Nov 22, 2019 2020 Legislative Delegation

[Items A - C]

[Item D]

[Item F]

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>>>THEY JUST DON'T APPRECIATE WHAT IS DONE HERE. NOT JUST FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY

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AS YOU KNOW, THEY ARE NOT FUNDED LIKE THE 69TH OR 70TH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THEIR NEEDS ARE UNIQUE. I KNOW A LOT OF YOU ON BEHALF OF THE FLORIDA SCHOOL OF DEAF AND BLIND AS A RESIDENT NORTHEAST FLORIDA I CAN ADVOCATE FOR THEM AND THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING NOW.

LAST, I WANT TO THANK YOU IN FRONT OF A GROUP. I MENTIONED THIS TO REPRESENTATIVE RENER FOR THE WATER SUMMIT. IT'S A LITTLE KNOWN FACT BECAUSE IT WAS SO LONG AGO, BEFORE I BECAME INVOLVED IN EDUCATION I CHAIRED PUBLIC LANDS AND WATER RESOURCES IN THE FLORIDA HOUSE. IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY AND I LEARNED SO MUCH.

WHAT I WANTED TO REMIND YOU OF, FRANKLY, BUT MOSTLY THIS AUDIENCE IS THIS.

LAST YEAR THIS LEGISLATURE APPROPRIATED TWICE AS MUCH FOR THE PROTECTION OF FLORIDA'S PUBLIC LANDS AND WATER RESOURCES THAN WE DID IN THE TWO YEARS THAT I SERVED IN THAT CAPACITY WHEN WE HAD A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY IN 03 AND 04. OFTENTIMES THE THINGS YOU DO AREN'T RECOGNIZED BY THE PUBLIC. THAT WAS A HUGE STEP IN PROTECTING FLORIDA'S PUBLIC LANDS AND WATER RESOURCES AND YOU DESERVE TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR IT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >>>THANK YOU. >>>PRESIDENT PICKENS, IF YOU CAN GET THAT APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST TO MY STAFF FOR A SENATE SPONSOR I'LL BE HAPPY TO PUT

THAT IN FOR YOU. >>>NEXT WE HAVE DR. PRICKIT, PRESIDENT OF FLORIDA SCHOOL OF

DEAF AND BLIND. >>>GOOD MORNING. MEMBERS, DR. PRICKIT IS NOT ABLE TO BE HERE TODAY. VERY BAD CASE OF BRONCHITIS. UNLESS YOU SIGN SHE DIDN'T FEEL SHE COULD COMMUNICATE WITH YOU REAL WELL THIS MORNING. I WANT TO THANK, FIRST OF ALL, REPRESENTATIVE PICKENS. I WON'T NEED THE FULL TIME BASED ON THE WONDERFUL DISCUSSIONS THAT HE HAS ALREADY HAD. THE SCHOOL IS NOT GIVING YOU A DOLLAR FIGURE IN MY PRESENTATION TO YOU. RATHER, ONE OF OUR BIG ISSUES IS MAKING SURE THAT WHEN THE SALARY INCREASES THAT ARE COMING DOWN FOR TEACHERS AND FOR OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF IS BEING DISCUSSED IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE THAT WE DON'T FORGET FLORIDA SCHOOL FOR DEAF AND BLIND TEACHERS. TELLING YOU SOMETHING YOU ALREADY KNOW THE SCHOOL IS FUNDED SOLELY FROM GENERAL REVENUE. THERE'S SOME GRANDS AND DONATIONS THAT WE RECEIVE. A COUPLE OF ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUNDS BUT BASICALLY, IT'S 100% GENERAL REVENUE IN TERMS OF ITS FUNDING FROM THE STATE AND FOR ITS OPERATIONS.

THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN VERY GOOD STEWARDS OF YOUR MONEY IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS AND AS YOU KNOW, HAS NOT REQUESTED WORKLOAD INCREASES BUT RATHER LIVED WITHIN THE DOLLAR FIGURES THAT YOU HAVE PROVIDED. THEY'VE DONE THAT THROUGH A SERIES OF CUT BACK AND SERIES OF EFFICIENCY MEASURES IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THAT. HOWEVER, AS WE LOOK AT THE SESSION GOING FORWARD, BECAUSE THE F-E-F-P IS SUCH A LARGE BIG ANIMAL AND WHEN THINGS GET

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AS YOU ALSO KNOW THERE'S ABOUT A TIER PROCESS IN CAPITAL OUTLAY WITH ONE JUST BEING SMALL MAINTENANCE. THE OTHER BEING LARGER LEVELS OF REPAIRS.

WITH THE FINAL BEING NEW CONSTRUCTION. ALL OF OUR FIRST AND SECOND LEVEL OF REQUESTS WERE FUNDED. WE DO HAVE A REQUEST IN THE DEPARTMENT'S, HOUR BUDGET, FOR A NEW DORM, AS WE'VE BEEN TO YOU A COUPLE OF YEARS. THIS WAS NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OR BY THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET. WHILE WE STILL HAVE THAT NEED, THE RECOGNITION THAT HAS BEEN MADE TO DATE OF ALL OF OUR REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE IS QUITE A NICE APPROPRIATION FOR US. WE'RE NOT PUSHING HEAVILY FOR OUR NEW CONSTRUCTION THIS YEAR BUT RATHER, WE'LL TAKE ALL OF THAT REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE AND APPLY IT TO THE NEEDS THERE AT THE SCHOOL. MY BIGGEST ISSUE, AGAIN, IS TO PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON SALARIES FOR OUR TEACHERS AND WE WILL BE AROUND TO SEE YOU INDIVIDUALLY TO DISCUSS HOW WE CARRY SOME OF THAT OUT. BUT THANK YOU, AGAIN. DR. PRICKIT WANTED ME TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE PAST ATTENTION THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US AND FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.

THANK YOU AGAIN. APPRECIATE IT. >>>THANK YOU.

NEXT I'M GOING TO HAVE PATTY GREEN COME UP. SHE HAS TWO DIFFERENT ORGANIZATION AND WE'LL GIVE HER THE FIVE MINUTES FOR BOTH. HOPEFULLY SHE CAN MAKE THAT

HAPPEN. >>>I'M WEARING TWO HATS TODAY.

I'M CHAIR OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND CEO OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE.

I'M GOING TO PUT BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE ON. FIRST WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, FOR YOUR COMMIT TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTS AND TO FLORIDIANS IN GENERAL.

YOUR SUPPORT IS REALLY DIRECTLY TIED TO OUR SUCCESS LOCALLY. I'M REPRESENTING THE CONSORTIUM.

IT WAS STAR STARTED IN 2012. MADE OF ABOUT 40 INDIVIDUAL AND BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AROUND THE STATE OF FLORIDA. I MEAN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

THAT GROUP WAS BROUGHT TOGETHER TO IDENTIFY THE PRIORITIES FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR OUR COUNTY RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES.

WE EARN A REPUTATION OF A GROUP GETTING THINGS DONE AND WE ARE PROUD OF THAT REPUTATION.

WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN SUCH THINGS AS THE GETTING FUNDING FOR THE RECOVERY CENTER.

FOR DETOX AND RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT. FOR THE FACT TEAM, FOR THE MOBILE CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM, THE CAT TEAM FOR YOUTH AND THE FIT TEAM FOR ADULTS.

IT'S BEEN A VERY SUCCESSFUL RUN AND REALLY WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE THAT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF YOU ALL. I HAVE BEEN SENT TODAY BY MY PEERS TO INFORM YOU OF OUR TOP THREE PRIORITIES. NUMBER ONE. THESE AREN'T PARTICULARLY IN ANY ORDER THEY ARE JUST HOW I WROTE THEM. NUMBER ONE, RESTORE THE CONTINUATION FUNDING FOR THE FACT TEAM IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. AS YOU KNOW THIS CUT BY $250,000 LAST YEAR. WE WANT TO SEE THAT RESTORED BACK TO 1.5.

THE ORIGINAL AMOUNT AND WE ASK THE DELEGATION TO SUPPORT S-M-A HEALTHCARE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

WE LOVE TO SEE IT BE RECURRING FUNDING. >>>THE SECOND THING IS TO

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IMAGINE HOW QUICKLY THEY FILL UP. >>>THE THIRD THING IS SUPPORT INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR CHILDRENS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

SPECIFICALLY FOR PSYCHIATRIC AND OUT PATIENT THERAPY. WE ARE PLEASED WE HAVE FUNDING IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO IDENTIFY YOUTH THAT NEED HELP. AND THEY ARE IDENTIFYING THOSE CHILDREN, AS WELL AS, THE MOBILE CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM. OFTENTIMES THEY ARE SENDING THEM TO THE LOCAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMUNITY PROVIDER TO PROVIDE CRITICAL SERVICES.

THESE SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE ALREADY UNDERFUNDED. IT'S NOT A MATTER OF NEEDING MORE PROVIDERS IN TOWN IT'S JUST THE RESOURCES THAT WE NEED. FUNDING IS NEEDED TO ADDRESS

THIS INFLUX OF REFERRALS THE TREAT LOCAL CHILDREN. >>>THAT'S IT FOR THE CONSORTIUM. WE THANK YOU AND I'LL PUT MY NEXT HAT ON.

LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING, AGAIN, THANK YOU. I AM HERE TO REITERATE THE KNEAD FOR ADDITIONAL RESIDENTIAL IN PATIENT SUBSTANCE TREATMENT BEDS.

WE SUBMITTED A REQUEST AND I THANK REPRESENTATIVES FOR SPONSORING THAT FOR THAT FUNDING TO ADD SIX ADDITIONAL BEDS. AS I SAID BEFORE, WE ONLY HAVE SIX BEDS AT RECOVERY CENTER.

FOUR FOR MEN, TWO FOR WOMEN. WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS ADD SIX BEDS FOR WOMEN.

WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THIS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY AS A SPECIFIC PRIORITY.

SPECIFICALLY, FROM THE FAMILY INTEGRITY PROGRAM, THE BETTY GRIFFIN CENTER, DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND FLAGLER HEALTH PLUS ASKED FOR MORE WOMEN SPECIFIC SERVICES.

THESE SIX BEDS WILL HAVE A TEAM APPROACH OF NURSES, CARE COORDINATOR, THERAPISTS ALL TO SURROUND THESE WOMEN FOR A VERY SPECIFIC MODALITY. THAT MODALITY WILL ADDRESS THINGS OF TRAUMA, GRIEF AND LOSS, O OCCURRING HEALTH DISORDER SUCH AS DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND EATING DISORDER, ANGER, FAMILIAR RELATIONSHIPS AND WE WILL PROVIDE CARE COORDINATION, THERAPY, PEER SUPPORT AND LIFE SKILLS COACHING.

THE REQUEST FUNDS NINE FDES. WE HOPE TO SERVE ABOUT A HUNDRED WOMEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION APPROPRIATED 10% MATCH TOWARDS THIS PROJECT.

I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ANY QUESTIONS? >> REPRESENTATIVE

STEVENSON. >> I THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING FOR NOT JUST YOURSELF BUT THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CONSORTIUM. IT'S A WONDERFUL THING YOU'RE DOING TOGETHER.

WHEN YOU ASK ABOUT FUNDING FOR CHILDRENS SERVICES, ARE YOU ABLE TO BILL? ARE YOU ASKING ANY RESISTANCE TO BILLING PRIVATE INSURANCE UNINSURED CHILDREN? I WOULD THINK THEY WOULD BE UNDER MEDICAID OR PRIVATE INSURANCE?

>> IT'S A MIX OF ALL THREE. STATE FUNDING PAYS FOR THE CHILDREN THAT ARE UNINSURED. BUT MEDICAID AND COMMERCIAL INSURANCE PAYS FOR THE REST.

SO IT REALLY IS REPRESENTATIVE MIX OF ALL THREE FUNDING RESOURCES.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR THE SIX BEDS ARE IMPORTANT.

WE JUST HAD OUR FLAGLER DELEGATION AND I WAS UNAWARE INDIVIDUALS ARE SENT TO YOU AND YOUR BEDS ARE FULL. WE'VE ENCOURAGED OUR FLAGLER GROUPS TO TRY AND SEEK THEIR OWN DETOX CENTER, WHICH WE ARE GOING TO WORK ON. BUT I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR THESE BEDS BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENT COUNTIES YOU'RE TAKING ON.

I WOULD LOVE FOR FLAGL-E-R TO TAKE CARE OF FLAGLER AND ST. JOHNS TAKE CARE OF ST. JOHNS.

>> WE DO TAKE INDIVIDUALS FROM SURROUNDING COUNTIES SO THERE'S A NEED FOR DETOX AND

RESIDENTIAL ACROSS THE STATE BUT REALLY IN OUR REGION, AS WELL. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >>>NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO THREE MINUTE TIMER AND GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF WHERE I LEFT OFF. THAT WOULD BE NICHOLAS CABRERA AND COLLEEN THOMAS WITH FLAGLER COLLEGE. FRMTH WE WEREN'T NERVOUS BEFORE

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>> I'M COLLEEN THOMAS. GOOD MORNING. >> WE ARE PRESIDENTIAL FELLOWS ON BEHALF OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OF FLORIDA.

REPRESENTING FLAGLER COLLEGE FOR THE EASE GRANT. WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR GRATITUDE TO FLORIDA LEGISLATOR FUR ONGOING SUPPORT FOR THE EASE GRANT.

AND WE WANT TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE'VE DONE ON CAMPUS THUS FAR.

WE HAVE AN INSTITUTIONAL CAMPAIGN AND PRESENTED SGA. TABLED AND SIGNED A BANNER, WHICH WE'LL SHOW YOU SHORTLY. WE INTERVIEWED STUDENTS FOR A VIDEO ABOUT WHAT EASE MEANS TO THEM. WHEN TALKING TO STUDENTS WE CONSISTENTLY HEARD THE SAME THREE THINGS. WHAT DOES EASE MEAN TO YOU? THAT'S WHAT WE ASKED THEM.

EF TIME THEY TELL US OPPORTUNITY, FINANCIAL SUPPORT, AND THE FREEDOM TO PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION. WE UNDERSTAND THAT EASE IS NOT NECESSARILY MERIT BASED NOR NEEDS BASED BUT IT DOES INCENTIVIZE FLORIDA STUDENTS TO STAY IN FLORIDA.

WE HAVE 30 MEMBERS OF I CUFF. 30 UNIQUE PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

WE WANT TO INCENTIVIZE OUR STUDENTS TO STAY HERE AND GO AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO ONE OF THESE SCHOOLS. FLAG LER COLLEGE BEING ONE OF THEM.

SO WE ASK IF THE STATE LEGISLATOR CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM SO THAT STUDENTS LIKE COLLEEN AND MYSELF CAN CONTINUE TO PURSUE OUR GOALS AND DREAMS IN OUR HOME STATE.

ONE OF OUR MANY INCREDIBLE PRIVATE SCHOOLS. WE'RE NOT JUST HERE SPEAKING FOR OURSELVES TODAY. SURE, WAER TALKING ABOUT THE FLORIDA STUDENT THAT IS GO TO FLAGLER BUT EASE BENEFITSES FLAG LER AS A WHOLE. WE HAVE A BANNER HERE.

THAT HAS SOME MAYBE, OVER TWO HUNDRED SIGNATURES. THESE ARE NOT JUST FLORIDA STUDENTS. THESE ARE FLORIDA AND NONFLORIDA.

NONFLORIDA STUDENTS RECOGNIZE THE BENEFITS OF THIS PROGRAM FOR FLORIDA STUDENTS AND NONFLORIDA STUDENTS. WE THANK YOU FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >>>UP NEXT JACKSON WITH SMA

HEALTHCARE. >> GOOD MORNING MEMBERS OF THE ST. JNS COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION. I'M SANDRA JACKSON, VICE PRESIDENT FOR ST. JORNS COUNTY SERVICES OF SMA HEALTHCARE. FORMERLY KNOWN AS STEWART MARCHMAN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

THIS MORNING I WANTED TO START BY SAYING THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO MY FELLOW FLORIDIANS AND THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF OUR ORGANIZATION SPECIFCALLY IN THE AREA OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES. I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE PUTNAM ST. JOHNS COUNTY FACT TEAM.

THE FACT TEAM, WHICH STANDS FOR FLORIDA ASSERTIVE COMMUNITY TREATMENT SERVES ONE HUNDRED OF THE MOST SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL IN OUR COMMUNITY. THESE INDIVIDUALS TYPICALLY UTILIZE DEEP END SERVICES. LIKE CSU'S, EMERGENCY ROOMS AT HOSPITALS, JAILS OR THEY END UP HOMELESS. THE FACT TEAM, WHICH CONSISTS OF THERAPISTS, NURSES, PEERS AND PSYCHIATRISTS WORK TIRELESSLY TO TRY TO KEEP THESE FOLKS OUT OF THESE DEEP END SERVICES.

THE TEAM WORKS WITH SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL POPULATION TRYING TO KEEP THEM STABLE IN THEIR COMMUNITY WHERE THEY CAN LIVE AND WORK AS PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF THEIR SOCIETY.

AS YOU KNOW, THE FACT TEAM WAS FUNDED WITH NONRECURRING FUNDS. MEANING THAT I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK, AGAIN, THAT YOU SUPPORT THIS EFFORT FOR 2019 AND 2020. UNFORTUNATELY, SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS IS NOT A NONRECURRING ILLNESS. IT'S RECURRING.

ALSO, LAST YEAR THE PROGRAM WAS REDUCED IN FUNDING BY $250,000. WHICH HAS FORCED US TO REDUCE FUNDS SPENDEN CLIENTS THAT NEED SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS FOR RENT, ELECTRICITY AND OTHER EXPENSES THAT HELP MAINTAIN THEIR STABILITY IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO I'M ASKING THAT YOU NOT ONLY FUND THIS AS A RECURRING ITEM BUT AT THE LEVEL THAT WE WERE ORIGINALLY FUNDED AT.

ON THAT FRONT, I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU THE EXPERIENCE ON HOW FACT TEAMS ARE FUNDED.

FACT TEAMS BEGIN IN FLORIDA IN THE YEAR 2000. AT THAT TIME, THE FACT TEAM WAS FUNDED AT 1.254 MILLION. THAT WAS FUNDED BASED ON THE REQUIRED 12.3 FULL-TIME

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YOU THINK ABOUT TWENTY YEARS OF RISING COSTS AND FUNDING THAT HAS BEEN REDUCED OVER THAT TIME.

VEFRJLY IT DOESN'T ADD UP. I'M NOT SURE HOW LONG S-M-A CAN CONTINUE MUCH NEEDED SERVICES WITHOUT THE ADD KWAT FUNDING. AND HERE'S THE BIGGER RISK. ALL 30 PLUS FACT TEAMS ACROSS THE STATE ARE IN THE SAME PREDICAMENT. TWENTY YEARS SAME REQUIREMENTS BUT LESS FUNDING. I WANT THE THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BRING THIS ISSUE

FORWARD AND HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS. >>>THANK YOU.

>>>NEXT. LINDA LEVEN WITH ELDER SOURCE. >>>GOOD MORNING.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING. IN THE INTEREST OF TIME AND OUT OF RESPECT FOR YOUR TIME I WILL BE BRIEF. I'M LINDA LEVEN.

CEO O OF ELDER SOURCE. AREA AGENCY ON AGING DESIGNATED BY DEPARTMENT OF ELDER AFFAIRS.

WE ARE YOUR RESOURCE CENTER. WE HELP MAKE SURE THAT ELD OER ADULTS IN THE COMMUNITY ARE ABLE TO REMAIN IN THE COMMUNITY AND LIVE IN AGE WITH INDEPENDENCE AND DIGNITY.

WE FUND PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT OUR SEVEN COUNTIES THAT HELP THEM DO THAT INCLUDING THE ST. JOHN COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING, AMONG OTHERS. WE HAVE TWO PRIORITIES.

I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF AREA AGENCIES ON AGING.

ONE IS FUNDING FOR THE AGING DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTERS WHICH DOES THE INTAKE AND SCREENING AND ASSISTANCE OF INDIVIDUALS TO HELP THEM GET THROUGH THE ELIGIBILITY PROCESS FOR THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS THAT HELP THEM LIVE IN AGE IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND THAT WORKLOAD CONTINUES TO GROW EVERY DAY. EVERY ELD OER ADULT AND ADULT 18 AND OLDER LIVING WITH A DISABILITY HAS TO COME THROUGH OUR RESOURCE CENTER TO GET INTO THOSE PROGRAMS. VITAL PROGRAMS. THE OTHER I ASK IS TO SUPPORT FUNDING FOR THOSE PROGRAMS THAT SERVE OUR FRAILIST OLDER ADULTS. I WANT TO SPEAK TO REPRESENTATIVE RENERS COMMENTS ABOUT THE BUDGET AND HAVING TO MAKE DIFFICULT CHOICES.

I WILL TELL YOU THE INVESTMENT IN THOSE PROGRAMS AND THE AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER YOU HAVE A SIGNIFICANT RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE AVERAGE CARE PLAN COST FOR THE PERSON THAT WE PROVIDE SERVICES TO IN THE COMMUNITY, IN COMMUNITY CARE FOR THE ELDERLY, IS JUST ABOUT $8,400 A YEAR. YOU LOOK AT THE COST OF NURSING HOME CARE FOR THAT SAME YEAR. THAT'S OVER $97,000. SERVING SOMEONE IN THE ALZHEIMER DISEASE INITIATIVE PROGRAM THE CARE PLAN COST IS JUST A LITTLE OVER $11,000.

AGAIN, COMPARED TO THE NURSING HOME CARE FOR SUPPORTING SOMEONE FOR A YEARS IN THE NURSING HOME IS A LITTLE OVER $97,000. YOUR INVESTMENT IN THESE STATE PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THE SENIORS YOU GET A REALLY GOOD RETURN. JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR

TIME AND FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OLDER ADULTS IN OUR COMMUNITY. >>>THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NEXT WE HAVE CHRIS STONE WITH THE CHILDRENS HOME SOCIETY. >> I DON'T SEE CHRIS COMING UP. WE'LL MOVE ON. THERE HE IS.

SORRY. THERE YOU ARE. >>>OFF IN THE WINGS.

I APOLOGIZE. GOOD MORNING MEMBERS. IT'S MY PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

I CURRENTLY SERVE AS THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP SCHOOL DIRECTOR.

ON BEHALF OF CHILDRENS HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA OUR CORE AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WE ARE SO THANKFUL AND PROUD OF THE WORK ACHIEVED DURING THE 2019 SESSION. REALLY BECAUSE OF YOUR WORK AND COMMITMENT.

MORE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO CRITICAL SERVICES THAT CAN CHANGE THEIR LIVES.

WE CONTINUE TO ASK FOR YOUR FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION AND SUPPORT TO WORK WITH UNDERTAKING TO BUILD STRONG FAMILY AND COMMUNITIES. IN THE 2019 SESSION IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE SUCCESS FOR OUR KIDS. WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN OUR CHILDREN THROUGH THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP SCHOOL MODEL. WE TRULY APPRECIATE THE DELEGATIONS SUPPORT AS THE HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS FORMALIZED THIS MODEL IN STATUTE AND PROVIDED FUNDS TO SUPPORT FLORIDA'S CURRENT 15 MODELS ACROSS THE STATE, WHICH INCLUDE SOUTH WOODS ELEMENTARY AS WELL AS WEBSTER IN ST. AUGUSTINE. AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO

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ST. JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. FLAGLER HEALTH PLUS AND ST.

JOHNS RIVER STATE COLLEGE. THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE WE'VE SEEN INCREASED ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, READING LEVEL, CLASSROOM BEHAVIORS, GRADUATION AND PROMOTION RATES. LOCALLY WE'VE SEEN THE IMPACT TO ACADEMIC AND BEHALVE YOU RALL OUTCOMES AND INCREASED RESOURCES FOR PARENT AND CAREGIVERS. THIS SESSION WE ARE REQUESTING YOUR SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS. I PROVIDED A SUMMARY ALONG WITH SUMMARY OF SERVICES FOR BOTH SCHOOL SITES FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO EXPAND THIS MODEL. THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP MODEL PROVEN METHODS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY, SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES WITH A FOCUS ON SERVING STUDENTS WELL BEING ACHIEVEMENT AND INVOLVING PARENT AND THE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR ENTHUSIASM TO SERVE OUR STATE AND FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION ON THESE ISSUES. I WANT TO THANK REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON FOR HER VISIT TO WEBSTER. I INVITE ANYONE OUT TO SOUTH WOODS OR WEBSTER FOR A TOUR TO SEE THE WORK BEING DONE BY COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND CORE PARTNERS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU DURING THE 2020 SESSION. THANK YOU.

>>>THANK YOU. >>>NEXT JIM WHEELER ST. JOHNS COUNTY EDUCATION FOUNDATION.

>>>GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU SENATE HUDSON, REPRESENTATIVE RENER AND STEVENSON TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUED SUPPORT OF LOCAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION IN FLORIDA. OUR LOCAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION INVESTING IN KIDS PROVIDES SUPPORT TO OVER FORTY THOUSAND STUDENT AND TEACHERS AS THE NOT FOR PROFIT PARTNER WITH THE ST.

JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. THROUGH LOCAL DONORS INDIVIDUALLY AND CORPORATE DONORS LIKE FLAGLER HEALTH, BEAVER TOYOTA AND CARLISLE INTERCONNECT AND MATCHING GRANT FUNDS FROM SPRIEDED BY THE LEGISLATURE WE ARE ABLE TO EXPAND REACH IN PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN LITERACY. FUND STEM PROJECTS AND CLASSROOMS AND PARTNER WITH LOCAL EMPLOYERS IN INTERNSHIP AND APPRENTICE PROGRAMS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITYS FOR LOCAL STUDENTS. WITH THE SUPPORT OF DONORS, GRANT FUNDERS AND THE LEGISLATURE, WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE OVER $800,000 IN LOCAL CLASSROOM IMPACTS IN THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR. ADDITIONALLY, THE LEGISLATURES CONTINUING SUPPORT OF THE TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN PROGRAM THROUGHOUT THE STATE SHOWN BIG DIVIDENDS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

OUR PROGRAM HAS GROWN TO SERVE 86 STUDENTS THIS SCHOOL YEAR, WHICH IS A 40% INCREASE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. WE PROVIDE VOLUNTEER MENTORS, ACADEMIC PLANNING AND A PARTNER FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES. GIVING HOPE TO PARENTS WHO DREAM OF THEIR CHILD BEING ABLE TO BREAK THE BONDS OF POVERTY THROUGH POST SECONDARY EDUCATION.

WE WILL GRADUATE 23 STUDENTS IN MAY OF 2020. PROVIDING OVER $170,000 IN FLORIDA PREPAID SCHOLARSHIPS, WHICH WILL AID STUDENTS IN PURSUING THE NEXT STEP IN THEIR CAREER ASPIRATIONS AT A FLORIDA TECHNICAL SCHOOL, STATE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.

LOCALLY, SINCE 2007, OUR TAKE STOCK PROGRAM GRADUATED 140 STUDENTS AND 138 OF THOSE STUDENTS BEGAN THEIR POST SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE FALL SEMESTER IMMEDIATELY SECEDED THEIR SCHOOL GRADUATION. THE OTHER TWO ENLISTED IN THE MILITARY TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY.

65% OF OUR GRADUATES ATTAINED AND ASSOCIATE, BACHELOR'S DEGREE OR SKREER CERTIFICATE WITHIN FOUR YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT OF TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE FUNDING OF PROGRAM COSTS AND MATCHING FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT STAR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FLORIDA PREPAID CREATES OVER THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND IN PUBLIC BENEFITS THROUGH EACH ONE OF THE STUDENTS WHO ACHIEVE THEIR POST SECONDARY EDUCATION.

OUR LOCAL INVESTING IN KIDS STORY IS A GOOD ONE AND YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF RECURRING FUNDING FOR THE MATCHING GRANT FUNDS AND TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN FUNDING IN SUPPORT OF MENTORING AND CAREER AND COLLEGE READY RNS FOR OUR STUDENTS IS THE PUBLIC LSH PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WE NEED

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>>>THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >>>NEXT WE HAVE BRETT, PATTY AND EMILY.

>>>GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.

MY WIFE, PATTY, DAUGHTER EMILY AND I WANT TO THANK THE DELEGATION FOR PAST SUPPORT OF CHILDREN LIKE EMILY WHO HAVE HEARING LSZ AND LEARNING HOW TO LISTEN AND SPEAK.

FROM THE MOMENT WE FOUND OUT OUR DAUGHTER, EMILY, WAS PROFOUNDLY DEAF WE'VE BEEN GIVEN THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES WE NEEDED TO RE S OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE A FULFILLING AND ENRICHED LIFE.

AT 16 MONTHS OF AGE OUR DAUGHTER NEVER HEARD HER OWN NAME. WE HAD SUSPICIONS HER HEARING WASN'T 100% BUT SHE HAD MANY OF US FOOLED, EVEN HER OWN PEDIATRICIAN.

NOTHING CAN PREPARE US FOR THE EARTH SHATTERING NEWS HER DEAFNESS WAS IS SEVERE SHE WOULD NEVER LISTEN AND SPEAK WITHOUT SWIFT ACTION. AT 20 MONTHS SHE RECEIVED HEIFER FIRST COCHLEAR IMPLANT AND LEARNED TO HARNNESS THE TECHNOLOGY AND LEARN TO LISTEN AND SPEAK. IT'S IMPORTANT TO LEARN THE IMPLANT ONLY PROVIDES ACCESS TO SOUND. EMILY STILL HAD TO BE TAUGHT A THE DIFFERENT TWAEN A CAR HORN AND GUITAR AND M AND NSHG. IT'S A TREMENDOUS UNDERTAKING TO TEACH A LITTLE GIRL WHO IS BEHIND 20 MONTHS HOW TO LISTEN AND SPEAK. IT'S BEEN A LONG ROAD BUT I CAN TELL YOU THIS. AFTER 30 MONTHS OF INTERVENTION, AFTER THOUSANDS OF BOOKS, AFTER COUNTLESS TEARS BOTH HAPPY AND SAD. OUR DAUGHTER IS THRIVING.

SHE'S STARTING TO READ ON HER OWN, DOING REALLY WELL. IMPRESSED ME LAST NIGHT.

SHE KNOWS EVERY LETTER IN THE ALPHABET. SHE KNOWS EACH SOUND THEY MAKE.

SHE'S AHEAD IN MANY WAYS. MOST IMPORTANTLY, SHE'S ENGAGED IN THE HEARING WORLD.

SHE CAN TALK TO HER LITTLE SISTERS. USUALLY BOSSING THEM AROUND.

TELL US WHAT SHE WANTS FOR LUNCH. SHE HAS FRIENDS NORMAL HEARING AND HARD OF HEARING KIDS ALIKE. SHE'S GOING TO MAIN STRAEM AT LIBERTY PINES NEXT YEAR.

WE'RE ASKING FOR THE DELEGATIONS CONTINUED SUPPORT OF KIDS LIKE EMILY.

WE LIKE TO REQUEST SUPPORT AND COSPONSORSHIP WITH HB125, WHICH IS INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR HEARING AIDS FOR CHILDREN AS WELL AS YOUR SUPPORT AND COSPONSORSHIP OF HB421 PROVIDING $875,000 IN FUNDING FOR AUDITORY ORAL INTERVENTION AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT FAMILY LIKES US WHO HAVE CHOSE LISTENING A SPOKEN LANGUAGE. HER FUTURE IS BRIGHT AND LIMITLESS AND WE HAVE YOU TO THANK YOU FOR THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

SHE WOULD LIKE TO SAY HELLO TO YOU. >> HI.

MY NAME IS EMILY. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING MY SCHOOL.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING. [CLAPPING] >> THANK YOU.

>>>THANK YOU. >>>NEXT I HAVE SKYLAR SEEKER WITH ST. AUGUSTINE YOUTH

SERVICES AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY CHILDRENS COMMISSION. >>>AS SHE WALKS UP.

I WANT TO THANK BRETT AND PATTY FOR BEING WONDERFUL PARENTS. EMILY IS VERY FORTUNATE.

WHAT WE DO IS SMALL COMPARED THE THE STRENGTH OF A FAMILY. SO THANK YOU.

[CLAPPING] >>WELL, SAID. >>>THANK YOU.

HELL LOI. I'M SKYLAR SEEKER AND I'M THE CEO AT ST. AUGUSTINE YOUTH SERVICES AND CHAIR THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH KOR SOSH YUM CHILDRENS COMMITTEE.

I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THREE THINGS BUT FIRST THANK YOU EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY ON CHILDRENS ISSUE. MANY PROGRAMS WE'VE HAD RECENTLY STARTED IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ENHANCE HAVE BEEN DUE TO YOUR EFFORTS. WE APPRECIATE THAT GREATLY.

FIRST I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT OUR INDEPENDENT LIVING ISSUES WITH OUR FOSTER CARE YOUTH THAT ARE AGING OUT. THE STATISTICS ARE GRIM, AS YOU KNOW.

A THOUSAND OF OUR FOSTER CARE YOUTH ARE TURNING 18. 25% WILL BE HOMELESS BY THE TIME WITHIN ONE YEAR. 50% WITHIN FOUR YEARS. 50% WILL BE UNEMPLOYED BY THE AGE OF 24, 25% WILL SFRUFR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS. 50% WILL DEVELOP SUBSTANCE ABUSE

[01:00:05]

PROGRAMS THAT SERVE 18-23 YEAR OLDS THAT ARE IN TO EXTENDED FOSTER CARE.

MANY OF OUR YOUTH THAT ARE 18, EVEN MY OWN CHILDREN, NEED SUPPORT.

THEY NEED GUIDANCE. WE'RE ASKING OUR MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN TO BE INDEPENDENT ON THEIR OWN AT 18. I KNOW I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IF I WAS LEFT ON MY OWN. WE'RE HOPING THAT FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE YOUTH WE'RE ABLE TO PUT SOME OF THESE INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAMS IN PLACE, AS WELL AS, IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

SECONDLY, I'D LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT RESIDENTIAL SERVICES WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES ACT. CHILDREN NEEDING QUALITY GROUP HOMES ARE AT RISK. WE WANT CHILDREN TO HAVE FVR HOMES AND FOSTER HOMES AND ADOPTIVE PLACEMENTS. BEFORE THAT MANY NEED TREATMENT IN QUALITY GROUP HOMES TO WORK THROUGH THEIR TRAUMA. SO WHEN THEY ARE PLACED IN A FOSTER HOME OR ADOPTIVE HOME THEY CAN STAY AND MAKE IT STABLE. MANY OF THE KIDS THAT COME TO ST. AUGUSTINE YOUTH SERVICES HAVE HAD AT LEAST EIGHT PLACEMENTS PRIOR TO COMING TO US. SO WE WANT TO TRY TO IMPLEMENT THAT CHILDREN RECEIVE THE RIGHT SERVICE AT THE RIGHT TIME O OPPOSED TO HAVING TO FAIL UP TO THOSE SERVICES.

WE HAVE QUALITY STANDARDS IN IN FLORIDA, WHICH WE ARE THE FIRST AMONG MOST STATES TO DEVELOP THOSE AND IMPLEMENT THEM. THAT WAS QUICK. OKAY.

>>>DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE BRIEFLY? >>>I WAS JUST GOING TO DUCK TAIL ON PATTY THAT WE HAVE ABOUT TWO HUNDRED KIDS WAITING ON A WAIT LIST FOR THERAPY AND

PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES. WE NEED MORE RESOURCES FOR THAT. >>>THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THE COMMUNITY. >>>THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>>NEXT MICHELLE DYLAN WITH ST. JOHNS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. >>>GOOD MORNING SENATOR AND DELEGATION MEMBERS. I'M MICHELLE DYLAN. PRESIDENT OF THE ST. JOHNS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION WHICH IS OUR LOCAL TEACHERS UNION. AS EDUCATORS WE ARE DEEPLY COMMITTED TO THE SUCCESS OF EVERY STUDENT. STUDENTS ARE AT THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING WE DO. WE BELIEVE WE MUST ENSURE THAT OUR KIDS ARE PREPARED FOR THE WELL PAYING JBS OF TOMORROW. AND TO ACCOMPLISH THIS WE MUST HAVE A WORLD CLASS PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM. THIS YEAR YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH YOU TO MAKE SURE OUR STUDENTS HAVE A WORLD CLASS PUBLIC EDUCATION. IN THE PAST, OUR LEADER SUPPORTED TEACHERS WITH THEIR WORDS BUT NOT WITH THEIR ACTIONS.

COMPARED TO OTHER STATES, FLORIDA IS NEAR THE BOTTOM IN IMPORTANT MEASURES.

OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDING RANKS 43RD IN THE NATION. IN SEPTEMBER 2018, THE FINANCIAL SITE WALLET HUB RELEASED THE LIST OF BEST AND WORST STATES IN WHICH TO TEACH.

FLORIDA RANKED 47TH. AT THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR WE HAD OVER THREE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED TEACHER VACANCIES. THAT'S THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND STUDENTS WITHOUT A FULL-TIME CERTIFIED TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM. IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY WE CURRENTLY HAVE 32 TEACHER VACANCIES AND 42 TEACHERS RESIGNED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

IT IS CLEAR THAT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AREN'T KEEPING PACE WITH THE KNEADS AND DEMANDS PLACED UPON THEM. YET TAXPAYERS SENT STATE LEADERS A MESSAGE LAST NOVEMBER.

EVERY CORNER OF FLORIDA, REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL PARTY, VOTERS DEMANDED THAT OUR STUDENTS COME FIRST. IN FACT, THEY VOTED TO TAX THEMSELVES IN ORDER TO PAY OUR EDUCATORS AS PROFESSIONALS AND INCREASE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

VOTERS ALSO TOLD US THAT SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ISN'T RED AND IT ISN'T BLUE.

IT CROSSES PARTY LINES. FLORIDA CAN BECOME AN ECONOMIC LEADER BUT NOT WITHOUT A WELL EDUCATED WORK FORCE. VOTER WANT THEIR TAX DOLLARS INVESTED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

PARENTS WANT THEIR KIDS TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A BETTER LIFE.

THE FIRST STEP YOU CAN TAKE THIS YEAR IS TO MAKE SURE OUR TEACHERS, FACULTY AND SUPPORT STAFF ARE PAID A FAIR SALARY. FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES THE LEGISLATURE FOCUSED ON SYSTEMS,

[01:05:05]

MUCH NEEDED FUNDING DIVERTED TO PROOIF TIEIZATION SCHEME, TESTING COMPANIES AND BIZARRE BONUS PLANS THAT DON'T WORK. AS TIME DOES NOT PERMIT ME TO GO DEEPLY INTO POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING PUBLIC EDUCATION, WE ASK YOU TO DO ONE THING THIS YEAR FOR STUDENTS AND OUR SCHOOLS. INVEST IN FLORIDA'S PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

INVEST IN FLORIDA'S TEACHERS AND EDUCATION STAFF PRFLS. INVEST IN OUR STUDENTS FUTURE.

OUR UNION REALLY LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU WHETHER HERE IN THE DISTRICT OR IN

TALLAHASSEE. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >>>THANK YOU.

[CLAPPING] >>>I HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR YOU.

THE GOVERNOR JUST HAD A PROPOSAL OUT EARLIER A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, NOW RELEASED HIS BUDGET, WHICH HAS A STARTING TEACHER PAY AND BASE PAY. HAVE YOU GOT TOGETHER WITH YOUR GROUP AND BEEN ABLE TO TAKE A POSITION OR ARE YOU STILL ANALYZING?

>> WE ARE STILL ANALYZING. WHILE I APPRECIATE THE GOVERNOR'S CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TEACHER PAY OUR FEAR IS THAT HE HAS NOT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DETAILS.

HE HASN'T THOUGHT ABOUT VETERAN TEACHERS AND HASN'T THOUGHT ABOUT EDUCATION STAFF PROFESSIONALS. BUT WE WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE LOCAL AND STATE UNION TO MEET WITH THE GOVERNOR SO WE CAN IMPROVE SALARYS FOR OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

>> THANK YOU. I THINK WE CAN ALL AAGREE WE'RE STARTING TO MOVE IN THE RIGHT

DIRECTION AND THE DETAILS WHAT PROBABLY NEED TO BE WORKED OUT. >> THANK YOU.

>>>NEXT I HAVE MICHAEL SIENE. >> THANK YOU FOR HOLDING THIS HEARING TODAY TO HEAR FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS AT ST. JOHNS COUNTY. I AM MICHAEL SIENE FROM CPA ADVISORS HERE AS THE CHAIRMAN FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY COMMERCE OF POET POLICY COMMITTEE.

WE REPRESENT OEF ELEVEN HUNDRED BUSINESSES LARGE AND SMALL IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AS YOU ALREADY HAVE THE CHAMBERS RIN STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD I WILL NOT READ IT.

I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF OUR LEGISLATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS AS WE HEAD INTO THE NEXT SESSION. THE CHAMBERS ALONG SUPPORTER OF YOUR EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE FLORIDA SALES TAX ON COMMERCIAL RENTS. THIS IS AN INSIDIOUS TAX WHOSE TIME HAS COME AND GONE. WE ARE THE ONLY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES THAT TAX COMMERCIAL RENTS PAID BY BUSINESSES AND WHETHER YOU'RE COMPANY RENTS SPACE OR YOU ARE A BUILDING OWNER THAT 5.75% TAX PAID EVERY MONTH IS REAL MONEY COMING OUT OF OUR POCKETS.

THOSE DOLLARS WOULD BE BETTER SPENT BY THE BUSINESSES THEMSELVES TO RAISE EMPLOYEE WAGES, IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY, PURCHASE INVENTORY AND PROVIDE HEALTHCARE.

WE APPLAUD YOUR SUPPORT OF THE ELIMINATION OF THIS REGRESSIVE TAX.

THE SECOND ITEM IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FACING ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

EMPLOYEES TODAY IS A LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR OUR WORK FORCE.

THE STATE AND LOCAL HOUSING TRUST FUNDS CREATED TO ASSIST COUNTIES AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO ADDRESS THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE. WITHOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING ST. JOHNS COUNTY EMPLOYERS FACE AN INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT PROBLEM ATTRACTING TOP CANDIDATES IN MANY OF THE CORE SECTORS INCLUDING PUBLIC SAFETY, EDUCATION, MANUFACTURING, HEALTHCARE AND TOURISM.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR'S CALL TO END THIS PRACTICE OF SWEEPING THESE FUNDS INTO OTHER PROGRAMS THCHLT IS A PRIORITY PROGRAM FOR THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND OUR COMMUNITY. FINALLY WE URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE REAUTHORIZATION AND FUNDING OF VISIT FLORIDA. TOURISM IS THE NUMBER ONE ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY. VISIT FLR FLORIDA HELPS COUNTY CAPTURE OUT OF STATE TOURISM WHO MIGHT PASS US BY AND MIGHT MISS ST. AUGUSTINE, BEACHES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.

WE REMEMBER THE CRITICAL ASSISTANCE VISIT FLORIDA PROVIDED TO OUR REGION IN THE AFTER MATH OF HURRICANE MATTHEW IN HELPING IN 2016, BY HELPING TO ANNOUNCE TO THE WORLD ST.

JOHNS COUNTY WAS BACK OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND OUR FAMOUS NIGHT OF LIGHTS WAS UP AND RUNNING.

VISIT FLORIDA IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. WE URGE YOU TO PORT THAT.

THANK YOU FOR HOLDING THIS HEARING, THE CHAMBER STANDS READY TO WORK WITH YOU ON THESE AND OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY COMMUNITY. WE TRULY APPRECIATE YOU BEING

HERE TODAY. THANK YOU. >>>THANK YOU.

NEXT CARLOS AVALIS. FLORIDA FIRE CHIEF ASSOCIATION. >>>GOOD MORNING.

[01:10:08]

WE HAVE HAD HISTORIC LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES IN THE AREAS OF PTSD COVERAGE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND AS A FIREFIGHTER WHO DEVELOPED CANCER AT THE AGE OF 29Z, THE LEGISLATION LAST YEAR TO PROVIDE CANCER COVERAGE FOR FIREFIGHTERS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA WAS HISTORIC.

I APPRECIATE ALL THE SUPPORT. WITH THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN HOUSE BILL 487 THIS YEAR. WHICH WOULD CREATE A FIREFIGHTER CANCER DECON EQUIPMENT GRANT PROGRAM. THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION CURRENTLY HAS NO SENATE BILL OR SUPPORT. WE WOULD BE LOOKING FOR THAT. WE ALSO SUPPORT SENATE BILL 230 WHICH DOES NOT HAVE A HOUSE COMPANION BILL BUT WOULD MAXIMIZE FEDERAL AND STATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR PHYSICIANS TO PRACTICE IN MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED OUR RURAL AREAS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF AREAS ACROSS THE STATE THAT DEPEND ON FEDERAL AND STATE DOLLARS TO KEEP MEDICAL FACILITIES OPEN. THOSE ARE CRITICAL FACILITIES WE LOOK FOR SUPPORT THERE AND PERSONALLY AS A FIRE CHIEF WE OPPOSE HOUSE BILL 215 AND SENATE BILL 620, WHICH IS A REVAMP OF THE FLORIDA FIREFIGHTER BILL OF RIGHTS. IT'S ALL ENCOMPASSING.

THERE'S NO CURRENT, WE DON'T FEEL THERE'S A CURRENT ISSUE WITH THE FLORIDA FIREFIGHTER BILL OF RIGHTS AND IT WOULD EXTEND INTO NONINFORMAL INQUIRIES.

IT WOULD MAKE OUR JOB AS EXECUTIVE FIRE OFFICERS AND ADMINISTRATORS MORE DIFFICULT COSTING A LOT TO TAXPAYERS. WE DON'T FEEL THERE'S A CURRENT ISSUE AND NO CURRENT VIOLATIONS OF THE CURRENT FIREFIGHTER BILL OF RIGHTSES ON RECORD. WITH THAT I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>>THANK YOU. >>>NEXT I HAVE VINCENT MAZELLA.

FLORIDA CITIZENS ALLIANCE. >>>GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE SESSION. I'M A RETIRED PHYSICIAN WITHOUT ANY SPECIAL EDUCATION EXPERIENCE. BUT I HAVE A HEART FOR HOW IMPORTANT A QUALITY EDUCATION CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD AND HIS FUTURE. I'M HERE TO REPRESENT PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, FLORIDA CITIZENS ALLIANCE MEMBERS AND CONCERNED CITIZENS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

WE SPECIFICALLY ARE REQUESTING OUR LEGISLATORS TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER TO EVALUATE AND WRITE REAL CLASS STANDARDS AND ADOPT A LINE OF CURRICULUM FOR FLORIDA SCHOOLS.

PLEASE MAKE THE SCHOOLS THE BEST IN THE NATION. WE ASK TO STANDARDS AND CURRICULUM FOCUS ON A CLASSIC EDUCATION INCLUDING BASICS IN READING, WRITING, MATH AND CIVICS. CONSIDERING THAT ONLY 58% OF THE FLORIDA THIRD GRADE STUDENTS ARE READING AT THIRD GRADE LEVEL AND OUR FLORIDA STUDENTS ARE SCORING LOWER ON NATIONAL TESTING, WE CAN IMPROVE TREMENDOUSLY. WE ASK YOU SUPPORT THE OPTIONS AND INCREASE ELIGIBILITY FOR THE HOPE AND FAMILY IMPROVEMENT SCHOLARSHIPS. WE ASK THE SCHOLARSHIP INCLUDE OFFENSES AGAINST A CHILD FROM ANOTHER STUDENT OR ADULT. WE EARNESTLY ARE ASKING FOR ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO BE SAFE FOR EVERY CHILD. SCHOOL SAFETY IS A HUGE CONCERN FOR ALL OF US. PLEASE EXPAND THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP TO INCLUDE FAILURE TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS. WE ASK YOU TO PLEASE IMPROVE THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS USED IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO INCLUDE ALL TEXTBOOKS AND ALL ONLINE SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL. THESE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND ONLINE MATERIALS NEED TO BE OF THE HIGHEST STANDARDS AND HISTORIC ACCURACY.

WE'RE ALSO ASKING THAT YOU WOULD STRENGTHEN OUR FLORIDA STATUTES TO PROTECT MINORS IN OUR SCHOOLS FROM EXPOSURE TO PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL. CITIZENS ALLIANCE MEMBERS HAVE REVIEWED APPROXIMATELY 30 BOOKS AND NOVELS THAT ARE SEXUALLY EXPLICIT AND HARMFUL TO OUR MINORS. THESE BOOKS AND NOVELS ARE AVAILABLE IN OUR SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES. WE ASK YOU TO PLEASE SUPPORT SENATOR BACKSEATWILL RECOLLECT

[01:15:05]

GIVE OUR FAILING FLORIDA SCHOOLS INCENTIVES TO ADOPT PROVEN ALTERNATIVE AND MODELS.

WHEN A CHILD LOSES A YEAR OF SCHOOL, THEY LOSE IT FOREVER. WE ASK YOU TO SUPPORT OUR TEACHER CERTIFICATION AND ALIGN WITH THE NEW FLORIDA STANDARDS. I'LL CLOSE WITH A QUOTE FROM GK CHESTERSON. EDUCATION IS ONLY TRUTH IN A STATE OF TRANSMISSION.

AND HOW WE DO WE PASS ON TRUTH IF IT HAS NEVER COME INTO OUR HANDS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT MARK MARTINDALE.

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA WHITNEY LAB MARINE BIO SCIENCE. >> GOOD MORNING.

I'M MARK MARTINDALE. I'M THE DEAN, DIRECTOR AND CHAIR OF UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA WHITNEY LAB MORE MARINE BIO SCIENCE. RECRUITED 7 YEARS AGO BY THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA DR. GLOVR FROM THE MARINE LABORATORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII. WE CURRENTLY LAST YEAR HAD A BUNT OF SIX AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS OF WHICH LESS THAN HALF CAME FROM FLORIDA.

THE REST RAISED BY HIGHLY COMPETITIVE RESEARCH GRANTS BY MY FACULTY AND PRIVATE DONATIONS. WE CURRENTLY HAVE BETWEEN 75 AND 80 EMPLOYEES THAT WORK AT THE LABORATORY INCLUDING STUDENT, STAFF AND FACULTY. WE HOST A LARGE NUMBER OF VISITING SCIENTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. WE HAVE BETWEEN 80-90 VOLUNTEER WHO HELP US WITH EDUCATIONAL AND PROGRAM ISSUES. PEOPLE LOCAL COMMUNITY THAT VOLUNTEER THEIR PRECIOUS TIME AND ENERGY TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND WE HAVE A K-12 STEM PROGRAM THAT'S BEEN OPERATING SINCE 2003. LAST YEAR 5500 KIDS CAME THROUGH THE STEM PROGRAM FROM 7 COUNTIES. TITLE ONE SCHOOLS AND THIS HAS BEEN A VERY LARGE SUCCESS IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY. WE THINK THE WHITNEY LABORATORY IS A VERY IMPORTANT PARTNER IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY. THE REASON I'M HERE TODAY IS TO CONVINCE YOU THAT THE REASON I CAME HERE, THE REASON WHITNEY LAB IS DOING WELL AND THE REASON THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IS INVESTING SO HEAVILY IN THE WHITNEY LABORATORY IS BECAUSE WE ARE SITTING IN THE LAST GREAT PLACE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THE COASTLINE IN THE TOWN AND MARINE LAND OF SOUTHERN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, NORTHERN FLAGLER COUNTY THE MOST PRI STEEN COASTLINE LEFT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. I REMIND YOU THE REASON THAT'S THE CASE IS CONCERNED LOCAL PRIVATE CITIZENS WORKED WITH EDUCATED, INFORMED POLITICIANS TO SET ASIDE PUBLIC LAND THAT HAS BEEN THE RESULT IN THE NATURE OF OUR COASTLINE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT AS A PUBLIC SERVANT I HOPE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER TO TRY TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE, TO RESPECT NATURE AND MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT LAND USE MANAGEMENT AND CONTINUE ON IN TO THE FUTURE.

I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >>>THANK YOU. I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU IF YOU DON'T MIND. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO THERE. I'VE BEEN THERE AND SEEN AMAZING THINGS. RECENTLY IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WE FUNDED THE SUMMER HAVEN RIVER RESTORATION. THAT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING ALONG WELL.

HAVE YOU DONE ANY TESTING OR ANY TYPE OF SCIENTIFIC DATA TO PROVE WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE?

>> WE REGARD THAT AS A LIVING LABORATORY. THIS IS LIKE AN ENVIRONMENTAL OPPORTUNITY LIKE MOVING A DAM FROM A WESTERN RIVER OR SOMETHING WHERE YOU CAN STUDY THE BIO DIVERSITY BEFORE AND AFTER THE OPENING OF THE RIVER. THE PROBLEM IS WE HAD A COUPLE OF HURRICANES THAT DELAYED THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT. SO THE GOOD NEWS IS WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND ENERGY LAYING DOWN THE FOUNDATION FOR KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE.

WE'RE WAITING FOR THE PROJECT TO BE COMPLETED BUT WELL POSITIONED TO BE ABLE TO ASSESS WHAT THE

SUCCESS OF THAT PROJECT IS. >>>THANK YOU. COULD YOU SPEAK TO THE VALUE

PROJECT. >> WE INSTITUTED A NUMBER OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN WATER QUALITY, ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A LARGE PROJECT WE STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REINTRODUCING

[01:20:03]

>>>ANYTHING ELSE? >>>THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >>>NEXT JEN LUMBER WITH RIVER

KEEPER. >>>GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ITEM AND ATTENTION THIS MORNING. YESTERDAY OUR COMMUNITY CELEBRATED A FANTASTIC WIN WITH THE FINAL ACQUISITION OF THE FISH ISLAND PROPERTY ON THE RIVER.

I'M SURE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THAT STORY. FISH ISLAND PRESENTS A RESOURCE IN AS FAR AS PRESERVING A GREEN SPACE, PROTECTING WATERWAYS AND IR REPLACEMENT HISTORIC RESOURCES. AS MUCH AS A SUCCESS FISH ISLAND WAS THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF ACRES ACROSS FLORIDA THAT ARE EQUALLY DESERVING OF PROTECTION AS FISH ISLAND IS.

ACCORDING TO A STUDY LAST YEAR BY THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH, IF WE CONTINUE TO FUND STATE CONSERVATION LAND FUNDING AT THE CURRENT RATE, IT'LL TAKE 172 YEARS TO ACQUIRE ALL OF THE PROPERTIES THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS PRIORITIES FOR CONSERVATION. I'M SURE YOU'RE AWARE WE HAVE ABOUT 900 PEOPLE MOVING TO FLORIDA EVERY DAY. ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS THE THIRD FASTEST GROWING COUNTY IN THE STATE. WE DON'T HAVE 172 YEARS TO SAVE ALL OF THESE PROPERTIES.

I WOULD LIKE TO URGE YOU IN THE UPCOMING SESSION TO ADVOCATE FOR REFUNDING FLORIDA FOREVER AT ITS HISTORIC RATE OF $300 MILLION. THAT'S THE AMOUNT WE NEED IF WE'RE GOING TO SAVE THESE PROPERTIES BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. ANOTHER PRIORITY CONCERN OF CONSTITUENTS IS THE EROSION OF LOCAL CONTROL BY STATEWIDE PREEMPTION LAWS. WHETHER THAT'S GROWTH MANAGEMENT OR VACATION RENTALS OR SINGLE USE PLASTICS I WOULD LIKE TO URGE YOU TO KEEP THE POWER OF THE CITIZENS WITHIN THEIR LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES. NOT EVERYBODY HAS THE TIME AND RESOURCES TO GO TO UP TO TALLAHASSEE WHEN THEY HAVE A LOCAL PROGRAM.

THEY NEED TO COME INTO FORUMS LIKE THIS AND GO TO LOCAL COMMISSIONERS TO VOICE CONCERNS WHEN THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN THEIR BACKYARDS. I URGE YOU THIS UPCOMING SESSION TO ADHERE TO HOME RULE AUTHORITY AND SAY NO TO OVERREACHING STATEWIDE LAWS.

I WOULD LIKE TO URGE YOU TO ADOPT A COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO WATER QUALITY PROTECTIONS.

THE RALLYING CRY WE'VE GOTTEN BEHIND THE SESSION IS TO STOP POLLUTION AT THE SOURCE.

THAT REALLY IS THE MOST COMMON SENSE SOLUTION TO PROTECTING OUR WATERWAYS.

IT TAKES A LOT LESS MONEY AND TIME AND ENERGY TO KEEP POLLUTION OUT THAN IT DOES TO TRY AND REMEDIATE IT AFTER THE FACT. WE'RE SEEING HOW WRONG THINGS CAN GO IN CASES LIKE THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON WHEN YOU TRY TO FIX THINGS AFTER THEY'VE GONE BACK.

BACK THE LEGISLATION THAT CALLS FOR STATEWIDE REFORM OF SEWAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND STORM WATER SYSTEMS AND INVITE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TO JOIN US ON THE RIVER TO SEE WHAT A

FANTASTIC AND PRISTINE RESOURCE WE HAVE. >>>THANK YOU.

>>>I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE YOU UP ON THE OFFER. CAN YOU SPEAK, WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT EARLIER ABOUT PRIORITIES. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE TOP PRIORITIES FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY SPECIFICALLY AND THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA AREA, GENERALLY, FOR THE RIVER AND THE SURROUNDING WATER BODIES. WHAT ARE THE TOP, ONE, TWO, THREE THINGS TO DO IF YOU HAD A MAGIC WAND TO HELP ENSURE WAULT QUALITY.

>> THE BIGGEST IS THE BAY CENTER THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH URBANIZATION.

RAPID DEVELOPMENT, LOSS OF GREEN SPACES FLOOD WATER RETENTION AND STORM WATER FILTRATION.

SO WE REALLY NEED TO SEE THAT FLORIDA FOREVER FUNDING COME THROUGH SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO PUT THOSE GREEN SPACES IN CONSERVATION. ANOTHER ENORMOUS THREAT WE HAVE IS PLASTIC POLLUTION. A LOT OF PEOPLE VIEW PLASTIC POLLUTION AS NO.

A TURTLE IS CHOKING ON A PLASTIC BAG. WHAT WE FAIL TO REALIZE IS THAT A REAL PUBLIC HEALTH RISK. THERE'S A STUDY THAT'S ONGOING AT FLAGLER UNIVERSITY THAT IS SAMPLING CRABS IN THE RIVER TO SEE IF THEY HAVE PLASTIC IN THEIR TISSUES AND GILLS.

[01:25:02]

WHAT'S ENDING UP IN THE WATERWAYS IS ON OUR DINNER PLATES.

THAT'S A DIRGES PROSPECT. WHAT HAPPENS IS NASTY THINGS IN OUR WATERWAYS LIKE HEAVY METALS AND PATHOGENS TEND TO CLING TO PLASTICS. AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY IN FOOD CHAIN AND END UP O ON THE DINNER PLATE THAT'S A PUBLIC HEALTH RISK.

WE HAVE A RIVER CLEANUP PROGRAM AND SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR WE REMOVED ABOUT EIGHT THOUSAND POUNDS OF DEBRIS FROM THE RIVER AND SUBSTANTIAL PORTION WAS SINGLE USE PLASTICS.

>>>ONE FOLLOW UP. WITH RESPECT TO FLORIDA FOREVER, ARE YOU SATISFIED THE WAY ITS SET UP IN TERMS OF PRIORITIES. IF WE GO TO THREE HUNDRED MILLION THE NEEDS OF THIS AREA ARE ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED IN THE WAY WE'RE GOING ABOUT FUNDING THAT?

>> THE FLORIDA FOREVER PRIORITY LIST FEATURES THE RIVER.

A PROJECT CALLED THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA BLUE WAY IDENTIFYING PROPERTIES O ON THE BANKS OF THE THE RIVER, WHICH FISH ISLAND WAS PART OF O MAKING IT EL JINL FOR FLORIDA FOREVER FUNDING.

IT'S BEEN ON THE LIST FOR A LONG TIME. THE MONEY HASN'T BEEN THERE TO ACQUIRE THE PARCELS. IT'S TEED UP AND READY WE JUST NEED THE DOLLARS BEHIND IT.

>>>THANK YOU. >>>REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON. >>>THANK YOU SENATOR HUDSON.

IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU. I DON'T KNOW IF WE MET BEFORE. >> WE HAVE.

>>>TO HEAR YOUR PRESENTATION, IN THE FLORIDA FOREVER, I'VE BEEN TO SOME OF THE THINGS SETTING UP AND SEEN THE GREAT PROJECTS THERE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE AWARE OF IT BUT THERE WAS ALSO, WE TALK ABOUT RESILIENCE, A GREENWAYS, BLUEWAYS PLAN FOR THE COUNTY, FOR ST. JOHN COUNTY AND OTHER COUNTIES ADOPTED THEM, AS WELL, OR HAD THEM.

WHICH IS NOT JUST THE INDIVIDUAL PROJECT BUS HOW THEY CONNECT TOGETHER SO THEY ADD RESILIENCE TO THE PROPERTY AS WELL AS ALL THE ENVIRONMENTAL THING THAT IS YOU DISCUSSED.

WATER QUALITY AND THOSE THINGS. IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO PLEASE TAKE A LOOK, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE FACTORS, THE CONNECTIVITY OF COMPLETE SYSTEMS ARE ALSO THERE BECAUSE I THINK IN THE LONG TERM THEY ARE GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL. IT'S SOMETHING, SINCE YOU'RE HERE TALKING ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE IN FLORIDA FOREVER. I'M NOT SURE THAT'S WEIGHTED AS MUCH AS THE INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS BECAUSE WE SEE PINE ISLAND AND DIFFERENT THINGS BUT THE CONNECTIVITY LEVERAGES THEM UP AND MAKES THEM FOR VALUABLE FOR PROTECTION.

FOR RESILIENCE. >> DEFINITELY. FLORIDA FOREVER PROJECTS ARE SCORED. CONNECTIVITY ADDS PAINTS TO IT. YOU'RE RIGHT.

WE WANT TO CONNECT THOSE LAND AREAS AS OPPOSED TO HAVING FRAGMENTED AREA.

MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK. >>>THANK YOU. >>>I ADD AND YOU MENTIONED NOT EVERYONE CAN GO TO TALLAHASSEE. FOR ALL OF US, ANYONE THAT CALLS IN TO OUR OFFICE WHEN WE'RE IN TALLAHASSEE OR SENDS AN E-MAIL THAT'S A CONSTITUENT, WE KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AGAINST OR FOR A SPECIFIC POLICY. THAT'S WHAT THE STAFF DOES IS TRACK THAT. DO NOT THINK THIS IS THE ONLY TIME YOU HAVE ACCESS TO US.

WE ARE MONITORING EVERYTHING. WE ARE ACTIVITY MONITORING WHAT THE CONSTITUENTS WANT.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >>>NEXT ED SLAVEN WITH ST.

AUGUSTINE GREEN. >>> >>>GOOD MORNING.

ED SLAVEN. ST. AUGUSTINE GREEN. I WANT TO AGREE WITH JENNIFER.

WE HAD 50 PEOPLE TESTIFYING IN ST. AUGUSTINE AND WE STOPPED DR HORTON FROM DESTROYING OUR HERITAGE AT FISH ISLAND. IT WAS A HUGE VICTORY. IT TAKES A VILLAGE.

I WANT TO COMMEND YOUR ATTENTION TO THE ARTICLE I WROTE IF THE ST. AUGUSTINE RECORD ON SEPTEMBER 8TH. IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TAKE A GANDER AT IT.

ABOUT THE 7 GENERATION TEST. EVERY DECISION THAT THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION MAKES, EVERYTHING THAT ST. JOHNS COUNTY COMMISSION DOES NEEDS TO FACTOR IN HOW IT WILL AFFECT PEOPLE IN SEVEN GENERATIONS. THERE HAVE BEEN 22 GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY SINCE COLONIZATION BY THE SPANISH.

IF WE DON'T LOOK AHEAD INTO THE FUTURE AND WE DON'T PLAN, I'M REALLY GLAD THE GOVERNOR NOW HAS A RESILIENCE SI OFFICER. I'M GLAD WE'RE ALLOWED IN STATE GOVERNMENT TO SAY GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE. GLOBAL WARMING IS HERE. IF WE'RE GOING TO STOP THAT, COPE WITH THAT LOCALLY WE NEED THE ST. AUGUSTINE NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK AND SEASHORE FIRST PROPOSED BY THEN MAYOR OF ST. AUGUSTINE 80 YEARS AGO IN 1939. BY SENATOR PEPPER AND SENATOR

[01:30:05]

IN ORDER TO PROTECT THESE CULTURAL RESOURCES FROM THE DEVELOPERS, FROM THE SPEEDING DUMP TRUCKS, FROM THE ABSOLUTE RUE NATION OF THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE.

THIS GODS COUNTRY WITH CLEAR CUTTING, WITH WETLAND KILLING. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A NATIONAL PARK AND SEASHORE. IT JUST SO HAPPENS THERE ARE 130 THOUSAND ACRES IN TWO COUNTIES, ALREADY OWNED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA. ALREADY GOVERNMENT OWNED LAND, STATE FOREST, PARKS, WATER MANAGEMENT. YOU PUT IT TOGETHER AND PRESERVE IT UNDER FEDERALS A , IF YOU SUPPORT THAT AND LET THE CONGRESS KNOW THE STATE OF FLORIDA WOULD BE WILLING TO LET THE FEDS TAKE THAT LAND. IT'LL SAVE YOU A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR IN OWING THEM MONEY FOR PLACES LIKE THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT.

WHAT IT DOES IS GIVES US A TOURIST DESTINATION HERE. BIGGER THAN CAPE COD NATIONAL SEASHORE. IN TERMS OF BRANDING WHEN PEOPLE COME SOUTH 95 AND LOOK AT THE TOURIST LITERATURE. A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RESEARCH RESERVE IS.

THAT'S A TONGUE TWISTER. 20 SYLLABLES. NATIONAL PARK AND SEASHORE EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT ONE OF THOSE IS. IT WILL SAVE THE COUNTY AND STATE MONEY AND HAVE TOURISTS SPENDING MORE TIME AND MONEY HERE.

IT WILL GIVE THEM A DRAW. IT WOULD ALSO GIVE THEM A MUSEUM FOR THE CULTURE OF THIS AREA, INCLUDING THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HIS RISHGS SPANISH, CATHOLIC, JEWISH HISTORY AND FLOOD CONTROL BENEFITS WHICH WILL BE CONSIDERABLE WHEN A FEDERAL AGENCY LIKE THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CAN GET US THE MONEY WE NEED TO FIGHT OCEAN LEVEL RISE. IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED IN VENICE, THAT COULD BE DOWNTOWN ST. AUGUSTINE. WE NEED TO PRESERVE OUR CULTURAL AND HISTORIC ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES. I THINK YOU'RE THE PEOPLE TO HELP DO THAT. I'VE BEEN SAYING THIS SINCE 2005.

I'LL BE BACK. THANK YOU. >>>THANK YOU.

>>>NEXT JANE WEST WITH A THOUSAND FRIENDS OF FLORIDA. >>>GOOD MORNING.

SENATOR HUDSON, REPRESENTATIVE RENER, STEVENSON AND WELCOME BACK.

MY NAME IS JANE WEST. I'M THE NEW POLICY AND PLANNING DIRECTOR FOR ONE THOUSAND FRIENDSES OF FLORIDA. ONE THOUSAND FRIENDS OF FLORIDA IS A STATEWIDE NONPROFIT THAT IS BASICALLY A WATCHDOG FOR GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND WORKS TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES. TWO OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE DURING THIS UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION ARE THE REPEAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 7103 AND FUNDING FLORIDA FOREVER BACK TO THE HISTORIC LEVELS OF THREE HUNDRED MILLION.

LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION AN AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 7013 STRUCK IN THE DAYS OF THE SESSION WITH NO PUBLIC TESTIMONY, NO VETTING THROUGH COMMITTEES, NO DEBATE BY LAWMAKERS OR ANALYSIS AND NO PUBLIC INPUT. YET IT'S CHILLING AFFECT ON CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS SIGNIFICANT.

BASICALLY, IT PROVIDES FOR PREVAILING PARTY ATTORNEYS FEES IN THE EVENT THERE'S A WINNER IN THE CHALLENGE AND DEVELOPMENTRD OER. THAT HAS SIGNIFICANT IMPACT HERE, RIGHT NOW IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. ST. JOHNS COUNTY MADE A MOVE FIVE YEARS AGO WHEN IT VOTED THE DENY A DEVELOPMENT CALLED KINGS GRANT ON STATE ROAD 206.

THE DEVELOPER SUED THE COUNTY. THEY ARE STILL IN LITIGATION. THEY ARE SET TO GO TO TRIAL IN JANUARY. IF THE COUNTY LOSES WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CUT A CHECK FROM OUR POCKETBOOKS TO PAY FOR DEVELOPERS ATTORNEY FEES. THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

THAT'S A CHILLING AFFECT ON CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT AND BAD FOR THE POCKETBOOKS OF ST. JOHN COUNTY AND COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THE WAY THE AMENDMENT IS CURRENTLY DRAFTED DOES NOT PROTECT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. SO THIS IS A FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE AMENDMENT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. IN ADDITION, WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE AS A LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY FOR THIS UPCOMING SESSION THE FULL FUNDING BACK TO HISTORIC LEVELS OF FLORIDA FOREVER. AND THAT IS $300 MILLION. AS YOU RECALL, FIVE YEARS AGO THIS MONTH, THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN FLORIDA VOTED IN FAY ROR OF AMENDMENT ONE. AMENDMENT ONE GOES BACK TO ALLOCATING 33% OF OUR DOCK STAMPS TOWARD FUNDING OF CONSERVATION AND ACQUISITION OF LAND THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THOSE LEVELS.

FOR A PERIOD OF NINE YEARS, FLORIDA FOREVER HAD 0 FUNDING WHATSOEVER.

AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE MOST COST EFFICIENT WAY TO PROTECT FLORIDA'S ENVIRONMENT IS THROUGH THE CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF OUR LANDS.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS IN THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU. >>>NEXT LORI MOFFET. >>>

[01:35:14]

>>>MY SNAM IS LORI MOFFETE. I'M HERE TODAY TO SEEK HELP FROM YOU ALL TO SUPPORT THE RESTORATION OF THE COASTLINE AFTER ITS BEEN HIT BY THREE HURRICANES SINCE 2016.

AS YOU'RE WELL AWARE, NORTHEAST FLORIDA ONE PART OF THE STATE IMPACTED BY IRMA, MATTHEW AND DORIAN. YET THE COASTLINE IS ONLY BEACH IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA THAT LACKS SUFFICIENT FUNDING TO RESTORE ITS BEACH. DECADES OF NEGLECT TO THE BEACH HAS RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF A MASSIVE TWO AND A HALF MILLION CUBIC YARDS OF SAND SINCE THE 80S AND ABOUT 135 FEET OF WIDTH OUT OF THE BEACH. IN FACT, UPON PONTA BEACHERS BEACH IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT NINE HUNDRED PROPERTIES COULD BE AT RISK AND $6 BILLION OF PROPERTY VALUE. WE MUST RESTORE THE BEACH IN ITS DUNE SYSTEM TO PROTECT OUR LARGE TOURISM BASE, ECONOMY, PRIVATE PROPERTY, AND ULTIMATELY THE AREAS TAX BASE.

IN FACT, IT IS ESTIMATES THAT PONTBEACH MAY CONTRIBUTE UPWARDS OF 40% OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM BUDGET CONTRIBUTION. DUE TO AN ENORMOUS EFFORT ON THE PART OF HUNDREDS OF PRIVATE CITIZENS IN OUR COMMUNITY, INVOLVING THOUSANDS OF E-MAILS TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF MEETINGS, PHONE CALLS AND PUBLIC MEETINGS. ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS FINALLY ALLOCATED INITIAL FUNDING TO RESTORE THE COASTLINE ON THE ORDER OF 300-0000.

WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO OUR ST. JOHNS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR FINALLY PROVIDING MUCH NEEDED FUNDING FOR HURRICANES THAT OCCURRED THREE YEARS AGO. WE ASK FOR THE STATE TO PLEASE FOLLOW ST. JOHNS COUNTY'S LEAD. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK WITH OUR ST. JOHNS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AS PRIVATE CITIZENS ON A LONG TERM ONGOING FUNDING FORCE TO KEEP OUR BEACH RESTORED FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

PLEASE RECALL THE BEACH IS NOW ONE OF THE ONLY BEACHES IN THE STATE WITHOUT A BEACH RENOURISHMENT PROGRAM IN PLACE. THE REQUESTED FUNDING WILL WORK TOWARD CORRECTING THIS DEFICIENCY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE THREE OF YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE FOR US.

ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND WHAT I KNOW YOU'LL DO FOR US GOING

FORWARD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>>THANK YOU.

>>>NEXT WE HAVE GREG LEONARD THE CITIZENS TASK FORCE. >>>GOOD MORNING.

GOOD TO SEE YOU. I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE CITIZENS TRAFFIC TASK FORCE.

I'M ON THE BOARD OF THAT ENTITY. CERTAINLY IT HAS BEEN MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES THIS MORNING GROWTH IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS A FACT OF LIFE. HAVING GROWN UP IF ST. JOHNS COUNTY I'M AWARE OF THAT TRAJECTORY AND APPRECIATE THE BENEFIT AND THE CHALLENGES.

THAT GROWTH LED TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN MANY AREAS OF THE COUNTY.

NOT UNIQUE TO THE BEACH. BUT WHAT MAKES IT SOMEWHAT UNIQUE IS NOT ANY CHANGES MADE TO ROADWAYS IN OUR PART OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY SINCE THE 80S. THERE ARE MANY REASONS FOR THAT BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS NO CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE. AS A RESULT, WE'RE TRYING TO PLAY CATCH UP. WE NEED TO HAVE SOME SUPPORT. WE NEED THE SUPPORT OF THE STATE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY FUNDS. OUR MAIN STREET IS A1A. THE STREET THAT HAS THE MOST CHALLENGES. SINCE 2015, WE HAVE BEEN WORK AS A GROUP TO GAIN FUNDING AND WITH THE SUPPORT OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND THE SUPPORT OF THE NORTH TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION WE WERE ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER A STUDY THAT RECOMMENDED CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS. THE IMPROVEMENTS WE PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED.

SECONDLY, TO MAKE SURE THE TOTAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT WE REACHED OUT TO NINE THOUSAND HOUSEHOLDS IN THE AREA TO SEE WHAT THEY SUPPORTED. THEY SUPPORTED VERY STRONGLY, WELL PASSED 80%, THE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE PRIORITY LIST THE LAST TWO YEARS. LAST YEAR WE COLLABORATED WITH YOU AND YOU WERE KIND ENOUGH TO CARRY FORWARD OUR REQUEST AND GAIN $500,000 TO START A PROCESS OF INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT. THESE ARROWS REPRESENT THE KEY INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS WE

[01:40:01]

THAT DOES INCLUDE THE $500,000 THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN ALLOCATED AND THAT WILL BE COMPLETED DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR. THE THE ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BE COMPLETED IN THE COMING FISCAL YEAR OR AT THE LATEST IN THE BEGINNING OF 2022. I DID WANT TO MENTION THAT THE CONCEPTUAL AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED. WE'RE DOWN TO FINAL DESIGN WORK THEN CONSTRUCTION BASED ON RECEIVING THE NECESSARY FUNDS. HAVING SAID THAT WE'D LIKE TO ASK YOUR CONTINUING SUPPORT FOR THIS INITIATIVE AND I WOULD LIKE THE ASK THE MEMBERS OF OUR BOARD PRESENT TO PLEASE STAND. EACH ONE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS REPRESENTS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF A MAJOR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION OR HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION.

THANK YOU. >> THE 4.25 MILLION IS SHOVEL READY BY MARCH OR JUNE OF

NEXT YEAR? >> YES. >> OF THAT IS THE COUNTY AND/OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITY PUTTING MONEY IN OR IS IT ALL 100% STATE FUND SND

>> IT WOULD NEED TO BE STATE FUNDING AT THIS POINT. THE COUNTY IS TAKING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN HELPING US GET TO FINAL ENGINEERING DRAWINGS TO GET THE WORK FINALIZED.

>>>THANK YOU. >>>THANK YOU. NEXT NINA ROYER.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST JUSTICE FROM FLORIDA. >>>I LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL.

IS THIS WORKING? I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FIRST OF ALL FOR ALLOWING YOUR CONSTITUENTS TO SPEAK TO YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO ECHO AND BUILD ON ONE OF JEN'S COMMENTS WHICH IS THE OVERUSE AND ABUSE OF STATE PREEMPTION IN RECENT YEARS.

LOCAL DECISION MAKING AND DEMOCRACY IS UNDER ATTACK. I RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU SUPPORT AND VOTE FOR THE BILLS COMING UP IN THIS YEARS SESSION ALLOWING LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO ACT ON THEIR OWN UNIQUE NEEDS AND VALUES. FREE FROM STATE INTERFERENCE.

THIS IS KNOWN AS HOME RULE. IT SERVES US TO PROTECT THE AUTHORITY AND AUTONOMY OF LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE GUEST QUALIFIED TO MAKE LOCAL DECISIONS. I LIVE IN ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH AS A RESULT OF CITIZEN INPUT.

THE CITY ENACTED A BAN ON MOST SINGLE USE PLASTICS, WHICH WAS TO GO INTO AFFECT JANUARY 1ST OF NEXT YEAR. OUR LEGISLATORS, THE THREE OF YOU, VOTED FOR A BILL WHICH WOULD DENY OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THE ABILITY TO ENACT THIS LEGISLATION.

FORTUNATELY, OUR GOVERNOR HAD THE GOOD SENSE TO VETO THE PREEMPTION ON PLASTIC STRAWS, WHICH YOU APPROVED. HAVING LIVED IN THE COASTAL TOWN OF ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH 24 YEARS, WALKED ITS BEACHES, PICKED UP ITS TRASH, MY INPUT IS IGNORED WHEN IT COMES TO THE FUTURE OF OUR SHORES AND WILDLIFE. I HAVE NO INPUT INTO THAT. I'M GLAD TO SAY, I'M SAD TO SAY THAT MY LEGISLATORS IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION VOTED FOR SEVERAL PREEMPTION LAWS.

ALL OF THESE DECISIONS ARE BAD FOR FLORIDIANS AND SERVE TO SILENCE OUR VOICES.

MY VOICE. WE KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. OUR LEGISLATORS ARE PAYING MORE ATTENTION TO CORPORATE SPECIAL INTERESTS TO THE DETRIMENT OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

LOBBYISTS ARE OVERRUNNING OUR LEGISLATURE. HOME RULE PROVIDES LOCAL COMMUNITIES WITH AN EVEN CHANCE OF MANAGING THE IMPACT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

ON THE OTHER HAND, SPECIAL INTERESTS ARE FOCUSED ON PRIMARILY PROFIT.

NOTHING IS WHEREINING WITH PROFIT. ITS IMPORTANT FOR BISZS TO THRIVE. HOWEVER, THEY ALSO NEED TO BE HELD IN CHECK BY THE INPUT OF THEIR LOCAL RESIDENTS. AS AN EXAMPLE, PUBLIX IS A VALUED CUSTOMER IN FLORIDA.

PUBLIX CONSISTENTLY FOUGHT LOCAL COMMUNITY EFFORTS THROUGH THE FLORIDA RETAIL FEDERATION.

IT FINANCES AT LEAST 75% OF THE FLORIDA RETAIL FEDERATION, WHICH IN TURN LOBBIES AGAINST HOME RULE IN TALLAHASSEE. PUBLIX MIGHT SAY CONSUMERS SHOULD HAVE CHOICE, CONVENIENCE.

BUT WHAT IF THAT FREE CHOICE RESULTS IN HARM. IN THIS CASE HARM TO BEACH, OUR

[01:45:02]

PLEASE PLACE OUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY AHEAD OF LOBBYISTS INTERESTS.

THANK YOU. >>>THANK YOU. >>>I HAVE SUPPORTING

EVIDENCE. CAN I PASS THIS TO YOU. >> HAND IT TO THE STAFF AND

THEY'LL GET IT TO US. >>>NEXT ELIZABETH BALLCHAMP. MOMS DEMAND ACTION.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M ELIZABETH BALLSHACK. ST. AUGUSTINE, ST. JOHNS COUNTY GROUP LEAD MOMS DEMAND ACTION. ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE EACH DAY IN THE COUNTRY ARE IMPACTED AND KILLED BY GUN VIOLENCE. THAT'S THE MISUSE AND USE OF SOMETIMES LEGAL USE OF FIREARMS. OF THOSE ONE HUNDRED, SIXTY-ONE, AT LEAST, ARE SUICIDES. THAT'S TWO THIRDS OF THE GUN DEATHSES IN THIS COUNTRY AND ONE HALF OF THE SUICIDES IN THIS COUNTRY.

THOSE IMPACT NOW EVEN MORE SO OUR CHILDREN, AS WELL AS, VETERANS AND PEOPLE OF ALL ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS. MASS SHOOTINGS, WHICH PUT ALL OF US IN FEAR OF OUR JUST GOING ABOUT OUR DAILY LIVES, ARE THE THINGS THAT HAVE ALL OF US ANXIOUS NOW. WE'RE ALL WORRIED IS THE PLACE WHERE MY CHILDREN ARE OR WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE THE NEXT PLACE THAT'S THE SITE OF A MASS SHOOTING.

HOWEVER, MASS SHOOTINGS ONLY AMOUNT TO ABOUT 1% OF ALL THE SHOOTINGS IN THIS COUNTRY.

THE REAL CONCERNS ARE GUN USE IN SUICIDES AND IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS LUCKILY, IN OUR COUNTY, IF YOU CAN PUT IT THAT WAY, ARE THE ISSUE THAT IS ARE WITH THE BIGGEST CONCERN HERE. WE DON'T HAVE THE IMPACT OF RANDOM SHOOTINGS THAT SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORING COUNTIES DO HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

TWO THINGS CURRENTLY ARE PENDING IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE THAT ALL OF YOU CAN HELP US WITH.

THAT WOULD BE CLOSING THE LOOPHOLE FOR THE ON OUR LANDMARK RED FLAG LAW AND PROVIDING FOR MORE COMPREHENSIVE BACKGROUND CHECKS. SENATE BILL 114 AND HOUSE BILL 47 ARE INTENDED TO ADDRESS THE RED FLAG LOOPHOLE AND ALLOW FAMILY MEMBERS TO DIRECTLY PETITION THE COURTS FOR ACTION. AS O OPPOSED TO HAVING TO GO THROUGH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THE EXTENSIVE PROCESS INVOLVED. IT GIVES THEM SOME PRIVACY IN DEALING WITH A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION. HOUSE BILL 451 AND SENATE BILL 94 WILL TIGHTEN OUR BACKGROUND CHECK LAW TO MAKE IT FOR EFFECTIVE AND PREVENT PEOPLE WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE GUNS FROM GETTING THEM. ALL OF THESE ARE CURRENTLY ASSIGNED TO COMMITTEES IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE. SENATOR HUDSON, I THINK YOU'RE ON A COUPLE OF THOSE COMMITTEES. WE WOULD ASK YOU SUPPORT PASSAGE OF THESE, AFTER ALL OF THESE ACTIONS SO WE CAN HAVE A BETTER AND SAFER STATE. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

>>>THANK YOU. I'M ONE OF EIGHT COMMITTEE. ODDS ARE I SEE ONE OF THEM.

>>>NEXT MAUR REEN LONG WITH THE CITIZENS FOR SMALL GROWTH. >>>IT'S CITIZENS FOR SMART

GROWTH. GOOD MORNING. >> TYPO TON SHEET HERE.

>> OKAY. GOOD MORNING. I'M MAURINE LONG.

I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS FOR SMART GROWTH. WE REPRESENT MANY OF THE CONCERNED CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTY. WE FORMED TO OFFER IDEAS TOWARD FINDING A COMMON GROUND FOR SMART GROWTH. A GROWTH THAT RESERVES OUR SPECIAL COMMUNITY AND OUR ECOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL TREASURES IN ST. JNS COUNTY.

FIRST I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU REPRESENTATIVE RENER FOR HOSTING THE ST. JOHNS RIVER FORUM THIS SUMMER. I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND AND IT WAS VERY GRATIFYING TO SEE SO MANY ATTENDEES. THE STATE AND LOCAL POLITICIANS, MEMBERS OF THE ST. JOHNS RIVER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, FLORIDA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND THE CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTY TO ADDRESS ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE FOR THE ST. JOHNS RIVER AND OTHER NORTHEAST FLORIDA WATERWAYS. THIS MORNING I'LL BE PRESENTING SOME OF OUR GROUP STATEWIDE ISSUES OF CONCERNS. THE FIRST BEING AMENDMENT ONE. THE WATER AND CONSERVATION AMENDMENT FROM 2014. AS YOU KNOW THIS AMENDMENT WAS VOTED FOR AND APPROVED WITHIN OVERWHELMING SUPPORT OF 75% OF OUR CITIZENS. THE STATES DOCUMENT STAMP

[01:50:05]

WE ASK YOU OUR REPRESENTATIVES WHEN YOU GO BACK TO TOOL HAS SEE STAND WITH THE GOVERNOR FOR FULL FUNDING FOR FLORIDA FOREVER THIS YEAR. HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT FUND FORKING FLORIDA FOREVER IS. YESTERDAY THE STATE CLESED ON ACQUISITION FOR FISH ISLAND. PROVIDING A BUFFER OF PROTECTION FOR THE ISLAND AND NOW IT WILL BE PROTECTED AND KEPT FOR A PAST PARK FOR ALL CITIZENS TO ENJOY. ANOTHER CONCERN IS AMENDMENT HOUSE BILL 7103. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING HAS AN UNRELATED DETACHMENT ADDED TO IT. THIS LAW REMOVES CITIZENS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS LAST CHANNELS TO CHALLENGE KM MRIENS WITH LOCAL COMPREHENSIVE PLANS. SHOULD IS CITIZEN OR GOVERNMENT LOSE IN CIRCUIT COURT THEY ARE LIABLE FOR ATTORNEY FEES ON BOTH SIDES.

WE ASK YOU OUR REPRESENTATIVES TO REPEAL THIS OPPRESSIVE AND UNNEEDED LAW.

THE FLORIDA LAW ALREADY HAS PROVISION PROVIDING ATTORNEY FEES USED FOR FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS. WE URGE YOU THE DELEGATION TO SUPPORT THE PRESERVATION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND WITH SUFFICIENT FUNDING TO AID COUNTIES TO HELP SAVE THE RURAL LANDS FOR FARMING. GROWING UP HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY MANY OF MY CLASSMATES CAME FROM FARMING FAMILY AND IT WAS EASY TO SEE GROWING UP AND TO SEE AND UNDERSTAND THE ECONOMIC ANDING A GRI CULTURAL HERITAGE THEY BRING TO THIS COUNTY.

THEIR WORK PLAYS A HUGE ROLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THE

SERVICE YOU PROVIDE ST. JOHNS COUNTY. >>>THANK YOU.

I WILL MENTION. I FORGOT TO MENTION. 7103, THAT PIECE OF AMENDMENT CAME TO THE LEGISLATURE. IT WAS IN OTHER BILL BUS IT CAME TO THE LEGISLATURE BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT WERE WINNING IN COURT AND THEIR TAXPAYERS WERE ON THE HOOK BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT SEEK ATTORNEY FEES. WHEN IT CAME IN IT WAS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT BROUGHT THAT TO US SAYING WE'RE WINNING. WE'RE DOING ALL WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO AND PROTECTING OURSELVES.

OUR TAXPAYERS ARE PRETTY MUCH ON THE HOOK FOR THAT BECAUSE WE CAN'T GET IT BACK.

NOW I MADE A COMMITMENT TO HER AND NOW TO EVERYBODY ELSE. IF THERE'S A WAY TO FIND COMMON GROUND I'LL DO THAT. WE WERE DOING IT TO TRY TO PROTECT LOCAL GOVERNMENT AT THE TIME.

THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING. >>>I HAVE ABOUT 22 MR. SPEAKERS LEFT.

I SAY THIS BECAUSE IN OUR SCRIPT I HAVE TWO PEOPLE FROM THE SAME ORGANIZATION AND THEN EVERYBODY ELSE IN MY SCRIPT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY REPRESENT OR WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO SPEAK TO.

WHY I SAY THIS. IF SOMEBODY SAID WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY YOU CAN COME UP IN TALLAHASSEE AND SAY WE'RE SUPPORTIVE OR OPPOSED TO CERTAIN BILLS OR SOMETHING SOMEONE EDUCATIONAL SAID. WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR TIME BUT IT'LL HELP US MOVE THROUGH THE E AGENDA. IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE NEW PLEASE SAY I. IF YOU'RE REPETITIVE BEBRIEF. NEXT WE HAVE WARREN CLARK WITH INDIVIDUAL ST. JOHNS.

>>>THANK YOU. >>>GOOD MORNING. NICE TO SEE YOU.

GOOD TO BE HERE. I'D LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT ELECTIONS AND ELECTION SECURITY.

THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND STATE LEGISLATORS HAS IN ITS, JUST LAST MONTH POSTED AN ARTICLE ABOUT RISK LIMITING AUDITS FOR ELECTIONS AND SO I WANT TO READ A PORTION OF THAT.

RISK LIMITING AUDITS ARE ONE VERSION OF A POST ELECTION AUDIT AND VERSION THAT IS GROWING IN INTEREST AMONG ELECTION OFFICIALS AND LEGISLATORS. IN RECENT YEARS, RESEARCHERS HAVE DEVELOPED STATISTICALLY BASED TECHNIQUES REFERRED TOZ A RISK AUDITS CUTTING DOWN ON THE NUMBER OF AT BALLOTS THAT NEED TO BE AUDITED PROVIDING CONFIDENCE THAT INCORRECT ELECTION RESULT IS NOT CERTIFIED. IT'S NOT MADE OFFICIAL.

RISK LIMITING AWE TITS ARE AN INKRE MENTAL AUDITING SYSTEM. IF THE MARGIN OF AN ELECTION IS WIDE THEN YOU NEED TO ONLY AUDIT JUST A FEW NUMBERS OF BALLOTS TO BE ABLE TO CERTIFY THAT THAT IS THE APPROPRIATE RESULT. IF MARGIN IS NARROW, THEN IT'LL BE REVIEWED BY MORE BALLOTS UP TO THE POINT WHERE IT CAN BE STATISTICALLY CERTIFIED THAT THE ELECTION RESULT IS CORRECT.

THAT MAKES RISK LIMITING AUDITS MORE COST EFFECTIVE AND MORE ACCURATE THAN TRADITIONAL AUDITS. SO WHAT ABOUT FLORIDA? FLORIDA IS ONE OF 34 STATES THAT USES A TRADITIONAL VOTE AUDITING SYSTEM. NATIONAL ELECTION DEFENSE

[01:55:01]

SHE SAID FLORIDA HAS A TRADITIONAL AUDIT SYSTEM IN PLACE BUT GREENHOG DESCRIBED IT AS SHLGS VERY WEAK. UNFORTUNATELY, NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN RELY UPON TO CATCH AND CHECK FOR ERRORS IN THE OUTCOME. THE AMERICANS STATISTICAL SEWING ENDORSES AND RECOMMENDS RISK LIMITING AUDITS. THEY ARE IN USE IN 12 STATES EITHER STATEWIDE OR IN PILOT PROJECTS. IN SUMMARY. AS A FLORIDIAN, I WANT PUBLIC AND TRUSTWORTHY SECURITY FOR FLORIDA'S ELECTIONS. I'M SURE YOU DO, ALSO.

NONPARTISAN EXPERTS AGREE THAT RISK LIMITING AUDITS ARE BEST. RISK LIMITING AUDITSES ARE A STRONG, COST EFFECTIVE DEFENSE AGAINST HACKED VOTING SYSTEMS. I URGE YOU TO SPONSOR MANDATORY RISK LIMITING AUDIT OVERSIGHT. I THINK THIS IS SUFFICIENTLY URGENT THAT RISK LIMITING AUDITS SHOULD BE IN PLACE FOR THE 2020 GENERAL ELECTION. I WILL LEAVE, ACTUALLY, IT'S A VERY NICE DESCRIPTION OF THAT THAT'S KIND OF LIKE A CLEF NOTES FOR YOU.

>>>THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT MARY LAURENCE WITH INDIVIDUAL ST. JOHNS.

SHE'S NOT HERE. MOVING ONTO BILL HAMILTON. I ASSUME REPRESENTING HIMSELF.

>>>THE NEXT NAMES I DON'T HAVE AN ORGANIZATION. IF THERE IS AN ORGANIZATION LET

US KNOW. >>>MY NAME IS BILL HAMILTON. I LIVE AT CRESCENT BEACH AND OWN A BUSINESSEN ANASTASIA ISLAND. I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT SEA LEVEL RISE AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

DR. HANSON IS A 47 YEAR VETERAN OF NASA AND PAST DI REPUBLIC OR THE OF THE GODDOWNWARD SPACE INSTITUTE. IN 2017 HE PUBLISHED A STUDY PEER REVIEWED STUDY TITLED, ICE MELT. SEA LEVEL RISE. SUPERSTORMS. EVIDENCE FROM CLIMATE DATA, CLIMB MODELLING AND MODERN OBSERVATIONS AT TWO DEGREES SENT GRATE GLOBAL WARMING COULD BE DANGEROUS. THE TAKE AWAY FROM HIS STUDY IS C O2 IN THE ATMOSPHERE IS THE CONTROL KNOB THAT SETS GLOBAL TEMPERATURES.

IF HUMAN C O2 EMISSIONS CONTINUE AT HIGH LEVELS, AND IF WE CONTINUE IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID RAPID MULTIIT WILL-METER SEA LEVEL RISE. THREE METER SEA LEVEL RISE IS LIKELY. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COST OF LOSING COASTAL CITIES LIKE ST.

AUGUSTINE WILL BE INCALCULABLE. ADAPTATION IS ACCEPTABLE AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MOST OF HUMANITY. FORCED MIGRATIONS, CONFLICTS AND ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES MIGHT MAKE THE PLANET UNGOVERNORABLE THREATENING THE FABRIC OF CIVILIZATION.

I QUOTE, THERE'S A POSSIBILITY, A REAL DANGER WE WILL HAND YOUNG PEOPLE AND FUTURE GENERATIONS A CLIMATE SYSTEM THAT IS PRACTICALLY OUT OF THEIR CONTROL.

WE CONDITION COLLUDE THAT THE MESSAGE OUR CLIMATE SIGN DELIVERS TO SOCIETY POLICY MAKERS AND THE PUBLIC ALIKE IS THIS. WE HAVE A GLOBAL EMERGENCY.

FOSSIL FUEL C O2 EMISSIONS SHOULD BE REDUCED AS RAPIDLY AS PRACTICAL.

THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL UPDATED STUDY PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR WHICH USES NEW TECHNOLOGY TO ESTABLISH A BASE ELEVATION AND WHAT THEY'VE CONCLUDED IS THAT THE ELEVATIONS THAT WERE ESTABLISHED FOR HANSON STUDY WERES BASED ON SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY THAT ACTUALLY USED THE TREE TOPS AS THE BASE ELEVATION. NOW COASTAL FLOODING ESTIMATES HAVE BEEN INCREASED BY THREE TIMES. MY ASK TO YOU IS THAT YOU SCHEDULE STATEWIDE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON CLIMATE CHANGE, GLOBAL WARMING AND SEA LEVEL RISE. INVITE CLIMATE SCIENTISTS LIKE HANSON TO PRESENT THE UP TO DATE DATA INCLUDING PROJECTIONS FOR FLOODING, INCREASE STORM THREATS IN SHORT AND LONG TERM AND FACILITATE SHORT AND LONG TERM INITIATIVES TO AREAS INCLUDING ROADS, WATER SUPPLY,ING A GRI CULTURE, MIGRATION AND COASTAL RETREAT. I THINK WE WOULD DO WELL TO ADOPT THE MILITARIES MOTTO. HOPE FOR THE BEST BUT PLAN FOR THE WORST.

YOU CAN ONLY PLAN FOR THE WORST IF YOU INVOLVE THE MOST ACCURATE UP TO DATE DATA.

[02:00:03]

I HAVE A COPY FOR YOUR STAFF. >>>THANK YOU. I WILL SAY THAT THE, WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR ABOUT STATEWIDE GOING AROUND AND GIVING INFORMATION. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT OUR CHIEF OFFICER IS DOING. SHE IS FROM THE MILITARY. WE EXPECT BIG THINGS FROM HER.

THE GOVERNOR APPOINTED HER ABOUT SICK SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS AGO. >>>NEXT PATRICK HAMILTON.

>>>GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS PATRICK HAMILTON. I'M A REAL ESTATE BROKER AT CRESCENT BEACH. I'VE BEEN ACTIVE IN CONSERVATION LANDS FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS.

I'M ASKING HERE TO ASK YOU ADVOCATE FOR FUNDING OF FLORIDA FOREVER.

WE HAVE A RELATIVELY NEW FLORIDA FOREVER PROJECT. IT CONNECTS THE MATANS IRK S FOREST WITH THE OCA WILL RECOLLECT A NATIONAL FOREST AND IT IS A CORRIDOR THAT RUNS.

FLAGWILL RECOLLECT ER AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY CONTRIBUTED MONEY AT THE TIME TO PAY FOR THE APPLICATION TO BE PRESENTED AND IT IS IN PLACE BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO FUNDING FOR IT TO DATE.

IT IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT PASSING THE STATEWIDE FUNDING ISSUE WOULD DO FOR US LOCALLY.

IT WOULD PROTECT THE WATER SHED NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE WATERS FOR THE WHITNEY LABORATORY IT WOULD PROVIDE ESTHERING MIGRATION, AS YOU HAVE SEA LEVEL RISE.

ALL OF THAT PUBLIC INVESTMENT OF LANDS AND SYSTEMS WILL HAVE TIME TO MIGRATE INLAND TOWARD HIGHER GROUNDS. AND, WE'LL BE ABLE TO EAT THE OYSTERS AND HAVE THE MARSH PROVIDING THE NURSERIES FOR THE OCEAN AND THE RED FLISH AND CLAM AND OYSTERS AND YOU CAN CATCH RED FISH IN THE FLATS AND GO TO COMMANDERS AND COWBOYS AND GET A BUCKET OF OYSTERS.

IT IS ALL VOLUNTARY. IT'S ALL LESS THAN FEE. MOSTLY FORESTED.

IT IS THE NATIONAL RESEARCH VEFSH FACILITIES ARE LOCATED IN THAT SEGMENT AS WELL AS THE WHITNEY LAB. THE SECOND THING IS THE RULE AND FAMILY LANDS APPLICATIONS.

WE HAVE SIX OR SEVEN PROJECTS WITHIN THE SAME CORRIDOR IN FLAGLER AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY PRIORITIZED AS HIGH PRIORITY. ONE IS A 1200 ACRE BROCCOLI OPERATION PROVIDING BROCCOLI FOR PUBLIX. ONE IS A 380 O ACRE TIMBER AND CATTLE OPERATION WEST OF VANEL.

THE AGRICULTURE OF ST. JORNS COUNTY WITH EASEMENT PROGRAMS WHERE YOU BUY THE RIGHTS AND THEY CAN ONLY BE AGRICULTURE IS A SMART MOVE AND NICK ENGINE OF THE COUNTY.

AGAIN, I ASK IF YOU PLEASE WOULD BE ADVOCATES TO HAVE THIS FUNDED ACCORDING TO THE PAPER TODAY.

THERE'S ONLY ABOUT $30 MILLION OF THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET THAT GOES TOWARD FLORIDA FOREVER AT LARGE. YOU CAN'T TOUCH ANYTHING FOR THAT.

IT'S NOT A REALISTIC FIGURE AND WE HAVE A CHANCE TO DO SOME PLANNING IN ADVANCE WITH MONEY

THAT IS ALLOCATED. YOUR HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. >>>THANK YOU.

MR. HAMILTON, THEN DO I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU PRIORITIZE THE MATANSIS TO OCALA CORRIDOR

AS YOUR NEXT NUMBER ONE ACQUISITION IN THIS REE JON? >> YES, SIR.

IF YOU HAVE A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND YOU DO HAVE SEA LEVEL RISE AND THAT STARTS TO GO IN. THOSE HOUSES ARE DEAD. IF YOU DON'T HAVE SOME CORRIDOR TO CONNECT AND THEN THE OCALA, YOU HAVE THOSE TRANSITIONS AND THOSE CONNECTIONS THAT GO FROM COASTAL TO THE HIGHEST RIDGE IN THE STATE. THOSE GUYS SAID WE'RE GOING OUT

[02:05:01]

NEGOTIATORS. >> THANK YOU. >>>THANK YOU.

NEXT MAURINE MALLOCK. I'LL COME BACK TO THAT. NEXT IS DENNIS CHIPMAN.

>>>GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DENNIS CHIPMAN. I LIVE AT 5400 ATLANTIC VIEW.

IT'S A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD JUST SOUTH OF ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH.

I HAVE AN UNUSUAL PRESENTATION THIS MORNING. I'M NOT ASKING FOR MONEY.

MY ISSUE IS THE REGULATION OR THE LACK OF IT OF THE SHORT TERM RENTAL REAL ESTATE MARKET.

IN THE ESSENCE OF TIME I DON'T WANT TO GO INTO ALL OF THE DETAILS.

BUT IN MEETINGS WITH THE COUNTY, WE WERE TOLD THE STATE WAS PREEMPTING THEIR AUTHORITY TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS ON THIS INDUSTRY. THERE ARE MANY NEGATIVE IMPACTS THIS INDUSTRY HAS HAD ON OUR SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.

IN SUMMARY, THESE INCLUDE USIGHTLY SIGNAGE ON OVER 15% OF THE PROPERTIES IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, SPECIFICALLY. GARBAGE AND RECYCLING BINS LITTERING THE LANDSCAPE.

INORRED NANT VEHICLE PARKING IN, ON AND SUR RUNNING PROPERTY ON THE NARROW STREETS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM RENTERS INCLUDING LATE NIGHT PARTIES THAT REQUIRE CALLS TO THE LOCAL POLICE. WE HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM LOCAL OFFICIALS ON THIS ISSUE. THE ISSUE SEEMED TO BE FLYING UNDER THE RADAR UNTIL JUST THIS PAST HALLOWEEN. ON THURSDAY OCTOBER 31ST, A-P NEWS REPORTED THAT AN AREA BNB RENTAL IN CALIFORNIA FIVE PEOPLE WERE KILLED, THREE OTHERS WERE SHOT, AND SEVERAL OTHERS INCURRED SERIOUS INJURIES WHILE FLEEING. CNN ALSO REPORTED THAT AT LEAST 42 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SHOT AND 17 HAVE DIED AT SHORT TERM RENTAL PROPERTIES OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS IN OVER TWELVE DIFFERENT STATES. TO THEIR CREDIT, AIRBNB HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THEY INTEND TO CRACK DOWN ON THESE ABUSIVE SITUATIONS BUT AIRBNB HAS ALSO BEEN AGGRESSIVE IN SUING MUNICIPALITIES INCLUDING PALM BEACH COUNTY LAST YEAR.

WE KNOW THAT THE PROFITS IN THIS INDUSTRY ARE ENORMOUS. WHICH ALLOW FOR THEM TO SPEND SIGNIFICANT SUMS, LOBBYING LEGISLATORS TO VOTE IN THEIR FAVOR.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE DO NOT HAVE THOSE RESOURCES BUT WE DO VOTE. WE DO NEED COMMON SENSE REGULATION. WE DO NOT NEED ANOTHER CALIFORNIA HERE IN THIS STATE! MR. CHIPMAN. I PASSED THE LAW TO GIVE LOCALS ALMOST ALL CONTROL OF VACATION RENTALS EXCEPT PROHIBITING THEM. IN THAT, EVERYTHING YOU JUST DISCUSSED YOUR COUNTY ABSOLUTELY HAS THE ABILITY TO REGULATE. THEY ARE DOING THAT IN FLAGLER RIGHT NOW.

GIVE YOUR ELECTED AND TELL THEM TO GO AND SEE WHAT THEIR ORDNANCES SAY.

THEY HAVE THE ABILITY. >> THEY'VE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

>> I ASSURE YOU THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO IT. THEY CAN DO THAT.

>> WE APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. >>>THANK YOU SENATOR HUDSON.

I WANTED TO POINT OUT THERE HAVE BEEN BILLS TO REVERSE WHAT YOU AND, I BELIEVE SENATOR THRASHER AT THE TIME WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH. THIS GROUP OF LEGISLATORS, MY HISTORY IS THEY HAVE ALL STOOD ON THE SIDE OF THE PUBLIC ON THIS ISSUE.

I HAD A, WE WILL LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAKE IT MAYBE A LITTLE EASIER IF ANOTHER BILL

[02:10:02]

THE NOISE, THE PARKING AND THE GARBAGE, THOSE ARE THINGS THEY CAN REGULATE FROM ANY USER OF PROPERTY. IT IS A HARD ISSUE. I APPRECIATE YOU COMING AND REAFFIRMING IT. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE BURDEN SOME ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CHRONIC ABUSIVE RENTERS. IF THAT BECOMES A COST PROHIBIT OF THE ISSUE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ENFORCE. THIS GROUP OF LEGISLATORS HAVE ALWAYS STOOD ON THE SIDE OF THE

PUBLIC O ON THIS. THANK YOU. >>>NEXT CHRISTOPHER MCDERMOTT. COME BACK TO THAT ONE. MIKE SPADE.

>>>GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND TAKING YOUR TIME TO DO THIS.

I'M MIKE SPADE. I LIVE IN ST. AUGUSTINE. I'M A GUN OWNER, GRANDFATHER AND VOLUNTEER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF MY GRANDCHILDREN TO SUPPORT COMMON SENSE BACKGROUND CHECK LAWS. SPECIFICALLY I'M ASKING YOU TO SUPPORT SENATE BILL 945 AND HOUSE BILL 451 BOTH IN COMMITTEES. YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY AND THE ABILITY TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR CRIMINALS AND OTHER PROHIBITED PERSONS WHO CANNOT PASS A BACKGROUND CHECK FROM GOING AROUND THE CURRENT SYSTEM AND PURCHASING GUNS ONLINE OR AT A GUN SHOW. NO QUESTIONS ASKED AND WITHOUT A BACKGROUND CHECK.

I JUST ASK YOU TODAY TO THINK OF MORE A COMMON SENSE WAY AND DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

CRIMINAL OR OTHER PROHIBITED PERSON WHO CANNOT PURCHASE A GUN AT A GUN STORE BECAUSE THEY CANNOT PASS A BACKGROUND CHECK SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO AROUND THAT SYSTEM AND GO ONLINE AND PURCHASE A GUN WITHOUT A BACKGROUND CHECK. COMMON SENSE TO ME WOULD SAY, NO. IN ADDITION TO COMMON SENSE, RESEARCH SHOWS THAT STATES THAT REQUIRE A BACKGROUND CHECK ON ALL GUN SALES HAVE LORE HOMICIDE RATES, AS WELL AS LOWER SUICIDE RATES. CURRENTLY FIREARMS ARE THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG OUR CHILDREN AND TEENS IN FLORIDA. FOR EVER DEATH THERE'S AT LEAST TWO NONFATAL FIREARM INJURIES. APPROXIMATELY EVERY 40 MINUTES A CHILD OR TEENAGER IN FLORIDA IS WOUNDED BY A GUN. WHILE THIS ONE CHANGE WON'T STOP ALL THE VIOLENCE IT WILL CLOSE A DANGEROUS LOOPHOLE IN THE LAW. I'M ASKING YOU TODAY TO SUPPORT HB451 AND SB94, WHICH ARE CURRENTLY IN COMMITTEE. I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE, FOR YOUR SERVICE AND TO WISH YOU ALL HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.

>>>THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I GOT THREE NAMES ONLINE 37. ARE YOU ALL THREE COMING UP AT

ONCE OR ONE AT A TIME? >>>STACY >>>EL YAN PARKER AND SAMANTHA

BAKER. >>>GOOD MORNING. MY SNAM STACY GOPAUL.

I THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. WE ARE CONCERNED PARENTS OF CHILDREN IN THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. OUR SCHOOL KOM VALLEY ACADEMY HAS SEEN GROWTH. OVERCROWDED CONDITIONS PRESENT MANY CHALLENGES.

OUR AMAZING ADMINISTRATION IS CURRENTLY HANDLING THE SITUATION YET FEAR THIS GROWTH IS UNSUSTAINABLE. IN 2018, PVA OPENED AS A K-6 SCHOOL AND GROWN BY 26% IN A SINGLE YEAR. IT'S CURRENTLY 25% OVER CAPACITY AS K-7 AND NEXT YEAR AS K-8 PREDICTED TO BE 61% OVER CAPACITY WITH ONE THOUSAND STUDENT AND COULD FILL A SCHOOL OF ITS OWN. THERE ARE 29 NEIGHBORHOODS ZONED TO PVA.

A SINGLE SCHOOL CANNOT ABISSUE ALL THE GROWTH OF THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING COMMUNITY.

WE COMPILED OTHER STATISTICS TO OFFER INCITE TO THE URGENCY OF THE SITUATION.

JUST IMAGINE LUNCHTIME WITH 255 KINDERGARTNERS. WE HIGHLIGHT THREE MAIN CONTRIBUTING FACTORS. FIRST OUR COUNTY IS BOOMING. IT'S THE 8TH FASTEST GROWING COUNTY IN AMERICA. COMMUNITIES HERE CONTINUE TO BE DEVELOPED AT A RECKLESS PACE WITHOUT PLANNING FOUR SCHOOLS. WHEN YOU MOVE YOUR FAMILY INTA A MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY IN NUMBER ONE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE, THERE IS AN INHERENT EXPECTATION YOUR CHILDS EDUCATION IS INCLUDED IN THAT MASTER PLAN. SECOND, ALTHOUGH WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE INCREASE BSA, THE STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING IS INSUFFICIENT AND SOO SLOW TO

[02:15:01]

WHEN PROJECTING THE NUMBER OF K-8 STUDENTS IN THE ZONE FOR NEXT YEAR BASED ON THE TWO GENERATION RATES OF .79 FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT VERSUS .95 FOR KNOCKTEE THERE'S A DIFFERENCE OF 456 STUDENTS. WITH FULL BUILD OUT 572 STUDENTS LEADING TO THE SNOWBALL AFFECT.

PVA IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. ALL ZONED FOR 41% OVER XAS KAINE NOT POISED TO ABSORB THE GROWTH.

WE ARE THANKFUL TWO SCHOOLS SLATED TO HOWEVER THEY WILL FALL SHORT OF RESOLVING THIS ISSUE.

TRENDS CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY BECAUSE THERE ARE 12DRI'S FOLLOWING THE SAME TREND.

PLANS FOR ATTRACTING YOUNG FAMILIES TO BUY HOMES WITHOUT PLANS FOR EDUCATION.

WE HOPE FOR IMMEDIATE FUNDING TO RELIEVE THE STUDENT POPULATION CRISIS.

WE NEED LONG TERM SOLUTIONS, LOCAL CONTROL OF MILLAGE, PROPORTIONATE FUNDING, DEVELOP FOR ACCOUNTABILITY. PLEASE COME VISIT PVA AND EXPERIENCE A DAY IN THE LIFE OF OUR ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY NINE STUDENTS. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC

SERVICE AND SUPPORT OF OUR SCHOOLS. >>>THANK YOU.

I THINK THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT GAVE US SOME DEFINITE CREATIVE WAYS TO TRY AND MAXIMIZE DOLLARS FROM THE STATE DOWN TO TO LOCAL. WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THAT.

>>>WE APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. >>>I'M NOW INTO, LET ME ASK FOR MAURINE MELONNING AND CHRISTOPHER MCDERMOTT STILL NOT HERE.

I GO TO ILENE DAVIS. >>>I'LL READ IT INTO THE RECORD.

SHE WANTED BETTER DEVELOPMENT OF WORLD GULF VILLAGE COMMERCE CENTER AND AREA.

NEXT ROBERT DAVIS. IS ROBERT HERE? ROBERT WANTED PREPARED, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO TO CONTROL DEVELOPMENT THAT ENDANGERS ENVIRONMENT SPECIES OF ANIMALS, TREES, PLANTS IN THE COMMUNITY. LANCE WILLIAMS. COME ON UP LANCE.

>>>THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU THREE.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING BY AND LISTENING TO WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY.

I'M GOING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, AS WELL. I'M NOT GOING TO ASK FOR MONEY.

I'M GOING TO ASK FOR YOUR ATTENTION AENGS UNDERSTANDING. TODAY YOU HEARD A LOT ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND SMART GROWTH OR MAYBE NOT SMART GROWTH.

THERE'S A DANGEROUS DISREGARD FOR UNCHECKED GROWTH AND DWAMENT IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

THE POSTER CHILD FOR THAT IS B BUCKEY HERBING S.

IS MASSIVE GAS STATION. NOBODY HAS ANYTHING AGAINST BUCKYOOIS BUT YOU DON'T PUT 104 PUMP GAS STATION IN SOMEBODY'S BACKYARD WHERE KIDS ARE PLAYING, SCHOOL BUSES ARE RUNNING AND PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF AND MY WIFE JUST WANT TO HAVE A NICE RETIREMENT.

I MET WITH CINDY SOME TIME AGO. I EXPLAINED TO HER IN DETAIL. LET ME GIVE YOU SOME FACTS.

THE PLAN UNIT DEVELOPMENT WHERE IT PLANS TO LOCATE CLAIMS TO ADHERE TO PRINCIPLES.

A STRONG SENSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP. SAFEGUARD NEIGHBORS FROM INCOMPATIBLE DEVELOP WHERE PARK OPEN SPACES, WALKWAYS AND BIKEWAYS LINK THE COMMUNITY.

INDUSTRIAL, RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL USES BUFFERED FROM EACH OTHER IMPROVING THE OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE PROMISED. WHAT WE GET IN CONTRAST IS 104 PUMP GAS STATION, 53 THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT CONVENIENCE STORE SELLING BEER, CIGARETTES, JERKY AND TRINKETS. PERFECT PLACE FOR KIDS AFTER SCHOOL TO HANG OUT AND THE SCHOOL IS ONLY A MILE AWAY. TOTALLY INCONSISTENT WITH THE STATEMENT.

THE SITE IS ALSO ONE OF THE FOUR MOST DANGEROUS CRASH SITES IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

PEOPLE HAVE HAD MANY ACCIDENTS THERE. THERE HAVE BEEN DEATHS THERE.

SADLY, ACCIDENTS INVOLVING SCHOOL BUSES WITH OUR CHILDREN BEING SENT TO THE HOSPITAL.

THE ROADWAY ALSO NEEDS TO BE MODIFIED TO ACCOMMODATE BUCKEYS. I-95 NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY REDESIGNED. ROADWAYS DOUBLE OR TRIPLE IN SIZE TO ACCOMMODATE.

[02:20:03]

ALL OF THESE PLANS WERE APPROVED BY THE COUNTY AND THE STATE IN SECRECY WITHOUT BENEFIT OF PUBLIC HEARINGS. AND DESPITE CONCERNS I AND OTHERS RAISED IT SEEMS THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS JUST IGNORE ANY IN PARTICULAR THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT OF THIS COUNTY JUST TO ME RUES WHATEVER COMES ACROSS THEIR DESK. YOUR POWER MAY BE LIMITED BUT YOUR VOICE IS NOT. DON'T LET THIS THING HAPPEN UNCHECKED AND WITHOUT OVERSIGHT.

PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. RAISE THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE RAISED.

IF THIS IS TO BE MAKE SURE IT'S DONE RIGHT. IF NOT STOP IT NOW.

I HOPE WE CAN COUNT ON YOU. THE VOTERS NEED YOUR LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU.

[CLAPPING] >>>THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE JANET PATTERN? IS THAT CORRECT? YOU'RE REPRESENTING THE ST. JOHNS CITY CIVIC ROUND TABLE.

>>>YES. >> THANK YOU. I'M JANET PATTEN.

I AM REPRESENTING THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION. WE ARE CONSORTIUM OF H-O-AS AND OTHER CIVIC GROUPS REPRESENTING ABOUT FORTY THOUSAND HOUSEHOLDS WITHIN THE COUNTY.

IN THE INTEREST OF SAVING YOUR VALUABLE TIME. MANY OF OUR ISSUES HAVE BEEN ALREADY ADDRESSED. I'LL SUBMIT MY COMMENTS FOR THE RECORD.

I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THREE THAT WE'RE VERY INTERESTED IN. ONE IS TO REPEAL HB7103.

NUMBER TWO FUND FLORIDA FOREVER. AND THREE, PROTECT AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME BUT MOST OF ALL THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>>>THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING BRIEF SINCE IT'S BEEN SAID.

I APPRECIATE THAT. >>>NEXT WE HAVE CHARLES DELOUI.

SHORT TERM VACATION RENTALS. OAY. KATHY JACKSON.

THE ARK OF ST. JOHNS. >>>THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. THANK YOU REPRESENTATIVE CINDY STEVENSON AND RENNER AND SENATOR HUDSON. THANK YOU FOR LAST YEARS SESSION WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO WRANG L A 6% INCREASE FOR THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS THAT WE PROVIDE IN THE STATE.

THIS YEAR WE ARE COMING BACK, AGAIN, TO ASK FOR THE SECOND HALF OF WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST. RON JUST GAVE YOU A BROCHURE WE JOINTLY DEVELOPED.

WE GATHERED TOGETHER AS ARKS KNOWING HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO SEND A COMMON MESSAGE THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA OF WHAT THE NEEDS ARE. OUR NEEDS HAVE NOT BEEN BEING ADDRESSED APPROPRIATELY. I KNOW THAT THIS YEAR APD PUT TOGETHER A DESIRE TO GO INTO THE REVENUE ESTIMATING CONFERENCE SO THAT Y'ALL WILL BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT THE NEEDS ARE.

BUT IF YOU WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THE BACK IT'S VERY SIMPLE. A LEGISLATIVE ASK OF 11% FOR THE ADULT DAY TRAINING PROGRAM. WHICH IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THE LIVES OF PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE. IN INTERIOR WHAT YOU WILL SEE, WHERE THAT MONEY WILL GO TO.

IT GOES TO PAY PEOPLE IN DIRECT CARE. WE GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT ALL OUR INDIVIDUALS DO, OUR STAFF TO SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.

AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THIS WILL BE VERY INFORMATIVE AND HELP YOU IN THE SESSION AND

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN TALLAHASSEE. >> KATHY I HAVE A QUESTION.

WHEN WE'RE IN TALLAHASSEE, THE STUFF THAT GOES ON SOMETIMES ISN'T SEEN BACK HOME.

BUT PEOPLE HAVE MENTIONED WITH CERTAIN LOCAL ORDNANCES, PLASTICS BEING ONE OF THEM, STRAWS IN TALLAHASSEE, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES CAME UP AND SAID WHILE LOCAL ORDNANCES ARE HAPPENING WE ARE NOT BEING INVITED TO THE TABLE. WHATEVER WE ARE SAYING WE ARE GETTING TRAMPLED ON BECAUSE THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ISN'T LISTENING TO US.

IT SEEMS ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH MAY HAVE PASSED SOMETHING. WERE YOU INVITED TO THE PEOPLE

[02:25:01]

BEFORE PASSING LEGISLATION AT ALL? >> NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE.

>> THANK YOU. >>>ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS. >>>NEXT JIMMY SMITH. >>>THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JENMY SMITH. I'M INFORM CONSENT HEALTH FREEDOM AND PARENTAL RIGHTS ADVOCATE. I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE A BILL TODAY CALLED THE VACCINE FREEDOM ACT. I'LL POINT OUT A FEW OF THE

ISSUES WE ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS >>>. >> STUDENTS ARE BEING TOLD TO CHOOSE ANOTHER RELIGION OR BEING COMPELED TO THAT STATE. IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL UNDER FLORIDA LAW AS WELL AS UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION CLEARLY STATES THERE IS EQUAL PROTECTION TO THOSE RELIGIOUS OR NOT. THEY CANNOT SHOW FAVOR FOR ONE OR THE OTHER.

THIS BILL AFFORDS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO BE KEPT IN TACT.

IN ADDITION, OUR BILL EXCELS ENFORCE MENT OF THE COMPENSATION ACT WHICH REQUIRES PROVIDING THE BACK SEAT TABLE TO PATIENTS THIS IS INFORMED CONSENT THAT'S NOT HAPPENING.

THIS ALSO STOPS THE DISSIMM NATION OF FALSE -- DISSEMINATION OF FALSE INFORMATION.

SO IT'S HELPFUL FOR EVERY ONE TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM THE CDC.

THIS WILL CUT DOWN ON CHILDHOOD INJURIES BECAUSE YOU WILL HAVE A WARNING THAT IF THEY HAVE DANGEROUS FOOD ALLERGYS OR OTHER AUGHT IMMUNE CONDITIONS THAT WOULD HAVE LIKELY RESULTED IN AN ADVERSE REACTION. THERE HAVE BEEN OVER $4 BILLION PAID OUT FROM OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS FOR VACCINE INJURY THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, WE HAVE TO -- OUR KIDS HAVE TO SIGN IT TO BOUNCE IN A BOUNCY HOUSE OR -- REQUIRED COMPENSATION ACT OF 86 AND IT IS NOT HAPPENING. SO I THINK IT WOULD BE JUST NONPART -- NONPARTISAN AND IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE PROVACCINE OR WHO ARE OPPOSE ED TO VACCINES AND IT WOULD PROVIDE EQUAL AND PRESERVE OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS ALSO. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> NO THANK YOU. >> CAN I PASS ALONG THE COPY OF THE BILL?

>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> NEXT WE HAVE BILL LAZAR.

HE'S WITH THE HOUSING TRUST FUND. >> GOOD MORNING, I THANK YOU ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY. I'M HERE PRIMARILY TO ASK YOU ONCE AGAIN TO CONSIDER FULL FUNDING OF THE HOUSING TRUST FUND. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ANY SUPPORT YOU'VE GIVEN TO LEGISLATION THAT PROMOTES FINANCIAL LITERACY.

BECAUSE IT ACTUALLY KIND OF DISAPPEARED WITH THE VOW TECH PROGRAMS ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO AND WE'RE REAPING THE BENEFITS WHEN WE DON'T HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

PEOPLE HAVE TO REALLY STRUGGLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BUDGET THEIR MONEY.

AND WHEN YOU DON'T BUDGET RIGHT, YOU END UP DEALING WE EVICTIONS AND FORE CLOSURES WHICH PERMANENTLY RECK IT. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 16,000 FAMILIES IN LOW INCOME HOUSING.

THERE'S NO ROOM IN THAT FOR LITTLE MISTAKES. AND TO AND TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHICH CREDIT CARDS TO PAY, THAT'S CRUCIAL. IT ALSO HELPS WITH FORE CLOSURES WE'RE SEEING AN UP TICK IN FORE CLOSURES. WE'RE ALSO SEEING BANKS HAVE A REDUCED STANDARDS, IF YOU CAN GET A IF YOU HAVE A PULSE, YOU CAN GET A MORTGAGE.

[02:30:02]

THAT WOULD GO A WAYS TOWARDS ADDRESSING SOME OF THE NEEDS WE SEE A. LOT OF THE GROUPS THAT HAVE COME BEFORE YOU TELL YOU THEIR POPULATIONS, ONE OF THEIR BIGGEST CHALLENGES IS, THEY CAN'T SUCCESSFULLY CARE FOR THEIR POPULATIONS, WHATEVER IT IS IF THOSE FOLKS CAN'T FIND DECENT, SAFE, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WHEN IT COMES TO TRYING TO BUILD NEW HOUSING, AS AN EXAMPLE T HOUSING PARTNERSHIP BUILT A DUPLEX.

WE MADE FRONT PAGE OF THE SAINT AUGUST SEEN RECORD. THAT'S A SAD COMMENTARY ON WORK FORCE HOUSING WHEN A DUPLEX MAKES FRONT -- I'M GLAD WE'RE DOING IT.

WE NEED MORE. BUT THAT'S THE LEVEL WE HAVE. IF WE DON'T HAVE THE HOUSING TRUST FUNDS, IF THE COUNTY DOESN'T KNOW THAT MONEY IS COMING EVERY YEAR, YOU CAN'T PLAN. DOING A DEVELOPMENT ENTICING THE MARKETPLACE TO GET INVOLVED IN BUILDING SOMETHING WHERE THE MARGINS ARE THINNER, IF YOU CAN'T PROMISE THEM THERE'S MONEY 18-24 MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FIND A BUILDER TO STEP UP TO DO THAT.

REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS WAS HERE, WHEN WE HAD TWO SAINT JOHNS COUNTY -- BOTH RECEIVED HOUSING TRUST FUNDS, TOOK 2-3 YEARS TO GET ALL THE ENGINEERING AND PLANNING THROUGH, BUT WE'VE GOT OVER 150 LOCAL EMPLOYEES THAT ARE CURRENTLY STABILIZED BECAUSE OF -- THESE ARE PROGRAMS THAT ARE BENEFIT EMPLOYERS. PLEASE CONSIDER THE HOUSING TRUST FUND WHEN WHEN IT COMES UP

AGAIN FOR FULL FUNDING. >> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING UP AND BEING PART OF THE WORK FORCE THAT WE DID IN TALLAHASSEE AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE AWARE, BUT BECAUSE OF SOME OF YOUR COMMENTS UP THERE, AND OTHERS ON THAT ROUND TABLE THAT WE HAD, I FILE ED A BILL, SENATE BILL 998 ON HOUSING. AND MANY OF YOUR COMMENT PRESS ARE IN THAT BILL.

SO LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AS WE GO FORWARD TO TRY TO PASS THAT.

>> WE APPRECIATE. WE KNOW Y'ALL SEE IT. EVERYBODY REALIZES HOW IMPORTANT IT IS. IT JUST ENDS UP BEING THIS AMBULANCING ACT OF WHERE DOES MONEY COME FROM FROM OTHER TYPES OUCH ISSUES. WE JUST NEED TO LEAVE THE TRUST FUND ALONE. STRESSED LET US TRY TO DEAL WITH THESE ISSUES.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT HALF LISA.

IS LISA HERE? OKAY. PERFECT.

>>EN THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. MY NAME IS LISA. I'M HERE BECAUSE I OPPOSE THE SENATE BILL 64, 46, 67, 208, AND 674. ALL OF THESE PROPOSED BILLS IF PASSED WOULD VIOLATE OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES, OUR RELIGIOUS LIBERTIES AND THE -- CODE.

PLEASE JOIN ME FOR FIGHTING FOR OUR CHILDREN T FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY AND THE MOST BASIC OF FREEDOMS, THE RIGHT TO BODILY AUTONOMY. I'M OPPOSED TO ANY BILL THAT REMOVES THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >>> NEXT, I HAVE MARK SAWYER. >> HELLO, MY NEIGHBORING -- NAME IS MARK SAWYER. I'M FROM SAINT AUGUST SEEN. I OPPOSE 46, 67, 208 AND 674.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD HERE TODAY. I HEAR A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER ISSUES. CONSERVATION.

SEA LEVEL RISE, BUT, UMM, VACCINES ARE INJECTED DIRECTLY INTO THE BODY.

THEY CONTAIN MERCURY, ALUMINUM AND OTHER TOXINS. CHILDREN ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE BECAUSE OF THEIR SMALL SIZE. I LOST A NEPHEW TO A VACCINE INJURY AND I'VE SEEN OTHER CHILDREN THAT HAD BAD REACTIONS AFTER BEING VACCINATED.

ONE OF MY FRIEND'S GRANDDAUGHTERS, WE NICKNAMED HER SMILEY BECAUSE SHE ALWAYS HAD A BEAMING SMILES. IF YOU SMILED AT HER, SHE WOULD SMILE BACK.

AFTER SHE WAS VACCINATED, IF YOU SMILE AT HER, SHE JUST HAD A CONFUSED LOOK ON HER FACE.

SHE COULDN'T CONNECT WITH PEOPLE. AND SHE BECAME WITH DRAWN AND REALLY CLINGY TO HER MOTHER. FAR TOO MUCH INJURY. I'M JUST CONCERNED ABOUT

[02:35:09]

TOE 208, AND 674. >>> THANK YOU, NEXT VALERIE MASON?

>> HI I KNOW YOU ASKED US FOR BEING REPETITIVE, I ALSO JOINED TOR CONCERNED CITIZENS AND SUBPOENA SAGS OF THE SAME STATE BILLS, 64, 46, 67, 208 AND 674. I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT I WORKED IN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY FOR 16 YEARS. I WAS PROUD OF THAT CAREER.

I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE BENEFIT THAT IS COME FROM HAVING PHARMACEUTICALS WHEN THEY'RE ADMINISTERED RESPONSIBLY AND CONSENT. SO I REITERATE SOME OF THESE BILLS AND WHAT THEY SUGGEST THEY TAKE AWAY OUR RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES AND I OPPOSE ANY MANDATES ANY MEDICAL PROCEDURE ON CHILDREN AND TAKES AWAY THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT. >>> NEXT IS IT -- TONY.

>> MY SNOBOL TONY. I'VE BEEN THE FLORIDA DIRECTOR FOR THE NATIONAL VACCINE CENTERS SINCE 2001. I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH STATE LAW VACCINATION POLICIES AND EXEMPTION ISSUES WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE STATE OF FLORIDA FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

SO I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE APPARATUS THERE AND THE POLICY VIOLATIONS AND THE ABUSES OF POWERS THAT COME WITH THIS PROGRAM. I'M ALSO A PARENT OAF VACCINE INJURED CHILD AND A FAMILY PRACTICE PHYSICIAN FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

SO I HAVE EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH ADULTS AND CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN ADVERSARY AFFECTED BY VACCINES. BUT WHAT BRINGS ME HERE TODAY IS I'M A CITIZEN WHO'S APPALLED AT HOW OUR RIGHTS ARE BEING SUSPENDED IN THE NAME OF PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY GOALS.

I'M APPALLED AT BILLS LIKE LAST YEAR'S HB 263 FOR THE MEDICAL TRACKING SURVEILLANCE.

AND THIS YEAR'S SB 64 TO REMOVE RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION AND RESTRICT MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS THAT THESE BILLS ARE INTRODUCED AND THAT OUR LEGISLATURES ARE FINE WITH GIVING AWAY OUR RIGHTS.

A LEGISLATURE'S FIRST JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY PIECE OF LEGISLATION PROTECTS OUR RIGHTS.

THE FIRST JOB IS NOT TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE, BUT TO PROTECT OUR RIGHTS.

AS YOU HEARD, THERE'S NUMEROUS BILLS ON YOUR PLATES THIS SESSION THAT ARE VERY TROUBLE SOME. SB 64, SB 46. HB 67, SB 208, AND SB 674.

ALL THESE INDIVIDUAL PUBLIC HEALTH CARE BILLS ARE PART OF MUCH LARGER INITIATIVE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO IMPLEMENT IN EVERY STATE, MANDATORY TRACKING AND SURVEILLANCE AND MANDATORY VACCINATION PROGRAMS FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THE COUNTRY. THIS IS AN AGENDA OF FORCED COMPLIANCE WITH NO HE HAS -- HE HAS TENSE HESITANCY. -- -- VACCINING INJURY AND DEATHS WITH BILLIONS OF COMPENSATION PAID BY TAXPAYERS. MEANWHILE, WE HAVE MANUFACTURERS AND DOCTORS WHO ADMINISTER VACCINES WHO ARE LIABILITY FREE. UNDER THESE MORE RAFK CIRCUMSTANCES ANYONE WHO KNOWS THIS BUT STILL WOULD SACRIFICE OUR RIGHTS FOR THIS KIND OF MEDICAL TYRANNY IS REPRESENTING A SPECIAL INTEREST OF A CORRUPT INDUSTRY AND NOT THE RIGHT OF ITS CITIZENS. SO ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THOSE THAT I REPRESENT, I'M ASKING YOU TODAY TO DO THE

[02:40:01]

WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENT TO DOING THAT, AND WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT THE BILLS AND WITH

AMENDMENTS FOR INFORMED CONSENT. >>> THANK YOU, THE REPRESENTATIVE HAS A QUESTION

FOR YOU. >> MA'AM? A COUPLE QUESTIONS I WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M CLEAR ON. I ASSUMED THAT EVERYBODY THAT'S SPEAKING -- YOU WOULD SPEAK FOR THEM GIVEN YOUR BACKGROUND. IS IT YOUR POSITION THAT THE VACCINES ARE INHERENTLY DANGEROUS TO -- IS IT YOUR POSITION -- FIRST OF ALL, THAT ALL VACCINES ARE INHERENTLY DANGEROUS SAY FOR SMALL CHILDREN OR IS IT SIMPLY THAT CERTAIN CHILDREN WITH CERTAIN

CONDITIONS, IT MAYBE DANGEROUS? >> THEY'RE INHERENTLY DANGEROUS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS.

>>> OKAY. AND WHY IS THAT? IS THERE A PARTICULAR SUBSTANCE

IN THE VACCINE THAT MAKE THEM DANGEROUS? >> IT'S NOT ONLY THE SUBSTANCE, BUT JUST THE PRACTICE OF INFECTION BY INJECTION. IT'S INHERENTLY DANGEROUS.

AND THE FACT THAT WE HAVE VACCINE INJURIES AND DEATHS, WHICH ARE HAPPENING DAILY AND UMM, IS A TESTAMENT TO THE FACT THAT THEY'RE DANGEROUS AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE PEOPLE THAT

WE'RE NOT BEING TOLD ABOUT. >>> ONE LAST QUESTION. IN THE INFORMED CONSENT PIECE THAT A PRIOR SPEAKER SPOKE ABOUT UNDER THE LEGISLATION, I BELIEVE IT WAS FEDERAL LEGISLATION IN 1986, WHAT IS -- WHAT ARE PEOPLE SUPPOSED TO BE RECEIVING BEFORE THEY GET VACCINATIONS THAT

THEY'RE NOT. >> THE ACT HAS -- THE MANUFACTURERS WERE REQUIRED TO DO VACCINE SAFETY STUDIES WHICH THEY HAVE NOT DONE. AND THEY WERE REQUIRED TO, YOU KNOW GIVE INFORMED CONSENT ABOUT WHAT'S IN A VACCINE AND WHAT THE POSSIBILITY SIDE EFFECTS ARE.

THIS IS NOT BEING DONE. >>> THANK YOU. MARY.

>> THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTY AND STATE. I'M ALSO HERE TO TALK ON THE SME ISSUE AND FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THESE BILLS.

PROPOSING OVER REACHING GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF OUR CHILDREN.

IT IS VERY SURREAL I'M FINDING MYSELF STANDING HERE IN 2019 IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA RESPECTFULLY ASKING MY GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES TO HELP FIGHT FOR THE MOST BASIC OF RIGHTS FOR OUR CHILDREN AND THE CHILDREN OF FLORIDA. I NEVER THOUGHT THAT AMERICA, THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE WOULD DEPRIVE US OF BASIC CIVIL LIBERTIES BY MANDATING UNPROVEN, UNTESTED, DANGEROUS MEDICAL PROCEDURES UPON OUR CHILDREN.

I'VE LOST A CHILD TO VACCINE INJURY AND HIS SURVIVING BROTHER SUFFERS EVERY DAY DUE TO HIS HEALTH CONDITIONS TO VACCINE ADVERSE EFFECTS. ONE CAN PRETEND IT'S JUST A QUINCE DINS THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE SICKER THAN THEY'VE EVER BEEN.

WHILE THE VACCINE SCHEDULE HAS EXKNOWN SHILEYLY INCREASED SINCE THE LEGISLATION PROVIDING COMPLETE IMMUNITY TO VACCINE MAKERS AND DOCTORS. -- THESE VACCINE INJURED CHILDREN AND ADULTS ARE THE LARGEST PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT WE EVER WE HAVE EVER FACED THERE'S A MISPERCEPTION THAT THESE CHILDREN SERVE AS A THREAT. IT'S UNSUPPORTED AND MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL. IF YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THE NEWS, YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT THE DISEASE AND ILLNESS OUT BREAKS AMONGST THE FULLY VACCINATED. THIS WAS THE CASE RECENTLY WITH PUMPS, CHICKENPOX, MEASLES AND WHOPPING COUGH. AND YOU KNOW, IN TWO STATES, CALIFORNIA AND NEW YORK. ALL OF THE CHILDREN, THE SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN ARE MANDATED TO HAVE THE FULL CHILDHOOD SCHEDUL OF VACCINES, WHICH IS TODAY IT'S 74 VACCINES SURE TO BE A LOT MORE NEXT YEAR. THERE ARE 272 NEW VACCINES IN THE PIPELINE.

SO, THAT NUMBER IS SURE TO INCREASE. BUT THAT'S WHERE SOME OF THESE OUT BREAKS ARE BEING SEEN IS IN THOSE SCHOOLS OF FULLY VACCINATED CHILDREN.

WE KNOW THEY'RE FULLY VACCINATED. THEY'RE NOT ALLOW ED TO STEP FOOT IN THESE SCHOOLS IF THEY'RE NOT. IF PASSED, THESE BILLS WOULD

[02:45:05]

I WOULD URGE YOU TO FIGHT THESE BILLS IN ANY WAY YOU CAN AND TO EDUCATE YOURSELVES FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND THAT OF YOUR FAMILIES. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> AND LAST I HAVE BART. >> MAUREEN HAD A FAMILY EMERGENCY AND COUNT BE HERE

TODAY. >>> AND SHE WAS SPEAKING ON THE SAME ISSUE SNFRJTS YES.

>>> THANK YOU. >> SHE IS A GRANDMOTHER TAKING CARE OF HER VACCINE TEEN INJURED, SEVERELY AUTISTIC, ADULT SON. JUST SO YOU KNOW.

>>> THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING WITH HER. >> THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS THIS FORUM. AS MY WIFE MARIE JUST SAID, I HAVE UNFORJ LIP LOST ONE SON DUE TO VACCINE INJURY AND OUR OTHER SON STRUGGLES EVERY DAY WITH THIS HEALTH PROBLEMS. ALSO DUE TO AX CONVENE INJURY. -- VACCINE INJURY. PLEASE VOTE NO ON SENATE BILL 46, 67, 208, 674. PLEASE KNOW THE VACCINE SCHEDULE COERCED UPON UNSUSPECTING AMERICAN FLAMES HAS NEVER BEEN TESTED FOR SAFETY OR EFFICACY. AND NONE OF THE INDIVIDUAL VACCINES EVER BEEN TESTED USING THE GOLD STANDARD OF SCIENTIFIC TESTING.

THE A DOUBLE BLIND PLACEBO CONTROLLED STUDY. AND THE CDC NEVER STUDIED THE ADVERSE ON THE POPULATION AND REFUSES TO DO SO. BUT INDEPENDENT STUDIES -- UNVACCINATED ARE MUCH HEALTHIER THAN THE VACCINATED. THEY'RE GIVEN JUST A FEW HOURS OF VACCINE EDUCATION IN SCHOOL AND TAUGHT TO ACCEPT EVERYTHING THAT THE CDC TELLS THEM WITHOUT QUESTION. THIS IS IF SAME CDC THAT PREVIOUSLY SAID THAT CIGARETTE SMOKING DOES NOT CAUSE CANCER. AND THE SAME CDC WHO SENIOR SCIENTISTS DOCTOR WILLIAM THOMPSON CONFESSED THEY HAVE MANIPULATED DATA TO REMOVE SIGNIFICANT CORRELATION BETWEEN VACCINE AND BRAIN DAMAGE. HE'S BEEN GRANTED OFFICIAL WHISTLE BLOWER STATUS.

UNFORTUNATELY, BIG PHARMA CONTROLS CDC. ANY NUMBER OF PARENTS HERE IN THIS AUDITORIUM KNOW FAR ABOUT VACCINES THAN MOST MDS. I ENDOURJ YOU PLEASE MEET WITH THESE PARENTS REGARDING THE FACTS SURROUNDING SUPPORT AND ISSUE THAT CAN'T BE COVERED IN THREE MINUTES. FEVEN VACCINES WERE TESTED -- EVEN IF VACCINES WERE TESTED AND FOUND SAFE, IT'S STILL THAT THE PARENT SHOULD HAVE THE TROTH REFUSE INJURY.

THERE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE EXEMPTION FOR A DANGEROUS MEDICAL PROCEDURE FOR WHICH ONE OF THE SIDE SIDE EFFECTS IS DEATH. IT COME CONTAINS HEAVY MEALS, CANCER CAUSING ANIMAL RETRO VIRUSS. NEURO TOXIN, AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. JUST ONE OF THOSE CANCER CAUSING RETRO VIRUS SOCIAL SECURITY A VIRUS 40. A VIRUS FOUND IN MONKEY KIDNEY CELLS USED TO GROW VACCINES.

IT'S A FACT THAT THE HEALTH PROBLEMS AMERICAN CHILDREN ARE FACING TODAY IS THE EXACT LIST OF THE SIDE EFBTS THAT ARE STATED IN THE VACCINE INSERTS. IT'S NOT A QUINCE -- COINCIDENCE. THAT LIST INCLUDES -- POLIO, ENCEPHALITIS, ANOREXIA AND MANY MORE HORRIFIC SIDE EFFECTS. THERE'S A COMMON MISPERCEPTION THAT VACCINES CURE POLIO AND WHICH IS PERPETUATE BID MEDIA. A DISEASE MORTALITY DECLINE 90% PRIOR TO TO INTRODUCTION OF ROUTINE VACCINE PROGRAMS. IN FACT SOME OF THE MOST PREVALENT DISEASES IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY INCLUDE TB -- FELLOW THE SAME CLIENTS WITHOUT HAVING A VACCINE PROGRAM.

I'LL WRAP UP. WHETHER YOU'RE PROVACCINE OR ANTIVACCINE, DO WE WANT TO GIVE THE STATE AUTHORITY TO MANDATE ANY MEDICAL PROCEDURE ON YOUR CHILDREN WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT. PLEASE VOTE NO ON THESE BILLS AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL

YOU DO. >> THANK YOU. >>> IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC THAT WISHES TO SPEAK IN THIS IS MY LAST CARD. OKAY, WE'LL BRING YOU BACK UP FOR FOLLOWING -- I'M SORRY. MA'AM, COME UP AND SPEAK F YOU WOULD MIND TO FILL OUT A CARD

AND FILLING IT IN? >> [INAUDIBLE]. >>> DO YOU HAVE IT WITH YOU.

DO YOU HAVE THE PAPER? >> I DO. >>> JUST GIVE IT TO ONE OF THEM

AFTER YOU'RE DONE SPEAKING. >> THANK YOU. >>> WHAT WAS YOUR NAME?

>> MY NAME IS LINDA FRANCIS. AND I LIVE AT 197 EDGE OF WOODS ROAD, SAINT AUGUSTINE.

[02:50:01]

I HAVE READ ARTICLES ON HOW THAT'S NOT BEING FUNDED. A T WAY IT WAS INTENDED TO.

AND I'M SURE THAT YOU KNOW AND YOU DO WANT TO ADHERE TO THE FACT THAT IN REFERENDUM, 75% OF PEOPLE IN FLORIDA WERE VERY CONCERNED AND INSISTENT THAT WE DO WHAT IS NECESSARY.

I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT HERE SINCE 1972 WHEN WE MOVED TO MIAMI FROM VIRGINIA.

I'VE SEEN GREAT CHANGES AND UMM, I DON'T WANT THE STATE TO WIND UP LIKE CALIFORNIA, JUST A SYSTEM OF ROADS. THE OTHER THING IS, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT PROTECTION OF THE POLLINATORS, ESPECIALLY FOR AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS. THERE'S BEEN DIFFERENT ARTICLES, YOU'VE PROBABLY READ SOME ABOUT THE TOXINS THAT ARE REALLY AFFECTING BEES, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MAIN POLLINATORS. AND SO, ALSO, I WANTED TO MENTION ABOUT THE CARROT AND STICK THAT'S PRACTICED IN PENNSYLVANIA ON AGRICULTURE. WHEN SOMEONE GOES TO SELL THEIR LAND, THAT'S AGRICULTURAL LAND THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN SPECIAL TAX INCENTIVES, THEY GO BACK SEVEN YEARS AND THEY SAY, OKAY, YOU HAD ALL THESE BENEFITS FOR SEVEN YEARS, BUT YOU NOW HAVE TO PAY AS IF YOU WERE NOT BEING GIVEN THOSE INCENTIVES FOR SEVEN YEARS.

IN OTHER WORDS, WE'RE GOING TO TAX YOU BACKWARDS. SO IT'S KIND OF LIKE A CARROT AND STICK. THE OTHER THING I WANT TO KNOW, DO WE HAVE PAPER BALLOTS IN EVERY COUNTY IN THIS STATE? ARE WE ABLE TO DEPEND ON OUR ELECTION SYSTEM THAT WE WILL HAVE A PAPER BALLOT TO BACK UP THE MACHINES? I DON'T KNOW CAN YOU -- I GUESS I SHOULD JUST KEEP TALKING. PI' I LIVE IN WORLD GOLF VILLAGE. DO YOU KNOW THERE ARE THREE GAS STATIONS BETWEEN ROUTE 16 AND 95? THREE NORMAL GAS STATIONS.

THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO REASON THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXCEPT WE DIDN'T HAVE THE RESTRICTIONS WE SHOULD HAVE HAD AND ONE IS TO LOOK AT WHAT'S ALREADY THERE. AND THAT'S A HUGE IMPACT OF WELL OVER A HUNDRED GAS PUMPS. I JUST THINK IT'S GOING TO LOOK -- STICK OUT LIKE A SORE THUMB, AND THIS IS VERY REUSS DEN ARABLE YA. -- RESIDENTIAL AREA.

IT'S NOT LIKE UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD OR ONE OF OUR MAIN DRAGS AND I HOPE IT DOESN'T TURN

INTO THAT DUH -- >>> WE WILL TRY TO GET YOU AN ANSWER ON THE BALLOT QUESTION.

THAT'S A BETTER QUESTION FOR YOUR SUPERVISOR RELATIONS BUT WE'LL TRY TO DWIGHT YOU AN

ANSWER. >> I KNOW THAT WE DO IN THIS COUNTY.

I'M ASKING YOU ABOUT ALL THE REST OF THE STATE. >>> THAT'D BE A QUESTION BETTER

GIVEN TO THE SUPERVISOR, BUT WE'LL GET YOU AN ANSWER. >> THANK YOU.

>>> WE ARE NOW GOING TO GO BACK TO CLOSING COMMENTS. I PRIDE MYSELF ON TRYING TO STAY ON TIME. WE'RE GOING TO ADJOURN AT 11:30, I'M GOING TO LET THE

REPRESENTATIVE GET FINAL CLOSING COSTS. >> THANKS TO EVERYBODY COMING OUT. I'S ALWAYS GOOD TO HEAR FROM FOLKS AND IT'S GREAT TO BE WITH

YOU THANKS. >>> REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON. >> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN.

I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF. INTRODUCE MY STAFF. CAY LEE, WHO'S HERE TODAY. AND I KNOW THE SENATOR HAS STAFF HERE AS WELL. WE'RE ALWAYS HERE TO HELP YOU.

THE BALLOT INITIATIVE QUESTION ABOUT THE PAPER BALLOT SOCIAL SECURITY AN EXAMPLE OF HOME RULE THAT IS DONE. WE DO HAVE STATE FRAME WORK. BUT THEY'RE OUR DECISIONS. AND I KNOW IN SAINT JOHNS COUNTY, WE CERTAINLY HAVE IT. I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS AND CONCERNS AND WE'LL TRY TO GET FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER THINGS THAT WERE DISCUSSED

TODAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERY ONE FOR COMING TODAY. THANK THE COUNTY FOR HOSTING US. ONE FINAL BIT OF HOUSEKEEPING, I

[Items H & I]

WAITED OBJECTION SHOW ADOPTIVE NOMINATES ME TO BE VICE CHAIR WITH THAT ADOPTED.

REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.