HERE TO REPRESENT THE RESIDENTS IN THIS COUNTY. AND THIS BILL, THIS LAW, DOES NOT ALLOW US TO DO THAT. AND SO, THAT'S -- THAT'S WHY I GET SO FIRED UP, BECAUSE, WE NEED TO SUPPORT OUR RESIDENTS. AND THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY. AND HEAR FROM THEM. >> OKAY, MR. COMMANDO, I KNOW YOU MENTIONED THIS LAST TIME, BUT IF THERE'S AN INJUNCTION AND IT GOES THROUGH, ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE LAWSUIT THE ONES THAT GET THE INJUNCTION, OR DOES EVERYONE IN THE STATE GET THE INJUNCTION? >> EVERYONE IN THE STATE, I WOULD IMAGINE, WOULD GET THE INJUNCTION, BECAUSE IT WOULD APPLY TO THE ENTIRE STATE. IT'S NOT JUST THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PART OF THE LAWSUIT. >> HAVE MORE PEOPLE JOINED THAT LAWSUIT, AS OF TODAY? >> I HAVE NOT SEEN -- I HAVEN'T CHECKED TODAY. I CAN CHECK WHILE WE'RE TALKING. >> WOULD YOU MIND? >> I DON'T MIND AT ALL. >> AND JUST -- >> BUT LAST CHECK, IT WAS ABOUT 20 MUNICIPALITIES AND 2 COUNTIES. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> YES, THANK YOU. AND I DID ASK THAT QUESTION, AND THERE'S NO GUARANTEE OF THAT. THERE'S NO GUARANTEE. THERE ARE OTHER COUNTIES AND CITIES JOINING ALL THE TIME, BUT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE. THERE VERY LIKELY COULD BE AN INJUNCTION AND ONLY THOSE LISTED AS A PLAINTIFF, IT COULD HELP. SO THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A WIDE THING ACROSS THE STATE. SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I'M NOT WILLING TO RISK. >> AND THAT'S TRUE, BUT THERE'S NO GUARANTEE EITHER WAY. I MEAN, THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT AN INJUNCTION WOULD BE GRANTED. THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT A TEMPORARY INJUNCTION WOULD BE GRANTED. THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS LITIGATION WON'T TAKE THREE YEARS. IF THERE'S A BILL THAT'S GOING TO BE PRESENTED DURING THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINNING IN JANUARY, THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT THAT WOULDN'T RESOLVE THE ISSUE. YOU MADE A COMMENT ABOUT FUTURE STORMS COMING AS FAR AS DELAYING THE DATE, THAT'S NOT THE WAY THE LEGISLATURE IS WRITTEN. THE LAW UNDERSTANDS THAT FUTURE STORMS COULD IMPACT THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WITH THOSE FUTURE STORMS, THE SUNSET DATE IS STILL WRITTEN AS OCTOBER 1ST, 2027. >> YEAH. BUT I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN WAIT WHEN WE'RE DOING OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RIGHT NOW. I MEAN, THAT'S WHY THE ISSUE IS. IS THAT WE NEED TO TAKE A STAND NOW, BECAUSE IT'S AFFECTING OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. >> THAT'S A DECISION FOR THE COMMISSION. SO YOU CAN DECIDE, OFF NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PATHS FORWARD. YOU CAN DECIDE TO JOIN THE LAWSUIT. YOU CAN DECIDE TO -- WHAT THE OTHER COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES THAT ARE PART OF THE LAWSUIT CARRY THE WEIGHT OF THAT LITIGATION. YOU CAN, AS MR. ROBERTSON SAID, MAKE CHANGES TO THE CURRENT PROPOSAL FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. YOU CAN LEAVE THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WE'RE SUPPOSED TO CONTINUE WITH THE EVALUATION AND THE AAPPRAISAL REPORT. WE CAN MAKE MINOR CHANGES TO COMPLY WITH THAT REQUIREMENT, AND LOOK TOWARDS 2027 AS TO WHEN YOU WANT TO MAKE MORE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES. THERE ARE THINGS THAT WOULD HELP. >> I'LL GO RIGHT YOU IN A SECOND, BUT IT WAS JUST -- >> PLEASE. >> SO, IF -- BUT IF WE WAITED TO SUNSET, WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR DEADLINE? >> WE WOULD STILL HAVE TO MAKE AT LEAST THE CHANGES THAT MAKE REFERENCE TO -- THERE'S DIFFERENT Y ISSUES THAT ARE CHANGED, THAT AFFECT OUR COMP PLAN, THINGS THAT ARE REPEALED, ADDED, THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO CONSIDER AND CONTEMPLATE, AND PROVIDE AS THINK OF IT AS A VERY STRIPPED DOWN VERSION OF WHAT OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHANGES WOULD BE. >> THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPERATIVE TO GET GOING. COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST? >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADAME CHAIR. OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS AT ST. JOHN'S COUNTY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HAS DENIED MANY, MANY PROJECTS. AND I THINK WE ALWAYS TOOK INTOINTO ACCOUNT THE FINDINGS OF FACT. WE ALWAYS TOOK INTO ACCOUNT COMPATIBILITY, AND I THINK WE'VE DONE A GOOD JOB, BUT I THINK WE HERE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY HAVE TESTED THE LIMITS OF THE PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS LAWS, YOU SEE THE EVIDENCE OF THAT BY NOT ONLY [01:10:04] JUST THE REJECTION OF OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, BUT THE PROCESS WHERE THE MAGISTRATE ESSENTIALLY RULED AGAINST US, I CAUGHT WIND YESTERDAY THAT PERHAPS ANOTHER APPLICANT FOR ANOTHER PROJECT THAT WE JUST DENIED DOWN PASETI RULE IS GOING TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE PROCESS. THE LIVE LOCAL ACT WAS PASSED IN 2023, AS A RESULT OF TOO MANY AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WORKFORCE HOUSING PROJECTS BEING DENIED, NOT JUST IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, ALTHOUGH WE DENIED THEM, BUT AROUND THE STATE OF FLORIDA. AND IN 2024, WE RECEIVED -- I'M SORRY. IN 2020 -- YEAH, IN 2024, WE RECEIVED SB- 180 -- OR I SHOULD SAY, 2025. LAST YEAR, DURING THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION, COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, YOU WERE THERE, COMMISSIONER MURPHY, YOU WERE IN THE ROOM, WHEN WE HEARD A PANELIST SPEAK ABOUT HOW THE STATE OF FLORIDA -- HE WAS RESPONDING TO CONCERNS ABOUT THE LIVE LOCAL ACT, AND HE BASICALLY SAID, WELL, IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE LIVE LOCAL ACT, BUCKLE UP. HE SAID HE GOT THE SENSE, SPENDING ALL THE YEARS IN TALLAHASSEE THAT HE HAD, HE GOT THE SENSE THAT THERE WERE MORE LAWS COMING DOWN THE PIPE THAT WERE GOING TO FURTHER RESTRICT OUR RIGHT AS A LOCAL BOARD TO DENY DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. I WAS IN TOUCH WITH SOMEBODY WHO WAS AT A FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES MEETING LAST WEEK. HE SAID THAT THERE ARE MORE BILLS THAT ARE GOING TO BE IN THE PIPELINE FOR THIS UPCOMING SESSION. SO I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO BE WORRIED ABOUT SB-180. WE NEED TO BE WORRIED ABOUT FIGHTING THE FUTURE BILLS, SB-180. I WAS IN TALLAHASSEE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO DURING COMMITTEE WEEK WITH COMMISSIONER ARNOLD, MISS ANDREWS, SOME OF OUR STAFF TO SPEAK WITH OUR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION. SPOKE WITH EVERY ONE OF OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE ZPATS SENATOR ABOUT MY CONCERNS ABOUT SB-180. WE ALSO TOOK A MEETING WITH GINGER DELAGAL, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES. AND WHAT THEY DO IS THEY ADVOCATE -- THEY TRY TO UNIFY ALL 67 COUNTIES TO FIGHT FOR HOME RULE. THAT'S WHAT THEY DO. MISS DELAGAL WAS NOT OVERLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE CHANCES OF A REPEAL FOR SB-180. SO SUING THE STATE OF FLORIDA, SUING OUR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION AND THEN GOING TO TALLAHASSEE TO ASK THEM FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS THAT WE SO DESPERATELY NEED HERE IS NOT SOMETHING I SUPPORT. I DON'T SUPPORT JOINING THE LAWSUIT. I DO SUPPORT US GOING TO TALLAHASSEE, AS MANY TIMES AS IT TAKES, PICKING UP THE PHONES, WORKING ON BUILDING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS, SO WE CAN IMPRESS UPON THEM THAT WE NEED TO HAVE LOCAL CONTROL. I SUPPORT THAT. I JUST DON'T THINK A LAWSUIT IS THE SMARTEST WAY TO DO THAT. THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS NOT GOING TO LET US STOP THE GROWTH, AS MUCH AS WE MIGHT TO HERE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER, I'M TELLING YOU, AFTER BEING IN THIS BUSINESS FOR FIVE YEARS, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO LET US STOP THE GROWTH IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THAT'S THEIR POLICY. WHATEVER THEY HAVE TO DO TO ENSURE THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ACCOMMODATE THOSE WHO WANT TO MOVE TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND THOSE WERE BORN INTO THE STATE OF FLORIDA, THEY'RE GOING TO ENSURE THAT THEY DO THAT. >> AND YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK IT'S THE STOPPING OF THE GROWTH. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH STOPPING GROWTH. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WHEN IT'S JUST PLOWED DOWN AND THERE'S NO BUFFERS, OR, YOU KNOW, FOR ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE STILL HERE, THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS TO BE -- AND THE ROADS NEED TO BE UP TO PAR. IN THE SB- 180, ACTUALLY BROUGHT THE -- SEE, THE TABS ARE THE THINGS THAT THEY TURNED DOWN. ONE OF THEM IS FOR BIKE LANES AND ROADS. THINGS THAT I THINK MY CONSTITUENTS WANT. AND IF IT'S BUCKLE UP, ALL OF THIS THING'S COMING, I THINK WE SHOULD STAND UP FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR PEOPLE WITH OVER 333 PLUS E-MAILS. I'M LOYAL TO THE PERSON WHO PUT ME HERE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO JOIN THE LAWSUIT. AT LEAST TELL EVERYONE WHERE IT'S GOING TO FIGHT EVERYWHERE -- EVERY TIME WE CAN GET THERE. BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, WE'RE NOT WINNING. I MEAN, IT'S SAD. DO I HAVE A SECOND? >> YEAH, I'LL SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT, EITHER PUBLIC COMMENT OR -- I'M SORRY? COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST? >> JUST DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION. I JUST WANT TO -- A QUICK REMINDER. WE WENT FROM $127 MILLION IN APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN TWO YEARS FOR NOT GETTING 1 DOLLAR. WE GOT $500,000 FOR A STUDY, BUT I THINK THAT'S WORTH NOTING. >> BUT THAT WAS WHEN SENATOR HUDSON WAS THERE. AND YOU HAVE DIRECT RELATIONSHIPS WITH HIM. THAT'S WHEN HE BROUGHT A LOT OF IT. HENRY DEAN BOUGHT A LOT OF THE BEACH RENOURISHMENT. THE WHOLE BOARD WORKED AND GOT A LOT OF THAT MONEY FROM TALLAHASSEE. I DON'T THINK THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY WHEN THEY HAVE TO RE- ELECTION, [01:15:01] ALSO. SENATOR LEEK'S GOT TO RUN AGAIN. THESE PEOPLE HAVE TO RUN AGAIN. WE ARE VOTERS. AND I THINK WE SHOULD REPRESENT THEM, AND YOU KNOW, TRAVIS HUDSON IS WORKING FOR US. IT'S GREAT. HE CAN'T HELP WITH THE FRIENDS -- MR. COMMANDO IS GOING TO BE THE NEXT SPEAKER'S PARTNER. IT'S JUST LIKE, COME ON, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. WE LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY. EVERYBODY LIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO I'M GOING TO BE FOR THIS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, REALLY, AT THIS POINT, WHAT DO WE HAVE TO LOSE? AND WHEN I TALKED TO KIM KENDALL, SHE SAID, SHE DOESN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT. BUT WE ELECT THE PEOPLE IN TALLAHASSEE TO REPRESENT US. I'M REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE IN THIS COUNTY. AND I COULD GO TO TALLAHASSEE AND BE A BIG SHOT, BUT I THINK IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO ANSWER MY E- MAILS, TO DO WHAT I CAN FOR MY LOYAL CONSTITUENTS. MR. MURPHY? >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. JUST A COUPLE OF THOUGHTS. YOU KNOW, I'VE GIVEN A LOT OF THOUGHT TO THIS. I'VE CALLED OUR REPRESENTATIVES, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT. I'VE BEEN NO -- I HAVEN'T BEEN SHY ABOUT MY POSITION ON THIS. I THINK SUING THE STATE IS A BAD BUT I DO ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S -- THAT THERE'S AN ISSUE HERE THAT WE NEED TO REALLY GIVE LIGHT TO. AND I'LL JUST SAY, THAT AFTER SPEAKING WITH REPRESENTATIVE KENDALL, I DIDN'T GET THE IMPRESSION THAT SHE DIDN'T CARE. I GOT THE IMPRESSION THAT SHE SAID THAT IT'S OUR DECISION TO MAKE, WHETHER WE GO FORWARD WITH A LAWSUIT OR NOT. AND THAT SHE WOULD STAND BY OUR DECISION, BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S A SMART MOVE FOR ME. SO, I DON'T HAVE THE -- I JUST DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO SUPPORT SUING THE HAND THAT FEEDS. BUT, HAVING SAID THAT, AND I'VE SAID THIS A LOT, IN A LOT OF THE E- MAILS, AND A LOT OF THE SHOWS I'VE BEEN ON RECENTLY, IS, SELF-RULE IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT, BUT I ALSO DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE GLITCH BILL OR THE ABILITY TO FIX SENATE BILL 180 OUT OF THE HANDS OF OUR REPRESENTATIVES AND PUT IT IN THE HANDS OF THE COURTS. WITH THAT, I WOULD SAY THAT I'M GOING TO GIVE MY REPRESENTATIVES AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIX THIS, AND IF THEY DON'T, I'LL BE THE FIRST ONE IN LINE TO JOIN A LAWSUIT. >> ALL RIGHT. PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE? >> MADAME CHAIR, JUST BEFORE THAT, YOU'D ASKED A QUESTION, IF ANY OTHER MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES HAD JOINED THE LAWSUIT, AS OF THE LEON COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS DOCKETS, IT DOESN'T SHOW THAT ANYONE WAS ADDED. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. >> WE WILL NOW HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> GOOD MORNING. ED SLAVIN, I STRONGLY SUPPORT THE MOTION AND I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER JOSEPH AND COMMISSIONER TAYLOR FOR PUTTING THIS FORWARD. I'VE READ THE DECLARATORY JUDGMENT LAWSUIT. I'VE TALKED TO THE ATTORNEY. I PUT IT ON THE BLOCK. IT IS NOT A SUIT FOR MONEY DAMAGES. IT IS A SUIT FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. AND I FINALLY REMEMBER WHEN I WAS AN ANTI- TRUST PARALEGAL BACK IN 1980, I WORKED FOR A GENTLEMEN BY THE NAME OF ST. JOHN BARRETT. AND HE WAS THE HEAD OF THE NUMBER TWO GUY AT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION, FROM '57 TO '67. AND HE ONCE SAID TO ME IN THE CONTEXT OF AN ANTI- TRUST CASE, WE SUE NICE PEOPLE ALL THE TIME. BE NOT AFRAID, FOLKS. IT'S IN THE BIBLE 106 TIMES. THE REASON YOU WERE ELECTED WAS TO STAND UP FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. AND IF YOU CRAVE APPROVAL BY LEGISLATORS WHO TAKE MONEY HAND OVER FIST FROM DEVELOPERS, PLEASE FIND ANOTHER OCCUPATION. PLEASE STEP OUT OF THE WAY. WE NEED TO FILE THIS LAWSUIT. WE NEED TO JOIN THIS LAWSUIT. AND I ONLY COSTS $10,000. THAT'S ALL THE ATTORNEY WANTS. IT'S A VERY GOOD LAW FIRM. AND I PUT HIS RESUME ON THE WEBSITE. HE REPRESENTS A NUMBER OF MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE, PARTICULARLY IN SOUTH FLORIDA. AND WHY WOULD WE NOT WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT THE LAW IS? BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT A DECLARATORY JUDGMENT IS FOR. AND THAT'S WHAT AN AN INJUNGTTIVE RELIEF STATEMENT IS FOR. IT'S A SHORT, PLAIN STATEMENT AS THE RULES REQUIRE. IT'S NOT LIKE THAT LAWSUIT THAT TRUMP FILED AGAINST "THE NEW YORK TIMES" FOR BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. NO, IT'S A SHORT, PLAIN STATEMENT OF WHY WE'RE ENTITLED TO RELIEF. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT, PLEASE READ IT. AND IF YOU'VE READ IT AND YOU SAY YOU DON'T WANT TO FILE IT, I DON'T BELIEVE YOU. I THINK YOU'RE AFRAID OF YOUR SHADOWS. I THINK SOME OF Y'ALL ARE SO DEPENDENT UPON DEVELOPERS FOR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHICH END IS UP. YOU WORK FOR US. YOU WERE ELECTED FOR A REASON. PEOPLE WORKED HARD TO ELECT YOU. AND WHEN WE HAVE A COUNTY ATTORNEY, MR. COMMANDO, WHO [01:20:01] IS FROM A LAW FIRM AND HIS LAW PARTNER IS THE INCOMING SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, AND YOU'RE AFRAID TO FILE A LAWSUIT AND YOU HAVEN'T EVEN GOT. TEN ANY LEGAL ADVICE FROM THIS GUY. WHERE DOES HE GET OFF? HE'S A DEVELOPER LAWYER. ONE OF HIS PARTNERS IS THE OWNER OF A LOBBYING GROUP, WHICH FOUNTAIN BLEU DEVELOPMENT WHICH REPRESENTS CASINOS AND HIGH RISES. AND YOU LOOK AT OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. WHERE WAS HE? WHERE WAS THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WHEN WE DID OUR EXPRESS PLAN? IT WAS LIKE THEY WEREN'T EVEN HERE. THEY MIGHT AS WELL HAVE A BUMPER STICKER ON THEIR FOREHEAD SAYING, I'D RATHER BE SAILING. THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING FOR US. THEY HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY NEEDS TO RESIGN. THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NEEDS TO RESIGN. WE NEED PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR US!- >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU. >> HI, EXCUSE ME, I'M NOT REALLY PREPARED TO SPEAK ON THIS, BUT WHAT I WAS SEEING HERE IS, WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT BITING THE HAND THAT FEEDS US. WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT JOINING A LAWSUIT WHICH IS MERELY ALLOWS US TO CARRY ON WITH OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THE WAY WE DECIDED TO HAVE IT. SO I'M SUPPORTING THE MOTION FOR THE SCHISM FACT THAT STRATEGICALLY, IT'S TO OUR ADVANTAGE. FIRST OF ALL, IF THE -- IF WE JUST KNUCKLE UNDER, BECAUSE WE'RE SCARED OF NOT GETTING STATE FUNDS, WE JUST HEARD THAT WE'RE NOT GETTING IT FROM ONE OF OUR COMMISSIONERS, THAT WE'RE NOT GETTING STATE FUNDS. ANYWAY AND BY FILING THIS -- BY BEING A PARTY OF THIS LAWSUIT, OTHER COUNTIES WILL JOIN AND THE POSSIBILITY OF IT PASSING WILL BE GREATER THAN IF WE DIDN'T. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE TWO COUNTIES, WE'LL HAVE THREE, AND OTHERS WILL GO WITH IT AND JOIN UP. AND EVEN IF WE -- OKAY, I'M SORRY. BY JOINING THIS LAWSUIT, WE MAY HAVE LEVERAGE, BAR GAINING POWER OVER THE STATE -- YOU KNOW, OUR OWN REPRESENTATIVES BASICALLY AND OTHER LEGISLATORS IN THE STATE TO GET THE FUNDS THAT WE DO NEED. RIGHT NOW, WE'RE NOT GETTING ANY. SO THE ANSWER TO NOT GETTING ANY FUNDS IS NOT TO JUST BUCKLE UNDER. IT'S TWIL HAVE -- IN NEGOTIATIONS YOU HAVE TO HAVE POWER. AND TO WIN A NEGOTIATION, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO USE THAT POWER. AND I FIND THIS LAWSUIT, I DON'T THINK THE STATE'S NOT GOING TO LIKE PUNISH US FOR FILING THIS LAWSUIT, BUT THEY MAY TAKE NOTICE, HEY, WE'VE GONE TOO FAR WITH THIS. WE WANT THEY WANT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO ACTUALLY REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY. AND THE -- YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO WIN A NEGOTIATION -- YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO WIN -- YOU GET FUNDING IF YOU JUST BUCKLE UNDER AND COWER. THE STATE GETS THAT MONEY FROM US, FROM OUR CITIZENS. WE DON'T GET OUR MONEY FROM THE STATES. SO. EVERY DOLLAR THAT THE STATE SPENDS ALLOCATES FOR ROADS AND STUFF COMES FROM THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY AND THEY PUT UNFUNDED MANDATES ON US AND IT'S GOT TO STOP. >> THANK YOU, SIR. YES, MA'AM? >> IRVINE BULLOCK, VISTA COVE. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND CARE. AND CARE DOESN'T HAVE A CLEAR POSITION ON WHETHER WE SHOULD JOIN THE LAWSUIT OR NOT. WHAT WE HAVE A COUPLE OF BIG CONCERNS ARE IS WE PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO THE -- INTO THE NEW COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. AND WE FEEL LIKE IT'S A BIG IMPROVEMENT. WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE THAT WORK. WE DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO GROUND ZERO, HAVE TO HIRE ANOTHER CONSULTANT, AND START ALL OVER AGAIN. SO OUR PROPOSAL, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S ON THE TABLE, BUT OUR PROPOSAL IS THAT WE DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO UNTIL WE CAN COME BACK, BUT WE DON'T LOSE THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT WE'VE GOT. AND WE COME BACK IN AN ACT THAT IS AS SOON AS THIS IS SETTLED. THE OTHER THING THAT WE HAVE STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT IS HOME RULE. WE AGREE WITH YOU GUYS, ALL, ON HOME RULE. [01:25:02] WE ELECTED Y'ALL. WE WILL TRY TO STAND BEHIND YOU WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION. BUT WE -- WE REALLY DO WANT THE DECISIONS TO BE MADE BY OUR PEOPLE THAT WE ELECT HERE. THANK YOU. THAT'S AS FAR A LIMB I'M WILLING TO GO OUT ON AT THIS TIME. BUT THOSE TWO POINTS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HEAR. >> THANK YOU. >> NICOLE CROSBY, 1169 NECK ROAD. JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTS. ONE IS THAT WHEN THE DISCUSSION BEGAN FROM THE CHAIR ABOUT HAVING TO CHANGE THESE WORDS FROM WILL TO SHOULD, SHOULD TO CAN, CAN TO WILL. I WANT TO MAKE AN OBSERVATION THAT THOSE KINDS OF CHANGES ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT CLIENTS TOWN ALL DAY LONG AND I WANT TO TELL YOU, THOSE CHANGES ARE VAST. SO DON'T THINK A LITTLE WEASEL WORD CHANGE IS A LITTLE NOTHING WE COULD GIVE AWAY. WE COULD BE GIVING AWAY A LOT WITH THOSE LITTLE WORD CHANGES. WE HAVE TO BE REALLY CAREFUL ABOUT THOSE. THE OTHER THINGS I WANTED TO SAY, WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORDS WEB WANT TO STOP GROWTH, I SEE THAT ON THE INTERNET ALL THE TIME AND I JUST HEARD IT FROM A COMMISSIONER, THAT'S A BIG RED FLAG. WE DO NOT WANT TO STOP GROWTH. WE CAN'T STOP GROWTH FOR ONE THING. WE DON'T WANT TO STOP GROWTH. WE WANT HOME RULE. THAT'S WHAT WE WANT. OBVIOUSLY, WE WANT TO SLOW THE GROWTH, THAT'S NO SECRET. PLEASE, PLEASE STOP ACCUSING US OF STOPPING THE GROWTH, BECAUSE IT HURTS YOU ON CREDIBILITY WHEN YOU SAY THAT. YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THAT. COME LOOK AT MY STREET. THERE'S TONS OF CONSTRUCTION ON MY STREET. IT'S ALMOST COMPLETELY BUILT OUT. THIS IS COMPLETELY LEGIT. IT'S ALL RESIDENTIAL. IS THE OTHER THING IS, ON THIS ISSUE OF -- SORRY, JUST LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT FOR A SECOND. WHETHER OR NOT IN THE BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS US ISSUE ON SB- 180, NOW, IF KIM KENDALL'S NAME WAS ON THAT LAWSUIT, SHE WOULD BE PISSED. BUT WE'RE NOT SUING -- NOT WE, THESE OTHER MUNICIPALITIES ARE NOT SUING ANY LEGISLATORS PERSONALLY. THIS IS NO SKIN OFF THEIR BACK WHEN THIS LAWSUIT GOES IN. IT DOES NOT HURT THEM PERSONALLY IN ANY WAY. I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING WHEN TWO OF OUR COMMISSIONERS, I'M NOT EVEN SURE IF YOU'RE ALLOWED TO SAY YOUR NAMES -- >> YOU'RE NOT -- >> I AM? >> OH, OKAY. WHEN THE SHARE AND COMMISSIONER MURPHY DESCRIBED THEIR CONVERSATION S CONVERSATIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVE KENDALL, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT TAKES, TO ME, IT WAS LIKE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME, HIS CHIS WHICH IS WHAT I TOOK AWAY FROM BOTH OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS, IS THAT SHE'S OKAY WITH WHAT WE DECIDE TO DO AND SHE'S NOT GOING TO HOLD IT AGAINST US. I CAN'T IMAGINE A LEGISLATOR HOLDING IT AGAINST US AND PUNISHING US WHEN THEY ARE NOT NAMED IN THE LAWSUIT AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE PERSONALLY HURT BY IT. SO I DON'T THINK IT REALLY IS EVEN A CASE OF BITING THE HAND THAT FEEDS US. KIM KENDALL'S -- YOU KNOW, IS NOT COMING OUT OF HER PERSONAL SALARY OR MONEY IN ANY WAY. SO, THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO MENTION. THANK YOU. >> YES, MA'AM? >> HI, CARRIE GUSTAFSSON. I JUST WANTED TO SAY, FOR THIS ISSUE, WATCHING ALL THE COMPREHENSIVE -- I'VE BEEN UP HERE QUITE A FEW TIMES ABOUT SCHOOLS, THE DECLINE IN SCHOOLS THAT I WAS PROJECTING FROM THE LACK OF BUILDING, LIKE HIGH SCHOOLS, AND THE OVERDEVELOPMENT AND THE -- YOU KNOW, WE'RE FINALLY AT A PLACE WHERE WE HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND JUST FOR THIS SB- 180 TO BE ABLE TO STEAMROLL THAT , I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT DOESN'T HAVE ALL FIVE OF YOU IRRITATED FOR LACK OF HOME RULE. AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I'VE BEEN AT A MEETING WHERE I'M LISTENING ABOUT FEAR OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN. WHEN THE OVERDEVELOPMENT WAS GOING ON, WHEN THE SCHOOLS WERE GETTING OVERCROWDED, WE CERTAINLY SENT A LOT OF E- MAILS ABOVE Y'ALL TO THE GOVERNOR, TO EVERYBODY, AND SOMETIMES I THINK WE LOST SOME FUNDING BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR WAS TIRED ABOUT HEARING ABOUT ALL OF THE OVERDEVELOPMENT THAT WAS GOING ON, KIND OF. BECAUSE WE LOST THE MONEY BEFORE WE DID ANYTHING TO SUE SB-180. AND WE CERTAINLY DID EVERYTHING THAT TRAVIS HUDSON WANTED WHEN WE IMPROVED SILVER LEAF. I WANT TO SAY ONE THING. I THINK 10,000 IS A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY. AND THE IDEA THAT A ST. JOHN'S COUNTY WOULD JOIN IT WOULD BE A I BOLD STATEMENT TO SAY, WE HAVE CONSTITUENTS WHO DON'T WANT TO LOSE HOME RULE. AND I WOULD APPRECIATE [01:30:04] IF EVERYONE WE VOTED FOR KIND OF VOL THAT. I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE SOME RISKS AND PEOPLE MIGHT GET MAD, BUT THAT'S NOT HOW WE WANT TO LIVE. WE DON'T WANT A GOVERNMENT THAT THEY TAKE THINGS OUT ON US AND JUST -- YOU KNOW, THE ONLY THING NECESSARY FOR THE TRIUMPH OF EVIL IS FOR GOOD MEN TO DO NOTHING. SO LET'S NOT DO NOTHING. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE? >> MY NAME IS PENNY VEALY. I HAD SOMETHING PREPARED AND I SENT EACH OF YOU A LETTER LAST FRIDAY AFTERNOON. I ONLY GOT TWO RESPONSES THAT THEY EVEN RECEIVED IT. BUT I WAS REALLY UPSET WITH WHAT YOU JUST SAID. YOU SOUNDED SO DEFEATIST. YOU WERE ELECTED TO SERVE US. I WORKED HARD TO GET YOU GUYS -- I MEAN -- ELECTED. WHEN THE VOTER GUIDES CAME OUT ALL SCREWED UP AND THEY WERE -- I SAID, NO, DON'T, THAT'S THE WRONG VOTER GUIDE . I WALKED PEOPLE FROM THEIR CAR TO THE VOTER PRECINCT TO GET THINGS STRAIGHTENED OUT. I'M REALLY SURPRISED THAT YOU WOULD TAKE SUCH AN ATTITUDE. I KNOW YOUR DAD IS A BUILDER. >> ABSOLUTELY NOT. NO, MA'AM. >> THEN FORGIVE ME FOR THAT. WRONG WHITEHURST. >> ABSOLUTELY NOT. >> SORRY ABOUT THAT. YOU STILL HAVE A DEFEATIST ATTITUDE. AND YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS. OF ALL OF THESE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THAT SPOKE, NOBODY SAID, WALK AWAY FROM THIS. WE PAID GOOD MONEY TO HAVE THAT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DEVELOPED. NOW, I LOVE WHAT KRISTA JOSEPH SAID. JUST -- JUST DO WHAT THEY WANT US TO DO, GET THE THING THROUGH, DON'T KOWTOW TO THE BIG DEAL. IF IT'S THE LITTLE WORDS AND STUFF, I WOULD LIKE BYPASS. I HAVE TO WALK IN THE ROAD -- I LIVE ON 13, ON THE RIVER. IT'S -- YOU CAN TAKE YOUR LIFE IN YOUR HAND OUT THERE. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE BYPASS. BUT I DON'T WANT A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT'S HELD UP. THAT'S A LONG, BROAD -- AND WE NEED IT DESPERATELY. IT'S 20 YEARS OVERDUE. WAS WHAT WAS JUST SAID WAS IN MY EMAIL THAT I SENT TO YOU. THE ONLY THING NECESSARY FOR EVIL TO TRIUMPH IS FOR GOOD PEOPLE TO DO NOTHING. AND YOU GUYS IGNORING THIS AND BEING KOWTOWING TO SAY, WE DON'T WANT TO DISRUPT THE FLOW, BECAUSE IT'S $10,000. $10,000 IS NOTHING IN OUR KITTY. IT'S NOTHING! AND YOU SHOULD BE SUPPORTING IT, SIR. I'M NOT SURE YOUR NAME -- MR. COMMANDO. YOU SHOULD BE -- YOU SHOULD NOT BE PUSHING THIS AWAY. WE WOULD WANT THIS TO HAPPEN. DID ANYBODY HEARSAY, WE DON'T WANT YOU GUYS TO NOT GO THROUGH WITH THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, TO DO A $10,000 LAWSUIT? DO IT! WE'RE NOT SUING KRISTA -- KIM KENDALL. IT'S NOTHING AGAINST HER. IT'S BECAUSE WE WANT HOME RULE IN OUR STATE, IN OUR COUNTY, BY THE PEOPLE THAT WE ELECTED AND SEE EVERY DAY IN PUBLIC. I DON'T WANT SOMEBODY FROM MIAMI TELLING US HOW TO NEGOTIATE WHO'S BUILDING WHAT IN THIS COUNTY. SO I WAS NOT GOING TO BE COMING UP HERE FIRED UP, BECAUSE I LOVE WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING. BUT PLEASE LISTEN TO WHAT WE, THE CONSTITUENTS ARE SAYING. $10,000 IS NOT A BIG DEAL. THERE'S ONLY 24 -- I THINK I COUNTED THEM, SIR, 24 PEOPLE NOW ON THAT LAWSUIT BESIDES ME. SO WE NEED TO JOINT. THANKS, GUYS. >> GOOD MORNING. CHARLIE HUNT, MILL CREEK ESTATES. SENATE BILL 180 WAS -- HAD TWO COMMITTEES. ONE OF THEM IS THE -- FOR COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, OKAY? WHICH TOM LEEK SITS ON. SO -- AND HE VOTED FOR IT, OBVIOUSLY, HE HAD TO. JUST LIKE MISS KENDALL. BUT ONCE THEY VOTED, THEY KNOW WHAT IS ALMOST LIKE GOING TO SWITZERLAND. WE ARE NEUTRAL NOW. . WE'RE NEUTRAL ON HOW YOU WOULD DO IT, BECAUSE WE ALREADY VOTED FOR IT AND NOW IF YOU WANT TO GO AGAINST IT , GOOD LUCK. BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE SITTING AND THINKING. THAT'S HOW IT WORKS! GOOD LUCK ON YOU! WE DON'T FEEL TOO BAD ABOUT IT. IF THIS IS THE COUNTY THAT $10,000 -- OR IT'S GOING TO DEFAME THIS COUNTY, PEOPLE SAY, WELL, WE'RE NOT GOING TO MOVE BACK TO ST. JOHN'S -- WE'RE NOT GOING TO MOVE TO ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, BECAUSE THEY PUT IN [01:35:02] $10,000 TO GO AGAINST THIS BILL WHICH HURRICANE DESTRUCTION AND RECOVERY, WITH A LITTLE SIDE NOTE OF, YOU CAN'T STOP DEVELOPERS FROM CLEARING AS MUCH LAND AS THEY WANT , IS THAT COUNTERINTUITIVE? WHEN THE DESTRUCTIVE NATURE OF A HURRICANE COMES THROUGH AND YOU YOU'RE DOING ALL OF THIS, TO LET THE COUNTIES RECOVER AND REBUILD, AND EVERYTHING ELSE, BUT WITHIN $100 MILE RADIUS, THE DEVELOPERS GO, WELL, IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH US, SO WE'RE JUST GOING TO CLEAR 100% OF OUR PROPERTY, BECAUSE IT'S OUR PROPERTY. REALLY? REALLY? THAT'S WHAT IT IS. THAT'S WHAT IT IS. OVER A YEAR, OVER A YEAR, THAT WAS THE MAIN FOCUS WAS PROPERTY, LAND, LAND DEVELOPMENT, WHAT COULD HAPPEN, HOW COULD WE MAKE IT. CAN WE SAVE MORE TREES. CAN WE, YOU KNOW, MAKE THE RESERVED AREA A LOT BIGGER FOR MAJOR DEVELOPMENT? SO EEFR A YEAR, AS YOU'RE SITTING THERE ROCKING IN YOUR CHASER, IT WENT ON AND WENT ON, HELD OFF, HELD OFF, HELD OFF, AND BEFORE THE INK WAS EVEN DRY, WHEN DESANTIS SIGNED SB- 180, YOU CAME IN AND YOU SENT YOUR WORD TO THE PUBLIC OF, NO, WE'RE NOT FOR THIS. A YEAR TOOK THAT. THAT IS A VERY GOOD INDICATION OF JUST SIT BACK, LET IT HIT, THEN WE'LL JUMP IN AND WE'LL COMPLETE OUR TASK. >> THANK YOU, SIR. ANYONE ELSE? >> BJ, WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE. HAVING SAT THROUGH A NUMBER OF MEETINGS, YOU HEAR A LOT OF THINGS AND YOU HEAR A LOT OF VOTES AND MY MEMORY, I THINK, IS PRETTY GOOD. AND YOU CAN CORRECT ME IF YOU WANT TO. BUT WHEN WE -- WHEN YOU, VOTED FOR A COUNTY ATTORNEY, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, ONE COMMISSIONER VOTED FOR THE PERSON WE HAVE NOW BECAUSE THAT FIRM THAT IS PAYING HIS SALARY NOT US TAXPAYERS WAS A LOBBYIST, AND WE WOULD HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE UP THERE LOBBYING FOR US. I DON'T THINK THAT WAS A GOOD REASON. AND SO WE SAVED MONEY BY ALLOWING HIS FIRM TO PAY HIM, SO WHAT IS $10,000? ALSO, SITTING THROUGH THESE MEETINGS, I'M GOING TO ASK FOR SOME MORE PUBLIC RECORDS ON THIS, EVERYBODY GOT A RAISE, PRETTY MUCH, EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTY GOT A RAISE. IF I'M WRONG, I'M SURE SOMEBODY WILL÷÷WILL ME, OF 7%, RECENTLY AND YOU ALL VOTED TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT, SOMEONE IS MAKING $300,000 AS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THIS COUNTY. AND THEN YOU'RE GOING TO SIT UP THERE AND TELL US THAT YOU CAN'T HANDLE $10,000. YOU'RE DOING US A FAVOR? THAT'S NOT A FAFR. THERE'S BEEN ENOUGH PEOPLE STANDING UP HERE AND THE DEVELOPERS AREN'T HERE, BECAUSE THEY WOULD BE FOR YOU SPENDING OUR MONEY. BECAUSE THEY DON'T CARE. THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE THEIR MONEY WHEN THEY SIT HERE. SO IS IT GOING TO BE A 3- 2 VOTE? I KNOW I CAN'T SAY IT OUT LOUD, BUT WE KIND OF KNOW HOW THE VOTES GO UP HERE. SO LET'S SEE IF WE CAN STAND AS A COMMUNITY, WHETHER WE WIN OR LOSE. YOU REPRESENT US. AND WE'RE NOT ALWAYS HAPPY ABOUT THE VOTES, BUT WE HAVE TO SIT HERE AND TAKE IT. SO REMEMBER HOW YOU SPENT MONEY? AND YOU'RE GOING TO BE SPENDING MORE MONEY, TOO. AND YOU NEVER KNOW, MAYBE IT WILL WAKE UP SOME PEOPLE UP IN TALLAHASSEE, THAT WE'RE IN CHARGE, NOT THEM. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE? >> HEY, EVERYBODY, I'M BENJAMIN BRANDAU, NATIONAL PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER'S ASSOCIATION. I KNOW YOU HAVE TO HUSTLE THESE DAYS. WHAT I HEAR IS AN A- B CONVERSATION, SO I SHOULD PROBABLY JUST C MYSELF RIGHT OUT OF HERE. ON ONE SIDE, I SEE [01:40:01] PEOPLE WANTING TO STOP DEVELOPMENT. YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS. WHEN IT COMES TO OUR WETLANDS, WITH THE CURRENT CUTTING EDGE KNOWLEDGE, THAT THE MILITARY IS DEPLOYING ALL AROUND OUR BASE, WE SHOULD CUT OUR ABUNDANCE. THE CONTINUED DESTRUCTION OF OUR WETLANDS IS TANTAMOUNT TO A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY. WHEN I LOOK AT THE ZONING MAPS HERE, WE'VE GOT THESE CUBES EVERYWHERE, WHILE OUR WETLANDS ARE SNAKING THROUGH. WE WANT DEVELOPERS TO COME IN AND DO THE CHEAPEST THING POSSIBLE AND USE THE PLAN WE HAVE SOMEWHERE ELSE HERE IN FLORIDA. BUT WE CAN'T DO THAT. IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THINGS WHICH ARE BURDENSOME, WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE LEAST-COMMON DENOMINATOR AND 180, WE NEED TO HOLD THE DEVELOPERS TO THAT. WHAT'S BURDENSOME IS SALTWATER INTRUSION IN MY WELL AND HAVING TO GET ON TO CITY WATER. OUR WETLANDS ARE THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF OUR FLOOD CONTROL. OUR FIRE CONTROL. IT'S WHERE OUR DRINKING WATER COMES FROM. EVEN OUR WATER TREATMENT FACILITY IS VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT 12- MILE SWAMP IS THEIR FIRST LINE INFILTRATION. TODAY'S RAIN IS YOUR DRINKING WATER IF 50 YEARS, IS WHAT THEY SAY. WE'VE GOT 12- MILE SWAMP, BUT WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THAT RUNOFF, FROM ALL OF THIS DEVELOPMENT, WE'RE CUTTING IT, SLASHING IT, SENDING IT OUT TO OUR RIVER. WHY AREN'T WE HOLDING OUR FRESH WATER ON THE LAND? IT'S NOT THE DEVELOPER'S ISSUE TO TRY TO SAVE THIS. IT'S THE MUNICIPALITY'S ISSUE. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE WETLAND BUFFERS, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT FEEDS OUR OYSTERS, AND THE OYSTERS ARE WHAT GENERATE ALL OF OUR SEAFOOD. WE'RE OVERFISHING NOT BECAUSE WE'RE SO TERRIBLE, IT'S BECAUSE THE ARIES OF OUR OCEAN HAVE THE INTERCOASTAL WATERWAYS GOING THROUGH. IT SO NOT ONLY ARE WE STARVING OUR OYSTERS AND POISONING THEM WITH RUNOFF, WE'RE REALLY UNDERMINING OUR WELFARE, OUR ABUNDANCE. WHAT'S BURDENSOME IS THIS ARGUMENT THAT'S GOING ON ON BOTH SIDES, AND WE JUST NEED TO ASK THE DEVELOPERS TO GET A LITTLE CREATIVE AND INCORPORATE AS MANY WETLANDS AND WATER FEATURES AS WE CAN. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO PROPERTY VALUE WHEN YOU HAVE A WATER VIEW. I MEAN, I HAVE AN IDEA, YOU KNOW. SO WE CAN INCREASE THE VALUE OF WHAT WE'RE DOING BY FOCUSING ON OUR WETLANDS, BECAUSE IF WE CAN WET OUR LAND, WE CAN WIN THE WAR. THERE ARE 24 POINTS OF CLIMATE CRISIS THAT CAN BE SOLVED SIMPLY BY FOCUS ON OUR WETLANDS. AND THAT REDUCES COST AND INCREASES OUR RETURN. THE MILITARY HAS REFENCED AND FOR $800,000 A MILE, THEY'RE GOING TO GENERATE $144 MILLION IN ANNUAL RETURN. THAT'S JUST THE BEGINNING OF THE CONVERSATION. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. COMMENT. >> COMMISSIONER WLIT HURST? >> THANK YOU, MADAME CHAIR. I'VE BEEN A COMMISSIONER UP HERE FOR FIVE YEARS. SOMETHING THAT MAYBE Y'ALL DON'T KNOW IS I WENT AND GOT THREE DIFFERENT CERTIFICATIONS THROUGH THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY'S INSTITUTE OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT PROGRAM. I'VE BEEN PLUGGING INTO THE MAJORITY OF THE AVAILABLE CONFERENCES AT THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY HAS PROVIDED OVER THE BETTER PART OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS, INCLUDING THE ONE, THE LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE THAT'S COMING UP IN NOVEMBER, WHICH I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO ATTEND. I'M NOT DEFEATIST. I'M JUST BURDENED WITH KNOWLEDGE. I KNOW WHAT THE PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS LAWS THAT EXIST IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. I'VE READ THEM. I UNDERSTAND THEM. I KNOW WHAT THE FIFTH AMENDMENT SAYS IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE AMENDMENTS TO THE TREE ORDINANCE. THAT A GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO USE LAND OR TAKE LAND FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE WITHOUT JUST COMPENSATION. THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS NOT GOING TO ALLOW US TO PASS ANY ORDINANCE OR LAW OR CHANGE TO OUR LDC THAT IS MORE RESTRICTIVE OR BURDENSOME, THAT IS THEIR POSITION, NOT MINE. I VOTED FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. WE UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED THE CHANGES, THE AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. I WANT TO SUPPORT THE CHANGES TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. BUT I KNOW THE STATE OF FLORIDA'S POSITION ON THIS. LIVING IN THE FREE STATE OF FLORIDA MEANS THAT WE ARE FREE FROM RESTRICT STRICTIVE AND BURDENSOME GOVERNMENT. AND WE ARE AN ATTRACTIVE STATE BECAUSE OF THAT. AND I THINK IT'S WORTH CONSIDERING BEFORE HAULING OFF AND SUING THE STATE OF FLORIDA. >> I DO HAVE A QUESTION FOR COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. WHEN YOU SAY YOU GO FIGHT FOR SB-180, WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? >> DID I SAY THAT I WENT AND FOUGHT FOR SB-180? ZPLI HEARD THAT ON THE RADIO SHOW YESTERDAY, OR NOT RADIO -- SORRY, 904, THAT YOU WENT AND MET WITH THE LEGISLATIVE ABOUT SB-180. YOU FOR IT OR AGAINST IT? >> ABSOLUTELY. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS WITH US LOSING LOCAL CONTROL AS A RESULT OF SB-180. I EXPRESSED THOSE CONCERNS IN THE OFFICES OF SAM GRECO, KIM KENDALL, AND WITH SENATOR LEEK. [01:45:06] >> WHAT CONCERNS? BECAUSE YOU'RE PRO-GROWTH. IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, WE'VE -- >> MADAME CHAIR, MADAME CHAIR? >> YEAH. >> I HAVE JUST DETAILED HOW REVOTED AGAINST A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT. >> STILL -- >> SO I DON'T THINK I'M PRO-GROWTH. I DON'T THINK I'M ANTI-GROWTH. >> I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT -- >> I CONSIDER THE S AS THEY COME IN AND MAKE MY DECISIONS BASED ON THOSE FACTS. >> WHAT IS THE CONCERN YOU SAID TO THOSE REPRESENTATIVES? LIKE, WHAT EXACTLY? >> I'M JUST GOING TO PARAPHRASE. I CAN'T REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT WAS SAID. TO PARAPHRASE, EACH MEMBER OF OUR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION WAS DELIVERED THIS MESSAGE BY E, IS THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF RESIDENTS IN OUR COUNTY WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACTS THAT 180 IS HAVING ON LOCAL CONTROL. AND I WANT THAT -- I WANT TO PUT THAT ON YOUR RADAR, DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS, AND TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, IT WAS NOT AT THE TOP OF THEIR MIND- SET IN THE FIRST WEEK OF COMMITTEE WEEKS. THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE GOING TO LOOK INTO IT. AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ABOUT SB-180. SO I RELAYED TO THEM THE CONCERNS OF OUR CONSTITUENTS. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. THAT'S WHY I WANT TO PUT THIS ON THE MAP, AND THAT'S WHY I WANT TO GO AHEAD AND VOTE ON THIS, UNLESS COMMISSIONER MURPHY HAS SOMETHING MORE TO SAY. >> JUST A FEW THINGS, MADAME CHAIR. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> SO I'VE HEARD A LOT TODAY ABOUT DOING ABOUT WHAT THE CONSTITUENTS TELL US THEY WANT US TO DO. AND I REALLY RESPECT THAT. I RESPECT THE FACT THAT WE'RE VOTED IN AND, YOU KNOW, WHETHER THAT'S A BIG DEAL OR NOT, TO SOME PEOPLE, I DON'T KNOW. BUT THE TRUST OF THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THIS COUNTY IS IMPORTANT TO ME. BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WILL NOT DO IS A I WILL NOT DO SOMETHING WHEN THERE'S A BETTER WAY, WHEN THERE'S A SMARTER WAY, A MORE EFFECTIVE WAY. WHEN THERE'S A WAY TO GET WHAT WE WANT WITHOUT BRINGING A BIG STICK OUT AND TRYING TO HIT PEOPLE WITH IT. AND YOU CAN SCOFF IF YOU WANT TO, BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, IS THAT WE'RE UP HERE TO MAKE THE SMARTEST DECISIONS THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN. AND ALTHOUGH THE PEOPLE SITTING HERE PROBABLY HAVE MORE INFORMATION THAN WE DO, AND THAT'S OKAY, IF YOU DO. -- I'VE ONLY BEEN IN THIS SEAT A YEAR, BUT TO ME IT SEEMS LIKE WE NEED TO BE THE SMART ONES AND MAKE SMART DECISION S NOT EMOTIONAL DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT WE THINK, BUT SMART DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I KNOW IS THAT OUR REPRESENTATIVES HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIX THIS FOR US, AND IF THEY DON'T, THAT'S WHEN I'M GOING TO GET UPSET. BUT I'M NOT GOING TO GET UPSET ABOUT THIS, UNTIL I KNOW THAT THERE'S NO PATH FORWARD, LEGAL PATH FORWARD FOR THEM TO DO A FIX BILL. THERE'S NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT SENATE BILL 180 HAS A POISON PILL IN IT. IT WAS ADDED AT THE 11TH HOUR, IT WAS DONE ON PURPOSE TO HARM CERTAIN COUNTIES. BUT ALSO KNOW THAT IF WE AS A BODY, AS A COUNTY GET ON OUR E-MAILS AND RIDE TO TALLAHASSEE AND TELL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, I APPRECIATE PEOPLE TELLING ME, BUT I GET IT. I DON'T LIKE SENATE BILL 180 EITHER. BUT I THINK THERE'S A SMART WAY TO GO ABOUT IT AND THERE'S THE DUMB -- WELL, LESS EFFECTIVE WAY TO GO ABOUT IT. AND I WANT TO BE AS SMART AND AS PRECISIONED AS I CAN WITH THE ISSUES THAT COME FROM THIS COUNTY. AND÷÷ I DON'T FEEL LIKE JOINING -- I KEEP HEARING EVERYBODY SAY, IT'S ONLY $10,000. IT'S ONLY $10,000 TO JOIN THE LAWSUIT BUT WHERE DOES THAT END US WHEN THEY ARE DENIED AND THEY APPEAL? IS IT GOING TO BE ANOTHER 100,000 AFTER THAT? WE NEED TO BE SMART ABOUT THIS AND I WANT TO GIVE OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIX THIS BEFORE I GO THROWING GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD IN A LAWSUIT THAT'S GOING TO TIE UP OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UNTIL THE END OF WHENEVER THAT IS. IT COULD AS LONG AS HOW MANY YEARS? RICH, I WAS LOOKING AT YOU FOR THAT ANSWER. HOW MANY YEARS CAN THIS BE TIED UP IN THE COURTS. >> IT DEPEND ON WHAT THE FIGHT IS. THIS COULD BE -- MOST LITIGATION ON A FAST TIME FRAME WOULD BE TWO YEARS. SOME AVERAGE -- >> SO THIS IS GOING TO SUNSET BEFORE WE EVEN GET DONE WITH IT, ANYWAY. I AM IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT WITH THE CHAIR. WE NEED TO FIX WHAT WE NEED TO FIX. WHEN THIS SUNSETS IN TWO YEARS, WE COME BACK AND FIX IT THE WAY WE WANT TO FIX IT, BUT WHAT I DON'T WANT TO DO IS DO SOMETHING THAT IS FOOLISH. THAT'S HOW I FEEL ABOUT IT AND THAT'S HOW I'LL VOTE. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO ADD SOMETHING, BECAUSE I DID ASK WHEN I [01:50:02] SPOKE WITH THE ATTORNEY REGARDING THE LAWSUIT, COULD THIS END UP BEING VERY COSTLY IF IT GOES ON. AND HE MADE IT VERY, VERY, VERY CLEAR THAT IT IS $10,000 TO JOIN, IF THERE IS AN APPEAL, IT'S AN ADDITIONAL $5,000, AND AT THE ABSOLUTE MOST, IT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL $5,000. THIS IS NOT A LAWSUIT THAT IS GOING TO COST OUR COUNTY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. I MADE THAT VERY, VERY CLEAR. IT IS NOT GOING TO BE VERY COSTLY AS FAR AS TO JOIN IT AND THAT. BUT AGAIN, I THINK IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO NOW, AND THAT IS GET OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT WE'VE WORKED SO HARD THROUGH. >> I THINK THAT'S REALLY THE BIG DEAL. IF EVEN -- WE'RE GOING TO LOSE THE COMP PLANS DECLINE IS THE WHOLE ISSUE. AND IF THERE WAS AN INJUNCTION, IT WOULD HAPPEN RIGHT AWAY. IT'S A DICE I WOULD LIKE TROLL. WITH THAT SAID, THERE'S A MOTION ON THE TABLE. LET'S VOTE! >> AND THAT FAILS, 2-3. THANK YOU FOR THE VOTE, THOUGH. AGENDA ITEM 3. IMPACT FEES. >> THROUGH THE CHAIR? >> YES, MA'AM. >> SO THAT TOOK CARE OF THE LAWSUIT ISSUE, SENATE BILL- 180, BUT REGARD TO THE COMP PLAN, STAFF IS LOOKING FOR DIRECTION ON HOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO PROCEED AND WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE BROUGHT BACK TO YOU AND WHEN YOU WOULD LIKE THAT BROUGHT BACK TO YOU. >> IF I MAY, I WANT TO SHOW A TIMELINE HERE, JUST SO THE COMMISSIONER IS EDUCATED ON WHAT WE'VE LEARNED. MR. TOM, IF YOU WOULD. SO WHEREVER THE COUNTY DECIDES TO RE- TRANSMIT, WE DID CONFIRM, NORMALLY YOU GET AN ORC REPORT OBJECTIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND COMMENTS. THE DENIAL KIND OF STALLED THAT. WE POTENTIALLY COULD GET AN ORC REPORT ONCE WE DO SEND IT BACK, AND WE WOULD REVIEW THAT. IF THERE'S NO OBJECTIONS, THERE'S PROBABLY NOT AN OBJECTION. BUT AFTER WE RECEIVE THAT, YOU GET SIX MONTHS TO RE- SUBMIT OR ADOPT AND SUBMIT STITS AND THE STATE HAS A COMPLIANCE ISSUE. SO THAT -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS GOING FORWARD. WHEREVER WE DO RE-TRANSMIT, AND THEM, YES, AS FAR AS DIRECTION, WE WOULD APPRECIATE LETTING US KNOW. AND AGAIN, YOU -- WE HAVE THE POLICIES HIGHLIGHTED. WE CAN BRING THOSE POLICIES BACK WITH SOME POTENTIAL SUGGESTIONS FOR YOU, AND WE CAN GO THROUGH EACH ONE. YOU KNOW, THAT'S PROBABLY -- THAT'S ONE OPTION. >> NOW, THE ORC REPORT, ARE YOU SURPRISED WE HAVEN'T GOT. TEN THAT ALREADY? >> I WAS A LITTLE. WE DID ASK THEM, ARE WE STILL GOING TO GET AN ORC REPORT? AND THEY SAID, YES, YOU WOULD, IF YOU DON'T GET DENIED. SO MEANING, WHEN WE WOULD RE- TRANSMIT IF THEY DON'T FIND ANYTHING THAT'S RESTRICTIVE OR BURDENSOME, THEN WE WOULD GET AN ORC REPORT. THAT MAY NOT BE AN ISSUE, BUT THAT IS THE STANDARD PROCESS. >> IF THEY DENY US AGAIN, DO WE GET MORE TIME? AND THEY DENY US AGAIN? HOW MANY -- >> I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION. >> WOULD THE BOARD WANT TO SEE IT COME BACK WITH -- IT MIGHT COME BACK WITH SOME OF THE WORD CHANGES OR DISCUSS SOME OF THOSE THINGS? COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST? >> YES, MA'AM. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MIKE ROBERTSON AND HIS TEAM AT GROWTH MANAGEMENT COME BACK WITH SOME SUGGESTED CHANGES THAT WILL STILL TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THE CHANGES THAT WE MADE TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, GET AS CLOSE AS WE CAN, WITHOUT RUNNING AFOUL OF THE RESTRICTIVE AND BURDENSOME REGULATION THAT WE'RE CONSTRAINED BY. DO SQUECHBS DPR THAT? [3. Public Hearing * First Reading - Amendment to Impact Fee Ordinance. This is the first of two required public hearings to implement an updated Impact Fee Schedule and changes to the County Impact Fee Ordinance. The proposed ordinance is based upon an Impact Fee Update Study prepared by consultant, Benesch, originally presented to the Board of County Commissioners on January 21, 2025. Subsequent meetings included discussions that led to board direction on changes. On September 16, 2025, the Board gave direction to update the Impact Fee Ordinance and Fee Schedule consistent with the "St. Johns County Impact Fee Update Study." As directed by the BOCC, the amendment to the ordinance provides, in part, a revised fee schedule, a phased implementation schedule, creation of a new conservation and open space impact fee, creation of a 50% waiver of impact fees for affordable housing under certain circumstances; and elimination of subsidizing of non-residential development.] OKAY, THANK YOU. NOW IMPACT FEE. OH, YOU'RE BACK! >> SO, COMMISSIONERS, WE'RE HERE. WE'VE GOP THROUGH MANY MEETINGS FOR THE IMPACT FEES. THIS IS THE FIRST READING. THIS IS AN OFFICIAL BY STATUTE AND WE'LL HAVE ONE MORE, POTENTIALLY. IF WE MOVE THROUGH FOR NOVEMBER 4TH . SO I'LL HIGHLIGHT WHERE WE'RE AT. FIRST READING, YOU DECIDED ON THE FEES, RIGHT? THE FEES WERE UP TO THE MAXIMUM, THE $50 -- NO MORE THAN 50% AS PER STATE STATUTE. THOSE ARE IMPACT FEES. AND STATE REQUIRES US TO PHASE IN FOUR EQUAL INCREMENTS. FOR THAT FIRST PHASE, SHOULD THE COMMISSION WANT YOU TO APPROVE THIS, YOU HAVE THREE MONTHS BEFORE YOU ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT. YOU CAN SEE THE REASON IN THIS WOULD BE GIVING ANYBODY WHO IS DEVELOPING FROM A SINGLE- FAMILY RESIDENCE ALL THE WAY TO A BIG DEVELOPMENT IS TO LESSEN FEE THAT COMES IN. AGAIN, THAT'S FROM THE STATUTE. THE IMPACT FEE SCHEDULE, AGAIN, [01:55:01] THAT'S IN THE PACKET. YOU KNOW WHAT THE IMPACT FEES ARE. ALL WE DID WAS QUARTER THOSE FEE S INTO FOUR- YEAR INCREMENTS. YOU ALSO GAVE DIRECTION FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUGDS WAIVER. AT THE TIME OF THE LAST MEETING, YOU SAID, HEY, 50% FOR ANY RESIDENCES THAT ARE 80% OR BELOW THE ANNUAL MEETING INCOME. SO SHOULD THERE BE ANY CHANGES, IT FOLLOWS THE STATUTE AND STAYS CONSISTENT. WE PUT -- AS PER THE STATUTE, NORMALLY A 30- YEAR DEAD RESTRICTION IS THE STANDARD FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE WOULD, IN TURN, IMPLEMENT PROCEDURES ONCE THIS BECOMES IN EFFECT, WE WOULD CREATE AN APPLICATION, ENFORCE, MAKE SURE YOU MONITOR, GET THE DEEDS, AND IMPLEMENT THAT THROUGH OUR DEVELOPMENT REVIEW MANUAL. SO HERE'S THE FEES. WE'LL GO REAL QUICK TO -- HERE'S THE FEES THAT WERE DECIDED UPON, AT LEAST AT THE LAST MEETING, AND THESE WERE 50% OF WHAT THE CONSULTANT CALCULATED THE MAXIMUM YOU COULD DO. SO THIS IS HAVED RIGHT HERE. YOU CAN SEE FOR SOME OF OUR TIERED RESIDENCES, AS WELL AS HOTEL/MOTEL. SO TAKE RESIDENTIAL 1,000 SQUARE FEET, YOU CAN SEE, IS $163. AND THEN THE FULL FEE WOULD BE DOUBLE THAT. SO $325. I WANTED TO JUST THROW THAT OUT THERE, MAKE SURE THAT THE DIRECTION IS CLEAR. DO YOU WANT TO REMAIN AT 50% OF WHAT THE CONSULTANT SAID YOU COULD CHARGE, OR THE FULL MAXIMUM FEE? AND THEN I'LL MOVE ON WITH THAT, AND YOU CAN COME BACK TO THATTHAT IF YOU ANY GUIDANCE. AGAIN, THE READING WILL BE ON NOVEMBER 4TH. WE ALSO UPDATED OUR IMPACT FEE ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE ALL OF THESE TYPES OF THINGS, THE NEW FEES, THE REMOVAL OF THE BUYDOWN, ALL OF THAT STUFF IS IN THERE. AND WE CONDENSED IT AND MADE IT A LITTLE MORE MODERN. SO WITH THAT, WHAT YOU WOULD DO IS, WE WOULD COME BACK ON NOVEMBER 4TH, AGAIN, THE FOUR TABLES OF FEES AND A NEW ORDINANCE WITH THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND POTENTIALLY THE CONSERVATION FEE. SO I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT. >> I'LL ASK SOME QUESTIONS, UNLESS SOMEONE ELSE HAS QUESTIONS. >> YES, WITH MA'AM. >> DO YOU WANT TO GO FURTHER? >> OKAY, I WASN'T AT THE PRESENTATION FOR PERSONAL REASONS, BUT I THOUGHT THE BOARD DID A NICE JOB OF HAVING, YOU KNOW, COMING TOGETHER WITH THE 50% INCREASE. THE ONLY THING I DIDN'T AGREE WITH WAS THE CONSERVATION FEE. AND THERE ARE SOME REASONS WHY. AND I JUST WANT TO EXPRESS THAT. BUT FIRST, I NEED TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN HERE AT THE FIRST READING, IS IT 25%? >> THE -- >> BECAUSE IT'S BETWEEN THE 1. 5 TO THE 3 MILLION. I KNOW THAT WAS BASED ON A CERTAIN -- >> THOSE ARE JUST INITIAL ESTIMATES TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA. IF PERMITTING GOES DOWN REALLY LOW, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET NEARLY AS MUCH. IF PERMITTING GOES UP, YOU'LL GET SIGNIFICANTLY MORE. IT'S JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT KIND OF POTENTIAL INCOME WOULD COME IN. SO THAT DIDN'T GO UP 50%. IT WENT UP 25. >> THE CALCULATED FEE IS A SET AMOUNT THAT THE CONSULTANT SAYS, WITH ANY OF THESE FEES, THIS IS THE MAXIMUM YOU CAN CHARGE. >> SO THE CONSULTANT SAID TO CHARGE THE MAXIMUM FEE FOR CONSERVATION? >> THEY'RE NOT SUGGESTING YOU DO THAT, THEY JUST GIVE YOU THE TOP AMOUNT WITH IMPACT FEE, WHETHER IT BE THIS ONE OR ANY OTHER FEE, AND SAY, THIS IS THE MAXIMUM YOU CAN GO. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING LESS THAN THAT. >> IS THAT STILL IN THERE OR LESS THAN 50? >> SO, IT'S YOUR OPTION. THE LAST DIRECTION GIVEN BY THE BOARD WAS TO HALF THAT AMOUNT. THAT'S WHAT I'M BRINGING BACK. AT THIS POINT, YOU HAVE THE OPTION TO STICK WITH THAT AND DO 50% OF WHAT THE CONSULTANT PROVIDED AS THE MAXIMUM, OR YOU CAN GO TO THAT MAXIMUM. >> WHEN YOU SAY THE 50%, YOU MEAN THE ONE THAT THE BOARD HAD CONSENSUS FOR THE 50%. >> YEAH, HALF. I KNOW 50% -- FORGET ABOUT THAT. BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A CONSERVATION IMPACT FEE AT THIS TIME. THERE'S NOTHING TO COMPARE IT TO. >> DOES THE SB- 180 AFFECT THIS? >> SO IT DOES NOT. THERE IS A PROVISION IN SENATE BILL 180 THAT SPEAKS TO IMPACT FEES. BUT THAT CAVEAT IS THAT YOU CAN'T CHARGE AN IMPACT FEE FOR A PROPERTY THAT HAS BEEN DESTROYED DURING A NATURAL DISASTER HURRICANE EVENT IF THEY'RE BUILDING IN KIND, YOU CAN'T CHARGE AN IMPACT FEE. THIS COUNTY ALREADY DOES THAT. IF YOU'RE REBUILDING FROM -- AFTER DAMAGE FROM A HURRICANE, WE DON'T CHARGE THE IMPACT FEE. YOU CAN DO IT IF IT'S EXCEEDING THAT AMOUNT OR IF THERE'S A RATIONAL NECK XUS, BUT WITH REGARD TO THAT, THAT'S THE ONLY. YOUR IMPACT FEE ORDINANCE IS A SEPARATE ORDINANCE, NOT WITHIN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. SO THE RESTRICTIVE AND BURDENSOME CRITERIA WOULD NOT APPLY. [02:00:01] >> WHAT I'M GETTING TO, I GUESS, IS SINCE THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS MORE BURDENSOME TO DO SOME OF THE EXTRA BUFFERS THAT WE WANTED AND THINGS LIKE THAT, I THINK IF WE GO TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF THIS CONSERVATION FEE WHAT COULD OFFSET THAT. AND IT'S NOT AFFECTED BY SB- 180, SO IT COULD ACTUALLY TAKE EFFECT RIGHT AWAY AND WE COULD HAVE MORE PARKS THAT, YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU HAVE TO BE ASSESSABLE LAND. IT'S ONLY 3 MILLION. YOU CAN'T DO A WHOLE LOT WITH THAT. BUT YOU CAN. AND I THINK IT WOULD OFFSET WAITING FOR THE SB-180. I DON'T KNOW, THAT'S MY THOUGHT. COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> YES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I HAVE RECEIVED MANY, MANY, MANY E- MAILS, PROBABLY OVER 100, AS WELL AS PHONE CALLS -- >> OVER 120. >> 120 E- MAILS IN SUPPORT OF THE FULL AMOUNT. THAT WAS DEFINITELY LOUD AND CLEAR. I DID NOT HAVE UP WITH THAT ONE THAT SAID, YEAH, LET'S LOWER IT AS MUCH AS WE CAN. ESPECIALLY WITH OUR LAMP FUND BEING REDUCED, DEFINITELY THE FULL FEEL WILL HELP OFFSET THE LAMP FUND THAT WE LOST AS WELL. BUT I DEFINITELY SUPPORT GOING BACK TO THE ORIGINAL AMOUNT THAT WAS RECOMMENDED FROM THE CONSULTANT. CONSULTANT. >> COMMISSIONER MURPHY? >> JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. WHEN DOES THE IMPACT FEES TAKE EFFECT IN THE HOME BUILDING APPLICATION PROCESS? IF I WANT TO GO BUILD A HOME, WHERE DOES THAT -- BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO PHASE UP OVER FOUR YEARS. WHAT'S THE TIMELINE FOR ME AS A HOME BUILDER TO GET IN BEFORE A BUMP? >> SO WHENEVER THEY WOULD GO IN, LET'S SAY THE ORDINANCE GOES INTO EFFECT IN DECEMBER, RIGHT? AND IT'S THREE MONTHS OUT, IS WHEN IT WOULD GO INTO EFFECT AT THAT POINT IN TIME. AND THEN, RIGHT, THEY WOULD -- IF SOMEBODY SUBMITTED A CLEARANCE SHEET, WHICH IS A SITE PLAN FOR A RESIDENCE. THEY SEAT SMITHED THAT PRIOR TO THAT, RIGHT, HEY WERE UNDER THE OLD -- >> SO IT'S WHEN THE CLEARANCE SHEET -- >> THAT'S WHEN WE DO THAT. AND BEING THAT IT'S PHASED TOO, THE IDEA IS ACTUALLY HELPFUL. IT'S NOT AS MUCH AS OF A HUGE HIT ON EACH PHASE. >> SO IF WE LOOK AT THE HISTORICAL DATA, WE HAVEN'T CHANGED THE IMPACT IN A LOT OF YEARS. WE'RE REALLY STRETCHING THAT OUT AGAIN IN FOUR YEARS. ONE MORE QUESTION -- OR TWO MORE. THE CONSERVATION MONEY. WHO'S GOING TO ADMINISTER THAT AND MAKE THE DECISIONS BASED ON HOW MUCH WE COLLECT AND WHERE THAT MONEY GOES? >> WELL, YOU'LL MAKE A DECISION ON HOW MUCH COMES IN, AND THEN DEVELOPMENT WILL DETERMINE -- ON THE FEE, AND DEVELOPMENT WILL DETERMINE HOW MUCH WE GET. AND THEN, ULTIMATELY, THAT WILL GO INTO ACCOUNTS, RIGHT? SO WE'LL HAVE MONEY THAT THE BOARD DIRECTS FOR LAMPS, SPECIFICALLY, BUT YOU ALSO HAVE ANOTHER ACCOUNT FOR THIS IMPACT FEE. WE HAVE AN OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET THAT WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT -- AND AN OFFICE OF COUNTY ATTORNEY TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT MONEY GOES -- >> SO THE DISCRETION TO SPEND THOSE DOLLARS WILL LIE WITH THE BOARD? >> YES, SIR. >> OKAY. JUST ONE OTHER QUESTION. WHAT CAN THAT MONEY GO FOR? >> SO THAT MONEY, AS WE KNOW, IT'S A NEW FEE, BUT FOR CONSERVATION LAND, BUT AS OFFICE OF COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS INDICATED, WITH ANY IMPACT FEE, YOU NEED TO HAVE A -- IT NEEDS TO SERVE THE PUBLIC, RIGHT? SO IF WE BOUGHT A PIECE OF LAND AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO PUT SOME SORT OF FACILITY ON IT, WHETHER THAT BE A TRAIL OR ACCESS POINT OR THINGS LIKE THAT, IT MIGHT BE THAT THAT CONSERVATION FEE IS NOT MEANT FOR THAT. >> SO LET'S GO BACK AND SEE, WHAT IS THE CONSERVATION FEE MEANT FOR? >> POTENTIALLY, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO BUY SOME LAND, BUT ALSO USE SOME POTENTIALLY PARK FUNDS TO AUGMENT THAT, MAYBE TO -- >> SO IF WE BUY BUY PIECE OF LAND WITH THIS NEW FEE, WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS ON THAT, I GUESS IS WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET TO? PUBLIC USE? WHAT DOES THAT EQUATE TO? >> IT'S IN THE NAME. I THINK CONSERVATION IS THE IDEA BEHIND IT, RIGHT? SO ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO BE DONE ON THIS LAND IS GOING TO BE VERY, VERY LIMITED. IT MAY BE TRAILS, BUT NOT A FULL- FLEDGED PARK, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT PARKS AND RECREATION IS BEFORE. WE HAVE TO MAKE THAT DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE PARKS AND RECREATION IMPACT FEE. >> MAYBE IT'S A LEGAL QUESTION. WHAT CAN WE USE THE MONEY FOR? >> SO THROUGH THE CHAIR TO COMMISSIONER MURPHY. SO IMPACT FEES, NO MATTER WHAT THE FEE, IS USED FOR PUBLIC FACILITIES NECESSITATED BY DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH. SO THIS IN PARTICULAR, YOU WOULD USE IT FOR CONSERVATION LANDS, BUT YOU WOULD HAVE TO ACTIVATE THOSE LAND. THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE PUBLIC FACILITIES OF SOME SORT, TRAILHEADS, BATHROOMS, THINGS LIKE THAT FOR THE PUBLIC TO USE TO ENJOY THOSE PROPERTIES. SO IT CAN'T JUST BE PURCHASED TO TAKE THE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS AWAY, WHICH IS SOMETIMES DONE BY THE LAND BOARD. SO IT'S A PIECE OF PROPERTY, BUT YOU WOULD HAVE TO ACTIVATE IT FOR THOSE PURPOSES. >> SO WE WOULD HAVE TO MAINTAIN IT IN PERPETUITY, WE WOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE A PARKING, RESTROOMS? >> CORRECT, TO A CERTAIN DEGREE. AND MAINTENANCE OF ANY [02:05:02] TYPE OF -- ASSOCIATED WITH ANYTHING DEVELOPED OR CONSTRUCTED AS A PUBLIC FACILITY, AS AN IMPACT FEE. IMPACT FEES DO NOT PAY FOR MAINTENANCE. >> SO THAT WOULD BE ANT BACKS OF THE TAXPAYERS TO SUPPORT IT? >> CORRECT. >> OKAY. LOOK, THE ONLY REASON I ASK IS BECAUSE, I AM SUPER SUPPORTIVE OF CONSERVATION LAND IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, BUT I WANT TO BE CAREFUL THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND ABOUT THIS FEE, THAT THERE'S A HOOK IN IT. WE'RE ON THE HOOK FOR IN PERPETUITY, MANAGEMENT AND FACILITIES. AND SO, I -- EVEN THOUGH I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA, I WOULD SUPPORT REFUNDING THE LAND AND INCREASING THE IMPACT FEES. WE NEED THE FUNDS, THE ABILITY TO BUY LAND THAT WE CAN BUY AND LET THE ANIMALS LIVE THERE WITHOUT BEING MOLESTED. I DON'T WANT TO MOLEST THE ANIMALS THERE ANYMORE. WE NEED CONSERVATION LAND TO, LEAVE IT THE WAY IT IS. AND SO WE'RE NOT GOING IN THERE AND PUTTING A PARKING LOT IN AND A $1 MILLION BATHROOM AND HAVE TO MAINTAIN IT IN PERPETUITY. WE WANT LAND WE CAN CONSERVE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. EVEN THOUGH I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THIS FEE, I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S NOT JUST TO BUY A PIECE OF PROPERTY. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAINTAIN IT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND MONEY FOREVER. SO WE NEED TO JUST UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE. SO THAT WAS MY ONLY POINT, I GUESS. THANKS. >> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. >> THANK YOU, MADAME CHAIR. MR. ROBERTSON, THE ESTIMATE OF $3 MILLION, IF WE FUND THE CONSERVATION IMPACT FEE AT 100% OF THE ALLOWABLE FEE, WHAT IS THAT BASED ON? >> BASICALLY, WE LOOKED BACK AT THE LAST TEN YEARS, LOOKED AT PERMITTING. WE INITIALLY TRIED THREE OR FOUR, BUT YOU KNOW, WITH COVID, WE WOULD DEFINITELY NOT BE AN ACCURATE REPRESENTATION. WE DID A LITTLE BIT LONGER. SO TEN YEARS FROM THE LAST YEAR. I WOULD SAY IN THE LAST TEN YEARS, IT'S BEEN SIGNIFICANT GROWTH, EVEN STILL, RIGHT? BUT THAT'S JUST WHAT WE DID. IT PROVIDE YOU WITH A ROUGH GUESS OF, HERE'S WHAT IT POTENTIALLY COULD BRING IN. >> WELL, I APPRECIATE YOU ANSWERING THAT ON THE RECORD. THAT'S THE SAME ANSWER YOU GAVE ME YESTERDAY IN MY BRIEFING AND IT'S CLEARLY ON THE SLIDE. SO WE GET A BUILDING REPORT FROM KATHLEEN NICHOLS OF THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT FROM 2Y THROUGH KATHLEEN NICHOLS AND IT'S JUST WORTH NOTING THAT WE ONLY COLLECT THESE FEES WHEN PEOPLE PULL PERMITS. FISCAL YEAR 2025, WE ARE DOWN 1,484 SINGLE FAMILY PERMITS, FROM FISCAL YEAR 2024. AND WE ARE DOWN 4,981 TOTAL PERMITS FOR ALL PERMITS FROM FISCAL YEAR 2025 FROM FISCAL YEAR 2024. THAT IS JUST WORTH NOTING. IT'S VERY UNLIKELY IF THIS TREND CONTINUES AND MANY THINK IT WILL, THAT WE ARE GOING TO COLLECT 3 MILLION IF WE ENACT THIS FEE. BUT WHAT IT COULD DO BY ENACTING THE FEE AT 00% IS DETER PEOPLE FROM PULLING THOSE PERMITS. IT WOULD BE ANOTHER EXPENSE AT THE TIME WHEN THERE IS UNCERTAINTY IN THE ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT IS SLOWING DOWN DUE TO ECONOMIC FORCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL. THAT'S WHY I SUGGESTED THE 50% FEE. NOT ONLY ARE WE DOING AWAY WITH THE BUYBACK FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT. WHICH IS, IT WILL FEEL LIKE A NEW FEE FOR THOSE DEVELOPING COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. THIS WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL FEE ON TOP OF THAT. AND COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, YOU WERE LAMENTING THE CUTTING OF FUNDING, YOU ARE IN THE MAJORITY IN CUTTING THE PROPERTY TAXES AND THE LAMP FUNDING WAS A VICTIM OF THAT PROPERTY TAX CUTS, ALL RIGHT? THAT WAS A CONSCIOUS DECISION TO CUT THE LAMP FUNDING. IT WAS DISCUSSED, COMMISSIONER ARNOLD AND I DISCUSSED, WE SHOULD KEEP THE LAMP FUNDING. NOW IT'S AT HALF A MILLION PER YEAR, FOR THE CONSERVATION FUND WE DID HAVE, WHICH COULD BE USED TO VE THE GREEN SPACE GREEN. THAT WAS WELL WITHIN EVERYBODY'S CONTROL. THAT WAS A POLICY DECISION THAT WAS MADE. >> ALL RIGHT, I WANT TO SAY THAT THE LAMP IF YOU WANTED WAS NOT CUT BECAUSE WHEN WE CUT PROPERTY TAXES, IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OFF EVERYBODY, INCLUDING THE CRAS. I MEAN, WE DID NOT SPECIFICALLY SAY THE LAMP FUND, FIRST OF ALL. SECOND OF ALL DEVELOPMENT FROM COMMISSIONER MURPHY WAS SUPPOSED TO PAY FOR ITSELF. THIS IS PAYING FOR ITSELF. IT COULD BE THE PROPERTY RIGHT NEXT TO THE PARK. IT COULD BE RIGHT IN THE COMMUNITY, LIKE SILVER LEAF. WE ARE BUILDING THEIR PARK FOR THEM. THEY DON'T HAVE CCD FEES. WE'RE BUILDING A BEAUTIFUL 2 -- I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY ACRE PARK? COMMISSIONER ARNOLD? OUR NEW PARK WE'RE BUILDING, HOW MANY ACRES IS IT? >> I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBER. >> LIKE SIX OR SEVEN OR EIGHT ACRES -- >> WE'RE NOT BUILDING IT FOR SILVER LEAF, FOR THE [02:10:01] RESIDENTS OF ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. IT'S A PUBLIC PARK. >> IT'S RIGHT THERE, THOUGH. >> THERE'S ALSO ONE IN SHEER WATER AND ONE IN KNOCK TY. AM I WRONG? >> IN GREENBRIER. >> AND GREENBRIER. THESE ARE PUBLIC PARKS. FOR THE RESIDENTS OF ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. YOU ASKED ME A QUESTION, THAT'S THE ANSWER. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. THE NT I'M TRYING TO MAKE, KNOCKATY HAS IT OWN PARKS -- I'M SORRY, YOU'RE NOT RECOGNIZED RIGHT NOW. ANYWAY, WE'RE BUILDING PARKS, WHY WE COULDN'T USE SOME OF THIS MONEY TO HELP US DO THAT. WE'RE GOING TO THE EXTREMES TO SAY, WE GET A PIECE OF PROPERTY AND THERE'S A HIKING TRAILS ON THERE, WE NEED BATHROOMS, THAT COULD BE PORT-A- JOHNS, AND WE NEED PARKING. I'VE SEEN THE PARKING LOT AT 12 MILE, IT'S DIRT AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THERE'S A BATHROOM THERE. WE CAN GET CRAZED Y OR SAY, THIS IS NOT A BIG OF A FEE. WE SHOULD ALL DEVELOP SOME SORT OF CONSERVATION IF YOU COME TO OUR COUNTY. AND I'M SORRY, I'LL JUST SUPPORT THAT. COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> YES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WANT TO REFERENCE AS WELL, REMEMBER WHEN WE DID THE SURVEYS AND TALKED TO SO MANY PEOPLE OF OUR RESIDENTS, CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION IS THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO THE RESIDENTS IN THIS COUNTY. IT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT. AND I HAVE TO BE HONEST, I THINK THE FACT THAT SOME OF THIS LAND COULD HAVE TRAILS AND THAT MAKES IT EVEN MORE APPEALING TO PEOPLE. BECAUSE I HEAR ALL THE TIME THAT PEOPLE WANT MORE TRAILS AND THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY THIS LAND. AND TO BE HONEST -- I LOVE THAT IT'S NOT NECESSARILY TIED TO OUR PROPERTY TAXES AND THAT. SO I THINK THAT'S A WONDERFUL THING. AND I THINK, TOO, EVEN THOUGH, LIKE, I KNOW COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, YOU JUST SHARED SOME OF THE NUMBERS REGARDING THE NEW HOMES GOING DOWN IN THE PERMITTING, LET US NOT FORGET, TOO, THAT OUR HOUSING MARKET IS NOT DOING WELL RIGHT NOW. I HEAR FROM RESIDENTS ALL THE TIME THAT THE RE- SALE MARKET IS VERY, VERY CHALLENGING. WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THAT, WELL, FIRST OFF, I KNOW MANY, MANY CONDOS THAT HAVE BEEN FOR SALE A YEAR, YEAR AND A HALF. THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT I KNOW THAT ARE TRYING TO SELL THEIR HOMES THAT HAVE BEEN FOR SALE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, IF NOT GOING ON A YEAR. AND WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THAT UNLESS SOMEONE IS PAYING CASH FOR THEIR HOME AND THE INTEREST RATE IS NOT A PROBLEM, WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THAT THE RE- SALE MARKET IS VERY, VERY STAGNANT AND PEOPLE ARE BUYING BRAND- NEW IN NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE SILVER LEAF, WHERE THE BUILDERS ARE BUYING DOWN THE RATES. IF YOU'RE RE- SELLING YOUR HOME AND SOMEONE HAS TO GET AN AVERAGE INTEREST RATE, THEY CAN'T COMPETE WITH WHAT A NEW -- WHEN THEY'RE OFFERING RATES OF 1. 99 OR 2.99. THAT IS HAVING A HUGE IMPACT ON OUR COUNTY. AND IT IS HEARTBREAKING WHEN I TALK TO THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING TO SELL THEIR HOMES AND THEY CAN'T. SO THE FACT THAT THIS IS TIED TO THE IMPACT FEE AND IT'S NOT COMING OUT OF OUR PROPERTY TAXES, TRUST ME, FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM OUR RESIDENTS, THEY DEFINITELY SUPPOR THAT. >> COMMISSIONER MURPHY? THANK YOU, MADAME CHAIR. THESE CONSERVATION IMPACT FEES WILL ALSO BE PHASED IN AT FOUR YEARS, RIGHT? >> CORRECT. >> AT ANY TIME WE SEE IT'S NOT DOING WHAT WE WANT TO DO, WE CAN COME BACK AND -- >> LET ME CORRECT THAT. BECAUSE IT'S A NEW FEE, IT'S NOT PHASED. IT'S JUST A SET AMOUNT. I APOLOGIZE. >> CAN WE PHASE IT? >> I THINK CERTAINLY YOU COULD, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO. >> IT'S A NEW FEE -- >> I GUESS THAT WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE, THANK YOU. >> DID YOU HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION? I'M SORRY, I INTERRUPTED YOU. >> NO, I'M JUST, IN ALL OF THE DECISIONS WE MAKE, THERE'S ALWAYS A BALANCE. WHERE'S THE BALANCE? ARE WE GOING TO TIP TOO FAR ONE WAY AND IT'S A DISASTER OR TIP TOO FAR ONE WAY AND IT'S NOT EFFECTIVE AS IT COULD BE. I'M ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A BALANCE. ONE REASON I LIKED THE 50% ESTIMATE IS IT WOULD GIVE US A CHANCE TO EVALUATE THE PROGRAM AND SEE IF IT WOULD GENERATE THE MONEYS WE WANTED IT TO. I'M LOOKING AT OTHER FUNDING SOURCES THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO BUY CONSERVATION LAND. BUT I'M NOT OPPOSED TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS THAT WOULD HELP US IN THE SHORT TERM. COMMISSIONER TAYLOR MADE A GOOD POINT, AND COMMISSIONER JOSEPH DID, TOO. AND HERE AGAIN, LAND IS SO EXPENSIVE NOWADAYS. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LAND WE COULD BUY WITH $1. 5 MILLION WHEN IT COMES TO BEING CONTIGUOUS TO A PARK. BUT IF WE WERE ABLE TO FIND LAND CONTIGUOUS TO A PARK THAT WOULD -- OR USE THIS TO PURCHASE LAND IN PLACE OF WHAT [02:15:05] WE'RE DOING WITH THE FOUR REGIONAL PARKS FOR THE FIFTH PARK OR THE SIXTH PARK OR THE SEVENTH PARK, I WOULD BE AMENABLE TO LOOKING AT IT REAL HARD. SO -- WE'VE HAD SOME GOOD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS TODAY, LET'S PUT IT THAT WAY. >> SINCE THIS IS THE FIRST READING, ANY CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE MADE NEED TO BE MADE TODAY. DO I HAVE A MOTION AND THEN WE CAN GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT OR -- IF WE HAVE A MOTION WE DO? >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE GO TO THE FULL RECOMMENDED AMOUNT FROM THE CONSULTANT? >> SECOND. FOR CONSERVATION. >> IF I CAN CLARIFY, TOO. THOSE NUMBERS THAT THE CONSULTANT GAVE YOU ARE NOT RECOMMENDED. THOSE ARE JUST THE MAX THAT YOU CAN GO THAT ARE DEFENSIBLE. SO THIS CONSULTANT DOES NOT MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THOSE NUMBERS. I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT FOR THE RECORD. AND SO, IT'S UP -- THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD SO THAT MAX NUMBER ISN'T A RECOMMENDED NUMBER FROM OUR CONSULTANT, JUST, WHAT CAN BE DEFENDED. >> DO I HAVE TO CHANGE THE MOTION? >> NO. >> SO NOW, PUBLIC COMMENT? >> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. >> I APPRECIATE THE CLARIFICATION. I'VE HEARD RECOMMENDED BY THE CONSULTANT A NUMBER OF TIMES. I'VE WONDERED WHERE THAT WAS COMING FROM. COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, YOU MENTIONED THAT RE- SALES ARE SLOWING DOWN AND HOME SALES ARE SLOWING DOWN. PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING IN THE REAL ESTATE MARKET. WHAT IS THE JUSTIFICATION FOR THEN MAXING OUT A NEW FEE? THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU BROUGHT UP -- I GUESS I'M ASKING YOU, THIS IS THE ONLY TIME I CAN TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS AGENDA ITEM. WHAT'S THE JUSTIFICATION FOR MAXING OUT THE NEW FEE? >> BECAUSE IT IS GOING AROUND, WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO OUR COUNTY. THAT IS WHY WE WANT TO MAXIMIZE THIS. OUR RESIDENTS, WHEN ASKED, WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU, THAT IS WHAT THEY SAID. PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION. TO BE HONEST, I THINK THIS FEE IS LONG OVERDUE. AND THAT IS WHERE THAT'S COMING FROM. >> SO HOW DO YOU RECONCILE THAT STATEMENT WITH THE POLICY DECISION TO CUT THE LAND ACQUISITION AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FUNDING? >> BECAUSE THE LAMP WAS COMING FROM OUR PROPERTY TAXES. THIS IS A WONDERFUL WAY TO HELP SUPPORT THAT AND NOT HAVE ALL THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE ALREADY HERE PUT THAT TOWARDS OUR PROPERTY TAXES. I'VE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR FROM PEOPLE THAT THEY WANTED MUCH MORE OF A REDUCTION IN THEIR PROPERTY TAXES. >> SO THE PROPERTY TAX ISSUE -- >> THEY ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED -- >> THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE WAS CONSERVATION AND MORE CONSERVATION. >> CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION, YES. >> INTERESTING. OKAY. OKAY. >> WHEN WE DID THE SURVEYS. >> DO WE WANT TO AMEND THE MOTION WHERE IT'S GRADUALLY PUT IN, LIKE YOU WANTED, COMMISSIONER MURPHY? >> I WOULD BE A LOT MORE AMENABLE IF IT WAS GRADUATED IN. BUT YOU KNOW, HERE AGAIN, I'M STILL STRUGGLING TO FIND THE BALANCE. I MEAN, WE'RE PLACING A BURDEN ON SOMEBODY, AND THE QUESTION IS, WHO SHOULD THE BURDEN BE PLACED ON. I WOULD BE AMENABLE TO PAYING MORE TO ACTUAL BUY CONSERVATION LAND. SOMETHING THAT WE CAN CONSERVE FOR OUR GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE PATH FORWARD. SO I'M -- -- HERE AGAIN, I WOULD GO BACK TO MY ORIGINAL STATEMENT. I WOULD SUPPORT 50%. I WOULD SUPPORT ADDING THIS AND DOING THIS IMMEDIATELY OR WHEREVER THE -- WHEREVER THE ORDINANCE WAS TAKEN INTO EFFECT. IT'S JUST A REAL TOUGH STRETCH FOR ME TO CONTINUE TO ADD MONEY TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO AFFORD A HOUSE IN THIS COUNTY. IT'S REALLY TOUGH. >> I WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAMP IS A GENERAL FUND. THAT IS FROM THE TAXES OF THE PEOPLE LIVING HERE. THIS IMPACT FEE WILL BE FROM THE DEVELOPERS, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT EVERYBODY HAS BEEN SAYING WHEN THEY RUN FOR OFFICE. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT. AND THE OTHER THING IS, LET'S HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> I WILL NOW ACCEPT PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3. >> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. >> I'VE SAD T IN ON A NUMBER OF THE MEETINGS. SOME OF THE THINGS THEY'VE LOOKED AT, A PARK, HAVING A BOAT RAMP OR KAYAK RAMP OR WHATEVER. THEY'RE LOOKING AT DOING THINGS LIKE THAT. MAYBE THE BOARD NEEDS TO DIRECT LAMP INTO STRICTLY CONSERVATION PROPERTY. AND LET THIS IMPACT FEE HANDLE ANYTHING THAT YOU PLAN ON DOING, FARCE TRAILS OR WHATEVER. BROUGHT UP THE 12- MILE SWAMP. [02:20:04] AND THERE'S A NUMBER OF OTHER ONES IN THE COUNTY, THAT IT'S ONLY A PARKING AREA, THERE'S NO RESTROOMS OR ANYTHING ELSE. I DON'T KNOW HOW EXTENSIVE YOU NEED TO GO, AS FAR AS THOSE AREAS ARE CONCERNED. BUT THAT WOULD BE A WAY OF DIRECTING LAMP TO DO ONLY A CERTAIN WAY, LOOK AT CERTAIN THINGS FOR CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION, AND LET THIS IMPACT FEE HANDLE ANYTHING ELSE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> NICOLE CROSBY, 1169 NECK ROAD. CAN THIS SHOW UP ON THE SCREEN, PLEASE? OH, OKAY, SORRY ABOUT HOW SMALL IT IS. BUT AT ANY RATE. IT SAYS, THESE THE ST. JOHN' COUNTIES LAMP PROPERTIES. IF YOU KIND OF GO THROUGH THEM, SOUTHEAST INTERCOASTAL WATERWAY PARK, ET CETERA, ET CETERA, GO THROUGH THEM, EVERY ONE OF THEM HAS PUBLIC OFFICE. EVERYONE. IT'S NOT LIKE LAMP IS JUST SPENDING MONEY ON THIS LAND TO SIT OUT THERE THAT NOBODY CAN TOUCH. IT'S ALL ACCESSIBLE. I THINK I'VE ONLY HEARD OF MAYBE ONE AREA WHERE THEY BOUGHT IT TO STOP FROM BEING BUILT ON SOME LITTLE -- THIS IS REALLY PUBLICLY AKDSABLE PUBLIC LY ACCESSIBLE LAND, SO I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD CONSIDER THIS CRITERIA FOR THE IMPACT FEES TO STOP US FROM SPENDING MONEY THERE. AND AS COMMISSIONER JOSEPH SAID, IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL TO PUT IN A PARKING LOT AND A BAMPL. IT'S PRETTY MINOR. THAT SAID, YOU KNOW, I APPRECIATED WHAT COMMISSIONER MURPHY SAID ABOUT, YOU KNOW, IF THE MONEY -- I DON'T CARE WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM, HONESTLY. I DON'T CARE WHERE IT COMES FROM. ALL I KNOW IS THAT $500,000 A YEAR FOR LAND ACQUISITION FOR A COUNTY THIS SIZE IS RIDICULOUS. IT'S A HISTORIC LOW FOR US TO BE SPENDING $500,000 A YEAR, WHEN YOU CONSIDER INFLATION. IT IS THE LOWEST WE'VE EVER SPENT. ONE THING I FEEL GOOD ABOUT, IS I'M HEARING ALL FIVE OF YOU, I REALLY FEEL LIKE ALL FIVE OF YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT TRYING TO CONSERVE MORE LAND. I'M REALLY HEARING THAT FROM ALL OF YOU. WE JUST NEED TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DO IT. IF IT'S NOT GOING TO BE FROM THE IMPACT FEES, AND WE DON'T KNOW WE'RE GOING TO GET $3 MILLION, THAT'S A LITTLE SCARY, WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHERE IT'S GOING TO COME FROM. AND WE NEED TO USE THE MATCHING FUND MORE THAN WE ARE. WE COULD DOUBLE OUR MONEY IF WE USE THOSE MATCHING FUNDS. I'M NOT SURE HOW OFTEN WE'RE USING THEM. ONE THING I WANT TO MENTION, JUST TO CLARIFY. THIS THING ABOUT THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT RESIDENTS SAID THEY WANTED IN THE SURVEY OF A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, THAT WAS A COMPREHENSIVE PLANPLAN SURVEY. I DON'T THINK THOSE TWO QUESTIONS HAVE EVER BEEN ASKED TOGETHER. BUT I THINK THAT WE CAN FIND A WAY. I REALLY DO. I HOPE THAT IT'S THE $3 MILLION WAY, BUT IF IT'S NOT, I HOPE IT'S ANOTHER WAY. I WAS FRANKLY SHOCKED WHEN I SAW THAT THE LAMP FUNDS WENT FROM 2 MILLION TO $500,000. SO I JUST HOPE WE CAN FIND ANOTHER WAY. THANK YOU. >> YES, MA'AM. IRVINE BULLOCK. I'M REPRESENTING MYSELF. AND WE HAVE BEEN VERY ENCOURAGED AND APPRECIATIVE OF WHAT Y'ALL HAVE DONE IN ADOPTING THE 50% IMPACT FEE WAIVER FOR HOUSING AFFORDABLE TO HOUSEHOLDS OF INCOMES ARE 80% OR BELOW. I'M SHIFTING THIS A LITTLE BIT. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE TREES RIGHT NOW. I'M TALKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE. WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ALL OF THOSE THAT ARE BELOW 50% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME. 80% IS GREAT. BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH. AND IT DOESN'T ADDRESS A LOT OF OUR PEOPLE THAT ARE FIREFIGHTERS, OUR HOSPITAL WORKERS, OUR HOSPITALITY WORKERS. THE OPTION FOR A TOTAL WAIVER FOR HOUSING AFFORDABLE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHOSE HOUSEHOLD INCOMES ARE VERY LOW AND EXTREMELY LOW WILL PROVIDE A MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE TOOL TO INCENTIVIZE BUILDERS TO DRIVE DOWN THEIR SALES AND RENTAL PRICES BELOW THE 80%, A MI LEVEL. THE NEW DRAFT ORDINANCE INCLUDES THE 50% WAIVER POSITION, BUT DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR THE [02:25:02] WAIVER. WE STILL NEED TO ADDRESS THE LOWER INCOME LEVELS. SO AGAIN, CARE URGES YOU TO ADOPT AN ADDITIONAL PROVISIN THAT ALLOWS FOR 100%WARE OF IMPACT FEES AT 50% AMI OR BELOW. THIS READILY COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED BY CHANGING THE EXIST ING EXISTING LANGUAGE SLIGHTLY AND ADDING THE LANGUAGE. AND I'LL GIVE YOU ALL OF THIS WORDING WHEN I FINISH. SUBJECT TO THE -- THIS IS THE WORDING. SUBJECT TO THE SAME DEED RESTRICTION, THE COUNTY WILL PROVIDE 100% WAIVER OF SUCH FEES WHEN SUCH HOUSING IS PROVIDED TOTO QUALIFIED PERSONS OR HOUSEHOLDS, WHOSE TOTAL ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS 50% OF THE AMI, FOR ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, ADJUSTED FOR FAMILY SIZE. FINALLY, I THINK CARE GENERALLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE ADDITION OF CONSERVATION AND OPEN SPACE IMPACT FEES. SO WE'RE GENERALLY SUPPORTIVE OF THAT. PARTICULARLY, IF IT IS GOING TO BE EQUALLY DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT OUR ACCOUNT AND ACCESSIBLE TO ALL RESIDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE IN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY S. IES. SO THAT'S WHERE OUR CONCERN REALLY LIES AND WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LOWER IMPACT FEE FOR THIS GROUP. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. YOU MIGHT WANT TO GO THAT WAY. COME ON UP, JOE. >> I'M JOE RYAN, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA -- >> THAT MEANS YOU'RE DONE! >> SORRY. >> ANYWAY SO THE ARGUMENT WAS MADE THAT WE WON'T COLLECT 3 MILLION BECAUSE HOUSING STARTS ARE GOING DOWN AND SO WE SHOULDN'T APPROVE THIS. THAT DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE TO ME, SO WE COLLECT LESS THAN $3 MILLION. AND THEN WE JUST HAVE LESS LAND CONSERVED. THAT'S NOT A VALID ARGUMENT. THAT'S -- TO ME, ANYWAY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THAT MAKES ANY SENSE. ANOTHER ARGUMENT IS THAT, BY LOWERING PROPERTY TAXES, IS A DENIAL OF CONSERVATION LANDS. AND IT'S NOT -- IT'S NOT A DENIAL OF ESTIMATIONS. IT'S, WHO'S GOING TO PAY FOR IT? EXISTING HOMEOWNERS OR NEW HOMEOWNERS? AND, YOU KNOW, AND I THINK YOU GUYS REPRESENT THE EXISTING HOMEOWNERS. YOU DON'T REPRESENT NEW HOMEOWNERS. AND ALSO, THERE WAS A STATEMENT THAT THE -- YOU KNOW, THE DEVELOPERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IMPACT FEES FOR FOR CONSERVATION. AND, BUT SOMEBODY'S GOT TO PAY FOR IT. AND IF WE'RE FOR CONSERVATION, WE'RE TURNING LAND THAT'S NOT DEVELOPED INTO LAND THAT IS DEVELOPED. AND SO, CONSERVING IT SHOULD BE ON THE BURDEN OF PEOPLE WHO ARE, YOU KNOW, TAKING THE LAND OUT OF THE NATURAL STATE AND PUTTING BUILDINGS ON IT. SO IT'S ONLY FAIR THAT THE DEVELOPERS THEMSELVES PAY FOR THAT IMPACT, OTHER THAN PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY HERE AND CONSERVING THE LAND. SO I SUPPORT THE IMPACT FEES, EVEN THOUGH, YOU KNOW, THE -- EVEN THOUGH I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD -- THERE SHOULD BE IMPACT FEES AT ALL, BUT THE COUNTYCOUNTY PUTTING ITSELF IN THE POSITION OF MAKING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY AND TO DO THAT, IT HAS TO BE PAID FOR. NOW, IF YOU DIDN'T DO THAT AND IT WOULD BE FINE, BUT YOU ARE. SO WE WANT TO CONSERVE LAND, IT MAKES THIS COUNTY A BETTER PLACE TO BE. SO I'M IN SUPPORT OF THE IMPACT FEES AT THAT MAXIMUM RATE. [02:30:03] >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. >> IT IS STILL MORNING. MY NAME IS JUDY PIEGEL. I LIVE AT 101 GREEN WILLOW LANE. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT TIN COLLUSION OF THE NO IMPACT FEES FOR THE LOWER-INCOME PROPOSALS. WE NEED TO INCENTIVIZE THE DEVELOPERS TO DO THAT, IF THEY KNOW THAT THEY CAN GET TO 50% AND GO THE 80% AMI, I THINK THAT'S WHERE THEY'LL GO, BECAUSE IT'S A HIGHER YIELD. BUT WE JUST HAD A REALLY GOOD HEARING, DIDN'T WE, COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, AT AHAK ABOUT THE PROBLEMS STATEWIDE AND SOME OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO AS A COUNTY TO SNEFIZE DEVELOPERS. THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS. IT'S NOT A HUGE NUMBER. IT'S NOT GOING TO HAVE A DEBT RAMTAL EFFECT ON OUR COUNTY, BUT IT COULD HAVE A REALLY POSITIVE EFFECT IF WE COULD GET SOME MORE 30 TO 40% AMI HOUSING HERE. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO ADOPT A ZERO- IMPACT FEES, JUST FOR THOSE PROPOSALS, FOR 50%. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> I AGREE! >> CANDIDATE FOR ANASTASIA MOSQUITO CONTROL ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. ELECTION IS NOVEMBER 3RD NEXT YEAR. I SUPPORT THE IMPACT FEE. AND COLLOQUY. VERY CONSTRUCTIVE AND Y'ALL ARE LISTENING TO EACH OTHER MORE AND I'M PROUD OF YOU. THANK YOU. >> THAT MAY BE A NEW RECORD. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEM NUMBER THREE. SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST? >> I GREEN WITH MR. RYAN'S STATEMENT THAT WE REPRESENT THE CURRENT HOMEOWNERS OF ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, TOTALLY AGREE. THE CURRENT HOMEOWNERS OF ST. JOHN'S COUNTY GAVE US FEEDBACK DURING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TOWN HALLS THAT CONSERVATION IS THEIR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. IT COST ROUGHLY $18 PER YEAR FOR THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER TO SUPPORT LAMP TO THE TUNE OF $2 MILLION. THERE'S A ROUGH AVERAGE, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 30 AND $40 FOR THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER WITH THE PROPERTY TAX CUT. IT WAS ALWAYS MY BELIEF THAT THE $18 PER YEAR FROM EACH HOMEOWNER IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY WAS PART OF THEIR WILL, THE CURRENT HOMEOWNERS. AND THAT'S WHY I SUPPORTED THE $2 MILLION PER YEAR LAMP FEE AND I ALSO SUPPORT ENACTING A NEW CONSERVATION IMPACT FEE AT THE 50% LEVEL, NOT AT THE 100% LEVEL, BUT I WANT NEW HOMEOWNERS TO PAY FOR CONSERVATION LANDS. MR. RYAN? THANK YOU. >> REGARDING THE MOTION THAT'S ON THE TABLE, WHICH IS TO PAY FULLY FOR THE HIGHEST AMOUNT THAT WE CAN DO AT 50%, RIGHT? IS THAT WHAT -- >> SO THIS IS A NEW IMPACT FEE. SO -- >> THE PAY. NOT PLIT SPLIT IN HALF. AND THE LAST COMMENT I HAVE TO MAKE IS I FEEL LIKE IT'S A PLANS FOR THE SB-180. IF WE CAN'T GET THE THINGS WE WANT IN THAT, AT LEAST WE'VE BALANCED OIT WITH THIS. WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE. COMMISSIONER MURPHY? >> JUST ONE OTHER THING BEFORE WE GO. I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THIS. I THINK THIS IS A GOOD IDEA. I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN GET CONSENSUS TO ADD LANGUAGE THAT WOULD HELP WITH OUR AFFORDABLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. BUT ALSO, YOU KNOW, I'M -- I'VE HEARD THIS A LOT LATELY. I WAS AT A MEETING ONE TIME AND A GUY TOLD ME THAT HE HAD JUST MOVED DOWN HERE FROM ANOTHER STATE. AND IT WAS BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE THE STATE HE CAME FROM. AND I WAS LIKE, YEAH, I'VE LIVED IN THIS AREA OVER FIVE DECADES. I'VE SEEN SOME CHANGES, TOO. SO THE QUESTION IS, WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE? WHO PAYS FOR WHAT? IS IT EVERYONE THAT'S GOTTEN IN NOW IS EXEMPT, AND THE NEW PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, OR DO WE GO BACK A COUPLE OF YEARS AND SAY EVERYBODY THAT'S ONLY BEEN HERE TWO YEARS GETS TO PAY FOR IT. OR GO BACK AND SAY, PEOPLE THAT HAVE ONLY BEEN HERE TEN YEARS GET TO PAY FOR IT? THERE'S A LOT OF FEELINGS ABOUT, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME, THERE'S A LOT OF FEELINGS ABOUT THE NEWCOMERS. AND NEWCOMERS COULD HAVE BEEN HERE 10 YEARS OR WITHIN 30 YEARS. SO I WOULD HESITATE TO SAY IF YOU'RE ONLY A FEW YEAR OR A FEW MONTH OR A FEW DAY RESIDENTS, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO GET CHARGED OR TREATED ANY DIFFERENTLY THAN PEOPLE THAT CAME HERE 34 YEARS AGO, LIKE I DID. SO I WOULD BE HESITANT TO DO THAT. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS ON THE RECORD ABOUT THIS. AND ABOUT, WE ARE ALSO ST. [02:35:02] JOHN EAST COUNTY RESIDENTS, NO MATTER HOW LONG WE'VE BEEN HERE. SO WE NEED TO LOOK OUT. >> OH, COMMISSIONER TAYLOR. >> THANK YOU, I WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT. AND I'M ON THE LIAISON TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE. THIS WAS BROUGHT UP. AND OWN OF THE CONCERNS, AND I'M VERY OPEN TO DISCUSSION WITH THIS. ONE OF THE CONCERNS IS THAT AS FAR AS FOLLOW- UP AND HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT WHEN WE DO ALLOW THE INCREASE IN INTENSITY AND WE REDUCE THE FEES IN THAT, THE IMPACT FEES, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO PEOPLE THAT ARE TRULY AT THE 50%, A MI. AND OFTEN TIMES, THAT IS NOT ALWAYS HAPPENING. AND EVEN RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE 80 TO 120. IF SOMEONE QUALIFIES FOR SOMETHING, THEY CAN CERTAINLY PURCHASE THAT. THAT'S JUST MY ONLY THING, IS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE MORE ACCOUNTABILITY, WHETHER -- I MEAN, IT WAS BROUGHT UP THAT THERE IS SOME -- THAT IT ALMOST NEEDS TO BE A POSITION WITHIN THE COUNTY, BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE FOLLOW- THROUGH AND FOLLOW-UP. BECAUSE WHAT'S HAPPENING IS WE'VE GOT THESE DEVELOPMENTS COMING IN. THEY'VE GOT SO MUCH THAT'S GOING TOWARDS WORKFORCE OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND THERE IS NO FOLLOW-UP. HOW ARE WE ENSURING THAT TRULY THESE PEOPLE PURCHASE RG NOT GOING TO BE EXCEEDING THAT 80% AMI? AND WHEN I'VE GONE IN AND SPOKEN TO SOME OF THESE PLACES, THEY DON'T. AS LONG AS NOBODY QUALIFIES, THEY CAN PURCHASE IT. WE NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE WHERE -- THAT WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT IT'S GOING TO WHO IT'S INTENDED TO GO TO AND THAT'S NOT HAPPENING. SO UNTIL WE CAN ENSURE THAT IT'S GOING TO HELP THE PEOPLE THAT WE WANT IT TO HELP, NOTHING'S GOING TO CHANGE. THAT'S JUST MY KIND OF THING. HOW WE DO THAT AND GET SOMETHING IN PLACE TO ENFORCE AND TO FOLLOW- THROUGH AND FOLLOW-UP, THAT'S REALLY WHAT NEEDS TO BE NEXT. >> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST? >> THANK YOU, MADAME CHAIR. MR. COMMANDO, YOU SIT ON THE HFA, I'M THE BOARD LIAISON TO THE HFA. THERE ARE LEGAL MECHANISMS IN PLACE TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT FOR WHO IS ABLE TO PURCHASE THESE AFFORDABLE UNITS, IS THERE NOT? >> THERE IS. THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS, WHERE THEY HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR INCOME LEVELS BADE ON THE HUD GUIDELINES, AND THAT SHOWS WHAT THEIR MEETING IS. THAT'S BUILT INTO PART OF THE PROCESS. BUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING DOES INCLUDE UP TO 100% AMI. >> SO IF WE WERE TOTO FEES UP TO -- IMPACT FEES UP TO 100% FOR PROPERTIES, IF WE ADOPTED THIS LANGUAGE AS PRESENTED FOR PROPERTIES AT OR BELOW 50% OF AMI, WOULD THAT BE ENFORCEABLE? WOULD THERE BE OVERSIGHT, ENFORCEABLE MECHANISMS IN PLACE? >> YES. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, IF YOU KNOW OF PLACES THAT ARE RUNNING AFOUL, I THINK THESE ARE PRETTY STRICT S. IF YOU KNOW OF SOMEONE VIOLATING THESE REGS, LET'S TAKE ACTION. THAT HAS NOT COME TO MY ATTEND, BUT IF YOU KNOW OF SOMETHING, I SUGGEST WE TAKE ACTION. COMMISSIONER MURPHY, I SUPPORT, TOO. MY INITIAL PROPOSAL WAS TO WAIVE 100% OF IMPACT FEES FOR THOSE AT OR BELOW 60% OF AMI. I WOULD CERTAINLY SUPPORT THE 50% AMI, WHICH IS ALREADY HARD TO BUILD. I DIDN'T THINK I HAD BOARD SUPPORT. AND I DON'T WANT PERFECT TO BE THE ENEMY OF GOOD RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING. >> I WOULD GIVE YOU THAT SUPPORT IF YOU SUPPORT MY MOTION. AND YOU CAN AMEND IT WITH THAT. >> I'M SORRY, I HAVE TO STAY WHERE I AM ON THE -- >> WELL, I TRIED! I TOLD VICKY PEPPER I'D TRY. >> I APPRECIATE IT. I APPRECIATE IT. >> SO WE HAVE A MOTION. LET'S VOTE! THE MOTION FOR THE FULL AMOUNTAMOUNT YEAH. AND THAT FAILS, 2-3. SORRY ABOUT THAT. SO WE HAVE OUR FIRST READING -- OH, DO WE READ IT OR IS THAT IT? >> NO, IT WAS PRESENTED TO YOU. OKAY, COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. >> DO WE NEED A FOLLOW- UP MOTION OR IS THE 50% ALREADY WHAT WAS -- >> SO, NO -- >> THAT WAS TO CHANGE, SO YOU'RE ADOPTING THE SCHEDULES THAT 50% WAS THE LAST DIRECTION, SO THAT IS IN THE CURRENT SCHEDULE PIP JUST WANT TO CLARIFY, WE'RE NOT MAKING ANY CHANGES AT THIS JUNCTURE FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. >> OKAY. >> ALTHOUGH COMMISSIONER MURPHY IS SHOWING ME A PIECE OF PAPER. >> NO, YOUR LIGHT'S NOT ON, AND NO, AND WE'RE GOING TO BREAK FOR LUNCH, TO 12:30. >> OH, I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T SEE THAT YOU WERE -- [02:40:01] >> WELL, I THINK -- IF WE'RE STILL ON THIS ITEM, I WOULD MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE ADOPT THE LANGUAGE ADDS PRESENTED BY CARE. >> THROUGH THE CHAIR, IF I MAY, AS I UNDERSTAND THE GIST OF THE LANGUAGE IS TO HAVE 100% WAIVER FOR THOSE THAT ARE INCOME- QUALIFIED AT 50% OR LESS OF AMI. I WOULD RATHER HAVE THAT MOTION THAN ADOPT THE LANGUAGE, BECAUSE THEN WE MAY NEED TO MODIFY THAT LANGUAGE. I HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO RESEARCH AND LOOK AT THAT LANGUAGE, FOR CONSISTENCY. SO IF WE COULD JUST ADOPT THE SENTIMENT OR WHAT IT IS YOU'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH, WE CAN CRAFT THE LANGUAGE. >> YOU'RE SO RIGHT. I SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT. THANK YOU, MISS WEST. I WOULD ADOPT THE LANGUAGE THAT KEELY RECOMMENDS THAT WE WAIVE 100% OF IMPACT FEES FOR THAT, THOSE UNITS BUILT AT OR BELOW 50% OF AMI. >> YOU CAN GIVE DIRECTION ON THAT. >> THAT'S MY MOTION. >> IF IT'S -- HANG ON ONE SECOND. IF IT'S MODIFIED, DO WE HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER FIRST READING? BECAUSE I THINK I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN IF WE HAD VOTED FOR THE 50%, WE WOULD HAVE TO PUSH THIS ANOTHER MEETING. SO IS THAT THE CASE, WHERE WE HAVE ANOTHER FIRST READING? >> GIVE ME ONE SECOND, PLEASE, CHAIR. SO WITH REGARD TO THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT, THE CONSERVATION OPEN SPACE IMPACT, YOU DIDN'T NEED US TO CHANGE THAT, BECAUSE WE NOTICED THAT AS ESTABLISHING THE IMPACT FEE WITHOUT A THRESHOLD. HOWEVER, FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE DID NOTICE THAT IT WAS PROVIDING A 50% WAIVER, ALTHOUGH THIS IS LESS RESTRICTIVE. SO I THINK MOST LIKELY, YOU DON'T NEED A SECOND -- IT'S NOT A MATERIAL CHANGE, SINCE YOU'RE ACTUALLY PROVIDING A GREATER WAIVER. SO YOU DON'T NEED TO RE- NOTICE THAT. YOU MAY PROCEED AT YOUR 11- 4 MEETING WITH THE SECOND AND FINAL READING. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> YEAH, I WOULD JUST LIKE CLARIFICATION, BECAUSE I'M A LITTLE BIT CONFUSED. BECAUSE -- AND THIS IS EVEN GOING BACK TO THE 80%. SO I HAVE GONE INTO PLACES THAT SUPPOSEDLY HAVE THIS WORKFORCE HOUSING. AND LET'S SAY IT'S 80 TO 120. AND AS LONG AS SOMEBODY QUALIFIES, THEY CANNOT BE TURNED DOWN FROM PURCHASING SOMETHING LIKE THIS. SO WHEN YOU SAY THAT, YEAH, THERE'S FOLLOW- UP OR THEY HAVE TO DO WHATEVER, THEY DON'T. AS LONG AS SOMEBODY CAN PURCHASE A WORKFORCE HOUSING, THEY CAN PURCHASE IT. THEY CAN EVEN PURCHASE MORE THAN ONE. SO, AGAIN, I DON'T THINK THAT THERE IS ENOUGH IN PLACE TO MONITOR, TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS GOING TO THOSE PEOPLE. >> SURE, THROUGH THE CHAIR TO COMMISSIONER TAYLOR. SO THIS IS NOT WORKFORCE HOUSING. THIS IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND THEY HAVE TO INCOME QUALIFY. AND THIS IS JUST SETTING THE STANDARD AT THE WAIVER RATES YOU'VE INDICATED FOR 50%, FROM 50 TO 80, OR 100% FOR 50 OR BELOW. WE WILL ACTUALLY PUT THAT INTO OUR DEVELOPMENT REVIEW MANUALS, POLICIES AND PROCESSES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE HERE, TOO. THE GREATEST THING IN THIS, WE'VE ADDED TO THIS LANGUAGE THAT THOSE PROPERTIES HAVE TO BE DEED RESTRICTED FOR 30 YEARS TO PROVIDE THIS AFFORDABILITY. THERE'LL BE A DEED RESTRICTION RECORDED THAT REQUIRES THIS FOR 30 YEARS. AND THEY'LL ALSO INDICATE THAT THESE ARE NOT JUST PROPERTIES FOR PURCHASE. THESE ARE YOUR MULTI- FAMILY DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE PROVIDING PROPERTIES THAT ARE RENTALS TO PEOPLE, AS WELL. IT'S NOT JUST PURCHASE. I WANT TO MAKE THOSE CLARIFICATIONS. >> I MEAN, I'M STILL CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF SCHOOLS. I MEAN, AT THAT LEVEL. BECAUSE, IT WOULDN'T BE PAYING ANY IMPACT FEES. >> THESE ARE FOR NON- SCHOOL IMPACT FEES. OUR STUDY DID NOT INCLUDE THAT, BUT THE WAIVER DO NOT INCLUDE SCHOOL IMPACT FEES. >> OKAY. >> ALL RIGHT, THERE'S A MOTION ON THE TABLE SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MURPHY. ANYMORE COMMENTS? SO PLEASE VOTE. AND THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY, 5-0. ALL [4. Public Hearing * PUD 2024-08 St. Augustine Tire. Request to rezone approximately 1.07 acres of land from Residential, Single Family (RS-3) to Planned Unit Development (PUD) to allow for a maximum 7,500 square feet of commercial/office type uses, specifically located at 300 South Holmes Boulevard. The Planning and Zoning Agency (PZA) heard this request at their regularly scheduled public hearing on September 18, 2025. The PZA recommended approval with a vote of 6-0. Support was made by members Matovina, Hilsenbeck, Spiegel, Labanowski, Green, and Olson. Member Perkins was absent. There was some discussion in regards to traffic impacts to Holmes Boulevard and potential impacts to the surrounding properties.] >> WE ARE BACK IN SESSION. NOW, THE TIRES. TIRE GUY. >> BOB MORGAN, 65 LEWIS BOULEVARD. IT IS VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD. COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST? [02:45:05] >> NO, NO. >> I DON'T BELIEVE I HAVE ANY EMAILS, PHONE CALLS, MEETINGS. >> MR. ARNOLD? >> SAME. NO PHONE CALLS OR MEETINGS. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> >> COMMISSIONER TRINI? >> I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THREE NEIGHBORS WHO WERE IN FAVOR OF THIS PARTICULAR -- >> WOW. I HAD NO EMAILS AND NO MEETINGS. ALL RIGHT. YOU ARE ON. >> IT IS PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD. IT CURRENTLY EXISTS ON 207 RIGHT THERE BY ST. JOSEPH'S ACADEMY. IT WAS AN UNSAFE SITUATION FOR THEM, COMING IN AND OUT WITH CARS. HE HAS FOUND A NEW LOCATION HERE ON HOLMES BOULEVARD. IT IS MORE SUITABLE FOR HIM ON THE COMMERCIAL SIDE. HE DOES QUITE A BIT OF WORK WITH THE COUNTY AND THE DIFFERENT AGENCIS SO THIS ALSO PUTS THEM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AREA. IT IS MORE CONDUCIVE TO THAT. IT IS PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD. ATTIRE CHANGE GUY, SAINT AUGUSTINE TIRE HAS BEEN AROUND FOR VERY LONG TIME. THAT IS ABOUT ALL WE'VE GOT. >> ANY QUESTIONS? PUBLIC COMMENT? >> WE WILL NEVER PUBLIC COMMENT ON GENERAL ITEM NUMBER FOUR. >> CHARLIE HUNT, MILLCREEK STATE. WHAT IT REALLY DOESN'T SHOW IS THE AFFECT THAT IT WILL HAVE ON HOLMES ROAD RIGHT THERE BECAUSE JUST PAST THE PROPERTY, THERE IS NORTHWOOD -- I BELIEVE IT IS -- THAT GOES BACK TO THE COMMERCIAL AREA BACK THERE WHICH A LOT OF VEHICLES COME OUT. I HAVE SEEN IT MANY TIMES. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO COME OUT OF THAT ON TO HOLMES ROAD BUT NOBODY IS STOPPING WHERE THE TRAFFIC IS TOO HEAVY. THIS IS A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY WITH A LOT OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES COMING OUT IN A SMALL TWO LANE LITTLE ROAD RIGHT THERE BY THE RAILROAD TRACKS. I MEAN, GRANTED, IT DOES NOT SHOW AS MUCH BECAUSE YOU DON'T SEE THE WHOLE VISION OF WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE BUT IF THIS IS FOR COMMERCIAL AND THEY ARE MOVING IN NOW TO THAT PROPERTY RIGHT THERE ON TO HOLMES ROAD, WHILE. THAT IS GOING TO MAKE IT WORSE RIGHT THERE. PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING NORTH ON HOLMES, THEY SIT THERE -- THEY SIT THERE BECAUSE TRAFFIC IS STARTING TO GET BACKED UP BECAUSE THEY WANT TO MAKE A LEFT . THIS IS RIGHT THERE AT THAT INTERSECTION, MAYBE 100 FEET OR SO AWAY FROM IT BUT IT IS STILL RIGHT THERE ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS. SO, IF YOU'RE GOING TO ENTER AND EXIT RIGHT THERE, AND THIS IS GOING TO BE COMMERCIAL, BIG TRUCKS MOVING IN AND OUT AND THEN A REQUEST FOR ALL OF THE SETBACKS FROM 20 TO 10, I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE WHOLE PLAN. IT IS THAT EASY. I AM DONE. YOU CAN TURN IT OFF NOW. >> THANK YOU, SIR. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> I DO HAVE A QUESTION. WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT THE QUESTION -- TRAFFIC. >> THERE IS A TURN LANE GOING IN THERE AND NORTHWOOD SO THAT WILL CONTROL THAT IN THAT AREA. NORTHWOOD WILL BECOME VERY DEVELOPED AND THERE WAS A DEVELOPER BACK THERE WHICH WAS REQUIRED TO PUT IN A TURN LANE. THAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENIG AND NORTHWOOD. THIS WILL BE VERY LOW VOLUME. THE TIRE SHOP IS NOT A HIGH VOLUME IN AND OUT KIND OF DEAL. >> ARE YOU GOING TO CLEAR-CUT TO THE WHOLE PROPERTY OR DO YOU HAVE SOME WETLANDS YOU ARE SAVING? >> THERE IS NO WETLANDS ON THE PROPERTY AT ALL. THERE WAS NO WETLANDS INVOLVED. EVERYTHING IS ALL HIGH AND DRY. >> ARE YOU DOING ANY BUFFERS WITH THE TREES THAT ARE ALREADY THERE? >> YES, MA'AM. WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP AS MUCH AS WE CAN. ALONG WITH LANDSCAPE PLAN, WE HAVE QUITE A BIT. THAT WILL BE IN THE CONSTRUCTION -- DRC CONSTRUCTION SERVICES. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION, IF I MAY. >> WHENEVER YOU ARE READY. >> SURE I WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE CHAIR. SORRY. I APOLOGIZE. MOTION OF 2025-39-PUD 2024-08 SAINT AUGUSTINE TIRE BASED ON [02:50:02] NON-FINDINGS OF FACT INCLUDING THE STAFF REPORT. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY MORE COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT, LET'S VOTE. IT PASSES [5. Public Hearing * NZVAR 2025-17 Tatum Homes. Request for a Non-Zoning Variance to Sections 6.04.07.B.1 and 6.04.07.B.2 of the Land Development Code regarding access easement requirements for 4575 Carter Road.] UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR WAITING. >> NUMBER FIVE. TATUM HOLMES. -- HOMES. COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST, EXPERT TAKE? >> NO MEETINGS OR PHONE CALLS. >> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD? >> SAME. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> SAME. >> COMMISSIONER TRINI? >> NO EMAILS OR MEETINGS. >> I HAVE NO EMAILS OR MEETINGS. GO AHEAD? >> MY NAME IS CLELL TATUM. I'M JUST WANTING TO BREAK MY PROPERTY OFF INTO TWO PARCELS, ONE FOR MY SON AND THEN THE REST FOR ME AND MY WIFE. THEY ARE GOING TO BUILD A HOUSE DOWN THERE. >> ANYTHING ELSE? >> NOT UNLESS YOU -- >> WHERE ON THE PROPERTY ARE THE TWO HOUSES GOING? >> THERE IS ONE PRE-EXISTING AND OURS IS GOING IN FRONT OF THE POLE BARN THAT I BUILT A FEW YEARS AGO. >> WHERE ALL THE TREES ARE IN THAT PICTURE? >> DO YOU HAVE A MAP? I CAN POINT IT OUT TO YOU. >> WE'VE GOT A MAP. >> YOU JUST PUSH AND POINT. >> WHAT IS NOW SHOWS ON THERE WHAT I AM WANTING TO BREAK OFF, THE REST I WAS GOING TO KEEP. TO THE RIGHT OF THAT, FROM CARTER ROAD, IS WHERE I WAS GOING TO BUILD OUR HOUSE. >> YOU HAVE A POINTER ON THAT. >> I DO? >> SEE IF THAT POINTER WORKS. THERE YOU GO. SHOW US EXACTLY. >> I CAN'T EVEN SEE A. SLOW IT DOWN. >> THAT IS WHERE THE EXISTING HOUSE IS AND THAT IS OFFENSE. I AM GOING TO GIVE AN ADDITIONAL 30 FEET OUT TO THE ROAD TO MAKE IT OVER 100 FOOT FOR THE REQUIREMENT. THEN -- THERE YOU GO. >> THAT IS WHERE WE WILL BUILD THE HOUSE. >> THERE? >> YEAH. >> OKAY. >> IT CAN BE A LITTLE NERVE-RACKING IN HERE. >> YEAH. >> WE ARE ALL FRIENDS. >> IT'S NOT EVEN THAT. OTHER STUFF. >> YOU ARE EFFECTIVELY GOING TO TAKE ONE TREE DOWN? >> NO TREES. >> YOU ARE GOING TO PUT IT IN THE OPENING THERE? >> YES. IN THE OPENING. >> ANY QUESTIONS COMMISSIONER MURPHY? >> I WAS JUST GOING TO CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT WHENEVER YOU ARE READY. >> SOUNDS GOOD. >> WE WILL NEVER PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER FIVE. SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT. CAN I MAKE A MOTION, MADAM CHAIR? >> COMMISSIONER TRINI? >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE 2025-17 TATUM INVESTMENT GROUP LLC'S REQUEST FOR A NON-ZONING BEARING -- VARIANCE , THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE REGARDING ACCESS EASEMENTS FOR CONDITIONS AS APPROVED IN THE STAFF REPORT. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. GO AHEAD AND VOTE. THAT [6. Public Hearing * NZVAR 2025-15 Elam Family Legacy. Request for a Non-Zoning Variance to Section 5.01.01.C.1 of the Land Development Code regarding subdivision and platting requirements, Section 6.04.07.M.1 regarding roadway improvements, Section 6.04.07.B.2(a) regarding a minimum recorded thirty (30) foot wide easement, and Section 6.02.09 regarding stormwater management. The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) heard this request on October 7, 2025, and voted to continue the item to October 21, 2025.] PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> YOU WILL HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> YOU TOO. >> NUMBER SIX, FAMILY PROPERTY. >> WELCOME BACK. >> THANK YOU. CHRISTINA EVANS . DO I HAVE TO DO ANYTHING? >> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST? >> I HAVE A RECORD OF OVER THREE EMAILS AND I DID A SITE VISIT AT THE ELAM PROPERTY WITH CHRISTINA EVANS, CARRIE, TAMMY AND ZACH [02:55:11] WHERE WE DISCUSSED THE NON-ZONING VARIANCE. >> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD? >> I HAVE 3+ EMAILS. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> I HAVE 3+ EMAILS AND I ALSO DID THE SITE VISIT WITH CHRISTINA EVANS, CARRIE, TAMMY, ABBY AND ZACH ELAM AND COUNTY STAFF ERIC >> COMMISSIONER MURPHY? >> I HAD 3+ EMAILS AND I DID A LONE WOLF SITE VISIT. >> I HAD FIVE OR MORE EMAILS. I TALKED TO PAT FLOYD ABOUT SEVEN TIMES YESTERDAY AND TODAY AND A MEETING WITH PAT FLOYD AND COUNTY STAFF, SITE VISIT WITH CHRISTINA EVANS, CARRIE, TAMMY, ZACH ELAM AND THE COUNTY STAFF . YOU ARE ON. >> THANK YOU. HERE AGAIN FOR THE ELAM PROPERTY AT THE END OF PINE ISLAND . THE LAST HEARING, THE PLAN USE AMENDMENT WITH THE LIMITED -- WE ARE HERE TODAY ABOUT THE NON-ZONING VARIANCE REQUEST, FOUR OF THEM. THE FIRST ONE IS A WAIVER TO NOT IMPROVE PINE ISLAND ROAD. 4000 LINEAR FEET FROM WHERE THE SCHOOL WAS PAVED ALL THE WAY TO THE DEVELOPED HOME PROPERTY. THERE IS ONLY ABOUT 10 RESIDENCES ON THAT UNPAVED PORTION AND THERE IS ALSO ABOUT 1500 FEET THAT DON'T HAVE SUFFICIENT RIGHT-OF-WAY TO MEET COUNTY STANDARDS. THE NEXT TWO REQUESTS ARE TO ALLOW THE LOTS TO BE ACCESSED BY THE EASEMENT. LOTS ONE AND TWO HAVE ENOUGH FRONTAGE ON PINE ISLAND THAT THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE DRIVEWAYS ON THERE SO WE ARE ASKING TO HAVE IT ON THE EASEMENT WHICH MEANS THERE IS JUST ONE ACCESS POINT AND POINT TO MAINTAIN ON PINE ISLAND ROAD. THE NEXT REQUEST, SIMILAR TO THE PROPERTIES TO THE NORTH, NOT TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE SUBDIVISION AND PLOTTING PROCESS. THIS IS A SMALL, SIMPLE DEVELOPMENT. THEY ARE NOT HAVING ALL OF THE UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE, EASEMENTS, THAT TYPICAL LARGE SUBDIVISION NEED TO PLOT. THE LAST REQUEST IS ABOUT NOT HAVING A STORM WATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY POND ON THE PROPERTY. THESE ARE VERY LARGE LOTS, LOW LOT COVERAGE AND IMPERVIOUS. FROM THE STAFF REPORT, THE COUNTY ENGINEER REVIEWED THESE AND HAD NO COMMENTS CONCERNING ACCESS OR DRAINAGE. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT SPACE ON EACH OF THE FOUR PARCELS TO ENSURE ANY RUNOFF WILL BE CONTAINED AND CONVEYED TO A LEGAL POINT OF DISCHARGE AND ALL OF THIS WILL BE CHECKED AT THE CLEARANCE SHEET REVIEW. MR. ELAM WENT OUT AND TOOK ELEVATION READINGS . YOU CAN SEE FROM WEST TO EAST, IT STARTS AT SIX INCHES AND GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 60 INCHES. 4.5 FOOT DROP THAT SHOWS THAT ALTHOUGH WATER WILL DRAIN TO THE EAST. IT IS NOT GOING BACK TOWARD VALENCIA. AND, AFTER THE LAST HEARING, THERE IS A PHOTO THAT MADE IT LOOK LIKE THERE WERE NO TREES IN THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY SO WHILE WE WERE OUT THERE, I TOOK A PHOTO FROM THE PROPERTY LINE. YOU CAN SEE THAT RED STRING. NONE OF THOSE TREES HAVE BEEN TOUCHED OR REMOVED. WE ALSO DISCUSSED HOW THE WELLS NEEDED TO BE POWERED IN ORDER FOR THEM TO REPLANT THE TREES SO THAT DOES HAVE POWER . ONCE THEY GET THESE APPROVALS THEY CAN SET UP WHERE EVERYONE'S HOUSE IS GOING TO GO AND SUBMIT THE PLANNING SCHEDULE AND GET THOSE TREES PLANTED. ANOTHER THING I JUST WANTED TO GO OVER AS THE CONDITIONS FOR THE PREVIOUS NON-ZONING VARIANCE . CONDITION NUMBER ONE IS REPLANTING THOSE TREES, WHICH HE HAS SOME ON RESERVE AT THE NURSERY BUT THAT IS WITHIN SIX MONTHS. SO, BY DECEMBER 17, THOSE HAVE TO BE REPLANTED. NUMBER TWO SAYS THAT HE HAD TO PAY THE TREE BANK FUND FOR THE INCHES NOT REPLANTED. AFTER DISCUSSING IT WITH COUNTY STAFF, HE PREPAID $13,000 FOR WHAT IS ANTICIPATED NOT TO BE REPLANTED AND THEN THE LAST IS JUST SUBMITTING THE REPLANTING PLAN TO COUNTY STAFF AGAIN, BY DECEMBER 17. SO, AFTER THESE APPROVALS, HE WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD MEETING THOSE DEADLINES . I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS ANY OTHER QUESTIONS. >> I THINK THERE WAS ONE. DID YOU NOTIFY THE NEIGHBORHOOD, TRY TO TALK TO THEM AGAIN? I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE DISCUSSED. >> WE SPOKE TO THE TWO RESIDENTS AFTER THE MEETING. WE ALSO HAD MR. PEASE OUT OF THE PROPERTY. I CONTACTED MS. FLOYD. WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED IT. I KNOW SHE HAS TALKED A LOT WITH COUNTY STAFF. I HAD EMAILED THE CDB, BASICALLY SUMMARIZING ALL OF THIS STUFF SO [03:00:04] YEAH. >> WE WILL NOW TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER SIX. ANYONE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM DOING. >> YOU ARE NOT ALONE. >> MARBELLA CIRCLE. WE -- MY NEIGHBOR -- JUST IN HER COMMENT THAT SHE SPOKE TO US, MY NEIGHBOR , WHO WAS AT THE LAST MEETING WAS HERE AND AS WE WALKED OUT, THEIR FAMILY CAME OVER AND WAS TALKING TO US BRIEFLY, OKAY? THE ONLY OTHER TIME, QUOTE, REACHED OUT TO ME AS I GOT A CALL YESTERDAY ABOUT 3:00 IN THE AFTERNOON, SHE LEFT A MESSAGE BECAUSE I CHOSE NOT TO ANSWER THE PHONE. I WILL BE HONEST ON THAT, OKAY? I HAVE QUITE A FEW PROBLEMS BUT NOW ONLY 2 1/2 MINUTES. ONE THING -- I DON'T KNOW LAW AND I WILL PROBABLY NOT GET EVERY THING AND BECAUSE HAVE COME ACROSS SOMETHING AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU ALL HAVE TO -- IT HAS BEEN POINTED OUT TO ME SOME OF THE INFORMATION THAT WAS IN THE POCKET WAS INCORRECT BUT I BASED A LOT OF MY RESEARCH AND EVERYTHING ON WHAT WAS IN THAT PACKET SO THERE AGAIN, I WILL PROBABLY BE ASKING YOU FOR A POSTPONEMENT. IN THE PACKET, EVERYTHING I READ SAYS IN ORDER FOR YOU ALL TO PASS THIS, THERE WERE FIVE QUESTIONS THAT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A POSITIVE YES ANSWER TO . QUESTION ONE AND TWO IN THERE, I THINK SOMEBODY LEFT OUT A WORD ON ONE OF THE ITEMS NOW THAT I'M LOOKING AT IT. THERE IS NO WAY THEY ARE CONTRADICTORY. THERE IS NO WAY BOTH OF THOSE QUESTIONS COULD BE ANSWERED YES. IF YOU HAVE TO HAVE FIVE YES ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS, THEN YOU NEED TO DENY THIS. LIKE I SAID, I DON'T KNOW THE LAW, OR AT LEAST POSTPONE IT BECAUSE I HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO GO ON OTHER THAN WHAT IS POSTED. ALL RIGHT? NOW, I'M GOING TO TRY AND HURRY UP WITH SOME OF MY OTHER COMMENTS. THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN BY THE COUNTY, I BELIEVE IT IS THE COUNTY, WHOEVER POSTED THE PROPERTY WAY BACK WHEN THAT THING WAS FIRST BULLDOZED, IN MY OPINION. GOOGLE INDICATES THAT THOSE ARE GOPHER TORTOISE BURROWS AND WHEN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT WENT OUT OF COURSE TO GET THE BUILDING PERMIT, BY THEN, THIS WAS 2024 NOW WE ARE IN 2025. OF COURSE, THERE IS NO SIGN OF ANY BURROWS BECAUSE -- ANYWAY. THAT IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL -- I HAVE REPORTED THAT TO THE WC. I ONLY DISCOVERED THAT ON SUNDAY AND REPORTED IT ON MONDAY. I WANT A POSTPONEMENT, AGAIN, SO I HAVE TIME TO HEAR FROM THEM. OH GOD, I AM OUT OF TIME. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS IN HERE THAT JUST -- OKAY. PINE ISLAND ROAD . URBAN SPRAWL IS BEGINNING. JUST BECAUSE YOU APPROVED ONE VARIANCE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO APPROVE ANOTHER. A VOTE SHOULD BE CAST OR POSTPONEMENT AGAIN TO GIVE F WC A CHANCE TO RESPOND TO MY REQUEST. I JUST HAVE A LOT OF OTHER QUESTIONS. I AM TOLD ONE THING. SHE IS TOLD ANOTHER. THEY SAID THEY WANTED TAMMY ELAM TOLD ME SPECIFICALLY SHE WANTED TO HAVE CHICKENS, PIGS AND A PONY AND THE COMMISSIONER WAS JUST TOLD IT WAS ONLY GOING TO BE THE PIGS. I DON'T OBJECT TO A LOT OF THINGS THEY WANT DONE. I DON'T CARE WHAT THEY DO TO THE ROAD AT ALL . THOSE DEVELOPMENT PROCEDURES ARE PUT INTO EFFECT AS SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR PROPERTY OWNERS AROUND THERE. PLEASE VOTE NO. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? >> I AGREE. FOR THE REASONS THAT PAT LLOYD JUST RAISE, PLEASE VOTE TO DENY OR POSTPONE THIS ITEM AND OUT OF COMEDY AND COURTESY, IF IT IS ENDING F WC INVESTIGATION, THIS DOES NOT NEED TO BE HEARD NOW. LET'S NOT BE KILLING OFF OUR GOPHER TORTOISES. WE NEED A MORE THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN WHO SPOKE THIS MORNING A COUPLE OF TIMES ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND WE NEED TO BE ADDRESSING THOSE. WE NEED TO BEEF UP THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT. FOR GOD SAKES, MIKE ROBERSON AND THE GROSS MISMANAGEMENT SHOULD NOT SUPERVISE PEOPLE WHO REGULATE THE ENVIRONMENT. IT IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. IT KINDLY REMINDS ME OF THE OLDEN DAYS WHEN WE USED TO HAVE THE ATOMIC [03:05:03] ENERGY COMMISSION BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WAS CREATED IN THE SAME DEPARTMENT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO REGULATE NUCLEAR OPERATIONS ALSO RAN THEM. IT WAS A HORRIBLE THING. HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE THING. IT WAS LIKE IN OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE WHERE THEY DUMPED THE LANDFILL IN THE LAKE. I'M SORRY, THEY DID THAT IN SAINT AUGUSTINE. OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE WHERE THEY DUMPED 4.2 MILLION POUNDS OF MERCURY INTO THE CREEK TO GROUNDWATER AND THEY GOT AWAY WITH IT BECAUSE THEY SAID, OH, IT IS CLASSIFIED. OSSIFIED NATURAL SECURITY. THIS ITEM WITH THE GOPHER TORTOISES, DON'T VOTE ON THIS TODAY. YOU HAVE JUST HEARD UNDISPUTED EVIDENCE FROM MS. FLOYD THAT THERE IS A CONCERN ABOUT GOPHER TORTOISES ON THIS PROPERTY. YOU CAN'T VOTE THIS. DO NOT VOTE THIS NOW. DO NOT LET A DEVELOPER COMING IN HERE AND GIVE YOU THE USUAL HAPPY DANCE AND NOT RAISE THE ISSUES AND NOT ANSWER THE ISSUES THAT CITIZENS RAISE HERE AND I DON'T LIKE THE WAY THAT YOU WILL HANDLE THIS PARTICULARLY. SOMEBODY RAISES A CONCERN AS MS. FLOYD DID AND THEN THE DEVELOPER ALWAYS GETS THE LAST WORD. NO. IT IS NOT REBUTTAL. FIRST OF ALL, THERE ARE NORMATIVE CASES THAT SHE SHOULD INCLUDE RESPONDING TO THE QUESTIONS THAT MS. FLOYD RED AND THEY DON'T USUALLY. GEORGE MCCLURE IS DEAD. HE IS STILL DEAD BUT HIS -- THE PEOPLE HE MENTORS, THEY ARE STILL HERE. THEY ARE DEVELOPER LAWYERS AND THEY COME IN HERE AND THEY TELL YOU SOME OF THE WORST MALARKEY . THE GREATEST THING IS, SINCE THE LAST FEW YEARS, CITIZENS ARE ORGANIZING. THEY ARE RESEARCHING. THEY AR TALKING TO THEIR NEIGHBORS. THEY ARE FINDING OUT WHAT THE LAW IS AND THEY ARE WINNING VICTORY AFTER VICTORY AFTER VICTORY. THIS ONE, THERE IS NO PRINCIPLED REASON WE SHOULD BE VOTING ON THIS THIS AFTERNOON. IN A JUST WORLD, MIKE ROBERSON WOULD NOT BE IN THE POSITION TO FIRE PEOPLE WHO DO THEIR JOB ON ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION OR HISTORIC RESERVATION OR ANYTHING ELSE. HE NEEDS TO GO NOW. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE? >> BE JAKE LEAWOOD, CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE. JUST SITTING AND LISTENING TO THIS, THEY ARE KEEPING SOME TREES BUT THEY HAVE ALREADY PAID $13,000 INTO A MEDIATION ? WHY IS HE DOING THAT OR ARE THEY DOING THAT INSTEAD OF KEEPING THE TREES? WHY DO WE HAVE TO DO $13,000? WHERE ARE THOSE TREES GOING TO GO? AS FAR AS THE TWO NEIGHBORS, MY QUESTION WOULD BE, IF WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DEVELOP THERE, IF YOU PASS THIS, TO JUST BUFFER WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO NOW ON THEIR PROPERTY. BUFFER IT FROM THE OTHER TWO NEIGHBORS WHO MAY HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO BE LEFT AND HOW THEIR PROPERTY IS GOING TO BUTT UP TO THE ONES THEY WANT TO DEVELOP. I DON'T KNOW WHEN YOU ALL ARE GOING OUT THERE AND LOOKING AROUND. DID ANYONE TALK WITH YOU ABOUT THAT AS FAR AS NOISE OR WHATEVER IS GOING TO BE BUFFERING? THESE TWO PEOPLE THAT DID SPEAK BEFORE, AND THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ASKED TODAY. IT IS GOOD THAT YOU ARE OUT THERE BUT DID ANYBODY WALK AROUND WITH MS. FLOYD OR JUST WITH THE ELAM WHO WANT TO DEVELOP THEIR PROPERTY? CONSIDERING THE ONES THAT ARE THERE AND TAKING THAT, ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE STORMWATER DEAL? THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE FLOODING AND EVERYTHING. I AM WONDERING HOW YOU CAN GET AWAY WITHOUT DOING THEM. THAT IS JUST THE WAY THAT THINGS ARE GOING. THAT IS MY BASIC QUESTION. AM I CLEAR OR DO I NEED TO SAY IT AGAIN? I AM CLEAR. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> THIS IS MY DISTRICT. I THINK I HAVE DONE A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THIS AND WHEN I WAS OUT THERE, THEY ARE KEEPING THE BUFFER BETWEEN THE HOMES OF THE FLOYD'S AND THAT SUBDIVISION THAT IS ALREADY THERE AND IT IS ALREADY 10 FEET AND THERE IS ANOTHER 10 TO 15 FEET ON THE OTHER SIDE AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO PUT A FENCE IN THERE THAT WILL PROVIDE EVEN MORE, WITHOUT TEARING DOWN THE TREES. THEY ARE CORRECT, THE BUFFER THAT WE TALKED ABOUT. THEY HAVE A POND. I WAS THERE THE DAY AFTER THAT HUGE HORRIBLE FLOODING THUNDERSTORM AND THERE WAS NO WATER. IT WAS SANDY, WET AND DRY AND IT IS WAY OUT THERE [03:10:04] AND I WENT TO THE END OF THAT ROAD AND IT IS A HUGE IMPROVEMENT FOR THAT AREA. EVEN THE ARNOLD FAMILY, WHO WE APPROVED ABOUT A YEAR AGO, TWO YEARS AGO, THEY ARE MAKING THEIR COMPOUND BACK THERE TOO. I WAS IMPRESSED. I THINK HE WILL BE TRYING HARD AND HE IS PUTTING IN A $90,000 WORTH OF TREES . I JUST DON'T SEE WHERE THERE IS AN ISSUE. THE GOPHER PICTURE WAS A YEAR AGO. I DIDN'T SEE THAT WHEN I WAS THERE BUT THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS WERE THERE SO IF THEY HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY, I AM IN FAVOR OF THIS. >> I THINK THAT PICTURE NOTED IT WAS THE ARNOLD PROPERTY ACROSS THE STREET. IT WAS NOT THAT PROPERTY. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> THANK YOU. I REALLY ENJOYED GOING OUT TO SEE THE PROPERTY BECAUSE IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF PROPERTY BUT THE TREES, YOU COULDN'T EVEN SEE THE HOMES THROUGH THE TREES, THERE WERE SO MANY. WE EVEN LOOKED AT WHERE THE PROPERTY ENDS AND WHERE THE BUFFER WAS. THAT PUT ME AT EASE. NOT AN ISSUE AT ALL. THERE IS A POND ON THERE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN ADDRESS THAT BUT I WAS THERE RIGHT AFTER A LOT OF RAIN AS WELL AND I BROUGHT OTHER SHOES. I THOUGHT IT WILL BE A MUDDY SWAMP AND IT WASN'T AT ALL. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED THAT AFTER ALL THE RAIN WE HAD. I WAS THERE RIGHT AFTER. IT WAS VERY, VERY DRY. ANYWAY, I AM GLAD I WENT OUT TO SEE IT AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. >> I THINK WE WERE ALL ANTICIPATING IT WOULD BE MUDDY BUT IT WAS COMPLETELY DRY. SO, THERE IS A POND FOR FISHING. IT IS NOT TECHNICALLY A STORM WATER POND THAT IS PERMITTED BUT ESTHER ELAM KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING SO IT WILL ACCEPT SOME OF THE RUNOFF. >> WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE 2025-15 ELAM FAMILY LEGACY REQUEST FOR THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE FOR RELIEF FROM STORMWATER REQUIREMENTS TO ALLOW FOR THE ADDITION OF PROPERTY IN A FOUR PARCEL SPACE ALONG CONDITIONS OF FACT AND FINDINGS IN THE STAFF REPORT. >> SECOND. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? >> WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE. PLEASE VOTE. THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. [7. Public Hearing * REZ 2025-09 2195 State Road 16. Request to rezone approximately 4.9 acres of land from Commercial Highway and Tourist (CHT) to Commercial Intensive (CI). The Planning and Zoning Agency (PZA) heard this request at their regularly scheduled public hearing on September 18, 2025. The Agency recommended approval with a vote of 5-0. Support was made by members Matovina, Hilsenbeck, Spiegel, Labanowski, and Olson. Member Perkins was absent, and member Green abstained.] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> WE ARE ON TO NUMBER SEVEN, STATE ROAD 16. >> AFTERNOON. FOR THE RECORD, JESSICA GOW , 1 DAYTONA BOULEVARD, DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA. A NEW ADDRESS. WE JUST MOVED A FEW MONTHS AGO. I WILL DO A BRIEF -- BRIEF PRESENTATION I'M HERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. RIGHT ALONG STATE ROAD 16, IT IS ACROSS FROM SOME OF THE NEWER DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDING THE MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT. THIS REQUEST IS ON BEHALF OF WILES LLC. THIS IS THE EXISTING PROPERTY LOCATION. IT HAS THE SUBWAY QUICK SERVICE RESTAURANT ON THERE AND THE PROPOSED USER'S ATLANTIC MARINE. AT THE VERY END OF LAST YEAR, ATLANTIC MARINE WAS LOOKING AT A PARCEL ACROSS THE STREET, KIND OF BY THE APARTMENT SITE. WHEN THAT PROJECT WENT THROUGH FOR REVIEW, ONE OF THE CONCERNS FOR THE PLANNING BOARD AT THAT TIME WAS CONSIDERED OVER THE ACCESS CONFIGURATION BECAUSE YOU HAD BOATS MOVING AND MAKING U-TURNS. IN ADDITION TO THE ENVIRONMENT FEATURES THAT WE COULDN'T WORK AROUND FOR THE SITE PLAN, THAT SITE IS NOT MOVING FORWARD. THE PREFERRED USE FOR THIS SITE IS THE SAME. YOU WILL SEE THE HISTORY OF ATLANTIC MARINE IS THE SAME BUT WE ARE LOOKING AT A NEW LOCATION THAT HAS BETTER SITE-SPECIFIC SET WE WILL GO OVER. THEY HAVE 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. THEY HAVE BEEN A ST. JOHNS COUNTY. THIS IS ANOTHER LOCATION. THIS IS THE DESIGN, INTENT, AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAND AND THE LANDSCAPING. THIS IS THE CURRENT FUTURE LAND USE OF THE SITE IN A MIXED-USE DISTRICT AND THE OVERALL CORRIDOR BY THE INTERCHANGE. CURRENT ZONING IS CHT. ADJACENT HIS INDUSTRIAL. THEN, ONE PROPERTY DOWN IS A VOTE STORAGE FACILITY SO WE THINK THERE IS SOME GOOD INTEGRATION WHERE YOU BUY YOUR BOAT TWO DAYS -- DOORS DOWN AND YOU CAN STORE IT AND WE ARE REQUESTING THE CI DISTRICT FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD AND ACROSS THE STREET. IT ALL HAS THE CI DISTRICT FOR THE CONTINUITY THERE. THE OVERALL SITE DEVELOPMENT IS 4.92 ACRES OF PROPERTY AND WE ARE GOING TO THE [03:15:02] CI DISTRICT TO ALLOW THE BOAT AND RC SALES USE. IT IS IN THE MIXED-USE DISTRICT. WE DO NOT HAVE A CONCEPT PLAN, TECHNICALLY BEFORE YOU, BECAUSE IT IS STRAIGHT REZONING. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE INITIAL REVIEW OF THAT SITE PLAN WITH COUNTY STAFF AND A SNIPPET OF IT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKET. IT INCLUDES USING THE FRONT AREA THAT IS ALREADY DEVELOPED FOR A BUILDING, SOME STORAGE IN THE REAR AND SOME EXPANSION OF THAT STORM WATER POND IN THE BACK. ONE OF THE PRIMARY REASONS THAT THIS SITE, WE THINK, IS MORE SUITED FOR THIS USE IS ACCESS CONFIGURATION. HARVEST LANE DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE SITE HAS A SIGNAL. WE HAVE MET INITIALLY WITH D.O.T. ABOUT THE ACCESS ON THE SITE AND WE THINK THAT SIGNAL, HAVING A CONTROLLED MOVEMENT FOR BOATS AND TRAILERS, IS MUCH SAFER THAN THE U-TURN MOVEMENT THAT YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN ACROSS THE STREET. LIKE I SAID, WE DID HAVE AN INITIAL TECHNICAL REVIEW WITH STAFF. WE DO HAVE UTILITIES AVAILABLE TO THE SITE AND WHILE THE CONCEPT PLAN, THE TRAFFIC GENERATION IS NOT BEFORE YOU, THE PLANNING BOARD ASKED -- WHEN WE LOOK AT BOTH ZONING DISTRICTS, THE HIGHEST USE IS RESTAURANT TYPE USE LIKE WHAT IS THERE NOW ARE QUICK SERVICE. THAT USE IS ABOUT 33 TRIPS PER 1000 SQUARE FOOT ABUSERS. THE PROPOSED BOAT AND RV SALES USE UNDER THE GENERATION IS .77 TRIPS PER 1000 SQUARE FEET. YOU CAN SEE A REDUCTION IN TRAFFIC ON THIS BUSY ROADWAY AND AGAIN, A SAFER MOVEMENT USING THE EXISTING ACCESS. WITH THAT, THAT IS OUR PRESENTATION AND WE ARE HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS. >> I HAVE TO GO BACK AND DO EXPORT A REALLY QUICK. COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST? >> I HAVE A RECORD OF ONE EMAIL, NO EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS. >> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD? >> I DON'T HAVE A RECORD OF ANY MEETINGS OR PHONE -- ONE PHONE CALL. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> NO EMAILS AND ALSO NO MEETINGS. >> COMMISSIONER MURPHY? >> I ALSO HAVE NO EMAILS AND NO MEETINGS. >> NO EMAILS OR MEETINGS. ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT? ALL RIGHT, PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE? >> WE WILL NOW ACCEPT PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD? >> MOTION TO ENACT ORDINANCE 2025-40 APPROVING THE REZONING 2025-09 2195 STATE ROAD 16 EAST UPON FOUR FINDINGS OF FACTS OF PROVIDING STAFF REPORT. >> I WILL SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. PLEASE VOTE. THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY 5-0. [8. Consider an appointment to the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). There are currently two (2) vacancies on the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) due to expired terms. A vacancy ad has been posted since May 2022. The ARC recommended reinstating David Christine; however, for the second open position the committee deferred to a future meeting in order to reopen the vacancy and seek additional candidates. Attached for your review and consideration are a recommendation letter and (3) applications: Heather Harley-Davidson- Dist. 3, David Christine- Dist. 4, Richard Ensslen- Dist. 4.] >> OKAY. SHELBY? >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. MY ITEM IS APPOINTMENT TO THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE. THERE ARE CURRENTLY TWO VACANCIES . THIS VACANCY AD WAS POSTED SINCE MAY 2022. >> HANG ON A SECOND. COMMISSIONER MURPHY , WILL YOU TELL THEM TO STOP TALKING BACK THERE? >> I GUESS, PLEASE, ORDER IN THE ROOM. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO STEP OUTSIDE, THAT WOULD BE GRATEFULLY -- VERY GRATEFULLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. >> CONTINUE, SHALL BE. SORRY. >> THE VACANCY AD WAS POSTED SINCE MAY OF 2022. IT REMAINED OPEN UNTIL FILLED. THE ARC RECOMMENDED TO REINSTATE DAVIDE CHRISTINE . HOWEVER, FOR THE SECOND OPEN POSITION, THEY DEFERRED TO A FUTURE MEETING IN ORDER TO REOPEN THE VACANCY AD TO SEEK ADDITIONAL CANDIDATES. >> COMMENTS? QUESTIONS? PUBLIC COMMENT? >> PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM 8? ANYONE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> DO WE HAVE A MOTION? >> WE DO. >> MOTION TO REAPPOINT DAVID CHRISTINE TO THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE FOR A FULL FOUR YEAR TERM SCHEDULED TO EXPIRE IN OCTOBER 21, 29. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. PLEASE VOTE. THAT PASSES 5-0. IN REGARDS TO THE SECOND VACANCY, ANYONE HAVE A MOTION TO MAKE? SHOULD WE SEND IT BACK FOR MORE -- >> I WOULD MOVE THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD TO OPEN IT BACK UP FOR MORE APPLICATIONS. >> WE DON'T HAVE TO VOTE ON [11. Motion to adopt Resolution 2025- , approving the St. Johns County Energy Management Program and Policy. For more information, contact Daniel Whitcraft, Director, Facilities Management at 904 640-1545] THAT, RIGHT? >> CORRECT. >> THANK YOU. >> NUMBER NINE IS CONSENT AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11, CORRECT? >> YOU ARE UP. >> MADAM CHAIR, COMMISSIONER, STAN WOODCRAFT FACILITIES. I AM HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSED ENERGY MANAGEMENT [03:20:04] POLICY FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY. IT WAS ON CONSENT SO THAT PRESENTATION IS RELATIVELY SHORT BUT I DO HAVE ONE. HERE IT IS. SO, UNLESS WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, WE CAN JUMP RIGHT IN. SO, HOW DID WE GET HERE? BACK IN AUGUST 2024, THE BOARD APPROVED A PILOT, ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM THAT FOCUSED STRICTLY ON THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DOES OVERSEE THE ENERGY MANAGEMENT. WE HAD TO OVERSEE THE POLICY. WE FOCUSED ON FOUR AREAS. EQUIPMENT, START, STOP IN. THERMAL SETPOINTS, BASICALLY HEATING AND COOLING SETPOINTS. L.E.D. LIGHTING CONVERSIONS. WE ARE ABOUT 85, 90% DONE WITH THIS BUILDING HERE WITH L.E.D. CONVERSIONS AND ALSO, WE FOCUSED ON BUILDING OCCUPANCY, SCHEDULING ALONG WITH SETPOINTS THAT COINCIDE WITH THAT SCHEDULING. SO, THIS IS WHAT CAME OUT OF THE PILOT PROGRAM. AS YOU CAN SEE, OUR AVERAGE COSTS DOWN ABOUT 7%. OUR AVERAGE DAILY USE DOWN ALMOST 24% AND THAT IS A YEAR-TO-YEAR BASIS. DUE TO THIS RESULT HERE, WE ARE IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY TO TALK ABOUT EXPANDING THE ENERGY MANAGEMENT POLICY THAT WOULD EXPAND TO ALL ST. JOHNS COUNTY OWNED AND OPERATED FACILITIES ALONG WITH -- THIS WOULD ALSO EXPAND OUT TO TENANTS OF SPACES THAT WE OWN, THAT WE LEASE OUT . WITH THE OBJECTIVE THE SAME, REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION, WHICH ALSO IS GOING TO REDUCE OR LOWER OUR OPERATING COSTS. ALONG WITH MAINTAINING A SAFE, COMFORTABLE FACILITY FOR STAFF AND THE PUBLIC. WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE EXPANDED POLICY? IT IS TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION BY 25% ALONG WITH COST AVOIDANCE BY 25% OVER FIVE YEARS AND WE WILL USE FISCAL YEAR 25 AS THE BASELINE. THE FIRST REPORTING YEAR WOULD BE FISCAL YEAR 2027. THE REASON BEING THAT WOULD GIVE US THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR TO COLLECT DATA TO REPORT IN 2027. SO, WHAT WILL BE THE MEASUREMENT CRITERIA? KILOWATT HOURS, WHICH IS ENERGY CONSUMPTION OR ELECTRIC CONSUMPTION. WE WILL DO THAT BY BASICALLY UTILITY INVOICES AND BUILDING AUTOMATION DATA, WHICH IS DAS AND WE WILL NORMALIZE THAT DATA, KILOWATT HOURS PER SQUARE FOOT. WE DO THAT TO ACCOUNT FOR ANY GROWTH OR NEW BUILDINGS THAT COME ONLINE, WHICH WE WILL HAVE MOVING FORWARD. SO, SOME OF THE WAYS WE ARE GOING TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL. WE ARE GOING TO FOCUS ON A FEW KPIS. OBVIOUSLY ENERGY USE AND COST ALONG WITH OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE . SO, WHAT IS OUR PERCENTAGE OF BUILDINGS THAT WE HAVE ON BUILDING AUTOMATION? BUILDING AUTOMATION IS A HUGE TOOL FOR US TO BE ABLE TO MONITOR AND CENTRALIZE HOW WE MEASURE, HOW WE USE ENERGY IN OUR BUILDINGS . SCHEDULING, OCCUPIED, UNOCCUPIED. WE HAVE CERTAIN BUILDING SETPOINT DURING OCCUPIED HOURS. UNOCCUPIED HOURS, WE DON'T WANT TO COOL THE BUILDINGS. WE PUT THE SETPOINT TO A HIGHER LEVEL AT THAT POINT. THEN, WHATEVER PROJECTS WE CAN IMPLEMENT, THAT WILL REDUCE OUR ENERGY CONSUMPTION. LOW HANGING FRUIT, ALWAYS L.E.D. LIGHTING. WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF BIG-BOX BUILDINGS THAT ARE STILL ON FLUORESCENT LIGHTING. THIS IS LOW HANGING FRUIT FOR US. THEN, OF COURSE, WE WANT TO GIVE A REPORT OF WHAT -- HOW WELL THE POLICY IS ACTUALLY WORKING. AGAIN, THE COVER ENERGY USE. TOTAL UTILITY COST VERSUS A BASELINE. COMPLETED IN PROGRESS ENERGY [03:25:02] MANAGEMENT PROJECTS, L.E.D. CONVERSION. THESE ARE JUST SOME EXAMPLES. L.E.D. CONVERSION, INSTALLS, UPGRADES OF AUTOMATION SYSTEMS AND, OF COURSE, A LOT OF OUR BIG-TICKET ITEMS, MECHANICAL UPGRADES. THEN WE WILL USE THOSE FINDINGS FOR FACILITIES. WE WILL USE THOSE FINDINGS TO IMPLEMENT AND HELP GUIDE OUR DEPARTMENT'S FISCAL YEAR BUDGET MOVING FORWARD. THE LAST PART, I JUST WANTED TO BE KNOWN, IT IS FLEXIBLE. THIS PROGRAM IS NOT SO RIGID. WE KNOW ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL. THERE IS, IN YOUR BACKUP PAPERWORK, YOU WILL SEE A VARIANCE REQUEST. STAFF, MAY REQUEST A VARIANCE. AFTER OUR EVENTS IS A BIG ONE. WE CAN ADJUST TEMPERATURES BASED ON AFTER HOUR EVENTS. SCHEDULE CHANGES. I LIKE TO USE THE LIBRARIES. IF THEY ARE OPEN, CLOSE, START, STOP TIMES CHANGE. WE ARE ABLE TO GO IN AND MAKE THOSE CHANGES AS WELL. THEN, FACILITIES IN SPACES LIKE THIS YEAR, THE AUDITORIUM, CONFERENCE ROOMS THAT HAVE LARGE GATHERINGS, A LOT OF HEAT LOADS. WE CAN ADJUST THOSE ROOMS INDIVIDUALLY DUE TO THE MECHANICAL SYSTEMS. WE CAN ADJUST TO THOSE ROOMS INDIVIDUAL -- INDIVIDUALLY WHERE WE ARE NOT COOLING THE WHOLE BUILDING EVERY WAY AND THEN FIRE STATIONS. WE KNOW FIRE STATIONS ARE NOT LIKE ADMINISTRATION BUILDINGS. THEY ARE 24/7. INSTEAD OF -- FOR EXAMPLE, THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 6:00, 5:00, THE BUILDING IS EMPTY, WE GO TO A HIGHER COOLING TEMPERATURE. FIRE STATIONS, ACTUALLY JUST REVERSES. WE CAN FOCUS IN ON THE BUNK ROOMS AND MAKE THOSE COOLER IF NECESSARY BECAUSE OF THE OVERALL USE OF THE BUILDING. SO, WITH THAT, I AM ASKING FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE COUNTY ENERGY MANAGEMENT POLICY. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT . GLAD TO HEAR AND SEE THAT THE PILOT PROGRAM DID WORK AND SHOWED WHAT YOU WANTED IT TO DO. BASED ON THAT, DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I AM OKAY. >> I DO. AFTER COMMISSIONER MURPHY. >> YEP . >> JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. YOU PUT ON THERE A 4% -- 7% AND 24% REDUCTION. WHAT NUMBER, DOLLAR NUMBER WAS THAT BASED ON? >> THE DOLLAR NUMBER IS -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS ON THAT PARTICULAR SLIDE. >> YOU CAN GO BACK TO THAT SLIDE. I DID NOT SEE IT IN THE STAFF BEFORE. >> YOU CAN SEE IT IS FROM 23-24. >> THAT IS YEAR-OVER-YEAR? >> YES. >> THEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT KILOWATT HOURS. GREAT. >> WHEN IT GETS COLD IN FLORIDA, YOU CAN JUST THROW ON A SWEATER, RIGHT? NOT TURN THE HEATER ON? THAT IS WHAT WE DO AT MY HOUSE. >> PREACHING TO THE CHOIR. >> WE CAN SAVE EVEN MORE. >> THANKS. >> I JUST HAVE SOME QUESTIONS. IF I WERE GOING TO DO THIS AT MY HOUSE, IT WOULD COST A LOT TO GET THE BENEFIT. MY QUESTION IS, HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST US AND IS IT IN THE BUDGET? >> WE DID NOT ASK, NOR DO WE PLAN TO ASK FOR ANY ADDITIONAL OPERATING MONEY TO IMPLEMENT THIS. THIS WILL BE IN OUR OPERATING BUDGET, AS WAS THE PILOT PROGRAM AS WELL. >> A LOT OF THIS IS DONE THROUGH SCHEDULING AND THROUGH BUILDING AUTOMATION . WE HAVE FUNDING THAT WE HAVE SET UP FOR BUILDING ENVIRONMENTS. BUILDING ENVIRONMENTS ARE EXISTING. WE HAVE ACCESS IN GETTING OLDER. WE KNOW THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN WE REPLACE THEM, OBVIOUSLY, ITEMS ARE FAR MORE EFFICIENT TODAY THAN THEY WERE -- THIS BUILDING WAS COMMISSIONED IN 2008. WE KNOW THE CHILLERS ARE NEARING END-OF-LIFE SO WE KNOW RIGHT THERE, THERE IS ENERGY EFFICIENCY JUST BY CHANGING OUT MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT. >> ALL RIGHT. PUBLIC COMMENT? >> WE WILL NOW ACCEPT PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. ED FLAVIN . 3084. PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER, MY PRESIDENT, SAID THAT OUR ENERGY PROBLEM AND OUR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS HAVE THE SAME ROOT CAUSE, WASTEFUL VIEWS OF [03:30:01] RESOURCES. EVERY SINGLE TIME I ATTEND A MEETING IN THIS ROOM, IT IS TOO COLD. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD THE LAWYERS HERE, OR TRY TO TELL SOMEBODY, IT IS TOO COLD. ADJUST THE THERMOSTAT. WHAT PROCEDURES EXIST , AND HOW DO WE ADDRESS THAT? CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE ME A PHONE NUMBER? THE NEXT TIME I COME IN HERE, IT IS LIKE A MEAT LOCKER. WHO DO I TALK TO? CAN A RAISE A PROCEDURAL OBJECTION TO THE COMMISSION CHAIR? SERIOUS. THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WASTED IN THIS ROOM ON EXCESSIVE AIR CONDITION, IT IS A SIN AND A CRIME. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE. HOW MANY TIMES SINCE I HAVE LIVED HERE -- NOVEMBER 5 OF 1999, STARTED ATTENDING COMMISSION MEETINGS IN 2006 TIMEFRAME. IT IS ALWAYS COLD IN THIS ROOM. IT IS UNCOMFORTABLY COLD. YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BRING A SWEATER TO ATTEND A COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING. HOW DO WE GET THE TEMPERATURE IN THIS ROOM ADJUSTED AND SAVE A LOT OF MONEY? IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK? CAN YOU GIVE ME A CARD, PLEASE? I CAN CALL YOU THE NEXT TIME IT IS TOO COLD IN HERE. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO BOTHER THE LAWYERS. THEY HAVE OTHER STUFF TO DO. I DON'T WANT TO MAKE A PROCEDURAL OBJECTION TO THE COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIR OR GRAY'S AN ISSUE UNDER THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT BUT IT IS COLD IN THIS ROOM. IT IS WAY COLD IN THIS ROOM. WOULD YOU SAY IT IS 65 DEGREES IN THIS ROOM AT THIS MOMENT? WHAT IS THE TEMPERATURE RIGHT NOW? >> >> I THINK IT IS COLDER . HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE HAD STAFF HAVE TO GO UP THERE AND THEY WILL ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE. CAN YOU DO IT FROM A CENTRAL COMMAND POST? >> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, ED. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? >> I JUST CAME BACK FROM MY BROTHERS HOUSE. HE IS AN ARCHITECT AND HE BUILT THIS HUGE HOUSE ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN AND IT IS REALLY NICE BUT HE DOESN'T HAVE CENTRAL HEATING AND AIR. HE HAS THESE UNITS ABOUT THIS BIG IN EACH ROOM AND THEY DO A WONDERFUL JOB OF HEATING AND COOLING. I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WORKS BUT IF WE COULD PUT THOSE IN INDIVIDUAL OFFICES, IT WOULD SAVE A LOT OF MONEY. WE WERE THINKING ABOUT PUTTING ONE IN THE BEDROOM SO WE DON'T HAVE TO HEAT THE WHOLE HOUSE, JUST KEEP THE BEDROOM COOL. THAT'S ALL. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> YES. THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I SAID. IF WE COULD JUST NOT BE FREEZING IN THE AUDITORIUM, THAT WOULD SAVE US A FORTUNE. THERE WERE MANY TIMES I HAVE SAT OUT THERE LITERALLY WITH THE BLANKET AND WISHED I HAD AN ELECTRIC HEATER. I COMPLETELY AGREE. I DON'T THINK WE HAVE TO COME IN HERE AND FREEZE LIKE THAT SO I DO THINK WE COULD SAVE A LOT OF MONEY IN THIS ROOM. I APPRECIATE THAT COMMENT AND I COULDN'T AGREE MORE. >> I AGREE BUT YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS? YOU THINK THE ROOM WILL BE FULL, YOU HAVE TO GET A COLD FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. IT DEPENDS ON IF THEY ARE STILL HERE OR NOT. >> THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMFORTABLE AND FREEZING. WHEN YOU NEED A BLANKET -- ALL RIGHT. >> I AM GLAD YOU ARE IN A COAT. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? >> YES. I WILL MAKE A MOTION. >> MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-412, ESTABLISHING A COUNTYWIDE ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM POLICY AND PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A [1. Review and Discussion of the Proposed 2026 St. Johns County Legislative Action Plan. The 2026 Legislative Action Plan (LAP) identifies the County’s priority projects and initiatives for the upcoming legislative session. The plan serves as a framework for seeking financial resources and policy support from our State and Federal representatives. Once adopted by the Board, the Legislative Action Plan is subsequently presented to the County’s Legislative Delegation, the public, and other public agencies for their consideration.] SECOND. PLEASE VOTE. THAT PASSES 5-0. NICE PRESENTATION. THANK ÚYOU. >> BACK TO AGENDA ITEM 1. THANK YOU, JOYCE. -- JOY. >> ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE HIM THE CELL PHONE? ADDRESS? >> GOOD AFTERNOON , MADAM CHAIR, VICE CHAIR AND THE COMMISSIONERS. I APPRECIATE YOU ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT THIS AT THE END OF THE MEETING SO WE HAVE AMPLE TIME TO HAVE THIS VERY IMPORTANT DISCUSSION. THIS IS YOUR DISCUSSION FOR THIS YEAR FOR THE UPCOMING SESSION FOR YOU ARE SETTING THE LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLAN. ESSENTIALLY SETTING THE TONE FOR WHAT IS OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. THIS PRESENTATION IS BROKEN DOWN TO FOUR PRIORITIES. IT HAS BEEN SENT BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS. WE WILL START WITH ONE OF THE FIRST AND HIGHEST PRIORITIES FOR THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. I AM GOING TO GO OVER A FEW PROJECTS RELATED TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE [03:35:03] INVESTMENT. IT HAS BEEN SET AS THE PRIORITIES IN THE PAST YEAR. STATE ROUTE 16 WIDENING FROM I GP TO 95 TO FOUR LANES HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AS THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO BE THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR THIS EXPANSION PROJECT AND FOR THE 416 PROJECT, WE ARE GOING TO ASK IF THE BOARD AT THE END DECIDES THAT THIS IS STILL GOING TO BE THE PRIORITIES OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, POTENTIALLY REQUESTING $10 MILLION TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND ALSO ASKING CONGRESSMAN RUTHERFORD TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE FEDERAL GRANT AND THE EARMARK INVESTMENT FOR STATE ROUTE 16. BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM, THIS IS ALSO ONE OF THE PRIORITIES THAT HAS BEEN SET BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT SENATOR LEEK AND OUR REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL WERE ABLE TO SPONSOR THIS APPROPRIATION LAST YEAR AND THAT WE WERE VERY GRATEFUL TO RECEIVE $1 MILLION APPROPRIATION FOR CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND PLANNING. WE ARE GOING TO, WITH YOUR APPROVAL, CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE PHASE TWO OF THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS STATE MUSEUM FOR BLACK HISTORY. CONCEPTUALLY, WE ARE THINKING ABOUT ASKING $2 MILLION FOR THE PHASE TWO UPCOMING SESSION FROM THE STATE. OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR IS THE 2209, SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WE ARE GOING TO ASK FOR SUPPORT FROM THE STATE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR THE TRAFFIC FLOW IMPROVEMENT OF THE INTERSECTION OF 2209 AND 2210 AND IF YOU TRAVEL THROUGH THAT INTERSECTION, YOU WILL AGREE THAT THAT IS AREA THAT IS VERY MUCH OF A HIGH PRIORITY FOR OUR RESIDENTS. WE WILL ASK FOR $7 MILLION FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO SUPPORT -- THIS IS ONE THIRD OF THE SPECIAL COST NEEDED FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE INTERSECTION FOR 2209 AND 2210 . ALONG WITH THAT, WE WILL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RAILROADS, WHICH IS U.S. ONE SCT CORRIDOR AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALSO HAS A DESIGNATED PROGRAM TO HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO ELIMINATE RAILROADS AND IMPROVE SAFETY OF OUR RESIDENTS. THAT CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF OUR PRIORITIES. INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY ON 1995, THAT WAS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE BOARD AGREED TO PLACE ON THE HIGH LIST OF PRIORITIES AND WAS LED BY REPRESENTATIVE KENDALL . THE DISCUSSION WITH REPRESENTATIVE KENDALL, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE FOLLOWING THE LEADS OF REPRESENTATIVE KENDALL. AT THIS TIME, SHE WILL FOLLOW THE LEAD OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE LEADERSHIP THEN WE WILL BE ON STANDBY TO SEE HOW MUCH FUNDING IS GOING TO BE NEEDED IN ADDITION TO WHAT IS ALREADY BEING APPROPRIATED BY THE OFFRAMP IMPROVEMENT FROM 95 AREA. ALSO, AT THIS JUNCTURE, TO COMMAND THE BOARD TO APPROVE THE NEW TOWNHOMES. IN THE PAST MEETING, THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THAT DEVELOPMENT'S APPROVAL WILL NOT ONLY IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC REQUIREMENT, IT LOWERS THE NUMBER OF THE TRAFFIC BUT ALSO, VERY IMPORTANTLY PROVIDES A $5 MILLION ROAD IMPROVEMENT OBLIGATION FROM THE DEVELOPER TO THE WEST OF 95 AND I GP. IF IT IS NEEDED FOR IMPROVEMENT OF THE OFFRAMP FROM 95 TO I GP, THE $5 MILLION CAN BE APPROPRIATED FROM ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS A CONTRIBUTION TO THIS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. STILL ON THE TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE, WE ARE CONTINUING TO ADVOCATE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF A ONE A AND NOT TO MISTAKE THAT TO BE THE ONE IN PONTEVEDRA. THIS IS VERY SPECIFICALLY TO RECOVERY OF THE AREA THAT SUFFERED FROM PREACHING THROUGH MULTIPLE STORMS IN THE SUMMER HAVEN AREA IN SOUTH PONTEVEDRA BEACH AREA. OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT ARE ON THE LIST AS PROPOSED IS EVACUATION ROUTES , SPECIFICALLY TO THOSE SIX IN I-95 ENTRAILS AND GREENWAYS. THE BOARD HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT AND INVESTMENT , AS HAS THE STATE OF FLORIDA FOR THE TRAILS AND GREENWAYS AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY SO WE WILL CONTINUE [03:40:01] TO ADVOCATE FOR THAT AS A PRIORITY OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTS. OTHER PRIORITY CORRIDORS THAT IS ALSO FOR YOUR DISCUSSION IS ROW 207, STATE ROAD 312 WHICH, MANY OF YOU HAVE EXPRESSED IT IS THE IMPORTANT CORRIDOR WE HAVE NEEDED FOR TRAFFIC OF U.S. ONE AND 95. HOMES BOULEVARD AND OTHER AMERICAN ACTORS OR MINOR COLLECTORS. SECONDLY, WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR COMMUNITY RESILIENCY PRIORITIES. THIS IS THE AREA WHERE WE SHINE IN OUR WAYS TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR DISADVANTAGED POPULATION. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DEEP CREEK WHICH IS VERY MUCH RECEPTIVE TO FLOODING AREA EVERY SINGLE STORM OR IN ANY WEATHER EVENT. WHAT WE ARE ADVOCATING AT THIS TIME, BECAUSE IT IS PRIMARILY IN THE JURISDICTION OF THE DISTRICT, WE ARE GOING TO ASK THE STATE SUPPORT CONCEPTUALLY TO HELP US IMPROVE THE CAPACITY OF THE WATER CONVEYANCE DEEP CREEK AREA AND THIS IS MORE OF A FEDERAL ADVOCACY MORE THAN THE STATE BUT THERE IS ALSO A LOT OF COLLABORATION THAT WE WILL NEED WITH THE ST. JOHN'S WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT. I THINK THE BOARD HAS ADOPTED THE CHILDREN'S RESILIENCY TO BE TOP ONE PRIORITY. ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES THREE YEARS AGO AND THAT WAS MORE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF REPRESENTATIVE GARRISON AT THAT TIME. I THINK IT WAS VERY MUCH SPEARHEADING THE AWARENESS AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE RESILIENCY NEED FOR OUR YOUTH POPULATION. ST. JOHNS COUNTY NONPROFITS ORGANIZATIONS AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND OUR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HAVE FORMED AN ALLIANCE CALLED IMPACT AND WE ARE ASKING THE COURT'S CONSIDERATION FOR REQUESTING $500,000 SUPPORT FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THIS ALLIANCE AND CONTINUING TO FOCUS ON THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INITIATIVE THAT CAN BE BENEFITING OUR YOUTH POPULATION. SAINT SEBASTIAN REGIONAL PARK, ORIGINALLY, WE CALL UNDER THE NAME OF RECREATIONAL WATER ACCESS PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF RESIDENTS WHO WERE VERY EXCITED FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. WE WANTED TO FIND A WAY TO ADVANCE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS REGIONAL BOAT RAMP. THE BOARD MADE A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT ON THE ACQUISITION OF THE LAND FOR ROUGHLY $17 MILLION WITH A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE PORT AND THE STATE AND FINDS TO MAKE THE ACQUISITION POSSIBLE. WE WANTED TO MOVE WITH THE MOMENTUM AND CONTINUE TO ADD FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE STATE SO OUR PROPOSAL FOR THIS REGIONAL PARK IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO ASK THE STATE TO SUPPORT BY $2 MILLION SO THAT WE CAN START A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND PLANNING AND I APPRECIATE THE BOARD IN THE LAST MEETING -- ACTUALLY, THIS MEETING, AS THE CONSENT ITEM TO SUPPORT THE ROAD ACCESS FOR THIS VERY SPECIFIC REGIONAL PARK. THAT MAKES THE TWO ACCESS POINTS FROM 312 IN U.S. ONE POSSIBLE. ON THE PROPERTY. SEPTIC TO SEWER, WATER PROJECT, THIS IS VERY MUCH A COUNTYWIDE INITIATIVE AND PRIORITY. I KNOW COMMISSIONER MURPHY LAST TIME HAD INFORMATION ABOUT TREASURE BEACH SEPTIC TO SEWER WATER AND WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE BOARD ABOUT THE WEST AUGUSTINE AND WE ALSO HAVE AREAS LIKE DOLPHIN COVE. THOSE COMMUNITIES ARE STILL OPERATING ON THE TANK AND FOR THE SAFETY AND WELLNESS OF THOSE RESIDENTS, WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS INITIATIVE AS ONE OF THE PRIORITIES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY RESILIENCE. THE FLOOD MITIGATION SYSTEM, WE APPRECIATE CONGRESS WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN THE EARMARK FOR THE DREDGING OF THE IGUANA CHANNEL. NOT ONLY CAN WE CONTINUE THE FLOW OF THE WATER BUT ALSO HELP WITH THE FLOODING SITUATION AROUND THE AREA >> SO WITHIN THAT, WE TALK ABOUT HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE FLOODING AND IN THAT AREA, [03:45:08] AND EVACUATION SITUATIONS. SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE AND COVER THE AREA OF VULNERABLE ASSETS IN THE COUNTY. AND SOME OF THE OTHER AREAS THAT I WON'T GO THROUGH THEM ONE BY ONE UNLESS ANY OF YOU WANTED TO DISCUSS ANYTHING IN DETAIL. BUT MOSTLY, THEY'RE COASTAL PROTECTION RELATED ITEMS. WE WANTED TO CONTINUE THE COLLABORATION SO WE DON'T HAVE TO INCREASE PERMITTING PROCESS TO ALL OF OUR COASTAL PROTECTION PROJECTS TO BE TOO COSTY AND COLLABORATION WITH THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, SO WE CAN QUICKLY REPLENISH THE SANDS WHEN WE DO NEED THEM. SUMMER HAVEN, THAT IS AN AREA THAT EVERYBODY IS VERY MUCH AWARE AND UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGE OF IT. THE CHALLENGE OF THE AREA, I THINK NOW WE KIND OF WOULD RECOMMEND TO VIEW AS A REGIONAL ESTUARY PROTECTION AREA, SO IT CAN BE VIEWED BY THE REGIONAL PARTNERS BUT ALSO INVESTED BY REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP RATHER THAN IN COUNTY RESIDENTS FOR THIS ENTIRE AREA. THE THIRD CATEGORY, I KNOW IT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE HIGHEST PRIORITIES OF COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. THAT IS THE CONER SER VATION AND AGRICULTURE. SO WE INCLUDED A FEW PRIORITIES RELATED TO UTILITIES. SO WE HAVE WATER FIRST IN NORTH FLORIDA, WHICH IN -- THERE IS A HUGE INITIATIVE IN THIS WHOLE REGION IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA TO DISCOVER A WAY OF ING THIS, SO WE WOULD CONTINUE TO ASK THE STATE SUPPORT FINANCIALLY TO HELP US TO FIND A WAY TO SUPPLY SUSTAINABLE WATER SOURCE FOR ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK THAT IS VERY DEAR TO OUR AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY. SO WORKING WITH LEADERSHIP TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE REQUIREMENT FOR OUR FARMERS, AND HOW WE CAN MAKE THIS PROGRAM MORE COST EFFICIENT FOR OUR FARMERS BUT STILL AT THE SAME TIME PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT. PROTECTING WORKING LANDS. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS PUT A LOT OF FOCUS ON AND SETTING UP THE AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THESE ARE THE AREAS WHERE THE COMMITTEE CAN COME TO MAKE HUGE, VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS ON HOW WE CAN ADVOCATE TO HELP US PROTECT OUR WORKING AGRICULTURAL LAND. SENATE PRESIDENT BRITTEN ADVOCATED LAST YEAR AND CONTINUED THIS YEAR FOR RULE RENAISSANCE PROGRAM. THIS IS AN AREA THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE TO SUPPORT AND FINDING WAYS TO SUPPORT THE AREA, ESPECIALLY THE HASTINGS AREA. I THINK THIS NEW LEGISLATURE CAN PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OBTAINING NEW INVESTMENT FROM THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL TO SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS, THE DRAINAGE NEEDS AS A RURAL COMMUNITY SINCE THE DISSOLVING OF THE TOWN OF HASTINGS. FLORIDA FOREVER CONTINUES TO BE A CRITICAL SOURCE OF INVESTMENT. AND OUR STATE DELEGATION WE WOULD ASK THEM TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT USING FLORIDA FOREVER FUNDS AND THE PROGRAMMING IN THE AREA OF SUMMER HAVEN, AND FINDING OPPORTUNITIES TO PROTECT. AND LASTLY, THIS IS THE FOURTH CATEGORY RELATED MOSTLY TO THE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, AND IN THIS AREA, WE ALSO VERY MUCH ARE IN NEED OF SUPPORT FROM THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL. EMERGENCY RESPONDERS, THIS IS ONE OF THE PRIORITIES THAT THE BOARD SET LAST YEAR TO REQUEST THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO FUND PARKINSON'S DISEASE RESEARCH ACT AND INCLUDE THIS DISEASE IN THE RESEARCH WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA. WE'RE ASKING THE STATE TO FUND THIS RESEARCH AND IDENTIFY CAUSATION OF THIS PARTICULAR DISEASE WITH THE EXPOSURE TO TOXIC CHEMICALS IN OPERATION OF THE FIRE RESCUE OPERATION. I CONTINUE TO ASK FOR THE STATE'S SUPPORT TO FUND LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION. THIS IS CRITICAL FOR ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, SINCE WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR EXTENDING THE LIBRARY SYSTEM, AND SOME OF THE FUNDING THAT IS BEING PROGRAMMED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION IS FROM THESE CONSTRUCTION GRANTS. UTILITY RELOCATION COSTS AND UNFUNDED MANDATES, BOTH CATEGORIES ARE RELATED TO [03:50:02] THE STATE LEGISLATURES WHO PUT MORE COAST ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO OPERATE A UTILITY, INCLUDING RELOCATION COSTS AND THE REPORTING, PROVIDING MORE INFORMATION. WE WOULD ASK -- OR URGE THE STATE TO NOT PASS ANY LEGISLATION TO ADD THE COST OF OUR OPERATIONS, SPECIFICALLY IN THOSE AREAS WITHOUT PROVIDING IDENTIFIED FUNDING. STRENGTHENING SENATE BILL 64, THAT IS A VERY IMPORTAT BILL IN THE WORLD OF UTILITIES, ADDING A LOT OF REQUIREMENT AND NEW RESTRICTION HOW WE OPERATE OUR UTILITY. SO WE WOULD ADVOCATE FOR A REASONABLE TIMELINE WHERE THAT WOULD GIVE US MORE -- A FEASIBLE TIME FRAME TO ACTUALLY MEET THE REQUIREMENT OF THIS NEW SENATE BILL. AND THEN COMMUNITY AGENCIES, WHICH IS ONE OF A VERY IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF OUR ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. IN THE PAST, THERE WAS A BILL PASSED REQUIRED TO PROVIDE MORE THAN 40% OF DIRECT SERVICES USING THE VCF FUNDS AND THE COUNTY, TO BE VERY UNIQUE, TO BE A COUNTY- RUN CHILD WELFARE PROGRAM, WE WOULD LIKE TO ADVOCATE FOR RELIEF OF THAT REQUIREMENT. AND SIMILARLY, IN THE WORLD OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, WE HAVE AMAZING CASE MANAGERS AND SPECIALISTS THAT WORK IN THE WORLD OF CHILD WELFARE, WORKING WITH FAMILIES. WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR AN EXEMPTION THAT IS EQUAL TO GUARDIAN ADD LITEM TO PROTECT OUR CHILD WELFARE WORKERS AND CASE MANAGER'S IDENTITY FROM BEING PART OF THE PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST. SO THAT WOULD KIND OF CONCLUDE OUR PROPOSAL FOR THE LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLAN FOR THIS UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION MEETING ON THE 27TH. SO I WILL ASK THE BOARD TO HAVE A DISCUSSION AND ANY DIRECTION FROM THE BOARD WE WILL BE ON STAND BY WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR DIRECTION. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. FOR THIS PRESENTATION. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DEFINITELY WOULD LOVE TO TALK ABOUT TODAY IS AS WE KNOW, WE HAVE QUITE THE CHALLENGE REGARDING BIOSOLIDS. AND THE FACT THAT THE STATE IS MANDATING THESE THINGS AND THEY ARE BEING FORCED EASTER TO TAKE THINGS TO A CERTAIN LEVEL, AND THAT ONE OF THEM HAPPENS TO BE, YOU KNOW, HERE IN OUR COUNTY. I DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO, GOING FORWARD, THE STATE IS GOING TO REQUIRE THESE MANDATES THAT WE'VE GOT TO PROCESS TO A CERTAIN LEVEL. THEY NEED TO HELP US FUND THIS. I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S RIGHT THAT ALL THESE OTHER COUNTIES ARE COMING TO OUR COUNTY AND IT'S IMPACTING OUR RESIDENT'S QUALITY OF LIFE. THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE REGARDING THAT. IT'S NOT FAIR TO OUR RESIDENTS AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT BE A PRIORITY. I KNOW THESE TYPE OF FACILITIES ARE VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE, BUT I HOPE THAT I CAN GET EVERYBODY ELSE TO KIND OF AGREE THAT WE'VE GOT TO ADDRESS THIS. WE CAN'T JUST KEEP GOING AS THINGS AR. >> I AGREE WITH THAT. I KNOW THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL THAT CLAY AND I ARE ON, THAT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THEIR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES, BECAUSE IT'S A PROBLEM WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT COUNTIES. WE'RE GOING TO GET TO A POINT, AND NOBODY WANTS IT NEXT TO THEIR HOUSE, AND I DON'T BLAME THEM. >> AND JUST THE OTHER THING, I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN DO ANYTHING REGARDING SB- 180, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT ADDED, AS WELL. >> CAN WE ADD THAT TO THAT? >> ABSOLUTELY. BASED ON THE TWO TOPICS, ONE IS THE PROCESSING OF THIS IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, MAYBE IT CAN BE PLACED UNDER THE MANDATE AND WE CAN ADD, IN ADDITION TO THE UTILITY INFORMATION REQUIREMENT, WE CAN ADD NO REQUIREMENT FROM THE STATE FOR HOW WE REGULATE THOSE SITES AND PROVIDING IDENTIFIED FUNDING FORFOR COMPLIANCE TO THOSE REQUIREMENTS. WOULD THAT FIT THE -- >> OKAY. >> AND FOR THE SENATE BILL 180, I'M SORRY I MISSED THE CONVERSATION EARLIER, BUT ANY DIRECTION FROM THIS LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLAN, WHAT ARE WE ADVOCATING? ARE WE ADVOCATING FOR -- URGING THE STATE TO CONTINUE THE CLEANING OR WHAT IS THE EXACT ACTIONABLE ITEM WITH SENATE BILL 180? >> WHEN WE HAVE CONSENSUS FOR THE GLITCH BILL TO SUPPORT THAT? [03:55:02] >> I THINK WE NEED TO SEE IT FIRST. >> I DON'T SEE ANYTHING ELSE. >> WE CAN MENTION -- I GUESS -- I DON'T KNOW. I KNOW I'M GOING TO MENTION IT DURING LEGISLATIVE DAY. WE SHOULD MENTION IT IN SOME MANNER. THE OTHER THING, YOU SAID TO PUT THE TOP THREE, YOU KNOW, ONE AND TWO LOOK GOOD. THREE I WAS WONDERING IF WE SHOULD DO THE INTERNATIONAL GOLFPARKWAY ONE. OR AGRICULTURE. TO ME, THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT'S WAY BACK THERE. I DIDN'T KNOW IF THIS WAS IN ORDER OR WHATEVER, BUT THAT WAS MY DISCUSSION. >> THESE ARE NOT IN THE ORDER OF PRIORITIES. THEY ARE REALLY MORE KIND OF SEGMENTED INTO PRIORITY CATEGORIES. BUT I'LL TAKE DIRECTIONS FROM THE BOARD ON THE PRIORITIZATION. >> THANK YOU. I KNOW WE WERE SPEAKING WITH REPRESENTATIVE KENDALL TALKING ABOUT APPROPRIATING THE DOLLARS FROM THE TOWN HOMES THAT WERE APPROVED. THAT WOULD MOSTLY COMPLETE THE DESIGN AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE OFF RAMP, CORRECT? >> YES. >> I THINK THAT THE COST AT THIS TIME FOR THE DESIGN OF THE RAMP IS CLOSE TO $50 MILLION. I THINK THAT'S THE LAST COAST ESTIMATE THAT I HAVE HEARD. I DID BROACH THE CONVERSATION ABOUT SOMEWHAT IS ACTUAL FUNDED APPROPRIATION AT THIS POINT FOR THAT PROJECT, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE POTENTIALLY THE FUNDING, AND FDOT HAS APPROPRIATION OF 1.7 FOR THE DESIGN AND PERMITTING, AND REPRESENTATIVE KENDALL WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN -- SO THE CONVERSATION WAS THAT REPRESENTATIVE KENDALL, HOW MUCH WOULD YOU LIKE US TO REQUEST AS APPROPRIATION REQUEST? AND I THINK AT THIS TIME, SHE JUST -- WE UNDERSTAND AS A STAFF, AND I THINK IF SHE UNDERSTANDS THIS IS ONE OF OUR PRIORITIES. WE'LL BE ON STAND BY AS SHE GOES THROUGH THIS LEGISLATIVE PROCESS THAT WE CAN BE READY TO SEND IN WHATEVER REQUEST SHE THINKS IS APPROPRIATE. >> COMMISSIONER MURPHY? >> YEAH, THANK YOU. EACH THOUGH THE FIRST THREE INITIATIVES ARE IN MY DISTRICT, THEY'RE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT. 16, BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM, AND FIXING 22 AND 210 I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT. I'M GOING TO STEER THINGS TOWARDS MY DISTRICT, BUT I'M REALLY THINKING THOSE TOP THREE ARE REALLY THREE THAT ARE GOING TO CHANGE -- THEY'RE GOING TO IMPROVE PEOPLE'S LIVES IN THIS COUNTY. SO THANK YOU. >> IT DOESN'T MEAN IF YOU HAVE TOP THREE PRIORITIES, OTHER PRIORITIES WILL NOT BE ADDRESSED. THE WAY THE APPROPRIATION REQUEST WORKS IS THERE'S A BUCKET OF APPROPRIATIONS, SO WE WILL BE VERY OPTIMISTIC IN OUR REQUEST FOR A FULL FUNDING REQUEST. SO IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANYTHING ELSE TO OPEN UP IN A DIFFERENT BUCKET, WE WILL BE ASKING FOR AN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT. SO WE WILL MAXIMIZE OUR OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST FUNDS. >> THE ONE THAT COMMISSIONER MURPHY JUST MENTIONED, SHE SAID THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS IN THAT. THERE'S SOME ISSUES, JUST NOT SOMETHING WE CAN DO. >> SO YEAH, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT CONVERSATION. BUT I HAD TALKED TO HER ABOUT HER THOUGHTS ON THIS. IT GOES ALL THE WAY FROM -- SO WE'RE ASKING FOR A REDESIGN OF THE INTERCHANGE OF 209 AND 210. OUR PERSPECTIVE IS THAT 2209 IS A COUNTY ROAD. HOWEVER, THE CONSTRUCTION -- THE CONGESTION -- THE TRAFFIC FLOW IS WHERE I THINK THE STATE HAS A STAKE INTO THE SUCCESS OF THIS INTERCHANGE. I THINK THAT SHE WAS MORE -- WHEN WE DISCUSSED THIS SPECIFIC TOPIC, THERE WAS A COMMITMENT FROM THE COUNTY BACK IN THE EARLY 2000S TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT THIS IS WHY WE NEED A 2209, BECAUSE IT IS AN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY CORRIDOR TO DIVERGE THE TRAFFIC FROM 95. THAT WAS A COMMITMENT AT THE TIME IN EARLY 2000 THE BOARD COMMITTED TO. SO THERE IS A COMMITMENT ON THE BOOK. I REMEMBER THE DOCUMENT THAT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS TYPEWRITTEN. I THINK THAT WAS MORE OF HER CONCERN. YOU GUYS HAVE PROMISED TO [04:00:02] BUILD THIS ROAD, AND IF YOU KEEP COMING BACK TO THE STATE, WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE YOU WITH YOUR OBLIGATION? BUT I DON'T THINK THAT SHE WAS OBJECTING TO OUR ASK OF HELP. >> SHE WASN'T HELPING, JUST SAID THERE WAS A LOT OF MOVING PARTS. COMMISSIONER? >> ON THE AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION COMPONENT, SENATOR AL BRITTEN IS ONE OF THE NICEST MEN I'VE EVER MET, AND THE FACT THAT HE'S THE SENATE PRESIDENT PRESENTS A PRIME OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO WORK WITH HIM ON HIS RURAL RENAISSANCE BILL. SO JUST TO HIGHLIGHT THAT, AND, AGAIN, I KEEP PUTTING IN A PLUG, I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO COME TO THE LEGISLATIVE CONVERSATION. AS A BLANKET STATEMENT, WE DON'T BE PREEMPTIVE. WE WANT HOME RULE, AND OBVIOUSLY STOP WITH THE UNFUNDED MANDATES. I THINK WE CAN WORK WITH OTHER COUNTIES, WE CAN HAVE A MORE UNIFIED VOICE, WORK WITH THE BOARD OF ASSOCIATION TO AMPLIFY THAT MESSAGE TO OUR FRIENDS IN TALLAHASSEE. FOR THOSE THAT DON'T LIVE IN THIS PARTY OF THE COUNTY, CAN 2209 AND 210 EXCHANGE IS BACKED UP OVER A MILE AND IT TAKES 20 MINUTES OR LONGER TO GET THROUGH THAT. SO IT IS A DEFICIENT INTERSECTION THAT NEEDS ATTENTION. SO JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION. >> I KNOW YOU HAVE TO HAVE A MOTION HERE. >> MOTION WILL BE IF DESIRED THE BOARD IS TO ADOPT THE LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLAN AS IS OR AS AMENDED. >> I THINK WE ALREADY HAVE THE PUBLIC UP HERE. THANK YOU. >> WE WILL NOW ACCEPT PUBLIC COMMENT FROM MR. SLAYTON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. ED SLAVEN. I WROTE YOU ALL AN EMAIL YESTERDAY ABOUT THIS. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE AGENDA PACKET. ONE OH OF THE STAFF HANDED ME A PIECE OF PAPER 12 MINUTES BEFORE THIS MEETING. THIS IS NOT A PLAN. THIS IS A PR DOCUMENT. VOLTAIRE ONCE SAID THE HOEY ROMAN EMPIRE WAS NEITHER HOLY OR ROMAN OR AN EMPIRE. THIS IS A PROPOSED PLAN THAT IS NOT LEGISLATIVE, DOES NOT INVOLVE ACTION AND IS NOT A PLAN. THERE ARE ONLY 59 WORDS ON THE WEBSITE ON THIS. IN THE OLDEN DAYS, UNTIL ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, THE LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLAN WAS WORTHY OF THOSE THREE WORDS. AND IT WAS 37 PAGES LONG. IT TALKED ABOUT ALL MANNER OF THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO COUNTIES AND OUR STATE. WHY DID WE DUMB THIS DOWN? WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME? EXPLAIN IT TO ME LIKE I'M A 6-YEAR-OLD. ITEM ONE ON OUR PROPOSED AGENDA IS NOT A PLAN. IT'S A PR DOCUMENT. IT'S BABY TALK, PATRONIZING. PLEAD ADD REPEAL OF SB- 180 AND RESTORE OMITTED ITEMS FROM PRIOR YEARS, INCLUDING AMENDING THE ACT TO PROTECT CITIES AND COUNTIES. IF WE HAD DONE THAT, AND IF THAT LAW HAD PASSED, WE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAD WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WHEN THEY WERE CHEATED BY A VENDOR, AN AUDITOR. THIS USED TO BE AN ESSENTIAL PART EVERY YEAR IN THE COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLAN. PLEAD PLEASE ADD ITEMS TO INCLUDE WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION AND FREE SPEECH PROTECTION FOR ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. PLEASE ADD SUPPORT FOR OUR CONGRESSMAN RANDALL FINE, HR- 4656 PROVIDING A NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STUDY FOR MORE NATIONAL PARKS IN FLORIDA. AND PLEASE SUPPORT A HISTORICAL PARK AND SEASHORE IN ST. AUGUSTIN. WE CAN DO BETTER. AS ADMIRAL RICKOVER ONCE ASKED A U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY GRADUATE, JIMMY CARTER, WHY NOT THE BEST? WE EXPECT BETTER WORK. $300,000 A YEAR FOR WHAT? IT'S OUR MONEY, IT'S OUR COUNTY AND OUR DEMOCRACY, AND IT IS IN PERIL WHEN WE DUMB DOWN WHAT USED TO BE A 37- PAGE DOCUMENT, AN ACTUAL PLAN, INTO [04:05:10] THIS PR DOCUMENT. IT'S AN INSULT. THEY'RE TALKINGDOWN TO YOU. LORD FALKLAND, JFK'S FAVORITE POLITICIAN, HAD A FAMOUS QUOTE. AND HE SAID WHEN IT'S NOT NECESSARY -- >> AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HEAR IT. I'M SORRY. >> DON'T INTERRUPT ME. >> YOUR TIME IS EXPIRED. THANK YOU, SIR. YOU MAY STEP DOWN OR BE REMOVED. >> YOU'RE RUDE. YOU'RE RUDE. >> YOU WILL BE REMOVED, SIR! >> JOE RYAN. SO I'M JUST LOOKING AT THIS, BECAUSE I JUST GOT IT TODAY. COUNTY ROAD 209 NEVER WASWAS VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO 95. I TOOK 95 BACK AND FORTH EVERY DAY FOR 10, 12 YEARS. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IF IT WASN'T SO FULL OF HOUSES. AND THE EXCHANGE AT 210 IS DEFINITELY NEEDED. SO EVERY TIME 95 GETS BACKED UP, YOU WILL SPEND A HALF HOUR AT THAT LIGHT. SO IT'S BETTER TO STAY ON 95, EVEN IF IT'S LIKE ONLY ONE LANE THAN TO TRY TO CUT OVER TO 209. THE SUMMER HAVEN, TRYING TO PRESERVE THAT BEACH IS LIKE SHOVING, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE SHOVING SAND IN THERE, AND IF YOU EVER LOOK AT A GEOLOGICAL MAP OVER TIME, YOU'LL SEE THE GULF STREAM COMES UP THERE AND THAT BIG DIP WHERE JACKSONVILLE COMES OUT. ANYBODY THAT TRYING TO PRESERVE THAT BEACH IS GOING TO FAIL. IT'S JUST -- YOU'RE NOT GOING TO STOP THE GULF COAST. MAYBE YOU CAN LOOK AT THAT AA LITTLE BIT, YOU KNOW, CLOSER. AND ABOUT SB- 180, DEFINITELY -- YOU GUYS ALL SAID YOU'RE AGAINST IT, AND YOU SAID IT'S -- WE CAN'T STOP IT. THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN DO IT IS LEGISLATIVELY. AND THE MANDATES, THE ONE NO ONE EVER MENTIONS, THE STATE IS MANDATING, AS FAR AS I KNOW, THAT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY FUNDING, TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FOR ANYTHING THAT'S INVOLVED WITH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. THE STATE SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THAT IMPACT. OTHERWISE, YOU'RE CAUSING PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE AND DON'T LIKE THE ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC, HAVING TO PAY FOR IT. SO THAT SHOULD BE ON THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA TO REPEAL THAT OR HAVE THE STATE PAY FOR THAT IMPACT THAT THEY'RE CAUSING US TO BEAR THE BURDEN OF IN OUR COUNTY. THANKS. >> THANK YOU. >> I'M GOING TO CRITIQUE THE ONE SLIDE THERE IN THE VERY BEGINNING ABOUT STATE ROUTE 16. THAT'S NOT STATE ROUTE 16, THAT'S ITP AND 95. SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD BE MISLEADING OR NOT. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WERE GOING TO PRESENT THIS TO THE LEGISLATION, BUT IT'S NOT REALLY 16, IT'S ITP AND 95. WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS 95 AND ITP. I'M LOOKING FROM ITP TO I- 95, THE ARTERIAL THROUGH THERE AND THE FUNDING BEING TALKED ABOUT IS FOR THAT INTERSECTION, AND IT'S NOT ACTUALLY 16, AM I CORRECT? >> THIS SPECIFIC PROJECT IS IN BETWEEN 95 AND ITP. >> I'M THINKING ABOUT THE ONE THAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR THE $10 MILLION FOR, THAT WAS TIED IN WITH THIS. THAT IS ACTUALLY ITG AND 95. >> IT'S STATE ROUD 16. >> IT'S NOT REALLY STATE ROAD [04:10:02] 16, BUT MAYBE I'M READ THING WRONG. >> ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT THE OFF RAMP? >> YES. BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT. >> YES, THAT IS THIS ONE. THE THIRD ONE, WHICH IS WHAT I WAS MENTIONING ABOUT GETTING $5 MILLION FROM A DEVELOPER. >> OKAY, OKAY. >> SO THAT'S ON THERE. >> THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE? >> IT'S ABOUT THE ROADS, AND I REALLY THINK YOU'VE GOT THREE AT THE TOP, I REALLY WONDER. THIS WHERE YOU PUT IN ABOUT WATER FIRST NORTH FLORIDA. LONG- TERM BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT INCLUDE RESTORING FLOWS TO PROTECT RIVERS AND SPRINGS AND ENSURING AFFORDABLE WATER SUPPLY FOR THE REGION'S CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS AND AUGMENT WETLANDS THAT SUPPORT WILDLIFE, HABITAT AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES. THAT NEEDS TO BE CLOSER UP TO THE FRONT. WE NEED THE ROADS, BUT YOU NEED WATER. THE WATER NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF AND THAT NEEDS TO BE CLOSER UP TO WHAT YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT, AND THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND TOO THAT WE NEED THIS NOT ONLY FOR US TO DRINK AND EVERYTHING, BUT ALSO FOR THE FARMERS. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WEWE -- YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT FOOD. AND WATER. SO GET THE WATER, AND THEY'LL UNDERSTAND THAT WE, AS A COUNTY ESPECIALLY, ARE LOOKING TO PROTECT OUR WATER SUPPLY. NOT JUST TO ENJOY THE RIVERS AND FISHING, BUT IF WE DON'T HAVE GOOD WATER, YOU DON'T HAVE THE FOOD. I'M NOT A FARMER, BUT I KNOW FOOD AND WATER YOU HAVE TO LIVE ON. YOU CAN'T BUY THAT. THE LORD HAS GIVEN US THAT FOR FREE, SO WE CAN ENJOY OUR AIR. BUT THIS NEEDS TO GET CLOSER TO THE TOP OF YOUR LIST. WHEN YOU TALK TO EVERYBODY, AND ONE THING TOO, I THOUGHT I LOOKED REAL GOOD ON THE BACK. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUT OUT A LOT SOONER FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE SEEN IT. WHETHER OR NOT THEY COULD HAVE STAYED, BECAUSE I HAVE TO LEAVE AND GO TO THE CITY, BECAUSE THEY HAVE MEETINGS, TOO. SO IN THE FUTURE, PLEASE, IF YOU CAN, GET THAT PUT OUT THERE NO MATTER WHAT ORDER IT WILL BE IN SO OTHER PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STAY WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THIS. REMEMBER, I WOULD SAY WATER FIRST THAN THE ROADS. BUT I KNOW YOUR ROADS ARE GOING TO COME FIRST. BUT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE WATER VERY SERIOUSLY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NONE, WE ARE CLOSED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> MR. WINTERS? >> MOTION TO ADOPT THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLAN. >> THERE IS AN AMENDMENT AT ALL ON THERE ABOUT THE BIOSOLIDS? >> I THINK SHE MENTIONED THAT WOULD FALL UNDER THE CATEGORY OF THE UNFUNDED MANDATE, WHICH IS A PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLAN. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S INCLUDED. SHE MENTIONED TO AMEND THAT WITH THINGS WE WANTED TO ADD. SO BIOSOLIDS, TOO. ALL RIGHT. SECOND. ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT. PLEASE VOTE. IT PASSES 5-0. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. AND CHAIR JOSEPH, IF I CAN BE INDULGED FOR HALF A SECOND, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE ADAM FAKLER, WHO REALLY WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY STAFF MEMBER, AND HE'S THE REASON WHY WE WERE ABLE TO BE HERE TO ACTUALLY HAVE A MORE EXTENDED -- HE HAS DECIDED TO MOVE ON TO TAKE CARE OF HIS FAMILY AND HIS NEXT CHAPTER, AND I WANT TO WISH HIM THE BESTBEST LUCK. >> I THINK HE'S BACK THERE, RIGHT? YOU WANT TO STAND UP? >> JUST ONE COMMENT. IS THERE A WAY FOR US TO PUT THIS ONLINE TO THE PUBLIC [04:15:03] CAN SEE IT? BECAUSE THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT AREN'T HERE. I AGREE, I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE ON LINE. BUT I HAVE TO AGREE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. >> I DID ASK TO PUT IT ONLINE, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN THEN AND NOW. [Commissioners’ Reports] I DON'T THINK IT WAS READY. COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST? >> TYLER, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE PULL UP MY SLIDE SHOW. I WANT TO BRING EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION TO SOME MORE THINGS THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT HAVE COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT ARE OBVIOUSLY DESIGNED TO CREATE FEAR AND ANGER AND TO TEAR PEOPLE DOWN. THIS CAME TO MY ATTENTION LAST YEAR WHERE THERE WAS A PODCAST DESIGNED TO REPRIMAND BILL DUDLEY AND ASKED FOR A "RESPECTFUL CHANGE IN THE VETERANS COUNCIL. " BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE BOTTOM LEFT OF THE SLIDE, YOU NOTICE THAT THIS PODCAST, WHICH SOUNDS LIKE A MAN AND A WOMAN SPEAKING IN SPEECH THOUGHT ABOUT THESE ISSUES RELATED TO ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, IT'S REALLY JUST AI. SO WE HAVE THE RETIRED COLONEL IN THE AIR FORCE WHO SERVED THIS COUNTRY BRAVELY, BEING CRITICIZED NOT BY PEOPLE WILLING TO PUT THEIR NAMES NEXT TO THESE CRITICISMS AND OPINION, BUT BY AI. AND JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT CAME TO LIGHT. IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. THIS ONE IS THE SAME A IPOD CAST, ONCE AGAIN, IF YOU TURN IT ON AND HIT PLAY, IT SOUNDS LIKE A MAN AND A WOMAN. THEY ALWAYS OPEN THEIR PODCAST SAYING WE'RE GOING TO DO A DEEP DIVE, AS IF THEY WERE LOOKING AT OTHER COUNTIES, TOO. IT'S VERY DECEPTIVE AND ONLY OFFERS CRITICISMS. IT ONLY OFFERS ACCUSATIONS. IT DOES NOT OFFER ANYTHING THAT I FOUND IS CONSTRUCTION. SO THIS ONE IS TAKING SHOTS AT THE CONGRESSMAN THAT SERVES THE SOUTHERN THIRD OF ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. THE NEXT SLIDE. THIS ONE, THE A IPOD CAST TAKES SHOT AT THE FIRST FEMALE CHIEF OF STAFF. SHE HAPPENS TO BE CHIEF OF STAFF OF DONALD TRUMP, BUT ALSO ONE OF OURS. SHE'S FROM NORTHEAST FLORIDA. I THINK THERE'S A GREAT SENSE OF PRIDE IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA THAT NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE A CHIEF OF STAFF FROM OUR AREA, BUT THE FIRST FEMALE CHIEF OF STAFF IN THIS COUNTRY. WE'RE ALL PROUD TO HAVE SUZY WILDS AND THE A IPOD CAST RAISES A LOT OF QUESTIONS, VERY CRITICAL AND VERY, YOU KNOW, VERY, VERY CRITICAL OF HER. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THEY WENT FROM ANOTHER TITLE IN THE SUMMER. I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT THEY CHANGED FROM ST. JOHN'S COUNTY UNFELTERED TO ONE CITIZEN SJC. NEXT SLIDE, AND PROCEEDED TO DO THE SAME THING. I'VE BEEN MENTIONED, SOME OF THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS MENTIONED. A LOT OF ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN TORN DOWN AS TARGETS OF THEIR CRITICISM. EVEN THE GOVERNOR SUSPECT SAFE -- ISN'T SAFE FROM THIS A IPOD CAST. SO ANYBODY THAT'S LISTENING, OBVIOUSLY IT'S THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO CRITICIZE ELECTED OFFICIALS. IF THEY FEEL THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG, IF THEY DISAGREE, THEY SHOULD SPEAK UP AND AVAIL THEMSELVES WITH THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT. BUT PUT YOUR NAME NEXT TO IT. DON'T LURK BEHIND A KEYBOARD AND PUNCH YOUR THOUGHTS INTO AN AI GENERATED PODCAST THAT IS, IN MY OPINION, DESIGNED TO DECEIVE PEOPLE. IT SOUNDS LIKE A MAN SPEAKING TO A WOMAN, DEEP IN THOUGHT, OBJECTIVELY CRITIQUING ST. JOHN'S COUNTY'S GOVERNMENT, BUT IT'S SIMPLY AI VOICES THAT IF YOU LISTEN CLOSELY ENOUGH, IT PRONOUNCES ENOUGH WORDS THAT THOSE WHO ARE LISTENING CLOSELY WILL LEARN THAT IT IS AI. BUT THIS TACTIC SHOULD BE REJECTED. IT'S -- FRANKLY, IT'S COWARDLY. WHOEVER IT IS, I HAVE NO IDEA, BUT THEY SHOULD COME OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND HAVE A CONVERSATION SO THERE CAN BE A BACK AND FORTH. IF THEY HAVE A DISAGREEMENT, WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT. THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. >> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD? >> FORMER REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON REACHED OUT TO ME ABOUT THE ST. AUGUSTINE BIKE TRAIL. THE TRAIL HAS BATHROOMS AND PICNIC TABLES AND HOPING WE COULD PROMOTE THIS ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE. >> ABSOLUTELY. AND HOPEFULLY GET SOME MORE EYES ON THIS AMAZING ASSET. >> THAT WOULD BE GREAT. >> SHE BROUGHT UP UP IN THE VEIN THAT IT IS ALSO NATIONAL PEDESTRIAN SAFETY MONTH AND [04:20:04] NATIONAL TEEN SAFE DRIVING MONTH. SO IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO TALK TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND STAFF ABOUT DOING ANOTHER CAMPAIGN, MUCH LIKE WE DID WITH THE GET HOOKED CAMPAIGN. IT TIES IN QUITE NICELY WITH THE INITIATIVE OF THE E- BIKES THAT THE SHERRY IS SHERIFF IS WALKING THROUGH THE STATE LEGISLATURE. I KNOW WE HAVE TWO KIDS ALREADY, IT'S JUST -- I THINK WE CAN DO MORE ON THE EDUCATIONAL SIDE. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR EVERYBODY'S THOUGHTS. >> I SUPPORT THAT. >> THANK YOU. >> AND THE ONLY OTHER THING, I HAVE A LOT OF CONCERNS FROM PARENTS AND THOSE COMMUTING OF TO DAVIS PARK, AND I GUESS IT'S TAKING 20 MINUTES TO GET OUT OF THERE BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENT SPORTS THAT ARE BEING PLAYED AND THE SCHOOL ACROSS THE STREET. SO I WAS HOPING TO GET CONSENSUS THAT WE COULD LOOK AT THE SIGNALIZATION, IF THERE'S A TURN LANE TO BE ADDED OR JUST TIMING. ANYTHING THAT CAN BE HELPFUL TO THAT INTERSECTION, BECAUSE IT JUST GETS SO BACKED UP. >> I'M MEETING WITH GREG AND THE TOME NEXT WEEK. CAN I GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT? >> YEAH. >> THAT'S IT. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> YES, THANK YOU. A SUGGESTION MADE TO THE BOARD ON MARCH 25TH. I ASKED THE OPINION ON THE LAWSUIT THAT ARGUED THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD'S RULES STIFLED PROTECTED SPEECH. AND A FEDERAL COURT RULED THAT BERVARD POLICIES RESTRICT ING SPEECH VIOLATED THE FIRST AMENDMENT. YOU MAY REMEMBER HIS ANSWER, I UNDERSTOOD HE AGREED WITH THE RULING AND ADVISED US TO AMEND OUR POLICY SO THAT RESIDENTS HERE COULD ENJOY THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT PRIVILEGES DURING PUBLIC COMMENT. SO I HAVE A TWO MINUTE CLIP, SO I'M HOPEFUL WE CAN CRAFT AN AMENDMENT KEEPING UP WITH THE RECOMMENDATION. -- TO BE CRITICIZED? CURRENTLY NO COMMENT IS ALLOW ED. >> WHEN THAT DECISION FIRST CAME OUT, THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION BEHIND THE SCENES -- DETAIL, UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD -- SO THIS -- YOU KNOW, GOVERNMENTS CAN LIMIT SPEECH IN A LIMITED PUBLIC FORUM, BUT WHEN THEY DO THAT, THERE HAS TO BE STRICT GUIDELINES THAT EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC SO THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE ALLOWED AND NOT ALLOWED TO SAY. SOME OF THE LET RHETORIC TALKED ABOUT WHAT WAS CONSIDERED OBSCENE. SO AS WE SIT HERE TODAY, WE DO NEED TO AMEND OUR BOARD RULES. >> I HAD MORE TO SAY. [04:25:27] SO I AGREE WITH THE OPINION AND YES, WE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE AMENDMENTS FOR OUR RULES. UNTIL THAT TIME HAPPENS, I WOULD SUGGEST WE GO INTO SESSION. >> GREAT. DID EVERYBODY GET THAT? ANYBODY WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN SH OKAY, GREAT. SO RIGHT NOW, OUR RULES ARE SO RESTRICTIVE, A RESIDENT CAN'T REFER TO A COMMISSIONER'S NAME, OR MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT IT, POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE, WHILE REFERENCING IT WITH A COMMISSIONER'S NAME. SO I WOULD LOVE TO GET UP TO SPEED WITH THE LAW. I HOPE THAT YOU AGREE THAT FOLLOWING THIS RECOMMENDATION THAT OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY MADE SEVEN MONTHS AGO, THAT IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE AND IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. I WOULD LOVE CONSENSUS ON THAT. >> PERFECT, GREAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALSO, I DID WANT TO MENTION, I KNOW DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS WE HEARD FROM MS. GLORIA NORTH REGARDING TURNING POINT USA. SHE MENTIONED THE POSSIBILITY OF NAMING ONE OF OUR FUTURE PARKS AFTER -- DOING A MEMORIAL FOR CHARLIE KIRK. I THOUGHT THAT WAS A GREAT IDEA. I KNOW I HEARD MANY COUNTIES ARE NAMING ROADS AFTER HIM AS FAR AS A MEMORIAL GOES. BUT I WOULD LOVE TO GET ANYBODY'S THOUGHTS ON WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THAT IDEA. I LOVE THE IDEA OF A PARK, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT HE REPRESENTS. GREAT IDEA? GREAT. >> COMMISSIONER? >> SO I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT TO NAME SOMETHING AFTER CHARLIE KIRK AND KEEP HIS MEMORY ALIVE, ESPECIALLY WHAT HE STOOD FOR. WHEN YOU GET INTO PARKS, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO CONTRIBUTED A LOT. SO THOSE NAMES PRIOR TO CHARLIE KIRK BEING ASSASSINATED, THOSE NAMES HAD BEEN CIRCULATING. WE MAY WANT TO CHECK WITH OUR PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT. IF WE'RE GOING TO NAME PARKS AFTER PEOPLE, MAYBE LOOK AT NAMING A ROAD OR SOMETHING. I JUST KNOW THAT THERE'S A HISTORY WITH THE PARKS SPECIFICALLY THAT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS THAT POURED TIME INTO BUILDING THOSE PARKS. >> THAT'S GREAT. I'M FINE WITH A ROAD. >> A ROAD WOULD BE GREAT. ALSO, THE PARKS -- WE ARE DOING A PROGRAM NOW TO UPGRADE SOME OF THE PARKS. PEOPLE CAN DONATE MONEY AND DONATE CERTAIN THINGS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I KNOW THAT WAS MENTIONED DURING OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS AND I WANTED TO COMMENT ON THAT. AND THEN ONE MORE LITTLE THING. THERE'S ANOTHER IMPORTANT COUNTY ISSUE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP, WHICH IS ACTUALLY THE UNITED WAY'S NEW CAMPAIGN FOR DONATIONS. THEY VISITED OUR FIRE AND RESCUE STATIONS BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 29TH AND OCTOBER 10TH TO INTRODUCE A WORKPLACE GIVING CAMPAIGN. AND NOW I FULLY SUPPORT THE FINE WORK THAT THE UNITED WAY DOES, BUT I DO HAVE SOME SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THIS CAMPAIGN. MY FIRST CONCERN IS THAT I SAW AN EMAIL THAT SAID THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOTED ON AND APPROVED THIS NEW UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN THAT RESCUE PERSONNEL TO GIVE UP A DAY OF VACATION. THAT'S A 24- HOUR DAY, NOT JUST AN EIGHT- HOUR DAY. THE MONEY THAT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN PAID FOR THAT DAY WOULD GO TO THE UNITED WAY. I DON'T RECALL VOTING ON THAT. I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHAT THAT INFORMATION IS THAT'S BEING CIRCULATED. [04:30:45] -- MEN AND WOMEN THAT REQUIRE MORE TIME OFF, NOT LESS. UM-- IN MY THIRD CONCERN IS THAT THIS MESSAGE IS COMING FROM THE COUNTY, AND THAT THERE IS COUNTY PRESSURE FOR THEM TO DONATE A VERY SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY TO THE UNITED WAY. I SEE A COUNTY LOGO ON HERE ON THE FLYER, AND THE LETTER SAYS THAT A COUNTY WORKER IS TRANSPORTING THE UNITED WAY REPRESENTATIVE TO THE FIRE STATIONS AND ASKING THEM FOR DONATIONS , AND THE COUNTY SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN ANY WAY IN HELPING ONE NONPROFIT OVER ANOTHER , ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDRAISING. AND FURTHERMORE, WE SHOULD NOT BE ENCOURAGING THEM TO REDUCE THEIR MUCH-NEEDED DOWNTIME. I CAN'T EVEN COUNT HOW MANY EMAILS AND CONVERSATIONS I HAD HAD WITH PEOPLE WHO WORKED WITH OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, THAT THEY NEED MORE DOWNTIME, NOT LESS. AND MY FOURTH CONCERN IS THAT CONTRACTS FOR FIRE AND RESCUE ARE BEING NEGOTIATED THIS MONTH , AND LOOK AT THE TIMING. THEIR LAST CONTRACT EXPIRED AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHEN IS UNITED WAY GIVING CAMPAIGN BEGAN. SO IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE BEING PRESSURED BY THE COUNTY TO DONATE AT THE VERY SAME TIME THAT THE COUNTY IS DECIDING ABOUT THEIR SALARIES. WE HAVE TWO BOARD MEMBERS ON THE UNITED WAY, COMMISSIONER ARNOLD IS ON THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS, AND OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS OF THEM ARE INVOLVED IN CONTRACTS THIS COULD EASILY APPEAR TO BE INTIMIDATION, AND I THINK IT'S A HIGHLY UNETHICAL AND INAPPROPRIATE. A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, AND I STRONGLY OBJECT. THIS REMINDS ME OF FIRE AND RESCUE BEING PRESSURED BY THE UNION EVERY ELECTION TO GO AND CAMPAIGN FOR THE INCUMBENTS, AND THIS IS DURING CONTRACT NEGOTIATION. SO IT HAS BEEN GET WITH THESE PEOPLE IF YOU WANT A GOOD CONTRACT. I SAY HANDS OFF OUR FIRE AND RESCUE PERSONNEL. UNITED WAY SHOULD NOT HAVE SPECIAL ACCESS TO THEM, NOR SHOULD THEY BE APPLYING UNDUE PRESSURE ON THEM DURING SHIFTS OR AT ANY OTHER TIME. AND THE COUNTY SHOULD NOT BE ASSISTING ANY NONPROFIT IN THEIR FUNDRAISING SOLICITATIONS. PARTICULARLY IN FIRE AND RESCUE WORKERS, BEING ASKED TO DONATE A DAY OF VACATION TIME. I DIDN'T VOTE FOR THIS, I DIDN'T APPROVE IT, AND I OBJECT TO IT FOR ALL THE REASONS I STATED. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT FOR FIRE AND RESCUE EMPLOYEE TO CASH IN ON THEIR LEAVE TIME THEY HAVE TO SHILL FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. SORRY, BUT THE UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN DOES NOT QUALIFY AS FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. THIS CAMPAIGN MUST SEND IT NOW AND FOR THE SAKE OF FIRE AND RESCUE PERSONNEL BUT FOR THE SAKE OF ALL RESIDENTS BEING PROTECTED BY THEM, LEAVE THEIR VACATION TIME ALONE. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO THEIR HEALTH AND WELL BEING, AND PLEASE DON'T INSULT THEM BY CALLING IT A WASTE. THANK YOU. >> DO YOU HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF HOW UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN? THEY'VE BEEN DOING THIS AND COUNTLESS COMPANIES FOR DECADES. THERE'S NOTHING UNIQUE OR SPECIAL FIRE AND RESCUE, NOW, I DON'T KNOW WHO AUTHORIZED THAT. I DO KNOW OUR FIRE DEPARTMENTS HAVE AN OPEN DOOR POLICY-- AND EVER CAMPAIGN STARTED IN SEPTEMBER . SO, NONE OF THIS IS TARGETED AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I, I, I JUST, TO INSINUATE THAT IS-- FACTUALLY INACCURATE. >> I THINK SHE'S INSINUATING THAT WE VOTED ON IT. >> SHE SAID THERE WAS AN EMAIL THAT SAID WE VOTED ON IT. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE EMAIL. >> CHAIR JOSEPH, IF YOU DON'T MIND, JUST A FEW-- CLARIFICATION. AND I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER TAYLOR TO BRING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION, AND I'M GOING TO LOOK INTO IT TO MAKE SURE SINCE THE COUNTY LOGO IS ON IT, I DON'T KNOW WHY IT HAPPENED, BUT I DO KNOW FOR A FACT THAT UNITED WAY HAS APPROACHED THE COUNTY AS A WHOLE FOR BEING PART OF THIS CAMPAIGN, AND OUR HR DIRECTOR, DESIREE, HAS REACHED OUT AFFIRMATIVELY, TO TELL THEM THAT ST. JOHNS COUNTY CANNOT BE PART OF THIS CAMPAIGN. SO, WHAT I WOULD SAY IS TO MY UNDERSTANDING OF THAT EXCHANGE IS THAT ANYTHING IS UNDER THE PURVIEW OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IS NOT PART OF THEIR CAMPAIGN. NOW, THE UNION [04:35:04] HAS ITS OWN CONTRACT AND HAS ITS OWN UM-- RELATIONSHIP WITH ITS MEMBERS, SO IF THEY MAKE ANY INTERNAL AGREEMENT -- BASED ON A UNION'S CONTRACT, AND HOW THEY APPROACH THEIR MEMBERSHIP, IT'S OUTSIDE OF OUR PURVIEW. SO, I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY COUNTY COMMITMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN HIS CAMPAIGN. AND A SECOND CLARIFICATION, NOT THAT IT'S VERY RELEVANT-- I AM NO LONGER BOARD MEMBER OF UNITED WAY LOCAL, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. AND THE COUNTY DOES FUND NONPROFITS THROUGH HHS. THEY FUND COUNTLESS PROGRAMS. >> I DON'T HAVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT THAT. I JUST DON'T THINK DURING-- >> YOU STATED THE COUNTY SHOULD NOT-- >> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD, YOU HAVE NOT BEEN RECOGNIZED. >> SORRY, I WANT TO CLARIFY-- >> HEARD YOU THE FIRST TIME. THANKS. COMMISSIONER TAYLOR. DID YOU WANT TO END THE PROGRAM IMMEDIATELY, OR DO YOU WANT TO VOTE-- >> I AM JUST I AM JUST CONFUSED ABOUT IT. YOU KNOW, I WOULD JUST LIKE CLARIFICATION. I DON'T RECALL VOTING FOR THIS. THAT WAS JUST, I THOUGHT WHEN IN THE WORLD DID WE VOTE ON THIS? >> CAN LEGAL LOOK AT THE FACT THAT I MEAN YOU, WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THINGS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE SAYING WE VOTED ON IT WHEN WE DIDN'T-- MAYBE IT WAS STUCK INTO SOME OF THE THING WE VOTED ON. COULD LEGAL LOOK INTO THAT PLEASE? >> SURE, WE CAN LOOK INTO IT. WE WOULD NEED A COPY OF THE EMAIL AS WELL. >> OKAY, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. CLEARLY ST. JOHNS COUNTY -- I MEAN IT'S RIGHT THERE, THE LOGO IS RIGHT THERE ON IT. SO UM-- THAT'S ALL. BUT I AGREE. WE SHOULDN'T DO ONE OVER ANOTHER. I THINK WE DO SUPPORT A LOT OF NONPROFITS, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT TO PUT PRESSURE ON THEM ESPECIALLY AT THE TIME WHEN WE ARE NEGOTIATED CONTRACT. THANK YOU. >> AND FOR CLARIFICATION, I DON'T BELIEVE WE SHOULD PUT PRESSURE ON ANYONE TO-- IF THEY WANT TO GIVE AT THEIR OWN KINDNESS AND GOODNESS THAT'S UP TO THEM. AND JUST TO MAKE THE CLARIFICATION WHETHER WE ARE IN A CONTRACT OR NOT. >> NO, I COULDN'T AGREE MORE. >> COMMISSIONER MURPHY. GOOD TO FOLLOW THAT. >> I FEEL VIOLATED. I GOT DO PAYROLL DEDUCTION FOR UNITED WAY 1982. SO I FEEL LIKE I NEED SOMETHING. OKAY SORRY ABOUT THAT. UM-- I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE CONSENSUS FOR SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY REALLY MINOR. I KNOW THAT JOE ANDREWS MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT THE SEBASTIAN RIVER PARK-- I WOULD LOVE , IF YOU GUYS DON'T MIND, I WOULD LOVE TO , IF AT ANY TIME GOING FORWARD WE TALK ABOUT THAT PROPERTY THAT IT BE TALKED ABOUT AS THE WALDRON FAMILY PARK AND NOT SAN SEBASTIAN RIVER , OR JENNA VAR. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE REMEMBER WHO THE DRIVER WAS FOR THAT. AND, I AM NOT SAYING NAME THE PARK THAT. JUST ANYTIME WE HAVE STUFF THAT'S BEEN PRINTED IT NEEDS TO BE TALKED ABOUT WALDRON PARK NOT SAN SEBASTIAN PARK. >> CAN WE VOTE FOR THAT NAME CHANGE LIKE RIGHT NOW ALTOGETHER WERE NO? >> I DON'T SEE ANY REASON WHY NOT. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION. >> SO THE COUNTY HAS A NAMING POLICY, AND THIS ISN'T POST AGENDA. IF YOU GET CONSENSUS TO DO THAT, PERHAPS THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION IS TO BRING BACK A RESOLUTION FOR YOU TO TAKE OFFICIAL ACTION. >> SO, WE JUST NEED CONSENSUS TO -- >> PLEASE CHECK WITH STEPHANIE. THAT'S ALL I ASK. PLEASE CHECK WITH STEPHANIE. >> I WILL TALK TO HER ABOUT IT. >> THANKS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALSO, YOU COULD PUT WHICHEVER ONE YOU WANT, WHICHEVER ONE FIRST. SUNDAY, I GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE HALL OF FAME CEREMONY FOR HIGH SCHOOL SAINT AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL , AND THREE PEOPLE FROM OUR COMMUNITY WERE HONORED WITH THE INDUCTEE OF THE HALL OF FAME . UM-- BETTY THOMPSON, WHO GRADUATED IN 1955 FROM HIGH SCHOOL, HAS BEEN A STALWART PART OF OUR COMMUNITY ROBERT NEWMAN'S. WE ALL KNOW ROBERT WAS AN EXCELLENT PLAYER FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL. 28,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS HE HAS OFFERED IN THIS COMMUNITY, ALONG WITH NOW HALL OF FAME FOOTBALL COACH WHO WON STATE 2025 WHO WAS A COACH AND TEACHER FOR SAINT AUGUSTINE WENT ON FOR 10 YEARS TO BE ON STAFF, AND I GOT A CHANCE TO ATTEND THAT. TWO OUT OF THE THREE WHO WERE HONORED OUR FRIENDS OF MINE, AND I AM SO PROUD OF THEM, AND I JUST WANT [04:40:02] TO TAKE A MOMENT TO HONOR THEM. AND I'VE GOT ONE MORE. THANK YOU. LIEUTENANT JG RALPH C. DUPONT WAS LAID TO REST, FINALLY, ON OCTOBER 12TH, AT THE UM-- BISETI FAMILY CEMETERY OFF OF 204. HE DIED IN A DOGFIGHT IN THE PACIFIC AND WAS LOST FOR 80 YEARS , AND WE HAD A CHANCE TO FINALLY BRING HIM HOME. FAMILY MEMBERS WERE THERE UM-- IT WAS-- THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WAS THERE. IT WAS AN ADMIRAL, AND SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT CAME OUT FROM VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS TO -- TO INTER HIM IN HIS FINAL RESTING PLACE . HE SERVED-- BEING REMEMBERED-- FOR SHOOTING DOWN ZEROS . THANK YOU VERY MUCH, THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. >> ALL RIGHT. I JUST HAVE ONE UM-- CONCERN, THAT I WOULD LOVE THE BOARD TO HELP ME WITH. AND THEN I HAVE A FUN SYKES FAMILY FARMS THINK TO SHOW YOU. SO, I HEARD THAT UM-- THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM OVER AT THE CLERK OF COURT WITH THE BETTY GRIFFIN HOUSE . AND, YOU KNOW, WE JUST CELEBRATED THE PROCLAMATION THAT THE LAST MEETING FOR THEM, AND I DON'T KNOW, THEY WERE REMOVED FROM THE HOUSE WITHOUT LIKE LETTING THEM KNOW TO TRY AND FIND SOMEWHERE ELSE? I MEAN I KNOW THAT THIS BOARD CAN COME UP WITH AN IDEA FOR THAT. GIVEN MYSPACE -- JUST TEMPORARILY, BECAUSE THE PEOPLE THAT GO TO COURT THERE NEED THE BETTY GRIFFIN HOUSE. IT DOESN'T MATTER YOUR ZIP CODE. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO USED THEM TWO WEEKS AGO, AND GOT OUT OF HARMS WAY WITH HER CHILDREN, AND I MEAN I JUST, I JUST CAN'T SEE IT BEING NOT THERE ANYMORE. SO THEY NEED TO BE CLOSE TO THE COURT. THEY NEED TO SEE, AFTER THE DOMESTIC JUDGE, BE ABLE TO GO THERE AND GET SOME HELP . ANY IDEAS? >> WE ARE WORKING ON IT. I THINK THIS BOUND-- THEY FOUND SPACE AT HHS. SUPER CLOSE TO THE COURTHOUSE. >> SO, TELL US ABOUT IT. >> YEAH, I AM WORKING WITH KELLY FRANKLIN AND OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO FIND SPACE AT HHS, OR AT MIKE DAVIS' BUILDING RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET. >> I HAVEN'T HEARD THIS, SEE YOU COULD JUST TELL ME ABOUT IT. >> I JUST DID. >> WHAT ACROSS THE STREET? >> MIKE DAVIS' OFFICE IS RIGHT BY THE COURTHOUSE, SO IT IS PROXIMALLY CLOSE TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE. >> OKAY, AND THEN ARE THEY GOING TO HAVE A SIGN OR SOMETHING TO KNOW WHERE TO GO? >> THEY WILL ATTEND TO THEIR SIGNS AND SECURITY WHICH IS NECESSARY, AS WE ARE DEALING WITH VICTIMS HERE AS THEY SEE FIT. YEAH. >> MAYBE YOU COULD DO LIKE ONE OF THESE SCAN THINGS WHERE THEY COULD FIND IT AND EVERYTHING? >> IT'S NOT UP TO ME. IT'S UP TO THE BOARD OF BETTY GRIFFIN. >> NO, THAT'S GREAT. THEY SAVE ONE OF MY FRIENDS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S A PLACE TO GO. I'M NOT AGAINST ANYONE-- >> WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR WEEKS. >> I SPOKE WITH JANE EVANS, SHE HAD NO IDEA. I'M FOLLOWING UP. IT'S NOT A BAD THING I'M TRYING TO HELP AS THE REST OF THE BOARD. >> YEAH. I-- ALL THERE IS TO SAY. >> WELL FOR THE REST OF THE BOARD COULD HAVE FOUND OUT ABOUT IT ALSO. BUT, I CALLED SOME PEOPLE, NO ONE KNEW ABOUT IT. SO ANYWAY. IT WAS ON THE PAPER, ON THE NEWS-- >> WE GOT AN EMAIL. WE ALL GOT AN EMAIL. >> OKAY. I'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT. I CAN CALL YOU, THIS IS THE ONLY TIME WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER. >> I KNOW. >> YOU WANT TO PUT UP MY PICTURES? ALL RIGHT. WE-- WE WENT TO SYKES FAMILY FARM, GOT THIS COOL HAT-- THE NINE-ACRE MAZE WAS AWESOME. WE DID GET LOST OUT THERE FOR AN HOUR. IT WAS FUN. EVERYTHING WAS CASH, MADE SOME GOOD CASH OUT THERE. AND KEEP THEIR FARMS ALIVE. WE SAW A LOT OF CATTLE. IT WAS SO COOL, YOU GUYS, AND THIS WAS IN ELKTON. THERE ARE A LOT OF FARMS. THERE WAS ANOTHER ONE BY THE COUNTY-- WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THAT AREA. THERE ARE SEVERAL ALL OVER THE COUNTY. TAKE THE TIME DURING THE WEEKENDS, BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN THEY ARE OPEN, AND AFTER HALLOWEEN, I AM NOT SURE IF THEY STAY OPEN AFTER HALLOWEEN, BUT [County Administrator’s Report] [County Attorney’s Report] IT WAS GREAT. EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE KIDS WE HAD A BALL. THAT'S MY ADVERTISING. NOW, MS. SANDERS? >> I HAVE NO FOR THE REPORT. >> THANK YOU. >> MR. COMMANDO? >> JUST TO CLARIFY ON BOARD RULES, AND WE ARE HAPPY TO BRING BACK A PROPOSAL FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, BUT UNDERSTAND THAT SINCE THE TIME THAT WE CAME AWARE THAT MOMS FOR LIBERTY CASE WE HAVEN'T ENFORCED-- SALT TODAY WITH MS. CROSBY ASKING IF SHE COULD NAME COMMISSIONER, AND SHE DID. SO EVEN THE BOARD RULES ARE WRITTEN THAT WAY, WE HAVE [04:45:01] TAKEN STEPS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT APPLIED IN AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL MANNER. AS WE TALK ABOUT THE TURNING POINT-- CHARLIE KIRK NAMING-- UNDERSTAND THERE ARE BILLS GOING TO THE LEGISLATOR RIGHT NOW FOR EVERY UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE CAMPUS WHERE THEY ARE LOOKING TO REQUIRE ONE OF THE ROADS BE NAMED THERE THAT MAY CONFLICT WITH OUR 911 SYSTEM HAVING TWO ROADS NAMED THE SAME THING. SO I AM NOT TRYING TO DISCOURAGE % THAT, JUST UNDERSTAND THERE ARE PARALLEL * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.